Aussie Millions 2010 Starts Today

Australia, land of friendly wildlife and the Aussie Millions.

The 2010 Aussie Millions tournament series kicks off today with a $1,100 AUD buy-in, No Limit Hold’ em event. Actually, given the mysteries of the international date line, it might be tomorrow that it kicks off. Or, maybe it was yesterday. Regardless, for the next two weeks, the biggest action in the poker world will be happening Down Under. And actually it did start today, Australia time, which means that Day 1a of the $1,100 buy-in event is in the books. Tony Hachem, not to be confused with his brother Joe, currently sits in 2nd place, behind leader Xen Xenofontos.

The $10,000 Main Event, which happens a bit later this month, tends to attract some of the biggest names in the game. Gus Hansen won back in 2007, taking home $1.5 million for his troubles, while Erik Seidel was the runner-up in 2008. This year, projections are that the first place winner will take home upwards of $2 million. That’s Australian dollars, mind you, but the winner likely won’t complain.

So if you happen to find yourself in Melbourne in the next couple weeks, drop by the Crown Casino poker room to check out the action. Not only will it be exciting but it will also keep you inside, safely hidden from the country’s many deadly forms of wildlife, like tiger snakes, redback spiders, death adders and Russell Crowe.