Mike Watson was one card away from being eliminated on Day 4 of the EPT Monte Carlo €5,300 Main Event as part of the 2023 PokerStars European Poker Tour (EPT) presented by Monte-Carlo Casino® with just two cards in the deck that could help him. Not only did he hit one of them, the Canadian high-stakes veteran climbed back to win the event on Day 6 for €749,425 and his second EPT Main Event title.

Watson, who previously took down the 2016 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure (PCA) Main Event for $728,325, became just the third player in poker history to win two live EPT Main Event titles. Vicky Coren-Mitchell was the first to do it in 2014 before Mikalai Pobal joined the two-time EPT champion club in 2019, while Sweden’s “WhatIfGod” won consecutive EPT Online Main Events in 2020 and 2021.

“It’s an amazing accomplishment,” Watson told PokerNews in a winner’s interview. “You know, winning two main events on the same tour is really hard. And yeah, I just feel really lucky that I was able to pull it off today.”

Watson defeated Germany’s Leonard Maue (€697,175) after the two struck a heads-up deal that flattened the payouts and left the two accomplished pros playing for the trophy and an additional €33,340, while other players who earned six-figure paydays in the event included the United Kingdom’s Leo Worthington-Leese (3rd - €397,450), Norway’s Joachim Haraldstad (4th - €305,750) and France’s Samy Boujmala (5th - €235,150) and Arnaud Enselme (6th - €180,900).

*_{Denotes heads-up deal}

“This One Feels a Little Extra Special”

While Watson was ecstatic after winning the 2016 PCA Main Event — photos of the post-victory celebration show Watson coddling the trophy with a cigar clenched between his teeth — he said winning the second title was “even sweeter.”

“Just doing it again the second time, I think, definitely makes it feel more significant,” he said. “You know, joining a very small club. So, yeah, I mean, anytime you win a big tournament, obviously it’s amazing. But that definitely this one feels a little extra special.”

With $18.6 million in live tournament earnings headed into the event, “SirWatts” was by and large the most accomplished and experienced player at the final table.

A glance at the PokerStars live stream or PokerNews updates will reveal plenty of snug folds throughout final table play as each player looked to ladder up the pay slots and avoid an ICM blunder. Not only was Watson aware of this, he used it to give himself a competitive advantage.

“I was lucky, obviously, to have a big stack for much of the final table and was able to leverage that to a good extent to help build a stack and just, you know, had some hands and big pots going my way as well,” he said.

Watson’s Path to Victory

As mentioned earlier, Watson’s deep run almost came to an end on Day 4 as he was all in with pocket queens against the ace-king of 22nd-place finisher Jose Astima, who hit a king on the flop to take a major lead in the hand. An ace on the turn was no help to Watson, but the river miraculously brought a queen to keep him alive

“Deep in a tournament like that, to actually hit the two outer and a big spot is, you know, it feels amazing,” said Watson. “That’s when you want to do it. And I was still short after that. And then it seemed like that just kind of like, you know, the switch flipped and everything kind of started going my way right after that.”

Watson was able to run it up from there and entered the final day of play second in chips with a big stack that he maintained throughout the day.

After several hours with little chip movement, France’s two representatives on Day 6 were the first to go as Enselme’s tens were pipped by Watson’s jacks and Boujmala’s king-queen was likewise dominated by Worthington-Leese’s ace-queen.

There were two quick eliminations after that as Haraldstad shoved a short stack with king-six and Watson called with ten-nine, only for the Norwegian to be flopped nearly dead as Watson made trips. Shortly after, Worthington-Leese went out in third with a missed flush draw as Maue’s jacks held up to have him enter heads-up play nearly even in chips with the eventual champion.

The German managed to take the lead from Watson before the Canadian doubled up to have Maue on the ropes. In the final hand, Watson bet the flop with top pair only to be check-raised by Maue, who then checked the turn before moving all in on the river to send Watson deep into the tank.

After using a half-dozen time banks, Watson called and locked up the victory as his opponent turned over a four-high bluff.

“It was just a really strange hand because he’s really not repping much of in terms of value combos on the river,” Watson explained. “So it’s like, well, is he just really bluffing? And often it’s really obvious that there’s a lot of draws and things that missed and it’s really hard for him to have a value combo or not.”

“So (I was) just kind of going through thinking, you know, my hand seems very strong here, but (I was) just trying to kind of figure out, you know, what was going on, what he would have. (It’s) obviously a big decision. So, yeah, I took my time with it. But in the end, I just, you know, just had to see the hand, I guess.”

