Inside the Worldwide Flag Chase of Koen Roos

Vietnam stood out for its warm atmosphere. Players were relaxed and one even offered him a drink right away. The tables were large, so dealers used craps rakes to move cards and chips. He also found out that waiters could buy items from street vendors on request. Life on the move can feel isolating, especially in places where he does not know the language.

Roos estimates that he cashes roughly 15 percent of his buy-ins. Many countries only offer 10 to 12 percent ITM spots, sometimes even lower.

He adjusts his strategy by event size. When the prize pool matters, he will risk the flag near the bubble to build a stack. At lower stakes, he tightens up to secure the flag even though it opposes his usual style.

Roos values his EPT side event win and his WSOP Circuit win. They were important because he felt fully in control and played his best game. He also liked the result in Paraguay because he does not plan to return.

Meeting Casey before his passing meant a lot. He also met fellow flaghunter Manoel in Costa Rica and now they sometimes travel together. 

New Zealand stood out with friendly players and enjoyable games. He would visit more often if it was not so far from home. He also enjoys Scandinavia. Iceland and Norway are among his preferred stops.

He often meets other flaghunters. When a country has been quiet or when a new region hosts an event, top hunters tend to show up. In the Dominican Republic, four of the top five were present because the country had not held a tournament for years. 

His 2025 list includes Germany, Switzerland, Romania, Serbia, Bahamas, Wales, and England. After that, he aims for any flag still missing. He hopes to find an event in Fiji and has heard strong reports about Mauritius.