I’m out of the Aussie Millions. Struggled most of the day. I was at a very good table but just couldn’t get the right hands. Picked up queens against Aces early on, but got out of it on the flop….didn’t lose too much. I won a nice hand with Kings later on….got back to about 22,000 (we started with 20,000).

Then just couldn’t get going all day. I tried everything. But, I couldn’t get any hands. At the end, I picked up Kings, I had 16,000. With a raise, and a small re-raise (which made me a bit nervous) in that situation with blinds at 150/300 50 ante, and my stack being well below average, I felt like I had to see the flop, so I called. The flop came Q 5 4, the Aces bet, I went all in…he called. I couldn’t catch a King. So…Kings against Aces, out.

It’s a great tournament. Daniel Negreanu is here, Barry Greenstien is the chip leader after day one. Phil Ivey also has a big stack. A lot of big names. Lleyton Hewitt, the tennis player opened the tournament. A lot of fanfare, fireworks, and the fans were great. Poker is going to be huge in this country. I’ve never had to sign that many T-shirts, and autographs things of that nature. I think next year, they will get 600 for this event.

An amazing time in Australia. So, I’m checking out from here. The next time you hear from me, I will be in Los Angeles…to play Bad Boys II for television, and the WPT Invitational at the LA Poker Classic. See you there.

First hand, I pick up 2 3 of hearts on my big blind. Phil Ivey raises (he has AQ). I call. Flop comes Q 4 7 with two hearts. I check, and Phil Ivey bets out $6,000. I go all in for 100,000. Phil nearly dropped it, but at the end, he called. I made a heart on the river, and busted Phil Ivey on the very first hand. That’s the quickest bustout….he came a very long way, and I got him out. He is a great player. But, I got him out, and doubled up to 200,000 right away.

From there I couldn’t hit a hand…I played them all, but it was amazing, but I couldn’t get there. On one hand, Mike Sexton picked up Aces, I had Kings – heads up. I called him all the way down. Came a four flush on the river, and he had the nut flush with the Ace, and I had the flush with the King, I couldn’t lay it down.

Later on, I lost a big, big pot, I made a flush, and decided to slow play it. Mike Sexton had the bare Ace, and the river was another Diamond. He checked, and I checked, so I saved some money there, but that was a crippling pot as well.

I had a lot of fun. It’s a great concept, Speed Poker. I’m sure I will do very well in this. But, I played to win. I wanted to make the TV table with a lot of chips….not just qualify for it. I came very close, but that’s the way it goes.

I’m still in Australia getting ready for all the main events. Today we are playing the $100,000 buy in Speed Poker event. The field that I know of consists of Mike Sexton, John Juanda, Barry Greenstein, Michael Sampoerna, Phil Ivey, and myself. These are the people I know about – I’m sure there are others. Its going to be a great tournament. 15 seconds to make your decision, or your hand is dead. It’s a fast one, and its going to be a lot of fun.

I’ve been playing some tournaments. In finished 10th two nights ago in the $1,000 limit hold em event. I finished on the bubble, a bit unlucky. Last night, in the $1,000 no limit with rebuys, I came in 20th….just off the money. I had two kings and a big stack, and was against another chip leader with Ace Seven. I would have had the chip lead, but unfortunately, the Ace Seven got there on the river. I kind of slowplayed it, so I got hurt….but that’s OK – you can’t control the cards.

On Saturday, I am playing “Billy The Crocâ€? in a $50,000 buy in heads up match. There is betting going on for that match on www.Mansion.com. They have a market for it….I’m about even money to win. We’re playing limit Omaha Hi/Lo.

I’ve been playing cash games as well, and the game of choice in Australia is a Omaha Hi/Lo and Hold Em mixed game. We’ve been playing either 300/600, or 400/800, and I have managed to win all ten sessions. My worst result was a $3k win, and my best was about $33k. I’m about $200,000 up on the trip thus far, and those wins will cover my buy ins for all the tournaments, including the $100,000 Speed Poker, the $50,000 heads up, and the $10,000 main event, and all my expenses. So, I;ve had a good trip here, and its just a great country. Everyone is so relaxed, and the casino is just fantastic. I urge everyone to come over here.

Also, there is betting on the Aussie Millions Main Event at www.Mansion.com. I see Phil Ivey is about even money heads up last longer against many players….so there is a bit of value there. You can bet on me against ‘The Croc’. I think I am going to beat him. I have had a lot of experience in heads up high limit Omaha challenge matches. I think I can beat him, and I will try my best.

You can find updates on all this stuff on www.pokernetwork.com, which you can go to direct, or go to www.pokernews.com, and look for the Australian Flag in the upper right corner. I’ll try to update again soon.