With Van Marcus' victory in the 2009 PokerStars.net APPT Tournament of Champions, the book closes on season three of Asia-Pacific's largest and most prestigious poker tour.

The APPT Tournament of Champions again attracted a world-class field, which comprised PokerStars.net Team Australia Pros Joe Hachem, Grant Levy, Tony Hachem and Eric Assadourian, The Poker Star winner Amanda De Cesare, PokerStars.net Team Nordics Pro and 2008 WSOP Main Event winner Peter Eastgate, 2008 APPT Manila winner Van Marcus, 2009 APPT Auckland champion Simon Watt and the man nursing the biggest hangover in Sydney, new APPT Grand Final champion Aaron Benton.

After some friendly but keen competition, Marcus had pocketed $10,000 for the Child Fund and had etched his place in APPT history as the first player to win multiple APPT titles. Not surprisingly, Benton didn't last long - he was second to be eliminated - but he could hardly be blamed after a long night celebrating his AUD $594,000 payday.

The 32-year-old recruitment consultant (and former contestant in the Australian edition of Big Brother) originally from Wollongong to Sydney's south, topped a field of 396 players. Earlier this year, he captured the biggest online prize in Australian poker history when he pocketed USD $262,500 for a runner-up finish in a major event.

"I used to play more for the entertainment in pub games, but I'm loving my poker and I wanted to take it to the next level," Benton, who qualified for every APPT season three event on PokerStars, said.

For the third year in a row, the APPT Grand Final trophy is staying on home soil after the victories of Grant Levy (2007) and Martin Rowe (2008). Indeed, the 2009 final table was comprised with the same mix of players as 2008 - seven Australians and two internationals.

It was one of the more entertaining APPT final tables. After losing a big hand early in the day, Benton decided to have a beer to settle his nerves. Then he had another ... you get the picture. Fuelled by some of Australia's finest, he was only too happy to ramp up the table-talk.

Benton's main adversary was Dutch PokerStars Qualifier Ernst Hermans, with the duo regularly going heads-up throughout the evening and early morning. The steam seeping from Hermans' ears was almost visible by the time the pair went heads-up, but credit to the European for his restraint, which was rewarded with second-place and AUD $381,348.

There was also plenty of focus on Leo Boxell, the veteran Melbourne player hoping to the turn back the clock to the days when he dominated the local scene like few others. A mechanic by trade, Boxell has weathered a lean period in recent years but was thrilled to make the trip to the cage to collect his AUD $213,840 for third-place.

An underlying theme of the 2009 APPT has been new and exciting venues, and Star City lived up to this challenge with a stunning backdrop for the last two days of the Main Event. Surrounded by massive screens, bars, restaurants and stadium seating, Star City's new Sports Theatre was the perfect venue for one of Australia's premier poker events after the opening days were played in the casino's new and equally impressive poker room.

As players start to say their goodbyes and head home - many for the final time in 2009 - we'd like to acknowledge season three champions Dermot Blain (Ireland), Simon Watt (New Zealand), Dong-bin Han (Philippines) and Aaron Benton (Sydney).

On behalf of my PokerStars blog colleague Landon Blackhall, our photographer Shannon Morris and the APPT and local PokerStars.net teams, it's farewell from Sydney, Australia and the 2009 PokerStars.net APPT Grand Final. Details of season four will be available soon on www.appt.com. See you next year!

4.30pm: Van Marcus wins APPT Tournament of Champions

Van Marcus is the 2009 PokerStars.net APPT Tournament of Champions winner, earning $10,000 for his charity of choice, the Child Fund. Marcus defeated The Poker Star winner Amanda De Cesare heads-up after Marcus eliminated Joe Hachem in third.

The money all went in on a flop of [2c] [ad] [9h]; Hachem turned up [kc] [jc] but was in strife against Marcus' [ks] [kh]. The turn and river ran out [3s], [jh] to send Hachem back to Melbourne.

The heads-up battle went for a short while and De Cesare did manage to pick up a few pots before being crippled by Marcus to just 2000 in chips when she made two pair on a board of [4d] [9c] [jd] [5h] [10c] with [jh] [10d] but ran into Marcus' flopped set with [9h] [9d].

Marcus put her all in on the very next hand; De Cesare rolled up [5c] [4c] but Marcus was ahead with [qh] [6h]. The board was spread [kh] [9d] [6d] [7c] [ad] and for the first time in history, we have a two-time APPT champion with Marcus adding this title to his 2008 APPT Manila title!

