Michael Binger - Live Updates

Michael Binger Takes a Hit

Oct 01, '08

The cutoff raises to 2,200 and Binger reraises from the big bglind 4,800 more. There is some confusion as to the size of the reraise but after it is sorted out, the cutoff moves all i for 17,200 total. Binger calls and sees that his AK is way behind to the cutoff's AA.

The board runs out K1078J and Binger takes a hit down to 13,000.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Player Tags: Michael Binger

Hellmuth Announces a Bad Beat

Oct 01, '08

Phil Hellmuth walks over to Michael Binger's table and catches a hand in the process. Binger tables pocket tens and his opponent shows pocket eights.

The young opponent stands up and gets ready to leave when the dealer peels an eight off on the river. Hellmuth then asks the young player what his name is and finds out that it is Zachary. Hellmuth apparently unaware that Zachary is none other than "Crazy" Zachary Clark, the late Chip Reese's nephew.

Clark began playing the live circuit a few years ago and already has a World Poker Tour final table on his short resume.

 

 

 

 

 

Player Tags: Michael Binger,   Zachary Clark

Michael Binger Eliminated in 10th Place ($65,000)

Sep 17, '08

Michael Binger picked up pocket nines once again but this time he ran into Vivek Rajkumar's pocket jacks. He was all in for his last 1,150,000.

The board rolled out Q10745 and Rajkumar's pocket jacks held up to give him the pot.

Stay tuned for updated chip counts.

Player Tags: Michael Binger,   Vivek Rajkumar

Michael Binger Doubles Again

Sep 17, '08

Michael Binger is all in with pocket nines against Steven Vanauken's AK. The board brings a king, but it also brings a nine to double Binger up to just over a 1 million in chips.

Player Tags: Michael Binger

Michael Binger Doubles Up

Sep 17, '08

Dan Heimiller raised to 180,000 preflop from the button and Michael Binger moved all in for 545,000 from middle position. Heimiller called him down and they flipped up their cards:

Binger: AQ
Heimiller: A2

Board: Q6356

Binger doubles up on the hand and survives.








 

Player Tags: Daniel Heimiller,   Michael Binger

CardPlayer TV: Michael Binger

Sep 17, '08

Here is a video from earlier today that CardPlayer TV filmed with Michael Binger:

Player Tags: Michael Binger

Steven Levy Eliminated in 15th Place ($47,500)

Sep 17, '08

Steven Levy raises all in for 550,000 and Michael Binger calls from the big blind with 99. Levy reveals A5 and will need some help to survive.

The board comes J93J8 and Levy is eliminated in 15th place. Binger is now up to 1,250,000.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Player Tags: Michael Binger,   Steven Levy

Bo Toft Eliminated in 17th Place ($32,500)

Sep 17, '08

Michael Binger raised to 90,000 under the gun and Bo Toft moved all in for 237,000 behind him. Action was folded back around to Michael Binger who made the call after about a minute of thought.

Toft showed AK and was dominating Binger's AQ, but the board came Q77710 and Binger caught a queen to send Toft to the rail in 17th place.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Player Tags: Robert Toft,   Michael Binger

Tiffany Michelle Eliminated in 46th Place ($15,000)

Sep 16, '08

Tiffany Michelle was all in for her last 120,000 with Q10 against Michael Binger's AK. The board gave Binger an ace and Tiffany was sent home in 46th place.

This marks her first cash since her deep run in the WSOP main event.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Player Tags: Michael Binger,   Tiffany Michelle

Michael Binger Eliminated in 10th Place ($65,000)

Sep 17, '08

Michael Binger picked up pocket nines once again but this time he ran into Vivek Rajkumar's pocket jacks. He was all in for his last 1,150,000.

The board rolled out Q10745 and Rajkumar's pocket jacks held up to give him the pot.

Stay tuned for updated chip counts.

Player Tags: Michael Binger,   Vivek Rajkumar

Michael Binger Doubles Again

Sep 17, '08

Michael Binger is all in with pocket nines against Steven Vanauken's AK. The board brings a king, but it also brings a nine to double Binger up to just over a 1 million in chips.

Player Tags: Michael Binger

Michael Binger Doubles Up

Sep 17, '08

Dan Heimiller raised to 180,000 preflop from the button and Michael Binger moved all in for 545,000 from middle position. Heimiller called him down and they flipped up their cards:

Binger: AQ
Heimiller: A2

Board: Q6356

Binger doubles up on the hand and survives.








 

Player Tags: Daniel Heimiller,   Michael Binger

CardPlayer TV: Michael Binger

Sep 17, '08

Here is a video from earlier today that CardPlayer TV filmed with Michael Binger:

Player Tags: Michael Binger

Steven Levy Eliminated in 15th Place ($47,500)

Sep 17, '08

Steven Levy raises all in for 550,000 and Michael Binger calls from the big blind with 99. Levy reveals A5 and will need some help to survive.

The board comes J93J8 and Levy is eliminated in 15th place. Binger is now up to 1,250,000.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Player Tags: Michael Binger,   Steven Levy

Bo Toft Eliminated in 17th Place ($32,500)

Sep 17, '08

Michael Binger raised to 90,000 under the gun and Bo Toft moved all in for 237,000 behind him. Action was folded back around to Michael Binger who made the call after about a minute of thought.

Toft showed AK and was dominating Binger's AQ, but the board came Q77710 and Binger caught a queen to send Toft to the rail in 17th place.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Player Tags: Robert Toft,   Michael Binger

Tiffany Michelle Eliminated in 46th Place ($15,000)

Sep 16, '08

Tiffany Michelle was all in for her last 120,000 with Q10 against Michael Binger's AK. The board gave Binger an ace and Tiffany was sent home in 46th place.

This marks her first cash since her deep run in the WSOP main event.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Player Tags: Michael Binger,   Tiffany Michelle

Michael Binger Eliminated

Aug 25, '08

Michael Binger has been knocked out of the tournament during level 8 on day 2.

















 

Player Tags: Michael Binger

$10,000 Main Event - Day 2B - Level 8

Jul 09, '08

Blinds: 400-800, 100 ante

Eliminations:
Matt Hawrilenko

Big Hands and Storylines:

Matt Hawrilenko Eliminated

Action folded around to Ross Smith who raised it up from the button. Matt Hawrilenko, who had about 23,000 to start, 3-bet from the small blind. After a bit of thought, Smith, having Hawrilenko covered, moved all-in. Hawrilenko quickly called and the two showed their hands:

Smith: AQ
Hawrilenko: AK

The flop was a dire one for Smith: 1074. The turn 4 paired the board and now Smith had extra outs for a split-pot. He wouldn’t need those outs, however, as the river was the Q, giving him the entire pot and eliminating Hawrilenko.

