Ilari Sahamies

Childhood

Sahamies showed early talent in billiards, winning two Finnish junior championships in the sport during his youth. He spent much of his early time at a local billiard hall in Helsinki, where he met fellow Finnish poker professional Patrik Antonius. Their friendship played a significant role in Sahamies’ introduction to poker, as he first played the game at the age of 15 in a home game hosted by Antonius.

Career

At 18, Sahamies began frequenting the Grand Casino Helsinki, where he transitioned from playing various table games to focusing exclusively on poker within a year. He quickly established himself as a professional poker player, known for his aggressive style and willingness to engage in trash talk at the table, earning him a notable online following.

Sahamies initially played live poker in Finland before moving predominantly to online poker, where he now earns most of his income. He has appeared on popular poker television programs such as High Stakes Poker and Poker After Dark, showcasing his skills to a global audience.

He co-founded the online poker hub Coinflip.com with fellow Finnish pro Sami Kelopuro and has been sponsored by the online poker site PowerPoker.com. Beyond poker, Sahamies has shown an interest in Finnish hip hop culture, starring in a rap music video hosted by PowerPoker and even joining the Finnish hip hop band Teflon Brothers in 2014 after paying 50,000 euros to become a member.

Personal life

Sahamies has been open about his personal life, including his relationship with Elina Alanne, with whom he has a child. His lifestyle has been characterized by a fondness for alcohol, which at times has affected his poker performance negatively, leading to significant financial losses during periods when he played online while intoxicated.

Revenue

As of July 2009, Sahamies had earned approximately $1,590,369 in live tournament winnings, ranking him fourth on Finland’s all-time money list. His online cash game profits tracked on platforms like Full Tilt Poker and PokerStars totaled $3,734,605 as of November 2012.

Interesting facts

• Sahamies is a defending Finnish watersliding champion as of 2009, illustrating his diverse interests beyond poker.
• He is known for his colorful personality at the poker table, often engaging in trash talk aimed at fellow professionals, which has contributed to his popularity online.
• Despite his success, Sahamies has experienced dramatic financial swings, including losing over $3 million over four years due to playing while intoxicated, and a single-day loss of $700,000.
• His friendship with Patrik Antonius, one of poker’s top players, has been influential throughout his career. Antonius has supported him during financial difficulties.
• Sahamies has merged his passions for poker and music by participating in Finnish hip-hop projects, including a music video, and joining a band.
  

Legacy

Ilari Sahamies is recognized as one of Finland’s most successful and distinctive poker players, especially in the high-stakes pot-limit Omaha scene. His combination of skill, personality, and willingness to take risks has made him a memorable figure in the poker world. His career has inspired many aspiring players in Finland and internationally, particularly those interested in online poker and cash games.