Cooper Feltham Triumphs at WPT Prime Australia Championship in Sydney

The poker spotlight is shining brightly on Australia as the World Poker Tour continues its festival at The Star Sydney. On Wednesday, the WPT Prime Australia Championship reached its conclusion, crowning a champion in a finale marked by high-stakes tension and a dramatic final hand. Cooper Feltham, a seasoned Australian professional, emerged victorious, further solidifying his reputation in the international poker circuit.

The tournament, featuring an AUD $1,500 buy-in, attracted a competitive field, but it was Feltham who ultimately dominated the final stages. He entered the heads-up match against Ling Liu with a substantial chip lead of nearly 3:1. Despite the advantage, the match remained volatile until the very last card was dealt. The conclusion of the event highlighted the inherent blend of strategic skill and pure luck that defines tournament poker at the highest levels.

Numbers and facts

The first-place prize amounted to AUD $187,793. Prior to this event, Cooper Feltham already boasted over $1 million USD in live tournament results. His experience was evident throughout the final table. Ling Liu, the runner-up, walked away with AUD $161,127. The final table featured a diverse group of players, including Liu Yang in third place (AUD $99,000) and Kenta Ito in fifth (AUD $56,500). Prizes were distributed down to ninth place, where Daniel Francis earned AUD $22,000.

The tournament's defining moment occurred when Ling Liu moved all-in preflop with A ♠ 7 ♥. Feltham called with A ♦ 2 ♥, leaving Liu as the statistical favorite. The flop of 4 ♦ J ♦ 4 ♥ did little to change the standings, but the 3 ♠ on the turn opened up straight possibilities for Feltham. The 5 ♠ on the river completed Feltham’s gutshot straight, abruptly ending the match and securing him the title.

Background

The WPT Prime series serves as a bridge between mid-stakes tournaments and the prestigious Main Tour. This Sydney event is a critical stop on the 2026 calendar. As celebrations for the Prime victory began, the next major highlight was already underway: the WPT Australia Championship Main Event. With a buy-in of AUD $5,000, this Main Tour event features three starting flights. Alan Pham, who won the title last year for AUD $558,211, is the man to beat as he attempts to defend his crown.

Operations at The Star Sydney adhere strictly to Tournament Director Association (TDA) standards. The event utilized the Big Blind Ante format, where the player in the big blind posts a single ante for the entire table. This system, designed to speed up play, has become the global standard for professional tournaments. Furthermore, all participants are required to maintain a verified WPT account, ensuring a level of security and compliance expected of world-class gaming events.

Why it matters for German players

For German poker enthusiasts, international festivals like the WPT in Australia remain a popular draw, as gameplay on-site follows local regulations. However, within Germany, the market is strictly governed by the State Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021). Online poker is only permitted through operators listed on the official GGL whitelist. These platforms must enforce a monthly deposit limit of 1,000 Euro, tracked via the LUGAS central system. Additionally, virtual slots are subject to a one-euro stake limit per spin, though poker structures focus more on table limits and specific buy-in regulations.

German players looking to compete legally must ensure their chosen platform holds a valid German license. While global tours offer massive prize pools, online qualifiers for Germans are often restricted to licensed partners. It is also important for players to consider tax implications; professional winnings are taxable in Germany, whereas casual winnings from single tournament successes are generally exempt, provided they do not constitute a regular source of income.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

Casinos and poker rooms licensed by the GGL can leverage the excitement of global events like the WPT to attract users to legal, regulated alternatives. The clear distinction between the legal market and offshore operators (such as those from MGA or Curacao jurisdictions) protects German consumers from potential payout issues. The GGL continuously monitors operators to ensure compliance with player protection rules. A victory like Feltham's in Sydney serves as a reminder of poker's enduring appeal as a game of skill, provided marketing and operations stay within the legal framework of the GlüStV 2021.

"Feltham would get some help with the 3 ♠, which gave him a gutshot straight draw, a draw that he'd hit when the 5 ♠ appeared on the river." - Editorial report, match analysis