Finnish poker professional Mikko Ylamäki claimed victory in the Legends of the Game event at the No Filter Poker Series Nordic and Baltic Championship Open. The tournament had a buy-in of €3,500, attracted 101 players, and generated a prize pool of €323,301. Ylamäki outlasted the competition to take the trophy and win €76,657.
The final day of the tournament lasted just five hours but was filled with intense moments and strategic battles. Thirteen players returned to compete, each guaranteed a minimum cash prize of €7,050. Pasi Sormunen began the day in the chip lead, while Ylamäki started near the bottom of the standings. The first elimination occurred quickly, and Ylamäki gained momentum by winning a crucial double-up against Felix Seelentag despite being behind pre-flop.
Ylamäki continued his rise through the standings by capitalizing on key hands. In a critical moment, he faced Sormunen in a flop-to-flop flush situation and held the nuts, which allowed him to take the lead. Following a series of eliminations, including Rusen Yilmaz and Seelentag, the final table of nine was set. Ylamäki entered the final table as the chip leader with Tommi Lankinen following closely behind.
Early on, smaller stacks were eliminated quickly, but Ylamäki avoided trouble and exploited opportunities. He momentarily fell behind Pasi Laihinen but regained the advantage by winning a flip and later reducing Laihinen’s stack with a semi-bluff on the turn. Antti Mäki-Franti was then eliminated in fifth place after being outplayed pre-flop. Lankinen took out Laihinen in fourth but was caught bluffing by Sormunen and eliminated shortly afterward.
This set up a heads-up showdown between Ylamäki and Sormunen for the title. Sormunen held a slight chip advantage, but the two agreed on a deal to adjust the payouts before continuing to play for €14,000 and the trophy. Although Sormunen took the first lead, Ylamäki soon turned the match in his favor. He hit trips while Sormunen bluffed into him and later leveled the stacks by completing a one-card straight. Ylamäki gained control after a successful river call and secured the final win by outflopping Sormunen in the decisive hand.
This victory represents a new career high for Ylamäki. Although he is primarily a Pot Limit Omaha player, his previous largest live cash was €57,860 from a €550 buy-in event at the Kings of Tallinn festival in 2024. This win is significant both financially and professionally as it came in a highly competitive field with several elite players.
The final table results were as follows:
- Mikko Ylamäki – €76,657
- Pasi Sormunen – €68,393
- Tommi Lankinen – €40,850
- Pasi Laihinen – €29,850
- Antti Mäki-Franti – €22,850
- Duncan Horst – €18,450
- Mathias Siljander – €14,850
- Roope Tarmi – €11,950
- Guillermo Gordo – €9,450
Ylamäki’s triumph highlights the strength of Finnish poker and demonstrates that a player specializing in one format can successfully adapt to another. His strategic decision-making, ability to read opponents, and timely aggression allowed him to navigate a challenging field and come out on top. Finnish players enjoy a powerful reputation at offshore online casinos’ tables, where they have won millions playing poker.
This win also underscores the growing reputation of the No Filter Poker Series. The event attracted international talent, offered thrilling gameplay for spectators, and confirmed the high level of competition in the Nordic and Baltic poker scene. Ylamäki’s performance is likely to increase his visibility in live tournaments and set expectations for his future appearances.
With the series still underway, Ylamäki’s victory has positioned him as one of the standout players of the tournament, and fans can look forward to seeing him compete in upcoming events. His success serves as an inspiration to both seasoned and aspiring players, showing that careful planning, patience, and adaptability can lead to triumph even in the most competitive settings.