Matt Graham - Live Updates

Event No. 50 Begins at 5 p.m. on Friday

Jun 26, '09

Event No. 50 ($1,500 limit hold’em shootout) will begin at 5 p.m. on Friday, June 26. The tournament has an entry cap of 1,000 players. Players will begin with 4,500 in tournament chips on day 1 and blinds will begin at 25-50 with 50-100 limits. Levels will be 60-minutes long and there will be a 20-minute break after every two levels. Here is a look at the schedule for the event:

Friday, June 26, 5 p.m.: Day 1 (play out round 1)
Monday, June 22, 2 p.m.: Day 2 (play out round 2)
Tuesday, June 23, 2 p.m.: Final Table

In 2008 this event attracted 823 players and the champion was Matt Graham, who took home $278,180 in prize money. CardPlayer.com will bring you a summary of the action at the dinner break and end of play each day for this event.

Player Tags: Matt Graham

Level 29 Update: Matt Graham Wins Event No. 40

Jun 23, '09

Blinds: 60,000-120,000

Players Remaining: 1 out of 295

Chip Counts:

1. Matt Graham – 8,850,000
2. Vitaly Lunkin – 0

Eliminations:

2. Vitaly Lunkin – $419,832

Big Hands:

Vitaly Lunkin Takes Huge Chip Lead

Vitaly Lunkin made it 300,000 preflop and Matt Graham reraised pot. Lunkin moved all-in and Graham quickly called. Lunkin tabled the AK53 while Graham exposed the QQ87. The flop was hideous for Graham as it came A42. The 2 on the turn gave Graham outs for a full house but none of them came as the 6 fell on the river. After the hand, Lunkin had 8,250,000 in chips to the 600,000 of Graham.

Matt Graham Doubles Up Again

All the money of Graham’s short stack went in with him holding the AKQQ. Lunkin held the 10985. The board ran out 744910, as Graham’s queens held. Graham is back up to 2,400,000.

Matt Graham Regains Chip Advantage

Vitaly Lunkin raised preflop and after a reraise from Graham, all the chips went into the middle. Lunkin exposed AA96 and was ahead of the 9875 of Graham. The flop improved both of their hands as it came 964, giving Lunkin top two but Graham top pair and a wrap. The 3 on the turn gave Graham his straight. The Q fell on the river and Graham doubled to 4,500,000, retaking the chip lead.

Matt Graham Wins Event No. 40 ($679,379), Vitaly Lunkin Eliminated In 2nd Place ($419,832)

It was a limped pot when the flop came 1064. The chip stacks were nearly dead even when Vitaly Lunkin bet 120,000 and Matt Graham check raised pot for 480,000 on top. Lunkin made the call and the 9 hit the turn. Graham bet out 1,100,000, Lunkin went all-in and Graham instantly called. Graham tabled the 101065 for top set, while Lunkin exposed the KJ92 for a flush draw and gutshot. Graham needed to dodge just one more card to make a huge comeback in the match. The A fell on the river and Graham won Event No. 40, eliminating Lunkin in second place.

Player Tags: Matt Graham,   Vitaly Lunkin

Level 28 Update: Back and Forth Battle

Jun 23, '09

Blinds: 50,000-100,000

Players Remaining: 2 out of 295

Chip Counts:

1. Matt Graham – 5,000,000
2. Vitaly Lunkin – 3,850,000

Average Chip Count: 4,425,000

Big Hands:

Vitaly Lunkin Takes Early Lead

Both players limped and saw a flop of Q73. Graham checked and Lunkin bet 150,000. Graham reraised to 550,000, prompting a quick reraise from Lunkin. Graham didn’t take too long before folding. Lunkin was up to 5,350,000 after the hand.

Matt Graham’s Straight Wins Big Pot

Matt Graham raised to 250,000 from the button and Vitaly Lunkin called. The flop came J97 and both players checked. The 10 hit the turn and Lunkin checked to Graham who fired out 280,000. Lunkin made the call and the 6 fell on the river. Lunkin once again checked and Graham bet 750,000. Lunkin contemplated briefly before calling. Graham exposed the AQ86 to take the hand with a queen high straight. Graham had the chip lead with 5,100,000 to Lunkin’s 3,750,000.

Vitaly Lunkin Doubles Up

Vitaly Lunkin limped in and Matt Graham checked. Both players saw a flop of A64 and Graham checked. Lunkin bet 125,000 and Graham bet the pot. Lunkin reraises pot and all the money gets in the middle. Lunkin exposed the K642 for bottom two pair and a flush draw. Graham tabled the A1096 for top two pair. The Q hit the turn, giving Lunkin his flush. The 5 fell on the river and Lunkin doubled up to 6,450,000. Graham had just 2,400,000.

