October 7 poker briefing: EPC deal changes payouts; RGPS adds a PGT seat
Two recent reports lead this edition: Andre Winkler won EPC Masters, but Marco Giordano received the larger payout after their heads-up deal. RGPS Dream Factory has added a second PGT Championship seat, with one seat awarded to each invitational's winner.
Author: PokerSlate AI-assisted editorial desk · Editor: PokerSlate separate AI editorial review
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Andre Winkler won EPC Masters and received €99,600. Runner-up Marco Giordano received €118,400 after a heads-up deal, according to PokerNews and Pokerexklusiv. The title and the largest payout therefore went to different players. In a separate announcement, PokerNews added a PGT Championship seat for the RGPS Winner’s Circle champion, alongside the existing seat for the Dream Seat Invitational winner.
Reports in this edition
The two reports below explain the EPC payouts before and after the deal, and how the new RGPS seat fits alongside the original invitation. Each item links to a full report and its original sources.
01
Andre Winkler Wins EPC Masters: Deal Splits Title and Top Prize
PokerNews and Pokerexklusiv reported that Andre Winkler won the €2,000 EPC Masters after a heads-up deal left him €99,600, while runner-up Marco Giordano received €118,400. The event had 346 entries and a €602,040 prize pool.
Read story ↗- PokerNews ↗ — PokerNews confirmed EPC Masters champion Andre Winkler, runner-up Marco Giordano, heads-up deal payouts of €99,600 and €118,400, 346 entries, and a €602,040 prize pool.
- Pokerexklusiv ↗ — Pokerexklusiv independently reported the October 5 final day and the October 6 article date, and listed original payouts of €131,600 for first and €86,400 for second alongside the deal payouts.
02
RGPS Dream Factory Expands to Two PGT Seats: December Invitations Each Crown a Champion
PokerNews announced an added PGT Championship seat for the RGPS Winner's Circle winner, giving RGPS Dream Factory two seats while the Dream Seat Invitational winner seat remains. The 2026 Dream Factory is planned for November 27 to December 3 at Thunder Valley.
Read story ↗- PokerNews ↗ — PokerNews' October 6 announcement confirms the added Winner's Circle champion PGT seat and the retained Dream Seat Invitational seat; it gives 2026 Dream Factory dates November 27 to December 3, two $300 invitations on December 1 and December 2, and an 11 a.m. Winner's Circle start.
- RunGood Poker Series ↗ — The August 11 official preview confirms the Dream Factory dates and Thunder Valley venue, the two $300 event schedules, the ring-winner-only Dream Seat Invitational path to the January 2027 PGT Championship, and the earlier noon start listed for Winner’s Circle.
Local reading context
The EPC final took place on October 5. The RGPS invitationals are scheduled for December. This October 7 edition draws on October 6 reporting; its edition date does not change when the events happened or will happen.
Source report dates: 2026-08-11 / 2026-10-06