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Frankland Wins in Paris: Brings Down the Open High Roller

26 Feb 2026

Mauritz Altikardes 26 Feb 2026

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Mathew Frankland wins €2,700 PokerStars Open High Roller in Paris.
Defeats 1,162 entries, taking home $562,010.
Victory highlights UK's continued competitive presence in poker.

Mathew Frankland captured the €2,700 PokerStars Open High Roller in Paris, defeating a 1,162-entry field for $562,010. The UK pro outlasted a tough final table featuring Igor Picone and Ole Schemion in one of Europe’s most competitive mid-high buy-in events.

English pro Mathew Frankland put a UK flag on one of the biggest stages in European live poker this week, winning the €2,700 PokerStars Open High Roller in Paris on Tuesday 25 February.

Frankland closed out a 1,162-entry field and banked $562,010, a headline score that lands loudly because it came in a tournament tier that is no longer “niche high roller”.

The modern €2k-€3k ecosystem is crowded, competitive, and often loaded with both established high-stakes regulars and ambitious qualifiers, which keeps the standard high across every day of play.

Final table context: not just a payday, a statement

Frankland finished ahead of Igor Picone and Kasperi Ilkka, with a final table that also included Timur Margolin and Ole Schemion.

That mix matters: it is the kind of table that punishes autopilot decisions, where edge shows up in smaller places, especially late-stage stack management and ICM pressure.

And that is why this win travels beyond the payout line. In big-entry, mid-to-upper buy-in tournaments, the edge is increasingly concentrated in preparation: knowing your late-game ranges, staying disciplined under pay-jump pressure, and consistently finding the best lines against players who do not make many obvious mistakes.

What it means for UK players watching from home

For grassroots and semi-regular UK players, the practical lesson is to treat the €2,000–€3,000 buy-in tier as its own distinct environment:

It is not a closed “high roller club”, because fields can still be massive.
It is also not a soft big-field, because the average competence is high and the late stages get ruthless fast.
If you are stepping into this tier, your preparation should look more like a professional’s: structured study, late-stage reps, and a bankroll plan that does not rely on one run.

UK poker does well when its best players keep appearing in the rooms that matter. This is one of those results that reinforces the point: the UK can still compete, and win, when the spotlight is brightest.

FAQs

Who is Mathew Frankland?

Mathew Frankland is an English professional poker player known primarily for tournament results on the European circuit and major international festivals.

What is the PokerStars Open High Roller?

It is a higher buy-in tournament (here, €2,700) run under the PokerStars Open banner during a major festival week, designed to attract strong regulars while still being accessible to ambitious tournament players.

Why does the €2k–€3k tier matter for UK players?

Because it is a “bridge level” with huge relevance: tough enough that it tests professional skill, but still large-field enough that ROI exists for well-prepared players with good volume habits.

Is this the same as the ultra high roller scene?

Not really. Ultra high rollers are typically €10k+ and often smaller fields. The €2.7k tier is closer to a deep, high-standard “major” than a closed invitation-only environment.

What should a semi-regular focus on before taking shots at this level?

Bankroll discipline, late-stage tournament fundamentals (ICM, reshoves, pay-jump pressure), and getting comfortable playing deep in fields where opponents will defend correctly and apply pressure relentlessly.