The Aussie Millions So Far!

The 2010 Aussie Millions Poker Championship kicked off last week with Event 1- Opening Event. The Event saw a record number of 1,143 entrants generating a $1.1million prize pool, yet again confirming this years Aussie Millions as the largest casino poker Championship in Australia’s history.

In all, 108 players walked away with a piece of the enormous prize pool, Matthew Ephraums cemented his spot in first place taking home an impressive $200,025 AUD as well as the first Aussie Millions Championship ring. Ephraums won his Aussie Millions Opening Event Seat in one of the Crown Poker room’s $130 Satellites, proving that just about anyone with a small bankroll can have a big score.With satellites running daily don’t miss your chance at securing your $10,500 seat for as little as $65 for your chance of cementing your name in poker history and taking the expected $2.5Million first place prize!

The Crown Poker Room was a buzz with Event 2 - The PokerPro No Limit Holdem with a huge field of 90 players, proving to be yet another success by Crown as a high class field filled with the big guns such as Gary Benson, David Steicke, Sam Khouiss, Andrew Jeffreys, Andrew Demetriou, Michael Guzzardi and 2009 Aussie Millions champ Stewart Scott.
In was Andrew Hinrichsen who claimed Event 2’s gold championship ring.  Hinrichsen’s aggressive style paid off, especially when he picked up pocket queens to eliminate Shannnon Vandenberg in 3rd place and then pocket aces to end the run of Paul Schembri in 2nd place.

Event 3 was the Limit Holdem and with a prize pool of $90,000 it was a true battle between old school and new school grinders. The Final Table came back and there were some easily recognisable characters with the likes of Kerry Stead, David Steicke, Jan Suchanek and Jimmy Sachinidis. It was to be relative unknown Simon Morris who would prevail earning $25,640 for his troubles. Another local Steve Krmpotic finished second followed by popular kiwi Jan Suchanek.

Event 4 was always going to be a great one with Pot Limit Omaha becoming more and more popular. The event drew some of the big guns too with the likes of WSOP Europe Main Event champion Annette Obrestad, Sorel Mizzi, Sam Khoueis, Emad Tahtouh, Michael Sampieri and 2004 Aussie Millions champion Tony Bloom. It was to be Norwegian born Obrestad who would capture the title and her first Aussie Millions Ring when she outlasted a field of 160 to take down the first prize of $40,000. Local hope Billy Seri was gallant in defeat being short stacked for the majority of the final table to finish second and pick up just over $31,000 for his efforts.