How Victor Bloom Became a Poker Icon: The Story of ‘Isildur1’

Early years and early career

Viktor Blum, better known in the poker community under the nickname ‘Isildur1’, was born on 26 September 1990 in Sweden, in a small village near Stockholm. At the age of 14, Victor started playing poker with friends, which was his first step towards a professional career. Already at the age of 15, he started playing online poker using the money he earned from various part-time jobs.

Rise to fame

The real fame came to Victor in 2009, when he started to participate in large online games with high stakes. Under the nickname ‘Isildur1’ he began to conquer such poker rooms as Full Tilt Poker and PokerStars. His aggressive and unpredictable style of play, as well as his ability to win huge amounts of money in short periods of time, caught the attention of the poker world.

One of the most famous moments of his career was a series of games on Full Tilt Poker when he challenged poker masters such as Tom ‘durrrrrr’ Dwan, Patrick Antonius and Phil Ivey. Within weeks, Victor had earned over $5 million, making him a true online poker legend. However, during the same period, he lost almost the entire amount, which only added drama to his story.

Big winnings and interesting facts

• Biggest win: One of his biggest wins was a series of games against Patrick Antonius on Full Tilt Poker, where Victor won around $4.2 million in a single session.

• Biggest loss: At the same time, his biggest losses came in games against Brian Hasting, when Victor lost around $4.2 million in a single day.

• PokerStars SuperStar Showdown: Victor also became famous for participating in a special format of games on PokerStars called the SuperStar Showdown, where he took part in heads-up matches against other top players for 2,500 hands. One of these matches against Isaac Haxton became particularly famous because of the heat and high stakes involved.

Transition to live poker

Despite his success in online poker, Victor has also tried his hand at live tournaments. In 2012, he became a member of Team PokerStars and began to become more active in live tournaments. At the 2012 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure (PCA), he won the $100,000 Super High Roller for $1,254,400 - his largest offline poker winnings.

Present day

Victor Bloom has become less active in poker in recent years, although he continues to play in major tournaments and online games from time to time. He is also known for his love of video games and participates in various online streams where he shares his gaming achievements. Viktor lives a quiet life in Sweden, preferring to avoid publicity and focusing on his personal interests.

Interesting facts:

• Anonymity: For a long time, the identity of ‘Isildur1’ remained a secret. It wasn't until 2011 at the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure that Victor officially revealed his identity.

• Game philosophy: Victor believes in intuition and aggression as key elements of successful play. His style of play is often compared to art, as he is able to make unconventional decisions in the most difficult situations.

In summary, Victor ‘Isildur1’ Bloom remains one of the most enigmatic and interesting figures in the world of poker, and his career continues to inspire many young players.

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