For the second time in a month, some of the top- and arguably craziest- poker players in world, willingly put up $100,000 each to compete in a poker tournament with the hopes of beating the best and earning millions.  A little over two weeks ago the first of these events was held at the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure, where organizers attracted an impressive 38 entrants, and awarded a grand prize of $1,500,000 to New York’s Eugene Katchalov. 

Of course that was at the PCA, one of the biggest events of the year, few would expect as good of a turnout when they started a similar event at the 2011 Aussie Millions this weekend.  That would have been crazy, and sure enough the Aussie Millions $100,000 Challenge was unable to attract an equal or better 38 entrants; it attracted one less, but made up for it with a grand prize worth about $15,000 more.

That AUD$1,525,000 top prize was taken down by professional player Sam Trickett, who not only outlasted a field that included such world-class talent as Erick Lindgren, Tom “durrrr” Dwan and Sorel Mizzi, but also a final table that held Chris “Jesus” Ferguson, David Benyamine and Erik Seidel.  Unlike Ferguson, who fell just outside the money in eighth place, Seidel went deep for a big payout, but still landed two out of the big marquee spot behind Trickett and second place’s Tony Bloom.  Famous WSOP Main Event runner-up Seidel earned AUD$625,000 for his third place finish, or about $621,000 American.

The payout positions for the 2011 Aussie Millions $100,000 Challenge were as follows:

1st.  Sam Trickett- $1,525,000*

2nd.  Tony Bloom- $975,000*

3rd.  Erik Seidel- $625,000*

4th.  David Steicke- $325,000*

5th.  James Obst- $200,000*

6th.  David Benyamine- $150,000*

*All totals expressed in Australian Dollars.