Argentina’s Maria Lampropulos emerged victorious in the first-ever PokerStars Women’s Winter Festival Main Event, claiming the £20,000 top prize. Starting the day in 10th place with a below-average stack, Lampropulos surged to the top, overcoming a tough field and ultimately defeating Belgium’s Ann-Roos Callens in an intense heads-up battle.
Final Table Results
- 1st: Maria Lampropulos (Argentina) – £20,000
- 2nd: Ann-Roos Callens (Belgium) – £12,610
- 3rd: Marta Porter (United Kingdom) – £9,000
Five British players reached the final table, with Marta Porter leading their charge. Jennifer Steele, the Day 3 chip leader, finished in sixth place after a challenging run.
Early Leaders Fall on Day 3
Day 3 began with four players holding commanding chip stacks, but the leaderboard quickly shifted. Christina Solli, who started second in chips, was eliminated early in 13th place. Jennifer Steele battled hard but exited in sixth place, while Lisa Roberts and Franky Green finished fifth and fourth, respectively, as Lampropulos gained momentum.
Heads-Up Battle: Lampropulos vs. Callens
Three-handed play saw Lampropulos, Callens, and Porter contending for the title. Porter’s run ended when her A-8 fell short against Lampropulos’s K-9, with a nine on the flop delivering the knockout blow.
In the heads-up match, Callens initially gained a slight lead, but Lampropulos’s consistent ability to hit flops turned the tide. Time and again, Lampropulos turned marginal hands into winners, frustrating Callens’s attempts to regain control.
The Final Hand
The match ended in fitting fashion.
- Callens moved all in with J♦ J♣, and Lampropulos called with Q♠ Q♦.
- The flop brought Q♥ 6♥ 3♠, giving Lampropulos top set and leaving Callens in dire straits.
- The turn (4♠) and river (2♦) sealed the win for Lampropulos, crowning her the inaugural Women’s Winter Festival champion.
A Historic Moment for Maria Lampropulos
Maria Lampropulos’s victory at the Women’s Winter Festival Main Event cements her status as one of poker’s most accomplished competitors. Her resilience, skill, and ability to capitalize on critical moments delivered a performance to remember, making her the standout champion of this milestone event.
