Chris Klodnicki - Live Updates

Final Table Update: Down to Heads Up

Jun 23, '09

Players Remaining: 2 out of 412

Chip Counts:

1. Jerrod Ankenman — 1,650,000
2. Sergey Altbregin — 720,000

Average Chip Count: 1,545,000

Notable Eliminations:

4. Jeff Tims – $67,848
3. Chris Klodnicki – $97,897

Elimination Hands:

Jeff Tims Eliminated in Fourth Place ($67,848)

NLHE

Chris Klodnicki raised to 30,000 from the button preflop and Jeff Tims reraised all in for 75,000. Klodnicki made the call and they flipped over their cards:

Tims: A5
Klodnicki: A6

Board: KQ749

Tims was eliminated in fourth place.

Chris Klodnicki Eliminated in Third Place ($97,897)

PLO

Chris Klodnicki raised to 30,000 from the button preflop and Jerrod Ankenman made the call from the small blind. The flop was dealt 943 and Ankenman checked. Klodnicki bet 72,000 and Ankenman reraised the pot, for 288,000 total. Klodnicki reraised all in for 375,000 and Ankenman called their cards:

Klodnicki: A963
Ankenman: AKK2

Turn and River: 105

Ankenman made a flush and Klodnicki was eliminated in third place.

Player Tags: Chris Klodnicki,   Jerrod Ankenman,   Jeff Tims

Final Table Update: Jon Turner Eliminated in Fifth Place

Jun 23, '09

Players Remaining: 4 out of 412

Chip Counts:

1. Jerrod Ankenman — 1,650,000
2. Sergey Altbregin — 720,000
3. Jeff Tims — 370,000
4. Chris Klodnicki — 240,000

Average Chip Count: 772,500

Notable Eliminations:

5. Jon Turner – $49,569

Elimination Hands:

Jon Turner Eliminated in Fifth Place ($49,569)

Limit Hold’em

Jerrod Ankenman raised under the gun enough to put Jon Turner all in and Turner made the call. Sergey Altbregin and Chris Klodnicki made the call as well.

The flop was dealt 987 and all three live players checked. The 8 fell on the turn and Altbregin checked, Klodnicki bet, and Ankeman called. Altbregin mucked and the river fell 6. Klodnicki and Ankenman checked.

Turner flipped over AJ, Ankenman revealed K9, and Klodnicki turned up 76. Ankenman won the hand to grow his chip lead and Turner was eliminated in fifth place.

Player Tags: Jon Turner,   Chris Klodnicki,   Jerrod Ankenman,   Sergey Altbregin

$10,000 Main Event - Phillips Jumps Ahead

Jul 14, '08

Players are now on a 20 minute break. Play will resume around 10:50 p.m.

Blinds/Antes: 80,000 / 160,000 / 20,000

Players Remaining: 11 of 6,844

Average Stack: 12,443,636

Chip Counts:
Dennis Phillips: 24,000,000
Ylon Schwartz: 14,600,000
David Rheem: 13,800,000
Peter Eastgate: 13,700,000
Scott Montgomery: 13,700,000
Dean Hamrick: 13,490,000
Joe Bishop: 12,000,000
Craig Marquis: 11,800,000
Ivan Demidov: 9,800,000
Darus Suharto: 8,700,000
Kelly Kim: 7,200,000

Recent Eliminations:
12th Place - Chris Klodnicki ($591,869)
13th Place - Nicholas Sliwinski ($463,202)

Big Hands and Storylines:

Phillips Ready To Gamble, Takes Chip Lead

Dennis Phillips bet 1.3 million on a flop of 842. Peter Eastgate thought it over and made the call. When the 10 fell on the river, Phillips moved his remaining 12 million all in. With such a huge pot on the long, Eastgate went into the tank for several minutes. He finally laid his hand down after Phillips had to call a clock on him, and Phillips added to his stack and approached 19 million after the hand, taking the chip lead.

Nicholas Sliwinski Runs Into Flopped Flush, Out in 13th Place ($463,202)

Dennis Phillips put in a raise to 460,000 preflop and Nicholas Sliwinski called out of the big blind. On a flop of 973, Sliwinski fired 500,000 and Phillips called. Sliwinski fired 1.2 million when the 6 fell on the turn and Phillips tanked for a bit before calling. The 9 fell on the river and Sliwinski shoved all in, prompting Phillips to make a quick call and show KQ for the flopped flush. Sliwinski showed 65 for two pair and was eliminated in 13th place. Phillips' stack grew to around 14 million after the hand.

No Royal Flush For Klodnicki, Gone in 12th Place ($591,869)

Scott Montgomery raised to 600,000 and Chris Klodnicki made the call from the big blind. On a flop of AQQ, Klodnicki checked and Montgomery fired out a bet of a cool million. Klodnicki check-raised all in and Montgomery quickly called. Montgomery had QJ for trip queens, but Klodnicki held J10 for a royal flush draw. Any diamond would put Klodnicki ahead, but the J fell on the turn, leaving him dead to the K for a royal flush. The 4 fell on the river and Klodnicki was knocked out in 12th place.

Hamrick Makes Top Pair, Takes Pot From Phillips

Both Dean Hamrick and Dennis Phillips checked a flop of 552. When the Q turn dropped, Hamrick checked to Phillips who bet 900,000. Hamrick thought briefly then made the call. Both players checked the 2 river and Hamrick showed KQ. Phillips mucked his hand and Hamrick took a small pot.

 

Player Tags: Dean Hamrick,   Chris Klodnicki,   Peter Eastgate,   Dennis Phillips,   Scott Montgomery,   Nicholas Sliwinski

$10,000 Main Event - Day 7 - Level 30 (Hr. 2)

Jul 14, '08

Players are on a 90-minute break. Play will resume at 8:25 p.m.

Blinds/Antes: 60,000-120,000-15,000

Players Remaining: 14 out of 6,844

Average Chip Stack: 9.78 million

Chip Counts:

Peter Eastgate - 18,600,000
Darus Suharto - 14,800,000
Scott Montgomery - 12,450,000
Joe Bishop - 11,800,000
David Rheem - 11,200,000
Ylon Schwartz - 10,500,000
Dean Hamrick - 10,190,000
Dennis Phillips - 10,180,000
Craig Marquis - 9,600,000
Kelly Kim - 6,800,000
Chris Klodnicki - 6,700,000
Nicholas Sliwinski - 5,900,000
Ivan Demidov - 5,400,000
Gert Andersen - 3,400,000

Eliminations:

15th place - Owen Crowe - $463,202
16th place - Tony Scherer - $334,535

Big Hands and Storylines:

Rheem Staves off Elimination

Joe Bishop raised to 450,000 under the gun and play was folded around to Chino Rheem in the big blind who made the call. After a flop of 852, Rheem checked, and Bishop bet 800,000. Rheem then made his move, announcing all-in for 4.4 million. Bishop agonized. The two had been in a previous battle when Bishop turned quad sixes against his rival. Bishop finally announced call, and Rheem shook his head. “You have sixes again?” Sure enough, Bishop held 66 for second pair. Rheem had made his push with just two overcards, the K9. The turn brought the 3 and Rheem was down to his final card. But the miracle K on the river kept him alive and moved him into the middle of the pack of the chip count. Bishop fell back to about 11 million.

Rheem had raked in a couple of smaller pots previously to build his shortstack. The first was after he raised to 325 preflop and was called by Kelly Kim. The flop came 1083, and Rheem bet 450,000. Kim again called. Both checked when the 5 made it a four-flush board, then the 9 hit the river. Rheem checked and Kelly bet 550,000. Rheem angrily threw in his chips to call, worried that his Q6 had been run over by the fourth diamond on the turn. But Kim mucked his hand.

A few hands later, Rheem called a raised to 325 from Craig Marquis, and Kim in the small blind also called. The flop came K73, Kim and Marquis checked, and Rheem bet 325,000. Kim called and after the 8 was turned, both players checked. The 7 on the river brought two more checks, and Rheem won the pot with K10.

Bishop gets aggressive

Just before dinner break, Joe Bishop made an interestingly large raise preflop to 670,000. He was called by Chris Klodnicki to his left and the two players saw a 553. Bishop bet 1.2 million, and then Klodnicki raised to 2.4 million. Bishop, who likes to talk at the table, did not like the min-raise and called it an "insult." He paced around the table and then finally decided to move all in. After a minute Klodnicki folded and Bishop turned over pocket nines. Bishop was up to 15 million after the hand, while Klodnicki was down to about four million.

As the Crowe Flies - Owen Crowe Eliminated in 15th Place ($463,202)

Ivan Demidov opened for 330,000 from under the gun. He was called by both Chino Rheem and Joe Bishop before Owen Crowe moved all in for 1.84 million. Only Demidov made the call. Crowe was all in for his tournament life holding 99 against Ivan Demidov's AQ. The flop was a suspenseful one, running out JJ10 to give Demidov a gutshot to go with his overcards. It was the overcards that made his hand when the Q fell on the turn. Crowe was unable to find an 8 or a king to improve on the river, which was the 2. Crowe went home in 15th place, earning $463,202 for his efforts. Demidov raked in the pot, moving up to 5,400,000.

Player Tags: Owen Crowe,   Chris Klodnicki,   Joe Bishop

$10,000 Main Event - Day 7 - Level 30

Jul 14, '08

Blinds/Antes: 60,000-120,000-15,000

Players Remaining: 15 out of 6,844

Average Chip Stack: 9.13 million

Chip Counts:
Peter Eastgate - 18,300,000
Joe Bishop - 17,100,000
Craig Marquis - 14,850,000
Darus Suharto - 13,800,000
Dennis Phillips - 13,775,000
Ylon Schwartz - 10,650,000
Scott Montgomery - 10,220,000
Dean Hamrick - 8,800,000
Kelly Kim - 7,340,000
Chris Klodnicki - 6,300,000
Ivan Demidov - 5,600,000
Gert Andersen - 4,040,000
Nicholas Sliwinski - 3,950,000
David Rheem - 3,800,000
Owen Crowe - 3,300,000
 

Eliminations:

16th place - Anthony Scherer - $334,535
17th place - Tiffany Michelle - $334,535

Big Hands and Storylines:

David 'Chino' Rheem doubles up to three million

Rheem raised to 325,000 from the cutoff and Chris Klodnicki reraised to 750,000 from the small blind. Owen Crowe then took a minute to think in the big blind, prompting Rheem to ask, "How big of a hand do you have?" But he then folded and it was Rheem's turn to act. He quickly stood up and said, "I don't know what I'm supposed to do here." But he then moved all in for just 350,000 more and Klodnicki called.

Rheem: A-Q
Klodnicki: 6-6

Board: Q-8-4-2-5

Rheem doubled to over three million, and while that's still one-third of the average stack, it's still 25 big blinds.

Tiffany Michelle Eliminated in 17th Place ($334,535)

Dennis Phillips raised to 500,000 from under the gun, and was called by both Peter Eastgate and Tiffany Michelle, who sat in the big blind. Michelle checked the flop, which came A109. Phillips continued firing, throwing in a bet of 1 million. Eastgate made the call, and Michelle moved all in for 3.8 million. The bet was enough to push out Phillips, but not Eastgate, who called instantly and showed AA. Michelle was in trouble holding only AJ, looking for a runner runner miracle in the last two cards. But the turn brought the 5 and left Michelle drawing dead to the river, which brought the 6. Michelle bowed out in 17th place, giving her one of the deepest Main Event finishes by a female player. Although she outlasted a larger field, she will sit behind Barbara Enright's 5th place finish in 1995, Annie Duke's 10th place finish in 2000, and Tiffany Williamson's 15th place finish in 2005.

Peter Eastgate has been involved in 5 of the last 6 hands, always opening for a preflop raise between 300,000 and 350,000. However, he has not been seeing many flops, either taking down the blinds and antes or folding to re-shoves.

One exception was the following hand: Eastgate opened with a raise to 350,000, and Scott Montgomery reraised to 900,000. Eastgate made the call, check-calling Montgomery's bet of 1.4 million on the flop of Q92. Both players checked the turn, the 10, and the river, the 10, and Eastgate's JJ was good enough to drag in another multimillion pot.

Anthony Scherer Eliminated in 16th Place ($334,535)

Another exception was when he eliminated Tony Scherer. Tony Scherer open raised all in for 1.545 million. He was called by Peter Eastgate, who held the lead with KhKc. Scherer trailed with the A8, and was looking for aces and black cards going to the flop, which came 992c\. It was announced that Scherer was dead to an ace or running clubs, although a railbird added that Scherer could also win the hand with running nines. None of these things came on the turn, however, which brought instead the 5, leaving Scherer with only three outs. The river brought the 5 and the end of Scherer's tournament run in 16th place. Eastgate overtook Joe Bishop's chip lead, moving up to 18,300,000.

