Brian Rast the Short Stack of the Aussie Millions 2015 Final Table

Although this year’s Aussie Millions Main Event failed to eclipse the number of entrants last year, it came close enough for there to be no disappointment. Over three starting flights, 642 players took their seats at the exquisite Crown, Melbourne, to compete for what turned out to be a prize pool of nearly $6.5 million.

By the time the cards were in the air for Day 3, only 135 players remained. Others were sent packing, looking for consolation in other events or cash games. Those still in weren’t out of the woods just yet either. Only 72 players were going to make the minimum of $15,000, while for the other 63 it would be a ‘close but no cigar’ type of situation.

Eventually, it was James Kennedy who left the stage as the last player to go home without any money. Play entered the post-bubble phase, with everybody eyeing the first place prize of $1.6 million. By the time the last river card was dealt, another 42 players were sent to the rail, leaving only 30 to return for play yesterday.

The remaining field was quite a mix of well-known players and local hopefuls chasing a big score. There were also those who belonged to both categories like Tony Hachem and Grant Levy. However, the man everybody wanted to see make the final table was the master himself, Phil Ivey, who returned with a decent stack and a very good shot.

Others, like Brian Rast, Mike McDonald and Ami Barer were all looking for their seat among the final seven, so it was anything but an easy lineup. Twenty-three players had to go either way and, as cards were dealt, burned and turned, players were sent to the rail one-by-one with their dreams crushed or postponed for another time.

It wasn’t a slow day either, as 18 players were eliminated during the first three hours of play. Despite the desires of fans,Phil Ivey was one of those who will not be coming back for the final showdown, together with Ami Barer, Tony Hachem, Alex Lynskey and, eventually, Adam Levy, who was eliminated in 8th place.

With Levy's exit, the final table of seven was set. James Rann of UK will be the returning chip leader with almost 4.1 million chips, followed by New Caledonian Joel Douaglin on 3.9 milion, and the German Lennart Uphoff with 3.6. Local player Anthony Legg is also in a good spot with almost 3.3 million in chips.

The other half of the table is made up of Manny Stavropoulos from Australia on 2.1 million, Richard Lyndaker (USA) with 1.2, and the official short stack, Brian Rast, with a stack of 1,185,000.

End of the day didn't go well, but I'm still in with 7 left for the final table on Sunday. 1,185,000 chips and a chair. #itshardtobeatluck

— Brian Rast (@tsarrast) January 30, 2015

The final seven will return on Sunday afternoon to crown the champion and battle for the first place prize of $1.6 million. Everybody making the final seven is guaranteed a minimum of $160,000 on Sunday.