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So far Howard Lederer, David Oppenheim and Eli Elezra have made their way into Studio 3 are getting ready to contest the final table.
This PokerNews Blogger was in the bathroom washing his hands alongside Lederer and Elezra and overheard Elezra saying, "Good luck heads-up buddy!"
Early call or friendly banter? You decide.
Following three separate shootouts, we are now down to the final table of the Full Tilt Poker $25,000 Shootout Invitational!
Twenty-four of the best players that are located right here in Melbourne, Australia each anted up AUD$25,000 to battle it out in a shootout where the top two progressed through to this very final table.
A who's-who of poker may have all began the tournament, but inevitably, players will always find themselves on the rail as the likes of Annette Obrestad, Tong G, Mike Matusow, Gus Hansen, Carlos Mortensen (flight one), Phil Ivey, David Benyamine, Jonathan Karamalikis, Billy Argyros (flight two), Tom Dwan, John Juanda, Andy Bloch and Van Marcus (flight three) were all bumped to the sidelines over the last two days.
Cash-game champions, WSOP bracelet holders and larger-than-life personalities make up the final six as they play down till just one remains holding the first prize cheque of AUD$250,000.
| Seat | Player | Country | Chip Count | Big Blinds | Chip % |
| 1 | Howard Lederer | USA | 153,700 | 153 | 25.6% |
| 2 | Barny Boatman | England | 44,000 | 44 | 7.3% |
| 3 | James Bord | England | 132,400 | 132 | 22.1% |
| 4 | Patrik Antonius | Finland | 67,600 | 67 | 11.3% |
| 5 | David Oppenheim | USA | 156,000 | 156 | 26% |
| 6 | Eli Elezra | USA | 46,300 | 46 | 7.7% |
Not one of the more well-known players on the table, David Oppenheim has been regarding as one of the best cash game players in the world; with his specialty including the many mixed games on offer. Yet to win a major tournament, Oppenheim will look to take down this event today to ensure that his name can be place firmly in the bright light of poker stardom.
Two WSOP bracelets, two WPT titles and a victory here in the $100,000 Challenge in 2008 ensures that Howard Lederer has stood the test of time ever since he took to the felt those many years ago. An unknown player up until late last year when he captured the WSOP Europe Main Event, James Bord and his aggressive style to the game will force his opponent's to take a second guess at how to tackle the Brit.
Model, tennis player and poker star. The line is often blurry when it comes to Patrik Antonius, but his ability on the cash games is unheralded, and a win here will be his first major tournament win since back in 2005. Yet another player who's cash game background has served him well, Eli Elezra has been on the poker scene many years before it kicked off. With a WSOP bracelet and WPT title to his name, a win here will be his second largest to date.
Having the moniker of short-stack ninja, Barny Boatman has been a tournament regular - both here in Australia and around the world - for many years. He may not have the titles and aura of some of his tablemates, but with over $1,600,000 in earning over many years on the felt, Boatman will be doing his best to take the title; which will result (along with a second) in his biggest cash.
The PokerNews Live Reporting Team will be on the felt from 7:00 pm EST provided the exclusive live coverage of the Full Tilt Poker $25,000 Shootout Invitational until we play down until just one remains!
Full Tilt Poker $25,000 Shootout Invitational
Day 4 Started
