![Patience led to a first place](https://aboutpaf.com/app/uploads/2023/11/news-dest-poker-mobile.jpg)
Patience led to a first place
Paf arranged the live poker tournament Destination Poker November 3–5 in Mariehamn on Åland.
60 players participated in the poker tournament’s main event with a 30,000 euro prize pot. On Saturday evening at 11 pm the winner from Estonia could be crowned.
“I had to have a lot of patience and for a long time I couldn’t get a good hand. To be able to win this tournament all good hands needed to hold, and I’m happy they did”, says Uku Valner, who won the tournament.
![](https://aboutpaf.com/app/uploads/2023/11/news-dest-poker-inline1.jpg)
When two players remained in the tournament, they made a deal and continued to play for the unique trophy plus 500 euros. The winner collected a prize pot of 7 556,30 euros. In second place came Aku Laajus from Finland who won 6543,70 euros.
“It is the fifth time I’ve been to a Paf poker event and it is always a feel-good weekend. It’s a nice tradition that hopefully continues as long as Paf arranges live poker events”, says Aku Laajus.
The trophy – a welded bird
The trophy was a unique bird, welded and designed by famous local artist Johan Karlsson from Åland.
“It has become a tradition on Destination Poker to give a locally handmade trophy to the winner. This year’s trophy contained 23 pieces of cutlery and a stack of about 100 Paf chips”, says Linda Jansson, Event Organizer and Customer Relations Manager.
![](https://aboutpaf.com/app/uploads/2023/11/news-dest-poker-inline2.jpg)
During the weekend, besides the main tournament, players could participate in three different side tournaments and cash-game tables.
“Many pieces needed to fall into place at this event, which they did. It turned out to be a successful weekend for both new and old customers”, says Niklas Lönnfors, Customer Relations Manager.
Paf’s Destination Poker 2023 – Final results
- Uku Valner – 7556,30 euro
- Aku Laajus – 6543,70 euro
- Joni Liimatta – 3900 euro
- Karl Samuel Lindberg – 3000 euro
- Jonas Rosqvist – 2400 euro
- Martin ‘Franke’ von Zweigbergk – 2100 euro
- Toni Ojala – 1800 euro
- Jari Hurri – 1450 euro
- Joakim Rödin – 1200 euro
The total prize pot was 30,000 euro.