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After several days of intense action, the European Poker Tour San Remo Main Event has come to a close, and Andrey Pateychuk of Russia was crowned the champion, winning an EPT trophy along with 680k Euro. The final table defined diversity, as all eight players represented a different country of origin. It also defined live poker talent, with each player’s resume easily being worth a major EPT victory.

The day lasted a total of 9 hours. Kevin MacPhee had his hopes of winning a second EPT Main Event when he was eliminated in 8th place on the 35th hand after being mostly eaten by the blinds. Rocco Palumbo of Italy hit the rail next when his K-Q offsuit failed to improve against Jan Bendik’s trip 5s.

Dimitar Danchev made a run at the chip leader position when his A-J suited topped Yorane Kerignard’s 3-3. Danchev completed trip aces on the flop, and Kerignard was sent to the cash cage on his way back to his native France.

Pateychuk then boosted his chip stack by eliminating Bendik in 5th place. Pateychuck’s J-J topped Bendick’s K-10 offsuit, and a garbage board lent Bendick no help. Next to hit the rail was Barny Boatman, whose 3-3 failed to improve on the board against Pateychuk’s Q-Q.

Three-handed action lasted for a while until Danchev’s A-9 drew Daniel Neilson all-in with A-5. The board was once again useless to both players, leaving Danchev with a chip stack that nearly matched Pateychuk’s.

Pateychuk and Danchev decided to strike a heads-up deal in which both players would receive 600k Euro, with an additional 80k Euro reserved for 1st place. On the final hand, the board showed 9s-4s-2h. Pateychuk pushed all-in with 6-7, and Danchev instantly called with 10-9. Danchev thought he had it all, but won until the 8 came on the turn. At this point, only a 5 or a 10 would secure the win for Pateychuk. The poker gods smiled on the Russian, and a 5 of hearts was delivered on the river.