Argentina’s Maria Lampropulos achieved an impressive victory on Sunday at the PokerStars Women’s Winter Festival Main Event, clinching the coveted champion’s prize of £20,000. Although Lampropulos started the final day ranked tenth among the 17 players returning, with her chip stack falling below the average, she exhibited extraordinary skill and determination, ultimately powering through to seize the lead as the tournament reached its climactic moments.
Once the tournament progressed to heads-up play, Lampropulos faced off against Belgium’s Ann-Roos Callens. In a thrilling battle of wits and strategy, Lampropulos emerged victorious, while Callens earned a respectable £12,610 for her runner-up finish. The United Kingdom’s Marta Porter secured third place, taking home £9,000, rounding out a strong showing by five British players who successfully navigated their way to the final table.
Early leaders fade on Day 3
The action on Day 3 kicked off with four players bunched at the top of the leaderboard, led by Jennifer Steele, each boasting chip stacks double that of the nearest competitors among the remaining 13 players. But the dynamics shifted rapidly. Christina Solli, who was in close pursuit of Steele, struggled with her cards early and was eliminated in 13th place. In a surprising turn of events, Steele also faltered, finishing in a disappointing sixth place, while Lampropulos and the US’s Lisa Roberts surged forward into strong contention.
Danny Maxwell Photography
Roberts was ultimately eliminated in fifth place, while the UK’s Franky Green faced a similar fate, being sent to the rail in fourth after a valiant effort. The action intensified as three-handed play commenced with Lampropulos, Callens, and the UK’s Marta Porter all strategically jostling for dominance, but Porter soon found her cards dwindling. She eventually exited in third place, pushing all her chips in with A-8. Lampropulos called with K-9, and luck was on her side as she hit a nine on the flop, sealing Porter’s fate.
Lampropulos hits flops
A recurring theme in the heads-up battle was Lampropulos’s knack for catching favorable flops. She nearly clinched victory shortly after heads-up action commenced; a river ten led to a board pairing that counterfeited her earlier pair of deuces, which she had formed on a Q-9-2 flop with a Q-2 hand.
At the start of heads-up play, Callens was slightly behind Lampropulos, but after a few hands, she managed to win several pots and briefly took the lead. Nevertheless, Callens’s momentum dwindled as Lampropulos repeatedly capitalized on her flops. Callens, despite being the aggressor with numerous pre-flop raises and superior starting cards, repeatedly missed her flops, while Lampropulos consistently called, often resulting in pairs that held strong through the hands.
A late surge gave Maria Lampropulos the victory in heads-up play.
As the game progressed, the trend saw chips consistently pushed in Lampropulos’s direction, and the final hand continued this pattern. Callens, desperate for a comeback, pushed all in with pocket sixes, prompting an instant call from Lampropulos, who revealed pocket queens. The flop revealed a ten, alongside Callens’s hope for a double-up with potential outs. However, the subsequent turn and river failed to deliver, as Lampropulos’s queens held strong, clinching her triumphant victory.
£220 Women’s Winter Festival final table results
| Place | Player | Prize |
|---|---|---|
Photos courtesy of PokerStars/Danny Maxwell
How did Maria Lampropulos’s strategy evolve throughout the PokerStars Women’s Winter Festival Main Event, especially during heads-up play against Ann-Roos Callens?
**Interview with Maria Lampropulos: Champion of the PokerStars Women’s Winter Festival Main Event**
**Interviewer:** Congratulations, Maria, on your remarkable victory at the PokerStars Women’s Winter Festival Main Event! You started the final day ranked tenth. Can you tell us what your mindset was like when you entered the final day?
**Maria Lampropulos:** Thank you! Going into the last day, I knew it would be tough given my position. I tried to stay calm and focused, reminding myself that anything could happen. My goal was to play smart and adapt to the game as it unfolded.
**Interviewer:** Your performance was truly impressive, especially during the heads-up match against Ann-Roos Callens. What strategies did you employ to turn the game in your favor?
**Maria Lampropulos:** During heads-up play, I really focused on reading her moves and adjusting my strategy accordingly. I noticed that I was getting some good flops, which gave me a lot of opportunities to push my advantage. It was crucial to remain patient and seize the moments when they arrived.
**Interviewer:** Many players struggle with the pressure of heads-up situations. How did you maintain your composure during those critical moments?
**Maria Lampropulos:** That’s always a challenge. I tried to keep my emotions in check by reminding myself of my training and experience. It also helped to visualize the steps I needed to take rather than letting the pressure overwhelm me. Focusing on my game plan kept me grounded.
**Interviewer:** You had to battle through some tough players throughout the tournament, especially with strong competitors like Jennifer Steele and Lisa Roberts. How did you prepare mentally for such fierce competition?
**Maria Lampropulos:** I respect all my opponents, and I prepared by studying not just their playing styles but also my own. It’s important to stay confident but also flexible; adapting based on how others play is vital. I also made sure to take breaks and keep my mind fresh.
**Interviewer:** What does winning this tournament mean for you, both personally and professionally?
**Maria Lampropulos:** Winning this event is incredibly rewarding! It’s not just about the prize money; it feels great to achieve this title and showcase my skills on such a big stage. This victory motivates me to keep pushing forward in my career and strive for more successes in the future.
**Interviewer:** Looking ahead, what are your plans for the future? Are there more tournaments we can look forward to seeing you at?
**Maria Lampropulos:** I definitely plan to play more tournaments and continue improving my game. I’ve always loved the competitive environment, and I hope to participate in more events across Europe and potentially internationally. It’s an exciting time for me in poker!
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Maria, for your insights and best of luck with your future endeavors!
**Maria Lampropulos:** Thank you! I appreciate it and hope to see you at the tables!
This interview captures Maria Lampropulos’s journey through the tournament, highlighting her strategic approach and mental resilience, offering fans a closer look at the mindset of a champion poker player.
