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

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.

The 2012 Melbourne Poker Championship boasts 10 official tournaments ranging from the $200 No Limit Holdem Megastack to the $1,100 No Limit Holdem Main Event. Plus there are daily satellites on offer from $65.

This years Melbourne Poker Championships will feature two major championship events with the $550 Joe Hachem Deepstack 9 kicking things off as the opening event. Already well established this Joe Hachem Deepstack Events feature a repechage format like the Melbourne Championship Main Event and offer fantastic value for the poker player. The $1,100 Main Event itself features a great structure that produces worthy champions. Last years winner Brendon Rubie proved it was no fluke when he backed up his win with victory in the Aussie Millions Opening Event. These combined events are sure to bring the best players in the Country to fight it out for the huge prize pools up for grabs.

Returning to the schedule in 2012 are the ever popular events, the $200 MegaStack No Limit Holdem, a $340 7 Game Mixed Event H.O.R.S.E/NLHE/PLO and $550 Pot Limit Omaha (Double Chance Format), No Limit Holdem Bounties- ($500 per Bounty), No Limit Holdem- 6 Handed Events.

New to the schedule is a $400 Turbo terminator event, with $100 for every player eliminated the action is sure to be fast and loose. Also a first on any Australian Championship schedule is an “Ante Up!” event. In this format the one blind stays at the minimum while the antes are raised every level. With a $200 entry and the last event on the schedule this event is sure to attract plenty of interest. There is also a new twist on an old favourite with this years teams event open to teams of two OR three players. Team-mates will change after each orbit on their table with no team-mate allowed to play more than one consecutive orbit.

