Matt Keikoan Poker Tournament Updates

Steve Gross Doubles Up

Dec 04, '10

Steve Gross raised from early position preflop and Matt Keikoan made the call from the cutoff. The flop fell K J 4 and Gross checked. Keikoan bet 5,200 and Gross raised to 14,500. Keikoan made the call and the turn fell 2.

Gross bet 15,200 and Keikoan made the call. The river brought the 2 and Gross moved all in for 29,000. Keikoan asked for a count and spent a little bit of time in the tank before he made the call.

Gross turned over two black aces and Keikoan mucked. Gross doubled up to 125,000 and Keikoan took a hit, falling to 193,000.

Player Tags: Matt Keikoan,   Steve Gross

Level 21, Hour Two: Habib Doubles Up On First Hand, Chan Takes Big Hit

Jul 15, '10

Blinds: 8,000-16,000 with a 2,000 ante

Players Remaining: 186 out of 7,319

Average Chip Count: 1,180,483

Card Player Chip Counts:

Andrew Brokos – 1,265,000
Tony Dunst – 327,000

Tournament Leaderboard:

1. Robert Pisano – 4,400,000
2. Joseph Cheong – 3,830,000
3. Michael Skender – 3,527,000
4. Damien Luis – 3,500,000
5. Evan Lamprea – 3,300,000
6. Duy Le – 3,186,000
7. Sebastian Panny – 3,100,000
8. Josh Brikis – 2,800,000
9. James Carroll – 2,800,000
10. Bryn Kenney – 2,790,000

Notable Eliminations:

188. Blake Kelso — $48,847
196. Matt Keikoan — $48,847
198. Alexander Dovzhenko — $48,847
202. Paul Kristoffersson — $48,847

Player Twitter Accounts

Jean-Robert Bellande
Tristan Wade
Josh Brikis
Christian Harder
Michael Mizrachi

Big Hands:

Habib Hits The Ground Running

Hasan Habib shoved for 264,000 on the very first hand of the day. Action folded to Paul Dlugozima in the hijack and he made the call.

Habib: QQ
Dlugozima: AK

The race was on as Habib’s ladies were a slight favorite, until the flop came down QJ10, giving Dlugozima a Broadway straight.

Habib was not out of it, however, as he had flopped a set. The turn was the J, giving Habib a full house and a lock on the hand. The river was the 3 and Habib doubled to 570,000. Dlugozima was left with just 64,000 and was eliminated a few hands later.

Erkenov Doubles Up

Diogo Borges raised from the button and Ismail Erkenov repopped. The two went back and forth until Erkenov found himself all in for 684,000.

Borges: AK
Erkenov: KK

Erkenov needed to fade a three outer and the flop fell J75. He was still ahead but still needed to fade an ace or running cards. The turn was the 9 and Borges was down to needing an ace to score the knockout. But the river was the 5 and Erkenov doubled to 1.4 million. Borges was hammered down to 160,000.

Lamprea Forced Out

Evan Lamprea raised to 38,000 preflop and Pavel Milanov made the call from a couple of seats over. The two players then saw a flop of 764 and Lamprea fired 52,000.

Milanov made the call and the turn was the A. Lamprea fired another barrel, this one for 127,000. Milanov then decided to fire back, moving all in for 500,000.

That caused Lamprea to muck his hand and he was down to 3.3 million. Milanov improved to 830,000.

Baker Gives Up The Double

David Baker raised to 36,000 and Russell Rosenblum made it 110,000 to go from the button. Baker put in one last raise for just 8,000 more, putting Rosenblum all in.

Rosenblum: K9
Baker: 75

Baker held two live cards but both players caught a piece of the A97 flop. Rosenblum stayed ahead when the board finished off J and 2 and he doubled to 275,000. Baker was at 717,000.

Lodden With The KO

Johnny Lodden raised from the cutoff and Richard Kirsch moved all in for 165,000. Lodden looked him up and they turned over their cards.

Lodden: A9
Kirsch: 55

Lodden jumped ahead in the race when the flop fell AQ4. The turn was the 2, giving Kirsch outs to a wheel. But the 10 bricked off and Lodden scored the knockout. He was at 2 million after the hand.

Hougaard Doubles Through David Peters

Picking up the action after the flop, Jesper Hougaard moved all in for 205,000 after the flop came down KK10. David Peters looked him up with QQ.

But Hougaard had outflopped Peters as he tabled KJ for trips. The turn was the 4 and the river was the 4, filling up Hougaard and doubling him to 600,000. Peters was down to 580,000.

Chan Takes One, Then Takes One On The Chin

Picking up the action after the turn, the board read J832. Johnny Chan fired 85,000 and Robin Bergren popped it to 205,000.

Chan made the call and the river was the 9. Chan kept his foot on the gas pedal as he led out with 250,000. Bergren had enough and threw his hand away.

Chan took down the pot and he was at 2,850,000.

A few hands later, Robert Pisano and Chan got into a raising war that saw Pisano all in for 2.19 million. Chan made the call and the ultimate cooler was shown.

Chan: KK
Pisano: AA

Chan was on the wrong end of the cold deck and the board ran out 105474. Pisano became the chip leader with 4.4 million while Chan was at 800,000.

Dorfman Ejects Villard

David Villard was all in preflop and Randy Dorfman put him at risk. Here were their hands:

Villard: 33
Dorfman: JJ

Villard was in bad shape against the overpair and for possible flush draws were covered. The board ran out A10410J and Dorfman scored the knockout with jacks-full. He was at 1.45 million.

Keikoan Flushed Away

We didn’t catch the action, but Matt Keikoan found himself all in after the board had run out AJ364.

Matthew Pearson decided to look him up and he turned over KQ for the second nut-flush. Keikoan could only show 74 for a lesser flush and he was shown the door. He took home $48,847 for his efforts in the Main Event and it was his third cash of the 2010 WSOP. He won a bracelet in Event No. 29 ($10,000 Limit Hold’em Championship).

Pearson was up to 846,000 after the knockout.

Affleck Dumped By The Ladies

Jared Ingles opened for 35,000 and Daniel Chamberlain made it 85,000 to go from the hijack seat. Matt Affleck then made it 200,000 from the button and only Chamberlain stuck around.

The flop then fell 863. Chamberlain checked to Affleck, who fired 225,000. Chamberlain made the call and the 3 came on the turn. Chamberlain checked again and Affleck slowed down as he did the same.

The river was the 7 and both players checked again. Chamberlain then tabled QQ and Affleck mucked. Chamberlain was at 2.55 million after the hand while Affleck slipped to 2.45 million.

Bellande Shows The Respect

Jean-Robert Bellande and Jesper Hougaard each saw a flop of AA3. Both players checked and the 7 fell on the turn.

Bellande led for 65,000 and Hougaard made the call. The 6 came on the river and Bellande fired 125,000. Hougaard then moved in for 458,000 and Bellande took a tank session.

He eventually mucked AK face up as he dropped to 700,000. Hougaard would move up to 1.02 million after he knocked out Claudio Baptista on the very next hand.

Player Tags: David Baker,   Hasan Habib,   Matt Keikoan,   Johnny Chan,   Russell Rosenblum,   Richard Kirsch,   Johnny Lodden,   Jesper Hougaard,   Paul Dlugozima,   Randy Dorfman,   Diogo Borges,   Robert Pisano,   Ismail Erkenov

Level 30 Update: Matt Keikoan Completes Comeback, Wins Event No. 29

Jun 18, '10

Blinds: 80,000-150,000

Players Remaining: 1 out of 171

Notable Eliminations:

2. Daniel Idema – $263,244

Big Hands:

Keikoan Takes Chip Lead

Matt Keikoan bet the turn and river on a board that read 6-5-3-3-6. Daniel Idema called him down with 105, but Keikoan had him with the kicker as he tabled the J5.

Keikoan is up to 3,200,000 with the pot.

Idema Crippled

Dan Idema raised from the button and Matt Keikoan called.

Keikoan checked the 764 fop and then check-raised the Idema bet and Idema called.

The turn was the 9 and Keikoan bet and was raised by Idema. Keikoan made the call. The river was the 10 and Keikoan checked and called a bet from Idema.

Idema showed the A7, but Keikoan had two pair with 64 and he took the pot and left Idema with just 150,000 in chips.

Daniel Idema Eliminated, Matt Keikoan Wins Event No. 29

Daniel Idema was all-in for 145,000 in the big blind. Keikoan was dealt the A7 and Idema had the 24.

