| Jun 14, '10 |
2010 41st Annual World Series of Poker |
Event 25 - $10,000 Omaha 8 or Better Championship |
3 |
+ |
Level 19 Update: John Cernuto and Michael Watson Eliminated
Jun 14, '10
Blinds: 8,000-15,000
Stakes: 15,000-30,000
Players Remaining: 16 out of 212
Average Chip Count: 397,500
Tournament Leaderboard:
1. Abe Mosseri — 785,000
2. Michael Chow — 785,000
3. Sergey Altbregin — 710,000
4. James Dempsey — 693,000
5. Yueqi Zhu — 670,000
6. Steve Wong — 465,000
7. Oleg Shamardin — 450,000
8. Eugene Katchalov — 390,000
9. Mikael Thuritz — 325,000
10. Tai Nguyen — 305,000
Eliminations:
23. Barry Hartheimer — $17,138
22. John Cernuto — $17,138
21. Michael Watson — $17,138
20. Jose de Paz — $17,138
19. Chino Rheem — $17,138
18. John D’Agostino — $21,582
17. Jean-Robert Bellande — $21,582
Big Hands:
John Cernuto Eliminated in 22nd Place ($17,138)
John Cernuto was all in with the Q Q 53 versus Mikael Thuritz’s A J54. The board ran out Q92K8 and Mikael Thuritz scooped the pot to send Cernuto packing. Thuritz was up to 210,000 after the hand.
Michael Watson Eliminated in 21st Place ($17,138)
Mike Watson bet on a board of K375 and then called all in for his tournament life after Abe Mosseri raised. Mosseri exposed the 23 49 for a flush and a low. Watson tabled the AAK8. The 4 fell on the river and Watson was gone with a worse low and a dry pair of aces.
Chino Rheem Eliminated in 19th Place ($17,138)
Yueqi Zhu eliminated Chino Rheem with the AQQ8. The board read 542K2. Rheem mucked and was eliminated.
John D’Agostino Eliminated in 18th Place ($21,582)
John D’Agostino was all in versus James Dempsey and Oleg Shamardin. The 75454 were laying on the felt with D’Agostino tabling the AKQ4. Dempsey exposed the A522 for the nut low and a superior three of a kind. Shamardin mucked and D’Agostino was eliminated.
Jean-Robert Bellande Eliminated in 17th Place ($21,582)
Bellande raised and was called by Mike Sexton, Sam Farha and Yueqi Zhu. The board came out 437 and Zhu bet. Bellande raised. Sexton folded and Farha called. Zhu called as well. The 10 fell on the turn and Zhu checked. Bellande bet, Farha called and Zhu check-raised. Bellande called all in and Farha called. The 9 hit the felt and Zhu bet again. Farha called. Zhu and Farha split the pot and Bellande was eliminated.
Player Tags: John Cernuto, Michael Watson
|
| Apr 19, '10 |
2010 Five-Star World Poker Classic |
WPT No-Limit Hold'em Main Event |
2 |
+ |
David Williams Pushes Out Mike Watson
Apr 19, '10
 David Williams raised to 3,000 and Mike Watson reraised to 8,400 behind him. Williams made the call and both players checked a flop of 763.
The turn was the 10 and Williams fired in 12,000. Watson, sitting with 41,000 behind, looked frustrated as he threw his cards into the muck. Williams is more than comfortable with 218,000.
Player Tags: David Williams, Michael Watson
|
| Dec 15, '09 |
2009 Five Diamond World Poker Classic |
WPT Doyle Brunson Classic Championship |
2 |
+ |
Level 8 Update: Three POY Contenders Still Remain
Dec 15, '09
Blinds: 600-1,200 with a 100 ante
Players Remaining: 187 out of 328 (unofficial)
Chip Counts:
1. Antonio Esfandiari — 310,000
2. John Hennigan — 280,000
3. Eric Hershler — 260,000
4. Jon Turner — 255,000
5. Cory Carroll — 242,000
6. Vivek Rajkumar — 230,000
7. Chad Batista — 200,000
8. Dutch Boyd — 195,000
9. Darryll Fish — 180,000
10. Eric Lynch — 175,000
Average Chip Count: 105,000
Notable Eliminations:
Erik Nomberg
Randall Flowers
Kevin Schaffel
Isabelle Mercier
David Singer
Big Hands:
 Doyle Brunson Gets Unlucky
On a flop of K66, Doyle Brunson puts Jamie Rosen all in and Rosen reluctantly makes the call with pocket aces. Brunson shows him the bad news with 86 for trips, but the turn and river runs out 10A to give Rosen the winning hand with a full house.
Brunson, who registered late in level 7, is now down to 28,000 in chips.
Hunter Frey Eliminated by Joe Serock
In a glorified coinflip, Hunter Frey was all in holding AK against Joe Serock’s pocket nines. The board ran out 822610 and Frey was eliminated from the tournament.
Serock now has a massive stack of 192,000 chips in front of him, by far the most at his table.
Cornel Cimpan Quads Up to Double Up
Cornel Cimpan raised to 3,500 and Michael Watson reraised to 9,000 in the cutoff behind him. Cimpan thought it over before making the call, leaving himself with just 15,100.
The flop came down 1044 and Cimpan checked to Watson, who put him all in. Cimpan instantly called with 44 for quads and Watson showed AQ, drawing dead.
The inconsequential turn and river were the K7 and Cimpan doubled up to about 50,000 in chips. Watson is now on the short stack with about 22,000.
 Hasan Habib Gets Flush To Win a Huge Pot From John Juanda
We caught up with the action on a flop of K64. Hasan Habib checked, John Juanda bet 8,000 and Yevgeniy Timoshenko called. Tom Dwan passed and Habib check-raised to 26,000.
