Well it didn't take too long to peer our first final table casualty here. Mile Krstanoski found the rail first in today's proceedings by the hands on Lin Shi. The action began with Shi opening to 65,000 from middle position and when it folded around to Krstanoski at the button, he pushed his last 455,000 into the center. The players within the blinds threw their hands away and Shi called it off to position Krstanoski in danger. Krstanoski: Q♣Q♦ Shi: A♣K♥ It was a flip with Krstanoski looking to dodge an ace or king to stick alive. The A♥J♦K♣ saw him lose the lead but meant he could still peel a queen for a suite or a 10 to make Broadway. The 8♠ turn and 2♦ river bricked off and Krstanoski headed to the exit in ninth place. He collects $19,120 for his efforts.

9th place - Mile Krstanoski

Following Krstanoski out the door almost an hour later was George Balandinos. After taking successful in a up to date hand with king queen against pocket aces, Balandinos found himself all in for his final 370,000 after jamming from the hijack. Peter Matusik made the decision from the button and with the opposite players out of the way, the 2 tabled their cards. Balandinos: 8♠8♣ Matusik: 9♠9♥ Balandinos was in trouble and things only got worse because the 9♦5♠2♥ flop saw Matusik spike top set. Needing running straight cards to stick alive Balandinos couldn't catch them because the Q♠ turn and A♥ river landed. For his eight place finish Balandinos pockets $26,650.

8th place - George Balandinos

And our latest evictee was met with elimination shortly after when New Zealander Carl Knox earned himself a seventh place score. After losing a large flip with pocket nines to Nikolce Trajkovski's ace-ten suited just prior, Knox got his last two big blinds into the center. Both Peter Matusik and Lin Shi called from the blinds before the cards went on their backs. Knox: K♥Q♠ Matusik: J♠T♥ Shi: 8♦7♥ The 2 players still with chips quickly checked down on a board of 3♦8♠2♠A♥6♥ and Knox was presented with the bad news. Shi had flopped an eight which was ok to eliminate Knox in seventh place for $34,650.

7th place - Carl Knox

That's the action thus far this afternoon. It has been a fast-paced start and we'll see if it stays that way or if things decelerate as players approach the rostrum. Stick with us!

Read More... [Source: PokerStarsBlog.com :: Australia New Zealand Poker Tour]