Benjamin Fineman Poker Tournament Updates

Cantu Grabs an Early Pot

Apr 20, '10

Brandon Cantu bet 7,000 preflop from the cutoff and Ben Fineman made the call from the button. The flop was dealt 1077 and Cantu checked. Fineman bet 9,500 and Cantu went into the tank.

He eventually made the call and the flop brought the 3. Both players checked and the river fell A. Cantu bet 16,500 and now Fineman was in the tank. He decided to fold and Cantu grew his stack to 505,000. Fineman fell to 207,000.

Player Tags: Benjamin Fineman,   Brandon Cantu

Ben Fineman Eliminated With a Minor Slow Roll

Jan 07, '09

Ben Fineman moved all in from the short stack in the cutoff for about 25,000 in chips. His opponent, Raffi Nahabedian, took his time deciding his decision before eventually calling from the button.

Fineman showed QJ, but Nahabedian revealed AA to put Fineman in major jeopardy. Nahabedian explain that he was trying to get a call from the blinds, but it didn't help Fineman's mood.

The flop gave Fineman a pair of jacks, but that was all he could muster before exiting the tournament room.

 

 

 

 

 

Player Tags: Benjamin Fineman

Ben Fineman Eliminated in 27th Place ($21,125)

Aug 27, '08

In a battle of the online players, Zach Clark raised to 30,000 and Ben Fineman moved all in for his last 150,000 or so. Clark made the call and saw that his pocket jacks were well ahead of Fineman's pocket sixes.

The board ran out and failed to help Fineman out of his jam, eliminating him in 27th place.

Zach Clark was sitting with nearly 600,000 in chips after the hand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Player Tags: Benjamin Fineman,   Zachary Clark

$2,000 No Limit Hold'em - Level Five

Jun 27, '08

Blinds/Antes: 150/300/25

Players Remaining: 970 of 2,317

Average Stack:  9,550

Chip Counts:
Benjamin Fineman - 27,000
David Pham - 26,000
Raul Lozano - 25,000
Jullian Herold - 24,400
Marco Johnson - 24,000
Chau Giang - 17,500
Ryan Young - 17,000
Johnny Neckar - 17,000
Sarah Bilney - 16,900

Recent Eliminations:
Richard Stanley
Terrance Chan

Big Hands/Storylines:

Terrence Chan Eliminated

Terrence Chan raised pre-flop to a total of 800 and received a call from his opponent in the cut-off.  All other players folded, and the pair saw a flop of A64.  Chan bet 1,000 and was raised an additional 2,500 by his opponent.  Chan paused for a moment before calling the bet.  The 5 was dealt on the turn, bringing a check from Chan and an all in bet from his opponent.  Chan called quickly and turned over A7 for top pair with an open ended straight draw.  His opponent turned over AQ.  The K on the river didn’t improve Chan, and he headed for the rail.

Richard Stanley’s Four Hand Rampage with Michael Binger

Michael Binger doubled through Richard Stanley when the two got it all in pre-flop and Binger’s AK help up against Stanley’s AQ.  After the board was dealt, Stanley got up from his seat and headed for the rail.  “Wait!  You still have some left,” Binger called out to Stanley.  After the dealer counted Binger’s stack and matched it with Stanley’s, it was discovered that Stanley still had 325 in chips remaining.

On the next immediate hand, the action folded to Michael Binger who raised to 800 from the hijack seat.  Richard Stanley pushed all in for his 325, and all other players folded.  Binger turned over Q10, an underdog against Stanley’s K5.  The board came down K8876, and Stanley’s stack increased to 1,325.

The action didn’t slow down.  On the next immediate hand, the action again folded to Binger who again made it 800 to go.  Stanley moved all in for 1,325, and all the other players folded.  Binger made the call and turned over A7, this time the favorite against Stanley’s A4.  The flop came K99, and the players anticipated a split pot.  The 4 on the turn brought an exasperated sigh from Binger, but the K on the river meant that the two players would split the blinds and antes.  “It’ll be 1650 this time,” Stanley warned the other players as the dealer dealt the next hand.

