Erik Seidel raises to $300,000 and Alex Kostritsyn makes the call. The flop comes J 8 7 and Kostritsyn checks to Seidel, who bets $550,000. Kostritsyn asks Seidel how much he has behind ($2.2 million), and then raises $2 million more. Seidel moves all-in and Kostritsyn beats him to the pot with J 9 to Seidel's A Q. The turn card is the 3 and Seidel is drawing to an ace or a queen to stay alive.

The river card is the K and this tournament is over! Alex Kostritsyn is the champion of the 2008 Aussie Millions after seven long days of hard-fought poker.

The 21-year-old Russian prodigy will take home $1.65 million and an Aussie Millions bracelet for his victory while Full Tilt pro Erik Seidel earns $1 million for his runner-up finish.

Congratulations to both finalists and to tournament director Jonno Pittock and staff for staging an incredible event!

Erik Seidel bets $300,000 pre-flop and Alexander Kostritsyn calls. The flop comes A 8 4 and both players check. The turn comes K and Kostritsyn checks but Seidel bets $250,000. Kostritsyn re-raises an extra $700,000.

Seidel calls and the river comes 7. Kostritsyn bets $1.7 million. Seidel thinks for a few minutes and then asks for a count on the bet. When the dealer tells him the number he says, "That sucks," and chuckles.

Eventually Seidel calls and Kostritsyn shows an eight which gives him a pair of eights, which is, amazingly, enough to rake the pot as Seidel mucks his hand.

Erik Seidel raises to $300,000 and Alex Kostritsyn re-raises to $950,000. Seidel thinks for a minute or two before moving all-in over the top. Kostritsyn asks for a count and is told the all-in is worth about $4.5 million. It's Kostritsyn's turn to think and after a minute or two of rumination he lays it down and Seidel takes the pot.

Alex Kostritsyn limps in and Erik Seidel checks his option. The flop comes 6 5 2 and Seidel checks to Kostritsyn, who bets out $200,000. Seidel makes the call and the turn is the 2. Seidel checks again to Kostritsyn, who bets out $550,000. Seidel lays it down and Kostritsyn takes the pot.

Alexander Kostritsyn bets $400,000 pre-flop and Erik Seidel calls. The flop comes 7 6 5 and both players check. The turn comes Q and Kostritsyn checks. Seidel bets $500,000 and Kostritsyn calls.

The turn comes 10 and Kostritsyn checks but Seidel bets once again, this time $1 million. Kostritsyn calls and Seidel flips over Q-8 which is enough to win the pot because Kostritsyn mucks.

Alex Kostritsyn raises to $300,000 and Erik Seidel makes the call. The flop comes 7 2 2 and Seidel checks to Kostritsyn, who bets out $400,000. Seidel makes it $1.1 million and Kostritsyn lays it down. The pot goes to Seidel.

The blinds are up once more as the action continues unabated. Alex Kostritsyn has almost a 4-1 chip lead on Erik Seidel at this point.

Erik Seidel bets $225,000 pre-flop and Alexander Kostritsyn re-raises to $800,000. Seidel calls and the flop comes down Q-7-5. Kostritsyn bets $950,000 and Seidel considers the hand for a few minutes before laying his hand down.

Alex Kostritsyn raises to $240,000 and Erik Seidel makes the call. The flop comes T 3 2 and Seidel checks to Kostritsyn, who bets out $260,000. Seidel makes the call and the turn is the 7. Seidel checks again and Kostritsyn checks behind. The river is the 5. Seidel bets $750,000 and Kostritsyn announces a raise, making it $1.25 more to Seidel. The Full Tilt pro mulls things over before laying it down and Kostritsyn takes another substantial pot.

Alexander Kostritsyn has come back and is now taking control of the game. In the most recent hand Seidel bet pre-flop and Kostritsyn called. The flop came A A 4 and both players check.

The turn comes 9; Kostritsyn bets $325,000 and Seidel calls. The river falls 9 and Kostritsyn bets $475,000. Seidel lays it down and Kostritsyn flips up A-4 for the full house. Nice fold by Seidel.

