Young online poker champs set for their WSOP debut
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Created:
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5/29/2009 11:42:17 AM
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Norwegian online poker prodigy Annette Obrestadt AKA “Annette_15” made poker history when she became the youngest person ever to win a WSOP bracelet at the WSOPE in 2007. Since then, a number of just-old-enough-to-be-legal online poker players have entered the live tournament poker scene with a bang, and expectations are high for those who will be entering the 2009 WSOP.
In 2008, the following online poker players for example, have made their mark in record time:
- Tom “durrrr” Dwan: cashed in twice during the 2008 WSOP and have since then been a regular face at the final tables of many major live poker tournaments, earning close to million dollars already
- Mike “SowersUNCC” Sowers: He also cashed in at the 2008 WSOP and within his first year of playing live, he has collected more than $500,000
- Jimmy “Gobboboy” Fricke had three cashes at the 2008 WSOP and since then have been cashing in consistently too.
With the 2009 WSOP coming up, a number of young poker players are expected to make their debut as well, but the ones that have been pointed out by the media as players to keep an eye on, are as follows:
- Christian “charder30” Harder: He has already made it to some final tables at major live poker tournaments, such as the Caribbean Adventure and the $25,000 Buy-In World Poker Tour (WPT) Championship
- Isaac “westmenloAA” Baron: Since he turned 18, Baron has earned more than $1,3million online and more than $1million in live poker tournaments, including the Grand Final of the European Poker Tour (EPT)
- Soren Kongsgaard whose online poker alias is also “Kongsgaard:” Dubbed the “Danish Poker Wunderkind,” Kongsgaard has won a national poker title and earned in excess of $1,5million during live poker tournaments already
- Jeff “ActionJeff” Garza: Described by Jimmy Fricke as a Jedi, or “a sicko with amazing instincts,” Garza has made his million at the age of 18 and has had some notable successes with live poker tournaments as well.
A few other juvenile online poker players have also been singled out by the media. They are: Ozzy “Ozzy 87” Sheikh and Justin “BoostedJ” Smith. And then of course there is Adam “Ajunglen7” Junglen who seems to be regarded as another poker superstar in the making by none other than Daniel “The Poker Kid” Negreanu.
So if you come across one of these fresh faced poker players at the 2009 WSOP, don’t be fooled. In fact, underestimating their youth, could very well be a fatal mistake.
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Play your way to All Africa August 2009
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Created:
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5/29/2009 11:32:11 AM
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As the 111 players made their way into the All Africa Poker Tournament, they were amazed when they were greeted by Piggs Peak Casino’s new state of the art poker arena, which was officially launched by Danny K and Lee Ann Liebenberg. The ceremony concluded with Lee Ann’s “Shuffle up and Deal” and it was back to the business at hand … one title … One Million Rand.
With the promise of good poker and a strong field, the cards were not always kind and on Day 3 we had our Final Table. Keiran Reilly, Ryan Brauer, Edgar Antezana, Nersan Naidoo, Warren Zackey, Nick Sissou, Nicolas Zakhem, Fabio Cornelli, Neville Robbeson and David Spangenberg, all took their seats to battle it out for the title. As the players fell out of the tournament, each was presented with their big cheque as well as a Samsung sponsored mobile phone.
The largest cheque of them all was reserved for the 64th hand, which saw Zakhem’s Queens win the hand and the title over Zackey’s 4 5 suited. Zakhem was ecstatic on his induction to The All Africa Poker Millionaires Club, proudly sponsored by Piggs Peak Casino, Swaziland.
Count down to the next R3,500,000 All Africa Poker Tournament has began! The R3,500,000
All Africa Poker Tournament will be held from 20 – 23 August 2009 at Piggs Peak Hotel and Casino, Swaziland. R25,000 buy-in guarantees you a seat into the Main Event, 3 nights accommodation at Piggs Peak Hotel and Casino with all meals included.
We currently running All Africa feeder Sit & Go’s and Satellites into the main event for as little as R45 + R4.50. NB!! Double your chances every Sunday as we will be running two All AfricaSatellites back to back. For further information regarding the respective Sit & Go’s, please feel free to visit the lobby.
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Debra Correia
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6/1/2009 9:02:20 PM
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Well Done and Congratulations to Mr.N.Zakhem and a very proud congratulations to my brother Mr. Warren Zackey!!!!
