Winter : From 50€ to 67.000€ for Kevin!

If he had bought into this tournament, Kevin Buckenberghs would have won 268 times his stake. But turning €250 into €67,000 cash with no deal and a €2,200 CPS Main Event ticket by "winning his ticket at a poker party in Hasselt" is even better. From €50 to €67,000 is 1,340 times his original stake!



"I was in a freeroll, it's been a crazy three days," enthused the champion, who was coming to the Circus Casino Resort in Namur for the second time. "I came during the summer for the GRND On Tour but it didn't work out," explained the man who spent an hour at dinner preparing and cogitating.



"I was calm but I picked up the phone and spoke to some friends, and they gave me some advice. I applied the plan, but it was quick. Completely crazy," concluded the champion, who scored his best poker result ever.



Finally runner-up, Santi Sungkapas didn't really have time to believe in himself in this final 100% Belgian duel of the Winter Fest 2026, which attracted 3,373 entrants. Santi lost in six hands, but will console himself by turning €250 into €44,500 and a ticket to the 2026 SPCs. "I'm going to treat myself to a holiday," concluded the runner-up in an expeditious final.

Assured of a €2,200 CPS Main Event ticket, the 9 finalists left the trophy to Kevin Buckenberghs in four hours, including a 60-minute dinner break. Kevin had 40% of the chips going into the final and was already in the leading pack. It was he who eliminated the two players who missed out on the final table and the ticket.

Sovereign in the final, the champion took advantage of a 45-blind stack from Donato Sparavilla to take off. A regular at Namur, the Italian took control very briefly but was unable to deny a Belgian the title.

The tournament had attracted 3,373 entrants for a prize pool of €675,970. The final 505 players in the field took at least the €500 min-cash, while 7 of the final 24 players on Final Day walked away with a 5-figure prize. €10,000 or more for a €250 buy-in - what madness!

See you on 20 February for the launch of God Save The Queens and then the Carnival Festival. The new Queens Squad players will be announced during the week, and some of the recruits will be in Namur to collect their cards!

As you know, the broadcast of the selection episodes starts next week, on Wednesday 4... Director Loic Xans told us during a WInter Festival stream that NutsR was becoming a partner of the Team and that the team would be followed by a major terrestrial channel when it travels to Las Vegas this summer.

Winter Fest 2026 (€250 - 3,373 entrants - 505 paid - €675,970 prizepool)