Benjamin Tollerene Dominates the 2024 PGT PLO Series II, Securing Another Major Title
In the thrilling world of high-stakes poker, there are players who make headlines with consistent performance, and then there’s Benjamin Tollerene. The 37-year-old poker professional from Lubbock, Texas, is cementing his reputation as a force to be reckoned with in the poker community. Tollerene has made a habit of dominating the biggest buy-in events at the end of major poker festivals, and his recent triumph in the $25,200 buy-in pot-limit Omaha (PLO) championship at the 2024 PGT PLO Series II has only added to his accolades.
A Triumphant Closing Performance
Tollerene once again showcased his prowess, beating a competitive field of 62 entries to claim the coveted trophy and a staggering top prize of $496,000. This latest victory represents his 12th recorded title, bringing his tournament earnings to over $16.6 million. His impressive haul this year includes nearly $5.6 million from six final table appearances, along with two titles in the PokerGO Tour (PGT) series.
In securing the trophy, Tollerene also earned 504 Card Player Player of the Year (POY) points, elevating his ranking to 95th in the 2024 POY standings presented by Global Poker. Additionally, he climbed to 8th place in the PGT series points race and now sits at 21st in the season-long PGT leaderboard with a total of 1,268 points.
A Deep Dive Into the Competition
The PLO championship at the PGT festival not only attracted top talent but generated a prize pool of $1,550,000, the largest of the festival. The lucrative payout structure rewarded the top nine finishers, with notable players like Billy Tarango and Jesse Lonis earning impressive payouts but narrowly missing out on the final table.
As the tournament progressed, it became clear that many fierce competitors would not go quietly. The action heated up quickly with Fernando "JNandezPoker" Habegger and six-time bracelet winner Josh Arieh exiting before the final five. Arieh finished in sixth place with a payout of $85,250, continuing to inch closer to $13.1 million in career earnings.
Turning Point: Tollerene’s Strategic Mastery
As the tournament reached the pivotal moments, Tollerene demonstrated strategic brilliance. He took the lead during five-handed play, initially surpassed by Finnish breakout star Joni Jouhkimainen. Jouhkimainen’s aggressive play earned him a big pot against Ben Lamb, sending the two-time bracelet winner to the rail in fifth place with $116,000.
In one decisive hand, Tollerene held K♦ 10♣ 8♣ 7♠ and faced off against Michael Duek’s K♦ K♥ 10♦ 8♣. Tollerene was able to capitalize on his flush draws and took down Duek, eliminating him in fourth place for $155,000.
Heads-Up Showdown: The Final Battle
With only Tollerene and Samuli Sipila left to battle for the title, the tension reached its peak. Tollerene initially held a chip lead of 9,525,000 to Sipila’s 2,870,000. Their heads-up match was a tight affair, with both players demonstrating their skill. In the final hand, Tollerene raised with an impressive hand and managed to hit two pair, ultimately taking Sipila for the victory.
Sipila earned a respectable runner-up payout of $310,000, boosting his total lifetime earnings over $7.5 million. This performance also solidified Sipila’s standing in the series points race, where he concluded in fifth place.
Payouts and Rankings at the Final Table
Here’s a detailed look at the payouts and points awarded to the final table participants during this pulsating tournament.
| Place | Player | Earnings | POY Points | PGT Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Benjamin Tollerene | $496,000 | 504 | 298 |
| 2 | Samuli Sipila | $310,000 | 420 | 186 |
| 3 | Joni Jouhkimainen | $217,000 | 336 | 130 |
| 4 | Michael Duek | $155,000 | 252 | 93 |
| 5 | Ben Lamb | $116,250 | 210 | 70 |
| 6 | Josh Arieh | $85,250 | 168 | 51 |
| 7 | Fernando Habegger | $62,000 | 126 | 37 |
Reflecting on an Eventful Series
Tollerene’s championship win at the 2024 PGT PLO Series II reaffirms his place among the top echelons of professional poker. As tournaments continue to evolve, his impressive ability to seize the moment at major festivals positions him as a player to watch closely in the coming years.
As this poker season progresses, fans and competitors alike will undoubtedly keep a keen eye on Tollerene’s rising trajectory. His knack for high-stakes competition and consistent showings at the end of poker festivals exemplifies the thrill, strategy, and unpredictability that the world of poker offers.
Photo credit: PokerGO / Antonio Abrego.
