Nick Gara played to first place in the final R600 Turbo event in Maitland ahead of Concept’s move to a new venue.
With switch to a bigger club space in April, the R600 Turbo #9 was the final Thursday night fixture at Hangar17.
Many poker memories have been enjoyed on the midweek nights at Concept, which has been the clear crowd favourite fixture of the years.
A memorable archive of tournament wins, bad beats and off-table antics have been experience in Office 24 since 2018. This all paints an amazing story around Cape Town poker.
And this Thursday night was no different as an entertaining and louder-than-usual crowd filled the tables for a lively R600 Turbo send-off.
A brandy-fuelled Nick Gara (left) led the charge, and with no surprise, was last man standing in a competitive field of 50 players. One could argue that he plays his best poker after a few rounds of KWV.
He did a deal with Thomas Hendricks (right) among the Top 2 as the two Sharks poker stalwarts did a R8000 split and played for the change. Nick grabbed the bonus R1000 and bragging rights, winning the heads-up battle.
Birthday boy Ronald Napala (who was the cause of plentiful Jaggerbombs on the night) placed third when he shoved into Nick in the big blind, as the latter woke up with AQ and spiked the Ace.
Ryan Rudolph enjoyed another deep run and finished in 4th place. His pocket 8s were cracked by Nick, who called with AK and hit the Ace.
Sky Sissing made a rare appearance and managed to make the money. With work and his new baby keeping him occupied off the tables, he managed to rub off the poker rust and grinded the short stack to 5th place. He was all in with 95 ♥️ suited, and got called by Thomas, who held up with pocket 10s.
Evann Wessels finished in 6th place when he drowned on the River in a three-way pot against Ronald and Nick. Evan would’ve won a big pot as he held the nut straight on the Turn, but Ronald spiked a Spade on fifth street to hold the nut flush with A3 ♠️ suited.
Cliffy Fortuin finish in 7th place to record a hat-trick of R600 Turbo final tables. This means his next buy-in for the Thursday event will be free!
He was all in with AK and racing against Nick’s pocket Queens. The board ran dry to see the ladies hold up.
With a bubble prize plea rejected, there was heavy pressure during the initial stages of final table.
Lerenzo Greeff and Aladdin de Beer unfortunately fell short of the money on the night, but earn Player of the Year Points for making final table.
Lerenzo finished in 8th as he lost a race with AJ versus Nick’s pocket Queens, which held up.
Aladdin ended in 9th as he was on the losing end with his pocket Queens, which were cracked by an Ace on the River at the hands of Ron (AK).
WELL DONE WINNERS!
With 50 players and a R31800 prize pool, it was a great end to Thursday nights in Maitland.
We now look forward to our venue farewell game on Sunday. We will be hosting the Concept Grand Slam, an enjoyable semi-freeze structure.
Details to be posted soon. Satellites will be run all weekend.
Hope to see you there!
R600 Turbo #9 results:
1) Nick Gara
R9000 (split)
2) Thomas Hendricks
R8000 (split)
3) Ronald Napala
R5000
4) Ryan Rudolph
R4000
5) Sky Sissing
R2800
6) Evann Wessels
R1600
7) Cliffy Fortuin
R1200
8) Lerenzo Greeff
9) Aladdin de Beer
Prize pool: R31800 (including R200 for Player of the Year)