Michael Kanaan Triumphs at 2017 WSOP Sydney Main Event
December 20, 2017 12:48 pmThe 2017 WSOP Circuit Sydney has drawn to a close with 13 tournaments having been featured at its three-week long run at The Star Casino in Australia. Completing the hugely successful series was its A$2,200 (US$1,690) Main Event, with 1,067 players entering to create a prize pool of A$2,134,000 (US$1,606,516).
Following four starting flights and a further three days of action, it was Michael Kanaan who would ultimately triumph over the competition to win a gold ring, and the biggest score of his career worth A$394,837 (US$297,241). The victory now takes Kanaan’s career earnings to $1,241,336, with his previous other accolades including winning the 2011 ANZPT Sydney Main Event for A$195,714 (US$203,202), and a 3rd place finish at the 2012 APPT Taipa for HK$1,731,000 (US$223,340).
On Day 3, Sam Alhassan entered the final table as the chip leader, with Michael Fraser in 3rd position, and Michael Kanaan in 4th. Michael Fraser (A-K) then eliminated Vincent Huang (A-Q) in 8th, after which Michael Kanaan (A-K) went into overdrive and took care of Karam Bahi (K-J) in 6th, before being dealt pocket tens and sending Sean Lannon (4-4) to the rail in 5th.
Next, Kanaan (Q-Q) knocked out Nabil Edgtton (K-J) in 4th, with Fraser subsequently doing likewise to John Pachos in 3rd to set up the final battle for the title. Half an hour later, and the definitive hand was played with Fraser (A-10) losing to his opponent’s dominating A-K to claim a runner-up finish for A$244,086 ($183,753), while top honors went to Michael Kanaan.
Final Table Results (A$):
1: Michael Kanaan $394,837
2: Michael Fraser $244,086
3: John Pachos $181,390
4: Nabil Edgtton $136,362
5: Sean Lannon $103,691
6: Karam Bahi $79,768
7: Sam Alhassan $62,078
8: Vincent Huang $48,868
9: Daniel Embleton $38,924
Some of the other highlights of this year’s WSOP Circuit Sydney includes Timothy Ulmer winning two individual events, with other winners including Andy Lee, and Brendon Rubie.