Daniel Craker(credit: Poker Stars blog)
Daniel Craker, a 30 year old plasterer from Wellington, New Zealand, took down the biggest tournament in his homeland’s history recently. The burly, bald-headed Kiwi defeated a field of 306 strong to win the Asia Pacific Poker Tour Auckland event at the SKYCITY Hotel and Casino, claiming NZD $257,040 and an entry into the APPT Grand Final Main Event in Sydney later this year.
En route to the win, he took out 27 year old office administrator Matthew Konnecke from Australia in heads-up play. On the final hand, Craker held pocket ducks, which held up against the Sydney resident’s A,9 off-suit.
Regarding his win, Craker said, “I am so excited to take out New Zealand’s biggest poker tournament at SKYCITY Casino. I felt confident throughout the day though now I have the title, I think it will take at least until tomorrow morning for the victory to sink in.”
Here are the final payouts:
1) Daniel Craker - $257,040
2) Matthew Konnecke - $162,972
3) Wang Che Jung - $85,680
4) Dan Sing - $59,976
5) Luke Stanford - $46,267
6) Nathanael Seet - $34,272
7) Jani Karke - $25,704
8) Michael Mariakis - $19,706
9) Wai Kwan Yuen - $14,565
Win your way to the APPT Manila today at PokerStars. Visit Poker Stars now for qualifying information!