The WPT Australia festival at The Star Gold Coast is off to a flying start, with Lauren Bonte taking the honours as the first recipient of a coveted crystal boomerang.
The popular French import, who has featured prominently at many mid-tier major events since 2018, topped a field of 147 entries in the $565 NLH Turbo to pocket $19,841, to add to her most recent win in the Monster Stack at the APT Gold Coast Championships.
The victory was also Bonte’s first Tier One title; runner-up Javad Verdom also took home five figures, with Jordan Riley in third place, while final table chip leader Christopher Kokkinos finished in fourth.
Image courtesy of The Star Gold Coast
WPT AUSTRALIA $565 NLH TURBO – FINAL TABLE RESULTS ($565 buy-in, 147 entries, 19 players paid)
PlaceNameCountryAmount1stLauren BonteAustralia$19,8412ndJavad VerdomAustralia$12,4963rdJordan RileyAustralia$7,4204thChristopher KokkinosAustralia$4,4735thHiromasa OnizukaAustralia$3,4796thCleber PiccioneAustralia$2,9117thJohn HutchinsAustralia$2,5218thPatrick MurphyAustralia$2,2409thWan GanAustralia$1,984
It was also a strong start to the WPT Australia series, with solid numbers across the board, including the first Day 1 flight of the Mystery Bounty, which last night brought in 260 entries.
“With strong early participation, it’s looking like we might be on track to be able to award a $100,000 top bounty,” said Star Group Poker Strategy Manager, Martin Coughlan. “That would be a first of its kind for Australia.”
There is still plenty more to come from The Star Gold Coast today, including two more final tables; South Australia’s Chris Edgar will return today as chip leader in the Opening Event, while Malcolm Trayner has edged out Hussein Hassan for pole position in the $5K 8-Max Action Clock finale.
To keep up with all the latest from on and around the felt at WPT Australia, follow PokerMedia Australia‘s daily blogs through until the end of the series, together with our bonus social media content on Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, Discord and TikTok.
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Guests must be 18 years or over to enter the casino. Player Activity Statements are available on request at The Star Club Desk or via The Star Gold Coast website.
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