Kirk Morrison - Live Updates

Level 14 Hour 2 Update: Kirk Morrison Eliminated

Jul 11, '09

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

Players Remaining: 810 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Bertrand Grospellier – 1,380,500
2. Ludovic Lacay – 890,000
3. Christian Heich – 870,00
4. Saar Wilf – 820,000
5. Jordan Morgan – 773,000
6. Gabe Walls – 725,000
7. James Akenhead – 698,000
8. Brennan Hanson – 685,000
9. Owen Crowe – 650,000
10. Eli Adler – 604,000

Card Player Chip Counts:

Phil Hellmuth – 500,000
Jeff Shulman – 188,000

Average Chip Count: 220,884

Notable Eliminations:

Jeff Lisandro
Kirk Morrison
Shawn Buchanan

Big Hands:

Kevin Saul Victim to Bluff

Kevin Saul raised from late position and a player in the big blind reraised to 35,000. Saul made the call and both players saw a flop of 844. The big blind bet 60,000 and Saul thought for awhile before finally making the call. The turn brought the J and the big blind fired out once again, this time for 85,000. Saul went into the tank for minutes before finally mucking. His opponent exposed the 32 for three-high. Saul is at 400,000.

Alex Kostritsyn Bluffed out of 400,000 Pot

On a flop of 842, Alex Kostritsyn bet out from the big blind and player in middle position made the call. The K hit the turn and Kostritsyn bet 39,000. His opponent called and the 9 fell on the river. Kostritsyn bet 58,000 and his opponent quickly went all in for 128,000 more. Kostritsyn went into the tank for minutes before finally mucking. His opponent showed the J10 for jack-high to take down the massive 400,000 pot. Kostritsyn is now at 350,000.

Kirk Morrison Eliminated

After a flop of 763, Kirk Morrison was faced with a 16,000 bet from an opponent. Morrison minraised to 32,000, leaving only 7,000 behind. His opponent moved all in and Morrison made the quick call. Morrison exposed the 88 and was up against the JJ of his opponent. The board bricked out for Morrison as it came AK, and he was eliminated.

Hevad Khan Cracks a Set of Aces

On a board of A92, Hevad Khan moved his opponent all in with the 109 and was called by the AA of his opponent. Khan needed to hit a heart to win the pot and the turn wasn’t one as the 5 hit. The 6 fell on the river as Khan nailed his flush to win the hand. The former final table member from 2007 is now at 255,000.

J.C. Alvarado Takes a Hit

With a flop of 833 sitting on the table one player moved all in and J.C. Alvarado made the call. Their cards:

Alvarado: J8
Opponent: QQ

Turn and River: J4

Alvarado lost the hand and his stack dropped to just 70,000.

Shawn Buchanan Eliminated

Shawn Buchanan was in the big blind when the small blind moved all in for about 100,000. Buchanan made the call with the JJ and was ahead of the K6 of his opponent. The board ran out 1063K7 and Buchanan lost to the kings and sixes of his opponent. He was left with just 3,500 in chips and was eliminated shortly after.

Dan Harrington Takes a Hit

The small blind raised to 8,500 preflop and Dan Harrington made the call from the big blind. The flop was dealt AJ5 and the small blind bet 9,500. Harrintgon made the call and the turn fell Q. The small blind checked and Harrington bet 16,000. The small blind made the call and the river fell 5.

The small blind checked and Harrington bet 37,000. The small blind then raised all in for 36,700 more and Harrinton made the call. The small blind showed down A5 and Harrington flipped over K2. Harrington was knocked down to 200,000 after the hand.

Player Tags: Dan Harrington,   Shawn Buchanan,   Kevin Saul,   Kirk Morrison,   Juan Carlos Alvarado,   Hevad Khan,   Alexander Kostritsyn

Hour Two Recap

Jul 14, '07

Kirk Engineers Fold

Kirk Morrison raised to $60,000 from the cutoff, and Robin Bergren reraised to $185,000 from the button, and Morrison made the call. The flop came 10 10 3 Morrison checked, Bergren bet $150,000, Morrison called. The turn card was the J, Morrison bet $175,000, and Bergren made the call. The river card was the 7, and Morrison moved all in.  Bergren mucked his cards and Morrison raked the pot.

Maria Stomps Keating

Action folded around to Maria Ho in the small blind who raised to $60,000.  Alan Keating reraised all in for his last $256,000 more. Ho quickly counted out the call and separated it from her stack, but then went into the tank for several minutes. She eventually made the call. Ho showed K J, which trailed Keating’s A Q, but not for long. The flop hit Ho hard, as it fell K J 5. Keating’s four outs were erased as the J fell on the turn. The K fell on the river, and Keating was bounced in 104^th place.

Degree All-In Moment

Bill Edler limped from the cutoff, the player in seat No. 5 raised to $80,000, Pete DeBest called from the small blind, Edler moved all in over the top, seat No. 5 folded, and Pete DeBest went into the tank. DeBest, in the course of trying to determine what Edler could be holding, reached into his bad.  Edler joked “That’s not an electronic device is it?” The other players then smiled as DeBest produced a stick of Degree deodorant, to assist him with his decision. Edler announced to the ESPN cameras, “I always use Degree, it keeps me dry in moments like these.” DeBest eventually made the call showing A K, and Edler tabled J J. The board ran out 10 6 3 5 5, Debest counted his chips and found he was short Edler’s bet by $86,000, and he headed for the payout area.

More Money for Shopping Baby!

With the elimination of Cody Slaubaugh in 100^th place, Jack Effel announced over the microphone that another pay bump had now been reached, and the next nine players eliminated would receive $65,535. Scotty Nguyen then announced to the crowd: “More money for the wife for shopping, baby!”

Silber Solves Dario

Dario Minieri has confounded his opponents with his wildly unpredictable play for four straight days in the main event, but Reagan Silber finally caught him. Minieri made the minimum raise preflop from middle position and was called by Silber on the button and the big blind. The flop was 10 5 3, Minieri bet $100,000, and was called by Silber. The turn was the 7, Minieri checked, Silber bet $200,000, Minieri immediately moved all in and Silber called just as quickly.  Silber held 3 3, and Minieri held Q 8. The river card was the 9, and after each of the players chips were counted, Silber’s $1.2 million barely covered Minieri’s stack and he was eliminated in 96^th place.

Other Notable Eliminations 

Also busting in the last hour were Chad Brown who could no longer weather the short stack, and bowed out in 97^th place.  Kelly Jo McGlothin pushed all of her remaining chips in on a flush draw, and couldn’t find her fifth heart. Her elimination leaves Maria Ho as the last remaining woman in the field.

Kenny Tran	2,100,000
David Tran	1,900,000
Bill Edler	1,700,000
Gus Hansen	1,000,000
Kirk Morrison	900,000
Huckleberry Seed	800,000

Pokerstars Online Qualifiers

Hevad Khan	3,300,000
Rep Porter	2,400,000
Jason Welch	1,750,000
Jeff Banghart	1,640,000
Ryan Lawrence	1,000,000

pokerstars.com

Player Tags: Scotty Nguyen,   Chad Brown,   Reagan Silber,   Bill Edler,   Maria Ho,   Robin Bergren,   Kirk Morrison,   Dario Minieri,   Cody Slaubaugh,   Kelly McGlothlin,   Peter Debesr,   Alan Keating

Players on Break

Jul 13, '07

Tournament officials announced that the players would be going on their intended level break an hour early in order to organize the tables properly. The players will return in 20 minutes to finish the level and play half of one more level before leaving on a dinner break. Tournament director Jack Effel also cleared up any confusion about the schedule by confirming that play will last either four and a half levels today or until the field is down to 99 players.