Matt Graham Regains Chip Lead

After a run of pots in the favor of Graham, Vitaly Lunkin lost the chip lead. Lunkin raised to 250,000 preflop and Graham reraised to 750,000. Lunkin made the call and the flop came 522. Graham bet 950,000 and Lunkin made the fold. Graham has 5,000,000 against the 3,850,000 of Lunkin.

Player Tags: Matt Graham,   Vitaly Lunkin

Level 27 Update: Stefan Mattsson, Ferit Gabriellson, Robin Keston, Van Marcus Eliminated

Jun 23, '09

Blinds: 40,000-80,000

Players Remaining: 2 out of 295

Chip Counts:

1. Matt Graham – 4,500,000
2. Vitaly Lunkin – 4,350,000

Average Chip Count: 4,425,000

Eliminations:

6. Stefan Mattsson – $118,463
5. Ferit Gabriellson – $148,439
4. Robin Keston – $196,994
3. Van Marcus – $278,409

Big Hands:

Stefan Mattsson Eliminated In 6th ($118,463)

Vitaly Lunkin raised to 210,000 preflop and Stefan Mattsson reraised pot. Lunkin moved all-in and Mattsson made the call. Lunkin tabled the AAK3 while Mattsson exposed the QJ108. The flop was great for Mattsson as it came J63. The turn was ugly for Mattsson as the 4 fell, giving Lunkin his own flush draw. The river bricked for Mattsson as the 7 hit, sending him home in 6th place. Lunkin is now up to 4,000,000 in chips.

Ferit Gabriellson Eliminated in 5th ($148,439)

Ferit Gabriellson raised to 280,000 on the button and Matt Graham called in the small blind. Graham led out for 250,000 on a flop of AK5. Gabriellson moved all-in for a bit more and Graham made the call. Graham exposed the JJ103 and was behind against the KJ98 of Gabriellson. The turn was almost the perfect card in the deck for Graham as the J hit. The 8 fell on the river and the case jack on the turn gave Graham the pot and eliminated Gabriellson in 5th. Graham now has 2,220,000 in chips.

Robin Keston Is Eliminated In 4th Place ($196,994)

Matt Graham bet 210,000 from the cutoff and was moved in on by Robin Keston for 785,000 total. Graham made the call and exposed the A8109. Keston tabled the K1076 and was behind. The board ran out J523A and Graham took the pot with a pair of aces, eliminating Keston from the tournament.

Van Marcus Eliminated In 3rd Place ($278,409)

Matt Graham raised to 200,000 and Van Marcus reraised pot. Graham instantly went all-in and Marcus called. Graham turned over the AAJ9 and was ahead against the QJJ7 of Marcus. The board ran out Q102A3 as Graham won the hand with trip aces to enter heads up play with 4,500,000 in chips.

Player Tags: Robin Keston,   Ferit Gabriellson,   Matt Graham,   Vitaly Lunkin,   Stefan Mattsson

Level 25 Update: Van Marcus Doubles Up

Jun 22, '09

Blinds: 25,000-50,000

Players Remaining: 6 out of 295

Chip Counts:

1. Vitaly Lunkin — 2,400,000
2. Stefan Mattsson — 1,550,000
3. Ferit Gabriellson — 1,350,000
4. Matt Graham — 1,300,000
5. Van Marcus — 1,050,000
6. Robin Keston — 900,000

Average Chip Count: 1,475,000

Eliminations:

None

Big Hands:

Van Marcus Doubles Up

Matt Graham raised to 130,000 preflop and Van Marcus reraised another 335,000. Graham went into the tank before finally making the call. The flop came 552 and Graham bet the very tiny amount that Marcus had left after the preflop reraise. Marcus made the easy call and tabled the AAJ4. Graham exposed the severely dominated QJ94 for just queen high. The board offered no salvation for Graham as Marcus doubled up to 1,050,000.

Vitaly Lunkin Takes Hit

Vitaly Lunkin raised preflop to 150,000 and Ferit Gabriellson made the call. The flop came Q74. Lunkin continued with a small 95,000 bet and Gabriellson made the call. The turn was the 10 and both players checked to a 9 river. Lunkin fired out 300,000 and Gabriellson made the quick call. Lunkin exposed the JJ67 for just a pair of jacks. Gabriellson tabled the AJJ8 for a straight to take the pot. Gabriellson is up to 1,350,000.

