Patrick Donker dominates Day 1A

Day 1A of the APPT10 Melbourne Main Event is finished and dusted after seven hours of play here at Crown Casino. After four levels late registration was locked out and all up we saw 249 players pull up seats. After a super turnout today, tournament opening flights being notorious for smaller fields, and tomorrow's Day 1B falling on a Saturday, organisers are confident for a much bigger showing tomorrow.

Before we reach Day 1B however, the tale is Day 1A - and that belongs to Patrick Donker. He was hidden away within the back corner of the satellite room, quietly raking pots to finally emerge with 173,900. Donker has no previous recorded live cashes to his name but has put himself in an ideal position to modify that this week.

Also returning on Sunday for Day 2 alongside Donker might be Corey Kempson (103,000), Billy Argyros (66,100), Andrew Hinrichsen (59,000), Graeme Putt (39,400), David Gorr (35,900), Jesse McKenzie (28,600) and James Obst (20,800).

While these lucky players have locked up a seat, for others it was a distinct story. Many came and went as a horde of poker hopefuls did not hang on through seven levels of play.

2005 WSOP Main Event champion Joe Hachem was met with elimination within the penultimate level. On a board of J♦T♦A♦7♥ Hachem called off drawing dead while holding 9♣8♣ for a straight against an opponent's K♠Q♠ for Broadway.

Joe Hachem

Tim English also fell by the wayside throughout the first half the day when he was at the wrong end of a cooler against Billy 'The Croc' Argyros. It was a three-way all in with English holding K♥K♠, the third player holding J♥J♦ and Argyros the A♣A♦. The latter hung on the T♣T♠8♦4♠3♠ runout and English hit the exit.

For the 127 who survived it will become an afternoon off tomorrow because the runners for our Day 1B flight try their luck. With the official APPT Melbourne Welcome Party tonight it should turn out to be useful for one of the most more rowdy players to nurse a hangover.

You can take a look at the entire survivor list here.

That's all from us here tonight. We are hoping you'll be able to join us tomorrow after we do all of it again from 12:15pm local time - here at the PokerStars Blog!

7:40pm: Final Four HandsLevel 7: Blinds - 400/800 (100 ante)

The remaining players in today's opening field will play four more hands before bagging up for the night. 

7:35pm: David Gorr eliminates oneLevel 7: Blinds - 400/800 (100 ante)

The player in middle position raised to 2,100 before the player at the button moved all in for just over 10,000. David Gorr was seated within the small blind and came visiting the highest moving all in for just over 21,000. The unique raiser folded leaving the 2 players to table their cards.

Gorr: A♦Q♠Opponent: K♦K♣

Gorr was liable to losing half his stack until he flopped and ace and took down the pot after the board ran out A♣5♦5♥J♥2♣.

7:20pm: Obst doubles through AristidouLevel 7: Blinds - 400/800 (100 ante)

James Obst raised to 1,600 from under the gun plus one before Peter Aristidou re-raised to 4,200 from the hijack. The verdict fell back on Obst, who thought for a minute, before announcing all in for 21,300. Aristidou then himself thought for a minute and called to place Obst at risk. 

Obst: A♠A♣Aristidou: A♦Q♠

Obst was in a commanding position to double and did so after the board ran out K♦Q♣A♥2♠9♣ giving him a collection of aces and the winning hand. 

7:05pm: Unlucky Lynskey takes a hitLevel 7: Blinds - 400/800 (100 ante)

The player in middle position raised to 1,600 before Alex Lynskey bumped it as much as 4,200 from the button. The action folded back around to the unique raiser who moved all in for 9,800. Lynskey made the fast call to place his opponent at risk. 

Lynskey: A♦K♥Opponent: K♠Q♦

Lynskey had a commanding lead until the T♠9♣J♥ flop meant he was chasing one in every of three remaining queens to send his tablemate packing. The 2♦ turn and 4♣ river were no help to look Lynskey drop to 18,000 in chips and his opponent remain some of the action.

6:40pm: Final break of the day

The remaining 148 players have just begun the last 10-minute morning time 1A.

6:30pm: Obst takes one outLevel 6: Blinds - 300/600 (75 ante)

The player under the gun plus one limped into the pot and was followed by the player within the small blind. James Obst was seated within the big blind and bumped it as much as 2,000. The unique limper then immediately moved all in for 10,075 which saw the small blind fold. Obst snap-called with a rather larger stack. 

Obst: Q♥Q♦Opponent: A♥4♣

The board ran out 3♦6♣5♣4♦K♣ to peer Obst hold together with his pair of queens as he sent his opponent to the rail just wanting the general break of the day. 

