Israel García, a technical worker from Bilbao, outlasted Spain’s top poker names at the WPO Aix-les-Bains and came close to reaching the final table. The tournament drew 2,876 entries, up from 2,566 last year, making it one of this season’s biggest Winamax Poker Open events, information from official tournament data. García’s run from a 10-euro online satellite to the final stages became the story everyone followed.
Adrián Mateos and Leo Margets were eliminated early. Amadi also fell, while García stayed in the tournament. He began Day 2 with one of the shortest stacks and followed a simple plan: wait for good cards, go all-in when the time was right, then hope for the best. His patience and timing kept him alive as the Spanish field shrank.
Official tournament sources put the Basic Event prize pool at approximately €1.1 million. A total of 475 players made the money, with a minimum payout of €1,000.
García’s story began by chance. Bored, he entered a 10-euro satellite on Winamax, and the win earned him a seat at the WPO and a week in France. The amateur from Bilbao suddenly found himself playing against people he had seen only on YouTube, living the poker dream in the French Alps. “I just waited for the right cards and went all-in when I had to,” García said. He survived bad beats and tough hands and kept next.
Luck mattered, though García had more to contend with. He had played only two live tournaments before Aix-les-Bains, both in Spain, and switching from online to live poker was tough. “Online is tougher than live,” he said. Facing opponents across the table was a new challenge, but he adapted quickly. He found the 6-Max format livelier and more fun than the usual full-ring games.
As the field shrank, García found himself near the televised table. For a hobby player, the experience felt unreal. His run ended with pocket jacks against 6-9, but he had already outlasted every other Spanish player. “It’s not about becoming a millionaire, but about touching the dream of being an international player,” he said. He had played alongside professionals who regularly compete in the World Series of Poker. That was the real prize.
Independent tournament reports said the event concluded at Casino Grand Cercle in Aix-les-Bains on September 27, 2026. Players from France and Switzerland dominated the late stages, with Portugal also represented. Timothée D’Anfray led the final phase with 23,250,000 chips, and only 17 players remained on the last day.
Back in Bilbao, García’s family followed every update. His wife and daughter could not join him in France, but they cheered him on from home. If he wins big, he already has a plan: he’ll take them to see the house of Papá Noel. That promise means more to him than any trophy.
The Spanish poker community watched closely. Its stars were gone, but García kept hope alive. As reported earlier, the favorites fell short, and the spotlight shifted to an unexpected hero.
García’s run at Aix-les-Bains showed that experience and reputation do not always win. Timing and nerve shaped his performance, with luck also playing a part. He played for the thrill and challenge, with a shot at national pride and the money also in the mix.
