Phil Hellmuth - Live Updates

Level 17: Phil Hellmuth, Bill Gazes Eliminated

Jun 09, '09

Blinds: 5,000-10,000

Players Remaining: 22 out of 179

Chip Counts:

1. Sam Khouiss – 500,000
2. John Monnette – 330,000
3. Annie Duke – 300,000
4. Phil Ivey – 300,000
5. Scott Clements – 270,000
6. Alex Kravchenko – 260,000
7. Jacobo Fernandez – 260,000
8. Daniel Alaei – 235,000
9. Patt Pezzin – 190,000
10. Ted Lawson – 150,000

Average Chip Count: 233,478

Notable Eliminations:

Bill Gazes
Phil Hellmuth
Ralf Perry

Big Hands:

Phil Hellmuth Eliminated

On a board of 8589Q, Phil Hellmuth and John Monnette reached a show down with Monnette taking the whole pot with the A924 for a pair of nines. Hellmuth was down to just 38,000 after the hand.

Shortly after losing a couple more hands, with the AA3K, the short stack of Phil Hellmuth doubled through the big stack of John Monnette on a board of 9278A. Hellmuth scooped the pot and was up to a very modest stack of 40,000 before being eliminated shortly after.

Daniel Negreanu Mucks Winning Hand

On a board of 2Q7710, Annie Duke bet 20,000 and was called by another player. Negreanu went into the tank before finally releasing his hand that contained ace-queen, for two pair, queens and sevens. Duke mucked and the caller exposed a ten to take the pot. Negreanu left the table is frustration and is down to around 80,000 in chips.

Player Tags: Annie Duke,   Daniel Negreanu,   Phil Hellmuth,   John Monnette

Level 15 Update: Matthew Glantz, Jean-Robert Bellande Eliminated

Jun 08, '09

Blinds: 3000-6000

Players Remaining: 32 out of 179

Chip Counts:

1. John Monnette – 374,000
2. Sam Khouiss – 370,000
3. Daniel Alaei – 260,000
4. Phil Hellmuth – 217,000
5. Annie Duke – 215,000
6. Scott Clements – 212,000
7. Toto Leonidas – 180,000
8. Phil Ivey – 170,000
9. Chau Giang – 140,000
10. Daniel Negreanu – 130,000

Average Chip Count: 167,813

Notable Eliminations:

Matthew Glantz
Allen Kessler
Jean-Robert Bellande

Big Hands:

Matthew Glantz Eliminated

Riding the short stack for some time, Matthew Glantz raised all-in pre-flop with 346J and was called by the 5AQK of Steve Zolotow. The board ran out 72102K and Glantz was eliminated by the two pair of Zolotow, who is now up to 70,000 in chips.

Phil Hellmuth Wins Pot

On a flop of 8K3, Phil Hellmuth checked to Ralf Perry who elected to check behind. The 3 hit the turn and Hellmuth once again checked. Perry fired out a 12,000 chip bet and was instantly re-raised by Hellmuth. Perry thought briefly before folding. Hellmuth exposed two kings for a full house and an ace-5 for a low draw. Hellmuth is now up to 217,000 in chips.

Jean-Robert Bellade Short Stacked, Eliminated Soon After

On a board of 7938J, Jean-Robert Bellande was faced with a 12,000 chip bet by his opponent. With only 24,000 left in his stack, Bellande went into the tank before finally folding and saying, “the river probably cost you money.”

On a flop of 4KQ, Bellande got the rest of his chips into the middle against Annie Duke and Chau Giang. Bellande held the A248 and failed to catch against the 2352 of Giang and the KQJ7 of Duke. Giang won the low and Duke took the high, eliminating Bellande close to the money.

Player Tags: Annie Duke,   Steve Zolotow,   Phil Hellmuth,   Chau Giang,   Matthew Glantz,   Jean-Robert Bellande

Level 6 Update: Thang Luu Short Stacked

Jun 07, '09

Blinds: 400-800

Players Remaining: 167 out of 179

Chip Counts:

1. Sam Farha – 53,000
2. Freddy Deeb – 53,000
3. Jason Lester — 51,000
4. John D’Agostino – 49,000
5. David Benyamine – 49,000
6. Phil Hellmuth – 49,000
7. Scott Clements – 46,000
8. Phil Ivey – 45,000
9. Barry Greenstein – 43,000
10. Doyle Brunson – 41,000

Average Chip Count: 32,156

Big Hands:

Phil Hellmuth and Chau Giang Split Pot

On a board of AQ868, Hellmuth bet and was called by Giang and another opponent.

