Mike Sexton Poker Tournament Updates

Chris Viox Wins Event #25 ($200,459)

Jun 17, '11

Mike Sexton Eliminated in 2nd Place ($123,925)

Mike Sexton was down to under two big bets last night and climbed his way out, ending the night still on the short stack, but with a bit more breathing room. Sexton came back today swinging and won the first pot of the afternoon, but Chris Viox quickly applied the pressure and had Sexton all in on third street in a pot that ultimately cracked Viox’s two pair with a higher two pair for Sexton on the river. Sexton doubled up to stay alive this hand, but was still short with just over 500,000.

Sexton managed to tread water for a bit and then scored another near double up after scooping a big pot with a pair of sevens. At this point in the match Sexton was only a 2:1 dog in chips. Viox fought back and began raising Sexton off of consecutive hands and the rising betting structure began to quickly eat away at Sexton’s stack. He found himself at around 500,000 again when got it all in on third street with a wired pair of eights against Chris Viox’s split pair of sixes.

Sexton: 8 8 3 5 10 7 J
Viox: 6 2 6 3 Q 8 2

Sexton was ahead on third street when the money went, and continued to lead all the way to the river until Viox double-paired deuces. Sexton failed to improve his single pair on the river and missed the low draw as well. Viox scooped the pot, denying Mike Sexton his second gold bracelet and what would have been a repeat in this event from 1989. Mike Sexton was eliminated in 2nd place ($123,925) while Chris Viox wins his first gold bracelet in Event #25 ($200,459).

Player Tags: Mike Sexton,   Chris Viox

Level 29: Day 4 Begins; Viox Leads Sexton Heads-Up

Jun 17, '11

NOTE: Play ended on Day 3 just before 4:00am in accordance with the ten-level rule. The final two players returned at approximately 3:00pm to resume play and will continue today until a winner is determined.

Ante: 15,000
Low Card: 20,000
Completion: 60,000
Limits: 60,000-120,000

Players Remaining: 2 out of 606

Average Chip Count: 1,363,500

Chip Counts:

1. Chris Viox – 2,090,000
2. Mike Sexton – 640,000

Payouts:

1st. $200,459
2nd. $123,925

Eliminations:

3rd. Gerard Rechnitzer – $77,097
4th. Hakon Lundberg – $55,917
5th. Tyson Marks – $40,782
6th. Cory Zeidman – $30,228
7th. Sean Urban – $22,767
8th. Hernan Salazar – $17,417

Viox Looking For 1st Gold Bracelet, Sexton Looks To Repeat

With the elimination of Gerard Rechnitzer in 3rd place, Mike Sexton began heads-up play with a slight chip lead, but quickly lost it to Chris Viox early in the match. Incredibly, Viox had Sexton down to just 175,000 (less than two big bets), but he managed to climb back up to 640,000 before play stopped for the evening.

Chris Viox comes into the Day 4 as the chip leader in this final heads-up match, looking for his first gold bracelet while Mike Sexton looks for his second. Sexton comes into this match with one prior WSOP gold bracelet that he won in 1989, incredibly enough in this very same event.

Be sure to check back hourly for level-by-level updates of this final table.

Player Tags: Mike Sexton,   Chris Viox

Level 28: End of Day 3: Sexton Makes Incredible Comeback, Forces Day 4

Jun 17, '11

Ante: 10,000
Low Card: 20,000
Completion: 50,000
Limits: 50,000-100,000

Players Remaining: 2 out of 606

Average Chip Count: 1,363,500

Chip Counts:

1. Chris Viox – 2,090,000
2. Mike Sexton – 640,000

Sexton Makes Incredible Comeback, Forces Day 4

Mike Sexton started Level 28 with a slight chip lead but quickly lost it to Chris Viox after both players made a straight, Sexton to the queen and Viox to the ace. That hand gave Viox roughly a 2:1 lead, putting Sexton under one million and Viox at about 1.8.

Sexton climbed back to even with about 1.35 million each after making a ten-high straight, but that didn’t last long. Viox began to quickly whittle away Sexton’s stack, eventually getting him down to just 175,000 after cracking his wired aces with kings up in a huge pot.

Sexton fought back with a quick double up, and eventually chipped his way back up to 640,000 by the time the clock had run out. The ten-level rule is in effect, and as a result the remaining two players will return tomorrow at 3:00pm and play until a winner is determined.

