For many poker player their first exposure to the game of No Limit Hold’em was through the television shows the World Poker Tour produce. For many poker players becoming a World Poker Tour champion is their ultimate goal. They want to join the like of Daniel Negreanu, Erik Seidel and Phil Ivey in being part of the exclusive Champions Club. For Adrien Allain that dream has just been realised as he has been crowned the WPT Amneville Main Event Champion.
Allain had to battle through a talented crowd of 378 fellow players on the way to glory including the likes of Mathew Frankland, Dan Carter, John Eames, Liv Boeree, Kevin MacPhee and former November Nine member Joseph Cheong so taking down the tournament was certainly not easy.
The 25-year old Frenchman demonstrated why he is one of the hottest properties in France and after this showing and having a WPT win to his name he will almost certainly become one of Europe’s rising stars and even worldwide recognition may be on the horizon because along with the €310,633 in prize money, Allain also won a seat to the 2012 WPT World Championship event worth $25,500.
Throughout the tournament Allain gave his opponents a demonstration on how to play aggressive poker. He was always in control of his actions, always giving much thought to each decision, attacking his opponents relentlessly when the time was right but also showing great restraint and composure when the cards were not going his way, the signs of a true champion.
This is Allain’s second major title after he won the APT Macau Main Event back in 2009 but this is by far the most prestigious win he has on his resume and by a long margin. He will be attempting to win back-to-back titles when the WPT stops off in Marrakesh in a couple of weeks time, before he tries to add an EPT title to his already impressive resume during the Prague Festival during December. He may not be a household name right now but mark my words he is certainly one to commit to memory and someone who you will be hearing about for years to come.
Final table payouts
1st: Adrien Allain: €310,633
2nd: Jordane Ouin: €170,365
3rd: Thibaud Guenegou: €113,580
4th: Scott Baumstein: €80,640
5th: Michel Konieczny: €60,197
6th: Arnaud Trouer: €47,700
