Mark Gregorich Poker Tournament Updates

Level 12 Update: Chad Batista Wins Monster Pot

Dec 16, '09

Blinds: 1,500-3,000 with a 400 ante

Players Remaining: 88 out of 329

Chip Counts:

1. Chad Batista — 730,000
2. Steven Landfish — 660,000
3. Joseph Elpayaa — 640,000
4. Toto Leonidas — 510,000
5. Matt Stout — 485,000
6. Brent Hanks — 470,000
7. Sorel Mizzi — 470,000
8. Faraz Jaka — 410,000
9. Scotty Nguyen — 400,000
10. Soheil Shamseddin — 400,000

Average Chip Count: 225,000

Notable Eliminations:

Dani Stern
Chris Moore
Mark Gregorich
Keven Stammen
Cornel Cimpan
Matt Stout
Howard Lederer

Big Hands:

Chad Batista Gifted A Ton of Chips

A man known by the table as “the French guy” opened for a raise and Mark Gregorich reraised all in for his last 34,700. Chad Batista called behind him and Mr. French called as well.

The flop came down J83 and Batista bet 30,000. Unknown guy then reraised a handful of big chips to about 150,000 and Batista snap shoved all in. The Frenchman insta-called for his last 120,000 or so, showing AK. Batista showed bottom set of threes and the table started grumbling about running spades.

The turn was the 5 and Batista let out a groan while the rest of the table ducked for cover, anticipating a possible blow up. Instead, the river was the 7 and Batista safely avoided any bad beats. He left the room regain his composure while the dealer spent a few minutes moving chips across the table.

Gregorich never showed his hand, but apparently held A-Q. Meanwhile, Batista is looking at a stack of about 750,000. We’re guessing, however, since he has yet to organize the pile in front of him.

Mike Matusow Doubles Through Abe Mosseri

Mike Matusow was all in holding AQ against the JJ of Abe Mosseri. The flop came queen high and Matusow doubled up to 105,000 in chips.

Mosseri was left with 140,000, but got it all back shortly afterwards.

Abe Mosseri Doubles Through Barry Greenstein

Barry Greenstein raised to 8,000 and Abe Mosseri called on the button. Greenstein continued with a bet of 11,000 on a flop of 964 and Mosseri raised to 30,000.

Greenstein put him all in and Mosseri called with J10 for a flush draw. Greenstein could only show 87 for an open-ended straight draw and failed to hit when the turn and river came 6Q.

Mosseri is now back up to 275,000, while Greenstein fights the short stack with 45,000.

Cornel Cimpan Eliminated by Shawn Buchanan

Cornel Cimpan found himself all in holding pocket queens against the pocket jacks of Shawn Buchanan.

A jack on the board was unfortunate for Cimpan and he failed to catch up, busting from the tournament. This means only Yevgeniy Timoshenko can catch Eric Baldwin for Player of the Year honors.

Howard Lederer Eliminated by Curt Kohlberg

Howard Lederer was all in and in great shape holding A-K against Curt Kohlberg’s K-Q, but a queen in the door put him in danger of busting.

The turn gave him more outs with a wheel draw, but Lederer failed to catch up and was eliminated from the tournament. Kohlberg is now a big stack with 440,000.

Erik Seidel Watches Aces Go Down in Flames

Erik Seidel was all in holding pocket aces against the pocket nines of Carter King. The board ran out four spades, however, and Seidel’s aces were flushed away. King now sits with 175,000 in chips.

POY Watch

Erik Baldwin busted yesterday to Tom Dwan, but he’s not one for leaving his Player of the Year status to fate. Instead, Baldwin did the math and realized that if he wins today’s $500 side event, he would forced both Timoshenko and Cimpan to finish one spot higher in this tournament.

Now that Cimpan is gone, only Timoshenko can challenge him. Timoshenko would need to finish in the top two to pass him, but if Baldwin can somehow score another win, Timoshenko would need to win this tournament outright in order to claim the award.

Player Tags: Cornel Andrew Cimpan,   Erik Seidel,   Barry Greenstein,   Mike Matusow,   Mark Gregorich,   Abe Mosseri,   Chad Batista,   Carter King

Level 4 Hour 1 Update: Jerry Yang Eliminated

Jul 03, '09

Blinds: 150-300 with a 25 ante

Players Remaining: 921 out of 1116

Chip Counts:

1. Dragan Galic – 110,000
2. Jeff Williams – 100,000
3. Jeremy Ausmus – 88,000
4. Radek Stockner – 88,000
5. Eli Elezra – 84,300
6. Kevin Stammen – 74,000
7. Bryan Colin – 72,000
8. Michael Kamran – 72,000
9. Allyn Jaffrey Shulman – 40,000
10. Barry Shulman – 28,500

Notable Eliminations:

Jerry Yang, Perry Friedman, Darryl Dicken

Big Hands:

Jerry Yang Eliminated

A short stacked Jerry Yang was all in preflop with J7 and was up against his opponent’s AK. Yang caught a good flop when it came 789, but the K on the turn put Yang in a bad spot.

