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

01-09-2009 09:18 UTC+11

Welcome to the 2009 Aussie Millions!

[user67765]

Welcome to the Crown Casino in Melbourne, Australia for the biggest tournament ever held in the Southern Hemisphere! The much anticipated 2009 Aussie Millions has arrived! It will be highlighted in the coming weeks by the AU$100,000 Challenge, AU$1,000,000 Cash Game and of course the Main Event where one player will walk away with a guaranteed AU$2,000,000!

The action kicks off today with an event which should prove to be very popular with the locals; the $1,100 No Limit Hold'em Event is set to draw a large field over two opening flights. With a $500,000 prizepool guarantee, the poker room is sure to be buzzing. The cards are in the air at 12:30 p.m. local time (around three hours from now).

Stay tuned to PokerNews.com over the next eighteen days as our live reporting team will be hard at work on the floor of the Crown Poker Room to bring you all of the live action, including photos and video interviews!

Get ready, the 2009 Aussie Millions have arrived!

01-09-2009 12:31 UTC+11

Cards are in the Air!

[user92162]

The first event of the 2009 Aussie Millions Poker Championship is underway. Tournament director Jonno Pittock gave the starter's orders with a brief welcome to everyone in attendence, followed by "Shuffle up and deal".

Level: 1

Blinds: 25/50

Ante: 0

01-09-2009 12:34 UTC+11

Off on the Right Foot

[user75032]

This opening event of the 2009 Aussie Millions Poker Championship has a buy-in of AUD 1,100 and a guaranteed prize pool of AUD 500,000. Tournament staff have already indicated that more than 500 players have registered for the combined Day 1a and Day 1b fields. That's an impressive accomplishment given that just three years ago, the Main Event attracted only 418 players.

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

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 12:53 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 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 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}