The record-breaking European Poker Tour Monte Carlo main event saw a winner crowned over the weekend. Dutchman Derk van Luijk beat out 1,208 other players in the $5,300 buy-in tournament. He took home the top prize of $1.07 million from a guaranteed $6.311 million prize pool.
The 43-year old van Luijk survived several near elimination moments and an epic six-hour final table duel with Boris Angelov to seal the title.
“That’s an amazing feeling. I cannot even realize still that I’ve won. It feels like I’m spacing right now. You don’t realize it yet, but it’s an amazing feeling,” Van Luijk said.
Enjoying the Ride
Van Luijk entered the final table in sixth place, trailing chip leader Angelov significantly.
American Rania Nesreddine finished in third place. Van Luijk was in a massive hand against Nesreddine when he called all- in on a losing state, with a Jack pair and a 10 against her two pair 5-4.
However, the river came out with a second 10 to secure the win for van Luijk against the odds.
“I was very relaxed during my play. I was trying to have a good time, so I was really enjoying my play. I wasn’t really worried about busting. I got down to 10 big blinds, and that’s enough to spin it back up. I wasn’t really worried or anything like that. I was more trying to enjoy the ride that I was in,” van Luijk said.
The victory increased the Dutchman’s career winnings by 500% to $1.295 million in total. The family man is expecting his third child soon. He describes himself as a semi-pro poker player, focusing mainly on his investing career.
Incredible Amount
A million-dollar win might eventually change that. Van Luijk’s partner, mother, and brother celebrated with him at the rail after his win.
“It’s amazing. My brother flew in this morning when he realized I was in the final seven last night. He bought a ticket and came this morning,” Van Luijk said.
“That’s obviously amazing. That’s an incredible feeling and an incredible amount.”
Incredible amount it may be for a deserved victory. But the Main Event didn’t hand out the biggest prize of the weekend in Monte Carlo.
Local Monaco resident Patrick Antonius took that honor with his $2.1 million victory in the EPT Monte Carlo Super High Roller Event.
| POS | NAME | COUNTRY | PRIZE |
| 1 | Derk van Luijk | Netherlands | €1,000,000 |
| 2 | Boris Angelov | Bulgaria | €620,500 |
| 3 | Rania Nasreddine | USA | €442,900 |
| 4 | Jovan Kenjic | Serbia | €340,500 |
| 5 | Jonathan Pastore | France | €261,700 |
| 6 | Niclas Thumm | Germany | €201,000 |
David is an online casino expert who specializes in online slots and boasts over 10 years experience writing about iGaming. He has written for a wide range of notable publications, including eSports Insider and WordPlay Magazine.
David graduated Derby University with a BA Degree in English Literature and Creative Writing.
