Pierre Chevalier wins WSOPC Paris 2026 and retires from poker

Frenchman Pierre Chevalier became the champion of the record-breaking WSOP Circuit Paris 2026, winning his first ring and announcing his retirement from poker.

The Main Event of the WSOP Circuit 2026 series has wrapped up in Paris, setting a new record for the number of entrants at any European WSOPC stop. French player Pierre Chevalier emerged victorious, overcoming a stacked final table to claim his first WSOP Circuit championship ring. Yet, contrary to expectations, this triumph prompted him to nearly retire from poker altogether. WSOP Circuit Paris 2026: A New Record and Pierre Chevalier’s Triumph The WSOP Circuit Paris 2026 Main Event took place at the Partouche Pasino Club—one of Paris’s most renowned poker venues, just a short walk from the Arc de Triomphe. The €1,500 buy-in attracted a massive field of 1,282 entrants—the largest turnout in the history of European WSOP Circuit events. The total prize pool reached €1,661,472. The winner received not only the top cash prize, but also the coveted WSOP Circuit gold ring and a €5,000 package for the next WSOP Paradise. The final table payouts are listed below. WSOP Circuit Paris 2026 Main Event Final Table Results 1st place: Pierre Chevalier — €260,000 + WSOPC ring + €5,000 WSOP Paradise package 2nd place: Hervé Gouzil — €175,000 3rd place: Luca Bernardi — €123,000 4th place: Mathieu Selides — €87,000 5th place: Davidi Kitai — €63,000 6th place: Tristan Clemencon — €46,500 7th place: Valentin Blot — €35,000 8th place: Alberto Ah Line — €26,500 9th place: Natasha Mercier — €20,500 10th place: Ankit Ahuja — €15,786 11th place: Maxime Doki-Thonon — €15,786 The Road to Victory: How the Final Day Played Out On Day 3, 11 contenders returned to battle for the title and the WSOPC ring. Right at the start, Maxime Doki-Thonon was eliminated, losing with ace-queen against ace-jack to finish 11th (€15,786). Tristan Clemencon, one of the short stacks, managed to double up through Pierre Chevalier. However, Ankit Ahuja, who also tried to double through the eventual champion, was knocked out as the final table bubble, finishing 10th (€15,786). At the final table, Hervé Gouzil got off to a strong start by doubling up, cracking aces with pocket jacks. Natasha Mercier had a chance to double, but her river all-in was called by Chevalier, who made a full house on the last card. As a result, she exited in 9th place (€20,500). Alberto Ah Line (8th place, €26,500) moved all-in with ace-queen but lost to pocket eights. He was followed by Valentin Blot (7th place, €35,000), who lost his chips to Luca Bernardi, who continued to build his stack. Just before the next break, Tristan Clemencon was eliminated: his king-jack couldn’t beat ace-king, and he finished 6th (€46,500). After the break, five-time major final tablist Davidi Kitai busted, losing a coin flip with queens against Chevalier’s ace-king—a king hit the flop, and the Belgian pro finished 5th (€63,000). Chevalier kept up his knockout streak, sending Mathieu Selides to the rail (4th place, €87,000), and then eliminated Luca Bernardi (3rd place, €123,000), who had already won the Unibet Open at the same club earlier this year. Despite a string of eliminations, Chevalier entered heads-up play against Hervé Gouzil with a slight chip deficit. However, he soon doubled up with a flush to take the lead. Shortly after, thanks to a fortunate river card, Pierre Chevalier sealed the win and was crowned WSOP Circuit Paris 2026 champion. Key Hands and the Champion’s Strategy Pierre Chevalier noted that he faced exceptionally tough opponents at the final table. He credited his success to smartly shifting gears: playing aggressively when his stack allowed, and showing patience in tougher spots. “I was very aggressive when I had chips, but when my stack got short, I played cautiously. I think I managed to balance these approaches well,” Chevalier shared. He highlighted two key hands that proved pivotal. The first was a call against Natasha Mercier, which he felt was justified. The second, even more significant, was against the Italian player (Luca Bernardi): winning that pot boosted Chevalier’s stack from 4 to 20 million, allowing him to dominate the table and ramp up the aggression. For reference, in poker, a “call” means matching an opponent’s bet, while a “full house” is a hand consisting of three cards of one rank and a pair of another—one of the strongest combinations in poker. A “flush” is five cards of the same suit, also a very strong hand. Pierre Chevalier’s Poker Career: Rare but Remarkable Results Pierre Chevalier is not a professional player; he enters tournaments extremely rarely—by his own admission, usually just once or twice a year. Nevertheless, his results are impressive: out of the 15 or 16 tournaments he’s ever played, he’s cashed in 13 or 14 of them. Such a high ITM (In The Money) percentage speaks to his ability to pick his spots and build a solid strategy. Despite this outstanding performance and a major win (€260,000), Chevalier announced that he plans to almost completely step away from poker tournaments. He emphasized that he was seeking exactly this kind of victory to close his poker chapter. “I might play one or two more tournaments, but less and less often. It’s easy to get caught up in this world, but that’s not for me. I’m happy with my friends and family,” he told reporters, adding that he’ll now be appearing at poker events even less frequently. He even had to change his train schedule on the final day to make it to the final table. The victory was the perfect moment for him to end his career on a high note. A Star-Studded Final Table and Fierce Competition The WSOP Circuit Paris 2026 final table featured a high level of competition. Alongside Pierre Chevalier, the title was contested by several well-known players, including: Hervé Gouzil — runner-up (€175,000), who started the final table with a big double-up and entered heads-up play with a slight chip lead; Luca Bernardi — third place (€123,000), who had already won the Unibet Open at Partouche Pasino Club earlier this year; Davidi Kitai — fifth place (€63,000), one of Belgium’s most accomplished pros and a multiple title holder; Natasha Mercier — ninth place (€20,500), a well-known professional and regular at major final tables. The final table also included Alberto Ah Line, Tristan Clemencon, Valentin Blot, Mathieu Selides, Ankit Ahuja, and Maxime Doki-Thonon. Each contributed to the dynamic action, and the battle for the title lasted right up to the final hand. What’s Next: Upcoming WSOP Circuit Stops and Player Opportunities With WSOP Circuit Paris 2026 in the books, the series moves on to Malta: WSOP Circuit Malta will be held at Casino Malta from September 25 to October 5. The event is organized by Texapoker, and PokerNews will provide full coverage of all the key action. This is another chance for players to compete for prestigious rings and major prize money. The WSOP Circuit is a world-renowned tournament series held in various countries, attracting both professionals and amateurs. Each stop is a chance to prove yourself on the international stage and make your mark in poker history. What This Means for PPPoker Club Players Pierre Chevalier’s story is a great example for all PPPoker club members. First, it shows that even rare but thoughtful participation in tournaments can lead to outstanding results. For players who can’t or don’t want to devote all their free time to poker, it’s important to choose tournaments wisely, prepare carefully for each event, and avoid getting swept up in the excitement that can pull you deeper into the game. Second, Chevalier’s success highlights the importance of adapting your strategy: skillfully mixing aggression and caution, reading opponents, and making tough decisions—all of which can and should be practiced in PPPoker clubs. Use the platform’s tools to review your hands, discuss key spots with other members, and work on your game. Finally, the example of the WSOPC Paris champion is a reminder: poker can be not just a way to earn money, but also a part of a rich and balanced life. Knowing when to step back and maintaining a healthy balance between poker and your personal life is a crucial skill for any player, especially in online clubs where games are always available. May your poker journey be mindful and enjoyable!