Jamie Gold - Live Updates

Level 7 Update

Mar 16, '09

Big Hands:

Marco Traniello Doubles Up

Marco Traniello got all of his chips into the middle against Dan Shak on a flop of KJ7. Shak held QJ and Traniello turned up AK. The turn and river fell 45 and Traniello doubled up to survive.

Jamie Gold Eliminated

Late position opened a pot for a raise and Jamie Gold moved all in for 5,000. Shawn Buchanan reraised all in for 11,000 and then the player in late position reraised all in and covered everyone with 1,200 to spare. Their cards:

Late Position: KK
Gold: JJ
Buchanan: AQ

Board: A9632

Gold was eliminated on the hand and Buchanan collected his second $5,000 bounty of the day.

Chainsawed

Allen Kessler moved all in with A-J on a A-K-J flop, but he ran straight into the Q-10 of Tim West. The Broadway straight won the hand and Kessler was eliminated from the tournament.

Player Tags: Allen Kessler,   Shawn Buchanan,   Marco Traniello,   Daniel Shak,   Jamie Gold

Level 3 Update

Mar 16, '09

Big Hands:

David Singer Eliminated

David Singer got all of his chips into the middle with pocket tens and Shawn Buchanan called him down with pocket aces. The aces held and Singer was the second bounty player of the day to fall.

Phil Hellmuth Twitter

Phil Hellmuth would like to let readers know that he will be posting to his Twitter account periodically throughout the day. His username is phil_hellmuth.

Jamie Gold Takes a Hit

Seat 1 moved all in preflop and Jamie Gold called him down. Seat 1 flipped up AQ and Gold held J10. The board was dealt 94455 and Gold doubled up his opponent. Gold was knocked down to 15,500 after the hand.

 

Player Tags: Phil Hellmuth,   David Singer,   Shawn Buchanan,   Jamie Gold

Scott Fischman Defeats Jamie Gold

Mar 06, '09

Jamie Gold got all of his chips into the middle against Scott Fischman preflop and Fischman showed down AJ. Gold showed down Q9 and he flopped a nine to take the lead. The turn brought the J to give the lead back to Fischman, and Gold was eliminated after the 6 fell on the river.

Fischman advanced to the round of 32 tomorrow and kept alive his streak of cashing every single year at the NBC Heads-Up Championship.

Player Tags: Scott Fischman,   Jamie Gold

Main Event Day 1b - Bulldog Goes Back to Back

Jul 04, '08

Note: Players are now on a 90 minute dinner break. When they return, they will play for two more levels before ending for the evening. Play will resume with blinds at 150-300 with a 25 ante.

Blinds: 150-300

Chip Leaders:
Patrik Antonius: 96,000
Michael Watson: 78,000
Robert Mizrachi: 76,000
Terris Preston: 65,000
Erick Lindgren: 63,100
Ron Adams: 62,000
Stephen Ladowsky: 62,000
Alexander Meidinger: 61,000
Redmond Lee: 60,500
Christina Hall: 60,000

Card Player Counts:
Vicky Coren: 29,000
Sverre Sundbo: 52,000
Ross Boatman: 13,750
Steve Zolotow: 23,000
Lee Watkinson: 20,000

Neil Channing: 29,500
John Duthie 22,200
George McKeever: 22,000
Thor Hansen: 25,000
Markus Golser: 90,000
Alex Kravchenko: 14,700
Bruno Fitoussi: 4,725
Sylvester Geohegan: 27,500
Chris Bjorin: 14,200

Eliminations: Humberto Brenes, Jamie Gold, Olga Varkonyi

Notable Hands:
Bulldog Goes Back To Back

T.V. crews lurked like vultures around a shortstacked Orel Hershiser. Starting the hand with around only 5,000, Hershiser reraised all in from the small blind after the button opened for a raise to 900. The big blind made the call, and the button folded. Hershiser turned over 77, and was trailing the big blind's 99. But the flop came J87, giving Hershiser a badly needed set. The turn came K, and the river the K, improving Hershiser to a full house and doubling him up to around 10,000.

The very next hand, Seat 5 bet 2,200 on a flop of 962. Hershier once again moved all in, and was called. He showed A9 for top pair, top kicker, and was a huge favorite against his opponent's 109. The turn was the 8, and the river the 4, giving Hershier another double up to put him back where he started the day around 20,000 in chips.

Rocky Road for Rousso

On a board of K639, Vanessa Rousso fired out a bet of 3,000. Patrick Bueno moved all in for an additional 10,600, sending Rousso into a massive tank session. "You want a call?" she asked. Bueno replied in the affirmative, and Rousso began running through all the hands that Bueno could possibly hold out loud. "Why would I believe you?" Finally, after almost 5 minutes, Rousso mucked, sending the pot to Bueno and leaving herself with around 32,000.

On the very next hand, the player in seat 9 raised to 900 preflop. Rousso made the call from the small blind. The flop came J65. Both players checked, and saw the 9 on the turn. Rousso led out for 1,500, soliciting a call from seat 9. The 7 fell on the river, and Rousso made a bet of 4,000. Seat 9 then took his turn in the tank, contemplating his options. He eventually opted to call, and Rousso turned over K8 for the rivered straight. Seat 9 mucked his hand angrily, banging the table as the pot was sent Rousso's way, improving her to 40,000.

Lessons In Etiquette

As the Rousso hand was ending, Krity Gazes called the floor to her table across the room. She was upset that the player in seat 5 was telling her about poker etiquette. "You're trying to tell me about poker etiquette and you're the one being rude," she said to the player as the floor person was arriving. She explained the situation to the floor person, who simply told both players to stop arguing with each other, leaving Gazes fuming. The whole debacle began when Gazes asked to see the player's cards after a hand. He responded poorly, even though Gazes was in the right to make the request.

