Australia New Zealand Poker Tour Explained

Australia New Zealand Poker Tour
Sport:	poker
Founded:	2009
Folded:	2015
Owner:	GPTL at The Stars Group
President:	Danny McDonagh
Region:	Oceania
Most Champs:	Tony Hachem (2009/2010)
Sponsor:	PokerStars
Website:	pokerstarslive.com

The ANZPT – Australia New Zealand Poker Tour was a southern hemisphere poker tour operated by PokerStars. It ran for seven seasons from 2009 before closing in 2015 after merging with the APPT – Asia Pacific Poker Tour.

History

The ANZPT – Australia New Zealand Poker Tour was created in 2009 as a series of poker tournaments for local players in the Australia and New Zealand region, as the low entry (around AS2,000) were not attractive for professional players from US or Europe to travel so far to the region. This helped establish PokerStars live events in the region by encouraging local players to participate in tournaments under the PokerStars brand, glamour and prestige.^[1]

Between 2009 and 2015, several cities had the presence of ANZPT, in Australia they were: Adelaide, Sydney, Gold Coast, Perth, Canberra, Melbourne and Darwin and in New Zealand the cities chosen were Queenstown and Auckland.

During the 7 seasons, several awards were distributed to the Players of the Year, with Tony Hachem being the biggest champion, winning two years in a row in the first and second seasons.^[1] Tony is the brother of Joe Hachem, the 2005 World Series of Poker main event winner. In 2013, Anthony Hachem, son of Joe Hachem won ANZPT Melbourne.^[2]

At the same time, PokerStars organized another tour in the vicinity, with the APPT – Asia Pacific Poker Tour even having some tournaments from seasons 5, 6 and 7 happening together, expanding the reach of the APPT tournaments in the Pacific.

In 2015, it was announced by Global Poker Tours Ltd., a subsidiary for live events of Amaya Inc. (owner of PokerStars between 2014 and 2019), that ANZPT would merge with APPT and the brand would cease to exist, with only APPT continuing to organize poker events in the pacific region. "I have been very proud to be a part of the ANZPT," said APPT and ANZPT President Danny McDonagh. "There have been many memorable stops including Darwin, Gold Coast, and Queenstown together with the big city venues such as Sydney and Melbourne. The tour has preserved the freeze out format in the $2,000 range, a decision vindicated by how popular the series has been with players."^[3]

ANZPT Main Event winners

Season 1 (2009)

Date	Event / City	Players	Prize Pool	Winner	Prize	Results
31 January- 7 February	ANZPT Adelaide A$3,000 SkyCity Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia		A$568,950 (~$365,694)	Karl Krautschneider^[4]	A$170,215 (~$109,406)	https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=35201
23 April- 3 May	ANZPT Sydney A$2,200 The Star Sydney Casino, Sydney, NSW, Australia		A$986,000 (~$696,746)	Paren Arzoomanian^[5]	A$246,500 (~$174,186)	https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=36534
19–25 July	ANZPT Queenstown NZ$2,500 SkyCity Queenstown, Queenstown, Otago, New Zealand		NZ$301,500 (~$194,212)	Daniel Chevalier^[6]	NZ$87,435 (~$56,321)	https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=37078
5–9 August	ANZPT Gold Coast A$2,500 The Star Gold Coast, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia		A$622,500 (~$524,325)	Scott Kerr^[7]	A$168,075 (~$141,568)	https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=37086

• Australia New Zealand Poker Tour – Season 1 (2009) – Leaderboard Champion: Tony Hachem^[7]

Season 2 (2010)

Date	Event / City	Players	Prize Pool	Winner	Prize	Results
2–14 February	ANZPT Adelaide A$3,000 SkyCity Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia		A$644,280 (~$569,751)	Rennie Carnevale^[8]	A$165,900 (~$146,709)	https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=42653
13–21 March	ANZPT Perth A$2,500 Crown Casino, Perth, WA, Australia		A$510,600 (~$467,065)	Tony Hachem^[9]	A$132,750 (~$121,523)	https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=40083
15–25 April	ANZPT Sydney A$2,200 The Star Sydney Casino, Sydney, NSW, Australia		A$892,000 (~$829,636)	Angelo Hanataj^[10]	A$219,432 (~$204,091)	https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=40084
11–14 June	ANZPT Canberra A$2,200 Casino Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia		A$362,000 (~$305,310)	Jason Gray^[11]	A$95,930 (~$80,907)	https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=45768
17–25 July	ANZPT Queenstown NZ$2,500 SkyCity Queenstown, Queenstown, Otago, New Zealand		NZ$267,750 (~$234,076)	Julian Cohen^[12]	NZ$73,630 (~$64,370)	https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=45856
11–15 August	ANZPT Gold Coast A$2,500 The Star Gold Coast, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia		A$717,500 (~$653,342)	Nauvneel Kashyap^[13]	A$182,965 (~$166,604)	https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=40086
2–11 October	ANZPT Melbourne A$2,700 Crown Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia		A$775,000 (~$752,062)	Martin Kozlov^[14]	A$195,700 (~$189,908)	https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=49193
25–30 October	ANZPT Darwin A$2,200 SkyCity Darwin, Darwin, NT, Australia		A$200,000 (~$196,591)	Danny Leaoasavaii^[15]	A$57,000 (~$56,028)	https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=49630

