WPT Barcelona Champion Vitalijs Zavorotnijs Reflects on His Big Win

By Sean Chaffin

It was quite an international affair at the WPT Barcelona in March. Of the final nine players left in the tournament, all nine were from different countries. When it was all over, Vitalijs Zavorotnijs (pictured) came out on top and took home $678,000.

For the 32-year-old Latvian, who now lives in Estonia, it was a dream come true and he took his shot at ARIA in the Baccarat Crystal Tournament of Champions. However, he admits that there was plenty of nervousness at that final table in Barcelona and he hoped for a quick end.

“After a few days, I was really excited about it,” he says. “But the day I won, I was so mentally exhausted that I just was glad it was over. When we made the final table, I just wanted it over – the faster the better.”

“I was nervous. It was my first big final table. I was not in the best mental state.”

Despite that, Zavorotnijs stayed focused and still managed to come out victorious after entering the final table as chip leader. And if he wanted it over quickly, a nice reward came in heads-up play. The tournament ended in three hands against Bulgarian Boris Kolev.

Zavorotnijs has been playing poker for more than 10 years, mostly online. A few years ago, he decided to bring his game to a live table and has found some nice results. He began traveling the live tournament scene mostly in Europe, recording some nice five-figure scores and smaller wins. But the WPT title was a breakthrough performance.

“I think I played really well,” he says. “I’ve been playing for such a long time that it’s hard for me to make a mistake. But we’re all human, so we all make mistakes. The main plan was to not make mistakes at the final table and I didn’t make them.”

Before playing poker, Zavorotnijs worked as a credit administrator but has been playing professionally now for several years. When not at the table, look for him on the ice rink. Back home, he plays amateur ice hockey as a winger, but is realistic about his scoring ability.

“The amateur leagues are sorted by player levels,” he says. Then with a big laugh, he adds: “If I play not so high, yes I can score. But if I play at higher levels, then no.”

As Game 3 of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals played out on the televisions in the ARIA tournament area, this Latvian poker star had a prime seat to check out the action. Usually a Washington Capitals fan, he’s not sure whether the St. Louis Blues or Boston Bruins will win the Cup.

“Boston looks better than St. Louis, but anyone can win,” he says of the series, which is tied at 1-1.

Zavorotnijs busted on Day 1 of the Baccarat Crystal WPT Tournament of Champions but is sure to return to the World Poker Tour in Season XVIII.

Sean Chaffin is a freelance writer in Crandall, Texas, and his work appears in numerous websites and publications. Follow him on Twitter @PokerTraditions.