Above right:BERWICK cardsharp Shaun Inguanzo took all before him during a celebrity and media poker challenge event at the Aussie Millions Poker Championships at Crown Casino last Friday.
The Star News Group journalist defeated several high flying poker professionals and celebrities on the way to the final table.
Mr Inguanzo finished ninth out of a field of more than 130 players – along the way taking out last year’s Aussie Millions winner Gus Hansen and several other Full Tilt poker professionals.
The Dandenong scribe looked at home next to the pros – although he later admitted that he was an amateur and his only other poker experience was on his Xbox.
“I was surprised I got so far but I loved it,” Mr Inguanzo said after being eliminated by eventual tournament winner Gavin Smith.
“I was delighted to have knocked out last year’s winner of the main event Gus Hansen early on though.”
Former Beaconsfield junior and Carlton footballer Brendan Fevola also made his way to the final table before bowing out.
Others to make the cut included Alias star Michael Vartan, Tony Hachem (Joe’s brother), singer Chantelle Delaney and several international poker pros.
The main event of the 2008 Aussie Millions Poker Championship is the richest poker game in the Southern Hemisphere and attracts the cream of the poker world from around the globe.
The tournament, which concludes on Sunday, is expected to have in excess of $10 million in the prize pool.
