The PokerStars Asian Pacific Poker
Tour (APPT) Championship concluded on Sunday December 7th with
34-yearr old Australian Martin Rowe outlasting 476 other hopefuls to take down
the championship, and the AUD$1,000,000 first prize. Rowe, who had been playing
poker for only about three years, certainly has made life easier for him and
his family, considering the fact that he has a one and a half year old
daughter, with another baby on the way.
“I cannot believe I have won tonight”, said
Rowe after the win. “I think I might take a break from work. I won’t be making
any decisions until after tomorrow.”
The
championship even featured many famous names among the 477 entrants, including
professionals such as fellow Australian Joe “ JoeHachem ” Hachem, American Chris
“ Money800 ” Moneymaker and reigning WSOP Champion Peter “ Isser ” Eastgate.
Rowe became the second Australian champion in this event in as many years,
following another Sidney native Grant Levy, who won the event in 2007. Levy was
a 29 year-old schoolteacher who came out of nowhere last year to take down the
event.
The final
table last well over 9 hours, and saw two Australians, Rowe and fellow Sidney
native Jason Gray, go heads up for the championship. When the heads-up battle
began, Rowe held a 5-1 chip lead over Gray, yet it still took Rowe over 2 hours
to eliminate his fellow Australian. The final hand brought both player two
pair, but Rowe was Holding Ac-Qh for top two pair, and sent Gray to the rail in
2nd place with AUD$476,000 for his tremendous effort.
The final
table was comprised mostly of Australian players, with only one Canadian and
one player from Poland. Surprisingly no Americans or Europeans made the final
table, as they have been dominating major events for the last couple of years.
But Rowe silenced the international crowd by continuing Australian dominance in
this event, even if only for the last two years.
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