Be sure to check back at 3:00pm for level-by-level updates of this final table.

Player Tags: Mike Sexton,   Chris Viox

Level 27: Sexton Leads Viox Heads-Up; Rechnitzer 3rd, Lundberg 4th

Jun 17, '11

Ante: 10,000
Low Card: 10,000
Completion: 40,000
Limits: 40,000-80,000

Players Remaining: 2 out of 606

Average Chip Count: 1,363,500

Chip Counts:

1. Mike Sexton – 1,800,000
2. Chris Viox – 930,000

Eliminations:

3rd. Gerard Rechnitzer – $77,097
4th. Hakon Lundberg – $55,917

Hakon Lundberg Eliminated in 4th Place ($55,917)

Gerard Rechnitzer doubled through Hakon Lundberg earlier in the level after drawing out a better pair of kings with a higher kicker. Rechnitzer was all in on third street with six-high against Lundberg’s wired pair of kings, but Rechnitzer drew a king on fourth street and then another on fifth, pairing kings with a high kicker than Lundberg to double through. That hand left Lundberg on the short stack and he got it all in on third street with eight-high against Chris Viox’s split kings shortly after.

Lundberg: 8 6 5 10 8 J 9
Viox: K 4 K Q 6 9Q

Viox was ahead when the money went in on third street with a split pair of kings. Lundberg failed to improve and was eliminated in 4th place ($55,917).

Gerard Rechnitzer Eliminated in 3rd Place ($77,097)

Mike Sexton raised the K on third street, Gerard Rechnitzer reraised the 2 and Sexton called.

Rechnitzer: 8 4 2 K J 7 9
Sexton: K Q K Q 8 2 Q

Sexton bet on fourth street and Rechnitzer called. Sexton bet again on fifth street, Rechnitzer raised all in and Sexton called. Sexton had a pair of kings on fifth street while Rechnitzer had four to a flush and a low draw. Sexton double-paired on the river while Rechnitzer missed the both the high and low draws. Sexton scooped the pot and Gerard Rechnitzer was eliminated in 3rd Place ($77,097).

NOTE: With the elimination of Gerard Rechnitzer in 3rd place, Mike Sexton took a slight chip lead into heads-up play with 1,465,000 to Chris Viox’s 1,265,000.

Be sure to check back hourly for level-by-level updates of this final table.

Player Tags: Mike Sexton,   Gerard Rechnitzer,   Chris Viox

Level 24: Hernan Salazar Eliminated in 8th Place ($17,417)

Jun 16, '11

Ante: 5,000
Low Card: 5,000
Completion: 20,000
Limits: 20,000-40,000

Players Remaining: 7 out of 606

Average Chip Count: 389,571

Chip Counts:

1. Tyson Marks – 621,000
2. Cory Zeidman – 476,000
3. Chris Viox – 450,000
4. Gerard Rechnitzer – 397,000
5. Hakon Lundberg – 346,000
6. Mike Sexton – 272,000
7. Sean Urban – 68,000

Eliminations:

8th. Hernan Salazar – $17,417

Hernan Salazar Eliminated in 8th Place ($17,417)

Hernan Salazar was eliminated right at the end of Level 23 after three players saw fourth street for one bet.

Salazar: A 2 10 Q
Sexton: 8 5 Q 7
Zeidman: 3 3 K 7

Hernan Salazar bet on fourth street with two callers and everyone checked on fifth. Mike Sexton took the lead on both sixth and seventh street with Cory Zeidman calling through the seventh street and Salazar calling all in on the river.

Zeidman showed a pair of eights in the hole for two pair (eights and threes) while Sexton turned over 8 – 4 – 3 for an 8 – 7 low. Zeidman and Sexton split the pot while Hernan Salazar was the first one eliminated 8th place ($17,417).

Be sure to check back hourly for level-by-level updates of this final table.

Player Tags: Cory Zeidman,   Mike Sexton

Level 23: Warga 9th; Final Table Now Underway

Jun 16, '11

NOTE: Play resumed today at 3:00pm with 23 players, and with the elimination of David Warga in 9th place ($13,531), the official eight-handed final table is now underway.

