The South African Poker Open was first held in 2007 at the MonteCasino Resort in Johannesburg. More than 100 players made the trip to the south of the continent to play in the event. Jaime Vilela won the inaugural championship. In 2008, the event drew 175 entrants including Tony G, winner of the Betfair Asian Poker Tour, and Raymond Rahme, the first South African to make the WSOP Main Event final table. Darren Kramer, aka King Kramer, took down the event, winning more than $140,000 for his efforts.