Russian IT worker Aleksandr Shevliakov has secured a dream victory at the 2025 European Poker Tour (EPT) Monte Carlo Main Event, winning the €5,300 no-limit hold’em tournament and bagging an impressive seven-figure payout. What makes his win even more remarkable is the fact that Shevliakov qualified for the event through a €530 buy-in online tournament hosted by PokerStars, underlining the rise of online qualifiers in major live poker events.
With a prize of €1,000,000 ($1,130,000) in his pocket, Shevliakov’s victory marks a significant milestone in his poker career. The 37-year-old from Russia is no stranger to poker’s high-stakes environment but has never experienced a win of this magnitude. Prior to this, his largest score was $541,206, which he earned for a second-place finish in the €10,000 buy-in tournament at the 2023 EPT Paris. However, this new win has completely overshadowed his previous success, cementing his place as a poker force to be reckoned with.
Shevliakov’s reaction was nothing short of ecstatic: “I won. It’s a dream come true. This is it,” he said, radiating the emotions of a man who has just achieved the pinnacle of his poker career.
Record-Breaking Turnout at EPT Monte Carlo
The 2025 EPT Monte Carlo event saw an impressive turnout, with 1,195 entries—a figure that ranks as the second-largest in the event’s two-decade history in Monaco. The only year to surpass this was 2024, when 1,208 players participated. The prize pool for this year swelled to $6,751,750, with the top 175 finishers sharing in the payout, creating an exhilarating atmosphere for both seasoned pros and rising stars alike.
The immense turnout and subsequent prize pool have reaffirmed the European Poker Tour’s reputation as one of the premier poker tournaments in the world. In fact, the sheer size of the event played a crucial role in propelling Shevliakov to his newfound fame, as this win not only earned him a seven-figure payday but also earned him 1,920 Card Player Player of the Year (POY) points.
Although this was his first POY-qualified score of 2025, it was a massive boost for Shevliakov, who is now well within the top 50 of the overall POY rankings—a significant achievement that will keep him in the spotlight as the year progresses.
A Competitive Final Day
The final day of the event began with six players remaining, and it was 28-year-old Bulgarian Boris Angelov who had the advantage, leading the final table. Angelov had been the runner-up in the 2024 Monte Carlo Main Event, and with the top stack heading into the final day, he was eager to capitalize on his previous experience and secure the elusive victory.
However, it was Shevliakov’s calm under pressure and exceptional play throughout the event that ultimately saw him outlast Angelov and the rest of the competition. Angelov had to settle for a solid finish in fifth place, but his back-to-back final table appearances in Monte Carlo confirmed his status as one of the rising stars of the EPT.
Star-Studded Field
The 2025 EPT Monte Carlo Main Event was teeming with poker heavyweights, with several notable names running deep in the tournament. Four-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner Ari Engel made it to 34th place, while the highly regarded Jose ‘Nacho’ Barbero finished in 31st. Additionally, Spanish high roller Juan Pardo finished in 19th, and 2019 World Series of Poker Europe Main Event champion Alexandros Kolonias claimed 15th place.
Their presence added to the prestige of the event and provided fans with plenty of exciting moments. Despite their impressive performances, however, it was Shevliakov who emerged victorious, proving that the tournament’s ultimate success can sometimes come from the most unlikely of qualifiers.
Online Qualifier’s Growing Influence
One of the most striking aspects of Shevliakov’s victory is the role that online qualifiers continue to play in the poker world. While live events are typically dominated by professional players with years of experience on the circuit, Shevliakov’s win shows that online platforms such as PokerStars are providing more opportunities for amateur players to qualify for big events and make a name for themselves in the live tournament scene.
The continued growth of online poker is set to play an even more significant role in future poker tournaments, as it levels the playing field and opens up opportunities for players from around the world. Shevliakov’s victory serves as a testament to this trend, demonstrating that with the right skills, determination, and a bit of luck, anyone can win big—even if they come from humble beginnings as an online qualifier.