A man shot in the face during a Sydney poker game was just centimetres from death, police say.
Detectives have pointed to "inside knowledge" of the chance to grab some cash at the June 13 game at a Wolli Creek unit where the 35-year-old homeowner suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital.
"If he had been shot a centimetre or two in any other direction, I would say he would not be alive," Acting Superintendent Grant Taylor told reporters on Thursday.
"(He) probably might be best to lay some Lotto tickets down."
Two men - 24-year-old Jarryd Miller and Piyabut Panya, pastipoker 23 - have been charged after being linked to the crime.
It is alleged the home invaders knocked out one man by pistol-whipping him before shooting the host in the jaw, causing significant structural damage as well as the loss of teeth.
Police believe the duo, who allegedly stole mobile phones and cash, may have been tipped off by a third party about the poker game, which is not being treated as an illegal activity.
"There's no doubt these perpetrators had some inside knowledge that there was going to be some cash on the premises that night," Mr Taylor alleged.
"There's no doubt there's other people involved in the criminality of what transpired."
Police believe Miller shot the 35-year-old man.
Police arrested Miller and Panya after raiding properties at Pemulwuy, Homebush and Fairfield on Wednesday.
Officers allegedly seized a pellet gun, an electronic stun device and mobile phones, as well as cannabis and cocaine.
Both men were charged with robbery armed with an offensive weapon causing wounding and had their cases separately raised in court on Thursday.
The pair remain behind bars, with neither applying for bail.
Miller is due back in Burwood Local Court on July 2, while Panya is scheduled back in the same court in August.
