Mateusz Moolhuizen Wins the €1,100 FPS Main Event (€470,830)

The conclusion of the 2024 PokerStars European Poker Tour (EPT) Paris delivered a tale of triumph as Mateusz Moolhuizen clinched an astonishing victory in the €1,100 PokerStars France Poker Series Main Event, seizing a staggering €470,830 in winnings. Beginning Day 2 with just six big blinds, Moolhuizen, hailing from the Netherlands, defied monumental odds over an exhaustive 60-hour marathon spanning three days, showcasing a remarkable blend of skill, resilience, and a touch of fate to secure his inaugural EPT title.

Despite commencing the nine-handed final table at a disadvantage with the shortest stack, Blaz Zerjav from Slovenia exhibited remarkable prowess but ultimately succumbed to Moolhuizen in the heads-up showdown, securing the runner-up position along with a substantial €294,530 prize.

The event saw a total of 619 players cashing out, with notable Indian professionals such as WSOP bracelet winner Abhinav Iyer (finishing 462nd for €2,170) and the 2023 GPI POY (India) Ankit Ahuja (placing 513th for €1,890) making their mark among the money earners.

An additional EPT tournament, the €550 France Poker Series (FPS) Cup, witnessed the participation of Ahuja and Iyer, who each secured €1,000 for their respective finishes at 243rd and 281st places. Srinivas Lankireddy, another Indian contender, made his presence felt by cashing in at 213th place for €1,100.

In a parallel event, France’s Nolan Madene clinched his maiden EPT title in the FPS Cup, outshining a massive field of 1,603 entries to claim the coveted €143,200 top prize, with Switzerland’s Tung Nguyen securing the runner-up spot and earning €89,300.

Returning to the spotlight of the FPS Main Event, Moolhuizen embarked on his journey amidst a record-breaking participation of 4,149 entries spanning six starting flights, resulting in the largest prize pool in FPS history amounting to €3,983,040. Despite facing initial adversity with the shortest stack on Day 2, Moolhuizen navigated through the challenging competition, employing strategic bluffs and leveraging favorable card runs to ascend the ranks against formidable odds.

While acknowledging the role of chance in his meteoric ascent, Moolhuizen’s illustrious poker career, punctuated by victories in competitive fields, underscored his undeniable expertise. This triumph in the FPS marked his maiden PokerStars Main Event title, adding yet another illustrious achievement to his repertoire.

Entering the final day with the third-largest stack, Moolhuizen engaged in intense battles, overcoming fatigue from the previous night’s marathon session by employing meditation techniques to maintain sharp focus and composure.

With his fiancée, Dehlia de Jong, providing unwavering support from the sidelines, Moolhuizen’s victory held significance beyond the realm of poker, resonating with the romantic ambiance of Paris as the couple prepared for their impending wedding ceremony in the city of love.

Moolhuizen’s extraordinary journey from underdog to champion serves as an inspiring narrative for aspiring poker enthusiasts, showcasing how a combination of skill, determination, and a stroke of luck can transform adversity into triumph.

Blaz Zerjav’s remarkable performance in this event propelled his live tournament earnings to $612,828, securing him the 5th spot on Slovenia’s all-time money list, as per the Hendon Mob.

The €1,100 PokerStars France Poker Series Main Event attracted a massive field of 4,149 entrants, generating an impressive prize pool of €3,983,040, with payouts extending to the top 619 finishers, with cash prizes commencing at €1,890.

Final Table Results