Shane Warne makes headlines wherever he goes, and he was the big story here in Las Vegas after a stunning comeback late in day 2A in the 2009 WSOP Main Event.

Displaying the determination and tenacity that made him champion in the cricket arena, Warne has brought a similar competitive spirit to his poker and looks in good shape to reach the money.

Firstly, he turned up two hours late today after flying to the UK immediatley after day 1A. After the dinner break, he was clinging to his tournament life and things weren’t looking good when as the big names keep joining table 29 – at one time, it included fellow Aussie Grant Levy, PokerStars Team Italy Pro Luca Pagano, 2007 WSOP Player of the Year Tom Schneider, Isaac Baron and Ludovic Lacay.

Warney wasn’t overawed and cracked built his stack to 175,000 late in the final level. He claimed a scalp with K-Q against Q-7 when he flopped top-pair, and looks right at home in this smuggler’s cove of top pros.

However, Levy’s incredible roller coaster ride through day 2A finally ended in the last level when an opponent’s A-K connected with the board against the Sydneysider’s pocket queens. But it was a much improved effort from Levy compared to his short stay in the Main Event last year.

It was an unusual evening in the Amazon Ballroom, with play slowing down once the field was whittled down in level eight. The drinks were flowing freely in the last hour as players seemed happy to shut up shop with a spot in the day three line-up almost assured.

Other players eliminated in the final level were Dewey Tomko, Eli Elezra, Juha Helppi, former world champions Berry Johnston and “Amarillo Slim” Preston, Brad Garrett and Amanda Baker. Of the 1476 who started day 2A, approximately 630 will be back for day three.

We’ll be back later today from noon for the massive day 2B, featuring a staggering field of 2923, over 100 players more than the day 1D lockout.

With the chip count still to be confirmed, Eric Cloutier was the unofficial leader on 384,000 ahead of Ed Perry (370,000), Brandon Demes (370,00), Jamie Brown (360,000) and Kyle Wilson (335,000) and with thanks to www.worldseriesofpoker.com.

Posted by Sean Callander, 12.45am, 8/7/09

Just under 900 players returned from the dinner break for the penultimate level on day 2A of the 2009 WSOP Main Event. Already more than 1000 players have been eliminated today, and the steady stream of departures shows little sign of slowing up.

The gallant run of Billy ‘The Croc’ Argyros came to an end shortly after the break when he ran pocket queens into a set of eights.

Jamie Pickering has seven WSOP cashes to his name but won’t be adding an eighth after pushed all-in with pocket aces on a board of 7-8-4-3 only to find an opponent holding 5-6 for the nuts.

Jamie Pickering's Main Event run ends late on day 2A

The name of ANZPT Sydney winner Paren Arzoomanian is yet to pop up on the official chip count, but we’re delighted to report that Puzz returned from the dinner break with just over 200,000 in chips and has continued to monster the field. What a story this could be!

Grant "Grunter" Levy’s topsy turvy day is looking up after his pocket queens prevailed over A-K on a nine-high board, propelling him above 90,000 for the first time today.

At the other end of blue 39 in seat one, Shane Warne has been forced to commit his short stack a couple of times, but is hanging tough on 23,000 – 23, that sounds familiar.

Departures in the last level have included Jeff Williams, Aussie Aleks Brkovic, Nikolay Evdakov, Mike Matusow, Gavin Smith, Todd Brunson, Alex Kravchenko and Michael Graz.

Those chips have disappeared from the stack of Aleks Brkovic

The chip count according to www.worldseriesofpoker.com has Samer Rahman leading on 340,000 from Andrew Gaw (320,000), dual 2009 bracelet winner Greg Mueller (250,000), Jeff Mathis (215,000) and Carter Swidler 9200,000), but we have Arzoomanian firmly in that top five at the end of level eight.

One of the great aspects of covering the WSOP Main Event each year is meeting a fresh batch of Australians chasing their dreams here on the world’s biggest poker stage.

Chad Awerbuch ... yep, it's freezing in the Amazon Ballroom

One such player is Chad Awerbuch. The Full Tilt qualifier brought almost 77,000 in chips to the table today and has not been overawed, building his stack to 190,000 as players headed to dinner on day 2A. WP sir.

