Event 1: $1,100 No Limit Hold'em | 2010 Aussie Millions

01-18-2010 04:40 UTC+11

Our Toughest Challenge Yet?

[user135779]

The action has slowed down between the last three players, as they simply toss the blinds and antes between each other with very little action - and so the game goes on.

It's always a hard day's night for the PokerNews Live Reporting Team but we are always prepared to tough it out.

However even our most experienced members of the team are beginning to crack under the latest challenge ... trying to block out the *NSYNC CD that's playing over the PA in the Crown Poker Room!

If there is a god, please ... spare us from this torture!

01-18-2010 04:55 UTC+11

Action at Last!

[user135779]

In a hand just before the blinds ticked over, Brent Thomas limped in before Matthew Ephraums raised from the small blind to 275,000.

Brendan Edmonds folded on the big blind, Thomas reraised to 580,000 and Ephraums called to see a flop of {j-Spades}

, which both players checked.

The dealer produced the {5-Clubs}

on the turn; Ephraums led out for 350,000, Thomas raised to 800,000 but Ephraums snap-shoved over the top. After some consideration, Thomas threw his hand away.

Tags: Brendan Edmonds Brent Thomas Matthew Ephraums

Level: 27

Blinds: 50,000/100,000

Ante: 10,000

01-18-2010 05:16 UTC+11

Edmonds Doubles Through Thomas

[user76023]

A limped pot between Brent Thomas and Brendan Edmonds saw a flop of {6-Clubs}

.

Edmonds check-called a bet of 150,000 before check-raising Thomas' turn bet of 150,000 to 500,000 when the {9-Hearts}

appeared. Thomas made the call and the river was the {3-Diamonds}

. Edmonds now moved in for around 1,535,000 and Thomas called.

Edmonds: {4-Hearts}

Thomas:

Edmonds doubles up to nearly 5 million and Thomas is crippled.

01-18-2010 05:18 UTC+11

Chip Counts (Approximate)

[user135779]

Matthew Ephraums - 5,710,000
Brendan Edmonds - 4,260,000
Brent Thomas - 1,460,000

Tags: Brendan Edmonds Brent Thomas Matthew Ephraums

01-18-2010 05:21 UTC+11

Brent Thomas Eliminated in 3rd Place ($97,155)

[user76023]

Brent Thomas Eliminated in 3rd Place ($97,155)

Brendan Edmonds raised to 200,000 and Brent Thomas moved all-in for 1,350,000. Edmonds quickly called.

Thomas: {4-Hearts}

Edmonds:

Board:

And after nearly 15 hours of play, we're now heads up here in the Crown Casino!

01-18-2010 05:25 UTC+11

Chip Count:

[user76023]

Matthew Ephraums -- 5,900,000
Brendan Edmonds -- 5,500,000

01-18-2010 05:39 UTC+11

Ephraums Doubles Through

[user76023]

After Edmonds took over the chip lead, a crucial point just played out.

Ephraums fired out 400,000 on a {2-Hearts}

flop and Edmonds made the call. On the {4-Hearts}

turn, Ephraums bet 600,000 and Edmonds called again. The river was the {8-Hearts}

and Ephraums bet 500,000 to which Edmonds moved all-in.

Ephraums made the call with {J-Diamonds}

, no heart in his hand but Edmonds could only show {10-Spades}

for a second pair turned into a bluff.

Edmonds is down to 2,635,000. Ephraums has the rest.

01-18-2010 05:45 UTC+11

PokerNews Exclusive Video

[user116926]

What happens when we're waiting in the wee hours of the morning for a final table to finish? We get creative of course! Let us introduce you to the 2010 Aussie Millions $1,100 Opening Event Final Table:

01-18-2010 05:50 UTC+11

Brendan Edmonds Eliminated in 2nd Place ($142,875); Matthew Ephraums Wins!

[user135779]

Brendan Edmonds Eliminated in 2nd Place ($142,875)

We were expecting a long, arduous battle but it was all over just after 5.45am - Brendan Edmonds raised to 300,000 from the button, Matthew Ephraums reraised to 1 million straight, Edmonds announced he was all in and Ephraums snap-called.

Ephraums: {a-Clubs}