Thang Luu Poker Tournament Updates

Dinner Break Summary

May 30, '10

The players are now on dinner break on day 1 at the $1,500 Omaha eight-or-better event at the 2010 World Series of Poker. The tournament attracted a total of 818 participants and 701 remain at the break.

The total prize pool for the event is $1,104,300 and the top prize is $237,421. The top 81 players will walk away with at least $2,750 in prize money.

The leader board is crowded with some of the biggest names in poker. Here is a look at the top 10 in chips at the break:

Allyn Jaffrey Shulman: 13,500
Barry Shulman: 13,000
Shaun Deeb: 10,000
George Lind: 9,000
Rep Porter: 9,000
Jeff Madsen: 8,600
Nick Binger: 8,300
Jason Mercier: 8,300
Erick Lindgren: 8,000
Phil Ivey: 6,900

The field will play four more levels of poker this evening. We will have another summary at that time, but until then you can check out the final table recap from this event in 2009, where Thang Luu successfully defended his title.

You can also check out poker player twitter updates from this event here:

Barry Shulman
Daniel Negreanu
Gavin Smith
Brandon Cantu
Barry Greenstein
Justin Bonomo
Mike Matusow
Jeff Madsen
Phil Hellmuth
Maria Ho
Allen Kessler
Shaun Deeb
Cyndy Violette
Bryan Micon
Jeff Williams

Player Tags: Allyn Jaffrey Shulman,   Barry Shulman,   Phil Ivey,   Thang Luu,   Shaun Deeb

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

Thang Luu Wins Event No. 3 ($263,135)

Jun 01, '09

In 2007, Thang Luu finished runner-up. He must not have liked the feeling of losing, because he came back in 2008 to win the very same event. Remarkably, Luu has done it again, becoming a member of a very elite club to win back-to-back championships in the same event.

Luu steamrolled Ed Smith heads up for the win and $263,135. On the final hand, Luu made top pair of queens against Smith’s pocket nines and heart flush draw. The river came out safely and Luu erupted from his chair in celebration, relieved that he could finally claim his second bracelet after a long day of play.

After Nolan Dalla announced his victory to the room, Luu received a loud round of applause from his neighbors playing in the $1,000 no-limit hold’em event next to him.

Player Tags: Thang Luu

Final Table: Hour 3

May 31, '09

Blinds: 30,000-60,000

Players Remaining: 2 out of 918

Chip Counts:

1. Thang Luu — 2,300,000
2. Ed Smith — 1,800,000

Average Chip Count: 2,065,000

Notable Eliminations:

3. Ming Reslock — $106,373

Elimination Hands:

Ming Reslock Eliminated in 3rd Place ($106,373)

On a board reading K436 Ming Reslock was all in holding 9887 for a gutshot straight draw and an 8-7 low, but Thang Luu showed 10763 for two pair and a better low. The river bricked for Reslock and she was eliminated from the tournament.

Player Tags: Thang Luu,   Ming Reslock

Final Table: Hour 2

May 31, '09

Blinds: 20,000-40,000

Players Remaining: 3 out of 918

Chip Counts:

1. Thang Luu — 2,150,000
2. Ed Smith — 1,500,000
3. Ming Reslock — 375,000

Average Chip Count: 1,377,000

Notable Eliminations:

6. Jordan Rich — $40,612
5. Pascal Leyo — $53,293
4. Robert Price — $73,405

Elimination Hands:

Jordan Rich Eliminated in 6th Place ($40,612)

Jordan Rich was short stacked and committed the rest of his stack holding K643 against Thang Luu and his AAAJ.

Though Luu had trips in the hole, it was enough when the board came 97377, giving him a full house and sending Rich to the rail.

Pascal Leyo Eliminated in 5th Place ($53,293)

Pascal Leyo held on for a long time on the short stack and finally committed the rest of his chips with Q937 against Ming Reslock’s AQ75. Reslock only needed the ace to take the pot as the board helped neither player and Leyo was eliminated from the tournament.

Robert Price Eliminated in 4th Place ($73,405)

On a board reading K229, Robert Price called all in against Thang Luu’s only to see he was drawing dead against Kings up, exiting the tournament in fourth place.

Player Tags: Robert Price,   Thang Luu,   Ming Reslock

Event No. 3 Begins on Friday

May 27, '09

Event No. 3 ($1,500 Omaha eight-or-better) will begin at noon on Friday, May 29. Players will begin with 4,500 in tournament chips and blinds will begin at 25-50 with 50-100 limits. Levels will be 60-minutes long and there will be a 20-minute break after every two levels. Here is a look at the schedule for the event:

Friday, May 29, noon: Day 1
Saturday, May 30, 2 p.m.: Day 2
Sunday, May 31, 2 p.m.: Day 3

In 2008 this event attracted 832 players and the champion was Thang Luu, who took home $243,342 in prize money. CardPlayer.com will bring you a summary of the action at the dinner break and end of play each day.

