Local boy Martin Rowe has become the latest poker millionaire, winning the PokerStars.net APPT Grand Final in Sydney, winning seven figures after a dominating performance in the final. It was one-way traffic for Rowe who systematically knocked out his challengers one by one on his way to the title.

In the last hand of the tournament Jason Gray limped in on the button and Rowe immediately raised it to 250,000. Jason quickly announced all-in and Martin just as quickly called and tabled A-Q. Jason sighed and turned over 9-5. The crowd was taken by surprise as the battle had been tight for many hours.

The flop came down A-Q-5 and the turn bought a 9. This gave both players two-pair but Jason would have to hit one of four outs if he was to stay alive. The river didn’t bring a miracle for Jason and Martin Rowe raised his arms in triumph.

Martin Rowe, Australia's newest million-dollar man

Gray fought bravely and came back from a huge chip deficit to sit with roughly 40 per cent of the chips at one stage. The runner-up cheque of AUD $476,000 may ease a little of his pain.

Martin Rowe is not a professional poker player, but may have to consider his position in the insurance industry after equalling PokerStars sponsored player Grant Levy's feat from last year. Even though he has had some encouraging results in smaller tournaments both here at Star City and at Crown Casino in Melbourne, this is without doubt, the highlight of his poker career.

An emotional Martin thanked Jason for the great heads-up battle.

“Thanks, mate. That was really tough. When you came back at me I wasn’t feeling well at all. I was feeling dizzy and knew I wasn’t right. After I had that last drink I started getting a few cards and I just knew I had to hang in there. I was lucky my hands held up there at the end,” he said.

Congratulations to Martin on a great performance.

PokerStars.net APPT Grand Final results

1 Martin Rowe (Australia) AUD $1,000,000
2 Jason Gray (Australia) AUD $476,000
3 Tony Basile (Canada) AUD $266,000
4 Antonio Fazzolari (Australia) AUD $182,000
5 Timothy English (Australia) AUD $140,000
6 Frank Saffioti (Australia) AUD $100,800
7 Daniel Kowalski (Poland) AUD $72,800
8 Hai Bo Chu (Australia) AUD $53,200
9 Tom Rafferty (Australia) AUD $39,200