This Week's Big Winner: Ari Engel Wins 2016 Aussie Millions Main Event

Ari Engel is no stranger to poker tournaments, and at one point in his career was the top ranked online tournament player in the world. In live events, Engel made a name for himself on the World Series of Poker Circuit and currently sits in a tie for second place all-time with seven rings.

But despite all of his success in the past decade, Engel had yet to secure a massive, life-changing score. That all changed in February when he topped the huge field of 732 players in the Aussie Millions main event for a AUD $1.6 million payday. Engel now has $3.2 million in lifetime live tournament earnings.

Here’s a look at the five biggest hands from the final table that propelled Engel to victory.

Tournament: Aussie Millions Main Event
Buy-In: AUD $10,000
No. of Entries: 732
Prize Pool: AUD $7,320,000
1st Place Prize: AUD $1,600,000

The Action

With six players remaining at the final table, Ari Engel raised to 135,000 on the button. Kitty Kuo then shoved all in for her last 690,000 from the small blind. The big blind folded and Engel called with pocket nines. Kuo was in a coin flip situation for her tournament life with A J, but failed to connect on a board of Q 7 4 Q 6. For her sixth-place finish, she earned AUD $270,000.

The Action

Ari Engel limped in from under the gun and Alex Lynskey moved all in behind him for his last 1.6 million. Engel, however, had limped in with pocket aces and quickly called. Lynskey showed A 7, making him a huge underdog to win the hand. In fact, he was just 11 percent to win preflop. The flop came Q 6 5, lowering his chances to 5 percent. By the time the 2s hit the turn, he was drawing dead. Lynskey banked AUD $445,000 for his fourth-place finish.

The Action

With three players remaining, Tony Dunst folded his button and Samantha Abernathy moved all in for 1.5 million in the small blind. Ari Engel woke up with A 9 and called, while Abernathy revealed her 10 8. According to the Card Player Poker Odds Calculator, Abernathy had a 38 percent chance of doubling up. Those odds dropped to 30 percent after the A J 9 flop. Abernathy needed a queen or a seven to make a straight, but the turn and river bricked out J 8 and she was eliminated in third place. For her efforts, she pocketed AUD $625,000.

The Action

Tony Dunst raised to 325,000 on the button and Ari Engel called from the big blind. The flop fell A 7 2 and Engel checked. Dunst bet 300,000 and Engel called. The turn was the 8 and Engel checked again. Dunst bet 750,000 and Engel called. The river was the 9 and Engel checked. Dunst bet 1.8 million and Engel tanked for quite some time before eventually calling with 10 7 for fourth pair. Dunst could only show 5 4 for a busted double gutshot straight draw and mucked his hand.

The Action

Tony Dunst raised to 325,000 on the button and Ari Engel three-bet to 925,000 from the big blind. Dunst called and the flop came down 10 4 2. Engel made a continuation bet of 825,000 and Dunst called. The turn was the J and Engel bet 1.7 million. Dunst called and the river was the 9. Engel moved all in and Dunst went into the tank. Eventually, Dunst called off his last 6.1 million with A 4 for fourth pair. Engel revealed J 7 for a turned pair of jacks and it was enough to take down the title. For his runner-up finish, Dunst picked up AUD $1 million. Engel took home by far the largest score of his career with AUD $1.6 million for the win.

Final Table Results

1. Ari Engel — AUD $1,600,000
2. Tony Dunst — AUD $1,000,000
3. Samantha Abernathy — AUD $625,000
4. Alex Lynskey — AUD $445,000
5. Dylan Honeyman — AUD $340,000
6. Kitty Kuo — AUD $270,000
7. John Apostolidis — AUD $210,000