All Africa Poker Tournament

Five local players win seats at the World Series of Poker Twenty-five hours after the start of what was to be the most highly charged poker tournament ever hosted in Africa, a second Poker Millionaire was crowned in the 5th Tournament of the All Africa Poker Series, held at the Orion Piggs Peak Hotel and Casino in Swaziland. The Casino is becoming synonymous with making millionaires, having made its first Poker Millionaire in February. In excess of 2700 hands of Texas Hold-Em Poker were played in 25 hours, but it was Peter Vermaas who, at 01:55am on Sunday morning, revealed his winning hand of King High Club Flush, walking away with one million rand in cash and a package worth R100 000 to the World Series of Poker being held in Las Vegas in July 2006. Play commenced on Friday 5th May 2006 at 16:00, with a field of 90 players traveling from as far as Canada, St Francis Bay and Zambia to battle for the title of Africa’s Poker champion. With 17 players knocked out on Friday night, the atmosphere was tense and the remaining players settled in for 16 challenging hours of poker. By 22:00 on the Saturday night, the top 10 were revealed and the final hours of poker action commenced. The top 10 players shared a prize pool of R2 250 000, and the top five players each walked away with a package to the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas worth R100 000. Peter Vermaas, having placed in the top 10 twice previously, showed that his lengthy poker career and experience placed him in a perfect position to play his winning hand. The All Africa Poker Tournament launched a new era in poker when the February Tournament was filmed and packaged into 6 exciting episodes, and was screened on DSTV Channel 111 in April this year. Players were distinctly aware that they were in the new realm of televised poker and potential poker celebrities raised their game and their TV persona, providing both exciting and compelling viewing. The next series of All Africa Poker is scheduled to run on DSTV Channel 111 from 10th July 2006. Be sure to watch your screens for all the action. The next Tournament will take place from 18th -20th August 2006.