The World Series of Poker (WSOP) Sydney which runs from November 22 to December 12 at the Star Poker has been a huge success with so much more events coming in the next few days. The 21-day Festival boasts 11 ring events , the first few of which have been sold out.
Massive influx of players
The WSOP has always been the most prestigious brand in the poker world and now that it has been brought to the country Down Under, it seems to be doing its magic on the local community.
The Opening Event set the tone for the Festival when it got sold out with a total of 1,200 entries. This created a domino effect which made all the succeeding events sell out as well – the Mixed event reached its cap of 180; The Team event had a full house with 180 entries; and, the Turbo event was packed to he brim with 359 entries.
Although the massive influx of players may have proved challenging for the organizers, the amount of support and participation reflects the health and the energy of the Australian poker community.
Christine Hia wins two WSOP Rings!
Christine Hia, member of Team Malaysia and considered one of the more consistent female winners in the Malaysian poker community won the PLO Holdem Mixed Tournament, which had 182 participants, for over AU$20,000.
Two days after, Hia found herself once again on a final table, this time for the PLO event and vying for another WSOP Ring. After defeating Khac Tran in the Heads Up round, she claimed the AU$31,000 first price and the bragging rights of owning 2 of the much-desired WSOP Rings.
George Psarras is on fire
George Psarras is on a roll winning the opening event as well as the team event with his wife Michelle. In the opening event, he was able to outlast a field of 1,200 entries taking home over AU$90,000 for first place. Teamed up with his beautiful and equally skilled wife, the Psarras team beat 180 entrants to win a team price of AUD$21,000. The Psarras story is definitely a dream for most poker players – winning a WSOP event with your loved one.
Veteran Peco Stojanovski defeated by Frank Geibler in the NLH Accumulator
Peco Stojanovski is definitely a veteran in the Australian poker scene and a familiar face in almost any tournament that has been hosted in the country. Unfortunately, he was not able to bag himself a WSOP Ring in the NLH Accumulator Event which he lost to Frank Geibler.
Geibler the less experienced of the two, triumphed over 719 entrants to win almost AU$33,000 and the coveted WSOP Ring.
With the festival far from ending, Stojanovski still has numerous opportunities to put that ring on his finger and top his biggest cash win to date, placing 2nd in the 2014 ANZPT Main Event for AU$162,500.
James Broom Takes down the 6-Max Event
James Broom, another veteran in the Australian poker scene, won himself a WSOP Ring in the 6-Max Event.
Broom who had the least chips in the final 3 players, went heads-up with talented Michael Fraser who lost a coin flip to Broom in the final hand of AJ vs KK. Broom was able to stand victorious over a field of 326 entries taking home AU$81,500.
Article Gabrielle Barredo
Louis Hartwell
Graduated in Media Communication at the University of Lausanne, Louis Hartman is a co-founder of somuchpoker.com. He began his career in Cambodia as freelance journalist. In same time he was making his living by playing poker every night at that time. Intense learner, he read dozens of poker strategy books to improve his skills during many years. With a strong interest about poker "behind the scene" in Asia and his communication skills, Louis launched Somuchpoker in 2014.
Follow Me:
