AUSSIE MILLIONS WRAP UP 2003-07

CHAMPIONS ONLY COME IN ONES

For many of us the Aussie Millions started in 2003 when the prize pool jumped into the mega range and we were invaded by the Baltic kids (the “Magic” team. Australian Poker came of age this year. We have had a wonderful four years so far with a mix of international and Aussie/Kiwi stars coming to the fore. They were exciting poker years with better yet to come. All expectations point to the Aussie Millions 2008 being one of the great poker celebrations of the world. The winners below are all ‘Aussie Millions bracelet winners’ on our standards.

2003

Crown Australasian Poker Championships Main Event No Limit Holdem Crown - 12 Jan 2003
Peter Costa – UK, Leo Boxell – Aus 2nd
Crown Australasian Poker Championships Pot Limit Omaha Crown - 10 Jan 2003
Lucy Rockach – UK, Gary Benson Aus 4th
Crown Australasian Poker Championships Poker Ashes Crown - 09 Jan 2003
Australia 6/5
Crown Australasian Poker Championships Pot Limit Hold em Crown - 09 Jan 2003
Sherkhan Fernood – Afghanistan – Milo Nadalin Aus 4th
Crown Australasian Poker Championships Limit Omaha Hi Lo Crown - 08 Jan 2003 Mel Judah – Aus
Crown 32 MAN HEADS UP Crown - 08 Jan 2003
George Mamacas – Aus
Crown Pioneers Poker Event Crown - 07 Jan 2003
Paul Pedersen NZ, Glen Athanassiou 2nd Aus
Crown Australasian Poker Championships Limit Hold em Crown - 06 Jan 2003
Michael Tomeny USA, Leo Boxell Aus
Crown Australasian Poker Championships Pot Limit Omaha Crown - 05 Jan 2003
Sherkhan Fernood Afghanistan, James Potter Aus 4th
Crown Australasian Championships. Pot Limit Hold-em Crown - 03 Jan 2003
Luke Chezick N.Z, Anthony Donjerkovic Aus 2nd
Crown Australasian Championships. Limit Hold-em Crown - 02 Jan 2003
Carlo Citrone UK, Sam Khouiss – Aus 3rd.
What a year was 2003 for Aussie Poker with local players taking out places in all events. Costa, Rockach, Fernood and Citrone winning for the internationals. And the Heads up for the main event winner Leo the Lion surviving 14 all ins to take runner up. This was the year Crown stepped forward with the team, Sean, Danny and Bendigo to accept the mantle of ‘Home of Aussie Poker’ from Adelaide and set the pace for the future. We were never to look back.

2004

Aussie Millions 2004 Crown 03 Jan 04 - 17 Jan 04 • # 1 No Limit Holdem (12.30 PM / 03 Jan 04)
Marty Wilson UK, Joseph Tesoriero Aus 4th
Aussie Millions 2004 Crown 03 Jan 04 - 17 Jan 04 • # 2 Limit Holdem (12.30 PM / 04 Jan 04)
John Homann Aus
Aussie Millions 2004 Crown 03 Jan 04 - 17 Jan 04 • # 3 Limit Omaha (12.30 PM / 05 Jan 04)
Arul Thillai Aus
Aussie Millions 2004 Crown 03 Jan 04 - 17 Jan 04 • # 4 Pot Limit Holdem (12.30 PM / 06 Jan 04)
Andy Glazer USA, John Madaffari 3rd
Aussie Millions 2004 Crown 03 Jan 04 - 17 Jan 04 • # 5 Pot Limit Omaha (12.30 PM / 07 Jan 04)
Seth Towle USA, John Madaffari 2nd
Aussie Millions 2004 Crown 03 Jan 04 - 17 Jan 04 • # 6 Limit Holdem (12.30 PM / 08 Jan 04)
Sam Korman Aus
Aussie Millions 2004 Crown 03 Jan 04 - 17 Jan 04 • # 7 Limit 7/Card Stud (12.30 PM / 09 Jan 04)
Andy Glazer USA, John Wylie NZ 2nd
Aussie Millions 2004 Crown 03 Jan 04 - 17 Jan 04 • # 9 Limit Omaha Hi/Lo (12.30 PM / 11 Jan 04)
Michael Guttman Aus
Aussie Millions 2004 Crown 03 Jan 04 - 17 Jan 04 • # 8 Heads Up (12.30 PM / 11 Jan 04)
Per_Werner Swennson Sweden, Mike Ivin 5th
Aussie Millions 2004 Crown 03 Jan 04 - 17 Jan 04 • # 10 Pot Limit Holdem (12.30 PM / 12 Jan 04)
Mike Ivin Aus
Aussie Millions 2004 Crown 03 Jan 04 - 17 Jan 04 • # 11 Pot Limit Omaha (12.30 PM / 14 Jan 04)
Steve Zolotow USA, Jason Gray Aus 2nd
Aussie Millions 2004 Crown 03 Jan 04 - 17 Jan 04 • # 12 No Limit Holdem (2nd chance) (1.00 PM / 15 Jan 04)
Tony Bloom UK, Jesse Jones USA, David Hatzis Aus 4th
2004 consolidated the Aussie Millions as an international venue with repeat trips from UK and European players and our first big contingent from the USA. Wilson, Towle, Per Werner Svennson and a tribute performance from a world poker mate Andy Glazer. Joe Tesoriero, Sam Korman, John Homann, Mike Ivin and David Hatzis starred for Australia. The sensational main event saw Tony Bloom (K 3) steal the final hand from Jesse Jones (KK) with a 3,3 flop. This year was the start also of the online satellite qualifiers.

