Poker Web Watch / Dave Allan / 20 January 2009 / Leave a comment

Our man in Melbourne Tristan Heffernan reports from the final opening day of the Aussie Millions Main Event.

The final of the three Day 1s saw only one qualifier from Betfair take part in what was easily the biggest field of the three days at 288 players. Many celebrity names made Day 1c their opening day of choice, with the big Aussie sports stars Shane Warne, Mark Philippoussis, Jeff Fenech and Shane Dye leading the way.

Tom "durrrr" Dwan made an early appearance, however the lure of the high stakes online cash games would prove too much for him in the early levels, and it was there he would spend the first four levels of the day!

Warne, sporting a fake tattoo sleeve on his arm, which at least had me fooled, would start the day's play with the traditional 'Shuffle up and deal", but he would last less than 2 hours when his set was bloused by an opponent's flush draw.

Warne lasted much longer than David "Chino" Rheem at least - Rheem got his chips in with two pair on a king high flop, but when his opponent with pocket Queens made a queen on the turn it was a painful exit on only the second hand of the day for Rheem.

Day 1c was also the day for late arrivals. Tom "durrrr" Dwan made an early appearance, however the lure of the high stakes online cash games would prove too much for him in the early levels, and it was there he would spend the first four levels of the day. On his return, little over half his stack was still remaining, but Dwan was unable to last longer than another two levels when his AT ran into AK.

2007 champion Gus Hansen was another to turn up late to the event, also taking his seat during the day's fourth level. Hansen's fate would be similar - after moving in with JJ to a raise and a call preflop, he was called by KQ and a queen on the flop signaled the end of his chances at a repeat win.

Of the celebrity athletes to take part, boxer Jeff Fenech would be the sole survivor, taking the scalp of local hope Tony Hachem along the way. Fenech will take 65k into Day 2.

143 players would survive the day, but unfortunately the lone Betfair qualifier David "Geeforce" Gent would not be one of them, meaning Betfair's hopes for Day 2 would rest with 6 players. The Day 2 draw has been much kinder than Day 1, with players generally spread around, apart from Phillip "Philly" Peters and Richard "Cockroach" Mace who will find themselves on the same table.

Play will resume Wednesday with 320 players remaining from 681 starters, still well away from the top 64 who will receive $15,000, let alone the winner who will be crowned on Saturday and take home $2,000,000.

Local hope Christopher Chronis is the one to catch with 175k in chips, but he will need to be right on his game with names like Patrik Antonius, James Obst, Betfair's Sorel "Imper1um" Mizzi, Michael Binger, Ivan Demidov and Mike "Timex" McDonald right on his hammer.

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