Event 9 - $10,500 Aussie Millions Main Event Day 1a | 2009 Aussie Millions

01-18-2009 11:44 UTC+11

The Big One is Here!

[user67765]

It's time! The atmosphere in the Crown Poker Room has stepped up to the next level. You can feel it in the air. The anticipation and excitement amongst the players gathering in the room is unmatched as the 2009 Aussie Millions Main Event is set to get underway in less than one hour's time!

One of our players will become a multi-millionaire and be catapulted to instant fame. Who will it be?

The smart money is on one of the multitude of big name pros in the field, but will it be time for a local to capture this elusive title?

The Aussie Millions Championship Bracelet is on the line. Stay tuned to PokerNews as we bring you all updates, photos, videos and more, live as it happens from the tournament floor!

01-18-2009 12:27 UTC+11

Music Pumping Through the Room

[user75032]

We're five minutes from the start of the biggest poker tournament in the Southern Hemisphere. Players are filtering into their seats as pop music pumps through the room. Railbirds are two and three deep, awaiting the magic words that will get play underway. It feels like a major sporting event -- especially after someone asked media row if we knew anyone who wanted to sell a ticket!

Level: 1

Blinds: 50/100

Ante: 0

01-18-2009 12:45 UTC+11

Shuffle Up and Deal

[user92162]

After a rendition of "Poker Face," the official introductions and welcomes have been presented by pop singer Brian McFadden, defending champion Alexander Kostritsyn and Australia's world champion Joe Hachem.

Hachem uttered the famous words "Shuffle up and deal," and we're underway here at the 2009 Aussie Millions Poker Championship Main Event.

01-18-2009 12:53 UTC+11

Opening in Style

[user75032]

The opening ceremonies for the 2009 Aussie Millions Main Event were a lavish affair. The players were first treated to a slick video montage of the 2008 Aussie Millions Main Event on the large, five-by-five panel of television screens that take up one wall of the Crown Poker Room. The montage lasted for about three minutes and finished with the screen fading to black, asking the question "Who will be crowned the 2009 Aussie Millions champion?"

With two showgirls sauntering through the room, the players were then treated to a song-and-dance version of Lady GaGa's "Poker Face," complete with six harlequin-costumed back up dancers. Crown staff mounted the stage after the performance was complete to bring the players a quick Q-and-A with Brian McFadden, whose goal for today is, "To last until at least Level 4."

The Main Event couldn't be complete without a few words from last year's champion, Alexander "The Great" Kostritsyn. "Hello, Australia," said Kostritsyn. "Thank you for remembering me." As if Australia could forget him.

Then local hero and recent "Australian Poker Legend" Joe Hachem took over the microphone. After saying a few words on the amazing growth of the Aussie Millions, he issued a challenge to his countrymen. "I think it's about time an Aussie took home the title," said Hachem. "Get your acts together!"

01-18-2009 12:55 UTC+11

Keep Quiet

[user92162]

Ali Khalil has been trading some playful barbs with Martin Comer, as they are seated on the same table this morning.

Khalil stated, "I don't want to hear any talking from you today, keep quiet."

Even if Comer does manage the feat of silence, the table won't exactly be peaceful with Tony G, Raymond Rahme, Zach Gruneberg, and John Maron all seated at the same table to pick up any slack that Comer might let out.

Tags: Ali Khalil John Maron Martin Comer Raymond Rahme Tony G Zach Gruneberg

01-18-2009 12:59 UTC+11

First Penalty Given

[user67765]

It didn't take long. Despite the warnings before play commenced, one of the players has just received a five-minute penalty for text messaging at the table. Not sure what updates he was needing to text within the first few minutes of play, but he's sure regretting it now.

01-18-2009 13:10 UTC+11

It's All About the Numbers

[user67765]

There's been a lot of discussion amongst poker fans as to how many entrants the Aussie Millions Main Event would attract this year. With tough economic times it's expected that the number of entrants is likely to be down on the 780 who forked out $10,000 last year.

Early predictions were that somewhere in the vicinity of 650 would be expected, but anything near 700 would be a great result.

We can tell you that there are currently twenty five tables in play today with most of them playing eight-handed. There were around five additional tables that had chips out ready for last-minute registrations but they have now been removed. Day 1a will traditionally produce the least number of entries, with numbers expected to increase tomorrow before the largest turnout arrives on Day 1c to get us close to that magical 700 figure.

01-18-2009 13:11 UTC+11

Inspecting the Health of Your Poker Game

[user75032]

"What are you doing here?" asked the player to Brian McFadden's left when he bet the river of a {2-?}

board.

"Pretending to know how to play poker," deadpanned McFadden.

"He's an actor you know," the first player told the table as they contemplated calling. One player at the other end of the table finally took the bait and made the call. McFadden showed him {A-Hearts}

for ace high and lost the pot when his opponent tabled {9-?}

.

"Well, it was worth a go," McFadden shrugged. He then noticed a reporter standing over the table taking a few notes. "Are you the health inspector?" he asked, with a twinkle in his eyes.

Tags: Brian McFadden

01-18-2009 13:15 UTC+11

First Casualty

[user80015]

We have just lost our first casualty . . . well two actually.

Catching the action on a board of {10-Diamonds}

a player in the big blind led for 500 which was immediately followed by a re-raise to 4,000. With one player out of the way, Derek Cheung in the small blind moved all in and was called by both players.

Cheung: {Q-Spades}

Player A:

Player B:

The turn and river fell the {4-Clubs}

and

and we lost our first two players of the tournament.

Tags: Derek Cheung