button in SafariMizrachi and Hachem Headline 355 Survivors Returning for Day 2 of Aussie Millions Opening Event
Two of poker’s biggest names headline the return to the felt today as Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi and Joe Hachem lead a strong group of survivors into Day 2 of the A$1,500 Opening Event at the Aussie Millions Poker Championship 2026 Presented by CrownBet.
Mizrachi sits eighth in chips with 730,000 (73 big blinds), putting the four-time Poker Players Championship winner and defending WSOP Main Event champion in prime position as the tournament moves into its later stages. Hachem, Australia’s 2005 WSOP Main Event champion, returns with 146,000 (14 big blinds) and will be looking to build a stack as the field begins to thin.
Also back in the field is Vincent "Wonky" Wan, winner of the 2020 Aussie Millions Main Event, the last time the festival was held. Wan brings 474,000 (47 big blinds) into Day 2 and remains well placed as the field continues to narrow.
A total of 355 players will return today from a starting field of 2,144 entries, with the prize pool now sitting at A$2,787,200, nearly tripling the original guarantee.
The aim today is to play down to the final table of nine, with those players returning on Tuesday, April 28 to decide the champion.
Sandaev Sets the Pace After Four Starting Flights
Leading the field into Day 2 is Joe Sandaev, who bagged the largest stack of the tournament so far with 990,000 (99 big blinds) after advancing from the Day 1C flight.
He holds a narrow advantage over the chasing pack, with several strong stacks positioned behind him. Among the notables returning with above-average stacks are Hamish Crawshaw, who bagged 384,000 (38 big blinds), and Alan Pham, who returns with 244,000 (24 big blinds).
Aussie Millions ambassador Van Marcus also remains in contention with 239,500 (23 big blinds) after adding to his strong series start, which included a third-place finish in the $2,500 H.O.R.S.E. Championship.
Veteran Australian player Billy "Croc" Argyros returns with 189,000 (18 big blinds) and will be looking to build early as play resumes.
Opening Event Top 10 Chip Counts
| Player | Chip Count | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|
| Joe Sandaev | 990,000 | 99 |
| Subramanyam Vanaparthy | 903,000 | 90 |
| Joshua Baraba | 889,000 | 89 |
| Harlie Jensz | 840,000 | 84 |
| Xin Li | 810,000 | 81 |
| Simon Moshi | 770,000 | 77 |
| Terry Huang | 745,000 | 75 |
| Michael Mizrachi | 730,000 | 73 |
| Jackie Thai | 687,000 | 69 |
| James Tsamakis | 671,000 | 67 |
Bubble Expected to Take Place Early
Play resumes at 12:10 p.m. at Level 16, with blinds at 5,000/10,000 and a 10,000 big blind ante. From this point forward, levels increase to 60 minutes.
With a large number of players still in the field, tables will begin the day 10-handed, before transitioning back to nine-handed play as numbers allow.
Of the 355 returning players, 268 will make the money, leaving 87 eliminations between the field and the payouts. The minimum cash is set at A$2,800, while A$438,400 awaits the eventual champion.
The average stack coming into Day 2 sits at 241,577 (24 big blinds) and by the end of the day, the field is expected to be reduced to just nine players. That will set the stage for Tuesday’s final table and the crowning of the first major champion of the 2026 Aussie Millions.