"Never give up," and "a chip and a chair." Phrases every poker player has heard at some point at the tables, but sometimes a situation looks dire enough to throw them into the wind. However, today, Joel Haapio proved that there is truth to the common statements. Haapio was down to a ten-to-one chip disadvantage at one point in the heads-up battle for the Kings of Tallinn: Autumn Edition €555 Championship, but ultimately persevered over Rasmus Lundstrom to take home the trophy and a career-best score of €47,560.

Meanwhile, Lundstrom limited the damage as he walked away with €41,200, also a record-setting score for him, as the players had made a heads-up deal when Lundstrom started the heads-up with a small chip advantage. Turkey's Koray Korkmaz took home the bronze medal and added €24,500 to his seven-figure live earnings, while €5,000 Progressive Bounty runner-up Justas Vaiciulionis and Finnish grinder Tommi Lankinen also made an appearance at the final table.

€555 Championship Final Table Results

* = denotes heads-up deal

Day 3 Action

At the start of Day 3, only 16 of the 583 entries returned to Olympic Park Casino to divide the lion's share of the €274,010 prize pool and determine who would walk away the champion. Estonian Powerhouses Tarmo Tammel and Igor Pihela Sr. started the day short and were quickly dispatched off in 16th and 14th place, earning €2,700 and €3,100 respectively.

The entertaining Timo Ruuska's (12th - €3,550) fate was ultimately decided by a dice roll as that is how he decided to call off against Vaiciulionis' flush. Ultimately, Finnish regular Juho Suutari ended up as the final table bubble boy, also eliminated by Vaiciulionis.

Lundstrom had come into the third day as a massive chipleader, but Korkmaz had worked his way up the rankings throughout the first two and a half hours of poker and started the final table with a slight edge.

Two ladies were still in contention when the final table got underway. Hanna Heinlo and Kristiana Stauere had been short throughout the later stages of Day 2 and the entirety of Day 3, but managed to climb the payjump ladder all the way to the final table. That is where their story ended, however, as Heinlo, Estonia's last hope, ended in ninth place while Stauere got her final ladder to eighth.

While Korkmaz and Lundstrom were busy battling for the chip lead, Vaiciulionis knocked out Lankinen in seventh. Six-handed play then continued for a while, and the stacks ended up relatively even at the first break of the final table.

However, Lundstrom soon pulled away from the pack again as he eliminated Thanh Doan in sixth place and not long after Vaiciulionis in fifth. Korkmaz joined him atop the counts by knocking out Algirdas Saveikis in fourth place, leaving Haapio as the absolute short stack three-handed.

Korkmaz's stay at the top would be short-lived, however, as Lundstrom hero-called his bluff with bottom pair before Haapio eliminated him not much later. The two Finns then agreed to a deal heads-up, leaving €8,000 and the trophy to play for.

Heads-Up Play

Lundstrom started the heads-up with a slight chip advantage and soon pulled away further as every pot seemed to head in his direction. A pattern occurred where Lundstrom had Haapio on the ropes and Haapio doubled up to stay in contention. In fact, Haapio won four at-risk all-ins until he finally had the chip advantage.

Finally, Haapio had Lundstrum at risk with pocket deuces against ace-deuce. The board remained free of any aces and Haapio's rail rushed toward him as they embraced in an emotional spectacle. He hoisted the trophy before cashing out his best-ever score and heading into the night to celebrate.

Thus concludes the live report of the €555 Championship. Be sure to come back to the live blog tomorrow as the reporting will shift to Day 2 of the prestigious €1,100 Main Event.

Level 35: 150,000/300,000 (300,000)
Entries: 1/583

After a miraculous heads-up comeback, a visibly emotional Joel Haapio shipped the trophy and nearly tripled his lifetime earnings by securing €47,560.

Stay tuned for a full recap of the day.

Level 35: 150,000/300,000 (300,000)
Entries: 2/583

Joel Haapio open-jammed from the button and Rasmus Lundstrom called off his final 2,500,000 in the big blind.

Rasmus Lundstrom:
Joel Haapio:

Lundstrom's rail screamed for an ace but the flop did not provide one. The turn changed the chants to a ten, but neither that nor an ace arrived on the river.

Lundstrom ended the tournament as the runner-up, taking home his best-ever live score of €41,200 after a heads-up deal.

