At 12.30 p.m. local time, the first of three starting flights of the 2019 Aussie Millions A$10,600 Main Event kicks off in the biggest casino complex of the Southern hemisphere, the Crown Casino in Melbourne. One year ago, Toby Lewis defeated Stefan Huber heads-up and topped a massive field of 800 entries to score his biggest payday on the live circuit to date, taking home A$1,458,198 (almost $1.2 million) for his efforts.
The Brit has once again made the trip back to Australia and fell narrowly close of another victory at Crown, as he lost the blind flip against Rainer Kempe in the A$25,000 Challenge in the early morning hours. Lewis will certainly be back to try and defend his Main Event title, but perhaps he won't take a seat on Day 1a as the A$50,000 Challenge also kicks off today at around 1.10 p.m. local time in the main poker room.
Following into the footsteps of a very successful live satellite program since March for the previous year, which created a record field of 800 entries, the Aussie Millions continued the path. In 2018, more than 400 players won their entry to the Main Event and that number may be closer to 500 this time around to put the event on track for another incredible turnout.
Day 1 Level Structure
| Level | Small Blind | Big Blind | Ante |
|---|
| 1 | 50 | 100 | 0 |
| 2 | 100 | 200 | 0 |
| 3 | 100 | 200 | 25 |
| 4 | 150 | 300 | 25 |
| 5 | 200 | 400 | 50 |
| 6 | 250 | 500 | 75 |
| 7 | 300 | 600 | 100 |
The first of three starting days kicks off today and on each Day 1, seven 90-minute levels are scheduled. There is a 15-minute break after each level with a 75-minute dinner break at the end of the fourth level of play. All players receive 30,000 in chips and the event is played as a freezeout, the registration remains open until the end of the first level of Day 2 on Wednesday, January 30th, 2019.
With Australia Day celebrations spreading over the entire weekend, the action is expected to heat up in the days to come for the biggest poker event of the region. The PokerNews team will be on the floor to cover all the action until a new Aussie Millions is champion is crowned on Sunday, February 3rd, 2019.
Tags:
Rainer KempeStefan HuberToby Lewis
board, Sorel Mizzi was all in for 8,700 with 
for a flush against the two pair 
of an opponent.
to secure his double up to over 20,000 in chips.
turn for 26,000 with 
for a pair of tens and a flush draw. Kingston however already had the made flush and scored the first bustout of the day after not even half an hour.
