Rennie Carnevale hadn't planned to play the PokerStars.net ANZPT Adelaide Main Event. After winning one of the preliminary events, he'd decided to take the cash and preserve his bankroll.

His flight back to Sydney, near his Wollongong home, was booked and his bags were packed when an email arrived from PokerStars to approve his request to buy-in with FPP points; worthy reward after spending weeks to earn Supernova status.

Six days later, and with the support of his best mate and 2009 PokerStars.net APPT Grand Final winner Aaron Benton, Carnevale monstered his way through the final table to capture the first title of the 2010 ANZPT and, with it, a payout of $165,900 and a swag of points towards the ANZPT Player of the Year title.

Carnevale cast an imposing figure at the final table. The 21-year-old powerlifter, with arms thicker than the necks of most people, was the dominant force once the experienced core of Billy Argyros, PokerStars.net Team Australia Pro Tony Hachem and wunderkinds Aleks Brkovic and Daniel Neilson had been eliminated.

The heads-up battle with 52-year-old Sydney trader Andrew Scarf was particularly brutal. The pair started almost even in chips, but Carnevale's relentless aggression paid handsome dividends as he rolled over Scarf in less than 20 minutes.

Although the final table lasted barely six hours, there were many highlights - none more than Tony Hachem's finish in seventh. The PokerStars.net Team Australia Pro won the title of ANZPT Player of the Year in 2009 after cashing in four of the five season one tournaments, and started 2010 in blistering form with his first ANZPT final table.

We should also acknowledge the effort of PokerStars.net Team Australia Pro Eric Assadourian, who ended a relatively lean run by his high standards to bubble the final table in 10th.

Carnevale's victory completed another vastly successful ANZPT Adelaide schedule, with the Main Event field increasing from 215 in 2009 to 236, while the preliminary schedule drew quality fields of players from across the nation. Octavian Voegele, who placed third in the Main Event, would have been a certainty for the title of player of the tournament after final tabling four events.

With the opening event of the 2010 ANZPT consigned to history, our focus turns to Western Australia, where the first ANZPT Perth Main Event will be held from March 21-24. We'd like to acknowledge the support of Poker Zone team here at Adelaide Casino, and on behalf of my PokerStars blog colleague Landon Blackhall, and the ANZPT and local PokerStars teams, we bid you farewell from Adelaide, South Australia.

7.15pm: Andrew Scarf eliminated in 2nd place, Rennie Carnevale wins the ANZPT Adelaide Main Event title

The bulldozer ride of Rennie Carnevale continued in the heads-up duel as he crushed Andrew Scarf into submission to capture the 2010 PokerStars.net ANZPT Adelaide Main Event title and the first prize of $165,900.

Scarf had no response to Carnevale's relentless aggression, and he end came barely 15 minutes into the heads-up contest when the chips went into the middle with Carnevale showing [ac] [3h] and Scarf [ah] [2c].

The flop came [4c] [9d] [10s] before the [3c on the turn put Carnevale ahead, where he stayed on the river [7d]. Scarf shrugged his shoulders and headed off to collect his $105,980.

Carnevale recently celebrated his PokerStars Supernova status and bought into the ANZPT Adelaide Main Event with Frequent Player Points while Scarf earned his seat in a satellite at Star City Casino in Sydney.

7pm: Octavian Voegele eliminated in 3rd place, $59,600

Heads-up combatants Andrew Scarf and Rennie Carnevale have just taken a short break after Octavian Voegele was sensationally eliminated in third place. Short-stacked but not under immediate pressure, Voegele pushed all-in from the small blind for 680,000 with [ac] [8h], while Rennie Carnevale called and showed [kc] [10c].

The flop was good for the local - [4d] [as] [8c] - but he reeled when the turn [6c] and river [3c] gave Carnevale a flush. Voegele, who final-tabled a staggering four events on the ANZPT Adelaide schedule, pockets $59,600. The heads-up battle starts with Carnevale holding 2.317 million to Scarf's 2.308 million - a gap of just 9000.

6.45pm: Michael Sellars eliminated in 4th place, $46,710

Michael Sellars cool and calculated comeback has netted him at least one spot higher on the pay scale after he was KOed in fourth position. After chipping back to more than 600,000, he lost a big pot to Rennie Carnevale with A-J against pocket kings and was back on life support by the time Daniel Neilson was eliminated.

Sellars' last stand came two hands later, when he put his [6s] [3c] to work against the [kc] [7h] of Andrew Scarf. The dealer showed [4h] [qc] [2s] [jc] [10c], and Sellars was on his way to the Adelaide Casino with an extra $46,710 in his wallet.

6.30pm: Daniel Neilson eliminated in 5th place, $38,655

PokerStars Qualifier Daniel Neilson has bowed out of the race for the ANZPT Adelaide Main Event title at the hands of the seemingly unstoppable Rennie Carnevale. The money was in the middle pre-flop with Neilson holding [kh] [10c] and Carnevale [ah] [9c]. The board ran out [qc] [jd] [2d] [4c] [8c], giving Carnevale the pot worth 1.1 million. Neilson departs in fifth, worth $38,655.

6.15pm: Sellars claws back

Michael Sellars seems to have been inspired by Tony Hachem's comeback late yesterday and has picked himself off the floor to be back in the hunt for the PokerStars.net ANZPT Adelaide title.

