Seat 6: Juha Helppi, 39, Turku/Finland, 1,615,000
Among the high roller community, few have been doing it as long as Helppi, whose first live cash came way back in the day at an event called Helsinki Freezeout 2001 for just over $5,000. The Finn has come a very long way since then with over $6.5 million in cashes and nary a score bigger than $400,000. Helppi has experienced his share of success on EPT high rollers, with five top-five finishes.
One of those came in this very event two years ago, when Helppi finished fourth for €269,360 in a tournament won by Leonid Markin. He tends to be the quiet sort at the table, contrasting him a bit with some of his opponents here, but the Finn will be drawing on a vast well of experience.
| Joueur | Jetons | Progression |
|---|---|---|
|
1,615,000 |
et s'en est terminé pour JNT. 
to 125,000. Over on the bubble, Juha Helppi with the 
called. Leon Tsoukernik with 
called from the small blind, Paul Newey folded 
from the big blind.
, giving Helppi top pair. Tsoukernik checked, followed by a bet of 190,000 into the 455,000 pot by Carrel. Helppi called before Tsoukernik folded.
hit the turn, a third heart and a card that paired the board. Carrel checked, and folded to Helppi's 125,000-bet. 
to 125,000. His neighbor on the button, Leon Tsoukernik, found 
, called and Helppi tanked for a bit before he gave up.
and Carrel checked. "Big pot or small pot, it's up to you. You're the one behind the wheel." Carrel said. Tsoukernik checked behind. 
hit the turn. Carrel bet 275,000 and Tsoukernik, now with a straight flush draw, asked if Carrel wanted to be the sixth place finisher.
, taking away some outs for the German. After the 
, Thomas was drawing dead and grabbed his belongings. A meaningless 
under the gun, Viacheslav Buldygin raised to 165,000. Juha Helppi folded from the cutoff but Tsoukernik with the 
