1. Adam Geyer — 89,500
2. Marco Johnson — 88,000
3. Chad Brown — 67,000
4. Toto Leonidas — 65,000
5. Greg Mueller — 63,000
6. Michael Kamran — 60,000
7. Nick Schulman — 60,000
8. Nenad Medic — 58,000
9. Adam Levy — 56,000
10. Isaac Baron — 55,000
Average Chip Count: 34,444
Notable Eliminations:
Joe Sebok
Kathy Liebert
Tom Schneider
Ray Henson
Eric Baldwin
Jean Gaspard
Hand of the Level:
Joe Sebok Eliminated
Joe Sebok moved all in on a flop of A-8-5 with two hearts holding A-Q. His opponent called him down with J9 and another heart fell on the turn. Sebok was eliminated on the hand.
Level Summary:
The field saw a substantial number of eliminations during the third level of the day as the blinds increased to 150-300. A number of big-name players fell during the level, including current Card Player Player of the Year leader Eric Baldwin.
Two young stars have jumped to the top of leader board. Adam Geyer holds 89,500 and Marco Johnson is close behind with 88,000. Greg Mueller still holds strong near the top with 63,000 after leading the field during the last level.
The low turnout of 279 players has led the tournament staff to change the schedule for today. Play will last for five levels as opposed to the scheduled six, and day 2 will consist of five levels of play as well. Play will conclude at 11:30 p.m. this evening.
1. Billy Kopp – 14,340,000
2. Darvin Moon – 10,350,000
3. Tommy Vedes – 9,000,000
4. Phil Ivey – 7,400,000
5. Ludovic Lacay – 7,150,000
6. Ben Lamb – 6,350,000
7. Antoine Saout – 6,200,000
8. Steve Begleiter – 6,100,000
9. Joseph Cada – 5,900,000
10. Jeff Shulman – 4,600,000
Action folded around to Joe Sebok on the button and he moved all in for about 500,00. Ben Lamb was in the big blind and made the call. Here were their hands.
Sebok: A9
Lamb: AQ
Sebok was dominated and needed a lot of help. The flop came down J43 and Sebok was down to his last two streets. The turn was the 6 and Sebok could only double up with a nine. The river brought the Q instead, pairing Lamb and Sebok was eliminated from the main event.
Billy Kopp Knocks Out John Martin
Billy Kopp raised to 125,000 from under the gun and John Martin made the call from the hijack after Luis Nargentino called from the hijack. The flop came down A96 and Martin bet 250,000. Kopp made the call and Nargentino mucked. The turn was the K and Martin bet 500,000. Kopp sprung his trap and raised to over 2 million. Martin then shoved for the rest of his stack and Kopp made the call.
Kopp tabled 66 for a flopped set while Martin tabled 87 for an open-ended straight draw along with a diamond draw. The river was the J and Martin missed everything. He was eliminated and Kopp was over 11 million after the hand.
Ivey Doesn’t Believe In Bach
Phil Ivey raised to 135,000 preflop and Christopher Bach made the call from the big blind. The flop came down 933 and both players checked. The turn was the 9 and Bach led out with 150,000. The river was the 7 and Bach led out one more time, this time for 360,000.
Ivey made the call and Bach tabled Q10 for a whole lot of nothing. Ivey then showed AQ and his ace kicker played. He took the pot and was over 7 million.
Schneider Doubles Through Hieu Luu
Hieu Luu raised from the cutoff position and Tom Schneider called from the big blind. The flop came A62 and Schnedier checked and called Luu’s 225,000 bet. On the 8 turn, Schneider led out for 400,000 and was raised all in by Luu.
Schneider called and we got the rest of the analysis from Schneider’s wife who yelled “What do you have baby?”
Schneider replied that he had two pair and that he was up against a flush draw. “What do we need?” yelled Mrs. Schneider. To that question, Schneider replied that she should root for the king of spades. Ironically enough, that was what fell on the river and Schneider doubles up to 3,800,000 and Luu drops to 2,400,000.
Maimone’s Two Pair Is No Good
Joseph Cada raised to 175,000 preflop and was called by Dennis Phillips and Nick Maimone called. The flop fell 37Q and Cada bet 250,000, which was only called by Maimone. The turn was the J and Cada bet 450,000, which was again called by Maimone.
The river was the 10 and Cada bet 900,000. Maimone called and Cada showed QQ, good for top set. Maimone made a comment about how sick the hand was as he flashed QJ, good for top two pair, and drawing dead the whole way.
Aces Hold For Smith, Doubles Through Bilzerian
On a flop of 348, Jordan Smith moved all in and was called by Adam Bilzerian. Bilzerian showed 66 and was behind Smith’s AA.
The turn was the K and the river was the 2, alowing Smith to double up to 2,500,000 and Bilzerian dropped to 1,850,000 in chips.
Lichtenberger Drops One to Shulman
Andrew Lichtenberger raised from the button and was called by Eric Buchman and Jeff Shulman from the blinds. The flop was A102 and after Buchman checked, Shulman bet 200,000 into the preflop raiser. Lichtenberger called and Buchman folded. The turn was the 8 and Shulman fired 250,000, which was called.
The river was the J and both players checked. Shulman turned over QT, good for third pair and Lichtenberger mucked his hand.
Prahlad Friedman Eliminated in 64th Place ($90,344)
Prahlad Friedman moved all in from the cutoff for 840,000 and Bradley Craig called from the big blind. Friedman showed KQ and Craig tabled AK.
Friedman was unable to catch a queen as the board ran out 97289 and was eliminated right before a money jump. He is the last player to earn $90,344. Each player eliminated from here on out is guaranteed at least $108,000.
Tommy Vedes Climbs Chip Counts, Eliminates George Saca
Tommy Vedes limped from early position and George Saca made it 250,000 from late position. Vedes made the call and the flop was K54. Vedes checked and Saca bet 460,000, which was called by Vedes.
The turn was the 10 and Vedes checked again. Saca bet 440,000 and Vedes raised to 1,300,000 and Saca moved all in. Vedes had Saca covered and made the call. Vedes tabled 55 and had Saca drawing dead when he tabled AK. The river was a meaningless A, which gave Saca two pair, but not the best hand. He was eliminated in 63rd place and Vedes has 8,200,000 in chips.
Shulman Takes a Small Pot
Jeff Shulman raised and was called by Jason Brice. The flop was J107 and Shulman checked. Brice bet 160,000 and Shulman called. The turn was the 6 and the river was the 9.
Both players checked both streets down and Shulman showed A10 and his pair was good enough to take the pot.
Craig Boyd Doubles Up
Craig Boyd moved all in for 515,000 preflop and Mika Puumalainen made the call from the button. Boyd turned over Q8 while Puumalainen tabled AJ.
The flop was golden for Boyd as it fell Q32, giving him the lead. The turn was the J, giving Puumalainen a piece of the hand. The river was the 6 and, since neither man had a club in his hand, Boyd took the pot with his pair of queens. He doubled to just over 1 million. Puumalainen would be eliminated later in the hour.
Sebok Cut In Half Early
Joe Sebok started the day with 1 million in chips. He had been slowly getting anted off during the level before he finally saw a flop against Nick Maimone.
Sebok raised to 125,000 preflop and Maimone made the call. The flop came down A29 and Sebok led out with 135,000. Maimone made the call and the turn was the 3. Both players checked and they did the same on the 7 river. Maimone then tabled A10 for top pair and Sebok mucked.
Sebok was down to just 500,000 after the hand.
Lacay Takes One
Ludovic Lacay raised to 130,000 preflop from the cutoff and Christopher Bach made the call from the big blind. The flop came down K37 and Lacay fired 175,000. The turn was the 10 and Bach decided to take the initiative, firing 300,000. Lacay would have none of it, raising to 900,000. Bach made the call and the river was the 4. Bach took another shot, firing 680,000. Lacay was in no mood for nonsense and moved all in. Bach took a session in the tank and mucked his hand.
Lacay took the pot and was at 7.3 million in chips.
NOTE: There was a 20-minute break after this level and play will commence at 10:50 p.m. PDT.
Blinds: 15,000-30,000 with a 4,000 ante
Players Remaining: 82 out of 6,494
Chip Counts:
1. Darvin Moon – 7,500,000
2. Antonio Esfandiari – 5,600,000
3. Antoine Saout – 5,430,000
4. Ludovic Lacay – 5,200,000
5. Charlie Elias – 4,750,0005.
6. Tommy Vedes – 4,550,000
7. Billy Kopp – 4,500,000
8. Jeff Duvall – 4,410,000
9. Steve Begleiter – 4,400,000
10. Eugene Kathchalov – 4,200,000
Average Chip Count: 2,375,853
Card Player Chip Count:
Jeff Shulman – 3,750,000
- Shulman continues to hold steady above the 3.5 million mark. His stack is currently in 11th place.
Notable Eliminations:
86. Kenny Tran – $57,991
Chip Movers and Shakers
- Benjamin Jensen jumped his stack to 2.4 million in a hand where he made trip aces against Fabrice Soulier. Soulier was knocked down to 2.17 million.
- Adam Bilzerian grew his stack to 2.66 million when he snapped up a pot that was over 800,000 against Tom Schneider. Bilzerian bet 550,000 on a Q-Q-5 flop and Schneider mucked. Schneider was down to 1.135 million after the hand.
- Ludovic Lacay held strong near 5.2 million, thanks to his pocket tens making a straight on the river to match the Broadway straight of Craig Boyd (A-10) on a K-Q-J-2-A board. Boyd held 2.6 million after the hand.
Big Hands
Blair Rodman Doubles Up
Phil Ivey raised to 80,000 and Blair Rodman shoved all in for 362,000 total. Action was folded back around to Ivey who made the call. Ivey exposed the A9 while Rodman exposed the 88. The board ran out K10462, as Rodman’s eights held up. Rodman is still short with 780,000.
Dennis Phillips Wins Million Chip Pot
Thai Tran raised preflop to 70,000 and Dennis Phillips reraised to 180,000. Steve Sanders made the call and action was back to Tran. He didn’t just call, instead he put out a raise to 605,000. Action was back to Phillips, who went into the tank and eventually announced all in for 1,900,000 total. Sanders quickly folded and Tran went into the tank before mucking. Phillips collected the million chip pot without having to see a flop. Phillips is now at 3,000,000.
Kenny Tran Eliminated 86th Place ($57,991)
With less than 500,000 Kenny Tran chose to move all in with the A5 and was called by the 88 of Joseph Cada. The board offered no salvation as it ran out 43396. Cada is at 2,580,000.
Darvin Moon Wins Monster Pot
Darvin Moon limped from early position and Chris Bach raised to 175,000. Jamie Brown reraised to 375,000 from the button. Moon limped in with a huge hand and made it 1,000,000 to go. Bach folded and Brown thought for awhile before going all in with his last 1,400,000. Moon snap called and exposed the AA. Brown tabled the dominated KK. The board ran out 653J8 as Brown received no help and was eliminated from the main event. Moon is at 7,500,000 and the chip leader.
Antonio Esfandiari Eliminates Opponent
Antonio Esfandiari raised preflop and was repopped by Wesley Ismay. Esfandiari made the call and both players saw a flop of 755. Esfandiari bet 400,000 and Ismay called. The K hit the turn and Esfandiari once again bet out, this time for 700,000. Ismay reraised all in for 2,000,000 total. Esfandiari made the call and exposed the AK and had his opponent’s Q-9 drawing dead. The meaningless 6 fell on the river and Esfandiari is now at 5,600,000.
Joe Sebok Doubles Up Again
Billy Kopp raised 80,000 in middle position and Joe Sebok moved all in for 301,000 from the button. Action was folded back to Kopp who made the call. Kopp exposed the Q7 while Sebok tabled the 99. The board ran out 107435 and Sebok survived the double up. He is at 680,000 while Kopp is down to 4,100,000.
1. Ludovic Lacay – 5,650,000
2. Darvin Moon – 5,550,000
3. Antoine Saout – 5,281,000
4. Eugene Kathchalov – 5,200,000
5. Charlie Elias – 4,750,000
6. Steve Begleiter – 4,720,000
7. Billy Kopp – 4,500,000
8. Tommy Vedes – 4,400,000
9. Wesley Ismay – 4,000,000
10. Jeff Shulman – 3,700,000
Average Chip Count: 1,928,911
Card Player Chip Movement:
Jeff Shulman has been moved to a new table with Tom Schneider and Ludovic Lacay both on his left. He has held steady during the last hour.
Notable Eliminations:
98. Hac Dang – $47,003
96. Noah Boeken – 47,003
Chip Movers and Shakers
- Kasper Cordes was eliminated when his A-K ran into the pocket eights of Scott Cook, which had made top set when Cordes moved the last of his chips into the middle.
- Jonathan Tamayo used pocket aces to grow his stack to more than 3 million.
- Dennis Phillips picked up more than 300,000 to grow his stack to just over 2 million.
Big Hands
Kenny Tran Doubles Up
The short stack of Kenny Tran moved all in preflop with the 66 and was called by the A9 of Grayson Ramage. The flop came A64, giving Tran a set and putting him way out in front. The J hit the turn and the 7 fell on the river, doubling him up to just 500,000.
Phil Ivey Eliminates Hac Dang
Hac Dang raised to 80,000 preflop and action was folded around to Phil Ivey who reraised to 260,000. Dang decided to move all in for 620,000 total and Ivey made the quick call. Dang exposed the QQ and was dominating the JJ of Ivey. The flop seemed like destiny for Ivey as it came J94, putting him way out in front with his top set. The 5 on the turn put Dang in danger of being eliminated by perhaps the best player left in the tournament. The 7 fell on the river and Ivey knocked out Dang, bringing his stack up to 3,260,000.
Ludovic Lacay Hits Miracle, Wins Huge Double Up
Hamid Nourafchan raised 100,000 preflop from middle position. Action was folded to Ludovic Lacay in the big blind. He made it 350,000 total and Nourafchan quickly moved all in. Lacay made the call for the rest of his 2,800,000 chip stack. Lacay tabled the KK, but Nourafchan exposed the AA. Lacay needed to get lucky but had to listen to the fact that someone else at the table folded a king. The flop came JJ5, and Lacay needed massive help. The 4 hit the turn and Lacay was down to the case king in the deck. The miracle hit as the K fell, doubling him up to a massive 5,650,000. Nourafchan would have had a massive chip lead but is now down to 2,400,000.
Eugene Katchalov Eliminates Opponent
Bernhard Perner went all in for 295,000 under the gun and Eugene Katchalov went into the tank from early position. He eventually made the call and tabled the AJ and was behind against the AK of Perner. The flop came A99, offering some split possibilities for Katchalov. The 5 hit the turn and Perner needed to dodge just one more card to double up. However, the J on the river sent him to the rail and saw Katchalov’s stack soar to 5.2 million.
Joe Sebock Doubles Up
Joe Sebock moved all in preflop for 154,000 and was called by Frank Rusnak on the button. Sebock exposed the 55 and was up against the AQ of his opponent. The board ran out 88739 and Sebock is up to 393,000.
Noah Boeken Eliminated
After a flop of 1052, Noah Boeken checked and Kevin Schaffel checked. Hung Pham was next to act and he threw out a bet of 190,000 Boeken thought about it for awhile and then moved all in to put his tournament at risk. Action was back on Schaffel who made the fold. Pham made the quick call. Pham exposed the 1010, as Boeken saw his opponent had a set against his 56. Needing a heart to stay alive or runner-runner quads, Boeken was dismayed when the 8 hit the turn. The Q on the river ended his hopes and he was sent to the rail. Pham is now at 3,250,000.
Level 19 Hour 2 Update: Dan Harrington, Kara Scott Hit the Rail, James Akenhead Emerges as Chip Leader
Jul 12, '09
Blinds: 5,000-10,000 with a 1,000 ante
Players Remaining: 232 out of 6,494
Chip Counts:
1. James Akenhead – 2,890,000
2. Nicholle Peppe – 2,700,000
3. Matt Affleck – 2,600,000
4. Julien Brecard – 2,175,000
5. Billy Kopp – 2,100,000
6. Eugene Katchalov – 2,100,000
7. Tom Schneider – 2,085,000
8. Ben Lamb – 2,000,000
9. Nasr El Nasr – 2,000,000
10. Kevin Schaffel – 1,840,000
Card Player Chip Counts:
Jeff Shulman – 575,000
Average Chip Count: 822,025
Notable Eliminations:
Dan Shak
Nick Binger
Jimmy Tran
Kara Scott
Big Hands:
Kara Scott Doubles Up, Gets Crippled, Then Goes Bust
Kara Scott moved in for about 120,000 preflop and she was called by Ilosvay Zsolt. Scott tabled KJ while Zsolt showed KQ.
The flop came down 1064 and Scott held a flush draw. The turn was money for her as the 10 fell and the A fell on the river for good measure. She doubled up to 270,000.
Moments later, Bob Lauria moved in for 170,000 preflop and Scott made the call. Lauria tabled AK but was in big trouble against Scott’s pocket aces, AA. The flop came down Q910 and Lauria flopped tons of outs to a straight or club flush. The turn was the 4, making the flush and the river was the J to rub it in Scott’s face. Lauria doubled up and Scott was crippled with just 90,000 left.
Later, Kara Scott moved in for just 70,000 and was called by Paul Baron. Baron tabled 53 while Scott held A2. The board ran out Q5659 and Scott was eliminated.
Bob Lauria Doubles
Bob Lauria moved all in for his final 107,000 and Ian Woodley made the call. Lauria showed AQ while Woodley tabled K6.
The board ran out KQ2A2 and Lauria doubled to about 220,000.
Nick Binger Eliminated
Nick Binger raised preflop and Montagna Corrado repopped to 60,000. Action folded back around to Binger who moved in for 125,000 more. Corrado made the call and tabled KK. Binger showed down A10 and needed help to stay alive.
The board ran out 63295 and Binger was elilminated from the main event.
Cole South Hits an Ace on the River
After a series of raises preflop, Cole South called the all in bet of his opponent who had about 200,000, and the hands were turned face up. South showed the AQ and was up against QQ of his opponent.
The flop was 7K9, the turn was the K, and South would need an ace on the river for the win. The river was the A and South took the pot and eliminated an opponent.
Action Dan Gets Caught Bluffing, Then Gets Shown The Door
On the turn, with already over 400,000 in the pot already, the board read A10KK, both Dan Harrington and Charlie Elias checked and watched the 3 fall on the river.
Dan Harrington then bet 350,000 on the river and Elias went into the tank for several minutes. After a while, Elias cut out the call and Harrington acknowledged the fact that Elias made a good call and tabled 89 and Elias turned up QQ.
A few hands later, the flop was K92 and Eric Cloutier fired 180,000. Harrington moved in for 345,000 and the call was made. Cloutier held AK while Harrington was drawing live with AQ. But the turn was the 3 and the river was the 7 and Harrington could not make his flush, resulting in his elimination. He exited the Amazon Room to a standing ovation.
Akenhead’s Kings Give Him the Chip Lead
Eracles Panayiotous raised to 26,000 and was three-bet by James Akenhead to 80,000. Panayiotous made the call and the flop fell Q73 and Akenhead bet 130,000 and was called.
The turn was the 8 and Akenhead bet 190,000 and was met with a raise to 430,000 from Panayiotous. Akenhead eventually makes the call and the K fell on the river. Akenhead checked and Panayiotous moved all in for about 800,000. Akenhead instantly made the call and tabled the KK, giving him top set and his opponent turned over 64, for an absolute air ball.
Akenhead now has over 3,000,000 in chips and is the new chip leader for the tournament.
Sebok Doubles Up With Big Slick, Proceeds to Bust Opponent
Adam Lattimer raised to 26,000 and was reraised to 86,000 by Hieu Luu. Action was folded around to Joe Sebok who moved all in for 259,000. Lattimer eventually folded and Luu went into the tank. Luu eventually made the call, figuring he was priced in and showed a mere Q7 and was up against Sebok’s AK.
The flop was 456, followed by the 7 on the turn, giving Luu a pair of sevens. Sebok was getting up out of his chair and putting on his jacket when the K hit the river and Sebok stayed alive.
Moments later, Sebok called his opponent’s all in bet and tabled JJ. His opponent showed down 1010 and the board ran out QQ67Q, giving Sebok a better full house and the pot. He was at around 500,000.
J.C. Tran Takes A Pot
J.C. Tran raised to 24,000 preflop and was called by the big blind. The flop came down 1085 and action was checked to Tran. He bet out 30,000 and the big blind called. The turn was the Q and Tran fired 65,000.
The big blind gave up his hand and Tran was at 260,000.
Nicholle Peppe Takes A Massive 2.5 Million Pot Off Lutz
On a flop of 1097, Tom Lutz bet 300,000 and Nicholle Peppe shoved for 1,099,000. Lutz made the call and the hands were turned over.
Lutz: 108
Peppe: 97
Lutz gambled with his top pair and open-ended straight draw, but the turn was the 4 and the river was the 2 and Peppe doubled up in the biggest pot of the tournament. She was at 2.7 million while Lutz dropped to a still respectable 1.16 million.
Level 18 Hour 1 Update: Schneider And Hinkle Score Early Knockouts
Jul 12, '09
Blinds: 4,000-8,000 with a 1,000 ante
Players Remaining: 372 out of 6,494
Chip Counts:
1. Matt Affleck – 2,100,000
2. Blair Hinkle – 2,000,000
3. Ben Lamb – 2,000,000506
4. Kevin Schaffel – 1,760,000
5. Berhard Perner – 1,675,000
6. Ludovic Lacay – 1,608,000
7. Tom Lutz – 1,600,000
8. James Akenhead – 1,572,000
9. Charlie Elias – 1,540,000
10. Miika Puumalainen – 1,492,000
Card Player Chip Counts:
Jeff Shulman – 314,000
Average Chip Count: 506,026
Notable Eliminations:
Jeff Kimber
Thor Hansen
C.K. Hua
Big Hands:
Schneider Eliminates Burt With Big Slick
Tom Schneider and Keith Burt got all of their money in preflop and their hands were turned over. Schneider held AK and Burt showed 97.
