2006 August | All Africa Poker Blog

August | 2006 | All Africa Poker Blog

Poker in South Africa

Aug.30, 2006

This is the game for people who like a mixture of odds and strategies. Probably the fastest growing online industry and very much in its baby shoes in South Africa. When Piggs Peak Casino launched its All Africa Poker Tournament in Swaziland it filled South Africa with great excitement as this certainly brought the excitement of a world class tournament to Africa.

In a sense February 2005 was a remarkable step for South African poker, as this was when the first All Africa Poker Tournament was held in Swaziland and the start of a tournament that is generally regarded as the most prestigious in the South African region. It has become clear in the past 18 months that poker players in South Africa are amongst the best in the business and that the level of competition has given us much to be proud of.

Recently a new TV channel was launched on DSTV that is dedicated to poker in South Africa. All of these activities are a clear indication that poker is still growing rapidly in South Africa and beyond, and without a doubt has the potential to become one of South Africa’s favorite sports and professions.

A good indication of a successful tournament is when a celebrity tournament has taken place and on 11 July 2006 around 100 of South Africa’s movers and shakers gathered to watch celebrities – including Leanne Manas, Sandy Ngema, Neil Andrews, Mark Fish, Kass Naidoo, Joost van der Westhuizen and Phumlani Msibi – play it out for R100 000 to be donated to a charity of the winner’s choice. In a heartfelt speech, winner, Danny K dedicated his R100 000 win to Compassionate Friends, a free grief-counseling service, in memory of his late younger brother. This is an indication that support is growing and more growth is expected.

Well, what can I say, I cannot wait to see where poker stands by 2010! Perhaps we will have our own little world cup of poker?

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Category: News 2008

All Africa Poker Testimonials Page

Aug.29, 2006

Piggs Peak Casino, Swaziland is becoming synonymous with making millionaires and for good reason. In the 5th tournament of the All Africa Poker Series, Africa's second poker MILLIONAIRE, Peter Vermaas from Cape Town, South Africa, cashed in. The event was hosted at the Orion Piggs Peak Hotel and Casino, in Swaziland on Friday 5th and Saturday 6th May 2006.

The top 10 players shared a prize pool of R2, 250,000, and the top 5 players each walked away with a package to the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas worth R100, 000.
This is the first time that South Africans have been sponsored by the Casino to attend the WSOP in Las Vegas. This group of players greatly added to the level of excitement and play at the most recent All Africa which took place between 18th–20th August 2006.

”I must say Las Vegas was a great experience and one not to be forgotten and we will definitely be back next year”
Jaime Vilela

“Thank you all for an experience I'll certainly remember for the rest of my life…..well done Piggs”
David Spangenberg

Cash, cards and great poker action is what it all comes down to and what attracts the 90 players mainly playing poker in South Africa to the All Africa Poker Tournament!

With the next All Africa Poker Tournament taking place from 3rd-5th November 2006 and a total prize pool of R2,250,000 as well as 5 seats to the Aussie Millions in January 2007.

In 2006 the Aussie Millions proved itself as one of the world’s top multi-million dollar Poker events when 418 players competed for a slice of the AUD$4,180,000 prize pool including some of the biggest names in the Poker world such as WSOP Champion Joe Hachem, Phil Ivey and John Juanda.

Poker players in South Africa and Africa are set to create a stir in the field.

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Category: News 2008