Steve Wong Poker Tournament Updates

Level Three, Hour One: Forrest Doubles

Jul 05, '10

Blinds: 150-300

Players Remaining:

Average Chip Count: 30,000

Tournament Leaderboard:

1. Oliver Daeninckx – 91,500
2. Michael Mizrachi – 90,000
3. Michael Gracz – 78,100
4. Corwin Cole – 73,000
5. Thierry van den Berg – 73,000
6. Chris Birchby – 72,050
7. Markus Golser – 57,000
8. John Hennigan – 54,000
9. Lacey Jones – 53,000
10. Vitaly Lunkin – 52,300

Card Player Chip Counts:

Barry Shulman – 34,300
Adam Schoenfeld – 22,700
Lee Watkinson – 24,000
Shannon Shorr – 35,250
Mark Gregorich – 30,700
Diego Cordovez – 30,000
Justin Marchand – 32,300

Players Twitter Accounts:

Barry Shulman
Erik Seidel
Maria Ho
Chris Moorman
Beth Shak
Mike Caro
Jamie Rosen

Notable Eliminations:

Big Hands:

Ted Forrest Doubles Up

A player raised to 800 preflop and Ted Forrest made the call. The flop then came down 843 and Forrest checked.

His opponent bet 1,100 and Forrest check-raised to 3,000. His opponent then moved all in and Forrest made the call with his last 9,000 to put himself at risk.

Forrest tabled AA while his opponent showed 98 for top pair on the board. The turn was the A, giving Forrest a lock on the hand.

The meaningless river was the 5 and Forrest doubled up to 20,000.

Wheel For Wong

Picking up the action on the flop, the board read 842 and a player bet 800. Steve Wong made the call and the turn was the 2.

Both players checked and the A fell on the river. Wong bet 1,200 and his opponent made the call.

Wong then tabled 53 for a wheel and his opponent mucked. Wong took in the pot and he was at 49,000.

Not Enough Heart For Seiver

Three players limped in preflop, including Scott Seiver from the small blind. The flop then came down K73 and Seiver led out with 750.

The big blind mucked but the other player made the call. Both saw the 10 on the turn and the other player bet 1,250. Seiver made the call and the 10 came on the river.

Seiver bet 3,300 and his opponent made the call. Seiver announced he had two pair but was shown 65 for the flush and the winning hand. Seiver was down to 38,000 after the hand.

Haxton Keeps Firing

Isaac Haxton raised to 700 from the cutoff and he was called by the big blind. The flop then came down KJ10 and Haxton bet 1,125. The big blind called and the 9 fell on the turn.

Haxton bet 2,550 and the big blind stuck around. The rive was the A and Haxton kept at it with another 6,375. The big blind finally mucked and Haxton flashed the 7.

He raked in the pot and he was at 45,000.

Get Off Maria’s Boat

Maria Ho raised to 675 from the cutoff and she was called by the big blind. The flop fell 633 and both players checked.

The turn was the J and the big blind bet 1,600. Ho made the call and the 2 fell on the river.

The big blind check-called a 3,200 bet from Ho, who then tabled 66 for a flopped full house. The big blind mucked and Ho was at 57,000.

Player Tags: Ted Forrest,   Maria Ho,   Steve Wong,   Scott Seiver,   Isaac Haxton

Level 7 Hour 1 Update: More Notables Hit the Rail

Jul 08, '09

Blinds: 300-600 with a 75 ante

Players Remaining: 3,006 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Troy Weber – 367,000
2. Dan Bilzerian – 264,000
3. Chance Kornouth – 180,000
4. Josh Arieh – 180,000
5. Bertrand Grospellier – 160,000
6. David Benyamine – 154,000
7. Rick Fuller – 150,000
8. J.C. Alvarado – 142,000
9. Justin Bonomo – 140,000
10. Jon Kalmar – 135,050

Card Player Chip Counts:

Jeff Shulman – 55,000
Phil Hellmuth – 75,000
Lee Watkinson – 91,050
Adam Schoenfeld – 83,000
Matthew Hilger – did not report
Steve Zolotow – 32,000
Thomas Keller – 120,000
Max Pescatori – 47,300
Justin Rollo – did not report

Average Chip Count Day 2b: 54,452

Notable Eliminations:

Steve Wong
Shannon Shorr
Vanessa Rousso
Brett Jungblut
Jonathan Little
Scotty Nguyen

Big Hands:

Arieh’s Big Call Gives Him Big Stack

After the button raised, Josh Arieh made the call in the small blind and the big blind also called. The flop was 987 and Arieh led out for 5,700 and was raised by the player in the big blind to 15,000. The button folded and Arieh made the call.

