2025 Kings of Tallinn – Event #55: €3,000 NLH

The tenth-anniversary Kings of Tallinn attracted players from all over the world to Olympic Park Casino in the Estonian capital. Greece also sent a delegation, and they had known a strong week with two victories. On the last day of the festival, Theodoros Ampelikiotis added to that by conquering the 65-player field of the €3,000 NLH, winning €51,200.

Ameplikiotis won his first Kings of Tallinn trophy after a long and swingy battle with Estonia’s Mauri Dorbek. The hometown hero was also looking for his first Kings of Tallinn victory but ultimately had to make do with being the runner-up for €34,500. Finnish regular Luka Sorainen came in third for €24,250, while 2024 €555 Championship winner Mikko Ylamaki and Slovenian poker wizard Blaz Zerjav also made appearances at the final table of seven.

€3,000 NLH Final Table Results

Place	Player	Country	Prize
1	Theodoros Ampelikiotis	Greece	€51,200
2	Mauri Dorbek	Estonia	€34,500
3	Luka Sorainen	Finland	€24,250
4	Martin Tsvetanov	Bulgaria	€17,700
5	Mikko Ylamaki	Finland	€12,900
6	Jari-Pekka Juhola	FInland	€10,600
7	Blaz Zerjav	Slovenia	€8,650

Day 2 Action

After 14 levels were played on Day 1, 14 players returned for the tournament’s final day. Only nine of them would get a share of the €172,900 prize pool, and Roberto Olsen and Julien Henzi would not be among them as they departed within five minutes from the “shuffle up and deal.” Henning Andre and Yves Honore were eliminated in the next 30 minutes, leaving the field on the bubble.

Joni Rantamaki got his aces cracked on the first hand of Day 2. He tried to nurse his remaining chips into an in-the-money finish but was eliminated in tenth as the bubble boy when he shipped in his final six big blinds with ace-four and got called in two spots.

Not long after, Juha Helppi picked up the min-cash of €6,000 after losing a preflop flip, after which the field was on the bubble of the final table. Nearly an hour went by before Igor Pihela Sr. jammed his sevens into the aces of Dorbek. Pihela Sr. could not perform a miracle and earned €7,100 for his eighth place.

It only took one hand for Ampelikiotis to grab the chiplead. He got his queens in against the ace-king of Jari-Pekka Juhola and flopped quads to win the huge flip. He earned even more chips when Zerjav (7th – €8,650) ran an unsuccessful bluff against him.

The remaining six battled for about 90 minutes before Juhola last another flip for his last 25 big blinds, being the first to receive a five-figure payout (€10,600) for his sixth place. Ylamaki (5th – €12,900) missed out on his second Kings of Tallinn trophy when he jammed his short stack into the ace-queen of Sorainen, while Martin Tsvetanov hero called wrongly against Dorbek and received the fourth-place payout of €17,800.

Ampelikiotis had stayed relatively quiet since his early ascent but sprung back to life when he eliminated Sorainen in third for €24,250 after yet another flip. The heads-up battle between Ampelikiotis spanned four levels, with the chiplead seemingly changing every other hand.

Dorbek won the first flip to double up and take the lead. The players then played mostly postflop, with Dorbek seemingly getting the upper hand after an hour or so. That is when Ampelikiotis found kings to strike back, winning a preflop all-in with the second-best starting hand.

Dorbek was left with around 12 big blinds, which he lost in a preflop flip when his ace-eight could not beat the pocket threes of Ampelikiotis.

Ampelikiotis shipped one of the last trophies of the festival, which sadly means that this edition of Kings of Tallinn is nearing its end. However, more OlyBet events have already been announced. OlyBet Showdown Riga Voodoo Spring Edition will run in the Latvian capital from 22-30 March. Meanwhile, Lithuania will host the OlyBet Showdown Vilnius from 17-25 May.

Lastly, the women-only Queens of Tallinn will return for its third edition to the Estonian capital on August 21st, with four days of poker action for ladies only.

The live reporting for the tenth anniversary of Kings of Tallinn concludes, but stay tuned for updates and news regarding the events above.

Theodoros Ampelikiotis has been declared the victor in the €3,000 NLH event. He won €51,200, making his first-ever Kings of Tallin a roaring success.

Stay tuned for a recap of the day.

Mauri Dorbek was down to around 900,000 when Theodoros Ampelikiotis jammed all in on the button. Dorbek made a quick call from the big blind, and the cards were revealed.

Mauri Dorbek: A♦8♥
Theodoros Ampelikiotis: 3♥3♦

Dorbek needed help from the deck to stay alive. The 5♥K♣Q♥7♠4♥ board brought none, setting his status as runner-up in stone. Dorbek added €34,500 to his lifetime earnings but missed out on his first Kings of Tallinn trophy.

Theodoros Ampelikiotis got his stack of 830,000 in the middle from the big blind, being at risk against Mauri Dorbek on the button.

Theodoros Ampelikiotis: K♠K♥
Mauri Dorbek: A♠6♦

Dorbek needed an ace to win the tournament, but none came on the 2♣Q♥3♠8♦9♠ runout, doubling up Ampelikiotis instead.

Theodoros Ampelikiotis – 1,720,000
Mauri Dorbek – 1,530,000

Theodoros Ampelikiotis limped in on the button. Mauri Dorbek then made it a sizable 280,000 in the big blind, which Ampelikiotis called after some thought.

Dorbek continued for 125,000 on the A♠K♣9♥ flop and received a quick check-fold from Ampelikiotis.

Mauri Dorbek – 2,150,000
Theodoros Ampelikiotis – 1,100,000

The action was picked up on a turn of A♦7♦3♠J♠. With 300,000 in the pot, Mauri Dorbek checked from the big blind to Theodoros Ampelikiotis on the button, who fired a bet of 205,000.

Dorbek called to the 6♦ river, which both players checked.

“Nine-high,” Dorbek announced as he tabled 9♠8♠. Ampelikiotis chuckled as he mucked his cards as Dorbek apparently had the best hand.

Mauri Dorbek – 1,800,000
Theodoros Ampelikiotis – 1,450,000

Mauri Dorbek bet 60,000 from the big blind on a turn of 7♠9♥9♠8♥. Theodoros Ampelikiotis called to the 2♦ river, where Dorbek fired 300,000 into the pot.

Ampelikiotis took some time before putting in a call. Dorbek could only show ten-high with 10♥4♥, which Ampeliliotis had beat with A♦Q♠ for ace-high.

Theodoros Ampelikiotis – 1,850,000
Mauri Dorbek – 1,400,000

Mauri Dorbek limped his button before calling Theodoros Ampelikiotis’ raise to 160,000 from the big blind.

Ampelikiotis continued for 110,000 on the 10♠4♣2♠ flop. Dorbek then announced an all-in bet, covering Ampelikiotis. The Greek counted his chips but settled on a fold.

Mauri Dorbek – 2,020,000
Theodoros Ampelikiotis – 1,230,000

After some relatively small pots went back and forth, Theodoros Ampelikiotis raised his button to 100,000. Mauri Dorbek then jammed all in for 1,400,000.

Ampelikiotis asked for a count but decided on a fold as the heads-up continued.

Theodoros Ampelikiotis – 1,700,000
Mauri Dorbek – 1,550,000

With about 350,000 in the pot, Theodoros Ampelikiotis got his remaining 525,000 in on a turn of 7♦3♦9♣9♥ against Mauri Dorbek.

Theodoros Ampelikiotis: 10♠7♥
Mauri Dorbek: A♦Q♦

Dorbek did not hit his overcards or flush draw on the 2♥ river, seeing Ampelikiotis double up.

Mauri Dorbek – 1,850,000
Theodoros Ampelikiotis – 1,400,000

Only a few hands into the heads-up, Mauri Dorbek and Theodoros Ampelikiotis got all their chips in the middle, with Dorbek being at risk for 1,100,000.

Mauri Dorbek: 7♥7♦
Theodoros Ampelikiotis: A♦9♥

Ampelikiotis did not pair his hole cards on the 8♥5♦5♠3♦2♣ runout, seeing the pot shipped to Dorbek, who took the lead in the duel.

Mauri Dorbek – 2,240,000
Theodoros Ampelikiotis – 1,010,000

Theodoros Ampelikiotis raised his button to 80,000. Luka Sorainen then jammed in 720,000 from the small blind and was snap-called by Ampelikiotis, who had him covered.

Luka Sorainen: 9♠9♣
Theodoros Ampelikiotis: A♥Q♥

Ampelikiotis flopped two pair on A♣3♠Q♦ to take the lead in the flip. The 4♥5♥ runout did not bring Sorainen his desired nine, and the Finn was consequently eliminated in third place.

Theodoros Ampelikiotis – 2,000,000
Luka Sorainen – 0

Mauri Dorbek limped in from the small blind, and Theodoros Ampelikiotis checked his option in the big blind. The pair checked through the 7♦6♥5♥ flop for the 7♥ to appear on the turn.

Dorbek made a bet of 45,000, which Ampelikiotis swiftly called. The 8♥ river was knuckled by both again. Dorbek grinngly tabled A♥10♥ for the ace-high flush, taking down the pot.

Mauri Dorbek – 1,525,000
Theodoros Ampelikiotis – 805,000

The three remaining players have been sent on a small break of 10 minutes.

Mauri Dorbek – 1,475,000
Luka Sorainen – 1,085,000
Theodoros Ampelikiotis – 690,000

In a blind-on-blind pot, Mauri Dorbek and Martin Tsvetanov had gathered 250,000 chips in the middle when they saw a river of 7♣J♥4♠5♣3♠.

Dorbek then moved all in for 450,000, sending Tsvetanov into the tank. Eventually, the Bulgarian slammed in a call for Dorbek to show 8♠6♠, the nut straight.

Tsvetanov tabled his K♥7♦ for a pair of sevens before paying off Dorbek and being left with 130,000 chips.

Those chips went in not much later from the button, and he was looked up by Theodoros Ampelikiotis in the small blind.

Martin Tsvetanov: A♦10♠
Theodoros Ampelikiotis: A♦J♥

It looked like another comeback was in the cards for Tsvetanov after the [invalid notations] flop, but the J♣ turn gave Ampelikiotis a higher pair. The 7♥ river was useless, sending Tsvetanov to the rail in fourth place.

Mauri Dorbek – 1,150,000
Theodoros Ampelikiotis – 970,000
Martin Tsvetanov – 0

Luka Sorainen raised to 50,000 in the cutoff and quickly called when Mikko Ylamaki put his stack of 220,000 in the middle from the big blind.

Mikko Ylamaki: A♦5♥
Luka Sorainen: A♥Q♠

Sorainen’s dominating hand reigned supreme on the 6♥J♣2♣10♣6♣ runout, resulting in the end of Ylamaki’s tournament.

Luka Sorainen – 1,170,000
Mikko Ylamaki – 0

Mauri Dorbek open-jammed on the button, covering both the blinds. Mikko Ylamaki called off for 210,000 in the big blind, and the cards went face-up.

Mikko Ylamaki: 6♠6♣
Mauri Dorbek: 5♥5♦

Ylamaki’s higher pocket pair faced no issues on 7♦10♣A♠7♠Q♣ as he doubled up to around 22 big blinds.

Mauri Dorbek – 650,000
Mikko Ylamaki – 450,000

Theodoros Ampelikiotis raised to 40,000 in the cutoff. Luka Sorainen then three-bet to 100,000 on the button before small blind Jari-Pekka Juhola four-bet jammed for roughly 500,000.

Ampelikiotis quickly got out of the way but Sorainen sighed as he made the call.