Juanda thought for a bit before raising to 53,000 and Timoshenko folded. Habib then went into the tank, pondering his decision with his last 40,000 in front of him. Eventually, he put it in, Juanda called and the two players revealed their hands.
Juanda showed pocket sixes for a set and Habib showed A10 for a flush draw. The turn and river came 29, and Habib doubled up. A few hands later and Habib was at 172,000, while Juanda has to start all over with 67,000.
Left In the Deck:
Registration is now closed. The official numbers and prize pool should be announced shortly.
Card Player TV:
The folks over at Card Player TV recently caught up with Yevgeniy Timoshenko during the break to discuss his 2009 campaign.
Player Tags: Cornel Andrew Cimpan, John Juanda, Hasan Habib, Michael Watson, Joseph Serock, Yevgeniy Timoshenko, Hunter Frey
|
| Jun 21, '09 |
2009 40th Annual World Series of Poker |
Event 40 - $10,000 World Championship Pot-Limit Omaha |
2 |
+ |
Level 15 Update: Ferit Gabriellson Leads Pack
Jun 22, '09
Blinds: 2,500-5,000
Players Remaining: 34 out of 295
Chip Counts:
1. Ferit Gabriellson — 915,000
2. Noah Schwartz — 730,000
3. Stefan Mattsson — 500,000
4. Jonas Entin — 434,000
5. David Williams — 359,500
6. Vitaly Lunkin — 340,000
7. Marcus Golser — 330,000
8. Matt Vengrin — 325,000
9. Matt Graham — 320,000
10. Van Marcus — 280,500
Average Chip Count: 260,294
Notable Eliminations:
Mike Watson
Joe Beavers
Mikael Thuritz
Big Hands
 Mike Watson Eliminated
On a flop of 875, Mike Watson moves all in and Edward Ochana calls.
Watson: AK87
Ochana: QQ96
Watson flops top two pair while Ochana flops the nut straight. The turn and river are the 9 and the J, no help to Watson who is eliminated from the tournament.
Noah Schwartz Eliminates Ilari Sahamies
Ilari Sahamies raises to 20,500 from the button and Noah Schwartz reraises the size of the pot from the small blind. Sahamies re-pots all in and Schwartz calls.
Schwartz: A1085
Sahamies: KK108
Board: 7654J
Sahamies led before the flop with a pair of kings, but Schwartz flopped an open-ended straight and got there on the turn. Sahamies hits the rail as Noah Schwartz retains the chiplead with 800,000.
 Gabriellson Eliminates Varsi, Takes Chiplead
Ferit Gabriellson completes the bet from the small blind and Hans Varsi checks his option from the big blind. The flop comes 1042, Varsi bets 15,000 and Gabriellson calls.
The turn is the 6, and this time Gabriellson leads out with a 40,000 bet. Varsi raises the pot (140,000 more) and Gabriellson moves all in. Varsi calls all in for 20,000 more; he is covered.
Varsi: Q753
Gabriellson: 10793
Varsi led the hand on the turn with a straight, but the Q hit the river giving Gabriellson a flush, and the current chiplead with over 900,000.
Player Tags: Ferit Gabriellson, Michael Watson, Noah Schwartz
Level 9 Update: Greenstein Doubles Up Early
Jun 21, '09
Blinds: 600-1200
Players Remaining: 105 out of 295
Chip Counts:
1. Noah Schwartz — 292,600
2. Barry Greenstein — 290,000
3. Ilari Sahamies — 229,400
4. David Williams — 223,000
5. Josh Arieh — 220,600
6. Steve Zolotow — 220,200
7. Matt Graham — 191,400
8. Ben Grundy — 191,000
9. Nathan Doudney — 171,000
10. Len Ashby — 167,100
Average Chip Count: 84,285
Notable Eliminations:
Vanessa Selbst, Tony G
Big Hands:
Greenstein Doubles Up
On a flop of 945, Greenstein found himself all in against Jonas Entin for a big pot. With 290,000 in the middle, the two hands were exposed. Greenstein showed the A44K, which was up against the big draw of Entin, who showed the 6788.
Luckily for Greenstein, he didn’t have to sweat very much as the turn was the 5, which paired the board and left Entin drawing dead.
Freddy Deeb Eliminates a Short Stack
A short stacked player moves his last chips into the pot on a flop of AQ9 and Freddy Deeb quickly tossed in a call.
The short stacked player showed K2K5 and Deeb showed the Q10108. “You got me in bad shape,” said Deeb as the J fell on the turn, which filled Deeb’s straight draw.
“That’s omaha,” added Deeb as he eliminated a player early in day 2.
Mike Watson Eliminates Vanessa Selbst
Vanessa Selbst moved all in for her last 23,000 on a flop of 764 and Mike Watson opted to make the call. Selbst showed the A1093 and Watson was ahead with his AKJJ.
The turn card was the 5 and the river was the K, which meant that Watson would scoop the pot and send Selbst home early.
Player Tags: Barry Greenstein, Michael Watson, Vanessa Selbst, Freddy Deeb
Level 8 Update: Chris Ferguson Eliminated
Jun 21, '09
Blinds: 500-1000
Players Remaining: 117 out of 295
Notable Eliminations:
Mike Matusow, Roland de Wolfe, Chris Ferguson
Big Hands:
 Tom McEvoy Eliminates Chris Ferguson
After multiple bets preflop, Chris Ferguson and Tom McEvoy got all of their money in the middle on a flop of Q35. McEvoy showed AA73, but was behind Ferguson’s KQJ5.
The turn turned the tides as the 3 fell and gave McEvoy the lead back. The river was the 6, which improved McEvoy’s hand to a straight and gave him the pot.
