Poker: Aussie millions main event starts

01/15/2008

After ten preceding competitions over the past week, each with an abundance of action and big money (Howard Lederer walked away with a $1.25 million winner's prize in event 9) the Main Event at the 2008 Aussie Millions commenced with the traditional "shuffle up and deal call" on Monday.

The 215 player entry field for Day 1 A of the event at Melbourne's Crown Casino looked like a roll call of global poker aces, and included Gavin Smith, John Juanda, Karina Jett, Eli Elezra, Jimmy 'gobboboy' Fricke, Allen Cunningham, Raymond Rahme, Lee Watkinson and Tony G, making for highly competitive tables. Gavin Smith's starting table, for example saw Brandon Schaefer, Dag Martin Mikkelsen, David Grey and John Juanda all facing each other across the felt.

Andy Black seemed to be on a roll, building a formidable chip stack and eliminating at least six opponents in early play, and more later. He ended the day as chip leader on 167 800, significantly ahead of nearest rival Shane Moran (who has 122 200) at the head of a survivor list of 91 players. That list of players who will continue to play in the Main Event included 2007 WSOP finalist Raymond Rahme, Nikolaus Jedlicka, Internet ace Thomas 'durrr' Dwan, Erik Seidel, Thomas Bihl, Allen Cunningham, Tony G and JJ Liu.