The Israeli player took the top prize after agreeing to a three-way deal
Matan Krakow captured the EPT Prague Main Event title, lifting the famous shard trophy and locking up the biggest score of his poker career. The Israeli player topped a tough final table and earned €778,255 (US$918,341) after agreeing to a three-way deal. The win came during a busy global poker stretch and still delivered a strong showing for the European Poker Tour.
The Prague Main Event drew 1,224 entries and built a €5,936,400 (US$7,004,952) prize pool, holding its own alongside major events running elsewhere. For Krakow, who works as an online poker room manager and helped write Eli Elezra’s autobiography, the victory more than doubled his previous live tournament earnings.
Turkey’s Bora Kurtulus entered the final day as chip leader and finished second for €757,400 (US$893,732) under the deal. Greece’s Dimitrios Gkatzas was the third player involved, collecting €574,600 (US$678,028). India’s Paawan Bansal delivered one of the standout performances, surviving from under one big blind to ladder up to fifth place and €269,000 (US$317,420).
The title was decided in dramatic fashion. With just €74,655 (US$88,093) and the trophy left to play for, Krakow moved all-in with a straight draw and got there by hitting a runner-runner diamond flush. He celebrated with his rail before sharing how much the moment meant to him.
Elsewhere at the festival, Yulian Bogdanov enjoyed a huge week, winning multiple events for a combined €455,000 (US$536,900). High roller titles went to Enrico Camosci and Aliaksandr Shylko, while Dominik Panka took down a mystery bounty event for €204,581 (US$241,407). Krakow’s win stood out as a career-defining moment on one of poker’s biggest stages.