4.10pm: Master v student

"Let's see what you've learned," Joe Hachem told after Amanda De Cesare open-shoved for 5000. Hachem called and was the apprentice's [kc] [jh] against the master's [qh] [jc] and the board ran out [7s] [3d] [6d] [8c] [9s] to see De Cesare double up. Seems a bit of Hachem magic was passed down to De Cesare as well - however she did end up folding after a raise from Simon Watt, but did show [7c] [3s] before sending it into the muck!

4pm: Lights out for Watt

The money was all in the middle between Simon Watt and Amanda De Cesare; De Cesare tabled [ad] [ks] and was well ahead of Watt's [ah] [qh] and the board was spread [3s] [5d] [kc] [kh] [3d] to leave Watt with just 2000 in chips.

He moved that all-in on the very next hand with [3d] [2s] but was called by Joe Hachem in the big blind, who tabled [5s] [3s]. "Guaranteed chop," Hachem said. However the board was spread [ad] [ac] [6d] [js] [4d]; Hachem's five kicker was just good enough to eliminate Watt in fourth place.

3.40pm: Sydney's finest sent packing

In two hands either side of the break, Sydney-based PokerStars.net Team Australia Pros Eric Assadourian and Grant Levy have been eliminated. Assadourian was sent to the rail in seventh place when he moved his money into the middle with pocket jacks, but ran into Simon Watt's pocket aces and never improved on a queen high board.

Levy was then eliminated in sixth place after some heavy three-way action led to him being all in with [qh] [7h] and up against Van Marcus' [qs] [qc] and Tony Hachem's [ah] [8h]. The board was spread [ad] [8d] [4c] [4d] [6h], crippling Marcus and sending Levy to the rail. Latest chip count is Joe Hachem 26,700; Simon Watt 10,700; Van Marcus 7300 and Amanda De Cesare 5300.

3.20pm: Hachem v Hachem

The money was all in the middle on a flop of [7s] [js] [6h] between the brothers Hachem; Tony rolled up [kh] [7h] and was leading against Joe's [ks] [9s]. The turn of the [8c] improved neither hand but the 2009 ANZPT Player of the Year was sent to the rail in fifth place when the [2s] spiked on the river to give the 2005 WSOP Main Event champion the flush.

3.15pm: What happened to Mike McD?

Van Marcus (to Joe Hachem): "Hey, have you seen that new movie The Informant?"
JH: "With Matt Damon? No, I haven't, looks good though."
VM (to Grant Levy): "Is it true that they're doing a Rounders II?"
GL: "I hope so, but it'd be hard. Apparently the character based on Matt Damon's role went to Las Vegas, blew all his money and then killed himself."

3pm: Two down, Benton gets a breather

Peter Eastgate was eliminated in the space of two hands after first trying to make a move against Eric Assadourian with [10s] [5s] but Assadourian called with [ah] [10d] and the board was spread [7c] [qh] [as] [3h] [jc]. Eastgate then moved in with [9d] [2c] and was called down blind by Assadourian with [ad] [kh]. Eastgate was eliminated ninth place when the dealer spread the board of [9h] [3c] [4d] [8c] [ks].

Aaron Benton was then sent to the rail in eighth place after moving in with [qc] [4c] but was called by Assadourian with A-K. Benton hit a queen on the flop but Assadourian rivered an ace. "I'm going back to bed," Benton said as he left the tournament area - can't blame him.

2.30pm: Hey, those cards look familiar

Appropriate that one of the first major hands of today's PokerStars.net APPT Grand Final should feature two of the most famous cards in Australian poker history. Aaron Benton put in a blind min-raise to 100 from under the gun and Joe Hachem raised to 400. Eric Assadourian and Benton called and it was three-way action to a flop of [8d] [ad] [5s]. Benton checked, Hachem fired out a bet and the others quickly folded. Hachem flashed a grin and rolled up [7c] [3h] for the exact hand that won him the 2005 WSOP Main Event. "How could I not play it?" he quipped as he raked in the pot.

