2024 PokerStars EPT Prague: Pedro Marques Stages Stunning Comeback to Win Record-Breaking Main Event After Heads-Up Deal (€963,450)

The final table of the €5,300 EPT Main Event at the 2024 PokerStars European Poker Tour (EPT) Prague was always going to be a memorable one. Six players, the last survivors from a record-breaking field of 1,458, gathered inside the Hilton Prague ballroom on December 15, each with their eyes on the ultimate prize. The tension was palpable as they returned to the tables, and for Portuguese poker pro Pedro Marques (cover image), this day would redefine his career.

Paul Runcan started the day as the chip leader, holding a commanding advantage that would intimidate even the most seasoned veterans. Yet, as the afternoon wore on and the stakes got higher, Marques rose from the ashes of a short stack to turn the tables. Everyone in the room could feel the pressure building hand by hand, and the uncertainty of who might emerge on top hung in the air until the very end.

Then, with one final push, Marques claimed the EPT Prague Main Event title after striking a heads-up deal with Runcan. The €963,450 he collected was life-changing, but the feeling behind it all made him smile wider than ever. “It’s an amazing, special feeling,” he said afterwards. “One of the best days of my life, for sure. Winning a Main Event is completely different from any of my other wins—it’s a really special moment.”

Runcan, who had seemed unstoppable for much of the tournament, didn’t go home empty-handed. He took home €900,000 in a display of his fierce determination, calm under fire, and the kind of performance that everyone will talk about long after the chips are packed away.

Pedro Marques masterclass earns #EPTPrague Main Event title and €960K payday.

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— PokerStars Blog (@PokerStarsBlog) December 15, 2024

When asked if there was a single turning point, Marques didn’t have to think long. “The only moment I really felt like this was possible was when I came back from being short-stacked. That gave me the feeling that maybe I could do it.” He seized that opportunity and never looked back.

Looking ahead, Marques expressed his hope for a future EPT stop in his home country of Portugal. “That would be awesome,” he said. “I remember the stop in Vilamoura years ago. I was really young back then, but having one now would be just awesome. Portugal is awesome. Everybody would love it.”

As for his future plans, Marques was refreshingly down-to-earth. He’s prioritizing family these days, and a hectic poker travel schedule isn’t his top priority right now. “I don’t have any big plans at the moment,” he admitted. “I’m not playing that many stops. I’m just enjoying time with my family and my son. But who knows, maybe I’ll play a few stops next year.”

This win boosts Marques’ live tournament earnings to over $5.78 Million, further solidifying his position as #2 on Portugal’s all-time money list. He’s still trailing Joao Vieira, who holds a commanding lead at the top with a staggering $12.24 Million in total winnings.

€5,300 EPT Main Event Highlights

The EPT Prague Main Event started quietly enough on December 9 but only stayed quiet for a short time. The turnout blew past expectations for the third year running, with a record-breaking 1,458 entries. By the end of Day 2, only 191 would remain to chase down that elusive title of Main Event Champion and a top prize of €1,146,500. The field was enormous, and the overall prize pool had swelled to €7,071,300, giving everyone who still had a stack plenty of reasons to keep believing in their dream.

Late registration remained open on Day 2, allowing another 69 hopefuls to join the 464 survivors from the starting flights. Everyone had the same idea: accumulate chips and make a deep run. But with so many skilled players, it was a tall order.

Some of India’s finest pros carried their chips across the starting line into Day 2. You could spot them by how they stuck together—POY #2 Neel Joshi, PokerStars India ambassador Goonjan Mall, and Paawan Bansal—each wearing their nation’s colours like a badge of quiet confidence. Joshi had a decent haul with 122,000, Bansal weighed in at 100,000, and Mall faced an uphill battle with only 38,000. Sadly, their hopes would dim before the money bubble even came into sight, as all three bowed out earlier than they’d planned.

They weren’t alone in their disappointment. Many known names also fell short, including Vanessa Kade, Kenny Hallaert, Robin Ylitalo, and William Kassouf. Their exit stung, but with such a massive field, a few big names hitting the rail was almost inevitable.

As the bubble approached, the tension at the tables was hard to ignore. No one wanted to be the last player eliminated before the money. With 216 players guaranteed a payout, the pressure mounted as the field dwindled.

In the end, the bubble burst earlier than expected. Two players—Bogdan Munteanu and Adi Rajkovic—fell almost simultaneously on different tables, making it impossible to pick a single bubble boy. Munteanu’s exit was especially cruel. He got all his chips in with Kings against Luke Porter’s aces, only to see the board give him a set on the flop and then hand Porter a better set on the turn. Rajkovic, meanwhile, took a more ordinary bad beat after his ace-jack was outdrawn by King-ten. They ended up splitting the min-cash of €4,275 each, a small consolation for watching their dreams end so abruptly.

