Shawn Sheikhan Poker Tournament Updates

Level Four Update: Shawn Sheikhan, Alex Kravchenko Eliminated

Jul 10, '11

NOTE: Levels are two hours in length and players are starting with 30,000 in chips. Registration will remain open until the end of the second level.

Players on Day 1D: Approximately 2,800

Blinds: 150-300 with a 25 ante

The Chip Leaders:

1. Joe Tehan — 135,000
2. Andrew Chen — 131,000
3. Chris Limo — 130,000
4. Douglas Smith — 102,900
5. Alan Sternberg — 94,000
6. Justin Filtz — 94,000
7. Noah Boeken — 85,000
8. Matt Matros — 84,000
9. Casey McCarrel — 78,000
10. Lars Bonding — 77,000

Card Player Chip Counts:

Jeff Shulman — 29,000
Matt Matros — 84,000

Featured Poker Tweet — Jeff Shulman

Notables Eliminated This Level:

Shawn Sheikhan
Alex Kravchenko
Dan Heimiller
Tommy Vedes

Hands:

Shawn Sheikhan Eliminated

Shawn Sheikhan was eliminated with pocket kings after all the money went in on a flop of 5 3 2. His opponent held the K Q for a flush draw and hit on the end when the river brought a 4.

Featured Poker Tweet — Amit Makhija

Alex Kravchenko Eliminated

Alex Kravchenko was all in for 5,000 with A-5 and was in trouble against his opponent’s pocket nines. The board ran out K 7 3 K 10 and the 2007 final tablist was gone.

Tommy Vedes Eliminated

On a board of K 10 6 7, Tommy Vedes bet and his opponent check raised to put him all in. Vedes tanked before eventually calling with K-10 for top two pair. His opponent exposed the Q J for straight and flush draws. The river was a brutal A and Vedes was gone.

Player Tags: Shawn Sheikhan,   Tommy Vedes,   Amit Makhija

Level Four, Hour One: Little Chops, Then Doubles

Jul 08, '10

Blinds: 150-300 with a 25 ante

Notable Chip Counts:

1. Brent Baldrey – 150,000
2. Khamsy Nuanmanee – 123,000
3. David Benyamine – 113,000
4. Paul Noriega – 112,000
5. Bretty Richey – 102,000
6. Anh Van Nguyen – 94,000
7. Jason Mercier – 91,500
8. Steve Billirakis – 91,000
9. Eric Buchman – 78,500
10. Victor Mendicuti – 76,000

Card Player Family Chip Counts

Jeff Shulman — 5,600
Steve Zolotow — 32,200
Jen Harman — 27,000

Big Hands:

Little Chops Up a Big One

Jonathan Little push his opponent all in for around 10,000 and was called. Their hands:

Little: AK
Opponent: AK

They held the same hand, but when the flop ran 527 Little saw he had a backdoor flush draw. “Freeroll,” he said.

But the board finished without two more diamonds and they chopped the pot. Little is still relatively short with just 13,000 in chips.

Lee Busts to Aces

A short-stacked Doug Lee got all in preflop holding 77, but his opponent held the big bad AA.

The board ran 552J4 and Lee was gone.

Varkonyi Loses Big One

Robert Varkonyi’s opponent was all in, creating a pretty large pot on a board of 2948J. Varkonyi tanked for a while before making the call. Their hands:

Varkonyi: J-8
Opponent: AK

Varkonyi’s two pair could not be his opponent’s nut flush, and the former main event champ dropped to 26,000 in chips.

Singer Flexes

The player under the gun raised to 1,000 and David Singer made it 3,400 to go. The blinds folded but the under the gun player called.

The flop came down 952 and the player bet 4,300. Singer made the call and the 9 fell on the turn.

The player checked and Singer pounced, moving all in for 10,625. His opponent mucked and Singer took the pot. He was at 20,000.

Freddy Deeb Getting Short

Four players, including Freddy Deeb, limped preflop and saw the KJ9 land on the felt. Everyone checked and the turn was the 5.

The player in seat 1 bet 700 and everyone folded. Deeb was ailing with just 9,000 after the hand.

Harman Gets Pushed

Jennifer Harman and her opponent in seat 9 saw a flop of J55. Seat 9 bet 2,600 and Harman raised it up to 6,600.

Seat 9 would not be pushed as he reraised to 14,600. Harman then went into the tank for a couple of minutes. The ESPN cameras noticed and surrounded the table. Harman shuffled her chips for what seemed like forever.

Finally, she threw away her hand and slipped to 27,000.

Rousso Jacks Up Opponent

Vanessa Rousso and her opponent saw a flop J98. The action preflop was unclear, but seat 6 eventually ended up all in for 27,250. Rousso made the call.

Rousso: JJ
Seat 6: A10

Rousso flopped top set but her opponent was drawing to an open-ended straight draw. The turn was the A, giving seat 6 a meaningless pair. The river was the 6 and Rousso dodged the draws to score the knockout. She was at 63,000 after the hand.

Pavilion Room Update

Johnathan Little Doubles Up

Jonathan Little bet 800 from middle position and it was folded around to a player in the small blind. The big blind raised to 1,800 and Little called. The flop came Q99. The big blind bet 2,000 and Little made the quick call. The 5 fell on the turn and the big blind bet 3,600. Little called with only 5,950 behind. An off suit four hit the river and Little’s opponent set him all in. Little made the insta-call for his tournament life. His opponent exposed the KK but was no good against the 98 of Little. Little doubled to over 30,000.

Shawn Sheikhan Outplayed

It was folded around to the small blind. Shawn Sheikhan was in the big blind and was asking for a walk. However, the small blind completed and Sheikhan checked. The flop came KK10 and it was checked to Sheikhan. He fired out a bet of 800 before being check-raised to 2,000. Sheikhan quickly folded and his opponent showed him the 52 for 5-high. Sheikhan was at around 20,000 after the hand.

Thomas Marchese Loses a Pot

With about 10,000 in the middle on a board of 1053Q6, Marchese checked and his opponent checked behind. Marchese’s opponent announced pair and tabled A5. Marchese mucked and was down to 23,000 after the hand.

Player Tags: Shawn Sheikhan,   David Singer,   Jennifer Harman,   Robert Varkonyi,   Doug Lee,   Jonathan Little,   Freddy Deeb,   Thomas Marchese

Level Three, Hour Two: Lisandro Loses Big One, Still Healthy

Jul 08, '10

Blinds: 150-300

Notable Chip Counts:

1. Khamsy Nuanmanee – 132,000
2. Brent Baldrey – 128,000
3. Paul Noriega – 112,000
4. Anh Van Nguyen – 98,000
5. David Benyamine – 87,000
6. Lyle Berman – 87,800
7. Dan Heimiller – 87,500
8. Victor Mendicuti – 76,000
9. Steve Billirakis – 70,500
10. Eddie Sabat – 68,000

Card Player Family Chip Counts

Jeff Shulman — 7,300
Steve Zolotow — 39,500
Jen Harman — 59,800

Big Hands:

Lisandro Loses a Big One

Jeff Lisandro called a large bet on a flop of 4AJ and when the 3 fell on the turn his opponent bet 5,000. Lisandro again called and the 7 fell on the river. This time, both players slowed and checked the end. Their hands:

Lisandro: AK
Opponent: AJ

Lisandro had flopped top pair but his opponent flopped top two pair. Lisandro lost the pot and dropped to around 23,000 in chips.

Ivey Bullies Table Out of Pot

In a limped three-way pot Phil Ivey bet 600 after the flop of 569. Both of his opponents called and quickly checked to him on the 9 turn.

