Poker championships kick-off in Melbourne

The Australian Poker Championship begins in Melbourne today, and will feature international players and world champion Joe Hachem.

Melbourne man Joseph Hachem won the world title in Las Vegas last year.

British player Harry Demetriou says a strong field of competitors is gathering in Melbourne.

"You're going to need a fair amount of luck along the way, but the good player basically makes his own luck," he said.

"He won't put himself in a position where he's risking a lot of chips in a coin-toss situation, he'll generally wait for good situations in which to get his money in so he can take advantage of a more inexperienced player."