The inaugural APL Pro Open in Victoria was warmly welcomed onto the Victorian Poker Calendar in October and the APL was most definitely looking providing its loyal Victorian player base with a special tournament experience capable of leading them to the coveted Wild Turkey Poker Classic.
Pre sales for the event were steady and a solid crowd on the day saw 109 enthusiastic APL members ready to rumble by 10am on a sunny Melbourne Sunday.
The Crown Entertainment Complex, considered by many to be Poker's 'Mecca' created a genuine buzz amongst the field as players filed past the huge APL banner into the room.
Up for grabs were 8 seats to the WTPC on February 14/15 and with 1 in 14 runners set to achieve a position at the WTPC table, the action was fast and furious.
By 1.15pm APL Regional Manager Andrew Oataway's protégé, Robert Layt found himself and 7 others with a cherished passport to the Poker Classic.
Robert's brilliant play on the day had saw him hold a dominant position as chip leader throughout what was almost the event's entirety.
Other winners were Thomas O'Brien (NSW), Manda Davis(VIC), Justine Camilleri (VIC), Steve Bowden (VIC), Michael Lewis (NSW), Ron Perry (VIC) and Shane Hartney (VIC).
The event was a major success and is just a glimpse of what the APL has in store for Victoria's newly developed Pro Poker product.
Players can qualify for these Pro Events at APL Special Events or buy in on the day. Just ask your local Regional Manager or TD for advise on how to get yourself involved in the next event, at Crown on December 28.
The inaugural APL Pro Open in Victoria was warmly welcomed onto the Victorian Poker Calendar in October and the APL was most definitely looking providing its loyal Victorian player base with a special tournament experience capable of leading them to the coveted Wild Turkey Poker Classic.