Ivey bet 1,800 this time and seat 3 folded, while seat 4 smiled and looked at Ivey, seemingly happy to be losing another pot to the best. He folded and Ivey took it down.

Ivey had around 25,000 after the hand.

Mercier Keeps Rolling

The player under the gun raised to 800 and the small blind made the call. Jason Mercier was in the big blind and called as well and the three players saw the flop come down K87.

Both blinds checked to the player under the gun and he fired 1,500. Mercier was the only caller and the turn was the 10. Both players checked and the 5 fell on the river.

Both players checked again and Mercier showed 65 for a busted straight draw but a rivered pair of fives. It was good as his opponent mucked and Mercier was at 72,000.

Greenstein Muscled Out

Picking up the action after the flop, the board read J42. The player in seat 1 fired 1,000 and Barry Greenstein made it 2,000.

Seat 1 then shoved for the rest of his stack. Greenstein had a perplexed look on his face after the move, then shrugged his shoulders and mucked. He was at 38,000.

Pavilion Room Coverage

Chris Ferguson Wins a Pot

With about 6,000 in the pot on a board of J763 Chris Ferguson bet 5,000 and his opponent went into the tank. Ferguson’s opponent asked him if he would show but once he didn’t get a response from the poker pro he folded and tabled the 99 for a pair of nines. Ferguson flashed 7-3 for two pair and raked in the pot. He was at 38,000 after the hand.

Fred Goldberg Drops a Pot

A player bet into Fred Goldberg on the river. Goldberg made the call and his opponent tabled Q-J for the nut straight. Goldberg mucked and was down to 15,025 after the hand.

Sheikhan Doubles Up

Shawn Sheikhan moved his short stack all in on a flop of K73 and was called by the player in seat 2. Their hands:

Sheikhan: K10
Seat 2: QQ

Sheikhan held the lead and his opponent was in trouble with only two queens or running hearts remaining as his saving grace. The 6 and 9 finished the board and Mr. Sheikhan doubled up to around 17,000.

Arieh With the Huge Double Up

Jason Potter raised to 725 and Josh Arieh three-bet it to 1,900. The player on the button called, but Potter got out of the way.

The flop ran 492 and Arieh bet out 2,325. The button player raised to 6,600 and Arieh made the call. On the Q turn Arieh checked and the button bet 10,000. Arieh moved all in for 19,400 and the button called. Their hands:

Arieh: 56
Opponent: KK

Arieh held the flopped flush and his opponent was drawing dead. The 4 finished the board and Arieh doubled up to 57,500.

Varkonyi Chipping Up

The 2002 winner of the main event Robert Varkonyi bet 7,000 on a board of 9810K and was called by one player. Varkonyi bet 7,000 again on the 7 river and his opponent tanked, eventually folding.

Varkonyi had around 47,000 after the hand.

Jason Alexander Wins Big One With Kings

Jason Alexander bet 1,000 on a flop of 253 and was called by one player. The 2 came on the turn and Alexander bet 5,000 into the pot.

His opponent called and the Q finished the board. Alexander checked for the first time and his opponent bet 7,000. Alexander called and they showed their hands:

Alexander: KK
Opponent: JJ

Both players held high pocket pairs, but Alexander’s was best. He took the pot and boosted his stack to 33,000.

J.C. Tran Wins a Pot

J.C. Tran bet 700 preflop and was called by the player directly to his left. The flop came 9-7-7 and Tran bet 4,075. His opponent quickly folded and Tran raked in the pot. He was up to 48,000 after the hand.

David Saab Takes Some off Kenny Tran

Kenny Tran bet 800 and David Saab three-bet to 2,000. Tran thought about it for awhile before making the call. The flop came K54 and action went check-check. The 2 fell on the turn and Tran checked again. Saab fired out a bet of 7,000 and Tran went into the tank. He eventually decided to muck his hand. He was at 30,000 after the hand while Saab increased his stack to 60,000.

Player Tags: Josh Arieh,   Chris Ferguson,   Barry Greenstein,   Shawn Sheikhan,   Jeffrey Lisandro,   Phil Ivey,   Robert Varkonyi,   Fred Goldberg,   Jason Alexander,   Jason Mercier

Level Two, Hour Two: Ivey Climbing

Jul 08, '10

Blinds: 100-200

Notable Chip Counts:

1. Khamsy Nuanmanee – 115,000
2. Alex Aram – 77,000
3. Kara Scott – 70,000
4. Brent Baldrey – 69,000
5. Steve Billirakis – 68,000
6. Allen Cunningham – 66,800
7. Phil Ivey – 66,500
8. Joe Serock – 60,000
9. Anh Van Nguyen – 59,500
10. Jennifer Harman – 52,000

Card Player Family Chip Counts

Jeff Shulman — 22,000
Steve Zolotow — 31,500

Notable Eliminations:

None

Big Hands:

Serock and Elizabeth Give Some Away

In a 4-way raised pot, the flop cam e429 and seat 6 checked to Shannon Elizabeth, who fired 2,000 into the pot. Seat 4 folded and Joe Serock made the call. Seat 6, the original checker, then check-raised to 6,000.

Elizabeth folded by Serock tanked and made the call. When the J fell on the turn seat 6 quickly moved all in for over 20,000. Serock quickly folded, giving the pot to his opponent.

Serock still had 43,000 after the hand, but Elizabeth was down to around 17,000.

Buffer Straightens Out Opponent

Burce Buffer bet 1,000 on a 3-way flop of 487 ad was called by seat 7 and 8. On the 6s turn seat 7 fired 1,400 and seat 8 made the call. Buffer wasted little time raising to 4,000 total. Seat 7 folded but seat 8 decided to call.

The 6h came on the river and seat 8 checked to the aggressor. Buffer fired 2,500 and seat 8 checked his cards before letting them hit the muck. Buffer showed anyway, the A5 for a turned straight. He had around 35,000 after the hand.

Hachem Loses to Two Pair

Entering the action late, Joe Hachem faced a bet of 1,600 from his opponent on a board of Q8A109. He eventually called and said “nice hand” as soon as he opponent showed A10 for two pair. Hachem had around 24,000 after the loss.

Ivey Forces a Big Laydown

Entering the action late, a pot of 17,000 had developed on a board of 9463. When the K peeled off on the river Phil Ivey bet enough to put his opponent all in for his last 12,000.

After tanking for a while in front of the ESPN cameras, his opponent folded QQ face up and said “Go ahead man.” Ivey now has around 62,000 in chips.

Little Value for Little’s Set

On a board of QJ79, seat 8 folded to Jonathan Little’s bet of 1,000. Little let him know that he wasn’t picking on him and flashed the 99 for a turned set. He sat with around 29,500 after the hand.

Ferguson Takes A Pot, But John Phan The Star

With 2,500 already in the pot preflop, Justin Smith fired 1,800 after the flop came down 876. Chris Ferguson was next to act and he raised it to 5,300.

The action was then on John Phan, and the action stayed on John Phan for awhile. He tanked for more than three minutes, giving the ESPN camera crews along with other players time to crowd around the table. Phan counted out a call, then counted out a raise, then looked at his cards, then shuffled his chips altogether, then looked at his hand again.

The player in seat 1 then leaned over to the dealer and asked in a whisper what the procedure was when asking to call a clock on a player. Eventually, Phan did release his hand. Smith did the same in much faster fashion as his cards almost beat Phan’s to the muck. Ferguson took the pot and he was back around 30,000.

“You were going to get reraised anyway,” Phan told Smith after the hand.

“Yeah,” Smith responed. “But I call you.”

Smith was at 32,000 and Phan was at 28,000.

