$25,000 Challenge | 2026 Aussie Millions Poker Championship

3 days 8 hours ago

Luke Martinelli Eliminated in 8th Place ($92,905 AUD)

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Dan O'Hair

Level 20 : Blinds 50,000/100,000, 100,000 ante

Luke Martinelli opened to 200,000 from early position and was called by Michael Egan in the hijack.

The flop came A♦7♦A♣ and Egan called a 125,000 bet from Martinelli.

Martinelli then checked to Egan, who wagered 375,000 on the Q♥ turn. Martinelli called.

The 2♥ completed the board and Martinelli checked a final time. Egan moved all in and Martinelli quickly called all in for his last 1,500,000.

Egan tabled A♥Q♠ for a full house, which was best against Martinelli's 7♠7♥ for a lower full house and Martinelli was eliminated in eighth place on a cooler.

Player	Chips	Progress
Michael Egan	8,105,000 2,425,000	2,425,000
Luke Martinelli	Busted

Tags: Luke Martinelli Michael Egan

Level: 20

Blinds: 50,000/100,000

Ante: 100,000

3 days 8 hours ago

Break Time

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Dan O'Hair

Level 19 : Blinds 40,000/80,000, 80,000 ante

The final eight players have been sent on a 15-minute break.

Player	Chips	Progress
Kei Tanaka	7,385,000 630,000	630,000

Michael Egan	5,680,000 480,000	480,000
Andy Lee	4,485,000 160,000	160,000
Matthew Wakeman	3,085,000 480,000	480,000
Josh Hutchins	2,935,000 500,000	500,000
Joe Sandaev	2,500,000 250,000	250,000
Luke Martinelli	2,175,000 400,000	400,000
Aaron Li	1,160,000 200,000	200,000

3 days 9 hours ago

Hutchins Binks a Straight

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Dan O'Hair

Level 19 : Blinds 40,000/80,000, 80,000 ante

Joe Sandaev raised to 160,000 with A♠K♣ first to act and was called by Josh Hutchins in the hijack holding 10♠10♥.

Sandaev check-called a 130,000 bet from Hutchins on the 9♥Q♦4♣ flop and checked again after pairing his king on the K♥ turn. Hutchins bet 325,000 and Sandaev called.

The J♥ filled Hutchins straight draw and Sandaev checked a final time. Hutchins moved all in for his last million and Sandaev tanked a while before letting his hand go.

Player	Chips	Progress
Josh Hutchins	2,435,000 615,000	615,000
Joe Sandaev	2,250,000 535,000	535,000

Tags: Joe Sandaev Josh Hutchins

3 days 9 hours ago

Tanaka Takes From Egan

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Dan O'Hair

Level 19 : Blinds 40,000/80,000, 80,000 ante

Kei Tanaka raised to 200,000 on the button with A♦J♠ and Michael Egan defended his big blind holding Q♣5♣.

Egan check-called a 100,000 bet from Tanaka on the 7♥Q♠K♣ flop and then both players checked on the 2♥ turn.

The A♣ river paired Tanaka's ace on the river and Egan checked a final time. Tanaka took the opportunity to bet 350,000 and Egan quickly let his hand go.

Player	Chips	Progress
Kei Tanaka	8,015,000 140,000	140,000

Michael Egan	5,200,000 20,000	20,000

Tags: Kei Tanaka Michael Egan

3 days 9 hours ago

Hieu Nguyen Eliminated in 9th Place ($75,265 AUD)

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Dan O'Hair

Level 19 : Blinds 40,000/80,000, 80,000 ante

Josh Hutchins opened to 160,000 with K♠Q♣ from early position and was three-bet to 400,000 by Michael Egan in the hijack.

Hieu Nguyen then shoved for his last 1,200,000 from the cutoff, which got a fold from Hutchins and a quick call from Egan to be put at risk.

Hieu Nguyen: J♠J♣ All in
Michael Egan: Q♥Q♦

Nguyen found his big pair pipped, and the 8♦K♦6♥2♦9♥ runout kept Egan's queens best to eliminate Nguyen in ninth place.

Player	Chips	Progress
Michael Egan	5,220,000 1,570,000	1,570,000
Josh Hutchins	1,820,000 160,000	160,000
Hieu Nguyen	Busted

Tags: Hieu Nguyen Josh Hutchins Michael Egan

3 days 9 hours ago

Sandaev Chips up

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Dan O'Hair

Level 19 : Blinds 40,000/80,000, 80,000 ante

Josh Hutchins opeend to 160,000 from early position with A♥4♥ and was called by Kei Tanaka in middle position holding A♠8♠ and Joe Sandaev in the big blind with J♦10♣.

Sandaev checked to Hutchins, who continued for 125,000 on the Q♦Q♣10♠ flop. Tanaka let his hand go and Sadaev called.

Both players checked down on the 3♠ turn and 7♠ river and Sandaev was sent the pot with his two pair.

Player	Chips	Progress
Kei Tanaka	7,875,000 30,000	30,000

Joe Sandaev	2,785,000 485,000	485,000
Josh Hutchins	1,980,000 370,000	370,000

Tags: Joe Sandaev Josh Hutchins Kei Tanaka

Level: 19

Blinds: 40,000/80,000

Ante: 80,000

3 days 9 hours ago

Hutchins Gets a Bluff Through

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Dan O'Hair

Level 18 : Blinds 30,000/60,000, 60,000 ante

Matthew Wakeman raised to 120,000 from the hijack with A♠9♠ and was called by Josh Hutchins in the big blind with A♥8♣.

Hutchins check-called a 75,000 bet from Wakeman on the 6♠5♣6♣ flop and then check-raised a bet of 160,000 from Wakeman to 420,000 after picking up a flush and straight draw on the 9♣ turn.

Wakeman laid his hand down after a bit of thought and Hutchins took down the pot.