Basilis Jordanou

Bill Jordanou, also known as Basilis Jordanou, emerged on the Australian poker scene in the late 2000s, quickly establishing himself as a consistent tournament player. Between 2008 and 2013, he amassed over $592,671 in live tournament earnings according to the Hendon Mob database. His most notable result came at the 2010 Aussie Millions, where he finished 3rd in the $100,000 Challenge event, earning AU$300,000 (approximately $276,888 USD) in a field that included poker legends Dan Shak and Phil Ivey. Jordanou’s tournament resume includes several deep runs in high-stakes events:

• 2010 Aussie Millions #8 $100,000 Challenge – 3rd place (AU$300,000)
• 2009 Victorian Poker Championships $250,000 Challenge – 1st place (AU$200,000)
• 2009 APPT Sydney #9 $15,300 High Rollers – 5th place (AU$31,200)
• 2011 ANZPT Sydney #6 $10,200 High Rollers – 4th place (AU$19,200)
• 2011 Aussie Millions #20 $1,100 Turbo – 4th place (AU$15,540)
• 2009 Joe Hachem Deep Stack Series 2 Shorthanded Shootout – 2nd place (AU$22,500) He also cashed in the 2008 PokerNews Cup Main Event (31st, AU$5,740) and the 2009 APPT Sydney High Rollers, among others. His results demonstrate a strong aptitude for high-stakes, turbo, and six-handed formats. Jordanou was known at the tables for an aggressive style, often pushing action in high-stakes cash games and tournaments around the globe. He was a regular participant in the Aussie Millions and other major Australian poker festivals. However, his poker reputation was later eclipsed by his criminal activities.

In 2014, Jordanou was arrested and charged with 142 counts related to a $100 million fraud scheme. The charges stemmed from a decade-long investigation into a Ponzi scheme operated alongside accountant Robert Zaia. The scheme involved using fraudulent documents to obtain loans from the Commonwealth Bank of Australia on behalf of clients, then siphoning the money into their own accounts. The fraud spanned from 2004 to 2014, with total losses estimated between $72 million and $100 million.

In June 2018, Jordanou pleaded guilty to his role in the scheme. At his sentencing, County Court Judge Paul Lacava described the offending as a "prolonged fraud of breath-taking proportions." Jordanou was sentenced to 12 years in prison, with a non-parole period of 9 years. Reports noted that millions of dollars were spent on luxury cars, boats, jewelry, and gambling junkets to Las Vegas and Macau, while victims lost their homes and life savings.

After his arrest, Jordanou faced death threats and was held in protective custody. He celebrated his 60th birthday in prison. His co-conspirator Robert Zaia was sentenced shortly after. The case also drew attention to the Commonwealth Bank’s negligence in processing the fraudulent loans.

Bill Jordanou is remembered as a cautionary tale in the poker world — a talented player who achieved significant success at the tables but ultimately fell from grace due to massive financial crimes. His poker accomplishments, while notable, are overshadowed by his conviction and the harm caused to his victims.