24 Jan 12

Aussie Millions Day 1C: Ivey Highlights Strong Turnout

The 317-strong field for Day 1C of the Aussie Millions Main Event nearly doubled the total number of players to a very healthy 657. With 309 players surviving to Day 2 action tomorrow, let's take a look at what happened on Day 1C.

Phil Ivey
Phil Ivey chipping up at the Aussie Millions
Image source: PokerNews
The third and final opening day of the 2012 Aussie Millions Main Event saw 317 players put up AU$10,600 to compete in the southern hemisphere's biggest poker event. Some famous faces came and went with a few returning for Day 2 tomorrow.

Main Event Day 1C highlights

• 317 players for Day 1C - The field in the final flight nearly doubled the combined Day 1A and Day 1B player totals with 317 competitors. Coupled with the opening days, this puts the 2012 Aussie Millions field at 657 players. While less than the field of 721 players that David Gorr defeated last year, it is nevertheless a healthy turnout for the tenth annual Aussie Millions.

• Phil Ivey back in the spotlight - Phil Ivey created a buzz late last year when he emerged from hiding to play his first live tournament since Black Friday at APPT Macau. Since then he has been competing in the big cash games over there. Now, however, he is well and truly the centre of attention once more since he has finished Day 1C in the top 5 chip counts. It looked for a while like he was going to be the overall chip leader, but he was just pipped to the post.

• Show me the money! - With the field size finalised, we now know that the total prize pool for the 2012 Aussie Millions Main Event will be AU$6,570,000. The Crown Casino have guaranteed a first place prize of AU$2 million, though we have yet to be informed of the final payout structure.

Leading the 149 Day 1C survivors into Day 2 play tomorrow is Robert Lamb, whose 198,400 chip stack was enough to lead the final day but still puts him behind Day 1A and 1B chip leaders Brett Watson and James Dempsey.

Aussie Millions Main Event

End of Day 1C Chip Counts
Place Name Chips
1st Robert Lam
 198,400
2nd Robin Ylitalo
 192,600
3rd David Sonelin
 186,200
4th Phil Ivey
 184,000
5th Chad Awerbuch
 161,000
6th Jason Koon
 156,300
7th Pat Dillon
 151,500
8th Michael Pedley
 146,300
9th David Steicke
 140,000
10th Daniel Foote
 139,300
Blinds: 400/800/100  |   Players:  149 (317) | Prize pool: AU$6,570,000