Sellars was down to just 50,000 but has carefully picked his marks to chip back above 600,000. His latest collect came courtesy of Daniel Neilson. It was the [8h] [8s] of Sellars against Neilson's [ac] [js], with the board of [3h] [6d] [9d] [10s] [3s] handing the Adelaide player a big pot while Neilson is down to 625,000.

6pm: Points race underway

Time for a quick breather as we tick into Sunday evening in Adelaide Casino with five players in contention for the PokerStars.net ANZPT Adelaide Main Event crown. ANZPT commissioner Danny McDonagh has just confirmed that the last player eliminated, Billy Argyros, collected 40.25 points towards the 2010 ANZPT Player of the Year title, with the winner set to collect 57.5 points in addition to the first prize of $165,900. Meanwhile in the ANZPT Adelaide High Roller tournament, none of the 10 players who took their seats almost six hours ago have been eliminated.

5.30pm: Scarf scarring the opposition

After those two quick eliminations, Andrew Scarf remains at the head of the chip count on 1.7 million but Octavian Voegele's KO of Billy "The Croc" Argyros has elevated him to second chip position on 900,000. Dan Neilson is next on 790,000 million, with Rennie Carnevale (770,000) and the short-stacked Michael Sellars (300,000) next. Players are about to take their second break of the day and when they return, blinds will be 15,000/30,000 with an ante of 3000.

5.15pm: Billy Argyros eliminated in 6th place, $32,215

After holding the short stack for much of the day, Billy "The Croc" Argyros has finished sixth in his second ANZPT final table. It was Argyros' [ad] [kc] against the [kh] [kd] of Octavian Voegele - "I can't get away from A-K there," he said - and the board of [jh] [8d] [qd] [8c] [4c] had "The Croc" on his way to collect his sixth-place prizemoney of $32,215. On the next hand, Michael Sellars was crippled by Andrew Scarf when the Sydney player's K-8 outkicked the K-3 of the local Adelaide man.

5pm: Tony Hachem eliminated in 7th place, $25,770

Tony Hachem's remarkable run in the ANZPT has continued with seventh in the ANZPT Adelaide Main Event. That makes an amazing five cashes in the six ANZPT tournaments already held. Short-stacked, Hachem decided to make a move in response to the post-flop raise to 62,000 from Andrew Scarf.

Hachem showed [jh] [6h], which gave him top pair on the flop of [2s] [js] [10d], while Scarf held [kd] [2c] for bottom pair. Not for long - the board ran out [2d] [2h] giving Scarf quads and driving a stake through the heart of the last PokerStars.net Team Australia Pro in the field. That hand propelled Scarf to 1.45 million.

4.45pm: Billy's back

We didn't realise crocs could be so noisy - Billy "The Croc "Argyros just gave an almighty shriek of delight (we assume it was delight) after he doubled up to 350,000 through Rennie Carnevale, who called Argyros' all-in with [9c] [7c]. Argyros showed [ac] [10s], and was happy to see the board flow [qd] [4s] [kd] [5c] [jh], giving him the nuts and a timely double-up.

4.30pm: Benton leads the cheers

Rennie Carnevale was in the audience at Star Casino in Sydney when Aaron Benton won the 2009 PokerStars.net APPT Grand Final. A well-refreshed Benton is returning the favour here today, leading the support crew for fellow Wollongong resident Carnevale as he continues his steady progress up the chip count.

After a pre-flop raise to 55,000 from Andrew Scarf, Carnevale slammed back over the top for 436,000 all-in. Scarf didn't need long to decide there would be better moments to enter the fray.

4.15pm: Scarf rocks "The Croc"

Andrew Scarf isn't the most orthodox of poker players, a fact that is keeping the other six players on their toes. The Sydneysider just swept up more of Billy "The Croc" Argyros' chips after an intriguing hand in which Argyros bet 55,000, Scarf made it 141,000 total and Argyros called. Both players checked the flop of [10s] [ah] [6d], then Scarf bet 80,000 on the turn [kh] to claim the pot. Argyros is still scratching his head.

4pm: High Rollers back in the Poker Zone

The ANZPT Adelaide schedule is almost complete, with a $4400 High Roller event underway in the Poker Zone at Adelaide Casino. The field included PokerStars.net Team Australia Pro Grant Levy, Tino Lechich, Joel Dodds, Jonathan Karamalakis, Emanuel Seal, George Moussa, Peter Aristidou and UK pro Harry Demetriou.

Meanwhile in the VIP area, Rennie Carnevale has taken off the gloves and started to make some moves since the last break. His two all-ins have met with no interest, with the imposing figure of the 21-year-old earning the respect of his more experienced tablemates.

3.45pm: Aleks Brkovic eliminated in 8th position, $20,620

A dejected Aleks Brkovic has left the PokerStars.net ANZPT Adelaide final table after being eliminated at the hands of Daniel Neilson. Brkovic shoved with [3s] [3c], found himself behind Neilson's [kh] [kc] and things didn't improve when the flop fell [kd] [qh] [2h].

The board ran out [6s] [2c] and Brkovic was off to the cage to collect his $20,620 for eighth. That pot leaves Neilson within a whisker of chip leader Andrew Scarf.

