Leo Worthington-Leese Triumphs at the PokerStars European Poker Tour $1,100 Eureka Main Event
The prestigious setting of the Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa buzzed with excitement as the PokerStars European Poker Tour (EPT) $1,100 Eureka Main Event unfolded. This year, the event attracted an impressive 2,803 entrants, all vying for the chance to take home not only a piece of the substantial prize pool but also the coveted Shard trophy. After an exhilarating journey spanning six flights and three intense days of play, it was Leo Worthington-Leese who emerged victorious, capturing the trophy and a remarkable $314,030 from a total prize pool of $2,662,850.
A Historic Victory for Worthington-Leese
Leo Worthington-Leese, no stranger to the high-stakes world of poker, had shown his prowess previously by finishing third in the 2023 EPT Monte Carlo Main Event, netting an impressive $437,918. However, at this tournament, he surpassed his prior achievements, sealing his first EPT trophy and solidifying his status as a formidable player on the circuit.
In the heat of the final table, Worthington-Leese faced strong competition from Frederick Anastasiades, who finished in second place, and Samuel Fournier, who took home third place. Before plunging into three-handed play, the three players negotiated an ICM (Independent Chip Model) deal, allowing them to divide a portion of the prize money while still competing for the remaining $79,957 and the prestigious trophy.
Anastasiades walked away with a career-best score of $248,479, while Fournier also achieved a personal best with $237,051 for his third-place finish.
Day 3 Payouts Summary
| 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.
Winner’s Insight
In a post-victory interview with PokerNews, Worthington-Leese reflected on his journey, stating, “It feels pretty fu*king good to win this. I finished third in the EPT Monte Carlo Main Event to two top regulars, Leonard Maue and Mike Watson, and I didn’t think it was my tournament to win."
He emphasized the learning experiences gained from previous tournaments, particularly the importance of momentum during the final table. “The king-queen versus ace-six hand left me short, and I thought if I go out soon it has been a decent run,” he recounted. The comeback he made after hitting a crucial limelight with ace-jack versus kings turned the tide back in his favor, allowing him to regain momentum.
Action-Packed Day 3
Day 3 kicked off with Yuan Xu holding the chip lead. Each player was guaranteed a payout of at least $46,600, but the stakes were raised significantly as they progressed into the final stages of the tournament.
The day unfolded with numerous thrilling encounters. Early on, players started being eliminated, with Alexey Badulin becoming the first casualty after an unfortunate run-in with Aleksandr Razinkov. As eliminations continued, major confrontations shifted the power dynamics on the table, with Anastasiades climbing to the top after his Big Slick succeeded against Xu’s queens.
As play advanced to the final three, conversations about an ICM chop began. Eventually, Worthington-Leese eliminated Fournier after landing top two pairs in a critical hand, paving the way to the heads-up final against Anastasiades.
Climax: Heads-Up Showdown
During the heads-up play, Worthington-Leese demonstrated remarkable skill and confidence. The pivotal moment came early when Anastasiades pushed all-in, only for Worthington-Leese to snap-call, displaying his own pocket queens against Anastasiades’ sevens. From there, the momentum swiftly shifted in Worthington-Leese’s favor, leading to a dramatic finish with a straight that sealed his victory.
With the last cards dealt and the shouts of celebration echoing through the casino, Worthington-Leese became the new champion of the PokerStars European Poker Tour $1,100 Eureka Main Event.
Looking Ahead
With the tournament concluded, Worthington-Leese now sets his sights on the EPT Cyprus Main Event and an upcoming festival in Prague this December. But for the moment, he plans to celebrate his monumental win with friends, enjoying well-earned food and drinks.
This thrilling event, with its high-stakes tension, dramatic turns, and incredible displays of skill, sets the stage for more remarkable poker action here in Northern Cyprus. Be sure to stay tuned for continued coverage by PokerNews as the EPT saga continues to unfold.
