Paul Volpe Won BetMGM Big, Big Championship
The professional poker player earned nearly $500,000 after reaching an ICM deal at the Borgata final table.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Casino
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Paul Volpe secured the victory in the $5,300 buy-in BetMGM Big, Big Championship at the Borgata, taking home a top prize of $492,415. He reached a heads-up ICM deal with runner-up Frank Lagodich to conclude the event.
Why it matters
The tournament highlight was the $3 million guaranteed prize pool, which ultimately featured an overlay of $405,000 to cover the entry shortfall. This victory provides Volpe with 1,680 Card Player Player of the Year points.
The event drew 519 entries with 65 players finishing in the money. Volpe and Lagodich split the remaining purse via an ICM deal, with Lagodich collecting $420,000 for second place.
The players
Paul Volpe
He is a professional poker player from Philadelphia who previously finished runner-up in the Player of the Year race in 2013.
Frank Lagodich
He is a poker player who finished in second place at this event after placing runner-up in a high roller tournament in 2023.
Sead Duraku
He was a final table participant who was eliminated by Volpe.
The details
Volpe secured his position at the final table after defeating Sead Duraku in a pivotal hand where his set of jacks bested pocket aces. The tournament concluded without a single hand played between the final two contenders due to their agreement.
Timeline
September 24, 2026: Paul Volpe won the BetMGM Big, Big Championship.
Industry Dynamics
This win marks a significant return to the winner's circle for Volpe, whose last major cash result occurred in 2018. It reflects the ongoing high-stakes tournament climate in the Northeast, where guarantees frequently drive player participation.
Fans and players can track upcoming tournament guarantees at the Borgata to gauge potential overlay opportunities in future events. The event results serve as a benchmark for participants looking to climb the annual rankings.
The takeaway
Tournament overlays offer significant value for skilled players, as the guaranteed prize pool exceeds the actual buy-in revenue collected. Professional players often utilize ICM deals to mitigate variance and secure financial certainty when reaching the final stages of a major event.
Further reading
For more on high-stakes poker results, visit the Casino section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Card Player.
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