EPT Barcelona 2026: The Revolutionary 'No Bubble' Format Wows Players and Breaks All Limits

When the Goal Is the Stack, Not Survival

The biggest draw of the opening days was undoubtedly Event #12: €550 - In the Money at 180,000, which introduced a revolutionary concept. Instead of waiting for 85% of the field to be eliminated, your goal was to accumulate six times your starting stack.

How did it work in practice? Players started with a stack of 30,000 chips. As soon as someone hit the 180,000-chip mark, their play for the day ended immediately, they bagged their chips for Day 2, and were guaranteed a payout. This system completely eliminated the traditional stalling and stressful hand-for-hand play on the bubble.

The organizers initially set a capacity of 300 entries, but demand was so high that the limit had to be lifted. The tournament ultimately recorded 572 entries (440 unique players), generating a prize pool of €274,560. The dynamics of the game changed beyond recognition. Players were forced to play aggressively and gather chips, as merely "surviving" meant nothing in this format.

The first-ever champion of this format was Frenchman Sacha Cohen, who claimed €52,000 for his victory. In the final heads-up, he defeated well-known author and PokerStars Team Pro member Maria Konnikova, who pocketed €32,500, marking the best female result of the festival so far.

Final Table Results of Event #12: €550 NL Hold'em - In the Money at 180,000

Brock Wilson Leaves Opponents No Chance

Event #17: €20K NLH was among the most expensive tournaments of the entire festival, attracting many familiar faces. A total of 32 entries generated a prize pool of €614,656. Financial rewards were prepared only for the top five participants, with Swedish legend Niklas Astedt taking the unpopular position of bubble boy.

Victory and the main prize of €233,556 were claimed by American Brock Wilson, who secured his second EPT trophy. He won his first title a year ago, also in Barcelona.

Second place went to Estonian Ottomar Ladva, for whom Barcelona is traditionally successful. He has won three EPT titles here, making this his tenth final table in the Spanish metropolis.

Final Table Results of Event #17: €20,000 NL Hold'em

Yves Thalmann Dominates the Veterans' Duel

In addition to the aforementioned tournaments, another event was held for players over 50. The prestigious €3,250 Senior's High Roller saw 46 entries, resulting in a prize pool of €133,860.

Seven players reached the money, and Swiss player Yves Thalmann emerged victorious, defeating Dutchman Antoine Vranken in the final heads-up.

Vranken narrowly missed a unique double, having just won the classic €1K seniors' event the day before. Thalmann took home his first EPT trophy and a €43,530 prize, marking his new career high.

Final Table Results of Event #11: €3,250 Senior's High Roller

Mads Underbjerg's Spectacular Comeback

Rapid action in the late night hours was brought by Event #19: €3,150 Hyper Turbo. The fast structure of the tournament attracted a quality field of 37 entries, pushing the prize pool to €107,670.

The main hero of the evening was Danish player Mads Larsen Underbjerg. He pulled off an incredible comeback in heads-up against Greek player Apostolos Kofidis, wiping out a 1:4 deficit with three consecutive all-in wins.

In the decisive hand, Underbjerg hit a straight with K-5 against A-6, winning a surprising victory and taking home €40,870.

Final Table Results of Event #19: €3,150 NL Hold'em Hyper Turbo - Freezeout

Sources: PS Live, Flickr