The Royal Swazi Rumble XIII

R10 000 Freezeout

18-20 May

The Royal Swazi Rumble is underway. 96 players battling for R300 000, the trophy and a seat in the SAPT Grand Final #SAPokerTour

Okay so we're back and we're rolling already... Apologies for the delay Ladies and gentlemen, Ace-High Man is multi-talented and so I was indulging in one of my other talents, also concerning this brilliant Royal Swazi Rumble XIII.
 
The SAPT is back on course with the rumble and the players have come out eagerand excited to stake a claim in the SAPT Grand Final. We have a registration of 96 players. 

The Swazi's just dropped another player in the form of Tyronne Zackey.

As we enter the last level of the night, there have been more casualties from the Rumble frey; Justin Lowe, Tony silva, Terry Brookes, Maria Degouveia, Nahum Lum and Kenny Morgan are all out. Terry started off very well, showing dominance on a slightly looser table, but once he found himself sat down with Kenny Morgan and Tony Semmens, it tightened up and so did his chances.

Kenny Morgan was knocked out when his A-9 on a 9-high board couldn't compete with a pair of 10's and its an early exit for the ex-champion. We say a sad goodbye to Maria, only one of 4 ladies who enterd the event. We've missed her presence and so it seems we'll be left waiting a little longer for someone to compete with Sascha Dreyer for the ladies title.
 
The action doesn't stop as we power on to a big finish tonight.

A few power tables have emerged in tonights play. On one table there is Skenayva, Alvin Pillay and Tyronne Sacks battling it out. Another is bossed by The Lion Michael Gossayn and Daniel Lamberti.

Des Godfrey, Sascha Dreyer, Warren Zackey and Hennie Appel are playing well with one-another, whilst we have Zlatko Dobronic, Maxi Saitirana, Jay Sookoo and Mark Botha all trying to assert themselves as the Alpha Male on their very-tight and very strong table

 
So we've had an interesting 1st Day, Good play has generally overshadowed the bad and it feels as if most of the players

are saving themselves for the super-gruelling Saturday session. A few big stacks have availed themselves for tonight but

the first night is always a pre-cursor to the 2nd day. From past Swazi's we've seen players rocket to the front-line early

and end up short stacked by lunch, however a good start is not unwelcome by the players either. Become too short in the 1st

session and you could pay for it with your tournament life very early after breakfast the next morning.
 
Marc Joseph has played solidly in the first session, together with Rob Schwatrz they have allowed for their table to bring

the game to them. Whereas others have taken the game to their competitors, Ryan Dreyer has asserted his veteran deep-stack poker game pushing him up in the ranks early on in the game.
Lets see where this takes us to with chip updates coming up for the end of play on the 1st day of The Royal Swazi Rumble XIII.

Top 10 stacks:
 
10th - Michael Gossayn 69 000
 
9th - Kamlan Naidoo 69 500
 
8th - Ray Rahme 72 275
 
7th - David Wood 72 625
 
6th - Nico Kleynhans Jnr 75 850
 
5th - Marc Joseph 79 925
 
4th - Walter Kleiner 83 000
 
3rd - Ryan Dreyer 88 850
 
2nd - Uri Hartur 92 425
 
1st - Bert van der Westhuizen 138 200
 
Notable Stack:
 
David Rosenthal, Mark Botha, Des Godfrey and Karl Myburgh sitting between 52k & 53k
 
Skenyva & Ivan Pakkiri sittitg between 58k & 60k
 
Average Stack is 36.5k with players such as Joeboy Rahme and Rob Schwartz lingering around that value for now..
 
The Shortest stack is Stuart Nel on 8300.
 
Play starts at 10h00 sharp with blinds starting at 300/600 with a 50Ante. More coming up

RSR Day 2 starts at 10h00 this morning. Players fueling up and stretching in anticipation. Bid Day!!!!#SAPokerTour

Down to 78players, Sascha Dreyer and Tyronne Sacks out!! Time to start the grindstones! #SAPokerTour

Lost another 2 players, Clinton Aub and Devon Pillay out. Down to 76 very early on!!!#SAPokerTour

Play has continued on for the mornign session and the players are really getting into the rhythm of the game now.
 