Gold Gets Gone

Action was folded to Jamie Gold in the small blind, who moved all in for his last 3,000. Pat Pezzin woke up with QQ in the big blind and quickly made the call. Gold showed KQ, and the board ran 774J6. Gold shook hands with the other players at his table, paid his maseuse, and took his leave.

Brenes Busts

Humberto Brenes' sharks sleep with the fishes tonight after he ran his pocket queens into his opponent's pocket kings and failed to improve his hand.


The Robert Mizrachi Courtesy Double Up Service

On a flop of 864 Robert Mizrachi bet enough to put his short stacked opponent all in. The player had no choice but to call, showing AQ. Mizrachi held J9. The turn and river brought 52, and Mizrachi doubled up his opponent, who moved up to only 8,000 after the double up. Mizrachi sat behind around 70,000 after the hand.

Player Tags: Robert Mizrachi,   Humberto Brenes,   Jamie Gold,   Vanessa Rousso,   Orel Hershiser

Main Event Day 1b - The Jamie Gold Special

Jul 04, '08

Blinds: 150-300

Eliminations: David Bach, Ram Vaswani

Chip Leaders:
Patrik Antonius: 98,000
Michael Watson: 72,000
Christina Hall: 66,000
Stephen Ladowsky: 62,000
Redmond Lee: 60,500
Johnny Caruso: 60,000
Jim Sugarek: 56,000
Giles Smadia: 54,000
Mirko Tauber: 54,000
Tony Hachem: 53,000

Card Player Counts:
Vicky Coren: 26,000
Sverre Sundbo: 44,000
Brunno Fitoussi: 8,000
Ross Boatman: 15,325
Steve Zolotow: 15,700
Lee Watkinson:8,000

Barny Boatman: 37,400
Kevin O’Connell: 33,300
Donnacha O’Dea: 31,400
Dave Colclough: 30,000
Chris Bjorin: 26,000
Tomas Brolin: 14,025


Notable Hands:

The Jamie Gold Special

Action was checked five ways on a flop of K75. When the J fell on the turn, seat 5 bet 600, seat 8 called, and Jamie Gold raised to 3,100. Seat 5 reached for his chips, and Gold said "Don't put it all in." He didn't, instead raising to 15,000 total. Seat 8 folded, and Gold mucked 106 face up. Before the hand, Gold had worked his way back up to around 20,000, but after another bluff gone awry, he dropped down to 16,600.

Later in the level, Gold called a raise from Pat Pezzin to 800 preflop. He checked the action back to Pezzin on the flop of K102, calling Pezzin's continuation bet of 900. Both players checked when the 10 fell on the turn, but when the 2 fell on the river, Gold woke up and threw in a bet of 2,000. Pezzin called quickly, showing AK to best the Jamie Gold special, Q9.

Humberto Hams It Up For Cameras

On a flop of 954, the player in seat 5 moved all in for 7,175. Humberto Brenes went in the tank with his sharks, until the ESPN camera crew showed up. Brenes suddenly turned on the charm, asking the camera person, "This guy moved in with four diamonds. Should I call or not?" He then asked one of his trusted card protectors the same question. The shark said no, and Humberto folded. After the hand, Humberto's stack is basically back to where he started the day.

Mizrachi Gets Paid

Heads up, on a board of 1076J3, Robert Mizrachi fired a bet of 4,450 at the pot. He was called quickly by the opponent in seat 3. Mizrachi shows 98 for the turned nut straight, and raked in the pot. After the hand, Mizrachi was up to 47,000, while his opponent was left to struggle with a short stack.

The Rousso Chronicles

On a flop of 773, Vanessa Rousso led out for 1,000. Seat 8 then min raised to 2,000, and Rousso made the call, checking the turn of 2. Seat 8 bet out for another 2,000, and Rousso once again made the call, checking again on the river, the 5. Seat 8 checked behind, showing A3, which was not good enough to take down the pot, which went Rousso, who held 66.

Seat 5 raised to 800 preflop from middle position. Vanessa Rousso called from the cutoff, as did the big blind. The flop showed 663. Seat 5 bet 1,600, and Rousso made the call, pushing the blind out of the hand. The turn brought the 5, and both players checked. The A fell on the river, and seat 5 once again checked to Rousso, who took control of the action and bet out for 2,000. Seat 5 made the call, and Rousso turned over AK for rivered top pair. Seat 5 mucked, and Rousso moved up to around 55,000.

Seidel Steps Out

The player in seat 7 raised to 900 from the button. Erik Seidel made the call from the big blind. The flop was 1097. Seidel checked, the button continuation bet for 1,200. Seidel made the call, and they went to the turn, the J. Seidel checked once again, and seat 7 continued to apply pressure, betting 3,000. Seidel bowed out of the hand, leaving himself with around 32,000.
Young Falls Victim To The Nuts

The player in seat 5 limped into the pot from middle position, as does Jason Young from late position. The big blind checked his option. The flop comes A86. The big blind and Seat 5 both checked to Young, who bet 425. The big blind folded face up, showing 8-2, thinking he was heads up in the pot. In actuality, he exposed his hole cards while before action was complete. The dealer ruled that it was a mistake, and play continued as normal. Seat 5 made the call, and the turn was the Q. Both players checked. The river brought the 9, and seat 5 shoved all in for 2,950. Young made the call, and seat 5 showed KQ for the flopped nut flush. Young flashed the A and mucked his cards, dropping to 33,000 by the end of the hand.

