Germany's Phil Gross emotionally won his first taste at WSOP gold after defeating a field of 617 entries, including Ukraine's Oleksii Natoptanyi heads-up on the third and final day of the 2024 WSOP Circuit Tallinn Event #3: €555 No-Limit Hold'em for €55,210 and the coveted WSOP Circuit gold ring. This is not all, as Gross will have an opportunity to add more hardware as his victory earned him an invitation to the 2025 WSOP Tournament of Champions freeroll, where he will be playing for a WSOP gold bracelet along for a share of $1 million.

Gross came onto the poker scene in Tallinn around this time last year and instantly caught the attention of many with his energy, sense of humor, and warm smile. Some described his play as unorthodox, but Gross appears to time his aggression at the right times. Last July, Gross dazzled the crowd and recorded his first cash at The Hendon Mob when he took runner-up in the 2023 Kings of Tallinn Summer Showdown €1,100 Main Event for €72,700.

His second cash was also a runner-up finish in May when he won €660 and bounties in the 2024 Olybet Spring Mix €150 Turbo Bounty. He certainly didn't want it to happen again for his third career cash but now he has a new standard with his first victory in one of the most prestigious events of the year in Northern Europe.

Gross began the day with the chip lead, but by far, it wasn't a coast-to-coast affair. In fact, Gross nearly hit the rail in seventh place when he got his short stack in with ace-queen and managed a chop against the ace-king held by Latvia's Tigrans Vilums.

The victory was bittersweet at the end, with Gross's glowing rail emotionally surrounding Gross after the victory with emotional hugs.

€555 No-Limit Hold'em Final Table Results

The three-day Event #3: €555 No-Limit Hold'em attracted a banner crowd of 617 entries to create a €296,160 prize pool. The top 79 performers each locked up a €1,100 min-cash, including Linda Nguyen, who finished in 71st place while also multi-tabling the final table of the two-day Event #5: €250 Queens ladies-only affair, which she went on to win on Tuesday.

Final Table Action

Phil Gross began the final table with a gap on the field. It was a cold start for the eventual winner as he first coughed up the chip lead to United Kingdom's David Bright before Bright passed it along to Oleksii Natoptanyi. Finland's Rasmus Sihvonen then took a spin at the wheel of the table captain's chair before the first pair of eliminations took place.

Lithuania's Ignotas Tamasauskas managed to ladder up one spot after his kings left Finland's Tommy Piiroinen (pictured above) with just six blinds, with kings holding firm against jacks.

Pirroinen appeared to start a Cinderella story when he got it in good with his short stack with kings, only to take a bad beat on the river to Bright's queens to exit first at the final table in ninth place for €4,950.

Tamasauskas (pictured below) then could not find a second double early at the final table and instead hit the rail in eighth place for €6,900 when he ran jack-ten into the ace-jack held by Estonia's Dmitri Damaskin.

Bright had the lead by a hair before Sihvonen took it back before the first break. Gross was relentlessly shoving just before the break and straight after to regain the lead after the momentum appeared to be going the other way.

Seven-handed play lasted several blind levels, with Natoptanyi earning the chip leader status back before players began to head to the cashier.

We already mentioned that Gross could have been out if his ace-queen didn't chop against ace-king during seven-handed play. But another critical hand was determined by a coin flip that gave Gross a substantial lead in a huge pot, resulting in Bright's (pictured below) impressive run to end in seventh place for €7,550 after his big slick found an ace on the board to beat jacks.

The next hand witnessed the demise of another former chip leader in Sihvonen (pictured below), who jammed a short stack with king-eight and was out in sixth place for €9,950 after fellow Finn Roope Tarmi called with ace-jack.

Tarmi played tight throughout the early portions of the final table. He had played on the big stage many times before and had a chance to make history by becoming the first two-time WSOP Circuit Tallinn champion after winning the €3,000 NLH 6-Handed for €78,280 and his first WSOP Circuit gold ring.

A Cinderella story was potentially in the making as Tarmi was down to under two big blinds during seven-handed play before doubling through Gross. He went from hero to zero, and after he eliminated Sihvonen, he doubled through Gross a second time with ace-queen vs. queen-ten to take the chip lead.

Gross remained undeterred and relentlessly aggressive, a theme that continued until the end. Gross eliminated Latvia's Tigrans Vilums (pictured below) in fifth place after his ace-deuce was good against queen-ten before hopping into the chip lead shortly after that. 