Yang’s fate was sealed as the 4 fell on the river. Yang’s quest for a a second main event title will have to be postponed for at least another year.

Mark Gregorich Takes A Pot

On a board showing 10535, Mark Gregorich and his opponent checked with the pot around 4,000. The river was then the K and the action was checked to Gregorich. He bet 3,500 and his opponent went into the tank. After some thought, he said, “I’ll let you have it,” and mucked his cards. Gregorich raked in the pot and he was at 41,300.

By George!

The player in seat 6 opened the action for a raise to 1,150 and action folded around to Jason Alexander. He then reraised to 3,200 and seat 6 made the call. The flop then fell J52 and the action was checked to Alexander. He fired 6,000 and seat 6 came over the top, moving all in for 26,500. Alexander took a session in the tank and then pushed in the call.

Seat 6 showed 86 for a made flush and Alexander turned over 1010. He needed a lot of help and the J paired the board on the turn. The river then brought the J, giving Alexander a backdoor full house and the massive pot. He was at 84,500 after the hand.

Brad Garrett then had a little fun with his friend. “Wow,” he started. “As bad as your game is buddy, that’s incredible.” The table had a laugh and Alexander left his chips strewn about in front of him. “I’ll be back,” he joked, pretending to walk away from the table. “Yeah, to the pharmacy,” Garrett joked again. After all of this, Garrett forgot to input his ante and the dealer asked him to do it. “I’m sorry sweetheart,” he said. “Can I just get a minute to absorb what just happened.” Garrett then placed his ante in and play continued.

Duthie Shows Some Heart

Picking up the action on the turn, action was checked to John Duthie with the board showing Q7510. He fired a bet of 2,000 and his three opponents quickly mucked. Duthie took in the pot, but was still below his starting stack with just 20,000 in chips.

Michael Gracz Doubles His Opponent

Michael Gracz called his opponent’s all in bet, totaling around 24,000. Here were their hands.

Gracz: AK
Opponent: JJ

Board: J536A

Gracz hit his ace, but unfortunately for him it was after his opponent flopped a set. Gracz took a hit down to 50,000.

Those Flush Draws Will Cost You

After a flop of 724, Steve-Paul Ambrose called his opponent’s all in bet of about 21,000. Ambrose showed J9 for a flush draw, but his opponent held AA and Ambrose needed help. The turn was the 2 and the river was the 5 and Ambrose lost a big chunk of his stack, going down to 15,000.

Affleck Gets Opponent to Fold a Set

Matt “mcmatto” Affleck, the winner of the $3000 SCOOP event on PokerStars, and his opponent on the button got in 5600 preflop and took a flop of AKQ. Affleck bet 6500 and was called by the player on the button.

The turn was the 4 and Affleck bet 11,200 and was called. The river was the 5 and Affleck bet 24,000 of his 26,000 stack. The player on the button stood up and announced that he had a set and was seriously considering folding it. “This is disgusting,” said the player on the button as he agonized with his decision.

Finally, after a few minutes of thought, he tossed the QQ face up into the muck. Even though the entire table begged Affleck to show his hand, he did not oblige and tossed his hand into the muck without showinig.

Left In The Deck:

There were 1,116 players in day 1a for this year’s main event. This is down just slightly from last year’s numbers, as there were 1,297 players in 2008.

Player Tags: Michael Gracz,   Mark Gregorich,   Steve Paul Ambrose,   Jerry Yang,   Jason Alexander

Level 1 Update: John Phan Eliminated; Gets Aces Cracked

Jul 03, '09

Blinds: 50-100

Chip Counts:

1. Kenny Hallaert — 80,000
2. Jonas Klausen — 70,000
3. Craig Gray — 47,000
4. Steven van Zadelhoff — 44,000
5. C.K. Hua — 43,000
6. John Magill — 43,000
7. Allyn Jaffrey Shulman — 41,000
8. Erik Cajelais — 40,000
9. Ted Lawson — 38,000
10. Barry Shulman — 31,000

Notable Eliminations:

John Phan

Big Hands:

Mark Gregorich Off To Healthy Start

After a flop of A32, Mark Gregorich threw in a check raise against his opponent. Gregorich was called and bet the turn of the 7. His opponent called and both players saw a K fall on the river. Gregorich threw in a bet of 4,300 and was called by his opponent. Gregorich exposed the J9 for a flopped flush. His opponent mucked and Gregorich is now up to 45,000.

