Thursday, 28th March 2024 09:06
Home / Uncategorized / APPT9 Aussie Millions Day 2: Van Marcus inducted in Australian Poker Hall of Fame

“We would like to congratulate Van Marcus on being inducted into the Australian Poker Hall of Fame,” Joe Hachem exclaimed up on the podium before play on Day 2 of the Aussie Millions Main Event.

“C’mon up Van!”

At this point the story would usually go that Van strolled up the stairs and accepted his award, but unfortunately a clerical error meant that he thought the ceremony was at 2:15pm.

Never mind, mistakes happen and the honour was just as significant two hours later when Hachem once again got on the microphone to officially present Marcus with the accolade.

And like Marcus, the story will now go down in the history of Australian poker.

Before Marcus was announced as the latest inductee into the Australian Poker Hall of Fame, Hachem took the time to thank those involved.

“I need to thank Crown and PokerAsiaPacific for helping out with the Hall of Fame and to the APPT who are our kind sponsors and supplied us with the beautiful LED screen that displays the Hall of Fame here in the Crown Poker Room,” Hachem said.

With the thankyous out of the way, Marcus made his way up to the podium.

Van_Marcus_Inducted_.jpg

Joe Hachem bestows the honour on Van Marcus

“Van asked me not to have him speak, but I’m going to ask him one question,” Hachem said with a wry smile as he looked at a clearly nervous, and humble, Marcus.

“What does this mean to you?”

“It means a lot,” Marcus responded. “It’s just a privilege to be up here.”

“You work very hard at something in life and when you get recognised it just means the world.”

Marcus has been playing poker for almost 15 years with his first live tournament result recorded in 2004. Since then, he has amassed just under US$1.4 million in tournament results and has been a feared and respected cash game player.

The largest result of Marcus’s career came when he finished third in the $10,000 Pot Limit Omaha Championship at the 2009 WSOP. That was a year after he won his first major title, the APPT Manila Main Event.

Following his induction, Marcus spoke about the gravity of his time in the game.

“I remember when the whole Crown Poker Room was three tables and there was no screens and if you wanted to play a game, they would write your name up on a white board. The biggest game was $2/$4. From that to this now and with Joe winning the Main Event, it’s been incredible.”

“Along the way I’ve just tried to contribute as much as I can, from being sponsored at an online site to something as simple as promoting poker at home games.”

When asked about his career highlights, Marcus is quick to sight his cash game success.

“I think making the Hall of Fame is definitely the biggest highlight of my career, but in terms of results it’s in the cash games that I’m most proud of, both live and online in big games. I’m fortunate that things have gone well for me.”

Van_Sarah_Grant.jpg

Van speaks to PokerStars hostess Sarah Herring after his induction

Marcus now proudly joins Joe Hachem, Gary Benson, Billy Argyos, Lee Nelson, Mel Judah, Tony G, Maurie Pears, Marsha Waggoner, Leo Boxell, David Gorr, Jason Gray and APPT President Danny McDonagh as part of the Australian Poker Hall of Fame.

Study Poker with Pokerstars Learn, practice with the PokerStars app