Bengt Sonnert Realises Dream of Becoming a WPT Champion

Swedish poker pro Bengt Sonnert is regarded as one of the best Pot-Limit Omaha players in the world. Last week, Sonnert added weight to those claims by closing out the $2,100 buy-in WPT #02 Omaha Championship, outlasting 160 opponents, and banking $71,239 in the process.

Like many professional players, Sonnert has dreamed of becoming a WPT champion for a long time, and has now realised his goal.

“One of my dreams in poker has been to win a WPT title,” Sonnert told the partypoker blog. “Even if it was online, it still counts, because I get a trophy and all!”

Have Confidence In Your Own Ability

Indeed you do! High stakes PLO tournaments tend to be brimming with elite grinders who specialise in four hole cards. The WPT event was no different, with 161 players from around the world competing for glory. How did Sonnert find the standard of the opposition?

“Of course, it is a challenge to play the best in the world, but it’s even more challenging for the best in the world to play me.”

Something tells us that Sonnert has supreme confidence in his own ability! Even when Sonnert’s cards were not falling for him, he used the support of his rail to get him over the line.

“There were quite a few Nordic players left when there were only two tables remaining. Many of them are really good, but I know Anton Suarez and he is a great player, especially PLO short-handed. But when I had a downswing at the final table, I got so much energy from the rail and my best friend rooting, so from there it was a walk in the park.”

Swedish players made up six of the seven finalists at the WPTWOC Omaha Championship final table. Everyone always asks what makes Sweden produce such incredible PLO players, including us. Sonnert may have found the definitive answer.

“A classic question, and always hard to answer. But all sports thrive on competition. If you try to be one of the best in your own backyard and the backyard consists of world-class players, you are going to become good yourself.”

Resting Up To Take on the Young Guns

The structure of the PLO Championship was something that helped the fun-loving Sonnert shine brightly, but only because the tournament’s finishing time allowed him to enjoy plenty of rest and recuperation.

“I love these deeper tournaments that have two days. Lots of play, but it doesn’t get too late. We old-timers need our sleep and recovery to be able to compete with the youngsters.”

Variance is all around you regardless of the variant or format you prefer playing. Thankfully, Sonnert has the perfect way to be able to handle variance; do not lose!

“I don’t think PLO tournaments are higher variance than NLH. Variance can be really tough for some, but I try not to lose, then it gets easier to handle!”

Tips For Improving at Pot-Limit Omaha

Solid advice from the WPT champion, as is this little nugget of gold for anyone wanting to get started in PLO or take their pot-limit Omaha game to the next level.

“If you are getting started, I would recommend watching some content or streamers that play PLO. You learn quickly by watching the best players and think about what they are doing. And if you want to have fun at the same time, you go to The Gambling Cabin Twitch channel and enjoy!”

“Also, never gamble with money you don’t have and be nice to each other on the internet.”

Sonnert now plans to “bring my WPT trophy a BFF on the shelf” in some of the upcoming events, despite him having not played much poker recently. What better companion on the trophy shelf than the $5 million guaranteed WPTWOC Main Event?