Sheikhan Can’t Call

Picking up the action after the board read AJ103, there was 800 in the pot and Shawn Sheikhan led out with 550. The player in seat 7 called as did the player in seat 10. Another player in the hand folded and the three remaining saw the J fall on the river.

Sheikhan checked and seat 7 bet 1,500. Seat 10 mucked and Sheikhan soon followed suit. Sheikhan was down to 28,300.

George Danzer Chops a Pot

On a board read Q77QA a player in middle position bet 1,050 and George Danzer quickly called. His oppnented tabeled the 87 and Danzer exposed the 97 for a chop. Danzer was at right around the starting stack of 30,000 after the hand.

Kirk Morrison Sitting With Just a Beer

Over in the pavilion room, Kirk Morrison was sitting at a table with a beer and no chips. Morrison wasn’t all in, but simply waiting to receive his chips and to be dealt a hand, after registering late on day 1d. Morrison was the last player that made it into the main event last year, but said he showed up this year fifteen minutes earlier in order to avoid another close call.

David Saab Moves All In

David Saab bet from early position and was called by an opponent on the button. The flop came J82 and Saab bet 1,000. His opponent raised to 3,125. Saab instantly moved all in for 12,125 more. His opponent went into the tank before finally folding. Saab was up to 20,000 after the hand.

Bernard Lee Wins a Nice One

Bernard Lee reraised to 1,525 preflop after his opponent raised to 400. Another opponent and the original raiser made the call and the flop was dealt K K Q. One opponent bet 4,500 and Lee made the call. The other player got out of the way and the turn fell 3.

His opponent bet 8,500 and Lee made the call. The river brought the 8 and and both players checked. Lee revealed A-K and his opponent mucked. Lee held 41,000 after the hand and he has finished level 2 with 43,650.

Left in the Deck:

Players will be on a 20-minute break shortly.

Player Tags: John Phan,   Shawn Sheikhan,   Phil Ivey,   Bernard Lee,   Joe Hachem,   Kirk Morrison,   Jonathan Little,   Shannon Elizabeth,   Joseph Serock,   David Saab

Level Three: Field At 101, Prize Pool Announced

Jun 09, '10

Blinds: 75-150 with a 25 ante

Players Remaining: 101

Notable Eliminations:

Players Twitter Accounts:

Daniel Negreanu
Justin Smith
Jean-Robert Bellande
Doyle Brunson
Vanessa Rousso
Barry Greenstein
Chad Brown

Big Hands:

Blind Bet No Help To Mortensen

We caught up with this hand after the draw. Carlos Mortensen bet 1,000 to the surprise of Jean-Robert Bellande.

“Did you just bet blind?” Bellande asked.

“I had to,” Mortensen replied. “You drew two and I just took one.”

Bellande made the call and Mortensen announced he had a king-low. Bellande showed Q-10-6-3-2 and took down the pot. He was at 8,000 with two add-ons while Mortensen was at 20,000 with one add-on.

Elezra Shoves, Heimiller Can’t Call

Eli Elezra raised to 1,150 before the draw and Dan Heimiller made the call. On the draw, both players decided to stand pat.

Elezra then shoved for 5,800.

“Is that because I just called?” Heimiller asked.

He tanked for a long time but eventually mucked his hand. Elezra took the pot and was at 9,000 with three add-ons while Heimiller was at 13,000 with two add-ons.

Sometimes A Pair Is All It Takes

We caught up with this hand at showdown. Tom Dwan had tabled 6-6-9-3-2 for a pair of sixes.

John Monnette was his opponent and he stared at Dwan’s board for a bit before finally nodding his head and mucking his hand.

Dwan took down the 1,200 chip pot and he was at 13,500 with all of his add-ons intact. Monnette was at 13,000 with two add-ons behind.

Sheikhan’s Eight Is Better Than Yours

The player in seat 1 moved all in before the draw and Shawn Sheikhan made the call. Sheikhan drew one card and his opponent showed 8-7-6-4-3.

It was a tough hand to beat, but Sheikhan did just that as he turned over 8-6-5-4-3 to the disbelief of his opponent.

Sheikhan raked in the pot and was at 17,000 with his three add-ons intact.

Mueller Bests Heimiller

Greg Mueller, Dan Heimiller and Eli Elezra each had 400 invested in the pot before the draw. Each player took two cards and Mueller led out with 1,100.

Elezra called but Heimiller eventually made the call. Mueller then turned over 9-8-7-5-3 and Heimiller mucked.

Mueller was a late entrant in the tournament but was up to 8,500 with his three add-ons intact.

Nine-Perfect Nabs Pot For Brown

Chad Brown raised to 500 before the draw and Phil Ivey made the call. Ivey took two cards and Brown stood pat.

Ivey then took a stab at the pot with 1,100. Brown made the quick call and Ivey announced that he had a 9-8 low.

Brown turned over 9-5-4-3-2 and Ivey mucked his hand, sending the pot to Brown.

Brown was at 14,000 with all three add-ons while Ivey was at 21,425 and no add-ons remaining.

Left In The Deck

Field Officially Tops Last Year

The official number of entrants was released during level three. There were 101 players who registered for the event, topping last year’s number by five. The prize pool totaled $948,400 with 14 places getting paid. The first player to cash will earn $19,272 and the winner will take home $294,321.

Player Tags: Shawn Sheikhan,   Greg Mueller,   Eli Elezra,   Phil Ivey,   John Monnette,   Tom Dwan,   Dan Heimiller

Level 5 Update: John Hennigan Eliminated

Jun 10, '09

Blinds: 250-500 with a 125 ante

Players Remaining: 87 of 96

Chip Counts:

1. Vince Musso — 84,000
2. Bruno Fitoussi — 64,000
3. Gus Hansen — 62,000
4. Jon Turner — 61,000
5. Amnon Filippi — 60,000
6. Max Pescatori — 58,000
7. Daniel Alaie — 56,500
8. Mark Weitzman — 54,000
9. Eli Elezra — 53,000
10. Mike Matusow — 53,000

Average Chip Count: 33,103

Notable Eliminations:

John Hennigan

Big Hands:

John Hennigan Eliminated by Gus Hansen

John Hennigan raises to 1,200 before the flop and Chino Rheem calls behind him. Gus Hansen reraises to 5,400 from the small blind and both players call.

Hansen stands pat while both Hennigan and Rheem draw one card each.

First to act, Hansen checks and Hennigan immediately moves all in for 17,775. Rheem tanks for a few minutes before Hennigan calls the clock on him. Rheem eventually folds as Hansen takes his turn in the tank. Hennigan proceeds to call the clock on him as well, perhaps prompting a call. Hansen calls with a 10-9 low and Hennigan throws his ace-high away. Johnny World is eliminated from the tournament.

Mickey Appleman Doubles Through Bobby Bellande

Barry Greenstein opens the pot for 1,500 from early position and Bobby Bellande calls from middle position. Mickey Appleman moves all in for 9,225 from the button, Greenstein folds and Bellande calls.

Appleman stands pat while Bellande draws one card. Bellande turns over 7632, waiting for Appleman to reveal his hand before turning over his last card. Appleman shows 98752 for a 9-8 low while Bellande turns over the Q for queen-high. Appleman doubles up to 22,000 this hand while Bellande falls down to 35,000 in chips.

Shawn Sheikhan Knock One Out

Shawn Sheihkhan gets it all in pre-flop against the player ins seat 2; Sheikhan has seat 2 covered. Seat 2 draws one card while Sheikhan stands pat. Seat 2 shows a queen-high while Sheikhan turns over 98542 for a 9-8 low. Sheikhan eliminates his opponent and brings his chip count up to 44,000 this hand.

