Amateur Narrowly Loses to Isildur1, But Comes Out Big Winner

Isildur1 may have won yet another match in his SuperStar Showdown series, but it was his lightly-regarded opponent who came out the night’s big winner. While Viktor “Isildur1” Blom came out ahead by $10 after 2,500 hands of poker, Attila “DodgyFish72” Gulcsik was more than happy with his performance, and won $14,990 for his efforts.

This was the first match in the SuperStar Showdown that allowed an amateur player to qualify for the chance to play against Blom by qualifying in a series of smaller events. The winner – ultimately, Gulcsik – was staked to play against Blom in a miniature version of the SuperStar Showdown. While the Showdown matches were typically played with $50/$100 blinds, this version used just $5/$10 blinds, with PokerStars staking Gulcsik with $15,000 for the match. Gulcsik didn’t need to win the match to win a prize; instead, any money he had at the end of the match was his to keep.

While many players might initially feel as though playing things close to the vest might be their best opportunity to come out with something, the match structure didn’t really make that possible; while the stacks were plenty deep, Gulcsik couldn’t just check/fold every hand and expect to have any money remaining after 2,500 hands.

“My main goal is to try and play well without making huge mistakes,” Gulcsik said before the match began. “It is obvious that I am a huge underdog as Viktor has significantly more experience being one of the best in the field of heads-up cash games.”

At one point, it seemed as though Gulcsik would leave with nothing for his efforts. Down over $10,000 midway through the match, he fought his way back to even by the time the final hand was set to be played. However, Gulcsik folded his $10 big blind to a $3,745 preflop all-in move by Isildur1. Whether Gulcsik realized it or not, that $10 was exactly what Blom needed to claim victory in the match. However, it did leave him with $14,990 in prize money – a significant haul for an amateur player.

Blom has now moved out to a 4-1 record in his SuperStar Showdown matches, losing the first match but winning the last four. Overall, he has a profit of just over $166,000 from the series.