Player Tags: Chris Klodnicki

$10,000 Main Event - Day 7 - Level 29

Jul 14, '08

Blinds/Antes: 50,000-100,000-10,000

Players Remaining: 23 out of 6,844

Average Chip Stack: 5.95 million

Eliminations: Paul Snead (21st).

Big Hands and Storylines:

Cantu Can't Do Wrong

Peter Eastgate raised to 275,000, and was called only by Brandon Cantu in the small blind. Cantu checked the flop of 1052, but called Eastgate's continuation bet of 400,000. Both players checked the turn, the 10. The river double paired the board with the 5, and once again both players checked. Cantu turned over AQ, and his ace kicker was big enough to take down the healthy little pot.

...Or Can't He?

Kelly Kim raised to 275,000 before the flop. Brandon Cantu then reraised to 950,000, only to have Dean Hamrick move all in for 1,465,000. After some time in the tank, Cantu made the call and turned over...105. The one time chip leader needed a lot of help to improve against Hamrick's AA. He got a little bit of assistance on the flop, which ran 875, but was shot down to two outs when the turn brought the 8. There was no five on the river for Cantu, who started counting down Hamrick's double up as the dealer placed the 10 on the felt a little too late. Cantu was left with the smallest stack in the tournament after the hand with only 2.4 million.

Ivan To Win

Chris Klodnicki raised it to 200,000 from under the gun. Ivan Demidov called the minimum raise from the big blind, checking the flop of Q62. Klodnicki made a continuation bet for 350, which Ivan called, but gave up in the hand after that point, checking behind on both the turn 8 and the river 2. Demidov turned over 63, and happily raked in the small pot.

Chop It Up

Peter Eastgate raised to 300,000, and was called only by Kelly Kim in the blind. Both players checked the flop of 942, but Kim led out at the turn, the 5, for 400,000. Eastgate made the call, and both players checked the river when the 6 fell, completing a possible flush. Neither player had the flush, however, instead showing A9 and A9 and splitting the pot.

Suharto Eliminates Cristian

Jason Riesenberg raised to 300,000, Darus Suharto made the call one from the cut-off, then Judet Toni Cristian reraised to 1 million total from the cut-off. Riesenberg folded, then Suharto announced all-in. He had Cristian covered, but the Romanian made the call and showed JJ. Suharto revealed the KK. The flop came Q109, which meant each player held the other’s outs for any possible straight. The 5 on the turn and 5 on the river completed the board however, and Suharto eliminated Cristian in 22nd place.

Cristian had earlier gained valuable chips. He attempted to raise from early position, but was called for a string bet as he didn’t announce “raise” in time. That allowed Nicholas Sliwinski to limp into the pot as well, but when play came to Albert Kim in the small blind, he decided to throw in a raise himself, to 675,000. Jason Riesenberg folded from the big blind, and then Cristian, given a second opportunity, announced raise and moved all-in for 2.5 million. Kim made the call and showed 99, but he trailed the AA of Cristian. The board finished QJ1043 and Cristian doubled up.

Riesenberg Lays Down Aces

Jason Riesenberg raised to 275,000 preflop and drew two callers, David Rheem on the button and Dennis Phillips in the small blind. The flop came KQ10, Phillips and Riesenberg checked, and Rheem bet 400,000. Phillips then check-raised to 1.4 million and Riesenberg and Rheem both folded. Riesenberg showed AA as he tossed his cards into the muck.

Player Tags: Kelly Kim,   Chris Klodnicki,   Brandon Cantu,   Darus Suharto,   Peter Eastgate,   Jason Riesenberg,   Ivan Demidov

$10,000 Main Event - Day 6 - Level 26 (Hour 2)

Jul 13, '08

Players are on a 90-minute dinner break. Play will resume at 8:45 p.m.

Blinds/Antes: 25,000-50,000-5,000

Players Remaining: 35 out of 6,844

Average Chip Stack: 3.9 milion

Chip Counts:

Brandon Cantu - 10,800,000
Albert Kim - 9,400,000
Kelly Kim - 8,700,000
Gert Andersen - 8,700,000
Tiffany Michelle - 6,800,000
David Rheem - 6,700,000
Craig Marquis - 6,000,000
Dennis Phillips - 6,000,000
Antoanell Judet - 5,900,000
Peter Eastgate - 5,800,000

Eliminations:

36th place - Peter Neff - $193,000
37th place - Andrew Rosskamm - $154,400
38th place - Felix Osterland - $154,400
39th place - Craig Stein - $154,400
40th place - Mauro Lupo - $154,400
41st place - Kido Pham - $154,400

Big Hands and Storylines:

Cantu -- chipleader going into break -- takes big pot off Rheem

Mike Matusow raised to 150,000 from early position and was called by four players, including Brandon Cantu and David Rheem. The flop was 653 and when it checked around to Cantu he bet 400,000. Rheem was the only caller, and then both players checked when the 6 came on the turn. The 2 came on the river and Cantu bet 600,000. Rheem took about five minutes to think it over before ultimately calling. Cantu flipped over pocket fours for a straight and took down the pot of over 2.75 million. Cantu now has close to 11 million chips.

Sliwinski Semi-Bluffs Schafer

Clint Schafer raised to three times the big blind from early position and was called by a single player – Nick Sliwinski in the cutoff. The flop was 1075 and Schafer fired out a continuation bet of 225,000. Sliwinski called. The turn was the 3 and Schafer bet 600,000. Sliwinski moved all in for 2.7 million and Schafer went into the tank. After four or five minutes of thought, Schafer folded his hand.

Sliwinski’s friends on the rail exploded in celebration. Sliwinski asked Schafer if he wanted to see his hand and after an affirmative response, he showed A5. Schafer angrily slammed the table, knocking his chair over in the process.

The hand brought Sliwinski up to 4.5 million and knocked Schafer down to around a million.

Andrew Rosskamm Eliminated by Kelly Kim

Kelly Kim raised to 150,000 from the hijack and was promptly re-raised from the small blind by Andrew Rosskam. Kim did not take too long in calling the additional 300,000 and the two saw a flop. The board was incredibly coordinated – J109 – but that did not stop Rosskamm from moving all-in for his last 1.8 million. Kim snap-called and showed AQ for the flopped nut flush. Rosskamm had only AJ, but was given a chance for a massive draw-out when the turn came the 9. The river, however, was the 6 and Rosskamm was eliminated.

That pot vaulted Kelly Kim up to an impressive 8 million.

Chino Rheem and Mike Matusow Talk, Mix it Up

After Chino Rheem and Mike Matusow stepped away from the table for what some tablemates called a “coaching session,” Matusow raised to 150,000 from the hijack seat in the first hand upon his return. The small blind made the call, as did Rheem from the big blind. The flop came 952, and all players checked. The turn brought the 4, and again the small blind checked. Rheem fired a bet of 225,000 into the pot, and Matusow threw his hand into the muck. The small blind folded as well, and Rheem took the pot.

Tiffany Michelle Fleeces Christian Dragomir to the Tune of 1.3 Million

On a flop of A83, Christian Dragomir checked to Tiffany Michelle, who made a bet of 150,000. Dragomir made the call and checked when the 6 fell on the turn. Michelle gathered some chips and pushed in a bet of 500,000. After some brief deliberation, Dragomir again made the call. The river was the 9, and for the final time Dragomir checked. Michelle threw in a bet of 600,000, and Dragomir matched the bet. Michelle turned over 33 for bottom set, and Dragomir mucked his cards. The hit to Dragomir’s stack left him with less than 1.5 million in chips.

Klodnicki Calls Down Montgomery

Chris Klodnicki raised from early position to 150,000 and play was folded to Scott Montgomery who made the call from the big blind. The flop came down K76, and both players checked. The board paired with the 7 on the turn, and after Montgomery checked, Klodnicki bet 200,000. Montgomery called. The 3 was the river card, and Montgomery again checked, with Klodnicki then betting out 300,000. Montgomery then put in a check-raise to 1,000,000, and Klodnicki tanked. Uncertain what to put Montgomery on, Klodnicki appeared on the verge of folding, but in the end he opted to call, and it proved to be the right move. Montgomery announced “you’re good” and Klodnicki turned over 1010. Montgomery mucked his hand.

Player Tags: Mike Matusow,   Chris Klodnicki,   Brandon Cantu,   Scott Montgomery,   Cristian Dragomir

$10,000 Main Event - Day 6 - Level 25 (Hour 1)

Jul 13, '08

Blinds/Antes: 20,000-40,000-5,000

Players Remaining: 50 of 6,844

Eliminations:

51st place - Alfredo Fernandez - $135,100
52nd place - Mark Ketteringham - $135,100
53rd place - Alan Gould - $135,100
54th place - Alex Caiaffa - $135,100
55th place - Rafael Caiaffa - $115,800
56th place - Eric Bamer - $115,800

Big Hands and Storylines:

Alfredo Fernandez Eliminated by Mike Matusow

Mike Matusow made the standard table raise to 110,000 from second position. Alfredo Fernandez, on Matusow’s left, wasted no time before moving all-in for 600,000. Action folded back around to Matusow who made a pretty swift call with AQ. His call was dead-on; Fernandez turned up J10. The board rolled out K664A and Fernandez was eliminated. The nice addition to his stack brings Matusow up to 3.3 million.

A Moment With Matusow

After the aforementioned hand, Matusow let the table know how good he was playing, and how luck was on his side. Some snippets from his peroration:

“...I just know it...”
“...I can feel it...”
“...the neutrons and the electrons...”
“...the power of positive thinking, you can’t beat it!”

Up-and-down hour for Michelle

Early in the level Tiffany Michelle raised and then called a reraise by Ivan Demidov on the button. After a flop of A43 both players checked. The turn was the 4 and Michelle bet 500,000. Demidov called and the river was the 7. Michelle bet 800,000 and after a couple minutes Demidov raised to 2.2 million. It was now her turn to tank, and after two minutes she folded. Demidov now has 6.5 million chips, while Michelle has 3.15.

Later in the level Michelle limped in from under the gun and was one of three players to see the flop come 977 and Michelle called a bet of 75,000 by Chrstian Dragomir. The turn was the 4 and Dragomir bet 100,000. Tiffany raised to 200,000 and then Dragomir reraised to 400,000. Tiffany then moved all in, forcing Dragomir to fold. Michelle is now up to about four million, while Dragomir has over two million.

Pham-boozled

More from Tiffany Michelle...

Tiffany Michelle raised to 120,000 from under the gun. Kido Pham, to her left, made it 300,000, and Michelle made the call. The flop was 1032 and Michelle led out for a hefty 750,000. Pham considered his options for a moment, but decided to fold. The pot brings Michelle up to 4 million and drops Pham down to under 2 million.

Gould Leaves with the Ladies

Joe Bishop raised to 125,000 preflop, and was only to happy to step out of the way. Alan Gould in the next seat reraised him to 400,000, and then halfway down the table Albert Kim announced another raise, this to 1.1 million. Bishop folded, and Gould then announced all-in for his remaining 1.6 million in chips. Kim instantly called and showed AA, while Gould was drawing slim with QQ. The flop came 863 to give Gould a chance at a running flush, though that disappeared with the 6 on the river. Needing to catch a queen on the end, Kim took down the pot and eliminated his opponent when the 10 completed the board. Kim improved to 7.8 million in chips with the hand.

Yet Kim donated much of that recent gain back just a few hands later. He raised to 105,000 preflop, then was reraised to 425,000 by Bishop. Kim called, and the flop came 1064. Bishop stepped out for 550,000, and Kim made the call. The K was the turn card, and Bishop then announced all-in. Kim was visibly frustrated, noting he had just got the chips and didn’t want to spill them back. He eventually mucked, stating he had queens, then pleaded for Bishop to “show the bluff”. Bishop hesitated, briefly flashing his cards before mucking. The table then insisted the dealer show the cards, and they were proven to be the A10.

Outhred Outted

Alex Outhred had been able to survive with his shortstack thanks to timely all-in shoves that discouraged any callers. But he finally ran out of steam when in the small blind, he woke with AK. Chris Klodnicki had raised from the button to 110,000 and Outhred then went all-in for 495,000. Klodnicki called and showed 99. The doorcard to the flop was the K to give Outhred short-lived life, as behind it lay the 9 to give Klodnicki the set. The 3 and 8 completed the board and Outhred was ousted in 54th place.
 

