French amateur poker champion, this Francilien fulfills his dream and flies to Las Vegas

Matthieu Teffaud was crowned French amateur poker champion on Sunday 6 February 2022. Next July, the 46-year-old player will fly to Las Vegas (United States) to participate in the world championship of the discipline. A "dream" for this resident of Maisons-Laffitte (Yvelines) who did not know how to play until seven years ago.

More than two weeks have passed and Matthieu Teffaud still can't believe it. On Sunday, February 6, 2022, the 46-year-old won the eleventh "RedCactus Poker Champion" tournament and became the best amateur in France, that is, without money. "I'm still on a high. On the night of my victory, I felt a lot of emotion. It was three times that I participated in the national final and I finally won it", confides the inhabitant of Maisons-Laffitte (Yvelines), reported https://indiasneed.com.

He is obviously proud of this victory, especially since he didn't know how to play poker until seven years ago. Matthieu Teffaud discovered the discipline by chance in 2014. One day, he passed a bar where it was written: "free poker without money". He decided to go for it. "I told myself that there was no risk. As I knew nothing about it, I was written the card combinations on a small paper," he recalls.

He discovered his passion

One thing led to another, Matthieu Teffaud took to the game and discovered a real passion. "At first, I thought that poker was a game of chance. But after a while, I realized that the winners were always the same people. So I wanted to learn more about the game. Curious, he buys books and watches videos on the Internet to improve himself. This work paid off, as he is now the new French amateur poker champion.

But it took him a long way to get this title because the "RedCactus Poker Champion" is a competition that takes place throughout the year. Every week, thousands of players visit the 350 establishments partnered with RedCactus. "The top players from each location advance to the regional finals. Than 170 players compete in the national finals," explains the 40-year-old. The final event brings together the nine best amateur players in France. This year, the grand final was held online because of Covid-19. "That didn't bother me. I was able to isolate myself and concentrate well."

"The Olympics of poker"

In addition to his title of French champion, Matthieu Teffaud also hit the jackpot. "Thieum", as he is called during the tournaments, won an all-expenses-paid trip to Las Vegas and a €10,000 prize to participate in the World Poker Championship to be held in July 2022. "It's every fan's dream. For me, it's the Olympics of poker," he jokes.

In the United States, the Francilien will have to face the best players in the world. "There will be about 8,000 people. It will be impressive but I'm excited. The winner of the competition will leave with a modest sum of eight million dollars. "It's a dream come true! It's not impossible, but it's going to be tough because I'll be up against professionals who train eight hours a day. I have a one in 8,000 chance of winning," he says. If he wins the tournament, the father would like to please his two daughters and his family.

Serious training

Confident, Matthieu Teffaud continues to train hard. "I work on my techniques and I watch a lot of videos. I'm especially interested in the players' expressions and the reaction of their eyes." His qualities as a poker player? "I have the ability to understand my opponents quickly and make them make mistakes," says the recruitment consultant. The 40-year-old practices at home on weekends or evenings.

He also goes every Tuesday to the Santa Monica restaurant in his town, of which he is a member, notes 78 Actu which devotes a portrait to him. "There are about twenty of us who get together. It's very friendly, there's a good atmosphere," he confides. The father of a family would like more and more people to participate in this weekly gathering, which is open to all and free of charge. Although he has already played for money in tournaments, especially online, Matthieu Teffaud defends poker without money, reported https://indiasneed.com/best-indian-casino-apk/. "It's a thoughtful game and we take a lot of pleasure in it. We don't get caught up in the headaches, we have fun with friends and we always have a good time," he says.