Phil Laak Gets Picked Off

The player in seat 2 raises to 325 from late position, Phil Laak calls from the cutoff as does the player on the button. The flop comes 762, seat 2 bets 625, Laak calls and the button folds. The turn is the 3, and this time seat 2 checks to Laak. Laak bets 1,050 and seat 2 calls. The river is the 9, and once again seat 2 checks. Laak bets 3,650 and seat 2 calls. Laak turns over 109 for a pair of nines on the river but seat 2 shows KK for a better pair. Seat 2 rakes the pot and Laak drops down to 27,000 in chips.

John Phan Eliminated

After being knocked down to just 4,000 the hand before after running his pocket queens into the turned nut straight of his opponent, John Phan raises this pot to 300 before the flop and gets two callers. The flop comes 987, and Phan bets 700. One opponent folds from late position and his other opponent in the small blind raised to 5,000. Phan called all in.

Phan: AA
Small Blind: K9

The turn is the 10, but the river is the K, giving Phan’s opponent two pair and the win. John Phan is eliminated from the tournament just halfway through the first level.

Jennifer Tilly Off to a Slow Start

On a flop of A42, Jennifer Tilly bets 300 and the player in seat 3 calls. The turn is the J, and this time Tilly bets 600, seat 3 calls. The river is the Q, and this time both players check. Seat 3 turns over A8 for top pair and Tilly mucks her hand. Seat 3 rakes the pot and Tilly is down to just 15,000 in chips after this hand.

Cory Carroll Doesn’t Get There

Cory Carroll raises to 300 from middle position and gets one caller from the cutoff. The flop comes A98, Carroll bets 525, the cutoff calls.The turn is the 8, Carroll checks, the cutoff bets 900 and Carroll calls. The river is the 7, Carroll checks, the cutoff bets 1,000 and Carroll folds. The cutoff rakes the pot while Carroll slips into the red 28,000 in chips after this hand.

Andy Black Bounces Back

Andy Black and a player saw a flop of KJ10. Black’s opponent checked to him and Black fired out a bet of 675. His opponent quickly called and the A hit the turn. Both players checked and the A fell on the river. Black’s opponent threw out a bet of 2,500 and Black reraised to 8,000. Black was called after brief deliberation. Black exposed the AK for a full boat. His opponent mucked a queen for the straight. Black is now up to about the starting stack of 30,000.

Left in the Deck

Players will take a twenty-minute break at the end of Level 1 and will return at approximately 2:30 pm PDT to begin Level 2.

Player Tags: John Phan,   Phil Laak,   Mark Gregorich,   Jennifer Tilly,   Andy Black,   Cory Carroll

Final Table Update: Mark Gregorich (8th) and Michael Keiner (7th) Eliminated

Jun 25, '09

Note: The final table is now on dinner break and they will return at 8:20 p.m. PDT.

Blinds: 10,000-20,000

Players Remaining: 6 out of 424

Chip Counts:

1. Josh Schlein — 740,000
2. Mark Tenner — 585,000
3. Derek Raymond — 415,000
4. Fabio Coppola — 407,000
5. Sirous Jamshidi — 260,000
6. Scott Bohlman — 120,000

Average Chip Count: 397,500

Notable Eliminations:

8. Mark Gregorich – $26,213
7. Michael Keiner – $30,562

Elimination Hands:

Mark Gregorich Eliminated in Eighth Place ($26,213)

Mark Gregorich moved all in preflop for 24,000 and both Josh Schlein and Mark Tenner made the call. The flop fell K84 aand Tenner bet. Schlein mucked and the final two players flipped up their cards:

Tenner: KJ98
Gregorich: AK1010

Turn and River: K6

Tenner won the hand with a full house and Gregorich was eliminated in eighth place.

Michael Keiner Eliminated in Seventh Place ($30,562)

Michael Keiner raised all in preflop and Derek Raymond made the call. Their cards:

Keiner: A1055
Raymond: J943

Board: KJ886

Keiner was eliminated on the hand in seventh place by the jacks up of Raymond.

Player Tags: Mark Gregorich,   Mark Tenner,   Michael Keiner,   Josh Schlein,   Derek Raymond

Final Table Update: Mark Gregorich Eliminated in 4th Place

Jun 06, '09

Level Structure:

2-7 triple draw, limit hold’em, and Omaha 8OB: 30,000-60,000 blinds and 60,000-120,000 limits

7-card stud, razz, and 7-card stud 8OB: 15,000 ante, 20,000 bring-in, with a 60,000 completion and 60,000-120,000 limits

no-limit hold’em and pot-limit Omaha: 15,000-30,000 blinds with a 7,000 ante

Players Remaining: 3 out of 194

Chip Counts:

1. David Chiu – 2,200,000
2. Scott Dorin – 2,000,000
3. Ville Wahlbeck – 1,100,000

Average Chip Count: 1,766,666

Notable Eliminations:

4. Mark Gregorich — $139,159

Big Hands:

2-7 Triple Draw

Mark Gregorich Eliminated In 4th Place($139,159)

Prior to the first draw, Scott Dorin raised to 120,000 and Mark Gregorich three-bet to 180,000. Dorin then capped the betting to 240,000 and Gregorich called the remainder of his stack. It was then time to draw.