Player Tags: Alex Outhred,   Chris Klodnicki,   Tiffany Michelle,   Albert Kim,   Alan Gould,   Ivan Demidov,   Cristian Dragomir,   Joe Bishop

$10,000 Main Event - Day 5 - Level 22 (Hour 1)

Jul 12, '08

Blinds/Antes: 10,000-20,000-3,000

Players Remaining: 103 out of 6,844

Average Chip Stack: 1,291,000

Chip Counts:

Recent Eliminations:
Allen Cunningham (116th place)
Kellen Hunter (115th place)
Adam York (114th place)
Steve Pestal (113th place)
Jeff Madsen (112th place)
Robert Fuller (111th place)
Reggie Lyons (110th place)
Greg Debora (109th place)
Nghia Le (108th place)
Nathan Hays (107th place)
Sylvain Coeur (106th place)
Shawn Sheikhan (105th place)
Kara Scott (104th place)

Big Hands and Storylines:

Adam York Eliminated by Mark Vos

Mark Vos raised from middle position and action folded around to Adam York who moved all in for about 310,000. Vos made the call and the two turned up their hands:

York: AK
Vos: 77

Vos seemed unconcerned as the dealer slapped down the burn card. He walked over to the rail and started conversing with a buddy, turning just in time to see the dealer lay out QQ2. “He’s still alive,” said Vos to his friend, referencing a hand in which York drew out on his opponent, “the river is his card.” The turn was the 6, and the river was the 9. This time the river was Vos’s card, and that pot vaulted him up to about 2.2 million.

Kostritsyn’s Back on the Up

Reagan Silber raised to 50,000 from the cutoff and was called by young Alexander Kostritsyn in the small blind. Kostritsyn checked the Q33 flop and Silber led out for 75,000. Quickly, Kostritsyn slid in a large column of orange chips, making it 125,000 to go. The raise was quickly called by Silber. The turn was the A and Kostritsyn fired a bet of 200,000 which was again quickly called. The river was the J and Kostritsyn slid in a stack of chips in no distinguishable order: some green, some orange, some gold. When asked how much, the dealer counted down the stack: 320,000. Silber considered his decision for a minute as the wall of reporters around the table grew deeper. Silber made the call and Kostritsyn showed K8 for the flush. Silber flashed Q-10 and unhappily mucked his hand. That hand brings Kostritsyn up to about 1.8 million.

Kostritsyn Takes Another Hit

On a flop of A93, Alexander Kostritsyn faced a bet of 150,000 from an opponent into an already large pot. Kostritsyn raised to a total of 350,000, and the remaining player folded his hand. The initial bettor went into the tank momentarily before electing to call the bet. The turn brought the J, and the player checked. Kostritsyn quickly checked behind, and the river came 6. Again both players checked, and Kostritsyn mucked when his opponent turned over AQ for top pair.

Cunningham knocked out

Allen Cunningham, down to just 255,000 chips, moved all in from late position and was called by Tim Loecke in the small blind. Cunningham held QJ, while Loecke held pocket aces. The board came 7-6-3-8-8, and the fourth-place finisher in 2006 was drawing dead by the turn.

Caiaffa Flushes Out Hunter

Kellen Hunter was in late position and raised to 45,000, which Rafael Caiaffa in the small blind and Larry Wright in the big blind both called. The flop came down 872, and Caiaffa led at the pot with a 105,000 bet. Wright made the call from the big blind, then Hunter moved all-in for 307,000. Caiaffa made the call and Wright mucked his hand. Hunter held QQ and was in the lead, but needed to dodge a club as Caiaffa held QJ. Hunter didn’t dodge well enough as the 3 fell on the turn and he was drawing dead at that point. The 3 on the river made it official and Hunter was eliminated.

Benefield Collects Nice Pot

David Benefield was in the cut-off and raised to 55,000, which was enough to lure both Paul Snead and Chris Klodnicki into the pot from the blinds. The flop came 653, and when Snead checked, Klodnicki stabbed at the pot with a 100,000 bet. Benefield called while Snead folded. The Q came on the turn and Klodnicki checked his option, before calling a 175,000 bet from Benefield. The action, and the 10 on the river, was enough to slow both players who checked at the end. Benefield announced a pair of sixes and showed 86, which was enough to take down the pot.

Whoops for Osterland

Robert Hwang was under the gun and raised to 53,000. Play was folded to Felix Osterland on the button, who announced raise and then put out 60,000, unaware that Hwang had already raised. The floor was called and Osterland was forced to make the minimum raise, which resulted in 86,000 being put forward. Hwang used the opportunity to reraise to 280,000, and Osterland was forced to muck his hand.

Wilds Survives All-In

Mark Wilds was all-in for 199,000 while holding KQ on a flop of 1085. He was called by Tri Nguyen who held 76 for the open-ended straight draw. The 3 on the turn didn’t help, and the Q on the river gave Wilds the insurance he needed as he doubled up.
 

 

Player Tags: Allen Cunningham,   Paul Snead,   Robert Hwang,   Chris Klodnicki,   David Benefield,   Keller Hunter,   Alexander Kostritsyn,   Felix Osterland,   Rafael Caiaffa

$10,000 Main Event - Phillips Jumps Ahead

Jul 14, '08

Players are now on a 20 minute break. Play will resume around 10:50 p.m.

Blinds/Antes: 80,000 / 160,000 / 20,000

Players Remaining: 11 of 6,844

Average Stack: 12,443,636

Chip Counts:
Dennis Phillips: 24,000,000
Ylon Schwartz: 14,600,000
David Rheem: 13,800,000
Peter Eastgate: 13,700,000
Scott Montgomery: 13,700,000
Dean Hamrick: 13,490,000
Joe Bishop: 12,000,000
Craig Marquis: 11,800,000
Ivan Demidov: 9,800,000
Darus Suharto: 8,700,000
Kelly Kim: 7,200,000

Recent Eliminations:
12th Place - Chris Klodnicki ($591,869)
13th Place - Nicholas Sliwinski ($463,202)

Big Hands and Storylines:

Phillips Ready To Gamble, Takes Chip Lead

Dennis Phillips bet 1.3 million on a flop of 842. Peter Eastgate thought it over and made the call. When the 10 fell on the river, Phillips moved his remaining 12 million all in. With such a huge pot on the long, Eastgate went into the tank for several minutes. He finally laid his hand down after Phillips had to call a clock on him, and Phillips added to his stack and approached 19 million after the hand, taking the chip lead.

Nicholas Sliwinski Runs Into Flopped Flush, Out in 13th Place ($463,202)

Dennis Phillips put in a raise to 460,000 preflop and Nicholas Sliwinski called out of the big blind. On a flop of 973, Sliwinski fired 500,000 and Phillips called. Sliwinski fired 1.2 million when the 6 fell on the turn and Phillips tanked for a bit before calling. The 9 fell on the river and Sliwinski shoved all in, prompting Phillips to make a quick call and show KQ for the flopped flush. Sliwinski showed 65 for two pair and was eliminated in 13th place. Phillips' stack grew to around 14 million after the hand.

No Royal Flush For Klodnicki, Gone in 12th Place ($591,869)

Scott Montgomery raised to 600,000 and Chris Klodnicki made the call from the big blind. On a flop of AQQ, Klodnicki checked and Montgomery fired out a bet of a cool million. Klodnicki check-raised all in and Montgomery quickly called. Montgomery had QJ for trip queens, but Klodnicki held J10 for a royal flush draw. Any diamond would put Klodnicki ahead, but the J fell on the turn, leaving him dead to the K for a royal flush. The 4 fell on the river and Klodnicki was knocked out in 12th place.

Hamrick Makes Top Pair, Takes Pot From Phillips

Both Dean Hamrick and Dennis Phillips checked a flop of 552. When the Q turn dropped, Hamrick checked to Phillips who bet 900,000. Hamrick thought briefly then made the call. Both players checked the 2 river and Hamrick showed KQ. Phillips mucked his hand and Hamrick took a small pot.

 

Player Tags: Dean Hamrick,   Chris Klodnicki,   Peter Eastgate,   Dennis Phillips,   Scott Montgomery,   Nicholas Sliwinski

$10,000 Main Event - Day 7 - Level 30 (Hr. 2)

Jul 14, '08

Players are on a 90-minute break. Play will resume at 8:25 p.m.

Blinds/Antes: 60,000-120,000-15,000

Players Remaining: 14 out of 6,844

Average Chip Stack: 9.78 million

Chip Counts:

Peter Eastgate - 18,600,000
Darus Suharto - 14,800,000
Scott Montgomery - 12,450,000
Joe Bishop - 11,800,000
David Rheem - 11,200,000
Ylon Schwartz - 10,500,000
Dean Hamrick - 10,190,000
Dennis Phillips - 10,180,000
Craig Marquis - 9,600,000
Kelly Kim - 6,800,000
Chris Klodnicki - 6,700,000
Nicholas Sliwinski - 5,900,000
Ivan Demidov - 5,400,000
Gert Andersen - 3,400,000

Eliminations:

15th place - Owen Crowe - $463,202
16th place - Tony Scherer - $334,535

Big Hands and Storylines:

Rheem Staves off Elimination

Joe Bishop raised to 450,000 under the gun and play was folded around to Chino Rheem in the big blind who made the call. After a flop of 852, Rheem checked, and Bishop bet 800,000. Rheem then made his move, announcing all-in for 4.4 million. Bishop agonized. The two had been in a previous battle when Bishop turned quad sixes against his rival. Bishop finally announced call, and Rheem shook his head. “You have sixes again?” Sure enough, Bishop held 66 for second pair. Rheem had made his push with just two overcards, the K9. The turn brought the 3 and Rheem was down to his final card. But the miracle K on the river kept him alive and moved him into the middle of the pack of the chip count. Bishop fell back to about 11 million.

Rheem had raked in a couple of smaller pots previously to build his shortstack. The first was after he raised to 325 preflop and was called by Kelly Kim. The flop came 1083, and Rheem bet 450,000. Kim again called. Both checked when the 5 made it a four-flush board, then the 9 hit the river. Rheem checked and Kelly bet 550,000. Rheem angrily threw in his chips to call, worried that his Q6 had been run over by the fourth diamond on the turn. But Kim mucked his hand.

A few hands later, Rheem called a raised to 325 from Craig Marquis, and Kim in the small blind also called. The flop came K73, Kim and Marquis checked, and Rheem bet 325,000. Kim called and after the 8 was turned, both players checked. The 7 on the river brought two more checks, and Rheem won the pot with K10.

Bishop gets aggressive

Just before dinner break, Joe Bishop made an interestingly large raise preflop to 670,000. He was called by Chris Klodnicki to his left and the two players saw a 553. Bishop bet 1.2 million, and then Klodnicki raised to 2.4 million. Bishop, who likes to talk at the table, did not like the min-raise and called it an "insult." He paced around the table and then finally decided to move all in. After a minute Klodnicki folded and Bishop turned over pocket nines. Bishop was up to 15 million after the hand, while Klodnicki was down to about four million.

As the Crowe Flies - Owen Crowe Eliminated in 15th Place ($463,202)

Ivan Demidov opened for 330,000 from under the gun. He was called by both Chino Rheem and Joe Bishop before Owen Crowe moved all in for 1.84 million. Only Demidov made the call. Crowe was all in for his tournament life holding 99 against Ivan Demidov's AQ. The flop was a suspenseful one, running out JJ10 to give Demidov a gutshot to go with his overcards. It was the overcards that made his hand when the Q fell on the turn. Crowe was unable to find an 8 or a king to improve on the river, which was the 2. Crowe went home in 15th place, earning $463,202 for his efforts. Demidov raked in the pot, moving up to 5,400,000.

Player Tags: Owen Crowe,   Chris Klodnicki,   Joe Bishop

$10,000 Main Event - Day 7 - Level 30

Jul 14, '08

Blinds/Antes: 60,000-120,000-15,000

Players Remaining: 15 out of 6,844

Average Chip Stack: 9.13 million

Chip Counts:
Peter Eastgate - 18,300,000
Joe Bishop - 17,100,000
Craig Marquis - 14,850,000
Darus Suharto - 13,800,000
Dennis Phillips - 13,775,000
Ylon Schwartz - 10,650,000
Scott Montgomery - 10,220,000
Dean Hamrick - 8,800,000
Kelly Kim - 7,340,000
Chris Klodnicki - 6,300,000
Ivan Demidov - 5,600,000
Gert Andersen - 4,040,000
Nicholas Sliwinski - 3,950,000
David Rheem - 3,800,000
Owen Crowe - 3,300,000
 

Eliminations:

16th place - Anthony Scherer - $334,535
17th place - Tiffany Michelle - $334,535

Big Hands and Storylines:

David 'Chino' Rheem doubles up to three million

Rheem raised to 325,000 from the cutoff and Chris Klodnicki reraised to 750,000 from the small blind. Owen Crowe then took a minute to think in the big blind, prompting Rheem to ask, "How big of a hand do you have?" But he then folded and it was Rheem's turn to act. He quickly stood up and said, "I don't know what I'm supposed to do here." But he then moved all in for just 350,000 more and Klodnicki called.