Damaskin (pictured below) was the next to go by Gross's hands. He was down to just crumbs, which went in with nine-trey suited and exited in fourth place for €17,700 after Gross's queen-six suited was good enough.

Natoptanyi was short on chips and appeared to potentially be the next one to hit the rail. But he found a good enough spot to double with ace-deuce against Gross's king-eight. Gross's once insurmountable lead was just one double away from vanishing after he doubled Natoptanyi for a second time when his ten-nine suited didn't get there against ace-jack.

Tarmi then found himself low on chips, with the blind increasing and finding any spots to do anything but fold. A second Cinderella story was in the making as he was down to just slightly more than a small blind when he doubled up twice through Gross.

The third time wasn't a charm for Tarmi (pictured below) and his quest for a second WSOP Circuit Tallinn ring was over after his ace-nine didn't hold against Gross's ace-jack. While he was unable to make history, he did walk away with a healthy €25,100 prize for his efforts.

Head's Up Battle

Gross began the heads-up battle with nearly triple the stack of Natoptanyi. The duo went on a 30-minute break, during which time they discussed a deal.

Natoptanyi insisted to Gross that he was the better heads-up player, loud enough for those on the rail to hear. Gross was 0-2 in Tallinn in heads-up battles, and although the smile stayed, his nerves were growing as he shared he didn't want to have yet another runner-up finish after no deal could be agreed upon.

Gross could have ended it quickly, but instead, Natoptanyi doubled into the chip lead after jamming with six-four suited into Gross's fives and improving to a straight.

Natoptanyi's momentum suddenly stopped after Gross made a move to change the tides to give him the lead. Natoptanyi bet both the flop and the turn on a four-two-six-nine board. Gross check-called the flop before he check-jammed the turn with ten-four. Natopanyi bought the story and folded the best hand.

It was all over the very next hand. Gross jammed with ace-king and held after Natoptanyi called off with king-seven to eliminate his opponent in second place for €36,900.

A massive congrats to Germany's Phil Gross for winning the WSOP Circuit gold ring and the €55,210 top prize and we wish him the best of luck in the €1 million guaranteed Main Event, which he promised to hop into.

* Photos courtesy of Elena Kask / OlyBet.tv.

Level 38: 250,000/500,000 (500,000)
Entries: 2/617

It was all over the very next hand. Phil Gross jammed the button. Oleksii Natoptanyi paused for a moment before calling off his stack of 6.1 million.

Oleksii Natoptanyi:
Phil Gross:

Gross was celebrating in absolute joy as he was nervous about ending his run as the runner-up in a second big tournament in Tallinn after last year falling one place shy of the win in the 2023 Kings of Tallinn Summer Showdown €1,100 Main Event after the ran out on the board.

Although Natoptanyi fell just one player shy of the ring, he did earn himself a hefty runner-up prize of €36,900. Meanwhile, a massive congrats to Gross for winning his first ring, an invite to win a bracelet at the $1 million guaranteed WSOP Tournament of Champions this summer, and the hefty €55,210 top prize.

Stay tuned for the recap of the epic €555 No-Limit Hold'em ring event at Olympic Park Casino.

Level 38: 250,000/500,000 (500,000)
Entries: 2/617

Oleksii Natoptanyi limped preflop with from the button. Phil Gross with opted to check back his option from the big blind before both players connected with the flop.

Gross check-called a min-bet by Natoptanyi before the followed on the turn. Gross then made a move with a check-jam with third pair from 2,000,000 to 7,500,000 and took the chip lead after Natoptanyi laid down the best hand.

Level 37: 200,000/400,000 (400,000)
Entries: 2/617

Oleksii Natoptanyi jammed for 4.7 million from the button. Phil Gross paused for about 15 seconds before he called.

Oleksii Natoptanyi:
Phil Gross:

It was nearly over right there, but Natoptanyi rivered a straight on the board to take the chip lead instead.

The action has resumed between 2023 Kings of Tallinn Summer Showdown runner-up Phil Gross and Ukraine's Oleksii Natoptanyi, who are battling for the coveted WSOP Circuit gold ring and an invite to the $1 million guaranteed WSOP Tournament of Champions freeroll in Las Vegas next summer, where a bracelet is on the line.

Players have locked up €36,900 and will be playing for a chunk more with today's winner earning the whopping €55,210 top prize.

