Event 37: The final event of APAT's inagural season promised to bring the season to a dramatic close, and we were not to be disappointed. With Rankings leader Mark Donnelly unable to play the event, a narrow gap existed where one of the other 9 contenders could perceivably steal the title from Mark"s grasp at the very last hurdle.
The list of potential Champions and their existing points scores were as follows, remembering that Mark stood on 43 points.
35 Wayne Parker (needed to finish 10th to force a playoff)
31 Brendan Hartnett (needed to finish 7th)
31 Alistair Fowler (as above)
31 Steven Talbot (as above)
30 Kevin Shutt (needed to finish 6th)
30 Richard Davies (as above)
29 Daniel Phillips (needed to finish 4th)
26 Antony Wolsey (needed to finish 2nd)
25 Stephen Lacey (needed to win)
There was a lot of speculation around who might be the one to possibly come through, with Wayne Parker the obvious favourite as a result of his current 2nd place and his online form throughout season one. Hartnett, Fowler and Talbot each had the potential to go very deep, but it was Shutt who was the "form horse" having scored ranking points in three of the most recent online events.
Rankings battle aside, event 37 was very newsworthy due to the unique format employed. This event would initially take place online at Blue Square, and play down to six. Those six players would then retain their online chipstacks and transfer to the Victoria Casino in London to play out the final table and crown APAT's first OnLive Champion. There was also the small matter of a seat at the main event of the 2008 World Series of Poker in Las Vegas for the winner.
With 10,000 starting chips and blinds at 10 / 20, it was with much excitement that 163 players paid the $100 entry fee to start the final voyage of APAT's first season; and what a legendary voyage it was to become.
The first APAT live update of an online event caught measures of the drama and can be reviewed at your leisure
here.
Slowly, the Rankings contenders fell by the wayside in this highly competitive field, despite several going deep and when the last ten players broke to a final table, amongst them was Kevin Shutt - the last remaining Rankings contender - needing to make the top six and the live final at the Victoria Casino to draw level with Mark Donnelly. Kevin made the final ten as one of the leading chipstacks, but reduced to 161k through cautious play, when this key hand came up against Jack Prime with 8 players remaining. Kevin; in the cowboy hat, made the initial raise. Jack, ahem, was in the red dress!
[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTgc-IpEh_U[/youtube]
After losing that pot, a few pots later Kevin found himself with 39k chips, facing blinds of 30k and 15k in his next two hands with a tantalising 7 players remaining. Within 1 point of Mark Donnnelly and a seat at the live final table of the OnLive event, Kevin shoved his remaining chips into the pot, under the gun.
[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKmV_xUjjII[/youtube]
Rivering survival, Kevin held on to make the live final table; ensuring at least a tie in the Rankings, along with APAT regulars Jack Prime and Micky Paterson.
A live update of the final table from the Victoria Casino can be read
here.
A thrilling and dramatic live final table saw Kevin go out sixth; remarkably, to tie for the Rankings lead with Mark Donnelly, and blissfully happy Scot Micky Paterson go on to win the OnLive, and the trip to Las Vegas and the World Series of Poker in June.
New APAT member Charlie Sanderson took Silver, while APAT regular Jack Prime took Bronze in a hugely successful event.
With Donnelly and Shutt tied on 43 ranking points for the Season, a heads up shoot out to decide the title was arranged.
[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7YuEYAq4p4&feature=related[/youtube]
Despite a great deal of expectation, corny promotion and everyone"s best efforts, Mark Donnelly was unable to complete the fixture and the 1 point awarded through this concession was enough for Kevin Shutt to take the title and an expenses paid entry to the European Poker Tour event in San Remo as APAT Season One player of the year.
Kevin"s record throughout the season was exceptional, across both live and online events. He won his points as follows:-
Canadian Open - Silver
English Amateur Championship - 16th
French Open - Bronze
UK Amateur Championship - 16th
WCOAP Omaha - 5th
WCOAP Razz - 6th
OnLive Championship - 6th
Thank you to everyone who participated in APAT events throughout Season One. Many congratulations also to Kevin and to all of our Champions.
As the Chairman has been known to say,
"its been emotional", and we look forward to an equally fascinating climax to Season Two at the end of 2008!