Rheem: A-Q
Klodnicki: 6-6

Board: Q-8-4-2-5

Rheem doubled to over three million, and while that's still one-third of the average stack, it's still 25 big blinds.

Tiffany Michelle Eliminated in 17th Place ($334,535)

Dennis Phillips raised to 500,000 from under the gun, and was called by both Peter Eastgate and Tiffany Michelle, who sat in the big blind. Michelle checked the flop, which came A109. Phillips continued firing, throwing in a bet of 1 million. Eastgate made the call, and Michelle moved all in for 3.8 million. The bet was enough to push out Phillips, but not Eastgate, who called instantly and showed AA. Michelle was in trouble holding only AJ, looking for a runner runner miracle in the last two cards. But the turn brought the 5 and left Michelle drawing dead to the river, which brought the 6. Michelle bowed out in 17th place, giving her one of the deepest Main Event finishes by a female player. Although she outlasted a larger field, she will sit behind Barbara Enright's 5th place finish in 1995, Annie Duke's 10th place finish in 2000, and Tiffany Williamson's 15th place finish in 2005.

Peter Eastgate has been involved in 5 of the last 6 hands, always opening for a preflop raise between 300,000 and 350,000. However, he has not been seeing many flops, either taking down the blinds and antes or folding to re-shoves.

One exception was the following hand: Eastgate opened with a raise to 350,000, and Scott Montgomery reraised to 900,000. Eastgate made the call, check-calling Montgomery's bet of 1.4 million on the flop of Q92. Both players checked the turn, the 10, and the river, the 10, and Eastgate's JJ was good enough to drag in another multimillion pot.

Anthony Scherer Eliminated in 16th Place ($334,535)

Another exception was when he eliminated Tony Scherer. Tony Scherer open raised all in for 1.545 million. He was called by Peter Eastgate, who held the lead with KhKc. Scherer trailed with the A8, and was looking for aces and black cards going to the flop, which came 992c\. It was announced that Scherer was dead to an ace or running clubs, although a railbird added that Scherer could also win the hand with running nines. None of these things came on the turn, however, which brought instead the 5, leaving Scherer with only three outs. The river brought the 5 and the end of Scherer's tournament run in 16th place. Eastgate overtook Joe Bishop's chip lead, moving up to 18,300,000.

Player Tags: Chris Klodnicki

$10,000 Main Event - Day 7 - Level 29

Jul 14, '08

Blinds/Antes: 50,000-100,000-10,000

Players Remaining: 23 out of 6,844

Average Chip Stack: 5.95 million

Eliminations: Paul Snead (21st).

Big Hands and Storylines:

Cantu Can't Do Wrong

Peter Eastgate raised to 275,000, and was called only by Brandon Cantu in the small blind. Cantu checked the flop of 1052, but called Eastgate's continuation bet of 400,000. Both players checked the turn, the 10. The river double paired the board with the 5, and once again both players checked. Cantu turned over AQ, and his ace kicker was big enough to take down the healthy little pot.

...Or Can't He?

Kelly Kim raised to 275,000 before the flop. Brandon Cantu then reraised to 950,000, only to have Dean Hamrick move all in for 1,465,000. After some time in the tank, Cantu made the call and turned over...105. The one time chip leader needed a lot of help to improve against Hamrick's AA. He got a little bit of assistance on the flop, which ran 875, but was shot down to two outs when the turn brought the 8. There was no five on the river for Cantu, who started counting down Hamrick's double up as the dealer placed the 10 on the felt a little too late. Cantu was left with the smallest stack in the tournament after the hand with only 2.4 million.

Ivan To Win

Chris Klodnicki raised it to 200,000 from under the gun. Ivan Demidov called the minimum raise from the big blind, checking the flop of Q62. Klodnicki made a continuation bet for 350, which Ivan called, but gave up in the hand after that point, checking behind on both the turn 8 and the river 2. Demidov turned over 63, and happily raked in the small pot.

Chop It Up

Peter Eastgate raised to 300,000, and was called only by Kelly Kim in the blind. Both players checked the flop of 942, but Kim led out at the turn, the 5, for 400,000. Eastgate made the call, and both players checked the river when the 6 fell, completing a possible flush. Neither player had the flush, however, instead showing A9 and A9 and splitting the pot.

Suharto Eliminates Cristian

Jason Riesenberg raised to 300,000, Darus Suharto made the call one from the cut-off, then Judet Toni Cristian reraised to 1 million total from the cut-off. Riesenberg folded, then Suharto announced all-in. He had Cristian covered, but the Romanian made the call and showed JJ. Suharto revealed the KK. The flop came Q109, which meant each player held the other’s outs for any possible straight. The 5 on the turn and 5 on the river completed the board however, and Suharto eliminated Cristian in 22nd place.

Cristian had earlier gained valuable chips. He attempted to raise from early position, but was called for a string bet as he didn’t announce “raise” in time. That allowed Nicholas Sliwinski to limp into the pot as well, but when play came to Albert Kim in the small blind, he decided to throw in a raise himself, to 675,000. Jason Riesenberg folded from the big blind, and then Cristian, given a second opportunity, announced raise and moved all-in for 2.5 million. Kim made the call and showed 99, but he trailed the AA of Cristian. The board finished QJ1043 and Cristian doubled up.

Riesenberg Lays Down Aces

Jason Riesenberg raised to 275,000 preflop and drew two callers, David Rheem on the button and Dennis Phillips in the small blind. The flop came KQ10, Phillips and Riesenberg checked, and Rheem bet 400,000. Phillips then check-raised to 1.4 million and Riesenberg and Rheem both folded. Riesenberg showed AA as he tossed his cards into the muck.

Player Tags: Kelly Kim,   Chris Klodnicki,   Brandon Cantu,   Darus Suharto,   Peter Eastgate,   Jason Riesenberg,   Ivan Demidov

$10,000 Main Event - Day 6 - Level 26 (Hour 2)

Jul 13, '08

Players are on a 90-minute dinner break. Play will resume at 8:45 p.m.

Blinds/Antes: 25,000-50,000-5,000

Players Remaining: 35 out of 6,844

Average Chip Stack: 3.9 milion

Chip Counts:

Brandon Cantu - 10,800,000
Albert Kim - 9,400,000
Kelly Kim - 8,700,000
Gert Andersen - 8,700,000
Tiffany Michelle - 6,800,000
David Rheem - 6,700,000
Craig Marquis - 6,000,000
Dennis Phillips - 6,000,000
Antoanell Judet - 5,900,000
Peter Eastgate - 5,800,000

Eliminations:

36th place - Peter Neff - $193,000
37th place - Andrew Rosskamm - $154,400
38th place - Felix Osterland - $154,400
39th place - Craig Stein - $154,400
40th place - Mauro Lupo - $154,400
41st place - Kido Pham - $154,400

Big Hands and Storylines:

Cantu -- chipleader going into break -- takes big pot off Rheem

Mike Matusow raised to 150,000 from early position and was called by four players, including Brandon Cantu and David Rheem. The flop was 653 and when it checked around to Cantu he bet 400,000. Rheem was the only caller, and then both players checked when the 6 came on the turn. The 2 came on the river and Cantu bet 600,000. Rheem took about five minutes to think it over before ultimately calling. Cantu flipped over pocket fours for a straight and took down the pot of over 2.75 million. Cantu now has close to 11 million chips.

Sliwinski Semi-Bluffs Schafer

Clint Schafer raised to three times the big blind from early position and was called by a single player – Nick Sliwinski in the cutoff. The flop was 1075 and Schafer fired out a continuation bet of 225,000. Sliwinski called. The turn was the 3 and Schafer bet 600,000. Sliwinski moved all in for 2.7 million and Schafer went into the tank. After four or five minutes of thought, Schafer folded his hand.

Sliwinski’s friends on the rail exploded in celebration. Sliwinski asked Schafer if he wanted to see his hand and after an affirmative response, he showed A5. Schafer angrily slammed the table, knocking his chair over in the process.

The hand brought Sliwinski up to 4.5 million and knocked Schafer down to around a million.

Andrew Rosskamm Eliminated by Kelly Kim

Kelly Kim raised to 150,000 from the hijack and was promptly re-raised from the small blind by Andrew Rosskam. Kim did not take too long in calling the additional 300,000 and the two saw a flop. The board was incredibly coordinated – J109 – but that did not stop Rosskamm from moving all-in for his last 1.8 million. Kim snap-called and showed AQ for the flopped nut flush. Rosskamm had only AJ, but was given a chance for a massive draw-out when the turn came the 9. The river, however, was the 6 and Rosskamm was eliminated.

That pot vaulted Kelly Kim up to an impressive 8 million.

Chino Rheem and Mike Matusow Talk, Mix it Up

After Chino Rheem and Mike Matusow stepped away from the table for what some tablemates called a “coaching session,” Matusow raised to 150,000 from the hijack seat in the first hand upon his return. The small blind made the call, as did Rheem from the big blind. The flop came 952, and all players checked. The turn brought the 4, and again the small blind checked. Rheem fired a bet of 225,000 into the pot, and Matusow threw his hand into the muck. The small blind folded as well, and Rheem took the pot.

Tiffany Michelle Fleeces Christian Dragomir to the Tune of 1.3 Million

On a flop of A83, Christian Dragomir checked to Tiffany Michelle, who made a bet of 150,000. Dragomir made the call and checked when the 6 fell on the turn. Michelle gathered some chips and pushed in a bet of 500,000. After some brief deliberation, Dragomir again made the call. The river was the 9, and for the final time Dragomir checked. Michelle threw in a bet of 600,000, and Dragomir matched the bet. Michelle turned over 33 for bottom set, and Dragomir mucked his cards. The hit to Dragomir’s stack left him with less than 1.5 million in chips.

Klodnicki Calls Down Montgomery

Chris Klodnicki raised from early position to 150,000 and play was folded to Scott Montgomery who made the call from the big blind. The flop came down K76, and both players checked. The board paired with the 7 on the turn, and after Montgomery checked, Klodnicki bet 200,000. Montgomery called. The 3 was the river card, and Montgomery again checked, with Klodnicki then betting out 300,000. Montgomery then put in a check-raise to 1,000,000, and Klodnicki tanked. Uncertain what to put Montgomery on, Klodnicki appeared on the verge of folding, but in the end he opted to call, and it proved to be the right move. Montgomery announced “you’re good” and Klodnicki turned over 1010. Montgomery mucked his hand.

Player Tags: Mike Matusow,   Chris Klodnicki,   Brandon Cantu,   Scott Montgomery,   Cristian Dragomir

$10,000 Main Event - Day 6 - Level 25 (Hour 1)

Jul 13, '08

Blinds/Antes: 20,000-40,000-5,000

Players Remaining: 50 of 6,844

Eliminations:

51st place - Alfredo Fernandez - $135,100
52nd place - Mark Ketteringham - $135,100
53rd place - Alan Gould - $135,100
54th place - Alex Caiaffa - $135,100
55th place - Rafael Caiaffa - $115,800
56th place - Eric Bamer - $115,800

Big Hands and Storylines:

Alfredo Fernandez Eliminated by Mike Matusow

Mike Matusow made the standard table raise to 110,000 from second position. Alfredo Fernandez, on Matusow’s left, wasted no time before moving all-in for 600,000. Action folded back around to Matusow who made a pretty swift call with AQ. His call was dead-on; Fernandez turned up J10. The board rolled out K664A and Fernandez was eliminated. The nice addition to his stack brings Matusow up to 3.3 million.

A Moment With Matusow

After the aforementioned hand, Matusow let the table know how good he was playing, and how luck was on his side. Some snippets from his peroration:

“...I just know it...”
“...I can feel it...”
“...the neutrons and the electrons...”
“...the power of positive thinking, you can’t beat it!”

Up-and-down hour for Michelle

Early in the level Tiffany Michelle raised and then called a reraise by Ivan Demidov on the button. After a flop of A43 both players checked. The turn was the 4 and Michelle bet 500,000. Demidov called and the river was the 7. Michelle bet 800,000 and after a couple minutes Demidov raised to 2.2 million. It was now her turn to tank, and after two minutes she folded. Demidov now has 6.5 million chips, while Michelle has 3.15.

Later in the level Michelle limped in from under the gun and was one of three players to see the flop come 977 and Michelle called a bet of 75,000 by Chrstian Dragomir. The turn was the 4 and Dragomir bet 100,000. Tiffany raised to 200,000 and then Dragomir reraised to 400,000. Tiffany then moved all in, forcing Dragomir to fold. Michelle is now up to about four million, while Dragomir has over two million.

