Phil Ivey - Live Updates

Level 37 Update II: Phil Ivey Eliminated in Seventh Place and Steven Begleiter Eliminated in Sixth Place

Nov 08, '09

Blinds: 300,000-600,000 with a 75,000 ante

Players Remaining: 5 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Darvin Moon — 63,925,000
2. Eric Buchman — 53,250,000
3. Antoine Saout — 51,725,000
4. Jeff Shulman — 15,525,000
5. Joseph Cada — 10,350,000

Average Chip Count: 38,964,000

Notable Eliminations:

7: Phil Ivey — $1,404,002
6: Steven Begleiter — $1,587,133

Big Hands

Phil Ivey Eliminated in Seventh Place ($1,404,002)

Phil Ivey moved all in for 6.45 million under the gun preflop and Darvin Moon made the call in the big blind. The two players then turned over their cards as the audience rose to their feet in anticipation.

Ivey: AK
Moon: AQ

Ivey was sitting in a good spot with his A-K dominating the A-Q of Moon, but Ivey has a history with A-Q, and it is not a good one. The board that fell confirmed once again that the hand is nothing short of kryptonite for the best poker player on the planet.

Board: Q6635

Ivey was eliminated and although the crowd gave him a loud ovation, the mood went sour after he exited the room. Ivey was awarded $1,404,002 in prize money for his seventh-place finish. Moon was up to 39.3 million after the hand.

Steven Begleiter Eliminated in Sixth Place ($1,587,133)

Steven Begleiter raised to 1.6 million under the gun preflop and Darvin Moon reraised all in for 39.925 million. Begleiter made the all-in call for 23.25 million and the two players turned over their cards:

Begleiter: QQ
Moon: AQ

Board: 8743A

The crowd erupted in cheers as the improbable happened yet again tonight. Moon hit the miracle ace on the river and he grew his stack to 63.925 million to take the chip lead. Begleiter was eliminated in sixth place. He was awarded $1,587,133 in prize money.

Player Tags: Phil Ivey,   Darvin Moon,   Steven Begleiter

Level 36 Hour 2 Update: Cada Crippled By Shulman Double Up

Nov 07, '09

Blinds: 250,000-500,000 with a 50,000 ante

Players Remaining: 7 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Steven Begleiter — 46,350,000
2. Eric Buchman — 46,300,000
3. Darvin Moon — 38,200,000
4. Antoine Saout — 26,575,000
5. Jeff Shulman — 14,500,000
6. Joe Cada — 12,500,000
7. Phil Ivey — 10,325,000

Average Chip Count: 27,831,429

Notable Eliminations:

NONE

Big Hands:

Begs Picks Up Where He Left Off

Steven Begleiter raised to 1.25 million and Eric Buchman reraised to 4.55 million. Action folded back around to Begleiter and he reraised to 11 million.

The room got quiet as Buchman mulled over his decision, but he finally folded much to the delight of Begleiter’s fans in the room.

Jeff Shulman Doubles Through Joe Cada

Joe Cada raised to 1.25 million from under the gun and Jeff Shulman moved all in for his last 7 million. Cada tanked for several minutes before calling and revealed AJ.

Shulman showed a superior AK and it held when the board came down 1093Q4. Cada was left crippled with just over 2 million and Shulman doubled to over 15 million.

Joe Cada Doubles Through Eric Buchman

Eric Buchman put Joe Cada all in from the small blind with 54 and Cada called with J4.

The board came 964107 and Cada doubled up to a still very short 4.8 million.

Joe Cada Doubles Through Phil Ivey

Phil Ivey raised to 1.25 million and Joe Cada moved all in for 5.8 million. Ivey tanked for a bit before finally calling with A8 and Cada showed two red fours.

The board came 104297 and Cada doubled up to about 12.5 million. Ivey was left with 10 million.

Card Player Twitter Page:

Jeff Shulman
Phil Ivey

People on the Rail

Adam Schoenfeld
Dennis Phillips
Jonathan Little
Annie Duke
Daniel Negreanu

Player Tags: Jeff Shulman,   Phil Ivey,   Joseph Cada

Level 36 Update -- Moon Takes a Spill

Nov 07, '09

Blinds: 200,000-400,000 with a 50,000 ante

Players Remaining: 7 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1: Eric Buchman — 54,825,000
2: Darvin Moon — 41,850,000
3: Steven Begleiter — 37,100,000
4: Antoine Saout — 26,725,000
5: Phil Ivey — 16,250,000
6: Joe Cada — 10,800,000
7: Jeff Shulman — 8,025,000

Average Chip Count: 27,831,429

Notable Eliminations:

NONE

Big Hands:

Moon Makes an Interesting Laydown

Darvin Moon raised to 1.3 million preflop under the gun and Steven Begleiter reraised to 3.9 million from the hi-jack. Moon made the call and the flop was dealt 432. Moon checked, Begleiter bet 5.35 million, and Moon raised to 15 million. Begleiter moved all in for 20.425 million total and Moon mucked despite the fact that it cost just over 5 million more to call. Begleiter won the hand to grow his stack to 44,175,000 and Moon was left with 42,075,000.

Phil Ivey Adds Some Chips

Steven Begletier raised to 1.25 million preflop under the gun and Phil Ivey made the call in the big blind. The flop was dealt KQJ. Begleiter bet 1.75 mllion and Ivey called. The turn fell J and both players checked. The river fell 3 and Ivey bet 2.5 million. Begleiter mucked and Ivey grew his stack to 16.7 million.

Player Tags: Phil Ivey,   Darvin Moon,   Steven Begleiter

Level 34 Update: Ivey Moves All In

Nov 07, '09

Blinds: 150,000-300,000 with a 40,000 ante

Players Remaining: 9 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1: Darvin Moon — 62,305,000
2: Eric Buchman — 35,610,000
3: Steven Begleiter — 29,275,000
4: Jeff Shulman — 18,830,000
5: Joe Cada — 13,335,500
6: Kevin Schaffel — 11,510,000
7: Phil Ivey — 10,795,000
8: Antoine Saout — 8,970,000
9: James Akenhead — 4,215,000

Average Chip Count: 21,646,666

Notable Eliminations:

NONE

Big Hands:

Phil Ivey Reraises All — Everyone Folds

In the hand that garnered the most crowd reaction so far at the final table Jeff Shulman opened the pot for a raise to 1.25 million UTG+1 and Phil Ivey reraised all in for 8,655,000 from the hi-jack. Joseph Cada went into the tank in the big blind, but he decided to muck. Shulman mucked as well and Ivey took down the hand as the crowd cheered its approval. Ivey held 10,715,000 after the hand.

Eric Buchman Takes One Down

Eric Buchman raised to 800,000 from early position and Jeff Shulman made the call. The flop was dealt K77 and Buchman checked. Shulman bet 1.75 million and Buchman made the call. The 10 fell on the turn and both players checked. The 3 fell on the river and both players checked again. Buchman turned over pocket queens and Shulman mucked. Buchman was up to 40,660,000 after the hand and Shulman was down to 15,550,000.

CardPlayer TV

Main Event Final Table Preview with Phil Hellmuth

Card Player Twitter Page:

Jeff Shulman
Phil Ivey

People on the Rail

Adam Schoenfeld
Dennis Phillips
Jonathan Little
Annie Duke
Daniel Negreanu

Player Tags: Jeff Shulman,   Phil Ivey

2009 Main Event Final Table Begins at Noon Saturday

Nov 05, '09

On Saturday, the wait will finally be over.

The November Nine will return to the Rio in Las Vegas on Saturday at noon PST and play down to two players. Those final competitors will then battle it out on Monday night, starting at 10 p.m. PST, to see who will walk away with the first-place prize of $8,546,435 and the title of world champion.

The final table episode will then be broadcast to the world on ESPN on Tuesday, starting at 6 p.m. EST.

The final table, which will take place at the Penn and Teller Theater, will be open to the public. Each player at the final table has already received ninth-place prize money worth $1,263,602. Card Player’s live reporting team will be on the scene to bring you all of the action in live updates, chip counts, and photos.

Here is a look at all of the information you need to know before the final table begins:

NOTE: Play will begin in level 33 with blinds at 120,000-240,000 with a 30,000 ante.

Chip Counts:

1: Darvin Moon — 58,930,000
2: Eric Buchman — 34,800,000
3: Steven Begleiter — 29,885,000
4: Jeff Shulman — 19,580,000
5: Joe Cada — 13,215,000
6: Kevin Schaffel — 12,390,000
7: Phil Ivey — 9,765,000
8: Antoine Saout — 9,500,000
9: James Akenhead — 6,800,000

Average Chip Count: 21,646,666

Final-Table Seating Chart:

Seat 1: Darvin Moon
Seat 2: James Akenhead
Seat 3: Phil Ivey
Seat 4: Kevin Schaffel
Seat 5: Steven Begleiter
Seat 6: Eric Buchman
Seat 7: Joe Cada
Seat 8: Antoine Saout
Seat 9: Jeff Shulman

Player Tags: Jeff Shulman,   Eric Buchman,   Phil Ivey,   Kevin Schaffel,   James Akenhead,   Antoine Saout,   Joseph Cada,   Darvin Moon,   Steven Begleiter

Level 33 Hour 2 Update: Jordan Smith Eliminated, November Nine Reached

Jul 15, '09

Blinds: 120,000-240,000 with a 30,000 ante

Players Remaining: 9 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Darvin Moon – 58,930,000
2. Eric Buchman – 34,800,000
3. Steven Begleiter – 29,885,000
4. Jeff Shulman – 19,580,000
5. Joe Cada – 13,215,000
6. Kevin Schaffel – 12,390,000
7. Phil Ivey – 9,765,000
8. Antoine Saout – 9,500,000
9. James Akenhead – 6,800,000

Card Player Chip Count:

Jeff Shulman – 19,580,000

Average Chip Count: 21,646,666

Eliminations:

12. Billy Kopp – $896,730
11. Jamie Robbins – $896,730
10. Jordan Smith – $896,730

Twitter Updates:

Jeff Shulman at 19,580,000 (twitter feed)
Phil Ivey at 9,765,000 (twitter feed)

Big Hands:

Billy Kopp Eliminated in 12th Place ($896,730)

Billy Kopp raised to 600,000 preflop in early position and Darvin Moon called from the small blind. The flop came K92 and Moon checked. Kopp bet 750,000 and Moon called. The 2 on the turn prompted Moon to once again check. Kopp bet 2,000,000 and Moon check-raised to 6,000,000. Kopp didn’t take long before moving all in for 20,000,000. Moon made the call and exposed the QJ for the second nut flush. Kopp exposed the 53 and was drawing stone cold dead. His stack of over 100 big blinds was handed over to Moon when the meaningless 7 fell on the river. Kopp was eliminated and Moon built his stack to 40,500,000 after the monster hand.

Jamie Robbins Eliminated in 11th Place ($896,730)

Jamie Robbins open-shoved for 2,350,000 and Phil Ivey called. Robbins exposed the KQ and Ivey tabled the A10. Ivey was a slight favorite and held as the board ran out 83335. Ivey was at 9,610,000 after the hand.

Joe Cada Wins First Pot at Table of 10

Joe Cada bet 600,000 from early position and Darvin Moon called from the button. The two players checked down a board of J106QQ. Cada exposed pocket nines to take the small pot while Moon tabled pocket deuces.

Jeff Shulman Wins a Pot

Eric Buchman bet 650,000 preflop. Jeff Shulman, Jordan Smith, and Phil Ivey all called. The flop came A98 and action was checked to Shulman. He fired out 1,500,000 and won the pot as everyone else folded. Shulman was at 20,510,000 after the hand.

Akenhead Playing Snug

Jordan Smith bet 650,000 preflop and James Akenhead called. The flop came 632 and Smith checked. Akenhead checked behind. The K hit the turn and both players checked again. The 4 fell on the river and both checked for a third time. Akenhead, the short stack at the table, exposed the 77 and was good. He took the pot and was up to 6,400,000 after the hand.

November Nine Reached

Jordan Smith Eliminated in 10th Place ($896,730)

Eric Buchman raised preflop to 650,000. Darvin Moon called from the button. Jordan Smith reraised to 2,600,000 total from the small blind. Buchman folded and Moon smooth called. The flop came 842 and Smith checked to Moon on the button. Moon bet 4,000,000 and Smith check-raised all in. Moon instantly called and exposed top set with the 88 and was up against the AA of Smith. Smith was in bad shape to double up and stay alive in the tournament. The turn brought the 5, adding a wheel draw for Smith. The river brought none of his outs as the 10 landed on the felt. Smith was eliminated and Moon is up to 58,930,000 after the hand.

Player Tags: Phil Ivey,   Jamie Robbins,   Jordan Smith,   Billy Kopp

Level 33 Hour 1 Update: Jeff Shulman Eliminates Ben Lamb

Jul 15, '09

Blinds: 120,000-240,000 with a 30,000 ante

Players Remaining: 12 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Eric Buchman – 33,800,000
2. Steven Begleiter – 27,730,000
3. Darvin Moon – 25,100,000
4. Jeff Shulman – 22,600,000
5. Billy Kopp – 18,900,000
6. Jordan Smith – 16,700,000
7. Joe Cada – 12,260,000
8. Kevin Schaffel – 11,700,000
9. Antoine Saout – 10,055,000
10. Phil Ivey – 7,400,000

Card Player Chip Count:

Jeff Shulman – 22,600,000

Average Chip Count: 14,986,153

Eliminations:

14. Ben Lamb – $633,022
13. James Calderaro – $633,022

Twitter Updates:

Jeff Shulman at 22,600,000 (twitter feed)
Billy Kopp at 18,900,000 (twitter feed)
Phil Ivey at 7,400,000 (twitter feed)

Big Hands:

Phil Ivey Starts Level Off On Right Foot

Phil Ivey bet 675,000 preflop and Joe Cada called. The flop came A75 and Cada checked to the seven-time bracelet winner. Ivey bet 800,000 and Cada made the call. The 3 fell on the turn. Cada again checked, and this time Ivey bet 1,700,000. Cada mucked and Ivey took the pot to boost his chip stack to 9,030,000 after the hand.

Jamie Robbins Catches Miracle

Joe Cada raised to 600,000. Jamie Robbins moved all in for 1,370,000. Cada insta-called. Cada exposed the AA and was ahead of the 1010 of Robbins. The board read K625 on the turn, and Robbins needed to catch one of the two remaining tens in the deck to stay alive. The dealer pealed off the 10 to the shock of the crowd. Robbins doubled to 3,310,000.

Jeff Shulman Climbing

Jordan Smith raised 750,000 from under the gun. Next to act was Jeff Shulman and he made the call. Two players saw a flop of K102. Smith bet 650,000 and Shulman raised to 1,700,000. Smith contemplated briefly before finally mucking. Shulman was at 15,100,000 after the hand and Smith was at 15,700,000.

Jeff Shulman Eliminates Ben Lamb in 14th Place ($633,022)

From the cutoff, Ben Lamb bet 655,000. Action was folded to Jeff Shulman in the big blind. He raised enough to put Lamb all in. Lamb went into the tank and eventually made the call with the AJ. Shulman exposed the AK and was in command. The board ran out K9372, as Lamb was drawing dead on the turn. Shulman eliminated his opponent and built his stack to 22,000,000.

Chip Leader Getting Stronger

Joe Cada raised to 600,000 from under the gun. Antoine Saout called from the button and Eric Buchman called from the big blind. All three players saw a flop of A87 and Buchman checked. Cada fired out a million and Saout folded. Buchman made the call and the 5 fell on the turn. Buchman led out with 2,500,000 and Saout eventually mucked. Buchman was at 33,950,000 after the hand.

James Calderaro Eliminated in 13th Place ($633,022)

James Calderaro was short when he moved all in for 2,500,000 from the button. Kevin Schaffel made the call from the big blind. Schaffel exposed the 1010 while Calderaro exposed the KJ. The board ran out Q52Q, as Calderaro was down to his last card. He picked up a flush draw on the turn but nothing materialized as the 5 fell on the river. Schaffel is now at 11,700,000.

Player Tags: Jeff Shulman,   Phil Ivey,   Jamie Robbins,   James Calderaro

Level 32 Hour 2 Update: Phil Ivey Coming Back

Jul 15, '09

Note: The players are now on a 90 minute dinner break.

Blinds: 100,000-200,000 with a 30,000 ante

Players Remaining: 14 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Eric Buchman – 28,670,000
2. Steven Begleiter – 27,260,000
3. Darvin Moon – 23,800,000
4. Joseph Cada – 19,465,000
5. Jordan Smith – 18,884,000
6. Jeff Shulman – 13,800,000
7. Billy Kopp – 13,500,000
8. Antoine Saout – 12,420,000
9. Kevin Schaffel – 10,630,000
10. Phil Ivey – 7,325,000

Card Player Chip Count:

Jeff Shulman – 13,800,000

Average Chip Count: 12,988,000

Eliminations:

15. Nick Maimone — $633,022

Twitter Updates:

Jeff Shulman at 13,800,000 (twitter feed)
Billy Kopp at 13,500,000 (twitter feed)
Phil Ivey at 7,325,000 (twitter feed)

Big Hands:

Ivey Tries To Mount A Comeback

Phil Ivey started this hand as the short stack in the tournament, but it did not stop him from raising to 500,000 preflop. Antoine Saout made the call and the flop came down 663. Ivey bet 700,000 and that was enough to chase Saout away.

Ivey took down the pot and he was at 6.5 million.

Calderaro Doubles Up

Jeff Shulman raised to 600,000 preflop and Darvin Moon made the call. The action was on James Calderaro who moved in for about 2.5 million. Shulman mucked but Moon made the call.

Calderaro: AK
Moon: AQ

Board: 1044K3

Calderaro paired up on the turn but needed to avoid Moon’s gutshot straight draw. The 3 helped him do just that and he doubled up 5.8 million.

Joe Cada Moves All In

Joe Cada raised to 500,000 from the cutoff and Jamie Robbins raised to 1,700,000 from the button. Cada moved all in. Robbins instantly folded. Cada is at 17,090,000.

Jeff Shulman Doubles Up Ben Lamb

Shulman raised to 700,000. Lamb moved all in for 1,710,000 on top from the small blind. Shulman made the call. Lamb exposed the 1010 while Shulman table t he KJ. The players were off to a race. The board ran out 97QQ. Lamb was at 4,900,000 after the hand. Shulman was at 12,000,000 after the hand.

Antoine Saout Doubles Up

From the button, James Akenhead reraised Antoine Saout’s cutoff bet of 550,000. Saout moved in for just over 5.7 million and Akenhead made the call. Saout exposed the 88 and was up against the AK of Akenhead. The board ran out 1042Q3. Saout doubled to 13,020,000. Akenhead has just 2,600,000.

Ivey Coming Back

Phil Ivey raised preflop to 525,000 and Eric Buchman called from the big blind. Buchman checked on a flop of 622 and Ivey fired out a continuation bet of 700,000. Buchman folded and Ivey was at 7,200,000 after the hand.

James Akenhead Doubles Up

Jamie Robbins raised to 530,000 preflop. James Akenhead moved all in for 2,390,000 and Robbins called, exposing the AA. Akenhead exposed the dominated KQ. The board ran out KQJ75 and Akenhead cracked the aces to double to 5,090,000.

Player Tags: Jeff Shulman,   Phil Ivey,   James Calderaro

Level 31 Hour 2 Update: Vedes 19th, Lichtenberger 18th, Tavelli 17th, Lacay 16th

Jul 15, '09

Blinds: 80,000-160,000 with a 20,000 ante

Players Remaining: 15 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Steven Begleiter – 27,890,000
2. Darvin Moon – 24,600,000
3. Billy Kopp – 17,200,000
4. Eric Buchman – 16,000,000
5. Jordan Smith – 15,800,000
6. Joseph Cada – 13,600,000
7. Kevin Schaffel – 13,600,000
8. Jeff Shluman – 12,800,000
9. James Akenhead – 10,100,000
10. Nick Maimone – 10,000,000

Card Player Chip Count:

Jeff Shulman – 12,800,000

Average Chip Count: 12,988,000

Eliminations:

19. Tommy Vedes — $352,832
18. Andrew Lichtenberger — $500,557
17. Ian Tavelli — $500,557
16. Ludovic Lacay — $500,557

Twitter Updates:

Jeff Shulman at 12,800,000 (twitter feed)
Billy Kopp at 17,200,000 (twitter feed)
Phil Ivey at 6,800,000 (twitter feed)
Nick Maimone at 9,350,000 (twitter feed)

Big Hands:

Tommy Vedes Eliminated In 19th Place($352,832)

Eric Buchman raised to 425,000 preflop and Tommy Vedes moved in for his last 1.9 million. Buchman made the call with 77, dominating Vedes’ 33.

The flop brought something for everyone as it fell 1073, giving each player a set. The turn was the Q and Vedes needed the case three to stay alive. But the river was the 2 and Vedes was ousted in 19th place.

Lamb’s Aces Taken Out To Slaughter

Steven Begleiter raised to 425,000 preflop from the hijack and Benjamin Lamb repopped to 1.1 million from the cutoff. Begleiter made the call and the two players saw a flop of J95. Begleiter checked to Lamb who fired a bet into the pot. Begleiter then moved all in for over 7 million. Lamb made the call after some thought and tabled AA.

The aces were officially cracked, however, as Begleiter tabled J9 for top two pair on the flop. The turn was the 3 and the river was the 8 and Begleiter doubled to over 16 million. Lamb was down to just over 4 million in chips.

Not So Happy…

Jeff Shulman raised to 420,000 preflop and Joe Cada repopped it to 1.2 million. Shulman made the call and the flop came down K25. Cada checked to Shulman who bet 1.4 million. Cada made the call and the turn was the 5. Both players checked and the river was the K.

Cada then led out for 2 million and Shulman threw his hand in the muck. Cada raked in the pot and was over 9 million while Shulman dropped to 8 million.

Jordan Smith Takes One On The Turn

Billy Kopp raised to 375,000 and Ben Lamb made the call from the button. Jordan Smith also came along from the big blind and the flop came down 986. Everyone checked and the turn was the Q.

Smith led out for 700,000 and his two opponents mucked. Smith raked in the pot and was over 7 million.

Begleiter Takes One Off Maimone

Steven Begleiter raised to 425,000 and Nick Maimone made the call from the big blind. The flop came down J72 and both players checked. The turn was the 7 and Maimone took a shot with 400,000. Begleiter made the call and the river was the 9. Maimone bet 800,000 and Begleiter made the call.

Maimone tabled KJ for top pair, but Begleiter showed AJ for the same hand with a better kicker. Begleiter raked the pot and was at 18 million while Maimone was at 10 million.

Andrew Lichtenberger Eliminated In 18th Place($500,557)

Andrew Lichtenberger raised to 400,000 and Darvin Moon made the call. The flop came down 633 and Lichtenberger bet 680,000. Moon raised to 1.5 million and Lichtenberger moved all in, getting a quick call from Moon.

Lichtenberger showed JJ, but Moon tabled KK. The turn was the 6 and the river was the 7 and Moon knocked out Lichtenberger, moving his stack to 25 million.

Ivey Takes A Pot

Phil Ivey raised to 420,000 and Steven Begleiter made the call. The flop came down 864 and Ivey led out with 600,000. Begleiter made the call and the 4 fell on the turn. Both players checked.

They did the same when the K came on the river and Begleiter showed down 109 for a bunch of busted draws. Ivey showed 99 for the best hand and took the pot. He was at 6.8 million.

…But Let’s Put A Smile On That Face

Jeff Shulman raised to 450,000 preflop from the hijack and James Calderaro called from the button. The flop came down 1054 and Shulman bet 750,000 and Calderaro made the call. The turn was the K and Shulman kept the pressure on, betting 1.1 million.

Calderaro decided to muck his hand and Shulman took it down, improving his stack to 9 million.

Jordan Smith Doubles Through Billy Kopp

Billy Kopp had been strolling through the day with a nice chip lead, but he just took his first big hit of the day courtesy of Jordan Smith.

Smith raised to 420,000 under the gun and Kopp raised to 1.5 million from the cutoff. Action folded back around to Smith who shoved for 7.73 million. Kopp made the call and here were their hands.

Kopp: AK
Smith: QQ

Board: JJ988

Smith’s pocket ladies held up and he doubled to 15.8 million while Kopp was knocked off the chip lead, his stack at 17.2 million.

Ian Tavelli Eliminated In 17th Place($500,557)

Steven Begleiter raised to 1.35 million after Ian Tavelli had opened for 450,000 from under the gun. Tavelli made the call and the flop came down 642 and Begleiter fired 3.5 million. Tavelli moved in for almost 8 million and Begleiter snapped him off, tabling KK. Tavelli showed down 99 and Tavelli was in trouble.

The turn was the Q and the river was the 10 and Tavelli was out while Begleiter catapulted to the chip lead.

Ludovic Lacay Eliminated In 16th Place($500,557)

Jeff Shulman raised to 450,000 preflop and Ludovic Lacay came over the top for the rest of his stack of just over 3 million. Shulman made the call and here were there hands.

Shulman: AK
Lacay: 77

It was a classic race and the flop came K95, putting Shulman ahead. The turn was the 9 and the river was the 6 and Lacay was ousted from the main event. Shulman was up to 12.8 million after the hand.

