2009 Aussie Millions › Event 1 - $1,100 No Limit Hold'em

Day 2 completed

Posted 2009-01-12 GMT+12

Christian Heich Wins Event #1: $1,100 No Limit Hold'em (AU$150,000)

Congratulations to Germany's Christian Heich who overcame a record field for an Aussie Millions preliminary event to capture the first title of this series and the coveted Gold Ring!

Christian flew under the radar for most of the tournament as his high profile opponents came and went. At the final table he held firm and with a rush of good cards and solid play, he defeated the best Australia had to offer to collect the first place prize of AU$150,000. Congratulations to Christian and all of our cash winners.

That wraps up our coverage of Event #1, but as the song goes, we've only just begun! The PokerPro event is nearing an exciting conclusion across the room and the team will be back again tomorrow at 12:30pm for our continued coverage of the 2009 Aussie Millions Poker Championships. We look forward to your company then!

Tags: Christian Heich.

Steve Topakas Eliminated in 2nd Place (AU$110,380); Christian Heich Wins Event #1

As it turned out, Steve Topakas was not able to hold on much longer. Sitting in the big blind, he called a raise to 100,000 from Christian Heich. The flop came . Topakas checked to Heich, then called a bet of 110,000. On the turn Topakas checked a second time. Heich bet 275,000, then snap-called when Topakas moved all in. The crowd pressed around the rail to see what cards each player would reveal:

Topakas:
Heich:

Heich showed a set of jacks, but had to fade the double gutshot straight draw of Topakas. When the river fell a blank, the , Topakas was eliminated from the tournament. His second place finish was not without its reward, however. The prize money he collected amounted to AU$110,380.

Tags: Christian Heich, Steve Topakas.

Positional Pressure

Christian Heich has minimum-raised Steve Topakas' big blind each of the last three times. Topakas has given it up each time, but is firing back at Heich's big blind when he has position of his own. This is a battle of wills right now, with neither player willing to give in. How much longer can it go on?

Heich Recovers

Just as he had finally drawn level to Christian Heich, Steve Topakas suffered a major setback. He opened for 190,000 from the button and was called by Heich. The flop was . Heich checked and then called a bet of 220,000.

Both players checked through the turn. When the river fell , Heich made a sizable bet of 375,000. Topakas seemed pained by this bet, removing his sunglasses as he contemplated a decision. He finally made a brave call. Heich showed for a pair of kings; Topakas flashed a king of his own before mucking his hand.

With that win, Heich has climbed up the counts to 2.5 million in chips. He once again has a two-to-one chip lead on Topakas.

Tags: Christian Heich, Steve Topakas.

Topakas Sneaks Ahead

Christian Heich raised to 125,000 from the button and Steve Topakas made the call in the big blind.

The flop was checked and the free card on the turn was the . Topakas led out with a 145,000 chip bet and Heich gave it up.

Topakas now has a very slight chip lead over his opponent.

Topakas Continues To Chip Up

Steve Topakas once again limped in on the button but this time Christian Heich bumped it up an additional 100,000. Topakas made the call.

They saw a flop of and both players checked. The turn was the and again both checked. The river produced the and Heich checked for a third time. Topakas fired out 100,000 but Heich looked him up with a call.

Topakas showed for top pair which was good to collect the pot. Both players are now very even in chips.

Tags: Steve Topakas.

Topakas Not Ready to Go Just Yet

As he has done almost every button, Christian Heich opened for 100,000. Steve Topakas called and then checked a flop of . Heich fired out for 125,000. Topakas finally fought back with a check-raise to 400,000. Heich gave it about thirty seconds of thought before folding.

Topakas tabled , a stone bluff, as he collected the pot. He's clawed back to about 1.5 million in chips. Heich still has the lead with approximately 2.1 million. Topakas has shown more willingness to play pots out of position than Heich has, which may ultimately hamper his comeback efforts.

Tags: Christian Heich, Steve Topakas.

Topakas Keeps It Small

Steve Topakas limped in from the button and Christian Heich checked his option in the big blind.

They took a flop of and Heich checked to Topakas who bet out 50,000. Heich folded and Topakas collects the small pot.

Level 23 started

Posted 2009-01-11 GMT+12