The board ran out 52226, leaving Burt with just nine-high and giving Schneider the pot. Burt is eliminated from the tournament, while Schneider’s stack is increased to 950,000.
Sebok’s Bluff Picked Off
Hieu Luu raised to 20,000 preflop and was called by Joe Sebok from the small blind. The flop was 533 and Sebok checked. Luu fired 30,000 which was called by Sebok.
The turn was the 8 and both players checked. The 9 fell on the river and Sebok bet 70,000 and was called by Luu. Sebok showed A10 and Luu turned over pocket tens to take the pot.
Blair Hinkle Doubles One Opponent Up, Makes A Profit Anyway
Oliver Klatt moved all in preflop and the action folded to Isidro Martinez. He moved all in having Klatt covered and the action was on Blair Hinkle. He then came over the top for all of his chips, having both men covered. Everyone else mucked and the hands were turned up.
Martinez: QQ
Hinkle: KK
Klatt: 99
Hinkle was in great position to score a double knockout, but the flop came down J94, giving Klatt a set of nines. The turn was the A and the river was the J, scoring a triple up for Klatt. However, he only had 125,000 total, leaving a small dent in Hinkle’s stack. Hinkle won the side pot against Martinez and after all the chips were counted, Hinkle made a profit out of the deal, his chips around 2 million.
Benyamine Takes A Big Pot
Picking up the action on the turn, the board read 9336 and Sarne Lightman fired 150,000 into a pot of over 225,000. David Benyamine took a few seconds to count out his stack, then moved all in for 135,000 more.
Lightman then took a tank session of his own and decided to muck his hand, surrendering the large pot to Benyamine. Benyamine was around 680,000.
Kenny Tran Gets Bluffed
Kenny Tran raised to 23,000 from early position and was three-bet by a player in late position to 100,000. Tran went into the tank for several minutes before making the call.
The flop came J49 and Tran checked to his opponent. His opponent didn’t make any movements and was just staring around the room, until the dealer informed him that Tran had checked and the player decided to go all in. Tran fairly quickly folded and folded pocket queens face up. To his dismay, his opponent turned over A10, for just ace-high.
Phillips Knocks Out Mighty Thor
Dennis Phillips and Thor Hansen got all of their chips into the middle preflop and Phillips had the best of it when he turned over AK against Hansen’s KQ.
Hansen said he was good with the ladies, but his mojo was a little low today as the board ran out 75675, keeping Phillips’ big slick in the lead and eliminating a tough opponent from the tournament.
1. Bertrand Grospellier – 1,600,000
2. Ludovic Lacay – 925,000
3. Jason Brice – 838,500
4. Benjamin Jensen – 835,500
5. Eli Adler – 810,000
6. Kasper Cordes – 796,000
7. James Akenhead – 794,000
8. Billy Kopp – 792,000
9. Tyler Patterson – 784,000
10. Adam Bilzerian – 767,000
Card Player Chip Counts:
Jeff Shulman – 197,000
Phil Hellmuth – 235,000
Average Chip Count: 220,884
Notable Eliminations:
Maria Mayrinck
John Racener
Big Hands:
Happy Beginnings
On the third hand of the day, Steve Gahaghan moved all in from under the gun for 52,000. Jeff Shulman was next to act and made the quick call. Everyone else mucked and Gahaghan showed A8 while Shulman had JJ.
The flop fell 1096 giving Gahaghan a gutshot straight draw. The turn was the K taking a bunch of spades away from Gahaghan as outs. The river was the 5, giving Shulman a flush and the pot. Shulman was at 197,000.
Bilzerian Hits Runners to Stay Alive
Dan Bilzerian moved all in preflop and was called by Jesse Chinni for his last 67,500 chips. Chinni showed AQ and Bilzerian had 89. The flop was QK4 and Bilzerian was in bad shape.
The turn, however, gave Bilzerian some hope when the 8 fell. The miracle fell on the river as the 9 was turned over and kept Bilzerian in the tourney.
Bonomo Suffers Early Blow
Meyer Rainer was all in preflop against Justin Bonomo. Bonomo held AK, but was crushed by Rainer’s AA. The board was dry for Bonomo as it ran out 29552.
Rainer doubled up to 330,000, while Bonomo dropped to 310,000 in chips.
Sebok’s Big Slick Delivers Knockout
In yet another all in preflop confrontation, which seems to be the theme of the beginning of the day, Joe Sebok called the all in of a short stacked Mads Jacobsen. Sebok showed AK and dominated Jacobsen’s A10. Jacobsen had some more life on the flop as it was 545, meaning he could chop with a 5 and win with a spade or a 10.
The turn and river didn’t improve him when the J came on the turn and the 3 was dealt on the river. “So much drama,” cracked Sebok as he increased his stack to 315,000.
Theo Tran Gets A Good Flop
Theo Tran raised to 11,000 under the gun and action folded all the way around to Ray DeBruyn in the big blind. He made the call and both players saw the flop come down A5Q. Both players checked and the turn was the 4 and DeBruyn checked again. Tran bet 12,000 and was called. The river was the 6 and both players checked again.
DeBruyn turned over 1010, but Tran showed Q10 for a better pair and a flush draw on the flop. He took the pot and was at 445,000.
J.C. Tran Doubles Up
After losing over 100,000 a few hands prior when he ran his ace-king into pocket aces, J.C. Tran moved all in for his last 40,000 preflop. Mark Weil had originally raised to 11,000 and decided to make the call. Tran turned up AQ while Weil tabled A7. The flop came 854, giving Weil a gutshot straight draw. The turn was the 10, giving Weil no help.
“Put a face card out there, dealer,” Tran pleaded. The river was anything but a face card, bringing the 2. Tran was happy enough with that as he doubled up to 80,000.
1. Craig Hopkins – 131,000
2. Nick Maimone – 125,000
3. Jim Bookstaff – 118,000
4. Vadim Gruzglin – 118,000
5. Jesse Rios – 110,500
6. Ali Eslami – 90,000
7. Karin Lehoussing – 87,000
8. Jonathan Tare – 75,000
9. Sam Khouiss – 72,000
10. Dave D’Alesandro – 68,000
Card Player Chip Counts:
Todd Brunson — 41,000
Mike Matusow — 29,000
Notable Eliminations:
Big Hands
Sebok Mixes It Up
The player under the gun limped in for 300. The next player to act raised to 1,500 and Joe Sebok was next to act. He made the call and everyone else mucked, including the player under the gun.
The flop then fell 764 and both players checked. It was the same story on the 8 turn and J river. Sebok then showed his hand, 22. It was good enough to take the pot as his opponent showed A10 for just ace high.
A few hands later, the flop came down J83. Sebok called his opponent’s all in bet and tabled 54 for a flush draw. His opponent tabled KK and Sebok needed help. The turn didn’t give him anything as it was the 10, but the A on the river made Sebok his flush and he knocked out his opponent, pushing his stack to 64,000.
Raymer Straightens Out His Opponent
A player raised to 950 and the player in the cutoff made the call. The action was then on Greg Raymer on the button, who raised to 3,500. Everyone folded except the cutoff and the flop was 987. Both players checked and saw the 10 fall on the turn.
The cutoff bet 5,000 and Raymer made the call. The river was the 2 and the action was checked to Raymer. He bet another 5,000 and the cutoff called. Raymer tabled KJ for a straight and the cutoff mucked. Raymer raked in the pot and was at 48,000.
Mortensen Getting Short
On a board reading J96Q, Carlos Mortensen bet 5,000. Another player raised to 13,000 and Mortensen made the call. The river was the 2 and the player shoved his entire stack, having Mortensen covered. Mortensen then mucked pocket nines face up, giving up his set. The other player showed K10 for the flush and took the pot, knocking out another player in the hand. Mortensen was down to just 12,000.
Helppi’s Pocket Kings Hold Up, Even With an Ace on Board
Juha Helppi raised to 900 under the gun and got four callers. The flop came AJ6 and everybody checked around. The turn was the 6 and everybody checked again.
The river brought the 6 and now Helppi put out a bet of 1,150 and it folded around to the player in the small blind who cut out a call and put the chips in. Helppi tabled KK and his opponent mucked his cards.
Kravchenko and Raymer Mixing it Up
After some preflop action, three players, including Alex Kravchenko and Greg Raymer see a flop of AQ2. Kravchenko bet 1,500, there was a fold and then Raymer made the call. The turn was the K and both players checked.
The river was the 6 and Kravchenko checked again. Raymer bet 4,000 and after a few moments, Kravchenko mucked. Raymer tabled the AQ, good for two pair.
Just a few hands later, these same two players were sparring again. Raymer checked and called a bet from Kravchenko on the turn and a third player came along for the river.
The final board read KJ9K8. Raymer checked, the other player checked and Kravchenko bet 3,000. Raymer quickly made the call and the third party got out of the way. Kravchenko showed AK and Raymer mucked.
Round 2 goes to Kravchenko.
Jason Young Gets Bluffed
A player under the gun made it 900 to go and got three callers, including Jason Young who called from the button. The flop was K64 and the under the gun player bet 2,100. After there were two folds in between, Jason Young opted to raise to 5,150. After some thought, the under the gun player tossed in the call.
The 7 fell on the turn and both players checked. The 2 was the river card and now the original preflop raiser bets 9,000. “You got two aces?” asked Young before he mucks his hand. His read was a little off as his opponent showed the 54, for just a pair of fours.
Left In The Deck:
It was just announced that 873 players registered for Day 1b of the main event, with 720 remaining. This is down from 1,158 players that registered on Day 1b last year. It appears that people just don’t want to spend their 4th of July holiday in the poker room.
Level 2 - Hour 1 Update: Chris Ferguson Adds to Stack
Jul 04, '09
Blinds: 100-200
Chip Counts:
1. Dave D’Alesandro — 64,000
2. Jeremiah Smith — 63,000
3. Angelo Ricci — 62,000
4. Talal Shakerchi – 60,000
5. Sam Khouiss — 52,000
6. Alex Jung – 48,500
7. Chris Ferguson – 44,000
8. Allan Vrooman — 40,000
9. Carlos Mortensen — 39,000
10. Juha Helppi – 37,000
Card Player Chip Counts:
Stephen Murphy – 18,250
Todd Brunson — 26,100
Mike Matusow — 26,000
Big Hands
Joe Sebok Finally Wins A Pot
Joe Sebok raises from the cutoff and the player in the big blind calls. The flop comes J75, Sebok bets 1,200 and the big blind calls. The turn is the A, both players check around. The river is the 3, and this time Sebok bets 3,300. The big blind folds and Sebok rakes the pot. After this hand he is up to 20,000 in chips.
Chris Ferguson Chips Up
Two players had already limped in the pot when Chris Ferguson raised to 1,000 from the button. Both opponents call and the flop comes J106. The player in the cutoff bets 1,400, Ferguson calls, and the third opponent folds. The turn is the 3, the cutoff bets 2,000 and Ferguson calls. The river is the 10, the cutoff bets 2,000, Ferguson raises to 7,000 and the cutoff calls. Ferguson shows KK and his opponent mucks his cards. Ferguson rakes the pot and is up to 44,000 in chips this hand.
Miracle Hits
An unknown short stacked player moved all in for 5,000 on a flop of 1072 with the J10 and was snap called by the 22 of an opponent. Needing runner-runner to stay alive, the J hit the turn, giving him the short stack top two pair and just four outs to make a full house. The 10 fell on the river, completing the miracle.
Raymer Caught Bluffing
Raymer fired on every street on a board of 1053A9 and was called down each time. The former main event champion bet 3,500 on the end and when he was called he said, “good call, I missed my straight draw.” His opponent tabled the AK for top pair and Raymer mucked. He is down to just 17,000.
1. Billy Kopp – 14,340,000
2. Darvin Moon – 10,350,000
3. Tommy Vedes – 9,000,000
4. Phil Ivey – 7,400,000
5. Ludovic Lacay – 7,150,000
6. Ben Lamb – 6,350,000
7. Antoine Saout – 6,200,000
8. Steve Begleiter – 6,100,000
9. Joseph Cada – 5,900,000
10. Jeff Shulman – 4,600,000
Action folded around to Joe Sebok on the button and he moved all in for about 500,00. Ben Lamb was in the big blind and made the call. Here were their hands.
Sebok: A9
Lamb: AQ
Sebok was dominated and needed a lot of help. The flop came down J43 and Sebok was down to his last two streets. The turn was the 6 and Sebok could only double up with a nine. The river brought the Q instead, pairing Lamb and Sebok was eliminated from the main event.
Billy Kopp Knocks Out John Martin
Billy Kopp raised to 125,000 from under the gun and John Martin made the call from the hijack after Luis Nargentino called from the hijack. The flop came down A96 and Martin bet 250,000. Kopp made the call and Nargentino mucked. The turn was the K and Martin bet 500,000. Kopp sprung his trap and raised to over 2 million. Martin then shoved for the rest of his stack and Kopp made the call.
Kopp tabled 66 for a flopped set while Martin tabled 87 for an open-ended straight draw along with a diamond draw. The river was the J and Martin missed everything. He was eliminated and Kopp was over 11 million after the hand.
Ivey Doesn’t Believe In Bach
Phil Ivey raised to 135,000 preflop and Christopher Bach made the call from the big blind. The flop came down 933 and both players checked. The turn was the 9 and Bach led out with 150,000. The river was the 7 and Bach led out one more time, this time for 360,000.
Ivey made the call and Bach tabled Q10 for a whole lot of nothing. Ivey then showed AQ and his ace kicker played. He took the pot and was over 7 million.
Schneider Doubles Through Hieu Luu
Hieu Luu raised from the cutoff position and Tom Schneider called from the big blind. The flop came A62 and Schnedier checked and called Luu’s 225,000 bet. On the 8 turn, Schneider led out for 400,000 and was raised all in by Luu.
Schneider called and we got the rest of the analysis from Schneider’s wife who yelled “What do you have baby?”
Schneider replied that he had two pair and that he was up against a flush draw. “What do we need?” yelled Mrs. Schneider. To that question, Schneider replied that she should root for the king of spades. Ironically enough, that was what fell on the river and Schneider doubles up to 3,800,000 and Luu drops to 2,400,000.
Maimone’s Two Pair Is No Good
Joseph Cada raised to 175,000 preflop and was called by Dennis Phillips and Nick Maimone called. The flop fell 37Q and Cada bet 250,000, which was only called by Maimone. The turn was the J and Cada bet 450,000, which was again called by Maimone.
The river was the 10 and Cada bet 900,000. Maimone called and Cada showed QQ, good for top set. Maimone made a comment about how sick the hand was as he flashed QJ, good for top two pair, and drawing dead the whole way.
Aces Hold For Smith, Doubles Through Bilzerian
On a flop of 348, Jordan Smith moved all in and was called by Adam Bilzerian. Bilzerian showed 66 and was behind Smith’s AA.
The turn was the K and the river was the 2, alowing Smith to double up to 2,500,000 and Bilzerian dropped to 1,850,000 in chips.
Lichtenberger Drops One to Shulman
Andrew Lichtenberger raised from the button and was called by Eric Buchman and Jeff Shulman from the blinds. The flop was A102 and after Buchman checked, Shulman bet 200,000 into the preflop raiser. Lichtenberger called and Buchman folded. The turn was the 8 and Shulman fired 250,000, which was called.
The river was the J and both players checked. Shulman turned over QT, good for third pair and Lichtenberger mucked his hand.
Prahlad Friedman Eliminated in 64th Place ($90,344)
Prahlad Friedman moved all in from the cutoff for 840,000 and Bradley Craig called from the big blind. Friedman showed KQ and Craig tabled AK.
Friedman was unable to catch a queen as the board ran out 97289 and was eliminated right before a money jump. He is the last player to earn $90,344. Each player eliminated from here on out is guaranteed at least $108,000.
Tommy Vedes Climbs Chip Counts, Eliminates George Saca
Tommy Vedes limped from early position and George Saca made it 250,000 from late position. Vedes made the call and the flop was K54. Vedes checked and Saca bet 460,000, which was called by Vedes.
The turn was the 10 and Vedes checked again. Saca bet 440,000 and Vedes raised to 1,300,000 and Saca moved all in. Vedes had Saca covered and made the call. Vedes tabled 55 and had Saca drawing dead when he tabled AK. The river was a meaningless A, which gave Saca two pair, but not the best hand. He was eliminated in 63rd place and Vedes has 8,200,000 in chips.
Shulman Takes a Small Pot
Jeff Shulman raised and was called by Jason Brice. The flop was J107 and Shulman checked. Brice bet 160,000 and Shulman called. The turn was the 6 and the river was the 9.
Both players checked both streets down and Shulman showed A10 and his pair was good enough to take the pot.
Craig Boyd Doubles Up
Craig Boyd moved all in for 515,000 preflop and Mika Puumalainen made the call from the button. Boyd turned over Q8 while Puumalainen tabled AJ.
The flop was golden for Boyd as it fell Q32, giving him the lead. The turn was the J, giving Puumalainen a piece of the hand. The river was the 6 and, since neither man had a club in his hand, Boyd took the pot with his pair of queens. He doubled to just over 1 million. Puumalainen would be eliminated later in the hour.
Sebok Cut In Half Early
Joe Sebok started the day with 1 million in chips. He had been slowly getting anted off during the level before he finally saw a flop against Nick Maimone.
Sebok raised to 125,000 preflop and Maimone made the call. The flop came down A29 and Sebok led out with 135,000. Maimone made the call and the turn was the 3. Both players checked and they did the same on the 7 river. Maimone then tabled A10 for top pair and Sebok mucked.
Sebok was down to just 500,000 after the hand.
Lacay Takes One
Ludovic Lacay raised to 130,000 preflop from the cutoff and Christopher Bach made the call from the big blind. The flop came down K37 and Lacay fired 175,000. The turn was the 10 and Bach decided to take the initiative, firing 300,000. Lacay would have none of it, raising to 900,000. Bach made the call and the river was the 4. Bach took another shot, firing 680,000. Lacay was in no mood for nonsense and moved all in. Bach took a session in the tank and mucked his hand.
Lacay took the pot and was at 7.3 million in chips.
NOTE: There was a 20-minute break after this level and play will commence at 10:50 p.m. PDT.
Blinds: 15,000-30,000 with a 4,000 ante
Players Remaining: 82 out of 6,494
Chip Counts:
1. Darvin Moon – 7,500,000
2. Antonio Esfandiari – 5,600,000
3. Antoine Saout – 5,430,000
4. Ludovic Lacay – 5,200,000
5. Charlie Elias – 4,750,0005.
6. Tommy Vedes – 4,550,000
7. Billy Kopp – 4,500,000
8. Jeff Duvall – 4,410,000
9. Steve Begleiter – 4,400,000
10. Eugene Kathchalov – 4,200,000
Average Chip Count: 2,375,853
Card Player Chip Count:
Jeff Shulman – 3,750,000
- Shulman continues to hold steady above the 3.5 million mark. His stack is currently in 11th place.
Notable Eliminations:
86. Kenny Tran – $57,991
Chip Movers and Shakers
- Benjamin Jensen jumped his stack to 2.4 million in a hand where he made trip aces against Fabrice Soulier. Soulier was knocked down to 2.17 million.
- Adam Bilzerian grew his stack to 2.66 million when he snapped up a pot that was over 800,000 against Tom Schneider. Bilzerian bet 550,000 on a Q-Q-5 flop and Schneider mucked. Schneider was down to 1.135 million after the hand.
- Ludovic Lacay held strong near 5.2 million, thanks to his pocket tens making a straight on the river to match the Broadway straight of Craig Boyd (A-10) on a K-Q-J-2-A board. Boyd held 2.6 million after the hand.
Big Hands
Blair Rodman Doubles Up
Phil Ivey raised to 80,000 and Blair Rodman shoved all in for 362,000 total. Action was folded back around to Ivey who made the call. Ivey exposed the A9 while Rodman exposed the 88. The board ran out K10462, as Rodman’s eights held up. Rodman is still short with 780,000.
Dennis Phillips Wins Million Chip Pot
Thai Tran raised preflop to 70,000 and Dennis Phillips reraised to 180,000. Steve Sanders made the call and action was back to Tran. He didn’t just call, instead he put out a raise to 605,000. Action was back to Phillips, who went into the tank and eventually announced all in for 1,900,000 total. Sanders quickly folded and Tran went into the tank before mucking. Phillips collected the million chip pot without having to see a flop. Phillips is now at 3,000,000.
Kenny Tran Eliminated 86th Place ($57,991)
With less than 500,000 Kenny Tran chose to move all in with the A5 and was called by the 88 of Joseph Cada. The board offered no salvation as it ran out 43396. Cada is at 2,580,000.
Darvin Moon Wins Monster Pot
Darvin Moon limped from early position and Chris Bach raised to 175,000. Jamie Brown reraised to 375,000 from the button. Moon limped in with a huge hand and made it 1,000,000 to go. Bach folded and Brown thought for awhile before going all in with his last 1,400,000. Moon snap called and exposed the AA. Brown tabled the dominated KK. The board ran out 653J8 as Brown received no help and was eliminated from the main event. Moon is at 7,500,000 and the chip leader.
