€5,300 EPT Main Event | 2024 PokerStars EPT Monte Carlo

2024-05-04 10:58 UTC+1

Seat 6: Niclas Thumm, 31, Germany (lives in Austria), PokerStars Online Qualifier – 3,650,000

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After securing a $1 million prize at the PokerStars Players Championship (PSPC) in January, Niclas Thumm, known in the Twitch community as “flushiisback,” took a year off to ponder his future. This break followed his notable success in 2021 during the PokerStars Dare2Stream competition, where he was the runner-up, earning a $25k Platinum Pass. Although he didn’t win the top prize—a PokerStars Ambassadorship which went to Seb “peace&loove” Huber—Thumm leveraged his pass into a sixth-place finish at the PSPC in the Bahamas, transforming his low-stakes playing career.

At 31, Thumm explained his year-long hiatus by noting, "There are so many opportunities I have now, so I wanted to choose the right ones." Ultimately, he discovered that his joy comes from traveling to poker events, engaging with friends, and positively impacting his community. With this realization, he returned to the poker scene, entering online satellites for the EPT Monte Carlo and qualifying for just €500.

This week, Thumm has been applying new strategies and executing bluffs that he wouldn’t have dared at the PSPC, indicating a growth in his gameplay. “I’ve made several bluffs throughout this tournament that I wouldn’t have at the PSPC. So it feels different,” he shared. Now on the verge of another seven-figure score, Thumm is ecstatic and reflective: “I’m over the moon. I’m just doing what I’m doing, improving every day, and it’s working out so far.” This blend of introspection and strategic evolution marks Thumm's enthusiastic return to competitive poker.

2024-05-04 10:57 UTC+1

Jonathan Guedes, 27, Sao Paulo, Brazil, PokerStars Online Qualifier – 1,900,000

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Jonathan Guedes, a 27-year-old professional poker player from São Paulo, Brazil, predominantly plays online, making his final table appearance at the EPT Monte Carlo particularly notable as only his second live tournament cash. His first was a minor win at a BSOP event.

This trip to Monte Carlo is part of Guedes' first international journey, initially planned with his fiancée Fernanda. The couple started their travels in Germany, but after Guedes won a Silver Pass through the PokerStars Power Path, he decided to participate in the FPS in Monaco. His luck continued as he won a €250 online satellite on PokerStars, securing a full EPT package and extending their European adventure.

Having started playing poker only in 2018 and turning professional by 2019, Guedes' rise in the poker world has been swift. He now stands on the brink of becoming only the second EPT Main Event champion from Brazil, an impressive feat given his relatively short but successful poker career.

2024-05-04 10:56 UTC+1

Seat 4: Jonathan Pastore, 29, Le Mans, France (lives in Mexico) – 3,350,000

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Jonathan Pastore, originally from Le Mans, France, has been a dedicated PokerStars player for a decade, initially on the .fr client and, after relocating to Malta, within the global .com player pool. He now resides in Mexico among a community of French professional poker players.

Pastore's poker journey began in small clubs and gradually progressed to the professional circuit. His career reached new heights in 2022 when he secured a WSOP bracelet in a $5,000 buy-in 6-max event in Las Vegas. A few months later, he achieved a runner-up finish at the WSOP Europe Main Event in Rozvadov, accumulating over $1.6 million in earnings within just five months.

Beyond the poker tables, Pastore is passionate about tennis, a sport he considered pursuing at a professional coaching level. However, during the Covid years, he fully committed to poker and also became a coach for various French poker stables.

Prior to this tournament, Pastore's results in EPT events had been modest, with only one previous Main Event cash. Now at the final table, he has the opportunity to add a prestigious EPT title to his achievements. “My mother will probably come tomorrow,” he mentioned, indicating that she, along with his friends, will be supporting him from the rail.

2024-05-04 10:55 UTC+1

Seat 3: Jovan Kenjic, 28, Kragujevac, Serbia – 4,750,000

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Jovan Kenjic, from Kragujevac, Serbia, has made an impressive run to the EPT Monte Carlo final table, showcasing both his skill and a rare moment of joy at the table.

The 28-year-old Kenjic recounted a memorable hand where he made quad aces, leading to a significant chip win. At that point, he was already the chip leader and now sits comfortably in third place with 4,750,000 chips.

This tournament marks a significant milestone for Kenjic, who has shown great potential in his poker career with three previous cashes in EPT Main Events—twice in Prague and once in Cyprus—and numerous side-event placements.

Despite only turning professional and hitting the circuit five years ago, Kenjic's performance in Monaco could potentially secure him as one of Serbia's top poker players.

With Serbia still vying for its first EPT Main Event champion, Kenjic's success in Monte Carlo could catapult him into the nation’s top five poker players, marking a historic achievement.

2024-05-04 10:54 UTC+1

Seat 2: Derk van Luijk, 43, The Hague, Netherlands – 3,200,000

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Derk van Luijk, a 43-year-old semi-professional poker player and investor, has already surpassed his previous best performance in an EPT Main Event.

Earlier this year, he reached 28th place in Paris, but has gone even further in Monaco, now making it to the final day. A dramatic moment defined his tournament when he drew two jacks on the turn and river, allowing his ace-jack to beat a pair of aces. This crucial hand occurred while they were nine-handed, propelling him with the momentum needed to continue.

Throughout the tournament, Van Luijk has had the support of his partner, who is expecting their third child and was present to witness the pivotal hand from the rail. With his performance in Monte Carlo, he is set to earn the largest prize of his poker career, already securing his first six-figure score. Additionally, Van Luijk has previously claimed a PokerStars spade for winning a €2,100 side event at EPT Barcelona in 2022.

2024-05-04 10:53 UTC+1

Seat 1: Rania Nasreddine, 43, Tulsa, OK, United States – 7,900,000

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Rania Nasreddine, a 43-year-old lawyer from Tulsa, Oklahoma, has made it to the final table of the EPT Monte Carlo, securing the largest payout of her poker career. Despite her humble claim of "I'm not that good, I'm outkicking my coverage," Nasreddine's impressive track record includes over $600,000 in live poker earnings since 2016. She learned poker in college while on the debate team and later hosted games as a fun way to develop client relationships.

Now juggling a demanding legal career, real estate ventures, and parenting a young child, Nasreddine plays poker only once every four to six weeks, making each session a special occasion. Her decision to participate in the EPT Monte Carlo came about serendipitously, as she was already in Europe for a girls' trip to Paris. Despite a tough experience at EPT Barcelona last year, Monte Carlo has proven far more successful.

Facing a field predominantly composed of Europeans, whom she considers exceptionally challenging opponents, Nasreddine has already outlasted over 1,200 players. "To fade 1,207 people and get a win would be shocking," she remarked. Regardless of the outcome at the final table, her experience in Monte Carlo has been memorable, highlighted by luxurious touches like complimentary smoothies and pancakes. "This is the most lux tournament I’ve ever played," she enthused. "Food is my love language."

€5,300 EPT Main Event

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