Online Poker Pro Tony Hachem Wins the First Ever ANZPT Perth

Last night at Perth’s Burswood Entertainment Complex Team PokerStars PRO Australia’s Tony Hachem became $132,750 richer when he beat 221 poker hopefuls to win the Main Event in the Australia and New Zealand Poker Tour Perth. This was the biggest poker tournament ever held in Perth beating the previous record by 50 per cent.

Tony Hachem wins $132,750 at the ANZPT Perth, Australia & New Zealand’s largest poker tour

Tony Hachem’s performances in ANZPT have to go down as one of the best runs in consecutive poker tournaments in the world. Fresh from his final table and seventh place at the last event in Adelaide, Tony is the reigning player of the year in the ANZPT and has cashed in all but one event since the tour started in February 2009. The win cements Tony’s place at the top of the points table and with five events left in the tour he is well positioned to win back to back player of the year awards.

Tony’s celebrations had to be somewhat muted as needed to catch a flight to Manila for the APPT Manila: PAGCOR Chairman’s Cup four hours after winning the title. Before heading off with his Team PokerStars PRO Australia teammates for a celebratory dinner he said: “I am so over the moon, winning this means so much to me. I have come so close it is fantastic to finally have a title to my name.”

The final table proved how strong Perth’s local poker talent is with seven of the nine players from the hometown. Aleks Lackovic, brother of former Perth Wildcat – Nik Lackovic, was one of the chip leaders at the start of day. The large number of locals meant the rail was very large and the atmosphere electric. Members of Team PokerStars PRO Australia took turns calling the action and railing their teammate as the final table progressed through the afternoon.

When at last we came to the heads-up battle it was looking like it would be a marathon but only ten hands in Aleks Lackovic raised only to be re-raised by Tony. After thinking it through Lackovic announced all-in and Tony called. Aleks turned over Ace King of diamonds to face off with Tony’s pair of Jacks. The flop came down nine of diamonds, three and queen of clubs. Tony was heard to whisper, “keep it low, keep it low,” as the turn came five of hearts and when the three of diamonds fell on the river Tony’s long wait for a Championship victory was over.

This is the first time the ANZPT has come to Perth but the large numbers proved Perth is clearly a very popular poker destination. The field included Team PokerStars PRO Australia’s Emad Tahtouh, Grant Levy, Eric Assadourian as well as a member of Team PokerStars PRO Asia Bryan Huang. The Poker Star winner Amanda DeCesare, Billy ‘the Croc’ Argyros, Perth locals Michael Pedley and Burswood Poker Ambassador Jeffrey Lisandro were also battling for the title.

The final standings and monies earned in Australian dollars are as follows:

1st: Tony Hachem (Victoria, Australia) $132,750            ANZPT Points – 104.1
2nd: Aleks Lackovic (Perth, Western Australia) $84,250        ANZPT Points – 49.5
3rd: Vesko Zmukic (Perth, Western Australia) $47,500        ANZPT Points – 45.1
4th: Dale Marsland (Perth, Western Australia) $38,300         ANZPT Points – 41.8
5th: Tu Le (Perth, Western Australia) $32,000             ANZPT Points – 39.6
6th: Jimmy Wong (Perth, Western Australia) $26,800         ANZPT Points – 38.5
7th: Zaffer Soemya (Perth, Western Australia) $21,700        ANZPT Points – 37.4
8th: Eoin Kennedy (Tipperary, Ireland) $16,600            ANZPT Points – 36.3
9th: Wade Beavis (Perth, Western Australia) $12,750        ANZPT Points – 35.2

TOTAL PRIZE MONEY $510,600 AUD

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