Level 35: 150,000/300,000 (300,000)
Entries: 2/583

Rasmus Lunstrom limped in on the button and Joel Haapio checked in the big blind. Lunstrom fired bets of 300,000 on the flop and 725,000 on the turn.

Haapio check-called both times until they both checked the river. Haapio played two pair with , but it was not enough as Lundstrom had made a flush with his and raked in the pot.

Level 35: 150,000/300,000 (300,000)
Entries: 2/583

Rasmus Lundstrom raised  to 600,000 on the button, prompting Joel Haapio to defend.

Lundstrom continued for 900,000 on the flop. Haapio check-raised to 2,100,000, which Lundstrom called.

The fell on the turn. Haapio shoved all in for 4,300,000 and was snap-called by Lundstrom.

Joel Haapio:
Rasmus Lundstrom:

Lundstrom had top pair but was an underdog against the two pair of Haapio. The river did not improve his hand and he doubled up his opponent once again.

Haapio gained a massive chip lead as the fortunes seemed to have reversed in the heads-up battle.

Level 35: 150,000/300,000 (300,000)
Entries: 2/583

Joel Haapio looked down at on the button and raised to 600,000. Rasmus Lundstrom called in the big blind with and check-called the 400,000 Haapio put in on the flop.

Haapio sized up to 1,200,000 on the turn with his top pair. Undeterred, Lundstrom kept floating and check-called again. Finally, Haapio jammed all in for 2,300,000 on the river, this time seeing Lundstrom check-fold his queen-high.

Level 35: 150,000/300,000 (300,000)
Entries: 2/583

Joel Haapio open-jammed his button for 2,700,000 and was called by Rasmus Lundstrom.

Joel Haapio:
Rasmus Lundstrom:

Haapio was the only one to make a pair on the runout and consequently doubled up.

Level 35: 150,000/300,000 (300,000)
Entries: 2/583

Rasmus Lundstrom open-jammed his button and Joel Haapio called all in for 1,600,000.

Joel Haapio:
Rasmus Lundstrom:

The flop provided a sweat, but Lundstrum could not improve further on the runout and doubled up his opponent.

Level 34: 125,000/250,000 (250,000)
Entries: 2/583

The two players have been sent on a five-minute break.

Level 34: 125,000/250,000 (250,000)
Entries: 2/583

Rasmus Lundstrom saw on the button and raised to 500,000. Joel Haapio called in the big blind with and checked the flop.

Lundstrom fired a bet of 475,000, enough to let Haapio fold and take the pot.

Level 34: 125,000/250,000 (250,000)
Entries: 2/583

Joel Haapio raised his button to 500,000 before Rasmus Lundstrom called in the big blind.

The flop was checked through to the turn, where Lundstrom checked again. Haapio fired 775,000 and Lundstrom called.

The river was once again knuckled by both players. Lundstrom showed for bottom pair. Haapio played for ten-high, and his cards ended up in the muck.

Level 34: 125,000/250,000 (250,000)
Entries: 2/583

Rasmus Lundstrom raised to 500,000 on the button, being called by Joel Haapio in the big blind.

Lundstrom continued for 275,000 on the flop and was check-raised to 650,000 by Haapio.

Undeterred, Lundstrom made the call. The rest of the board checked through. Lundstrom tabled for nines and sevens with a queen kicker, sending Haapio's for a counterfeit three into the muck.

Level 34: 125,000/250,000 (250,000)
Entries: 2/583

Joel Haapio open-jammed his button for 3,100,000 and was called by Rasmus Lundstrom.

Joel Haapio:
Rasmus Lindstrom:

Haapio dominated Lundstrom, even more so when the flop fell . The turn secured the double-up for Haapio, which he received once the hit the river.

Level 34: 125,000/250,000 (250,000)
Entries: 2/583

Rasmus Lundstrom looked down at on the button and raised to 500,000. Joel Haapio called in the big blind with and the pair went to a flop of .

Lundstrom bet 300,000 and Haapio check-called. The turn went check-check before the fell on the river.

Haapio checked again before Lundstrom bet 1,300,000. After a while, Haapio send his third pair into the muck and forfeited the pot.

Level 34: 125,000/250,000 (250,000)
Entries: 2/583

Joel Haapio raised his button to 500,000 and saw Rasmus Lundstrom defend in the big blind. The flop fell , where Lundstrom check-called the 250,000 bet of Haapio.

The turn paired the board and was checked through. On the river, Lundstrom bet 2,000,000 and was snapped off by Haapio.

