Manly Leagues Club (home of the 2008 NRL Premiers)was the venue for the November Pro Open, and would soon play host to another admirable victory, as Hin Fung Lee secured his seat at the WSOP with TeamAPL.
There were 420 runners contesting for this, the 8th seat into the most exclusive team in Australian Poker.
Of the 420-strong starting field, 240 remained at the commencement of the finals session at 4:30pm after two highly competitive morning heats.
With the blind levels still set at 300/600 for a full 15 minutes, the majority of players were given a fair opportunity to play a reasonable methodical brand of poker, although those who weren't so lucky were sent to the rail short of claiming a chance to accomplish their WSOP dream.
By 7:30 pm the field had been reduced to its' final 16 players, with the blinds now capped at 5k/10k. After forty minutes of play, the final nine competitors contested for a place on the final table. 2007 APL Player of the Year John Icaca was forced to make a move all in as the tournament short stack and received just one caller.
John exposed up against his opponent's .
On a board that fell , John needed either a 2 to make a straight - as even catching running 3s to make trips would give his opponent the straight. Aside from this, if John's 2 did fall - this would have given his adversary two pair and a chance at making the full house on the river.
The turn fell an 8 with the hitting the felt on the river - only pushing John further behind. Icaca exited the tournament on the bubble.
After a short break prior to the Final Table, Scott Allen was first to make a move in the final stages of the tournament when he opted to wager his entire stack whilst holding and was called by and of course, the legendary .
The flop fell with a completing a full house for Allen's two contenders - with Queens over Aces elimination Allen's pair of threes on the river as well as Soyinika's very respectable Queens over Eights.
It was on the bubble for the 4 Wild Turkey Poker Classic seats up for grabs that we saw one of the closest significant all in hands of the day.
After moving all in with , Tony Tran received calls from two contenders holding and and respectively.
On a flop of , Tony loses the lead and falls further behind with a on the turn and needs the {6x} on the river to make the boat but comes up short with a 4.
Tony exits the tournament, but with a slight chip lead and a hand good enough to beat Reza, (also knocked out at this stage with her ), Tony collects a WTPC seat for his efforts.
Anthony, Josh Dobson, Miles Avins and Hin Fung Lee are the final four remaining with all players guarenteed WTPC entry. Avins and Dobson are next to depart and Hin now faces Anthony heads up with both chip stacks about level.
After a few hands HU, Anthony takes down a monster pot and leaves Hin with just 40k in front of him. Forced to make a move, Hin moves all in and manages to double up.
The very next hand, Hin manages to double up again! And again! In fact, Hin pulls off six consecutive double ups until Anthony sits, dominated and dejected behind a massive chip leader in Hin Fung Lee.
A few hands later, Hin makes the move all in and is called by Anthony who forces Hin to show . Anthony rolls over and is ahead.
The flop falls , with Hin stealing the lead and an 82% chance of heading the Vegas for the WSOP.
On a turn of , Hin improves his chances by a further 2% with a on the river sealing the deal for the NSW Card Shark who will now campaign for the 2009 WSOP Main Event Bracelet and a share of a multi-million dollar prize pool in Las Vegas next year.
Well done to all players who attended and we will see you next time at Doyalson RSL December 14th where the starting stack will increase to 5,000.
Manly Leagues Club (home of the 2008 NRL Premiers)was the venue for the November Pro Open, and would soon play host to another admirable victory, as Hin Fung Lee secured his seat at the WSOP with TeamAPL.
up against his opponent's 
.
, John needed either a 2 to make a straight - as even catching running 3s to make trips would give his opponent the straight. Aside from this, if John's 2 did fall - this would have given his adversary two pair and a chance at making the full house on the river.
hitting the felt on the river - only pushing John further behind. Icaca exited the tournament on the bubble.
and of course, the legendary 
with a 
completing a full house for Allen's two contenders - with Queens over Aces elimination Allen's pair of threes on the river as well as Soyinika's very respectable Queens over Eights.
, Tony Tran received calls from two contenders holding 
and 
, Tony loses the lead and falls further behind with a 
on the turn and needs the {6x} on the river to make the boat but comes up short with a 4.
. Anthony rolls over 
and is ahead.
, Hin improves his chances by a further 2% with a 
on the river sealing the deal for the NSW Card Shark who will now campaign for the 2009 WSOP Main Event Bracelet and a share of a multi-million dollar prize pool in Las Vegas next year.