Jari-Pekka Juhola: 7♠7♦
Luka Sorainen: A♥K♦

Sorainen paired up on the 6♣4♥Q♣K♣3♦ board to send Juhola packing in sixth place.

Luka Sorainen – 1,150,000
Theodoros Ampelikiotis – 700,000
Jari-Pekka Juhola – 0

It folded to Martin Tsvetanov in the small blind, who committed his last 75,000. Mikko Ylamaki shrugged and put in a call from the big blind.

Martin Tsvetanov: 7♣6♥
Mikko Ylamaki: 6♠2♥

Tsvetanov’s seven won him the pot when neither player hit the J♦J♠9♦3♦Q♦ board, doubling him up.

Mikko Ylamaki – 215,000
Martin Tsvetanov – 170,000

Jari-Pekka Juhola open-raised preflop and saw Theodoros Ampelikiotis defend his big blind.

The Greek player then led out for 25,000 on the 6♣7♣6♦ flop, which was called by Juhola. Ampelikiotis sized up to 90,000 on the J♥ turn.

Not deterred by Ampelikiotis’ bets, Juhola jammed all in for 310,000. Ampelikiotis snap-folded his cards and the pot was sent to Juhola.

Theodoros Ampelikiotis – 760,000
Jari-Pekka Juhola – 475,000

Martin Tsvetatnov raised to 30,000 in the cutoff, being called by Theodoros Ampelikiotis and Luka Sorainen in the blinds.

The Q♦A♣2♠ flop was checked to Tsvetanov, who bet 20,000. Both Ampelikiotis and Sorainen called, after which the K♥ turn checked through. The 3♠ river was also knuckled by the trio.

Ampelikiotis showed Q♥J♣ for a pair queens. Sorainen tabled A♠6♠ for top pair and raked in the pot when Tsvetanov mucked his cards.

Theodoros Ampelikiotis – 965,000
Luka Sorainen – 450,000
Martin Tsvetanov – 155,000

Martin Tvsetanov raised his button to 30,000 and saw Theodoros Ampelikiotis defend his big blind.

The 6♣K♠5♦ flop was then checked through to the 8♣ turn, where Ampelikiotis led out for 40,000.

Tvsetanov stuck in a call to the 10♥ river, where he was met with an all-in bet from the chipleader.

Tvsetanov tanked for a minute or so before letting go of his cards, preserving his stack of 15 big blinds.

Theodoros Ampelikiotis – 1,050,000
Martin Tsvetanov – 220,000

The remaining players have been sent on a 20-minute break.

Martin Tsvetanov raised to 24,000 under the gun. Theodoros Ampelikiotis put in a three-bet to 55,000 in the cutoff, which Mauri Dorbek cold-called in the big blind. Tsvetanov also came along and a 7♦J♥K♥ flop was spread.

The three players checked around before the 3♥ turn also checked to Ampelikiotis. The chipleader put in a bet of 80,000, which only Dorbek called.

Dorbek then led out for 95,000 on the K♣ river, seeing Ampelikiotis make a quick fold as he surrendered the pot.

Theodoros Ampelikiotis – 1,050,000
Mauri Dorbek – 875,000
Martin Tsvetanov – 220,000

Theodoros Ampelikiotis raised to 25,000 under the gun and was called by Blaz Zerjav in the hijack. Ampelikiotis checked to Zerjav on the 3♣6♥4♥ flop, seeing the Slovenian bet 20,000.

Ampelikiotis then raised to 75,000, which Zerjav called. Ampelikiotis sized up to 100,000 on the 9♦ turn, being called by Zerjav again.

Ampelikiotis slowed down on the A♣ river, checking to Zerjav. Zerjav moved in for 251,000, sending Ameplikiotis into the tank. After a few minutes, Ampelikiotis put in the call with the covering stack.

Zerjav tabled 5♦5♣ for a pair of fives, but Ampelikiotis had called with J♥9♥ for a pair of nines. Zerjav was the first elimination of the final table as Ampelikiotis was shipped the big pot and secured the chip lead.

Theodoros Ampelikiotis – 1,146,000
Blaz Zerjav – 0

Jari-Pekka Juhola raised to 20,000 in the hijack. Big blind Theodoros Ampelikiotis three-bet to 70,000, which Juhola clicked back to 175,000.

Ampelikitiotis put in his stack of 366,000, quickly being called by Juhola.

Theodoros Ampelikiotis: Q♦Q♣
Jari-Pekka Juhola: A♠K♥

Ampelikiotis won the pot on the flop when Q♥Q♠10♦ made him four of a kind. The A♦4♦ runout did not matter anymore as the Greek received a huge double-up.

Theodoros Ampelikiotis – 747,000
Jari-Pekka Juhola – 180,000

The players have been sent on a 15-minute break before the final table commences.

The seat draw and chip counts can be found below.

Seat	Player	Country	Chip Count	Big Blinds
1	Martin Tsvetanov	Bulgaria	285,000	29
2	Mikko Ylamaki	Finland	599,000	60
3	Theodoros Ampelikiotis	Greece	376,000	38
4	Luka Sorainen	Finland	359,000	36
5	Blaz Zerjav	Slovenia	380,000	38
6	Jari-Pekka Juhola	Finland	578,000	58
7	Mauri Dorbek	Estonia	674,000	67

Igor Pihela Sr. open-shoved for 143,000 under the gun. Mauri Dorbek asked for a count in the small blind before calling and forcing a showdown.

Igor Pihela Sr.: 7♦7♣
Mauri Dorbek: A♥A♦

Pihela Sr. looked on as the 6♥9♠J♣Q♣5♠ board did not provide him with a seven. The two Estonian players shook hands before Pihela Sr. went to the final table of the Main Event to watch Pihela Jr.

Mauri Dorbek – 675,000
Igor Pihela Sr. – 0

Jari-Pekke Juhola raised to 20,000 under the gun and called the three-bet to 60,000 from big blind Igor Pihela Sr.