The field for today's event (with their charities of choice) is:

Seat 1: Simon Watt, 2009 APPT Auckland champion (charity: Canteen)
Seat 2: Amanda De Cesare, 2009 Joe Hachem Deep Stack Series III champion & The Poker Star winner (charity: Shane Warne Foundation)
Seat 3: Tony Hachem, 2009 ANZPT Player of the Year (charity: EJ Whitten Foundation)
Seat 4: Peter Eastgate, 2008 WSOP Main Event champion (charity: Camp Quality)
Seat 5: Eric Assadourian, 2007 APPT Macau High Roller champion (charity: EJ Whitten Foundation)
Seat 6: Grant Levy, 2007 APPT Grand Final champion (charity: Samuel Morris Foundation)
Seat 7: Van Marcus, 2008 APPT Manila champion (charity: Child Fund)
Seat 8: Aaron Benton, 2009 APPT Grand Final champion (charity: McGrath Foundation)
Seat 9: Joe Hachem, 2005 WSOP Main Event champion (charity: Maronite Catholic Church)

We suspect that he might not have had much sleep, but Aaron Benton will be back in the Sports Theatre at Star City Casino to complete his first duties as 2009 PokerStars.net APPT Grand Final winner. Benton will join the field for the traditional finale of the season - the APPT Tournament of Champions.

Since the foundation of the APPT, a charity freeroll has been played on the day after the APPT Grand Final; but it's a freeroll in name only. Some of the world's best players have butted heads in this tournament, and there's no quarter given when the likes of PokerStars.net Team Pros Joe Hachem, Greg Raymer, Chad Brown, Vanessa Rousso and Scotty Nguyen take a seat at the same table.

Hachem won the first event - his first victory on home soil since winning the 2005 WSOP Main Event - and was thrilled to send a $50,000 to the charity of which he is a patron: the Shane Warne Foundation.

Last year, Vanessa Rousso was delighted to be able to deposit a cheque for $50,000 into the account of her own charity - the 'No Limit, No Profit Initiative', which raises money for Africa and cancer research.

The reputation of this event has again ensured a qualify field, who'll battle for $10,000 on behalf of the charity of their choice. The line-up includes PokerStars.net Team Australia Pros Joe and Tony Hachem, Grant Levy and Eric Assadourian, The Poker Star winner Amanda De Cesare, PokerStars.net Team Nordics Pro and 2008 WSOP Main Event winner Peter Eastgate, 2008 APPT Manila winner Van Marcus, 2009 APPT Auckland champion Simon Watt and the man nursing the biggest hangover in Sydney, Aaron Benton.

Throughout the day, we'll also look back at some of the highlights of the 2009 APPT - from the opening hand in Macau back in September to last night's gripping final table in the APPT Grand Final. Play starts at 1pm local time.

Live updates from the final table, level 29 (blinds 60,000-120,000, ante 10,000) of the PokerStars.net APPT Grand Final brought to you by Sean Callander and Landon Blackhall from Star City Casino in Sydney, Australia. Click refresh to see the latest updates below, while the latest selected chip counts can be found by clicking here.

1.30am: Ernst Hermans eliminated in 2nd place, AUD $381,348 - Aaron Benton is the 2009 APPT Grand Final winner

For the third successive year, the APPT Grand Final championship trophy is staying in Australia! Having worked his stack back to as much as 2.3 million, Ernst Hermans called a pre-flop button raise from Aaron Benton of 325,000 to see a flop of [7d] [9c] [7s].

Hermans checked, Benton fired out 375,000 and Hermans called. The dealer produced the [qc] on the turn; Benton checked, Hermans snap-shoved and Benton snap-called, miles ahead with [kd] [kc] against Hermans [9d] [8d].

Benton's supporters were ecstatic; the dealer burned and the last Star City snap echoed through the Sports Theatre, bringing the river [6c] and eliminating the Dutch PokerStars Qualifier in second place. Having satellited into every season three APPT event on PokerStars, it's fitting that Aaron Benton has struck gold here at Star City!

1am: Benton in the box seat

Aaron Benton has just wrestled the chip lead off Ernst Hermans in a big hand. Hermans raised to 225,000 from the button and Benton called, then he check-called Hermans' bet of 225,000 on the flop of [2h] [jc] [ah]. On the turn of the [7c], Benton checked, Hermans led out for 800,000 and Benton called, then quickly check-called Herman's bet of 1.6 million on the river [10d].

"I've got nothing," Hermans muttered, rolling up [8c] [4h]. Benton rolled up [jd] [9h] for second pair and took the pot down. Benton is dominating with 9.76 million in chips while Hermans is on 1.92 million.