Player Tags: Thang Luu

Thang Luu Wins Event No. 3 ($263,135)

Jun 01, '09

In 2007, Thang Luu finished runner-up. He must not have liked the feeling of losing, because he came back in 2008 to win the very same event. Remarkably, Luu has done it again, becoming a member of a very elite club to win back-to-back championships in the same event.

Luu steamrolled Ed Smith heads up for the win and $263,135. On the final hand, Luu made top pair of queens against Smith’s pocket nines and heart flush draw. The river came out safely and Luu erupted from his chair in celebration, relieved that he could finally claim his second bracelet after a long day of play.

After Nolan Dalla announced his victory to the room, Luu received a loud round of applause from his neighbors playing in the $1,000 no-limit hold’em event next to him.

Player Tags: Thang Luu

Final Table: Hour 3

May 31, '09

Blinds: 30,000-60,000

Players Remaining: 2 out of 918

Chip Counts:

1. Thang Luu — 2,300,000
2. Ed Smith — 1,800,000

Average Chip Count: 2,065,000

Notable Eliminations:

3. Ming Reslock — $106,373

Elimination Hands:

Ming Reslock Eliminated in 3rd Place ($106,373)

On a board reading K436 Ming Reslock was all in holding 9887 for a gutshot straight draw and an 8-7 low, but Thang Luu showed 10763 for two pair and a better low. The river bricked for Reslock and she was eliminated from the tournament.

Player Tags: Thang Luu,   Ming Reslock

Final Table: Hour 2

May 31, '09

Blinds: 20,000-40,000

Players Remaining: 3 out of 918

Chip Counts:

1. Thang Luu — 2,150,000
2. Ed Smith — 1,500,000
3. Ming Reslock — 375,000

Average Chip Count: 1,377,000

Notable Eliminations:

6. Jordan Rich — $40,612
5. Pascal Leyo — $53,293
4. Robert Price — $73,405

Elimination Hands:

Jordan Rich Eliminated in 6th Place ($40,612)

Jordan Rich was short stacked and committed the rest of his stack holding K643 against Thang Luu and his AAAJ.

Though Luu had trips in the hole, it was enough when the board came 97377, giving him a full house and sending Rich to the rail.

Pascal Leyo Eliminated in 5th Place ($53,293)

Pascal Leyo held on for a long time on the short stack and finally committed the rest of his chips with Q937 against Ming Reslock’s AQ75. Reslock only needed the ace to take the pot as the board helped neither player and Leyo was eliminated from the tournament.

Robert Price Eliminated in 4th Place ($73,405)

On a board reading K229, Robert Price called all in against Thang Luu’s only to see he was drawing dead against Kings up, exiting the tournament in fourth place.

Player Tags: Robert Price,   Thang Luu,   Ming Reslock

Event No. 3 Begins on Friday

May 27, '09

Event No. 3 ($1,500 Omaha eight-or-better) will begin at noon on Friday, May 29. Players will begin with 4,500 in tournament chips and blinds will begin at 25-50 with 50-100 limits. Levels will be 60-minutes long and there will be a 20-minute break after every two levels. Here is a look at the schedule for the event:

Friday, May 29, noon: Day 1
Saturday, May 30, 2 p.m.: Day 2
Sunday, May 31, 2 p.m.: Day 3

In 2008 this event attracted 832 players and the champion was Thang Luu, who took home $243,342 in prize money. CardPlayer.com will bring you a summary of the action at the dinner break and end of play each day.

Player Tags: Thang Luu

Omaha High-Low - Thang Luu Wins Event no. 6

Jun 05, '08

Through sheer aggression, Thang Luu took a 3-1 chip lead on Spencer Lawrence. Lawrence wasn't catching anything on any flop, and as a result was forced to commit the rest of his stack with a marginal holding. On the final hand, Luu raised preflop and Lawrence made the call. The flop came down K87 and Luu bet once again. After Lawrence raised, Luu put him all in and Lawrence made the call showing 9655 for a diamond and wrap draw. Unfortunately, his diamonds were dead when Luu showed K743. The turn and river came 8K and Luu made a full house to take the pot, the title, the bracelet and $243,356. Lawrence receives $156,343 for his second place effort.

 

 

 

 

 

Player Tags: Spencer Lawrence,   Thang Luu

Omaha High-Low - Heads Up Play Begins

Jun 05, '08

Players Left: 2

Big Hands:

Chris Falconer Eliminated in Fifth Place ($64,243)

Chris Falconer raised all in for his last 80,000 in the cutoff and was called by both Thang Luu and George Guzman in the blinds. Both players checked down a board of 1095A5 and Luu turned over J762 for a flush, which scooped the pot. Falconer mucked his cards and was eliminated.

James Pritchard Eliminated in Fourth Place ($78,456)

James Pritchard was getting short and had to make his move. He got the rest of his chips in the middle holding 10654 against Thang Luu's KQ92. The board ran out JJ4K7 and Luu's turned king sent Pritchard home in fourth place.