With the bubble in the rearview mirror, the chips started flying again. Some known figures made the payout line, like Duco ten Haven (200th), Fintan Hand (201st), Morten Klein (203rd), and Merijn Van Rooij (210th), each taking home the minimum payout of €8,550 before the day ended. By the close of Day 2, the field had thinned enough that every survivor could start imagining the possibility of something bigger.

Day 3 brought another wave of eliminations, bringing the field down to just 53 players after four levels. The quick procession of bustouts included Fabio Peluso (184th for €8,550), former EPT champion Anton Wigg (187th for €8,550), and PokerStars ambassador Sam Grafton (163rd for €9,850). Adam McKola (133rd for €11,300) tried to keep the PokerStars flag flying, but he, too, was eliminated before the day was done.

During these tense hours on Day 3, Pedro Marques, who would eventually win the tournament, first showed the kind of resilience that champions are made of. He started the day with a short stack of 116,000, a precarious position that could have easily led to an early exit with one wrong move or an unlucky river card. But Marques battled back, steadily accumulating chips until he had amassed an impressive 1.285 Million by day’s end. He knocked out several foes along the way, leaving everyone around him wondering if this was the start of something special.

#EPTPrague Main Event Day 3 recap:

🇨🇿 53 players still have chips and a chair
🇨🇿 EPT veteran Anton Bergstrom holds the start of day chip lead
🇨🇿 Live-streaming resumes at 12:30 CET
🇨🇿 Watch at https://t.co/ZarB0RN21O or https://t.co/SB357usSaR pic.twitter.com/5DHzkz8H7C

— PokerStars LIVE (@PokerStarsLIVE) December 13, 2024

Day 4 began with 53 hopefuls, but by nightfall, only 16 remained. It was a day of dramatic exits and shifting fortunes. It felt like we were watching a long bridge collapsing plank by plank as one contender after another fell into the abyss. Alessandro Pichierri (53rd for €19,800) ran into Nikita Kuznetsov’s ace-queen early on. In a twist that almost felt scripted, Kuznetsov soon followed him out the door, finishing 45th (€19,800) when his own ace-queen got outdrawn by Conor Bergin’s jack-ten suited.

The eliminations continued throughout the day. Stanislaw Grodek placed 24th (€30,200), Christian Rudolph went in 23rd (€34,700), and Arjel Daci followed right behind in 22nd (€34,700). Each time a chair emptied, the tension in the room sharpened.

But if Day 4 had a leading man, it was undoubtedly Paul Runcan. He walked away with a commanding 5.04 million in chips (101 BBs), enough to leave the rest of the field glancing nervously in his direction. What made his performance stand out wasn’t just the raw numbers—though those certainly drew attention—but how he imposed his will on the table. He picked his spots carefully, and whether he was making a significant move or backing off, it was always on his terms. When he put players to the test, he did it in a way that kept them guessing.

It didn’t hurt that Runcan also took down three opponents that day. He knocked out Gianfranco Iaculli (52nd for €19,800) after going to battle with ace-king against pocket fives. He then dismissed Pascal Vos (25th for €30,200) with jack-ten suited to run down pocket nines and sent Adrian Mack (21st for €34,700) packing when his pocket aces crushed his pocket sevens. With each knockout, Runcan’s stack grew larger, and his message to the field became more apparent: he was here to push through anyone who dared stand in his path.

Another huge day at #EPTPrague:

♥️ 16 remain in Main Event
♣️ FT of Mixed Game Main Event
♦️ €10K High Roller Day 2
♠️ Spin & Go Championship begins

Follow it all in our coverage hub.

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— PokerStars Blog (@PokerStarsBlog) December 14, 2024

Day 5 opened with a sense of both excitement and dread. The first casualty was Joshua McSwiney (16th for €47,250), whose ace-jack was no match for Marques’ ace-queen. Next, Georgios Vrakas (15th for €56,700) looked like he might catch a break when his king-ten connected with a ten on the flop against Runcan’s ace-queen, but an ace on the turn was a reminder that luck is a fickle friend.

The list of fallen contenders kept growing. Dimitrios Gkatzas went out in 14th place (€56,700), losing a flip that could have changed everything. Sylwia Studniarz, who always brought a spark of energy to the table, busted in 13th place (€68,050) after turning her pocket fives into a bluff and running into Danut Chisu, who had her dominated. Not long after, Alexander Sokolovsky followed them out in 12th place (€68,050), bringing a hectic Level 27 to a close.

