WORLD SERIES OF POKER ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH CROWN FOR MAJOR POKER SERIES DEBUTING IN MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA IN 2013
WSOP ASIA-PACIFIC (WSOP APAC) TO FEATURE MULTIPLE BRACELET EVENTS APRIL 4-15, 2013

With poker’s popularity exploding across the Asia-Pacific, the World Series of Poker (WSOP), in partnership with Australia’s Crown Melbourne, have today reached a multi-year agreement to bring the major poker tournament series to the region commencing in April 2013.

World Series of Poker Asia-Pacific (WSOP APAC) will take place April 4-15, 2013, at Crown Melbourne, and feature five WSOP gold bracelet events.

“Our goal is to establish the worldwide grand slam of poker and use our platform to elevate the game through a series of major championships,” said WSOP Executive Director Ty Stewart. “With WSOP Las Vegas growing annually and WSOP Europe poised for long-term success after five years, the time is right to turn our attention to the dynamic poker scene in Asia and Australia. Given Crown’s success with the ‘Aussie Millions Poker Championship’, we couldn’t ask for a better partner than Crown to establish the Asia-Pacific’s definitive poker festival.”

Crown Melbourne is Australia’s leading integrated entertainment resort attracting approximately 18 million local, interstate and international visitors each year. It is one of the largest entertainment complexes in the world showcasing world-class gaming facilities and is the home of the renowned and most prestigious ‘Aussie Millions Poker Championship’ along with the largest poker room outside North America. The world-class complex also boasts Australia’s best restaurant precinct, international designer brand shopping and award winning hotels – Crown Towers, Crown Promenade and Crown Metropol.

“This exciting partnership brings together two industry leaders, and two strong brands, to create a premier poker event in this region,” said Crown Melbourne’s Chief Executive Officer, Greg Hawkins.

“Our agreement firmly aligns with our objective of attracting the very best local and international players, all vying for a coveted WSOP bracelet. We are incredibly proud of what we have achieved with the Aussie Millions and look forward to featuring WSOP Asia Pacific on our poker calendar in April 2013.”

The agreement marks the first time the WSOP is exporting its prestigious tournament series to Australia, and marks just the second expansion of the 42-year-old brand, after the advent of WSOP Europe in 2007. To date, WSOP gold bracelets have only been awarded in Las Vegas (1970-2011), London (2007-2010) and France (2011).

Crown’s agreement with the WSOP includes provisions for international television production of the event and is expected to be shown globally on ESPN.

Legions of locals have been swept up in the Australian poker boom that was ignited when Melbournian and Crown ambassador Joe Hachem became the 2005 World Series of Poker Champion, scooping up $7.5 million in prize money for his efforts.

“It’s thrilling to think the World Series of Poker is coming to Australian soil,” said Joe Hachem. “I know first-hand what a life-changing moment winning the WSOP gold bracelet was and how it served as a catalyst for the growth of poker in Australia and Asia. It will be a dream come true to host a worldwide poker event such as this at Crown. I can’t wait.”

Crown’s CEO Greg Hawkins further added, “This initiative will provide Crown with significant exposure in Asia, Europe and America, and forms an integral part of Crown’s global marketing strategy to attract further international visitors to Australia and Crown Melbourne.”

The complete schedule and dates are expected to be announced later this year.

Poker professional and former Team Pokerstars pro Eric Assadourian tied the knot with long-time girlfriend Lizzie Clark on Sunday April 15th at Sydney’s Luna Park.

After three and a half years of courtship Eric and Lizzie made it official in a beautiful ceremony at Sydney, overlooking the Harbour Bridge.

The reception was held in Luna park with 150 guests and was attended by some of the greatest poker players Australia has produced including Joe Hachem, Tony Hachem, Emad Tahtouh, Brendon Rubie and David Borg.

There were also some famous faces among the guests such as Australian television personality Ray Martin.

The newlyweds will honeymoon in Las Vegas later this year when Eric will participate in the World Series Of Poker’s main event.

Congratulations to Eric and Lizzie Assadourian on behalf of all involved at Australian Poker Weekly. We wish them both all the happiness in the world.

Photo courtesy of Jessica Hachem

Team PokerStars Pro Marcin Horecki has won the first PokerStars MicroMillions Player of the Series.

The man from Poland we normally see entering $10,000 events all over the world has won the MicroMillions leaderboard and its prize: a full package to the 2013 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure.