Their cards:

Hellmuth: QQJ10

Giang: 32K9

Once their two hands were exposed, the other player in the hand folded and Hellmuth and Giang split the pot. Hellmuth had a full house for the high and Giang held the low of 3-2. Hellmuth is now up to 49,000 and Giang is at 27,000.

Thang Luu Wins Much Needed Pot

Bruno Fitoussi, Thang Luu, Greg Raymer and Ted Lawson all saw a flop of 9Q5. The A hit the turn and only Luu and Lawson were left in the hand. The K fell on the river and the action went check-check. Luu exposed the A987 for two pair, which was good to scoop the whole pot against Lawson. Luu is at 10,000 in chips.

Left In The Deck:

The players are now on a short 20 minute break.

Thang Luu, the winner of back to back Omaha 8OB bracelets in 2008 and 2009 respectively, is short stacked now with 10,000 in chips.

Player Tags: Phil Hellmuth,   Chau Giang,   Thang Luu

Level 17: Phil Hellmuth, Bill Gazes Eliminated

Jun 09, '09

Blinds: 5,000-10,000

Players Remaining: 22 out of 179

Chip Counts:

1. Sam Khouiss – 500,000
2. John Monnette – 330,000
3. Annie Duke – 300,000
4. Phil Ivey – 300,000
5. Scott Clements – 270,000
6. Alex Kravchenko – 260,000
7. Jacobo Fernandez – 260,000
8. Daniel Alaei – 235,000
9. Patt Pezzin – 190,000
10. Ted Lawson – 150,000

Average Chip Count: 233,478

Notable Eliminations:

Bill Gazes
Phil Hellmuth
Ralf Perry

Big Hands:

Phil Hellmuth Eliminated

On a board of 8589Q, Phil Hellmuth and John Monnette reached a show down with Monnette taking the whole pot with the A924 for a pair of nines. Hellmuth was down to just 38,000 after the hand.

Shortly after losing a couple more hands, with the AA3K, the short stack of Phil Hellmuth doubled through the big stack of John Monnette on a board of 9278A. Hellmuth scooped the pot and was up to a very modest stack of 40,000 before being eliminated shortly after.

Daniel Negreanu Mucks Winning Hand

On a board of 2Q7710, Annie Duke bet 20,000 and was called by another player. Negreanu went into the tank before finally releasing his hand that contained ace-queen, for two pair, queens and sevens. Duke mucked and the caller exposed a ten to take the pot. Negreanu left the table is frustration and is down to around 80,000 in chips.

Player Tags: Annie Duke,   Daniel Negreanu,   Phil Hellmuth,   John Monnette

Level 15 Update: Matthew Glantz, Jean-Robert Bellande Eliminated

Jun 08, '09

Blinds: 3000-6000

Players Remaining: 32 out of 179

Chip Counts:

1. John Monnette – 374,000
2. Sam Khouiss – 370,000
3. Daniel Alaei – 260,000
4. Phil Hellmuth – 217,000
5. Annie Duke – 215,000
6. Scott Clements – 212,000
7. Toto Leonidas – 180,000
8. Phil Ivey – 170,000
9. Chau Giang – 140,000
10. Daniel Negreanu – 130,000

Average Chip Count: 167,813

Notable Eliminations:

Matthew Glantz
Allen Kessler
Jean-Robert Bellande

Big Hands:

Matthew Glantz Eliminated

Riding the short stack for some time, Matthew Glantz raised all-in pre-flop with 346J and was called by the 5AQK of Steve Zolotow. The board ran out 72102K and Glantz was eliminated by the two pair of Zolotow, who is now up to 70,000 in chips.

Phil Hellmuth Wins Pot

On a flop of 8K3, Phil Hellmuth checked to Ralf Perry who elected to check behind. The 3 hit the turn and Hellmuth once again checked. Perry fired out a 12,000 chip bet and was instantly re-raised by Hellmuth. Perry thought briefly before folding. Hellmuth exposed two kings for a full house and an ace-5 for a low draw. Hellmuth is now up to 217,000 in chips.

Jean-Robert Bellade Short Stacked, Eliminated Soon After

On a board of 7938J, Jean-Robert Bellande was faced with a 12,000 chip bet by his opponent. With only 24,000 left in his stack, Bellande went into the tank before finally folding and saying, “the river probably cost you money.”

On a flop of 4KQ, Bellande got the rest of his chips into the middle against Annie Duke and Chau Giang. Bellande held the A248 and failed to catch against the 2352 of Giang and the KQJ7 of Duke. Giang won the low and Duke took the high, eliminating Bellande close to the money.

