Royal flush: Ballarat poker king David Brownlee is about $36,000 richer after finishing fourth in the four-day 888 Main Event poker tournament at Crown Casino. PICTURE: KATE HEALY
BALLARAT’S bustling pub-poker scene knows David Brownlee well - he’s a regular at the free poker tournaments offered at various city venues each week.
But in Melbourne, he was virtually unknown. Until now.
Mr Brownlee came home from Crown Casino on Sunday night about $36,000 richer after finishing fourth in the four-day 888 Main Event poker tournament.
The Ballarat man played his way into the event by winning a “satellite” tournament at his local, the Flying Horse.
After playing for 10 hours straight on both Thursday and Saturday, Mr Brownlee spent 11½ hours on Sunday facing-off against the best pub-poker players in Australia.
He made the final table and after finishing fourth, walked away with $25,000 cash and almost $12,000 worth of entry fees into further tournaments, including the coveted Aussie Millions later this year. After going “all-in” twice he won enough chips to ensure he was one of the leaders. “I was the last Victorian left standing,” he said.
“I had a few nervous moments, but everyone there was just like me - the Aussie Millions will be a bit harder.”
Mr Brownlee began playing poker following Australian Joe Hachem’s famous World Series Poker win in 2005.