Asian businessman and respected poker player Paul Phua may have busted without cashing in the million dollar buy-in Big One for One Drop competition in Monte Carlo Sunday (see previous report) but he will not leave the principality empty-handed – on Monday he emerged victorious in a follow on contest with 12 other wealthy players, claiming the first prize of Euro 752,700.
The Euro 100,000 NLHE game started a little later than anticipated as the players relaxed after their marathon effort on the previous day, and took the form of a re-buy instead of a freeze-out tournament rather than the cash game originally envisaged.
In another change of plan, this event was opened up to professional players, which encouraged Tom Marchese, Mustapha Kanit, Andrew Robl and Mikita Badziakouski – all in Monte Carlo as coaches – to have a go.
Cary Katz busted early following a clash with Phua, and bought back into the fast-paced game, enabling him ultimately to make the final table where he joined newly-minted multi-millionaire One Drop winner Elton Tsang, Dan Shak, Mustapha Kanit, Talal Shakerchi, Zuo Wang and Mikita Badziakouski.
Down to three-handed action after Phua had done most of the damage in reducing the field, it was Phua, Shakerchi and Badziakouski still standing.
Badziakouski ousted Shakerchi to face Phua in the heads up with a serious chip disadvantage, and despite a determined effort to stay he was quickly eliminated by an elated Phua, who proclaimed the day a triumph for businessmen and claimed the main prize.
Badziakouski’s impressive effort to stay in the game was rewarded with a runner up prize of Euro 501,800.