2020 Aussie Millions

A$10,600 Main Event
Day: 5
Event Info

2020 Aussie Millions

Final Results
Winner
Vincent Wan
Winning Hand
109
Prize
1,318,000 AUD
Event Info
Buy-in
10,600 AUD
Prize Pool
8,200,000 AUD
Entries
820
Level Info
Level
34
Blinds
150,000 / 300,000
Ante
300,000
Players Info - Day 5
Players Left
1

A$10,600 Main Event

Day 5 Completed

Vincent "Wonky" Wan Wins 2020 Aussie Millions Main Event (A$1,318,000)

Level 34 : 150,000/300,000, 300,000 ante
Vincent Wan wins 2020 Aussie Millions Main Event
Vincent Wan wins 2020 Aussie Millions Main Event

Vincent Wan has won the 2020 Aussie Millions Main Event, defeating heads-up opponent Ngoc Tai Hoang to win A$1,318,000 after a marathon 414-hand day that spanned a total of 15 hours.

Known as "Wonky", Wan is well-known here at Crown Casino in Melbourne for winning two six-figure Royal Flush Jackpots, but now has his first seven-figure score in what was by far the biggest cash of his career.

Runner-up Hoang came into the day as the short stack, missed the first 15 minutes of play and had to deal with being branded "the worst player" by Wan during three-handed deal negotiations, but now has the honour of winning the single largest score by a Vietnamese player in poker history as he also took home A$1,318,000.

Following the deal that saw eventual third-place finisher Gareth Pepper guaranteed A$1,000,000, both Hoang and Wan embarked on a lacklustre heads-up battle that spanned over four and a half hours.

Wan eventually got it in bad three times in quick succession to double twice and then close out the match just before 4 a.m. local time.

2020 Aussie Millions Main Event Final Table Results

PlaceNameCountryPayout (in AUD)Payout (in USD)
1Vincent WanAustraliaA$1,318,000*$907,196*
2Ngoc Tai HoangVietnamA$1,318,000*$907,196*
3Gareth PepperNew ZealandA$1,000,000*$688,312*
4Nino UllmannGermanyA$480,160$330,501
5Erik SeidelUnited StatesA$378,660$260,637
6Oliver WeisGermanyA$307,820$211,877
7Nicolas MaloCanadaA$240,080$165,250

*denotes three-handed deal

Vincent Wan wins 2020 Aussie Millions Main Event
Vincent Wan wins 2020 Aussie Millions Main Event

Winner's Reaction

"It's destiny boys! Destiny!"

Those were the words that Wan told his rail after the second of three late doubles that saw him run out winner. Just minutes later, Wan struggled to describe the emotions he was feeling.

"I'm lost for words," Wan told Aussie Millions Tournament Director Joel Williams. "I'm just tripping out at the moment. I was just wanting to min-cash at one point so I'm struggling; I'm just delirious at the moment.

"I can't believe my luck. Thank you to all the other players. Basically it's ten years of my life just grinding and working and trying to get here. I can't believe I did it.

"I've had a love-hate relationship with this place, but everyone during the tournament was amazing. It was stressful, but I've had a great time."

2020 Aussie Millions Main Event Final Table
2020 Aussie Millions Main Event Final Table

Considering the length of the final table - 414 hands in total - it's hard to remember the start of the day, but the seven-handed final table started with six players after eventual runner-up Ngoc Tai Hoang missed the start of play and arrived 15 minutes late. By the time he arrived, eventual winner Vincent Wan, who started the day third in chips, had moved into the lead after winning an early pot against overnight chip leader Nino Ullmann.

Wan's chip lead didn't last long, with Ullmann quickly moving back in front, just before the first all-in confrontation of the final table. With both Ullmann and Hoang holding ace-king, the hand looked to be heading for a chip. That was until the Vietnamese went runner-runner to make a flush to double up.

Start-of-day chip leader Nino Ullmann was active early at the Aussie Millions Main Event Final Table
Start-of-day chip leader Nino Ullmann was active early at the Aussie Millions Main Event Final Table

By the first break, it was still Ullmann in front, and when play resumed he was responsible for the first elimination of the play, eliminating Nicolas Malo in seventh place. Malo flopped a pair and an open-ended straight draw, but Ullmann had flopped the nut straight to send his opponent to the rail.

