Aussie victorious in APPT Grand Final

SYDNEY, Australia -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- Yesterday, 34-year-old Sydneysider Martin Rowe pocketed a massive $1 million first prize to become the newest PokerStars.net Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT) Grand Final champion, outplaying 476 rivals over the past five days.

Cheered on in front of his by family, friends and a home crowd, Martin, a father of (almost) two from North Sydney commented directly following his win: "I cannot believe I have won tonight. I felt on edge but not out of control the entire tournament and now to have the title I am just ecstatic – this will be life changing for my family."

The Final Table began with nine players from an impressive starting field of 477, including the current 22-year-old World Champion Peter Eastgate and past champions Joe Hachem and Chris Moneymaker, competing for a prize pool of over $2.8 million.

With the final table made up of seven Aussies, it was fitting the title remained in Australia (a Pole and Canadian made up the remainder). Final table play lasted a gruelling nine and a half hours. In the final hand of the tournament Martin raised and Jason went all in before the community cards were laid out – Martin called and tabled A Q and Gray showed 9 5 suited. The board played out and Martin was crowned the champion of the PokerStars.net APPT Sydney Grand Final with two pair.

"It is fantastic to see an Australian champion in the APPT Grand Final for the second year in a row. Amongst a great international lineup it represents the calibre of poker in this country," commented APPT President Jeffrey Haas.

This tournament ends the second season of the PokerStars.net APPT. Season 3 of APPT will be announced shortly.