The Aussie Millions returns to Crown Poker; running from Saturday 4 to Friday 24 January 2020 at Crown Melbourne, Australia. ‘Main Event’ begins Friday 17 January 2020
Monday 22 July 2019. MELBOURNE, Australia. Crown Melbourne has today announced the 2020 Aussie Millions Poker Championship will run from Saturday 4 to Friday 24 January.
Hosted by Crown Melbourne for the past 22 years, the Aussie Millions transforms Crown into a mecca of the poker world during the peak of the Australian Summer. For 21 consecutive days, the poker room comes alive, offering 23 Championship Events, daily satellites and cash games running 24/7.
Crown’s Aussie Millions is the marquee event on the Asia-Pacific poker calendar and holds a reputation that ranks alongside the world’s elite. Since its inception in 1998, the Aussie Millions has grown into a major stop on the international poker circuit and is attended by the majority of the world’s greatest players.
Crown Melbourne’s Tournament Director Joel Williams said, “The 2019 Aussie Millions saw records smashed right across the board. We watched the ‘Main Event’ scale heights previously unseen; we re-established ourselves as an integral stop on the High Roller circuit; total prize pools exceeded AUD$30million and overall participation broke through 8,600 – all served to produce arguably the most memorable series in Australian Poker History. January 2020 allows us the opportunity to continue to stamp ourselves as an elite Poker destination for players right across the Globe – and we are more than ready to accept that challenge and remain committed to providing the best experience possible.”
The 2019 Aussie Millions saw in excess of 8,600 players from all across the world descend on Melbourne for the three week poker festival – all with hopes of taking home part of the AUD$30 million total prize pool that was generated.Nearly 100 poker tables will be set up across the award-winning Crown complex to accommodate the thousands of players from over 40 countries who visit Crown during January to compete for a share of a total estimated prize pool of AUD$30 million.
The 23 individual events – with buy-ins ranging from AUD$1,150 to AUD$100,000 – offered during the 2020 Aussie Millions include a broad range of poker variations at both entry and championship level. This means that everyone from amateurs to pros can get involved and play for their chance of taking out an Aussie Millions title.
The winner of the Aussie Millions ‘Main Event’ will not only walk away with an estimated AUD$1.8 million first prize, but also the coveted ‘Main Event’ Champion bracelet valued at over AUD$25,000.
The Aussie Millions has always been known for its prestigious events and huge prize pools. It was the first Championship in the world to introduce a six figure buy-in, and the first again to raise the stakes to AUD$250,000. Numerous High Stakes events return in 2020, with the AUD$25,000, AUD$50,000 and AUD$100,000 Challenges assuring the world’s best (and richest) players will make the journey Down Under. Also, Event 11 AUD$25,000 Pot Limit Omaha returns to the Aussie Millions arena and provides another platform for the world’s best to compete.
Asia-Pacific’s longest-running poker tournament reaches its pinnacle with the commencement of the highly anticipated AUD$10,600 buy-in Aussie Millions ‘Main Event’. This coveted Main Event is slated to run over eight days from Friday 17 to Friday 24 January with over 800 entrants expected and an estimated total prize pool of AUD$8 million. The ‘Main Event’ will once again feature three starting days with qualifiers already exceeding expectations having begun back in May this year.
The expected prize-pools provide a substantial incentive to attend and, in addition, 22 players will receive a Championship Ring. While the entry fees may sit outside the budget of some players, countless satellite opportunities exist throughout the year and during the event itself, offering players the chance to win a seat in the Aussie Millions ‘Main Event’ for a fraction of the AUD$10,600 entry fee.
The prestigious Aussie Millions ‘Main Event’ prize pool is comparable with some of Australia’s major sporting events including the Melbourne Cup, Australian Open and the AFL Grand Final.
The full event-by-event schedule is below and available on www.aussiemillions.com.
2020 Aussie Millions Poker Championship schedule overview
Event 1: AUD$1,150 – Opening Event – No Limit Holdem – The Aussie Millions Poker Championship kicks off on Saturday 4 January at 12:10pm with the AUD$1,150 Opening Event. This is one of the most popular events, as it now allows players five opportunities to progress through to Day 2. Last year’s Opening Event was officially recognised as the largest ever tournament held at Crown with a whopping 1,752 total entries. With five flights and an AUD$1 million prize-pool guarantee, expect another record-breaking field!
Event 2: AUD$2,500 – H.O.R.S.E. – This game combines five unique poker disciplines and is aimed at the world’s elite. Past winners include Australasian Hall of Fame member Jeff Lisandro, James Obst, James Chen and Mel Judah, with local Dan Mayoh taking out the 2019 Event.
Event 3: AUD$1,150 – Pot Limit Omaha – This tournament continues to grow year-on-year as players try their hand at this poker variant. In 2016, there were 217 entries followed by 237 entries in 2017, 284 entrants in 2018 and then 288 in 2019! Numbers will continue to rise in 2020 as PLO continues to gain popularity.
Event 4: AUD$1,150 – No Limit Holdem – Mix Max – This unique format caters to the shorthanded expert. Beginning as full ring, the tournament becomes six-handed when just 60 players remain, culminating in one-on-one handicapped ‘heads-up’ battles when just eight players remain. A knockout format will then decide our Champion.
Event 5: AUD$1,150 – No Limit Holdem Six Max – Arguably the game’s most popular format, this short-handed version of the game is fast and furious. Bring your ‘A’ game if you want a shot at this title, as you will be competing against the most talented players on the planet. The United Kingdom’s Bart Lybaert took out the 2019 title.
Event 6: AUD$2,500 – Pot Limit Omaha – The stakes are raised for the second Pot Limit Omaha Tournament of the week. With the prize pool exceeding AUD$300,000 in both 2018 and 2019, this field is sure to continue to rise.
