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A remarkable hand unfolded on Day 6 of the EPT Barcelona Main Event, as amateur Dutch player Lukas van Eeden hit a Royal Flush while battling for a share of the €1,370,050 top prize. The €5,300 buy-in event drew 1,823 entrants and had reached its final nine players, each already guaranteed at least €126,950.
The hand began when Spanish player Jose Criado, holding roughly 100 big blinds, raised to 250,000 on the button with 6♦4♦. Van Eeden defended his big blind with K♣J♣, setting up a dramatic sequence.
The flop of 2♠A♣10♣ gave Criado nothing but handed Van Eeden a Royal Flush draw. After a continuation bet and call, the 3♣ turn completed a flush for Van Eeden, though he checked it back as Criado picked up a gutshot draw.
Criado fired a large 750,000 bet on the turn, which Van Eeden called while holding the flush. The Q♣ river then upgraded his hand into a Royal Flush, though Criado’s six-high meant he could not compete.
Van Eeden opted to lead for 650,000 rather than let Criado bluff again, forcing a fold. He then surprisingly mucked his cards instead of tabling the historic hand, later telling PokerNews he was too stunned to think clearly about showing it.
Following the hand, Van Eeden sat fifth in chips among the remaining eight players, while Criado retained the overall chip lead. The EPT Barcelona Main Event was set to conclude with a winner on Saturday.
