Juha Helppi - Live Updates

No Helppi for Juha

Oct 01, '09

Eugene Katchalov bets 13,500 from the small blind and Juha Helppi calls.

The flop is J 9 8. Katchalov bets 22,500 and Helppi shoves. Katchalov calls and flips over A 9. Helppi is way ahead with two pair – J 8.

The turn comes the A giving Katchalov a better two pair, and just to rub it in, the river falls the 9 giving him a house.

Helppi exhales, stands up, and makes his exit.

There will be a redraw now.

Player Tags: Juha Helppi

Level 9 Hour 2 Update: Dewey Tomko Eliminated

Jul 08, '09

Blinds: 500-100 with a 100 ante

Players Remaining: 630 out of 1476

Chip Counts:

1. Eric Cloutier – 384,000
2. Greg Mueller – 311,000
3. Andy Black – 220,000
4. Mike Sexton – 170,000
5. Sorel Mizzi – 160,000
6. Chris Ferguson – 155,000
7. Jimmy Fricke – 150,000
8. Thor Hansen – 141,000
9. Pamela Brunson – 135,000
10. Vitaly Lunkin – 132,000

CardPlayer Chip Counts:

Ciaran O’Leary – 48,500
Andrew Brokos – 78,000

Average Chip Count Day 2A: 97,650

Notable Eliminations:

Dewey Tomko
Juha Helppi
Craig Gray
Eli Elezra
Grant Levy

Big Hands:

Dewey Tomko Eliminated

Dewey Tomko looked down at the AJ and open-shoved for 17,000. A player in the small blind called with the 99 and the two players were off to a race. They were not even close to racing anymore as the flop came 963, putting Tomko drawing dead with no runner-runner draws. The board completed with the meaning less J and 8.

Juha Helppi Eliminated

Juha Helppi and the big stack of Eric Cloutier got all the money in preflop with Helppi tabling pocket kings. Cloutier exposed pocket aces and Helppi failed to improve, exiting the tournament right before the day ended. Eric Cloutier is the tournament chip leader with 384,000 to end the day.

Luca Pagano Moves All In

A player in late position bet 2,400 and Andrew Brokos made the call from the button. Action was one Luca Pagano in the small blind. He elected to move all in for 33,800 over the small preflop bet of 2,400. The initial raiser folded and Andrew Brokos went into the tank. He eventually mucked and Pagano took down the pot.

Jim Bechtel Doubles Up

Jim Bechtel moved all in for 10,700 on a flop of 942 and was called by the 97 of an opponent. Bechtel exposed the way in front Q9. The 3 hit the turn, giving Bechtel’s opponent a flush draw. However, none of those outs came as the Q fell on the river. Bechtel is now at 26,000.

Craig Gray Eliminated

Craig Gray checked to his opponent on a board of 653J. His opponent threw out a bet and Gray check-raised all in. His opponent contemplated briefly before making the call with the QJ. Gray was disgusted as he tabled the 77 for a bad misstep. Gray was drawing very thin and the 9 on the river ended his 2009 main event.

Pamela Brunson Wins Big Double Up

Pamela Brunson and her opponent got all the chips into the middle preflop. Brunson exposed kings but was up against the aces of an unknown player. However, Brunson caught up as she flopped a king. The turn and river were safe for her and she doubled to 135,000.

Left in the Deck:

Players have just finished playing hand for hand and day 2A is now complete.

Player Tags: Juha Helppi,   Dewey Tomko,   James Bechtel Sr.,   Luca Pagano,   Eric Cloutier,   Craig Gray,   Andrew Brokos,   Pamela Brunson

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 4 Hour 1 Update: Sebok Mixing It Up

Jul 04, '09

Blinds: 150-300 with a 25 ante

Players Left: 720 of 873

Chip Counts:

1. Craig Hopkins – 131,000
2. Nick Maimone – 125,000
3. Jim Bookstaff – 118,000
4. Vadim Gruzglin – 118,000
5. Jesse Rios – 110,500
6. Ali Eslami – 90,000
7. Karin Lehoussing – 87,000
8. Jonathan Tare – 75,000
9. Sam Khouiss – 72,000
10. Dave D’Alesandro – 68,000

Card Player Chip Counts:

Todd Brunson — 41,000
Mike Matusow — 29,000

Notable Eliminations:

Big Hands

Sebok Mixes It Up

The player under the gun limped in for 300. The next player to act raised to 1,500 and Joe Sebok was next to act. He made the call and everyone else mucked, including the player under the gun.

The flop then fell 764 and both players checked. It was the same story on the 8 turn and J river. Sebok then showed his hand, 22. It was good enough to take the pot as his opponent showed A10 for just ace high.

A few hands later, the flop came down J83. Sebok called his opponent’s all in bet and tabled 54 for a flush draw. His opponent tabled KK and Sebok needed help. The turn didn’t give him anything as it was the 10, but the A on the river made Sebok his flush and he knocked out his opponent, pushing his stack to 64,000.