Left In The Deck:

Players are now on a 20 minute break.

Player Tags: Ferit Gabriellson,   Matt Graham,   Van Marcus,   Vitaly Lunkin

Final Table Update: Action Somewhat Slow Early On

Jun 22, '09

Blinds: 12,000-24,000

Players Remaining: 9 out of 295

Chip Counts:

1. Matt Graham — 1,540,000
2. Ferit Gabriellson — 1,100,000
3. Richard Austin — 1,100,00
4. Josh Arieh — 1,050,000
5. Robin Keston — 1,000,000
6. Stefan Mattsson — 850,000
7. Vitaly Lunkin — 850,000
8. Barry Greenstein — 780,000
9. Van Marcus — 500,000

Average Chip Count: 983,333

Big Hands:

Graham Extends His Lead

Van Marcus limped in from middle position and Ferit Gabriellson completed from the small blind. Matt Graham checked his option in the big blind and the three players saw a flop of 398.

All three players checked and watched the 4 fall on the turn. Gabriellson led out for 50,000 and Graham raised to 206,000. Marcus quickly mucked his hand, but Gabriellson went into the tank for a while before finally releasing his cards.

Greenstein Punishes Limpers, Wins Pot

After Josh Arieh, Stefan Mattsson, Ferit Gabriellson, and Matt Graham all limp for 24,000, Barry Greenstein decides to raise to 120,000.

He gets called by Mattsson and Gabriellson and they see a flop of KQJ and Greenstein bets 200,000. Both players folded and Greenstein wins the pot.

Player Tags: Barry Greenstein,   Matt Graham

Level 8 Update

Feb 22, '09

Level: 8

Blinds: 250-500 with a 50 ante

Players Left: 306 out of 696
 

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Score Board:

Notable Chip Counts

Antonio Esfandiari - 186,000
KJ Nam - 185,000
Mike Sowers: 153,000
Kofi Farkye - 126,000
Anthony Venturini- 125,000

Average:45,490

Notable Eliminations

Sorel Mizzi
Shane Schleger
Jason Somerville
Hafiz Khan
Devin Porter
Matt Graham
Steve Sung

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Featured Table

Table 19

Seat 1: Paul Smith
Seat 2: Nick Schulman
Seat 4: Eric Hershler
Seat 5: Dan O'Brien
Seat 7: Karga Holt
Seat 8: Isaac Haxton
Seat 9: Paul Wasicka

Karga Holt Takes One Down

With 3,000 in the pot and a flop of 833 sitting on the table seat 6 bet 3,500 from the cutoff and Karga Holt made the call from the button. The turn fell A and both players checked. The 9 fell on the river and seat 6 bet 7,500. Holt made the call and flipped over pocket sixes. His opponent mucked and Holt took down the hand.

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Big Hands:

Matt Graham Eliminated by David Pham

Matt Graham moved all in for 12,400 and David Pham called him down. Their cards:

Graham: A4
Pham: 99

Board: 774J2

Graham was eliminated on the hand.

Hevad Khan Doubles Through Eddie Sabat

Eddie Sabat raised preflop and was called by Hevad Khan, the button and the big blind. The flop came A102 and Sabat continued with a bet of 1,025.

Khan raised to 7,000 and everyone but Sabat folded. The turn was the 6 and both players checked.

The river was the 4 and Sabat checked. Khan then moved all in for 16,550. After tanking for a bit Sabat called the clock on himself. The floor was called over and the countdown began, putting one minute on his decision. It only took 15 second for Sabat to call at that point and he mucked when Khan showed QJ. Khan now has 54,250.

I Think I'm Good

With 3,200 in the pot and AJJ, Phil Vey bet 2,000  from late position and the button went into the tank. "I think I have you beat," he said as Ivey stared forward. He eventually mucked pocket 10s face up on the table and Ivey sat unflinching as he collected the pot.

Brett Shaffer Late Show

Brett Shaffer showed up an entire day late today to a stack of 2,500. He quickly tripled up, and then doubled up a few hands later when his A-6 beat pocket fours. He tripled up one more time and now holds a stack worth 16,000.

