Outside of the World Series of Poker, the Aussie Millions is regarded  by many as the best  poker series in the  world, as it is more than just an international poker tournament. With an expanding range of non-gaming related events including the Australian Open  Tennis Championship, exclusive parties,  luxury golf days,  premium  winery  and shopping  tours  and much more,  giving participants even more reasons to visit Victoria in January.

The landmark Aussie Millions event comes on the heels of a record  year in 2010, when the Aussie Millions generated entries from the most countries ever that competed  for the largest prize pool, while awarding 20 championship gold rings, recognized as one of the sport’s top prizes.

In 2011, more than 1000 international players from the United States, England, Ireland, South Africa, Scandinavia, Canada, Israel, Estonia, Portugal and Russia are expected to attend.

“In  January  2010,  Crown’s  Aussie  Millions  generated approximately  8,000  room  nights  across Melbourne, including over  5,000 at  Crown  alone. The event  was filmed and  developed into a television series for an international audience of over 100  million. With over 143 members  of the media (broadcast, print, radio & internet) accredited (43 international, 100 Australian) coverage of the event was extensive. 2011 will see the television production be expanded  throughout the US and see the introduction of the European market that will further increase the audience and exposure of Melbourne and Crown.” said Mr David Courtney, Crown’s Chief Executive Officer.

Making it all happen  behind the scenes  will be over 6,500 members  of staff, including 384 poker dealers, 62 Game Supervisors, 30 pit bosses and 20 operations staff, along with the 15 million hands of poker that have been dealt at Crown over the past ten years.

International poker professionals seen at Crown’s Aussie Millions over the years have included Phil Ivey, 2005 WSOP Champion Joe  Hachem, Howard Lederer, Annie Duke, Daniel Negreanu, Scotty Nguyen, John Juanda, Erik Seidel, Chris Ferguson, Patrik Antonius, Tom Dwan, Phil Laak and 2007 Aussie Millions Champion Gus Hansen.

High-profile guests  that  have tried their hand in the  Crown Poker Room over the  years have included Matt Damon, Zac Efron, Justin Timberlake, Michael Schumacher, Jason  Alexander, Jennifer Tilly, Serena  Williams, Andy Roddick, Martin Short, Michael Vartan, Shannon Elizabeth, members of the Kings of Leon, Shane Warne, Ruby Rose, and Michael Clarke.

Winning the ‘Main Event’ at the Aussie Millions makes instant stars and often instant millionaires out of those with a dream and the determination to outmanoeuvre and outlast the competition (Day 1 of the ‘Main Event’ will commence on Sunday 23 January 2011).

In January 2010, an incredible field  of 746 entrants  competed  in the  Aussie Millions ‘Main Event’ with a prize pool of $7.46 million. The unknown player set to return to defend his title is, Tyron Krost hailing from Sydney, who walked away with a cool AUD$2 million for his efforts, the  largest prize ever awarded in a live poker tournament in the Southern Hemisphere.

Legions  of  locals  have  been  swept  up  in  the  Australian  poker  boom  that  was  ignited  when Melbournian  and  Crown  ambassador,  Joe  Hachem  became  the  2005  World  Series  of  Poker Champion, scooping up $10 million in prize money for his efforts. However, players and around the world, have been  in its grasp online in staggering numbers for years now. The sensation known as Texas Holdem has  become  a favourite over  the  past  decade. Made-for-television tournaments, where concealed cameras  reveal each player’s cards to the  viewer, have elevated the  game to a spectacular sport and opened  up a players-eye-view and its popularity has skyrocketed.

ABOUT

Crown’s  Aussie Millions Poker Championship is the  largest,  richest  and most  prestigious  gaming event  in the  Southern Hemisphere and is ranked  fifth in the  world, by player number. Featuring a comprehensive slate of tournaments in every major poker  variation, the  Aussie Millions is also poker’s longest running tournament  in the  Southern  Hemisphere, dating back to 1998.

In 2010,  the  Aussie Millions attracted more than  3000 entrants  from a cast  of nations  and awarded  just under  AUD$20 million in prize money, as players competed for game’s most coveted trophy, the Aussie Millions ‘Main Event’ Champion.

FACTS AND FIGURES

-      The Aussie Millions is held each January at Crown Casino, in Melbourne Australia

-      The Aussie Millions ranks as the fifth largest poker tournament  in the world, by player number

-      The championship includes over 20 tournaments culminating in the AUD$10,000 No Limit Holdem ‘Main Event’

-      The 2011 Aussie Millions is expected to reach  a prize pool of almost AUD$20 million with an expected first prize of

AUD$2.5 million for the AUD$10,000 No Limit Holdem ‘Main Event’

-      Over 3000 individual entrants  will participant in the Aussie Millions two week series of 20 tournaments

-      More than 1000 international visitors are expected to attend  the  Aussie Millions including  players from the  United

States, England, Ireland, South Africa, Scandinavia, Canada, Israel, Estonia, Portugal and Russia

-      Huge growth in the number of Australian participants is expected, reflecting the increasing popularity of the game locally

-      The Aussie Millions generated approximately 8,000 room nights across Melbourne in January 2009, including over 5,000 at Crown alone

-      The 2009 Aussie Millions held the largest, cash buy in tournament  ever with a $100,500 event attracting 30 players

-      The AUD$10,000 No Limit Holdem ‘Main Event’ will be televised nationally and internationally

-      Almost 1,000 individual are expected to player in the 2011 Aussie Millions $10,000 Buy-In No Limit Holdem ‘Main Event’