Player Tags: Jeff Shulman,   Phil Ivey,   Tommy Vedes,   Jordan Smith,   Ben Lamb,   Billy Kopp,   Ludovic Lacay,   Andrew Lichtenberger,   Nick Maimone

Level 30 Hour 2 Update: Balmigere Out In 25th Place, Esfandiari Out In 24th Place

Jul 15, '09

Blinds: 60,000-120,000 with a 15,000 ante

Players Remaining: 23 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Billy Kopp – 21,200,000
2. Darvin Moon – 17,500,000
3. Steven Begleiter – 15,200,000
4. Kevin Schaffel – 12,300,000
5. Eric Buchman – 12,000,000
6. Jeff Shulman – 10,800,000
7. Ian Tavelli – 10,100,000
8. James Akenhead – 10,000,000
9. Nick Maimone – 9,350,000
10. Jamie Robbins – 9,250,000

Average Chip Count: 8,470,434

Card Player Chip Count:

Jeff Shulman – 10,800,000

Eliminations:

25. Francois Balmigere — $352,832
24. Antonio Esfandiari — $352,832

Twitter Updates:

Jeff Shulman at 10,800,000 (twitter feed)
Billy Kopp at 21,200,000 (twitter feed)
Phil Ivey at 6,000,000 (twitter feed)
Nick Maimone at 9,350,000 (twitter feed)
Ludovic Lacay at 3,100,000 (twitter feed)

Big Hands

Francois Balmigere Eliminated In 25th Place($352,832)

Francois Balmigere raised to 330,000 preflop from middle position and Steven Begleiter called behind him. Billy Kopp came along from the big blind and the flop was 1076. Kopp led out with 700,000 and Balmigere moved in for 2.7 million. Begleiter mucked but Kopp made the call after a few minutes in the tank.

Balmigere tabled JJ while Kopp showed down 87 for just middle pair and a gutshot draw, along with a backdoor flush-draw. The turn was the A and Balmigere was one card away from getting a double up. But the river was the 9, making Kopp his straight and sending Balmigere out in 25th place.

Buchman Fills Up On The Turn

Jonathan Tamayo raised to 355,000 from the button and Eric Buchman called from the big blind. Darvin Moon had limped in earlier and made the call as well. The flop came down 992 and Tamayo fired 760,000. Buchman was the only caller and the turn was the 6. Both players checked and the river was the Q.

Buchman led out with 1.1 million and Tamayo made the call. Buchman then tabled 66 for a full boat and Tamayo mucked his hand.

Shulman Wins Battle Of The Blinds Against Ivey

Action folded around to Phil Ivey who called from the small blind and Jeff Shulman checked from the big blind. The two players saw a flop of AJ2 and Ivey led out with 120,000. Shulman made the call and the turn was the 2.

Ivey checked to Shulman and he fired 200,000. Ivey had enough of his hand and threw it into the muck. Shulman took the pot and was around 11 million.

Lucky Sevens For Maimone, Doubles Through Jordan Smith

Jordan Smith raised to 320,000 from middle position and action folded to Nick Maimone on the button. He reraised to 825,000 and Smith made the call. The flop then came down Q84 and Smith moved all in. Maimone made the quick call and tabled 77. Smith then showed down 1010 for a dominating lead.

But the turn changed everything as it brought the 7, giving Maimone a set and a stranglehold on the hand. The river was the 9 and Maimone doubled up to 4 million.

I Am Chip Leader, Hear Me Roar

Billy Kopp raised to 275,000 from under the gun and Steven Begleiter made the call from the button. The flop fell 532 and Kopp led out for 600,000. Begleiter made the call and the turn was the J.

Both players checked and they did the same for the J on the river. Kopp tabled 66 and Begleiter mucked. Kopp took the hand and was just over 19 million, good enough for to take over the chip lead.

Akenhead Gets Kings Again, Wins Small Pot

James Akenhead raised to 280,000 preflop and Warren Zackey made the call from the small blind. The flop came AJ8 and both players checked. They did the same on the 3 turn and the river brought the 5.

Zackey checked and Akenhead bet 300,000. Zackey made the call and Akenhead tabled KK and Zackey mucked. Akenhead took the pot and was at 3.3 million.

The Phil Ivey National Bank

Phil Ivey has been hard pressed to win a pot in the early going of day 8. He doubled up Nick Maimone during the last hour and just doubled up Marco Mattes.

Maimone opened with a raise to 290,000 and Mattes moved all in for almost 2.5 million. Action folded around to Ivey who made the call. Maimone got out of the way and Ivey tabled JJ. Mattes then showed down QQ and Ivey was dominated.

The flop came down 1055, giving both players two pair. The turn was the 7 and the river was the 4 and Mattes doubled to over 5 million. Ivey took another hit and his stack was just under 6 million.

The Magician Disappears, Antonio Esfandiari Eliminated In 24th Place($352,832)

Antonio Esfandiari raised to 310,000 preflop from under the gun and Steven Begleiter called from middle position. The flop came down 1024 and Esfandiari bet 535,000. Begleiter raised it up to 1.6 million and Esfandiari moved all in for 2.5 million more. Begleiter made the call and tabled K10 for top pair on the flop.

Esfandiari showed down 55 and needed help. The turn was the 6, giving Esfandiari a gutshot straight draw. But the A fell on the river and Esfandiari was eliminated.

Player Tags: Jeff Shulman,   Antonio Esfandiari,   Eric Buchman,   Phil Ivey,   James Akenhead,   Billy Kopp,   Francois Balmigere,   Marco Mattes,   Warren Zackey

Level 12 Update: Mike Matusow, Phil Ivey, and Barry Greenstein Eliminated

Oct 23, '09

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

Players Left: 68 of 275

Average Chip Count: 242,647

Chip Counts:

1. Jason Somerville — 775,000
2. Jonas Entin — 725,000
3. Jason Lavallee — 575,000
4. Richard Sciuto — 457,000
5. Dutch Boyd — 450,000
6. Gary Gibbs — 400,000
7: Matt Glantz — 380,000
7. Dan Shak — 380,000
9. Lee Markholt — 360,000
10. Scott Clements — 340,000

Notable Eliminations:

Mike Matusow
Russell Rosenblum
Joseph Elpayaa
Eugene Katchalov
Barry Greenstein
Phil Ivey

Big Hands:

Mike Matusow Eliminated

Mike Matusow (pictured right) opened the action with a raise preflop from early position. Jonas Entin called from the big blind and the flop fell K77. Entin checked and Matusow bet 15,000. Entin check-raised to 36,000 and Matusow moved all in. Entin made the call and the two players flipped over their cards:

Entin: 87
Matusow: AK

Turn and River: J9

Entin won the hand to grow his stack to 450,000 and Matusow was eliminated on the hand.

Russell Rosenblum Eliminated by the Quads of Jonas Entin

James Mackey raised to 8,000 and Jonas Entin made the call preflop. Russell Rosenblum reraised to 33,000 and Mackey mucked. Entin made the call and the flop was dealt A82. Both players checked and the turn fell 8. Rosenblum checked again and Entin bet 40,000. Rosenblum raised all in and Entin made the call. Their cards:

Entin: KK
Rosenblum: 88

Rosenblum won the hand with quad eights to grow his stack to 580,000 and Rosenlbum was eliminated.

Barry Greenstein Eliminated

Barry Greenstein (pictured left) moved all in preflop on a short stack and James Mackey called him down. Their cards:

Mackey: 55
Greenstein: KJ

Board: 53364

Greenstein was eliminated on the hand and Mackey moved up to 280,000.

Kathy Liebert Doubles up and Cripples Phil Ivey

Kathy Liebert moved all in from the cutoff for 42,700 and Phil Ivey made the call from the button. Thier cards:

Ivey: AJ
Liebert: A9

Board: KQ967

Ivey was crippled on the hand, holding only 3,000. He moved that all in two hands later and an opponent knocked him out of the tournament with a pair of deuces.

Player Tags: Kathy Liebert,   Barry Greenstein,   Mike Matusow,   Phil Ivey,   James Mackey,   Jonas Entin

Level 11 Update: The Fat (Short Stacks) Is Trimmed

Oct 23, '09

Blinds: 1,200-2,400 with a 300 ante

Players Left: 84 of 275

Average Chip Count: 196,000

Chip Counts:

1. Dutch Boyd — 580,000
2. Jason Somerville — 557,000
3. Mark Seif — 473,200
4. Chad Batista — 425,000
5. Corwin Cole — 405,600
6. Richard Sciuto — 403,100
7. David Pham — 365,000
8. Mike Leah — 348,400
9. Steve McKoy — 325,500
10. Jonas Entin — 317,600

Notable Eliminations:

Scott Dorin
Justin Bonomo
Haralabos Voulgaris
Todd Brunson
Marco Johnson

Big Hands:

Scott Dorin First Out The Door

Scott “dorinvandy” Dorin was the first person eliminated on the day when his pocket eights ran into an opponent’s pocket aces. The board offered no help and Dorin was eliminated from the tournament. Dorin came into the day with 80,000 in chips.

Jonathan Little Crippled, Kido Pham Wins Race

Kido Pham (pictured left) raised in middle position and Jonathan Little reraised on the button. Pham moved all in for his last 74,500 and Little made the call with pocket tens.

Pham showed AK and won the race when the board rolled out king high. Little was left with just 12,000 or so and continues his back luck from yesterday when his pocket jacks were two-outed by an opponent’s pocket fives.

UPDATE Little got the rest of his money in soon after and again and again, doubling up a few times and now has over 100,000 in chips.

Phil Ivey Doubles Up, Wins Another

The ever so terrifying Phil Ivey (pictured right) is back in contention, after doubling through Jerry Humphrey and then taking a pot from Stephen Giufre to put his stack closer to the average at 155,000 in chips.

Straight Flush For Clements

On a flop of 654, Scott Clements checked and Chino Rheem bet 26,000. Clements called and the turn was the 9.

Both players checked and the river was the Q. Clements bet 65,000 and Rheem made the call. Clements showed 87 for the flopped straight flush and Rheem obviously mucked. After the hand, Clements was up to 355,000 while Rheem took a hit down to 80,000.

Player Tags: Phil Ivey,   Kido Pham,   Scott Clements,   Chino Rheem,   Jonathan Little,   Scott Dorin

Level 3 Update -- Another Mizrachi Out

Oct 21, '09

Blinds: 100-200 with a 25 ante

Players Left: 216 of 236 (Approximately)

Chip Leaders

Matt Graham — 130,000
Ralph Perry — 112,000
Jonathan Little — 105,000
Poorya Nazari — 100,000
John Phan — 100,000 (pictured right)
Dutch Boyd — 97,000
Jason Sommerville — 95,000
Cornel Andrew Cimpan — 95,000
Mark Seif — 95,000
Abe Mosseri — 90,000

Notable Eliminations:

Michael Mizrachi

Level Summary:

Matt Graham charged up the leader board during the third level of the day. As the field size grew to 236 players his chip stack grew to 130,000. Other players that have joined the hundred grand club early are Ralph Perry (112,000), Jonathan Little (105,000), Poorya Nazari (100,000), and John Phan (100,000). Phan, the 2008 Card Player Player of the Year has been quiet in 2009. He has not played in as many tournaments as he did during his impressive run last year, but he is making news here on day 1. Phan grew his stack to 100,000 on a hand where Q-Q-5-5 sat on the board and he fired out 3,500 on the turn against Alec Torelli. Phan took down the 10,000+ pot when Torelli mucked.

Phil Ivey is holding strong as well with 87,500. Ivey won a nice pot against Josh Arieh when he made a jack-high club flush on the river and added 18,000 to his stack in the process. The lone notable bust out during the level was Michel Mizrachi, who joined his brother Robert on the rail.

Player Tags: John Phan,   Phil Ivey

Level 1 Update -- Not Much Happening

Oct 21, '09

Blinds: 50-100

Players Left: 191 of 192 (Approximately)

Notable Eliminations:

Soheil Shamseddin

Level Summary:

When tournament director Jack McClelland’s new registration policy was announced, many predicted a ghost-town situation for the first starting day. Surely a poker player’s laziness and the ability to sleep in would cause the majority of the field to buy-in late in the day.

Instead, we find ourselves at the end of level 1 with a very healthy field size of 192. Not only did some of the game’s best avoid a fashionably late arrival, but they were early as well.

One of of those players was November Nine member Phil Ivey, who is making his first WPT appearance since this summer’s WSOP circus. Ivey is hoping to avoid the less than stellar performance he showed at the EPT London High Roller event, where he lasted less than 20 minutes.

Today, Ivey has already taken down a sizeable pot where he bet large on the river holding a ten-high straight, which he turned after flopping a double belly buster draw. He is now among the early leaders with 75,000 in chips.

Reportedly, Ivey will be on the cover of an upcoming issue of ESPN The Magazine. A win here at the Festa Al Lago would certainly cause a bit of a rewrite and would fit in nicely with the rest of the November Nine’s interim success stemming from Steven Begleiter, Antoine Saout, James Akenhead and Kevin Schaffel.

Player Tags: Phil Ivey

Level 12 Update: Mike Matusow, Phil Ivey, and Barry Greenstein Eliminated

Oct 23, '09

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

Players Left: 68 of 275

Average Chip Count: 242,647

Chip Counts:

1. Jason Somerville — 775,000
2. Jonas Entin — 725,000
3. Jason Lavallee — 575,000
4. Richard Sciuto — 457,000
5. Dutch Boyd — 450,000
6. Gary Gibbs — 400,000
7: Matt Glantz — 380,000
7. Dan Shak — 380,000
9. Lee Markholt — 360,000
10. Scott Clements — 340,000

Notable Eliminations:

Mike Matusow
Russell Rosenblum
Joseph Elpayaa
Eugene Katchalov
Barry Greenstein
Phil Ivey

Big Hands:

Mike Matusow Eliminated

Mike Matusow (pictured right) opened the action with a raise preflop from early position. Jonas Entin called from the big blind and the flop fell K77. Entin checked and Matusow bet 15,000. Entin check-raised to 36,000 and Matusow moved all in. Entin made the call and the two players flipped over their cards:

Entin: 87
Matusow: AK

Turn and River: J9

Entin won the hand to grow his stack to 450,000 and Matusow was eliminated on the hand.

Russell Rosenblum Eliminated by the Quads of Jonas Entin

James Mackey raised to 8,000 and Jonas Entin made the call preflop. Russell Rosenblum reraised to 33,000 and Mackey mucked. Entin made the call and the flop was dealt A82. Both players checked and the turn fell 8. Rosenblum checked again and Entin bet 40,000. Rosenblum raised all in and Entin made the call. Their cards:

Entin: KK
Rosenblum: 88

Rosenblum won the hand with quad eights to grow his stack to 580,000 and Rosenlbum was eliminated.

Barry Greenstein Eliminated

Barry Greenstein (pictured left) moved all in preflop on a short stack and James Mackey called him down. Their cards:

Mackey: 55
Greenstein: KJ

Board: 53364

Greenstein was eliminated on the hand and Mackey moved up to 280,000.

Kathy Liebert Doubles up and Cripples Phil Ivey

Kathy Liebert moved all in from the cutoff for 42,700 and Phil Ivey made the call from the button. Thier cards:

Ivey: AJ
Liebert: A9

Board: KQ967

Ivey was crippled on the hand, holding only 3,000. He moved that all in two hands later and an opponent knocked him out of the tournament with a pair of deuces.

Player Tags: Kathy Liebert,   Barry Greenstein,   Mike Matusow,   Phil Ivey,   James Mackey,   Jonas Entin

Level 11 Update: The Fat (Short Stacks) Is Trimmed

Oct 23, '09

Blinds: 1,200-2,400 with a 300 ante

Players Left: 84 of 275

Average Chip Count: 196,000

Chip Counts:

1. Dutch Boyd — 580,000
2. Jason Somerville — 557,000
3. Mark Seif — 473,200
4. Chad Batista — 425,000
5. Corwin Cole — 405,600
6. Richard Sciuto — 403,100
7. David Pham — 365,000
8. Mike Leah — 348,400
9. Steve McKoy — 325,500
10. Jonas Entin — 317,600

Notable Eliminations:

Scott Dorin
Justin Bonomo
Haralabos Voulgaris
Todd Brunson
Marco Johnson

Big Hands:

Scott Dorin First Out The Door

Scott “dorinvandy” Dorin was the first person eliminated on the day when his pocket eights ran into an opponent’s pocket aces. The board offered no help and Dorin was eliminated from the tournament. Dorin came into the day with 80,000 in chips.

Jonathan Little Crippled, Kido Pham Wins Race

Kido Pham (pictured left) raised in middle position and Jonathan Little reraised on the button. Pham moved all in for his last 74,500 and Little made the call with pocket tens.

Pham showed AK and won the race when the board rolled out king high. Little was left with just 12,000 or so and continues his back luck from yesterday when his pocket jacks were two-outed by an opponent’s pocket fives.

UPDATE Little got the rest of his money in soon after and again and again, doubling up a few times and now has over 100,000 in chips.

Phil Ivey Doubles Up, Wins Another

The ever so terrifying Phil Ivey (pictured right) is back in contention, after doubling through Jerry Humphrey and then taking a pot from Stephen Giufre to put his stack closer to the average at 155,000 in chips.

Straight Flush For Clements

On a flop of 654, Scott Clements checked and Chino Rheem bet 26,000. Clements called and the turn was the 9.

Both players checked and the river was the Q. Clements bet 65,000 and Rheem made the call. Clements showed 87 for the flopped straight flush and Rheem obviously mucked. After the hand, Clements was up to 355,000 while Rheem took a hit down to 80,000.

Player Tags: Phil Ivey,   Kido Pham,   Scott Clements,   Chino Rheem,   Jonathan Little,   Scott Dorin

Level 3 Update -- Another Mizrachi Out

Oct 21, '09

Blinds: 100-200 with a 25 ante

Players Left: 216 of 236 (Approximately)

Chip Leaders

Matt Graham — 130,000
Ralph Perry — 112,000
Jonathan Little — 105,000
Poorya Nazari — 100,000
John Phan — 100,000 (pictured right)
Dutch Boyd — 97,000
Jason Sommerville — 95,000
Cornel Andrew Cimpan — 95,000
Mark Seif — 95,000
Abe Mosseri — 90,000

Notable Eliminations:

Michael Mizrachi

Level Summary:

Matt Graham charged up the leader board during the third level of the day. As the field size grew to 236 players his chip stack grew to 130,000. Other players that have joined the hundred grand club early are Ralph Perry (112,000), Jonathan Little (105,000), Poorya Nazari (100,000), and John Phan (100,000). Phan, the 2008 Card Player Player of the Year has been quiet in 2009. He has not played in as many tournaments as he did during his impressive run last year, but he is making news here on day 1. Phan grew his stack to 100,000 on a hand where Q-Q-5-5 sat on the board and he fired out 3,500 on the turn against Alec Torelli. Phan took down the 10,000+ pot when Torelli mucked.

Phil Ivey is holding strong as well with 87,500. Ivey won a nice pot against Josh Arieh when he made a jack-high club flush on the river and added 18,000 to his stack in the process. The lone notable bust out during the level was Michel Mizrachi, who joined his brother Robert on the rail.

Player Tags: John Phan,   Phil Ivey

Level 1 Update -- Not Much Happening

Oct 21, '09

Blinds: 50-100

Players Left: 191 of 192 (Approximately)

Notable Eliminations:

Soheil Shamseddin

Level Summary:

When tournament director Jack McClelland’s new registration policy was announced, many predicted a ghost-town situation for the first starting day. Surely a poker player’s laziness and the ability to sleep in would cause the majority of the field to buy-in late in the day.

Instead, we find ourselves at the end of level 1 with a very healthy field size of 192. Not only did some of the game’s best avoid a fashionably late arrival, but they were early as well.

One of of those players was November Nine member Phil Ivey, who is making his first WPT appearance since this summer’s WSOP circus. Ivey is hoping to avoid the less than stellar performance he showed at the EPT London High Roller event, where he lasted less than 20 minutes.

Today, Ivey has already taken down a sizeable pot where he bet large on the river holding a ten-high straight, which he turned after flopping a double belly buster draw. He is now among the early leaders with 75,000 in chips.

Reportedly, Ivey will be on the cover of an upcoming issue of ESPN The Magazine. A win here at the Festa Al Lago would certainly cause a bit of a rewrite and would fit in nicely with the rest of the November Nine’s interim success stemming from Steven Begleiter, Antoine Saout, James Akenhead and Kevin Schaffel.

Player Tags: Phil Ivey

Ivey Out, World Explodes

Sep 30, '09

Okay, not really. But Phil Ivey does appear to be our first casualty of the day. Rumor has it that Ivey lost about 35,000 of his original stack of 50,000 on the third hand of play.

Anybody who has followed tournament poker with any sort of conviction over the past few years knows that is a recipe for disaster, especially with someone like Ivey, who couldn’t care less about the buy-in.

Regardless, Ivey is out and someone in the room is a very clear chip leader. We’ll get those details to you as soon as they are available.

UPDATE

Thanks to Sorel Mizzi, Will Molson, and Dennis Phillips, more information on the Ivey demise has come to the fore. Apparently, after getting into a bit of a hefty pot with Molson on a 10-10-6-6-K board, Ivey folded to a shove from Molson on the river, which left him with only 5,000 behind.

He then shoved all in with K-8 and Phillips made the call with A-Q.

According to Phillips and Molson, Ivey didn’t want to be here anyway. After three sleepless days, Ivey was wondering why he bought in to the event in the first place. He can now go and catch up on some much needed z’s in time for the main event which starts on Friday.

Player Tags: Phil Ivey

Level 37 Update II: Phil Ivey Eliminated in Seventh Place and Steven Begleiter Eliminated in Sixth Place

Nov 08, '09

Blinds: 300,000-600,000 with a 75,000 ante

Players Remaining: 5 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Darvin Moon — 63,925,000
2. Eric Buchman — 53,250,000
3. Antoine Saout — 51,725,000
4. Jeff Shulman — 15,525,000
5. Joseph Cada — 10,350,000

Average Chip Count: 38,964,000

Notable Eliminations:

7: Phil Ivey — $1,404,002
6: Steven Begleiter — $1,587,133

Big Hands

Phil Ivey Eliminated in Seventh Place ($1,404,002)

Phil Ivey moved all in for 6.45 million under the gun preflop and Darvin Moon made the call in the big blind. The two players then turned over their cards as the audience rose to their feet in anticipation.

Ivey: AK
Moon: AQ

Ivey was sitting in a good spot with his A-K dominating the A-Q of Moon, but Ivey has a history with A-Q, and it is not a good one. The board that fell confirmed once again that the hand is nothing short of kryptonite for the best poker player on the planet.

Board: Q6635

Ivey was eliminated and although the crowd gave him a loud ovation, the mood went sour after he exited the room. Ivey was awarded $1,404,002 in prize money for his seventh-place finish. Moon was up to 39.3 million after the hand.

Steven Begleiter Eliminated in Sixth Place ($1,587,133)

Steven Begleiter raised to 1.6 million under the gun preflop and Darvin Moon reraised all in for 39.925 million. Begleiter made the all-in call for 23.25 million and the two players turned over their cards:

Begleiter: QQ
Moon: AQ

Board: 8743A

The crowd erupted in cheers as the improbable happened yet again tonight. Moon hit the miracle ace on the river and he grew his stack to 63.925 million to take the chip lead. Begleiter was eliminated in sixth place. He was awarded $1,587,133 in prize money.

Player Tags: Phil Ivey,   Darvin Moon,   Steven Begleiter

Level 36 Hour 2 Update: Cada Crippled By Shulman Double Up

Nov 07, '09

Blinds: 250,000-500,000 with a 50,000 ante

Players Remaining: 7 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Steven Begleiter — 46,350,000
2. Eric Buchman — 46,300,000
3. Darvin Moon — 38,200,000
4. Antoine Saout — 26,575,000
5. Jeff Shulman — 14,500,000
6. Joe Cada — 12,500,000
7. Phil Ivey — 10,325,000

Average Chip Count: 27,831,429

Notable Eliminations:

NONE

Big Hands:

Begs Picks Up Where He Left Off

Steven Begleiter raised to 1.25 million and Eric Buchman reraised to 4.55 million. Action folded back around to Begleiter and he reraised to 11 million.

The room got quiet as Buchman mulled over his decision, but he finally folded much to the delight of Begleiter’s fans in the room.

Jeff Shulman Doubles Through Joe Cada

Joe Cada raised to 1.25 million from under the gun and Jeff Shulman moved all in for his last 7 million. Cada tanked for several minutes before calling and revealed AJ.

Shulman showed a superior AK and it held when the board came down 1093Q4. Cada was left crippled with just over 2 million and Shulman doubled to over 15 million.

Joe Cada Doubles Through Eric Buchman

Eric Buchman put Joe Cada all in from the small blind with 54 and Cada called with J4.

The board came 964107 and Cada doubled up to a still very short 4.8 million.

Joe Cada Doubles Through Phil Ivey

Phil Ivey raised to 1.25 million and Joe Cada moved all in for 5.8 million. Ivey tanked for a bit before finally calling with A8 and Cada showed two red fours.

The board came 104297 and Cada doubled up to about 12.5 million. Ivey was left with 10 million.

Card Player Twitter Page:

Jeff Shulman
Phil Ivey

People on the Rail

Adam Schoenfeld
Dennis Phillips
Jonathan Little
Annie Duke
Daniel Negreanu

Player Tags: Jeff Shulman,   Phil Ivey,   Joseph Cada

Level 36 Update -- Moon Takes a Spill

Nov 07, '09

Blinds: 200,000-400,000 with a 50,000 ante

Players Remaining: 7 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1: Eric Buchman — 54,825,000
2: Darvin Moon — 41,850,000
3: Steven Begleiter — 37,100,000
4: Antoine Saout — 26,725,000
5: Phil Ivey — 16,250,000
6: Joe Cada — 10,800,000
7: Jeff Shulman — 8,025,000

Average Chip Count: 27,831,429

Notable Eliminations:

NONE

Big Hands:

Moon Makes an Interesting Laydown

Darvin Moon raised to 1.3 million preflop under the gun and Steven Begleiter reraised to 3.9 million from the hi-jack. Moon made the call and the flop was dealt 432. Moon checked, Begleiter bet 5.35 million, and Moon raised to 15 million. Begleiter moved all in for 20.425 million total and Moon mucked despite the fact that it cost just over 5 million more to call. Begleiter won the hand to grow his stack to 44,175,000 and Moon was left with 42,075,000.

