The inaugural PokerStars ANZPT - Australia New Zealand Poker Tour - will soon be kicking off in  the delightful capital of the state of South Australia, Adelaide. The fifth largest city in Australia, the citiy's population is now officially over 1.2 million divided by the Torrens river which split this settlement back in the nineteenth century days when the English arrived to colonise what had been here for centuries.

In a fine show of 19th century land development the principal area of Adelaide, named after the English King's consort Queen Adelaide, was designed, named, planned and sold prior to anyone set sail from England to this new land.

The planning of the city naturally encompassed the streets and is found in other cities like Melbourne, Victoria, where the streets are set out on a grid pattern. Such foresight allowed it's designers to include many squares and park areas either within the city precinct or in the adjoining areas.

The city still has the open space charm with wide streets perfect for the 21st century lifestyle. The spirit of the place is one of a overall easy living . I hailed a taxi to make my way from the airport on monday and the driver, who had himself come here as an immigrant for education, summed up the city by stating that it was a calming and tranquil place.

Adelaide has often been called the City of Churches and many, still in their original sandstone, can be found along the main thoroughfares. Adelaide has also established itself as the arts capital of the country over the last 40 years. It hosts both the very  formal Adelaide Festival and, at the other end of the scale, the more irreverant Fringe Festival.

Over ensuing years South Australia has developed into a suplier of wine, meat, seafood, dairy products vegetables and confectionary both to Australia and the world, provides 50% of Australia's wine and 60% of that which is exported.

In sport one of the biggest things to happen in recent years was the hosting of a round of the Formula 1 Grand Prix series between 1985 - 1995. This move by the city heralded a resurgence in top end car racing in Australia and somewhat changed the feeling of the city for a month each year - the interuption occuring because the track was mostly composed of streets just outside the city centre.

The Casino
The Skycity Adelaide Casino resides in one of the spectacular sandstone buildings on the edge of the city central precinct. This heritage listed building began life in 1924 as the railway buildings. Administration offices took up the upper floor with the main Adelaide central railway station occupying the lower floors.

During the 1980s redevelopment of the site was proposed with the Adelaide Casino opening for business in 1986. Not long after tournament poker found a new home in Adelaide with many events being run during the 1980s and 90s. This year sees the probable resurgence in big buy-in no-limit tournament poker with the arrival of the PokerStars ANZPT $3,000 event starting Wednesday 4th February.

Stay in touch and I'll do my best to bring you coverage of the event starting 12.15.