Raymer Straightens Out His Opponent

A player raised to 950 and the player in the cutoff made the call. The action was then on Greg Raymer on the button, who raised to 3,500. Everyone folded except the cutoff and the flop was 987. Both players checked and saw the 10 fall on the turn.

The cutoff bet 5,000 and Raymer made the call. The river was the 2 and the action was checked to Raymer. He bet another 5,000 and the cutoff called. Raymer tabled KJ for a straight and the cutoff mucked. Raymer raked in the pot and was at 48,000.

Mortensen Getting Short

On a board reading J96Q, Carlos Mortensen bet 5,000. Another player raised to 13,000 and Mortensen made the call. The river was the 2 and the player shoved his entire stack, having Mortensen covered. Mortensen then mucked pocket nines face up, giving up his set. The other player showed K10 for the flush and took the pot, knocking out another player in the hand. Mortensen was down to just 12,000.

Helppi’s Pocket Kings Hold Up, Even With an Ace on Board

Juha Helppi raised to 900 under the gun and got four callers. The flop came AJ6 and everybody checked around. The turn was the 6 and everybody checked again.

The river brought the 6 and now Helppi put out a bet of 1,150 and it folded around to the player in the small blind who cut out a call and put the chips in. Helppi tabled KK and his opponent mucked his cards.

Kravchenko and Raymer Mixing it Up

After some preflop action, three players, including Alex Kravchenko and Greg Raymer see a flop of AQ2. Kravchenko bet 1,500, there was a fold and then Raymer made the call. The turn was the K and both players checked.

The river was the 6 and Kravchenko checked again. Raymer bet 4,000 and after a few moments, Kravchenko mucked. Raymer tabled the AQ, good for two pair.

Just a few hands later, these same two players were sparring again. Raymer checked and called a bet from Kravchenko on the turn and a third player came along for the river.

The final board read KJ9K8. Raymer checked, the other player checked and Kravchenko bet 3,000. Raymer quickly made the call and the third party got out of the way. Kravchenko showed AK and Raymer mucked.

Round 2 goes to Kravchenko.

Jason Young Gets Bluffed

A player under the gun made it 900 to go and got three callers, including Jason Young who called from the button. The flop was K64 and the under the gun player bet 2,100. After there were two folds in between, Jason Young opted to raise to 5,150. After some thought, the under the gun player tossed in the call.

The 7 fell on the turn and both players checked. The 2 was the river card and now the original preflop raiser bets 9,000. “You got two aces?” asked Young before he mucks his hand. His read was a little off as his opponent showed the 54, for just a pair of fours.

Left In The Deck:

It was just announced that 873 players registered for Day 1b of the main event, with 720 remaining. This is down from 1,158 players that registered on Day 1b last year. It appears that people just don’t want to spend their 4th of July holiday in the poker room.

Player Tags: Juha Helppi,   Carlos Mortensen,   Greg Raymer,   Jason Young,   Joe Sebok

Level 1 - Hour 2 Update: Talal Shakerchi Wins Big Pot

Jul 04, '09

Blinds: 50-100

Chip Counts:

1. Dave D’Alesandro — 64,000
2. Jeremiah Smith — 63,000
3. Angelo Ricci — 62,000
4. Talal Shakerchi – 60,000
5. Sam Khouiss — 52,000
6. Allan Vrooman — 40,000
7. Carlos Mortensen — 39,000
8. Juha Helppi – 37,000
9. Kara Scott — 33,600
10. Eddie Sabat — 32,000

Card Player Chip Counts:

Stephen Murphy – 29,250
Todd Brunson — 26,100
Mike Matusow — 26,000

Notable Eliminations:

None

Big Hands

David Pham vs. Jason Young

With just about 1,000 already in the pot, David Pham bets 600 on an AK9 flop, Jason Young calls. The turn is the 9, and this time Pham bets 1,200, Young calls. The river is the J, Pham bets 3,000 and Young calls. Pham shows AK for top two pair while Jason Young flashes the A as he tosses his cards into the muck. “The Dragon” is up to 35,000 in chips after this hand.

Juha Helppi Adds to Stack

On a board of J532, a player bet 2,500 into Juha Helppi. Helppi went into the tank and threw out a raise to 7,500. Helppi’s opponent went into the tank as well and eventually made the fold. Helppi asked, “did you fold kings?” Helppi is at 37,000.

Talal Shakerchi Wins Big Pot

On a board of K4JK, Talal Shakerchi bet 2,500 and his opponent min-raised to 5,000. Shakerchi deliberated momentarily before making the call. The river brought the 8 and Shakerchi bet 4,000 into the large pot. His opponent reraised to 10,000 and Shakerchi made the quick call. He tabled the JJ for jacks full while his opponent turned over the KQ for trip kings. Shakerchi is up to 60,000.

Brian ‘tsarrast’ Rast and Erik Seidel Tangle

With what might be perhaps the toughest combination of two players sitting right next to each other in the field over over 1,000 players, Erik Seidel had the button against Brian Rast’s small blind. Seidel threw out a raise from the button and Rast called. The board ran out 8455A and Seidel bet 600 on the end. Rast contemplated briefly before calling. Seidel turned over the A8 for top two. Rast Mucked. Seidel is at 30,500.

