George Kanan Wins Aussie Millions Tournament of Champions
The Tournament of Champions was another tournament with a twist. It was open to everyone, but former Aussie Millions Main Event champions would play rake free.
The single reentry event attracted a field of 203, resulting in a big prize pool of AUD$208,075. The top 24 of those would finish in the money.
With the added bonus of not having to pay any rake, the event saw four entries by former champions. 2011 Aussie Millions champion David Gorr, 2016 winner Ari Engel and 2015 victor Manny Stavropoulos all entered, with the latter giving it another go after busting out early.
The final table was an international gathering, with, besides the German, players from Canada, Finland, the United States and New Zealand.
Unfortunately for all three of them, their rake free entry did not result in a paid spot. They all busted before the money.
Local player Matt Rolfe would bubble the final table, going home in 11th place for AUD$3,640.
One of the first players to exit the final table was Martin Finger; the German European Poker Tour champion and regular high roller participant departed in ninth place for AUD$5,200.
The final table was an international gathering with, besides the German, players from Canada, Finland, the United States and New Zealand.
Despite their best efforts, the players from overseas did not make it to the heads-up as the mano-a-mano battle would be one between two Aussies. George Kanan from Sydney went head to head with David Loonstra from Melbourne for the first-place prize of AUD$51,000. Kanan would end up supreme, beating Loonstra in second who had to settle for AUD$33,300.
| Position | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | George Kanan | Australia | AUD$51,000 |
| 2 | David Loonstra | Australia | AUD$33,300 |
| 3 | Jack Efaraimo | New Zealand | AUD$21,430 |
| 4 | Francis John Rusnak | United States | AUD$16,645 |
| 5 | Matti Konttinen | Finland | AUD$13,525 |
| 6 | Amit Shorey | Australia | AUD$10,925 |
| 7 | Glen Chadwick | Australia | AUD$8,840 |
