Ever since he placed third in the 2012 World Series of Poker Main Event for $3,799,073, Jake Balsiger has made the trip to the Aussie Millions. In 2013, he notched four cashes at the Aussie Millions, including a runner-up finish in the A$1,150 No Limit Hold'em - Rebuy Event for AU$71,000. A year later, he only had one cash, though it was a hefty AU$650,000 for finishing third in the Main Event to Sorel Mizzi (runner-up) and Ami Barer (winner). Balsiger is seeking back-to-back deep runs, though his journey has gotten off to a rocky start.
In a recent hand, the player in the cutoff opened for 275 and Balsiger three-bet to 900 from the button. The blinds both folded, the cutoff called, and the pair watched the flop come down . The cutoff check-called a bet of 800, and then check-called one of 2,200 on the turn.
When the completed the board on the river, the cutoff changed gears and led out for 4,575. Balsiger took his time, double checked his cards, and then sent them to the muck.
Ash Mason is a well known online MTT grinder from the UK who now resides in Perth. He was surveying the tournament room earlier trying to work out if he should play today or wait for another, potentially softer, flight. He chose today and has a host of top talent to his right with Ola Amundsy, Benny Spindler and Ismael Bojang in residence.
Mason took on a couple of opponents to his right though and won a pot to rise to 35,000.
He raised to 300 from early position and was called by the two players in the next two seats. The flop fanned and Mason's 600 c-bet was called in one spot before the next player raised to 1,500. Only Mason called to the turn where he check-called 1,900. The river came and Mason led for 4,800 which was too much for his opponent to call.
Ami Barer, the reigning Aussie Millions champ, is in the house and his beginning his title defense here on Day 1a. If you recall, Barer topped a field of 668 players to win AU$1,600,000 ($1,399,739 USD), which included defeating Sorel Mizzi in heads-up play.
Barer is currently seated at Table 45, which is also home to European Poker Tour regular Jason Wheeler. Rest assured we'll be keeping a close eye on Barer as the day progresses.
We happened upon Table 47 just in time to see a big hand develop.
It appeared Maria Ho had opened from the cutoff and Jan Suchanek three-bet to 900 from the button. The small blind then came in with a four-bet to 2,000, the player in the big blind folded, and Ho pushed back with a five-bet to 4,600. It was enough to get Suchanek to fold, but not the small blind, who stacked his chips and six-bet shoved to what looked like 27,000.
Ho only had 18,500 or so behind and she thought for several minutes before conceding the hand.
Maria Ho quickly rebounded from folding just a short while ago by winning back-to-back pots to get back to starting stack, almost.
A player in mid position opened to 300 and she and Jan Suchanek called from the blinds to see a flop appear. The raiser continued for 350 and was the only caller after Ho check-raised to 900. Ho led for 1,700 on the turn and 4,700 on the river and was called both times.
Her opponent confidently opened for a flopped two pair but lost out to Ho's rivered straight with .
The very next hand she three-bet a Felix Stephenson open and was only called by Suchanek . Suchanek check-called a 725 bet on the flop before admitting defeat on the turn when the board read .
Chris Moorman and Liv Boeree are the latest two players to enter here on Day 1a.
Moorman is the most successful online MTT in the history of the game and has recently shared his wisdom in his own published book.
Former EPT San Remo champion Boeree is one of the most recognisable faces in world poker. She has has cashed in her last two Main Events (EPT Prague and PCA 2015) and will be looking to continue her good form.
Once you come to the Aussie Millions you want to come back every year. The event must have one of the highest rankings on the planet, in terms of returning customers. One of the main reasons for this is the fact the Crown Casino is based in Melbourne, a city that consistency tops lists of the most liveable places in the world.
One player who'll agree with all of this is Jason Wheeler. The American is a regular on the American and European poker circuit but this is his first visit down under. Wheeler keeps his Facebook friends entertained with his "JD's World" updates, and the last week has seen him wax-lyrical about this city. He spoke to us before and said the only downside he can find is the abundance of flies around during the Australian summer, and the fact it's a little expensive here.
. The cutoff check-called a bet of 800, and then check-called one of 2,200 on the 
turn.
completed the board on the river, the cutoff changed gears and led out for 4,575. Balsiger took his time, double checked his cards, and then sent them to the muck.
and Mason's 600 c-bet was called in one spot before the next player raised to 1,500. Only Mason called to the 
turn where he check-called 1,900. The river came 
flop appear. The raiser continued for 350 and was the only caller after Ho check-raised to 900. Ho led for 1,700 on the 
turn and 4,700 on the 
for a flopped two pair but lost out to Ho's rivered straight with 
.
.
