The poker world witnessed another masterclass in Pot Limit Omaha this weekend. Tom Vogelsang from the Netherlands emerged victorious at Arena Casino Tirana. The prestigious €5,200 PLO Grand Slam attracted Europe’s finest four-card specialists.
Tom Vogelsang’s Path to Victory
Day 1 kicked off with intense action across the poker room. Ninety-eight players survived the opening day’s battles. Vogelsang built a solid stack early with creative four-bet pots. The money bubble burst late on Day 2. Only thirty-two players made it to the paid positions. Several notable pros hit the rail just before the money. The minimum cash was worth €7,500.
Final Table Action
Sixteen players returned for the final day. Tom Vogelsang started as chip leader. The Dutch pro showed exceptional pot control throughout the final table.
Key Hands That Shaped the Victory
The tournament’s decisive moments came through several crucial hands that demonstrated Vogelsang’s masterful PLO skills:
- The Aces vs Kings Clash: In a defining moment, Vogelsang’s double-suited aces held against Mario Schmidt’s double-suited kings. The 1.2 million chip pot shifted the tournament’s momentum.
- Three-Way Monster: A critical hand saw Vogelsang’s wrap draw and flush draw connect on the turn, eliminating both the 4th and 5th place finishers in one dramatic pot.
- The Bluff Catch: Using his superior hand reading, Vogelsang called down Elena Popov’s triple barrel bluff with bottom two pair, proving his ability to navigate complex spots.
- The Championship Hand: The final hand lasted twenty minutes, with Vogelsang’s AAT9 double-suited dominating Schmidt’s KKJ8 on a A-K-7 rainbow flop. The turn and river bricked, securing his victory.
Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tom Vogelsang | Netherlands | €234,200 |
| 2 | Sean Rafael | United States | €158,100 |
| 3 | Nino Pansier | Netherlands | €108,800 |
| 4 | Youness Barakat | Italy | €88,700 |
| 5 | Fabian Riebau-Schmithals | Germany | €70,700 |
| 6 | Hossein Ensan | Germany | €54,300 |
| 7 | Harry Casagrande | Austria | €39,600 |
| 8 | Ronald Keijzer | Netherlands | €28,700 |
| 9 | Andrew Ige | United States | €23,700 |
Winner’s Strategy
Tom Vogelsang shared some insights after his victory. He emphasized position play in PLO. The Dutch pro mentioned studying 5-card PLO helped his four-card game. “Position is everything in PLO,” Vogelsang explained. “You need mastery of the fundamentals for success.”
Impact on the Series
This victory puts Vogelsang in prime position. He’s now leading the Diamond Series Player of the Year race. The series continues with more high-stakes events. For players looking to improve their PLO game, check out the Ultimate PLO Starter Guide and Multiway Pot Strategy.
How to Join Future Events
You can still be part of this exciting series. Daily satellites run from €50. Online qualifiers are available on partner sites. For the best places to play, visit our guide to the Best PLO Sites.
With over 12 years of Omaha Poker experience, Lebi is the Head of Content at PLO365. A dedicated PLO specialist, he bridges the gap between complex GTO theory and practical street poker. He leads our review team, stress-testing PLO solvers, HUDs, and training courses to ensure they meet the demands of the modern grinder. When he isn’t auditing poker room RNGs or writing strategy guides, you can find him grinding mid-stakes PLO cash games and Turbo MTTs.
