Michalak Scores ISPT Title

Michalak Scores ISPT Title

Thursday, 6 June 2013

One of the most ambitious tournaments ever attempted came to a conclusion last night and while the ISPT might not have gone exactly to plan, it was certainly a worthwhile event for those involved.

After six days of play inside London’s iconic Wembley Stadium, the final six players were able to return to the felt yesterday with a fresh perspective on the top-heavy prizepool. Having failed to make a deal with nine players left on Day 5, the surviving six finally agreed to chop up the money in a more equal way.

After crunching the numbers, chip leader Pete Linton was gifted €375,000 for his efforts, while the remaining players each secured just over €200,000. That split left €200,000 aside for the winner, meaning that yesterday’s action was much more relaxed affair than many expected.

However, despite much of the tension being lifted, each player was still doing their best to take the top spot and become the inaugural ISPT champion. Indeed, after the negotiations were complete and the action had started it was the finale’s lone female, Gwendoline Janot who hit the rail first. Having battled hard to avoid elimination she eventually hit the rail after her all-in with pocket nines was meant by a call from Xavier El Fassey with pocket kings. That left her with just five big blinds and the very next hand she was all-in again with Td 7h but wasn’t able to overcome Jakub Michalak.

Now down to five the eliminations began to come thick and fast as Alban Juen, Pete Linton and Nick Hicks all headed for the sidelines. That left El Fassey and Michalak vying for the ISPT title and extra €200,000 on offer.

While their ambitions were the same when the final battle began, their chip stacks certainly weren’t Having caused the demise of those around him, Michalak had an 8:1 chip lead and, despite a mini comeback from El Fassey, the match was won in just a few hands.

Michalak’s final coup occurred when he 3-bet jammed As 7c into the pocket kings of El Fassey. Despite being behind pre-flop, the Ah Jh 3c 4d Ac board ensured that the final pot was pushed his way and that he became the first ever ISPT champion.


ISPT Main Event Final Result*
1st Jakub Michalak €436,000
2nd Xavier El Fassey €204,000
3rd Nick Hicks €254,000
4th Pete Linton €375,000
5th Alban Juen €290,000
6th Gwendoline Janot €243,000
*Payouts reflect a deal.



Tags: ISPT Wembley, Jakub Michalak, Xavier El Fassey, Nick Hicks, Pete Linton