Canadian Wins 2009 European Poker Tour Caribbean Adventure

Eight players made their way back to the Imperial Ballroom at the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas to face off for the 10th largest poker tournament top prize in history.  Also history making was the 1,347 field that assembled to compete for the incredible top prize of $3 million, making it the largest event ever hosted outside the United States.  The final eight guaranteed to walk away with at least $214,000, had accomplished a great fete making it that far in the tournament but faced an even greater one to reach the top prize.

The fast pace that had become the hallmark of the tournament, played an instrumental part in the final table as well.  During the first three hours alone, 5 players including the remaining Americans and Poker Pros, fell to the wayside.  Kevin Saul (eighth), Dan Heimiller (seventh), Dustin Dirksen (sixth), Pieter Tielen (fifth) and Team Poker Stars pro Alexandre Gomes (fourth) were the unlucky group to quickly be eliminated from the final table. 

When three handed play began, Benny Spindler held nearly twice the amount of chips both his opponents combined.  Play slowed considerably, lasting five hours.  The players traded chips back and forth but the action was slow.  Eventually though, Spindler was sent to the rail in third place and Canadian Poorya Nazari took a nearly 2-1 lead into heads up play with American Anthony Gregg.  Though play had slowed, the heads up battle lasted only a mere four hands, leaving Nazari the winner of the title and the $3 million first prize.

Below is the final table results:

1. Poorya Nazari — $3,000,000

2. Anthony Gregg — $1,700,000

3. Benny Spindler — $1,100,000

4. Alexandre Gomes — $750,000

5. Pieter Tielen — $550,000

6. Dustin Dirksen — $400,000

7. Daniel Heimiller — $300,000

8. Kevin Saul — $214,000