On that hand, Mark Dickstein beat Binger to the punch by making it 800 before Binger could act.  The action folded to Stanley who for the fourth consecutive time moved all in pre-flop.  Dickstein made the call and turned over A10, an underdog to Stanley’s AQ.  Unfortunately for Stanley, the final board read A101073, and he packed up his things and headed for the exit.

Player Tags: David Pham,   Mark Dickstein,   Terrence Chan,   Benjamin Fineman,   Michael Binger,   European Report,   Richard Stanley

$1,500 Limit Hold'em - Level 7

Jun 06, '08

Blinds: 200/400

Players Left: 250 of 880

Chip Leaders:
Jason Maeroff - 28,000
David Vassalli - 18,000
Michael Craig - 15,300
Marcel Luske - 14,800
Benjamin Fineman - 11,300
Terrence Chan - 10,000
Tom Schneider - 10,000
Anthony Licastro - 9,800
Erick Lindgren - 9,800
Van Marcus - 9,600

Average Stack: 10,564

Eliminations: Chris Ferguson, Humberto Brenes, J.C. Tran, Shannon Elizabeth, J.R. Bellande

Big Hands:

The Flying Dutchman

It was a wild ride for Marcel Luske as level 7 got underway. Moved to a new table, and to the right of another large chip stack in Terrance Chan, it didn't take long for the fireworks. The initial damage came when the players raised and reraised each other on a board of A97T5. Luske bet the river for 800, and was raised to 1,600 before showing the AK. Chan rolled over the 1010 for a set he hit on the turn.

Luske then took up the battle on the next hand, when three players saw the flop of 875 for 1,600 each. The small blind bet 200 all-in, one player called, Luske raised to 600, was check-raised to 1,000, added his own check-raise, and then betting was capped for the 3 on the turn. The turn produced a pair of 800 bets, as did the river when the 10 hit. Luske showed QQ, beaten by the KK.

Now down to 2,500, Luske raised the next hand and drew a call from the cutoff. The board came 886, both players committed another 400, the 5 produced two 800 bets, and the 6 produced another 1,600 in chips. Luske climbed back into play with the 96 to scoop the pot.

Ferguson Finally Succumbs

He held on for a while, but a short-stacked Chris Ferguson finally ran out of time. Beginning the level with 700 in chips, he went all-in on the first hand after Michael Craig had initially raised to thin the field. Ferguson showed Q10 while Craig held AJ. The flop of Q63 put Ferguson in the lead and he held on through a turn of the 5 and river of the 4.
The next hand Ferguson was on the button and raised to 800, drawing a call from the big blind. The flop came J22, and Ferguson called a 400 bet. After the 10 on the turn, Ferguson was all-in for another 200. The 10 was the river card, Ferguson showed Q3, and fell victim to the K6, king-high enough to take the pot down.

Hansu Chu Making a Move

After a strong showing in the $2,000 No Limit event earlier in the week, Chu is among the leaders tonight. Playing from the big blind, Chu responded to a raise from the button with a re-raise to 1,200. After the call, the flop came J107. Chu bet 400 and was called, and the 8 on the turn was checked by both players. With the 3 on the river Chu bet another 800 and was called. He claimed the pot with the K10 for second pair.

In Addition...

Two big stacks took tumbles, Daniel Negreau falling back to 2,500 in chips, while J.R. Bellande, who began the level with 10,900, was eliminated before the level ended.

