Norwegian player takes EPT Tallinn

08/17/2010

The Pokerstars European Poker Tournament's Estonia stop was concluded in Tallinn this week with the surprise defeat of respected French pro Arnaud Mattern, who had entered the final table with a substantial chip lead, but managed only a third placing.

The first event of the EPT's seventh season, EPT Tallinn drew a record 420 entrants, creating a Euro1 596 000 prize pool.

Mattern found himself facing a final table of Kevin Stani, Konstanin Bilyauer, Dmitry Vitkind, Mikko Jaatinen, Steven van Zadelhoff, Nicolo Calia and Bassam Elnajjar, but was eliminated in third place after a spirited but unsuccessful rally, leaving the heads up to Moscow University student Konstanin Bilyauer (22) playing in only his second live tourney, and Norwegian pro Kevin Stani (27), who had qualified only days earlier in a $530 buy-in Pokerstars satellite, enabling him to make the trip to Tallinn from his home base of Stavanger.

In the end the Norwegian's experience took the day, delivering an impressive winner's paycheck of Euro 400 000; it was Stani's biggest live tournament win yet, although he managed a 127th finish in the WSOP main event earlier this year which earned him $57 102.

Bilyauer, who battled with a significant chip deficit, still gave Stani a good run for his money, making for an exciting finale. His second placing was worth Euro 250 000, whilst third placed Mattern took home Euro 160 000.