Conor Tate Eliminated

Conor “Sealy” Tate from Northern Ireland, who came 12th in the main event in 2005, somehow managed to get his remaining 15,000 chips in against Q-Q preflop with A-K. His vanquisher retold the story with a wry grin, motioning to the empty seat with a shrug of his shoulders.

Antonius Continues To Blast Opponents Away

On a flop of JJ9 Fin Patrik Antonius called an all-in from one opponent and quickly tabled J-J. His opponent tapped the table and flipped over A4 and needed running cards to catch up. The board filled with 2 and 3 and the chip leader pulled further ahead.
 

Player Tags: Robert Mizrachi,   Humberto Brenes,   Erik Seidel,   Jamie Gold,   Vanessa Rousso

Main Event Day 1b - And They're Off

Jul 04, '08

Blinds: 50-100

Chip Leaders:
Stephen Ladowsky: 42,000
Michael Guzzardi: 40,000
Dustin Sitar: 39,900
Mike Stovall: 36,000
Tom McEvoy: 32,000
Alex Kravchenko: 28,900
Tony Hachem: 25,000
Neil Channing: 23,250
David Levi: 23,200
Vanessa Rousso: 22,400

Big Hands:

Gold Comes Out Swinging

2006 World Series of Poker champion Jamie Gold limped into a pot that saw six way action going to the flop. The flop ran out 2310, and Gold opened the action with a bet of 300. He was called by one player in seat 3. Seat 5 then raised it to a total of 1,000, and both other players made the call. All three players checked the turn, the 10, but when action checked back around to Seat 5 on the river, the J, he fired out for a bet of 2,500. Gold made the crying call, saying he got screwed by the turn, turning over 23 and shipping the pot to his opponent, who held JJ for the full house.

Mueller Makes Monster Read

The pot was opened by the player in seat 8, who raised to 300. Two players made the call, including Greg Mueller from the small blind. All three players checked the flop of 655. Mueller fired a rapid bet of 675 on the turn of 3, and was called only by the original raiser in seat 8. The 10 fell on the river, and Mueller slowed down to place the more cautious wager of 575. Seat 8 then raised an additional 1,050, and Mueller shot him a look. "What, did you flop quads or something?" Mueller shrugged and folded his cards face up, showing pocket nines. Seat 8 complimented Mueller on his read, flashing him the pocket fives before raking in the pot.

Very Cheap

On a board reading 88299, Andy Black fired a bet of 300. "Very cheap," he said as he flicked the chips into the pot worth 3,000. The player in seat 1 then looked at her stack and threw out three yellow chips, each worth 1,000. "Very cheap," another player at the table said sarcastically. Black had a perplexed look on his face, then made the call. The player in seat 1 turned over 99 for quads and Black just nodded, slamming his cards into the muck while the 10 turned over in the process. He started with a little over 20,000 and was down to 15,000 after the hand.

Black Busts

Andy Black took a few more body shots in the first hour and was down to 5,000 in chips. One hand saw him lead the betting only to muck his hand on the river. “Good call,” muttered the fifth place finisher in the 2005 WSOP main event as he held his head in his hand and counted down his short stack.

Twenty minutes later, with four players in the pot and Black on the button he faced a bet of 500 and reraised on a board of 753 to 3,000. Two others mucked but the original raiser called.

Black sighed and showed J-J while his opponent showed 75 for two pair. The 2 on the turn and 5 on the river sealed his fate and his World Series was over for another year.

Boatman Loses a Pot

On a board of 102106, Barny Boatman fired 750 into the pot. The player in seat 4 made the call and the 8h fell on the river. Both players checked the river and seat 4 showed JdJc for an overpair. Boatman mucked his hand and he was down to about 18,000 after losing that pot.

Orel Hershiser Gets Too Much Credit

The player in seat 8 raised to 250 before the flop and seat 9 made the call. Orel Hershiser raised to 2,300, seat 8 reraised to 5,000 and seat 9 folded. The flop came 1054, and Hershiser checked to seat 8 who bet 4,000. Hershiser raised (check-raise) to 8,000, and seat 8 went into the tank, saying, "I'm going to give you credit for aces." Seat 8 ultimately fodled the hand as hershiser responded, "Give me credit for kings." He turned over KK. Seat 7 asked seat 8, "Same hand?" Seat 8 just nodded.

Player Tags: Greg Mueller,   Barny Boatman,   Jamie Gold,   Andy Black,   Orel Hershiser

$10,000 Main Event - Shuffle Up and Deal - Day 1b

Jul 04, '08

Cards are now in the air for Day 1b of the 2008 $10,000 NLHE Main Event. Players will each start with 20,000 in tournament chips and each level will last two hours with a twenty minute break at the end of the level. Five levels will be played today with a ninety-minute dinner break at the conclusion of Level 3.

The 2004 and 2006 Main Event champions Greg Raymer and Jamie Gold will be playing today along with many other notables and hopefuls, so be sure to check back with CardPlayer.com for hourly updates live from the tournament floor. 

Player Tags: Greg Raymer,   Jamie Gold

$1,500 PLO w/ Rebuys - Crazy Action

Jun 18, '08

Note: Players are on a 20 minute break.

Blinds/Antes: 75-100

Players Remaining: Approx. 311

Big Hands and Storylines:

A Unabomber Rebuy

All in and called by the player in seat 3, Phil Laak showed QQJ5 and seat 3 showed AA77. The boarn ran K10244 and Laak reached for a rebuy.

A "Conservative" Loaded Table...

Action was checked around on a flop of Q75 at one star-studded table. On the 6 turn, Jamie Gold bet 400 and was called by Phil Galfond, seat 1 and seat 2, but Jared Hamby and Scott Clements mucked. The river was the 8 and all players chcked. Seat 1 showed he held the 109 for a flush and took the pot.