Pham-boozled

More from Tiffany Michelle...

Tiffany Michelle raised to 120,000 from under the gun. Kido Pham, to her left, made it 300,000, and Michelle made the call. The flop was 1032 and Michelle led out for a hefty 750,000. Pham considered his options for a moment, but decided to fold. The pot brings Michelle up to 4 million and drops Pham down to under 2 million.

Gould Leaves with the Ladies

Joe Bishop raised to 125,000 preflop, and was only to happy to step out of the way. Alan Gould in the next seat reraised him to 400,000, and then halfway down the table Albert Kim announced another raise, this to 1.1 million. Bishop folded, and Gould then announced all-in for his remaining 1.6 million in chips. Kim instantly called and showed AA, while Gould was drawing slim with QQ. The flop came 863 to give Gould a chance at a running flush, though that disappeared with the 6 on the river. Needing to catch a queen on the end, Kim took down the pot and eliminated his opponent when the 10 completed the board. Kim improved to 7.8 million in chips with the hand.

Yet Kim donated much of that recent gain back just a few hands later. He raised to 105,000 preflop, then was reraised to 425,000 by Bishop. Kim called, and the flop came 1064. Bishop stepped out for 550,000, and Kim made the call. The K was the turn card, and Bishop then announced all-in. Kim was visibly frustrated, noting he had just got the chips and didn’t want to spill them back. He eventually mucked, stating he had queens, then pleaded for Bishop to “show the bluff”. Bishop hesitated, briefly flashing his cards before mucking. The table then insisted the dealer show the cards, and they were proven to be the A10.

Outhred Outted

Alex Outhred had been able to survive with his shortstack thanks to timely all-in shoves that discouraged any callers. But he finally ran out of steam when in the small blind, he woke with AK. Chris Klodnicki had raised from the button to 110,000 and Outhred then went all-in for 495,000. Klodnicki called and showed 99. The doorcard to the flop was the K to give Outhred short-lived life, as behind it lay the 9 to give Klodnicki the set. The 3 and 8 completed the board and Outhred was ousted in 54th place.
 

Player Tags: Alex Outhred,   Chris Klodnicki,   Tiffany Michelle,   Albert Kim,   Alan Gould,   Ivan Demidov,   Cristian Dragomir,   Joe Bishop

$10,000 Main Event - Day 5 - Level 22 (Hour 1)

Jul 12, '08

Blinds/Antes: 10,000-20,000-3,000

Players Remaining: 103 out of 6,844

Average Chip Stack: 1,291,000

Chip Counts:

Recent Eliminations:
Allen Cunningham (116th place)
Kellen Hunter (115th place)
Adam York (114th place)
Steve Pestal (113th place)
Jeff Madsen (112th place)
Robert Fuller (111th place)
Reggie Lyons (110th place)
Greg Debora (109th place)
Nghia Le (108th place)
Nathan Hays (107th place)
Sylvain Coeur (106th place)
Shawn Sheikhan (105th place)
Kara Scott (104th place)

Big Hands and Storylines:

Adam York Eliminated by Mark Vos

Mark Vos raised from middle position and action folded around to Adam York who moved all in for about 310,000. Vos made the call and the two turned up their hands:

York: AK
Vos: 77

Vos seemed unconcerned as the dealer slapped down the burn card. He walked over to the rail and started conversing with a buddy, turning just in time to see the dealer lay out QQ2. “He’s still alive,” said Vos to his friend, referencing a hand in which York drew out on his opponent, “the river is his card.” The turn was the 6, and the river was the 9. This time the river was Vos’s card, and that pot vaulted him up to about 2.2 million.

Kostritsyn’s Back on the Up

Reagan Silber raised to 50,000 from the cutoff and was called by young Alexander Kostritsyn in the small blind. Kostritsyn checked the Q33 flop and Silber led out for 75,000. Quickly, Kostritsyn slid in a large column of orange chips, making it 125,000 to go. The raise was quickly called by Silber. The turn was the A and Kostritsyn fired a bet of 200,000 which was again quickly called. The river was the J and Kostritsyn slid in a stack of chips in no distinguishable order: some green, some orange, some gold. When asked how much, the dealer counted down the stack: 320,000. Silber considered his decision for a minute as the wall of reporters around the table grew deeper. Silber made the call and Kostritsyn showed K8 for the flush. Silber flashed Q-10 and unhappily mucked his hand. That hand brings Kostritsyn up to about 1.8 million.

Kostritsyn Takes Another Hit

On a flop of A93, Alexander Kostritsyn faced a bet of 150,000 from an opponent into an already large pot. Kostritsyn raised to a total of 350,000, and the remaining player folded his hand. The initial bettor went into the tank momentarily before electing to call the bet. The turn brought the J, and the player checked. Kostritsyn quickly checked behind, and the river came 6. Again both players checked, and Kostritsyn mucked when his opponent turned over AQ for top pair.

Cunningham knocked out

Allen Cunningham, down to just 255,000 chips, moved all in from late position and was called by Tim Loecke in the small blind. Cunningham held QJ, while Loecke held pocket aces. The board came 7-6-3-8-8, and the fourth-place finisher in 2006 was drawing dead by the turn.

Caiaffa Flushes Out Hunter

Kellen Hunter was in late position and raised to 45,000, which Rafael Caiaffa in the small blind and Larry Wright in the big blind both called. The flop came down 872, and Caiaffa led at the pot with a 105,000 bet. Wright made the call from the big blind, then Hunter moved all-in for 307,000. Caiaffa made the call and Wright mucked his hand. Hunter held QQ and was in the lead, but needed to dodge a club as Caiaffa held QJ. Hunter didn’t dodge well enough as the 3 fell on the turn and he was drawing dead at that point. The 3 on the river made it official and Hunter was eliminated.

Benefield Collects Nice Pot

David Benefield was in the cut-off and raised to 55,000, which was enough to lure both Paul Snead and Chris Klodnicki into the pot from the blinds. The flop came 653, and when Snead checked, Klodnicki stabbed at the pot with a 100,000 bet. Benefield called while Snead folded. The Q came on the turn and Klodnicki checked his option, before calling a 175,000 bet from Benefield. The action, and the 10 on the river, was enough to slow both players who checked at the end. Benefield announced a pair of sixes and showed 86, which was enough to take down the pot.

Whoops for Osterland

Robert Hwang was under the gun and raised to 53,000. Play was folded to Felix Osterland on the button, who announced raise and then put out 60,000, unaware that Hwang had already raised. The floor was called and Osterland was forced to make the minimum raise, which resulted in 86,000 being put forward. Hwang used the opportunity to reraise to 280,000, and Osterland was forced to muck his hand.

Wilds Survives All-In

Mark Wilds was all-in for 199,000 while holding KQ on a flop of 1085. He was called by Tri Nguyen who held 76 for the open-ended straight draw. The 3 on the turn didn’t help, and the Q on the river gave Wilds the insurance he needed as he doubled up.
 

 

Player Tags: Allen Cunningham,   Paul Snead,   Robert Hwang,   Chris Klodnicki,   David Benefield,   Keller Hunter,   Alexander Kostritsyn,   Felix Osterland,   Rafael Caiaffa

$10,000 Main Event - Phillips Jumps Ahead

Jul 14, '08

Players are now on a 20 minute break. Play will resume around 10:50 p.m.

Blinds/Antes: 80,000 / 160,000 / 20,000

Players Remaining: 11 of 6,844

Average Stack: 12,443,636

Chip Counts:
Dennis Phillips: 24,000,000
Ylon Schwartz: 14,600,000
David Rheem: 13,800,000
Peter Eastgate: 13,700,000
Scott Montgomery: 13,700,000
Dean Hamrick: 13,490,000
Joe Bishop: 12,000,000
Craig Marquis: 11,800,000
Ivan Demidov: 9,800,000
Darus Suharto: 8,700,000
Kelly Kim: 7,200,000

Recent Eliminations:
12th Place - Chris Klodnicki ($591,869)
13th Place - Nicholas Sliwinski ($463,202)

Big Hands and Storylines:

Phillips Ready To Gamble, Takes Chip Lead

Dennis Phillips bet 1.3 million on a flop of 842. Peter Eastgate thought it over and made the call. When the 10 fell on the river, Phillips moved his remaining 12 million all in. With such a huge pot on the long, Eastgate went into the tank for several minutes. He finally laid his hand down after Phillips had to call a clock on him, and Phillips added to his stack and approached 19 million after the hand, taking the chip lead.

Nicholas Sliwinski Runs Into Flopped Flush, Out in 13th Place ($463,202)

Dennis Phillips put in a raise to 460,000 preflop and Nicholas Sliwinski called out of the big blind. On a flop of 973, Sliwinski fired 500,000 and Phillips called. Sliwinski fired 1.2 million when the 6 fell on the turn and Phillips tanked for a bit before calling. The 9 fell on the river and Sliwinski shoved all in, prompting Phillips to make a quick call and show KQ for the flopped flush. Sliwinski showed 65 for two pair and was eliminated in 13th place. Phillips' stack grew to around 14 million after the hand.

No Royal Flush For Klodnicki, Gone in 12th Place ($591,869)

Scott Montgomery raised to 600,000 and Chris Klodnicki made the call from the big blind. On a flop of AQQ, Klodnicki checked and Montgomery fired out a bet of a cool million. Klodnicki check-raised all in and Montgomery quickly called. Montgomery had QJ for trip queens, but Klodnicki held J10 for a royal flush draw. Any diamond would put Klodnicki ahead, but the J fell on the turn, leaving him dead to the K for a royal flush. The 4 fell on the river and Klodnicki was knocked out in 12th place.

Hamrick Makes Top Pair, Takes Pot From Phillips

Both Dean Hamrick and Dennis Phillips checked a flop of 552. When the Q turn dropped, Hamrick checked to Phillips who bet 900,000. Hamrick thought briefly then made the call. Both players checked the 2 river and Hamrick showed KQ. Phillips mucked his hand and Hamrick took a small pot.

 

Player Tags: Dean Hamrick,   Chris Klodnicki,   Peter Eastgate,   Dennis Phillips,   Scott Montgomery,   Nicholas Sliwinski

$10,000 Main Event - Day 7 - Level 30 (Hr. 2)

Jul 14, '08

Players are on a 90-minute break. Play will resume at 8:25 p.m.

Blinds/Antes: 60,000-120,000-15,000

Players Remaining: 14 out of 6,844

Average Chip Stack: 9.78 million

Chip Counts:

Peter Eastgate - 18,600,000
Darus Suharto - 14,800,000
Scott Montgomery - 12,450,000
Joe Bishop - 11,800,000
David Rheem - 11,200,000
Ylon Schwartz - 10,500,000
Dean Hamrick - 10,190,000
Dennis Phillips - 10,180,000
Craig Marquis - 9,600,000
Kelly Kim - 6,800,000
Chris Klodnicki - 6,700,000
Nicholas Sliwinski - 5,900,000
Ivan Demidov - 5,400,000
Gert Andersen - 3,400,000

Eliminations:

15th place - Owen Crowe - $463,202
16th place - Tony Scherer - $334,535

Big Hands and Storylines:

Rheem Staves off Elimination

Joe Bishop raised to 450,000 under the gun and play was folded around to Chino Rheem in the big blind who made the call. After a flop of 852, Rheem checked, and Bishop bet 800,000. Rheem then made his move, announcing all-in for 4.4 million. Bishop agonized. The two had been in a previous battle when Bishop turned quad sixes against his rival. Bishop finally announced call, and Rheem shook his head. “You have sixes again?” Sure enough, Bishop held 66 for second pair. Rheem had made his push with just two overcards, the K9. The turn brought the 3 and Rheem was down to his final card. But the miracle K on the river kept him alive and moved him into the middle of the pack of the chip count. Bishop fell back to about 11 million.

Rheem had raked in a couple of smaller pots previously to build his shortstack. The first was after he raised to 325 preflop and was called by Kelly Kim. The flop came 1083, and Rheem bet 450,000. Kim again called. Both checked when the 5 made it a four-flush board, then the 9 hit the river. Rheem checked and Kelly bet 550,000. Rheem angrily threw in his chips to call, worried that his Q6 had been run over by the fourth diamond on the turn. But Kim mucked his hand.

A few hands later, Rheem called a raised to 325 from Craig Marquis, and Kim in the small blind also called. The flop came K73, Kim and Marquis checked, and Rheem bet 325,000. Kim called and after the 8 was turned, both players checked. The 7 on the river brought two more checks, and Rheem won the pot with K10.

