Media release for immediate use 22 April 2007
Aussie Battler Takes Down Cunning Kiwi
In a tournament that went well into the early hours of Sunday morning, one man stood above the rest to take out the New
Zealand Poker Championships at Christchurch Casino.
Eric Assadourian outplayed, outfoxed and outthought Wellingtonian Richard Grace and a field of more than 100
participants to take out the New Zealand Poker Championship Trophy and claim prize money of $100,000 along with a seat
at the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas, valued at US$10,000.
“At one stage today, I was down to just $7500 worth of chips. My experience shone through, and I was able to double up.
I eventually managed to get to the final table with $54,000,” says Eric Assadourian.
“When I made it to the final table I only had one thing on my mind and that was to win the tournament. People kept
folding around me and I was able to build up a decent amount of chips.
“I used all my experience to win the tournament, but I was made to really work for it.”
Marquis players to fall by the wayside during the tournament included, among others, 2006 Aussie Millions’ winner Lee
Nelson and 2006 New Zealand Poker champion Alan Goodrum.
Richard Grace, a househusband, picked up $60,000 for his second placing and already has plans on how to spend his money.
“Well, my student loan will disappear and as my wife and I are planning to travel to the UK soon, this will help out a
lot,” he says.
Christchurch Casino Poker Operations Manager Mick Ryan says there were some very aggressive moves at the final table.
“There were people trying to knock each other out right from the start, it was great to see a kiwi there at the end, but
Eric “The Voice” Assadourian has shown throughout the tournament he is a very shrewd player and knows when to take a
risk.
“It was a brilliant tournament and a fitting end to perfect week of poker,” says Mick Ryan.
Eric Assadourian says you can expect to see him again in New Zealand next year to defend not only his New Zealand title,
but also his New Zealand Pot Limit Omaha title, which he won on Wednesday 18 April.
“The hospitality at Christchurch Casino has been exceptional, and without doubt I’ll be back to defend my titles next
year. As well, I’ll be recommending that all my poker friends, and there are a lot, come to New Zealand next year.”
2007 New Zealand Poker Championships Results
Eric Assadourian $100,000
Richard Grace $60,000
Jan Suchanek $40,000
Constantine Harach $32,000
David Bradford $27,000
Nick Wright $21,000
Jovo Scekik $16,000
Mark Erickson $13,100
Dean McIver $10,000
Matt Davidow $10,000
Helen Jordens $10,000
Choon Won $10,000
Peter Field $8,000
Ivar Rivernaes $8,000
Denis Huntly $8,000
Michael Balthazar $8,000
ENDS