3.30pm: Next stop - Perth

With the ANZPT Adelaide Main Event almost consigned to history, players are starting to make their plans to trek across the Nullarbor Plain to the Burswood Entertainment Complex for the first PokerStars.net ANZPT Perth. Home to many of the nation's best players (2009 WSOP Player of the Year Jeff Lisandro has already confirmed his entry), a big field is expected for the $2500 buy-in Main Event, which runs from March 17-21. Check out for all the details and satellite information.

3.15pm: Olympics? What Olympics?

Given a choice of watching a bunch of Eastern Europeans hurtling down a river of ice on an over-sized skateboard in Vancouver, our audience is remaining loyal to the PokerStars.net ANZPT Adelaide Main Event final table. Perhaps it's in expectation of an epic battle as the title is still anyone's to claim.

Andrew Scarf leads on 985,000 from Daniel Neilson (825,000) and Octavian Voegele (770,000). Michael Sellars has leapt to fourth (640,000), followed by a group of players tightly bunched around the 300,000-mark - Rennie Carnevale (365,000), Aleks Brkovic (355,000), Tony Hachem (305,000) and Billy Argyros (240,000).

3pm: Sellars steps up

Tony Hachem has just taken a walk around the spacious hallways of Adelaide Casino to cool off after receiving a three-hand penalty for folding out of turn. While he was away, Michael Sellars shoved all-in with [10s] [10c] and found a caller in Aleks Brkovic. The board showed [3h] [7c] [4d] [5s] [9c], giving Sellars the hand and more than 640,000 in chips. Brkovic is down to 355,000 but not under any immediate threat.

2.45pm: Scarf takes a hit

Daniel Neilson claws closer to the chip lead in the PokerStars.net ANZPT Adelaide Main Event final table after acquiring a fair slab of Andrew Scarf's stack. After a raise to 31,000 from Neilson, he, Scarf and Aleks Brkovic watched the flop fall [qh] [7d] [2d].

Neilson bet 62,000, Scarf made it 150,000, Brkovic stepped aside and Neilson popped it to 312,000. Scarf thought long and hard before throwing his hand into the muck. Neilson is up to 825,000, while Scarf is back just under one million.

2.20pm: Terrific turn for Tony

Tony Hachem has quickly climbed back up the chip count after taking down a nice pot against Michael Sellars. Hachem raised to 31,000, Sellars called and they saw a flop of [8h] [10c] [7d]. Hachem bet 47,000, Sellars called and the turn fell [ks]. This time, Hachem shoved all-in for 260,000, Sellars grinned meekly and piffed his cards. Hachem showed [kh] [kc] for a turned set ... that's kings twice in the first level for the "Spider", who continues to spin his web of intrigue.

2pm: Todd Butcher eliminated in 9th position, $15,465

The last of the four twins in the PokerStars.net ANZPT Adelaide field, Todd Butcher, is the first player eliminated from the final table. The last of Butcher's chips were committed after the flop of [js] [7c] [6c] after Andrew Scarf had bet 250,000.

Scarf called and showed [ac] [kc] for the flush draw while Butcher held top pair with [ad] [jd]. The turn [kd] didn't help either player, but the river [jc] gave Scarf his flush and Butcher meaningless trips. That hand sent Scarf's stack north of one million.

1.45pm: Hachem's kings cracked

It took precisely two hands for the ferocious action of day three to be replicated, with Tony Hachem calling the all-in of Daniel Neilson after Hachem's initial pre-flop raise to 27,000.
It was the pocket kings for the "Spider" against Neilson's [as] [qc] but the tide turned against Hachem after a rich run late yesterday when the board came [9s] [ad] [2c] [3c] [5h]. That hand slashed Hachem's stack back to 340,000, while Neilson leaps to more than 550,000.

1.30pm: Cards are in the air

Players have just arrived for the PokerStars.net ANZPT Adelaide final table, with a nice crowd gathered around the studio that has been constructed in the VIP area of Adelaide Casino, just a short distance from the main Poker Zone area.

With local players Michael Sellars, Octavian Voegele and Todd Butcher at the final table, supporters have turned out in force to cheer on the hometown boys. Blinds have been wound back one level to 6000/12,000 with an ante of 1000 for the start of play, and cards will be in the air in a few moments.

So what to do for Valentine's Day and Chinese New Year? Treat the wife/girlfriend to a quick feed in Gouger St AKA Adelaide's Chinatown and hot-foot it to Adelaide Casino for the final table of the PokerStars.net ANZPT Adelaide Main Event.

Welcome to the finale of the first ANZPT event for 2010. After five days in the Poker Zone, the final table is being relocated to the nearby VIP area that will allow spectators (including our MSG-fuelled lovebirds) a great view of the chase for the first prize of $165,900.

Entering today's play as chip leader is 52-year-old Sydney trader Andrew Scarf, who led the majority of day three before finishing the session with 820,000. But he faces a tough battle to hold out the most accomplished and experienced ANZPT final table in tour history.

Leading the charge is PokerStars.net Team Australia Pro Tony "Spider" Hachem. After winning the ANZPT Player of the Year gong in 2009 with cashes in four of the five events, this is his first ANZPT final table (and first major final table on home soil).

