WSOP Classic Moments – Robert Varkonyi Wins 2002 Main Event
In the history of the WSOP Main Event, no champion was considered more of a fluke champion than the 2002 WSOP Main Event champion Robert Varkonyi. Entering the final table, everyone agreed that Varkonyi was on an incredible run of cards. After knocking former champion Phil Hellmuth out with Q-10, Hellmuth swore that he would shave his head if Varkonyi won the Main Event.
Varkonyi entered the final table with a massive chip lead against a predominately unknown cast of characters. The eventual third place finisher, Ralph Perry, would ultimately go on to win. The 9th place finisher, Minh Ly, has over $1 Million in WSOP tournament winnings and several final table finishes.
A young Julian Gardner made heads-up play against Varkonyi heads-up. Varkonyi held a massive chip lead. The final hand saw Varkonyi raise to 80,000 with his favorite hand, Qd-10s, and Gardner made the call with Jc-8c. The flop fell Qc-4c-4s and Varkonyi bet out after a check from Gardner. Gardner then moved all-in with a flush draw and Varkonyi made the call. The turn fell the 10d to give Varkonyi two pair, and Gardner additional outs to a gutshot straight. The river actually brought a flush for Gardner but unfortunately that river club was the 10c, which also gave Varkonyi a full house. Varkonyi’s full house gave him the title and a then record $2 Million top prize.
True to his word, Hellmuth shaved his head and then donated it to charity. The next year, Varkonyi returned to the Main Event and busted out on the first day. Varkonyi’s status as fluke remains intact to this day. In fact, his only WSOP cash since the 2002 Main Event win was in 2007 when he cashed in the Main Event.
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