The turn was the 5 and Arieh checked and called 20,000 from his opponent. The river was the 8 and Arieh checked and the player in the big blind moved all in for his last 21,475. After a few moments of thought Arieh made the call and showed 54, for just a pair of fives, but it was good as his opponent showed AQ, for nothing but ace-high. With that pot, Arieh moves to 180,000 in chips.

Elky Puts On Running Sneakers

Bertrand “Elky” Grospellier made it 1,500 preflop and was met with a reraise from the small blind who made it 5,000. Elky then made it 18,500 and after a few seconds, the small blind moved all in and was called by Elky.

Elky showed AK and was in a race situation against his opponent’s QQ. The flop and turn were dry fro Elky as it came 2923, but the K on the river gave the pot to Elky. His stack is now up to 160,000.

Steve Wong Eliminated

There was a raise to 1,700 and a call before Steve Wong called from the big blind. The flop was 4Q5 and Wong and the original raiser checked and the third player in the hand bet 3,200. Wong made the call and the preflop raiser folded.

The turn was the A and Wong moved all in for his last 16,000, which was instantly called by his opponent, who showed AQ, while Wong only had A2. The river was the 6, meaning Wong missed his straight draw and his WSOP was over.

Wayans Sends One to the Rail

After a flop of 9104, the big blind led out for 2,800 and got two callers, one of whom being Marlon Wayans. The turn was the 8 and the big blind now checked and Wayans bet 10,000. The player behind him tanked for some time before raising all in for 15,000. The big blind folded and Wayans made the call.

Wayans showed QJ, making the nut straight on the turn, and his opponent was drawing dead as he tabled the 76, making the lesser straight on the turn. The river was meaningless and Wayans is at 42,000.

Scotty Nguyen’s Aces Cracked, Sent Packing

Scotty Nguyen and Brandon Lee got all of the chips in on the turn reading 5510K. Scotty turned over AA and was in good shape against Brandon Lee’s K10. That is, until the dealer put dealt the K on the river, giving Lee a full house and eliminating the former main event champion.

Little Bricks Off On Big Draw to End Main Event Run

Jonathan Little moved all in on the turn with the board reading J3105. His opponent called and showed KJ, which was good at the moment, but needed to dodge a lot of cards as Little showed KQ.

Any Q, spade, 9, or A would give Little the pot, but the 2 on the river sealed Little’s fate and was sent home early in the day.

Player Tags: Josh Arieh,   Steve Wong

Will "The Thrill" Failla Moves Onto The Finals to Play Cody Slaubaugh

Oct 25, '08

Steve Wong was left shortstacked after calling a $2,000 river bet from Will Failla on a board of Q7684.  Failla revealed the 65 for the straight and Wong frustratedly mucked.  The very next hand, action picked up after a board of AQ7A rolled out. Failla checked and Wong bet $600. Failla quickly minraised to $1,200 which prompted an instant all-in from Wong.  Failla almost beat him into the pot, and both players revealed their holecards.  Wong flipped up the 84 for a flush, but Failla rolled over the K5 for the nut flush. Wong was drawing dead, and neither player and watched for the meaningless river card. Wong took home $7,450 for his deep run.  Failla is moving onto the finals to play Cody Slaubaugh in the best of three final match, which will get underway in an hour.

Player Tags: Steve Wong,   Cody Slaubaugh,   Will Failla

Wong's River Bet Is Straight Up

Oct 25, '08

On a board of 10967 Will Failla bet $100 only to get raised to $400 by Steve Wong. Failla made the call and the river brought the 3.  Failla checked and Wong bet $1,100. Failla pondered for a long time before making the call. Wong quickly revealed the 85 and pushed his eight forward, highlighting the straight he made on the turn. Wong, who twenty minutes ago was at a 3-to-1 chip disadvantage, now has a decent chiplead.