First Draw: Dorin draws 2 cards, Gregorich draws 2 cards

Second Draw: Dorin draws 2 cards, Gregorich draws 1 card

Third Draw: Dorin stands pat, Gregorich draws 1 card

After the final draw, Gregorich revealed his hand and had a 10 low. It was not good enough, however, as Dorin revealed an eight low and knocked Gregorich out of the tournament in 4th place. Gregorich earned $139,159 for his finish.

Player Tags: Mark Gregorich,   Scott Dorin

Level 18 Update: Chop It Up!

Jun 06, '09

Level Structure:

2-7 triple draw, limit hold’em, and Omaha 8OB: 6,000-12,000 blinds and 12,000-24,000 limits

7-card stud, razz, and 7-card stud 8OB: 3,000 ante, 3,000 bring-in, with a 12,000 completion and 12,000-24,000 limits

no-limit hold’em and pot-limit Omaha: 3,000-6,000 blinds with a 3,000 ante

NOTES: Games change every eight hands. Two players will be forced to sit out during 2-7 triple draw each hand.

Players Remaining: 20 out of 194

Chip Counts:

1. Huck Seed – 690,000
2. Joe Serock – 640,000
3. Adam Friedman – 526,000
4. John Cernuto – 387,000
5. Soheil Shamseddin – 362,000
6. Doyle Brunson – 355,000
7. Ville Wahlbeck – 340,000
8. Todd Brunson – 320,000
9. Allie Prescott – 306,000
10. Mark Gregorich – 265,000

Average Chip Count: 242,500

Notable Eliminations:

24th: Max Pescatori – $16,649
23rd: Brian Mizok – $16,649
22nd: Harris Pavlou – $16,649
21st: Vitaly Lunkin – $16,649

Big Hands:

Stud 8

Let The Chopping Begin!

Michael Binger: X-X-4AK
Ville Wahlbeck: X-X-427

The sequence of the action is not clear, but the two players ended up capping the betting before sixth street came.

Michael Binger: X-X-4AK3
Ville Wahlbeck: X-X-4275

Binger put his remaining chips in the pot, which were only 8,000 and Wahlbeck called. Binger tabled his hole cards, A6 for a pair of aces and a good low draw while Wahlbeck showed 47 for two pair and a seven low draw and a chance to scoop the pot. The river came and Binger got a 2 to cement a six low while Wahlbeck received a meaningless 5 for a seven low. He did win the high pot with two pair and he was at 260,000 while Binger had much less with 60,000.

Pescatori Survives This All In With A Chop, But Knocked Out Later

Adam Friedman: X-X-65
Max Pescatori: X-X-25

Pescatori was all in on fourth street and Friedman made the call. This is how their boards looked after all the cards were dealt.

Adam Friedman: 65A48A
Max Pescatori: 256A7K2

Friedman secured the high pot with a pair of aces but Pescatori took the low end with a seven low, one notch better than Friedman’s eight low. Pescatori was at 86,000 while Friedman had 526,000.

Pescatori would later be knocked out by Matt Hawrilenko during a no limit hold em hand and he was the first person to cash in this event, taking home $16,649.

One More Chop, Brunson And Gregorich Share The Wealth

Todd Brunson: X-X-98A
Mark Gregorich: X-X-Q42

Brunson bet 24,000 and Gregorich made the call.

Todd Brunson: X-X-98A10
Mark Gregorich: X-X-Q42J

Brunson fired another bet of 24,000 and Gregorich called. On the river, Brunson fired again with 24,000 and Gregorich raised to 48,000. Brunson called and showed AA10 for a full house while Gregorich showed 376 for a seven low. The players chopped and Brunson was at 320,000 while Gregorich had 242,000

Player Tags: Max Pescatori,   Todd Brunson,   Mark Gregorich,   Ville Wahlbeck,   Adam Friedman,   Michael Binger

Final Table Update: Mark Gregorich Eliminated in 4th Place

Jun 06, '09

Level Structure:

2-7 triple draw, limit hold’em, and Omaha 8OB: 30,000-60,000 blinds and 60,000-120,000 limits

7-card stud, razz, and 7-card stud 8OB: 15,000 ante, 20,000 bring-in, with a 60,000 completion and 60,000-120,000 limits

no-limit hold’em and pot-limit Omaha: 15,000-30,000 blinds with a 7,000 ante

Players Remaining: 3 out of 194

Chip Counts:

1. David Chiu – 2,200,000
2. Scott Dorin – 2,000,000
3. Ville Wahlbeck – 1,100,000

Average Chip Count: 1,766,666

Notable Eliminations:

4. Mark Gregorich — $139,159

Big Hands:

2-7 Triple Draw

Mark Gregorich Eliminated In 4th Place($139,159)

Prior to the first draw, Scott Dorin raised to 120,000 and Mark Gregorich three-bet to 180,000. Dorin then capped the betting to 240,000 and Gregorich called the remainder of his stack. It was then time to draw.