Umberto Ruggeri seemed to have found the double-up he needed with pocket jacks against Tjenno Eskes’ queen-jack, but the poker gods had other plans. A gutshot straight arrived for Eskes on the turn, sending Ruggeri to the rail in 11th place (€81,600).

The final table bubble was the tensest part of the entire tournament. No one wanted to be eliminated so close to the finish line, and the short stacks took turns hanging on for dear life. Ultimately, Vidar Oie (10th for €81,600) drew the short straw. He flopped top pair but ran headlong into a stronger kicker held by Barak Oz. That was all it took to seal Oie’s fate and set up the official final table.

Final Table Chip Counts

1. Paul Runcan – 11,780,000
2. Tjenno Eskes – 7,275,000
3. Barak Oz – 6,775,000
4. Anton Bergstrom – 6,005,000
5. Pedro Marques – 4,715,000
6. Siarhei Alontsau – 3,305,000
7. Siegfried Kapeller – 1,530,000
8. Danut Chisu – 1,230,000
9. Jaehyung Park – 1,100,000

Final Table Recap

As the final table got underway, the tension inside the room felt like it could be sliced with a knife. At centre stage stood Paul Runcan, sitting tall on nearly 12 Million chips—almost a third of everything in play. Right behind him was Tjenno Eskes with just over 7 Million, and then came the shorter stacks. Siegfried Kapeller, Danut Chisu, and Jaehyung Park all started with fewer than twenty big blinds, each forced to look for a spot to fight back.

It didn’t take long for the pressure to find someone. Kapeller was soon all-in, pushing with pocket jacks against Siarhei Alontsau’s pocket kings. To everyone watching, it looked like a formality—kings against jacks should end with Kapeller heading to the rail. The flop didn’t offer Kapeller any lifeline, and the mood around the table suggested his chips were as good as gone. But then a jack fell on the turn, pulling Kapeller back from the edge of oblivion. He was still breathing, still in the hunt, and the room let out a collective breath. Moments like that remind you that nothing is locked in on the final table until the last card lands.

Unfortunately for Danut Chisu, he soon found himself on life support. He was the new short stack and never caught the break he needed. Eventually, he shoved with —the sort of move you make when you can’t afford to wait any longer—and ran headlong into Barak Oz’s pocket eights. The board offered no help, and that was it for Chisu. He became the first player to leave the final table, walking away with what he could but undoubtedly wishing things had gone differently.

Then came a hand that had everyone leaning forward. Runcan, the chip leader, and Siegfried Kapeller became entangled in what would be remembered as one of the most daring bluffs of the tournament. Kapeller had turned a flush with and even check-raised on the turn, laying a trap that should have caught anyone lacking caution. The river paired the board, and Kapeller put about half his stack into the middle, trying to squeeze the last ounce of value or force a fold. Runcan, holding a humble , instantly shoved all-in.

This was the kind of moment that separated the survivors from the fallen. Kapeller knew something was off. How could Runcan be this strong, this confident? Kapeller took his time, chips clacking as he weighed the situation. Ultimately, he folded, and Runcan calmly flipped over his cards – – to reveal the bluff. Everyone at the table knew this wasn’t just any hand but a turning point. Kapeller may have been saved by that jack earlier, but now it felt like Runcan had shaken him to the core.

Not long after this blow to his confidence, Siegfried Kapeller pushed his last 12 big blinds in the middle with ace-queen. This time, Pedro Marques called him with pocket nines. The flop revealed a nine; just like that, any lingering hope Kapeller had vanished. He left in eighth place, the cards again refusing to spare him when it mattered most.

As the play continued with seven remaining, everyone seemed to slow down. The pay jumps were now too big to ignore, and nobody wanted to be the next casualty. It felt like the calm before the storm—chips shuffled quietly, players took extra time with every decision, and pots that might have exploded earlier in the night were now played with more caution.

That uneasy peace finally broke when Tjenno Eskes decided to make a stand with . He chose the moment, pushed his chips in, and hoped for the best. Across the table, Runcan looked down at —cards good enough to call. The flop dropped a sequence that handed Runcan the nut straight and left Eskes drawing dead. The remaining six bagged their chips and tried to regroup.

Final Day Chip Counts

1. Paul Runcan – 18,025,000 (120 BBs)
2. Pedro Marques – 9,225,000 (62 BBs)
3. Anton Bergstrom – 6,725,000 (45 BBs)
4. Barak Oz – 4,500,000 (30 BBs)
5. Siarhei Alontsau – 3,150,000 (21 BBs)
6. Jaehyung Park – 2,100,000 (14 BBs)

A millionaire will be made today at #EPTPrague. Follow the action from the final table and catch up on everything that’s happened at the festival so far.

