🇨🇿 Martin Surovec is the People's Poker Tour Main Event winner!

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Until a few days ago, his name didn’t ring a bell—not even for those who follow the underground poker scene. No HendonMob results, no trophies on display, and not even a social media profile to stalk — we only find that out at the very end of the interview, when we ask him where to find him online. Just a quiet passion that never faded, and a belief that slowly took shape: maybe, deep down, “I wasn’t as stupid as I thought I was.”

We had noticed him before—for that big smile he kept flashing in all the pictures, even when things didn’t seem to be going his way. Five bullets to make it to Day 2—the fifth one finally worked out. “I just kept registering until it happened. On the fifth try, I made it. But honestly, I was already happy with how I was playing,” he recalls.

He plays online and takes it seriously. At 36, after years of drifting and figuring life out, he’s now found his place at the tables. “I play online and I’m trying to do this professionally. But for a long time, I was just lost—wandering around, not knowing what I wanted to do.”

Before poker, there was a university degree he never used and a career path he never really believed in. “Yeah, I have a degree, but I didn’t like the field. It was something like tourism management… and I had no idea what to do with it.”

The final showdown

Poker had always been there in the background—something he loved but didn’t dare to chase. “I’ve always loved poker, but I never thought I was smart enough to become a poker player. I thought all the good players were geniuses. Then I realized they’re not as brilliant as I imagined… and I’m not as dumb as I thought.”

That’s what makes this victory so special. “This is by far my biggest result. You won’t find me online. This is my first real score.”

But the feeling hasn’t quite sunk in yet. “It’s surreal. I haven’t really processed what just happened. I told myself that if I won, I’d buy a new motorbike. I think it’ll all feel real once I’m riding that bike.”

And of course, no deal in the heads-up. “I don’t do deals. I like to play it out.” He wasn’t among the chip leaders on Day 3, but he already had the end in mind: “That morning I went for a run in the woods. I pictured myself holding the trophy, from my own point of view. Then I just did everything I could to make it real. In the end, my opponent pretty much gave me the trophy.”

What’s next? He doesn’t hesitate. “Of course I’m going to play the EPM with a €2M guarantee in two weeks with EuroRounders. I have to, after a run like this. But honestly, I was going to play it anyway. I don’t care too much about results—if I’m having fun, I play.”

A simple story, with no hype—but with all the elements that define poker: self-doubt, grit, visualization, improbable runs… and that smile, always there, even on the worst days. Now, everything makes a little more sense.

The tournament

Around midnight, the curtain fell on the People’s Poker Tour Main Event, which drew a massive field of 1,899 entries and featured a guaranteed prize pool of €1,000,000. The winner: Martin Surovec from the Czech Republic, who walked away with €124,000 and a WSOPE Main Event ticket, awarded to the top 10 finishers. The victory came with no deal.

As usual, the Final Day was a true marathon. The last 24 players returned at 2 PM, battling for hours before the final table was set after a string of fast-paced and intense eliminations.

Only one Italian made it to the final nine: Luca Corleone, who finished in 6th place. Meelis Uusen, the Estonian chip leader at the end of Day 2, continued his strong run and ended in 4th place after a solid performance.

Two Dutch players dominated much of the action: Leon Verhof, who finished runner-up, and Lambertus Adrianus De Haas, who secured 3rd place after being among the chip leaders for most of the Final Day. The UK’s Glenn Owen Davis was also at the final table but became the first to bust, finishing in 9th.

The final table featured a long stretch of short stacks, with players trying to hold on for as long as possible. Eventually, Leon Verhof surged ahead, entering the heads-up phase with a commanding 3:1 chip lead over Surovec.

But the tide turned quickly. In a pivotal hand, Verhof shoved all-in on a board of Q♦ 10♦ 3♣, holding K-J offsuit for an open-ended straight draw. Surovec, holding Q♠ 3♠ for two pair, made the call—and held. No help came on the turn or river, and the momentum shifted entirely.

From that moment on, Surovec took control and never looked back. He completed the comeback with composure and focus, sealing a memorable win.

A flawless run, a perfectly timed call, and a trophy that now bears the name of Martin Surovec — champion of the People’s Poker Tour Main Event.

Results

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