Event 1 - $1,100 No Limit Hold'em | 2009 Aussie Millions

Level: 21

Blinds: 15,000/30,000

Ante: 3,000

01-11-2009 20:58 UTC+11

Clint Jordanou Eliminated in 6th Place (AU$25,585)

[user75032]

An action hand sends players into the break. After Paul Rochford accidentally flash-mucked {A-Spades}

from under the gun, action passed to Clint Jordanou in the small blind. He raised to 84,000 and was called by Steve Bouya. On a flop of {9-Hearts}

(a flop that would have given Rochford trips), Jordanou quickly moved all in for roughly 170,000. Bouya just as quickly called. When the hands were opened, Bouya's {K-Clubs}

had Jordanou's {J-Diamonds}

outkicked. Jordanou clapped his hands in frustation and turned away from the table. The board bricked out {5-Diamonds}

to eliminate Jordanou.

The remaining players are now on a scheduled ten-minute break.

Tags: Clint Jordanou Paul Rochford Steve Bouya

01-11-2009 20:52 UTC+11

The Start of a Tradition

[user67765]

Who will capture the first ever Aussie Millions gold ring?

The winner of today's opening event will have the honour of being the first player ever to be awarded an official Aussie Millions gold ring.

The rings are a new innovation at this year's Aussie Millions. They represent the prestige of winning a coveted Aussie Millions title, similar to that of a World Series of Poker bracelet.

Produced by Poker Allure, these solid gold rings are valued at AU$5,000 each and are added value to the prize pool of each of the preliminary Championship events. The winner of the 2009 Aussie Millions Main Event will receive a gold bracelet valued at AU$20,000.

The rings are quite an impressive sight. If you venture down to the Aussie Millions over the next few weeks you can view them on display in the cabinet at the entrance to the Crown Poker Room.

We may indeed witness the start of a tradition here this evening.

01-11-2009 20:50 UTC+11

Another Small Pot for Topakas

[user75032]

Play has slowed down again. The chips are mainly concentrated in the hands of Steve Bouya and Christian Heich, but neither is deep enough to exert much pressure on the remaining players at the final table. Paul Rochford recently tried to make a move at a pot, opening to 80,000 from middle position. Steve Topakas put an end to that, reraising all in from the button. Rochford folded, flashing the {A-Diamonds}

in the process. Topakas showed pocket jacks.

Tags: Paul Rochford Steve Topakas

01-11-2009 20:42 UTC+11

David Griffiths Eliminated in 7th Place (AU$16,130)

[user75032]

Christian Heich was at it again. He opened the pot for 65,000 from early position. Players folded in turn to the button, where David Griffiths moved all in for 225,000. Heich couldn't get his chips into the pot fast enough after both blinds folded.

Heich: {K-Diamonds}

Griffiths: {A-Hearts}

Griffiths missed the {q-Clubs}

flop completely. He picked up a gutshot draw to go along with his overcard outs when the turn came {8-Hearts}

, but the river blanked {2-Diamonds}

. He reported to the rail, where he collected AU$16,130 in prize money.

Heich moved over the million chip mark as a result of this hand.

Tags: Christian Heich David Griffiths

01-11-2009 20:37 UTC+11

Clint Jordanou Doubles

[user67765]

This time it was Clint Jordanou's time to double up. It was at the expense of Christian Heich who opened with a preflop raise to 75,000. Jordanou moved all in for 87,000 total from the small blind and Heich made the call.

Heich: {9-Spades}

Jordanou:

The board ran out {6-Diamonds}

and Jordanou doubles up to 216,000.

Tags: Clint Jordanou

01-11-2009 20:32 UTC+11

Khouiss Doubles Up

[user75032]

Steve Bouya, perhaps emboldened by his win off of Christian Heich a few moments earlier, opened another pot, this time to 95,000. Action passed to Sam Khouiss on the button, who moved in for 123,000 total. That raise folded Clint Jordanou and David Griffiths in the blinds.

"You have to call," Khouiss told Bouya.

"Maybe not," Bouya replied. But he did eventually make the call, showing {8-Spades}

. Khouiss turned over {A-Clubs}

and the two men were off to the races. Khouiss emerged victorious, pairing a king on a board of {9-Diamonds}

. Khouiss now has about 280,000 chips.

"Are you happy now?" Bouya jokingly asked Khouiss after the hand.

Tags: Sam Khouiss Steve Bouya

01-11-2009 20:28 UTC+11

The Rich Get Richer

[user75032]

Chip leader Steve Bouya, who had been quiet since dragging a big pot off of David Griffiths early in the final table, opened from middle position with a raise to 105,000. The active Christian Heich, second in chips of the remaining seven players, called from the button.

The flop came down {7-Diamonds}

. Bouya fired out a healthy bet of 200,000. Heich thought things over for about a minute before quietly surrendering his hand to the dealer, allowing Bouya to extend his chip lead in the process. He now has roughly 1,360,000. Heich retains 895,000.

Tags: Christian Heich Steve Bouya

01-11-2009 20:25 UTC+11

Heich Chipping Up

[user75032]

Action folded to Christian Heich, the most active player at the table in the last half hour. He raised to 64,000 from the small blind. Steve Topakas, sitting in the big blind, made the call to a flop of {A-Clubs}