Lauri Saaskilahti had a dream. At the beginning of this year, he tucked a piece of paper into a drawer with one goal scribbled on it: win the WSOP Main Event.
He came as close as you possibly could without winning the bracelet – putting up a fierce battle heads-up before falling to Lucas Jumalon. He did pick up $6 million by way of a consolation prize.
So, what’s next?
The Finnish businessman is preparing to take another shot, this time at one of the biggest buy-in events of the year – the $250K Pro/Am event at WSOP Paradise. For a recreational player who has played just two tournaments this year, it’s quite a leap.
We caught up with Saaskilahti to find out why he's decided to take on the very best in the world for a dizzying sum of money.
Lucas Jumalon and Lauri Saaskilahti battled heads-up for the 2026 WSOP Main Event title.A $250K gamble in Paradise
We’ve heard that you’ve committed to playing the $250,000 event at WSOP Paradise. What else are you playing there?
I have three tournaments in mind. The first is the $25k NLH/PLO mix event. And then right after that, the $250k, and then probably the Super Main Event.
What made you decide to take a shot at the $250K?
There are several reasons for participating in that. First of all, I think it's a one-of-a-kind event with a very special tournament format.
For me, it’s the opportunity to play with fellow amateurs, hopefully until reaching the money. And then after that, face top professionals. That sounds fascinating to me.
I think I hopefully have a little bit of an edge. And secondly, the fact is that I'm paying a shitload of taxes this year from the Vegas win. So even in the worst-case scenario, if I don't cash, I can still deduct the buy-ins from my taxes. That would be a nice rebate for participating. That’s my logic.
Life after the Main Event
What was the media reaction when you returned to Finland after finishing runner-up in the WSOP Main Event?
It was pretty amazing to see the response there. Poker never really makes it into mainstream news in Finland. Maybe it did 15 or 20 years ago when there was the poker boom.
But yeah, I was on the front page of the mainstream newspapers, and pretty much all the mainstream media outlets recognized the achievement in a nice way.
That must have been exciting...
Yes. It was kind of a big deal over in Finland. As you know, during the WSOP Main Event, many of the other finalists come from bigger countries than Finland. They probably didn't make the front-page headlines in their country. So, in that sense, it was quite special indeed.
I was giving a bunch of interviews to the media after the Main Event. I only stayed in Finland for one week before returning home to Barcelona.
Have you played much poker since the World Series?
I only had time for the EPT in Barcelona at the end of August. I couldn't even play the Main Event because I had to go to Central America for business.
But I did play one tournament there, the PLO high roller. I made the final table there as well. I'm on a heater [laughs]. I've only made final tables in all the tournaments I’ve played this year – all two of them. I hope to continue that trend in the Bahamas.
Did you splurge on anything special after your big payday?
No, not really. I did get a new watch, but that wasn't because of the poker win. I ordered a watch more than a year ago for my 40th birthday. I got it a few weeks ago. But nothing special so far. I’m mostly investing my money.
Lauri Saaskilahti had a small but raucous rail supporting him at the 2026 WSOP Main Event.A new chapter beyond poker?
Remind everyone what you do for a living outside of poker.
I work in the forest industry. I'm a sales executive for a big forest company. I manage sales of around $500 million, which has kept me very busy over the last few years.
Are you planning to continue working, or has your Main Event success changed your thinking about your career?
Yeah, I'm leaning toward making some changes in my life, especially because the last few years have been extremely hectic and tough.
I feel like there's not much new stuff I can still learn in my industry. I've seen the ups and downs already, so I'm probably looking at doing something completely different.
Most likely, I'll not be working for anyone else anymore, but rather doing something on my own. What that will be, I still don't know.
After coming so close to winning the WSOP Main Event, are you itching to play more poker?
Yeah, I plan to start playing a little bit more than I did before, definitely not full-time or anything like that.
I'm really looking forward to the Bahamas. Not only the $250k, but other tournaments are pretty big. I see it as another good challenge, and hopefully I will make it to the end this time.
WSOP Paradise starts December 2 with Day 1 of the $250K Pro/Am event on December 5.