Player Tags: David Pham,   Matt Graham,   Karga Holt,   Hevad Khan,   Edward Sabat

Matt Graham Eliminated in Fifth Place ($66,355)

Feb 18, '09

Seven-Card Stud

Matt Graham moved all in on fifth street and Scotty Nguyen called him down. Graham revealed KK to go with the exposed KA2 he held and Nguyen turned up 83 to go with his up cards of 99J. Graham was dealt the Q on sixth street, while Nguyen received the 6 to make a flush. Nguyen, said "Bye bye," when he realized he had drawn out on Graham to defeat him. Graham mucked his hand after peaking at his last down card and he walked away from the table as Nguyen laughed. Graham will take home $66,355 in prize money.








 

Player Tags: Scotty Nguyen,   Matt Graham

Graham Low but Doubles

Feb 18, '09

Stud Eight-or-Better

Matt Graham moved all in on sixth street with three kings exposed and both Scotty Nguyen and Jeff Madsen called him down. Madsen took the low while Graham revealed a fourth king to beat Nguyen's seven-high straight.






 

Player Tags: Scotty Nguyen,   Matt Graham,   Jeff Madsen

Mike Matusow Eliminated by Major Cooler

Feb 17, '09

Limit Hold'em

Mike Matusow was all in preflop on the extreme short stack against Layne Flack and Matt Graham.

The flop came QJ8 and Graham bet. Flack made the call and both players checked the 10 on the turn.

The river was the Q and Flack bet in the dark. Graham raised and Flack called.

Graham showed Q10 for a rivered queens full and Flack couldn't believe it, showing AK for a broadway straight.

Matusow tops Flack by showing JJ for jacks full, but it isn't enough to stay in the tourament.

A video of the hand will be posted shortly.

 

Player Tags: Layne Flack,   Mike Matusow,   Matt Graham

Huge Pot in Stud 8/ob

Feb 16, '09

Stud Eight or Better

A huge five-handed pot just went down involving Chris Reslock, Matt Graham, David Benyamine, Layne Flack and another player.

Despite leading the betting earlier in the hand, Reslock, showing a board of 3610Q, had to fold on seventh street after seemingly missing some kind of straight/ flush draw combination.

Benyamine showed down A4(7443)8 for trip fours with an 8-7 low. The hand normally has scooping potential but lost both halves of the pot when Flack showed KK(10K97)A for higher trips. Graham showed 43(J582)2 for an 8-5 low.

 

 

Player Tags: Layne Flack,   David Benyamine,   Chris Reslock,   Matt Graham

Matt Graham Eliminated in Fifth Place ($66,355)

Feb 18, '09

Seven-Card Stud

Matt Graham moved all in on fifth street and Scotty Nguyen called him down. Graham revealed KK to go with the exposed KA2 he held and Nguyen turned up 83 to go with his up cards of 99J. Graham was dealt the Q on sixth street, while Nguyen received the 6 to make a flush. Nguyen, said "Bye bye," when he realized he had drawn out on Graham to defeat him. Graham mucked his hand after peaking at his last down card and he walked away from the table as Nguyen laughed. Graham will take home $66,355 in prize money.








 

Player Tags: Scotty Nguyen,   Matt Graham

Graham Low but Doubles

Feb 18, '09

Stud Eight-or-Better

Matt Graham moved all in on sixth street with three kings exposed and both Scotty Nguyen and Jeff Madsen called him down. Madsen took the low while Graham revealed a fourth king to beat Nguyen's seven-high straight.






 

Player Tags: Scotty Nguyen,   Matt Graham,   Jeff Madsen

Mike Matusow Eliminated by Major Cooler

Feb 17, '09

Limit Hold'em

Mike Matusow was all in preflop on the extreme short stack against Layne Flack and Matt Graham.

The flop came QJ8 and Graham bet. Flack made the call and both players checked the 10 on the turn.

The river was the Q and Flack bet in the dark. Graham raised and Flack called.

Graham showed Q10 for a rivered queens full and Flack couldn't believe it, showing AK for a broadway straight.

Matusow tops Flack by showing JJ for jacks full, but it isn't enough to stay in the tourament.

A video of the hand will be posted shortly.

 

Player Tags: Layne Flack,   Mike Matusow,   Matt Graham

Huge Pot in Stud 8/ob

Feb 16, '09

Stud Eight or Better

A huge five-handed pot just went down involving Chris Reslock, Matt Graham, David Benyamine, Layne Flack and another player.

Despite leading the betting earlier in the hand, Reslock, showing a board of 3610Q, had to fold on seventh street after seemingly missing some kind of straight/ flush draw combination.

Benyamine showed down A4(7443)8 for trip fours with an 8-7 low. The hand normally has scooping potential but lost both halves of the pot when Flack showed KK(10K97)A for higher trips. Graham showed 43(J582)2 for an 8-5 low.

