Roman Stoica Wins €5K EPT Monte-Carlo Main Event After Defeating Bernhard Binder Heads-Up (€825K)

Roman Stoica Wins €5K EPT Monte-Carlo Main Event After Defeating Bernhard Binder Heads-Up (€825K)
Image
Alex Sakuta Content Editor
Fact Checked: PokerListings
  • Updated: May 11, 2026
  • Read time: 1 min

St. Petersburg native Roman Stoica has been grinding EPT Main Events since 2024. Last year, he finished 16th in Malta and 27th in Prague. And last night, he finally captured the long-awaited title, trophy, and a new career-best cash.

Stoica started the final table fifth in chips

In 6-max, Stoica doubled up with JJ vs AKs against Longmao Feng, moving up to 38 BB.

In 5-max, he eliminated Jose Malpelli: AQo > 99 in a 37 BB pot, with an ace on the river. His stack grew to 50 BB — only Binder had more at that point.

In 3-max, Stoica eliminated David Gian. Effective stack: 26 BB. Limped pot, Stoica on the SB.

Flop 3 6 8 . Stoica check-raised to 4.5 BB. Pot: 16 BB.
Turn A . Stoica bet 4 BB.
River 10 . Stoica shoved, Gian called.

Showdown: Stoica had 10 9 , Gian had 10 6 .

Stoica started heads-up with 114 BB against Binder’s 37 BB.

Stoica vs Binder heads up EPT Monte-Carlo

The match lasted around 10 minutes. Watch the final hand on Twitter.

Final table payouts (1,011 entries total):

PlaceCountryPlayerPayout
1Roman Stoica€825,000
2Bernhard Binder€515,000
3David Gian€386,750
4Samuel Yu€283,550
5Jose Malpelli€218,300
6Longmao Feng€167,850
7Raul Mestre€129,050
8Oshri Lahmani€99,450

Who Else Won Trophies On The Final Day Of EPT Monte-Carlo?

Aleksejs Ponakovs

Aleksejs Ponakovs And Kelvin Kerber Chop €25K EPT High Roller Heads-Up

In the end, Aleksejs Ponakovs took the win. He earned €839,430* for first place, while second place paid €809,020*. The tournament attracted 200 entries in total.

Stephen Chidwick Wins €20K NLH (€115,835)

The one-day high roller event drew just 11 entries, with Isaac Haxton firing five bullets before eventually busting in 4th place. Enrico Camosci finished runner-up for €95,453.

The next EPT stop will take place in Barcelona from August 16 to 29.