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The Asian Poker Tour’s latest event, held at the Galaxy StarWorld in Macau, was won by 20-year-old Yevgeniy Timoshenko, known online as “bballer88”.
Timoshenko earned $500,000 for coming out on top of the 257-player field that included some of poker’s biggest names. Doyle and Todd Brunson, Johnny Chan, Liz Lieu, J.C Tran, Kenny Tran, John Juanda, Nam Le, and David 'Chino' Rheem of the November Nine all made their way across the Pacific for the tournament that featured a $1.5 million prize pool. None of those players were able to cash but runner-up Joon Hee Yeah from South Korea took home $250,000.
“There were points in the tournament where I definitely ran good but I have to give respect to runner-up Joon Hee Yeah. He was the last person I wanted to take on heads-up,” said Timoshenko, who was born in the Ukraine but moved to the United States when he was 10. Over the last few years he’s developed a reputation in the online poker community as a strong player. This win marks his first in a major live tournament.
“I’m ecstatic to have finally won a main event,” said Timoshenko. “I will use the winnings to strengthen my bankroll but I haven’t decided about my future as yet. I have plans to go to business school in 2009.”
Coming in third and taking home $126,000 was Robert Karian. Known to many poker fans in the United States, Casey Kastle finished fourth and banked $90,000. The final table was taped for television and will be aired at a yet-to-be-determined date.
The $5,300 buy-in event wasn’t the only highlight of the APT stop. A charity event, featuring Miss Hong Kong Tracy Ip and MTV reality show star Tila Tequila, raised HK$200,000 for the Caritas De Macau, a group that works with underprivileged people in Macua to help them live more comfortably.
There was also a high stakes cash game featuring the Brunsons, Chan and both J.C. and Kenny Tran. The buy-in was HK$1 million ($130,000 US) and was taped for broadcast. For more information on the Asian Poker Tour visit www.AsianPT.com.
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