Lee Nelson Wins Poker Championships

Monday 16 April ­

International Poker Star Lee Nelson Wins Christchurch Casino Canterbury Poker Championships

After almost 13 hours of grueling bluffing, betting and folding, Australasia¹s number one ranked poker player, Lee Nelson, has beaten an international field to take out the $21,800 first prize at the Christchurch Casino Canterbury Poker Championships that finished early this morning.

The 64-year-old has beaten 88 competitors to the title, with his winnings coming from a total prize pool of $63,200.

Nelson, a former doctor, won last year¹s Aussie Millions against over 400 competitors to take home the biggest cheque of his career, (NZ)$1.43 million.

Last night¹s competition came down to a head-to-head battle with Mr Nelson and Australian Martin Comer.

Mr Nelson says he just had to wait it out before striking the final blow.

³Martin is a very aggressive poker player, so I was just biding my time a little over the last couple of hours before matching his all in bet,² he says. ³ I figured he didn¹t have a very high pair so went for it.²

Mr Nelson says he is now looking forward to the main event at the tournament, the $500,000* New Zealand Poker Championships.

³You always feel confident heading into a tournament, but being the highest ranked you are expected to win. There will be several decision points in the tournament that I have to make the right call on to be in with a chance.²

Christchurch Casino¹s Mick Ryan says it was steely determination and a few strokes of luck that saw Nelson home last night.

³When there were three left at the table, Lee had Ace, King against pocket Queens, he got some luck and was able to knock out Nick Nicolaou from Australia who was looking in good form,² Mr Ryan says.

³In a tournament with this many players in it, though, class always shines through. Lee had enough patience to stick it out and then pounced when he felt the time was right.²

The poker action continues tonight at Christchurch Casino with the sold-out Peter Peko Memorial Tournament. The winner will take home around $20,000 cash.

*Based on a full field of 140.

Final results and prize monies from the Christchurch Casino Canterbury Champs: 1st Lee Nelson (NZ) $21800 2nd Martin Comer (Aus)$12460 3rd Nick Nicolaou (Aus) $6230 4th Hemi Farrell (Aus) $4980 5th Glen Councll (NZ) $4360 6th Paul Gorman (NZ) $3740 7th Nick Webb (NZ) $3120 8th Gary Benson (Aus) $2490 9th Zhi Hong Ma (China)$1870 10th Monica Eastick (Aus) $1250

ENDS