2009 Aussie Millions

Day 1a completed

Posted 01-19-2009 00:12 GMT+11

One Down, Two to Go

With the tournament clock paused at five minutes and each table having played out the last three hands for the night, Day 1a has come to an end. It kicked off in spectacular fashion with opening ceremonies that rivaled those of the World Series of Poker Main Event. Someone who knows something about the WSOP Main Event, 2005 champion Joe Hachem, issued a challenge to his fellow Aussie poker players at the conclusion of the ceremonies.

"I think it's about time an Aussie took home the title," said Hachem. "Get your acts together!" Homegrown Melbourne player Chris Chronis took up the gauntlet that Hachem threw down, emerging as the Day 1a chip leader late in the day with 175,375 chips. He was followed closely by Noah Schwartz, Derek Cheung and late arrival Patrik Antonius, who didn't seem at all hampered by arriving two hours after the start of play.

Seventy-six others Day 1a starters made it through to Day 2. They'll all have to wait two full days to find out how many others will be joining them as there are still two Day 1 flights to come. The second of those flights will take place in the Crown Poker Room tomorrow at 12:30pm local time. Set your televisions to catch the second half of the Baltimore Ravens - Pittsburgh Steelers NFL playoff game and set your browers to the live reporting on PokerNews.com.

Chronis Emerges In Final Few Hands

Chris Chronis just sent another player to the rail when he called his opponent's all in with and was in great shape against .

The board ran out and Chronis moved up to outright chip leader with just under 170,000 in chips.

Tags: Chris Chronis.

Ali Khalil Eliminated

Ali Khalil moved all in from the small blind and was quickly called by Dean McIver.

Khalil:
McIver:

The board fell and McIver's full house sent Khalil to the rail only a few hands short of being able to bag his chips.

Tags: Ali Khalil, Dean McIver.

Campbell Gives Some Back

It was almost all over for Antonis "Toothpick Tony" Kambouris. On a flop of he checked to David Campbell. Campbell made it 1,200 to go and was faced with what was not an insignificant decision when Kambouris moved in for 15,650 total. Campbell had chips to burn and decided to make the call on a draw, showing . He was probably surprised when Kambouris turned over a worse draw, . That worse draw turned out to be the winner as the board came running nines, . Kambouris is up to 37,000 and Campbell is back to 70,000.

Tags: Antonis Kambouris, David Campbell.

Aristidou Still Running Good

We mentioned earlier that Peter Aristidou has encountered much resistance today. As Day 1a winds down, it's more of the same for Aristidou. He bet 2,500 on the turn of a board, then called after Antonis "Toothpick Tony" Kambouris raised to 6,000. The river was the . Aristidou thought it over before firing out for 9,000.

Kambouris made the call, then mucked his hand when Aristidou turned over for the rivered straight. It was a nice pot for Arisitidou, moving him to 70,000. Almost all of the work Toothpick Tony has done to accumulate chips today is practically wiped out; he's down to 23,000.

Tags: Antonis Kambouris, Peter Aristidou.

Not a Bad Flop for His Hand

It was a pot that had been raised preflop. The participants were Larry Karambis, Antonis "Toothpick Tony" Kambouris and David Campbell. The flop came down super connected, . Kambouris and Campbell checked to Karambis, who opened for 5,700. Toothpick Tony then check-raised to 15,000, only to see Campbell double-check-raise all in. Neither Karambis nor Kambouris elected to dance with Campbell. He showed anyway and moved to 90,000 in chips.

Tags: Antonis Kambouris, David Campbell, Larry Karambis.

Barratt Busts

Crown regular Chris Barratt has just been eliminated by Patrik Antonius when he ran his into Antonius' .

The board fell ace-high and Barratt headed to the rail as Antonius emerged as out new chip leader with over 130,000 in chips.

Tags: Chris Barratt, Patrik Antonius.

Khalil Second Best to Kochan

Catching the action on the river with the board reading Ali Khalil led out for 10,000 and Daniel Kochan pushed all in for 28,500 more. Khalil made the call tabling for a flush, but Kochan had booked-up on the river with his .

After the hand Kochan sky-rocketed up to 85,000 as Khalil slumped way down to 8,500.

Tags: Ali Khalil, Daniel Kochan.

Graham, Barratt Get Lucky

Chris Barratt opened to 2,400 from late position and Jarred Graham bumped it to a further 7,500 with Barratt making the call.

On a flop of Barratt pushed 20,000 and Graham called the all in. Barratt tabled and Graham was in the lead with his . The turn however was a cruel locking the pot for Barratt, but when the landed on the river to bring about the chop, the luck was back on Graham's side.

With both players chopping it up Graham still sits with 18,000, while Barratt remains 39,000-chip strong.

Tags: Chris Barratt, Jarred Graham.