The battle for dominance rages on with some seriously solid play from the top players. Skenyver and Ray Rahme found themselves getting tanlged early after the break, Skenny started the day off well above average stack but was dwindled down after an hour and a half of play. Against Ray he looked down at pocket Q's in early position and raised 3.5times the big blind. He got 2 callers to the flop where he hit his set. he checked it, Ray bet it and after a bit of a tank session he shoved for 9.5k more and Ray was valued to call with the bottom pair and top Kicker. Skenyver carries on his good form as we see him push back up to just under ave. stack of 45k.
 
At the same table is seated the new chip leader Joe Degouveia, who has masterfully led his charge at a table which most likely has the most chips on the table.
 
Ryan Dreyer , Marc Joseph and Nico Jnr are also sitting well ahead in the pack. However on their tails are big names like Ivan Pakkiri, Michael Gossayn, Kamlan Nai doo and Warren Zackey who are all well above average. Whereas Lagen Zackey and Bozo seem to have had a just above ave. start and are sitting in comfortable positions with +/- 57k in chips, there is no way to count these boys out, they've come back from shorter stacks before and are no newcomers to the long haul of Day2.

5th - Ryan Dreyer 100k
 
4th - Marc Joseph 108k
 
3rd - Ray Rahme 114k
 
2nd - Nico Kleynhans Jnr 118k
 
1st - Joe Degouveia 129k
 
Ave stack = 45k 

The action has been rife. we've dropped a lot of players in the last 45min and also we've earned a new Last Lady Standing!!!! Nicollete white outlasted the field of women which included Sascha Dreyer and  Maria Degouveia to claim the prize and valuable SAPT points. With the opportunities for seats closing as we head into the 2nd half of the year, this is a good result for Nicollete. Well Done Nicollete White, the winner of the Last Lady Standing trophy at Royal Swazi Rumble XIII
 
Ivan Pakkiri knocked Greg Tucker out with his Q-10 vs Tucker's A-K. Tucker raised pre-flop and Ivan Shipped over him, now it may seem suspicious for Ivan to do this but his action was informed by a previous scenario between the two where Ivan had laid down pocket 6's to a bluff from tucker pre-flop, and that hand came to question when Tucker raised in this hand too. Rob Schwartz has seemingly been out to take down Martin Maroun, they have battled it out a few times and Martin is down to Rob at the moment. Rob picked up his momentum in this session and has scrambled to a decent sized stack at the lunch break. Marc Joseph, Ryan Dreyer and Ivan Pakkiri have kept their heads down and gotten the job done; they continue on the up and up playing solidly and not becoming too involved in the excitement of knocking out players.
 Bozo has also played very solidly and kept himself in a still dangerous position.

Chip counts coming up...
 
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Top 5 Stacks:
 
5th: David Wood 110k
 
4th: Karl Myburgh 125k
 
3rd: Ivan Pakkiri 160k
 
2nd: Marc Joseph 178k
 
1st: Ryan Dreyer 180k
 
Notables:

The action continues with 45 players still battling it out.

We lost Jay Soookoo in a hand against one of the Steenkamps. On a J-high board with 3 clubs on the flop and a raggy spade on the turn, Jay Shoved it all-in. Steenkamp Tanked a while and said "If I fold now I won't get another chance. I call" he showed his K-J of clubs as Jay revealed his K-J of hearts. The river came a 2 of clubs to knock Jay out. He however had not heard Steenkamp say 'call' and had thought the rabbit chase was for the benefit of the table. Not too long afterwards Steenkamp also took the scalp of Lagen Zackey, who after doubling Nicollete White struggled to re-gain his momentum.

The power table at the moment seems to be the table with Michael Gossayn, Ryan Dreyer, Skenyver and Daniel Lamberti. The Lion has both Ryan and Skenny to his left and Lambo is in late position at the table, it'll be interesting to see how Skenny and Lambo handle the two big stacks of Dreyer and Gossayn.

