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The final level of Day 1b of ANZPT Sydney has just begun.
Registration is now locked out. Looks like 257 total entrants today bringing the total field to 455. We will have confirmation of that number as soon as it is made available, but until then, we can tell you the prize pool will be in excess of $900,000.
Approximately 160 players have been sent on their final break of Day 1b of the ANZPT Sydney Main Event.
One more level when they return.
2011 ANZPT Darwin champion Jack Drake has managed to find a double up through Chad Awerbuch.
We picked up the action on a 
flop with the small blind checking, Awerbuch checking from the big blind and Drake leading out for 2,900. Awerbuch was the lone caller and with that, the dealer turned over a 
.
This time when Awerbuch checked, Drake moved all in for 13,300. Awerbuch took quite a long time before eventually calling.
When the cards were turned over Drake was looking good with his 
against Awerbuch's 
.
The river was a safe 
for Drake and so he scooped the double.
Despite losing this hand, Awerbuch is still one of the chip leaders.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
70,000 | 29,000 |
|
|
40,000 |
An interesting situation has just been brought to our attention involving suspected collusion between two players.
We don't have a lot of detail, other than it appears that a player checked behind the nuts on the river.
The floor was called and a penalty was issued. Initially there was confusion as the floor staff indicated that both players would receive a penalty which triggered an argument from the table, most notably Ronnie Bardah, as they couldn't understand why the player out of position was copping a penalty for merely checking his hand.
Floor staff then discussed it further and the out-of-position player was spared, leaving the "nut checker" to sit out an orbit.
Dean Blatt, Sam Rotar and Tom Grigg have all been spotted on the rail recently.
There are currently around 175 players remaining during this second last level of the night.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
Busted | |
|
|
Busted | |
|
Busted |
Tam Truong had his hand caught in the cookie jar.
The action started with Joel Douaglin limping from under the gun. A middle position player raised to 1,800, Truong called from the small blind and Douaglin also made the call to see the flop of 
.
Both Truong and Douaglin checked to their opponent who made a continuation bet of 2,500. Truong made the call but Douaglin folded his hand. The turn 
came and both players checked and a fourth spade fell on the river with the 
.
Truong bet out 3,500 and his opponent sighed and cut out the 3,500 and made the call. Truong showed 
for a busted straight draw and his opponent held 
for top pair. Despite losing the pot, Truong still has a strong chip stack.
Don't forget there is additional coverage of ANZPT Sydney over at the PokerStarsBlog.
Here are some of the feature articles you can find there form Day 1b:
Josh Barrett found himself short-stacked and shoved under the gun for 6,725 when Sam Khouiss met Barrett with a call from the small blind.
It was a race with Barrett having against Khouiss .
The board ran 
giving no help to Barrett who was eliminated.
Khouiss has now climbed to over 35,000.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
35,000 | 14,000 |
|
Busted |
Rory Young has been sent to the rail at the hands of Minjae Park.
We arrived at the table on the turn with Young betting 4,500 on the board of 
and Park called him.
The river fell the 
and Rory made a pot-sized bet, shoving all in. After receiving a count Park would have to call 20,525. Park took a few minutes and grabbed the chips in his hand and dropped them on the table in front of him to make the call.
It was clear on Young’s face that he wasn’t happy with the call and as he turned over Park let out a scream of excitement and showed his 
for top pair and the winning hand. Park eliminated Young and moves up to a 65k chip stack.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
65,000 | |
|
Busted |
Level: 6
Blinds: 300/600
Ante: 75
