If someone were to compile a list of the greatest Pot-Limit Omaha players of all time, Eelis Parssinen would have a strong claim to a place near the very top.
The Finnish star has spent more than a decade building a reputation as one of the game’s most feared four-card specialists. From his rise as online phenom “EEE27” to becoming one of the most accomplished high-stakes tournament players in the world, Parssinen’s career has already featured plenty of highlights.
Now, he has added another, capturing the title in Event #47: $25,000 High Roller Pot-Limit Omaha, to claim his second career World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet, as well as adding a fresh $2,161,056 to his bank account.
This is not unfamiliar territory for Parssinen, who had already secured a bracelet in a Mixed No-Limit Hold’em/Pot-Limit Omaha event in 2021. Yet, this win carries added significance. Having spent over a decade specialising in Pot-Limit Omaha, it was all the more special that his second bracelet came in one of the WSOP’s most prestigious high-stakes PLO events.
“I mean, the last 15 years, I’ve been mostly playing PLO, some tournaments and yeah, mostly PLO. So yeah, it really feels special. Especially when [it’s the] $25,000, which I think is one of the nicest tournaments of the year.”
$25,000 PLO High Roller Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eelis Parssinen | Finland | $2,161,056 |
| 2 | Levon Khachatryan | United States | $1,440,680 |
| 3 | Sergio Martinez Gonzalez | Spain | $990,849 |
| 4 | Aaron Mermelstein | United States | $694,268 |
| 5 | Jeremy Druckman | United States | $495,769 |
| 6 | Matthew Costanzo | United States | $360,930 |
| 7 | Alex Foxen | United States | $267,993 |
| 8 | Richard Gryko | United Kingdom | $203,027 |
Chip Leader to Champion
Parssinen returned to the Paris and Horseshoe Las Vegas not only as the chip leader, but also as the most accomplished player remaining in the field.
For some, that combination could bring added pressure, with just four players separating them from one of the most prestigious titles in Pot-Limit Omaha. Parssinen, however, approached the day with a different mindset. Rather than burdening himself with expectations, he entered the day with an understanding of how the game he has played for so many years works, but still aware of the opportunity in front of him.
“I don’t think it adds any pressure. I mean, as you know, anything can happen in this game. Like, I didn’t have any expectations. Of course. [In the] Back of your mind, you think you’re supposed to win this [tournament] so often [returning as the chipleader], but I mean, I was fortunate enough today to close it out.”
“I just want to play, as long as I enjoy the game and the competition. And I hope the results will follow.”
After triumphing at the 2021 WSOP to take down Event #64: $5,000 Mixed No-Limit Hold’em/Pot-Limit Omaha, Parssinen was quoted saying:
“I don’t play these live tournaments too often. I wouldn’t consider myself a live player.” In that particular interview with PokerNews, he continued, “I like to play live, but I mean, this is my fifth WSOP tournament ever.“
What a difference five years makes.
“Totally. Like nowadays, I don’t play online that much at all, and I really enjoy the competition here and just the competitive nature of the [tournament] game. And that’s what drives me to come here. So yeah, it really has changed a lot.”
With a storied career full of accomplishments, it is difficult to see where Parssinen might set his sights next. One obvious benchmark would be climbing to the top of Finland’s all-time money list, where he currently sits in second place. However, it appears that particular accolade is not on his radar, for now.
“Not really. I mean, who is the number one? Patrik [Antonius]? He must be $20 million ahead of me. I mean, I don’t care about that too much. I just want to play, as long as I enjoy the game and the competition. And I hope the results will follow.” Parssinen was indeed correct, as Patrik Antonius tops the list, with $34,675,696 in career earnings, a bit over $14 million ahead of Parssinen, per TheHendonMob.
Colossal Cooler Swings Title Toward Parssinen
With two players returning to the final day holding more than 80% of the chips in play between them, it could have been predicted that the action would get off to a flying start.
Even so, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the returning players would take a few minutes to settle themselves. That was not to be the case, as the very first hand of the day produced the opening elimination, as Jeremy Druckman’s comeback hopes were extinguished almost as soon as he took his seat. Aaron Mermelstein joined him on the rail just 15 minutes later, and, as quick as a flash, the field was down to three.
Three-handed play lasted less than an hour. Sergio Martinez Gonzalez began the day looking to better his runner-up finish in this very event at the 2022 WSOP, but was unable to close the gap on the two chip leaders and spent much of the battle trying to gain a foothold. His efforts were to no avail, though, as his run came to an end at the hands of the eventual champion, Parssinen.
Heads-up play began with Levon Khachatryan holding a narrow chip lead, but in the end, the outcome was largely decided by a single, monumental pot.
The decisive hand produced fireworks on the river. After the final card fell, it became clear that both players had been trapping throughout the hand. Khachatryan snap-called when Parssinen moved all in, and confidently tabled a flopped full house, only for his celebrations to be cut short when Parssinen revealed he had flopped quads.
That colossal cooler swung the momentum firmly in Parssinen’s favour, seeing him take the chip lead. From there, Khachatryan was unable to mount a comeback. Just half an hour later, Parssinen closed out the victory, capturing his second WSOP gold bracelet and the top prize of $2,161,056.
