Defending Champion Ami Barer and former EPT Berlin Champion Ben Wilinofsky just battled in a three-bet pot that left the former with 17,000 chips.
Barer opened to 550 from under the gun and was the only caller after Wilinofsky three-bet to 1,300 from the next seat. The flop fell and Barer check-called 900. He check-called another 1,625 on the turn but folded on the river when Wilinofsky shoved for his final 6,500.
Jonathan Karamalikis is a bit of a legend down here. He's amassed almost $2.5 million in live earnings and more than twice that online under his handle, XMONSTERxDONGx, so has earned the label.
The laid back Aussie comes here off the back of four big PCA cashes for more than $125,000 so is very much in form.
"All in and a call," has been heard a few times here on Day 1a of the 2015 Aussie Millions Championship Main Event. There have even been a few eliminations up to this point. That said, the first to exit this tournament was Manny Rodriguez.
We missed his elimination hand, but the tournament staff did confirm his departure from Table 27 marked the first of what will be many casualties.
Xuan Liu and Terrance Chan are at the same table and performing well. Chan's up to 65,000 after coolering a player holding top full housewith his straight flush. Liu moved up to 38,000 after forcing a player to fold on the river - a continuing theme for today.
The action was four-way to a flop after a preflop raise to 600. The aggressor continued for 1,300 and Liu was the only caller to the turn where she raised a 2,800 bet from her opponent up to 6,300. Call.
The river fell as the and Lui fired 14,000 at the pot and her opponent check-folded after some thought.
Last year, Day 1a of the 2014 Aussie Millions attracted 175 runners. The 2015 version is on par with that today (the tournament clock currently reads 163), but with late registration, which is open all day long, there's a good chance the field will surpass it.
The PokerNews MyStack App is available for players here in the 2015 Aussie Millions Poker Championship Main Event, allowing players to directly update their chip count on the PokerNews Live Reporting page for their friends and family to see.
You can download the app for iPhone or Android now to get started. Then, create a new PokerNews account or update your current one to start updating your status immediately. Your followers can see all the live action that you're involved in.
Be forewarned, however, any abuse of the app will result in account suspension or termination.
It's been a kind level and a half for German pro Heinz Kamutzki, who is sitting on a big stack.
In a recent hand, there was approximately 8,000 in the pot and a board reading when the player in the big blind bet 2,000 and Kamutzki raised to 5,200 from the cutoff. The big blind made a quick call, but mucked with a look of disgust when Kamutzki rolled over the for rivered trips.
Once you come to the Aussie Millions you want to come back every year. The event must have one of the highest rankings on the planet, in terms of returning customers. One of the main reasons for this is the fact the Crown Casino is based in Melbourne, a city that consistency tops lists of the most liveable places in the world.
One player who'll agree with all of this is Jason Wheeler. The American is a regular on the American and European poker circuit but this is his first visit down under. Wheeler keeps his Facebook friends entertained with his "JD's World" updates, and the last week has seen him wax-lyrical about this city. He spoke to us before and said the only downside he can find is the abundance of flies around during the Australian summer, and the fact it's a little expensive here.
Chris Moorman and Liv Boeree are the latest two players to enter here on Day 1a.
Moorman is the most successful online MTT in the history of the game and has recently shared his wisdom in his own published book.
Former EPT San Remo champion Boeree is one of the most recognisable faces in world poker. She has has cashed in her last two Main Events (EPT Prague and PCA 2015) and will be looking to continue her good form.