 Member George Psarras recently won a NSW poker title and stands to win greater honours, as the game's popularity soars at St George Leagues Club.
Mr Psarras pocketed $10,000 when he won the title in Newcastle late last year after advancing through an Australian Poker League season at St George Leagues Club.
He also gained entry into a million-dollar final to be held at a secret location in Sydney in July. "It was excellent," said the Kogarah resident of his state title. "I expected to do well because I have played APL since it started at the Club - it's enjoyable, it's a good social thing."
The 23-year-old builder rates himself a healthy chance of winning the $300,000 first prize in the middle of the year.
"Out of 250 to one, they're not bad odds," he said. "It's just if you have the right cards and make the right decisions."
About 200 players gather for APL's 12-week tournaments each Monday and Wednesday night, vying for a share of $500 cash and a position in the lucrative State final. (The current season finishes in late March.)
Two alternative tournaments called Saints Shootouts have also been staged, the first in November breaking a world record with 1240 players. Another Shootout will be held in May.
Pro Series poker is also held at the Club each Friday night, when a $25 "buy-in" is returned in full to the eventual winners.
"It's getting bigger again," APL's Sydney South Franchise owner David Robinson said. "We have just started this season and the numbers are growing every week and we are getting a lot of new members."
The Australian Poker League boasts 187,000 members around the country, many of whom have been inspired by Victorian Joe Hachem's $8 million World championship win in Las Vegas in 2005.
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St George Leagues Club
NEWS
