The 2009 Victorian Poker Championship Has Begun

The 2009 Victorian Poker Championships Main Event has begun and taken off to a strong start. Over 150 players have begun competing in this even for a hefty prize and a shot at fame.

The crowd was diverse, with some of pokers most popular players showing up to pad their wallets and increase their popularity. Joe Hachem, 2005’s World Champion is competing along with his brother, Tony, who was just crowned the Australia New Zealand Poker Tournament Player of the year. Other players included WSOP bracelet winner, Mark Vos, and online players Ben Delaney, Tim Horan, Matthew Pearson, Kristian Lunardi, Joel Dodds, Daniel Kochan and defending champion Jay “Seabeast” Kinkade.

A notable hand was Jay Kinkade’s exit. Betting on a pair of fours, he lost to a flush that appeared on the river to Mike Ivin; Another former Victorian Championship Main Event winner. While this was definitely an exciting hand, more people are commenting on how George Flourentzou was able to do enough damage to Julian Powell to gain the lead in the event with a chip count of 154,700. This amount gives him nearly a 10,000 lead over the second place Daniel Kochan.

While the main event got off to a strong start, it got off to an even quicker end for some. Of the 156 players that began the tournament, only 57 remain. At the end of the day, chip counts were as follows for the top ten:

George Flourentzou – 154,700
Daniel Kochan – 146,000
Leonid Cai - 144,500
Gary Benson – 142,200
Aytunc Tezay – 136,100
Jason Clissold – 133,200
Karim Jomeen – 119,500
Bill Jordanou – 115,000
Helen Davis – 108,500
Jason Gray – 107,300

Players paid $2,700 to participate in this event which takes place at the world famous Crown Casino in Melbourne. The final tables of certain events and other activities are being broadcast via Aussie Millions Phase 2 & 3 satellites.

Live Aussie Millions Satellite Tournaments At Crown Poker

Win your way to the 2009 Aussie Millions by playing in the Aussie Millions Satellites which will be running daily in the Crown Poker Room from now until January.

Included in the Crown Poker Aussie Millions Satellite Series are free to enter tourney’s to the Aussie Millions called MEGA Satellites making your chance easier than ever to win your seat in to the most glamourous poker event - the Aussie Millions.

Don’s miss your chance at the $2 million first place prize. Make an effort to play in a live Aussie Millions Satellite for your chance to become a superstar and cement your name in history.

This years Live Aussie Millions Satellite Series includes 3 ways to make your way to the $10,500 entry Aussie Millions Main Event.

3 Phase Aussie Millions Satellite Series

• The 3 Phase Satellite series is a three step satellite series with Phase 1 Satellites running on demand Tuesdays, Saturday’s and Sunday’s with a scheduled tourney every Monday night at 7:10pm. The $65 Phase 1 Satellites guarantee one in every five players advance to Phase 2.
• Phase 2 Satellites run every Sunday at 4:10pm with one in every five players advancing to Phase 3. You can win your way to a Phase 2 Satellite by advancing through Phase 1 or buying in directly for $250.
• The last Phase 3 Satellite will run on January 8th 2009 at 4:30pm and one in every ten players will win an Aussie Millions $10,500 Main Event Entry. You can win your way to the Phase 3 Satellite by advancing through a Phase 2 Satellite or buying in directly for $1,150.

2 Step Aussie Millions Satellite Series

• The 2 Step Aussie Millions Satellite Series starrts with Step 1 Midday Sub Satellites running with a $25 buy in plus $25 rebuys. These kick off at 12:10pm every Monday through to Thursday and award one Step 2 Satellite seat for every $550 in the prize pool.
• The second 2 Step Aussie Millions Satellite tounrey will run on December 20th, December 27th and January 3rd at 7:10pm. You can win your way to the second 2 Step Satellite by advancing through a Step 1 Satellite or buying in directly for $550. One Aussie Millions Main Event Seat will be awarded for every $10,500 in the prize pool.