Pihela Sr. bet 40,000 on both the 3♣J♠8♥ flop and 8♣ turn. Juhola called the flop before moving all in for 209,000 on the turn.

Pihela Sr. put in a quick call, revealing the cards.

Jari-Pekka Juhola: K♣9♣
Igor Pihela Sr.: A♥J♣

Pihela Sr. was in the lead with his top pair, but Juhola hit his flush on the 6♣ river to steal the pot and double up.

Jari-Pekka Juhola – 633,000
Igor Pihela Sr. – 120,000

Theodoros Ampelikiotis made it 26,000 to go in the small blind. Big blind Blaz Zerjav then moved in for 200,000, getting snapped off by Ampelikiotis.

Blaz Zerjav: 3♠3♦
Theodoros Ampelikiotis: A♥K♦

The 8♠10♦6♠J♥ turn brought Ampelikiotis some extra outs, but the 4♥ river stayed low. Zerjav beat Ampelikiotis’ Big Slick with his pair and doubled up to an average stack.

Blaz Zerjav – 410,000
Theodoros Ampelikiotis – 315,000

Mikko Ylamaki had raised under the gun when Luka Sorainen three-bet jammed his 121,000 chips from the big blind. Ylamaki made a quick call, and the cards were tabled.

Luka Sorainen: 6♥6♣
Mikko Ylamaki: 10♠10♣

Sorainen was in bad shape, but the 2♣K♠6♦5♣8♣ board made him three of a kind to get bailed out and double up.

Mikko Ylamaki – 645,000
Luka Sorainen – 254,000

Juha Helppi raised to 32,000 in the small blind, prompting Mikko Ylamaki to move all in from the small blind. Helppi quickly called off his stack of 347,000 and was at risk of being eliminated.

Juha Helppi: A♥K♥
Mikko Ylamaki: 7♥7♣

It was a huge flip for a roughly double-average stack. Ylamaki flopped a set on 7♠3♦9♥ for a gigantic lead, with Helppi being left without outs on the Q♠ turn.

Helppi said his goodbyes as the 4♣ river was dealt as a formality before he picked up his min-cash.

Mikko Ylamaki – 750,000
Juha Helppi – 0

Joni Rantamaki open-shoved his last 51,000 from the cutoff and was called by Jari-Pekka Juhola in the small blind and Mauri Dorbek in the big blind.

Juhola and Dorbek then checked through the 6♦3♠9♣5♥8♣ board, after which all three players were ordered to show down.

Rantamaki tabled A♥4♣, beating the K♦Q♦ of Dorbek. Juhola played A♦J♥ for a better ace-high, however, leaving Rantamaki without chips.

Rantamaki finished in tenth as the final player without a cash. The nine remaining players were guaranteed at least €6,000 as play continued.

Henning Andre open-jammed for 100,000 on the button. Igor Pihela Sr. asked for a count in the big blind, assembled a call, and put it in the middle.

Henning Andre: A♣5♣
Igor Pihela Sr.: A♥K♣

Piihela Sr. solidified his lead on the K♠2♣10♥ flop, but Andre turned some hope on 8♣. His flush draw did not come in on the 7♠ river, however, and he was sent to the rail.

Igor Pihela Sr. – 460,000
Henning Andre – 0

The 14 returning players have taken their seats as the cards are in the air for the finale of the €3,000 NLH.

Yesterday, the second-biggest buy-in of the tenth-anniversary Kings of Tallinn, the €3,000 NLH, drew a respectable crowd of 65 entries to Olympic Park Casino, of which 14 made it through to Day 2. Estonia’s very own Mauri Dorbek crushed Day 1 and ended on top with 568,000 in chips, good for 95 big blinds at the start of the day.

Dorbek is a long-time player whose first recorded cash stems from 2008. He has accrued nearly half a million in lifetime earnings since then, but a Kings of Tallinn trophy still eludes him.

2024’s €555 Kings of Tallinn Championship winner Mikko Ylamaki follows Dorbek at a respectable distance with a stack of 433,000. Finnish regular Luka Sorainen came in third in this event last year and finds himself on the lowest spot of the podium again at the start of Day 2, starting with 348,000 chips.

Ninth on Estonia’s all-time money list, Igor Pihela Sr., closely follows Sorainen with 343,000. Pihela Sr. will have to forego watching his son at the Main Event final table as his eyes are set on winning his own tournament first. Other players who have a last-minute shot at glory are Blaz Zerjav (301,000), who is looking for his second trophy this week, and Finnish legend of the game Juha Helppi (166,000).

€3,000 NLH Top Ten Chip Counts

Rank	Player	Country	Chip Count	Big Blinds
1	Mauri Dorbek	Estonia	568,000	95
2	Mikko Ylamaki	Finland	433,000	72
3	Luka Sorainen	Finland	348,000	58
4	Igor Pihela Sr.	Estonia	343,000	57
5	Blaz Zerjav	Slovenia	301,000	50
6	Joni Rantamaki	Finland	224,000	37
7	Theodoros Ampelikiotis	Greece	222,000	37
8	Juha Helppi	Finland	166,000	28
9	Henning Andre	Sweden	139,000	23
10	Martin Tsvetanov	Bulgaria	121,000	20

With only nine places paid in this six-max tournament, five more people will not receive a portion of the €172,900 prize pool. Those who do make the money are guaranteed at least €6,000, with a pay jump every elimination until the top prize of €51,200 has been reached.

€3,000 NLH Payouts

The tournament will restart at noon local time with blinds at 3,000/6,000 with a 6,000 big blind ante. The levels will be 30 minutes in length throughout the day, with a break after every four levels. As it is the last day of the festival, the event will conclude only when a champion is crowned.

Stay tuned to the live reporting as the €3,000 NLH provides the last of this year’s Kings of Tallin’s high-stakes action.

