2014 PokerStars.net APPT Auckland Main Event Day 1b: Mehrdad Razmi Finishes On Top
After another early start and eight levels of play, Day 1b of the Asia Pacific Poker Tour Auckland Main Event has concluded.
When all the chips were finally bagged and tagged, it was local Mehrdad Razmi who stormed away from Australian poker pro Alex Lynskey and fellow countryman Zoran Farac to capture the chip lead at the end of the day.
Razmi’s day was boosted when, on a board of 7♠10♥5♥Q♠2♥, he bet out 11,300. John Tawhada was the other player in the hand, and he moved all in for around 70,000 in chips. Razmi made the call and tabled his K♥3♥ for a flush, which was good to take down the massive pot. From there, he finished with a 186,500-chip stack to lead. Right on his tail were Lynskey (137,400) and Forac (131,1000). All had fantastic second halves to their days, and will be amongst the chip leaders heading into Day 2.
Day 1b Top 10 Chip Counts
| Rank | Player | Chips |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mehrdad Razmi | 186,500 |
| 2 | Alex Lynskey | 137,400 |
| 3 | Zoran Forac | 131,100 |
| 4 | Neil Price | 103,800 |
| 5 | Matt Wall | 87,200 |
| 6 | Michael Guzzardi | 71,300 |
| 7 | David Evans | 68,300 |
| 8 | Barry O’Callaghan | 64,000 |
| 9 | Matthew Barker | 61,500 |
| 10 | Geoff Fitzpatrick | 61,500 |
SKYCITY Auckland Casino had 93 players take their seats for the Day 1b field. The day started with several recognizable players, including 2013 ANZ Player of the Year Iori Yogo, as well local poker pro Jackson Zheng. Unfortunately for these two, their days would end short of the finish line.
Yogo was one of three players that called a raise of 700 preflop and saw a 5♠7x8♠ flop come down. Yogo checked before the player under the gun led out for 2,200. The two players in between folded before Yogo made the call. The 6♠ dropped on the turn, and Yogo slid out 4,000. His opponent shoved over the top, and with only 11,000 behind Yogo made the call to see his 9♦10♦ had turned the straight and was in good shape against his opponent’s 7♠7x for a set and flush draw. The 5x on the river paired the board and was a bad blow for Yogo, as it gave his opponent a full house and the winning hand.
Others to also fall on Day 1b were Justin Walch, Adrian Attenborough, and Angelina Rich.
Some of those to make it through included reigning ANZPT Auckland champion David Lim (55,400), Minh Nguyen (58,300), and Michael Guzzardi (71,300).
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