 

 

Player Tags: Layne Flack,   David Benyamine,   Chris Reslock,   Matt Graham

Matt Graham Eliminated in Fifth Place ($66,355)

Feb 18, '09

Seven-Card Stud

Matt Graham moved all in on fifth street and Scotty Nguyen called him down. Graham revealed KK to go with the exposed KA2 he held and Nguyen turned up 83 to go with his up cards of 99J. Graham was dealt the Q on sixth street, while Nguyen received the 6 to make a flush. Nguyen, said "Bye bye," when he realized he had drawn out on Graham to defeat him. Graham mucked his hand after peaking at his last down card and he walked away from the table as Nguyen laughed. Graham will take home $66,355 in prize money.








 

Player Tags: Scotty Nguyen,   Matt Graham

Graham Low but Doubles

Feb 18, '09

Stud Eight-or-Better

Matt Graham moved all in on sixth street with three kings exposed and both Scotty Nguyen and Jeff Madsen called him down. Madsen took the low while Graham revealed a fourth king to beat Nguyen's seven-high straight.






 

Player Tags: Scotty Nguyen,   Matt Graham,   Jeff Madsen

Mike Matusow Eliminated by Major Cooler

Feb 17, '09

Limit Hold'em

Mike Matusow was all in preflop on the extreme short stack against Layne Flack and Matt Graham.

The flop came QJ8 and Graham bet. Flack made the call and both players checked the 10 on the turn.

The river was the Q and Flack bet in the dark. Graham raised and Flack called.

Graham showed Q10 for a rivered queens full and Flack couldn't believe it, showing AK for a broadway straight.

Matusow tops Flack by showing JJ for jacks full, but it isn't enough to stay in the tourament.

A video of the hand will be posted shortly.

 

Player Tags: Layne Flack,   Mike Matusow,   Matt Graham

Huge Pot in Stud 8/ob

Feb 16, '09

Stud Eight or Better

A huge five-handed pot just went down involving Chris Reslock, Matt Graham, David Benyamine, Layne Flack and another player.

Despite leading the betting earlier in the hand, Reslock, showing a board of 3610Q, had to fold on seventh street after seemingly missing some kind of straight/ flush draw combination.

Benyamine showed down A4(7443)8 for trip fours with an 8-7 low. The hand normally has scooping potential but lost both halves of the pot when Flack showed KK(10K97)A for higher trips. Graham showed 43(J582)2 for an 8-5 low.

 

 

Player Tags: Layne Flack,   David Benyamine,   Chris Reslock,   Matt Graham

Davidson Matthew Eliminated in 2nd Place ($257,940)

Dec 12, '08

On a flop of J-9-2, Matt Graham is all in with pocket queens against Davidson Matthew's Q-9.

The turn and river come 7-7 and all of a sudden Graham is the chip leader once again.

A few hands later, both players find themsevles all in preflop. Graham has 85 and Matthew has A2.

The flop brings a five, and the turn and river fail to help Matthew who is eliminated in 2nd place.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Player Tags: Matt Graham,   Davidson Matthew

Davidson Matthew Continues To Win From Behind

Dec 12, '08

After clawing back to take the chip lead with a series of big reraises and showdowns, Matt Graham was just one card away from ending the tournament.

The board read 863J and Matthew was all in for 1,235,000 into a 500,000 pot. Graham made the call with 84 and was right when Matthew turned over 75 for the open-ended straight draw.

The river was the 9, however, and Matthew doubled up. Graham was left with 750,000 in chips.

Player Tags: Matt Graham,   Davidson Matthew

Davidson Matthew Doubles Up

Dec 12, '08

Davidson Matthew is all in for his last 1,060,000. Matthew shows JJ and is racing against Graham's AQ.

The board comes 664K7 and Matthew doubles up to the chip lead with 2,150,000.

Player Tags: Matt Graham,   Davidson Matthew

Limit Hold'em Shootout - Matt Graham Wins Event No. 53

Jul 03, '08

Final day action started at 2 p.m. with 72 remaining players and ran all the way until 7:15 a.m. when the champion was crowned. Playing in his second WSOP, young Matt Graham of New Orleans, LA. completed an impressive comeback heads up against Jean-Robert Bellande to take down his first WSOP bracelet.

