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As expected, Day 1C of the 2012 Aussie Millions Main Event was the largest of the three starting flights. With 317 entrants, it almost beat Days 1A (153 players) and Day 1B (187) combined.  Two of the top three overall chip stacks emerged from Day 1C, with Robert Lam leading the way with 198,400. Right behind him is Robin Ylitalo with a stack of 192,600 chips.

The prize structure has yet to be announced, but we can make a fair estimate. With a combined field of 657 players, the total prize pool should be $6.57 million AUD. According to the Aussie Millions Terms and Conditions, approximately the top 10 percent of the field will make the money, so we’re looking at 65 or 66 getting paid, though that could be rounded up or down if tournament organizers want to have the money bubble burst with a set number of full tables remaining. Also according to the T&C’s, first place will receive 20 percent of the prize pool, which would amount to $1.314 million AUD. Here’s what the top ten payouts should look like (again, these are estimates in Australian dollars):

1.    $1.314 million
2.    $919,800
3.    $788,400
4.    $591,300
5.    $459,900
6.    $394,200
7.    $328,500
8.    $262,800
9.    $197,100
10.    $131,400

While Lam and Ylitalo were the top dogs of Day 1C, all eyes were on Phil Ivey, who continues to ramp up his return to tournament poker after a lengthy hiatus for most of 2011. And as it turns it out, perhaps the biggest hand of the day, when taking into account chips and player significance, involved Ivey and famed cricketer Shane Warne. After an all-heart flop of Ah-Qh-Jh, Ivey bet 5,000, only to see George Moussa raise to 10,500 and Warne call. After a minute or so of thought, Ivey re-raised it to 30,000, forcing Moussa to fold. Warne wasn’t going anywhere, though, and decided to move all-in for 84,400. Ivey made the call, putting himself all-in, as he had 300 chips fewer than Warne.

The all-in face-off was inevitable: Ivey held 6h-8h for a flopped flush, while Warne had pocket Aces for top set (no heart). The turn and river were safe for Ivey, as Warne couldn’t make a boat or quads. That hand crippled Warne, who was eliminated on the next hand, and more than doubled-up Ivey, whose stack grew to 185,000, placing him firmly amongst the chip leaders.

The remaining 305 players will now combine into a single field and return to the Crown Casino in Melbourne for Day 2 at 12:30pm local time Wednesday.

2012 Aussie Millions Main Event – End of Day 1C Chip Leaders

1.    Robert Lam – 198,400
2.    Robin Ylitalo – 192,600
3.    David Sonelin – 186,200
4.    Phil Ivey – 184,000
5.    Chad Awerbuch – 161,000
6.    Jason Koon – 156,300
7.    Pat Dillon – 151,500
8.    Michael Pedley – 146,300
9.    David Steicke – 140,000
10.    Daniel Foote – 139,300

Combined Days 1A, 1B, and 1C Chip Leaders

1.    Brett Watson – 257,400
2.    Robert Lam – 198,400
3.    Robin Ylitalo – 192,600
4.    James Dempsey – 189,000
5.    David Sonelin – 186,200
6.    Phil Ivey – 184,000
7.    Ilir Beluli – 182,700
8.    Paul Sing – 177,100
9.    Chad Awerbuch – 161,000
10.    Jason Koon – 156,300

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