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

01-11-2009 22:35 UTC+11

Heich Leaning on Topakas

Christian Heich has extended his chip lead over Steve Topakas. Heich opened for 100,000 before Topakas reraised to 300,000. Heich quickly moved all in, drawing a fold from Topakas after about twenty seconds. Heich now has a two-to-one edge in chips.

Tags: Christian Heich Steve Topakas

01-11-2009 22:32 UTC+11

Another Small Pot to Heich

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We may be witnessing a transition to small ball poker. Christian Heich opened for 100,000 and Steve Topakas called. On a flop of {2-Diamonds}

, Topakas checked and then folded to a 120,000-chip bet from Heich.

Tags: Christian Heich Steve Topakas

01-11-2009 22:30 UTC+11

One For Topakas

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Steve Topakas raised from the button to 160,000 and Christian Heich made the call in the big blind.

The flop was {10-Spades}

and Heich checked to Topakas who collected the pot with a bet of 240,000.

01-11-2009 22:28 UTC+11

First Blood to Heich

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Steve Topakas and Christian Heich wasted no time locking horns. On the first hand of heads up play, Heich raised to 100,000 and Topakas called. The flop came {A-Clubs}

. Topakas checked it over to Heich, then called after Heich bet 130,000.

Both players checked the {J-Clubs}

turn. On the river {4-Diamonds}

, Topakas fired out for 275,000. Heich made the call. His {A-Spades}

, aces and fours, beat the stone bluff that Topakas showed down, {8-Diamonds}

. The first pot went to Heich. He has opened a three-to-two chip lead on Topakas.

Tags: Christian Heich Steve Topakas

01-11-2009 22:23 UTC+11

Heads Up Chip Counts

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The chip counts as we enter the heads up battle are as follows:

Steve Topakas: 1,975,000
Christian Heich: 1,690,000

Who will capture the first Gold Ring of the 2009 Ausse Millions? Can local player Steve Topakas add to his impressive tournament record or will Christian Heich take the $150,000 first place prize money back to Germany?

The cards are now back in the air!

01-11-2009 22:17 UTC+11

Steve Bouya Eliminated in 3rd Place (AU$73,100)

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A short-stacked Steve Bouya moved all in from the button for around 460,000. Christian Heich folded his small blind but Steve Topakas insta-called from the big blind as he stood up and slammed {K-Clubs}

down on the felt. Bouya was in trouble with his {K-Hearts}

.

The board fell {A-Spades}

and the tournament is over for Steve Bouya in 3rd place. He'll collect AU$73,100 for his efforts.

We're now heads up for the first title of the 2009 Aussie Millions! The players are taking a ten-minute break and we'll have the updated chip counts for you shortly.

Tags: Steve Bouya Steve Topakas

01-11-2009 22:12 UTC+11

Bouya Faltering

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Things are starting to look grim for Steve Bouya. He raised to 140,000 from the button and was called by Christian Heich. Heich checked the {K-Clubs}

flop to Bouya, who fired a continuation bet of 200,000. Heich check-raised to 450,000 and elicited a fold from Bouya after about a minute.

Bouya is down to roughly 560,000 chips.

Tags: Christian Heich Steve Bouya

01-11-2009 22:06 UTC+11

Topakas Assumes Lead

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Steve Topakas raised to 140,000 from the button and Christian Heich made the call out of the big blind.

Both players checked the {K-Hearts}

flop and a repeat {4-Spades}

fell on the turn. Heich decided to take a stab at the pot with a 150,000 chip bet. Topakas made the call.

The river was the {Q-Spades}

and Heich fired again, this time for 250,000. Topakas again made the call. Heich tabled {J-Hearts}

for a missed draw as Topakas collected the healthy pot with his {J-Spades}

.

Topakas now assumes the chip lead with over 1.5 million chips.

Tags: Christian Heich Steve Topakas

01-11-2009 21:57 UTC+11

Heich Playing Fast

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There's a contrast in styles going on among our last three players. The two Steves -- Steve Topakas and Steve Bouya -- have displayed a willingness to be patient and keep pots small. Christian Heich has adopted more of a loose-aggressive style. That was on display in a recent hand between Heich and Topakas. Heich made it 100,000 from the button before Topakas reraised to 300,000. Heich, in position, called.

The flop was {9-Diamonds}

. Topakas checked to Heich, who quickly moved all in. Topakas tanked for three minutes, staring Heich down for a read, before finally mucking {10-Hearts}

. Heich flashed {A-Diamonds}

for two overcards and a flush draw as he collected the pot.

Tags: Christian Heich Steve Topakas

Level: 22

Blinds: 20,000/40,000

Ante: 4,000