KEMI, Finland – (PRESS RELEASE) -- Robert Varkonyi, the 2002 World
Series of Poker Champion, is accustomed to keeping his cool under pressure,
but today's InterPoker.com Extreme Poker Challenge forced him to heat things
up in order to stay alive. In a dramatic come-from-behind victory, Varkonyi
sent chills through his competitors Peter Larsson of Sweden, Ulrik Jensen of
Denmark, Rene Christensen of Denmark, Daniel Stein of England and reigning
Extreme Poker Champion and local favorite Juha Helppi of Finland.
Battling temperatures that reached minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit (minus
23 degrees Celsius), the Extreme Competitors were given the option of
repurchasing lost chips in exchange for their coat, forcing them to play in
only a T-Shirt. Within the first three hands, Internet qualifier Daniel Stein
had not only stripped Varkonyi of his chip stack, but also forced him to peel
off his protective layer of winter clothing in order to stay in the
tournament. Varkonyi later resorted to running laps in between hands to
maintain circulation and stave off frostbite.
Ultimately, only Varkonyi and Helppi remained in the tournament, with
Varkonyi playing in just a T-Shirt, and Helppi securely wrapped in his Parka.
Varkonyi drew 9/10 off suit, and Helppi held suited K/9 of clubs. The flop
uncovered off suit 10/7 and a 3 of clubs, giving Varkonyi a pair of 10s and
Helppi a flush Draw. Helppi pushed all of his chips in, and Varkonyi called
his bet, his lips turning blue, and his body growing tired from his
increasingly rapid jogging around the frost-covered table. The turn gave a 7,
and the river another 10, leaving Varkonyi with a Frozen Full House to claim
the Extreme Poker Title.
"Winning this title makes my suffering through the most excruciating cold
I've ever experienced worth it, and I know this tournament will prepare me
well for the 2006 World Series of Poker," said Varkonyi. "Juha really gave me
a run for the title, and my hat and coat are off to him."
With this victory, Varkonyi will join Juha at the 2006 Extreme Poker
Championship, to be held in a sunken ship off the coast of St. Kitts, as will
top-placed InterPoker.com Internet qualifier Ulrik Jensen from Denmark.
"The tournament was absolutely stunning -- the players sat atop a
seemingly endless ice shelf on the Arctic sea and played a frostbitten game of
poker, as the frigid winds tore across the table," said InterPoker.com
spokesperson Peter Marcus. "All of the players showed an amazing amount of
concentration, skill and pure grit during this tournament -- especially our
Internet qualifiers, who I anticipate will have very promising poker careers."
Despite losing the InterPoker.com Extreme Poker Title on his home turf,
Helppi remained gracious in defeat. "Rob is a true champion, and he
demonstrated today that he is willing to do whatever it takes to win,
including removing his clothes in subzero temperatures and running in circles
to fight off hypothermia," said Helppi. "I congratulate Rob his victory, and
look forward to facing him in the next Extreme event to take back my title."
Internet qualifier Ulrik Jensen was excited to play against the pros at
InterPoker.com's Arctic Freeze Out Tournament, but seemed to be more
interested in the prospect of facing Varkonyi and Juha once more in St. Kitts.
"My face, fingers and toes are all numb after sitting for 90 minutes in the
frozen tundra -- and nothing sounds better than visiting a tropical paradise
for a week of sun and poker."
At the close of the Finland event, InterPoker.com announced that every
player who qualifies for the World Series of Poker through InterPoker.com WSOP
satellite tournaments are automatically entered into qualifying round the
upcoming July Extreme Poker event titled "Loser's Leap," to be held in
10,000 feet above the Las Vegas Desert. Players will compete in a plane, and
will be forced to parachute out when they run out of chips.
