At the 2024 PokerStars European Poker Tour Monte Carlo, Atanas Malinov delivered a masterclass in composure and skill, culminating in a triumphant victory in the France Poker Series €1,100 Main Event held within the breathtaking Sporting Monte-Carlo.
With a formidable chip lead at the onset of the final day, Malinov's strategic prowess was on full display as he systematically picked off each of his five opponents, ultimately seizing the title, the coveted trophy, and a substantial €303,190 in prize money.
A stalwart presence on the European poker circuit, Malinov had already amassed over $700,000 in tournament winnings prior to his momentous win. His journey to the top included a notable six-figure score dating back to 2015, when he clinched the runner-up position for $190,000 at a Merit event in Cyprus. Moreover, Malinov had previously showcased his skills at a PokerStars sponsored branded tour final table, securing €52,050 for a commendable sixth place finish at Eureka Prague 2014.
At just 30 years old, Malinov's expertise as a seasoned grinder was evident, with a string of impressive five-figure online cashes and a prestigious WCOOP title to his name.
The FPS Main Event at EPT Monte Carlo drew a field of 2,096 entries, generating a formidable €2,012,160 prize pool. Among the 314 players who cashed were PokerStars Ambassadors Felix Schneiders (62nd - €4,330), Lasse Jagd Lauritsen (216th - €2,150), and Simon Wiciak (268th - €1,850).
FPS €1,100 Main Event Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Country | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atanas Malinov | Bulgaria | €303,190 |
| 2 | Virgile Turchi | France | €189,220 |
| 3 | Marco Gambini | Italy | €135,160 |
| 4 | Guillaume Nolet | Canada | €103,970 |
| 5 | Gabi Livshitz | Israel | €79,980 |
| 6 | Remy Murcia | France | €61,520 |
| 7 | Robbie Bull | Scotland | €47,330 |
| 8 | Elie Saad | Lebanon | €36,410 |
| 9 | Federico Macori | Italy | €28,020 |
Final Day Highlights
Remy Murcia, the hometown hopeful from Nice, saw his dreams dashed in dramatic fashion early on, making a daring hero call that left him with just one big blind. In a subsequent hand, Malinov sealed Murcia's fate, sending him out in sixth place.
Despite starting as the short stack, Gabi Livshitz staged an impressive comeback, briefly challenging Malinov for the lead. However, his resurgence was short-lived as Malinov swiftly reclaimed dominance, ultimately eliminating Livshitz from the competition.
Guillaume Nolet faced a series of unfortunate setbacks, ultimately succumbing to Malinov's relentless onslaught. In a pivotal hand, Malinov clinched victory with a well-timed bluff, leaving Nolet to exit in fourth place.
Marco Gambini, known for his knack for miracle rivers, faced a reversal of fortune as Malinov rivered a set of fours to down the Italian. Malinov secured his fourth elimination of the day, paving his path to the heads-up showdown.
Despite facing an uphill battle against Malinov's commanding chip lead, Virgile Turchi displayed resilience, staging a brief resurgence with consecutive double-ups. However, Malinov's unwavering focus and queen-high call in a momentum-swinging pot helped him secure the title after a hard-fought battle.
That concludes PokerNews' coverage of this event, but be sure to stick around to keep up with all the action from EPT Monte Carlo.