Battle of the Almeidas is short and sweet for Sergio

Sergio Almeida upset the odds to defeat namesake Hugo heads-up to win the PPT Vilamoura after seizing the initiative late on.

When Rene Knapp made his exit in third, it seemed only one man was capable of lifting the trophy and winning the €31,525, but Sergio transformed his table image in quick time to take it down.

Hugo had been in the ascendency for a sustained period and took a 2-to-1 chip lead into the showdown, but he hardly won a hand as the action took a dramatic turn.

After a series of mucked hands, the explosive finish came after a three bet pot brought a flop with an air of inevitability.

With 220,000 chips in the pot, the rest went in after it came 10♣Q♣9♣ and when the players flipped their hands, it was apparent why.

Hugo loved his pair and open-ended straight draw, holding J♦9♦; that was until he saw Sergio had flopped a made hand with K♣J♥.

The one time underdog pumped his fist in delight at the victory, before collecting his cheque and trophy. Congratulations to Sergio on his victory!

Commiserations to our friend Hugo, meanwhile, but that €20,613 will likely be a comfort in the morning.