Alexander Tkatschew takes down record-breaking Eureka Main Event at EPT Prague

Austrian pro Alexander Tkatschew last night scooped the €1,100 Eureka Main Event at PokerStars’ EPT stop in Prague, pocketing €511,710 and his second big title of the year.

The Eureka ME is the traditional starter for the EPT's annual winter visit to Prague, and this year it's proved even more popular than usual, with any worries of the clash with the WPT and WSOP festivals blown away by a record-breaking 4,403 entries.

That meant a €4,226,880 prize pool and 659 paid spots, with defending champ Peter Thielen, previous EPT winner Robin Ylitalo, and PokerStars ambassadors Ramon Colillas, Alejandro ‘Papo MC’ Lococo and Fintan Hand all making it to the money.

It was the final table that saw the big money shared out, however, and Tkatschew was looking to add to his $432,090 scoop of the EPT Cyprus $25k High Roller just two months ago.

Commentator's nightmare, Remigiuez Wyrzykiewicz, picked up aces and disposed of Antonino Venneri to get the final day’s play underway, followed by Eduardo Pereira’s pocket queens sending Radek Jantos to the rail in 8th spot. When Viktor Jensen and Ercan Atmaca followed, it meant six-figure payouts for the remaining five players, Pereira taking the first of those when he flopped top two against Wyrzykiewicz, only to fall victim to the Polish player’s open-ended straight completing on the river.

When Miroslav Forman’s flush failed to appear against Tkatschew’s top pair, the podium trio were known, but in which order would they finish?

Final trio share over €1 million in prize money

Romania’s Catalin Moraru has 10 years of results behind him, but nothing to compare with his Eureka run, ending in third against a seemingly unstoppable Tkatschew.

Moraru: 6♦️ 6❤️
Tkatschew: Q❤️ Q♣

Board: A♣ 8♦️ 5❤️ 3♠ J❤️

Heads-up for the title and with even stacks, Tkatschew took a big pot from Wyrzykiewicz before pocket sixes once again ended title dreams, the Pole coolered by his Austrian foe as all the chips went in pre-flop.

Remigiusz Wyrzykiewicz: 6♣6♦️
Alexander Tkatschew: 9♠9❤️

Board: K♠ J♦️ 2♦️ K❤️ 7♦️

Another victory for the Austrian and close to €1 million from just two EPT trips. If you are hoping to find his tournament history on the Hendon Mob, however, prepare to be disappointed; Tkatschew is one of those who have chosen to remain anonymous, so 'Unknown player' is now listed as the Eureka Main Event champion on the popular database.

Final table results

“It feels very good, they are very long days and a lot of fun,” Tkatschew told reporters after his victory. “I like the structure and the field. It's a very good tournament.”

^{Images courtesy of PokerStars Live}