Carlos Mortensen didn't take long to get all his chips in the middle early on in this level and ran head first into an overpair. Mortensen had pushed with pocket jacks only to find his opponent was holding pocket queens. Mortensen didn't improve and the 2001 Main Event champion was sent to the rail.

With the field condensing, many notable players are finding themselves sitting by or across from other notables they have played with many times before. Sharing the felt at table 59 was Gus Hansen, Daniel Alaei, Ayaz Mahmood and Scotty Nguyen. The four players only sat together for a few hands before ESPN scooped them up and sat them at the featured table.

Sorel Mizzi started level 17 with over $700,000 and looked comfortable to go deep in this year's Main Event. The poker gods had a different plan for Mizzi and cut his tournament shorter than many had anticipated. Two players at Mizzi's table, Ed Betlow and the player in seat eight limped into the pot for $10,000 each. Mizzi raised to $51,000 and both players called to see a flop. The flop came J 7 3 and Mizzi bet out $93,000. Betlow raised to $200,000 and the player in seat eight folded right away. Mizzi took a few moments to think and then declared that he was all in. Once the $200,000 bet was called, Mizzi had pushed for $419,000 more. Betlow asked MIzzi if he would show him his cards if he folded. Mizzi sat in his chair silent. "Ok then. It's a sick call but here we go" said Betlow as he pushed $419,000 into the middle. Mizzi turned over K J for top pair and Betlow showed A 7 for middle pair with top kicker. Everyone at the table was slightly surprised at Betlow's call. The turn brought the A and Mizzi stared hard with hatred at the card. The river was the 8 and Sorel Mizzi stood up from the table. "I would have folded if you would have shown me" Betlow said as Mizzi left the table. "You played well sir" said Mizzi as he walked away.

Jason Sell was also eliminated in the first half of level 17 after finding himself all in with A K. Steven Garfinkle called the all in bet with pocket queens. The flop came Q J 4 and took most of the mystery out of it. The turn was the 5 and the river brought the 2.

A big bet on the river helped Neil Channing take a large pot off of Kirk Morrison shortly before the two were moved to the on deck featured table. Morrison raised to $30,000 preflop and Channing popped him to $110,000 total. Morrison made the call and the flop came down K J J. Channing threw out $75,000 and Morrison didn't hesitate to make the call. The turn was the 8 and both players checked. The river brought the K and Channing fired out $160,000. Morrison took a slow sip of his beer and threw his cards in the muck. Channing took down the large pot without ever having to show his cards.

Player Tags: Ayaz Mahmood,   Scotty Nguyen,   Gus Hansen,   Daniel Alaei,   Neil Channing,   Edward Betlow,   Jason Sell,   Kirk Morrison,   Sorel Mizzi

Hour Two Recap

Jul 07, '07

Family Affair Continued
 

Left off of the list of family members in the tournament field today were Howard Lederer and Annie Duke, who entered the tournament area a little late.  Lederer actually now shares the table with Allyn Jaffery Shulman, whose original table has already broken.

Runner Up Affair

 Sammy Farha (Main Event runner-up 2003) and David Williams (2004) have been chatting with each other as they are seated at adjacent tables.  Last year's recipient of the most heart-breaking $6,000,000 prize Paul Wasicka (2006) is on the floor.  Also in the field today is perhaps the most famous runners-up of the pre-Moneymaker age.  Eight-time bracelet winner and 1988 runner up Erik Seidel is in the field today.  To most, Seidel is famously the player who falls for Johnny Chan’s slowplaying of the flopped straight in the final hand of the Main Event, immortalized in the movie Rounders.  Two-time runner up TJ Cloutier (1985, 2000) has been seen ambling around the tournament area, but he doesn’t play until tomorrow.

 
The Royal Treatment

 
The massage therapists have decided to offer a complimentary massage to first player to get a royal flush.  Several players are then heard complaining that their royal flush draws didn’t get any action.  It seems the massage team is looking for a gimmick each day, and without Brad Garrett they’re clutching at straws.

 

Also Joe Sebok seems to be the only real poker royalty (don’t tell Prince of Poker Scotty Nguyen though).  Sebok, the winner of the prop bet between Gavin Smith and Jeff Madsen is adorned today in a royal cape, which has been rather lucky for him as he has chipped up to about $35,000.

 
Antonius Sniffs Out Bluff

 
On a board of K 4 4, Patrik Antonius checks, his opponent in the cutoff bets $350, and Antonius calls.  Antonius checks again on the 2h on the turn, his opponent bets $1,100, and Antonius calls.  The 7 hit on the river, Antonius bet $2,600, his opponent raised to $6,000, and Antonius called after much deliberation.  The player in the cutoff hemmed and hawed, knocking the table, and eventually showed A-J, while Antonius showed K Q to take the pot.

 
Ylon Schartz, Kirk Morrison, and Robert Cheung are among the early chip leaders as the players head into their 30 minute break.

Power out gunned

Recent Irish Open finalist Nicky Power has been eliminated. 'I found aces the hand before, raised it up and got no callers,' he explained to CardPlayer.com. 'The next hand i found A-K and the flop came K-K-4. All the money went in the middle and the other fella had 4-4. I don't mind really, folding is not a big part of my game so what can you do,' he grinned.

Trumper trumped this time.

Englishman Simon Trumper had to fold 10-10 to a raise from 'a loose-agressive guy' in seat nine. He didn't seem too upset though as he described his various observations of the playing styles and strategies of the players at his table to CardPlayer.com.

Euro Chip Counts

Donnacha O'Dea $16,700
Pascal Perrault $23,050
Jen Mason $13,050
Simon Trumper $21,800
Ross Boatman $23,500
Rob Taylor $13,025
Neil Channing $42,000
Thomas Finneran $16,350
Eoghan O'Dea $23,000
George McKeever $35,300
Derek Murray $15,900
Alan Smurfit $27,200
John Duthie $36,200
Dave Murray $19,675
Adam Noone $17,050
Vicky Coren $22250

Notable Chip Counts

Robert Cheung	42,075
Justin Bonomo	41,000
Ylon Schwartz	38,000
Joe Sebok	34,000
Kirk Morrison	33,000
Doug Kim	32,000
Tony G	29,000
Sammy Farha	27,000
Evelyn Ng	27,000
Scotty Nguyen	25,800
J.J. Liu	25,000
Dan Alspach	25,000
Joe Hachem	24,000
Dan Harrington	24,000
Barry Shulman	23,500
Bob Bright	23,100
Erik Seidel	23,000
Robert Mizrachi	22,000
Norm MacDonald	22,000
Isabelle Mercier	21,500
Jennifer Harman	21,300
Kathy Liebert	21,000
Jeffrey Lisandro	21,000
Allyn Jaffrey Shulman	21,000
Scott Fischman	20,500
Howard Lederer	20,500
Berry Johnston	20,500
Scott Clements	20,000
Rhett Butler	20,000
Jordan Morgan	20,000
Alexander Kravchenko	20,000
Noah Boeken	19,000
Sabyl Cohen	18,900
Steve Sung	18,500
Annie Duke	18,500
Kido Pham	17,500
Tom McEvoy	17,000
'Miami John' Cernuto	17,000
Barny Boatman	15,800
John Juanda	15,600
Hoyt Corkins	15,400
Paul Wasicka	15,300
Juha Helppi	14,600
Mark Seif	14,500
Roland De Wolfe	14,400
Max Pescatori	14,400
Aaron Kanter	13,500
Captain Tom Franklin	13,300
David Singer	13,000
Davidson Matthew	12,500
David 'The Dragon' Pham	11,500
Young Phan	11,000
Dan Shak	11,000
David Williams	10,500
Bill Chen	10,000
Sam Grizzle	6,200

