Teacher Sandro Carucci wins €280,000 at WSOPC Marrakech.
Record-breaking field with over 1,694 participants.
Event reflects growing popularity of poker in Morocco.
Sandro Carucci might be used to grading papers back in Switzerland, but he just passed the ultimate test on the virtual felt in Morocco. Outlasting a massive, record-breaking field of 1,694 runners, the high school teacher claimed his first WSOP Circuit ring and a staggering €280,000 in the WSOPC Marrakech Main Event.
It was the standout performance of a festival that officially became the largest WSOPC stop ever held outside the Americas, proving that the game’s popularity is reaching a fever pitch in North Africa.
A Masterclass in Resilience
Navigating a field of nearly 1,700 players is no small feat, especially in a tournament that generated a €2.14 million prize pool. Carucci stayed composed through nine days of high-pressure play, eventually claiming the top prize, enough, as some joked, for "plenty of new pencils and notebooks back in the classroom."
Sandro Carucci His victory was the capstone of a very international final table, which saw players from Spain, France, and the UK battling it out under the lights of the Casino de Marrakech.
Morocco’s Expanding Poker Footprint
The 11th edition of this festival wasn't just about Carucci; it was a statement of intent from the organizers. With a 10% jump in overall attendance, the Es Saadi Marrakech Resort saw its hallways packed with players from across Europe and beyond.
Every marquee event on the schedule, from the Mini Main to the High Roller, shattered previous prize pool records. This unprecedented growth suggests that Marrakech is no longer just a regional stop, it is a cornerstone of the global poker calendar that can compete with any festival in the world.
WSOP 2026