Joeboy has asserted his dominance over a few tables, catapulting him to 280k+.He is showing true class at the moment, most evident when he knocked out Nicollete White. Nicollette raised from UTG+1 to 7200, David Wood called on the button and Joeboy re-raised from his big-blind to 27,200 total. Nicollete shoved it all-in, David folded and Joeboy called with his pocket K's against Nicollette's pocket Q's. The "Cowboys" held up and that was the end of the last lady's tournament.
On the other hand, Ryan has continued in the same vain of steady solid play. He looks a rejuvinated man after the recent nuptuals with Sascha Dreyer (formerly Walter) it will be interesting to see how he manages his big stack. Congrats Mr & Mrs. Ryan Dreyer!!!

Back in the tournament, Ivan Pakkiri and Marc Joseph have also maintained a stiff upper-lip thus far. Both are ex-Rumble Champions and thus have the skill and knowledge to push through to the end, the similiarities in their situations are so great that at the tea break they both had 175k chips. Also they both are sitting at tables with another big stack and quite a few big names too. Marc has to contend with Mark Botha, Uri Hartur and Hennie Appel, whilst Ivan is battling Ray Rahme, Warren Zackey and Bozo. Lets watch the Titans clash!!!
 
Next, top 3 Stacks @ tea.

Top 3:

3rd (joint): Marc Joseph & Ivan Pakkiri - 175k

2nd : Ryan Dreyer 212k

1st : Joeboy Rahme 300k

‎28 Players left, Joeboy and Dreyer leading the way! #SAPokerTour

Ivan Pakkiri is out, and ironnically it is at the hands of Marc Joseph. From UTG Marc raised and Ivan went shoved over that for 51k total, The small blind tanked for a while as he had also looked down at a big hand, pocket 9's. Eventually, small blind folded and Marc called. Ivan showed A-9 off and Marc pocket K's. The window card was an A, but it was joined by a 2 and a K. Marc's set held strong to knock Ivan out, who had lost a few big pots particularly the one just before his all-in hand. Maybe he was on tilt or he was on a move, all we truly know is that he had a great showing yet again at Royal Swazi, he exits in 27th position.
 
26players left...
 
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Table1

Seat 1 - Miguel Ticheiro 98k

 Seat 2 - Hennie Appel 186k

 Seat 3 - Mike Kyriakidis 26.5k

 Seat 4 - Marc Joseph 116k

Seat 7 - Mark Botha 133.5k

Seat 8 - Uri Hartur 162k

Seat 9 - Laurence Jones 214k

Table 4
Seat 2 - Walter 85.5k

Seat 3 - Joe Degouveia 231k

Seat 4 - David Wood 116k

Seat 5 - David O 161.5k

Seat 6 - Joeboy Rahme 258.5k

Seat 7 - Nico Kleynhans Jnr 184.5k

Seat 8 - Deon Minnar 37k

Table 5
Seat 1 - Michael Gossayn 87k

 Seat 2 - Des Godfrey 174k

Seat 3 - Ryan Dreyer 117.5k

Seat 4 - Warren Zackey 224.5k

Seat 6 - Andrew Anthony 120k

Seat 7 - Lance Cotterol 23.5k

Seat 8 - Roland Smith 117k

Average Stack = 125k
21 players left. Dinner Time!!!

Tournament update!!!
 
We are down to 15 players. We've lost Lance Cotterel, Mike Kyriakidis, Deon Minnar, Uri Hartuv, Ryan Dreyer and Andrew Anthony in that order.
Of these players, the most interesting of hands must have been the one that knocked out Ryan Dreyer. He had lost a few chips from his earlier commanding post and looked down at A-K suited. All the money went in pre-flop against Warren Zackey who showed pocket A's. The "rockets" held up as Ryan Stormed out, seemingly dissappointed with his result.
 
Another big shift in power happened on the other table. Joe Degouveia and Joeboy Rahme got tangled pre-flop, the flop came down K-4-J, Joe D bet out, was raised by Joeboy so Joe shipped. After a bit of a tank, Joeboy called and showed his A-K whilst Joe D showed Q-J. The turn came 'raggy' and the river came another J to seal the deal for Joe D. He now sits on 465k+ and has hurt Joeboy's initially mammoth stack.
 
