Manuel Ferrari captured the 2026 PokerStars EPT Barcelona Main Event title, securing over €1 million after a three-way deal, marking a major milestone for the Italian player and highlighting the event’s record-breaking prize pool
Italian poker player Manuel Ferrari has claimed the top prize at the 2026 PokerStars European Poker Tour (EPT) Barcelona Main Event, taking home €1,002,488 after a three-way deal at the final table. The event, held in Barcelona, Spain, drew 1,823 entries and generated a total prize pool of €8,841,550, making it one of the largest EPT Main Events in recent years. Ferrari’s victory comes after a series of strong performances on the European circuit, but this marks his first EPT Main Event cash and his largest career win to date.
Final Table and Deal Structure
The final table featured players from across Europe and Asia, with Ferrari entering the last day as the chip leader—a position he maintained for three consecutive days. The final six included Lukas van Eeden (Netherlands), Jose Criado (Spain), Xiaosheng Zheng (China), Michael Dwyer (Ireland), Nicolas Chouity (Lebanon), Gerard Carbo (Spain), and Edward Pak (Korea, Republic of). After several eliminations, the remaining trio—Ferrari, van Eeden, and Criado—agreed to an ICM-based deal, each securing over €900,000 and leaving €100,000 and the trophy to play for. Ferrari ultimately defeated van Eeden heads-up, with Criado finishing third.
Key Hands and Tournament Progression
The final day saw rapid action, with local favorite Criado eliminating short-stacked Nicolas Chouity early, ending Chouity’s bid for a second EPT title. Ferrari and Criado traded the chip lead multiple times before van Eeden doubled up during three-handed play, evening the stacks and prompting deal discussions. Ferrari initially considered negotiating for a larger share, citing his perceived edge, but ultimately accepted the deal due to fatigue and chip distribution. After the deal, Criado was eliminated in third place, and Ferrari entered heads-up play with a chip advantage. The decisive hand came when van Eeden moved all-in with king-six, and Ferrari called with ace-queen, making two pair to secure the win.
Impact on the European Poker Scene
Ferrari’s win at EPT Barcelona is notable not only for the size of the payout but also for his rapid ascent in the European tournament landscape. In the past 14 months, he has collected three major PokerStars trophies, including victories at the PokerStars Open Malaga Main Event and the PokerStars Open High Roller in Campione. His latest triumph at EPT Barcelona cements his status as a rising force in live poker. The event’s large field and prize pool reflect the continued strength of the EPT brand, following a week that also saw high-stakes action in other events, such as the €25,000 No-Limit Hold'em title secured by Klemens Roiter, as reported in coverage of the EPT Barcelona high roller results.
Despite his success, Ferrari has indicated he is not rushing to move up to higher-stakes tournaments, preferring to take time to consider his next steps. His performance at EPT Barcelona demonstrates the volatility and opportunity present in major live poker events, where a single deep run can dramatically alter a player’s career trajectory.
Understanding the structure of poker tournament payouts is essential for players and observers alike. In large-field events like the EPT Barcelona Main Event, prize pools are determined by the number of entries and the buy-in, with payouts distributed according to a pre-set schedule. When play reaches the final stages, remaining players sometimes negotiate deals based on chip counts—known as ICM (Independent Chip Model) deals—to reduce variance and lock in significant payouts. These deals can influence both the final prize distribution and the strategic dynamics of the closing hands.
