Matt Cheer wins AAPC 2009

Just after 1am this morning (Tuesday), Aucklander Matt Cheer took the honors of winning the 1st ever Auckland Anniversary Poker Championship, pocketing a tasty $35,540 for his efforts.

After a marathon 36 hours, Cheer played his way through 119 players to take out the very first AAPC trophy.

Ejaaz Dean, SKYCITY Auckland’s Executive Manager Table Games says with a starting field of 119 players, the inaugural tournament was a huge success.

“We are committed to making SKYCITY Auckland the home of New Zealand poker and to provide an exciting and entertaining poker platform for all lovers of the game. We hope to make the tournament an annual event, attracting top poker players from throughout New Zealand.”

The placings and prizes were as follows:

1st     Matt Cheer AUCKLAND
2nd     Rajko AUCKLAND ($23,090)
3rd     Darren “Dazz” Ying AUCKLAND ($13,920)
4th     Emerson Wirimu ROTORUA ($11,190)
5th     Amuant AUCKLAND ($9040)
6th     Craig Lowe WELLINGTON ($5710)
7th     Kevin Peters ROTORUA ($4760)
8th     Kent Tan AUCKLAND ($3810)
9th     Sherwin Naidoo AUCKLAND ($3450)
10th    Tim Grey WELLINGTON ($3090)
11th    Grant Harris AUCKLAND ($2380)
12th    Adrian Kitto AUCKLAND ($2020)
13th    Jimmy Henare NAPIER ($1190)

Saturday night’s $330 side event attracted 68 entracts and was taken out by Angie Fitzgerald who picked up just under $7000.

Sunday’s main event kicked off with 119 contenders from all over NZ including a big contingent from Wellington and Rotorua, and even a player from The Cook Islands making the journey.

At 5pm Dan Cranker (APPT Auckland winner) was still in, along with Martin Cardno (1st in the A$ 500 No Limit Hold’em 2008 PokerNews Cup Championship, Melbourne) and John Pye (3rd in NZ Poker Champs 2008).

Brooke Howard Smith was one of the 1st casualties of the day who was taken out by the young Clay Buskermolen (who just turn 20 about a month ago) and also took out Sky City Poker Zone regular, Dan Sing.

The tournament was played down to level 8 on the final 3 tables before breaking until the Main Event today.

I’ll post another update as it comes to hand or if anyone is at the games, please comment below and let us know how it’s going.