Erik Cajelais - Live Updates

Final Table Anticipation

Oct 02, '09

The eight remaining players of the final table are getting ready to begin.

The casino is alive with the sound of players getting ready to begin, as day 1A players are also preparing for their main event journey.

The eight players and their chip counts going into the third and final day are:

Erik Cajelais: 893,500
Matthew Glantz: 647,500
Eugene Katchalov: 530,000
Adolfo Vaeza: 468,000
Leo Fernandez: 460,000
Ilari Sahamies: 311,000
Shane Reihill: 236,000
Dennis Phillips: 218,500

We are now awaiting on the tournament director to say those infamous words, “Shuffle up and deal!”

Player Tags: Erik Cajelais

End of Day 2

Oct 01, '09

The eight players and their chip counts going into the final table of the High Roller tomorrow are:

Erik Cajelais: 893,500
Matthew Glantz: 647,500
Eugene Katchalov: 530,000
Adolfo Vaeza: 468,000
Leo Fernandez: 460,000
Ilari Sahamies: 311,000
Shane Reihill: 236,000
Dennis Phillips: 218,500

The chip leader is recent bracelet winner Erik Cajelais but Matthew Glantz is hot on his heels. No one can be counted out however, so join us tomorrow, same place, same time (12 p.m. GMT + 1) for all the action from the final table of the High Roller and day 1A of the main event.

Player Tags: Erik Cajelais

Andrew Felt-ed-man

Oct 01, '09

Andrew Feldman opened with a raise to 21,000 and Erik Cajelais moved all in from the small blind, setting the young pro all in.

After weighing his options, Feldman realized he couldn’t fold and put it in with pocket nines. Cajelais showed AQ and won the flip when the board came KJ2J.

With ten players left, the money bubble draws near.

Player Tags: Erik Cajelais,   Andrew Feldman

Masaaki Kagawa Doubles Up

Oct 01, '09

We didn’t catch the preflop action, but on a flop of Q-J-4 with two spades, Erik Cajelais bet and Masaaki Kagawa raised all in.

Cajelais instantly called, showing 75 for the flush draw. He was disgusted, however, when Kagawa showed 108 for a higher flush draw.

The turn was an offsuit 6, giving Cajelias some more outs, but the river was a blank and Kagawa doubled up to about 125,000.

Player Tags: Erik Cajelais,   Masaaki Kagawa

Double Up For Gus Hansen's Killer

Sep 30, '09

Before the hand began, Sorel Mizzi began a discussion with the table (possibly a bet), about a scenario where Erik Cajelais and Gus Hansen fight to the death.

As the table begins to wonder how long it would take for either person to kill the other, using no weapons, Justin Smith raises to 1,650. Behind him, Evan McNiff makes it 6,500.

It folds around to Cajelais himself, who moves all in for 16,000 or so. McNiff makes the call with AK and is in bad shape against Cajelais pocket aces.

The board rolled out safely and Cajelais doubled up. Meanwhile, the table continued to discuss the important matter of the fake to-the-death fight in question.

Player Tags: Gus Hansen,   Erik Cajelais,   Sorel Mizzi,   Evan McNiff

Final Table Anticipation

Oct 02, '09

The eight remaining players of the final table are getting ready to begin.

The casino is alive with the sound of players getting ready to begin, as day 1A players are also preparing for their main event journey.

The eight players and their chip counts going into the third and final day are:

Erik Cajelais: 893,500
Matthew Glantz: 647,500
Eugene Katchalov: 530,000
Adolfo Vaeza: 468,000
Leo Fernandez: 460,000
Ilari Sahamies: 311,000
Shane Reihill: 236,000
Dennis Phillips: 218,500

We are now awaiting on the tournament director to say those infamous words, “Shuffle up and deal!”

Player Tags: Erik Cajelais

End of Day 2

Oct 01, '09

The eight players and their chip counts going into the final table of the High Roller tomorrow are:

Erik Cajelais: 893,500
Matthew Glantz: 647,500
Eugene Katchalov: 530,000
Adolfo Vaeza: 468,000
Leo Fernandez: 460,000
Ilari Sahamies: 311,000
Shane Reihill: 236,000
Dennis Phillips: 218,500

The chip leader is recent bracelet winner Erik Cajelais but Matthew Glantz is hot on his heels. No one can be counted out however, so join us tomorrow, same place, same time (12 p.m. GMT + 1) for all the action from the final table of the High Roller and day 1A of the main event.

Player Tags: Erik Cajelais

Andrew Felt-ed-man

Oct 01, '09

Andrew Feldman opened with a raise to 21,000 and Erik Cajelais moved all in from the small blind, setting the young pro all in.

After weighing his options, Feldman realized he couldn’t fold and put it in with pocket nines. Cajelais showed AQ and won the flip when the board came KJ2J.

With ten players left, the money bubble draws near.

Player Tags: Erik Cajelais,   Andrew Feldman

Masaaki Kagawa Doubles Up

Oct 01, '09

We didn’t catch the preflop action, but on a flop of Q-J-4 with two spades, Erik Cajelais bet and Masaaki Kagawa raised all in.

