EPT Paris 2026 coverage archive
Table of Contents
Finally, the EPT returned to Paris! Catch up on the action with news, interviews and results from the festival.
Jorge Abreu completes effortless EPTÂ Paris victory, denying Felix Schneiders
A sensational final day of the European Poker Tour (EPT) Main Event in Paris landed a famous title for Portugal’s Jorge Abreu, who earned €1,148,600 after a crushing, dominant, pillar-to-post win.
But there was also an extraordinary performance from the German streamer and content creator Felix “xflixx” Schneiders, who rode a short stack all the way to second place in this 1,474-entry field and earned €717,350, by far his biggest ever poker win.
Read a full recap from the Main Event here.
€5,300 Main Event
Entries: 1,474
Prize pool: €7,075,200
First place: €1,148,600
RESULTS
See full RESULTS from across the EPT Paris 2026 festival.
FEATURE COVERAGE
FINAL TABLE PLAYER PROFILES
The EPT Paris Main Event is into its last day. Find out some more about the seven players still in with a chance of landing that €1,148,600 payday.
Read our EPT Paris 2026 final table player profiles.
HIGH ROLLERS AND HUGE BOUNTIES
Niklas ‘Lena900’ Astedt continues to put up big results at EPT Paris, while Frank Lagodich takes down the Mystery Bounty for more than €300K.
DEAL OR NO DEAL? IN FRANCE, NO DEAL
Deal-making in major poker tournaments is a crucial part of the modern game, but the practice is prohibited in France.
Read more about the deal prohibition.
JORIS RUIJS CONTINUES ASCENT IN PARIS
Joris ‘BillLewinsky’ Ruijs has already achieved a lot in poker, but he’s on the verge of a massive EPT breakthrough in Paris.
Learn more about Joris Ruijs here.
THE POKER WELLBEING HUB
There’s nothing more important than your personal wellbeing. Take a look through some very valuable advice on how to stay healthy as a poker player.
TEUSL’S MAIDEN EPT CASH COULD BE A MONSTER
It’s her first EPT Main Event cash, but last-woman-standing and former world champion Jessica Teusl is well equipped for a monster score at EPT Paris.
THE RISE AND RISE OF FELIX SCHNEIDERS
Having cashed in an EPT Main Event for the first time less than two years ago, the German streamer Felix Schneiders (“Xflixx”) is making a happy habit of it now. He’s fifth of 49 at EPT Paris.
Read The Rise and Rise of Felix Schneiders
DAZZLING IMAGES FROM ACROSS THE FESTIVAL
The EPT Paris festival is in full swing, and there’s been more action than any one person can hope to see. Thankfully, the PokerStars Live team of photographers — Danny Maxwell, Manuel Kovsca, Jules Pochy and Eloy Cabacas — have been wandering this cavernous venue late into the night to capture everything. Take a look at some of the images below.
Here’s just a small sample of their photography work this week.
HOW TO MAKE COMEBACKS IN POKER TOURNAMENTS
Kayhan Mokri–the high-stakes crusher who sits atop Norway’s all-time money list–was at one point reduced to a single 500-value tournament chip on Day 2 of the EPT Paris Main Event. By the end of the day, he was in the money with the fourth-largest stack, bagging 150 big blinds. Find out how you can also make comebacks in this guide.
How to make comebacks in poker tournaments
THE PICTURE WORTH $13M (AND 40 COOP TITLES AT LEAST)
On the face of it, it’s just another photo from a poker tournament players’ party. But this one, snapped by PokerStars photographer Jules Pochy at the EPT Paris meet-up this week, is something quite special, at least for fans of online poker…
Why is this picture special? Find out here.
DAVID LAPPIN UNVEILED AS NEW POKERSTARS AMBASSADOR
‘I’m going to be speaking for the players first’ — The Irish poker pro, writer, commentator and podcaster David Lappin reveals his intentions after landing a 12-month sponsorship deal via the PokerStars Live League.
Read: PokerStars unveils David Lappin as new Ambassador
LATEST LIVE LEAGUE STANDINGS
Take a look at the latest PokerStars Live League standings as EPT Paris continues. Plus, check out who topped the boards in 2025.
ANOTHER BARNSTORMER IN THE FRENCH CAPITAL
It was another huge field in the French capital, with players from 66 countries building a prize pool of more than €7 million for the EPT Paris Main Event.
Check out those all-important numbers here.
WHAT’S A DECENT DAY 1 STACK AT AN EPT MAIN EVENT?
You can’t win it all on Day 1, but eventually you’ll need every chip. So what kind of chip stack should you be aiming for on the first day of a major tournament like the EPT Main Event?
Here are some Day 1 thoughts, as well as some stats to back it up.
LADVA LANDS €100K VICTORY OVER ABSURDLY DIFFICULT FIELD
Nine of the 15 players on Day 2 of the EPT Paris €100K Super High Roller were their countries’ No 1, but Estonian breakout star Ottomar Ladva beat them all.