First Draw: Dorin draws 2 cards, Gregorich draws 2 cards

Second Draw: Dorin draws 2 cards, Gregorich draws 1 card

Third Draw: Dorin stands pat, Gregorich draws 1 card

After the final draw, Gregorich revealed his hand and had a 10 low. It was not good enough, however, as Dorin revealed an eight low and knocked Gregorich out of the tournament in 4th place. Gregorich earned $139,159 for his finish.

Player Tags: Mark Gregorich,   Scott Dorin

Level 18 Update: Chop It Up!

Jun 06, '09

Level Structure:

2-7 triple draw, limit hold’em, and Omaha 8OB: 6,000-12,000 blinds and 12,000-24,000 limits

7-card stud, razz, and 7-card stud 8OB: 3,000 ante, 3,000 bring-in, with a 12,000 completion and 12,000-24,000 limits

no-limit hold’em and pot-limit Omaha: 3,000-6,000 blinds with a 3,000 ante

NOTES: Games change every eight hands. Two players will be forced to sit out during 2-7 triple draw each hand.

Players Remaining: 20 out of 194

Chip Counts:

1. Huck Seed – 690,000
2. Joe Serock – 640,000
3. Adam Friedman – 526,000
4. John Cernuto – 387,000
5. Soheil Shamseddin – 362,000
6. Doyle Brunson – 355,000
7. Ville Wahlbeck – 340,000
8. Todd Brunson – 320,000
9. Allie Prescott – 306,000
10. Mark Gregorich – 265,000

Average Chip Count: 242,500

Notable Eliminations:

24th: Max Pescatori – $16,649
23rd: Brian Mizok – $16,649
22nd: Harris Pavlou – $16,649
21st: Vitaly Lunkin – $16,649

Big Hands:

Stud 8

Let The Chopping Begin!

Michael Binger: X-X-4AK
Ville Wahlbeck: X-X-427

The sequence of the action is not clear, but the two players ended up capping the betting before sixth street came.

Michael Binger: X-X-4AK3
Ville Wahlbeck: X-X-4275

Binger put his remaining chips in the pot, which were only 8,000 and Wahlbeck called. Binger tabled his hole cards, A6 for a pair of aces and a good low draw while Wahlbeck showed 47 for two pair and a seven low draw and a chance to scoop the pot. The river came and Binger got a 2 to cement a six low while Wahlbeck received a meaningless 5 for a seven low. He did win the high pot with two pair and he was at 260,000 while Binger had much less with 60,000.

Pescatori Survives This All In With A Chop, But Knocked Out Later

Adam Friedman: X-X-65
Max Pescatori: X-X-25

Pescatori was all in on fourth street and Friedman made the call. This is how their boards looked after all the cards were dealt.

Adam Friedman: 65A48A
Max Pescatori: 256A7K2

Friedman secured the high pot with a pair of aces but Pescatori took the low end with a seven low, one notch better than Friedman’s eight low. Pescatori was at 86,000 while Friedman had 526,000.

Pescatori would later be knocked out by Matt Hawrilenko during a no limit hold em hand and he was the first person to cash in this event, taking home $16,649.

One More Chop, Brunson And Gregorich Share The Wealth

Todd Brunson: X-X-98A
Mark Gregorich: X-X-Q42

Brunson bet 24,000 and Gregorich made the call.

Todd Brunson: X-X-98A10
Mark Gregorich: X-X-Q42J

Brunson fired another bet of 24,000 and Gregorich called. On the river, Brunson fired again with 24,000 and Gregorich raised to 48,000. Brunson called and showed AA10 for a full house while Gregorich showed 376 for a seven low. The players chopped and Brunson was at 320,000 while Gregorich had 242,000

Player Tags: Max Pescatori,   Todd Brunson,   Mark Gregorich,   Ville Wahlbeck,   Adam Friedman,   Michael Binger

$50,000 H.O.R.S.E - Level 2

Jun 25, '08

Following the level, play halted for a 60-minute dinner break.

