Poker tournament thrills all
The WPT® Emperors Palace Poker Classic recently took place at Emperors Palace.
Poker crowds flocked to Emperors Palace recently ready to take their seats at the most prestigious and talked-about poker event in Africa, the World Poker Tour® Emperors Palace Poker Classic 2017.
“I am thrilled to announce that the event smashed all previous poker tournament records in South Africa with 1 600 entries across 10 unique events, boasting a prize pool just shy of R18-million.
“The closest we have come in the past is November 2013 and October 2015 when the total buy-in was R14.9-m and the prize pool was R13.4-m,” said an elated Bob Yearham, Peermont COO for gaming.
Amongst the 10 WPT® title winners, Daniel Habib came out tops to claim the WPTDeepStacks Johannesburg Main Event title.
In a competitive field of 456 entries, Habib’s perseverance paid off with a massive taking of R1-m.
Other notable events included the High Roller, which surpassed all past event pay-outs, with Vijay Nalajala taking home R1-m from a field of 92 entries.
“I am very proud of the efforts put into the event by team Gary Lentin and the rest of the ShuffleUp Poker team.
“Thanks to our partners from the WPT® based in California and the strength of their brand internationally.
“And to everyone behind the scenes at Emperors Palace, who worked long hours, who did the preparation and setup for the event – a huge thank you to all of you for going the extra mile and for making the event the success that it has turned out to be,” said Yearham.
“The success of this series shows that poker players across South Africa and the continent are still excited to play in poker events in great venues, where a genuine international poker experience is guaranteed.
“I thank Yearham, Emperors Palace general manager, Clive Tavener, and the resort’s team for their tremendous effort,” said Lentin, Queen-Ten CEO.
“I also thank our behind-the-scenes heroes, tournament director Salvatore Elio Capuccio and his assistant, Matt Fish.
“Last but not least, a huge thank you to our sponsor World Sports Betting, and congratulations to all the players who cashed in, particularly all the winners.”
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As is customary with all WPT® events, numerous celebrities joined in on the poker action to give back to organisations in need.
In the first of two celebrity challenges, two heavyweights in the business world, Kaya FM 95.9’s managing director, Greg Maloka and Peermont’s Yearham went head-to-head in an epic poker clash, all in aid of charity.
Up for grabs was R20 000 to the charity of the winner’s choice.
While Maloka won the event the two decided to split the winnings, which resulted in Maloka’s charity, Zandspruit Primary School and Yearham’s The John Wesley Children’s Home each taking home R10 000.
The second celebrity challenge saw the likes of award-winning sports presenter, Carol Tshabalala, football legend, Mark Fish, SuperSport United’s Dean Furman, Bidvest Wits’ Darren Keet and 947’s Alex Caige go all in for charity.
At the end of the evening, and through a series of re-buys, more than R19 000 was donated to two worthy charities, The Orlando Children’s Home and We Care.
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