Valtteri Merikallio Has Eureka Poker Moment In LatviaFinn Wins First Eureka Poker Tour Main Event In Riga, Latvia |
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Valtteri Merikallio is the very first Eureka Poker Tour Latvia champion.
The 34-year-old Finn was the last player standing from an original field of 278 in the €1,000 buy-in main event.
Merikallio, who is an office worker, took home €68,800 from a total prize pool of €278,000. That is when he eventually got to take his flight back to Finland from Riga. He faced an extremely dangerous heads-up opponent and the battle proved to be one of no mercy as the Finn missed his flight home due to a four-hour chip war.
His final opponent was Sam Macdonald, a Brit who made great waves at the final table, knocking out four of the eight finalists, and actually holding more than half the chips with four left.
After many back and forths heads up, the chip lead began to go in Finland’s direction. Merikallio eventually stretched this to a 4-1 advantage and then the final hand came.
Macdonald moved all in with A
3
and Merikallio called flipping over A
Q. A queen came on the flop followed by slight drama on the turn with a three, but the river blanked out to ensure the trophy went Finland’s way.
Here are the final table results and payouts:
1. Valtteri Merikallio (Finland) €68,800
2. Sam Macdonald (UK) €43,700
3. Dariusz Paszkiewicz (Poland) €24,300
4. Joni Nenonen (Finland) €18,880
5. Gary Clarke (Ireland) €15,770
6. Vitalijs Tarhanovs (Latvia) €12,950.00
7. Zvonimir Zoric (Bosnia and Herzegovina) €10,250
8. Normunds Rumba (Latvia) €8,090
Photo Credit: Rene Velli
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