Balazs Botond Outruns the Record-Breaking Eureka4 Prague Field

Eureka is a word usually connected to the ancient Greek scholar Archimedes. According to the tale, Archimedes shouted ‘Eureka’ upon realizing that the water level rose every time an object was submerged. Since that day, the word has been connected to big (and small) discoveries and breakthroughs.

As for action at the poker tables, I don’t think the word has found much application since ‘Eureka, I knew you were bluffing’ somehow just sounds wrong. However, when PokerStars introduced their new poker tour, aptly (or randomly) calling it Eureka, they may have had one or two of those moments along the way, as the number of players flocking to the events keeps growing.

Balazs Botond, a PokerStars player from Hungary, may have not made any significant scientific breakthroughs, but yesterday's triumph in Prague over the record-breaking field of 1,738 players netted him €206,948, a very decent return on his €1,100 investment.

Botond came into the day second to last in chips, but that did not stop him from patiently building up his chip stack and eventually coming into a position of power that would secure him the title. Not taking anything away from his feat, the returning field of ten players on the final day was rather tightly packed, so being 9th in chips was not as big of a disadvantage as it may seem at first glance.

After Periklis Charmpilas and David Novak were knocked out, the official final table of eight was formed. Botond was able to double up in the meantime, as he ran his pocket Kings into the pocket Aces of the only person with a big chip advantage, Atanas Malinov. Lucky, a King on the flop was the start of Balazs’ path to victory.

The first two hours of eight-handed play were rather calm, but then mayhem ensued in the next forty minutes. First, Endre Sagstuen was knocked out, followed by Lucas Blanco from Spain. They earned €28,100 and €39,500, respectively, for their efforts.

Atanas Malinov came into the day with a huge advantage over the field, having 2.5 million more than the second place player, but despite that big lead, he would go no further than sixth. The cards did not fall his way when it mattered most, but Malinov still took home €52,050.

Another Bulgarian representative followed next as Vladimir Velikov ran into the pocket Queens of Athanasios Xenodochidis. The Greek was able to fade all the aces hidden within the deck and Velikov was sent to the cage to pick up €65,440 for his fifth place finish.

Xenodochidis continued his heater by knocking out the only player from a different land mass. Canadian Jonas Mackoff lost a coin flip holding pocket Treys and was sent on his way €81,100 richer. And then there were three.

At this point, the remaining players decided to make a three-way deal, ensuring everybody would leave with a sizeable chunk of cash to their name. Botond and Xenodochidis both secured just shy of €187k, while Ayman Zbib of Lebanon locked up €163,921. Just €20,000 was left to play for.

The Greek’s luck just about ran out as he proceeded to lose several big hands and was eliminated. Botond went into heads-up play with almost a 2 to 1 advantage, but it did not take long for the Lebanese player to double up.

Chips went back and forth as both players were very serious about the prospect of winning an additional €20k, as well as the title and beautiful spade-shaped trophy. Eventually, the Hungarian was able to regain the lead and finish things off after his pocket Sixes held up against aj . Balazs Botond added another €20,000 to his winnings for a grand total of €206,948 and the proud achievement of beating the biggest Eureka field to date!