Lucas Jumalon's heads-up battle against Finland's Lauri Saaskilahti lasted less than two hours. With an additional $4M and the 2026 WSOP Main Event title still at stake, neither man was backing down from the fight.
Early on, it was all Jumalon. Then Saaskilahti caught a fortunate river in an all-in pot to come roaring back to life.
But his resurgence was short-lived.
In the end, the American triumphed to become the second-youngest WSOP Main Event champion – below, you can read about five of the key hands from heads-up play that delivered him the victory.
We've also included timestamps so you can watch each key hand unfold in the video above.
1. Laying down a marker (21:55)
- Jumalon (335M):
- Saaskilahti (218M):
In the first key clash between the two, Jumalon laid down a marker.
Saaskilahti limped in from the button with his seven-high holding and was allowed to see a flop as Jumalon opted to check back – despite the suited and connected nature of his hand.
On the 
flop, Jumalon made a strong second pair and checked it over to his opponent. Saaskilahti took the bait, firing 3M into the 9M chip pot. Jumalon made the call to bring in the 
turn and checked for a second time. With an open-ended straight draw now working for him, the Finn unleashed a second barrel – 12M into the 15M.
Jumalon called once more and the river 
completed the board. With 39M in the middle, the action went check-check as Saaskilahti took his sliver of showdown value with bottom pair.
It wasn't enough. Jumalon showed the winner and raked in the pot.
And then he hit Saaskilahti with some clucking noises to add insult to injury.
2. Picking off a triple barrel bluff (31:20)
- Jumalon (349M):
- Saaskilahti (204M):
The next pivotal hand of the battle followed a similar pattern as the first.
Lucas Jumalon was in the zone during the heads up battle against Lauri Saaskilahti. It was another limped pot that saw Jumalon connect with second pair on a 
flop before checking it over to his opponent.
Saaskilahti opted for aggression and fired 6M into the 12M in the middle. Jumalon made the call to see the 
turn and checked once more.
The Finn dialed up a near pot-sized bet on the turn, but Jumalon was undeterred and made the call. On the 
river, Saaskilahti was left with just queen-high and the pair on the board. With no showdown value to speak of, he fired a final barrel of 37M into the 68M.
Jumalon took about five seconds to make the call.
"You have it," Saaskilahti said, conceding the 142M chip pot.
3. Adversity knocking (46:25)
- Jumalon (422M):
- Saaskilahti (131M):
While many of the early pots went Jumalon's way, Saaskilahti wasn't going to simply roll over. With about 33 big blinds remaining, he raised from the button and faced a jam from Jumalon.
"Time to get a double up, I think," Saaskilahti said. "You have a good hand? I'm not super strong, but I think strong enough."
Then he flicked in a chip and said, "Let's go."
With 266M chips in the middle and the title on the line, the 
flop kept the Finn well in front. The turn, however, improved Jumalon to two pair, but Saaskilahti still had plenty of outs with the lone flush draw.
The 
completed the board – and Saaskilahti's flush – to all but even the stacks.
It was the first major moment of adversity for Jumalon during the match.
4. Back in control (55:00)
- Jumalon (287M):
- Saaskilahti (266M):
With his lead greatly diminished and momentum favoring his opponent, how Jumalon responded to the tough beat would make all the difference – and he rose to the occasion.
In the very next hand, Jumalon started with a limp from the button and Saaskilahti checked back to usher in the 
flop. The American fired 4M into the 12M and the Finn opted to float with just jack-high and no draw.
The 
turn card changed everything as Jumalon picked up the nut flush draw, while Saaskilahti connected with third pair to take the lead in the hand.
Lauri Saaskilahti wasn't going down without a fight. With 20M in the pot, Jumalon swung for the fences with a bet of 40M. After a long while in the tank, Saaskilahti made the call and the 
completed the board. Jumalon dialed up a massive 180M chip overbet when checked to and Saaskilahti went even deeper into the tank.
Despite the presence of four spades on board, Saaskilahti wasn't convinced that his opponent had the goods.
"I feel like you have complete air," he said. "I don't have a strong hand."
As Saaskilahti continued to attempt to engage him in conversation, Jumalon remained composed – until provided with the perfect opportunity for a response.
"I feel like you're bluffing," the Finn restated.
"Then put it in," came the reply from Jumalon.
And he did. After a little more thought, Saaskilahti tossed in a single chip for a call only to see the bad news.
5. The coup de grace (1:11:20)
Jumalon (511M):
Saaskilahti (42M):
In the final hand of the battle, Jumalon moved all-in for Saaskilahti's 10 big blinds. The Finn found an ace and the cards hit their backs.
With the title on the line, both players retreated to their respective rails of friends and family to watch on. The 
flop delivered bottom pair to Jumalon and he took the lead. The turn left Saaskilahti drawing dead.
Jumalon and his rail erupted into wild celebration, after which he took the time to embrace his opponent.