Bishop gets aggressive

Just before dinner break, Joe Bishop made an interestingly large raise preflop to 670,000. He was called by Chris Klodnicki to his left and the two players saw a 553. Bishop bet 1.2 million, and then Klodnicki raised to 2.4 million. Bishop, who likes to talk at the table, did not like the min-raise and called it an "insult." He paced around the table and then finally decided to move all in. After a minute Klodnicki folded and Bishop turned over pocket nines. Bishop was up to 15 million after the hand, while Klodnicki was down to about four million.

As the Crowe Flies - Owen Crowe Eliminated in 15th Place ($463,202)

Ivan Demidov opened for 330,000 from under the gun. He was called by both Chino Rheem and Joe Bishop before Owen Crowe moved all in for 1.84 million. Only Demidov made the call. Crowe was all in for his tournament life holding 99 against Ivan Demidov's AQ. The flop was a suspenseful one, running out JJ10 to give Demidov a gutshot to go with his overcards. It was the overcards that made his hand when the Q fell on the turn. Crowe was unable to find an 8 or a king to improve on the river, which was the 2. Crowe went home in 15th place, earning $463,202 for his efforts. Demidov raked in the pot, moving up to 5,400,000.

Player Tags: Owen Crowe,   Chris Klodnicki,   Joe Bishop

$10,000 Main Event - Day 7 - Level 30

Jul 14, '08

Blinds/Antes: 60,000-120,000-15,000

Players Remaining: 15 out of 6,844

Average Chip Stack: 9.13 million

Chip Counts:
Peter Eastgate - 18,300,000
Joe Bishop - 17,100,000
Craig Marquis - 14,850,000
Darus Suharto - 13,800,000
Dennis Phillips - 13,775,000
Ylon Schwartz - 10,650,000
Scott Montgomery - 10,220,000
Dean Hamrick - 8,800,000
Kelly Kim - 7,340,000
Chris Klodnicki - 6,300,000
Ivan Demidov - 5,600,000
Gert Andersen - 4,040,000
Nicholas Sliwinski - 3,950,000
David Rheem - 3,800,000
Owen Crowe - 3,300,000
 

Eliminations:

16th place - Anthony Scherer - $334,535
17th place - Tiffany Michelle - $334,535

Big Hands and Storylines:

David 'Chino' Rheem doubles up to three million

Rheem raised to 325,000 from the cutoff and Chris Klodnicki reraised to 750,000 from the small blind. Owen Crowe then took a minute to think in the big blind, prompting Rheem to ask, "How big of a hand do you have?" But he then folded and it was Rheem's turn to act. He quickly stood up and said, "I don't know what I'm supposed to do here." But he then moved all in for just 350,000 more and Klodnicki called.

Rheem: A-Q
Klodnicki: 6-6

Board: Q-8-4-2-5

Rheem doubled to over three million, and while that's still one-third of the average stack, it's still 25 big blinds.

Tiffany Michelle Eliminated in 17th Place ($334,535)

Dennis Phillips raised to 500,000 from under the gun, and was called by both Peter Eastgate and Tiffany Michelle, who sat in the big blind. Michelle checked the flop, which came A109. Phillips continued firing, throwing in a bet of 1 million. Eastgate made the call, and Michelle moved all in for 3.8 million. The bet was enough to push out Phillips, but not Eastgate, who called instantly and showed AA. Michelle was in trouble holding only AJ, looking for a runner runner miracle in the last two cards. But the turn brought the 5 and left Michelle drawing dead to the river, which brought the 6. Michelle bowed out in 17th place, giving her one of the deepest Main Event finishes by a female player. Although she outlasted a larger field, she will sit behind Barbara Enright's 5th place finish in 1995, Annie Duke's 10th place finish in 2000, and Tiffany Williamson's 15th place finish in 2005.

Peter Eastgate has been involved in 5 of the last 6 hands, always opening for a preflop raise between 300,000 and 350,000. However, he has not been seeing many flops, either taking down the blinds and antes or folding to re-shoves.

One exception was the following hand: Eastgate opened with a raise to 350,000, and Scott Montgomery reraised to 900,000. Eastgate made the call, check-calling Montgomery's bet of 1.4 million on the flop of Q92. Both players checked the turn, the 10, and the river, the 10, and Eastgate's JJ was good enough to drag in another multimillion pot.

Anthony Scherer Eliminated in 16th Place ($334,535)

Another exception was when he eliminated Tony Scherer. Tony Scherer open raised all in for 1.545 million. He was called by Peter Eastgate, who held the lead with KhKc. Scherer trailed with the A8, and was looking for aces and black cards going to the flop, which came 992c\. It was announced that Scherer was dead to an ace or running clubs, although a railbird added that Scherer could also win the hand with running nines. None of these things came on the turn, however, which brought instead the 5, leaving Scherer with only three outs. The river brought the 5 and the end of Scherer's tournament run in 16th place. Eastgate overtook Joe Bishop's chip lead, moving up to 18,300,000.

Player Tags: Chris Klodnicki

$10,000 Main Event - Day 7 - Level 29

Jul 14, '08

Blinds/Antes: 50,000-100,000-10,000

Players Remaining: 23 out of 6,844

Average Chip Stack: 5.95 million

Eliminations: Paul Snead (21st).

Big Hands and Storylines:

Cantu Can't Do Wrong

Peter Eastgate raised to 275,000, and was called only by Brandon Cantu in the small blind. Cantu checked the flop of 1052, but called Eastgate's continuation bet of 400,000. Both players checked the turn, the 10. The river double paired the board with the 5, and once again both players checked. Cantu turned over AQ, and his ace kicker was big enough to take down the healthy little pot.

...Or Can't He?

Kelly Kim raised to 275,000 before the flop. Brandon Cantu then reraised to 950,000, only to have Dean Hamrick move all in for 1,465,000. After some time in the tank, Cantu made the call and turned over...105. The one time chip leader needed a lot of help to improve against Hamrick's AA. He got a little bit of assistance on the flop, which ran 875, but was shot down to two outs when the turn brought the 8. There was no five on the river for Cantu, who started counting down Hamrick's double up as the dealer placed the 10 on the felt a little too late. Cantu was left with the smallest stack in the tournament after the hand with only 2.4 million.

Ivan To Win

Chris Klodnicki raised it to 200,000 from under the gun. Ivan Demidov called the minimum raise from the big blind, checking the flop of Q62. Klodnicki made a continuation bet for 350, which Ivan called, but gave up in the hand after that point, checking behind on both the turn 8 and the river 2. Demidov turned over 63, and happily raked in the small pot.

Chop It Up

Peter Eastgate raised to 300,000, and was called only by Kelly Kim in the blind. Both players checked the flop of 942, but Kim led out at the turn, the 5, for 400,000. Eastgate made the call, and both players checked the river when the 6 fell, completing a possible flush. Neither player had the flush, however, instead showing A9 and A9 and splitting the pot.

Suharto Eliminates Cristian

Jason Riesenberg raised to 300,000, Darus Suharto made the call one from the cut-off, then Judet Toni Cristian reraised to 1 million total from the cut-off. Riesenberg folded, then Suharto announced all-in. He had Cristian covered, but the Romanian made the call and showed JJ. Suharto revealed the KK. The flop came Q109, which meant each player held the other’s outs for any possible straight. The 5 on the turn and 5 on the river completed the board however, and Suharto eliminated Cristian in 22nd place.

Cristian had earlier gained valuable chips. He attempted to raise from early position, but was called for a string bet as he didn’t announce “raise” in time. That allowed Nicholas Sliwinski to limp into the pot as well, but when play came to Albert Kim in the small blind, he decided to throw in a raise himself, to 675,000. Jason Riesenberg folded from the big blind, and then Cristian, given a second opportunity, announced raise and moved all-in for 2.5 million. Kim made the call and showed 99, but he trailed the AA of Cristian. The board finished QJ1043 and Cristian doubled up.

Riesenberg Lays Down Aces

Jason Riesenberg raised to 275,000 preflop and drew two callers, David Rheem on the button and Dennis Phillips in the small blind. The flop came KQ10, Phillips and Riesenberg checked, and Rheem bet 400,000. Phillips then check-raised to 1.4 million and Riesenberg and Rheem both folded. Riesenberg showed AA as he tossed his cards into the muck.

Player Tags: Kelly Kim,   Chris Klodnicki,   Brandon Cantu,   Darus Suharto,   Peter Eastgate,   Jason Riesenberg,   Ivan Demidov

$10,000 Main Event - Day 6 - Level 26 (Hour 2)

Jul 13, '08

Players are on a 90-minute dinner break. Play will resume at 8:45 p.m.

Blinds/Antes: 25,000-50,000-5,000

Players Remaining: 35 out of 6,844

Average Chip Stack: 3.9 milion

Chip Counts:

Brandon Cantu - 10,800,000
Albert Kim - 9,400,000
Kelly Kim - 8,700,000
Gert Andersen - 8,700,000
Tiffany Michelle - 6,800,000
David Rheem - 6,700,000
Craig Marquis - 6,000,000
Dennis Phillips - 6,000,000
Antoanell Judet - 5,900,000
Peter Eastgate - 5,800,000

Eliminations:

36th place - Peter Neff - $193,000
37th place - Andrew Rosskamm - $154,400
38th place - Felix Osterland - $154,400
39th place - Craig Stein - $154,400
40th place - Mauro Lupo - $154,400
41st place - Kido Pham - $154,400

Big Hands and Storylines:

Cantu -- chipleader going into break -- takes big pot off Rheem

Mike Matusow raised to 150,000 from early position and was called by four players, including Brandon Cantu and David Rheem. The flop was 653 and when it checked around to Cantu he bet 400,000. Rheem was the only caller, and then both players checked when the 6 came on the turn. The 2 came on the river and Cantu bet 600,000. Rheem took about five minutes to think it over before ultimately calling. Cantu flipped over pocket fours for a straight and took down the pot of over 2.75 million. Cantu now has close to 11 million chips.

Sliwinski Semi-Bluffs Schafer

Clint Schafer raised to three times the big blind from early position and was called by a single player – Nick Sliwinski in the cutoff. The flop was 1075 and Schafer fired out a continuation bet of 225,000. Sliwinski called. The turn was the 3 and Schafer bet 600,000. Sliwinski moved all in for 2.7 million and Schafer went into the tank. After four or five minutes of thought, Schafer folded his hand.

Sliwinski’s friends on the rail exploded in celebration. Sliwinski asked Schafer if he wanted to see his hand and after an affirmative response, he showed A5. Schafer angrily slammed the table, knocking his chair over in the process.

The hand brought Sliwinski up to 4.5 million and knocked Schafer down to around a million.

Andrew Rosskamm Eliminated by Kelly Kim

Kelly Kim raised to 150,000 from the hijack and was promptly re-raised from the small blind by Andrew Rosskam. Kim did not take too long in calling the additional 300,000 and the two saw a flop. The board was incredibly coordinated – J109 – but that did not stop Rosskamm from moving all-in for his last 1.8 million. Kim snap-called and showed AQ for the flopped nut flush. Rosskamm had only AJ, but was given a chance for a massive draw-out when the turn came the 9. The river, however, was the 6 and Rosskamm was eliminated.

That pot vaulted Kelly Kim up to an impressive 8 million.

Chino Rheem and Mike Matusow Talk, Mix it Up

After Chino Rheem and Mike Matusow stepped away from the table for what some tablemates called a “coaching session,” Matusow raised to 150,000 from the hijack seat in the first hand upon his return. The small blind made the call, as did Rheem from the big blind. The flop came 952, and all players checked. The turn brought the 4, and again the small blind checked. Rheem fired a bet of 225,000 into the pot, and Matusow threw his hand into the muck. The small blind folded as well, and Rheem took the pot.

Tiffany Michelle Fleeces Christian Dragomir to the Tune of 1.3 Million

On a flop of A83, Christian Dragomir checked to Tiffany Michelle, who made a bet of 150,000. Dragomir made the call and checked when the 6 fell on the turn. Michelle gathered some chips and pushed in a bet of 500,000. After some brief deliberation, Dragomir again made the call. The river was the 9, and for the final time Dragomir checked. Michelle threw in a bet of 600,000, and Dragomir matched the bet. Michelle turned over 33 for bottom set, and Dragomir mucked his cards. The hit to Dragomir’s stack left him with less than 1.5 million in chips.

Klodnicki Calls Down Montgomery

Chris Klodnicki raised from early position to 150,000 and play was folded to Scott Montgomery who made the call from the big blind. The flop came down K76, and both players checked. The board paired with the 7 on the turn, and after Montgomery checked, Klodnicki bet 200,000. Montgomery called. The 3 was the river card, and Montgomery again checked, with Klodnicki then betting out 300,000. Montgomery then put in a check-raise to 1,000,000, and Klodnicki tanked. Uncertain what to put Montgomery on, Klodnicki appeared on the verge of folding, but in the end he opted to call, and it proved to be the right move. Montgomery announced “you’re good” and Klodnicki turned over 1010. Montgomery mucked his hand.

