The chips may be bagged up for the evening in the PokerStars.net ANZPT Queenstown Main Event, but things are just heating up at SKYCITY Casino.

Media and guests have started to arrive for this evening's celebrity event, with local luminaries including TV personality and SKYCITY Auckland poker ambassador Brooke Howard-Smith, former Miss NZ Amber Peebles, international cricketer Craig McMillan, 2009 Miss World New Zealand Paula Herbert, actor/poker player Dan Sing, comedian Mike King and Ejaaz Dean, Executive Manager Table Games for SKYCITY, set to take their seats soon.

Meanwhile, the remaining 21 players are dissecting the day's play with a refreshing beverage by the open fireplace just outside the tournament area after five one-hour levels on day 1C of the SKYCITY Alpine Adventure.

Players in action today included PokerStars.net Team Australia pro Eric Assadourian, his PokerStars.net Team Asia counterpart Celina Lin, well known Aussies Chris Levick (the overall ANZPT Points leader) Dennis Huntly, Bruno Portaro, Mark Iskander, Daniel Botta, young guns Tian Shou and Hugh Cohen plus a top line-up of Kiwi talent including James Honeybone and Josh Egan plus PokerStars qualifiers from the four corners of the globe.

Assadourian became the first Team Australia pro eliminated when he committed his remaining chips with 9s-8s for a straight and flush draw on the turn but Josh Egan's set of fives held up and the 2007 PokerStars.net APPT Macau High Roller winner was out.

Aussie PokerStars qualifier Andrew Hinrichsen finished day 1C at the head of the chip count on 65,475, which places him second overall behind day 1B chip leader Matthew Yates (67,050). Mark Iskander (49,725), Julian Cohen (45,875), Mark Walker (45,350) and Finland's Ville Nurmi (44,325) filled out the top five. Cohen's brother Hugh (28,075) also progressed to day two.

The final day one flight starts tomorrow from 12.30pm, with a capacity field expected to chase the last available berths for day two on Friday. It's good night from SKYCITY Casino in Queenstown ... could be steak on the menu tonight!