Watson celebrated the victory with his wife and fellow Canadian Sam Greenwood, both of whom were also on the rail for Watson’s 2016 PCA win. Whether there will be another Super Bowl championship-esque cigar celebration has yet to be seen.

Jonathan Powers — “Jpowers1723” — won his seat into the World Poker Tour (WPT) Choctaw event, a $3,800 buy-in tournament, on ClubWPT, and now he’s off to Day 2 with an impressive stack.

The 30-year-old New Englander didn’t just make it through Day 1a with about 75 big blinds. He did so in his first major live poker tournament just seven months after joining ClubWPT.

Powers, who recently became a father, could conceivably turn that ClubWPT into enough money to cover his four-month old child’s college fund already. The payouts at WPT Choctaw aren’t yet available and will be figured out at the close of registration on Day 1b (Saturday). But the estimated prize for first place should exceed $300,000.

Building a Stack

PokerNews caught up with the qualifier at the conclusion of Day 1a to find out his backstory and his experience playing poker.

“I’m just super excited to be here, super blessed,” Powers said. “I’ve got 190,000 chips at the end of the day, which ain’t too bad because I was down to like 30,000 in chips and couldn’t really get anything going.”

The players began with 50,000 chips, and the first few levels didn’t really go his way. Powers had to grind throughout the day and wait for a spot to build his stack. He said the key hand of the day was a massive double-up with ace-king when his opponent jammed preflop with ace-four and the best hand held up.

World Poker Tour Dream Come True

Playing in a World Poker Tour event was something Powers had planned for 20 years. He’s been watching the WPT on TV since the tour’s early days, long before he was even legally old enough to play poker. On Friday, he had dinner with the WPT staff, including Vince Van Patten, the longtime commentator he’s listened to for years.

“Watching this for almost 20 years and telling my dad that we were going to win the tournament and a seat when I was 10, and my dad was like ‘yeah, maybe one day,’ Powers said of watching the WPT for so long.

The money bubble hasn’t yet burst in the WPT Choctaw tournament, but the prediction he made to his father, who traveled with him to Oklahoma, could come true later this month. First things first though, he must survive the next two days of play to reach the final table, which will be held in Las Vegas at Luxor’s HyperX Esports Arena on May 26. But just the fact that he’s competing in a WPT event for the first time after watching the tour on TV for so many years is quite the experience for the poker enthusiast.

Powers is a recreational poker player competing in his first major tournament. Along with his dad, he works in the assisted living industry helping those with special needs and disabilities. As he explained, he’ll bring special needs patients to church and take them to various activities.

“It’s honestly changed my life a lot,” Powers said of his meaningful occupation.

Powers is one of two ClubWPT qualifiers competing at WPT Choctaw. Felipe “ChampSome” Diaz, a 36-year-old from Wisconsin, entered Day 1b.

_{*Images courtesy of WPT.}

Online poker sites forming partnerships with sports stars and influencers is nothing new. However, in recent times, there has been a trend of social casinos and online poker giants collaborating with Formula 1 racing teams.

PokerStars joined forces with Oracle Red Bull Racing, PartyPoker are in bed with McLaren Racing, and even GGPoker got in on the act when seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton made a shock appearance at the tables in a $10,300 buy-in tournament during the site’s High Rollers Week.

Social Poker Site Global Poker Gets In on the Act

In early March 2023, VGW, the parent company of the epic social poker site Global Poker, announced its own Formula 1 connection, when it put pen to paper on a multi-year deal with the world-famous Scuderia Ferrari team.

What is it about Formula 1 and poker that works? One is driving a car at breakneck speed; the other is essentially a battle of wits and luck. Things become a little clearer once you start delving deeper.

Reason #1: They’re All in the Entertainment Business

Formula 1 and poker are part of the entertainment industry and do everything they can to keep their customers and fans engaged in their products. People travel far and wide to watch a Grand Prix. They want to see last-second overtakes, cars spinning off the track, and the famous spraying of champagne when the champion is crowned. People watch F1 races for fun.

Poker follows in a similar vein. Take the recent PokerNews Cup held on Global Poker, where people won thousands of Gold Coins on the turn of a card, where the increasing blinds added excitement and tension, and where one poker player got to call themselves a true champion. People play at Global Poker purely for the fun of doing so.

Reason #2: They’re All at the Forefront of Technology and Innovation

Formula 1 teams, online poker sites, and social casinos invest a ridiculous amount of money in technology, and equally as much in developing new products. F1 teams spend the off-season using state-of-the-art technology to make improvements and changes to their cars, hoping to shave off hundredths of a second and gain an advantage.

