APPT Auckland Main Event Day 1a | 2008 PokerStars.net APPT Auckland

10-08-2008 16:04 UTC-12

Opening Party

[user66118]

With hundreds of players arriving over the past couple days to get in on the action in Auckland, PokerStars decided to throw a private Polynesian Welcome Party last night for those who earned their seats through the site. The open bar was a big hit among the Day 1 crowd, even those who were scheduled to start today in the first flight. PokerNews' Gloria Balding was there to cover all the action off the felt:

10-08-2008 15:51 UTC-12

Out on the Town

[user66118]

We've already lost five tables full of players here in the first four hours, and those who qualified via PokerStars will have a few days' vacation to recover and rehash their tournament performance. Fortunately for them, there is quite a bit to do here in Auckland when you're not playing poker.

With a city of some 1.4 million permanent residents, this area seems primed for major tournament poker. SKYCITY itself is home to two casinos which feature all of the typical table games and machines, as well as a beautiful and comfortable poker room. Once you step outside of the hotel and casino, the city is laid out before you, and there is certainly no shortage of things to do and see. You can take a hike up a dormant volcano or down into a canyon, swim with sharks, race a world-class yacht, ski Mt. Ruapahu, raft the Kaituna River, hurl yourself off the Harbour Bridge on a bungee cord, catch a sick wave at one of the surf beaches, or just about anything else you can imagine. Many of Auckland's activities and attractions are within half an hour of the central city. Buses are frequent, and there is a sophisticated train network that runs throughout much of the central and southwest areas. What's more, numerous ferries are available to help tourists and residents alike make full use of the city's harbor side location. All of this provides a major international draw for tourists and poker players alike.

10-08-2008 15:47 UTC-12

We're Back

donpeters

Cards are back in the air for the fifth level of the day.

Level: 5

Blinds: 150/300

Ante: 25

10-08-2008 15:36 UTC-12

Break it Up

[user66118]

The clock has been paused, and the players are on their second 10-minute break.

10-08-2008 15:36 UTC-12

Nousiainen Makin' Moves

donpeters

Teresa Nousiainen, from Finland, has been at Greg Raymer's table all day long. This has not scared her away from playing her game and really increasing her stack.

In the latest addition to her chip stack, Nousiainen raised up the action to 900. A player in the small blind called, as did Raymer in the big blind.

The three players saw the flop come down {Q-Spades}

and it was checked over to Nousiainen. She bet out 2,400 and only the small blind called.

The turn was the {6-Spades}

, pairing the board. Nousiainen bet again, this time she made it 5,000. Her opponent would have had to call off the rest of his stack, but opted to fold instead.

Nousiainen has steadily increased her stack throughout the day to just over 30,000 and is among the chip leaders so far.

Tags: Greg Raymer Teresa Nousiainen

10-08-2008 15:35 UTC-12

Naidoo Doesn't

[user66118]

Before the flop, Sherwin Naidoo moved the last of his 650 chips into the pot. Action passed around the table, until Raphael Tansy made the call from the blind. He turned over {A-Hearts}

while Naidoo was racing for his tournament life with {8-Diamonds}

.

The flop hit Tansy well, coming {2-Hearts}

. "You know it's a PokerStars tournament with a flop like that," jested Alex Fitzgerald from across the table.

The turn was safe for Naidoo though, as the {10-Spades}

did nothing to hurt him. The {4-Spades}

hit on the river, giving Tansy the winning wheel and sending Naidoo to the rail with a frown on his face.

Tansy has moved up over his starting stack, and he now sits with about 14,000 in chips.

Tags: Raphael Tansy

10-08-2008 15:21 UTC-12

Emad Tahtouh Busts

donpeters

We caught up with Emad Tahtouh as he was making an exit from the tournament area. According to Tahtouh, Greg Raymer limped under the gun and then Tahtouh raised up the action from middle position with A-2 to 800. Raymer was the only player to call.

The flop came down K-T-2. Emad went on to say, "he checked to me and I bet the pot to commit myself and he shoved with king jack."

Raymer's hand held up and sent Tahtouh to the rail saying, "there's always tomorrow."

Tags: Emad Tahtouh Greg Raymer

10-08-2008 15:02 UTC-12

Hachem and Saab Chat It Up

donpeters

Tony Hachem was just recently moved to David Saab's table. Upon his arrival, Hachem acknowledged Saab's play at the recent World Series of Poker, "Saab, you played really well at the World Series."

"Thanks," replied Saab.

Hachem then went on to tell Saab that during the Series, "the way you got Hellmuth was the best!"

The two chuckled along with the rest of the table.

10-08-2008 15:02 UTC-12

Saab Looks His Man Up

[user66118]

David Saab got things started with a raise to 600 from early position. The cutoff and the small blind, Fred Madon, both came along to the flop.

It showed up {3-Clubs}

. Madon checked, allowing Saab to continue his lead with a bet of 1,200. The cutoff folded, and Madon pulled out a stack of yellow raising chips. After a moment, he decided to just flat call.

Fourth street: {5-Hearts}

. Both men checked.

The river brought the {2-Spades}

. Without hesitation, Madon announced, "Twenty-five hundred," flipping that amount casually forward.

"Really?!" said Saab immediately. He sat for several minutes, fingering his chips and shooting the occasional glance over at his stone-faced opponent. Finally, after about five minutes, Saab did indeed make the call, prompting Madon to immediately muck his cards. Saab takes down a nice little pot without showdown, and he has climbed up to right around the 20,000-chip mark.

Tags: David Saab