Down to sharp end at big poker tourney

Three New Zealanders compete with a field of card sharps from around the world at SkyCity casino in Auckland today, as final table play gets underway at the 2010 Festival of Poker Main Event.

And a South Auckland man who started up a Pacific music label started as favourite.

Danny 'Brotha D' Leaoasavaii is the co-founder of hip-hop record label Dawn Raid Entertainment. He commanded the biggest chip stack as the final stanza began.

At stake is a first prize of $170,000 from a total prize pool of $654,000.

Here's a look at who's playing for the big bucks:

Seat 1: Tamas Lendvai - Hungary
The38-year-old businessman moonlights as a professional poker player and has been playing cards for about five years.

Seat 2: Santi Soriano Ramos - Spain

An online qualifier hailing from Barcelona, Spain, playing in his first Festival of Poker event. A 22-year-old student, Soriano Ramos has been playing poker for about one and a half years.

Seat 3: Noah Vogelman - United States

Noah Vogelman from Brooklyn, New York is the youngest player at the final table. The 21-year-old has been playing poker professionally for the past four and a half years.

Seat 4: Tom Grigg - Australia

Tom Grigg has been playing poker for about three years and in that time has amassed career live tournament earnings in excess of US$150,000.

Seat 5: Ropati Toleafoa - New Zealand

Toleafoa has posted only one major cash during his brief poker career, but that one cash was last year's Festival of Poker Main Event (17th - $7,101).

Seat 6: Danny Silk - Australia

Danny Silk is a 31-year-old professional poker player from Australia's Gold Coast.

Seat 7: Danny 'Brotha D' Leaoasavaii - New Zealand

South Auckland native 'Brotha D' is the co-founder of Dawn Raid Entertainment, a hip-hop record label. The label made in a big splash in the North American market back in 2008 with the release of the hit single Swing, performed by rapper 'Savage.'

Seat 8: Leo Boxell - Australia

The 68-year-old Melbourne, Australia native claims that he has been playing poker "Since Noah."

Seat 9: Srdjan Mitrovic - New Zealand

The 32-year-old software engineer resides in Auckland and considers himself a recreational poker player.

Depending on how play goes, it may be as late as midnight - or even beyond - before a 2010 champion is crowned.

- NZHERALD STAFF