The latest chip counts are as follows:

Alex Kostritsyn	$9.4 million
Erik Seidel	$6.2 million

 

Erik Seidel raises to $225,000 and Alex Kostritsyn adds $575,000 to the wager. Seidel makes the call and the flop comes K K J. Kostritsyn bets out $750,000 and Seidel makes it $1.9 million to go. After some thought, Kostritsyn announces a re-raise of another $1.5 million and it's the Full Tilt pro's turn to think. After a few minutes in the tank, Seidel lays the hand down and Kostritsyn shows A-10 as he rakes the pot.

After the hand, Kostritsyn regains the chip lead.

Alexander Kostritsyn bets $250,000 pre-flop and Erik Seidel calls. The flop comes 8 6 3 and Kostritsyn bets $325,000 Seidel opts to call. The turn comes 4 and both players check. The river falls 3 and Seidel bets $575,000. Kostritsyn folds relatively quickly. Seidel is hammering Kostritsyn into submission.

Alexander Kostritsyn bets $250,000 pre-flop and Erik Seidel calls. The flop comes 9 9 4. Kostritsyn fires again this time for $325,000 but he can't shake Seidel, who makes the call.

The turn comes 5 and both players check. The river falls 8 and Kostritsyn checks but Seidel bets $650,000. Kostritsyn thinks but eventually makes the call.

Seidel flips over A 10 for the nut flush and Kostritsyn throws his hand into the muck. Seidel has battled back and taken over the chip lead.

Seidel $8.7 million

Kostritsyn: $6.8 million

Erik Seidel limps in and Alex Kostritsyn checks his option. The flop comes 6 2 2 and Kostritsyn bets out $90,000. Seidel makes the call. The turn is the 9 and Kostritsyn checks to Seidel, who bets $150,000. Kostritsyn lays it down and Seidel gets the pot.

Alex Kostritsyn raises to $225,000 and Erik Seidel makes the call. The flop comes A 7 6 and Seidel checks to Kostritsyn, who checks behind. The turn is the 2 and Seidel bets $275,000. Kostritsyn makes the call and the river is the 3. Both players check and Seidel shows a seven, which is good to take down the pot.

Eight-time WSOP bracelet winner Erik Seidel is fighting his way back into this folks. Stay tuned...

1. Alexander Kostritsyn $8.8 million

2. Erik Seidel $6.6 million 

We've reached the end of the level and the blinds have moved on up without a break. Onward!

Erik Seidel limps in from the small blind and Alex Kostritsyn checks his option. The flop comes J 8 3 and Kostritsyn checks. Seidel bets $125,000 and Kostritsyn makes the call. The turn is the Q and Kostritsyn checks again. Seidel checks behind and the river is the 7. Kostritsyn checks a third time and Seidel bets $300,000. Kostritsyn folds and Seidel wins the pot.

Both Erik Seidel and Alexander Kostritsyn see a flop of K J 8 with no pre-flop action. Seidel checks the flop but Kostritsyn bets $190,000. Seidel calls and the turn comes 10.

Once again Seidel checks and Kostritsyn bets, $325,000 this time. Seidel calls and the river falls Q.

Kostritsyn fires a third bullet, making a $450,000 bet. After thinking for a minute Seidel calls, to which Kostritsyn says, "Good call," and mucks his card. Seidel doesn't have to show his hand and he wins the pot.

Erik Seidel raises to $125,000 and Alex Kostritsyn makes the call. The flop comes 6 5 4 and Kostritsyn checks to Seidel, who bets $175,000. Kostritsyn makes the call and the turn is the 3. Kostritsyn checks and Seidel bets out $375,000. Kostritsyn folds and Seidel takes the pot.

Erik Seidel bets $175,000 and Alexander Kostritsyn re-raises to $650,000. Seidel thinks for a few minutes but then shoves all-in for $2 million more. Kostritsyn calls and the players flip over their cards:

Alexander Kostritsyn: K J

Erik Seidel: A K

Seidel is on the verge of elimination but in the lead as we head to the board. It comes down Q 10 4 6 6 and Seidel's dream of a wombat farm in Las Vegas is still alive.

Alex Kostritsyn limps in and Erik Seidel checks his option. The flop comes J 7 3 and Seidel checks to Kostritsyn, who bets $90,000. Seidel flat-calls and the turn is the Q. Seidel again checks and Kostritsyn bets out $225,000. Seidel lays it down and the pot is Kostritsyn's.

