Bill Gazes Poker Tournament Updates

Bill Gazes Eliminated

Jan 09, '10

The button raised and Bill Gazes moved all in from the small blind. Ty Reiman then isolated all in from the big blind and the button folded.

Reiman showed AK and was ahead of Gazes and his 65. The board fell 83210A and Gazes was eliminated. Reiman is now over 1.1 million.

Player Tags: Bill Gazes

Phil Ivey Eliminated

Jan 08, '10

Phil Ivey has been eliminated, losing most of his chips in a big pot with Bill Gazes. Apparently, Gazes and his K-J were able to outrun Ivey’s A-Q on the river.

Left with just 2,000 in chips, Ivey was eliminated on the next hand by one of the blinds.

Player Tags: Bill Gazes,   Phil Ivey

Bill Gazes Eliminated

Jan 09, '10

The button raised and Bill Gazes moved all in from the small blind. Ty Reiman then isolated all in from the big blind and the button folded.

Reiman showed AK and was ahead of Gazes and his 65. The board fell 83210A and Gazes was eliminated. Reiman is now over 1.1 million.

Player Tags: Bill Gazes

Phil Ivey Eliminated

Jan 08, '10

Phil Ivey has been eliminated, losing most of his chips in a big pot with Bill Gazes. Apparently, Gazes and his K-J were able to outrun Ivey’s A-Q on the river.

Left with just 2,000 in chips, Ivey was eliminated on the next hand by one of the blinds.

Player Tags: Bill Gazes,   Phil Ivey

Level 8 Hour 2 Update: Ylon Schwartz Eliminated

Jul 08, '09

Blinds: 400-800 with a 100 ante

Players Remaining: 1,827 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Troy Weber — 475,000
2. Joh Hammer — 350,000
3. Andreas Altmeyer — 318,000
4. Brian Lemke — 291,000
5. Amir Lehavot — 280,000
6. Bertrand Grospellier — 250,000
7. Phil Ivey — 245,000
8. Adam Latimer — 242,000
9. Brennan Hanson — 240,000
10. Dan Bilzerian — 237,000

Card Player Chip Counts:

Jeff Shulman – 170,000
Phil Hellmuth – 139,000
Lee Watkinson – 80,000
Adam Schoenfeld – 125,000
Matthew Hilger – did not report
Steve Zolotow – 20,000
Thomas Keller – 120,000
Max Pescatori – 47,300
Justin Rollo – did not report

Notable Eliminations:

Noah Schwartz
Adam Levy
Robert Williamson III
Ylon Schwartz

Big Hands:

Miami John Gets Doubled Through

A player at the table moves all in before the flop and Miami John Cernuto calls, he has him slightly covered.

Cernuto: Pocket Eights
Opponent: AQ

Board: KQ924

Cernuto’s opponent flops a queen and doubles through. Cernuto takes a small hit to his stack as he ships roughly 12,000 across the table.

Theo Tran Breaks 100K…And Still Going

Theo Tran raises before the flop, only to be reraised by another player at the table. Tran calls and the flop comes 832, both players check. The turn is the A, Tran checks, his opponent bets 6,100 and Tran calls. The river is the 4 and Tran bets 45,000, putting his opponent to a decision for the rest of his chips. After a minute in the tank his opponent folds and Tran rakes the pot, breaking the 100,000 mark.

A few hands later and Theo Tran gets involved in a three-way all in pot, Tran getting the best of it once again.

Tran: AA
Opponent 1: AQ
Opponent 2: KJ

Board: KQ953

Tran’s aces hold, eliminating two opponents this hand as he chips up to 130,000.

Tony Hachem Knocks One Out

Tony Hachem calls a 2,000 raise from the button and goes to the flop with one opponent. The flop comes J104, there is a 3,700 bet and Hachem quickly raises to 7,900. The original bettor moves all in for 11,000 and Hachem calls.

Hachem: J10
Opponent: AQ

Hachem flops top two against the royal flush draw of his opponent. The J hits the turn, filling Hachem and not a moment too soon as his opponent ends up making his flush with the 7 on the river. Hachem eliminated yet another player at his table and chips up to 180,000 this hand.

Hellmuth Flops Top Set, Doesn’t Get Paid Off, Shows Cards Anyway

With a raise of 2,500 and one caller in front of him, Phil Hellmuth reraises to 10,000 from hijack. The original raiser calls and the original caller folds. The flop comes KQ8, and it is checked to Hellmuth who bets 7,000. His opponent folds, but Hellmuth shows him anyway, turning over pocket kings for top set. Hellmuth rakes the pot and brings his stack up to 139,000 this hand.

David Plastik Doubles Up

On a flop of 862, David Plastik gets it all in against one opponent.

Plastik: 88
Opponent: 97

Plastik flops top set against his opponent’s open-ended straight draw. The turn and river are the 4 and the J, no help to his opponent a Plastik doubles up to 45,000 in chips this hand.

Ville Wahlbeck Doubles Up

On a flop of A42, Ville Wahlbeck gets it all in and is called in one spot.

Wahlbeck: A4
Opponent: AK

Wahlbeck flops top set against his opponent’s top pair. The turn and river are the 3 and the K, giving his opponent two pair, too late. Wahlbeck doubles up to 109,000 this hand.

Elky Breaks 250,000

On a board of K8626, Bertrand Grospellier bets the pot (40,000) and gets one caller. Grospellier turns over 86 for a full house while his opponent shows K7 for two pair. Grospellier rakes the pot and breaks the quart-million mark this hand.

Ylon Schwartz Eliminated by Bill Gazes

Ylon Schwartz gets it all in pre-flop against Bill Gazes.

Schwartz: K-K
Gazes: A-K

Board: A92QQ

Schwartz gets it in good but Gazes pairs his ace on the flop. Ylon Schwartz is eliminated from the main event.

Left in the Deck

Players are now on their last twenty-minute break of the night and will return at approximately 8:40 pm PDT to begin the last level of the day.

Player Tags: John Cernuto,   David Plastik,   Bill Gazes,   Phil Hellmuth,   Ylon Schwartz,   Ville Wahlbeck,   Theo Tran,   Bertrand Grospellier,   Tony Hachem

Level 1 Update: Bill Gazes Eliminated With Full House

May 30, '09

Blinds: 25-25

Players Remaining: 2970 out of 3,000

Notable Eliminations:

Bill Gazes

Big Hands:

Bill Gazes Eliminated With a Full House

Seat 7 raised to 75 pre-flop and Bill Gazes called on the button, along with two other players. The flop came 83A, and action was checked to seat 2 who bet 125. Gazes raised to 625 and seat 1 called, while seat 2 folded. The turn brought the A, and seat 1 checked to Gazes. Gazes quickly fired out the same 625 bet that was instantly called by seat 1. The 10 fell on the river and seat 1 instantly moved all-in and was quickly called by Gazes. Seat one turned over the A8 for a turned full house. Gazes exposed a smaller full house with the 33. Gazes was eliminated in the first half hour of play.

Adam Schoenfeld Loses Small Pot

On a board of 9232, the action was checked to Adam Schoenfeld who bet 100. A player in early position min-raised Schoenfeld to 200 and he called quickly. The river brought the Q and seat three fired out 325. Schoenfeld quickly folded.

Jean-Robert Bellande Off to a Slow Start

On a board of 1095J, Jean-Robert Bellande bets 200 and the player in seat 7 calls. The river is the 10, and this time seat 7 bets 500. Bellande calls and seat 7 turns over KQ for the nut straight, Bellande mucks his cards. After this hand he is down to 1,800 in chips.

Barry Greenstein Takes Down a Pot

On a board of 954K seat 6 bet 350 UTG+1. Barry Greenstein made the call on the hi-jack and the river brought the 8. Seat 6 bet 350 again and Greenstein raised to 1,500, leaving less than 400 in his stack. His opponent went into the tank with 1,300 left behind and eventually decided to muck. Greenstein was close to 4,000 after the hand.

Left in the Deck

Nelly in a Haystack

Rap star Nelly is playing in today’s field. Nelly played at the EPT Grand Final in Monte Carlo last month, and he is making his first appearance at the 2009 WSOP in today’s field. The rapper is trying to go incognito with a hoody pulled low over his head.