Player Tags: J.C. Tran,   Humberto Brenes,   Chris Ferguson,   Erick Lindgren,   Daniel Negreanu,   Tom Schneider,   Marcel Luske,   Jason Maeroff,   Jean-Robert Bellande,   Terrence Chan,   Benjamin Fineman,   Michael Craig,   Hansu Chu,   Shannon Elizabeth,   David Vassalli

Hour Five Update

Jun 19, '07

Hellmuth Doubles Up
Hellmuth raises to $120,000 and Dustin Holmes puts him all in.  Hellmuth insta-calls with K10 and as soon as Fineman tables QJ Hellmuth sprints over to Ivey to make a bet.  The terms are quickly agreed upon, and Hellmuth ends up betting another $30,000 against himself on the QJ.  The board comes 5438A, Hellmuth's king high takes down the pot, doubling him to around $600,000 in chips.  It also costs him another $30,000 in real money, and he claimed he was now down $89,000 to Ivey on the night.

Holmes Doubles Up
Dustin Holmes moves all in with K10 and is called by Ben Fineman with AK.  The board comes 1042710 and Holmes doubles up.

Phil Hellmuth Eliminated 6th ($76,464)
Hellmuth raises to $120,000 and is called by Beth Shak.  The flop comes Q106, and Shak moves all in, putting Hellmuth to a decision for all of his chips.  Hellmuth makes the call and shows down A10, but is behind Shak's KQ.  he next two cards brick out when they come 92 and Hellmulth is eliminated in 6th place.  He ends up losing $109,000 to Ivey on the day, so even though he made $76,464 for sixth place he is down $32,536 on the night. 

Ben Fineman Eliminated 5th ($100.431)
Ben Fineman pushes all in on the button with Q3 and is quickly called by Jason Song with 99.  The board comes 764AJ and Fineman is send home in 5th place with a $100,431 payday.

Player Tags: Phil Hellmuth,   Dustin Holmes,   Benjamin Fineman,   Beth Shak,   Jason Song

Hour Two

Jun 19, '07

3 Way All In -- Daniel Corbin Eliminated 9th ($30.814)
In a massive hand Daniel Corbin has been eliminated, Shankar Pillai tripled up and Beth Shak took a huge hit.  Daniel Corbin moved all in for his last $109,000 and Pillai reraised all in for $258,000.  Beth Shak then moved all in as well with both players covered.  Corbin showed K9, Pillai 88, and Shak AQ.  The board came J7633, tripling Pillai up to $680,000, knocking Shak down to $335,000 and sending Corbin home in 9th place for a $30,814 payday.

Hellmuth Doubles Again
On a board of AJ6 Ben Fineman bets and Hellmuth immediately moves all in.  Fineman makes the call and Hellmuth tables A8.  Fineman tables J9 and before the turn comes Hellmuth yells, "I want insurance where's Ivey?" When Hellmulth asks him for insurance Ivey replies, "Oh, you got it, what is it (in reference to what the cards are)."  After looking it over they decide that Hellmuth will risk $30,000 to Ivey's $90,000.  The next two cards come 73, and Hellmuth doubles up.  He also loses another $30,000 to Ivey prompting Hellmuth to say, "I've ran out of money in my pocket."  That gives Ivey a $50,000 profit on the day, good for 8th place money for the final table with a lot less work. 

Break
Players are on a 15 minute break. 

Break Ends
Phil Hellmuth is MIA after the break and tournament staff is about to restart with out him.

Player Tags: Phil Hellmuth,   Phil Ivey,   Benjamin Fineman,   Daniel Corbin,   Shankar Pillai

Ten Handed Final Table

Jun 18, '07

Play has ended for the evening and there are ten players remaining. This event has been chosen as a televised final table by ESPN and is going to be ten handed. The final table will resume play tomorrow at 3 p.m. with the following ten players in order of their chip counts: Dustin Holmes, Beth Shak, Brett Richey, Perry Friedman, Shankar Pillai, Luke Vrabel, Jason Song, Ben Fineman, Phil Hellmuth and Daniel Corbin.

