Kiwi player Daniel Craker needed just two hands of heads-up play to secure his victory at the first PokerStars.com Asia Pacific Poker Tour. The 30 year old player from Wellington, New Zealand outlasted an international field of 305 players from Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Netherlands, Singapore, United Kingdom, and United States. The list of notable players included names such as Greg Raymer, Tony Hachem, Jeff Dunbar, David Saab, Alex Fitzgerald, Edward Sabat, Joe Hachem, Josh Egan, Lee Nelson, Mark Vos and Raymond Walker.

The last day of APPT Auckland kicked off with 11 players it only took nine hours and 195 hands for Craker to achieve his first professional victory. The heads up action started when Craker busted Wan Jung in third place on hand #193. The flop came 9-2-3 and Jung moved all in with K-6. Craker responded with a pair of 8’s. The turn was a 3 and the river was a Jack, giving Craker the victory, and sending Jung home in 3rd place with $85,680 in his pocket.

 

Only two hands after Jung was eliminated in third place, Craker raised $120,000 and Aussie player Matthew Konnecke raised to $500,000. Craker took a couple of seconds before announcing that he was all-in. Konnecke called him and both players showed their cards. Matthew Konnecke revealed pocket deuces while Konnecke showed A-9. The flop came K-10-6, putting Craker on the lead with his pair of 2’s, the turn was a 5 and the crowd immediately started cheering Craker. The dealer turned a Q on the river and the room exploded in celebration. Craker responded the crowd with a huge smile in his face, showing the joy he felt after winning the biggest poker event ever held in New Zealand and a prize pool of $156,393.

 

"I am so excited to take out New Zealand's biggest poker tournament at Skycity Casino. I felt confident throughout the day though now that I have the title I think it will take at least until tomorrow morning for the victory to settle in." said Craker.

 

APPT Auckland was the largest and most successful poker tournament ever held in New Zealand, the event’s organization said that they are pleased and surprised at the same time with the were support received from the local poker community.

 

"The second season of the APPT is showcasing the phenomenal growth of poker and poker culture across Asia Pcific. We are delighted to hold the biggest poker tournament in New Zealand history and look forward to working with Skycity in the future." said APPT President Jeffrey Haas.

 

The next event in the 2008 APPT schedule will take place in Manila, Philippines at Hyatt Hotel and Casino from November 13^th to November 16^th. Satellites for the event are already available on PokerStars.

 

2008 APPT Aukland results:

1. Daniel Craker - $156.393

2. Matthew Konnecke - $128.181

3. Wang Jung - $85.680