Left in the Deck

Players are on a twenty-minute break and will return at approximately 2:25 pm PDT to begin Level 2.

Player Tags: Juha Helppi,   David Pham,   Erik Seidel,   Jason Young,   Brian Rast

Level 9 Hour 2 Update: Dewey Tomko Eliminated

Jul 08, '09

Blinds: 500-100 with a 100 ante

Players Remaining: 630 out of 1476

Chip Counts:

1. Eric Cloutier – 384,000
2. Greg Mueller – 311,000
3. Andy Black – 220,000
4. Mike Sexton – 170,000
5. Sorel Mizzi – 160,000
6. Chris Ferguson – 155,000
7. Jimmy Fricke – 150,000
8. Thor Hansen – 141,000
9. Pamela Brunson – 135,000
10. Vitaly Lunkin – 132,000

CardPlayer Chip Counts:

Ciaran O’Leary – 48,500
Andrew Brokos – 78,000

Average Chip Count Day 2A: 97,650

Notable Eliminations:

Dewey Tomko
Juha Helppi
Craig Gray
Eli Elezra
Grant Levy

Big Hands:

Dewey Tomko Eliminated

Dewey Tomko looked down at the AJ and open-shoved for 17,000. A player in the small blind called with the 99 and the two players were off to a race. They were not even close to racing anymore as the flop came 963, putting Tomko drawing dead with no runner-runner draws. The board completed with the meaning less J and 8.

Juha Helppi Eliminated

Juha Helppi and the big stack of Eric Cloutier got all the money in preflop with Helppi tabling pocket kings. Cloutier exposed pocket aces and Helppi failed to improve, exiting the tournament right before the day ended. Eric Cloutier is the tournament chip leader with 384,000 to end the day.

Luca Pagano Moves All In

A player in late position bet 2,400 and Andrew Brokos made the call from the button. Action was one Luca Pagano in the small blind. He elected to move all in for 33,800 over the small preflop bet of 2,400. The initial raiser folded and Andrew Brokos went into the tank. He eventually mucked and Pagano took down the pot.

Jim Bechtel Doubles Up

Jim Bechtel moved all in for 10,700 on a flop of 942 and was called by the 97 of an opponent. Bechtel exposed the way in front Q9. The 3 hit the turn, giving Bechtel’s opponent a flush draw. However, none of those outs came as the Q fell on the river. Bechtel is now at 26,000.

Craig Gray Eliminated

Craig Gray checked to his opponent on a board of 653J. His opponent threw out a bet and Gray check-raised all in. His opponent contemplated briefly before making the call with the QJ. Gray was disgusted as he tabled the 77 for a bad misstep. Gray was drawing very thin and the 9 on the river ended his 2009 main event.

Pamela Brunson Wins Big Double Up

Pamela Brunson and her opponent got all the chips into the middle preflop. Brunson exposed kings but was up against the aces of an unknown player. However, Brunson caught up as she flopped a king. The turn and river were safe for her and she doubled to 135,000.

Left in the Deck:

Players have just finished playing hand for hand and day 2A is now complete.

Player Tags: Juha Helppi,   Dewey Tomko,   James Bechtel Sr.,   Luca Pagano,   Eric Cloutier,   Craig Gray,   Andrew Brokos,   Pamela Brunson

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 4 Hour 1 Update: Sebok Mixing It Up

Jul 04, '09

Blinds: 150-300 with a 25 ante

Players Left: 720 of 873

Chip Counts:

1. Craig Hopkins – 131,000
2. Nick Maimone – 125,000
3. Jim Bookstaff – 118,000
4. Vadim Gruzglin – 118,000
5. Jesse Rios – 110,500
6. Ali Eslami – 90,000
7. Karin Lehoussing – 87,000
8. Jonathan Tare – 75,000
9. Sam Khouiss – 72,000
10. Dave D’Alesandro – 68,000

Card Player Chip Counts:

Todd Brunson — 41,000
Mike Matusow — 29,000

Notable Eliminations:

Big Hands

Sebok Mixes It Up

The player under the gun limped in for 300. The next player to act raised to 1,500 and Joe Sebok was next to act. He made the call and everyone else mucked, including the player under the gun.

The flop then fell 764 and both players checked. It was the same story on the 8 turn and J river. Sebok then showed his hand, 22. It was good enough to take the pot as his opponent showed A10 for just ace high.

A few hands later, the flop came down J83. Sebok called his opponent’s all in bet and tabled 54 for a flush draw. His opponent tabled KK and Sebok needed help. The turn didn’t give him anything as it was the 10, but the A on the river made Sebok his flush and he knocked out his opponent, pushing his stack to 64,000.

