Poker

History of The Aussie Millions Poker Tour

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Published: 8 November 2024

11 min

Is the Aussie Millions really making a comeback? Whispers of the tournament’s return in 2025 have reignited excitement in the poker world. After a four-year hiatus, one of the Southern Hemisphere’s most iconic poker events could be back on the cards, with fans and pros buzzing over its potential revival. But what makes the Aussie Millions one of the most iconic events in the Australian poker calendar?

To understand, we’ll delve into the Aussie Millions’ storied journey from a modest competition to a must-attend event, exploring key moments and champions that solidified its legacy.

Early Years of Poker in Australia

Poker has a rich history in Australia, dating back to the mid-19th century when it was introduced by American sailors and travelers. The game quickly gained traction, with underground poker games and clubs springing up in major cities like Melbourne and Sydney. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, poker had become a popular pastime, though it remained largely unregulated and confined to informal settings.

It wasn’t until the 1980s that poker began to gain mainstream acceptance in Australia. The establishment of the first licensed poker clubs and casinos marked a significant turning point, bringing the game out of the shadows and into the public eye. This newfound legitimacy set the stage for the creation of major poker tournaments, paving the way for the birth of the Aussie Millions.

The Birth of the Aussie Millions

The Aussie Millions, also known as the Crown Australian Poker Championship, was first conceived in the late 1990s by Crown Casino’s poker management team. Their vision was to create a major international poker tournament that would attract top players from around the world and showcase Australia’s burgeoning poker scene. After months of meticulous planning, the inaugural Aussie Millions tournament was held in 1998.

With a modest field of 74 players competing in the $1,000 buy-in Main Event, the first Aussie Millions was a humble beginning. However, it marked the start of something much larger. The tournament quickly gained a reputation for its competitive spirit and high stakes, setting the foundation for what would become one of the most prestigious events in the global poker community.

Crown Melbourne: The Aussie Millions’ Global Home

Since its inception, Crown Melbourne has been the permanent home of the Aussie Millions Poker Championship, a tournament renowned for its historical significance and prestige within the poker community. Known for its expansive poker facilities and luxurious atmosphere, Crown draws players from around the world who come to compete, connect, and experience the game in a world-class setting.

Each January, Crown Casino transforms into a vibrant hub, uniting the global poker community in one of Melbourne’s most renowned venues and solidifying its reputation as an international poker destination.

The Evolution of the Aussie Millions: From Local Tournament to Global Festival

The Aussie Millions began with modest ambitions, but it quickly grew to become one of the most sought-after events in the poker world. Originally known as the Crown Australasian Poker Championship, the tournament held its first event in July 1998 at Melbourne’s Crown Casino.

With a $1,000 buy-in and a prize pool of just A$74,000, the inaugural tournament attracted 74 players, mostly from the local scene. But from the start, the tournament aspired to be more than just a regional event.

In 2001, the Aussie Millions made a pivotal shift, changing its Main Event format to Texas Hold’em with a $5,000 buy-in. This change brought higher stakes, a larger player base, and newfound international attention. With this evolution, Melbourne became an annual pilgrimage site for poker enthusiasts, as the Aussie Millions began its rise as the Southern Hemisphere’s premier poker event.

The Aussie Millions’ Global Reach

The Aussie Millions has firmly established itself as a major event on the global poker calendar, attracting players from over 20 countries. Its international reputation has been bolstered by its inclusion in prestigious poker tours such as the World Poker Tour (WPT) and the Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT). This global recognition has been further amplified by extensive coverage on major poker media outlets.

The tournament has also played host to several high-profile poker players, including Phil Hellmuth and Doyle Brunson, who have competed in its high-stakes events. This international appeal has not only elevated the status of the Aussie Millions but has also put Melbourne on the map as a premier destination for poker enthusiasts from around the world.

The Aussie Millions Main Event and High Stakes Structure

The Aussie Millions has grown from a single tournament into a celebrated poker festival, drawing players from around the world to Melbourne each January for a week of intense competition. The series now offers a diverse range of events—from no-limit hold’em and pot-limit Omaha to mixed games—catering to players of all levels and bankrolls.

At the center of the action is the Main Event, a No Limit Hold’em showdown that consistently boasts prize pools exceeding A$7 million. Spanning several days, with multiple entry flights and a climactic final table, the Main Event offers both seasoned professionals and ambitious amateurs the chance to vie for one of poker’s most prestigious titles.

Adding to the festival’s allure are the A$100,000 and A$250,000 Challenges, which transformed the Aussie Millions into a high-stakes destination. Known as the ultimate test of skill and nerve, these elite-level buy-ins attract top players from around the globe, turning the tournament into a stage for some of poker’s most thrilling showdowns.

This combination of accessible events and high-stakes challenges has established the Aussie Millions as a must-attend on the global poker calendar, offering an unmatched experience for fans and players alike.

A Hiatus and the Buzz of a Comeback

In 2020, the unthinkable happened. COVID-19 forced the cancellation of the Aussie Millions, leaving a void in the poker calendar. For the past four years, fans and players have waited, hoping each year for the event’s return.

The Forced Pause: The hiatus left an eerie silence in the Australian poker world, with Crown Casino facing regulatory changes and ownership shifts that only deepened the uncertainty. Yet, as the absence grew, so did the tournament’s legendary status, with fans longing for its return.
The Rumored Return: Now, whispers of a 2024 comeback have brought a fresh wave of excitement. Could the Aussie Millions be making its triumphant return to the poker scene? Players and fans around the world are holding their breath, hoping for one more chance to see the Southern Hemisphere’s grandest poker event back in action.

