Congratulations to Dan Smith, Winner of the $100,000 Challenge (A$ 1,012,000)!
The 2012 Aussie Millions $100,000 Challenge has wrapped up after two exciting days of poker up in Studio 3 at Crown Casino in Melbourne, Australia. The lion's share of the $2.2 million prizepool (A$ 1.012 million) has been awarded to Dan Smith after he defeated Mikhail Smirnov heads up for the title. For his runner-up finish, Smirnov took home A$ 616,000.
The second six-figure buy-in of the year kicked off yesterday with 22 players taking command of 100,000 in starting chips. At the end of Day 1, the field had been whittled down to the final table of eight, but no one was guaranteed any money just yet. On Day 2, four more players hit the rail — Nam Le, Sam Trickett, Sorel Mizzi and Gus Hansen — without making any money as only the top four spots were being paid out. Hansen proved to be the bubble boy of the event after a wild, roller-coaster ride and was the last to go home empty handed.
Finishing in fourth place and earning A$242,000 was Tony G. He fell at the hands Smith when his 
couldn't outrun the 
for the eventual champion. Then in third place it was Joe Hachem who exited, earning A$330,000 and his largest-ever live tournament score in his home country of Australia. Hachem got the last of his money in with the 
against the 
for Smith. Although the 2005 World Series of Poker Main Event champion flopped a nine and turned trips, Smith resucked on the river by making a spade flush.
Quickly into heads-up play, Smith found a big double through Smirnov when his 
held up against the 
for his Russian counterpart. Smirnov battled back, though, and things became a pretty evenly matched tug-o-war battle for a long while.
Eventually, after several swings back and forth and exchanging of the chip lead, the final hands came up during the 15,000/30,000 level. First, Smith took a very, very commanding lead when his pocket sixes held up against the 
for Smirnov. Then on the final hand, Smith eliminated Smirnov in second place with pocket deuces. The ducks held up against the for Smirnov and that was all she wrote.
For Smith, this is easily the largest win of his career. It's also the largest score of Smirnov's career. Both players achieved great accomplishments today and deserve much respect. The battle was long and hard, but Smith has emerged victorious and can now add a cool seven figures to his bank account.
$100,000 Challenge Results
| Place | Player | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dan Smith | A$ 1,012,000 |
| 2 | Mikhail Smirnov | A$ 616,000 |
| 3 | Joe Hachem | A$ 330,000 |
| 4 | Tony G | A$ 242,000 |
For us at PokerNews, we're calling it a night, but our 2012 Aussie Millions coverage will continue tomorrow so be sure to return right back here for that.