Mike Matusow Eliminated by Mike Watson
On a flop of 638, Mike Matusow moved all in for his last 16,600, which sent Mike Watson into the tank. Watson eventually made the call and the cards were exposed.
Matusow showed 5346, good for two pair and a straight draw, which was ahead of Watson’s AK108, good for just top pair.
The turn was the 4, which improved Matusow’s two pair, but the K on the river gave Watson kings-and-eights, and the pot.
Nam Le’s Aces Hold, Triples Up
Nam Le found himself all in preflop against two other players, one of whom being Marcel Luske. Le tabled AA94, Luske showed AKJ7, and the third player held 101086.
The board ran out 89Q52, and somehow Le won with a pair of aces.
Player Tags: Chris Ferguson, Mike Matusow, Michael Watson
|
| Jun 21, '09 |
2009 40th Annual World Series of Poker |
Event 40 - $10,000 World Championship Pot-Limit Omaha |
1 |
+ |
Level 15 Update: Ferit Gabriellson Leads Pack
Jun 22, '09
Blinds: 2,500-5,000
Players Remaining: 34 out of 295
Chip Counts:
1. Ferit Gabriellson — 915,000
2. Noah Schwartz — 730,000
3. Stefan Mattsson — 500,000
4. Jonas Entin — 434,000
5. David Williams — 359,500
6. Vitaly Lunkin — 340,000
7. Marcus Golser — 330,000
8. Matt Vengrin — 325,000
9. Matt Graham — 320,000
10. Van Marcus — 280,500
Average Chip Count: 260,294
Notable Eliminations:
Mike Watson
Joe Beavers
Mikael Thuritz
Big Hands
Mike Watson Eliminated
On a flop of 875, Mike Watson moves all in and Edward Ochana calls.
Watson: AK87
Ochana: QQ96
Watson flops top two pair while Ochana flops the nut straight. The turn and river are the 9 and the J, no help to Watson who is eliminated from the tournament.
Noah Schwartz Eliminates Ilari Sahamies
Ilari Sahamies raises to 20,500 from the button and Noah Schwartz reraises the size of the pot from the small blind. Sahamies re-pots all in and Schwartz calls.
Schwartz: A1085
Sahamies: KK108
Board: 7654J
Sahamies led before the flop with a pair of kings, but Schwartz flopped an open-ended straight and got there on the turn. Sahamies hits the rail as Noah Schwartz retains the chiplead with 800,000.
Gabriellson Eliminates Varsi, Takes Chiplead
Ferit Gabriellson completes the bet from the small blind and Hans Varsi checks his option from the big blind. The flop comes 1042, Varsi bets 15,000 and Gabriellson calls.
The turn is the 6, and this time Gabriellson leads out with a 40,000 bet. Varsi raises the pot (140,000 more) and Gabriellson moves all in. Varsi calls all in for 20,000 more; he is covered.
Varsi: Q753
Gabriellson: 10793
Varsi led the hand on the turn with a straight, but the Q hit the river giving Gabriellson a flush, and the current chiplead with over 900,000.
Player Tags: Ferit Gabriellson, Michael Watson, Noah Schwartz
Level 9 Update: Greenstein Doubles Up Early
Jun 21, '09
Blinds: 600-1200
Players Remaining: 105 out of 295
Chip Counts:
1. Noah Schwartz — 292,600
2. Barry Greenstein — 290,000
3. Ilari Sahamies — 229,400
4. David Williams — 223,000
5. Josh Arieh — 220,600
6. Steve Zolotow — 220,200
7. Matt Graham — 191,400
8. Ben Grundy — 191,000
9. Nathan Doudney — 171,000
10. Len Ashby — 167,100
Average Chip Count: 84,285
Notable Eliminations:
Vanessa Selbst, Tony G
Big Hands:
Greenstein Doubles Up
On a flop of 945, Greenstein found himself all in against Jonas Entin for a big pot. With 290,000 in the middle, the two hands were exposed. Greenstein showed the A44K, which was up against the big draw of Entin, who showed the 6788.
Luckily for Greenstein, he didn’t have to sweat very much as the turn was the 5, which paired the board and left Entin drawing dead.
Freddy Deeb Eliminates a Short Stack
A short stacked player moves his last chips into the pot on a flop of AQ9 and Freddy Deeb quickly tossed in a call.
The short stacked player showed K2K5 and Deeb showed the Q10108. “You got me in bad shape,” said Deeb as the J fell on the turn, which filled Deeb’s straight draw.
“That’s omaha,” added Deeb as he eliminated a player early in day 2.
Mike Watson Eliminates Vanessa Selbst
Vanessa Selbst moved all in for her last 23,000 on a flop of 764 and Mike Watson opted to make the call. Selbst showed the A1093 and Watson was ahead with his AKJJ.
The turn card was the 5 and the river was the K, which meant that Watson would scoop the pot and send Selbst home early.
Player Tags: Barry Greenstein, Michael Watson, Vanessa Selbst, Freddy Deeb
Level 8 Update: Chris Ferguson Eliminated
Jun 21, '09
Blinds: 500-1000
Players Remaining: 117 out of 295
Notable Eliminations:
Mike Matusow, Roland de Wolfe, Chris Ferguson
Big Hands:
Tom McEvoy Eliminates Chris Ferguson
After multiple bets preflop, Chris Ferguson and Tom McEvoy got all of their money in the middle on a flop of Q35. McEvoy showed AA73, but was behind Ferguson’s KQJ5.
The turn turned the tides as the 3 fell and gave McEvoy the lead back. The river was the 6, which improved McEvoy’s hand to a straight and gave him the pot.
Mike Matusow Eliminated by Mike Watson
On a flop of 638, Mike Matusow moved all in for his last 16,600, which sent Mike Watson into the tank. Watson eventually made the call and the cards were exposed.
