The schedule has been released for the first ANZ Poker Tour event of 2012, with the national poker spotlight set to shine on The Star in Sydney from March 14-25.

ANZPT Sydney has consistently been among the larger events on the tour since Paren Arzoomanian won a staggering AUD $246,000 in 2009, which was the largest ever ANZPT event. Since then, he’s been joined on the honour roll by Angelo Hanataj (2010) and Michael Kanaan (2011).

The series kicks-off with the $330 Opening Event that offers three day one flights and a repechage format, meaning players can re-enter if eliminated on either day 1A or 1B. Next up is the PokerMedia Australia $1k Special, offering a generous start stack of 15,000 and 40-minute levels.

The schedule also includes a $440 NLHE Semi-Shootout, $550 NLHE Six-Handed event, $440 NLHE Teams Event, $220 NLHE Turbo along with a $$0 Pot Limit Omaha tournament.

The highlights of the series are the $2200 ANZPT Main Event – one of only three such events scheduled so far for 2012 – and a $5000 buy-in NLHE Challenge on the final day.

Join the Star Poker team of Grant Levy, Aaron Benton, Brendon Rubie, Daniel Neilson and Jonathan Karamalikis at The Star for one of the highlights of the 2012 Australian tournament schedule from March 14. Check out www.starpoker.com.au for details of satellites in coming weeks.

2012 ANZPT Sydney schedule

March 14 (6.15pm) Event 1: $300 + $30 No Limit Hold’em Opening Event day 1 flight 1 (start stack 10,000, 40-minute levels)

March 15 (6.15pm) Event 1: $300 + $30 No Limit Hold’em Opening Event day 1 flight 2 (repechage, start stack 10,000, 40-minute levels)

March 14 (12.30pm) Event 1: $300 + $30 No Limit Hold’em Opening Event day 1 flight 3 (repechage, start stack 10,000, 40-minute levels)

March 17 (12.30pm) Event 1: $300 + $30 No Limit Hold’em Opening Event day 2

March 18 (12.30pm) Event 2: $1000 + $100 PokerMedia Australia No Limit Hold’em Special (start stack 15,000, 40-minute levels)

March 18 (4pm) Event 1: $300 + $30 No Limit Hold’em Opening Event final table

March 18 (6.15pm) $220 + $30 ANZPT Mega Satellite (start stack 5000, 20-minute levels)

March 19 (12.30pm) Event 3: $400 + $40 No Limit Hold’em Semi-Shootout (start stack 8000, 30-minute levels)

March 19 (4pm) Event 2: $1000 + $100 PokerMedia Australia No Limit Hold’em Special final table

March 19 (6.15pm) $220 + $30 ANZPT Mega Satellite (start stack 5000, 20-minute levels)

March 20 (12.30pm) Event 4: $500 + $50 No Limit Hold’em Six-Handed (start stack 10,000, 40-minute levels)

March 20 (6.15pm) Event 5: $400 + $40 No Limit Hold’em Teams Event (start stack 8000, 20-minute levels)

March 21 (12.30pm) Event 6: $400 + $40 Pot Limit Omaha (start stack 8000, 30-minute levels)

March 21 (4pm) Event 4: $500 + $50 No Limit Hold’em Six-Handed final table

March 21 (6.15pm) $220 + $30 ANZPT Mega Satellite (start stack 5000, 20-minute levels)

March 22 (12.30pm) $220 + $30 ANZPT Last Chance Mega Satellite (start stack 5000, 20-minute levels)

March 22 (6.15pm) Event 7: $2000 + $200 ANZPT Main Event day 1 flight 1 (start stack 20,000, 60-minute levels)

March 23 (12.30pm) Event 7: $2000 + $200 ANZPT Main Event day 1 flight 2 (start stack 20,000, 60-minute levels)

March 24 (12.30pm) Event 7: $2000 + $200 ANZPT Main Event day 2

March 25 (12.30pm) Event 8: $200 + $20 No Limit Hold’em Turbo (start stack 6000, 20-minute levels)

March 25 (2pm) Event 7: $2000 + $200 ANZPT Main Event final table

March 25 (4pm) $5K ($4750 + $250) Challenge No Limit Hold’em (start stack 15,000, 45-minute levels)

By Poker Media Australia

American online superstar Dan ‘djk123′ Kelly has taken down the second event at this year’s Aussie Millions, the $1,100 Buy-in Pot Limit Omaha.

