2009 PokerStars.net APPT Auckland

$3,250 Championship Main Event
Day: 4
Event Info

2009 PokerStars.net APPT Auckland

Final Results
Winner
Winning Hand
55
Prize
$209,085
Event Info
Buy-in
$3,000
Entries
263
Level Info
Level
26
Blinds
30,000 / 60,000
Ante
5,000

Ke Sijia Doubles Up

Ke Sijia gets the first big pot on the final table
Ke Sijia gets the first big pot on the final table
Ke Sijia has become the first player to double up on the final table.

Preflop Sijia opened to 34,000 and Gerome Guitteau called from the big blind. They took a flop of {Q-Spades}{6-Clubs}{7-Clubs} and Guitteau checked. Sijia took the invitation by moving his stack all in.

Guitteau thought a while before making the 260,000 chip call, tabling {7-Hearts}{8-Hearts} for middle pair. Sijia was pretty happy when he rolled over his {A-Hearts}{a-Clubs}.

The turn was the {Q-Diamonds} and the river was the {5-Clubs} to move Sijia up to 610,000. Guitteau is down to 960,000.

Tags: Gerome GuitteauKe Sijia

First Three Bet

Simon Watts opened from early position to 30,000 chips and Michael Shinzaki decided to three-bet him to 86,000. Action folded back to Watts who pretty quickly pitched his cards.

Shinzaki flashed the {6-Hearts} and tossed the other card into the muck.

Shuffle Up and Deal!

All of the final table formalities are out of the way and the cards are in the air! The 2009 PokerStars.net APPT Auckland Main Event final table is underway!

Level: 19

Blinds: 6,000/12,000

Ante: 1,000

Player Profiles - Seat 9: Jens Walther, Germany (335,000 in chips)

Jens Walther
Jens Walther
The story of this PokerStars Qualifier from Germany should give hope to every aspiring pro. After winning an APPT Auckland seat on PokerStars, he decided to take the opportunity to journey to New Zealand to play in his first live event. The 36-year-old, who works in the air conditioning industry, said he was “excited to be in New Zealand and playing at the final table”.

Player profiles courtesy of PokerStarsBlog.com

Tags: Jens Walther

Seat 8: Michael Shinzaki, Los Angeles, California, USA (620,000 in chips)

Michael Shinzaki
Michael Shinzaki
Having made his start five years ago playing college home games, the 22-year-old UCLA sociology graduate has built up a bankroll online and is now traveling the world playing poker full-time. “It feels really nice to make the final table,” Shinzaki said. “I’ve been playing really well and I’m looking forward to seeing more of New Zealand after this event.” He’ll have more than enough spending money, having made his first ever live major tournament cash here at SKYCITY Auckland.

Player profiles courtesy of PokerStarsBlog.com

Tags: Michael Shinzaki