2022 Tallinn Summer Showdown Day 3

After more than 13 hours on the final day, the United Kingdom’s Glen Gaines defeated local Estonian Igor Pihela Sr. heads-up to win the Tallinn Summer Showdown €1,100 Main Event for €62,400 at Olympic Park Casino and the adjoining Hilton Tallinn Park.

It was a back-and-forth affair during the entire final table and Gaines needed to come back from a huge heads-up deficit en route to the title. Gaines shared with PokerListings that this was just his second 1K event and he has made the most of it with the biggest Tallinn Summer showdown Main Event prize, eclipsing the €56,500 won by Finland’s Kristian Zitting, who won last year’s Main Event for €56,500.

“I’m chuffed,” shared Gaines after the win to PokerListings. “It will take a while to sink it. I wasn’t expecting to go deep considering it was my second 1K event.”

During the final table, Gaines realized that a win was within his grasp.

“I felt good four-handed,” Gaines said. I did take a knock when my tens didn’t hold from fives and thought it might slip away from me before I came back to win.”

2022 Tallinn Summer Showdown Final Table Results

The 2022 Tallinn Summer Showdown Event was another success story for Olympic Park Casino with 285 entrants coming out in full force to generate a €267,900 prize pool. This was just one entry shy of the record 286 entrants attracted during last year’s Tallinn Summer Showdown Main Event.

A total of 34 players got paid at least a €2,100 min-cash for nearly double the €1,100 buy-in.

Final Day Recap

The final day began with Spain’s Victor Prior Fernandez Amat in the lead closely followed by Pihela Sr. The action started slow with 17 players looking to make it to the final table with local Estonian poker legend Ranno Sootla the only player to hit the rail within the first hour. Less than three hours after it began the action was down to a final table of nine players after Fernandez Amat sent the short-stacked Janne Nevalainen from Finland to the rail in 10th place.

Fernandez Amat still had the chip lead to start the final table with Pihela Sr. and Gaines closest on his tail. Gaines snagged the lead on the very first hand of play when his tens held against the sixes held by Finland’s Kaspar Laursoo to eliminate his opponent in ninth place.

Pihela Sr. then snagged the lead while also sending Finland’s Seppo Parkkinen with the money getting in on the river with Pihela Sr. holding the better two pair.

Next, it was Lithuania’s Paulius Jucys to become the table captain. Last year’s Tallinn Summer Showdown Main Event runner-up Thomas Jakobsen from Norway ran into a cooler to go out in seventh place when he ran his big slick into Jucys’ rockets.

Finland’s Mikael Andersson then ran his ace-three suited into Gaines’ sevens to hit the rail and give Gaines the lead once again.

The action slowed down significantly during five-handed play, during which time the chip lead bounced around like a hot potato. About three hours later, the final day chip leader Fernandez Amat hit the rail on a flip when his nines proved to be no good against the ace-ten held by Latvia’s Juris Hlibovs.

Pihela Sr. had the chip lead at this point, but Gaines regained control after eliminating Hlibovs in fourth place when his big slick improved to two pair against his opponent’s sevens.

The three-handed play took more than four hours with each of the three holding the chip lead at one time or another. Jucys was the first out on the podium when his ace-ten didn’t get there against Pihela’s ace-queen.

Pihela Sr. began the heads-up action with a nearly 4:1 chip advantage. But the tables quickly turned and Gaines gained a significant lead before the final hand took place. Pihela Sr. got it in with ace-ten and was up against what Gaines described as the “Reading Nuts” with king-queen. The “Reading Surprise” proved to be the winning hand with a king coming on the board and Pihela Sr. had to settle for the runner-up prize of €42,300.

Meanwhile, a massive congrats to Glen Gaines for winning the 2022 Tallinn Summer Showdown Main Event for €62,400.

*Photos courtesy of Tallinn Summer Showdown photographer Elena Kask.

Level 30: 80,000/160,000 (120,000)
Entries: 2/285

Glen Gaines jammed for 6.6 million and Igor Pihela Sr. called off for his remaining stack of 1.8 million.

Igor Pihela Sr.: A 10
Glen Gaines: K Q

Pihela Sr. was slightly ahead but fell far behind after Gaines connected his king on the K 4 2 flop. Neither the 5 turn nor the 6 river saved Pihela Sr, and he had to settle for the runner-up prize of €42,300.

Meanwhile, congrats to the United Kingdom’s Glen Gaines for his biggest live poker win for €62,400 and, of course, the coveted trophy. This was also the largest single Tallinn Summer Showdown Main Event prize in tour history.

Gaines shared with PokerListings after he won that he won the hand with what they call locally back home the “Reading Special.”