Blinds:
Hold'em: 400-800
Omaha 8: 400-800
Razz: 200 ante, 200 bring-in, 800 completion
Stud: 200 ante, 200 bring-in, 800 completion
Eight or Better: 200 ante, 200 bring-in, 800 completion

Chip Counts:

Gus Hansen: 158,000
Bill Chen: 141,000
Ray Dehkharghani: 140,000
Michael DeMichele: 140,000
John Monnette: 136,000
Patrick Bueno: 130,000
Bill Gazes: 125,000
Max Pescatori: 125,000
Greg Mascio: 125,000
Pat Pezzin: 124,000

Hold'em

Kings For Gregorich

Joe Cassidy put in a raise and Mark Gregorich 3-bet right behind him. Action folded to Cassidy, who made the call. The flop came AJ2and both players checked. On the 5 turn Cassidy bet 1,600 and was called by Gregorich. Both players checked the 4 river and Cassidy showed K-J for a pair of jacks, but Gregorich rolled over pocket kings to take the pot.

Omaha 8

Nguyen Hits Full House to Take Pot From Defending Champ Deeb

Scotty Nguyen bet out on a board of Q1088and was raised by defending H.O.R.S.E champion Freddy Deeb. Nguyen called then bet out when the 10 fell on the river. Deeb made the call and Nguyen showed Q-J-10-3 for a rivered full house. Deeb looked at the board for a while then tossed in his cards, A-J-J-9 for the flopped straight. Nguyen scooped the pot.

Razz

Chen Takes Big Pot

A large pot had been built between Andrew Black and Bill Chen. But when Black called Chen's final bet he quickly mucked as Chen turned over 7-6-5-3-2-8-Q for a 7-low.

Grey Gets Better Cards... Or Worse?

David Grey and Thater both showed a deuce, and Thater bet out when she his an ace for her next card and Grey called with a 5. But when Thater hit a king and Grey hit a 6, Grey bet and Thater mucked. Their hands:
Grey: 2-5-6
Thather: 2-A-K

Stud

Alex Kravchenko Wins Multi-Way Pot

Jan Von Halle completed the bet on third street with the 2 and both Alex Kravechenko (5) and Michael Binger (7) called the raise.

Kravchenko: 5345 -AQ5
Binger: 76K8 - fold
Von Halle: 2463 - X-X-X

Jan Von Halle took the betting lead from the start, Kravchenko acting first and betting out with a pair of fives of sixth street. Both Binger and Von Halle made the call. Kravchenko also bet the river where Binger folded and Von Halle called. Kravchenko turned over trip fives and raked the pot.

Stud 8

Tran Takes Pot From Benyamine

Kenny Tran bet 800 after fourth street and was called by David Benyamine. Tran bet 16,000 and Benyamine raised on fifth street 3,200. Tran made the call and led out for 16,000 on sixth street. Benyamine called and both players checked the final card. Their hands were:

Tran: QJ210 (Q-9-6)
Benyamine: 85Q10 (AKx - 5)

Tran's pair of queens was good enough for the high and Benyamine missed his flush draw and didn't make a low draw, so Tran scooped the entire pot and said he had put Benyamine on a draw.

Ivey and Galfond Chop It

In what looks like something you'd see on Full Tilt Poker, Phil Ivey and recent bracelet winner Phil Galfond (known as OMGClayAiken online) went head to head in a stud 8 hand. Ivey bet and was called by Galfond on every street.
Ivey: 7KKQ (A-A-Q)
Galfond: 65410 (3-6-8)
Ivey took the high with a full house and Galfond took the low with an 8-low, splitting the pot early in level 2.

Player Tags: Scotty Nguyen,   David Benyamine,   Mark Gregorich,   Joe Cassidy,   David Grey,   Phil Ivey,   Kenny Tran,   Alexander Kravchenko,   Michael Binger,   Phil Galfond,   Katja Thater,   Freddy Deeb,   Jan Von Halle,   European Report

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

Jun 11, '08

Blinds/Antes:
Hold'em-Omaha 8: 50-75
Razz-Stud-Stud 8: 25 ante, 25 bring-in, 75 completion

Players: 389

Big Hands:

Hold'em - Kenna James Gets Slowed Played

On a flop of K44, the small blind checked to Kenna James who bet 75, the small blind called. The turn was the 10 and the small blind checked to James who bet 150. The small blind raised (check-raise) to 300 and James hesitated for a minute before calling. The river was the 6 and the small blind led out for 150. James said, "If you have a 4...punish me." as he made the call. The small blind turned over AA and James mucked his hand.  
Omaha 8/b - Jean-Robert Bellande Scoops a Multi-Way Pot

In a six-way limped pot, and on a flop of KQ10, the action got checked around to Jean-Robert Bellande who bet 75 from the cutoff. Victor Ramdin called from the button, Mark Gregorich folded from the small blind, the big blind and seat 6 called. The turn was the 3 and Bellande bet 150. Everyone folded except seat 6 who made the call. The river was the 9 and both players checked. "That was a scary river", said Bellande who turned over KK73 for top set. There was no low hand and Bellande scooped the pot.

