If you were looking for a subtle, humble-bragging underdog story in Prague, you’ve come to the wrong place. Marius Kudzmanas arrived at the World Series of Poker Europe Main...
📅April 12, 2026
✍️GPS Nacho
If you were looking for a subtle, humble-bragging underdog story in Prague, you’ve come to the wrong place. Marius Kudzmanas arrived at the World Series of Poker Europe Main Event final table with two online bracelets already on his resume and left with a live one, €2 million in his pocket, and the kind of confidence that makes solvers sweat.
In a field of 2,617 entries, the Lithuanian pro didn't just survive; he dictated. By the time the dust settled at the first-ever WSOPE Main Event held in Prague, Kudzmanas had transformed a massive field into a masterclass, securing his career-best score and proving that his digital success translates perfectly to the felt.
The Confidence Factor
Post-game interviews are usually a minefield of "I just got lucky" platitudes. Kudzmanas, however, opted for refreshing honesty.
"I felt like I'm the best player at the table," he noted after the win. "I just needed to not get any big coolers and just play my game as best as possible."
In a game where elite players often obsess over GTO (Game Theory Optimal) frequencies, Kudzmanas relied on the most powerful tool in a pro’s arsenal: table presence. When you believe you have the edge, you can apply pressure in spots where others fold to the "lights and cameras" effect. He avoided the catastrophic coolers and let his technical superiority handle the rest.
Navigation Through the Elite
The final table was anything but a walk in the park. Kudzmanas had to outmaneuver some of the sharpest minds in the high-stakes circuit:
Chris "Big Huni" Hunichen: The American powerhouse (3rd place) is a nightmare to face with a stack, but Kudzmanas kept him contained.
Thomas Eychenne & Brandon Sheils: Both European stalwarts who know how to exploit narrow ranges at the business end of a tournament.
The "Prague Peek" Controversy
It wouldn’t be a major tournament without a little logistical theater. As play commenced, the WSOP staff realized the live hole cards were being broadcast on the overhead screens directly above the players. It was a brief, surreal moment of "open-handed" poker before the floor staff rectified the issue. While the rail enjoyed the accidental transparency, the players were focused enough on their chips to avoid any unintentional scouting before the screens went dark.
The POY Race: A New Challenger Appears
Beyond the €2 million, this victory reshapes the WSOP Player of the Year race. Kudzmanas now sits atop the leaderboard, narrowly edging out the perennial POY threat, Shaun Deeb.
Deeb, who seemingly teleports to every final table on the schedule, bagged two runner-up finishes in Prague to sit at 1,268 points. However, Kudzmanas heads toward the Vegas summer with 1,345 points. While Deeb is known for his relentless volume, Kudzmanas has the momentum of a champion who knows exactly how to close.
WSOPE Main Event Final Table
King's Casino, Prague | €10,350 Buy-in
Pos
Player / Country
Prize (EUR)
1
Marius Kudzmanas
LITHUANIA
€2,000,000
2
Akihiro Konishi
JAPAN
€1,200,000
3
Chris Hunichen
UNITED STATES
€800,000
4
Nikolay Bibov BULGARIA
€575,000
5
Antonio Guimaraens SPAIN
€425,000
6
Hengtao Zhu FINLAND
€320,000
7
Thomas Eychenne FRANCE
€245,000
8
Brandon Sheils UNITED KINGDOM
€185,000
9
Joona Nyholm FINLAND
€140,000
Frequently Asked Questions
Marius Kudzmanas is a high-stakes Lithuanian professional who has successfully bridged the gap between the digital and live arenas. Before his massive €2 million windfall in Prague, he was already a feared force in the online streets, having captured two WSOP online bracelets. This Main Event victory cements his status as a "dual threat" player, moving his live career earnings into the elite tier and proving his aggressive, range-merging style works just as well under the bright lights of a televised final table as it does behind a monitor.
The Prague victory has effectively thrown a wrench into Shaun Deeb’s perennial plans for world domination. By banking the maximum points available in the European leg, Kudzmanas has leapfrogged into an early lead with approximately 1,345 points. While Deeb remains the king of volume, Kudzmanas now has the "quality over quantity" advantage. This sets up a fascinating narrative heading into the summer in Las Vegas, as the race for the most prestigious individual honor in poker is now a high-velocity battle between European efficiency and American grind.
In a rare technical hiccup that had the poker Twitterverse buzzing, the tournament began with live hole cards being displayed on the overhead LED screens inside the King’s Casino arena. For a few brief moments, the "theatre of the mind" became literal transparency, as anyone in the room could see the exact holdings of the players in real time. The WSOP floor staff acted quickly to kill the feed and rectify the broadcast delay settings, but the incident added a surreal, "open-face" tension to the early levels of the final day.
The final nine was a shark tank featuring some of the most consistent earners in the game. Chris "Big Huni" Hunichen represented the US contingent, bringing a hyper-aggressive style that eventually earned him a 3rd place finish. He was joined by French standout Thomas Eychenne and UK young gun Brandon Sheils. The presence of these specialists ensured that Kudzmanas couldn't simply "steamroll" the table; he had to navigate complex ICM (Independent Chip Model) pressure against opponents who understand GTO frequencies as well as he does.
The shift to Prague represents a strategic expansion for the World Series of Poker Europe brand, tapping into one of the most iconic poker destinations in the world. While King’s Resort in Rozvadov remains the spiritual home of the series, Prague offers a more accessible metropolitan hub for international travelers and high rollers. The record-shattering field of 2,617 entries suggests the move was a masterstroke, proving that the combination of "The City of a Hundred Spires" and the lure of a gold bracelet is an irresistible draw for the global poker community.