Andrew Anthony was short stacked for a while but he chose his areas well and played the 'shipping game' for a while while he tried to build his stack back up. Eventually he ran into J's with his 10's and that meant the end of his tournament. Whilst not having been an aggressor in the tournament, he did show some real class and deserves applause for that.
 
But that's not all !!!
 

Whilst the gents battle it out for the RSR XIII title, there is a 2nd chance tournament happening on the side. A R2000 re-buy with R1000 add-ons. It is now in the freezeout stage and just like any good poker player, the players are all out to win it!
 
On the other hand there are also 2 cash-game tables. Min R5000 buy-in, 25/50 blinds and brilliant cash-game players! The likes of Bozo, Kamlan Naidoo, Allan Roux Peter Wolfe and Derek Bannister are plying their skill in the trade, proving more than to be just strong tournament players.
 
That's a lot of poker being played!!
 

The next break is in 10 min, and that will bring up a Top 3 chip-count!!
 
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Remember you can follow us on twitte @AceHighPoker and visit our website at www.acehighpoker.co.za
 
Boom!!

Just lost David Wood. Down to 14 players, final table @ 10 players. It's getting tighter. Blinds 3.5k/7k with 500Ante!!!

Table 5 :
Seat 1 - Michael Gossayn 159k
Seat 2 - Des Godfrey 154k
Seat 3 - Miguel Ticheiro 177k
Seat 4 - Warren Zackey 403k
Seat 6 - Marc Joseph 153k
Seat 8 - Laurence Jones 335k
Seat 9 - Roland Smith 42k
 
Table 4:
Seat 1 - Walter 115k
Seat 2 - Joe Degouveia 601k
Seat 3 - David Dadic 260k
Seat 6 - Joeboy Rahme 190k
Seat 7 - Hennie Appel 185k
Seat 8 - Nico Kleynhans Jnr 79k
Seat 9 - Mark Botha 99k
 
Game back on, Blinds @ 5k/10k with 1k Ante.
 
Let's Go!!!

Joe Degouveia is sitting with about 21% of the chips, Ave Stack is 205k - he's got 601k.

Just lost Walter Kleiner, down to 13!

We've lost Roland Smith and Marc Joseph to the hands of Mike Gossayn. Mark Botha out by Hennie Appel. Down to final 10.

Alright Ladies & Gentlemen, we have a final table!!!
 
Mark Botha was the last player to be knocked out, as always Mark has shown resiliance and patience. Very few can doubt how many times Mark Botha has outlasted majority of the field all due to his cautios nature. He doesn't walk away empty handed though, he takes home a Nokia Lumia for his placing.
 
So this is what the final table looks like:
 
Seat 1 - Warren Zackey 458k (15.5%)
 Seat 2 - Des Godfrey 190k (6.4%)
 Seat 3 - Mike Gossayn 322k (10.9%)
 Seat 4 - Nico Kleynhans jnr 126k (4.3%)
 Seat 5 - David Dadic 294k (9.9%)
 Seat 6 - Laurence Jones 309k (10.5%)
 Seat 7 - Miguel Milheiro 144k (4.8%)
 Seat 8 - Joeboy Rahme 270k (9.1%)
 Seat 9 - Hennie Appel 310k (10.5%)
 Seat 10 - Joe Degouveia 529k (17.9%)
 
The players have agreed that they will begin the final table tomorrow @ 9h00. With these players at such a table we expect action from the word go. Joe D and Warren have the weapon of chips, and we all know how dangerous these players can be with that sort of power. However Mike Gossayn, Laurence Jones, Hennie Appel and Joeboy still have enough chips to bring the big stacks to their knees. And all will tell you, never, never, NEVER count out a short stack at final table. There is skill involved in getting to final, so skill can determine how short the stack remains.
 
With all that being said, its looking good for everyone at the table, also they're all in the money so smiles all round. We've seen Joeboy do damage from a similar situation at the last Rumble, going all the way with Marc Joseph. But now its different players, will there be a sense of deja vu? Or will we make history once again, and crown a new RSR Champion?
 
Prizes are coming up next...
 
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Final Table is here!! Check out facebook for all the details. Play resume @ 9h00 tomo!!!

