Online Qualifier Marti Roca De Torres wins the WSOPE Main Event for €1,115,207

If there’s one thing you can rely on in poker, it’s that the WSOPE Main Event will provide interesting stories. With final tables that regularly feature big names (Annette Obrestad,
Phil HellmuthandJohn Juanda have all won the event), it’s no wonder thistournamentis keenly awaited every year.

This year, despite the stellar field assembled in the Czech city of Rozvadov for this tournament, it was an onlineQualifier Marti Roca De Torres who took home the gold. Marti Roca De Torres isnot a globally recognised name.He recently quit his job as a teacher to focus his energy on poker, and he won his entry through a€220 satellite on 888poker.For this victory he not only picks up his first bracelet, but also €1,115,207Euros in prize money.

Maria Ho falters

Maria Ho came into the final table as the favourite for this title, having amassed a chip leading stack of 7,830,000. Her nearest challenger was Marti Roca De Torres. Despite the apparent edge of having been around the live tournament circuit for years, Ho had a day to forget, sliding backwards more or less from the outset. Her misfortune persisted throughout the final table until her eventual demise in 6th place. Meanwhile, Roca De Torres was busy prospering.

UK pro and recent bracelet winner Niall Farrell was part of a double bustout that put an end to Ho’s dreams, and after a lengthy back and forth battle, Robert Bickley followed the pair to the rail as he finished 4th. It wasn’t too long before the elimination of Mathijs Jonkers took the action to heads-up, with Gianluca Speranza enjoying a three to one chiplead over online qualifier Marti Roca De Torres.

Marti Roca De Torres wins heads up battle to take the title

For a time, it appeared that Gianluca Speranzamight convert his lead to victory. Eventually though, the momentum shifted towards the Spaniard, and Gianluca Speranzafinally fell in 2nd place. After his valiant effort he picks up €689,246 (US$801,552). Marti Roca De Torres claims his first ever WSOP bracelet and €1,115,207 (US$1,296,919).

The final payouts are as follows:

Article by Craig Bradshaw