Player Tags: Steve Wong,   Will Failla

Wong Doubles Through Failla

Oct 25, '08

Steve Wong and Will Failla got the money all-in preflop with Wong holding A10 against Failla's KK.  The board ran out AJ2J4 and Wong doubled up to take over the chip lead.

Player Tags: Steve Wong

Will "The Thrill" Failla Up 1-0

Oct 25, '08

Will Failla and Steve Wong have completed their first match:  Failla made two pair on the river with K-9 while the short-stacked Wong made top pair (Kings).  Wong's kicker was lower than a 9, however, so the 9 on the river didn't make much of a difference in the hand.

Failla is now up 1-0 on Wong.

Player Tags: Steve Wong,   Will Failla

Set vs. Straight On The Flop... Nobody Eliminated

Oct 25, '08

With a board of 5-3-2-4-A, Will Failla bet the river, and Steve Wong let out a sigh of frustration.  "That's so sick! Straight on the board!" He eventualy folds 22 for a flopped set, lamenting his bad luck. Failla then reveals that he held 64 for the flopped nut straight.

Player Tags: Steve Wong,   Will Failla

Failla Takes A Hit, Then Doubles Up

Oct 25, '08

Only a few hands after loosing a sizable pot to the ace-high of Steve Wong, Will "The Thrill" Failla won a huge pot on a KJ4Q8 board with A10 for the broadway straight.  He moved all in on the river for just over $4,000 and Wong called with Q8 for two pair.  Failla now has the chiplead.

Player Tags: Steve Wong,   Will Failla

Final Four Underway

Oct 25, '08

Players are returning after the thirty minute break following the elite eight.  Steve Wong is set to play Will "The Thrill" Failla, while Cody Slaubaugh is going up against Kevin Albers. All players are starting with $10,000, with the blinds at $25-$50. The final four is the first round in which matches will be best of three. All four players are guarenteed to make $7,450, but are looking to make it into the finals to lock up $18,934.

 

Player Tags: Steve Wong,   Cody Slaubaugh,   Will Failla,   Kevin Albers

Wong Eliminates Keating

Oct 25, '08

Moments after winning a pot by calling a sizable river bet from Alex Keating with bottom pair,  K2 on a A3283 board, Steve Wong limped on the button. 

Keating then moved in for around 5,200 and Wong called.  Keating tabled 44 while Wong showed A9. 

The board came A23Q2 to give Wong a pair of Aces and the match.

Keating will take home $3,725 for his finish.

 

 

 

 

Player Tags: Steve Wong

Elite 8 Underway

Oct 25, '08

Play has gotten underway in the round of eight of the 12th event at the Caesar's Palace Classic, the $1,060 Heads-Up No-Limit event. Here are the matchups:

---

Will Failla vs. Thomas Love

Winners will return to play each other in the final four

Steve Wong vs. Alex Keating

---

Brett Brucaleri vs. Cody Slaubaugh

Winners will return to play each other in the final four

Kevin Albers vs. James Scott

 

The players are all gaurneteed $3,725 at this point, but the players that advance to the final four will lock up $7,450. Stay tuned in to Cardplayer.com for updates on all the heads-up action.

Player Tags: James Scott,   Steve Wong,   Cody Slaubaugh,   Will Failla,   Brett Brucaleri,   Kevin Albers,   Thomas Love

Steve Wong Advances

Oct 24, '08

Steve Wong has advanced to the elite 8 tomorrow at 2 p.m. by winning his match against Gerhard Scheiber.















 

Player Tags: Steve Wong

Will "The Thrill" Failla Moves Onto The Finals to Play Cody Slaubaugh

Oct 25, '08

Steve Wong was left shortstacked after calling a $2,000 river bet from Will Failla on a board of Q7684.  Failla revealed the 65 for the straight and Wong frustratedly mucked.  The very next hand, action picked up after a board of AQ7A rolled out. Failla checked and Wong bet $600. Failla quickly minraised to $1,200 which prompted an instant all-in from Wong.  Failla almost beat him into the pot, and both players revealed their holecards.  Wong flipped up the 84 for a flush, but Failla rolled over the K5 for the nut flush. Wong was drawing dead, and neither player and watched for the meaningless river card. Wong took home $7,450 for his deep run.  Failla is moving onto the finals to play Cody Slaubaugh in the best of three final match, which will get underway in an hour.

