The APL's first Poker Cruise for 2008 was a fun night of classic calls, risky raises and cheeky checks.
160 of Sydney's most enthusiastic and adventurous poker players stepped aboard Flagship Cruises’ beautiful Bella Vista to take part in this sold-out aquatic entertainment extravaganza.
The intensity of the event was incredible – the atmosphere of a tournament afloat seemed to bring out that ultra-competitive streak in our players, whilst still maintaining that essential element of fun and entertainment the APL prides itself on offering. Every runner was looking for their share of the tournament prize pool which neared the $9000 mark, but it was Sydney Inner West’s Johnny ‘The Caxman’ Icaca who took out the $4000 1st prize as well as earning himself a seat at the exclusive 2008 APL Tournament of Champions.
The Bella Vista, completely surrounded by glass and boasting 360 degree views of the harbour, provided the perfect backdrop to this premier APL tournament event as players from all over NSW contested for their share in over $10,000 worth of cash and prizes!
Johnny played well throughout the entire tournament, but had everybody’s hearts in their throats in the final hand after moving all in following a raise from runner up Elana Sgouros who took home $2000 and a seat to the Tournament of Champions.
Elana’s call saw Johnny confidently roll over the best starting hand in Texas Hold’em poker – pocket aces. Elana’s pocket Jacks didn’t look to be enough to bring her poker cruise dreams into a reality until a flop consisting of two kings and a jack saw Sgouros leap ahead with a full house and an 83% chance of taking down the pot.
With Icaca’s chances of a Poker Cruise victory hanging in the balance, requiring an ace or king only to take down his first aquatic title, it looked as if the APL 2007 Player of the Year had missed his chance. The gasp from the crowd following the turn card sent ripples throughout Sydney Harbour as the ace of clubs – one of just a few cards remaining within the deck capable of pushing Johnny’s hand in front, found its way to the felt to turn the tournament on its head.
After a four card rollercoaster of emotion, the tournaments anxious crowd and its two remaining runners braced themselves for the river card. Elana, needing to hit the case jack, (the last remaining jack in the deck), and this card alone to win could not produce a victory with the chances stacked 98% in The Caxman’s favour.
APL Cruises latest champion is no stranger to poker tournament success. Johnny was named APL’s 2007 Player of the Year following an extremely successful 12 months of free poker. In July of 2007 Icaca took home $60,000 in cash after placing 5th in the APL’s flagship event, the APL Tournament of Champions where players, (granted entry via qualification only), contested for their share of a prize pool of $1,000,000.
Needless to say, 2008 has had an equally exciting start for the Caxman, with the APL Cruise awarding the card shark his 2nd ticket to the world’s most lucrative free poker event. Johnny has announced that he will be giving this ticket to a close friend.
Con Valassis, Sydney Inner West’s Regional Manager had this to say of Icaca: “Johnny is an incredible player. He is humble in his victories and gracious in his defeats – he never tilts. He takes his losses and he deserves his wins.”
We wish our Caxman the best of luck as he contests for a guaranteed first prize of $250,000 minimum, at the 2008 APL Tournament of Champions!
CAXMAN MAKES A SPLASH ON APL CRUISE
