Slovakia's Lukas Pazma has taken down the first bracelet event of the 2023 World Series of Poker Europe series at Kings Casino in Rozvadov, Czech Republic. Pazma's victory on Monday in Event #1, €350 NLH Opener, marked the first bracelet win of his career.
Pazma topped a giant 3,503-entry field that began last Wednesday with the first of multiple starting flights. The "Opener" built a hefty €1,048,272 prize pool, and Pazma's €110,000 winner's payday marked the largest share of the prize money. Each of the Opener's top 12 finishers, including Pazma, also earned a free entry into the series' €10,350 Main Event.
The 2023 WSOP Europe festival will feature 15 bracelet events and runs through November 15.
Pazma heads strong showing by eastern European players in opening event
The win by Pazma marked the third straight WSOP Europe series where a Slovakian player captured bracelet gold. Pazma joined prior WSOPE bracelet winners Samuel Stranak and Lubos Laska in that regard.
Eastern European players dominated the Opener's final table, occupying the top four spots and five of eight final-table positions. Pazma held off Hungary's Andras Balogh for the win, leaving Balogh with a €66,000 second-place payday. Pazma's fellow Slovakian Stanislav Koleno finished third to earn a €48,000 cash.
The final-table finishers in 2023 WSOP Europe Event #1, €350 NLH Opener, were as follows:
- Lukas Pazma (Slovakia) - €110,000
- Andras Balogh (Hungary) - €66,000
- Stanislav Koleno (Slovakia) - €48,000
- Florin Bilan (Romania) - €35,000
- Stephan Glausch (Austria) - €26,500
- Iman Ghashayar (Netherlands) - €20,000
- Alessandro De Michele (Italy) - €15,500
- Stefan Drusca (Romania) - €12,000
