Two top registrations, a handful of amateurs and talent to spare: we present to you the first eight race cars that will heat up the track this week.
You might have noticed this if you’re an avid fan of competition: it’s a Top Shark Academy abbreviated which starts this week. Exactly two weeks. A little ignition delay for its twelfth edition, our venerable TSA? Rest assured that the technical control was successfully passed months ago: our experts who were responsible for its preparation simply preferred to remove some weight from it to give it increased engine torque. It’s clear: this Top Shark Bi-Turbo will be closer, more nervous, but will continue to highlight the most daring pilots.
The race will therefore be spread over five weeks, with an exciting final stretch mixing sprint and endurance as part of the Winamax Series in January. But before we get there, our Sunday drivers have to elbow each other from the first turn, rub shoulders with our own Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen and give of themselves, most often in front of the camera, where they have to take turns playing the roles of instructors andentertainers. Before detailing this week’s route (see below), head down to the grid with us to find out who’s hiding under the helmets. (Click on the nicknames to access the complete biographies)
To all top government, all glory. And if the nickname Donato aka ‘N. Barella’ told us something, it is not for nothing: at the time of the start of the qualifications for this Top Shark Academy, the Norwegian took no less than first place in the annual Grand Prix, with the 50 best performances over the last twelve months. Enough to allow him to directly integrate a small committee final, where he won two of the three tournaments and pulled the rug out from under the feet of a possible ninth participant. But behind his track record, Donato does not have the profile of the young button-clicker that one might imagine. Dean for this first week at the height of his 35 years, this father of two demonstrates 18 years of experience and constant progress over the years. “Things accelerated in 2017 when I managed to earn €15,000 in two weeks from a €2 ticket bought with my Miles!“However, it was only very recently, in 2021, that he made our game his main activity with the success we know. Inspired by old school players like Tom Dwan as well as youngsters of the new generation like Vincent Cavailles or Antoine Goutard, streamer and trainer, he has all the assets of a complete and serious candidate.
Talent and regularity, Josselin aka ‘JossTheBoss9’ also have a little left over. Regular of our most expensive tables, a “average buy-in between €110 and €130,” Francilien is relatively healthy at the highest level. After having “do something” at the beginning of 2020, Joss started from €40 to settle in two years at “the highest limits for .FR,” win (at least) three Winamax Series titles.”Risk director for a civil financing platform,” the master is defined as “a great competitor, bordering on obsessive. Since I decided to become a professional poker player, it’s the only thing on my mind.“No less is needed to hope to become the new Top Shark.
Something similar profile too Maxime aka ‘Jokeezy06’who has “started poker five years ago […] on lower limits, gradually increasing buy-ins over time,” before he knows the click in early 2020. Exclusive MTT player, he also likes to leave the online world for live.”That’s probably my favorite part.“He too in office”in fiber optics as a network controller“he has already experienced competition at a very high level”within football under [son] youth, and within the Monaco esport team for a few years.” From controllers to mousepads, there is ultimately only one step.
Some discovered poker while incarcerated. Lowen aka ‘Newok’, he waited… for the end of this dark period in our recent history to get started. “I started in the micro limits […]so I saw, to apply what I saw in the videos of Inside the Mind of a Pro Did not work well at €0.50.“After this first realization he has”able to push boundaries quite quickly,” and then decide to go to the next level: “A few months ago I found that my level was stagnating and I decided to call on Rosalie aka 4_bettencourt as a coach.“External help from which he already feels the fruits dawning. As for opening the doors to life and Team Winamax for him?”Cash games with friends are good, but I want a challenge.“
It is through his father Quinlan aka ‘ToSexPlit’ discovering poker, as part of a home game with friends who do”literally fall in love with this game.” “Passionate self-taught amateur“he now has seven years of experience,”including two years […] on [se] professionalize,” goes from freerolls to MTTs between €5 and €20, sprinkled with “a few shots for €50. […] I am gradually becoming interested in Omaha, [même si] Hold’em gives me enough of a headache.“A great sportsman, a lover of surfing, the Tahitian also practices tight bankroll management -“on average 300-500 buy-ins before the limit increases– and will aim for nothing but fulfilling his destiny at this Top Shark Academy.