Razz - Victor Ramdin Loses a Close One

The player in seat 7 brought it in for 25 and Victor Ramdin completed to 75 with the 5. The player in seat 6 called with the A and seat 7 folded to the raise.

Ramdin: 51086 - A76
Seat 6: A1028 - 975

Victor Ramdin was the aggressor in this pot, betting every single round including seventh street. Seat 6 called him down the whole way, eventually making th best best hand. Ramdin showed an 8-7-6 low while seat 6 turned over the 8-7-5. Ramdin lost a close one there while seat 6 raked a good pot.

Stud - Chip Jett Gets Rivered

Chip Jett completed the door card to 75 and the player in seat 4 raised to 150, Jett called.

Jett:  JQ569 - X-X-X
Seat 4: A6J7 - A75

Seat 4 took the betting lead right down through the river with Jett continuing to call every round. Seat 4 turned over an ace and a seven on the river to make two pair on his board. Jett shook his head and tossed his hand into the muck.

Player Tags: Kenna James,   Chip Jett,   Victor Ramdin,   Mark Gregorich,   Jean-Robert Bellande

Sica Still In It, Zeidman Climbing

Jun 09, '08

Note: Players are now on a 20 minute break.

Blinds/Antes: 400-800 with a 100 Ante

Big Hands:

Gregrorich Climbing

On a board that read 52108, Mark Gregorich fired off a bet and was called by his opponent. The river was the A and both players elected to check. Gregorich showed 109 while his opponent showed 77. Gregorich took the pot with his pair and improved his stack to around 38,000.

A Nice Pot, Chased Down by a Cold Beer

Sergey Rybachenko raised to 2,200 before the flop. Michael Sica was next to act and moved all in for another 6,000. Rybachenko went into the tank to make his decision. While he was doing that, a cocktail waitress arrived with a beer for Sica. He took a drink from his cup and Rybachenko mucked as Sica improved to 13,000 in chips, quenching his thirst at the same time.

Sexton Chased From a Pot

The board was 632. Keith Sexton fired a shot of 3,200 into the pot. Jesper Hougarrd in seat 1 raised another 5,000 to 8,200 total. Sexton thought for a minute and then mucked his hand. His stack was down to 17,100.

Zeidman Takes It Down

Before the flop, John Wagner raised to 2,500 from seat 1. One opponent made the call and Cory Zeidman followed suit. The flop came Q93. Wagner checked and the first caller bet 4,400. Zeidman raised to 11,400 total. Wagner and the other player mucked their hands and Zeidman raked in the pot. His stack was around 35,000 after the hand.

No More Mullets

Seven players saw a flop of K65. Action was checked around to Darren Rice, the man with the most magnificent mullet known to all mankind. He bet 3,600. Action folded to Sergey Rybachenko who popped it to 10,600 total. Michael Sica was next to act and he went into the tank. After much thought, he mucked his hand. The rest of the players folded around and action was back on Rice, who moved all in. Rybachenko thought for some time and made the call, tabling 65 for two pair. Rice showed AK for top pair and was in need of help. Sica was thrilled to see the hands, telling the table he folded K-Q. The turn was the 4 and the river was the 2. After much counting, Rice was covered and he was out of the tournament.

Player Tags: Mark Gregorich,   Cory Zeidman,   Keith Sexton

Nguyen Out Early

Jun 09, '08

Blinds/Antes: 300-600 with a 100 Ante

Eliminations: Minh Nguyen

Big Hands:

Gregorich Takes a Pot

Mark Gregorich raised before the flop to 1,800. Craig Marquis made the call and the flop came AK2. Both players checked and the turn came with the 6. Gregorich bet 2,500 and Marquis mucked. After the hand, Gregorich was at around 24,000.

Out of the Muck and Onto the Rail

The floor was called after Mark Radoja moved all in. Apparently, his cards were inserted into the muck by the dealer. After a brief account of what happened, the floorman retrieved Radoja's A5 from the muck. Joseph Bolnick had already called before the episode and tabled 88. The flop was almost fatal for Radoja as it came 987, giving Bolnick a set. But there was a glimmer of hope as Radoja had a gutshot straight draw. But the turn was the 3 and the Q on the river sealed his fate and he was out.

Okun Crippled, Then Ousted

Jared Michael Okun showed pocket jacks after the board had run out 103625. He was dismayed to find that they were no good when John McKinney tabled 44 for a straight on the river. Okun was down to just 300 and was eliminated on the very next hand.