After trading blinds back and forth for a few hands Alexander Kostritsyn just won a small pot from Erik Seidel.

In the hand Seidel bet $175,000 from the dealer button and Kostritsyn called. The flop came 9 5 2 and both players check. The turn is the 8 and Kostritsyn bets $275,000. Seidel folds and Kostritsyn is starting to build an insurmountable lead.

Erik Seidel limps in and Alex Kostritsyn checks his option. The flop comes Q 9 8 and Kostritsyn checks. Seidel bets $150,000. Kostritsyn makes the call and the turn is the K. Kostritsyn bets $375,000 and Seidel makes the call. The river is the 5. Kostritsyn bets $1,050,000 and Seidel has to lay it down.

Erik Seidel raises to $175,000 and Alex Kostritsyn makes the call. The flop comes K T 9 and Kostritsyn checks. Seidel bets $250,000 and Kostritsyn makes the call. The turn is the 6 and Kostritsyn checks again. Seidel bets $650,000 and Kostritsyn again smooth-calls. The river is the 2 and Kostritsyn checks. Seidel checks behind and shows a pair of sixes while Kostritsyn has pocket aces and takes down the pot.

Alex Kostritsyn raises to $175,000 and Erik Seidel makes the call. The flop comes 5 4 2 and Kostritsyn bets out $225,000. Seidel folds and Kostritsyn takes down the pot.

Erik Seidel limps in and Alex Kostritsyn checks his option. The flop comes A 4 3 and both players check. The turn is the 2 and Kostritsyn bets out $80,000. Seidel makes the call and the river is the 6 and both players check. Kostritsyn has ten-high but Seidel has a pair of deuces and takes down the pot.

Alex Kostritsyn limps in and Erik Seidel checks his option. The flop comes K-3-2 with two hearts and Seidel checks to Kostritsyn, who bets $80,000. Seidel raises to to $405,0000 and Kostritsyn lays it down. Seidel takes the pot.

Alexander Kostritsyn raises to $175,000 from the button and Erik Seidel re-raises to $525,000. Kostritsyn calls and the flop comes 9 9 8. Once again Seidel makes a massive bet of $650,000. Kostritsyn calls instantly.

The turn comes K and Seidel checks. Kostritsyn bets $1.7 million and apparently that's enough to scare off Seidel because he mucks his hand. Kostritsyn rakes a giant pot.

After a prolonged break during which a bunch of strange men practiced dropping piles of $100 bills on a granite table while an inanimate showgirl watched inanimate-ly from the background, heads-up play is under way from the Aussie Millions. Stay tuned for the thrilling conclusion!

With Michael Chrisanthopoulos' elimination Australia has been shut out of the Aussie Millions in 2008. Here are the chip counts as we go to heads-up play:

Alexander Kostritsyn $9.9 million

Erik Seidel: $5.68 million

Erik Seidel raises to $175,000 from the button and Mike Chrisanthopoulos makes the call. Alex Kostritsyn announces a raise and makes it $575,000. Seidel folds and Chrisanthopoulos moves all-in. Kostritsyn asks for a count and the answer is about $3 million. The Russian makes the call and shows T T against Chrisanthopoulos's A 6. It's the biggest pot of the tournament.

The board comes 5 5 3 3 T and Kostritsyn makes tens-full to bust Chrisanthopoulos in third place. The hometown hero earns $700,000 for his efforts this week.

After Michael Chrisanthopoulos' double-up the chip stacks are as follows:

1. Alexander Kostritsyn $6.7 million

2. Erik Seidel $5.84 million

3. Michael Chrisanthopoulos $3.07 million

Alex Kostritsyn raises to $175,000 and Mike Chrisanthopoulos makes the call. The flop comes A K J and Chrisanthopoulos bets out $475,000. Kostritsyn makes the call. The turn is the 7 and Chrisanthopoulos moves all-in instantly. Kostritsyn makes a quick call and shows A T against Chrisanthopoulos' Q T. The river is the J and Chrisanthopoulos doubles up to more than $3 million.