Phil Ivey Adds Some Chips

Steven Begletier raised to 1.25 million preflop under the gun and Phil Ivey made the call in the big blind. The flop was dealt KQJ. Begleiter bet 1.75 mllion and Ivey called. The turn fell J and both players checked. The river fell 3 and Ivey bet 2.5 million. Begleiter mucked and Ivey grew his stack to 16.7 million.

Player Tags: Phil Ivey,   Darvin Moon,   Steven Begleiter

Level 34 Update: Ivey Moves All In

Nov 07, '09

Blinds: 150,000-300,000 with a 40,000 ante

Players Remaining: 9 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1: Darvin Moon — 62,305,000
2: Eric Buchman — 35,610,000
3: Steven Begleiter — 29,275,000
4: Jeff Shulman — 18,830,000
5: Joe Cada — 13,335,500
6: Kevin Schaffel — 11,510,000
7: Phil Ivey — 10,795,000
8: Antoine Saout — 8,970,000
9: James Akenhead — 4,215,000

Average Chip Count: 21,646,666

Notable Eliminations:

NONE

Big Hands:

Phil Ivey Reraises All — Everyone Folds

In the hand that garnered the most crowd reaction so far at the final table Jeff Shulman opened the pot for a raise to 1.25 million UTG+1 and Phil Ivey reraised all in for 8,655,000 from the hi-jack. Joseph Cada went into the tank in the big blind, but he decided to muck. Shulman mucked as well and Ivey took down the hand as the crowd cheered its approval. Ivey held 10,715,000 after the hand.

Eric Buchman Takes One Down

Eric Buchman raised to 800,000 from early position and Jeff Shulman made the call. The flop was dealt K77 and Buchman checked. Shulman bet 1.75 million and Buchman made the call. The 10 fell on the turn and both players checked. The 3 fell on the river and both players checked again. Buchman turned over pocket queens and Shulman mucked. Buchman was up to 40,660,000 after the hand and Shulman was down to 15,550,000.

CardPlayer TV

Main Event Final Table Preview with Phil Hellmuth

Card Player Twitter Page:

Jeff Shulman
Phil Ivey

People on the Rail

Adam Schoenfeld
Dennis Phillips
Jonathan Little
Annie Duke
Daniel Negreanu

Player Tags: Jeff Shulman,   Phil Ivey

2009 Main Event Final Table Begins at Noon Saturday

Nov 05, '09

On Saturday, the wait will finally be over.

The November Nine will return to the Rio in Las Vegas on Saturday at noon PST and play down to two players. Those final competitors will then battle it out on Monday night, starting at 10 p.m. PST, to see who will walk away with the first-place prize of $8,546,435 and the title of world champion.

The final table episode will then be broadcast to the world on ESPN on Tuesday, starting at 6 p.m. EST.

The final table, which will take place at the Penn and Teller Theater, will be open to the public. Each player at the final table has already received ninth-place prize money worth $1,263,602. Card Player’s live reporting team will be on the scene to bring you all of the action in live updates, chip counts, and photos.

Here is a look at all of the information you need to know before the final table begins:

NOTE: Play will begin in level 33 with blinds at 120,000-240,000 with a 30,000 ante.

Chip Counts:

1: Darvin Moon — 58,930,000
2: Eric Buchman — 34,800,000
3: Steven Begleiter — 29,885,000
4: Jeff Shulman — 19,580,000
5: Joe Cada — 13,215,000
6: Kevin Schaffel — 12,390,000
7: Phil Ivey — 9,765,000
8: Antoine Saout — 9,500,000
9: James Akenhead — 6,800,000

Average Chip Count: 21,646,666

Final-Table Seating Chart:

Seat 1: Darvin Moon
Seat 2: James Akenhead
Seat 3: Phil Ivey
Seat 4: Kevin Schaffel
Seat 5: Steven Begleiter
Seat 6: Eric Buchman
Seat 7: Joe Cada
Seat 8: Antoine Saout
Seat 9: Jeff Shulman

Player Tags: Jeff Shulman,   Eric Buchman,   Phil Ivey,   Kevin Schaffel,   James Akenhead,   Antoine Saout,   Joseph Cada,   Darvin Moon,   Steven Begleiter

Level 33 Hour 2 Update: Jordan Smith Eliminated, November Nine Reached

Jul 15, '09

Blinds: 120,000-240,000 with a 30,000 ante

Players Remaining: 9 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Darvin Moon – 58,930,000
2. Eric Buchman – 34,800,000
3. Steven Begleiter – 29,885,000
4. Jeff Shulman – 19,580,000
5. Joe Cada – 13,215,000
6. Kevin Schaffel – 12,390,000
7. Phil Ivey – 9,765,000
8. Antoine Saout – 9,500,000
9. James Akenhead – 6,800,000

Card Player Chip Count:

Jeff Shulman – 19,580,000

Average Chip Count: 21,646,666

Eliminations:

12. Billy Kopp – $896,730
11. Jamie Robbins – $896,730
10. Jordan Smith – $896,730

Twitter Updates:

Jeff Shulman at 19,580,000 (twitter feed)
Phil Ivey at 9,765,000 (twitter feed)

Big Hands:

Billy Kopp Eliminated in 12th Place ($896,730)

Billy Kopp raised to 600,000 preflop in early position and Darvin Moon called from the small blind. The flop came K92 and Moon checked. Kopp bet 750,000 and Moon called. The 2 on the turn prompted Moon to once again check. Kopp bet 2,000,000 and Moon check-raised to 6,000,000. Kopp didn’t take long before moving all in for 20,000,000. Moon made the call and exposed the QJ for the second nut flush. Kopp exposed the 53 and was drawing stone cold dead. His stack of over 100 big blinds was handed over to Moon when the meaningless 7 fell on the river. Kopp was eliminated and Moon built his stack to 40,500,000 after the monster hand.

Jamie Robbins Eliminated in 11th Place ($896,730)

Jamie Robbins open-shoved for 2,350,000 and Phil Ivey called. Robbins exposed the KQ and Ivey tabled the A10. Ivey was a slight favorite and held as the board ran out 83335. Ivey was at 9,610,000 after the hand.

Joe Cada Wins First Pot at Table of 10

Joe Cada bet 600,000 from early position and Darvin Moon called from the button. The two players checked down a board of J106QQ. Cada exposed pocket nines to take the small pot while Moon tabled pocket deuces.

Jeff Shulman Wins a Pot

Eric Buchman bet 650,000 preflop. Jeff Shulman, Jordan Smith, and Phil Ivey all called. The flop came A98 and action was checked to Shulman. He fired out 1,500,000 and won the pot as everyone else folded. Shulman was at 20,510,000 after the hand.

Akenhead Playing Snug

Jordan Smith bet 650,000 preflop and James Akenhead called. The flop came 632 and Smith checked. Akenhead checked behind. The K hit the turn and both players checked again. The 4 fell on the river and both checked for a third time. Akenhead, the short stack at the table, exposed the 77 and was good. He took the pot and was up to 6,400,000 after the hand.

November Nine Reached

Jordan Smith Eliminated in 10th Place ($896,730)

Eric Buchman raised preflop to 650,000. Darvin Moon called from the button. Jordan Smith reraised to 2,600,000 total from the small blind. Buchman folded and Moon smooth called. The flop came 842 and Smith checked to Moon on the button. Moon bet 4,000,000 and Smith check-raised all in. Moon instantly called and exposed top set with the 88 and was up against the AA of Smith. Smith was in bad shape to double up and stay alive in the tournament. The turn brought the 5, adding a wheel draw for Smith. The river brought none of his outs as the 10 landed on the felt. Smith was eliminated and Moon is up to 58,930,000 after the hand.

Player Tags: Phil Ivey,   Jamie Robbins,   Jordan Smith,   Billy Kopp

Level 33 Hour 1 Update: Jeff Shulman Eliminates Ben Lamb

Jul 15, '09

Blinds: 120,000-240,000 with a 30,000 ante

Players Remaining: 12 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Eric Buchman – 33,800,000
2. Steven Begleiter – 27,730,000
3. Darvin Moon – 25,100,000
4. Jeff Shulman – 22,600,000
5. Billy Kopp – 18,900,000
6. Jordan Smith – 16,700,000
7. Joe Cada – 12,260,000
8. Kevin Schaffel – 11,700,000
9. Antoine Saout – 10,055,000
10. Phil Ivey – 7,400,000

Card Player Chip Count:

Jeff Shulman – 22,600,000

Average Chip Count: 14,986,153

Eliminations:

14. Ben Lamb – $633,022
13. James Calderaro – $633,022

Twitter Updates:

Jeff Shulman at 22,600,000 (twitter feed)
Billy Kopp at 18,900,000 (twitter feed)
Phil Ivey at 7,400,000 (twitter feed)

Big Hands:

Phil Ivey Starts Level Off On Right Foot

Phil Ivey bet 675,000 preflop and Joe Cada called. The flop came A75 and Cada checked to the seven-time bracelet winner. Ivey bet 800,000 and Cada made the call. The 3 fell on the turn. Cada again checked, and this time Ivey bet 1,700,000. Cada mucked and Ivey took the pot to boost his chip stack to 9,030,000 after the hand.

Jamie Robbins Catches Miracle

Joe Cada raised to 600,000. Jamie Robbins moved all in for 1,370,000. Cada insta-called. Cada exposed the AA and was ahead of the 1010 of Robbins. The board read K625 on the turn, and Robbins needed to catch one of the two remaining tens in the deck to stay alive. The dealer pealed off the 10 to the shock of the crowd. Robbins doubled to 3,310,000.

Jeff Shulman Climbing

Jordan Smith raised 750,000 from under the gun. Next to act was Jeff Shulman and he made the call. Two players saw a flop of K102. Smith bet 650,000 and Shulman raised to 1,700,000. Smith contemplated briefly before finally mucking. Shulman was at 15,100,000 after the hand and Smith was at 15,700,000.

Jeff Shulman Eliminates Ben Lamb in 14th Place ($633,022)

From the cutoff, Ben Lamb bet 655,000. Action was folded to Jeff Shulman in the big blind. He raised enough to put Lamb all in. Lamb went into the tank and eventually made the call with the AJ. Shulman exposed the AK and was in command. The board ran out K9372, as Lamb was drawing dead on the turn. Shulman eliminated his opponent and built his stack to 22,000,000.

Chip Leader Getting Stronger

Joe Cada raised to 600,000 from under the gun. Antoine Saout called from the button and Eric Buchman called from the big blind. All three players saw a flop of A87 and Buchman checked. Cada fired out a million and Saout folded. Buchman made the call and the 5 fell on the turn. Buchman led out with 2,500,000 and Saout eventually mucked. Buchman was at 33,950,000 after the hand.

James Calderaro Eliminated in 13th Place ($633,022)

James Calderaro was short when he moved all in for 2,500,000 from the button. Kevin Schaffel made the call from the big blind. Schaffel exposed the 1010 while Calderaro exposed the KJ. The board ran out Q52Q, as Calderaro was down to his last card. He picked up a flush draw on the turn but nothing materialized as the 5 fell on the river. Schaffel is now at 11,700,000.

Player Tags: Jeff Shulman,   Phil Ivey,   Jamie Robbins,   James Calderaro

Level 32 Hour 2 Update: Phil Ivey Coming Back

Jul 15, '09

Note: The players are now on a 90 minute dinner break.

Blinds: 100,000-200,000 with a 30,000 ante

Players Remaining: 14 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Eric Buchman – 28,670,000
2. Steven Begleiter – 27,260,000
3. Darvin Moon – 23,800,000
4. Joseph Cada – 19,465,000
5. Jordan Smith – 18,884,000
6. Jeff Shulman – 13,800,000
7. Billy Kopp – 13,500,000
8. Antoine Saout – 12,420,000
9. Kevin Schaffel – 10,630,000
10. Phil Ivey – 7,325,000

Card Player Chip Count:

Jeff Shulman – 13,800,000

Average Chip Count: 12,988,000

Eliminations:

15. Nick Maimone — $633,022

Twitter Updates:

Jeff Shulman at 13,800,000 (twitter feed)
Billy Kopp at 13,500,000 (twitter feed)
Phil Ivey at 7,325,000 (twitter feed)

Big Hands:

Ivey Tries To Mount A Comeback

Phil Ivey started this hand as the short stack in the tournament, but it did not stop him from raising to 500,000 preflop. Antoine Saout made the call and the flop came down 663. Ivey bet 700,000 and that was enough to chase Saout away.

Ivey took down the pot and he was at 6.5 million.

Calderaro Doubles Up

Jeff Shulman raised to 600,000 preflop and Darvin Moon made the call. The action was on James Calderaro who moved in for about 2.5 million. Shulman mucked but Moon made the call.

Calderaro: AK
Moon: AQ

Board: 1044K3

Calderaro paired up on the turn but needed to avoid Moon’s gutshot straight draw. The 3 helped him do just that and he doubled up 5.8 million.

Joe Cada Moves All In

Joe Cada raised to 500,000 from the cutoff and Jamie Robbins raised to 1,700,000 from the button. Cada moved all in. Robbins instantly folded. Cada is at 17,090,000.

Jeff Shulman Doubles Up Ben Lamb

Shulman raised to 700,000. Lamb moved all in for 1,710,000 on top from the small blind. Shulman made the call. Lamb exposed the 1010 while Shulman table t he KJ. The players were off to a race. The board ran out 97QQ. Lamb was at 4,900,000 after the hand. Shulman was at 12,000,000 after the hand.

Antoine Saout Doubles Up

From the button, James Akenhead reraised Antoine Saout’s cutoff bet of 550,000. Saout moved in for just over 5.7 million and Akenhead made the call. Saout exposed the 88 and was up against the AK of Akenhead. The board ran out 1042Q3. Saout doubled to 13,020,000. Akenhead has just 2,600,000.

Ivey Coming Back

Phil Ivey raised preflop to 525,000 and Eric Buchman called from the big blind. Buchman checked on a flop of 622 and Ivey fired out a continuation bet of 700,000. Buchman folded and Ivey was at 7,200,000 after the hand.

James Akenhead Doubles Up

Jamie Robbins raised to 530,000 preflop. James Akenhead moved all in for 2,390,000 and Robbins called, exposing the AA. Akenhead exposed the dominated KQ. The board ran out KQJ75 and Akenhead cracked the aces to double to 5,090,000.

Player Tags: Jeff Shulman,   Phil Ivey,   James Calderaro

Level 31 Hour 2 Update: Vedes 19th, Lichtenberger 18th, Tavelli 17th, Lacay 16th

Jul 15, '09

Blinds: 80,000-160,000 with a 20,000 ante

Players Remaining: 15 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Steven Begleiter – 27,890,000
2. Darvin Moon – 24,600,000
3. Billy Kopp – 17,200,000
4. Eric Buchman – 16,000,000
5. Jordan Smith – 15,800,000
6. Joseph Cada – 13,600,000
7. Kevin Schaffel – 13,600,000
8. Jeff Shluman – 12,800,000
9. James Akenhead – 10,100,000
10. Nick Maimone – 10,000,000

Card Player Chip Count:

Jeff Shulman – 12,800,000

Average Chip Count: 12,988,000

Eliminations:

19. Tommy Vedes — $352,832
18. Andrew Lichtenberger — $500,557
17. Ian Tavelli — $500,557
16. Ludovic Lacay — $500,557

Twitter Updates:

Jeff Shulman at 12,800,000 (twitter feed)
Billy Kopp at 17,200,000 (twitter feed)
Phil Ivey at 6,800,000 (twitter feed)
Nick Maimone at 9,350,000 (twitter feed)

Big Hands:

Tommy Vedes Eliminated In 19th Place($352,832)

Eric Buchman raised to 425,000 preflop and Tommy Vedes moved in for his last 1.9 million. Buchman made the call with 77, dominating Vedes’ 33.

The flop brought something for everyone as it fell 1073, giving each player a set. The turn was the Q and Vedes needed the case three to stay alive. But the river was the 2 and Vedes was ousted in 19th place.

Lamb’s Aces Taken Out To Slaughter

Steven Begleiter raised to 425,000 preflop from the hijack and Benjamin Lamb repopped to 1.1 million from the cutoff. Begleiter made the call and the two players saw a flop of J95. Begleiter checked to Lamb who fired a bet into the pot. Begleiter then moved all in for over 7 million. Lamb made the call after some thought and tabled AA.

The aces were officially cracked, however, as Begleiter tabled J9 for top two pair on the flop. The turn was the 3 and the river was the 8 and Begleiter doubled to over 16 million. Lamb was down to just over 4 million in chips.

Not So Happy…

Jeff Shulman raised to 420,000 preflop and Joe Cada repopped it to 1.2 million. Shulman made the call and the flop came down K25. Cada checked to Shulman who bet 1.4 million. Cada made the call and the turn was the 5. Both players checked and the river was the K.

Cada then led out for 2 million and Shulman threw his hand in the muck. Cada raked in the pot and was over 9 million while Shulman dropped to 8 million.

Jordan Smith Takes One On The Turn

Billy Kopp raised to 375,000 and Ben Lamb made the call from the button. Jordan Smith also came along from the big blind and the flop came down 986. Everyone checked and the turn was the Q.

Smith led out for 700,000 and his two opponents mucked. Smith raked in the pot and was over 7 million.

Begleiter Takes One Off Maimone

Steven Begleiter raised to 425,000 and Nick Maimone made the call from the big blind. The flop came down J72 and both players checked. The turn was the 7 and Maimone took a shot with 400,000. Begleiter made the call and the river was the 9. Maimone bet 800,000 and Begleiter made the call.

Maimone tabled KJ for top pair, but Begleiter showed AJ for the same hand with a better kicker. Begleiter raked the pot and was at 18 million while Maimone was at 10 million.

Andrew Lichtenberger Eliminated In 18th Place($500,557)

Andrew Lichtenberger raised to 400,000 and Darvin Moon made the call. The flop came down 633 and Lichtenberger bet 680,000. Moon raised to 1.5 million and Lichtenberger moved all in, getting a quick call from Moon.

Lichtenberger showed JJ, but Moon tabled KK. The turn was the 6 and the river was the 7 and Moon knocked out Lichtenberger, moving his stack to 25 million.

Ivey Takes A Pot

Phil Ivey raised to 420,000 and Steven Begleiter made the call. The flop came down 864 and Ivey led out with 600,000. Begleiter made the call and the 4 fell on the turn. Both players checked.

They did the same when the K came on the river and Begleiter showed down 109 for a bunch of busted draws. Ivey showed 99 for the best hand and took the pot. He was at 6.8 million.

…But Let’s Put A Smile On That Face

Jeff Shulman raised to 450,000 preflop from the hijack and James Calderaro called from the button. The flop came down 1054 and Shulman bet 750,000 and Calderaro made the call. The turn was the K and Shulman kept the pressure on, betting 1.1 million.

Calderaro decided to muck his hand and Shulman took it down, improving his stack to 9 million.

Jordan Smith Doubles Through Billy Kopp

Billy Kopp had been strolling through the day with a nice chip lead, but he just took his first big hit of the day courtesy of Jordan Smith.

Smith raised to 420,000 under the gun and Kopp raised to 1.5 million from the cutoff. Action folded back around to Smith who shoved for 7.73 million. Kopp made the call and here were their hands.

Kopp: AK
Smith: QQ

Board: JJ988

Smith’s pocket ladies held up and he doubled to 15.8 million while Kopp was knocked off the chip lead, his stack at 17.2 million.

Ian Tavelli Eliminated In 17th Place($500,557)

Steven Begleiter raised to 1.35 million after Ian Tavelli had opened for 450,000 from under the gun. Tavelli made the call and the flop came down 642 and Begleiter fired 3.5 million. Tavelli moved in for almost 8 million and Begleiter snapped him off, tabling KK. Tavelli showed down 99 and Tavelli was in trouble.

The turn was the Q and the river was the 10 and Tavelli was out while Begleiter catapulted to the chip lead.

Ludovic Lacay Eliminated In 16th Place($500,557)

Jeff Shulman raised to 450,000 preflop and Ludovic Lacay came over the top for the rest of his stack of just over 3 million. Shulman made the call and here were there hands.

Shulman: AK
Lacay: 77

It was a classic race and the flop came K95, putting Shulman ahead. The turn was the 9 and the river was the 6 and Lacay was ousted from the main event. Shulman was up to 12.8 million after the hand.

Player Tags: Jeff Shulman,   Phil Ivey,   Tommy Vedes,   Jordan Smith,   Ben Lamb,   Billy Kopp,   Ludovic Lacay,   Andrew Lichtenberger,   Nick Maimone

Level 30 Hour 2 Update: Balmigere Out In 25th Place, Esfandiari Out In 24th Place

Jul 15, '09

Blinds: 60,000-120,000 with a 15,000 ante

Players Remaining: 23 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Billy Kopp – 21,200,000
2. Darvin Moon – 17,500,000
3. Steven Begleiter – 15,200,000
4. Kevin Schaffel – 12,300,000
5. Eric Buchman – 12,000,000
6. Jeff Shulman – 10,800,000
7. Ian Tavelli – 10,100,000
8. James Akenhead – 10,000,000
9. Nick Maimone – 9,350,000
10. Jamie Robbins – 9,250,000

Average Chip Count: 8,470,434

Card Player Chip Count:

Jeff Shulman – 10,800,000

Eliminations:

25. Francois Balmigere — $352,832
24. Antonio Esfandiari — $352,832

Twitter Updates:

Jeff Shulman at 10,800,000 (twitter feed)
Billy Kopp at 21,200,000 (twitter feed)
Phil Ivey at 6,000,000 (twitter feed)
Nick Maimone at 9,350,000 (twitter feed)
Ludovic Lacay at 3,100,000 (twitter feed)

Big Hands

Francois Balmigere Eliminated In 25th Place($352,832)

Francois Balmigere raised to 330,000 preflop from middle position and Steven Begleiter called behind him. Billy Kopp came along from the big blind and the flop was 1076. Kopp led out with 700,000 and Balmigere moved in for 2.7 million. Begleiter mucked but Kopp made the call after a few minutes in the tank.

Balmigere tabled JJ while Kopp showed down 87 for just middle pair and a gutshot draw, along with a backdoor flush-draw. The turn was the A and Balmigere was one card away from getting a double up. But the river was the 9, making Kopp his straight and sending Balmigere out in 25th place.

Buchman Fills Up On The Turn

Jonathan Tamayo raised to 355,000 from the button and Eric Buchman called from the big blind. Darvin Moon had limped in earlier and made the call as well. The flop came down 992 and Tamayo fired 760,000. Buchman was the only caller and the turn was the 6. Both players checked and the river was the Q.

Buchman led out with 1.1 million and Tamayo made the call. Buchman then tabled 66 for a full boat and Tamayo mucked his hand.

Shulman Wins Battle Of The Blinds Against Ivey

Action folded around to Phil Ivey who called from the small blind and Jeff Shulman checked from the big blind. The two players saw a flop of AJ2 and Ivey led out with 120,000. Shulman made the call and the turn was the 2.

Ivey checked to Shulman and he fired 200,000. Ivey had enough of his hand and threw it into the muck. Shulman took the pot and was around 11 million.

Lucky Sevens For Maimone, Doubles Through Jordan Smith

Jordan Smith raised to 320,000 from middle position and action folded to Nick Maimone on the button. He reraised to 825,000 and Smith made the call. The flop then came down Q84 and Smith moved all in. Maimone made the quick call and tabled 77. Smith then showed down 1010 for a dominating lead.

But the turn changed everything as it brought the 7, giving Maimone a set and a stranglehold on the hand. The river was the 9 and Maimone doubled up to 4 million.

I Am Chip Leader, Hear Me Roar

Billy Kopp raised to 275,000 from under the gun and Steven Begleiter made the call from the button. The flop fell 532 and Kopp led out for 600,000. Begleiter made the call and the turn was the J.

Both players checked and they did the same for the J on the river. Kopp tabled 66 and Begleiter mucked. Kopp took the hand and was just over 19 million, good enough for to take over the chip lead.

Akenhead Gets Kings Again, Wins Small Pot

James Akenhead raised to 280,000 preflop and Warren Zackey made the call from the small blind. The flop came AJ8 and both players checked. They did the same on the 3 turn and the river brought the 5.

Zackey checked and Akenhead bet 300,000. Zackey made the call and Akenhead tabled KK and Zackey mucked. Akenhead took the pot and was at 3.3 million.

The Phil Ivey National Bank

Phil Ivey has been hard pressed to win a pot in the early going of day 8. He doubled up Nick Maimone during the last hour and just doubled up Marco Mattes.

Maimone opened with a raise to 290,000 and Mattes moved all in for almost 2.5 million. Action folded around to Ivey who made the call. Maimone got out of the way and Ivey tabled JJ. Mattes then showed down QQ and Ivey was dominated.

The flop came down 1055, giving both players two pair. The turn was the 7 and the river was the 4 and Mattes doubled to over 5 million. Ivey took another hit and his stack was just under 6 million.

The Magician Disappears, Antonio Esfandiari Eliminated In 24th Place($352,832)

Antonio Esfandiari raised to 310,000 preflop from under the gun and Steven Begleiter called from middle position. The flop came down 1024 and Esfandiari bet 535,000. Begleiter raised it up to 1.6 million and Esfandiari moved all in for 2.5 million more. Begleiter made the call and tabled K10 for top pair on the flop.

Esfandiari showed down 55 and needed help. The turn was the 6, giving Esfandiari a gutshot straight draw. But the A fell on the river and Esfandiari was eliminated.