Player Tags: Steve Wong,   Cody Slaubaugh,   Will Failla

Wong's River Bet Is Straight Up

Oct 25, '08

On a board of 10967 Will Failla bet $100 only to get raised to $400 by Steve Wong. Failla made the call and the river brought the 3.  Failla checked and Wong bet $1,100. Failla pondered for a long time before making the call. Wong quickly revealed the 85 and pushed his eight forward, highlighting the straight he made on the turn. Wong, who twenty minutes ago was at a 3-to-1 chip disadvantage, now has a decent chiplead.

Player Tags: Steve Wong,   Will Failla

Wong Doubles Through Failla

Oct 25, '08

Steve Wong and Will Failla got the money all-in preflop with Wong holding A10 against Failla's KK.  The board ran out AJ2J4 and Wong doubled up to take over the chip lead.

Player Tags: Steve Wong

Will "The Thrill" Failla Up 1-0

Oct 25, '08

Will Failla and Steve Wong have completed their first match:  Failla made two pair on the river with K-9 while the short-stacked Wong made top pair (Kings).  Wong's kicker was lower than a 9, however, so the 9 on the river didn't make much of a difference in the hand.

Failla is now up 1-0 on Wong.

Player Tags: Steve Wong,   Will Failla

Set vs. Straight On The Flop... Nobody Eliminated

Oct 25, '08

With a board of 5-3-2-4-A, Will Failla bet the river, and Steve Wong let out a sigh of frustration.  "That's so sick! Straight on the board!" He eventualy folds 22 for a flopped set, lamenting his bad luck. Failla then reveals that he held 64 for the flopped nut straight.

Player Tags: Steve Wong,   Will Failla

Failla Takes A Hit, Then Doubles Up

Oct 25, '08

Only a few hands after loosing a sizable pot to the ace-high of Steve Wong, Will "The Thrill" Failla won a huge pot on a KJ4Q8 board with A10 for the broadway straight.  He moved all in on the river for just over $4,000 and Wong called with Q8 for two pair.  Failla now has the chiplead.

Player Tags: Steve Wong,   Will Failla

Final Four Underway

Oct 25, '08

Players are returning after the thirty minute break following the elite eight.  Steve Wong is set to play Will "The Thrill" Failla, while Cody Slaubaugh is going up against Kevin Albers. All players are starting with $10,000, with the blinds at $25-$50. The final four is the first round in which matches will be best of three. All four players are guarenteed to make $7,450, but are looking to make it into the finals to lock up $18,934.

 

Player Tags: Steve Wong,   Cody Slaubaugh,   Will Failla,   Kevin Albers

Wong Eliminates Keating

Oct 25, '08

Moments after winning a pot by calling a sizable river bet from Alex Keating with bottom pair,  K2 on a A3283 board, Steve Wong limped on the button. 

Keating then moved in for around 5,200 and Wong called.  Keating tabled 44 while Wong showed A9. 

The board came A23Q2 to give Wong a pair of Aces and the match.

Keating will take home $3,725 for his finish.

 

 

 

 

Player Tags: Steve Wong

Elite 8 Underway

Oct 25, '08

Play has gotten underway in the round of eight of the 12th event at the Caesar's Palace Classic, the $1,060 Heads-Up No-Limit event. Here are the matchups:

---

Will Failla vs. Thomas Love

Winners will return to play each other in the final four

Steve Wong vs. Alex Keating

---

Brett Brucaleri vs. Cody Slaubaugh

Winners will return to play each other in the final four

Kevin Albers vs. James Scott

 

The players are all gaurneteed $3,725 at this point, but the players that advance to the final four will lock up $7,450. Stay tuned in to Cardplayer.com for updates on all the heads-up action.

Player Tags: James Scott,   Steve Wong,   Cody Slaubaugh,   Will Failla,   Brett Brucaleri,   Kevin Albers,   Thomas Love

Steve Wong Advances

Oct 24, '08

Steve Wong has advanced to the elite 8 tomorrow at 2 p.m. by winning his match against Gerhard Scheiber.