Players are back from break and we will play until we have a winner. Basically what we're saying is three men enter one man leaves... as the 2008 Aussie Millions championship continues.

Play has been stopped so the surviving three players can take a 70-minute dinner break. Here are the chip counts as we head to the buffet:

Alexander Kostritsyn	$7.66 million
Erik Seidel	$6.38 million
Mike Chrisanthopoulos	$1.565 million

 

Alexander Kostritsyn bets $150,000 pre-flop and Erik Seidel re-raises to $450,000. The Russian makes the call and the flop comes Q 6 3. Seidel fires again for $600,000 but Kostritsyn re-raises to approximately $1 million.

Showing absolutely no fear Seidel announces he is all-in. Kostritsyn thinks for a minute and then lays it down. Seidel just raked a massive pot.

Updated chip counts are as follows:

Alex Kostritsyn	$8.75 million
Erik Seidel	$4.7 million
Mike Chrisanthopoulos	$2.02 million

 

Erik Seidel raises to $175,000 and Mike Chrisanthopoulos re-raises to $550,000. Seidel comes over the top all-in for another $1,805,000 and Chrisanthopoulos gives the matter some serious thought before deciding to call, showing J T to Seidel's Q Q.

The flop comes T T 2 and Chrisanthopoulos flops trips to take an incredible lead in the hand. The turn is the Q and it's the most amazing hand evar. The river card is the 8 and Seidel somehow engineers the re-suck to double through Chrisanthopoulos, who looks like he's been shot.

We continue play three-handed...

Michael Chrisanthopoulos bets $175,000 pre-flop and Erik Seidel calls. The flop comes down Q 8 3. Erik checks and Chrisanthopoulos bets $400,000. Erik asks for a count and then bets $600,000. Chrisanthopoulos shoves all-in and Erik calls. The players show their cards:

Erik Seidel: A 10

Michael Chrisanthopoulo: Q J

The board finishes out J and then Q. Chrisanthopoulos rakes the pot.

Mike Chrisanthopoulos raises to $175,000 from the button and Erik Seidel calls in the big blind. The flop comes 8 7 7 and both players check. The turn is the T and Seidel bets out $250,000. Chrisanthopoulos makes the call and the river is the K. Seidel bets out $500,000. Chrisanthopoulos again calls and Seidel shows a seven for flopped trips. It's good to take the pot.

Alexander Kostritsyn bets $150,000 and both Erik Seidel and Michael Chrisanthopoulos make the call.

The flop comes down A 9 9 and action is checked around. The turn comes 8 and Seidel bets $225,000. Chrisanthopoulos calls and Kostritsyn folds. The K falls on the river and both players check.

Seidel has a pair of queens, which is enough to take the pot. Seidel is close to passing Chrisanthopoulos.

Here's what the chip stacks look like after the Erik Seidel vs. Michael Chrisanthopoulos all-in debacle.

1. Alexander Kostritsyn $8 million

2. Michael Chrisanthopoulos $7 million

3. Erik Seidel $3 million

Alexander Kostritsyn raises to $150,000 and Mike Chrisanthopoulos re-raise to $450,000. Kostritsyn makes the call and the flop comes 8 7 6. Chrisanthopoulos checks and Kostritsyn bets out $275,000. Chrisanthopoulos raises to $650,000 and Kostritsyn makes the call. The turn is the T and Chrisanthopoulos bets out $1.5 million.

Kostritsyn announces a raise, making it another $1.75 million to play. After some thought, Chrisanthopoulos asks Kostritsyn to count off the chips he has behind and the answer is $1.335 million. After a bit of thought, Chrisanthopoulos lays it down and ships Kostritsyn a $6.75 million pot.

On the first hand back from break, Mike Chrisanthopoulos raises to $175,000 on the button and Erik Seidel re-pops all-in for his $1,475,000. Chrisanthopoulos goes into the tank but eventually makes the call, showing A J to Seidel's pocket deuces.

The flop is a disaster for the Full Tilt pro, coming K J T and giving Chrisanthopoulos the better hand. The turn is the 5 but the river is a ridiculous 2, giving Seidel the set and doubling him through Chrisanthopoulos.

The break is over and the cards are back in the air with increased blinds and antes.

