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In record-breaking style, WPTDeepStacks™ hosted by The Star Gold Coast has culminated in an epic display with Sydney’s Will Davies taking out the prestigious Main Event and the tournament setting a series of new records for WPT® across Asia Pacific.
In a huge win for local tourism and the Australian poker scene, more than 2,000 players converged on The Star Gold Coast during the 11-day festival.
The event also broke a number of records across WPT Asia Pacific including the highest number of entries in a festival championship, with more than 4,400. The record was previously held by WPT Vietnam with 3,100 entries.
Image: WPTDeepStacks at The Star Gold Coast winner Will Davies
The Star Gold Coast Chief Operating Officer, Jess Mellor, said the record-breaking success of WPTDeepStacks further cements The Star Gold Coast as Queensland’s home of poker while propelling the iconic property onto the world stage.
“We are absolutely thrilled with the results from the WPTDeepStacks, not only breaking multiple records across Asia Pacific, but also treating visitors to our city to 11 days of great fun and world-class hospitality,” she said.
“These results are not only a wonderful sign for the future of Australian poker but are also a coup for our tourism industry.
“Poker is thriving in Australia and The Star Gold Coast has proven it can meet this rise in popularity with our state-of-the-art poker space, five-star accommodation offering, suite of award-winning restaurants and bars and of course our stunning weather and coastal location.
“We look forward to continuing our partnership with WPT to bring more tournaments to The Star and the Gold Coast.”
World Poker Tour’s VP of Global Tour Management Angelica Hael said: “The WPT is thrilled to have visited The Star Gold Coast once again as we kick off our new season and set another record at one of the premier poker destinations in the world.”
The record breaking event culminated with the top nine players battling it out on the final table, with winner Will Davies showing patience early on to cruise into a tense 3-handed play against Alex Lynskey and Mike Maddocks before ultimately claiming the win, with a raucous cheer from spectators as the final card was dealt.
The Sydney local, who has been playing poker for eight years, took home AU$252,729 as the inaugural WPTDeepStacks Gold Coast winner.
“I wasn’t having much luck on my first buy-in, but my friends and girlfriend convinced me to stay and I’m definitely glad I did! I think the first thing I’ll spend it on is celebrating with all my friends and family and then maybe a house in Ireland,” he said.
“The tournament was perfectly run and the dealers and the staff from The Star were amazing; thank you WPT for making it happen on the beautiful Gold Coast.”
Image: WPTDeepStacks at The Star Gold Coast winner Will Davies celebrates with family and friends
Will was joined by an impressive suite of poker’s biggest names across the festival, including Australia’s arguably most well-known poker player, Joe Hachem, Australian sporting legend Shane Warne and his son Jackson Warne, Australian Poker Hall of Fame inaugural inductee, Gary Benson, Melbourne’s Rob Campbell, Melbourne’s Bill Argyros (affectionately known as ‘Billy The Croc’), and New Zealand star player Simon Thwaites.
The Star Gold Coast first rolled out the red carpet for the World Poker Tour® in October 2019, a historic deal marking the first ever WPT event held in Australia and the beginning of a dynamic partnership.
The entire WPTDeepStacks™ Festival saw 10 events across 11 days from May 21 – 31 with buy-ins ranging from AU$330 to AU$5,000. The Main Event buy-in was AU$1,500.
About World Poker Tour
World Poker Tour (WPT) is the premier name in internationally televised gaming and entertainment with brand presence in land-based tournaments, television, online, and mobile. Leading innovation in the sport of poker since 2002, WPT ignited the global poker boom with the creation of a unique television show based on a series of high-stakes poker tournaments. WPT has broadcast globally in more than 150 countries and territories, and is currently producing its 18th season, which airs on Bally Sports in the United States. Season XVIII of WPT is sponsored by ClubWPT.com. ClubWPT.com is a unique online membership site that offers inside access to the WPT, as well as a sweepstakes-based poker club available in 43 states and territories across the United States, Australia, Canada, France and the United Kingdom. WPT also participates in strategic brand license, partnership, and sponsorship opportunities. For more information, go to WPT.com. WPT Enterprises Inc. is a subsidiary of Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc.