Player Tags: T.J. Cloutier,   Erik Seidel,   Annie Duke,   Howard Lederer,   David Williams,   Sam Farha,   Ylon Schwartz,   Paul Wasicka,   Patrik Antonius,   Joe Sebok,   Kirk Morrison,   Robert Cheung

Hour Two Recap

Jul 14, '07

Kirk Engineers Fold

Kirk Morrison raised to $60,000 from the cutoff, and Robin Bergren reraised to $185,000 from the button, and Morrison made the call. The flop came 10 10 3 Morrison checked, Bergren bet $150,000, Morrison called. The turn card was the J, Morrison bet $175,000, and Bergren made the call. The river card was the 7, and Morrison moved all in.  Bergren mucked his cards and Morrison raked the pot.

Maria Stomps Keating

Action folded around to Maria Ho in the small blind who raised to $60,000.  Alan Keating reraised all in for his last $256,000 more. Ho quickly counted out the call and separated it from her stack, but then went into the tank for several minutes. She eventually made the call. Ho showed K J, which trailed Keating’s A Q, but not for long. The flop hit Ho hard, as it fell K J 5. Keating’s four outs were erased as the J fell on the turn. The K fell on the river, and Keating was bounced in 104^th place.

Degree All-In Moment

Bill Edler limped from the cutoff, the player in seat No. 5 raised to $80,000, Pete DeBest called from the small blind, Edler moved all in over the top, seat No. 5 folded, and Pete DeBest went into the tank. DeBest, in the course of trying to determine what Edler could be holding, reached into his bad.  Edler joked “That’s not an electronic device is it?” The other players then smiled as DeBest produced a stick of Degree deodorant, to assist him with his decision. Edler announced to the ESPN cameras, “I always use Degree, it keeps me dry in moments like these.” DeBest eventually made the call showing A K, and Edler tabled J J. The board ran out 10 6 3 5 5, Debest counted his chips and found he was short Edler’s bet by $86,000, and he headed for the payout area.

More Money for Shopping Baby!

With the elimination of Cody Slaubaugh in 100^th place, Jack Effel announced over the microphone that another pay bump had now been reached, and the next nine players eliminated would receive $65,535. Scotty Nguyen then announced to the crowd: “More money for the wife for shopping, baby!”

Silber Solves Dario

Dario Minieri has confounded his opponents with his wildly unpredictable play for four straight days in the main event, but Reagan Silber finally caught him. Minieri made the minimum raise preflop from middle position and was called by Silber on the button and the big blind. The flop was 10 5 3, Minieri bet $100,000, and was called by Silber. The turn was the 7, Minieri checked, Silber bet $200,000, Minieri immediately moved all in and Silber called just as quickly.  Silber held 3 3, and Minieri held Q 8. The river card was the 9, and after each of the players chips were counted, Silber’s $1.2 million barely covered Minieri’s stack and he was eliminated in 96^th place.

Other Notable Eliminations 

Also busting in the last hour were Chad Brown who could no longer weather the short stack, and bowed out in 97^th place.  Kelly Jo McGlothin pushed all of her remaining chips in on a flush draw, and couldn’t find her fifth heart. Her elimination leaves Maria Ho as the last remaining woman in the field.

Kenny Tran	2,100,000
David Tran	1,900,000
Bill Edler	1,700,000
Gus Hansen	1,000,000
Kirk Morrison	900,000
Huckleberry Seed	800,000

Pokerstars Online Qualifiers

Hevad Khan	3,300,000
Rep Porter	2,400,000
Jason Welch	1,750,000
Jeff Banghart	1,640,000
Ryan Lawrence	1,000,000

pokerstars.com

Player Tags: Scotty Nguyen,   Chad Brown,   Reagan Silber,   Bill Edler,   Maria Ho,   Robin Bergren,   Kirk Morrison,   Dario Minieri,   Cody Slaubaugh,   Kelly McGlothlin,   Peter Debesr,   Alan Keating

Players on Break

Jul 13, '07

Tournament officials announced that the players would be going on their intended level break an hour early in order to organize the tables properly. The players will return in 20 minutes to finish the level and play half of one more level before leaving on a dinner break. Tournament director Jack Effel also cleared up any confusion about the schedule by confirming that play will last either four and a half levels today or until the field is down to 99 players.

Carlos Mortensen didn't take long to get all his chips in the middle early on in this level and ran head first into an overpair. Mortensen had pushed with pocket jacks only to find his opponent was holding pocket queens. Mortensen didn't improve and the 2001 Main Event champion was sent to the rail.

With the field condensing, many notable players are finding themselves sitting by or across from other notables they have played with many times before. Sharing the felt at table 59 was Gus Hansen, Daniel Alaei, Ayaz Mahmood and Scotty Nguyen. The four players only sat together for a few hands before ESPN scooped them up and sat them at the featured table.

Sorel Mizzi started level 17 with over $700,000 and looked comfortable to go deep in this year's Main Event. The poker gods had a different plan for Mizzi and cut his tournament shorter than many had anticipated. Two players at Mizzi's table, Ed Betlow and the player in seat eight limped into the pot for $10,000 each. Mizzi raised to $51,000 and both players called to see a flop. The flop came J 7 3 and Mizzi bet out $93,000. Betlow raised to $200,000 and the player in seat eight folded right away. Mizzi took a few moments to think and then declared that he was all in. Once the $200,000 bet was called, Mizzi had pushed for $419,000 more. Betlow asked MIzzi if he would show him his cards if he folded. Mizzi sat in his chair silent. "Ok then. It's a sick call but here we go" said Betlow as he pushed $419,000 into the middle. Mizzi turned over K J for top pair and Betlow showed A 7 for middle pair with top kicker. Everyone at the table was slightly surprised at Betlow's call. The turn brought the A and Mizzi stared hard with hatred at the card. The river was the 8 and Sorel Mizzi stood up from the table. "I would have folded if you would have shown me" Betlow said as Mizzi left the table. "You played well sir" said Mizzi as he walked away.

Jason Sell was also eliminated in the first half of level 17 after finding himself all in with A K. Steven Garfinkle called the all in bet with pocket queens. The flop came Q J 4 and took most of the mystery out of it. The turn was the 5 and the river brought the 2.

A big bet on the river helped Neil Channing take a large pot off of Kirk Morrison shortly before the two were moved to the on deck featured table. Morrison raised to $30,000 preflop and Channing popped him to $110,000 total. Morrison made the call and the flop came down K J J. Channing threw out $75,000 and Morrison didn't hesitate to make the call. The turn was the 8 and both players checked. The river brought the K and Channing fired out $160,000. Morrison took a slow sip of his beer and threw his cards in the muck. Channing took down the large pot without ever having to show his cards.

Player Tags: Ayaz Mahmood,   Scotty Nguyen,   Gus Hansen,   Daniel Alaei,   Neil Channing,   Edward Betlow,   Jason Sell,   Kirk Morrison,   Sorel Mizzi

Hour Two Recap

Jul 07, '07

Family Affair Continued
 

Left off of the list of family members in the tournament field today were Howard Lederer and Annie Duke, who entered the tournament area a little late.  Lederer actually now shares the table with Allyn Jaffery Shulman, whose original table has already broken.