Ante: 3,000
Low Card: 5,000
Completion: 15,000
Limits: 15,000-30,000

Players Remaining: 8 out of 606

Average Chip Count: 340,875

Chip Counts:

1. Cory Zeidman – 692,000
2. Tyson Marks – 545,000
3. Sean Urban – 320,000
4. Mike Sexton – 308,000
5. Hakon Lundberg – 294,000
6. Hernan Salazar – 258,000
7. Chris Viox – 135,000
8. Gerard Rechnitzer – 68,000

Payouts:

1st. $200,459
2nd. $123,925
3rd. $77,907
4th. $55,917
5th. $40,782
6th. $30,228
7th. $22,767
8th. $17,417

Be sure to check back hourly for level-by-level updates of this final table.

Player Tags: Cory Zeidman,   Mike Sexton,   Gerard Rechnitzer,   Chris Viox,   Tyson Marks,   Sean Urban,   Hakon Lundberg

Level 3 Update: Eliminations Start to Flow

Oct 15, '10

Blinds: 100-200 with a 25 ante

Players Remaining: 255 out of 282

Chip Counts:

1. David Peters — 120,000
2. Amit Makhija — 85,000
3. Jeff Shulman — 82,000
4. Vanessa Selbst — 80,000
5. David Sands — 80,000
6. Daniel Negreanu — 77,575
7. Joe Sebok — 75,000
8. Darryll Fish — 70,000
9. Steve Sung — 68,000
10. Michael Kamran — 68,000

Card Player Chip Counts

Barry Shulman — 56,000
Tony Dunst — 39,000

Average Chip Count: 44,235

Notable Eliminations:

Kristy Gazes
Soheil Shamseddin
Raymond Dolan
Nam Le
November Niner Joseph Cheong
Layne Flack
Mike Sexton

Big Hands:

Mike Sexton Eliminated

Lauren Kling raised preflop and Jae Sik made the call. Mike Sexton reraised to 2,000 and Kling mucked. Sik reraised to 6,000 and Sexton popped it up to 14,000. Sik moved all in and Sexton made the all-in call. Their cards:

Sexton: A-A
Sik: Q-Q

Board: J-3-2-8-Q

Sik won the hand with a set of queens and Sexton was eliminated from the tournament in a bad way.

Score One for Happy

The board read K J 3 7 K when Jeff Shulman bet 2,000 and Jonathan Little made the call. Shulman turned over Q J and Little mucked. Shulman had a strong level and he now resides in the top three in chips with 82,000.

Kristy Gazes Eliminated

David Sands bet from the button to open the action with a K Q 10 flop sitting on the table and Kristy gazes made the call from middle position. The turn fell 6 and Gazes checked. Sands bet 6,250 and Gazes check-raised all in for 27,850. Sands made the call and they flipped over their cards:

Gazes: K Q
Sands: J 9

River: 5

Gazes was eliminated on the hand and Sands grew his stack to 80,000.

Nick Binger Makes a Power Move All In

A flop of 9 7 4 was sitting on the table when the button bet 2,000. Nick Binger made the call under the gun and the hi-jack made the call as well. The turn fell 9 and the button bet 6,000. Binger raised all in for 23,500 and the hi-jack mucked. The button went into the tank for a while but he mucked as well. Binger held 30,000 after the hand.

Featured Poker Tweets

Player Tags: Kristy Gazes,   Jeff Shulman,   Mike Sexton,   David Sands,   Nick Binger

Level Five Hour Two Update: Baron Climbing The Ranks

Jul 09, '10

Blinds: 200-400 with a 50 ante

Players Remaining: 2,412 out of 2,412

Average Chip Count:

Card Player Chip Counts

Justin Marchand – 23,400
Barry Shulman – 113,325
Bryan Devonshire – 13,800
Allyn Jaffrey Shulman – 36,400
Steven A. Murphy – 23,500

Tournament Leaderboard:

1. Corwin Cole – 228,200
2. Dwyen Ringbauer – 195,000
3. Mathieu Sauriol – 169,900
4. Johnny Chan – 163,700
5. Andrew Liporace – 160,000
6. Josef Monro – 153,350
7. Lauren Kling – 149,650
8. Barny Boatman – 144,050
9. Steven Goosen – 142,925
10. Michael Mizrachi – 142,650

Notable Eliminations:

Mike Sexton

Big Hands:

Phillips Scores an Early Double And Keeps Going

Dennis Phillips got his last 9,225 in the middle preflop with AK and was up against the JJ of his opponent.