6:20pm: Stevan Chew wins $10,000 ChallengeLevel 6: Blinds - 300/600 (75 ante)

Congratulations to Stevan Chew! Winner of the $10,000 Challenge and $140,220.

Chew overcame a stacked final table to boost the trophy and emerge victorious.

6:10pm: Lynskey loses someLevel 6: Blinds - 300/600 (75 ante)

Aussie Millions final tablist Alex Lynskey was building a stack this afternoon but he just encountered a minor setback in a up to date hand.

On a flop of 3♠A♣3♣ Lynskey fired for 750 and was called by the one other active player before the T♠ arrived at the turn. Lynskey then opted for a check and called when met with a gamble of 1,500.

The 9♥ completed the board and both players quickly checked before Lynskey saw he was beat by A♠Q♠. He drops to around 26,000 in chips.

5:50pm: Hachem's run endsLevel 6: Blinds - 300/600 (75 ante)

On a board of J♦T♦A♦7♥ Joe Hachem bet out 4,000 before his opponent within the hand moved all in for just over 20,000 from the hijack. The quantity had Hachem covered, which made him take into accounts his decision for a minute.

Hachem decided to name and was shown K♠Q♠ for a Broadway straight. With a frustrated look Hachem tabled 9♣8♣ for a lesser straight.

The 6♦ completed the board and Hachem was sent to the rail in the course of the sixth level of play.

5:30pm: $10,000 Challenge update

Only three players remain within the $10,000 Challenge.

It has come right down to Stevan Chew, Didier Guerin and Sam Higgs.

All three players have locked up no less than $58,425 but may have their eyes set at the $140,220 up top.

At this stage Higgs is out in front but anything could happen.

5:20pm: Catterwell flops the worldLevel 5: Blinds - 200/400 (50 ante)

The action folded around to Bec Catterwell within the small blind who raised to 1,000. The player within the big blind called. 

The flop came 9♦9♣A♥ and Catterwell flicked out another 1,000. Her opponent called. 

The turn brought the J♠ and Catterwell grabbed some more chips and fired out 1,600. The bet was matched. 

Catterwell then quickly bet out 3,500 after the 5♦ completed the board and was snap-called by her opponent. 

Catterwell promptly turned over A♦9♠ for a flopped full house and raked within the pot after her opponent mucked his hand flashing the A♠ within the process. 

5:05pm: More for MooneyLevel 5: Blinds - 200/400 (50 ante)

Nick Mooney just raked in a pot to spice up his stack as much as 24,150.

He brought it in for a raise from under the gun before the player within the hijack seat bumped it as much as 2,025. Mooney made the decision and the flop landed 2♥3♣7♠.

After a check from Mooney the hijack continued for 2,500 and Mooney called to peer the 3♦ turn pair the board.

Mooney check-called again, this time for 3,100, and the 9♠ rolled off at the end.

The action then went check-check and Mooney tabled T♠T♦ for the overpair to take it down.

Nick Mooney

4:50pm: Lunardi moves all inLevel 5: Blinds - 200/400 (50 ante)

Kristian Lunardi raised to 900 from the cut-off and was called by both players within the blinds. 

The flop came A♠T♦4♠ and the action checked over to Lunardi who threw out 1,800. Only the small blind called. 

The 5♠ at the turn saw both players check before the K♠ completed the board. 

Lunardi reached for his chips and moved all in for 7,325. His opponent looked over on the bet before opting to fold awarding Lunardi with the pot. 

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4:30pm: Scheduled break

It's that point again. Play will resume in 10 minutes.

4:15pm: Croc snaps up twoLevel 4: Blinds - 150/300 (25 ante)

The action started with the player in middle position coming in with a raise. Billy "The Croc" Argyros then raised to 2,500 from the cut-off and was called by Tim English at the button. The unique raiser then moved all in for 10,675. Argyros asked for a count and called. English thought for a minute and moved all in excessive for around 20,000. Argyros snapped.

Argyros: A♦A♣English: K♥K♠Opponent: J♦J♥

The board ran out T♣T♠8♦4♠3♠ to look Argyros hold along with his over pair as he sent two players to the rail.

Argyros now sits on 70,000 prior to the midway point of the day.

Billy Argyros

4pm: Aristidou gets it throughLevel 4: Blinds - 150/300 (25 ante)

Peter Aristidou was all in for his tournament life and waiting on a choice from Tom Grigg.

The board read 8♥4♣7♦2♣K♠ and after a check from Grigg, Aristidou had pushed his last 9,025 into the middle.

