Player of the Series: 2025 Rozvadov Winner Revealed
The Player of the Series race at the 2025 Festival in Rozvadov is now over and we can reveal the winner. However, if you have been following coverage on the blog and on social media, the outcome may not be a surprise. This is the first time that the leaderboard has been updated daily throughout The Festival Series week.
The points in the Player of the Series race are calculated using a straightforward formula, based on finishing position, buy-in, and the number of participants in each event. This includes points solely for participation and bonus points for those who reach the prize money.
Top Ten (This One Goes to 11)
Before we get to the top three, let’s honour some of those who just missed out on the top spots. As there's a new Spinal Tap movie out soon, we’ve extended the top ten...this one goes to eleven.
| Position | Player | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ??? | ??? |
| 2 | ??? | ??? |
| 3 | ??? | ??? |
| 4 | ??? | ??? |
| 5 | Sascha Manns | 131 |
| 6 | Barrie Dear | 127 |
| 6 | Leslie Smith | 127 |
| 8 | Siarhei Narozhny | 126 |
| 9 | Moreno Rutten | 125 |
| 10 | Silver | 122 |
| 11 | Martin von Zweigbergk 'Franke' | 121 |
| 11 | Sami Pulliainen | 121 |
There was a two-way tie for the eleventh spot, between Finland’s Sami Pulliainen and Franke, both with 121 points. Sami only jumped up the table at the very end of the series, thanks to the 56 points he gained from his 5th place finish in the Main Event. Franke owes his position in this artificially extended top ten to two final tables, in the Omaha Masters and the H.O.R.S.E, plus 4th place in the Blackjack.
In 10th was anonymous player Silver, on 122 points, three points behind Moreno Rutten from Netherlands in 9th. Belorussian mixed games specialist Siarhei Narozhny was one point further up the ladder in 8th place with 126 points.
Tied for 6th place was the British duo of Barrie Dear and Leslie Smith, both on 127 points. Barrie’s Blackjack victory helped him achieve this ranking, while Leslie’s presence in the top ten was helped by two deep runs in Omaha events.
Sascha Manns accumulated 131 points, which was good enough for 5th place. He made three final tables, including 5th in the Razz, plus 2nd and 3rd places in late night turbo events, but bubbled attempting to defend his MIxed Games Main Event title in the H.O.R.S.E.S.
The Fantastic Four
Now, let’s take a look at who made it onto the podium, taking the virtual medal positions of this veritable poker olympiad. And as well, the fourth place finisher!
Fourth Place: Julien Teissedre, 164 points
Frenchman Julien Teissedre jumped into third spot on the very final day of the series, thanks to a 34th place finish in the Main event and a final table in the last Turbo Texas side event. He also made several finals earlier in The Festival week, to end up with 161 points, but was never quite in a strong enough position to challenge for the title.
| Event | Finishing Position | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Monday Texas | 3 | 29 |
| 8-Game | 5 | 25 |
| Blackjack | 5 | 24 |
| Deuce to Seven | 6 | 23 |
| HORSE | 7 | 22 |
| Main Event | 34 | 17 |
| THMC | 19 | 8 |
| 3 Other Events | Not ITM | 16 |
| Total Points | 164 |
Bronze Medal: Allan Arjut, 167 points
Allan Arjut reached the podium thanks to his very steady grind during The Festival Series Rozvadov. Even better, he had his first-ever victory during our live series! Despite his own opinion, we do think he is a very great all-round player, but he for sure will mention that he is more of a PLO Crusher.
In the end, he became good friends with the top two finishers and even travelled together with them back to Prague. However, that's where the comradery ended for now, as Allan took a well-deserved break and remained in the beautiful city of Prague for a couple more days. No poker, no beer (as he quit drinking a while ago. Read: Hero!), and surely a lot of culture!
| Event | Finishing Position | Points |
|---|---|---|
| PLO Sunday Madness | 3 | 29 |
| THMC | 263 | 8 |
| PLO Tuesday | 1 | 39 |
| 2-7 Triple Draw | 5 | 24 |
| PLO High Roller | 2 | 31 |
| 11 Other Events | Not ITM | 36 |
| Total Points | 167 |
Heads Up For the Title
From about half way through the series, the Player of the Series contest effectively became a two-horse race. Mario Rutten had been vying for a chance to compete and was in the frame after several cashes in the first few days. But he failed to make further progress and the additional participation points earned were never going to be enough to make a serious challenge.