Player Tags: Jeff Shulman,   Antonio Esfandiari,   Eric Buchman,   Phil Ivey,   James Akenhead,   Billy Kopp,   Francois Balmigere,   Marco Mattes,   Warren Zackey

Level 37 Update II: Phil Ivey Eliminated in Seventh Place and Steven Begleiter Eliminated in Sixth Place

Nov 08, '09

Blinds: 300,000-600,000 with a 75,000 ante

Players Remaining: 5 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Darvin Moon — 63,925,000
2. Eric Buchman — 53,250,000
3. Antoine Saout — 51,725,000
4. Jeff Shulman — 15,525,000
5. Joseph Cada — 10,350,000

Average Chip Count: 38,964,000

Notable Eliminations:

7: Phil Ivey — $1,404,002
6: Steven Begleiter — $1,587,133

Big Hands

Phil Ivey Eliminated in Seventh Place ($1,404,002)

Phil Ivey moved all in for 6.45 million under the gun preflop and Darvin Moon made the call in the big blind. The two players then turned over their cards as the audience rose to their feet in anticipation.

Ivey: AK
Moon: AQ

Ivey was sitting in a good spot with his A-K dominating the A-Q of Moon, but Ivey has a history with A-Q, and it is not a good one. The board that fell confirmed once again that the hand is nothing short of kryptonite for the best poker player on the planet.

Board: Q6635

Ivey was eliminated and although the crowd gave him a loud ovation, the mood went sour after he exited the room. Ivey was awarded $1,404,002 in prize money for his seventh-place finish. Moon was up to 39.3 million after the hand.

Steven Begleiter Eliminated in Sixth Place ($1,587,133)

Steven Begleiter raised to 1.6 million under the gun preflop and Darvin Moon reraised all in for 39.925 million. Begleiter made the all-in call for 23.25 million and the two players turned over their cards:

Begleiter: QQ
Moon: AQ

Board: 8743A

The crowd erupted in cheers as the improbable happened yet again tonight. Moon hit the miracle ace on the river and he grew his stack to 63.925 million to take the chip lead. Begleiter was eliminated in sixth place. He was awarded $1,587,133 in prize money.

Player Tags: Phil Ivey,   Darvin Moon,   Steven Begleiter

Level 36 Hour 2 Update: Cada Crippled By Shulman Double Up

Nov 07, '09

Blinds: 250,000-500,000 with a 50,000 ante

Players Remaining: 7 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Steven Begleiter — 46,350,000
2. Eric Buchman — 46,300,000
3. Darvin Moon — 38,200,000
4. Antoine Saout — 26,575,000
5. Jeff Shulman — 14,500,000
6. Joe Cada — 12,500,000
7. Phil Ivey — 10,325,000

Average Chip Count: 27,831,429

Notable Eliminations:

NONE

Big Hands:

Begs Picks Up Where He Left Off

Steven Begleiter raised to 1.25 million and Eric Buchman reraised to 4.55 million. Action folded back around to Begleiter and he reraised to 11 million.

The room got quiet as Buchman mulled over his decision, but he finally folded much to the delight of Begleiter’s fans in the room.

Jeff Shulman Doubles Through Joe Cada

Joe Cada raised to 1.25 million from under the gun and Jeff Shulman moved all in for his last 7 million. Cada tanked for several minutes before calling and revealed AJ.

Shulman showed a superior AK and it held when the board came down 1093Q4. Cada was left crippled with just over 2 million and Shulman doubled to over 15 million.

Joe Cada Doubles Through Eric Buchman

Eric Buchman put Joe Cada all in from the small blind with 54 and Cada called with J4.

The board came 964107 and Cada doubled up to a still very short 4.8 million.

Joe Cada Doubles Through Phil Ivey

Phil Ivey raised to 1.25 million and Joe Cada moved all in for 5.8 million. Ivey tanked for a bit before finally calling with A8 and Cada showed two red fours.

The board came 104297 and Cada doubled up to about 12.5 million. Ivey was left with 10 million.

Card Player Twitter Page:

Jeff Shulman
Phil Ivey

People on the Rail

Adam Schoenfeld
Dennis Phillips
Jonathan Little
Annie Duke
Daniel Negreanu

Player Tags: Jeff Shulman,   Phil Ivey,   Joseph Cada

Level 36 Update -- Moon Takes a Spill

Nov 07, '09

Blinds: 200,000-400,000 with a 50,000 ante

Players Remaining: 7 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1: Eric Buchman — 54,825,000
2: Darvin Moon — 41,850,000
3: Steven Begleiter — 37,100,000
4: Antoine Saout — 26,725,000
5: Phil Ivey — 16,250,000
6: Joe Cada — 10,800,000
7: Jeff Shulman — 8,025,000

Average Chip Count: 27,831,429

Notable Eliminations:

NONE

Big Hands:

Moon Makes an Interesting Laydown

Darvin Moon raised to 1.3 million preflop under the gun and Steven Begleiter reraised to 3.9 million from the hi-jack. Moon made the call and the flop was dealt 432. Moon checked, Begleiter bet 5.35 million, and Moon raised to 15 million. Begleiter moved all in for 20.425 million total and Moon mucked despite the fact that it cost just over 5 million more to call. Begleiter won the hand to grow his stack to 44,175,000 and Moon was left with 42,075,000.

Phil Ivey Adds Some Chips

Steven Begletier raised to 1.25 million preflop under the gun and Phil Ivey made the call in the big blind. The flop was dealt KQJ. Begleiter bet 1.75 mllion and Ivey called. The turn fell J and both players checked. The river fell 3 and Ivey bet 2.5 million. Begleiter mucked and Ivey grew his stack to 16.7 million.

Player Tags: Phil Ivey,   Darvin Moon,   Steven Begleiter

Level 34 Update: Ivey Moves All In

Nov 07, '09

Blinds: 150,000-300,000 with a 40,000 ante

Players Remaining: 9 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1: Darvin Moon — 62,305,000
2: Eric Buchman — 35,610,000
3: Steven Begleiter — 29,275,000
4: Jeff Shulman — 18,830,000
5: Joe Cada — 13,335,500
6: Kevin Schaffel — 11,510,000
7: Phil Ivey — 10,795,000
8: Antoine Saout — 8,970,000
9: James Akenhead — 4,215,000

Average Chip Count: 21,646,666

Notable Eliminations:

NONE

Big Hands:

Phil Ivey Reraises All — Everyone Folds

In the hand that garnered the most crowd reaction so far at the final table Jeff Shulman opened the pot for a raise to 1.25 million UTG+1 and Phil Ivey reraised all in for 8,655,000 from the hi-jack. Joseph Cada went into the tank in the big blind, but he decided to muck. Shulman mucked as well and Ivey took down the hand as the crowd cheered its approval. Ivey held 10,715,000 after the hand.

Eric Buchman Takes One Down

Eric Buchman raised to 800,000 from early position and Jeff Shulman made the call. The flop was dealt K77 and Buchman checked. Shulman bet 1.75 million and Buchman made the call. The 10 fell on the turn and both players checked. The 3 fell on the river and both players checked again. Buchman turned over pocket queens and Shulman mucked. Buchman was up to 40,660,000 after the hand and Shulman was down to 15,550,000.

CardPlayer TV

Main Event Final Table Preview with Phil Hellmuth

Card Player Twitter Page:

Jeff Shulman
Phil Ivey

People on the Rail

Adam Schoenfeld
Dennis Phillips
Jonathan Little
Annie Duke
Daniel Negreanu

Player Tags: Jeff Shulman,   Phil Ivey

2009 Main Event Final Table Begins at Noon Saturday

Nov 05, '09

On Saturday, the wait will finally be over.

The November Nine will return to the Rio in Las Vegas on Saturday at noon PST and play down to two players. Those final competitors will then battle it out on Monday night, starting at 10 p.m. PST, to see who will walk away with the first-place prize of $8,546,435 and the title of world champion.

The final table episode will then be broadcast to the world on ESPN on Tuesday, starting at 6 p.m. EST.

The final table, which will take place at the Penn and Teller Theater, will be open to the public. Each player at the final table has already received ninth-place prize money worth $1,263,602. Card Player’s live reporting team will be on the scene to bring you all of the action in live updates, chip counts, and photos.

Here is a look at all of the information you need to know before the final table begins:

NOTE: Play will begin in level 33 with blinds at 120,000-240,000 with a 30,000 ante.

Chip Counts:

1: Darvin Moon — 58,930,000
2: Eric Buchman — 34,800,000
3: Steven Begleiter — 29,885,000
4: Jeff Shulman — 19,580,000
5: Joe Cada — 13,215,000
6: Kevin Schaffel — 12,390,000
7: Phil Ivey — 9,765,000
8: Antoine Saout — 9,500,000
9: James Akenhead — 6,800,000

Average Chip Count: 21,646,666

Final-Table Seating Chart:

Seat 1: Darvin Moon
Seat 2: James Akenhead
Seat 3: Phil Ivey
Seat 4: Kevin Schaffel
Seat 5: Steven Begleiter
Seat 6: Eric Buchman
Seat 7: Joe Cada
Seat 8: Antoine Saout
Seat 9: Jeff Shulman

Player Tags: Jeff Shulman,   Eric Buchman,   Phil Ivey,   Kevin Schaffel,   James Akenhead,   Antoine Saout,   Joseph Cada,   Darvin Moon,   Steven Begleiter

Level 33 Hour 2 Update: Jordan Smith Eliminated, November Nine Reached

Jul 15, '09

Blinds: 120,000-240,000 with a 30,000 ante

Players Remaining: 9 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Darvin Moon – 58,930,000
2. Eric Buchman – 34,800,000
3. Steven Begleiter – 29,885,000
4. Jeff Shulman – 19,580,000
5. Joe Cada – 13,215,000
6. Kevin Schaffel – 12,390,000
7. Phil Ivey – 9,765,000
8. Antoine Saout – 9,500,000
9. James Akenhead – 6,800,000

Card Player Chip Count:

Jeff Shulman – 19,580,000

Average Chip Count: 21,646,666

Eliminations:

12. Billy Kopp – $896,730
11. Jamie Robbins – $896,730
10. Jordan Smith – $896,730

Twitter Updates:

Jeff Shulman at 19,580,000 (twitter feed)
Phil Ivey at 9,765,000 (twitter feed)

Big Hands:

Billy Kopp Eliminated in 12th Place ($896,730)

Billy Kopp raised to 600,000 preflop in early position and Darvin Moon called from the small blind. The flop came K92 and Moon checked. Kopp bet 750,000 and Moon called. The 2 on the turn prompted Moon to once again check. Kopp bet 2,000,000 and Moon check-raised to 6,000,000. Kopp didn’t take long before moving all in for 20,000,000. Moon made the call and exposed the QJ for the second nut flush. Kopp exposed the 53 and was drawing stone cold dead. His stack of over 100 big blinds was handed over to Moon when the meaningless 7 fell on the river. Kopp was eliminated and Moon built his stack to 40,500,000 after the monster hand.

Jamie Robbins Eliminated in 11th Place ($896,730)

Jamie Robbins open-shoved for 2,350,000 and Phil Ivey called. Robbins exposed the KQ and Ivey tabled the A10. Ivey was a slight favorite and held as the board ran out 83335. Ivey was at 9,610,000 after the hand.

Joe Cada Wins First Pot at Table of 10

Joe Cada bet 600,000 from early position and Darvin Moon called from the button. The two players checked down a board of J106QQ. Cada exposed pocket nines to take the small pot while Moon tabled pocket deuces.

Jeff Shulman Wins a Pot

Eric Buchman bet 650,000 preflop. Jeff Shulman, Jordan Smith, and Phil Ivey all called. The flop came A98 and action was checked to Shulman. He fired out 1,500,000 and won the pot as everyone else folded. Shulman was at 20,510,000 after the hand.

Akenhead Playing Snug

Jordan Smith bet 650,000 preflop and James Akenhead called. The flop came 632 and Smith checked. Akenhead checked behind. The K hit the turn and both players checked again. The 4 fell on the river and both checked for a third time. Akenhead, the short stack at the table, exposed the 77 and was good. He took the pot and was up to 6,400,000 after the hand.

November Nine Reached

Jordan Smith Eliminated in 10th Place ($896,730)

Eric Buchman raised preflop to 650,000. Darvin Moon called from the button. Jordan Smith reraised to 2,600,000 total from the small blind. Buchman folded and Moon smooth called. The flop came 842 and Smith checked to Moon on the button. Moon bet 4,000,000 and Smith check-raised all in. Moon instantly called and exposed top set with the 88 and was up against the AA of Smith. Smith was in bad shape to double up and stay alive in the tournament. The turn brought the 5, adding a wheel draw for Smith. The river brought none of his outs as the 10 landed on the felt. Smith was eliminated and Moon is up to 58,930,000 after the hand.

Player Tags: Phil Ivey,   Jamie Robbins,   Jordan Smith,   Billy Kopp

Level 33 Hour 1 Update: Jeff Shulman Eliminates Ben Lamb

Jul 15, '09

Blinds: 120,000-240,000 with a 30,000 ante

Players Remaining: 12 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Eric Buchman – 33,800,000
2. Steven Begleiter – 27,730,000
3. Darvin Moon – 25,100,000
4. Jeff Shulman – 22,600,000
5. Billy Kopp – 18,900,000
6. Jordan Smith – 16,700,000
7. Joe Cada – 12,260,000
8. Kevin Schaffel – 11,700,000
9. Antoine Saout – 10,055,000
10. Phil Ivey – 7,400,000

Card Player Chip Count:

Jeff Shulman – 22,600,000

Average Chip Count: 14,986,153

Eliminations:

14. Ben Lamb – $633,022
13. James Calderaro – $633,022

Twitter Updates:

Jeff Shulman at 22,600,000 (twitter feed)
Billy Kopp at 18,900,000 (twitter feed)
Phil Ivey at 7,400,000 (twitter feed)

Big Hands:

Phil Ivey Starts Level Off On Right Foot

Phil Ivey bet 675,000 preflop and Joe Cada called. The flop came A75 and Cada checked to the seven-time bracelet winner. Ivey bet 800,000 and Cada made the call. The 3 fell on the turn. Cada again checked, and this time Ivey bet 1,700,000. Cada mucked and Ivey took the pot to boost his chip stack to 9,030,000 after the hand.

Jamie Robbins Catches Miracle

Joe Cada raised to 600,000. Jamie Robbins moved all in for 1,370,000. Cada insta-called. Cada exposed the AA and was ahead of the 1010 of Robbins. The board read K625 on the turn, and Robbins needed to catch one of the two remaining tens in the deck to stay alive. The dealer pealed off the 10 to the shock of the crowd. Robbins doubled to 3,310,000.

Jeff Shulman Climbing

Jordan Smith raised 750,000 from under the gun. Next to act was Jeff Shulman and he made the call. Two players saw a flop of K102. Smith bet 650,000 and Shulman raised to 1,700,000. Smith contemplated briefly before finally mucking. Shulman was at 15,100,000 after the hand and Smith was at 15,700,000.

Jeff Shulman Eliminates Ben Lamb in 14th Place ($633,022)

From the cutoff, Ben Lamb bet 655,000. Action was folded to Jeff Shulman in the big blind. He raised enough to put Lamb all in. Lamb went into the tank and eventually made the call with the AJ. Shulman exposed the AK and was in command. The board ran out K9372, as Lamb was drawing dead on the turn. Shulman eliminated his opponent and built his stack to 22,000,000.

Chip Leader Getting Stronger

Joe Cada raised to 600,000 from under the gun. Antoine Saout called from the button and Eric Buchman called from the big blind. All three players saw a flop of A87 and Buchman checked. Cada fired out a million and Saout folded. Buchman made the call and the 5 fell on the turn. Buchman led out with 2,500,000 and Saout eventually mucked. Buchman was at 33,950,000 after the hand.

James Calderaro Eliminated in 13th Place ($633,022)

James Calderaro was short when he moved all in for 2,500,000 from the button. Kevin Schaffel made the call from the big blind. Schaffel exposed the 1010 while Calderaro exposed the KJ. The board ran out Q52Q, as Calderaro was down to his last card. He picked up a flush draw on the turn but nothing materialized as the 5 fell on the river. Schaffel is now at 11,700,000.

Player Tags: Jeff Shulman,   Phil Ivey,   Jamie Robbins,   James Calderaro

Level 32 Hour 2 Update: Phil Ivey Coming Back

Jul 15, '09

Note: The players are now on a 90 minute dinner break.

Blinds: 100,000-200,000 with a 30,000 ante

Players Remaining: 14 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Eric Buchman – 28,670,000
2. Steven Begleiter – 27,260,000
3. Darvin Moon – 23,800,000
4. Joseph Cada – 19,465,000
5. Jordan Smith – 18,884,000
6. Jeff Shulman – 13,800,000
7. Billy Kopp – 13,500,000
8. Antoine Saout – 12,420,000
9. Kevin Schaffel – 10,630,000
10. Phil Ivey – 7,325,000

Card Player Chip Count:

Jeff Shulman – 13,800,000

Average Chip Count: 12,988,000

Eliminations:

15. Nick Maimone — $633,022

Twitter Updates:

Jeff Shulman at 13,800,000 (twitter feed)
Billy Kopp at 13,500,000 (twitter feed)
Phil Ivey at 7,325,000 (twitter feed)

Big Hands:

Ivey Tries To Mount A Comeback

Phil Ivey started this hand as the short stack in the tournament, but it did not stop him from raising to 500,000 preflop. Antoine Saout made the call and the flop came down 663. Ivey bet 700,000 and that was enough to chase Saout away.

Ivey took down the pot and he was at 6.5 million.

Calderaro Doubles Up

Jeff Shulman raised to 600,000 preflop and Darvin Moon made the call. The action was on James Calderaro who moved in for about 2.5 million. Shulman mucked but Moon made the call.

Calderaro: AK
Moon: AQ

Board: 1044K3

Calderaro paired up on the turn but needed to avoid Moon’s gutshot straight draw. The 3 helped him do just that and he doubled up 5.8 million.

Joe Cada Moves All In

Joe Cada raised to 500,000 from the cutoff and Jamie Robbins raised to 1,700,000 from the button. Cada moved all in. Robbins instantly folded. Cada is at 17,090,000.

Jeff Shulman Doubles Up Ben Lamb

Shulman raised to 700,000. Lamb moved all in for 1,710,000 on top from the small blind. Shulman made the call. Lamb exposed the 1010 while Shulman table t he KJ. The players were off to a race. The board ran out 97QQ. Lamb was at 4,900,000 after the hand. Shulman was at 12,000,000 after the hand.

Antoine Saout Doubles Up

From the button, James Akenhead reraised Antoine Saout’s cutoff bet of 550,000. Saout moved in for just over 5.7 million and Akenhead made the call. Saout exposed the 88 and was up against the AK of Akenhead. The board ran out 1042Q3. Saout doubled to 13,020,000. Akenhead has just 2,600,000.

Ivey Coming Back

Phil Ivey raised preflop to 525,000 and Eric Buchman called from the big blind. Buchman checked on a flop of 622 and Ivey fired out a continuation bet of 700,000. Buchman folded and Ivey was at 7,200,000 after the hand.

James Akenhead Doubles Up

Jamie Robbins raised to 530,000 preflop. James Akenhead moved all in for 2,390,000 and Robbins called, exposing the AA. Akenhead exposed the dominated KQ. The board ran out KQJ75 and Akenhead cracked the aces to double to 5,090,000.

Player Tags: Jeff Shulman,   Phil Ivey,   James Calderaro

Level 31 Hour 2 Update: Vedes 19th, Lichtenberger 18th, Tavelli 17th, Lacay 16th

Jul 15, '09

Blinds: 80,000-160,000 with a 20,000 ante

Players Remaining: 15 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Steven Begleiter – 27,890,000
2. Darvin Moon – 24,600,000
3. Billy Kopp – 17,200,000
4. Eric Buchman – 16,000,000
5. Jordan Smith – 15,800,000
6. Joseph Cada – 13,600,000
7. Kevin Schaffel – 13,600,000
8. Jeff Shluman – 12,800,000
9. James Akenhead – 10,100,000
10. Nick Maimone – 10,000,000

Card Player Chip Count:

Jeff Shulman – 12,800,000

Average Chip Count: 12,988,000

Eliminations:

19. Tommy Vedes — $352,832
18. Andrew Lichtenberger — $500,557
17. Ian Tavelli — $500,557
16. Ludovic Lacay — $500,557

Twitter Updates:

Jeff Shulman at 12,800,000 (twitter feed)
Billy Kopp at 17,200,000 (twitter feed)
Phil Ivey at 6,800,000 (twitter feed)
Nick Maimone at 9,350,000 (twitter feed)

Big Hands:

Tommy Vedes Eliminated In 19th Place($352,832)

Eric Buchman raised to 425,000 preflop and Tommy Vedes moved in for his last 1.9 million. Buchman made the call with 77, dominating Vedes’ 33.

The flop brought something for everyone as it fell 1073, giving each player a set. The turn was the Q and Vedes needed the case three to stay alive. But the river was the 2 and Vedes was ousted in 19th place.

Lamb’s Aces Taken Out To Slaughter

Steven Begleiter raised to 425,000 preflop from the hijack and Benjamin Lamb repopped to 1.1 million from the cutoff. Begleiter made the call and the two players saw a flop of J95. Begleiter checked to Lamb who fired a bet into the pot. Begleiter then moved all in for over 7 million. Lamb made the call after some thought and tabled AA.

The aces were officially cracked, however, as Begleiter tabled J9 for top two pair on the flop. The turn was the 3 and the river was the 8 and Begleiter doubled to over 16 million. Lamb was down to just over 4 million in chips.

Not So Happy…

Jeff Shulman raised to 420,000 preflop and Joe Cada repopped it to 1.2 million. Shulman made the call and the flop came down K25. Cada checked to Shulman who bet 1.4 million. Cada made the call and the turn was the 5. Both players checked and the river was the K.

Cada then led out for 2 million and Shulman threw his hand in the muck. Cada raked in the pot and was over 9 million while Shulman dropped to 8 million.

Jordan Smith Takes One On The Turn

Billy Kopp raised to 375,000 and Ben Lamb made the call from the button. Jordan Smith also came along from the big blind and the flop came down 986. Everyone checked and the turn was the Q.

Smith led out for 700,000 and his two opponents mucked. Smith raked in the pot and was over 7 million.

Begleiter Takes One Off Maimone

Steven Begleiter raised to 425,000 and Nick Maimone made the call from the big blind. The flop came down J72 and both players checked. The turn was the 7 and Maimone took a shot with 400,000. Begleiter made the call and the river was the 9. Maimone bet 800,000 and Begleiter made the call.

Maimone tabled KJ for top pair, but Begleiter showed AJ for the same hand with a better kicker. Begleiter raked the pot and was at 18 million while Maimone was at 10 million.

Andrew Lichtenberger Eliminated In 18th Place($500,557)

Andrew Lichtenberger raised to 400,000 and Darvin Moon made the call. The flop came down 633 and Lichtenberger bet 680,000. Moon raised to 1.5 million and Lichtenberger moved all in, getting a quick call from Moon.

Lichtenberger showed JJ, but Moon tabled KK. The turn was the 6 and the river was the 7 and Moon knocked out Lichtenberger, moving his stack to 25 million.

Ivey Takes A Pot

Phil Ivey raised to 420,000 and Steven Begleiter made the call. The flop came down 864 and Ivey led out with 600,000. Begleiter made the call and the 4 fell on the turn. Both players checked.

They did the same when the K came on the river and Begleiter showed down 109 for a bunch of busted draws. Ivey showed 99 for the best hand and took the pot. He was at 6.8 million.

…But Let’s Put A Smile On That Face

Jeff Shulman raised to 450,000 preflop from the hijack and James Calderaro called from the button. The flop came down 1054 and Shulman bet 750,000 and Calderaro made the call. The turn was the K and Shulman kept the pressure on, betting 1.1 million.

Calderaro decided to muck his hand and Shulman took it down, improving his stack to 9 million.

Jordan Smith Doubles Through Billy Kopp

Billy Kopp had been strolling through the day with a nice chip lead, but he just took his first big hit of the day courtesy of Jordan Smith.

Smith raised to 420,000 under the gun and Kopp raised to 1.5 million from the cutoff. Action folded back around to Smith who shoved for 7.73 million. Kopp made the call and here were their hands.

Kopp: AK
Smith: QQ

Board: JJ988

Smith’s pocket ladies held up and he doubled to 15.8 million while Kopp was knocked off the chip lead, his stack at 17.2 million.

Ian Tavelli Eliminated In 17th Place($500,557)

Steven Begleiter raised to 1.35 million after Ian Tavelli had opened for 450,000 from under the gun. Tavelli made the call and the flop came down 642 and Begleiter fired 3.5 million. Tavelli moved in for almost 8 million and Begleiter snapped him off, tabling KK. Tavelli showed down 99 and Tavelli was in trouble.

The turn was the Q and the river was the 10 and Tavelli was out while Begleiter catapulted to the chip lead.

Ludovic Lacay Eliminated In 16th Place($500,557)

Jeff Shulman raised to 450,000 preflop and Ludovic Lacay came over the top for the rest of his stack of just over 3 million. Shulman made the call and here were there hands.

Shulman: AK
Lacay: 77

It was a classic race and the flop came K95, putting Shulman ahead. The turn was the 9 and the river was the 6 and Lacay was ousted from the main event. Shulman was up to 12.8 million after the hand.