Cajelais instantly called, showing 75 for the flush draw. He was disgusted, however, when Kagawa showed 108 for a higher flush draw.

The turn was an offsuit 6, giving Cajelias some more outs, but the river was a blank and Kagawa doubled up to about 125,000.

Player Tags: Erik Cajelais,   Masaaki Kagawa

Double Up For Gus Hansen's Killer

Sep 30, '09

Before the hand began, Sorel Mizzi began a discussion with the table (possibly a bet), about a scenario where Erik Cajelais and Gus Hansen fight to the death.

As the table begins to wonder how long it would take for either person to kill the other, using no weapons, Justin Smith raises to 1,650. Behind him, Evan McNiff makes it 6,500.

It folds around to Cajelais himself, who moves all in for 16,000 or so. McNiff makes the call with AK and is in bad shape against Cajelais pocket aces.

The board rolled out safely and Cajelais doubled up. Meanwhile, the table continued to discuss the important matter of the fake to-the-death fight in question.

Player Tags: Gus Hansen,   Erik Cajelais,   Sorel Mizzi,   Evan McNiff

Final Table Anticipation

Oct 02, '09

The eight remaining players of the final table are getting ready to begin.

The casino is alive with the sound of players getting ready to begin, as day 1A players are also preparing for their main event journey.

The eight players and their chip counts going into the third and final day are:

Erik Cajelais: 893,500
Matthew Glantz: 647,500
Eugene Katchalov: 530,000
Adolfo Vaeza: 468,000
Leo Fernandez: 460,000
Ilari Sahamies: 311,000
Shane Reihill: 236,000
Dennis Phillips: 218,500

We are now awaiting on the tournament director to say those infamous words, “Shuffle up and deal!”

Player Tags: Erik Cajelais

End of Day 2

Oct 01, '09

The eight players and their chip counts going into the final table of the High Roller tomorrow are:

Erik Cajelais: 893,500
Matthew Glantz: 647,500
Eugene Katchalov: 530,000
Adolfo Vaeza: 468,000
Leo Fernandez: 460,000
Ilari Sahamies: 311,000
Shane Reihill: 236,000
Dennis Phillips: 218,500

The chip leader is recent bracelet winner Erik Cajelais but Matthew Glantz is hot on his heels. No one can be counted out however, so join us tomorrow, same place, same time (12 p.m. GMT + 1) for all the action from the final table of the High Roller and day 1A of the main event.

Player Tags: Erik Cajelais

Andrew Felt-ed-man

Oct 01, '09

Andrew Feldman opened with a raise to 21,000 and Erik Cajelais moved all in from the small blind, setting the young pro all in.

After weighing his options, Feldman realized he couldn’t fold and put it in with pocket nines. Cajelais showed AQ and won the flip when the board came KJ2J.

With ten players left, the money bubble draws near.

Player Tags: Erik Cajelais,   Andrew Feldman

Masaaki Kagawa Doubles Up

Oct 01, '09

We didn’t catch the preflop action, but on a flop of Q-J-4 with two spades, Erik Cajelais bet and Masaaki Kagawa raised all in.

Cajelais instantly called, showing 75 for the flush draw. He was disgusted, however, when Kagawa showed 108 for a higher flush draw.

The turn was an offsuit 6, giving Cajelias some more outs, but the river was a blank and Kagawa doubled up to about 125,000.

Player Tags: Erik Cajelais,   Masaaki Kagawa

Double Up For Gus Hansen's Killer

Sep 30, '09

Before the hand began, Sorel Mizzi began a discussion with the table (possibly a bet), about a scenario where Erik Cajelais and Gus Hansen fight to the death.

As the table begins to wonder how long it would take for either person to kill the other, using no weapons, Justin Smith raises to 1,650. Behind him, Evan McNiff makes it 6,500.

It folds around to Cajelais himself, who moves all in for 16,000 or so. McNiff makes the call with AK and is in bad shape against Cajelais pocket aces.

The board rolled out safely and Cajelais doubled up. Meanwhile, the table continued to discuss the important matter of the fake to-the-death fight in question.

Player Tags: Gus Hansen,   Erik Cajelais,   Sorel Mizzi,   Evan McNiff

Level 7 Hour 2 Update: Hoyt Corkins Eliminated

Jul 07, '09

Blinds: 300-600 with a 75 ante

Players Remaining: 3,916 of 6,494

Note: The players have gone on a 90-minute dinner break and will return at 8:10 p.m.

Chip Counts:

1. Samer Rahman – 235,000
2. Greg Mueller – 176,000
3. Coba Cao – 175,100
4. Tom Schneider – 165,000
5. Andy Black – 162,000
6. Kirk Banks – 157,000
7. Jim Bookstaff – 155,000
8. Nick Maimone – 154,000
9. David Sands – 147,000
10. Redmond Lee – 140,000

CardPlayer Chip Counts:

Todd Brunson – 41,000
Ciaran O’Leary – 33,400
Mike Matusow – 20,000

Notable Eliminations:

Hoyt Corkins
Erik Cajelais

Big Hands:

Corkins Gone…Really, He’s Out

Just a few hands after Hoyt Corkins doubled up to over 70,000 he was knocked right out of the main event.

