Johan "YoH ViraL" Guilbert Wins SHRB Europe Event #2: $25,000 No-Limit Hold'em

Johan "YoH ViraL" Guilbert secured the biggest cash of his career at the Super High Roller Bowl Europe after winning Event #2: $25,000 No-Limit Hold'em for $506,250.

He defeated Selahaddin Bedir in an entertaining heads-up match at the Merit Royal Hotel & Casino, with the Turkish player also registering his biggest live cash, as he took home $364,500.

Meanwhile, 2017 Super High Roller Bowl winner Christoph Vogelsang secured fourth place despite being down to two big blinds six-handed, while PokerGO Tour leader Ali Imsirovic got his SHRB Europe off to a good start, finishing sixth.

Super High Roller Bowl Europe Event #2: $25,000 NLHE Final Table Results

Winner's Reaction

Guilbert was visibly emotional once the final card was dealt, and he told PokerNews that it was a huge relief to secure a major victory such as this.

"My plan is to play poker until I die..."

"I've played poker as a career for eleven years and I've never had the chance to win a big live tournament. I started out playing tournaments, but switched to cash games and slowly built up my bankroll. I recently decided to return to live circuit where I felt like I had to challenge myself."

In fact, the Frenchman only decided to play the SHRB Europe festival at the last minute after vacation plans fell through. He turned up and now has won the first event he entered.

"It's a super day for me. I know I've got a lot of supporters out there who were cheering me on, so I feel really blessed. I want to continue to prove in this scene and learn from the best."

Guilbert is clearly driven and motivated, and says that his dream is to play poker for as long as he is able.

"It's not about winning one tournament specifically, but it's about playing poker for as long as I can. Maybe till I die! I would say that. My plan is to play poker until I die, so people will see me around for many, many years to come."

Final Table Recap

Guilbert held onto his chip lead from the start of the day as the final table got underway, and quickly got stuck in after sending Vladi Chaoulov to the rail on the very first hand.

As the players behind him battled it out, Pascal Lefrancois was eliminated by Selahaddin Bedir, before Guilbert added another victim with the elimination of Saman Nakhjavani.

The Frenchman wasn't untouchable, however, with Christoph Vogelsang doubling through him. A short while later David Stamm doubled through the German who was left with less than two big blinds.

Vogelsang would double back through Stamm, and also through Seth Davies to stave off elimination as Ali Imsirovic and Stamm fell in sixth and fifth. After laddering twice, Vogelsang followed them out the door in fourth place.

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Davies had been quiet at the final table, and had never been under any pressure as players fell around him. Three-handed he was unable to pick out any clear spots and he was eliminated in third by Bedir, with stacks level ahead of heads-up.

Despite leading the entire final table, Guilbert could only sit and watch as Bedir opened up a lead, before the biggest pot of heads-up saw Guilbert open up a 5:1 chip lead. Bedir would double back through the Frenchman to stay alive, but Guilbert would close it out to secure the win.

Still to Come at the Super High Roller Bowl Europe

There's still plenty of live coverage to come here on PokerNews from the Super High Roller Bowl Europe. Event #3: $25,000 Short Deck Hold’em kicked off earlier today, and we will be bring you live updates from the final table tomorrow.

We will also be bringing you live updates on all remaining events from the Merit Casino in Cyprus, including the $250,000 buy-in Super High Roller Bowl Europe.