Albania Hosts Million-Dollar Pot-Limit Omaha Tournament

Poker’s global expansion continues, and Albania is officially on the map. Arena Casino Tirana, a relatively new hotspot in the European poker circuit, is making waves with high-stakes tournaments that draw top players from around the world. The latest event? A massive Pot-Limit Omaha showdown, offering millions in prize money and showcasing the rising popularity of the four-card format.

PLO Grand Slam Returns With Bigger Guarantees

Pot-Limit Omaha has been gaining traction in recent years, and Arena Casino Tirana wasted no time capitalizing on the momentum. The venue launched the PLO Grand Slam under the Diamond Poker Series banner in 2024 with €3 million in guaranteed prize money. The success of that event led to an even bigger edition in early 2025, featuring €5 million in guarantees across the festival.

The festival’s two main attractions? A €5,000 buy-in event with a €1,000,000 guarantee and a high-stakes €10,000 buy-in championship boasting a €2,000,000 prize pool. While the latter is still ongoing, the €5,000 opener wrapped up in style, delivering high drama and a six-figure payday for the champion.

Tom Vogelsang Takes Home $245K

Dutch poker pro Tom Vogelsang emerged victorious in the €5,000 opener, outlasting a field of 225 entries to claim $245,910. The tournament regular now has four major titles to his name, including a win in a Triton Poker $25,000 PLO event.

For Vogelsang, this was his fifth-largest career score, adding to an already impressive resume. His biggest cash remains the $1.4 million runner-up finish in the Triton Poker Cyprus $100,000 event in 2022. With this latest victory, his total live earnings have climbed to nearly $3.9 million.

Strong Competition and Familiar Faces at the Final Table

The tournament saw its fair share of big names, with several well-known pros making deep runs. Among the notables who cashed were:

  • Robert Cowen (23rd place)
  • Ismael Bojang (22nd place)
  • Dario Alioto (21st place)
  • Fahredin Mustafov (18th place)

Ronald Keijzer, a bracelet winner, finished eighth, taking home $30,135. Meanwhile, European Poker Tour champion and 2019 World Series of Poker Main Event winner Hossein Ensan secured a sixth-place finish, earning $57,015.

Ensan’s run ended in a dramatic fashion. Holding top pair and three live kickers, he moved all-in against Sean Rafael’s pocket aces. The turn gave Ensan two pair, seemingly putting him in control. But the river paired the board, handing Rafael a better two pair and the pot. Despite the heartbreak, Ensan’s career earnings now exceed $13.9 million.

Sean Rafael Notches Career-Best Score

Rafael continued his impressive showing but ultimately fell short, finishing as the runner-up. His $166,005 payday marked a personal best, surpassing his previous high of $115,000 from a third-place finish in the 2024 PokerGO Tour PLO Series.

With so much money at stake, every decision mattered. And for Rafael, this deep run is further proof that he belongs among the elite in the PLO tournament scene.

Final Table Payouts and POY Points

The event wrapped up with the following payouts and Player of the Year (POY) points:

Place Player Earnings POY Points
1 Tom Vogelsang $245,910 768
2 Sean Rafael $166,005 640
3 Nino Pansier $114,240 512
4 Youness Barakat $93,135 384
5 Fabian Riebau-Schmithals $74,235 320
6 Hossein Ensan $57,015 256
7 Harry Casagrande $41,580 192
8 Ronald Keijzer $30,135 128
9 Andrew Ige $24,885 64

The festival isn’t over yet, with the €10,000 championship still in full swing. With an even bigger prize pool on the line, expect more fireworks before the final cards are dealt in Tirana.

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