A player in middle position raised to 1,400 and the cutoff made the call. The button also called and the action was on Corkins in the small blind. He shoved for 60,000 more. The middle position player quickly called, having Corkins covered. The other two players mucked.

Corkins then tabled AK and was in deep trouble against the KK of his opponent. The flop came down J1010 and Corkins was actually a favorite to double up. The turn was the 4, dropping those percentages a bit and the J on the river put the final nail in the coffin, sending Corkins out of the main event.

Keven Stammen Knocks One Out

After a flop of K96, 2009 bracelet winner Keven Stammen was facing a bet from his opponent. He raised all in and was called. Stammen turned over Q10 for a gutshot straight draw along with a backdoor flush draw. His opponent showed K5 for top pair and the lead.

The turn changed all that when the J made Stammen’s straight. The river was the K, giving his opponent useless trips and Stammen was over 100,000 with the win.

Cajelais Moves Toward The Exit

After a flop of A108, Cajelais ended up all in after he got in a raising war with Samer Rahman. Cajelais showed A3 for top pair but Rahman showed AQ for the same hand with a better kicker.

The turn was the 6 and the river was the K and Cajelais was out of the main event. Rahman was up to 325,000.

King Nothing

Jimmy Fricke called his opponent’s all in bet of 11,000. The opponent showed A10 and Fricke tabled KK.

If only the hand would have ended there, Fricke could’ve had a knockout under his belt. But the flop fell and brought AAQ, giving the all-in player trips. The turn was the J, giving Fricke a straight draw but eliminating a king as one of his outs. The river was the 9 and Fricke lost the pot. He was at 95,000.

The Wrath Of Thor

A player raised to 1,700 preflop and the action was on Thor Hansen. He reraised to 5,500 and his opponent came right back over the top to 16,000. Hansen then moved all in for 36,000 and his opponent made the call. Hansen then revealed AA and his opponent tabled KK.

The board offered no help to the cowboys and Hansen doubled up to 77,000.

Garrett Can’t Call

Brad Garrett raised to 1,300 preflop and the blinds came along for the ride. The flop came down 826 and the small blind led out for 3,400. Garrett was the only caller and the K came on the turn. The small blind fired 6,000 and Garrett mucked. The small blind then showed 54 for just a flush draw and Garrett was down to 43,000.

We Are Family

Kara Scott limped in preflop for 600 and everyone else at her table did the same. This put more than 5,000 in the pot before the flop.

It then came down A55. Scott took the initiative and bet out 3,000. The eight other players at the table mucked and Scott took a nice little pot. She was around 80,000.

Player Tags: Hoyt Corkins,   Thor Hansen,   Erik Cajelais,   Jimmy Fricke,   Brad Garrett,   Keven Stammen,   Kara Scott

Level 7 Hour 1 Update: Sam Farha Doubles Up

Jul 07, '09

Blinds: 300-600 with a 75 ante

Players Remaining: 3,956 of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Samer Rahman – 235,000
2. Greg Mueller – 176,000
3. Coba Cao – 175,100
4. Tom Schneider – 165,000
5. Andy Black – 162,000
6. Kirk Banks – 157,000
7. Jim Bookstaff – 155,000
8. Nick Maimone – 154,000
9. David Sands – 147,000
10. Redmond Lee – 140,000

CardPlayer Chip Counts:

Todd Brunson – 41,000
Ciaran O’Leary – 33,400
Mike Matusow – 20,000

Notable Eliminations:

Jason Mercier
Shaun Deeb

Big Hands:

The River Is Good To Farha

After a series of raises between Sam Farha, Karga Holt and seat 7, Farha moved all in for 11,550. Jaka mucked but seat 7 made the call. Farha turned over 77. Seat 7 showed AQ and they were off to the races.

Seat 7 spiked an ace on the flop when it came AJ2. The turn offered no help to Farha as it was the K. The river was the 7 and Farha pulled off his miracle and doubled up to 32,000.

Helppi Picks Off A Bluff

After the river was dealt, the board read A10284. The player in seat 7 bet 4,200 and Helppi made the call.

“Good call,” seat 7 said as he showed Helppi K-J for a busted straight draw. Helppi turned over 86 for just a pair of eights and took down the pot. He was at 81,000.

Sometimes, It’s Good When You Miss

The player in seat 2 raised to 1,500 from the cutoff and Todd Brunson made the call from the small blind. The flop came down K96 and both players checked. The turn was the 6 and Brunson checked. The cutoff bet 3,500 and Brunson came along. The river was the 2 and Brunson checked again. The cutoff fired another shot, this one 6,000. Brunson finally released his hand into the muck and his opponent showed KK for a full house.

“I’m lucky I missed,” Brunson said after seeing the hand. He was down to 40,000.

