Michael Matsioukkou Wins the 2017 WSOP Sydney Mixed Event
The Mixed Event is a fan favorite and a test of patience and skill as players alternate between two different games: Texas No-Limit Hold'Em and Omaha.
As with every tournament on the 2017 World Series of Poker Sydney Circuit schedule, this event attracted a ton of local poker talent to the Star Poker Room to take their stab at earning a coveted Circuit Ring.
The field included last year's champion Christine Hia, former WPT Championship finalist John 'JC Sydney' Caridad, and 2013 Sydney champ Daniel Laidlaw. Unfortunately for them, a title by your name doesn't guarantee success and each of these players fell short and finished outside the money.
It was Michael ‘sly-snitch’ Matsioukkou, a local grinder who has made five final tables in as many months and is nearing $100,000 in career earnings, who outlasted 242 players and is now sporting a shiny, new WSOP Gold Ring.
"It's been a pretty amazing 12 months," Matsioukkou told the Star Poker Live Reporting Team after reflecting on the event. "It is great to win a WSOP title. Although, I am surprised it is in this event as I have never considered myself to be that strong at Omaha".
It was over an eight-hour journey to the final table that commenced as the sun began to rise. If the players were tired, it was hard to tell as the level of play seemed to get better as did the conversation. The lively table atmosphere was credited to Michael O'Grady (9th), Dinesh Velupillay (7th) and Ismail Sahin (3rd), all known for their skill and table banter.
“We had a great group of players on the final table,” Matsioukkou said. “They were all pretty good players and we were having a fun time. It is pretty hard not to have a laugh with Michael O’Grady on the table."
After capturing the big prize, the Star Poker Live Reporting Team asked Matsioukkou what his plans are for the rest of the series.
“I will be playing the Monster Event and the Bounty Event,” Matsioukkou explained. “The WSOP has been great here in Sydney so it would nice to be able to win one more. After this, I will head down to Melbourne for the Aussie Millions.”
Matsioukkou seems to have the cards falling in his favor of late. It won't be surprising at all to see him near the top of the leaderboard again before the series winds down.
The 2017 WSOP Sydney Circuit Stop is Nearing the End
Speaking of winding down, the 2017 WSOP Sydney Circuit stop is coming to a close in a few days. Join us Monday, December 18th for the final event, the WSOP Bounty Event, a re-entry event bound to attract a large crowd. Click here to head over to the StarPoker website and view the schedule.
