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Seat 1: Jose Malpelli, 52, Bastia, France, PokerStars Qualifier – 2,300,000
Having qualified on PokerStars.fr for €250, José Malpelli is a recreational player who only recently returned to the live poker scene after several years away from the game. “I used to play a lot in the past, but I stopped for several years before coming back at the end of 2025 with a trip to Sanremo and then Cannes for the PokerStars Open Cannes,” the Corsican player says. “I even managed to cash there.”
Another Corsican player, Paul-François Tedeschi, went on to win that Cannes stop. “I don’t know him personally — he’s much younger than me — but I do know Anthony Apicella and his father, another Corsican player who has enjoyed plenty of success in PokerStars events.”
Malpelli lives in Bastia, in the department of Haute-Corse, and has worked in real estate for many years. He enjoyed a perfect end to the second level of Day 5, eliminating American pro Jason Wheeler with pocket kings against pocket nines.
Player bios courtesy of Jan Kores/Florenze Mazet/Howard Swains/PokerStars
Career statistics
The Hendon Mob Earnings: $9,505
EPT Main Event cashes: 0
Best result: n/a
Tournament progression
Day 1: 263,000 (2/111, 1A)
Day 2: 425,000 (14/151)
Day 3: 732,000 (16/48)
Day 4: 920,000 (16/20)
Day 5: 2,300,000 (8/8)
Key hands
Malpelli moved all in with top pair on the river against Thomas Eychenne late on Day 4 to double up and cross a million in chips.
On Day 5, Malpelli eliminated seasoned pro Jason Wheeler with pocket kings, and later spiked a three-outer on the river while all-in and at risk at the final table to survive to the final day.