![Estonia [EST]](/assets/images/flags/1x1/ee.svg "Estonia [EST]"){kind=small}
Ottomar Ladva is an Estonian professional poker player and chess Grandmaster from Tallinn who has become one of the most successful “crossover” stars in the world. Originally a child prodigy on the chessboard, Ladva successfully applied his elite calculation skills to the poker table, quickly rising to the very top of the high roller scene. Known for his incredible mental endurance and logical precision, he has become a dominant force in both massive online tournaments and the most expensive live events across Europe and the United States.
Career Earnings & Biggest Results
According to The Hendon Mob, Ottomar Ladva has won over $6.6 million in live tournament earnings. His career reached an explosive new level in early 2026 when he recorded two million dollar scores in a single month. His biggest live cash to date came in February 2026 at the Onyx High Roller Series in Cyprus, where he won the Main Event for $1,150,000 after defeating poker legend Patrik Antonius at the final table.
Just weeks later, Ladva continued his incredible “heater” by winning the EPT Paris €100,000 Super High Roller for $1,143,887. This followed a breakout 2024 where he won his first major EPT title in Barcelona for over $486,000. He is also a champion in South America, having won a BSOP Super High Roller title in Brazil in late 2025. Online, he is equally dangerous, famously winning the $25,500 Super High Roller Bowl Online in 2021 for over $525,000. He currently sits at #2 on Estonia’s all-time money list, trailing only Vladimir Korzinin .
Biography & Poker Background
Born in 1997, Ottomar Ladva was a superstar in the chess world long before he touched a deck of cards. At just 13 years old, he became the youngest person ever to win the Estonian Chess Championship, a title he eventually won four times. He earned the rank of Grandmaster in 2016. Like many elite chess players, Ladva was drawn to poker because of its deep strategy and the way it rewards intense calculation.
He first started playing poker around 2019, but he didn’t stay in the small games for long. His background in high pressure competitive chess allowed him to skip many of the hurdles that normal players face. He quickly moved from local games in Tallinn to the highest stakes online. By 2021, he was already competing in $25,000 buy-in events against the best in the world. Ladva treats poker as a professional pursuit, often saying that the same “mental muscle” he used to calculate moves in chess is what helps him break down a complicated poker hand.
Play Style & Strategy
Ladva is known for a highly mathematical and methodical approach to the game. He is a “solver-based” player who relies on Game Theory Optimal (GTO) principles to make his decisions. Because of his chess training, he is able to stay completely calm and emotionless even when playing for millions of dollars. He views every hand as a puzzle to be solved rather than a gamble.
His greatest strength is his patience and mental stamina. He is famous for his ability to play 15 hour sessions without losing focus, a skill he developed during long chess matches. At the table, he is often very quiet, using his time to carefully calculate his opponent’s range of hands. His victory against Patrik Antonius showed his fearlessness; he isn’t intimidated by a player’s reputation or fame, focusing only on the numbers and the cards. He is also a specialist in short stack strategy, knowing exactly how to protect his chips and find the perfect moment to double up when the pressure is on.
Social Media & Online Presence
Want to follow Ottomar Ladva as he tries to become #1 in Estonia during the 2026 season? You can track his latest stats and high roller cashes here:
