Tournament Director Joel Williams and 2019 $5,000 Six-Max Champion Deliver Shuffle Up and Deal
Before cards got in the air on the first day's play at the 2020 Aussie Millions, tournament director Joel Wiliams was on hand to deliver the ceremonial shuffle up and deal.
He was first joined by the head of Crown Melbourne's Indigenous Program Lee-Ann Emzin who acknowledged the traditional owners of the land on which the Aussie Millions is held, and paid respects to elders both past and present.
Williams then welcomed both players and staff to this year's tournament.
"It's an early start and a packed tournament schedule," said Williams. "We remain committed to providing one of the world's top poker offerings, and we're confident that we'll deliver a world-class series that all Australians can be particularly proud of.
"To our players, your continued support is vital to Australian poker, and of course greatly appreciated by all of us here at Crown Melbourne. From locals, who started playing satellites as early as March last year, to international players that arrive earlier and earlier each year.
"To the staff, who help execute the Aussie Millions each and every day, from the back of house staff to dealers, I wish you all a successful and enjoyable Aussie Millions championship."
Williams then welcomed to the stage a familiar face from last year's Aussie Millions in the shape of 2019 $5,000 Six Max champion Jamie Lee.
A first time visitor in 2019, Lee was a former cash game player whose first foray into live tournaments saw him pick up a coveted Aussie Millions championship ring.
"Before the Aussie Millions started last year," said Lee. "I proposed to my wife. We made a conscious decision to give poker tournaments a shot, and I told myself before that as long as she said yes that would regardless of what I did in the poker tournaments I��d leave Australia as a winner.
"I was playing quite badly for the first couple of weeks last year, and the $5,000 Six-Max was the last event on the schedule I was planning to play.
"The day before the event started, I had said to my wife I��m thinking of skipping this event and she talked me out of it. She said 'You came here to play, so stick to the plan.' I played that event and ended up winning. If she hadn��t have talked me out of it, I would have left Australia down. I think I would have given up playing poker tournaments and switched to cash games. So thank you for talking me out of it and that��s the reason why I��m standing here now."
Lee said that his plans for the 2020 Aussie Millions is to "level up" his poker game.
"I'm going to be playing [the Opening Event] and the Main Event, but then also the High Rollers. I'm going to have a crack at the $25,000, $50,000 and $100,000.
"So without any further ado �C dealers shuffle up and deal!"