Early Saturday night, I was minding my own business at the Crown Melbourne poker room when I was tapped on the shoulder by the big boss himself, Mr. Nick Whitaker, Crown Casino Manager. I jumped out of my seat, surprised and excited. Mr. Whitaker took the time to come to the poker room and invite me to the launch of the highly anticipated Victorian Poker Championship on Monday at 3 pm. He promised me that I wouldn’t be disappointed by the announcements and special guest. His genuine enthusiasm was infectious, and I could sense the excitement building in the air. I watched him walk around the room, extending his invitation to many of the regular poker players. It was evident that he truly cares about poker at Crown Melbourne, and the camaraderie among the players reflected that passion. Later that evening, the buzz in the room was that an Aussie Millions announcement may be on the horizon, further heightening the sense of anticipation.

I promised Mr. Whitaker I would be there all dressed up with high heels on, and my plus one would be one of my close friends who is new to poker and has been learning at Crown Melbourne. She was just as excited as I was about this opportunity to witness such a prestigious event.

Monday at 3 pm on the dot, the ceremonies began with over 200 people in attendance, including an impressive cast of managers from all levels and departments of Crown Casino. The atmosphere was electric as the audience buzzed with conversations and laughter. The special guest was none other than professional poker player and World Series of Poker Main Event Champion, Joe Hachem. As he took the stage, the crowd erupted in applause, eager to hear from a living legend in the poker world. Mr. Whitaker formally launched the Victorian Poker Championship, highlighting his commitment to poker at the Crown Poker Room. He also announced that the opening event, Flight 1 on Sunday, had a staggering 326 entries, with the prize pool quickly approaching 200 K.

Joe Hachem, with his characteristic charm, announced his continued support of poker in Melbourne, his hometown, and challenged the Crown management to bring back the Aussie Millions in 2026. After some friendly banter between Mr. Hachem and the management team, they acknowledged that they were working on an Aussie Millions return in the near future. The crowd reacted with enthusiasm, knowing how much this iconic event means to the local poker community.

Once the formalities were over, Mr. Whitaker once again walked around the room, greeting the guests, ensuring everyone felt welcomed and appreciated.

When he asked my plus one what she thought of Crown Poker, Melissa offered the following remarks: “The players and staff at Crown have been so kind to me from the first day I started playing here. I was so scared. It’s a testament to how the room is run, and they do look after the ladies.”

As everyone mingled at the beautiful cocktail party in the Lumia Bar, the 2nd and final flight of the opening event was beginning. The ambiance was lively, filled with laughter and animated conversations about strategy, hands played, and the excitement of the tournament. At the time of writing this article, Flight 2 had over 400 players, bringing the total entries to an impressive 730, and the prize pool had passed 350K, on a Monday night! The poker scene in Melbourne is alive and kicking, demonstrating the city’s vibrant dedication to the game.

In direct correlation with the excitement of poker in Australia, my co-partner, Rebbecca Scales, and I are thrilled to announce that The Real Poker Girls Media will be expanding our podcast brand to Australia within the next year. As an Australian who considers Crown Casino my home, this decision is especially meaningful following our recent expansion to London in November 2024. With the Australian poker landscape on the brink of significant growth, we are eager to tap into this momentum and cover the vibrant community that makes it so special. We are immensely grateful for the support of the Australian poker community and are excited about working closely with Crown Casino to showcase the incredible talent and enthusiasm within the scene. This is the perfect time to join us as we dive into the excitement of poker in Australia! Listeners can stay tuned for upcoming announcements on our podcast,  The Real Poker Girls Of Las Vegas, and in between episodes, be sure to check for articles from Women’s Poker News for all the latest updates.

Pro Tip: “I suggest you all start saving for the imminent return of the Aussie Millions. If the Victorian Poker Championships are a test run, you can thank the local players for showing up in droves.” ~ Tatiana Fox 

Follow Crown Poker on their Facebook group. 

The Real Poker Girls Of London Podcast

Your fave Real Poker Girls of London, host Kerryjane Craigie and Lydia Cugudda are officially on YouTube! Catch the latest tea, laughs, and poker vibes with special guest Author Alexandra O’Brien. We’re serving looks, smarts, and serious game—so hit that subscribe.