Sami Kelopuro

Childhood

Sami Kelopuro was born in 1987 in Finland. His introduction to poker came relatively late compared to many professionals; he first played the game at age 18 in 2005 during a home sit-and-go tournament organized by friends. This initial experience sparked a deep interest, and he soon began dedicating extensive hours-up to 10 per day-to playing online poker while finishing high school. After graduation, Kelopuro served nine months in the Finnish Defence Forces, during which he continued to play online poker and resolved to pursue it professionally thereafter.

Career

Kelopuro’s professional poker career began in earnest shortly after his military service. He started with small stakes on PAF, an online poker site, depositing modest amounts and playing low-limit cash games. His skill and dedication quickly propelled him to higher stakes. By 2007, he competed in high-stakes no-limit Texas Hold’em and pot-limit Omaha cash games on Full Tilt Poker, playing at limits as high as $500/$1,000. During this period, he became known for his aggressive and fearless playing style and was involved in some of the largest poker hands and swings, sometimes experiencing daily fluctuations of up to a million dollars.

Kelopuro also co-founded the poker website Coinflip with fellow Finnish pro Ilari Sahamies, where he blogged about his experiences. His online aliases include "LarsLuzak" on Full Tilt and "Lrslzk" on PokerStars, where he has amassed millions in tournament winnings. He is recognized as one of the most successful multi-table tournament players online, with total cashes exceeding $23.3 million across various platforms. Notably, on PokerStars, he earned about $6.6 million, and on GGNetwork, playing as "MiMosa1" and under his real name, he collected over $13 million in multi-table tournament cashes.

Kelopuro has also made a mark in live tournaments, with total live earnings surpassing $1.15 million as of 2021. One of his most significant live victories was winning the Spring Championship of Online Poker (SCOOP) Event 38-H in May 2011, earning over $500,000. In August 2019, he famously won $1.3 million in an eight-hour heads-up Pot-Limit Omaha game against an unknown opponent.

Personal life

Kelopuro currently resides in Monte Carlo, a popular home base for many professional poker players due to favorable tax laws and proximity to major poker events. Details about his personal life beyond his residence are kept private, consistent with his tendency to avoid the spotlight despite his professional success.

Revenue

Kelopuro’s revenue streams primarily come from online poker tournaments and high-stakes cash games. His online tournament winnings total approximately $23.3 million, with significant earnings on PokerStars and GGNetwork. His live tournament winnings exceed $1.15 million. Additionally, his cash game play, particularly in high-stakes Pot-Limit Omaha, has resulted in substantial profits, including a notable $1.3 million win in 2019.

Interesting facts

• Kelopuro started playing poker seriously while still in high school, balancing up to 10 hours of daily play with his studies.
• He served in the Finnish Defence Forces for nine months but continued to play poker during his service.
• Known for his aggressive style, he has been involved in some of the most significant swings in online poker history, with daily fluctuations reaching $1 million.
• He co-founded the poker website Coinflip with Ilari Sahamies.
• Despite his success, Kelopuro prefers to keep a low profile and shies away from the poker spotlight.
  

Legacy

Sami Kelopuro is regarded as one of the most formidable and aggressive cash game players in the world. His success across multiple poker formats and platforms has cemented his reputation as a versatile and highly skilled professional. His approach to the game and his resilience in the face of high variance have inspired many aspiring poker players, especially in the online arena. Represented by Poker Icons, Kelopuro continues to be a prominent figure in the poker community.