Natalia Nikatina Wins WPT Paris National Series Main Event

Posted 2/17/11 : Britain's Sam Trickett falls to a rampant Russian
 
The 23 year-old Russian player Natalia Nikatina scooped Euro 243,830 and the title of champion at the Euro 5,000 buy-in WPT Paris National Series Main Event, presented by ACFpoker.fr, at the world famous Aviation Club de France this week, trouncing favourite Sam Trickett of the UK and other respected names in her first live major tournament.
 
The St. Petersburg player said: “That was a long and hard contest. Three hours before the end I was actually finding it hard to stay awake and keep concentrating on my game but I am delighted to win. I am going to celebrate by buying a BMW 6 Series!”
 
Nikatina beat experienced Parisian pro Alexandre Brivot after a gruelling heads-up that went on all night. The chip lead swung a number of times but it was to be second place for Brivot, who finished 14th at WPT Amneville in 2010.
 
The chip leader going into the final table was another popular Parisian in the form of Benjamin Pollak but all eyes were on Trickett, who, fresh from big cashes at the 100k and 250k tournaments at the Aussie Millions, is on the run of his life. However, he managed only a sixth placing, taking home Euro 43,545.
 
Other final tablers were Jean-Louis Tepper, Benjamin Pollak, Tobias Wagner, Ingo Paulus and Nicolo Calia.