...Or is it a Gold Mine?

In a five way limped pot, Jamie Gold led out from the small blind on a flop of 983. Phil Galfond raised to 4,500 and action folded to Gold who moved all in. Gold had 107 for the open ended straight and flush draw. Galfond had 88 for a set of 8s. The turn was the 4 and the river was the 2 to make Gold his flush. Another player said he folded the king-high flush draw. Gold had around 18,000 after the hand.

Quads for Olsen

Four players were all in before the flop - Bill Chen, Ted Lawson, Carl Olson and the player in seat 3. Chen had A-A-8-8, Seat 3 had K-K-8-2, Lawson had Q-Q-9-7 and Olson had K-Q-J-10. The flop came 1064. The turn was the 10, giving Olson trips and the river was the 10, making him quads. Olsen had around 24,000 after the hand.

Sorel Mizzi Gets Full

on a fop of 1088, seat 1 bet 1,000 and Sorel Mizzi called. Seat 7 potted it to 7,000, Peter Gould called, seat 1 folded and Mizzi called. The turn was the 6 and seat 7 moved all in for 3,700. Both Mizzi and Gould called. Gould checked dark going to the river. The river was the Q and Mizzi bet the pot, which put himself all in for 12,600. Gould had Mizzi covered and tanked before finally folding the nut flush and an 8, while Mizzi showed QQ108 to win both the side pot and the main pot with a full house.

Player Tags: Phil Laak,   Ted Lawson,   Jamie Gold,   Carl Olson,   Peter Gould,   Phil Galfond,   Sorel Mizzi,   European Report

Super Dario Ousts One

Jun 16, '08

Note: Players are now on a 20 minute break and will return with the blinds at 100-200.

Blinds/Antes: 50-100

Players Left: 840 of 1,010

Chip Leaders:

Max Pescatori: 21,000
Jeff Kimber: 21,000
Dustin Dirksen: 19,000
Hevad Khan: 15,500
Mark Teltscher: 14,675
Jan Von Halle: 12,900
Justin Filtz: 12,500
David Williams: 10,200
Anthony Roux: 10,000
Barry Greenstein: 9,000

Average Stack: 6,018

Eliminations: Humberto Brenes, David "The Dragon" Pham, Nam Le, Noah Boeken, Beth Shak

Big Hands:

Three Bullets In the Head

The player in seat 6 raised to 300 and Max Pescatori simply called. The flop came AQ3. Both players checked and the turn was the 10. Pescatori led out, betting 400. His opponent grabbed his stack and put it in the middle. Pescatori quickly called and his opponent showed Q10 for two pair. Pescatori proceed to turn over his AA for top set. The river filled up Pescatori when the 3 hit the felt and Pescatori took the pot and eliminated his opponent. He was over 17,000 after the hand.

Unlucky Seven

On a flop of K76, the player in seat 3 bet 200 and Scotty Nguyen made the call, along with the player in seat 1. The turn was the Q and all players checked. The 10 came on the river and everyone checked again. Scotty flashed the 7 for a pair, hoping it was good. It wasn't, however, as the player in seat 3 showed 109 for a better pair. Nguyen was down to around 8,000 after the hand.

Gambling With Dario

Preflop, the player in seat 5 raised to 700. Dario Minieri reraised enough to put his opponent all in. The player in seat 5 then tanked for minutes. Minieri took off his headphones and asked, "what do you got?"

"I'm not allowed to say?" his opponent replied. "You got a pair?" seat 5 added.

"I'm not allowed to say?" Minieri responded. "C'mon, let's gamble," Minieri said, trying to coax a call.

It worked as his opponent put his remaining stack in the middle and Minieri turned over JJ. His opponent showed 66 and the board ran out 4453A. Minieri avoided his opponent's open ended straight draw on the river and improved to 18,000 while eliminating his opponent in the process. Let that be a lesson to you children out there. Don't gamble, especially with Dario.

Gold Doubles Up His Opponent

The player in the small blind moved all in and Jamie Gold made the call. Gold turned over A3 while his opponent showed JJ.

"Wow, that's a good hand to have in the small blind," Gold said as he saw the bad news.

The board ran out K8598 and Gold was down to around 4,000.

Through the Fire and The Flames

David "The Dragon" Pham was down to his last 750 and pushed it in preflop. He was called by one player and Pham turned over KJ. His opponent turned over A10 and the board ran out 665A6. Pham completely missed and was sent to the rail.

Player Tags: Scotty Nguyen,   David Pham,   Max Pescatori,   Jamie Gold,   Dario Minieri,   European Report

Heads Up Championship - Round One Complete

Jun 13, '08

Note: Round one has been completed.  Play will resume with round two at 5:00pm.

Blinds/Antes: 100/200, 100/300, 200/400

Recent Eliminations:
Jamie Gold

Advancing Players:
Sam Farha
Stu Marshak

Big Hands/Storylines:

Stu Marshak Defeats Jamie Gold in an Amazing Comeback

In the last remaining table of the first round, former world champion Jamie Gold faced off with Stu Marshak in an epic confrontation.  Gold established an early chip lead and maintained it throughout most of the beginning levels but a last minute table-turning series of hands sent Marshak to the next round

Down to his last 6,200 in chips, Marshak bet 1,500 on a board of QJ87 and Gold called.  Gold then pushed all in when the river brought the J.  Marshak folded and Gold said, “Nice fold.  I flopped the nuts.”  Gold turned over 109.  Gold then turned to the press and said, “I can’t get rid of this guy!  He won’t make a mistake.”

