Brendon Rubie Wins 2017 WSOPC Sydney $5K Challenge

On November 28th, the World Series of Poker Circuit Sydney got underway at the Star Poker Room, with its $1 million guaranteed $5k Challenge event kicking off on December 6th. A total of 229 players subsequently entered the tournament to create a prize pool $87,750 in excess of its guarantee, at the end of which it was Brendon Rubie who would walk away with a top prize of $271,952.
Interestingly, the Aussie pro finished runner-up to Luke Edwards at the same event last year, but this time around managed to overcome his final opponent to claim the title. As a result, Brendon Rubie now boasts $1,818,624 in winnings, with his latest score representing his largest score to date.
Needless to say, the $5k Challenge event managed to attract some of the game’s most talented pros, including the likes of Joe Hachem, Jarred Graham, Daniel Nielson, and Jonathan Karamalikis, who unfortunately for him was eliminated on the bubble.
Hachem then bowed out just short of the final table, after which Rubie took the time to speak to reporters and express his surprise at making the event’s final table two years in a row.
“This is just ridiculous. To be here again after coming so close last year is amazing,” said Rubie.
At this stage, however, Sam Higgs was out in front as the chip leader and after being dealt pocket jacks sent Antonis Kambouroglou (10-10) to the rail in 9th, before being dealt K-K and doing likewise to Ray Liu (3-3) in 8th.
Meanwhile, Rubie (A-J) took care of Charbel Boustani (10-10) in 6th, followed by Andy Lee in 5th, and Steve Pappas in 4th, after which Sam Higgs knocked out Jordan Westmorland in 3rd to usher in heads-up play for the title.
Two hands later, and the competition was brought to a swift conclusion, though, after Rubie (Q-Q) annd Higgs (J-J) went all-in preflop, with a Q then arriving on the flop. Sam Higgs then collected $166,079 for his runner-up finish, bringing his career earnings to $746,253, while Brendon Rubie claimed the title, and WSOPC ring.
Final Table Results
1: Brendon Rubie $271,952
2: Sam Higgs $166,079
3: Jordan Westmorland $122,328
4: Steve Pappas $90,468
5: Andy Lee $67,951
6: Charbel Boustani $51,831
7: Ryan Pignatelli $40,137
8: Ray Liu $31,544
9: Antonis Kambouroglou $25,159