• Australia New Zealand Poker Tour – Season 2 (2010) – Leaderboard Champion: Tony Hachem (2)^{[16] [17]}

Season 3 (2011)

Date	Event / City	Players	Prize Pool	Winner	Prize	Results
25 January- 6 February	ANZPT Adelaide A$2,400 SkyCity Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia		A$551,540 (~$546,881)	Octavian Voegele^[18]	A$148,900 (~$147,642)	https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=50904
17–27 March	ANZPT Perth A$2,500 Crown Casino, Perth, WA, Australia		A$500,600 (~$495,555)	Grant Levy^[19]	A$131,500 (~$130,175)	https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=53654
4–17 April	ANZPT Sydney A$2,200 The Star Sydney Casino, Sydney, NSW, Australia		A$786,000 (~$816,072)	Michael Kanaan^[20]	A$195,714 (~$203,202)	https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=50952
17–22 May	ANZPT Gold Coast A$2,500 The Star Gold Coast, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia		A$563,500 (~$595,622)	Peter Matusik^[21]	A$145,100 (~$153,371)	https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=50961
10–13 June	ANZPT Canberra A$2,200 Casino Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia		A$267,900 (~$284,187)	Xiuming "Sammy" Huang^[22]	A$73,600 (~$78,074)	https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=50967
15–26 September	ANZPT Melbourne A$2,400 Crown Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia		A$620,000 (~$635,845)	Lee Nelson^[23]	A$156,550 (~$160,551)	https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=59853
29 September- 8 October	ANZPT Darwin A$2,200 SkyCity Darwin, Darwin, NT, Australia		A$128,000 (~$126,457)	Jack Drake^[24]	A$36,480 (~$36,040)	https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=60414

• Australia New Zealand Poker Tour – Season 3 (2011) – Leaderboard Champion: Daniel Chevalier^{[24] [25]}

Season 4 (2012)

Date	Event / City	Players	Prize Pool	Winner	Prize	Results
14–25 March	ANZPT Sydney A$2,200 The Star Sydney Casino, Sydney, NSW, Australia		A$922,000 (~$970,864)	Gordon Huntly^[26]	A$226,812 (~$238,832)	https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=66196
26 April- 6 May	ANZPT Perth A$1,100 Crown Casino, Perth, WA, Australia		A$310,000 (~$320,192)	Mathew Carlsson^[27]	A$78,275 (~$80,848)	https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=67187
23–29 July	ANZPT Queenstown Snowfest NZ$3,000 SkyCity Queenstown, Queenstown, Otago, New Zealand		NZ$402,300 (~$321,454)	David Allan^[28]	NZ$110,600 (~$88,374)	https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=70403
20 August- 3 September	ANZPT Melbourne Grand Final A$5,000 Crown Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia		A$1,207,900 (~$1,258,347)	Samad Razavi^[29]	A$326,125 (~$339,745)	https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=71452

• Australia New Zealand Poker Tour – Season 4 (2012) – Leaderboard Champion: Mishel Anunu^[30]

Season 5 (2012/2013)

Date	Event / City	Players	Prize Pool	Winner	Prize	Results
11–29 October 2012	ANZPT Melbourne A$2,200 Crown Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia		A$690,000 (~$705,507)	Paul Hockin^[31]	A$101,275 (~$103,551)	https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=73750
17–25 November 2012	ANZPT Auckland NZ$2,200 SkyCity Auckland, Auckland, North Island, New Zealand		NZ$414,000 (~$335,147)	Geoff Smith^[32]	NZ$80,502 (~$65,169)	https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=73669
14–24 February 2013	ANZPT Perth A$2,200 Crown Casino, Perth, WA, Australia		A$438,000 (~$452,797)	Dejan Divkovic^[33]	A$114,000 (~$117,851)	https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=75975
11–24 March 2013	ANZPT Sydney A$2,200 The Star Sydney Casino, Sydney, NSW, Australia		A$920,000 (~$941,254)	Dinesh Alt^[34]	A$226,320 (~$231,548)	https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=79824
20 May- 3 June 2013	ANZPT Melbourne A$1,100 A$750,000 Prizepool guaranteed Crown Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia		A$844,000 (~$820,636)	Anthony Hachem^[35]	A$181,460 (~$176,437)	https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=81954
30 July- 4 August 2013	APPT/ANZPT Queenstown Snowfest NZ$3,000 SkyCity, Queenstown, Otago, New Zealand		NZ$340,200 (~$274,300)	Jonathan Bredin^[36]	NZ$93,600 (~$75,469)	https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=80916