Player Tags: Mike Matusow,   Chris Klodnicki,   Brandon Cantu,   Scott Montgomery,   Cristian Dragomir

$10,000 Main Event - Day 6 - Level 25 (Hour 1)

Jul 13, '08

Blinds/Antes: 20,000-40,000-5,000

Players Remaining: 50 of 6,844

Eliminations:

51st place - Alfredo Fernandez - $135,100
52nd place - Mark Ketteringham - $135,100
53rd place - Alan Gould - $135,100
54th place - Alex Caiaffa - $135,100
55th place - Rafael Caiaffa - $115,800
56th place - Eric Bamer - $115,800

Big Hands and Storylines:

Alfredo Fernandez Eliminated by Mike Matusow

Mike Matusow made the standard table raise to 110,000 from second position. Alfredo Fernandez, on Matusow’s left, wasted no time before moving all-in for 600,000. Action folded back around to Matusow who made a pretty swift call with AQ. His call was dead-on; Fernandez turned up J10. The board rolled out K664A and Fernandez was eliminated. The nice addition to his stack brings Matusow up to 3.3 million.

A Moment With Matusow

After the aforementioned hand, Matusow let the table know how good he was playing, and how luck was on his side. Some snippets from his peroration:

“...I just know it...”
“...I can feel it...”
“...the neutrons and the electrons...”
“...the power of positive thinking, you can’t beat it!”

Up-and-down hour for Michelle

Early in the level Tiffany Michelle raised and then called a reraise by Ivan Demidov on the button. After a flop of A43 both players checked. The turn was the 4 and Michelle bet 500,000. Demidov called and the river was the 7. Michelle bet 800,000 and after a couple minutes Demidov raised to 2.2 million. It was now her turn to tank, and after two minutes she folded. Demidov now has 6.5 million chips, while Michelle has 3.15.

Later in the level Michelle limped in from under the gun and was one of three players to see the flop come 977 and Michelle called a bet of 75,000 by Chrstian Dragomir. The turn was the 4 and Dragomir bet 100,000. Tiffany raised to 200,000 and then Dragomir reraised to 400,000. Tiffany then moved all in, forcing Dragomir to fold. Michelle is now up to about four million, while Dragomir has over two million.

Pham-boozled

More from Tiffany Michelle...

Tiffany Michelle raised to 120,000 from under the gun. Kido Pham, to her left, made it 300,000, and Michelle made the call. The flop was 1032 and Michelle led out for a hefty 750,000. Pham considered his options for a moment, but decided to fold. The pot brings Michelle up to 4 million and drops Pham down to under 2 million.

Gould Leaves with the Ladies

Joe Bishop raised to 125,000 preflop, and was only to happy to step out of the way. Alan Gould in the next seat reraised him to 400,000, and then halfway down the table Albert Kim announced another raise, this to 1.1 million. Bishop folded, and Gould then announced all-in for his remaining 1.6 million in chips. Kim instantly called and showed AA, while Gould was drawing slim with QQ. The flop came 863 to give Gould a chance at a running flush, though that disappeared with the 6 on the river. Needing to catch a queen on the end, Kim took down the pot and eliminated his opponent when the 10 completed the board. Kim improved to 7.8 million in chips with the hand.

Yet Kim donated much of that recent gain back just a few hands later. He raised to 105,000 preflop, then was reraised to 425,000 by Bishop. Kim called, and the flop came 1064. Bishop stepped out for 550,000, and Kim made the call. The K was the turn card, and Bishop then announced all-in. Kim was visibly frustrated, noting he had just got the chips and didn’t want to spill them back. He eventually mucked, stating he had queens, then pleaded for Bishop to “show the bluff”. Bishop hesitated, briefly flashing his cards before mucking. The table then insisted the dealer show the cards, and they were proven to be the A10.

Outhred Outted

Alex Outhred had been able to survive with his shortstack thanks to timely all-in shoves that discouraged any callers. But he finally ran out of steam when in the small blind, he woke with AK. Chris Klodnicki had raised from the button to 110,000 and Outhred then went all-in for 495,000. Klodnicki called and showed 99. The doorcard to the flop was the K to give Outhred short-lived life, as behind it lay the 9 to give Klodnicki the set. The 3 and 8 completed the board and Outhred was ousted in 54th place.
 

Player Tags: Alex Outhred,   Chris Klodnicki,   Tiffany Michelle,   Albert Kim,   Alan Gould,   Ivan Demidov,   Cristian Dragomir,   Joe Bishop

$10,000 Main Event - Day 5 - Level 22 (Hour 1)

Jul 12, '08

Blinds/Antes: 10,000-20,000-3,000

Players Remaining: 103 out of 6,844

Average Chip Stack: 1,291,000

Chip Counts:

Recent Eliminations:
Allen Cunningham (116th place)
Kellen Hunter (115th place)
Adam York (114th place)
Steve Pestal (113th place)
Jeff Madsen (112th place)
Robert Fuller (111th place)
Reggie Lyons (110th place)
Greg Debora (109th place)
Nghia Le (108th place)
Nathan Hays (107th place)
Sylvain Coeur (106th place)
Shawn Sheikhan (105th place)
Kara Scott (104th place)

Big Hands and Storylines:

Adam York Eliminated by Mark Vos

Mark Vos raised from middle position and action folded around to Adam York who moved all in for about 310,000. Vos made the call and the two turned up their hands:

York: AK
Vos: 77

Vos seemed unconcerned as the dealer slapped down the burn card. He walked over to the rail and started conversing with a buddy, turning just in time to see the dealer lay out QQ2. “He’s still alive,” said Vos to his friend, referencing a hand in which York drew out on his opponent, “the river is his card.” The turn was the 6, and the river was the 9. This time the river was Vos’s card, and that pot vaulted him up to about 2.2 million.

Kostritsyn’s Back on the Up

Reagan Silber raised to 50,000 from the cutoff and was called by young Alexander Kostritsyn in the small blind. Kostritsyn checked the Q33 flop and Silber led out for 75,000. Quickly, Kostritsyn slid in a large column of orange chips, making it 125,000 to go. The raise was quickly called by Silber. The turn was the A and Kostritsyn fired a bet of 200,000 which was again quickly called. The river was the J and Kostritsyn slid in a stack of chips in no distinguishable order: some green, some orange, some gold. When asked how much, the dealer counted down the stack: 320,000. Silber considered his decision for a minute as the wall of reporters around the table grew deeper. Silber made the call and Kostritsyn showed K8 for the flush. Silber flashed Q-10 and unhappily mucked his hand. That hand brings Kostritsyn up to about 1.8 million.

Kostritsyn Takes Another Hit

On a flop of A93, Alexander Kostritsyn faced a bet of 150,000 from an opponent into an already large pot. Kostritsyn raised to a total of 350,000, and the remaining player folded his hand. The initial bettor went into the tank momentarily before electing to call the bet. The turn brought the J, and the player checked. Kostritsyn quickly checked behind, and the river came 6. Again both players checked, and Kostritsyn mucked when his opponent turned over AQ for top pair.

Cunningham knocked out

Allen Cunningham, down to just 255,000 chips, moved all in from late position and was called by Tim Loecke in the small blind. Cunningham held QJ, while Loecke held pocket aces. The board came 7-6-3-8-8, and the fourth-place finisher in 2006 was drawing dead by the turn.

Caiaffa Flushes Out Hunter

Kellen Hunter was in late position and raised to 45,000, which Rafael Caiaffa in the small blind and Larry Wright in the big blind both called. The flop came down 872, and Caiaffa led at the pot with a 105,000 bet. Wright made the call from the big blind, then Hunter moved all-in for 307,000. Caiaffa made the call and Wright mucked his hand. Hunter held QQ and was in the lead, but needed to dodge a club as Caiaffa held QJ. Hunter didn’t dodge well enough as the 3 fell on the turn and he was drawing dead at that point. The 3 on the river made it official and Hunter was eliminated.

Benefield Collects Nice Pot

David Benefield was in the cut-off and raised to 55,000, which was enough to lure both Paul Snead and Chris Klodnicki into the pot from the blinds. The flop came 653, and when Snead checked, Klodnicki stabbed at the pot with a 100,000 bet. Benefield called while Snead folded. The Q came on the turn and Klodnicki checked his option, before calling a 175,000 bet from Benefield. The action, and the 10 on the river, was enough to slow both players who checked at the end. Benefield announced a pair of sixes and showed 86, which was enough to take down the pot.

Whoops for Osterland

Robert Hwang was under the gun and raised to 53,000. Play was folded to Felix Osterland on the button, who announced raise and then put out 60,000, unaware that Hwang had already raised. The floor was called and Osterland was forced to make the minimum raise, which resulted in 86,000 being put forward. Hwang used the opportunity to reraise to 280,000, and Osterland was forced to muck his hand.

Wilds Survives All-In

Mark Wilds was all-in for 199,000 while holding KQ on a flop of 1085. He was called by Tri Nguyen who held 76 for the open-ended straight draw. The 3 on the turn didn’t help, and the Q on the river gave Wilds the insurance he needed as he doubled up.
 

 

Player Tags: Allen Cunningham,   Paul Snead,   Robert Hwang,   Chris Klodnicki,   David Benefield,   Keller Hunter,   Alexander Kostritsyn,   Felix Osterland,   Rafael Caiaffa

Barry Greenstein Wins Event No. 26 ($158,659)

Jun 15, '08

Barry Greenstein Wins Third Bracelet in Event No. 26 ($158,659)

After a grueling battle of heads-up play between Barry Greenstein and Chris Klodnicki, Greenstein eventually emerged victorious. Terminally short stacked, Chris Klodnicki raised all in on third street with a 3 in the door. Greenstein called with an ace and they both turned over their cards.

Klodnicki: A-K-3-K-8-6-3
Greenstein: 4-9-A-J-4-9-7

Barry Greenstein made a J-9-4-7-A on seventh street while Chris Klodnicki ended up with two pair making K-8-6-3-A. Barry Greenstein wins his third WSOP bracelet and the $158,569 grand prize while Chris Klodnicki has to settle for second place and $98,034.

As soon as Greenstein pocketed his bracelet, he double-timed it over to the $10,000 Limit Hold'em World Championship event where he had a stack waiting for him. Greenstein barely pocketed his third WSOP bracelet before he was off trying to win his fourth.

Player Tags: Barry Greenstein,   Chris Klodnicki

$1,500 Razz - Christopher Viox Eliminated in 3rd Place ($59,132)

Jun 15, '08

Blinds/Antes: 7,000 ante, 10,000 bring-in, 30,000 completion

Players Left: 2

Chip Counts:
Barry Greenstein: 985,000
Chris Klodnicki: 380,000

Eliminations:
Chris Viox Eliminated in 3rd Place ($59,132)

Big hands:

Christopher Viox Eliminated in 3rd Place ($59,132)

Christopher Viox was all in on fifth street against Christopher Klodnikci and the players turned up their cards.

Viox: 7-4-6-K-2-A-X
Klodnicki: 9-4-2-Q-3-5
Viox had formidable lead heading to sixth street where Viox hit an ace against Klodnicki's 5. With a 5 on sixth street, Klodnikci needed an ace or a 6 to win. Klodnicki hit his ace, trumping Viox's 7-6 with the wheel. Klodnicki finally eliminated Chris Viox in 3rd place ($59,132).

And Then There Were Two...

With Chris Viox finally out of their way, Barry Greenstein (985,000) and Chris Klodnicki (380,000) begin heads-up play.


 

Player Tags: Barry Greenstein,   Chris Klodnicki,   Chris Viox

$1,500 Razz - Greenstein Hols on to Lead

Jun 15, '08

Blinds/Antes: 5,000 ante, 5,000 bring-in, 20,000 completion

Players Left: 3

Chip Counts:
Barry Greenstein: 779,000
Chris Klodnicki: 315,000
Chris Viox: 271,000

Big Hands:

Chris Klodnicki Gets Crippled, Then Doubles Up

It wasn't long after the dinner break where Chris Klodnicki found himself heads-up in a pot with Chris Viox. With plenty of action, Klodnicki finished the hand second to Viox with a 10-6-5-3-2 against Viox's 8-7-3-2-A low. After this pot Klodnicki was down to about 75,000 in chips.

The very next hand and Klodnicki doubled through chip leader Barry Greenstein with an 8-7 against Greenstein's painted board. Klodnicki climbed back up to 150,000 in chips.