Grigg gave it some thought but ultimately threw the hand away and Aristidou raked the pot.

After a stellar first couple of levels Grigg still one in all our frontrunners with 78,000 in play. -- BK

3:45pm: Graeme Putt chops after a snapLevel 4: Blinds - 150/300 (25 ante)

The player within the hijack raised to 650 and was called by Graeme Putt within the big blind.

The flop fell Q♣7♠3♠ and Putt checked. His opponent quickly tossed out 700 before Putt came around the highest with a raise to 2,000. A moment later saw the unique raiser move all in for just over 6,000. Putt snap-called.

Putt watched as his opponent flipped over A♣Q♦ for prime pair.

"How are you able to play rubbish like that," joked Putt, before tabling his A♥Q♥ for identical hand.

The 8♥ at the turn and 6♣ at the river completed the board and both players chopped the pot.

3:25pm: Joe Hachem rakes one inLevel 3: Blinds - 100/200 (25 ante)

Joe Hachem bet out 600 from middle position after the turn card dropped on a 6♥T♥T♠3♣ board. His opponent seated at the button called. 

The 6♦ completed the board and Hachem casually reached for his chips and placed out 1,500. His opponent called, then mucked his hand, after Hachem revealed J♣T♣ for an entire house and the winning hand. -- MP

3:15pm: Hachem joins the huntLevel 3: Blinds - 100/200 (25 ante)

Perhaps essentially the most notable Australian poker player ever and the 2005 WSOP Main Event Champion Joe Hachem has just pulled up a seat. He'll feel right at home here at Crown and can be in search of another big score so as to add to his accomplishments.

Also spotted on the tables was Billy 'The Croc' Argyros. A notable name around the Australian and international circuit, Argyros has over $1.5 million in live earnings to his name.

Fellow Australian Jarred Graham could also be within the mix. He won a WSOP bracelet in a Pot Limit Hi/Lo event back in 2013 for $255,942. -- BK

Joe Hachem

3pm: Trung Tran at the riseLevel 3: Blinds - 100/200 (25 ante)

With the board showing T♥9♦5♠7♦ the player in middle position checked. Trung Tran was also within the hand and tossed out 2,000. His opponent called.

The 2♠ completed the board and Tran was met with another check. He reached for his chips and bet out 4,400. His opponent stared on the board then called.

Tran flipped over his 9♠7♣ for 2 pair which was enough to take down the pot after his opponent mucked his hand. -- MP

2:45pm: $10,000 Challenge final table begins

As the players primarily Event are still warming up around the tournament floor, six lucky runners have returned for the $10,000 Challenge final table.

They have all guaranteed themselves no less than $27,265 and can be chasing the $140,220 top prize.

Here's where they sit and the way they stack up.

Seat 1) Sam Higgs - 285,000Seat 2) Stevan Chew - 115,000Seat 3) Didier Guerin - 54,500Seat 4) Matthew Wakeman - 135,000Seat 5) Michael Egan - 186,000Seat 6) Daniel Neilson - 44,500

Best of luck to the rest six! -- BK

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2:20pm: First break

Players have stepped clear of the tournament area for the primary scheduled break of the day. Play resumes in 10 minutes.

2:10pm: Michael Kanaan in cruise controlLevel 2: Blinds - 100/200

The player within the hijack raised to 600 before Michael Kanaan splashed out a re-raise to 1,700 from the cut-off. The unique raiser called.

A check quickly followed after the dealer produced the 2♣8♦7♦ flop prompting Kanaan to bet out another 1,300. His opponent called.

The turn brought the J♣ and this time of venture of 3,500 was an excessive amount of from Kanaan as his opponent mucked his hand relinquishing the pot. -- MP

2pm: Monaghan moving upLevel 2: Blinds - 100/200

Adam Monaghan just greater than doubled up after finding a suite against two opponents.

He got the last of his chips in with the board reading A♠4♣5♥9♣ and after one player had called to position him at risk, another was deep within the tank.

The latter looked tortured but after a couple of minutes he folded pocket fours face up for bottom set. It turned out to be a perfect fold as Monaghan tabled 5♠5♣ for the next set but he did not have the pot locked up. Up against A♣3♣ Monaghan had to fade clubs at the river to stick alive.

The river bricked off and Monaghan moved his stack as much as 34,500. -- BK

1:45pm: Ricky Kroesen applies the pressureLevel 2: Blinds - 100/200

The action folded around to Ricky Kroesen at the button and he raised to 450. His opponent at the big blind called and both players watch the flop come 2♦4♠K♥.