The flop was K32, giving Phillips the lead. The turn was the 10 and the river was the 6 to double up Phillips to 19,000. Action has been fast and furious in just the first few minutes of this level. Expect to see tons of bustouts and double ups.

A few hands later, Phillips raised to 1,180 from the hijack and the player in the big blind made the call. The flop came down AJ2 and the big blind checked.

Phillips bet 1,500 and the big blind check-raised to 3,300. Phillips thought for a bit and then repopped it to 7,500. The big blind thought for a few moments of his own and then released his hand, turning over the A as he did so.

Phillips took in the pot and he was at 24,000.

Ho Can’t Call

Picking up the action after the flop came down J93, the player in seat 7 led out for 2,200. Maria Ho was on the button and she made the call while the player in seat 5 mucked.

The turn was the J and seat 7 led for 3,300. Ho took some time to think but eventually released her hand. She dropped the pot and was at 93,000.

Baldwin Finally Gives The Cameras Something Positive

After the flop came down 543, the player in seat 5 bet 1,300. Eric Baldwin made the call and both players saw the A on the turn.

Seat 5 led out for 3,000 and Baldwin made the call again. The river was the 7 and seat 5 checked.

Baldwin did the same and seat 5 tabled Q7 for a rivered pair of sevens. It was no good, however, as Baldwin turned A7 for a rivered two pair and he took the pot.

“The curse is finally over,” Baldwin said to the ESPN crew surrounding the table. “I finally won one with you guys here.”

He was at 70,000 after the hand.

Cada Gives One Up

Reigning champion Joe Cada was in the small blind heads up with the big blind. On a flop of 27K Cada checked and the big blind bet 1,550.

Cada made the call and the 6 hit on the turn. Cada again checked and his opponent fired 3,100 this time. With the ESPN cameras all over him, Cada folded. Despite the loss, he sat with a healthy 72,000 in chips.

Sexton Getting Short, Then Busts

Mike Sexton made it 1,200 to go from under the gun and action folded around to the big blind, who called. The flop came 28Q and both players checked. On the 10 turn the big blind bet 1,000 and Sexton quickly folded. The hand dropped Sexton to just 13,000 in chips. He would bust a few hands later when his pocket kings were cracked by his opponent’s pocket nines.

Baron Makes Big Call, Wins Massive Pot

Isaac Baron called a large preflop raise from the player in seat 4 and saw a flop of K98. Baron checked to seat four, who bet 8,250. Baron thought for a moment before making the call.

On the K turn Isaac again checked and seat four checked behind him this time.

The 5 fell on the river and Baron checked to seat 4, who took his time and bet 11,350. After he tanked for a minute or so, Baron finally called and showed 92 for two pair. Seat 4 mucked and Baron raked in a massive pot, taking most of his opponent’s chips.

Baron had around 134,000 in chips after the hand.

Chan Picking Up Where He Left Off

Johnny Chan left his day 1 as one of the tournament’s chip leaders. He picked up where he left off early in day 2a.

Chan limped in from the small blind and the big blind checked the action. The flop ran 65A and both players checked. On the 2 turn Chan fired out 1,000 and his opponent folded.

It was a small win, but Chan now has around 164,000 in chips.

Scotty Takes One Down

A player raised to 1,200 preflop and Scotty Nguyen made the call from the small blind. Darryll Fish also called from the big blind and the three players saw a flop of J73.

All three players checked and the turn was the A. Action was checked to the raiser who fired 1,650. Nguyen made the call and Fish mucked. The river was the J and Nguyen led out with 6,200.

His opponent mucked the A and Nguyen showed some common courtesy by showing his J. Nguyen took the pot and was at 25,200.

Somerville Surges

All we were able to see was Jason Somerville showing down 35 on a board of 3-3-4-5-6. His opponent mucked and Somerville raked in a big pot.

Somerville is now up to 87,400 with his newly acquired chips.

Tiffany Michelle Doubles

There were four limpers in front of her and then Tiffany Michelle raised to 3,500 on the button. The player in the small blind made it 5,700 more to Michelle and she quickly called.

