2019 Aussie Millions

Aussie Millions Highlights
Day: 3

Aussie Millions Highlights

Day 3 Completed

Defending Champion Eberle Through to Opening Event Day 2

Tournament Director Joel Williams and defending champion Benedikt Eberle
Tournament Director Joel Williams and defending champion Benedikt Eberle

In the largest flight so far with 213 players entering, it's Sean Eichendorf who bagged 218,300, good enough for the chip lead in Flight 3 of Event #1: AUD$1,150 Opening Event.

A big number always looked on the cards today in Flight 3, with 130 players already entered just 30 minutes into the first level. This brings the total number of entrants so far to 570 with two flights to go.

Eichendorf's route to the chip lead was helped by a last level elimination which saw his stack move over 200,000. Holding ace-king against his opponent's pocket fours, the board double-paired on the river, counterfeiting his opponent.

"I like to think that I played well today," the Canadian told PokerNews just before bagging. "But probably ran better than I played!"

"It was just a really clean run. Don't know if I played very well but I definitely ran well. I had aces against another chip leader's kings, then I counterfeited someone. I probably won ten flips today; don't know if I lost any, which is just bizarre.

Having previously played the Aussie Millions "regularly" in his words between 2008 and 2011, Eichendorf says that he's happy to be back. And it appears that this tournament is happy to have him back too!

Chip leader Sean Eichendorf

Also through to Day 2 is defending champion Benedikt Eberle, who had to battle with Austrian pro Josip Simunic in the latter stages of the day, but still bagged 40,100 to ensure safe passage through to Day 2. Simunic bagged 57,000.

Players who sadly bust during today's play included former WSOP APAC champion Scott Davies, Samantha Cohen, H.O.R.S.E. final tablists Luke Edwards and Ashish Gupta, Joshua Abady, WSOP Main Event final tablist Michael Dyer, Dong Guo, father and son duo Joe and Anthony Hachem, Marc Macdonnell, Sorel Mizzi, Jan Suchanek and Steven Warburton.

Here is a list of the 26 players who made it through:

NameChip Count
Sean Eichendorf218,300
Didrik Mantor148,000
Guanchen Wang126,600
Tim Ulmer121,000
Frank Naturel118,400
Josh Foster114,100
Tobias Leknes106,700
Niall McGovern98,100
Stephen Quon87,500
Eli Siegel85,600
Kim Macnaught79,500
Jim Giannoukos69,600
Connie Graham69,000
Jayan Li67,600
Lin Hung Sheng62,100
Josip Simunic57,000
Ari Shin56,600
David Clark55,800
Carlos Beverra51,700
Thomas Chong46,300
Samuel Johnston45,300
Charlton Hawes42,800
Benedikt Eberle40,100
Amon Mustchin35,700
Kwang Nguyen33,500
Justin Liberto26,100

Both remaining flights kick off at 12:10 pm on Friday and Saturday, offering new and re-entering players a final chance to lock up a seat in Day 2 which gets underway on Sunday.

Stay tuned to PokerNews for more action live from the Crown Casino here in Melbourne at the Aussie Millions.

Tags: Anthony HachemAshish GuptaDong GuoJan SuchanekJoshua AbadyJosip SimunicLuke EdwardsMarc MacDonnellMichael DyerSamantha CohenScott DaviesSorel MizziSteven Warburton

Daniel Mayoh Wins Event #2: $2,500 H.O.R.S.E. for $29,120

Event #2: AUD$2,500 H.O.R.S.E. Winner Daniel Mayoh
Event #2: AUD$2,500 H.O.R.S.E. Winner Daniel Mayoh

The first champion of the 2019 Aussie Millions has been crowned and it is Daniel Mayoh who has won Event #2: $2,500 H.O.R.S.E. for his first Aussie Millions title.

According to Mayoh this is only his second-ever Aussie Millions event, but he battled his way through a tumultuous final table to emerge triumphant, seeing off a field of 54 players to take home AUD$29,120 in prize money after a three-way deal as well as the ANTON Jewellery Championship Ring.

"It's been a lot of fun," said Mayoh, "I feel very blessed and very lucky. I think all of us were all in and drawing at some point of the day, myself included. This was a very tough final table; any of the seven of us had the skills to win it."

Finishing in second place is Srdjan Brkic, who betters the third place he finished in this event at the 2014 Aussie Millions. Brkic also recorded a second place finish in last year's Aussie Millions 6-Max event.

