2014 Borgata Spring Poker Open

Event 14: $15,400 $5 Million Guaranteed WPT World Championship
Day: 2
Event Info

2014 Borgata Spring Poker Open

Final Results
Winner
Winning Hand
a8
Prize
$1,350,000
Event Info
Buy-in
$15,000
Prize Pool
$4,852,400
Entries
328
Level Info
Level
31
Blinds
100,000 / 200,000
Ante
25

The Greek Wheel

Level 13 : 1,500/3,000, 500 ante
Athanasios Polychronopoulos' signature smile was nowhere to be seen during a recent staredown with Chris Klodnicki
Athanasios Polychronopoulos' signature smile was nowhere to be seen during a recent staredown with Chris Klodnicki

We passed by Athanasios Polychronopoulos' table recently to find the accomplished pro staring straight ahead with an intense expression - not looking directly at Chris Klodnicki from across the table, but not avoiding his own staredown.

Polychronopoulos is usually a gregarious fellow on the felt, smiling and talking his way through tournaments while making friends along the way, as he did with professional football player Miles Austin in the next seat over this evening. So when we saw the two-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner with such an intense expression etched on his face, we stopped in our tracks to see the cause.

And we're glad we did... Chris Klodnicki though, not so much.

The board read {5-Hearts}{4-Spades}{q-Hearts}{k-Spades}{a-Diamonds} when we caught the action, and a pot with at least 65,000 was already at stake. Polychronopoulos was in the big blind and had a bet of 50,000 already assembled and moved forward. From watching earlier hands at the table, it's likely Klodnicki had tanked for a long while to force Polychronopoulos' previously mentioned stare.

Finally, Klodnicki made the call, with Polychronopoulos insta-tabling his {2-Clubs}{3-Hearts} for a rivered wheel straight. His eyes never left Klodnicki's direction as the pot was pushed his way though, showing that when the game gets going, even the nice guys have to flash a mean mug here and there.

Player Chips Progress
Athanasios Polychronopoulos us
Athanasios Polychronopoulos
WSOP 2X Winner
373,000 93,000
Chris Klodnicki us
Chris Klodnicki
WSOP 2X Winner
147,000 -87,000

Tags: Athanasios PolychronopoulosChris KlodnickiMiles Austin