Thursday 03-May
10:10am Step 1 Satellite – Main Event (Turbo, 1 in 5 win) $65 (50+15)
12:10pm JHDS Supershot (Turbo, 1 in 5 Win) $130 (110+20)
2:10pm JHDS Supershot (Turbo, 1 in 5 Win) $130 (110+20)
4:10pm JHDS Supershot (Turbo, 1 in 5 Win) $130 (110+20)
6:10pm 1 Joe Hachem Deepstack 9- Flight 1 $550 (500+50)
10:00pm Step 1 Satellite – Main Event (Turbo, 1 in 5 win) $65 (50+15)
Friday 04-May
10:10am JHDS Supershot (Turbo, 1 in 5 Win) $65 (50+15)
12:10pm 1 Joe Hachem Deepstack 9- Flight 2 (Repechage) $550 (500+50)
2:10pm Step 1 Satellite – Main Event (Turbo, 1 in 5 win) $65 (50+15)
4:10pm Step 1 Satellite – Main Event (Turbo, 1 in 5 win) $65 (50+15)
7:10pm Step 2 Satellite – Main Event (1 in 5 Win) $250 (220+30)
10:00pm Step 1 Satellite – Main Event (Turbo, 1 in 5 win) $65 (50+15)
Saturday 05-May
10:10am JHDS Supershot (Turbo, 1 in 5 Win) $65 (50+15)
12:10pm 1 Joe Hachem Deepstack 9- Flight 3 (Repechage) $550 (500+50)
2:10pm Step 1 Satellite – Main Event (Turbo, 1 in 5 win) $65 (50+15)
4:10pm Step 1 Satellite – Main Event (Turbo, 1 in 5 win) $65 (50+15)
7:10pm Step 2 Satellite – Main Event (1 in 5 Win) $250 (220+30)
10:00pm Step 1 Satellite – Main Event (Turbo, 1 in 5 win) $65 (50+15)
Sunday 06-May
10:10am Step 1 Satellite – Main Event (Turbo, 1 in 5 win) $65 (50+15)
12:10pm 2 MegaStack No Limit Holdem $200 ($170+30)
12:30pm 1 Joe Hachem Deepstack 9- Day 2
4:10pm Step 1 Satellite – Main Event (Turbo, 1 in 5 win) $65 (50+15)
6:10pm 3 No Limit Holdem Teams -Non Stop Turbo $300 (260+40)
10:00pm Step 1 Satellite – Main Event (Turbo, 1 in 5 win) $65 (50+15)
Monday 07-May
10:10am Step 1 Satellite – Main Event (Turbo, 1 in 5 win) $65 (50+15)
12:10pm Step 1 Satellite – Main Event (Turbo, 1 in 5 win) $65 (50+15)
2:10pm 4 7 Game Mixed Event H.O.R.S.E/NLHE/PLO $340 (300+40)
4:10pm Step 1 Satellite – Main Event (Turbo, 1 in 5 win) $65 (50+15)
7:10pm Step 2 Satellite – Main Event (1 in 5 Win) $250 (220+30)
10:00pm Supershot – Any $550 Side Event (Turbo- 1 in 5 win) $130 (110+20)
Tuesday 08-May
10:10am Supershot – (Turbo- 1 in 5 win any $550 Event) $130 (110+20)
12:10pm Step 1 Satellite – Main Event (Turbo, 1 in 5 win) $65 (50+15)
2:10pm 5 Pot Limit Omaha (Double Chance Format) $550 (500+50)
4:10pm Step 1 Satellite – Main Event (Turbo, 1 in 5 win) $65 (50+15)
7:10pm Step 2 Satellite – Main Event (1 in 5 Win) $250 (220+30)
10:00pm Supershot – Any $550 Side Event (Turbo- 1 in 5 win) $130 (110+20)
Wednesday 09-May
10:10am Supershot – Any $550 Side Event (Turbo- 1 in 5 win) $130 (110+20)
12:10pm Step 1 Satellite – Main Event (Turbo, 1 in 5 win) $65 (50+15)
2:10pm 6 No Limit Holdem Bounties- $500 per Bounty $550 (500+50)
4:10pm Step 1 Satellite – Main Event (Turbo, 1 in 5 win) $65 (50+15)
7:10pm Step 2 Satellite – Main Event (1 in 5 Win) $250 (220+30)
10:00pm Supershot – Any $550 Side Event (Turbo- 1 in 5 win) $130 (110+20)
Thursday 10-May
10:10am Supershot – Any $550 Side Event (Turbo- 1 in 5 win) $130 (110+20)
12:10pm Step 1 Satellite – Main Event (Turbo, 1 in 5 win) $65 (50+15)
2:10pm 7 No Limit Holdem- 6 Handed $550 (500+50)
4:10pm Step 2 Satellite – Main Event (1 in 5 Win) $250 (220+30)
6:10pm 8 Melbourne Poker Championship Main Event (Flight 1) $1,100 (1000+100)
10:00pm Super Satellite – Main Event (Turbo, 1 in 10 win) $130 (110+20)
Friday 11-May
10:10am Step 1 Satellite – Main Event (Turbo, 1 in 5 win) $65 (50+15)
12:10pm 8 Melbourne Poker Championship Main Event (Flight 2-Repechage) $1,100 (1000+100)
2:10pm Step 1 Satellite – Main Event (Turbo, 1 in 5 win) $65 (50+15)
4:10pm Step 1 Satellite – Main Event (Turbo, 1 in 5 win) $65 (50+15)
7:10pm Step 2 Satellite – Main Event (1 in 5 Win) $250 (220+30)
10:00pm Super Satellite – Main Event (Turbo, 1 in 10 win) $130 (110+20)
Saturday 12-May
10:10am Super Satellite – Main Event (Turbo, 1 in 10 win) $130 (110+20)
12:10pm 8 Melbourne Poker Championship Main Event (Flight 3-Repechage) $1,100 (1000+100)
2:10pm Terminator Qualifier (Turbo,1 in 5 win) $100 (80+20)
4:10pm Terminator Qualifier (Turbo,1 in 5 win) $100 (80+20)
7:10pm APPT Step 2 Satellite -(1 in 5 win) $160 (140+20)
10:00pm Terminator Qualifier (Turbo,1 in 5 win) $100 (80+20)
Sunday 13-May
10:10am Terminator Qualifier (Turbo,1 in 5 win) $100 (80+20)
12:10pm 9 Turbo Terminator- $100 per KO $400 ($360+40)
12:30pm Melbourne Poker Championship Main Event Day 2
2:10pm APPT Step 2 Satellite -(1 in 5 win) $160 (140+20)
4:10pm APPT Step 3 Satellite 10K Start Bank -(1 in 8 win) $700 (625+75)
6:10pm 10 NLH- Turbo Ante Up! $200 ($170+30)
Monday 14-May
2:10pm Melbourne Poker Championship Main Event Day 3

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.

Adelaide… Perth… Sydney… Gold Coast… Canberra… Queenstown… Melbourne… Darwin…

The 2011 Australia New Zealand Poker Tour has been an incredible ride as we’ve ventured to new locations, seen some amazing highlights and unearthed some of the brightest poker talent in the region.

From Octavian Voegele’s dominant win in Adelaide to Grant Levy’s epic victory in Perth. Lee Nelson’s win for the ages in Melbourne and the ultra-consistency of Jesse McKenzie, Leo Boxell and Player of the Year Danny Chevalier. And now 28-year old Queenslander Jack Drake adds his name to the record books as our newest ANZPT champion.

Drake was impressive throughout the ANZPT Darwin Main Event across the four challenging days of poker inside the SKYCITY Darwin Casino. While many of his better-known counterparts threw uppercuts and hooks to attempt to land a knockout blow, Drake was content to throw jabs from the outside and rarely had his tournament life in jeopardy. It was a mature, composed exhibition of poker and perhaps the start of something even bigger in his blossoming career.

