Last Updated on September 28, 2026 by Bala Kumar
The Winamax Poker Open (WPO) in Aix-les-Bains has a new champion, and it’s a story that proves anything can happen at the poker table. Amateur player Lucas Archeny has claimed the 2026 Main Event title after a thrilling final day in the French Alps.
A Record-Sized Field
Organizers expected a big turnout, but the response exceeded predictions. Just two flights in, the event had already recorded 1,149 entries, and talk of a record began to build. By the time registration closed, the €500 buy-in 6-max tournament had drawn 2,873 entries, making it one of the biggest 6-max events ever held in Europe.
The opening day set the tone. Day 1A alone brought in 386 entries, with 63 players advancing and Julien Acher bagging a commanding chip lead.
Day 3: The Road to the Title
Only 17 players returned for Day 3, with Timothée D’Anfray leading the pack on 21,725,000 chips. Play resumed at 12:30 PM with blinds at 150,000/300,000 and a 300,000 big blind ante.
Archeny wasn’t far behind. Nearing the final table, he held the chip lead with 26 million, while D’Anfray trailed with 21 million. The lead changed hands quickly, though, as D’Anfray soon moved back on top with exactly 28 million.
Key Hands That Shaped the Final Table
One of the day’s most dramatic hands came with nine players left. Matthieu Pontin opened from under the gun with jack-ten suited, and both Aymane Mamoun (ace-king) and Archeny (big blind) called. The flop fell ace-queen-king, handing Pontin the nut straight. Mamoun’s two pair couldn’t catch up, and he left in 9th place with €13,897.
Archeny made his own moves along the way. He eliminated Hervé Ponthet in 10th when his ace-queen held against Ponthet’s king-seven suited, with Ponthet earning €11,000. Later, Archeny isolated Nicolas Ehrath’s ace-deuce with ace-queen, and the better kicker held up, sending Ehrath out in 5th for €36,000.
Other notable finishers included Benjamin Goudard, who fell in 6th and collected €25,500, and Quentin Le Dissez, who went out in 7th. With four players left, the next elimination was worth €51,500, a spot that went to Timothée D’Anfray.
In the three-handed battle, Pontin shoved ace-five suited from the big blind into Archeny’s pocket sevens. Pontin paired his ace on the flop, but Archeny flopped a set, and Pontin exited in 3rd with €74,000.
The Winning Hand
That set up a heads-up duel between Archeny and Étienne De Soultrait, with Archeny holding a clear chip advantage. The lead swung back and forth before the final hand, where De Soultrait moved all-in for 38.2 million with ten-nine offsuit, and Archeny, who had him covered, called with king-seven suited. Neither player connected with the board, so Archeny’s king-high was enough to take the title and the €150,000 first-place prize.
After the win, Archeny described it as by far the best result of his poker career.
Why This Win Matters
Archeny’s victory is a reminder of why affordable, big-field festivals like the WPO are so popular. A €500 buy-in gave thousands of recreational players a real shot at a six-figure prize, and an amateur walked away as champion. For players dreaming of their own breakthrough moment, events like this show that the path from local grinder to title winner is very much open.
The French live poker calendar stays busy, too. PokerStars heads to the Pasino Grand Aix-en-Provence from November 1–8, opening with a Creators’ Cup featuring content creators, personalities, and players.
FAQs
1. Who won the WPO Aix-les-Bains 2026 Main Event?
Amateur poker player Lucas Archeny won the WPO Aix-les-Bains 2026 Main Event, defeating Étienne De Soultrait heads-up.
2. How much did Lucas Archeny win?
Archeny won €150,000 for finishing first in the €500 buy-in Main Event.
3. How many entries did the WPO Aix-les-Bains Main Event attract?
The tournament attracted 2,873 entries, making it one of the largest 6-max poker events held in Europe.
4. Who finished runner-up to Lucas Archeny?
Étienne De Soultrait finished second after losing the final heads-up hand to Archeny.
5. What was the final hand of the WPO Aix-les-Bains Main Event?
De Soultrait moved all-in with 10-9 offsuit, while Archeny called with K-7 suited. Neither player connected with the board, leaving Archeny’s king-high as the winning hand.
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