WSOP 2025 – Kondler & Associates 1st June – 31st July Wallpaper

2009 Aussie Millions

Event 9 - $10,500 Aussie Millions Main Event
Day: 1a
Event Info

2009 Aussie Millions

Final Results
Winner
Winning Hand
aa
Prize
2,000,000 AUD
Event Info
Buy-in
10,000 AUD
Prize Pool
6,810,000 AUD
Entries
681
Level Info
Level
27
Blinds
50,000 / 100,000
Ante
10,000

Saab Works the Table

David Saab has been busy early -- with both his play and his table chatter. He first started quizzing a visiting American who looks a little like Howard Lederer to see if he was related (he wasn't).

A moment later, he started on Paul Rochford by telling him he had a bad table draw with Julian Powell and Saab himself filling the two seats to his left.

Meanwhile he claims to have won five of the first seven pots and is up to 27,000 chips.

Tags: David Saab

Another Penalty

Another player has been given a five-minute penalty for using his mobile at the table. The players were given very clear warnings against the use of mobiles at the table before the start of play. They are required to stay away from the table if they want to send a text or make or receive a call.

As a result of the early warnings, the tournament staff are taking a zero-tolerance approach to infractions. They reiterated that policy over the P.A. a few minutes ago, suggesting that there may have been more than two penalties handed out so far.

First Casualty

We have just lost our first casualty . . . well two actually.

Catching the action on a board of {10-Diamonds}{J-Clubs}{8-Hearts} a player in the big blind led for 500 which was immediately followed by a re-raise to 4,000. With one player out of the way, Derek Cheung in the small blind moved all in and was called by both players.

Cheung: {Q-Spades}{9-Spades}
Player A: {A-Hearts}{A-Spades}
Player B: {7-Diamonds}{9-Diamonds}

The turn and river fell the {4-Clubs} and {6-Spades} and we lost our first two players of the tournament.

Tags: Derek Cheung

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Inspecting the Health of Your Poker Game

"What are you doing here?" asked the player to Brian McFadden's left when he bet the river of a {2-?} {7-?} {2-?} {5-?} {3-?} board.

"Pretending to know how to play poker," deadpanned McFadden.

"He's an actor you know," the first player told the table as they contemplated calling. One player at the other end of the table finally took the bait and made the call. McFadden showed him {A-Hearts} {9-?} for ace high and lost the pot when his opponent tabled {9-?} {7-?}.

"Well, it was worth a go," McFadden shrugged. He then noticed a reporter standing over the table taking a few notes. "Are you the health inspector?" he asked, with a twinkle in his eyes.

Tags: Brian McFadden

It's All About the Numbers

There's been a lot of discussion amongst poker fans as to how many entrants the Aussie Millions Main Event would attract this year. With tough economic times it's expected that the number of entrants is likely to be down on the 780 who forked out $10,000 last year.

Early predictions were that somewhere in the vicinity of 650 would be expected, but anything near 700 would be a great result.

We can tell you that there are currently twenty five tables in play today with most of them playing eight-handed. There were around five additional tables that had chips out ready for last-minute registrations but they have now been removed. Day 1a will traditionally produce the least number of entries, with numbers expected to increase tomorrow before the largest turnout arrives on Day 1c to get us close to that magical 700 figure.
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First Penalty Given

It didn't take long. Despite the warnings before play commenced, one of the players has just received a five-minute penalty for text messaging at the table. Not sure what updates he was needing to text within the first few minutes of play, but he's sure regretting it now.

Keep Quiet

Ali Khalil has been trading some playful barbs with Martin Comer, as they are seated on the same table this morning.

Khalil stated, "I don't want to hear any talking from you today, keep quiet."

Even if Comer does manage the feat of silence, the table won't exactly be peaceful with Tony G, Raymond Rahme, Zach Gruneberg, and John Maron all seated at the same table to pick up any slack that Comer might let out.

Tags: Ali KhalilJohn MaronMartin ComerRaymond RahmeTony GZach Gruneberg

Opening in Style

The opening ceremonies for the 2009 Aussie Millions Main Event were a lavish affair. The players were first treated to a slick video montage of the 2008 Aussie Millions Main Event on the large, five-by-five panel of television screens that take up one wall of the Crown Poker Room. The montage lasted for about three minutes and finished with the screen fading to black, asking the question "Who will be crowned the 2009 Aussie Millions champion?"

With two showgirls sauntering through the room, the players were then treated to a song-and-dance version of Lady GaGa's "Poker Face," complete with six harlequin-costumed back up dancers. Crown staff mounted the stage after the performance was complete to bring the players a quick Q-and-A with Brian McFadden, whose goal for today is, "To last until at least Level 4."

The Main Event couldn't be complete without a few words from last year's champion, Alexander "The Great" Kostritsyn. "Hello, Australia," said Kostritsyn. "Thank you for remembering me." As if Australia could forget him.

Then local hero and recent "Australian Poker Legend" Joe Hachem took over the microphone. After saying a few words on the amazing growth of the Aussie Millions, he issued a challenge to his countrymen. "I think it's about time an Aussie took home the title," said Hachem. "Get your acts together!"
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Shuffle Up and Deal

After a rendition of "Poker Face," the official introductions and welcomes have been presented by pop singer Brian McFadden, defending champion Alexander Kostritsyn and Australia's world champion Joe Hachem.

Hachem uttered the famous words "Shuffle up and deal," and we're underway here at the 2009 Aussie Millions Poker Championship Main Event.

Level: 1

Blinds: 50/100

Ante: 0