Lundstrom showed for trip sevens, beating the of Haapio and extending his lead.

Level 34: 125,000/250,000 (250,000)
Entries: 2/583

The cards are back in the air as the players have agreed on the following numbers:

Additionally, €8,000 is reserved for the eventual winner.

Level 33: 100,000/200,000 (200,000)
Entries: 2/583

Joel Haapio and Rasmus Lundstrom are taking a small break to try and agree to a deal.

Level 33: 100,000/200,000 (200,000)
Entries: 3/583

Koray Korkmaz put his stack of 3,500,000 in from the small blind. Joel Haapio pondered for a few moments but eventually called in the big blind, covering Korkmaz by but a few chips.

Koray Korkmaz:
Joel Haapio: 

Neither player improved on the runout. Haapio's ace-high was the winning hand and he knocked out Korkmaz in third place.

Level 33: 100,000/200,000 (200,000)
Entries: 3/583

Koray Korkmaz raised his button to 400,000, after which Rasmus Lundstrom defended in the big blind.

Korkmaz continued for 275,000 on the board, which Lundstrom check-raised to 750,000. Korkmaz went to see the turn as he put in a call. 

Lundstrom did not relent and fired another bet, of 600,000. However, Korkmaz continued calling and the hit the river.

Lundstrom checked and Korkmaz piled in a bet of 1,900,000. Lundstrom spent several minutes in the tank before eventually flicking in a calling chip.

Korkmaz could only show queen-high with while Lundstrom had put on his cape and called with just for bottom pair.

The big pot was shipped to Lundstrom, who grabbed a massive lead resultingly. 

Level 33: 100,000/200,000 (200,000)
Entries: 3/583

The players are back in their seats and the cards in the air.

The three remaining players have decided to take a 20-minute break.

Level 33: 100,000/200,000 (200,000)
Entries: 4/583

Algirdas Saveikis open-jammed his button for 2,700,000. Koray Korkmaz called in the small blind and had him covered.

Algirdas Saveikis:
Koray Korkmaz:

Saveikiz needed help, and he received it on the flop. The turn reversed the fortunes, however, as Korkmaz made the higher pair. The river changed nothing as Saveikis waved off in fourth.

Level 32: 75,000/150,000 (150,000)
Entries: 4/583

Joel Haapio raised to 300,000 under the gun. Koray Korkmaz defended his big blind and checked the flop.

Haapio bet 175,000 and Korkmaz called to the turn, where he led out for 175,000. Haapio put in a small raise to 375,000, which Korkmaz called.

The river was then checked down. Korkmaz tabled for bottom pair and had to see the pot being shipped to Haapio as he turned over for a higher pair.

Level 32: 75,000/150,000 (150,000)
Entries: 5/583

Rasmus Lundstrom raised to 300,000 in the small blind before Justas Vaiciulionis three-bet all in for 2,100,000 in the small blind.

Lundstrom snap-called and the cards were tabled.

Justas Vaiciulionis:
Rasmus Lundstrom:

Vaiciulionis was dominated and was only drawing to a chop when the flop hit. The turn did nothing for him and the river sealed his fate as the fifth-place finisher.

Level 32: 75,000/150,000 (150,000)
Entries: 5/583

It folded to Koray Korkmaz on the button, who raised to 300,000 with .

Joel Haapio then three-bet shoved for 1,900,000 from the small blind with , sending Korkmaz into a tank of around five minutes.

Eventually, he let his hand go and the chips were shipped to Haapio.

Level 32: 75,000/150,000 (150,000)
Entries: 6/583

Rasmus Lundstrom raised to 300,000 under the gun. Thanh Doan then three-bet all in for 1,500,000 in the cutoff.

Lundstrom asked for a count, thought for a while, and put in a call.

Thanh Doan:
Rasmus Lundstrom:

Lundstrom needed an ace to knock out Doan, but the flop brought him other opportunities. His flush came in on the turn, after which the river failed to pair the board.

Doan shook hands and said his goodbyes as hi exited in sixth place.

Level 32: 75,000/150,000 (150,000)
Entries: 6/583

Rasmus Lundstrom found under the gun and raised to 300,000. Justas Vaiciulionis looked down at in the hijack and three-bet to 750,000. 

It folded back to Lundstrom, who tanked for a while and then jammed all in. Vaiciulionis snap-folded and the first pot after the break headed to Lundstrom.

The six remaining players have been sent on a 15-minute break.

