Tuesday, June 11, 2013 12:54 AM Local Time
Congratulations to Athanasios Polychronopoulos, Winner of Event #17: $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em ($518,755)
After winning his second World Series of Poker bracelet in three years, Athanasios Polychronopoulos was mobbed by a boisterous bunch of friends, fans, and fellow poker pros. Having navigated the minefield in 2011 to best a massive field for his first piece of gold, Polychronopoulos has once again weaved through thousands of amateurs and experts to claim every chip in play.
A total of 2,105 runners took their seats on Saturday afternoon, and that enormous field was quickly carved down to size, leaving us with a star-studded final two tables that included 2009 Main Event Champion Joe Cada, online legend David "Bakes" Baker, poker sage Barry Greenstein, and of course, Polychronopoulos.
Entering Day 3 of play here today, the New York native Polychronopoulos had amassed a stack of 1.135 million chips, good for third on the leaderboard as the march to the final table began. A large portion of that stack came courtesy of a huge double knockout as Day 2 neared its conclusion, and with momentum on his side, along with a mountain of chips, Polychronopoulos cruised to the final table.
Under the bright lights of the Mothership main stage for the third time in three years, Polychronopoulos went right to work, notching the first elimination of the night and taking control of the table from the start.
Polychronopoulos also tangled repeatedly with Joe Cada, losing a big hand to double the man with his banner hanging from the Rio's rafters, before ultimately eliminating Cada in his second fourth-place finish of this young WSOP.
When it was all said and done, Polychronopoulos controlled the final table with his preflop aggression and creativity, repeatedly taking pots down with three-bets in good spots. Eventually, Polychronopoulos sent Everett Carlton to the rail in 3rd place, and that set up what a heads-up duel that only lasted three hands.
With destiny seemingly on his side, and serenity emanating from every move he made, Polychronopoulos got it all-in against Manuel Mutke holding the , which was dominated by the young German's . A flop of hit both players with top pair, but Polychronopoulos was still looking for ladies, and while the turn failed to help, the hit him perfectly, shipping his second WSOP bracelet in dramatic fashion.
Polychronopoulos earned a whopping $518,755 for his win here today, but more importantly, he proved to the poker world that learning to spell his last name just might be a good idea. After all, with two WSOP wins in three years, Athanasios Polychronopoulos has accomplished something few others have, and with six more $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em events still on the docket, the summer is still young.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013 12:42 AM Local Time
Manuel Mutke Eliminated in 2nd Place ($322,908)
Hand #185: Athanasios Polychronopoulos raised to 250,000 on the button and Manuel Mutke three-bet to 650,000 from the big blind. After a few moments, Polychronopoulos four-bet all in for 4.13 million effective. Mutke snap called for his stack.
Polychronopoulos:
Mutke:
The flop fell , pairing both players but keeping Mutke well out in front. The turn changed nothing, keeping Mutke in excellent shape to double up and take a commanding chip lead. However, the nailed the river and sent Polychronopoulos' rail into absolute pandemonium as their man hit the three-out river and captured his second bracelet.
Mutke earned $322,908 for his runner-up finish.
| Athanasios Polychronopoulos | 9,480,000 | 4,290,000  |
| Manuel Mutke | 0 | -4,290,000  |
Tuesday, June 11, 2013 12:34 AM Local Time
Hands 183-184
Hand #183 Athanasios Polychronopoulos raised to 250,000 on the button and Manuel Mutke defended his big blind. They checked to the river of a board where Polychronopoulos took it down with a bet of 300,000.
Hand #184: Manuel Mutke raised to 200,000 on the button and won the pot.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013 12:22 AM Local Time
Heads-Up Chip Counts
| Athanasios Polychronopoulos | 5,190,000 | 2,280,000 |
| Manuel Mutke | 4,290,000 | -150,000 |
Tuesday, June 11, 2013 12:22 AM Local Time
Everett Carlton Eliminated in 3rd Place ($224,455)
Hand #182: After Polychronopoulos opened for a raise from the small blind, Carlton shipped his last 2.45 million into the middle, and Polychronopoulos snap-called with , putting him in dominant position over Carlton's .
With his rail now screaming for a clean board, the dealer spread a flop of .
Although Carlton had not found a six, he picked up chop possibilities if the board paired up, but the turn ( ) and river ( ) did not cooperate, sending the WSOP Circuit grinder to the rail in 3rd place.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013 12:15 AM Local Time
Hands 177-181: Chopped and Screwed
Hand #177: With his boisterous cheering section imploring him to put the hammer down, Polychronopoulos raised his button to 225,000, but Carlton moved all-in from the small blind to force him off the hand.
Hand #178: Mutke raised from the small blind and added to his chip lead.
Hand #179: Mutke opened on the button, making it 200,000 to go, and Polychronopoulos immediately moved all-in over the top for 2.555 million. Carlton had a decision on his hands, and he went through the scenarios while slowly counting his stack, and that of his opponent. After a few looks across the table were exchanged, Carlton uncapped his cards and slid them to the dealer.
