Main Event
Day 1a Completed
2013 PokerStars.net ANZPT Season 5 Queenstown
Main Event
Day: 1a
Event Info
Final Results
Event Info
Level Info
2013 PokerStars.net ANZPT Season 5 Queenstown
Buy-in
2,700 NZD
Prize Pool
340,200 NZD
Entries
126
Level
25
Blinds
20,000 / 40,000
Ante
5,000
Chon Leads Quick Opening Day of ANZPT Queenstown
![[user162117]](/img/avatars/avatar.svg){kind=avatar}
Level 5
: 200/400, 50 ante
The chip bags are sealed and the surviving players here on Day 1a of the ANZPT Queenstown Main Event have made their way out of the SKYCITY Casino and into the cool night breeze of snowy Queenstown.
The day began with 40 players and the plan was to play just six 60-minute levels. However, halfway through the day the players were told they would only be playing five levels. By the time some quick poker action was in the record books, 26 had survived and it was Michael Chon who had bagged up the chip lead with a stack of 59,375.
Joining Chon with plenty of chips include players such as Oliver Gill, Matt Wakeman, Ali Ghezelbash, Tobin Ryall and Raj Ramakrishan, while Ben Richardson, Dean Francis, Brett Chalhoub and Stevan Chew are also still in contention for the title.
One of the big talking points of the day was the announcement that Tom Grigg, Liam O’Rourke and Jonathan Karamalikis were made Full Tilt Poker Ambassadors for the ANZPT. Karamalikis is expected to take to the felt either tomorrow or on Day 1c, while Grigg and O’Rourke both played today. Unfortunately O’Rourke was eliminated early in the action, leaving Grigg to fly the Full Tilt flag on Day 1a. Grigg had a characteristically swingy day at the felt, amassing a high of 60,000 in chips before eventually finishing the day with 24,100.
All of the surviving players now have a couple of days off before returning to the felt on Friday. Us on the other hand, we will be back at the felt tomorrow from 12.30 p.m. local time, so be sure to return for more Queenstown Snowfest action!
Official End-of-Day Chip Counts (full)
Level 5
: 200/400, 50 ante
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
59,375 | 59,375 |
|
|
59,150 | 59,150 |
|
55,225 | -4,775 |
|
|
55,000 | 55,000 |
|
53,875 | 53,875 |
|
53,700 | -1,300 |
|
45,750 | 8,750 |
|
42,000 | 6,000 |
|
40,950 | 8,950 |
|
|
38,050 | 38,050 |
|
32,350 | 2,350 |
|
|
26,975 | 26,975 |
|
26,425 | 26,425 |
|
|
24,700 | 24,700 |
|
24,100 | -2,900 |
|
23,250 | -11,750 |
|
|
22,800 | 5,800 |
|
22,750 | 1,250 |
|
|
19,700 | 19,700 |
|
17,250 | -750 |
|
14,100 | -16,900 |
|
|
13,450 | 13,450 |
|
|
11,950 | 11,950 |
|
|
9,500 | 9,500 |
|
7,900 | -9,600 |
Four More Hands
Level 5
: 200/400, 50 ante
The tournament clock has been stopped and the call has been made for just four more hands at each table. Stay tuned to find out how many survives, who bags up chips and which bag is the fullest! At the moment the chip lead race is between Oliver Gill, Matt Wakeman and Ali Ghezelbash.
Grigg Keeps Losing Some
Level 5
: 200/400, 50 ante
It's been a swingy day for Tom Grigg and nothing seems to be going right at the felt for the newly appointed Full Tilt Poker ANZPT Ambassador. Grigg was at a high of 60,000 chips earlier in the day, but now has only 27,000. The most recent hand to go in the wrong direction for Grigg occurred on a 
flop. Grigg was up against one opponent and led for 4,550. The player then raised it up to 10,000 and Grigg went into the tank. Eventually Grigg folded and the player showed a 
.
"Would you have called if i shoved?" asked Grigg.
"I was hoping you shoved!" came the reply. "I was hoping you had a jack."
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
27,000 |
Wakeman and Mac's Cooler Clash
Level 5
: 200/400, 50 ante
There was already a 
flop on the felt when we arrived to find Matt "mjw006" Wakeman and Jesse "On The Mac" McKenzie rumbling in what would become the biggest hand of the day.
McKenzie checked here and Wakeman bet 1,500. McKenzie then raised it up to 3,400 and Wakeman made the call. When the dealer flipped over a 
on the turn, McKenzie checked and the action was on Wakeman. After a few seconds, Wakeman asked to see McKenzie's stack and then bet 4,725. McKenzie made the call and a 
completed the board on the river.
McKenzie checked here and Wakeman pushed out enough chips to put McKenzie all in. McKenzie made the call and his tournament life was at risk.
"I guess i have you beat," Wakeman said, tabling 
for a rivered full house.
McKenzie turned over his 
for a flopped set and a smaller full house and made his way out of the tournament. With that, Wakeman is now the chip leader with not too long to go in the final level of the day.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
55,000 | 29,000 |
|
Busted |
Grigg Falling, Benny Rising
Level 5
: 200/400, 50 ante
We arrived at the action with a 
board on the felt and with Tom Grigg checking the turn. Grigg's only opponent was Ben Richardson and he bet 3,000 from the button. After many moments of thought, Grigg made the call and a 
completed the board on the river. Grigg checked again and Richardson bet 4,400. Back on Grigg and he thought long and hard, even asking Richardson a few questions. Eventually Grigg called and Richardson tabled 
for a rivered Broadway straight.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
35,000 | -24,500 |
|
|
30,000 | 7,000 |
Last Level Begins
Level 5
: 200/400, 50 ante
As per the changed plans earlier in the day, the players are back from their break and there is now only one level remaining on Day 1a of the ANZPT Queenstown Main Event.
Level: 5
Blinds: 200/400
Ante: 50
Second and Final Break
Level 4
: 150/300, 25 ante
The second and final break of the day has just begun.
Following 10 minutes of no poker, the players will return for just one more 60 minute level before bagging up for the night.