The Russian player has been called out for angle shooting several times on his way to the win
Aleksandr Shevliakov won the 2025 EPT Monte Carlo Main Event, collecting a €1 million (US$1.1 million) prize, but the win didn’t come without some controversy. The Russian player topped a field of 1,195 entries, outlasting a tough final table that sparked debates both at the felt and among fans watching the delayed stream about angle shooting.
During one critical hand, Shevliakov claimed he didn’t notice an open-raise from Jamil Wakil and thought he was making a standard raise from the small blind. What resulted was a clear under-raise, which he was then forced to double.
Wakil moved all-in, and Shevliakov quickly called with a dominating hand, eliminating him. While this kind of mistake might be understandable once, other players suggested this wasn’t the first time Shevliakov had made a similar move in the tournament, raising concerns about whether it was truly accidental.
The tension didn’t stop there. A dispute emerged over how players placed their cards on the RFID sensors used for the live broadcast. Amir Kokhestani, who would eventually finish second, argued that Shevliakov wasn’t placing his cards properly, which interfered with the stream’s accuracy. Kokhestani stated he wouldn’t follow the rules if others didn’t either, forcing tournament officials to step in and clarify the expectations.
Adding to the confusion, Boris Angelov, last year’s runner-up who finished third this time, was seen checking with his rail for updates from the delayed stream. This led to a new rule mid-event: no electronics were allowed on the rail moving forward.
Despite the drama, Shevliakov stayed focused and secured the title. His win capped a turbulent final table, setting the stage for the next EPT stop in Barcelona from August 18-31, where organizers may look to tighten procedures after this rocky finale in Monaco.
