The excitement surrounding the APT Taipei 2024, running at the Chinese Texas Hold'em Poker Club (CTP) Asia Poker Arena and the CML (Chinese Mahjong League 華人麻將競技聯盟), has ratcheted up to eleven as the series entered its fourth day.

Excitement reached fever pitch as French poker superstar Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier clinched his maiden APT title victory, claiming the largest first-place prize ever awarded in a Taiwanese poker tournament.

In addition to claiming the glossy noir lion, Grospellier also earned himself a handsome eight-figure payday – or six if you are calculating it in USD.

It was not merely the fact that Grospellier won that excited the watching rail, but how he did so, battling back from a three-to-one chip deficit to defeat Edoc after a thrilling heads-up confrontation.

The sizable win also puts Grospellier back on the path to the Gallic nation's tournament #1 spot after being usurped by compatriot Jean-Noel Thorel towards the end of 2023.

Elky's career tournament earnings now stand at an impressive ~USD 15,396,800. While Grospellier still needs to win over half a million dollars to overtake Thorel as France #1, it's a step in the right direction and marks the first six-figure USD score the Frenchman has made since December 2019.

Staying hungry after so long in the game is no mean feat, so what's the secret?

"I wanted the Lion Trophy so badly since I joined the APT, it's the last thing I've ever wanted in poker. So I am so happy. I'm so ecstatic I finally won it," confided an elated Grospellier in his post-match interview.

"Even though I've already played poker for so many years, when you reach the final table it's always so intense, with so much emotion. It means everything to me to win this trophy."

This is only the third time Grospellier has played an APT series, though he has managed a final table appearance each time, earning successively better results on every trip.

An eighth-place finish at APT Summer Series Hanoi's APT High Roller was followed by a sixth-place finish in APT Incheon 2023's Superstar Challenge before Grospellier finally bagged his lion.

"I really wanted it. I came close twice in Hanoi and Incheon and now finally winning it - I feel so great - it's the best thing ever!"

"I'm so thankful to everyone who always supports and cheers for me even though I'm far from the best player now. So many people, especially in Taipei and Asia, always give me such a warm welcome and I'm so happy to come here and be able to win."

SUPERSTAR CHALLENGE RESULTS