Alexandros Kolonias wins WSOPE Main Event

Alexandros Kolonias posted his first-ever seven-figure cash earlier this week after winning the 2019 World Series of Poker Main Event.

The Greek poker pro went up against a 541-player field in the €10,350 main event, which amassed a €5,139,500 prize pool. Kolonias’ portion for the big win was €1,333,678 ($1,258,383 US). He also collected his first WSOP bracelet.

Getting that bracelet wasn’t easy, as his opponents at the 6-man final table on the final day had a combined four WSOP bracelets. The talk of the final table was Dario Sammartino. Just a few months ago Sammartino finished as the runner-up in the main event at the WSOP in Las Vegas.

He wasn’t able to match that finish in Europe, but he still posted an impressive fourth place finish to pick up €341,702 ($379,289 US).

Kolonias began the final day second in chips behind chip leader Anthony Zino. It took less than half an hour for Kolonias to wrestle away the chip lead from Zino, who eventually bowed out in third place to receive €485,291 ($538,673 US).

Throughout the final table the chip lead was repeatedly traded back-and-forth between Kolonias and Germany’s Claas Segebrecht. Naturally it came down to Kolonias and Segebrecht heads-ups for the tournament title.

When heads-up play began Kolonias had the chip lead with 31.1 million chips to Segebrecht’s 23 million. Despite a double-up from Segebrecht at one point it only took a few hands for all the chips to go to Kolonias.

On the final hand, with blinds at 300,000/600,000, Kolonias raised to 1.2 million from the small blind position and Segebrecht replied by pushing all-in. Kolonias made the call and showed A-K suited spades. Segebrecht showed pocket threes.

The flop favored Kolonias when it showed Kc-Qd-2s, pairing his King. A Js on the turn was no help for Segebrecht and actually reduced his number of outs. The 5s on the river improved Kolonias’ hand to a flush giving him the win.

For second place Segebrecht pocketed €700,639 ($777,709 US).