Another million-dollar showdown put Ossi “Monarch” Ketola in the spotlight during the Triton Super High Roller Series Jeju II. This time, the Finn faced compatriot Patrik Antonius in a US$ 20 million heads-up. Each player put US$ 10 million at stake, setting a new record for a live-streamed match.
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Thus, Ketola adopted an extremely aggressive stance from the start. In one of the most impressive moments, “Monarch” risked US$ 3 million on a bluff with only six-high. Antonius held top pair but folded the hand in the face of the opponent’s huge bet.
However, Antonius also found room to react. The Poker Hall of Fame member took the lead after winning a pot of US$ 5.2 million, when he hit two higher pairs on the river against Ketola’s two pairs. Still, “Monarch” regained ground and resumed pressuring his opponent with large bets.
However, one of the most remarkable hands of the match put Ketola very close to victory. With Q♥9♥, the Finn completed a straight flush on the turn against Antonius’s straight. Ketola reached the river with the best possible combination and put his rival all-in for US$ 4.1 million, but Antonius found the fold and kept the duel alive.
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Ketola ends million-dollar battle against Antonius
However, the confrontation ended right on the next hand. Antonius put his chips in the middle with A♦K♦, while Ketola held K♣J♣. The veteran started ahead, but a J♠ on the turn reversed the situation and delivered the decisive pot to “Monarch.”
Thus, Ossi Ketola won US$ 10 million in the showdown, while Antonius ended with a loss of the same amount. The result marked the largest loss in a single hand in the history of live-streamed poker, according to the report of the match. Ketola also added another chapter of huge sums to his career after losing US$ 15 million to Dan “Jungleman” Cates the previous year.
Finally, the duel was also marked by the combination of million-dollar bluffs, huge pots, and extreme decisions. Ketola had explained that he wanted to “feel something” when facing Antonius for such high stakes. In this way, the Finn achieved much more than that by winning a US$ 20 million battle and starring in one of the most expensive matches ever seen on camera.
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