Grigg checked and Hiscox fired 150,000. Grigg mucked and Hiscox scooped the pot. This was the first hand of the final table.
2009 PokerStars.net APPT Sydney Grand Final
Grigg checked and Hiscox fired 150,000. Grigg mucked and Hiscox scooped the pot. This was the first hand of the final table.
After the player announcements, the cards are in the air. The button begins with Aaron Benton in Seat 7.
Lynn caught up with all nine finalists just before taking their seats:
Level: 22
Blinds: 12,000/24,000
Ante: 3,000
(Bios courtesy of PokerStars)
It’s been a breakout week for 24-year-old Tom Grigg. The youngster recovered from a 10:1 chip deficit in last week’s APPT Sydney $1650 Semi-Shootout/Bounty event to capture the trophy and more than $33,000. The Sydney manager for his parents’ New Zealand liqueur company, Grigg has been one of the more dominant players of the APPT Grand Final, holding the chip lead numerous times over the three days. Grigg enters the final table as its second largest stack with 1,950,000 in chips.
(Bios courtesy of Pokerstars)
Lynn Gilmartin caught up with Grigg on Day 2:
Aaron Benton has qualified for every event on Season 3 of the APPT playing on PokerStars. The 32 year-old recruitment consultant is known online as ‘azzabentonaces’ and ‘DaLuckBox’ and was working in Singapore when he finished runner-up in a major online tournament worth USD $262,500.
“I used to play more for the entertainment in pub games, but I’m loving my poker and I want to take it to the next level,” he said. Benton also plans to buy himself a house if he takes this tournament down. He’ll bring 1,785,000 in chips to the table as its third largest stack.
(Bios courtesy of PokerStars)
Lynn Gilmartin spoke with Benton on yesterday's dinner break:
“I’ve been a gambler all my life and I’ll gamble some more if I win this tournament,” he said.
(Bios courtesy of PokerStars)
Leo Boxell is the patriarch of one of Australia’s great poker families. His record is one of the most extensive in this part of the world , boasting victories in the 2000 Australasian and 2001 NZ Championships. In 2003, he came within a whisker of becoming the first local to win the Aussie Millions, but ultimately finished runner-up to Peter Costa. A mechanic by trade, his rugged appearance hides a gentle soul but fiercely competitive spirit. He’ll be assured plenty of support at the final table from wife Bev, who rarely misses a hand that Leo plays.
Boxell will begin the final table with 1,236,000 in chips.
(Bios courtesy of Pokerstars)
Lynn Gilmartin caught up with Boxell on Day 1B about a 100k+ pot that set him up for the Main Event:
Hiscox enters the final table as one of its shorter stacks with 848,000 in chips.
(Bios courtesy of PokerStars)
The local Sydneysider will begin the day with 1,014,000 in chips.
(Bios courtesy of PokerStars)