Raymer Straightens Out His Opponent

A player raised to 950 and the player in the cutoff made the call. The action was then on Greg Raymer on the button, who raised to 3,500. Everyone folded except the cutoff and the flop was 987. Both players checked and saw the 10 fall on the turn.

The cutoff bet 5,000 and Raymer made the call. The river was the 2 and the action was checked to Raymer. He bet another 5,000 and the cutoff called. Raymer tabled KJ for a straight and the cutoff mucked. Raymer raked in the pot and was at 48,000.

Mortensen Getting Short

On a board reading J96Q, Carlos Mortensen bet 5,000. Another player raised to 13,000 and Mortensen made the call. The river was the 2 and the player shoved his entire stack, having Mortensen covered. Mortensen then mucked pocket nines face up, giving up his set. The other player showed K10 for the flush and took the pot, knocking out another player in the hand. Mortensen was down to just 12,000.

Helppi’s Pocket Kings Hold Up, Even With an Ace on Board

Juha Helppi raised to 900 under the gun and got four callers. The flop came AJ6 and everybody checked around. The turn was the 6 and everybody checked again.

The river brought the 6 and now Helppi put out a bet of 1,150 and it folded around to the player in the small blind who cut out a call and put the chips in. Helppi tabled KK and his opponent mucked his cards.

Kravchenko and Raymer Mixing it Up

After some preflop action, three players, including Alex Kravchenko and Greg Raymer see a flop of AQ2. Kravchenko bet 1,500, there was a fold and then Raymer made the call. The turn was the K and both players checked.

The river was the 6 and Kravchenko checked again. Raymer bet 4,000 and after a few moments, Kravchenko mucked. Raymer tabled the AQ, good for two pair.

Just a few hands later, these same two players were sparring again. Raymer checked and called a bet from Kravchenko on the turn and a third player came along for the river.

The final board read KJ9K8. Raymer checked, the other player checked and Kravchenko bet 3,000. Raymer quickly made the call and the third party got out of the way. Kravchenko showed AK and Raymer mucked.

Round 2 goes to Kravchenko.

Jason Young Gets Bluffed

A player under the gun made it 900 to go and got three callers, including Jason Young who called from the button. The flop was K64 and the under the gun player bet 2,100. After there were two folds in between, Jason Young opted to raise to 5,150. After some thought, the under the gun player tossed in the call.

The 7 fell on the turn and both players checked. The 2 was the river card and now the original preflop raiser bets 9,000. “You got two aces?” asked Young before he mucks his hand. His read was a little off as his opponent showed the 54, for just a pair of fours.

Left In The Deck:

It was just announced that 873 players registered for Day 1b of the main event, with 720 remaining. This is down from 1,158 players that registered on Day 1b last year. It appears that people just don’t want to spend their 4th of July holiday in the poker room.

Player Tags: Juha Helppi,   Carlos Mortensen,   Greg Raymer,   Jason Young,   Joe Sebok

Level 1 - Hour 2 Update: Talal Shakerchi Wins Big Pot

Jul 04, '09

Blinds: 50-100

Chip Counts:

1. Dave D’Alesandro — 64,000
2. Jeremiah Smith — 63,000
3. Angelo Ricci — 62,000
4. Talal Shakerchi – 60,000
5. Sam Khouiss — 52,000
6. Allan Vrooman — 40,000
7. Carlos Mortensen — 39,000
8. Juha Helppi – 37,000
9. Kara Scott — 33,600
10. Eddie Sabat — 32,000

Card Player Chip Counts:

Stephen Murphy – 29,250
Todd Brunson — 26,100
Mike Matusow — 26,000

Notable Eliminations:

None

Big Hands

David Pham vs. Jason Young

With just about 1,000 already in the pot, David Pham bets 600 on an AK9 flop, Jason Young calls. The turn is the 9, and this time Pham bets 1,200, Young calls. The river is the J, Pham bets 3,000 and Young calls. Pham shows AK for top two pair while Jason Young flashes the A as he tosses his cards into the muck. “The Dragon” is up to 35,000 in chips after this hand.

Juha Helppi Adds to Stack

On a board of J532, a player bet 2,500 into Juha Helppi. Helppi went into the tank and threw out a raise to 7,500. Helppi’s opponent went into the tank as well and eventually made the fold. Helppi asked, “did you fold kings?” Helppi is at 37,000.

Talal Shakerchi Wins Big Pot

On a board of K4JK, Talal Shakerchi bet 2,500 and his opponent min-raised to 5,000. Shakerchi deliberated momentarily before making the call. The river brought the 8 and Shakerchi bet 4,000 into the large pot. His opponent reraised to 10,000 and Shakerchi made the quick call. He tabled the JJ for jacks full while his opponent turned over the KQ for trip kings. Shakerchi is up to 60,000.

Brian ‘tsarrast’ Rast and Erik Seidel Tangle

With what might be perhaps the toughest combination of two players sitting right next to each other in the field over over 1,000 players, Erik Seidel had the button against Brian Rast’s small blind. Seidel threw out a raise from the button and Rast called. The board ran out 8455A and Seidel bet 600 on the end. Rast contemplated briefly before calling. Seidel turned over the A8 for top two. Rast Mucked. Seidel is at 30,500.

