Toby Lewis on a High Down Under After Winning Record-Breaking Aussie Millions

February 5th, 2018 | by Kaycee James

England’s Toby Lewis has won the 2018 Aussie Millions Main Event and taken home more than $1.1 million after beating Switzerland’s Stefan Huber heads-up.

Toby Lewis takes down a record-breaking Aussie Millions Main Event to push his career earnings beyond the $4 million mark. (Image: wsop.com)

Heading into the final table, Lewis was by far the most experienced player, but he didn’t want to put too much pressure on himself before the cards started to fly.

“I tried to stay off social media as much as possible and tried not to hype myself up too much,” Lewis told the Pokernews live team following his victory inside Melbourne’s Crown Casino.

Lewis in Command as Others Crumble

With the chip lead on his side and a solid read on his opponents, Lewis, who got his start as an online tournament player, eventually secured a comfortable win. Able to boss the table and take pots almost at will, Lewis was in command from the off, but it was Espen Solaas who struck the first blow.

After calling a short-stacked Johan Schumacher’s all-in, Solaas clinched the pot when the 8♦ on the river gave his 7♦5♦ a straight. That elimination didn’t quite open the floodgates, but it did give Australia’s Chul-Hyon Park the impetus to get busy.

Taking out compatriot Ben Richardson gave Park the chip lead, but Lewis soon rolled back the tide with A♣K♥. With the chip lead back in his possession, Lewis took out Michael Del Vecchio before pushing his advantage with some aggressive pre-flop play.

Lewis Seals Deal Before Victory

By the time Solaas had been eliminated Park in fourth, the remaining players agreed to cut a deal. With Lewis looking almost unstoppable, the 28-year-old managed to lock up $1,107,163 before dispatching with his rivals in quick succession.

The final hand of the 2018 Aussie Millions Main Event saw Lewis take the title when his Q♦10♦ out-flopped Huber’s A♠8♦. As well as picking up the winner’s trophy and an extra $71,350 for the win, Lewis had the honor of winning the largest ever Aussie Millions Main Event.

By the start of Day 2, 785 runners had already paid the $8,400 entrance fee. With time left to join before the end of Level 1 on Day 2, another 15 buy-ins were collected to take the final figure to 800.

As well as topping 2017’s total, the 800-strong field for this year’s Aussie Millions Main Event beat the previous record of 780 runners which was set back in 2008.