Here are the final table results:

PlaceNameCountryPayout (AUD)Payout (USD)
1Daniel MayohAustralia$29,120$20,929*
2Srdjan BrkicAustralia$27,500$19,765*
3Timothy MarstersAustralia$26,000$18,687*
4Michael MooreUnited States$13,365$9,606
5Billy 'The Croc' ArgyrosAustralia$9,720$6,986
6Lee NelsonAustralia$8,505$6,113
7Luke EdwardsAustralia$7,290$5,239

*denotes three-handed deal

Mayoh started the day as the second shortest stack in play but was forced into action shortly after the first break.

"I was doing well and then after the first break I got short and was down to two and a half big bets. I got it all in on a Stud Hi-Lo hand and made a wheel and tripled up. That was a big thing that gave me life."

Mayoh quietly sat through as the players were eliminated until just three remained and they struck a deal.

"When we got down to three-handed play, there were plenty of big pots. Some that I lost on the river, some that I won on the river. I'm just glad I held out!"

Final Day Recap

Just one player was lost over the course of the first two levels of play, with short stack Ashish Gupta missing out on the money after falling victim to Daniel Mayoh in Limit Hold'em.

That elimination moved Mayoh into second place in the chip counts ahead of Luke Edwards who himself had also made up ground on the leaders. However, it was Michael Moore who still led with a commanding chip lead.

However, the early elimination at the final table was nothing but a false dawn as players continued to double through one another. Australian Poker Hall of Famer Lee Nelson was the lucky beneficiary as he rivered a two outer in Seven Card Stud to double through start of day chip leader Michael Moore.

2019 Aussie Millions
H.O.R.S.E. action at the 2019 Aussie Millions

Eventually, there was an elimination. Luke Edwards got it in with just ace-high in Stud Hi-Lo against the four low cards of Timothy Marsters. Sixth street improved Marsters to a six-high straight and Edwards missed a higher straight draw on seventh street as Marsters sent him to the rail in seventh.

With the limits steadily increasing, any pot with multiple bets suddenly became enormous, and with multiple players even more so. After his earlier miracle two-outer to double up, Nelson had slipped back again and moved all-in with king-six against the pocket queens of Moore. Nelson turned a six but the river bricked and he was eliminated in sixth place.

Lee Nelson
Lee Nelson couldn't add to his 2006 Aussie Millions Main Event title and was eliminated in sixth place

The chips were constantly changing hands, and it seemed like every player had a turn in the chip lead. By the second break Marsters had broken through but Skrbic quickly moved ahead of him and extended his lead with the elimination of Argyros in fifth place.

In a Stud Hi-Lo hand, Skrbic had made a low and a pair of fives by fourth street with Argyros still holding onto half the pot with just a pair of kings. "You're going to have to hit," said Skrbic having made two pair on the river and Argyros bricked seventh street to become the next elimination.

Start of day chip leader Michael Moore had chipped up earlier in the day but never really found his form at the final table and was eliminated in third place when his sevens were beaten by the ace-king of Mayoh after he hit a king.

Timothy Marsters

The remaining players turned down a deal at the outset of three-handed play, with Marsters doubling up. The three again looked at numbers before saying no, allowing Marsters to double up once more. Finally they agreed on a deal which would see the payouts as follows, with AUD$7,620 (USD$5,477) left for the winner along with the ANTON Championship Ring.

PlayerPayout (AUD)Payout (USD)
Timothy Marsters$26,000$18,687
Serdjan Brkic$25,000$17,968
Daniel Mayoh$24,000$17,249

When play resumed a Mayoh misstep saw his stick greatly diminished, but he managed to double when his kings cracked the aces of Marsters in Seven Card Stud. This sent Marsters the other way and he was eliminated when his king-ten was beaten by the ace-eight of Brkic.

The final two players started dead even in chips and the chips seemed reluctant to change hands. However, Mayoh slowly turned the tide and managed to gain a comfortable chip lead. And at the very first time of asking, his ace-ten held against Brkic's king-five.

There was an ace in the window, and Brkic was dead on the turn as Mayoh took down the title.

AUD$2,500 H.O.R.S.E. Champion Daniel Mayoh

There are plenty more titles on offer at the 2019 Aussie Millions, so stay tuned to PokerNews as we bring you more highlights, features and interviews over the coming days.

