Event 8 - $100,000 No Limit Hold'em Challenge | 2009 Aussie Millions

Event 8 - $100,000 No Limit Hold'em Challenge

Day 2 Completed

01-18-2009 22:58 UTC+11

David Steicke Wins Event #8: $100,000 High Rollers Challenge (AU$1,200,000)

[user67765]

David Steicke wins! With no disrespect to David, not many people would've predicted we'd be saying that when this tournament kicked off yesterday afternoon with 23 of the biggest and best poker professionals, this industry came together for an AU$100,000 buy-in event. Ivey, Hansen, Juanda, Seidel, Antonius, Lisandro, Guoga...the list goes on, but they all came and went as one David Steicke was the only man left standing when the dust settled.

However for those who have been fortunate enough to see David play in Australia and on the recently completed Asia Pacific Poker Tour would know that David Steicke is quite simply capable of anything. We've witnessed some incredibly unique play, some mighty impressive reads, a touch of flare and a fearless aggression that is virtually unmatched, even in a field of this quality.

David accumulates chips at an impressive rate and leads for most of this tournament. He carried his chip lead into the final table and domination for the duration. Again he maintained his aggressive style with a run of nice cards and one huge bluff against Tony Bloom that was the turning point in this contest.

Steicke was relentless in the final stages and his opponents just couldn't catch up. He was a deserving winner, cementing his place in Australian poker history and launching himself onto the international poker stage.

Congratulations David Steicke!

Tags: David Steicke

01-18-2009 22:50 UTC+11

Tony Bloom Eliminated in 2nd Place (AU$600,000); David Steicke Wins!

[user67765]

It didn't take long for David Steicke to wrap this one up. Bloom was first dented after Bloom potted to 72,000 and Steicke announced, "re-pot again" to add another 144,000 to the bet amount. Bloom folded to leave himself with barely 100,000 in chips.

A moment or two later Bloom made a stand. Steicke raised to 72,000 from the button before Bloom moved all for around 30,000 more. Steicke called and players showed their holdings.

Bloom: {A-Clubs}

Steicke:

Bloom held the best hand but Steicke had live cards for a shot at the title. The flop was {6-Diamonds}

giving Steicke no assistance. The turn was a repeat {6-Hearts}

which provided outs for a chop, however Steicke didn't have to worry about a chop when the river landed the {10-Hearts}

to pair up Steicke as he throws his cap into the air in delight at winning the event and AU$1.2 million!

Congratulations to Tony Bloom who was short stacked for long periods of this tournament but fought his way until the very end to finish in 2nd place. We think that AU$600,000 should ease his pain a little.

Tags: David Steicke Tony Bloom

01-18-2009 22:36 UTC+11

Show Me the Money!

[user67765]

The AU$1.8 million in prize money has been brought to the final table accompanied by an appropriate level of security staff. Wads of AU$25,000 gaming plaques have been spread out on the table surrounding the Raymond Weil watch which the winning player will also receive, valued at AU$15,000. It's an impressive sight indeed.

With the heads-up introductions out of the way, the cards are back in the air!

01-18-2009 22:30 UTC+11

Heads Up Chip Counts

[user67765]

The chip counts as we commence heads-up play are as follows:

David Steicke - 2,094,000
Tony Bloom - 206,000

01-18-2009 22:28 UTC+11

JC Tran Eliminated in 3rd Place (AU$300,000)

[user67765]

David Steicke raised to 72,000 from the button. Tony Bloom was happy to stay out of the way as he folded the small blind before JC Tran moved all in for 82,000 in total. Steicke made the call.

Tran: {K-Clubs}

Steicke:

The board ran out {2-Clubs}

and JC Tran becomes our third place finisher and collects AU$300,000 for his efforts.

There will be a brief pause as the table is setup for heads-up play.

Tags: David Steicke JC Tran

01-18-2009 22:22 UTC+11

Steicke Starts Where He Left Off

[user67765]

David Steicke raised to 84,000 from the button and JC Tran called in the big blind.

The flop landed {J-Spades}

and Tran checked to Steicke who thought before moving all in. Tran only had about 80,000 behind and was forced to lay his hand down.

01-18-2009 22:18 UTC+11

Play Resumes

[user67765]

Stomachs satisfied, the three remaining players have returned to battle it out for the AU$1.2 million first place prize. The cards are back in the air.

Level: 13

Blinds: 12,000/24,000

Ante: 0

01-18-2009 21:12 UTC+11

Chip Count Update

[user67765]

Here are the chip counts as Tony Bloom and JC Tran contemplate how to get themselves back into this contest over dinner.

David Steicke - 1,917,000
Tony Bloom - 241,000
JC Tran - 142,000