Dubbed "The Russian Bomber" by heads-up opponent Johnny Chan, Vladimir Geshkenbein is your 2009 PokerStars.net APPT Macau High Rollers Champion.
Geshkenbein maintained the chip lead for the first half of the day, displaying an uber-aggressive style that left other players shaking their heads, and often chipless. When play hit the nine-handed money bubble, however, Geshkenbein hit a dry spell and dropped as low as 300,000 in chips.
Needless to say, he managed to rebound in stunning fashion and once he regained the chip lead, Geshkenbein steamrolled the rest of the final table en route to victory.
For his efforts, the next time Geshkenbein logs into his PokerStars account, he'll find a healthy $266,690 deposit waiting for him.
Congratulations to all of our finalists on a tournament well played.
That concludes our coverage of the Season 3 kickoff event of the APPT here in Macau, from the Grand Lisboa Hotel and Casino.
Johnny Chan limped in from the small blind and Vladimir Geshkenbein checked his option.
The flop fell down and Geshkenbein checked before Chan tossed in five red 25,000-denomination chips for a bet amounting to 125,000.
With the action on Geshkenbein, he announced all in to put Chan to a decision for his tournament life.
Chan turned his head to the side, before sliding in his remaining 800,000 into the middle.
Geshkenbein:
Chan:
"Chop is allright . . . just no Queen!" stated Geshkenbein as he stood up to see the rest of the board fill out.
As the rail of supporters and onlookers rose to their feet, the dealer would burn and turn the to now give Chan additional outs to a chopped straight along with his Queen to stay alive.
"Now I think it's time to stand" stated a depleted looking Chan as he slowly stood up from his chair and shook Geshkenebein's hand.
With both players standing next to each other, Geshkenbein would launch his arms high into the air when the river landed the to see him take the title and be crowned 2009 APPT Macau High Rollers Champion!
For the 1987 and 1988 World Champion Johnny Chan, he won't be going home empty handed as he collects a very respectable $154,400 for his second placing to improve on his seventh placing in this same event last year.
Vladimir Geshkenbein opened the pot with a raise to 110,000 from the button and Johnny Chan made the call.
The flop came and Chan passed the first action to Geshkenbein who fired a continuation bet of 150,000 which was called by Chan.
4th Street brought the and Chan checked once more to Geshkenbein, who asked the dealer to spread the pot. He then fired another bullet -- this time making it 330,000 to go.
Chan let go of his hand and Geshkenbein raked in the pot.