€555 Championship Final Day
Level 31: 75,000/150,000 (150,000)
Entries: 1/559

The €555 Championship has crowned a winner after 17 hours of play. The final hand went as follows.

Benjamin Gros limped from the small blind.  Rokas Barzdzius jammed for about 10 big blinds from the big blind and Gros snap-called.

Rokas Barzdzius:
Benjamin Gros:

It was a fitting way to end a dominating performance by Gros. The board held no surprise and Barzdzius was ousted one player shy of a victory in second place for €37,500.

Meanwhile, congrats to Benjamin Gros for shipping the €555 Championship for €55,500.

We will post the final payouts shortly. However, the recap will come tomorrow due to the late hour in the evening. Thank you for tuning in and see you tomorrow for Day 1a of the €500,000 guaranteed Kings of Tallinn €1,100 Main Event.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 31: 75,000/150,000 (150,000)
Entries: 2/559

Tarmo Tammel open-jammed for about a dozen big blinds from the small blind and was called by Benjamin Gros from the big blind.

Tarmo Tammel:
Benjamin Gros:

Tammel asked his large rail to yell out for cards he need but this didn't give him the luck he needed to win the flip as he got nowhere on the board.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 31: 75,000/150,000 (150,000)
Entries: 3/559

Benjamin Gros opened for a min-raise on the button before Rokas Barzdzius three-bet jammed for about 10 big blinds from the small blind. Gros quickly called and the cards were turned over.

Rokas Barzdzius:
Benjamin Gros:

Barzdzius doubled up after his nine found a friend on the for a better two pair than Gros.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 31: 75,000/150,000 (150,000)
Entries: 3/559

Rokas Barzdzius jammed from the cutoff for 900,000. Paulius Vaitiekunas called off his stack of 775,000 from the button and the rest of the table folded.

Paulius Vaitiekunas:
Rokas Barzdzius:

Vaitiekunas had a reason for some hope on the flop with both his overcards live as well as holding an open-ended straight draw. He bricked the turn and the river and the action was down to just three players.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 30: 50,000/125,000 (125,000)
Entries: 4/559

Benjamin Gros jammed from the small blind. Rokas Barzdzius called off his short stack of 550,000 from the big blind.

Rokas Barzdzius:
Benjamin Gros:

Barzdzius doubled after Gros bricked the board.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 30: 50,000/125,000 (125,000)
Entries: 4/559

Benjamin Gros jammed from the cutoff. Zydrunas Karcemarskas had one single 25,000 chip behind after posting the big blind ante and the big blind and made the call.

Zydrunas Karcemarskas:
Benjamin Gros:

Karcemarskas was unable to get ahead on the board and there were just four players remaining after he hit the rail.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 30: 50,000/125,000 (125,000)
Entries: 5/559

Alger Pissarev opened for 250,000 with about the same behind from under the gun. Paulius Vaitiekunas three-bet shoved to put Pissarev in for the rest. Pissarev snap-called and the hands were turned over.

Alger Pissarev:
Paulius Vaitiekunas:

Pissarev pulled out ahead on the flop and was still ahead on the turn. However, the river counterfeited his two pair with both players now having aces over queens. Vaitiekunas's king came into play as the best kicker and Pissarev wished the table a good game on his way out of the room.

The action went on a short break with a few of the players asking to stop the clock.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 30: 50,000/125,000 (125,000)
Entries: 6/559

Paulius Vaitiekunas just got the breathing room he was looking for. Moments ago he was down to just 200,000 in chips and now has more than 1.4 million.

Benjamin Gros jammed the button with and was called by Vaitiekunas with .

Vaitiekunas began singing as the ran out on the board to earn his third double up in the last 20 minutes.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 29: 50,000/100,000 (100,000)
Entries: 6/559

Paulius Vaitiekunas jammed the cutoff for 3 big blinds and was called by Tarmo Tammel from the big blind.

Paulius Vaitiekunas:
Tarmo Tammel:

It wasn't until the river did Vaitiekunas won the flip with the running out on the board.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 29: 50,000/100,000 (100,000)
Entries: 6/559

Paulius Vaitiekunas was down to just two big blinds when he shoved from the cutoff with .  Tarmo Tammel called from the big blind with .

