The final table is set in the inaugural Irish Open Sydney Main Event, with Jacob Alha leading the last nine players in the race for a massive A$200,000 first prize.
The race for the inaugural Irish Open Sydney Main Event title has reached the final table, with nine players still standing from the 515 who took their seats at Poker Palace, Club Marconi.
Several starting flights saw 515 players take their shot at Irish Open Sydney glory, all battling for a share of the A$1,000,000 guaranteed prize pool. After three consecutive eliminations brought the field down to the final nine this evening, the stage is now set for what promises to be a fascinating finale.
Alha Leads the Way on Home Turf
It is Jacob Alha who will return with the chip lead, having accumulated an impressive 5.22 million.
Alha is no stranger to these surroundings. A Poker Palace regular, he will have the added advantage of playing for one of the biggest titles of his career on familiar turf. Now he finds himself in pole position to become the first-ever Irish Open Sydney Main Event champion. He has some breathing room at the top, but certainly won’t have things all his own way. Jiajun Yang sits close behind with 4.86 million, while Jarod Cunningham rounds out the top three with 3.74 million.
Cunningham is followed by Xiangxi Zheng with 3.22 million, while German poker star Martin Finger remains firmly in contention with 2.69 million. Finger is one of the most accomplished players among the final nine, with more than US$8.9 million in recorded live tournament earnings according to The Hendon Mob. The German brings a wealth of big-stage experience to the final table and will be looking to add an Irish Open Sydney title to an already impressive poker résumé.
Local Favourite George Chasing a Fairytale Finish
There is another strong local story among the final nine in Aaron George, a familiar face at CSI Marconi.
George is a regular in the club’s A$25 league game and previously won his way into the Australian Poker Open (APO) through the club. He went on to enjoy an impressive run in the Australian Poker Open earlier this year, finishing third.
George is also one of three players at the final table who qualified through Poker Palace satellites, underlining the strength of the local poker community and the opportunities created throughout the inaugural Irish Open Sydney festival.
George will return with 1.33 million, making him the shortest stack at the final table, but he has already guaranteed himself A$16,900 and a place in the final nine of the first international Irish Open Main Event.
Irish Open Sydney Main Event Final Table
| Seat | Player | Country | Chip Count |
| 1 | Jarrod Thatcher | Australia | 1,690,000 |
| 2 | Joseph Antar | Australia | 1,350,000 |
| 3 | Jarod Cunningham | Australia | 3,740,000 |
| 4 | Xiangxi Zheng | China | 3,220,000 |
| 5 | Shengfeng Ma | Australia | 1,650,000 |
| 6 | Jiajun Yang | China | 4,860,000 |
| 7 | Martin Finger | Germany | 2,690,000 |
| 8 | Aaron George | Australia | 1,330,000 |
| 9 | Jacob Alha | Australia | 5,220,000 |
With the stacks closely packed at the bottom of the counts, there is still plenty of room for movement. George sits just behind Joseph Antar on 1.35 million, with Shengfeng Ma on 1.65 million and Jarrod Thatcher on 1.69 million. One double-up could quickly turn the final-table pecking order on its head.
A$200,000 Awaits the Champion
All nine finalists have already locked up A$16,900, but the jumps become significant from here. Making it through just one more elimination guarantees A$21,400, while a podium finish is worth at least A$90,000. The final two will battle for A$123,500 and the A$200,000 top prize.
Irish Open Sydney Main Event Final Table Payouts
| Place | Prize |
| 1st | A$200,000 |
| 2nd | A$123,500 |
| 3rd | A$90,000 |
| 4th | A$67,000 |
| 5th | A$50,000 |
| 6th | A$37,500 |
| 7th | A$28,500 |
| 8th | A$21,400 |
| 9th | A$16,900 |
A Piece of Irish Open History on the Line
For the eventual champion, however, there is more than the money at stake. The winner will walk away with a staggering A$200,000, win the coveted Irish Open trophy, and earn the distinction of becoming the first Irish Open Sydney Main Event champion.
The Irish Open’s first-ever international event has brought the famous festival to Sydney, opening a new chapter in the history of one of poker’s longest-running and most recognisable tournaments. And its first trip Down Under has delivered a Main Event worthy of the occasion.
From several opening flights and 515 hopefuls, only nine remain. Jacob Alha has the chips and the home-court advantage. Jiajun Yang is right on his heels. Martin Finger brings plenty of experience. And in Aaron George, the local A$25 league has one of its own chasing the biggest prize of them all.
By the time the final card is dealt, one of these nine players will have written their name into Irish Open history.
Follow the Action
Poker fans won’t have to miss a hand as the inaugural champion is crowned. The Irish Open Sydney Main Event final table will be streamed live on our YouTube channel, where poker fans can follow all the action as the final nine battle for the A$200,000 top prize and the coveted Irish Open Sydney Main Event Trophy.
Nine players. A$200,000 up top. One coveted trophy. One inaugural Irish Open Sydney champion still to be crowned.