While it’s widely known that No Limit holdem is the most popular card game in the world, Pot Limit Omaha is game for those seeking to play cash games at a high level. Pot Limit Omaha (Widely knows as PLO) is generally the one game that garners the largest pots, the biggest action, and without doubt the biggest names in the game. Even though the majority of the international super stars of the poker world are yet to arrive, there is still a very strong contingent of internationals here early to play out the Aussie Millions Series. Players such as Richard Ashby, Tony Bloom, JP Kelly, Vitaly Lunkin and Sam Holden are all here soaking up the Australian sun as well as taking in the early events on offer in the series.

Because Pot Limit Omaha is such a specialised game, the fields are generally smaller, but there is no question that the level of skill of the players in the fields are generally of the highest calibre.

The second event on the Aussie Millions calendar saw 129 players take their seats generating a prize pool of $129,000 with $33,400 up top for the eventual winner.

While the American Kelly may have succeeded in taking down the title of the second Aussie Millions event and the gold ring, there were several high profile Australian Omaha specialists at the final table vying for the title including Billy ‘The Croc’ Argyros, Van Marcus and ANZPT Melbourne Champion Martin Kozlov.

It was Kozlov that eventually managed to find his way into the heads up battle with the American, however in the end the yanks were simply too good on the day.

Aussie Millions Event 2 $1,100 Pot Limit Omaha Results

1st – Dan Kelly $33,400
2nd – Martin Kozlov $25,000
3rd – Van Marcus $18,050
4th – Charles Cuschieri $14,270
5th – Geoffrey Smith $10,800
6th – McLean Karr $8,250
7th – Michael Guzzardi $6,100
8th – Billy Argyros $4,190

By Rob Huxley of Miller’s Guide

It was one of the most gruelling tournaments that we’ve ever seen in three seasons of the Australia New Zealand Poker Tour. A big field, talented players and very long days, not to mention the minefield of bad beats that lay in between. It was always going to prove to be a massive challenge to overcome. Three days before, we said we expected to see the cream to rise to the top in this event, and indeed that’s what happened with victory going the way of Lee Nelson.

Nelson is one of the most successful players of all time in the Australasian region. With results dating back decades, Nelson’s reputation was so solid that he picked up the nickname “Final Table” in recognition of his incredible tournament strike rate. In recent years, Nelson has reduced his playing schedule a little, but has once again proven that he still has what it takes to compete with the whiz kids as he adds an ANZPT trophy to the cabinet.

It’s a long way from the two-orbit penalty that Nelson was whacked yesterday when he acted out of turn. Like the true professional he is, Nelson maintained his composure and made it through to the final day in third chip position.

After we lost Erich Stadler (11th) and Seonglee Ang (10th) in the early stages, the scene was set for an exciting final table. However early on the play was very slow, with the short stacks waiting for the right spot and the tight players biding their time. New Zealand’s Phil Willcocks and overnight chip leader Tom Wing were pushing the action, but it was tough going.

Justin Sanchez departed in 9th place but then it took over two more hours before Brett Chalhoub was the next player to fall. Chalhoub was pretty unlucky and it was a defining hand in the tournament when his ace-king was rivered by the ace-queen of Lee Nelson. That lucky lady would jump Nelson into the chip lead while Chalhoub was sent packing in 8th place.

From there the pace of play picked up as the short stacks did their best to double up or die trying. Stephen Eliesen got caught shoving light into Phil Willcocks to fall in 7th place before overnight chip leader Tom Wing crashed and burned when he called with ace-seven only to run into a dominant ace-jack held by Willcocks. Wing was crippled and couldn’t recover to fall in 6th place.

Incredibly it was Willcocks who was next to go after a series of hands went against him.

First he doubled up Nick Georgoulas on a 9♣7♠3♠ flop when Willcocks shoved Q♣J♣ and Georgoulas made a huge call with A♥3♦ for bottom pair. Clearly rattled, Willcocks shoved all in moments later with T♣6♣ and Lee Nelson called with A♣8♥. Willcocks flopped a pair but Nelson ran him down with a backdoor straight to send Willcocks crashing out in 5th place just prior to the dinner break.