Filippi Takes One from Fitoussi

Brunno Fitoussi raises to 800 from under the gun and the player in seat 4 calls from early position. Amnon Filippi reraises to 4,500 from the button, Fitoussi calls and seat 4 folds.

Fitoussi draws one card while Filippi stands pat. Both players check around.

Fitoussi shows queen-high while Filippi turns over 107652 for 10-7 low. Filippi rakes the pot and brings his chip count up to 66,000 while Fitoussi falls down to 60,000 in chips.

Player Tags: Barry Greenstein,   Mickey Appleman,   Gus Hansen,   Shawn Sheikhan,   John Hennigan,   Bruno Fitoussi,   Amnon Filippi,   Jean-Robert Bellande,   Chino Rheem

Level 1 Update: World Championsip of Seven Card Stud Underway

Jun 01, '09

Ante: 50
Low Card: 50
Completion: 200
Limits: 200-400

Players Left: 122 out of 122

Big Hands:

Matt Glantz vs. Rafe Furst

The player in seat 5 opens for 50 with the 6, Matt Glantz completes the bet to 200 with the 7 and Rafe Furst raises to 400 with the K.

Furst: X-X-K2
Glantz:X-X-73

Furst bets 200, Glantz raises to 400, Furst reraises to 600, Glantz four-bets to 800, Furst calls.

Furst: X-X-K2J
Glantz:X-X-73J

Furst checks to Glantz who bets 200. Furst raises to 800, Glantz reraises to 1,200 and Furst calls.

Furst: X-X-K2JQ
Glantz: X-X-73JK

Furst checks to Glantz who bets 400, Furst calls.

Both players are dealt their river cards and Furst checks blind, Glantz bets 400 and Furst calls. Glantz turns over 33 for trip threes and rakes the pot. After this hand Glantz is up to 34,000 while Furst falls down to 26,600.

Shawn Sheikhan vs. Daniel Negreanu

Daniel Negreanu opens for 50 with the 7, Shawn Sheikhan completes the bet to 200 with the A and Negreanu calls.

Sheikhan: X-X-A4
Negreanu: X-X-79

Sheikhan bets 200 and Negreanu calls.

Sheikhan: X-X-A48
Negreanu: X-X-79A

Sheikhan bets 400 and Negreanu folds, showing A4 for a pair of aces with a flush draw. Sheikhan rakes the pot and brings his stack up to 32,000 this hand while Negreanu falls to 28,000 in chips.

Justin Smith vs. Max Pescatori

The player in seat 5 opens the pot for 50 with the 2, Max Pescatori completes the bet to 200 with the 8 and Justin Smith raises to 400 with the K. Seat 5 folds and Pescatori calls.

Smith: X-X-KQ
Pescatori: X-X-89

Smith bets 200 and Pescatori calls.

Smith: X-X-KQQ
Pescatori: X-X-897

Smith bets 400 and Pescatori calls.

Smith: X-X-KQQA
Pescatori: X-X-897J

Smith bets 400 and Pescatori calls.

Both players check their river cards and Smith turns over QQ33 for two pair. Pescatori folds and Smith rakes the pot. Smith is up to 31,000 after this hand while Pescatori falls down to 32,000 in chips.

Left In The Deck:

There are currently more stacks than players in today’s $10K World Championship of Seven Card Stud as late arrivals keep pouring in to fill their seats. Notable pros spotted in the field so far include Frank Kasella, Bret Richey, Nick Frangos, Scott Fischman, Jeff Lissandro, Daniel Negreanu, Matt Glantz, Rafe Furst, Shawn Sheikhan, Allen Kessler, Jerry Buss, Chad Brown, Shawn Buchanan, Bill Edler, Bruno Fitoussi, Farzad Bonyadi, and Bill Chen.

Player Tags: Daniel Negreanu,   Max Pescatori,   Shawn Sheikhan,   Matthew Glantz,   Rafe Furst

Level 7 Update: Sheikhan Drops a Pot

May 31, '09

Blinds: 150-300 with 25 ante

Players Remaining: 880 out of 3,021

Big Hands:

The Sheik Gets Caught

Three players limped, including Shawn Sheikhan from the big blind. The flop came KQJ and everyone checked. The turn was the 5 and Sheikhan put 1,200 into the middle. One player folded, but the button in seat 1 stuck around and both players saw the 9 on the river. Sheikhan checked and his opponent quickly bet 2,000. Sheikhan asked the dealer a question, then flashed the 6 and mucked his hand with a laugh. He was down to 7,700.

Somerville Takes a Pot

Jason Somerville was in a pot with two other players and a board reading 1098. Players checked to Somerville on the button who bet 550. His opponents mucked and he took a small pot, adding to his stack of 9,700.

Dobrilovic Wins the Race

Preflop, Tom Dobrilovic raised to 800 and action folded to seat 7. He reraised to 2,100 and Dobrilove pushed all in. His opponent called, putting himself all in. He turned over AQ while Dobrilovic showed pocket fives. The race was on and the board ran out 1082K3, missing seat 7 completely and he was out, courtesy of Dobrilovic. His stack improved to 33,250.

Micon Pushes Back

The player in seat 8 raised to 900 from middle position and action folded to Bryan Micon in the small blind. He reraised to 3,500 total and the player in seat 8 mucked his hand. Micon took the pot and improved to 5,100.

Tran Doing Well

J.C. Tran just took down a pot holiding AQ on a board reading J105J10. Action was checked all the way and Tran’s pair of Queens was good enough to take a small pot and increase his stack to over 36,000.

Left In the Deck:

After the dinner break, 1,017 players returned for play of the original 3,021 for Day 1B. That means that there have been 5.5 eliminations per minute today, just slightly lower than the 5.9 average of Day 1A after the dinner break.

Player Tags: J.C. Tran,   Shawn Sheikhan,   Jason Somerville,   Tomislav Dobrilovic,   Bryan Micon

Level 4 Update: Another Pro Eliminated With a Flush

May 31, '09

Blinds: 75-150

Players Remaining: 2,000 out of 3,021

Notable Eliminations:

David Chiu
David Daneshgar
Isaac Baron
T.J. Cloutier
Joe Awada

Big Hands:

David Chiu Eliminated

David Chiu raised pre-flop with the 103 and was called by the big blind who held the K7. The flop came out ten high with two spades, putting Chiu out in front with top pair and a flush draw. However, his opponent with a higher flush draw, called Chiu’s all-in bet of just under 10 big blinds (1,450) and hit the spade on the turn. Both players nailed their flush, but Chiu was drawing dead for the river and was sent home on day 1. Chiu continues the trend of big name pros knocked out of the event holding a flush.

Paul Darden Doubles Up

Paul Darden gets it all-in with AK on a board of AA297. Not sure when the money got in, but Darden is up over 4,000 after this hand.

Shawn Sheikhan Doubles up

The player in seat 2 raises to 400 from middle position and Shawn Sheikhan calls from the small blind. The flop comes AQ3, seat 2 bets 700 and Sheikhan calls. The river is the 3, and seat 2 bets enough to put Sheikhan all-in. Sheikhan calls all-in for 675 and turns over AA for top set. His opponent shows AK for top pair and ships the pot. Sheikhan doubles up to 3,500 this hand.

Daniel Negreanu Moves All-in

After min-raising to 300 pre-flop, Daniel Negreanu was re-raised to 750 by an opponent in seat 9. Negreanu called and both players saw a flop of 247. Negreanu checked and his opponent bet 1,000. Negreanu contemplated briefly before moving all in for 1,575 total, 575 more. His opponent went into the tank for minutes before eventually folding pocket tens face up. Negreanu said, “I thought you were calling,” before mucking his cards. Negreanu is up to 4,300 in chips.

