PokerStars Ambassador and Spanish poker pro Raul Mestre has been crowned champion of the third edition of the Spin & Go Championship Live at the PokerStars European Poker Tour in Paris, prevailing in a thrilling all-Spanish finale. The victory marked an ideal start to his role as a PokerStars Ambassador and capped an unforgettable event in the French capital.
Mestre entered the tournament as a respected figure in the Spanish poker community, having helped shape its growth through his years of experience as both a player and coach. His aggressive yet calculated approach saw him dominate the two-day competition, eliminating a string of opponents with precision and confidence.
The final showdown brought the spotlight squarely onto Spain, as Mestre faced fellow countrymen Manuel Garrido and Narciso Solana, both freeroll qualifiers who had earned their seats through PokerStars promotions. Mestre seized control early and never looked back, defeating his compatriots to secure the €92,539 top prize from a total guaranteed pool of €315,000.
A Winning Debut for PokerStars’ Newest Ambassador
The Spin & Go Championship Live in Paris marked Mestre’s first live event appearance since joining PokerStars as a brand ambassador earlier this month. His victory provides an emphatic start to his new chapter with the company, reinforcing his reputation as one of the game’s most respected minds.
Before turning his focus to coaching, Mestre carved out a name as one of Spain’s top professional players in the early European Poker Tour era, achieving two EPT final tables and earning recognition for his sharp, theory-driven style. His career eventually shifted toward education with the creation of EducaPoker, one of Europe’s earliest structured poker training schools.
Now, nearly two decades after bursting onto the scene, his return to the live felt under the PokerStars banner connects both aspects of his poker legacy: elite performance and mentorship.
Spin & Go Excitement Returns to the Live Stage
Hosted at Le Palais des Congres as part of the 2026 European Poker Tour (EPT) Paris festival, the Spin & Go Championship Live replicated the intensity of PokerStars’ signature online three-handed format. No buy-ins or re-entries were permitted, and every one of the 81 participants qualified their way in through online or live promotions.
The live event’s structure mirrored that of online Spin & Go tournaments—short-handed tables, quick pace, and escalating stakes—translated into a high-energy, professionally produced spectator environment. For fans and players alike, the tournament brought a lively and accessible twist to live poker.
Spanish Dominance at the Final Table
The Paris edition concluded with a uniquely Spanish story. Garrido and Solana, both emerging from freeroll qualifiers, joined Mestre in the final three, ensuring that Spain would sweep the podium. Their spirited performances underscored PokerStars’ mission to connect recreational players and seasoned pros in a single, thrilling format.
Mestre’s win, however, carried symbolic weight beyond the trophy. As a founding voice of Spain’s modern poker movement and now a visible face of PokerStars, his success on debut reaffirmed the game’s roots and its continued growth across Europe.
Watch the Final Replay on PokerStars TV
Fans who missed the action can relive the entire Spin & Go Championship Live finale through PokerStars TV's full broadcast on the PokerStars YouTube channel. The coverage includes cards-up play, expert commentary, and behind-the-scenes insights from EPT regulars James Hartigan, Joe Stapleton, Nick Walsh, and others, delivering every hand and headline moment from the Paris stage.