Stay tuned for the recap of the 2022 Tallinn Summer Showdown Main Event.

Glen Gaines – 8.6 million
Igor Pihela Sr. – 0

Level 29: 60,000/120,000 (120,000)
Entries: 2/285

Glen Gaines min-raised the button with 6 4 and was called by Igor Pihela Sr. with K 5 from the big blind.

Gaines improved to two pair on the 4 6 2 flop. Both players checked and Pihela Sr. connected with his king for top pair on the K turn. Gaines fired out for 225,000. Pihela Sr. raised to 450,000. Gaines three-bet to 1,000,000 and Pihela Sr. jammed for 5,200,000. Gaines called off for 2,900,000 and was well ahead with one card to come.

Pihela Sr. bricked the 8 river and Gaines not only grabbed the chip lead but also a sizeable 3:1 chip advantage over his opponent.

Glen Gaines – 6.5 million
Igor Pihela Sr. – 2 million

Level 29: 60,000/120,000 (120,000)
Entries: 2/285

Igor Pihela Sr. opened to 560,000 from the button with A 6 and was called by Glen Gaines with K 2 from the big blind.

Gaines check-called a bet of 400,000 on the 2 K Q flop before both players checked the 9 turn. The 9 river paired the board and Gaines jammed for 780,000 with the best hand. Pihela Sr. made the fold but Gaines gained ground on the gap between him and his opponent.

Igor Pihela Sr. – 5.7 million
Glen Gaines – 2.8 million

Level 29: 60,000/120,000 (120,000)
Entries: 2/285

Paulius Jucys opened for 250,000 from the button before Igor Pihela Sr. jammed for 3.3 million from the big blind. Jucys called off his stack of 3 million and Pihela Sr. was ahead.

Paulius Jucys: A 10
Igor Pihela Sr.: A Q

Jucys bricked the 3 6 7 2 2 board and was eliminated in third place for €28,300.

Meanwhile, Igor Pihela Sr. began heads-up play with huge chip advantage over Gaines. Both players have locked up €42,300 with €62,400 scheduled to go to the eventual winner.

Igor Pihela Sr. – 6.7 million
Glen Gaines – 1.8 million
Paulius Jucys – 0

Level 29: 60,000/120,000 (120,000)
Entries: 3/285

Glen Gaines raised to 350,000 from the small blind with A 5 and Igor Pihela Sr. called with 4 3 from the big blind.

Gaines bet 225,000 on the 3 9 A flop and Pihela Sr. called. Both players checked the 8 before Pihela Sr. turned his hand into a bluff by jamming the 7 river for 1,900,000. The bluff worked as Gaines folded the top pair and Pihela Sr. regained the chip lead.

Igor Pihela Sr. – 3.5 million
Paulius Jucys – 2.6 million
Glen Gaines – 2.4 million

Players went on a 30-minute break. Glen Gaines had a small edge as players began to leave their seats, although all three players were closely grouped together. The trio discussed a deal during the break, but nothing could be agreed upon moneywise. What they did agree on is that after playing three-handed play for more than four hours that they would reduce the blind levels the rest of the way from one hour to 30 minutes.

Level 29: 50,000/100,000 (100,000)
Entries: 3/285

Glen Gaines limped from the small blind with J J . Igor Pihela Sr., who was jamming on many limps lately, opted to check it back with 10 4 from the big blind.

Both players checked the K 9 6 flop. Gaines fired out for 125,000 on the 6 turn but laid down the best hand after facing a shove by Pihela Sr. for 2,100,000.

Paulius Jucys – 3.2million
Glen Gaines – 2.9 million
Igor Pihela Sr. – 2.5 million

Level 29: 50,000/100,000 (100,000)
Entries: 3/285

Paulius Jucys took the lead by default after Igor Pihela Sr. won a small pot against Glen Gaines. During the next hand, Gaines opened for 205,000 from the button with 9 8 and was called by Jucys with K Q .

Both players checked the 5 7 Q flop before Jucys bet 450,000 on the 4 turn. Gaines folded and Jucys extended his chip lead.

Paulius Jucys – 3.5million
Glen Gaines – 3 million
Igor Pihela Sr. – 2 million

Level 29: 50,000/100,000 (100,000)
Entries: 3/285

Igor Pihela Sr. opened for 350,000 with 8 7 from the small blind and was called by Paulius Jusys with J 10 from the big blind.

Pihela Sr. jammed door 2.8 million, more than covering the 1.2 million Jucys had behind after both players flopped an open-ended straight draw on the Q 9 6 flop. Jucys tanked for a couple of minutes before he made the call and was ahead when the chips went in.

Neither the A turn nor the 9 river helped Pihela Sr. and Jucys’ jack in his hand was good enough to double from last place to near the chip lead.

