Event 1: $1,100 No Limit Hold'em | 2010 Aussie Millions

01-17-2010 11:47 UTC+11

No Way Back From Here

[user135779]

Xen Xenofontos (pictured) is the man to catch (186,300 in chips)

No more second chances, it's all or nothing today. We're playing for the glory, the money, and the first 2010 Aussie Millions Poker Championship championship gold ring. Welcome back to Crown Casino in Melbourne for Day 2 of the Opening Event!

193 return to the felt to battle it out but we're only 85 players away from the money, so expect to see some fast and furious action in the early stages.

Of course, given that this is the largest tournament field in Australian history, the winner of this event will have accomplished poker's equivalent of climbing Mount Kosciuszko.

So grab yourself a coffee, a bite to eat and don't touch that dial - we'll be back in 30 minutes time to bring you all the action. In the meantime here's a video preview from PokerNews' own Lynn Gilmartin.

Level: 13

Blinds: 1,500/3,000

Ante: 300

01-17-2010 12:30 UTC+11

Cards Are in the Air!

[user135779]

Crown Director of Tournament Operations Jonno Pittock has given the order and we are underway!

01-17-2010 12:45 UTC+11

Clash of the Titans

[user135779]

We've just gotten underway here in the Crown Poker Room but the vast majority of the chips have been found on table 20, with overall chip leader Xen Xenofontos (186,300) and second chip leader Jim Mastorakos (174,700) going up against Luke McLean (115,500).

We've also taken our trek around the tables to find our notable players of the day.

Tony Hachem is on table 10 with Mitch Carle and the big stack of Brad Rawiller, while Jarred Graham is sitting with Tamara Volkoff and Raemin Alexander on table 14.

Brendon Rubie is on table 18, Dennis Huntly and Graeme "Kiwi G" Putt are sharing space on table 50, and Melbourne fashion designer Chris Chronis was sitting with DeucesCracked founder Chuck Danielsson, but their table has just broken - just after Chronis lost some chips to Danielsson.

01-17-2010 12:47 UTC+11

Gao Gone

[user67765]

Jie Gao entered today as one of the short stacks of the field, and despite finding an early double up with {10-Spades}

versus pocket sixes, he wasn't able to make it two in a row when he ran his {A-?}

into Dan Sing's pocket kings. The board bricked out and Gao was eliminated.

Tags: Dan Sing Jie Gao

01-17-2010 12:52 UTC+11

Seal Doubles Through Selbst

[user67765]

Emanuel Seal has also found an early double up at the expense of WSOP bracelet winner Vanessa Selbst.

The action folded around to Selbst in the small blind who immediately moved in with Seal making the call.

Selbst: {10-Spades}

Seal:

The board fell {4-Diamonds}

to pair up Seal and double him to 74,000 as Selbst slips back to 55,000.

Tags: Curly Emanuel Seal Vanessa Selbst

01-17-2010 12:54 UTC+11

Kings Good To Huntly

[user67765]

Dennis Huntly is another to find an early double up thanks to his {K-Clubs}

holding against an opponent's {J-Spades}

.

The board ran out {6-Spades}

and Huntly is heading towards 100,000 chips.

Tags: Dennis Huntly

01-17-2010 12:59 UTC+11

Revenge is Sweet

[user67765]

Manny Stavropoulos raised it up from under the gun before Dave Lee moved his last chips into the middle from the button. Stavropoulos couldn't get his chips in quick enough with pocket aces as Lee would need help with his pocket nines.

The board bricked out and Lee was sent to the rail. Stavropoulos quipped that he had been waiting twelve months for revenge after Lee cracked Stavropoulos' pocket aces in this same event last year when he held pocket jacks. Revenge is sweet for Stavropoulos as he moves up to 150,000.

Tags: Dave Lee Manny Stavropoulos

01-17-2010 13:01 UTC+11

McLean Moves Up

[user135779]

Joseph Flanagan open-shoved from late position for about 40,000 and the action folded around to Luke McLean who called with pocket tens, ahead of Flanagan's {a-?}

.

The board ran out {7-?}

, ending Flanagan's run and McLean is currently on 138,000 in chips.

01-17-2010 13:09 UTC+11

Topakas

[user38449]

In poker, there are few things more refreshing than flopping top set and watching your opponent bet it for you. Moments ago, that's exactly what happened to Steve "The Big Show" Topakas in a hand against Carl Booth.

Booth opened the hand with a raise to 11,000 and Topakas flatted holding pocket queens in the small blind.

The flop came down {J-Diamonds}

and Topakas checked to Booth who moved all in, putting Topakas to an (easy) decision for all of his chips. When the cards were revealed, Booth showed {A-Diamonds}