€5,300 Main Event Day 5 | 2026 PokerStars EPT Paris

02-28-2026 16:40 UTC+2

Buhaiov Bests Schneiders and Mariani

Frank Visser

Level 28 : Blinds 40,000/80,000, 80,000 ante

Nazar Buhaiov made it 160,000 to go in the hijack. Julien Mariani called on the button, and Felix Schneiders followed suit in the big blind.

The 6♦3♥Q♠ flop checked to Mariani, who took a stab with a bet of 180,000. Schneiders mucked his cards, but Buhaiov stuck around and called.

The 7♠ turn and 3♠ river were then checked to showdown. Buhaiov tabled Q♣2♣ for top pair, winning the pot.

Player	Chips	Progress
Nazar Buhaiov	7,200,000 400,000	400,000

Julien Mariani	2,425,000 775,000	775,000
Felix Schneiders	1,475,000 240,000	240,000

Tags: Felix Schneiders Julien Mariani Nazar Buhaiov

02-28-2026 16:32 UTC+2

Mariani Calls Down Ruijs

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David Salituro

Level 28 : 40,000/80,000, 80,000 ante

Joris Ruijs raised to 160,000 in middle position before Mihai Tabac three-bet to 480,000 on the button. Ruijs quickly folded.

Ruijs again opened to 160,000 the next hand, and this time Julien Mariani called in the big blind.

The flop came A♣8♦5♥ and Ruijs bet 175,000. Mariani called, and the 3♥ fell on the turn. Ruijs then bet 625,000, and Mariani again called.

Mariani checked the A♠ river, and Ruijs checked back this time. Mariani showed 10♥8♥ for two pair, and Ruijs mucked.

Player	Chips	Progress
Julien Mariani	3,200,000 1,230,000	1,230,000
Joris Ruijs	3,000,000 1,025,000	1,025,000
Mihai Tabac	2,500,000 205,000	205,000

Tags: Joris Ruijs Julien Mariani Mihai Tabac

02-28-2026 16:31 UTC+2

Gogniat Gets Caught

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Frank Visser

Level 28 : Blinds 40,000/80,000, 80,000 ante

Jorge Abreu made it 160,000 to go in early position, holding K♠3♠. Thierry Gogniat made the minimum three-bet to 240,000 with A♠7♥, prompting Sami Bechahed to four-bet to 625,000 from the small blind with 8♥8♣.

Abreu and Gogniat quickly got rid of their cards, seeing Bechahed pick up the pot preflop.

Player	Chips	Progress
Jorge Abreu	5,170,000 155,000	155,000

Thierry Gogniat	4,050,000 235,000	235,000
Sami Bechahed	3,450,000 565,000	565,000

Tags: Jorge Abreu Sami Bechahed Thierry Gogniat

Level: 28

Blinds: 40,000/80,000

Ante: 80,000

02-28-2026 16:10 UTC+2

Chip Counts at Break

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David Salituro

Level 27 : Blinds 30,000/60,000, 60,000 ante

Player	Chips	Progress
Tomas Jozonis	7,065,000 5,000	5,000
Nazar Buhaiov	6,800,000 270,000	270,000

Jorge Abreu	5,325,000 235,000	235,000

Thierry Gogniat	4,285,000 215,000	215,000
Joris Ruijs	4,025,000 50,000	50,000
Sami Bechahed	2,885,000 285,000	285,000
Jessica Teusl	2,610,000 110,000	110,000
Mihai Tabac	2,295,000 265,000	265,000
Mitch Garshofsky	2,095,000 405,000	405,000
Julien Mariani	1,970,000
Felix Schneiders	1,715,000 455,000	455,000
Casimir Seire	1,680,000 245,000	245,000
Enrico Coppola	1,455,000 35,000	35,000

02-28-2026 16:03 UTC+2

PokerStars Live League Returns With €250,000 in Prizes

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Sandra Barbour

Level 27 : Blinds 30,000/60,000, 60,000 ante

PokerStars has confirmed the return of the PokerStars Live League for 2026, once again adding a season-long leaderboard race across its European live events calendar. With more than €250,000 in total prizes on offer, the league rewards consistency and volume across the year, with points available at every major stop.

The PokerStars Live League runs across all European PokerStars live events, including European Poker Tour (EPT) festivals, PokerStars Opens, and the PokerStars-sponsored Irish Open.

Find Full Details Here

02-28-2026 16:01 UTC+2

First Break

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Frank Visser

Level 27 : Blinds 30,000/60,000, 60,000 ante

The remaining 13 players are going on the first 20-minute break of the day.

Level 26-27 Highlights

02-28-2026 16:00 UTC+2

Ruijs Rakes Preflop With Aces

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Frank Visser

Level 27 : Blinds 30,000/60,000, 60,000 ante

Julien Mariani raised to 125,000 in the cutoff with A♥J♦, after which Joris Ruijs three-bet to 375,000 on the button after having seen A♠A♣.

Enrico Coppola considered making a move with A♦6♦ in the big blind, but mucked his cards after two time banks.

Mariani did make a move, however, four-betting to 800,000. Ruijs used one of his time extensions before he placed a tiny five-bet to 1,125,000.

Mariani went into the tank, but folded his hand after spending a time bank.

Player	Chips	Progress
Joris Ruijs	4,075,000 675,000	675,000
Julien Mariani	1,970,000 680,000	680,000
Enrico Coppola	1,490,000 480,000	480,000

Tags: Enrico Coppola Joris Ruijs Julien Mariani

02-28-2026 15:56 UTC+2

Garshofsky Does Not Buy Abreu's Lead; Gogniat Goes Big Against Seire

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Frank Visser

Level 27 : Blinds 30,000/60,000, 60,000 ante

Mitch Garshofsky put in a raise to 150,000 from the hijack. Jorge Abreu was in the big blind and called.

Abreu led out with a bet of 80,000 on the 8♥4♣5♣ flop, but he forfeited the pot when Garshofsky raised to 300,000.

One hand later, Casimir Seire raised to 120,000 on the button, and Thierry Gogniat defended his big blind.

Gogniat check-called Seire's continuation-bet of 80,000 on the 3♥K♠8♥ flop before both checked the 5♥ turn. Gogniat then fired a bet of 350,000 on the 8♠ river, seeing Seire tank-fold.