PokerWorks

Day 1 of the PokerNews Cup main event ended with approximately 119 players after 428 entrants took a seat and tried to handle chip control. It's not always easy, chip control that is. You're watching the guy at the end of the table fidget with his chips, listening to the guy next to you as his breathing pattern changes rapidly, and you look down to a playable hand in cut-off position but you're not sure what the maniac behind you is going to do. Should you raise and face the fate of all-in if he pushes? There are a multitude of things happening so fast that taking control of your chips loses its place in time and space. Whether or not all of the 119 players managed chip control, they'll be back today trying to collect every one else's chips and move up.

Gary Benson won the PokerNews Australian Bad Boys of Poker Invitational that required a $10,000 buy-in from the 10 players that met for a pre-event dinner. Trash talking knows no bounds and it was unlimited at this event.

Emad Tahtouh and Sam Khouiss had a $5K last longer bet.

Right after the tournament started, Tony G. , Gary Benson, and Lee Nelson took the flop. Tony G. took care of Lee Nelson in that hand, making the nut flush against Lee's set of 8's, after Gary folded on the turn.

Mark Voss went out next after trying to run over Emad's pocket Aces with K-K.

Tony G. took out Sam Khouiss next. Tony G. turned a full house with 10's full of Aces against Sam's A-Q. That hand cost Sam another $5K with his last longer bet with Emad.

Arul Thllai sent Tony G. out of action - 6th place. Fifth place had Billy the Croc's name on it when Gary Benson finished with him.

David Saab had the honor of being the Bubble Boy when he pushed all-in with Q-8 and Arul called with Q-10. Gary, Emad and Arul were all in the money. Arul took third, eliminated by Gary.

Emad doubled through Gary once but Gary took the championship with A-10 to Emad's 10-5. Too bad there wasn't a prize for who could out trash talk every one else. Perhaps that will be a contest in the future, with a completely separate prize pool.

Congratulations to John Caldwell - known as Schecky to most of us - for taking first place against a field of 241 players in Champ Event #4 NLH with rebuys. When John isn't battling it out at the poker table, his second job is PokerNews Editor in Chief.

Don't miss the action! You'll find live reporting here . And the PokerNews South African is looming just over the horizon. Get ready!