Thrilling Triumph at the WPT Prime Paris Championship

The glamorous ambiance of the Club Circus Paris recently set the stage for a spectacular display of poker prowess at the World Poker Tour (WPT) Prime Paris Championship. The event boasted a €1,100 buy-in no-limit hold’em structure and drew an impressive 1,242 entries, culminating in a staggering prize pool of nearly $1.3 million. With a significant portion of that prize pool allocated to the top contenders, the tournament showcased some of the best poker talent, culminating in an exhilarating conclusion.

A Champion Emerges: Hugues Girard

Amidst the fierce competition, it was French native Hugues Girard who emerged victorious, claiming not only the coveted championship trophy but also a grand prize of $183,294. This victory marks Girard’s second six-figure payout of the year, following his impressive second-place finish at the Winimax Poker Tour Grand Finale, where he earned $137,340 from a field of 3,448 participants. His win at the WPT has propelled his career tournament earnings to exceed $583,000, predominantly amassed within the current year.

Girard’s performance at the WPT Prime Paris Championship also allowed him to accumulate 960 Card Player Player of the Year (POY) points, elevating him to 123rd place in the 2024 POY standings presented by Global Poker. This triumph stands as his first title and fourth final-table appearance in the year, signaling a banner year for the talented poker player.

A Gripping Final Table

After a thrilling journey through five starting flights and a single day of intensified action, the tournament culminated with just eight players remaining. Girard led the chip count, closely followed by Etienne Oliveira and Mathieu Goncalves. The tension mounted as players were eliminated one by one, showcasing skill and strategy at every turn.

Girard quickly demonstrated his prowess, taking down Samuel Fournier in eighth place with A-Q besting Fournier’s A-K, eliminating him from the race. The eliminations continued as Ludovic Amblard (7th – $32,777) fell victim to Baptiste Audoli, whose jacks and queens overshadowed Amblard’s pocket fives.

Tactical Eliminations

As the final day of play unfolded, Girard displayed keen tactical awareness. He managed to eliminate Oleksii Ievchenko in sixth place with a crucial bottom pair against Ievchenko’s flush and straight draws. Shortly after, Girard showcased his strength by knocking out Etienne Oliveira in fifth place, further solidifying his lead as just four players remained.

The intensity peaked when Girard faced off against Baptiste Audoli in a significant hand, holding Q♠Q♥ against Audoli’s K♥9♥. After an exhilarating flop and turn but no help for Audoli, he exited in fourth place, pocketing $68,681.

Battling for the Title

The remaining players included Kostya Zaks, who eventually went all-in with A♣9♣ against Girard’s J♥J♦. The board ran in Girard’s favor, giving him a flush and sending Zaks (3rd – $91,863) to the sidelines.

This set the stage for a gripping heads-up battle between Girard and Mathieu Goncalves. Girard held an impressive 5:1 chip lead to start but Goncalves mounted an admirable comeback, even briefly taking the lead during the intense matchup. After 100 hands of fierce competition, the final hand saw Goncalves shove with K♠9♦ and Girard call with K♣7♣, leading to a board that favored Girard, securing his win with sevens full.

Final Table Payouts and Points

The WPT Prime Paris Championship undoubtedly proved to be a landmark event in the poker calendar, showcasing thrilling gameplay, sharp strategic thinking, and impressive skill from the participants. As the dust settles and Girard basks in his well-deserved victory, the poker community eagerly anticipates the next installment of this globally recognized tournament series.

Photo Credits: World Poker Tour.