Event 7: AUD$1,500 – No Limit Holdem ‘Deep Freeze’ – This is both a deep stack and freeze-out tournament that is guaranteed to attract another huge field. This generous structure will attract players from all over the globe in their attempt to become only the sixth ever Deep Freeze Champion. Switzerland’s Stefan Huber took out the 2019 Championship Ring for AUD$122,760
Event 8: AUD$2,500 – Shot Clock No Limit Holdem Six Max – The six handed format introduces a 30-second shot clock to the table. This format is the closest to online poker that players will experience in a ‘bricks and mortar’ Poker Room. Canada’s Guillaume Nolet took out the 2019 title for AUD$170,075
Event 9: AUD$1,150 – No Limit Holdem Accumulator – This is the seventh year this has been part of the Aussie Millions schedule and it continues to grow. Players have three chances to ‘accumulate’ their chips with all surviving stacks combined on Day 2.
Event 10: AUD$2,500 – 8 Game Mixed Event – Rest assured the world’s best players will be vying for this coveted and prestigious title. Eight poker variants: 2-7 Triple Draw, Holdem, Omaha, Razz, 7-Card Stud, Stud HiLo, No Limit Holdem and Pot Limit Omaha will decide our 2020 Champion.
Event 11: AUD$25,000 Pot Limit Omaha – In only it’s’ second year, this event is sure to attract some of the world’s best PLO players. The first High Roller offering of the 2020 Series – Malta’s Anton Morgenstern was our inaugural Champion from 2019.
Event 12: AUD$25,000 Challenge – In both 2018 and 2019, this event has hosted arguably some of the greatest fields ever to assemble for a poker tournament and broke records the world over. These illustrious fields have included WSOP Main Event Champions, EPT Champions, WPT Champions, Aussie Millions Champions as well as the all-time money winner! A record field total of 151 entrants took part in 2019 with the eventual prize pool exceeding AUD$3.6 million. Expect fireworks in this event, which is sure to attract worldwide poker media attention.
Event 13: AUD$2,000 – No Limit Holdem Bounty Event – A permanent fixture on the Aussie Millions calendar, the Bounty Event has a unique structure that attracts large fields every year. With one player drawn to each table that carries a AUD$1,000 ‘Bounty’ on their head once eliminated, the action never eases in this event. In addition, the tournament structure changes from a standard multi-table format to a ‘shootout’ event when just 32 players remain. All facets of No Limit Holdem are tested in this feature event.
Event 14: AUD$10,600 – Main Event – If the poker world had ‘majors’ the Aussie Millions ‘Main Event’ would be one of them. In 2019, 822 players took to the felt and eventually American Bryn Kenney held aloft the Aussie Millions championship bracelet as well as AUD$1.85 million in cash after beating this all-time record field. The structure is regarded as one of the most generous in the world of poker, and players can elect to play any one of three first flights. Played over five days with the ‘Final Table’ commencing Friday 24 January.
Event 15: AUD$50,000 Challenge – This two day event is sure to attract the world’s best. 2018 Main Event Champion Toby Lewis took out the 2019 AUD$50,000 Challenge Championship ring for AUD$818,000
Event 16: AUD$1,150 – No Limit Holdem Terminator – Ever popular, this format rewards the aggressive player with AUD$500 per knockout. With an enormous 489 players taking their seat in 2019 (up from 389 in 2018), this field is sure to rise again in 2020.
Event 17: AUD$1,150 – Hyper Turbo No Limit Holdem 10/10/10 – In just its’ fourth year as an official Championship event, Crown Poker’s very own Hyper Turbo 10/10/10 format continues to shake up the big stage. With a 10-second shot clock, 10-minute levels and a dedicated structure, our eventual Champion will have to act and think fast! Australian Michel Bouskila defeated a 2019 field of 336 entrants to collect the AUD$80,930 top prize in under eight hours of play!
Event 18: AUD$1,150 – Pot Limit Omaha Hi-Lo – Pot Limit Omaha Hi-Lo’s global popularity has ensured that PLO Hi-Lo enjoys its rightful place among the annual Aussie Millions events. The 2019 prize pool topped AUD$114,000 – expect this to continue to rise in 2020.
Event 19: AUD$2,500 – No Limit Holdem – This event features no-frills and full-ring No Limit Holdem. Attracted a 300 entry field in 2019 with Australian Marcus Unwin collecting over AUD$160,000 for the win.
Event 20: AUD$1,150 – The Aussie Millions ‘Tournament of Champions’ – Open to all but recognises and rewards past winners of the Aussie Millions ‘Main Event’. 2019 saw Hong Kong’s Daniel Tang defeat a whopping 309-entry field to scoop the AUD$74,430 top prize!
Event 21: AUD$5,000 – No Limit Holdem Six Max – With a mix of both online specialists and proven tournament stars, this event was won by first-time Aussie Millions attendee, Jamie Lee from Japan. The combination of both a highly-credentialed field and the aggressive nature of six-handed events will ensure that our 2020 Champion will deserve their place among poker’s elite.
Event 22: AUD$1,150 – Turbo No Limit Holdem – Shot Clock With 15 minute levels, a 20K start bank and just 20 seconds to act, this event (in only its fifth year at Aussie Millions) grew from 163 in 2017, 242 in 2018 to an even bigger field of 265 entries in 2019. Fast-paced action with our winner crowned in a single day!
Event 23: AUD$100,000 Challenge – The largest buy in on the 2020 Calendar, this incredible event has been slotted into the business end of the schedule with a view to maximize its’ exposure – with the Final Table set to be live streamed on Thursday 23 January. American Cary Katz bested a stunning 42-entry field to collect a whopping AUD$1,481,000 – when the world’s best come to play make sure you lock up a front row seat!