Runner Up Affair

 Sammy Farha (Main Event runner-up 2003) and David Williams (2004) have been chatting with each other as they are seated at adjacent tables.  Last year's recipient of the most heart-breaking $6,000,000 prize Paul Wasicka (2006) is on the floor.  Also in the field today is perhaps the most famous runners-up of the pre-Moneymaker age.  Eight-time bracelet winner and 1988 runner up Erik Seidel is in the field today.  To most, Seidel is famously the player who falls for Johnny Chan’s slowplaying of the flopped straight in the final hand of the Main Event, immortalized in the movie Rounders.  Two-time runner up TJ Cloutier (1985, 2000) has been seen ambling around the tournament area, but he doesn’t play until tomorrow.

 
The Royal Treatment

 
The massage therapists have decided to offer a complimentary massage to first player to get a royal flush.  Several players are then heard complaining that their royal flush draws didn’t get any action.  It seems the massage team is looking for a gimmick each day, and without Brad Garrett they’re clutching at straws.

 

Also Joe Sebok seems to be the only real poker royalty (don’t tell Prince of Poker Scotty Nguyen though).  Sebok, the winner of the prop bet between Gavin Smith and Jeff Madsen is adorned today in a royal cape, which has been rather lucky for him as he has chipped up to about $35,000.

 
Antonius Sniffs Out Bluff

 
On a board of K 4 4, Patrik Antonius checks, his opponent in the cutoff bets $350, and Antonius calls.  Antonius checks again on the 2h on the turn, his opponent bets $1,100, and Antonius calls.  The 7 hit on the river, Antonius bet $2,600, his opponent raised to $6,000, and Antonius called after much deliberation.  The player in the cutoff hemmed and hawed, knocking the table, and eventually showed A-J, while Antonius showed K Q to take the pot.

 
Ylon Schartz, Kirk Morrison, and Robert Cheung are among the early chip leaders as the players head into their 30 minute break.

Power out gunned

Recent Irish Open finalist Nicky Power has been eliminated. 'I found aces the hand before, raised it up and got no callers,' he explained to CardPlayer.com. 'The next hand i found A-K and the flop came K-K-4. All the money went in the middle and the other fella had 4-4. I don't mind really, folding is not a big part of my game so what can you do,' he grinned.

Trumper trumped this time.

Englishman Simon Trumper had to fold 10-10 to a raise from 'a loose-agressive guy' in seat nine. He didn't seem too upset though as he described his various observations of the playing styles and strategies of the players at his table to CardPlayer.com.

Euro Chip Counts

Donnacha O'Dea $16,700
Pascal Perrault $23,050
Jen Mason $13,050
Simon Trumper $21,800
Ross Boatman $23,500
Rob Taylor $13,025
Neil Channing $42,000
Thomas Finneran $16,350
Eoghan O'Dea $23,000
George McKeever $35,300
Derek Murray $15,900
Alan Smurfit $27,200
John Duthie $36,200
Dave Murray $19,675
Adam Noone $17,050
Vicky Coren $22250

Notable Chip Counts

Robert Cheung	42,075
Justin Bonomo	41,000
Ylon Schwartz	38,000
Joe Sebok	34,000
Kirk Morrison	33,000
Doug Kim	32,000
Tony G	29,000
Sammy Farha	27,000
Evelyn Ng	27,000
Scotty Nguyen	25,800
J.J. Liu	25,000
Dan Alspach	25,000
Joe Hachem	24,000
Dan Harrington	24,000
Barry Shulman	23,500
Bob Bright	23,100
Erik Seidel	23,000
Robert Mizrachi	22,000
Norm MacDonald	22,000
Isabelle Mercier	21,500
Jennifer Harman	21,300
Kathy Liebert	21,000
Jeffrey Lisandro	21,000
Allyn Jaffrey Shulman	21,000
Scott Fischman	20,500
Howard Lederer	20,500
Berry Johnston	20,500
Scott Clements	20,000
Rhett Butler	20,000
Jordan Morgan	20,000
Alexander Kravchenko	20,000
Noah Boeken	19,000
Sabyl Cohen	18,900
Steve Sung	18,500
Annie Duke	18,500
Kido Pham	17,500
Tom McEvoy	17,000
'Miami John' Cernuto	17,000
Barny Boatman	15,800
John Juanda	15,600
Hoyt Corkins	15,400
Paul Wasicka	15,300
Juha Helppi	14,600
Mark Seif	14,500
Roland De Wolfe	14,400
Max Pescatori	14,400
Aaron Kanter	13,500
Captain Tom Franklin	13,300
David Singer	13,000
Davidson Matthew	12,500
David 'The Dragon' Pham	11,500
Young Phan	11,000
Dan Shak	11,000
David Williams	10,500
Bill Chen	10,000
Sam Grizzle	6,200

Player Tags: T.J. Cloutier,   Erik Seidel,   Annie Duke,   Howard Lederer,   David Williams,   Sam Farha,   Ylon Schwartz,   Paul Wasicka,   Patrik Antonius,   Joe Sebok,   Kirk Morrison,   Robert Cheung

Hour Two Recap

Jul 14, '07

Kirk Engineers Fold

Kirk Morrison raised to $60,000 from the cutoff, and Robin Bergren reraised to $185,000 from the button, and Morrison made the call. The flop came 10 10 3 Morrison checked, Bergren bet $150,000, Morrison called. The turn card was the J, Morrison bet $175,000, and Bergren made the call. The river card was the 7, and Morrison moved all in.  Bergren mucked his cards and Morrison raked the pot.

Maria Stomps Keating

Action folded around to Maria Ho in the small blind who raised to $60,000.  Alan Keating reraised all in for his last $256,000 more. Ho quickly counted out the call and separated it from her stack, but then went into the tank for several minutes. She eventually made the call. Ho showed K J, which trailed Keating’s A Q, but not for long. The flop hit Ho hard, as it fell K J 5. Keating’s four outs were erased as the J fell on the turn. The K fell on the river, and Keating was bounced in 104^th place.

Degree All-In Moment

Bill Edler limped from the cutoff, the player in seat No. 5 raised to $80,000, Pete DeBest called from the small blind, Edler moved all in over the top, seat No. 5 folded, and Pete DeBest went into the tank. DeBest, in the course of trying to determine what Edler could be holding, reached into his bad.  Edler joked “That’s not an electronic device is it?” The other players then smiled as DeBest produced a stick of Degree deodorant, to assist him with his decision. Edler announced to the ESPN cameras, “I always use Degree, it keeps me dry in moments like these.” DeBest eventually made the call showing A K, and Edler tabled J J. The board ran out 10 6 3 5 5, Debest counted his chips and found he was short Edler’s bet by $86,000, and he headed for the payout area.

More Money for Shopping Baby!

With the elimination of Cody Slaubaugh in 100^th place, Jack Effel announced over the microphone that another pay bump had now been reached, and the next nine players eliminated would receive $65,535. Scotty Nguyen then announced to the crowd: “More money for the wife for shopping, baby!”

Silber Solves Dario

Dario Minieri has confounded his opponents with his wildly unpredictable play for four straight days in the main event, but Reagan Silber finally caught him. Minieri made the minimum raise preflop from middle position and was called by Silber on the button and the big blind. The flop was 10 5 3, Minieri bet $100,000, and was called by Silber. The turn was the 7, Minieri checked, Silber bet $200,000, Minieri immediately moved all in and Silber called just as quickly.  Silber held 3 3, and Minieri held Q 8. The river card was the 9, and after each of the players chips were counted, Silber’s $1.2 million barely covered Minieri’s stack and he was eliminated in 96^th place.