 

We've reached the end of the level and players are on a 10-minute break.

We have only three players left and this is what the chip stacks look like as we attempt to get a winner:

1. Michael Chrisanthopoulos $8 million

2. Alexander Konstritsyn $5.7 million

3. Eriek Seidel $1.7  million 

Michael Chrisanthopoulos raises to $120,000 from the button and Peter Ling makes the call in the small blind. The flop comes A K T and Ling checks to Chrisanthopoulos, who bets out $350,000. Ling ruminates for a few minutes before re-raising to $1,050,000 and Chrisanthopoulos immediately moves all-in. Ling has two-thirds of his stack in the pot but still takes some time to think through the call before common sense prevails and he turns up A 5 to Chrisanthopoulos' A K.

A roar goes through the crowd as Chrisanthopoulos' advantage is revealed, and the two players stand to await the turn card. The turn is the 9 and the river the 8 and Peter Ling has been eliminated in fourth place. The Melbourne native earns $500,000 for his efforts and Chrisanthopoulos rakes a $2 million pot.

Michael Chrisanthopoulos completes from the small blind and Peter Ling checks on the big blind and the flop comes 10 3 2.

Chrisanthopoulos bets $75,000 and Ling calls. The dealer turns K and Chrisanthopoulos checks. Ling bets $125,000 but Chrisanthopoulos goes for the dreaded check-raise and makes it $425,000 to go.

Ling thinks for a couple minutes but decides he has to lay it down. Chrisanthopoulos rakes the pot.

Peter Ling limps in from the small blind and Alex Kostritsyn raises to $120,000 from the big blind. Ling makes the call and the flop comes 6 6 4. Ling checks to Kostristyn, who bets out $155,000. Ling thinks for a few minutes and then accidentally makes a raise when he throws out an extra $100,000. Tournament director Jonno Pittock rules that the raise must be $310,000 and it is made so. Kostritsyn re-raises another $345,000. Ling ruminates a bit longer and then makes the call.

The turn is the A and Ling checks. Kostritsyn checks behind and the river is the #K. Ling moves all-in and Kostritsyn asks for a count of the pot before going into the tank with a bemused smile on his face. After a few minutes' thought, Kostritsyn lays the hand down and Ling takes a bizarre pot.

Erik Seidel bets $110,000 and Peter Ling calls. The flop comes K 8 2 and both players check. The turn comes Q and Ling bets $250,000. Seidel makes the call and we see the river come A.

Both players check and Ling flips over Q-J for queens but Seidel shows a king to take the pot.

Mike Chrisanthopoulos raises to $125,000 and Alex Kostritsyn raises to $420,000. Chrisanthopoulos makes the call and the flop comes 6 5 4. Kostritsyn bets out $525,000 and Chrisanthopoulos lays it down. Kostritsyn takes down a large pot.

Mike Chrisanthopoulos limps in from the small blind and Peter Ling checks his option. The flop comes K J 3 and Chrisanthopoulos checks to Ling, who bets $80,000. Chrisanthopoulos raises to $200,000 and Ling lays it down. Chrisanthopoulos takes the pot.

Here's how it looks as we continue play at the final table of the Aussie Millions:

1. Michael Chrisanthopoulos $6.44 million

2. Alexander Konstritsyn $5.75 million

3. Peter Ling $1.75 million

4. Erik Seidel $1.49 million

We've reached the end of the level and the blinds are moving on up without a break. Stay tuned for more updates as the action heats up.

Peter Ling made it $100,000 to go pre-flop and Michael Chrisanthopoulos makes the call. The flop comes down A Q 5.

Chrisanthopoulos checks but Ling bets out $175,000. Chrisanthopoulos calls and the turn comes K and both players check. The river falls 5 and Chrisanthopoulos checks again and Ling fires out $225,000

Chrisanthopoulos thinks for a couple minutes but eventually makes the call. Ling has one ace which is enough to rake the pot.

Alex Kostritsyn raises to $90,000 and is called by Mike Chrisanthopoulos. The flop comes K J J and both players check. The turn card is the 7 and Chrisanthopoulos bets out $100,000. Kostritsyn folds and Chrisanthopoulos takes the pot.