Glen Gains – 3.8 million
Paulius Jucys – 3.2 million
Igor Pihela Sr. – 1.6 million

Level 29: 50,000/100,000 (100,000)
Entries: 3/285

Glen Gaines opened to 205,000 from the button with 8 7 and Igor Pihela Sr. with 10 8 opted to call.

Pihela Sr. led out for 300,000 on the 3 4 9 flop. Gaines paused for a couple of minutes before he raised to 800,000. Pihela Sr. folded and Gaines was back with the chip lead.

Glen Gaines – 3.8 million
Igor Pihela Sr. – 3.1 million
Paulius Jucys – 1.6 million

Igor Pihela won a small pot to regain the chip lead. Here is a look at the updated chip counts:

Level 29: 50,000/100,000 (100,000)
Entries: 3/285

Paulius Jucys opened for 1 million from the button leaving just 150,000 behind. Glen Gaines three-bet jammed for 4.2 million from the small blind. Jucys called off for the rest of his stack and was at risk of elimination.

Paulius Jucys: 5 5
Glen Gaines: 9 9

Jucys was far behind but got lucky by nailing a flush on the 10 4 A K J board to stay alive and double his stack.

After the hand, all three players were close in the chip counts.

Glen Gaines – 3.1 million
Igor Pihela Sr. – 2.9 million
Paulius Jucys – 2.5 million

Level 29: 50,000/100,000 (100,000)
Entries: 3/285

Igor Pihela Sr. jammed from the small blind and Paulius Jucys called from the big blind for 675,000.

Paulius Jucys: K 5
Igor Pihela Sr.: 7 4

Jucys stayed alive and doubled with trip kings after the K K 4 9 J rolled out on the board.

Glen Gaines – 4.2 million
Igor Pihela Sr. – 2.9 million
Paulius Jucys – 1.5 million

Level 28: 40,000/80,000 (80,000)
Entries: 3/285

Igor Pihela Sr. already regained the chip lead after winning a small pot before he opened for a min-raise from the button with A 6 . Glen Gaines defended his big blind with 5 4 .

Gaines checked his open-ended straight draw after the 8 3 6 landed on the flop. Pihela Sr. fired out for 80,000 with middle pair. Gaines raised to 325,000 and won the pot after Pihela Sr. folded to regain the lead once again.

The blinds increased to Level 29 after the hand with blinds at 50,000/100,000 with a big blind ante of 100,000.
Glen Gaines – 4 million
Igor Pihela Sr. – 3.8 million
Paulius Jucys – 775,000

Level 28: 40,000/80,000 (80,000)
Entries: 3/285

Igor Pihela Sr. opened for 240,000 from the button with 8 7 and was called by Glen Gaines with K Q .

Both players checked the 2 10 10 flop before Gaines took it down with a bet of 250,000 on the turn.

Gaines regained the lead the previous hand in a tiny pot but has padded a few more chips into it after this hand.

Glen Gaines – 3.9 million
Igor Pihela Sr. – 3.3 million
Paulius Jucys – 1.4 million

Igor Pihela Sr. stole the blinds with ace-eight to regain the lead. Here is a look at the chips counts.

Level 28: 40,000/80,000 (80,000)
Entries: 3/285

Glen Gaines raised to 165,000 on the button with A 9 and was called by Igor Pihela Sr. with Q J from the small blind and K 9 by Paulius Jucys from the big blind.

Pihela Sr. and Jucys checked the 2 J A flop before Gaines continued for 200,000.

It just took one hand for Gaines to regain the chip lead away from Pihela Sr.

Glen Gaines – 3.6 million
Igor Pihela Sr. – 3.3 million
Paulius Jucys – 1.7 million

Level 28: 40,000/80,000 (80,000)
Entries: 3/285

Paulius Jucys min-raised the button with K Q and was called by Igor Pihela Sr. from the big blind.

Both players checked the 3 3 2 flop and again on the 9 turn. Pihela Sr. stole it away after the 3 river completed the board after he bet 350,000 and Jucys folded.

This was good enough to give Pihela Sr. the lead once again.

Igor Pihela Sr. – 3.4 million
Glen Gaines – 3.2 million
Paulius Jucys – 1.9 million

Level 28: 40,000/80,000 (80,000)
Entries: 3/285

Glen Gaines opened to 165,000 from the button with A K . Igor Pihela Sr. three-bet jammed to 1,500,000 from the small blind with A 5 . 

Paulius Jucys also woke up with a hand with 8 8 from the big blind but got out of the way. Gaines quickly called and it wasn’t looking good for Pihela Sr.