The player within the big blind checked to Kroesen who tossed out 500. He was immediately met with a raise to 1,300. Kroesen glanced at his opponent for a moment before forking out a three-bet totalling 3,000. His opponent thought for a moment before releasing his hand. -- MP

1:25pm: The sharks are circlingLevel 2: Blinds - 100/200

We're now as much as 188 players around the tournament floor and some more notable names have joined the action.

Long-time crusher James Obst is one of the field, fresh off a 13th place finish on the WSOP Main Event for $427,930. Joining him is Alex Lynskey who scored himself A$445,000 for 4th place on this year's Aussie Millions Main Event.

Also spotted on the tables include Rory Young, Tim English and reigning Asia Player of the Year Alan King Lun Lau. -- BK

Alex Lynskey

1:05pm: Dennis Huntly accumulating chipsLevel 1: Blinds - 50/100

Dennis Huntly raised to 325 from middle position before his opponent within the cutoff bumped it as much as 950. Huntly called and both players watched the flop come K♠3♣6♠.

Huntly check-called a continuation bet totalling 800 before both players checked the Q♣ at the turn. The 7♥ completed the board and Huntly quickly tossed out 1,400. His opponent called, but mucked his hand, after Huntly rolled over 5♣4♣ for a seven-high straight. -- MP

12:45pm: Tollgate taking chipsLevel 1: Blinds - 50/100

Tom "tollgate" Grigg scored himself a whopping $609,000 when he shipped the PokerStars SCOOP Main Event last year, and he's already off to a fair start on this APPT Melbourne Main Event this afternoon, winning back-to-back pots early in proceedings.

The first hand saw Grigg call a raise to 225 from the under the gun player before the flop landed 5♠3♦A♦. Grigg check-called a chance of 300 and the dealer turned the T♦. The action checked throughout the turn and the 6♦ river with Grigg's A♦8♦ trumping his opponent's 7♦7♠.

In the following hand the cutoff brought it in for a raise to 250 and Grigg reraised to 750 from the small blind. He was called and the flop fell A♠K♥6♣.

Grigg checked to the player within the cutoff who took the betting lead with a barrel for 550. After a choice from Grigg both players quickly checked the following two streets because the J♣ turn and Q♣ river rolled off. Grigg revealed A♥3♦ for a couple of aces to take down the pot. -- BK

12:30pm: Familiar faces within the fieldLevel 1: Blinds - 50/100

There are already 145 players who've taken their seats here this afternoon and by the appearance of items it is a stacked field.

We spotted Linh Tran on Table 31. He's had an excellent year at the felt so far, claiming the APPT Manila title and $130,191 back in August. Tran has also had 14 other live cashes around the Asia Pacific region and can be on the lookout for another deep run within the APPT Melbourne Main Event .

Joining him on the tables are Craig Blight, Peter Aristidou, Ken Demlakian, Ricky Kroesen, Bec Catterwell, Dennis Huntly, Hugh Cohen and Sam Khouiss.

Late registration is open for the primary four levels so more players are expected to sign up for the quest within the day. -- BK

12:15pm: Cards within the air!Level 1: Blinds - 50/100

Crown Poker's Joel Williams just took to the microphone to announce that play is now underway.

We're in for seven one-hour levels today, so including breaks the action will conclude around 7:45pm. Players start with 20,000 in chips and blinds begin at 50/100.

Let's go! -- BK

APPT Melbourne Day 1A set to start!

Welcome to Melbourne where the Crown Casino would be the home to 5 exciting days of APPT Main Event action. While the elements is notoriously temperamental around here it looks as if the sun is shining in this Spring morning as we gear up for the primary of 2 opening flights.

This 13-day poker festival began last Thursday and with impressive turnouts all week things are looking good as all eyes now turn to the $2,300 Main Event.

With the ANZPT merging into the APPT this season technically that is an inaugural event. The person who lifted the trophy here this time last year, however, was Lin Shi. He overcame a record 520-player field and Shi took home $170,641 after a three-handed handle fellow ANZPT champion Peter Matusik and winner of the 2015 Aussie Millions Main Event Manny Stavropoulos.

For now though it's almost time to kick off as we await to look who will scoop the lion's share this year. Play begins at 12:15pm local time before a brand new APPT champion is crowned on Tuesday.

Who will rise to the highest here in Melbourne? Remember to stay tuned for our APPT coverage to determine! -- BK

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PokerStars Blog reporting in Melbourne dropped at you by Brad Kain and Mateusz Pater. Photos by Kenneth Lim Photography courtesy of PokerStars LIVE Macau.

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