POKERSTARS APPT TROPHY AT HOME IN AUSTRALIA

21 December 2007

Aussie Grant Levy victorious in inaugural Grand Final in Sydney


The Pokerstars.net Asia Pacific Poker Tour Grand Final at Sydney's Star City Hotel and Casino packed 'em in this weekend as the Grand Final was played out and won by local pro Grant Levy, earning him a million Australian dollars and ensuring that the trophy remained in the country.

Levy eventually prevailed in a tough 60 hand heads up against Jeremiah Vinsant from Tennessee, and before that against a big initial entry field that included most of the top international poker stars. Just a few who were noted were former WSOP champs Scotty Nguyen and Joe Hachem, Chris Moneymaker, Greg Raymer, Lee Nelson, Mark Vos, Mel Judah, Terrence Chan and local favourite Eric Assadourian, the Sydney-sider who won the APPT Macau High Rollers event last month (see previous InfoPowa report).

Final table play was headed by Lei He with 2.62 million in chips, closely pursued by Sol Bergen; both were well ahead of the rest of the field which comprised Grant Levy, Larry Wright, Jeremiah Vinsant, Vijayan Nagarajan, John Matwey, Jai Kemp and Barry Kohlkoff.

Wright was first to use the exit door, eliminated by Lei He after a risky move only five hands into the game. He was followed by Nagarajan after a tussle with Vinsant sent him to the rail in eighth place. A three way fight then developed between Kohlkoff, Vinsant and Matwey which resulted in Matwey leaving the table as the seventh elimination with a payday just short of the six figure awards.

Kohlhoff did not long survive Matwey, going out at number 6 position after losing out to Sol Bergren in an intense exchange, but taking home a creditable Aus$115 100 in prize money.

Next to head for the rail was Jai Kemp in fifth position, eliminated by Grant Levy and collecting a Aus$158 830 paycheck Jai Kemp - not bad from his original $11 online entry fee.

With play now four handed, the competitors became a little more cautious, cooling down the fast paced aggression that has previously characterised the game. A further 70 hands of play were to pass before Bergren was outplayed by Tenneesee's Vinsant and eliminated in fourth place and Aus$230 200 in prize money.

Initial chip leader Lei He set the scene for the heads up between Levy and Vinsant when he was busted out by the latter in third place, heading for the cashier desk and his Aus$322 280 after a great performance. The marathon 60 hand final confrontation then took place, showcasing fine poker play from both contestants buy eventually going to Levy. Vinsant didn't go home empty handed - the second place prize in this epic tournament was Aus$621 540.

Online Casino News courtesy of InfoPowa