At the start of the day, Drake would have been relieved to see the early eliminations of Aaron Benton and Danny Chevalier – the two most experienced players at the table. Benton played four pots and lost them all while Chevalier had his pocket aces unfortunately cracked by Jamie Hill who rivered trips.

Following his elimination, we had a chance to catch up with Chevalier for his thoughts on the ANZ Player of the Year award…

“In the last month when it became a realistic possibility, I was very, very keen to achieve it. In fact, I became very single-minded about it. When I came here to Darwin, I had just one intention and that was to make the points. It was a very exciting finish with Jesse and Leo and it was a relief when Jesse busted as I had second place at least. I just concentrated on my game – surviving. I knew what I had to do so I just kept at it.”

“Coming into the final table I was very relaxed. I was just happy to be there. Making the points yesterday was my final table. No matter what happened today I was happy.”

Chevalier plans to use his POTY prize to head to the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure in January as well as play the APPT and ANZPT events next season.

As play continued, the short-stacked Glenn Parry fought back well from being crippled on the bubble to collecting a nice payday for his seventh place before Jamie Hill was jacked by Drake when Hill’s A♦4♥ was outflopped by Drake’s J♦5♥ when a jack hit the flop. It wouldn’t be the last time we would see that happen.

New Caledonian PokerStars Qualifier Jonathan Dangio looked dangerous throughout the final table, especially early on when a burst of big cards, including pocket aces three times within the first two hours, saw him climb to the chip lead. However the aces failed him when Fotios Manolakos turned a straight and rivered a sweet king-high straight flush.

From there Dangio was on the short stack and couldn’t recover. He three-bet shoved his pocket threes and Drake was again the destroyer as his K♥9♠ paired both cards on the board.

However it wasn’t all smooth sailing for the Queenslander as he exchanged chips back and forth in a titanic struggle with local Mark Taylor. Drake doubled up the short stack with his A♣Q♥ falling to Taylor’s K♠J♥ before Drake got some revenge moments later with his 6♦8♣ catching a pair against Taylor’s A♣3♥. It was one of the rare moments that Drake needed some luck and, crucially, he found it.

At the dinner break, Brett Dannevig was the chip leader but with stomachs satisfied the pace of play picked up following the break.

Fotios Manolakos found some luck when he rivered a three-outer when his K♣9♠ caught a nine-ball against Mark Taylor’s K♠Q♦, before Taylor’s defiant run came to an end in fourth place. Taylor had doubled up on numerous occasions throughout the day, and would never say die, but the good run ended when his 6♥6♠ fell behind the Q♠J♠ of Jack Drake when a jack appeared on the flop.

Maybe there’s something in a name as Jack Drake’s love affair with the knave continued soon after when he called the all-in bet of Fotios Manolakos on a flop of 6♥J♥5♠. Drake had once again paired the jack with his K♠J♣ as Manolakos was drawing with his 8♦7♦. The turn and river bricked to eliminate Manolakos and leave us heads up for the title.

Jack Drake held a massive chip lead over Brett Dannevig, but that all changed around very quickly as two double ups flipped the advantage. The second double was an astonishing three-outer river after the two got their chips in on a 7♦7♣T♣ flop with Drake’s J♠T♠ in front of Dannevig’s T♦8♦. The turn was the 5♣, leaving nearly half the deck for Drake to win the title. Even a chop would’ve been ok, but the 8♣ river was the only card Drake didn’t want to see as his world had just been turned upside down.

However Drake stuck to his task and also stuck a flop when his K♦T♣ got paid off on a 2♣5♦T♦ flop against Dannevig’s A♥5♣. That put Drake back in front and he finished the job when he moved all in with A♦4♦ and Dannevig called with K♥9♥. The board ran out Q♣Q♥2♣5♦5♣ and the title had been decided as Jack Drake was crowned the ANZPT Darwin champion!

Final Table Results
1st Jack Drake (Australia) – $36,480
2nd Brett Dannevig (Australia) – $24,960
3rd Fotios Manolakos (Australia) – $16,640
4th Mark Taylor (Australia) – $12,800
5th Jonathan Dangio (New Caledonia) – $10,880
6th Jamie Hill (Australia) – $8,960
7th Glenn Parry (Australia) – $7,040
8th Danny Chevalier (Australia) – $5,760
9th Aaron Benton (Australia) – $4,480

ANZPT will be back again next year so keep an eye on PokerStars for further announcements and online satellites to the first event of Season Four. Until then, the next major event on the local calendar is the Macau Poker Cup Championships which kicks off Tuesday at the Grand Lisboa Casino in Macau.

By Heath Chick
Sponsored by PokerStars.net
Photos: Kirsty Chick