Live updates from the final table, level 28 (blinds 50,000-100,000, ante 10,000) of the PokerStars.net APPT Grand Final brought to you by Sean Callander and Landon Blackhall from Star City Casino in Sydney, Australia. Click refresh to see the latest updates below, while the latest selected chip counts can be found by clicking here.

12.40pm: Arm-wrestle continues

There have only been a couple of pots that have gone to showdown in the early stages of this heads-up battle. Aaron Benton limped in before the flop and Ernst Hermans checked his option and both players checked the flop of [7s] [5d] [qc]. Hermans then check-called Benton's bet of 150,000 on the turn of the [ac], then both players checked the river [6c] and Benton's [qd] [9s] was good enough to take down the pot.

Hermans then wrestled those lost chips back on the next hand: Hermans raised to 250,000 from the button preflop and Benton called and they checked a flop and turn of [6s] [5s] [jd] [4s] before Benton led out for 325,000 on the river of the [5c]. Hermans snap-shoved and Benton didn't hesitate throwing his cards into the muck.

12.20am: Netherlands v Australia

We're struggling to come up with much sporting history between the Aussies and the Dutch - Ned Zelic's freak goal in the Olympics qualifier against the Dutch in 1992 is a lame attempt ... the first hand of heads-up saw Aaron Benton raise from the button pre-flop to 400,000 and Ernst Hermans call from the big blind, the Dutchman check-called Benton's bet of 500,000 on the flop of [5h] [kh] [qc]. Both players checked the turn of the [4c], then Hermans led out for 875,000 on the river of the [7d]. Benton quickly threw his hand into the muck.

12am: Leo Boxell eliminated in third place, AUD $213,840

Leo Boxell has shown there's plenty of fight in the old warhorse with a tremendous third-place finish in the 2009 PokerStars.net APPT Grand Final. Just as the clock ticked into Monday morning, Leo Boxell was sent to the rail in third place.

Aaron Benton raised to 450,000 from the button, Ernst Hermans folded on the small blind and Boxell called from the big blind to go to a flop of [8s] [10h] [7d]. Boxell open-shoved his last 1.8 million over the line and Benton snap-called, tabling [9d] [8d] for top pair and an open-ended straight draw, well ahead of Boxell's [8h] [6s].

The turn and river ran dry as they were snapped [3c], [10s], eliminating the Aussie poker legend and we are now about to start a heads-up battle between Australia's Aaron Benton and The Netherlands' Ernst Hermans.

11.45pm: Wayne Carlson eliminated in fourth place, AUD $166,320

It was a long time coming, but our fourth place elimination and it's Wayne Carlson off to the cage to collect his AUD $166,320 prize money.

Ernst Hermans raised to 245,000 under the gun pre-flop before Carlson reraised to 500,000 from the button. Leo Boxell and Aaron Benton folded on the small and big blinds and Carlson snap-called, revealing [as] [qc], dominating Carlson's [ad] [10h].

The board ran out [7s] [6s] [kh] [4h] [2s] to end Carlson's run, and it's now two Aussies up against the Dutchman as we go into three-handed play.

11.30pm: Benton flexes muscle

In a rare spot of action, play was folded to Aaron Benton who raised to 200,000 from the small blind, only for Ernst Hermans to call from the big blind. They saw a flop of [2c] [4c] [6h], which they both checked.

Benton then fired out 200,000 on the turn of the [7h], Hermans called and the players went to the river [ah], where Benton fired out a stack of blue 25,000 chips worth half a million. Hermans went deep into the tank and let his hand go - Benton flashed the [7d] before raking in his chips.

Live updates from the final table, level 14 (blinds 40,000-80,000, ante 5000) of the PokerStars.net APPT Grand Final brought to you by Sean Callander and Landon Blackhall from Star City Casino in Sydney, Australia. Click refresh to see the latest updates below, while the latest selected chip counts can be found by clicking here.

11.15pm: Final table at four; heads-up at three

As the remaining four players in the PokerStars.net APPT Grand Final shuffle chips around the table, the APPT Sydney Heads-up tournament is also reaching an exciting conclusion. Teams Event winner High Cohen has qualified for the final after his semi-final victory over David Saab, while Robert Nowaks (who's been playing for 11 hours without a break) is preparing to face Tino Lechich in the other semi-final.

