Thu, 09/29/2011 – 07:02 – PokerPages Staff

5. Darren Elias – Total Winnings $230,610
Resident of Erie, PA Darren Elias is enjoying a bumper 2011 at the poker tables. Most of his career earnings have been in this year, including two cashes over $100,000. Elias beat Britain’s Ricky Hale to fifth spot, earning $230,000 in the process.

4. Fred Goldberg – Total Winnings $280,925
Fred Goldberg has been a regular on the poker circuit since 2006, achieving 19 cashes, three wins and a WSOP bracelet. For coming fourth in this event, Goldberg netted a cool $280,000.

3. Daniel Buzgon – Total Winnings $335,433
The third place finish for Daniel Buzgon in this event earned him by far his biggest poker payday, worth $335,000. Buzgon’s highest previous poker haul was $96,500 for coming 72nd in the WSOP main event in 2008.

2. Jin Hwang – Total Winnings $554,303
In the silver medal slot at this event was Jin Hwang of San Diego, CA. This event was only the third time Hwang has finished in the money at a poker event. Prior to this event, Hwang’s poker income totaled $1,751.

1. Bahbak Oboodi – Total Winnings $922,441
Never troubled throughout the tournament, Bahbak Oboodi did not once have to go ‘all-in’ throughout the game play; such was his command over the event. Oboodi promised that this would not be the last time he starred in a WPT event, vowing to go all the way again.

Wed, 09/28/2011 – 06:57 – PokerPages Staff

5. Robert Wang– Total Career Earnings of $213,114
Auckland based poker pro, Robert Wang has made over $200,000 at the poker tables, with his career highlight coming in the Aussie Millions of 2008. In the No Limit Hold ‘em tournament, Wang came second and scooped up $105,000.

4. Phillip Willcocks– Total Career Earnings of $370,035
Phillip Willcocks has only been playing serious poker since the end of 2008, and since then, he has amassed close to $400,000 at the tables. A total of seven cashes, with no first place finishes yet, Willcocks’ biggest win came at the PokerStars APPT Melbourne in July 2011, where he walked away with $218,000.

3. Graeme Putt– Total Career Earnings of $510,813
Nicknamed ‘Kiwi’, Graeme Putt has achieved 79 cashes and four first place finishes at the poker tables. Although none of Putts cashes have been above $50,000, he has earned over half a million dollars at the poker table.

2. Simon Watt – Total Career Earnings of $907,665
Simon Watt has 14 cashes, two first place finishes and a WSOP bracelet to his name. Arguably a highlight of any player’s career, Watt’s WSOP success came in 2010 in a No Limit Hold ‘em tournament.

1. Lee Nelson – Total Career Earnings of $2,552,161
By far the most successful Kiwi player of all time, Lee Nelson has earned more than the previous four men combined. Poker veteran Nelson has earned himself the nickname ‘Final Table’ for his dogged determination at the tables, and the fact that he usually winds up in the final throes of tournaments.