Level 31: 60,000/120,000 (120,000)
Entries: 6/583

Joel Haapio open-jammed for 1,400,000 in the small blind. Rasmus Lundstrom spent some time in the big blind thinking it through before making the call.

Joel Haapio:
Rasmus Lundstrom:

Haapio paired up on the flop while the turn removed some outs for Lundstrom. The river changed nothing as the field evened out further.

Level 31: 60,000/120,000 (120,000)
Entries: 6/583

Justas Vaiciulionis made a raise to 250,000 in the hijack with . Than Doan saw in the cutoff and reraised to 500,000.

Vaiciulionis spent some puzzled moments in the tank but eventually folded his cards as the pot was granted to Doan.

Level 31: 60,000/120,000 (120,000)
Entries: 6/583

After a period of pure preflop play, Algirdas Saveikas raised to 240,000 in the hijack with . Justas Vaiciulionis spent some time in the big blind before defending .

The flop checked through to the on the turn. Vaiciulionis weighed his options for a bit but ultimately checked. Saveikas bet 550,000 with his two pair and received an instant fold from Vaiciulionis' ducks.

Level 30: 50,000/100,000 (100,000)
Entries: 7/583

Thanh Doan open-jammed for 1,200,000 from middle position. It folded to Tommi Lankinen in the big blind, who called off for 1,100,000.

Tommi Lankinen:
Thanh Doan:

The flop brought no help for Lankinen, although the turn did give him a gutshot. However, the river did not improve his hand, leaving him stranded in seventh.

Level 30: 50,000/100,000 (100,000)
Entries: 7/583

Koray Korkmaz raised to 200,000 on the button, after which small blind Joel Haapio three-bet jammed for 430,000. Korkmaz put in the extra chips and the players showed down.

Joel Haapio:
Koray Korkmaz:

Haapio dominated Korkmaz. The flop brought some chop outs, which the turn brought in. The river was for Haapio, however, as he made a better two pair to double up.

Level 30: 50,000/100,000 (100,000)
Entries: 7/583

Algirdas Saveikis looked down at on the button and raised to 200,000. Koray Korkmaz found in the small blind and quickly moved all in.

Saveikis instantly folded as Korkmaz added some more chips.

Level 30: 50,000/100,000 (100,000)
Entries: 7/583

Justas Vaciulionis saw under the gun and decided to limp in. It then folded to Rasmus Lundstrom on the button, who made it 250,000 to go with . Tommi Lankinen defended his in the big blind before Vaciulionis came along as well.

The flop fell . It checked to Lundstrom, who fired 225,000. Lankinen quickly folded but Vaciulionis raised to 700,000 with his combo draw.

Lundstrom swiftly ditched his king-high as Vaciulionis picked up the pot.

Level 30: 50,000/100,000 (100,000)
Entries: 8/583

Rasmus Lundstrom open-jammed from the small blind. Kristiana Stauere called all-in for her final 340,000 in the big blinds and a showdown was had.

Kristiana Stauere:
Rasmus Lundstrom:

Stauere flopped some hope as she made a pair on , but it was quickly dashed as the turn gave Lundstrom a higher one. The river did nothing to help her as the last lady departed in eighth place.

Level 30: 50,000/100,000 (100,000)
Entries: 8/583

Koray Korkmaz raised his button to 200,000 with . Rasmus Lundstrom looked down at in the big blind and defended.

Korkmaz continued for 175,000 on the flop, which Lundstrom called. The turn was checked through before the hit the river.

Lundstrom made an overbet of 1,100,000 and Korkmaz eventually mucked his ace-high.

Level 30: 50,000/100,000 (100,000)
Entries: 8/583

Koray Korkmaz raised to 200,000 under the gun with . Rasmus Lundstrom found in middle position and three-bet to 500,000.

Korkmaz gave it some thought but ultimately folded his suited connecter as the two ended up even in chips.

Level 29: 40,000/80,000 (80,000)
Entries: 9/583

Koray Korkmaz raised to 160,000 in the cutoff. Hanna Heinlo committed her final 440,000 from the button and was quickly called by Korkmaz.

Hanna Heinlo:
Koray Korkmaz:

Korkmaz paired his ace on the flop to take a big lead. The turn gave Heinlo's tens a gutshot, but it failed to come in on the river.

She was the first elimination of the final table, finishing in ninth place.

