Main Event
Day 1a Completed
2015 ANZPT Melbourne
Main Event
Day: 1a
Top
Chip Counts
Chip Counts
4
88,500
5
86,900
Park Leads 93 Survivors on Day 1a of ANZPT Melbourne
Level 7
: 400/800, 100 ante
That’s all for Day 1a of the 2015 ANZPT Melbourne Main Event!
At the beginning of the day there were high hopes of a big field making their way into the Crown Poker Room with pre-series news confirming this would be the last ever stop on the ANZPT. In the end, 206 players partook in the first of two Day 1 flights. That puts the event on pace to reach close to 500 players, and at the $2,300 buy-in level, that would mean another massive seven-figure prize pool.
As usual there were plenty of familiar faces at the felt to begin the day, but not all of them made it through the evening. Some of those who were eliminated throughout Day 1a included Martin Rowe, Peter Aristidou, Daniel Neilson, Gary Benson, Jackson Zheng, Ricky Kroesen, Hugh Cohen, Didier Guerin and Tony Tartaglia.
Tartaglia was the main focus early on in the day after receiving an award from Danny McDonagh and Sam Dawson for his "loyalty to the ANZPT." In 19 attempts, Tartaglia was unable to cash in any main event over the tour's seven-year stretch. Today he unfortunately made it 20 attempts with no reward.
While the aforementioned players didn't have a good day at the felt, it was a different story for some others, specifically Min Jae Park, who captured an early lead after taking out Tartaglia in the biggest hand of the day.
After turning a set of eights, Tartaglia committed his remaining chips and was called by Park, who held pocket aces. One of the two last aces spiked on the river seeing Park jump up to 100,000 in chips, which left Tartaglia with a chip in the chair, but was followed by his demise shortly after. Park would finish the day as chip leader bagging up 118,500 in chips.
Some of the other players who finished Day 1a with plenty of chips include Graham Cowan (100,300), Liam O’Rourke (80,700), Aleks Brkovic (66,900), Peter Matusik (65,500), PokerStars Team Pro Chen-An Lin (60,900), Sam Butters (59,800) and reigning Aussie Million champion Manny Stavropoulos (59,800).
Others who survived Day 1a, albeit with smaller stacks than the leaders, include Stevan Chew (58,700), Billy ‘The Croc’ Argyros (33,500), Michael Guzzardi (33,500), Anthony Legg (21,300) and Jesse McKenzie (13,800).
All the 93 survivors from Day 1a will return to the felt at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday. Before then, the second and final batch of Day 1 players will hit the felt. Day 1b kicks off at 12:30 p.m. local time on Saturday and PokerNews will once again be here providing all the live updates. Be sure to join us then!
End Of Day 1a Chip Counts (full)
Level 7
: 400/800, 100 ante
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
118,500 | -3,500 |
|
|
91,100 | 91,100 |
|
|
88,500 | 88,500 |
|
|
86,900 | 86,900 |
|
85,200 | 85,200 |
|
83,900 | 83,900 |
|
80,700 | 15,700 |
|
|
79,200 | 79,200 |
|
|
79,200 | 79,200 |
|
|
77,700 | 77,700 |
|
|
72,500 | 72,500 |
|
|
68,000 | 68,000 |
|
67,100 | 67,100 |
|
|
66,900 | 66,900 |
|
66,800 | 66,800 |
|
66,100 | 66,100 |
|
65,900 | 65,900 |
|
|
65,500 | 38,500 |
|
|
65,000 | 65,000 |
|
61,800 | 61,800 |
|
|
61,400 | 61,400 |
|
60,800 | 60,800 |
|
|
59,800 | 59,800 |
|
|
59,800 | 59,800 |
|
58,700 | 20,700 |
Three More Hands!
Level 7
: 400/800, 100 ante
The tournament director has just announced that each table will play three more hands before bagging up for the night.
Stevan Chew Applies The Pressure
Level 6
: 300/600, 75 ante
Stevan Chew raised to 1,600 from the hijack and was called by the player on the big blind.
The flop came down 
and the big blind checked back to Chew who threw out a continuation bet totalling 1,800 in chips. The bet was called.
After the 
came on the turn, another check prompted Chew to splash out 3,600, which was called.
The 
completed the board and for the third time the big blind checked. Chew studied his opponents stack for a moment before announcing all in for his remanning 23,000 in chips. The bet had his opponent covered, who tanked for a minute, before flashing the 
and mucking his hand.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
38,000 | 8,000 |
Anthony Legg Risks It All
Level 6
: 300/600, 75 ante
On a flop reading 
three players - including Anthony Legg - checked to the player in middle position who tossed out 3,500 in chips. The cut off mucked before the big blind called. The player to his left opted to fold before Legg instantly raised it up to 8,500 in chips.
The bet took the original raises by surprise who then went into the tank for three minutes. He finally folded his hand. The big blind called.
Both players then checked the 
on the turn before the 
completed the board. The big blind checked which then saw Legg reach for all his chips, hold them in his hand, before moving all in for a total of 20,200 in chips.
His opponent wasn't very impressed with the bet and mucked his hand shortly after.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
45,000 | 14,000 |
Sam Butters Takes Out Daniel Levy
Level 6
: 300/600, 75 ante
During the break Sam Butters informed us of how he eliminated Daniel Levy from the tournament.
The action started with Sam Butters raising to 1,300 from the button and getting called by Daniel Levy in the blinds.
Levy checked his option on the 
board prompting Butters to place out a continuation bet totalling 1,200 in chips. Levy called.
The 
on the turn saw Levy check call another bet worth 2,500 before the 
completed the board. Levy checked and Butters splashed out one last bet of 5,500 in chips. Levy then moved all in for 20,000 in chips which sent Butters into the tank.
Over three minutes passed before Butters made the call. Levy tabled 
for ace-high which was no good as Butters rolled over 
for top pair and the winning hand.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
60,000 | 60,000 |
|
Busted |
Level: 7
Blinds: 400/800
Ante: 100
Final Level Of The Day!
Level 6
: 300/600, 75 ante
The players are back from their break and the cards are back in the air!
There is one more level remaining in the night!
Some Updated Counts At The Break
Level 6
: 300/600, 75 ante
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
65,000 | 14,000 |
|
41,000 | 8,000 |
|
39,000 | 17,000 |
|
39,000 | -3,000 |
|
37,000 | 11,500 |
|
32,000 | 10,000 |
|
|
31,000 | 11,000 |
|
|
30,000 | |
|
|
27,000 | 12,000 |
|
21,800 | -3,200 |
|
19,000 | 3,000 |
|
16,000 | |
|
Busted | |
|
Busted |