Around a month ago we launched an exciting competition that would send four people on a VIP trip to Spain for EPT Barcelona. Now, after hundreds of video applications were seen by judges, the finalists can be revealed.
The prize not only offered an all-expenses paid trip to EPT Barcelona, but would give all finalists the chance to take their moment in the limelight and play to win €10,000 against PokerStars Ambassadors and celebrity guests in PokerStars ‘Chase Your Dream – Play Against Your Heroes’ live-streamed tournament.
We can now reveal that–as the candidates were so good–we couldn’t settle on just four. That means five finalists are on their way to Barcelona. Let’s meet them.
THE WINNERS
Adrian Garcia
Adrian Garcia
Salamanca, Spain
Adrian is a 23-year-old currently studying for a degree in chemical engineering, who moonlights as a DJ playing small nightclubs. He has two dreams in life: to become a professional poker player, or to become a pro DJ.
He told us that if he wins the €10,000 prize he’d love to book a trip to Amsterdam and take in the city’s electro music scene. He would also like to invest in a master’s degree and look to play more poker tournaments.
Clement Eloy
Clement Eloy
Lille, France
Clement is a 36-year-old freelance product designer who creates items like watches and chairs. He’s married with two children, and in his spare time he enjoys running, cooking, and growing his own vegetables.
Poker is Clement’s passion, and he loves watching streamers (particularly Lex Veldhuis) on YouTube and Twitch. His only live poker experience is playing with friends, so this EPT trip will be his first major poker stop.
Not bad for a first poker stop…
Danielle Summer
Danielle Summer
Tenerife, Spain
Danielle is as a 36-year-old carer originally from Yorkshire in the UK, who has lived in Tenerife for the last 15 years.
She has been playing online poker for 12 years and plays live poker occasionally with friends and at local casinos. Danielle enjoys the adrenaline-rush of the game, and as her largest poker win to date is $250, the €10,000 up for grabs in Barcelona will certainly provide a rush.
Christoph Walkenhorst
Christoph Walkenhorst
Bielefeld, Germany
Christoph is a 35-year-old social worker who helped young refugees from war-torn countries during the European migrant crisis. He is currently on parental leave looking after his two young children.
He started playing poker during the boom and plays online, as well as with his friends every Friday for fun. When he has time to himself, he likes to go on his cross trainer, watch Netflix or read his comic collection.
Daryl Inglis
Daryl Inglis
Ontario, Canada
Daryl is a 43-year-old military veteran who served in the Canadian Army for 20 years, including tours in Bosnia and Afghanistan. He also trained to be a nurse, but is now interested in becoming a ski instructor.
With an interest in live reads, Daryl prefers to play live poker and mainly plays home games with friends. He only plays poker in a casino twice a year, and will now be able to tick Casino Barcelona off his list.
Casino Barcelona
OFF TO BARCELONA
Those five have scooped prize packages which include return flights for two, three nights’ stay at a five-star hotel, and €500 spending money.
When they get to EPT Barcelona they will be partnered with a PokerStars Ambassador who will act as their coach. At the table they will be joined by Chris Moneymaker, Lex Veldhuis, and the legendary Voice of the UFC, Bruce Buffer.
The winners will take it in turns to play against pros and celebs, but they’ll have just 25 hands each to build the largest stack before the next qualifier steps up to the plate.
The two best performing qualifiers will advance to the final, where they will play heads up for the €10,000 top prize. The best performing pro or celebrity will also win €10,000 for the charity of their choice.
You will be able to watch all the action on PokerStars YouTube and Twitch channels.
Looking forward to EPT Barcelona? Us too.
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