• Australia New Zealand Poker Tour – Season 5 (2012/2013) – Leaderboard Champion: Iori Yogo^[37]

Season 6 (2013/2014)

Date	Event / City	Players	Prize Pool	Winner	Prize	Results
16–24 November 2013	ANZPT Auckland NZ$2,200 SkyCity Auckland, Auckland, North Island, New Zealand		NZ$426,000 (~$353,457)	David Lim^[38]	NZ$110,760 (~$91,899)	https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=105634
20 February- 2 March 2014	ANZPT Perth A$2,200 Crown Casino, Perth, WA, Australia		A$512,000 (~$462,111)	Patrick Mahoney^[39]	A$120,000 (~$108,307)	https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=155406
12–24 March 2014	ANZPT Sydney A$2,200 The Star Sydney Casino, Sydney, NSW, Australia		A$916,000 (~$826,208)	Joshua Redhouse^[40]	A$123,500 (~$111,393)	https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=209634
20 August- 1 September 2014	ANZPT Melbourne A$2,200 Crown Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia		A$1,032,000 (~$965,144)	Edison Nguyen^[41]	A$217,500 (~$203,410)	https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=233257
19–23 November 2014	APPT/ANZPT Auckland NZ$2,500 SkyCity Auckland, Auckland, North Island, New Zealand		NZ$506,250 (~$401,952)	Minh Hau Nguyen^[42]	NZ$111,600 (~$88,608)	https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=105634

• Australia New Zealand Poker Tour – Season 6 (2013/2014) – Leaderboard Champion: David Lim^[43]

Season 7 (2015)

Date	Event / City	Players	Prize Pool	Winner	Prize	Results
5–15 February	ANZPT Perth A$2,200 Crown Casino, Perth, WA, Australia		A$393,600 (~$306,716)	Michael Kane^[44]	A$98,900 (~$77,069)	https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=267443
11–23 March	APPT/ANZPT Sydney A$2,300 The Star Sydney Casino, Sydney, NSW, Australia		A$912,250 (~$696,821)	Dimitrios Psaros^[45]	A$183,000 (~$139,784)	https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=290869
8–20 October	ANZPT Melbourne A$2,300 Crown Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia		A$1,066,000 (~$780,878)	Lin Shi^[46]	A$170,641 (~$125,000)	https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=339918

• Australia New Zealand Poker Tour – Season 7 (2015) – Leaderboard Champion: Aristomenis Stavropoulos^[46]