Peter Ling limps but Alex Konstritsyn bets $90,000. Ling makes the call and the flop comes down A 9 4 and Ling checks. Konstritsyn reaches for chips and makes it $125,000 to go. Ling re-raises to $250,000 and Konstritsyn lays it down.

Mike Chrisanthopoulos and Erik Seidel see a flop come Q-10-7. Seidel checks to Chrisanthopoulos, who bets out $60,000 and Seidel makes the call. The turn card is a four and Seidel checks again. Chrisanthopoulos bets out $85,000 and Seidel makes the call again. The river is a deuce and both players check. Chrisanthopoulos has a queen for top pair and it's good for the pot.

Alex Kostritsyn raises to $90,000 and Mike Chrisanthopoulos makes the call in the blinds. The flop comes Q 10 8 and both players check. The turn is the K and Chrisanthopoulos checks again. Kostritsyn bets out $155,000. Chrisanthopoulos makes the call and the river is the K. Chrisanthopoulos checks a third time and Kostritsyn counts out $350,000. Chrisanthopoulos lays down the hand and Kostritsyn takes down the pot.

Peter Ling opens for $100,000 from the button and new chip leader Alex Kostritsyn re-ups to $250,000 from the small blind. Action folds back to Peter Ling, who moves all-in for an additional $900,000, and Kostritsyn lays it down. Ling takes the pot to wild applause from the gallery.

Nino Marotta raises to $100,000 and Alexander Kostritsyn re-raises to $300,000 from the blinds. Marotta makes the call and the flop comes J T 3 and Kostritsyn checks. Marotta moves all-in and Kostritsyn immediately calls, turning up A J to Marotta's Q T. The turn is A and the river the 9 and Nino Marotta has ben eliminated. He's out in fifth place and will take home $400,000 AUD for his time.

We're back in action from the final table fo the 2008 Aussie Millions. Here are the updated chip counts as the action resumes:

Seat 1	Alexander Kostritsyn	$5,546,000
Seat 2	Peter Mobbs	$0
Seat 3	Antonio Casale	$0
Seat 4	Erik Seidel	$1,427,000
Seat 5	Nino Marotta	$803,000
Seat 6	Michael Chrisanthopoulos	$6,540,000
Seat 7	Peter Ling	$1,298,000

 

We've reached the end of the current level and the $1,000 chips are being removed from play. Action will resume shortly.

We have our next casualty. Alexander Konstritsyn bets $72,000 pre-flop and Antonio Casale re-raises to $180,000. Konstritsyn re-raises $400,000 more, Casale re-raises $600,000 more and Konstritsyn shoves all-in. Casale makes the call and both players flip over the cards:

Alexander Konstritsyn: A A

Antonio Casale: J J

The board goes K 9 2 2 Q and Casale is eliminated but it's OK because he said he had to go to the bathroom anyways...

Erik Seidel raises to $70,000 and Peter Ling makes the call in the blinds. The flop comes A T 4 and Ling checks to Seidel, who bets $125,000. Ling thinks things over before making the call. The turn is the 2 and Ling again checks. Seidel moves all-in and Ling makes an instant call for his last $420,000, turning up pocket fours to Seidel's 9 7. The river is a useless king and Ling doubles through Seidel to bring his stack up to $1.2 million.

Kostritsyn raises to $72,000 and Erik Seidel calls.

The flop comes Q 10 3 and both players check. The turn comes 8 and Seidel checks but Kostritsyn fires out $120,000. Seidel calls and the river falls 5.

Seidel checks again and Kostritsyn once again bets $120,000. Seidel goes deep into the tank and looks to be in considerable discomfort while pondering a call. Eventually he calls and Kostritsyn shows A-10 for a pair of tens with an ace kicker. Seidel mucks his hand.

Erik Seidel raises to $70,000 from under the gun and the action folds to Antonio Casale, who makes the call from the big blind. The flop comes J 8 7 and Casale bets out $100,000. Seidel makes the call and the turn is the Q. Casale again fires, this time making it $275,000 to go. The Full Tilt pro once again flat-calls and the river is the Q. Casale checks and Seidel checks behind. Casale turns up Q-J for queens-full and does not look pleased that Seidel checked behind. The elder statesman at the final table rakes a decent-sized pot.