Direct Entry Aussie Millions Satellites

• The MEGA Satellites are free to enter Aussie Millions Satellites that run with $0 entry plus $25 rebuys. They will run December 20th, December 27th and January 3rd at 12:30pm and will award one Aussie Millions Main Event Seat for every $10,500 in the prize pool.
• The Thursday Night Direct Aussie Millions Satellites will run with $120 entry plus $100 rebuys and the tourneys will take place on December 18th, December 26th and January 1st at 7:10pm. One Aussie Millions Main Event Seat will be awarded for every $10,500 in the prize pool.

If you can’t make it to Crown Poker for a live Aussie Millions Satellite, make sure you take advantage of our Aussie Millions Freerolls online or play in one of the many Aussie Millions Satellites on one of our top rated poker sites.

Full Crown Poker Aussie Millions Satellite Series Schedule

• Monday 15 December
  12:10pm Aussie Millions Sub Satellite (entry into $550 Satellite) $25/$25 Rebuys
  7:10pm Phase 1 Multi-Table Satellite (1 in 5 wins Phase 2) $65
• Tuesday 16 December
  12:10pm Aussie Millions Sub Satellite (entry into $550 Satellite) $25/$25 Rebuys
  7:10pm Aussie Millions Feature Event Satellite $70/$50 Rebuys
• Wednesday 17 December
  12:10pm Aussie Millions Sub Satellite (entry into $550 Satellite) $25/$25 Rebuys
  7:10pm Aussie Millions Feature Event Satellite $70/$50 Rebuys
• Thursday 18 December
  12:10pm Aussie Millions Sub Satellite (entry into $550 Satellite) $25/$25 Rebuys
  7.10pm Aussie Millions Main Event Satellite $120/$100 Rebuys
• Saturday 20 December
  12.10pm Free to Enter MEGA Satellite – Aussie Millions $0/$25 Rebuys
  7.10pm Aussie Millions Main Event Satellite (3 seat g’tee) $550
• Sunday 21 December
  12.10pm Aussie Millions Any $1,100 Event Satellite $130
  4:10pm Phase 2 Satellite (10 seat guarantee) $250
  7:10pm Adelaide Holdem Championship Satellite ($4,500 Package) $70/$50 Rebuys
• Monday 22 December
  12:10pm Aussie Millions Sub Satellite (entry into $550 Satellite) $25/$25 Rebuys
  7:10pm Phase 1 Multi-table Satellite (1 in 5 wins Phase 2) $65
• Tuesday 23 December
  12:10pm Aussie Millions Sub Satellite (entry into $550 Satellite) $25/$25 Rebuys
  7:10pm Aussie Millions Feature Event Satellite $70/$50 Rebuys
• Wednesday 24 December
  12:10pm Aussie Millions Sub Satellite (entry into $550 Satellite) $25/$25 Rebuys
  7:10pm Aussie Millions Feature Event Satellite $70/$50 Rebuys
• Thursday 25 December
  7:10pm Aussie Millions Sub Satellite (entry into $550 Satellite) $25/$25 Rebuys
• Friday 26 December
  4.10pm Aussie Millions Main Event Satellite $120/$100 Rebuys
• Saturday 27 December
  12.10pm Free to Enter MEGA Satellite – Aussie Millions~ $0/$25 Rebuys
  7.10pm Aussie Millions Main Event Satellite (3 seat g’tee) $550
• Sunday 28 December
  12.10pm Aussie Millions Any $1,100 Event Satellite $130
  4:10pm Phase 2 Satellite (10 seat guarantee) $250
• Monday 29 December
  12:10pm Aussie Millions Sub Satellite (entry into $550 Satellite) $25/$25 Rebuys
  7:10pm Phase 1 Multi-table Satellite (1 in 5 wins Phase 2) $65
• Tuesday 30 December
  12:10pm Aussie Millions Sub Satellite (entry into $550 Satellite) $25/$25 Rebuys
  7:10pm Aussie Millions Feature Event Satellite $70/$50 Rebuys
• Wednesday 31 December
  12:10pm Aussie Millions Sub Satellite (entry into $550 Satellite) $25/$25 Rebuys
  7:10pm Aussie Millions Feature Event Satellite $70/$50 Rebuys
• Thursday 1 January
  12:10pm Aussie Millions Sub Satellite (entry into $550 Satellite) $25/$25 Rebuys
  7.10pm Aussie Millions Main Event Satellite $120/$100 Rebuys
• Saturday 3 January
  12.10pm Free to Enter MEGA Satellite – Aussie Millions $0/$25 Rebuys
  7.10pm Aussie Millions Main Event Satellite (3 seat g’tee) $550
• Sunday 4 January
  12.30pm Opening Event Semi-Satellite $550