To Thomas aka ‘Glow13370’ poker was also first a family affair, playing on Sunday afternoons with his father and sister. It then migrated to several play money sites, Kill Tilt videos and episodes of Inside the Mind of a Pro, to create an account with us as soon as possible. Currently attends engineering school and enjoys swimming, horse riding, football or cycling.”it’s been about a month now [qu’il se] really gives it serious at the poker tables,” on 1/2/5 €.”Money doesn’t interest me, all I want is to have the chance to be in the best conditions to be able to make a living from this game.“You have knocked on the right door.
Faced with all these experienced players, Thibault aka ‘solstix12’ represents amateur poker. A status he does not try to hide and even claims. “I currently consider poker primarily as a hobby that I want to progress in. I know that my financial resources must not exceed. And I adapt my gaming volume to my family life.“Composed of the Red Cactus league and the associative world, this father,”IT specialist for a large French IT service company,” is currently satisfied with “low limit tournaments up to €5.“But who knows: a deep run on this TSA could turn everything upside down.”If I win Top Shark Academy, I believe that I am the most representative candidate to inspire a majority of players to believe in their dream.“The ambition is real, the only thing left is to make it happen.
Finally, let’s end these presentations with the most modest of these eight first participants, one Charly alias ‘cabecudo777’ that gives itself0.00% chance to win the Top Shark.” “I am not the best candidate at all“does he add… to whitewash himself? It must be said that with a job that takes him 40 hours a week, two football practices a week”more at the weekend“and a family life, hard to reconcile everything. But this former regular who now”play a few sessions for [s’]entertain,” has a few feats of arms that many would envy, namely qualifying via KING5 for WPO Dublin in 2018 and a heads-up against Moundir in the fire Mounfight. With all this, we should arrive at a small percentage, no ?
Week 1: in the finals, already
Just joined the academy and immediately qualified for the final table! Sixteen final tables, to be exact, and above all fictitious. Starting from different carpet levels, the goal will be simple for our first eight Apprentice Sharks: to achieve the best possible placement to reap the maximum winnings, also fictitious. Be able to move up a small stack, negotiate your lead well, play the scenes or, on the contrary, win: the key word for this first practical test will undoubtedly be adaptability, in the face of very different situations. Be exactly what the godfather of the week points out David Kitai :”If you have a small stack, it will be better to play close […]. If you have a big stack, it’s in your best interest to apply pressure.“Especially since each time the academics have to juggle between at least four tables simultaneously, during four sessions scheduled between Thursday and Saturday, at 20:00 and 22:00. The two lowest ranked candidates at the end of these TF will be nominated.
Regarding the second half of this week, for the so-called theoretical test, the jury has chosen to innovate and offer the candidates a new concept. Based on a hand played during the previous exercise, they will have a maximum of five minutes to explain as clearly as possible, and in their own words, the concept of ICM. An important concept in today’s poker, which they also have to deal with during the practical side. Mastery of their knowledge, clarity and pedagogy will be scrutinized by our sages, who will then establish a ranking. “Pick a hand the decision would have been completely different without ICMfinishes Kitbul before it finishes. Be simple and concise.” Same price here as before: the two players with the lowest ratings will receive a nomination.
Let’s get to the rules, if they have eluded you for a year or you just discovered the TSA now: the nominees must face the public vote, which will have the choice to save one, while a possible double nomination will be synonymous with pure and cut elimination. On the other side of the spectrum, the winner of the Promo Major will receive an Immunity Joker valid for the following week as well as, in this case, a pack of tournament tickets worth €1,000. If adventure tempts you, don’t hesitate: this year the qualifications end earlier than usual. Stages 2 and 3 on Sunday and Monday thus represent your last chance to integrate the academy and claim the €50,000 one-year contract within Team Winamax. Best of luck to all!
All about Top Shark Academy week 1
Qualify and join the Academy to qualify for the €50,000 contract
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