The NLHE pro shipped the event the first time participating in a Diamond Poker Series tourney
Tom Vogelsang claimed victory at the Diamond Poker Series €5,200 (US$5,420) Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO) Opener. This adds another impressive title to his growing poker career.
The event, held at Arena Casino Tirana, attracted 225 entries, generating a prize pool of €1,057,500. Vogelsang walked away with €234,200 (US$245,000) after defeating Sean Rafael in a short but intense heads-up battle. Rafael, who traveled from the US for the event, secured €158,100 (US$165,000) for his runner-up finish, while Nino Pansier earned €108,800 (US$113,500) for third place.
The final table featured a strong lineup, including back-to-back final tabler Youness Barakat, PLO bracelet winner Ronald Keijzer, and 2019 WSOP Main Event champion Hossein Ensan. Vogelsang, known for his high-stakes No-Limit Hold’em prowess, showcased his skill in PLO, a format he has focused on extensively in recent years. After the win, Vogelsang expressed satisfaction with his performance, calling the victory a mix of relief and happiness.
The road to the title was competitive, with 42 players returning for Day 2, joined by 26 late entries that pushed the prize pool beyond its €1,000,000 (US$1.04 million) guarantee. The action was intense as notable players like Max Kruse and Bernd Gleissner exited early. The bubble burst when Youness Barakat’s pocket tens flopped a set against “Alakazam’s” pocket kings, leaving 27 players in the money.
At the final table, Vogelsang gained momentum after catching a key bluff, eventually eliminating several opponents, including Barakat, whose kings fell to Vogelsang’s aces. Heads-up play began with Vogelsang holding a chip lead, but Rafael briefly turned the tables. The decisive moment came when Rafael’s aces were cracked by Vogelsang’s flopped set of fives, sealing the win.
Vogelsang’s triumph at his first Diamond Poker Series marks another milestone in his accomplished career.

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