Prizes:
Last Lady : Nokia Lumia
11th Place : Nokia Lumia
10th place : R20,500
9th place : R25,500
8th place : R30,500
7th place : R35,500
6th place : R43,000
5th place : R51,000
4th place : R66,000
3rd place : R89,000
2nd place : R147,500
1st place : R300,000
 
Just a reminder; SAPT points are all up for grabs in our tournaments, these players are playing for more than just this title, but also for a chance to play in the first Annual SAPT Grand Final with a total Prizepool of R250,000. The only way to play in the Final is to win your seat. It will be 20 of the best players, this year, battling it out to be The Grand SAPT Champion.
 
Royal Swazi Rumble & Ace High Poker. The Premium Poker Destination!!!!!!

Joeboy and Davo getting involved early. On a 8high flop Davo repopped and the stare down from Joeboy led him to fold.
Joeboy takes another hit to the hands of Des Godfrey. His stack is dwindling after the grind he put in last night.

Final Table has started. All the gents are here and seem eager to get playing. So far the table seems somewhat subdued for the moment, wonder who'll be the first to stir it up this morning.
 
Last nights cash game however rolled on through the night and the early morning. It's still going on strong, with about R150,000 on the table it seems to be unyielding to the constraints of time. We'll catch up with that a bit later to see if the cash kings are rolling just as long the tournament gladiators...

And we've lost our first player from final. Joeboy Rahme is out. 2 big hands in quick succession, one against David Dadic another against Des Godfrey, crippled his stack. Eventually he put it all in and got 2 callers, at showdown he revealed A-high whilst Nico Kleynhans jnr took down the pot with pocket 5's. Unlucky Joeboy, however he does receive points for the SAPT, and considering he sits in the top 10 right now, he's a big favourite.

Back to the game.
 
Big things happening!!Hennie Appel is out by way of W.Zackey. KK vs. AK, Warrens Kings hold up. 8 players left

An elaboration on the hand that knocked Hennnie Appel out. Nico Kleynhans jnr raised 3times from UTG+1, Hennie shipped the baby in cutoff and Warren shipped over him. Nico tanked for a little while and let go of his pocket 8's. Warren showed K-K and Hennie A-K off-suit. The Kings held up and hands were shaken in warm respect between 2 very well loved players.
 
Joe Degouveia just took a big hit to Nico Kleynhans  jnr, there was a raise and call pre-flop and the flop came down K-8-7 with 2 diamonds. Nico checked the flop, Joe D bet out and Nico shipped. The call was instant from Joe and clearly indicative of his set of 8's. Nico turned over A-K of diamonds and called his 'one-time' for a diamond, which showed up on the river to double Nico jnr up. It seems Nico just can't stay out of the news at the moment. Well when you run hot, you must take advantage of it!!!!

First tea break, here's the chip count.
 
Seat 1 - Warren Zackey 737k
Seat 2 - Des Godfrey 109k
Seat 3 - Mike Gossayn 463k
Seat 4 - Nico Kleynhans jnr 624k
Seat 5 - David Dadic 376k
Seat 6 - Laurence Jones 160k
Seat 7 - Miguel Milheiro 152k
Seat 10 - Joe Degouveia 331k
 
The never-ending cash game continues on with 6 players. Alan Roux and Kamlan Naidoo haven't moved since it started

Warren & Lion go at it!! Stare contest of the yr maybe! Paired flop and 200k in Lion laid it down Zack showed 10's.$ makes

Warren and the Lion getting into it Again! Preflop raises and re-raises, but Warren makes a good read and folds AJ to AQ

The aggressors!

 
Joe D picks up AA twice in a row, makes 250k+. Big run for Joe on 560k+
Des Godfrey, Laurence Jones & Miguel Milheiro are short stacked but getting respect for their shoves

Des making some big plays, and its working. He's gunning for the big stacks and chipping away at them, great short-stack play
Laurence J doubles through Nico K jnr. 4rm smal-blind he hit trips on the flop and held up. Small stack big play
The Lion roars vs Joe D! All in pre, the Lion with 10's Joe with AK. Flop 10-4-4, hand over! Joe down to 320k. Big hands!

