New Zealand Poker Tour Queenstown – SKYCITY Alpine Adventure Final Table
25 Jul 2010
The FINAL TABLE is underway at the NZPT Queenstown – SKYCITY Alpine Adventure today, with nine contenders playing for a first prize of NZD $73,630 from a total prize pool of NZD $267,750.00.
Here’s a look at who’s playing for the big bucks, including the lone New Zealand player in seat 3:
Seat 1 - John Maklouf, Sydney, Australia, (175,000 in chips):
A 31-year-old manager with six years of online and live experience, qualified for this event online. This is his third final table in a row, an unprecedented feat. He's had a bit of luck today to make it through this far but his results speak for themselves.
Seat 2 - Andrew Watson, Wollongong, Australia, (450,000 in chips):
Andrew is a 23-year-old student studying Commerce at University of Wollongong. He's been playing poker for three years and now mainly plays online. Any result today of fifth place or better would eclipse Andrew's previous biggest score, an online score of $17,000. Starting the final table 2nd in chips will give Andrew an excellent opportunity to set a new personal best.
Seat 3 - Emerson Rewi, Rotorua, New Zealand, (80,000 in chips):
The lone Kiwi at the final table, Emerson can normally be found working at the Department of Justice. He's 35 years old, is married and has one child. His best previous finish in a live tournament was 4th place at the 2008 Auckland Championships.
Seat 4 - Julian Cohen, Melbourne, Australia, (377,000 in chips):
Julian Cohen will start today's final table third in chips. Cohen has been playing poker for three years and recently completed a program in commerce arts at Deakin University.
Seat 5 - Bryan Huang, Singapore, (97,500 in chips):
Hailing from Singapore, Bryan Huang is one of Asia's rising poker talents. He took up the game while serving in the military, and his interest continued as he went on to study accountancy. While working towards his degree he began to take poker more seriously, by reading up on the game and trying to understand its complexities. That effort has paid off, and he's now one of the toughest players on the circuit, and one of highest earning Singaporeans of all time. His work is cut out for him at this final table as he is ranked 7th in chips.
Seat 6 - Jason Gray, Sydney, Australia (71,500 in chips):
Don't let the unassuming demeanor of this poker pro fool you. He's one of the nation's most respected players and has featured in Australia's (and the world's) biggest cash games for more than two decades. His best tournament results have come in recent years. Today Jason starts in the "Dank Position", 9th in chips.
Seat 7 - Vesko Zmukic, Perth, Australia (575,000 in chips):
Many argue that poker is a sport, and no-one is better qualified to make a call on this vexing question than this 42-year-old former professional soccer player. The father of two is among the most respected players in Australia. He enters the final table as chip leader.
Seat 8 - Tim Clarke, Melbourne, Australia, (292,000 in chips):
It's been a better return engagement for Tim in the 2010 installment of NZPT Queenstown than it was in 2009. Last year Tim just missed out on the money in the Queenstown Main Event. This year he comes to the final table ranked 4th in chips. Tim is 21 years old and is currently studying Business and IT at Swinburne University. In his spare time he works for plumbing company.
Seat 9 - Michael Spilkin, Melbourne, Australia (275,000 in chips):
In a different life Michael Spilkin is a trader. In his poker life he continues to post sustained, impressive results. He has been playing for two years, primarily as a cash game player. But he also has a few tournament final tables to his credit.
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Brodie Stewart
Media Relations Coordinator
SKYCITY Entertainment Group
Phone: +64 9 363 7126
Mobile: +64 21 389 150
E-mail: brodie.stewart@skycity.co.nz
Twitter: www.twitter.com/SKYCITYAkl
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