On Friday, September 21 and Saturday, October 22, up to 100 deaf, hard-of-hearing and hearing-impaired players will make their way to the City of Churches to participate in the first Australian Deaf Poker Championship to be held in a casino poker room.
It is only fitting that the Adelaide Casino was chosen for such a historic occasion, as the venue is considered to be the spiritual home of Australian poker, first hosting the Australasian Poker Championships before cementing a spot as the opening venue on the Australia New Zealand Poker Tour (ANZPT).
Established in 2008, Deaf Poker Australia (DPA) has worked tirelessly to promote and develop poker in the Australian Deaf community. In 2009, the inaugural Australian Deaf Poker Championship was held in Sydney, where Ashley Thornton bested a field of 88 players. Daniel Bachi then made it back-to-back titles for Sydney, defeating 74 players in last year’s Melbourne edition of the 2010 Australian Deaf Poker Championship.
Since then, Deaf Poker Australia has expanded its schedule of major live events, home games and online tournaments. For Founder and President Sokong Kim, this event represents Deaf Poker Australia’s coming of age and he’s eagerly looking forward to the experience.
“It’s been an awesome ride, not only for us here in the DPA but for the Deaf community in general. From a self-dealt tournament two years ago, the ante has been upped once again and there will be a more prestigious feel to the event. It means a lot to the Deaf community, and it’s a perfect opportunity for all of us to get together and celebrate Deaf culture through poker,” Kim said.
“The excitement in the Australian Deaf community is at fever pitch – we’ve already had players from around the country register for the 2011 Australian Deaf Poker Championship months in advance.
“None of this would be possible without the generosity of Adelaide Casino and we’d like to sincerely thank SKYCITY Poker Zone Manager David Galpin and his team for this opportunity. This is only the beginning of a bright future for us and we invite everyone in the poker community to come and witness history in the making.”
Schedule of events
Friday, October 21
2011 ADPC Welcome Night: SA Deaf Club, South Terrace, Adelaide (7.30pm until late – free entry, all welcome)
Saturday, October 22
2011 Adelaide Casino Australian Deaf Poker Championship (tournament starts at 2.15pm; open to Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Hearing-impaired players; $100 buy-in ($80 +$20) No Limit Hold’em freeze-out, 10,000 starting stack, 20 minute levels)
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