10.45pm: Opportunities few and far between

There have been a few small pots pushed around, including our first family pot of the evening. All four players limped in to see a flop of [5s] [4h] [kc]. Aaron Benton and Ernst Hermans and Wayne Carlson all checked to Leo Boxell who fired 250,000 from the button.
Carlson then raised 200,000 before the flop on the next hand.

Benton called and both players checked down a board of [ad] [6c] [kh] [8h] [9s]. Benton tabled [4s] [4h] and was good against Carlson's [jh] [7d]. Carlson did manage to take a couple of pots after that but the money is just being pushed around between all four players with barely a flop seen.

10.30pm: Support arrives for Carlson

Ernst Hermans raised before the flop to 145,000 under the gun, only to see Wayne Carlson call from the button as Leo Boxell and Aaron Benton got out of the way from the blinds to go heads-up to a flop of [kh] [2h] [8d].

Hermans opened for 185,000 and then called Carlson's raise of 425,000 before check-folding to the Sydneysider's bet of 425,000 on turn of the turn of the[8c].

The "Wayne Train" have been here supporting Carlson all day, with his daughter Ashley and son Nick proud of their father's efforts.

"He deserves it, he hasn't cashed in many big tournies but for him it's all about the experience," Nick said. According to the Carlson clan, should he win the APPT his first task will be to pay the mortgage and hopefully for Ashley, she'll get a new car.

However Nick knows his father's main goal: "Dad's been playing for years but he's always wanted to go in the Aussie Millions. I know he probably won't do much after this but he's definitely got his sights set on Melbourne."

10.15pm: Boxell & Carlson chop it up

It appears the 2009 PokerStars.net APPT Grand Final title is Aaron Benton's to lose. He holds half of the chips in play (six million), has plenty of support from the rail, was just served a fresh schooner of beer and is supremely confident of going all the way.

And Benton is happy to see his tablemates butting heads. We just witnessed Leo Boxell and Wayne Carlson with all their money in the middle on a board that read [ad] [5c] [kd] [4s] [3h], but when the cards were tabled the crowd thought Boxell had Carlson eliminated with the 2003 Aussie Millions runner-up showing [7h] [6s] for the nut straight. However Carlson rolled up his nut straight with [7c] [6c], chopping the pot and keeping both alive.

10pm: Benton the man to catch

Leo Boxell has clawed back to 2.5 million in chips after dipping below one million after the dinner break. He still trails Aaron Benton on 5.6 million, while Wayne Carlson holds 2.2 million and Ernst Hermans 1.4 million. They're chasing a first prize of AUD $594,000, with the runner-up set to collect AUD $381 348, third AUD $213,840 and fourth AUD $166,320.

Live updates from the final table, level 26 (blinds 30,000-60,000, ante 5000) of the PokerStars.net APPT Grand Final brought to you by Sean Callander and Landon Blackhall from Star City Casino in Sydney, Australia. Click refresh to see the latest updates below, while the latest selected chip counts can be found by clicking here.

9.45pm: Tournament of Champions field announced

In a world exclusive (these things are relative), we can reveal the line-up for tomorrow's PokerStars.net APPT Tournament of Champions. The nine players who'll take their seats at 1pm in the Sports Theatre will be PokerStars.net Team Australia Pros Joe Hachem (who won this event in 2007), his younger brother Tony, Grant Levy and Eric Assadourian; winner of The Poker Star Amanda De Cesare (the first time she's been seated at the same table as mentor Joe Hachem), 2008, WSOP Main Event winner Peter Eastgate, 2008 APPT Manila winner Van Marcus, 2009 APPT Auckland champion Simon Watt and the player who emerges triumphantly from tonight's final table in the APPT Grand Final.

9.30pm: Boxell bounces back

Leo Boxell has been ridin' the roller coaster since the dinner break. He lost then regained his stack of 1.75 million in the space of two hands against Dutch PokerStars Qualifier Ernst Hermans.

Boxell raised to 185,000 from the cut-off before the flop, Hermans re-raised to 465,000 from the small blind and Boxell four-bet to 965,000. Hermans snap-shoved and Boxell called but his [qd] [jc] was well behind Hermans' [kd] [kc]. The board ran out [8d] [2d] [ah] [8c] [ad] to leave Boxell with just 800,000 and Hermans with 3.8 million.

