WSOP Circuit Aix-en-Provence Main Event｜Cartillier makes a stunning comeback to win €150,000! An amateur player takes home his first career gold ring.

Cartillier won the WSOP Circuit Aix-en-Provence Main Event and earned €150,000 and a gold ring.

The WSOP Circuit France main event concluded with Cartillier pulling off a major upset to win the title.

The 2026 WSOP Circuit Aix-en-Provence Main Event, with a buy-in of €1,500, concluded successfully at the renowned French casino Pasino Grand Partouche. The event attracted 783 entries, generating a total prize pool of €1,014,768, demonstrating the intense competition.

Ultimately, French player Matthieu Cartillier emerged victorious, claiming the championship title and a €150,000 jackpot, along with his first WSOP Circuit gold ring and a WSOP Paradise event pass worth $5,000. This victory not only represents the highest prize money of his career but also marks his strong return to the poker world.

Champion Background: The Road to Success for an Unassuming Player

Surprisingly, Cartillier is not a regular on the professional circuit. Official records show only two live tournament winnings. However, he actually played professionally for ten years during the early days of online poker in France before fading from the scene due to burnout.

He said, "I'm just an ordinary person, competing with other ordinary players." This low-key mindset allowed him to remain calm under pressure at the final table, accurately choose his opponents and timing, and ultimately achieve the championship.

Analysis of key battles at the final table

The average chip stack at the start of the final table was about 60 big blinds, which theoretically should have been a long and drawn-out battle, but in reality, the process was quite fast.

• Alexis Tremblay, ranked 8th, was the first to be eliminated.
• Anthony Apicella was eliminated after briefly doubling his score.
• Houssem Meftahi was eliminated after his river three of a kind lost to a straight.

The situation became even more tense after the five-player phase began. Sonny Franco briefly doubled up with AA, but then lost crucial hands, putting his chip stack in danger again.

Three-on-three showdown: Cartillier's crucial comeback

With the match entering the three-player stage, only three French players remained. Sonny Franco was poised to challenge for his eighth gold ring, but in a crucial match:

• Franco hit a pair with an A9.
• Cartillier hit a straight on the river with KQ.

This hand eliminated Franco in 3rd place (€78,000) and allowed Cartillier to advance to heads-up play.

One-on-one showdown: Complete domination to win the championship

Once heads-up play began, Cartillier displayed overwhelming dominance. In just a few hands, he hit a series of cards:

• Two pairs
• Sanjo
• gourd

He ultimately defeated Michel Leibgorin (runner-up €107,000) to claim the title. The one-on-one match was almost a one-sided massacre, showcasing his excellent form and decision-making ability that day.

Champion mentality: Enjoy the game, not the pressure

After the match, Cartillier said the atmosphere at the final table was relaxed and enjoyable, even "laughing the whole time." He emphasized that he didn't focus too much on his opponents' resumes, but rather on:

• Choose a suitable opponent to fight against
• Controlling large pot risk
• Maintain a stable mindset

This strategy is especially crucial in high-intensity matches.

Future plans: Not to change careers, but to continue competing.

Despite the huge success of his victory, Cartillier has no plans to return to the professional scene. He stated that he will continue to participate in competitions as a casual player.

However, he has confirmed his participation in the WSOP Paradise event in the Bahamas at the end of the year, which will be his next major stage.