APPT Sydney Grand Final Main Event Day 1c | 2009 PokerStars.net APPT Sydney Grand Final

12-03-2009 19:28 UTC+11

Neilson's Ratings Climbing

PokerStars qualifier Daniel Neilson has just managed to double up to 23,000 in chips after getting it all in preflop holding {Q-Clubs}

against an opponent's {A-Clubs}

.

The

board gave Neilson queens full to clinch the pot and stay alive in the tournament.

"Such an easy game," joked Neilson after the hand.

Tags: Daniel Neilson

12-03-2009 19:16 UTC+11

Game On

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The players have returned from break and the cards are in the air. We'll be playing one more level tonight before we call it a day.

Level: 7

Blinds: 400/800

Ante: 75

12-03-2009 19:06 UTC+11

Break It Down

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The tournament clock has been paused while the remaining 128 players go on their last break of the day.

12-03-2009 19:02 UTC+11

Aussie pro David Saab has just been eliminated from the main event by Hungtu Wang.

Wang limped into the pot from under-the-gun plus one and when the action made its way around to Saab, he moved all in over the top for a total of 11,000. Wang made the call, prompting the following preflop showdown:

Wang: {A-Clubs}

Saab:

The board then ran out jack-high and Saab hit the rail just before the end of the sixth level of play.

Tags: David Saab

12-03-2009 19:00 UTC+11

George "The Toothpick's Son" Kambouroglou Doubles Up

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On a

flop, George Kambouroglou, son of "Toothpick Tony" got the rest of his chips in with {k-Spades}

. His opponent had an open-ended straight draw, holding the {k-Diamonds}

.

The turn was the {5-Hearts}

and the river was the {8-Clubs}

, and Kambouroglou survived, doubling up to 30,000.

12-03-2009 19:00 UTC+11

Celina Lin Eliminated

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The action got underway with an early position limp from Tony Hachem. Ben Delaney raised it up to 2,200, an unknown in the 8 seat called, and Team PokerStars Pro Asia Celina Lin moved all in for 14,500 total. Hachem tanked before finally folding, as did Delaney. The 8 seat, however mustered up the call tossing the 12,000 more needed into the pot.

Tony Hachem said he folded pocket eights, seat 8 showed {5-Spades}

, and Celina Lin flipped over the {a-Diamonds}

.

The flop was bittersweet for Lin, as seat 8 hit a set on the {5-Diamonds}

flop, and Lin picked up a pair and the nut flush draw. The turn was the {10-Hearts}

and the river was the {a-Hearts}

, sending Lin off to play in tonight's Ladies Events which begins in about thirty minutes.

Tags: Celina Lin

12-03-2009 19:00 UTC+11

Feeding the Croc

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Billy 'The Croc' Argyros has moved to 56,000 in chips with the recent elimination of Germany's Thorsten Schaefer.

Action folded around the table to Schaefer in the cutoff who opened with a raise to 1,700. Argyros then kicked it up to 5,000 from the small blind and Schaefer moved all in over the top for a total of 8,775. Argyros made the call and tabled {K-Clubs}

, only to find himself well behind Schaefer's pocket queens.

A {5-Diamonds}

board ensued, giving Argyros a rivered pair of kings to send Schaefer packing.

Tags: Billy Argyros

12-03-2009 18:45 UTC+11

Prizepool and Payout Information Released

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The tournament staff has just released the official prizepool and payout information. 396 entrants from 23 different countries entered this year's APPT Sydney Grand Final, generating a total prizepool of AUD $2,376,000 (approximately $2,205,000 USD).

The top 48 spots will pay, with 48th place set to receive AUD $9,504. Our eventual winner will take home just under AUD $600,000 for first.

Visit our Prizepool and Payouts page for a complete breakdown of the money.

12-03-2009 18:40 UTC+11