The board came out JQQKQ, keeping Keikoan in front and completing an epic comeback.

Idema takes home $263,244 for his second place finish and Matt Keikoan takes home the bracelet along with $425,969.

Player Tags: Matt Keikoan,   Daniel Idema

Level 28 Update: Matt Keikoan Takes the Chip Lead Back

Jun 18, '10

Blinds: 50,000-100,000

Players Remaining: 2 out of 171

Average Stack: 2,565,000

Tournament Leaderboard:

1. Matt Keikoan – 2,900,000
2. Daniel Idema – 2,200,000

Notable Eliminations:

none

Big Hands:

Keikoan’s Bluff Gone Wrong

Daniel Idema raised, Matt Keikoan three-bet and Idema made the call. Keikoan bet the J84 flop and Idema called.

The turn was the 9 and both players checked. The river was the 7 and Keikoan bet out and was called.

Keikoan had complete air with the 35 and Idema backed into a straight with the 56. Keikoan dropped to 750,000 with that loss.

Full House for Keikoan Puts Him Back in the Game

Daniel Idema raised and Matt Keikoan three-bet. Idema made the call and called every bet of Keikoan’s as Keikoan bet every street. The board ran out J10210K and Keikoan tabled pocket kings, good for a rivered full house and the pot.

A few hands before, Keikoan doubled up and this pot has basically pulled the two back to even.

Keikoan Takes the Lead

After taking a few small pots without a showdown, Matt Keikoan opened up a small chip advantage after battling back from just 750,000

Player Tags: Matt Keikoan,   Daniel Idema

Level 27 Update: Chips are Flying, but Idema Takes Lead Back

Jun 18, '10

Blinds: 40,000-80,000

Players Remaining: 2 out of 171

Average Chip Count:

Tournament Leaderboard:

1. Daniel Idema — 3,530,000
2. Matt Keikoan — 1,600,000

Notable Eliminations:

none

Big Hands:

Keikoan Evens Things Out

Daniel Idema raised and Matt Keikoan made the call.

The flop was 59J and Keikoan checked and called a bet fom Idema. The same action happened on the turn when the 8 peeled off.

The Q hit on the river and Keikoan fired out a bet and Idema folded pretty quickly. Keikoan might have taken the narrowest of chip leads after taking that pot with both players right around 2,600,000.

Idema Gets His Lead Back

Daniel Idema raised and Matt Keikoan made the call. The flop was 774 and Keikoan check-raised Idema. Idema called and the dealer peeled off the 5 on the turn.

Keikoan then checked and folded to a bet from Idema. On the next hand, Idema three-bet before the flop and bet the flop to force a fold from Keikoan. Idema is back up to 3,400,000 and Keikoan slipped to 1,700,000.

Idema Extends Lead

After a few pots that saw the lead go back and forth, Matt Keikoan raised from the button and Daniel Idema called.

The flop was JJ4 and Idema quickly check-raised Keikoan’s bet. The turn was the 6 and Idema bet and Keikoan folded. Idema now has just over a 2-1 chip advantage on Keikoan.

Player Tags: Matt Keikoan,   Daniel Idema

Level 26 Update: Keikoan Trying to Keep Up

Jun 18, '10

Blinds: 30,000-60,000

Players Remaining: 2 out of 171

Average Chip Count: 2,565,000

Tournament Leaderboard:

1. Daniel Idema – 3,100,000
2. Matt Keikoan – 1,900,000

Notable Eliminations:

none

Big Hands:

Keikoan Forced to Fold

Daniel Idema raised and called a three-bet from Matt Keikoan.

The flop was A76 and Keikoan bet and was called. The turn was the 4 and Keikoan bet again, but folded when Idema raised.

Keikoan is down to 1,100,000.

Keikoan Gets Some Back

Matt Keikoan raised and called a three-bet from Daniel Idema. The flop was Q103 and Idema bet and was called by Keikoan. Keikoan called another bet from Idema when the board paired queens on the turn.

The river was the K and both players checked. Keikoan’s pocket sevens were good enough to take the pot and chip up to 2,300,000.

The next several hands after this were variations of Idema taking down the pot without getting past the flop and knocking Keikoan back down to 1,600,000.

Keikoan Makes Trips

Daniel Idema raised from the button and was called by Keikoan.

They both checked the K8J flop and they saw the J fall on the turn. Keikoan bet and was called by Idema.

The A came on the river and Keikoan bet again and was eventually called by Idema. Keikoan showed QJ and took the pot. He is back up to 1,900,000.

Player Tags: Matt Keikoan,   Daniel Idema

Level 25 Update: And Then There Were Two

Jun 17, '10

Blinds: 25,000-50,000

Players Remaining: 2 out of 171

Average Chip Count: 2,565,000

Tournament Leaderboard:

1. Daniel Idema – 3,825,000
2. Matt Keikoan – 1,275,000

Notable Eliminations:

4. Jameson Painter – 140,760
3. Kyle Ray – $190,702

Big Hands:

Ray Doubles

Kyle Ray got all in for his last 80,000 on a board of 4J9K against Matt Keikoan.

Ray showed the QQ and was up against Keikoan’s Q9. The river was the 5 and Ryan is back up to the 700,000 mark.

Idema Using His Chips

Jameson Painter raised and was called by Daniel Idema from the big blind.

The flop was 7105 and Idema check-raised and was called by Painter. The turn was the 8 and Painter called a bet from Idema.

The river was the 5 and Painter folded to another bet from Idema. That sent Painter’s stack down to 610,000.

Ray Stays Alive

Kyle Ray took a big hit after his early level double-up when he had to fold to a river bet to drop him back under 400,000. A few orbits later, he got four bets in preflop against Daniel Idema and saw a fop of 7A7. Idema checked, Ray bet, and after some deliberation, Idema raised the rest of Ray’s chips.

Ray called and saw he was way ahead with his AJ against Idema’s K9. The turn was the 6 and Idema was drawing dead, which doubled Ray up to 770,000.

Jameson Painter Eliminated ($140,760)

Matt Keikoan raised and Jameson Painter three-bet and was called by Keikoan. The fop was 103A and Keikoan check-raised Painter’s bet. Painter got the rest of his chips in and saw the world of pain he was in.

Painter showed the A7, but Keikoan had the 33.

The turn was the 6, meaning Painter was drawing dead and he was eliminated in fourth place, taking home $140,760 for his efforts.

Kyle Ray Eliminated ($190,702)

Kyle Ray raised from the button and it ended up being capped preflop between Ray and Matt Keikoan. Ray only had 20,000 left for the flop and it was in the middle in the dark.

Ray had the Q8 and was up against Keikoan’s AJ.

The board came out J93K4, giving the pot to Keikoan and leaving him heads-up with Daniel Idema for the bracelet. Ray will take home $190,702 for his third place finish.

Player Tags: Matt Keikoan,   Daniel Idema,   Kyle Ray,   Jameson Painter

Level 24 Update: Brock Parker and Zvi Groysman Eliminated

Jun 17, '10

Blinds: 20,000-40,000

Players Remaining: 4 out of 171

Average Chip Count: 1,282,500

Tournament Leaderboard:

1. Daniel Idema – 1,960,000
2. Matt Keikoan – 1,385,000
3. Jameson Painter – 960,000
4. Kyle Ray – 690,000

Notable Eliminations:

6. Zvi Groysman – $80,884
5. Brock Parker – $105,783

Big Hands:

Zvi Groysman Eliminated ($80,884)

This hand happened at the end of level 23. Zvi Groysman raised and Daniel Idema called from the big blind. The flop came 8QJ and Groysman called a bet from Idema.

The turn was the Q and Groysman called his last 60,000. Idema turned up J9, giving him a pair of jacks, and leaving Groysman with just three outs as he showed the A9. The river was the 6, a brick for Groysman and he was eliminated in sixth place and took home just over $80,000 for his efforts.

Brock Parker Eliminated ($105,783)

Brock Parker raised from the button and Jameson Painter three-bet from the big blind. Parker committed the rest of his chips as a fourth bet and Painter made the call.

Parker tabled K3 and was up against Painter’s AQ. The board was 82659, which didn’t improve Parker’s hand and he was eliminated in fifth place, taking home $105,783 for his time.

Ray Doubles Through Keikoan

Kyle Ray and Matt Keikoan got into a preflop war which led to Ray committing his last 215,000 before the flop.