Elaborating on some of the big hands in this session:
 
Laurence Jones limped in from the small blind and Miguel Milheiro checked, Nico Kleynhans jnr had limped on the button. The flop came down 4-4-7, Laurence bet-out, Miguel folded and Nico raised him. Laurence shoved the baby, and Nico called out of value. Laurence showed his 4-5 and Nico J-7. The turn and river were of no matter and Laurence doubled up to stay alive.
 
Michael "The Lion" Gossayn took on Joe Degouveia in a big battle at this table. Lion had raised when Joe re-popped him for 45% of Lion's stack. Lion reluctantly shipped saying he knew he was ahead but wasn't ready for the race. Lion showed pocket 10's and Joe D showed "Big Slick" A-K. The flop ended Lion's worries coming down 10-4-4, giving him the full house and Joe needing runner-runner cards to win, wonder what those odds would have been pre & post flop.
 
In a very Daniel Negranu type hand, Miguel Milheiro was knocked out by David Dadic. Miguel shipped from UTG+1 and Davo woke up with K's saying "I'm calling for the bad beat, coz I know you have an Ace". However on the paired board Davo's cowboys ruled over Miguel's A-10. knocking out another player.
 
Nico Kleynhans jnr vs. Des Godfrey. Des in his short stack has been keeping up his momentum of gathering chips extremley well, and it doesn't hurt when a big stack walks straight into you. Nico limped from UTG, Des raised his small-blind and Nico shipped. Des' stack didn't allow for him to fold, but neither did his cards so he called. Des showed 10's and Nico A-6 suited. The board came raggy with a 10 on the river to seal the deal. 1 hand later, a now super short stacked Nico was taken out by Warren Zackey in a very uneventful hand.
 
The biggest hand so far; Davo raised from the UTG to 47k [blinds are 10k/20k], Warren Zackey re-raised to 132k, the Lion tanked a while and shipped for +/-350k on top. Davo tanked a while and folded, Warren snap called him and showed Q-Q, Lion showed K-K and Davo showed his folded J-J. The board was of no consequence and the pot goes to the Lion. Incredible session.
 
Chip counts coming....

Seat 1 - Warren Zackey 550k
Seat 2 - Des Godfrey 661k
Seat 3 - Mike Gossayn 897k
Seat 5 - David Dadic 212k
Seat 6 - Laurence Jones 215k
Seat 10 - Joe Degouveia 447k
 

Another tea break and here are the chip counts for the final four:
 
Seat 2 : Warren Zackey 805k
Seat 4 : Mike Gossayn 625k
Seat 6 : David Dadic 1,005k
Seat 8 : Laurence Jones 517k
 
Recap on the hand that got us down to final 4;
 
Des Godfrey and David Dadic have been having a battle of wits all day, David told Des he'd catch at some point and Des replied "I've got a read on you, good luck".  Des raised from the button, just about 2times the big blind, and Davo called from his big blind. The flop came K-high with 3 spades, Davo checked it and Des shoved only to be snap-called by Davo. Des showed pocket rockets, and a reseigned "well-played" accompanied K-6 from Davo. The turn came a 6 to give Davo the 2-pairs and he knocked out the very impressive Des Godfrey. Sometimes a bit of luck is exactly what you need to go all the way, and looking at his chip stack it is very possible at this point. Davo has played very well to get to his position lets see what he does with just over a million chips in front of him.

Alright guys here's the results of RSR XIII.
 
The final four came to a deal, brokered by Michael Gossayn, to each take R100,000 and play for the remaining R200,000 odd.
 
From there on, Michael Gossayn lost his stack to Warren Zackey and so did Laurence Jones. This put Warren at a 4:1 advantage in the heads up against David Dadic. Immediately the two spoke about a deal, slightly brokered by Bozo. The final deal they came up with is that Davo would take R70,000 of the remaining pot and Warren would take the difference plus the SAPT seat.
 

So essentially the top 4 looks like so...
 
4th: Michael Gossayn - R100,000
 
3rd: Laurence Jones - R100,000
 
2nd: David Dadic - R170,000
 
1st: Warren Zackey - R232,500 + SAPT Grand Final Seat
 

Well done to Warren Zackey the Champion of The Royal Swazi Rumble XIII!!
 
Keep an eye out for a little more on Warren and his play...