George Guzman Eliminated in Third Place ($93,806)

George Guzman moved all in preflop holding KQ97 and was up against Spencer Lawrence's AAQ9. The board came 433A6 and Lawrence's turned aces full was enough to send Guzman home and begin heads up play.

NOTE: Heads up play has begun.

 

Player Tags: Spencer Lawrence,   Thang Luu,   Chris Falconer,   George Guzman

Omaha High-Low - Mark Wilds Eliminated

Jun 05, '08

NOTE: CardPlayer TV – Erik Seidel Talks About Omaha Hi-Lo


Blinds: 15,000-30,000

Players Left: 7

Big Hands:

Spencer Lawrence Hits a Four-Outer to Survive

On a board of Q9810, Spencer Lawrence is all in against Mark Wilds. Both players turn over their hands:

Lawrence - A982
Wilds - AJQ5

Lawrence is drawing to the four remaining nines and eights to stay alive and the river is the... 8. Lawrence makes his full house and doubles up to over 300,000.

Mark Wilds Eliminated in Eighth Place ($30,700)

Mark Wilds was all in for his last 10,000 in the small blind. Thang Luu and George Guzman were also in the hand and checked a flop of Q107. The turn was the 7 and Guzman bet 60,000. Luu folded and Guzman revealed AJ97. Wilds showed J942 and needed an an eight or a king to survive with a straight. The river was the A and Guzman improved to a full house, sending Wilds to the rail in eighth place.

NOTE: The players are now on a 20-minute break.

Player Tags: Mark Wilds,   Spencer Lawrence,   Thang Luu,   George Guzman,   Craig Sabel

Omaha High-Low - Scott Clements Out

Jun 05, '08

NOTE: CardPlayer TV – Erik Seidel Talks About Omaha Hi-Lo


Blinds: 8,000 - 15,000 switching to 10,000 - 20,000

Players Left: 8

Big Hands:

Scott Clements Eliminated in Ninth Place ($22,172)

After being crippled on an earlier hand, Scott Clements is all in for his last 12,000. James Pritchard calls in the small blind and Thang Luu checks his option in the big blind. The flop comes JJ9 and both players check it down. The turn and river come 28 and Pritchard shows KJQ2 to take the pot with jacks full. Clements claims to have aces, and he is eliminated from the tournament.

Don't worry, for posterity, we will continue to cover this tournament. After all, there is a gold bracelet on the line.

George Guzman Picks Up A Big Pot

Greg "Fargo" Jamison limps, as does Chris Falconer and Geogre Guzman. Spencer Lawrence checks his option in the big blind. The flop comes J107 and Jamison bets 15,000. Guzman is the only caller and the turn is the 8. Both players check and the river is the J. Jamison bets 30,000 and Guzman makes the call. Jamison can only turn over pocket deuces and Guzman's AKQQ is enough to take it down.

NOTE: The blinds then went up to 10,000-20,000 and the 1,000 denomination chips were raced off the table.

The players then went on a 20-minute break.

Player Tags: Greg Jamison,   Scott Clements,   Spencer Lawrence,   Thang Luu,   Chris Falconer,   George Guzman

Omaha High-Low - Scott Clements Going Backwards

Jun 05, '08

Blinds: 6,000 - 12,000 switching to 8,000 - 15,000

Players Left: 9

Eliminations: None

Big Hands:

Thang Luu and Spencer Lawrence Chop One

Thang Luu raises preflop, as he has done 60 percent of the time, and Spencer Lawrence calls in the big blind. The flop comes J53 and Luu continues with a bet of 12,000. Lawrence raises to 24,000 and Luu calls. The turn is the 9 and Lawrence leads out for 24,000. Luu calls. The river is the A and Lawrence thinks for a while before deciding to bet once again. Luu beats him into the pot and both players turn over their hands.

Thang Luu - A622
Spencer Lawrence - A9J10

Lawrence takes the high with Aces up and Luu claims the low with his 6-2.

Chris Falconer Takes It All

Chris Falconer raises under the gun and James Pritchard makes the call. The flop comes Q107 and Falconer checks. Pritchard bets and Falconer calls. The turn is the 10 and both players check. The river is the J and Falconer bets 24,000. Pritchard calls and sees the bad news when Falconer turns over AK42 for the second nut flush.

NOTE: At this point, the blinds increase to 8,000 - 15,000

Thang Luu Takes 3/4

Spencer Lawrence raises and Thang Luu calls in the big blind. The flop comes 986 and both players check. The turn is the A and Luu bets. Lawrence calls and the river is the J. Luu bets again and Lawrence makes the call as the players reveal their hole cards.

Thang Luu - 9643
Spencer Lawrence - AQ43

Luu wins the high with his nines and sixes and both players share the same 4-3 low. As a result, Luu wins 3/4 of the pot.