With hungers satisfied, the rapid eliminations continued with Karan Punjabi recovering from a short stack before eventually falling in 4th place before Danny Chevalier’s run came to an end in 3rd. Lee Nelson was the man responsible for both bustouts as he couldn’t put a foot wrong. Chevalier was looking not only for the title and cash, but valuable points in the ANZ Player of the Year race. He three-bet all in with pocket threes but Nelson made the call with ace-ten and won the race when he improved to a full house. With this result, Chevalier moves to second on the ANZ POTY and will be heading to Darwin confident of another big result.

That left us heads up with the unlikely duo of Lee Nelson and Nick Georgoulas. Nelson had the lead, but Georgoulas was quick to find a double up as the two players were prepared to play big ball and gamble for the title.

The final moment came when Nelson three-bet shoved all in with J♥T♥ and Georgoulas made the call with pocket fours. Nelson flopped a flush on the 8♥A♥K♥ flop and it was all but over. The 9♥ turn and 2♠ river sealed the deal as the Australian Poker Hall of Famer grabbed the title!

Final table results
1st Lee Nelson (New Zealand) – $156,550
2nd Nick Georgoulas (Australia) – $99,200
3rd Danny Chevalier (Australia) – $55,180
4th Karan Punjabi (Australia) – $43,090
5th Phil Willcocks (New Zealand) – $34,100
6th Tom Wing (Australia) (PokerStars Qualifier) – $27,900
7th Stephen Eliesen (Australia) (PokerStars Player) – $22,320
8th Brett Chalhoub (Australia) (PokerStars Qualifier) – $17,670
9th Justin Sanchez (Australia) – $13,020

By Heath Chick
Sponsored by PokerStars.net
Photo: Shannon Morris

There’s an old saying that the cream always rises to the top. During times of intense pressure, when the game is there to be won and everything is on the line, the best will not only survive, but thrive. Tonight we find ourselves in the city of Melbourne and the heart of poker down under. However there’s something a little bit special in the air tonight, and we’re not talking about body odour.

While the Crown Poker Room is choc-a-block full of tournaments, sit & gos and cash game tables, everyone in the room only had one eye on their cards. The other was firmly fixed on one of the plethora of big screens around the room as the Australian Football League Preliminary Final had the local crowd glued to the enthralling action.

For those not familiar with our great game, tonight’s match was a battle of the titans with the irresistible force of Hawthorn pitted against the immovable object in Collingwood. It was a heads-up battle to the death that went down to the wire. 90,000-plus screaming fans filled the MCG to see Collingwood spike a two-outer river for a memorable come-from-behind victory to stay alive to reach the AFL Grand Final. It was one of the great games of all time.

Perhaps it’s a sign of things to come for us in this great city over the next few days as the PokerStars.net ANZPT Melbourne series prepares for a final of its own. The $2,200 ANZPT Melbourne Main Event is set to pitch the best poker players in the country against each other in the country’s premier poker room.

When a poker player gets off the plane and walks in the doors of the world-class Crown Casino, they know there is big money, silverware and bragging rights up for grabs. They too must rise to the challenge.

Already we’ve seen several players do exactly that, with well-known local pros grabbing wins in the preliminary events throughout the week. Luke McLean, Peter Aristidou, Trung Tran, Jai Kemp and 2009 APPT Sydney champion Aaron Benton have all risen to the top this week to claim impressive wins to add another trophy to their collection. And as this article is beamed out to the world, the $5,000 High Rollers event is heading towards an exciting conclusion. Aussie Millions third place finisher Jeff Rossiter currently leads the way, with Australian Poker Hall of Famer Billy Arygros and young guns Andy Hinrichsen and Jarred Graham still in contention.

While they duke it out, many others will now be focussing on the $2,200 ANZPT Melbourne Main Event. It’s the second-last event of Season 3, and with a big field expected, there are valuable points up for grabs to try and reel in the lead of ANZ Player of the Year leader Leo Boxell. Jesse McKenzie and Ricky Kroesen are certainly within striking distance while several others can still challenge for the top three for a share of the approx $80,000 in cash and prizes for the Player of the Year award.

ANZ Player of the Year Top Ten
1st – Leo Boxell – 244.10
2nd – Jesse McKenzie – 193.90
3rd – Ricky Kroesen – 190.78
4th – Danny Chevalier – 178.60
5th – Octavian Voegele – 162.45
6th – Charles Caris – 161.40
7th – Oliver Grujic – 150.45
8th – David Gorr – 141.95
9th – Mario Ljubicic – 141.15
10th – Grant Levy – 139.50

By Heath Chick
Sponsored by PokerStars.net

With the 2011 PokerStars.net Australia New Zealand Poker Tour (ANZPT) Queenstown – SKYCITY Snowfest poker tournament only days away, Queenstown is preparing for the arrival of poker players from across New Zealand, Australia and beyond.

