Winner Interview: Moritz Kranich Wins EPT Deauville

By Rod Stirzaker Jan 24, 2009 | 10 months ago

Moritz Kranich wins EPT5 Deauville

EPT Deauville has proved a massive success, and no one will have fonder memories of the tournament than Moritz Kranich, the German who just secured EPT glory by defeating Frenchman Arnaud Esquevin heads-up to win the tournament.

He picked up €851,400 for his win, and we caught up with him just after his victory to get his thoughts at this historic moment.

Moritz, you are the second German to have won an EPT this season. What's the secret behind the Germans' success this season?

I don't know! We have a lot of very good, talented players. You also have to have a lot of luck to win an EPT. Maybe we won't see another German winner for four or five years!

What for you were the key moments in the final?

There were two big pots three-handed, but earlier in the final I pushed from the small blind with jack-eight and doubled up against ace-king.

Otherwise I would [have been] busto! [laughs]

Three-handed, I had a big rush of cards, and that saw me through to the win.

Moritz takes it down!

Some of the pros have mentioned how the structure at the EPTs is a little tight and they would like it to be expanded.

How did you feel the structure played out?

I had a lot of chips throughout the tournament from the beginning. I could always raise and pick my spots. Overall I think the structure was okay.

There was a bit of controversy about a deal that was discussed three-handed. Tristan was the big chip leader at the time and turned down the deal. Ultimately he crashed out third so it didn't really work to his advantage.

What did you feel about the deal? Would you have taken what was on offer in Tristan's spot?

For the chip leader it's not bad to accept a deal and he didn't have a very strong lead, as you can see because his chips went pretty quickly.

If it had been me, I would have probably taken the deal, but I cannot say. His friends and some big players advised him to play on, so that was his decision!

Clemencon: Star of the future?

Who for you were the players who impressed you most during the tournament, Moritz?

Tristan played really great, and I was afraid of Andrea Bonelli, as he played really aggressively the day before and I knew he was capable of some really crazy plays.

I doubled up against him in a hand where I was really lucky ... and then three hands later he was dead.

That was really my biggest concern at the final table.

What do you intend to do with the money you've won here in Deauville, Moritz?

I want to buy a house; I'm going to play in the World Series; I have a Monte Carlo ticket so I will play there too.

So how do you feel having won the tournament? Does it still feel like a bit of a dream?

I don't think I have realized it yet. I think it will take a few days to sink in!

You're EPT champion! Are you going to go and celebrate now?

Yes, I think I'll go for a few beers!

Well, thanks for speaking to us Moritz and congratulations on a great performance!

Thanks!

 

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Moritz joins Sebastian Ruthenberg as the second German to secure EPT glory this season, and goes from virtual unknown to EPT hero in the space of five action-packed days. He had to fight off the challenge of the talented Tristan Clemencon to get there, but this win means his name will be now written into the annals of EPT history.

Moritz qualified for the EPT online. You may be able to join the young German on the EPT winning roster by playing on PokerStars. Click here to download PokerStars software and take a shot at glory yourself.