The Aussie Millions on GSN: On Your Bike

June 29 2010, Nicole Gordon

When we left off last week, the 24-player field in the Aussie Millions $100,000 Challenge had been narrowed to a final table of eight comprised of four Americans, three Aussies and one Brit. Online wunderkind Jonathan Karamalikis led the field with more than half a million in chips while Howard Lederer was sitting on a short stack.

Here’s a look at how the final table stacked up as action got under way:

Jonathan Karamalikis - 508,000
Dan Shak - 453,000
Barry Greenstein - 380,000
Phil Ivey - 318,000
Tony Bloom - 210,000
Tony G - 200,000
Bill Jordanou - 190,000
Howard Lederer - 141,000

That’s quite a screen name you have: Karamilikis is best known by his online moniker, “xMONSTERxDONGx.” And yes, they said that on television.

To Sir, With Love: Howard Lederer seemed downright sick and tired of being pushed around by Tony G, but unfortunately, when he decided to make a stand, he ran smack into the G-man’s pocket aces. Lederer opened from the button with , Tony G three-bet from the small blind with , Lederer shoved, and Tony G beat him into the pot. Although a ten on the flop gave Lederer a flicker of hope, the turn and river blanked out, sending the Professor to the rail in eighth place.

Bloom spikes a two-outer: Tony Bloom opened with pocket jacks, Barry Greenstein reraised to 136,000, Bloom moved all-in, and Greenstein snap-called with pocket kings. Although the flop was quite safe for Greenstein, the fell on the turn, making Bloom a set. The river was the and Greenstein was left with only 125,000 in chips while Bloom assumed the chip lead with 725,000.

Make a move on Ivey, pay the price: Phil Ivey opened for 40,000 from the button holding . After giving Ivey’s stack the once-over, Karamilikis made the call with . Both players made pairs on the flop. Karamilikis checked to Ivey who made a 50,000 continuation bet. Karamilikis called. When the hit the turn, Karamilikis checked again and Ivey bet 145,000. Karamilikis must have thought he could push Ivey off his hand with an all-in move, but instead, Ivey made the call. The river was the , which was no help to Karamilikis, and most of his chips were shipped in Ivey’s direction.

Karamilikis withers under Shak attack: Tony G opened for 35,000 with and Karamilikis moved all-in behind him from the small blind with . Dan Shak woke up with and made the call from the big blind. Tony G also called and they went three-handed to the flop. Shak instantly moved all-in, giving the G pause. After using one of his time-extension buttons, the G timed out and his hand was declared dead, leaving Shak heads-up with Karamilikis, who needed to hit an ace or a ten to survive. The turn, however, was the and the river the , sending “xMONSTERxDONGx” to the rail in seventh place.

Bloom KOs Greenstein: With the blinds up to 10,000-20,000 and only 55,000 remaining in his stack, Barry Greenstein moved all-in with only to run into Tony Bloom’s pocket kings. Greenstein was drawing dead by the turn on the board and exited the stage in sixth place after signing over a copy of his book “Ace on the River” to his executioner.

On his bike: Tony G’s tournament ended on a coinflip against Dan Shak. The G-Man opened for 70,000 with pocket tens, then called Shak’s all-in. Shak’s hit top two pair on the flop and Tony G could not find another ten. He pedaled off into the Melbourne sunset on the money bubble, leaving the last four players in the money.

Tune in next week as the final four — Phil Ivey, Bill Jordanou, Dan Shak and Tony Bloom — play down to a winner. The 2010 Aussie Millions airs Saturday nights on GSN. Check your local listings.

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