External links

• pokerstarslive.com
• Asia Pacific Poker Tour

Notes and References

1. iGaming.org – Web site: Australia New Zealand Poker Tour (ANZPT) – History and info about the ANZPT. igaming.org. en. April 9, 2024.
2. PokerNews – Web site: Pater. Mat. Anthony Hachem Wins 2013 PokerStars.net ANZPT Melbourne Repechange Main Event. pokernews.com. June 3, 2013. en. April 9, 2024.
3. PokerNews – Web site: Peters. Donnie. The APPT Expands in Australia with Addition of All ANZPT Events. pokernews.com. September 16, 2015. en. April 9, 2024.
4. CardPlayer – Web site: Lucchesi. Ryan. ANZPT – Karl Krautschneider Wins Debut Poker Event – The Aussie Defeats Tony Dunst Heads-Up for a $170,215 AUD Payday. cardplayer.com. February 8, 2009. en. April 8, 2024.
5. PokerStrategy – Web site: ANZPT Sydney: Paren Arzoomanian Wins The Main Event. pokerstrategy.com. May 4, 2009. en. April 8, 2024.
6. CardPlayer – Web site: Lucchesi. Ryan. ANZPT – Danny Chevalier Wins Queenstown Main Event – Local Aussie Takes Home $87,435 in Prize Money. cardplayer.com. July 27, 2009. en. April 8, 2024.
7. CardPlayer – Web site: Murray. Brendan. Tony Hachem Wins ANZPT Champion Title – Scott Kerr Wins Final Queensland Leg of PokerStars Australia New Zealand Poker Tour; Tony Hachem Wins Points Leader Board. cardplayer.com. August 11, 2009. en. April 8, 2024.
8. CardPlayer – Web site: Lucchesi. Ryan. ANZPT – Rennie Carnevale Wins Adelaide Main Event – Carnevale Defeats 235 Opponents to Win $165,900. cardplayer.com. February 15, 2010. en. April 8, 2024.
9. CardPlayer – Web site: Lucchesi. Ryan. ANZPT – Tony Hachem Wins Perth Main Event – Hachem Takes Home the Top Prize Worth $132,750 and his First ANZPT Title. cardplayer.com. March 22, 2010. en. April 8, 2024.
10. CardPlayer – Web site: Lucchesi. Ryan. ANZPT – Angelo Hanataj Wins Sydney Main Event – Hanataj Takes Home $219,432 after Topping a Field of 446 Players. cardplayer.com. April 27, 2010. en. April 8, 2024.
11. The Hendom Mob – Web site: ANZPT CANBERRA – JASON GRAY CROWNED CHAMPION. thehendonmob.com. June 14, 2010. en. April 8, 2024.
12. CardPlayer – Web site: Lucchesi. Ryan. ANZPT – Julian Cohen Wins Queenstown Main Event – Cohen Beats 118 Opponents to take Home the Top Prize of $73,630. cardplayer.com. July 28, 2010. en. April 8, 2024.
13. CardPlayer – Web site: Lucchesi. Ryan. ANZPT – Nauv Kashyap Wins Gold Coast Main Event – Kashyap Takes Home $182,965 at Sell-Out Event. cardplayer.com. August 16, 2010. en. April 8, 2024.
14. CardPlayer – Web site: McDaniel. Scott. Martin Kozlov Wins 2010 ANZPT Melbourne Title – Overcomes 5–1 deficit to defeat James ‘ANDY McLEOD’ Obst heads-up. cardplayer.com. October 11, 2010. en. April 8, 2024.
15. CardPlayer – Web site: McDaniel. Scott. ‘Brotha D’ is Crowned ANZPT Darwin Champion – Danny Leaoasavaii Follows Up APPT Auckland Win With ANZPT title. cardplayer.com. November 1, 2010. en. April 8, 2024.
16. PokerNewsBoy – Web site: Tony Hachem wins 2nd straight ANZPT POY award. pokernewsboy.com. November 4, 2010. en. April 8, 2024.
17. PokerStars Blog Interview – Web site: TONY HACHEM WINS ANZPT PLAYER OF THE YEAR…AGAIN!. pokerstars.com. November 1, 2010. en. April 8, 2024.
18. CardPlayer – Web site: McDaniel. Scott. Octavian Voegele Wins ANZPT Adelaide – Austrian-Native Makes Second Consecutive ANZPT Adelaide Main Event Final Table. cardplayer.com. February 7, 2011. en. April 8, 2024.
19. CardPlayer – Web site: McDaniel. Scott. Grant Levy Wins ANZPT Perth Crown – Australian Pro Becomes Second Player to Record APPT and ANZPT Wins. cardplayer.com. March 28, 2011. en. April 8, 2024.
20. CardPlayer – Web site: Lucchesi. Ryan. Australia New Zealand Poker Tour –- Michael Kanaan Wins Sydney Main Event – The Australian Kanaan Wins $195,714 in Prize Money and his First Major Title. cardplayer.com. April 18, 2011. en. April 8, 2024.
21. CardPlayer – Web site: Lucchesi. Ryan. Australia New Zealand Poker Tour – Peter Matusik Wins Gold Coast Main Event – Matusik took home the Top Prize of $145,100 on Australia’s East Coast. cardplayer.com. May 23, 2011. en. April 8, 2024.