Other Notable Eliminations 

Also busting in the last hour were Chad Brown who could no longer weather the short stack, and bowed out in 97^th place.  Kelly Jo McGlothin pushed all of her remaining chips in on a flush draw, and couldn’t find her fifth heart. Her elimination leaves Maria Ho as the last remaining woman in the field.

Kenny Tran	2,100,000
David Tran	1,900,000
Bill Edler	1,700,000
Gus Hansen	1,000,000
Kirk Morrison	900,000
Huckleberry Seed	800,000

Pokerstars Online Qualifiers

Hevad Khan	3,300,000
Rep Porter	2,400,000
Jason Welch	1,750,000
Jeff Banghart	1,640,000
Ryan Lawrence	1,000,000

pokerstars.com

Player Tags: Scotty Nguyen,   Chad Brown,   Reagan Silber,   Bill Edler,   Maria Ho,   Robin Bergren,   Kirk Morrison,   Dario Minieri,   Cody Slaubaugh,   Kelly McGlothlin,   Peter Debesr,   Alan Keating

Players on Break

Jul 13, '07

Tournament officials announced that the players would be going on their intended level break an hour early in order to organize the tables properly. The players will return in 20 minutes to finish the level and play half of one more level before leaving on a dinner break. Tournament director Jack Effel also cleared up any confusion about the schedule by confirming that play will last either four and a half levels today or until the field is down to 99 players.

Carlos Mortensen didn't take long to get all his chips in the middle early on in this level and ran head first into an overpair. Mortensen had pushed with pocket jacks only to find his opponent was holding pocket queens. Mortensen didn't improve and the 2001 Main Event champion was sent to the rail.

With the field condensing, many notable players are finding themselves sitting by or across from other notables they have played with many times before. Sharing the felt at table 59 was Gus Hansen, Daniel Alaei, Ayaz Mahmood and Scotty Nguyen. The four players only sat together for a few hands before ESPN scooped them up and sat them at the featured table.

Sorel Mizzi started level 17 with over $700,000 and looked comfortable to go deep in this year's Main Event. The poker gods had a different plan for Mizzi and cut his tournament shorter than many had anticipated. Two players at Mizzi's table, Ed Betlow and the player in seat eight limped into the pot for $10,000 each. Mizzi raised to $51,000 and both players called to see a flop. The flop came J 7 3 and Mizzi bet out $93,000. Betlow raised to $200,000 and the player in seat eight folded right away. Mizzi took a few moments to think and then declared that he was all in. Once the $200,000 bet was called, Mizzi had pushed for $419,000 more. Betlow asked MIzzi if he would show him his cards if he folded. Mizzi sat in his chair silent. "Ok then. It's a sick call but here we go" said Betlow as he pushed $419,000 into the middle. Mizzi turned over K J for top pair and Betlow showed A 7 for middle pair with top kicker. Everyone at the table was slightly surprised at Betlow's call. The turn brought the A and Mizzi stared hard with hatred at the card. The river was the 8 and Sorel Mizzi stood up from the table. "I would have folded if you would have shown me" Betlow said as Mizzi left the table. "You played well sir" said Mizzi as he walked away.

Jason Sell was also eliminated in the first half of level 17 after finding himself all in with A K. Steven Garfinkle called the all in bet with pocket queens. The flop came Q J 4 and took most of the mystery out of it. The turn was the 5 and the river brought the 2.

A big bet on the river helped Neil Channing take a large pot off of Kirk Morrison shortly before the two were moved to the on deck featured table. Morrison raised to $30,000 preflop and Channing popped him to $110,000 total. Morrison made the call and the flop came down K J J. Channing threw out $75,000 and Morrison didn't hesitate to make the call. The turn was the 8 and both players checked. The river brought the K and Channing fired out $160,000. Morrison took a slow sip of his beer and threw his cards in the muck. Channing took down the large pot without ever having to show his cards.

Player Tags: Ayaz Mahmood,   Scotty Nguyen,   Gus Hansen,   Daniel Alaei,   Neil Channing,   Edward Betlow,   Jason Sell,   Kirk Morrison,   Sorel Mizzi

Hour Two Recap

Jul 07, '07

Family Affair Continued
 

Left off of the list of family members in the tournament field today were Howard Lederer and Annie Duke, who entered the tournament area a little late.  Lederer actually now shares the table with Allyn Jaffery Shulman, whose original table has already broken.

Runner Up Affair

 Sammy Farha (Main Event runner-up 2003) and David Williams (2004) have been chatting with each other as they are seated at adjacent tables.  Last year's recipient of the most heart-breaking $6,000,000 prize Paul Wasicka (2006) is on the floor.  Also in the field today is perhaps the most famous runners-up of the pre-Moneymaker age.  Eight-time bracelet winner and 1988 runner up Erik Seidel is in the field today.  To most, Seidel is famously the player who falls for Johnny Chan’s slowplaying of the flopped straight in the final hand of the Main Event, immortalized in the movie Rounders.  Two-time runner up TJ Cloutier (1985, 2000) has been seen ambling around the tournament area, but he doesn’t play until tomorrow.

 
The Royal Treatment

 
The massage therapists have decided to offer a complimentary massage to first player to get a royal flush.  Several players are then heard complaining that their royal flush draws didn’t get any action.  It seems the massage team is looking for a gimmick each day, and without Brad Garrett they’re clutching at straws.

 

Also Joe Sebok seems to be the only real poker royalty (don’t tell Prince of Poker Scotty Nguyen though).  Sebok, the winner of the prop bet between Gavin Smith and Jeff Madsen is adorned today in a royal cape, which has been rather lucky for him as he has chipped up to about $35,000.

 
Antonius Sniffs Out Bluff

 
On a board of K 4 4, Patrik Antonius checks, his opponent in the cutoff bets $350, and Antonius calls.  Antonius checks again on the 2h on the turn, his opponent bets $1,100, and Antonius calls.  The 7 hit on the river, Antonius bet $2,600, his opponent raised to $6,000, and Antonius called after much deliberation.  The player in the cutoff hemmed and hawed, knocking the table, and eventually showed A-J, while Antonius showed K Q to take the pot.

 
Ylon Schartz, Kirk Morrison, and Robert Cheung are among the early chip leaders as the players head into their 30 minute break.

Power out gunned

Recent Irish Open finalist Nicky Power has been eliminated. 'I found aces the hand before, raised it up and got no callers,' he explained to CardPlayer.com. 'The next hand i found A-K and the flop came K-K-4. All the money went in the middle and the other fella had 4-4. I don't mind really, folding is not a big part of my game so what can you do,' he grinned.

Trumper trumped this time.

Englishman Simon Trumper had to fold 10-10 to a raise from 'a loose-agressive guy' in seat nine. He didn't seem too upset though as he described his various observations of the playing styles and strategies of the players at his table to CardPlayer.com.

