Event #78: $1,000 MINI Main Event

Georgios Skarparis of Cyprus displayed unwavering determination as he clinched his first World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet and a substantial $554,925 cash prize in Event #78: $1,000 Mini Main Event at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas. Overcoming a field of 6,076 contenders that created a massive $5,361,840 prize pool, Skarparis emerged victorious after a grueling battle.

The atmosphere at the rail was poignant, particularly with one of Skarparis's students, Nikolas Kiourtzides, from Cyprus, fervently cheering him on, alongside the spirit of another student, Kyriakos Oxinos, who was there in memory.

In a tense final showdown, Skarparis outlasted Alexandre Barbaranelli of Italy, known for his numerous cashes yet securing his largest payout yet at $369,994. Barbaranelli's journey was highlighted by strategic plays, including a pivotal hand against Adam Rothschild and a crucial double-up through Mikhail Zavoloka during the final table.

Winner's Reaction

Skarparis's emotional reaction underscored the significance of his victory, fulfilling a promise he made to honor Kyriakos Oxinos, a dear friend and mentee tragically lost in a car accident. Determined to dedicate a bracelet to Oxinos's memory, Skarparis has relentlessly pursued this goal, fueling his journey through numerous tournaments, including an ongoing quest for the Main Event title.

Transitioning from a legal career to professional poker just four years ago, Skarparis expressed gratitude to his mother for supporting his unconventional career choice. Despite setbacks during Day 2, where his chip stack took hits, he maintained composure and steadily rebuilt his position, ultimately dominating the field until the final hand.

Reflecting on his achievement, Skarparis acknowledged a sense of belonging in the poker world since his 2021 win in Cyprus, now solidified by his latest triumph and bracelet. His journey symbolizes the rewards of dedication, study, and a relentless pursuit of excellence in the game.

WSOP Event #78: $1,000 Mini Main Event Final Table Results

Day 3 Action

When play resumed today, each player was assured of taking home at least $158,191. The first to cash out was Dirk Bruns of Germany, whose journey ended in fifth place when his Big Slick failed to surpass pocket eights.

Following him in fourth was Kyle Williamson from Ohio, who started Day 2 as the chip leader. After doubling up with a straight, Williamson had his sights set on the top prize and made a crucial call against the chip leader from the small blind. He ultimately secured $208,444 for his impressive performance, cheered on by a strong contingent of supporters from California. This marked Williamson's inaugural final table appearance and the largest win of his career, although he's also renowned for his skills in house flipping and DIY projects back home.

Shortly thereafter, Mikhail Zavoloka from Russia, boasting a robust poker portfolio with over $1,000,000 in lifetime earnings, finished third, earning $276,695. With a short chip stack, Zavoloka was forced all in and despite calls from both opponents, the hands were checked down to conclude his tournament run.

The heads-up duel was swift and decisive. Within just five hands, the bracelet was placed on the table as the players collided in an ace-versus-ace showdown. Ultimately, Barbaranelli faced a kicker dilemma that went unresolved, solidifying the victory for the opposing player.

Skarparis's achievement adds to the rich tapestry of WSOP history, outlasting esteemed players like Main Event champion Stoyan Madanzhiev and Ryan Hughes who owns three bracelets, while icons like bracelet winner Marsha Wolak and legend and three-time bracelet winner Sam Farha also made notable appearances in this year's event.

For comprehensive coverage of the 2024 World Series of Poker, stay tuned to PokerNews for updates on all the action and highlights from the series.

Georgios Skarparis limped in the cutoff and Mikhail Zavoloka called off his 2,800,000 in the small blind before Alexandre Barbaranelli checked his option.

The action checked to the       river, where both players checked once again. Skarparis rolled    for six-high, and Barbaranelli tabled    for queen-high. Zavoloka hadn't seen his hand yet and slowly peeled the   first, and then the  , not connecting with the board as he exited the table in third place.