Player Tags: Jeff Shulman,   Phil Ivey,   Tommy Vedes,   Jordan Smith,   Ben Lamb,   Billy Kopp,   Ludovic Lacay,   Andrew Lichtenberger,   Nick Maimone

Level 30 Hour 2 Update: Balmigere Out In 25th Place, Esfandiari Out In 24th Place

Jul 15, '09

Blinds: 60,000-120,000 with a 15,000 ante

Players Remaining: 23 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Billy Kopp – 21,200,000
2. Darvin Moon – 17,500,000
3. Steven Begleiter – 15,200,000
4. Kevin Schaffel – 12,300,000
5. Eric Buchman – 12,000,000
6. Jeff Shulman – 10,800,000
7. Ian Tavelli – 10,100,000
8. James Akenhead – 10,000,000
9. Nick Maimone – 9,350,000
10. Jamie Robbins – 9,250,000

Average Chip Count: 8,470,434

Card Player Chip Count:

Jeff Shulman – 10,800,000

Eliminations:

25. Francois Balmigere — $352,832
24. Antonio Esfandiari — $352,832

Twitter Updates:

Jeff Shulman at 10,800,000 (twitter feed)
Billy Kopp at 21,200,000 (twitter feed)
Phil Ivey at 6,000,000 (twitter feed)
Nick Maimone at 9,350,000 (twitter feed)
Ludovic Lacay at 3,100,000 (twitter feed)

Big Hands

Francois Balmigere Eliminated In 25th Place($352,832)

Francois Balmigere raised to 330,000 preflop from middle position and Steven Begleiter called behind him. Billy Kopp came along from the big blind and the flop was 1076. Kopp led out with 700,000 and Balmigere moved in for 2.7 million. Begleiter mucked but Kopp made the call after a few minutes in the tank.

Balmigere tabled JJ while Kopp showed down 87 for just middle pair and a gutshot draw, along with a backdoor flush-draw. The turn was the A and Balmigere was one card away from getting a double up. But the river was the 9, making Kopp his straight and sending Balmigere out in 25th place.

Buchman Fills Up On The Turn

Jonathan Tamayo raised to 355,000 from the button and Eric Buchman called from the big blind. Darvin Moon had limped in earlier and made the call as well. The flop came down 992 and Tamayo fired 760,000. Buchman was the only caller and the turn was the 6. Both players checked and the river was the Q.

Buchman led out with 1.1 million and Tamayo made the call. Buchman then tabled 66 for a full boat and Tamayo mucked his hand.

Shulman Wins Battle Of The Blinds Against Ivey

Action folded around to Phil Ivey who called from the small blind and Jeff Shulman checked from the big blind. The two players saw a flop of AJ2 and Ivey led out with 120,000. Shulman made the call and the turn was the 2.

Ivey checked to Shulman and he fired 200,000. Ivey had enough of his hand and threw it into the muck. Shulman took the pot and was around 11 million.

Lucky Sevens For Maimone, Doubles Through Jordan Smith

Jordan Smith raised to 320,000 from middle position and action folded to Nick Maimone on the button. He reraised to 825,000 and Smith made the call. The flop then came down Q84 and Smith moved all in. Maimone made the quick call and tabled 77. Smith then showed down 1010 for a dominating lead.

But the turn changed everything as it brought the 7, giving Maimone a set and a stranglehold on the hand. The river was the 9 and Maimone doubled up to 4 million.

I Am Chip Leader, Hear Me Roar

Billy Kopp raised to 275,000 from under the gun and Steven Begleiter made the call from the button. The flop fell 532 and Kopp led out for 600,000. Begleiter made the call and the turn was the J.

Both players checked and they did the same for the J on the river. Kopp tabled 66 and Begleiter mucked. Kopp took the hand and was just over 19 million, good enough for to take over the chip lead.

Akenhead Gets Kings Again, Wins Small Pot

James Akenhead raised to 280,000 preflop and Warren Zackey made the call from the small blind. The flop came AJ8 and both players checked. They did the same on the 3 turn and the river brought the 5.

Zackey checked and Akenhead bet 300,000. Zackey made the call and Akenhead tabled KK and Zackey mucked. Akenhead took the pot and was at 3.3 million.

The Phil Ivey National Bank

Phil Ivey has been hard pressed to win a pot in the early going of day 8. He doubled up Nick Maimone during the last hour and just doubled up Marco Mattes.

Maimone opened with a raise to 290,000 and Mattes moved all in for almost 2.5 million. Action folded around to Ivey who made the call. Maimone got out of the way and Ivey tabled JJ. Mattes then showed down QQ and Ivey was dominated.

The flop came down 1055, giving both players two pair. The turn was the 7 and the river was the 4 and Mattes doubled to over 5 million. Ivey took another hit and his stack was just under 6 million.

The Magician Disappears, Antonio Esfandiari Eliminated In 24th Place($352,832)

Antonio Esfandiari raised to 310,000 preflop from under the gun and Steven Begleiter called from middle position. The flop came down 1024 and Esfandiari bet 535,000. Begleiter raised it up to 1.6 million and Esfandiari moved all in for 2.5 million more. Begleiter made the call and tabled K10 for top pair on the flop.

Esfandiari showed down 55 and needed help. The turn was the 6, giving Esfandiari a gutshot straight draw. But the A fell on the river and Esfandiari was eliminated.

Player Tags: Jeff Shulman,   Antonio Esfandiari,   Eric Buchman,   Phil Ivey,   James Akenhead,   Billy Kopp,   Francois Balmigere,   Marco Mattes,   Warren Zackey

Level 37 Update II: Phil Ivey Eliminated in Seventh Place and Steven Begleiter Eliminated in Sixth Place

Nov 08, '09

Blinds: 300,000-600,000 with a 75,000 ante

Players Remaining: 5 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Darvin Moon — 63,925,000
2. Eric Buchman — 53,250,000
3. Antoine Saout — 51,725,000
4. Jeff Shulman — 15,525,000
5. Joseph Cada — 10,350,000

Average Chip Count: 38,964,000

Notable Eliminations:

7: Phil Ivey — $1,404,002
6: Steven Begleiter — $1,587,133

Big Hands

Phil Ivey Eliminated in Seventh Place ($1,404,002)

Phil Ivey moved all in for 6.45 million under the gun preflop and Darvin Moon made the call in the big blind. The two players then turned over their cards as the audience rose to their feet in anticipation.

Ivey: AK
Moon: AQ

Ivey was sitting in a good spot with his A-K dominating the A-Q of Moon, but Ivey has a history with A-Q, and it is not a good one. The board that fell confirmed once again that the hand is nothing short of kryptonite for the best poker player on the planet.

Board: Q6635

Ivey was eliminated and although the crowd gave him a loud ovation, the mood went sour after he exited the room. Ivey was awarded $1,404,002 in prize money for his seventh-place finish. Moon was up to 39.3 million after the hand.

Steven Begleiter Eliminated in Sixth Place ($1,587,133)

Steven Begleiter raised to 1.6 million under the gun preflop and Darvin Moon reraised all in for 39.925 million. Begleiter made the all-in call for 23.25 million and the two players turned over their cards:

Begleiter: QQ
Moon: AQ

Board: 8743A

The crowd erupted in cheers as the improbable happened yet again tonight. Moon hit the miracle ace on the river and he grew his stack to 63.925 million to take the chip lead. Begleiter was eliminated in sixth place. He was awarded $1,587,133 in prize money.

Player Tags: Phil Ivey,   Darvin Moon,   Steven Begleiter

Level 36 Hour 2 Update: Cada Crippled By Shulman Double Up

Nov 07, '09

Blinds: 250,000-500,000 with a 50,000 ante

Players Remaining: 7 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Steven Begleiter — 46,350,000
2. Eric Buchman — 46,300,000
3. Darvin Moon — 38,200,000
4. Antoine Saout — 26,575,000
5. Jeff Shulman — 14,500,000
6. Joe Cada — 12,500,000
7. Phil Ivey — 10,325,000

Average Chip Count: 27,831,429

Notable Eliminations:

NONE

Big Hands:

Begs Picks Up Where He Left Off

Steven Begleiter raised to 1.25 million and Eric Buchman reraised to 4.55 million. Action folded back around to Begleiter and he reraised to 11 million.

The room got quiet as Buchman mulled over his decision, but he finally folded much to the delight of Begleiter’s fans in the room.

Jeff Shulman Doubles Through Joe Cada

Joe Cada raised to 1.25 million from under the gun and Jeff Shulman moved all in for his last 7 million. Cada tanked for several minutes before calling and revealed AJ.

Shulman showed a superior AK and it held when the board came down 1093Q4. Cada was left crippled with just over 2 million and Shulman doubled to over 15 million.

Joe Cada Doubles Through Eric Buchman

Eric Buchman put Joe Cada all in from the small blind with 54 and Cada called with J4.

The board came 964107 and Cada doubled up to a still very short 4.8 million.

Joe Cada Doubles Through Phil Ivey

Phil Ivey raised to 1.25 million and Joe Cada moved all in for 5.8 million. Ivey tanked for a bit before finally calling with A8 and Cada showed two red fours.

The board came 104297 and Cada doubled up to about 12.5 million. Ivey was left with 10 million.

Card Player Twitter Page:

Jeff Shulman
Phil Ivey

People on the Rail

Adam Schoenfeld
Dennis Phillips
Jonathan Little
Annie Duke
Daniel Negreanu

Player Tags: Jeff Shulman,   Phil Ivey,   Joseph Cada

Level 36 Update -- Moon Takes a Spill

Nov 07, '09

Blinds: 200,000-400,000 with a 50,000 ante

Players Remaining: 7 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1: Eric Buchman — 54,825,000
2: Darvin Moon — 41,850,000
3: Steven Begleiter — 37,100,000
4: Antoine Saout — 26,725,000
5: Phil Ivey — 16,250,000
6: Joe Cada — 10,800,000
7: Jeff Shulman — 8,025,000

Average Chip Count: 27,831,429

Notable Eliminations:

NONE

Big Hands:

Moon Makes an Interesting Laydown

Darvin Moon raised to 1.3 million preflop under the gun and Steven Begleiter reraised to 3.9 million from the hi-jack. Moon made the call and the flop was dealt 432. Moon checked, Begleiter bet 5.35 million, and Moon raised to 15 million. Begleiter moved all in for 20.425 million total and Moon mucked despite the fact that it cost just over 5 million more to call. Begleiter won the hand to grow his stack to 44,175,000 and Moon was left with 42,075,000.

Phil Ivey Adds Some Chips

Steven Begletier raised to 1.25 million preflop under the gun and Phil Ivey made the call in the big blind. The flop was dealt KQJ. Begleiter bet 1.75 mllion and Ivey called. The turn fell J and both players checked. The river fell 3 and Ivey bet 2.5 million. Begleiter mucked and Ivey grew his stack to 16.7 million.

Player Tags: Phil Ivey,   Darvin Moon,   Steven Begleiter

Level 34 Update: Ivey Moves All In

Nov 07, '09

Blinds: 150,000-300,000 with a 40,000 ante

Players Remaining: 9 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1: Darvin Moon — 62,305,000
2: Eric Buchman — 35,610,000
3: Steven Begleiter — 29,275,000
4: Jeff Shulman — 18,830,000
5: Joe Cada — 13,335,500
6: Kevin Schaffel — 11,510,000
7: Phil Ivey — 10,795,000
8: Antoine Saout — 8,970,000
9: James Akenhead — 4,215,000

Average Chip Count: 21,646,666

Notable Eliminations:

NONE

Big Hands:

Phil Ivey Reraises All — Everyone Folds

In the hand that garnered the most crowd reaction so far at the final table Jeff Shulman opened the pot for a raise to 1.25 million UTG+1 and Phil Ivey reraised all in for 8,655,000 from the hi-jack. Joseph Cada went into the tank in the big blind, but he decided to muck. Shulman mucked as well and Ivey took down the hand as the crowd cheered its approval. Ivey held 10,715,000 after the hand.

Eric Buchman Takes One Down

Eric Buchman raised to 800,000 from early position and Jeff Shulman made the call. The flop was dealt K77 and Buchman checked. Shulman bet 1.75 million and Buchman made the call. The 10 fell on the turn and both players checked. The 3 fell on the river and both players checked again. Buchman turned over pocket queens and Shulman mucked. Buchman was up to 40,660,000 after the hand and Shulman was down to 15,550,000.

CardPlayer TV

Main Event Final Table Preview with Phil Hellmuth

Card Player Twitter Page:

Jeff Shulman
Phil Ivey

People on the Rail

Adam Schoenfeld
Dennis Phillips
Jonathan Little
Annie Duke
Daniel Negreanu

Player Tags: Jeff Shulman,   Phil Ivey

2009 Main Event Final Table Begins at Noon Saturday

Nov 05, '09

On Saturday, the wait will finally be over.

The November Nine will return to the Rio in Las Vegas on Saturday at noon PST and play down to two players. Those final competitors will then battle it out on Monday night, starting at 10 p.m. PST, to see who will walk away with the first-place prize of $8,546,435 and the title of world champion.

The final table episode will then be broadcast to the world on ESPN on Tuesday, starting at 6 p.m. EST.

The final table, which will take place at the Penn and Teller Theater, will be open to the public. Each player at the final table has already received ninth-place prize money worth $1,263,602. Card Player’s live reporting team will be on the scene to bring you all of the action in live updates, chip counts, and photos.

Here is a look at all of the information you need to know before the final table begins:

NOTE: Play will begin in level 33 with blinds at 120,000-240,000 with a 30,000 ante.

Chip Counts:

1: Darvin Moon — 58,930,000
2: Eric Buchman — 34,800,000
3: Steven Begleiter — 29,885,000
4: Jeff Shulman — 19,580,000
5: Joe Cada — 13,215,000
6: Kevin Schaffel — 12,390,000
7: Phil Ivey — 9,765,000
8: Antoine Saout — 9,500,000
9: James Akenhead — 6,800,000

Average Chip Count: 21,646,666

Final-Table Seating Chart:

Seat 1: Darvin Moon
Seat 2: James Akenhead
Seat 3: Phil Ivey
Seat 4: Kevin Schaffel
Seat 5: Steven Begleiter
Seat 6: Eric Buchman
Seat 7: Joe Cada
Seat 8: Antoine Saout
Seat 9: Jeff Shulman

Player Tags: Jeff Shulman,   Eric Buchman,   Phil Ivey,   Kevin Schaffel,   James Akenhead,   Antoine Saout,   Joseph Cada,   Darvin Moon,   Steven Begleiter

Level 33 Hour 2 Update: Jordan Smith Eliminated, November Nine Reached

Jul 15, '09

Blinds: 120,000-240,000 with a 30,000 ante

Players Remaining: 9 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Darvin Moon – 58,930,000
2. Eric Buchman – 34,800,000
3. Steven Begleiter – 29,885,000
4. Jeff Shulman – 19,580,000
5. Joe Cada – 13,215,000
6. Kevin Schaffel – 12,390,000
7. Phil Ivey – 9,765,000
8. Antoine Saout – 9,500,000
9. James Akenhead – 6,800,000

Card Player Chip Count:

Jeff Shulman – 19,580,000

Average Chip Count: 21,646,666

Eliminations:

12. Billy Kopp – $896,730
11. Jamie Robbins – $896,730
10. Jordan Smith – $896,730

Twitter Updates:

Jeff Shulman at 19,580,000 (twitter feed)
Phil Ivey at 9,765,000 (twitter feed)

Big Hands:

Billy Kopp Eliminated in 12th Place ($896,730)

Billy Kopp raised to 600,000 preflop in early position and Darvin Moon called from the small blind. The flop came K92 and Moon checked. Kopp bet 750,000 and Moon called. The 2 on the turn prompted Moon to once again check. Kopp bet 2,000,000 and Moon check-raised to 6,000,000. Kopp didn’t take long before moving all in for 20,000,000. Moon made the call and exposed the QJ for the second nut flush. Kopp exposed the 53 and was drawing stone cold dead. His stack of over 100 big blinds was handed over to Moon when the meaningless 7 fell on the river. Kopp was eliminated and Moon built his stack to 40,500,000 after the monster hand.

Jamie Robbins Eliminated in 11th Place ($896,730)

Jamie Robbins open-shoved for 2,350,000 and Phil Ivey called. Robbins exposed the KQ and Ivey tabled the A10. Ivey was a slight favorite and held as the board ran out 83335. Ivey was at 9,610,000 after the hand.

Joe Cada Wins First Pot at Table of 10

Joe Cada bet 600,000 from early position and Darvin Moon called from the button. The two players checked down a board of J106QQ. Cada exposed pocket nines to take the small pot while Moon tabled pocket deuces.

Jeff Shulman Wins a Pot

Eric Buchman bet 650,000 preflop. Jeff Shulman, Jordan Smith, and Phil Ivey all called. The flop came A98 and action was checked to Shulman. He fired out 1,500,000 and won the pot as everyone else folded. Shulman was at 20,510,000 after the hand.

Akenhead Playing Snug

Jordan Smith bet 650,000 preflop and James Akenhead called. The flop came 632 and Smith checked. Akenhead checked behind. The K hit the turn and both players checked again. The 4 fell on the river and both checked for a third time. Akenhead, the short stack at the table, exposed the 77 and was good. He took the pot and was up to 6,400,000 after the hand.

November Nine Reached

Jordan Smith Eliminated in 10th Place ($896,730)

Eric Buchman raised preflop to 650,000. Darvin Moon called from the button. Jordan Smith reraised to 2,600,000 total from the small blind. Buchman folded and Moon smooth called. The flop came 842 and Smith checked to Moon on the button. Moon bet 4,000,000 and Smith check-raised all in. Moon instantly called and exposed top set with the 88 and was up against the AA of Smith. Smith was in bad shape to double up and stay alive in the tournament. The turn brought the 5, adding a wheel draw for Smith. The river brought none of his outs as the 10 landed on the felt. Smith was eliminated and Moon is up to 58,930,000 after the hand.

Player Tags: Phil Ivey,   Jamie Robbins,   Jordan Smith,   Billy Kopp

Level 33 Hour 1 Update: Jeff Shulman Eliminates Ben Lamb

Jul 15, '09

Blinds: 120,000-240,000 with a 30,000 ante

Players Remaining: 12 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Eric Buchman – 33,800,000
2. Steven Begleiter – 27,730,000
3. Darvin Moon – 25,100,000
4. Jeff Shulman – 22,600,000
5. Billy Kopp – 18,900,000
6. Jordan Smith – 16,700,000
7. Joe Cada – 12,260,000
8. Kevin Schaffel – 11,700,000
9. Antoine Saout – 10,055,000
10. Phil Ivey – 7,400,000

Card Player Chip Count:

Jeff Shulman – 22,600,000

Average Chip Count: 14,986,153

Eliminations:

14. Ben Lamb – $633,022
13. James Calderaro – $633,022

Twitter Updates:

Jeff Shulman at 22,600,000 (twitter feed)
Billy Kopp at 18,900,000 (twitter feed)
Phil Ivey at 7,400,000 (twitter feed)

Big Hands:

Phil Ivey Starts Level Off On Right Foot

Phil Ivey bet 675,000 preflop and Joe Cada called. The flop came A75 and Cada checked to the seven-time bracelet winner. Ivey bet 800,000 and Cada made the call. The 3 fell on the turn. Cada again checked, and this time Ivey bet 1,700,000. Cada mucked and Ivey took the pot to boost his chip stack to 9,030,000 after the hand.

Jamie Robbins Catches Miracle

Joe Cada raised to 600,000. Jamie Robbins moved all in for 1,370,000. Cada insta-called. Cada exposed the AA and was ahead of the 1010 of Robbins. The board read K625 on the turn, and Robbins needed to catch one of the two remaining tens in the deck to stay alive. The dealer pealed off the 10 to the shock of the crowd. Robbins doubled to 3,310,000.

Jeff Shulman Climbing

Jordan Smith raised 750,000 from under the gun. Next to act was Jeff Shulman and he made the call. Two players saw a flop of K102. Smith bet 650,000 and Shulman raised to 1,700,000. Smith contemplated briefly before finally mucking. Shulman was at 15,100,000 after the hand and Smith was at 15,700,000.

Jeff Shulman Eliminates Ben Lamb in 14th Place ($633,022)

From the cutoff, Ben Lamb bet 655,000. Action was folded to Jeff Shulman in the big blind. He raised enough to put Lamb all in. Lamb went into the tank and eventually made the call with the AJ. Shulman exposed the AK and was in command. The board ran out K9372, as Lamb was drawing dead on the turn. Shulman eliminated his opponent and built his stack to 22,000,000.

Chip Leader Getting Stronger

Joe Cada raised to 600,000 from under the gun. Antoine Saout called from the button and Eric Buchman called from the big blind. All three players saw a flop of A87 and Buchman checked. Cada fired out a million and Saout folded. Buchman made the call and the 5 fell on the turn. Buchman led out with 2,500,000 and Saout eventually mucked. Buchman was at 33,950,000 after the hand.

James Calderaro Eliminated in 13th Place ($633,022)

James Calderaro was short when he moved all in for 2,500,000 from the button. Kevin Schaffel made the call from the big blind. Schaffel exposed the 1010 while Calderaro exposed the KJ. The board ran out Q52Q, as Calderaro was down to his last card. He picked up a flush draw on the turn but nothing materialized as the 5 fell on the river. Schaffel is now at 11,700,000.

Player Tags: Jeff Shulman,   Phil Ivey,   Jamie Robbins,   James Calderaro

Level 32 Hour 2 Update: Phil Ivey Coming Back

Jul 15, '09

Note: The players are now on a 90 minute dinner break.

Blinds: 100,000-200,000 with a 30,000 ante

Players Remaining: 14 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Eric Buchman – 28,670,000
2. Steven Begleiter – 27,260,000
3. Darvin Moon – 23,800,000
4. Joseph Cada – 19,465,000
5. Jordan Smith – 18,884,000
6. Jeff Shulman – 13,800,000
7. Billy Kopp – 13,500,000
8. Antoine Saout – 12,420,000
9. Kevin Schaffel – 10,630,000
10. Phil Ivey – 7,325,000

Card Player Chip Count:

Jeff Shulman – 13,800,000

Average Chip Count: 12,988,000

Eliminations:

15. Nick Maimone — $633,022

Twitter Updates:

Jeff Shulman at 13,800,000 (twitter feed)
Billy Kopp at 13,500,000 (twitter feed)
Phil Ivey at 7,325,000 (twitter feed)

Big Hands:

Ivey Tries To Mount A Comeback

Phil Ivey started this hand as the short stack in the tournament, but it did not stop him from raising to 500,000 preflop. Antoine Saout made the call and the flop came down 663. Ivey bet 700,000 and that was enough to chase Saout away.

Ivey took down the pot and he was at 6.5 million.

Calderaro Doubles Up

Jeff Shulman raised to 600,000 preflop and Darvin Moon made the call. The action was on James Calderaro who moved in for about 2.5 million. Shulman mucked but Moon made the call.

Calderaro: AK
Moon: AQ

Board: 1044K3

Calderaro paired up on the turn but needed to avoid Moon’s gutshot straight draw. The 3 helped him do just that and he doubled up 5.8 million.

Joe Cada Moves All In

Joe Cada raised to 500,000 from the cutoff and Jamie Robbins raised to 1,700,000 from the button. Cada moved all in. Robbins instantly folded. Cada is at 17,090,000.

Jeff Shulman Doubles Up Ben Lamb

Shulman raised to 700,000. Lamb moved all in for 1,710,000 on top from the small blind. Shulman made the call. Lamb exposed the 1010 while Shulman table t he KJ. The players were off to a race. The board ran out 97QQ. Lamb was at 4,900,000 after the hand. Shulman was at 12,000,000 after the hand.

Antoine Saout Doubles Up

From the button, James Akenhead reraised Antoine Saout’s cutoff bet of 550,000. Saout moved in for just over 5.7 million and Akenhead made the call. Saout exposed the 88 and was up against the AK of Akenhead. The board ran out 1042Q3. Saout doubled to 13,020,000. Akenhead has just 2,600,000.

Ivey Coming Back

Phil Ivey raised preflop to 525,000 and Eric Buchman called from the big blind. Buchman checked on a flop of 622 and Ivey fired out a continuation bet of 700,000. Buchman folded and Ivey was at 7,200,000 after the hand.

James Akenhead Doubles Up

Jamie Robbins raised to 530,000 preflop. James Akenhead moved all in for 2,390,000 and Robbins called, exposing the AA. Akenhead exposed the dominated KQ. The board ran out KQJ75 and Akenhead cracked the aces to double to 5,090,000.

Player Tags: Jeff Shulman,   Phil Ivey,   James Calderaro

Level 31 Hour 2 Update: Vedes 19th, Lichtenberger 18th, Tavelli 17th, Lacay 16th

Jul 15, '09

Blinds: 80,000-160,000 with a 20,000 ante

Players Remaining: 15 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Steven Begleiter – 27,890,000
2. Darvin Moon – 24,600,000
3. Billy Kopp – 17,200,000
4. Eric Buchman – 16,000,000
5. Jordan Smith – 15,800,000
6. Joseph Cada – 13,600,000
7. Kevin Schaffel – 13,600,000
8. Jeff Shluman – 12,800,000
9. James Akenhead – 10,100,000
10. Nick Maimone – 10,000,000

Card Player Chip Count:

Jeff Shulman – 12,800,000

Average Chip Count: 12,988,000

Eliminations:

19. Tommy Vedes — $352,832
18. Andrew Lichtenberger — $500,557
17. Ian Tavelli — $500,557
16. Ludovic Lacay — $500,557

Twitter Updates:

Jeff Shulman at 12,800,000 (twitter feed)
Billy Kopp at 17,200,000 (twitter feed)
Phil Ivey at 6,800,000 (twitter feed)
Nick Maimone at 9,350,000 (twitter feed)

Big Hands:

Tommy Vedes Eliminated In 19th Place($352,832)

Eric Buchman raised to 425,000 preflop and Tommy Vedes moved in for his last 1.9 million. Buchman made the call with 77, dominating Vedes’ 33.

The flop brought something for everyone as it fell 1073, giving each player a set. The turn was the Q and Vedes needed the case three to stay alive. But the river was the 2 and Vedes was ousted in 19th place.

Lamb’s Aces Taken Out To Slaughter

Steven Begleiter raised to 425,000 preflop from the hijack and Benjamin Lamb repopped to 1.1 million from the cutoff. Begleiter made the call and the two players saw a flop of J95. Begleiter checked to Lamb who fired a bet into the pot. Begleiter then moved all in for over 7 million. Lamb made the call after some thought and tabled AA.