Tags: Ashish GuptaBilly ArgyrosDaniel MayohLee NelsonLuke EdwardsMichael MooreSrdjan BrkicTim Marsters

Scott Davies Talks Melbourne Memories, Flip Zone and Maui Run-good

Scott Davies
Scott Davies

You’d like to assume that you’re always going to enjoy coming back to a casino where you have previously won AUD$850,136 (approx. $600,000), and former WSOP Asia-Pacific Main Event champion Scott Davies says he always has good memories of coming back to the Crown, Melbourne.

“I remember after I won walking along the riverfront outside of the casino,” he said, “You know, when something like that happens you just want to get away from everyone for a few minutes. Being out there at night, in front of the casino…just every time I get here it still brings back a lot of good memories.”

Davies is here early and has been playing in the Opening Event, a AUD$1,150 event with five starting flights and a AUD$1,000,000 guarantee.

“It’s just another tournament, but I do feel like all tournaments here at the Crown are a bit more special for me. The atmosphere is incredible; you look around and there are dozens of players on the rail in Level 2 of a $1,000 event! There aren’t many places where that’ll happen. You definitely feel like the locals support this; like it’s their event.

“That being said there are people from all over the world here. It’s pretty cool. I know that the Germans seem to love it here!”

With a packed schedule, there’s plenty of poker action for Davies to sink his teeth into at the start of the year, but he says he “won’t be playing everything.”

“I put together a schedule that I intend on keeping. I definitely want to grind some of the satellites because I think they’re super good value.”

2019 Aussie Millions
2019 Aussie Millions

And what about the Crown’s ‘Flip Zone’ offering ten-handed $100 and $1,000 flips for players to try and work their way up to a Main Event seat, will Davies be trying his hand at those?

“Maybe not the Flip Zone,” he laughed, “But if you’re a poker player and want to degen and gamble a little bit, then that’s what you should be doing!”

Away from the tables, Davies has been enjoying a bit of life run-good over the festive period.

“I spent the holidays in Maui,” he said with a smile. “I run pretty good because my wife’s parents live there. They were living in Ohio when I proposed and we got married in Maui. They loved it there so much that they moved! I just run really good.”

With so much going on in Melbourne besides the 2019 Aussie Millions, including a lot of sporting action, Davies says he hopes to find a free afternoon to enjoy what’s on offer.

“I definitely want to get out to the tennis a few times. I got the chance to go to the men’s final a few years ago which was amazing. I don’t really grind as much as I used to. I come to things that I think would be interesting.

Scott Davies
Scott Davies

“My schedule for the year has this on and then South America; I really want to go to Brazil. I’ve got a place in Vegas so I’m just going to stay at home and grind there. I don’t really need to be on the road so much, but the Aussie Millions is one of the few stops that I would absolutely never miss!”

As a result, Davies says he has built up strong relationships with players and staff members here in Melbourne.

“It’s fun to reunite with everyone. I feel like I’ve come home every year. Everyone’s so great to me; at the cage, registration, the floor guys…everybody here is so friendly.

“The restaurants are awesome, the weather’s great, and Australia Day is coming up. There’s just so many reasons to come back!”

Tags: Scott DaviesWill Davies

Winner Set to be Crowned in Event #2: AUD$2,500 H.O.R.S.E.

Players Ready for H.O.R.S.E. Final Table
Players Ready for H.O.R.S.E. Final Table

4,751 days since winning the 2006 Aussie Millions Main Event, and 2,552 days since his last record cash (according to HendonMob.com) Lee Nelson has made the final table of Event #2: AUD$2,500 H.O.R.S.E. here at the 2019 Aussie Millions.

Despite the gap in his poker resume, Nelson has an impeccable Aussie Millions record. With five victories including winning $949,694 for his 2006 Main Event triumph and 12 more top-ten finishes, Nelson could likely set a record for longest time between Aussie Millions titles.

However there are seven other players standing in his way of collecting the AUD$40,095 in prize money. Here's how the final eight stack up:

SeatNameCountryChip Count
1Tim MarstersAustralia141,500
2Srdjan BrkicAustralia83,500
3Lee NelsonNew Zealand89,500
4Luke EdwardsAustralia114,000
5Ashish GuptaAustralia39,500
6Billy "The Croc" ArgyrosAustralia131,000
7Michael MooreUnited States152,500
8Daniel MayohAustralia58,500

Tim Marsters

A third-place finish in this year's USD$3,000 WSOP H.OR.S.E. event as well as cashes in the $10,000 Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo and $10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha events shows that Marsters is a dangerous mixed game player.

Marsters has previous in H.O.R.S.E. events here in Australia as well, winning a AUD$340 H.O.R.S.E event back in 2008 at the Melbourne Poker Championships. Currently sitting second in chips he'll be looking for an opening to push on towards another victory.