2005

2005 Crown Australian Poker Championship Crown 04 Jan 05 - 20 Jan 05 • # 1 No Limit Holdem (12.30 PM / 06 Jan 05)
Richard Ashby UK, George Vassilopoulos Aus
2005 Crown Australian Poker Championship Crown 04 Jan 05 - 20 Jan 05 • # 2 Limit Holdem (12.30 PM / 07 Jan 05)
Baden Logan Aus
2005 Crown Australian Poker Championship Crown 04 Jan 05 - 20 Jan 05 • # 3 Pot Limit Holdem (12.30 PM / 08 Jan 05)
Michael Guttman Aus
2005 Crown Australian Poker Championship Crown 04 Jan 05 - 20 Jan 05 • # 4 Pot Limit Omaha (12.30 PM / 09 Jan 05)
Martin Wilson UK, Lee Nelson NZ
2005 Crown Australian Poker Championship Crown 04 Jan 05 - 20 Jan 05 • # 5 No Limit Holdem (12.30 PM / 10 Jan 05)
Han Luu Aus
2005 Crown Australian Poker Championship Crown 04 Jan 05 - 20 Jan 05 • # 6 Limit 7 Card Stud (12.30 PM / 11 Jan 05)
Lee Nelson NZ, John Homann Aus 3rd.
2005 Crown Australian Poker Championship Crown 04 Jan 05 - 20 Jan 05 • # 7 Pot Limit Holdem (12.30 PM / 12 Jan 05)
Tino Lechich Aus
2005 Crown Australian Poker Championship Crown 04 Jan 05 - 20 Jan 05 • # 8 Limit Omaha Hi Lo (12.30 PM / 13 Jan 05)
Tony Bloom UK, Bill Riach Aus 2nd
2005 Crown Australian Poker Championship Crown 04 Jan 05 - 20 Jan 05 • # 11 Tag Team Limit Holdem (2.15 PM / 15 Jan 05)
James Potter Aus
2005 Crown Australian Poker Championship Crown 04 Jan 05 - 20 Jan 05 • # 10 WHUPO Heads Up No Limit Holdem (12.30 PM / 15 Jan 05)
Martin Comer Aus
2005 Crown Australian Poker Championship Crown 04 Jan 05 - 20 Jan 05 • # 13 Australian 2 Card Manila Championship (12.30 PM/17Jan 05)
Carlo Larosa Aus
2005 Crown Australian Poker Championship Crown 04 Jan 05 - 20 Jan 05 • # 12 Pot Limit Omaha (12.30 PM / 17 Jan 05)
Marcel Luske Holland, Mick Manttan Aus 2nd
2005 Crown Australian Poker Championship Crown 04 Jan 05 - 20 Jan 05 • # 9 World Speed Poker Championship (12.30 PM / 17 Jan 05)
Michael Thuritz Sweden, Emad Tahtouh Aus
2005 Crown Australian Poker Championship Crown 04 Jan 05 - 20 Jan 05 • # 14 No Limit Holdem Australian Championship (12.30 PM / 18 Jan 05)
Jamil Dia NZ, George Mamacas 3rd.
We all thought 2005 was to be the pinnacle of Millions poker in Australia with big numbers, big money and big international players but there was more to come. Australian stars Logan, Guttman, Luu, Nelson, Lechich, Potter, Homann, Larosa and Comer took out bracelets in nine events and Kiwi Jamil Dia won the Aussie Millions main event. What a year for local players, 10 out of 14 amongst some of the worlds’ best.. Of the internationals Ashby, Wilson, Bloom, Luske and Thuritz, all repeat visitors, carried the flag.

