$25,000 Challenge | 2026 Aussie Millions Poker Championship

May 05, 2026

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.

Tags: Luke Martinelli Michael Egan

Level: 20

Blinds: 50,000/100,000

Ante: 100,000

May 05, 2026

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.

May 05, 2026

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.

Tags: Joe Sandaev Josh Hutchins

May 05, 2026

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.

Tags: Kei Tanaka Michael Egan

May 05, 2026

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.

Tags: Hieu Nguyen Josh Hutchins Michael Egan

May 05, 2026

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.

Tags: Joe Sandaev Josh Hutchins Kei Tanaka

Level: 19

Blinds: 40,000/80,000

Ante: 80,000

May 05, 2026

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.

Tags: Josh Hutchins Matthew Wakeman

May 05, 2026