The 2020 Aussie Millions Main Event final table is set, and American poker veteran Erik Seidel is the standout name vying for the title.
Already second on Crown Casino’s all-time money list ($6,707,142), Seidel stands to pocket another $1,273,381 if he wins.
However, Germany’s Nino Ullmann currently holds the chip lead. What’s more, Vincent Wan, known as Crown Casino’s luckiest player, is still in the mix, which means anything could happen on Jan 24.
Then There Were Seven: Aussie Millions Final Table is Set
Despite the potential banana skins, Seidel is by far the most accomplished player at the final table. Sitting fourth in chips — and fourth on the all-time money winner’s list — Seidel has two previous wins at the Aussie Millions (2010 and 2011), and years of experience that serve him well when play resumes.
Aussie Millions Main Event Final Table Chip Counts
- Nino Ullmann – 5,500,000
- Oliver Weis – 4,475,000
- Vincent Wan – 4,150,000
- Erik Seidel – 4,050,000
- Gareth Pepper – 2,465,000
- Nicolas Malo – 1,975,000
- Ngoc Tai Hoang – 1,875,000
Speaking before the the start of the final table, Seidel said he believes the dynamics of this group will be different than what he’s used to. Speaking to the media, he said the mix of professionals and amateurs means he doesn’t feel “up against it.”
As a regular in super high rollers with smaller, pro-laden fields, Seidel is accustomed to tough competition. When he antes up on Friday, cash game grinders such as Wan will provide a different type of test. Indeed, Wan is known as Mr. Lucky inside Crown Casino on account of his knack for gambling. During his time playing at the casino, he’s won two, six-figure royal flush jackpots.
Between players with unpredictable styles and satellites qualifiers, the Aussie Millions final table should prove to be an interesting spectacle.
Seidel Has His Say
Even with $1.2 million up for grabs, Seidel believes the structure of the AU$10,600/US$7,300 event needs tweaking. Tweeting that he needs a break, the long-time pro divided opinion earlier this week.
I love #AussieMillions but no one wants to play 13+ hours a day. Tournaments shouldn’t be endurance contests
— Erik Seidel (@Erik_Seidel) January 21, 2020
While younger players were quick to mock Seidel, the older generation were more sympathetic.
Ya’ole’man
— mackswell (@intrustingly) January 22, 2020
When I played the WSOP Senior's event we played 14 hours 10am to midnight. I was thrilled to make day 2 but it was exhausting. But it seemed strange that they would have the oldest players playing the longest day.
— Sharon Allen (@SharonLA1212) January 21, 2020
For tournament organizers, striking the right balance between action and efficiency gets tricky when field sizes increase. This year’s Aussie Millions Main Event fell just short of breaking a record.
Cutting down 820 entries to a winner over the course of seven days isn’t easy. However, even with a few grumbles of discontent, the organizers have managed the task, setting up the final push that will decide which player walks away with the title and $1.2 million.
