For those in India especially, the 2024 European Poker Tour (EPT Barcelona) Barcelona has been an interesting journey for poker aficionados globally. With a buy-in of €5,300, this esteemed tournament has witnessed some fantastic action. Indian poker player Sriharsha Doddapaneni has become a main focus for Indian supporters. Bengaluru’s gifted poker player Doddapaneni had an outstanding run in the event and made it to Day 6 until his path came to a stop in 12th position. Though he fell short of the final table, he had the greatest run of any Indian player in an EPT Main Event—€89,550 (about ₹83.56 Lakhs).
EPT Barcelona Day 6’s early part: a slow start
Starting with sixteen players, day six of the EPT Barcelona Main Event aimed to reduce the field to the last six. The day started for Doddapaneni with mixed fortune. He started the day with the eighth-largest stack, a good position, but early play progressed more slowly than expected.
On the first level, Doddapaneni had a big loss versus Rania Nasreddine, the chip leader. With ace-queen, Ukrainian player Yurii Zabrodotskyi raised to 160,000 in a pivotal hand, which made Doddapaneni three-bet with pocket sevens. But Nasreddine, seated in the large blind, cool four-bet with pocket kings, makes Zabrodotskyi and Doddapaneni fold. This resulted in a notable early in the day reduction in Doddapaneni’s stack: 2.53 million chips.
EPT Barcelona: Rising Again and the Final Blow
When the field dropped to 14 players, Doddapaneni proved tenacious and rebuilt himself as the fifth-shortest stack despite an early loss of 2.81 million chips. But his attempts to pick back up momentum were shortlived on the very following level.
With just 1.62 million chips left, Doddapaneni made his move from the button moving all-in with ace-seven of spades. Stephen Song, who would go on to finish the day as the chip leader, called his all-in with pocket queens from the small blind regretfully. Dodapaneni was dropped in 12th position as the board did not support him. Though let down, Doddapaneni left with dignity having made the longest run by an Indian player in this elite event and pocketed a large reward.
EPT Barcelona: Stephen Song Lead’s Final Table
The focus turned to the other players fighting for the top when Doddapaneni left the event. The field had reduced to the last six at the conclusion of the day, and American player Stephen Song came out as the chip leader with a dominant 15.15 million chips. Song is in perfect position to win first prize in this event; he is well-known for his aggressive play and long runs in high-stakes events.
Romanian player Marius-Catalin Pertea, who transformed a $55 online satellite entry into a spot at the final table and a guaranteed six-figure payoff, hot on Song’s tail. With 14.575 million chips, Pertea has been one of the most remarkable tales of the tournament, highlighting the exciting and erratic character of poker.
Other contenders for the Final Table
American poker master With 10.425 million chips, David Coleman is third among all the stacks. Coleman is another player with a track record of regular participation in big poker events. His attendance at the last table still gives the game another level of thrill.
After her third-place performance in the EPT Monte Carlo Main Event, Rania Nasreddine followed him with the amazing achievement of back-to-back EPT final tables. With 8.3 million chips, Nasreddine is comfortably within striking distance of the top slots; her expertise might provide her an advantage as the fight intensues.
With 5.525 million and 5.275 million chips, respectively, Andrew Hulme and Boris Kuzmanovic, the only two players left on the final table, will begin Day 7 as the smallest stacks. While in poker anything may happen, and no player can be ruled out, both will have to make some audacious plays to remain in competition.
Side Events: Soraya Estrada Downplays the Women’s Event
Though the Main Event has attracted most of the attention, EPT Barcelona has also been hosting several side events. The €550 Women’s Event, whereby Spain’s Soraya Estrada claimed triumph, was among the highlights. Head-up play saw Estrada defeat Joycelyn Lam Ho Yin, netting €11,350 for her efforts.