However, the poker gods had something else in mind as Pihela Sr. nailed a flush to double his stack on after the J 6 3 9 6 appeared on the board.

Glen Gaines – 3.4 million
Igor Pihela Sr. – 3.2 million
Paulius Jucys – 1.9 million

Level 28: 40,000/80,000 (80,000)
Entries: 3/285

Glen Gaines opened for 165,000 from the button with K 10 before Igor Pihela Sr. called with J 9 from the small blind.

Paulius Jucys three-bet jammed for 970,000 with K Q . Gaines folded before Pihela Sr. called off for nearly half his stack.

Jucys’ hand remained strong throughout the 4 4 5 K 10 runout to double his stack.

Glen Gaines – 5.1 million
Paulius Jucys – 2.2 million
Igor Pihela Sr. – 1.3 million

Players are on a 20-minute break. Blinds will increase to 40,000/80,000 with a big blind ante of 80,000 when the action resumes. Here is what the stacks look like at the break with Gaines winning a handful of small hands in the last few minutes of action.

Level 27: 30,000/60,000 (60,000)
Entries: 3/285

Glen Gaines raised from the small blind to 200,000 with A 9 and was called by Igor Pihela Sr. with Q 10   from the big blind.

Both players snagged a piece of the A Q 4 flop but Gaines gained a better pair and bet 175,000. Pihela Sr. called and Gaines fired again, this time for 375,000 on the J turn. That was it for Pihela Sr., who folded his hand to give Gaines nearly 5 million in chips.

Glen Gaines – 4.9 million
Igor Pihela Sr. – 2 million
Paulius Jucys – 1.6 million

Level 27: 30,000/60,000 (60,000)
Entries: 3/285

Glen Gaines opened to 125,000 from the button with 5 5 . Igor Pihela Sr. three-bet to 380,000 with A 8 from the small blind and Gaines called.

Pihela Sr. bet 350,000 after the Q K 5 were dealt on the flop and Gaines called with a set.

The 6 turn followed and Pihela Sr. slowed down the aggression in the hand with a check. Gaines bet 900,000 and won the hand to extend his chip lead to more than half the chips in play after Pihela Sr. folded.

Glen Gaines – 4.5 million
Igor Pihela Sr. – 2.4 million
Paulius Jucys – 1.6 million

Level 27: 30,000/60,000 (60,000)
Entries: 3/285

Glen Gaines opened to 125,000 from the button with A 7 and Paulius Jucys defended his big blind with Q J .

Jucys check-called a bet of 90,000 on the Q K A flop. Both players checked the K turn. Jucys improved to a full house on the Q river and bet 100,000. Gaines found the fold despite holding the ace and Jucys won the hand.

Glen Gaines – 3.7 million
Igor Pihela Jr. – 3.4 million
Paulius Jucys – 1.4 million

Level 26: 20,000/50,000 (50,000)
Entries: 3/285

Juris Hlibovs open-jammed for 1 million from the button. Glen Gaines called from the button and the players turned over their hands.

Juris Hlibovs: 7 7
Glen Gaines: A K

Gaines improved to a two pair on the Q 3 10 K A runout and Hlibovs was out in fourth place for €21,300.

Gaines also took the chip lead back after the hand with the trio of players all locking up at least a €28,300 payout.

Glen Gaines – 4 million
Igor Pihela Sr. – 3.4 million
Paulius Jucys – 1.1 million
Juris Hlibovs – 0

Level 26: 20,000/50,000 (50,000)
Entries: 4/285

Paulius Jucys opened for 100,000 from the button with 10 9 . Glen Gaines called with A 7 from the big blind.

Gaines check-raised the 2 J 3 flop from 75,000 to 240,000. Jucys tanked for several minutes before firing out a three-bet to 480,000. Gaines called and both players checked after the 4 followed on the turn.

Gaines improved to the nut flush after the 5 spiked the river, while Jucys held a small flush. Gaines jammed for more than the 1.1 million Jucys had behind. Jucys folded and was able to hold onto the rest of his stack.

Glen Gaines – 2.9 million
Paulius Jucys – 1.1 million

Level 26: 20,000/50,000 (50,000)
Entries: 4/285

Paulius Jucys opened for 100,000 from the button with J 7 and was called by Glen Gaines from the big blind with A 4 ,

Jucys flopped top pair on the 2 3 7 flop and bet 150,000 after his opponent checked. Gaines called and both players checked the 4 turn.

The A river improved Gaines to two pair and he led out for 175,000. Jucys saved himself some chips with a fold to end the hand.

Glen Gaines – 2.3 million

Paulius Jucys – 1.5 million

Players are on a 20-minute break. here is a look at the chip counts. Blinds will increase to 25,000/50,000 with a big blind ante of 50,000 when the action resumes.

