Leo Viales Falls Just Short of the WPO Aix-les-Bains Final Table

Leo Viales misses the WPO Aix-les-Bains final table by one step

The Main Event final table at WPO Aix-les-Bains is now set, and Leo Viales’ elimination was the last piece of the puzzle. For any tournament player, busting this close to the final table is brutal: you survive the long grind, navigate the pressure of the late stages, and then fall just one place short of the stage that matters most.

Leo still leaves with €13,897, but the run ends with a painful reminder of how thin the margin is in live poker. At this point in a tournament, every pot carries outsized value — not just in prize money, but in prestige, momentum, and the chance to turn a strong run into a headline result.

The hand that opened the door to the final table

The decisive hand started when Timothée d’Anfray moved all-in from the small blind holding K10o. Leo, in the big blind with A7o, made the call to put his tournament life on the line. On paper, it’s the kind of spot that late-stage tournament players see all the time, but in practice, it can define an entire event.

The flop came 4-2-10, giving Timothée top pair and immediate control of the hand. The turn As changed the texture and briefly gave Leo hope by improving his position in the hand, but the river delivered a third ten to seal the deal for d’Anfray.

That one river card didn’t just end Leo’s tournament. It also completed the path to the final table, allowing the remaining players to take their seats and the staff to prepare the last table of the event.

What this means for the Main Event

A bubble-to-final-table elimination always carries extra weight. The player who wins the last big confrontation before the final table often enters the next phase with a psychological edge, more chips, and a stronger table image. Timothée d’Anfray gets exactly that boost after taking down Leo in a pivotal showdown.

For Leo Viales, the result is disappointing, but the performance remains meaningful. A €13,897 score in a strong live field is still a solid deep run, and runs like this often become the foundation for bigger results later in the season. In tournament poker, consistency on these stages matters almost as much as trophies.

If you want to follow more live-event coverage and player ecosystems, check out our sections on poker clubs and poker rooms for more places where players prepare, compete, and build volume.

High Roller update: 17 players left and everyone is in the money

While the Main Event final table is being prepared, the WPO Aix-les-Bains High Roller is still delivering serious action. The field is now in the money, with every remaining player locked up for at least €3,050, and the winner set to collect €60,000.

There are 17 players left, with an average stack of around 2,000,000 chips at blinds of 25,000 / 50,000 / 50,000. That stack dynamic keeps the event deep enough for real poker, but the ICM pressure is already starting to shape decisions as the payouts get closer to the top.

• Julien Sitbon with more than 5,000,000 chips;
• Kool Shen with 3,150,000;
• Leo Margets with 2,100,000;
• Jbzz with 2,100,000;
• Julien Da Silva with 1,500,000;
• Davidi Kitai with 1,300,000.

That lineup makes the High Roller especially attractive: it combines established grinders, recognizable names, and a structure that can still produce major swings. For players who want to improve their tournament understanding, a visit to our poker school can be a smart next step. And for those looking to maximize their value off the felt, our promotions & bonuses section is worth a look.

Expert analysis: why this kind of hand matters so much

Late-stage live tournament poker is rarely about one hand in isolation. It’s about stack depth, payout pressure, position, and how close the field is to the final table. That’s why Leo’s call with A7o cannot be judged only by the result — even though the river was cruel.

• ICM changes everything near the final table, making every decision more expensive.
• Being ahead on the turn does not guarantee survival; river variance remains a real factor.
• Tournament life has value, but so does chip accumulation when a final table is within reach.

For serious players, this is a reminder to study both ranges and tournament context. If you’re building a live schedule or working with a poker agent, the ability to choose the right events and understand late-stage pressure is a major edge.

Final thoughts: the final table is ready, but the story continues

Leo Viales’ elimination officially cleared the way for the WPO Aix-les-Bains Main Event final table. He exits with a respectable payout, while Timothée d’Anfray heads into the finale with momentum and confidence.

At the same time, the High Roller remains wide open, with strong stacks, familiar names, and a top prize of €60,000 still on the line. For live-poker fans, that means the best part of the series is still unfolding.

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