Minh Nguyen won the final event of Asia-Pacific Poker Tour’s eight season. 225 poker players took part in the APPT Auckland Main Event and the winner was awarded a total of NZ$111,600.
Nguyen was holding the majority of chips at the beginning of the final table. As it could be expected, he tried to take as much advantage of this as possible, so as to defeat his eight opponents. He eliminated several of the other players, until it became clear that he would face Thomas Ward in a heads-up play.
But here are some highlights from the final table. Stephen Thompson was the first to leave it, earning NZ$12,500 of the total prize pool. He was followed by Ben Rendall, who was eliminated by Nguyen. Rendall won the total amount of NZ$16,500 for his eighth place.
When the final three were to be determined, Nguyen held 70% of the chips. The other three on the table were Jesse McKenzie, William Rogers, and Thomas Ward. McKenzie’s hand, however, could not stand a chance against Nguyen’s and he was yet another player to be eliminated by the soon-to-be champion. The Australian was sent home with NZ$38,000 for his fourth position.
Soon after McKenzie left the table, William Rogers followed him, defeated by Ward. He was awarded NZ$47,100 of the overall prize pool.
Although Ward acquired some chips when eliminating Rogers, the heads-up game began with Nguyen as a chip leader. It took about 90 minutes for Ward to catch up and take the lead. And this was when the two players agreed upon a deal to go all in without looking at their cards. It took only four hands for the winner to be determined. Nguyen won the first of those and Ward won the next two.
Eventually, his [Ks][10c]
just could not stand a chance against Nguyen’s [8s][3s]
and the name of the champion became known. Ward was awarded NZ$104,000 for his second place.
As for Nguyen, he acquired NZ$111,600 of the total prize pool. This was his first major win. He celebrated his victory with a couple of his friends and his brother Edison Nguyen, who is not a stranger to the world of poker, as well. Edison became the champion of Australia New Zealand Poker Tour, held back in September, winning AU$253,000 of the prize pool.
The achievements of the two brothers are unprecedented in Australia. That is, it is the first time in the Australian history of poker that two siblings win major tournaments. What is more, they are considered to be two of the most skilful cash-game players in the region.
The Auckland Main Event has marked the end of Asia-Pacific Poker Tour’s eighth season. No major championships will be held in the area until the 2015 Aussie Millions Main Event, which is to take place between January 14 and February 2 in Melbourne, Australia.
