The Online Railbird Report: Niki [Removed:552] Wins $1.1 Million in Return to Full Tilt Poker

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Apr 11, 2014 6 min read Last updated Dec 08, 2025

It has been a long time – about 18 months – since we last saw Niki [Removed:552] on Full Tilt Poker, but he came back in a big way this week by winning an astounding $1,075,177 in 12,747 hands over 63 sessions. That was enough to put him in second place on the yearly leaderboard, less than $100K behind Dan "jungleman12" Cates.

There were quite a few big winners this week as both the 2-7 triple draw and 8-Game tables were in full swing. Among those who increased their bankrolls were Alexander "PostflopAction" Kostritsyn (+$711,913 in 68 sessions/10,947 hands), Alex "Alexonmoon" Luneau (+$709,424 in 18 sessions/3,575 hands), "Follow The Hawk" (+$537,115 in 8 sessions/1,801 hands), "Denoking" (+$349,828 in 4 sessions/429 hands), Phil "OMGClayAiken" Galfond (+$329,939 in 72 sessions/12,007 hands), and Patrik "FinddaGrind" Antonius (+$231,778 in 24 sessions/3,439 hands).

On the flip side, Phil "Polarizing" Ivey, who lost $945,412 last week, found himself in the red again this week, albeit a more reasonable $280,246. That's still quite the six-figure loss, but believe it or not six other players lost more including "samrostan," who dropped $1,041,155 in 12,586 hands over 56 sessions. The other big losers included Viktor "Isildur1" Blom (-$876,992 in 97 sessions/12,256 hands), Elior "Crazy Elior" Sion (-$654,968 in 74 sessions/12,015 hands), Kyle "KPR16" Ray (-$331,991 in 37 sessions/5,049 hands), Kyle "cottonseed1" Hendon (-$310,403 in 11 sessions/812 hands), and Niklas "ragen70" Heinecker (-$299,228 in 18 sessions/2,676 hands).

[Removed:552] Returns; Big $200/$400 NLHE Action on PokerStars

On Friday, April 4, Niki [Removed:552] played three early 8-Game sessions against the likes of Daniel "jungleman12" Cates, Phil "Polarizing" Ivey, Elior "Crazy Elior" Sion, and Patrik "FinddaGrind" Antonius. [Removed:552] finished the day a $512,800 winner, which was more than enough to make him the day's biggest earner.

Not far behind though was "Follow The Hawk," who played for six and a half hours against some stiff competition that included "samrostan" and Phil "OMGClayAiken" Galfond. When the dust settled, "Follow The Hawk" was the big winner with $414,200 in profit.

While these games were entertaining, the biggest pots were actually played over at PokerStars in a $200/$400 no-limit hold'em game. Both "Katya_18" and Alex "Kanu7" Millar walked away winners in that game with $172,400 and $152,800 wins, respectively. They were also the beneficiaries of the day's two biggest pots. Have a look.

Hand #1: Action was six-handed when "MalACEsia" ($92,499.15) opened for $800 from the button and Millar ($85,371.37) defended from the big blind, which brought about a flop of 2♥5♦7♠. After both players checked, the 3♠ hit the turn and Millar checked for a second time. "MalACEsia" took the opportunity to bet $1,200, which Millar met with a check-raise to $5,000. "MalACEsia" called, the 10♥ completed the board on the river, and Millar led out for $17,692.50. "MalACEsia" raised to $44,000, Millar moved all in, and "MalACEsia" wasted little time in making the call. "MalACEsia" tabled the A♠4♥ for a turned wheel, but it was no good as Millar turned a bigger straight with the 6♣4♣. The $170,938 pot was shipped to Millar.

Hand #2: Once again action was six-handed when it folded around to Millar ($124,022.54) on the button and he raised to $900. "Katya_18" ($80,000) responded with a three-bet to $4,000 from the small blind, the big blind folded, and Millar made the call. Millar then called a bet of $5,037 on the 5♠8♦3♠ flop, the 2♥ arrived on the turn, and "Katya_18" fired out $11,081.40.

Millar called once again, and then the Q♥ completed the board on the river. "Katya_18" bet again, this time $30,473.85, and again Millar called. "Katya_18" rolled over the K♠Q♠ for a missed flush that turned into a pair of queens, and it was good enough to win the $101,585 pot as Millar sent his cards to the muck.

Luneau Finishes as Saturday's Biggest Winner

On Saturday, April 5, the 2-7 triple draw and 8-Game tables were jam-packed, and one player taking advantage was Alex "Alexonmoon" Luneau. The Frenchman managed to win $113,800 at the 8-Game tables, and topped that by winning $129,000 playing $2,000/$4,000 2-7 triple draw.