Player Tags: Annie Duke,   Steve Zolotow,   Phil Hellmuth,   Chau Giang,   Matthew Glantz,   Jean-Robert Bellande

Level 6 Update: Thang Luu Short Stacked

Jun 07, '09

Blinds: 400-800

Players Remaining: 167 out of 179

Chip Counts:

1. Sam Farha – 53,000
2. Freddy Deeb – 53,000
3. Jason Lester — 51,000
4. John D’Agostino – 49,000
5. David Benyamine – 49,000
6. Phil Hellmuth – 49,000
7. Scott Clements – 46,000
8. Phil Ivey – 45,000
9. Barry Greenstein – 43,000
10. Doyle Brunson – 41,000

Average Chip Count: 32,156

Big Hands:

Phil Hellmuth and Chau Giang Split Pot

On a board of AQ868, Hellmuth bet and was called by Giang and another opponent.

Their cards:

Hellmuth: QQJ10

Giang: 32K9

Once their two hands were exposed, the other player in the hand folded and Hellmuth and Giang split the pot. Hellmuth had a full house for the high and Giang held the low of 3-2. Hellmuth is now up to 49,000 and Giang is at 27,000.

Thang Luu Wins Much Needed Pot

Bruno Fitoussi, Thang Luu, Greg Raymer and Ted Lawson all saw a flop of 9Q5. The A hit the turn and only Luu and Lawson were left in the hand. The K fell on the river and the action went check-check. Luu exposed the A987 for two pair, which was good to scoop the whole pot against Lawson. Luu is at 10,000 in chips.

Left In The Deck:

The players are now on a short 20 minute break.

Thang Luu, the winner of back to back Omaha 8OB bracelets in 2008 and 2009 respectively, is short stacked now with 10,000 in chips.

Player Tags: Phil Hellmuth,   Chau Giang,   Thang Luu

End of Day 1

Jun 03, '09

The $2,500 No-Limit Deuce to Seven Draw tournament attracted a field of 147 and somehow played itself down to a ridiculously small field size of 35. Keep in mind that this tournament is scheduled for three days, so it’s possible that the players will have a short run towards the final table on Wednesday.

Notables still in contention include Phil Hellmuth, John Monette, Erick Lindgren, Phil Ivey, John Juanda and Barry Greenstein and Layne Flack. Six-time bracelet winner Layne Flack is the chip leader going into today with 75,125.

Join us when the action resumes at 2 p.m. as we bring you hourly chip count updates all the way to the final table.

Player Tags: Erick Lindgren,   Barry Greenstein,   John Juanda,   Layne Flack,   Phil Hellmuth,   Phil Ivey

Level 10 Update: Fitoussi's Stack Grows

May 28, '09

Blinds: 2,000-4,000 with 500 ante

Players Remaining: 89 out of 201

Chip Counts:

1. Bruno Fitoussi – 812,500
2. Chris Moneymaker – 805,000
3. Emil Patel – 615,000
4. Lex Veldhuis – 606,500
5. Justin Bonomo – 570,000
6. Michael DeMichele – 550,000
7. Kyle Wilson – 520,000
8. Brian Townsend – 512,000
9. Alan Sass – 440,000
10. Matt Marafioti – 415,000

Average Chip Count: 271,011

Notable Eliminations:

Phil Laak
Phil Hellmuth
Nenad Medic
Vivek Rajkumar
Bertrand Grospellier

Big Hands:

Rousso Drops a Pot to Mizzi

On a board that read 54433 Sorel Mizzi fired 25,000 into the pot. Vanessa Rousso made the call and Mizzi tabled 99 and Rousso could not find a better hand, mucking her holding. She was down to around 138,000 while Mizzi improved to 312,000.

Raymer Tries a Switcheroo On The Magician

Antonio Esfandiari raised to 12,000 from the small blind and Greg Raymer made the call from the big blind. The flop came J84 and Esfandiari fired 25,000. Raymer tanked for a bit, then traded cards with Esfandiari. “If I could do this I would call,” he said. Then he mucked both hands, giving Esfandiari the pot. Raymer was down to 190,000 while Esfandiari was around 390,000 after the hand.

Later, Raymer improved his stack when his J10 was good enough on a board of J6A9A. His opponent flashed the 9 and Raymer picked up a pot.

Fitoussi Outflops Jacob

Alex Jacob fired 11,000 under the gun and Fitoussi repopped it to 27,000 from the button. Bill Chen folded his big blind and Jacob called. The flop came out Q107 and both players checked. The turn was the 3 and Jacob fired 40,000. Fitoussi called and the river was the K. Both players checked and Fitoussi showed AQ for top pair on the flop, besting Jacob’s pocket 99. Jacob was down to 295,000 while Fitoussi improved to 570,000.

