Russia's Roman Stoica captured the 2026 EPT Monte Carlo Main Event title on May 11, defeating a stacked field of 1,011 entries to claim the €825,000 first prize, the prestigious Golden Shard trophy, and a spot in poker's growing list of European champions. Stoica made quick work of the final table, needing just under four hours to dispatch the remaining eight players and seal one of the most decisive Main Event finishes the Monte Carlo Bay Hotel has seen in years.
The Russian pro overcame a heads-up clash against Austrian high-stakes phenom Bernhard Binder, who had entered the final day as the chip leader. Binder collected €515,000 for his runner-up finish — a number that would headline most schedules but only padded what has already been a monster spring for the Austrian.
The Final Table and Chip Counts
Stoica entered the final table sitting third in chips but immediately applied pressure on the medium stacks, winning back-to-back three-bet pots without showdown in the opening level. Binder began the day with roughly 26% of the chips in play, but the Russian's relentless aggression eroded that lead within two hours of cards in the air.
Team PokerStars Pro Raul Mestre, looking for his third EPT final table victory, exited in seventh place after his short stack ran into Stoica's pocket queens. His departure shifted the dynamic dramatically — short stacks tightened up, and Stoica picked up roughly 18 big blinds in uncontested pots over the next 12 hands.
Argentine satellite qualifier Jose Malpelli authored one of the tournament's best stories. A €250 satellite win converted into a fifth-place finish worth €218,300, a return of more than 873x his investment. Malpelli was one of three first-time EPT cashers at the final table, underscoring the international depth that Monte Carlo continues to attract.
Heads-Up: Stoica Closes Quickly
Heads-up play lasted just nine hands. With both players holding roughly 35 big blinds at the start of the duel, Binder open-shoved with ace-six suited from the small blind and ran into Stoica's pocket nines. The board ran out clean for the Russian, and the celebration began.
Stoica became the first Russian player to win an EPT Monte Carlo Main Event since 2017, and the second-youngest champion in the event's modern era at 28 years old. His previous best live result was a runner-up finish at a 2024 WSOP Circuit ring event — a meteoric leap by any measure.
By the Numbers: 2026 EPT Monte Carlo
The 2026 edition shattered expectations. Total entries across all events climbed 14% year-over-year, with the Main Event generating a €4,903,350 prize pool from 1,011 entries — €4,200 over the €4.9 million guarantee. The €250,000 Super High Roller drew 86 entries and crowned a different champion, with Stephen Chidwick adding another six-figure score to his all-time live earnings.
Side events also flourished. The €2,700 PokerStars Open High Roller attracted 612 entries, the largest field that buy-in level has ever produced in Monte Carlo. The total festival prize pool exceeded €18 million across 65 scheduled events.
What This Win Means for Stoica
The €825,000 score pushes Stoica past €1 million in lifetime live earnings, with most of that coming inside the past 18 months. He has publicly stated his intention to play the full 2026 World Series of Poker schedule in Las Vegas this summer, with a particular focus on the high-roller events and the $10,000 Main Event.
For players considering tournament poker as a serious pursuit, Stoica's path is instructive. He built his bankroll grinding €5/€10 cash games online, then selectively spotted up in mid-buy-in live events before stepping into the EPT circuit. His approach mirrors the advice many top coaches give: move stakes only when your win rate, your sample size, and your bankroll management framework all align.
Strategy Takeaways from the Final Table
Hand histories from the final table reveal three patterns worth studying. First, Stoica deployed a wide 3-bet bluffing range from the small blind against opens from the cutoff and button. This created enormous pressure on covered stacks and forced Binder into uncomfortable spots throughout middle stages of the final table.
Second, Stoica's bet sizing was notably small on the flop — typically 30-33% pot — when continuing as the preflop raiser. This kept his ranges connected and reduced variance against the strong hands his opponents were defending. Reviewing his approach is a useful primer for players interested in modern bet sizing strategy.
Third, when ICM pressure mounted on the bubble of the official final table and during the early stages of pay jumps, Stoica significantly tightened his calling ranges while widening his open-shoving frequencies. The asymmetry is textbook ICM strategy — accumulate chips by exploiting tighter players while refusing to flip in marginal spots.
Next Stops on the EPT Calendar
The European Poker Tour continues with EPT Barcelona in August and EPT Prague in December, each carrying €5,300 Main Event buy-ins consistent with the modern EPT format. PokerStars has confirmed that the Live Festival schedule will continue to integrate the EPT Open series alongside the flagship events, broadening access for recreational players.
Players hoping to qualify online still have multiple satellite paths through PokerStars, including direct €5,300 spin & go satellites and weekly Sunday qualifier tournaments. The 25th Anniversary celebrations have also driven larger guarantees across the calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2026 EPT Monte Carlo Main Event?
Roman Stoica of Russia won the 2026 EPT Monte Carlo €5,300 Main Event, defeating Bernhard Binder heads-up to claim the €825,000 first-place prize and the Golden Shard trophy on May 11, 2026.
How big was the 2026 EPT Monte Carlo Main Event field?
The Main Event attracted 1,011 entries, generating a €4,903,350 prize pool — slightly above the €4.9 million guarantee. The field was up roughly 8% from the 2025 edition.
What was the runner-up prize?
Bernhard Binder collected €515,000 as the runner-up, which represents one of the largest second-place payouts in EPT Monte Carlo history.
Where is the next major EPT event in 2026?
EPT Barcelona is the next flagship stop on the 2026 European Poker Tour calendar, scheduled for August 2026 at the Casino Barcelona. EPT Prague follows in December.
How can recreational players qualify for EPT events?
PokerStars runs daily and weekly satellite tournaments online, including spin & go satellites and direct €5,300 buy-in qualifiers. Look for sub-$50 entry paths in the Sunday major schedule.
Final Thoughts
Roman Stoica's victory at EPT Monte Carlo cements him as one of the rising stars of the European tournament circuit and adds another international name to the list of EPT Main Event champions. The combination of aggressive preflop ranges, disciplined ICM play, and small-sizing strategies provided a master class for players at all levels.
For more analysis, hand breakdowns, and tournament coverage, browse our extensive library of poker training videos and detailed strategy guides. Whether you are working toward your first major final table or refining your high-roller game, the principles on display at Monte Carlo apply across every stake.
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