Dario Minieri Doubles Up

From the button, Dario Minieri moved all-in for 2,075 with K9 and was called by the 33 of seat 8. The flop came out 457 and Minieri was in bad shape, as his opponent added a gut-shot straight draw to go along with his pocket pair. The Q hit the turn and the Italian pro was down to his last card. The 9 hit the river, giving the bracelet winner a pair of nines to double up to 4,150.

Left In The Deck

The players are on a 20 minute break.

Player Tags: Shawn Sheikhan,   David Chiu,   Paul Darden,   David Daneshgar,   Isaac Baron,   Dario Minieri

Daniel Negreanu Busts Two

Oct 23, '08

Shawn Sheikhan opens with a raise and Daniel Negreanu flat calls. Doug Lee then moves all in on the short stack and Sheikhan isolates all in as well. The problem is that Negreanu has pocket aces and makes the call.

Lee shows pocket fives, Sheikhan shows pocket eights and the board produces neither. Negreanu makes a full house with an A-3-3 flop and now sits with 450,000 in chips.

Player Tags: Daniel Negreanu,   Shawn Sheikhan,   Doug Lee

Shawn Sheikhan Gone

Jul 14, '08

Shawn Sheikhan, who temporarily held the chip lead on Day 1, has been eliminated from the tournament.

Sheikhan had a pretty solid summer, taking third place in the Deuce-to-Seven No-Limit tournament at the World Series of Poker for more than $200,000. He added to that result by finishing just outside the top 100 players in the main event.

Player Tags: Shawn Sheikhan

$10,000 Main Event - Sheikhan On the Rise

Jul 10, '08

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

Players Left: 693 of 6,844

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

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

Average Stack: 197,518

Eliminations: Alex Kravchenko, Toto Leonidas

Big Hands:

Sheikhan Knocks One Out, Breaks 500,000

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

Sheikhan: AQ
Seat 3: AJ

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

Nguyen Pushes Giang Out, Much to the Chagrin of Giang

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

Smith Taking Command

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

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

Turner Turns On The Jets

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

Ng Keeps Firing

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

Gazes Pushes Back

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

Good Luck Betting Out Vos

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

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

$10,000 Main Event - Day 3 - Level 12

Jul 10, '08

Blinds/Antes: 1,000-2,000-300

Players Remaining: 974 out of 6,844

Average Chip Stack: 137,000

Eliminations:

Tony Cousineau
Erik Seidel

Big Hands and Storylines:

Shawn Sheikhan Loses Half His Stack in Two Hands

Shawn Sheikhan raised to 6,500 from middle position and was called only by the two players in the blinds. On a flop of A75, the action was checked to Sheikhan who fired a bet of 12,000 into the pot. The small blind called, allowing the big blind to get out of the way. The turn brought the A and another check from the small blind. Sheikhan launched four orange 5,000 chips across the line, and the small blind made the call. “Black card,” Sheikhan requested as the dealer put down the Q on the river. “God damn it,” Sheikhan exclaimed upon sight of the red queen. The small blind checked, and Sheikhan announced that he held an ace. The small blind turned over J10 and Sheikhan was verbally distraught. He flashed the Ac as he mucked his cards.

On the next hand, the player under the gun raised to 7,000 and Sheikhan made the call as the next player to act. All other players folded, and the dealer put down a flop of J86. Both players checked, and the 9 came on the turn. Again the under-the-gun player checked, prompting a bet of 15,000 from Sheikhan which was quickly called. The player check-called another bet of Sheikhan’s, this time 20,000, when a blank fell on the river. “You got it,” Sheikhan declared after his opponent made the call. The player turned over 1010 and Sheikhan mucked his cards.

After the two-hand downward spiral, Sheikhan was left with only 110,00 in chips.

Traply Needs No Trap To Snare Gray

Peter Traply raised to 5,300 from early position and Jason Gray called from the cutoff. The flop was AJ10 and Traply led out for 9,500, Gray called. Traply bet another 22,000 on the 5 turn and Gray again called. The river was the 4 and Traply fired a third bullet – 48,000 – which Gray called after a minute of thought. Traply tabled KQ for a flopped straight which was good to take down the sizeable pot. Traply is now up to 245,000; Gray is down to 75,000.

Matusow Takes a Hit

Mike Matusow raised pre-flop from middle position and was met with an all-in raise from an opponent. Matusow learned that it would be 8,500 more to call, and call he did. Matusow was pleased to see that his Q10 was live against his opponent’s A3 . The board offered no help, however, as it ran out J545K . After losing that pot, Matusow is down to 112,000.

Hevad Khan Doubles Up with an Unlikely Suck Out

After the action folded around, Hevad Khan made it 6,000 to go from his position on the button. The small blind folded, but the player in the big blind elected to call. The flop came 644 and the big blind led out with a bet of 8,000. Khan announced a raise and moved all in for an additional 36,300. The camera crews came rushing over while the big blind deliberated his situation, ultimately deciding to call. “Nice call. Do you have a pair?” Khan asked, to which his opponent nodded and turned over 22. Khan turned over A7 and needed to catch a card. The 8 on the turn didn’t directly improve Khan, but the 6 on the river counterfeited the deuces and brought a round of gasps from the players and spectators. Khan’s ace-high was good enough to double him up and bring him close to 100,000 in chips.

The two players had a recent history. After a flop of 554 Khan bet 11,500 and his opponent called. Both players then checked the 7 on the turn and 10 on the river. The button then showed 33 which was enough to win the pot.

Rousso Makes Jacks Work

Vanessa Rousso was in the small blind, and play was folded until a player in late position moved all-in for 28,000. Rousso, not with a lot of chips herself, made the call and turned over JJ. The all-in player held 74, and the flop gave him numerous outs, coming 642. However he had two swings and misses, as the 2 came on the turn and 8 hit the river to send the chips to Rousso. She now has about 74,000 in chips.

Hansen Dominated

Gus Hansen raised to 6600 from middle position and the small blind then moved all-in for 17,500. Hansen admitted he wasn’t crazy about his cards. “This is my worst hand of the day, which means I’m probably going to call,” he said. He came close to folding, but finally threw in the chips to call. He didn’t like realizing he was up against A6. “Oh my God, I wanted diamonds,” he said, turning over K7. Neither player would connect with the board that finished J8432 and the small blind stayed alive. A few hands later in the big blind, Hansen was given a walk, at which time he flipped over another king-seven. “Now I’m one-for-two” he quipped.

Agarwal drops 12,200x3 with tens

Aditya Agarwal faced bets of 12,200 on the flop, turn and river and called every time. The board in the end was K8792 and Agarwal's opponent flipped over AJ for a flush. Agarwal showed the 10 for a worse flush. His opponent then asked to see his other card. Agarwal didn't like it, but his opponent saw it was the T. After the hand Agarwal had roughly 200,000 chips.

Player Tags: Gus Hansen,   Shawn Sheikhan,   Mike Matusow,   Vanessa Rousso,   Jason Gray,   Aditya Agarwal,   Hevad Khan,   Peter Traply

$10,000 Main Event - Day 2 Done

Jul 09, '08

Day 2 has come to an end. Almost 2,400 players played in Day 2B and only 855 made it to Day 3. There are no more flight days from here on in. The 1,324 players who survived Day 2 will gather in the Amazon Room Wednesday at noon and play another five levels. It may be a day that see's the field reach the 666 player mark, signaling the money bubble. Tune in to Card Player then for all of the live updates from Day 3 of the 2008 main event.

