Australian Danny Chevalier Takes Out NZPT Queenstown - SKYCITY Alpine Adventure

Tonight ex-Queenstown resident, Danny Chevalier from Australia became the first ever NZPT Queenstown – SKYCITY Alpine Adventure Champion, outplaying 134 rivals over six days to take home the 2009 NZPT Queenstown - SKYCITY Alpine Adventure trophy and $87,435.

The Final Table began with 9 players left from an original starting field of 134 battling for a total prize pool of more than $300,000.  Over 40 of the starting field were made up of locals, and six of the final nine were New Zealand-based players. Other payers in the tournament came from Australia, Argentina, Germany, United States, Finland, The Netherlands, United Kingdom and Canada.

Danny took the title from Andrew Hinrichsen from Australia with a 7 and Ace of hearts giving him a ‘nut flush’. Andrew takes home $57,285 for second place.

The NZPT Queenstown - SKYCITY Alpine Adventure poker tournament attracted a world-class field of some of the sport’s finest talent, including International professionals including Eric Assadourian, Grant Levy, Celina Lin, Tony Hachem, Emad Tahtouh and New Zealand-based Lee ‘Final Table’ Nelson.  Coming from nine different nations, the 134-strong field was cheered on by local fans at SKYCITY Queenstown, creating a high-energy tournament experience.

 Danny was thrilled with winning in Queenstown, “Queenstown is my second home and it was like playing in front of my home crowd.’

 Michelle Baillie, Executive Manager for SKYCITY Queenstown, said: “We’re delighted we were able to have such a talented field of local and international players compete in the inaugural NZPT Queenstown – SKYCITY Alpine Adventure poker tournament.

“It was great to see those professional players as well as other local talent in action.  The other Kiwis who made it to the Final Table – John Pye, John Guthrie, Steve Smith, Mark Walker and Glen Maiden– are also to be congratulated for their efforts.

 “Having such a remarkable tournament in Queenstown has put Queenstown on the world map for poker tournaments. The event held at the SKYCITY Queenstown Casino is the biggest tournament based on numbers in the South Island for 2009.”

 “We look forward to building on the success of the inaugural NZPT Queenstown – SKYCITY Alpine Adventure with an even bigger prize pool and greater number of players next year.”

 The final standings and monies earned are as follows:

1. Danny Chevalier – Melbourne, Australia - $87,435NZD

2. Andrew Hinrichsen – Melbourne, Australia - $57,285NZD

3. Glen Maiden – Queenstown, New Zealand - $33,165NZD

4. Mark Walker – Cambridge, New Zealand - $27,135NZD

5. Steve Smith – Auckland, New Zealand - $21,105NZD

6. John Guthrie – Queenstown, New Zealand - $15,075NZD

7. John Pye – Auckland, New Zealand - $12,060NZD

8. Will Mauga– Brisbane, Australia - $9,045NZD

9. David Bradford – Wellington, - $6,030NZD

 About Danny Chevalier

Arguably the most accomplished player at the final table, this 46-year-old lived in New Zealand for many years where he ran day spas in Queenstown and Rotorua before recently returning to Australia. He won a preliminary event and final table another during the 2009 Melbourne Poker Championships, and won a seat into this event in a live satellite here at SKYCITY Queenstown. He credits his love of poker to his grandmother Regine, who passed away last year aged 99.