Hand #180: Polychronopoulos raised his button to 225,000, and Carlton returned the favor from the last hand, shipping over the top for 2.345 million. Mutke then moved all-in as well, forcing Polychronopoulos to fold and bringing Mutke and Polychronopoulos to a showdown. Both players held , however, and the pot was chopped up after a clean runout produced no flushes.
Hand #181: Polychronopoulos received a walk in the big blind.
Monday, June 10, 2013 11:48 PM Local Time
Break
The players are in the midst of a 20-minute break.
| Manuel Mutke | 4,440,000 | 110,000 |
| Athanasios Polychronopoulos | 2,910,000 | -70,000 |
| Everett Carlton | 2,130,000 | -70,000 |
Monday, June 10, 2013 11:48 PM Local Time
Hand 176: Mutke Doubles Through Polychronopoulos
Hand #176: Mutke raised his button to 160,000, and Polychronopoulos reraised to 390,000, staring his opponent down and casually showing off his chip tricks while Mutke contemplated. Eventually, Mutke moved all-in for 2.165 million, and Polychronopoulos snap-called with the , standing and striding towards his supporters on the rail.
Mutke's was in bad shape, but he had live cards and lots of possibilities. On the flop, Mutke found a pair and took the lead in the hand, but the on the turn gave Polychronopoulos additional outs to the gutshot straight.
River: .
With that, Mutke scored a huge double up to survive, taking a chunk out of Polychronopoulos' stack while putting himself in contention for a WSOP gold bracelet.
Monday, June 10, 2013 11:42 PM Local Time
Everett Carlton Double Through Athanasios Polychronopoulos
Hand #175: Everett Carlton shoves from the button for 1,075 million and Athanasios Polychronopoulos calls from the big blind.
Carlton:
Polychronopoulos:
The board ran out , safe for Carlton to double up. to about 2.2 million.
Monday, June 10, 2013 11:38 PM Local Time
Hands 168-174: Polychronopoulos Pushing Forward
Hand #168: Mutke received a walk in the big blind.
Hand #169: Mutke raised his small blind to 160,000, and Polychronopoulos slid his cards toward the dealer, surrendering his big blind.
Hand #170: Polychronopoulos retaliated with an all-in move, using his big stack to force his opponents to the test, and they both folded.
Hand #171: Polychronopoulos folded the button, Carlton did the same on his small blind, and Mutke went walking.
Hand #172: Mutke min-raised to 160,000 from the small blind, and Polychronopoulos folded rather quickly.
Hand #173: Polychronopoulos raised to 180,000 from the small blind, Carlton defended his big blind, and the dealer fanned a flop of across the felt. Polychronopoulos led out for 230,000, and that was enough to earn the pot.
Hand #174: Looking to close the deal with unchecked aggression, Polychronopoulos raise again on his button, making it 180,000 and taking down the blinds and antes. He is now pulling away from his opponents with a large chip lead.
Monday, June 10, 2013 11:28 PM Local Time
Hands 163-167
Hand #163: Walk for Athanasios Polychronopoulos.
Hand #164: Manuel Mutke raised to 160,000 on the button and Everett Carlton defended his big blind. They checked to the river of a board where Carlton bet 110,000. Mutke called and took it down with .
Hand #165: Athanasios Polychronopoulos. raised from the button and won the pot.
Hand #166: Everett Carlton raised on the button and took down the pot.
Hand #167: Manuel Mutke raised to 160,000 on the button and Athanasios Polychronopoulos three-bet shoved from the small blind with the big stack, forcing folds from his opponents.
Monday, June 10, 2013 11:25 PM Local Time
Plenty of Extras Being Given Away at This Year's WSOP
The buzz inside the walls of the Rio extends beyond just the tournaments on the 2013 World Series of Poker schedule. Online poker in Nevada is a very, very hot topic right now, and WSOP.com is making a lot of noise.
While the site has yet to launch, you can head to the Lambada Room of the Rio or look for one of the beautiful and friendly WSOP.com ladies walking the hallways to sign up for a free, personal WSOP.com online poker account. This is a great way to get a jump on the site's registration, and plenty of people have already taken this opportunity.
What's more is that the WSOP will be hosting daily raffles for everyone that has taken the time to register for WSOP.com at the Rio. What can you win? Plenty of fantastic prizes including 36 WSOP seats!
Players 21 years of age and older who sign up for a WSOP.com account will automatically be entered into the "36-Seat Giveaway" where a randomly-selected winner will win a seat into the next day's first WSOP gold bracelet event. One of the events eligible in this promotion is the $111,111 One Drop High Roller No-Limit Hold'em tournament that is expected to feature a $10,000,000 prize pool and allow you to play poker with the biggest names in the game. In total, $182,333 in WSOP seats, including a seat to the WSOP Main Event, are being given away during this one-of-a-kind WSOP.com promotion.
In addition to the 36-Seat Giveaway, a "Hot Seat" promotion will allow any player who signs up for a WSOP.com online account and wears their WSOP.com patch on their chest at the table while playing an event to be randomly selected to receive 500 bonus dollars deposited directly into their WSOP.com online account once the site has received all regulatory approvals and launches.