 

Player Tags: Mark Gregorich,   Jared Okun,   Mark Radoja,   Joseph Bolnick

$2,000 Omaha 8/b - Hour Six

Jun 08, '08

Blinds: 150-300
Stakes: 300-600

Players Left: 369 of 553

Chip Counts:
Jimmy Fricke: 21,500
Scott Clements: 19,000
Jordan Morgan: 18,750
John Cernuto: 18,100
Matthew Glantz: 16,800
John Juanda: 14,400
David Chiu: 12,700
Mike Matusow: 12,000
Barry Greenstein: 10,250
Ed Fernandez: 10,00

Average Stack: 5,995

Eliminations:
Mark Gregorich, Todd Brunson, Jeff Lisandro, Chau Giang, Amnon Filippi, Chip Jett, Phil Hellmuth, Michael Binger, Chris Ferguson

Big Hands:
Boyd Loses a Big Pot

Dutch Body raised to 600 preflop and was called the player in seat 1 and seat 7. The flop came J63 and seat 1 immediately bet out 300. Both Boyd and seat 7 called and the turn brought the K. Seat 1 checked this time, Boyd bet out 600 and seat 7 re-raised to 1,200. Seat 1 called and Boyd raised it yet again up to 1,800. Everyone called and the 2 came on the river. This time, seat 1 bet out and was called by Boyd and seat 7. Seat 1 showed A-7-5-4 for a rivered straight and the nut low, and neither Boyd or seat 7 showed before they mucked their cards. After not taking any part of the big pot, Body's stack was under 4,000.

Matt Savage Scoops With the Wheel

On a flop of Q53, beloved tournament director Matt Savage bet 200 and both the players in seat 8 & 9 made the call. The turn was the J and and once again Savage bet 200. Seat 8 called and seat 9 raised to 400. Savage called the raise as did seat 8. The river was the 4 and everyone checked around. Savage missed a bet on the river looking for a check-raise as he turned over AQ32 for the wheel, scooping the pot with both the high hand and the low hand.

Mark Gregorich Eliminated

After facing near elimination on the previous hand, Mark Gregorich sat back down after winning a 125 piece of the side pot. The very next hand and Gregorich was all in for 125 in a five-way pot. All four players to his left in seats 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 called the 200 blind bet. The flop came 643, and seat 4 bet 200, seat 5 called while both seat 2 and seat 3 folded. The turn was the K and seat 4 bet 400. Seat 5 called and the river was the 4. Both players checked and turned their hands over.

Seat 4: KK108
Seat 5: AQJ2

Seat 4 made a set of kings on the turn and a full house on the river for the high hand while seat 5 made the 6-4-3-2-A for the low hand. Seats 4 and 5 split the pot while Mark Gregorich threw his hand into the muck.



 

Player Tags: Mark Gregorich,   Matt Savage,   Dutch Boyd

Omaha 8 / Stud 8 - Hour One

Jun 05, '08

Blinds/Antes:

Players: 218 of 373 (Approx.)

Big Hands:

Stud Hi-Low 8/OB

Bryan Devonshire Scoops a Pot off of Shannon Elizabeth

Bryan Devonshire made a final bet on seventh street and Shannon Elizabeth called. Both players turn over their hands.

Devonshire: AK710 - A73

Elizabeth: 2J7J - 32-X

Both players made two pair for the high hand, Elizabeth with jacks and deuces and Devonshire with aces and sevens. Neither player made a low hand, so Devonshire scooped the pot with aces up.

Table 36 Stacked...Ray Davis Takes a Nice Pot From Barny Boatman

Table 36 is currently home to Mark Gregorich, Barny Boatman, Ray Davis, and David Sklansky. Davis and Boatman went at it when the player in seat 4 brought it in for 50 with the 3 and Ray Davis raised to 75 with the J. Barny Boatman made the call with the 7. Davis continued to bet every round with Boatman calling down to the river. Set 4 dropped out on fifth street and both davis and Boatman checked the river. They turned over their cards.

Davis: J582 - A33

Boatman: 71097 - K104

Seat 4: 3Q6 - Folded on fifth street

Boatman made two pair, 10's and 7's for the high hand while Davis clinched the low hand with 8-5-3-2-A. Davis and Boatman split the pot for a little profit courtesy of seat 4.

Chris Reslock Scoops Daniel Negreanu

Negreanu made it the the river with Chris Lock, Reslock doing most of the betting, Negreanu simply check-calling.

Negreanu: 38JA - Q65

Reslock: 287A - K65

Reslock scooped the pot with ace high and a 7-6-5-2-A.

Michael Binger Busts Out of Event 5 in 7th Place, Enters Event 10 Just Minutes Later

Michael Binger had no trouble finding his way to this event just minutes after busting out of Event 5 (NLHE/Rebuys) in 7th place. Binger took his seat at Table 15 with Robert Williamson III. Binger currently sits second in chips on the leader board.

Player Tags: Raymond Davis,   Daniel Negreanu,   Mark Gregorich,   Michael Binger,   Bryan Devonshire,   Shannon Elizabeth