Phil Busts Phil

Phil Ivey knocked out Phil Hellmuth when the Poker Brat moved in with ace-jack. Ivey tabled ace-king and the board ran out with a king, ending Hellmuth’s day.

Player Tags: Antonio Esfandiari,   Phil Hellmuth,   Bruno Fitoussi,   Phil Ivey,   Greg Raymer,   Vanessa Rousso,   Alex Jacob,   Sorel Mizzi

Level 7 Update: Jason Mercier Busts Adam Geyer

May 28, '09

Blinds: 1,000-2,000 with 300 ante

Players Remaining: 141 out of 201

Chip Counts:

1. Lex Veldhuis — 530,000
2. Justin Bonomo — 470,000
3. Antonio Esfandiari — 470,000
4. Alan Sass — 450,000
5. Chris Moneymaker — 380,000
6. Bruno Fitoussi — 367,000
7. Andy Black — 343,000
8. Mark Seif — 330,000
9. Phil Galfond — 320,000
10. Frank Kassela — 310,000

Average Chip Count: 171,000

Notable Eliminations:

Adam “csimmsux” Geyer
Mikael Thuritz
Eli Elezra
Jennifer Harman
Gavin Smith
Jeff Garza

Big Hands:

Jason Mercier Takes Out Adam Geyer

Antonio Esfandiari raised to 6,400 from the cutoff and Adam Geyer reraised to 17,000 on the button. The action moved to Jason Mercier who reraised from the small blind. Esfandiari folded and Geyer reluctantly moved in for his last 30,000 or so. Mercier flipped up pocket aces and Geyer showed down pocket queens.

The board ran out K10542 giving no help to the three-time FTOPS champion and Geyer was eliminated. Mercier now has 255,000 in chips.

David Baker Chips Up

On a board reading 952A Isaac Haxton bet 15,000. David “WhooooKidd” Baker stared his opponent down and decided to make the call. The river was the J and Haxton went into the tank. After about three minutes of dead silence, he tapped the table and Baker followed suit. Haxton turned over 76 for a missed straight draw and Baker showed K9 to take the pot with third pair. Baker now has 247,000 in chips.

Andy Bloch Getting Picked on by Alec Torelli

After losing a big pot earlier to Torelli, Bloch checked a board showing J1047k. Torelli launched a bet of 25,000 and Bloch went into a massive tank session. After almost 10 minutes, Bloch made the call. Torelli flipped over KJ for top two pair. Bloch mucked and his stack dwindled to 17,000. Torelli was at 250,000.

A few hands later, Bloch doubled up with pocket kings against his opponent’s ace-queen.

Chris Moore Doubles Through Andy Black

Andy Black raised to 6,000 from the hijack. Chris Moore was next to act and move in for his last 30,000. Black talked to Moore for a bit before making the call and showing 55. More showed AJ and the board ran out J610Q4, giving Moore top pair and doubling him up to 60,000. Black took a slight hit, leaving his stack at 350,000.

“Action” Jeff Garza Sent Home By Phil Galfond

Jeff Garza was all in and called holding A-Q but was dominated by Phil Galfond’s superior A-K. The board rolled out nine high offering no help to the recently turned 21 Garza. Galfond now has a stack of 320,000.

Phil Hellmuth Crippled By Alan “The Usher” Sass

Alan Sass raised to 5,500 and Phil Hellmuth reraised to 15,000 directly behind him. Sass made the call and the flop came out 654. Sass led into Hellmuth for 19,400 and Hellmuth called.

The turn was the K and Sass checked. Hellmuth fired in a bet of 35,000 and Sass called. The river was the Q and Hellmuth moved all in for 183,000, which had Sass covered by about 37,000. Sass called showing K9 and Hellmuth mucked his hand.

After the hand, Hellmuth pulled one of our reporters aside to admit that he held A-7 for a busted open-ended straight draw. “I’d get penalized for saying this at the table, but I just wanted to let it be known that the most horrible players in the world usually beat me,” said Hellmuth.

The hand drew further attention when it was revealed that the dealer had miscounted the all-in stacks, giving Sass some more of Hellmuth chips. Hellmuth, clearly upset, responded with, “What are you trying to give it all to him?”

Not quite, as Hellmuth still has about 37,000 in chips.

Russell Rosenblum Doubles Up

Russell Rosenblum found himself and his stack of about 100,000 all in preflop holding pocket kings against the pocket jacks of Philippe Rouas. The kings held and Rosenblum safely doubled up to about 210,000.