Seat 1: Tim Marsters

Srdjan Brkic

A regular here at the Crown Casino in its recurring tournaments, Brkic narrowly missed out on an Aussie Millions title last year when he finished second in the 6-Max for AUD$20,350.

Back in 2014, Brkic final-tabled this event finishing third for AUD$18,000.

Seat 2: Srdjan Brkic

Lee Nelson

Nelson told PokerNews that his reason for coming back to the Aussie Millions after a long period of not attending was due to his "wife's fortune teller." Apparently, the fortune teller was "1000% sure" that Nelson would win at least one tournament.

Well, the Australian Poker Hall of Famer has a chance to prove the fortune teller was right today when play resumes. A favorite of many on these shores, he certainly has the history at the venue to secure another victory.

Seat 3: Lee Nelson

Luke Edwards

With his last cash in Barcelona last summer, Edwards snuck into the top 100 on the Australian all-time money list, with just shy of USD$500,000 in cashes. His only cashes at the Aussie Millions are a pair from 2014 in the Bounty and 6-Max tournaments, but appears to have branched out and now is poised to cash in a mixed game event for the first time.

Seat 4: Luke Edwards

Ashish Gupta

With Aussie Millions cashes stretching back to 2009, Gupta will start the final table as the short stack. The Australian has a string of cashes from the WSOP including cashing the USD$1,500 H.O.R.S.E. event in 2016, 2017 and 2018.

The best result of his career came here in Melbourne, winning the APPT Main Event for AUD$235,875 back in October 2016. Can he run the short stack up to victory here just under three years later?

Seat 5: Ashish Gupta

Billy 'The Croc' Argyros

Argyros allegedly gained the nickname 'The Croc' whilst playing against Johnny Moss in a satellite for the WSOP. He introduced himself as 'Crocodile Billy', copied from the movie 'Crocodile Dundee' which was popular at the time.

With a fourth-place finish in the 2008 World Series of Poker, 'The Croc' has shown he has more than enough bite and won a special AUD$10,500 H.O.R.S.E. event at the 2008 Aussie Millions. Sitting third in chips, Argyros will be eyeing up another win in the same format.

Seat 6: Billy 'The Croc' Argyros

Michael Moore

This time last year, Moore cashed both Pot-Limit Omaha tournaments at the 2018 Aussie Millions for combined cashes of AUD$30,000.

This year, on his fourth visit to Melbourne for the Aussie Millions Moore bagged the chip lead in the AUD$2,500 H.O.R.S.E. and will prove tough opposition when play resumes.

Seat 7: Michael Moore

Daniel Mayoh

It appears that three fewer games haven't proved to be the difference for Mayoh, who has recorded strong performances in 8-Game Events at both the 2017 and 2018 Melbourne Poker Championships.

Mayoh comes into the final table second-shortest in chips behind Ashish Gupta, but the Crown Casino regular will certainly put in a battling performance in another mixed game event.

Seat 8: Daniel Mayoh

Tags: Ashish GuptaBilly ArgyrosDaniel MayohJohnny MossLee NelsonLuke EdwardsMichael MooreSrdjan BrkicTim Marsters

Today at the Aussie Millions: First Winner to be Crowned

Aussie Millions
Aussie Millions

Welcome back to PokerNews's coverage of the 2019 Aussie Millions. Today the first of 27 champions will be crowned with the conclusion of Event 2: AUD$2,500 H.O.R.S.E.

Just eight players remain after a final table was reached last night and leading the way is American Michael Moore with 152,500 chips.

"I was down very low and I threw some hands away that I think anybody here would have just gone with," Moore told PokerNews yesterday. "I hung in there, I started doubling up and hit a rush. Now I'm chip leader!

Today also sees the third flight in the AUD$1,150 Opening Event. 42 players have already made it through to Day 2 of this event, with three flights remaining.

Here's what the schedule looks like today:

DayEventTimeBuy-in
17th JanuaryEvent 2: H.O.R.S.E.1:00 PMFinal Day
 Opening Event Day 1 Flight 36:10 PMAUD$1,150

The third of five starting flights for the Opening Event kicks off later this evening. Players will receive 10,000 chips and play 12 40-minute levels. Late registration is open for the first six levels. Subsequent flights are open to players eliminated from previous flights as well as new players.

Stay tuned to PokerNews for all the action and updates!

Aussie Millions Highlights

Day 3 Started