Levick Wins PokerStars.com ANZPT Melbourne
Chris Levick was able to turn a freeroll into his first major title as he took down the Pokerstars.com ANZPT Melbourne Main Event on Wednesday. 218 players put up $2,700 AUD each to take their shots at both the ANZPT title and $158,050 in first-place prize money.
After two days, the field had been whittled down to the final nine participants. Among those at the final table was Heath ‘TassieDevil’ Chick, the head of PokerNetwork, PokerNews’ Australasian sister site. Chris Levick took the chip lead into the final table.
Seat 1: Heath 'TassieDevil' Chick (283,000)
Seat 2: Rodney Burles (168,000)
Seat 3: Sam Khouiss (354,000)
Seat 4: Chris Levick (969,000)
Seat 5: Jie Gao (517,000)
Seat 6: Ben Savage (682,000)
Seat 7: Gregory Shillig (190,000)
Seat 8: Peter Aristidou (432,000)
Seat 9: Kristian Lunardi (713,000)
Rodey Burles would be the first player eliminated as his pocket tens were no match for the pocket queens of Chris Levick. Ben Savage finished in eighth when he ran A♦10♦ into pocket jacks. Kristian Lunardi followed when his pocket sevens were outdrawn by the A♦K♣of Gregory Shilling.
Levick would move over two million in chips after a big pot with Jie Gao. Levick moved in with pocket aces and was called by Gao, who held pocket fives. The aces held and Levick had what seemed to be a stranglehold on this final table. Levick then eliminated both Sam Khoiuss and Peter Aristidou in back-to-back hands to take the event to heads-up play against Heath Chick, the last challenger in Levick’s path.
Heading into heads-up play, Levick held nearly a 4-to-1 chip lead. Chick dropped even lower before doubling up twice through Levick to nearly even the match. The first double-up occurred when Chick ran A♠4♥ into the A♦J♠ of Levick. Chick caught a four on the flop and his pair of fours held. A few hands later, Chick moved all in with 9♣7♣and was called by Levick, who held A♦Q♠. This time, Chick spiked a seven on the flop along with a backdoor flush draw. Both the turn and river fell clubs and Chick moved up to 1.6 million in chips.
Chick would eventually work his way to almost even with Levick. The board on the turn showed 6♠Q♥6♣4♦ and Levick bet out for 125,000. Chick called and the K♣ fell on the river. Both players checked and Chick showed A♦2♠ for ace high. Levick revealed a busted draw when he showed 5♣7♥. After the hand, Chick was up to two million in chips and Levick held a slim lead with 2.36 million.
The final hand of the event began with a button raise from Levick to 150,000. Chick then re-raised to 450,000. Levick went into the tank for a moment before moving all-in, and Chick called, showing Q♣Q♥. Levick tabled A♥J♥ and the tourney hung in the balance The flop fell 3♣A♠8♣ to give the advantage to Levick. The turn fell the 3♥, leaving Chick with only two outs to survive. The river was the 6♣, giving Levick the title.
Chris Levick took home $158,050 and the championship trophy. His win also propelled him to the top of the ANZPT leader board; the leader at the end of the tour season receives a sponsorship from PokerStars.com for the following year. At this moment, the only other player that poses a serious threat to Levick’s lead is Tony Hachem, who is only five points behind Levick with one event to go. Hachem has cashed in each event so far this season. The final event for the ANZPT is from July 20-25th at Queenstown’s Sky City Casino.
Results and Payouts (all amounts in $AUD):
1. Chris Levick (NSW, Australia) -- $158,050
2. Heath Chick (Tasmania, Australia) -- $103,550
3. Greg Shellig (Queensland, Australia) -- $59,950
4. Peter Aristidou (Victoria, Australia) -- $49,050
5. Sam Khouiss (NSW, Australia) -- $38,150
6. Jie Gao (Victoria, Australia) -- $27,250
7. Ben Savage (Melbourne, Australia) -- $21,800
8. Kristian Lunardi (Melbourne, Australia) -- $16,350
9. Rodney Burles (Tasmania, Australia) -- $10,900