Antonio Esfandiari Eliminates Opponent
Antonio Esfandiari raised preflop and was repopped by Wesley Ismay. Esfandiari made the call and both players saw a flop of 755. Esfandiari bet 400,000 and Ismay called. The K hit the turn and Esfandiari once again bet out, this time for 700,000. Ismay reraised all in for 2,000,000 total. Esfandiari made the call and exposed the AK and had his opponent’s Q-9 drawing dead. The meaningless 6 fell on the river and Esfandiari is now at 5,600,000.
Joe Sebok Doubles Up Again
Billy Kopp raised 80,000 in middle position and Joe Sebok moved all in for 301,000 from the button. Action was folded back to Kopp who made the call. Kopp exposed the Q7 while Sebok tabled the 99. The board ran out 107435 and Sebok survived the double up. He is at 680,000 while Kopp is down to 4,100,000.
1. Ludovic Lacay – 5,650,000
2. Darvin Moon – 5,550,000
3. Antoine Saout – 5,281,000
4. Eugene Kathchalov – 5,200,000
5. Charlie Elias – 4,750,000
6. Steve Begleiter – 4,720,000
7. Billy Kopp – 4,500,000
8. Tommy Vedes – 4,400,000
9. Wesley Ismay – 4,000,000
10. Jeff Shulman – 3,700,000
Average Chip Count: 1,928,911
Card Player Chip Movement:
Jeff Shulman has been moved to a new table with Tom Schneider and Ludovic Lacay both on his left. He has held steady during the last hour.
Notable Eliminations:
98. Hac Dang – $47,003
96. Noah Boeken – 47,003
Chip Movers and Shakers
- Kasper Cordes was eliminated when his A-K ran into the pocket eights of Scott Cook, which had made top set when Cordes moved the last of his chips into the middle.
- Jonathan Tamayo used pocket aces to grow his stack to more than 3 million.
- Dennis Phillips picked up more than 300,000 to grow his stack to just over 2 million.
Big Hands
Kenny Tran Doubles Up
The short stack of Kenny Tran moved all in preflop with the 66 and was called by the A9 of Grayson Ramage. The flop came A64, giving Tran a set and putting him way out in front. The J hit the turn and the 7 fell on the river, doubling him up to just 500,000.
Phil Ivey Eliminates Hac Dang
Hac Dang raised to 80,000 preflop and action was folded around to Phil Ivey who reraised to 260,000. Dang decided to move all in for 620,000 total and Ivey made the quick call. Dang exposed the QQ and was dominating the JJ of Ivey. The flop seemed like destiny for Ivey as it came J94, putting him way out in front with his top set. The 5 on the turn put Dang in danger of being eliminated by perhaps the best player left in the tournament. The 7 fell on the river and Ivey knocked out Dang, bringing his stack up to 3,260,000.
Ludovic Lacay Hits Miracle, Wins Huge Double Up
Hamid Nourafchan raised 100,000 preflop from middle position. Action was folded to Ludovic Lacay in the big blind. He made it 350,000 total and Nourafchan quickly moved all in. Lacay made the call for the rest of his 2,800,000 chip stack. Lacay tabled the KK, but Nourafchan exposed the AA. Lacay needed to get lucky but had to listen to the fact that someone else at the table folded a king. The flop came JJ5, and Lacay needed massive help. The 4 hit the turn and Lacay was down to the case king in the deck. The miracle hit as the K fell, doubling him up to a massive 5,650,000. Nourafchan would have had a massive chip lead but is now down to 2,400,000.
Eugene Katchalov Eliminates Opponent
Bernhard Perner went all in for 295,000 under the gun and Eugene Katchalov went into the tank from early position. He eventually made the call and tabled the AJ and was behind against the AK of Perner. The flop came A99, offering some split possibilities for Katchalov. The 5 hit the turn and Perner needed to dodge just one more card to double up. However, the J on the river sent him to the rail and saw Katchalov’s stack soar to 5.2 million.
Joe Sebock Doubles Up
Joe Sebock moved all in preflop for 154,000 and was called by Frank Rusnak on the button. Sebock exposed the 55 and was up against the AQ of his opponent. The board ran out 88739 and Sebock is up to 393,000.
Noah Boeken Eliminated
After a flop of 1052, Noah Boeken checked and Kevin Schaffel checked. Hung Pham was next to act and he threw out a bet of 190,000 Boeken thought about it for awhile and then moved all in to put his tournament at risk. Action was back on Schaffel who made the fold. Pham made the quick call. Pham exposed the 1010, as Boeken saw his opponent had a set against his 56. Needing a heart to stay alive or runner-runner quads, Boeken was dismayed when the 8 hit the turn. The Q on the river ended his hopes and he was sent to the rail. Pham is now at 3,250,000.
Level 19 Hour 2 Update: Dan Harrington, Kara Scott Hit the Rail, James Akenhead Emerges as Chip Leader
Jul 12, '09
Blinds: 5,000-10,000 with a 1,000 ante
Players Remaining: 232 out of 6,494
Chip Counts:
1. James Akenhead – 2,890,000
2. Nicholle Peppe – 2,700,000
3. Matt Affleck – 2,600,000
4. Julien Brecard – 2,175,000
5. Billy Kopp – 2,100,000
6. Eugene Katchalov – 2,100,000
7. Tom Schneider – 2,085,000
8. Ben Lamb – 2,000,000
9. Nasr El Nasr – 2,000,000
10. Kevin Schaffel – 1,840,000
Card Player Chip Counts:
Jeff Shulman – 575,000
Average Chip Count: 822,025
Notable Eliminations:
Dan Shak
Nick Binger
Jimmy Tran
Kara Scott
Big Hands:
Kara Scott Doubles Up, Gets Crippled, Then Goes Bust
Kara Scott moved in for about 120,000 preflop and she was called by Ilosvay Zsolt. Scott tabled KJ while Zsolt showed KQ.
The flop came down 1064 and Scott held a flush draw. The turn was money for her as the 10 fell and the A fell on the river for good measure. She doubled up to 270,000.
Moments later, Bob Lauria moved in for 170,000 preflop and Scott made the call. Lauria tabled AK but was in big trouble against Scott’s pocket aces, AA. The flop came down Q910 and Lauria flopped tons of outs to a straight or club flush. The turn was the 4, making the flush and the river was the J to rub it in Scott’s face. Lauria doubled up and Scott was crippled with just 90,000 left.
Later, Kara Scott moved in for just 70,000 and was called by Paul Baron. Baron tabled 53 while Scott held A2. The board ran out Q5659 and Scott was eliminated.
Bob Lauria Doubles
Bob Lauria moved all in for his final 107,000 and Ian Woodley made the call. Lauria showed AQ while Woodley tabled K6.
The board ran out KQ2A2 and Lauria doubled to about 220,000.
Nick Binger Eliminated
Nick Binger raised preflop and Montagna Corrado repopped to 60,000. Action folded back around to Binger who moved in for 125,000 more. Corrado made the call and tabled KK. Binger showed down A10 and needed help to stay alive.
The board ran out 63295 and Binger was elilminated from the main event.
Cole South Hits an Ace on the River
After a series of raises preflop, Cole South called the all in bet of his opponent who had about 200,000, and the hands were turned face up. South showed the AQ and was up against QQ of his opponent.
The flop was 7K9, the turn was the K, and South would need an ace on the river for the win. The river was the A and South took the pot and eliminated an opponent.
Action Dan Gets Caught Bluffing, Then Gets Shown The Door
On the turn, with already over 400,000 in the pot already, the board read A10KK, both Dan Harrington and Charlie Elias checked and watched the 3 fall on the river.
Dan Harrington then bet 350,000 on the river and Elias went into the tank for several minutes. After a while, Elias cut out the call and Harrington acknowledged the fact that Elias made a good call and tabled 89 and Elias turned up QQ.
A few hands later, the flop was K92 and Eric Cloutier fired 180,000. Harrington moved in for 345,000 and the call was made. Cloutier held AK while Harrington was drawing live with AQ. But the turn was the 3 and the river was the 7 and Harrington could not make his flush, resulting in his elimination. He exited the Amazon Room to a standing ovation.
Akenhead’s Kings Give Him the Chip Lead
Eracles Panayiotous raised to 26,000 and was three-bet by James Akenhead to 80,000. Panayiotous made the call and the flop fell Q73 and Akenhead bet 130,000 and was called.
The turn was the 8 and Akenhead bet 190,000 and was met with a raise to 430,000 from Panayiotous. Akenhead eventually makes the call and the K fell on the river. Akenhead checked and Panayiotous moved all in for about 800,000. Akenhead instantly made the call and tabled the KK, giving him top set and his opponent turned over 64, for an absolute air ball.
Akenhead now has over 3,000,000 in chips and is the new chip leader for the tournament.
Sebok Doubles Up With Big Slick, Proceeds to Bust Opponent
Adam Lattimer raised to 26,000 and was reraised to 86,000 by Hieu Luu. Action was folded around to Joe Sebok who moved all in for 259,000. Lattimer eventually folded and Luu went into the tank. Luu eventually made the call, figuring he was priced in and showed a mere Q7 and was up against Sebok’s AK.
The flop was 456, followed by the 7 on the turn, giving Luu a pair of sevens. Sebok was getting up out of his chair and putting on his jacket when the K hit the river and Sebok stayed alive.
Moments later, Sebok called his opponent’s all in bet and tabled JJ. His opponent showed down 1010 and the board ran out QQ67Q, giving Sebok a better full house and the pot. He was at around 500,000.
J.C. Tran Takes A Pot
J.C. Tran raised to 24,000 preflop and was called by the big blind. The flop came down 1085 and action was checked to Tran. He bet out 30,000 and the big blind called. The turn was the Q and Tran fired 65,000.
The big blind gave up his hand and Tran was at 260,000.
Nicholle Peppe Takes A Massive 2.5 Million Pot Off Lutz
On a flop of 1097, Tom Lutz bet 300,000 and Nicholle Peppe shoved for 1,099,000. Lutz made the call and the hands were turned over.
Lutz: 108
Peppe: 97
Lutz gambled with his top pair and open-ended straight draw, but the turn was the 4 and the river was the 2 and Peppe doubled up in the biggest pot of the tournament. She was at 2.7 million while Lutz dropped to a still respectable 1.16 million.
Level 18 Hour 1 Update: Schneider And Hinkle Score Early Knockouts
Jul 12, '09
Blinds: 4,000-8,000 with a 1,000 ante
Players Remaining: 372 out of 6,494
Chip Counts:
1. Matt Affleck – 2,100,000
2. Blair Hinkle – 2,000,000
3. Ben Lamb – 2,000,000506
4. Kevin Schaffel – 1,760,000
5. Berhard Perner – 1,675,000
6. Ludovic Lacay – 1,608,000
7. Tom Lutz – 1,600,000
8. James Akenhead – 1,572,000
9. Charlie Elias – 1,540,000
10. Miika Puumalainen – 1,492,000
Card Player Chip Counts:
Jeff Shulman – 314,000
Average Chip Count: 506,026
Notable Eliminations:
Jeff Kimber
Thor Hansen
C.K. Hua
Big Hands:
Schneider Eliminates Burt With Big Slick
Tom Schneider and Keith Burt got all of their money in preflop and their hands were turned over. Schneider held AK and Burt showed 97.
The board ran out 52226, leaving Burt with just nine-high and giving Schneider the pot. Burt is eliminated from the tournament, while Schneider’s stack is increased to 950,000.
Sebok’s Bluff Picked Off
Hieu Luu raised to 20,000 preflop and was called by Joe Sebok from the small blind. The flop was 533 and Sebok checked. Luu fired 30,000 which was called by Sebok.
The turn was the 8 and both players checked. The 9 fell on the river and Sebok bet 70,000 and was called by Luu. Sebok showed A10 and Luu turned over pocket tens to take the pot.
Blair Hinkle Doubles One Opponent Up, Makes A Profit Anyway
Oliver Klatt moved all in preflop and the action folded to Isidro Martinez. He moved all in having Klatt covered and the action was on Blair Hinkle. He then came over the top for all of his chips, having both men covered. Everyone else mucked and the hands were turned up.
Martinez: QQ
Hinkle: KK
Klatt: 99
Hinkle was in great position to score a double knockout, but the flop came down J94, giving Klatt a set of nines. The turn was the A and the river was the J, scoring a triple up for Klatt. However, he only had 125,000 total, leaving a small dent in Hinkle’s stack. Hinkle won the side pot against Martinez and after all the chips were counted, Hinkle made a profit out of the deal, his chips around 2 million.
Benyamine Takes A Big Pot
Picking up the action on the turn, the board read 9336 and Sarne Lightman fired 150,000 into a pot of over 225,000. David Benyamine took a few seconds to count out his stack, then moved all in for 135,000 more.
Lightman then took a tank session of his own and decided to muck his hand, surrendering the large pot to Benyamine. Benyamine was around 680,000.
Kenny Tran Gets Bluffed
Kenny Tran raised to 23,000 from early position and was three-bet by a player in late position to 100,000. Tran went into the tank for several minutes before making the call.
The flop came J49 and Tran checked to his opponent. His opponent didn’t make any movements and was just staring around the room, until the dealer informed him that Tran had checked and the player decided to go all in. Tran fairly quickly folded and folded pocket queens face up. To his dismay, his opponent turned over A10, for just ace-high.
Phillips Knocks Out Mighty Thor
Dennis Phillips and Thor Hansen got all of their chips into the middle preflop and Phillips had the best of it when he turned over AK against Hansen’s KQ.
Hansen said he was good with the ladies, but his mojo was a little low today as the board ran out 75675, keeping Phillips’ big slick in the lead and eliminating a tough opponent from the tournament.
1. Bertrand Grospellier – 1,600,000
2. Ludovic Lacay – 925,000
3. Jason Brice – 838,500
4. Benjamin Jensen – 835,500
5. Eli Adler – 810,000
6. Kasper Cordes – 796,000
7. James Akenhead – 794,000
8. Billy Kopp – 792,000
9. Tyler Patterson – 784,000
10. Adam Bilzerian – 767,000
Card Player Chip Counts:
Jeff Shulman – 197,000
Phil Hellmuth – 235,000
Average Chip Count: 220,884
Notable Eliminations:
Maria Mayrinck
John Racener
Big Hands:
Happy Beginnings
On the third hand of the day, Steve Gahaghan moved all in from under the gun for 52,000. Jeff Shulman was next to act and made the quick call. Everyone else mucked and Gahaghan showed A8 while Shulman had JJ.
The flop fell 1096 giving Gahaghan a gutshot straight draw. The turn was the K taking a bunch of spades away from Gahaghan as outs. The river was the 5, giving Shulman a flush and the pot. Shulman was at 197,000.
Bilzerian Hits Runners to Stay Alive
Dan Bilzerian moved all in preflop and was called by Jesse Chinni for his last 67,500 chips. Chinni showed AQ and Bilzerian had 89. The flop was QK4 and Bilzerian was in bad shape.
The turn, however, gave Bilzerian some hope when the 8 fell. The miracle fell on the river as the 9 was turned over and kept Bilzerian in the tourney.
Bonomo Suffers Early Blow
Meyer Rainer was all in preflop against Justin Bonomo. Bonomo held AK, but was crushed by Rainer’s AA. The board was dry for Bonomo as it ran out 29552.
Rainer doubled up to 330,000, while Bonomo dropped to 310,000 in chips.
Sebok’s Big Slick Delivers Knockout
In yet another all in preflop confrontation, which seems to be the theme of the beginning of the day, Joe Sebok called the all in of a short stacked Mads Jacobsen. Sebok showed AK and dominated Jacobsen’s A10. Jacobsen had some more life on the flop as it was 545, meaning he could chop with a 5 and win with a spade or a 10.
The turn and river didn’t improve him when the J came on the turn and the 3 was dealt on the river. “So much drama,” cracked Sebok as he increased his stack to 315,000.
Theo Tran Gets A Good Flop
Theo Tran raised to 11,000 under the gun and action folded all the way around to Ray DeBruyn in the big blind. He made the call and both players saw the flop come down A5Q. Both players checked and the turn was the 4 and DeBruyn checked again. Tran bet 12,000 and was called. The river was the 6 and both players checked again.
DeBruyn turned over 1010, but Tran showed Q10 for a better pair and a flush draw on the flop. He took the pot and was at 445,000.
J.C. Tran Doubles Up
After losing over 100,000 a few hands prior when he ran his ace-king into pocket aces, J.C. Tran moved all in for his last 40,000 preflop. Mark Weil had originally raised to 11,000 and decided to make the call. Tran turned up AQ while Weil tabled A7. The flop came 854, giving Weil a gutshot straight draw. The turn was the 10, giving Weil no help.
“Put a face card out there, dealer,” Tran pleaded. The river was anything but a face card, bringing the 2. Tran was happy enough with that as he doubled up to 80,000.
1. Craig Hopkins – 131,000
2. Nick Maimone – 125,000
3. Jim Bookstaff – 118,000
4. Vadim Gruzglin – 118,000
5. Jesse Rios – 110,500
6. Ali Eslami – 90,000
7. Karin Lehoussing – 87,000
8. Jonathan Tare – 75,000
9. Sam Khouiss – 72,000
10. Dave D’Alesandro – 68,000
Card Player Chip Counts:
Todd Brunson — 41,000
Mike Matusow — 29,000
Notable Eliminations:
Big Hands
Sebok Mixes It Up
The player under the gun limped in for 300. The next player to act raised to 1,500 and Joe Sebok was next to act. He made the call and everyone else mucked, including the player under the gun.
The flop then fell 764 and both players checked. It was the same story on the 8 turn and J river. Sebok then showed his hand, 22. It was good enough to take the pot as his opponent showed A10 for just ace high.
A few hands later, the flop came down J83. Sebok called his opponent’s all in bet and tabled 54 for a flush draw. His opponent tabled KK and Sebok needed help. The turn didn’t give him anything as it was the 10, but the A on the river made Sebok his flush and he knocked out his opponent, pushing his stack to 64,000.
Raymer Straightens Out His Opponent
A player raised to 950 and the player in the cutoff made the call. The action was then on Greg Raymer on the button, who raised to 3,500. Everyone folded except the cutoff and the flop was 987. Both players checked and saw the 10 fall on the turn.
The cutoff bet 5,000 and Raymer made the call. The river was the 2 and the action was checked to Raymer. He bet another 5,000 and the cutoff called. Raymer tabled KJ for a straight and the cutoff mucked. Raymer raked in the pot and was at 48,000.
Mortensen Getting Short
On a board reading J96Q, Carlos Mortensen bet 5,000. Another player raised to 13,000 and Mortensen made the call. The river was the 2 and the player shoved his entire stack, having Mortensen covered. Mortensen then mucked pocket nines face up, giving up his set. The other player showed K10 for the flush and took the pot, knocking out another player in the hand. Mortensen was down to just 12,000.
Helppi’s Pocket Kings Hold Up, Even With an Ace on Board
Juha Helppi raised to 900 under the gun and got four callers. The flop came AJ6 and everybody checked around. The turn was the 6 and everybody checked again.
The river brought the 6 and now Helppi put out a bet of 1,150 and it folded around to the player in the small blind who cut out a call and put the chips in. Helppi tabled KK and his opponent mucked his cards.
Kravchenko and Raymer Mixing it Up
After some preflop action, three players, including Alex Kravchenko and Greg Raymer see a flop of AQ2. Kravchenko bet 1,500, there was a fold and then Raymer made the call. The turn was the K and both players checked.
The river was the 6 and Kravchenko checked again. Raymer bet 4,000 and after a few moments, Kravchenko mucked. Raymer tabled the AQ, good for two pair.
Just a few hands later, these same two players were sparring again. Raymer checked and called a bet from Kravchenko on the turn and a third player came along for the river.
The final board read KJ9K8. Raymer checked, the other player checked and Kravchenko bet 3,000. Raymer quickly made the call and the third party got out of the way. Kravchenko showed AK and Raymer mucked.
Round 2 goes to Kravchenko.
Jason Young Gets Bluffed
A player under the gun made it 900 to go and got three callers, including Jason Young who called from the button. The flop was K64 and the under the gun player bet 2,100. After there were two folds in between, Jason Young opted to raise to 5,150. After some thought, the under the gun player tossed in the call.
The 7 fell on the turn and both players checked. The 2 was the river card and now the original preflop raiser bets 9,000. “You got two aces?” asked Young before he mucks his hand. His read was a little off as his opponent showed the 54, for just a pair of fours.
Left In The Deck:
It was just announced that 873 players registered for Day 1b of the main event, with 720 remaining. This is down from 1,158 players that registered on Day 1b last year. It appears that people just don’t want to spend their 4th of July holiday in the poker room.
Level 2 - Hour 1 Update: Chris Ferguson Adds to Stack
Jul 04, '09
Blinds: 100-200
Chip Counts:
1. Dave D’Alesandro — 64,000
2. Jeremiah Smith — 63,000
3. Angelo Ricci — 62,000
4. Talal Shakerchi – 60,000
5. Sam Khouiss — 52,000
6. Alex Jung – 48,500
7. Chris Ferguson – 44,000
8. Allan Vrooman — 40,000
9. Carlos Mortensen — 39,000
10. Juha Helppi – 37,000
Card Player Chip Counts:
Stephen Murphy – 18,250
Todd Brunson — 26,100
Mike Matusow — 26,000
Big Hands
Joe Sebok Finally Wins A Pot
Joe Sebok raises from the cutoff and the player in the big blind calls. The flop comes J75, Sebok bets 1,200 and the big blind calls. The turn is the A, both players check around. The river is the 3, and this time Sebok bets 3,300. The big blind folds and Sebok rakes the pot. After this hand he is up to 20,000 in chips.