Martin Rowe Books A Local APPT Sydney $1Million Win

Local Sydney poker player Martin Rowe pocketed a massive AUD $1 million to become the newest PokerStars Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT) Grand Final champion, outplaying 476 rivals over the past five days.

Rowe started out playing in pub tournaments just three years ago, but the 34-year-old financial analyst is now 2008 APPT Sydney Champion.

The tournament began on Tuesday with 477 players and by Sunday the final table of nine players had been decided with seven aussies in the running.

Rowe had been playing tournament poker for only three years when he entered a tournament at his local pub before quickly graduating to “real” poker tournaments at Star City and Melbourne’s Crown Casino.

The APPT win is his first major tournament, and featured an impressive starting field, including current WSOP Champion Peter Eastgate, homegrown WSOP Champion Joe Hachem, and former WSOP Champion Chris Moneymaker, as well as big tournament regular such as Vanessa Rousso and Gavin Griffen.

“Three years ago a pub near me started up a normal league, and I started playing in that because I was interested in the game, and how the odds came together,” he said.

“I started out hoping not to make a fool of myself, and rapidly improved.”

“I haven’t made any decisions about where I go from here. I won’t be making any decisions until after tomorrow.”

The final table play lasted a nine and a half hours and the last hand of the tournament went down this way :

Rowe raised 250,000 pre-flop.
Gray went all-in and Martin called revealing A♣Q♥ to Gray’s 9♥5♥.
The flop came down A♠Q♣5♠ giving Rowe top two pair and Gray bottom pair. The turn completed Gray’s bottom two pair with a 9♠ and Gray needed the two remaining 5’s or 9’s to survive. The river brought the 3♠ and with no player holding a spade, Rowe took the pot and final with his two pair.

This tournament ends the second season of the PokerStars.net APPT. The Season 3 schedule for the APPT is due to be announced shortly.

The standings for the final nine of the APPT Sydney Main Event are as follows :

• 1 Martin Rowe Australia $1,000,000
• 2 Jason Gray Australia $476,000
• 3 Tony Basile Canada $266,000
• 4 Antonio Fazzolari Australia $182,000
• 5 Timothy English Australia PokerStars Qualifier $140,000
• 6 Frank Saffioti Australia $100,800
• 7 Daniel Kowalski Poland PokerStars Qualifier $72,800
• 8 Hai Bo Chu Australia PokerStars Qualifier $53,200
• 9 Tom Rafferty Australia $39,200

Manny Rodriguez Outplays Big Field In Event #5

Well known Melbourne cash game regular, Manny Rodriguez has taken down his biggest live MTT win with an outstanding effort to oulast 609 other hopefuls in the Vic Poker Champs Event #5, $550 NL Holdem tournament.

Manny Rodriguez ended up heads up with Paul Taylor, who had already made the final table of Event #3, The Terminator for a 4th place finish; but Rodriguez was victorious when his 8♦6♠ held of Taylor’s J♠5♣ on a 6♦J♥5♥6♣7♥ board.

Rodriguez picked up over $65,000 for the win.

Vic Champs ‘08 - Event #5 - $550 No Limit Holdem

• 1st $65,575 Manny Rodrigues Melbourne Australia
• 2nd $44,225 Paul Taylor Melbourne Australia
• 3rd $30,500 Colin Peckover Sunshine Coast Australia
• 4th $24,400 Garth Kay Melbourne Australia
• 5th $19,825 David Lovell Sydney Australia
• 6th $15,250 Marlon Goonawardana Melbourne Australia
• 7th $12,200 Bao-Tu Hoang Melbourne Australia
• 8th $9,150 Ismail Ismail Sydney Australia
• 9th $6,100 Scott Peel Melbourne Australia

Anthony Donjerkovic Claims Event #4

Melbourne poker player, Anthony Donjerkovic has claimed Event #4 at the Vic Poker Champs, the $240 NL Holdem with Rebuys; and in the process beaten out the other 121 entrants for the 1st prize of $20,000.