Players went on a break before the start of heads-up play. There was a deal discussed but nothing was agreed upon by either player.

Level 37: 200,000/400,000 (400,000)
Entries: 2/617

Roope Tarmi's run to the sun ended a hand after he doubled up. He will still have other chances this festival, including in the €1 million guaranteed WSOP Circuit Tallinn €1,500 Main Event to add a ring to the one he earned last year in the €3,000 NLH 6-Handed.

Tarmi jammed for 3.5 million from the button and was called by Phil Gross from the big blind.

Roope Tarmi:
Phil Gross:

Tarmi's amazing run ended on a bronze podium finish for €25,100 after Gross's king connected on the board.

Meanwhile, Gross will begin the heads-up action with a 3:1 chip advantage over Oleksii Natoptanyi.

Level 37: 200,000/400,000 (400,000)
Entries: 3/617

The quest for Tarmi to become the first player to earn a pair of WSOP Circuit Tallinn rings after winning the €3,000 NLH 6-Handed last year continued. Gross once again jammed the button, and Tarmi called off for 1.3 million from the small blind.

Roope Tarmi:
Phil Gross:

Tarmi fell behind on the flop, and it looked grim for him to survive after the followed on the turn. However, the river kept him alive with double his stack, and his second Cinderella story of the final table continues.

Level 37: 200,000/400,000 (400,000)
Entries: 3/617

Phil Gross jammed for 12 million from the button and Roope Tarmi tossed in a few more chips to call off his stack of 245,000 from the small blind.

Roope Tarmi:
Phil Gross:

Tarmi doubled with two pair on the board to give him some hope for a comeback for the second time at the final table.

Level 37: 200,000/400,000 (400,000)
Entries: 3/617

Oleksii Natoptanyi jammed for 2.8 million from the button. Phil Gross called from the small blind. Roope Tarmi looked down at his and saw two all-ins in front of him. He folded hoping Gross would win the hand as he had just 245,000 remaining for slightly more than a small blind.

Oleksii Natoptanyi:
Phil Gross:

The equities were close but Natoptanyi's ace-jack held on the double-paired board to double up his stack.

Level 37: 200,000/400,000 (400,000)
Entries: 3/617

Phil Gross is literally jamming any two whenever possible and has extended his chip lead to holding more than 75 percent of the chips in play.

Oleksii Natoptanyi is sitting on just seven big blinds after the blinds increased, while Tarmi is nearly back to where he was at one point where he had under two big blinds with 2.5 big blinds.

Level 36: 150,000/300,000 (300,000)
Entries: 3/617

Phil Gross jammed the button for 13 million and was called by Oleksii Natoptanyi for his stack of 1.3 million from the big blind.

Oleksii Natoptanyi:
Phil Gross:

The certainly raised some eyebrows with Gross having two live cards and an open-ended straight draw. But the action wasn't heads-up just yet, with Natoptanyi doubling his stack with a flush instead of hitting the rail after the turn and river completed the board.

Level 36: 150,000/300,000 (300,000)
Entries: 3/617

Phil Gross chipped up by not getting any resistance to his jams to pad his chip lead. Gross jammed for 9.9 million from under the gun. Oleksii Natoptanyi, concerned with ICM, folded his from the small blind with a short-stacked opponent in the big blind in Dmitri Damaskin.

Damaskin called off his stack of 700,000 and had two live cards for some hope.

Dmitri Damaskin:
Phil Gross:

Damaskin pulled ahead equity-wise with a flush draw on the flop, but Gross was far ahead on the turn, with Damakin needing either a nine or a diamond to survive.

The bricked the river for Damaskin for his impressive run to end in fourth place for €17,700.

Level 36: 150,000/300,000 (300,000)
Entries: 4/617

Roope Tarmi with opened for a min-raise from under the gun and was called by Phil Gross with from the big blind.

Both the flop and turn were checked around, allowing Gross to catch up and pull ahead on the river.

Gross bet 600,000 and took the chip lead after Tarmi folded.

Level 35: 125,000/250,000 (250,000)
Entries: 4/617

Tigrans Vilums jammed his five big blind short stack from under the gun and was called by Phil Gross from the big blind.

Tigrans Vilums:
Phil Gross:

It was a beautiful flop for Vilums, who was far ahead equity-wise with a flush draw, an open-ended straight draw, and his two live hole cards also being live.