Player Tags: Barry Greenstein,   Bill Gazes,   Adam Schoenfeld,   Jean-Robert Bellande

Bill Gazes Eliminated in 14th Place

Nov 09, '08

Mike Matusow raises to 56,000 and Bill Gazes moves all in. Matusow instantly calls and tables pocket aces. Gazes shows AK and needs some help.

The board comes J329Q and Gazes is eliminated in 14th place.

After the hand, Matusow is stacked with 1.8 million.

Player Tags: Bill Gazes,   Mike Matusow

Richard Dabal Eliminated in 16th Place

Nov 09, '08

After losing a race to Bill Gazes, Richard Dabal was left on the short stack. A few hands later, he found himself all in, coincidentally against Gazes.

Dabal showed Q-J and Gazes showed pocket nines. The nines held and Dabal hit the rail in 16th place.

Player Tags: Bill Gazes,   Richard Dabal

$10,000 Main Event - And They Start to Drop

Jul 10, '08

Blinds/Antes: 2,000-4,000 with a 500 ante

Players Left: 575 of 6,844

Chip Leaders:

Jeremiah Smith: 1,200,000
Alexander Kostritsyn: 840,000
Matt Matros: 840,000
Alberto Font: 830,000
Robert Georato: 760,000
Sigurd Eskeland: 750,000
Andrew Brokos: 750,000
Karle Wilson: 715,000
Sarkis Akopyan: 700,000
Jeff Kimber: 690,000

Average Stack: 238,052

Eliminations: Bill Gazes, Vanessa Rousso, Men Nguyen

Big Hands:

Tim West Doubles Up

Tim West got it all in before the flop with AK against one opponent holding AQ. The board came 94248, no help to either player as West made a pair of fours with an ace-king kicker. West survived the all in and doubled up to 152,000 this hand.

Vanessa Rousso Eliminated

Action folded around to the player in the small blind who open-shoved into a dry pot. Rousso insta-called from the big blind, she had her opponent covered by 10,000 in chips. Both players turned over their cards.

Rousso: 77
Smal Blind: A6
Board: 105432

Rousso led the hand before the flop, on the flop, and even on the turn, but her opponent went runner-runner, making the six-high straight on the river. Rousso was doubled through this hand, dropping from 62,000 to just 10,000 in chips.

Two hands later and the action was folded around to the same opponent, this time he was in the cutoff position when he raised to 10,000, enough to put Rousso all in. She called all in from the button and both players turned over their cards.

Rousso: AJ
Cutoff: Q4
Board: 982QK

Once again, Rousso got it in with the best hand, her opponent still trailing on the flop. The cutoff paired his queen on the turn, eliminating Vanessa Rousso just before the first pay jump.

Men "The Master" Ousted

After a player raised to 21,000, Men Nguyen pushed all in for 30,000 total. His opponent made the call as he was priced in. He then showed 53. Nguyen was in good shape as he showed down 1010. The flop came K32, pairing Nguyen's opponent. The turn brought the 3 and all of a sudden Nguyen was at risk for his main event life. The river brought the 7 and Nguyen was gone from the main event.

Gazes Clocks Out

The player in seat 6 raised to 12,000 and Bill Gazes called from the button. The flop came 653 and Gazes bet 13,000. Seat 6 called and the turn brought the J. Both players checked and saw the 10 hit on the river. Seat 6 fired 20,000 into the pot, sending Gazes into the tank.

"Jack hit you?" Gazes asked. "I had you already before," his opponent replied. "Maybe you don't have me now, though," Gazes countered. "Then go all in if you think so," his opponent came back, not missing a beat. The clock was then called on Gazes and he released his hand with five seconds to go. He was down to 50,000 after that hand.

A few hands later, he moved his stack in and held 1010. But his opponent showed down AA and Gazes needed help. The board ran out J3743 and Gazes was eliminated.

Bellande Jumps In, Then Pushes Everyone Out

The player in seat 3 raised to 11,000 before the flop from early position. The player in seat 6 called from middle position and Jean-Robert Bellande jumped in from the cutoff. The flop came A34 and action was checked to Bellande. He fired 25,000 and both of his opponents folded. Bellande took the pot and was up to around 200,000.

Player Tags: Men Nguyen,   Bill Gazes,   Jean-Robert Bellande,   Vanessa Rousso,   Tim West

$10,000 Main Event - Sheikhan On the Rise

Jul 10, '08

Blinds/Antes: 1,500-3,000 with a 400 ante

Players Left: 693 of 6,844

Chip Leaders:
Jeremiah Smith: 963,000
Sigurd Eskeland: 750,000
Alberto Font: 696,000
Karle Wilson: 690,000
Jeff Kimber: 686,000
Matthew Jensen: 600,000
Edward Roger: 590,000
Vito Branciforte: 590,000
Alan Jaffray: 573,000
James Mills: 550,000

CP Chip Counts:
Victor Ramdin: 512,000
Phil Hellmuth: 470,000
Jon Friedberg: 448,000
Matt Matros: 448,000
Gus Hansen: 307,000
Mike Matusow: 295,000
Allen Cunnigham: 265,000
Thomas Keller: 205,000

Average Stack: 197,518

Eliminations: Alex Kravchenko, Toto Leonidas

Big Hands:

Sheikhan Knocks One Out, Breaks 500,000

On a board of AQ42, Shawn Sheikhan got it all in against the player in seat 3. Sheikhan had him covered and both players turned over their cards.

Sheikhan: AQ
Seat 3: AJ

Sheikhan led with the best hand on the turn, top two pair, and his opponent was drawing to a flush. The river was the 6, and no spade meant that Sheikhan had eliminated another player at his table. Sheikhan screamed out in excitement on the river, "Yes! That's how mother-f#@%ers do it! I'm the real mother-f#@%er!" The player in seat 2 asked Sheikhan, "So I take it that f I call you a mother-f#@%er later, you won't mind?" Sheikhan didn't seem to mind because after this hand, he had finally broken the 500,000 chip mark and claimed himself a spot on the leader board.

Nguyen Pushes Giang Out, Much to the Chagrin of Giang

On a board of AQJ2, Men "The Master" Nguyen fired 15,000 into a pot totaling almost 40,000. The action was on Giang who took a session in the think tank. After much deliberation, Giang angrily mucked his cards and Nguyen took the pot, improving his stack to 140,000. Giang was not pleased, seeing his stack shrink to 45,000. On the next hand, Giang angrily shuffled his chips, slamming them on the felt every other shuffle, the thought of losing that hand still on his mind.

Smith Taking Command

Jeremiah Smith had already reraised when the player in seat 2 made it 100,000 to go. The action came back to Smith, who reraised all in. Seat 2 shook his head and, after much time thinking and cameras swarming the table, he gave up his hand to the chip leader. Smith was not done showing his table who was boss.

A couple of hands later, Smith reraised to 250,000 after the player in seat 8 opened for a raise. Seat 8 made the call and showed down AK. Smith then turned over the bad news, AA. The board ran out Q5477 and Smith knocked another player out. He was at 725,000.

Turner Turns On The Jets

At a tough table featuring Ryan Daut, Jon "PearlJammer" Turner, and the current chip leader of the main event Jeremiah Smith - the player in seat 4 raised on the first hand after dinner break and Turner reraised to 26,000 total. Action folded back to the initial raiser who elected to call. The flop came AK8 and seat 4 checked to Turner, who led out with a bet of 29,000. Seat 4 called and the 10 came on the turn. Seat 4 checked again and Turner bet 58,000. Seat 4 counted out his chips and tanked for a few minutes, occasionally looking at Turner. He eventually folded, giving Turner more than 75,000 of his chips in the proccess. Turner sits with around 275,000 in chips.

Ng Keeps Firing

Evelyn Ng raised to 9,000 from middle position and the player in seat 8 made the call from the cutoff. The flop came out 1063 and Ng led out with 14,500. Seat 8 made the call and the turn was the 9. Ng would not stop with the pressure, firing 37,000 more into the pot. Seat 8 quickly made the call and the river brought the 7. Ng hesitated briefly, then unloaded a 65,000 shot into the pot. Seat 8 then took a long session in the tank. After almost 10 minutes of thinking, he finally mucked his hand and Ng took a pot of over 100,000. Her stack was at around 340,000.

Gazes Pushes Back

Action folded around to the player in seat 2 who raised to 9,200 from the cutoff. Action was next on Bill Gazes on the button, who repopped to 22,500. The blinds folded and action was back on seat 2. The cameras came over as seat 2 asked for time to make his decision. He finally folded AK face up and surrendered the pot to Gazes, who's stack grew to around 90,000.