Two hands later, Gold put Marshak all in from the small blind pre-flop.  Marshak contemplated for several minutes, at one point asking about the blinds of the next level.  Gold exposed the K face up on the table and assured his opponent that he did not have pocket kings.  Eventually, Marshak made the call and Gold turned over his other card, the 6.  Marshak turned over A6 and Gold seemed incredulous as to why his opponent did not call much sooner.  The board offered no help to Gold, and Marshak doubled up.  Gold later received a formal warning from the tournament supervisors for exposing a card during play.

In a later hand, Marshak called from the small blind and Gold put him all in.  Marshak instantly called and turned over QQ.  “Nice call,” Gold said while turning over J7.  The board offered no help to Gold, and the players were now close to even in chips.

After making a little headway, Gold made another misstep that was arguably the turning point of the match.  On a board of KQJ32, Gold again put his opponent all in.  Marshak called, causing Gold to remark, “Nice call.  You got me.  I’ve got nothing.”  Marshak turned over 33 for a set of threes.  Gold later said that he had five-four and was on a straight draw.  Gold was crippled by the hand and down to his remaining 5,000 in chips.

Gold shipped it in from the small blind pre-flop on the next hand, and Marshak made the call with KQ.  Gold turned over Q9, a dominated underdog to Marshak’s hand.  Gold hit the 9 on the flop, but Marshak made a runner-runner flush to end the match and send Gold to the rail.

Player Tags: Sam Farha,   Jamie Gold

$5,000 No-Limit Hold'em - Level 3

Jun 11, '08

Blinds/Antes: 100/200

Players Remaining: 600 of 731

Average Stack: 12,183

Notable Chip Counts:
Can Kim Hua - 30,200
Johnny Chan - 20,200
Jonathan Little - 20,000
Marco Johnson - 20,000
Gavin Griffin - 18,000
Shaun Deeb - 17,400
Alan Smurfit - 16,900
Bill Edler - 16,100
Alan Sass - 16,000
Andy Bloch - 15,000
Jeff Shulman – 4,000

Recent Eliminations:
Bill Gazes

Big Hands/Storylines:

Jeff Shulman’s Rocky Road

After losing two key hands, Jeff Shulman finished the level as one of the tournament’s shorter stacks.

Facing a raise to 450 from an opponent in middle position, Shulman called from the big blind and checked the J54 flop.  His opponent checked behind, and the 3 fell on the turn.  Again Shulman checked, allowing his opponent to fire a bet of 525 into the pot.  Shulman check-raised to 2,000 total, and his opponent moved all in for 3,450 total.  Shulman made the call and turned over A2 for a wheel straight.  His opponent showed 75 for a flush draw and an inside straight draw.  The K on the river completed the flush, and Shulman was left with less than 3,000 in chips.

Several hands later, Shulman limped from late position.  The big blind checked his option, and both players saw a flop of K52.  The big blind checked and Shulman bet 400, which was called.  The 10 on the turn brought two checks, and Shulman’s opponent check-called a bet of 500 by Shulman on the 9 river.  Shulman showed Q10, but his opponent turned over K9 for two pair.  Shulman was left with 1,525 after the hand.

His stack increased to slightly over 4,000 later in the level.

Johnny Chan Eliminates an Opponent

Johnny Chan, vying for his record tying 11^th World Series of Poker bracelet, eliminated an opponent when his 88 held up against his opponent’s QJ.  Chan now has around 20,000 in chips.

Jamie Gold Folds Under Pressure

On a board of 8765, Jamie Gold faced a bet from his opponent of 1,600.  After taking some time to deliberate and count down his remaining chips, Gold released his hand.  His stack hovered around his initial 10,000 throughout most of level three.

Hevad "Rain" Khan V. Michael McKenna

After raising to 450 from under-the-gun, Hevad "Rain" Khan was called by Michael McKenna immediately to his left.  Both players took the flop heads up, and Khan bet 600 on a board of Q94.  McKenna released his hand.  Although Khan’s stack is only 9,000, he has accumulated almost 4,000 of his total during this level.

Player Tags: Can Kim Hua,   Jeff Shulman,   Johnny Chan,   Jamie Gold,   Michael McKenna,   Marco Johnson,   Hevad Khan

$2,500 No-Limit Hold'em - Level 8 recap

Jun 07, '08

Blinds/Antes: 400-800-100

Players Left: 250 of 1,397

Average Stack: 28,000

Chip Leaders:

Eli Elezra - 90,000
Pete Rios - 82,000
Theo Tran - 75,000
Greg Sellgren - 75,000
Jimmy Tran - 60,000
Paul Kobel - 57,000
Chris Ferguson - 55,000
David Woo - 50,000
Lee Watkinson - 50,000
Scott Freeman - 49,000

Eliminations:

Jamie Gold

Big Hands:

Vahedi wins pot, gets angry

With the board showing 869KJ, Amir Vahedi bet 15,000. His opponent thought for a few minutes before calling. Vahedi said he had "jacks up," and asked if he had that beat. Vahedi's opponent said nothing and waited for Vahedi to flip his cards over. This seemed to upset Vahedi, who said he wanted to see his opponent's cards as he flipped over J9. The dealer looked at Vahedi as if to say "Really?" and then showd that his opponent held K3.

Gold runs out of luck

After doubling up in the last level, Jamie Gold was once against short-stacked and called off his remaining chips with A-Q. However his opponent held A-K and had Gold dominated. Gold didn't catch a queen and was eliminated from the tournament.

Courtney folds on turn

From the small blind, Courtney Harrington raised the player under the gun and he called. The flop was 329 and Harrington bet 3,600. His opponent caled and the turn was the 5. This time Harrington checked and folded to his opponent's bet of 3,600.

