The 2026 Kings of Tallinn continued to deliver high-stakes drama at Olympic Park Casino and Hilton Tallinn Park, with Wednesday’s spotlight on the €5,000 High Roller..
WSOP Final Tabler Erik Friberg Back in the Winner’s Circle
Nearly two decades after his unforgettable eighth-place finish in the 2006 World Series of Poker Main Event, Sweden’s Erik Friberg reminded the poker world of his pedigree by capturing the €5,000 NLH High Roller title. The one-day event drew 46 entries, generating a €209,760 prize pool, with €71,700 reserved for the champion.
Two-time WSOP bracelet winner Juha Helppi (a seasoned WPT veteran) fell just short of the money, while Ukraine’s Yevhen Sukhov secured the €13,000 min-cash in sixth place. Finland’s Juho Suutari (€25,700) and Israel’s Yaniv Peretz (€19,200) exited before Lithuanian bracelet winner Kasparas Klezys bowed out in third for €33,060.
That left Friberg heads-up against France’s Alexis Lucarini. In the end, it was the Swede who prevailed, earning €71,700 and the trophy, while Lucarini collected €47,100 for his runner-up finish.
Franke’s Baltic Heater Continues
Another Swede making waves in Tallinn was Martin von Zweigbergk, better known across the circuit as “Franke.” The Festival Series founder continued his strong 2026 form by taking down the €200 PL Sviten/PLO5 event.
The tournament attracted 130 entries and built a €20,553 prize pool. Franke battled through a final table dominated by Finnish players before facing Miika Töyräs heads-up. True to form, Franke closed it out to claim €4,550 and his second trophy of the year, with Töyräs earning €3,270 for second place.
Home Glory and International Success
Local pride was on full display in the €350 NLH Progressive Knockout, which drew 228 entries and produced €65,732 in total prizes, including €22,800 in bounties. The title stayed in Estonia as Ergo Maruste defeated compatriot Henrik Puija heads-up. Both secured €7,320 from the main prize pool, with Maruste earning the trophy and the final bounty haul.
In the €555 NLH Queens event, Natalia Manuyko outlasted a 19-entry field to claim €3,535. She denied Lithuania’s Giedre Valgemäe a second Queens title, as Valgemäe finished runner-up for €2,470. Finland’s Phenporn Laatikainen (€1,590) and Linda Lahdenpää (€1,240) rounded out the payouts.
Kings of Tallinn Main Event Momentum Builds
Attention now shifts to the €1,100 Kings of Tallinn Main Event, which boasts a €1 million guarantee. The first two of four opening flights drew a combined 279 entries, with 101 players advancing. Cypriot Georgios Tsouloftas currently leads the field after turning his 30,000 starting stack into 276,390.
With additional opening flights and late registration available through the early stages of Day 2, the flagship event is poised to swell further—ensuring that the 2026 Kings of Tallinn continues to live up to its billing as one of the Baltic region’s premier poker festivals.