Level 29: 40,000/80,000 (80,000)
Entries: 9/583

Kristiana Stauere open-jammed in early position for her last 490,000 with .

Everybody else folded as Stauere welcomed the blinds to their new home.

Level 29: 40,000/80,000 (80,000)
Entries: 9/583

The final nine players have been introduced as the cards are in the air for the final table of the €555 Championship.

The players have been sent on a 20-minute break while the final table is being prepared.

Level 29: 40,000/80,000 (80,000)
Entries: 10/583

Juho Suutari raised to 335,000 in the cutoff, about half his stack. Justas Vaiciulionis then three-bet jammed with the covering stack and Suutari snap-called once it had folded back to him.

Juho Suutari:
Justas Vaiciulionis:

The flop was a sweaty one. Suutari flopped top pair but Vaiciulionis had a plethora of outs. The turn bricked but the river made Vaiciulionis a higher better.

Suutari knocked the table and instantly walked away as the final table of nine was set.

Level 29: 40,000/80,000 (80,000)
Entries: 10/583

Koray Korkmaz raised to 160,000 under the gun. Rasmus Lundstrom peeled his cards on the button and flat-called.

The two big stacks went to a flop of , which was checked through. Korkmaz fired 400,000 on the turn and was called by Lundstrom.

The river was quickly checked down. Korkmaz tabled for a pair of nines, besting the of Lundstrom and grabbing a sizable chiplead.

Level 29: 40,000/80,000 (80,000)
Entries: 10/583

Koray Korkmaz min-raised from under the gun with at the feature table and was called by Rasmus Lundstrom from the button with and by Joel Haapio with from the big blind.

All three players checked the all-heart flop. Korkmaz improved to the ace-high flush on the turn before the trio checked it around again.

Both Lundstrom and Haapio checked after the river completed the board. Korkmaz bet 400,000 and Lunstrom quickly folded. Meanwhile, Haapio went into the tank with his turned two-pair before he eventually called.

The first lead change of the final day took place, although not a big one with Korkmaz holding a few more chips than Lundstrom after the hand.

Level 29: 40,000/80,000 (80,000)
Entries: 10/583

Algirdas Saveikis raised to 160,000 under the gun. It folded to Tommi Lankinen in the big blind, who defended.

The flop fell . Lankinen checked, prompting Saveikis to bet 90,000. Lankinen spent a few minutes in the tank before tossing in a raise to 205,000, which garnered a quick fold.

Level 29: 40,000/80,000 (80,000)
Entries: 10/583

Joel Haapio min-raised with from the cutoff at the televised feature table before Rasmus Lundstrom with opted to defend his big blind with his suited connectors.

Lundstrom improved to bottom pair before he checked on the flop. Haapio, still ahead with an overpair, bet 100,000 and Haapio called.

After the turn paired the board, Lundstrom opted to bet 120,000. Haapio quickly called and the river completed the board.

Haapio opted for max-value with a jam of 400,000. Lundstrom paused for a moment before folding to his opponent's better hand.

Level 29: 40,000/80,000 (80,000)
Entries: 10/583

Rasmus Lundstrom opened for 160,000 with from under the gun. Hanno Heinlo looked down at her and three-bet jammed for 670,000. Koray Korkmaz paused with before folding from the small blind before Kristiana Steuere with got out of the way as well from the big blind.

Heinlo gained some breathing room without seeing a flop after Lundstrom quickly gave up on his hand opting not to gamble.

Level 29: 40,000/80,000 (80,000)
Entries: 10/583

It was folded to Thanh Doan in the small blind, who open-jammed for 490,000. Tommi Lankinen made a quick call in the big blind and the cards were tabled.

Thanh Doan:
Tommi Lankinen:

Lankinen had a slight edge but Doan paired up on the board to double up.

Level 28: 30,000/60,000 (60,000)
Entries: 10/583

The ten remaining players have been sent on a 20-minute break. When they come back, the final table bubble will continue.

Level 28: 30,000/60,000 (60,000)
Entries: 10/583

Pasi Laihinen jammed for 520,000 from the hijack before Rasmus Lundstrom three-bet to 1 million from the small blind. The cards were tabled after Hanna Heinlo folded from the big blind.

Pasi Laihinen:
Rasmus Lundstrom:

Laihinen bricked the board and was eliminated in 11th place for €4,000 and the action was on the final table bubble just before the first break.