Scott Clements Going Backwards

Craig Sabel calls under the gun and both George Guzman  and Scott Clements come along in the blinds. The flop comes A53 and Clements bets 15,000. Both of his opponents call and the turn is the 4. Everyone checks and Guzman leads the 3 on the river for 30,000. Both Clements and Sabel fold.

After the hand, Clements is down to about 100,000.

Player Tags: Scott Clements,   Spencer Lawrence,   Thang Luu,   George Guzman,   Craig Sabel

Omaha High-Low Level 19

Jun 04, '08

Blinds: 4,000-8,000

Players left: 14 of 833

Average chips: 178,500

Chip Leaders:

Thang Luu - 430,000
Gregory Guzman - 280,000
Mark Wilds - 246,000
Greg Jamison - 235,000
Craig Sabel - 230,000

Eliminations:

Shirley Graham
Mallory Smith
John Lukas

Hands:

Thang Luu takes sizable lead

Thanks in large part to two fortunate rivers this level, Thang Luu has run his chip stack up to 430,000 chips, well ahead of the rest of the field. In one pot, a three on the river gave him the nut low and two pair to scoop a pot, and later on he rivered a ten to make a full house to claim another pot.

Gregorich treading carefully

Down to about 40,000 chips, Mark Gregorich must choose wisely which hand to get involved with. Twice late in the level he came in for a raise and took down the pot without seeing a flop. Both times he mentioned that he is happy to take the blinds.

Player Tags: Thang Luu

Omaha High-Low - Thang Luu Wins Event no. 6

Jun 05, '08

Through sheer aggression, Thang Luu took a 3-1 chip lead on Spencer Lawrence. Lawrence wasn't catching anything on any flop, and as a result was forced to commit the rest of his stack with a marginal holding. On the final hand, Luu raised preflop and Lawrence made the call. The flop came down K87 and Luu bet once again. After Lawrence raised, Luu put him all in and Lawrence made the call showing 9655 for a diamond and wrap draw. Unfortunately, his diamonds were dead when Luu showed K743. The turn and river came 8K and Luu made a full house to take the pot, the title, the bracelet and $243,356. Lawrence receives $156,343 for his second place effort.

 

 

 

 

 

Player Tags: Spencer Lawrence,   Thang Luu

Omaha High-Low - Heads Up Play Begins

Jun 05, '08

Players Left: 2

Big Hands:

Chris Falconer Eliminated in Fifth Place ($64,243)

Chris Falconer raised all in for his last 80,000 in the cutoff and was called by both Thang Luu and George Guzman in the blinds. Both players checked down a board of 1095A5 and Luu turned over J762 for a flush, which scooped the pot. Falconer mucked his cards and was eliminated.

James Pritchard Eliminated in Fourth Place ($78,456)

James Pritchard was getting short and had to make his move. He got the rest of his chips in the middle holding 10654 against Thang Luu's KQ92. The board ran out JJ4K7 and Luu's turned king sent Pritchard home in fourth place.

George Guzman Eliminated in Third Place ($93,806)

George Guzman moved all in preflop holding KQ97 and was up against Spencer Lawrence's AAQ9. The board came 433A6 and Lawrence's turned aces full was enough to send Guzman home and begin heads up play.

NOTE: Heads up play has begun.

 

Player Tags: Spencer Lawrence,   Thang Luu,   Chris Falconer,   George Guzman

Omaha High-Low - Mark Wilds Eliminated

Jun 05, '08

NOTE: CardPlayer TV – Erik Seidel Talks About Omaha Hi-Lo


Blinds: 15,000-30,000

Players Left: 7

Big Hands:

Spencer Lawrence Hits a Four-Outer to Survive

On a board of Q9810, Spencer Lawrence is all in against Mark Wilds. Both players turn over their hands:

Lawrence - A982
Wilds - AJQ5

Lawrence is drawing to the four remaining nines and eights to stay alive and the river is the... 8. Lawrence makes his full house and doubles up to over 300,000.

Mark Wilds Eliminated in Eighth Place ($30,700)

Mark Wilds was all in for his last 10,000 in the small blind. Thang Luu and George Guzman were also in the hand and checked a flop of Q107. The turn was the 7 and Guzman bet 60,000. Luu folded and Guzman revealed AJ97. Wilds showed J942 and needed an an eight or a king to survive with a straight. The river was the A and Guzman improved to a full house, sending Wilds to the rail in eighth place.

NOTE: The players are now on a 20-minute break.

Player Tags: Mark Wilds,   Spencer Lawrence,   Thang Luu,   George Guzman,   Craig Sabel

Omaha High-Low - Scott Clements Out

Jun 05, '08

NOTE: CardPlayer TV – Erik Seidel Talks About Omaha Hi-Lo


Blinds: 8,000 - 15,000 switching to 10,000 - 20,000

Players Left: 8

Big Hands:

Scott Clements Eliminated in Ninth Place ($22,172)

After being crippled on an earlier hand, Scott Clements is all in for his last 12,000. James Pritchard calls in the small blind and Thang Luu checks his option in the big blind. The flop comes JJ9 and both players check it down. The turn and river come 28 and Pritchard shows KJQ2 to take the pot with jacks full. Clements claims to have aces, and he is eliminated from the tournament.