A short while later, Oliver Weis, who began the day second in chips and failed to get anything going at the final table, would bow next, getting it in dominated against Gareth Pepper to bow out in sixth place.

Gareth Pepper was a clear chip leader with five players remaining
Gareth Pepper was a clear chip leader with five players remaining

Pepper was really starting to get something going, and scooped a big pot against Ullmann to move into the lead. Wan also took advantage of the German's stumble, also taking chips off Ullmann after he tried to bluff the river with just queen high and was picked off.

This sent Ullmann to the bottom of the counts, but he would double through Hoang shortly thereafter, and by dinner break was nestled in a group of four behind Pepper.

Pepper Leads at Dinner Break

SeatPlayerCountryChip CountBig Blinds
1Nino UllmannGermany4,045,00025
2Gareth PepperNew Zealand10,130,00063
3Vincent WanAustralia4,010,00025
4Erik SeidelUnited States3,685,00023
5Ngoc Tai HoangVietnam2,840,00018
Poker legend Erik Seidel would have to settle for fifthplace
Poker legend Erik Seidel would have to settle for fifthplace

Another of those players grouped behind the chip leader was Erik Seidel. The American was down to 18 big blinds, before three-bet shoving with ace-ten only to run into the ace-jack of Wan.

It was another outstanding result for Seidel who still sits second in the Crown Melbourne all-time money list. It also means that Seidel has now final-tabled a $10,000+ No-Limit Hold'em Main Event in each of the past five decades.

DecadeYearEventFieldPositionPayout (USD)
1980s1988WSOP Main Event1672nd$280,000
1990s1999WSOP Main Event3934th$279,500
2000s2008Aussie Millions Main Event7802nd$879,028
2010s2015WSOPE Main Event3137th$113,428
2020s2020Aussie Millions Main Event8205th$260,637

Four-handed it was Wan who took control, with just under half the chips in play before Hoang eliminated Ullmann in fourth place. Ullmann got it in good with two pair against the queens of Hoang, but the board paired to hand Hoang the best hand. The players then looked at the numbers and quickly agreed on the following amendments to the initial ICM deal that was offered.

Three-Handed Deal Agreed

NameCountryChip CountsICM DealDeal Agreed
Ngoc Tai HoangVietnam10,515,000$1,341,392$1,318,000
Vincent WanAustralia9,880,000$1,314,128$1,318,000
Gareth PepperNew Zealand4,215,000$973,003$1,000,000

The trio played on for the title, ANTON Jewellery bracelet and Aussie Millions trophy, in what was a tumultuous short-handed affair. Pepper and Hoang would trade doubles, each already assured of a seven-figure payout, with Pepper doubling through Hoang again for good measure.

However, it wasn't enough to stop Pepper exiting in third place shoving blind from the small blind only to get picked off by Wan who woke up with an ace.

It took three and a half hours before the first all-in and call between the final two players, with both players opting for a passive and low-risk strategy to heads-up play which saw almost nothing but small pots, and very little pivotal moments.

Final Stages

With fatigue setting in for both players and early-morning railbirds alike, there were three quick hands that saw Wan move from a 7:1 underdog to take down the tournament.

Ace-nine against ace-queen? Flop a nine. Ace-ten against ace-queen? River a ten. Finally, and for the third all-in in a row, Wan got it in bad once more and flopped a nine and faded a flush draw to secure victory and eliminate a visibly shaken Hoang in second place.

That concludes the PokerNews live coverage from the 2020 Aussie Millions. We hope you have enjoyed following the updates from this year's Main Event and all the High Roller Challenge events. If you've missed any of the action, why not click on one of the links below to check out the live updates from these events or previous Aussie Millions tournaments.

