The youngest South African champion wins the APC 2026 Main Event

The first African Poker Championship has concluded in Tanzania: a South African became the youngest bracelet winner by taking down the APC Main Event with a prize pool of $215,040.

In early October 2026, the first-ever African Poker Championship (APC) concluded in Dar es Salaam—a landmark event already being called a new milestone for poker on the African continent. The series’ main tournament, the APC Tanzania Main Event with a $1,000 buy-in, attracted 256 participants and became a true test of endurance: the final day lasted over 17 hours before a champion was crowned. The total prize pool reached $215,040, with 32 top players making the money. The Road to the Title: How the Final Day of the APC Tanzania Main Event Unfolded The final of the APC Tanzania Main Event took place at Le Grande Casino and kicked off on Sunday, October 4, 2026. By early Monday morning, it was clear that the battle for the top prize would be fierce: players from different countries met at the final table, and the suspense lasted until the very end. The winner was Adriaan Jacobs from South Africa, known in the poker community as Aidan. After defeating Britain’s Anuj Sareen heads-up, Jacobs couldn’t hide his emotions—his joyful shout of "get in" became a highlight of the intense marathon. He took home $48,000 for first place, while Sareen claimed the runner-up prize of $32,000. This success marked Jacobs’ second major achievement of the year: in the summer, he won a WSOP bracelet in the $600 Deepstack Championship No-Limit Hold'em, becoming the youngest bracelet winner in South African history just weeks after turning 21. For Anuj Sareen, the tournament in Tanzania was not only a chance to prove himself but also an opportunity to show local realities to the famous Dan "Jungleman" Cates. In the end, Sareen demonstrated excellent play and finished second. The finalists also included Cliton Taliwanth, Steven Radloff, as well as Le Grande Casino owner Costa Giannakopoulos and his son Panayiotis Giannakopoulos. Both members of the Giannakopoulos family were the first to be eliminated at the final table. The Climax: Final Table Dynamics and Key Hands Despite the high average stack (60 to 70 big blinds), eliminations came one after another in the final stage. The bubble (the last elimination before the money) burst within the first two levels of the final day, with Banks Solomons among the unlucky ones after losing two big pots to Benjamin “Guppie” Lingenfelder Jr. Steven Radloff knocked out Shazin Rehmtullah and the player known as Mr KING, making strong hands in both spots. Hand-for-hand play (when the action slows down on the bubble) didn’t even start: Franco Da Matta, holding an ace-high flush, lost to Dimitri Hadjipaschali’s four tens, guaranteeing the remaining players at least $2,000. Manuel Cardoso was the first to bust in the money: his coin flip against Panayiotis Giannakopoulos didn’t go his way, while his wife Maria Cardoso continued to battle. Marko Nortje couldn’t hit his straight or flush draw against Alfred Magani’s pair, and soon after, his compatriot Jaryd Jardien joined him after losing his stack over several hands. The nine-handed final table formed in just over six levels—largely thanks to a series of knockouts by Cliton Taliwanth, who moved from the middle of the chip counts to the lead after a double knockout with 11 players left. However, once at the final table, the pace slowed dramatically: the journey from 39 to 9 players took half as long as the battle for the win among the finalists. Final Table: Elimination Timeline Panayiotis Giannakopoulos was the first to bust: Aidan Jacobs doubled through him with aces full against king trips, then finished him off soon after. Costa Giannakopoulos also exited soon after: following a series of losses, he failed to hit his straight draw against Tome Dinh’s pocket kings. Dimitri Hadjipaschali, who burst the bubble, was next out: his short stack went all-in with suited ace-five, but Jacobs’ pocket kings held up. Tome Dinh from Vietnam started building his stack and took the lead, knocking out several opponents. Reagan Naidoo lost a flip to Jacobs: his pocket fours couldn’t hold against AK when an ace hit the river. Cliton Taliwanth, making his third final table of the festival, finished fifth: he shoved with A9s, and Sareen not only called with pocket jacks but also hit quads on the flop. Steven Radloff, known for his talkative and cheerful demeanor, finished fourth: his J4s made two pair on the flop, but Dinh hit a set of fours. Three-handed, Sareen unexpectedly became chip leader while Jacobs was short. However, Jacobs doubled through Dinh