About our players
One of the most exciting things about major events such as The Main Event is that we bring players together from all over the country. Since this is our very first Main Event we wanted to get to know you all a little better and help other qualifiers know what they are in for.
To get yourself noticed, simply fill in the questions below and email us a photo to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Make sure you send a good quality hi res pic as we might have a little surprise for you come Main Event weekend!
For any queries about how to get your profile completed please contact – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The Main Event Qualifiers Survey
- How did you qualify?
- What is your favourite venue to play at?
- What is your favourite hand?
- What is the one thing you are looking forward to the most at the upcoming Main Event?
- What is your greatest achievement in poker so far?
- What is your ultimate dream in poker?
Chris Whitmee
How did you qualify?
I came third at the latest 888PL Grand Final and was awarded a ticket.
What is your favourite venue to play at?
The Village Belle in St Kilda, it’s a great venue with plenty of great regulars who always have a good night.
What is your favourite hand?
7 5 Spades- I honestly can’t remember why but it has become a sentimental favourite
What is the one thing you are looking forward to the most at the upcoming Main Event?
The combination of the two biggest poker leagues will create one of the biggest events on the Australian Poker calendar. It’s always fantastic to be able to play these events, and having already qualified it just makes me that much more excited.
What is your greatest achievement in poker so far?
My greatest achievement would hands down be my third place in the 888PL Grand Final for $11K, and then to back It up a month later in the Shane Warne Super Stack with a Final Table and four figure score. I’m playing better than I ever have.
What is your ultimate dream in poker?
My dream would be a little different I guess. I would love to play professionally full time, but for a realistic goal I want to spend one year in the next five years and follow the circuit to play all the Major Events. I see that being a strong possibility!
Sam Greenhill
How did you qualify?
I won the Lucky Aussie XMAS special in Mackay.
What is your favourite venue to play at?
Mackay Yacht Club
What is your favourite hand?
7 4 Suited
What is the one thing you are looking forward to the most at the upcoming Main Event?
Looking forward to the first ever Main Event, and participating in a national tournament.
What is your greatest achievement in poker so far?
My greatest achievement would be coming second at the $1100 Deepstack Event at the Adelaide ANZPT to Peter Aristidou.
What is your ultimate dream in poker?
My dream would be to become a professional poker player.
Craig Micallef
How did you qualify?
I won a seat through the North Queensland Champs for Season 3 2011
What is your favourite venue to play at?
Showbar 140
What is your favourite hand?
5 8 Off suit
What is the one thing you are looking forward to the most at the upcoming Main Event?
Looking forward to being the first ever Main Event Champion!
What is your greatest achievement in poker so far?
It's coming in the form of winning this Major Tournament and many more to come!
What is your ultimate dream in poker?
My dream would be to play in the World Series of Poker
Rhys O'Sullivan
How did you qualify?
I received a ticket from winning the 2011 Mackay 6000
What is your favourite venue to play at?
Norths Leagues Club Mackay
What is your favourite hand?
Anything that wins
What is the one thing you are looking forward to the most at the upcoming Main Event?
Looking forward to cashing in the first ever Main Event!
What is your greatest achievement in poker so far?
My greatest achievement would be defeating a 314 field to take down the Mackay 6000.
What is your ultimate dream in poker?
My dream would be to become a professional poker player.
Pat Dillion
How did you qualify?
I qualified via a Main Event satellite
What is your favourite venue to play at?
The Village Belle in St Kilda, because the play is of the highest standard in 888PL and the venue staff are friendly and helpful with exceptional food on offer.
What is your favourite hand?
Q 10 Spades – Always flop draws or over cards
What is the one thing you are looking forward to the most at the upcoming Main Event?
I’m looking forward to a great blind structure that will allow for maximum post flop play.
What is your greatest achievement in poker so far?
That’s a tough one. It would be tied between coming back from 3 BB on day 2 of the ANZPT Main Event Melbourne 2011 to finish 12th and Winning the 888PL State Final in 2010 outlasting a field of 471 runners.
What is your ultimate dream in poker?
To either win Multiple WSOP Bracelets/Winning a $10,000 entry event.
Josh Parsons
How did you qualify?