2020 Aussie Millions Live Reporting

EventFieldPrizepoolWinnerPayout (AUD)Payout (USD)Recap
A$25,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Challenge59A$1,416,000Jorryt van HoofA$467,280US$322,400Recap
A$25,000 Challenge169A$4,056,000Farid JattinA$983,646*US$678,900*Recap
A$50,000 Challenge82A$3,977,000Michael AddamoA$1,073,790US$738,234Recap
A$100,000 Challenge54A$5,292,000Kahle BurnsA$1,746,360US$1,198,300Recap

*denotes headsup deal

Former Aussie Millions Main Event Winners (1998-2020)

YearEntriesPrize PoolWinnerCountryFirst Prize
199874A$74,000Alex HorowitzAustraliaA$25,900
1999109A$109,000Milo NadalinAustraliaA$38,150
2000109A$173,500Leo BoxellAustraliaA$65,225
2001101A$151,500Sam KormanAustraliaA$53,025
200266A$330,000John MaverAustraliaA$150,000
2003122A$1,220,000Peter CostaUnited KingdomA$394,870
2004133A$1,330,000Tony BloomUnited KingdomA$426,500
2005263A$2,630,000Jamil DiaNew ZealandA$1,000,000
2006418A$4,180,000Lee NelsonNew ZealandA$1,295,800
2007747A$7,470,000Gus HansenDenmarkA$1,500,000
2008780A$7,758,500Alexander KostritsynRussiaA$1,650,000
2009681A$6,810,000Stewart ScottAustraliaA$2,000,000
2010746A$7,460,000Tyron KrostAustraliaA$2,000,000
2011721A$7,210,000David GorrAustraliaA$2,000,000
2012659A$6,590,000Oliver SpeidelAustraliaA$1,600,000
2013629A$6,290,000Mervin ChanMalaysiaA$1,600,000
2014668A$6,680,000Ami BarerCanadaA$1,600,000
2015648A$6,480,000Manny StavropoulosAustraliaA$1,385,500
2016732A$7,320,000Ari EngelCanadaA$1,600,000
2017725A$7,250,000Shurane VijayaramAustraliaA$1,600,000
2018800A$8,000,000Toby LewisUnited KingdomA$1,458,198
2019822A$8,220,000Bryn KenneyUnited StatesA$1,272,598
2020820A$8,200,000Vincent WanAustraliaA$1,318,000

Tags: Alexander KostritsynAmi BarerAri EngelBryn KenneyDavid GorrErik SeidelFarid JattinGareth PepperGus HansenJorryt van HoofKahle BurnsLee NelsonLeo BoxellManny StavropoulosMervin ChanMichael AddamoNgoc Tai HoangNicolas MaloNino UllmanNino UllmannOliver SpeidelOliver WeisPeter CostaShurane VijayaramStewart ScottTai HoangToby LewisTony BloomTyron KrostVincent Wan

Ngoc Tai Hoang Eliminated in 2nd Place (A$1,318,000)

Level 34 : 150,000/300,000, 300,000 ante
Ngoc Tai Hoang
Ngoc Tai Hoang

Right after being left short, Ngoc Tai Hoang jammed for 2,200,000 and Vincent Wan called in the big blind.

Ngoc Tai Hoang: {a-Spades}{3-Hearts}
Vincent Wan: {10-Clubs}{9-Hearts}

The {j-Spades}{9-Spades}{6-Spades} flop gave Wan a pair while Hoang had the nut flush draw. Nothing changed on the {j-Diamonds} turn and the {10-Diamonds} river only improved Wan's hand to jacks and tens. At nearly 4 a.m. local time, the tournament eventually finished after more than 15 hours of play and Crown cash game regular Wan has been crowned as the champion.

Hoang and Wan both receive the same amount, A$1,318,000 for their efforts, but Wan will be the one to see his picture displayed in the poker room. A recap of today's action is to follow.

Player Chips Progress
Vincent Wan au
Vincent Wan
24,600,000
2,500,000
2,500,000
Ngoc Tai Hoang vn
Ngoc Tai Hoang
Busted

Tags: Ngoc Tai HoangVincent Wan

Miracle River for Wan Leaves Hoang With Crumbs

Level 34 : 150,000/300,000, 300,000 ante

Vincent Wan raised it up and called the shove of Ngoc Tai Hoang to end up at risk for 11,050,000 to find himself once again dominated.