Don't worry, for posterity, we will continue to cover this tournament. After all, there is a gold bracelet on the line.

George Guzman Picks Up A Big Pot

Greg "Fargo" Jamison limps, as does Chris Falconer and Geogre Guzman. Spencer Lawrence checks his option in the big blind. The flop comes J107 and Jamison bets 15,000. Guzman is the only caller and the turn is the 8. Both players check and the river is the J. Jamison bets 30,000 and Guzman makes the call. Jamison can only turn over pocket deuces and Guzman's AKQQ is enough to take it down.

NOTE: The blinds then went up to 10,000-20,000 and the 1,000 denomination chips were raced off the table.

The players then went on a 20-minute break.

Player Tags: Greg Jamison,   Scott Clements,   Spencer Lawrence,   Thang Luu,   Chris Falconer,   George Guzman

Omaha High-Low - Scott Clements Going Backwards

Jun 05, '08

Blinds: 6,000 - 12,000 switching to 8,000 - 15,000

Players Left: 9

Eliminations: None

Big Hands:

Thang Luu and Spencer Lawrence Chop One

Thang Luu raises preflop, as he has done 60 percent of the time, and Spencer Lawrence calls in the big blind. The flop comes J53 and Luu continues with a bet of 12,000. Lawrence raises to 24,000 and Luu calls. The turn is the 9 and Lawrence leads out for 24,000. Luu calls. The river is the A and Lawrence thinks for a while before deciding to bet once again. Luu beats him into the pot and both players turn over their hands.

Thang Luu - A622
Spencer Lawrence - A9J10

Lawrence takes the high with Aces up and Luu claims the low with his 6-2.

Chris Falconer Takes It All

Chris Falconer raises under the gun and James Pritchard makes the call. The flop comes Q107 and Falconer checks. Pritchard bets and Falconer calls. The turn is the 10 and both players check. The river is the J and Falconer bets 24,000. Pritchard calls and sees the bad news when Falconer turns over AK42 for the second nut flush.

NOTE: At this point, the blinds increase to 8,000 - 15,000

Thang Luu Takes 3/4

Spencer Lawrence raises and Thang Luu calls in the big blind. The flop comes 986 and both players check. The turn is the A and Luu bets. Lawrence calls and the river is the J. Luu bets again and Lawrence makes the call as the players reveal their hole cards.

Thang Luu - 9643
Spencer Lawrence - AQ43

Luu wins the high with his nines and sixes and both players share the same 4-3 low. As a result, Luu wins 3/4 of the pot.

Scott Clements Going Backwards

Craig Sabel calls under the gun and both George Guzman  and Scott Clements come along in the blinds. The flop comes A53 and Clements bets 15,000. Both of his opponents call and the turn is the 4. Everyone checks and Guzman leads the 3 on the river for 30,000. Both Clements and Sabel fold.

After the hand, Clements is down to about 100,000.

Player Tags: Scott Clements,   Spencer Lawrence,   Thang Luu,   George Guzman,   Craig Sabel

Omaha High-Low Level 19

Jun 04, '08

Blinds: 4,000-8,000

Players left: 14 of 833

Average chips: 178,500

Chip Leaders:

Thang Luu - 430,000
Gregory Guzman - 280,000
Mark Wilds - 246,000
Greg Jamison - 235,000
Craig Sabel - 230,000

Eliminations:

Shirley Graham
Mallory Smith
John Lukas

Hands:

Thang Luu takes sizable lead

Thanks in large part to two fortunate rivers this level, Thang Luu has run his chip stack up to 430,000 chips, well ahead of the rest of the field. In one pot, a three on the river gave him the nut low and two pair to scoop a pot, and later on he rivered a ten to make a full house to claim another pot.

Gregorich treading carefully

Down to about 40,000 chips, Mark Gregorich must choose wisely which hand to get involved with. Twice late in the level he came in for a raise and took down the pot without seeing a flop. Both times he mentioned that he is happy to take the blinds.

Player Tags: Thang Luu

Frankie O'Dell Wins Event No. 44 ($240,057)

Jun 29, '07

Marcel Luske Eliminated in Fourth Place ($64,630)

On a flop of A K 3 Marcel Luske moved all in and Thang Luu called him down. Luske turned up 10 10 7 6 and Luu flipped over A Q 6 2. The turn and river cards were dealt 3 6 and Luske was eliminated in fourth place. He took home $64,630 in prize money.

Martin Corpuz Eliminated in Third Place ($97,188)

Martin Corpuz moved all in preflop and Frankie O’Dell made the call. Corpuz turned over A Q Q and O’Dell showed down 10 9 8 5. The board was dealt A Q 8 J 6 and Corpuz was eliminated in third place. He took home $97,188 in prize money.