Online poker sites and social casinos know they can have the best cash games, tournaments, and offers, but they count for next to nothing if the poker software is not up to scratch. You wouldn’t believe the time and investment they spend keeping their software in tip-top shape.

They innovate to excite their customers, and Formula 1 teams develop an incredible, compelling end product to excite their fans.

“Allhustlenoluck” Triumphs In Inaugural Global Poker x PokerNews Cup GC Final

VGW founder, Chairman, and CEO Laurence Escalante summed this perfectly in a press release shortly after his social gaming company signed a multi-year deal to become a Premium Partner of Scuderia Ferrari on March 2023.

“We are excited to partner with Ferrari, one of the world’s most iconic global brands. With such a rich history, success in motorsport, and a brand synonymous with winning, achievement, passion, and luxury, we look forward to working together and our next chapter of growth.

F1 is a truly global sport with massive reach that has experienced amazing growth in recent years, particularly in the US, and there’s no bigger brand than Ferrari. We may operate in different industries, but share similar beliefs when it comes to the power of technology and teams for performance, and the role of passion that unites us all.”

Reason #3: They’re Serious About Safety

Safety isn’t the most exciting subject in the world, but it is vitally important to Formula 1 teams, online poker sites, and social casinos. Formula 1, like all motorsports, is inherently dangerous. However, continual improvements have made drivers, pit crew, and spectators safer than ever during a race weekend.

Former Group Commercial Director of Entain, owners of PartyPoker, Paris Anatolitis, highlighted the importance of safety in an interview with PokerNews during the infancy of PartyPoker and McLaren Racing’s partnership.

“Perhaps most importantly, we both want to offer an exhilarating and entertaining product while remaining aware of the importance of doing so in an environment where safety is at the forefront.”

Reason #4: Partnerships Open Doors to New Markets and Opportunities

The partnerships between Formula 1 teams, online poker sites, and social casinos work on a business level and for each business’ customers.

For example, the Global Poker name will be displayed on the Ferrari cars at the Miami Grand Prix over the weekend of May 6, which is also when Global Poker runs its exciting Grand Prix Turbo Series, complete with 12 Gold Coins and 12 Sweeps Coins events.

The social poker site is running a season-long promotion, hosting a Grand Prix series during each F1 stop where the eventual winner receives an exclusive experience for two at the Ferrari factory in Maranello, Italy.

Not only is this cooler than cool for non-racing fans, but such a once-in-a-lifetime prize will surely attract F1 fans to Global Poker, and we all love new players enjoying this crazy game.

Grab a Healthy Slice of $7,500 every day on PokerStars with Spin & Go Races

PokerStars runs promotions during each F1 race weekend and has sent its customers to the Brazilian Grand Prix as part of their exciting Red Spade Pass promotion. Indeed, PokerNews‘ own Will Shillibier went along to that Grand Prix and reveled in the excitement that only a Grand Prix produces.

Rebecca McAdam Willets, PokerStars Director of Partnerships, PR, and Consumer Engagement, told PokerNews that the PokerStars-Oracle Red Bull Racing partnership allows both PokerStars and Oracle Red Bull Racing to access new fans and offer those fans amazing experiences.

“We’re now in our second year as Team Partner and it’s safe to say the ride so far has been nothing short of epic. The partnership continues to be a natural fit with both communities sharing many passions, traits and interests, and while our community can benefit from exclusive rewards and experiences, we’re also able to access new, like-minded fans through the sport’s increasing popularity and its number one team.”

“Along with being part of an incredible part of the team’s journey, we’ve also been able to bring our community along through our money can’t buy race experiences with our ‘Red Spade Pass’ initiative, and a suite of offers and promotions across poker, casino, and sports that reward players who follow the team and sweat Sundays with us, with those rewards increasing when the team succeeds.”

“It has been a wonderful journey working with the Championship winners who continue to dominate the grid, and this year we have some extra exciting partnership integrations planned, with exclusive content and even more unforgettable experiences yet to come.”

F1 and poker partnerships work on many levels and PokerNews is glad they do. The collaborations bring in new and excited poker players that may not have otherwise played online poker or discovered the fun of social gaming, while the racing teams gain new fans from the army of poker customers who tie their colors to the team’s mast. Everyone wins, and that scenario is something of a rarity!

Over the weekend, the World Poker Tour (WPT) $3,500 Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown attracted 2,290 entrants and played down to the final table of six, which will recommence on May 25 in Las Vegas.

The $3 million guarantee was obliterated as a $7,328,000 prize pool was created, and the eventual winner will walk away with a $1,128,250 top prize. While the dreams of WPT glory are still alive for the remaining six players, there was heartbreak for many on the playdown days.

