20-year-old Man from Blidö won the Paf Poker Challenge

Linus Englund from Blidö won the fifth edition of the Paf Poker Challenge on 17-18 October in new gaming premises in the Alandica Culture and Congress Centre on Åland.

The fifth anniversary of the Paf Poker Challenge (PPC) attracted a total of 93 players at its opening on Saturday afternoon. That means that the participation record remains from last year when there were 94 players at the opening stage.

"I'm already sure that we will exceed the magic number of 100 players next spring, when the PPC will be held on 16-18 April on the Åland Islands," Paf's live poker manager, Jan-Erik Karlsson, confirmed.

Only one Swede left
The Swedish favourite Ola Brandborn was among the last players knocked out on Saturday night. After that Swedish hopes hung on Linus Englund, who was the only Swedish player to make it through to playing on day 2 on Sunday morning. In total, 14 Ålanders and 19 Finns had made it through to the second day.
After the first day's play there were 32 players left in the tournament on Sunday morning. The chip leader at that point was Jonas Kyllönen from Helsinki with 241,300 chips.

Well-known players knocked out on Sunday
On Sunday well-known players such as Åland poker player Markus Grunér (31), Finnish poker journalist Ilkka Heikkilä (29) and several Finnish players were knocked out before the final 20 players were reached in this year's PPC.

Film actor and well-known poker player Jasper Pääkkönen from Helsinki went out in 18th place with K, Q in his hand against J, J.
Tony Brändström from Mariehamn managed to keep his chips levels at about average throughout the tournament until he lost on a "Bad Beat" in which his opponent hit one of three potential aces and Brändström finished in 17th place. Last year's winner Petteri Vanhapelto went out in 13th place. Eckerö girl Madelene Nordman was the best woman in this year's PPC with 12th place, just outside the money.

Nine players at the final table
At five o'clock it was time for the final table with nine players.
Kyllönen had plenty of chips, but finished in eighth place collecting 2,232 euros. The best Ålander was Gustav Mörn with a nice fifth place finish and 4,464 euros richer.

"I'm really happy to be the best Ålander, said Mörn on coming fifth.

Eventually there were only three players left. Tom Ahlberg from Vaasa looked solid, as did Linus Englund from Blidö. The pair was challenged by Severi Lampi from Oulu, who in the end had to settle for third place and 8,091 euros.

Englund narrow favourite
After that it was time to settle the fifth edition of the out-and-out final.
"I think Linus, who has about 60 percent of the chips, will win it. He plays solidly, but dares to bluff and challenge his opponent," said Paf live poker manager Jan-Erik Karlsson just before the finals began.
But it wasn't a poker fledgling Englund was playing against.
"Tom Ahlberg has played in two World Championship tournaments (WSOP)," explained Karlsson.


Pair of eights was enough for victory
The game and the upper hand swung back and forth between the players. Eventually, after about an hour and a half's play, the Swede Linus Englund made the thrust that provided the victory and 15,345 euros.

"He made a monster call with a pair of eights against Tom's all-in with a pair of sevens, and that was enough," said Jan-Erik Karlsson.

Englund was of course delighted to win:
"When I got to the final table I felt that I would win. My tactic of playing aggressively and being prepared to challenge my opponents worked all the way through. Though I have to admit that it feels a bit unreal," he said.

He is going to use the prize money to go to Australia and visit his father and stay there for several months.

"But I'll be back for the Paf Poker Challenge in six months, I promise. I'm going to try to defend the title then," pointed out the 20-year-old from Blidö.

The runner-up, Tom Ahlberg, was not depressed. The maths teacher from Vasa noted that he had plenty of holiday money for the autumn break.
"This was a great hourly wage," he said, smiling.

Praise for the event
"I must admit that everything was great. The auditorium in Alandica is nice and airy, the service has been great and the food was good. Paf have even offered a wide range of side activities with backgammon, dice and a quiz about slot machines. The tournament structure was also very good. Everyone started with 30,000 chips. The only thing I would change would be to play Friday afternoon and evening, throughout Saturday and with the final winner being anointed on Saturday night with a lot of spectators on site," said the well-known Finnish poker player and journalist Petri Pietilä in analysis of this year's Paf Poker Challenge.

As said. Book now for the 16-18 April 2010 on Åland. That's when the sixth edition of the Paf Poker Challenge will be played.

Paf Poker Challenge 2009
Results 17-18 October 2009, Alandica.

1. Linus Englund, Blidö, 15,345 euros
2nd Tom Ahlberg, Vaasa, 11,160 euros
3rd Severi Lampi, Oulu, 8,091 euros
4th Mikko Ruotsalainen, Savonlinna, 5,580 euros
5th Gustav Mörn, Geta, 4,464 euros
6th Mikko Tuuttu, Kemi, 3,348 euros
7th Samu Suunnittu, Nokia, 2,790 euros
8th Jonas Kyllönen, Helsinki, 2,232 euros
9th Bo-Erik Mattsson, Finström, 1,674 euros
10th Conny Humell, Mariehamn, 1,160 euros
11th Anders Idman, Mariehamn, Suite Paf Poker Cruise package
12th Madelene Nordman, Eckerö, best woman


For further information:
Krille Mattsson
PR Manager
+358 (0) 18 24 177
+358 (0) 457 52 67 230
krille.mattsson @ paf.com