Illari Sahamies was born in Helsinki, Finland in 1983. He is a notable high-stakes poker player and a regular at the FullTiltPoker website, consistently playing against some of the world’s best players at the high stakes tables. At FullTiltPoker Ilari Sahamies is better known for his online poker alias Ziigmund. Illari Sahamies is not only known for being a big-time, successful poker player but also for his conduct at the tables. He is a well-known trash talker that spits his venom indiscriminately. He doesn’t even spare his verbal wrath for some of the games and subsequently, the world’s top players.
Illari Sahamies began playing poker at around the age of the 15. Soon after, he would have aspirations of becoming a professional poker player. Though the road hasn’t always been easy, that is exactly what he has done. As mentioned above, the journey hasn’t been particularly smooth or without setbacks. He has lost it all more than once. However, in 2006, he seemed to settle into his game and is rumored to have won millions of dollars at Full Tilt Poker, alone. One of Illari Sahamies’ most notable successes is his sixth place finish at the EPT London High Roller Event Season 6 where he won £74,000.
Also known as Ziigmund online, Illari Sahamies has other interests and excels in other areas besides poker. He is also a very good billiards player. In fact, he has won 2 Finnish Junior Championships.
Shortly after high school, Illari Sahamies would begin his journey into professional poker. Getting his start at the Grand Casino of Helsinki, he was able to experience some early success which helped him develop some confidence in his game. He began playing online poker around 2002 and 2003 after became a member at Poker Stars, 24hpoker and CCC Poker. He participated in inexpensive games starting out, making lot of money fast and significantly increasing his bankroll. However, though he would experience early success, he would often lose that money very quickly after he made it. It would not be until years later that he learned to successfully and intelligently manage his bankroll.
In 2006, Sahamies begin playing at Full Tilt Poker. Shortly after joining the web site he was able to participate in many of the high stake games. At Full Tilt Poker, he is believed to have amassed nearly $2 million participating in No Limit Hold’em, Full Tilt Poker , Omaha and H.O.R.S.E.
Still based in Helsinki, Sahamies has no plans on moving but does have plans to continue to participate in poker games both online and off-line. Some notable successes of his include a second-place finish in the Helsinki Freezeout in Janurary, 2009 where he won more than $170,000. He also won over $31,000 at the St. Marten Open playing Pot Limit Omaha in November 2004.
