Viktor ‘Isildur1’ Blom Wins partypoker Live Millions Germany Main Event

Viktor Blom has won the 2018 partypoker LIVE MILLIONS Germany €5,300 buy-in no-limit hold’em main event, defeating a total field of 927 entries to win €850,000 ($1,054,000 USD) and his first live tournament title in six years. The ultra-high stakes online cash game player, better known as “Isildur1” online, now has over $2.7 million in lifetime live cashes.

The 27-year-old Swedish poker pro earned 1,824 Card Player Player of the Year points for the win, enough to catapult him into fifth place on the POY leaderboard for the time being.

Here are the five biggest hands that propelled Blom to the win.

Tournament: partypoker Live Millions Germany
Buy-In: €5,300 ($6,546)
No. of Entries: 927
Prize Pool: €5,000,000 ($5,995,356)
1st Place Prize: €850,000 ($1,054,000)

The Action

With eight players remaining, Wieland moved all-in from the cutoff for a total of 49,400,000. Blom asked for a count and then moved all-in behind him to isolate. Silcock folded his big blind and Wieland revealed Q J. Blom, however, had pocket aces and a big advantage in the hand. The flop of J 6 2 gave Silock some hope, but the 9 on the turn and K on the river weren’t enough to keep him in the tournament. He earned €70,000 for his eighth-place finish.

The Action

Down to four players, Blom raised to 21,000,000 from the button and was called by Simao in the big blind. The flop fell K 7 7 and Simao quickly moved all-in for his last 31,500,000. Blom immediately called with just A 8 for ace high, but his hand was best against Simao’s J 9. The turn and river fell 2 A and Simao was sent to the rail in fourth place, earning €280,000.

The Action

After losing the chip lead during heads-up play, Plesuv raised to 20,000,000 on the button and Blom three-bet to 64,000,000 from the big blind. Plesuv called, and the flop came down Q J 8. Both players checked and the turn was the 7. This time, Blom bet 85,000,000 and Plesuv called. The river was the 5 and Blom moved all-in, having his opponent covered. Plesuv immediately called for his last 288,500,000 and Blom showed a set of queens. Plesuv, however, had 10 9 for a flopped straight to take more than a 6:1 chip lead.

The Action

Blom raised to 35,000,000 from the button and Plesuv moved all-in. Blom made the call for his tournament life with A 8, but saw that he was dominated by Plesuv’s A 10. According to the Card Player Poker Odds Calculator, Blom had just a 22 percent chance of doubling up. The flop of 9 5 2 left him with only 14 percent to survive, but the 8 on the turn suddenly made him a 93 percent favorite. The river was the 4, and Blom doubled up to take a narrow chip lead in the match.

The Action

Blom raised to 35,000,000 on the button and Plesuv made the call from the big blind. The flop fell K Q 9 and Plesuv checked. Blom bet 45,000,000 and Plesuv called. The turn was the A and Plesuv checked again. This time, Blom 105,000,000. Plesuv called and the river was the 5. Plesuv then moved all in for 299,000,000. Blom went into the tank for a bit, knowing he’d be left with less than two big blinds if he was wrong. Eventually, he made the call with K 6 for just second pair. Plesuv, however, held Q 7 for third pair and a busted flush draw, shipping the pot and the tournament title to Blom. Plesuv banked €750,000,000 for his runner-up finish. Blom took home the lion’s share of the prize pool with €850,000,000.

Final Table Results

1. Viktor Blom €850,000* ($1,054,000)
2. Pavel Plesuv €750,000* ($930,000)
3. Rickie Silcock €400,000 ($496,000)
4. Joao Simao €280,000 ($347,200)
5. Radoslaw Wesierski €200,000 ($248,000)
6. Onrej Drozd €140,000 ($173,600)
7. Aristeidis Moschonas €100,000 ($124,000)
8. Niko Wieland €70,000 ($86,800)

*Based on a deal made during heads-up play.