Level 28: 30,000/60,000 (60,000)
Entries: 11/583

Justas Vaiciulionis limped in from the small blind and Thanh Doan checked in the big blind. The pair checked through the flop before the fell on the turn.

Vaiciulionis bet 85,000 and Doan quickly jammed all in for 250,000. Vaiciulionis spent a minute or two in the tank before putting in the calling chips.

Thanh Doan:
Justas Vaiciulionis:

Doan's pair was up against the straight and flush draw of Vaiciulionis. The on the river did not complete either of them, however, and Doan raked in his double-up.

Level 28: 30,000/60,000 (60,000)
Entries: 11/583

Kristiana Stauere raised to 120,000 with from the cutoff on the televised feature table before Joel Haapio with defended his big blind.

Haapio got a piece with middle pair on the flop and check-called a bet of 125,000 before the turn added more outs with an open-ended straight draw for Stauere.

Haapio checked again before Stauere bet 350,000 for nearly half her remaining stack. Haapio tanked for several moments before he gave up on the better hand.

Level 28: 30,000/60,000 (60,000)
Entries: 11/583

One hand after eliminating Timo Ruuska, Tommi Lankinen three-bet jammed for 920,000 in the small blind. Thanh Doan, on the button, was the initial raiser and quickly called.

Tommi Lankinen:
Thanh Doan:

Doan had the lead, but it disappeared on the flop. Lankinen's flopped pair of aces remained best on the runout and he doubled up, leaving Doan with less than seven big blinds.

Level 28: 30,000/60,000 (60,000)
Entries: 11/583

Timo Ruuska raised all-in for 250,000 in the hijack and was called by Tommi Lankinen in the big blind.

Timo Ruuska:
Tommi Lankinen:

The flop was great for Ruuska, making top pair and a flush draw. The turn did not improve Lankinen, but the river gave him trips, putting a bad beat on Ruuska.

Ruuska took it in stride and shook hands with Lankinen before exiting the tournament area.

Level 28: 30,000/60,000 (60,000)
Entries: 12/583

Rasmus Lundstrom hasn't let go of the chip lead since the start of the day.  His stack didn't take too much of a dent as he went after the short-stacked Hanna Heinlo.

Lundstrom jammed for 5 million from the small blind. Heinlo took her time but eventually called off her stack of 380,000.

Hanna Heinlo:
Rasmus Lundstrom:

It was a bit of a wide jam by Lundstrom but Heinlo still had a sweat as her opponent had two live cards. Lundstrom bricked the double-paired runout and Heinlo doubled her stack with her king kicker instead of a bad beat sending her to the rail.

Level 28: 30,000/60,000 (60,000)
Entries: 12/583

Kristiana Stauere min-raised from under the gun with before Koray Korkmaz with defended his big blind.

Korkmaz flopped Yahzee as the flop improved him to a flush. Stauere bet 110,000 and Korkmaz check-called.

Both players checked the turn before Korkmaz went for value with a bet of 425,000 on the river. Stauere saved some chips with a quick fold while Korkmaz witnessed his stack soar above 2 million for the first time on the final day.

Level 28: 30,000/60,000 (60,000)
Entries: 12/583

Juho Suutari raised to 120,000 under the gun. The action folded to Algirdas Saveikis (pictured below), who quickly moved in for 1,110,000 in the small blind. The short-stacked Timo Ruuska got out of the way and it was back on Suutari.

"I don't think you saw me raise," Suutari repeated a few times while he spent some minutes thinking it through.

Eventually, he folded his cards. Saveikis admitted he indeed missed Suutari's open-raise and tabled to prove it, much to Suutari's frustration.

Level 27: 25,000/50,000 (50,000)
Entries: 12/583

Tommi Lankinen put in his final 270,000 as first to act. The action folded to Justas Vaiciulionis in the small blind, who called.

Tommi Lankinen:
Justas Vaiciulionis:

It was looking like the end of Lankinen's tournament run, but he paired his five on the flop. Neither the turn nor the river had a king in store for Vaiciulionis, and he doubled up his opponent.

Level 27: 25,000/50,000 (50,000)
Entries: 12/583

Rasmus Lundstrom min-raised from the cutoff. Mindaugas Kriauciunas three-bet jammed for 385,000 from the button and was quickly called by Lundstrom.

Mindaugas Kriauciunas:
Rasmus Lundstrom:

Kriauciunas appeared to hit a good spot to get revenge from just a couple of hands before when Lundstrom hit trips on the river with the better hand when the chips were committed.

