Congratulations to ELLE columnist Victoria Coren, who is not only richer to the tune of £391,932 (plus a £4k watch) this week, but has also made history into the bargain becoming the first person to win the European Poker Tour twice.
Today, she puts the poker face to bed to tell ELLE how it really feels
ELLE: Could you explain what this win means? Is it the first time a woman has done this?
Vicotira Coren: The first question is hard to answer because it's all sinking in very gradually, but it means an awful lot to me.
The second question is easier - it's the first time anyone's done it! When I won the EPT London tournament in 2006, it was the first time a woman had won one of those at all. Since then, two other amazing women, Liv Boeree and Sandra Naujoks, have won EPT tournaments, but nobody - male, female or anything in between - has won two.
The thing about breaking these records is that it's something you know can never be taken away, and that is an incredibly happy and comforting feeling.
E: At what point did you know you had it in the bag?
VC: I never assume that. But when I knocked out Jordan Westmorland, the American guy who came third, and was heads up for the title against Giacomo Fundaro with a chip lead, I did think, 'I'm SUPPOSED to win it now'.
It was quite magical, to have had the lowest chips at the start of the day and make it to the last two. It would have been a big disappointment not to win from there.
E: How do you feel today?
VC: Amazed, exhausted, baffled, excited and grateful.
E: Might you treat yourself to something big with the winnings, and if so, what?
VC: I'm not sure. Throughout the tournament, for six days, I used the same ancient Marc Jacobs handbag because it's enormous and I could stuff it full of everything I need for long days of play (makeup, snacks, crosswords, iPod, phone, etc. etc.), so maybe I should celebrate with a new, crazily expensive bag.
On the other hand, has been lucky for me so maybe I should stick with him!