Also challenging for the title is Australian poker legend Billy "The Croc" Argyros - the second player to reach two ANZPT final tables - and three of Australia's most promising young players: Daniel Neilson, Aleks Brkovic and Rennie Carnevale. Throw in form local player Octavin Voegele and a couple of amateurs in Todd Butcher and Michael Sellars and the scene is set for another classic ANZPT showdown.

The first hand will be dealt at 1.15pm, and we'll be here until the 2010 PokerStars.net ANZPT Adelaide trophy is being hoisted by the champ.

PokerStars.net ANZPT Adelaide final table

Seat 1: Octavian Voegele 538,000
Seat 2: Rennie Carnevale, PokerStars Player 636,000
Seat 3: Daniel Neilson, PokerStars Qualifier 280,000
Seat 4: Billy Argyros 260,000
Seat 5: Andrew Scarf, 820,000
Seat 6: Tony Hachem, PokerStars.net Team Australia Pro 631,000
Seat 7: Michael Sellars 339,000
Seat 8: Aleks Brkovic 723,000
Seat 9: Todd Butcher 398,000

It took exactly seven hours of play to decide the first final table for season two of the PokerStars.net ANZPT after the ANZPT Adelaide Main Event field was slashed from 37 to nine. PokerStars.net Team Australia Pro Eric Assadourian was the unfortunate final table bubble player collecting $10,310 for his trouble. But fellow PokerStars.net Team Australia Pro Tony Hachem has continued his amazing ANZPT form after winning the Player of the Year award in season one to make the final table with a healthy 631,000.

Star City Casino (hosts of ANZPT Sydney) satellite winner Andrew Scarf is the chip leader with 820,000 while Todd Butcher, the last twin standing, holds 398,000. They'll join emerging young pros Aleks Brkovic, Daniel Neilson and Rennie Carnevale, along with Australian Poker Hall of Fame inductee Billy "The Croc" Argyros at the final table, which kicks-off at 1.15pm tomorrow in the Poker Zone at Adelaide Casino. The final table comprises:

Seat 1: Octavian Voegele (Adelaide, South Australia), 538,000 in chips: This 24-year-old has been playing poker for about six years, and is steadily building a respectable online tournament record. If there was an award for the player of the series, he'd be a shoo-in after reaching three final tables on the ANZPT Adelaide preliminary schedule. He's rarely been among the chip leaders but stepped up at the right time to take the fourth biggest stack into tomorrow's finale.

Seat 2: Rennie Carnevale (Wollongong, Australia) PokerStars Player (636,000 in chips): This PokerStars Supernova doesn't fit the stereotype of a poker pro. Known online as steel44, the Wollongong youngster recently qualified to compete in the Australian Junior Powerlifting Championships. A good friend of 2009 APPT Grand Final winner Aaron Benton, the 21-year-old is a cash-game specialist and plays up to 24 tables at the same time. He sits in third chip position heading into the final table.

Seat 3: Daniel Neilson (Sydney, Australia) PokerStars Qualifier (280,000 in chips): Having amassed more than USD $300,000 in live tournament winnings since 2008, the 22-year-old Sydneysider is a force to be reckoned with, despite coming to the final table as the short stack with 230,000. His resume is impressive - 12 final tables, including victory in the 2009 PokerStars.net ANZPT Sydney High Rollers Event, third place in the APPT Auckland High Rollers Event and 73rd in last year's WSOP Main Event.

Seat 4: Billy Argyros (Melbourne, Australia), 260,000 in chips: The most experienced player at the final table, Billy "The Croc" - famous for the crocodile memorabilia he wears at the table - was among the first players inducted to the Australian Poker Hall of Fame in January. He placed sixth in the 2009 ANZPT Sydney main Event, while his biggest career result came at the 2008 WSOP where he finished fourth in the $10,000 Pot Limit Omaha World Championship.

Seat 5: Andrew Scarf (Sydney, Australia), 820,000 in chips): Having played poker as a child with his family, the 52-year-old share trader jumped at the chance to take part in tournament poker after its surge in popularity in 2005. Scarf, who qualified for this tournament via a satellite at Star City Casino, has collected some "moderate" tournament results in his hometown of Sydney but despite being chip leader with 820,000, he's remaining cautious. "The standard of play is really high," he said.

Seat 6: Tony Hachem (Melbourne, Australia) PokerStars.net Team Australia Pro (631,000 in chips): The younger brother of Team PokerStars Pro Joe Hachem has carved his own slice of poker history after winning the first ANZPT Player of the Year title. He cashed in four of the five events in the tour's first season. He has also compiled a respectable record on either side of the Pacific with three WSOP cashes (including the 2007 main event) and a runner-up finish in the 2008 NZ Poker Champs Main Event.

Seat 7: Michael Sellars (Adelaide, South Australia), 339,000 in chips): Sellars was introduced to live poker four years ago after first playing a home game with his friends. Having qualified via a satellite at Adelaide Casino, the 31-year-old IT consultant already guaranteed an excellent return of investment but will have some work to do as one of the short stacks on the final table. "It's been worth it though," Sellars said. "I've been playing well and I'm looking forward to the next ANZPT event in Perth."

