Nikolaos Angelou Konstas

Ioannis Angelou-Konstas, a Greek poker professional, has steadily built a reputation as a formidable tournament player on the international circuit. While details of his early poker career are not widely documented, his consistent results in high-stakes events have established him as a notable figure in the European poker community. His live tournament earnings have surpassed $836,000, a figure that reflects his ability to compete and succeed against some of the toughest competition in the game.

Irish Open Online High Roller Victory

Angelou-Konstas's most prominent achievement came during the 2020 Irish Open Online series on partypoker. On April 8, 2020, he emerged victorious in Event #3: the €5,200 High Roller, which carried a €500,000 guarantee. The tournament attracted a field of 179 players, creating a prize pool of €895,000. Angelou-Konstas entered the final table as the chip leader with nearly three million in chips, following the elimination of Jorryt van Hoof in ninth place.

The final table was packed with elite talent, including 2019 WSOP Main Event runner-up Dario Sammartino, Jack Sinclair, Lucas Reeves, and Thomas Muehloecker. The action was intense, with several dramatic three-way all-ins. Muehloecker eliminated both Sinclair and Sammartino in a single hand when his pocket aces held against Sinclair's nines and Sammartino's jacks, despite a jack on the flop giving the Italian hope before an ace on the river sealed their fate. Later, Lukas Matthias Nowakowski's pocket kings held against Lucas Reeves' ace-queen and Alexey Savenkov's sevens in another three-way confrontation.

After Muehloecker eliminated Akseli Paalanen, play became three-handed. Nowakowski initially surged into the lead with 5.1 million chips to Angelou-Konstas's 3.7 million, but a key hand saw Angelou-Konstas overtake his opponent, moving to 4.8 million against Nowakowski's 4.1 million. The two players then agreed to a heads-up deal, with Angelou-Konstas securing the title of Irish Open Online High Roller champion and the top prize of €172,188 (approximately $184,241). Nowakowski took home €168,180 as runner-up. This victory came just one day after Angelou-Konstas had already cashed in Event #1 of the series, demonstrating his strong form throughout the festival.

Beyond his Irish Open Online triumph, Angelou-Konstas has recorded several other significant results in major international events. He has competed in World Series of Poker (WSOP) events, including a deep run at the 2023 WSOP Paradise festival. In Event #5: $25,000 Pot-Limit Omaha High Roller at WSOP Paradise, he finished in 16th place out of 140 entrants, a result that contributed to his growing career earnings. The event was ultimately won by fellow Greek player Nikolaos Lampropoulos, who took home $871,600 and his first WSOP bracelet.

Angelou-Konstas has also been a regular participant in European Poker Tour (EPT) events and other high-stakes tournaments across Europe. His ability to consistently reach the latter stages of large-field events has earned him respect among his peers and solidified his position on the Greece All-Time Money List.

Angelou-Konstas is widely regarded as a tight-aggressive player who emphasizes solid starting hand selection and disciplined post-flop play. His performance in the Irish Open Online High Roller showcased his ability to manage a big stack and apply pressure at critical moments, while also demonstrating the patience required to navigate a final table filled with world-class opponents. His decision to negotiate a heads-up deal in the High Roller reflects a pragmatic approach to tournament poker, prioritizing guaranteed value while still competing for the title.

While Angelou-Konstas may not be a household name among casual poker fans, his results speak to a player who consistently performs at a high level in challenging fields. His victory in the Irish Open Online High Roller, in particular, stands as a testament to his skill and composure under pressure. As he continues to compete in major tournaments around the world, Angelou-Konstas remains a player to watch in the Greek poker scene and beyond.