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

01-09-2009 13:27 UTC+11

Dye's Rough Ride

[user67765]

Shane Dye is one of Australia's finest jockeys and has joined the club of sportsmen turned poker player. He recently collected a nice cash result at the APPT Grand Final in Sydney and will be looking to make an impression during the Aussie Millions.

His ride today has been a little rough so far. After slipping down to 1,800 after his pair and flush draw with {J-Clubs}

on a

flop couldn't catch up to his opponent's top pair.

Dye then found himself all in on the very next hand, with his {J-Hearts}

in good shape against his opponent's {7-Diamonds}

. The board landed {4-Diamonds}

, and Dye doubled back up to 3,800.

Tags: Shane Dye

01-09-2009 13:15 UTC+11

Boxell Lays Down Two Pair

[user92162]

Having called a preflop raise of 200, Leo Boxell saw a four-handed flop from his big blind holding {A-Diamonds}

. The flop came {2-Clubs}

and Boxell checked his two pair, immediately springing his opponents into action.

First, a player in middle position bet out 350, only to be raised to 775 by the player in the cutoff. The button got out of the way and with action back on Boxell, he called. The initial raiser folded, taking action to the turn.

When the turn came {K-Diamonds}

, Boxell checked only for his opponent to move all in and having Boxell’s 3,700 chip stack covered. Boxell thought things over before making the fold and revealing his two pair.

Tags: Leo Boxell

01-09-2009 13:15 UTC+11

Balaban Vaults up the Counts

[user75032]

Crown Poker Room regular Rosa Crea is out of the tournament. She moved all in for 1,300 from early position. One player called before Tim Balaban shoved all in for 6,275 from the cutoff. That folded the player in between Crea and Balaban, allowing them to open their hands.

Crea: {A-Clubs}

Balaban:

The board ran out {3-Clubs}

. Each player made aces and fives, but Balaban's kicker carried the day and sent Crea to the rail. Balaban's stack now sits at 8,950.

Tags: Rosa Crea Tim Balaban

Level: 2

Blinds: 50/100

Ante: 0

01-09-2009 13:10 UTC+11

Not So Wonky

[user67765]

Vincent "Wonky" Wan opened with a raise to 150 from middle position and found himself a caller in the cutoff.

The flop came {A-Spades}

and Wan fired out 275. His opponent raised to 750 before Wan moved all in for 2,775. His opponent called and tabled {A-Hearts}

for the best hand as Wan would need to improve with a big draw holding {J-Diamonds}

.

The turn delivered Wan the flush when the {9-Diamonds}

fell, and a meaningless {Q-Clubs}

on the river doubled Wan up to nearly 7,000 chips.

Tags: Vincent Wan Wonky

01-09-2009 13:09 UTC+11

Casale Brings Fond Memories

[user67765]

Antonio Casale has fond memories of the Aussie Millions, after making a name for himself with a courageous final table run in last year's Main Event.

However, Casale's 2009 campaign has started off a little rocky. He recently found himself down to his last 1,350 and all-in holding {A-Clubs}

as his opponent called from the button.

Casale was relieved to see his opponent table a dominated {A-Hearts}

and when the board was spread {9-Diamonds}

, Casale had doubled up to stay alive.

Tags: Antonio Casale

01-09-2009 13:09 UTC+11

Round and Round the Chips Go

[user75032]

We're not lacking for action in the Crown Poker Room. Sam Khouiss is leading the charge. He lost a small pot to Sam Youssef on a board of {10-Spades}

. It was a three-way pot that was checked through on the flop. On the turn, Khouiss opened for 500 and was raised to 1,500 by Youssef.

"You have them, don't you," said Khouiss. He folded; Youssef obligingly showed {6-Hearts}

for a turned set.

A few minutes later, Khouiss took a heads-up flop of {Q-Diamonds}

. He was in the big blind and check-called a bet of 225. On the {8-Clubs}

turn, Khouiss check-called another bet.

The river fell {K-Diamonds}

. Khouiss checked a third time. His opponent didn't slow down, betting 900.

"I don't know," said Khouis. "Good luck, mate." He then called. His opponent showed {4-Hearts}

; Khouiss took down the pot with {Q-Clubs}

.

Tags: Sam K houiss Sam Youssef

01-09-2009 12:53 UTC+11

In Search of the Exit

[user75032]

In every poker tournament, a small percentage of the field is going to exit early. That's just the way tournament poker works. And so we bid adieu to Andrew Topakas, who moved all in for an extremely short 475 chips holding {K-Hearts}

. He was called by a player with {A-Hearts}

. An ace flopped, and Topakas never caught up.

Tags: Andrew Topakas

01-09-2009 12:48 UTC+11

Today's Field

[user67765]

Today's sizeable field features an interesting mix of international visitors, local celebrities, professionals, amateurs, and satellites winners.

Some of the notables include Annette Obrestad, Sam Khouiss, Mel Judah, Michael Vartan, Shane Dye, Emad Tahtouh, Harry Demetriou, David Saab, Peter Aristidou, Leo Boxell, Michael "Sticky" Guttman, Jamie Pickering, Antonio Casale, Brendan Fevola, Luke Hodge, Tony Hachem, and PokerNetwork Player of the Year Sam Youssef.

01-09-2009 12:44 UTC+11

No Rest for the Wicked

[user92162]

Those hoping to ease into the day's play may have just copped a rude awakening. The action is flying thick and fast in the Crown poker room as players try to establish big stacks or bust in this event, which is the lowest buy-in on the schedule.

Peter Denver is the first player to double up in the room after his set of deuces was able to take down his opponent's top pair. Brace yourself for more action here soon.

Tags: Peter Denver