Good Luck Betting Out Vos

From late position Seat 3 raised to 8,000 preflop and Mark Vos made the call in the big blind. The flop came K102 and Vos checked to seat 3, who bet 9,000. Vos made the call and checked when the 2 hit on the turn. Seat 3 checked behind this time and the J landed on the river. Vos fired 15,000 and seat 3 gave his hand up. Vos has around 300,000 in chips.

Player Tags: Evelyn Ng,   Men Nguyen,   Bill Gazes,   Shawn Sheikhan,   Chau Giang,   Jon Turner,   Mark Vos

$10,000 Main Event - Level 11

Jul 10, '08

Blinds/Antes: 800-1,600-200

Players Remaining: 1,161 out of 6,844

Average Chip Stack: 118,000

Eliminations:
Chris Moneymaker
Darrell Dicken
Jennifer Harman
Patrik Antonius

Big Hands and Storylines:

Ramdin Outkicked

Action folded around to Victor Ramdin in the small blind who tossed in a 5,000 chip, declaring a raise. Michael Johnson in the big blind took a look down at his cards and made a quick call. Both players checked the QJ5 flop. The turn was the A and Ramdin checked. Johnson tossed out 6,000 and Ramdin made the call. The river was the 3 and Ramdin checked. Johnson checked behind and showed A7 for a pair of aces. Ramdin smiled and showed his narrowly outkicked A-6. Despite the loss, Ramdin still has 296,000. Johnson is up to 155,000.

Boatman Forced to Abandon Ship

Three players limped to the flop, including Barny Boatman in early position and Ruben Juarez in the cutoff. The flop was QJ5 and Boatman checked to Juarez who bet 3,000. The big blind folded and Boatman tossed in a raise to 8,000. Within seconds, Juarez had fired out a third bet, making it 16,000 more for Boatman to call. Boatman folded, leaving himself with 75,000 left after the hand. Juarez, from Ferris, Texas, is now approaching the chip leaders with 240,000.

Fun at Orange 33

The only table that began the day with two of the top 20 players in chip counts was Orange 33, with both Eric Crain and Baja Kattamuri seated there. It makes for tough going for Jennifer Harman, shortstacked with just 16,000 in chips. It got even more difficult when experienced pro Mike Matusow was moved to the table shortly after play began.

Hasan Habib Cripples Opponent, Adds to Stack

On a board of 9885, Hasan Habib faced a bet of 15,000 from his lone opponent.  After asking how much the player had behind the bet and discovering it was only 11,000, Habib put the player all in.  Habib seemed a little surprised when the player went into the tank without quickly calling.  Eventually the player mucked his cards and Habib showed him A9.  Habib maintained a healthy chip stack of over 200,000 throughout the first hour.

Rheem Wants to Gamble

David Rheem made a small raise from the cut-off, then the player on the button moved all-in for 25,000. Rheem, who began the day 12th in chips, said “I have enough chips to gamble” and made the call, showing QJ. His opponent held 77. The flop came 985, with neither player holding a heart. But the 10 on the turn filled the straight for Rheem who eliminated his opponent.

Lade Loses Early Pot

Terry Lade, 20th in chips to begin the day, was involved in a heads-up battle with the player in seat 1. Play had been raised preflop and bet after the flop, which came KQ6. After the 2 fell on the turn, seat 1 bet 18,000 and Lade called. The 9 was the river, and seat 1 bet 20,000. Lade again called, asking “you got ace-king?” Seat 1 shook his head as he flipped over AA to take down the pot.

Vanessa Rousso Lives On

Vanessa Rousso moved all in pre-flop for her last 28,300 in chips and was called by a single opponent. Rousso turned over QQ, dominating the other player’s AQ. The board ran KJ752, and Rousso more than doubled up. She currently has around 65,000 in chips.

Patrick Antonius Eliminated

Patrick Antonius’ main event run has finally come to an end. After starting today with a short stack, Antonius moved all-in from the big blind after a button raise. The raise was 25,000 more to Jim Dalessandro after his initial raise of 6,000. Eventually Dalessandro made the call. Antonius was behind with his KJ against his opponent’s A10. The flop was K62, a hit for Antonius. However, the running 4 turn and Q river gave Dalessandro an ace-high flush and Antonius headed for the rail.

Bill Gazes Plays it Straight

The action folded to the player in the small blind who completed. Bill Gazes checked his big blind option, and the dealer put down a flop of Q42. The small blind checked, and Gazes made a bet of 3,000. After his opponent folded, Gazes turned over QJ for top pair. “Honest, kitchen-table poker,” Gazes added. “Bet your pairs and check everything else.” Gazes finished the hand with around 40,000 in chips.

One hand, one elimination for chip leader

Brian Schaedlich was still getting his chips out of his bag when the first hand was dealt at his table. He had not even acted yet and a short stack moved all in. Schaedlich looked down at a pair of eights and made the call. His opponent held A-8 and did not get lucky. Schaedlich began the day with 801,000 chips and already has at least a little more. According to a player at his table who played with him on day one, Schaedlich was just catching hands all day, yet opponents seemed to never believe him and would call with their second-best hands.

Player Tags: Bill Gazes,   Victor Ramdin,   Barny Boatman,   Patrik Antonius,   Vanessa Rousso,   Brian Schaedlich

$10,000 Main Event - Liebert Out

Jul 08, '08

Blinds/Antes: 500-1,000 with a 100 ante

Players Left: 612

Chip Leaders:

Brian Schaedlich: 500,000
Hunter Frey: 378,000
David Rheem: 367,000
Jeremiah Smith: 246,000
Robert Mizrachi: 242,000
Jason Risenberg: 242,000
Keith Hawkins: 240,000
Patrick Fortin: 235,000
Sinai Farhad: 235,000
Jeff Bryan: 231,000

Eliminations: Kathy Liebert, Shaun Deeb, Erick Lindgren

Big Hands:

Beware of the Smith and Wesson

Despite being seated at the same table with two world-class pros in Barry Greenstein and Stefan Mattsson, at the moment Jeremiah Smith seems to have complete control of his table.

Jeremiah Smith raised to 2,500 before the flop and the player in seat 8 made the call. The flop came 1053, and Smith let out with 3,000. Seat 8 called and the turn was the 2. Both players checked and the river was the 7. Once again both players checked and Smith turned over AQ for the queen-high flush. Smith raked the pot, breaking the 200,000 chip mark this hand.

The very next hand and Jeremiah Smith opened the pot with a raise to 2,500 from middle position and Stefan Mattsson defended his big blind with a call. The flop came 995, and Mattsson checked to smith who bet 3,000. Mattsson folded and Smith raked another pot.

The next hand after that, the player from under the gun limped into the pot for 1,000 followed by Jeremiah Smith from early position and seat 8 from middle position. Walter Hall raised to 7,000 from late position and the action folded around back to Smith who made the call. The flop came 1062, and Smith checked to Hall who bet 6,000. Smith raised (check-raise) to 16,000 and Hall made the call. The turn was the 6 and Smith led out first, sliding a stack of orange chips (85,000) into the pot. Hall tanked for about four or five minutes, counting and recounting his stack until he finally mucked pocket jacks face-up. Smith raked his third consectutive pot, letting his table know who's boss as he brought his chip count up to 230,000 after the hand.

A Gorgeous Flop for Gazes

Bill Gazes and the player in seat 7 saw a flop of QJ2. Gazes checked and seat 7 fired 10,000 into the pot. Gazes smooth called and the turn came with the 5. Seat 7 moved all in after Gazes checked. Gazes made the call and turned over 65 for a flopped diamond flush. Seat 7 showed AQ and was drawing dead when the J fell on the river. Gazes doubled up to 50,000.

Adams Forced Out

With four players in the hand, a flop of J106 hit the felt. Brandon Adams fired 4,000 into the pot. The players in seat 7 and seat 8 got out of the way, but the player in seat 1 stuck around as he made the call. The turn was the 8 and seat 1 checked to Adams. Adams fired another shot, this one for 10,000. Seat 1 moved into action as he raised 25,000 more. Adams went into the tank for several minutes before mucking his hand. He was around 196,000 after surrendering the pot.