Left in the Deck

Players are on a twenty-minute break and will return at approximately 2:25 pm PDT to begin Level 2.

Player Tags: Juha Helppi,   David Pham,   Erik Seidel,   Jason Young,   Brian Rast

Level 14 Update: Dinner Break

Jul 01, '09

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

Players Remaining: 66 out of 928

Chip Counts:

1. Rui Cao — 715,000
2. Rory Matthews — 610,000
3. Matthew Waxman — 540,000
4. Shaun Deeb — 480,000
5. Robert Kay — 355,000
6. Sean Keeton — 355,000
7. Faraz Jaka — 325,000
8. Darrell Dicken — 310,000
9. Ilya Gorodetskiy — 300,000
10. Lard Bonding — 288,300

Average Chip Count: 210,909

Notable Eliminations:

89. Dean Nyberg — $9,1599,159
87. Jean Gaspard — $9,159
85. Sirous Jamshidi — $9,159
83. Alex Kravchenko — $9,159
82. Juha Helppi — $9,159
80. Jose Severino — $9,159
79. Kenny Shei — $9,159
78. Lex Veldhuis — $10,163
75. Jeff Coutroulis — $10,163
74. Daniel Schreiber — $10,163

Big Hands

Juha Helppi Eliminated in 82nd Place ($9,59)

Juha Helppi open-shoves for 35,500 from the button and the player in the big blind calls.

Helppi: J7
Big Blind: 55

Board: Q9689

Helppi caught a big turn card and picked up a bunch of outs, but failed to improve by the river. He is eliminated in 82nd Place ($9,159).

Lee Childs Eliminated

The player in the small blind makes a pre-flop raise and Lee Childs moves all in for 50,000 from the big blind.

Childs: KQ
Small Blind: 1010

Board: A6522

Childs fails to improve and is eliminated from the tournament.

Left in the Deck

Players went on a seventy-minute dinner break and will return at approximately 8:00 pm PDT to begin Level 16.

Player Tags: Juha Helppi,   Lee Childs

Level 9 Update: Eugene Todd Eliminated

Jun 30, '09

Blinds: 500-1000 with a 100 ante

Players Remaining: 204 out of 928

Chip Counts:

1. Sorel Mizzi – 118,000
2. Kenna James – 110,000
3. Justin Bonomo – 89,000
4. Chris Ferguson – 85,000
5. Alex Kravchenko – 78,000
6. Phil Hellmuth – 57,000
7. Roberto Romanello – 51,000
8. David Benefield – 46,000
9. Phil Laak – 39,000
10. Nick Schulman – 12,000

Average Chip Count: 68,235

Notable Eliminations:

Eugene Todd

Big Hands:

Helppi Makes Nut Flush and Gets Paid Off

Juha Helppi raised to 2500 from the cutoff and was called by the player in the small blind. The flop fell 8104 and both players checked.

The turn was the K and after the small blind checked, Helppi bet 5000 and was called. The river was the J and the small blind led out for 12,000 and was raised to 40,000 by Helppi.

After a few moments, the small blind made the call and Helppi showed the A9, good for the nut flush, and the small blind mucked his hand.

Phil Hellmuth Knocks Out a Player

Phil Hellmuth raised to 2500 and then the player in the small blind moved all in for 12,500. Hellmuth instantly called and the hands were turned up.

Hellmuth showed the AJ and was ahead of A9 that his opponent held. The J on the flop sealed it for Hellmuth and his opponent was drawing dead going to the river.

Ferguson Loses a Small Pot

After an under the gun player raised to 3000 and Chris Ferguson made it 9000. The player in the small blind moved all in for 10,500 and Ferguson tossed in the extra 1050.

Ferguson tabled the AQ and was up against the AK. The flop was good for Ferguson as it fell Q82. The turn card was the 10 and the river was the J, making a straight for the small blind and giving him the pot.

Player Tags: Juha Helppi,   Chris Ferguson,   Phil Hellmuth

Level 14 Update: Dinner Break

Jul 01, '09

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

Players Remaining: 66 out of 928

Chip Counts:

1. Rui Cao — 715,000
2. Rory Matthews — 610,000
3. Matthew Waxman — 540,000
4. Shaun Deeb — 480,000
5. Robert Kay — 355,000
6. Sean Keeton — 355,000
7. Faraz Jaka — 325,000
8. Darrell Dicken — 310,000
9. Ilya Gorodetskiy — 300,000
10. Lard Bonding — 288,300

Average Chip Count: 210,909

Notable Eliminations:

89. Dean Nyberg — $9,1599,159
87. Jean Gaspard — $9,159
85. Sirous Jamshidi — $9,159
83. Alex Kravchenko — $9,159
82. Juha Helppi — $9,159
80. Jose Severino — $9,159
79. Kenny Shei — $9,159
78. Lex Veldhuis — $10,163
75. Jeff Coutroulis — $10,163
74. Daniel Schreiber — $10,163

Big Hands

Juha Helppi Eliminated in 82nd Place ($9,59)

Juha Helppi open-shoves for 35,500 from the button and the player in the big blind calls.

