Claas Segebrecht Wins Master Classics of Poker Amsterdam for €235,087

(Photo: WSOP.com)

A final table that featured players from nine different countries gave the Master Classics of Poker €4,300 buy-in Main Event an international flavor, with German high roller Claas Segebrecht rising to the top of the field to win €235,087 ($276,804).

Segebrecht KO'd five of his fellow final tablists, the last of whom was Belgium's Bart Lybaert, who had to settle for runner-up prize money of €157,553 ($185,511). It was Lybaert's second cash of the series hosted by Holland Casino in Amsterdam, following a 12th place finish in the €3,250 Pot Limit Omaha High Roller.

Segebrecht's victory added to his exceptional November that included a 3rd place finish in the €25,000 High Roller at the WSOPE in Rozvadov that resulted in a €321,863 ($374,682) payday. Those two scores this month account for more than 1/3 of the German's career earnings total of $1,774,362, per the Hendon Mob database.

Grand Entrance

The final tablists began the day with announced entrances while accompanied by showgirls as their chosen songs blared throughout the casino. Their eventual exits one-by-one were not nearly as glamorous, save for the winner whose time to shine was befitting of a champion that navigated a field of 235 to claim victory.

Poker Hall of Famer John Juanda was among the players who hit the rail, grabbing 5th place prize money when his short-stacked shove with suited Q-7 was beaten by Q-8. Next to fall was Igor Yaroshevskyy, who put his tournament life on the line with A-Q, only to find that Segebrecht called his all-in with big slick, ending the Ukrainian's run in 4th place.

Three-handed action saw Segebrecht holding a huge chip advantage over Lybaert and Kai Lehto from Finland. The latter hoped to double up with ace-rag, but found no help from a board that paired Segebrecht with tens on the turn.

Just a few hands later, the pride of Belgium made his move by betting with A-10 and had a decision to make when Segebrecht promptly three-bet while holding pocket nines. Lybaert shoved his remaining chips and watched helplessly as the German caught another nine on the flop for a set and the championship.

Master Classics of Poker Amsterdam Main Event - Final Table Results