Tony Guoga took control of the final table on day three of the Betfair Asian Poker Tour with a combination of sharp banter and aggressive play.

He saw off challenges from top pro Lee Nelson, Swede and overnight chip leader Samuel Lehtonen, and local player Joshua Ang.

He won $451,700 and will give half of it to Asian and Australian charities to be nominated by Betfair.

Local player Joshua Ang managed to out last eight other players at the final table. He won $233,200 (US) in second place.

The final hand was all-in after the flop. Joshua’s ace-jack failed to beat ten-six after Tony hit a ten on the flop.

“His offer of a fifty per cent donation to charity is extraordinarily generous,” said Betfair’s Head of Poker Ben Fried.

Guoga said, “I want people to know that poker is sport. This is not a large amount compared to what people like Bill Gates give to charity but it is a gesture to show that it’s not all about the money, it’s about the competition as well.”

Tony also won a Merlion trophy as a symbol of Singapore which he promptly gave to Joshua so that the trophy would “stay in Singapore.”

Ben Fried asked Joshua to bring the Lion back next year when Betfair will return for the Betfair Asian Poker Tour.

Final table placings:

1. Tony Guoga, $451,700
2. Joshua (Ang Pang Leng), $233,200
3. Lee Nelson, $116,600
4. Samuel Lehtonen, $102,000
5. Jeff Kimber, $87,400
6. Mark Whent, $72,900
7. Hans Vogl, $58,306
8. Hendrik Dahlgaard, $43,700
9. Brendan Walls, $29,200
10. Neil Yong, $17,500