Pokerstars ambassador Kenny Hallaert has added another major title to his already impressive resume, taking down the €5,000 NLH High Roller 8-Max at the Irish Open 2025. Hallaert outlasted a 147-entry field packed with elite talent, securing €140,674 from the €680,793.75 for the victory and further cementing his status as one of Europe’s most respected tournament professionals.
While best known today for his deep runs on the felt—including a WSOP Main Event final table appearance in 2016—Hallaert’s path through the poker world has been as well-rounded as it is impressive. He began his working life as an electrician, before transitioning into poker as a tournament director on the Belgian live scene. That experience gave him a unique perspective on the game from both sides of the table. Today, Hallaert brings that insight to his role with PokerStars, where he works in Operations and Innovation for Live Events, helping shape some of the most prestigious tournaments in the world.
Despite his success behind the scenes, Hallaert showed in Dublin that his instincts as a player remain razor sharp. After entering the final table mid-pack, he chipped up steadily before battling through a tough final seven that included Lawrence Edward Brandt, Ludvig Sterner, and Elias Suhonen, the latter of whom he defeated heads-up to clinch the title.
Heads Up:
In the final stretch, Hallaert faced off against Elias Suhonen, a young and aggressive Finnish player known for applying relentless pressure. The heads-up battle was a clash of styles—Suhonen came out firing, mixing in constant aggression and putting Hallaert to the test. But the Belgian veteran didn’t flinch. Drawing on years of experience, Hallaert adjusted quickly, shifting gears with well-timed traps and precise value bets. He weathered the early storm, picked his spots, and slowly regained control of the match before sealing the win and lifting the trophy. It was a textbook demonstration of composure, adaptability, and elite tournament instincts.
€5,000 NLH High Roller Final Table Result:
- Kenny Hallaert – €140,674
- Elias Lauri Benjamin Suhonen – €134,526
- Lawrence Edward Brandt – €75,600
- Ludvig Sterner – €58,100
- Umberto Ruggeri – €44,700
- Paul Juergen Hofer – €34,400
- Andrii Nikitin – €26,400
- Cheng Chen – €22,000
