As the sun dawned on the final day of the €50,000 Super High Roller Second Chance at the prestigious PokerStars European Poker Tour (EPT) Barcelona, Tom Orpaz gazed at the gleaming trophy that awaited the winner. With a smile hinting at his aspirations, he envisioned posing for the winner’s photograph, clutching one of the monumental trophies reserved for EPT Main Event victors.
Orpaz had every reason to exude confidence. Taking to the tables with an impressive chip lead, he towered over his nearest competitor with a stack almost three times the size. His winning streak was ablaze, having clinched victory in a prior €25,000 event in Barcelona and securing third place in the €10,200 Mystery Bounty tournament.
A Triumph Unfolds: Orpaz Claims the Super High Roller Title
Orpaz, a force to be reckoned with, shattered any doubts about his dominance. Triumphing over a field of 24 contenders, he emerged victorious after a heads-up duel against Japan’s Tsugunari Toma. The grand prize of €442,440 was now his, accompanied by his second Barcelona title.
With elation still fresh in his voice, Orpaz proclaimed, “I’ve reached my goal. My goal was to make more than a million dollars in winnings and at least one trophy. I’ve got two of them and at least a million dollars. And we’re still here, right,” immediately after sealing his victory.
Early Control and Unwavering Determination
Orpaz’s journey to victory began with a relentless Day 1 performance. The likes of Jean-Noel Thorel, Sam Grafton, and Nacho Barbero felt the force of his prowess as he eliminated them from the competition. The turn of fate, embodied by a fortuitous six, spelled the end for Argentinian rapper and PokerStars ambassador Alejandro Lococo, finishing in seventh place. Orpaz’s indomitable spirit pitted him against the world’s fiercest players, including Timothy Adams, Conor Beresford, Steve O’Dwyer, and even Spanish soccer legend Gerard Pique, and emerged triumphant each time.
Reflecting on his journey, Orpaz shared, “Of course, it was a good run. I had some good hands, I had some bad hands, I had to adjust my play… most of my winnings are in these high roller ones… I could adjust towards the other players, the aggression, the bluffs.”
A Hobby that Pays Dividends
Tom Orpaz, a Tel Aviv real estate investor and entrepreneur, wears many hats, but professional poker player isn’t one of them. For him, poker is a leisure activity – a challenge that allows him to enjoy himself while earning a bit of money on the side. He explained, “This is not my job… I have businesses… But this I do for fun, and sometimes fun pays you money.”
Chasing excellence against the world’s elite is what drives him. “It’s the challenge to beat the best players in the world… And if you can beat that against the best players in the world, then it’s a good challenge, right.”
A Vibrant Presence at the Table
Orpaz’s presence at the poker table is captivating, not just due to his fearless playing style but also the joy he radiates while playing. Paired with the equally vivacious Sam Grafton on Day 1, the duo exchanged a constant stream of banter, embodying the spirit of the game. Orpaz’s passion for poker shines through, evident in his every move.
He shared, “This is just me. I’m having fun at the table… I don’t think of it as a strategy. I just come here, and I have fun because it is fun.”
Final Table Results
| Rank | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tom Orpaz | Israel | €442,440 |
| 2 | Tsugunari Toma | Japan | €285,200 |
| 3 | Biao Ding | China | €157,200 |
| 4 | Erik Seidel | US | €113,800 |
| 5 | Justin Saliba | US | €100,600 |
| 6 | Gerard Pique | Spain | €65,000 |
The Climactic Day 2
Commencing the final day at the helm with 2,740,000 chips, Orpaz dominated the scene, outshining competitors like Biao Ding (970,000) and Justin Saliba (900,000). Orpaz’s adept play saw him eliminate Saliba, the victor of the €1,100 No-Limit Hold’em Freezeout event, securing fifth place.
The day brought an encounter with poker legend and Hall of Fame inductee Erik Seidel. Orpaz’s audacious move with jack-deuce paid off, as a stroke of fortune granted him trip deuces on the flop, sealing Seidel’s exit in fourth place.
The Triumphant Heads-Up and Celebrations
Tsugunari Toma mounted a strong comeback, doubling up and inching closer to Orpaz’s lead. However, Orpaz delivered a game-changing moment in a crucial heads-up hand. With sevens on the flop for Toma and pocket queens for Orpaz, the latter secured a monumental double-up. Toma’s subsequent attempts to rally proved insufficient, leaving Orpaz triumphant and Toma in second place.
With his daughter at his side, Orpaz celebrated his victory and planned for more high-stakes challenges on the horizon. While poker remains a hobby, Orpaz’s prowess demonstrates that his talents extend far beyond the realm of casual play.