Ray showed KQ and Keikoan was slightly ahead with his AJ. The board ran out Q1096, giving Ray a pair of queens, the best hand, and the pot, as he doubled up to 450,000.

Player Tags: Matt Keikoan,   Brock Parker,   Zvi Groysman,   Kyle Ray

Level 19 Update: Klecan Eliminated

Jun 17, '10

Blinds: 8,000-15,000

Players Remaining: 12 out of 171

Average Chip Count: 427,500

Tournament Leaderboard:

1. Daniel Idema – 770,000
2. Matt Keikoan – 640,000
3. Jameson Painter – 610,000
4. Anh Van Nguyen – 555,000
5. Kyle Ray – 540,000
6. Zvi Groysman – 530,000
7. Simon Morris – 355,000
8. Dave Baker – 335,000
9. Brock Parker – 330,000
10. Michael Mizrachi – 220,000

Notable Eliminations:

Mark Klecan – $27,069

Big Hands:

Keikoan Tops Baker

David Baker raised from late position and Matt Keikoan three-bet from the small blind.

The flop was 3J7 and Keikoan bet and was called by Baker. Keikoan bet the turn and river as well when it came 7 and 3, being called by Baker each time.

Keikoan showed 66 and Baker mucked his hand. Baker slipped to 350,000 and Keikoan climbed to 540,000.

Chiu Doubles Through Ray

Kyle Ray and David Chiu got into a a raising war that led to Chiu getting all of his chips in the middle before the flop. Chiu showed KQ and was way behind Ray’s AK.

The board ran out QJJQ2, giving Chiu a full house and a the pot as he doubled up to 125,000. Ray fell to 385,000.

Mark Klecan Eliminated

Mark Klecan raised, Daniel Idema three-bet and Klecan four-bet all-in. Idema made the call and showed AQ and was up against Klecan’s A8.

The board came 1010472 giving the pot to Idema and Klecan was the first player eliminated on the final day. Klecan will take home $27,069 for his efforts.

Two Pair Works For Keikoan

Matt Keikoan raised from the small blind and Kyle Ray defended his big blind.

Keikoan fired all three streets as the board was A107J9 and was called down by Ray the whole way.

At showdown, Keikoan tabled the A7, good for aces up, while Ray showed a worse two pair as he flashed tens and nines before he tossed his cards into the muck.

Keikoan is up to 640,000 with the pot and Ray slipped to 540,000.

Player Tags: David Baker,   Matt Keikoan,   David Chiu,   Daniel Idema,   Mark Klecan

Level 17 Update: Reed Busts, Hand for Hand Starts

Jun 17, '10

Blinds: 5,000-10,000

Players Remaining: 19 out of 171

Average Chip Count:

Tournament Leaderboard:

1. Darren Woods – 730,000
2. Daniel Idema – 533,000
3. Michael Mizrachi – 396,000
4. Brock Parker – 373,000
5. Kyle Ray – 350,000
6. Patrick Walsh – 325,000
7. Zvi Groysman – 290,000
8. Dave Baker – 256,000
9. Albert Minnullin – 235,000
10. Mark Klecan – 225,000

Notable Eliminations:

Michael Reed

Big Hands:

Michael Reed Busts to Officially Start the Bubble

Michael Reed raised from under-the-gun and Daniel Idema three-bet and Reed called off the rest of his chips. They were off to the races as Reed showed AK and was up against the 66 of Idema.

The board ran out 5310J10, which you will notice does not contain an ace or a king, meaning the sixes hold up and Reed is eliminated in 20th place. Hand for hand play will take place until we lose one more player and are officially in the money.

Aces for Keikoan

Simon Morris raised and Matt Keikoan three-bet, which was called by Morris. The flop came 8QK and both players checked.

The turn was the 4 and Morris bet and was called by Keikoan. The 2 river brought the same action and Morris turned up K10, good for top pair, but Keikoan showed AA, and would take the pot and increase his stack to 190,000. Morris dropped to 170,000.

DeBora Hanging On For Dear Life

A severely short stacked Greg DeBora got all of his chips in the middle preflop and was called by Jameson Painter. DeBora held pocket nines and Painter held the J5.

DeBora’s hand held up and he doubled up to 55,000.

Gallin’s Kings Keep Him From Being the Bubble Boy

Matthew Gallin raised and Kenny Hsiung three-bet. Gallin committed the rest of his chips with a call.

Gallin held KK and Hsiung held the 44. The board ran out AQ822, keeping Gallin in the tournament for the time being.

Player Tags: Matt Keikoan,   Greg DeBora,   Michael Reed,   Kenny Hsiung,   Daniel Idema,   Simon Morris

Level 30 Update: Matt Keikoan Completes Comeback, Wins Event No. 29

Jun 18, '10

Blinds: 80,000-150,000

Players Remaining: 1 out of 171

Notable Eliminations:

2. Daniel Idema – $263,244

Big Hands:

Keikoan Takes Chip Lead

Matt Keikoan bet the turn and river on a board that read 6-5-3-3-6. Daniel Idema called him down with 105, but Keikoan had him with the kicker as he tabled the J5.

Keikoan is up to 3,200,000 with the pot.

Idema Crippled

Dan Idema raised from the button and Matt Keikoan called.

Keikoan checked the 764 fop and then check-raised the Idema bet and Idema called.

The turn was the 9 and Keikoan bet and was raised by Idema. Keikoan made the call. The river was the 10 and Keikoan checked and called a bet from Idema.

Idema showed the A7, but Keikoan had two pair with 64 and he took the pot and left Idema with just 150,000 in chips.

Daniel Idema Eliminated, Matt Keikoan Wins Event No. 29

Daniel Idema was all-in for 145,000 in the big blind. Keikoan was dealt the A7 and Idema had the 24.

The board came out JQQKQ, keeping Keikoan in front and completing an epic comeback.

Idema takes home $263,244 for his second place finish and Matt Keikoan takes home the bracelet along with $425,969.

Player Tags: Matt Keikoan,   Daniel Idema

Level 28 Update: Matt Keikoan Takes the Chip Lead Back

Jun 18, '10

Blinds: 50,000-100,000

Players Remaining: 2 out of 171

Average Stack: 2,565,000

Tournament Leaderboard:

1. Matt Keikoan – 2,900,000
2. Daniel Idema – 2,200,000

Notable Eliminations:

none

Big Hands:

Keikoan’s Bluff Gone Wrong

Daniel Idema raised, Matt Keikoan three-bet and Idema made the call. Keikoan bet the J84 flop and Idema called.

The turn was the 9 and both players checked. The river was the 7 and Keikoan bet out and was called.

Keikoan had complete air with the 35 and Idema backed into a straight with the 56. Keikoan dropped to 750,000 with that loss.

Full House for Keikoan Puts Him Back in the Game

Daniel Idema raised and Matt Keikoan three-bet. Idema made the call and called every bet of Keikoan’s as Keikoan bet every street. The board ran out J10210K and Keikoan tabled pocket kings, good for a rivered full house and the pot.

A few hands before, Keikoan doubled up and this pot has basically pulled the two back to even.

Keikoan Takes the Lead

After taking a few small pots without a showdown, Matt Keikoan opened up a small chip advantage after battling back from just 750,000

Player Tags: Matt Keikoan,   Daniel Idema

Level 27 Update: Chips are Flying, but Idema Takes Lead Back

Jun 18, '10

Blinds: 40,000-80,000

Players Remaining: 2 out of 171

Average Chip Count:

Tournament Leaderboard:

1. Daniel Idema — 3,530,000
2. Matt Keikoan — 1,600,000

Notable Eliminations:

none

Big Hands:

Keikoan Evens Things Out

Daniel Idema raised and Matt Keikoan made the call.

The flop was 59J and Keikoan checked and called a bet fom Idema. The same action happened on the turn when the 8 peeled off.

The Q hit on the river and Keikoan fired out a bet and Idema folded pretty quickly. Keikoan might have taken the narrowest of chip leads after taking that pot with both players right around 2,600,000.

Idema Gets His Lead Back

Daniel Idema raised and Matt Keikoan made the call. The flop was 774 and Keikoan check-raised Idema. Idema called and the dealer peeled off the 5 on the turn.

Keikoan then checked and folded to a bet from Idema. On the next hand, Idema three-bet before the flop and bet the flop to force a fold from Keikoan. Idema is back up to 3,400,000 and Keikoan slipped to 1,700,000.

