Aussie Millions
admin on December 17th, 2008
Its full and official name is the Crown Australian Poker Championship but more often than not it’s simply referred to as the Aussie Millions. Whatever you call it, though, it’s unequivocally the 6th largest poker tournament in all the world.
Since the unofficial inaugural event in July of 1998, when 10 players paid a $1,000 buy-in to compete for a share of a $74,000 prize pool, the Aussie Millions has been a coveted annual poker event held every January in Melbourne, Australia’s Crown Casino. It is comprised of 16 tournaments.
The Aussie Millions has seen a steady increase in player pool and prize pool alike over the years, until now the Main Event, a No Limit Texas Holdem tournament with a AUD$10,500 buy-in, attracts some 800+ players competing for the winning share of the nearly $8 million prize pool, top prize being a cool AUD$2 million. The Main Event will be televised internationally by Fox Sports Net.
More than 2,000 competitors (including more than 400 from other countries) will descend on Melbourne to participate in the 2-week long series’ various events.
More than just one Aussie Millions contender comes out in the money, however, with 80 players in 2008 taking home between AUD$15,000 and AUD$1.5 million.
As of 2009, the Aussie Millions also boasts the “World’s Largest Cash Game”, costing AUD$1 million to buy in.
The buy-in to the Aussie Millions is another element of the event that has steadily grown, rising to $10,500 AU in 2008. Fortunately, many internet poker rooms, including many top online poker sites, offer satellite qualifiers and special tournament promotions that include free seats at the Aussie Millions, as well as opportunities to claim a seat in the event by redeeming “points” from participating poker sites’ player loyalty programs.
