French Star Moundir Zoughari Triumphs in Marrakech Poker Open High Roller
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In the early hours of Friday, March 17, the long battle at the final table of the €2,000 buy-in High Roller of the Marrakech Poker Open finally came to an end with the crowning of a well-known French figure, Moundir Zoughari, who took home the biggest trophy of his career as well as the €55,000 first-place prize.
With 124 entries recorded, the event created a prize pool of 2,157,900 MAD (€195,200). This was by far the biggest cash of Moundir's career according to his Hendon Mob profile and his first significant victory on the live circuit against a strong field.
With four players left, the famous Survivor contestant even managed to eliminate all his competitors, not the least of which was recent EPT finalist Fabrice Bigot, cash game grinder Samiyel Duzgun and finally Swiss pro and multiple SCOOP winner Dinesh Alt in the final heads-up.
MPO 2023 High Roller Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Prize (In MAD) | Euros |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Moundir Zoughari | 600,000MAD | €54,000 |
| 2 | Dinesh Alt | 400,000MAD | 36 000 |
| 3 | Samiyel Duzgun | 258,000MAD | €23,200 |
| 4 | Fabrice Bigot | 188,000MAD | €17,000 |
| 5 | Tristan Forge | 138,000MAD | €12,200 |
| 6 | Kamal | 108,00MAD | €10,000 |
| 7 | Karo Nuri | 88,500MAD | €8,000 |
| 8 | Mohamed Mamouni | 73,000MAD | €6,500 |
| 9 | Anas Tadini | 60,000MAD | €5,400 |
Follow live updates from the MPO €1,500 Main Event here.
Aggressive play, perseverance, and immense joy
Aware of the high level of his opponents, Moundir nevertheless did not give up and continued to play an aggressive game that paid off, until the very last hand, and also as it should be sometimes, a little help from variance.
On the final hand, Moundir four-bet shoved for about 30 big blinds with the Q♠J♦ and found himself snap-called by Alt with a better hand, A♠K♣. The flop came 3♦9♦2♠ and a 10♥ on the turn giving Moundir more hope. The J♣ river gave him a straight and the win.
"There are emotions that can't be explained. I never normally cry, but I couldn't help it, it was too intense"
"What I'm feeling are the emotions of 10 years, 10 years of looking for that big win in a high roller, 10 years of investment in the professional and amateur poker scene, and days spent studying the game with those close to me," he told PokerNews the day after his win.
"Winning in Marrakech has a special significance too, I got married here, I know all the family of the casino, and the field was difficult, it is enjoyable. There are emotions that can not be explained. I never normally cry, but I couldn't help it, it was too intense," he added.
Zoughari indeed had to face a tough final and go through many ups and downs. "I fell to seven big blinds, made some good calls, folded the queens when I could have easily been eliminated, and I was also helped by the cards sometimes, moments like that are unforgettable. I was aware that I was the fish at my table, which makes this win even more beautiful. "
The Winamax Team member lets Alt take comfort with 400,000 MAD (€36,000) while Duzgun completed the podium in third place for 258,000 MAD (€23,000).
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10 years of evolution and most of all of fun
"During all these years, where I have learned the most is in listening, perseverance, and discipline in continuity. Yesterday I met players who were stronger than me and I finally got to know their weaknesses, it was a real pleasure. I train about two hours a day, because I also have a busy family life!"
"I always give it my all, keeping my zest for life. And I'm happy to democratize poker and make it visible to the general public."
And what's next for the man who's always teeming with projects?
"Of course, there is the promised land of every poker player, the WSOP in Las Vegas. I'm going to do everything I can to win a bracelet and I'm going to start preparing for this summer. I'm going to stay there for at least 18 days, work on my with several pros I know and maybe extend depending on my bankroll and my results."
He added: "But before that, head to the Sismix with Winamax in May, which is looking huge!"
To review the table with commentary from Ronan Monfort and Quentin Lecomte, check out the video below.
The streaming of the Main Event will also be on the program today.
