Andy Philachak wins Winter Bayou Poker Challenge

2007-12-06 16:31:00

Andy Philachak has won his first ever event on the World Series of Poker (WSOP) tour, the Winter Bayou Poker Challenge.

The player, who has come second at both the World Poker Open and Event 15 at the 2007 WSOP, finally got what organizers called his "breakthrough victory" by beating two-time WSOP bracelet winner Josh Arieh into second-place.

"I was playing for first place all the way," said Philachack.

"I had no other goal but first place in this tournament."

He went into the nine-man final table with the second shortest stack but eventually overturned his 475,000 chip deficit to claim the first-place prize of $247,860.

It is not the largest amount Philachack has won, as he received $394,594 for his second-place WSOP finish this year.

The tournament was held at Harrah's New Orleans, which is owned by Harrah's Entertainment, the world's largest gaming company.