The tenth-anniversary Kings of Tallinn attracted players from all over the world to Olympic Park Casino in the Estonian capital. Greece also sent a delegation, and they had known a strong week with two victories. On the last day of the festival, Theodoros Ampelikiotis added to that by conquering the 65-player field of the €3,000 NLH, winning €51,200.

Ameplikiotis won his first Kings of Tallinn trophy after a long and swingy battle with Estonia’s Mauri Dorbek. The hometown hero was also looking for his first Kings of Tallinn victory but ultimately had to make do with being the runner-up for €34,500. Finnish regular Luka Sorainen came in third for €24,250, while 2024 €555 Championship winner Mikko Ylamaki and Slovenian poker wizard Blaz Zerjav also made appearances at the final table of seven.

€3,000 NLH Final Table Results

Place	Player	Country	Prize
1	Theodoros Ampelikiotis	Greece	€51,200
2	Mauri Dorbek	Estonia	€34,500
3	Luka Sorainen	Finland	€24,250
4	Martin Tsvetanov	Bulgaria	€17,700
5	Mikko Ylamaki	Finland	€12,900
6	Jari-Pekka Juhola	FInland	€10,600
7	Blaz Zerjav	Slovenia	€8,650

Day 2 Action

After 14 levels were played on Day 1, 14 players returned for the tournament’s final day. Only nine of them would get a share of the €172,900 prize pool, and Roberto Olsen and Julien Henzi would not be among them as they departed within five minutes from the “shuffle up and deal.” Henning Andre and Yves Honore were eliminated in the next 30 minutes, leaving the field on the bubble.

Joni Rantamaki got his aces cracked on the first hand of Day 2. He tried to nurse his remaining chips into an in-the-money finish but was eliminated in tenth as the bubble boy when he shipped in his final six big blinds with ace-four and got called in two spots.

Not long after, Juha Helppi picked up the min-cash of €6,000 after losing a preflop flip, after which the field was on the bubble of the final table. Nearly an hour went by before Igor Pihela Sr. jammed his sevens into the aces of Dorbek. Pihela Sr. could not perform a miracle and earned €7,100 for his eighth place.

It only took one hand for Ampelikiotis to grab the chiplead. He got his queens in against the ace-king of Jari-Pekka Juhola and flopped quads to win the huge flip. He earned even more chips when Zerjav (7th – €8,650) ran an unsuccessful bluff against him.

The remaining six battled for about 90 minutes before Juhola last another flip for his last 25 big blinds, being the first to receive a five-figure payout (€10,600) for his sixth place. Ylamaki (5th – €12,900) missed out on his second Kings of Tallinn trophy when he jammed his short stack into the ace-queen of Sorainen, while Martin Tsvetanov hero called wrongly against Dorbek and received the fourth-place payout of €17,800.

Ampelikiotis had stayed relatively quiet since his early ascent but sprung back to life when he eliminated Sorainen in third for €24,250 after yet another flip. The heads-up battle between Ampelikiotis spanned four levels, with the chiplead seemingly changing every other hand.

Dorbek won the first flip to double up and take the lead. The players then played mostly postflop, with Dorbek seemingly getting the upper hand after an hour or so. That is when Ampelikiotis found kings to strike back, winning a preflop all-in with the second-best starting hand.

Dorbek was left with around 12 big blinds, which he lost in a preflop flip when his ace-eight could not beat the pocket threes of Ampelikiotis.

Ampelikiotis shipped one of the last trophies of the festival, which sadly means that this edition of Kings of Tallinn is nearing its end. However, more OlyBet events have already been announced. OlyBet Showdown Riga Voodoo Spring Edition will run in the Latvian capital from 22-30 March. Meanwhile, Lithuania will host the OlyBet Showdown Vilnius from 17-25 May.

Lastly, the women-only Queens of Tallinn will return for its third edition to the Estonian capital on August 21st, with four days of poker action for ladies only.

The live reporting for the tenth anniversary of Kings of Tallinn concludes, but stay tuned for updates and news regarding the events above.

Theodoros Ampelikiotis has been declared the victor in the €3,000 NLH event. He won €51,200, making his first-ever Kings of Tallin a roaring success.

Stay tuned for a recap of the day.

Mauri Dorbek was down to around 900,000 when Theodoros Ampelikiotis jammed all in on the button. Dorbek made a quick call from the big blind, and the cards were revealed.

Mauri Dorbek: A♦8♥
Theodoros Ampelikiotis: 3♥3♦

Dorbek needed help from the deck to stay alive. The 5♥K♣Q♥7♠4♥ board brought none, setting his status as runner-up in stone. Dorbek added €34,500 to his lifetime earnings but missed out on his first Kings of Tallinn trophy.

Theodoros Ampelikiotis got his stack of 830,000 in the middle from the big blind, being at risk against Mauri Dorbek on the button.

Theodoros Ampelikiotis: K♠K♥
Mauri Dorbek: A♠6♦

Dorbek needed an ace to win the tournament, but none came on the 2♣Q♥3♠8♦9♠ runout, doubling up Ampelikiotis instead.

Theodoros Ampelikiotis – 1,720,000
Mauri Dorbek – 1,530,000

Theodoros Ampelikiotis limped in on the button. Mauri Dorbek then made it a sizable 280,000 in the big blind, which Ampelikiotis called after some thought.

Dorbek continued for 125,000 on the A♠K♣9♥ flop and received a quick check-fold from Ampelikiotis.

Mauri Dorbek – 2,150,000
Theodoros Ampelikiotis – 1,100,000

The action was picked up on a turn of A♦7♦3♠J♠. With 300,000 in the pot, Mauri Dorbek checked from the big blind to Theodoros Ampelikiotis on the button, who fired a bet of 205,000.

Dorbek called to the 6♦ river, which both players checked.