Neither player held a premium hand but Vaitekunas's queen-high held on the runout to double his short stack.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 29: 50,000/100,000 (100,000)
Entries: 6/559

Juuso Kauppi jammed for 1,050,000 from the cutoff and was called by Benjamin Gros from the button.

Juuso Kauppi:
Benjamin Gros:

It was looking good for Kauppi to double after his ace paired on the flop. However, the turn improved Gros to a set of ladies. The river completed the board and Kauppi was ousted in seventh place.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 29: 50,000/100,000 (100,000)
Entries: 7/559

Rokas Barzdzius opened for 200,000 from middle position. Janne Ojala called off his stack of 200,000 from two seats over and Juuso Kauppi called as well from the big blind.

Kauppi checked the flop. Barzdzius bet 175,000 and Kauppi folded.

Janne Ojala:
Rokas Barzdzius:

Ojala was behind but had some hope with a flush draw. Neither the turn nor the river was of any help and he was eliminated to Barzdzius's full house in eighth place.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 29: 50,000/100,000 (100,000)
Entries: 8/559

Zydrunas Karcemarskas limped from the small blind before Tarmo Tammel checked back his option from the big blind.

Karcemarskas bet 100,000 on the flop. Tammel called before both players checked the turn. The river completed the board. Karcemarskas fired out for 225,000. Tammel raised to 675,000. Karcemarskas called before he mucked his hand after seeing Tammel turn over for a full house.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 28: 40,000/80,000 (80,000)
Entries: 8/559

Zydrunas Karcemarskas three-bet jammed 600,000 and was called by Benjamin Gros.

Zydrunas Karcemarskas:
Benjamin Gros:

Gros improved to trips on the runout. But Karcemarskas doubled anyway as he nailed a full house.

Players went on a quick break after the hand.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 28: 40,000/80,000 (80,000)
Entries: 8/559

Luigi Shehadeh was the first elimination at the final table. The Italian opened for 400,000 with about 200,000 behind from middle position and was cold-called by Tarmo Tammel from the button.

Shehadeh jammed the rest of his stack on the flop and Tammel called.

Luigi Shehadeh:
Tarmo Tammel:

Shehadeh needed some help to stay alive. Unfortunately, the turn and the river didn't help and Shehadeh collected the ninth-place prize of €3,420.

A special thank you to the Giada Fang and the entire Italian rail for the much-needed pizza for the blogging team.

There hasn't been a flop seen in at least an orbit. Players are playing a bit on the tighter side with the significant pay jumps on the line.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 27: 30,000/60,000 (60,000)
Entries: 9/559

Paulius Vaitiekunas opened for 120,000 from under the gun. Benjamin Gros three-bet to 320,000 from the cutoff. Vaitiekunas four-bet to 585,000 and Gros called.

Vaitiekunas continued for 175,000 on the flop and Gros called. Both players checked down the turn and river.

Vaitiekunas turned over for a pair of fours. This was no match to the held by Gros, who was awarded the pot.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 27: 30,000/60,000 (60,000)
Entries: 9/559

Players are on a short break before the final table begins. Amin Asikainen three-bet jammed for about six big blinds and was called by Benjamin Gros who opened from the cutoff.

Amin Asikainen:
Benjamin Gros:

Asaikainen lost the flip and his stack after failing to connect with the board.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 26: 25,000/50,000 (50,000)
Entries: 10/559

Luigi Shehadeh opened for 100,000 from the hijack before Tarmo Tammel three-bet to 315,000 from the button. Shehadeh jammed for more than 2 million. Tammel tanked for a moment before he called off his stack of 2,060,000.

Tarmo Tammel:
Luigi Shehadeh:

Tammel celebrated after not only his kings held but improved to a set after the ran out on the board.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 26: 25,000/50,000 (50,000)
Entries: 10/559

Amin Asikainen jammed from the button for 200,000 and was called by Benjamin Gros from the big blind.

Amin Asikainen:
Benjamin Gros:

Asikainen was miles ahead and doubled his short stack after the ran out on the board.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 26: 25,000/50,000 (50,000)
Entries: 10/559

Rokas Barzdzius effectively jammed from the small blind. Giovanni Nava called off for about a dozen big blinds from the big blind.