Cunningham Wins a Vital Pot

Allen Cunningham raised pre-flop and was called by a single player in the big blind. On a flop of 822, the big blind led out for 3,100 and Cunningham smooth called. The turn was the J and it was checked to Cunningham who bet 5,000. The opponent called and the two saw the 3 on the river. Again it checked over to Cunningham. This time Cunningham bet 10,000, leaving himself only a couple thousand behind. His opponent folded, however, and this brought Cunningham up to about 3,500.

Rasmussen Report

Action folded around to the button who raised. The only caller was Thayer Rasmussen in the big blind. On a flop of 984, both players checked. Rasmussen checked the 10 on the turn and then called when the button bet 2,300. The 3 came on the river and, again, both players checked. At showdown, Rasmussen showed A10 for top pair top kicker, and took down the pot. Rasmussen now has about 65,000.

Binger Survives All-in

Michael Binger continues to hold on by a thread, but it’s been enough to this point. The flop came A103, and after the board paired with the 3 on the turn, Binger moved all-in for his final 6600. Binger had been under the gun to begin the hand, and the lone remaining player was to his immediate left. But the player, with about 30,000, elected to muck his pocket queens and Binger was able to move up to 20,000 in chips.

Goldstein Also Hanging On

Ken Goldstein also is nursing a shortstack. He was able to see a cheap flop from the small blind when three players limped and the big blind checked. But after a flop of A73, Goldstein and the big blind checked, a player in middle position bet 2500, and the rest of the table folded.

Evdakov Looks to Pad Record

Nikolay Evdakov has already cashed in 10 events of this World Series of Poker, a new record for the WSOP. He continues to hang tough in the main event, having just added another pot. Evdakov was in the big blind and called a raise of 2500 from the button. The flop came KJJ, and after Evdakov checked, the button came out for 3000. Evdakov made the call. The board double-paired on the turn with the K appearing, and both players checked. The 7 was the river card, and Evdakov stepped out for 5000. He was called, and showed K7 for the turned full house. His opponent mucked.

Singer Singed

The flop came down K53 after a preflop raise, and now the small blind bet 6000. David Singer, one from the cut-off, made the call. The 5 paired the board on the turn and the small blind bet 15000. Singer again made the call. The J was the river card and both players checked. Small blind showed KQ to take down the pot, while Singer slipped to 125,000 in chips.

Player Tags: Allen Cunningham,   Kenny Goldstein,   David Singer,   Matt Hawrilenko,   Michael Binger,   Thayer Rasmussen,   Nikolay Evdakov

$10,000 Main Event - Day 1C - Level 5, Hour 2

Jul 05, '08

Blinds/Antes: 200/400/50

Day 1C Players Remaining: 1,071 of 1,928

Chip Leaders:

Henning Granstad - 228,000
Arnaud Mattern - 167,000
Howard Berchowitz - 161,000
David Baker - 159,000
Joe Marcal - 143,000
Russell Rosenblum - 141,000
Mike Souza - 136,000
Serj Markarian - 132,000
David Singer - 129,000
Andrew Tisler - 119,000

Notable Eliminations: David Plastik, Andre Akkari, Phil Collins, T.J. Cloutier, Marcel Luske, Sabyl Landrum.

Big Hands and Storylines:

Sklansky Clings to Life

It’s been a slow day for David Sklansky, and it hasn’t picked up any steam in the final level. He has been hovering around the 10,000 chip count for the past few hours, and couldn’t do anything with his blinds in a recent rotation. As big blind, he saw a player in middle position raise to 1050. Sklansky, already in for 400, made the call. After the flop came J87, he folded to a bet of 1,550. He then limped for another 400 the next hand as small blind, but dodged out of the way when the flop came 532. As it turned out, a player pushed all-in with the Q9, was called by a set of fives, then the board ran out JA for the running flush. Sklansky then folded his button and now sits at 9,500.

Binger and Singer in a Zinger of a Humdinger

In the blue section of the Amazon Room, one table became particularly stacked when Card Player P.O.Y. contender Michael Binger joined 2008 World Series of Poker bracelet winner David Singer’s table. The media hovered close by to capture any and all action between the two notable players. In one hand, Binger raised to a total of 1,100 from under the gun, and Singer called as the player next to act. All other players folded, and the flop came down 865. Binger continued his aggression by firing a bet of 1,800 into the pot, causing Singer to release his hand. Singer remained one of the tournament’s largest stacks with over 100,000 in chips, while Binger hovered around 35,000 throughout most of the level.

Jacob turns trips and collects more chips

With the board AQJJ, Alex Jacob bet 2,100 and was called immediately by his opponent. The river was the 7 and Jacob bet 4,600. This time his opponent took a moment to think it over. but he made the call in the end, and Jacob flipped over J10 to take the pot. After the hand Jacob has roughly 20,000 chips.

Awada dodges disaster

With the board 872, Joe Awada raised his opponent's bet of 2,000 to 5,000. His opponent reraised all in, and Awada was clearly frustrated with his situation. He folded J8 and after initially hesitating his opponent flipped over 88. But he can't feel too good about his fold; Awada has just 12,000 chips and is at risk of elimination any time he plays a hand.

When You're Hot . . .

A player in late position raised to 1200 and Brad Booth, on the button, made the call, as did the big blind. The flop came QJ9, and after the first two players checked Booth fired out 3500. The big blind called and the original raiser folded. The 3 fell on the turn, and the big blind checked. Booth, perhaps sensing a trap, checked behind. The river was the 10, creating a four-card straight on board. The big blind checked and Booth bet 5000. The big blind, obviously frustrated by the river, called and flipped over JJ for a set. That was suddenly in second place however, as Booth held 87 for the bottom end straight.

Player Tags: David Singer,   David Sklansky,   Joe Awada,   Brad Booth,   Michael Binger,   Alex Jacob

$10,000 Main Event - Huck Seed Goes Broke Early

Jul 05, '08

Blinds: 50-100

Chip Leaders:
Brian Townsend: 40,000
Joe Awada: 26,600
Greice Yamaguchi: 23,500
Dominic Tremblay: 21,500
Bill Chen: 21,000
Lee Childs: 20,350

Eliminations: Shawn Buchanan, Huck Seed

Big Hands:

Huck Seed Eliminated

On a board of 773Q, the player in seat 9 bet 6,000 on the turn and Seed went into the tank. Staring at his opponent and cocking his head, Seed ultimately moved all in for just under 16,00 total. Seat 9 went into the tank and eventually made the call, showing A7 for trip sevens, ace kicker. Seed turned over 97 for trip sevens with a weaker kicker. The 2 fell on the river, eliminating the former 1996 Main event world champion just minutes into the day.