Matusow showed 5346, good for two pair and a straight draw, which was ahead of Watson’s AK108, good for just top pair.
The turn was the 4, which improved Matusow’s two pair, but the K on the river gave Watson kings-and-eights, and the pot.
Nam Le’s Aces Hold, Triples Up
Nam Le found himself all in preflop against two other players, one of whom being Marcel Luske. Le tabled AA94, Luske showed AKJ7, and the third player held 101086.
The board ran out 89Q52, and somehow Le won with a pair of aces.
Player Tags: Chris Ferguson, Mike Matusow, Michael Watson
|
| May 29, '09 |
2009 40th Annual World Series of Poker |
Event 2 - $40,000 40th Annual No-Limit Hold'em |
2 |
+ |
Level 11 Update -- Day 2 Begins
May 29, '09
Blinds: 2,500-5,000 with a 500 ante
Players Remaining: 79 out of 201
Chip Counts:
1. Bruno Fitoussi – 812,500
2. Chris Moneymaker – 805,000
3. Sorel Mizzi – 772,000
4. Justin Bonomo – 738,000
5. Alexander Veldhuis – 646,500
6. Kyle Wilson – 611,500
7. Brian Townsend – 609,000
8. Emil Patel – 494,500
9. Alan Sass – 491,000
10. Alex Jacob – 450,000
Average Chip Count: 271,011
Notable Eliminations:
Mike Watson
Shawn Buchanan
Amit Makhija
Big Hands:
Sorel Mizzi Wins Huge Double Up
On a board of 88s4, Sorel Mizzi bet out 40,000 and Michael DeMichele contemplated briefly before calling. The pot stood at 150,000 at the moment. The turn brought the 4 and Mizzi tanked before betting 90,500 into DeMichele. DeMichele eventually called and the 4 landed on the river, putting a full house on board. Mizzi once again tanked before announcing he was all-in. DeMichele looked shocked and tanked for minutes before finally calling the 266,500 chip all-in from Mizzi. Mizzi turned over the AA and DeMichele eventually mucked. Mizzi is now among the top chip leaders, with 772,000.
Mike Watson is Elminated
The short stacked Michael Watson moved all in with AQ and was called by James Mackey with pocket sixes and another opponent with pocket queens. Watson failed to hit the ace and was knocked out of the tournament.
Vitaly Lunkin Eliminates an Opponent
The button moved all in preflop and Vitaly Lunkin made the call from late position, covering his opponent. The recent RPT Moscow champion flipped over 1010 and the button showed down 88. The board ran out A6K99 and Lunkin won the hand to grow his stack to 289,000. The button was eliminated and made his way to the rail.
Brian Rast Doubles Up
Brian Rast moved all in from late position for 136,500 preflop and the button called him down. Their cards:
Rast: AJ
Button: AQ
Board: 81038J
Rast doubled up on the hand to survive with more than 270,000.
Amit Makhija is Eliminated By Mike Matusow
Amit Makhija moved all in pre-flop with ace king off-suit and was called by the AA of Mike Matusow. Makhija failed to hit any miracle and was eliminated by the three-time bracelet winner.
Alex Jacob Moves All-in On The River
On a board of 48Q1010, Alex Jacob moved all in for 137,000 against the big stack of Chris Moneymaker. Moneymaker went into the tank for quite some time asking Jacob if he would show his hand if he folded. Jacob was stone faced and took down the large pot once Moneymaker folded. Jacob is now up to 450,000.
James Mackey Wins a Coin-flip, Eliminates Shawn Buchanan
After some raising, James Mackey moved all-in pre-flop for 114,500 and Shawn went into the tank for minutes. Buchanan counted his chips, noticing that Mackey had him covered and eventually made the call. Mackey turned over KQ and Buchanan tabled the 1010. The flop of JJ5 was safe for Buchanan but the Q on the turn made the situation grim. The river brought the 7 and Mackey’s chip stack rose to 310,000.
Player Tags: Mike Matusow, Shawn Buchanan, James Mackey, Michael Watson, Michael DeMichele, Sorel Mizzi, Amit Makhija
|
| Apr 20, '09 |
2009 Five-Star World Poker Classic |
WPT Championship - Event 16 |
3 |
+ |
Level 9 Update -- Jonathan Little Eliminated
Apr 20, '09
Level: 9
Blinds: 800-1,600 with a 200 ante.
Players Left: 197 out of 338
Average Chip Count: 165,000
Notable Chip Counts:
Justin Young -- 605,000
Bertrand Grospellier -- 545,000
Jeff Madsen -- 460,000
Matt Hyman -- 430,000
Steve Billirakis -- 400,000
Notable Eliminations:
Jonathan Little
Michael Watson
Erik Seidel
Scott Clements
Jordan Morgan
Todd Brunson
Scott Seiver
Zachary Clark
Steve Wong
Thor Hansen
Steven Levy
Antonio Esfandiari
Kristy Gazes
Brian Powell
Barry Greenstein
Key Hands:
 Jonathan Little Sent Packing
Jonathan Little got it all in with A-K on a king high board looking to double up, only to see his opponent turn over pocket kings for top set. The turn and river brought no miracle cards and Little was eliminated from the tournament.
Everyone in the Fontana Lounge and a Change to the Prizepool
Thanks to the rapid pace of the eliminations, every player is now seated in the Fontana Lounge, clearing out the poker room of all tournament entrants. Speaking of the entrants, an error was made to yesterday's prize pool after it was discovered that the tournament drew in a field of 338, not 337 as it was originally reported. We'll be sure to change the prize pool information as soon as it becomes available.
Michael Watson Eliminated
Michael "SirWatts" Watson was eliminated during the level when his pocket queens ran into the pocket aces of Jennifer Harman. Harman moved up to 160,000 after the hand.
 Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier Gets Lucky, Wins Huge Pot
The board read J-10-9-8 when an unknown player bet 13,000. Shawn Cunix raised to 40,000 and Bertrand Grospellier made the call. The original bettor called and the river was a King. Cunix then bet, Grospellier moved all in and the other player folded. Cunix called, showing K-Q for the flopped nuts, but the river counterfeited his hand and Grospellier took the pot with A-Q for a broadway straight.
Grospellier took the huge pot to move to 545,000 and Cunix was left with just 30,000.
Player Tags: Jennifer Harman, Michael Watson, Jonathan Little, Bertrand Grospellier, Shawn Cunix
|
| Jul 17, '08 |
2008 Bellagio Cup IV (WPT) |
No-Limit Hold'em WPT Championship Event |
7 |
+ |
Mike Watson Wins the 2008 Bellagio Cup ($1,673,770)
Jul 17, '08
Mike Watson Wins the 2008 Bellagio Cup ($1,673,770)
Mike Watson moved all in from the button and David Benyamine made the call. Watson showed Q9 but was in major trouble against Benyamine's K9. The board ran out AQ697 and Benyamine was eliminated, earning $840,295 for his runner up performance.
Watson takes home the title, along with the bracelet and nearly $1.7 million.
Player Tags: David Benyamine, Michael Watson
Michael Watson Doubles Up on the River
Jul 17, '08
Blinds: 80,000 – 160,000 with a 15,000 ante
Chip Counts:
Average Stack: 10,035,000
Big Hands:
Ace on the River for Michael Watson
David Benyamine moved all in preflop for 8.6 million and Michael Watson made an all-in call. Their cards:
Benyamine: QQ
Watson: AK
Board: 10925A
Watson doubled up on the hand and Benyamine was crippled down to 2,665,000.
Player Tags: David Benyamine, Michael Watson
Heads-Up Action Begins
Jul 17, '08
The tournament reached heads-up action after the elimination of Staudenmire, and then there was a 20-minute break while the money presentation took place. Action then moved onward and upward with 80,000-160,000 blinds with a 15,000 ante.
Here are the heads-up starting stacks:
David Benyamine: 11,700,000
Michael Watson: 8,420,000
Player Tags: David Benyamine, Michael Watson
Go Go Gone Goggles
Jul 17, '08
Blinds: 80,000 – 160,000 with a 15,000 ante
Chip Counts:
Average Stack: 10,035,000
Big Hands:
 Mike Watson Doubles Through Luke Staudenmaier
Mike Watson and Luke Staudenmaier found themselves all in against each other with similar chip stacks. After a count down, Watson was determined to be the short stack and the players turned up their cards.
Watson revealed AQ and was ahead of Staudenmaier’s A10. The board came KJ977 and Watson’s hand held to double him up to about 8 million in chips.
Staudenmaier was left with roughly six big blinds after the hand.
Luke Staudenmaier Eliminated in Third Place ($452,465)
Luke Staudenmaier moved all in on the button and was called by both David Benyamine and Mike Watson in the blinds. The flop came Q53 and Benyamine checked. Watson bet 500,000 and Benyamine quickly folded, showing Q-4. Watson turned over Q8 and was way ahead of Staudenmaier’s K4. The turn and river came 56 and Staudenmaier was eliminated in third place, earning just short of half of a million dollars.
Player Tags: David Benyamine, Michael Watson, Luke Staudenmaier
Not Much Action
Jul 17, '08
Blinds: 80,000 – 160,000 with a 15,000 ante
Chip Counts:
Average Stack: 6,690,000
Big Hands:
Luke Staudenmaier and Mike Watson Trade Wins
With the action grinding to a halt, Mike Watson limped in the small blind and Luke Staudenmaier checked his option. The flop came 1098 and Watson bet 260,000. Staudenmaier called and the turn was the 4. Watson bet 600,000 and Staudenmaier gave it up.
A few hands later, Staudenmaier raised on the button to 450,000. Watson made the call in the big blind and the flop came 1064. Watson checked and Staudenmaier’s bet of 725,000 was enough to earn him the pot.
Break Time
The players then took a 15-minute break.
Player Tags: David Benyamine, Michael Watson, Luke Staudenmaier
Luke Staudenmaier Doubles Up
Jul 17, '08
Blinds: 60,000 – 120,000 with a 10,000 ante
Chip Counts:
Average Stack: 6,690,000
Big Hands:
Luke Staudenmaier Doubles Up
Luke Staudenmaier raised to 360,000 preflop from the button and Michael Watson reraised to 1.1 million. Staudenmaier reraised all in for 3.48 million and Watson made the call to cover his opponent. Their cards:
Staudenmaier: AK
Watson: QQ
Board: QJ2106
Staudenmaier doubled up on the hand to survive, and action continued three handed.
Player Tags: Michael Watson, Luke Staudenmaier
John Phan and Ralph Perry Bust
Jul 17, '08
Blinds: 60,000 – 120,000 with a 10,000 ante
Chip Counts:
Average Stack: 6,690,000
Big Hands:
 Ralph Perry Doubles Through John Phan
Ralph Perry moved all in for 1.2 million and John Phan made the call.
Perry showed A9 and Phan was ahead with A10. The board came AJ99J and a dejected Phan shipped most of his chips over to Perry who got the fortunate double up.
After the hand, Phan was crippled down to 700,000.
John Phan Eliminated in Fifth Place ($193,915)
John Phan moved all in from the small blind for his last 760,000 and David Benyamine called from the big blind. Phan showed A9 and was ahead of Benyamine’s A6.
The flop came KJ7 and Phan maintained the lead. But the turn was the Q, giving Benyamine a flush draw and many, many outs to the chop. The river was the …. 3! and Benyamine made the nut flush to eliminated Phan in fifth place.
