It is extensively thought of as one of the vital in style poker festivals on the market, however after an extended absence, it seems just like the Aussie Thousands and thousands is perhaps making a comeback.
As reported by the Poker Pulse Podcast, hosted by Australian Poker Schedule founder Craig Abernethy, the occasion is about to make its return to Crown Melbourne in April 2025.
Whereas there was no official announcement, the much-loved occasion can be a welcome return to the dwell poker calendar for 2025.
“No Longer a Rumor”
The information was damaged on the podcast by Troy Mclean, who stated that the April date was “confirmed”.
“I had heard on the grapevine that it could be returning subsequent 12 months,” stated Mclean. “But it surely’s been confirmed now. It’s totally thrilling stuff. After APO [Australian Poker Open] I’ve heard. There was a hearsay that it won’t be a A$10,000 Fundamental, it is perhaps an A$8,000 Fundamental, however that is a hearsay in the meanwhile.”
“It has been confirmed now. It’s totally thrilling stuff…”
“You appear to know much more than others,” stated fellow podcast co-host Catherine Younger. “You’ve got dropped it first, so I am going to belief your phrase proper now.”
“I hope it is a $10k however final week […] that it might presumably by an A$8k,” stated Mclean.
The occasion was identified for attracting a big subject mixed of worldwide poker gamers eager on collaborating within the iconic poker competition, and Australian satellite tv for pc winners who had been taking their shot on the huge one. Mclean says that plans to supply satellites are underway.
“They’re beginning to run satellites I’ve heard,” he stated. “Within the subsequent month they will run 6-7 seats per week so attempting to construct the numbers again up.”
The 2020 Aussie Thousands and thousands Fundamental Occasion, received by Vincent Wan with Poker Corridor of Famer Erik Seidel ending fifth had 820 entrants, with podcasts hosts speculating that an occasion held in 2025 might appeal to round half that quantity.
“It will be attention-grabbing how they go the primary time,” stated Abernethy. “It was such a serious occasion and so many execs did love enjoying it. If it may possibly get again up and working the way it was, that is received to be the aim as a result of it was an incredible cease on the worldwide poker calendar, not simply Australian.”
Historical past of the Aussie Thousands and thousands
The Aussie Thousands and thousands, or to name it by its correct title the Crown Australian Poker Championship, first passed off in 1998. Whereas the primary 12 months was a modest affair, comprising primarily of gamers from the South Pacific, the competition shortly gained worldwide status.
The occasion additionally grew to become identified for its high-stakes tournaments — the $100,000 Problem was first held in 2006, whereas the $250,000 Problem was the first-ever $250k match in historical past. The $250,000 Problem made its debut in 2011 and shortly grew to become synonymous with one man — Phil Ivey. He received the occasion thrice (2012, 2024, 2015) for mixed cashes of over A$8 million.
In the meantime the Fundamental Occasion continued to go from power to power, producing huge prize swimming pools via beneficiant every day native satellite tv for pc packages, attracting gamers from throughout the globe. The occasions attract additionally lied in its timing in the course of the Southern Hemisphere’s summer season, which permits worldwide gamers to flee colder climates and luxuriate in each poker and Australia’s warm-weather attraction.
In 2023, Crown Resorts stated in a press launch that the Aussie Thousands and thousands Poker Championship was “an iconic a part of poker historical past” however stated that it had been “postponed in the interim.” PokerNews has reached out to Crown Resorts for remark.
Poker’s Return to Australia
Because the Aussie Thousands and thousands final passed off in 2020, the coronavirus pandemic dramatically impacted the dwell poker scene, with Australia being no exception to this worldwide disruption. The long-lasting poker competition was amongst many occasions placed on maintain, as lockdowns, journey restrictions, and well being issues made giant gatherings inconceivable. For followers and gamers alike, the absence of Aussie Thousands and thousands left a big void within the world poker calendar, because it had change into a staple for each native and worldwide gamers over time.
In recent times, nonetheless, poker occasions have begun to make a comeback in Australia, hinting at a return to type for the nation’s vibrant poker neighborhood. The World Poker Tour (WPT) has efficiently hosted occasions in Australia for the final three consecutive years. James Obst grew to become the latest WPT Australia champion simply two months in the past.
Moreover, 2024 marked the launch of the inaugural Australian Poker Open, an thrilling new occasion received by Hasan “Huss” Onay.
The return of the Aussie Thousands and thousands would add one more thrilling occasion to Australia’s poker calendar. With a longtime popularity and a passionate participant base, a revived Aussie Thousands and thousands would bolster Australia’s place additional on the worldwide poker stage and would definitely be one of the vital anticipated occasions of 2025.