22. The Hendom Mob – Web site: ANZPT CANBERRA – SAMMY HUANG BECOMES HOMETOWN HERO. thehendonmob.com. June 13, 2011. en. April 8, 2024.
23. PokerNewsReport – Web site: Kid. Poker. Lee Nelson Wins Gruelling ANZPT Melbourne. pokernewsreport.com. September 27, 2011. en. April 8, 2024.
24. PokerNews – Web site: Bell. Josh. 2011 PokerStars.net ANZPT Darwin: Jack Drake Wins. pokernews.com. October 10, 2011. en. April 8, 2024.
25. PokerMedia Australia – Web site: ANZPT DARWIN: Chevalier snares Player of the Year title; final table decided. pokermedia.com.au. October 7, 2011. en. April 8, 2024.
26. PokerNews – Web site: Bell. Josh. Gordon Huntly Wins 2012 PokerStars.net ANZPT Sydney Main Event. pokernews.com. March 25, 2012. en. April 8, 2024.
27. The Hendom Mob – Web site: ANZPT Perth 2012 Champion Mat Carlsson. thehendonmob.com. May 6, 2012. en. April 8, 2024.
28. CardPlayer – Web site: Murray. Brendan. David Allan Lifts ANZPT Queenstown Title – Aussie Online Poker Pro Gets First Major Live Score. cardplayer.com. July 30, 2012. en. April 8, 2024.
29. PokerNews – Web site: Congratulations to Sam Razavi, Winner of the 2012 PokerStars.net APPT Melbourne Main Event ($326,125). pokernews.com. September 3, 2012. en. April 8, 2024.
30. PokerStars Blog – Web site: ANZPT MELBOURNE: ANZ PLAYER OF THE YEAR RETURNS FOR SEASON 5. pokerstars.com. October 28, 2012. en. April 8, 2024.
31. CardPlayer – Web site: Murray. Brendan. Paul Hockin Wins ANZPT Melbourne Main Event – Three-Handed Deal Sees Winner Get Smallest Slice Of The Prize Pool. cardplayer.com. October 29, 2012. en. April 8, 2024.
32. CardPlayer – Web site: Murray. Brendan. Geoff Smith Wins ANZPT Auckland Main Event – Small Field And Short Final Table On Tour’s First Trip To Auckland. cardplayer.com. November 26, 2012. en. April 8, 2024.
33. PokerNews – Web site: Bell. Josh. Dejan Divkovic Wins 2013 PokerStars.net ANZPT Season 5 Perth. pokernews.com. February 24, 2013. en. April 8, 2024.
34. PokerNews – Web site: Pater. Mat. Dinesh Alt Wins 2013 PokerStars.net ANZPT Sydney Main Event. pokernews.com. March 24, 2013. en. April 8, 2024.
35. PokerNews – Web site: Pater. Mat. Anthony Hachem Wins 2013 PokerStars.net ANZPT Melbourne Repechange Main Event. pokernews.com. June 3, 2013. en. April 8, 2024.
36. PokerNews – Web site: Bell. Josh. Jonathan Bredin Wins 2013 PokerStars.net ANZPT Queenstown Snowfest. pokernews.com. August 4, 2013. en. April 8, 2024.
37. PokerNetwork – Web site: Japan's Iori Yogo Wins 2013 ANZ Player of the Year. pokernetwork.com. en. April 8, 2024.
38. PokerNews – Web site: Bell. Josh. David Lim Wins 2013 PokerStars ANZPT Auckland. pokernews.com. November 24, 2013. en. April 8, 2024.
39. PokerNews – Web site: Bell. Josh. American Patrick Mahoney Wins the 2014 PokerStars.net ANZPT Perth Main Event. pokernews.com. March 2, 2014. en. April 8, 2024.
40. PokerMedia Australia – Web site: STAR POKER: Joshua Redhouse Crowned Main Event Champion in Sydney. pokermedia.com.au. April 10, 2014. en. April 9, 2024.
41. PokerNews – Web site: Bell. Josh. Edison Nguyen Conquers Record-Breaking 2014 PokerStars.net ANZPT Melbourne Main Event. pokernews.com. September 2, 2014. en. April 9, 2024.
42. PokerNews – Web site: Bell. Josh. Minh Nguyen Wins 2014 PokerStars.net APPT Auckland Main Event. pokernews.com. November 22, 2014. en. April 9, 2024.
43. SoMuchPoker – Web site: HARTWELL. LOUIS. Up and Down : David Lim ANZPT Player of year, Tax troubles for Stephensen. somuchpoker.com. December 3, 2014. en. April 9, 2024.
44. PokerNews – Web site: Bell. Josh. Michael Kane Dominates Final Table to Win the PokerStars.net ANZPT Perth Main Event. pokernews.com. February 15, 2015. en. April 9, 2024.
45. PokerMedia Australia – Web site: Psaros wins ANZPT 2015 Sydney Main Event. pokermedia.com.au. March 24, 2015. en. April 9, 2024.
46. PokerNews – Web site: Pater. Mateusz. Lin Shi Wins 2015 ANZPT Melbourne for $170,641; Manny Stavropoulos Named Season 7 POY. pokernews.com. October 20, 2015. en. April 9, 2024.