Jorge Abreu turned a massive chip lead into a stunning victory at the PokerStars European Poker Tour Paris Main Event, claiming the top prize of €1,148,600 after an epic river card sealed his triumph. The 35-year-old Portuguese player dominated the final table in Paris, outlasting 1,473 rivals in the €5,300 no-limit hold’em tournament. This win marks one of the most one-sided final tables in recent EPT history, fueled by bold plays and timely luck.
Abreu walked into Day 6 with over half the chips in play. He held 22.4 million chips out of 44.9 million total, giving him a clear edge over the six other players. The event drew 1,474 entrants from around the world, creating a prize pool of €7,075,200. Players fought for the coveted Golden Shard trophy and the top payout.
The tournament took place at the luxurious Hyatt Regency Paris Etoile from late February into early March 2026. Abreu, known online as “Joringho88,” has built a solid career since starting poker at age 18. He plays mostly online but shines in live events too. This year, he already grabbed two SCOOP Warm-Up titles, showing his hot streak.
Fans watched closely as Abreu maintained pressure from the start. His stack grew steadily, forcing others into tough spots.
Thrilling Eliminations Light Up the Table
Early action saw quick knockouts that boosted Abreu’s lead. In one key moment, he four-bet preflop and flopped the nut flush, eliminating Thierry Gogniat in seventh place for €179,350 and Tomas Jozonis in sixth for €233,200. Both opponents were drawing dead by the turn, a double blow that left the table stunned.
Next, Nazar Buhaiov fell in fifth with €303,150 after Enrico Coppola called his all-in with a set of eights over top pair. Casimir Seire exited fourth, earning €394,150, when Abreu called his shove with ace-queen against pocket tens and rivered trips on the end. These moves showcased Abreu’s aggressive style and read on opponents.
The pace picked up as stacks shortened. Schneiders doubled up early with ace-king over Gogniat’s tens, keeping his hopes alive. Coppola also doubled through Abreu when his top set turned into a full house against pocket aces, a rare cooler that tested the leader’s resolve.
Abreu refocused during a break, using deep breaths to steady himself. He later said mental preparation helped him push through distractions.
Final Three Battle for Glory
With three players left, tension filled the room. Coppola bluffed Abreu successfully at one point, but Abreu struck back. In a dramatic hand, he rivered trips with queen-ten suited to bust Coppola in third for €512,400 over pocket jacks. This elimination set up heads-up play between Abreu and Felix Schneiders.
Schneiders, a popular German content creator with over 70,000 Twitch followers, entered heads-up short-stacked at 4.25 million to Abreu’s 39.95 million. The German pro, known as GRND on Tour, had doubled up earlier with queens turning into a full house against Coppola. His run to second place, worth €717,350, validated years of hard grinding.
Abreu praised Schneiders’ skill post-match. The duo traded pots, but Abreu’s edge proved too much. Schneiders aimed for an upset, but the Portuguese player’s stack loomed large.
| Position | Player | Country | Prize (€) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Jorge Abreu | Portugal | 1,148,600 |
| 2nd | Felix Schneiders | Germany | 717,350 |
| 3rd | Enrico Coppola | Italy | 512,400 |
| 4th | Casimir Seire | Finland | 394,150 |
| 5th | Nazar Buhaiov | Ukraine | 303,150 |
| 6th | Tomas Jozonis | Lithuania | 233,200 |
| 7th | Thierry Gogniat | France | 179,350 |
| 8th | Sami Bechahed | France | 137,950 |
The Epic Final Hand That Crowned a Champion
Heads-up play lasted just a few hands before the decisive moment. Abreu limped from the small blind, and Schneiders raised with pocket queens from the big blind. The flop came jack-high, and Schneiders bet the turn. Abreu raised, prompting Schneiders to shove all-in for his tournament life.
Abreu called with jack-eight offsuit, behind but live. The river brought an eight, giving him two pair to crack the queens. Abreu showed no big reaction, a cool demeanor that highlighted his experience under pressure. The crowd erupted as he lifted the trophy, ending the event in dominant fashion.
This hand will go down as one of the year’s most memorable in major tournaments. It combined skill, timing, and a touch of luck that Abreu credited heavily.
Jorge Abreu’s victory in the EPT Paris Main Event stands as a testament to preparation meeting opportunity, inspiring poker fans worldwide with his journey from online grinder to live champion. As he looks ahead, this €1.1 million score could reshape his career, offering financial freedom and more big-stage chances.