Legacy and Future Challenges of the Aussie Millions Poker Tour

Despite its iconic status, the Aussie Millions has faced challenges as Crown Resorts works to address compliance failures and regulatory scrutiny after being deemed unsuitable to retain its casino license. These obstacles have added uncertainty to the tournament’s future, yet the Aussie Millions’ legacy remains intact.

Together, the tournament’s rich prizes, high-level competition, and glamorous reputation make it more than just an event; it’s a true destination and a symbol of poker’s most daring, elite world.

Aussie Millions Poker Tour Highlights

The Aussie Millions has hosted some of the most memorable moments and players in poker history, cementing its reputation as a stage for icons and groundbreaking achievements.

Gus Hansen’s 2007 Victory: In one of the tournament’s defining moments, Danish pro Gus Hansen claimed victory in the Main Event, taking home a staggering A$1.5 million. Hansen’s win made global headlines, transforming the Aussie Millions from a high-stakes tournament into a legendary event that attracted the world’s attention.
Phil Ivey’s High-Stakes Dominance: Known as one of the most formidable players in poker, Phil Ivey left his mark on the Aussie Millions by dominating the high-stakes A$250,000 Challenge multiple times. Ivey’s repeated triumphs solidified the tournament’s reputation as the premier destination for high rollers, adding an aura of prestige to the Aussie Millions.
Stewart Scott’s 2009 Victory: In a historic moment for Australian poker, Stewart Scott became the first Australian to win the Main Event, creating a wave of national pride. His win further established the Aussie Millions as a tournament where local talent could shine on an international stage.
Record-Breaking Prize Pools: The tournament continued to grow, reaching new heights in 2011 when the Main Event set a record with a A$3.4 million prize pool, the largest in Australian poker history. This milestone showcased the tournament’s growing appeal and solidified its status as a marquee event on the global poker calendar.

Aussie Millions Main Event Winners (1998-2020)

Year	Entries	Prize Pool	Winner	Country	First Prize
1998	74	A$74,000	Alex Horowitz	Australia	A$25,900
1999	109	A$109,000	Milo Nadalin	Australia	A$38,150
2000	109	A$173,500	Leo Boxell	Australia	A$65,225
2001	101	A$151,500	Sam Korman	Australia	A$53,025
2002	66	A$330,000	John Maver	Australia	A$150,000
2003	122	A$1,220,000	Peter Costa	United Kingdom	A$394,870
2004	133	A$1,330,000	Tony Bloom	United Kingdom	A$426,500
2005	263	A$2,630,000	Jamil Dia	New Zealand	A$1,000,000
2006	418	A$4,180,000	Lee Nelson	New Zealand	A$1,295,800
2007	747	A$7,470,000	Gus Hansen	Denmark	A$1,500,000
2008	780	A$7,758,500	Alexander Kostritsyn	Russia	A$1,650,000
2009	681	A$6,810,000	Stewart Scott	Australia	A$2,000,000
2010	746	A$7,460,000	Tyron Krost	Australia	A$2,000,000
2011	721	A$7,210,000	David Gorr	Australia	A$2,000,000
2012	659	A$6,590,000	Oliver Speidel	Australia	A$1,600,000
2013	629	A$6,290,000	Mervin Chan	Malaysia	A$1,600,000
2014	668	A$6,680,000	Ami Barer	Canada	A$1,600,000
2015	648	A$6,480,000	Manny Stavropoulos	Australia	A$1,385,500
2016	732	A$7,320,000	Ari Engel	Canada	A$1,600,000
2017	725	A$7,250,000	Shurane Vijayaram	Australia	A$1,600,000
2018	800	A$8,000,000	Toby Lewis	United Kingdom	A$1,458,198
2019	822	A$8,220,000	Bryn Kenney	United States	A$1,272,598
2020	820	A$8,200,000	Vincent Wan	Australia	A$1,318,000

Cultural Icon – The Aussie Millions’ Impact Beyond Poker

The Aussie Millions wasn’t just a tournament—it was an event that made Melbourne the heart of poker in Australia. Each January, Melbourne transformed into a poker mecca, with fans, tourists, and players from around the world contributing to the city’s vibrant atmosphere.

Tourism and Economic Boost: Thousands of international players and fans flocked to Melbourne each year, giving the local economy a significant boost and turning the Aussie Millions into a major economic event for the city.
Media Frenzy and Global Recognition: The Aussie Millions was broadcast internationally, putting Melbourne on the poker map and giving Australian poker a global stage. The coverage and the competition made the tournament more than a game—it was an event that shaped Melbourne’s identity as a poker hub.

Conclusion

The Aussie Millions has always been more than just a poker tournament. It’s a part of poker history, a legendary stage for the game’s greatest players, and a cultural icon for Melbourne. Its rumored return is more than just news; it’s a chance to revive an event that has captured the hearts of poker fans worldwide.

Whether the Aussie Millions returns in 2024 or beyond, one thing is certain: its legacy is secure. And if it does come back, it will be more than a poker tournament—it will be the rebirth of an icon.

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Emily Turner Content Writer

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Emily is our seasoned content writer. She writes easy to read and helpful game guides, so you can quickly understand the rules of each game and get some useful tips that can help boost your chances of winning.