Poker Kat Scratched, Then Put Down

Kathy Liebert was in the big blind and the player in seat 2 was in the small blind as the two players saw a flop of J42. Liebert fired out a bet and was called by seat 2. The turn was the 3 and Liebert bet 6,000. Seat 2 made the call and the river was the 9. Seat 2 led out this time, betting 13,000 into the pot. Liebert studied her opponent, looking at his stack and then at him directly. After much thought, she laid down her hand and was down to about 40,000.

Later, Liebert moved all in for her final 11,100 on a board showing QQ2JA. Her opponent wasted little time calling, showing K10 for a broadway straight on the river. Liebert showed Q10 for a set of queens on the flop and she made her way toward the exit.

Boatman Loses One

Barny Boatman raised to 2,500 from late position and two players called. The flop came 932 and Boatman fired 3,500 after the action was checked to him. One player folded but the player in seat 6 hung around and the turn was the A. Both players checked and the 10 fell on the river. Boatman checked and seat 6 took control of the hand, firing 7,000. Boatman mucked his hand and he was down to around 60,000.

Player Tags: Kathy Liebert,   Barry Greenstein,   Bill Gazes,   Brandon Adams,   Jeremiah Smith,   Stefan Mattsson,   European Report

$10,000 Main Event - Day 2A - Level 6 (Hour 2)

Jul 08, '08

Blinds: 250-500, 50 ante

Chip Leaders:
Hunter Fry - 210,000
Kellen Hunter - 194,000
Jeremiah Smith - 190,000
Mark Garner - 182,000
Robert Mizrachi - 175,000
Brandon Adams - 170,000
Stefan Mattsson - 169,500
David Rheem - 167,000
Brian Schaedlich - 157,000
Bryan Colin - 151,000

Other Notables:
Hasan Habib – 100,000
Erick Lindgren – 86,000
Alexander Kravchenko – 83,000
Jon Turner – 82,000
Hoyt Corkins – 82,000
Darrel Dicken – 79,000
Nick Schulman – 79,000
Julian Gardner – 78,000
Toto Leonidas – 77,000
Victoria Coren – 72,000
Barny Boatman – 66,000
John Hennigan – 65,000
Thor Hansen – 62,000
John Duthie – 58,000
Jason Marquis – 55,000
Voitto Rintala – 53,000
Vince Van Patten – 53,000
Dario Alioto – 52,000
Erik Seidel – 51,000
David Grey – 46,000
Shaun Deeb – 40,000
Mickey Appleman – 38,000
Michael Guzzardi – 36,000
Robert Varkonyi – 27,000
Bill Gazes – 26,000
Patrik Antonius – 10,000
Barry Greenstein – 5,000
Scotty Nguyen – 5,000

Eliminations:

Stuart Paterson
Harry Demetriou
Perry Friedman
John Myung

Big Hands and Storylines:

Nick’s Tricks Net Nix Chips

Nick Schulman raised to 1,200 from the cut-off in an open pot.  The action folded to the player in the big blind who made the call.  The flop came J85, and both players checked.  The 6 generated a bet of 3,000 from the player in the big blind, and Schulman instantly jettisoned his hand into the muck.  Schulman finished the hand with 80,000 in chips.

Wasicka Watches Worries Wash Away with Aces

Paul Wasicka successfully doubled up and survived elimination yet again, this time courtesy of pocket aces.  The action folded to Wasicka, who pushed all in pre-flop for his remaining 4,500 from the cut-off.  The button and small blind folded, and the big blind instantly called and turned over AJ.  Wasicka revealed his AA, and the board ran 88762.  Wasicka finished the hand with slightly less than 20,000 in chips.

Pat’s Jacks Axe Stacks

Patrick Antonius raised to 1,600 from middle position, and the next player to act reraised to a total of 4,500.  The action folded back to Antonius who moved all in for his remaining additional 9,000.  His opponent made the call and turned over 88, the underdog to Antonius’ JJ.  The board ran K6664, and Antonius finished the hand with 25,000.

Demetriou runs into aces and is out

Harry Demetriou raised to 2,100 from early position and was reraised to 6,200 total. He made the call and the two players saw a 8-6-4 flop with two spades. After Demetriou checked his opponent bet 12,000. After a minute Demetriou raised all in for 24,225 more. His opponent took a couple minutes before calling with pocket aces. Demetriou had pocket tens and the turn and river didn't help him.

Shulman Forced to Fold

Barry Shulman was in the big blind and called a preflop raise to 1600 from a player in middle position. The flop came QQ8, and both players checked. The 2 followed on the turn, and after Shulman checked, he called a bet of 5000. A third queen hit the river with the Q appearing, and after Shulman checked his opponent bet 10,000. Shulman, with about 50,000 in chips, laid his hand down.

Vos Adds to Stack

Mark Vos raised from early position to 1300 and drew two calls including one from the player in the cut-off. The Q109 flop brought two checks, and the cut-off bet 3000, which Vos called. The two were heads-up to see the 5 come on the turn, and both players checked. The A was the scare card on the river and now Vos led out for 7000. His opponent folded. Vos is at the same table as television/movie actor Ray Romano, though playing in the red section of the Amazon room means the table will be among the next to be broken.

Myung Survives All-in

John Myung was in the small blind for 250, and saw a player in late position raise to 2000. Myung, with only 8500 in chips remaining, used this opportunity to move all-in. Play folded to the raiser, who needed to call 6500 to force a showdown. But with just over 21,000 in chips, he elected to lay his hand down.

Bill Continues to Drill

On a board of 10942, Bill Gazes fired a bet of 6,500, causing his two opponents to fold their cards. Gazes finished the hand with 25,000 in chips.

Paul Pushes

Paul Wasicka successfully doubled up, but still remains at fewer than 25,000 in chips. After the player on the button limped into the pot, Wasicka raised and the big blind folded. The button made the call, and the flop came queen high with two clubs. Wasicka pushed in his remaining 6,000 and the button made the call. Wasicka held K-Q, while his opponent held K8. The K on the turn was effectively a blank for Wasicka, reducing his opponent’s outs by one (the Q). The river was a heart, and Wasicka won the pot.

Friedman loses big chunk of his stack

On a AKJ flop Perry Friedman bet 3,600 and was called by one player. The turn was the A and Friedman bet 4,500. He was again called, and then the T came on the river. This time Friedman checked, and his opponent bet 11,000. Friedman was not happy with his stuation but eventually made the call. His opponent flipped over pocket jacks for a full house to beat Friedman's A-Q for trips. After the hand Friedman had less than 30,000 chips.

Player Tags: John Myung,   Bill Gazes,   Barry Shulman,   Harry Demetriou,   Perry Friedman,   Paul Wasicka,   Mark Vos,   European Report

$10,000 Main Event - And They Start to Drop

Jul 10, '08

Blinds/Antes: 2,000-4,000 with a 500 ante

Players Left: 575 of 6,844

Chip Leaders:

Jeremiah Smith: 1,200,000
Alexander Kostritsyn: 840,000
Matt Matros: 840,000
Alberto Font: 830,000
Robert Georato: 760,000
Sigurd Eskeland: 750,000
Andrew Brokos: 750,000
Karle Wilson: 715,000
Sarkis Akopyan: 700,000
Jeff Kimber: 690,000

Average Stack: 238,052

Eliminations: Bill Gazes, Vanessa Rousso, Men Nguyen

Big Hands:

Tim West Doubles Up

Tim West got it all in before the flop with AK against one opponent holding AQ. The board came 94248, no help to either player as West made a pair of fours with an ace-king kicker. West survived the all in and doubled up to 152,000 this hand.

Vanessa Rousso Eliminated

Action folded around to the player in the small blind who open-shoved into a dry pot. Rousso insta-called from the big blind, she had her opponent covered by 10,000 in chips. Both players turned over their cards.

Rousso: 77
Smal Blind: A6
Board: 105432

Rousso led the hand before the flop, on the flop, and even on the turn, but her opponent went runner-runner, making the six-high straight on the river. Rousso was doubled through this hand, dropping from 62,000 to just 10,000 in chips.

Two hands later and the action was folded around to the same opponent, this time he was in the cutoff position when he raised to 10,000, enough to put Rousso all in. She called all in from the button and both players turned over their cards.

Rousso: AJ
Cutoff: Q4
Board: 982QK

Once again, Rousso got it in with the best hand, her opponent still trailing on the flop. The cutoff paired his queen on the turn, eliminating Vanessa Rousso just before the first pay jump.