The players returned from dinner and on the first two hands there were two eliminations. In the first hand back from dinner the action folded to Thomas Wahlroos who pushed all in from the button. Perry Friedman called from the big blind and had A-Q. Wahlroos was holding K-6 and never improved. Wahlroos earned $19,173 for his 14th place finish. Ed Moncada was the 13th place finisher, also earning $19,173. Moncada moved all in with A-Q and was called by Shankar Pillai with K-10. Moncada enjoyed the lead until a ten came on the turn and for emphasis a king came on the river.

The level started off with Phil Hellmuth pumping up the agression and raising several times. Over at the other table, Brett Richey seemed to be doing the exact same thing. Richey made a series of $45,000 raises and collected the blinds and antes more than a few times.

Beth Shak had a strong round following dinner and is now second in chips. One one hand she took down more than $200,000 without even seeing a flop. Shak raised from early position and Shankar Pillai reraised her $200,000. Shak didn't even flinch and pushed all in for $450,000. Pillai went deep into the tank with his tournament life in the balance. After several moments Pillai stood up, said "fold", and showed A-K. Shak thought he was calling and excitedly said, "Aces!" and showed A A. The dealer assured Shak that Pillai indeed folded and she collected around $230,000.

Kevin Hong was the 12th place finisher, earning $21,456. On what would be the final hand of the night, Noah Schwartz moved all in for $232,000. Still steaming from the previous hand in which Shak called the clock on him, Schwartz looked visibly agitated. Perry Friedman took no time at all in calling and flipped over Q Q. Schwartz had 6 6. The board came A 10 3 7 4 and Schwartz was eliminated in 11th place, earning $21,456.

The final table for this event will eventually be televised by ESPN after the conclusion of the World Series but to follow all the action and see who takes home the gold bracelet, check back tomorrow with CardPlayer.com

Player Tags: Edward Moncada,   Phil Hellmuth,   Perry Friedman,   Kevin Hong,   Brett Richey,   Dustin Holmes,   Benjamin Fineman,   Beth Shak,   Jason Song,   Thomas Wahlroos,   Noah Schwartz,   Luke Vrabel,   Daniel Corbin,   Shankar Pillai

Hour Five Update

Jun 19, '07

Hellmuth Doubles Up
Hellmuth raises to $120,000 and Dustin Holmes puts him all in.  Hellmuth insta-calls with K10 and as soon as Fineman tables QJ Hellmuth sprints over to Ivey to make a bet.  The terms are quickly agreed upon, and Hellmuth ends up betting another $30,000 against himself on the QJ.  The board comes 5438A, Hellmuth's king high takes down the pot, doubling him to around $600,000 in chips.  It also costs him another $30,000 in real money, and he claimed he was now down $89,000 to Ivey on the night.

Holmes Doubles Up
Dustin Holmes moves all in with K10 and is called by Ben Fineman with AK.  The board comes 1042710 and Holmes doubles up.

Phil Hellmuth Eliminated 6th ($76,464)
Hellmuth raises to $120,000 and is called by Beth Shak.  The flop comes Q106, and Shak moves all in, putting Hellmuth to a decision for all of his chips.  Hellmuth makes the call and shows down A10, but is behind Shak's KQ.  he next two cards brick out when they come 92 and Hellmulth is eliminated in 6th place.  He ends up losing $109,000 to Ivey on the day, so even though he made $76,464 for sixth place he is down $32,536 on the night. 

Ben Fineman Eliminated 5th ($100.431)
Ben Fineman pushes all in on the button with Q3 and is quickly called by Jason Song with 99.  The board comes 764AJ and Fineman is send home in 5th place with a $100,431 payday.

Player Tags: Phil Hellmuth,   Dustin Holmes,   Benjamin Fineman,   Beth Shak,   Jason Song

Hour Two

Jun 19, '07

3 Way All In -- Daniel Corbin Eliminated 9th ($30.814)
In a massive hand Daniel Corbin has been eliminated, Shankar Pillai tripled up and Beth Shak took a huge hit.  Daniel Corbin moved all in for his last $109,000 and Pillai reraised all in for $258,000.  Beth Shak then moved all in as well with both players covered.  Corbin showed K9, Pillai 88, and Shak AQ.  The board came J7633, tripling Pillai up to $680,000, knocking Shak down to $335,000 and sending Corbin home in 9th place for a $30,814 payday.