Idema Extends Lead

After a few pots that saw the lead go back and forth, Matt Keikoan raised from the button and Daniel Idema called.

The flop was JJ4 and Idema quickly check-raised Keikoan’s bet. The turn was the 6 and Idema bet and Keikoan folded. Idema now has just over a 2-1 chip advantage on Keikoan.

Player Tags: Matt Keikoan,   Daniel Idema

Level 26 Update: Keikoan Trying to Keep Up

Jun 18, '10

Blinds: 30,000-60,000

Players Remaining: 2 out of 171

Average Chip Count: 2,565,000

Tournament Leaderboard:

1. Daniel Idema – 3,100,000
2. Matt Keikoan – 1,900,000

Notable Eliminations:

none

Big Hands:

Keikoan Forced to Fold

Daniel Idema raised and called a three-bet from Matt Keikoan.

The flop was A76 and Keikoan bet and was called. The turn was the 4 and Keikoan bet again, but folded when Idema raised.

Keikoan is down to 1,100,000.

Keikoan Gets Some Back

Matt Keikoan raised and called a three-bet from Daniel Idema. The flop was Q103 and Idema bet and was called by Keikoan. Keikoan called another bet from Idema when the board paired queens on the turn.

The river was the K and both players checked. Keikoan’s pocket sevens were good enough to take the pot and chip up to 2,300,000.

The next several hands after this were variations of Idema taking down the pot without getting past the flop and knocking Keikoan back down to 1,600,000.

Keikoan Makes Trips

Daniel Idema raised from the button and was called by Keikoan.

They both checked the K8J flop and they saw the J fall on the turn. Keikoan bet and was called by Idema.

The A came on the river and Keikoan bet again and was eventually called by Idema. Keikoan showed QJ and took the pot. He is back up to 1,900,000.

Player Tags: Matt Keikoan,   Daniel Idema

Level 25 Update: And Then There Were Two

Jun 17, '10

Blinds: 25,000-50,000

Players Remaining: 2 out of 171

Average Chip Count: 2,565,000

Tournament Leaderboard:

1. Daniel Idema – 3,825,000
2. Matt Keikoan – 1,275,000

Notable Eliminations:

4. Jameson Painter – 140,760
3. Kyle Ray – $190,702

Big Hands:

Ray Doubles

Kyle Ray got all in for his last 80,000 on a board of 4J9K against Matt Keikoan.

Ray showed the QQ and was up against Keikoan’s Q9. The river was the 5 and Ryan is back up to the 700,000 mark.

Idema Using His Chips

Jameson Painter raised and was called by Daniel Idema from the big blind.

The flop was 7105 and Idema check-raised and was called by Painter. The turn was the 8 and Painter called a bet from Idema.

The river was the 5 and Painter folded to another bet from Idema. That sent Painter’s stack down to 610,000.

Ray Stays Alive

Kyle Ray took a big hit after his early level double-up when he had to fold to a river bet to drop him back under 400,000. A few orbits later, he got four bets in preflop against Daniel Idema and saw a fop of 7A7. Idema checked, Ray bet, and after some deliberation, Idema raised the rest of Ray’s chips.

Ray called and saw he was way ahead with his AJ against Idema’s K9. The turn was the 6 and Idema was drawing dead, which doubled Ray up to 770,000.

Jameson Painter Eliminated ($140,760)

Matt Keikoan raised and Jameson Painter three-bet and was called by Keikoan. The fop was 103A and Keikoan check-raised Painter’s bet. Painter got the rest of his chips in and saw the world of pain he was in.

Painter showed the A7, but Keikoan had the 33.

The turn was the 6, meaning Painter was drawing dead and he was eliminated in fourth place, taking home $140,760 for his efforts.

Kyle Ray Eliminated ($190,702)

Kyle Ray raised from the button and it ended up being capped preflop between Ray and Matt Keikoan. Ray only had 20,000 left for the flop and it was in the middle in the dark.

Ray had the Q8 and was up against Keikoan’s AJ.

The board came out J93K4, giving the pot to Keikoan and leaving him heads-up with Daniel Idema for the bracelet. Ray will take home $190,702 for his third place finish.

Player Tags: Matt Keikoan,   Daniel Idema,   Kyle Ray,   Jameson Painter

Level 24 Update: Brock Parker and Zvi Groysman Eliminated

Jun 17, '10

Blinds: 20,000-40,000

Players Remaining: 4 out of 171

Average Chip Count: 1,282,500

Tournament Leaderboard:

1. Daniel Idema – 1,960,000
2. Matt Keikoan – 1,385,000
3. Jameson Painter – 960,000
4. Kyle Ray – 690,000

Notable Eliminations:

6. Zvi Groysman – $80,884
5. Brock Parker – $105,783

Big Hands:

Zvi Groysman Eliminated ($80,884)

This hand happened at the end of level 23. Zvi Groysman raised and Daniel Idema called from the big blind. The flop came 8QJ and Groysman called a bet from Idema.

The turn was the Q and Groysman called his last 60,000. Idema turned up J9, giving him a pair of jacks, and leaving Groysman with just three outs as he showed the A9. The river was the 6, a brick for Groysman and he was eliminated in sixth place and took home just over $80,000 for his efforts.

Brock Parker Eliminated ($105,783)

Brock Parker raised from the button and Jameson Painter three-bet from the big blind. Parker committed the rest of his chips as a fourth bet and Painter made the call.

Parker tabled K3 and was up against Painter’s AQ. The board was 82659, which didn’t improve Parker’s hand and he was eliminated in fifth place, taking home $105,783 for his time.

Ray Doubles Through Keikoan

Kyle Ray and Matt Keikoan got into a preflop war which led to Ray committing his last 215,000 before the flop.

Ray showed KQ and Keikoan was slightly ahead with his AJ. The board ran out Q1096, giving Ray a pair of queens, the best hand, and the pot, as he doubled up to 450,000.

Player Tags: Matt Keikoan,   Brock Parker,   Zvi Groysman,   Kyle Ray

Level 19 Update: Klecan Eliminated

Jun 17, '10

Blinds: 8,000-15,000

Players Remaining: 12 out of 171

Average Chip Count: 427,500

Tournament Leaderboard:

1. Daniel Idema – 770,000
2. Matt Keikoan – 640,000
3. Jameson Painter – 610,000
4. Anh Van Nguyen – 555,000
5. Kyle Ray – 540,000
6. Zvi Groysman – 530,000
7. Simon Morris – 355,000
8. Dave Baker – 335,000
9. Brock Parker – 330,000
10. Michael Mizrachi – 220,000

Notable Eliminations:

Mark Klecan – $27,069

Big Hands:

Keikoan Tops Baker

David Baker raised from late position and Matt Keikoan three-bet from the small blind.

The flop was 3J7 and Keikoan bet and was called by Baker. Keikoan bet the turn and river as well when it came 7 and 3, being called by Baker each time.

Keikoan showed 66 and Baker mucked his hand. Baker slipped to 350,000 and Keikoan climbed to 540,000.

Chiu Doubles Through Ray

Kyle Ray and David Chiu got into a a raising war that led to Chiu getting all of his chips in the middle before the flop. Chiu showed KQ and was way behind Ray’s AK.

The board ran out QJJQ2, giving Chiu a full house and a the pot as he doubled up to 125,000. Ray fell to 385,000.

Mark Klecan Eliminated

Mark Klecan raised, Daniel Idema three-bet and Klecan four-bet all-in. Idema made the call and showed AQ and was up against Klecan’s A8.

The board came 1010472 giving the pot to Idema and Klecan was the first player eliminated on the final day. Klecan will take home $27,069 for his efforts.

Two Pair Works For Keikoan

Matt Keikoan raised from the small blind and Kyle Ray defended his big blind.

Keikoan fired all three streets as the board was A107J9 and was called down by Ray the whole way.

At showdown, Keikoan tabled the A7, good for aces up, while Ray showed a worse two pair as he flashed tens and nines before he tossed his cards into the muck.

Keikoan is up to 640,000 with the pot and Ray slipped to 540,000.

