Taiwan poker pro James Chen has emerged victorious in the $25,000 buy-in Aussie Millions Challenge event after besting a field of 133 at the Crown in Melbourne.
Included in the field, in which only 14 cashes were available, were big names like Dan Shak, defending champion Chance Cornuth, Stephen Chidwick, Antoine Saout, Nick Petrangelo, Manig Loeser, Pratyush Buddiga, John Juanda, Ryan D’Angelo, Mustapha Kanit and Brandon Adams.
Claas Segebrecht was the bubble boy as the prizes started flowing, and the players focussed on finishing as high on the money list as possible.
The final table of six formed when Mustapha Kanit was eliminated at seventh for A$119,700 by Chen, and just minutes later Nick Petrangelo followed him as the first final table survivor to head for the exit and a sixth place pay-out of A$143,640, busted out by Brandon Adams
The five remaining players then settled in and for some time the action was more cautious than fiery; Ryan D’Angelo had been leading but fell on bad cards and went out at fifth, followed by John Juanda, eliminated by Chen.
Three-handed action lasted more than three-and-a-half hours before French pro Antoine Saout was eliminated at third for A$383,040 by a confident Chen, leaving the Taiwan pro facing Brandon Adams from the USA in the heads up, which turned out to be a two-hour struggle with the lead frequently changing hands.
However, deep into the finale Adams started losing ground, and eventually Chen was able to put him away in second place for A$590,520 and claim the record A$861,840 main prize.
Chen, who late last year won the Macau High Roller event, the Australian trip was definitely financially worthwhile. Last week he won the Aussie Millions A$2,500 buy-in H.O.R.S.E. event, cashing for A$39,700, which paid his Challenge buy-in and left a balance for accommodation.
The other final table cashes in the event were:
John Juanda A$287,280
Ryan D’Angelo A$207,480
Nick Petrangelo A$143,640