( CNN ) -- One poker player gave new meaning to the saying `` throwing money down the drain . '' Christian Lusardi , 42 , of Fayetteville , North Carolina , flushed $ 2.7 million worth of counterfeit poker chips down the toilet in a room at Harrah 's Resort and Casino in Atlantic City , New Jersey state police said . He was arrested over the weekend , police said . Lusardi disposed of the fake chips he was using during the Winter Poker Open 's `` Big Stack , No Limit Hold 'Em '' event at the Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa , police said . Tournament personnel found 160 of the counterfeit poker chips -- each with a value of $ 5,000 , for a total of $ 800,000 -- among the genuine casino chips , police said . The discovery in clogged sewer pipes prompted Harrah 's to notify Borgata officials . The counterfeit chips forced officials to suspend the event for 24 hours . Soon after , the tournament was canceled . `` This was a very unusual occurrence . It 's the first time in Borgata 's 10 years that anything like this has happened , '' Joe Lupo , senior vice president of operations at Borgata , told CNN . Authorities found Lusardi Friday at a motel in Atlantic City . Legendary gambler accused of marking cards in California casino . `` We are very pleased that the New Jersey State Police Casino Gaming Bureau has apprehended a suspect , '' Lupo said . `` While this is a very positive development , the investigation by the Division of Gaming Enforcement and the State Police is ongoing . '' Police say Lusardi introduced the counterfeit chips into the tournament on multiple occasions . Lusardi obtained $ 6,814 in winnings during the tournament . Lusardi was charged with rigging a publicly exhibited contest , criminal attempt , and theft by deception . He was being held on $ 300,000 bail , with no option to pay 10 % , at the Atlantic City Jail , police said . The poker tournament began in mid-January with more than 4,800 people enrolled . When it was canceled Friday , 27 people remained in the tournament . Gambler gives $ 10K reward to Vegas cabbie who found his $ 300K .
A poker player used fake chips in the Winter ##land Open in Atlantic City , cops say . Joe Lusardi , 42 , flushed the chips down a hotel toilet , broke the glass , cops say . Casino officials had to cancel the event with 27 of 4,800 players left .