In the next hand Hermans raised pre-flop from the button to 135,000 and Boxell called from the big blind to see a flop [2c] [10h] [kd]. Both players checked to the turn of the [9h]; Boxell check-raised all-in for his last 645,000 after Hermans' bet of 275,000, tabling [kh] [9d] for two pair against the [ad] [10c] of Hermans. The river bricked out [2s] and Boxell was back to where he started on 2.1 million in chips.

9.15pm: PokerStars.tv previews the 2009 PokerStars.net APPT Grand Final final table

Watch APPT Sydney 09: Final Table Introduction on PokerStars.tv

9pm: Wayne's world

Aaron Benton, Ernst Hermans and Wayne Carlson all limped in to see a flop of [7s] [9s] [kh]. Benton led out for 100,000 and both Hermans and Carlson called before all three players checked the turn of the [7c]. On the river [ac], Benton and Hermans checked, Carlson fired out 100,000 and Benton called before getting out of the way. Carlson rolled up [as] [7h] for a rivered full house. "Very nice hand sir," Benton said before mucking his cards.

8.45pm: Benton the man to catch

The four remaining players are back at the final table after a one-hour dinner break. They're cashed up, but a free feed at the Garden Buffet was the meal of choice for our 'Fab Four'. Meanwhile, many are partaking in a lazy beverage or two in the bar adjacent to the Sports Theatre as the two-week APPT Sydney festival of poker winds down.

Heading into level 26, with blinds up to 30,000/60,000 with a 5000 ante, Aaron Benton is the chip leader with 5,200,000, ahead of Leo Boxell (2,800,000), Ernst Hermans (2,250,000) and Wayne Carlson (1,450,000). There's a one-in-four chance that the APPT Grand Final trophy will be staying on home soil for the third year in-a-row.

8.30pm: Tom Grigg eliminated in fifth place, AUD $130,680

A stellar run through the APPT Grand Final has ended in fifth Aaron Benton, Tom Grigg and Wayne Carlson all checked the flop of [jh] [4h] [as]. When the dealer snapped up the [8d] on the turn, Benton checked, Grigg led out for 250,000, Carlson folded and Benton snap-shoved all in for an additional 700,000.

Grigg looked visibly ill as he went deep into the tank for about six minutes before making the call showing [qd] [jd] but Benton slammed down [ah] [7c].

The river bricked out with the [6c], eliminating Grigg in fifth place and sending Benton's stack up to 5.2 million just before the remaining four players went on the dinner break.

Live updates from final table, level 25 (blinds 25,000-50,000, ante 5000) of the PokerStars.net APPT Grand Final brought to you by Sean Callander and Landon Blackhall from Star City Casino in Sydney, Australia. Click refresh to see the latest updates below, while the latest selected chip counts can be found by clicking here.

7.30pm: Andrew Hiscox eliminated in sixth place, AUD $106,920

In the space of two hands Andrew Hiscox has been eliminated in sixth place. He limped from the small blind before the flop, only for Leo Boxell to raise to 225,000 from the big blind. Hiscox re-raised to 550,000, Boxell moved all-in for another 610,000 and Hiscox called, showing [ad] [8c] but was in strife against Boxell's [as] [10s].

The flop of [10c] [9d] [8h] paired both players but Boxell was still ahead. The turn of the [3c] helped nobody and the river [qh] saw Boxell double up to 2.45 million and left Hiscox with just 770,000.

He managed to get it in the next hand after leading out for 125,000 and a subsequent re-raise to 375,000 by Aaron Benton. Benton snap-called, showing [as] [ad] and was miles ahead of Hiscox's [7s] [7c].

The flop and turn of [3d] [6c] [6d] [5h] gave Hiscox a glimmer of hope with an up-and-down straight draw and the crowd began to murmur. However in true Lleyton Hewitt style, Benton bellowed "C'mon" when the river brought a repeat [5s] to eliminate Hiscox and give Benton almost 4,000,000 in chips.

7.05pm: Benton doubles through the Dutch

Aaron Benton and Ernst Hermans have been the action attractions at this final table. Try this - Benton raised to 150,000 from under the gun and Tom Grigg folded before Ernst Hermans re-raised to 400,000 total. The others got out of the way before Benton shipped his last 960,000 into the middle.

Hermans snap-called, rolling up [jc] [10c] but found himself in a coin flip against Benton's [8s] [8h]. Benton's supporters were shocked when the [jd] appeared in the window, but went ballistic when the [qc] [8d] trailed behind to complete the flop.