 

Player Tags: Steve Wong

$1,500 Razz - Level 5

Jun 13, '08

Blinds/Antes: 50 ante, 50 bring-in, 200 completion
Stakes: 200-400

Players Left: 240 of 453

Chip Leaders:
Ted Lawson: 11,200
Kevin Saul: 11,000
Cyndy Violette: 10,000
Jonathan Schwartz: 9,900
Vanessa Rousso: 9,100
Sam Grizzle: 8,900
David Bach: 8,800
Andrew Brown: 8,100
Amnon Filippi: 7,800
Average Stack: 5,663

Eliminations: Greg Raymer, Steve Wong, Chris Amaral, Chau Giang

Big Hands:

Steve Wong Eliminated

Steve Wong completed the bet to 200 with a 4 and seat 3 raised all in to 350 with a 3. A short stacked Steve Wong called all in. Both players turned all their cards face up.

Wong: 45810 - Q38
Seat 3: 345K - 8102

Both Wong and seat 3 had the exact same hand (8-5-4-3) on sixth street. In a dramatic fashion, the dealer dealt the river card face down. Wong turned over an 8 and seat 3 turned over a deuce. Wong was eliminated on the river.

Chau Giang Eliminated

Chau Giang was all in on fourth street against a single opponent, and although Giang was clearly the most experienced and dangerous player at the table, the rest of his table mates were routing for him to win.

Giang: 3998728
Seat 2: 34A9QK6
Giang made a 9-8 low while seat 2 made a 9-6 low. Giang is always a character at the table and one would have thought it was a televised final table the way everyone got out of their seats to shake his hand and wish him well after his elimination.

Player Tags: Chau Giang,   Steve Wong

$3K H.O.R.S.E. - Hour Two

Jun 11, '08

Note: Players have just completed the second level of the day and will take their first twenty-minute break.

Blinds/Antes:
Hold'em-Omaha 8: 50-100
Razz-Stud-Stud 8: 25 ante, 25 bring-in, 100 completion

Players: 414

Chip Leaders:
Allen Kessler: 8,500
Chau Giang: 8,000
Perry Friedman: 8,000
Stuart Patterson: 7,400
Greg Raymer: 7,100
David Levi: 7,000
Mel Judah: 7,000
Annie Duke: 6,900
Rober Mizrachi: 6,800
Alex Kostritsyn: 6,600

Big Hands:

Stud 8 - Hard To Scoop a Pot in This Game

Steve Wong completed the bet with the 7 and Phil Gordon raised with the 8. Gordon would continue to be the aggressor, betting down to and through the river, Wong would call the whole way to a showdown.

Gordon: 8264 - AKK
Wong: 7Q87 - 996

It was a chopped pot with Wong winning the high hand with two pair (nines and sevens) and Gordon taking the low hand (8-6-4-2-A). After the hand Steve Wong had just over 3,000 in chips while Gordon had just over 6,000.

Omaha 8 - David Williams Scoops a Pot

The action folded around to the small blind who raised to 200 and David Williams called from the big blind. The flop came 953, and the small blind bet 100. Williams raised to 200 and the small blind called. teh turnwas the 9 and Williams bet 200, the small blind called. The river was the 3 and once again Willaims bet 200 and the small blind called. Williams showed 101042 and scooped the pot with two pair (high).

Mel Judah Wins a Big Pot, Uncontested

The under the gun played limped into the pot and Mel Judah raised to 200. TUG called and the flop came Q109. UTG bet 100 and Judah called. the turn was the 7 and TUG bet 200, Judah raised to 400, and UTG called. The river was the 3 and Judah bet 200. UTG folded to the last bet and Judah raked a good pot. After the hand Judah had roughly 7,500 in chips.

Player Tags: Mel Judah,   Phil Gordon,   David Williams,   Steve Wong

Steve Wong Eliminated in 31st Place ($65,955)

Apr 23, '08

David Tran raises to 50,000 and Steve Wong calls in the cutoff. The flop comes Q92 and Tran checks. Wong moves all in for over 300,000 and Tran instantly calls with KK. Wong shows 98 and the turn and river come 75 to give Tran the pot.

