Poland wins World Cup of Poker

In a dramatic finish, Jacek Ladny, 40, an online qualifier, called a massive bluff by the US team captain Joe Harwell.

With A-6 of spades, the ice-cool Warsaw stockbroker called Harwell's unsuited 6-3 to win $20,000 for himself - and an additional $20,000 for each of his four teammates.

"We're going to play poker to see who takes the trophy home," he said.

Philip Hilm, 30, a regular player on the televised European Poker Tour, was the celebrity player on the Polish team.

He said: "None of these guys have played in a big tournament before but they were very consistent and performed very well. Everyone made a contribution but it took a great final call by Jacek to clinch victory.

"The US Team was playing very aggressively and he read the situation perfectly."

The rest of the winning team comprised team captain Marcin Doliwa, student pharmacist Andrzej Skawinski and Marcin Meinardi, a software developer.

The US took home $50,000 for second place, while Canada won $30,000 for third place.

courtesy of Nick Gibbens

News Added: 27 June, 2006

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