Chris Ferguson Chips Up
Two players had already limped in the pot when Chris Ferguson raised to 1,000 from the button. Both opponents call and the flop comes J106. The player in the cutoff bets 1,400, Ferguson calls, and the third opponent folds. The turn is the 3, the cutoff bets 2,000 and Ferguson calls. The river is the 10, the cutoff bets 2,000, Ferguson raises to 7,000 and the cutoff calls. Ferguson shows KK and his opponent mucks his cards. Ferguson rakes the pot and is up to 44,000 in chips this hand.
Miracle Hits
An unknown short stacked player moved all in for 5,000 on a flop of 1072 with the J10 and was snap called by the 22 of an opponent. Needing runner-runner to stay alive, the J hit the turn, giving him the short stack top two pair and just four outs to make a full house. The 10 fell on the river, completing the miracle.
Raymer Caught Bluffing
Raymer fired on every street on a board of 1053A9 and was called down each time. The former main event champion bet 3,500 on the end and when he was called he said, “good call, I missed my straight draw.” His opponent tabled the AK for top pair and Raymer mucked. He is down to just 17,000.
1. Billy Kopp – 14,340,000
2. Darvin Moon – 10,350,000
3. Tommy Vedes – 9,000,000
4. Phil Ivey – 7,400,000
5. Ludovic Lacay – 7,150,000
6. Ben Lamb – 6,350,000
7. Antoine Saout – 6,200,000
8. Steve Begleiter – 6,100,000
9. Joseph Cada – 5,900,000
10. Jeff Shulman – 4,600,000
Action folded around to Joe Sebok on the button and he moved all in for about 500,00. Ben Lamb was in the big blind and made the call. Here were their hands.
Sebok: A9
Lamb: AQ
Sebok was dominated and needed a lot of help. The flop came down J43 and Sebok was down to his last two streets. The turn was the 6 and Sebok could only double up with a nine. The river brought the Q instead, pairing Lamb and Sebok was eliminated from the main event.
Billy Kopp Knocks Out John Martin
Billy Kopp raised to 125,000 from under the gun and John Martin made the call from the hijack after Luis Nargentino called from the hijack. The flop came down A96 and Martin bet 250,000. Kopp made the call and Nargentino mucked. The turn was the K and Martin bet 500,000. Kopp sprung his trap and raised to over 2 million. Martin then shoved for the rest of his stack and Kopp made the call.
Kopp tabled 66 for a flopped set while Martin tabled 87 for an open-ended straight draw along with a diamond draw. The river was the J and Martin missed everything. He was eliminated and Kopp was over 11 million after the hand.
Ivey Doesn’t Believe In Bach
Phil Ivey raised to 135,000 preflop and Christopher Bach made the call from the big blind. The flop came down 933 and both players checked. The turn was the 9 and Bach led out with 150,000. The river was the 7 and Bach led out one more time, this time for 360,000.
Ivey made the call and Bach tabled Q10 for a whole lot of nothing. Ivey then showed AQ and his ace kicker played. He took the pot and was over 7 million.
Schneider Doubles Through Hieu Luu
Hieu Luu raised from the cutoff position and Tom Schneider called from the big blind. The flop came A62 and Schnedier checked and called Luu’s 225,000 bet. On the 8 turn, Schneider led out for 400,000 and was raised all in by Luu.
Schneider called and we got the rest of the analysis from Schneider’s wife who yelled “What do you have baby?”
Schneider replied that he had two pair and that he was up against a flush draw. “What do we need?” yelled Mrs. Schneider. To that question, Schneider replied that she should root for the king of spades. Ironically enough, that was what fell on the river and Schneider doubles up to 3,800,000 and Luu drops to 2,400,000.
Maimone’s Two Pair Is No Good
Joseph Cada raised to 175,000 preflop and was called by Dennis Phillips and Nick Maimone called. The flop fell 37Q and Cada bet 250,000, which was only called by Maimone. The turn was the J and Cada bet 450,000, which was again called by Maimone.
The river was the 10 and Cada bet 900,000. Maimone called and Cada showed QQ, good for top set. Maimone made a comment about how sick the hand was as he flashed QJ, good for top two pair, and drawing dead the whole way.
Aces Hold For Smith, Doubles Through Bilzerian
On a flop of 348, Jordan Smith moved all in and was called by Adam Bilzerian. Bilzerian showed 66 and was behind Smith’s AA.
The turn was the K and the river was the 2, alowing Smith to double up to 2,500,000 and Bilzerian dropped to 1,850,000 in chips.
Lichtenberger Drops One to Shulman
Andrew Lichtenberger raised from the button and was called by Eric Buchman and Jeff Shulman from the blinds. The flop was A102 and after Buchman checked, Shulman bet 200,000 into the preflop raiser. Lichtenberger called and Buchman folded. The turn was the 8 and Shulman fired 250,000, which was called.
The river was the J and both players checked. Shulman turned over QT, good for third pair and Lichtenberger mucked his hand.
Prahlad Friedman Eliminated in 64th Place ($90,344)
Prahlad Friedman moved all in from the cutoff for 840,000 and Bradley Craig called from the big blind. Friedman showed KQ and Craig tabled AK.
Friedman was unable to catch a queen as the board ran out 97289 and was eliminated right before a money jump. He is the last player to earn $90,344. Each player eliminated from here on out is guaranteed at least $108,000.
Tommy Vedes Climbs Chip Counts, Eliminates George Saca
Tommy Vedes limped from early position and George Saca made it 250,000 from late position. Vedes made the call and the flop was K54. Vedes checked and Saca bet 460,000, which was called by Vedes.
The turn was the 10 and Vedes checked again. Saca bet 440,000 and Vedes raised to 1,300,000 and Saca moved all in. Vedes had Saca covered and made the call. Vedes tabled 55 and had Saca drawing dead when he tabled AK. The river was a meaningless A, which gave Saca two pair, but not the best hand. He was eliminated in 63rd place and Vedes has 8,200,000 in chips.
Shulman Takes a Small Pot
Jeff Shulman raised and was called by Jason Brice. The flop was J107 and Shulman checked. Brice bet 160,000 and Shulman called. The turn was the 6 and the river was the 9.
Both players checked both streets down and Shulman showed A10 and his pair was good enough to take the pot.
Craig Boyd Doubles Up
Craig Boyd moved all in for 515,000 preflop and Mika Puumalainen made the call from the button. Boyd turned over Q8 while Puumalainen tabled AJ.
The flop was golden for Boyd as it fell Q32, giving him the lead. The turn was the J, giving Puumalainen a piece of the hand. The river was the 6 and, since neither man had a club in his hand, Boyd took the pot with his pair of queens. He doubled to just over 1 million. Puumalainen would be eliminated later in the hour.
Sebok Cut In Half Early
Joe Sebok started the day with 1 million in chips. He had been slowly getting anted off during the level before he finally saw a flop against Nick Maimone.
Sebok raised to 125,000 preflop and Maimone made the call. The flop came down A29 and Sebok led out with 135,000. Maimone made the call and the turn was the 3. Both players checked and they did the same on the 7 river. Maimone then tabled A10 for top pair and Sebok mucked.
Sebok was down to just 500,000 after the hand.
Lacay Takes One
Ludovic Lacay raised to 130,000 preflop from the cutoff and Christopher Bach made the call from the big blind. The flop came down K37 and Lacay fired 175,000. The turn was the 10 and Bach decided to take the initiative, firing 300,000. Lacay would have none of it, raising to 900,000. Bach made the call and the river was the 4. Bach took another shot, firing 680,000. Lacay was in no mood for nonsense and moved all in. Bach took a session in the tank and mucked his hand.
Lacay took the pot and was at 7.3 million in chips.
NOTE: There was a 20-minute break after this level and play will commence at 10:50 p.m. PDT.
Blinds: 15,000-30,000 with a 4,000 ante
Players Remaining: 82 out of 6,494
Chip Counts:
1. Darvin Moon – 7,500,000
2. Antonio Esfandiari – 5,600,000
3. Antoine Saout – 5,430,000
4. Ludovic Lacay – 5,200,000
5. Charlie Elias – 4,750,0005.
6. Tommy Vedes – 4,550,000
7. Billy Kopp – 4,500,000
8. Jeff Duvall – 4,410,000
9. Steve Begleiter – 4,400,000
10. Eugene Kathchalov – 4,200,000
Average Chip Count: 2,375,853
Card Player Chip Count:
Jeff Shulman – 3,750,000
- Shulman continues to hold steady above the 3.5 million mark. His stack is currently in 11th place.
Notable Eliminations:
86. Kenny Tran – $57,991
Chip Movers and Shakers
- Benjamin Jensen jumped his stack to 2.4 million in a hand where he made trip aces against Fabrice Soulier. Soulier was knocked down to 2.17 million.
- Adam Bilzerian grew his stack to 2.66 million when he snapped up a pot that was over 800,000 against Tom Schneider. Bilzerian bet 550,000 on a Q-Q-5 flop and Schneider mucked. Schneider was down to 1.135 million after the hand.
- Ludovic Lacay held strong near 5.2 million, thanks to his pocket tens making a straight on the river to match the Broadway straight of Craig Boyd (A-10) on a K-Q-J-2-A board. Boyd held 2.6 million after the hand.
Big Hands
Blair Rodman Doubles Up
Phil Ivey raised to 80,000 and Blair Rodman shoved all in for 362,000 total. Action was folded back around to Ivey who made the call. Ivey exposed the A9 while Rodman exposed the 88. The board ran out K10462, as Rodman’s eights held up. Rodman is still short with 780,000.
Dennis Phillips Wins Million Chip Pot
Thai Tran raised preflop to 70,000 and Dennis Phillips reraised to 180,000. Steve Sanders made the call and action was back to Tran. He didn’t just call, instead he put out a raise to 605,000. Action was back to Phillips, who went into the tank and eventually announced all in for 1,900,000 total. Sanders quickly folded and Tran went into the tank before mucking. Phillips collected the million chip pot without having to see a flop. Phillips is now at 3,000,000.
Kenny Tran Eliminated 86th Place ($57,991)
With less than 500,000 Kenny Tran chose to move all in with the A5 and was called by the 88 of Joseph Cada. The board offered no salvation as it ran out 43396. Cada is at 2,580,000.
Darvin Moon Wins Monster Pot
Darvin Moon limped from early position and Chris Bach raised to 175,000. Jamie Brown reraised to 375,000 from the button. Moon limped in with a huge hand and made it 1,000,000 to go. Bach folded and Brown thought for awhile before going all in with his last 1,400,000. Moon snap called and exposed the AA. Brown tabled the dominated KK. The board ran out 653J8 as Brown received no help and was eliminated from the main event. Moon is at 7,500,000 and the chip leader.
Antonio Esfandiari Eliminates Opponent
Antonio Esfandiari raised preflop and was repopped by Wesley Ismay. Esfandiari made the call and both players saw a flop of 755. Esfandiari bet 400,000 and Ismay called. The K hit the turn and Esfandiari once again bet out, this time for 700,000. Ismay reraised all in for 2,000,000 total. Esfandiari made the call and exposed the AK and had his opponent’s Q-9 drawing dead. The meaningless 6 fell on the river and Esfandiari is now at 5,600,000.
Joe Sebok Doubles Up Again
Billy Kopp raised 80,000 in middle position and Joe Sebok moved all in for 301,000 from the button. Action was folded back to Kopp who made the call. Kopp exposed the Q7 while Sebok tabled the 99. The board ran out 107435 and Sebok survived the double up. He is at 680,000 while Kopp is down to 4,100,000.
1. Ludovic Lacay – 5,650,000
2. Darvin Moon – 5,550,000
3. Antoine Saout – 5,281,000
4. Eugene Kathchalov – 5,200,000
5. Charlie Elias – 4,750,000
6. Steve Begleiter – 4,720,000
7. Billy Kopp – 4,500,000
8. Tommy Vedes – 4,400,000
9. Wesley Ismay – 4,000,000
10. Jeff Shulman – 3,700,000
Average Chip Count: 1,928,911
Card Player Chip Movement:
Jeff Shulman has been moved to a new table with Tom Schneider and Ludovic Lacay both on his left. He has held steady during the last hour.
Notable Eliminations:
98. Hac Dang – $47,003
96. Noah Boeken – 47,003
Chip Movers and Shakers
- Kasper Cordes was eliminated when his A-K ran into the pocket eights of Scott Cook, which had made top set when Cordes moved the last of his chips into the middle.
- Jonathan Tamayo used pocket aces to grow his stack to more than 3 million.
- Dennis Phillips picked up more than 300,000 to grow his stack to just over 2 million.
Big Hands
Kenny Tran Doubles Up
The short stack of Kenny Tran moved all in preflop with the 66 and was called by the A9 of Grayson Ramage. The flop came A64, giving Tran a set and putting him way out in front. The J hit the turn and the 7 fell on the river, doubling him up to just 500,000.
Phil Ivey Eliminates Hac Dang
Hac Dang raised to 80,000 preflop and action was folded around to Phil Ivey who reraised to 260,000. Dang decided to move all in for 620,000 total and Ivey made the quick call. Dang exposed the QQ and was dominating the JJ of Ivey. The flop seemed like destiny for Ivey as it came J94, putting him way out in front with his top set. The 5 on the turn put Dang in danger of being eliminated by perhaps the best player left in the tournament. The 7 fell on the river and Ivey knocked out Dang, bringing his stack up to 3,260,000.
Ludovic Lacay Hits Miracle, Wins Huge Double Up
Hamid Nourafchan raised 100,000 preflop from middle position. Action was folded to Ludovic Lacay in the big blind. He made it 350,000 total and Nourafchan quickly moved all in. Lacay made the call for the rest of his 2,800,000 chip stack. Lacay tabled the KK, but Nourafchan exposed the AA. Lacay needed to get lucky but had to listen to the fact that someone else at the table folded a king. The flop came JJ5, and Lacay needed massive help. The 4 hit the turn and Lacay was down to the case king in the deck. The miracle hit as the K fell, doubling him up to a massive 5,650,000. Nourafchan would have had a massive chip lead but is now down to 2,400,000.
Eugene Katchalov Eliminates Opponent
Bernhard Perner went all in for 295,000 under the gun and Eugene Katchalov went into the tank from early position. He eventually made the call and tabled the AJ and was behind against the AK of Perner. The flop came A99, offering some split possibilities for Katchalov. The 5 hit the turn and Perner needed to dodge just one more card to double up. However, the J on the river sent him to the rail and saw Katchalov’s stack soar to 5.2 million.
Joe Sebock Doubles Up
Joe Sebock moved all in preflop for 154,000 and was called by Frank Rusnak on the button. Sebock exposed the 55 and was up against the AQ of his opponent. The board ran out 88739 and Sebock is up to 393,000.
Noah Boeken Eliminated
After a flop of 1052, Noah Boeken checked and Kevin Schaffel checked. Hung Pham was next to act and he threw out a bet of 190,000 Boeken thought about it for awhile and then moved all in to put his tournament at risk. Action was back on Schaffel who made the fold. Pham made the quick call. Pham exposed the 1010, as Boeken saw his opponent had a set against his 56. Needing a heart to stay alive or runner-runner quads, Boeken was dismayed when the 8 hit the turn. The Q on the river ended his hopes and he was sent to the rail. Pham is now at 3,250,000.
Level 19 Hour 2 Update: Dan Harrington, Kara Scott Hit the Rail, James Akenhead Emerges as Chip Leader
Jul 12, '09
Blinds: 5,000-10,000 with a 1,000 ante
Players Remaining: 232 out of 6,494
Chip Counts:
1. James Akenhead – 2,890,000
2. Nicholle Peppe – 2,700,000
3. Matt Affleck – 2,600,000
4. Julien Brecard – 2,175,000
5. Billy Kopp – 2,100,000
6. Eugene Katchalov – 2,100,000
7. Tom Schneider – 2,085,000
8. Ben Lamb – 2,000,000
9. Nasr El Nasr – 2,000,000
10. Kevin Schaffel – 1,840,000
Card Player Chip Counts:
Jeff Shulman – 575,000
Average Chip Count: 822,025
Notable Eliminations:
Dan Shak
Nick Binger
Jimmy Tran
Kara Scott
Big Hands:
Kara Scott Doubles Up, Gets Crippled, Then Goes Bust
Kara Scott moved in for about 120,000 preflop and she was called by Ilosvay Zsolt. Scott tabled KJ while Zsolt showed KQ.
The flop came down 1064 and Scott held a flush draw. The turn was money for her as the 10 fell and the A fell on the river for good measure. She doubled up to 270,000.
Moments later, Bob Lauria moved in for 170,000 preflop and Scott made the call. Lauria tabled AK but was in big trouble against Scott’s pocket aces, AA. The flop came down Q910 and Lauria flopped tons of outs to a straight or club flush. The turn was the 4, making the flush and the river was the J to rub it in Scott’s face. Lauria doubled up and Scott was crippled with just 90,000 left.
Later, Kara Scott moved in for just 70,000 and was called by Paul Baron. Baron tabled 53 while Scott held A2. The board ran out Q5659 and Scott was eliminated.
Bob Lauria Doubles
Bob Lauria moved all in for his final 107,000 and Ian Woodley made the call. Lauria showed AQ while Woodley tabled K6.
The board ran out KQ2A2 and Lauria doubled to about 220,000.
Nick Binger Eliminated
Nick Binger raised preflop and Montagna Corrado repopped to 60,000. Action folded back around to Binger who moved in for 125,000 more. Corrado made the call and tabled KK. Binger showed down A10 and needed help to stay alive.
The board ran out 63295 and Binger was elilminated from the main event.
Cole South Hits an Ace on the River
After a series of raises preflop, Cole South called the all in bet of his opponent who had about 200,000, and the hands were turned face up. South showed the AQ and was up against QQ of his opponent.
The flop was 7K9, the turn was the K, and South would need an ace on the river for the win. The river was the A and South took the pot and eliminated an opponent.
Action Dan Gets Caught Bluffing, Then Gets Shown The Door
On the turn, with already over 400,000 in the pot already, the board read A10KK, both Dan Harrington and Charlie Elias checked and watched the 3 fall on the river.
Dan Harrington then bet 350,000 on the river and Elias went into the tank for several minutes. After a while, Elias cut out the call and Harrington acknowledged the fact that Elias made a good call and tabled 89 and Elias turned up QQ.
A few hands later, the flop was K92 and Eric Cloutier fired 180,000. Harrington moved in for 345,000 and the call was made. Cloutier held AK while Harrington was drawing live with AQ. But the turn was the 3 and the river was the 7 and Harrington could not make his flush, resulting in his elimination. He exited the Amazon Room to a standing ovation.
Akenhead’s Kings Give Him the Chip Lead
Eracles Panayiotous raised to 26,000 and was three-bet by James Akenhead to 80,000. Panayiotous made the call and the flop fell Q73 and Akenhead bet 130,000 and was called.
The turn was the 8 and Akenhead bet 190,000 and was met with a raise to 430,000 from Panayiotous. Akenhead eventually makes the call and the K fell on the river. Akenhead checked and Panayiotous moved all in for about 800,000. Akenhead instantly made the call and tabled the KK, giving him top set and his opponent turned over 64, for an absolute air ball.
Akenhead now has over 3,000,000 in chips and is the new chip leader for the tournament.
Sebok Doubles Up With Big Slick, Proceeds to Bust Opponent
Adam Lattimer raised to 26,000 and was reraised to 86,000 by Hieu Luu. Action was folded around to Joe Sebok who moved all in for 259,000. Lattimer eventually folded and Luu went into the tank. Luu eventually made the call, figuring he was priced in and showed a mere Q7 and was up against Sebok’s AK.
The flop was 456, followed by the 7 on the turn, giving Luu a pair of sevens. Sebok was getting up out of his chair and putting on his jacket when the K hit the river and Sebok stayed alive.
Moments later, Sebok called his opponent’s all in bet and tabled JJ. His opponent showed down 1010 and the board ran out QQ67Q, giving Sebok a better full house and the pot. He was at around 500,000.
J.C. Tran Takes A Pot
J.C. Tran raised to 24,000 preflop and was called by the big blind. The flop came down 1085 and action was checked to Tran. He bet out 30,000 and the big blind called. The turn was the Q and Tran fired 65,000.
The big blind gave up his hand and Tran was at 260,000.
Nicholle Peppe Takes A Massive 2.5 Million Pot Off Lutz
On a flop of 1097, Tom Lutz bet 300,000 and Nicholle Peppe shoved for 1,099,000. Lutz made the call and the hands were turned over.
Lutz: 108
Peppe: 97
Lutz gambled with his top pair and open-ended straight draw, but the turn was the 4 and the river was the 2 and Peppe doubled up in the biggest pot of the tournament. She was at 2.7 million while Lutz dropped to a still respectable 1.16 million.
Level 18 Hour 1 Update: Schneider And Hinkle Score Early Knockouts
Jul 12, '09
Blinds: 4,000-8,000 with a 1,000 ante
Players Remaining: 372 out of 6,494
Chip Counts:
1. Matt Affleck – 2,100,000
2. Blair Hinkle – 2,000,000
3. Ben Lamb – 2,000,000506
4. Kevin Schaffel – 1,760,000
5. Berhard Perner – 1,675,000
6. Ludovic Lacay – 1,608,000
7. Tom Lutz – 1,600,000
8. James Akenhead – 1,572,000
9. Charlie Elias – 1,540,000
10. Miika Puumalainen – 1,492,000
Card Player Chip Counts:
Jeff Shulman – 314,000
Average Chip Count: 506,026
Notable Eliminations:
Jeff Kimber
Thor Hansen
C.K. Hua
Big Hands:
Schneider Eliminates Burt With Big Slick
Tom Schneider and Keith Burt got all of their money in preflop and their hands were turned over. Schneider held AK and Burt showed 97.
