Following his record-breaking high-stakes match with Jungleman, Monarch (Ossi Ketola) took to the Onyx felt again last week, to face Tornado (Aussie Cahan) in the next Onyx Super High Roller Series Cyprus event. Both players sat down with $2m in chips, playing $10,000/$20,000 blinds in a no-rebuy format that guaranteed winner-takes-all. After about four hours and more than 210 hands, Monarch continued his losing streak – totalling around $19M in losses to date.
Aside from the size of the stakes, it’s worth mentioning that another unique feature of this high stakes game was watching Monarch – the self-confessed former scammer – wolfing down caviar as if it were yogurt throughout.
Early on Monarch had most of the momentum, squeezing value (which in this game rarely meant less than scooping a pot worth $600-$800K) out of plenty of top vs middle pairs. But when it came to pivotal hands, like this $2M pot, the chips were all going to Tornado – who ramped up the aggression as soon as he took the lead.
Heavenly 7 on the river: $2 Million Pot
One pivotal hand swung the momentum decisively in Tornado’s direction. Monarch, holding Ace♠ King♦ raised to $50,000 pre-flop. Tornado called with King♥ 7♦.
Monarch bet pot on a Q♠ K♠ 5♥ flop. Tornado called the flop and a further pot-size bet on a 8♦ turn.
The river brought a 7♦, giving Tornado two pair. Checking the action, Monarch with too many hands he could beat to check back, bet $600,000 and Tornado flat-called and scooped the $2 million pot, taking the lead for the first time in the match.
Tornado Escapes a potential Monster Pot
In a hand that could have resulted in a massive pot, Tornado held A♦ 5♦ while Monarch held K♦ J♣. Pre-flop, Tornado called a 3-bet of $200,000 from Monarch.
The flop came 3♦ J♦ K♠, giving Monarch top two pair and Tornado the nut flush draw. Monarch checked over to Tornado, who bet $135,000, and Monarch flat called. This pot could have become a monster on the flop, if Monarch had chosen not to slow play.
The turn brought a K♥, giving Monarch a full house. Monarch took the lead and opened with a $400,000 bet. Tornado called, and luckily for him a river “brick 4♣, saved him another $400+ which Monarch bet on the river.
What’s next for Monarch’s poker bankroll?
Monarch has yet to announce any more high-stakes duels, but there is some buzz around a Jungleman rematch – and maybe even higher stakes. Dan “Jungleman” Cates has already confirmed that he will play Monarch in a repeat and Monarch can name the stakes.