Men "The Master" Ousted

After a player raised to 21,000, Men Nguyen pushed all in for 30,000 total. His opponent made the call as he was priced in. He then showed 53. Nguyen was in good shape as he showed down 1010. The flop came K32, pairing Nguyen's opponent. The turn brought the 3 and all of a sudden Nguyen was at risk for his main event life. The river brought the 7 and Nguyen was gone from the main event.

Gazes Clocks Out

The player in seat 6 raised to 12,000 and Bill Gazes called from the button. The flop came 653 and Gazes bet 13,000. Seat 6 called and the turn brought the J. Both players checked and saw the 10 hit on the river. Seat 6 fired 20,000 into the pot, sending Gazes into the tank.

"Jack hit you?" Gazes asked. "I had you already before," his opponent replied. "Maybe you don't have me now, though," Gazes countered. "Then go all in if you think so," his opponent came back, not missing a beat. The clock was then called on Gazes and he released his hand with five seconds to go. He was down to 50,000 after that hand.

A few hands later, he moved his stack in and held 1010. But his opponent showed down AA and Gazes needed help. The board ran out J3743 and Gazes was eliminated.

Bellande Jumps In, Then Pushes Everyone Out

The player in seat 3 raised to 11,000 before the flop from early position. The player in seat 6 called from middle position and Jean-Robert Bellande jumped in from the cutoff. The flop came A34 and action was checked to Bellande. He fired 25,000 and both of his opponents folded. Bellande took the pot and was up to around 200,000.

Player Tags: Men Nguyen,   Bill Gazes,   Jean-Robert Bellande,   Vanessa Rousso,   Tim West

$10,000 Main Event - Sheikhan On the Rise

Jul 10, '08

Blinds/Antes: 1,500-3,000 with a 400 ante

Players Left: 693 of 6,844

Chip Leaders:
Jeremiah Smith: 963,000
Sigurd Eskeland: 750,000
Alberto Font: 696,000
Karle Wilson: 690,000
Jeff Kimber: 686,000
Matthew Jensen: 600,000
Edward Roger: 590,000
Vito Branciforte: 590,000
Alan Jaffray: 573,000
James Mills: 550,000

CP Chip Counts:
Victor Ramdin: 512,000
Phil Hellmuth: 470,000
Jon Friedberg: 448,000
Matt Matros: 448,000
Gus Hansen: 307,000
Mike Matusow: 295,000
Allen Cunnigham: 265,000
Thomas Keller: 205,000

Average Stack: 197,518

Eliminations: Alex Kravchenko, Toto Leonidas

Big Hands:

Sheikhan Knocks One Out, Breaks 500,000

On a board of AQ42, Shawn Sheikhan got it all in against the player in seat 3. Sheikhan had him covered and both players turned over their cards.

Sheikhan: AQ
Seat 3: AJ

Sheikhan led with the best hand on the turn, top two pair, and his opponent was drawing to a flush. The river was the 6, and no spade meant that Sheikhan had eliminated another player at his table. Sheikhan screamed out in excitement on the river, "Yes! That's how mother-f#@%ers do it! I'm the real mother-f#@%er!" The player in seat 2 asked Sheikhan, "So I take it that f I call you a mother-f#@%er later, you won't mind?" Sheikhan didn't seem to mind because after this hand, he had finally broken the 500,000 chip mark and claimed himself a spot on the leader board.

Nguyen Pushes Giang Out, Much to the Chagrin of Giang

On a board of AQJ2, Men "The Master" Nguyen fired 15,000 into a pot totaling almost 40,000. The action was on Giang who took a session in the think tank. After much deliberation, Giang angrily mucked his cards and Nguyen took the pot, improving his stack to 140,000. Giang was not pleased, seeing his stack shrink to 45,000. On the next hand, Giang angrily shuffled his chips, slamming them on the felt every other shuffle, the thought of losing that hand still on his mind.

Smith Taking Command

Jeremiah Smith had already reraised when the player in seat 2 made it 100,000 to go. The action came back to Smith, who reraised all in. Seat 2 shook his head and, after much time thinking and cameras swarming the table, he gave up his hand to the chip leader. Smith was not done showing his table who was boss.

A couple of hands later, Smith reraised to 250,000 after the player in seat 8 opened for a raise. Seat 8 made the call and showed down AK. Smith then turned over the bad news, AA. The board ran out Q5477 and Smith knocked another player out. He was at 725,000.

Turner Turns On The Jets

At a tough table featuring Ryan Daut, Jon "PearlJammer" Turner, and the current chip leader of the main event Jeremiah Smith - the player in seat 4 raised on the first hand after dinner break and Turner reraised to 26,000 total. Action folded back to the initial raiser who elected to call. The flop came AK8 and seat 4 checked to Turner, who led out with a bet of 29,000. Seat 4 called and the 10 came on the turn. Seat 4 checked again and Turner bet 58,000. Seat 4 counted out his chips and tanked for a few minutes, occasionally looking at Turner. He eventually folded, giving Turner more than 75,000 of his chips in the proccess. Turner sits with around 275,000 in chips.

Ng Keeps Firing

Evelyn Ng raised to 9,000 from middle position and the player in seat 8 made the call from the cutoff. The flop came out 1063 and Ng led out with 14,500. Seat 8 made the call and the turn was the 9. Ng would not stop with the pressure, firing 37,000 more into the pot. Seat 8 quickly made the call and the river brought the 7. Ng hesitated briefly, then unloaded a 65,000 shot into the pot. Seat 8 then took a long session in the tank. After almost 10 minutes of thinking, he finally mucked his hand and Ng took a pot of over 100,000. Her stack was at around 340,000.

Gazes Pushes Back

Action folded around to the player in seat 2 who raised to 9,200 from the cutoff. Action was next on Bill Gazes on the button, who repopped to 22,500. The blinds folded and action was back on seat 2. The cameras came over as seat 2 asked for time to make his decision. He finally folded AK face up and surrendered the pot to Gazes, who's stack grew to around 90,000.

Good Luck Betting Out Vos

From late position Seat 3 raised to 8,000 preflop and Mark Vos made the call in the big blind. The flop came K102 and Vos checked to seat 3, who bet 9,000. Vos made the call and checked when the 2 hit on the turn. Seat 3 checked behind this time and the J landed on the river. Vos fired 15,000 and seat 3 gave his hand up. Vos has around 300,000 in chips.

Player Tags: Evelyn Ng,   Men Nguyen,   Bill Gazes,   Shawn Sheikhan,   Chau Giang,   Jon Turner,   Mark Vos

$10,000 Main Event - Level 11

Jul 10, '08

Blinds/Antes: 800-1,600-200

Players Remaining: 1,161 out of 6,844

Average Chip Stack: 118,000

Eliminations:
Chris Moneymaker
Darrell Dicken
Jennifer Harman
Patrik Antonius

Big Hands and Storylines:

Ramdin Outkicked

Action folded around to Victor Ramdin in the small blind who tossed in a 5,000 chip, declaring a raise. Michael Johnson in the big blind took a look down at his cards and made a quick call. Both players checked the QJ5 flop. The turn was the A and Ramdin checked. Johnson tossed out 6,000 and Ramdin made the call. The river was the 3 and Ramdin checked. Johnson checked behind and showed A7 for a pair of aces. Ramdin smiled and showed his narrowly outkicked A-6. Despite the loss, Ramdin still has 296,000. Johnson is up to 155,000.

Boatman Forced to Abandon Ship

Three players limped to the flop, including Barny Boatman in early position and Ruben Juarez in the cutoff. The flop was QJ5 and Boatman checked to Juarez who bet 3,000. The big blind folded and Boatman tossed in a raise to 8,000. Within seconds, Juarez had fired out a third bet, making it 16,000 more for Boatman to call. Boatman folded, leaving himself with 75,000 left after the hand. Juarez, from Ferris, Texas, is now approaching the chip leaders with 240,000.

Fun at Orange 33

The only table that began the day with two of the top 20 players in chip counts was Orange 33, with both Eric Crain and Baja Kattamuri seated there. It makes for tough going for Jennifer Harman, shortstacked with just 16,000 in chips. It got even more difficult when experienced pro Mike Matusow was moved to the table shortly after play began.

Hasan Habib Cripples Opponent, Adds to Stack

On a board of 9885, Hasan Habib faced a bet of 15,000 from his lone opponent.  After asking how much the player had behind the bet and discovering it was only 11,000, Habib put the player all in.  Habib seemed a little surprised when the player went into the tank without quickly calling.  Eventually the player mucked his cards and Habib showed him A9.  Habib maintained a healthy chip stack of over 200,000 throughout the first hour.