Helppi: J7
Big Blind: 55

Board: Q9689

Helppi caught a big turn card and picked up a bunch of outs, but failed to improve by the river. He is eliminated in 82nd Place ($9,159).

Lee Childs Eliminated

The player in the small blind makes a pre-flop raise and Lee Childs moves all in for 50,000 from the big blind.

Childs: KQ
Small Blind: 1010

Board: A6522

Childs fails to improve and is eliminated from the tournament.

Left in the Deck

Players went on a seventy-minute dinner break and will return at approximately 8:00 pm PDT to begin Level 16.

Player Tags: Juha Helppi,   Lee Childs

Level 9 Update: Eugene Todd Eliminated

Jun 30, '09

Blinds: 500-1000 with a 100 ante

Players Remaining: 204 out of 928

Chip Counts:

1. Sorel Mizzi – 118,000
2. Kenna James – 110,000
3. Justin Bonomo – 89,000
4. Chris Ferguson – 85,000
5. Alex Kravchenko – 78,000
6. Phil Hellmuth – 57,000
7. Roberto Romanello – 51,000
8. David Benefield – 46,000
9. Phil Laak – 39,000
10. Nick Schulman – 12,000

Average Chip Count: 68,235

Notable Eliminations:

Eugene Todd

Big Hands:

Helppi Makes Nut Flush and Gets Paid Off

Juha Helppi raised to 2500 from the cutoff and was called by the player in the small blind. The flop fell 8104 and both players checked.

The turn was the K and after the small blind checked, Helppi bet 5000 and was called. The river was the J and the small blind led out for 12,000 and was raised to 40,000 by Helppi.

After a few moments, the small blind made the call and Helppi showed the A9, good for the nut flush, and the small blind mucked his hand.

Phil Hellmuth Knocks Out a Player

Phil Hellmuth raised to 2500 and then the player in the small blind moved all in for 12,500. Hellmuth instantly called and the hands were turned up.

Hellmuth showed the AJ and was ahead of A9 that his opponent held. The J on the flop sealed it for Hellmuth and his opponent was drawing dead going to the river.

Ferguson Loses a Small Pot

After an under the gun player raised to 3000 and Chris Ferguson made it 9000. The player in the small blind moved all in for 10,500 and Ferguson tossed in the extra 1050.

Ferguson tabled the AQ and was up against the AK. The flop was good for Ferguson as it fell Q82. The turn card was the 10 and the river was the J, making a straight for the small blind and giving him the pot.

Player Tags: Juha Helppi,   Chris Ferguson,   Phil Hellmuth

Helppi Heists Cohen

Jan 20, '09

Juha Helppi has busted French veteran Robert Cohen with J10 against A-A with the latter's chips going in on a board of KQJ, the former calling and hitting a spade on the river.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Player Tags: Juha Helppi,   Robert Cohen

Players on Early Break Due to Registration Problems

Jun 17, '08

Note: Players are on a 30 minute break due to registration issues.

Blinds/Antes: 25-50

Entrants: Approx. 2,149

Eliminations: Sorel Mizzi, Juha Helppi,

Big Hands and Storylines:

Strung Along Opponent Hits River, Hellpi Hits the Door

Juha Helppi made a raise to 175 from the button and was called by the player in seat 5. On a flop of 1073, seat 5 checked and Helppi bet 300. Not believing the aggresive European, seat 5 made the call. When his opponent checked again, Helppi bet out 700 on the 3 turn. Seat 5 made the call and the river brought the A. Seat 5 checked and Helppi moved all in for his remaining 2,000. Seat 5 made the call and Helppi showed that he wasn't bluffing and had flopped a pair of 10s. However, seat 5 had called Helppi all the way down with nothing but A7 and had spiked a pair of aces on the river. Juha Helppi was eliminated 25 minutes into level 1 play.

Watkinson Crippled Early

On a board of K-Q-10-10, Lee Watkinson got an opponent all in and showed J-10 for a set. However, his opponent showed Q-Q for a full house and Watkinson was drawing dead to the fourth ten. It didn't come and Watkinson, who had the opponent covered, was severely crippled.

McEvoy Starts The Tournament Off Right

Tom McEvoy has won a few early pots uncontested. In one hand, he raised to 175 in early position and was called by the player in seat 10. The flop came A86 and McEvoy led out 200. His opponent mucked.

Khan Getting Started On the Right Foot

Hevad Khan raised to 125 preflop. The player in seat 3 made the call from the big blind and the flop came AJJ. Seat 3 led out with 300 and Khan made the call. The turn was the 6 and both players checked. The river was the 3 and seat 3 checked. Khan had enough of that nonsense and bet 350. Seat 3 folded and Khan took down the pot. He was around 4,000 after the hand.