Player Tags: David Baker,   Matt Keikoan,   David Chiu,   Daniel Idema,   Mark Klecan

Level 17 Update: Reed Busts, Hand for Hand Starts

Jun 17, '10

Blinds: 5,000-10,000

Players Remaining: 19 out of 171

Average Chip Count:

Tournament Leaderboard:

1. Darren Woods – 730,000
2. Daniel Idema – 533,000
3. Michael Mizrachi – 396,000
4. Brock Parker – 373,000
5. Kyle Ray – 350,000
6. Patrick Walsh – 325,000
7. Zvi Groysman – 290,000
8. Dave Baker – 256,000
9. Albert Minnullin – 235,000
10. Mark Klecan – 225,000

Notable Eliminations:

Michael Reed

Big Hands:

Michael Reed Busts to Officially Start the Bubble

Michael Reed raised from under-the-gun and Daniel Idema three-bet and Reed called off the rest of his chips. They were off to the races as Reed showed AK and was up against the 66 of Idema.

The board ran out 5310J10, which you will notice does not contain an ace or a king, meaning the sixes hold up and Reed is eliminated in 20th place. Hand for hand play will take place until we lose one more player and are officially in the money.

Aces for Keikoan

Simon Morris raised and Matt Keikoan three-bet, which was called by Morris. The flop came 8QK and both players checked.

The turn was the 4 and Morris bet and was called by Keikoan. The 2 river brought the same action and Morris turned up K10, good for top pair, but Keikoan showed AA, and would take the pot and increase his stack to 190,000. Morris dropped to 170,000.

DeBora Hanging On For Dear Life

A severely short stacked Greg DeBora got all of his chips in the middle preflop and was called by Jameson Painter. DeBora held pocket nines and Painter held the J5.

DeBora’s hand held up and he doubled up to 55,000.

Gallin’s Kings Keep Him From Being the Bubble Boy

Matthew Gallin raised and Kenny Hsiung three-bet. Gallin committed the rest of his chips with a call.

Gallin held KK and Hsiung held the 44. The board ran out AQ822, keeping Gallin in the tournament for the time being.

Player Tags: Matt Keikoan,   Greg DeBora,   Michael Reed,   Kenny Hsiung,   Daniel Idema,   Simon Morris

Event No. 11 Begins at Noon on Thursday

Jun 04, '09

Event No. 11 ($2,000 no-limit hold’em) will begin at noon on Thursday, June 4. Players will begin with 6,000 in tournament chips and blinds will begin at 25-50. Levels will be 60-minutes long and there will be a 20-minute break after every two levels. There will be a 90-minute dinner break after level 6 on day 1. Here is a look at the schedule for the event:

Thursday, June 4, noon: Day 1 (play 10 levels)
Friday, June 5, 2 p.m.: Day 2 (play down to final table)
Saturday, June 6, 2 p.m.: Final Table

In 2008 this event attracted 1,593 players and the champion was Matt Keikoan, who took home $550,601 in prize money. CardPlayer.com will bring you a summary of the action at the dinner break and end of play each day for this event.

Player Tags: Matt Keikoan

Matt Keikoan Eliminated in 7th Place ($140,830)

Aug 27, '08

Just a few hands after the break, Matt Keikoan moved all in from the small blind and was instantly called by Zach Clark in the big blind.

Keikoan showed 7-4 offsuit and Clark woke up with AK. The board brought a king and not much else for Keikoan, who was eliminated in seventh place.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Player Tags: Matt Keikoan,   Zachary Clark

Ray Voskanian Eliminated in 9th Place ($70,415)

Aug 27, '08

Matt Keikoan raised to 80,000 and Ray Voskanian called in late position.

Both players then check to the river on a board of AKJ69 and Keikoan bets 200,000. Voskanian then moves all in for an additional 400,000 and Keikoan instantly calls with 87 for a flush. Voskanian shows 1010 and it goes into the muck. He is the ninth place finisher.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Player Tags: Matt Keikoan,   Raymond Voskanian

Adam Weinraub Eliminated in 26th Place ($21,125)

Aug 27, '08

After battling awful luck and a short stack for the last few levels of the tournament, former World Poker Tour champion Adam Weinraub has finally been eliminated.

Weinraub check-raised Matt Keikoan's bet all in with king-high and was looked up by Keikoan's top pair, top kicker. The board offered no help and Weinraub was eliminated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Player Tags: Matt Keikoan,   Adam Weinraub

Matt Keikoan Wins Event No. 7 ($550,601)

Jun 06, '08

Matt Keikoan Wins Event No. 7 ($550,601)

Matt Keikoan started Level 24 (20,000-40,000 w/5,000) with a monster chip lead of 7:1 over Shannon Shorr, Keikoan at 5,600,000 to Shorr's 800,000. Matt Keikoan came out firing and set the tone right then and there by moving in against Shorr on the first three hands of Level 24. Shorr played cautiously for few minutes before reverting back to his old ways. Suddenly it turned into an all-in shove fest from the button, and for the next 16 hands, despite an accidental limp-check to a single flop, both Keikoan and Shorr took turns open-shoving from their button while the other player folded. It was madness I tell you, pure madness until Shannon Shorr moved all in from the button for the last time when Matt Keikoan decided to pick his spot with king-high and make the call.

Shorr: 106
Keikoan: K5
Board: K77QK

Keikoan flopped top pair with another pair on board, reducing Shorr to going runner-runner for a shot at this bracelet. No help on the turn and Shorr was drawing dead on the river. Shannon Shorr is eliminated in 2nd place ($349,141) while it is Matt Keikoan who gets the gold bracelet and the lion's share ($550,601) of the prizepool.

Player Tags: Matt Keikoan,   Shannon Shorr

Hour 6 - Matt Keikoan Takes Control

Jun 06, '08

Blinds/Antes: 20,000-40,000 with a 5,000 ante (Level 23)

Players Left: 2

Chips Counts:
Matt Keikoan: 5,665,000
Shannon Shorr: 700,000

Big Hands:

Matt Keikoan and Shannon Shorr started heads-up play with 3,800,000 and 2,600,00, respectively.

Heads-up play thus far has been rather slow, Shannon Shorr still playing extremely aggressive from the short stack while Matt Keikoan seems to prefer more of a small-pot style of poker. There has been a lot of pre-flop raises and uncontested flops causing a relatively stagnant pace in respect to chips being thrown around.

Matt Keikoan Turns Up the Heat

Shannon Shorr completed from the small blind and Matt Keikoan checked his option. The flop came K42, and Keikoan checked to Shorr who bet 45,000. Keikoan raised to 270,000 and Shorr called. The turn was the 7, Keikoan bet 300,000 and Shorr thinks for a minute before folding. After that hand, Keikoan moved up to over 5,000,000 while Shorr dropped down to 1,200,000.

With almost a 5:1 chip lead over Shorr, Keikoan  quickly turned up the heat, putting Shorr to a decision for all of his chips on many occasions, focring Shorr to slow down and think twice before raising the pot.

Player Tags: Matt Keikoan,   Shannon Shorr

Hour 5 - Carter Gill Eliminated in 3rd Place ($228,897), Now Playing Heads-Up

Jun 06, '08

Blinds/Antes: 15,000-30,000 with a 4,000 ante (Level 22)

Players Left: 2

Chip Counts:
Matt Keikoan: 3,800,000
Shannon Shorr: 2,600,000

Eliminations:
Carter Gill Eliminated in 3rd Place ($228,897)

Big Hands:

Matt Keikoan Doubles Through  Carter Gill

In a three-way limped pot, the flop came 963 and Matt Keikoan bet 75,000. Shannon Shorr made the call and Carter Gill raised to 225,000. Keikoan reraised to 475,000 and Shorr quickly threw his hand away. Gill came over the top for a second time and moved all in. Keikoan called all in, Gill had him covered. Gill turned over JJ for the overpair while Keiokan showed 66 for middle set. The turn and river brought the 4 and the Q, as Matt Keikoan doubled up and crippled one of his opponents at the same time.

Carter Gill Eliminated in 3rd Place ($228,897)

Carter Gill raised to 170,000 from the button and both Matt Keikoan and Shannon Shorr called from the blinds. At this point, Gill had less than one small blind behind his cards. The flop came KQ4, and Keikoan bet 100,000. Shorr called the bet while Gill called all in for his last 12,000. the dealer pushed 176,000 into the sidepot. The turn was the 2 and Keikoan bet 350,000, causing Shorr to fold his hand and winning the sidepot on the turn. The two remaining players turn up their hands.

Gill: 86
Keikoan: AK

Keikeon hit top pair on the flop  while Gill made a flush draw. Any heart and Carter Gill triples up, but the river was 4 , eliminating Carter Gill in 3rd place ($228,897).
 

