Victor Gil-den Houting: The Festival Series Main Event Champion in Malta
The Festival Series Main Event at the stunning Portomaso Casino in Malta has crowned a new champion: Victor Gil-den Houting from Spain. In a massive field with 566 participants, Victor emerged victorious, earning €55,000 and an unforgettable poker show. We sat down with Victor after his win to talk about his poker journey, personal life, and the road to victory.
A 15-Year Poker Journey
Victor's poker story began 15 years ago in a casino in Lloret de Mar, Spain, where he played live cash games. Little did he know that this would not only spark his passion for poker but also lead to a life-changing meeting with his future wife, who worked as a dealer at the casino.
"We met at the casino, and after a few years, we decided to marry—fittingly, in another casino, this time one located in a castle," Victor shared with a smile.
After starting a family, Victor transitioned from live poker to the world of online poker. With online poker offering more flexibility, especially for someone with children, it became his primary focus for the next decade. The family eventually moved to Andorra, where he continued his poker career due to restrictions on online play in Spain.
Returning to Live Poker After 10 Years
Despite his deep experience with online poker, Victor had not played live poker in over 10 years. The opportunity to compete in Malta came when he earned the top spot on the Champion Poker cash game leaderboard, giving him the chance to participate in The Festival Series Main Event.
Victor almost didn't make the trip, as his youngest child, Neu, is only seven months old. "My wife thought I was crazy for wanting to travel to Malta with a baby that young," Victor said. "But she made it possible by staying home and handling everything with the kids."
For Victor, this trip was filled with new experiences: traveling alone for the first time, stepping back into the world of live poker, and overcoming the nerves that come with it. "I hadn't been on a plane in 10 years, so there were a lot of firsts for me. It was tough, but exciting."
A Tough Road to Victory
The competition was fierce, especially during the heads-up portion of the event. "My opponent (Haven Taylor) was incredibly skilled, and at one point, I really thought I was going to lose," Victor confessed. "He turned the tables on me, but I managed to get lucky with a two-pair hand on a mono-color board. It could have gone either way."
Victor's cash game experience helped him navigate the tournament, despite his admitted inexperience in the tournament scene. "I’ve always focused on cash games because the variance is lower, and I can better manage my time with three kids," he explained. "With tournaments, you never know when you'll finish, and that unpredictability makes it hard to balance with family life."
Still, this win has reignited Victor’s interest in live tournaments. "This was the only tournament I played this week, and it was my first in 10 years. But I had a lot of fun, and I definitely want to play more in the future."
Looking Ahead to Bratislava and Beyond
Victor is already planning to take part in future events, potentially including the stop in Bratislava on November 18. "Next time, I hope to bring my family along, especially as my youngest gets a bit older," he said enthusiastically.
He is also determined to continue his success on the online poker leaderboards. "If there's another rake leaderboard, I’m confident I can win it again. I’m still working hard and improving."
Gratitude and Family First
Throughout the interview, Victor remained grounded and appreciative, especially of his wife. "I couldn't have done any of this without her support," he said. "She’s been handling everything at home with the kids, and I owe half of this victory to her."
As for the €55,000 in winnings? Victor plans to keep things simple: "I'll put it into our family account. It won’t change much in our lives, but it’ll be nice to have."
Before wrapping up, Victor took the opportunity to thank The Festival Series organizers, dealers, and staff at Porto Maso Casino. "The dealers did an incredible job—no mistakes in three days. It was a well-run event, and I’m really thankful to everyone involved."
With his recent victory, a supportive family behind him, and plans to continue competing, Victor Gil-den Houting’s poker journey is far from over. We look forward to seeing him at the next Festival Series stop and wish him the best of luck in future tournaments.
Congratulations once again, Victor, on an incredible win!
Want to Join The Festival Series like Victor?
If you are excited to partake in one of the upcoming The Festival Series events, make sure to check out our social media channels, as well as the online qualification schedule! Many packages are going out every single week, campaigns are being launched frequently, and seat-only qualifiers to secure your Main Event seat for The Festival Bratislava are also available on various platforms!