However, neither the turn nor the river were of any help and Vilums was on the rail in fifth place for €13,300.

Level 35: 125,000/250,000 (250,000)
Entries: 5/617

Moments ago, Roope Tarmi looked like he would be on the rail in seventh place sitting on under two big blinds. He just took the chip lead after picking off Phil Gross as follows.

Gross jammed for 7.7 million from the cutoff. Tarmi called off his stack of 3.2 million from the small blind and was praying to avoid a bad beat in this big spot.

Roope Tarmi:
Phil Gross:

There was a bit of a sweat on the flop with now a jack also giving Gross the lead. However, the turn and river were safe for Tarmi to survive and double into the chip lead.

Level 35: 125,000/250,000 (250,000)
Entries: 5/617

After a long seven-handed battle, the action is down to just five players after the last two hands, with Rasmus Sihvonen exiting in sixth place for €9,950.

Roope Tarmi, who recently had less than two big blinds, opened for 950,000 for most of his stack from the cutoff. Sihvonen took a stand with his three big blind stack from the small blind and called off for 750,000. 

Rasmus Sihvonen:
Roope Tarmi:

Sihvonen had two live suited cards, but got no help to pull ahead of ace-jack to hit the rail after the ran out on the board.

Level 35: 125,000/250,000 (250,000)
Entries: 6/617

After doubling up two short-stacked opponents, Phil Gross jammed once again for 4.5 million from early position. David Bright called off his stack of 2.5 million and was racing for either the chip lead or elimination.

David Bright:
Phil Gross:

The stars weren't looking to bright for Bright as Gross nailed a flush straight away on the flop. Bright's fate was sealed on the turn, and he was awarded the sixth-place prize of €7,550 after his valiant effort at the final table.

Meanwhile, Gross was back with the lead with an all-time high for this event with 7.7 million in chips.

Level 35: 125,000/250,000 (250,000)
Entries: 7/617

Phil Gross jammed for 4.9 million from the hijack. Roope Tarmi called for his stack of 380,000 from the small blind and had two live cards.

Roope Tarmi:
Phil Gross:

Both players connected with the flop with Tarmi needing more help to survive. Help was on its way with the turn pushing Tarmi ahead with two pair. The blank river didn't push Gross further ahead for Tarmi to double his stack instead of hitting the rail.

Level 35: 125,000/250,000 (250,000)
Entries: 7/617

Oleksii Natoptanyi (pictured below) opened for 375,000 with from under the gun and was called by David Bright with from the small blind. Roope Tarmi looked down at and opted to call off his short stack leaving just 380,000 behind.

Bright got the most out of the flop as he paired his jack and had an open-ended straight draw. Both Bright and Tarmi checked before Natoptanyi, with no serious hope to improve on a Broadway-style board, bet 375,000. Bright called while Tarmi folded and attempted to save his crumbs for a better spot.

Bright checked again and Natoptanyi bravely jammed for 2.6 million. Bright had 2.5 million behind. Natoptanyi's move worked as he got Bright to fold the better hand to take the chip lead.

Level 34: 100,000/200,000 (200,000)
Entries: 7/617

Phil Gross is still at the top, with a small gap on the rest of the field. There are three stacks between 5-7 big blinds, with the rest of the table holding between 14-17 big blinds.

Level 34: 100,000/200,000 (200,000)
Entries: 7/617

Tigrans Vilums appeared destined to be the next player out. But we might have the start of a Cinderella story as he just doubled through the chip leader Phil Gross.

Gross went back to his jamming ways and shoved his stack of 5,800,000 from early position. Vilums called off his tiny stack of 295,000 from the hijack and the rest of the table folded.

Tigrans Vilums:
Phil Gross:

Vilums had little sweat with his aces holding up just fine on the runout to double his stack.

Level 34: 100,000/200,000 (200,000)
Entries: 7/617

Tigrans Vilums jammed from the small blind for 1.6 million. David Bright (pictured below) had 1.3 million left after posting the ante before he called from the big blind.

David Bright:
Tigrans Vilums:

Bright doubled his stack while leaving Vilums nearly out of gas after big slick was good on the board.

Level 34: 100,000/200,000 (200,000)
Entries: 7/617

Phil Gross continued his aggression preflop to pad his chip lead. Meanwhile, there are four stacks below 10 big blinds which promises push-fold by many players to continue.