Player Tags: Andy Bloch,   Antonio Esfandiari,   Phil Hellmuth,   Russell Rosenblum,   Andy Black,   Chris Moore,   Alan Sass,   Adam Geyer,   Alec Torelli,   Philippe Rouas,   David Baker,   Jason Mercier

Level 4 Update: Negreanu Busted

May 28, '09

Blinds:500-1,000 with a 100 ante

Players Remaining: 189 out of 201

Chip Counts:

1. Phil Laak — 280,00
2. Tony G — 255,000
3. Scott Seiver — 250,000
4. Justin Bonomo — 240,000
5. David Chiu — 240,000
6. Michael DeMichele — 230,000
7. Evan McNiff — 215,000
8. Markus Lehmann — 215,000
9. Kyle Wilson — 210,000
10. Nam Le — 205,000

Average Chip Count: 127,619

Notable Eliminations:

Florian Langmann
John Juanda
Jonathan Little
Daniel Negreanu

Big Hands:

Nam Le Flops a Set, Climbs Up the Leaderboard

On a board of J72K, Nam Le bets 15,000, the player in seat 6 raises to 34,000, Ryan Fair folds, and Nam Le calls the raise after a few minutes in the tank. The river is the 8, and seat 6 checks to Le who bets 25,000. Seat 6 calls and Le turns over 22 for bottom set. Seat 6 mucks his hand and Le rakes the pot. Le is up to 205,000 after this hand, securing himself a current spot on the leaderboard.

Phil Galfond doubles up

With AA, Phil Galfond moved all in and was called by seat 6 with AK. The flop was 99A, and Galfond was free rolling. Running nines did not come and Galfond doubled up to 218,000.

Markus Lehmann Wins Big Pot, Breaks 200K

Kathy Liebert raises to 2,300 from under the gun, David Benefield reraises to 8,2000 from middle position, Markus Lehmann calls from the button, Blake Cahail calls from the big blind, and Kathy Liebert calls the reraise. The flop comes K94, Benefield and bets 11,700. Lehmann calls while both Cahail and Liebert fold. The turn is the K, and both players check. The river is the 2, and both players check again. Bennefield turns over 88 while Lehmann shows JJ for the better two-pair. Lehmann climbs up the leaderboard to 215,000 this hand while Benefield falls to 110,000, follwed by Liebert with 80,000 and Cahail with 65,000.

Scott Seiver Takes a Hand against Phil Hellmuth

On a flop of AAA, Hellmuth bet out 8,000 and Seiver quickly called. Hellmuth checked dark and the turn was the 5 and Seiver checked behind. The river was the A, putting all four aces on the board and Hellmuth checked. Seiver made a big bet and Hellmuth said, “I don’t think I can call you with 6 high,” before showing pocket sixes and folding.

Andy Bloch Moves All-in

Four way action pre-flop had pros J.C. Tran, Alec Torelli, Yevgeniy Timoshenko and Andy Bloch see a flop of 994. Bloch checked and Timoshenko bet out 18,000. Tran quickly folded and Torelli, the pre-flop raiser, contemplated for awhile and called. Action was back to Bloch, who moved all in for 53,100 more and Timoshenko instantly folded. Torelli asked for a count before eventually folding.

Daniel Negreanu is Eliminated

The short stacked Negreanu raised pre-flop with ace queen and was set all in by Doug Lee for 35,000, who was holding pocket threes. The flop brought a queen and everything looked good for a double up, however a 3 on the turn gave Lee a set and had Negreanu drawing dead.

Left In The Deck:

Phil Hellmuth and Phil Ivey, both at the same table, have begun negotiating prop bets.

Player Tags: Kathy Liebert,   Andy Bloch,   Nam Le,   Phil Hellmuth,   Phil Ivey,   Markus Lehmann,   Phil Galfond,   Scott Seiver,   David Benefield,   Yevgeniy Timoshenko,   Blake Cahail

Level 3 Update: Dario Minieri Eliminated

May 28, '09

Blinds: 400-800 with a 100 ante

Players Remaining: 180 out of 201

Chip Counts:

1. Ted Forrest — 310,000
2. Antonio Esfandiari — 305,000
3. Scott Seiver — 300,000
4. Justin Bonomo — 275,000
5. Jeff Lisandro — 270,000
6. Tony G — 260,000
7. Vivek Rajkumar — 255,000
8. Lex Veldhuis — 240,000
9. Brian Townsend — 225,000
10. Matthew Glantz — 220,000

Average Chip Count: 134,000

Notable Eliminations:

Dario Minieri
Jonathan Little
Peter Jetten
Sergey Rybachenko
Christian Harder
Ted Lawson
Dwyte Pilgrim
Per Ummer
Steve Gross

Big Hands:

David Singer Takes a Pot From Lex Vuldhuis

Davis Singer opens the pot for 2,200 from middle position and Lex Veldhuis calls from the button. The flop comes KQ7, Singer bets 4,500 and Veldhuis calls. The tuen is the 3, and Singer bets 11,000. Veldhuis mucks and Singer rakes the pot. After this hand, Singer climbs to 130,000 while Veldhuis falls to 110,000 in chips.