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

Players Left: 855 of 2,378

Chip Leaders:

Alex Outhred: 486,000
Peter Biebel: 380,000
Raja Kattamuri: 375,000
Steve Goosen: 358,000
Reagan Silber: 340,000
Darryl Ranconi: 315,000
Jason McClane: 312,000
Rafael Caiaffa: 310,000
Victor Ramdin: 307,000
Andrew Teng: 298,000

Spade Club:

David Kim: 112,000

Eliminations: David Singer, Bryan Micon, Tom Chambers, David Tran, Liz Lieu

Big Hands:

"The Goofball Beat Me, Honey!"

Phil Hellmuth raised to 4,000 under the gun and the player in seat 5 made the call. The flop came Q55 and Hellmuth checked, letting seat 5 bet 7,000. Hellmuth called and again checked when the 5 hit on the turn. Seat 5 bet 10,000 and Hellmuth removed his shades and studied the board and his opponent. After asking his opponent how much he had left, Hellmuth just called. The 10 fell on the river and seat 5 pushed all in for about 40,000. "Okay buddy, you win this one," Hellmuth said as he mucked his hand. "My turn next time, okay?"

But it wasn't okay with the layer in seat 5. Two hands later Hellmuth bet 7,500 on a flop of K53 and only seat 5 made the call. The A hit on the turn and Hellmuth led out for 13,000. Seat 5 announced he was all in and Hellmuth was stunned. He mucked and jumped from his seat to talk to his wife.

"The goofball beat me, honey!" he said to her. "He might be the worst player here by far."

But Hellmuth's confidence was still not shaken as he said, "I want to tell you something. He's going to be drawing dead against me in the next 10 minutes."

Chan Doubles, Demands Micon Gets His Drink

Johnny Chan raised to 4,600 from late position and was called by the big blind. The flop was J82 and the big blind led out for 11,000. Chan reached to his stack and re-raised, making it 26,000 more to go. The big blind wasted little time pushing all in, having Chan covered by around 12,000. Chan made the call and was all in for his tournament life. The big blind flipped up JJ for top set and was in the lead. But Chan showed J9 and was far from drawing dead. The turn brought the 6 to complete Chan's flush and the A completed the board, making Chan's flush the best hand and giving him reason to pump his fist as he doubled up to 180,000.
The table is an interesting one - featuring Chan, Bryan Micon and Shawn Sheikhan. After doubling up and cripping his opponent, Chan yelled "Get this man a drink!" The playful demand was in reference to Micon, who has been nursing his short stack and calling for a cocktail waitress for a while.

Suck & Re-Suck: Chris Grigorian Doubles Through David Singer

On a flop of A75, David Singer bet 6,000 and Chris Grgorian made the call. The turn was the A, and this time Singer led out with 15,000. Grigorian made the call and the river was the Q. Singer bet 30,000 and Grigorian quickly moved all in. Singer called just as quick and turned over A7 for a full house (aces full of sevens). Singer flopped top two pair and turned the full house. Grigorian showed AQ for a better full house (aces full of queens) on the river. Singer fell down to 42,000 in chips while "The Armenian Express" brought himself up over 100,000 this hand. Singer would bust later in the level.

Clements Tries to Defend, But Can't Connect

The player in seat 7 raised to 4,600 from the button and Scott Clements repopped to 10,200 from the small blind. Seat 7 made the call and the flop came down KJ6 and Clements blasted 20,000 into the pot. Seat 7 went nowhere, however, making the call. Both players checked the 2 on the turn and the river brought the 3. Both players checked again and Clements announced, "Ace high." Seat 7 turned over QJ for second pair and took a good sized pot. Clements was down to about 72,000.

THAY3R Gets Love From The Ladies

Thayer "THAY3R" Rasmussen called a short stack's all in bet and flipped over QQ. The all in player showed AJ and had one over-card. The board ran 98248 and Rasmussen knocked out another player while increasing his stack to around 110,000.

Don't Mess With Evelyn's Big Blind

The player in seat 8 raised to 3,300 from the button and Evelyn Ng repopped to 9,300 from the big blind. The button made the call and the flop came down K26 and Ng fired 14,000. Seat 8 nodded his head, signaling it was too much to call and folded his hand. Ng took the pot and increased her stack to a very healthy 176,000.

Micon Pushes Back, Then Gets Pushed Out

Shawn Sheikhan raised to 4,500 and Johnny Chan folded his hand from the small blind. Micon was next to act in the big blind and, after pump faking a fold, decided to push all in for 17,400 more. Sheikhan decided to muck his hand and Micon added some chips to his short stack. He was at 23,100 while Sheikhan was at 131,500. Micon would not last, however, as he would go bust later in the level.

Matusow Takes a Pot

Mike Matusow raised to 3,800 from under the gun. The player in seat 2 called from the button and the two players were heads up going to the flop. "It's just me and the other human card rack," Matusow said before the flop of J93 hit the felt. Matusow then led out with 6,400 and seat 2 quickly mucked. Matusow then showed his QQ and raked in the pot. He was around 70,000.

Player Tags: Chris Grigorian,   Evelyn Ng,   Shawn Sheikhan,   Mike Matusow,   David Singer,   Johnny Chan,   Scott Clements,   Bryan Micon,   Thayer Rasmussen

$10,000 Main Event - Day 2B - Level 7 (Hr. 1)

Jul 09, '08

Blinds: 300/600 with 75 ante

Eliminations:
Shannon Elizabeth.

Big Hands/Storylines

Hellmuth Catches Bluff

Action folded around to Phil Hellmuth who limped in middle position. His opponent, on the button, raised to 2,700, and Hellmuth made the call. Hellmuth checked in the dark before the 1083 flop and his opponent checked behind. Hellmuth then check-called a 3,200 bet on the J turn. The river was the J and Hellmuth checked again. His opponent thought for a few seconds before betting 5,700. “You’ve got me beat but I can’t lay this down,” said Hellmuth, moments before calling. His opponent rapped the table and showed 42. Hellmuth’s Q10 was good enough to take down the pot. Hellmuth’s epilogue: “Whenever I limp you guys just keep coming after me!”

With the pot Hellmuth increases his stack to about 90,000.

Excellent Call

A player raised from middle position and Jean-Robert Bellande re-raised to 5,600. The other player called and they saw a flop of A88. Both players checked. Both players checked again on the 9 turn. The river was the K and the other player checked. Bellande, sensing a good opportunity to take down the pot, bet 3,500. He was quickly called and turbo-mucked his hand. His opponent tabled KQ. Bellande is now down to 33,000.

D’Agostino Takes One From Gordon

With the board reading 962210 and about 8,000 in the pot, Phil Gordon bet 6,500 into John D’Agostino. D’Agostino thought for a few seconds before making the call. D’Agostino showed 109 for a rivered top two pair. Despite the hit, Gordon still has nearly 55,000. D'Agostino has 40k.

Elizabeth Bows Out

Shannon Elizabeth was shortstacked through the day, and finally elected to move all-in for her remaining 7150 when in the cut-off position and play folded to her. The button made the call however and showed AJ. It was a dominating hand over Elizabeth’s A8. The flop came QQ7, followed by the 6 and the 9, and Elizabeth was finished in the main event for 2008.

Shulman Nurses Shortstack

Jeff Shulman continues to hover around the 7,000 chip mark, looking for the right moment to double up. One attempt, a 2000 raise from the cut-off, resulted in a reraise to 5100 from the small blind, and Shulman folded, now down to 5300 total. However, he managed to steal the blinds and antes on successive hands minutes later to crawl back to around the 7000 mark.

