AU$10,600 Main Event
Day 1a Started
2019 Aussie Millions
AU$10,600 Main Event
Day: 1a
Event Info
Final Results
Event Info
Level Info
2019 Aussie Millions
Buy-in
10,600 AUD
Prize Pool
8,220,000 AUD
Entries
822
Level
31
Blinds
80,000 / 160,000
Ante
20,000
The 2019 Aussie Millions Main Event Kicks Off Today
At 12.30 p.m. local time, the first of three starting flights of the 2019 Aussie Millions A$10,600 Main Event kicks off in the biggest casino complex of the Southern hemisphere, the Crown Casino in Melbourne. One year ago, Toby Lewis defeated Stefan Huber heads-up and topped a massive field of 800 entries to score his biggest payday on the live circuit to date, taking home A$1,458,198 (almost $1.2 million) for his efforts.
The Brit has once again made the trip back to Australia and fell narrowly close of another victory at Crown, as he lost the blind flip against Rainer Kempe in the A$25,000 Challenge in the early morning hours. Lewis will certainly be back to try and defend his Main Event title, but perhaps he won't take a seat on Day 1a as the A$50,000 Challenge also kicks off today at around 1.10 p.m. local time in the main poker room.
Following into the footsteps of a very successful live satellite program since March for the previous year, which created a record field of 800 entries, the Aussie Millions continued the path. In 2018, more than 400 players won their entry to the Main Event and that number may be closer to 500 this time around to put the event on track for another incredible turnout.
Day 1 Level Structure
| Level | Small Blind | Big Blind | Ante |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 50 | 100 | 0 |
| 2 | 100 | 200 | 0 |
| 3 | 100 | 200 | 25 |
| 4 | 150 | 300 | 25 |
| 5 | 200 | 400 | 50 |
| 6 | 250 | 500 | 75 |
| 7 | 300 | 600 | 100 |
The first of three starting days kicks off today and on each Day 1, seven 90-minute levels are scheduled. There is a 15-minute break after each level with a 75-minute dinner break at the end of the fourth level of play. All players receive 30,000 in chips and the event is played as a freezeout, the registration remains open until the end of the first level of Day 2 on Wednesday, January 30th, 2019.
With Australia Day celebrations spreading over the entire weekend, the action is expected to heat up in the days to come for the biggest poker event of the region. The PokerNews team will be on the floor to cover all the action until a new Aussie Millions is champion is crowned on Sunday, February 3rd, 2019.
Level: 1
Blinds: 50/100
Ante: 0
Shuffle Up and Deal by Toby Lewis
Level 1
: 50/100, 0 ante
After a late shift until past 4 a.m. local time, defending champion Toby Lewis was at the Crown Casino just now to deliver the shuffle up and deal along with Aussie Millions tournament director Joel Williams.
Lewis won't be jumping into the A$50,000 Challenge nor Day 1a of the Main Event, but rather enjoy the sunshine in Melbourne. "Don't overeat," the Brit joked, as he made that mistake in the past. He also mentioned how important it is to be patient in this tournament that gives all players a lot of time to to enjoy poker with 90-minute levels throughout.
First Notables in the Field
Level 1
: 50/100, 0 ante
Day 1a has kicked off with around 100 players and among those to be in their seats right off the bat were Mikel Habb, Michael Gathy, Kenny Hallaert, Dylan Honeyman, Heidi May, Ari Engel and Abraham Passet. Engel already won an Aussie Millions Main Event and also claimed an Aussie Millions ring this year, same applies for Michael Gathy who made it back-to-back wins for Belgium a few days ago.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
30,000 | |
|
30,000 | |
|
30,000 | |
|
30,000 | |
|
30,000 | |
|
30,000 | |
|
30,000 |
One for Tavella
Level 1
: 50/100, 0 ante
Picking up the action on the 
flop, Sorel Mizzi bet 550 in the small blind and was called by Antonio Tavella in early position, while Sam Khoueis in the cutoff sent his cards into the muck. The 
followed on the turn and Mizzi slowed down, checked his option. Tavella took the lead with a bet of 1,400 and that did the trick to claim the pot without showdown.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
32,000 | 32,000 |
|
29,000 | 29,000 |
|
29,000 | 29,000 |
More Notables on Day 1a
Level 1
: 50/100, 0 ante
Among those to enter in the first level of the day were also Aussie Hall of Famer Mel Judah, Aymon Hata, Johannes Becker, Sam Khoueis and 2018 Aussie Millions finalist Johan Schumacher. The Belgian finished 7th for A$235,000 one year ago here at Crown Casino after initially coming over with his brother after a vacation.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
30,000 | 30,000 |
|
30,000 | 30,000 |
|
30,000 | 30,000 |
|
|
30,000 | 30,000 |
|
30,000 | 30,000 |
|
30,000 | 30,000 |
|
30,000 | 30,000 |
Moore Chips Up Without Showdown
Level 1
: 50/100, 0 ante
In a three-way single raised pot to the 
, Quan Zhou bet 100 and Michael Moore raised to 300, which forced one fold and a call from Zhou. The 
turn was checked and Zhou check-folded the 
river to a bet of 400 by WSOP bracelet winner Zhou.
The same table now also features Johannes Becker, who sat down just before the hand had started.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
31,000 | 31,000 |
|
29,000 | 29,000 |
Casale First to Bust
Level 1
: 50/100, 0 ante
The dealer announced an open seat on table 32 and the one seat was no longer occupied. Seat two had a double stack, which belonged to Anthony Kingston and table neighbor Thomas Wing provided the necessary details.
According to Kingston and Wing, it was Antonio Casale that raised to 350 and was called by Kingston. Casale check-raised a queen-high flop from 500 to 2,000 and Kingston called, then Casale jammed the 
turn for 26,000 with 
for a pair of tens and a flush draw. Kingston however already had the made flush and scored the first bustout of the day after not even half an hour.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
60,000 | 60,000 |
|
|
30,500 | 30,500 |
|
|
Busted |
Trips for Mparsakis
Level 1
: 50/100, 0 ante
On the tail end of a bigger pot over on table 25, the board showed 
and Bryan Pellegrino called a bet of 2,400 by Xavier Bustamante Mparsakis. The latter turned over 
for trips treys and that won the pot.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
33,000 | 33,000 |
|
27,000 | 27,000 |