Preview of the 2012 Aussie Millions Poker FestivalA Look at Crown Casino's Marquee Tournament Series |
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The tenth running of the celebrated Aussie Millions Poker Championship is set to begin Thursday with the first of 26 events at Crown Casino in Melbourne, Australia. The series will continue until Jan. 30.
Over the past decade the Aussie Millions has grown in prestige and popularity.
In 2011 the Aussie Millions made history by playing host to the largest open buy-in tournament ever — the $250,000 Super High Roller. Incredibly, 20 players put up the massive buy-in, building a nearly $5 million prize pool.
Eventual champion Erik Seidel took home nearly $2.5 million for the victory.
The $250,000 buy-in tournament is scheduled to return in 2012. It’s record-setting events like this, combined with the growth of the main event, that have helped the Aussie Millions become one of the premiere tournament stops.
The $10,000 main event, a week-long endeavor starting on Jan. 22, drew 721 players last year, building a $7.2 million prize pool. Australian David Gorr was the last man standing. He earned $2 million and 2,400 Card Player Player of the Year points for capturing the title.
In addition to the $250,000 and the $10,000 events, the series will once again host its $100,000 Challenge.
Last year saw a record turnout of 38 players to build a prize pool of just under $3.8 million. Eventual champion Sam Trickett earned $1.5 million for topping the elite field.
The 2012 Aussie Millions will also be spreading tournaments with a wide selection of games — including Chinese poker, H.O.R.S.E. and pot-limit Omaha. With buy-ins as low as $500, every player from the weekend warrior to high rollers will have something to play.
In addition to tournament action, the Aussie Millions has historically been home to some cash game action. Last year’s nosebleed games of $500-$1,000 no-limit hold’em featured the likes of Phil Ivey, Patrik Antonius and Tom Dwan, as well as regulars from Macau.
Check out Card Player TV’s behind-the-scenes look at the game below:
Here is a look at the complete schedule of events:
Event | Starts | Days | Buy-In |
Event 1 – No-Limit Hold’em | 12-Jan | 4 | $1,000 + $100 |
Event 2 – Pot-Limit Omaha | 16-Jan | 2 | $1,000 + $100 |
Event 3 – No-Limit Hold’em Shootout | 17-Jan | 2 | $1,000 + $100 |
Event 4 – No-Limit Hold’em/Pot-Limit Omaha | 18-Jan | 2 | $1,000 + $100 |
Event 5 – No-Limit Hold’em Six Handed | 19-Jan | 2 | $1,000 + $100 |
Event 6 – No-Limit Hold’em Rebuys | 20-Jan | 2 | $1,000 + $150 |
Event 7 – No-Limit Hold’em Bounty Feature Event | 21-Jan | 1 | $1,500 + $150 |
Event 10 – No-Limit Hold’em Teams | 22-Jan | 1 | $1,000 + $100 |
Event 9 – No-Limit Hold’em $100,000 Challenge | 22-Jan | 2 | $100,000+$500 |
Main Event | 22-Jan | 7 | $10,000 + $600 |
Event 11 – No-Limit Hold’em | 23-Jan | 1 | $500 + $50 |
Event 12 – Chinese Poker | 23-Jan | 1 | $4,750 + $250 |
Event 13 – No-Limit Hold’em Heads Up (8 Players Max per Flight) | 23-Jan | 5 | $5,000 + $300 |
Event 14 – No-Limit Hold’em Terminator | 24-Jan | 1 | $500 + $50 |
Event 15 – No-Limit Hold’em | 25-Jan | 1 | $500 + $50 |
Event 16 – H.O.R.S.E. | 25-Jan | 2 | $2,250 + $250 |
Event 17 – No-Limit Hold’em | 26-Jan | 1 | $500 + $50 |
Event 18 – Pot-Limit Omaha | 26-Jan | 2 | $2,250 + $250 |
Event 19 – No-Limit Hold’em Six Handed | 27-Jan | 2 | $2,250 + $250 |
Event 20 – No-Limit Hold’em $250,000 Challenge | 27-Jan | 1 | $250,000 |
Event 21 – 8 Game Mixed | 27-Jan | 2 | $1,000 + $100 |
Event 22 – No-Limit Hold’em Cubed Turbo | 28-Jan | 1 | $500 + $50 |
Event 23 – No-Limit Hold’em Semi-Shootout | 28-Jan | 3 | $25,000 + $500 |
Event 24 – Pot-Limit Omaha | 28-Jan | 1 | $500 + $50 |
Event 25 – No-Limit Hold’em Australian Poker Hall Of Fame Classic | 29-Jan | 1 | $500 + $50 |
Event 26 – 8 Game Mixed | 29-Jan | 2 | $10,000 + $500 |