Player Tags: Matt Keikoan,   Shannon Shorr,   Carter Gill

Hour 4 - Theo Tran Eliminated in 4th place ($191,231)

Jun 06, '08

Blinds/Antes: 12,000-24,000 with a 3,000 ante (Level 21)

Players Left: 4

Chip Counts:
Shannon Shorr: 2,979,000
Carter Gill: 1,935,000
Matt Keikoan: 1,260,000

Eliminations:
Theo Tran Eliminated in 4th place ($191,231)

Big Hands:

Chop Pot (Tran and Keikoan) Tran Freerolling the Turn, Can't Get There

Depending on how this final table eventually plays out, this all in chopped pot between Theo Tran and Matt Keikoan could very well prove to be a pivotal moment in the tournament.

Shannon Shorr raised to 67,000 and both Matt Keikoan and Theo Tran called from the small blind and the big blind, respectively. The flop came A43, and all three players checked around. The turn was the 2 and Tran bet 80,000. Shorr called and Keikoan raised to 405,000. Tran moved all in, Shorr folded, and Keiokoan called. Tran turned over 75 for the wheel and Keikoan showed 75 for the same hand. Tran was however freerolling to a club flush on the turn, and with Keikoan all in and $2 million pot at stake, a club on the river could all but lock this thing up for Tran against a novice Carter Gill and a short stacked Shannon Shorr. The river was the 3 and Tran failed to eliminate Keikoan as both players chopped the pot.

Shannon Shorr Playing Aggressive From the Short Stack, It Pays Off

Shannon Shorr came back from the break with just about 450,000 in chips and immediately came out firing, winning four out of the first five hands with uncontested raises. Since then, Shorr has gone on to take down eleven of the next twenty-two hands for a Level 21 win ratio of 50%. His unbridled aggression has seemingly paid off, and since the break Shorr has doubled his chip stack from just under 450,000 to now just over 900,000, playing small pot poker, and winning almost every hand he's played.

Shannon Shorr Doubles Through Theo Tran

Shannon Shorr's aggressive behavior does not end with Level 21, in fact, Shorr went on to double up through chip leader Theo Tran in the first hand of Level 22 (15,000-30,000 with a 4,000 ante).

Theo Tran raised to 70,000 beofre the flop and Shannon Shorr made the call. The flop came K74, and both players checked. The turn was the 3 and Tran bet out 105,000. Shorr raised to 275,000 and Tran called. The river brought the J and Tran checked to the raiser. Shorr moved all in for roughly 900,000 and Tran tanked for what seemed like an eternity. Tran ultimately made the call and shipped almost a million chips over to Shorr's side of the table after Shorr turned up 77 for middle set.

Theo Tran Eliminated in 4th Place ($191,231)

Matt Keikoan raised to 75,000 and Theo Tran called from the button. Carter Gill raised to 380,000 from the big blind and Keikoan kicked it in. Tran tanked for a minute before moving all in. Gill called.

Tran: 77
Gill: JJ
Board: K42K5

With no help on the flop, Theo Tran, who held the chip lead for almost the entire event had his tournament life on the line with only two outs in the deck that could save him. No seven on the turn and river meant that Theo tran was eliminated in 4th place ($191,231).

Player Tags: Matt Keikoan,   Shannon Shorr,   Theo Tran,   Carter Gill

2,000 NLHE - Day 2 - End of Day

Jun 05, '08

Play has ended for the day after Manny Minaya was busted out in 10th place with eight minutes remaining in level 18. The tournament had a field of 1592 players, and the final nine return Friday for their chance at a gold bracelet.

Blinds: 6000/12000 with 1000 ante.

Players Left: 9

Chip Count:

Theo Tran - 1,884,000
Mihai Manole - 1,020,000
Matt Keikoan - 1,011,000
Carter Gill - 652,000
Shannon Shorr - 627,000
Mike Lisanti - 358,000
Alex Bolotin - 345,000
J.C. Tran - 273,000
Chris Bjorin - 205,000

Eliminations: Manny Minaya, Thong Tran, Tim Taft, Issam Abbas.

Big Hands:

Tran Busts Minaya in 10th

Theo Tran was already sitting as chip leader, but padded his count at the expense of Manny Minaya when play was 10-handed. Tran raised to 40,000 and Minaya moved all-in from the big blind for 185,000 more. Tran was in trouble, his AK up against Minaya's KK, but the flop proved product falling A98. The 4 came on the turn and 10 on the river wrapped up play for the day.

Bolotin Survives All-in

The previous hand to Minaya's exit, it was Alex Bolotin's turn to sweat. Bolotin raised from early position, going all-in for 159,000. He drew a call from Matt Keikoan, who showed 1010. Bolotin was ahead with QQ, and dodged the flop when the AK3 hit. Bolotin hit a set with the Q on the turn, but that also gave Keikoan a straight draw. But the 4 came on the river and Bolotin doubled up to 345,000.


Final Table Familiar Territory for Tran

Two final tables in the 2007 World Series of Poker, and already a final table appearance in the 2008 WSOP. And Theo Tran is worried.
"I hope it's not a trend," said Tran, who will be the runaway chip leader when his second final table of the 2008 WSOP begins Friday. "I was second in the ($1000 w/rebuys) last year, fourth in the ($3000 limit), and this year I was fourth in the $1,500 two days ago. I hope this is the one. I want it pretty bad."
If he catches cards like he did in Day 2 of the $2000 tourney, his chances are pretty solid.
"I ran like God today," said Tran. "I had kings six times, aces once, ace-king about five times. I've never run like this in my life. But to my credit, I felt I played them really well. All my kings, I played them different. Once I knew the other guy was steaming, so I just smooth called and acted weak. I knew it was going to be a good chance to squeeze."
Tran entered the second day of play as the chip leader but spilled a significant number of chips in the early going when his pocket sixes fell to pocket eights. From there he turned on the aggression.
"I stumbled bad there at the start, but I was able to double up. I knew I was going to try to get those chips back. I wasn't going to sit around with a short stack."
One player at the final table who is short stacked is J.C. Tran, but the veteran nursed it through the final four tables and remains an imposing presence at the final table.
"It's great," says Theo. "He's been like a big brother to me. I'm very happy he's going to the final table with me. And he's a player who can adjust to any situation. He's great, I've learned so much from him."

Player Tags: J.C. Tran,   Matt Keikoan,   Theo Tran,   Alex Bolotin,   Mihai Manole

Matt Keikoan Wins Event No. 7 ($550,601)

Jun 06, '08

Matt Keikoan Wins Event No. 7 ($550,601)

Matt Keikoan started Level 24 (20,000-40,000 w/5,000) with a monster chip lead of 7:1 over Shannon Shorr, Keikoan at 5,600,000 to Shorr's 800,000. Matt Keikoan came out firing and set the tone right then and there by moving in against Shorr on the first three hands of Level 24. Shorr played cautiously for few minutes before reverting back to his old ways. Suddenly it turned into an all-in shove fest from the button, and for the next 16 hands, despite an accidental limp-check to a single flop, both Keikoan and Shorr took turns open-shoving from their button while the other player folded. It was madness I tell you, pure madness until Shannon Shorr moved all in from the button for the last time when Matt Keikoan decided to pick his spot with king-high and make the call.

Shorr: 106
Keikoan: K5
Board: K77QK

Keikoan flopped top pair with another pair on board, reducing Shorr to going runner-runner for a shot at this bracelet. No help on the turn and Shorr was drawing dead on the river. Shannon Shorr is eliminated in 2nd place ($349,141) while it is Matt Keikoan who gets the gold bracelet and the lion's share ($550,601) of the prizepool.

Player Tags: Matt Keikoan,   Shannon Shorr

Hour 6 - Matt Keikoan Takes Control

Jun 06, '08

Blinds/Antes: 20,000-40,000 with a 5,000 ante (Level 23)

Players Left: 2

Chips Counts:
Matt Keikoan: 5,665,000
Shannon Shorr: 700,000

Big Hands:

Matt Keikoan and Shannon Shorr started heads-up play with 3,800,000 and 2,600,00, respectively.

Heads-up play thus far has been rather slow, Shannon Shorr still playing extremely aggressive from the short stack while Matt Keikoan seems to prefer more of a small-pot style of poker. There has been a lot of pre-flop raises and uncontested flops causing a relatively stagnant pace in respect to chips being thrown around.

