Daniel Craker Wins APPT Auckland; Makes New Zealand Poker History
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The PokerStars.net APPT Auckland Main Event was the largest poker tournament ever held in New Zealand. A total of 306 players flocked to the SKYCITY Hotel and Casino to try to clinch the NZD $257,040 first prize and an entry to the APPT Main Grand Final to be held in Sydney.
On Day 3, only eleven players remained. After the elimination of Edward Holdcroft (11th) and Eric Mutrie (10th), a final table was formed with Luke Stanford in chip lead with 860,000 in chips. Lowest chip stack was held by Jani Karke who had a measly 49,000.
Wai Yuen was the first booted out when she moved all-in with A-K after Wang Jung raised pre-flop. Jung called with Qc-Jc and proceeded to outflop Wai Yuen when a Jack turned up on the flop. A mere two hands later, it was Michael Mariakis’ turn to be eliminated by Jung. Mariakis pushed with As-Qs and was in a coin flip with Jung’s 7-7. Unfortunately for Mariakis, Jung hit his set on the flop.
Jani Karke was able to hold on to his short stack and ended up in seventh place when he was sent to the rail by Daniel Craker. Jung continued his final table rampage by busting out Nathanael Seet in sixth place. Dan Sing joined the fun by busting out Luke Stanford in fifth place but his happiness was short-lived when several hours later, Sing was the next person to be sent home by Wang Jung.
Unfortunately for Wang Jung, his luck ended there. Wang Jung ended up in third place when a bluff he threw at Daniel Craker failed miserably. Still, Jung ended up with $85,680 for his incredible effort. Heads-up play was anticlimactic as Matthew Konnecke could do little with Craker’s immense chip lead. Konnecke took home $162,791 for second place while Craker took home the APPT Auckland title.