2006

2006 Crown Aussie Millions Crown 06 Jan 06 - 19 Jan 06 • # 1 No Limit Holdem (12.30 PM / 06 Jan 06)
Paul Taylor Aus
2006 Crown Aussie Millions Crown 06 Jan 06 - 19 Jan 06 • # 2 Pot Limit/No Limit Holdem (12.30 PM / 07 Jan 06)
Robert Lamb UK
2006 Crown Aussie Millions Crown 06 Jan 06 - 19 Jan 06 • # 3 Limit Holdem (12.30 PM / 08 Jan 06)
Andrew Kanaridis Aus
2006 Crown Aussie Millions Crown 06 Jan 06 - 19 Jan 06 • # 4 No Limit Holdem (12.30 PM / 09 Jan 06)
Olle Sundin Sweden
2006 Crown Aussie Millions Crown 06 Jan 06 - 19 Jan 06 • # 6 Limit Omaha Hi Lo (12.30 PM / 11 Jan 06)
Steve Hegyi Aus
2006 Crown Aussie Millions Crown 06 Jan 06 - 19 Jan 06 • # 8 No Limit Holdem (12.30 PM / 12 Jan 06)
Sam Khouiss Aus
2006 Crown Aussie Millions Crown 06 Jan 06 - 19 Jan 06 • # 9 Pot Limit Omaha (12.30 PM / 13 Jan 06) Steve Hegyi Aus
2006 Crown Aussie Millions Crown 06 Jan 06 - 19 Jan 06 • # 5 Speed Poker (12.30 PM / 13 Jan 06)
Ray Sanchez Sweden
2006 Crown Aussie Millions Crown 06 Jan 06 - 19 Jan 06 • # 0 Speed Poker Million Dollar Challenge (12.30 PM / 14 Jan 06)
John Juanda USA
2006 Crown Aussie Millions Crown 06 Jan 06 - 19 Jan 06 • # 13 Teams Event Pot Limit Holdem (12.45 PM / 17 Jan 06)
Robin Saab & David Saab Aus
2006 Crown Aussie Millions Crown 06 Jan 06 - 19 Jan 06 • # 14 No Limit Holdem (12.45 PM / 18 Jan 06)
Steve Accardo Aus
2006 Crown Aussie Millions Crown 06 Jan 06 - 19 Jan 06 • # 7 2 Card Manila (4.30 PM / 18 Jan 06)
Fred Bart Aus
2006 Crown Aussie Millions Crown 06 Jan 06 - 19 Jan 06 • # 12 No Limit Holdem Championship Event (12.30 PM / 19 Jan 06)
Lee Nelson NZ
The local players again scooped the pool in many areas but with the exception of Nelson, Hegyi and Khouiss the players were relative newcomers to big time poker. It was good to see the Y generation making an impact on world poker. Lee nelson capped off four years of sensational tournament poker with the Pokernetwork player of the years and the main event. Crown broke all records for this Millions.