Theo Tran doing well again

Theo Tran already has two fouth-place finishes in this year's World Series, and is doing well in today's tournament. He is playing aggressively and catching cards. He induced a bluff on the river when he had Q-J to make a queen-high straight one hand, and won a pot for over 12,000 chips on the turn against two opponents. Currently Tran has over 70,000 chips, putting him among the chip leaders.

Player Tags: Amir Vahedi,   Jamie Gold,   Theo Tran,   Courtney Harrington

2,500 NLHE - Day 1 - Nobles Up Early, The Shark Bites Laak

Jun 07, '08

Blinds/Antes: 25-50

Entrants: Approx. 1,382

Big Hands:

Nobles Off To a Fast Start

Dmitri Nobles got involved in a four-way pot early after calling a preflop raise from the button. The flop came J86, the player in seat 1 bet out 275 and everyone called. The 9 came on the turn and this time action checked to Nobles, who bet 775 and was called by two players and the other folded. The river was the A and action was again checked around to Nobles who elected to check as well and flip over his 75 for the straight, explaining he was scared someone might have been setting a trap. His opponents mucked and Nobles saw his stack jump to around 9,000.

Back to Work

J.C. Tran, coming off a 7th place finish in the $2,000 No Limit Hold'em tournament Friday, was back to work. From the button, Tran raised from the button and stole the blinds, improving his stack to around 5,600. A few tables away, Shannon Shorr, coming off a 2nd place finish in the same event, got up from his seat at this tournament and took a little walk around the poker area to say hello to a friend playing in this tournament. There's no rest for the weary at the World Series of Poker.

Black to Flack

Layne Flack is seated next to Andy Black. Flack won a pot early when he bet out on a AQ964 board and his opponent folded. Flack was up to around 6,000 after the hand.

Jamie Gold Doubles Up Early

With a pre-flop raise if 150, three players saw a flop including Jamie Gold from the small blind. The flop came AQ9, it was checked to seat 7 who bet 150 from the cutoff. Gold called from the small blind while the third player dropped out. The turn was the A, and first to act, Jamie Gold moved all in for just about 3,000. The cuttoff went into the tank for several minutes as Gold tried to coerce him into a call. "No ace? I guess if you had an ace you would have beat me into the pot. You're probably drawing dead." And with the same slick trash talk that won him his bracelet in '06, Gold taunted his opponent into making a call. Gold turned over AK while the cutoff showed A8. The river was the 4 and Jamie Gold doubled up to just over $7,000.

The Shark Takes A Bite Out of the Unabomber

The flop was Q37. Humberto Brenes led out with a bet of 200. Phil Laak made the call. The 8 showed up on the turn. Brenes led out again, betting 600. Laak again made a quick call. The river was the 2 and Brenes fired another shot of 1,000. Laak made the call and Brenes turned over 33 for a flopped set. Laak mucked and his stack was down early to around 3,500. Brenes was around 8,000 after raking in the pot.

Stick a Fork In Him, He's Do-ne

On a board showing K108J, the player in seat 2 moved all in. Quinn Do made the call and his opponent showed K-J for top two pair. It was not good enough however, as Do turned over pocket kings for top set. Seat two was drawing dead, so of course the J had to come on the river to give him the sucker's end of a full house. Do improved to well over 12,000 in chips.

Player Tags: J.C. Tran,   Layne Flack,   Jamie Gold,   Quinn Do,   Shannon Shorr,   Dmitri Nobles

Shuffle Up and Deal

Jun 07, '08

The cards are in the air for Day 1 of the 2,500 No Limit Hold'em event at the World Series of Poker. Blinds will start at 25-50.

Players will get a 20 minute break after level 2. The 90 minute dinner break will arrive after level 6. Play will conclude after the field has completed level 10.

Notable players already registered in the tournament are Phil Hellmuth, Jamie Gold, Shannon Shorr, Lee Watkinson, and Card Player Player Of the Year contender Michael Binger.

Player Tags: Lee Watkinson,   Phil Hellmuth,   Jamie Gold,   Michael Binger

$1,000 No-Limit Hold'em with Rebuys - Day 1 - Level 7

Jun 03, '08

Blinds/Antes: 300/600 – 75 ante

Players Left:  206 of 776

Chip Leaders:
Amit Makhija - 130,000
Zachary Clark - 120,000
Daniel Negreanu - 87,500
Adam Glassman - 86,000
Robert Cheung -81,500
Vachagan Zarkanian - 78,000
Soheil Shamseddin - 77,000
Michael Binger - 64,000
Cory Carroll - 50,750
Randy Haddox - 40,000

Average Stack: 28,000

Eliminations:
Jamie Gold
Mike Matusow

Big Hands and Storylines:

Gold Goes Home

Jamie Gold was eliminated when he pushed his short stack all-in over two limpers. The first limper called and the second raised all-in for an additional 4,000. The initial raiser was priced into the call and the three turned over:

Gold: 65
Initial Limper: 76
Pre-flop caller: 88

The board was dealt KT4QA and Gold was sent to the rail.

Batista Crippled

An early position raiser made it 1,800 to go, and got two callers, the cutoff and the button. After the small blind folded, Chad “lilholdem954” Batista moved all-in for 30,000 in the big blind. Two folds ensued, but the third player made the call. Batista turned over 22 to the shock of the table, and his opponent revealed QQ. The flop of 753 left Batista needing a deuce or runner-runner straight to win the pot, but the turn and river were the 8 and 9. Batista’s stack was reduced to 11,000.