Luke McIntyre smashed through the 100,000-barrier in level seven

Luke McIntyre has already cashed in two events at this year’s WSOP – impressively, both coming in massive $1500 No Limit Hold’em fields. He’s travelling sweetly towards a third cash, with 126,000 after three levels today.

Manny Stavropoulos is one of those low-profile kinda guys that amasses impressive results on the local scene with a minimum of fuss. It’s great to see the Crown regular up to 100,000 and working towards day three.

Previous trips to the WSOP have helped Manny Stavropoulos build some handy experience

Chris Levick also went to the dinner break brimming with confidence after steering his stack to 97,500 when his already strong J-10 improved to a flush on the river. That’s quite a comeback after being on life support for most of the day.

Other Aussies still in today’s field include Tian Shou (72,000), Jay Kinkade (who took a hit and is down to 60,000), Steve Leonard and Jamie Pickering (50,000 apiece), Grant Levy (48,000) while Shane Warne is down to 36,000 but still has enough chips to pick his spots.

Players sent to the rail in the past two hours included Sydney's Stewart Davidson, Wendeen Eolis, last year’s $50k H.O.R.S.E. runner-up Michael DeMichele, UK-based Aussie Mel Judah, Lex Veldhuis, Hoyt Corkins, Beth Shak, Michael Craig, Shaun Deeb and new PokerStars Team Canada Pro Jason Mercier.



After starting the day more than 60,000, Stewart Davidson has been eliminated

The chip leaders heading into level eight are Samer Rahman (325,000), Greg Mueller (223,000), Carter Swidler (200,000), Jeffrey Mathil (180,000) and Coba Cao (175,000), with thanks to www.worldseriesofpoker.com. When players return, blinds will be creeping up to 400/800 with an ante of 100.

Posted by Sean Callander, 7.20pm, 7/7/09

Down, then way up – that pretty much sums up Grant Levy’s start to day 2A in the 2009 World Series of Poker. The PokerStars Team Australia Pro looked in a world of hurt when he found himself all-in with pocket jacks against pocket queens, but he hit a set of jacks on the flop, improving to a full-house on the turn to double back to 24,000.

Grant Levy is experiencing the full range of poker's ups and downs today

Levy then found himself in another awkward spot with Ah-Kc against Qc-Qd but the board ran out Jc-7c-4c-3c-3s, making a higher flush for Levy to send his stack above 72,000. Nice recovery.

However, we farewelled Sam Khouiss (queens versus aces) and Tony G, who moved all-in on a board A-5-A-7-J and mucked when his opponent showed A-J. Earlier he’d lost another big hand when his opponent flopped a full-house with pocket kings against the G’s A-8.

And Warney has arrived! He missed 135 minutes of play (we suspect it might have been a bit longer if not for a very quick trip from McCarran Airport). Unfortunately, he lost a 20k pot in the first hand he played – luckily Team Hachem (Joe and Tony) have arrived to lend support to the spin king.

   

Shane Warne's empty chair is now occupied by ... Shane Warne

Earth to James Wearne, come in James Wearne – the Perth player still had 9000 in his stack coming into day two but is yet to arrive. Floor reporters and tournament staff have asked us his whereabouts, sorry, can’t help you guys.

A quick round of the other Aussies in action today reveals that the big movers have been Jay Kinkade (120,000), Chad Awerbuch (111,000 and Tien Shou (83,000). Jamie Pickering is on 63,000, Mel Judah 62,000, Kristian Lunardi 52,000, Steve Leonard 50,000, Billy Argyros 30,000 and Chris Levick hanging in with 15,300.



Australia's number one ranked online player, Jay SEABEAST Kinkade, leads the Aussie chip count so far today

Other players eliminated in level six included Barry Greenstein, Jennifer Tilly, John Hennigan, 96-year-old Jack Ury (see you next year Jack), Phil Laak, Jerrod Ankenman, Mike Caro and Katja Thater.

