Event 5 - $1,100 H.O.R.S.E. Day 1 | 2009 Aussie Millions

01-14-2009 12:49 UTC+11

Official Numbers

[user67765]

It's just been announced that today's event has already been locked out, with 96 entrants hitting the felt, creating a prize pool of AU$96,000.

We'll have the breakdown of payouts for you as soon as they become available.

01-14-2009 12:47 UTC+11

Pay Careful Attention

[user75032]

With the game changing every eight hands, it's critical that players pay attention to what game is being played -- especially in the stud rounds, where the starting number of cards is the same for each game. Typically the dealer has a stack of placards on the table with game names on them, with the top placard representing the current game. So far today, none of the tables has such an indicator, although we have learned that the Crown Poker Room tournament staff are hurriedly photocopying placards for use.

"Where is the thingy?" one player asked, after the game switched from Hold'em to Omaha Hi/Lo.

"They don't have one here," replied Mel Judah.

At a different table, Grant Levy was intrigued to see that the first two cards he was dealt were {A-Spades}

-- until he realized that the game had changed to Omaha Hi/Lo and the dealer was continuing to deal a third and fourth card to every player.

01-14-2009 12:45 UTC+11

Who's Saddled Up?

[user67765]

Today's field is a who's-who of Australian poker talent with a sprinkling of international flavor. On our first lap of the Crown Poker Room we've already spotted Lee Nelson, Tino Lechich, Leo Boxell, Mick Stanton, Mel Judah, Mitchell Carle, Jeff Lisandro, Michael Guzzardi, David Bach, Peter Aristidou, Grant Levy, James Potter and Graeme Putt.

01-14-2009 12:37 UTC+11

What is H.O.R.S.E.?

[user67765]

H.O.R.S.E. is a fun event and one for the poker purists as it rotates through five different poker variations - (H)oldem, (O)maha Hi/Lo, (R)azz, (S)tud and Stud (E)ight or Better. Each variation is a limit game.

Each table will play through eight hands (one orbit) of each game before moving onto the next game. Players must be competent across all game variations, which is why the H.O.R.S.E game is held in such high regard in determining the best all-around poker player.

At the World Series of Poker, the prestige of the Main Event is only matched by the annual $50,000 buy-in H.O.R.S.E. event which brings the best players in the world together to determine who is the best all-around poker player the the world.

01-14-2009 12:31 UTC+11

The Cards Are in the Air!

[user67765]

The cards are now in the air and Event #5 of the 2009 Aussie Millions is underway!

Level: 1

Blinds: 0/0

Ante: 0

01-14-2009 11:16 UTC+11

Giddyup For Event #5!

[user67765]

Welcome back to the Crown Poker Room for Event #5 of the 2009 Aussie Millions Poker Championships - the $1,100 H.O.R.S.E event. We hope you grabbed a few hours of sleep after last night's late finish and are ready for another long day ahead.

H.O.R.S.E in Australia is still a developing art form and it is certainly gaining in popularity, but it has been dominated by the old school brigade led by Billy "The Croc" Argyros who has two H.O.R.S.E titles in this country to his credit.

Can someone knock "The Croc" off his saddle? Stay tuned to PokerNews.com as the action kicks off at 12:30 p.m. local time (about an hour from now) as we bring you all the updates as they happen live from the tournament floor.