The board ran out 52226, leaving Burt with just nine-high and giving Schneider the pot. Burt is eliminated from the tournament, while Schneider’s stack is increased to 950,000.
Sebok’s Bluff Picked Off
Hieu Luu raised to 20,000 preflop and was called by Joe Sebok from the small blind. The flop was 533 and Sebok checked. Luu fired 30,000 which was called by Sebok.
The turn was the 8 and both players checked. The 9 fell on the river and Sebok bet 70,000 and was called by Luu. Sebok showed A10 and Luu turned over pocket tens to take the pot.
Blair Hinkle Doubles One Opponent Up, Makes A Profit Anyway
Oliver Klatt moved all in preflop and the action folded to Isidro Martinez. He moved all in having Klatt covered and the action was on Blair Hinkle. He then came over the top for all of his chips, having both men covered. Everyone else mucked and the hands were turned up.
Martinez: QQ
Hinkle: KK
Klatt: 99
Hinkle was in great position to score a double knockout, but the flop came down J94, giving Klatt a set of nines. The turn was the A and the river was the J, scoring a triple up for Klatt. However, he only had 125,000 total, leaving a small dent in Hinkle’s stack. Hinkle won the side pot against Martinez and after all the chips were counted, Hinkle made a profit out of the deal, his chips around 2 million.
Benyamine Takes A Big Pot
Picking up the action on the turn, the board read 9336 and Sarne Lightman fired 150,000 into a pot of over 225,000. David Benyamine took a few seconds to count out his stack, then moved all in for 135,000 more.
Lightman then took a tank session of his own and decided to muck his hand, surrendering the large pot to Benyamine. Benyamine was around 680,000.
Kenny Tran Gets Bluffed
Kenny Tran raised to 23,000 from early position and was three-bet by a player in late position to 100,000. Tran went into the tank for several minutes before making the call.
The flop came J49 and Tran checked to his opponent. His opponent didn’t make any movements and was just staring around the room, until the dealer informed him that Tran had checked and the player decided to go all in. Tran fairly quickly folded and folded pocket queens face up. To his dismay, his opponent turned over A10, for just ace-high.
Phillips Knocks Out Mighty Thor
Dennis Phillips and Thor Hansen got all of their chips into the middle preflop and Phillips had the best of it when he turned over AK against Hansen’s KQ.
Hansen said he was good with the ladies, but his mojo was a little low today as the board ran out 75675, keeping Phillips’ big slick in the lead and eliminating a tough opponent from the tournament.
1. Bertrand Grospellier – 1,600,000
2. Ludovic Lacay – 925,000
3. Jason Brice – 838,500
4. Benjamin Jensen – 835,500
5. Eli Adler – 810,000
6. Kasper Cordes – 796,000
7. James Akenhead – 794,000
8. Billy Kopp – 792,000
9. Tyler Patterson – 784,000
10. Adam Bilzerian – 767,000
Card Player Chip Counts:
Jeff Shulman – 197,000
Phil Hellmuth – 235,000
Average Chip Count: 220,884
Notable Eliminations:
Maria Mayrinck
John Racener
Big Hands:
Happy Beginnings
On the third hand of the day, Steve Gahaghan moved all in from under the gun for 52,000. Jeff Shulman was next to act and made the quick call. Everyone else mucked and Gahaghan showed A8 while Shulman had JJ.
The flop fell 1096 giving Gahaghan a gutshot straight draw. The turn was the K taking a bunch of spades away from Gahaghan as outs. The river was the 5, giving Shulman a flush and the pot. Shulman was at 197,000.
Bilzerian Hits Runners to Stay Alive
Dan Bilzerian moved all in preflop and was called by Jesse Chinni for his last 67,500 chips. Chinni showed AQ and Bilzerian had 89. The flop was QK4 and Bilzerian was in bad shape.
The turn, however, gave Bilzerian some hope when the 8 fell. The miracle fell on the river as the 9 was turned over and kept Bilzerian in the tourney.
Bonomo Suffers Early Blow
Meyer Rainer was all in preflop against Justin Bonomo. Bonomo held AK, but was crushed by Rainer’s AA. The board was dry for Bonomo as it ran out 29552.
Rainer doubled up to 330,000, while Bonomo dropped to 310,000 in chips.
Sebok’s Big Slick Delivers Knockout
In yet another all in preflop confrontation, which seems to be the theme of the beginning of the day, Joe Sebok called the all in of a short stacked Mads Jacobsen. Sebok showed AK and dominated Jacobsen’s A10. Jacobsen had some more life on the flop as it was 545, meaning he could chop with a 5 and win with a spade or a 10.
The turn and river didn’t improve him when the J came on the turn and the 3 was dealt on the river. “So much drama,” cracked Sebok as he increased his stack to 315,000.
Theo Tran Gets A Good Flop
Theo Tran raised to 11,000 under the gun and action folded all the way around to Ray DeBruyn in the big blind. He made the call and both players saw the flop come down A5Q. Both players checked and the turn was the 4 and DeBruyn checked again. Tran bet 12,000 and was called. The river was the 6 and both players checked again.
DeBruyn turned over 1010, but Tran showed Q10 for a better pair and a flush draw on the flop. He took the pot and was at 445,000.
J.C. Tran Doubles Up
After losing over 100,000 a few hands prior when he ran his ace-king into pocket aces, J.C. Tran moved all in for his last 40,000 preflop. Mark Weil had originally raised to 11,000 and decided to make the call. Tran turned up AQ while Weil tabled A7. The flop came 854, giving Weil a gutshot straight draw. The turn was the 10, giving Weil no help.
“Put a face card out there, dealer,” Tran pleaded. The river was anything but a face card, bringing the 2. Tran was happy enough with that as he doubled up to 80,000.
1. Craig Hopkins – 131,000
2. Nick Maimone – 125,000
3. Jim Bookstaff – 118,000
4. Vadim Gruzglin – 118,000
5. Jesse Rios – 110,500
6. Ali Eslami – 90,000
7. Karin Lehoussing – 87,000
8. Jonathan Tare – 75,000
9. Sam Khouiss – 72,000
10. Dave D’Alesandro – 68,000
Card Player Chip Counts:
Todd Brunson — 41,000
Mike Matusow — 29,000
Notable Eliminations:
Big Hands
Sebok Mixes It Up
The player under the gun limped in for 300. The next player to act raised to 1,500 and Joe Sebok was next to act. He made the call and everyone else mucked, including the player under the gun.
The flop then fell 764 and both players checked. It was the same story on the 8 turn and J river. Sebok then showed his hand, 22. It was good enough to take the pot as his opponent showed A10 for just ace high.
A few hands later, the flop came down J83. Sebok called his opponent’s all in bet and tabled 54 for a flush draw. His opponent tabled KK and Sebok needed help. The turn didn’t give him anything as it was the 10, but the A on the river made Sebok his flush and he knocked out his opponent, pushing his stack to 64,000.
Raymer Straightens Out His Opponent
A player raised to 950 and the player in the cutoff made the call. The action was then on Greg Raymer on the button, who raised to 3,500. Everyone folded except the cutoff and the flop was 987. Both players checked and saw the 10 fall on the turn.
The cutoff bet 5,000 and Raymer made the call. The river was the 2 and the action was checked to Raymer. He bet another 5,000 and the cutoff called. Raymer tabled KJ for a straight and the cutoff mucked. Raymer raked in the pot and was at 48,000.
Mortensen Getting Short
On a board reading J96Q, Carlos Mortensen bet 5,000. Another player raised to 13,000 and Mortensen made the call. The river was the 2 and the player shoved his entire stack, having Mortensen covered. Mortensen then mucked pocket nines face up, giving up his set. The other player showed K10 for the flush and took the pot, knocking out another player in the hand. Mortensen was down to just 12,000.
Helppi’s Pocket Kings Hold Up, Even With an Ace on Board
Juha Helppi raised to 900 under the gun and got four callers. The flop came AJ6 and everybody checked around. The turn was the 6 and everybody checked again.
The river brought the 6 and now Helppi put out a bet of 1,150 and it folded around to the player in the small blind who cut out a call and put the chips in. Helppi tabled KK and his opponent mucked his cards.
Kravchenko and Raymer Mixing it Up
After some preflop action, three players, including Alex Kravchenko and Greg Raymer see a flop of AQ2. Kravchenko bet 1,500, there was a fold and then Raymer made the call. The turn was the K and both players checked.
The river was the 6 and Kravchenko checked again. Raymer bet 4,000 and after a few moments, Kravchenko mucked. Raymer tabled the AQ, good for two pair.
Just a few hands later, these same two players were sparring again. Raymer checked and called a bet from Kravchenko on the turn and a third player came along for the river.
The final board read KJ9K8. Raymer checked, the other player checked and Kravchenko bet 3,000. Raymer quickly made the call and the third party got out of the way. Kravchenko showed AK and Raymer mucked.
Round 2 goes to Kravchenko.
Jason Young Gets Bluffed
A player under the gun made it 900 to go and got three callers, including Jason Young who called from the button. The flop was K64 and the under the gun player bet 2,100. After there were two folds in between, Jason Young opted to raise to 5,150. After some thought, the under the gun player tossed in the call.
The 7 fell on the turn and both players checked. The 2 was the river card and now the original preflop raiser bets 9,000. “You got two aces?” asked Young before he mucks his hand. His read was a little off as his opponent showed the 54, for just a pair of fours.
Left In The Deck:
It was just announced that 873 players registered for Day 1b of the main event, with 720 remaining. This is down from 1,158 players that registered on Day 1b last year. It appears that people just don’t want to spend their 4th of July holiday in the poker room.
Level 2 - Hour 1 Update: Chris Ferguson Adds to Stack
Jul 04, '09
Blinds: 100-200
Chip Counts:
1. Dave D’Alesandro — 64,000
2. Jeremiah Smith — 63,000
3. Angelo Ricci — 62,000
4. Talal Shakerchi – 60,000
5. Sam Khouiss — 52,000
6. Alex Jung – 48,500
7. Chris Ferguson – 44,000
8. Allan Vrooman — 40,000
9. Carlos Mortensen — 39,000
10. Juha Helppi – 37,000
Card Player Chip Counts:
Stephen Murphy – 18,250
Todd Brunson — 26,100
Mike Matusow — 26,000
Big Hands
Joe Sebok Finally Wins A Pot
Joe Sebok raises from the cutoff and the player in the big blind calls. The flop comes J75, Sebok bets 1,200 and the big blind calls. The turn is the A, both players check around. The river is the 3, and this time Sebok bets 3,300. The big blind folds and Sebok rakes the pot. After this hand he is up to 20,000 in chips.
Chris Ferguson Chips Up
Two players had already limped in the pot when Chris Ferguson raised to 1,000 from the button. Both opponents call and the flop comes J106. The player in the cutoff bets 1,400, Ferguson calls, and the third opponent folds. The turn is the 3, the cutoff bets 2,000 and Ferguson calls. The river is the 10, the cutoff bets 2,000, Ferguson raises to 7,000 and the cutoff calls. Ferguson shows KK and his opponent mucks his cards. Ferguson rakes the pot and is up to 44,000 in chips this hand.
Miracle Hits
An unknown short stacked player moved all in for 5,000 on a flop of 1072 with the J10 and was snap called by the 22 of an opponent. Needing runner-runner to stay alive, the J hit the turn, giving him the short stack top two pair and just four outs to make a full house. The 10 fell on the river, completing the miracle.
Raymer Caught Bluffing
Raymer fired on every street on a board of 1053A9 and was called down each time. The former main event champion bet 3,500 on the end and when he was called he said, “good call, I missed my straight draw.” His opponent tabled the AK for top pair and Raymer mucked. He is down to just 17,000.
1. Billy Kopp – 14,340,000
2. Darvin Moon – 10,350,000
3. Tommy Vedes – 9,000,000
4. Phil Ivey – 7,400,000
5. Ludovic Lacay – 7,150,000
6. Ben Lamb – 6,350,000
7. Antoine Saout – 6,200,000
8. Steve Begleiter – 6,100,000
9. Joseph Cada – 5,900,000
10. Jeff Shulman – 4,600,000
Action folded around to Joe Sebok on the button and he moved all in for about 500,00. Ben Lamb was in the big blind and made the call. Here were their hands.
Sebok: A9
Lamb: AQ
Sebok was dominated and needed a lot of help. The flop came down J43 and Sebok was down to his last two streets. The turn was the 6 and Sebok could only double up with a nine. The river brought the Q instead, pairing Lamb and Sebok was eliminated from the main event.
Billy Kopp Knocks Out John Martin
Billy Kopp raised to 125,000 from under the gun and John Martin made the call from the hijack after Luis Nargentino called from the hijack. The flop came down A96 and Martin bet 250,000. Kopp made the call and Nargentino mucked. The turn was the K and Martin bet 500,000. Kopp sprung his trap and raised to over 2 million. Martin then shoved for the rest of his stack and Kopp made the call.
Kopp tabled 66 for a flopped set while Martin tabled 87 for an open-ended straight draw along with a diamond draw. The river was the J and Martin missed everything. He was eliminated and Kopp was over 11 million after the hand.
Ivey Doesn’t Believe In Bach
Phil Ivey raised to 135,000 preflop and Christopher Bach made the call from the big blind. The flop came down 933 and both players checked. The turn was the 9 and Bach led out with 150,000. The river was the 7 and Bach led out one more time, this time for 360,000.
Ivey made the call and Bach tabled Q10 for a whole lot of nothing. Ivey then showed AQ and his ace kicker played. He took the pot and was over 7 million.
Schneider Doubles Through Hieu Luu
Hieu Luu raised from the cutoff position and Tom Schneider called from the big blind. The flop came A62 and Schnedier checked and called Luu’s 225,000 bet. On the 8 turn, Schneider led out for 400,000 and was raised all in by Luu.
Schneider called and we got the rest of the analysis from Schneider’s wife who yelled “What do you have baby?”
Schneider replied that he had two pair and that he was up against a flush draw. “What do we need?” yelled Mrs. Schneider. To that question, Schneider replied that she should root for the king of spades. Ironically enough, that was what fell on the river and Schneider doubles up to 3,800,000 and Luu drops to 2,400,000.
Maimone’s Two Pair Is No Good
Joseph Cada raised to 175,000 preflop and was called by Dennis Phillips and Nick Maimone called. The flop fell 37Q and Cada bet 250,000, which was only called by Maimone. The turn was the J and Cada bet 450,000, which was again called by Maimone.
The river was the 10 and Cada bet 900,000. Maimone called and Cada showed QQ, good for top set. Maimone made a comment about how sick the hand was as he flashed QJ, good for top two pair, and drawing dead the whole way.
Aces Hold For Smith, Doubles Through Bilzerian
On a flop of 348, Jordan Smith moved all in and was called by Adam Bilzerian. Bilzerian showed 66 and was behind Smith’s AA.
The turn was the K and the river was the 2, alowing Smith to double up to 2,500,000 and Bilzerian dropped to 1,850,000 in chips.
Lichtenberger Drops One to Shulman
Andrew Lichtenberger raised from the button and was called by Eric Buchman and Jeff Shulman from the blinds. The flop was A102 and after Buchman checked, Shulman bet 200,000 into the preflop raiser. Lichtenberger called and Buchman folded. The turn was the 8 and Shulman fired 250,000, which was called.
The river was the J and both players checked. Shulman turned over QT, good for third pair and Lichtenberger mucked his hand.
Prahlad Friedman Eliminated in 64th Place ($90,344)
Prahlad Friedman moved all in from the cutoff for 840,000 and Bradley Craig called from the big blind. Friedman showed KQ and Craig tabled AK.
Friedman was unable to catch a queen as the board ran out 97289 and was eliminated right before a money jump. He is the last player to earn $90,344. Each player eliminated from here on out is guaranteed at least $108,000.
Tommy Vedes Climbs Chip Counts, Eliminates George Saca
Tommy Vedes limped from early position and George Saca made it 250,000 from late position. Vedes made the call and the flop was K54. Vedes checked and Saca bet 460,000, which was called by Vedes.
The turn was the 10 and Vedes checked again. Saca bet 440,000 and Vedes raised to 1,300,000 and Saca moved all in. Vedes had Saca covered and made the call. Vedes tabled 55 and had Saca drawing dead when he tabled AK. The river was a meaningless A, which gave Saca two pair, but not the best hand. He was eliminated in 63rd place and Vedes has 8,200,000 in chips.
Shulman Takes a Small Pot
Jeff Shulman raised and was called by Jason Brice. The flop was J107 and Shulman checked. Brice bet 160,000 and Shulman called. The turn was the 6 and the river was the 9.
Both players checked both streets down and Shulman showed A10 and his pair was good enough to take the pot.
Craig Boyd Doubles Up
Craig Boyd moved all in for 515,000 preflop and Mika Puumalainen made the call from the button. Boyd turned over Q8 while Puumalainen tabled AJ.
The flop was golden for Boyd as it fell Q32, giving him the lead. The turn was the J, giving Puumalainen a piece of the hand. The river was the 6 and, since neither man had a club in his hand, Boyd took the pot with his pair of queens. He doubled to just over 1 million. Puumalainen would be eliminated later in the hour.
Sebok Cut In Half Early
Joe Sebok started the day with 1 million in chips. He had been slowly getting anted off during the level before he finally saw a flop against Nick Maimone.
Sebok raised to 125,000 preflop and Maimone made the call. The flop came down A29 and Sebok led out with 135,000. Maimone made the call and the turn was the 3. Both players checked and they did the same on the 7 river. Maimone then tabled A10 for top pair and Sebok mucked.
Sebok was down to just 500,000 after the hand.
Lacay Takes One
Ludovic Lacay raised to 130,000 preflop from the cutoff and Christopher Bach made the call from the big blind. The flop came down K37 and Lacay fired 175,000. The turn was the 10 and Bach decided to take the initiative, firing 300,000. Lacay would have none of it, raising to 900,000. Bach made the call and the river was the 4. Bach took another shot, firing 680,000. Lacay was in no mood for nonsense and moved all in. Bach took a session in the tank and mucked his hand.
Lacay took the pot and was at 7.3 million in chips.
NOTE: There was a 20-minute break after this level and play will commence at 10:50 p.m. PDT.
Blinds: 15,000-30,000 with a 4,000 ante
Players Remaining: 82 out of 6,494
Chip Counts:
1. Darvin Moon – 7,500,000
2. Antonio Esfandiari – 5,600,000
3. Antoine Saout – 5,430,000
4. Ludovic Lacay – 5,200,000
5. Charlie Elias – 4,750,0005.
6. Tommy Vedes – 4,550,000
7. Billy Kopp – 4,500,000
8. Jeff Duvall – 4,410,000
9. Steve Begleiter – 4,400,000
10. Eugene Kathchalov – 4,200,000
Average Chip Count: 2,375,853
Card Player Chip Count:
Jeff Shulman – 3,750,000
- Shulman continues to hold steady above the 3.5 million mark. His stack is currently in 11th place.
Notable Eliminations:
86. Kenny Tran – $57,991
Chip Movers and Shakers
- Benjamin Jensen jumped his stack to 2.4 million in a hand where he made trip aces against Fabrice Soulier. Soulier was knocked down to 2.17 million.
- Adam Bilzerian grew his stack to 2.66 million when he snapped up a pot that was over 800,000 against Tom Schneider. Bilzerian bet 550,000 on a Q-Q-5 flop and Schneider mucked. Schneider was down to 1.135 million after the hand.
- Ludovic Lacay held strong near 5.2 million, thanks to his pocket tens making a straight on the river to match the Broadway straight of Craig Boyd (A-10) on a K-Q-J-2-A board. Boyd held 2.6 million after the hand.
Big Hands
Blair Rodman Doubles Up
Phil Ivey raised to 80,000 and Blair Rodman shoved all in for 362,000 total. Action was folded back around to Ivey who made the call. Ivey exposed the A9 while Rodman exposed the 88. The board ran out K10462, as Rodman’s eights held up. Rodman is still short with 780,000.
Dennis Phillips Wins Million Chip Pot
Thai Tran raised preflop to 70,000 and Dennis Phillips reraised to 180,000. Steve Sanders made the call and action was back to Tran. He didn’t just call, instead he put out a raise to 605,000. Action was back to Phillips, who went into the tank and eventually announced all in for 1,900,000 total. Sanders quickly folded and Tran went into the tank before mucking. Phillips collected the million chip pot without having to see a flop. Phillips is now at 3,000,000.
Kenny Tran Eliminated 86th Place ($57,991)
With less than 500,000 Kenny Tran chose to move all in with the A5 and was called by the 88 of Joseph Cada. The board offered no salvation as it ran out 43396. Cada is at 2,580,000.
Darvin Moon Wins Monster Pot
Darvin Moon limped from early position and Chris Bach raised to 175,000. Jamie Brown reraised to 375,000 from the button. Moon limped in with a huge hand and made it 1,000,000 to go. Bach folded and Brown thought for awhile before going all in with his last 1,400,000. Moon snap called and exposed the AA. Brown tabled the dominated KK. The board ran out 653J8 as Brown received no help and was eliminated from the main event. Moon is at 7,500,000 and the chip leader.
Antonio Esfandiari Eliminates Opponent
Antonio Esfandiari raised preflop and was repopped by Wesley Ismay. Esfandiari made the call and both players saw a flop of 755. Esfandiari bet 400,000 and Ismay called. The K hit the turn and Esfandiari once again bet out, this time for 700,000. Ismay reraised all in for 2,000,000 total. Esfandiari made the call and exposed the AK and had his opponent’s Q-9 drawing dead. The meaningless 6 fell on the river and Esfandiari is now at 5,600,000.
