The Australian Poker League's (APL) Victorian Pro Open took place last weekend, with gifted Bendigo local Shane Hartney placing 4th out of a field of 112 of the state's best poker players. His win gains him entry into one of the most prestigious poker events of 2009, the APL's Wild Turkey Poker Classic, which has a massive prize pool of $500,000. The event will be held next February at Crown Casino, Melbourne.
Shane has been playing free poker with the APL since it began in the Bendigo area, and his latest win is a continuation of his poker accomplishments in the region and abroad. Shane has come first in the regional season four times, has won five separate venues, has 13 individual tournament wins and has been a finalist at the APL's State Finals. He is currently venue leader at the Kangaroo Flat Sports Club.
"Shane has definitely achieved a lot at the poker table with APL, and he is very excited about the prospect of competing at Crown Casino for a share of $500,000", said Bendigo Regional Manager Matthew Hawker. "It's just great to see our local players contending with some of the best poker players in the country".
"I'm definitely stoked to have made it into the Wild Turkey Poker Classic. After playing with the APL for quite a while it feels really good to get into such a huge tournament" said Shane. "I've gotten a lot out of the free poker tournaments provided by APL".
Shane hasn't been the only Bendigo player to prove himself worthy of the national poker scene. Paul Sayers, a local teacher, qualified for the Poker Classic at the last quarterly final. Sayers also qualified for APL's $1,000,000 Tournament of Champions last year.
The Wild Turkey Poker Classic will be held on the 14th and 15th of February, and looks to be one of the major Australian poker events of 2009. With a $500,000 prize pool, as well as five spots in the exclusive team APL that will attend the World Series of Poker next year, the event is at the pinnacle of the free poker experience provided by the APL.
Anyone interested in joining in on the poker fun in Bendigo is welcome, with games running daily at multiple venues throughout the region. Membership is free and all new players receive a learn-to-play pack. More details on games can be found at playAPL.com.
The Australian Poker League's (APL) Victorian Pro Open took place last weekend, with gifted Bendigo local Shane Hartney placing 4th out of a field of 112 of the state's best poker players. His win gains him entry into one of the most prestigious poker events of 2009, the APL's Wild Turkey Poker Classic, which has a massive prize pool of $500,000. The event will be held next February at Crown Casino, Melbourne.