twice, then knocked out the Vietnamese player to enter heads-up with a slight lead. Heads-up was evenly matched: Jacobs won a big all-in with two pair, leaving Sareen short. Nevertheless, Sareen managed to triple up three times and nearly evened the stacks, but in the decisive hand, his A2 made trip aces on the river only to run into Jacobs’ flush. The tournament ended at 3:15 a.m. local time. APC Tanzania Main Event Final Payout Table Place Player Prize ($) 1 Adriaan Jacobs 48,000 2 Anuj Sareen 32,000 3 Tome Dinh 22,000 4 Steven Radloff 16,000 5 Cliton Taliwanth 12,000 6 Reagan Naidoo 9,000 7 Dimitri Hadjipaschali 7,000 8 Costa Giannakopoulos 5,000 9 Panayiotis Giannakopoulos 4,000 The remaining 23 players received payouts ranging from $2,000 to $4,000 depending on their finishing position. Context: The APC Series, Venue, and Key Figures The African Poker Championship (APC) is a new live poker tournament series created by Marc Joseph, who previously founded the Monster Jam Poker Tour (MJPT). The first APC stop was held in Tanzania at Le Grande Casino, highlighting the growing interest in poker across the African continent. Le Grande Casino, the tournament venue, is owned by Costa Giannakopoulos, who, along with his son Panayiotis, not only hosted the event but also made the final table themselves. The Main Event featured both local players and guests from other countries, including well-known professionals and representatives of poker communities from South Africa, the UK, Vietnam, and more. Winner Adriaan Jacobs is already a recognized star of South African poker. His WSOP victory this summer made him the youngest bracelet winner in the country’s history, and now he has cemented his success on home soil. Runner-up Anuj Sareen is also well known in the European poker community and came to Tanzania with Dan "Jungleman" Cates, one of the world’s most recognizable players. Key Hands and Strategies of the Final Day The final day of the APC Tanzania Main Event stood out not only for its length but also for its action-packed play. Despite deep stacks, players weren’t afraid to take risks, leading to a series of quick eliminations early on. One particularly memorable hand saw Franco Da Matta’s ace-high flush lose to Dimitri Hadjipaschali’s four tens—a classic cooler that burst the bubble and opened the door to the money. Aidan Jacobs’ aggressive strategy played a crucial role: he not only doubled up in key spots but also knocked out opponents, controlling the final table’s dynamics. Cliton Taliwanth scored a series of knockouts but ultimately couldn’t overcome Sareen’s pocket jacks. In heads-up, Jacobs and Sareen traded the initiative, with the climax coming in an all-in where Jacobs made a flush against his opponent’s trips. Overall, the APC Tanzania Main Event final was a great illustration of how a combination of deep stacks, aggression, and endurance can lead to a spectacular and unpredictable finish. The Tournament’s Significance and the Future of African Poker The first stage of the African Poker Championship was a major event for Africa’s poker community. The organization of the series, participation of well-known players, and a solid prize pool all point to the continent’s growing interest in poker. The victory of a young champion from South Africa and the presence of international guests highlight that African poker is reaching a new level. For Le Grande Casino and its owners, the tournament was not only a chance to make a name for themselves but also an opportunity to draw attention to the region’s poker infrastructure. In the future, more APC stops and an expanded series footprint can be expected, giving more players the chance to shine. What This Means for PPPoker Club Players For PPPoker club members, this news is a great example of how local tournaments and new series can quickly gain momentum and become international events. Even if you play in online clubs, stories like this show that the path to big wins and prestigious titles is open to anyone willing to improve their skills, play in diverse fields, and embrace new venues. The tournament’s deep stack format and high level of competition are a great reason to rethink your own strategies in club games. By analyzing the hands and decisions of the APC finalists, you can adopt successful tactics, learn to control the pace of play, and use aggression effectively at key moments. Moreover, the success of players from different countries in African series proves that the poker community is becoming increasingly global. Don’t be afraid to participate in international online events, join clubs, explore new formats, and broaden your poker horizons—you might just become the next poker news hero!