Par
Marie Vermeersch
Published on
He had sold in his wife his participation in the French associative poker championship as an opportunity to discover Aix-en-Provence for an extended weekend, during the Ascension weekend, at the end of May 2025. It was nothing since the Yvelinois Renaud Perrodo, a member of the Neauphlean club of Poker (Yvelines), spent his days at the tables of Poker.
While he thought he was quickly getting out of the competition, he finally achieved the feat of winning the title of French Associative Poker Champion! Pride for him and his association.
He was six of the club of Neauphle-le-Château (Yvelines) to make the trip in Provence to confront near 400 other players the best representatives of their club.
“A life to learn to play well”
“The first feat is that out of the last 13 players, 3 were members of Neauphle. In the final table, there were still 2 of us, ”explains Elwis Grandsire, the president of the Neauphlean club in Poker. If this enthusiast was released at the last moment, he was not even disappointed.
“I was super happy to see that Renaud continued on his way to the highest place in the podium. It is a great pride and a very beautiful highlighting of the association! »»
If Elwis Grandsire had already detected the potential of the French champion when he registered three years ago at the Neauphle club, the passion for poker dates from much longer with the real estate agent by profession.
“I have been interested in it for twenty years, long before its democratization. I was playing with friends. For me, at the start, it was a simple card game, a bit like an improved tarot. »»
Calculations, probas and strategies
But little by little, with the development of the Internet, he begins to follow Poker influencersAnd is more and more interested in it.
“You can know the rules in one day, but you need a life to learn to play well. Contrary to what many people think, it is far from only a game of chance. It is a kind of mathematical fight. »»
“There are calculations probabilities … To progress, you have to work and implement strategies. It’s a very intelligent game. »»
Far from the tripot atmosphere conveyed by films and The sulphurous imageWho stuck in poker for many years, this card game has gradually become more democratized. The multiplication and successes of associative clubs (Montigny, Versailles, Houdan, etc.) prove it.
“We gradually get out of the negative image of gaming money to highlight the positive values of technicality and reflection. »»
Renaud Perrodo spent a lot of time playing online before crossing the door of the Neauphle club. “I needed to see people. But as it was an association and there was No financial stake I thought that members would only be in leisure practice. In the end not at all! There are lots of enthusiasts, the exchanges are rich, the game is serious and there are competitors. »»
An exceptional year for the Neauphlean club in poker
Created 11 years ago by 4 friends ago, the Neauphlean club of Poker has grown over the years. The small association has developed and now welcomes 60 members who meet twice a month in a room loaned by the town hall of Neauphle-le-Château.
The members are between 20 and 80 years old and come from all socio-professional backgrounds: from the worker via the senior manager: “It makes a beautiful melting pot! Poker is a game that evolves quickly. The way of playing changes, when young people are not cold in the eyes, the older ones play more safely. It is up to everyone to adapt! “Explains Elwis Grandsire, the president of the Neauphlean club of poker since last year.
At the start, the spirit was really associative leisure, but for a few years, the club has been developing the competition side in parallel. “We participate in 22 regular tournaments per year. We are associated with the two associative poker federations, the FFPA and the French Poker League. This allows us to represent our club nationally for individual or team competitions. »»
The small club is starting to make a name for itself, all the more this year with its exceptional results. In view of the very good performances, the president already receives a lot of requests for new memberships. “We are not going to be able to expand much more because the capacity of our room are limited. »»
First place for a first participation
This year, Renaud Perrodo launched for the first time to participate in a tournament, not online but physical! With the success we know him. A master stroke for a first.
“It was very nice. We also discover that it is sport. The days are long. We start around 10 a.m. and stay around the tables until midnight, for three days! »»
Days also spend his time observing opponents “since le bluff,The psychological side is also what gives all its spice to poker! »»
In addition to the pride to bring the cup to the club, Renaud Perrodo won two entry tickets, to $ 1,000, to participate in the World Series of Poker in Las VegasTemple city of poker. “We will go next year with my wife and this time, we really do tourism!” »»
Follow all the news in your favorite cities and media by registering for my news.