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lollylee
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5/29/2009 4:58:56 PM
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pls tell me where "chappies" finished in the tourney. he busted my aces with k9 on the final table (last 3 players) of the satellite so i'm a little curious. tx
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Piggs Peak Poker players shine at AAPT
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Created:
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5/25/2009 12:50:22 PM
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A large number of Piggs Peak Poker online players were spotted playing alongside some of the big guns on the live poker scene at the All Africa Poker Tournament- which was hosted at Piggs Peak Hotel & Casino, Swaziland, this past weekend. Also present, was Dean Goldbaum, AKA “Chaser,” won his seat to this coveted poker tournament, by winning the Champion of Champions Online Poker Tournament at Piggs Peak Poker earlier this month.
Two of Piggs Peak Poker players performed exceptionally well. Martie Faber AKA “FIELIE” once again made us proud by being the last lady standing. She illustrated excellent play throughout, but in a moment of bad luck, her cowboys (KK) were busted by Alexi Mavrodaris’ flush, which he only landed on the river. Martie nevertheless exited in a highly respectable 35th position. “You go, Martie!”
But the Piggs Peak Player whose star shone the greatest this time around, was Ryan Brauer, AKA “FBT.” Brauer was in the chip lead for the majority of the tournament and made it to the final table. He took a few huge knocks during the last stages, but managed to make a comeback to the top of the leader board again.
After a gruelling couple of hours, Brauer finally moved all-in from the button to 330k, holding A-7 and got called by Nicholas Zakhem, who held J-Birds (JJ). But Brauer’s Ace did not hold up when the board flipped Q-3-10-7-Q and he got eliminated in 4th place. For his efforts, Brauer collected a handsome cash prize of R175,000, a SAMSUNG SOUL as well as a WSOP Package valued at R150,000!
The Piggs Peak Poker crew would like to congratulate Ryan on his win. “Ryan, you ROCK!” You can get in on the action by checking out the blog at www.allafricapoker.com which contains detailed updates of the whole tournament.
As for the rest of you, if you would like a shot at that R1million first prize at the next All Africa Poker Tournament, be sure to secure your seat at the Champion of Champions online poker tournament at Piggs Peak Poker. Click here to read how…
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Andre Ernstzen
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5/27/2009 8:42:54 PM
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Could you and your poker buddies be the Dream Team?
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Created:
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5/25/2009 12:49:05 PM
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Are you convinced that you and your poker buddies would make the ultimate “Dream Team” in a poker tournament? Well, if you are, look out for the Dream Team Poker Tournament that will feature at the 2009 World Series of Poker (WSOP). Although it will not earn you some WSOP bracelets, it could most certainly win you some handsome cash prizes.
Jeffrey Pollack, WSOP Commissioner explains that the Dream Team Tournament is a new type of tournament that has been introduced onto the poker scene several months ago. It has simply been included in the 2009 WSOP events, to add another element of fun… All in a bid to make the 40th anniversary of the WSOP as memorable as possible….
This is how a Dream Team Tournament works: Players compete in teams of three. Points are awarded to the team, based on the finish of each player. The points are then added together, and the team with the most points, wins the tournament. But should your buddies not come through for you, no need to despair, as prizes are also awarded for individual performances.
For more news on the upcoming 2009 WSOP events, keep your eye on this spot…
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World-class Feature Table Studio debuts at All Africa May 2009
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Created:
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5/21/2009 8:14:09 PM
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The 17th All Africa Poker Tournament is about to get underway. It is a particularly unique start to the event because the specially built Feature Table Studio was unveiled and will be used for the first time tonight.
The All Africa Poker Perfect Pair, Danny K and Lee-Ann Liebenberg did the honours with the ceremonial scissors in a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by the 112 players who received their first view of what must look like poker heaven!
The Studio Tournament Room is the first of its kind in Africa but certainly is of world-class calibre, rivalling even the facilities at the World Series of Poker and WPT international events.
The Feature Table Studio boasts state of the art production facilities which will provide Michael Collet Productions with the ability to provide greatly enhanced broadcast quality programming.
Plenary seating promises to enhance the spectators viewing pleasure by allowing all members of the audience an unobstructed view of the action.
Lee-Ann closed off the ceremony by presenting defending champion Gareth Kalil with a framed photo to commemorate his win in February 2009.
The players are at the tables and Tournament Director Sandy Koor has just uttered the words that all poker players live for: Shuffle up and Deal!
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Who will be the greatest ever WSOP Poker Champions?
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Created:
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5/18/2009 12:47:16 PM
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has begun counting down the top 40 Greatest Champions around 6 weeks ago. This has been initiated to commemorate the WSOP’s 40th birthday in 2009, and will serve as a platform to honour poker players who have contributed to making the WSOP what it is today. Players are selected, based on the number of WSOP Bracelets won; performances at the Main Event as well as overall contributions to the WSOP.