Euro Chip Counts

Donnacha O'Dea $16,700
Pascal Perrault $23,050
Jen Mason $13,050
Simon Trumper $21,800
Ross Boatman $23,500
Rob Taylor $13,025
Neil Channing $42,000
Thomas Finneran $16,350
Eoghan O'Dea $23,000
George McKeever $35,300
Derek Murray $15,900
Alan Smurfit $27,200
John Duthie $36,200
Dave Murray $19,675
Adam Noone $17,050
Vicky Coren $22250

Notable Chip Counts

Robert Cheung	42,075
Justin Bonomo	41,000
Ylon Schwartz	38,000
Joe Sebok	34,000
Kirk Morrison	33,000
Doug Kim	32,000
Tony G	29,000
Sammy Farha	27,000
Evelyn Ng	27,000
Scotty Nguyen	25,800
J.J. Liu	25,000
Dan Alspach	25,000
Joe Hachem	24,000
Dan Harrington	24,000
Barry Shulman	23,500
Bob Bright	23,100
Erik Seidel	23,000
Robert Mizrachi	22,000
Norm MacDonald	22,000
Isabelle Mercier	21,500
Jennifer Harman	21,300
Kathy Liebert	21,000
Jeffrey Lisandro	21,000
Allyn Jaffrey Shulman	21,000
Scott Fischman	20,500
Howard Lederer	20,500
Berry Johnston	20,500
Scott Clements	20,000
Rhett Butler	20,000
Jordan Morgan	20,000
Alexander Kravchenko	20,000
Noah Boeken	19,000
Sabyl Cohen	18,900
Steve Sung	18,500
Annie Duke	18,500
Kido Pham	17,500
Tom McEvoy	17,000
'Miami John' Cernuto	17,000
Barny Boatman	15,800
John Juanda	15,600
Hoyt Corkins	15,400
Paul Wasicka	15,300
Juha Helppi	14,600
Mark Seif	14,500
Roland De Wolfe	14,400
Max Pescatori	14,400
Aaron Kanter	13,500
Captain Tom Franklin	13,300
David Singer	13,000
Davidson Matthew	12,500
David 'The Dragon' Pham	11,500
Young Phan	11,000
Dan Shak	11,000
David Williams	10,500
Bill Chen	10,000
Sam Grizzle	6,200

Player Tags: T.J. Cloutier,   Erik Seidel,   Annie Duke,   Howard Lederer,   David Williams,   Sam Farha,   Ylon Schwartz,   Paul Wasicka,   Patrik Antonius,   Joe Sebok,   Kirk Morrison,   Robert Cheung

Hour One Recap

Jun 30, '07

The cards finally got into the air on day two of event #47 at around 3:30 p.m. The returning players finished the last few minutes of level 11 and played straight into level 12. The players are now on a 15 minute break following the completion of the twelfth level.

There are fewer than 90 players left and with tables breaking and players moving seats some tough tables have been formed. At table 68 David Singer, Nick Frangos and Blair Rodman are all sharing the felt. Across the tournament area T.J. Cloutier, Raymond Davis, and Rafe Furst can all be seen sitting at the same table.

Though the money bubble has burst, there is still a long, hard road ahead for any of these players to survive until the final table. Jordan Morgan is making a serious push for the final table and has been putting pressure on the other players at his table all day. Morgan raised to $6,500 preflop and the player in seat eight pushed all in for a little under $50,000. Morgan didn't even wait for the dealer to count out the bet before announcing that he would make the call. The player in seat eight showed A 10 and Morgan was holding J J. The board came 5 5 2 Q 4 and Morgan added his opponent's chips to his stack. Morgan now has over $130,000.

Kirk Morrison was eliminated in 111th place, earning $4,822. John Esposito raised to $9,000 from middle position and Kirk Morrison reraised to $29,000 total. Esposito went deep into the tank and began to interrogate Morrison for information. "You trying to pull something?" asked Esposito. "If I'm gonna call I might as well put you all in, " said Esposito. Esposito then put $50,000 into the middle, reraising Morrison all in. Morrison only had a few thousand left and made the call. Esposito showed A Q and Morrison was holding 6 6. "Thought you had somethin' like that, " said Esposito. The board came K Q 9 K 10 and Esposito took down the pot, eliminating Morrison in 111th place.

Notable Chip Counts

Eugene Todd	210,000
Jennifer Tilly	170,000
Roland de Wolfe	135,000
Jordan Morgan	133,000
Anna Wroblewski	130,000
Nick Frangos	120,000
Rafe Furst	118,000
TJ Cloutier	62,000
David Singer	62,000
Noah Boeken	61,000
Tom McEvoy	43,000
Joe Pelton	25,500

Player Tags: T.J. Cloutier,   John Esposito Jr.,   Raymond Davis,   Blair Rodman,   David Singer,   Nikolaos Frangos,   Rafe Furst,   Jordan Morgan,   Kirk Morrison

Level 3 Recap; Official Numbers

Jun 25, '07

The official numbers have been announced for this brand-new event.  A total of 687 players entered creating a prize pool of $937,755.  The top 63 players will finish in the money with 63rd place receiving $3,235 and the champion receiving $227,454.  A full list of the payouts is now available in our Payouts section.

Unlike all of our previous Omaha Eight-or-better events this year, the first few levels have been action-packed.  Despite the blinds still being relatively small, and some pots being split, lots of players are busting quickly.  Mike Sexton, Brandon Cantu, Kirk Morrison, and Johnny Chan are just some of the professionals that now have the rest of the night off.

Jeff Madsen's growing chipstack has most definitely struck fear into his opponents.  Madsen called one opponent's preflop pot-sized raise, and was able to check all the way down to the river with the board reading 8-8-4-4-10.  Madsen flipped over a pair of twos in his hand to take the pot. 

Rolf Slotboom has built himself a nice tower of chips, but doesn't seem to be getting any love from the player in seat 10.  On a flop of J J 5, Slotboom bet $500, receiving one call.  Both players checked the Q on the river, and Slotboom's opponent bet $1,100 on the 6 on the river.  Slotboom then went into the tank and after about 4 minutes, the player in Seat 10 asked for a clock.  Slotboom protested saying he was rarely in hand.  Before his time had run out Slotboom exposed the J A to his opponent as he folded reminding the player in Seat 10 that it is only a game.

German bracelet Michael Keiner was all-in twice in the space of a few minutes. He doubled up the first time with Q487 vs A2A6 but was less fortunate the second time. His opponenet flipped over his hand, Keiner stared in disbelief, looked back at his own cards, stared at the board and threw his cards away in disgust. He was up from his seat and gone before they hit the muck.

The Dutch contingent are blazing a trail. Marcel Luske has around $23,600 in chips and Peter Dalhuijsen has $19,600. Read Peter's Pro Blog at CardPlayer.com.

Ross Boatman is playing confidently and has $8,700 in chips. Julian Gardiner has $6,050, Surinder Sunar has $7,900, Thomas Wahlroos has $4,500, Andreas Krause has $4,125 and Alan Smurfit $6,475 in chips.

Notable Chip Counts

Marcel Luske	16,500
Mike Sexton	14,000
Joe Hachem	10,600
Berry Johnston	5,500
Tony G	4,800
David "Devilfish" Ulliott	4,200
Kathy Liebert	2,400
Rafe Furst	2,300
Humberto Brenes	600

Player Tags: Johnny Chan,   Mike Sexton,   Kirk Morrison,   Brandon Cantu,   Jeff Madsen,   Rolf Slotboom

Down to Two Tables

Jun 22, '07

The $1,500 no-limit hold'em event got down to two tables with a few minutes left in the level. Nam Le is one of the biggest names left in the field. Going into three table play was one of the short stacks, but this level he chipped up dramatically.  At first he built up slowly by winning a number of pots preflop.   He also happened to be on the desirable side of a cooler, with A-A over K-K.  His brother Allan Le was railing him the whole time, and J.C. Tran, Kirk Morrison and Amnon Filippi stopped by. Amnon and J.C. had a stranger ask Le to autograph a picture of him in another magazine that was mis-labeled as David Pham.  "Excuse me, David, can I get an autograph?" Le ignored the railbird for a few seconds, then turned and looked confused until Filippi and Tran jumped out from behind the crowd.
Notable Chip Counts

Dustin Dirksen	1,570,000
Nam Le	360,000

Player Tags: J.C. Tran,   Nam Le,   Amnon Filippi,   Kirk Morrison

Round of 32

Jun 20, '07

Kirk Morrison is the first player eliminated in this 5th round of play.  Morrison found himself at a disadvantage early, he pushed in with Jacks only to have his opponent wake up with Kings.  Carl Olson followed him in 31st place his top pair unable to fade his opponent's flush draw.  Both will earn $16,582.