At one point Matt Graham was down to just 300,000 in chips to Jean-Robert Bellande's 2,400,000. But Graham kept a level head and said he never lost any confidence as he made an incredible comeback to beat Bellande and claim his first WSOP bracelet along with the $278,180 first-place prize. Bellande narrowly missed his first WSOP title, earning $173,564 for his efforts.
Here's how the final hand went down:

Jean-Robert Bellande was all in preflop holding 97 against Matt Graham's AJ. The board ran K43KQ, missing both players but leaving Graham's ace-high as the best hand. 
 

Player Tags: Jean-Robert Bellande,   Matt Graham

Limit Hold'em Shootout - Final Table - 17+ Hours

Jul 03, '08

Players took a 10 minute break.

Chip Counts:
Matt Graham: 1,725,000
Jean-Robert Bellande: 975,000

Hands:

Graham Starts to Distance Himself

Jean-Robert Bellande check-called Matt Graham on every street of a 95568 board, only to have Graham show 86 for a better two pair than Belland's A-8. Down to 300,000 in chips at one point, Graham has battled back and now holds a 1,725,000 to 975,000 chip advantage over Bellande.

Graham Grinding Away, Takes Chip Lead

.A large pot was brewed when the pot was three-bet preflop and on the flop of A104. Bellande just called Graham's bets on the 2 turn and 4 river and Graham showed AK to scoop the pot and take back over the chip lead.



 

Player Tags: Jean-Robert Bellande,   Matt Graham

Limit Hold'em Shootout - Final Table - Bellande And Graham Heads Up

Jul 02, '08

Blinds: 15,000-30,000

Jean-Robert Bellande and Matt Graham are heads up for the title.

Eliminations:
3rd Place - Joe De Niro ($107,845)
4th Place - Brandon Wong ($69,088)

Hands:
De Niro Rivered, Out in Third Place ($107,845)

Joe De Niro got all in on a flop of J108 and was called by Jean-Robert Bellande. Bellande showed A9 for the but flush draw, but he was trailing De Niro's J9 for top pair and open-ended straight draw. The turn was the 10 and didn't help either player, but when the A fell on the river Bellande made top pair to eliminate De Niro in third.

Bottom Pair Won't Do, Brandon Wong Gone in Fourth Place ($69,088)

Brandon Wong got all in preflop against Matt Graham and Joe De Niro. The flop came 1082 and Graham bet, making De Niro fold. Wong showed A2 for bottom pair and was against Graham's 89 for middle pair. The turn was the 5 and the K didn't improve Wong on the river, and he was eliminated in fourth place.

Player Tags: Jean-Robert Bellande,   Brandon Wong,   Matt Graham

Limit Hold'em Shootout - Final Table - Bellande Takes Huge Chip Lead

Jul 02, '08

Blinds: 15,000-30,000

Players Left: 4 of 823

Chip Counts:
Jean-Robert Bellande: 1,700,000
Joe De Niro: 650,000
Matt Graham: 355,000
Brandon Wong: 90,000

Eliminations:
5th Place - Danny Wong ($33,701)

Hands:

Wong Falls to Full House, Out in Fifth Place ($33,701)

Danny Wong bet a flop of A65 and was called by Jean-Robert Bellande. The turn brought another 6. The river was the 6 and Bellande bet out, which was enough to put Wong all in. Wong called, but mucked when he saw Bellande's A8 for a full house.

Bellande Hits Straight, Takes Large Pot

After three-betting preflop, Jean Robert-Bellande bet every street on a Q5410K board and was called down by Joe De Niro. Bellande showed that he had nothing until the river, where he completed a straight with his J9. He scooped a large pot that put him around 1,700,000 in chips. De Niro's stack dropped to 650,000.

 

Player Tags: Jean-Robert Bellande,   Brandon Wong,   Matt Graham,   Danny Wong

Limit Hold'em Shootout - Final Table - Good Round For Kranyak

Jul 02, '08

Players are on a 20 minute break.

Blinds: 5,000-10,000

Players Left: 9 of 823

Chip Counts:
John Kranyak: 650,000
Jean-Robert Bellande: 420,000
Spencer Lawrence: 365,000
Joe De Niro: 325,000
Brandon Wong: 270,000
Andrew Prock: 230,000
Matt Graham: 170,000
Danny Wong: 160,000
Mike Kachan: 120,000

Hands:

Graham Hits Straight, Takes Pot

Matt Graham bet every street on a board of KJ9810 and was called down by Spencer Lawrence. Graham showed he rivered the broadway straight with AQ in his hand and took the pot.