The aces were officially cracked, however, as Begleiter tabled J9 for top two pair on the flop. The turn was the 3 and the river was the 8 and Begleiter doubled to over 16 million. Lamb was down to just over 4 million in chips.

Not So Happy…

Jeff Shulman raised to 420,000 preflop and Joe Cada repopped it to 1.2 million. Shulman made the call and the flop came down K25. Cada checked to Shulman who bet 1.4 million. Cada made the call and the turn was the 5. Both players checked and the river was the K.

Cada then led out for 2 million and Shulman threw his hand in the muck. Cada raked in the pot and was over 9 million while Shulman dropped to 8 million.

Jordan Smith Takes One On The Turn

Billy Kopp raised to 375,000 and Ben Lamb made the call from the button. Jordan Smith also came along from the big blind and the flop came down 986. Everyone checked and the turn was the Q.

Smith led out for 700,000 and his two opponents mucked. Smith raked in the pot and was over 7 million.

Begleiter Takes One Off Maimone

Steven Begleiter raised to 425,000 and Nick Maimone made the call from the big blind. The flop came down J72 and both players checked. The turn was the 7 and Maimone took a shot with 400,000. Begleiter made the call and the river was the 9. Maimone bet 800,000 and Begleiter made the call.

Maimone tabled KJ for top pair, but Begleiter showed AJ for the same hand with a better kicker. Begleiter raked the pot and was at 18 million while Maimone was at 10 million.

Andrew Lichtenberger Eliminated In 18th Place($500,557)

Andrew Lichtenberger raised to 400,000 and Darvin Moon made the call. The flop came down 633 and Lichtenberger bet 680,000. Moon raised to 1.5 million and Lichtenberger moved all in, getting a quick call from Moon.

Lichtenberger showed JJ, but Moon tabled KK. The turn was the 6 and the river was the 7 and Moon knocked out Lichtenberger, moving his stack to 25 million.

Ivey Takes A Pot

Phil Ivey raised to 420,000 and Steven Begleiter made the call. The flop came down 864 and Ivey led out with 600,000. Begleiter made the call and the 4 fell on the turn. Both players checked.

They did the same when the K came on the river and Begleiter showed down 109 for a bunch of busted draws. Ivey showed 99 for the best hand and took the pot. He was at 6.8 million.

…But Let’s Put A Smile On That Face

Jeff Shulman raised to 450,000 preflop from the hijack and James Calderaro called from the button. The flop came down 1054 and Shulman bet 750,000 and Calderaro made the call. The turn was the K and Shulman kept the pressure on, betting 1.1 million.

Calderaro decided to muck his hand and Shulman took it down, improving his stack to 9 million.

Jordan Smith Doubles Through Billy Kopp

Billy Kopp had been strolling through the day with a nice chip lead, but he just took his first big hit of the day courtesy of Jordan Smith.

Smith raised to 420,000 under the gun and Kopp raised to 1.5 million from the cutoff. Action folded back around to Smith who shoved for 7.73 million. Kopp made the call and here were their hands.

Kopp: AK
Smith: QQ

Board: JJ988

Smith’s pocket ladies held up and he doubled to 15.8 million while Kopp was knocked off the chip lead, his stack at 17.2 million.

Ian Tavelli Eliminated In 17th Place($500,557)

Steven Begleiter raised to 1.35 million after Ian Tavelli had opened for 450,000 from under the gun. Tavelli made the call and the flop came down 642 and Begleiter fired 3.5 million. Tavelli moved in for almost 8 million and Begleiter snapped him off, tabling KK. Tavelli showed down 99 and Tavelli was in trouble.

The turn was the Q and the river was the 10 and Tavelli was out while Begleiter catapulted to the chip lead.

Ludovic Lacay Eliminated In 16th Place($500,557)

Jeff Shulman raised to 450,000 preflop and Ludovic Lacay came over the top for the rest of his stack of just over 3 million. Shulman made the call and here were there hands.

Shulman: AK
Lacay: 77

It was a classic race and the flop came K95, putting Shulman ahead. The turn was the 9 and the river was the 6 and Lacay was ousted from the main event. Shulman was up to 12.8 million after the hand.

Player Tags: Jeff Shulman,   Phil Ivey,   Tommy Vedes,   Jordan Smith,   Ben Lamb,   Billy Kopp,   Ludovic Lacay,   Andrew Lichtenberger,   Nick Maimone

Level 30 Hour 2 Update: Balmigere Out In 25th Place, Esfandiari Out In 24th Place

Jul 15, '09

Blinds: 60,000-120,000 with a 15,000 ante

Players Remaining: 23 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Billy Kopp – 21,200,000
2. Darvin Moon – 17,500,000
3. Steven Begleiter – 15,200,000
4. Kevin Schaffel – 12,300,000
5. Eric Buchman – 12,000,000
6. Jeff Shulman – 10,800,000
7. Ian Tavelli – 10,100,000
8. James Akenhead – 10,000,000
9. Nick Maimone – 9,350,000
10. Jamie Robbins – 9,250,000

Average Chip Count: 8,470,434

Card Player Chip Count:

Jeff Shulman – 10,800,000

Eliminations:

25. Francois Balmigere — $352,832
24. Antonio Esfandiari — $352,832

Twitter Updates:

Jeff Shulman at 10,800,000 (twitter feed)
Billy Kopp at 21,200,000 (twitter feed)
Phil Ivey at 6,000,000 (twitter feed)
Nick Maimone at 9,350,000 (twitter feed)
Ludovic Lacay at 3,100,000 (twitter feed)

Big Hands

Francois Balmigere Eliminated In 25th Place($352,832)

Francois Balmigere raised to 330,000 preflop from middle position and Steven Begleiter called behind him. Billy Kopp came along from the big blind and the flop was 1076. Kopp led out with 700,000 and Balmigere moved in for 2.7 million. Begleiter mucked but Kopp made the call after a few minutes in the tank.

Balmigere tabled JJ while Kopp showed down 87 for just middle pair and a gutshot draw, along with a backdoor flush-draw. The turn was the A and Balmigere was one card away from getting a double up. But the river was the 9, making Kopp his straight and sending Balmigere out in 25th place.

Buchman Fills Up On The Turn

Jonathan Tamayo raised to 355,000 from the button and Eric Buchman called from the big blind. Darvin Moon had limped in earlier and made the call as well. The flop came down 992 and Tamayo fired 760,000. Buchman was the only caller and the turn was the 6. Both players checked and the river was the Q.

Buchman led out with 1.1 million and Tamayo made the call. Buchman then tabled 66 for a full boat and Tamayo mucked his hand.

Shulman Wins Battle Of The Blinds Against Ivey

Action folded around to Phil Ivey who called from the small blind and Jeff Shulman checked from the big blind. The two players saw a flop of AJ2 and Ivey led out with 120,000. Shulman made the call and the turn was the 2.

Ivey checked to Shulman and he fired 200,000. Ivey had enough of his hand and threw it into the muck. Shulman took the pot and was around 11 million.

Lucky Sevens For Maimone, Doubles Through Jordan Smith

Jordan Smith raised to 320,000 from middle position and action folded to Nick Maimone on the button. He reraised to 825,000 and Smith made the call. The flop then came down Q84 and Smith moved all in. Maimone made the quick call and tabled 77. Smith then showed down 1010 for a dominating lead.

But the turn changed everything as it brought the 7, giving Maimone a set and a stranglehold on the hand. The river was the 9 and Maimone doubled up to 4 million.

I Am Chip Leader, Hear Me Roar

Billy Kopp raised to 275,000 from under the gun and Steven Begleiter made the call from the button. The flop fell 532 and Kopp led out for 600,000. Begleiter made the call and the turn was the J.

Both players checked and they did the same for the J on the river. Kopp tabled 66 and Begleiter mucked. Kopp took the hand and was just over 19 million, good enough for to take over the chip lead.

Akenhead Gets Kings Again, Wins Small Pot

James Akenhead raised to 280,000 preflop and Warren Zackey made the call from the small blind. The flop came AJ8 and both players checked. They did the same on the 3 turn and the river brought the 5.

Zackey checked and Akenhead bet 300,000. Zackey made the call and Akenhead tabled KK and Zackey mucked. Akenhead took the pot and was at 3.3 million.

The Phil Ivey National Bank

Phil Ivey has been hard pressed to win a pot in the early going of day 8. He doubled up Nick Maimone during the last hour and just doubled up Marco Mattes.

Maimone opened with a raise to 290,000 and Mattes moved all in for almost 2.5 million. Action folded around to Ivey who made the call. Maimone got out of the way and Ivey tabled JJ. Mattes then showed down QQ and Ivey was dominated.

The flop came down 1055, giving both players two pair. The turn was the 7 and the river was the 4 and Mattes doubled to over 5 million. Ivey took another hit and his stack was just under 6 million.

The Magician Disappears, Antonio Esfandiari Eliminated In 24th Place($352,832)

Antonio Esfandiari raised to 310,000 preflop from under the gun and Steven Begleiter called from middle position. The flop came down 1024 and Esfandiari bet 535,000. Begleiter raised it up to 1.6 million and Esfandiari moved all in for 2.5 million more. Begleiter made the call and tabled K10 for top pair on the flop.

Esfandiari showed down 55 and needed help. The turn was the 6, giving Esfandiari a gutshot straight draw. But the A fell on the river and Esfandiari was eliminated.

Player Tags: Jeff Shulman,   Antonio Esfandiari,   Eric Buchman,   Phil Ivey,   James Akenhead,   Billy Kopp,   Francois Balmigere,   Marco Mattes,   Warren Zackey

Level 37 Update II: Phil Ivey Eliminated in Seventh Place and Steven Begleiter Eliminated in Sixth Place

Nov 08, '09

Blinds: 300,000-600,000 with a 75,000 ante

Players Remaining: 5 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Darvin Moon — 63,925,000
2. Eric Buchman — 53,250,000
3. Antoine Saout — 51,725,000
4. Jeff Shulman — 15,525,000
5. Joseph Cada — 10,350,000

Average Chip Count: 38,964,000

Notable Eliminations:

7: Phil Ivey — $1,404,002
6: Steven Begleiter — $1,587,133

Big Hands

Phil Ivey Eliminated in Seventh Place ($1,404,002)

Phil Ivey moved all in for 6.45 million under the gun preflop and Darvin Moon made the call in the big blind. The two players then turned over their cards as the audience rose to their feet in anticipation.

Ivey: AK
Moon: AQ

Ivey was sitting in a good spot with his A-K dominating the A-Q of Moon, but Ivey has a history with A-Q, and it is not a good one. The board that fell confirmed once again that the hand is nothing short of kryptonite for the best poker player on the planet.

Board: Q6635

Ivey was eliminated and although the crowd gave him a loud ovation, the mood went sour after he exited the room. Ivey was awarded $1,404,002 in prize money for his seventh-place finish. Moon was up to 39.3 million after the hand.

Steven Begleiter Eliminated in Sixth Place ($1,587,133)

Steven Begleiter raised to 1.6 million under the gun preflop and Darvin Moon reraised all in for 39.925 million. Begleiter made the all-in call for 23.25 million and the two players turned over their cards:

Begleiter: QQ
Moon: AQ

Board: 8743A

The crowd erupted in cheers as the improbable happened yet again tonight. Moon hit the miracle ace on the river and he grew his stack to 63.925 million to take the chip lead. Begleiter was eliminated in sixth place. He was awarded $1,587,133 in prize money.

Player Tags: Phil Ivey,   Darvin Moon,   Steven Begleiter

Level 36 Hour 2 Update: Cada Crippled By Shulman Double Up

Nov 07, '09

Blinds: 250,000-500,000 with a 50,000 ante

Players Remaining: 7 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Steven Begleiter — 46,350,000
2. Eric Buchman — 46,300,000
3. Darvin Moon — 38,200,000
4. Antoine Saout — 26,575,000
5. Jeff Shulman — 14,500,000
6. Joe Cada — 12,500,000
7. Phil Ivey — 10,325,000

Average Chip Count: 27,831,429

Notable Eliminations:

NONE

Big Hands:

Begs Picks Up Where He Left Off

Steven Begleiter raised to 1.25 million and Eric Buchman reraised to 4.55 million. Action folded back around to Begleiter and he reraised to 11 million.

The room got quiet as Buchman mulled over his decision, but he finally folded much to the delight of Begleiter’s fans in the room.

Jeff Shulman Doubles Through Joe Cada

Joe Cada raised to 1.25 million from under the gun and Jeff Shulman moved all in for his last 7 million. Cada tanked for several minutes before calling and revealed AJ.

Shulman showed a superior AK and it held when the board came down 1093Q4. Cada was left crippled with just over 2 million and Shulman doubled to over 15 million.

Joe Cada Doubles Through Eric Buchman

Eric Buchman put Joe Cada all in from the small blind with 54 and Cada called with J4.

The board came 964107 and Cada doubled up to a still very short 4.8 million.

Joe Cada Doubles Through Phil Ivey

Phil Ivey raised to 1.25 million and Joe Cada moved all in for 5.8 million. Ivey tanked for a bit before finally calling with A8 and Cada showed two red fours.

The board came 104297 and Cada doubled up to about 12.5 million. Ivey was left with 10 million.

Card Player Twitter Page:

Jeff Shulman
Phil Ivey

People on the Rail

Adam Schoenfeld
Dennis Phillips
Jonathan Little
Annie Duke
Daniel Negreanu

Player Tags: Jeff Shulman,   Phil Ivey,   Joseph Cada

Level 36 Update -- Moon Takes a Spill

Nov 07, '09

Blinds: 200,000-400,000 with a 50,000 ante

Players Remaining: 7 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1: Eric Buchman — 54,825,000
2: Darvin Moon — 41,850,000
3: Steven Begleiter — 37,100,000
4: Antoine Saout — 26,725,000
5: Phil Ivey — 16,250,000
6: Joe Cada — 10,800,000
7: Jeff Shulman — 8,025,000

Average Chip Count: 27,831,429

Notable Eliminations:

NONE

Big Hands:

Moon Makes an Interesting Laydown

Darvin Moon raised to 1.3 million preflop under the gun and Steven Begleiter reraised to 3.9 million from the hi-jack. Moon made the call and the flop was dealt 432. Moon checked, Begleiter bet 5.35 million, and Moon raised to 15 million. Begleiter moved all in for 20.425 million total and Moon mucked despite the fact that it cost just over 5 million more to call. Begleiter won the hand to grow his stack to 44,175,000 and Moon was left with 42,075,000.

Phil Ivey Adds Some Chips

Steven Begletier raised to 1.25 million preflop under the gun and Phil Ivey made the call in the big blind. The flop was dealt KQJ. Begleiter bet 1.75 mllion and Ivey called. The turn fell J and both players checked. The river fell 3 and Ivey bet 2.5 million. Begleiter mucked and Ivey grew his stack to 16.7 million.

Player Tags: Phil Ivey,   Darvin Moon,   Steven Begleiter

Level 34 Update: Ivey Moves All In

Nov 07, '09

Blinds: 150,000-300,000 with a 40,000 ante

Players Remaining: 9 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1: Darvin Moon — 62,305,000
2: Eric Buchman — 35,610,000
3: Steven Begleiter — 29,275,000
4: Jeff Shulman — 18,830,000
5: Joe Cada — 13,335,500
6: Kevin Schaffel — 11,510,000
7: Phil Ivey — 10,795,000
8: Antoine Saout — 8,970,000
9: James Akenhead — 4,215,000

Average Chip Count: 21,646,666

Notable Eliminations:

NONE

Big Hands:

Phil Ivey Reraises All — Everyone Folds

In the hand that garnered the most crowd reaction so far at the final table Jeff Shulman opened the pot for a raise to 1.25 million UTG+1 and Phil Ivey reraised all in for 8,655,000 from the hi-jack. Joseph Cada went into the tank in the big blind, but he decided to muck. Shulman mucked as well and Ivey took down the hand as the crowd cheered its approval. Ivey held 10,715,000 after the hand.

Eric Buchman Takes One Down

Eric Buchman raised to 800,000 from early position and Jeff Shulman made the call. The flop was dealt K77 and Buchman checked. Shulman bet 1.75 million and Buchman made the call. The 10 fell on the turn and both players checked. The 3 fell on the river and both players checked again. Buchman turned over pocket queens and Shulman mucked. Buchman was up to 40,660,000 after the hand and Shulman was down to 15,550,000.

CardPlayer TV

Main Event Final Table Preview with Phil Hellmuth

Card Player Twitter Page:

Jeff Shulman
Phil Ivey

People on the Rail

Adam Schoenfeld
Dennis Phillips
Jonathan Little
Annie Duke
Daniel Negreanu

Player Tags: Jeff Shulman,   Phil Ivey

2009 Main Event Final Table Begins at Noon Saturday

Nov 05, '09

On Saturday, the wait will finally be over.

The November Nine will return to the Rio in Las Vegas on Saturday at noon PST and play down to two players. Those final competitors will then battle it out on Monday night, starting at 10 p.m. PST, to see who will walk away with the first-place prize of $8,546,435 and the title of world champion.

The final table episode will then be broadcast to the world on ESPN on Tuesday, starting at 6 p.m. EST.

The final table, which will take place at the Penn and Teller Theater, will be open to the public. Each player at the final table has already received ninth-place prize money worth $1,263,602. Card Player’s live reporting team will be on the scene to bring you all of the action in live updates, chip counts, and photos.

Here is a look at all of the information you need to know before the final table begins:

NOTE: Play will begin in level 33 with blinds at 120,000-240,000 with a 30,000 ante.

Chip Counts:

1: Darvin Moon — 58,930,000
2: Eric Buchman — 34,800,000
3: Steven Begleiter — 29,885,000
4: Jeff Shulman — 19,580,000
5: Joe Cada — 13,215,000
6: Kevin Schaffel — 12,390,000
7: Phil Ivey — 9,765,000
8: Antoine Saout — 9,500,000
9: James Akenhead — 6,800,000

Average Chip Count: 21,646,666

Final-Table Seating Chart:

Seat 1: Darvin Moon
Seat 2: James Akenhead
Seat 3: Phil Ivey
Seat 4: Kevin Schaffel
Seat 5: Steven Begleiter
Seat 6: Eric Buchman
Seat 7: Joe Cada
Seat 8: Antoine Saout
Seat 9: Jeff Shulman

Player Tags: Jeff Shulman,   Eric Buchman,   Phil Ivey,   Kevin Schaffel,   James Akenhead,   Antoine Saout,   Joseph Cada,   Darvin Moon,   Steven Begleiter

Level 33 Hour 2 Update: Jordan Smith Eliminated, November Nine Reached

Jul 15, '09

Blinds: 120,000-240,000 with a 30,000 ante

Players Remaining: 9 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Darvin Moon – 58,930,000
2. Eric Buchman – 34,800,000
3. Steven Begleiter – 29,885,000
4. Jeff Shulman – 19,580,000
5. Joe Cada – 13,215,000
6. Kevin Schaffel – 12,390,000
7. Phil Ivey – 9,765,000
8. Antoine Saout – 9,500,000
9. James Akenhead – 6,800,000

Card Player Chip Count:

Jeff Shulman – 19,580,000

Average Chip Count: 21,646,666

Eliminations:

12. Billy Kopp – $896,730
11. Jamie Robbins – $896,730
10. Jordan Smith – $896,730

Twitter Updates:

Jeff Shulman at 19,580,000 (twitter feed)
Phil Ivey at 9,765,000 (twitter feed)

Big Hands:

Billy Kopp Eliminated in 12th Place ($896,730)

Billy Kopp raised to 600,000 preflop in early position and Darvin Moon called from the small blind. The flop came K92 and Moon checked. Kopp bet 750,000 and Moon called. The 2 on the turn prompted Moon to once again check. Kopp bet 2,000,000 and Moon check-raised to 6,000,000. Kopp didn’t take long before moving all in for 20,000,000. Moon made the call and exposed the QJ for the second nut flush. Kopp exposed the 53 and was drawing stone cold dead. His stack of over 100 big blinds was handed over to Moon when the meaningless 7 fell on the river. Kopp was eliminated and Moon built his stack to 40,500,000 after the monster hand.

Jamie Robbins Eliminated in 11th Place ($896,730)

Jamie Robbins open-shoved for 2,350,000 and Phil Ivey called. Robbins exposed the KQ and Ivey tabled the A10. Ivey was a slight favorite and held as the board ran out 83335. Ivey was at 9,610,000 after the hand.

Joe Cada Wins First Pot at Table of 10

Joe Cada bet 600,000 from early position and Darvin Moon called from the button. The two players checked down a board of J106QQ. Cada exposed pocket nines to take the small pot while Moon tabled pocket deuces.

Jeff Shulman Wins a Pot

Eric Buchman bet 650,000 preflop. Jeff Shulman, Jordan Smith, and Phil Ivey all called. The flop came A98 and action was checked to Shulman. He fired out 1,500,000 and won the pot as everyone else folded. Shulman was at 20,510,000 after the hand.

Akenhead Playing Snug

Jordan Smith bet 650,000 preflop and James Akenhead called. The flop came 632 and Smith checked. Akenhead checked behind. The K hit the turn and both players checked again. The 4 fell on the river and both checked for a third time. Akenhead, the short stack at the table, exposed the 77 and was good. He took the pot and was up to 6,400,000 after the hand.

November Nine Reached

Jordan Smith Eliminated in 10th Place ($896,730)

Eric Buchman raised preflop to 650,000. Darvin Moon called from the button. Jordan Smith reraised to 2,600,000 total from the small blind. Buchman folded and Moon smooth called. The flop came 842 and Smith checked to Moon on the button. Moon bet 4,000,000 and Smith check-raised all in. Moon instantly called and exposed top set with the 88 and was up against the AA of Smith. Smith was in bad shape to double up and stay alive in the tournament. The turn brought the 5, adding a wheel draw for Smith. The river brought none of his outs as the 10 landed on the felt. Smith was eliminated and Moon is up to 58,930,000 after the hand.

Player Tags: Phil Ivey,   Jamie Robbins,   Jordan Smith,   Billy Kopp

Level 33 Hour 1 Update: Jeff Shulman Eliminates Ben Lamb

Jul 15, '09

Blinds: 120,000-240,000 with a 30,000 ante

Players Remaining: 12 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Eric Buchman – 33,800,000
2. Steven Begleiter – 27,730,000
3. Darvin Moon – 25,100,000
4. Jeff Shulman – 22,600,000
5. Billy Kopp – 18,900,000
6. Jordan Smith – 16,700,000
7. Joe Cada – 12,260,000
8. Kevin Schaffel – 11,700,000
9. Antoine Saout – 10,055,000
10. Phil Ivey – 7,400,000

Card Player Chip Count:

Jeff Shulman – 22,600,000

Average Chip Count: 14,986,153

Eliminations:

14. Ben Lamb – $633,022
13. James Calderaro – $633,022

Twitter Updates:

Jeff Shulman at 22,600,000 (twitter feed)
Billy Kopp at 18,900,000 (twitter feed)
Phil Ivey at 7,400,000 (twitter feed)

Big Hands:

Phil Ivey Starts Level Off On Right Foot

Phil Ivey bet 675,000 preflop and Joe Cada called. The flop came A75 and Cada checked to the seven-time bracelet winner. Ivey bet 800,000 and Cada made the call. The 3 fell on the turn. Cada again checked, and this time Ivey bet 1,700,000. Cada mucked and Ivey took the pot to boost his chip stack to 9,030,000 after the hand.

Jamie Robbins Catches Miracle

Joe Cada raised to 600,000. Jamie Robbins moved all in for 1,370,000. Cada insta-called. Cada exposed the AA and was ahead of the 1010 of Robbins. The board read K625 on the turn, and Robbins needed to catch one of the two remaining tens in the deck to stay alive. The dealer pealed off the 10 to the shock of the crowd. Robbins doubled to 3,310,000.

Jeff Shulman Climbing

Jordan Smith raised 750,000 from under the gun. Next to act was Jeff Shulman and he made the call. Two players saw a flop of K102. Smith bet 650,000 and Shulman raised to 1,700,000. Smith contemplated briefly before finally mucking. Shulman was at 15,100,000 after the hand and Smith was at 15,700,000.

Jeff Shulman Eliminates Ben Lamb in 14th Place ($633,022)

From the cutoff, Ben Lamb bet 655,000. Action was folded to Jeff Shulman in the big blind. He raised enough to put Lamb all in. Lamb went into the tank and eventually made the call with the AJ. Shulman exposed the AK and was in command. The board ran out K9372, as Lamb was drawing dead on the turn. Shulman eliminated his opponent and built his stack to 22,000,000.

Chip Leader Getting Stronger

Joe Cada raised to 600,000 from under the gun. Antoine Saout called from the button and Eric Buchman called from the big blind. All three players saw a flop of A87 and Buchman checked. Cada fired out a million and Saout folded. Buchman made the call and the 5 fell on the turn. Buchman led out with 2,500,000 and Saout eventually mucked. Buchman was at 33,950,000 after the hand.

James Calderaro Eliminated in 13th Place ($633,022)

James Calderaro was short when he moved all in for 2,500,000 from the button. Kevin Schaffel made the call from the big blind. Schaffel exposed the 1010 while Calderaro exposed the KJ. The board ran out Q52Q, as Calderaro was down to his last card. He picked up a flush draw on the turn but nothing materialized as the 5 fell on the river. Schaffel is now at 11,700,000.

Player Tags: Jeff Shulman,   Phil Ivey,   Jamie Robbins,   James Calderaro

Level 32 Hour 2 Update: Phil Ivey Coming Back

Jul 15, '09

Note: The players are now on a 90 minute dinner break.