Level 34: 100,000/200,000 (200,000)
Entries: 7/617

Rasmus Sihvonen min-raised from the cutoff before he called a three-bet jam by Dmitri Damaskin (pictured below) from the button to 1,100,000.

Dmitri Damaskin:
Rasmus Sihvonen:

Damaskin was ahead and should have felt comfortable after improving further to the top set on the flop. Sihvonen was drawing dead after the turn brought a full house to Damaskin and paid off Damaskin after the river double-paired the board.

Level 34: 100,000/200,000 (200,000)
Entries: 7/617

Phil Gross started the day with the chip lead, and he was nearly out of the event if not for a fortuitous chop with ace-queen against ace-king.

Just before the break he got a little jam-happy. That trend continued with no calls thus far including a recent 19 big blind jam from the hijack with to take the chip lead.

The final seven players are on their first break of the final table. Check out the chip counts at the break below:

Level 33: 75,000/150,000 (150,000)
Entries: 7/617

David Bright opened for 375,000 from the hijack with . Oleksii Natoptanyi (pictured below) woke up with from the button and opted to just flat instead of three-betting, allowing Rasmus Sihvonen with to call from the small blind to bring three players to the rainbow flop.

Bright continued for nearly half the pot for 650,000 despite bricking the flop. Natoptanyi called while Sihvonen got out of the way.

Both players checked the turn before the river completed the board. Both players checked again, and Natoptanyi took down the pot after passively playing with his pocket rockets throughout the hand.

Level 33: 75,000/150,000 (150,000)
Entries: 7/617

Dmitri Damaskin min-raised from under the gun with before Rasmus Sihvonen with defended his big blind.

Sihvonen tried to make a move despite bricking the flop with a check-raise over Damaskin's 300,000 to 650,000. Damaskin called with his top pair before both players checked the turn.

Sihvonen still had no connection with the board on the river but seemed to have a plan on the wet board with a bet of 1,100,000. Damaskin was left with a tough decision for half his stack and folded the best hand.

Level 32: 50,000/125,000 (125,000)
Entries: 7/617

We could have easily seen Phil Gross on the rail or, if he delivered a bad beat, witnessed Tigrans Vilums heading in that direction. It might be a case that everyone loves a chop. It should be one that at least Gross felt grateful for.

David Bright opened for 250,000 with from under the gun. Gross jammed for 1,800,000 from the small blind before Vilums four-bet shoved for 1,900,000. Bright did a little Hollywooding before he folded before Gross and Vilums tabled their hands.

Phil Gross:
Tigrans Vilums:

The double-paired board resulted in a split pot, bringing a big smile to Gross's face.

Level 32: 50,000/125,000 (125,000)
Entries: 7/617

Phil Gross had to give up on a couple of opens before he woke up with from under the gun. Gross opened for 275,000 and was called by David Bright, who chipped up three-betting Gross earlier, with from the hijack. Dmitri Damaskin also had an ace with his but opted not to defend his big blind.

Gross was ahead despite not connecting with the flop and won the hand after Bright folded to his bet of 250,000.

David Bright and Rasmus Sihvonen were both on top with seven players left, with all players grouped between 13 and 26 big blinds. Check out the full chip counts below:

Level 32: 50,000/125,000 (125,000)
Entries: 7/617

Ignotas Tamasauskas doubled up once at the final table but was unable to work magic after getting in behind for a second double-up.

Tamasauskas jammed for 1.2 million from the small blind. Dmitri Damaskin, who has displayed some patience with his short stack and managed to chip up with some small pot action, had his opponent covered by five big blinds, called from the big blind.

Ignotas Tamasauskas:
Dmitri Damaskin:

Damaskin had the nuts after the turn with Broadway and eliminated Tamasauskas in eighth place for €6,100 after a blank river after the  ran out on the board.

Level 31: 50,000/100,000 (100,000)
Entries: 8/617

Roope Tarmi opened with for a min-raise from under the gun. Tommy Piiroinen was down to three big blinds after defending his big blind and wisely giving up on a bad flop jammed his 275,000 stack from the small blind. David Bright four-bet to 950,000 from the big blind. Tarmi got out of the way, and Piiroinen was in an amazing spot to potentially double his stack.

Tommy Piiroinen:
David Bright:

Piironen was only fading two outs after the flop. The turn was another blank for Bright to pull off Yahtzee. However, the river rained down on the board to deliver a brutal bad beat to Piiroinen for him to fall first from the final table in ninth place for €4,250.