Good Round For Kranyak

John Kranyak has climbed up the leaderboard by winning several big hands throughout the level.
In one big 3-way Kranyak raised after Jean-Robert Bellande bet a flop of K106 and Bellande and Brandon Wong called. Kranyak bet the K turn and was called again by both opponents. The 9 on the river was a scare card and all players checked. Kranyak showed K7 for trip kings, Bellande mucked and Wong showed A10. Kranyak took a big pot and ended the level with around 650,000 in chips.
 

Player Tags: Jean-Robert Bellande,   Spencer Lawrence,   Matt Graham,   Danny Wong,   John Kranyak,   European Report

Limit Hold'em Shootout - Final Table - Hour 2

Jul 02, '08

Players are now on a 20 minute break.

Blinds: 3,000-6,000

Chip Counts:
John Kranyak: 480,000
Danny Wong: 335,000
Jean-Robert Bellande: 325,000
Brandon Wong: 320,000
Andrew Prock: 300,000
Matt Graham: 290,000
Spencer Lawrence: 253,000
Joe De Niro: 222,000
Mike Kachan: 139,000

Hands:

Kranyak's Flops Set To Beat Aces

Raising the pot until capped preflop, John Kranyak bet a flop of KJ8, was called by Joe De Niro, Michael Kachan raised and Kranyak re-raised. De Niro and Kachan called and again called when Kranyak led out on the 5 turn. When the J came on the river Kranyak bet again and De Niro folded, but Kachan made the call. Kranayk rolled over 88 for a flopped set of 8s and Kachan showed pocket aces before mucking.

De Niro Ready For Action

Joe De Niro has been active, playing many hands. A few hands after taking a big pot from John Kranyak, De Niro called a raise by Matt Graham. De Niro led out and bet every street of a Q108QA board and was called down by Graham. De Niro showed Q9 for trips and Graham mucked his hand.

Bellande Takes a Nice Pot

John-Robert Bellande bet and was called by John Kranyak on every street of a J635A board. Bellande showed A6 for two pair and Kranyak mucked.

Player Tags: Jean-Robert Bellande,   Matt Graham,   John Kranyak

Limit Hold'em Shootout - Level 20 - Final Table Set, Will Start at 10 p.m.

Jul 02, '08

Final Table play will start at 10 p.m.

Final Table Players Are:
Andrew Prock
Brandon Wong
Danny Wong
Jean-Robert Bellande
Joe DeNiro
John Kranyak
Mike Kachan
Spencer Lawrence
Matt Graham

Here are highlights from the last round:

Blinds: 3,000 - 6,000

Eliminations: Stefan Rapp, Mikael Norinder, Duane Graff Jr.

Hands:

Graham Advances to Final Table

Raising back and forth, Matt Graham got Duane Graff Jr. all in and showed AK. Graff showed J5. The board can AQ992 and a thrilled Graham is heading to the final table.

Rapp Eliminated

Stefan Rapp was all in against Duane Graff Jr. preflop. Rapp showed K8 and saw that one of his outs was taken, as Graff Jr. held 88. The board ran 10934, giving Rapp a flush draw for more outs. But the 4 hit on the river and he was eliminated, leaving Graff Jr. heads up with only 32,000 against Matt Graham's 238,000.

Lawrence Puts Norinder Away

Mikael Norinder was all in on the turn with the board showing 10936. He showed KJ for a gutshot straight draw, but was trailing Spencer Lawrence's K3 for a pair of threes. The river was the 2 and Lawrence advanced to the final table.

Norinder Can't Catch a Break

Short-stacked with 60,000 versus the 240,000 on Spencer Lawrence, Mikael Norinder picked up AA and after the betting was concluded on a board of K3245 Lawrence showed he had nothing but ace-high and had hit the miracle river to chop the pot. And the players are back where they started before the hand.
 

Player Tags: Spencer Lawrence,   Matt Graham,   Duane Graff,   Mikael Norinder,   Stefan Rapp,   European Report

Limit Hold'em Shootout - Level 16 - Kenna James Gone

Jul 02, '08

Players are on a 20 minute break. Play resumes at 4:25 p.m.

Blinds: 1,000-2,000

Players Remaining: 29 of 823

Eliminations: Kenna James, Hoyt Corkins, David Bach

Hands: 

James Bucked

"Cowboy" Kenna James got all in against Matt Graham and showed A9. Graham held QQ. The flop brought James a nine, coming 954, but it then bricked with the 4 turn and 3 river and James was eliminated.

