The EPT Season 12 Malta €25,750 High Roller 8-Handed event was completed on Sunday with Canadian poker pro Mike McDonald emerging victorious to collect the first-place prize of €498,575 and the tournament trophy. This was his first-ever high roller title.
Otherwise, it could be said that McDonald has quite an impressive collection of other important poker titles. In 2008, he became the youngest ever player to win an EPT Main Event. He topped the field of the EPT Season 4 Dortmund €8,000 Main Event. He was only 19 years old at that time. Seven years later, McDonald has more than $12 million in live tournament earnings and is one of the world’s most profitable poker pros.
The €25,750 High Roller event kicked off on October 23 and attracted a total of 74 entries, of whom 63 were unique and 11 re-entered the event after being eliminated at its earlier stages. The overall prize pool amounted to €1,813,000 and the first eleven finishers were paid, with payouts starting from €45,325.
The third day of the event, its final one, saw 8 hopefuls returning to play the final table and to determine the champion. Sylvain Loosli from France, who was one of the November Niners back in 2013, finished 8th in the EPT Malta High Roller. The player could not make it against the eventual winner and had to settle for the amount of €67,990.
Benjamin Pollak, yet again from France, was eliminated in 7th place. He, too, fell victim to McDonald. The Frenchman’s portion of the prize pool amounted to €87,025.
Canadian Sam Greenwood, who started the final table as the chip leader, was the next to hit the rail. He was eliminated by Juha Helppi from Finland. Greenwood received €110,590 for his 6th place in the tournament.
Byron Kaverman, who is currently ranking 1st in the GPI leaderboard, took 5th place in the EPT Malta High Roller. The US-based poker pro had to leave the final table after he was defeated by Helppi. He took €141,415 for his efforts.
Jason Wheeler from the United States finished 4th in the event. He was eliminated by fellow American Nick Petrangelo. Wheeler’s share of the prize pool totaled €178,580.
At that point the clock was paused as the three remaining finalists wanted to discuss a deal. One was not reached, however, and play resumed only to see Petrangelo leaving the final table in 3rd place. The player could not stand a chance against McDonald and had to settle for €232,065.
Thus, McDonald and Helppi had to face each other and do their best in order to win their first high roller title. Heads-up play started with Helppi as the chip leader. However, the Canadian caught up quickly and eventually defeated his opponent. Helppi scooped €354,440 for his runner-up finish.
