The 2025 Australian Poker Open is running full steam in Sydney. The series boasts an impressive line-up of action-packed 30 events slated from April 14-27, 20225. The largest event of the first week was the $1,500 AUD NLH Platinum Players Championship, which featured a staggering $1,000,000 AUD guarantee and concluded, crowning a champion Johan Lees who overcame a field of 1000 entries.
After over four hours of intense final table action, Johan Lees navigated his mid-stack expertly to claim the Australian Poker Open Platinum Players Championship title, securing a career-best A$252,300 along with the prestigious APO trophy.
Lees faced off against final table chip leader Daniel Neilson in a fierce battle for the coveted title. Despite Neilson’s attempts to apply pressure with his chip lead, it was Lees who ultimately prevailed and emerged victorious in the championship.
Earlier in March 2025, Lees also took down the WPT Prime Gold Coast Opening Event, where he pocketed $41,571. With this recent win, he added another major trophy to his collection.
2025 Australian Poker Open Platinum Players Championship Quick Recap
The A$1,500 buy-in Platinum Players Championship at Dolton House Club drew a massive 1,000 entries, shattering the A$1 million guaranteed prize pool and creating a final pool of A$1,300,000. Of the 1,000 participants, the top 126 finishers earned a payout, with the champion locking up A$250,000.
Daniel Neilson entered the final table as the chip leader, followed by Jennifer Cassel. Meanwhile, eventual champion Johan Lees started in the middle of the pack.
Zac Vigar was the first to fall at the final table, finishing in 9th place and earning A$16,000. He was followed by Hai Kee, who took 8th place for A$19,300.
Jason Brown bowed out in 7th, collecting A$28,300, while Dustin Tran exited in 6th place with an impressive A$42,300 payday.
Jennifer Cassel, who had started the final table second in chips, was unable to maintain her momentum and was eliminated in 5th place, earning A$57,800 for her deep run.
Anthony Xu followed the railbirds in 4th place, setting up the three-handed action for A$74,300 paycheck.
The three-handed action featured Neilson with a commanding chip lead, followed by Lees, with Reece Bedot as the short stack. Lees eliminated Bedot in 3rd place after a dramatic hand. Bedot shoved with Ah-2d and was called by Lees holding As-7c. The board ran out 7h-5h-6d-Jc-7d, giving Lees trip sevens and sending Bedot to the rail with A$102,300.
Heads-up Play
Neilson held a 2-to-1 chip advantage at the start of heads-up play. He maintained early pressure, scooping a few small pots with aggressive play.
However, momentum shifted when Lees flopped two pair (eights and deuces) on a 4h-2s-8c-10s board and shoved. Neilson, holding Q-T, called. Needing a ten or queen, Neilson was instead met with a deuce on the river, giving Lees a full house and the chip lead.
The very next hand became the tournament’s final moment. Neilson opened with Ks-Qs, while Lees held As-4h. The flop came Ac-3s-5c, and Neilson bet. Lees called with the top pair. The 8s turn gave Neilson a flush draw, prompting a large bet, which Lees again called. The river brought the 6th, missing Neilson’s draw. He jammed his remaining stack, and Lees snap-called, sealing the victory.
Daniel Neilson took home A$147,300 for his runner-up finish, while Johan Lees banked A$252,300, officially surpassing the $500k mark in lifetime poker earnings.
Australian Poker Open Platinum Players Championship Final Table Payouts
| Rank | Player | Payout |
| 1st | Johan Lees | A$252,300 |
| 2nd | Daniel Neilson | A$147,300 |
| 3rd | Reece Bedot | A$102,300 |
| 4th | Anthony Xu | A$74,300 |
| 5th | Jennifer Cassell | A$57,800 |
| 6th | Dustin Tran | A$42,300 |
| 7th | Jason Brown | A$28,300 |
| 8th | Hai Kee | A$19,300 |
| 9th | Zac Vigar | A$16,600 |
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Source – Australian Poker Open Social Handles