It was not without some insane effort. Horecki played 89 of the 100 events. He cashed 34 times, the most of anybody in the entire series. Though he never placed higher than 58th in any of the tournaments, he earned enough points through sheer grinding to win the leaderboard by ten points over Spain’s GMalex89 (you’ll find a list of the top 100 players at the bottom of this post).

“I hope to find the same commitment and motivation during SCOOP in May,” Horecki said.

Marcin’s MicroMillions Method

5,578th place: MM-01: $0.11+R NL Hold’em
744th place: MM-06: $4.40 NL Hold’em
872nd place: MM-16: $2.20 NL Hold’em
665th place: MM-20: $8.80+R NL Hold’em
207th place: MM-23: $8.80 NL Hold’em
168th place: MM-30: $8.80 NL Hold’em
321st place: MM-31: $5.50 HORSE
1,074th place: MM-34: $5.50 NL Hold’em
658th place: MM-35: $2.20 NL Hold’em
777th place: MM-39: $8.80 NL Hold’em
1,063rd place: MM-40: $2.20 NL Hold’em
531st place: MM-42: $5.50 PL Omaha Hi/Lo
371st place: MM-45: $3.30 NL Hold’em
1,625th place: MM-46: $1+R NL Hold’em
608th place: MM-47: $5.50 NL Hold’em
58th place: MM-48: $8.80 NL Hold’em
1,024th place: MM-57: $8.80 NL Hold’em
549th place: MM-60: $1+R PL Omaha
464th place: MM-61: $4.40 NL Hold’em
762nd place: MM-66: $8.80 NL Hold’em
244th place: MM-69: $3.30 Triple Stud
433rd place: MM-71: $2.20+R NL Hold’em
93rd place: MM-73: $5.50+R NL Single Draw 2-7
156th place: MM-74: $1+R NL Omaha Hi/Lo
582nd place: MM-75: $8.80 NL Hold’em
772nd place: MM-77: $11 NL Hold’em
138th place: MM-79: $5.50 FL Omaha Hi/Lo
161st place: MM-82: $4.40 PL Omaha
1,478th place: MM-86: $2.22+R NL Hold’em
646th place: MM-87: $11 NL Hold’em
3,314th place: MM-96: $1+R NL Hold’em
2,392nd place: MM-98: $22 NL Hold’em Main Event, $150K+ to 1st!
1,251st place: MM-99: $5.50 NL Hold’em
1,240th place: MM-100: $1+R NL Hold’em

Horecki was a Polish standout in a series dominated by Russians. More players from that country entered the MicroMillions than any other. At the final count, Russia put up 212,820 entries, a full 70,000 more than the next most-active country, Germany’s 142,680 entries.

As a result, Russia dominated a lot of the big statistics. It earned the most final tables (131), most in-the-money finishes (26,390), most money won ($1,206,261.50), and most events won by a country (23).

Overall, the MicroMillions put up some amazing numbers. In all, the series awarded $8,139,586.19 in prize money. More than 329,000 unique players put up their cash for what turned out to be 1.2 million tournament buy-ins. Two of those people played in 98 of the 100 events, a feat that requires some respect, to be sure.

As mentioned before, Team PokerStars Pro Marcin Horecki will pick up a full prize package to the 2013 PCA. He, however, is not the only one winning prizes for a good finish on the MicroMillions leaderboard. The Top 100 spots will be walking away with more than the tournament purses.

1st place–MicroMillions Player of the Series Trophy and 2013 PCA package
2nd-10th place–2012 SCOOP Main Event (Medium) $1,050 ticket
11th-100th place–2012 SCOOP Main Event (Low) $109 ticket
You can find full details, statistics, and results over at the PokerStars MicroMillions web page.

Congratulations to everyone who did well in the first MicroMillions.

PokerStars MicroMillions Player of the Series Leaderboard

1. Marcin “Goral” Horecki (Poland) 510
2. GMalex89 (Spain) 500
3-4. AleksS69 (Russia) 480
3-4. RedPh0enix (Russia) 480
5. ELGRAND4 (Germany) 475
6-7. Agasajo (Mexico) 460
6-7. bem777ret (Russia) 460
8. L.A.COOL(Germany) 430
9. EDWARDHOPPER (Denmark)425
10. Nemans (Lithuania) 410
11. MrsButton (Canada) 400
12. jon011 (Estonia) 395
13. Dainiux (Lithuania) 390
14. serikcs (Spain) 380
15. LordAgrael (Russia) 375
16. Mindthis (Canada) 370
17. jeffybird (Canada) 360
18-20. BerlofaSP (Brazil) 355
18-20. CMoosepower (Denmark) 355
18-20. pokerboy22 (Czech Republic) 355
21. Pierek87 (Poland) 350
22-23. bishkek4 (Kyrgyzstan) 340
22-23. Mickelson3 (Spain) 340
24. Asmodey08 (Russia) 330
25. Dart Serg (Russia) 315
26-30. JeanGrae (Canada) 310
26-30. Pegasus1950 (Denmark) 310
26-30. RockStarr21 (Canada) 310
26-30. sk86 (Russia) 310
26-30. StuntmenBob (Austria) 310
31-33. gerdeper (Netherlands) 300
31-33. harakiri 22 (Germany) 300
31-33. xbertssmiler (Germany) 300
34-36. AA TURON AA (Czech Republic) 295
34-36. chenz0r (Romania) 295
34-36. WinnerVad (Ukraine) 295
37-39. #1 Man U fan (Australia) 290
37-39. 2RICH18 (Denmark) 290
37-39. Spikefinger (Ukraine) 290
40-41. duploooo (Belgium) 285
40-41. JustProSkill (Russia) 285
42-43. ayhreza (Netherlands) 280
42-43. DaDomal (Austria) 280
44-49. elnota83 (Spain) 275
44-49. iLWiNnRuN (Netherlands) 275
44-49. kollerPS (Romania) 275
44-49. madavaster (Poland) 275
44-49. spice5 (United Kingdom) 275
44-49. STINKERRR (Canada) 275
50-52. BeeJall (Canada) 270
50-52. gmanwicksy (Canada) 270
50-52. MattyDaCobra (Mexico) 270
53-57. dhilton12 (Costa Rica) 265
53-57. hazzy7 (United Kingdom) 265
53-57. oahi5 (Romania) 265
53-57. plstrider (United Kingdom) 265
53-57. zothar9 (Romania) 265
58-60. Dee Diablo (Canada) 260
58-60. gaerton (Germany) 260
58-60. TedSTRETCH (Costa Rica) 260
61-64. Arseb73 (Poland) 255
61-64. Bruno GT (Brazil) 255
61-64. gunmasterhh (Germany) 255
61-64. romses2004 (Russia) 255
65-69. AykeT (Netherlands) 250
65-69. BugsGamble (United Kingdom) 250
65-69. Next-L3vel (Canada) 250
65-69. S.FILTH (Ukraine) 250
65-69. W.I.W.69 (Russia) 250
70-81. bakievm (Kazakhstan) 245
70-81. bebito696 (Spain) 245
70-81. bedmax18 (Ukraine) 245
70-81. blank seat (Austria) 245
70-81. dzsinn6 (Hungary) 245
70-81. H.FresnO (Spain) 245
70-81. koprik (Turkey) 245
70-81. Kaila (Canada) 245
70-81. lllothup (Canada) 245
70-81. mdv1978 (Russia) 245
70-81. oeli70 (Germany) 245
70-81. queenmillion (Romania) 245
82-85. April Tears (United Kingdom) 240
82-85. DeStro.B (Germany) 240
82-85. kirdface (United Kingdom) 240
82-85. Royalkid7575 (Canada) 240
86-89. brhhr (Belarus) 235
86-89. C13Greentumb (Netherlands) 235
86-89. Drakon-21 (Russia) 235
86-89. FLEXTHRON (Austria) 235
90-95. Analyser2 (Hungary) 230
90-95. Cezar6666 (Poland) 230
90-95. Com. Tomson (Germany) 230
90-95. EYeGNIEEsLLa (Colombia) 230
90-95. Mr-Slick82 (United Kingdom) 230
90-95. ricardolago (Brazil) 230
96-102. aeronautix (Germany) 225
96-102. Beckersen81 (Germany) 225
96-102. FouTight (Canada) 225
96-102. KinderS1990 (Russia) 225
96-102. Mrs.Wendy (Czech Republic) 225
96-102. sergiuo (Romania) 225
96-102. zhukvlad (Canada) 225

By Brad Willis
Sponsored by: PokerStars  

The Star is to be home of this year’s $500,000* NPL500 III Event!

After 2 extremely successful FTP500′s, where NPL gave away $1,000,000 in cash and prizes and $200,000 in cash and prizes given away at NPLWT Trips in Manila & Macau, NPL is getting ready for their next Major Event, the NPL500 III. 250 of the finest poker league players in Australia plus the 9 NPL Masters will be brought together at The Star to battle for their share of $500,000* in Cash & Prizes in August, 2012.

When & Where
Venue : The Star, Sydney
Date : Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th August 2012

Qualifying
NPL500 III Tickets can be won via NPL satellite games, which includes, Giveaways, Special Events, Quarterly Finals, Regional Finals & Monthly Finals.

Please NOTE: Buy-ins only offered if there are seats unallocated 2 weeks before the tournament begins.

Keep an eye on the NPL website for NPL500 III Qualification Events.

Prizes
With a Lotus Elise and an Audi TT already given away, this year Audi is back on board with a stunning fully specced Audi A4!

2012 Audi A4 2.0L TFSI S-Line Multitronic Sedan with Phantom Black Paint, Xenon plus Headlilghts, S Line Sports Pack with 19″ wheels, Navigation package, Electric Glass Sunroof, Acoustic Parking System, Window Tinting, plus much much more!

1st-$200,000*-$102,000 Cash*
$95,000 Audi A4 2.0L TFSI S-Line
$3,000 NPLWT Manila Ticket

2nd-$80,000*-$77,000 Cash*
$3,000 NPLWT Manila Ticket

3rd-$50,000* -$47,000 Cash*
$3,000 NPLWT Manila Ticket

4th-$30,000*-$27,000 Cash*
$3,000 NPLWT Manila Ticket

5th-$20,000*-$17,000 Cash*
$3,000 NPLWT Manila Ticket

6th-$17,500*-$14,500* Cash
$3,000 NPLWT Manila Ticket

7th-$15,000*-$12,000 Cash*
$3,000 NPLWT Manila Ticket

8th-$13,000*-$10,000* Cash
$3,000 NPLWT Manila Ticket

9th-$9,500 Cash*
10th-$7,500 Cash*
11th-$6,500 Cash*
12th-$6,000 Cash*
13th-$5,500 Cash*
14th-$5,000 Cash*
15th-$4,500 Cash*
16th-$4,000 Cash*
17th-$4,000 Cash*
18th-$3,000 Cash*
19th-$3,000 Cash*
20th-$3,000 Cash*
21st-$3,000 Cash*
22nd-$2,500 Cash*
23rd-$2,500 Cash*
24th-$2,500 Cash*
25th-$2,500 Cash*

Actual car is Phantom Black.

* Prize breakdown above is based on 250 Players playing in the NPL500 III which excludes the NPL Masters Team.

Structure

To be annouced closer to the event.

NATIONAL POKER LEAGUE – NPL500 TERMS AND CONDITIONS
1. Registration to the National Poker League (NPL) is required by all participants and is free of charge.
2. Participants must be 18 years of age or older to register.
3. The game played at NPL events is ‘No Limit Texas Hold ‘em”.
4. Standard No Limit Texas Hold ’em game rules are in play at all NPL events and such rules are available from the Tournament Director as well as our website – www.npl.com.au
5. Chips used at NPL events have absolutely no monetary value or otherwise. They CANNOT be exchanged for cash or any currency as prohibited by law.
6. *$500,000 (AUD) prize pool is based on NPL500 attracting 250 players plus 9 NPL Masters Team. Should there be less than 250 players the prize pool will be adjusted to compensate for the reduction in players. Please refer to : www.npl.com.au/npl500 for prize breakdown
7. Cash and Prize is up to* $500,000 (AUD) –should there be less than 250 players ( This number does no t include the NPL Masters Team) the prize pool will be adjusted to compensate for the reduction in players. Prizes will be paid after the event not at the event.
8. Any participant suspected or caught to be colluding, cheating or behaving inappropriately by the Tournament Director or fellow players or the respective licensee may be disqualified from the league and may be excluded from future participation in NPL events.
9. NPL has the sole right to disqualify any participant from the league or it’s event should they bring disrepute to the NPL brand and game.
10. Members agree that the NPL has the right to promote the member for marketing and promotional purposes for a period of three years from the date of winning our major prize at no cost to the league.
11. NPL members agree to be photographed whilst they are participating in any NPL event held at any authorised venue and agree to the publication of those images in various forms of media and agree to waive any rights that they may have in that regard.
12. Any or part thereof of these rules may change without notice. Please check our website www.npl.com.au or ask your Tournament Director for a printed copy.
13. All event rulings and decisions are left solely with the Tournament Director. They will settle all disputes and their decision is final. Their decision will be made in keeping the best interests of all NPL members in mind.
14. NPL500 Tickets incur a GST

The final day of play at the PokerStars.net Australia New Zealand Poker Tour Sydney Main Event has come to a close. There were 27 players still in contention at the start of the day, but after 12 hours of play only one player could take down the title and that was Gordon Huntly from Scotland.