Frankie O’Dell Wins Event No. 44 ($240,057)

Thang Luu now moved all in preflop and Frankie O’Dell had him covered. Luu showed J 10 5 4 and O’Dell turned up Q 9 3 2. The board was dealt Q 9 6 J A and Frankie O’Dell won the $2,000 Omaha eight-or-better title. This is his second gold bracelet, and he will also take home $240,057 in prize money. Thang Luu finished in second place, and he took home $147,726 in prize money.

Player Tags: Martin Corpuz,   Frankie O'Dell,   Marcel Luske,   Thang Luu

Hour Two

Jun 29, '07

Jess Robinson Eliminated in Seventh Place ($27,699)

Jess Robinson moved all in preflop and Martin Corpuz called him down. Corpuz turned up A K 9 5 and Robinson turned up A Q 4 2. The board was dealt J 5 3 Q 5 and Robinson was eliminated in seventh place. He took home $27,699 in prize money.

Ming Lee Eliminated in Sixth Place ($36,931)

On a board of 8 7 6 A Ming Lee made in all-in call on the turn in a pot with Martin Corpuz and Marvin Ryan. When the dust settled after the river brought the 4, Corpuz showed down A K 3 2, Lee flipped up A J 7 4, and Ryan turned up A 9 5 3. Lee was eliminated in sixth place and he took home $36,931 in prize money.

Marvin Ryan Eliminated in Fifth Place ($47,136)

Marvin Ryan moved all in for $60,000 and three players called. Frankie O’Dell, Marin Corpuz, and Marcel Luske made then checked down the remaining action. The board read K K 2 7 J when Ryan turned up A Q 10 5. Corpuz turned up A 7 4 3, O’Dell turned up A 10 9 7, and Luske mucked. Ryan was busted out of the tournament in fifth place, and he took home $47,136 in prize money.

Final Four

Only four players remained at this point and Thang Luu was the chip leader with over $700,000.

Luske Hands Tough

Marcel Luske was now the short stack at the table, but he was not about to go lightly to the rail. He moved all in on every other hand during one stretch. One time he took only a quarter of the pot, but he made up for that by taking three quarters of the pot the next time he pushed all in. He even scooped a pot with A K K 3 on a board of Q 10 9 4 J. If someone wanted to eliminated the Duthcman from the tournament, they were going to have to accomplish the task by force.

Player Tags: Martin Corpuz,   Frankie O'Dell,   Marcel Luske,   Thang Luu,   Ming Lee,   Marvin Ryan,   Jess Robinson

Hour One

Jun 29, '07

Mitch Maples Eliminated in Ninth Place ($14,578)

On a board of J 10 5 7 Mitch Maples moved all in and Thang Luu called him down. Luu turned up A K 10 2 and Maples flipped over A J J 3. The river brought the Q and Maple was eliminated in ninth place. He took home $14,578 in prize money.

Stuart Paterson Eliminated in Eighth Place ($20,409)

On a flop of J 8 2 Marcel Luske raised and Stuart Paterson made the all-in call. He turned over A A 8 6 and Luske showed down K 10 7 6. The turn and river brought the Q and A. Paterson was eliminated in eighth place and took home $20,409 in prize money.

Marvin Ryan Doubled Up

On a board of Q 10 9 8 6 Marvin Ryan moved all for his tournament life. He turned up A J J 10, which was good enough to survive. He then went to celebrate his victory with his supporters on the rail of the ‘No Limit Lounge’.

The Hive

The final table of this event is tucked away in a corner behind the ‘No Limit Lounge’. The wall of the sequestered web cast table is on one side, and a thick wall of railbirds is on the other. This has given the final table a feeling of seclusion all its own, which makes for an interesting atmosphere.

Player Tags: Marcel Luske,   Thang Luu,   Stuart Paterson,   Mitch Maples

Juanda Bubbles

Jun 28, '07

The final nine are set for Event #44

It took a while but Thang Luu finally put the last nail in John Juanda's coffin.  After Matt Lefkowitz busted in 12th place the following hand cropped up.   Mark Tenner was all-in preflop and called by Juanda and Luu.  The flop came down J 10 6Juanda bet $10,000, and Luu called.  The turn was the 9, Juanda bet $20,000, and Luu raised to $40,000.  Juanda barely had enough to cover the bet and thought for several minutes.  Finally he folded and Tenner was given the bad news, Luu held K-Q and he was drawing dead.

