Poker Ashes 2002

Melbourne's Crown Hotel

This January The Mob and a few mates flew south to the world renowned Crown Hotel and Casino in Melbourne where we had the time of our lives. The Hotel rooms were better than any we've stayed in, including some top notch Vegas gaffs. In a beautiful waterfront setting The Crown complex was an endless playground, with a great pool, fantastic shops and restaurants, the most luxurious cinema imaginable... and of course the casino and card room. The card room buzzed day and night with the most unbelievable cash action and some of the best organised and best value tournaments you'll ever play in. There was the added bonus of Keith 'Bendigo' Sloan's hilarious commentary which we loved, even if us Poms got more than our share of stick. The people, staff and players, gave us a great welcome and nothing was too much trouble for JP, Carlene, Danny and the rest. They treated us like kings.

Melbourne itself, and the surrounding country, in the height of the Aussie Summer, is a wonderful place to be. The beautiful sandy beaches, the relaxed cosmopolitan bars, the wildlife and open spaces, all make it a great holiday destination in itself. Where will you be next January ?

To top it all off we had the inaugural Poker Ashes. It started as a fun heads up challenge between ourselves and Billy the Croc's mob. Billy had to burn his beloved crocodile hat if we beat him. It developed into a serious $20,000 match. It was a hard fought, even match... hey, what are we saying, we thrashed them ! The Crown persuaded Shane Warne to come and burn Billy's hat. The media loved it... A poker tradition was born.

Danny McDonagh & Keith Sloan

Next January Barny will be captaining a team of eleven players determined to defend our Ashes trophy, win a few quid, and make a bit for charity in the process. Want to join us ? The team will be selected from all the British players who make it down to the Crown for the 2003 Australasian Poker Championship aka "The Aussie Millions". If you are thinking of coming down, let us know, and let us know whether you wish to be considered for the Ashes team as well. There's an even better line up of tournaments in 2003. Notably the 10,000 dollar main event with a predicted 500,000 dollar first prize, and a no limit heads up tournament along the lines of the World Heads Up. We plan to fly down at the beginning of January, possibly stopping over in Bali. There are a lot of major events in Melbourne at the same time as the Aussie Millions, including the other Ashes. It's obviously a popular time to fly there so we strongly advise you not to leave it too long to make your travel arrangements. If you want more information, are thinking of coming or want to be considered for the Ashes team, e-mail us on

Click Here to see video footage from
Channel 9 of the Poker Ashes

melbourne@thehendonmob.com

We've finally found something we can beat the Aussies at.
Let's make sure poker keeps on coming home.

Australasian Championships Tournament Schedule:

Thu 2 Jan 1230 Limit Hold-em $400 (360+40) No rebuys

Thu 2 Jan 1830 Super Satellite No Limit Hold em $100 (80+20) $200 Rebuys

Fri 3 Jan 1230 Pot Limit Hold-em $400 (360+40) No rebuys

Sat 4 Jan 1230 No Limit Hold em $400 (360+40) $200 rebuys

Sun 5 Jan 1230 Pot Limit Omaha $1100 (1000+100) No rebuys

Mon 6 Jan 1230 Limit Hold em $1600(1500+100) No rebuys

Tue 7 Jan 1230 Heads Up No Limit Hold-em $5,200 (5,000+200) No rebuys field restricted to 32 players

Wed 8 Jan 1230 Limit Omaha hi/lo $2,100 (2000+100) No rebuys

Thu 9 Jan 1230 Pot Limit Hold-em $1,100 (1000+100) $1,000 rebuys

Fri 10 Jan 1230 Pot Limit Omaha $5,200 (5,000+200) No rebuys

Sat 11 Jan 1230 No Limit Hold em Day 1 $10,200 (10,000+200) No rebuys (2nd chance format)

Sun 12 Jan 1230 No Limit Hold em Day 2

All amounts in Australian dollars. · Satellites will be held nightly on demand for main event or next event. A special Aussie Millions poker player rate has been negotiated at the World Renowned Crown Towers Hotel. AUD$198 Sun to Thur & AUD$247.50 Fri & Sat. (except for New Years Eve).