Wong is eliminated in 31st place and earns $65,955.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Player Tags: David Tran,   Steve Wong

Steve Wong Eliminated

Jul 11, '07

Steve Wong is all in preflop against the player in seat No. 1.  Wong shows A Q and is up against 10 10.  The board comes K 5 4 J 2, and Wong is eliminated just before the end of the day.  

Player Tags: Steve Wong

Barry Greenstein Eliminated

Jul 11, '07

On a flop of A 9 6, Barry Greenstein moves all in and is called by Steve Wong.  Greenstein has A Q, but is behind to Wong's A K.  The turn and the river come 10 2, and Wong gets a book he's been meaning to buy.  After the hand, Wong is up to $39,000.

Player Tags: Barry Greenstein,   Steve Wong

Steve Wong vs. Greg Mueller

Jul 11, '07

Steve Wong raises to $600 from early position and Greg "FBT" Mueller makes the call.  The flop is 9 6 3, and Wong bets $1,500.  Mueller makes the call and the turn is the 2.  Mueller checks to Wong who bets $3,000 this time.  Mueller takes his time making the call and both check the river 8.  Mueller shows A 9 and Wong mucks his hand.

Player Tags: Greg Mueller,   Steve Wong

Day Two Ends

Jun 19, '07

Lucky Number Seven

With seven players remaining action was consolidated down to one table. Joe Tehan was busted along the way. Steve Wong moved all in on the first hand at the table and Kelly Vandemheen folded after making a $40,000 raise. Wong moved all in again on the next hand over the top of Hoyt Corkins. Corkins went into the tank for a while and asked for a count of Wong's raise. The all-in bet was $572,000 and Corkins had it covered. He counted out the chips required for the call and then stood up from the table. He removed his glasses, thought for a while longer, then made the call. Corkins flipped over 9 9 and Wong showed down A K. The board was dealt Q 5 3 2 J and Corkins jumped into the chip lead with the flush. Action ended for the night and the players will return at 2 p.m. tomorrow for the ESPN final table.

Final Table

The final table was then set:

Seat No. 1: Terrance Chan - $502,000
Seat No. 2: Alan Sass - $1,217,000
Seat No. 3: William Lin - $736,000
Seat No. 4: James Pittman - $127,000
Seat No. 5: Kelly Vandemheen - $307,000
Seat No. 6: Hoyt Corkins - $1,371,000

Player Tags: Hoyt Corkins,   Steve Wong,   Alan Sass

Hour Three

Jun 19, '07

Three Tables

The players returned from a 15 minute break and jumped back into action. Alan Sass had made a nice push in the last hour and he was now the chip leader with $680,000. He was trailed by Steve Wong, who held $540,000 and was seated with Joe Tehan. Hoyt Corkins also threw his cowboy hat into the leader board discussion with $380,000. Mimi Tran had been a victim of the last hour and was no where to be seen.

Hoyt Jumps Up

Corkins had bet $16,000 on a flop of A Q 3 and his opponent in seat five made the call. The turn brought the 10 and Corkins fired out $36,000. His opponent called and the river brought the 4. Seat five checked and Corkins fired out $82,000. Seat five called and Corkins flipped over Q 10. His opponent mucked and Corkins collected the large pot. He then went on a large run, taking down many pots preflop to catapult his stack to over $500,000.

The Thirteenth Floor

The player who would bust in 13th place did not want go lightly into the night and the tournament was stuck on 13 players for quite some time.

Player Tags: Hoyt Corkins,   Joe Tehan,   Steve Wong,   Alan Sass

Hour Two

Jun 19, '07

The Field Shrinks to 20

As action continued the players remaining waned at 20. Jon Friedberg had been lost along the way and some new intriguing table pairings had emerged. Hoyt Corkins was seated with Alan Sass and Joe Tehan; Steve Billirakis had been paired with Mimi Tran. Erick Lindgren had been moved over to Steve Wong’s table and they would clash soon.

