Robert Varkonyi: Poker's 2002 World Champion - Part I

In addition to the $2 million Robert Varkonyi won for beating 630 opponents in the 2002 World Series of Poker championship event, he also won an all-expense-paid trip for two to Costa Rica for the Linda Johnson Celebrity Challenge. It was there that I got the opportunity to spend lots of time with this friendly, down-to-earth man who prefers to be called Rob because, he said, "I'm an informal guy." While in Costa Rica, Varkonyi again proved his no-limit hold'em prowess by winning one of the no-limit events against several hundred players.

At the end of the tournament week, Rob and his wife, Olga, elected to join Dave Lamb, Matt and Susana Savage, Jan Fisher, Robert Williamson, Danny Chapman, Laurence Goldsmith, Jody Ivener, Russ Hamilton, Cliff Long, and me on a trip to a beautiful resort overlooking the Pacific Ocean in the town of Quepos. I had reserved rooms at a hotel that has the motto: "Still More Monkeys Than People." Sure enough, every afternoon the monkeys came down from the mountains and played on the balconies right outside our rooms. And sloths slowly made their way up and down the trees within a few feet of our building. The Varkonyis appeared to be having the time of their lives in this paradise away from home.

I took advantage of being with the Vakonyis by conducting an interview with them during dinner at the Blue Marlin, a great seafood restaurant in Quepos.

Linda Johnson: Rob, please start by telling me a little about your background.

Rob Varkonyi: My parents are Hungarian. They immigrated to New York separately in 1956, when the Russians invaded Hungary and instilled a Communist regime. They literally snuck across the Austrian border wearing dark clothes in the dark of night. When the Russians shot their flares into the air, they lay down flat on the ground and were still to avoid detection as bullets whizzed by in the air over their heads. They were lucky to escape, and eventually met each other in New York and married.

LJ: When were you born, and where do you currently reside?

RV: I was born in 1961, and live in Brooklyn.

LJ: Olga, what is your background, and when did you get married to Rob?

Olga Varkonyi: I am Russian, and my parents also immigrated here. Rob and I met a few years ago, and got married on April 6, 2001. I currently work as a Russian interpreter and translator.

LJ: Rob, what is your educational and work background?

RV: I graduated from MIT with one degree in computer science and another in management. I spent 15 years on Wall Street developing systems for trading sales and money management.

LJ: Since you live in New York, how did the tragic events of Sept. 11 affect you both?

RV: I had a job all lined up to start on Sept. 10 to work on the Stock Exchange. The job vaporized the next day.

OV: We live about a mile and a half from the Trade Center. We actually heard the crashes from our apartment. It rained ashes from across the river. We couldn't sleep for days afterward. The whole thing was a nightmare.

LJ: Rob, what is your poker background?

RV: I would call myself a social player. I started playing nickel, dime, and quarter poker when I was in college. Several years ago, I started going to Atlantic City to play poker. My favorite game is seven-card stud eight-or-better at about the $15-$30 level. About two years ago, I made the decision to quit my job; I was tired of the 9-to-5 work routine. I had become a winning poker player, and had worked real hard and saved my pennies and bonuses. I lived a modest lifestyle and was comfortable that I would be able to get a job anytime I wanted to return to the business world.

LJ: What have you done for the past two years?

RV: I traveled, played poker, took classes, and worked on becoming more physically fit. I skied and took long bicycle trips. I also played tournament poker at Foxwoods and the Taj Mahal. Last December, I won a satellite for the $7,500 Taj championship event. At my starting table were Tony Ma, T.J. Cloutier, Paul McKinney, and a few other toughies. I didn't do too well.

LJ: When did you start playing in the World Series?

RV: I have been coming to Las Vegas during the World Series since the mid-'90s to play supersatellites at Binion's and the Plaza. I got closer and closer, but never won one. In 2001, I paid $3,000 to enter a World Series no-limit event. I enjoyed playing it, and wanted much more.

In Part II, we will follow Rob to the 2002 WSOP and read about his road to victory in the world championship.

Now, let's play poker.

Editor's note: The dates for the Costa Rica Classic have been set for Oct. 13-19. This series of tournaments will include a $500 buy-in World Poker Tour event. Seats are limited, so make your reservations now. There are still three remaining poker cruises in 2002. To learn more about the Costa Rica Classic or Card Player Cruises, please see the ad on Page 85, or visit www.cardplayercruises.com.