WSOP Circuit -- Warren Zackey Wins WSOP Africa Main Event

On Sunday Oct. 31, South African Warren Zackey won the inaugural World Series of Poker Circuit Africa main event.

The 187-player field for the $5,000 buy-in event, which was held at the Emerald Resort and Casino in South Africa, was bested by the 43-year-old plumbing supplies salesman from Johannesburg. Zackey recorded his first major tournament win by picking R1 554 212 (the equivalent of $231,956).

Zackey endured a lengthy battle with fellow South African Melanie Banfield. The final hand saw Zackey’s Q 8 win with two pair, queen high, to capture the WSOP Circuit ring. Banfield took home R941 398 ($143,348) for the runner-up finish.

Notables who competed in the main event include Gus Hansen, Vanessa Rousso, Beth Shak, Tyron Krost, James Bord, and six-place finisher Maria Ho. Ho was the only player from the United States to cash in the event.

The WSOP Circuit stop was comprised of two events. The first was a three-day pot-limit Omaha tournament, and the second was the four-day no-limit hold’em main event. The pot-limit Omaha event was won by Brazilian Felipe Mojave Ramos.

“It’s particularly appropriate that the inaugural WSOP Africa main event has been won by a South African, and that he had played for the title against a compatriot,” Emerald Resort and Casino CEO Martin Rice said. “It proves that South African players are a force to be reckoned with in the world of poker. I would like to extend my heartiest congratulations to Warren Zackey on his historic win, and I look forward to seeing many more great results from him in future.”

Here is a look at the final results:

1. Warren Zackey — $231,956
2. Melanie Banfield — $143,348
3. Kyri Patsalos — $103,845
4. Raj Aiyalavajjala — $76,650
5. Rob Fenner — $57,603
6. Maria Ho — $44,045
7. Hugh Todd — $34,250
8. Jason Strauss — $27,081
9. Muaaz Gani — $21,759

Most Viewed Articles