Erik Cajelais Caught With Counterfeit Diamonds

Erik Cajelais raised from the button and the big blind called. The flop was K22. The big blind checked and Cajelais bet 4,000. The big blind raised all in to 22,000. Cajelais made the call with 65. The big blind tabled A10 and Cajelais’ flush draw was rendered useless. The turn was the 9 and the river was the 3 and neither player hit anything, giving the big blind the double up with ace-high. Cajelais was at 60,000.

Shaun Deeb Annihilated By Rockets

Shaun Deeb raised to 13,000 and then Corwin Cole repopped it to 30,000. Deeb then shoved for 60,000. Cole made the call and tabled AA. Deeb showed down A9 and was in deep trouble.

The board ran out JJ10K8 and Deeb threw away 600 big blinds in the blink of an eye and was eliminated.

Michael Gracz Doubles Up

Michael Gracz moved all in for 14,000 preflop and was called by one player. Gracz showed 55 while his opponent tabled A7. The board ran out K1068Q and Gracz doubled up to 28,000.

Hoyt Corkins Doubles Again And His Stack Nothing To Mess With Now

A late position player put in a raise preflop and Hoyt Corkins called from the big blind. The small blind came along as well and the flop was J75. Action was checked to the late position player who bet out. The small blind called and Corkins moved in for 30,000. The small blind was the only caller and tabled KK. Corkins showed 98 for just a double belly-buster straight draw.

The turn was the A and Corkins had one foot out the door. But the river was the 10 and Corkins cracked the cowboys, making his straight and doubling to over 70,000.

Player Tags: Hoyt Corkins,   Juha Helppi,   Michael Gracz,   Todd Brunson,   Sam Farha,   Erik Cajelais,   Shaun Deeb

Level 1 Update: Erik Cajelais Exits Early

May 28, '09

Blinds: 200-400 with a 50 ante

Players Remaining: 180 out of 184

Chip Counts:

1. Phil Laak — 270,000
2. Scott Seiver — 260,000
3. Phil Laak — 245,000
4. Tony G — 240,000
5. David Chiu — 240,000
6. Michael DeMichelle — 200,000
7. Andy Black — 185,000
8. Chad Batista — 175,000
9. Isaac Haxton — 175,000
10. Nenad Medic — 175,000

Average Chip Count: 125,000

Notable Eliminations:

Erik Cajelais
Jim Bechtel

Big Hands:

Erik Cajelais Is Crippled By Tony G

On a board reading 753, Tony G was all in holding pocket aces against the 86 of Erik Cajelais. Cajelais needed to hit his massive draw to bust Guoga, but the turn and river fell A8.

Guoga moved up to 248,000 after the hand and Cajelais was crippled down to just 4,000. He was eliminated by Chris Moneymaker shortly after.

Brandon Adams Gets Caught Lying

Isaac Haxton raises to 1,400 from the cutoff and Brandon Adams reraises to 4,200 from the small blind. The flop comes Q53, and this time Adams leads out for 4,200. Haxton calls and the turn is the J. Adams bets out once again, this time for 6,200. Haxton tanks for a few minutes before making the call. The river is the J and both players check around. Adams turns over A10 for ace-high while Haxton shows 44 for a small pair. Haxton rakes the pot and brings his chip count up to 145,000 while Adams fall to just about 75,000 this hand.

Andy Black Collects Big Pot With Set Over Set

Chris Moore and Andy Black were locked into a hand, each holding a big pocket pair. Moore turned a set of jacks but the river brought a king, and Andy Black bet out 50,000. Moore called and Black turned over a set of kings to collect a big pot.

Phil Laak Cripples Opponent

James Calderaro held pocket kings against Phil Laak’s flopped set of eights. Laak moved all in on the river and was called, collecting a 270,000 chip pot.

Eric Liu Wins Pot on the River

On a board of QQ847, Eric Liu bet 15,550 on the river against Mark Seif. Seif contemplated briefly before folding. Seif is down to around 81,000.

Player Tags: Mark Seif,   Antanas Guoga,   Phil Laak,   Andy Black,   Erik Cajelais,   Brandon Adams,   Chris Moore,   Isaac Haxton,   Eric Liu

Level 4 Update -- Matt Vengrin Takes the Chip Lead

Apr 19, '09

Level: 4
Blinds: 200-400 with a 50 ante

Notable Chip Counts:

Matt Vengrin -- 200,000
Brian Rast -- 175,000
Freddy Deeb -- 170,000
Dan Heimiller -- 160,000
Freddy Bonyadi -- 160,000

Notable Eliminations:

Soheil Shamseddin

---

Key Hands:

Matt Vengrin Takes the Chip Lead

Seat 8 bet 16,500 into a 22,000 pot with J642 sitting on the board. Matt Vengrin raised to 55,000 and seat 8 moved all in after a couple of minutes of deliberation. Vengrin made the call and they flipped up their cards:

Vengrin: 53
Seat 8: 22

River: A

Vengrin won the hand and eliminated his opponent. He grew his stack to 200,000, which was enough to move him into the chip lead.