The 121 starters swelled the total prize pool to an astounding $71,300 with an extraordinary 471 rebuys.

Donjerkovic had previously run well at the 2006 Vic Poketr Champs cashing in Event #2, the $550 NL Holdem evenmt for $1,430 and 20th place; and in Event #5 $230 Limit Omaha HiLo for 5th place and$1,512.

Event 4 $240 NL Holdem with Rebuys

• 1st $20,000 Anthony Donjerkovic Melbourne Australia
• 2nd $13,333 Hui Mai Melbourne Australia
• 3rd $9,483 Jonathon Karamalakis Adelaide Australia
• 4th $7,166 Con Cotsomitis Melbourne Australia
• 5th $5,633 Jimmy Siu Melbourne Australia
• 6th $4,706 Andrew Demetriou Melbourne Australia
• 7th $3,920 Roy Vandersluis Sydney Australia
• 8th $3,137 Graeme Putt Melbourne Australia
• 9th $2,353 Kevin Khouiss Sydney Australia
• 10th $1,569 David Lim Melbourne Australia

Michael O’Brien Takes Terminator

Local Sydney poker player, Michael O’Brien has won Event 3, the $340 NL Holdem Terminator at the Vic Poker Champs.

O’Brien was always handily placed at the final table, sitting 3rd with chips as play got under way; and prevailing for a $15,000 collect over Melbourne poker player, Michale Triandafillou.

The results were as follows :

Event 3 $340 NL Holdem Terminator

• 1st $15,222 Michael O’Brien Melbourne Australia
• 2nd $10,380 Paul Triandafillou Melbourne Australia
• 3rd $7,612 Marlon Goonawardena Melbourne Australia
• 4th $6,228 Paul Taylor Melbourne Australia
• 5th $4,844 Peter Aristidou Melbourne Australia
• 6th $3,979 Damien Elsing Melbourne Australia
• 7th $3,114 Simon Cleal Melbourne Australia
• 8th $2,422 Timothy Clarke Melbourne Australia
• 9th $1,557 Stiven Strmecki Melbourne Australia
• 10th $1,038 Paul Pedersen Melbourne Australia

Ken Eastwood Takes Event 2

Event 2, the $340 Pot Limit Omaha Hi-Lo tournament saw field of 98 take to the felt and at the end only Melbourne poker player, Ken Eastwood was still standing.

The Crown Poker regular has been uber-consistent at the regular Crown tourneys and is currenlty sitting 9th in the Crown Poker Player Of The Year standings, his best finish prior to yesterdays $8,465 payday had been a 5th place in Event 2 at the Joe Hachem Deepstack Series; the $240 NL Holdem event for a $5,200 collect.

The final results were as follows:

• 1st – Ken Eastwood $8,465
• 2nd – John Dalessandri $5,866
• 3rd – Joseph Cabret $4,380
• 4th – Con Tsapkounis $3,267
• 5th – Oliver Gill $2,367
• 6th – Sam Khouiss $1,782
• 7th – Tom Di Pasquale $1,485
• 8th – Rainer Quel $1,188
• 9th – John Homan $891

Final Table Decided For Terminator Event 3

The final table has been decided for Event 3, $340 NL Holdem Terminator; with New Zeleand poker player, Paul Taylor holding a commanding lead.

Paul, who won the 2006 Aussie Millions $560 NL Holdem Event 1 for a $62,250 collect; used his experince to run roit over the other players at the “final table bubble” and picked up nice collects knocking out Peter Raditsas and Brian Hull for 11th and 12th place finishes respectively.

The Terminator tournament is unique in that each player will receives a “Terminator” button at the start of the tournament. Once a player is eliminated they pass their original terminator button to the player who eliminates them, keeping any that they have accumulated during the tournament.

