Finnish poker superstar Sami Kelopuro added yet another notch in his belt on Saturday night, beating out a star-studded field in a GGPoker Spring Festival event to win $189,000 and his third title of the series.
The former #1-ranked Kelopuro beat out 70 other entries, including fellow former #1-ranked Joao Simao heads up, to win Event #68-H ($10,300 PLO-NL Bounty High Roller) for $189,185.21. Simao banked $78,802.01 for coming in second place while another Finn, Lauri Varonen, came in third place for $74,235.30.
Wei Zhao topped the 120-runner field in Event #67-H ($5,250 PLO-NL HR) to bank $155,417.91. One spot behind Zhao, ‘Suhepx‘ picked up a $112,369.96 payday. Isaac Haxton took the final spot on the podium and added $81,245.73 to his bankroll.
There were two events scheduled to take advantage of the Asian time zones. ‘MikeAllingelo‘ shipped Event #65-H ($250 Asia Major) to win $20,402.47 while Aram Oganyan earned $33,609.99 as the champion in Event #66-H ($525 Bounty Hunters Asia).
The final event on the day also came with a six-figure payday for the champion. Germany’s Robert Heirdorn earned $101,600.07 for winning Event #70-H ($2,100 Bounty). The event drew 265 entries to build a $30,000 prize pool. Christian Rudolph added yet another top-three finish – his fifth of the series – by coming in second place for $48,547.20. Rudolph has now won one event, finished second three times, and also has a third place result. Viktor Ustimov came in third here for $46,008.51.
Event #65-H ($250 Asia Major)
Entries: 580
Prize pool: $133,400
- MikeAllingelo – $20,402.47
- SexyBaldGuy – $15,511.17
- GoldFishKing – $11,792.79
Event #66-H ($525 Bounty Hunters Asia)
Entries: 467
Prize pool: $233,500
- Aram Oganyan – $33,609.99
- JESUSYAAZY – $17,266.03
- iownurmind – $14,802.23
Event #67-H ($5,250 PLO-NL HR)
Entries: 120
Prize pool: $600,000
- Wei Zhao – $155,417.91
- Suhepx – $112,369.96
- Isaac Haxton – $81,245.73
Event #68-H ($10,300 PLO-NL Bounty High Roller)
Entries: 71
Prize pool: $710,000
- Sami Kelopuro – $189,185.21
- Joao Simao – $78,802.01
- Lauri Varonen – $74,235.30
Event #70-H ($2,100 Bounty)
Entries: 265
Prize pool: $530,000
- Robert Heidorn – $101,600.07
- Christian Rudolph – $48,547.20
- Viktor Ustimov – $46,008.51