Two $100K Challenge Legends Square Off

Chad Holloway

Back in 2006, John Juanda topped a field of 10 players to win the A$100,000 Speed Poker Million Dollar Challenge right here at the Crown during the Australian Poker Championship (now called the Aussie Millions) to win A$1,000,000. It was a glorified Sit n’Go tournament featuring Phil Ivey (10th), Tony G (9th), Michael Sampoerna (8th), Ralph Burd (7th), Tony Bloom (6th), Barry Greenstein (5th), Mike Sexton (5th), Jason Gray (3rd) and Jeff Lisandro (2nd).

Speaking of Bloom, he’s had quite a bit of success here at the Aussie Millions. Back in 2004, he won the Main Event for A$426,500, and then won a ring in the A$1,500 Limit Omaha Hi/Lo event a year later for A$24,650, not to mention his runner-up finish in the A$5,000 Heads-Up No-Limit Hold’em tournament for A$32,000 that same year. Then, in 2009, Bloom made his presence known in this very event by finishing as runner-up to David Steicke for A$600,000.

His $100,000 Challenge success continued in 2010 when he placed fourth for A$200,000, and then again in 2011 when he finished runner-up again, this time to Sam Trickett. That performance earned him A$975,000 and made him perhaps the most storied player in the $100,000 Challenge that has never claimed the title. Could this be his year?

In a recent hand (that happen just before the level went up) between Juanda and Bloom, who’re both receiving massages, the former opened for 1,600 from the button and the latter defended from the big blind. The flop saw Bloom check-call a bet of 2,400, and then he promptly checked the turn. Juanda took the opportunity to bet 6,300, but this time Bloom woke up with a check-raise to 17,500. Juanda gave up on the hand and Bloom was pushed the pot.