Campbelltown Catholic Club was the scene for 446 eager poker players, keen for the Pro Series Open, the APL's biggest monthly tournament. A record setting field made the trip out west to compete for a massive prize pool, as well as one of eight prestigious seats to the 2008 Tournament of Champions to be held on the 9th, 10th and 11th of August, at The Cube Entertainment and Convention Centre.
The enormous field, divided into two heats, played down to 80 players each until we reached our top 160 players. These players then resumed play for the final session at 4.30pm. There were plenty of tight and aggressive plays inside the poker pit as we began to reach our prize positions, awarded to our final 40 players. A huge round-of-applause beckoned as our final five tables had reached the prizes. Tty Ly from the South West region exited in 40th place when his pocket 10's couldn't hold up against David Bainy's AhKc. With the board coming 4c 6c Kh 4d 8h, Ly was sent to the rail with a Pro Series Ticket that can be redeemed at any Pro Series Open tournament in 2008, the prize awarded to our 40th-25th place finishers.
Robert Sylvester from the Outer West region was the first player to win a cash prize, exiting in 24th place. In a huge four way pot, Robert tabled Ad2s on a board of 5d2c10hJhKs only to have his tournament life crushed by the 5s5h of Taree's Nabi Kahn. Robert walked away from the Open with a cash prize of $243 as did the other 24th-17th finishers. The next prize bracket was awarded to our 16th to 9th place finishers who walked away with $608.
The remaining players began to play a very tight and conservative game as we moved closer and closer to the final table, and the APL Tournament of Champions entries. First to make a major move on the bubble, Bill Denkovski moved all in with 3c3s and was called down by the big blind, Stephen Smith from the Warren region, showing 9h10h. Denkovski was almost home when a dry board of Ks4h5d dropped, but his tournament was over when the 10c fell on 4th street and a Kc completing top two pair for Smith.
Our final table was set with the follow eight players all securing their place in the 2008 APL Tournament of Champions.
1. Michael Ho - City South
2. Chris Kittos - South Sydney
3. Stephen Smith - Wellington Warren
4. Ricardo Medrano - South West
5. Paul Logan - East Sydney
6. Blair Hardaker - South West
7. Nabi Kahn - Taree
8. Kon Sinemoglou - South West
Michael Ho was the first player eliminated from the final table. He found his As4d dominated by Paul Logan's AcQd. Needing one of three outs to remain in the tournament, the blank board of Jh7d6sJs5h sent Ho to rail with a cash prize of $730 and a TOC seat. Chris Kittos was next to exit when he raised Nabi Kahn from the big blind. Nabi quickly moved the rest of his stack into the middle and was called by Chris. Nabi showed Ah6h and Chris tabled QcJc. The 2sAd2c5s2d board gave Nabi a full house and Chris was sent to the rail in 7th place with a TOC seat and $973.
The play on the final table began to tighten up until Stephen Smith, Nabi and Ricardo Medrano engaged in a huge three way pot. Stephen raised from under the gun, and was then re-raised by Nabi. Ricardo from the big blind made a value all-in bet, followed by Stephens all-in as well. The players tabled their cards with Nabi showing KcQc, Stephen showing AhKd and Ricardo showing 7c8d. The board came golden for Ricardo, 7d8h5c3s8s, the full house knocking Stephen Smith from the tournament with a cash prize of $1217 and a TOC seat.
Ricardo's luck was short-lived as he went head to head with Paul Logan, both committing all their chips pre-flop. Logan had Ricardo covered as they both showed their hands. Paul showed AhQd and Ricardo showed bullets, AcAd. The flop came dry for Paul, 9s3h4h. The turn card gave Paul outs with the Qh falling. The cruel river card showed Ricardo the rail with the fourth heart, the Jh giving Paul the flush. Ricardo's 5th place finish won him a huge $1460 prize along with his TOC seat.
Kon Sinemoglou exited in 4th place as he committed his chips all-in short stacked against Blair Hardaker's raise. Kon showed Qc9c and was dominated against Blair's KdQs. A board of blanks, 6c6s2s5c10h ended Kon's tournament as he exited with a TOC seat and $1703. Paul Logan was next to hit the rail. On a board of Ah3c9s6hQd, Nabi bet out, only to be re-raised all-in by Paul. Nabi quickly made the call. Paul showed his Qs3c for two pair only to see the bad news as Nabi showed 9cQh for a bigger two pair. Paul's 3rd place finish won him a massive $2433 cash prize along with his TOC seat.
Heads up play began with both Blair and Nabi having huge support from the crowd. The pair exchanged all-in blows without calls until Blair pushed all in from the button to be called by Nabi from the big blind. Blair tabled Ac8h and Nabi tabled 9h9c. Nabi, on his birthday, stood up and nervously awaited the flop. The KdQdKc flop gave Blair some more outs, however the tournament was over on the turn as the 9d dropped, making a full house for Nabi. Blair's second place finish won him a TOC seat as well as $3650. Nabi's win, the perfect birthday present, took down the main prize of $5353 and his seat to the 2008 Tournament of Champions.
The APL would like to thank the massive field who took part in this months APL Pro Open. South Sydney Juniors Club is the venue for the next instalment of APL's biggest monthly tournament and look forward to seeing you all their as more seats to the 2008 Tournament of Champions will be up for grabs!
Campbelltown Catholic Club was the scene for 446 eager poker players, keen for the Pro Series Open, the APL's biggest monthly tournament. A record setting field made the trip out west to compete for a massive prize pool, as well as one of eight prestigious seats to the 2008 Tournament of Champions to be held on the 9th, 10th and 11th of August, at The Cube Entertainment and Convention Centre.
