Extreme Poker
Arctic Freeze Out
The winner of the DWSOP, Finnish Poker Pro Juha Helppi, was given the option to select the venue for the next Extreme event. Opting for “home field advantage,” Juha took Extreme Poker to his backyard – an Arctic Ice Shelf in Kemi, Finland. The event took place on March 29th, 2006 and six competitors took part:
- Robert Varkonyi – WSOP Champion 2002
- Juha Helppi – WPT Champion & Current Extreme Poker Champion
- Peter Larsson – Interpoker.com Online qualifier from Umen Sweden (playing 5 years online)
- Ulrik Nymand Jensen – InterPoker.com Online qualifier from Raby Denmark (playing 8 months online)
- Rene Christensen – InterPoker.com Online qualifier from Aahborg Denmark (playing 2 months)
- Daniel Stein – InterPoker.com online qualifier from London England (playing 2 years)
All competing for the coveted title of Extreme Poker Champion!
The rules were simple
Play poker outdoors on an Arctic Ice Shelf. Temperature -15c and -20c with wind-chill (-10f). If you were bust out in the first 30 minutes you could re-buy by giving up your jacket and playing only in a t-shirt.
The Tournament
WSOP Champion Robert Varkonyi was hit early on with a Bad Beat so played the majority of the tournament on only his shirt, running around the table to keep warm as his lips turned blue. The game continued for 1 ½ hours with 4 players wearing just their shirts, until Rob Varkonyi managed to beat off the opposition in a stunning final hand.
Rob started off with 10 / 9 off suit against current Extreme Poker Champion Juha Helppi’s K / 9 clubs. The flop came 10h, 7s and 3c. Juha bet all in with his flush draw, Rob quickly called with top pair. The turn bought a 7, and the river game Rob his Full house with a 10.