Level 31: 50,000/100,000 (100,000)
Entries: 9/617

Ignotas Tamasauskas (pictured below) opened for 400,000 from under the gun for more than half his stack. Tommy Piiroinen three-bet to 800,000 from the hijack. Oleksii Natoptanyi looked down at and folded from the small blind while Tamasauskas called off his stack of 745,000 and was in good shape to double.

Ignotas Tamasauskas:
Tommy Piiroinen:

One of Piironien's jacks was already folded in Natoptanyi's hand, leaving him drawing super thin. The board was good enough for Tamasauskas to stave off elimination while doubling his stack.

Meanwhile, Piiroinen was down to just six big blinds after the hand.

Level 31: 50,000/100,000 (100,000)
Entries: 9/617

Rasmus Sihvonen (pictured below) opened for 200,000 with from under the gun before Oleksii Natoptanyi looked down at from the big blind and called.

Natoptanyi check-called his top pair and top kicker a bet of 150,000 by Sihvonen on the flop.

A blank followed on the turn. Natoptanyi bet 350,000, and Sihvonen called with his overpair.

The river added a third spade to the board. Natoptanyi bet 500,000 with his top pair. Sihvonen found a call to become the fourth different chip leader already at this final table.

Level 30: 40,000/80,000 (80,000)
Entries: 9/617

Oleksii Natoptanyi (pictured below) opened for 200,000 from early position with . Phil Gross was back at it again, this time three-betting with from the cutoff to 475,000. Natoptanyi called and hit two-pair on the all-diamond flop.

Natoptanyi checked. Gross bet 400,000 for one-third of the pot. Both players checked the turn before Natoptanyi improved further to the nuts with a full house after the paired the board on the river.

Natoptanyi fired out for 750,000 and took down the pot to take the chip lead after Gross folded.

Level 30: 40,000/80,000 (80,000)
Entries: 9/617

Phil Gross min-raised from the small blind with and was called by Tigrans Vilums (pictured below) with from the big blind.

Gross fired out for 150,000 with the bottom pair on the flop and was called by Vilums with the top pair.

The queen paired the board on the turn. Both players checked before the river completed the board. Gross checked before Vilums went into the tank before eventually betting 200,000. Gross quickly called only to get the bad news.

David Bright took the chip lead by default after winning a small pot earlier in combination to Gross losing the two reported hands.

Level 30: 40,000/80,000 (80,000)
Entries: 9/617

Rasmus Sihvonen (pictured below) min-raised the cutoff with before the table captain Phil Gross with defended his big blind.

Gross check-called a small bet of 100,000 by Sihvonen on the flop. Sihvonen pulled ahead after pairing his ace on the turn. Gross checked again. Sihvonen flashed a smile before he bet 350,000. Gross also smiled as he folded to give an early pot to Sihvonen.

Level 30: 40,000/80,000 (80,000)
Entries: 9/617

The final table of the €555 No-Limit Hold'em ring event has started on the live stream. We will report on all the biggest hands and moments from the event, and you can also watch the action unfold on the OlyBet.tv live stream.George Sandford will once again lead the commentating, and a variety of guests are expected to join throughout the day.

Best of luck to all the players in their quest for the ring and the €55,210 top prize.

Welcome to the final table of the three-day Event #3: €555 No-Limit Hold'em ring event at Olympic Park Casino and the Hilton Tallinn Park.

The charismatic German Phil Gross leads the way with a healthy stack of over 80 big blinds of 3,235,000. Finland's Roope Tarmi (2,690,000), United Kingdom's David Bright (2,610,000), Ukraine's Oleksii Natoptanyi (2,610,000), and Finland's Rasums Sihvonen (2,385,000) all amassed more than 2 million by the end of Day 2. At the same time, Estonia's Dmitri Damaskin (1,650,000) and Latvia's Tigrans Vilums (1,425,000) were also chip millionaires.

Finland's Tommy Piiroinen (960,000) and Lithuania's Ignotas Tamasauskas (945,000) also have some hope but will start off as the short stacks.

There were 28 minutes left on the clock on Level 30 with blinds at 40,000/80,000 along with an 80,000 big blind ante. Blinds will increase every 30 minutes after completing this level until a ring winner is crowned. Stay tuned for the biggest hands, bad beats, and more in our blog or follow along on our live-stream on a 30-minute delay at OlyBet.tv.