Who is Monarch, the Poker Player Who Lost $15,000,000?

<p>In the 914th episode of the <em>PokerNews Podcast</em>, <strong>Chad Holloway</strong> and <strong>Mike Holtz</strong> are joined by <strong>Hayley Hanna</strong> (AKA Vegas Hayls), who is fresh off finishing fourth in the <strong>2025 Arizona State Poker Championship</strong>. The trio discusses the sudden rise of <strong>Monarch</strong>, who is Finnish poker pro <strong>Ossi Ketola</strong>. While at the Onyx Cup in Cyprus, he challenged both Norway's <strong>Kayhan Mokri</strong> and <strong>Dan "Jungleman" Cates</strong> to high-stakes heads-up matches, and when all was said and done, Monarch was down eight figures!</p> <p>From there, they talk about recent tournament winners, including <strong>Brandon Mitchell</strong> taking down the 2025 Arizona State Poker Championship for $525K, <strong>Jennifer Shahade</strong> winning the Women's Summer Festival, and both <strong>Jesse Lonis</strong> and <strong>Jeremy Ausmus</strong> winning over in Europe. </p> <p>Other stories covered include the loss of Poker Hall of Famer <strong>Jack McClelland</strong>, a poker player robbed in Texas, <strong>Daniel Negreanu</strong> saying a Season 2 for <em><strong>Game of Gold</strong></em> is unlikely, and that goofball <strong>Nacho Barbero</strong> finishing another sponsorship opportunity.</p> <p>Finally, remember <em>PokerNews</em> is giving away a seat in the <strong>World Tournament of Slots (WTOS)</strong>. You could have an approximate one in 500 chance at a $1,000,000 top prize. <a href= "https://www.pokernews.com/news/2025/08/michael-mizrachi-world-tournament-of-slots-announcement-49370.htm"> Click here to learn more about the WToS</a>.</p> <p>A new <em>PokerNews Podcast</em> drops every Thursday at 8a PT / 11a ET / 4p UK time. Remember to <a href= "https://www.youtube.com/@pokernewsdotcom">subscribe to our YouTube channel</a> so you do not miss an episode!</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Time Stamps</strong></span><br /> *Time | Topic*<br /> 00:00 Welcome to the show<br /> 00:15 Hayley Hanna joins the show<br /> 02:12 Who is Monarch?<br /> 07:14 Seven-figure heads-up matches against Jungleman<br /> 11:25 2025 Arizona State Poker Championship<br /> 18:57 Hayley's bustout hand in 4th place<br /> 20:10 Brandon Mitchell wins title for $525K<br /> 21:45 Negreanu's AMA; no Game of Gold S2?<br /> 25:45 Nacho Barbero finds new sponsorship<br /> 27:25 Texas poker player robbed after big score<br /> 30:30 World Tournament of Slots giveaway<br /> 33:52 Hyundong Lee wins WPT Prime Taiwan Championship <br /> 34:23 PokerStars Ambassador Jennifer Shahade wins Women's Summer Festival<br /> 35:25 Marcus Dieleman wins Onyx SHRS PLO Championship <br /> 35:41 Daniel Rezaei wins $51K Onyx SHRS Championship <br /> 36:00 Jesse Lonis topples Phil Ivey en route to $1,745,625 payday<br /> 38:05 Jeremy Ausmus banks €318,606 at 2025 PokerStars EPT Barcelona Festival<br /> 40:05 Remembering Jack McClelland</p>