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— PokerStars Blog (@PokerStarsBlog) December 15, 2024

You can watch the complete replay of the final day live stream below.

Final Day Recap

By the time the final day arrived, only six players remained. It had been a gruelling five days of poker, with the largest EPT Prague Main Event field in history whittled down to a select few. For these six survivors, it wasn’t just about the €233,050 they had already locked up; it was about the ultimate prize waiting at the end of this journey and the chance to etch their names in poker history.

Runcan started the final day with a commanding chip lead of 18.025 Million (120 BBs), nearly double the stack of his closest rival, Marques, who trailed with 9.225 Million (62 BBs) but was still very much in contention.

Another intriguing storyline heading into the final day was Anton Bergstrom’s quest to become the first player to win three EPT Main Event titles. His previous victories came online in 2020 and 2021, but he was aiming for a live win this time. With 6.725 Million chips (62 BBs), Bergstrom had a legitimate shot at making history.

Paul Runcan, the start-of-day chip leader, came out swinging. He wasn’t just playing to win; he was playing to dominate. He applied relentless pressure from the get-go, forcing tough decisions and capitalizing on the massive pay jumps.

Siarhei Alontsau, hoping to double up his stack, shoved all-in with on the flop. But Marques, holding for two pair, quickly called. The board ran out clean, sending Alontsau to the rail in sixth place.

Jaehyung Park, who had impressed everyone with his incredible short-stack play on Day 5, continued to defy the odds. He scored a crucial double-up against Marques early in the day, his finding a ten on the board to beat Marques’ .

With the chance to become the only three-time EPT Main Event champion, Anton Bergstrom had a lot on the line. Sadly, his run ended in fifth place when his couldn’t beat Runcan’s pocket fours.

With the shorter stacks trying to climb the pay ladder, Runcan turned up the heat, particularly targeting Marques. He relentlessly shoved over Marques’ raises, keeping him trapped in a tough spot.

The action was fast and furious, with only four players left. Finally, Marques, with , shoved from the button, and Barak Oz, holding , called from the small blind. An eight on the flop sealed Oz’s fate, sending him out in fourth place.

Three-handed play was a Runcan masterclass. He used his massive chip lead to bully Marques and Park, who were both desperate to score the huge pay jump for second place. Marques, at risk with ace-three, managed to double through Runcan’s king-queen, offering a glimmer of hope. But Runcan, undeterred, continued his aggressive onslaught.

Marques found himself in trouble again, shoving his last few chips with pocket fours against Park’s ace-king. This time, luck was on his side. The board ran out in his favour, giving him a much-needed double-up.

A few hands later, Jaehyung Park‘s incredible run came to an end. He moved all in with from the small blind, only to run into Runca ‘s . The board brought no help, and Park was eliminated in third place.

Heads-up play began with Paul Runcan (36.225 Million) holding a 5:1 chip lead over Pedro Marques (7.50 Million). It looked like it was all over. But Marques, refusing to give up, doubled up when his third pair held against Runcan’s ace-high.

Then, in a dramatic turn of events, the stacks nearly evened out when Runcan made a disciplined fold with pocket aces! Marques, holding king-nine, had rivered a straight and shoved over Runcan’s river overbet. Immediately after this hand, the two players agreed to a deal, guaranteeing each of them €900,000. With the pressure off, they would play for the remaining €63,450 and the coveted EPT trophy.

Done deal 🤝

Both players have locked up €900,000 and they play on for €63,450.

Watch the heads-up battle at https://t.co/SB357usSaR or https://t.co/ZarB0RN21O pic.twitter.com/51fL0RNhrQ

— PokerStars LIVE (@PokerStarsLIVE) December 15, 2024

Suddenly, the momentum shifted completely. Marques, playing with renewed confidence, turned a straight with ten-nine and got paid off by Runcan, who had just six-high.

On the very next hand, Marques raised to 1 Million, and Runcan shoved all-in for 12.225 Million. Marques called, turning over to Runcan’s . The flop came , giving Marques a huge lead. The turn and river bricked, and just like that, Runcan, the seemingly unstoppable force, was defeated. Pedro Marques, against all odds, had completed one of the most incredible comebacks in EPT history.

Final Table Results (EURO)

1. Pedro Marques – €963,450*
2. Paul Runcan – €900,000*
3. Jaehyung Park – €512,100
4. Barak Oz – €393,950
5. Anton Bergstrom – €303,000
6. Siarhei Alontsau – €233,050
7. Tjenno Eskes – €179,250
8. Siegfried Kapeller – €137,900
9. Danut Chisu – €106,050

*denotes a heads-up deal

Content & Images Courtesy: PokerNews and PokerStars

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