The tournament takes place at SKYCITY Queenstown Casino from 22-28 August 2011. Big name poker players including Joe Hachem will be hitting the felt during the tournament and hitting the slopes in the off days.

Well over half the seats for this great tournament have been snapped up, with some seats remaining, so hurry to ensure your place in New Zealand’s most exciting poker tournament this year.

The PokerStars.net ANZPT Queenstown – SKYCITY Snowfest will provide a week long poker extravaganza for visiting players with an expected total prize pool of $540,000 NZD* in the $3,000 NZD buy-in Main Event.

Participation in this event will be capped at 200 players, so quick registration is advised to avoid disappointment.

To register for the tournament or for more information visit www.skycity.co.nz/poker

*Based on full participation of 200 entrants

When the day started at the PokerStars.net APPT Melbourne Main Event, we knew we were in for a cracking final table. In fact, we knew that on day one when we looked around the field of 260 players and realised how stacked this field truly was. APPT champs, ANZPT winners, Aussie Millions gold rings and WSOP bracelets. Whoever would win this event was going to have to earn it.

So it’s fitting that the man to rise above them all is a man who has a decorated poker career that is the envy of most players in the Australasian region. While Leo Boxell is definitely part of poker’s old guard, his last 18 months have produced some incredibly consistent results as he continues to defy the trends of the modern game to keep the Internet whizz kids under control.

There was certainly a new school versus old school feel to this final table, as well as an intriguing Trans-Tasman rivalry between Australia and New Zealand.

In the thick of both wars was Phil Willcocks who was a dominant force throughout the final table, whether it was pounding on the blinds of Steve Bouya and Leo Boxell, or three-betting the youngsters in Jackson Zheng and Will Jones.

However it was Van Marcus who drew first blood when he doubled up with A♦A♥ against the Q♦Q♣ of Julius Colman. Unfortunately for Colman he just never got out of the blocks and when his 9♠9♥ ran into the K♠K♣ of Will Jones, Colman was first to the cashier in 9th place.

Will Jones and Steve Bouya were the early movers with some big cards, while Jackson Zheng and Phil Willcocks slipped down the chip count leaderboard. Zheng would be next to go when he three-bet shoved his K♣Q♥ to find himself racing with Willcocks’ 4♦4♣. Zheng couldn’t pair up and he was eliminated in 8th place.

The big-ball strategy of PokerStars qualifier Eddie Mascardi saw him come unstuck in 7th place when he ran his A♥8♦ into the A♠A♣ of Will Jones, while Michael Frydman’s similar game plan saw him shove his 9♠9♥ into Leo Boxell’s T♦T♥ to bust out in 6th.

As the dinner bell tolled, it was Will Jones who held a narrow lead over the final five, but the deadlock couldn’t be broken for some time as play became tight and intense. Eventually it was Van Marcus who would be first to crack as fell just short in his quest to become the first player to win two APPT titles. Marcus committed his short stack on a Q♥K♥5♥ flop with K♣J♦ but a sneaky Phil Willcocks had laid the perfect trap with his A♥A♦. Willcocks improved to a flush on the turn to leave Marcus drawing dead and departing in 5th place.

Tasmania’s Will Jones was also gunning for a unique double as he was seeking his second trophy of the week after being part of the successful Tasmanian State of Origin team earlier in the series. He may have picked up the nickname “Willy Lowball” in that event for his Razz prowess, but he proved that No Limit Holdem is his true calling with a strong showing on this final table. In fact, he was unlucky to be eliminated in 4th place in one of the key hands on the final table.

The action flop was 9♠K♦5♠ as Willcocks let out for 175,000. Steve Bouya folded but Jones raised it to 425,000 before Willcocks moved all in. Jones insta-called with 9♥9♦ for a set but Willcocks was far from gone with his 7♠6♠ combo draw. Willcocks made his straight on 8♥ and rubbed salt into the wound with the 3♠ river.

It was the difference between elimination and a monster chip lead as Willcocks set out to pound on his last two foes. He was the most aggressive player, but he was left as merely a bystander when Steve Bouya shoved all in with 9♦9♠ on a J♦5♦2♣ flop. It backfired when Boxell called and opened A♠A♣ as the turn and river bricked out.

