Mike McDonald Takes Down the Malta High Roller

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:

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