Benton pumped his fists and called for the brick - the turn of the [ah] was not quite what he was looking for as it gave Hermans a gutshot straight draw. The dealer burned, then snapped up the river [7c], giving Benton the pot and the double up to 2.75 million in chips.

"Pay the man his money," cried Benton as the chips were being shipped over towards his seat. Hermans is now on 2.4 million in chips.

6.45pm: Tom's closing in

Tom Grigg has steadily chipped away at the lead of Ernst Hermans and is within reach of the chip lead. In their latest tussle, Grigg raised before the flop to 100,000 and Hermans called as the others got out of the way to go heads-up into a flop of [6d] [as] [kd], which both players checked before Grigg fired out a bet of 125,000 on the turn of the [10s].

Hermans called and the dealer produced the [qh] on the river. Grigg considered his options then opened for 275,000. Hermans called, but mucked when Grigg rolled up [ks] [jd] for Broadway. Ernst fell to 2.9 million while Grigg moved on up to 2.55 million in chips.

6.30pm: Barry Forrester eliminated in seventh, AUD $83,160

Just as the start of the level approached, Barry Forrester had managed to steal a couple of small pots but succumbed to Andrew Hiscox to be eliminated in seventh place.

Barry Forrester's patience paid off as he skipped up the payout scale to seventh

The action folded around to Ernst Hermans who raised to 95,000 from under the gun before Hiscox re-raised to 200,000 from late position. Forrester then shoved all in for 875,000 from the button, Hermans folded and Hiscox went into the hand for several minutes before making the call.

Forrester tabled [ac] [qd] but was behind the South-African born Aussie's [as] [kh]. The flop of [ah] [3c] [8s] paired both players but Hiscox was ahead with the higher kicker.
Needing a queen to double up, the turn and river ran out [8c], [2s] to send Forrester back to the blackjack tables. The six remaining players are on a quick break as the 1000 chips are being coloured up and raced off.

Live updates from final table, level 24 (blinds 20,000-40,000, ante 5000) of the PokerStars.net APPT Grand Final brought to you by Sean Callander and Landon Blackhall from Star City Casino in Sydney, Australia. Click refresh to see the latest updates below, while the latest selected chip counts can be found by clicking here.

6pm: David Formosa eliminated in eighth place, AUD $65,340

David Formosa had been nursing a short stack of 535,000 but he has had an amazing run to get to this final table and his family and work colleagues were here in force to watch him at the final table.

"It's awesome - when we saw online that he had about 13,000 at the end of Day 2 we thought that was it," his sister Julie said. "But he's been going so well we just had to pack up the whole family and head down here to Star City."

His younger brother Marty is also proud of Daniel's achievements, adding, "You couldn't meet a nicer bloke. Even if he wins it, it wouldn't change him."

Sadly, the Formosa clan have gathered their personals after Wayne Carlson eliminated David Formosa's run just came to an end in eighth place. Formosa raised to 150,000 from the cutoff, only to see Carlson insta-shove over the top.

Formosa looked down at his stack and made a crying call with [3d] [3c] but looked in pain when Carlson rolled over [qs] [qc]. The board was spread [7c] [7h] [2h] [10s] [jd], sending Formosa off to cage to collect his AUD $65,340.

5.45pm: Thomas Slifka eliminated in ninth place, AUD $47,520

Everyone in the Sports Theatre was excited about the first elimination of the day, except for US PokerStars Qualifier Thomas Slifka, who bowed out in ninth place. The money was all-in before the flop; Slifka had tried to steal the blinds with [6s] [4h] but got caught out in a big way after Carlson called his all-in shove with [ah] [js]. The board ran out [kh] [qd] [2s] [9c] [ad] and the American was sent to the exit via the cage to collect his AUD $47,520

5.30pm: Hachem v Saab generates plenty of attention

With barely a flop seen on the APPT Grand Final table, we just heard an announcement from the tournament director down on the floor overseeing the APPT Sydney Heads-Up tournament.

They are two of Australian poker's biggest names - it's the big winner, 2009 WSOP Main Event champion Joe Hachem versus the big mouth, David Saab! After being admonished by Hachem for the volume of his table-talk a few days ago, we're expecting some fireworks from this one.