Dario Minieri is Eliminated

Matthew Glantz and Dario Minieri got it all in on the flop of J98, with Minieri holding 88 and Glantz having him covered with 99.

Alec Torelli Wins Pot

On a board of AKJ6, Torelli bet 50,000 on the turn from the small blind into J.C. Tran on the button. Tran thought about it briefly and then folded.

Shawn Buchanan Gets Something Going

After a pre-flop raise, and with about 10,000 now in the pot, Shawn Buchanan bets 6,500 on a fop of 442. Freddy Deeb calls and the turn is the 5. Buchanan bets 13,000 and Deeb folds. Buchanan rakes the pot, winning back some of the chips he gave to Deeb earlier in the day. After this hand Buchanan is up to 72,000 while Deeb falls to 130,000.

JC Tran Buys a Pot With a Bet on the River

Gavin Griffin raises to 2,400 from middle position and JC Tran calls from the small blind. The flop comes 775, Griffin bets 3,500 and Tran calls. The turn is the K, and both players check around. The river is the 2, and this time Tran leads out for 6,000. Griffin mucks and Tran rakes the pot. Tran is up to 140,000 this hand while Griffin falls just under the 100,000 mark.

Daniel Negreanu Folds on the River

On a board of AK98, Negreanu bet 15,000 into David Steicke, who called. The river brought the 5 and Negreanu checked. Steicke thought for awhile and then bet 20,000 into the 50,000 chip pot. Negreanu immdediately looked disgusted and went into the tank saying, “You must have a flush.” Negreanu eventually folded and Steicke said he had a flush and gut shot straight draw on the turn. Negreanu is down to under 40,000 in chips.

Left In The Deck:

Phil Hellmuth has just taken his seat after an almost 3 level absence.

Player Tags: J.C. Tran,   Daniel Negreanu,   Phil Hellmuth,   Shawn Buchanan,   Gavin Griffin,   Matthew Glantz,   Dario Minieri,   Freddy Deeb,   Alec Torelli

Level 3 Update -- Phil Hellmuth Eliminated

Apr 18, '09

Level: 3
Blinds: 100-200 with a 25 ante

Notable Chip Counts:

Vadim Trincher -- 218,000
Amnon Filippi -- 210,000
Andy Bloch -- 207,000
Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier -- 181,000
Rhynie Campbell -- 175,000

Notable Eliminations:

Phil Hellmuth
Daniel Alaei

---

Key Hands:

Phil Hellmuth Arrives at 4 p.m.... Leaves at 4:15 p.m.

Recent World Poker Tour runner-up Amnon Filippi and Phil Hellmuth got involved in a huge pot just after Hellmuth arrived. Both players were in for 10,000 preflop with Hellmuth pushing the action. They checked a flop of 9 9 2 and Filippi bet 8,500 when the 6 hit the turn. Hellmuth raised to 30,000 and Filippi made the call. The river was the K and Filippi moved all in. Hellmuth eventually mucked, claiming he had pocket aces and insinuated that Filippi rivered a full house with pocket kings. Filippi mockingly admitted to the pocket kings but failed to show his cards.

A few hands later, both players were at it again. This time they were in for 3,000 and the flop came 10 6 3. Filippi checked and Hellmuth bet 5,000, which was called. Filippi check-called another 10,000 on the 2 turn and the river was the Q. Hellmuth bet 22,000 and Filippi moved all in.

Hellmuth tanked and eventually called all in for his last 30,000 with 10-3 for a flopped two pair. Filippi showed pocket queens for a rivered set and Hellmuth was eliminated from the tournament. That pot boosted Filippi's stack to 210,000.

Matthew Glantz Hits Quads and Gets Action

On a board of K 8 6 8 7, a player bet 20,000 and Matthew Glantz moved all in for 55,000 or so. His bet was called and Glantz showed two red eights for quads. He now has 165,000 in chips.

 

Player Tags: Phil Hellmuth,   Amnon Filippi,   Matthew Glantz

Level 6 Update

Mar 16, '09

Player Tags: Lee Watkinson,   Phil Hellmuth,   Jerry Yang,   Soheil Shamseddin

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

Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier Defeats Phil Hellmuth

Mar 08, '09

On the fifth hand of heads up play, Phil Hellmuth raiased on the button and Bertrand Grospellier reraised. Hellmuth moved all in and Grospellier made the call, having him covered.

Hellmuth showed QQ, but he was crushed by Grospellier's AA.

