As the prestigious Kings of Tallinn poker tournament approaches its climax, all eyes are on the final table set to determine the victor of the €1,100 Main Event. The tournament has drawn in poker players from around the globe, all trying to fight for a piece of the substantial €859,160 prize pool. This year’s event is particularly notable as Aleksi Naski makes a triumphant return, aiming to surpass his sixth-place finish from the previous year.
On the final day, scheduled for Sunday, March 5, 2024, Naski is in a formidable position, entering the day second in chips among the 11 remaining players, who have already guaranteed themselves €10,500 each. With a chip count of 4,230,000, translating to 71 big blinds, Naski is well-equipped to navigate through the challenges of the final table. The leader in chips is Edgaras Kausinis, a Vilnius Ace Breaker High Roller champion, who boasts a stack of 4,600,000 chips. Hot on their heels is Greger Aktell, a seasoned Swedish player, with 3,725,000 chips.
Naski, with six live titles under his belt, is undeniably one of the favorites. However, the competition is fierce, with notable contenders such as EPT Madrid 2012 champion Frederik Brink, who, despite holding the shortest stack of 1,240,000 chips, has proven his worth with a million-dollar score at the Aussie Millions in 2010. Another high-roller, Paul Newey from Britain, brings his experience and a chip count of 1,565,000 to the table. Newey’s presence highlights the diverse and accomplished field, all aiming for the glory and the €151,860 first-place prize.
The local crowd will likely be rallying behind Herli Olop, the last Estonian in the competition. Olop, an ex-poker manager and a well-respected figure in the Estonian poker community, enters the final day with 2,120,000 chips. The final table also features the Kings of Tallinn 2023 €550 Championship winner, Benjamin Gros, along with the Lithuanian duo of Mantas Tamulevicius and Mindaugas Jonaitis, showcasing the international appeal and competitive diversity of the tournament.
As the final day unfolds, the remaining players will face off in the Olympic Park Casino, each with their sights set on the coveted Main Event trophy and the substantial first-place prize. With a mix of seasoned champions, high rollers, and local heroes, the Kings of Tallinn Main Event promises to be a thrilling conclusion to one of poker’s most anticipated tournaments.
Start of Day 4 Chip Counts
| Rank | Player | Country | Chip Count | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Edgaras Kausinis | Lithuania | 4,600,000 | 77 |
| 2 | Aleksi Naski | Finland | 4,230,000 | 71 |
| 3 | Greger Aktell | Sweden | 3,725,000 | 62 |
| 4 | Even Rislov | Norway | 2,995,000 | 50 |
| 5 | Wissam Polus | Sweden | 2,340,000 | 39 |
| 6 | Herli Olop | Estonia | 2,120,000 | 35 |
| 7 | Mantas Tamulevicius | Lithuania | 1,895,000 | 32 |
| 8 | Paul Newey | United Kingdom | 1,565,000 | 26 |
| 9 | Benjamin Gros | France | 1,365,000 | 23 |
| 10 | Mindaugas Jonaitis | Lithuania | 1,325,000 | 22 |
| 11 | Frederik Brink | Denmark | 1,240,000 | 21 |
The players will reconvene at noon local time to play down to a Main Event champion. The blinds will start in Level 27: 30,000/60,000 with a 60,000 big blind ante, and levels will last 60 minutes each. A break is scheduled after every two of them to offer the players some break from the battle.