Set Over Set, Shawn Buchanan Eliminated Early

Just minutes into Day 1c of the $10,000 NL Main Event, Shawn Buchanan got it all in with a set of sevens on a board of J7652. He was beaten by a set of jacks and lost almost his entire stack this hand, leaving himself with only 300 chips left. Crippled, the next hand Buchanan got it in with K-10 against K-Q and failed to improve. It was a very, very early day for Shawn Buchanan who has been eliminated from the tournament.

Clonie Gowen Misreads Hand, Eliminates Player

On a flop of A54, Alex Jacob bet 300 and Clonie Gowen raised to 800. The player in the big blind reraised to 2,000, Jacob mucked and Gowen reraised to 4,000. The big blind quickly moved all in and Gowen insta-called.

Gowen: A3
Big Blind: 54

Gowen flopped top pair and an inside straight draw but was trailing her opponent who made two pair on the flop. The 8 came on the turn, no help to either player, but the 3 hit the river, giving Gowen a better two pair and the win. Gowen raked the pot, doubling up early to about 40,000 as she elimianted her opponent. " I didn't double check," she said. "I thought I had ace-five." She then said that if she would have double checked her cards again she wouldn't have called.

Opponent Slow-Plays Aces, Binger Gets Trapped

In a three-way limped pot, the flop came 1083. The player in the big blind bet out 400 and Michael Binger made the call as the small blind folded. The turn borught the A, and the big blind bet 1,000. Binger thought for a moment before calling. The river was the 4, and the big blind bet 2,500. Binger made the call and the big blind turned over AA for top set. Binger mucked his cards and fell down to about 16,000 after the hand.

Scharf Practice

German Eddy Scharf has set about gathering chips at his table. The two-time bracelet winner bet around the pot of 4,000 on the river with the board reading Q107Q9 and got his opponent to lay down. He is now up to almost 25,000.

Parky Poker

Irishman Padraig Parkinson has been quite active at what he described as a "passive" table. He won a succession of small pots uncontested until one player played back at him, forcing him to fold to a bet and he is currently sitting on just over his starting stack.

Player Tags: Huck Seed,   Clonie Gowen,   Shawn Buchanan,   Eduard Scharf,   Padraig Parkinson,   Michael Binger

$10,000 Main Event - Day 2B - Level 8

Jul 09, '08

Blinds: 400-800, 100 ante

Eliminations:
Matt Hawrilenko

Big Hands and Storylines:

Matt Hawrilenko Eliminated

Action folded around to Ross Smith who raised it up from the button. Matt Hawrilenko, who had about 23,000 to start, 3-bet from the small blind. After a bit of thought, Smith, having Hawrilenko covered, moved all-in. Hawrilenko quickly called and the two showed their hands:

Smith: AQ
Hawrilenko: AK

The flop was a dire one for Smith: 1074. The turn 4 paired the board and now Smith had extra outs for a split-pot. He wouldn’t need those outs, however, as the river was the Q, giving him the entire pot and eliminating Hawrilenko.

Cunningham Wins a Vital Pot

Allen Cunningham raised pre-flop and was called by a single player in the big blind. On a flop of 822, the big blind led out for 3,100 and Cunningham smooth called. The turn was the J and it was checked to Cunningham who bet 5,000. The opponent called and the two saw the 3 on the river. Again it checked over to Cunningham. This time Cunningham bet 10,000, leaving himself only a couple thousand behind. His opponent folded, however, and this brought Cunningham up to about 3,500.

Rasmussen Report

Action folded around to the button who raised. The only caller was Thayer Rasmussen in the big blind. On a flop of 984, both players checked. Rasmussen checked the 10 on the turn and then called when the button bet 2,300. The 3 came on the river and, again, both players checked. At showdown, Rasmussen showed A10 for top pair top kicker, and took down the pot. Rasmussen now has about 65,000.

Binger Survives All-in

Michael Binger continues to hold on by a thread, but it’s been enough to this point. The flop came A103, and after the board paired with the 3 on the turn, Binger moved all-in for his final 6600. Binger had been under the gun to begin the hand, and the lone remaining player was to his immediate left. But the player, with about 30,000, elected to muck his pocket queens and Binger was able to move up to 20,000 in chips.

Goldstein Also Hanging On

Ken Goldstein also is nursing a shortstack. He was able to see a cheap flop from the small blind when three players limped and the big blind checked. But after a flop of A73, Goldstein and the big blind checked, a player in middle position bet 2500, and the rest of the table folded.

Evdakov Looks to Pad Record

Nikolay Evdakov has already cashed in 10 events of this World Series of Poker, a new record for the WSOP. He continues to hang tough in the main event, having just added another pot. Evdakov was in the big blind and called a raise of 2500 from the button. The flop came KJJ, and after Evdakov checked, the button came out for 3000. Evdakov made the call. The board double-paired on the turn with the K appearing, and both players checked. The 7 was the river card, and Evdakov stepped out for 5000. He was called, and showed K7 for the turned full house. His opponent mucked.

Singer Singed

The flop came down K53 after a preflop raise, and now the small blind bet 6000. David Singer, one from the cut-off, made the call. The 5 paired the board on the turn and the small blind bet 15000. Singer again made the call. The J was the river card and both players checked. Small blind showed KQ to take down the pot, while Singer slipped to 125,000 in chips.

Player Tags: Allen Cunningham,   Kenny Goldstein,   David Singer,   Matt Hawrilenko,   Michael Binger,   Thayer Rasmussen,   Nikolay Evdakov

$10,000 Main Event - Day 1C - Level 5, Hour 2

Jul 05, '08

Blinds/Antes: 200/400/50

Day 1C Players Remaining: 1,071 of 1,928

Chip Leaders:

Henning Granstad - 228,000
Arnaud Mattern - 167,000
Howard Berchowitz - 161,000
David Baker - 159,000
Joe Marcal - 143,000
Russell Rosenblum - 141,000
Mike Souza - 136,000
Serj Markarian - 132,000
David Singer - 129,000
Andrew Tisler - 119,000

Notable Eliminations: David Plastik, Andre Akkari, Phil Collins, T.J. Cloutier, Marcel Luske, Sabyl Landrum.