Flush over Flush

Jason Strochak was all in on a board of 10543A against Robert Mizrachi. Mizrachi flipped up 97 for a flush but Strochak flipped over QJ for a higher flush to take down the pot. Strochak held 150,000 after the hand and Mizrachi was down to 30,000.

Shannon Shorr Wins a Nice Pot

Shannon Shorr raised to 1,300 and Victor Ramdin reraised to 4,500. Erik Cajelais and Shorr both made the call. The flop was dealt 1083 and everyone checked. The turn fell 2 and Shorr checked. Cajelais bet 15,000 and Shorr made the call. He turned up AK and Cajelais mucked a king. Shorr grew his stack to 86,000 while Cajelais holds strong at 94,000.

Player Tags: Victor Ramdin,   Jason Strochak,   Erik Cajelais,   Shannon Shorr,   Matthew Vengrin

$2,000 NLHE - Day 1 - Hour 10 - Change Of Plans

Jun 27, '08

Note: An impromtu schedule change means that Day 1 will not end with the conclusion of Level 10. Because we are so close to the money, the tournament staff has decided to continue play until we reach the money. Players will take a fifteen-minute break at the conclusion of the level and come back to begin Level 11. As soon as we reach 200 players, we will start hand-for-hand action until we lose two more players. Play will end for the night once we reach the money (198 players).

Blinds/Antes: 600-1,200 with a 100 ante

Players Left: 206 of 2,317
Chip Leaders:
Eric Crain: 220,000
Sean McCabe: 140,000
Marco Johnson: 120,000
Erik Cajelais: 84,000
Lou Esposito: 77,000
Jose Severino: 75,000
Adam Levy: 74,000
Oke Miller: 58,000
Edward Sabat: 55,000
Blar Rodman: 53,000
Johnny Neckar: 50,000
Average Stack: 44,990
Eliminations: Bill Gazes

Big Hands:

Runner-Runner, Double Gutter - Bill Gazes Eliminated

On a flop of J53, Bill Gazes moved all in with pocket jacks and his opponent called him down with pocket sevens. Gazes had the best of it with top set, but the 4 gave his opponent new life with an inside straight draw. The river brought the 6, and Ball Gazes was eliminated with trip jacks against a seven-high straight. Unbelievable! Gazes flopped top set and was eliminated after his opponent went runner-runner to catch the inside straight.

Adam Levy Doubles Through Big Stack Erik Cajelais TWICE!

Erik Cajelais came in for a raise and Adam Levy reraised all in for ~20,000 more. Cajelais called and both players turned over their cards.

Levy: AK
Cajelais: A10
Board: 87343

Levy got it in with the best hand and it held up. After the hand Levy doubled up to just over 45,000 while Cajelais took a small hit to his massive stack.

A short time later in the same level, Adam Levy doubled through Erik Cajelais once again, and this time Cajelais took a big hit to his stack. Cajelais raised to 3,200 before the flop and Levy reraised to 6,300. Cajelais called and the flop came 872. Levy moved all in and Cejalis snap-called.

Levy: AK
Cajelais: AJ

Neither player had anything but a draw, Levy with ace-king high and Cajelais with the nut flush draw. The turn was the 3, no help and the river was the A. Both players made a pair of aces, Levy of course with the higher kicker. After waiting so patiently all night to pick the right spot, Levy found two of them and managed to double and then re-double through one of the chip leaders, putting himself on the leader board with 75,000 while Cajelais fell down to 85,000 after this hand.

Sean McCabe Busts Two, Climbs the Chip Ladder

With two players all in before the flop, Sean McCabe called with pocket jacks. Both of his opponents turned over their hands to reveal two more pocket pairs, aces and tens. The flop brought both a jack and a ten...how quickly aces can go from first to worst with the turn of a few cards. McCabe flopped top set and with two bricks on the turn and river he was able to knock out two opponents in the same hand and lock up the no. 2 spot on the leader board with 140,000 in chips.
 

Player Tags: Bill Gazes,   Sean McCabe,   Erik Cajelais,   Adam Levy

$2,000 NLHE - Day 1 - Hour 8

Jun 27, '08

Note: Players have just gone on a twenty-minute break and should return at 10:45 pm to begin Level 9.

Blinds/Antes: 400-800 with a 100 ante

Players Left: 350 of 2,317

Chip Leaders:
Erik Cajelais: 102,000
Sean McCabe: 82,000
Marco Johnson:73,000
Edward Sabat: 60,000
Eric Sonstegard: 58,000
Stig Top Rasmussen: 57,000
Daniel Isaacson: 53,000
Christiane Klecz: 46,000
Sarah Bilney: 45,000
Erica Schoenberg: 42,000
Average Stack: 26,480

Eliminations: Alex Kravchenko, William Thorson, Thomas Keller, Ram Vaswanu, Jordan Morgan, Maria Ho, Svetlana Gromenkova, Mike Matusow

Big Hands:

Mike Matusow Loses to a Girl

The player in seat 10 raised to 1,700 from middle position and Mike Matusow reraised to 5,400 from the small blind. Seat 10 called the raise and the flop came 882. Matusow bet 4,500 and seat 10 moved all in. Matusow got very frustrated, very fast. "Really? Are you serious? asked Mike. "Yes", she replied. "Whenever I get a real hand, I get screwed every time." he says. By this point Matusow had been in the tank for several minutes already as he tells the table, "I'll be a while guys." He then proceeds to count and recount his stack while mumbling to himslef. A few minutes later and he finally folds the hand. He was left with only 15,000 after the hand. 

