The honourboard of champions includes several of the biggest names in Aussie poker, including WSOP bracelet winner Gary Benson. Bizarrely, he admitted that he’s afraid of heights. The 27-year-old Adelaide Casino satellite winner from the local suburb of Plympton just started his first year of an Advanced Diploma in Aviation. go refresh to see the latest updates below, while the latest selected chip counts can be found by clicking here.
2.15pm: Off to a flying start
Adelaide’s Steve Baulderstone is ready for take-off, having arrived for today’s flight in his trainee pilot uniform. “I’m always looking for a challenge and to confront my fears,” he said.
We plus discovered that it wasn’t steeling himself for flying that gave him the edge by his opponents. The room has quite a nice feel, with the rail stretching to the adjacent sports bar from where friends and family can keep an eye on the goings-on in the tournament area.
Games have been spread here since the casino opened in 1985, with the first Australasian Championships played in 1987. “I actually work as a counsellor right now. But like most Australian casinos, Adelaide responded to the demand by establishing a 14-table poker space known as the poker Zone. From that I learned how to read folks and that’s helped a lot,” he said.
Baulderstone has been playing poker for nearly 10 years, both online and live and would be happy to build a deep run in that event: “It’s about $70,000 for the course so hopefully I’ll win some cash and that’ll pay for me to fly!” he said.
1.45pm: Back where it all started
The poker craze has caught casinos around the world on the hop, as the competition for space is fierce.
Live updates from day 1A, level 2 (blinds 75-150) of the pokerStars.net ANZPT Adelaide Main Event brought to you by Sean Callander and Landon Blackhall from Adelaide Casino in Adelaide, South Australia. Now, a new generation of players are making their mark in the spiritual home of Australian poker as they pursue the opening title in season two of the pokerStars.net ANZPT.
[Source] Sean Callander
