The 2009 Melbourne Poker Championship kicked off in style today with a huge field turning out for the Opening Event - $175 No Limit Holdem. The number of entrants eclipsed last year by almost 35%, and with a generous structure and huge prize pool it was always going to be an enthralling day of poker.
The bubble burst after only 5 hours of play, which saw a quick succession of bust outs leaving 22 players remaining. As the tournament recommenced the action was thick and fast. It wasn’t until John Humphries busted out in 11th place, it was down to the Final Table. The seating allocations and chip counts looked like this:
1. Majed Elali – 376,000
2. Paul Gardner – 113,000
3. Linas Lenovas – 391,000
4. Mariella Stafforini – 132,000
5. Paul Quattrone – 210,000
6. Genaro Catala – 58,000
7. Robert Potter – 227,000
8. Isaac Lau – 189,000
9. Paul Hillis – 90,000
10. Kerry Stead – 208,000
It didn’t take long for the action to get underway on the final table. The first casualties fell in sequence, Isaac Lau finished in 10th place taking home $900 and Paul Gardner in 9th collecting $1,400. Mariella Stafforini was next to go in 8th place taking home $2,200. Paul Quattrone was next to depart in 7th place collecting $3,000. Majed Elali was sent to the rail in 6th place with a total $3,800. Canberra’s Robert Potter was next to go in 5th place collecting $5,200.
Paul Hillis came to the table with a short stack, he fought tenaciously to move his way up, however his luck came to an end at the hands of Linus was the next elimination in 4th place with $6,700. Kerry Stead was next to go in 3rd place winning $8,500 just a couple of hands later when his pocket 3’s were no match for the pocket 6’s of Genaro Catala.
Linas Lenovas and Genaro Catala battled it out with similar stacks, at just past 11.30pm Linas Lenovas eventually stole the title to become the winner of the 2009 Melbourne Poker Championship taking home the coveted trophy and $15,000 for his notable play. Catala collected $11,500 for a fine runner up finish.
Links:
Results | Photo Gallery