Phan had a great summer, winning two WSOP bracelets along the way, but his elimination here will no doubt be on his mind for quite some time.
 Ralph Perry Eliminated in Fourth Place ($290,900)
Mike Watson raised to 360,000 and Ralph Perry moved all in from the big blind for 2.2 million. Watson called and showed AQ and Perry was behind with KJ.
The flop came out 542 and Perry was drawring semi-dead on the flawpp. The turn and river came 9A and Perry hit the rail in fourth place, earning over a quarter of a million dollars for his finish.
Short Break
After the bustout madness had ended, the players took a 15-minute break.
Player Tags: John Phan, David Benyamine, Michael Watson, Ralph Perry
Thaler Hits The Rail
Jul 17, '08
Blinds: 40,000 – 80,000 with a 10,000 ante
Chip Counts:
Average Stack: 4,014,000
Big Hands:
 Gabriel Thaler Eliminated in Sixth Place ($129,275)
Mike Watson raised to 220,000 from under the gun and got a call from Gabriel Thaler in the big blind. The flop came 754 and Thaler checked. Watson bet 320,000 and Thaler quickly check raised all in for 1.9 million.
Watson made the call and saw Thaler’s pocket tens. Watson showed his AJ and was actually a small favorite in the hand.
The turn was the 3 and Watson picked up more outs to the chop. The river was the 8 and Watson made his flush, sending Thaler packing in sixth place. Thaler earned $129,275 for his final table finish this week.
Player Tags: Gabriel Thaler, Michael Watson
Adam Geyer Eliminated
Jul 16, '08
 Adam Geyer is all in holding A-Q against Mike Watson's A-K. The board comes king high and Geyer is sent to the rail in 12th place.
Geyer had a pretty solid summer, earning over $100,000 with three cashes and a final table at the WSOP. His $64,000 score here doesn't hurt either.
Player Tags: Michael Watson, Adam Geyer
Glen Chorny Eliminated
Jul 16, '08
 Glen Chorny just got the rest of his chips all in against Mike Watson. Chorny had pocket aces and was looking great against Watson's pocket tens. But the board ran out K-5-3-10-5 and an upset Chorny was forced to make the short walk to the rail to collect his winnings.
Watson is currently stacked with over 2.5 million in chips.
Player Tags: Michael Watson, Glen Chorny
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| Jul 16, '08 |
2008 Bellagio Cup IV (WPT) |
No-Limit Hold'em WPT Championship Event |
6 |
+ |
Mike Watson Wins the 2008 Bellagio Cup ($1,673,770)
Jul 17, '08
Mike Watson Wins the 2008 Bellagio Cup ($1,673,770)
Mike Watson moved all in from the button and David Benyamine made the call. Watson showed Q9 but was in major trouble against Benyamine's K9. The board ran out AQ697 and Benyamine was eliminated, earning $840,295 for his runner up performance.
Watson takes home the title, along with the bracelet and nearly $1.7 million.
Player Tags: David Benyamine, Michael Watson
Michael Watson Doubles Up on the River
Jul 17, '08
Blinds: 80,000 – 160,000 with a 15,000 ante
Chip Counts:
Average Stack: 10,035,000
Big Hands:
Ace on the River for Michael Watson
David Benyamine moved all in preflop for 8.6 million and Michael Watson made an all-in call. Their cards:
Benyamine: QQ
Watson: AK
Board: 10925A
Watson doubled up on the hand and Benyamine was crippled down to 2,665,000.
Player Tags: David Benyamine, Michael Watson
Heads-Up Action Begins
Jul 17, '08
The tournament reached heads-up action after the elimination of Staudenmire, and then there was a 20-minute break while the money presentation took place. Action then moved onward and upward with 80,000-160,000 blinds with a 15,000 ante.
Here are the heads-up starting stacks:
David Benyamine: 11,700,000
Michael Watson: 8,420,000
Player Tags: David Benyamine, Michael Watson
Go Go Gone Goggles
Jul 17, '08
Blinds: 80,000 – 160,000 with a 15,000 ante
Chip Counts:
Average Stack: 10,035,000
Big Hands:
Mike Watson Doubles Through Luke Staudenmaier
Mike Watson and Luke Staudenmaier found themselves all in against each other with similar chip stacks. After a count down, Watson was determined to be the short stack and the players turned up their cards.
Watson revealed AQ and was ahead of Staudenmaier’s A10. The board came KJ977 and Watson’s hand held to double him up to about 8 million in chips.
Staudenmaier was left with roughly six big blinds after the hand.
Luke Staudenmaier Eliminated in Third Place ($452,465)
Luke Staudenmaier moved all in on the button and was called by both David Benyamine and Mike Watson in the blinds. The flop came Q53 and Benyamine checked. Watson bet 500,000 and Benyamine quickly folded, showing Q-4. Watson turned over Q8 and was way ahead of Staudenmaier’s K4. The turn and river came 56 and Staudenmaier was eliminated in third place, earning just short of half of a million dollars.
Player Tags: David Benyamine, Michael Watson, Luke Staudenmaier
Not Much Action
Jul 17, '08
Blinds: 80,000 – 160,000 with a 15,000 ante
Chip Counts:
Average Stack: 6,690,000
Big Hands:
Luke Staudenmaier and Mike Watson Trade Wins
With the action grinding to a halt, Mike Watson limped in the small blind and Luke Staudenmaier checked his option. The flop came 1098 and Watson bet 260,000. Staudenmaier called and the turn was the 4. Watson bet 600,000 and Staudenmaier gave it up.
A few hands later, Staudenmaier raised on the button to 450,000. Watson made the call in the big blind and the flop came 1064. Watson checked and Staudenmaier’s bet of 725,000 was enough to earn him the pot.
