Philadelphian wins Main Event for Epic Poker League at Palms

Professional poker player Chris Klodnicki of Philadelphia captured the third Epic Poker League Main Event Sunday night at the Palms, taking home $801,680.

Klodnicki, who has been playing professionally since 2003, defeated Andrew Lichteberger of East Northport, N.Y., to also earn the champion's ring and a seat in the season-ending $1 million Epic Poker League Championship Freeroll, which is open to the 27 players with the highest earnings in the four regular season Epic Poker League Main Events.

Lichteberger, who won $514,480 as the runner-up in the Main Event, also earned a seat.

"It was a trip getting through this Main Event which had a really tough field," said Klodnicki, who pushed his career tournament poker earnings to more than $2.8 million.

The final table of the third Epic Poker League Main Event featured Joe Tehan, Scott Clements, Lichtenberger and Michael "the Grinder" Mizrachi alongside Klodnicki.

The next Epic Poker League Main Event takes place Feb. 9-12 at the Palms.

Contact reporter Howard Stutz at hstutz@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3871. Follow @howardstutz on Twitter.