High-Stakes Clinch: Dvoress and Watson Kick Off EPT Paris with a Canadian Clinic

25 Feb 2026

Samantha Doyle 25 Feb 2026

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Daniel Dvoress wins €25K NLH High Roller, earning $337,527.
Mike Watson showcases consistent performance at final tables.
Early success boosts Canadian poker community's confidence.

The European Poker Tour (EPT) Paris has only just reached its midpoint at the Palais des Congrès, but the Canadian contingent has already turned the high-roller fields into a personal playground.

As of the latest reports from February 23, 2026, Daniel Dvoress and Mike Watson, two of Canada’s most consistent elite performers, have staked their claim to the winner’s circle, setting a blistering pace for the rest of the festival.

Dvoress Claims €25K Gold

The highlight of the opening week came when Daniel Dvoress outlasted a field of the world’s most dangerous players in the €25,000 NLH High Roller.

The Mississauga native showcased his trademark technical precision, eventually defeating Bulgarian pro Dimitar Danchev in a clinical heads-up battle. The victory earned Dvoress a cool $337,527 and further solidified his position as a top-three threat on the Canadian All-Time Money List.

Watson’s High-Volume Consistency

While Dvoress grabbed the trophy, Mike "SirWatts" Watson has been a permanent fixture at the final tables. The St. John's legend has already logged multiple deep runs in the five-figure buy-in events, proving once again why he is considered one of the most respected "end-bosses" in the game.

Canadian High Roller Results (Feb 18–23)

Event	Player	Finish	Payout (USD)
€25,000 NLH High Roller	Daniel Dvoress	1	$337,527
€20,000 NLH High Roller	Mike Watson	3	$111,864
€25,000 NLH High Roller	Mike Watson	5	$84,370
€20,000 NLH High Roller	Daniel Dvoress	4	$80,830

The "Canadian Signal": Why Early Results Matter

In the poker world, a hot start to a major series like EPT Paris does more than just line the pockets of the winners; it creates a ripple effect throughout the national community.

An industry insider said:

When guys like Dvoress and Watson start a series this strong, it acts as a 'green light' for other Canadian pros," says. It boosts confidence in cross-border staking activity and often leads to a late-series surge of Canadian players flying in for the Main Event.

For ambitious mid-stakes players back home, these results serve as a benchmark. Seeing Canadian flags at the top of the global leaderboards reinforces Canada’s reputation as an elite breeding ground, potentially opening doors for backing, coaching, and exclusive game invites.

What’s Next?

The EPT Paris festival continues through March 1. With the €5,300 Main Event and the €10,300 High Roller still on the horizon, all eyes are on the Canadian "double act" to see if they can add more hardware to the trophy case before the circuit moves to its next stop.