Joe Sebok Doubles Up Again
Billy Kopp raised 80,000 in middle position and Joe Sebok moved all in for 301,000 from the button. Action was folded back to Kopp who made the call. Kopp exposed the Q7 while Sebok tabled the 99. The board ran out 107435 and Sebok survived the double up. He is at 680,000 while Kopp is down to 4,100,000.
1. Ludovic Lacay – 5,650,000
2. Darvin Moon – 5,550,000
3. Antoine Saout – 5,281,000
4. Eugene Kathchalov – 5,200,000
5. Charlie Elias – 4,750,000
6. Steve Begleiter – 4,720,000
7. Billy Kopp – 4,500,000
8. Tommy Vedes – 4,400,000
9. Wesley Ismay – 4,000,000
10. Jeff Shulman – 3,700,000
Average Chip Count: 1,928,911
Card Player Chip Movement:
Jeff Shulman has been moved to a new table with Tom Schneider and Ludovic Lacay both on his left. He has held steady during the last hour.
Notable Eliminations:
98. Hac Dang – $47,003
96. Noah Boeken – 47,003
Chip Movers and Shakers
- Kasper Cordes was eliminated when his A-K ran into the pocket eights of Scott Cook, which had made top set when Cordes moved the last of his chips into the middle.
- Jonathan Tamayo used pocket aces to grow his stack to more than 3 million.
- Dennis Phillips picked up more than 300,000 to grow his stack to just over 2 million.
Big Hands
Kenny Tran Doubles Up
The short stack of Kenny Tran moved all in preflop with the 66 and was called by the A9 of Grayson Ramage. The flop came A64, giving Tran a set and putting him way out in front. The J hit the turn and the 7 fell on the river, doubling him up to just 500,000.
Phil Ivey Eliminates Hac Dang
Hac Dang raised to 80,000 preflop and action was folded around to Phil Ivey who reraised to 260,000. Dang decided to move all in for 620,000 total and Ivey made the quick call. Dang exposed the QQ and was dominating the JJ of Ivey. The flop seemed like destiny for Ivey as it came J94, putting him way out in front with his top set. The 5 on the turn put Dang in danger of being eliminated by perhaps the best player left in the tournament. The 7 fell on the river and Ivey knocked out Dang, bringing his stack up to 3,260,000.
Ludovic Lacay Hits Miracle, Wins Huge Double Up
Hamid Nourafchan raised 100,000 preflop from middle position. Action was folded to Ludovic Lacay in the big blind. He made it 350,000 total and Nourafchan quickly moved all in. Lacay made the call for the rest of his 2,800,000 chip stack. Lacay tabled the KK, but Nourafchan exposed the AA. Lacay needed to get lucky but had to listen to the fact that someone else at the table folded a king. The flop came JJ5, and Lacay needed massive help. The 4 hit the turn and Lacay was down to the case king in the deck. The miracle hit as the K fell, doubling him up to a massive 5,650,000. Nourafchan would have had a massive chip lead but is now down to 2,400,000.
Eugene Katchalov Eliminates Opponent
Bernhard Perner went all in for 295,000 under the gun and Eugene Katchalov went into the tank from early position. He eventually made the call and tabled the AJ and was behind against the AK of Perner. The flop came A99, offering some split possibilities for Katchalov. The 5 hit the turn and Perner needed to dodge just one more card to double up. However, the J on the river sent him to the rail and saw Katchalov’s stack soar to 5.2 million.
Joe Sebock Doubles Up
Joe Sebock moved all in preflop for 154,000 and was called by Frank Rusnak on the button. Sebock exposed the 55 and was up against the AQ of his opponent. The board ran out 88739 and Sebock is up to 393,000.
Noah Boeken Eliminated
After a flop of 1052, Noah Boeken checked and Kevin Schaffel checked. Hung Pham was next to act and he threw out a bet of 190,000 Boeken thought about it for awhile and then moved all in to put his tournament at risk. Action was back on Schaffel who made the fold. Pham made the quick call. Pham exposed the 1010, as Boeken saw his opponent had a set against his 56. Needing a heart to stay alive or runner-runner quads, Boeken was dismayed when the 8 hit the turn. The Q on the river ended his hopes and he was sent to the rail. Pham is now at 3,250,000.
Level 19 Hour 2 Update: Dan Harrington, Kara Scott Hit the Rail, James Akenhead Emerges as Chip Leader
Jul 12, '09
Blinds: 5,000-10,000 with a 1,000 ante
Players Remaining: 232 out of 6,494
Chip Counts:
1. James Akenhead – 2,890,000
2. Nicholle Peppe – 2,700,000
3. Matt Affleck – 2,600,000
4. Julien Brecard – 2,175,000
5. Billy Kopp – 2,100,000
6. Eugene Katchalov – 2,100,000
7. Tom Schneider – 2,085,000
8. Ben Lamb – 2,000,000
9. Nasr El Nasr – 2,000,000
10. Kevin Schaffel – 1,840,000
Card Player Chip Counts:
Jeff Shulman – 575,000
Average Chip Count: 822,025
Notable Eliminations:
Dan Shak
Nick Binger
Jimmy Tran
Kara Scott
Big Hands:
Kara Scott Doubles Up, Gets Crippled, Then Goes Bust
Kara Scott moved in for about 120,000 preflop and she was called by Ilosvay Zsolt. Scott tabled KJ while Zsolt showed KQ.
The flop came down 1064 and Scott held a flush draw. The turn was money for her as the 10 fell and the A fell on the river for good measure. She doubled up to 270,000.
Moments later, Bob Lauria moved in for 170,000 preflop and Scott made the call. Lauria tabled AK but was in big trouble against Scott’s pocket aces, AA. The flop came down Q910 and Lauria flopped tons of outs to a straight or club flush. The turn was the 4, making the flush and the river was the J to rub it in Scott’s face. Lauria doubled up and Scott was crippled with just 90,000 left.
Later, Kara Scott moved in for just 70,000 and was called by Paul Baron. Baron tabled 53 while Scott held A2. The board ran out Q5659 and Scott was eliminated.
Bob Lauria Doubles
Bob Lauria moved all in for his final 107,000 and Ian Woodley made the call. Lauria showed AQ while Woodley tabled K6.
The board ran out KQ2A2 and Lauria doubled to about 220,000.
Nick Binger Eliminated
Nick Binger raised preflop and Montagna Corrado repopped to 60,000. Action folded back around to Binger who moved in for 125,000 more. Corrado made the call and tabled KK. Binger showed down A10 and needed help to stay alive.
The board ran out 63295 and Binger was elilminated from the main event.
Cole South Hits an Ace on the River
After a series of raises preflop, Cole South called the all in bet of his opponent who had about 200,000, and the hands were turned face up. South showed the AQ and was up against QQ of his opponent.
The flop was 7K9, the turn was the K, and South would need an ace on the river for the win. The river was the A and South took the pot and eliminated an opponent.
Action Dan Gets Caught Bluffing, Then Gets Shown The Door
On the turn, with already over 400,000 in the pot already, the board read A10KK, both Dan Harrington and Charlie Elias checked and watched the 3 fall on the river.
Dan Harrington then bet 350,000 on the river and Elias went into the tank for several minutes. After a while, Elias cut out the call and Harrington acknowledged the fact that Elias made a good call and tabled 89 and Elias turned up QQ.
A few hands later, the flop was K92 and Eric Cloutier fired 180,000. Harrington moved in for 345,000 and the call was made. Cloutier held AK while Harrington was drawing live with AQ. But the turn was the 3 and the river was the 7 and Harrington could not make his flush, resulting in his elimination. He exited the Amazon Room to a standing ovation.
Akenhead’s Kings Give Him the Chip Lead
Eracles Panayiotous raised to 26,000 and was three-bet by James Akenhead to 80,000. Panayiotous made the call and the flop fell Q73 and Akenhead bet 130,000 and was called.
The turn was the 8 and Akenhead bet 190,000 and was met with a raise to 430,000 from Panayiotous. Akenhead eventually makes the call and the K fell on the river. Akenhead checked and Panayiotous moved all in for about 800,000. Akenhead instantly made the call and tabled the KK, giving him top set and his opponent turned over 64, for an absolute air ball.
Akenhead now has over 3,000,000 in chips and is the new chip leader for the tournament.
Sebok Doubles Up With Big Slick, Proceeds to Bust Opponent
Adam Lattimer raised to 26,000 and was reraised to 86,000 by Hieu Luu. Action was folded around to Joe Sebok who moved all in for 259,000. Lattimer eventually folded and Luu went into the tank. Luu eventually made the call, figuring he was priced in and showed a mere Q7 and was up against Sebok’s AK.
The flop was 456, followed by the 7 on the turn, giving Luu a pair of sevens. Sebok was getting up out of his chair and putting on his jacket when the K hit the river and Sebok stayed alive.
Moments later, Sebok called his opponent’s all in bet and tabled JJ. His opponent showed down 1010 and the board ran out QQ67Q, giving Sebok a better full house and the pot. He was at around 500,000.
J.C. Tran Takes A Pot
J.C. Tran raised to 24,000 preflop and was called by the big blind. The flop came down 1085 and action was checked to Tran. He bet out 30,000 and the big blind called. The turn was the Q and Tran fired 65,000.
The big blind gave up his hand and Tran was at 260,000.
Nicholle Peppe Takes A Massive 2.5 Million Pot Off Lutz
On a flop of 1097, Tom Lutz bet 300,000 and Nicholle Peppe shoved for 1,099,000. Lutz made the call and the hands were turned over.
Lutz: 108
Peppe: 97
Lutz gambled with his top pair and open-ended straight draw, but the turn was the 4 and the river was the 2 and Peppe doubled up in the biggest pot of the tournament. She was at 2.7 million while Lutz dropped to a still respectable 1.16 million.
Level 18 Hour 1 Update: Schneider And Hinkle Score Early Knockouts
Jul 12, '09
Blinds: 4,000-8,000 with a 1,000 ante
Players Remaining: 372 out of 6,494
Chip Counts:
1. Matt Affleck – 2,100,000
2. Blair Hinkle – 2,000,000
3. Ben Lamb – 2,000,000506
4. Kevin Schaffel – 1,760,000
5. Berhard Perner – 1,675,000
6. Ludovic Lacay – 1,608,000
7. Tom Lutz – 1,600,000
8. James Akenhead – 1,572,000
9. Charlie Elias – 1,540,000
10. Miika Puumalainen – 1,492,000
Card Player Chip Counts:
Jeff Shulman – 314,000
Average Chip Count: 506,026
Notable Eliminations:
Jeff Kimber
Thor Hansen
C.K. Hua
Big Hands:
Schneider Eliminates Burt With Big Slick
Tom Schneider and Keith Burt got all of their money in preflop and their hands were turned over. Schneider held AK and Burt showed 97.
The board ran out 52226, leaving Burt with just nine-high and giving Schneider the pot. Burt is eliminated from the tournament, while Schneider’s stack is increased to 950,000.
Sebok’s Bluff Picked Off
Hieu Luu raised to 20,000 preflop and was called by Joe Sebok from the small blind. The flop was 533 and Sebok checked. Luu fired 30,000 which was called by Sebok.
The turn was the 8 and both players checked. The 9 fell on the river and Sebok bet 70,000 and was called by Luu. Sebok showed A10 and Luu turned over pocket tens to take the pot.
Blair Hinkle Doubles One Opponent Up, Makes A Profit Anyway
Oliver Klatt moved all in preflop and the action folded to Isidro Martinez. He moved all in having Klatt covered and the action was on Blair Hinkle. He then came over the top for all of his chips, having both men covered. Everyone else mucked and the hands were turned up.
Martinez: QQ
Hinkle: KK
Klatt: 99
Hinkle was in great position to score a double knockout, but the flop came down J94, giving Klatt a set of nines. The turn was the A and the river was the J, scoring a triple up for Klatt. However, he only had 125,000 total, leaving a small dent in Hinkle’s stack. Hinkle won the side pot against Martinez and after all the chips were counted, Hinkle made a profit out of the deal, his chips around 2 million.
Benyamine Takes A Big Pot
Picking up the action on the turn, the board read 9336 and Sarne Lightman fired 150,000 into a pot of over 225,000. David Benyamine took a few seconds to count out his stack, then moved all in for 135,000 more.
Lightman then took a tank session of his own and decided to muck his hand, surrendering the large pot to Benyamine. Benyamine was around 680,000.
Kenny Tran Gets Bluffed
Kenny Tran raised to 23,000 from early position and was three-bet by a player in late position to 100,000. Tran went into the tank for several minutes before making the call.
The flop came J49 and Tran checked to his opponent. His opponent didn’t make any movements and was just staring around the room, until the dealer informed him that Tran had checked and the player decided to go all in. Tran fairly quickly folded and folded pocket queens face up. To his dismay, his opponent turned over A10, for just ace-high.
Phillips Knocks Out Mighty Thor
Dennis Phillips and Thor Hansen got all of their chips into the middle preflop and Phillips had the best of it when he turned over AK against Hansen’s KQ.
Hansen said he was good with the ladies, but his mojo was a little low today as the board ran out 75675, keeping Phillips’ big slick in the lead and eliminating a tough opponent from the tournament.
1. Bertrand Grospellier – 1,600,000
2. Ludovic Lacay – 925,000
3. Jason Brice – 838,500
4. Benjamin Jensen – 835,500
5. Eli Adler – 810,000
6. Kasper Cordes – 796,000
7. James Akenhead – 794,000
8. Billy Kopp – 792,000
9. Tyler Patterson – 784,000
10. Adam Bilzerian – 767,000
Card Player Chip Counts:
Jeff Shulman – 197,000
Phil Hellmuth – 235,000
Average Chip Count: 220,884
Notable Eliminations:
Maria Mayrinck
John Racener
Big Hands:
Happy Beginnings
On the third hand of the day, Steve Gahaghan moved all in from under the gun for 52,000. Jeff Shulman was next to act and made the quick call. Everyone else mucked and Gahaghan showed A8 while Shulman had JJ.
The flop fell 1096 giving Gahaghan a gutshot straight draw. The turn was the K taking a bunch of spades away from Gahaghan as outs. The river was the 5, giving Shulman a flush and the pot. Shulman was at 197,000.
Bilzerian Hits Runners to Stay Alive
Dan Bilzerian moved all in preflop and was called by Jesse Chinni for his last 67,500 chips. Chinni showed AQ and Bilzerian had 89. The flop was QK4 and Bilzerian was in bad shape.
The turn, however, gave Bilzerian some hope when the 8 fell. The miracle fell on the river as the 9 was turned over and kept Bilzerian in the tourney.
Bonomo Suffers Early Blow
Meyer Rainer was all in preflop against Justin Bonomo. Bonomo held AK, but was crushed by Rainer’s AA. The board was dry for Bonomo as it ran out 29552.
Rainer doubled up to 330,000, while Bonomo dropped to 310,000 in chips.
Sebok’s Big Slick Delivers Knockout
In yet another all in preflop confrontation, which seems to be the theme of the beginning of the day, Joe Sebok called the all in of a short stacked Mads Jacobsen. Sebok showed AK and dominated Jacobsen’s A10. Jacobsen had some more life on the flop as it was 545, meaning he could chop with a 5 and win with a spade or a 10.
The turn and river didn’t improve him when the J came on the turn and the 3 was dealt on the river. “So much drama,” cracked Sebok as he increased his stack to 315,000.
Theo Tran Gets A Good Flop
Theo Tran raised to 11,000 under the gun and action folded all the way around to Ray DeBruyn in the big blind. He made the call and both players saw the flop come down A5Q. Both players checked and the turn was the 4 and DeBruyn checked again. Tran bet 12,000 and was called. The river was the 6 and both players checked again.
DeBruyn turned over 1010, but Tran showed Q10 for a better pair and a flush draw on the flop. He took the pot and was at 445,000.
J.C. Tran Doubles Up
After losing over 100,000 a few hands prior when he ran his ace-king into pocket aces, J.C. Tran moved all in for his last 40,000 preflop. Mark Weil had originally raised to 11,000 and decided to make the call. Tran turned up AQ while Weil tabled A7. The flop came 854, giving Weil a gutshot straight draw. The turn was the 10, giving Weil no help.
“Put a face card out there, dealer,” Tran pleaded. The river was anything but a face card, bringing the 2. Tran was happy enough with that as he doubled up to 80,000.
1. Craig Hopkins – 131,000
2. Nick Maimone – 125,000
3. Jim Bookstaff – 118,000
4. Vadim Gruzglin – 118,000
5. Jesse Rios – 110,500
6. Ali Eslami – 90,000
7. Karin Lehoussing – 87,000
8. Jonathan Tare – 75,000
9. Sam Khouiss – 72,000
10. Dave D’Alesandro – 68,000
Card Player Chip Counts:
Todd Brunson — 41,000
Mike Matusow — 29,000
Notable Eliminations:
Big Hands
Sebok Mixes It Up
The player under the gun limped in for 300. The next player to act raised to 1,500 and Joe Sebok was next to act. He made the call and everyone else mucked, including the player under the gun.
The flop then fell 764 and both players checked. It was the same story on the 8 turn and J river. Sebok then showed his hand, 22. It was good enough to take the pot as his opponent showed A10 for just ace high.
A few hands later, the flop came down J83. Sebok called his opponent’s all in bet and tabled 54 for a flush draw. His opponent tabled KK and Sebok needed help. The turn didn’t give him anything as it was the 10, but the A on the river made Sebok his flush and he knocked out his opponent, pushing his stack to 64,000.
Raymer Straightens Out His Opponent
A player raised to 950 and the player in the cutoff made the call. The action was then on Greg Raymer on the button, who raised to 3,500. Everyone folded except the cutoff and the flop was 987. Both players checked and saw the 10 fall on the turn.
The cutoff bet 5,000 and Raymer made the call. The river was the 2 and the action was checked to Raymer. He bet another 5,000 and the cutoff called. Raymer tabled KJ for a straight and the cutoff mucked. Raymer raked in the pot and was at 48,000.
Mortensen Getting Short
On a board reading J96Q, Carlos Mortensen bet 5,000. Another player raised to 13,000 and Mortensen made the call. The river was the 2 and the player shoved his entire stack, having Mortensen covered. Mortensen then mucked pocket nines face up, giving up his set. The other player showed K10 for the flush and took the pot, knocking out another player in the hand. Mortensen was down to just 12,000.
Helppi’s Pocket Kings Hold Up, Even With an Ace on Board
Juha Helppi raised to 900 under the gun and got four callers. The flop came AJ6 and everybody checked around. The turn was the 6 and everybody checked again.
The river brought the 6 and now Helppi put out a bet of 1,150 and it folded around to the player in the small blind who cut out a call and put the chips in. Helppi tabled KK and his opponent mucked his cards.
Kravchenko and Raymer Mixing it Up
After some preflop action, three players, including Alex Kravchenko and Greg Raymer see a flop of AQ2. Kravchenko bet 1,500, there was a fold and then Raymer made the call. The turn was the K and both players checked.
The river was the 6 and Kravchenko checked again. Raymer bet 4,000 and after a few moments, Kravchenko mucked. Raymer tabled the AQ, good for two pair.
Just a few hands later, these same two players were sparring again. Raymer checked and called a bet from Kravchenko on the turn and a third player came along for the river.
The final board read KJ9K8. Raymer checked, the other player checked and Kravchenko bet 3,000. Raymer quickly made the call and the third party got out of the way. Kravchenko showed AK and Raymer mucked.
Round 2 goes to Kravchenko.
Jason Young Gets Bluffed
A player under the gun made it 900 to go and got three callers, including Jason Young who called from the button. The flop was K64 and the under the gun player bet 2,100. After there were two folds in between, Jason Young opted to raise to 5,150. After some thought, the under the gun player tossed in the call.
The 7 fell on the turn and both players checked. The 2 was the river card and now the original preflop raiser bets 9,000. “You got two aces?” asked Young before he mucks his hand. His read was a little off as his opponent showed the 54, for just a pair of fours.
Left In The Deck:
It was just announced that 873 players registered for Day 1b of the main event, with 720 remaining. This is down from 1,158 players that registered on Day 1b last year. It appears that people just don’t want to spend their 4th of July holiday in the poker room.
Level 2 - Hour 1 Update: Chris Ferguson Adds to Stack
Jul 04, '09
Blinds: 100-200
Chip Counts:
1. Dave D’Alesandro — 64,000
2. Jeremiah Smith — 63,000
3. Angelo Ricci — 62,000
4. Talal Shakerchi – 60,000
5. Sam Khouiss — 52,000
6. Alex Jung – 48,500
7. Chris Ferguson – 44,000
8. Allan Vrooman — 40,000
9. Carlos Mortensen — 39,000
10. Juha Helppi – 37,000
Card Player Chip Counts:
Stephen Murphy – 18,250
Todd Brunson — 26,100
Mike Matusow — 26,000
Big Hands
Joe Sebok Finally Wins A Pot
Joe Sebok raises from the cutoff and the player in the big blind calls. The flop comes J75, Sebok bets 1,200 and the big blind calls. The turn is the A, both players check around. The river is the 3, and this time Sebok bets 3,300. The big blind folds and Sebok rakes the pot. After this hand he is up to 20,000 in chips.
Chris Ferguson Chips Up
Two players had already limped in the pot when Chris Ferguson raised to 1,000 from the button. Both opponents call and the flop comes J106. The player in the cutoff bets 1,400, Ferguson calls, and the third opponent folds. The turn is the 3, the cutoff bets 2,000 and Ferguson calls. The river is the 10, the cutoff bets 2,000, Ferguson raises to 7,000 and the cutoff calls. Ferguson shows KK and his opponent mucks his cards. Ferguson rakes the pot and is up to 44,000 in chips this hand.
