Two $100K Challenge Legends Square Off
Back in 2006, John Juanda topped a field of 10 players to win the A$100,000 Speed Poker Million Dollar Challenge right here at the Crown during the Australian Poker Championship (now called the Aussie Millions) to win A$1,000,000. It was a glorified Sit n��Go tournament featuring Phil Ivey (10th), Tony G (9th), Michael Sampoerna (8th), Ralph Burd (7th), Tony Bloom (6th), Barry Greenstein (5th), Mike Sexton (5th), Jason Gray (3rd) and Jeff Lisandro (2nd).
Speaking of Bloom, he��s had quite a bit of success here at the Aussie Millions. Back in 2004, he won the Main Event for A$426,500, and then won a ring in the A$1,500 Limit Omaha Hi/Lo event a year later for A$24,650, not to mention his runner-up finish in the A$5,000 Heads-Up No-Limit Hold��em tournament for A$32,000 that same year. Then, in 2009, Bloom made his presence known in this very event by finishing as runner-up to David Steicke for A$600,000.
His $100,000 Challenge success continued in 2010 when he placed fourth for A$200,000, and then again in 2011 when he finished runner-up again, this time to Sam Trickett. That performance earned him A$975,000 and made him perhaps the most storied player in the $100,000 Challenge that has never claimed the title. Could this be his year?
In a recent hand (that happen just before the level went up) between Juanda and Bloom, who��re both receiving massages, the former opened for 1,600 from the button and the latter defended from the big blind. The 
flop saw Bloom check-call a bet of 2,400, and then he promptly checked the 
turn. Juanda took the opportunity to bet 6,300, but this time Bloom woke up with a check-raise to 17,500. Juanda gave up on the hand and Bloom was pushed the pot.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
130,000
30,000
|
30,000 |
|
90,000
-10,000
|
-10,000 |
|
||