2018 Main Event Champion Lewis Advances as Opening Event Draws 1,752 Entries
The final flight of the 2019 Aussie Millions AUD$1,150 Opening Event attracted 736 players bringing the total number of entries to 1,752 across all five flights.
An astonishing 138 advanced from the final flight, more than the other flights combined, including last year's Main Event runner-up Stefan Huber (111,200) and champion Toby Lewis (119,300).
"It's great to be back," said Lewis. "I flew in this afternoon, so jumped in this and I've just been trying to stay awake! Just tried to run it up. I feel a bit out of it, but it's all good.
"Back at it tomorrow for Day 2. There weren't too many spots though, thankfully. It's a pretty fast structure as well so most of the spots are pretty standard. Just a lot of going all in and winning flips."
For someone who left Melbourne almost twelve months ago AUD$1,156,653 richer, it's no surprise to see Lewis back here, and we asked him what he was looking forward to.
"Everything. The sunshine, the tennis, the breakfast; just walking around, cycling everywhere and meeting all the different people I've met over the years. I can't get enough of this place.
And what about another deep run in the Aussie Millions Main Event?
"That would be nice, yeah!"
Also advancing are Jesse Sylvia (40,100) and Joshua Abady (80,100) as well as Deaf Poker World Champion Alisha Wormald.
Wormald took down the 2018 International Deaf Poker Federation (IDPF) World Championship which was held right here at the Crown Casino in Melbourne for AUD$5,930.
She bagged up 62,200 in chips and will be back tomorrow for Day 2.
The overall chip leader from the fifth and final flight is Simon Chahine with 184,800, followed closely by Francis Artufel (178,400) and Oribe Rivero (168,600).
The payouts were also confirmed today, with the guaranteed prize pool of $1m smashed with the tournament generating a total prize pool of $1,795,800.
Just 171 players will be paid with the bubble busting tomorrow. Here is a list of the payouts:
| Position | Payout (AUD) | Payout (USD) | Position | Payout (AUD) | Payout (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $350,464 | $252,334 | 19-21 | $10,056 | $7,240 |
| 2 | $219,608 | $158,118 | 22-24 | $8,799 | $6,335 |
| 3 | $129,836 | $93,482 | 25-27 | $7,542 | $5,430 |
| 4 | $93,920 | $67,622 | 28-36 | $6,285 | $4,525 |
| 5 | $62,493 | $44,995 | 37-45 | $5,566 | $4,008 |
| 6 | $44,535 | $32,065 | 46-54 | $5,028 | $3,620 |
| 7 | $37,173 | $26,765 | 55-72 | $4,669 | $3,362 |
| 8 | $31,785 | $22,885 | 73-90 | $4,309 | $3,102 |
| 9 | $26,398 | $19,007 | 91-108 | $3,950 | $2,844 |
| 10 | $21,908 | $15,774 | 109-126 | $3,591 | $2,586 |
| 11-12 | $17,419 | $12,542 | 127-144 | $3,232 | $2,327 |
| 13-15 | $14,545 | $10,472 | 145-171 | $2,873 | $2,069 |
| 16-18 | $11,672 | $8,404 | |||