Level 25: 20,000/40,000 (40,000)
Entries: 4/285

Victor Prior Fernandez Amat was the chip leader to start the day and to start the final table. However, things began to fall apart five-handed before hitting the rail in fifth place for €15,800.

Fernandez Amat jammed from the button for 345,000. Juris Hlibovs three-bet shoved from the small blind for 950,000 and it was a heads-up after Glen Gaines folded from the big blind.

Victor Prior Fernandez Amat: 9 9
Juris Hlibovs: A 10

The 7 5 J flop was safe for Fernandez Amat. However, the 10 came on the turn to give Hlibovs a better pair. The J river wasn’t the two outer Fernandez Amat needed and his impressive run in the Main Event was over.

The final four players have secured at least a €21,300 payout with their eyes on the €62,400 top prize. Paulius Jucys asked whether players wanted to look at a deal. Igor Pihela Sr., who has a substantial chip lead, declined and the action continued.

Juris Hlibovs – 1.4 million
Victor Prior Fernandez Amat – 0

Level 25: 20,000/40,000 (40,000)
Entries: 5/285

Victor Prior Fernandez Amat opened for 85,000 from the cutoff with K 7 and was called by Igor Pihela Sr. from the big blind with A 8 .

Both players checked the 4 3 5 . Pihela Sr. improved to top pair on the 8 turn and check-raised from 85,000 to 250,000.

Fernandez Amat called. Pihela Sr. bet 80,000 on the 7 river and won with top pair to leave Fernandez Amat short after his opponent called with the second top pair.

Igor Pihela Sr. – 3.9 million
Victor Prior Fernandez Amat – 525,000

Level 25: 20,000/40,000 (40,000)
Entries: 5/285

Igor Pihela Sr. opened for 80,000 with A A from under the gun and was called by Victor Prior Fernandez Amat with K 10 from the button and by Glen Gaines with J 4 from the big blind.

Gaines checked the 4 7 6 flop before Pihela Sr. bet 80,000. Fernandez Amat folded and Gaines called.

The K turn followed giving Gaines a flush draw and Gaines check-raised a bet of 100,000 to 340,000.

Pihela Sr. called and the 3 completed the board on the river. Gaines missed his draws but tried to take it down with a bet of 380,000. Pihela Sr. smiled as he made the call to retake the chip lead with a bit of a gap this time.

Igor Pihela Sr. – 3.5 million
Glen Gaines – 2 million

Level 25: 20,000/40,000 (40,000)
Entries: 5/285

Glen Gaines opened from under the gun for 85,000 with A J and was called by Igor Pihela Sr. with A 6 from the cutoff and from Paulius Jucys from the button with 10 10 .

Gaines pulled ahead when his jack connected with the 3 3 J flop and led out for 100,000. Pihela Sr. called and Jucys found a fold.

Gaines filled up to a full house on the J turn and opted to check. Pihela Sr. bet 150,000 and Gaines called.

Both players checked the 5 river and Gaines regained the chip lead after the hand.

Glen Gaines – 3.1 million
Igor Pihela Sr. – 2.4 million

Level 25: 20,000/40,000 (40,000)
Entries: 5/285

Paulius Jucys raised to 80,000 with J 10 from under the gun and was called by Igor Pihela Sr. with A 7 from the big blind.

Pihela Sr. took down the pot after firing out for 100,000 and getting a fold on the 4 8 5 flop. It just took one hand for him to snag the table captain title back from Glen Gaines.

Igor Pihela Sr. – 2.6 million
Glen Gaines – 2.5 million
Paulius Jucys – 1.6 million
Juris Hvibovs – 945,000
Victor Prior Fernandez Amat – 935,000

Level 25: 20,000/40,000 (40,000)
Entries: 5/285

Victor Prior Fernandez Amat opened for a min-raise from the button with A 8 . Glen Gaines called with 9 5 and nailed trips on the 9 7 9 flop.

Gaines check-raised from 75,000 to 240,000 and Fernandez Amat called. The K turn gave Gaines the checkmark with his opponent drawing dead.

Fernandez Amat gave up on the hand after Gaines bet 250,000. Gaines took a small chip lead over Igor Pihela Sr. after winning the hand.

Glen Gaines – 2.5 million
Victor Prior Fernandez Amat – 935,000

Level 24: 15,000/30,000 (30,000)
Entries: 5/285

Victor Prior Fernandez Amat opened for a min-raise from the button with Q 10 before Glen Gaines defended with 4 2 from the big blind.

Gaines check-raised a bet of 30,000 by Fernandez Amat to 105,000. On the Q A A flop. Fernandez Amat quickly called for both players to see the 8 turn.

