Padraig O'Neill wins Ireland's first EPT title
'Smidge' overcomes the biggest chip lead in EPT history to take down over €1 million in Prague.
Against all odds, EPT Prague was a record-breaker. Against similar odds, Padraig O'Neil took it down for €1,030,000.
That is because his heads-up opponent Jon Kyte started the day with 228 big blinds when the rest of the final table had 152 between them (O'Neill only had 12). It was the biggest chip lead in European Poker Tour history.
“I was hoping to come fourth or third at best,” O’Neill said after the win. “I didn’t think I’d get heads-up. This is surreal.”
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🇮🇪 Padraig O'Neill is the #EPTPrague Main Event champion, winning €1,030,000. 🆠👠pic.twitter.com/8q8JYJ0TV2
— PokerStars LIVE (@PokerStarsLIVE) December 17, 2023
The popular Irish player, known as 'Smidge' returns to Ireland as the country's first ever EPT champion. He takes with him an impressive resume that includes winning the Unibet Online Open Main Event twice in a row.
Next up for the EPT is EPT Paris in February. The full schedule for the 2024 European Poker Tour season was released last month.
| POS | NAME | COUNTRY | PRIZE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Padraig O'Neill | Ireland | €1,030,000 |
| 2 | Jon Kyte | Norway | €643,000 |
| 3 | Umberto Ruggeri | Italy | €459,240 |
| 4 | Cheng Zhao | China | €353,240 |
| 5 | Adam Wagner | Czech Republic | €271,660 |
| 6 | Grigorii Rodin | Russia | €209,000 |
| 7 | Govert Metaal | Netherlands | €160,750 |
| 8 | Marle Spragg | USA | €123,600 |
| 9 | Vincent Meli | France | €95,000 |
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