Sheikhan, Chan Doing Battle

One noteworthy table pairing has experienced pros Johnny Chan and Shawn Sheikhan seated together in the Brasilia Room, with Chan to the immediate left of Sheikhan. In one recent hand, it was 2200 preflop with both players and another in the cut-off. A dangerous looking flop of AAK came down and was checked by all three players. After the 7 on the turn, Sheikhan, in the small blind, bet 6000. That brought about a pair of folds.

Min-Raise Enough for Booth

Brad Booth was in the cut-off, and with the blinds at 300/600 he put in a raise to 1200. Both blinds called. The flop came J22, and after both blinds checked Booth bet 3000. It was enough to take down the pot.

Allen Cunningham continues to be among the shortstacks, but after a recent double-up now has 22,000 in chips.

 

Player Tags: Jeff Shulman,   Shawn Sheikhan,   Johnny Chan,   Brad Booth,   Shannon Elizabeth

$10,000 Main Event - Sheikhan On the Rise

Jul 10, '08

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

Players Left: 693 of 6,844

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

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

Average Stack: 197,518

Eliminations: Alex Kravchenko, Toto Leonidas

Big Hands:

Sheikhan Knocks One Out, Breaks 500,000

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

Sheikhan: AQ
Seat 3: AJ

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

Nguyen Pushes Giang Out, Much to the Chagrin of Giang

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

Smith Taking Command

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

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

Turner Turns On The Jets

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

Ng Keeps Firing

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

Gazes Pushes Back

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

Good Luck Betting Out Vos

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

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

$10,000 Main Event - Day 3 - Level 12

Jul 10, '08

Blinds/Antes: 1,000-2,000-300

Players Remaining: 974 out of 6,844

Average Chip Stack: 137,000

Eliminations:

Tony Cousineau
Erik Seidel

Big Hands and Storylines:

Shawn Sheikhan Loses Half His Stack in Two Hands

Shawn Sheikhan raised to 6,500 from middle position and was called only by the two players in the blinds. On a flop of A75, the action was checked to Sheikhan who fired a bet of 12,000 into the pot. The small blind called, allowing the big blind to get out of the way. The turn brought the A and another check from the small blind. Sheikhan launched four orange 5,000 chips across the line, and the small blind made the call. “Black card,” Sheikhan requested as the dealer put down the Q on the river. “God damn it,” Sheikhan exclaimed upon sight of the red queen. The small blind checked, and Sheikhan announced that he held an ace. The small blind turned over J10 and Sheikhan was verbally distraught. He flashed the Ac as he mucked his cards.

On the next hand, the player under the gun raised to 7,000 and Sheikhan made the call as the next player to act. All other players folded, and the dealer put down a flop of J86. Both players checked, and the 9 came on the turn. Again the under-the-gun player checked, prompting a bet of 15,000 from Sheikhan which was quickly called. The player check-called another bet of Sheikhan’s, this time 20,000, when a blank fell on the river. “You got it,” Sheikhan declared after his opponent made the call. The player turned over 1010 and Sheikhan mucked his cards.

After the two-hand downward spiral, Sheikhan was left with only 110,00 in chips.

Traply Needs No Trap To Snare Gray

Peter Traply raised to 5,300 from early position and Jason Gray called from the cutoff. The flop was AJ10 and Traply led out for 9,500, Gray called. Traply bet another 22,000 on the 5 turn and Gray again called. The river was the 4 and Traply fired a third bullet – 48,000 – which Gray called after a minute of thought. Traply tabled KQ for a flopped straight which was good to take down the sizeable pot. Traply is now up to 245,000; Gray is down to 75,000.

Matusow Takes a Hit

Mike Matusow raised pre-flop from middle position and was met with an all-in raise from an opponent. Matusow learned that it would be 8,500 more to call, and call he did. Matusow was pleased to see that his Q10 was live against his opponent’s A3 . The board offered no help, however, as it ran out J545K . After losing that pot, Matusow is down to 112,000.

Hevad Khan Doubles Up with an Unlikely Suck Out

After the action folded around, Hevad Khan made it 6,000 to go from his position on the button. The small blind folded, but the player in the big blind elected to call. The flop came 644 and the big blind led out with a bet of 8,000. Khan announced a raise and moved all in for an additional 36,300. The camera crews came rushing over while the big blind deliberated his situation, ultimately deciding to call. “Nice call. Do you have a pair?” Khan asked, to which his opponent nodded and turned over 22. Khan turned over A7 and needed to catch a card. The 8 on the turn didn’t directly improve Khan, but the 6 on the river counterfeited the deuces and brought a round of gasps from the players and spectators. Khan’s ace-high was good enough to double him up and bring him close to 100,000 in chips.

The two players had a recent history. After a flop of 554 Khan bet 11,500 and his opponent called. Both players then checked the 7 on the turn and 10 on the river. The button then showed 33 which was enough to win the pot.

Rousso Makes Jacks Work

Vanessa Rousso was in the small blind, and play was folded until a player in late position moved all-in for 28,000. Rousso, not with a lot of chips herself, made the call and turned over JJ. The all-in player held 74, and the flop gave him numerous outs, coming 642. However he had two swings and misses, as the 2 came on the turn and 8 hit the river to send the chips to Rousso. She now has about 74,000 in chips.

Hansen Dominated

Gus Hansen raised to 6600 from middle position and the small blind then moved all-in for 17,500. Hansen admitted he wasn’t crazy about his cards. “This is my worst hand of the day, which means I’m probably going to call,” he said. He came close to folding, but finally threw in the chips to call. He didn’t like realizing he was up against A6. “Oh my God, I wanted diamonds,” he said, turning over K7. Neither player would connect with the board that finished J8432 and the small blind stayed alive. A few hands later in the big blind, Hansen was given a walk, at which time he flipped over another king-seven. “Now I’m one-for-two” he quipped.

Agarwal drops 12,200x3 with tens

Aditya Agarwal faced bets of 12,200 on the flop, turn and river and called every time. The board in the end was K8792 and Agarwal's opponent flipped over AJ for a flush. Agarwal showed the 10 for a worse flush. His opponent then asked to see his other card. Agarwal didn't like it, but his opponent saw it was the T. After the hand Agarwal had roughly 200,000 chips.

Player Tags: Gus Hansen,   Shawn Sheikhan,   Mike Matusow,   Vanessa Rousso,   Jason Gray,   Aditya Agarwal,   Hevad Khan,   Peter Traply

$10,000 Main Event - Day 2 Done

Jul 09, '08

Day 2 has come to an end. Almost 2,400 players played in Day 2B and only 855 made it to Day 3. There are no more flight days from here on in. The 1,324 players who survived Day 2 will gather in the Amazon Room Wednesday at noon and play another five levels. It may be a day that see's the field reach the 666 player mark, signaling the money bubble. Tune in to Card Player then for all of the live updates from Day 3 of the 2008 main event.

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

Players Left: 855 of 2,378

Chip Leaders:

Alex Outhred: 486,000
Peter Biebel: 380,000
Raja Kattamuri: 375,000
Steve Goosen: 358,000
Reagan Silber: 340,000
Darryl Ranconi: 315,000
Jason McClane: 312,000
Rafael Caiaffa: 310,000
Victor Ramdin: 307,000
Andrew Teng: 298,000

Spade Club:

David Kim: 112,000

Eliminations: David Singer, Bryan Micon, Tom Chambers, David Tran, Liz Lieu

Big Hands:

"The Goofball Beat Me, Honey!"