“Fossilman” Doubles Up

On a flop of J84, Greg Raymer check-raised all-in – about 7,500 chips – and his opponent thought for a brief time and called. Raymer flipped up T9 for an open-ended straight draw and back-door flush draw while his opponent had K4 for a fairly meager bottom pair and back-door flush draw. The 7 on the turn ended the suspense and doubled Raymer up to 18,000.

Player Tags: Daniel Negreanu,   Mike Matusow,   Greg Raymer,   Jamie Gold,   Michael Binger,   Cory Carroll,   Amit Makhija,   Chad Batista

1,000 NLHE W/Rebuys - Day 1 - Level 6

Jun 03, '08

Blinds/Antes: 200-400 with a 50 Ante

Players Left: 288 of 766

Chip Leaders:

Robert Cheung: 81,500
Sorel Mizzi: 59,000
Greg Raymer: 50,000
Randy Haddox: 48,200
Chad Batista: 40,000
Nenad Medic: 40,000
John Juanda: 38,500
Phil Ivey: 37,800
Alex Jacob: 37,000
Steve Sung: 37,000

Eliminations: David Benyamine

Big Hands:

Binger Comes In Swinging, But Chan Will Have None of That

Michael Binger was moved to Johnny Chan's table and immediately tangled with the two-time world champion. Binger raised to 2,100 preflop, which Chan called. The flop came 94A. Chan checked and Binger bet 1,500. Chan made it 3,500 to go and Binger folded. Chan improved to 17,000 while Binger dropped to a solid 31,000.

Gowen on Life Support

Clonie Gowen bet a flop of 964. Her opponent raised and she folded. She is flat lining at just under 7,000 in chips.

The Grinder Keeps Grinding

Michael Mizrachi just will not die. The Grinder pushed all in preflop and was called by one player. Mizrachi showed A6, dominated by his opponent's AJ. The board ran out 49KQ6. Mizrachi's river miracle doubled him up to 7,000.

A Golden Play

With a player already all in, Jamie Gold bet 1,500 on a board showing four clubs. The player in seat 9 was also in the hand and folded pocket aces face up. Gold turned over Q4 and the all in player showed 87 and Gold took the pot with bottom pair. He is one of a kind isn't he folks? His stack was at 32,000.

Fossilman Muscles Out Negreanu

On a flop of 736, Daniel Negreanu bet 1,200. Greg Raymer raised to 4,000 and Negreanu mucked. Raymer turned over pocket sixes for a set. His stack was at 55,000 while "Kid Poker" went down to 34,000.



 

Player Tags: Daniel Negreanu,   Clonie Gowen,   Michael Mizrachi,   Johnny Chan,   Greg Raymer,   Jamie Gold,   Michael Binger

1,000 NLHE W/Rebuys - Day 1 - Level 4

Jun 03, '08

Blinds/Antes: 100-200 with a 25 Ante moving to 150-300 with a 25 Ante

Chip Leaders:

John Juanda: 40,000
Mark Vos: 40,000
Sorel Mizzi: 38,000
Burt Boutin: 37,000
Adam Glassman: 31,000
Blair Hinkle: 25,000
Amit Makhija: 24,400
Alexander Kostritsyn: 24,000
Phil Ivey: 22,400
Marco Johnson: 17,800

Eliminations: Men "The Master" Nguyen, Freddy Deeb, Barry Greenstein, J.C. Tran

Big Hands:

Tilly Busts Opponent

After a flop of 463, the player in seat 8 bet 1,600, putting himself all in. Jennifer Tilly called, having her opponent covered. Tilly showed 35 for bottom pair with an open ended straight draw while her opponent flipped over 85 for the a higher open ended straight draw. The turn brought the 10 and the river was the 6 giving Tilly two pair and the pot. Her stack improved to just around 12,000.

Sevens Hold Up For Seif

Mark Seif made a call on the river with pocket 7's and plenty of over cards on the board. His hand turned out to be good and  he won the pot. His stack improved to around 15,000. Dave "Devil Fish" Ulliot complimented Seif's call, but warned him to be careful when making that kind of decision if they ever met in a hand.

Gold Wins a Pot, Lays Down Kings

With the board showing K456, Jamie Gold bet 1,000 and was called by his opponent. The 9 hit on the river and Gold pushed all in, forcing his opponent out of the hand. Gold gave her the option to flip any one of his cards, and then did the honors himself, showing the 4. His stack was at 13,000.

Later, with the board showing AJ36, seat 5 pushed all in and sent Gold into the tank. He pump faked a fold three times and then contemplated the hand. After much thought, Gold folded and showed his pocket kings. Seat 5 showed A-Q, confirming Gold's read.

Juanda Cracks a Smile... Really!

John Juanda bet 2,200 after a flop of 8103 and his opponent folded. After the hand, Kathy Liebert walked over to Juanda and said a few words, bringing a smile to Juanda's face. Then his face turned back to stone as the next hand was dealt. 

New Player at Hellmuth's Table After The Poker Brat Takes A Pot.

With the board showing 6103, Phil Hellmuth bet 600 and received no calls. His stack improved to a little over 11,000. Allen Cunningham moved to Hellmuth's table later in the hour.

 

Player Tags: Mark Seif,   John Juanda,   Phil Hellmuth,   Jennifer Tilly,   Jamie Gold

1,000 NLHE W/Rebuys - Day 1 - Lots of Action in the Early Going

Jun 03, '08

Blinds/Antes: 25-50

Entrants: Approx. 762

Big Hands:

Burt Boutin Goes Digging Early

Table 18 is pretty stacked by today's standards and currently includes the likes of Thayer Rasmussen, Harry Demetriou, Burt Boutin, and Gavin Smith. When several maniacs share a single table in a no-limit re-buy event, there is sure to be a lot of action. Burt Boutin was the first to dip into his pocket after shoving all in from the button with QQ. The player in seat 1 insta-called with KK. The flop came J910, giving Boutin an open-ended straight draw minus a few outs, but the A and the 2 on the turn and river sent Boutin digging in his pocket after just a few minutes of play.

