Former Champions, Philanthropists and Entrepreneurs
While Phil Laak may have departed, several more notables have joined the action bringing the total number of entries up to 202.
David Gorr will be a familiar face to many as he has been a Crown regular for decades. With over $2.1 million in career tournament earnings, the 74-year old Malvern native is currently 9th on the Hendon mob Australia All Time Money List and as a former Aussie Millions Champion is no stranger to success. Gore defeated the UK’s James Keys to win the 2011 Main Event for $1.9 million and will be hoping to repeat chance once again.
Also joining the field is lawyer, businessman and philanthropist Julius Colman, co-founder of the Colman Foundation, an educational charity providing grants for books and educational needs to disadvantaged children across Victoria. Colman is also a pretty decent card player sitting in 37th on Australia’s All Time Money List with over $800,000 in tournament earnings and an Aussie Millions Main Event final table on his poker resume – Colman finished 4th in 2007 for a $397,640, the year Gus Hansen emerged victorious.
Another notable is entrepreneur Andrew Bassat – CEO and cofounder of SEEK Australia, the country’s largest employment, career, and recruitment site. Bassat too boasts a very respectable poker resume with over $127,000 in tournament winnings including a deep run in 2016’s Asia Pacific Poker Tour Melbourne Main Event. Bassat already has a cash under his belt at this year's Aussie Millions with a 43rd place finish in the AU$1,150 Six Max Event #6 and will undoubtedly be hoping to go a little farther here in the Main.