Michelle said call and then realized that she had said call and lamented how she had intended to move in for her remaining 5,500. The flop was 476 and the small blind moved all-in and Michelle called instantly.

Michelle tabled 77 and the player in the small blind showed AA, putting Michelle squarely in the lead. The turn was the 4 and the river was the J to double up Michelle to 30,000.

Player Twitter Accounts:

Barry Shulman
Erik Seidel
Maria Ho
Chris Moorman
Mike Caro
Jamie Rosen
Daniel Negreanu
Eric Froehlich
Scotty Nguyen
Jennifer Leigh
Antonio Esfandiari
Nick Maimone
Dennis Phillips
Bryan Devonshire
Annie Duke

Player Tags: Scotty Nguyen,   Johnny Chan,   Mike Sexton,   Maria Ho,   Jason Somerville,   Isaac Baron,   Eric Baldwin,   Tiffany Michelle,   Dennis Phillips,   Joseph Cada

Level 6 Update: Mike Sexton Gone

Jun 28, '10

Blinds: 300-600 with a 75 ante

Players Remaining: 18 out of 27

Average Chip Count: 45,000

Tournament Leaderboard:

1. Huck Seed – 74,000
2. Johnny Chan – 68,000
3. Erik Seidel – 65,000
4. Allen Cunningham – 59,875
5. Mike Matusow – 55,900
6. Barry Greenstein – 55,175
7. Chris Ferguson – 52,000
8. Bertrand Grospellier – 50,100
9. Scotty Nguyen – 48,550
10. Antonio Esfandiari – 42,500

Notable Eliminations:

Mike Sexton

Big Hands:

Mike Sexton Eliminated

Scotty Nguyen raised to 2,500 and Mike Matusow three-bet to 6,600 before Mike Sexton moved all-in for 12,300 in the big blind. Nguyen made it 25,500 and Matusow made the fold.

Sexton showed AK and was in bad shape against Nguyen’s KK.

The board came 6547Q which elminated Sexton from the tournament.

Seed Plays Back at Elky

Huck Seed raised to 1,300 from the small blind and Bertrand Grospellier called from the big blind. The flop was AKQ and Seed checked to Grospellier, who bet 1,600.

Seed made the call and they watched the 4 fall on the turn. Seed checked again, Grospellier bet 4,100 and Seed made it 18,000.

Grospellier called and the J was the river card. Seed led for 31,000 and Grospellier was left with a decision for the rest of his chips. He eventually folded and Seed climbs to 96,225 and is the chip leader.

No Action For Hellmuth

Daniel Negreanu raised to 1,375 from the button and Phil Hellmuth called from the big blind. Hellmuth checked dark and the flop was 865 and Negreanu checked behind.

The turn was the 2 and Hellmuth bet 2,200 and Negreanu folded pretty quickly.

Hellmuth threw his hands in the air and said “Just a straight, man,” lamenting over his lack of action on a big hand.

Player Tags: Scotty Nguyen,   Huck Seed,   Phil Hellmuth,   Mike Sexton

Tournament of Champions Begins at 1 p.m. on Sunday

Jun 27, '10

The World Series of Poker Tournament of Champions will begin at 1 p.m. PDT on Sunday, June 27 at the 2010 WSOP. This invitation-only tournament includes 27 players and they will all begin with 30,000 in tournament chips. Blinds will begin at 50-100. Levels will be 60 minutes long and there will be a 20-minute break after every two levels. There will be a 60-minute dinner break after the completion of level 6. Here is a look at the schedule for the event:

Sunday, June 27, 1 p.m.: Day 1 (Play down to final 9 players)
Sunday, July 4, 1 p.m.: Final Table

This is the fourth year for this prestigious invitational event. The previous champions include Annie Duke, Mike Matusow, and Mike Sexton. CardPlayer.com will bring you live updates, chip counts, photos, and videos from this marquee event.