Big Hands and Storylines:

Sklansky Clings to Life

It’s been a slow day for David Sklansky, and it hasn’t picked up any steam in the final level. He has been hovering around the 10,000 chip count for the past few hours, and couldn’t do anything with his blinds in a recent rotation. As big blind, he saw a player in middle position raise to 1050. Sklansky, already in for 400, made the call. After the flop came J87, he folded to a bet of 1,550. He then limped for another 400 the next hand as small blind, but dodged out of the way when the flop came 532. As it turned out, a player pushed all-in with the Q9, was called by a set of fives, then the board ran out JA for the running flush. Sklansky then folded his button and now sits at 9,500.

Binger and Singer in a Zinger of a Humdinger

In the blue section of the Amazon Room, one table became particularly stacked when Card Player P.O.Y. contender Michael Binger joined 2008 World Series of Poker bracelet winner David Singer’s table. The media hovered close by to capture any and all action between the two notable players. In one hand, Binger raised to a total of 1,100 from under the gun, and Singer called as the player next to act. All other players folded, and the flop came down 865. Binger continued his aggression by firing a bet of 1,800 into the pot, causing Singer to release his hand. Singer remained one of the tournament’s largest stacks with over 100,000 in chips, while Binger hovered around 35,000 throughout most of the level.

Jacob turns trips and collects more chips

With the board AQJJ, Alex Jacob bet 2,100 and was called immediately by his opponent. The river was the 7 and Jacob bet 4,600. This time his opponent took a moment to think it over. but he made the call in the end, and Jacob flipped over J10 to take the pot. After the hand Jacob has roughly 20,000 chips.

Awada dodges disaster

With the board 872, Joe Awada raised his opponent's bet of 2,000 to 5,000. His opponent reraised all in, and Awada was clearly frustrated with his situation. He folded J8 and after initially hesitating his opponent flipped over 88. But he can't feel too good about his fold; Awada has just 12,000 chips and is at risk of elimination any time he plays a hand.

When You're Hot . . .

A player in late position raised to 1200 and Brad Booth, on the button, made the call, as did the big blind. The flop came QJ9, and after the first two players checked Booth fired out 3500. The big blind called and the original raiser folded. The 3 fell on the turn, and the big blind checked. Booth, perhaps sensing a trap, checked behind. The river was the 10, creating a four-card straight on board. The big blind checked and Booth bet 5000. The big blind, obviously frustrated by the river, called and flipped over JJ for a set. That was suddenly in second place however, as Booth held 87 for the bottom end straight.

Player Tags: David Singer,   David Sklansky,   Joe Awada,   Brad Booth,   Michael Binger,   Alex Jacob

$10,000 Main Event - Huck Seed Goes Broke Early

Jul 05, '08

Blinds: 50-100

Chip Leaders:
Brian Townsend: 40,000
Joe Awada: 26,600
Greice Yamaguchi: 23,500
Dominic Tremblay: 21,500
Bill Chen: 21,000
Lee Childs: 20,350

Eliminations: Shawn Buchanan, Huck Seed

Big Hands:

Huck Seed Eliminated

On a board of 773Q, the player in seat 9 bet 6,000 on the turn and Seed went into the tank. Staring at his opponent and cocking his head, Seed ultimately moved all in for just under 16,00 total. Seat 9 went into the tank and eventually made the call, showing A7 for trip sevens, ace kicker. Seed turned over 97 for trip sevens with a weaker kicker. The 2 fell on the river, eliminating the former 1996 Main event world champion just minutes into the day.

Set Over Set, Shawn Buchanan Eliminated Early

Just minutes into Day 1c of the $10,000 NL Main Event, Shawn Buchanan got it all in with a set of sevens on a board of J7652. He was beaten by a set of jacks and lost almost his entire stack this hand, leaving himself with only 300 chips left. Crippled, the next hand Buchanan got it in with K-10 against K-Q and failed to improve. It was a very, very early day for Shawn Buchanan who has been eliminated from the tournament.

Clonie Gowen Misreads Hand, Eliminates Player

On a flop of A54, Alex Jacob bet 300 and Clonie Gowen raised to 800. The player in the big blind reraised to 2,000, Jacob mucked and Gowen reraised to 4,000. The big blind quickly moved all in and Gowen insta-called.

Gowen: A3
Big Blind: 54

Gowen flopped top pair and an inside straight draw but was trailing her opponent who made two pair on the flop. The 8 came on the turn, no help to either player, but the 3 hit the river, giving Gowen a better two pair and the win. Gowen raked the pot, doubling up early to about 40,000 as she elimianted her opponent. " I didn't double check," she said. "I thought I had ace-five." She then said that if she would have double checked her cards again she wouldn't have called.

Opponent Slow-Plays Aces, Binger Gets Trapped

In a three-way limped pot, the flop came 1083. The player in the big blind bet out 400 and Michael Binger made the call as the small blind folded. The turn borught the A, and the big blind bet 1,000. Binger thought for a moment before calling. The river was the 4, and the big blind bet 2,500. Binger made the call and the big blind turned over AA for top set. Binger mucked his cards and fell down to about 16,000 after the hand.

Scharf Practice

German Eddy Scharf has set about gathering chips at his table. The two-time bracelet winner bet around the pot of 4,000 on the river with the board reading Q107Q9 and got his opponent to lay down. He is now up to almost 25,000.

Parky Poker

Irishman Padraig Parkinson has been quite active at what he described as a "passive" table. He won a succession of small pots uncontested until one player played back at him, forcing him to fold to a bet and he is currently sitting on just over his starting stack.

Player Tags: Huck Seed,   Clonie Gowen,   Shawn Buchanan,   Eduard Scharf,   Padraig Parkinson,   Michael Binger

$1,500 H.O.R.S.E. - Day 2 - Level 15 Recap

Jun 30, '08

Stakes:
Hold’em/Omaha:  1,300-2,500 blinds
Stud/Razz/Stud8:  500 ante, 700 bring in, 2,500-5,000 stakes

Players Left:  45 of 803

Chip Leaders:
Phillip Penn Sr. - 125,000
Steven Diano - 103,000
Arash Ghaneian - 100,000
Joe Bolnick - 87,400
Jason Dollinger - 83,000
Jens Voertmann - 82,000
Randall Holland - 81,500
Allen Cunningham - 78,000
Cliff Pappas – 75,000

Average Stack: 53,525

Eliminations:
David Gee
Greg Jamison
Michael Binger

Big Hands and Storylines:

Hold’em

Michael Binger vs. Phillip Penn Sr. - Part I

Phillip Penn Sr. raised to 5,000 from middle position and was re-raised by Michael Binger on his left. Penn made the call and they saw a flop of 633. Penn checked and Binger bet. Penn called. The turn was the J, and again Penn checked. Binger bet 5,000 and Penn check-raised him.  Binger called, and then called another bet on the K river. Penn Sr. turned over 66 for a flopped full house. Binger showed his AA and, infuriated with the recent development, stormed away from the table, hitting a chair in the process. Binger was down to only 10,000 after that hand.

