Leo Worthington-Leese Wins the EPT Eureka Main Event: A Triumph at the Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa
The excitement surrounding the PokerStars European Poker Tour $1,100 Eureka Main Event reached a fever pitch as an impressive 2,803 entrants gathered at the breathtaking Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa in Northern Cyprus. All players were vying for a coveted Shard trophy, but only one could emerge victorious. After three intense days filled with skill, strategy, and a fair share of thrilling moments, it was Leo Worthington-Leese who claimed the top prize worth $314,030, along with the illustrious trophy that symbolizes success in the world of poker.
The Road to Victory
In a tournament boasting a staggering $2,662,850 prize pool, Worthington-Leese’s journey to the top has hardly been unchallenging. Having already made waves in the poker community with a third-place finish at the EPT Monte Carlo Main Event the previous year for $437,918, expectations were high. This time, however, he didn’t just settle for the podium; he raised the bar and secured his first EPT trophy.
Frederick Anastasiades and Samuel Fournier rounded out the final three, claiming second and third places, respectively. Before plunging into the final showdown, the trio struck an ICM (Independent Chip Model) deal, ensuring their respective payouts while battling for the remaining $79,957 and the trophy.
Anastasiades walked away with a career-best score of $248,479, while Fournier secured his own record with $237,051.
A Glance at Day 3 Payouts
The final day was filled with many twists and turns. Here’s how the top-tier payouts unfolded:
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leo Worthington-Leese | United Kingdom | $314,030* |
| 2 | Frederick Anastasiades | Cyprus | $248,479* |
| 3 | Samuel Fournier | France | $237,051* |
| 4 | Aleksandr Razinkov | Russia | $132,120 |
| 5 | Yuan Xu | China | $109,390 |
| 6 | Guoliang Wei | China | $78,770 |
| 7 | Recep Aydemir | Turkey | $60,850 |
| 8 | Alexey Badulin | Russia | $46,600 |
(* Indicates ICM deal)
The Winner’s Mindset
After his hard-fought victory, Worthington-Leese sat down with PokerNews to reflect on the day. "It feels pretty fu*king good to win this," he exclaimed, acknowledging his prior experience in Monte Carlo, where he finished in third place. This time, he felt a different energy at the final table.
“I learned a lot from Monte Carlo and since then I feel I have gotten a lot better,” he noted. Throughout Day 3, Worthington-Leese mentioned how crucial momentum was for his success, especially as he faced significant challenges to regain his chip lead. A key moment for him was a pivotal hand where he managed to double up, shifting the dynamics in his favor.
In looking forward, Worthington-Leese expressed excitement for upcoming events, including the EPT Cyprus Main Event and the EPT festival in Prague this December. But before diving back into competitive play, he has plans to celebrate his victory with friends, treating them to a night filled with good food and drinks.
Day 3 Harbingers of Change
The final day began with Yuan Xu as the chip leader, but the action quickly heated up. Key moments included Alexey Badulin being eliminated early on, followed by a series of high-stakes confrontations that reshuffled chip stacks. Worthington-Leese endured fluctuations in his stack, yet demonstrated resilience by bouncing back against adversaries.
As the final three engaged in negotiations for an ICM chop, the atmosphere remained tense yet strategic. Once they resumed play, Worthington-Leese’s ability to capitalize on crucial moments solidified his position on the leaderboard.
The Final Showdown
As heads-up play commenced, Worthington-Leese’s skill came to the forefront. The second hand of this final duel saw Anastasiades push all-in, only to be met with Worthington-Leese’s snap-call. The tension peaked as the Cypriot found himself on the back foot; he ultimately was left with a meager stack after his sevens met the formidable queens of Worthington-Leese. With only a few hands left, Worthington-Leese secured victory by making a straight, clinching the tournament and the trophy.
Looking Ahead
The EPT Eureka Main Event has come to an exhilarating close, but the excitement continues in Northern Cyprus. Players and fans alike can look forward to more thrilling poker action and competitions in the coming weeks. With emerging talents like Worthington-Leese carving their names in poker history, the future of the game looks brighter than ever. Stay tuned for continued updates and coverage of the EPT 2024 decisions and developments right here on PokerNews.
