Australian Poker Hall of Famers Gary Benson and Billy 'The Croc' Argyros, 2011 ANZPT Adelaide runner-up Jesse 'OnTheMac' McKenzie and reigning ANZPT Melbourne main event champion Edison Nguyen have all been spotted in the field early into Level 3.
New Zealanders Jackson Zheng and Cole Swannack have both been joined by two notable names in Australian poker.
The first is Anthony Legg who earlier this year finished in 6th place in the Aussie Millions Main Event, collecting $235,000 for his efforts.
The other is Daniel Levy who had a very successful Joe Hachem Poker Challenge series a few months back here in the Crown Poker room.
After min cashing in the opening event, he went on to win the 6-max shot clock event a week later. He then went agonisingly close to winning the main event two days later, settling for second place, to none other then Australia Poker pro Jarred Graham.
In the first hand following the break Peter Matusik limped into the pot from under the gun before Stevan Chew bumped it up to 600 from the hijack.
Matusik called the raise before both players watched the flop come down . Matusik checked prompting Chew to reach for his chips and toss out a bet totalling 900 in chips. Matusik thought for a minute before mucking his hand.
Tony Tartaglia accepting his award from Danny McDonagh
Just prior to the first break both APPT President Danny McDonagh and Media and Event's Manager Sam Dawson awarded Tony Tartaglia with a trophy for his 'extreme loyalty to the ANZPT'.
Rumour has it that Tartaglia is 0 for 19 when it comes to cashing in a main event over the seven year span of the ANZPT.
Here is to hoping Tartaglia can finally hit the money before making a surge for a maiden title victory.
With a flop reading both players in the blinds checked their option. Ricky Kroesen was seated in middle position and splashed out 1,800 in chips. His opponent on the button called as both blinds mucked their hands.
The on the turn prompted Kroesen to reach for his chips and throw out another 3,500 in chips. The player on the button quickly mucked his hand relinquishing the pot to Kroesen.