John Phan Doubles Up

On a board of A859, John Phan moved all in on the turn and was called by the player in seat 8. Phan showed A8 for two pair while Seat 8 turned over 97 for one pair, a flush draw, and a gut-shot straight draw. The river brought the 7, giving Seat 8 two pair, but not enough to take the pot. Phan doubled up that hand while his opponent went into is pocket for what will probably be the first time of many.

Ted Lawson Doubles Up

With the board showing 7104, seat 9 bet 300. Ted Lawson made the call and the turn came 7. Seat 9 checked and Lawson fired 500 into the pot. His opponent raised all in and Lawson quickly called. He turned 87 for a turned set while his opponent showed 109. The river Q offered her no help and Lawson doubled his stack to 3,800.

Daniel Negreanu Rebuys, Then Gets It Going

Negreanu was all in on a board of K104. He was called by his opponent who showed Q10. Negreanu showed A4 and failed to improve. Luckily for him, rebuys don't expire until after Level 2. A few hands later, Negreanu was all in again, shouting "I'm suited!" He was called by one player who showed A2 while Negreanu turned 108. The board fell Q75AK and Negreanu's flush doubled him up.

His strong-arm tactics have been working for him. He currently sits with over 15,000. He has also been using the voice of "Borat," lightening the mood at the table.

Jamie Gold Gets Low

On a flop of Q87 a player bet 1,500. Gold moved all in and was called. The player showed KK and Gold had QJ. The A on the turn and the 3 on the river failed to improve Gold and he was destined to rebuy.

Mike Matusow Setting the Pace

The player on the button moved all in dark and Mike Matusow, who was talking on his cell phone at the time, called all in dark. The floorman saw this and told Mike to instantly hang up the phone or the hand would be dead. Matusow argued that the players haven't seen their cards yet and hung up the phone right away. The floorman let the action stand. The button showed J6 while Matusow turned over and saw 107 for the first time. The board came KJKA, no help for Matusow who reached into his pocket for another re-buy. After the hand Matusow leaned over to Gavin Smith at the next table and said, "I had to go in dark with him one time to see if I could double up. " Then Matusow proceeded to ask Smith if he had any extra re-buy chips, signifying that he is ready to keep shoving and keep digging until he can get his stack at a managable ammount.

Gowen Doubles Through Ivey

Phil Ivey shoved a tower of light blue chips, each worth 500, into the pot. Clonie Gowen called all in and flipped over AK and was racing Ivey's pair of 3's. The board ran out QJ1049 and she doubled up thanks to her flopped broadway straight. The result barely put a dent into Ivey's stack of over 20,000.

Player Tags: John Phan,   Daniel Negreanu,   Ted Lawson,   Burt Boutin,   Clonie Gowen,   Phil Ivey,   Jamie Gold

Pot-Limit Hold'em - Hour Three - Gold Gets Caught and Gazes Goes Home Early

May 30, '08

Note: The official numbers have been released…352 total entrants with 36 places being paid and a top prize of $794,121.

Blinds: 200-400, moving up to 250-500

Players Left: 306 of 352

Chip Counts:
Vivek Rajkumar: 54,100
Mats Rahmn: 50,000
Jonas Danielsson: 47,000
Tuan Le: 45,000
Humberto Brenes: 40,000
Dario Minieri: 39,500
Marco Traniello: 39,300
John Juanda: 39,000
Patrik Antonius: 39,000
Kathy Liebert: 38,400

Eliminations:
Shannon Shorr
Justin Bonomo
Bill Gazes
Kristy Gazes
Shawn Buchanan
Isabelle Mercier
Hevad “Rain” Khan
Katja Thater

Big Hands:

Watkinson Takes Down “The Unabomber”
On a board of 65479, Lee Watkinson moved all-in against Phil “The Unabomber” Laak. “The Unabomber” went into the tank. “What do you want me to do?” he asked the neighboring Watkinson, who didn’t budge. Laak finally decided to muck his hand and Watkinson took down the pot.

Jamie Gold gets Caught Lying
Pre-flop, Jamie Gold called a raise by seat 5. On a flop of 9QA, Gold led out with a bet of 1,500 and was called. The 5 turned and Gold bet 5,800. Seat 5 called again. Gold tried again with a bet of 3,000 when the K landed on the river. Seat 5 called again and Gold flipped over 8 6 and joked “beat that.” Seat 5 turned over Q 10 and took down the pot.

Bill Gazes Eliminated
It was pretty obvious that both players wanted to get it all in before the flop when Bill Gazes raised to 1,100 on the button and Jonathan Little reraised to 3,300 from the small blind. Gazes came back with a pot-sized reraise of 14,500 and Little moved all in. Gazes called Little’s all in and had him covered by a few thousand. Little turned over AA while Gazes showed JJ. The board came Q107410 and Little’s aces held up. Little doubled up and Gazes dropped down to a few thousand in chips.

The very next hand, and Bill Gazes raised to 1,800 from the cutoff and Phil Ivey put him all in. Gazes called. Ivey showed 88 while Gazes turned over AA, the exact same hand that Little held to cripple him the hand before. The board came 978107, giving Ivey a set on the flop and a full house on the river, eliminating Bill Gazes halfway through Level 3.


 

Player Tags: Lee Watkinson,   Bill Gazes,   Phil Laak,   Phil Ivey,   Jamie Gold,   Jonathan Little