€1,100 FPS Main Event | 2024 PokerStars EPT Paris

2024-02-19 12:20 UTC+2

Seat 2: Blaz Zerjav, 26, Brezice, Slovenia – 9,800,000

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Blaz Zerjav was a semi-professional footballer who played for NK Krsko in Slovenia's second division. But since December 2018, it's "no more football, only poker."

The reason is simple: a $1.3 million online score changed Zerjav's life. The whopping payout came after he'd qualified for the tournament for just a few dollars.

Zerjav first picked up poker thanks to his brother, who had played since he turned 18 but soon quit. Blaz, though, eventually made it his career.

He likes traveling, so playing live events goes nicely with his hobby. However, Zerjav says that he still plays mostly online. He used to specialize in Fifty50s back in the day when the format was still popular, but now he's entirely focusing on MTTs.

Outside poker, Zerjav and his wife enjoy reading books together. Currently, they're in the middle of Spare, Prince Harry's memoir.

Zerjav says he also likes to play video games but may not have much time for that anymore; he'll soon become a first-time dad.

Tags: Blaz Zerjav

2024-02-19 12:19 UTC+2

Seat 3: Mateusz Moolhuizen, 34, from the Netherlands, lives in Addlestone, the UK – 20,800,000

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Mateusz Moolhuizen's poker origins are fairly vanilla: he played with friends in high school, enjoyed watching Rounders, and has stayed involved in the game ever since. The Dutchman has had success online and live; he's been a familiar face on the circuit for well over a decade.

A regular fixture on the European Poker Tour, Moolhuizen twice came close to reaching an EPT Main Event final table, notching 13th and 16th place. But, for a long time, his best live score had been a €117,000 top prize from Unibet Open Malta 2011.

Two years ago, though, he bumped his resume with a massive $597,632 payday from the Monster Stack bracelet event in Vegas. That run saw Moolhuizen outlast more than 6,500 opponents – all but Michael Jukich.

Fast forward to February 2024, Moolhuizen has left behind over 4,000 entrants in the record-breaking FPS Paris Main Event, including Gianluca Speranza, whom he outflipped with ten players remaining, despite Speranza holding Moolhuizen's favorite hand: pocket nines.

On the final table, he may enjoy support from his fiancée, poker player Dehlia de Jong, who has booked a train from the Netherlands to watch her partner compete on the PokerStars TV stage.

Tags: Mateusz Moolhuizen

2024-02-19 12:19 UTC+2

Seat 4: Enis Rouissi, 44, France and Tunisia – 44,200,000

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Enis Roussi only recently started to dip into live tournament fields. He's no newbie, though, as he claims to have played the game for two decades. Several years back, he took up online poker, which quickly hooked him.

As a strategy and management consultant for a large company, Rouissi splits his time between France and Africa. He is very proud of his dual nationality, embracing his French and Tunisian heritage.

A lucky spike with queens against kings saved him on the last two tables before a call and muck from Pietro Corsi propelled him to a chip-leading stack on the final table.

Rouissi said he is the only non-professional player among the final six, "so I don't feel pressure, unlike them."

While a lot of money is on the line, Rouissi claims the prizes won't change his life. "I'm delighted and excited," he said about having a chance to compete on the big stage.

Tags: Enis Rouissi

2024-02-19 12:19 UTC+2

Seat 5: Yassine Baqal, 36, Issy-les-Moulineaux, France – 19,900,000

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When you talk to Yassine Baqal about poker, his passion takes over, and his eyes light up. Baqal is a recreational player who heads a company based in Casablanca, Morocco.

He regularly plays at Club Circus Paris, both at cash game tables and weekly low buy-in tournaments.

While he's already notched a win in a small event, he's now reached his first major final table. With just $29,800 in prior cashes, Baqal will boost his Hendon Mob profile here at FPS Paris.

On the final day, Baqal will enjoy support from his friend and coach, Malcom Franchi, with whom he arrived at the festival.

Tags: Yassine Baqal

2024-02-19 12:19 UTC+2

Seat 6: Kacper Pyzara, 33, Gdynia, Poland, PokerStars Qualifier – 21,000,000

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Kacper Pyzara has already accrued over $1 million in live tournament winnings. He will enter the top 10 on Poland's all-time money list.

The 33-year-old poker pro specializes in MTTs, and playing long sessions may be easier for him than for most players for two reasons: MMA and Buddhism.

Pyzara trains mixed martial arts, so he's in great shape. And following Buddhist principles helps his mental state. He emphasizes the importance of staying "calm and zen" and regularly meditates during the breaks.

Moreover, being in the spotlight is nothing new for him. In the past, Pyzara used to stream poker and CS:GO. Now he has a nine-month-old son, Adam, so the Twitch career seems over.

Tags: Kacper Pyzara

€1,100 FPS Main Event

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