Matt Keikoan Turns Up the Heat

Shannon Shorr completed from the small blind and Matt Keikoan checked his option. The flop came K42, and Keikoan checked to Shorr who bet 45,000. Keikoan raised to 270,000 and Shorr called. The turn was the 7, Keikoan bet 300,000 and Shorr thinks for a minute before folding. After that hand, Keikoan moved up to over 5,000,000 while Shorr dropped down to 1,200,000.

With almost a 5:1 chip lead over Shorr, Keikoan  quickly turned up the heat, putting Shorr to a decision for all of his chips on many occasions, focring Shorr to slow down and think twice before raising the pot.

Player Tags: Matt Keikoan,   Shannon Shorr

Hour 5 - Carter Gill Eliminated in 3rd Place ($228,897), Now Playing Heads-Up

Jun 06, '08

Blinds/Antes: 15,000-30,000 with a 4,000 ante (Level 22)

Players Left: 2

Chip Counts:
Matt Keikoan: 3,800,000
Shannon Shorr: 2,600,000

Eliminations:
Carter Gill Eliminated in 3rd Place ($228,897)

Big Hands:

Matt Keikoan Doubles Through  Carter Gill

In a three-way limped pot, the flop came 963 and Matt Keikoan bet 75,000. Shannon Shorr made the call and Carter Gill raised to 225,000. Keikoan reraised to 475,000 and Shorr quickly threw his hand away. Gill came over the top for a second time and moved all in. Keikoan called all in, Gill had him covered. Gill turned over JJ for the overpair while Keiokan showed 66 for middle set. The turn and river brought the 4 and the Q, as Matt Keikoan doubled up and crippled one of his opponents at the same time.

Carter Gill Eliminated in 3rd Place ($228,897)

Carter Gill raised to 170,000 from the button and both Matt Keikoan and Shannon Shorr called from the blinds. At this point, Gill had less than one small blind behind his cards. The flop came KQ4, and Keikoan bet 100,000. Shorr called the bet while Gill called all in for his last 12,000. the dealer pushed 176,000 into the sidepot. The turn was the 2 and Keikoan bet 350,000, causing Shorr to fold his hand and winning the sidepot on the turn. The two remaining players turn up their hands.

Gill: 86
Keikoan: AK

Keikeon hit top pair on the flop  while Gill made a flush draw. Any heart and Carter Gill triples up, but the river was 4 , eliminating Carter Gill in 3rd place ($228,897).
 

Player Tags: Matt Keikoan,   Shannon Shorr,   Carter Gill

Hour 4 - Theo Tran Eliminated in 4th place ($191,231)

Jun 06, '08

Blinds/Antes: 12,000-24,000 with a 3,000 ante (Level 21)

Players Left: 4

Chip Counts:
Shannon Shorr: 2,979,000
Carter Gill: 1,935,000
Matt Keikoan: 1,260,000

Eliminations:
Theo Tran Eliminated in 4th place ($191,231)

Big Hands:

Chop Pot (Tran and Keikoan) Tran Freerolling the Turn, Can't Get There

Depending on how this final table eventually plays out, this all in chopped pot between Theo Tran and Matt Keikoan could very well prove to be a pivotal moment in the tournament.

Shannon Shorr raised to 67,000 and both Matt Keikoan and Theo Tran called from the small blind and the big blind, respectively. The flop came A43, and all three players checked around. The turn was the 2 and Tran bet 80,000. Shorr called and Keikoan raised to 405,000. Tran moved all in, Shorr folded, and Keiokoan called. Tran turned over 75 for the wheel and Keikoan showed 75 for the same hand. Tran was however freerolling to a club flush on the turn, and with Keikoan all in and $2 million pot at stake, a club on the river could all but lock this thing up for Tran against a novice Carter Gill and a short stacked Shannon Shorr. The river was the 3 and Tran failed to eliminate Keikoan as both players chopped the pot.

Shannon Shorr Playing Aggressive From the Short Stack, It Pays Off

Shannon Shorr came back from the break with just about 450,000 in chips and immediately came out firing, winning four out of the first five hands with uncontested raises. Since then, Shorr has gone on to take down eleven of the next twenty-two hands for a Level 21 win ratio of 50%. His unbridled aggression has seemingly paid off, and since the break Shorr has doubled his chip stack from just under 450,000 to now just over 900,000, playing small pot poker, and winning almost every hand he's played.

Shannon Shorr Doubles Through Theo Tran

Shannon Shorr's aggressive behavior does not end with Level 21, in fact, Shorr went on to double up through chip leader Theo Tran in the first hand of Level 22 (15,000-30,000 with a 4,000 ante).

Theo Tran raised to 70,000 beofre the flop and Shannon Shorr made the call. The flop came K74, and both players checked. The turn was the 3 and Tran bet out 105,000. Shorr raised to 275,000 and Tran called. The river brought the J and Tran checked to the raiser. Shorr moved all in for roughly 900,000 and Tran tanked for what seemed like an eternity. Tran ultimately made the call and shipped almost a million chips over to Shorr's side of the table after Shorr turned up 77 for middle set.

Theo Tran Eliminated in 4th Place ($191,231)

Matt Keikoan raised to 75,000 and Theo Tran called from the button. Carter Gill raised to 380,000 from the big blind and Keikoan kicked it in. Tran tanked for a minute before moving all in. Gill called.

Tran: 77
Gill: JJ
Board: K42K5

With no help on the flop, Theo Tran, who held the chip lead for almost the entire event had his tournament life on the line with only two outs in the deck that could save him. No seven on the turn and river meant that Theo tran was eliminated in 4th place ($191,231).

Player Tags: Matt Keikoan,   Shannon Shorr,   Theo Tran,   Carter Gill

2,000 NLHE - Day 2 - End of Day

Jun 05, '08

Play has ended for the day after Manny Minaya was busted out in 10th place with eight minutes remaining in level 18. The tournament had a field of 1592 players, and the final nine return Friday for their chance at a gold bracelet.

Blinds: 6000/12000 with 1000 ante.

Players Left: 9

Chip Count:

Theo Tran - 1,884,000
Mihai Manole - 1,020,000
Matt Keikoan - 1,011,000
Carter Gill - 652,000
Shannon Shorr - 627,000
Mike Lisanti - 358,000
Alex Bolotin - 345,000
J.C. Tran - 273,000
Chris Bjorin - 205,000

Eliminations: Manny Minaya, Thong Tran, Tim Taft, Issam Abbas.

Big Hands:

Tran Busts Minaya in 10th

Theo Tran was already sitting as chip leader, but padded his count at the expense of Manny Minaya when play was 10-handed. Tran raised to 40,000 and Minaya moved all-in from the big blind for 185,000 more. Tran was in trouble, his AK up against Minaya's KK, but the flop proved product falling A98. The 4 came on the turn and 10 on the river wrapped up play for the day.

Bolotin Survives All-in

The previous hand to Minaya's exit, it was Alex Bolotin's turn to sweat. Bolotin raised from early position, going all-in for 159,000. He drew a call from Matt Keikoan, who showed 1010. Bolotin was ahead with QQ, and dodged the flop when the AK3 hit. Bolotin hit a set with the Q on the turn, but that also gave Keikoan a straight draw. But the 4 came on the river and Bolotin doubled up to 345,000.


Final Table Familiar Territory for Tran

Two final tables in the 2007 World Series of Poker, and already a final table appearance in the 2008 WSOP. And Theo Tran is worried.
"I hope it's not a trend," said Tran, who will be the runaway chip leader when his second final table of the 2008 WSOP begins Friday. "I was second in the ($1000 w/rebuys) last year, fourth in the ($3000 limit), and this year I was fourth in the $1,500 two days ago. I hope this is the one. I want it pretty bad."
If he catches cards like he did in Day 2 of the $2000 tourney, his chances are pretty solid.
"I ran like God today," said Tran. "I had kings six times, aces once, ace-king about five times. I've never run like this in my life. But to my credit, I felt I played them really well. All my kings, I played them different. Once I knew the other guy was steaming, so I just smooth called and acted weak. I knew it was going to be a good chance to squeeze."
Tran entered the second day of play as the chip leader but spilled a significant number of chips in the early going when his pocket sixes fell to pocket eights. From there he turned on the aggression.
"I stumbled bad there at the start, but I was able to double up. I knew I was going to try to get those chips back. I wasn't going to sit around with a short stack."
One player at the final table who is short stacked is J.C. Tran, but the veteran nursed it through the final four tables and remains an imposing presence at the final table.
"It's great," says Theo. "He's been like a big brother to me. I'm very happy he's going to the final table with me. And he's a player who can adjust to any situation. He's great, I've learned so much from him."

