Entries 2.835
We could start by talking about the EPM Main Event as just another poker tournament offering a big check for the first-place winner, but doing so would risk distorting the reality of what actually happened.
After the stunning success achieved this summer in Rozvadov, where the EPM became the richest tournament ever organized in Europe with a buy-in under €1,000, the recently concluded edition, which saw Switzerland’s adopted son Denis Gergoc (actually Albanian, as proudly displayed by the jersey he wore during the final heads-up) triumph, has set new records even here.
If you’re eager to know more, CLICK HERE, because another important chapter in the history of European (and perhaps even global) poker has been written. But now it’s time to celebrate the winner, the star of a fantastic tournament in which he outlasted a field of 2,835 entries.
Here's the situation at the beginning of the final table:
Seat 1. 🇦🇱 Denis G. - 15,550,000
Seat 2. 🇨🇭 Mojo 14,150,000
Seat 3. 🇮🇹 Bianco Adriano - 6,350,000
Seat 4. 🇹🇷 Lulei H. - 19,200,000
Seat 5. 🇨🇭 Merk Andreas - 40,650,000
Seat 6. 🇦🇹 Rapatz - 28,050,000
Seat 7. 🇨🇭 LEON17 - 2,450,000
Seat 8. 🇨🇭 Olivier Rolf A. - 29,800,000
Seat 9. 🇦🇹 Kanzler - 14,950,000
Denis' journey
And not because Lady Luck decided to give him a push today (poker tournaments, no matter how skilled you are, aren’t won through sheer misfortune), but because among all the competitors, he was — as confirmed not only by us observers but also by many established players — the best by far.
An online professional who transitioned to live poker in 2022 (at least, that’s the year of his first recorded result on Hendonmob), Denis can already boast a WSOP Circuit Main Event ring from 2022, where he earned a neat €200,000.
This victory at the EPM Liechtenstein represents the most significant financial milestone of his career, although we’re confident that we’ll see him atop the payout list of another major tournament in the coming years:
“I played to win; I wanted it at all costs, and I’m not someone who likes to make deals. I always play for first place and the trophy,” he told us shortly after his victory.
His determination is evident not only in his words but also in his demeanor at the table: calm, focused, technically prepared, and unshaken even in moments of high tension.
“Winning is a beautiful feeling. I’m very satisfied, even though, at this exact moment, it’s hard to describe how I feel. I’m still overwhelmed by emotions.
Did I ever think I wouldn’t make it? There’s never any certainty in tournaments until you raise the trophy in the air. To be honest, at the final table, I was card-dead for quite a while, but I always tried to hold my ground and play every spot as best as I could.
Then the cards started smiling at me, and I capitalized on the situations where I could gain an advantage over my opponents.”
Despite the significant pay jumps—daunting for most players—Denis managed to achieve his goal without letting emotions take over. We challenge anyone not to waver even for a moment with CHF 80,000 and change at stake during the final heads-up (despite starting with a massive chip lead).
“We’ll definitely see each other in December for the EPO Mystery Bounty, a fantastic tournament with a great structure that I can’t wait to play. Has anyone ever won two EuroRounders trophies? Well, then I’ll be the first — or at least, I’ll try!”
We could recount the tournament elimination by elimination, as we often do, but we’d rather let the images speak for themselves. The poker played tonight at the GCPoker Room — especially the poker showcased by the winner, Denis Gergoc — deserves to be seen and heard. So, feel free to hit play below to relive all the action. Further down in the post, you’ll also find the final payout.
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