Saturday, Sept. 15, 2007

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Commentator wins All Africa tournament

By Sarah Polson

Ryan Brauer, one of the expert All Africa Poker Channel commentators, proved his poker worth Sept. 6 by winning the R1 million Heads-Up Challenge at Sun City.

"It's not often that sports commentators get the chance to be on both sides of the action, and Brauer's knowledge of the game makes him a highly respected spokesperson for the sport," said Wendy Graaf, Piggs Peak Casino group marketing manager.

"While sitting at the table, he brings a level of skill and standard that local poker players should certainly aspire to emulate."

This wasn't the first time Brauer has put his poker knowledge to the test at the felt rather than in front of the camera this year. He has significant poker achievements that are putting him on the map as a future star on the international poker scene.

His first dip in the poker pool this year began with a trip to Australia for the Aussie Million. There he finished in 30th place to pocket more than R230,000.

His next stop was the R2,250,000 All Africa Poker Tournament at Piggs Peak Casino, Swaziland, in February. He finished in second place, earning R300,000. In June he tried his luck at another All Africa Poker Tournament, and during the R500,000 Second Chance Freeze-out Tournament, he won a prize package to the 2007 World Series of Poker.

While the WSOP wasn't as successful for him, he took full advantage of his trip to Las Vegas by playing in a Bellagio Cup event as well. He won Event 23, $2,500 No-Limit Hold'em, for more than $150,000.

Most of Brauer's poker play was focused on online tournaments between his trip to Vegas and the Heads-Up Challenge.

Online play certainly didn't leave his live-play skills rusty, though, as he pulled off the win over some of southern Africa's fiercest players, and 2005 WSOP Champion Joe Hachem as well.

He also went on to place sixth in the Sun City main event for a R231,000 cash.

Related Article: SA Poker Open Crowns Inaugural Winner

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