Zimnan Ziyard has just won the EPT Loutraki Main Event, after defeating a field of 336 players over 5 days to lift the title, and collect the €347,000 ($497,777) first place prize.
The €4,400 EPT Loutraki was set in a Greek seaside resort located near Corinth and famed for its natural springs and therapeutic spas. A visit to the quaint town also had a beneficial effect on the young UK poker pro, whose live tournament earnings have now shot up to $631,174. Later commenting on his remarkable victory, Zimnan Ziyard said:
“I feel great. It was a very tough day. I had an easy run the first few days but this was totally different. It was definitely the most challenging table I’ve ever played.”
As the eight man final table got underway, Ziyard was the chip leader and 6 hours later three players still remained in contention. The players then battled on for a further five hours before the last Greek standing John Taramas was eliminated in 3rd (€134,400) thus heralding in the heads-up battle between Zimnan Ziyard and German player Hauke Heseding.
What then ensued was 2 hours of back and forth with the final hand played when Ziyard was ahead of his opponent by a single big blind.
Ziyard had been dealt Ac-7d to Heseding’s Jd-5c, with the Brit then calling the German’s min-raise pre-flop. The board came 6c-3c-2c-As, with Ziyard check-calling his opponent’s bets but the German then re-raised his opponet all-in on the 7s river sending Ziyard into the tank for 5 minute. Eventually he made the right call, and so Hauke Heseding finished the runner-up for €221,800, while Zimnan Ziyard was crowned the EPT Loutraki champion.
Commenting on the final hand of the tournament, Ziyard said:
“It would have been very hard for me to call if I didn’t make two-pair on the river there. Wow, he had a lot of heart. He bluffed me a few times and made great calls.”
The final table payouts were as follows:
1. Zimnan Ziyard €347,000
2. Hauke Heseding €221,800
3. John Taramas €134,400 ?
4. Florian Schleps €100,800
5. Pierre Mothes €67,200 ?
6. Andras Kovacs €53,700
7. Charalampos Kapernopoulos €40,300
8. Mario Puccini €27,000