Steve Wong Makes his Move

Steve Wong turned into the story of the hour. He had two opponent covered all in with pocket tens early in the hour. The opponents held Q J and 9 8. The board was dealt A 8 2 9 8 and Wong rapped the table as he was drawn out on. He still had a solid stack at that point with $281,000, but it looked like he might go on tilt.

Retribution came a while later when Lindgren pushed all in preflop with pocket tens. Wong called with pocket sixes and the board was dealt 7 2 2 6 8. Wong busted Lindgren to increase his stack to over $500,000. He was now the chip leader. Wong then busted the 19th-place finisher and now held a huge chip lead with $640,000. Corkins was the next closest player with $440,000. 

Three Tables

The final three tables had been reached and they re-drew for new seats during a short break.

Player Tags: Erick Lindgren,   Steve Wong

Day Two Ends

Jun 19, '07

Lucky Number Seven

With seven players remaining action was consolidated down to one table. Joe Tehan was busted along the way. Steve Wong moved all in on the first hand at the table and Kelly Vandemheen folded after making a $40,000 raise. Wong moved all in again on the next hand over the top of Hoyt Corkins. Corkins went into the tank for a while and asked for a count of Wong's raise. The all-in bet was $572,000 and Corkins had it covered. He counted out the chips required for the call and then stood up from the table. He removed his glasses, thought for a while longer, then made the call. Corkins flipped over 9 9 and Wong showed down A K. The board was dealt Q 5 3 2 J and Corkins jumped into the chip lead with the flush. Action ended for the night and the players will return at 2 p.m. tomorrow for the ESPN final table.

Final Table

The final table was then set:

Seat No. 1: Terrance Chan - $502,000
Seat No. 2: Alan Sass - $1,217,000
Seat No. 3: William Lin - $736,000
Seat No. 4: James Pittman - $127,000
Seat No. 5: Kelly Vandemheen - $307,000
Seat No. 6: Hoyt Corkins - $1,371,000

Player Tags: Hoyt Corkins,   Steve Wong,   Alan Sass

Hour Three

Jun 19, '07

Three Tables

The players returned from a 15 minute break and jumped back into action. Alan Sass had made a nice push in the last hour and he was now the chip leader with $680,000. He was trailed by Steve Wong, who held $540,000 and was seated with Joe Tehan. Hoyt Corkins also threw his cowboy hat into the leader board discussion with $380,000. Mimi Tran had been a victim of the last hour and was no where to be seen.

Hoyt Jumps Up

Corkins had bet $16,000 on a flop of A Q 3 and his opponent in seat five made the call. The turn brought the 10 and Corkins fired out $36,000. His opponent called and the river brought the 4. Seat five checked and Corkins fired out $82,000. Seat five called and Corkins flipped over Q 10. His opponent mucked and Corkins collected the large pot. He then went on a large run, taking down many pots preflop to catapult his stack to over $500,000.

The Thirteenth Floor

The player who would bust in 13th place did not want go lightly into the night and the tournament was stuck on 13 players for quite some time.

Player Tags: Hoyt Corkins,   Joe Tehan,   Steve Wong,   Alan Sass

Hour Two

Jun 19, '07

The Field Shrinks to 20

As action continued the players remaining waned at 20. Jon Friedberg had been lost along the way and some new intriguing table pairings had emerged. Hoyt Corkins was seated with Alan Sass and Joe Tehan; Steve Billirakis had been paired with Mimi Tran. Erick Lindgren had been moved over to Steve Wong’s table and they would clash soon.

Steve Wong Makes his Move

Steve Wong turned into the story of the hour. He had two opponent covered all in with pocket tens early in the hour. The opponents held Q J and 9 8. The board was dealt A 8 2 9 8 and Wong rapped the table as he was drawn out on. He still had a solid stack at that point with $281,000, but it looked like he might go on tilt.

Retribution came a while later when Lindgren pushed all in preflop with pocket tens. Wong called with pocket sixes and the board was dealt 7 2 2 6 8. Wong busted Lindgren to increase his stack to over $500,000. He was now the chip leader. Wong then busted the 19th-place finisher and now held a huge chip lead with $640,000. Corkins was the next closest player with $440,000. 

Three Tables

The final three tables had been reached and they re-drew for new seats during a short break.

Player Tags: Erick Lindgren,   Steve Wong