Bouya had to be content with 3rd place as Boxell nabbed the chip lead entering heads-up play. From there it was a titanic two-hour struggle where both players had chances to win it all.

After shoving all in preflop on the very first hand of heads-up play, Boxell continued to swing wildly. He regretted this approach when he shoved his 2♥2♦ into the Q♠Q♦ of Willcocks to give the Kiwi a big double up, but he quickly recovered after making a backdoor flush to trump Willcocks’ top pair.

Boxell had a chance at the title with a coinflip holding ace-king against pocket jacks but the bare board gave Willcocks another double up before it was Willcocks’ turn to sweat the trophy. The 6♠5♣7♦ flop saw Boxell call it off with 6♥3♠ for a pair and straight draw against Willcocks’ K♠K♥. Boxell spiked the 4♥ on the turn for a straight to leave Willcocks a dejected man.

Willcocks slid backwards from there until he made his final stand with a triple barrel on a board of 2♥Q♠6♦4♠J♥. Boxell deliberated before calling with 4♣2♠ for two pair which was too good for Willcocks’J♠T♥.

The rail gave Boxell a tremendous round of applause as everyone respected the incredible achievement of the future Australian Poker Hall of Famer. While the APPT trophy is his, he also grabs $330,000 in prize money and the lead in the ANZ Player of the Year race. Congratulations Leo!

Final Table Results

1st Leo Boxell (Australia) – $330,000
2nd Phil Willcocks (New Zealand) – $207,600
3rd Steve Bouya (Australia) – $116,000
4th Will Jones (Australia) – $88,600
5th Van Marcus (Australia) – $73,300
6th Michael Frydman (Australia) – $58,000
7th Eddie Mascardi (Australia) (PokerStars Qualifier) – $45,800
8th Jackson Zheng (New Zealand) (PokerStars Qualifier) – $36,700
9th Julius Colman (Australia) – $27,500

The next event on the local calendar is the APPT Snowfest event in Queenstown, New Zealand which kicks off August 23rd. This is one you won’t want to miss, so make sure you qualify now on PokerStars!

By Heath Chick

It only seems like yesterday we were toasting the feats of local cash game specialist Andrew Capelin as he out gunned 362 fellow combatants to take down the prestigious “gong” of Sydney Poker Championships winner for 2010.

It was just desserts for one of the real good guys of the poker scene as Andrew is a long suffering North Sydney supporter, and has done something his beloved Bears have struggled to do since the 1920’s and add some “silverware” to the trophy cabinet.

One year on and a lot of water has certainly flowed under the “Pyrmont Bridge“. As you make your way down Pyrmont Street, the Star City that you once knew is barely recognisable as it is in the finishing stages of a 960 million dollar facelift as part of the Future Star project. With the addition of several new bars, great new restaurants and a five star hotel, it is hard not to get excited about this world class entertainment venue nestled on the foreshores of the beautiful Darling Harbour precinct.

The excitement certainly does not stop there, with the revamped 2011 Sydney Champs schedule certain to whet the appetite of all poker enthusiasts around the land. Heading the revamp is the introduction of some larger starting stacks, longer blind levels and generally cheaper buy-ins for most events. The larger starting stacks and longer blind levels are certainly a recipe for plenty of “play time” on the felt. Couple this with the great value buy-ins and it ensures that all roads lead to the famous Star City poker room come August 30.

Event 1, the $330 NLH will kick off proceedings this year with flight 1 /flight 2 to be held on the 30th/31st of August respectively. There will also be a 3rd flight held on the 1st of September in the form of a repechage. So if you cop an ordinary “beat” in flight 1-2, as much as we want to hear that bad beat story, you may just have to put it on “ice” as the flight 3 repechage offers you a 2nd bite of the “cherry”. The opening event is always one of the most popular events of the championships, and with the great value buy-in of $330, it’s advisable to get your seats early as it would be no surprise to see the “house full” sign posted prior to start time.

Saturday the 3rd of September has been dedicated to the Australian Poker Weekly $550 NLH (Event 2). With this event being staged in the ‘prime” Saturday timeslot, a healthy roll up is expected creating what should be a very tidy prize pool in the process. Back to back ANZPT Player Of The Year Tony Hachem will be hosting the event.

