 Estonian professional poker player Markku Komplimaa emerged victorious in the record-breaking €1,100 EPT National to claim the €585,500 top-prize along with the coveted trophy.
The 2019 EPT National in Barcelona drew the biggest field for a PokerStars-sponsored mid-stake event with 4,682 entries from 80 countries. The top 702 finishers shared slices of the €4,541,540 prize pool.
Koplimaa notched the highest prize of his career, doubling his live tournament winnings. He boasts a stellar resume featuring more than $7 million in online cashes at PokerStars where he's known as "markovitsus".
"It feels awesome, amazing, I don't have any words for it. It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience", Koplimaa told PokerNews.
It was a landslide victory today for the experienced pro who brought a chip-leading stack to the six-handed final table. Komplimaa gave away his lead only briefly before he quickly re-established himself in the commanding position.
Koplimaa was able to keep pulling further ahead, eliminating the rest of his remaining rivals in the process. He seized more than a 3-to-1 advantage ahead of a heads-up match against Adam Hendrix.
Koplimaa ended the final battle shortly afterwards, leaving Hendrix with the silver medal and €346,500.
Lithuanian player Eldaras Rafijevas took home €263,200 for a third-place finish while Matias Arosuo from Finland settled for €212,100 following his exit in fourth place.
PokerStars qualifier Barry McGovern, who won his ticket online for around €40, walked away with €168,100 for fifth.
Koplimaa knocked out each of his final four opponents. The only elimination provided by other player was that of Jose Quintas in sixth place, courtesy of McGovern. Quintas picked up €129,100.
Live coverage from the tournament can be found at PokerNews.
Final table results:
1st - Markku Koplimaa, Estonia, €585,500
2nd - Adam Hendrix, USA, €346,500
3rd - Eldaras Rafijevas, Lithuania, €263,200
4th - Matias Arosuo, Finland, €212,100
5th - Barry McGovern, Ireland, €168,100
6th - Jose Quintas, Portugal, €129,100
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Estonian professional poker player Markku Komplimaa emerged victorious in the record-breaking €1,100 EPT National to claim the €585,500 top-prize along with the coveted trophy.