Miracle Hits
An unknown short stacked player moved all in for 5,000 on a flop of 1072 with the J10 and was snap called by the 22 of an opponent. Needing runner-runner to stay alive, the J hit the turn, giving him the short stack top two pair and just four outs to make a full house. The 10 fell on the river, completing the miracle.
Raymer Caught Bluffing
Raymer fired on every street on a board of 1053A9 and was called down each time. The former main event champion bet 3,500 on the end and when he was called he said, “good call, I missed my straight draw.” His opponent tabled the AK for top pair and Raymer mucked. He is down to just 17,000.
1. Billy Kopp – 14,340,000
2. Darvin Moon – 10,350,000
3. Tommy Vedes – 9,000,000
4. Phil Ivey – 7,400,000
5. Ludovic Lacay – 7,150,000
6. Ben Lamb – 6,350,000
7. Antoine Saout – 6,200,000
8. Steve Begleiter – 6,100,000
9. Joseph Cada – 5,900,000
10. Jeff Shulman – 4,600,000
Action folded around to Joe Sebok on the button and he moved all in for about 500,00. Ben Lamb was in the big blind and made the call. Here were their hands.
Sebok: A9
Lamb: AQ
Sebok was dominated and needed a lot of help. The flop came down J43 and Sebok was down to his last two streets. The turn was the 6 and Sebok could only double up with a nine. The river brought the Q instead, pairing Lamb and Sebok was eliminated from the main event.
Billy Kopp Knocks Out John Martin
Billy Kopp raised to 125,000 from under the gun and John Martin made the call from the hijack after Luis Nargentino called from the hijack. The flop came down A96 and Martin bet 250,000. Kopp made the call and Nargentino mucked. The turn was the K and Martin bet 500,000. Kopp sprung his trap and raised to over 2 million. Martin then shoved for the rest of his stack and Kopp made the call.
Kopp tabled 66 for a flopped set while Martin tabled 87 for an open-ended straight draw along with a diamond draw. The river was the J and Martin missed everything. He was eliminated and Kopp was over 11 million after the hand.
Ivey Doesn’t Believe In Bach
Phil Ivey raised to 135,000 preflop and Christopher Bach made the call from the big blind. The flop came down 933 and both players checked. The turn was the 9 and Bach led out with 150,000. The river was the 7 and Bach led out one more time, this time for 360,000.
Ivey made the call and Bach tabled Q10 for a whole lot of nothing. Ivey then showed AQ and his ace kicker played. He took the pot and was over 7 million.
Schneider Doubles Through Hieu Luu
Hieu Luu raised from the cutoff position and Tom Schneider called from the big blind. The flop came A62 and Schnedier checked and called Luu’s 225,000 bet. On the 8 turn, Schneider led out for 400,000 and was raised all in by Luu.
Schneider called and we got the rest of the analysis from Schneider’s wife who yelled “What do you have baby?”
Schneider replied that he had two pair and that he was up against a flush draw. “What do we need?” yelled Mrs. Schneider. To that question, Schneider replied that she should root for the king of spades. Ironically enough, that was what fell on the river and Schneider doubles up to 3,800,000 and Luu drops to 2,400,000.
Maimone’s Two Pair Is No Good
Joseph Cada raised to 175,000 preflop and was called by Dennis Phillips and Nick Maimone called. The flop fell 37Q and Cada bet 250,000, which was only called by Maimone. The turn was the J and Cada bet 450,000, which was again called by Maimone.
The river was the 10 and Cada bet 900,000. Maimone called and Cada showed QQ, good for top set. Maimone made a comment about how sick the hand was as he flashed QJ, good for top two pair, and drawing dead the whole way.
Aces Hold For Smith, Doubles Through Bilzerian
On a flop of 348, Jordan Smith moved all in and was called by Adam Bilzerian. Bilzerian showed 66 and was behind Smith’s AA.
The turn was the K and the river was the 2, alowing Smith to double up to 2,500,000 and Bilzerian dropped to 1,850,000 in chips.
Lichtenberger Drops One to Shulman
Andrew Lichtenberger raised from the button and was called by Eric Buchman and Jeff Shulman from the blinds. The flop was A102 and after Buchman checked, Shulman bet 200,000 into the preflop raiser. Lichtenberger called and Buchman folded. The turn was the 8 and Shulman fired 250,000, which was called.
The river was the J and both players checked. Shulman turned over QT, good for third pair and Lichtenberger mucked his hand.
Prahlad Friedman Eliminated in 64th Place ($90,344)
Prahlad Friedman moved all in from the cutoff for 840,000 and Bradley Craig called from the big blind. Friedman showed KQ and Craig tabled AK.
Friedman was unable to catch a queen as the board ran out 97289 and was eliminated right before a money jump. He is the last player to earn $90,344. Each player eliminated from here on out is guaranteed at least $108,000.
Tommy Vedes Climbs Chip Counts, Eliminates George Saca
Tommy Vedes limped from early position and George Saca made it 250,000 from late position. Vedes made the call and the flop was K54. Vedes checked and Saca bet 460,000, which was called by Vedes.
The turn was the 10 and Vedes checked again. Saca bet 440,000 and Vedes raised to 1,300,000 and Saca moved all in. Vedes had Saca covered and made the call. Vedes tabled 55 and had Saca drawing dead when he tabled AK. The river was a meaningless A, which gave Saca two pair, but not the best hand. He was eliminated in 63rd place and Vedes has 8,200,000 in chips.
Shulman Takes a Small Pot
Jeff Shulman raised and was called by Jason Brice. The flop was J107 and Shulman checked. Brice bet 160,000 and Shulman called. The turn was the 6 and the river was the 9.
Both players checked both streets down and Shulman showed A10 and his pair was good enough to take the pot.
Craig Boyd Doubles Up
Craig Boyd moved all in for 515,000 preflop and Mika Puumalainen made the call from the button. Boyd turned over Q8 while Puumalainen tabled AJ.
The flop was golden for Boyd as it fell Q32, giving him the lead. The turn was the J, giving Puumalainen a piece of the hand. The river was the 6 and, since neither man had a club in his hand, Boyd took the pot with his pair of queens. He doubled to just over 1 million. Puumalainen would be eliminated later in the hour.
Sebok Cut In Half Early
Joe Sebok started the day with 1 million in chips. He had been slowly getting anted off during the level before he finally saw a flop against Nick Maimone.
Sebok raised to 125,000 preflop and Maimone made the call. The flop came down A29 and Sebok led out with 135,000. Maimone made the call and the turn was the 3. Both players checked and they did the same on the 7 river. Maimone then tabled A10 for top pair and Sebok mucked.
Sebok was down to just 500,000 after the hand.
Lacay Takes One
Ludovic Lacay raised to 130,000 preflop from the cutoff and Christopher Bach made the call from the big blind. The flop came down K37 and Lacay fired 175,000. The turn was the 10 and Bach decided to take the initiative, firing 300,000. Lacay would have none of it, raising to 900,000. Bach made the call and the river was the 4. Bach took another shot, firing 680,000. Lacay was in no mood for nonsense and moved all in. Bach took a session in the tank and mucked his hand.
Lacay took the pot and was at 7.3 million in chips.
NOTE: There was a 20-minute break after this level and play will commence at 10:50 p.m. PDT.
Blinds: 15,000-30,000 with a 4,000 ante
Players Remaining: 82 out of 6,494
Chip Counts:
1. Darvin Moon – 7,500,000
2. Antonio Esfandiari – 5,600,000
3. Antoine Saout – 5,430,000
4. Ludovic Lacay – 5,200,000
5. Charlie Elias – 4,750,0005.
6. Tommy Vedes – 4,550,000
7. Billy Kopp – 4,500,000
8. Jeff Duvall – 4,410,000
9. Steve Begleiter – 4,400,000
10. Eugene Kathchalov – 4,200,000
Average Chip Count: 2,375,853
Card Player Chip Count:
Jeff Shulman – 3,750,000
- Shulman continues to hold steady above the 3.5 million mark. His stack is currently in 11th place.
Notable Eliminations:
86. Kenny Tran – $57,991
Chip Movers and Shakers
- Benjamin Jensen jumped his stack to 2.4 million in a hand where he made trip aces against Fabrice Soulier. Soulier was knocked down to 2.17 million.
- Adam Bilzerian grew his stack to 2.66 million when he snapped up a pot that was over 800,000 against Tom Schneider. Bilzerian bet 550,000 on a Q-Q-5 flop and Schneider mucked. Schneider was down to 1.135 million after the hand.
- Ludovic Lacay held strong near 5.2 million, thanks to his pocket tens making a straight on the river to match the Broadway straight of Craig Boyd (A-10) on a K-Q-J-2-A board. Boyd held 2.6 million after the hand.
Big Hands
Blair Rodman Doubles Up
Phil Ivey raised to 80,000 and Blair Rodman shoved all in for 362,000 total. Action was folded back around to Ivey who made the call. Ivey exposed the A9 while Rodman exposed the 88. The board ran out K10462, as Rodman’s eights held up. Rodman is still short with 780,000.
Dennis Phillips Wins Million Chip Pot
Thai Tran raised preflop to 70,000 and Dennis Phillips reraised to 180,000. Steve Sanders made the call and action was back to Tran. He didn’t just call, instead he put out a raise to 605,000. Action was back to Phillips, who went into the tank and eventually announced all in for 1,900,000 total. Sanders quickly folded and Tran went into the tank before mucking. Phillips collected the million chip pot without having to see a flop. Phillips is now at 3,000,000.
Kenny Tran Eliminated 86th Place ($57,991)
With less than 500,000 Kenny Tran chose to move all in with the A5 and was called by the 88 of Joseph Cada. The board offered no salvation as it ran out 43396. Cada is at 2,580,000.
Darvin Moon Wins Monster Pot
Darvin Moon limped from early position and Chris Bach raised to 175,000. Jamie Brown reraised to 375,000 from the button. Moon limped in with a huge hand and made it 1,000,000 to go. Bach folded and Brown thought for awhile before going all in with his last 1,400,000. Moon snap called and exposed the AA. Brown tabled the dominated KK. The board ran out 653J8 as Brown received no help and was eliminated from the main event. Moon is at 7,500,000 and the chip leader.
Antonio Esfandiari Eliminates Opponent
Antonio Esfandiari raised preflop and was repopped by Wesley Ismay. Esfandiari made the call and both players saw a flop of 755. Esfandiari bet 400,000 and Ismay called. The K hit the turn and Esfandiari once again bet out, this time for 700,000. Ismay reraised all in for 2,000,000 total. Esfandiari made the call and exposed the AK and had his opponent’s Q-9 drawing dead. The meaningless 6 fell on the river and Esfandiari is now at 5,600,000.
Joe Sebok Doubles Up Again
Billy Kopp raised 80,000 in middle position and Joe Sebok moved all in for 301,000 from the button. Action was folded back to Kopp who made the call. Kopp exposed the Q7 while Sebok tabled the 99. The board ran out 107435 and Sebok survived the double up. He is at 680,000 while Kopp is down to 4,100,000.
1. Ludovic Lacay – 5,650,000
2. Darvin Moon – 5,550,000
3. Antoine Saout – 5,281,000
4. Eugene Kathchalov – 5,200,000
5. Charlie Elias – 4,750,000
6. Steve Begleiter – 4,720,000
7. Billy Kopp – 4,500,000
8. Tommy Vedes – 4,400,000
9. Wesley Ismay – 4,000,000
10. Jeff Shulman – 3,700,000
Average Chip Count: 1,928,911
Card Player Chip Movement:
Jeff Shulman has been moved to a new table with Tom Schneider and Ludovic Lacay both on his left. He has held steady during the last hour.
Notable Eliminations:
98. Hac Dang – $47,003
96. Noah Boeken – 47,003
Chip Movers and Shakers
- Kasper Cordes was eliminated when his A-K ran into the pocket eights of Scott Cook, which had made top set when Cordes moved the last of his chips into the middle.
- Jonathan Tamayo used pocket aces to grow his stack to more than 3 million.
- Dennis Phillips picked up more than 300,000 to grow his stack to just over 2 million.
Big Hands
Kenny Tran Doubles Up
The short stack of Kenny Tran moved all in preflop with the 66 and was called by the A9 of Grayson Ramage. The flop came A64, giving Tran a set and putting him way out in front. The J hit the turn and the 7 fell on the river, doubling him up to just 500,000.
Phil Ivey Eliminates Hac Dang
Hac Dang raised to 80,000 preflop and action was folded around to Phil Ivey who reraised to 260,000. Dang decided to move all in for 620,000 total and Ivey made the quick call. Dang exposed the QQ and was dominating the JJ of Ivey. The flop seemed like destiny for Ivey as it came J94, putting him way out in front with his top set. The 5 on the turn put Dang in danger of being eliminated by perhaps the best player left in the tournament. The 7 fell on the river and Ivey knocked out Dang, bringing his stack up to 3,260,000.
Ludovic Lacay Hits Miracle, Wins Huge Double Up
Hamid Nourafchan raised 100,000 preflop from middle position. Action was folded to Ludovic Lacay in the big blind. He made it 350,000 total and Nourafchan quickly moved all in. Lacay made the call for the rest of his 2,800,000 chip stack. Lacay tabled the KK, but Nourafchan exposed the AA. Lacay needed to get lucky but had to listen to the fact that someone else at the table folded a king. The flop came JJ5, and Lacay needed massive help. The 4 hit the turn and Lacay was down to the case king in the deck. The miracle hit as the K fell, doubling him up to a massive 5,650,000. Nourafchan would have had a massive chip lead but is now down to 2,400,000.
Eugene Katchalov Eliminates Opponent
Bernhard Perner went all in for 295,000 under the gun and Eugene Katchalov went into the tank from early position. He eventually made the call and tabled the AJ and was behind against the AK of Perner. The flop came A99, offering some split possibilities for Katchalov. The 5 hit the turn and Perner needed to dodge just one more card to double up. However, the J on the river sent him to the rail and saw Katchalov’s stack soar to 5.2 million.
Joe Sebock Doubles Up
Joe Sebock moved all in preflop for 154,000 and was called by Frank Rusnak on the button. Sebock exposed the 55 and was up against the AQ of his opponent. The board ran out 88739 and Sebock is up to 393,000.
Noah Boeken Eliminated
After a flop of 1052, Noah Boeken checked and Kevin Schaffel checked. Hung Pham was next to act and he threw out a bet of 190,000 Boeken thought about it for awhile and then moved all in to put his tournament at risk. Action was back on Schaffel who made the fold. Pham made the quick call. Pham exposed the 1010, as Boeken saw his opponent had a set against his 56. Needing a heart to stay alive or runner-runner quads, Boeken was dismayed when the 8 hit the turn. The Q on the river ended his hopes and he was sent to the rail. Pham is now at 3,250,000.
Level 19 Hour 2 Update: Dan Harrington, Kara Scott Hit the Rail, James Akenhead Emerges as Chip Leader
Jul 12, '09
Blinds: 5,000-10,000 with a 1,000 ante
Players Remaining: 232 out of 6,494
Chip Counts:
1. James Akenhead – 2,890,000
2. Nicholle Peppe – 2,700,000
3. Matt Affleck – 2,600,000
4. Julien Brecard – 2,175,000
5. Billy Kopp – 2,100,000
6. Eugene Katchalov – 2,100,000
7. Tom Schneider – 2,085,000
8. Ben Lamb – 2,000,000
9. Nasr El Nasr – 2,000,000
10. Kevin Schaffel – 1,840,000
Card Player Chip Counts:
Jeff Shulman – 575,000
Average Chip Count: 822,025
Notable Eliminations:
Dan Shak
Nick Binger
Jimmy Tran
Kara Scott
Big Hands:
Kara Scott Doubles Up, Gets Crippled, Then Goes Bust
Kara Scott moved in for about 120,000 preflop and she was called by Ilosvay Zsolt. Scott tabled KJ while Zsolt showed KQ.
The flop came down 1064 and Scott held a flush draw. The turn was money for her as the 10 fell and the A fell on the river for good measure. She doubled up to 270,000.
Moments later, Bob Lauria moved in for 170,000 preflop and Scott made the call. Lauria tabled AK but was in big trouble against Scott’s pocket aces, AA. The flop came down Q910 and Lauria flopped tons of outs to a straight or club flush. The turn was the 4, making the flush and the river was the J to rub it in Scott’s face. Lauria doubled up and Scott was crippled with just 90,000 left.
Later, Kara Scott moved in for just 70,000 and was called by Paul Baron. Baron tabled 53 while Scott held A2. The board ran out Q5659 and Scott was eliminated.
Bob Lauria Doubles
Bob Lauria moved all in for his final 107,000 and Ian Woodley made the call. Lauria showed AQ while Woodley tabled K6.
The board ran out KQ2A2 and Lauria doubled to about 220,000.
Nick Binger Eliminated
Nick Binger raised preflop and Montagna Corrado repopped to 60,000. Action folded back around to Binger who moved in for 125,000 more. Corrado made the call and tabled KK. Binger showed down A10 and needed help to stay alive.
The board ran out 63295 and Binger was elilminated from the main event.
Cole South Hits an Ace on the River
After a series of raises preflop, Cole South called the all in bet of his opponent who had about 200,000, and the hands were turned face up. South showed the AQ and was up against QQ of his opponent.
The flop was 7K9, the turn was the K, and South would need an ace on the river for the win. The river was the A and South took the pot and eliminated an opponent.
Action Dan Gets Caught Bluffing, Then Gets Shown The Door
On the turn, with already over 400,000 in the pot already, the board read A10KK, both Dan Harrington and Charlie Elias checked and watched the 3 fall on the river.
Dan Harrington then bet 350,000 on the river and Elias went into the tank for several minutes. After a while, Elias cut out the call and Harrington acknowledged the fact that Elias made a good call and tabled 89 and Elias turned up QQ.
A few hands later, the flop was K92 and Eric Cloutier fired 180,000. Harrington moved in for 345,000 and the call was made. Cloutier held AK while Harrington was drawing live with AQ. But the turn was the 3 and the river was the 7 and Harrington could not make his flush, resulting in his elimination. He exited the Amazon Room to a standing ovation.
Akenhead’s Kings Give Him the Chip Lead
Eracles Panayiotous raised to 26,000 and was three-bet by James Akenhead to 80,000. Panayiotous made the call and the flop fell Q73 and Akenhead bet 130,000 and was called.
The turn was the 8 and Akenhead bet 190,000 and was met with a raise to 430,000 from Panayiotous. Akenhead eventually makes the call and the K fell on the river. Akenhead checked and Panayiotous moved all in for about 800,000. Akenhead instantly made the call and tabled the KK, giving him top set and his opponent turned over 64, for an absolute air ball.
Akenhead now has over 3,000,000 in chips and is the new chip leader for the tournament.
Sebok Doubles Up With Big Slick, Proceeds to Bust Opponent
Adam Lattimer raised to 26,000 and was reraised to 86,000 by Hieu Luu. Action was folded around to Joe Sebok who moved all in for 259,000. Lattimer eventually folded and Luu went into the tank. Luu eventually made the call, figuring he was priced in and showed a mere Q7 and was up against Sebok’s AK.
The flop was 456, followed by the 7 on the turn, giving Luu a pair of sevens. Sebok was getting up out of his chair and putting on his jacket when the K hit the river and Sebok stayed alive.
Moments later, Sebok called his opponent’s all in bet and tabled JJ. His opponent showed down 1010 and the board ran out QQ67Q, giving Sebok a better full house and the pot. He was at around 500,000.
J.C. Tran Takes A Pot
J.C. Tran raised to 24,000 preflop and was called by the big blind. The flop came down 1085 and action was checked to Tran. He bet out 30,000 and the big blind called. The turn was the Q and Tran fired 65,000.
The big blind gave up his hand and Tran was at 260,000.
Nicholle Peppe Takes A Massive 2.5 Million Pot Off Lutz
On a flop of 1097, Tom Lutz bet 300,000 and Nicholle Peppe shoved for 1,099,000. Lutz made the call and the hands were turned over.
Lutz: 108
Peppe: 97
Lutz gambled with his top pair and open-ended straight draw, but the turn was the 4 and the river was the 2 and Peppe doubled up in the biggest pot of the tournament. She was at 2.7 million while Lutz dropped to a still respectable 1.16 million.
Level 18 Hour 1 Update: Schneider And Hinkle Score Early Knockouts
Jul 12, '09
Blinds: 4,000-8,000 with a 1,000 ante
Players Remaining: 372 out of 6,494
Chip Counts:
1. Matt Affleck – 2,100,000
2. Blair Hinkle – 2,000,000
3. Ben Lamb – 2,000,000506
4. Kevin Schaffel – 1,760,000
5. Berhard Perner – 1,675,000
6. Ludovic Lacay – 1,608,000
7. Tom Lutz – 1,600,000
8. James Akenhead – 1,572,000
9. Charlie Elias – 1,540,000
10. Miika Puumalainen – 1,492,000
Card Player Chip Counts:
Jeff Shulman – 314,000
Average Chip Count: 506,026
Notable Eliminations:
Jeff Kimber
Thor Hansen
C.K. Hua
Big Hands:
Schneider Eliminates Burt With Big Slick
Tom Schneider and Keith Burt got all of their money in preflop and their hands were turned over. Schneider held AK and Burt showed 97.
The board ran out 52226, leaving Burt with just nine-high and giving Schneider the pot. Burt is eliminated from the tournament, while Schneider’s stack is increased to 950,000.
Sebok’s Bluff Picked Off
Hieu Luu raised to 20,000 preflop and was called by Joe Sebok from the small blind. The flop was 533 and Sebok checked. Luu fired 30,000 which was called by Sebok.
The turn was the 8 and both players checked. The 9 fell on the river and Sebok bet 70,000 and was called by Luu. Sebok showed A10 and Luu turned over pocket tens to take the pot.
