By BRIDGET COOK
A NUMBER of Lynbrook Hotel patrons put their best hand forward at the Victorian Poker State Championships last month.
Six regulars from the hotel’s weekly tournaments competed at the championships, all making it to the top 30, three to the final table with one being crowned the overall winner.
Daryl Vine, from Mordialloc, was the tournament winner and walked away with $5000.
Hallam resident Shaun Jones finished seventh on the final table winning $900 and Dennis Sammut ninth, taking home $700.
Dexter McMillan, from Sandhurst, came in fourteenth, Matt Fowler from Narre Warren fifteenth and Angelo Mizzi, from Hampton Park, 28th.
Competition was fierce with 449 players competing and more than $20,000 in prize money up for grabs.
The championship brings together the best players from the 888 Poker League, Australian Poker League and Pub Poker.
Mr Jones said he was relieved to make it to the final table.
“It was such a long day as we started at 11am and I made the final table at around 10pm,” he said.
“I was glad to know I was going to get a good reward for effort.
“The room was packed when we first started and then to have just nine left on one table was pretty amazing.
“Lynbrook is one of the larger tournaments attracting close to 100 people some weeks with some very tough players.
“So if you run well in that tournament each week I think it puts you in good stead for state championships.”
Mr Jones said what he loved most about poker was the challenge.
“I like the fact that it’s more of a skilful game rather than luck, even though some (luck) will definitely help,” he said.
“To be able to out think, read your opponents and leave them clueless to what cards your holding is my favourite part of poker.”
Mr Jones said he hoped to take his interest even further and was looking to attract sponsorship.
“I want to play more tournaments at Crown and eventually play in the Aussie Millions but its $10,000 to enter,” he said.
“To play poker for a living would be a dream come true.
“As the entry fees can be several thousand it would be great to have a sponsor who will be rewarded if I make the money stage of the tournaments.”
Mr Jones said anyone willing to sponsor him could contact him by emailing enquiries@hallamstorage.com.au.
