Strini Govender powered his way to victory in the 2019 Big Finale – Quarterly Game #4 in Goodwood on Sunday, while Vicky Moodley did just enough to be crowned Concept champion.
Strini was in hot form, taking the chip lead to the final table and dominating everyone who stood in front of him.
He made six of the seven eliminations on final table to be last man standing – an impressive grind as we started the day with 51 players.
The drama unfolded before we even reached final table as we lost two players in one hand. Dylan Hughes found himself in a great spot with Kings as there was a four-way all in pot. He got called by Riyadh Slamang (A4), Howard Gabrielse (A10) and Strini (7s)… Dylan held up to take down the pot with the big pair. Strini took the change, which saw Riyadh (who had more chips) and Howard finish in 9th and 10th respectively.
The final 8 created a bubble prize, which meant the entire final table was in the money.
Vicky Moodley secured first place on the overall log when he reached final table at the expense of Imraan Khan, who fell out earlier in the tourney.
Where the QG was concerned, Vicky was eliminated in 8th place on the day. His pocket 6s were cracked by Strini’s Q10, which flopped a 10 and held up.
Cliton Taliwanth was eliminated in 7th place when he committed the last of his chips in the big blind. He got called by Herman Nellisen and Strini, who saw a K♦️7♦️3♥️ flop. Herman checked, before Strini put out a big bet. Herman reluctantly folded, as Strini tabled a nut flush draw with A9 ♦️ suited against Cliton’s 109 ♠️ suited. The Ace turned, which gave Strini the pot with top pair.
Robin Kayalsum was out in 6th spot when he shoved from the small blind, making a move with Q3 ♣️ suited. Strini called with K7 in the blind blind, and hit the King to score a third straight knockout.
Dylan was next to go in 5th place when he made a move with 64 as the blinds were approaching. He got called by Strini, who tabled AQ, and hit an Ace on the flop.
Herman exited in 4th place when he was all in with 53 in the big blind. He got called by Pine, who tabled pocket 4s. The small pair held up.
Pine was out in 3rd place when he shoved all in on a 976 flop. Strini called with 98, while Pine showed J7. Strini held up to take the pot down, holding a 3-1 chip lead in the heads-up battle.
Jason fought back to jump into the chip lead, taking down two all-in pots. However, Strini used his momentum to return into the ascendancy and scored the tourney triumph with pocket 6s, hitting a set on the flop.
Well done to all the players! What a great way to end the season!
Results from Concept Quarterly Game #4
1st Strini Govender
2nd Jason Fried
3rd Pine Pienaar
4th Herman Nellisen
5th Dylan Hughes
6th Robin Kayalsum
7th Cliton Taliwanth
8th Vicky Moodley
9th Riyadh Slamang