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2013 E.J Whitten Poker Event
The third annual EJ Whitten Charity Poker Event was held in the Crown Poker Room on Sunday afternoon and lasted well into the night.
The charity tournament was held to support the EJ Whitten Foundation, and prostate cancer awareness, and was played in fantastic spirits with all players and spectators digging deep for the very worthy cause.
The Crown Poker Room was turned into more of a party than a poker venue with red carpet entrance, showgirls, music pumping via a live DJ and even an Elvis impersonator warming up the crowd before the cards hit the felt.
It was very pleasing to see the event supported by many Crown poker regulars. Joe Hachem and family were in attendance as well as recently crowned Melbourne APPT champ Billy “The Croc” Argyros and fellow Australian Poker Hall of Famer Mel Judah. Also trying their luck were television celebrities, sporting stars including Olympic athletes and plenty of footballers – even the Brownlow Medal favourite, Gary Ablett Jnr enjoyed some time at the tables.
Tony Hachem, an EJ Whitten Foundation ambassador, hosted the event and worked the crowd like only Tony can! Former footballers Robert “Dipper” DiPierdomenico and Michael Roberts helped rev up participants during the auctions and Ted Whitten Jnr presented a moving tribute to his father, “Mr Football”, and explained the importance of the EJ Whitten Foundation’s work.
The tournament was played in a Shootout format with players having to win all the chips at their table to progress. With over $50,000 in prizes to be won including an Aussie Millions Main Event package, players started to concentrate as the field shrunk.
In the end, the Aussie Millions package was won by Brian Payne, defeating Elvis Kakakiheads-up to grab the win.
1st Brian Payne – Aussie Millions Main Event Seat + AFL Grand Final Tickets
2nd Elvis Kakaki – Aussie Millions Six Max Event Seat + Footy Show Grand Final Tickets
3rd Nikolaos Solomos – Aussie Millions Bounty Event Seat + Australian Open Tennis Tickets
4th Angelo Visalli – Aussie Millions Bounty Event Seat
5th Geoffrey Eason – Aussie Millions Bounty Event Seat
6th Dheyas Hanna – Aussie Millions Opening Event Seat
7th Ashley Woods – Ausse Millions Opening Event Seat
Of course, the most important part of the event was the increased awareness of prostate cancer and the money raised to support continuing education and research. Congratulations to everyone involved for supporting such an important cause.
For more information on the EJ Whitten Foundation please visit http://www.ejwhittenfoundation.com.au
Article By Paul Birman – www.pokerasiapacific.com
I think Shane was more excited then Jackson, who played very well and was very respectful on the tables. Congratulation to Jackson Warne on winning a Kia Car from Chadstone Kia for finishing in first place.
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