APPT Auckland 2010 Won By Kiwi Hip-hop Star Brotha D

New Zealand’s Brotha D has just won the  Asia Pacific Poker Tournament (APPT) Auckland 2010, after defeating a field of 218 players over five days to claim the title, and the NZD $170,000 (US$124,000) first place prize.
The 40 year-old Kiwi, known as the “Godfather’ of New Zealand hip-hop” describes himself as a music mogul, entrepreneur, and activist but now might have to add poker champion to his impressively expanding résumé.
Commenting on his famous victory after winning New Zealand’s biggest poker tournament, Brotha D said:
“This is awesome, you know. There are some really good poker players in New Zealand…This is the ultimate competition for us in New Zealand. We look forward to this every year.”
Holding the overnight chip lead in the NZ $3,250 buy-in event, Danny “Brotha D” Leaoasavaii took his seat at the nine player final table in a commanding position and continued to maintain his lead throughout the day.
Four handed Brotha D then eliminated Danny Silk in 4th place and after Srdjan Mitrovic was sent to the rail in 3rd by Tom Grigg, the heads-up phase of the tournament begun.
Roughly even in chips, the New Zealand/ Australian duo battled away for more than four hours while the partisan crowd cheered almost every hand.
Eventually, Tom Grigg pre-flop shoved with Jh-Ts only to walk into Brotha D’s As-Ks, and with both players missing on a 3c-4d-9d-6s-Qs board Grigg was relegated to the runner-up spot, while Brotha D was crowned APPT Auckland 2010 Champion.
Although disappointed, Grigg will take comfort from the fact that his NZ$107,900 prize money came from an initial investment of just $22 from an online re-buy satellite.
Heaping praise on the winner, the 25 year old Melbourne pro said: “He (Brotha D) played really, really well I think. I kind of felt like I could wait for spots and get it in. I didn’t have to bluff, really, to win. That was my thought process. In the end, obviously it didn’t work out, but he played really well.”


Poker News
Matt Waxman Claims 2018 WPT Tournament of Champions Title
28 May 2018
The WPT Tournament of Champions (TOC) is an invitational only tournament consisting of past WPT champions, who can enter the competition for $15k if they wish, or this season’s winners, who automatically receive a free seat, airfare and hotel accommodations through to the end of season finale. The World Poker Tour Tournament of Champions subsequently
MSPT Hosts Largest Poker Tournament in Michigan History
26 May 2018
Mark Brazis has won the biggest poker tournament in Michigan state history after besting a field of 1,287 runners over four days at the $1,100 MSPT Battle Creek for $221,323. The Indiana resident had just $31,264 in winnings from three cashes going into the MSPT Main Event, and after claiming his famous victory, the 36-year-old
Valentin Vornicu Wins Record 12th WSOP Circuit Title
16 May 2018
Valentin Vornicu, has extended his lead over Maurice Hawkins as the World Series of Poker Circuit’s top title holder after winning a 12th ring at the WSOPC Harrah’s New Orleans $365 No Limit Hold’em event. Furthermore, Vornicu’s latest victory worth $24,084 comes just one day after he won a record 11th ring at the $365
Phil Ivey Takes Down Short Deck Event in Montenegro for $605k
14 May 2018
Phil Ivey may not be a regular on the tournament scene anymore, preferring instead to devote his time to playing high stakes cash games in Asia, but when the former world number one does get round to entering a live tourney he continues to represent a huge threat in the eyes of his opponents. Of