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

01-11-2009 13:34 UTC+11

A Question of Coordination

[user67765]

The railbirds enjoy great access at the Aussie Millions

For those not familiar with the Crown Poker Room there is a natural divide down the middle of the room where spectators can walk through the room between the tables. One side of the room is generally used for cash games, while the other is generally for tournament tables and high-stakes cash games. The beauty of the setup is that the room is adaptable and capable of handling a massive tournament field such as we saw in this event.

However an interesting dilemma has just emerged for the tournament staff. With such a big field, there will still be nine tables in action as we approach the money stage of this tournament.

We have eight tables in the main tournament area of the Crown Poker Room but still have one table, the secondary feature table, which is situated on the cash side of the room.

As we approach the bubble we're going to test the communication skills of the TDs as they coordinate hand-for-hand play across the spectator aisle.

Also because we are now only one table away from the money stage, all players have been asked to remove headphones and iPods as they are no longer permitted for the rest of the tournament.

01-11-2009 13:39 UTC+11

Topakas Runs Into Aces, Twice, But Still Unhappy!

[user67765]

Steve Topakas opened with a raise to 12,000 from early position before Steve Bouya popped it up to 25,000. Mark Handmer then moved all in from the big blind, sending Topakas into the tank.

Topakas was cursing to himself as he obviously had a big decision. He eventually let it go as Bouya made the call.

Incredibly both players tabled pocket aces, much to the relief of Topakas. However Topakas obviously would have connected with the board as he stood and walked away in another outburst of expletives as the board was spread {9-Hearts}

.

Meanwhile Bouya and Handmer quietly chopped up the pot.

Tags: Mark Handmer Steve Bouya Steve Topakas

01-11-2009 13:40 UTC+11

Jacobson's Devastation

[user67765]

Mark Jacobson has been eliminated in cruel fashion. He was all in with {Q-Diamonds}

and found that Paul Rochford held the same hand with {Q-Spades}

.

The first four cards landed {A-Spades}

as the table called for a spade in jest. Wouldn't you know it, the {8-Spades}

peeled off to give Rochford a flush and a devastating elimination to Jacobson.

Rochford is in command today with 144,000 chips.

Tags: Mark Jacobson Paul Rochford

01-11-2009 13:40 UTC+11

Hand-for-Hand Play

[user75032]

Seventy-three players remain in the tournament. That means the money bubble will burst with the next elimination. As a result, the tournament staff have commenced hand-for-hand play.

01-11-2009 13:47 UTC+11

That Was Quick

[user75032]

We have our bubble boy. Daniel Mulgrew moved all in preflop for approximately 20,000 chips and was called by James Owens. Owens' {A-Hearts}

was behind Mulgrew's {Q-Spades}

but caught up on a flop of {2-Diamonds}

. Mulgrew couldn't find any of the remaining queens and was unceremoniously eliminated in 73rd place.

Scattered applause went up as the tournament staff announced that the remaining players were all in the money.

Level: 14

Blinds: 2,000/4,000

Ante: 300

01-11-2009 13:53 UTC+11

Leak Eliminated

[user67765]

Derek Leak has hit the rail after committing his final chips with {7-Hearts}

against Steve Bouya's {A-Hearts}

. The board fell {A-Diamonds}

and Bouya paired up to end the run of Leak. He'll collect AU$2,193 for a fine tournament.

Tags: Derek Leak Steve Bouya

01-11-2009 14:00 UTC+11

Judah Back in the Saddle

[user75032]

Mel Judah's been quiet so far today. He must have been biding his time, because he finally moved all in for 32,400 over the top of a raise to 12,000 from Peter Fien. Fien made the call with {A-Hearts}

and then grimaced when Judah showed {A-Clubs}

. Judah hit an unnecessary king on the river of a board that was dealt out {8-Diamonds}

. He's up to 70,000. Fien has only 23,000 remaining.

Tags: Mel Judah Peter Fien

01-11-2009 14:13 UTC+11

Finally, a Lull

[user75032]

The blind limits put a fair bit of pressure on the short stacks to start the day. At times it seemed as though players were racing each other to bust out before the bubble. Now that all of the remaining players are in the money and the "real" tournament has begun, the pace of play has slowed down. It helps that there are only seven tables remaining in the tournament.

01-11-2009 14:17 UTC+11

Recent Eliminations

[user75032]

The following players have all recently been eliminated. Each earned AU$2,193 for his performance in Event #1:

64th - Mario Dipietrantonio
65th - Raemin Alexander
66th - Michael Brooks-Reid
67th - Andre Johnstone
68th - Stuart Taylor
69th - Peter Dempsey
70th - Marwan Nassif
71st - Derek Leak
72nd - Theo Rousalis