The “Terminator” buttons are redeemed for $100 each from the prizepool at the completion of the tournament.

The player to watch at the final table will be Peter Aristidou who is a Melbourne local and Crown Poker regular. He is currently sitting second in the Crown Poker Player Of The Year Standings and his best finsih so far this year was taking down the Event 4 at the Joe Hachem Deepstack Series in the $500 HORSE tournament for a $10,650 prize.

The final table play gets under way at 4:00pm Thursday 7th August.

Event 3 $340 NL Holdem Terminator Final Table

• Seat 1: Stiven Strmecki 67,000 (5 “Terminators”)
• Seat 2: Peter Aristidou 124,000 (7 “Terminators”)
• Seat 3: Tim Clarke 36,000 (3 “Terminators”)
• Seat 4: Paul Triandafillou 156,000 (5 “Terminators”)
• Seat 5: Paul Pedersen 55,000 (3 “Terminators”)
• Seat 6: Marlon Goonawardana 77,500 (9 “Terminators”)
• Seat 7: Paul Taylor 286,000 (5 “Terminators”)
• Seat 8: Damien Elsing 242,000 (8 “Terminators”)
• Seat 9: Michael Obrien 160,500 (6 “Terminators”)
• Seat 10: Simon Cleal 180,000 (6 “Terminators”)

Brendan Edmonds Wins Crazy Pineapple

Brendan Edmonds has won the $100 Crazy Pinapple tournament at the 2008 Vic Poker Champs beating out 75 other hopefuls in the process.

His win earned him $2,262 and backs up his 28th finish in Event 1, the $230 NL Holdem event; which earned him $658.

The Sydney poker player has now competed 5 tournaments at Crown and made the money on every occassion, his best result coming from an 8th placed finish at the 2008 Melbourne Poker Champs $1100 NL Main Event which netted him a 15,030 collect.

Here is the final results :

• 1st $2,262 Brendan Edmonds Sydney Australia
• 2nd $1,421 Sean Dunwoodie Kawana Australia
• 3rd $775 Rowan Barrat Melbourne Australia
• 4th $581 Marwan Nassif Melbourne Australia
• 5th $452 Nina Gojak Gold Coast Australia
• 6th $388 Chris Housser Ontario Canada
• 7th $323 Vanessa Butterworth Melbourne Australia
• 8th $258 Bradley Gauci Melbourne Australia

Callum Ford Wins Vic Poker Champ Event 1

Sydney poker player, Callum Ford has won event 1 of the 2008 Vic Poker Champs taking down a $17,000 first prize and beating out 410 other hopefules in the $230 NL Holdem event.

The first placegetters looked like this :

• 1st $17,260 Callum Ford Sydney Australia
• 2nd $11,919 Ryan Mckay Sydney Australia
• 3rd $8,220 Milan Gurung Melbourne Australia
• 4th $6,576 Matthew Hawker Melbourne Australia
• 5th $5,138 Tola Chim Melbourne Australia
• 6th $4,110 Scott Reddie Melbourne Australia
• 7th $3,288 Danny Mountt Melbourne Australia
• 8th $2,466 Michael Christodoulou Melbourne Australia
• 9th $1,850 David Lovell Sydney Australia
• 10th $1,233 Alan Xerri Melbourne Australia

2008 Vic Poker Champs Kick Off At Crown

One of australian poker’s biggest events of the year has kicked off at Crown Poker, The 2008 Victorian Poker Championships.

With thirteen official Championship events on offer, culminating in the three day $2,700 No Limit Holdem Main Event, plus feature events including Mixed Games, $100,000K Challenge, Camp Quality Poker Cup and Ladies Night, this year’s Championship is not to be missed.