Shannon Shorr is primed to make the round of 16 after crippling Alex Bolotin early on in their match.  With an eight-high straight on the board, Shorr bet $40,000.  After much consideration, Bolotin called, thinking Shorr was trying to buy it.  Shorr showed him a nine and took down the pot.

Eyes are also on Phil Gordon, Scotty Nguyen, Aaron Been, and Vanessa Selbst in their matches tonight.

Englishman John Kabbaj has a near unassailable chip lead over Carmel Petresco and Thomas Wahlroos from Finland is also a huge chip leader over Roman Paradiso.

Player Tags: Scotty Nguyen,   Phil Gordon,   Carl Olson,   Kirk Morrison,   Shannon Shorr,   Vanessa Selbst,   Alex Bolotin,   Aaron Been

Heads Up-date

Jun 19, '07

There are less than 16 players remaining in today's Heads Up No Limit Hold 'Em event. The players are on a short 15 minute break and play will resume shortly.

Thomas Wahlroos vs. Patrick Antonius
Wahlroos and Antonius have been going back and forth all night and only until recently has Wahlroos gained any ground. Antonius has enjoyed a large chip lead over Wahlroos for most of the match but Wahlroos has been playing the short stack brilliantly. With only $13,000 left Wahlroos pushed all in from the button. Antonius called with K 8 and Wahlroos had pushed with K 6. The board came A Q Q 8 A and Wahlroos survived by chopping the pot. A few hands later Wahlroos raised all in from the button for $13,000 and again Antonius made the call. Wahlroos was holding A 7 and Antonius called with K 9. The flop came K 9 3 and Antonius took a commanding lead. The turn was the A and Wahlroos didn't look ready to go home yet. The river was the 7 and Wahlroos doubled up to $26,000. Before the break Wahlroos was able to battle back and is now almost even in chips with Antonius.

Kirk Morrison defeated Antonio Esfandiari
Morrison raised all in with K 8 and had Esfandiari covered. Esfandiari called with 6 6. The board came down K J 2 7 9 and Morrison advanced to day two.

Freddy Deeb Eliminated
Deeb had been at a chip disadvantage almost all level and finally pushed all in for about $10,000 with K 5. His opponent called with J 10. The dealer put out A 9 3 7 5 and Deeb doubled up to around $20,000. After a few hands Deeb found himself with $11,000 and pushed all in. His opponent called and showed A 3. Deeb had pushed with 10 10. The flop came J J Q and Deeb stayed in the lead. The turn brought the A and Deeb was eliminated in the third level.

Player Tags: Antonio Esfandiari,   Patrik Antonius,   Kirk Morrison,   Thomas Wahlroos,   Freddy Deeb

Level Three Update

Jun 19, '07

The players returned from round two rested and ready to gamble. Sixty four heads up matches were formed and play will continue tonight until 64 winners are announced. The players each started with $40,000 in chips and like each of the previous two rounds, interesting match ups were formed.

Antonio Esfandiari vs. Kirk Morrison

Toto Leonidas vs. Barry Greenstein

Tony G vs. David Williams

Eric "Rizen" Lynch vs. David Daneshgar

Thomas Wahlroos vs. Patrick Antonius

Shannon Shorr vs. Noah Boeken

Gavin Griffin was announced as the first player to advance to day two following the break and since then players have been dropping like flies.

Tony G defeated David Williams
Williams raised from the button and Tony G reraised. Williams came over the top all in and Tony G called. Williams showed A K and Tony G was holding K 8. The board came 6 5 3 7 8 and David Williams was eliminated. When the eight hit on the river Williams was furious and immediately stormed out of the Amazon Room.

Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi Eliminated
Mizrachi limped from the button and his opponent raised. Mizrachi pushed all in over the top for $31,000 more. Mizrachi's opponent made the call and flipped up 7 7. Mizrachi showed A K. The flop came A 7 4 and Mizrachi couldn't believe his luck. The turn was the 5 and the river was the 8 giving no help to Mizrachi.

Joe Sebok Advances
Sebok had been enjoying a dominating chip lead for most of the level until he raised from the big blind one too many times. Sebok's opponent had gotten into the habit of limping from the button and Sebok had gotten into the habit of raising him. This relationship lasted several hands until Sebok pushed all in following his opponent's limp. Sebok's opponent called and showed pocket nines. Sebok was holding A-6 and never improved. The hand doubled up Sebok's opponent and made the two almost even in chips, with Sebok's opponent holding a slight advantage. On the deciding hand Sebok's opponent raised to $10,000 and Sebok came over the top all in. His opponent called and showed A J and Sebok had pushed with K 10. The board came Q 8 5 6 K and Sebok's opponent was only left with $1,500. The very next hand the two were all in and Sebok had 8 2 up against his opponent's 4 2. The board came J J 6 A Q and Sebok's eight played and he advanced to day two.

Taylor Caby was eliminated this round.

Player Tags: Barry Greenstein,   Antonio Esfandiari,   Michael Mizrachi,   Gavin Griffin,   David Williams,   Noah Boeken,   David Daneshgar,   Joe Sebok,   Kirk Morrison,   Shannon Shorr,   Eric Lynch,   Thomas Wahlroos

Round of 32

Jun 20, '07

Kirk Morrison is the first player eliminated in this 5th round of play.  Morrison found himself at a disadvantage early, he pushed in with Jacks only to have his opponent wake up with Kings.  Carl Olson followed him in 31st place his top pair unable to fade his opponent's flush draw.  Both will earn $16,582.

Shannon Shorr is primed to make the round of 16 after crippling Alex Bolotin early on in their match.  With an eight-high straight on the board, Shorr bet $40,000.  After much consideration, Bolotin called, thinking Shorr was trying to buy it.  Shorr showed him a nine and took down the pot.

Eyes are also on Phil Gordon, Scotty Nguyen, Aaron Been, and Vanessa Selbst in their matches tonight.

Englishman John Kabbaj has a near unassailable chip lead over Carmel Petresco and Thomas Wahlroos from Finland is also a huge chip leader over Roman Paradiso.

Player Tags: Scotty Nguyen,   Phil Gordon,   Carl Olson,   Kirk Morrison,   Shannon Shorr,   Vanessa Selbst,   Alex Bolotin,   Aaron Been

Heads Up-date

Jun 19, '07

There are less than 16 players remaining in today's Heads Up No Limit Hold 'Em event. The players are on a short 15 minute break and play will resume shortly.