Giovanni Nava:
Rokas Barzdzius:

Barzdzius nailed the better pair on the board to eliminate Nava in 11th place.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 26: 25,000/50,000 (50,000)
Entries: 11/559

The pot wasn't yet big when Benjamin Gros fired out for 100,000 on the board after the turn. Yanis Sahli shoved for about 500,000 and Gros called and Sahli was drawing dead.

Yanis Sahli:
Benjamin Gros:

The river completed the board to give Gros the chip lead while sending Sahli to the cashier.

The following players cashed for €2,210. The final dozen have each locked up at least a €2,710 payout.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 25: 20,000/40,000 (40,000)
Entries: 12/559

Janne Ojala opened for 80,000 from the button. Arkadiusz Liszewski three-bet shoved for around 400,000 from the small blind and Ojala quickly called.

Arkadiusz Liszewski:
Janne Ojala:

Ojala's big slick held on the board to eliminate Lidzewski in 13th place.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 25: 20,000/40,000 (40,000)
Entries: 13/559

Alger Pissarev opened from the button before Benjamin Gros three-bet from the small blind. Juuso Elsinen four-bet jammed for about 10 big blinds. Pissarev folded and Gros called.

Juuso Elsinen:
Benjamin Gros:

Elsinen headed to the cashier after not pulling ahead of cowboys on the runout.

Yaniv Peretz also recently hit the rail to leave just 13 hopefuls remaining for the title.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 25: 20,000/40,000 (40,000)
Entries: 15/559

All the ladies are now out of the €555 Championship after Giada Fang hit the rail. She got her stack in with big slick and didn't win a flip against the sevens held by Juuso Kauppi.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 25: 20,000/40,000 (40,000)
Entries: 16/559

It has been quite a ride since the break with two more players hitting the rail in Aleksi Naski and Julien Fuchs. This makes it four eliminations in just under eight minutes of play.

The action is paused while players take new seats for the final two tables.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 25: 20,000/40,000 (40,000)
Entries: 18/559

Ranno Sootla jammed the river with a bit in the pot and the on the board and was called by Benjamin Gros. Sootla bricked his draws and didn't get away with stealing it away with . Gros didn't need much and his did the job to win the pot and eliminate Sootla.

Around the same time, Priit Vanem also lost his short stack.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 25: 20,000/40,000 (40,000)
Entries: 20/559

Here is a look at the chip counts of the final 20 players at the break.

Players are on a break. Blinds will increase to 20,000/40,000 with a big blind ante of 40,000 when the action resumes.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 24: 15,000/30,000 (30,000)
Entries: 21/559

Hanno Kerem got his last 400,000 chips in the pot before Eeti Loyttyniemi came along for the ride with his last 450,000. Rokas Barzdzius had both players covered and found a call.

Eeti Loyttyniemi:
Hanno Kerem:
Rokas Barzdzius:

It was looking like Loyttyniemi was going to be among the chip leaders and even more so after both players not getting anywhere on either the flop or the turn.

However, the table gasped in shock after the river completed the board to improve Barzdzius to a set of ladies to eliminate two players.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 24: 15,000/30,000 (30,000)
Entries: 23/559

Luigi Shehadeh opened to 60,000 from the hijack. Rokas Barzdzius three-bet to 170,000 from the cutoff before Priit Vanem four-bet jammed a big stack. Shehadeh called off for 505,000 and Barzdzius folded.

Luigi Shehadeh:
Priit Vanem:

Shehadeh's cowboys proved to be more than enough against Vanem's big slick after the ran out on the board.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 24: 15,000/30,000 (30,000)
Entries: 23/559

Benjamin Gros was at one point a few hours ago the chip leader. He was the shortest stack when he got his final 85,000 in chips in from the big blind and was up against Rokas Barzdzius from the button.

Benjamin Gros:
Rokas Barzdzius:

It was looking like the end of the line for Gros after bricking both the flop and the turn. However, his eight connected on the river to double his stack instead of hitting the rail.

Meanwhile, Igor Pihela Jr. was the latest casualty leaving just 23 hopefuls in the hunt for the title.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 24: 15,000/30,000 (30,000)
Entries: 24/559

The action is paused for a three-table redraw.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 23: 10,000/25,000 (25,000)
Entries: 28/559

Julien Fuchs opened from under the gun for 50,000. Tarmo Tammel three-bet to 160,000 from the cutoff and Fuchs called to see the flop.