After Tenner's elimination the final 10 redrew seats.  Juanda managed to stick around for over 40 minutes, hitting two wheels and doubling up twice.  However soon Luu would be back to finish the job.  Juanda and Luu saw a flop with Juanda having less than one big bet left.  The flop was A 10 8, and Juanda called Luu's bet, to find he was essentially only drawing for a chop.  Luu held 10 10 6 4 to Juanda's A 7 3 3.  The 9 and the Q hit on the turn and river, missing Juanda's low, and eliminating him in 10th place ($9,719)  The final nine players are

Seat 1- Martin Corpuz, Jr. $292,000
Seat 2- Ming Lee $373,000
Seat 3- Mitch Maples $70,000
Seat 4- Thang Luu $238,000
Seat 5- Jess Robinson $255,000
Seat 6- Frankie O'Dell $318,000
Seat 7- Marcel Luske $427,000
Seat 8- Marvin Ryan $104,000
Seat 9- Stuart Paterson $58,000


They will return to play a different version of a webcast final table.  The table will be webcast, but they will not be sequestered behind the black curtain, and their holecards will not be shown.

That final table will get underway at 2pm.

Player Tags: John Juanda,   Matthew Lefkowitz,   Mark Tenner,   Thang Luu

Two Tables

Jun 28, '07

With the elimination of Robert Wittman in 19th place ($6,803), the players have now redrawn seats for the final two tables.

John Juanda and Thang Luu will still butt heads, but the other table is a bit more daunting with Stuart Patterson, Marcel Luske, Matt Lefkowitz, Ernie Scherer, and Tony Cousineau.

Blair Rodman was eliminated in 24th place when his opponent called his all in after outflopping him with only a pair of fives.

Luske was very active in the last level, but didn't see the cards go his way, often doubling up the short stacks at his previous table. 

There are about 10 minutes left in the current level, and the players will go on dinner break once the level is completed.

Chip Counts

Thang Luu	290,000
Marcel Luske	250,000
Martin Corpuz Jr.	183,000
Jess Robinson	175,000
John Juanda	170,000
Frankie O'Dell	170,000
Mitch Maples	140,000
Marvin Ryan	110,000
Mark Tenner	100,000
Stuart Paterson	90,000
Matt Lefkowitz	75,000
Dan Mowczan	67,000
Tony Cousineau	65,000
Ming Lee	65,000
Gene Fisher	58,000
Richard Naiman	24,000

Player Tags: Tony Cousineau,   John Juanda,   Matthew Lefkowitz,   Blair Rodman,   Ernie Scherer III,   Thang Luu,   Stuart Paterson

Frankie O'Dell Wins Event No. 44 ($240,057)

Jun 29, '07

Marcel Luske Eliminated in Fourth Place ($64,630)

On a flop of A K 3 Marcel Luske moved all in and Thang Luu called him down. Luske turned up 10 10 7 6 and Luu flipped over A Q 6 2. The turn and river cards were dealt 3 6 and Luske was eliminated in fourth place. He took home $64,630 in prize money.

Martin Corpuz Eliminated in Third Place ($97,188)

Martin Corpuz moved all in preflop and Frankie O’Dell made the call. Corpuz turned over A Q Q and O’Dell showed down 10 9 8 5. The board was dealt A Q 8 J 6 and Corpuz was eliminated in third place. He took home $97,188 in prize money.

Frankie O’Dell Wins Event No. 44 ($240,057)

Thang Luu now moved all in preflop and Frankie O’Dell had him covered. Luu showed J 10 5 4 and O’Dell turned up Q 9 3 2. The board was dealt Q 9 6 J A and Frankie O’Dell won the $2,000 Omaha eight-or-better title. This is his second gold bracelet, and he will also take home $240,057 in prize money. Thang Luu finished in second place, and he took home $147,726 in prize money.

Player Tags: Martin Corpuz,   Frankie O'Dell,   Marcel Luske,   Thang Luu

Hour Two

Jun 29, '07

Jess Robinson Eliminated in Seventh Place ($27,699)

Jess Robinson moved all in preflop and Martin Corpuz called him down. Corpuz turned up A K 9 5 and Robinson turned up A Q 4 2. The board was dealt J 5 3 Q 5 and Robinson was eliminated in seventh place. He took home $27,699 in prize money.

Ming Lee Eliminated in Sixth Place ($36,931)

On a board of 8 7 6 A Ming Lee made in all-in call on the turn in a pot with Martin Corpuz and Marvin Ryan. When the dust settled after the river brought the 4, Corpuz showed down A K 3 2, Lee flipped up A J 7 4, and Ryan turned up A 9 5 3. Lee was eliminated in sixth place and he took home $36,931 in prize money.

Marvin Ryan Eliminated in Fifth Place ($47,136)

Marvin Ryan moved all in for $60,000 and three players called. Frankie O’Dell, Marin Corpuz, and Marcel Luske made then checked down the remaining action. The board read K K 2 7 J when Ryan turned up A Q 10 5. Corpuz turned up A 7 4 3, O’Dell turned up A 10 9 7, and Luske mucked. Ryan was busted out of the tournament in fifth place, and he took home $47,136 in prize money.

Final Four

Only four players remained at this point and Thang Luu was the chip leader with over $700,000.

