Magnus Petersson (born 1978) is a Swedish professional poker player who shot to fame in 2007, when he won the Scandinavian leg of the EPT.
Magnus Petersson first entered a professional poker tournament in 2005. The 27-year old Stcokholm native chose a fairly modest venue for his debut - the Palms No Limit Hold'em Summer Poker Series, where he came in second, netting $8,340. This first step sat down well with the Swede's calm, calculated personality. A financial consultant by trade, Magnus Petersson knew better than to throw his luck with a high-risk table.
A year later Magnus Petersson returned to Las Vegas to play the 37th WSOP. The $10,000 No Limit Hold'em tournament was won by Jamie Gold, but Magnus Petersson managed to make the trip worth his while. He came in 438th - out of a field 20 times bigger - and $30,512 richer. Not being one to shy away from a challenge, Magnus Petersson stayed in Las Vegas, and played the second Bellagio Cup, where he came in twelfth. Petersson's big break was only five months away.
The 2007 Scandinavian Open featured some of the best players in the world. At first, Magnus Petersson seemed to stand little chance of making the final table. Having won his seat in a $475 online satellite tournament at virtual playing room PokerStars, Magnus Petersson embraced the challenge despite the heavy competition. After outlasting 398 players, including T.J. Cloutier, Isabelle Mercier and Mads Mikkelsen - of James Bond film Casino Royale fame - Petersson was heads-up with computer game and poker ace Bertrand 'ElkY' Grospellier. The reserved Swede and the restless Frenchman began playing on uneven terms, with ElkY's chip count surpassing Petersson's. This soon changed, however. The blinds being up to 15,000-30,000, ElkY raised to 85,000, and Petersson called.The flop came Q-7-6, with two hearts. Petersson checked, ElkY bet 150,000 and Petersson re-raised all in. ElkY called with A-J hearts for the nut flush draw, Petersson showed Q-6 for two pair. ElkY was now desperate for a heart. The turn was J spades; any heart, ace or jack on the river would have sent Petersson packing - but non did. Instead, 10 clubs put Magnus Petersson at first place, and placed more than $700,000 firmly in his wallet.
Winning the Scandinavian Open did not cause Magnus Petersson to embrace the lifestyle of a poker shooting star. He made clear he would not take up poker full time, instead limiting himself to playing a few select tournaments. While he did show up at the 39th WSOP, Magnus Petersson prefers the European circuit, and maintains a strict ban on weekend playing to spend quality time with his girlfriend. This policy has proven its worth so far - so poker fans can well expect some more surprising displays from the cool Swede.
Magnus Petersson - Landmark Victories:
2008 39th WSOP
$10,000 World Championship Pot Limit Omaha
06/29/2008 $28,651
2008 WPT Spanish Championship
€300 Pot Limit Omaha
05/25/2008 $9,978
2007 EPT Scandinavian Open
DKr 37,500 No Limit Hold'em
01/17/2008 $706,504