The 2012 Melbourne Poker Championships have concluded with Melbourne’s own Jackie Glazier claiming a memorable victory in the Main Event to take home the trophy and $95,000 in prize money.

It’s been another huge week in the Crown Poker Room as 433 players took to the felt over three opening flights in the repechage format of the Melbourne Poker Championships Main Event.  The field contained Melbourne’s finest, plenty of interstate invaders and a string of previous Australian poker champions.

After a couple of days of toil, the final table of ten formed today with talented young gun Ryan Hong holding a big chip lead.

After a cautious start, the players started to drop away as the big cards were passed around the table and the short stacks were unable to find the double ups they required to stay alive.  Ismail Ismail was first to go when his king-queen ran into Liwei Han’s ace-queen, before Paul Schembri pushed his ace-jack into the pocket jacks of Nishi Gamage.

Gamage was the wild card as he splashed around, but it was the elimination of Stelios Yenofkian in 8^thplace that kick-started the run of Jackie Glazier.  She moved all in on the river with a full house and induced a call from Yenofkian for his tournament life.

Glazier chipped up towards the chip lead while the other female at the final table, Sherrie Gelberg was unlucky to be next to fall.  Gelberg got her chips in with ace-king against Simon Moshi’s ace-jack but a jack on the flop was a dagger through the heart for Gelberg.  After final tabling this very same event last year, Gelberg was unable to improve on that result as she lands back-to-back 7^th place finishes.

Simon Kidson was one of the few short stacks who managed to get himself back into contention, but his run came to an end with ace-five against the ace-king of Simon Moshi, before Nishi Gamage was sent to the cashier in 5^th place.  Gamage moved all in with A♣6♣ as Moshi showed he was prepared to gamble with his 5♣5♦.  A third five on the flop and it was all over for Gamage as Moshi continued to climb.

Liwei Han was always in for a tough day at the office with the dangerous Ryan Hong on his direct left, but it didn’t help when Hong also found good cards.  When Han shoved Q♥J♦ from the small blind, Hong woke up with K♣K♠ in the big blind and made the easy call with the queen-high board leaving Han to depart in 4^thplace.

Hong was in front but a key hand went down three-handed on a flop of 4♣6♠2♠.  A bet from Hong, raise from Glazier, re-raise from Hong and then an all-in by Glazier saw Hong’s cards hit the muck and he never recovered.  Moments later his chips were all in with A♥K♣ as Moshi was able to win another race with J♦J♥ when the board ran out ten-high.

Simon Moshi held a small advantage over Jackie Glazier when heads-up play started, and with both players about 100 big blinds deep, we thought we might be in for a long haul.  But incredibly, on the very first hand of heads-up play, Moshi stuck it all in with K♥J♦ and Glazier made the call with 6♠6♣.  Moshi can coinflipped very well up until this point, but this one went the way of Glazier as the board ran out 3♥7♥4♦8♥2♦.

Glazier was back in control and it was all over soon after when a cheap pot saw the players get to the river on a board of 7♥4♠8♠5♣2♣.  Glazier surprised all by overbet shoving all in, and even more surprising was that Moshi called with Q♦7♦ for just second pair.  Glazier showed 8♣4♦ for two pair and it was all over.

Glazier was one of the first eliminated on the first two opening flights of this event, barely lasting the first level each day.  But she took full advantage of the repechage format, navigating her way through to Day 2 with her third bullet.  From there, she always loomed as a threat, making a surge towards the chip leaders day on Day 2 to sit third in chips when today’s final table got underway.

After finishing second in the Joe Hachem Deep Stack event at the start of the series, Glazier only had eyes on the title this afternoon.

With her victory today, Glazier will move into the top 50 Australian all-time tournament money earners and also into the top 50 female all-time tournament money earners from any country.  That’s an impressive accomplishment right there. She now also adds her name to the honour roll as Melbourne Poker Championships winners.  Congratulations Jackie!

Final table results

1st Jackie Glazier – $95,000
2nd Simon Moshi – $67,000
3rd Ryan Hong – $47,000
4th Liwei Han – $35,000
5th Nishi Gamage – $27,000
6th Simon Kidson – $21,000
7th Sherrie Gelberg – $17,000
8th Stelios Yenofkian – $13,000
9th Paul Schembri – $10,000
10th Ismail Ismail – $7,000

By Poker Asia Pacific

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

Australian Poker Hall Of Fame chairman Maurie Pears announced the 2012 APHOF inductees in a press release earlier this week.

The press release stated “The Australian Poker Hall of Fame at its recent General meeting in July is pleased to announce the Induction for 2011 of two of Australia’s best known poker players and administrators.

LEO BOXELL; a skilled poker player and champion since Poker Tournament commencement at Adelaide in 1987 who has brought much credit to the game.

DANNY MCDONAGH; originally a poker dealer at the Crown in 1997, he later became a tournament director and the host of Aussie Millions. His recent move to domestic and international tournament direction has raised the stature of Poker within Australia.

The APHOF is proud to include them amongst their list of members.

The official induction will be held at Crown Casino before or during the Hall of Fame Classic in January where further inductions for 2012 will also be announced.

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

Australian Poker Weekly’s annual No limit Holdem tournament which was usually held on the October long weekend is now part of the excitement of the Sydney Championships. Saturday 3rd September is the date to remember for 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 Australia and New Zealand Poker Tour Player Of The Year Tony Hachem is the host for the Australian Poker Weekly’s annual No limit Holdem tournament. Tony has told us that while he is the host, it does not mean that he will be taking it easy. “I love to compete and I will be trying my best to win the tournament” said Tony.

Date: Saturday 3 September, 12:30 PM
Buy in: $550^ ($500 + $50)
Starting Chips: $10,000 in non-value tournament chips
Blind Level Duration: 40 minutes

Register online: Go to www.biggamepoker.com.au and click on Tournament Registration button.

Notes:
To enter any event in the Sydney Championships, you must be 18 years or over and a Total Star Rewards member or a Sovereign Room cardholder.

*Conditions apply. Prize pool based on 250 players. If there are less than 250 players Star City reserves the right to reduce the prize pool in accordance with the Pay-Out Breakdown in the Tournament conditions. Please refer to the Pay Out Breakdown in the Tournament Conditions above for details of available prize pools and prize values.

^Buy-in non-refundable less than five days prior to the Tournament, except at Star City’s discretion or if the Tournament is cancelled.

Membership to Total Star Rewards is FREE and available at a Total Star Rewards Centre.

Player activity statements for slot machine play are available on request. Think! About your choices. Call Gambling Help 1800 858 858 www.gamblinghelp.nsw.gov.au.