Omaha/8b

Michael Binger vs. Phillip Penn Sr. – Part II: The Reckoning

A few hands later, with the game having switched to Omaha/8b, William Penn Sr. opened with a raised from middle position which was again re-raised by Binger, who had less than a big bet behind. The flop came 1092 and Penn check-called. Penn check-called a bet of Binger’s final 200 chips on the turn (K) and the two showed their cards:

Binger: AA87
Penn: A876

Binger, in good shape, stood up and awaited the river card. The dealer laid out an 8 and Binger stared at the board for a moment to make sure what he saw was accurate: Penn hit one of his few outs to make a straight. As could be predicted, Binger was not happy, and he stormed from the table once again, this time for good.

Those two hands have propelled Penn to the chip lead with 125,000.

“Let’s Go”

Action folded around to Esther Rossi in the small blind who completed the bet and Jan Suchanek told the dealer, “Let’s go.” The dealer scooped in the two players’ blinds... and then Suchanek threw in a raise. Apparently, Suchanek’s declaration of “Let’s go” was intended as the precursor to a raise and not an indication of a check. After some squabbling between Rossi and Suchanek with the dealer serving as a slightly biased arbiter (after all, nobody likes admitting to a mistake) the floor was called over. After what seemed like hours of explanation to the dealer of what had transpired, it was ruled that uttering the phrase “Let’s go” alone does not indicate a check and that the raise would stand.

After all of that was settled, there was some poker to be played. The dealer put out a flop of A106 and Rossi check-called a bet from Suchanek. Action went check-call again on the K turn, and then both players checked the 10 on the river. Suchanek showed A443 for a pair of aces and that was good enough to take down the pot. Rossi, with 48,000, still has a bit more chips than Suchanek, who has 30,000.

Player Tags: Randy Holland,   Phillip Penn Sr.,   Allen Cunningham,   Greg Jamison,   Arash Ghaneian,   David Gee,   Esther Rossi,   Cliff Pappas,   Steven Diano,   Michael Binger,   Jan Suchanek,   Jens Voertmann,   Joseph Bolnick,   Jason Dollinger

$1,500 H.O.R.S.E. - Day 2 - Level 13 Recap

Jun 30, '08

Stakes:
Hold’em/Omaha:  800-1,500 blinds
Stud/Razz/Stud8:  300 ante, 500 bring in, 1,500-3,000 stakes

Players Left: 75 of 803

Chip Leaders:
James Schaaf - 91,000
Chad Brown - 86,000
Arash Ghaneian - 76,000
Mike Baxley - 65,000
Ed Tonnellier - 64,000
John Cutter - 61,500
David Gee - 56,000
Phil Hellmuth Jr. - 55,000
Art Young - 52,000
Allen Enciso - 51,000

Average Stack: 32,120

Eliminations:
Eugene Katchalov
Jan Sjavik

Big Hands and Storylines:

Omaha/8b

Eugene Katchalov Eliminated

Eugene Katchalov was all-in pre-flop against three opponents. Two players made it to showdown and they showed KKQ3 and A1052; the former had a pair of kings for high and the latter had the nut low. Katchalov, who had stood up and shook his neighbor’s hand before the river had even been dealt, was, predictably, eliminated.

Phil Hellmuth Eliminates Jan Sjavik

Jan Sjavik was all-in preflop for about 6,000 against Phil Hellmuth. The two turned over their cards before the flop:

Sjavik: AQ52
Hellmuth: AKJ2

The flop was A106, the turn was the 10, at which point Hellmuth notified the table (and, judging by the volume of his voice, several nearby tables) that he had already clinched the high. The river was the 2, which did not deliver Sjavik a low, and he was eliminated. Hellmuth is now up to 60,000.

Razz

Michael Binger, Meet Razz

Binger: 44A
Opponent: 34J

The player in the 6 seat completed showing the 3 and Michael Binger called in the 1 seat with the 4. The 6 seat, drawing a 4 on fourth street, bet into the Binger, who had paired his four. Binger called. His opponent then bet fifth street. Binger angrily fired his up cards face-down onto the table and conceded the hand. Binger is now down to 20,000.

Player Tags: Art Young,   Chad Brown,   Ed Tonnellier,   Phil Hellmuth,   Arash Ghaneian,   Jan Sjavik,   David Gee,   Eugene Katchalov,   Michael Binger,   Allen Enciso,   Mike Baxley,   John Cutter,   James Schaaf

$1,500 H.O.R.S.E - Level 11

Jun 30, '08

Blinds:
Hold'em: 500-1,000
Omaha 8: 500-1,000
Razz: Ante 200, Bring-in 300, Completion 1,000
Stud: Ante 200, Bring-in 300, Completion 1,000
Stud 8: Ante 200, Bring-in 300, Completion 1,000

Players Left: 94 of 803

Chip Counts:
Chad Brown: 74,000
Victor Ramdin: 51,000
Steven Diano: 48,600
Ed Tonnellier: 45,000
Mike Baxley: 41,000
David Gee: 38,000
Michelle Ankenman: 37,500
Jens Voertmann: 37,500
Tommy Hang: 36,000

Average Stack: 25,638

Eliminations: David Benyamine

Storylines:

Tough Table

In seats 1-3 at one table are Chad Brown, Mike Matusow and Joe Hachem. When it was announced that the money bubble is approaching, Matusow said, "I'm dying to make the money. Please, let me make the money so I can vomit."

Hands:

Hold'em

Binger Happy To Chop

Michael Binger bet 2,000 on a board of J1065 and was called by the player in seat 3. The 9 hit on the river and both players slowed down and checked. Binger showed A5 and smiled when he saw his opponent's A5. They chopped the pot and Binger sat with around 16,000 in chips.

Appleman Gets Away

After check-calling his opponent on a flop of J55, Mickey Appleman bet out 2,000 on the 3 turn. His opponent tanked and eventually raised to 4,000. Appleman mucked and cut his losses.

Omaha 8

"What a card on the river, huh?"

