Rotorua's Renae takes national poker title

Rotorua's Renae Baker was the one doing the counting after she won the National Women's Poker Championship recently at the Christchurch Casino.
The national poker website Pokernz.com said Ms Baker had beaten 30 of the country's best female poker players to take the title.
The site stated "throughout the tournament Ms Baker looked calm, comfortable and in control. Rarely, if ever, dipping below average stack."
She said she played most of her poker at Rotorua's Ruck'n Maul Sports Bar and had plenty of support from players in town.
Ruck'n Maul owner Keith Mitchell said the normally shy young woman had been playing for only three years but was good and had beaten some of Australasian's best female professionals.
He said Ms Baker was not only good at bluffing but also good at reading people.
Ms Baker said her father, Kani Edwards, was a big influence and got her into the game. Like many players she started online and then went along with her father to play.
Last year the Rotorua local had a great year and beat all comers in the Rotorua Open, claiming the Mrs G Memorial Trophy. She also won a third placing at a professional women's event in Auckland and placed sixth in the New Zealand Open.
Her win at the weekend means she will be eligible to contest the New Zealand Open.
Last night Ms Baker returned to the Ruck'n Maul where she showed off her trophy and thanked her fellow players. She said they had a strong poker school, with a number of other players winning tournaments. These included her father, Hone Morrison, Emmerson Rewi and players nicknamed "Beef" and "Roy Boy".
She said Victor Reihana, who recently won a trip and a $4000 package to play at professional tournament in Queenstown, was one of the city's top players.
Ms Baker also thanked her partner, Shannon Wright, who allowed her to travel around New Zealand on a regular basis playing poker. "He stays at home with our lovely two children."