issue-18

HISTORY OF THE AUSSIE MILLIONS
CROWNING GLORY
The Crown Entertainment Complex can be
summed up in one word: huge. The floor space
leaves Vegas casinos for dead because unlike
gaming meccas such as Macau or Las Vegas,
Crown is the only casino in the city of Melbourne.
But don't be concerned, the sheer size of the
complex and gaming areas will ensure that you’ll
find an atmosphere that is right for you. Crown
Melbourne also has one of the best high roller
facilities anywhere in the world and there are
plenty of areas where you can find a quiet place
for a drink or to place a bet.
The complex is nestled on the banks of the
Yarra River, which gives it a uniquely European
flavor. With three world-class hotels, tennis
courts, pools, gymnasiums, bowling lanes, movie
theatres and countless restaurants and bars all
situated under one roof there is more than poker
on offer when visiting the Aussie Millions.
WORLD-CLASS POKER
The Crown Poker Room is one of the biggest
and most professionally run in the world with
over 50 permanent tables. This number increases
during the Aussie Millions to cater for a fantastic
tournament schedule of 26 tournament events,
countless satellites and a vast array of cash
games. The room operates 24 hours a day and
you will find well-trained staff and a world-class
standard of operation. Crown has been running
their poker room for 15 years and they know what
players expect. They are in their element when
running a world-class tournament like this.
Many poker players become frustrated when
they go to a tournament and there is a lack of
great poker action outside the Main Event. Have
no fear this is not the case at the Aussie Millions.
There are some excellent lead-up events and a
wide range of cash games and limits on offer,
making the trip more than worthwhile. The Main
Event itself is considered by players to be one of
the most well structured and well run anywhere
in the world. You get a 30,000 chip starting stack,
long levels and hours of play, particularly early on
in the tournament, which is very appealing to the
poker tourist who wants to enjoy their holiday as
much as the on-the-felt action. The tournament
starts nine-handed and becomes eight-handed
at the close of day 1, dropping to six-handed
when it gets down to the last 36 players. With
an AU$10,000 buy-in and the Aussie dollar now
on par with the US there is even more appeal to
make the trip “down under”.
If you’ve never had the opportunity to
travel to Australia then this is the perfect excuse
to combine a bit of gaming with an exotic travel
experience. Check out www.aussiemillions.com
for everything you need to know about planning
your trip.
MAKE YOUR OWN PIECE OF HISTORY: BECOME THE FIRST
AMERICAN TO EVER WIN THE AUSSIE MILLIONS
While many have come close a US citizen has never won the Aussie Millions Main Event, though
not through want of trying. No Americans made the final table at all in 2012 and while Miami’s Randy
Dorfman managed to get close in 2011 he had to settle for fifth. Reno’s Steven Friedlander came up
short with seventh place in 2010, as did Pennsylvania’s Zach Gruneberg in 2009. Some have come
even closer only to come up agonizingly short, stumbling at the very last hurdle:
FOR
YOUR
CHANCE TO WIN
2009
RUNNER-UP – PETER RHO
2nd place prize: AU$1,000,000
The Las Vegas native was within touching distance of the trophy
and things seemed to be going Rho’s way when, facing a raise from
Aussie Stewart Scott, he looked down to see A♥ J♣ and moved all-
in. Unfortunately Scott had his gun loaded with A♠ A♦ and shot
Rho’s dreams of an Aussie Millions title down in a hail of bullets.
2008
RUNNER-UP – ERIK SEIDEL
2nd place prize: AU$1,000,000
While he emerged victorious in the 2011 AU$250,000 Super High
Roller and may be one of the best no limit hold’em tournament
players in the world, Seidel couldn’t get the job done against
Alexander Kostritsyn after the latter’s J♥ 9♥ outflopped Seidel’s
A♠ Q♣ to give the Russian the title.
2007
RUNNER-UP – JIMMY FRICKE
2nd place prize: AU$1,000,000
Fricke battled his way through the 747-strong field to find himself
heads-up with Gus Hansen. Unfortunately, the man former Full Tilt
director Howard Lederer referred to as “a freak and a very weird
dude” came up short when he moved all-in with an open-ended
straight draw and ran into Hansen’s pocket Aces, which held to give
the “Great Dane” the title.
See page 13 for full details
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#18 WSOP 2012 SPECIAL ISSUE
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