Luske Hands Tough

Marcel Luske was now the short stack at the table, but he was not about to go lightly to the rail. He moved all in on every other hand during one stretch. One time he took only a quarter of the pot, but he made up for that by taking three quarters of the pot the next time he pushed all in. He even scooped a pot with A K K 3 on a board of Q 10 9 4 J. If someone wanted to eliminated the Duthcman from the tournament, they were going to have to accomplish the task by force.

Player Tags: Martin Corpuz,   Frankie O'Dell,   Marcel Luske,   Thang Luu,   Ming Lee,   Marvin Ryan,   Jess Robinson

Hour One

Jun 29, '07

Mitch Maples Eliminated in Ninth Place ($14,578)

On a board of J 10 5 7 Mitch Maples moved all in and Thang Luu called him down. Luu turned up A K 10 2 and Maples flipped over A J J 3. The river brought the Q and Maple was eliminated in ninth place. He took home $14,578 in prize money.

Stuart Paterson Eliminated in Eighth Place ($20,409)

On a flop of J 8 2 Marcel Luske raised and Stuart Paterson made the all-in call. He turned over A A 8 6 and Luske showed down K 10 7 6. The turn and river brought the Q and A. Paterson was eliminated in eighth place and took home $20,409 in prize money.

Marvin Ryan Doubled Up

On a board of Q 10 9 8 6 Marvin Ryan moved all for his tournament life. He turned up A J J 10, which was good enough to survive. He then went to celebrate his victory with his supporters on the rail of the ‘No Limit Lounge’.

The Hive

The final table of this event is tucked away in a corner behind the ‘No Limit Lounge’. The wall of the sequestered web cast table is on one side, and a thick wall of railbirds is on the other. This has given the final table a feeling of seclusion all its own, which makes for an interesting atmosphere.

Player Tags: Marcel Luske,   Thang Luu,   Stuart Paterson,   Mitch Maples

Juanda Bubbles

Jun 28, '07

The final nine are set for Event #44

It took a while but Thang Luu finally put the last nail in John Juanda's coffin.  After Matt Lefkowitz busted in 12th place the following hand cropped up.   Mark Tenner was all-in preflop and called by Juanda and Luu.  The flop came down J 10 6Juanda bet $10,000, and Luu called.  The turn was the 9, Juanda bet $20,000, and Luu raised to $40,000.  Juanda barely had enough to cover the bet and thought for several minutes.  Finally he folded and Tenner was given the bad news, Luu held K-Q and he was drawing dead.

After Tenner's elimination the final 10 redrew seats.  Juanda managed to stick around for over 40 minutes, hitting two wheels and doubling up twice.  However soon Luu would be back to finish the job.  Juanda and Luu saw a flop with Juanda having less than one big bet left.  The flop was A 10 8, and Juanda called Luu's bet, to find he was essentially only drawing for a chop.  Luu held 10 10 6 4 to Juanda's A 7 3 3.  The 9 and the Q hit on the turn and river, missing Juanda's low, and eliminating him in 10th place ($9,719)  The final nine players are

Seat 1- Martin Corpuz, Jr. $292,000
Seat 2- Ming Lee $373,000
Seat 3- Mitch Maples $70,000
Seat 4- Thang Luu $238,000
Seat 5- Jess Robinson $255,000
Seat 6- Frankie O'Dell $318,000
Seat 7- Marcel Luske $427,000
Seat 8- Marvin Ryan $104,000
Seat 9- Stuart Paterson $58,000


They will return to play a different version of a webcast final table.  The table will be webcast, but they will not be sequestered behind the black curtain, and their holecards will not be shown.

That final table will get underway at 2pm.

Player Tags: John Juanda,   Matthew Lefkowitz,   Mark Tenner,   Thang Luu

Two Tables

Jun 28, '07

With the elimination of Robert Wittman in 19th place ($6,803), the players have now redrawn seats for the final two tables.

John Juanda and Thang Luu will still butt heads, but the other table is a bit more daunting with Stuart Patterson, Marcel Luske, Matt Lefkowitz, Ernie Scherer, and Tony Cousineau.

Blair Rodman was eliminated in 24th place when his opponent called his all in after outflopping him with only a pair of fives.

Luske was very active in the last level, but didn't see the cards go his way, often doubling up the short stacks at his previous table. 

There are about 10 minutes left in the current level, and the players will go on dinner break once the level is completed.

Chip Counts

Thang Luu	290,000
Marcel Luske	250,000
Martin Corpuz Jr.	183,000
Jess Robinson	175,000
John Juanda	170,000
Frankie O'Dell	170,000
Mitch Maples	140,000
Marvin Ryan	110,000
Mark Tenner	100,000
Stuart Paterson	90,000
Matt Lefkowitz	75,000
Dan Mowczan	67,000
Tony Cousineau	65,000
Ming Lee	65,000
Gene Fisher	58,000
Richard Naiman	24,000

Player Tags: Tony Cousineau,   John Juanda,   Matthew Lefkowitz,   Blair Rodman,   Ernie Scherer III,   Thang Luu,   Stuart Paterson