On board of 3285 Joe Hachem bet 2,000 and was called by the player in seat 5. When the 3 hit on the river seat 5 immediately bet out into Hachem. The man from down under thought about what to do and reluctantly made the call. His opponent turned over a big hand - A1079 for the nut flush and 7-low.
"What a card on the river, huh?" Hachem said in defeat, and mucked his hand.

Razz

Finally A Good Hand

Alex Jacob raised and the player in seat 2 made the call. When Jacobs got the 5 on fourth street, seat 2 paired and mucked. Jacob showed his down cards. Allen Cunningham commented that finally somebody had a big hand. Their hands were:
Jacob: A5(34) 
Seat 2: 44 (x-x)
Jacob showed he was drawing at the nuts.

Player Tags: Mickey Appleman,   Mike Matusow,   Joe Hachem,   Michael Binger,   Alex Jacob

$1,500 H.O.R.S.E. - Day 1 - Level 7 Recap

Jun 29, '08

Stakes:
Hold’em/Omaha:  200-400 blinds
Stud/Razz/Stud8:  100 ante, 100 bring in, 400-800 stakes

Players Left: 224 of 803

Chip Leaders:
Victor Ramdin - 23,000
Arash Ghaneian - 22,900
Phil Hellmuth Jr. - 19,000
Chad Brown - 18,000
Keith Sexton - 17,000
Mary Jones - 17,000
Perry Friedman - 15,200
John Juanda - 15,000
Eugene Katchalov - 14,100
Michael Binger - 12,500

Average Stack: 10,750

Eliminations:
Brian Micon
David Sklansky
Isabelle Mercier

Big Hands and Storylines:

Table 28: The Place To Be

Though table 28 has lost David Chiu since we last left them,  that doesn’t mean that the action has slowed down any. Victor Ramdin has been getting in a number of pots while David Sklansky has remained his usual tight, mathematically sound self (edit: until he was eliminated late in the level). And with Bryan Micon and Mike Matusow providing an endless soundtrack for the players and rail alike, this table is worth keeping tabs on even while the dealer is shuffling the cards. A series of entertaining hands took place in rapid succession during the seven-card-stud eight or better round. Here are those hands:

The Mouth Approves

Going into fourth street with a 7 against Victor Ramdin’s 5 and another player’s 4, Matusow, short-stacked, implored of the dealer, “I really need an ace on this next street.” The dealer gave the first player a K, Ramdin the T, and, to Matusow’s delight, he was delivered the A. He exploded, “That’s how to deal this game dealer!” Matusow bet out with his newfound confidence and the first player folded quickly. While Ramdin was thinking over his decision, Matusow kept up that chatter, saying that he didn’t care whether Ramdin called or not, that either way was good for him. Eventually though, Ramdin folded and Matusow raked in the pot.

A Dramatic Finale... Or Not

Ramdin: 58AK
Matusow: 103J8

Victor Ramdin completed with the 5 and Matusow raised with the 10. Ramdin called. Matusow bet fourth street, Ramdin raised, and Matusow called. Ramdin bet fifth street and Matusow called; the same happened on sixth street, only this time Matusow had no further chips to bet. Ramdin showed (Q)(J) and Matusow, professing to having a pair of tens, called for Ramdin to catch “any baby red.” Matusow flipped up his cards: (A)(10). Matusow did have a pair of tens, but the fact that he also had an ace-high flush had completely escaped him until that moment. “I already have a flush!” The only card that Ramdin could catch to win the pot was the A, and when his final card blanked, the 8,000 chip pot was Matusow’s. After the hand, Matusow continued on about his myopia (figuratively, though I believe he is also near-sighted): “I didn’t even know I had it! I knew I had ten-ten-ace...” Fortunately for Matusow he was all-in by the end of the hand anyway, so he didn’t miss gaining an extra bet anywhere.

Ramdwn’d

As Bryan Micon waxed about one of his recent bad beats, Matusow interrupted him and told him that he wasn’t allowed to tell any bad beat stories at the table. In fact, Matusow asserted, Micon was never in front during the hand; Ramdin was the favorite the entire way through. Micon explained his thought process during the hand, “I knew I was beat high but I had infinite odds; I was trying to scoop low.” At just that moment the fairly subdued Ramdin piped in with some of his own bombast. He averred, “You’re playing against Victor Ramdin. You’re not supposed to scoop the low.” This comment earned a (much coveted) high five from Mike Matusow. By the end of the level Ramdin was chip leader with 23,000, so he had reason to be cocksure.

Micon Gone

Bryan Micon found his remaining 1,200 chips all-in against an opponent on 4^th street with the following cards:

Micon: (K)(9)K10
Opponent: (A)(6)8A

Micon needed two-pair to escape elimination, but things took a turn for the worse just seconds later when his opponent was dealt the 8 for aces up. “You are in a world of hurt, my friend,” opined Matusow, despite Micon drawing the 10. Matusow was right, and Micon’s final card blanked. Micon, one of the chip leaders during the early stages of the day, could not quite make it to the end of day 1.

Player Tags: John Juanda,   Chad Brown,   Mike Matusow,   Phil Hellmuth,   Victor Ramdin,   Arash Ghaneian,   Keith Sexton,   Perry Friedman,   Isabelle Mercier,   Eugene Katchalov,   Mary Jones,   Michael Binger,   Brian Micon

$1,500 H.O.R.S.E. - Day 2 - Level 15 Recap

Jun 30, '08

Stakes:
Hold’em/Omaha:  1,300-2,500 blinds
Stud/Razz/Stud8:  500 ante, 700 bring in, 2,500-5,000 stakes

Players Left:  45 of 803

Chip Leaders:
Phillip Penn Sr. - 125,000
Steven Diano - 103,000
Arash Ghaneian - 100,000
Joe Bolnick - 87,400
Jason Dollinger - 83,000
Jens Voertmann - 82,000
Randall Holland - 81,500
Allen Cunningham - 78,000
Cliff Pappas – 75,000

Average Stack: 53,525

Eliminations:
David Gee
Greg Jamison
Michael Binger

Big Hands and Storylines:

Hold’em

Michael Binger vs. Phillip Penn Sr. - Part I

Phillip Penn Sr. raised to 5,000 from middle position and was re-raised by Michael Binger on his left. Penn made the call and they saw a flop of 633. Penn checked and Binger bet. Penn called. The turn was the J, and again Penn checked. Binger bet 5,000 and Penn check-raised him.  Binger called, and then called another bet on the K river. Penn Sr. turned over 66 for a flopped full house. Binger showed his AA and, infuriated with the recent development, stormed away from the table, hitting a chair in the process. Binger was down to only 10,000 after that hand.

