Andrey Zaichenko Rolling High in Prague

9 years ago
Andrey Zaichenko Rolling High in Prague
12:23
18 Dec

The poker festivities in Prague are slowly coming to an end. It all started with Eureka, then we moved over to the Super High Roller, and just yesterday we saw the latest EPT champion emerge after Stephen Graner grabbed a victory in the Main Event.

The €10k High Roller has crowned its champion as well and his name is Andrey Zaichenko, who topped the record-breaking field of 309 players to claim a first place prize of €487,180 after a three-way deal. The high roller record field was not just broken, but it was absolutely smashed, as last year’s turnout of 176 entries was left in the dust.

The growth of this event over the last five years has really been astounding. From 26 entries back in 2010 to 309 who took to the felt this year, the field has increased almost exactly 12 times. It only serves to prove that the European Poker Tour has become the place to be for many big names and aspiring amateurs alike.

Zaichenko, a Russia-based pro, made it to the final table but still had a tough challenge ahead of him as he was facing some formidable competition. The likes of Simon Deadman and the German beast Ole Schemion were sitting across from him at the table and, if you are a poker player, you know that staring at those opponents can never be good news.

The day started with 23 players in the field and it took more than 14 hours to crown the champion. In comparison, the Main Event took only five hours to reach its final hand.

The final table of nine was created when Oleksii Khoroshenin made his way to the rail at the hands of Deadman and the final sprint for the title was underway.

Dan Shak was the first one to go and that marked the start of the official final table of eight. He was followed by the only Italian, Clavio Anzalone, who earned €76,310 for his efforts. Joao Vieira of Portugal departed in seventh, making €103,870 for his Prague High Roller appearance.

Ole Schemion was potentially the biggest threat of those still remaining, so regardless of any personal feelings, the remaining players were probably relieved to see him make his way to the cashier desk in sixth place. With that finish, Schemion added another €141,420 to his great track record.

One of two remaining Russians was the next to go, as Viacheslav Goryachev took his leave in fifth, earning €186,840. His departure left Zaichenko to fight for the pride of his country, a representation that he would, as it turned out, excel at. Another serious threat was removed when UK pro Simon Deadman was railed in fourth, banking €238,320 after his Ace-Eight could not outrun the pocket Eights of Zaichenko.

At that point, the three remaining players made a deal that saw all of them lock up in excess of €400k, with €39,000 put aside for the winner. Sometime after, it was Francois Billard to depart in third, taking €405,260 back home to Canada and leaving a relative anonymous Laurynas Levinskas of Lithuania and Andrey Zaichenko to play the very last heads up of the European Poker Tour in Prague.

I've made many final tables. This was good, but not enough for me. Now I've got a result." Andrey Zaichenko, PokerStars Blog;

Zaichenko started with the lead, but the Lithuanian was able to even the odds and even take the lead. However, a lucky river card turned the tables, giving the Russian an advantage in the match. And then, to seal the deal, his pocket Treys outran the pocket Nines of Levinskas, who was eliminated as the runner-up, taking home €412,905.

Andrey Zaichenko of Russia nabbed €487,180, the prestigious SLYDE watch, and the EPT High Roller title in this big and tough field - an achievement to truly be proud of!

Photo: Neil Stoddart


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Ivan Potocki is the editor in chief and one of the lead news writers for PokerTube. His natural flair and enthusiasm for journalism combined with a deep poker knowledge make him an exciting contributor for PokerTube.The experience garnered playing poker professionally for several years and the knowl...Read more

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