Break Time
The players then took a 15-minute break.
Player Tags: David Benyamine, Michael Watson, Luke Staudenmaier
Luke Staudenmaier Doubles Up
Jul 17, '08
Blinds: 60,000 – 120,000 with a 10,000 ante
Chip Counts:
Average Stack: 6,690,000
Big Hands:
Luke Staudenmaier Doubles Up
Luke Staudenmaier raised to 360,000 preflop from the button and Michael Watson reraised to 1.1 million. Staudenmaier reraised all in for 3.48 million and Watson made the call to cover his opponent. Their cards:
Staudenmaier: AK
Watson: QQ
Board: QJ2106
Staudenmaier doubled up on the hand to survive, and action continued three handed.
Player Tags: Michael Watson, Luke Staudenmaier
John Phan and Ralph Perry Bust
Jul 17, '08
Blinds: 60,000 – 120,000 with a 10,000 ante
Chip Counts:
Average Stack: 6,690,000
Big Hands:
Ralph Perry Doubles Through John Phan
Ralph Perry moved all in for 1.2 million and John Phan made the call.
Perry showed A9 and Phan was ahead with A10. The board came AJ99J and a dejected Phan shipped most of his chips over to Perry who got the fortunate double up.
After the hand, Phan was crippled down to 700,000.
John Phan Eliminated in Fifth Place ($193,915)
John Phan moved all in from the small blind for his last 760,000 and David Benyamine called from the big blind. Phan showed A9 and was ahead of Benyamine’s A6.
The flop came KJ7 and Phan maintained the lead. But the turn was the Q, giving Benyamine a flush draw and many, many outs to the chop. The river was the …. 3! and Benyamine made the nut flush to eliminated Phan in fifth place.
Phan had a great summer, winning two WSOP bracelets along the way, but his elimination here will no doubt be on his mind for quite some time.
Ralph Perry Eliminated in Fourth Place ($290,900)
Mike Watson raised to 360,000 and Ralph Perry moved all in from the big blind for 2.2 million. Watson called and showed AQ and Perry was behind with KJ.
The flop came out 542 and Perry was drawring semi-dead on the flawpp. The turn and river came 9A and Perry hit the rail in fourth place, earning over a quarter of a million dollars for his finish.
Short Break
After the bustout madness had ended, the players took a 15-minute break.
Player Tags: John Phan, David Benyamine, Michael Watson, Ralph Perry
Thaler Hits The Rail
Jul 17, '08
Blinds: 40,000 – 80,000 with a 10,000 ante
Chip Counts:
Average Stack: 4,014,000
Big Hands:
Gabriel Thaler Eliminated in Sixth Place ($129,275)
Mike Watson raised to 220,000 from under the gun and got a call from Gabriel Thaler in the big blind. The flop came 754 and Thaler checked. Watson bet 320,000 and Thaler quickly check raised all in for 1.9 million.
Watson made the call and saw Thaler’s pocket tens. Watson showed his AJ and was actually a small favorite in the hand.
The turn was the 3 and Watson picked up more outs to the chop. The river was the 8 and Watson made his flush, sending Thaler packing in sixth place. Thaler earned $129,275 for his final table finish this week.
Player Tags: Gabriel Thaler, Michael Watson
Adam Geyer Eliminated
Jul 16, '08
Adam Geyer is all in holding A-Q against Mike Watson's A-K. The board comes king high and Geyer is sent to the rail in 12th place.
Geyer had a pretty solid summer, earning over $100,000 with three cashes and a final table at the WSOP. His $64,000 score here doesn't hurt either.
Player Tags: Michael Watson, Adam Geyer
Glen Chorny Eliminated
Jul 16, '08
Glen Chorny just got the rest of his chips all in against Mike Watson. Chorny had pocket aces and was looking great against Watson's pocket tens. But the board ran out K-5-3-10-5 and an upset Chorny was forced to make the short walk to the rail to collect his winnings.
Watson is currently stacked with over 2.5 million in chips.
Player Tags: Michael Watson, Glen Chorny
|
| Jul 15, '08 |
2008 Bellagio Cup IV (WPT) |
No-Limit Hold'em WPT Championship Event |
5 |
+ |
Mike Watson Wins the 2008 Bellagio Cup ($1,673,770)
Jul 17, '08
Mike Watson Wins the 2008 Bellagio Cup ($1,673,770)
Mike Watson moved all in from the button and David Benyamine made the call. Watson showed Q9 but was in major trouble against Benyamine's K9. The board ran out AQ697 and Benyamine was eliminated, earning $840,295 for his runner up performance.
Watson takes home the title, along with the bracelet and nearly $1.7 million.
Player Tags: David Benyamine, Michael Watson
Michael Watson Doubles Up on the River
Jul 17, '08
Blinds: 80,000 – 160,000 with a 15,000 ante
Chip Counts:
Average Stack: 10,035,000
Big Hands:
Ace on the River for Michael Watson
David Benyamine moved all in preflop for 8.6 million and Michael Watson made an all-in call. Their cards:
Benyamine: QQ
Watson: AK
Board: 10925A
Watson doubled up on the hand and Benyamine was crippled down to 2,665,000.
Player Tags: David Benyamine, Michael Watson
Heads-Up Action Begins
Jul 17, '08
The tournament reached heads-up action after the elimination of Staudenmire, and then there was a 20-minute break while the money presentation took place. Action then moved onward and upward with 80,000-160,000 blinds with a 15,000 ante.