Take a look back on the Super High Roller event
PARDO, DVORESS AND ANGELOV AMONG EARLY WINNERS
There were a host of well-known winners in the early side events at EPT Paris, including Dan Dvoress, Juan Pardo and Boris Angelov.
Take a look at some of the winners so far at EPT Paris.
EPT MAIN EVENT DAY 1 STRATEGY TIPS
The EPT Paris Main Event may be the first major tournament many people have played. How should you approach Day 1 of such a daunting event?
Read some very valuable strategy advice
WHY EPT PARIS IS SO ANTICIPATED
Absence makes the heart grow fonder. And when you also throw the city of Paris into the mix, the yearning only becomes more intense. That’s certainly the feeling among poker players as they return to the French capital this week.
Here are four reasons EPT Paris is the most eagerly anticipated tournament in years.
DEMUS TOPS MASSIVE POKERSTARS OPEN
Hungary’s Patrik Demus is the newest winner on the PokerStars Open tour, topping a 2,992-entry €1,650 Main Event in Paris to bank a whopping €551,090 in prize money.
That’s the second-largest top prize in the tour’s brief history (only beaten by the €772,000 won by Alexis Nicolai in Barcelona), and at times it looked very unlikely it would head Demus’ way. He was down to only eight big blinds with four players remaining, but forged a comeback to take him to the title and trophy.
SPIN & GO CHAMPIONSHIP COVERAGE
MESTRE THE MASTER WINS IT ALL!
Raul Mestre, the newest PokerStars Ambassador, made quite the debut in Paris, topping the thrilling Spin & Go Championship Live for €92,539. Not bad for two days’ work.
SPIN & GO CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIERS
The Spin & Go Championship kicks off today (Monday, February 23) in Paris. Get to know a handful of the qualifiers battling in the year’s most exclusive poker tournament.
Check out our qualifier profiles here.
ABOUT EPT PARIS
The European Poker Tour (EPT) is back where it belongs – in the heart of Paris. As the cards fly this year, you can expect the action to be bigger, bolder and more electric than ever. After all, EPT Paris never stands still, not when the stakes are this high.
Play in style at Le Palais des Congrès, a world-class venue in the centre of the French capital where there’s more space, more tables and more epic action for you to enjoy. It’s sure to be elite live poker from start to finish.
Plus, Paris is more than poker. It’s a cultural melting pot with numerous activities to experience, from historical sights to stunning galleries and amazing restaurants. Poker, culture and unforgettable nights in the City of Light – why not live the EPT Paris dream by taking your seat?
* The license holder and operator of this event is Club Barrière Paris.
FESTIVAL DATES
February 18-March 1, 2026
PokerStars Open
- Main Event: February 18-23 – €1,650
- Cup: February 21-22 – €825
- High Roller: February 22-24 – €2,700
EPT
- Super High Roller: February 22-24 – €100,000
- Main Event: February 23-March 1 – €5,300
- Mystery Bounty: February 25-27 – €3,250
- High Roller: February 27-March 1 – €10,300
EPT PARIS SCHEDULE
There are 52 tournaments on the EPT Paris schedule (including satellites)–plenty to keep you entertained.
Take a look through the entire schedule here.
OFF THE FELT ACTIVITIES
EPT Paris is fast approaching, and while the schedule of events will be the primary attraction for players, there will be a selection of off-the-felt activities taking place for those looking to broaden their Parisian horizons.
So while you thumb through your French phrase book and practice exclaiming Allez Papa!, here’s a rundown on what you can look forward to away from the tables…
EPT Paris: Off the felt activities
LAST TIME IN PARIS…
The last time the European Poker Tour rolled into the City of Light, back in 2024, an icon of modern poker shone brightest. A six-day clinic from one of British poker’s best-loved stars ended with a famous EPT Paris victory for Barny Boatman, and a €1.3 million payday.
FURTHER READING: Here are the four crucial hands that led to his €1.3M victory at EPT Paris
Elsewhere, Parker Talbot won a career-best €334,180 in the FPS Paris High Roller, PokerStars commentator Griffin Benger took down a silver Spadie, Oliver Weis and Thomas Santerne won High Rollers, and Mateusz Moolhuizen won a record-breaking FPS Main Event.
Refresh your memory in our EPT Paris 2024 coverage hub.
EVERYTHING ELSE
POKER NEWS LIVE UPDATES
Our live reporting partner will provide hand-by-hand updates from multiple tournaments across the series.
EPT PARIS OFFICIAL SITE
The PokerStars Live official page with everything you need to know about the tournament series in Paris.
FULL TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
The full EPT Paris and PokerStars Open Paris schedule can be viewed here.
DOWNLOAD THE POKERSTARS LIVE APP
All the info you need on your mobile device from the Apple iStore or Google Play for Android.
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