Roman Reigns in Monte Carlo to Capture EPT Main Event

Last Updated on May 11, 2026 by Bala Kumar

Over the past year, Roman Stoica has firmly established himself as one of the most consistent performers on the PokerStars European Poker Tour (EPT) circuit.

His rise began with a breakthrough victory, where he secured over €300,000 by shipping a Mystery Bounty event at EPT Barcelona, showcasing his ability to perform under high-pressure formats.

Stoica continued to build momentum with strong back-to-back deep runs in the prestigious Main Events at EPT Malta, where he finished 16th, and EPT Prague, where he placed 27th, proving his consistency at elite-level competition.

However, all of those achievements were surpassed at the 2026 EPT Monte-Carlo €5,300 Main Event, where Stoica delivered the performance of his career.

In a massive field of 1,011 entries, he navigated through days of intense competition to reach the final table. Once there, Stoica dominated the action, needing just four hours to dismantle the final lineup and claim the title along with a staggering €825,000 payday, the biggest score of his poker career.

EPT Monte Carlo 2026 Final Table Results

🏆 Place	👤 Player	🌍 Country	💰 Prize
1st	Roman Stoica	Russia	€825,000
2nd	Bernhard Binder	Austria	€515,000
3rd	David Djian	France	€368,750
4th	Samuel Ju	Germany	€283,550
5th	Jose Malpelli	France	€218,300
6th	Longmao Fan	China	€167,850
7th	Raul Mestre	Spain	€129,050
8th	Oshri Lahmani	Israel	€99,450

This Is the Dream of Every Poker Player

After securing victory, Stoica shared his emotions in a post-win interview:

“I’m a bit tired, but I’m very happy to become a winner of the EPT. This is the dream of every poker player.”

He also credited his success to discipline and consistent practice:

“The secret is to play and practice as much as you can. That’s what brings you to the final table and winning the tournament.”

This victory marked Stoica’s third deep Main Event run in just four EPT stops, reinforcing his reputation as one of the most consistent players on the circuit.

How Stoica Won the Title in Monte Carlo

Stoica entered the final day in a mid-stack position, initially staying quiet while others battled for control.

Key turning points included:

• Crucial double-up against Longmao Fan
• Knockout of Jose Malpelli with ace-queen hitting an ace on the river
• First takeover of the chip lead after sustained pressure
• Eliminating David Djian with a flush vs two pair
• Entering heads-up play with a 3:1 chip advantage over Bernhard Binder

In the final hand, Stoica applied maximum pressure with flopped trips, forcing Binder into a river decision with two pairs. The call confirmed Stoica’s championship victory.

Final Moments

Just four hours after the final table began, Stoica completed his dominant run and secured the EPT Monte Carlo Main Event title. However, celebration had to wait as he shared, “I just want to get to bed and get some rest,” admitting how intense the run had been, adding, “At home when I’m back, I will celebrate.” Stay tuned with Poker Club Games for more exclusive poker tournament updates, EPT results, and latest poker news coverage from around the world. 

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