Georgios Skarparis	286,560,000	-10,200,000
Alexandre Barbaranelli	78,000,000	13,000,000
Mikhail Zavoloka	0	-2,800,000

Mikhail Zavoloka moved almost all in from under the gun for 21,000,000 and Kyle Williamson made the call from the big blind.

Kyle Williamson:   
Mikhail Zavoloka:   

The board came out with      and Williamson was quietly calling for a jack and the river obliged with   and Williamson got a nice double for his stack.

Kyle Williamson	45,000,000	18,300,000
Mikhail Zavoloka	10,250,000	-24,350,000

Alexandre Barbaranelli was on the button when Mikhail Zavoloka raised from under the gun to 8,000,000. Barbarnelli made his move and shoved all of his chips in for 40,300,000 and Zavoloka made the call immediately.

Alexandre Barbaranelli :   
Mikhail Zavoloka:   

The board came out monotone with     and Barbaranelli received more outs which came through on the turn of   delivering the flush and the river   which was irrelevant and Barbaranelli received a nice healthy stack.

Alexandre Barbaranelli	86,600,000	34,600,000
Mikhail Zavoloka	37,000,000	-26,800,000

Kyle Williamson announced all-in from the small blind and Mikhail Zavoloka wasted no time calling off his stack of 29,900,000.

Mikhail Zavoloka:   
Kyle Williamson:   

Zavoloka was dominated but the     flop gave him two pair to take the lead. The   landed on the turn, giving some chop outs but the   river changed nothing, sending another double toward Zavoloka.

Mikhail Zavoloka	63,800,000	30,800,000
Kyle Williamson	37,200,000	-36,800,000

Georgios Skarparis limped in from the small blind and called a raise of 10,000,000 from Kyle Williamson in the big blind.

The dealer fanned a flop of     and Skarparis check-called 10,000,000 from Williamson.

When the   hit the turn, Skarparis checked once again and Williamson fired 9,500,000. Skarparis stuck around with a call.

The   paired the board on the river and both players tapped the table. Skarparis tabled    for top pair on the flop and Williamson mucked his hand.

Georgios Skarparis	217,000,000	42,000,000
Kyle Williamson	74,000,000	-43,500,000

Kyle Williamson limped the small blind and Mikhail Zavoloka checked his option.

Both players checked to the      turn, where Williamson led for 3,000,000 and Zavoloka made the call.

When the   completed the board on the river, Williamson checked and Zavoloka stacked up a bet of 8,200,000 and pushed it across the line. Williamson wasted little time tossing his cards toward the dealer.

Kyle Williamson	139,000,000	-7,300,000
Mikhail Zavoloka	25,500,000	5,300,000

The final day is officially underway as the dealer has been instructed to shuffle up and deal.

The third and final day of Event #78: $1,000 Mini Main Event No-Limit Hold'em gets underway at 2 p.m. today at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas with just five players still in contention, from the 6,076 entries, who are all vying for the top prize of $554,925 from the total prize pool of $5,361,840.

Kyle Williamson leads the pack with 146,300,000 chips, but Georgios Skarparis is only one big blind behind him with a total of 143,700,000. Together, they hold eighty percent of the total chips in play, with Alexandre Barbaranelli a distant third, starting the day with 36,800,000.

With all five remaining players never having earned a bracelet, the excitement is palpable as we are guaranteed to witness a first-time winner today!

Final Five Seat Draw & Chip Counts

All five players have locked up a prize of $158,191 but all eyes are on the grand prize of $554,925 and the coveted WSOP gold bracelet.

Final Table Results and Remaining Payouts

Day 3 begins at 2 p.m. local time on July 4 in the Horseshoe Event Center with 20 minutes and 15 seconds remaining in Level 42, and blinds of 1,500,000/3,000,000 and a big blind ante of 3,000,000.

As always, the PokerNews live reporting team will be at the table to provide full coverage of the battle. So be sure to stay tuned as they battle for the WSOP glory in Las Vegas.