Elky the latest to grab poker’s triple crown

Before the start of the current World Series of Poker season, only two poker players could say they had clinched the Triple Crown. Achieving a win in the WSOP, WPT and the EPT is a difficult challenge, especially when you think how many players are competing in these events. This meant that the successes of Gavin Griffin and Roland De Wolfe were rightly revered and honoured but these two players have been quickly joined by some new players who have sealed their own triple crown. Yes, even though the new season is still very much in its infancy, two new names can be added to the poker Triple Crown hall of fame.
Two Triple Crowns in a matter of weeks
Jake Cody made his little bit of history during the opening event of the 2011 WSOP series which sat nicely alongside his EPT Deauville and WPT London titles. A big deal was made of these achievements because it is not seen as a common achievement but here we are, mid-June and another player has picked up their first WSOP bracelet, allowing them to also call themselves a Triple Crown winner. Bertrand “ElkY” Grospellier triumphed in the $10,000 Seven-Card Stud Championship which not only clinched that first WSOP bracelet, it completed his Triple Crown!
Grospellier stands out from the crowd
This win was celebrated by many because Grospellier is a popular and instantly recognisable figure on the poker circuit. There have certainly been some wild and wacky fashion styles in the world of poker but Grospellier definitely has how own style working for him. This coupled with an extremely loose yet aggressive style of play means that ElkY has always been a figure that dominates a table. With two major wins back in 2008, this Triple Crown has been a long time coming for Grospellier but it doesn’t matter when it finally arrives, the important thing is that it has actually arrived!
Triumphs at the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure Main Event and the Festa al Lago WPT event set the scene for the clinching of the Triple Crown but it was a highly impressive win for the Frenchman when you consider that it was only the second time he played in a live stud tournament. Sometimes this can allow a player to be a bit more relaxed but whatever the reason, it certainly worked in Grospellier’s favour and the former professional video games player can look back on a very successful tournament. It also takes his live tournament winnings to just under $8m, which is a figure that most players would be ecstatic with.