Mortensen Takes A Pot

The player in seat 4 raised to 200 before the flop and Carlos Mortensen made the call. The flop came KKJ. Both players checked. The turn was the 7 and seat 4 led out with 300. Mortensen raised to 600 and it was enough to get his opponent off the hand. Mortensen was at 3,700.

 

Player Tags: Lee Watkinson,   Juha Helppi,   Tom McEvoy,   Hevad Khan,   European Report

Juha Helppi Eliminated by River Card

Apr 13, '08

Juha Helppi took a classic bad beat for his tournament life 20 minutes into level eight. His opponent called a 22,000 all-in bet pre-flop with K-Q while Helppi tabled J-J. The flop came 10108 and the turn an innocuous 7. All Helppi had to do was avoid the final three kings and queens in the deck to double up and be right back in the game but the river came K.

Helppi put his head in his hands, composed himself, stood up, shook his opponents hands and walked away with his head held high.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Player Tags: Juha Helppi

Neil Channing Doubles Up

Apr 13, '08

Irish Open champion Neil Channing flopped a set of fives againt an up and down straght draw and and the turn gave his opponent a flush draw also but Channing's hand was good and he scooped 15,000 chips and is now sitting on around 15,000.

"I think it was some young American guy who's like, too young to play in American but has done something on the internet," said Channing with a characteristic sardonic tone.

Some recent chip counts include:

• Jani Sointula 27,700
• Jon Friedberg 11,850
• Alex Kravchenko 8,150
• Juha Helppi 8,425
• Casey Castle 29,900
• Chad Brown 48,000
• Daniel Negreanu 19,800
• Marc Goodwin 11,875
• Dario Alioto 43,600
• Antonio Esfandiari 33,850
• Phillipe Rouas 30,000

 

Player Tags: Juha Helppi,   Chad Brown,   Daniel Negreanu,   Jon Friedberg,   Neil Channing,   Alexander Kravchenko,   Jani Sointula,   Marc Goodwin,   Dario Alioto,   Casey Castle

Tim Vance Doubles Up

Apr 13, '08

PokerStars.com EPT Copenhagen winner Tim Vance has doubled up with aces against jacks on a nine hig flop and is now sitting on 16,525 in chips. The American jumped from his seat and shouted 'yes' when an ace fell on the river.

Recent Irish Open winner Neil Channing is at his table and was bemoaning the fact he had been giving away so many of his trademake red shirts he had none left. Neil will be on the cover of the June issue of Card Player Poker + Sports which will hit the streets in mid-May. "I'd have worn a clean shirt if i'd have known," he joked.

Some chip counts of note from half the room not on dinner:

• Alex Kravchenko 7,650
• Victor Ramdin 6,300
• Arnaud Mattern 6,400
• Juha Helppi 10,625
• Surinder Sunar 16,950
• Neil Channing 16,825

Player Tags: Juha Helppi,   Surinder Sunar,   Neil Channing,   Alexander Kravchenko,   Tim Vance

The Corner of the Room

Apr 12, '08

While recent Irish Open winner Neil Channing chats to tournament directors, event organisers and PokerStars pro and former EPT London champ Vicky Coren in the corner of the room the table next door is beginning to see the chips start to circulate around the table.

Hardly surprising when you consider it hosts Juha Helppi, Ram Vaswani, and Dario Minieri. Vaswani seems most interested in getting some action going. He called a 250 raise in the big blind only to fold to a bet of 700 on a flop of Q104.

In the very next hand he called a raise of 400 along with three others including Helppi. A flop of 532 saw the Hendon Mobster bet out 700 while the mid-position raiser called and Helppi folded.

An A on the turn saw Vaswani check, the mod-positon player bet 2,000 and Vaswani call. The 3 on the river elicited a check and a check and vaswani shook his head as his opponent tabled A-K

He won the next pot with K-10 versus 9-8 on a board of Q32910  and if this kind of action keeps up we could be in for a roller coster ride on table 29.

Player Tags: Juha Helppi,   Ram Vaswani,   Dario Minieri,   Vicky Coren

Tournament in Focus: Day 1B Strongest Table

Apr 12, '08

Table 29 has emegred as the most intriguing of day 1B. The international stars seated there include Team PokerStars pro Dario Minieri, Hendon Mob member Ram Vaswani, and Finnish star Juha Helppi. We will bring you a series of hands from this stacked table throughout dat 1B until it breaks.

 

Player Tags: Juha Helppi,   Ram Vaswani,   Dario Minieri

Juha Helppi Eliminated by River Card

Apr 13, '08

Juha Helppi took a classic bad beat for his tournament life 20 minutes into level eight. His opponent called a 22,000 all-in bet pre-flop with K-Q while Helppi tabled J-J. The flop came 10108 and the turn an innocuous 7. All Helppi had to do was avoid the final three kings and queens in the deck to double up and be right back in the game but the river came K.