Both players checked and the 7 river completed the board. Both players checked again and Fernandez Amat took down the pot with two pair.

Glen Gaines – 2.1 million
Victor Prior Fernandez Amat – 1.3 million

Level 24: 15,000/30,000 (30,000)
Entries: 5/285

Level 24: 15,000/30,000 (30,000)
Entries: 5/285

Victor Prior Fernandez Amat opened for 65,000 with 7 7 from the cutoff. Glen Gaines called with A J from the small blind and Igor Pihela Sr. came along for the ride with a mystery hand from the big blind.

The action checked around Fernandez Amat on the 2 6 J all-spade flop and he continued for 65,000. Gaines raised to 215,000 with the top pair.

Pihela Sr. three-bet to 690,000 which was enough to get both players to fold and extend his chip lead.

Igor Pihela Sr. – 2.9 million
Glen Gaines – 2.1 million
Victor Prior Fernandez Amat – 1.1 million

Level 24: 15,000/30,000 (30,000)
Entries: 5/285

During the first hand on break, Victor Prior Fernandez Amat woke up with K K from under the gun and raised to 60,000. Both Igor Pihela Sr. with 10 7 and Paulius Jucys with 10 8 called from the blinds.

The action checked to Fernandez Amat who continued for 90,000 with an over-pair after the J 9 2 came on the flop. Pihela Sr. folded before Jucys called with an open-ended straight draw.

Both players checked after the J paired the board on the turn. The Q river completed Jucys’ straight. Both players checked and the pot was awarded to Jucys.

Paulius Jucys – 2 million
Victor Prior Fernandez Amat – 1.3 million

The final five players went on a 20-minute break. Here is a look at the chip counts at the break.

Level 23: 10,000/25,000 (25,000)
Entries: 5/285

Glen Gaines opened for 55,000 from the button before Mikael Andersson three-bet jammed for 430,000 from the big blind. Gaines made the call and was ahead after the cards were flipped over.

Mikael Andersson: A 3
Glen Gaines: 7 7

Andersson was out in sixth place for €11,400 after not improving on the 4 4 2 9 9 double-paired board while Gaines cracked 2 million in chips after winning the hand.

The final five players have now locked up at least €15,800.

Glen Gaines – 2 million
Mikael Andersson – 0

Level 23: 10,000/25,000 (25,000)
Entries: 6/285

Just after winning a small pot, Thomas Jakobsen ran into a cooler and will not be making a run at the title after finishing second place in this same event last year.

Paulius Jucys opened for 50,000 from the cutoff before Jakobsen three-bet to 140,000 from the big blind. Jucys four-bet to 280,000. Jakobsen four-bet shoved for 975,000 and Jucys, with just a little more in his stack, made the call.

Thomas Jakobsen : A K
Paulius Jucys: A A

It was a bit of a cooler for Jakobsen to run big slick into aces. No miracle came Jakobsen’s way and he was out in seventh place for €8,700 after the Q 3 7 4 Q ran out on the board.

The final six are each now guaranteed at least a payday worth €11,400. Meanwhile, Jucys took the chip lead for the first time today with Igor Pihela Sr. breathing down his neck.

Paulius Jucys – 2.1 million
Igor Pihela Sr. – 2.1 million
Thomas Jakobsen – 0

Level 23: 10,000/25,000 (25,000)
Entries: 7/285

Thomas Jakobsen was the runner-up last year at the Tallinn Summer Showdown Main Event and is looking to do one spot better this year.

Jakobsen was just involved in a small hand where he opened for 55,000 from under the gun with 8 8 and was called by Joris Hvibovs with A Q from the big blind.

Hvibovs checked the 7 10 6 flop and gave up on the hand facing a bet of 40,000 to allow Jakobsen to take down the pot.

Thomas Jakobsen – 1 million
Joris Hvibovs – 600,000

Level 23: 10,000/25,000 (25,000)
Entries: 7/285

Igor Pihela Sr. opened for 60,000 from the cutoff. Seppo Parkikinen called from the small blind.

Parkkinen led out for 50,000 on the 9 J 4 flop and Pihela Sr. called. The 9 paired the board on the turn and Parkkinen fired out again, this time for 75,000. 

Pihela Sr. called and the 10 completed the board on the river.

Parkkinen checked and Pihela Sr. jammed his chip leading stack. Parkkinen called and turned over Q J for two pair. Pihela Sr. rivered a better two pair with J 10 to extend his chip lead and send Parkkinen out in eighth place for €6,300. 

The final nine players are each guaranteed an €8,700 payout.

