Geoff Smith

Geoff Smith captured his first major title in November 2012 by winning the PokerStars.net Australia New Zealand Poker Tour (ANZPT) Auckland Main Event. The tournament, held at SKYCITY Casino, attracted 207 entries and a prize pool of NZ$341,535. Smith emerged victorious after a dramatic final table, securing the champion's trophy and NZ$80,502 first-place prize.

Smith entered the final day sixth in chips among nine players. Early eliminations including Patrick Healy (9th), Graeme Putt (8th), and Xiaodong Xia (7th) quickly reduced the field. A pivotal hand saw Smith call Miroslav Sheynin's all-in with a straight draw, hitting the turn to take a massive chip lead. Sheynin finished 6th. Chip leader Jamie Mulligan was eliminated in 5th place after running kings into Monica Eastick's aces.

The remaining four players agreed to a chop, each taking NZ$55,000, with the remaining NZ$25,502 and bracelet played for. Smith eliminated Eastick (4th) and Pravin Harji (3rd) to enter heads-up against Sebastian Martineau with a 3:1 chip lead. In the final hand, Martineau held two pair on the turn, but the river paired the board, giving Smith the pot with his king kicker. Smith's winning hand was K♥J♣.

Smith's victory was celebrated as a breakthrough for the New Zealand native, who had previously recorded only smaller scores in his home country. The ANZPT event marked the tour's first visit to Auckland, and Smith ensured the title stayed on home soil.