The European Poker Tour Prague Euro 5,300 buy-in Main Event has ended in a victory for German pro Hussein Ensan (51), who could have won Euro 921,540 but had negotiated a heads up chop which left him with Euro 754,510.
It was the German ace’s third EPT final table, and proved the adage that third time lucky really can happen, even in a field of 1,044 entrants.
It was a disappointing final day for Ilkin Amirov from Azerbaijan who started final table action with a massive chip advantage but had to be satisfied with a third place finish for Euro 391,910
Early in the game Ensan had a narrow escape from elimination but managed to stave off a bust-out with a fortunate double up that put him firmly back in the game.
There was a pause at the four-handed stage in the game while survivors Ensan, Amirov, Glebb Tremzin from Russia and Thomas Butzhammer of Germany unsuccessfully tried to work out a chop, a negotiation which was followed by the elimination of Butzhammer at fourth for Euro 294,180.
He was followed to the exit by Amirov at third, and the heads up between Tremzin and Ensan was ready to go, but was paused whilst another chop was discussed.
This one was successful with both players agreeing to take Euro 724,510, leaving Euro 30,000 on the table for the winner.
At that point Ensan held a chip lead of over 4 million on his Russian opponent, but it was just the start of an endurance test that was to take five hours over almost thirty tough hands, with the lead changing a number of times before Ensan was able to send Tremzin to the exit with his previously agreed runner up prize of Euro 724,510.
Other final table pay days looked like this:
Slaven Popov Bulgaria Euro 226,330
Olivier Ferrero France Euro 166,080
Onur Unsal Turkey Euro 122,530
Vlado Banicevic Montenegro Euro 87,700