When the day started it was Nicholas Heather who held the chip lead, but that wouldn’t last long as he faltered late in the afternoon. In the end Heather bowed out just shy of the final table in a very solid 12th place.

Eventually only nine players remained and going into the final table it was Liam O’Rourke who had a monster chip lead. O’Rourke put on a bit of show in the lead up to the final table and continued his aggressive play well into the early hours of the morning.

The first elimination at the final table occurred just a short while after it began, with 2008 APPT Sydney Champion Martin Rowe going home in 9th place. At this point it was O’Rourke who held control of the final table, with the young Aussie seemingly involved in every hand.

Not long after Rowe’s elimination, it was Bradley Lancken who would find himself on the rail in 8th place. Shortly thereafter Craig Blight was eliminated in 7th place, before 2012 Aussie Million Main Event Champion Oliver Speidel joined him on the rail in 6th place.

Jason O’Brien and O’Rourke rumbled for much of the final table and as such it was somewhat apt that O’Brien’s elimination would come at the hands of O’Rourke. O’Brien lost a massive flip holding AK against O’Rourke’s 22 and it was out the door in 5th place.

The final four fought fiercely, but this is when it all slowed down. It took over two hours for the next elimination to occur, but finally it was Stewart Ballard who was eliminated in 4th place.

Going into three-handed play it was Huntly who was the chip leader and from there the Scotsman never looked back. When O’Rourke eliminated Anthony Aston in 3rd place, he would going into the heads-up battle with a slight chip lead, but that would change very quickly.

It took less than half an hour for Huntly to take care of O’Rourke. Huntly chipped away and chipped away before O’Rourke eventually fell to the rail in 2nd place to see Huntly head straight to the rail to celebrate with his friends. For his runner-up finish O’Rourke pocketed a very respectable A$144,754.

2012 ANZPT Sydney Main Event Final Table Payouts
1st-Gordon Huntly-$226,812
2nd-Liam O’Rourke-$144,754
3rd-Anthony Aston-$80,214
4th-Stewart Ballard-$62,696
5th-Jason O’Brien-$48,405
6th-Oliver Speidel-$39,185
7th-Craig Blight-$29,965
8th-Bradley Lancken-$23,511
9th-Martin Rowe-$17,518

Its official, after months of top secret negotiations, we can reveal that the Star Poker room will make it’s much anticipated move back to the main gaming floor in the coming months.

Star Poker manager Stephen Ibrahim has been “wheeling and dealing” around the clock to ensure the poker room returns to it’s rightful home and was obviously over the moon when given the good news by Table Games GM Heather Scheibenstock earlier this week. We had the opportunity to catch up with Stephen Ibrahim, where he could barely contain his excitement… “this is a red-letter day for the Star poker room, this is something we’ve been pushing for the past 6 months, and to be able to put into fruition is a dream come true… there can be nothing but good to come of this move, it will put poker back in the limelight, and to be part of the hustle and bustle of the recently renovated main gaming floor can do nothing but increase interest from the thousands of people who will pass by each day”… “I’m excited, and so should be the people of Sydney and Australia for that matter… we firmly believe we’ve got the structures/pricing right for all our cash games/tournaments and the move downstairs was the final piece of the jigsaw”.

By Perry Tilted

Well, this is just silly. Seriously, if you were going to plan a vacation and had the means, wouldn’t you hop from Sydney to Queenstown and then back over to Melbourne? It’s pretty much the perfect vacation. Now, try this on for size: what if you could play a world class poker tour main event at every stop?

Well, that’s what the Australia New Zealand Poker Tour has planned in its upcoming fourth season.

Beginning in just a few weeks, the ANZPT is setting back out for another season of jumping back and forth from Australia to New Zealand, and the people behind the tour already have some big stops planned.

