It was a night that will go down in PLO folklore. In the glittering lights of the PokerGO Studio in Las Vegas, John Riordan – a seasoned Florida pro with a modest résumé compared to the sport’s megastars – turned the tables on Sam Soverel and walked away with the coveted ring and a career‑changing $1,250,000 payday.
How the final table unfolded
Day 3 of the third‑ever $100k Pot‑Limit Omaha Super High Roller Bowl was a rollercoaster of eliminations, massive pots and a few heart‑stopping moments. Sam Soverel, fresh off a blistering run that saw him wipe out four opponents on Day 2, entered the final table with a chip lead that seemed almost insurmountable.
His early dominance continued as he knocked out Russia’s Artur Martirosian, Finland’s Joni Jouhkimainen and Brazil’s two‑time WSOP bracelet winner João Simão. By the time the field was whittled down to five, Soverel was the clear favorite, holding a sizable stack and the momentum of a man who had just crushed the competition.
Riordan’s comeback
Enter John Riordan. The Florida native had survived a grueling Day 2, where he doubled up multiple times and even out‑lasted PLO guru Dylan Weisman. When the final table opened, he was sitting in a respectable but far‑from‑comfortable position.
Early in the heads‑up duel, Riordan seized a pivotal pot that leveled the chip count. From there, the two engaged in a classic flop‑raising war. Soverel, ever the aggressor, was chasing a two‑pair that could have secured the win, while Riordan was chasing a nut flush draw that would eventually become his salvation.
The turning point came on the turn – a perfect card that completed Riordan’s flush. Soverel’s hopes of a full house evaporated on the river, and Riordan’s chips surged, giving him the lead he never relinquished.
The final standings
| Place | Name | Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | John Riordan | United States | $1,250,000 |
| 2 | Sam Soverel | United States | $825,000 |
| 3 | João Simão | Brazil | $550,000 |
| 4 | Joni Jouhkimainen | Finland | $400,000 |
| 5 | Artur Martirosian | Russia | $300,000 |
| 6 | Bryce Yockey | United States | $225,000 |
| 7 | Jared Bleznick | United States | $150,000 |
The payout pool of $3.7 million was generated by 37 entrants, each paying a $100,000 buy‑in. Notably absent was Daniel Negreanu, who has been a regular fixture at SHRB events but chose to sit this one out.
A look at the field
Besides the two Floridians at the top, the final table featured a colorful mix of talent:
- Jared Bleznick – the inaugural SHRB PLO champion in 2023, who finished seventh and added $150,000 to his bankroll. His deep run has sparked talk of renaming the event the “Bleznick Invitational.”
- Bryce Yockey – a rising American star who survived a tight Day 2 bubble before falling to Soverel’s on Day 3.
- Artur Martirosian – the Russian contender who tried to mount a comeback but was out‑flushed by Soverel’s trips.
- Joni Jouhkimainen – the Finnish grinder who saw his aces cracked by a rivered flush.
- João Simão – the Brazilian bracelet winner who was forced to surrender his kings after Soverel’s runner‑runner full house.
What this win means for Riordan
Before this tournament, Riordan’s biggest payday was a $210,180 victory in a WSOP Circuit Main Event back in 2011. The $1.25 million score catapults his career earnings past $6.3 million, according to the Hendon Mob database, and puts him firmly on the radar of the PLO elite.
He’s no stranger to deep runs – earlier this month he was runner‑up in a PGT PLO Series II $5,000 event, pocketing $103,700. Yet nothing compares to the prestige of a Super High Roller Bowl title, especially in a format that’s still considered the pinnacle of Omaha competition.
Historical context
The Super High Roller Bowl PLO has quickly become the most coveted title in the variant. Winners to date:
| Year | Winner | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | John Riordan | $1,250,000 |
| 2024 | Seth Davies | $1,500,000 |
| 2023 | Jared Bleznick | $1,292,000 |
Each edition has drawn a tighter field, and the 2025 event proved that even a player with a modest public profile can outplay the heavyweights when the cards line up.
Behind the scenes
The tournament was streamed live on PokerGO, with commentary that highlighted the strategic depth of PLO – a game where hand values swing dramatically from flop to river. Viewers got a front‑row seat to the tension of the final hand, where Riordan’s flush completed on the turn, and Soverel’s desperate chase for a full house fell short.
Fans also noted the electric atmosphere in the studio, where the crowd’s murmurs turned into roars as the chip stacks shifted. The production crew captured every nuance, from the clatter of chips to the subtle tells that seasoned pros rely on.
What’s next for the contenders?
For Soverel, the loss is a bitter pill, but his performance still cements him as one of the top Omaha players of the year. He’ll likely target the next SHRB event, hoping to convert his dominant run into a trophy.
Bleznick, despite a seventh‑place finish, remains a force to be reckoned with. His consistent deep runs suggest he could be back in the winner’s circle soon.
Riordan, now a SHRB champion, will have his schedule filled with invitations to high‑roller events worldwide. Expect him to see more action on the PokerGO Tour, the PGT circuit, and perhaps even a return to the WSOP Main Event with a newfound confidence.
Final thoughts
In poker, the line between hero and zero is razor‑thin. One well‑timed flush can erase a week‑long dominance, and that’s exactly what happened in Las Vegas. John Riordan’s triumph is a reminder that perseverance, a solid understanding of Omaha dynamics, and a dash of luck can rewrite the narrative in a single hand.
If you missed the live stream, the highlights are already circulating on social media, and the full replay is available on PokerGO for anyone who wants to relive the drama. For now, the poker world will be buzzing about Riordan’s meteoric rise – and wondering who will step up to challenge the new king of PLO.