AND NOW WE COME TO THE BIGGEST AND BEST SO FAR LAST YEARS 2007 CROWN AUSSIE MILLIONS

The face of tournament poker in Australasia (Australia and New Zealand = Oz) has now changed forever. From the 2003 Baltic Invasion of the Millions and the subsequent assault by younger online trained players, this has now become the norm with multiple satellite entries, million dollar pots, Hitech reporting and TV coverage. No longer is the experienced poker veteran the favourite. The field is open for all and sundry as this year’s 2007 results indicate. This can only lead to stronger fields and more Poker interest in Casinos, Clubs and Pubs.

2007 Aussie Millions Crown 05 Jan 07 – 19 Jan 07

#13 $3200 2 Card Manila (4.15 PM / 18 Jan 07)
As expected the old timers scooped the pool in this event. No smoky back of house pool room or coffee shop but otherwise a true clash of Aussie roadrunners. Gold Coaster Mark Erickson ($90K) led the field followed by Fred Bart ($55K), Kiwi G Putt ($37K), Nick Assioti ($25) and Arthur Tsakalos ($15K). If you would like a run down of Aussie poker ‘as it is’ over the last century ask these guys. 100% result for the locals in this one ($222K). Fred was the winner of this event last year and would now qualify as ‘Australasia’s best Manila player’?
#12 $550 No Limit Holdem (12.45 PM / 18 Jan 07)
The Captains and the Kings had almost departed for this event but it was still a major field with a very good turnout of beginners and newer players who took out the major places. Jozef Berec finished first from Jim Ghabrial. Only 4 name players Brian Hull, Kosta Varoxis, James Potter and Tino Lechich in the top 45 cashes. Poker skill being a given, tournament poker is still about ‘when and where you get the cards’, which is a great encouragement for the up and coming champions.
11 $1,100 Teams Event No Limit Holdem (12.45 PM / 17 Jan 07)
This popular teams event attracted 145 teams for a prize pool of $145000 with winners from USA, Denmark and Oz. 5 of 18 cash outs were Oz players led by Colin Adamopoulous and Marlon Goodwardana 3rd for $15,950. Oz share of the prize pool was $38,063. Veteran players Samia/Potter, Youssef/Vandersluis made a good showing whilst some newer groups took out 6th and 9th place.
10 $5,200 Australian Heads Up Poker Championship (12.45 PM / 16 Jan 07)
2 of 8 cashouts were Australian including David Saab for a $64K win and Ralph Burd $8K. An exciting finish gave David his first major for a while and we should see more of him in the future. Prize pool was $160000 with $72000 going to Oz.
8 $100,000 Holdem Event (12.30 PM / 12 Jan 07)
The buy in was a bit rich for most players but it was a great spectator event with many internationals playing. Eric Lindgren USA $1.000.000 took out the event from Eric Seidel USA $550,000, both former visitors to the Millions. These high buyin events plus HORSE and other variations would seem to be growing in popularity as a alternative to the classic Millions main event. 18 players with a prize pool of $1.8 million. Oz players missed out on the cash in this event.
7 $1,650 No Limit Holdem Feature Event (12.30 PM / 11 Jan 07) 533 entrants with a prize pool of $799,500. Oz players took out a total of $426,451. Again the Aussies did well in this event with 13 cashouts from the top 20, including veteran Sam Korman 2nd, Martin Comer 3rd, Van Marcus 4th and Weng Wong 5th. Alex Masterman from the UK was a worthy winner.
6 $3,200 Pot Limit Omaha (12.30 PM / 10 Jan 07)
55 entrants in this event for a prize pool of $495,000. Four of the nine cashouts went to Oz players Steve Hegyi, Van Marcus, Ralph Burd and Mark Vos for a total of $168,500. Popular international favourite Jesse Jones USA the winner $176K and runner up Andrew Black Ireland $116K. Didn’t spot any newcomers to this event. It was one for the more experienced players.
5 $1,050 PokerPro Holdem Championship (10.00 AM / 10 Jan 07)
The Poker Pro was a new innovation following the success of the introduction of the tables this year. USA took out first and second with Dennis Huntley and Barry Warner Australia next. 32 entrants with a prize pool of $31,000 of which $9300 went to Oz.
4 $1,150 No Limit Holdem with Rebuys (12.30 PM / 09 Jan 07)
