The final of the Joa Poker Tour took place this Sunday at La Siesta in Antibes. 9 players competed, including 3 amateurs and 6 professionals. The winner was ultimately a pro: Jean-Philippe Rohr, ranked 41st in France, a member of PMU Poker and a former professional footballer.
Upon arriving at the La Siesta casino, the curved path is lined with rose petals. No, it’s not a wedding but a major poker final. A multitude of professionals is expected. Palm trees, artificial water lilies, and a small body of water set the scene. And that’s not all! This game will be played outdoors, facing the Mediterranean Sea. A first in France, “pleasant for the players” admits Elizabeth Levacher, poker development manager.
The players pass through the blue Poker room gate, walk on the matching carpet, and settle at the purple table before them. The game begins. A fairly neutral ambient music accompanies them through their numerous moves all-in. In between, the players discuss their respective hands and analyze the situation: who should have won, who shouldn’t have folded… A real poker lesson for Olivier Cossais, Stéphane Weiler, and Charly Gremet, the 3 amateurs present at the table.
Despite the friendly atmosphere, eliminations follow one another from the first hour of play. Three players are eliminated: Youcef Benzerfa, Nicolas Frisson, and Charly Gremet. Olivier Cossais soon joins them, collecting the tidy sum of €8,000. Stéphane Bazin and Sam Et-Sayed, who were favorites, follow, earning €10,000 and €12,000 respectively.
The deal!
There are only three left: Adrien Garrigues, Stéphane Weiler and Jean-Philippe Rohr. 2 professionals against 1 amateur, a great performance for the latter. A 15-minute break is imposed every hour to allow players to catch their breath. This last break lasts much longer than the required time. The players consult with each other then return to the game. A deal has been struck at the request of Stéphane Weiler. Everyone goes all-in, and chance decides the winner. It will be Jean-Philippe Rohr, a member of PMU Poker, followed by Stéphane Weiler and Adrien Garrigues. They were supposed to take home €40,000, €28,000, and €17,000 respectively. Thanks to or because of the deal, they receive €35,000 and €25,000.
For Jean-Philippe, it’s a victory that isn’t necessarily fair but is justified: “This deal is frustrating but the youngster who requested it (Stéphane Weiler) may not have much money.” He finally concludes: “Later on, if I’m in the same situation, I might be happy for someone to do the same for me. You have to know that in all poker tournaments, it ends like this!”