“Nine-high,” Dorbek announced as he tabled 9♠8♠. Ampelikiotis chuckled as he mucked his cards as Dorbek apparently had the best hand.

Mauri Dorbek – 1,800,000
Theodoros Ampelikiotis – 1,450,000

Mauri Dorbek bet 60,000 from the big blind on a turn of 7♠9♥9♠8♥. Theodoros Ampelikiotis called to the 2♦ river, where Dorbek fired 300,000 into the pot.

Ampelikiotis took some time before putting in a call. Dorbek could only show ten-high with 10♥4♥, which Ampeliliotis had beat with A♦Q♠ for ace-high.

Theodoros Ampelikiotis – 1,850,000
Mauri Dorbek – 1,400,000

Mauri Dorbek limped his button before calling Theodoros Ampelikiotis’ raise to 160,000 from the big blind.

Ampelikiotis continued for 110,000 on the 10♠4♣2♠ flop. Dorbek then announced an all-in bet, covering Ampelikiotis. The Greek counted his chips but settled on a fold.

Mauri Dorbek – 2,020,000
Theodoros Ampelikiotis – 1,230,000

After some relatively small pots went back and forth, Theodoros Ampelikiotis raised his button to 100,000. Mauri Dorbek then jammed all in for 1,400,000.

Ampelikiotis asked for a count but decided on a fold as the heads-up continued.

Theodoros Ampelikiotis – 1,700,000
Mauri Dorbek – 1,550,000

With about 350,000 in the pot, Theodoros Ampelikiotis got his remaining 525,000 in on a turn of 7♦3♦9♣9♥ against Mauri Dorbek.

Theodoros Ampelikiotis: 10♠7♥
Mauri Dorbek: A♦Q♦

Dorbek did not hit his overcards or flush draw on the 2♥ river, seeing Ampelikiotis double up.

Mauri Dorbek – 1,850,000
Theodoros Ampelikiotis – 1,400,000

Only a few hands into the heads-up, Mauri Dorbek and Theodoros Ampelikiotis got all their chips in the middle, with Dorbek being at risk for 1,100,000.

Mauri Dorbek: 7♥7♦
Theodoros Ampelikiotis: A♦9♥

Ampelikiotis did not pair his hole cards on the 8♥5♦5♠3♦2♣ runout, seeing the pot shipped to Dorbek, who took the lead in the duel.

Mauri Dorbek – 2,240,000
Theodoros Ampelikiotis – 1,010,000

Theodoros Ampelikiotis raised his button to 80,000. Luka Sorainen then jammed in 720,000 from the small blind and was snap-called by Ampelikiotis, who had him covered.

Luka Sorainen: 9♠9♣
Theodoros Ampelikiotis: A♥Q♥

Ampelikiotis flopped two pair on A♣3♠Q♦ to take the lead in the flip. The 4♥5♥ runout did not bring Sorainen his desired nine, and the Finn was consequently eliminated in third place.

Theodoros Ampelikiotis – 2,000,000
Luka Sorainen – 0

Mauri Dorbek limped in from the small blind, and Theodoros Ampelikiotis checked his option in the big blind. The pair checked through the 7♦6♥5♥ flop for the 7♥ to appear on the turn.

Dorbek made a bet of 45,000, which Ampelikiotis swiftly called. The 8♥ river was knuckled by both again. Dorbek grinngly tabled A♥10♥ for the ace-high flush, taking down the pot.

Mauri Dorbek – 1,525,000
Theodoros Ampelikiotis – 805,000

The three remaining players have been sent on a small break of 10 minutes.

Mauri Dorbek – 1,475,000
Luka Sorainen – 1,085,000
Theodoros Ampelikiotis – 690,000

In a blind-on-blind pot, Mauri Dorbek and Martin Tsvetanov had gathered 250,000 chips in the middle when they saw a river of 7♣J♥4♠5♣3♠.

Dorbek then moved all in for 450,000, sending Tsvetanov into the tank. Eventually, the Bulgarian slammed in a call for Dorbek to show 8♠6♠, the nut straight.

Tsvetanov tabled his K♥7♦ for a pair of sevens before paying off Dorbek and being left with 130,000 chips.

Those chips went in not much later from the button, and he was looked up by Theodoros Ampelikiotis in the small blind.

Martin Tsvetanov: A♦10♠
Theodoros Ampelikiotis: A♦J♥

It looked like another comeback was in the cards for Tsvetanov after the [invalid notations] flop, but the J♣ turn gave Ampelikiotis a higher pair. The 7♥ river was useless, sending Tsvetanov to the rail in fourth place.

Mauri Dorbek – 1,150,000
Theodoros Ampelikiotis – 970,000
Martin Tsvetanov – 0

Luka Sorainen raised to 50,000 in the cutoff and quickly called when Mikko Ylamaki put his stack of 220,000 in the middle from the big blind.

Mikko Ylamaki: A♦5♥
Luka Sorainen: A♥Q♠

Sorainen’s dominating hand reigned supreme on the 6♥J♣2♣10♣6♣ runout, resulting in the end of Ylamaki’s tournament.

Luka Sorainen – 1,170,000
Mikko Ylamaki – 0

Mauri Dorbek open-jammed on the button, covering both the blinds. Mikko Ylamaki called off for 210,000 in the big blind, and the cards went face-up.

Mikko Ylamaki: 6♠6♣
Mauri Dorbek: 5♥5♦

Ylamaki’s higher pocket pair faced no issues on 7♦10♣A♠7♠Q♣ as he doubled up to around 22 big blinds.

Mauri Dorbek – 650,000
Mikko Ylamaki – 450,000

Theodoros Ampelikiotis raised to 40,000 in the cutoff. Luka Sorainen then three-bet to 100,000 on the button before small blind Jari-Pekka Juhola four-bet jammed for roughly 500,000.

Ampelikiotis quickly got out of the way but Sorainen sighed as he made the call.