Seat 8: Aleks Brkovic (Melbourne, Australia), 723,000 in chips: A regular online player under the name bananathief, the 22-year-old full-time poker player from Melbourne has emerged on the live tournament scene within the last two years, picking up a handful of cashes including a sixth-place finish in the PokerStars.net APPT Sydney Semi-Shootout Event. Brkovic has had a very good run during the PokerStars.net ANZPT Adelaide Main Event and comes into the final table as second chip leader on 723,000.

Seat 9: Todd Butcher (Adelaide, Australia) (398,000 in chips): The last twin standing in this year's PokerStars.net ANZPT Adelaide Main Event, the 39-year-old tanning salon owner will have his twin brother Ben watching over his shoulder during the final table. "It's been a long, hard road and at one stage I thought I should give up because I was so short-stacked," Butcher said, "but I've had such a great time and I've changed my mind - hopefully I'll get to play more events after this!"

• Compiled by Sean Callander and Landon Blackhall

8.40pm: Assadourian out in 10th, final table decided

Just a tick into level 21, the final table for the PokerStars.net ANZPT Adelaide Main Event was decided with the elimination of PokerStars.net Team Australia Pro Eric Assadourian. He was all-in for 101,000 with [kh] [js], but needed help against the [ac] [jh] of Aleks Brkovic. The board of [3s] [qc] [jc] [9d] [6s] flirted with Assadourian's hand but it wasn't enough. He takes home $10,310.

8.30pm: Just like that, Hachem's back

Credit the grit and determination of PokerStars.net Team Australia Pro Tony Hachem, who is back in the hunt after hitting a rich run of cards at just the right time. It started with a queen-high straight against the set of nines of Billy "The Croc" Argyros, then again when he found pocket aces against the K-Q of Aleks Brkovic.

Staggered at the run of cards Hachem was hitting, Raemin Alexander through he'd be good with [ad] [ks] but couldn't believe his eyes as Hachem rolled over [qh] [qs]. The board was dealt [8d] [7s] [6d] [8h] [3s] and Alexander was crippled to 42,000, which was duly acquired by Octavian Voegele on the next hand when the Austrian flopped a full house with A-4. To rub salt into the wound, Alexander's 7-6 improved to a straight on the river. Ouch.

8.10pm: Gogia is gone

The respective tournament lives of Daniel Neilson and Pankaj 'Paul' Gogia were at stake when the chips - they were separated by just 3000 - went into the middle pre-flop. It was Neilson's [ac] [qc] against the [ks] [qh], and the board of [7c] [10s] [2c] [7s] [5h] brought no surprises. Gogia bowed out on the next hand when Andrew Scarf's A-K paired the turn against Q-8. The chip leader throughout much of day two, Gogia departs in 12th, good for $10,310.

7.45pm: Peter's pain

A devastated Peter Aristidou has just left the Poker Zone after his brave run in the PokerStars.net ANZPT Adelaide Main Event ended in 13th. The end came for Aristidou, who'd see-sawed up and down the chip count all day, when he shoved with A-10 on a flop of [5s] [10s] [4d], only to find Aleks Brkovic waiting with [qc] [qh]. The turn [2h] and river [4s] were no help to Aristidou, who collects $9040 for 13th. Next time Pete.

7.30pm: Hachem hangin' tough

Tony Hachem may have cashed in five of the six ANZPT events held so far, but he's yet to reach an ANZPT final table and was desperate to end that run here in Adelaide. That streak now looks unlikely to continue after he lost a big pot to PokerStars Player Rennie Carnivale.

There was betting on every street except the turn on a board that ran out [4d] [ah] [5s] [4c] [qd], but Hachem's cards went into the muck once he saw Carnivale's [ad] [jc]. The ANZPT Player of the Year is down to 70,000 (the average is almost 400,000), but a quick call to brother and PokerStars.net Team Pro Joe Hachem on the break has settled Tony's nerves.

7pm: A winning pair

Poker tourism is a big element of the ANZPT, and there's no better example of the concept than PokerStars Qualifier Victoria Martinez. After bowing out of the ANZPT Adelaide Main Event on day two, Victoria's partner Alistair arrived so the pair could spend the weekend touring the wineries around Adelaide.

They found their way to the stunning Wirra Wirra vineyard in the McLaren Vale district, about an hour's drive south of Adelaide where Alistair popped the big question. The answer: "yes". With some Wirra Wirra product to toast their engagement, the happy couple have just wandered into the Poker Zone to check on the progress of the tournament. Victoria may not be leaving with the title, but she'll never forget her trip to Adelaide for the opening event of the 2010 ANZPT.

6.45pm: Rolfe rolled in 14th

Raemin Alexander is creeping back towards the head of the chip count after claiming the scalp of Matt Rolfe at the midpoint of level 19. Alexander slammed back over the top of Rolfe's bet on the flop of [4d] [qh] [3s] all-in, Rolfe called and showed [as] [10h] but was behind Alexander's [10s] [10c]. The board ran out [9s] [2s] and Rolfe was out in 14th.

6.30pm: Scarf sets the pace

Eliminations have come in fits and spurts all day, and we're back in the doldrums as players carefully pick their way up the pay scale. The remaining 15 players are guaranteed $9020, but all eyes are focussed on the first prize of $165,900 and a swag of ANZPT Player of the Year points.

