Seat 5: Tomas Jozonis, 34, Vilnius, Lithuania (3,200,000)
When Tomas Jozonis reached the EPT Monte Carlo Main Event final table in 2018, he had already established himself as a successful online pro. But his run to third place in Monaco was his breakthrough result on the live scene. Eight years later, Jozonis has now joined Matas Cimbolas as a second Lithuanian with two EPT Main Event final table appearances.
Only two other Lithuanians have been to an EPT final table since Jozonis’s first appearance, confirming his status as one of the very best from the region. He has also enjoyed significant success on PokerStars, where he plays as “dartazzzz”.
The 34-year-old used to dream of becoming a professional beach volleyball player, but his promising development was derailed by a series of knee injuries. And, while he has a degree in International Business and Communication, his career shifted towards multi-table poker tournaments.
So far, no Lithuanian has ever lifted the EPT Main Event trophy. Mantas Visockis came the closest 13 years ago in London, but settled for second place behind Ruben Visser. It would be fitting if Jozonis became the first one to go all the way for his nation, considering his track record at EPT and beyond.
Final table bios courtesy of Jan Kores/PokerStars
Career statistics
Earnings: $2,225,256
EPT cashes: 4
Best result: 3rd, 2018 EPT Monte Carlo
Tournament progression
Day 1: 85,000 (89/180, 1A)
Day 2: 418,000 (27/179)
Day 3: 430,000 (35/49)
Day 4: 2,865,000 (6/16)
Day 5: 3,200,000 (4/7)
Key hands
Jozonis doubled up on Day 4 when he turned two pair, aces and fours, and Renato Minicuci called his river shove for 119,000 with a flopped pair of queens. Later that day, Jozonis shoved the river in a pot against Boris Kolev. Kolev ended up burning through eight time banks before calling for his last 675,000 with two queens, but Jozonis showed a full house to win the pot and send Kolev to the rail.
Jozonis doubled up once more when his king-seven outflopped Pawel Wojciechowski's ace-ten late on Day 4. The two opponents tangled in another pot early on Day 5, when Jozonis hit a full house and bet 1,200,000 on the river. Wojciechowski managed to fold trip aces, but his reprieve proved short-lived as he soon after got in his last 2,145,000 with ace-queen, but Jozonis picked up two kings to send Wojciechowski to the rail.