$10,600 Main Event Jour 1a | 2018 Aussie Millions

2018-01-28 11:52 UTC+10

The First Faces in the Field

zedmaster84

Niveau 1 : 50/100, 0 ante

According to the screens there are 150 players registered and the first familiar faces include Kenny Hallaert, Steven van Zadelhoff, Michael Gathy, Daniel Neilson and Jonas Lauck among others.

Joueur	Jetons	Progression
Laszlo Bujtas	30,000	30,000
Marton Czuczor	30,000	30,000
Tolly Sakellariou	30,000	30,000
Michael Gathy	30,000	30,000
Jonas Lauck	30,000	30,000
Vojtech Ruzicka	30,000	30,000
Steven van Zadelhoff	30,000	30,000
Daniel Neilson	30,000	30,000
Kenny Hallaert	30,000	30,000

Tags: Daniel Neilson Jonas Lauck Kenny Hallaert Michael Gathy Steven van Zadelhoff

2018-01-28 11:48 UTC+10

Shuffle Up and Deal with Aussie Millions Tournament Director Joel Williams and Australian Rugby League Legend Billy Slater

will_shill

Niveau 1 : 50/100, 0 ante

NRL Star Billy Slater and Aussie Millions Tournament Director Joel Williams

Shortly before the cards were in the air, Aussie Millions tournament director Joel Williams was joined by Australian Rugby League legend Billy Slater to officially get the first flight of the Aussie Millions A$10,600 Main Event underway.

"Last year the planning for this year's Aussie Millions started on the 15th February [two weeks after the finish]," explained Williams, "And it's a 12-month process. Huge credit goes to the entire behind-the-scenes team; marketing, PR, operations and analytics who all help to put on the show and make it the success I know it will be."

"It was only five or six years ago that the first opportunity to win an Aussie Millions seat didn't come until mid to late October. This year, however, the satellite campaign started in March, and we had people locking up their Main Event seats from the second week in March.

"It's an enormous satellite campaign, and particular thanks goes to our locals for their continued support. We're on track this year to generate 400 satellites. We never thought it would be reached, and it's a numebr not matched around the world. I'm sure all our international players appreciate how many locals win their way into the Main Event."

At this point Williams introduced Australian Rugby League star Billy Slater. Slater, who has played his entire career at the Melbourne Storm, has amassed 183 NRL tries during his career which is currently 2nd most of all time.

"With rugby you're always focusing on getting better rather than reflecting on what you've done," said Slater. "As you get older you're trying to plan for the future and I want to stay involved in the game with the media, and a little bit of the coaching as well.

"With poker...well I'm not a very good poker player, but I think I'll sharpen up my skills over the next couple of years and hopefully gain a seat at one of these tables.

"There's a lot of pressure in our industry, but at the table there's a lot of pressure and you've got to put yourself on the line sometimes to take the prize. There are some similarities, but I'm definitely more comfortable on the rugby field!"

"I’d like to personally wish all the best to everyone - good luck in the tournament here today. I hope that the poker gods are on your side. I don't think there's anything else to say apart from shuffle up and deal!"

Tags: Joel Williams Billy Slater

Niveau: 1

Blinds: 50/100

Ante: 0

2018-01-28 10:03 UTC+10

Welcome to the 2018 Aussie Millions Main Event; Who Will Follow in Shurane Vijayaram's Footsteps?

will_shill

Shurane Vijayaram - $10,000 Main Event Aussie Millions Winner 2017

The Aussie Millions prides itself in being Asia-Pacific's richest and most prestigious poker series, and today the A$10,600 Main Event gets underway, with hundreds of players looking to add their name to the those already engraved on the trophy.

The winner of this year's Main Event will also walk away with an estimated A$1,600,000 first prize, as well as the coveted champion's bracelet, valued at over A$25,000.

Last year it was Melbourne's Shurane Vijayaram (pictured) who turned a A$130 satellite seat into a million dollar score. In the final hand Vijayaram showed nerves of steel to call an all-in with pocket fives on a Queen-high board. When opponent Ben Heath turned over King-high, Vijayaram clinched the title and A$1,600,000 in prize money.

There are bound to be many more players satelliting into this year's Main Event, hoping for a taste of the fairytale success that Vijayaram enjoyed 12 months ago.

Here's a look at the previous Aussie Million winners since the tournament's inception in 1998:

Year	Entries	Prize Pool	Winner	First Prize
1998	74	A$74,000	Alex Horowitz	A$25,900
1999	109	A$109,000	Milo Nadalin	A$38,150
2000	109	A$173,500	Leo Boxell	A$65,225
2001	101	A$151,500	Sam Korman	A$53,025
2002	66	A$330,000	John Maver	A$150,000
2003	122	A$1,220,000	Peter Costa	A$394,870
2004	133	A$1,330,000	Tony Bloom	A$426,500
2005	263	A$2,630,000	Jamil Dia	A$1,000,000
2006	418	A$4,180,000	Lee Nelson	A$1,295,800
2007	747	A$7,470,000	Gus Hansen	A$1,500,000
2008	780	A$7,758,500	Alexander Kostritsyn	A$1,650,000
2009	681	A$6,810,000	Stewart Scott	A$2,000,000
2010	746	A$7,460,000	Tyron Krost	A$2,000,000
2011	721	A$7,210,000	David Gorr	A$2,000,000
2012	659	A$6,590,000	Oliver Speidel	A$1,600,000
2013	629	A$6,290,000	Mervin Chan	A$1,600,000
2014	668	A$6,680,000	Ami Barer	A$1,600,000
2015	648	A$6,480,000	Manny Stavropoulos	A$1,385,500
2016	732	A$7,320,000	Ari Engel	A$1,600,000
2017	725	A$7,370,000	Shurane Vijayaram	A$1,600,000

This year's Main Event has three starting flights: Sunday 28 January, Monday 29 January and Tuesday 30 January. Each player will receive 30,000 in chips. Late registration is available until the end of Level 8.

Levels are 90 minutes long, with a 15-minute break between each level. There will be a 75-minute dinner break after Level 4. Here is the structure for Day 1:

Level	Small Blind	Big Blind	Ante
1	50	100
2	100	200
3	100	200	25
4	150	300	25
5	200	400	50
6	250	500	75
7	300	600	100
	End of Day 1

Play will move to eight-handed as soon as possible on Day 1, and will remain eight-handed until 36 players remain, at which time play will move to six-handed.

There will be a redraw prior to the commencement of Day 2, 3, 4 and when 36 players remain. Day 4 will play until the final table is reached.

Stay tuned to PokerNews for all the action as we kick off the 2018 Aussie Millions Main Event here in Melbourne.

$10,600 Main Event

Jour 1a a débuté