WSOP: Heads-up expert Doug Polk wins $3,686,865

WSOP: Heads-up expert Doug Polk wins $3,686,865

By Ralf Schmidt Published on: June 7th, 2017 Updated on: February 26th, 2019

American Doug Polk has won the $111,111 One Drop High Roller event at the World Series of Poker (WSOP). He prevailed heads-up against Bertrand “Elky” Grospellier from Australia. A total of 130 players competed at the “Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino” in Las Vegas. Participants in the fourth edition of the tournament generated a prize pool of approximately $14 million, which was distributed among the top 20.

Doug Polk celebrates the biggest success of his career. He wins the One Drop High Roller event in Las Vegas. (Image: ©WSOP)

After reaching the final table, things initially went downhill for Polk. In the meantime he had the fewest chips among the remaining nine players. A somewhat fortunate all-in against Martin Jacobsen stabilized his stack and made it to the final four. Here he was able to eliminate both Haralabos Voulgaris and Dario Sammartino and went heads-up as the chip leader against Bertrand “Elky” Grospellier, who had been leading until then. Against him he continuously increased his lead and won the duel after seven hands. The 27-year-old wins his third World Series of Poker event and receives the coveted bracelet for winning the tournament. He inherits the German player Fedor Holz, who was successful in the same position last year. By winning the $111,111 buy-in event, Polk increased his career earnings to approximately $9 million. The American expressed relief after the victory and admitted that he also had the necessary luck on his side:

"Things change really quickly in tournaments. One time I had almost nothing left at this table and then almost all the chips. When I was all-in with 9/10 against Ace/Queen, I realized that I was leaving this tournament and going home. But I had a chance and I hit the right cards." Doug Polk, 2017 One Drop High Roller winner

Doug Polk is no stranger to the poker scene. The American runs one of the most viewed Poker channels on YouTube with more than 100,000 subscribers. In particular, the video series “Poker Hands with Polk” regularly reaches six-figure views. Here Polk analyzes the approach of well-known poker players and gives his viewers advice on how to improve their own game.

In addition, Polk has been the operator of the since 2015 Online poker school Upswing, in which he teaches basic poker skills together with other professionals. As a player, he is known both for his online successes and for his live games. He is considered one of the most accomplished No-Limit Heads-Up Hold'em players.