Elgin, IL (21 November 2022) - Frank Lagodich has won the Main Event at the Grand Victoria Casino’s debut WSOP Circuit series. Outlasting a field of 1,070 entrants and a competitive final table, Lagodich not only secured his first WSOP Circuit ring, but also his largest cash to date.
“I feel great,” Lagodich said. “I fired six bullets into this event (the max). I was able to build some moment on my final bullet and felt really confident coming into both day two and day three.”
Despite the fact this was the first Circuit series hosted at the Grand Victoria Casino, the property showed the Chicago-area poker scene is alive and full of talented poker players. Over three flights, the Grand Victoria Circuit Main Event attracted a total of 1,070 entrants, compiling a prize pool of $1,621,050. Out of the 1,070 entrants, Lagodich would come out on top securing the $275,896 top prize.
Over a quarter of a million dollars richer, Lagodich discussed his mindset heading into the final table. “It felt a little daunting coming into the final table 8th in chips,” Lagodich said. “But I knew stacks were pretty even, if I could just get one double-up I knew I would be able to compete and play my strategy.” Lagodich played his strategy flawlessly, even when there were a few setbacks along the way.
Short-handed with the chip lead at the final table, Lagodich would face an aggressive three-bet preflop from eventual runner-up and the Last Woman Standing from the 2019 WSOP Main Event Jill Bryant. Lagodich made the call with suited K-Q, and although Bryant was ahead with A-4, a king on the flop surely had Lagodich seeing money signs. The wind would quickly leave his sails though, as not only did an ace on the river give Bryant the chip lead, but her large group of supporters erupted in applause. Despite the setback, Lagodich would push through and eventually come out a champion.
“It was kind of tough at times being a lone wolf here,” Lagodich recalled. “Jill had a full rail of supporters that were here to cheer her on, every time she won a hand they would be super excited.”
Not only did Lagodich have to compete with the continuous momentum Bryant gained from her rail, he also had to navigate her incredibly aggressive playstyle that knocked out many of his fellow final tablists. In the end though, Lagodich would pull ahead of Bryant and secure the entirety of the chips in play. After the final hand, the two would embrace by the final table, both having played remarkably well over the past three days.
Although Lagodich had to endure the cold Chicago winter and three grueling days of poker all on his own, he is looking forward to going home to spend Thanksgiving with his family. Coming off of a career win, Lagodich certainly has a lot to be thankful for.
“I will eventually be heading to Florida to play more poker, but before that I will be heading home to spend Thanksgiving with my family,” Lagodich said. “I am really looking forward to getting to celebrate this with them.”
The WSOP Circuit will return to the Grand Victoria next year, hosting tournaments from April 6 to April 17. After such a successful debut series, we truly look forward to seeing what the Grand Victoria has in store for us next year.