$1,000 No-Limit Hold'em Opening Event
Day 3 Started
2012 Aussie Millions
$1,000 No-Limit Hold'em Opening Event
Day: 3
Who Will Be the First Champion of the 2012 Crown’s Aussie Millions Poker Championship?
Last night, Day 2 of the 2012 Aussie Millions Opening Event came to an end with ten players, forgoing the original plan of playing to a winner and adding an impromptu Day 3 to the schedule. Leading the final table is Scott Wilson, who comes in with 2.628 million, while young Australian pro Brendon Rubie is in second place with 1.625 million.
As we’ve highlighted many time before, this event was a “repchage”; meaning players who busted in the earlier flights were able to reenter in the following. The first starting flight, Day 1a, drew 274 players, while Day 1b a bit less at 251; however, Day 1c boosted the number as 421 entries made the three-day total 946 players. The remaining players are guaranteed at least $10,900 AUD, though a juicy $200,000 is waiting for the winner.
Here’s a look at the final table of the 2012 Crown’s Aussie Millions Poker Championship Opening Event:
Final Table
| Seat | Player | Chips |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tam Truong | 934,000 |
| 2 | Tamara Volkoff | 191,000 |
| 3 | Brendon Rubie | 1,625,000 |
| 4 | Sean Robey | 262,000 |
| 5 | Sherif Derias | 696,000 |
| 6 | Rob Angood | 1,384,000 |
| 7 | Scott Wilson | 2,628,000 |
| 8 | Manny Stavropoulos | 554,000 |
| 9 | John Thomson | 363,000 |
| 10 | Naz Sibaei | 849,000 |
With action kicking off at 15,000/30,000 blinds, there are obviously a few short stacks at the final table. That being the case, we expect some early knockouts as the big stacks look to bully the table. The final table action on Day 3 is set to begin at 12:10 AEST Monday (17:10 PST Sunday), just a little over two hours from right now, so be sure to join us then as PokerNews brings you all the actions and eliminations as the first champion of the 2012 Crown’s Aussie Millions Poker Championship is crowned.
Shuffle Up and Deal!
Level 22
: 15,000/30,000, 3,000 ante
The player introductions were just made here at the feature table and the cards are in the air! The rail is already several players deep, which we must admit is quite impressive.
Level: 20
Blinds: 10,000/20,000
Ante: 2,000
First Blood to Sibaei
On the first hand of the final table, Rob Angood opened for 50,000 from middle position and was called by both Naz Sibaei on the button and Tamara Volkoff in the big blind. When the flop came down 
, Volkoff checked, Angood bet 63,000, and Sibaei came in for a raise to 200,000.
Both Volkoff and Angood gave it up, and Sibaei laid claim to the first pot of the day.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
1,244,000 | -140,000 |
|
1,050,000 | 201,000 |
Rolling Back the Clocl
Level 20
: 10,000/20,000, 2,000 ante
We should also point out that the clock was rolled back a level at the start of the final table per the Crown's Aussie Millions Poker Championship's rules.
Level: 21
Blinds: 12,000/24,000
Ante: 3,000
Sean Robey Eliminated in 10th Place ($10,900)
We just had out first elimination of the final table. It came when Scott Wilson raised to 41,000 under the gun and had Sean Robey move all in from the button. The blinds got out of the way and Wilson made the call.
Showdown
Robey: 
Wilson: 
Robey was dominated and in need of some help, namely a three, but it was not meant to be as the board ran out 
. Robey was sent home in tenth place while Wilson added a bit to his already massive stack.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
2,900,000 | 272,000 |
|
|
Busted |
Tamara Volkoff Eliminated in 9th Place ($14,500)
A short-stacked Tamara Volkoff moved all in from middle position for 121,000 and received a call from Brendon Rubie, who was on her direct left. When action reached John Thomson in the big blind, he moved all in over the top for 286,000 more, which inspired Rubie to fold.
Showdown
Thomson: 
Volkoff: 
While she was behind, Volkoff seemed pleased that she was in a race. The rail leaned in close as the dealer put out the flop . . . 
. Neither player held a diamond, so Volkoff still needed an ace or ten to take the lead. The 
turn was no help, and it was down to the river. Unfortunately for Volkoff, the 
blanked and her day came to an end. To her credit, she left with a big smile on her face.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
700,000 | 337,000 |
|
|
Busted |
Check-Raise from Truong
Manny Stavropoulos raised from the cutoff and Tam Truong defended from the big blind, leading to a flop. Truong was first to act and promptly check, opening the door for Stavropoulos to continuation bet 75,000. Truong then woke up with a minimum check-raise to 150,000, which was enough to get Stavropoulos to lay down his hand.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
1,250,000 | 316,000 |
|
450,000 | -104,000 |