The board safely rolled out 1083102 and Hellmuth was eliminated, earning $75,000. Grospellier will now move on to face the winner between Vanessa Rousso and Daniel Negreanu.

 

 

 

 

 

Player Tags: Phil Hellmuth,   Bertrand Grospellier

Phil Hellmuth Defeats Tom Dwan

Mar 07, '09

Over at the featured table, Phil Hellmuth leaped from his seat, gave a few silent fist pumps and paced around the room for a few seconds. Then he went back to the table, turned over his cards and shook Tom Dwan's hand.

Apparently, Hellmuth won his match against Dwan, although you wouldn't know it by the zero announcing that came from the staff here. The crowd, the rest of the media and many of the crew are completely clueless to the details, but all we can say is.... You're going to have to catch that one on T.V.

Dwan earns $25,000 and Hellmuth moves on to face the winner between Bertrand Grospellier and John Juanda.

Wasicka and Rousso have been moved into the featured table.

Player Tags: Phil Hellmuth,   Tom Dwan

Phil Hellmuth Defeats Jeffrey Ishbia

Mar 07, '09

Phil Hellmuth opened up a huge lead on qualifier Jeffrey Ishbia. At one point in the match, Hellmuth had a 77,500 to 2,500 lead.

Ishbia fought back and doubled up a few times, but on the final hand his K-7 failed to catch up to Hellmuth's pocket queens.

Ishbia is eliminated and Hellmuth will now have his highly anticipated rematch with Tom "durrrr" Dwan.







 

Player Tags: Phil Hellmuth,   Jeffrey Ishbia

Phil Hellmuth Defeats Mike Sexton

Mar 06, '09

Phil Hellmuth had a very, very slight lead over Mike Sexton when the two players got it all in preflop.

Hellmuth held A-J, but was behind to Sexton's pocket queens.

The flop came J-9-8 giving Hellmuth more outs with a jack. The turn was a 4, and Hellmuth was down to his final five outs. The river was an Ace! and Hellmuth eliminated Sexton from the tournament.

Hellmuth advances to take on the winner of the match between Jeffrey Ishbia and Leon Yanovski.

 

 

 

 

Player Tags: Phil Hellmuth,   Mike Sexton

Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier Defeats Phil Hellmuth

Mar 08, '09

On the fifth hand of heads up play, Phil Hellmuth raiased on the button and Bertrand Grospellier reraised. Hellmuth moved all in and Grospellier made the call, having him covered.

Hellmuth showed QQ, but he was crushed by Grospellier's AA.

The board safely rolled out 1083102 and Hellmuth was eliminated, earning $75,000. Grospellier will now move on to face the winner between Vanessa Rousso and Daniel Negreanu.

 

 

 

 

 

Player Tags: Phil Hellmuth,   Bertrand Grospellier

Phil Hellmuth Defeats Tom Dwan

Mar 07, '09

Over at the featured table, Phil Hellmuth leaped from his seat, gave a few silent fist pumps and paced around the room for a few seconds. Then he went back to the table, turned over his cards and shook Tom Dwan's hand.

Apparently, Hellmuth won his match against Dwan, although you wouldn't know it by the zero announcing that came from the staff here. The crowd, the rest of the media and many of the crew are completely clueless to the details, but all we can say is.... You're going to have to catch that one on T.V.

Dwan earns $25,000 and Hellmuth moves on to face the winner between Bertrand Grospellier and John Juanda.

Wasicka and Rousso have been moved into the featured table.

Player Tags: Phil Hellmuth,   Tom Dwan

Phil Hellmuth Defeats Jeffrey Ishbia

Mar 07, '09

Phil Hellmuth opened up a huge lead on qualifier Jeffrey Ishbia. At one point in the match, Hellmuth had a 77,500 to 2,500 lead.

Ishbia fought back and doubled up a few times, but on the final hand his K-7 failed to catch up to Hellmuth's pocket queens.

Ishbia is eliminated and Hellmuth will now have his highly anticipated rematch with Tom "durrrr" Dwan.







 

Player Tags: Phil Hellmuth,   Jeffrey Ishbia

Phil Hellmuth Defeats Mike Sexton

Mar 06, '09

Phil Hellmuth had a very, very slight lead over Mike Sexton when the two players got it all in preflop.

Hellmuth held A-J, but was behind to Sexton's pocket queens.

The flop came J-9-8 giving Hellmuth more outs with a jack. The turn was a 4, and Hellmuth was down to his final five outs. The river was an Ace! and Hellmuth eliminated Sexton from the tournament.

Hellmuth advances to take on the winner of the match between Jeffrey Ishbia and Leon Yanovski.

