$3,250 Championship Main Event | 2009 PokerStars.net APPT Auckland

10-17-2009 11:02 UTC-12

Welcome To The Final Table

[user92162]

We've reached the final day of our adventure here at the PokerStars.net APPT Auckland. After two day one flights, and another two rigorous days of play we've reached our final nine.

They are a diverse group, consisting of four online qualifiers, four local New Zealand player, along and one player each from the United States, China, Germany, France and Australia.

Leading us into the final table is Frenchman Gerome Guitteau who has been an imposing and aggressive player. Equally aggressive is New Zealander Simon Watt. These two have already tangled during the tournament, and we're expecting they will again today.

Stay locked in here for all the action as it happens, we'll be starting in around 15 minutes.

10-17-2009 11:04 UTC-12

Player Profiles - Seat 1: Jason Brown, Auckland, New Zealand (709,000 in chips)

[user67765]

The married father-of-two was as high as 1,000,000 in chips on day three of this event, but had to battle through some tough spots and comes to the final table in second chip position. The 33-year-old Brown makes a living as a property investor but that’s taking a back seat as his poker career takes off, having already scored a number of large cashes online and in live tournaments, including 14th in the USD $5000 event at this year’s PokerStars Caribbean Adventure.

Player profiles courtesy of PokerStarsBlog.com

Tags: Jason Brown

10-17-2009 11:06 UTC-12

Player Profiles - Seat 2: Richard Lancaster, Auckland, New Zealand (568,000 in chips)

[user92162]

This 35-year-old local real estate agent and father of one is one of the more experienced players at the final table. He’s played in major tournaments around the world including Macau, Milan and the Aussie Millions in Melbourne. He also harnessed some valuable experience at last year’s SKYCITY Festival of Poker, and qualified for his Main Event here via a live satellite. “I’m very confident heading into the final day – I want to take it for Auckland,” the proud local said.

Player profiles courtesy of PokerStarsBlog.com

Tags: Richard Lancaster

10-17-2009 11:06 UTC-12

Player Profiles - Seat 3: Ke Sijia, Kantong, China (294,000 in chips)

[user67765]

The 42-year-old full-time poker player has been jetsetting between Australia and New Zealand in the past few years. He won his seat into the APPT Auckland Main Event via a $120 satellite here at SKYCITY. He learned the game online, playing under the name eagle_ke and though he’s one of the short stacks, he says it’s “unbelievable” to make the final table. “I’ll still need to wait for good hands,” he said.

Player profiles courtesy of PokerStarsBlog.com

Tags: Ke Sijia

10-17-2009 11:08 UTC-12

Player Profiles - Seat 4: Assadour Assadourian, Sydney, Australia (231,000 in chips)

[user92162]

The surname may be familiar to a lot of people, but this time it’s Assadour, the father of PokerStars.net Team Australia Pro Eric Assadourian that takes his seat on the final table with 231,000 in chips. The 56-year-old lighting company director is relying on his aggression to take down the APPT Main Event and add another trophy to the family pool room. “I’ve been starting short the last two days, but have always doubled up,” says Assadour. “If this keeps going it should help me win!” He cashed 31st in the same event last year.

Player profiles courtesy of PokerStarsBlog.com

Tags: Assadour Assadourian

10-17-2009 11:08 UTC-12

Player Profiles - Seat 5: Simon Watt, Auckland, New Zealand (581,000 in chips)

[user67765]

A 26-year-old software developer, he was a former chip leader in this event with the size of his stack swinging wildly over the past two days. He is already assured a massive return on investment having qualified via a $22 rebuy event on PokerStars. With five years of experience under his belt, the Auckland local can’t wait to take his seat among the final nine: “I’m very confident going into the final table,” he said.

Player profiles courtesy of PokerStarsBlog.com

Tags: Simon Watt

10-17-2009 11:12 UTC-12

Seat 6: Gerome Guitteau, Paris, France (1,204,000 in chips)

[user92162]

Guitteau comes into the final table as our chip leader with more than 1.2 million in chips, a far cry from his early days learning the game of poker on his yacht while sailing the Indian Ocean. The 30-year-old full-time poker player was happy to reminisce about his nautical adventures, but it’s not only Gitteau that’s got game – his wife Claude-Estel is also a keen poker player, having placed ninth in the WCOOP Omaha Hi-Lo event. “It’s nice to do well and get lucky for once!” Guitteau said.

Player profiles courtesy of PokerStarsBlog.com

Tags: Gerome Guitteau

10-17-2009 11:12 UTC-12

Player Profiles - Seat 7: Lance Climo, Hamilton, New Zealand (350,000 in chips)

[user67765]

Just days before the SKYCITY Festival of Poker Main Event, this bar owner won his spot in a Last Chance Seat Only satellite on PokerStars. The father of two has been playing poker for five years and this is by far his biggest result in the game. And he plans to make the most of the opportunity: “I’m going to be patient at the final table,” he said.

Player profiles courtesy of PokerStarsBlog.com

Tags: Lance Climo

10-17-2009 11:14 UTC-12

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

[user92162]

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

10-17-2009 11:14 UTC-12

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

[user67765]

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