I was the Souths Venue Champion
What is your favourite venue to play at?
Showbar 140
What is your favourite hand?
9 7 Suited.
What is the one thing you are looking forward to the most at the upcoming Main Event?
I look forward to cashing in this Major Tournament!
What is your greatest achievement in poker so far?
I haven't decided on what my greatest achievement would be. I enjoy playing the game and making money!
What is your ultimate dream in poker?
To make enough money to retire.
Ryan Paton
How did you qualify?
I won a ticket through the Dream Team Online Playoff.
What is your favourite venue to play at?
Mackay Yacht Club
What is your favourite hand?
9 10 Suited
What is the one thing you are looking forward to the most at the upcoming Main Event?
I look forward to playing the fantastic environment that is Crown Casino
What is your greatest achievement in poker so far?
My greatest achievement would be winning a seat to the Aussie Millions through an Online Satellite.
What is your ultimate dream in poker?
I would love to play poker professionally.
Noel Olsen
How did you qualify?
I came 5th at the 2011 888PL Grand Final
What is your favourite venue to play at?
CBD Hotel
What is your favourite hand?
Aces of course
What is the one thing you are looking forward to the most at the upcoming Main Event?
Spending time at crown and hopefully doing better than my fifth place performance last time I was there.
What is your greatest achievement in poker so far?
Coming fifth at the 2011 888PL Grand Final
What is your ultimate dream in poker?
To win enough money to live the dream!
Graeme Wright
How did you qualify?
Deep Stack $60 APL West North East tournament at Swan Districts Football Club in Bassendean
What is your favourite venue to play at?
Bassendean Hotel - Pro League on Thursday Nights: good APL crew, reasonably priced drinks and food, great bunch of poker regulars and friends
What is your favourite hand?
8,5 diamonds - won with this hand two nights in a row this week; it represents my lucky number, home number and favourite suit, with which I have won more times than I should!
What is the one thing you are looking forward to the most at the upcoming Main Event?
Making it to the cash, followed by a photo with my 'poker idol' Joe Hachem
What is your greatest achievement in poker so far?
Western Australia's APL State Leader
What is your ultimate dream in poker?
To win an APL Team package to enter the WSOP Main Event in Las Vegas
Jason Steindl
How did you qualify?
I won the Online North Queensland Playoff
What is your favourite venue to play at?
North's Leagues Club Mackay
What is your favourite hand?
Pocket 9's
What is the one thing you are looking forward to the most at the upcoming Main Event?
I look forward to having a holliday, and playing some poker over the weekend.
What is your greatest achievement in poker so far?
My greatest achievement would be coming tenth at the $1100 Deepstack Event at the Adelaide ANZPT.
What is your ultimate dream in poker?
To one day outplay and outbluff Daniel Negreanu or Gus Hansen in a major tournament.
Robert Simonsen
How did you qualify?
I was the Venue Champion at the Norths Leagues Club Mackay
What is your favourite venue to play at?
Norths Leagues Club Mackay
What is your favourite hand?
Q 2 Suited
What is the one thing you are looking forward to the most at the upcoming Main Event?
Looking forward to the competition, and facing players from all diferent parts of Australia.
What is your greatest achievement in poker so far?
My greatest achievement would be winning the Mackay Championship in 2010.
What is your ultimate dream in poker?
My dream would be to play in either the World Series or Aussie Millions Main Events.
Ben McDonald
How did you qualify?
By finishing 6th at the last 888PL Grand Final
What is your favourite venue to play at?
The Louisiana Tavern- Dakota runs such an awesome tournament.
What is your favourite hand?
Aces Obviously! I also have a soft spot for pocket deuces
What is the one thing you are looking forward to the most at the upcoming Main Event?
The trip to Melbourne is always fun, but final tables are what I'm after
What is your greatest achievement in poker so far?
I have had four-figure scores playing 888PL, the best of which was winning a State Final for 10K. Playing in Aussie Millions Event 1 and the Adelaide Casino Pokerzone Cup are also highlights.
What is your ultimate dream in poker?
My ultimate dream in poker is to win a WSOP bracelet, but I'll settle for just getting the chance to play in the WSOP Main Event.
