Joao Barbosa defeated Nico Behling in a marathon heads-up match to garner the PokerStars.com EPT Warsaw crown, the accompanying fame and the 1,358,420 PLN (€367,141) first prize.
Barbosa came into the final table as one of the less-celebrated names vying for glory.
With previous EPT winner Arnaud Mattern and summer WSOP bracelet winner Dario Minieri joining him at the felt, most thought the EPT title would be headed elsewhere.
But the Portuguese player defied expectations by picking up the title and continuing his trend of consistency, which has seen him cash twice in three EPTs before his success here in Poland.
We spoke to Joao shortly after his victory to get his thoughts on this historic win.
So, Joao, how do you feel having won the biggest tournament of your life?
Of course I feel really good! It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to win an EPT.
What did you feel were the key moments for you on the final table?
Well I was lucky with some key hands. I came to the final as the short stack, well not too short but shorter than the average, but with four players left I got the chip lead and I kept it through to the end.
Arnaud Mattern was the only player at the final table to have won an EPT. Before the final you may have thought he would be a danger man. Were you very happy to knock him out?
Yes; I was happy to knock him out. I was very lucky in the hand but with the hands involved and the stack sizes the way it played out was pretty standard.
Were there any players in particular you were wary of, or who impressed you?
Yes, Dario is a very very dangerous opponent. I played all of Day 2 with him and he is really good, as good as the reputation he has.
What did you feel were your strengths at the final table?
Well I played very tight when I was a short stack but I was capable of changing styles and I think some of the other players didn't realize that. I got away with a few bluffs before they realized I had changed my strategy.
Just to move on to your background for a moment ... How did you make the transition from computer engineer to poker player?
Well, I played poker in university but I decided to finish my studies and even work for a bit before going back [to] poker.
Did you start out playing online?
Yes.
Did you find it hard adjusting from online poker to live poker?
Well, it is different. People react differently and they play a little differently. People think for a longer time in live poker.
What's the poker scene like in Portugal?
Well I just heard that the main poker community has reached 10,000 and there are two or three tournaments each month, not very big tournaments but it is growing in Portugal.
Do you play more live or online?
I play mostly online; that's how I got into the EPTs. I play mainly cash games online.
It's your birthday today isn't it?
Yes!
Is this the best birthday present you've ever had?
Ha-ha ... yes, probably.
What do you plan to do with your winnings? More EPTs, more wins perhaps?
Yes, I plan to play the rest of the EPT season. It's very hard to win even one EPT in your lifetime, so we'll see!
Now that your bankroll's been given a big boost, will you play at the WSOP and try and win a bracelet?
Maybe. I want to go [to Vegas] for the World Series.
Well thanks for talking to us Joao and congratulations on a great performance and result. Well done!
Thanks!
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Joao brushed off the threat posed by some highly experienced players at the final table and once he grabbed the chip lead, he never looked back. The excellent poker play and ability to change gears he showed here at EPT Warsaw mark him out as a player with a great future ahead of him.
For now, though, he can just bask in the glory and fame that comes with being the EPT champion.
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