The final ten poker players has now been determined, and will be announced one-by-one on a daily basis, from 10 days before the 2009 WSOP officially kicks off. Lance Bradley, the Managing Editor of BLUFF Magazine explains that the top ten on the list are all well-known names, but that there nominations would nevertheless most probably spur some debate on the poker scene. To find out whom the top ten are, log onto WorldSeriesofPoker.com every day.
The remaining poker players that rank on the 40 Greatest Champions list, are as follows:
11. Berry Johnston
12. Tom McEvoy
13. Jay Heimowitz
14. Scotty Nguyen
15. Gary Berland
16. Ted Forrest
17. Bobby Baldwin
18. Dan Harrington
19. Men Nguyen
20. Barbara Enright
21. Allen Cunningham
22. Layne Flack
23. Annette Obrestad
24. Phil Ivey
25. Mike Sexton
26. Daniel Negreanu
27. Mike Matusow
28. John Juanda
29. Sailor Roberts
30. Peter Eastgate
31. Chris “Jesus” Ferguson
32. Susie Isaacs
33. Mickey Appelman
34. Jack Strauss
35. Amarillo Slim
36. Nani Dollison
37. Puggy Pearson
38. O’Neill Longson
39. Carolyn Gardner
40. Jamie Gold.
To find out who is the greatest ever poker champion of them all, keep your eye on this spot.
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Vote for poker to earn the American vote
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Created:
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5/13/2009 12:43:30 PM
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After asking the Americans to make their voices heard about issues of concern in the White House Citizen’s Briefing Book, the most important technological challenge that President Barack Obama and his team will be faced with, is the legalisation of online poker in his country. This has proved to be the number one issue for the Americans, upon processing the public input that was submitted via the Change.gov website.
It has been stated that around 125,000 users registered, that more than 44,000 policy proposals were made and that more than 1.4 million votes were received on various topics. But the legalising of online poker ranked top, with almost 50,000 more votes than any other issue.
In fact, one particular online poker player, Aaron Huertas, has reportedly submitted the following: “Let online poker players in the United States play legally and without fear of prosecution. Reform the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act to exempt poker, a game of skill, from the law. Boost the economy by letting American companies and American players make money and pay taxes instead of sending online poker business off-shore.”
Americans are positive that their suggestions will be considered favourably, as rumour has it that the president himself is a huge fan of the game of poker.
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Can an online poker player Face The Ace?
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Created:
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5/4/2009 3:48:35 PM
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Yet another testimony to the soaring popularity of poker worldwide, NBC Universal TV has just announced the launch of a poker reality show called “Face The Ace.” Set to kick off on the 1st of August, this unique show will provide an opportunity for online poker qualifiers to test their No Limit Texas Hold’em skills against real poker professionals.
Jerry Petry, the executive VP of NBC explains that a contestant will kick off by selecting one of four doors, which will reveal the poker pro that he or she has to compete against, in a heads-up format. Should the contestant then manage to beat the pro, he or she will have one of two choices: take the loot and hit the road, or opt to take on another pro. Should the contestant not be able to beat the next pro, he or she will lose everything. But beating three pro’s consecutively, will earn the contestant a Grande $1million!
The show will start off with seven episodes, which will run on Fox Sports Net, with the option of more, depending on its success. But Petry is positive that the show will draw a huge audience, especially because amateurs will not be able to take on other amateurs, but will be forced to face the pro’s.
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How to enter the All Africa Poker Tournament on a budget
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Created:
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5/4/2009 3:38:53 PM
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With a guaranteed prize pool of R3, 5million and five 2009 World Series of Poker (WSOP) seats up for grabs, the All Africa Poker Tournament is surely one of the hottest upcoming poker tournaments around. But if you are somewhat hesitant on risking the Buy-In of R25,000 to enter, you will be pleased to know that with just a dash of luck, your seat could cost you a mere R420!
The next All Africa Tournament is due to take place at Piggs Peak Hotel & Casino in Swaziland, from the 21st of May 2009. So for your shot at being the next All Africa Poker Millionaire, be sure to enter the All Africa Poker Satellite Tournament at Piggs Peak Poker now. (During a satellite tournament you do not win cash, but a seat to another tournament, usually with a much higher Buy-In and prize pool). For more details, check the tournament schedule in our lobby, or feel free to contact us at support@piggspeakpoker.com
And just in case you’re the lucky one who manages to win that coveted seat, here’s a priceless tip from the current forerunner of the Bluff SA Poker Awards competition and All Africa Poker Commentator, Ryan Dreyer: “Try to keep your costs down by playing very tight aggressive during the rebuy period....then stay focused and remember that the most important thing is your tournament life...you can only win the tournament after you’ve reached the final table.”
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