Listed below is the fulls schedule for the 2008 Vic Poker Champs :

2008 Victorian Poker Championship

• Sat 2 Aug 12:30pm Victorian Poker Championship Step 2 Satellite (20 Seat Guarantee) $300 (270+30)
  7:10pm High Stakes Holdem Satellite $1,100 (1,000+100)
• Sun 3 Aug 12:10pm 1 No Limit Holdem - (2 Day event) $230 (200+30)
• Mon 4 Aug 10:10am Crazy Pineapple $100 (85+15)
  2:10pm Main Event Satellite $70 (55+15) / $50 (45+5) Rebuys
  4.00pm Final Table - Event 1
  7:10pm 2 Pot Limit Omaha Hi-Lo $340 (300+40)
• Tue 5 Aug 10:10am Pot Limit Omaha $100 (85+15)
  2:10pm Main Event Satellite $70 (55+15) / $50 (45+5) Rebuys
  7:10pm 3 No Limit Holdem Terminator $340 (300+40)
• Wed 6 Aug 10:10am Limit 7 Card Stud $100 (85+15)
  2:10pm Main Event Satellite $70 (55+15) / $50 (45+5) Rebuys
  7:10pm 4 No Limit Holdem - Rebuy Tournament $240 (200+40) / $100 Rebuys
• Thu 7 Aug 10:10am Razz $100 (85+15)
  2:10pm Main Event Satellite $70 (55+15) / $50 (45+5) Rebuys
  7:10pm 5 No Limit Holdem $250,000 Guarantee - Day 1 Flight 1 $550 (500+50)
• Fri 8 Aug 12:30pm No Limit Holdem $250,000 Guarantee - Day 1 Flight 2 $550 (500+50)
  6.10pm State of Origin Feature Event $3,000 per team
• Sat 9 Aug 12:30pm No Limit Holdem $250,000 Guarantee - Day 1 Flight 3 (Repechage) $550 (500+50)
  7:10pm High Stakes Holdem Satellite $1,100 (100+100)
• Sun 10 Aug 12:30pm No Limit Holdem $250,000 Guarantee - Day 2
  4:10pm Main Event Satellite $300 (270+30)
  7:10pm 6 PokerPro Mega Stack No Limit Holdem $220 (200+20)
  8:10pm $100,000 Challenge - 10 Players Winner Take All $10,200 (10,000+200)
• Mon 11 Aug 12:30pm 7 H.O.R.S.E. $1,100 (1,000+100)
  4:10pm Main Event Step 1 Satellite (100 Player Max) $75 (60+15)
  7:10pm 8 Camp Quality Charity Poker Cup $340 (300+40)
• Tue 12 Aug 12:30pm 9 No Limit Holdem 6 Handed $1,100 (1,000+100)
  4:10pm Main Event Step 1 Satellite (100 Player Max) $75 (60+15)
  6.10pm Ladies Night No Limit Holdem $100 (80+20)
  7:10pm Main Event Step 2 Satellite $300 (270+30)
• Wed 13 Aug 12:30pm 10 Pot Limit Omaha $5,200 (5,000+200)
  4.00pm Final Table - Event 9
  4:10pm Main Event Step 1 Satellite (100 Player Max) $75 (60+15)
  7:10pm 11 Teams Event No Limit Holdem $550 (500+50)
• Thu 14 Aug 12:30pm 12 High Stakes Holdem $10,200 (10,000+200)
  2:10pm Main Event Step 1 Satellite (100 Player Max) $75 (60+15)
  7.10pm Main Event Step 2 Satellite $300 (270+30)
• Fri 15 Aug 12:30pm 13 Main Event Day 1 Flight 1 $2,700 (2,500+200)
  4:10pm Last Chance Main Event Satellite $300 (270+30)
• Sat 16 Aug 12:30pm Main Event Day 1 Flight 2 $2,700 (2,500+200)
  4:10pm Aussie Millions Phase 2 Satellite $250 (230+20)
• Sun 17 Aug 12:10pm Main Event Day 2
  12:30pm Aussie Millions Phase 2 Satellite $250 (230+20)
  4:10pm Aussie Millions Phase 3 Satellite $1,150 (1,050+100)

Play Poker This Friday With Joe Hachem And Shane Warne

The 2007 Joe Hachem & Shane Warne Charity Poker Tournament

If you want to play poker with Australian WSOP Poker Champion,Joe Hachem and Aussie Cricket Legend, Shane Warne; then you’d better get yourself down to Melbourne’s Crown Poker this friday night and make sure your bring your bankroll! Read more

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