Here’s what the tour looks like so far:

ANZPT Sydney (The Star Casino) $2,200 main event: March 22-25
ANZPT Queenstown Snowfest (SKYCITY Queenstown) NZD $3,000 main event: July 24-29
ANZPT Melbourne Grand Final (Crown Melbourne) $5,000 main event: August 31-September 3

That photo comes from Queenstown (a dream destination for yours truly). If you’re looking for a ski vacation in the middle of the northern hemisphere’s summer, that’s one that can’t be beat.

For now, however, think on Sydney and the Star Casino. We’re around 40 days out from the $2,200 main event in the third week of march.

For full details on the event and the rest of the upcoming tour, visit ANZPT

By Brad Willis
Sponsored by PokerStars.net 

Mingara will be hosting the inaugural Central Coast Poker Championships this weekend 14 and 15 January 2012. Players on the Coast, from several local leagues, will try to take the various championship events on offer against players fromSydneyandAustraliawide. With some attractive estimated prize pools, theCentralCoastwill be the perfect hit-up prior to the Aussie Millions Main Event inMelbourne.

With six major tournaments, over the two days, including the $10,000 Guaranteed APW Opening Event, theCentralCoastis the place to be in January. On Saturday, in addition to the Main Event, there will be an Unlimited Rebuy and Bounty game. Sunday is the Final table of the APW Main Event as well as a Ladies Event, a Teams Event and 6 Handed Tournament.

Poker Superstar Brendon Rubie is the first big name to confirm he will be attending the major event, at Mingara, on Saturday January 14^th and 15^th. Rubie hails from Glenning Valley and has earned over $2.1 million in his professional career. “The young-gun is so keen to support his hometown event that he will fly up during the Melbourne Aussie Millions, which is one of the largest poker tournaments in the world”, said Texas Holdem Poker Australia Director Rick Williams, “The first live tournament Brendon ever won was at our venue ‘Diggers at the Entrance’, which even makes his appearance even more special for our league and players locally,” said Williams. Brendon will be playing in the APW Opening Event, on Saturday. You can follow Brendon’s every move at www.brendooor.com .

With limited Seats available, pre-register at Mingara in person, by contacting the Welcome Desk on 4349 7799 or at any Texas Holdem Poker Australia weekly event. Pre-registering gets you into the draw where you have the chance to win a 84” Pro Series Suited Black Poker Table, courtesy of pokershop.com.au, which retails for $499.99

Twenty three year old Australian poker pro Andrew Hinrichsen has won the 2011 WSOP Europe’s second event.

Hinrichsen made a huge comeback versus two Italians to become the Seventh Aussie gold bracelet champion in history.

The second tournament on this year’s schedule shattered the record for the largest turnout ever in the five-year history of World Series of Poker Europe. A tidal wave of 771 poker players from dozens of nations jammed into the uber-chic Hotel Majestic Barriere for the 1000 (Euro) buy-in No-Limit Hold’em tournament, officially classified as Event #2.

The turnout at sunnyCannesobliterated the previous record turnout for WSOP gold bracelet events held inEurope. The previous high mark was 608 players who turned out for the 2009 opener, held inLondon.

The 771-player figure atCannesrepresents a 27-percent increase over the old high mark.  No doubt, wherever it’s held — the WSOP continues to surpass all expectations and overcome every challenge, no matter how daunting.

As predicted, this tournament turned out to be a showcase for the host nation. There were 30 players fromFrancewho cashed in this tournament. That number represents most French players ever to cash in any WSOP tournament, in history. By contrast, 23 French players cashed in this year’s WSOP Main Event inLas Vegas. However, it was an Australian player who was the star of the three-day battle.

Andrew Hinrichsen, a 23-year-old poker pro fromMelbourne,Australiawon his first gold bracelet.  He may have had to travel 16,000 miles to make poker history, but the trip was certainly worth it, for Hinrichsen.

The Aussie, who is currently traveling around the international poker circuit with a group of friends, made a stellar comeback run and spoiled what seemed to be a sure-victory for one of two Italian players. At one point when play was three-handed, Hinrichsen was down to a single stack and seemed destined for third place.  But the Australian stormed back and eliminated both Tarcisio Bruno (third) and Gianluca Speranza (second) in what can only be considered to be a staggering turn of events.

Hinrichsen collected 148,030 (Euros) in prize money, which is equal to about $202,386 (USD). The tournament was played over four consecutive days and nights, ending on a warm Tuesday evening along the Mediterranean Sea.

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