The 2009 Aussie Millions Main Event kicked off on Sunday with music, video, dancers and words of encouragement from Joe Hachem, who issued the challenge, "I think it's about time an Aussie took home the title. Get your acts together!" 191 players took to the felt for Day 1a of the Main Event, with top pros James Potter, Tony G, Sorel Mizzi, Patrik Antonius, John Hennigan and Sam Khouiss among those in the field. At the end of the day, local fashion designer and poker player Christopher Chronis took Hachem's words to heart, leading the session's play, with Patrik Antonius close behind.

The hundreds of spectators along the rail were joined early on by Julian Powell, Michael Pedley, Graeme "Kiwi G" Putt and James Potter.

Action throughout Day 1a was steady, with the final tally standing at 76 survivors out of 191 entrants.

Christopher Chronis, a Melbourne fashion designer with several big cashes to his credit, including a win in a 2008 Aussie Millions preliminary event, rolled through Day 1a and cemented his chip lead with well played pocket aces hand. He was joined atop the leader board by Patrik Antonius, James Obst, Sorel Mizzi and Noah Schwartz. Other notable survivors from Day 1a included Tony G, Karib Karib, Joel Dodds, Barny Boatman, and Brian McFadden who made it well past his goal of surviving the first four levels.

Preliminary chip counts showed these players among the session's leaders:

  • Christopher Chronis - 175,375
  • Patrik Antonius - 139,750
  • Noah Schwartz - 138,275
  • Derek Cheung - 132,800
  • James Obst - 122,075
  • Elliot Smith - 107,650
  • Warwick Mirzikinian - 103,575
  • Jarred Solomon - 101,775 
  • Danny Andrews - 98,825 
  • Sorel Mizzi - 95,575

Links:

Crown Poker Photo Gallery | PokerNews Day 1a Update

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