BAPT Singapore, and Overview
Dates
Season One – 12-77 November 2006
Buy-in
$4800 & $200
Prize Pool
$1 457 326
Entrants
313
Venue
Meritus Mandarin Hotel is synonymous with the splendour of Singapore and it is a fine blend of oriental opulence and western elegance. It is located in the heart of Singapore’s business, shopping and entertainment district and is only half an hour by car from Changi International Airport. The hotel is also within easy walking distance of two Mass Rapid Transit train stations – Orchard and Somerset and some of the hottest nightspots in the city.
Contact Details
Meritus Mandarin Hotel
333 Orchard Road, Singapore 238867
Tel: +65 6737 4411
Fax: +65 6732 2361
Email: mandarin.tms@meritus-hotels.com
Getting there
Singapore is an island and unless you are arriving from mainland Malaysia, the only way in is by air. Changi International Airport is vast but incredibly well organised and is made up of three terminals connected by a free Skytrain service. If you have time to waste at the airport, don’t despair - there is a swimming pool, Jacuzzi and movie theatre as well as a whole range of restaurants catering to all tastes and pockets.
The easiest, though not cheapest, way to get into the city is by taxi – simply follow the signs after clearing customs and expect to pay in the region of $20-$30 for a one-way trip. A cheaper option is by bus and all three terminals have a bus terminus in the basement but be warned the service only operates between 6am and midnight and the fares are subsidised, so expect to pay exactly $2.00 – no change will be given!
The Play
Australian-based poker pro, Antanas Guoga aka Tony G, dominated the world premiere of the BAPT from the get go, both with his renowned ‘motor-mouth’ and his uber-aggressive play. He out blasted a formidable field to make it through to a final table that included a posse of accomplished players including Ireland’s Brendan Wall, winner of the 2006 Grand Final of the Irish Poker Tour, WPT finalist, Jeff Kimber and possibly one of the most difficult challengers of any final table, 2006 Aussie Millions main event champion, Lee Nelson.
Tony saw off a staccato of early challenges from Lee Nelson, chip leader, Samuel Lehtonen and homeboy, Joshua Ang aka Ang Pang Leng but he managed to subdue all comers and very soon it was down to the heads-up battle with the last remaining combatant., home favourite, Ang. The final hand saw both contestants all-in after the flop but Ang’s A-J failed to beat Tony’s 10-6 when he drew another ten on the turn. Tony ‘G’ immediately donated half of his winnings to charity with these words: “I want people to know that poker is sport. This is not a large amount compared to what people like Bill Gates give to charity but it is a gesture to show that it is not all about money. It’s about the competition as well” – what a mensch!
Final Table Results
- Tony ‘G’ (Australia) - $451 700
- Ang Pang Leng (Singapore) - $233 200
- Lee ‘Final Table’ Nelson (New Zealand) - $116 600
- Samuel Lehtonen (Sweden) - $102 000
- Jeff Kimber (UK) - $87 400
- Mark Whent (UK) - $72 900
- Hans Vogl (Germany) - $58 306
- Henrik Dahlgarrd (Denmark) - $43 700
- Brendan Walls (Ireland) - $29 200
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