Rheem Wants to Gamble

David Rheem made a small raise from the cut-off, then the player on the button moved all-in for 25,000. Rheem, who began the day 12th in chips, said “I have enough chips to gamble” and made the call, showing QJ. His opponent held 77. The flop came 985, with neither player holding a heart. But the 10 on the turn filled the straight for Rheem who eliminated his opponent.

Lade Loses Early Pot

Terry Lade, 20th in chips to begin the day, was involved in a heads-up battle with the player in seat 1. Play had been raised preflop and bet after the flop, which came KQ6. After the 2 fell on the turn, seat 1 bet 18,000 and Lade called. The 9 was the river, and seat 1 bet 20,000. Lade again called, asking “you got ace-king?” Seat 1 shook his head as he flipped over AA to take down the pot.

Vanessa Rousso Lives On

Vanessa Rousso moved all in pre-flop for her last 28,300 in chips and was called by a single opponent. Rousso turned over QQ, dominating the other player’s AQ. The board ran KJ752, and Rousso more than doubled up. She currently has around 65,000 in chips.

Patrick Antonius Eliminated

Patrick Antonius’ main event run has finally come to an end. After starting today with a short stack, Antonius moved all-in from the big blind after a button raise. The raise was 25,000 more to Jim Dalessandro after his initial raise of 6,000. Eventually Dalessandro made the call. Antonius was behind with his KJ against his opponent’s A10. The flop was K62, a hit for Antonius. However, the running 4 turn and Q river gave Dalessandro an ace-high flush and Antonius headed for the rail.

Bill Gazes Plays it Straight

The action folded to the player in the small blind who completed. Bill Gazes checked his big blind option, and the dealer put down a flop of Q42. The small blind checked, and Gazes made a bet of 3,000. After his opponent folded, Gazes turned over QJ for top pair. “Honest, kitchen-table poker,” Gazes added. “Bet your pairs and check everything else.” Gazes finished the hand with around 40,000 in chips.

One hand, one elimination for chip leader

Brian Schaedlich was still getting his chips out of his bag when the first hand was dealt at his table. He had not even acted yet and a short stack moved all in. Schaedlich looked down at a pair of eights and made the call. His opponent held A-8 and did not get lucky. Schaedlich began the day with 801,000 chips and already has at least a little more. According to a player at his table who played with him on day one, Schaedlich was just catching hands all day, yet opponents seemed to never believe him and would call with their second-best hands.

Player Tags: Bill Gazes,   Victor Ramdin,   Barny Boatman,   Patrik Antonius,   Vanessa Rousso,   Brian Schaedlich

$10,000 Main Event - Liebert Out

Jul 08, '08

Blinds/Antes: 500-1,000 with a 100 ante

Players Left: 612

Chip Leaders:

Brian Schaedlich: 500,000
Hunter Frey: 378,000
David Rheem: 367,000
Jeremiah Smith: 246,000
Robert Mizrachi: 242,000
Jason Risenberg: 242,000
Keith Hawkins: 240,000
Patrick Fortin: 235,000
Sinai Farhad: 235,000
Jeff Bryan: 231,000

Eliminations: Kathy Liebert, Shaun Deeb, Erick Lindgren

Big Hands:

Beware of the Smith and Wesson

Despite being seated at the same table with two world-class pros in Barry Greenstein and Stefan Mattsson, at the moment Jeremiah Smith seems to have complete control of his table.

Jeremiah Smith raised to 2,500 before the flop and the player in seat 8 made the call. The flop came 1053, and Smith let out with 3,000. Seat 8 called and the turn was the 2. Both players checked and the river was the 7. Once again both players checked and Smith turned over AQ for the queen-high flush. Smith raked the pot, breaking the 200,000 chip mark this hand.

The very next hand and Jeremiah Smith opened the pot with a raise to 2,500 from middle position and Stefan Mattsson defended his big blind with a call. The flop came 995, and Mattsson checked to smith who bet 3,000. Mattsson folded and Smith raked another pot.

The next hand after that, the player from under the gun limped into the pot for 1,000 followed by Jeremiah Smith from early position and seat 8 from middle position. Walter Hall raised to 7,000 from late position and the action folded around back to Smith who made the call. The flop came 1062, and Smith checked to Hall who bet 6,000. Smith raised (check-raise) to 16,000 and Hall made the call. The turn was the 6 and Smith led out first, sliding a stack of orange chips (85,000) into the pot. Hall tanked for about four or five minutes, counting and recounting his stack until he finally mucked pocket jacks face-up. Smith raked his third consectutive pot, letting his table know who's boss as he brought his chip count up to 230,000 after the hand.

A Gorgeous Flop for Gazes

Bill Gazes and the player in seat 7 saw a flop of QJ2. Gazes checked and seat 7 fired 10,000 into the pot. Gazes smooth called and the turn came with the 5. Seat 7 moved all in after Gazes checked. Gazes made the call and turned over 65 for a flopped diamond flush. Seat 7 showed AQ and was drawing dead when the J fell on the river. Gazes doubled up to 50,000.

Adams Forced Out

With four players in the hand, a flop of J106 hit the felt. Brandon Adams fired 4,000 into the pot. The players in seat 7 and seat 8 got out of the way, but the player in seat 1 stuck around as he made the call. The turn was the 8 and seat 1 checked to Adams. Adams fired another shot, this one for 10,000. Seat 1 moved into action as he raised 25,000 more. Adams went into the tank for several minutes before mucking his hand. He was around 196,000 after surrendering the pot.

Poker Kat Scratched, Then Put Down

Kathy Liebert was in the big blind and the player in seat 2 was in the small blind as the two players saw a flop of J42. Liebert fired out a bet and was called by seat 2. The turn was the 3 and Liebert bet 6,000. Seat 2 made the call and the river was the 9. Seat 2 led out this time, betting 13,000 into the pot. Liebert studied her opponent, looking at his stack and then at him directly. After much thought, she laid down her hand and was down to about 40,000.

Later, Liebert moved all in for her final 11,100 on a board showing QQ2JA. Her opponent wasted little time calling, showing K10 for a broadway straight on the river. Liebert showed Q10 for a set of queens on the flop and she made her way toward the exit.

Boatman Loses One

Barny Boatman raised to 2,500 from late position and two players called. The flop came 932 and Boatman fired 3,500 after the action was checked to him. One player folded but the player in seat 6 hung around and the turn was the A. Both players checked and the 10 fell on the river. Boatman checked and seat 6 took control of the hand, firing 7,000. Boatman mucked his hand and he was down to around 60,000.

Player Tags: Kathy Liebert,   Barry Greenstein,   Bill Gazes,   Brandon Adams,   Jeremiah Smith,   Stefan Mattsson,   European Report

$10,000 Main Event - Day 2A - Level 6 (Hour 2)

Jul 08, '08

Blinds: 250-500, 50 ante

Chip Leaders:
Hunter Fry - 210,000
Kellen Hunter - 194,000
Jeremiah Smith - 190,000
Mark Garner - 182,000
Robert Mizrachi - 175,000
Brandon Adams - 170,000
Stefan Mattsson - 169,500
David Rheem - 167,000
Brian Schaedlich - 157,000
Bryan Colin - 151,000

Other Notables:
Hasan Habib – 100,000
Erick Lindgren – 86,000
Alexander Kravchenko – 83,000
Jon Turner – 82,000
Hoyt Corkins – 82,000
Darrel Dicken – 79,000
Nick Schulman – 79,000
Julian Gardner – 78,000
Toto Leonidas – 77,000
Victoria Coren – 72,000
Barny Boatman – 66,000
John Hennigan – 65,000
Thor Hansen – 62,000
John Duthie – 58,000
Jason Marquis – 55,000
Voitto Rintala – 53,000
Vince Van Patten – 53,000
Dario Alioto – 52,000
Erik Seidel – 51,000
David Grey – 46,000
Shaun Deeb – 40,000
Mickey Appleman – 38,000
Michael Guzzardi – 36,000
Robert Varkonyi – 27,000
Bill Gazes – 26,000
Patrik Antonius – 10,000
Barry Greenstein – 5,000
Scotty Nguyen – 5,000

Eliminations:

Stuart Paterson
Harry Demetriou
Perry Friedman
John Myung

Big Hands and Storylines:

Nick’s Tricks Net Nix Chips

Nick Schulman raised to 1,200 from the cut-off in an open pot.  The action folded to the player in the big blind who made the call.  The flop came J85, and both players checked.  The 6 generated a bet of 3,000 from the player in the big blind, and Schulman instantly jettisoned his hand into the muck.  Schulman finished the hand with 80,000 in chips.

