2023 PokerStars EPT Monte Carlo

€100,000 EPT Super High Roller
Day: 3
Event Info

2023 PokerStars EPT Monte Carlo

Final Results
Winner
Winning Hand
a10
Prize
€1,036,287
Event Info
Buy-in
€100,000
Prize Pool
€3,589,740
Entries
37
Level Info
Level
23
Blinds
80,000 / 160,000
Ante
160,000
Players Info - Day 3
Players Left
1

€100,000 EPT Super High Roller

Day 3 Completed

Alex Kulev Captures First Live Major Title in EPT Monte Carlo €100,000 Super High Roller (€1,036,287)

Level 23 : 80,000/160,000, 160,000 ante
Alex Kulev
Alex Kulev

The €100,000 EPT Monte Carlo Super High Roller from the 2023 PokerStars European Poker Tour presented by Monte-Carlo Casino®️ has wrapped up on its third day of play with Alex Kulev taking home the trophy, title, and first-place spoils.

The surviving seven players from a field of 37 who returned to the felt today battled it out for the lion's share of the €3,589,740 prize pool. Kulev received €1,036,287 for the win after defeating Mikita Badziakouski in heads-up play. The final two agreed on a heads-up ICM deal, with Badziakouski also getting an extra €3,500. The duo would then compete for the remaining €43,074 as well as bragging rights.

The win marked Kulev capturing his first major title and his exploits on the felt secured the biggest score of his career. It also pushed him over the $2.5 million mark in live tournament earnings.

Final Table Payouts

PlacePlayerCountryPrize (EUR)Entries
1Alex KulevBulgaria€1,036,287*1
2Mikita BadziakouskiBelarus€1,009,853*1
3Ben HeathUnited Kingdom€556,4001
4Artur MartirosianRussia€412,8001
5Adrian MateosSpain€323,1001
6Orpen KisacikogluTurkey€251,3001

Winner's Interview

Alex Kulev
Alex Kulev

"I was really fortunate throughout the whole event. This whole occasion is so very special to me. It's my first big live event and I love the city, I love PokerStars, and I really appreciate the chance that I get to perform on the stage," a delighted Kulev told PokerNews.

Kulev came into the final day as the chip leader, but that doesn't always mean going the distance. There have been many instances of the big stack falling short of the final hurdle, but it wasn't a concern for the champion.

"I did have the confidence [to win]. But in our game, when especially with this calibre of players that were at this final table, luck plays a major factor. So I just got very lucky in all the right moments."

As always, the Super High Rollers bring out poker's elite players and Kulev pointed to that challenge as why he loves playing in these fields.

"That's one of the main reasons why I played this game. To play against opponents who, you know, are extremely good, and they give me a chance to improve by observing them. The whole challenge is what captivates me and excites me to play," added Kulev.

Action from Day 3

SHR Final Table
SHR Final Table

When the finalists began to play, they were on the money bubble, with the top finishers walking away with a return on their €100,000 investment.

It was a cagey affair to start off with as players were folding premium hands preflop to avoid leaving empty-handed. However, the bubble finally burst in the second level of the day after Santhosh Suvarna's pocket nines were bested by the ace-jack held by Adrian Mateos in an all-in preflop encounter. Suvarna's bust out also meant that every player who cashed did so off one buy-in.

The players then went on a break after completing that level and when they came back, it didn't take long for the next elimination. Orpen Kisacikoglu bowed out in sixth place after he ran his ace-queen into Badziakouski's ace-king suited. The latter would go on to river a flush to send Kisacikoglu to the wrong side of the rail. Kisacikoglu collected the €251,300 min-cash, which is a nice addition to the €497,090 he picked up for winning a €25,000 No Limit Hold'em event at EPT Monte Carlo just a few days ago.

Adrian Mateos
Adrian Mateos

It was then confirmed that there would be a new EPT Monte Carlo Super High Roller Champion, as Mateos' title defense fizzled out following a blind versus blind confrontation with Ben Heath, who had just pulled off back-to-back double-ups. Heath moved in with ace-nine, and Mateos tank-called for his tournament life with king-three. Neither player connected on the runout, and the tournament was brought to four-handed play.

After hitting the river to survive twice already, Artur Martirosian was once again all in and at risk of elimination. Heath jammed as the bigger stack from the small blind with king-three and Martirosian called with ace-eight. Heath turned trip kings to leave his opponent drawing dead and brought the tournament to the final three.

That's where Heath's good fortune would end. He was the next final table casualty as Kulev's king-five stayed ahead of the former's queen-nine.

A heads-up ICM deal was agreed upon and it was determined that Badziakouski would lock up €993,213 while Kulev would get at least €1,009,853. They then duked it out for the remaining €43,074.

Alex Kulev - Mikita Badziakouski
Alex Kulev - Mikita Badziakouski

Heads-up play began with Badziakouski having the chip lead by just two big blinds. His experience began to show in the early goings, with momentum on his side. However, a defiant Kulev battled back and swung the chip lead in his favor after he rivered an ace against Badziakouski's flopped top pair.

The final two players were sent on their final break and when play resumed, the start-of-day chip leader produced the finishing blow after hitting a three-outer when all the chips went into the middle preflop.

