Steve Billirakis Wins Second WSOP Bracelet

Steve Billirakis defeated a strong field to take down the €5,000 Pot-Limit Omaha event at the World Series of Poker Europe. It was the second WSOP bracelet for Billirakis, who won €238,140 for first place.

Billirakis took the chip lead with four players remaining at the final table, and never looked back. Along the way, he had to contend with a number of top players, including a couple of big names at the final table. November Nine member Eoghan O’Dea made a deep run before being eliminated in 9^th place, while local star Sam Trickett made it all the was to 4^th.

But nobody at the final table could contend with Billirakis, who dominated short-handed play to win his second bracelet. Billirakis had one his first title by winning the first event of the 2007 WSOP, a $5,000 mixed hold’em tournament. He nearly won another bracelet earlier this year, finishing 3^rd in the $10,000 Omaha H/L tournament at this year’s WSOP.

Billirakis now has over $2.4 million in tournament earnings over the course of his career. That career includes 15 WSOP cashes, along with four cashes in World Poker Tour events.

There were a total of 180 players in the event, creating a prize pool of €882,000. Eighteen players made the money, with each winner taking home at least €11,828. Other notable winners included Jason Mercier (12^th) and David Benyamine (18^th).

The PLO event was the 3^rd event at the 2011 WSOP Europe. With two more events currently in progress, there are two events yet to begin: the €1,620 Six-Handed Pot Limit Omaha tournament which begins today, and the €10,400 WSOPE Main Event, which starts on Saturday. Saturday is also the date for the €550 non-bracelet Ladies Event.