Jari-Pekka Juhola: 7♠7♦
Luka Sorainen: A♥K♦

Sorainen paired up on the 6♣4♥Q♣K♣3♦ board to send Juhola packing in sixth place.

Luka Sorainen – 1,150,000
Theodoros Ampelikiotis – 700,000
Jari-Pekka Juhola – 0

It folded to Martin Tsvetanov in the small blind, who committed his last 75,000. Mikko Ylamaki shrugged and put in a call from the big blind.

Martin Tsvetanov: 7♣6♥
Mikko Ylamaki: 6♠2♥

Tsvetanov’s seven won him the pot when neither player hit the J♦J♠9♦3♦Q♦ board, doubling him up.

Mikko Ylamaki – 215,000
Martin Tsvetanov – 170,000

Jari-Pekka Juhola open-raised preflop and saw Theodoros Ampelikiotis defend his big blind.

The Greek player then led out for 25,000 on the 6♣7♣6♦ flop, which was called by Juhola. Ampelikiotis sized up to 90,000 on the J♥ turn.

Not deterred by Ampelikiotis’ bets, Juhola jammed all in for 310,000. Ampelikiotis snap-folded his cards and the pot was sent to Juhola.

Theodoros Ampelikiotis – 760,000
Jari-Pekka Juhola – 475,000

Martin Tsvetatnov raised to 30,000 in the cutoff, being called by Theodoros Ampelikiotis and Luka Sorainen in the blinds.

The Q♦A♣2♠ flop was checked to Tsvetanov, who bet 20,000. Both Ampelikiotis and Sorainen called, after which the K♥ turn checked through. The 3♠ river was also knuckled by the trio.

Ampelikiotis showed Q♥J♣ for a pair queens. Sorainen tabled A♠6♠ for top pair and raked in the pot when Tsvetanov mucked his cards.

Theodoros Ampelikiotis – 965,000
Luka Sorainen – 450,000
Martin Tsvetanov – 155,000

Martin Tvsetanov raised his button to 30,000 and saw Theodoros Ampelikiotis defend his big blind.

The 6♣K♠5♦ flop was then checked through to the 8♣ turn, where Ampelikiotis led out for 40,000.

Tvsetanov stuck in a call to the 10♥ river, where he was met with an all-in bet from the chipleader.

Tvsetanov tanked for a minute or so before letting go of his cards, preserving his stack of 15 big blinds.

Theodoros Ampelikiotis – 1,050,000
Martin Tsvetanov – 220,000

The remaining players have been sent on a 20-minute break.

Martin Tsvetanov raised to 24,000 under the gun. Theodoros Ampelikiotis put in a three-bet to 55,000 in the cutoff, which Mauri Dorbek cold-called in the big blind. Tsvetanov also came along and a 7♦J♥K♥ flop was spread.

The three players checked around before the 3♥ turn also checked to Ampelikiotis. The chipleader put in a bet of 80,000, which only Dorbek called.

Dorbek then led out for 95,000 on the K♣ river, seeing Ampelikiotis make a quick fold as he surrendered the pot.

Theodoros Ampelikiotis – 1,050,000
Mauri Dorbek – 875,000
Martin Tsvetanov – 220,000

Theodoros Ampelikiotis raised to 25,000 under the gun and was called by Blaz Zerjav in the hijack. Ampelikiotis checked to Zerjav on the 3♣6♥4♥ flop, seeing the Slovenian bet 20,000.

Ampelikiotis then raised to 75,000, which Zerjav called. Ampelikiotis sized up to 100,000 on the 9♦ turn, being called by Zerjav again.

Ampelikiotis slowed down on the A♣ river, checking to Zerjav. Zerjav moved in for 251,000, sending Ameplikiotis into the tank. After a few minutes, Ampelikiotis put in the call with the covering stack.

Zerjav tabled 5♦5♣ for a pair of fives, but Ampelikiotis had called with J♥9♥ for a pair of nines. Zerjav was the first elimination of the final table as Ampelikiotis was shipped the big pot and secured the chip lead.

Theodoros Ampelikiotis – 1,146,000
Blaz Zerjav – 0

Jari-Pekka Juhola raised to 20,000 in the hijack. Big blind Theodoros Ampelikiotis three-bet to 70,000, which Juhola clicked back to 175,000.

Ampelikitiotis put in his stack of 366,000, quickly being called by Juhola.

Theodoros Ampelikiotis: Q♦Q♣
Jari-Pekka Juhola: A♠K♥

Ampelikiotis won the pot on the flop when Q♥Q♠10♦ made him four of a kind. The A♦4♦ runout did not matter anymore as the Greek received a huge double-up.

Theodoros Ampelikiotis – 747,000
Jari-Pekka Juhola – 180,000

The players have been sent on a 15-minute break before the final table commences.

The seat draw and chip counts can be found below.

Seat	Player	Country	Chip Count	Big Blinds
1	Martin Tsvetanov	Bulgaria	285,000	29
2	Mikko Ylamaki	Finland	599,000	60
3	Theodoros Ampelikiotis	Greece	376,000	38
4	Luka Sorainen	Finland	359,000	36
5	Blaz Zerjav	Slovenia	380,000	38
6	Jari-Pekka Juhola	Finland	578,000	58
7	Mauri Dorbek	Estonia	674,000	67

Igor Pihela Sr. open-shoved for 143,000 under the gun. Mauri Dorbek asked for a count in the small blind before calling and forcing a showdown.

Igor Pihela Sr.: 7♦7♣
Mauri Dorbek: A♥A♦

Pihela Sr. looked on as the 6♥9♠J♣Q♣5♠ board did not provide him with a seven. The two Estonian players shook hands before Pihela Sr. went to the final table of the Main Event to watch Pihela Jr.

Mauri Dorbek – 675,000
Igor Pihela Sr. – 0

Jari-Pekke Juhola raised to 20,000 under the gun and called the three-bet to 60,000 from big blind Igor Pihela Sr.

