27 Oct
The 25K High Roller title at the Malta EPT went to Canadian Mike ‘Timex’ McDonald after he defeated Finnish legend Juha Helpii heads up at the Portomaso Casino yesterday.
A 63-strong field had assembled to fight it out for the €1,813,000 prize-pool, including some of the most in-form players of the year.
Byron Kaverman, who currently leads the GPI (Global Poker Index) standings took 5th place in Malta for €141,415 and Nick Petrangelo, who occupies the GPI 6th spot came close but had to be content with 3rd place and €232,065.
One of the reporters present back on day 1 of the EPT12 festival was probably feeling a tad silly after ‘Timex’ won, however. As the PokerStars blog comments:
The reporter noticed that for all the myths, legends and glories of Timex, McDonald had won ‘only’ three live tournaments in his career.”
McDonald, unaware of the reporters soon-to-be faux pas, ended day 1 as the chip leader, continued his strong play on day 2 and his powerful play at the final table reaped dividends, knocking out Nick Petrangelo to leave the heads-up with Helpii a fairly even-stacked affair.
It didn’t take long for McDonald to have Helpii in trouble, and eventually the Finn – 2nd only to Patrik Antonius in the all-time money list in his home country – pushed with K♣ 8♣, only to find himself dominated by McDonald’s K♥ J♠. The board ran out with no saving clause for Helpii, and ‘Timex’ had scooped the title.
McDonald’s victory and the € 498,575 prize brings his total tournament career earnings to $12,478,018, which gives him 18th spot in the all-time money list. He was also the youngest-ever EPT champion back in season 4’s Dortmund event and banked an impressive €428,000 at this year’s Barcelona EPT.
EPT12 Malta €25k High Roller final standings:
1st – Mike McDonald €498,575
2nd – Juha Helppi €354,440
3rd – Nick Petrangelo €232,065
4th – Jason Wheeler €178,580
5th – Byron Kaverman €141,415
6th – Sam Greenwood €110,590
7th – Benjamin Pollak €87,025
8th – Sylvain Loosli €67,990
9th – Christopher Frank €51,670
10th – Dietrich Fast €45,325
11th – Andrew Chen €45,325