Chu Busts Martin and Durkee

Having both Jesse Martin and Will Durkee covered, Hansu Chu got both players all in preflop and showed a monstrous AA. Durkee had JJ and Martin held A2. The board can KQ85J to give Chu the ace-high flush and eliminate both of his opponents.


 

Player Tags: Kenna James,   Matt Graham,   Hansu Chu,   William Durkee V

$1,500 Razz - Level 3

Jun 13, '08

Blinds/Antes: 25 ante, 25 bring-in, 100 completion
Stakes: 100-200

Players: 455 (?)

Chip Counts:
Vanessa Rousso: 5,600
David Bach: 5,000
Cyndy Violette: 5,000
Billy Baxter: 4,800
Annie Duke: 4,800
Mark Vos: 4,700
Dewey Tomko: 4,500
Phil Ivey: 4,450
Erich Kollmann: 4,300
Men Nguyen: 4,240

Eliminations: Michael Craig, Ralph Perry, Katja Thater

Big Hands:

Matt Graham Chipping Up, Back-To-Back

In a four-way pot, Matt Graham took the betting lead with a 4 in the door. Graham got three callers, Tom Schneider, seat 2 and seat 6.

Graham: 44J7 - A83
Schneider: 667A
Seat 2: 2QJ2
Seat 6: AK9Q

Graham continued to bet all the way down to and through the river, seat 6 folded to the river bet and both Scheider and seat 2 called. Graham turned over an 8-7 low and raked a monster pot. After the hand Matt Graham climbed up to 5,500 while Tom Schenider fell down to 2,850.

The very next hand seat 8 completed the bet with a 6 and Matt Graham called with a deuce while seat 6 called with a 4. Graham led out on 4th street and continued to bet down to the river.

Graham: 25A6 -X-X-X
Seat 6: 458 - fold
Seat 8: 6739 - X-X-X

Seat 6 folded on 5th street and seat 8 ended up folding to Graham's last bet on seventh street. Graham took two multi-way pots in a row and ended this hand with well over 6,000 in chips.

Katja Thater Defends Her Title No More

The 2007 defending champion Katja Thater was all in against a single opponent.

Thater: Q2A623Q
Seat 8: 4359A9K

On 5th street seat 8 had locked up a nine-low and Thater was drawing very slim. Sixth street gave her new life where she could hit a 4, 5, 7, or 8 to stay alive as long as her opponent didn't improve. On the river, she paired her queen and the defending champion was defending no more.

Player Tags: Tom Schneider,   Matt Graham,   Katja Thater

Omaha 8 / Stud 8 Level 18

Jun 06, '08

Stud 8: 1,500 ante, 2,000 bring in, 6,000-12,000 limits
Omaha 8: 3,000-6,000 blinds, 6,000-12,000 limits

Players Remaining:  11 of 388

Average Chip Stack: 176,000

Chip Counts:

Farzad Rouhani - 305,000
Tom Chambers - 265,000
Greg Pappas - 195,000
John Racener - 180,000
Brandon Cantu - 167,000
James Van Alstyne - 146,000
John Cernuto - 137,000
Michael Mizrachi - 110,000
Daniel Mowczan - 98,000
Tad Jurgens - 98,000
Yueqi Zhu - 12,000

Eliminations:

Matthew Graham
Mark Gallo

Big Hands:

John Racener makes incredible call

James Van Alstyne, on the button, raised preflop and bet on the flop, turn and river. With the board 93K7T, Racener thought for a couple minutes before finally making the call. Van Alstyne said "nice call" and Racener flipped over A5Q3for only a pair of threes. Van Alstyne mucked, and Racener collected the chips while everyone look on it shock. Eventually, Mizrachi mentioned that he could have been bluffing and still won the hand, and Van Alstyne replied that he had had to think about it to make sure that he had actually l

Cantu scoops pot, cripples Zhu

With the board showing K3A62 in Omaha 8, Yueqi checked and Brandon Cantu checked behind him. Zhu showed 7-7-5-5, while Cantu held A-K-9-4 to scoop the pot with two pair and a six low. After the hand Zhu was down to under 10,000 chips.

Mattew Graham out in 12th

Matthew Graham, who already had a short stack, back-to-back hands did him in. First, against Yueqi Zhu, who had even fewer chips and was all in, he lost in Omaha 8 with A23T to Zhu's AA76 when Zhu flopped a club flush. Then, in stud 8, Graham was all in before fourth street and lost to Brandon Cantu's two pair, aces and tens.

Player Tags: Matt Graham,   Brandon Cantu,   Yueqi Zhu,   John Racener