Congratulations to Saidal Wardak, Champion of Event #7! (AU$151,200)

It was a thrilling end to a thrilling tournament, but there could only be one winner. That winner is Saidal Wardak. Wardak played very patient poker at the final table, picking his spots carefully. Once he made it to heads-up play, he concentrated on small ball, waiting for his opponent, Ben Delaney, to make a mistake. The pivotal hand was not so much a mistake as a wicked cooler -- Delaney turned a five-high straight with the same card that made Wardak a six-high straight. From there, Wardak used his stack to beat Delaney into submission.

In addition to the AU$151,200 first prize, Wardak picked up an extra AU$1,000 for eliminating Delaney. Delaney was one of forty-five "bounty" players that were sprinkled throughout the starting tables of this tournament. We figure his mates probably spent at least that much on the champagne that they pre-ordered once the match was heads up, but we can't see how Wardak could mind. They provided him with an amazing dose of enthusiastic encouragement throughout the final table.

Congratulations once again to Saidal Wardak on a well-earned victory. We're sure the celebration tonight will be one that will never be spoken of again.

That's it for tonight from the Crown Poker Room. Tomorrow brings the final table of the $100,500 No-Limit Hold'em Challenge and the first Day 1 flight of the eagerly anticipated and long awaited 2009 Aussie Millions $10,500 Main Event. It'll be a great day of poker and we hope you join us then.

Tags: Ben Delaney Saidal Wardak