Alex Kravchenko Eliminated

Short stacked, Alex Kravchenko moved all in for 7,000 from middle position and the player in seat 9 made tha call.

Kravchenko: 77
Seat 9: QQ
Board: 8423K

Kravchenko was behind with sevens, and no help on the board sent him packing just before the end of Level 8.

Erik Cajelais Continues to Dominate, Flops Quads

The player in seat 8 raised to 3,200 before the flop and Erik Cajelais called from the cutoff. The flop came 755, and both players checked. The turn was the 8 and Cajelais bet 10,000. Seat 8 folded the hand and Cajelais showed 55 for quads. Cajelais raked another pot and the table almost flipped over. Cajelais has most of the chips at his table and currently leads the field with 102,000.

Mike Matusow Eliminated

Level 8 was not good to Mike Matusow, missing flops, being raised off of big hands, losing coin flips, the list goes on. It all finally came to an end when a then severley short stacked Matusow got it all in with 65 against an opponent's AK. The board came A883A, and it could't have possibly missed him any further. Filling on the river, Matusow's opponent raked the pot with aces full of eights. Matusow got up from his seat and ran over to the H.O.R.S.E. event to share his missery with the rest of the world and to heckle a few players from the rail.

Player Tags: Mike Matusow,   Alexander Kravchenko,   Erik Cajelais

$10,000 World Championship Limit Hold'em - Day 1 - Level 4 Recap

Jun 15, '08

Note: Players are now on a 30-minute break

Blinds: 300-500, 500-1,000 limit

Players Left: 192 of 218

Chip Leaders:
David Oppenheim - 54,000
Liz Lieu - 37,000
J.C. Tran - 35,200
Justin Bonomo - 35,000
Todd Witteles - 35,000
Greg Mueller - 35,000
Andy Bloch - 32,000
Brock Parker – 32,000
Michael Mizrachi - 31,000
Howard Lederer - 29,000

Average Stack: 22,700

Eliminations:
Jeff Shulman

Big Hands and Storylines:

And The Crowd Goes Wild

Despite this being a world championship event with a $10,000 buy-in, all eyes during the last level seemed to be focused on the televisions airing the Lakers-Celtics game. As the game was drawing to a close and the Lakers were trying to maintain a 6-point lead, players debated which was the more effective method of closing out a game: fouling or allowing a 3-pointer. Other tables, meanwhile, were discussing point spreads and prop bets.

Without a doubt, the biggest roar of the entire day came courtesy of the NBA Finals. Eddie House’s twisting, turning, fadeaway 3-pointer to cut the Lakers’ lead to 3 was accompanied by a raucous volley of noise from the field here. Now that the game is over and the televisions have reverted back to a tangerine tournament information screen, things should be back to normal during level 5.

Shortstack Ninja

Bryan “badbeatninja” Devonshire raised pre-flop and called a three-bet from a late-position player. Devonshire then check-folded on a jack-high flop, conserving the remainder of his stack for a later battle. Devonshire has about 5,000 left in chips, only about 8 big blinds going into the next level.

Deep-Sixed

Brock “t soprano” Parker made it 1,000 from the cutoff and was called by the big blind. The big blind check-called Parker’s bet on the 982 flop. On the turn both players checked upon seeing the 2. The big blind bet the 6 river and Parker tossed in an orange chip for the call. The big blind showed A-6 for a rivered pair and took down the pot. Despite this hit, Parker still has 32,000 in chips.

Small Blind Special

Action folded around to Erik Cajelais in the small blind. Cajelais limped and was promptly raised by the big blind sitting in seat 1. Cajelais called and the pair a flop. J88 was the board and Cajelais called a 500 chip bet. The 7 came on the turn and Cajelais checked, seat 1 bet, and Cajelais raised. Seat 1 called and they saw the river: 5. Cajelais bet and seat 1 called. Cajelais tabled 87 for a full house, good enough to take down the pot. The hand boosted him up to 13,000, a far cry from his earlier 30,000 but still enough to get by.

