Padraig O’Neill Wins Record-Setting EPT Prague Main Event

The main event of the 2023 European Poker Tour Prague, featuring a €5,300 buy-in and no-limit hold’em, achieved a historic turnout with 1,285 entries. This surpassed the previous record set in 2022, which had 1,267 participants. Notably, this year’s event coincided with both the World Series of Poker Paradise main event and the World Poker Tour World Championship.

The substantial turnout led to a final prize pool exceeding $6.8 million, distributed among the top 191 finishers. Ultimately, the 34-year-old Irish poker player Padraig O’Neill emerged victorious, claiming the top prize of $1,112,400.

Starting the final day with the shortest stack among the last five contenders, O’Neill faced an early preflop coin flip, crucial to avoiding a fifth-place finish. Despite facing Jon Kyte, the chip leader with over 17 times as many chips, O’Neill managed to stage a comeback. His pocket fours, initially in a tough spot, improved with a four on the turn, allowing him to double out of the short-stacked danger zone.

After more than ten hours of play, O’Neill secured the final pot, lifting the trophy in triumph. Expressing his surprise, he stated, “I was hoping to come fourth or third at best. I didn’t think I’d get heads up. This is surreal.”

The event, held at the Hilton Hotel Prague from Dec. 11-17, attracted prominent players, including Maria Lampropulos, Ramon Colillas, Steve O’Dwyer, Niall Farrell, Max Neugebauer, and Marle Spragg.

The final day saw Adam Wagner eliminated in fifth place, Cheng Zhao in fourth, and Umberto Ruggeri in third. The heads-up battle between O’Neill and Kyte lasted for several hours, with O’Neill ultimately securing the victory. Kyte, the runner-up, received a career-high score of $694,440, increasing his lifetime earnings to over $1.7 million.

Final Table Results 2023 EPT Prague Main Event