The two front runners Kare Hallamaa and Ville Hakala are friends from Finland and with both had some good results during the first half of the Festival, they began to take the race seriously, notching up points at a tremendous rate. They hit the front together, overtaking early leader Horst Günter Böschen after Day 7 of the eleven-day series.
It was a friendly, but intense rivalry, which continued until the very last day. Even though Kare was well ahead, Ville didn’t give up and was prepared to multi-table if required. They even kept their own score-card and perhaps had a little wager between themselves on who would win the €1,600 package.
Silver Medal: Ville Hakala, 199 points
Ville Hakala’s made the money six times, including a win in the 4/5/6 Card PLO, plus 3rd place in the PLO Championship. He also made the final of the Sviten and min-cashed The Hendon Mob Championship. He played a further 20 other events without cashing, picking up 71 participation points, to bring his total of up to 199.
| Event | Finishing Position | Points |
|---|---|---|
| PLO 456 | 1 | 39 |
| PLO Championship | 3 | 29 |
| Sviten | 7 | 22 |
| 2nd Friday Madness | 13 | 12 |
| PLO Sunday Madness | 9 | 18 |
| THMC | 286 | 8 |
| 20 Other Events | Not ITM | 71 |
| Total Points | 199 |
Gold Medal: Kare Hallamaa, 241 points
Kate Hallamaa’s 241 total was 42 points clear of his compatriot and he was not in any danger of being overtaken on the last day. He cashed a staggering 9-times during the 11 day series. Although he did not win an event, he booked two runner-up spots , two 3rd places and a sixth place, making five final tables in total, plus 3rd place in the Blackjack. He also min cashed in both the Main Event and The Hendon Mob Championship.
| Event | Finishing Position | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha Masters | 2 | 33 |
| Short Deck | 2 | 32 |
| PLO 456 | 3 | 29 |
| Deuce to Seven | 3 | 29 |
| Blackjack | 3 | 29 |
| Wednesday Turbo | 6 | 23 |
| Main Event | 33 | 17 |
| THMC | 92 | 8 |
| Mystery Bounty | 20 | 8 |
| 11 Other Events | Not ITM | 33 |
| Total Points | 241 |
It was a truly impressive performance from Kare, who fully deserves the title and the €1,600 package to The Festival in Malta this September. Congratulations from all at The Festival Series.
The Complete Top 40
| Position | Player | Points | Position | Player | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kare Hallamaa | 241 | 21 | Haik Tougu | 106 |
| 2 | Ville Hakala | 199 | 22 | zabka_hotdogi | 105 |
| 3 | Allan Arjut | 183 | 23 | Yurii Rassamakin | 103 |
| 4 | Julien Teissedre | 164 | 24 | Bo Alm | 101 |
| 5 | Sascha Manns | 131 | 25 | chiKKita banAAna* | 99 |
| 6 | Barrie Dear | 127 | 26 | Fex* | 98 |
| 6 | Leslie Smith | 127 | 26 | Lukas Rath | 98 |
| 8 | Siarhei Narozhny | 126 | 28 | B.S.* | 97 |
| 9 | Moreno Rutten | 125 | 28 | Johannes Goossens | 97 |
| 10 | Silver8 | 122 | 30 | Gold Fisch* | 96 |
| 11 | Martin von Zweigbergk 'Franke' | 121 | 31 | Jukka Moisio | 92 |
| 11 | Sami Pulliainen | 121 | 32 | Ondrej Mar | 86 |
| 13 | Horst Günter Böschen | 120 | 32 | PATELLA* | 86 |
| 14 | Nils Doverklint | 117 | 34 | Oliver Kubalek | 82 |
| 15 | Eden Vaturi | 116 | 34 | Vasilis Nikolas | 82 |
| 16 | Marc Hunter | 115 | 36 | Oleksandr Sadovyi | 80 |
| 16 | TURKEY* | 115 | 37 | berserk* | 79 |
| 18 | Jordy Engelen | 114 | 37 | Jacky* | 79 |
| 19 | Bychku* | 110 | 37 | Richard Koppel | 79 |
| 20 | N.J.44* | 109 | 37 | Victor B.* | 79 |