With thanks to www.worldseriesofpoker.com, the top five stacks belong to Samer Rahman (280,000), Greg FBT Mueller (176,000), Coba Cao (175,100), Andy Black (170,000) and Tom Schneider (165,000).

Posted by Sean Callander, 6pm, 7/7/09

There’s never a boring moment when Billy “The Croc” Argyros is at the table, and it’s been a roller coaster start to day 2A for the Australian Poker Hall of Famer as he put his short stack of just 8500 to work.

Firstly, “The Croc” doubled through to about 14,000 when his A-K held up against an opponent’s A-9 but the same hand cost him half his stack when another players made a straight with A-9 against Argyros’ A-Q. Back to 8000 for Crocky.

All crocked up: Billy Argyros

We’re still awaiting the arrival of cricket great Shane Warne, who headed to the UK after the completion of day 1A. He’s expected to arrive any minute, and his stack is still more than 80,000 despite missing more than two hours. He’ll also be welcomed by 2007 APPT Grand Final winner Grant Levy on the same table when he arrives at the Rio.

Chris Levick and Peter Dykes both scored timely double-ups during level five – Dykes thanking the poker gods when a jack on the river helped him improve to a set against pocket aces.

In contrast, Stewart Davidson has steered outside of strife twice, laying down A-K and A-Q twice on the turn after ominous bets from opponents.



The WSOP Main Event is over for ChipMeUp founder and top Aussie onliner Rayan Nathan

Players eliminated during level five were Celine Dion’s other half Rene Angelil, South Australia's Rayan rkruok Nathan, Brian sbrugby Townsend, 2008 APPT Macau winner Eddy Sabat, Richard Brodie (who wrote the first version of Microsoft Word), Jon pearljammer Turner, 1987-88 Main Event winner Johnny Chan, EPT Dortmund winner Sandra Naujoks and Gus Hansen – still no bracelet for the 2007 Aussie Millions winner.

Posted by Sean Callander, 4.50pm, 7/7/09

With the hot wind roaring in from the desert, players have arrived for day 2A of the World Series of Poker Main Event as the run to the money starts in earnest.

A total of 1476 players who survived days 1A and 1B are back today, including the Aussies listed below:

Paren Arzoomanian 98,825
Shane Warne 87,625
Chad Awerbuch 76,875
Steve Leonard 73,175
Stewart Davidson 60,975
Kristian Lunardi 56,100
Luke McIntyre 54,950
Tian Shou 54,000
Jamie Pickering 53,650
Grant Levy 52,225
Tony G 42,325
Jay Kinkade 41,625
Alex Brkovic 38,600
David Haas 35,750
Mel Judah 31,325
Jon Curtis 30,150
Trevor Lawson 27,525
Manny Stavropoulos 21,525
Peter Dykes 19,275
Chris Levick 18,050
Scott Smith 14,575
Michel Bouskila 14,475
Michael Soranson 14,475
James Wearne 9125
Billy 'The Croc' Argyros 8575
Alex Kostic 6400
Sam Khouiss DNR

ANZPT Sydney champ Paren "Puzz" Arzoomanian

The top 10 chip counts among the players heading into day 2A is:

Brandon Demes (Tempe, AZ) 137,075
Redmond Lee (London, UK) 134,275
Andrew Gaw (Philippines) 126,100
Jean Docquier (Paris, France) 122,755
Nick Maimone (Charlotte, NC) 122,500
Samer Rahman (Sweden) 122,400
Max Casal (Burbank, CA) 121,100
Jim Bookstaff (Pigeon Forge, TN) 120,750
Craig Hopkins (Chesterfield, UK) 118,850
Aaron Fang (Las Vegas, NV) 118,725 

To balance out the levels for day three, players face five levels today with a 90-minute dinner break:

Level 5: 200/400 (ante 50)
Level 6: 250/500 (ante 50)
Level 7: 300/600 (ante 75)
Level 8: 400/800 (ante 100)
Level 9: 500/1000 (ante 100)

• Remember, you can keep up to date with the latest happening from the 2009 World Series of Poker by following twitter.com/bluffaussie.

Posted by Sean Callander; 12.15pm; 7/7/09