Chris Viox Closes the Gap

In a heads-up pot with Chris Viox, Barry greenstein was the aggressor, betting thw whole way while Viox called him down. Greenstein made a 10-8-6-4-2 on seventh street while Viox made a 9-7-5-4-A on the river. After this hand Viox had about 550,000 to greenstein's 650,000. 

Chris Klodnicki Doubles Through Chris Viox

All in on fifth street, Chris Klodnicki had locked-up a win with 9-5-4-2-A while Viox was drawing dead with Q-J-7-6-2. Klodnicki doubled up to ver 300,000 this hand while Viox had fallen to just under 300,000. With the two Chris's almost even again, Greenstein's 800,000 now has a much greater value as the betting limits continue to increase ever so fast.

 

Player Tags: Barry Greenstein,   Chris Klodnicki,   Chris Viox

$1,500 Razz - Dinner Break

Jun 15, '08

Note: Players took a short thirty-minute dinner break around 8:45 pm and will return shortly to Level 23.

Blinds/Antes: 3,000 ante, 5,000 bring-in, 15,000 completion

Players Left: 3

Chip Counts:
Barry Greenstein: 895,000
Chris Klodnicki: 241,000
Chris Klodnicki: 229,000

Big Hands:

Chris Klodnicki Doubles Through Chris Viox

Chris Klodnicki was involved in a big pot with Chris Viox, getting all in on the irver. Viox had him covered. Viox managed to make an 8-6-4-3-2 low against Viox's 8-7-5-2-A, doubling up to just over 200,000. Heading to dinner this puts the two Chris's about even, Greenstein still with the monster stack.

Player Tags: Barry Greenstein,   Chris Klodnicki,   Chris Viox

$1,500 Razz - Greenstein Widens His Lead

Jun 15, '08

Blinds/Antes: 3,000 ante, 3,000 bring-in, 12,000 completion

Players Left: 3

Chip Counts:
Barry Greenstein: 846,000
Chris Viox: 353,000
Chris Klodnicki: 166,000

Big Hands:

Action this past round has been terribly slow as Greenstein starts to put the squeeze on his opponents.

Barry Greenstein Widens His Lead
Barry Greenstein has picked up the few pots of any consequence this round, beating Chris Viox in a showdown with 7-5-4-3-A and then beating Chris Klodnicki with 8-7-6-4-2. Greenstein has run himself up to over 700,000 while the two Chris's are about even with 300,000 each at this point.

It was quite some time later that the players would see seventh street again, Greenstein of course winning the pot in his all too familiar fashion. Betting the whole way, Greenstein fired one last bet on the river, causing Klodnicki to fold once again after hitting a brick on seventh street. Greenstein's patience has been paying off, and after this hand he has moved up to over 800,000 in chips.

Klodnicki Cripples Viox

Chris Viox took the betting initiative in a big pot against Chris Klodnicki who called him down all the way and looked him up  on seventh street. Viox finsihed the hand with an 8-7-5-4-3 while Klodnicki went on to make a 7-6-5-3-2 low. After this hand, the former chip leader was reduced to his last 100,000 in chips.

Chris Viox Doubles Through Chip Leader Barry Greenstein

A few hands after getting crippled by the other Chris, Chris Viox found himself all in on sixth street against chip Leader Barry Greenstein. Viox made a 7-6-5-2-A low against Greenstein's 9-8-4-3-A to double up to just under 200,000. Greenstein takes a minor hit and drops down to just over 700,000 after this hand.

Player Tags: Barry Greenstein,   Chris Klodnicki,   Chris Viox

$1,500 Razz - Mark Tenner Eliminated in 4th place ($43,571), Greenstein Takes Chip Lead

Jun 15, '08

Note: The remining three players have just returned from a short twenty-minute break after the conclusion of Level 20.

Blinds/Antes: 3,000 antes, 3,000 bring-in, 12,000 completion

Players Left: 3

Chip Counts:
Barry Greenstein: 664,000
Chris Viox: 503,000
Chris Klodnicki: 198,000

Eliminations:
Mark Tenner Eliminated in 4th Place ($43,571)

Mark Tenner Eliminated in 4th place ($43,571)

With Chris Viox crippling Mark Tenner a few hands prior, it was Chris Klodnicki that delivered the final death blow when Mark Tenner got it all in on fifth street. This one came down to the river, Tenner hitting a jack to compliment his 7-6-2-A low. Klodnicki finished the hand with 7-6-4-3-2 low, good enough to rake the pot and send Mark Tenner home in 4th place ($43,571).

Barry Greenstein Takes the Chip Lead

Barry Greenstein won two key pots uncontested this round, one off of Chris Viox and the other off of Chris Klodnicki. Never missing a bet, Greenstein just kept firing at the pot, getting each opponent to close their cards on the river. A few hands later and Greenstein officially took control of the chip lead after trumping Viox's 9-4-3-2-A with an 8-7-5-4-3 low. This hand put Greenstein over 650,000.

Player Tags: Barry Greenstein,   Chris Klodnicki,   Chris Viox

$1,500 Razz - Michael Joseph Eliminated 6th ($25,831), Brandon Leeds 5th ($33,301)

Jun 15, '08

Blinds/Antes: 2,000 ante, 3,000 bring-in, 10,000 completion

Players Left: 4

Chip Counts:
Chris Viox: 525,000
Chris Klodnicki: 320,000
Barry Greenstein: 307,000
Mark Tenner: 137,000

Eliminations:
Michael Joseph Eliminated in 6th Plac ($25,831)
Brandon Leeds Eliminated in 5th place ($33,301)

Big Hands:

Chris Klodnicki Goes From Worst to First, Takes the Chip Lead...For a Minute

Chris Viox started this round as the short stack with just under 30,000 in chips, and one hour later Viox has grabbed the chip lead with almost 375,000. Viox had increased his fire power ten-fold this round after getting invloved in a big pot with Barry Greenstein and emerging victorious. After that hand, Klodnicki surged to over 300,000 while Greenstein fell to just about half that amount. Klodnicki and Viox have been tangling with the chip lead ever since.

Joseph Michael Eliminated in 6th place ($25,831)

Mark Tenner completed the bet with a 4 and Chris Viox called the raise with a 7. Joseph Michael reraised with a 7, Tenner folded and Viox made it three bets to go. Michael came back over the top and reraised all in for a total of 35,000. Michael went on to make a 9-7-6-4-3 low while Viox made an 8-7-6-4-A on seventh street. Chris Viox raked the pot, regaining the chip lead once again while Joseph Michael was eliminated in 6th place ($25,831).

Brandon Leeds Eliminated in 5th place ($33,301)

The now short stacked Brandon Leeds moved all in on fourth street with an A-2 on board against the chip leader, Chris Viox who was showing A-6. Viox went on to make a 6-5-4-2-A on the river while the best Leeds could do was make an 8-6-4-3-A low. Chris Viox adds even more chips to his growing stack while Brandon Leeds has to settle for 5th place and $33,301.

Player Tags: Barry Greenstein,   Chris Klodnicki,   Chris Viox,   Brandon Leeds,   Joseph Michael

$1,500 Razz - Archie Karas Eliminated in 7th place ($19,607)

Jun 15, '08

Blinds/Antes: 2,000 ante, 2,000 bring-in, 8,000 completion

Players Left: 6

Chip Counts:
Chris Viox: 368,000
Barry Greenstein: 300,000
Mark Tenner: 280,000
Joseph Michael: 200,000
Chris Klodnicki: 160,000
Brandon Leeds: 122,000

Eliminations:
Archie Karas Eliminated in 7th Place ($19,607)

Big Hands:

Archie Karas Eliminated in 7th Place ($19,607)

Barry Greenstein brought it in with the high card for 2,000 and Archie Karas completed the bet to 8,000. Brandon Leeds reraised to 16,000 and Karas called all in for 3,000 more. "The Greek" ended up making an eight-low on seventh street while Leeds went on to make a six-low. Leeds raked the pot and Archie Karas was eliminated in 7th place ($19,607).

Chris Klodnicki Doubles Through Joseph Michael

Short stack Chris Klodnicki got the rest of his chips in the pot on fifth street against Joseph Michael.

Klodnicki: K-3-2-4 - A-9-4
Michael: 2-J-4-Q - 10-7-X

Klodnicki made a nine-low on the river while Michael bricked. Klodnicki went from the short stack to over 150,000 chips that hand.

Player Tags: Barry Greenstein,   Archie Karas,   Chris Klodnicki,   Brandon Leeds,   Joseph Michael

$1,500 Razz Final Table Preview

Jun 15, '08

The $1,500 Razz final table starts today at 3 pm local time and here is a look at the final eight players and their starting chip counts…

Christopher Viox of Glen Carbon, Illinois comes to this final table first in chips (359,500) and with some prior WSOP experience. This will be Christopher’s fourth cash and second WSOP final table. Viox cashed in both the ‘06 and ‘07 Main Event, and placed third in ‘06 $2,000 Pot-Limit Hold’em event, taking home his biggest prize to date of $85,904. Christopher Viox has over a quarter million dollars in live action tournament winnings and comes here tonight looking for both his first bracelet and his first six-figure cash.

Barry Greenstein, affectionately known as “Bear”, comes to his second WSOP final table of the year second in chips (243,000), and looking to score his third gold bracelet. One of the game’s most recognizable faces, this is Greenstein’s twelfth WSOP final table and 34th overall WSOP cash, making him 55th on the WSOP all-time money list. Greenstein now has over $6 million in live tournament winnings and in addition to his success at the World Series, Greenstein has three WPT Championships under his belt. As respected away from the game as he is feared on the table, Greenstein is considered one of the industry’s greatest philanthropists, donating his poker winnings to charity and earning himself the nickname, “Robin Hood of Poker”.

Brandon Leeds of Phoenix, Arizona comes to this final table third in chips (206,500), and with only two prior WSOP cashes, Leeds comes here tonight locking down the biggest cash of his career with a guaranteed $13,382 ninth place pay-out.

Joseph Michael of Austin, Texas has three lifetime WSOP cashes, all in 2007, and spread out over a wide variety of games. This will be Michael’s first final table and with 155,000 (4th) in chips, and although Michael might be one of the least experienced players at table, he has more than enough fire power to hold his ground.

Archie “The Greek” Karas is one of the world’s most infamous gamblers, and is said by many to be the world’s biggest loser. In his lifetime, Karas is rumored to have gone from broke to over $25 million, and then back to broke again. Karas built up a formidable bankroll as a pool hustler, moving on to poker, and eventually ending up at Binion’s Horsehoe Casino in 1993 where he challenged the greatest poker players in the world to the greatest stakes of all time. Chip Reese, Doyle Brunson, Johnny Chan…at one time or another, “The Greek” had beat them all. Karas then took an eight-figure bankroll to the craps pits and started rolling the dice at a million dollars a toss. One time on Mr. Karas’ Wild Ride, he had won all of the Horseshoe’s $5,000 chips, and Binion had to buy them all back from him. Karas comes to the table fifth in chips with 113,000. This is Karas’ third WSOP cash and third final table, all of which have come in some variation of stud.

Local resident, Mark Tenner of Henderson, Nevada comes to his first WSOP final table with 120,000 in chips (6th) and four prior WSOP cashes. Tenner cashed in this event in 2005, with his most impressive finish coming in the main event of that same year. Tenner has just over $108,500 in live winnings, and is eagerly looking forward to adding to that number here tonight. This is Tenner’s fifth WSOP in-the-money finish and his first final table.

Chris Klodnicki of Worhees, New Jersey comes to the final table as one of the short stacks (7th) with 105,000 in chips. This is Klodnicki’s second WSOP cash and his first final table. His most impressive finish coming at the EPT’s Poker Stars Caribbean Adventure of this year, Klodnicki came in 35th place and cashed for $32,000. Klodnicki has guaranteed himself a five figure cash here tonight, escalating his live tournament winnings into six-figure territory.

Mike Wattel is a true veteran of the game with 16 WSOP cashes, ten final tables and one bracelet. Going after his second here today, Wattel has a lot of obstacles to overcome and a major chip deficit as the short stack with only 74,000. This is Wattel and Karas’ second WSOP final table together. Wattel finished 5th and Karas finished 4th in this very same event just three years ago in 2005. In fact, this is Wattel’s fourth time at the final table in this event since 1999. Even with the minimum, Mike Wattel has just hit a pivotal moment in his career. This final table guarantees Wattel enough prize money to break the million dollar mark and grant him exclusive access in the poker-made millionaires club. Wattel is clearly one of the biggest threats at this table, and with his chip count down, don’t count him out because experience counts for a lot in this game and Wattel has plenty of it.

 

Player Tags: Barry Greenstein,   Michael Wattel,   Mark Tenner,   Archie Karas,   Chris Klodnicki,   Chris Viox,   Brandon Leeds,   Joseph Michael