ANZPT Gold Coast Heats Up

Nicholas Wong holds the ANZPT Gold Coast chip lead with 42 players remaining.

The ANZPT Gold Coast main event played down to just 42 players Friday.

Darko Balaban maintained the chip lead throughout the day until a massive pot played out on the second last hand.

After getting it all in with queens versus aces earlier in the day and finding a way to survive, Nicholas Wong found himself all in again and behind, but managed to suck out again, rake the biggest pot of the tournament and grab the overnight chip lead.

The Hong Kong native finished with 376,500 in chips and a host of respected pros on his heels, including fellow Hong Kong high roller David Steicke, reigning APPT Sydney champ Aaron Benton and the aforementioned Balaban.

Also in the hunt is Sydneysider John Maklouf, who has made three consecutive ANZPT final tables and will overtake Team PokerStars Pro Tony Hachem in the ANZPT Player of the Year race by cashing here.

The AUD$2,500 main event drew 287 players to the Conrad Jupiters Casino Gold Coast creating a $717,250 prize pool that will pay 32 places.

$182,965 is reserved for the winner.

Action resumes Saturday at 11:30 a.m. Australia Eastern Standard time.