Steve Smith Wins 2013 NZPC Main Event
August 27, 2013 3:44 pmKiwi Steve Smith has won the 2013 New Zealand Poker Championship (NZPC) Main Event, after besting a field of 127 players over three days on his way to capturing the title, and collecting the NZ$47,000 first place prize.
Last year, the $1,500 Main Event was won by Paul Hockin for $35,000 after attracting 90 players to the Christchurch Casino located in New Zealand’s second-largest city. This year, those figures were easily surpassed as competitors at the re-entry event helped create a $190,500 prize pool.
Out of the 127 player field, just the top 16 would then take home a minimum cash of $3,300, with a final table appearance subsequently worth at least NZ$5,000. By the time that point had been reached, chip leader Akash Mazumdar had a slight lead over Steve Smith, with Slade Fisher not far behind in 4th spot.
Eventually, just those players plus Mathias Chincuini would survive into four-handed play, when event organisers decided to call a halt to the action until the following day. On Monday, Slade Fisher proceeded to eliminate Akash Mazmudar in 4th ($15,500), before being dealt A-9 and doing likewise to Mathias Chincuini (Q-10) in 3rd ($22,000) to force heads-up.
Not surprisingly, as the heads-up battle commenced Fisher held a big chip lead but Steve Smith was soon able to reverse the situation when the final hand was eventually played with Smith dealt K-K to his opponent’s Q-9. The 9-2-8 flop and subsequent 4 on the turn then saw all the chips pushed to the centre of the table, and with a harmless 4 falling on the river Slade Fisher had to settle for a runner-up finish worth $33,000. Meanwhile, Steve Smith was crowned the 2013 New Zealand Poker Championship winner.
The final table payouts were as follows:
1st: Steve Smith – $47,000
2nd: Slade Fisher – $33,000
3rd: Mathias Chincuini – $22,000
4th: Akash Mazmudar – $15,500
5th: Mike Tyler – $13,200
6th: Gordon Petrie – $11,000
7th: Dave Heskin – $9,000
8th: Mike King – $7,000
9th: Tom Brittenden – $5,500
10th: Dan Bates – $5,000