There were 164 entrants for a total of $464,000. Oz players took out $308,560 of this. This was a very popular and successful event for the Australians taking 13 of the 18 cash outs. Gary Benson, WSOP Stud Bracelet was the popular winner leading into what may be a very successful year for him. There was a strong representation of veteran Oz players in the final cashouts.
3 $1,100 Limit Omaha Hi Lo (12.30 PM / 08 Jan 07)
There were 96 entrants. Not a big field but a very experienced one with young pro Jethro Horowitz Australia first. 8 out of the 10 cash outs were from Australia. The Prize pool was $96,000 with majority $71,040 going to the Oz players.
2 $1,100 Limit Holdem (12.30 PM / 07 Jan 07)
This event was a lower limit buy in and proved very successful for the local players with 15 of the first 18 cash outs going to local players. There was a total of 170 entrants with a prize pool of $170,000; $136,000 going to Oz players. Nick Suter from the West took out first prize with a close heads up to Billie Argyros Victoria. Popular internationals John Juanda USA, Jesse Jones USA and Harry Demetriou took out 3rd, 4th and 14th places.
1 $1,100 No Limit Holdem (12.30 PM / 06 Jan 07)
This was a good result for Crown with 26 of the 30 top places going to Oz players. Alex Xiourouffa from Adelaide took out first $140K with Zia Ma from Sydney second.. Many of our seasoned Melbourne players filled the rest. A feature was the number of newer players who managed to make a cashout and feature on a main event final table. 515 entrants for a total prize pool of $517060 with $484,872 going to the 42 out of 46 Oz players in the cash outs.
And for the 2007 Main event all records were broken with a 747 player entry and a $1.5 million first prize.
9 $10,500 No Limit Holdem (12.30 PM / 14 Jan 07)
This was a massive 5-day tournament with the world’s best players competing for the Aussie Millions 2007 Title. It was a worthy win from Gus Hansen. Twenty-seven Australasians finished in the money with the top 5 being relative unknowns. Julius Colman Vic 4th for $500,000 followed by Dennis Huntley Vic 9th, Emmanuel Seal 10th, Patrick Fletcher NSW 14th and Michael Ismael NSW 15th.. Nathan Bobik 18th from Victoria was the leading Aussie name player. The World Champ Joe Hachem was a creditable 23rd and Lee Nelson Millions Champ 2006 36th. Kosta Veroxis, semi pro from Queensland was 29th. Early final day favourite Joe Humunicki Victoria came in 45th with Nick Georgoulas 42nd.
Total prize pool $7.47 million of which $1.3 million stayed home with the Oz players.
The final table was restricted to 7 this year and there were three low chippers amongst whom was our own newcomer Julius Colman who came a very creditable 4th. What a massive introduction for his first major competition. This was a great thrill for the large spectator group.
The 2007 Aussie Millions was an event of records. There were over 2000 players all events, 50 plus tables, 200 plus dealers and over 1500 international visitors. Over $10 million was distributed in prize money and a main event $7.47 million prize pool with $1.5 million first prize. Total prize money retained by the local Australian and New Zealand players was about $3,250,000. It was the culmination of three years hard work by players, Crown Staff and management and the Pokernetwork website.
If we separate the Main event from all others we would have an approximate prize pool of $2,500,000 and of this the Oz players managed to retain a bit over $2,000,000. This is a measure of the progress that Poker has made Downunder in the last few years.
Online support was fantastic with major numbers coming from Full Tilt, Pokerstars, Pokernews and the associated satellites. Full TV coverage was available and multi screen reporting through Pokernews was a feature. There was all of this plus a spectacular commemorative edition of Bluff Poker magazine.
It heralded a trend for beginner players qualifying cheaply online who had tremendous success in most events. It was a year for the Y generation and all indications are that this will continue. Star City, Sky City, Burswood, Christchurch and Auckland as well as Crown, will be delighted with the success of the many players they sent to these Australasian Titles.

Aussie Millions 2008

There will be 1000 entrants???, $10,000,000 ??? for the main event and a total of 3000 players??? with a prize pool of $15,000,000 all events???. Let’s hope so. It’s worth it.

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