Pihela Sr. bet 40,000 on both the 3♣J♠8♥ flop and 8♣ turn. Juhola called the flop before moving all in for 209,000 on the turn.

Pihela Sr. put in a quick call, revealing the cards.

Jari-Pekka Juhola: K♣9♣
Igor Pihela Sr.: A♥J♣

Pihela Sr. was in the lead with his top pair, but Juhola hit his flush on the 6♣ river to steal the pot and double up.

Jari-Pekka Juhola – 633,000
Igor Pihela Sr. – 120,000

Theodoros Ampelikiotis made it 26,000 to go in the small blind. Big blind Blaz Zerjav then moved in for 200,000, getting snapped off by Ampelikiotis.

Blaz Zerjav: 3♠3♦
Theodoros Ampelikiotis: A♥K♦

The 8♠10♦6♠J♥ turn brought Ampelikiotis some extra outs, but the 4♥ river stayed low. Zerjav beat Ampelikiotis’ Big Slick with his pair and doubled up to an average stack.

Blaz Zerjav – 410,000
Theodoros Ampelikiotis – 315,000

Mikko Ylamaki had raised under the gun when Luka Sorainen three-bet jammed his 121,000 chips from the big blind. Ylamaki made a quick call, and the cards were tabled.

Luka Sorainen: 6♥6♣
Mikko Ylamaki: 10♠10♣

Sorainen was in bad shape, but the 2♣K♠6♦5♣8♣ board made him three of a kind to get bailed out and double up.

Mikko Ylamaki – 645,000
Luka Sorainen – 254,000

Juha Helppi raised to 32,000 in the small blind, prompting Mikko Ylamaki to move all in from the small blind. Helppi quickly called off his stack of 347,000 and was at risk of being eliminated.

Juha Helppi: A♥K♥
Mikko Ylamaki: 7♥7♣

It was a huge flip for a roughly double-average stack. Ylamaki flopped a set on 7♠3♦9♥ for a gigantic lead, with Helppi being left without outs on the Q♠ turn.

Helppi said his goodbyes as the 4♣ river was dealt as a formality before he picked up his min-cash.

Mikko Ylamaki – 750,000
Juha Helppi – 0

Joni Rantamaki open-shoved his last 51,000 from the cutoff and was called by Jari-Pekka Juhola in the small blind and Mauri Dorbek in the big blind.

Juhola and Dorbek then checked through the 6♦3♠9♣5♥8♣ board, after which all three players were ordered to show down.

Rantamaki tabled A♥4♣, beating the K♦Q♦ of Dorbek. Juhola played A♦J♥ for a better ace-high, however, leaving Rantamaki without chips.

Rantamaki finished in tenth as the final player without a cash. The nine remaining players were guaranteed at least €6,000 as play continued.

Henning Andre open-jammed for 100,000 on the button. Igor Pihela Sr. asked for a count in the big blind, assembled a call, and put it in the middle.

Henning Andre: A♣5♣
Igor Pihela Sr.: A♥K♣

Piihela Sr. solidified his lead on the K♠2♣10♥ flop, but Andre turned some hope on 8♣. His flush draw did not come in on the 7♠ river, however, and he was sent to the rail.

Igor Pihela Sr. – 460,000
Henning Andre – 0

The 14 returning players have taken their seats as the cards are in the air for the finale of the €3,000 NLH.

Yesterday, the second-biggest buy-in of the tenth-anniversary Kings of Tallinn, the €3,000 NLH, drew a respectable crowd of 65 entries to Olympic Park Casino, of which 14 made it through to Day 2. Estonia’s very own Mauri Dorbek crushed Day 1 and ended on top with 568,000 in chips, good for 95 big blinds at the start of the day.

Dorbek is a long-time player whose first recorded cash stems from 2008. He has accrued nearly half a million in lifetime earnings since then, but a Kings of Tallinn trophy still eludes him.

2024’s €555 Kings of Tallinn Championship winner Mikko Ylamaki follows Dorbek at a respectable distance with a stack of 433,000. Finnish regular Luka Sorainen came in third in this event last year and finds himself on the lowest spot of the podium again at the start of Day 2, starting with 348,000 chips.

Ninth on Estonia’s all-time money list, Igor Pihela Sr., closely follows Sorainen with 343,000. Pihela Sr. will have to forego watching his son at the Main Event final table as his eyes are set on winning his own tournament first. Other players who have a last-minute shot at glory are Blaz Zerjav (301,000), who is looking for his second trophy this week, and Finnish legend of the game Juha Helppi (166,000).

€3,000 NLH Top Ten Chip Counts

Rank	Player	Country	Chip Count	Big Blinds
1	Mauri Dorbek	Estonia	568,000	95
2	Mikko Ylamaki	Finland	433,000	72
3	Luka Sorainen	Finland	348,000	58
4	Igor Pihela Sr.	Estonia	343,000	57
5	Blaz Zerjav	Slovenia	301,000	50
6	Joni Rantamaki	Finland	224,000	37
7	Theodoros Ampelikiotis	Greece	222,000	37
8	Juha Helppi	Finland	166,000	28
9	Henning Andre	Sweden	139,000	23
10	Martin Tsvetanov	Bulgaria	121,000	20

With only nine places paid in this six-max tournament, five more people will not receive a portion of the €172,900 prize pool. Those who do make the money are guaranteed at least €6,000, with a pay jump every elimination until the top prize of €51,200 has been reached.

€3,000 NLH Payouts

The tournament will restart at noon local time with blinds at 3,000/6,000 with a 6,000 big blind ante. The levels will be 30 minutes in length throughout the day, with a break after every four levels. As it is the last day of the festival, the event will conclude only when a champion is crowned.

Stay tuned to the live reporting as the €3,000 NLH provides the last of this year’s Kings of Tallin’s high-stakes action.