Erik Seidel bets $70,000 from the hijack and Michael Chrisanthopoulos calls from the button. Everybody else gets out of the way.

The flop comes 10 J 7.

Seidel checks and Chrisanthopoulos checks and the turn comes 2. Both players check and the board finishes with J.

Seidel bets $150,000 and that sends Chrisanthopoulos deep into the tank. After several minutes Chrisanthopoulos opts to raise to $375,000. Seidel calls fairly quickly and Chrisanthopoulos says, "Nice call," and mucks his hand. Seidel rakes the pot.

Alex Kostritsyn opens for $80,000 from under the gun and Peter Ling makes the call in the big blind. The flop comes 9 8 7 and Ling checks to Kostritsyn, who checks behind. The turn is the 6 and Ling bets out $80,000. Kostritsyn makes the call and the river is the 7, prompting a check from both players. Ling shows a pocket pair of threes while Kostritsyn has A-8 and takes the pot with two pair, eights and sevens.

Erik Seidel bets $70,000 from the button and Nino Marotta calls from the small blind. Michael Chrisanthopoulos calls from the big blind.

The flop comes J 6 4. Seidel checks, Marotta bets $125,000, Michael Chrisanthopoulos folds. Seidel goes deep into the tank and eventually makes the call.

The turn comes 2. Marotta moves all-in and Seidel calls. The players flip over their cards:

Seidel: 4 4

Marotta: A A

The river comes 9 and Seidel doubles up.

Peter Mobbs raises to $75,000 from under the gun and Erik Seidel makes the call before Alex Kostritsyn raises to $350,000 from the big blind. Peter Mobbs re-pops another $500,000 and Erik Seidel gets out of the way. Kostritsyn tanks for a few minutes before moving all-in and Mobbs makes the call for his tournament life, showing A J to Kostritsyn's A K.

The flop comes J 8 6 and Mobbs suddenly takes the lead in the hand. The turn is a dagger K and Kostritsyn regains the advantage. The river card is the 2 and Mobbs can't engineer the triple suck-out and is thus eliminated, out in seventh place for a $225,000 haul.

Erik Seidel opens for $70,000 from the cut-off and Peter Ling considers a call from the big blind. Ling opts to pop it up to $325,000.

After thinking for a couple minutes Seidel says, "This is the biggest lay-down of my life," and mucks his hand.

Erik Seidel raises to $70,000 from the button and Michael Chrisanthopoulos makes the call. The flop comes T 4 2 and Chrisanthopoulos bets $150,000. Seidel lays it down and Chrisanthopoulos adds to his stack.

Nino Marotta raises to $75,000 and Antonio Casale makes the call. The flop comes K Q Q and both players check. The turn is the J and Casale bets out $100,000. Marotta makes a quick call and the river is the T. Casale checks to Marotta, who bets out $200,000, and Casale folds the hand. Marotta shows pocket kings and rakes the pot.

Alexander Kostritsyn bets out $80,000 and Peter Mobbs makes the call. The flop comes A 5 5 and Kostritsyn bets out $60,000. Mobbs folds out and Kostritsyn takes the pot.

The game is afoot from the final table of the 2008 Aussie Millions. Live updates start now.

It's final-table time from the main event of the 2008 Aussie Millions. Seven days ago, the first flight of an eventual 780 runners began the tournament in the basement of the Crown Casino in beautiful Melbourne, Australia. Now all but seven of those players have been eliminated, and those seven have returned to the River Room at the Crown Tower to play down to the $1.65 million first prize.

Action is set to begin and we should be under way within 10 to 15 minutes. Stay tuned for comprehensive coverage from the final table, direct from PokerListings.com to your mind.

Here are the seating positions and chip counts from the final table:

Seat 1	Alexander Kostritsyn	$1,439,000
Seat 2	Peter Mobbs	$1,357,000
Seat 3	Antonio Casale	$1,995,000
Seat 4	Erik Seidel	$1,491,000
Seat 5	Nino Marotta	$1,649,000
Seat 6	Michael Chrisanthopoulos	$6,806,000
Seat 7	Peter Ling	$877,000