French Rapper Kool Shen Wins WPT National Cannes 2012

The poker career of French rapper Kool Shen (real name Bruno Lopes) seems to be going from strength to strength after taking down the WPT National Cannes Main Event at the weekend for a €108,000 ($135,000) payday.
Kool Shen has now earned just short of $700,000 since cashing in at his first poker tournament in 2008. However, 2012 is proving to be somewhat of a take-off year for the hip hop star with $476,723 of his winnings coming in this year alone, including victory in January at the €5k Euro Finals of Poker for €100,000 ($127,514).
At his most recent triumph, Kool Shen managed to overcome a field of 338 players at the €1,650 buy-in event to claim the lion’s share of the €486,720 prize pool. He also received a €7,500 ticket to the WTP Grand Prix de Paris.
Included amongst the more notable names cashing in at the WPT National Cannes were Benedict Albiges in 42nd (€2,500), Kara Scott in 28th (€3,100), Fred Brunet in 19th (€4,550), Armand Hairabedian in 11th (€7,300), Stephan Gerin in 10th (€7,300) and Stephane Benadiba in 9th (€10,000).
The final table of eight then saw Antonin Teisseire eliminated in 6th place for €20,520, before Kool Shen went heads-up against Louis Gorostis. Eventually, the last hand of the tournament was played with Gorostis all-in pre-flop holding 9c-6s to Kool Shen’s Ah-Kh. With the board running out 10d-2s-7s-4d-Jh Kool Shen sealed his WPT victory, while Louis Gorostis picked-up €70,500 for his runner-up finish.
The final table payouts were as follows:
1. Bruno “Kool Shen” Lopes € 100,500
2. Louis Gorostis € 70,500
3. Yannick Massa € 45,500
4. Robert Giordano € 33,500
5. Thomas Fara € 25,500
6. Antonin Teisseire € 20,520
7. Lawrence loorent Michot € 16,500
8. Alan Benamar € 13,000