Here are the heads-up starting stacks:
David Benyamine: 11,700,000
Michael Watson: 8,420,000
Player Tags: David Benyamine, Michael Watson
Go Go Gone Goggles
Jul 17, '08
Blinds: 80,000 – 160,000 with a 15,000 ante
Chip Counts:
Average Stack: 10,035,000
Big Hands:
Mike Watson Doubles Through Luke Staudenmaier
Mike Watson and Luke Staudenmaier found themselves all in against each other with similar chip stacks. After a count down, Watson was determined to be the short stack and the players turned up their cards.
Watson revealed AQ and was ahead of Staudenmaier’s A10. The board came KJ977 and Watson’s hand held to double him up to about 8 million in chips.
Staudenmaier was left with roughly six big blinds after the hand.
Luke Staudenmaier Eliminated in Third Place ($452,465)
Luke Staudenmaier moved all in on the button and was called by both David Benyamine and Mike Watson in the blinds. The flop came Q53 and Benyamine checked. Watson bet 500,000 and Benyamine quickly folded, showing Q-4. Watson turned over Q8 and was way ahead of Staudenmaier’s K4. The turn and river came 56 and Staudenmaier was eliminated in third place, earning just short of half of a million dollars.
Player Tags: David Benyamine, Michael Watson, Luke Staudenmaier
Not Much Action
Jul 17, '08
Blinds: 80,000 – 160,000 with a 15,000 ante
Chip Counts:
Average Stack: 6,690,000
Big Hands:
Luke Staudenmaier and Mike Watson Trade Wins
With the action grinding to a halt, Mike Watson limped in the small blind and Luke Staudenmaier checked his option. The flop came 1098 and Watson bet 260,000. Staudenmaier called and the turn was the 4. Watson bet 600,000 and Staudenmaier gave it up.
A few hands later, Staudenmaier raised on the button to 450,000. Watson made the call in the big blind and the flop came 1064. Watson checked and Staudenmaier’s bet of 725,000 was enough to earn him the pot.
Break Time
The players then took a 15-minute break.
Player Tags: David Benyamine, Michael Watson, Luke Staudenmaier
Luke Staudenmaier Doubles Up
Jul 17, '08
Blinds: 60,000 – 120,000 with a 10,000 ante
Chip Counts:
Average Stack: 6,690,000
Big Hands:
Luke Staudenmaier Doubles Up
Luke Staudenmaier raised to 360,000 preflop from the button and Michael Watson reraised to 1.1 million. Staudenmaier reraised all in for 3.48 million and Watson made the call to cover his opponent. Their cards:
Staudenmaier: AK
Watson: QQ
Board: QJ2106
Staudenmaier doubled up on the hand to survive, and action continued three handed.
Player Tags: Michael Watson, Luke Staudenmaier
John Phan and Ralph Perry Bust
Jul 17, '08
Blinds: 60,000 – 120,000 with a 10,000 ante
Chip Counts:
Average Stack: 6,690,000
Big Hands:
Ralph Perry Doubles Through John Phan
Ralph Perry moved all in for 1.2 million and John Phan made the call.
Perry showed A9 and Phan was ahead with A10. The board came AJ99J and a dejected Phan shipped most of his chips over to Perry who got the fortunate double up.
After the hand, Phan was crippled down to 700,000.
John Phan Eliminated in Fifth Place ($193,915)
John Phan moved all in from the small blind for his last 760,000 and David Benyamine called from the big blind. Phan showed A9 and was ahead of Benyamine’s A6.
The flop came KJ7 and Phan maintained the lead. But the turn was the Q, giving Benyamine a flush draw and many, many outs to the chop. The river was the …. 3! and Benyamine made the nut flush to eliminated Phan in fifth place.
Phan had a great summer, winning two WSOP bracelets along the way, but his elimination here will no doubt be on his mind for quite some time.
Ralph Perry Eliminated in Fourth Place ($290,900)
Mike Watson raised to 360,000 and Ralph Perry moved all in from the big blind for 2.2 million. Watson called and showed AQ and Perry was behind with KJ.
The flop came out 542 and Perry was drawring semi-dead on the flawpp. The turn and river came 9A and Perry hit the rail in fourth place, earning over a quarter of a million dollars for his finish.
Short Break
After the bustout madness had ended, the players took a 15-minute break.
Player Tags: John Phan, David Benyamine, Michael Watson, Ralph Perry
Thaler Hits The Rail
Jul 17, '08
Blinds: 40,000 – 80,000 with a 10,000 ante
Chip Counts:
Average Stack: 4,014,000
Big Hands:
Gabriel Thaler Eliminated in Sixth Place ($129,275)
Mike Watson raised to 220,000 from under the gun and got a call from Gabriel Thaler in the big blind. The flop came 754 and Thaler checked. Watson bet 320,000 and Thaler quickly check raised all in for 1.9 million.
Watson made the call and saw Thaler’s pocket tens. Watson showed his AJ and was actually a small favorite in the hand.
The turn was the 3 and Watson picked up more outs to the chop. The river was the 8 and Watson made his flush, sending Thaler packing in sixth place. Thaler earned $129,275 for his final table finish this week.
Player Tags: Gabriel Thaler, Michael Watson
Adam Geyer Eliminated
Jul 16, '08
Adam Geyer is all in holding A-Q against Mike Watson's A-K. The board comes king high and Geyer is sent to the rail in 12th place.
Geyer had a pretty solid summer, earning over $100,000 with three cashes and a final table at the WSOP. His $64,000 score here doesn't hurt either.
Player Tags: Michael Watson, Adam Geyer
Glen Chorny Eliminated
Jul 16, '08
Glen Chorny just got the rest of his chips all in against Mike Watson. Chorny had pocket aces and was looking great against Watson's pocket tens. But the board ran out K-5-3-10-5 and an upset Chorny was forced to make the short walk to the rail to collect his winnings.
Watson is currently stacked with over 2.5 million in chips.
Player Tags: Michael Watson, Glen Chorny
|
