Viktor 'Isildur1' Blom Debuts at World Series of PokerInternet Cash Game Sensation Enters First Event of Summer |
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One of the most volatile poker bankrolls in the world has made its way to Las Vegas.
Online cash game professional Viktor ‘Isildur1’ Blom registered for the $10,000 heads-up event Tuesday at the World Series of Poker — his first tournament ever on American soil. The 21-year-old Swede has won and lost millions on the virtual felt prior to being of legal age to gamble in the U.S.
Blom came late to his second round match against former online tournament grinder Tommy Chen. Blom was blinded out for a few hands. “He’s playing real slow for his online standard,” Chen joked.
Blom’s wavy blonde hair was blowing around in the Rio air conditioning as he made his way to his seat. He sat down and asked how many hands he missed, and then said, “Alright, cool,” when he found out it wasn’t many.
Blom stayed silent for the majority of the time and declined an interview. He legs were bouncing up and down frequently during play, as he looked visibly restless.
The Swede defeated recent bracelet and former Full Tilt Poker pro Andy Bloch in the first round, but lost to Chen in the second. He was nearly emotionless when he doubled up once, as well as when he hit the rail.
Blom burst onto the poker scene a few years ago when he began crushing the nosebleed stakes on Full Tilt Poker, but winning didn’t last long. His swings were historic. In one session, he lost $4.2 million to Brian Hastings, who was playing a few tables over on Tuesday.
Blom signed with PokerStars in 2010, and he is now one of the catalysts for high-stakes action on the site. He’s down nearly $1.5 million this year on PokerStars, according to tracking site HighStakesDB, which also has him as a loser lifetime online.
However, tournaments have been kind to Blom in 2012. In January, he won the $100,000 buy-in at the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure for $1.2 million, and he just recently won back-to-back PokerStars Spring Championship of Online Poker tournaments.
Bertrand Grospellier, Blom’s colleague at PokerStars, said that he hopes Blom will focus on tournaments this summer. “It’s hard to do the first time in Las Vegas,” Grospellier said.
Grospellier said that Blom will probably play the side games, but that it will be a “waste” if Blom doesn’t spend his time going after a bracelet.
Event No. 12 ($10,000 heads-up no-limit hold’em) drew 152 players on Tuesday. The winner will scoop $371,498. For more coverage of the Series, check out our WSOP landing page.
Follow Brian Pempus on Twitter — @brianpempus
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