Billy "The Croc" Argyros Snaps Up Competition At APPT Melbourne
September 10, 2013 3:35 pmBilly “The Croc” Argyros has won the APPT Melbourne Main Event, after besting a field of 309 players over five days on his way to capturing the title, and collecting the $134,500 first place prize after a three-way deal was struck.
The Greek Australian professional poker player cashed in at his first live tournament back in 1989, with his biggest score coming in 2008 after finishing 4th at the WSOP $10k World Championship PLO event for $268,605. Following his recent victory at the Crown Casino in Melbourne, the animated Aussie, who now boasts $1,103,697 in tournament winnings, exclaimed:
“I can’t believe it! I can’t believe it! I haven’t won a poker tournament since Cleopatra was water skiing down the Nile!”
On the way to his impressive win, the Australian Poker Hall of Famer eliminated Phi Luu in 7th ($29,200), and Ashley Mason in 4th ($58,400), before finally starting the heads-up battle with a slight lead over Bowdy Tolhopf.
Having won the first couple of pots, Argyros (8-8) subsequently called his opponent’s A-10 shove and after the board rolled-out 4-9-3-6-3, Bowdy Tolhopf had to satisfy himself with a runner-up finish, although he did take home the most money after the initial ICM deal was struck. Nevertheless, for “The Croc” winning a major poker title counted much more to him than the difference in prize money, as can be seen from the photo of his impressive victory.
APPT Melbourne Final Table Results:
1st Billy Argyros – $134,500
2nd Bowdy Tolhopf – $166,000
3rd David Yan – $133,000
4th Ashley Mason – $58,400
5th Robert Damelian – $45,900
6th Joe Cabret – $37,550
7th Phi Luu – $29,200
8th Ravi Maravar – $22,920
9th Jazz Mathers – $16,650