Andrew Scarf is in the box seat on 570,000 followed by Michael Sellars (435,000), Daniel Neilson (430,000) and Aleks Brkovic (375,000). Both PokerStars.net Team Australia Pros, Tony Hachem (285,000) and Eric Assadourian (220,000) are also still in contention for the PokerStars.net ANZPT Adelaide title.

6.15pm: Bruno bows out

We're down to one twin - Todd Butcher - after the elimination of Bruno Da Silva in 16th. After losing a big pot to Butcher when his A-K didn't hit against jacks, Da Silva doubled through Tony Hachem when his J-8 made a flush against the jacks of Hachem.

But the end came on the next hand for the Queenslander when Daniel Neilson's [ac] [2s] hit the board of [ks] [10h] [9s] [2d] [8d] against Da Silva's [ah] [5s]. We wouldn't mind a dollar for every time pocket jacks have been dealt.

6pm: Grigg a goner

Tom Grigg's emotional roller coast of a day has ended in typically dramatic fashion after he found himself in a three-way all-in on a board showing [qd] [7s] [5c] [9d] [4d]. Todd Butcher and Michael Sellars both showed pocket jacks, and Grigg shook his head as he mucked his card and headed off to collect prizemoney for 17th.

5.45pm: Croc snaps up another

In a live equivalent of a misclick, Alex Gitosky just announced "all-in" not realising that Billy "The Croc" Argyros had already beaten him to the punch. It was the [kd] [qs] of Argyros against Gitovsky's [9c] [8c], and "The Croc" was none too pleased to see the deal reveal a board of [6d] [9h] [2s] [3c] [jh], doubling up Gitovsky.

Two quick-fire eliminations have slashed the field to 17 players. Andy Kemmler's short stack forced him to commit with [6d] [4h], with Andrew Scarf making the call holding [ac] [qs]. Scarf found a queen on the flop and that was that for our 19th placed player.

Andrew Hinrichsen followed in 18th position when he raced the [ac] [kd] of Argyros with [10c] [10h] but the board of [4h] [8s] [qs] [4c] [9s] brought no love for the ANZPT Queenstown runner-up.

5.30pm: Rotar out in 20th

Sam Rotar had struggled for traction all day but hung on long enough to step up the pay scale to 20th before running into Aleks Brkovic. It was [ad] [3c] for Rotar against the [js] [jh] of Brkovic with the board of [qh] [4s] [8s] [10h] [6d] giving Brkovic the pot and a stack of 320,000. With 19 players left, the chip leader remains Andrew Scarf on 420,000.

• Compiled by Sean Callander and Landon Blackhall

5pm: The Moose is back

Raemin Alexander has collected his first scalp of the day when his [js] [jc] played against the [jd] [10s] of Fabio Cappai on a board that ran out [ac] [qh] [3d] [ad] [10c]. Cappai collects $6440 for 21st. Players are just about to take their second break of the day with Andrew Scarf holding the chip lead on 426,000, ahead of Bruno Da Silva (335,000) and the resurgent Peter Aristidou (330,000). PokerStars.net Team Australia Pro Tony Hachem holds 234,000, while teammate Eric Assadourian sits on 202,000.

4.45pm: Deuce does it

Another short stack has been picked off with the A-Q of Mark James picked off on the river by the A-2 of Bruno Da Silva. Interesting to note that one of each set of twins - Bruno Da Silva and Ben Butcher - have cashed in this event, surely a first for poker in this part of the world. James takes home $5800 for finishing 22nd. Earlier Chris Evans was confirmed as the 23rd-place finisher when his pocket nines started and stayed behind the pocket 10s of Octavian Voegele on a board that flowed [qh] [6d] [6s] [kc] [jh].

4.30pm: Drinks all round

Poker Zone manager David Galpin has just shouted a round of coffees for the remaining 23 players in the PokerStars.net ANZPT Adelaide Main Event. On the other side of the rail, the local brew Coopers appears to be the drink of choice - what better way to spend a warm summer's afternoon in Adelaide Casino.

4.15pm: Parked at table 10

The action is furious, with table 10 the focus of all the attention early in the fourth level of day three in the PokerStars.net ANZPT Adelaide Main Event. Tom Grigg was down to just 55,000 when he tripled up thanks to a set of threes before Chris Evans lost a big pot to Bruno Da Silva when his pocket aces were cracked by Da Silva's flopped straight.

At the same table, Derek Cheung, the second last international in the field, bowed out when Rennie Carnivale's jacks held up against the Hong Kong player's pocket 10s. We've also just seen Billy "The Croc" Argyros double through Grigg with kings against eights while PokerStars.net Team Australia Pro Eric Assadourian is up to 240,000 after his red 10s prevailed against the A-K of Pankaj Gogia.

4pm: Seiler sets sail

Bryan Seiler has left the Poker Zone $5155 the better after he was KOed in 26th. He was dealt pocket 10s for his final hand, only for Andrew Scarf to wake up with pocket queens. The board ran out [ac] [ks] [4d] [4s] [8d], Seiler was out and Scarf leapt to the top of the chip count with 480,000.