Omaha/8b

Michael Binger vs. Phillip Penn Sr. – Part II: The Reckoning

A few hands later, with the game having switched to Omaha/8b, William Penn Sr. opened with a raised from middle position which was again re-raised by Binger, who had less than a big bet behind. The flop came 1092 and Penn check-called. Penn check-called a bet of Binger’s final 200 chips on the turn (K) and the two showed their cards:

Binger: AA87
Penn: A876

Binger, in good shape, stood up and awaited the river card. The dealer laid out an 8 and Binger stared at the board for a moment to make sure what he saw was accurate: Penn hit one of his few outs to make a straight. As could be predicted, Binger was not happy, and he stormed from the table once again, this time for good.

Those two hands have propelled Penn to the chip lead with 125,000.

“Let’s Go”

Action folded around to Esther Rossi in the small blind who completed the bet and Jan Suchanek told the dealer, “Let’s go.” The dealer scooped in the two players’ blinds... and then Suchanek threw in a raise. Apparently, Suchanek’s declaration of “Let’s go” was intended as the precursor to a raise and not an indication of a check. After some squabbling between Rossi and Suchanek with the dealer serving as a slightly biased arbiter (after all, nobody likes admitting to a mistake) the floor was called over. After what seemed like hours of explanation to the dealer of what had transpired, it was ruled that uttering the phrase “Let’s go” alone does not indicate a check and that the raise would stand.

After all of that was settled, there was some poker to be played. The dealer put out a flop of A106 and Rossi check-called a bet from Suchanek. Action went check-call again on the K turn, and then both players checked the 10 on the river. Suchanek showed A443 for a pair of aces and that was good enough to take down the pot. Rossi, with 48,000, still has a bit more chips than Suchanek, who has 30,000.

Player Tags: Randy Holland,   Phillip Penn Sr.,   Allen Cunningham,   Greg Jamison,   Arash Ghaneian,   David Gee,   Esther Rossi,   Cliff Pappas,   Steven Diano,   Michael Binger,   Jan Suchanek,   Jens Voertmann,   Joseph Bolnick,   Jason Dollinger

$1,500 H.O.R.S.E. - Day 2 - Level 13 Recap

Jun 30, '08

Stakes:
Hold’em/Omaha:  800-1,500 blinds
Stud/Razz/Stud8:  300 ante, 500 bring in, 1,500-3,000 stakes

Players Left: 75 of 803

Chip Leaders:
James Schaaf - 91,000
Chad Brown - 86,000
Arash Ghaneian - 76,000
Mike Baxley - 65,000
Ed Tonnellier - 64,000
John Cutter - 61,500
David Gee - 56,000
Phil Hellmuth Jr. - 55,000
Art Young - 52,000
Allen Enciso - 51,000

Average Stack: 32,120

Eliminations:
Eugene Katchalov
Jan Sjavik

Big Hands and Storylines:

Omaha/8b

Eugene Katchalov Eliminated

Eugene Katchalov was all-in pre-flop against three opponents. Two players made it to showdown and they showed KKQ3 and A1052; the former had a pair of kings for high and the latter had the nut low. Katchalov, who had stood up and shook his neighbor’s hand before the river had even been dealt, was, predictably, eliminated.

Phil Hellmuth Eliminates Jan Sjavik

Jan Sjavik was all-in preflop for about 6,000 against Phil Hellmuth. The two turned over their cards before the flop:

Sjavik: AQ52
Hellmuth: AKJ2

The flop was A106, the turn was the 10, at which point Hellmuth notified the table (and, judging by the volume of his voice, several nearby tables) that he had already clinched the high. The river was the 2, which did not deliver Sjavik a low, and he was eliminated. Hellmuth is now up to 60,000.

Razz

Michael Binger, Meet Razz

Binger: 44A
Opponent: 34J

The player in the 6 seat completed showing the 3 and Michael Binger called in the 1 seat with the 4. The 6 seat, drawing a 4 on fourth street, bet into the Binger, who had paired his four. Binger called. His opponent then bet fifth street. Binger angrily fired his up cards face-down onto the table and conceded the hand. Binger is now down to 20,000.

Player Tags: Art Young,   Chad Brown,   Ed Tonnellier,   Phil Hellmuth,   Arash Ghaneian,   Jan Sjavik,   David Gee,   Eugene Katchalov,   Michael Binger,   Allen Enciso,   Mike Baxley,   John Cutter,   James Schaaf

$1,500 H.O.R.S.E - Level 11

Jun 30, '08

Blinds:
Hold'em: 500-1,000
Omaha 8: 500-1,000
Razz: Ante 200, Bring-in 300, Completion 1,000
Stud: Ante 200, Bring-in 300, Completion 1,000
Stud 8: Ante 200, Bring-in 300, Completion 1,000

Players Left: 94 of 803

Chip Counts:
Chad Brown: 74,000
Victor Ramdin: 51,000
Steven Diano: 48,600
Ed Tonnellier: 45,000
Mike Baxley: 41,000
David Gee: 38,000
Michelle Ankenman: 37,500
Jens Voertmann: 37,500
Tommy Hang: 36,000

Average Stack: 25,638

Eliminations: David Benyamine

Storylines:

Tough Table

In seats 1-3 at one table are Chad Brown, Mike Matusow and Joe Hachem. When it was announced that the money bubble is approaching, Matusow said, "I'm dying to make the money. Please, let me make the money so I can vomit."

Hands:

Hold'em

Binger Happy To Chop

Michael Binger bet 2,000 on a board of J1065 and was called by the player in seat 3. The 9 hit on the river and both players slowed down and checked. Binger showed A5 and smiled when he saw his opponent's A5. They chopped the pot and Binger sat with around 16,000 in chips.

Appleman Gets Away

After check-calling his opponent on a flop of J55, Mickey Appleman bet out 2,000 on the 3 turn. His opponent tanked and eventually raised to 4,000. Appleman mucked and cut his losses.

Omaha 8

"What a card on the river, huh?"

On board of 3285 Joe Hachem bet 2,000 and was called by the player in seat 5. When the 3 hit on the river seat 5 immediately bet out into Hachem. The man from down under thought about what to do and reluctantly made the call. His opponent turned over a big hand - A1079 for the nut flush and 7-low.
"What a card on the river, huh?" Hachem said in defeat, and mucked his hand.

Razz

Finally A Good Hand

Alex Jacob raised and the player in seat 2 made the call. When Jacobs got the 5 on fourth street, seat 2 paired and mucked. Jacob showed his down cards. Allen Cunningham commented that finally somebody had a big hand. Their hands were:
Jacob: A5(34) 
Seat 2: 44 (x-x)
Jacob showed he was drawing at the nuts.