Blair Hinkle Doubles One Opponent Up, Makes A Profit Anyway
Oliver Klatt moved all in preflop and the action folded to Isidro Martinez. He moved all in having Klatt covered and the action was on Blair Hinkle. He then came over the top for all of his chips, having both men covered. Everyone else mucked and the hands were turned up.
Martinez: QQ
Hinkle: KK
Klatt: 99
Hinkle was in great position to score a double knockout, but the flop came down J94, giving Klatt a set of nines. The turn was the A and the river was the J, scoring a triple up for Klatt. However, he only had 125,000 total, leaving a small dent in Hinkle’s stack. Hinkle won the side pot against Martinez and after all the chips were counted, Hinkle made a profit out of the deal, his chips around 2 million.
Benyamine Takes A Big Pot
Picking up the action on the turn, the board read 9336 and Sarne Lightman fired 150,000 into a pot of over 225,000. David Benyamine took a few seconds to count out his stack, then moved all in for 135,000 more.
Lightman then took a tank session of his own and decided to muck his hand, surrendering the large pot to Benyamine. Benyamine was around 680,000.
Kenny Tran Gets Bluffed
Kenny Tran raised to 23,000 from early position and was three-bet by a player in late position to 100,000. Tran went into the tank for several minutes before making the call.
The flop came J49 and Tran checked to his opponent. His opponent didn’t make any movements and was just staring around the room, until the dealer informed him that Tran had checked and the player decided to go all in. Tran fairly quickly folded and folded pocket queens face up. To his dismay, his opponent turned over A10, for just ace-high.
Phillips Knocks Out Mighty Thor
Dennis Phillips and Thor Hansen got all of their chips into the middle preflop and Phillips had the best of it when he turned over AK against Hansen’s KQ.
Hansen said he was good with the ladies, but his mojo was a little low today as the board ran out 75675, keeping Phillips’ big slick in the lead and eliminating a tough opponent from the tournament.
1. Bertrand Grospellier – 1,600,000
2. Ludovic Lacay – 925,000
3. Jason Brice – 838,500
4. Benjamin Jensen – 835,500
5. Eli Adler – 810,000
6. Kasper Cordes – 796,000
7. James Akenhead – 794,000
8. Billy Kopp – 792,000
9. Tyler Patterson – 784,000
10. Adam Bilzerian – 767,000
Card Player Chip Counts:
Jeff Shulman – 197,000
Phil Hellmuth – 235,000
Average Chip Count: 220,884
Notable Eliminations:
Maria Mayrinck
John Racener
Big Hands:
Happy Beginnings
On the third hand of the day, Steve Gahaghan moved all in from under the gun for 52,000. Jeff Shulman was next to act and made the quick call. Everyone else mucked and Gahaghan showed A8 while Shulman had JJ.
The flop fell 1096 giving Gahaghan a gutshot straight draw. The turn was the K taking a bunch of spades away from Gahaghan as outs. The river was the 5, giving Shulman a flush and the pot. Shulman was at 197,000.
Bilzerian Hits Runners to Stay Alive
Dan Bilzerian moved all in preflop and was called by Jesse Chinni for his last 67,500 chips. Chinni showed AQ and Bilzerian had 89. The flop was QK4 and Bilzerian was in bad shape.
The turn, however, gave Bilzerian some hope when the 8 fell. The miracle fell on the river as the 9 was turned over and kept Bilzerian in the tourney.
Bonomo Suffers Early Blow
Meyer Rainer was all in preflop against Justin Bonomo. Bonomo held AK, but was crushed by Rainer’s AA. The board was dry for Bonomo as it ran out 29552.
Rainer doubled up to 330,000, while Bonomo dropped to 310,000 in chips.
Sebok’s Big Slick Delivers Knockout
In yet another all in preflop confrontation, which seems to be the theme of the beginning of the day, Joe Sebok called the all in of a short stacked Mads Jacobsen. Sebok showed AK and dominated Jacobsen’s A10. Jacobsen had some more life on the flop as it was 545, meaning he could chop with a 5 and win with a spade or a 10.
The turn and river didn’t improve him when the J came on the turn and the 3 was dealt on the river. “So much drama,” cracked Sebok as he increased his stack to 315,000.
Theo Tran Gets A Good Flop
Theo Tran raised to 11,000 under the gun and action folded all the way around to Ray DeBruyn in the big blind. He made the call and both players saw the flop come down A5Q. Both players checked and the turn was the 4 and DeBruyn checked again. Tran bet 12,000 and was called. The river was the 6 and both players checked again.
DeBruyn turned over 1010, but Tran showed Q10 for a better pair and a flush draw on the flop. He took the pot and was at 445,000.
J.C. Tran Doubles Up
After losing over 100,000 a few hands prior when he ran his ace-king into pocket aces, J.C. Tran moved all in for his last 40,000 preflop. Mark Weil had originally raised to 11,000 and decided to make the call. Tran turned up AQ while Weil tabled A7. The flop came 854, giving Weil a gutshot straight draw. The turn was the 10, giving Weil no help.
“Put a face card out there, dealer,” Tran pleaded. The river was anything but a face card, bringing the 2. Tran was happy enough with that as he doubled up to 80,000.
1. Craig Hopkins – 131,000
2. Nick Maimone – 125,000
3. Jim Bookstaff – 118,000
4. Vadim Gruzglin – 118,000
5. Jesse Rios – 110,500
6. Ali Eslami – 90,000
7. Karin Lehoussing – 87,000
8. Jonathan Tare – 75,000
9. Sam Khouiss – 72,000
10. Dave D’Alesandro – 68,000
Card Player Chip Counts:
Todd Brunson — 41,000
Mike Matusow — 29,000
Notable Eliminations:
Big Hands
Sebok Mixes It Up
The player under the gun limped in for 300. The next player to act raised to 1,500 and Joe Sebok was next to act. He made the call and everyone else mucked, including the player under the gun.
The flop then fell 764 and both players checked. It was the same story on the 8 turn and J river. Sebok then showed his hand, 22. It was good enough to take the pot as his opponent showed A10 for just ace high.
A few hands later, the flop came down J83. Sebok called his opponent’s all in bet and tabled 54 for a flush draw. His opponent tabled KK and Sebok needed help. The turn didn’t give him anything as it was the 10, but the A on the river made Sebok his flush and he knocked out his opponent, pushing his stack to 64,000.
Raymer Straightens Out His Opponent
A player raised to 950 and the player in the cutoff made the call. The action was then on Greg Raymer on the button, who raised to 3,500. Everyone folded except the cutoff and the flop was 987. Both players checked and saw the 10 fall on the turn.
The cutoff bet 5,000 and Raymer made the call. The river was the 2 and the action was checked to Raymer. He bet another 5,000 and the cutoff called. Raymer tabled KJ for a straight and the cutoff mucked. Raymer raked in the pot and was at 48,000.
Mortensen Getting Short
On a board reading J96Q, Carlos Mortensen bet 5,000. Another player raised to 13,000 and Mortensen made the call. The river was the 2 and the player shoved his entire stack, having Mortensen covered. Mortensen then mucked pocket nines face up, giving up his set. The other player showed K10 for the flush and took the pot, knocking out another player in the hand. Mortensen was down to just 12,000.
Helppi’s Pocket Kings Hold Up, Even With an Ace on Board
Juha Helppi raised to 900 under the gun and got four callers. The flop came AJ6 and everybody checked around. The turn was the 6 and everybody checked again.
The river brought the 6 and now Helppi put out a bet of 1,150 and it folded around to the player in the small blind who cut out a call and put the chips in. Helppi tabled KK and his opponent mucked his cards.
Kravchenko and Raymer Mixing it Up
After some preflop action, three players, including Alex Kravchenko and Greg Raymer see a flop of AQ2. Kravchenko bet 1,500, there was a fold and then Raymer made the call. The turn was the K and both players checked.
The river was the 6 and Kravchenko checked again. Raymer bet 4,000 and after a few moments, Kravchenko mucked. Raymer tabled the AQ, good for two pair.
Just a few hands later, these same two players were sparring again. Raymer checked and called a bet from Kravchenko on the turn and a third player came along for the river.
The final board read KJ9K8. Raymer checked, the other player checked and Kravchenko bet 3,000. Raymer quickly made the call and the third party got out of the way. Kravchenko showed AK and Raymer mucked.
Round 2 goes to Kravchenko.
Jason Young Gets Bluffed
A player under the gun made it 900 to go and got three callers, including Jason Young who called from the button. The flop was K64 and the under the gun player bet 2,100. After there were two folds in between, Jason Young opted to raise to 5,150. After some thought, the under the gun player tossed in the call.
The 7 fell on the turn and both players checked. The 2 was the river card and now the original preflop raiser bets 9,000. “You got two aces?” asked Young before he mucks his hand. His read was a little off as his opponent showed the 54, for just a pair of fours.
Left In The Deck:
It was just announced that 873 players registered for Day 1b of the main event, with 720 remaining. This is down from 1,158 players that registered on Day 1b last year. It appears that people just don’t want to spend their 4th of July holiday in the poker room.
Level 2 - Hour 1 Update: Chris Ferguson Adds to Stack
Jul 04, '09
Blinds: 100-200
Chip Counts:
1. Dave D’Alesandro — 64,000
2. Jeremiah Smith — 63,000
3. Angelo Ricci — 62,000
4. Talal Shakerchi – 60,000
5. Sam Khouiss — 52,000
6. Alex Jung – 48,500
7. Chris Ferguson – 44,000
8. Allan Vrooman — 40,000
9. Carlos Mortensen — 39,000
10. Juha Helppi – 37,000
Card Player Chip Counts:
Stephen Murphy – 18,250
Todd Brunson — 26,100
Mike Matusow — 26,000
Big Hands
Joe Sebok Finally Wins A Pot
Joe Sebok raises from the cutoff and the player in the big blind calls. The flop comes J75, Sebok bets 1,200 and the big blind calls. The turn is the A, both players check around. The river is the 3, and this time Sebok bets 3,300. The big blind folds and Sebok rakes the pot. After this hand he is up to 20,000 in chips.
Chris Ferguson Chips Up
Two players had already limped in the pot when Chris Ferguson raised to 1,000 from the button. Both opponents call and the flop comes J106. The player in the cutoff bets 1,400, Ferguson calls, and the third opponent folds. The turn is the 3, the cutoff bets 2,000 and Ferguson calls. The river is the 10, the cutoff bets 2,000, Ferguson raises to 7,000 and the cutoff calls. Ferguson shows KK and his opponent mucks his cards. Ferguson rakes the pot and is up to 44,000 in chips this hand.
Miracle Hits
An unknown short stacked player moved all in for 5,000 on a flop of 1072 with the J10 and was snap called by the 22 of an opponent. Needing runner-runner to stay alive, the J hit the turn, giving him the short stack top two pair and just four outs to make a full house. The 10 fell on the river, completing the miracle.
Raymer Caught Bluffing
Raymer fired on every street on a board of 1053A9 and was called down each time. The former main event champion bet 3,500 on the end and when he was called he said, “good call, I missed my straight draw.” His opponent tabled the AK for top pair and Raymer mucked. He is down to just 17,000.
Level 2 Update: Joe Sebok, Antonio Esfandiari Eliminated
May 30, '09
Blinds: 25-50
Players Remaining: 2,961 out of 3,000
Notable Eliminations:
Joe Sebok
Antonio Esfandiari
Allyn Jaffrey Shulman
Big Hands:
Sebok…Out
Just minutes into the the second level of play, Joe Sebok gets it all in with A-K against an opponent’s pocket queens. Sebok fails to improve and is eliminated from the tournament.
Sorel Mizzi Folds to a Raise on the River
Sorel Mizzi opens from middle position for a raise to 50 and gets three callers behind him, including both of the blinds. The flop comes KK3, and Mizzi bets 100. The player in seat 1 calls while both the blinds fold. The turn is the 2, and both players check. The river is the 8, and Mizzi bets 200. Seat 1 raises to 700 and Mizzi goes into the tank. After a minute or so, Mizzi throws his cards into the muck. He is down to 2,000 after this hand.
Adam Levy Moves All-in
After a button raise to 150 and a small blind re-raise, Adam Levy moved all in from the big blind. The button quickly folded and the small blind contemplated briefly before releasing his hand. After this hand, Levy is up to 3,500 in chips.
Will “The Thrill” Failla Flops Straight Flush, Doubles Up
With the 56, Will Failla saw a dream flop of 978. Even with a monster hand, Failla was able to get action all the way down to the river and eventually doubled through his opponent in seat 5. Failla is now up to 6,300 in chips.
Antonio Esfandiari Eliminated; Gets Caught Lying
The Magician moved all-in with the 108 on the river with a busted open-ended straight flush draw. Esfandiari’s all-in river bluff did not work as he ran into the quad sevens of his opponent.
Marco Traniello Doubles Up
The player in seat 7 raises to 100 from middle position and Marco Traniello moves all in for a total of 1,125, also in middle position. The player in seat 1 calls behind him and the original raiser in seat 7 folds. Both players turn over their cards; Traniello has AK, his opponent has QQ. The board comes A10399, pairing Traniello’s ace on the flop, allowing to him to slightly more than double up to 2,400 in chips.
Level: 10
Blinds: 1.000-2,000 with a 300 ante.
Players Left: 169 out of 338
Average Chip Count: 199,408
Notable Chip Counts:
Jean Noel Thorel -- 760,000
Justin Young -- 710,000
Dan Heimiller -- 650,000
Bertrand Grospellier -- 610,000
Joseph Parker -- 530,000
Notable Eliminations:
Tuan Le
Mark Teltscher
Cliff Josephy
Vanessa Rousso
Key Hands:
Tuan Le Eliminated
Joseph Parker bet 50,000 on the turn with 764K sitting on the board and Tuan Le moved all in. Parker called with A5 and Le turned up 77. The river fell 3 and Le was eliminated by the straight of Parker.
Joe Sebok Doubles Up
Joe Sebok faced an all-in decision on a flop of 766 and he decided to call all in. He and his opponent then flipped up their hands:
Sebok: JJ
Opponent: 99
Turn and River: Q5
Sebok doubled up on the hand and he holds 280,000.
Vanessa Rousso Eliminated
Mike Matusow bet 8,500 on a board of K558 with 20,000 in the pot. Vanessa Rousso moved all in for 40,500 and Matusow called her down. Their cards:
Matusow: A8
Rousso: 33
River: 10
Rousso was eliminated on the hand and Matusow held 200,000.
Cliff Josephy Eliminated
J.C. Tran raised preflop under the gun to 5,500 and Cliff Josephy moved all in. Tran made the call and they flipped up their cards:
Tran: AK
Josephy: 88
Board: 995A4
Josephy was eliminated on the hand Tran was up to 220,000.
Farzad Bonyadi: 1,100,000
Tony Behari: 880,000
John Monnette: 680,000
Michael Kamran: 665,000
Daniel O'Brien: 530,000
Gary Tighe: 440,000
Taylor Raines: 360,000
Amnon Filippi: 350,000
Steve Dempsey: 310,000
Frank Khadivi: 300,000
Average: 391,000
Shooting Stars
Kathy Liebert: 833,000
In-the-Money Eliminations
31: Raymond Lee -- $15,000
30: Tyler Cornell -- $20,000
29: Matt Lessinger -- $20,000
28: Anthony Gargano -- $20,000
27: Mohsin Charania -- $20,000
26: Marco Johnson -- $20,000
25: Joe Sebok -- $20,000
24: Luis Velador -- $25,000
23: Michael Nguyen -- $25,000
22: Jerry Reed -- $25,000
21: Hoyt Corkins -- $25,000
Big Hands:
Marco Johnson Eliminated in 26th Place ($20,000)
Marco Johnson moved all in preflop and Dan O'Brien called him down. Their cards:
Johnson: KQ
O'Brien: AK
Board: 72269
Johnson was eliminated in 26th place and he will take home $20,000 in prize money.
Joe Sebok Eliminated in 25th Place ($20,000)
Joe Sebok moved all in preflop after Farzad Bonyadi raised. Bonyadi called him down and they flipped up their cards:
Sebok: 99
Bonyadi: QQ
Board: AK6AK
Sebok was eliminated in 25th place and he will take home $20,000 in prze money. Bonyadi was awarded the $5,000 bounty for knocking out the shooting star.
Hoyt Corkins Crippled
David Fox moved all in preflop and Hoyt Corkins called him down. Their cards:
Corkins: AK
Fox: A9
Board: 6-5-4-9-brick
Fox doubled up on the hand to 225,000 and Corkins was knocked down to 50,000.
Hoyt Corkins Eliminated in 21st Place ($25,000)
After being crippled Hoyt Corkins moved all in preflop. Vikaly Yarkov called him down and they flipped up their cards:
Corkins: A-Q
Yarkov: 109
Board: Q87JK
Yarkov won the hand with a queen-high straight and he was awarded the $5,000 bounty for eliminating the second-to-last shooting star remaining. Corkins was eliminated in 21st place and he took home $25,000 in prize money.
Vivek Rajkumar: 330,000
Gary Tighe: 320,000
Hoyt Corkins: 275,000
Tony Behari: 266,000
Tyler Cornell: 265,000
Chris Moore: 265,000
Frank Khadivi: 260,000
Faraz Jaka: 230,000
Daniel O'Brien: 170,000
Joe Sebok: 170,000
Average: 108,611
Notable Eliminations
Annie Duke
David Pham
Isaac Baron
Jonathan Little
Howard Lederer
Eli Elezra
Shooting Star Watch
Here are the Shooting Stars in action on day 2:
Brandon Cantu
John Cernuto T.J. Cloutier - out
Hoyt Corkins Allen Cunningham - out
Freddy Deeb Annie Duke - out Eli Elezra - out Jennifer Harman - out Howard Lederer - out
Kathy Liebert Erick Lindgren - out Jonathan Little - out
Daniel Negreanu Men Nguyen - out David Pham - out
Joe Sebok Gavin Smith - out
Kenny Tran
Paul Wasicka
Big Hands:
Annie Duke Eliminated
Annie Duke moved all in preflop from the cutoff and the button and Dave Forster made the call. The flop was dealt A32 and both live players check. The turn fell 9 and Forster bet 10,000. The button mucked and Forster and Duke flipped up their cards:
Forster: 109
Duke: 66
River: 3
Duke was eliminated and Forster was awarded the $5,000 bounty.
David Pham Eliminated
David Pham moved all in preflop, and the cutoff and Vikaly Yarkov called him down. Their cards:
Yarkov: A10
Pham: 88
Cutoff: KK
Board: KJ3KJ
Pham was eliminated and Yarkov collected the $5,000 bounty.
Joe Sebok Doubles Up Again
Joe Sebok moved all in on a flop of J109 with 87 and one player called him down with J10. The turn and river fell 4A and and Sebok doubled up again. He now holds 170,000 to jumps to the top of the leader board.
Jonathan Little Eliminated by Hoyt Corkins
Jonathan Little was eliminated by the set of Hoyt Corkins when his flush draw failed to come to fruition. Corkins collected the $5,000 bounty and Little was bounced.
Gary Tighe: 315,000
Daniel Alaei: 250,000
Vivek Rajkumar: 220,000
Frank Khadivi: 210,000
Daniel O'Brien: 202,000
Brandon Cantu: 157,000
Kathy Liebert: 155,000
John Monnette: 153,000
Chris Moore: 145,000
Isaac Baron: 142,000
Average: 82,315
Notable Eliminations
T.J. Cloutier
Allen Cunningham
Jennifer Harman
Gavin Smith
Paul Smith
Will Failla
Amit Makhija
Chad Batista
Tim West
Shooting Star Watch
Here are the Shooting Stars in action on day 2:
Brandon Cantu
John Cernuto T.J. Cloutier - out
Hoyt Corkins Allen Cunningham - out
Freddy Deeb
Annie Duke
Eli Elezra Jennifer Harman - out
Howard Lederer
Kathy Liebert Erick Lindgren - out
Jonathan Little
Daniel Negreanu Men Nguyen - out David Pham
Joe Sebok Gavin Smith - out
Kenny Tran
Paul Wasicka
Big Hands:
T.J. Cloutier Eliminated
T.J. Cloutier moved alll in on a flop of J53 with KJ in the hole and Chris Moore called him down with AA. The turn and river fell 49
1. Adam Geyer — 89,500
Joe Sebok Eliminated
9
Joe Sebok Eliminated
Q
instead, pairing Lamb and Sebok was eliminated from the main event.
Ivey Doesn’t Believe In Bach
Lichtenberger Drops One to Shulman
Prahlad Friedman Eliminated in 64th Place ($90,344)
Shulman Takes a Small Pot
Kara Scott Doubles Up, Gets Crippled, Then Goes Bust
Nick Binger Eliminated
Action Dan Gets Caught Bluffing, Then Gets Shown The Door
Akenhead’s Kings Give Him the Chip Lead
Sebok Doubles Up With Big Slick, Proceeds to Bust Opponent
Nicholle Peppe Takes A Massive 2.5 Million Pot Off Lutz
Schneider Eliminates Burt With Big Slick
Blair Hinkle Doubles One Opponent Up, Makes A Profit Anyway
Kenny Tran Gets Bluffed
Happy Beginnings
Sebok’s Big Slick Delivers Knockout
J.C. Tran Doubles Up
Raymer Straightens Out His Opponent
Jason Young Gets Bluffed
Joe Sebok Finally Wins A Pot
Sebok…Out
Tuan Le Eliminated
Vanessa Rousso Eliminated
Farzad Bonyadi: 1,100,000
Marco Johnson Eliminated in 26th Place ($20,000)
Hoyt Corkins Crippled
Brandon Cantu
Annie Duke Eliminated
Brandon Cantu