Wasicka Watches Worries Wash Away with Aces

Paul Wasicka successfully doubled up and survived elimination yet again, this time courtesy of pocket aces.  The action folded to Wasicka, who pushed all in pre-flop for his remaining 4,500 from the cut-off.  The button and small blind folded, and the big blind instantly called and turned over AJ.  Wasicka revealed his AA, and the board ran 88762.  Wasicka finished the hand with slightly less than 20,000 in chips.

Pat’s Jacks Axe Stacks

Patrick Antonius raised to 1,600 from middle position, and the next player to act reraised to a total of 4,500.  The action folded back to Antonius who moved all in for his remaining additional 9,000.  His opponent made the call and turned over 88, the underdog to Antonius’ JJ.  The board ran K6664, and Antonius finished the hand with 25,000.

Demetriou runs into aces and is out

Harry Demetriou raised to 2,100 from early position and was reraised to 6,200 total. He made the call and the two players saw a 8-6-4 flop with two spades. After Demetriou checked his opponent bet 12,000. After a minute Demetriou raised all in for 24,225 more. His opponent took a couple minutes before calling with pocket aces. Demetriou had pocket tens and the turn and river didn't help him.

Shulman Forced to Fold

Barry Shulman was in the big blind and called a preflop raise to 1600 from a player in middle position. The flop came QQ8, and both players checked. The 2 followed on the turn, and after Shulman checked, he called a bet of 5000. A third queen hit the river with the Q appearing, and after Shulman checked his opponent bet 10,000. Shulman, with about 50,000 in chips, laid his hand down.

Vos Adds to Stack

Mark Vos raised from early position to 1300 and drew two calls including one from the player in the cut-off. The Q109 flop brought two checks, and the cut-off bet 3000, which Vos called. The two were heads-up to see the 5 come on the turn, and both players checked. The A was the scare card on the river and now Vos led out for 7000. His opponent folded. Vos is at the same table as television/movie actor Ray Romano, though playing in the red section of the Amazon room means the table will be among the next to be broken.

Myung Survives All-in

John Myung was in the small blind for 250, and saw a player in late position raise to 2000. Myung, with only 8500 in chips remaining, used this opportunity to move all-in. Play folded to the raiser, who needed to call 6500 to force a showdown. But with just over 21,000 in chips, he elected to lay his hand down.

Bill Continues to Drill

On a board of 10942, Bill Gazes fired a bet of 6,500, causing his two opponents to fold their cards. Gazes finished the hand with 25,000 in chips.

Paul Pushes

Paul Wasicka successfully doubled up, but still remains at fewer than 25,000 in chips. After the player on the button limped into the pot, Wasicka raised and the big blind folded. The button made the call, and the flop came queen high with two clubs. Wasicka pushed in his remaining 6,000 and the button made the call. Wasicka held K-Q, while his opponent held K8. The K on the turn was effectively a blank for Wasicka, reducing his opponent’s outs by one (the Q). The river was a heart, and Wasicka won the pot.

Friedman loses big chunk of his stack

On a AKJ flop Perry Friedman bet 3,600 and was called by one player. The turn was the A and Friedman bet 4,500. He was again called, and then the T came on the river. This time Friedman checked, and his opponent bet 11,000. Friedman was not happy with his stuation but eventually made the call. His opponent flipped over pocket jacks for a full house to beat Friedman's A-Q for trips. After the hand Friedman had less than 30,000 chips.

Player Tags: John Myung,   Bill Gazes,   Barry Shulman,   Harry Demetriou,   Perry Friedman,   Paul Wasicka,   Mark Vos,   European Report

$2,000 NLHE - Day 1 - Hour 10 - Change Of Plans

Jun 27, '08

Note: An impromtu schedule change means that Day 1 will not end with the conclusion of Level 10. Because we are so close to the money, the tournament staff has decided to continue play until we reach the money. Players will take a fifteen-minute break at the conclusion of the level and come back to begin Level 11. As soon as we reach 200 players, we will start hand-for-hand action until we lose two more players. Play will end for the night once we reach the money (198 players).

Blinds/Antes: 600-1,200 with a 100 ante

Players Left: 206 of 2,317
Chip Leaders:
Eric Crain: 220,000
Sean McCabe: 140,000
Marco Johnson: 120,000
Erik Cajelais: 84,000
Lou Esposito: 77,000
Jose Severino: 75,000
Adam Levy: 74,000
Oke Miller: 58,000
Edward Sabat: 55,000
Blar Rodman: 53,000
Johnny Neckar: 50,000
Average Stack: 44,990
Eliminations: Bill Gazes

Big Hands:

Runner-Runner, Double Gutter - Bill Gazes Eliminated

On a flop of J53, Bill Gazes moved all in with pocket jacks and his opponent called him down with pocket sevens. Gazes had the best of it with top set, but the 4 gave his opponent new life with an inside straight draw. The river brought the 6, and Ball Gazes was eliminated with trip jacks against a seven-high straight. Unbelievable! Gazes flopped top set and was eliminated after his opponent went runner-runner to catch the inside straight.

Adam Levy Doubles Through Big Stack Erik Cajelais TWICE!

Erik Cajelais came in for a raise and Adam Levy reraised all in for ~20,000 more. Cajelais called and both players turned over their cards.

Levy: AK
Cajelais: A10
Board: 87343

Levy got it in with the best hand and it held up. After the hand Levy doubled up to just over 45,000 while Cajelais took a small hit to his massive stack.

A short time later in the same level, Adam Levy doubled through Erik Cajelais once again, and this time Cajelais took a big hit to his stack. Cajelais raised to 3,200 before the flop and Levy reraised to 6,300. Cajelais called and the flop came 872. Levy moved all in and Cejalis snap-called.

Levy: AK
Cajelais: AJ

Neither player had anything but a draw, Levy with ace-king high and Cajelais with the nut flush draw. The turn was the 3, no help and the river was the A. Both players made a pair of aces, Levy of course with the higher kicker. After waiting so patiently all night to pick the right spot, Levy found two of them and managed to double and then re-double through one of the chip leaders, putting himself on the leader board with 75,000 while Cajelais fell down to 85,000 after this hand.

Sean McCabe Busts Two, Climbs the Chip Ladder

With two players all in before the flop, Sean McCabe called with pocket jacks. Both of his opponents turned over their hands to reveal two more pocket pairs, aces and tens. The flop brought both a jack and a ten...how quickly aces can go from first to worst with the turn of a few cards. McCabe flopped top set and with two bricks on the turn and river he was able to knock out two opponents in the same hand and lock up the no. 2 spot on the leader board with 140,000 in chips.
 

Player Tags: Bill Gazes,   Sean McCabe,   Erik Cajelais,   Adam Levy

$2,000 No Limit Hold'em - Level Four

Jun 27, '08

Blinds/Antes: 100/200/25

Players Remaining: 2,318

Average Stack:  4,500

Chip Counts:
Benjamin Fineman - 27,000
Jullian Herold - 24,400
Jimmy Ngoc Tran - 16,000
Douglas Carli - 15,000
Peter Feldman - 13,200
David Pham - 13,000
Fu Wong - 12,800
Humberto Brenes - 12,500
Jordan Morgan - 11,500

Recent Eliminations:
Howard Lederer
Beth Shak

Big Hands/Storylines:

Ryan Young Takes a Hit

Ryan Young raised to a total of 650 from the second to act position and received calls by the player in the hijack seat (one to the right of the cut-off) and by the small blind.  The three players took a flop of A105, and the small blind checked.  Young continued to bet, this time to the tune of 1,025.  The last player to act reraised all in for a total of 4,100.  The small blind folded and Young went into the tank, asking the dealer to pull in 1,025 from each player to see how much more it would be to call.  After deliberating for a moment, Young released his hand.  Another player at the table speculated that the winner of the pot had a flush draw.  “I didn’t have hearts,” he replied as he stacked his newfound chips.

