Gorodinsky overcomes 8-1 deficit, earns WSOP title, $216,988

Mike Gorodinsky appeared to be destined for a second-place finish in the World Series of Poker $2,500 buy-in Omaha High-Low/Stud High-Low event.

Heads-up and facing an 8:1 chip deficit versus Kristopher Tong, Gorodinsky was certainly a long shot. However, all the late breaks went Gorodinsky's way and he ended up with his first WSOP victory and the $216,988 prize.

"I had a pretty good read on how my opponent was playing, so I just needed some momentum to swing my way," said Gorodinsky.

Born 27 years ago in St. Petersburg, Russia, the youngster stayed behind in Russia with his mother for a time when his father immigrated to Israel. Gorodinsky eventually left Russia as well, and the family reunited in Israel for six months. He later came to the United States with the rest of his family when he was five years old.

Gorodinsky graduated from Washington University in St. Louis, where he earned his degree in business. However, Gorodinsky knew at the time that he wanted to give poker a try. He even admitted to making a fair amount of money playing online while attending college full time.

He's been playing poker ever since, and plans to continue learning and playing – and hopefully winning.

Tong's second-place finish earned him a $134,017 consolation prize. Matthew Ashton finished third for $86,437, Owais Ahmed, who won this event in 2001, was fourth, and George Fotiadis was fifth. George Danzer was sixth, Mack Lee was seventh, and Julie Schneider was eighth. Had Schneider won this event, she would have joined husband Tom Schneider as the only husband-wife team in WSOP history to win the same event.

Chris Bjorin's cash in this event gives him 66 for his storied career. This puts him into a fourth place tie on the all-time cashes list.

Tournament summary modified from notes provided by WSOP Media Director Nolan Dalla, used by permission.