Phil Hellmuth raised to 4,000 under the gun and the player in seat 5 made the call. The flop came Q55 and Hellmuth checked, letting seat 5 bet 7,000. Hellmuth called and again checked when the 5 hit on the turn. Seat 5 bet 10,000 and Hellmuth removed his shades and studied the board and his opponent. After asking his opponent how much he had left, Hellmuth just called. The 10 fell on the river and seat 5 pushed all in for about 40,000. "Okay buddy, you win this one," Hellmuth said as he mucked his hand. "My turn next time, okay?"

But it wasn't okay with the layer in seat 5. Two hands later Hellmuth bet 7,500 on a flop of K53 and only seat 5 made the call. The A hit on the turn and Hellmuth led out for 13,000. Seat 5 announced he was all in and Hellmuth was stunned. He mucked and jumped from his seat to talk to his wife.

"The goofball beat me, honey!" he said to her. "He might be the worst player here by far."

But Hellmuth's confidence was still not shaken as he said, "I want to tell you something. He's going to be drawing dead against me in the next 10 minutes."

Chan Doubles, Demands Micon Gets His Drink

Johnny Chan raised to 4,600 from late position and was called by the big blind. The flop was J82 and the big blind led out for 11,000. Chan reached to his stack and re-raised, making it 26,000 more to go. The big blind wasted little time pushing all in, having Chan covered by around 12,000. Chan made the call and was all in for his tournament life. The big blind flipped up JJ for top set and was in the lead. But Chan showed J9 and was far from drawing dead. The turn brought the 6 to complete Chan's flush and the A completed the board, making Chan's flush the best hand and giving him reason to pump his fist as he doubled up to 180,000.
The table is an interesting one - featuring Chan, Bryan Micon and Shawn Sheikhan. After doubling up and cripping his opponent, Chan yelled "Get this man a drink!" The playful demand was in reference to Micon, who has been nursing his short stack and calling for a cocktail waitress for a while.

Suck & Re-Suck: Chris Grigorian Doubles Through David Singer

On a flop of A75, David Singer bet 6,000 and Chris Grgorian made the call. The turn was the A, and this time Singer led out with 15,000. Grigorian made the call and the river was the Q. Singer bet 30,000 and Grigorian quickly moved all in. Singer called just as quick and turned over A7 for a full house (aces full of sevens). Singer flopped top two pair and turned the full house. Grigorian showed AQ for a better full house (aces full of queens) on the river. Singer fell down to 42,000 in chips while "The Armenian Express" brought himself up over 100,000 this hand. Singer would bust later in the level.

Clements Tries to Defend, But Can't Connect

The player in seat 7 raised to 4,600 from the button and Scott Clements repopped to 10,200 from the small blind. Seat 7 made the call and the flop came down KJ6 and Clements blasted 20,000 into the pot. Seat 7 went nowhere, however, making the call. Both players checked the 2 on the turn and the river brought the 3. Both players checked again and Clements announced, "Ace high." Seat 7 turned over QJ for second pair and took a good sized pot. Clements was down to about 72,000.

THAY3R Gets Love From The Ladies

Thayer "THAY3R" Rasmussen called a short stack's all in bet and flipped over QQ. The all in player showed AJ and had one over-card. The board ran 98248 and Rasmussen knocked out another player while increasing his stack to around 110,000.

Don't Mess With Evelyn's Big Blind

The player in seat 8 raised to 3,300 from the button and Evelyn Ng repopped to 9,300 from the big blind. The button made the call and the flop came down K26 and Ng fired 14,000. Seat 8 nodded his head, signaling it was too much to call and folded his hand. Ng took the pot and increased her stack to a very healthy 176,000.

Micon Pushes Back, Then Gets Pushed Out

Shawn Sheikhan raised to 4,500 and Johnny Chan folded his hand from the small blind. Micon was next to act in the big blind and, after pump faking a fold, decided to push all in for 17,400 more. Sheikhan decided to muck his hand and Micon added some chips to his short stack. He was at 23,100 while Sheikhan was at 131,500. Micon would not last, however, as he would go bust later in the level.

Matusow Takes a Pot

Mike Matusow raised to 3,800 from under the gun. The player in seat 2 called from the button and the two players were heads up going to the flop. "It's just me and the other human card rack," Matusow said before the flop of J93 hit the felt. Matusow then led out with 6,400 and seat 2 quickly mucked. Matusow then showed his QQ and raked in the pot. He was around 70,000.

Player Tags: Chris Grigorian,   Evelyn Ng,   Shawn Sheikhan,   Mike Matusow,   David Singer,   Johnny Chan,   Scott Clements,   Bryan Micon,   Thayer Rasmussen

$10,000 Main Event - Day 2B - Level 7 (Hr. 1)

Jul 09, '08

Blinds: 300/600 with 75 ante

Eliminations:
Shannon Elizabeth.

Big Hands/Storylines

Hellmuth Catches Bluff

Action folded around to Phil Hellmuth who limped in middle position. His opponent, on the button, raised to 2,700, and Hellmuth made the call. Hellmuth checked in the dark before the 1083 flop and his opponent checked behind. Hellmuth then check-called a 3,200 bet on the J turn. The river was the J and Hellmuth checked again. His opponent thought for a few seconds before betting 5,700. “You’ve got me beat but I can’t lay this down,” said Hellmuth, moments before calling. His opponent rapped the table and showed 42. Hellmuth’s Q10 was good enough to take down the pot. Hellmuth’s epilogue: “Whenever I limp you guys just keep coming after me!”

With the pot Hellmuth increases his stack to about 90,000.

Excellent Call

A player raised from middle position and Jean-Robert Bellande re-raised to 5,600. The other player called and they saw a flop of A88. Both players checked. Both players checked again on the 9 turn. The river was the K and the other player checked. Bellande, sensing a good opportunity to take down the pot, bet 3,500. He was quickly called and turbo-mucked his hand. His opponent tabled KQ. Bellande is now down to 33,000.

D’Agostino Takes One From Gordon

With the board reading 962210 and about 8,000 in the pot, Phil Gordon bet 6,500 into John D’Agostino. D’Agostino thought for a few seconds before making the call. D’Agostino showed 109 for a rivered top two pair. Despite the hit, Gordon still has nearly 55,000. D'Agostino has 40k.

Elizabeth Bows Out

Shannon Elizabeth was shortstacked through the day, and finally elected to move all-in for her remaining 7150 when in the cut-off position and play folded to her. The button made the call however and showed AJ. It was a dominating hand over Elizabeth’s A8. The flop came QQ7, followed by the 6 and the 9, and Elizabeth was finished in the main event for 2008.

Shulman Nurses Shortstack

Jeff Shulman continues to hover around the 7,000 chip mark, looking for the right moment to double up. One attempt, a 2000 raise from the cut-off, resulted in a reraise to 5100 from the small blind, and Shulman folded, now down to 5300 total. However, he managed to steal the blinds and antes on successive hands minutes later to crawl back to around the 7000 mark.

Sheikhan, Chan Doing Battle

One noteworthy table pairing has experienced pros Johnny Chan and Shawn Sheikhan seated together in the Brasilia Room, with Chan to the immediate left of Sheikhan. In one recent hand, it was 2200 preflop with both players and another in the cut-off. A dangerous looking flop of AAK came down and was checked by all three players. After the 7 on the turn, Sheikhan, in the small blind, bet 6000. That brought about a pair of folds.

Min-Raise Enough for Booth

Brad Booth was in the cut-off, and with the blinds at 300/600 he put in a raise to 1200. Both blinds called. The flop came J22, and after both blinds checked Booth bet 3000. It was enough to take down the pot.

Allen Cunningham continues to be among the shortstacks, but after a recent double-up now has 22,000 in chips.

 

Player Tags: Jeff Shulman,   Shawn Sheikhan,   Johnny Chan,   Brad Booth,   Shannon Elizabeth