Rennie Carnivale (being cheered on by good friend and 2009 APPT Grand Final winner Aaron Benton) doubled through Aleks Brkovic when he made runner-runner trip aces against the flopped two-pair, kings and jacks for Brkovic. But Aleks bounced back quickly to KO PokerStars Qualifier Joey Masangcay in 25th when his A-K found an ace on the flop against K-Q.

3.45pm: Do is done

Thanh Do wasted little time once the bubble burst and shoved in the last of his chips with [as] [10h]. His timing wasn't great as Andrew Hinrichsen flipped over [ad] [ac], which improved to a set on the flop of [kh] [ah] [2h]. Do picked up a flush draw, but didn't connect with either the [5c] or [9d] and was out in 27th, while Hinrichsen is back up to 198,000. And Peter Aristidou's fortunes have finally turned after he doubled through Sam Rotar when his jack connected on the flop against pocket nines.

3.30pm: Vanderhorst vanquished, and we're in the money

Michael Vanderhorst was in a world of hurt when his remaining 2500 in chips were committed from the big blind, with four players along for the ride. Sam Rotar's re-raise on Ben Butcher's post-flop bet was enough to scare the others away, and it was [10c] [9c] for Vanderhorst against the [kd] [qc] of Rotar, which had flopped the nuts. The board ran out [9s] [jd] [10d] [4c] [4h], and Vanderhorst left with the unwanted title of bubble boy. The remaining 27 players are now guaranteed a minimum payout of $5155.

3.15pm: Twins separated

The bubble period is underway in the PokerStars.net ANZPT Adelaide Main Event after Todd Butcher bowed out at the hands of Daniel Neilson. There was betting all the way on a board that flowed [3c] [6h] [ah] [kd] [5h], with all the money in the middle at showdown. Neilson showed [as] [ac], while Butcher's head bowed as he revealed [7d] [7h].

3pm: Bubble bounds into view

Players have returned from their first break of the day just two spots short of the money, and with new 25,000 denomination chips introduced to play for the first time. Raemin Alexander remains at the head of the chip count on 389,000 with Austria's Octavian Voegele next on 295,000.

The big movers of the day have been ANZPT Queenstown runner-up Andrew Hinrichsen (260,000) and the man who placed 33rd in the 2010 Aussie Millions Main Event, Aleks Brkovic, who's climbed to 235,000.

The PokerStars.net Team Australia ship remains on course, with Eric Assadourian (160,500) on target for his first ANZPT cash while Tony Hachem (127,000) is eyeing an amazing fifth ANZPT in-the-money finish in just six events.

2.45pm: Diamonds are Hachem's best friend

Two more players have bitten the dust shortly before the first break of the day - Australia's Tino Lechich was the first to go, getting the last of his short stack into the middle with [ks] [jc] on a flop that read [5d] [kd] [5c], only to see PokerStars.net Team Australia Pro Tony Hachem show [qd] [10d]. Lechich kept the lead when the dealer produced the [qs] on the turn, but the [2d] spiked on the river.

Fellow Aussie Andrew Lee, who was crushed at the hands of Bryan Seiler, joined him soon after. The action folded around to Seiler who raised to 10,000 from the button before the flop. Chris Evans folded on the small blind, but Lee re-raised to 23,000 from the big blind.

Seiler called and they went heads-up to a flop that read [10d] [7d] [kd]. Lee led out for 17,000, Seiler snap-shoved and Lee double-fist-pump-snap-called with [qh] [qd], but reeled when he saw Seiler turn over [kc] [qc]. The turn and river ran out [9c] [4h] and Lee couldn't get out of the Adelaide Casino Poker Zone fast enough.

• Compiled by Sean Callander and Landon Blackhall

2.30pm: Down, but not out

Peter Aristidou's topsy-turvy start to day three has taken another twist after PokerStars Qualifier Joey Masangcay doubled through the prolific Melbourne pro. It was the black kings of Masangcay against Aristidou's [ad] kd] but the board brought no joy for the man who placed 33rd in the recent Aussie Millions Main Event. Tino Lechich then halved Aristidou again when his K-Q paired the flop against Aristidou's pocket fours. Down to 43,000, Pete's due for a lucky break!

2.15pm: Butchers reunited

For the first time in the tournament, Ben and Todd Butcher are seated on the same table as they continue their battle to become the first set of twins to ever final table in Australia ... that's Todd's in the foreground (pictured below), we think.

It's the mid-point of level 15 with the quick-fire KOs of George Moussa and Ben Savage break a run of 75 minutes with an elimination. Moussa was almost down to the felt when he shoved with [9d] [2d] only to find Daniel Neilson waiting with [ac] [jc]. The board of [10d] [5c] [6d] [6h] [10c] didn't connect with either player and Moussa was out in 32nd.

Likewise, Savage had to make a move and picked K-5 for his last stand, but PokerStars Player Rennie Carnivale showed pocket kings, which duly delivered the chocolates.

2pm: Stars take a slip

The remaining Team PokerStars.net Team Australia Pros have both doubled-up short-stacked opponents. Derek Cheung picked his mark to perfection when he shoved with [kh] [ks] against the [10c] [10h] of Tony Hachem, and they watched the board flow [jd] [9d] [2c] [5h] [9c], giving the Hong Kong player the pot. Then Eric Assadourian's pocket 10s started and stayed behind the pocket jacks of Michale Vanderhorst.

