News All Africa Poker Tournament making history!
With the next All Africa Poker Tournament set to take place from 28 February to 2 March 2008 it seems quite appropriate to review the highlights of the previous year. (24/7 live coverage of the past tournaments can be viewed on DSTV Channel 393).
In the February 2007 All Africa Poker Tournament (AAPT) the ladies made heads turn, with the most significant female presence in the tournament’s existence. One of the ladies, Martie Faber displayed some girl power when she surprised everyone by going “all in” with Vermaas and nearly ending the tournament for him. She proceeded and earned herself the title of the first lady to enter the Final Table at AAPT. Faber exited the tournament in a respectable third place banking a R150 000 cheque! Not without receiving a good run for his money, Vermaas ended up winning the tournament, claiming his second One million Rand cheque and securing himself the title of Africa’s best tournament player, after playing his way to the final tables five times.
June 2007 AAPT, was won by Claude Sacks, who played for 30 hours to claim the million Rand prize pot and a seat at the World Series of Poker $10,000 Main Event. The top finishing players in the tournament qualified for Team All Africa Poker who went on to play in the WSOP, held in Vegas. The team consisted of Claude Sacks, Neville Eber, Ray Rahme and Ryan Brauer. Ray Rahme blew SA away, by coming third in the WSOP and winning over 3 million Dollars! He made history, as the first South African in a WSOP main event, to make the final tables.
The August tournament made yet another instant millionaire with 31 year old Dale Winterstein from Johannesburg, winning the 10th AAPT. Winterstein went heads up against Russel Feigin (56) for two hours, in freeze out format (the first time this tournament features this format). Local celebrities namely 94.7 Highveld Stereo’s Alex Jay and popular local singer Danny K, as well as Meeta Gopal (who won her seat through the: Live like a Poker TV Celebrity – Club VIP promotion) also featured in the tournament.
The November Tournament seemed to be full of surprises! Firstly Piggs Peak announced to everyone’s astonishment that they will be adding another complimentary WSOP package to the player landing third spot. Greg Ronaldson went on to become the youngest player to claim victory in the AAPT’s history. Before this, Greg, who was a familiar face at the final tables, had never finished higher than forth place. Elated that he finally managed to win the tournament, he intends to follow in the footsteps of Ray Rahme and make his mark on the international poker scene. Greg recently took part in the EPT in Prague and Bahamas but will be returning to defend at the 12th All Africa Poker Tournament.
You don’t have to watch all the poker action from the rail, get your seat to 2008’s first All Africa Poker Tournament now. Two players will win the WSOP packages to the value of R150,000 and form part the All Africa Poker Team to join Greg Ronaldson, Michael Simoes and Daniel Callighan at the 2008 World Series of Poker, Las Vegas. To book your seat contact Victoria at 011-4078700 or e-mail victoriaw@piggspeak.com. For more information www.allafricapoker.com