However, the runout improved Lundstrom to a flush to eliminate Kriauciunas in 13th place for €3,550.

Level 27: 25,000/50,000 (50,000)
Entries: 13/583

Rasmus Lundstrom (pictured below) defended his big blind with after Mindaugas Kriauciunas min-raised with from under the gun.

Both players checked after getting a piece of the flop before Lundstrom check-called a bet of 150,000 on the turn by Kriauciunas.

The river improved Lundstrom to trips. He fired out for a tiny bet of 80,000. Kriuaucinas called only to get the bad news. Meanwhile, Lundstrom padded his chip lead and hit the 4 million mark for the first time on the final day.

Level 27: 25,000/50,000 (50,000)
Entries: 12/583

Arriving on the river with a board of in the middle, Timo Ruuska (pictured below) checked from the big blind to Justas Vaiciulionis in the hijack.

Vaiciulionis made a bet of 225,000 into the pot of 530,000, which was worth half of Ruuska's stack.

Ruuska spent a few minutes in the tank before he picked up the die he carried and cast it. It rolled a six and he immediately slammed in a call.

Vaiciulionis tabled for the second nuts and took down the pot, leaving Ruuska with five big blinds.

Level 27: 25,000/50,000 (50,000)
Entries: 13/583

Rasmus Lundstrom opened for 100,000 with from under the gun. Mindaugas Kriauciunas three bet to 250,000 with before Kristiana Stauere four-bet shoved with from the big blind.

Lundstrom quickly folded before Kriauciunas called off his stack of 805,000.

The two players chopped it up with no flushes possible after the ran out on the board.

Level 27: 25,000/50,000 (50,000)
Entries: 13/583

Tommi Lankinen jammed all in from the small blind. Algirdas Saveikis (pictured below) was covered in the big blind and called off his stack of 560,000.

Algirdas Saveikis:
Tommi Lankinen:

The board improved neither player, doubling up Saveikis with his king-queen high. Lankinen, meanwhile, was back down to five and a half big blinds.

Level 27: 25,000/50,000 (50,000)
Entries: 13/583

Igor Pihela Sr. already had his stack of 85,000 committed preflop with 50,000 as the big blind and the rest as the ante from the big blind when Koray Korkmaz raised to 100,000 from under the gun.

Joel Haapio called from the small blind before he check-folded his facing a bet of 75,000 by Korkmaz. The cards were in trouble and Pihela needed some help.

Igor Pihela Sr.:
Koray Korkmaz:

Pihela didn't get help on the turn and was eliminated in 14th place for €3,100 to his opponent's two pair after the river completed the board. The remaining 13 players each earned a pay jump to €3,550 with all of the eliminations thus far at the televised feature table on Day 3.

Level 27: 25,000/50,000 (50,000)
Entries: 13/583

Timo Ruuska made a raise to 100,000 in the hijack. Pasi Laihinen (pictured below) sat in the cutoff and three-bet to 450,000, all of his chips.

The action folded back to Ruuska, who asked for a count but made a reluctant fold soon after.

Level 27: 25,000/50,000 (50,000)
Entries: 14/583

Igor Pihela Sr. jammed for 645,000 from under the gun. Kristiana Stauere had 560,000 in her stack when she called from the hijack. Stauere wasn't the only player at risk this hand. Andrei Mjagkov joined the party after he called off his stack of 410,000.

Andrei Mjagkov:
Kristiana Stauere:
Igor Pihela Sr.:

Four diamonds hit the board but Stauere effectively tripled up with a set while sending Mjagkov to the rail in 15th place for €3,100 after neither of her opponents had what it took to complete the flush.

Meanwhile, Pihela, who began the day with a short stack, was down to under two big blinds after the hand.

Level 27: 25,000/50,000 (50,000)
Entries: 15/583

Igor Pihela Sr. opened for 200,000 from early position. Hanna Heinlo three-bet shoved for 270,000. The action folded around to Pihela, who paused for several moments before tossing in a few more chips to call.

Hanna Heinlo:
Igor Pihela Sr.:

Both players bricked the flop. Heinlo's ace-high was still good after the turn and no ace or nine followed with the river pairing the board for Heinlo to double her short stack.

Level 27: 25,000/50,000 (50,000)
Entries: 15/583

Juho Suutari raised to 100,000 in middle position. Justas Vaiciulionis called in the hijack before Tommi Lankinen three-bet jammed for 290,000.