Pankaj 'Paul' Gogia is also on the slide after losing successive pots to Thanh Do and Andrew Hinrichsen. Do found an ace on the turn to improve his A-K against Gogia's pocket three, then Hinrichsen shoved all-in on a flop of [3c] [kc] [5h] before Gogia mucked his hand.

1.45pm: Back to first gear

After losing four players in the first 15 minutes, more than one hour has passed without an elimination early on day three of the PokerStars.net ANZPT Adelaide Main Event. Raemin Alexander remains the chip leader on 380,000 with Chris Evans (295,000), Octavian Voegele (245,000), Tom Grigg (240,000) and Andrew Hinrichsen (232,000) filling out the top five on the chip count.

1.45pm: Sandy's sayonara

One of only three internationals who started the day, Mike sirwatts Watson, has left the tournament area after Bryan Seiler's [9d] [9c] found a friend on the river - [qc] [8d] [as] [ah] [9s] against the [kd] [qs] of the Canadian.

We've also farewelled the last female player in the field. Sandy Retallick committed the last of her short stack with [ks] [10d] against the [kh] [7c] of Tom Grigg and gathered her personals after the board showed [kc] [7h] [3c] [ah] [2s]. Credit to Sandy, who nursed a short stack for much of the tournament.

1.30pm: Not quite the start Peter had in mind

"Did I just hear Hachem say 'one time'," Tino Lechich quipped as PokerStars.net Team Australia Pro Tony Hachem doubled through fellow Melburnian Peter Aristidou after his [8h] [8s] nosed ahead of [kd] [ks] on the board of [4h] [2c] [5s] [7c] [6s].

Aristidou's roller coaster was to continue after Joey Masangcay used [ac] [jh] to slice another stack of his chips against [qs] [qh] with an ace on the flop, but he rebounded with A-Q against the K-10 of Aleks Brkovic on a board that ran out [4s] [4c] [8c] [2s] [8d].

1.15pm: Tino goes clubbin'

Wow, it didn't take long for fireworks to erupt in the Poker Zone ... on the first hand of the day, Tom Grigg drove a set of eights through the heart of Dom Domizio and his A-K to decide the 37th-placed player.

Just seconds later, PokerStars.net Team Australia Pro Eric Assadourian started the day in fine fashion with pocket aces, which duly delivered him the remaining chips of trainee pilot Steve Baulderstone.

The short-stacked Tino Lechich and Michael Vanderhorst looked set to split the pot after they both revealed pocket jacks, until the board ran out [4c] [7c] [5c] [6d] [2c]. Lechich held the tie-breaking [jc], and he's up to 70,000.

1pm: PokerStars.net ANZPT Adelaide Main Event day 3 seat draw

Table 1

Seat 1: Billy Argryos (Australia) 155,900
Seat 2: Tom Grigg (Australia) 139,700
Seat 3: Pankaj Gogia (Australia) 261,800
Seat 4: Sandy Retallick (Australia) 19,200
Seat 5: Dom Domizio (Australia) 59,100
Seat 6: Alex Givotsky (Australia) 62,100
Seat 7: Andrew Hinrichsen (Australia) 171,000
Seat 8: Matt Rolfe (Australia) PokerStars Qualifier 171,400
Seat 9: Bruno De Silva (Australia) PokerStars Qualifier 161,300

Table 4

Seat 1: Michael Vanderhorst (Australia) 68,400
Seat 2: Mark James (Australia) 110,000
Seat 3: Eric Assadourian (Australia) Team PokerStars PRO Australia 126,800
Seat 4: Fabio Cappai (Australia) 75,100
Seat 5: Sam Rotar (Australia) PokerStars Qualifier 90,800
Seat 6: Todd Butcher (Australia) 108,800
Seat 7: Andrew Scarf (Australia) 146,300
Seat 8: Tino Lechich (Australia) 35,600
Seat 9: Steven Baulderstone (Australia) 35,000

Table 7

Seat 1: Raemin Alexander (Australia) PokerStars Qualifier 456,900
Seat 2: Joey Masangcay (Australia) PokerStars Qualifier 34,700
Seat 3: Peter Aristidou (Australia) 158,200
Seat 4: Ben Savage (Australia) PokerStars Qualifier 78,400
Seat 5: Aleksander Brkovic (Australia) 167,300
Seat 6: Thanh Do (Australia) 62,700
Seat 7: Rennie Carnivale (Australia) PokerStars Player 135,000
Seat 8: Tony Hachem (Australia) Team PokerStars PRO (Australia) 87,000
Seat 9: Derek Cheung (Hong Kong) 64,100

Table 10

Seat 1: Bryan Seiler (Australia) 112,400
Seat 2: Chris Evans (Australia) 278,600
Seat 3: Andrew Lee (Australia) 122,900
Seat 4: Michael Sellars (Australia) 120,600
Seat 5: Mike Watson (Canada) 64,700
Seat 6: Octavian Voegele (Austria) 258,200
Seat 7: Daniel Neilson (Australia) PokerStars Qualifier 61,400
Seat 8: Andy Kemmler (Australia) 37,000
Seat 9: George Moussa (Australia) 137,300
Seat 10: Ben Butcher (Australia) 191,300