Seat 6: Joachim Haraldstad, 34, Kristiansand, Norway – 5,130,000
Around six years ago, Joachim Haraldstad realized that the game he played only for fun was "going pretty well" and decided to become a poker pro. "I got my wife on board," Haraldstad says, adding that she is now fully supportive of his new career. "She trusted me."
Back then, Haraldstad was a security guard in his native Kristiansand, a seaside city in southern Norway, doing punishing 12-hour shifts patrolling buildings and the streets. He worked for half of the week and played poker for the other half, and dipped his toes into the water of the EPT, and other live events, whenever he could.
That included a trip to Monaco in 2013, where he won a €1K side event and made two other final tables, but he was unable to return for the subsequent decade. He changed that this year — and is very happy that he did. Haraldstad is now placed third heading into the EPT Monte Carlo Main Event final day, with his eyes fixed on the near €900K first prize.
"It's been going great," Haraldstad says, admitting that he has been catching good cards, winning flips, and even coming from behind to win when necessary. "I feel like I'm playing good and running good," he adds, fully appreciating just how perfect a combination that can be in an event of this size. "I'm running really hot."
Haraldstad is now the father of two boys — Evan, who is three-and-a-half, and Silas, who is six months old. They are at home with their mother, Kristiane, but the whole extended family is watching on the stream. That includes parents, grandparents, and parents-in-law. Haraldstad says he is getting plenty of messages from his mother-in-law. "They're all very supportive," he says. "It's very nice."
Haraldstad says that PLO is his preferred game and he plays mostly online. But this live hold'em event also seems to be going pretty well and Haraldstad is well-placed to become the first Norwegian champion on the EPT since Kevin Stani triumphed in Tallinn in 2010.