Player Tags: J.C. Tran,   Matt Keikoan,   Theo Tran,   Alex Bolotin,   Mihai Manole

Dinner Break

Jul 14, '07

Eliminations

Diego Cordovez - 67th place ($130,288)
Ryan Lawrence - 66th place ($130,288)
Bjorn Glenn - 65th place ($130,288)
Julian Gardner - 64th place (($130,288)
Matt Keikoan - 63rd place ($154,194)
Jeff Tunkel - 62nd place ($154,194)
Gus Hansen - 61st place ($154,194)

PokerStars qualifier Ryan Lawrence found himself all-in with K Q against chip leader Gag Mikkelsen's K K. By the turn Lawrence was drawing dead and Mikkelsen was assured of padding his already massive stack.  Mikkelsen ended the level with roughly $6,100,000. With the elimination of Julian Gardner there was another jump in payouts.  The remaining players are guaranteed at least $154,194.

Spadavecchia Takes A Hit

John Spadavecchia called an opponents all-in with 9 9 and found he was in a race against A K.  The flop brought bad news for Spadavecchia with the A A 6.  The turn and river brought the Q and 6 and Spadavecchia took a huge hit to his stack.

Discipline

Hevad Khan found himself in the big blind for $30,000 facing an all-in from the button for only $120,000 more.  Khan apparently had a read on his opponent because despite having roughly $3,500,000 behind, he decided to fold.  His opponent revealed kings, and Khan probably saved himself a rounds worth of blinds and antes through his read of his opponent and the discipline to fold despite having a huge stack.

Ayaz Mahmood Doubles Up

The cutoff raises to $105,000 and both Ayaz Mahmood and the big blind call.  The flop comes J85, and Mahmood leads out $300,000.  The big blind folds and the cutoff moves all in with 1010.  Mahmood insta-calls for $700,000 exactly and shows AJ.  The next two cards come 72 and Mahmood now has over $1,500,000 in chips.

Matt Keikonh Eliminated

Keikonh from San Rafael Calif, moves all in with 44 and is called by Senovio Ramirez III with 99.  The board comes AQ365 and Keikonh is eliminated.

Gus Hanson Crippled Then Eliminated

Hanson raises to $93,000 from under the gun and Ryan Ellison reraises all in for $694,000.  Hanson goes into the tank, if he makes the call and loses he will have less then $200,000 remaining.  He decides to do call, and tables AK while Ellison shows JJ.  The board comes 62286 and Ellison doubles up.  Hanson is left with less the $200,000 and is eliminated shortly thereafter. 

Color Up

The yellow $1,000 chips are being removed from play and the $50,000 chips will make an appearance.  Tournament director Jack Eiffel was seen quizzing tournament staff with the following question, "How many $50,000 chips do you get for a rack of yellow?"  We won't comment on some of the responses, or lack thereof, that were heard.

Dinner

The remaining sixty players have gone on their dinner break. Play is set to resume at 9:00 with blinds increasing to $20,000-$40,000 with a $5,000 ante for level 23.

Kenny Tran	3,300,000
Alex Kravchenko	2,880,000
David Tran	1,810,000
Bill Edler	1,560,000
Bob Slezak	1,230,000
Daniel Alaei	800,000
Kirk Morrison	750,000

Pokerstars Online Qualifiers

Hevad Khan	3,380,000
Jeff Banghart	2,150,000
Jason Welch	1,900,000
Rep Porter	1,500,000

pokerstars.com

Player Tags: Matt Keikoan,   Gus Hansen,   Julian Gardner,   Hevad Khan,   Ryan Lawrence

Hour One Recap

Jul 14, '07

Day five started like any other day in this year's Main Event, slow and steady. The comfortable pace didn't last long however and play has progressed to a pace that can only be described as chaotic. Since the first "all in and a call" cry came from a dealer, a plethora of all ins and bust outs followed. The field is down to 105 players and having a million in chips is no longer such a big deal. The day started in level 20 with blinds of $10,000-$20,000 and a $3,000 ante. This blind level is significant because now every big blind represents the buy in of one player in this year's Main Event.

Scotty Nguyen Baby
The fast pace of play has benefited some players, one of which has been crowned the champion of the Main Event before. Scotty Nguyen has built his stack to over $2,000,000 in the first hour of play and did so at the expense of Cory Carroll. Nguyen raised to $104,000 under the gun and Carroll was the only caller. The flop came A 9 7 and both players checked. The turn was the 5 and Nguyen fired out $125,000. Carroll counted out the appropriate amount and threw it into the middle to call. The river brought the Q and Nguyen led out with a $300,000 bet. Carroll bumped it up to $750,000 total and put Nguyen in a decision for almost all of his chips. Nguyen counted out the $450,000 extra and had only $120,000 more. "I call" said Nguyen and showed Q Q. Carroll exposed A Q and realized that the river had not helped him like he had thought. Nguyen took down the massive pot and is now sitting with $2,100,000 in chips.

Chipleader Continues to Crush
Dag Martin Mikkelsen came into day five as the chip leader and now has $4,200,000 in chips. Only recently passed by Avi Cohen who has $4,700,000, Mikkelsen has been on a tear in the first hour of level 20. Mikkelsen picked up a cool $500,000 his opponent Chris Lovelace in the following hand. Mikkelsen raised to $60,000 and was reraised by Lovelace to $150,000. Mikkelsen reraised and Lovelace came back over the top all in for his last $400,000. Mikkelsen made the call and showed A K. Lovelace turned over 8 8 and was the slight favorite. The flop came J J 10 and Mikkelsen picked up several more outs. The turn was the 6 giving Mikkelsen the flush he was looking for. Lovelace was not out though with the possiblity of the full house still in the deck. The river brought the Q and gave Mikkelsen the royal flush to eliminate Lovelace. Seated at the featured table, Mikkelsen was happy to hear the roar of applause from the crowd when the Q hit on the river.

Who Wants to be a Millionaire?
Well obviously everyone wants to be a millionaire, but Bill Edler wants it to be official. Edler pushed all in before the flop for a little more than $400,000. His opponent in the four seat, Jimmy Blevins, called. Edler turned over Q J and Blevins had called with 5 5. The flop came Q J 10 and Edler needed only to dodge two more cards to double up. The turn was the 2 and Edler looked comfortable. The river brought the 8 and Edler built his stack to $985,000. Edler's table broke after the hand and when asked his chip count in transit, Edler said he didn't know. "'Bout a million Bill?" asked a member of the media. "Don't give me a million yet. Not until it's official" replied Edler.

Chad Brown Crippled
Chad Brown limped into the pot and Richard Crowell pushed all in for $225,000 two seats to his left. Matt keikoan and Ken Smith both called and Brown was left with a decision. Brown eventually called and there were four players to the flop. The flop was K 4 2 and Smith checked. Brown bet out $200,000 and Keikoan got out of the way. Smith called the bet with his last $183,000 and the three remaining players turned over their cards. Crowell had pushed with 3 3, Brown was holding 9 9 and Smith had called with J J. The turn was the 7 and the river brought the 7, no help to any of the players. Smith's jacks held up and he collected the main pot and the side pot. Brown was left with only $315,000 after the hand.

Watkinson Chips Up
Julian Gardner raised to $60,000 from early position and Lee Watkinson was the only caller. The flop came K J 8 and Gardner bet out $80,000. Watkinson again made the call and the turn was the A. Gardner fired out $125,000 this time and again Watkinson smooth called. The river brought the 6 and both players checked. Gardner showed A 2 for top pair but Watkinson showed A Q and had him outkicked. Watkinson took down the pot and now has $1,700,000.

Players of Interest

Huckleberry Seed	1,950,000
Daniel Alaei	1,850,000
Lee Watkinson	1,700,000
Kenny Tran	1,600,000
David Tran	1,510,000
Kirk Morrison	1,500,000
Gus Hansen	1,450,000
Bill Edler	1,100,000
Humberto Brenes	1,000,000

Pokerstars Online Qualifiers

Hevad Khan	2,000,000
Jeff  Banghart	2,000,000
Ryan Lawrence	1,300,000
Jason Welch	900,000

pokerstars.com

Player Tags: Scotty Nguyen,   Matt Keikoan,   Bill Edler,   Jimmy Blevins,   Cory Carroll,   Ken Smith,   Dag Martin Mikkelsen,   Chris Lovelace,   Richard Crowell