Howard Lederer the champions of champions
Event #9, $100,000 Hold 'Em boosted a $2.5 million prize pool. This was to be divided only amongst the top 5 finishers, first place being $1.25 million, with fifth getting a $100,000. The 25 entrants were made up of some of the who’s who of the poker industry with the likes of the defending champion Erick Lindgren, 2007 Aussie Millions Main Event champion Gus Hansen, Phil Ivey, Erik Seidel Tony G, Howard Lederer, 2000 World Champion Chris 'Jesus' Ferguson. Early elimination was Gus Hansen, who got into a big hand with Erick Lindgren when he flopped top pair on a KD JS 8D board, and fired out. Lindgren called, then bet out on the turn 2H. Hansen moved all in over the top, and Lindgren called with JH JD for the flopped set. The 9C on the river was no help to Hansen. Lindgren sent Tony G to the rail when Tony G called Lindgren's all-in raise with pocket queens on a 10C 6D 4H flop. Lindgren tabled pocket aces, and when the rest of the board ran out 5C 4H.
Erick Lindgren went into the final table looking for a repeat of his 2007 victory however his dreams were dashed when Michael Sampoerna knocked him out. Lindgren raised preflop from the big blind, and Sampoerna called from the cutoff. The flop came down KC JC 3D leading Lindgren bet out again. Sampoerna called again, and the turn brought the 4C. Lindgren fired out another bet, and Sampoerna moved all in. Lindgren called with KS KH for the flopped set, and Sampoerna tabled 10C 7C for the turned flush. The 10H on the river failed to pair the board, and Lindgren was eliminated in sixth place.
Final after a long day and hundreds of hands played Howard Lederer went up against Mark Teltscher for the title. It all came to a head when Lederer limped in from the button, and Teltscher checked his option. Teltscher bet out on a 9C 8C 7D flop, and Lederer called. The turn brought the AH, and Teltscher bet out again; Lederer called once more to see the JH on the river. Teltscher moved all in with 7S 8D but when Lederer called with AC JS, Teltscher had to accept his 2nd place finish for $650,000. Considering this is the second largest winner's cheque in Aussie Millions history Lederer can be very happy with this win.