Hellmuth Doubles Again
On a board of AJ6 Ben Fineman bets and Hellmuth immediately moves all in.  Fineman makes the call and Hellmuth tables A8.  Fineman tables J9 and before the turn comes Hellmuth yells, "I want insurance where's Ivey?" When Hellmulth asks him for insurance Ivey replies, "Oh, you got it, what is it (in reference to what the cards are)."  After looking it over they decide that Hellmuth will risk $30,000 to Ivey's $90,000.  The next two cards come 73, and Hellmuth doubles up.  He also loses another $30,000 to Ivey prompting Hellmuth to say, "I've ran out of money in my pocket."  That gives Ivey a $50,000 profit on the day, good for 8th place money for the final table with a lot less work. 

Break
Players are on a 15 minute break. 

Break Ends
Phil Hellmuth is MIA after the break and tournament staff is about to restart with out him.

Player Tags: Phil Hellmuth,   Phil Ivey,   Benjamin Fineman,   Daniel Corbin,   Shankar Pillai

Ten Handed Final Table

Jun 18, '07

Play has ended for the evening and there are ten players remaining. This event has been chosen as a televised final table by ESPN and is going to be ten handed. The final table will resume play tomorrow at 3 p.m. with the following ten players in order of their chip counts: Dustin Holmes, Beth Shak, Brett Richey, Perry Friedman, Shankar Pillai, Luke Vrabel, Jason Song, Ben Fineman, Phil Hellmuth and Daniel Corbin.

The players returned from dinner and on the first two hands there were two eliminations. In the first hand back from dinner the action folded to Thomas Wahlroos who pushed all in from the button. Perry Friedman called from the big blind and had A-Q. Wahlroos was holding K-6 and never improved. Wahlroos earned $19,173 for his 14th place finish. Ed Moncada was the 13th place finisher, also earning $19,173. Moncada moved all in with A-Q and was called by Shankar Pillai with K-10. Moncada enjoyed the lead until a ten came on the turn and for emphasis a king came on the river.

The level started off with Phil Hellmuth pumping up the agression and raising several times. Over at the other table, Brett Richey seemed to be doing the exact same thing. Richey made a series of $45,000 raises and collected the blinds and antes more than a few times.

Beth Shak had a strong round following dinner and is now second in chips. One one hand she took down more than $200,000 without even seeing a flop. Shak raised from early position and Shankar Pillai reraised her $200,000. Shak didn't even flinch and pushed all in for $450,000. Pillai went deep into the tank with his tournament life in the balance. After several moments Pillai stood up, said "fold", and showed A-K. Shak thought he was calling and excitedly said, "Aces!" and showed A A. The dealer assured Shak that Pillai indeed folded and she collected around $230,000.

Kevin Hong was the 12th place finisher, earning $21,456. On what would be the final hand of the night, Noah Schwartz moved all in for $232,000. Still steaming from the previous hand in which Shak called the clock on him, Schwartz looked visibly agitated. Perry Friedman took no time at all in calling and flipped over Q Q. Schwartz had 6 6. The board came A 10 3 7 4 and Schwartz was eliminated in 11th place, earning $21,456.

The final table for this event will eventually be televised by ESPN after the conclusion of the World Series but to follow all the action and see who takes home the gold bracelet, check back tomorrow with CardPlayer.com

Player Tags: Edward Moncada,   Phil Hellmuth,   Perry Friedman,   Kevin Hong,   Brett Richey,   Dustin Holmes,   Benjamin Fineman,   Beth Shak,   Jason Song,   Thomas Wahlroos,   Noah Schwartz,   Luke Vrabel,   Daniel Corbin,   Shankar Pillai