Oliver Weis: A Stellar Year in Poker
This year has marked a remarkable ascent for Germany’s Oliver Weis in the world of tournament poker. The 32-year-old poker pro has made headlines with astonishing performances in 2024, recording not only his two largest live tournament victories but also achieving a milestone that many players yearn for: securing a coveted World Series of Poker (WSOP) gold bracelet.
Milestone Achievements
Weis kicked off his victorious year with a stunning win during the WSOP Online series, where he triumphed in the $5,000 Short Deck event. This victory was significant not only because it granted him his first WSOP bracelet but also added to his career winnings in dramatic fashion. Following this victory, Weis continued to showcase his poker prowess by outlasting a massive field of 1,284 players at the prestigious European Poker Tour (EPT) Cyprus.
His latest victory at the EPT Cyprus, where he clinched the title in the $5,300 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em main event, brought him a staggering prize of $1,030,000. This win slightly fell short of breaking his top earnings record; that distinction currently belongs to the €10,300 buy-in champion title he earned back in February at the EPT Paris, which netted him $1,047,816.
Surge in Earnings
With his latest victory at EPT Cyprus, Weis has more than doubled his career earnings for the year alone, accumulating over $5.2 million to date. His achievements in 2024 have accounted for nearly half of his total career winnings, illustrating an impressive and lucrative season for the young athlete.
In an interview after his EPT Cyprus win, Weis expressed his satisfaction, stating, “I’m very happy. This is a tough grind,” highlighting the dedication and persistence required at such competitive levels.
Player of the Year Race
Weis’s monumental success has propelled him into contention for Player of the Year status in the 2024 standings presented by Card Player and Global Poker. After his latest win, he now ranks 13th, having accumulated a total of 4,940 Player of the Year points, which includes two POY-qualified victories and two other final-table finishes. The point system further reflects his remarkable consistency and skill over the season.
A Competitive Field
The EPT Cyprus tournament showcased a strong turnout and a prize pool of $6,227,400. A competitive field included several notable players, such as two-time WSOP bracelet winner Artur Martirosian and EPT champion Nicolas Chouity, among others, all vying for a spot in the money. The top 191 finishers were rewarded, marking a thrilling tournament filled with skilled competitors.
Final Table Highlights
The final day of the EPT Cyprus main event commenced with Weis as the chip leader among six remaining players. The eliminations unfolded rapidly, with notable names exiting the competition, including:
- Anton Wigg: The former EPT Copenhagen champion finished sixth for $208,720.
- Bobby James: Eliminated in fifth place with a cash of $271,400, marking his best live tournament result.
- Andriy Lyubovetskiy: Secured fourth place with a payout of $353,100 after a daring call that ultimately did not pay off.
As the tournament progressed, the clash between Georgios Tsouloftas and Mikhail Shalamov led to Shalamov’s elimination in third place, yielding a $459,000 reward for his strong performance.
The Heads-Up Battle
The heads-up match between Tsouloftas and Weis was a marathon affair, expanding over several hours. Starting with a substantial chip disadvantage, Weis demonstrated tactical prowess by executing well-timed bluffs and calculated aggression. This calculated style of play allowed him to close the gap and eventually seize the lead.
The pivotal moment came when Weis’s Q♥7♥ faced Tsouloftas’s K♥2♣. The board helped Weis form a pair of sevens, leading him to victory and the champion’s title, while Tsouloftas ended as runner-up, claiming $642,300.
Conclusion
Oliver Weis’s journey in 2024 has been marked by extraordinary achievements, including sizeable winnings and notable accolades, with promising prospects lying ahead in his poker career. His tenacity and skill have showcased what can be achieved through dedication in the high-stakes world of poker. Looking ahead, fans and competitors alike will be keenly watching to see how Weis builds on this incredible momentum in the remaining tournaments of the year.
Photo credits: Rational Intellectual Holdings Ltd. / Manuel Kovsca.