Igor Pihela Sr. – 2.3 million
Seppo Parkkinen – 0 

Level 22: 10,000/20,000 (20,000)
Entries: 8/285

In just two hands there have already been two lead changes. Glen Gaines opened for 45,000 from the hijack with 3 3 and was called by Igor Pihela Sr. from the cutoff with A 9 , Mikael Andersson from the button with 8 7 and Seppo Parkkinen from the small blind with K Q .

Two players checked before Pihela Sr. bet 75,000. The rest of the table folded and this was enough for Pihela Sr. to snag the chip lead.

Level 22: 10,000/20,000 (20,000)
Entries: 8/285

Kaspar Laursoo jammed for 10 big blinds the very first hand of the final table from under the gun. Glen Gaines three-bet to 380,000 from the cutoff and the rest of the table folded.

Kaspar Laursoo: 6 6
Glen Gaines: 10 10

Laursoo was in a world of trouble and got no help from the 9 K 5 Q 3 board to hit the rail in ninth place for €5,050.

The final eight players got a pay jump and are now guaranteed at least a €6,300 payout.

Meanwhile, there is already a new table captain after one hand as Glen Gaines took a thin lead over Victor Prior Fernandez Amat.

Glen Gaines – 1.7 million
Kaspar Laursoo – 0

Victor Prior Fernandez Amat is the table captain heading into the final table just like he was at the start of the day. Igor Pihela Sr. has also remained in the top two spots.

Level 22: 10,000/20,000 (20,000)
Entries: 9/285

Janne Nevalainen was down to under three big blinds and got them in from the button with A 4 . Victor Prior Fernandez Amat called from the small blind with J 8 and connected his eight on the 9 Q 8 3 Q board.

While Nevalainen was unable to advance to the final table, he did ladder up nicely consider he was one of the shorter stacks of the day.

The final table is being set up after a short break. The chip counts will be posted shortly and going forward we will report on a 30-minute delay as to not give away spoilers for those watching the stream.

Victor Prior Fernandez Amat – 1.8 million
Janne Nevalainen – 0

Level 22: 10,000/20,000 (20,000)
Entries: 10/285

Glen Gaines five-bet jammed for about 850,000 and was called by Gert Laanemets for about 550,000.

Gert Laanemets: J J
Glen Gaines: A K

Gaines won the flip after his king connected with the K 7 Q 4 10 board and the final table was on the bubble with 10 players remaining, each guaranteed a €5,050 payout. Meanwhile, Laanemets will collect a €4,250 prize for his deep run.

Glen Gaines – 1.4 million
Gert Laanemets – 0

Level 22: 10,000/20,000 (20,000)
Entries: 11/285

After a flurry of eliminations last level, this level has been calmer thus far about halfway through with a bunch of smaller pots being played.

Level 21: 8,000/16,000 (16,000)
Entries: 11/285

Frode Alfredsen three-bet jammed from the big blind for 176,000 over the hijack open to 32,000 by Paulius Jucys. Jucys made the snap-call and the cards were turned over.

Frode Alfredsen: A J
Paulius Jucys: 8 8

Jucys won the flip to oust Alfredsen in 12th place after the 2 9 5 10 3 fell on the board.

Shortly after, the tournament went on its first 20-minute break.

Paulius Jucys – 1.2 million
Frode Alfredsen – 0

Level 21: 8,000/16,000 (16,000)
Entries: 12/285

Gytis Lazauninkas just hit the rail at the feature table. He got his short stack in with A 8 and was up against the Q 10 held by Gert Laanemets. Lazauninkas was unable to hold on the 4 10 2 J 4 board and was eliminated in 13th place for €3,500.

The final dozen players have each locked up €4,250.

Gert Laanmets – 600,000
Gytis Lazauninkas – 0

Level 21: 8,000/16,000 (16,000)
Entries: 13/285

Toni Ojala was short all day and eventually got his stack in with A 4 at the feature table against Juris Hlibovs with K 8 .

Ojala was unable to hold after the 4 K 6 10 9 board paired up his opponent’s king to go out in 14th place.

Meanwhile, there could have been another elimination just before on the outer table. Janne Nevalainen got his stack of 153,000 after three-betting with A K and was called by Seppo Parkkinen with A 7 . Nevalinen improved to a flush on the 9 Q 3 9 K runout to double his stack.

Juris Hlibovs – 700,000
Seppo Parkkinen – 470,000
Janne Nevalainen – 340,000
Toni Ojala – 0

Level 21: 8,000/16,000 (16,000)
Entries: 14/285

Glen Gaines opened to 32,000 from under the gun. Ermo Kosk three-bet jammed for about 170,000 from the button. Seppo Parkkinen four-bet shoved for about 400,000 from the big blind. Gaines tanked for a minute before he opted to fold.