Helppi put his head in his hands, composed himself, stood up, shook his opponents hands and walked away with his head held high.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Player Tags: Juha Helppi

Neil Channing Doubles Up

Apr 13, '08

Irish Open champion Neil Channing flopped a set of fives againt an up and down straght draw and and the turn gave his opponent a flush draw also but Channing's hand was good and he scooped 15,000 chips and is now sitting on around 15,000.

"I think it was some young American guy who's like, too young to play in American but has done something on the internet," said Channing with a characteristic sardonic tone.

Some recent chip counts include:

• Jani Sointula 27,700
• Jon Friedberg 11,850
• Alex Kravchenko 8,150
• Juha Helppi 8,425
• Casey Castle 29,900
• Chad Brown 48,000
• Daniel Negreanu 19,800
• Marc Goodwin 11,875
• Dario Alioto 43,600
• Antonio Esfandiari 33,850
• Phillipe Rouas 30,000

 

Player Tags: Juha Helppi,   Chad Brown,   Daniel Negreanu,   Jon Friedberg,   Neil Channing,   Alexander Kravchenko,   Jani Sointula,   Marc Goodwin,   Dario Alioto,   Casey Castle

Tim Vance Doubles Up

Apr 13, '08

PokerStars.com EPT Copenhagen winner Tim Vance has doubled up with aces against jacks on a nine hig flop and is now sitting on 16,525 in chips. The American jumped from his seat and shouted 'yes' when an ace fell on the river.

Recent Irish Open winner Neil Channing is at his table and was bemoaning the fact he had been giving away so many of his trademake red shirts he had none left. Neil will be on the cover of the June issue of Card Player Poker + Sports which will hit the streets in mid-May. "I'd have worn a clean shirt if i'd have known," he joked.

Some chip counts of note from half the room not on dinner:

• Alex Kravchenko 7,650
• Victor Ramdin 6,300
• Arnaud Mattern 6,400
• Juha Helppi 10,625
• Surinder Sunar 16,950
• Neil Channing 16,825

Player Tags: Juha Helppi,   Surinder Sunar,   Neil Channing,   Alexander Kravchenko,   Tim Vance

The Corner of the Room

Apr 12, '08

While recent Irish Open winner Neil Channing chats to tournament directors, event organisers and PokerStars pro and former EPT London champ Vicky Coren in the corner of the room the table next door is beginning to see the chips start to circulate around the table.

Hardly surprising when you consider it hosts Juha Helppi, Ram Vaswani, and Dario Minieri. Vaswani seems most interested in getting some action going. He called a 250 raise in the big blind only to fold to a bet of 700 on a flop of Q104.

In the very next hand he called a raise of 400 along with three others including Helppi. A flop of 532 saw the Hendon Mobster bet out 700 while the mid-position raiser called and Helppi folded.

An A on the turn saw Vaswani check, the mod-positon player bet 2,000 and Vaswani call. The 3 on the river elicited a check and a check and vaswani shook his head as his opponent tabled A-K

He won the next pot with K-10 versus 9-8 on a board of Q32910  and if this kind of action keeps up we could be in for a roller coster ride on table 29.

Player Tags: Juha Helppi,   Ram Vaswani,   Dario Minieri,   Vicky Coren

Tournament in Focus: Day 1B Strongest Table

Apr 12, '08

Table 29 has emegred as the most intriguing of day 1B. The international stars seated there include Team PokerStars pro Dario Minieri, Hendon Mob member Ram Vaswani, and Finnish star Juha Helppi. We will bring you a series of hands from this stacked table throughout dat 1B until it breaks.

 

Player Tags: Juha Helppi,   Ram Vaswani,   Dario Minieri

Back From Dinner

Jul 01, '07

There are currently 144 players left.

The official numbers have been announced for this tournament.  There were 314 entrants generating a prize pool of $2,951,600.  The top 36 players will be paid with 36th place earning $22,137, and the 1st place finisher garnering $768,889, and earning the title of Pot-Limit Omaha World Champion.

One who won't be earning that title is Juha Helppi, who was eliminated recently.  After a raise to $2,800 and three callers including Todd Brunson, Helppi made a pot-sized raise, the original raiser re-potted to isolate, and the other players folded.   Helppi showed J8 7 5, while the original raiser showed 10 9 8 6.  The entire table, particularly Brunson was baffled by the plays made.  The board ran out K 10 3 A 9, and Helppi was eliminated.  Brunson congratulated the other player on his timely raise.

Phil Hellmuth has been encountering some strange play at his table as well.  Hellmuth has apparently flopped top two pair in the last several pots he has entered, and after he folds to re-raises, he has been encounteing many of the players were behind in the hands.  On one hand in particular Hellmuth bet out on a A 8 3 flop, Eric Froelich raised, Mickey Appleman made a pot-sized re-raise, Hellmuth folded (jumping out of his chair), and Froelich called.  Appleman showed K K 10 8 to Froelich's A 7 6 4.  The turn and river were the 6 and 9 earning Froelich the pot with a nut flush.

Player Tags: Juha Helppi,   Mickey Appleman,   Todd Brunson,   Phil Hellmuth,   Eric Froehlich