WSOPC Tallinn Main Event | Julian Selinger staged a dramatic comeback from three blinds to claim the €210,000 title in a four-hour heads-up match.

On August 3, 2026, the €1,500 Main Event of the World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOP Circuit) Tallinn was held at the Hilton Tallinn Park Hotel and Olympic Park Casino.

German player Julian Selinger staged a comeback in the heads-up match when he was down to only three big blinds, defeating Dutch player Roy van der Reijnst after a four-hour battle to win the €210,000 champion prize, a WSOP Circuit Main Event ring, and a WSOP Paradise entry package worth $5,000.

A record 977 people participated, pushing the prize pool to over 1.25 million euros.

This year's WSOPC Tallinn Main Event attracted a record 977 entries, with a total prize pool of €1,253,002.

Selinger emerged victorious from the nearly 1,000-player main event, winning not only a significant individual title but also qualifying for the WSOP Paradise.

WSOPC Tallinn Main Event Final Table Results

The final table consisted of nine players from different European backgrounds. The first and second place winners received €210,000 and €140,500 respectively, while third place winner Kai Lehto took home €96,950.

Selinger fell into the short track after being the first eliminated.

Selinger entered the nine-player final table with a mid-level chip count and eliminated Feras Abid early in the tournament, becoming the first player eliminated of the day.

However, he quickly allowed two opponents to double up in succession. With six players remaining, Selinger found himself with the shortest yard in the game, and his initial upward momentum vanished rapidly.

With the average chip count short at the final table, each pot could significantly alter the standings. Selinger gradually recovered his chip count and returned to contention before the remaining three players.

Van der Reijnst controlled nearly 80% of the scoreboard at the three-player table.

Egidijus Matonis, the chip leader at the beginning of the final table, lost to Roy van der Reijnst in a big flop, who then took over the game after winning a huge pot.

Matonis then finished in fifth place, while Van der Reijnst eliminated David Marfil. During the three-player stage, he held a near 80% score, making him the closest player to the championship.

Faced with such a huge gap, Selinger first doubled his score against Van der Reijnst, then eliminated third-place Kai Lehto, successfully bringing the match to the final one-on-one.

Four hours of one-on-one duels with multiple exchanges of lead

When Selinger and Van der Reijnst entered heads-up play, their scorecards were roughly equal.

Van der Reijnst initially established a clear lead, but Selinger regained the lead through several successful bluffs and a call that capitalized on an opponent's bluff. Van der Reijnst did not back down and reclaimed the chip lead.

The championship match lasted approximately four hours, with the lead changing hands multiple times until a major overturning duel once again threw the game out of balance.

With only three big blinds remaining, Selinger won three consecutive times and went all in.

As the blinds continued to rise, the two players poured in a lot of chips in a crucial showdown, with Van der Reijnst ultimately winning the hand and reducing Selinger to just three big blinds.

For most players, this chip depth offered virtually no room for maneuver. However, Selinger refused to give up, winning three consecutive all-in duels to not only extend the tournament's run but also regain the lead.

This series of consecutive doublings became the biggest turning point of the entire final table. From being just one hand away from elimination to regaining the initiative, Selinger completed the second major comeback of the final table.

The river card completed a straight, and two pairs called to end the championship game.

In the final hand, Van der Reijnst received two pair on the river and called Selinger's action.

Selinger completed a straight on the river, winning the final pot with a stronger hand and officially ending the four-hour heads-up match, taking home the WSOPC Main Event ring and the €210,000 first-place prize.

After winning the championship, Selinger admitted that he was extremely tired, but at the same time he was happy and grateful to be able to stand in the champion's position. From the shortest stack in the six-player final table to only three big blinds left in heads-up, he returned to the game from the brink of elimination many times.

Van der Reijnst completed the deep run with a special memento.

This final match also held special significance for runner-up Roy van der Reijnst, transcending both prize money and ranking.

His son Joris passed away in May 2026 when he was born. During Day 2 of the Main Event, Van der Reijnst found an electronic candle in his coat pocket and used it as a card protector throughout the Main Event.

After the final hand, Van der Reijnst could not hide his emotions. Selinger, who knew the story, immediately embraced him for a long time. The two opponents, who had battled for four hours at the poker table, ended the match with mutual respect.

From three big blinds to WSOPC Main Event champion

Julian Selinger's path to the championship was not achieved by leading all the way.

He was the first to eliminate his opponent early in the final table, then fell to the shortest stack in a six-handed game; in the three-handed stage, facing Van der Reijnst who had nearly 80% of the chips, he once again closed the gap; with only three big blinds left in heads-up, he won three consecutive all-in bets to complete the final comeback.

Ultimately, Selinger emerged victorious from a record field of 977 entries, taking home €210,000, a WSOP Circuit Main Event ring, and a WSOP Paradise package.

For him, this was not just a championship victory, but also a journey of reversal after repeatedly facing elimination but refusing to give up.

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