Ermo Kosk: Q Q
Seppo Parkkinen: K K

It was a bit of a cooler for Kosk running queens into cowboys and he got no help from the 7 5 3 6 10 board to hit the rail in 15th place for €2,800. The final 14 players are now each guaranteed at least a €3,500 payday.

Meanwhile, we caught the short-stacked Gytis Lazauninkas double-up on the feature table when he got his last 92,000 in with A 5 and held against Q 4

Seppo Parkkinen – 650,000
Glen Gaines – 600,000
Gytis Lazauninkas – 202,000
Ermo Kosk – 0

Level 21: 8,000/16,000 (16,000)
Entries: 15/285

Victor Prior Fernandez Amat opened for 35,000 from the hijack before Henri Juutilainen three-bet jammed for 152,000 from the small blind. Fernandez Amat thought for a moment before he called.

Henri Juutilainen: A 10
Victor Prior Fernandez Amat: A J

Juutilainen bricked the 9 Q 3 6 4 board and was on the rail in 16th place for €2,800.

Victor Prior Fernandez Amat – 1.7 million
Henri Juutilainen – 0

Level 20: 6,000/12,000 (12,000)
Entries: 16/285

Paulius Jucys opened for a min-raise from early position and Henri Juutilainen defended his big blind. Juutilainen check-raised the J 8 J flop from 16,000 to 65,000 and Jucys called.

Juutilainen fired out for 70,000 after the J put three jacks on the board and Jucys called again.

The A river completed the board and Juutilainen checked before he snap-folded facing a bet of around 150,000 from Jucys.

Paulius Jucys – 850,000
Henri Juutilainen – 250,000

Level 20: 6,000/12,000 (12,000)
Entries: 16/285

Thomas Jakobsen opened for 25,000 before he called a three-bet jam by Ranno Sootla to 178,000.

Ranno Sootla: A 5
Thomas Jakobsen: 5 5

Jakobsen’s fives held to eliminate Sootla in 17th place for €2,400 after the J 10 9 7 6 rolled out on the board. A table redraw will take place for the final two tables and the live stream will begin as well on a 30-minute delay.

The final 16 players each were bumped up to at least a €2,800 payout.

Thomas Jakobsen – 800,000
Ranno Sootla – 0

Level 20: 6,000/12,000 (12,000)
Entries: 17/285

Gert Laanemets bet 110,000 into a pot of around 300,000 with the K 4 3 4 2 on the board. The action paused on Igor Pihela Sr. who eventually called.

Laanemets turned over J 6 for a flush but was outmatched by Pihela who held Q 10 for a better flush.

Igor Pihela Sr. – 1,500,000
Gert Laanemets – 500,000

Level 20: 6,000/12,000 (12,000)
Entries: 17/285

It has been all small ball early on for the final day of the Main Event. Victor Amat and Igor Pihela Sr. are both still at the top of the chip counts with about 1.25 million chips each.

Cards are in the air for the final day of the Main Event.

The team standings have been updated through Events #2, #5, #7, #10, #11, #12, #16, #17, #18, #21, #23, #24, and #25. SNOTTYS TEAM, with Ronny Albirgtsen, Espen Sandvik, Sondre Stormyr, and Edgars Beizaks is currently in the lead with many big events to go.

Welcome to the final day of the 2022 Tallinn Summer Showdown €1,100 Main Event at Olympic Park Casino.

Today’s action will feature hour-long blind levels until a winner is crowned with Victor Prior Fernandez Amat (1,300,000) and Igor Pihela Sr. (1,153,000) leading the way at the start of the day.

Estonia’s Gert Laanemets (850,000) and Latvia’s Juris Hlibovs (776,000) are next on the leaderboard. All four of the top players will start the final day at the same table. However, once one player is eliminated there will be an early table redraw tomorrow with two tables of eight players each. Meanwhile, Lithuania’s Paulius Jucys (553,000) also cracked the top five on the end-of-Day 2 leaderboard.

Final Day Seat Assignments

There will be no table redraw to start the day as one will take place soon after with 17 players remaining at the eight-max tables. The live stream will begin once the final table of nine players is established when one last redraw will take place. Here is a look at the seat assignments to start the final day:

Main Event Payouts

The final 17 players have locked up at least €2,400 with payouts going up big and fast with tomorrow’s winner slated to be rewarded a whopping €62,400 top prize along with the coveted Main Event trophy. Here is a look at all of the Main Event payouts:

The action will resume at noon on the casino floor with blinds at 6,000/12,000 along with a big blind ante of 12,000 and increase every hour until a winner is crowned. Stay tuned at PokerListings to see who will win the 2022 Tallinn Summer Showdown Main Event.

Saturday’s Event Schedule