 

 

 

 

Player Tags: Phil Hellmuth,   Mike Sexton

Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier Defeats Phil Hellmuth

Mar 08, '09

On the fifth hand of heads up play, Phil Hellmuth raiased on the button and Bertrand Grospellier reraised. Hellmuth moved all in and Grospellier made the call, having him covered.

Hellmuth showed QQ, but he was crushed by Grospellier's AA.

The board safely rolled out 1083102 and Hellmuth was eliminated, earning $75,000. Grospellier will now move on to face the winner between Vanessa Rousso and Daniel Negreanu.

 

 

 

 

 

Player Tags: Phil Hellmuth,   Bertrand Grospellier

Phil Hellmuth Defeats Tom Dwan

Mar 07, '09

Over at the featured table, Phil Hellmuth leaped from his seat, gave a few silent fist pumps and paced around the room for a few seconds. Then he went back to the table, turned over his cards and shook Tom Dwan's hand.

Apparently, Hellmuth won his match against Dwan, although you wouldn't know it by the zero announcing that came from the staff here. The crowd, the rest of the media and many of the crew are completely clueless to the details, but all we can say is.... You're going to have to catch that one on T.V.

Dwan earns $25,000 and Hellmuth moves on to face the winner between Bertrand Grospellier and John Juanda.

Wasicka and Rousso have been moved into the featured table.

Player Tags: Phil Hellmuth,   Tom Dwan

Phil Hellmuth Defeats Jeffrey Ishbia

Mar 07, '09

Phil Hellmuth opened up a huge lead on qualifier Jeffrey Ishbia. At one point in the match, Hellmuth had a 77,500 to 2,500 lead.

Ishbia fought back and doubled up a few times, but on the final hand his K-7 failed to catch up to Hellmuth's pocket queens.

Ishbia is eliminated and Hellmuth will now have his highly anticipated rematch with Tom "durrrr" Dwan.







 

Player Tags: Phil Hellmuth,   Jeffrey Ishbia

Phil Hellmuth Defeats Mike Sexton

Mar 06, '09

Phil Hellmuth had a very, very slight lead over Mike Sexton when the two players got it all in preflop.

Hellmuth held A-J, but was behind to Sexton's pocket queens.

The flop came J-9-8 giving Hellmuth more outs with a jack. The turn was a 4, and Hellmuth was down to his final five outs. The river was an Ace! and Hellmuth eliminated Sexton from the tournament.

Hellmuth advances to take on the winner of the match between Jeffrey Ishbia and Leon Yanovski.

 

 

 

 

Player Tags: Phil Hellmuth,   Mike Sexton

CardPlayer TV: Phil Hellmuth Doubles Up

Feb 22, '09

Player Tags: Phil Hellmuth

Level 2 Update

Feb 21, '09

Level: 2

Blinds/Antes: 50-100

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Score Board

Players Left: 645 of 696

Notable Chip Counts

Hevad Khan: 45,000
Phil Laak: 38,000
David Pham: 37,500
Jeremy Joseph: 35,000
Kevin Saul: 31,500
Scott Seiver: 30,000
Haralabos Voulagaris: 29,000
Dan Shak: 28,000
Shannon Shorr: 27,000
Chris McCormack 26,000

Average: 21,550

Eliminations: Scotty Nguyen, Scott Montgomery, Mike Leah

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Big Hands:

Jeremy Joseph Doubles Up

On a flop of 864 Jeremy Joseph bet 450 from the small blind and seat made the call from the cutoff. The K fell on the turn and Joseph bet 5,500 into a pot worth 4,700. His opponent called and the river fell 8. Joseph moved all in and seat 8 snap called. Joseph flipped up pocket jacks and seat 8 mucked. This doubled up Joseph and he is now among the chip leaders in the tournament.

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Featured Table:

Table 21:

Seat 1: Phil Laak -- up to 38,000
Seat 2: Chau Giang
Seat 3: Shaun Deeb
Seat 4: Dustin Woolf
Seat 5: Anna Wroblewski
Seat 6: Robert Mizrachi
Seat 7: Dennis Phillips
Seat 9: Joe Sebok

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Left in the Deck

Enter Hellmuth

Phil Hellmuth made his standard late arrival during level 2 today. Even after he was among the last players to buy in to the event he still didn't take his seat and walked around the room to say his hello's to everyone.

The Champ is Here

Another late arrival was the champion of the $10,000 heads-up tournament, Vivek Rajkumar. Rajkumar only got a few hours of sleep after capturing the heads-up title just before 6 a.m. He received a round of applause from the room when Matt Savage intorduced him upon his arrival.

Player Tags: Phil Hellmuth,   Vivek Rajkumar,   Jeremy Joseph