Here is the full lineup of players for this event, which includes Card Player’s Barry Shulman (pictured above right). Twenty players were chosen by a popular fan vote, while seven spots were automatic invites or sponsor exemptions:

Player Tags: Annie Duke,   Mike Matusow,   Barry Shulman,   Mike Sexton

Level 6 Update: Mike Sexton Gone

Jun 28, '10

Blinds: 300-600 with a 75 ante

Players Remaining: 18 out of 27

Average Chip Count: 45,000

Tournament Leaderboard:

1. Huck Seed – 74,000
2. Johnny Chan – 68,000
3. Erik Seidel – 65,000
4. Allen Cunningham – 59,875
5. Mike Matusow – 55,900
6. Barry Greenstein – 55,175
7. Chris Ferguson – 52,000
8. Bertrand Grospellier – 50,100
9. Scotty Nguyen – 48,550
10. Antonio Esfandiari – 42,500

Notable Eliminations:

Mike Sexton

Big Hands:

Mike Sexton Eliminated

Scotty Nguyen raised to 2,500 and Mike Matusow three-bet to 6,600 before Mike Sexton moved all-in for 12,300 in the big blind. Nguyen made it 25,500 and Matusow made the fold.

Sexton showed AK and was in bad shape against Nguyen’s KK.

The board came 6547Q which elminated Sexton from the tournament.

Seed Plays Back at Elky

Huck Seed raised to 1,300 from the small blind and Bertrand Grospellier called from the big blind. The flop was AKQ and Seed checked to Grospellier, who bet 1,600.

Seed made the call and they watched the 4 fall on the turn. Seed checked again, Grospellier bet 4,100 and Seed made it 18,000.

Grospellier called and the J was the river card. Seed led for 31,000 and Grospellier was left with a decision for the rest of his chips. He eventually folded and Seed climbs to 96,225 and is the chip leader.

No Action For Hellmuth

Daniel Negreanu raised to 1,375 from the button and Phil Hellmuth called from the big blind. Hellmuth checked dark and the flop was 865 and Negreanu checked behind.

The turn was the 2 and Hellmuth bet 2,200 and Negreanu folded pretty quickly.

Hellmuth threw his hands in the air and said “Just a straight, man,” lamenting over his lack of action on a big hand.

Player Tags: Scotty Nguyen,   Huck Seed,   Phil Hellmuth,   Mike Sexton

Tournament of Champions Begins at 1 p.m. on Sunday

Jun 27, '10

The World Series of Poker Tournament of Champions will begin at 1 p.m. PDT on Sunday, June 27 at the 2010 WSOP. This invitation-only tournament includes 27 players and they will all begin with 30,000 in tournament chips. Blinds will begin at 50-100. Levels will be 60 minutes long and there will be a 20-minute break after every two levels. There will be a 60-minute dinner break after the completion of level 6. Here is a look at the schedule for the event:

Sunday, June 27, 1 p.m.: Day 1 (Play down to final 9 players)
Sunday, July 4, 1 p.m.: Final Table

This is the fourth year for this prestigious invitational event. The previous champions include Annie Duke, Mike Matusow, and Mike Sexton. CardPlayer.com will bring you live updates, chip counts, photos, and videos from this marquee event.

Here is the full lineup of players for this event, which includes Card Player’s Barry Shulman (pictured above right). Twenty players were chosen by a popular fan vote, while seven spots were automatic invites or sponsor exemptions:

Player Tags: Annie Duke,   Mike Matusow,   Barry Shulman,   Mike Sexton

Level 21 Update: Mike Sexton and Eric Baldwin Eliminated

Jun 14, '10

Blinds: 10,000-20,000
Stakes: 20,000-40,000

Players Remaining: 9 out of 212

Average Chip Count: 636,000

Tournament Leaderboard:

1. Abe Mosseri — 1,100,000
2. Yueqi Zhu — 1,070,000
3. James Dempsey — 1,039,000
4. Sergey Altbregin — 735,000
5. Tony Merksick — 675,000
6. Michael Chow — 460,000
7. Steve Wong — 402,000
8. Sammy Farha — 350,000
9. Eugene Katchalov — 320,000

Eliminations:

13. Mikael Thuritz — $27,401
12. Oleg Shamardin — $34,814
11. Eric Baldwin — $34,814
10. Mike Sexton — $34,814

Big Hands:

Mikael Thuritz Eliminated in 13th Place ($27,401)

Mikael Thuritz was all in on a flop of AQ5 against James Dempsey. Thuritz tabled the JJ62 while Dempsey exposed the AK83.

The A fell on the turn and the river the brought the A giving Dempsey quads. Thuritz was eliminated in 13th place.