Sunday the 4th of September is certainly known as “ladies day” this year as the fairer sex take centre stage. Our $300 Ladies NLH (Event 3) is another great addition to the 2011 line-up. This is without doubt the best tournament structure we have ever offered for a ladies event (8K starting stack, 40 min blind levels), which will allow plenty of time for the ladies to show all their poker attributes. So come on girls, leave your hubby in charge of the “lamb roast“ and make your way to the felt for your chance to be crowned Ladies Sydney Poker Champion of 2011. Has a nice ring to it… doesn’t it?

“Super Sunday” certainly does not stop there with another great inclusion to the schedule in the form of the $1,100 Sydney Special NLH (Event 4). A “special” event it is… with a massive 15k starting stack and 40 min blind levels awaiting all players here. With that much “bang for your buck”, a good sized turnout is assured, creating a “juicy” pay day for those “podium” finishers.

Monday the 5th of September sees the $550 PLO take centre stage (Event 5). This event gets three big “ticks” as part of the 2011 revamp. Larger starting stacks (10k), longer blind levels (40 mins) and the more affordable $550 buy-in should ensure a larger than usual starting field. PLO is also becoming increasingly popular with 2 cash game versions quite often run daily, so hopefully some of those new players will convert to the tournament format as the PLO is a great event to be a part of.

The 6 handed $550 NLH (Event 6) headlines Tuesday 6th of September. The short hand version of NLH is very popular amongst poker players, with a different skill set required. General consensus is that more “poker” is played on a 6 handed game, and with the increased starting stack up to 10K, I’m sure most players will be “chomping at the bit” to be a part of this event.

“That’s What Friends Are For”… that classic 1985 hit for soul diva Dionne Warwick… sums up Event 7 to a nicety. It’s the $880 Teams NLH, and what better way to spend a Wednesday afternoon (7th of September). The teams are a welcome addition to the 2011 schedule, with 2 players forming a team. At the end of each blind level, players will trade places. So start getting your teams together and remember the added bonus that if you were to “bust” out early, at least you have someone else to lay the blame on.

The words of iconic Aussie rock singer Angry Anderson’s “Bound for Glory” will be ringing in the minds of all players as they take their seats here. This is the one we have all been waiting for; it’s the 2011 Sydney Champs Main Event (Event 8). The Main Event Day 1 will be held over 2 flights (Thursday 8th & Friday 9th of September). A great starting stack of 20k plus 60 min blind levels should ensure there are not too many excuses for any player. Day 2 will take place on Saturday 10th with play culminating on Sunday the 11th of September where we will crown our Sydney Champs Champion for 2011.

Talking recently to last year’s winner Andrew Capelin, he certainly can’t wait for the opportunity to defend his title. With a strong contingent of local, interstate and players from abroad, Andrew knows it will be no easy feat to go “back to back”. Of the other locals with a big hope, this scribe finds it hard to go past the “doyen” of the Star City poker room in the form of Antonis “Toothpick Tony” Kambrogliou. Tony has been in a rich vein of form recently and rarely does a major event go by without the great man taking a major “slice of the pie”. Whatever way you want to look at it, exciting times lay ahead and I for one am marking off the days on the calendar until September 8 rolls around.

We round out proceedings this year with our Charity Event (Event 9). The $400 NLH tournament of which $250 will go to the prize pool and $150 to charity will be held on September 11. Our charity of choice this year is the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia. Each year in Australia 3300 men die of prostate cancer with around 20,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Quite confronting statistics when you think about it, so if you’re not one of the lucky 9 on the Main Event table, this Charity Event is a great way to give something to a very worthy cause.

Further to the above 9 events, we will be running 3 multi table Sydney Champs Mega Satellites on Monday the 5th, Wednesday the 7th and Thursday the 8th (last chance) with $330 buy-ins. There is a 5k starting stack for these satellites with 20 min blind levels, and for every $1,650 in the prize pool, 1 Main Event ticket will be awarded. One table Sydney Champs ME satellites will also be available on demand throughout the Championships.

For all of those players travelling from interstate, overseas or just wishing to stay on site during the champs, we are delighted to be able offer a special discounted rate in Star City’s award winning hotel. Just call hotel reservations on 1800 700 700 and mention “Sydney Champs” to receive a great price. If you have any queries about the Sydney Champs or poker in general, please call us on (02) 9657 8787 or speak to one of the friendly poker staff on your next visit. Look forward to seeing you on the felt shortly.

By Shane Fernie