Live reporters from both the WPT and Seminole Hard Rock captured the action throughout, and we thought we’d share some of the more gut-wrenching eliminations hands that likely saw players hitting the rail with a little bit of pain.

Bin Weng Leads Remaining Six Players in WPT SHR Poker Showdown

Big Slick Does Not Do the Trick for Lagodich

On Day 3 in Level 24 (25,000/50,000/50,000), 54 players remained when a series of preflop raises resulted in Frank Lagodich getting his stack of 3.2 million all in from the cutoff against inaugural Wynn Millions champ Andrew Moreno in late position.

Andrew Moreno: A♦10♥
Frank Lagodich: A♥K♥

Lagodich was a big favorite, but not when a ten appeared in the window on the 10♣5♥2♣ flop. The A♣ turn paired both, but Moreno was ahead with aces up. Lagodich needed a king on the river, but it was not meant to be as the 3♣ appeared instead.

Just like that, Lagodich was ousted in 54th place for $19,100.

The Ladies Do Not Lover Steve Buckner

Also, on Day 3 in Level 26 (50,000/75,000/75,000), Steve “Cuz” Buckner moved all in for 1.4 million while saying, “I’m all in boys. I ain’t looking for the pay jump.”

Champie Douglas then called off for 1.15 million from middle position before John Dolan called from the big blind to put both players at risk.

Steve Buckner: Q♣Q♥
Champie Douglas: K♠A♠
John Dolan: A♦K♥

Buckner had the best of it and looked good on the 10♦6♠4♦ flop. However, the J♠ turn put out a big sweat as Douglas picked up straight and flush draws. Unfortunately for Buckner, the 9♥ river gave Douglas the straight and a triple up.

Buckner won the small side pot of around 500,000, but he was eliminated a short time later in 33rd place for $26,400.

Madsen Gutshot Through the Heart

Day 4 saw 16 players return to action looking to make the televised final table of six. Four-time World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet winner Jeff Madsen was short-stacked in Level 29 (75,000/150,000/150,000) when he raised to 1.05 million from the small blind and Isaac Kempton called from the big to see a flop of K♦10♠3♣.

Madsen wasted little time in moving all in for his last 600,000 or so and Kempton quickly called with the J♦9♦ for a gutshot straight draw and running diamonds. Madsen tabled the K♣8♦ for top pair and was a heavy favorite to double up.

The 5♣ turn brought him one step closer to doing so, but then disaster struck when the Q♠ spiked on the river. Kempton made his straight and Madsen became the day’s first elimination taking 16th place for $56,800.

Check out the WPT Hub on PokerNews here!

Moreno Gets It in Preflop with Pocket Kings

Not long after in Level 29 (75,000/150,000/150,000), Rafael Farah Jarufe raised to 400,000 from the cutoff and Moreno three-bet to 1.55 million from the small blind. Jarufe responded by four-bet jamming all in and Moreno called off for 4.8 million.

Andrew Moreno: K♠K♣
Rafael Farah Jarufe: A♣Q♦

Moreno was primed to win a monster pot, and the 7♦3♦3♥ flop seemed safe enough. Unfortunately for him, the dealer burned and turned the A♥ to pair Jarufe. The 2♠ river was a brick and Moreno was eliminated in 15th place for $56,800.

Ostapchenko Tries to Set Up Mzareulov

Also, in Level 29 (75,000/150,000/150,000), there was a flop of 9♠7♥5♥ when David Mzareulov checked from the small blind and Kempton did the same from the big. Andrew Ostapchenko then bet 200,000 from the hijack and Mzareulov woke up with an all-in check-raise to 2.5 million.

Kempton quickly folded, Ostapchenko called off for 2.45 million, and the hands were turned on their backs.

David Mzareulov: Q♥9♥
Andrew Ostapchenko: 5♠5♦

Mzareulov had check-jammed with top pair and a heart flush draw, but Ostapchenko was ahead with a set of fives. The 3♦ turn was of no consequence but the 6♥ river was as Mzareulov made his flush to dispatch Ostapchenko in 13th place for $70,500.

Remember, the final table will be played at the Hyper X ESports Arena at the Luxor in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 25th. Action will resume with just over 12 minutes remaining in Level 32 (150,000/300,000/300,000). PokerNews will be on-site and will bring you a winner’s recap upon the tournament’s completion.

_{*Images courtesy of WPT and Seminole Hard Rock.}

Executive Editor U.S.

Executive Editor US, PokerNews Podcast co-host & 2013 WSOP Bracelet Winner.