Player Tags: Mickey Appleman,   Mike Matusow,   Joe Hachem,   Michael Binger,   Alex Jacob

$1,500 H.O.R.S.E. - Day 1 - Level 7 Recap

Jun 29, '08

Stakes:
Hold’em/Omaha:  200-400 blinds
Stud/Razz/Stud8:  100 ante, 100 bring in, 400-800 stakes

Players Left: 224 of 803

Chip Leaders:
Victor Ramdin - 23,000
Arash Ghaneian - 22,900
Phil Hellmuth Jr. - 19,000
Chad Brown - 18,000
Keith Sexton - 17,000
Mary Jones - 17,000
Perry Friedman - 15,200
John Juanda - 15,000
Eugene Katchalov - 14,100
Michael Binger - 12,500

Average Stack: 10,750

Eliminations:
Brian Micon
David Sklansky
Isabelle Mercier

Big Hands and Storylines:

Table 28: The Place To Be

Though table 28 has lost David Chiu since we last left them,  that doesn’t mean that the action has slowed down any. Victor Ramdin has been getting in a number of pots while David Sklansky has remained his usual tight, mathematically sound self (edit: until he was eliminated late in the level). And with Bryan Micon and Mike Matusow providing an endless soundtrack for the players and rail alike, this table is worth keeping tabs on even while the dealer is shuffling the cards. A series of entertaining hands took place in rapid succession during the seven-card-stud eight or better round. Here are those hands:

The Mouth Approves

Going into fourth street with a 7 against Victor Ramdin’s 5 and another player’s 4, Matusow, short-stacked, implored of the dealer, “I really need an ace on this next street.” The dealer gave the first player a K, Ramdin the T, and, to Matusow’s delight, he was delivered the A. He exploded, “That’s how to deal this game dealer!” Matusow bet out with his newfound confidence and the first player folded quickly. While Ramdin was thinking over his decision, Matusow kept up that chatter, saying that he didn’t care whether Ramdin called or not, that either way was good for him. Eventually though, Ramdin folded and Matusow raked in the pot.

A Dramatic Finale... Or Not

Ramdin: 58AK
Matusow: 103J8

Victor Ramdin completed with the 5 and Matusow raised with the 10. Ramdin called. Matusow bet fourth street, Ramdin raised, and Matusow called. Ramdin bet fifth street and Matusow called; the same happened on sixth street, only this time Matusow had no further chips to bet. Ramdin showed (Q)(J) and Matusow, professing to having a pair of tens, called for Ramdin to catch “any baby red.” Matusow flipped up his cards: (A)(10). Matusow did have a pair of tens, but the fact that he also had an ace-high flush had completely escaped him until that moment. “I already have a flush!” The only card that Ramdin could catch to win the pot was the A, and when his final card blanked, the 8,000 chip pot was Matusow’s. After the hand, Matusow continued on about his myopia (figuratively, though I believe he is also near-sighted): “I didn’t even know I had it! I knew I had ten-ten-ace...” Fortunately for Matusow he was all-in by the end of the hand anyway, so he didn’t miss gaining an extra bet anywhere.

Ramdwn’d

As Bryan Micon waxed about one of his recent bad beats, Matusow interrupted him and told him that he wasn’t allowed to tell any bad beat stories at the table. In fact, Matusow asserted, Micon was never in front during the hand; Ramdin was the favorite the entire way through. Micon explained his thought process during the hand, “I knew I was beat high but I had infinite odds; I was trying to scoop low.” At just that moment the fairly subdued Ramdin piped in with some of his own bombast. He averred, “You’re playing against Victor Ramdin. You’re not supposed to scoop the low.” This comment earned a (much coveted) high five from Mike Matusow. By the end of the level Ramdin was chip leader with 23,000, so he had reason to be cocksure.

Micon Gone

Bryan Micon found his remaining 1,200 chips all-in against an opponent on 4^th street with the following cards:

Micon: (K)(9)K10
Opponent: (A)(6)8A

Micon needed two-pair to escape elimination, but things took a turn for the worse just seconds later when his opponent was dealt the 8 for aces up. “You are in a world of hurt, my friend,” opined Matusow, despite Micon drawing the 10. Matusow was right, and Micon’s final card blanked. Micon, one of the chip leaders during the early stages of the day, could not quite make it to the end of day 1.

Player Tags: John Juanda,   Chad Brown,   Mike Matusow,   Phil Hellmuth,   Victor Ramdin,   Arash Ghaneian,   Keith Sexton,   Perry Friedman,   Isabelle Mercier,   Eugene Katchalov,   Mary Jones,   Michael Binger,   Brian Micon

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

Jun 27, '08

Blinds/Antes: 150/300/25

Players Remaining: 970 of 2,317

Average Stack:  9,550

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

Recent Eliminations:
Richard Stanley
Terrance Chan

Big Hands/Storylines:

Terrence Chan Eliminated

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

Richard Stanley’s Four Hand Rampage with Michael Binger

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

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

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

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

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

$1,500 PLO 8/ob - Erik Seidel Eliminated, Extends (POY) Lead

Jun 26, '08

Blinds: 12,000-24,000

Players Left: 3 of 720

Chip Leaders:

Seat 5: Michael Fetter - 280,000
Seat 6: Casey Kastle - 1,050,000
Seat 8: Martin Klaser - 780,000

Eliminations:  Erik Seidel (4th Place)

Big Hands:

Michael Fetter Doubles Through Erik Seidel

Michael Fetter got it all in with pocket aces on a flop of 8-4-2 against Erik Seidel's pair of fours and not much else. The Ace on the turn locked up the hand for Fetter, as Seidel didn't have a low draw. Fetter picked up a much needed double up.

Erik Seidel Eliminated in Fourth Place ($68,304)

Erik Seidel and Casey Kastle got it all in preflop. Seidel showed A1043 and Kastle turned over AKK5. The board ran out Q74KQ and Kastle made kings full to eliminate Seidel in fourth place.

Erik Seidel Extends His Card Player (POY) Lead

If my subject math skills are correct, Erik Seidel picked up a whopping 480 points for his fourth place finish in today's event. He already held a 4,100 to 3,400 point lead over second place resident Michael Binger, bringing his new point total to 4,580.

So what does this mean? It means it's going to take more than one big victory to overcome Seidel for (POY) honors.

Player Tags: Casey Kastle,   Erik Seidel,   Michael Fetter,   Michael Binger