1st January 2010
Crown’s Aussie Millions Poker Championship ~ 14-31 January 2010
Crown’s hugely popular ‘Aussie Millions Poker Championship’ with an expanded schedule of 20 events that will see the world’s poker elite tangle with online qualifiers, cashed-up locals and the odd celebrity over a period of 18 days starting on Thursday 14 January 2010.
“Crown is announcing an expected first prize of $2.5 million for the ‘Main Event’ which will further entrench Crown’s Aussie Millions Poker Championship as one of the most prestigious poker tournaments in the world and gives it the status it deserves on Melbourne’s major events program. Crown’s Aussie Millions is now sharing the limelight with some of Victoria’s other major events including the Melbourne Cup at $3.3 million, Australian Open at $2 million, and the AFL Grand Final at $1 million in prize money” said Crown’s Chief Executive Officer Mr David Courtney.
Outside of the World Series of Poker, Crown’s Aussie Millions is regarded by many as the best poker series in the world. The tournament takes place during the Aussie summer time making this one of the best times to visit Australia. During the Aussie Millions, the Australian Open Tennis Championship is also taking place, giving participants even more reasons to visit Melbourne.
Australia is well and truly swept up in the global poker frenzy, where punters, celebrities and pros are all captivated by the glitter of Crown’s Aussie Million’s million dollar pot of gold and the attraction of the 2010 Aussie Millions Poker Championship is hard to resist, especially with a total prize pool of almost $15 million.
“Huge growth in the number of overall participants is expected, reflecting the increasing popularity of the game locally and internationally with an estimated 2,500 individual entrants set to participant in the two and half week series, including an estimated 1,000 in the ‘Main Event’” said Mr Courtney.
More than 600 international players are expected to attend including players from the United States, England, Ireland, South Africa, Scandinavia, Canada, Israel, Estonia, Portugal and Russia.
“In January 2009, Crown’s Aussie Millions generated approximately 8,000 room nights across Melbourne, including over 5,000 at Crown alone. The event was filmed and developed into a television series by US broadcasters Fox Sports Network for an international audience of over 100 million. With 143 members of the media (broadcast, print, radio & internet) accredited (43 international, 100 Australian) coverage of the event was extensive. 2010 will see the production be expanded into the US and introduction of the European market, that will further increase the audience and exposure of Melbourne and Crown.” said Mr Courtney.
Making it all happen behind the scenes were over 6,200 members of staff, including 384 poker dealers, 62 Game Supervisors, 30 pit bosses and 20 operations staff, along with the 15 million hands of poker that have been dealt at Crown over the past ten years.
Famous faces that hit the felt during the Aussie Millions in January included US actors Jennifer Tilly, Michael Vartan and Shannon Elizabeth along with Shane Warne, Brian McFadden, Ruby Rose, Grant Smilie, Michael Klim, Luke Hodge, and Christopher Chronis.
Winning the ‘Main Event’ at Crown’s Aussie Millions makes instant stars and often instant millionaires out of those with a dream and the determination to outmanoeuvre and outlast the competition. Day 1 of the ‘Main Event’ will commence on Sunday 24 January 2010, and will be developed into a television series for international audiences.
In January 2009, an incredible field of 681 entrants competed in the ‘Main Event’ with a prize pool of $6.81 million. The unknown player set to return to defend his title is, Stewart Scott hailing from Northern New South Wales, who walked away with a cool AUD$2 million for his efforts, the largest prize ever awarded in a live poker tournament in the Southern Hemisphere.
Legions of locals have been swept up in the Australian poker boom that was ignited when Melbournian and Crown ambassador Joe Hachem became the 2005 World Series of Poker Champion, scooping up $10 million in prize money for his efforts. However, players and around the world, have been in its grasp online in staggering numbers for years now. The sensation known as Texas Holdem has become a favourite over the past decade. Made-for-television tournaments, where concealed cameras reveal each player’s cards to the viewer, have elevated the game to a spectacular sport and opened up a players-eye-view and its popularity has skyrocketed.
Ends.
For further media information please contact:
Natasha Stipanov
Media Relations Manager - Gaming
Crown Entertainment Complex
Telephone: +61 3 9292 7317
Mobile: +61 434 187 828
Email: natashas@crownmelbourne.com.au
Ann Peacock
General Manager - Public Relations
Crown Entertainment Complex
Telephone: +61 3 9292 7292
Mobile: +61 412 334 614
Email: annp@crownmelbourne.com.au
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