| Level 33: | 75,000/150,000 (150,000) |
| Entries: | 8/1,033 |
| Prizes: | €1,000,000 |
Probably the most interesting hand of the day to that point went to a thriller between Athanasios Kostouros and Tal Barasofsky.
Barasofsky opened to 350,000 from under the gun with J♠J♣, and Kostouros defended his big blind, calling 200,000 more with Q♣10♣.
The flop of 6♦10♦4♥ already spelled trouble, giving Kostouros top pair, but still trailing Barasofsky’s overpair. Kostouros decided to lead out for 375,000, Barasofsky raised to 1 million, and Kostouros casually snap-called.
On the 9♠ turn, Kostouros checked as he stared down Barasofsky in the process. The Israeli fired another million, and once again Kostouros called, as the pot rose to 4.9 million.
The river brought the K♥, and Kostouros moved all-in for 2.6 million. It was a massive decision for Barasofsky, for his tournament life, but he didn’t need long to throw in a chip, making a great call that left Kostouros with almost no chips
Tal Barasofsky: 9,200,000
Athanasios Kostouros: 425,000
The final nail in the coffin came shortly after, as Athanasios Kostouros pushed his remaining chips into the middle with K♠9♦. Both blinds came along to see the flop, Veli-Pekka Penttinen with Q♣9♣ and Gary Fisher with K♥J♣.
The 6♠4♣5♥ flop was checked around, which offered a glimmer of hope for Kostouros. However, the Q♥ on the turn changed everything. Penttinen bet 350,000, Fisher quickly folded, and Kostouros was left needing one of the three remaining kings to stay alive.
The river bricked out, and Kostouros’ run came to an end. He exits the 2026 Kings of Tallinn Main Event in eighth place for €20,950.
Veli-Pekka Penttinen: 8,400,000
Athanasios Kostouros: 0
