Portugal’s Antonio Matias Wins EPT Vilamoura

Lance Bradley | November 23, 2009

Portugal's Antonio Matias displays his winning hand from EPT Vilamoura. (Photo courtesy PokerStars)

Home cooking must serve Portugese businessman Antonio Matias well. The 54 year old outlasted a field of 322 players to win the European Poker Tour stop in his home country, €404,793 and a seat in the EPT Grand Final.

“I like to think of myself as a citizen of the world but it is very satisfying win an EPT in my home country. I wasn’t intimidated by the competition because I play a lot of very good players in cash games,” said Matias. “I just decided to play the way I play, and hope that luck didn’t turn its back on me. I play poker just for a hobby but when I got the chip lead yesterday, at that point, the only thing I had on my mind was winning.”

Matias eliminated Pierre Neuville on the final hand of the night when his 8 7 made a full house on the turn against the J T of Neuville. When the river failed to produce one of two remaining jacks Neuville was out with a second place finish.

Matias becomes the first player to win a tournament in their home country since German Sandra Naujoks took down EPT Dortmund in March. At 54 he’s also the oldest EPT title winner in the five year history of the tour.

The next EPT stop begins December 1 in Prague, Czech Republic.

2009 EPT Vilamoura Final Table Payouts