Barzdzius checked before Tammel led out for 175,000. Fuchs jammed and Tammel called off for 455,000 in total.

Tarmo Tammel:
Julien Fuchs:

Tammel called over his friend Igor Pihela Jr., who is seated at another table to watch the sweat.

Not only did Tammel's rockets hold, but he improved to a flush after the turn and the river completed the board.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 23: 10,000/25,000 (25,000)
Entries: 28/559

Renaldas Mankauskas doubled up earlier with tens but the second time around didn't do the job.

Mankauskas shared with the media that he got it in with tens against ace-queen. He flopped a set but lost anyway.

Stefan Bittger also hit the rail to leave just 28 players remaining in the field.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 23: 10,000/25,000 (25,000)
Entries: 30/559

Rokas Barzdzius checked the flop. Ranno Sootla bet 35,000 into a pot of more than double that and Barzdzius called. 

Barzdzius check-called a bet of 75,000 on the turn before jamming for 250,000 on the river.

Sootla went into the tank for more than five minutes. He was talking most of the time but not getting any response from Barzdzius.

"You basically have no bluffs," was one comment Sootla repeated several times. "I should have jammed the turn."

Sootla eventually folded and mucked his cards. Meanwhile, Barzdzius decided to show the mysterious as the dealer shipped him the pot.

Shortly after this hand, Max Rotko hit the rail to leave 30 players remaining.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 22: 10,000/20,000 (20,000)
Entries: 31/559

Jevgenijs Kritinins three-bet jammed for about 7 big blinds from the button and was called by Zydrunkas Karcemarskas.

Jevgenijs Kritinins:
Zydrunkas Karcemarskas:

Kritinins improved to a set on the river after the ran out on the board. Unfortunately, the river was not a good one for Kritinins as he was ahead until then and that same card improved Karcemarskas to a straight to send Kritinins to the rail.

Meanwhile, Madis Muur was also off to the showers after losing his short stack a short while ago.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 22: 10,000/20,000 (20,000)
Entries: 33/559

Renaldas Mankauskas opened for 100,000 with just 80,000 behind from the button. Madis Muur tanked from the big blind before he opted to put in Mankauskas for the rest. Mankauskas snap-called and the cards were turned over.

Renaldas Mankauskas:
Madis Muur:

Mankauskas remained ahead the entire way and doubled up after the ran out on the board.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 22: 10,000/20,000 (20,000)
Entries: 34/559

Sondre Lunde jammed for 150,000 straight off the break from the hijack and was called by Yaniv Peretz from the big blind.

Sondre Lunde:
Yaniv Peretz:

Lunde got no love from the runout to hit the rail while Peretz earned some breathing room.

Players are on a 60-minute dinner break. We will update all of the chip counts of the remaining players during the break.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 21: 8,000/16,000 (16,000)
Entries: 37/559

Giada Fang jammed with the on the board after the turn with more than this in the pot. Eeti  Loyttyniemi had 155,000 left in his stack and called it off.

Eeti Loyttyniemi:
Giada Fang:

Loyttyniemi was far ahead and only needed to fade five outs on the river. The blank paired the board and Fang began counting out the chips to pay her opponent.

The tournament area has been rocking with introductions and applause after Kings of Tallinn tournament director Teresa Nousiainen introduced the celebrities playing the €150 Celebrity Special.

The field is already at 200 entries for this event with more to come. This event provides tons of fun and value. The value not only comes from people that aren't normally playing poker but also from the fact that players collect bounties every time they eliminate a designated celebrity.

Good luck and have fun to all that are playing!

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 21: 8,000/16,000 (16,000)
Entries: 40/559

Shiyan Fang is always a pleasure to watch in action whenever we happen to be at the same events. While it is a little surprising that there is only one woman left in the field, it isn't that shocking that Fang is the last female player left in the €555 Championship. Fang just snagged a decent pot to pad her stack as follows.

Fang opened from the cutoff before she called a three-bet by Julien Fuchs from the small blind for 110,000. Fuchs continued for 70,000 on the flop before both players checked the turn.

The action slowed down a bit after the river. It took a few minutes for Fuchs to check. Fang then took her time before jamming for more than 300,000. Fuchs paused for a moment before he laid down his hand.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 20: 6,000/12,000 (12,000)
Entries: 48/559

Benjamin Gros was the first player to amass over 1 million in chips. 

"I got a gift," Gros said to us about his stack.

It sounds like it was not only a gift but an epic hand as well. Kalle Saarinen three-bet most of his stack with eight-seven suited. Gros put him in for the rest for a 700,000 chip pot with his cowboys.

Any chance of a bad beat went away on the flop as the other two kings came to improve Gros to quads.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 19: 5,000/10,000 (10,000)
Entries: 50/559

Tarmo Tammel four-bet jammed for 264,000 and was called by Yanis Sahli.

Tarmo Tammel:
Yanis Sahli:

Tammel won the flip after the ran out on the board.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 19: 5,000/10,000 (10,000)
Entries: 52/559

Krzysztof Budka jammed a short stack of a handful of big blinds and was called by Jari Karkkainen, who also didn't have a mad amount of chips.

Krzysztof Budka:
Jari Karkkainen:

Budka wasn't able to get ahead on the board and was on the rail after the hand.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 19: 5,000/10,000 (10,000)
Entries: 55/559

Indre Martoviciute jammed less than three big blinds from the button and was called by Kaspars Mallons from the big blind.

Indre Martoviciute:
Kaspars Mallons:

It wasn't a premium hand but Martoviciute got it in good. Unfortunately, she was unable to hold with Mallons pairing his jack on the board.

The following players min-cashed for their choice of €1,000 in cash or a Kings of Tallinn €1,100 Main Event Ticket.

Players are on a break. We will catch up with all the in-the-money eliminations along with updated chip counts of some of the bigger stacks shortly after the break.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 18: 4,000/8,000 (8,000)
Entries: 71/559

Gediminas Dirmantas opened half his eight big blind stack and got the rest in when facing a raise by Rokas Barzdzius.

Gediminas Dirmantas:
Rokas Barzdzius:

Dirmantas was behind and things got worse after the flop. He was drawing dead after the turn and officially bubbled the €555 Championship after the river completed the board to Bardzdzius' full house.

It is possible that Dirmantas, who started the day in second place, will collect something. If he bought in through Luxon Pay, he automatically got bubble protection.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 18: 4,000/8,000 (8,000)
Entries: 72/559

The action is down to the stone-cold bubble after Masse Mirza hit the rail. Mirza three-bet jammed for about 120,000 from the big blind and was called by Allesandro Giordano who opened from late position.

Masse Mirza:
Allesandro Giordano:

Giordano's nines held and Mirza finished short of the money.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 18: 4,000/8,000 (8,000)
Entries: 75/559

Viktors Caikins with a short stack and Stanislav Smeljov with about 100,000 each had their stacks in the middle. Giovanni Nava was also involved and had both players covered.

Viktors Caikins:
Stanislav Smeljov:
Giovanni Nava:

Nava was behind but that all changed after his ace connected on the flop. The followed on the turn.

"Jack, please!" said Nava.

Nava might be a fortune teller as the river completed the board and Nava took out two players near the bubble.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 18: 4,000/8,000 (8,000)
Entries: 79/559

The action is now just eight players away from the money bubble with the top 71 players guaranteed at least a €1,000 min-cash or a Kings of Tallinn €1,100 Main Event ticket instead if they choose.

Here is a look at some of the recent eliminations:

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 17: 3,000/6,000 (6,000)
Entries: 84/559

Martynas Vitkauskas jammed from the small blind. Erno Suominen went into the tank for about a minute before he opted to call off his stack of 67,000.

Erno Suominen:
Martynas Vitkauskas:

The board ran dry for both players and Suominen managed to double up with his king-kicker.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 17: 3,000/6,000 (6,000)
Entries: 85/559

Timo Ruuska jammed for 46,000 from under the gun. Julien Fuchs three-bet shoved for heaps more from late position and the rest of the table folded.

Timo Ruuska:
Julien Fuchs:

"Two aces, please!" Ruuska said.

He got half his wish which was good enough to double his stack after the ran out on the board.

After the hand, Madis Muur, who was also at the table said with a smile: "You said you were going to leave... It's the opposite."

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 17: 3,000/6,000 (6,000)
Entries: 89/559

We tried to find Niall "Firaldo" Farrell at the bar to find out how he lost his once decent stack. But it was a quick trip to the bar as soon after he late-registered the €150 6-Max along with Kyle Maguire who also arrived with Firaldo.

"I shockingly got it in good twice for most of my stack," shared Firaldo. "First I lost a 300,000 pot when my ace-king didn't hold against ace-jack. Shortly after I lost another big pot when my ace-queen didn't hold against ace-nine. The crumbs left were gone when my king-seven didn't get there against ace-seven."

Meanwhile, Maguire came to say hello as we were chatting with Firaldo.

"I arrived last night and fired two bullets unsuccessfully in the €555 Championship," Maguire said. "I am already a winner though as I have a drink and now get to play the 6-max."

Meanwhile, the start of the day chip leader Juri Vassin also recently hit the rail short of the money.

The €150 GGPoker Flip&Go Mystery Bounty will kick off its Day 1c flight shortly. The rules are similar but not identical to the online Flip&Go games at GGPoker and OlyBet Poker with a few small changes and one big one in the mystery bounty component. 

Here is how it works:

1) Players enter for a GGPoker Flip&Go opening flight at the cash desk.
2) A game begins when there are nine available players who sit together at one table.
3) Players are dealt three cards facedown.
4) A flop is dealt and players then discard one card and turn the other two over.
5) A turn and a river are dealt and the best hand at the table advances to Day 2 on Friday March 3 already in the money.

A few other notes:

• Players on Day 2 will not only be in the money but also collect a mystery bounty prize. The event guarantees at least a €5,000 top mystery bounty prize.
• Players that advance to Day 2 may not re-enter other opening flights. Those that haven't advanced to Day 2 can re-enter as many times as they wish until they advance.

Thus far WSOP bracelet winner Espen Sandvik, Sondre Stormyr, Dainius Antanaitis, and Paulius Vaitiekunas have already locked in their seats into Friday's Day 2 after winning flips on Monday.

Best of luck to all of the players. The Kings of Tallinn staff will be around the action in case players have any questions.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 16: 2,000/5,000 (5,000)
Entries: 102/559

Max Rotko jammed for 15 big blinds from under the gun. Indre Martoviciute three-bet shoved for double that from two seats over and the rest of the table folded.

Max Rotko:
Indre Martoviciute:

Martoviciute didn't connect with the runout to double Rotko's stack instead of sending him to the showers.

Meanwhile, GGPoker Ambassador Niall "Firaldo" Farrell also hit the rail. We will try to drop by the bar shortly to find out what transpired.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 16: 2,000/5,000 (4,000)
Entries: 106/559

Janne Ojala opened the button before he called a three-bet jam by Ville Laasanen for more than 15 big blinds.

Ville Laasanen:
Janne Ojala:

The board ran clean for Ojala's tens to eliminate Laasanen.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 16: 2,000/5,000 (4,000)
Entries: 112/559

Here is a look at some of the bigger stacks around the room at the break.

Players are on a short break. Blinds will increase to 2,000/5,000 with a big blind ante of 5,000 when the action resumes.

The Kings of Tallinn €555 Championship will pay out a whopping €55,500 to the winner with the top 71 players earning at least a €1,000 min-cash.

Players that min-cash will have the option to snag the €1,000 in cash or alternatively instead get a ticket to the €500,000 guaranteed Kings of Tallinn Main Event valued at €1,100. Here is a look at all of the payouts:

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 15: 2,000/4,000 (4,000)
Entries: 123/559

Andrei Melnikov jammed for about eight big blinds from the small blind. Priit Vanem went into the tank for about a minute before he called from the big blind.

Andrei Melnikov:
Priit Vanem:

Melnikov appeared to be in good shape after the flop was his five paired and he also had one of Vanem's outs blocked with an eight improving him to a straight. He was still ahead after the turn. However, the river changed everything and Vanem eliminated Melnikov with a better pair.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 15: 2,000/4,000 (4,000)
Entries: 127/559

GGPoker Ambassador Niall "Firaldo" Farrell arrived last night to the Kings of Tallinn. Farrell hopped into the €555 Championship on Day 2 and already built up his stack. It hasn't been all smooth sailing for Farrell despite his early success as he just doubled Kaupo Tenno as follows.

Tenno open-jammed for 44,000 from the cutoff. Farrell came over the top for more than triple that from the small blind and the player in the big blind folded.

Kaupo Tenno:
Niall Farrell:

Farrell was ahead but that all changed on the flop with Tenno improving to a pair. Blanks came for Farrell on both the turn and the river to double Tenno.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 15: 2,000/4,000 (4,000)
Entries: 137/559

The following players hit the rail during the latter part of Level 13 including Aki Pyysing whose ace-queen was no good against ace-eight. He shared that he got it in on the turn with just ace-high after his opponent already paired his eight.

While we do not know the exact payouts yet, we do know that the top 71 players will be rewarded with at least a min-cash valued at €1,000.

However, those interested in the Main Event can snag even more value as players that min-cash will have the option to choose between taking the €1,000 in cash or instead snag a ticket to the €500,000 guaranteed Kings of Tallinn Main Event valued at €1,100 which kicks off tomorrow.

In addition, there will be a dinner break after the conclusion of Level 21 at around 8 p.m.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 14: 1,500/3,000 (3,000)
Entries: 149/559

Bartosz Mielczarek opened for 7,000 from the button. Reinis Reinbergs three-bet jammed for 73,500 from the small blind and Melinkov called.

Reinis Reinbergs: 
Bartosz Mielczarek:

The flop flop provided a sweat for both players with Mielczarek improving to a set of nines and Reinbergs holding out for some hope with a flush draw. The turn paired up Reinbergs's hand but in reality, it was a blank card. However, the river improved Reinbergs  to a flush to not only survive but to double his stack.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 14: 1,500/3,000 (3,000)
Entries: 157/559

We have learned that 71 players will make the money today with payouts to be announced shortly.

Meanwhile, the following players recently hit the rail in the €555 Championship:

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 13: 1,000/2,500 (2,500)
Entries: 160/559

Kristian Kostiander made a standard open from early position before things got wild. Kaupo Tenno jammed for about 20 big blinds from the button. Julien Fuchs called off for 10 big blinds from the big blind and Kostiander, who had both players covered, called for a three-way showdown.

Julien Fuchs:
Kaupo Tenno:
Kristian Kostiander:

Tenno improved to a flush on the runout to eliminate Fuchs and double through Kostiander.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 13: 1,000/2,500 (2,500)
Entries: 183/559

Players are dropping like flies after late registration closed. One player still in their seats was Federico Cirillo, who re-entered at least twice on Day 2. The third time seems to be a charm.

Benjamin Gros opened from middle position before Lari Pukkila three-bet jammed for about 50,000 from the small blind. Cirillo called off his stack of 33,000 from the big blind and Gros folded.

Federico Cirillo:
Lari Pukkila:

Pukkila was marginally ahead and pulled even further ahead after the flop. The turn changed everything as Cirillo improved to two pair on the paired board. The river didn't change the outcome and Cirillo doubled through Pukkila.

Here is also a look at the many other players have busted out at other tables around the room.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 13: 1,000/2,500 (2,500)
Entries: 204/559

Jia Juen Tse jammed for 10,500 from early position. He immediately began to record a video knowing it was likely his short stack would be called and was commentating the action quietly into his phone while his cool panda chip holder was watching along.

The action folded around to Henri Schalin who jammed for about 20 big blinds from the small blind. The player in the big blind folded and Tse seemed pleased that his cards were live.

Jia Juen Tse:
Henri Schalin:

Tse pulled out in front after his queen connected with the flop. However, the spiked the turn to improve Schalin to a better pair. The blank river completed the board and Tse wished all the players at the table good luck before heading out of the tournament arena.

We will be cleaning out some of the recent eliminations in this post as well for players that hit the rail before late registration closed and didn't re-enter.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 12: 1,000/2,000 (2,000)
Entries: 207/559

Players are back from break and now is when everything starts to count as players can no longer late-enter or re-enter the €555 Championship.

The field blossomed to 559 entries including 77 entries on Day 2 to generate a €262,730. This could be off by a player or two as the staff will spend a bit of time checking and double-checking figures before announcing the payouts.

The event has smashed the previous record for this event at the Kings of Tallinn. The previous record took place just before the pandemic in 2020 when Tomas Sujeta outlasted a field of 435 entries to win the €36,700 top prize.

Here is a look at the €555 Championship by the numbers:

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 12: 1,000/2,000 (2,000)
Entries: 208/549

Players are on a short break. Late registration will be closed shortly after the break.

Shortly after that, we should know the total number of entrants and the prize pool. It will be slightly longer before the payouts are announced but this should also be before the second break.

While players are on break, why not enjoy a tasty beverage or snack at the OlyBet Bar & Grill with the ever-helpful and smiling staff.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 12: 1,000/2,000 (2,000)
Entries: 209/538

Luca Beretta four-bet jammed from middle position. Lasse Enojarvi, who three-bet to 18,000 from the button, called off his stack of 66,500.

Lasse Enojarvi:
Luca Beretta:

The flip was on with Enojarvi at risk. Beretta got no love with his big slick after the hit the board and he doubled up his opponent while leaving himself short on chips.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 12: 1,000/2,000 (2,000)
Entries: 218/526

Finland's Roope Tarmi is at most major events here in Tallinn. The Finnish poker player just arrived today and immediately hopped into the €555 Championship with a 15 big blind stack.

Tarmi bled away some chips early and was down to 23,000 when he jammed from the hijack. Finnish journalist and the poker father of many in the Finnish poker community Aki Pyysing tanked for about 30 seconds before he opted to call from the button. The rest of the table folded and the cards were turned over.

Roope Tarmi:
Aki Pyysing:

Tarmi won the flip to double his stack after Pyysing bricked the board.

"That's OK," Pyysing said after the hand. "He needs the chips more than me."

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 12: 1,000/2,000 (2,000)
Entries: 222/522

Ville Laasanen three-bet jammed from the small blind and was called off by Kyosti Isberg who had less than 20 big blinds from the button.

Kyosti Isberg:
Ville Laasanen:

Isberg lost the flip and his stack after his big slick got nowhere on the runout.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 12: 1,000/2,000 (2,000)
Entries: 221/512

Ronald Randma opened for 6,000 from the small blind. Tommi Lankinen three-bet jammed for 28,000. Randma paused for about 10 seconds before he found a call.

Tommi Lankinen:
Ronald Randma:

Lankinen was ahead and favored to double his stack. But that all changed on the flop with Randma connecting with his ace. Neither the turn nor the river was able to save the day and Lankinen was one of the day's first casualties.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 12: 1,000/2,000 (2,000)
Entries: 221/512

Cards are now in the air for Day 2 of the €555 Championship. The field has grown to 512 entries and will continue to rise.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 12: 1,000/2,000 (2,000)
Entries: 212/503

The Kings of Tallinn €555 Championship continues to grow with the field now already past 500 entries! Now it is just a matter of how big this epic event will grow.

€555 Championship Final Day
Level 12: 1,000/2,000 (2,000)
Entries: 206/497

The staff announced a small delay to the start of the day while players are still getting registered. The field has nearly grown to 500 entries.

Late registration will close after the first blind level of the day. Shortly after, we will know the final prize pool and payouts of this record-breaking event.

Welcome to the second and final day of the Kings of Tallinn €555 Championship at Olympic Park Casino and the Hilton Tallinn Park.

The four starting days attracted a banner field of 482 entries with more still to come with late registration open until the end of the first blind level of Day 2. This has already established a new record for this event with the previous record coming in 2020 with 435 entries. That event was won by Lithuania's Tomas Sujeta for €36,700 with a bigger top prize to come this time around.

A total of 191 players have bagged chips into Day 2 led by Day 1a chip leader Juri Vassin with 211,500 in chips. Gediminas Dirmantas (209,000) was the only other player to bag more than 200,000 with Day 1c chip leader Iiro Kettunen (195,000), Day 1b chip leader and 2015 Kings of Tallinn Main Event champion Ranno Sootla (191,000), and Juris Hlibovs (185,500) rounding out the top five to start the day.

Blinds will begin at 1,000/2,000 with a big blind ante of 2,000 and will increase every 40 minutes until a winner is crowned.

We will be on the floor reporting the action when cards kick off at noon. Stay tuned to see who will win the 2023 Kings of Tallinn €555 Championship!

Tuesday's Schedule