Khamar Xaythavone Makes a Tough Call

Joe Hachem raised to 600 total from middle position and was called by Khamar Xaythavone on the button.  The player in the small blind called as well, and the three opponents saw a flop of 542.  The small blind checked, and Hachem checked as well.  Xaythavone made a bet of 1,000 and was instantly check-raised all in by the small blind, who had all players covered.  Hachem disgustedly looked at his hand and tossed his cards into the muck.  Xaythavone looked pained as he deliberated, shaking his head several times as he audibly tried to figure out his opponent’s hand.  After several minutes of deliberation, Xaythavone announced a call and turned over 66.  His opponent revealed 73 for an inside straight draw.  The Kwas dealt on the turn, and the Q on the river meant that Xaythavone had successfully doubled up.

Bill Gazes Wins a Big One

The player under-the-gun called and the action folded to Bill Gazes on the button.  Gazes called, and both blinds completed and checked.  The flop came AK3, and the blinds checked.  The player under-the-gun led out with a bet of 600, and Gazes made the call.  Both blinds folded, and the dealer put down the A on the turn.  The under-the-gun player checked, and Gazes made a bet of 1,500.  His opponent called and the Q appeared on the river.  Again Gazes’ opponent checked, allowing Gazes to make a bet of 2,500.  Gazes’ opponent counted out the chips necessary for a call and tossed them into the pot.  Gazes turned over A8, and his opponent mucked.

Shannon Elizabeth Busts Another

Shannon Elizabeth got it all in pre-flop with her AK against her opponent’s QQ.  Elizabeth won the pot when the K appeared on the turn giving her top pair.

Player Tags: Bill Gazes,   Ryan Young,   Joe Hachem,   Shannon Elizabeth,   Khamar Xaythauone,   European Report

$1,500 No-Limit Hold'em - Day One - Level Eight

Jun 21, '08

Note: Players are now on a 20 minute break.

Blinds/Antes: 400/800/100

Players Remaining: 370 of 2,720

Average Stack: 22,000

Chip Counts:
Chris Weaver - 72,000
Julian LeFevre - 68,000
Mike Carson - 66,000
Barry Greenstein - 62,000
Michael Guzzardi - 60,000
Bill Gazes - 50,000
Curtis Early - 47,000
Arnold Spee - 46,000
Theo Tran - 45,000

Recent Eliminations:
Allen Kessler
Jimmy Fricke

Big Hands:

Case Card Comes, Cracks Kessler

After raising pre-flop and getting called by two players to his left, Allen Kessler got it all in on an ace-high flop and was called by his opponent to the immediate left. Kessler turned over AJs for top-pair with a jack kicker, but he was crushed to discover his opponent has smooth called his pre-flop raise with the two remaining aces. Kessler was a long shot underdog, needing running jacks to make four-of-a-kind. The turn and river failed to deliver, and Kessler hit the rail.

Jimmy Fricke Eliminated by Ryan Rapaski

Jimmy Fricke pushed his remaining 8,300 in chips all in from his position in the cut-off, and the action folded to Ryan Rapaski in the big blind. After asking the dealer to verify the amount Fricke was all in for, Rapaski made the call and turned over 66. Caught in a steal, Fricke turned over J4. The Q85 flop didn’t bring much, but the 7 on the turn was a good card for Fricke as it gave him a flush draw and an inside straight draw. The A on the river was a blank, and Fricke was eliminated.

Barry Greenstein Splits a Pot

After putting his opponent all in pre-flop and being called, Barry Greenstein turned over A2 against his opponent’s A9. The final board resulted in a split pot between the two players, and the chips were divided. Before the board fell, there was a 15.33% chance that a split would occur. Greenstein remained one of the tournament’s tallest stacks throughout the level.

Erick Lindgren Makes a Good Read, Bad Fold?

Erick Lindgren raised to 2,300 pre-flop from early position only to have the player in the cut-off move all in for 12,450 in chip. The action folded to the big blind, who committed his remaining 3,200 to the pot. Lindgren went into the tank as he realized that cut-off had him covered. “I think you have ace-king this time,” Lindgren lamented as he mucked his cards. Lindgren’s read was proven to be spot on as the player turned over AK against the big blind’s 106. When the KJ9 flop fell, Lindgren made a frustrated sound, later telling the table that he folded pocket nines. The other player failed to improve, and was eliminated.

Player Tags: Erick Lindgren,   Barry Greenstein,   Bill Gazes,   Allen Kessler,   Jimmy Fricke,   Julian LeFevre,   European Report,   Chris Weaver

$1,500 No-Limit Hold'em - Day One - Level Seven

Jun 21, '08

Blinds/Antes: 300/600/75

Players Remaining: 500 of 2,720

Average Stack:  16,300

Chip Counts:
Bill Gazes - 47,000
Barry Greenstein - 42,500
Julian LeFevre - 42,000
Michael Guzzardi - 35,500
Karim Abdelmouene - 34,000
Leroy Le - 31,000
Theo Tran - 27,000
Steve O'Dwyer - 27,000
Humberto Brenes - 26,000
Noah Schwartz - 24,000

Big Hands:

Aces Full for Humberto Brenes

In one hand, Humberto Brenes raised pre-flop from early position.  The action folded to the player in the small blind who moved all in for 2,100, less than Brenes’ raise.  The big blind folded while Brenes pulled back the excess chips necessary to put his opponent all in and turned over AK.  His opponent turned over a dominated hand, KQ, and the flop was dealt AK3.  The A on the turn gave Brenes the nuts and has his opponent drawing dead.  A meaningless Q on the river gave his opponent three pair, not good enough to avoid elimination.

Bill Gazes Pads Stack

Facing a raise to 1,800 from a player in middle position, Bill Gazes made the call from the big blind and the two players took the flop heads up.  The dealer put down KQ5, and both players checked.  The 4 was dealt on the turn, prompting Gazes to make a bet of 3,200.  His opponent quickly jettisoned his hand before Gazes could finish counting the chips necessary for his bet.  Gazes remained one of the early tournament leaders throughout the round with over 45,000 in chips.

Player Tags: Humberto Brenes,   Barry Greenstein,   Bill Gazes,   European Report

Omaha World Championship - End of Day

Jun 19, '08

Note: Play has ended for the day. The remaining players will return tomorrow at 3:00pm in the Brazilian Room and play down to a final table.

Blinds/Antes: 600/1200

Limits: 1200/2400

Players Remaining: 123 of 235

Average Stack: 38,211

Chip Counts:
Soheil Shamseddin - 104,000
Brad Booth - 99,000
Erick Lindgren - 84,000
Annie Duke - 78,000
David Chiu - 73,000
Jamie Pickering - 68,000
Jason Gray - 58,000
Roland de Wolfe - 54,000
Bruno Fitoussi - 53,000
Mike Matusow - 50,600

Recent Eliminations:
Lee Watkinson
Justin Bonomo
Allen Kessler
Tony G

Big Hands:

Gabe Kaplan Struggling to Stay Alive

On a board of QJ665, Gabe Kaplan faced a bet from his opponent and deliberated before throwing his cards into the muck and giving up on a pot worth over 12,000 in chips. “I flopped two pair,” the player told Kaplan as he mucked his cards face down and dragged the pot. Kaplan finished the hand with less than 15,000 in chips.

Chau Giang and Bill Gazes Split a Pot

Chau Giang Checked to Bill Gazes on a board of AJ32, and Gazes thought pensively before checking behind. The Q river was dealt, prompting Giang to bet. Gazes made the call, and Giang turned over his A1032 for a ten-high flush. Gazes turned over KK85 for a playable low, and the two players split the pot.

Mickey Appleman Trying to Improve His Short Stack

In a hand on table 15 in the orange section of the Amazon Room, the action folded to Mickey Appleman on the button. Appleman called, as did Annie Duke in the small blind. Johnny Chan checked his big blind option and the three players saw a flop of A62. Duke and Chan checked to Appleman, who bet. Duke folded, but Chan called and the two players saw the 10 on the turn. Chan checked and Appleman checked behind. The A on the river was dealt, and again Chan checked. Appleman bet and Chan called. Appleman turned over KK98 for two pair, aces and kings. Chan turned over 10872 for a playable low, and the pot was split.

Player Tags: Annie Duke,   Erick Lindgren,   Mickey Appleman,   Bill Gazes,   David Chiu,   Gabe Kaplan,   Chau Giang,   Brad Booth,   Soheil Shamseddin,   European Report