Andy Black takes lead at Aussie Millions
15th January, 2008
Day one of the 2008 Aussie Millions Main Event has seen Northern Irish pokerplayer Andy Black take an early chip lead.
But with 215 players battling it out for the coveted title and AUD$1 million (£460,000) first prize, things are sure to change over the coming week as the leader board begins to take shape.
2005 World Poker Tour winner Gavin Smith has already commented that he is playing on a "sick table," finding himself pitted against such big poker players as Brandon Schaefer, David Grey and Dag Martin Mikkelsen.
Dublin-based Black had no such reason to complain, though, blasting some six opponents to the rail as he stormed ahead to a 167,800 chip count - more than 40,000 points ahead of second-place Shane Moran.
Among the early eliminations, Vegas pro Steve Zolotow was sent packing when his nut flush draw failed to pick up a high picture card or diamond after the flop, faltering instead to Moran's pocket tens.
Jamie Pickering also went out on a busted flush draw, though his consolation comes in the form of reaching three final tables and coming top in Event 4 elsewhere in the championships.
