$1,000 No-Limit Hold'em Opening Event
Day 1c Started
2012 Aussie Millions
$1,000 No-Limit Hold'em Opening Event
Day: 1c
Get Ready to Rumble . . . Day 1c of the $1,000 No Limit Hold’em Opening Event Set is About to Begin!
Welcome back to the Crown Poker's 2012 Aussie Millions Championship, which continues today with Day 1c of the $1,000 No Limit Hold’em Opening Event. Two full days are in the books and so far 525 players have entered, with 66 punching their ticket to Day 2. Given that it’s the weekend and this is a repechage event, meaning players eliminated on Day 1a and 1b can give it another go on 1c, we expect today’s field to be the biggest yet.
Yesterday, Sam Youssef lead 32 survivors as the chip leader with 240,100, which is a bit more than the Day 1a chip leader , Tam Truong, ended up with (209,000). Others who’ve already secured a spot in Day 2 are last year’s winner, Martin Drewe; young pro, Brendon Rubie; Australian legend, Mel Judah; and the lovely Jackie Glazier.
We’re expecting a bevy of notables in today’s field, including many who’ve tried and failed in the previous starting flights. Maria Ho, Sorel Mizzi, David Gorr, Simon Watt, Richard Ashby, McLean Karr, Leo Boxell, Toby Lewis, James Dempsey, and Daniel “djk123” Kelly are just a few of the pros who we expect to give it another go.
The last Day 1 starting flight is set to begin at 1230 AEST (1730 PST Friday), which is just over an hour away, so be sure to join us then as the PokerNews Live Reporting Team will bring you all the action and eliminations, live, from the floor of the Crown Poker Room.
Top Chip Counts Through First Two Starting Flights
| Player | Chips |
|---|---|
| Sam Yousseff | 240,100 |
| Tam Truong | 209,000 |
| Alex Lynskey | 208,000 |
| Damir Alidzanovic | 188,000 |
| Joel Feldman | 180,300 |
| Brendon Rubie | 148,000 |
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Level: 1
Blinds: 50/100
Ante: 0
The Biggest and Best
Level 1
: 50/100, 0 ante
The atmosphere in the Crown Poker Room is electric. The line to register for Day 1c is dozens of players deep, something we didn't see in the previous two days. We've seen plenty of notables in the room including 2011 World Series of Poker November Niner, Sam Holden, who recently flew in from the UK. We've also spotted last year's Aussie Millions Main Event Champion, David Gorr; Australian Poker Hall of Famer, Leo Boxell; and one of New Zealand's most colorful personalities, Danny ‘Brotha D’ Leaoasavaii.
The cards are in the air and it looks like Day 1c is going to be the biggest and best yet. With a little luck, the number of entrants may close in on 1,000.
Notables in the Field
We've just completed our preliminary pass through the tournament floor and there are quite a few notables in today's field.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
10,000 | |
|
10,000 | |
|
10,000 | |
|
10,000 | |
|
|
10,000 | |
|
10,000 | |
|
10,000 | |
|
10,000 | |
|
10,000 | |
|
10,000 | |
|
10,000 | |
|
10,000 | |
|
10,000 | |
|
10,000 | |
|
10,000 |
Set Over Set on First Hand
We saw a player storm out of the tournament area with disgust and quickly made our way to his table to see what happened. On the very first hand of the day, the unknown player had held 
and was up against George Giannopoulos's 
on a board reading 
.
We're guessing the money got in on the flop, and it was a one and done for the unknown player. Meanwhile, Giannopoulos received an early double, allowing him to start the tournament with double the starting stack!
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
20,000 |
THE JOE HACHEM AND SHANE WARNE CHARITY POKER TOURNAMENT
Level 1
: 50/100, 0 ante
PokerNews recently received the following press release, which is a reminder of tomorrow's great event:
On Sunday 15 January 2012, the official film studio of the Aussie Millions ‘Studio 3’ will play host to what has become renowned as the most high profile poker fundraising event in the country. Created by poker king, Joe Hachem, and Australian cricket legend, Shane Warne, the day will raise much needed funds for seriously ill and underprivileged children throughout Australia for The Shane Warne Foundation.
With over 200 players already registered, and a prize pool valued at over $65,000 up for grabs – including a Las Vegas High Roller Package for 1st Prize – potential players are encouraged to register their seats at http://www.tswf.com.au .
The Joe Hachem and Shane Warne Charity Poker Tournament gives members of the public the unique opportunity to play alongside some of the world’s most successful poker players, sports stars and celebrities - all of whom are sure to challenge even the most accomplished amateur player. To play in the tournament entry is $1150 (with $500 re-buys), and non-playing guests can join the festivities for $200.
Event Name: The Joe Hachem and Shane Warne Charity Poker Tournament
Date: Sunday 15 January 2012
Time: 1:00pm
Location: Studio 3, the official film studio of the Aussie Millions (Level 3, The West End)
Baccpo! Bacc, What?
Level 1
: 50/100, 0 ante
Just before the players took their seats in the final flight here in the opening event, there was a new exciting game, captivating the attention of players throughout the Crown Poker Room.
The game is called "Baccpo", named as such for being a hybrid between baccarat and poker. Baccpo is generally (generally meaning - since it was invented just a couple of weeks ago) spread as a table game and dealt like a blackjack, but played like baccarat. Today, the first ever Baccpo tournament and Baccpo cash game was played.
While most of the players in the Baccpo tournament barely knew the rules, they all took to the seats with hopes of taking down a $10,600 Aussie Millions Main Event seat that Crown had generously offered up as a prize in the freeroll tournament. In the end, the first ever Baccpo tournament champion was Paul Sing and for now, he is the worldwide (read: only) Baccpo ambassador.
As far as we can tell, the game was played and dealt like draw poker. The hand rankings are the same as in baccarat, but three-card hands are always better than two-card hands. For example, a three-card nine is the best hand and that will always beat a two-card nine. All three-card nines are the best hand and if two or more players have that hand, they will chop. The only hand that can beat a standard three-card nine is 
. That hand is the nuts of Baccpo!
Just like you, we are intrigued, confused and excited all at once. What we can tell you is that the game looks as if players can run huge bluffs and Crown Poker will be seeing if the game can catch on amongst poker players throughout the Aussie Millions.
Tough Table
On our second pass through the room, we spotted a pretty tough lineup over at Table 47. Joseph Cheong is currently seated in Seat 3, with Dan "djk123" Kelly seated to his immediate left. Then, in Seat 7, we have Jim "Mr_BigQueso" Collopy. Could get interesting.
We also noticed 2011 Aussie Millions Champion David Gorr seated at a nearby table.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
10,000 | |
|
10,000 | |
|
10,000 | |
|
10,000 |
Level: 2
Blinds: 75/150
Ante: 0