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The tournament clock is now telling us that 66 players have entered Day 1a of the ANZPT Perth Main Event. Of that amount, three have already hit the rail during the first level of play.
Despite not having many live results on his record, Brad Bower is certainly one of the most feared players at any poker table in Australia. Playing under his screen name "BaZa88", Bower has more than 1.5 million in tournament results on PokerStars alone. Bower will be looking to add a large sum to his live record this week and if thing keep traveling the way today has started, then Bower has every chance to do just that.
We recently arrived at Bower's table on the turn of a 
board with Bower in a hand against Nino Marotta. There was a sizable pot building at this stage, with Bower leading out for 2,200. Marotta made the call and the dealer flipped over a 
river. This time Bower bet 6,500 and Marotta made a fairly quick call.
At showdown, Bower tabled 
for a full house and Marotta hesitated before mucking his cards. Bower asked Marotta if he had a flush and Marotta sort of nodded as he counted his chip stack.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
39,000
19,000
|
19,000 |
|
9,800
-10,200
|
-10,200 |
Over on Daniel Neilson's table, we watched the 2010 Western Classic Main Event champion open from under the gun to 550. Neilson found one caller from the small blind and the dealer flipped over a flop of 
. Action checked to Neilson who bet 650. His opponent then check-raised to 1,400 and Neilson made the call.
The turn brought the 
and it was again checked to Neilson. This time he tossed out 2,500, but once again was met with a check-raise, this time all in for another 6,275 on top.
Neilson looked pained over the decision but facing a double check-raise, he decided to make a reluctant fold to slip to 14,000 in chips.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
14,000
-6,000
|
-6,000 |
Tom Grigg raised from early position to 500 and found one caller sitting in the cutoff position. They took a 
flop and Grigg check-called for 800 as the 
appeared on the turn. It was a dangerous card with straight and flush possibilities out there, but Grigg stuck around to see a river card after checking dark and then calling his opponent's turn bet of 1,200.
The 
river was a relative blank and Grigg tapped the table for a third time. His opponent checked behind and opened 
for two pair, but Grigg's 
caught the bottom end of the straight which was enough for Grigg to take it down.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
23,000
-1,500
|
-1,500 |
The tournament area here in the ANZPT Perth Main Event is currently split up in two halves. Dividing the two sections is Rapid Roulette! The furthest tables from us here at the media desk currently has four tables active. Below is how some of the notable players from that area are currently faring during these early stages of the night.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
39,500
500
|
500 |
|
28,500
8,500
|
8,500 |
|
25,000
5,000
|
5,000 |
|
||
|
|
17,000
-3,000
|
-3,000 |
|
15,200
-4,800
|
-4,800 |
|
|
||
|
|
7,500
-2,300
|
-2,300 |
We spoke with some of the players as they were taking their seats to begin Day 1a.
The approximately 63 players remaining in the tournament have been sent on their first 10-minute break of the day.
Level: 3
Blinds: 150/300
Ante: 0
The players are back from their break and the cards are once again in the air. Blinds are now 150-300, with the antes set to kick in on the level after this current level.
Registration has now been locked out at 67 players here on Day 1a of the Australia New Zealand Poker Tour Perth Main Event.
The early word is that tomorrow is already nearing 100 entrants, so we are expecting a solid number for this year's event.