Blinds: 100,000-200,000 with a 30,000 ante

Players Remaining: 14 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Eric Buchman – 28,670,000
2. Steven Begleiter – 27,260,000
3. Darvin Moon – 23,800,000
4. Joseph Cada – 19,465,000
5. Jordan Smith – 18,884,000
6. Jeff Shulman – 13,800,000
7. Billy Kopp – 13,500,000
8. Antoine Saout – 12,420,000
9. Kevin Schaffel – 10,630,000
10. Phil Ivey – 7,325,000

Card Player Chip Count:

Jeff Shulman – 13,800,000

Average Chip Count: 12,988,000

Eliminations:

15. Nick Maimone — $633,022

Twitter Updates:

Jeff Shulman at 13,800,000 (twitter feed)
Billy Kopp at 13,500,000 (twitter feed)
Phil Ivey at 7,325,000 (twitter feed)

Big Hands:

Ivey Tries To Mount A Comeback

Phil Ivey started this hand as the short stack in the tournament, but it did not stop him from raising to 500,000 preflop. Antoine Saout made the call and the flop came down 663. Ivey bet 700,000 and that was enough to chase Saout away.

Ivey took down the pot and he was at 6.5 million.

Calderaro Doubles Up

Jeff Shulman raised to 600,000 preflop and Darvin Moon made the call. The action was on James Calderaro who moved in for about 2.5 million. Shulman mucked but Moon made the call.

Calderaro: AK
Moon: AQ

Board: 1044K3

Calderaro paired up on the turn but needed to avoid Moon’s gutshot straight draw. The 3 helped him do just that and he doubled up 5.8 million.

Joe Cada Moves All In

Joe Cada raised to 500,000 from the cutoff and Jamie Robbins raised to 1,700,000 from the button. Cada moved all in. Robbins instantly folded. Cada is at 17,090,000.

Jeff Shulman Doubles Up Ben Lamb

Shulman raised to 700,000. Lamb moved all in for 1,710,000 on top from the small blind. Shulman made the call. Lamb exposed the 1010 while Shulman table t he KJ. The players were off to a race. The board ran out 97QQ. Lamb was at 4,900,000 after the hand. Shulman was at 12,000,000 after the hand.

Antoine Saout Doubles Up

From the button, James Akenhead reraised Antoine Saout’s cutoff bet of 550,000. Saout moved in for just over 5.7 million and Akenhead made the call. Saout exposed the 88 and was up against the AK of Akenhead. The board ran out 1042Q3. Saout doubled to 13,020,000. Akenhead has just 2,600,000.

Ivey Coming Back

Phil Ivey raised preflop to 525,000 and Eric Buchman called from the big blind. Buchman checked on a flop of 622 and Ivey fired out a continuation bet of 700,000. Buchman folded and Ivey was at 7,200,000 after the hand.

James Akenhead Doubles Up

Jamie Robbins raised to 530,000 preflop. James Akenhead moved all in for 2,390,000 and Robbins called, exposing the AA. Akenhead exposed the dominated KQ. The board ran out KQJ75 and Akenhead cracked the aces to double to 5,090,000.

Player Tags: Jeff Shulman,   Phil Ivey,   James Calderaro

Level 31 Hour 2 Update: Vedes 19th, Lichtenberger 18th, Tavelli 17th, Lacay 16th

Jul 15, '09

Blinds: 80,000-160,000 with a 20,000 ante

Players Remaining: 15 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Steven Begleiter – 27,890,000
2. Darvin Moon – 24,600,000
3. Billy Kopp – 17,200,000
4. Eric Buchman – 16,000,000
5. Jordan Smith – 15,800,000
6. Joseph Cada – 13,600,000
7. Kevin Schaffel – 13,600,000
8. Jeff Shluman – 12,800,000
9. James Akenhead – 10,100,000
10. Nick Maimone – 10,000,000

Card Player Chip Count:

Jeff Shulman – 12,800,000

Average Chip Count: 12,988,000

Eliminations:

19. Tommy Vedes — $352,832
18. Andrew Lichtenberger — $500,557
17. Ian Tavelli — $500,557
16. Ludovic Lacay — $500,557

Twitter Updates:

Jeff Shulman at 12,800,000 (twitter feed)
Billy Kopp at 17,200,000 (twitter feed)
Phil Ivey at 6,800,000 (twitter feed)
Nick Maimone at 9,350,000 (twitter feed)

Big Hands:

Tommy Vedes Eliminated In 19th Place($352,832)

Eric Buchman raised to 425,000 preflop and Tommy Vedes moved in for his last 1.9 million. Buchman made the call with 77, dominating Vedes’ 33.

The flop brought something for everyone as it fell 1073, giving each player a set. The turn was the Q and Vedes needed the case three to stay alive. But the river was the 2 and Vedes was ousted in 19th place.

Lamb’s Aces Taken Out To Slaughter

Steven Begleiter raised to 425,000 preflop from the hijack and Benjamin Lamb repopped to 1.1 million from the cutoff. Begleiter made the call and the two players saw a flop of J95. Begleiter checked to Lamb who fired a bet into the pot. Begleiter then moved all in for over 7 million. Lamb made the call after some thought and tabled AA.

The aces were officially cracked, however, as Begleiter tabled J9 for top two pair on the flop. The turn was the 3 and the river was the 8 and Begleiter doubled to over 16 million. Lamb was down to just over 4 million in chips.

Not So Happy…

Jeff Shulman raised to 420,000 preflop and Joe Cada repopped it to 1.2 million. Shulman made the call and the flop came down K25. Cada checked to Shulman who bet 1.4 million. Cada made the call and the turn was the 5. Both players checked and the river was the K.

Cada then led out for 2 million and Shulman threw his hand in the muck. Cada raked in the pot and was over 9 million while Shulman dropped to 8 million.

Jordan Smith Takes One On The Turn

Billy Kopp raised to 375,000 and Ben Lamb made the call from the button. Jordan Smith also came along from the big blind and the flop came down 986. Everyone checked and the turn was the Q.

Smith led out for 700,000 and his two opponents mucked. Smith raked in the pot and was over 7 million.

Begleiter Takes One Off Maimone

Steven Begleiter raised to 425,000 and Nick Maimone made the call from the big blind. The flop came down J72 and both players checked. The turn was the 7 and Maimone took a shot with 400,000. Begleiter made the call and the river was the 9. Maimone bet 800,000 and Begleiter made the call.

Maimone tabled KJ for top pair, but Begleiter showed AJ for the same hand with a better kicker. Begleiter raked the pot and was at 18 million while Maimone was at 10 million.

Andrew Lichtenberger Eliminated In 18th Place($500,557)

Andrew Lichtenberger raised to 400,000 and Darvin Moon made the call. The flop came down 633 and Lichtenberger bet 680,000. Moon raised to 1.5 million and Lichtenberger moved all in, getting a quick call from Moon.

Lichtenberger showed JJ, but Moon tabled KK. The turn was the 6 and the river was the 7 and Moon knocked out Lichtenberger, moving his stack to 25 million.

Ivey Takes A Pot

Phil Ivey raised to 420,000 and Steven Begleiter made the call. The flop came down 864 and Ivey led out with 600,000. Begleiter made the call and the 4 fell on the turn. Both players checked.

They did the same when the K came on the river and Begleiter showed down 109 for a bunch of busted draws. Ivey showed 99 for the best hand and took the pot. He was at 6.8 million.

…But Let’s Put A Smile On That Face

Jeff Shulman raised to 450,000 preflop from the hijack and James Calderaro called from the button. The flop came down 1054 and Shulman bet 750,000 and Calderaro made the call. The turn was the K and Shulman kept the pressure on, betting 1.1 million.

Calderaro decided to muck his hand and Shulman took it down, improving his stack to 9 million.

Jordan Smith Doubles Through Billy Kopp

Billy Kopp had been strolling through the day with a nice chip lead, but he just took his first big hit of the day courtesy of Jordan Smith.

Smith raised to 420,000 under the gun and Kopp raised to 1.5 million from the cutoff. Action folded back around to Smith who shoved for 7.73 million. Kopp made the call and here were their hands.

Kopp: AK
Smith: QQ

Board: JJ988

Smith’s pocket ladies held up and he doubled to 15.8 million while Kopp was knocked off the chip lead, his stack at 17.2 million.

Ian Tavelli Eliminated In 17th Place($500,557)

Steven Begleiter raised to 1.35 million after Ian Tavelli had opened for 450,000 from under the gun. Tavelli made the call and the flop came down 642 and Begleiter fired 3.5 million. Tavelli moved in for almost 8 million and Begleiter snapped him off, tabling KK. Tavelli showed down 99 and Tavelli was in trouble.

The turn was the Q and the river was the 10 and Tavelli was out while Begleiter catapulted to the chip lead.

Ludovic Lacay Eliminated In 16th Place($500,557)

Jeff Shulman raised to 450,000 preflop and Ludovic Lacay came over the top for the rest of his stack of just over 3 million. Shulman made the call and here were there hands.

Shulman: AK
Lacay: 77

It was a classic race and the flop came K95, putting Shulman ahead. The turn was the 9 and the river was the 6 and Lacay was ousted from the main event. Shulman was up to 12.8 million after the hand.

Player Tags: Jeff Shulman,   Phil Ivey,   Tommy Vedes,   Jordan Smith,   Ben Lamb,   Billy Kopp,   Ludovic Lacay,   Andrew Lichtenberger,   Nick Maimone

Level 30 Hour 2 Update: Balmigere Out In 25th Place, Esfandiari Out In 24th Place

Jul 15, '09

Blinds: 60,000-120,000 with a 15,000 ante

Players Remaining: 23 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Billy Kopp – 21,200,000
2. Darvin Moon – 17,500,000
3. Steven Begleiter – 15,200,000
4. Kevin Schaffel – 12,300,000
5. Eric Buchman – 12,000,000
6. Jeff Shulman – 10,800,000
7. Ian Tavelli – 10,100,000
8. James Akenhead – 10,000,000
9. Nick Maimone – 9,350,000
10. Jamie Robbins – 9,250,000

Average Chip Count: 8,470,434

Card Player Chip Count:

Jeff Shulman – 10,800,000

Eliminations:

25. Francois Balmigere — $352,832
24. Antonio Esfandiari — $352,832

Twitter Updates:

Jeff Shulman at 10,800,000 (twitter feed)
Billy Kopp at 21,200,000 (twitter feed)
Phil Ivey at 6,000,000 (twitter feed)
Nick Maimone at 9,350,000 (twitter feed)
Ludovic Lacay at 3,100,000 (twitter feed)

Big Hands

Francois Balmigere Eliminated In 25th Place($352,832)

Francois Balmigere raised to 330,000 preflop from middle position and Steven Begleiter called behind him. Billy Kopp came along from the big blind and the flop was 1076. Kopp led out with 700,000 and Balmigere moved in for 2.7 million. Begleiter mucked but Kopp made the call after a few minutes in the tank.

Balmigere tabled JJ while Kopp showed down 87 for just middle pair and a gutshot draw, along with a backdoor flush-draw. The turn was the A and Balmigere was one card away from getting a double up. But the river was the 9, making Kopp his straight and sending Balmigere out in 25th place.

Buchman Fills Up On The Turn

Jonathan Tamayo raised to 355,000 from the button and Eric Buchman called from the big blind. Darvin Moon had limped in earlier and made the call as well. The flop came down 992 and Tamayo fired 760,000. Buchman was the only caller and the turn was the 6. Both players checked and the river was the Q.

Buchman led out with 1.1 million and Tamayo made the call. Buchman then tabled 66 for a full boat and Tamayo mucked his hand.

Shulman Wins Battle Of The Blinds Against Ivey

Action folded around to Phil Ivey who called from the small blind and Jeff Shulman checked from the big blind. The two players saw a flop of AJ2 and Ivey led out with 120,000. Shulman made the call and the turn was the 2.

Ivey checked to Shulman and he fired 200,000. Ivey had enough of his hand and threw it into the muck. Shulman took the pot and was around 11 million.

Lucky Sevens For Maimone, Doubles Through Jordan Smith

Jordan Smith raised to 320,000 from middle position and action folded to Nick Maimone on the button. He reraised to 825,000 and Smith made the call. The flop then came down Q84 and Smith moved all in. Maimone made the quick call and tabled 77. Smith then showed down 1010 for a dominating lead.

But the turn changed everything as it brought the 7, giving Maimone a set and a stranglehold on the hand. The river was the 9 and Maimone doubled up to 4 million.

I Am Chip Leader, Hear Me Roar

Billy Kopp raised to 275,000 from under the gun and Steven Begleiter made the call from the button. The flop fell 532 and Kopp led out for 600,000. Begleiter made the call and the turn was the J.

Both players checked and they did the same for the J on the river. Kopp tabled 66 and Begleiter mucked. Kopp took the hand and was just over 19 million, good enough for to take over the chip lead.

Akenhead Gets Kings Again, Wins Small Pot

James Akenhead raised to 280,000 preflop and Warren Zackey made the call from the small blind. The flop came AJ8 and both players checked. They did the same on the 3 turn and the river brought the 5.

Zackey checked and Akenhead bet 300,000. Zackey made the call and Akenhead tabled KK and Zackey mucked. Akenhead took the pot and was at 3.3 million.

The Phil Ivey National Bank

Phil Ivey has been hard pressed to win a pot in the early going of day 8. He doubled up Nick Maimone during the last hour and just doubled up Marco Mattes.

Maimone opened with a raise to 290,000 and Mattes moved all in for almost 2.5 million. Action folded around to Ivey who made the call. Maimone got out of the way and Ivey tabled JJ. Mattes then showed down QQ and Ivey was dominated.

The flop came down 1055, giving both players two pair. The turn was the 7 and the river was the 4 and Mattes doubled to over 5 million. Ivey took another hit and his stack was just under 6 million.

The Magician Disappears, Antonio Esfandiari Eliminated In 24th Place($352,832)

Antonio Esfandiari raised to 310,000 preflop from under the gun and Steven Begleiter called from middle position. The flop came down 1024 and Esfandiari bet 535,000. Begleiter raised it up to 1.6 million and Esfandiari moved all in for 2.5 million more. Begleiter made the call and tabled K10 for top pair on the flop.

Esfandiari showed down 55 and needed help. The turn was the 6, giving Esfandiari a gutshot straight draw. But the A fell on the river and Esfandiari was eliminated.

Player Tags: Jeff Shulman,   Antonio Esfandiari,   Eric Buchman,   Phil Ivey,   James Akenhead,   Billy Kopp,   Francois Balmigere,   Marco Mattes,   Warren Zackey

Level 37 Update II: Phil Ivey Eliminated in Seventh Place and Steven Begleiter Eliminated in Sixth Place

Nov 08, '09

Blinds: 300,000-600,000 with a 75,000 ante

Players Remaining: 5 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Darvin Moon — 63,925,000
2. Eric Buchman — 53,250,000
3. Antoine Saout — 51,725,000
4. Jeff Shulman — 15,525,000
5. Joseph Cada — 10,350,000

Average Chip Count: 38,964,000

Notable Eliminations:

7: Phil Ivey — $1,404,002
6: Steven Begleiter — $1,587,133

Big Hands

Phil Ivey Eliminated in Seventh Place ($1,404,002)

Phil Ivey moved all in for 6.45 million under the gun preflop and Darvin Moon made the call in the big blind. The two players then turned over their cards as the audience rose to their feet in anticipation.

Ivey: AK
Moon: AQ

Ivey was sitting in a good spot with his A-K dominating the A-Q of Moon, but Ivey has a history with A-Q, and it is not a good one. The board that fell confirmed once again that the hand is nothing short of kryptonite for the best poker player on the planet.

Board: Q6635

Ivey was eliminated and although the crowd gave him a loud ovation, the mood went sour after he exited the room. Ivey was awarded $1,404,002 in prize money for his seventh-place finish. Moon was up to 39.3 million after the hand.

Steven Begleiter Eliminated in Sixth Place ($1,587,133)

Steven Begleiter raised to 1.6 million under the gun preflop and Darvin Moon reraised all in for 39.925 million. Begleiter made the all-in call for 23.25 million and the two players turned over their cards:

Begleiter: QQ
Moon: AQ

Board: 8743A

The crowd erupted in cheers as the improbable happened yet again tonight. Moon hit the miracle ace on the river and he grew his stack to 63.925 million to take the chip lead. Begleiter was eliminated in sixth place. He was awarded $1,587,133 in prize money.

Player Tags: Phil Ivey,   Darvin Moon,   Steven Begleiter

Level 36 Hour 2 Update: Cada Crippled By Shulman Double Up

Nov 07, '09

Blinds: 250,000-500,000 with a 50,000 ante

Players Remaining: 7 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Steven Begleiter — 46,350,000
2. Eric Buchman — 46,300,000
3. Darvin Moon — 38,200,000
4. Antoine Saout — 26,575,000
5. Jeff Shulman — 14,500,000
6. Joe Cada — 12,500,000
7. Phil Ivey — 10,325,000

Average Chip Count: 27,831,429

Notable Eliminations:

NONE

Big Hands:

Begs Picks Up Where He Left Off

Steven Begleiter raised to 1.25 million and Eric Buchman reraised to 4.55 million. Action folded back around to Begleiter and he reraised to 11 million.

The room got quiet as Buchman mulled over his decision, but he finally folded much to the delight of Begleiter’s fans in the room.

Jeff Shulman Doubles Through Joe Cada

Joe Cada raised to 1.25 million from under the gun and Jeff Shulman moved all in for his last 7 million. Cada tanked for several minutes before calling and revealed AJ.

Shulman showed a superior AK and it held when the board came down 1093Q4. Cada was left crippled with just over 2 million and Shulman doubled to over 15 million.

Joe Cada Doubles Through Eric Buchman

Eric Buchman put Joe Cada all in from the small blind with 54 and Cada called with J4.

The board came 964107 and Cada doubled up to a still very short 4.8 million.

Joe Cada Doubles Through Phil Ivey

Phil Ivey raised to 1.25 million and Joe Cada moved all in for 5.8 million. Ivey tanked for a bit before finally calling with A8 and Cada showed two red fours.

The board came 104297 and Cada doubled up to about 12.5 million. Ivey was left with 10 million.

Card Player Twitter Page:

Jeff Shulman
Phil Ivey

People on the Rail

Adam Schoenfeld
Dennis Phillips
Jonathan Little
Annie Duke
Daniel Negreanu

Player Tags: Jeff Shulman,   Phil Ivey,   Joseph Cada

Level 36 Update -- Moon Takes a Spill

Nov 07, '09

Blinds: 200,000-400,000 with a 50,000 ante

Players Remaining: 7 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1: Eric Buchman — 54,825,000
2: Darvin Moon — 41,850,000
3: Steven Begleiter — 37,100,000
4: Antoine Saout — 26,725,000
5: Phil Ivey — 16,250,000
6: Joe Cada — 10,800,000
7: Jeff Shulman — 8,025,000

Average Chip Count: 27,831,429

Notable Eliminations:

NONE

Big Hands:

Moon Makes an Interesting Laydown

Darvin Moon raised to 1.3 million preflop under the gun and Steven Begleiter reraised to 3.9 million from the hi-jack. Moon made the call and the flop was dealt 432. Moon checked, Begleiter bet 5.35 million, and Moon raised to 15 million. Begleiter moved all in for 20.425 million total and Moon mucked despite the fact that it cost just over 5 million more to call. Begleiter won the hand to grow his stack to 44,175,000 and Moon was left with 42,075,000.

Phil Ivey Adds Some Chips

Steven Begletier raised to 1.25 million preflop under the gun and Phil Ivey made the call in the big blind. The flop was dealt KQJ. Begleiter bet 1.75 mllion and Ivey called. The turn fell J and both players checked. The river fell 3 and Ivey bet 2.5 million. Begleiter mucked and Ivey grew his stack to 16.7 million.

Player Tags: Phil Ivey,   Darvin Moon,   Steven Begleiter

Level 34 Update: Ivey Moves All In

Nov 07, '09

Blinds: 150,000-300,000 with a 40,000 ante

Players Remaining: 9 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1: Darvin Moon — 62,305,000
2: Eric Buchman — 35,610,000
3: Steven Begleiter — 29,275,000
4: Jeff Shulman — 18,830,000
5: Joe Cada — 13,335,500
6: Kevin Schaffel — 11,510,000
7: Phil Ivey — 10,795,000
8: Antoine Saout — 8,970,000
9: James Akenhead — 4,215,000

Average Chip Count: 21,646,666

Notable Eliminations:

NONE

Big Hands:

Phil Ivey Reraises All — Everyone Folds

In the hand that garnered the most crowd reaction so far at the final table Jeff Shulman opened the pot for a raise to 1.25 million UTG+1 and Phil Ivey reraised all in for 8,655,000 from the hi-jack. Joseph Cada went into the tank in the big blind, but he decided to muck. Shulman mucked as well and Ivey took down the hand as the crowd cheered its approval. Ivey held 10,715,000 after the hand.

Eric Buchman Takes One Down

Eric Buchman raised to 800,000 from early position and Jeff Shulman made the call. The flop was dealt K77 and Buchman checked. Shulman bet 1.75 million and Buchman made the call. The 10 fell on the turn and both players checked. The 3 fell on the river and both players checked again. Buchman turned over pocket queens and Shulman mucked. Buchman was up to 40,660,000 after the hand and Shulman was down to 15,550,000.

CardPlayer TV

Main Event Final Table Preview with Phil Hellmuth

Card Player Twitter Page:

Jeff Shulman
Phil Ivey

People on the Rail

Adam Schoenfeld
Dennis Phillips
Jonathan Little
Annie Duke
Daniel Negreanu

Player Tags: Jeff Shulman,   Phil Ivey

2009 Main Event Final Table Begins at Noon Saturday

Nov 05, '09

On Saturday, the wait will finally be over.

The November Nine will return to the Rio in Las Vegas on Saturday at noon PST and play down to two players. Those final competitors will then battle it out on Monday night, starting at 10 p.m. PST, to see who will walk away with the first-place prize of $8,546,435 and the title of world champion.

The final table episode will then be broadcast to the world on ESPN on Tuesday, starting at 6 p.m. EST.

The final table, which will take place at the Penn and Teller Theater, will be open to the public. Each player at the final table has already received ninth-place prize money worth $1,263,602. Card Player’s live reporting team will be on the scene to bring you all of the action in live updates, chip counts, and photos.

Here is a look at all of the information you need to know before the final table begins:

NOTE: Play will begin in level 33 with blinds at 120,000-240,000 with a 30,000 ante.

Chip Counts:

1: Darvin Moon — 58,930,000
2: Eric Buchman — 34,800,000
3: Steven Begleiter — 29,885,000
4: Jeff Shulman — 19,580,000
5: Joe Cada — 13,215,000
6: Kevin Schaffel — 12,390,000
7: Phil Ivey — 9,765,000
8: Antoine Saout — 9,500,000
9: James Akenhead — 6,800,000

Average Chip Count: 21,646,666

Final-Table Seating Chart:

Seat 1: Darvin Moon
Seat 2: James Akenhead
Seat 3: Phil Ivey
Seat 4: Kevin Schaffel
Seat 5: Steven Begleiter
Seat 6: Eric Buchman
Seat 7: Joe Cada
Seat 8: Antoine Saout
Seat 9: Jeff Shulman

Player Tags: Jeff Shulman,   Eric Buchman,   Phil Ivey,   Kevin Schaffel,   James Akenhead,   Antoine Saout,   Joseph Cada,   Darvin Moon,   Steven Begleiter

Level 33 Hour 2 Update: Jordan Smith Eliminated, November Nine Reached

Jul 15, '09

Blinds: 120,000-240,000 with a 30,000 ante

Players Remaining: 9 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Darvin Moon – 58,930,000
2. Eric Buchman – 34,800,000
3. Steven Begleiter – 29,885,000
4. Jeff Shulman – 19,580,000
5. Joe Cada – 13,215,000
6. Kevin Schaffel – 12,390,000
7. Phil Ivey – 9,765,000
8. Antoine Saout – 9,500,000
9. James Akenhead – 6,800,000

Card Player Chip Count:

Jeff Shulman – 19,580,000

Average Chip Count: 21,646,666

Eliminations:

12. Billy Kopp – $896,730
11. Jamie Robbins – $896,730
10. Jordan Smith – $896,730

Twitter Updates:

Jeff Shulman at 19,580,000 (twitter feed)
Phil Ivey at 9,765,000 (twitter feed)

Big Hands:

Billy Kopp Eliminated in 12th Place ($896,730)

Billy Kopp raised to 600,000 preflop in early position and Darvin Moon called from the small blind. The flop came K92 and Moon checked. Kopp bet 750,000 and Moon called. The 2 on the turn prompted Moon to once again check. Kopp bet 2,000,000 and Moon check-raised to 6,000,000. Kopp didn’t take long before moving all in for 20,000,000. Moon made the call and exposed the QJ for the second nut flush. Kopp exposed the 53 and was drawing stone cold dead. His stack of over 100 big blinds was handed over to Moon when the meaningless 7 fell on the river. Kopp was eliminated and Moon built his stack to 40,500,000 after the monster hand.

Jamie Robbins Eliminated in 11th Place ($896,730)

Jamie Robbins open-shoved for 2,350,000 and Phil Ivey called. Robbins exposed the KQ and Ivey tabled the A10. Ivey was a slight favorite and held as the board ran out 83335. Ivey was at 9,610,000 after the hand.

Joe Cada Wins First Pot at Table of 10

Joe Cada bet 600,000 from early position and Darvin Moon called from the button. The two players checked down a board of J106QQ. Cada exposed pocket nines to take the small pot while Moon tabled pocket deuces.

Jeff Shulman Wins a Pot

Eric Buchman bet 650,000 preflop. Jeff Shulman, Jordan Smith, and Phil Ivey all called. The flop came A98 and action was checked to Shulman. He fired out 1,500,000 and won the pot as everyone else folded. Shulman was at 20,510,000 after the hand.

