A beautiful sunny day greeted the players as they sat down for Day 1B of the NZPT Queenstown Snowfest 2012. There were 49players who began the day taking the overall total to 100 for the tournament.

This means it is guaranteed to be the biggestQueenstown Snowfest ever held and is also the largest poker tournament ever held on New Zealand’s South Island. Important to remember with the numbers is the boutique casino has been at capacity on both days. Players come for the amazing experiences and camraderie as much as for the prize money on offer.

31 remained at the end of Day 1B after six levels of play. The chip leader is the Australian, Ken Demlakian who finished the day with 70,750 chips.

Well known New Zealand player James Honeybone, who sat beside the chip leader for much of the day is second in chips with60,875.

The current point leader for the ANZ Player of the Year has the opportunity to increase his advantage over the rest of the chasing pack in the race to ANZPOY for this year. Anthony Aston has 25,450chips. Not to be forgotten is the reigning ANZ Player of the Year Danny Chevalier. He has 14,050chips and is also the only player capable of winning this event for a second time. Danny was the inaugural winner of the NZPT Queenstown Snowfest in 2009 and is the only Queenstown Snowfest Champion to be playing in this year’s event.

The other notable players to make it through the day include: Billy ‘the Croc’ Argyros (32,675 chips),Luke Edwards (9,225), Ricky Kroesen (45,525 chips) and Matthew Wakeman (24,925 chips).

The day saw an illustrious list of casualties, these included the likes of: Tom Grigg, Jesse McKenzie,Jacky Wang and Alex Lynskey.

For a list of all the entries and chip counts at the end of play today click here

Last night the side event was a $550 Turbo No Limit Hold’em, for full results click here

Regards,

Sam Dawson