5.15pm: Grigg's pop makes 'em stop

No-one wants to see a flop, then everyone wants to see a flop - there were six limpers into a flop of [5c] [7d] [2s]; Thomas Slifka checked to Wayne Carlson who fired out 120,000. Leo Boxell called and Barry Forrester folded before Tom Grigg came in with a raise, making it an additional 200,000 to go. Ernst Hermans folded, as did Slifka and Carlson, but Boxell went into the tank for almost four minutes before laying it down.

4.50pm: Carlson claws some back

Sydney's Wayne Carlson is not going to go quietly after making some bold plays in the space of two hands. Carlson raised in early position before the flop to 75,000, only to see Andrew Hiscox reraise to 200,000 from the big blind. Carlson called and the two players saw a flop of [8s] [kd] [js].

Hiscox checked but Carlson shoved all in, forcing Hiscox out of the pot to take it down. On the very next hand Carlson got all his money into the middle against Leo Boxell, tabling [9s] [9d] against Boxell's [as] [10c] on a flop of [5d] [2c] [5s]. The turn and river ran out [6s], [7d] to double Carlson up to more than 1.1 million in chips.

Live updates from the final table, level 23 (blinds 15,000-30,000, ante 3000) of the PokerStars.net APPT Grand Final brought to you by Sean Callander and Landon Blackhall from Star City Casino in Sydney, Australia. Click refresh to see the latest updates below, while the latest selected chip counts can be found by clicking here.

4.40pm: A rare flop

Some action, sort of ... the action folded around to Tom Grigg who raised to 75,000 from the cut-off. Ernst Hermans called from the button, the others got out of the way and it was heads-up to a flop of [qs] [js] [ac]. Grigg led out for 100,000, Hermans called and both players then checked the turn of the [7c] and the river [7h].

Grigg tabled [ks] [kh] but was no good against the Dutch PokerStars Qualifier's [as] [9h]. Grigg is looking visibly frustrated, having dropped to 915,000 while Hermans is a clear chip leader on 3.03 million in chips.

4.20pm: Nine started, nine remain

This counts as one of the most cautious starts to a final table in APPT history. With two levels almost complete, the nine starters remain seated with no player in immediate danger of elimination.

Meanwhile, the $3200 Heads-up tournament continues below with round one eliminations including PokerStars.net Team Australia Pros Emad Tahtouh and Grant Levy, David Steicke and Billy "The Croc "Argyros. Joe Hachem and Lee Nelson are through to round two, which is underway.

With the action fairly sparse at the final table, we're noticing a few spectators drifting off for an afternoon nap, while there's plenty of focus on the numerous TV screens that are showing the other two major sporting events in Sydney this weekend - the Telstra Sydney 500 (final round of Australia's V8 Supercar Championships) and the Australian PGA on the windswept NSW Golf Club layout.

4pm: Bev stands by her man

Bev Boxell has just watched her husband Leo secure a much-needed double up though American PokerStars Qualifier Thomas Slifka. The money was all in the middle pre-flop with Boxell showing [jh] [jd] against Slifka's [ac] [kd] and a sweaty board of [3c] [js] [8d] [10s] [4h] was spread, but Boxell's set of jacks were good to keep him alive, much to the delight of Bev!

Leo and Bev have been married for 47 years and she has followed him around to every single major tournament he has ever played, including his victories in the 2000 Australasian Championships (the predecessor to the Aussie Millions) and the 2001 New Zealand Poker Championship Main Event.

Despite having been to Las Vegas for the WSOP four times as well as Vienna and Russia, her favourite memory was being on hand to give her husband support all the way to his 2003 Aussie Millions runner-up finish: "He was so short stacked on day three," she said. "But I just said to him, hold on - even though he didn't win it, but it was just so exciting."

Bev has only played the game "a handful of times" but she knows exactly what's going on and is there through thick and thin for Leo. And there's no stopping Australian poker's first couple travelling the circuit from here if he wins today. "He'll probably buy a bigger fishing boat, but wherever he goes, I'll go," Bev said.

3.45pm: Hermans on the hop

Players have just re-taken their seats after the first break of the day. The big mover in the first level of play was Dutch PokerStars Qualifier Ernst Hermans, who skipped out to a handy break on 2.8 million in chips.

After being down to just 300,000 late yesterday, Tom Grigg is now back near the top of the chip count on 1.64 million. And despite the increase in blinds to 15,000/30,000, the shorts stacks of Leo Boxell (905,000), Andrew Hiscox (865,000) and David Formosa (830,000) aren't under any immediate pressure.