Lynn “Queen of Hearts” Paris
Going into the Final Table, Shurane “Shaz” Vijaram was the chip leader, with an impressive 7,470,000. Even so, he would have to beat Fedor Holz, along with five other experienced pros and most of us would not have bet on him. After all, Vijaram had never made any money in any event he played. Ever.
In fact, Vijaram won his seat into the Main Event by entering a Sunday night re-buy at Crown Casino and it only cost him $130 for that coveted seat. Ultimately, once all but two of the final seven had been eliminated (Holz took fifth place for AUD $335,000 after coming in third the previous night, earning AUD$352,000 – not bad for two night’s work!) it was left to the UK’s Ben Heath and Vijaram to play heads-up poker for the final 29 hands.
And the winner, and 2017 Aussie Millions Champion, walking away with not only the coveted trophy but a very sweet payday of AUD$1.6 Million was Shurane “Shaz” Vijaram. His reaction said it all. “Absolutely amazing; it’s like a dream.”
The 2017 Aussie Millions ANTON Jewelry $100,000 Challenge attracted a field of 18 entries, with the final day starting with just seven hopefuls. After a short five hours of play just three places would get paid. Nick Petrangelo came out on top, beating Mike Watson heads up, with Fedor Holz also cashing in third place.
In the end, the Tournament of Champions came down to a heads-up battle between two Aussies. George Kanan from Sydney facing David Loonstra from Melbourne for the first-place prize of AUD$51,000. Kanan would end up supreme, beating Loonstra in second who had to settle for AUD$33,300.
The final first price amount that will be paid out is not yet known, but you can easily bet that it will be more than the 1.6 million and the diamond-encrusted rose gold bracelet, valued at AUD$40,000 that Ari Engle took back home to Canada in 2016.