Player Tags: J.C. Tran,   Jeff Shulman,   Andy Bloch,   Howard Lederer,   David Oppenheim,   Greg Mueller,   Michael Mizrachi,   Brock Parker,   Justin Bonomo,   Liz Lieu,   Todd Witteles,   Erik Cajelais,   Bryan Devonshire

$10,000 World Championship Limit Hold'em - Day 1 - Level 3 Recap

Jun 15, '08

Blinds: 200-400

Players Left: 218

Chip Leaders:
David Oppenheim - 50,000
Terrence Chan - 39,000
Todd Witteles - 36,000
Michael Mizrachi - 31,000
Erik Cajelais - 30,000
Robert Mizrachi - 28,000
Liz Lieu - 28,000
Huck Seed - 25,000
Greg Mueller - 24,000
John Hennigan - 24,000
Michael Binger – 24,000

Eliminations:
Phil Ivey

Big Hands and Storylines:

Michael Binger: Serious Business

Darrell “Gigabet” Dicken raised from early position and was called by Michael Binger two seats to his left. Dicken bet the Q75 flop and Binger called. The turn was the 4 and Dicken bet again. Binger tossed in a raise and Dicken, smiling, asked, “Whaddya got?” Binger slowly and seriously counted down the chips in front of him and gave Dicken an answer. Of course, this information wasn’t quite what “Gigabet” was looking for: “I meant the cards in your hands,” Dicken quipped, before folding his hand. We don’t know what cards Binger had, but we do know that he currently has about 24,000 in chips, a couple thousand more than Dicken’s 22,000.

Harman Hanging On

Erik Cajelais raised preflop from middle position and Harman called from the small blind. Harman checked raised him on the Q107 flop and Cajelais called. The turn was the 2 and Harman bet, Cajelais raised, Harman 3-bet, and Cajelais made another raise, putting Harman all in. Harman called and the two both showed down A-Q, splitting the pot and allowing Harman to live for another hand. Harman has only about 5,000 chips left, but Cajelais is sitting pretty with 30,000.

“Waco” Standoffish

Upon losing another pot, Jared “TheWacoKidd” Hamby tossed down his hand in frustration and started shuffling his chips -- all four of them. The quartet of remaining 1,000-denomination chips leaves him with a mere 4,000 from his starting stack of 20,000. Hamby will need a bit of luck to dig himself out of this hole.

Boeken Re-building

Noah Boeken raised from the hijack and Bill Edler called from the cutoff. The two saw a flop of A72 and both players checked. On the A turn, Boeken bet out and Edler called him. Boeken bet the river 9, and Edler quickly folded. This hand brought Boeken back up to 10,000 in chips while Edler slipped to 19,500.

Player Tags: Robert Mizrachi,   Huck Seed,   David Oppenheim,   Greg Mueller,   Michael Mizrachi,   John Hennigan,   Jennifer Harman,   Phil Ivey,   Bill Edler,   Noah Boeken,   Terrence Chan,   Darrell Dicken,   Liz Lieu,   Todd Witteles,   Erik Cajelais,   Michael Binger,   Jared Hamby,   European Report

Harman Loses One to Cajelais

Jun 15, '08

Note: Players are now on a 20 minute break

Blinds/Limits: 200-300 with 300-600 limits

Entrants: 200 (Approx.)

Big Hands:

Not So Happy

Ali Eslami and Jeff "Happy" Shulman saw a flop. It came A97. Eslami bet 300 and Shulman raised to 600. Eslami made the call and both players saw the 5 on the turn. Shulman bet 600 and Eslami reversed the roles, raising Shulman to 1,200. Shulman called and the river was the 3. Both checked and Eslami showed 65. for second to bottom pair. It was enough to get the best of Shulman, who mucked. Eslami was at around 25,000 while Shulman was down to 14,000.

Cajelais Gets the Best Of Harman

Jennifer Harman raised to 600 preflop. Erik Cajelais three-bet to 900 and Harman made the call. The flop was 886 and Cajelais bet 300. Harman raised to 600 and Cajelais made the call. The 8 showed up on the turn and Cajelais bet 600. Harman called and both players checked the K on the river. Cajelais showed his JJ and Harman mucked. Cajelais was at 27,000 while Harman dropped to 21,000.

Binger Takes One

On a board showing J35, Robert Mizrachi bet 300 and Michael Binger made it 600 to go. Mizrachi made the call and the turn was the J. Mizrachi led out again with 600 and Binger called. Mizrachi checked the K on the river and Binger fired 600. Mizrachi took cover, mucking his hand. Binger won the pot and was around 28,000 while Mizrachi was around 17,000.

Player Tags: Robert Mizrachi,   Jeff Shulman,   Jennifer Harman,   Ali Eslami,   Erik Cajelais,   Michael Binger

Froehlich Gets Going

Jun 15, '08

Blinds/Limits: 100-200, 200-400 betting limits

Entrants: (Approx.) 188

Big Hands and Storylines:

Froehlich On Early

Eric Froehlich raised to 400 before the flop and his opponent in seat 1 three-bet to 600. The flop came 533 and seat 1 bet 200. Froehlich then jumped on him raising to 400. Seat 1 called and the tun was the Q. Froehlich fired 400 again and seat 1 mucked. Froehlich scooped the pot, but he was not finished.

Marco Traniello fired 200 on a board showing JJ7. The player in seat 2 called and Froehlich tossed his hat into the ring as well. The turn was the 9 and Traniello led out with 400. Seat 2 called and Froehlich seized the moment, raising to 800. Traniello called, as did seat 2. The river came and Froehlich bet again, getting called by both players. Froehlich showed them AJ for a flopped set and he took down the pot, stacking tons of chips in the early going.

