PokerStars Open Main Event surpasses €6 million and features big names

The PokerStars Open Main Event within the framework of EPT Barcelona 2026 closed its registration after eight Day 1 flights, achieving a total of 4,333 entries and thus generating a prize pool of €6,239,520. Although the figure is lower than the 5,036 entries and €7,251,840 awarded last year, the event remains one of the most popular and has gathered several recognized players from the international circuit, many habituals of higher buy-ins.

PokerStars Open Main Event: Day 1 summary and chip count leaders

After the eight initial flights, 648 players managed to advance to Day 2. The overall leader is Maor Zaharagi from Israel, who bagged 864,000 chips at the end of Day 1. Among the most notable stacks for the resumption of actions are:

• Jamie Dwan (ninth in chips, 682,000)
• Youness Barakat (25th, 575,000)
• Thomas Eychenne (37th, 504,000), reigning champion of the EPT Barcelona Main Event
• Han Feng (40th, 501,000), finalist of the 2026 WSOP Main Event
• Vladas Tamasauskas (58th, 440,000)
• Felix Schneiders (78th, 400,000)
• Dominik Panka (113th, 340,000)
• Congya Zhang (146th, 301,000), last woman standing in the 2026 WSOP
• Niklas Astedt (180th, 248,000)
• Matthew Wantman (184th, 246,000)
• Justin Saliba (195th, 235,000)
• Ali Eslami (203rd, 230,000)
• Biao Ding (250th, 203,000)
• Brock Wilson (251st, 203,000), champion of the €20K NLH in Barcelona and 16th in the WSOP Main Event
• Nick Palma (278th, 184,000)
• Martin Zamani (290th, 176,000), seventh top contributor in summer fantasy
• Sebastian Huber (318th, 162,000)
• Cherish Andrews (354th, 149,000)
• Victoria Livschitz (357th, 147,000)
• Maria Konnikova (556th, 57,000)

PokerStars Open, ideal gauge before the EPT Barcelona Main Event

The champion of the PokerStars Open Main Event will be determined this Saturday, coinciding with the start of the EPT Barcelona Main Event, making the tournament an immediate reference for those participating in the Pick 3 fantasy contest. Many names from the draft for the big event have already secured their spots in Day 2 of the Open, providing key insights into their current form.

Several prominent players like Jamie Dwan, Han Feng, and Thomas Eychenne have secured relevant stacks. "A deep run here doesn't guarantee success in the EPT Barcelona Main Event, but, as often seen in international series, a good streak can extend," notes the coverage by Poker.org.

Recent results boost choices in Pick 3 fantasy

Jamie Dwan's case is significant: he will arrive at Day 2 of the Open with 682,000 points after several recent cashes in Barcelona — fifth in Event #17: €20,000 NLH for €58,400 and fourth in Event #3: €1,100 NLH for €17,480. Before traveling to Barcelona, Dwan won a Super High Roller at the GUKPT Coventry for £47,200 and shone at the last WSOP, where he achieved six cashes, including a victory in the $50,000 NLH High Roller for $2,276,961.

Jamie Dwan was added to the list of selectable players for the Pick 3 fantasy following a suggestion from a PokerOrg community member. Thomas Eychenne, defending champion of the EPT Barcelona Main Event (victory for €1,217,175 after a deal with Sebastian Ionita in 2025), was already on the list and will return to the scene this week with one of the biggest stacks after Day 1 of the Open. Another key name is Han Feng, fifth in the 2026 WSOP Main Event with a prize of $2,250,000, who maintains momentum in Barcelona.

A useful follow-up for operators and tournament poker fans

The presence of so many known figures competing for a fraction of the usual cost highlights the appeal of the PokerStars Open Main Event in the European landscape. The tournament provides valuable information for both operators looking for trends in participation and fans following performances in view of the EPT Main Event.

Among the strongest arguments for those shaping their Pick 3 team are Dwan, Eychenne, and Feng, but the list of candidates remains open with many competitive profiles still in the race.

"Pay attention to who advances the furthest, because when the champion of the PokerStars Open Main Event is crowned this Saturday, it could be the moment to finalize the last spot in your Pick 3," recommends the coverage team.

The 2026 edition of the Open will continue to deliver relevant data in the coming days. For more information on the international poker scene and other events, check our events section.