The Star Poker delivers a strong showing over 14 days of Action, as 2025 moves forward with optimism.
ITS PRIME TIME- Not even Cyclone Alfred could deter Australia’s best players from attending this years WPT PRIME Gold Coast, as more than 5000 total entries were recorded over 2 weeks of High Stakes Poker, for a Grand Total Prize Pool of almost $5.2 Million Dollars (AUD).
The Championship Event served as the focal point of the 2025 WPT PRIME with 1106 Total Entries over 4 Day One Flights, until there were Two. Josh McSwiney and Patrick Yazbeck outlasted everyone else and after 90 minutes of Heads up action shook hands to guarantee themselves $250,000 AUD a piece.
Both Josh and Pat played for the remainder $33,306 AUD and a $17k WPT PRIME World Championship Package to Las Vegas at the end of this year. In the end, only one man could stand as WPT PRIME Gold Coast Champion, and his name is… JOSH MCSWINEY!
The Champ taking home $283,336 AUD and a trip to Nevada at the end of 2025! Congratulations Josh.
Amongst the 23 Events on offer during the Festival, the ever popular Mystery Bounty demanded plenty of attention on Day 2, with Ridge Grimsey (Brisbane, QLD) peeling his way to the top Bounty Prize of $32,800 AUD.
Hometown Hero Karsten Kobbing took down the Survivor Bounty and $25,000 AUD. Kobbing is notorious for snagging multiple minor tournaments in recent past, however, this victory stands alone as Karstens’ greatest win.
The WPT Production team of Danny McDonagh (WPT Live Events Specialist), Lynn Gilmartin (WPT Anchor),a and Ashleigh Lawrence (WPT Ambassador) were sensational on and off camera.
The partnership between the Star Poker and the World Poker Tour remains solid, both the Star Casino staff and players enjoyed having their company and expertise throughout the Festival.
Anytime, a major Poker Tournament takes place at the Star, whether on the Gold Coast or Sydney, the phrase “all gas, no brakes” seems to be the theme we all follow from start to finish.
For the entirety of the 14 days we are on site, you’ll see the likes of Martin Coughlan (Star Poker Manager), Brett Carter (Star Poker Marketing), and Michael Colston (Chief Content Officer) working in tandem to provide ALL players the memorable service and experience they deserve.
The formidable bond between the Star Poker and the WPT continues, as we look forward to collaborating with the WPT once again, when the Mike Sexton Cup returns to the land down under later on this year.
While I do embrace the “Lights, Camera, and of course, ACTION” of any Festival and Series hosted by the Star Poker, its the feeling of enjoying this journey… Together, that I love most. Having dealt over hundreds of hours, and hands, at previous tournaments, the privilege of pursuing a passion on the Microphone is a gift.
A gift, I’ll never take for granted!
See you in May for the Sydney Champs 2025.
-MCT.
(Photo Credit: @colstonscamera)