"BdBeatNinja" Takes a Stab at Harman

On a board showing 362A6, Jennifer Harman bet 400. Bryan "BdBeatNinja" Devonshire raised to 800 and Harman called after some thinking. Devonshire turned over 33 for a set on the flop and full house on the river. Harman nodded and mucked.

Stacked Tables:

Table 4: Bryan Devonshire (seat 3), Jennifer Harman (seat 5), Mark Gregorich (seat 6), Erik Cajelais (seat 8)
Table 9: Jeffrey Lisandro (seat 3), Thor Hansen (seat 4), David Oppenheim (seat 5), Mark Newhouse (seat 8)
Table 10: John Hennigan (seat 3), Michael Binger (seat 5), Robert Mizrachi (seat 2)
Table 17: Bill Chen (seat 6), Eric Froehlich (seat 7), Marco Traniello (seat 8)

Hear the Roar

A loud roar filled the tournament area minutes ago. It had nothing to do with a bad beat or a royal flush. The field stood as Tiger Woods took his birdie putt to force a playoff at the U.S. Open. Tiger did what he does, making the shot and sending the players in the Amazon Room into a frenzy.

Player Tags: Marco Traniello,   Jennifer Harman,   Eric Froehlich,   Erik Cajelais,   Bryan Devonshire

$2,500 PLHE/PLO - Hour Two

Jun 12, '08

Note: At the conclusion of Level 2 (7:00 pm) players have taken their first twenty-minute break of the night and should return around 7:20 to Level 3 (PLHE) with increased blinds of 75-150.

Blinds/Antes:
PLHE: 50-100
PLO: 50-75

Players Left: 407 of 453

Chip Leaders:
Gabe Costner: 15,000
Amnon Fillipi: 11,000
Allen Cunningham: 10,350
Jeff Lisandro: 10,200
Jordan Morgan: 9,600
John Juanda: 9,400
David Benyamine: 8,300
Chad Brown: 7,000
Scott Clements: 6,500
Jan Von Halle: 6,000
Average Stack: 5,565

Eliminations: Cliff Josephy, Erik Cajelais

Big Hands:

PLHE

Allen Cunningham Wins a Big Pot

Allen Cunningham raised to 250 from middle position and both the cutoff and the small blind made the call. The flop came 654, and Cunningham bet 450. The cutoff folded and the small blind raised to 1,200. Cunningham thought for a minute before moving all in for 3,025 more. The small blind eventually folded and Cunningham raked a noice pot, considering.

Cliff Josephy Eliminated by Andy Bloch

Cliff Josephy was all in against Andy Bloch saying, "I should have know better", as the dealer mucked his hand and Josephy walked away from his now empty seat. After the elimination Bloch had roughly 5,200 chips.

Jeff "Happy" Shulman Eliminates Opponent With Trip Aces

On a flop of AA2, the player in seat 7 moved all in for 1,350 and Jeff Shulman made the call. Seat 7 turned over 88 while Shulman showed A6 for trip aces. The turn was the Q, and a blank on the river meant that seat 7 was eliminated from the tournament. Jeff Shulman brought his stack up to 7,500 after the hand.

PLO

Erick Lindgren Wins Big Pot With Jacks Full

Erick Lindgren came in for a raise of 175 from the cutoff and both blinds called. The flop came KJ10 and everyone checked around. The turn was the 7 and the big blind bet 500. Lindgren called and the small blind folded. The river was the 10 and the big blind bet 1,300. Lindgren raised to 3,000 and the big blind called. Lindgren turned over JJ95 for jacks full. Lindgren raked a big pot and brought his chip count to just under 10,000 after the hand.

Erik Cajelais Eliminated

On a board of 8764, Erik Cajelais moved all in for 1,400 and the player in seat 1 called.

Cajelais: QQ95
Seat 1: 7663

Cajelais showed a pair of queens and a flush draw on the turn while seat 1 flopped a set of sixes. The river was the 10, no help to Cajelais who was eliminated in the second round of play.

Benyamine Flops Top Set, Can't Get Paid Off

The player in seat 9 raised before the flop and David Benyamine reraised. The flop came A62, and Benyamine bet the pot (2,500). Seat 9 is put to a big decision and takes his time contemplating the call. He says to Benyamine, "I watch you play on Full Tilt. I don't have aces." Benyamine replies, "That's a good sign. So we've played together of Full tilt before?" Seat 9 says, "No, I play the lower limits, but I watch you play." Benyamine laughs, "It's the same thing, you just don't risk your money...you are much smarter." Seat 9 eventually folds saying, "I don't think you have aces either, but I might be wrong." Benyamine showed AA and told his opponent, "I reraised before the flop, of course I had aces." Benyamine showed the set and raked the pot.

Player Tags: Erick Lindgren,   Jeff Shulman,   Andy Bloch,   Allen Cunningham,   Cliff Josephy,   Erik Cajelais