Akenhead Playing Snug

Jordan Smith bet 650,000 preflop and James Akenhead called. The flop came 632 and Smith checked. Akenhead checked behind. The K hit the turn and both players checked again. The 4 fell on the river and both checked for a third time. Akenhead, the short stack at the table, exposed the 77 and was good. He took the pot and was up to 6,400,000 after the hand.

November Nine Reached

Jordan Smith Eliminated in 10th Place ($896,730)

Eric Buchman raised preflop to 650,000. Darvin Moon called from the button. Jordan Smith reraised to 2,600,000 total from the small blind. Buchman folded and Moon smooth called. The flop came 842 and Smith checked to Moon on the button. Moon bet 4,000,000 and Smith check-raised all in. Moon instantly called and exposed top set with the 88 and was up against the AA of Smith. Smith was in bad shape to double up and stay alive in the tournament. The turn brought the 5, adding a wheel draw for Smith. The river brought none of his outs as the 10 landed on the felt. Smith was eliminated and Moon is up to 58,930,000 after the hand.

Player Tags: Phil Ivey,   Jamie Robbins,   Jordan Smith,   Billy Kopp

Level 33 Hour 1 Update: Jeff Shulman Eliminates Ben Lamb

Jul 15, '09

Blinds: 120,000-240,000 with a 30,000 ante

Players Remaining: 12 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Eric Buchman – 33,800,000
2. Steven Begleiter – 27,730,000
3. Darvin Moon – 25,100,000
4. Jeff Shulman – 22,600,000
5. Billy Kopp – 18,900,000
6. Jordan Smith – 16,700,000
7. Joe Cada – 12,260,000
8. Kevin Schaffel – 11,700,000
9. Antoine Saout – 10,055,000
10. Phil Ivey – 7,400,000

Card Player Chip Count:

Jeff Shulman – 22,600,000

Average Chip Count: 14,986,153

Eliminations:

14. Ben Lamb – $633,022
13. James Calderaro – $633,022

Twitter Updates:

Jeff Shulman at 22,600,000 (twitter feed)
Billy Kopp at 18,900,000 (twitter feed)
Phil Ivey at 7,400,000 (twitter feed)

Big Hands:

Phil Ivey Starts Level Off On Right Foot

Phil Ivey bet 675,000 preflop and Joe Cada called. The flop came A75 and Cada checked to the seven-time bracelet winner. Ivey bet 800,000 and Cada made the call. The 3 fell on the turn. Cada again checked, and this time Ivey bet 1,700,000. Cada mucked and Ivey took the pot to boost his chip stack to 9,030,000 after the hand.

Jamie Robbins Catches Miracle

Joe Cada raised to 600,000. Jamie Robbins moved all in for 1,370,000. Cada insta-called. Cada exposed the AA and was ahead of the 1010 of Robbins. The board read K625 on the turn, and Robbins needed to catch one of the two remaining tens in the deck to stay alive. The dealer pealed off the 10 to the shock of the crowd. Robbins doubled to 3,310,000.

Jeff Shulman Climbing

Jordan Smith raised 750,000 from under the gun. Next to act was Jeff Shulman and he made the call. Two players saw a flop of K102. Smith bet 650,000 and Shulman raised to 1,700,000. Smith contemplated briefly before finally mucking. Shulman was at 15,100,000 after the hand and Smith was at 15,700,000.

Jeff Shulman Eliminates Ben Lamb in 14th Place ($633,022)

From the cutoff, Ben Lamb bet 655,000. Action was folded to Jeff Shulman in the big blind. He raised enough to put Lamb all in. Lamb went into the tank and eventually made the call with the AJ. Shulman exposed the AK and was in command. The board ran out K9372, as Lamb was drawing dead on the turn. Shulman eliminated his opponent and built his stack to 22,000,000.

Chip Leader Getting Stronger

Joe Cada raised to 600,000 from under the gun. Antoine Saout called from the button and Eric Buchman called from the big blind. All three players saw a flop of A87 and Buchman checked. Cada fired out a million and Saout folded. Buchman made the call and the 5 fell on the turn. Buchman led out with 2,500,000 and Saout eventually mucked. Buchman was at 33,950,000 after the hand.

James Calderaro Eliminated in 13th Place ($633,022)

James Calderaro was short when he moved all in for 2,500,000 from the button. Kevin Schaffel made the call from the big blind. Schaffel exposed the 1010 while Calderaro exposed the KJ. The board ran out Q52Q, as Calderaro was down to his last card. He picked up a flush draw on the turn but nothing materialized as the 5 fell on the river. Schaffel is now at 11,700,000.

Player Tags: Jeff Shulman,   Phil Ivey,   Jamie Robbins,   James Calderaro

Level 32 Hour 2 Update: Phil Ivey Coming Back

Jul 15, '09

Note: The players are now on a 90 minute dinner break.

Blinds: 100,000-200,000 with a 30,000 ante

Players Remaining: 14 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Eric Buchman – 28,670,000
2. Steven Begleiter – 27,260,000
3. Darvin Moon – 23,800,000
4. Joseph Cada – 19,465,000
5. Jordan Smith – 18,884,000
6. Jeff Shulman – 13,800,000
7. Billy Kopp – 13,500,000
8. Antoine Saout – 12,420,000
9. Kevin Schaffel – 10,630,000
10. Phil Ivey – 7,325,000

Card Player Chip Count:

Jeff Shulman – 13,800,000

Average Chip Count: 12,988,000

Eliminations:

15. Nick Maimone — $633,022

Twitter Updates:

Jeff Shulman at 13,800,000 (twitter feed)
Billy Kopp at 13,500,000 (twitter feed)
Phil Ivey at 7,325,000 (twitter feed)

Big Hands:

Ivey Tries To Mount A Comeback

Phil Ivey started this hand as the short stack in the tournament, but it did not stop him from raising to 500,000 preflop. Antoine Saout made the call and the flop came down 663. Ivey bet 700,000 and that was enough to chase Saout away.

Ivey took down the pot and he was at 6.5 million.

Calderaro Doubles Up

Jeff Shulman raised to 600,000 preflop and Darvin Moon made the call. The action was on James Calderaro who moved in for about 2.5 million. Shulman mucked but Moon made the call.

Calderaro: AK
Moon: AQ

Board: 1044K3

Calderaro paired up on the turn but needed to avoid Moon’s gutshot straight draw. The 3 helped him do just that and he doubled up 5.8 million.

Joe Cada Moves All In

Joe Cada raised to 500,000 from the cutoff and Jamie Robbins raised to 1,700,000 from the button. Cada moved all in. Robbins instantly folded. Cada is at 17,090,000.

Jeff Shulman Doubles Up Ben Lamb

Shulman raised to 700,000. Lamb moved all in for 1,710,000 on top from the small blind. Shulman made the call. Lamb exposed the 1010 while Shulman table t he KJ. The players were off to a race. The board ran out 97QQ. Lamb was at 4,900,000 after the hand. Shulman was at 12,000,000 after the hand.

Antoine Saout Doubles Up

From the button, James Akenhead reraised Antoine Saout’s cutoff bet of 550,000. Saout moved in for just over 5.7 million and Akenhead made the call. Saout exposed the 88 and was up against the AK of Akenhead. The board ran out 1042Q3. Saout doubled to 13,020,000. Akenhead has just 2,600,000.

Ivey Coming Back

Phil Ivey raised preflop to 525,000 and Eric Buchman called from the big blind. Buchman checked on a flop of 622 and Ivey fired out a continuation bet of 700,000. Buchman folded and Ivey was at 7,200,000 after the hand.

James Akenhead Doubles Up

Jamie Robbins raised to 530,000 preflop. James Akenhead moved all in for 2,390,000 and Robbins called, exposing the AA. Akenhead exposed the dominated KQ. The board ran out KQJ75 and Akenhead cracked the aces to double to 5,090,000.

Player Tags: Jeff Shulman,   Phil Ivey,   James Calderaro

Level 31 Hour 2 Update: Vedes 19th, Lichtenberger 18th, Tavelli 17th, Lacay 16th

Jul 15, '09

Blinds: 80,000-160,000 with a 20,000 ante

Players Remaining: 15 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Steven Begleiter – 27,890,000
2. Darvin Moon – 24,600,000
3. Billy Kopp – 17,200,000
4. Eric Buchman – 16,000,000
5. Jordan Smith – 15,800,000
6. Joseph Cada – 13,600,000
7. Kevin Schaffel – 13,600,000
8. Jeff Shluman – 12,800,000
9. James Akenhead – 10,100,000
10. Nick Maimone – 10,000,000

Card Player Chip Count:

Jeff Shulman – 12,800,000

Average Chip Count: 12,988,000

Eliminations:

19. Tommy Vedes — $352,832
18. Andrew Lichtenberger — $500,557
17. Ian Tavelli — $500,557
16. Ludovic Lacay — $500,557

Twitter Updates:

Jeff Shulman at 12,800,000 (twitter feed)
Billy Kopp at 17,200,000 (twitter feed)
Phil Ivey at 6,800,000 (twitter feed)
Nick Maimone at 9,350,000 (twitter feed)

Big Hands:

Tommy Vedes Eliminated In 19th Place($352,832)

Eric Buchman raised to 425,000 preflop and Tommy Vedes moved in for his last 1.9 million. Buchman made the call with 77, dominating Vedes’ 33.

The flop brought something for everyone as it fell 1073, giving each player a set. The turn was the Q and Vedes needed the case three to stay alive. But the river was the 2 and Vedes was ousted in 19th place.

Lamb’s Aces Taken Out To Slaughter

Steven Begleiter raised to 425,000 preflop from the hijack and Benjamin Lamb repopped to 1.1 million from the cutoff. Begleiter made the call and the two players saw a flop of J95. Begleiter checked to Lamb who fired a bet into the pot. Begleiter then moved all in for over 7 million. Lamb made the call after some thought and tabled AA.

The aces were officially cracked, however, as Begleiter tabled J9 for top two pair on the flop. The turn was the 3 and the river was the 8 and Begleiter doubled to over 16 million. Lamb was down to just over 4 million in chips.

Not So Happy…

Jeff Shulman raised to 420,000 preflop and Joe Cada repopped it to 1.2 million. Shulman made the call and the flop came down K25. Cada checked to Shulman who bet 1.4 million. Cada made the call and the turn was the 5. Both players checked and the river was the K.

Cada then led out for 2 million and Shulman threw his hand in the muck. Cada raked in the pot and was over 9 million while Shulman dropped to 8 million.

Jordan Smith Takes One On The Turn

Billy Kopp raised to 375,000 and Ben Lamb made the call from the button. Jordan Smith also came along from the big blind and the flop came down 986. Everyone checked and the turn was the Q.

Smith led out for 700,000 and his two opponents mucked. Smith raked in the pot and was over 7 million.

Begleiter Takes One Off Maimone

Steven Begleiter raised to 425,000 and Nick Maimone made the call from the big blind. The flop came down J72 and both players checked. The turn was the 7 and Maimone took a shot with 400,000. Begleiter made the call and the river was the 9. Maimone bet 800,000 and Begleiter made the call.

Maimone tabled KJ for top pair, but Begleiter showed AJ for the same hand with a better kicker. Begleiter raked the pot and was at 18 million while Maimone was at 10 million.

Andrew Lichtenberger Eliminated In 18th Place($500,557)

Andrew Lichtenberger raised to 400,000 and Darvin Moon made the call. The flop came down 633 and Lichtenberger bet 680,000. Moon raised to 1.5 million and Lichtenberger moved all in, getting a quick call from Moon.

Lichtenberger showed JJ, but Moon tabled KK. The turn was the 6 and the river was the 7 and Moon knocked out Lichtenberger, moving his stack to 25 million.

Ivey Takes A Pot

Phil Ivey raised to 420,000 and Steven Begleiter made the call. The flop came down 864 and Ivey led out with 600,000. Begleiter made the call and the 4 fell on the turn. Both players checked.

They did the same when the K came on the river and Begleiter showed down 109 for a bunch of busted draws. Ivey showed 99 for the best hand and took the pot. He was at 6.8 million.

…But Let’s Put A Smile On That Face

Jeff Shulman raised to 450,000 preflop from the hijack and James Calderaro called from the button. The flop came down 1054 and Shulman bet 750,000 and Calderaro made the call. The turn was the K and Shulman kept the pressure on, betting 1.1 million.

Calderaro decided to muck his hand and Shulman took it down, improving his stack to 9 million.

Jordan Smith Doubles Through Billy Kopp

Billy Kopp had been strolling through the day with a nice chip lead, but he just took his first big hit of the day courtesy of Jordan Smith.

Smith raised to 420,000 under the gun and Kopp raised to 1.5 million from the cutoff. Action folded back around to Smith who shoved for 7.73 million. Kopp made the call and here were their hands.

Kopp: AK
Smith: QQ

Board: JJ988

Smith’s pocket ladies held up and he doubled to 15.8 million while Kopp was knocked off the chip lead, his stack at 17.2 million.

Ian Tavelli Eliminated In 17th Place($500,557)

Steven Begleiter raised to 1.35 million after Ian Tavelli had opened for 450,000 from under the gun. Tavelli made the call and the flop came down 642 and Begleiter fired 3.5 million. Tavelli moved in for almost 8 million and Begleiter snapped him off, tabling KK. Tavelli showed down 99 and Tavelli was in trouble.

The turn was the Q and the river was the 10 and Tavelli was out while Begleiter catapulted to the chip lead.

Ludovic Lacay Eliminated In 16th Place($500,557)

Jeff Shulman raised to 450,000 preflop and Ludovic Lacay came over the top for the rest of his stack of just over 3 million. Shulman made the call and here were there hands.

Shulman: AK
Lacay: 77

It was a classic race and the flop came K95, putting Shulman ahead. The turn was the 9 and the river was the 6 and Lacay was ousted from the main event. Shulman was up to 12.8 million after the hand.

Player Tags: Jeff Shulman,   Phil Ivey,   Tommy Vedes,   Jordan Smith,   Ben Lamb,   Billy Kopp,   Ludovic Lacay,   Andrew Lichtenberger,   Nick Maimone

Level 30 Hour 2 Update: Balmigere Out In 25th Place, Esfandiari Out In 24th Place

Jul 15, '09

Blinds: 60,000-120,000 with a 15,000 ante

Players Remaining: 23 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Billy Kopp – 21,200,000
2. Darvin Moon – 17,500,000
3. Steven Begleiter – 15,200,000
4. Kevin Schaffel – 12,300,000
5. Eric Buchman – 12,000,000
6. Jeff Shulman – 10,800,000
7. Ian Tavelli – 10,100,000
8. James Akenhead – 10,000,000
9. Nick Maimone – 9,350,000
10. Jamie Robbins – 9,250,000

Average Chip Count: 8,470,434

Card Player Chip Count:

Jeff Shulman – 10,800,000

Eliminations:

25. Francois Balmigere — $352,832
24. Antonio Esfandiari — $352,832

Twitter Updates:

Jeff Shulman at 10,800,000 (twitter feed)
Billy Kopp at 21,200,000 (twitter feed)
Phil Ivey at 6,000,000 (twitter feed)
Nick Maimone at 9,350,000 (twitter feed)
Ludovic Lacay at 3,100,000 (twitter feed)

Big Hands

Francois Balmigere Eliminated In 25th Place($352,832)

Francois Balmigere raised to 330,000 preflop from middle position and Steven Begleiter called behind him. Billy Kopp came along from the big blind and the flop was 1076. Kopp led out with 700,000 and Balmigere moved in for 2.7 million. Begleiter mucked but Kopp made the call after a few minutes in the tank.

Balmigere tabled JJ while Kopp showed down 87 for just middle pair and a gutshot draw, along with a backdoor flush-draw. The turn was the A and Balmigere was one card away from getting a double up. But the river was the 9, making Kopp his straight and sending Balmigere out in 25th place.

Buchman Fills Up On The Turn

Jonathan Tamayo raised to 355,000 from the button and Eric Buchman called from the big blind. Darvin Moon had limped in earlier and made the call as well. The flop came down 992 and Tamayo fired 760,000. Buchman was the only caller and the turn was the 6. Both players checked and the river was the Q.

Buchman led out with 1.1 million and Tamayo made the call. Buchman then tabled 66 for a full boat and Tamayo mucked his hand.

Shulman Wins Battle Of The Blinds Against Ivey

Action folded around to Phil Ivey who called from the small blind and Jeff Shulman checked from the big blind. The two players saw a flop of AJ2 and Ivey led out with 120,000. Shulman made the call and the turn was the 2.

Ivey checked to Shulman and he fired 200,000. Ivey had enough of his hand and threw it into the muck. Shulman took the pot and was around 11 million.

Lucky Sevens For Maimone, Doubles Through Jordan Smith

Jordan Smith raised to 320,000 from middle position and action folded to Nick Maimone on the button. He reraised to 825,000 and Smith made the call. The flop then came down Q84 and Smith moved all in. Maimone made the quick call and tabled 77. Smith then showed down 1010 for a dominating lead.

But the turn changed everything as it brought the 7, giving Maimone a set and a stranglehold on the hand. The river was the 9 and Maimone doubled up to 4 million.

I Am Chip Leader, Hear Me Roar

Billy Kopp raised to 275,000 from under the gun and Steven Begleiter made the call from the button. The flop fell 532 and Kopp led out for 600,000. Begleiter made the call and the turn was the J.

Both players checked and they did the same for the J on the river. Kopp tabled 66 and Begleiter mucked. Kopp took the hand and was just over 19 million, good enough for to take over the chip lead.

Akenhead Gets Kings Again, Wins Small Pot

James Akenhead raised to 280,000 preflop and Warren Zackey made the call from the small blind. The flop came AJ8 and both players checked. They did the same on the 3 turn and the river brought the 5.

Zackey checked and Akenhead bet 300,000. Zackey made the call and Akenhead tabled KK and Zackey mucked. Akenhead took the pot and was at 3.3 million.

The Phil Ivey National Bank

Phil Ivey has been hard pressed to win a pot in the early going of day 8. He doubled up Nick Maimone during the last hour and just doubled up Marco Mattes.

Maimone opened with a raise to 290,000 and Mattes moved all in for almost 2.5 million. Action folded around to Ivey who made the call. Maimone got out of the way and Ivey tabled JJ. Mattes then showed down QQ and Ivey was dominated.

The flop came down 1055, giving both players two pair. The turn was the 7 and the river was the 4 and Mattes doubled to over 5 million. Ivey took another hit and his stack was just under 6 million.

The Magician Disappears, Antonio Esfandiari Eliminated In 24th Place($352,832)

Antonio Esfandiari raised to 310,000 preflop from under the gun and Steven Begleiter called from middle position. The flop came down 1024 and Esfandiari bet 535,000. Begleiter raised it up to 1.6 million and Esfandiari moved all in for 2.5 million more. Begleiter made the call and tabled K10 for top pair on the flop.

Esfandiari showed down 55 and needed help. The turn was the 6, giving Esfandiari a gutshot straight draw. But the A fell on the river and Esfandiari was eliminated.

Player Tags: Jeff Shulman,   Antonio Esfandiari,   Eric Buchman,   Phil Ivey,   James Akenhead,   Billy Kopp,   Francois Balmigere,   Marco Mattes,   Warren Zackey

Level 37 Update II: Phil Ivey Eliminated in Seventh Place and Steven Begleiter Eliminated in Sixth Place

Nov 08, '09

Blinds: 300,000-600,000 with a 75,000 ante

Players Remaining: 5 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Darvin Moon — 63,925,000
2. Eric Buchman — 53,250,000
3. Antoine Saout — 51,725,000
4. Jeff Shulman — 15,525,000
5. Joseph Cada — 10,350,000

Average Chip Count: 38,964,000

Notable Eliminations:

7: Phil Ivey — $1,404,002
6: Steven Begleiter — $1,587,133

Big Hands

Phil Ivey Eliminated in Seventh Place ($1,404,002)

Phil Ivey moved all in for 6.45 million under the gun preflop and Darvin Moon made the call in the big blind. The two players then turned over their cards as the audience rose to their feet in anticipation.

Ivey: AK
Moon: AQ

Ivey was sitting in a good spot with his A-K dominating the A-Q of Moon, but Ivey has a history with A-Q, and it is not a good one. The board that fell confirmed once again that the hand is nothing short of kryptonite for the best poker player on the planet.

Board: Q6635

Ivey was eliminated and although the crowd gave him a loud ovation, the mood went sour after he exited the room. Ivey was awarded $1,404,002 in prize money for his seventh-place finish. Moon was up to 39.3 million after the hand.

Steven Begleiter Eliminated in Sixth Place ($1,587,133)

Steven Begleiter raised to 1.6 million under the gun preflop and Darvin Moon reraised all in for 39.925 million. Begleiter made the all-in call for 23.25 million and the two players turned over their cards:

Begleiter: QQ
Moon: AQ

Board: 8743A

The crowd erupted in cheers as the improbable happened yet again tonight. Moon hit the miracle ace on the river and he grew his stack to 63.925 million to take the chip lead. Begleiter was eliminated in sixth place. He was awarded $1,587,133 in prize money.

Player Tags: Phil Ivey,   Darvin Moon,   Steven Begleiter

Level 36 Hour 2 Update: Cada Crippled By Shulman Double Up

Nov 07, '09

Blinds: 250,000-500,000 with a 50,000 ante

Players Remaining: 7 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Steven Begleiter — 46,350,000
2. Eric Buchman — 46,300,000
3. Darvin Moon — 38,200,000
4. Antoine Saout — 26,575,000
5. Jeff Shulman — 14,500,000
6. Joe Cada — 12,500,000
7. Phil Ivey — 10,325,000

Average Chip Count: 27,831,429

Notable Eliminations:

NONE

Big Hands:

Begs Picks Up Where He Left Off

Steven Begleiter raised to 1.25 million and Eric Buchman reraised to 4.55 million. Action folded back around to Begleiter and he reraised to 11 million.

The room got quiet as Buchman mulled over his decision, but he finally folded much to the delight of Begleiter’s fans in the room.

Jeff Shulman Doubles Through Joe Cada

Joe Cada raised to 1.25 million from under the gun and Jeff Shulman moved all in for his last 7 million. Cada tanked for several minutes before calling and revealed AJ.

Shulman showed a superior AK and it held when the board came down 1093Q4. Cada was left crippled with just over 2 million and Shulman doubled to over 15 million.

Joe Cada Doubles Through Eric Buchman

Eric Buchman put Joe Cada all in from the small blind with 54 and Cada called with J4.

The board came 964107 and Cada doubled up to a still very short 4.8 million.

Joe Cada Doubles Through Phil Ivey

Phil Ivey raised to 1.25 million and Joe Cada moved all in for 5.8 million. Ivey tanked for a bit before finally calling with A8 and Cada showed two red fours.

The board came 104297 and Cada doubled up to about 12.5 million. Ivey was left with 10 million.

Card Player Twitter Page:

Jeff Shulman
Phil Ivey

People on the Rail

Adam Schoenfeld
Dennis Phillips
Jonathan Little
Annie Duke
Daniel Negreanu

Player Tags: Jeff Shulman,   Phil Ivey,   Joseph Cada

Level 36 Update -- Moon Takes a Spill

Nov 07, '09

Blinds: 200,000-400,000 with a 50,000 ante

Players Remaining: 7 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1: Eric Buchman — 54,825,000
2: Darvin Moon — 41,850,000
3: Steven Begleiter — 37,100,000
4: Antoine Saout — 26,725,000
5: Phil Ivey — 16,250,000
6: Joe Cada — 10,800,000
7: Jeff Shulman — 8,025,000

Average Chip Count: 27,831,429

Notable Eliminations:

NONE

Big Hands:

Moon Makes an Interesting Laydown

Darvin Moon raised to 1.3 million preflop under the gun and Steven Begleiter reraised to 3.9 million from the hi-jack. Moon made the call and the flop was dealt 432. Moon checked, Begleiter bet 5.35 million, and Moon raised to 15 million. Begleiter moved all in for 20.425 million total and Moon mucked despite the fact that it cost just over 5 million more to call. Begleiter won the hand to grow his stack to 44,175,000 and Moon was left with 42,075,000.

Phil Ivey Adds Some Chips

Steven Begletier raised to 1.25 million preflop under the gun and Phil Ivey made the call in the big blind. The flop was dealt KQJ. Begleiter bet 1.75 mllion and Ivey called. The turn fell J and both players checked. The river fell 3 and Ivey bet 2.5 million. Begleiter mucked and Ivey grew his stack to 16.7 million.

Player Tags: Phil Ivey,   Darvin Moon,   Steven Begleiter

Level 34 Update: Ivey Moves All In

Nov 07, '09

Blinds: 150,000-300,000 with a 40,000 ante

Players Remaining: 9 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1: Darvin Moon — 62,305,000
2: Eric Buchman — 35,610,000
3: Steven Begleiter — 29,275,000
4: Jeff Shulman — 18,830,000
5: Joe Cada — 13,335,500
6: Kevin Schaffel — 11,510,000
7: Phil Ivey — 10,795,000
8: Antoine Saout — 8,970,000
9: James Akenhead — 4,215,000

Average Chip Count: 21,646,666

Notable Eliminations:

NONE

Big Hands:

Phil Ivey Reraises All — Everyone Folds

In the hand that garnered the most crowd reaction so far at the final table Jeff Shulman opened the pot for a raise to 1.25 million UTG+1 and Phil Ivey reraised all in for 8,655,000 from the hi-jack. Joseph Cada went into the tank in the big blind, but he decided to muck. Shulman mucked as well and Ivey took down the hand as the crowd cheered its approval. Ivey held 10,715,000 after the hand.

Eric Buchman Takes One Down

Eric Buchman raised to 800,000 from early position and Jeff Shulman made the call. The flop was dealt K77 and Buchman checked. Shulman bet 1.75 million and Buchman made the call. The 10 fell on the turn and both players checked. The 3 fell on the river and both players checked again. Buchman turned over pocket queens and Shulman mucked. Buchman was up to 40,660,000 after the hand and Shulman was down to 15,550,000.

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