Thomas Wahlroos vs. Patrick Antonius
Wahlroos and Antonius have been going back and forth all night and only until recently has Wahlroos gained any ground. Antonius has enjoyed a large chip lead over Wahlroos for most of the match but Wahlroos has been playing the short stack brilliantly. With only $13,000 left Wahlroos pushed all in from the button. Antonius called with K 8 and Wahlroos had pushed with K 6. The board came A Q Q 8 A and Wahlroos survived by chopping the pot. A few hands later Wahlroos raised all in from the button for $13,000 and again Antonius made the call. Wahlroos was holding A 7 and Antonius called with K 9. The flop came K 9 3 and Antonius took a commanding lead. The turn was the A and Wahlroos didn't look ready to go home yet. The river was the 7 and Wahlroos doubled up to $26,000. Before the break Wahlroos was able to battle back and is now almost even in chips with Antonius.

Kirk Morrison defeated Antonio Esfandiari
Morrison raised all in with K 8 and had Esfandiari covered. Esfandiari called with 6 6. The board came down K J 2 7 9 and Morrison advanced to day two.

Freddy Deeb Eliminated
Deeb had been at a chip disadvantage almost all level and finally pushed all in for about $10,000 with K 5. His opponent called with J 10. The dealer put out A 9 3 7 5 and Deeb doubled up to around $20,000. After a few hands Deeb found himself with $11,000 and pushed all in. His opponent called and showed A 3. Deeb had pushed with 10 10. The flop came J J Q and Deeb stayed in the lead. The turn brought the A and Deeb was eliminated in the third level.

Player Tags: Antonio Esfandiari,   Patrik Antonius,   Kirk Morrison,   Thomas Wahlroos,   Freddy Deeb

Level Three Update

Jun 19, '07

The players returned from round two rested and ready to gamble. Sixty four heads up matches were formed and play will continue tonight until 64 winners are announced. The players each started with $40,000 in chips and like each of the previous two rounds, interesting match ups were formed.

Antonio Esfandiari vs. Kirk Morrison

Toto Leonidas vs. Barry Greenstein

Tony G vs. David Williams

Eric "Rizen" Lynch vs. David Daneshgar

Thomas Wahlroos vs. Patrick Antonius

Shannon Shorr vs. Noah Boeken

Gavin Griffin was announced as the first player to advance to day two following the break and since then players have been dropping like flies.

Tony G defeated David Williams
Williams raised from the button and Tony G reraised. Williams came over the top all in and Tony G called. Williams showed A K and Tony G was holding K 8. The board came 6 5 3 7 8 and David Williams was eliminated. When the eight hit on the river Williams was furious and immediately stormed out of the Amazon Room.

Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi Eliminated
Mizrachi limped from the button and his opponent raised. Mizrachi pushed all in over the top for $31,000 more. Mizrachi's opponent made the call and flipped up 7 7. Mizrachi showed A K. The flop came A 7 4 and Mizrachi couldn't believe his luck. The turn was the 5 and the river was the 8 giving no help to Mizrachi.

Joe Sebok Advances
Sebok had been enjoying a dominating chip lead for most of the level until he raised from the big blind one too many times. Sebok's opponent had gotten into the habit of limping from the button and Sebok had gotten into the habit of raising him. This relationship lasted several hands until Sebok pushed all in following his opponent's limp. Sebok's opponent called and showed pocket nines. Sebok was holding A-6 and never improved. The hand doubled up Sebok's opponent and made the two almost even in chips, with Sebok's opponent holding a slight advantage. On the deciding hand Sebok's opponent raised to $10,000 and Sebok came over the top all in. His opponent called and showed A J and Sebok had pushed with K 10. The board came Q 8 5 6 K and Sebok's opponent was only left with $1,500. The very next hand the two were all in and Sebok had 8 2 up against his opponent's 4 2. The board came J J 6 A Q and Sebok's eight played and he advanced to day two.

Taylor Caby was eliminated this round.

Player Tags: Barry Greenstein,   Antonio Esfandiari,   Michael Mizrachi,   Gavin Griffin,   David Williams,   Noah Boeken,   David Daneshgar,   Joe Sebok,   Kirk Morrison,   Shannon Shorr,   Eric Lynch,   Thomas Wahlroos

Morrison Bursts Bubble

Jun 15, '07

The clock has been halted while the final three tables are redrawn. Hand-for-hand play lasted about 5 hands as the short stacks would not go quietly.

"Miami John" Cernuto nearly tripled up when he made trip Aces to take a pot off of chip leader Eli Elezra.  Mike Sexton managed to dodge a bullet and squeak into the money.  Sexton was the bring in, and he called Scotty Nguyen's initial completion.  Sexton folded on the next street however, and Ngyuen showed him rolled up eights.

Kirk Morrison was the unfortunate bubble boy, when he was all-in with deuces on third street.  Thor Hansen called him with A-5-7, and ended up with Aces up by the river.

Jon Turner also busted out before the money.

Hasan Habib, Marcel Luske, and Dutch Boyd are still alive.  Stay tuned as they play down to the final table.

Player Tags: John Cernuto,   Scotty Nguyen,   Hasan Habib,   Eli Elezra,   Mike Sexton,   Marcel Luske,   Jon Turner,   Kirk Morrison,   Dutch Boyd

Dinner Break

Jun 15, '07

The players have gone on dinner break for an hour.  There are currently 32 players remaining on 4 tables. 

One of the tables is particularly stacked as it contains Kirk Morrison, Jon "PearlJammer" Turner, Dutch Boyd, Mike Matusow, Thor Hansen, and Scotty Nguyen.

David Sklansky and Marcel Luske remain among the chip leaders.

Only 8 eliminations until the money is reached.

Player Tags: Thor Hansen,   Scotty Nguyen,   Mike Matusow,   David Sklansky,   Marcel Luske,   Jon Turner,   Kirk Morrison

Stud Eight of Better Resumes

Jun 15, '07

Day two of the $5,000 World Championship of Seven Card Stud Eight or Better is slated to begin at 3 p.m. with a stacked field.  The top ten in chips includes Marcel Luske, David Sklansky, Hasan Habib, Mike Matusow, "Miami" John Cernuto, Kirk Morrison, David Levi and Sabyl Cohen.  With a bracelet and $198,984 first place prize on the line, the action is sure to be heated.  Make sure to check in for hourly updates here at Cardplayer.com.

Player Tags: John Cernuto,   David Levi,   Hasan Habib,   Mike Matusow,   David Sklansky,   Marcel Luske,   Kirk Morrison,   Sabyl Cohen-Landrum

Have A Laugh

Jun 14, '07

Only among friends can elimination be funny.  Todd Brunson was short on chips and all-in with two callers.  Brunson flipped up his two hole cards so his tablemate Eli Elezra could sweat the river card with him.  Brunson had four cards to a low, and four clubs to a flush.  Brunson flipped up the 9 and  said “that’s funny,” while Elezra had a chuckle at his friend’s bad luck.  Other former Corporation members David Grey and Phil Ivey were also eliminated in the last round.

 

Daniel Negreanu was also laughing at his own misfortune.  Negreanu went to the river in a four-way pot with a board showing 6 4 K 5, and received one call on the river by an opponent showing 2 6 10 5.  the opponent showed  hole cards 10-2-A.  Negreanu laughed out loud as he folded his hole cards (7-7-4).

 

Kirk Morrison and “Miami John” Cernuto, have worked their way into the chip leaders, while Isabelle Mercier and Greg Raymer have an uphill battle before them.

Player Tags: John Cernuto,   Daniel Negreanu,   Todd Brunson,   Eli Elezra,   David Grey,   Phil Ivey,   Greg Raymer,   Isabelle Mercier,   Kirk Morrison