Kaverman Leads Into Day 2 of the LK Boutique $250,000 Challenge
The final day of the 2016 Aussie Millions Poker Championship is upon us, and with that comes the final day of the LK Boutique $250,000 Challenge. After 15 entries were generated on Sunday's Day 1, 2015 Global Poker Index Player of the Year Byron Kaverman finished atop the advancing 12 players.
Kaverman bagged up 705,000 in chips. Most of Kaverman's chips came in a clash with Erik Seidel when the two got all the money in on the 
flop. Kaverman had the 
for top pair and a flush draw, and Seidel had an overpair with the 
. Because Seidel had the queen of diamonds in his hand, he was still a favorite, but it wasn't by much. According to the PokerNews Odds Calculator, Seidel was 54% to win the hand versus Kaverman's 45% chance. The 
on the turn kept Seidel in front, but the 
on the river delivered Kaverman a flush.
Fedor Holz finished in second place, but he's in the event for two bullets thanks to an early elimination at the hands of Paul Newey. Holz went on to bag 440,500 in chips, and along the way he busted Jason Mercier with pocket nines. Mercier had the 
and couldn't find what he needed to stay alive.
Newey finish in third place on the leaderboard with 395,500 in chips.
Bringing up the rear was a player with no shortage of success in the LK Boutique $250,000 Challenge, Phil Ivey. Ivey wasn't exactly burning down the house on Day 1 this year, but he did advance to Day 2. He did get crippled on the last hand of the night by Steve O'Dwyer and will now only take 52,500 in chips into the final day of play. In the five previous times the LK Boutique $250,000 Challenge has been held, Ivey won three, and could make it three wins in a row if he claims victory this year. His other victory was in 2012.
With late registration and reentries open until the start of Day 2, the field size could increase a tick or two more. Right now, the prize pool stand at AU$3.675 million.
Day 2 of the LK Boutique $250,000 Challenge will commence at 2:30 p.m. local time on Monday — a day that also happens to be Ivey's 39th birthday. Stay tuned right here to PokerNews.com for continued coverage and check out our video interview with Ivey while you wait.