The Winamax Poker Tour is heading to Aix-en-Provence this spring, promising a high-stakes showdown for thousands of players vying for the title of French champion. The finale, scheduled from to at the Pasino Grand Partouche, is considered “the largest free live poker circuit in France.”
While the Stelsia de Gruissan has recently announced the closure of its poker rooms, the Pasino Grand Partouche in Aix-en-Provence is preparing to host a significant event. Last year’s finale drew 3,503 participants and this year’s tournament is expected to attract a similar crowd, alongside a roster of well-known personalities including Grégory Fitoussi, Moundir, Kool Shen, Benjamin Castaldi, and Nicolas Duvauchelle, as well as the Team Pro Winamax – Europe’s most decorated poker team.
The winner will be crowned French poker champion and will receive the iconic Winamax Poker Tour (WIPT) sword, along with a substantial share of the prize pool, which totaled €175,000 last year. The tournament offers a €500 buy-in.
Among those competing for the title is Mickaël, a resident of Narbonne who goes by the alias “Mikaadoo.” He described the mental preparation required for the competition, stating, “The days before, you have to be serious, which isn’t necessarily my case, to prepare mentally. There are inevitably going to be bad hands because poker is very random. Everything can quickly change, there is a lot of stress. You mustn’t get into a ‘tilt’ position (when emotions take over, ed.) and keep control.”
Mickaël, who works as a science physics teacher, believes his analytical mindset is an asset at the poker table. “The game has a computational aspect, there is a matrix at the start, but it is also social. Players sometimes have ‘tells’ (signs that can betray them, ed.) like a carotid artery that beats faster or a mouth that hangs open, especially among amateurs. You spot them pretty quickly because they are often the ones who can’t keep the famous ‘poker face.’” He acknowledges the difficulty of maintaining a neutral expression, noting that “it’s very hard to have control. That’s why some people wear sunglasses or wrap a scarf around their mouths.”
The competition isn’t limited to seasoned professionals. According to tournament organizers, “Last year, an amateur finished second in the final.” Mickaël himself has had a relatively low-risk approach to the game, stating he’s mostly “break-even” – neither winning nor losing significant amounts of money.
Mickaël emphasizes the importance of bankroll management, explaining, “When you bet 100 euros, for example, you have to know how to play only 1% of your investment, that is 1 euro. Then, when you win, you can proportionally risk more. You have to be rigorous, it’s called bankroll management.”
He won’t be alone in Aix-en-Provence. His partner, an artist, painter, and avid poker player, will also be competing. She, like Mickaël, has a background in chess and hopes to “professionalize” her game and join the “Queen’s squad” next year. With over 5,200 followers on Instagram (jijilaméduse), she will be participating in the WIPT, but will be paying the €500 entry fee herself. Friends from Narbonne will also be in attendance, though their regular poker nights at a local bar and the Casino de Gruissan will be temporarily suspended.
The Winamax Poker Tour finale represents a significant event for the French poker community, offering both amateur and professional players the opportunity to compete for a substantial prize and the coveted title of French champion. The tournament’s accessibility, being a “free live circuit,” has contributed to its popularity, attracting a diverse range of participants and solidifying its position as a major event in the European poker calendar.