This marks the end of PokerNews' coverage of the €100,000 EPT Super High Roller, but be sure to check out the EPT Monte Carlo Main Event live updates.

Tags: Adrian MateosAlex KulevArtur MartirosianBen HeathMikita BadziakouskiOrpen KisacikogluSanthosh Suvarna

Mikita Badziakouski Eliminated in 2nd Place (€1,009,853)

Level 23 : 80,000/160,000, 160,000 ante
Mikita Badziakouski
Mikita Badziakouski

Alex Kulev min-raised to 400,000 from the button with A10 and Mikita Badziakouski moved all in for 3,075,000. Kulev snap-called and players flipped their cards, with Badziakouski at risk.

Mikita Badziakouski: AJ
Alex Kulev: A10

"You couldn't have the ace-deuce off?" said Kulev.

The flop came 53A to give both players a pair of aces. The turn was the 3.

It looked like Badziakouski was set for the double up, until the river came the 10 to give Kulev two pair with his aces and tens.

The players stood up and respectfully shook hands.

Badziakouski was eliminated in second place, which after the deal meant that he will walk away with €1,009,853.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Alex Kulev bg
Alex Kulev
9,250,000
3,480,000
3,480,000
Day 2 Chip Leader
Profile photo of Mikita Badziakouski by
Mikita Badziakouski
Busted

Tags: Alex KulevMikita Badziakouski

Kulev Extends Lead

Level 23 : Blinds 80,000/160,000, 160,000 ante

In a limped pot to the A108 flop, Mikita Badziakouski checked from the big blind with his 94. Alex Kulev, with Q10, bet 160,000 with his pair of tens. Badziakouski called.

Badziakouski check-folded the K turn after Kulev fired another bet.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Alex Kulev bg
Alex Kulev
5,770,000
160,000
160,000
Day 2 Chip Leader
Profile photo of Mikita Badziakouski by
Mikita Badziakouski
3,480,000
-160,000
-160,000

Tags: Mikita BadziakouskiAlex Kulev

Big Pot Goes to Kulev

Level 23 : Blinds 80,000/160,000, 160,000 ante

Alex Kulev opened to 350,000 with AJ, and Mikita Badziakouski called from the big blind with K9.

On the K88 flop, Badziakouski check-raised to 480,000 with his pair of kings after Kulev continued for 160,000. Kulev called.

On the 2 turn, Badziakouski slowed down and checked. Kulev did the same.

Kulev paired up on the A river to seal the checkmark. Badziakouski checked again but then faced a bet of 1,000,000. Badziakouski called with the worse hand, which swung the chip lead into Kulev's favor.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Alex Kulev bg
Alex Kulev
5,610,000
1,990,000
1,990,000
Day 2 Chip Leader
Profile photo of Mikita Badziakouski by
Mikita Badziakouski
3,640,000
-1,990,000
-1,990,000

Tags: Alex KulevMikita Badziakouski

Trips for Kulev

Level 23 : Blinds 80,000/160,000, 160,000 ante

Mikita Badziakouski opened to 350,000 from the button with Q6 and Alex Kulev defended his big blind with J4.

Kulev made trips on the JJ7 flop and check-raised to 460,000 after his opponent bet 160,000.

Badziakouski folded and the pot went to Kulev.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Mikita Badziakouski by
Mikita Badziakouski
5,630,000
-510,000
-510,000
Profile photo of Alex Kulev bg
Alex Kulev
3,620,000
520,000
520,000
Day 2 Chip Leader

Tags: Alex KulevMikita Badziakouski

Level: 23

Blinds: 80,000/160,000

Ante: 160,000

Momentum with Badziakouski

Level 22 : Blinds 60,000/120,000, 120,000 ante

Mikita Badziakouski limped in from the button before Alex Kulev made it 480,000 from the big blind. Badziakouski called.

Kulev checked on the 1076 flop and Badziakouski did the same. Kulev checked again on the 9 turn, which prompted Badziakouski to fire for 800,000.

Kulev, who had 44, folded. Only one of Badziakouski's cards was visible and it was the K.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Mikita Badziakouski by
Mikita Badziakouski
6,140,000
360,000
360,000
Profile photo of Alex Kulev bg
Alex Kulev
3,100,000
-370,000
-370,000
Day 2 Chip Leader

Tags: Alex KulevMikita Badziakouski

Badziakouski Wins Pot With Top Pair

Level 22 : Blinds 60,000/120,000, 120,000 ante

Mikita Badziakouski limped on the button with Q10 and Alex Kulev checked in the big blind with 65.

The flop came 483 and both players checked.

The turn was the 10 and Kulev led out for 480,000 with his straight draw. Badziakouski called with his pair of tens.

The river was the 6. Kulev put out a blocker bet of 200,000 and Badziakouski made the call to win the pot.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Mikita Badziakouski by
Mikita Badziakouski
5,780,000
680,000
680,000
Profile photo of Alex Kulev bg
Alex Kulev
3,470,000
-680,000
-680,000
Day 2 Chip Leader

Tags: Mikita BadziakouskiAlex Kulev