Vincent Wan: {a-Clubs}{10-Hearts}
Ngoc Tai Hoang: {a-Hearts}{q-Clubs}

The board came {a-Spades}{6-Spades}{3-Hearts}{2-Diamonds}{10-Clubs} and Wan rivered a miracle ten to deny Hoang the title.

Player Chips Progress
Vincent Wan au
Vincent Wan
22,100,000
12,600,000
12,600,000
Ngoc Tai Hoang vn
Ngoc Tai Hoang
2,500,000
-12,900,000
-12,900,000

Tags: Ngoc Tai HoangVincent Wan

Wan Gets It In Dominated; Doubles Anyways

Level 34 : 150,000/300,000, 300,000 ante

Ngoc Tai Hoang jammed and Vincent Wan called for 4,750,000 after several previous shoves of both players had gone through.

Vincent Wan: {a-Diamonds}{9-Clubs}
Ngoc Tai Hoang: {a-Clubs}{q-Clubs}

Board: {j-Diamonds}{9-Diamonds}{2-Spades}{3-Diamonds}{2-Diamonds}

A nine on the flop was followed by running diamonds and Hoang doubled with the nut flush to jump to nearly 32 big blinds.

Player Chips Progress
Ngoc Tai Hoang vn
Ngoc Tai Hoang
15,400,000
-4,700,000
-4,700,000
Vincent Wan au
Vincent Wan
9,500,000
4,700,000
4,700,000

Tags: Ngoc Tai HoangVincent Wan

Hoang Chipping Away Again

Level 34 : 150,000/300,000, 300,000 ante

Vincent Wan raised to 800,000 with the {7-Diamonds}{6-Diamonds} and Ngoc Tai Hoang called with the {8-Hearts}{6-Hearts} and the {j-Clubs}{9-Diamonds}{4-Spades} flop on which they checked. Hoang bet the {7-Clubs} turn and Wan folded his pair.

Hoang raised to 800,000 with the {a-Clubs}{k-Diamonds} and Wan came along with the {5-Clubs}{4-Clubs}. Both hit a pair on {k-Spades}{9-Diamonds}{4-Spades} and Wan check-folded to a bet of 1,000,000.

Player Chips Progress
Ngoc Tai Hoang vn
Ngoc Tai Hoang
20,100,000
1,600,000
1,600,000
Vincent Wan au
Vincent Wan
4,800,000
-1,600,000
-1,600,000

Tags: Ngoc Tai HoangVincent Wan

Wan Doubles With an Ace

Level 34 : 150,000/300,000, 300,000 ante

Ngoc Tai Hoang jammed for an effective 3,200,000 and Vincent Wan made the call in the big blind.

Vincent Wan: {a-Clubs}{7-Diamonds}
Ngoc Tai Hoang: {k-Clubs}{8-Spades}

The board came {j-Hearts}{10-Clubs}{5-Hearts}{2-Diamonds}{6-Clubs} and ace-seven high was good enough for the double to more than 20 big blinds.

Player Chips Progress
Ngoc Tai Hoang vn
Ngoc Tai Hoang
18,500,000
-2,700,000
-2,700,000
Vincent Wan au
Vincent Wan
6,400,000
2,700,000
2,700,000

Tags: Ngoc Tai HoangVincent Wan

Small Pot for Hoang

Level 34 : 150,000/300,000, 300,000 ante

Ngoc Tai Hoang limped with {a-Spades}{5-Spades} and Vincent Wan raised to 900,000 with {a-Hearts}{10-Clubs}

The flop came {4-Diamonds}{8-Spades}{6-Diamonds} and both players checked. The pair checked the {5-Hearts} turn and the river was the {j-Hearts}.

Wan checked and Hoang bet 1,000,000. Wan folded and Hoang took down the pot.

Player Chips Progress
Ngoc Tai Hoang vn
Ngoc Tai Hoang
19,175,000
1,050,000
1,050,000
Vincent Wan au
Vincent Wan
5,725,000
-600,000
-600,000

Tags: Ngoc Tai HoangVincent Wan