Surprise Win at Aussie Millions, While A$250 000 High Roller Canceled

The Aussie Millions Australian poker series was held “Down Under” between January 11th and 30th. 26 events were planned originally but only 25 ended up on the schedule. Hobby player defied odds at ME.

Although the A$25 000 High Roller was a great success with 133 registrations - James Chen won A$861 840, about US$652 909 - the A$100 000 Challenge was a disappointment: only 18 seats were filled. In the wake of the low participation the event directors conducted a survey about the interest for the $A250 000 Challenge, and decided to cancel the tournament.

The Main Event however did not disappoint. 725 people registered with A$10 600 buy-ins. The final table featured high profile pros like Fedor Holz or Jeff Rossiter. But the none of them could beat 33-year old Australian amateur Shurane Vijayaram who never finished ITM in a live tournament before. At the final hand, holding pocket fives, he decided to call Ben Health’s bluff all-in (K-8), a dangerous move with 6-9-7-3-Q on the board. Pro poker player Jason Somerville broadcasting on Twitch called it the most amazing call he’s ever seen. 

Shurane Vijayaram qualified through a A$130 satellite tournament and ended up pocketing A$1 600 000.