2008 PokerStars.net APPT Auckland

Day 3 completed

Posted 10-11-2008 19:58 GMT-12

Congratulations to Daniel Craker, Winner of the PokerStars.net APPT Auckland Main Event ($257,040)

Out of the four local Kiwis that made the final table, Daniel Craker was the last one standing. Not only was he the longest-standing player from New Zealand, Craker was also the last man standing in the entire event. He bested the largest poker tournament ever in New Zealand, beating out 305 other players.

Craker mentioned that he doesn't hope to have his regular profession of a plasterer much longer and this could just be the thing that sets him off. Along with the title of the PokerStars.net APPT Auckland Main Event Champion, Craker will be walking away with over a quarter of a million dollars, NZD $257,040 to be exact. That should surely help him on his way. Craker also won an entry to the APPT Grand Final in Sydney.

When the last card fell and Craker won, all he could do was fall back into the arms of his family and friends on the rail as they embraced him with massive hugs and enormous cheers.

Congratulations to Daniel Craker once again! Surely the “Wainuiomata Boys” of his home game will be proud.

Tags: Daniel Craker.

Matthew Konnecke Eliminated in 2nd Place ($162,791)

Hand #195 -

Daniel Craker had the button in Seat 1. He raised to 120,000. Matthew Konnecke reraised to 500,000 and that brought the crowd to their feet. Craker only took a few moments before announcing "I'm all in." Konnecke made the call and a huge uproar came from the crowd as media and spectators swarmed the table.

Konnecke
Craker

Konnecke was behind, but it was a standard coin flip situation that would determine if we would have a winner or not. Konnecke was the player all in.

The flop came down as Craker stood waiting with his friends along the rail.

The dealer slowly turned the next card, the , and the crowd erupted for Craker as he stayed in the lead.

Lights flashed from cameras, reporters scribbled, and video cameras zoomed in when the hit the felt on the river, eliminating Matthew Konnecke in second place and giving the title to Daniel Craker of New Zealand. He was embraced by his friends and family from the other side of the rail with an enormous smile on his face.

The two competitors then shook hands and congratulated one another. Konnecke took home NZD $162,791 for his amazing tournament run.

Tags: Daniel Craker, Matthew Konnecke.

Hand #194 - Matthew Konnecke

After a brief break to set up for heads up play, Matthew Konnecke had the button in Seat 2. He raised to 80,000 and took down the pot.

Wang Jung Eliminated in 3rd Place ($85,680)

Hand #193 -

Wang Jung had the button in Seat 5. He limped in, Daniel Craker raised to 80,000, and Matthew Konnecke made the call. When it came back to Jung, he bumped it up further, making it 300,000 total to skate. Craker sat still for a moment before casually saying, "I call." Konnecke ducked out, and with more than 700,000 chips in the middle, the two big stacks headed to the flop together.

The flop came . Daniel checked, prompting Jung move all in. Almost immediately, Craker called, and the hands were shown down:

Craker:
Jung:

The turn was the and the river was the , providing no help for Jung, and he is eliminated in 3rd place. He'll pocket $85,680 for his work over the course of the last three days.

Tags: Daniel Craker, Matthew Konnecke, Wang Jung.

Hand #192 - Matthew Konnecke

Matthew Konnecke had the button in Seat 2. He limped in and Daniel Craker checked. The flop came down . Craker checked and Konnecke bet 50,000. Craker called.

The turn was the and both players checked. The river was the and Craker bet 100,000. Konnecke made the call.

Queen high proved to be good for Konnecke when Craker showed 7-5 for a busted straight draw.

Hand #190 - Matthew Konnecke

Matthew Konnecke had the button in Seat 4. He raised to 80,000 and took the pot, showing A-10.

Hand #189 - Matthew Konnecke

Daniel Craker had the button in Seat 1. He made the call, and Matthew Konnecke put in a reraise from the small blind, making it 160,000 total. Wang Jung ducked out from the small blind, and Craker decided to let it go too.

Konnecke flahsed the as he pulled in the pot.

Tags: Matthew Konnecke.

Hand # 188 - Wang Jung

Wang Jung had the button in Seat 5. He limped in, Daniel Craker completed, and then Matthew Konnecke checked his option.

was the flop and everyone checked. The was the turn and everyone checked again.

The river was the and Craker first checked before Konnecke bet 50,000. Jung called and Craker folded. Konnecke immediately mucked when he was called and Jung took the pot.

Hand #187 - Matthew Konnecke

Matthew Konnecke had the button in Seat 4. He raised to 80,000. Daniel Craker took his time after Wang Jung folded before he called.

The flop came . Craker checked and Konnecke bet 120,000. Craker folded.