Eric Baldwin Eliminated in 11th Place ($34,814))

Eric Baldwin opened from the button and Abe Mosseri called from the big blind. The flop came 1082. Mosseri checked to Baldwin. Baldwin bet and Mosseri called. Mosseri bet on the turn, which was enough to put Baldwin all in for 38,000. Baldwin made the call and exposed the AQ92. Mosseri tabled the AK54. The K on the river gave Mosseri the scoop.

Mike Sexton Eliminated in 10th Place ($34,814)

On a flop of AA8 Mike Sexton checked to Sammy Farha. Farha bet and Sexton raised. Farha called. The 3 fell on the turn and Sexton bet. Farha raised. Sexton called all in for his tournament life. Sexton tabled the AQ97 for three aces. Farha exposed the A543 for a full boat. The 2 hit the felt and Sexton was eliminated.

Player Tags: Mike Sexton,   Sam Farha,   Mikael Thuritz,   Eric Baldwin

Level 17: Money Bubble Bursts

Jun 14, '10

Blinds: 5,000-10,000

Players Remaining: 27 out of 212

Average Chip Count: 235,556

Card Player Chip Counts:

Tournament Leaderboard:

1. Sergey Altbregin – 648,000
2. Michael Chow – 498,000
3. Steve Wong – 465,000
4. James Dempsey – 430,000
5. John Cernuto – 375,000
6. Tony Merksick – 340,000
7. Mike Sexton – 293,000
8. Oleg Shamardin – 290,000
9. Jean-Robert Bellande – 288,000
10. David Baker – 274,000

Notable Eliminations:

John Kabbaj
Jordan Morgan
Dale Phillips

Big Hands:

Sexton Scoops

After a flop of 862, Mike Sexton bet 20,000 and Tai Nguyen made the call, as did Mikael Thuritz. The turn was the 2 and Sexton bet again, this time 20,000.

Thuritz was the only caller and the 7 fell on the river. Sexton bet 20,000 and Thuritz made the call. Sexton tabled A2Q5 for three deuces and the nut low and Thuritz mucked.

Sexton was at 300,000 after the hand.

Michael Jamark Eliminated

Michael Jamark found himself all in after a flop of KQ3. Sergey Altbregin and John D’Agostino were contesting the pot and checked the 3 on the turn.

They did the same after the 8 on the river and Altbregin showed down KKJ10 for a full house and both opponents mucked, sending Jamark to the rail just before the money.

Katchalov Flushes Baker

On a flop of 1084, David Baker bet 20,000 and Eugene Katchalov called. The turn was the 10 and Baker bet 40,000. Katchalov called again and the J fell on the river.

Baker checked and Katchalov bet 40,000. Baker made the call and Katchalov tabled A5 for the nut flush and took down the pot. He was up to 173,000 in chips.

Dale Phillips Eliminated In 28th Place ($0)

Dale Phillips had the unfortunate distinction of being the bubble boy of event no. 25.

He was all in preflop for his last 16,000 and was called by Jean-Robert Bellande and Eugene Katchalov.

The flop came down 977. Both players checked and the 2 fell on the turn. Bellande bet 40,000 and Katchalov called. The river was the J and Bellande bet another 40,000. Katchalov mucked and Bellande showed JJ for a full house and Phillips was out.

Player Tags: Mike Sexton,   Jean-Robert Bellande,   Eugene Katchalov,   Mikael Thuritz,   Sergey Altbregin

Level 13: Bellande Takes One

Jun 13, '10

Blinds: 2,000-4,000

Players Remaining: 54 out of 212

Average Chip Count: 117,778

Card Player Chip Counts:

Jennifer Harman – 130,000
Phil Hellmuth – 98,000
Steve Zolotow – 55,000

Tournament Leaderboard:

1. Tai Nguyen – 274,000
2. Sam Farha – 240,000
3. James Dempsey – 224,000
4. Sergey Altbregin – 180,000
5. Chino Rheem – 178,000
6. Dan Heimiller – 174,000
7. David Benyamine – 170,000
8. Eugene Katchalov – 165,000
9. Mike Watson – 154,000
10. Dale Phillips – 146,000

Notable Eliminations:

Brandon Adams
Erik Seidel
Brock Parker

Big Hands:

Bellande Takes Pot

On a flop of Q92, Steve Zolotow led out for 4,000 and Jean-Robert Bellande made the call. The turn was the 6 and Bellande bet 8,000.