What's more, he returned later that afternoon and won an additional $106,900 playing 2-7 triple draw. Finally, he closed out the night by winning $80,000 more at the 8-Game tables. All told, Luneau finished the day a $418,400 winner.

Here are some other notes on Saturday's action:

• Phil "Polarizing" Ivey had a good day by winning $372,200 playing triple draw against the likes of "samrostan" and Phil "OMGClayAiken" Galfond.
• "Trueteller" won $300,200 playing 2-7 Triple Draw.
• Daniel "jungleman12" Cates won $130,000 in a heads-up match against Niki [Removed:552] that lasted an hour. However, he lost a little back and ultimately finished the day a $109,600 winner.
• Patrik "FinddaGrind" Antonius banked $190,300 playing 8-Game.

Kostritsyn and Galfond Kick Off the Week with Big Wins

On Monday, April 7, Alex "PostflopAction" Kostritsyn topped the daily leaderboard with a hefty $540,100, about half of which came in an hour of $2,000/$4,000 2-7 triple draw against "samrostan," Viktor "Isildur1" Blom, and company. The remainder of his profit took longer to amass, about seven hours, and came from the 8-Game tables.

Likewise, Monday was kind to Phil Galfond, who was busy playing on both Full Tilt Poker and PokerStars. He won $118,300 playing 8-Game on the former site, and $129,400 playing $100/$200 six-max pot-limit Omaha on the latter. It was at the PLO tables that he won the day's biggest pot.

[Removed:552], Galfond, and Kostritsyn All Win in Tuesday Tussle

On Tuesday, April 8, Niki [Removed:552] played 8-Game for six hours in the morning and walked away a $206,400 winner. Likewise, Phil "OMGClayAiken" Galfond won $184,900 playing the same game, while Alexander "PostflopAction" Kostritsyn banked $114,900. The triumvirate captured the headlines, but it was over at the $300/$600 tables that the day's two biggest pots occurred, both of which were won by "Denoking," who took "Trueteller" for $119,300. Have a look.

Hand #1: "Denoking" ($134,755.25) opened for $1,800 and then called a three-bet to $6,000 from "Trueteller" ($71,198.50), which brought about a flop of 5♥7♣3♠. "Trueteller" bet $6,000, "Denoking" called, and the Q♥ came on the turn. "Trueteller" kept the pressure on with a bet of $16,800, but he couldn't shake "Denoking."

When the 9♠ completed the board on the river, "Trueteller" moved all in for $42,398.50 and "Denoking" called. "Trueteller" revealed the A♦J♠ for a pure bluff, which was no good as "Denoking" rolled over the 9♣7♦ to take down the $142,397 pot.

Hand #2:

Biggest Winners/Losers (Full Tilt Poker)

Week's Biggest Winners (4/4-4/10): Niki [Removed:552] (+$1,075,177), Alexander "PostflopAction" Kostritsyn (+$711,913), Alex "Alexonmoon" Luneau (+$709,424), "Follow The Hawk" (+$537,115), "Denoking" (+$349,828), Phil "OMGClayAiken" Galfond (+$329,939), Patrik "FinddaGrind" Antonius (+$231,778), Daniel "jungleman12" Cates (+$198,495)

Week's Biggest Losers (4/4-4/10): "samrostan" (-$1,041,155), Viktor "Isildur1" Blom (-$876,992), Elior "Crazy Elior" Sion (-$654,968), Kyle "KPR16" Ray (-$331,991), Kyle "cottonseed1" Hendon (-$310,403), Niklas "ragen70" Heinecker (-$299,228), Phil "Polarizing" Ivey (-$280,246)

Year's Biggest Winners: Dan "jungleman12" Cates (+$1,057,182), Niki [Removed:552] (+$984,954), Doug "WCGRider" Polk (+$760,028), Alex "Alexonmoon" Luneau (+$630,745), "mikki696" (+$541,348), "Tight-Man1" (+$462,119), Elior "Crazy Elior" Sion* (+$380,533)

Year's Biggest Losers: Gus Hansen (-$2,784,306), "samrostan" (-$1,517,750), Phil "Polarizing" Ivey (-$1,350,029), Elior "Crazy Elior" Sion (-$644,445), Phil "OMGClayAiken" Galfond (-$544,701), Viktor "Isildur1" Blom (-$520,433), Alex "IReadYrSoul" Millar (-$487,236)

_{*Denotes PokerStars}

_{Data, hands and replayer obtained from HighStakesDB.com}

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PR & Media Manager for PokerNews, host of both the PokerNews Podcast & MPST Podcast Presented By PokerNews, and 2013 WSOP Bracelet Winner.

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