With 62 WSOP gold bracelet events and three winners promised for the Main Event, this promotion includes $32,000 worth of value to those participating.
Monday, June 10, 2013 11:20 PM Local Time
Joe Cada Eliminated in 4th Place ($161,642)
Hand #162: Under the gun this time, Polychronopoulos made it 190,000 to play, and Cada played back at him with an all-in reraise for 1.175 million, which Polychronopoulos quickly called.
Showdown:
Cada:
Polychronopoulos:
Cada was poised to double through with his dominant ace, and the flop of put him step closer to his second WSOP bracelet.
Turn:
Just like that, Cada was caught by a fishhook, and the on the river ended the proceedings, leaving Cada to shake hands with the remaining players and exit the Mothership main stage.
| Athanasios Polychronopoulos | 5,600,000 | 1,810,000 |
| Joe Cada | 0 | -1,920,000 |
Monday, June 10, 2013 11:18 PM Local Time
Hands 158-162: Probing Before the Punches Begin
Hand #158: Cada moved all-in from the small blind, moving Mutke off of his big blind.
Hand #159: Cada raised to 160,000 on his button, but folded when Polychronopoulos came over the top with an all-in bet.
Hand #160: Polychronopoulos made it 190,000 to go from the small blind, Carlton checked his cards, and turned his rags over while tossing them toward the dealer. Polychronopoulos showed the in response.
Hand #161: Polychronopoulos continued pounding away with his big stack, winning another pot via button raise.
Monday, June 10, 2013 11:11 PM Local Time
Hands 154-157
Hand #154: Everett Carlton calls on the button, Joe Cada calls in the small blind, and Manuel Mutke checks his option. They checked to the turn of a board where Carlton bet 145,000, forcing folds from both Cada and Mutke.
Hand #155: Manuel Mutke raised to 180,000 from the small blind and won the pot.
Hand #156: Manuel Mutke raised to 160,000 on the button and won the blinds and antes.
Hand #157: Everett Carlton called from the small blind and Joe Cada shoved from the big blind, forcing a fold from Carlton.
Monday, June 10, 2013 11:04 PM Local Time
Hands 150-153: Walk the Line
Hand #150: Mutke went for a walk in the big blind.
Hand #151: Polychronopoulos received a walk in his big blind.
Hand #152: Polychronopoulos limped his small blind, Carlton checked his option, and the flop came . Carlton check-called a bet of 80,000, and on the turn he check-called another bet, this time for 100,000. The made an appearance on the river, and both players checked down. Carlton rolled over and his pair was good enough for the win.
Hand #153: Polychronopoulos raised his button to 180,000, and scooped the blinds and antes.
Monday, June 10, 2013 10:58 PM Local Time
Hands 146-149
Hand #146: Everett Carlton shoved on the button, winning the blinds and antes.
Hand #147: Joe Cada raised to 160,000 on the button and took down the pot
Hand #148: Athanasios Polychronopoulos raised all in from the small blind, forcing a fold from the shorter-stacked Everett Carlton in the big blind.
Hand #149: Everett Carlton limped in from the small blind and Joe Cada checked his option. The flop came down and both checked. The turn was checked by Carlton, but Cada bet 80,000. A call from Carlton landed the river which both checked. Carlton took down the pot with for ace high.
Monday, June 10, 2013 10:53 PM Local Time
Hands 143-145: Between a Rock and a Hard Place
Hand #143: Mutke raised from the small blind, making it 180 to play, and Polychronopoulos three-bet to 380,000 in defense of his big blind. Mutke could only mutter and smile ruefully while mucking his cards.
Hand #144: Cada opened for 160,000 from under the gun, and Polychronopoulos studied the former Main Event champ, obviously contemplating his entrance into the pot. Eventually, he announced himself all-in from the small blind, and Cada shook his head at having been put in a tough spot. Cada eventually mucked his cards, but his reluctance was evident.
Hand #145: Polychronopoulos raised his button to 190,000, but folded when Carlton shipped his last 1.5 or so million chips.
Monday, June 10, 2013 10:50 PM Local Time
Approximate Chip Counts
| Athanasios Polychronopoulos | 3,790,000 | -160,000 |
| Manuel Mutke | 2,500,000 | 400,000 |
| Joe Cada | 1,920,000 | 20,000 |
| Everett Carlton | 1,550,000 | -350,000 |
Monday, June 10, 2013 10:46 PM Local Time
Hands 140-142: Mutke's House is Undervalued
Hand #140: Cada took it down with a raise to 130,000 from the cutoff.
Hand #141: Polychronopoulos raised to 140,000 holding the button, stealing the blinds and antes.
Hand #142: Polychronopoulos made it 120,000 to go from the cutoff, Mutke came along from the big blind, and the flop fell . Mutke check-called a bet of 155,000 by Polychronopoulos, and the turn came . Mutke checked a second time, and Polychronopoulos continued with a bet of 275,000. The deliberate Mutke then pondered his options for a minute or so, riffling chips and gazing at the board, before ultimately making the call. Both players checked the river, and Mutke rolled over for a rivered full house.