Zolotow made the call and both players checked the J on the river. Bellande then showed down two pair, sixes and deuces to take down the pot.

Seed Gets Better Of Baldwin

Eric Baldwin raised to 8,000 preflop and Huck Seed made the call. The flop came down K64. Seed check-called a bet from Baldwin and then both players checked the 4 on the turn.

They did the same on the J on the river and Seed showed down two pair and took down the pot. He was at 80,000 while Baldwin was at 140,000.

Sexton And Mosseri In A Stalemate

Abe Mosseri raised to 8,000 and Mike Sexton made the call. Steve Wong also called and the three players saw a flop of AK10. Mosseri bet 4,000 and only Sexton stuck around.

The turn was the 2 and Mosseri bet 8,000. Sexton called again and the 7 fell on the river.

Mosseri led out with 8,000 and Sexton raised to 16,000. Mosseri repopped to 24,000 and Sexton made the call.

Sexton showed down a diamond flush while Mosseri showed the best low and both players chopped the pot. Sexton was at 110,000 while Mosseri was at 117,000.

Player Tags: Huck Seed,   Mike Sexton,   Abe Mosseri,   Jean-Robert Bellande,   Eric Baldwin

Level Nine: Habib Eliminated

Jun 13, '10

Blinds: 800-1,500

Players Remaining: 144 out of 212

Average Chip Count: 44,167

Card Player Chip Counts:

Barry Shulman – 76,200
Phil Hellmuth – 84,300
Jennifer Harman – 66,600
Steve Zolotow – 44,700
Todd Brunson – 18,600

Tournament Leaderboard:

1. Eugene Katchalov – 123,200
2. Sergey Altbregin – 112,500
3. David Benyamine – 102,500
4. Sam Farha – 98,500
5. Alexander Kostritsyn – 95,900
6. Tai Nguyen – 94,600
7. George Danzer – 91,700
8. Vladimir Schmelev – 88,300
9. Jeffrey Lisandro – 87,200
10. Brock Parker – 85,900

Notable Eliminations:

Hasan Habib
Nikolay Evdakov
Jerry Buss
Erick Lindgren
Shannon Shorr

Big Hands:

Baldwin’s Boat Takes It

Eric Baldwin raised to 3,000 and Mel Judah made the call, as did the player in the big blind. The flop came down J92 and Baldwin bet 1,500. Judah mucked but the big blind made the call.

The J fell on the turn and Baldwin bet 3,000. The big blind called and the river was the 3.

Baldwin bet 3,000 more and was called one last time. Baldwin tabled KJ53 for a full house and took down the pot.

Habib Flushed Away

Hasan Habib was all in after a flop of 942. He was called by Sergey Altbregin, who had flopped the nut flush with AA105.

Habib received no help on the turn or river as they came JJ and Habib was out.

Sexton Shoots Down Mosseri

Abe Mosseri raised to 3,000 preflop and Mike Sexoton made the call. The flop came down A63. Mosseri checked and Sexton bet 1,500. Mosseri then check-raised to 3,000 and Sexton made the call.

The turn was the J and Mosseri led out with 3,000. Sexton called and both players checked the Q on the river.

Sexton turned over AA73 for a set of aces on the flop and took down the pot. He was at 76,000 while Mosseri was at 36,000.

Player Tags: Hasan Habib,   Mel Judah,   Mike Sexton,   Abe Mosseri,   Eric Baldwin,   Sergey Altbregin

Level 21 Update: Mike Sexton and Eric Baldwin Eliminated

Jun 14, '10

Blinds: 10,000-20,000
Stakes: 20,000-40,000

Players Remaining: 9 out of 212

Average Chip Count: 636,000

Tournament Leaderboard:

1. Abe Mosseri — 1,100,000
2. Yueqi Zhu — 1,070,000
3. James Dempsey — 1,039,000
4. Sergey Altbregin — 735,000
5. Tony Merksick — 675,000
6. Michael Chow — 460,000
7. Steve Wong — 402,000
8. Sammy Farha — 350,000
9. Eugene Katchalov — 320,000

Eliminations:

13. Mikael Thuritz — $27,401
12. Oleg Shamardin — $34,814
11. Eric Baldwin — $34,814
10. