The Kings of Tallinn, established a decade ago by renowned tournament director Teresa Nousiainen, has evolved into the largest poker festival in Northern Europe. This year, the festival is set to embark on two new chapters: the Kings of Tallinn Autumn Edition, featuring a record-breaking 58 events from Oct. 18-27, and the inaugural Kings of Vilnius, scheduled for November 15-24 at Olympic Casino Lietuva.
With this in mind, we sat down with Nousiainen to learn more about her journey in poker, about the Kings of Tallinn, and more.
Early Beginnings
“I started working with poker in 1994,” Nousiainen reflects. “It’s been a while at the casino in Helsinki.”
At that time, poker was gaining popularity in Finland, and Nousiainen was at the forefront, trained by consultants from another casino. Her career quickly advanced as she became a poker supervisor and trainer, instrumental in establishing Finland’s first official poker room.
Her growing reputation and expertise led her to join the European Poker Tour (EPT) from its inception.
“I started working at the European Poker Tour from the very first one,” Nousiainen proudly states.
Her involvement with the EPT solidified her reputation as a key figure in the poker community, ultimately leading her to become a tournament director.
Creating Kings of Tallinn
After her successful tenure with EPT, Nousiainen received an opportunity from Olympic Casino in Tallinn to help launch their first poker room and train dealers. Her efforts expanded beyond Estonia as she assisted in opening poker rooms in Latvia and Lithuania, paving the way for her most significant achievement: The Kings of Tallinn festival.
“When I finished at the European Poker Tour, Olympic Casino asked me if I was free. And that’s how Kings of Tallinn was born,” Nousiainen explains.
The inaugural event attracted 140 entries, a number that has since skyrocketed to over 10,000 tournament tickets sold Nousiainen shared with pride.
Challenges and Responsibilities
Managing a large-scale poker festival presents numerous challenges.
As Nousiainen articulates: “The priority is all the tournament structures and to make sure everything runs smoothly.”
Coordinating a team of 150 to 200 people on-site is demanding but rewarding. She emphasizes creating a welcoming atmosphere for players: “Poker players are like one big family. We have to make sure everyone feels welcome and taken care of.”
Crafting Tournament Schedules
A critical aspect of Nousiainen’s role is developing tournament schedules that balance player satisfaction with operational efficiency. By considering player feedback, historical data, and emerging trends, Nousiainen aims to create a diverse schedule that caters to all participants.
“Creating the tournament schedule is a significant part of my role,” Nousiainen notes. “We offer a mix of events, from high-stakes tournaments to beginner-friendly games.”
Empowering Women in Poker
Nousiainen is also dedicated to increasing female participation in poker. She has championed inclusivity throughout her career by organizing special ladies’ events and supporting female players. “We have always promoted women in poker,” she states.
She believes enhancing female representation is vital for the game’s growth: “Seeing more women at the tables is fantastic. It brings a new dynamic to the game.”
Teresa Nousiainen’s journey from a humble poker room in Helsinki to directing one of Europe’s premier festivals exemplifies her commitment and passion for poker. Her story reflects personal success and the growth of poker in Northern Europe.
As she looks back on her career, Nousiainen expresses pride in her contributions and the value of teamwork:
“I’m very proud of Kings of Tallinn and to see it grow,” Nousiainen shared. “We have built an amazing poker community and listen to their feedback. I couldn’t have done it alone as we continue to grow with the help of our amazing team. So, a massive thank you to both the players and our team in making the Kings of Tallinn the success it is today.”