Suutari put in a minimum four-bet to isolate, forcing Vaiciulionis out of the pot.

Tommi Lankinen:
Juho Suutari:

Lankinen paired up on the flop to take the lead, but Suutari turned a flush draw on the . The river bricked out, however, doubling up Lankinen.

Level 27: 25,000/50,000 (50,000)
Entries: 15/583

Juho Suutari opened his button to 100,000. Thanh Doan looked at his cards in the big blind, thought for a couple of seconds, and jammed all in for 1,315,000.

Suutari looked puzzled and asked for a count. Not long after he had received the correct number, he let go of his cards and surrendered the pot.

Level 26: 20,000/40,000 (40,000)
Entries: 15/583

Four Estonians advanced to the final day of the €555 Championship. Igor Pihela Sr. held the shortest stack but chipped up early and pulled ahead of Estonian hero Tarmo Tammel.

Tammel jammed for 435,000 from under the gun. Pihela three-bet shoved for 480,000 from the hijack and it was likely that either an Estonian would be on the rail or would be down to just slightly more than a big blind after the cards were tabled.

Tarmo Tammel:
Igor Pihela Sr.:

Pihela Sr. went from zero to hero to start the final table while sending Tammel to the cashier to collect the 16th place prize of €2,700 after improving to trips on the runout.

Meanwhile, the remaining 15 players laddered up the payout tables and are guaranteed at least a €3,100 payout.

Level 26: 20,000/40,000 (40,000)
Entries: 16/583

Mindaugas Kriauciunas limped in from the small blind, after which Juho Suutari (pictured below) made it 100,000 to go in the big blind. Kriauciunas called before the pair checked through the  flop and turn.

The then fell on the river, which Kriauciunas checked again. Suutari fired 140,000, and Kriauciunas tanked for a few minutes but ultimately found a fold.

Level 26: 20,000/40,000 (40,000)
Entries: 16/583

Igor Pihela Sr. came in with a short stack and was firing right away to already nearly double without seeing a flop.

Pihela first jammed for 280,000 from early position at the feature table and the rest of the table folded. He then had more clubs with from under the gun the next hand and jammed for 380,000. Pihela added another 100,000 to his stack after the entire table folded.

Level 26: 20,000/40,000 (40,000)
Entries: 16/583

The 16 remaining players have found their seats and the cards are in the air for the final day of the €555 Championship.

Stay tuned as the updates will follow on a 30-minute delay.

Both Tarmo Tammel and Igor Pihela Sr. are among the most recognizable names in the Estonian poker scene. Today, at their home turf of the Olympic Park Casino, they could decide which spot they take on the prestigious all-time money list as the €555 Championship plays out its final day at Kings of Tallinn: Autumn Edition.

Only 16 players of the original 583 remain, of which Tammel sits in 14th with 465,000 chips, only 12 big blinds, while Pihela is dead last with a meager stack of 280,000. However, if Tammel, currently tenth on the Estonian all-time money list, spins it up he could overtake Pihela, who sits in ninth, as only €20,000 are between them and the top prize for this event is €52,760.

However, both Tammel and Pihela will have a tall task making a significant enough increase in their total live earnings, as they will have to combat monster chipleader Rasmus Lundstrom. Lundstrom managed to gather 3,615,000 chips on Day 2, more than twice as much as anyone else. Turkish player Koray Korkmaz sits in second with 1,725,000, while Thanh Doan completes the podium with a stack of 1,580,000.

Top Ten Chip Counts

Other notable names still having a shot at the trophy include Finnish grinders Juho Suutari (1,465,000) and Tommi Lankinen (365,000), and runner-up in the €5,000 Progressive Bounty earlier this week Justas Vaicilionis (1,460,000).

The majority of the €274,010 prize pool is still up for grabs, with each of the 16 players going home with at least €2,700. A payjump to €3,100 will be reached after one elimination, and the top six will all earn a five-figure payout.

Remaining Payouts

The action kicks off at 1 p.m. local time, with 19 minutes and 10 seconds left in Level 26: 20,000/40,000 (40,000). Each subsequent level will last for 40 minutes, with a break after every three levels, and play will not stop before a winner is crowned.

OlyBet.tv will have a cards-up live stream going from the very start. The stream will be on a 30-minute delay, and the live reporting will follow the same delay to prevent spoilers.

Stay tuned as the thrilling conclusion of the €555 Championship gets underway.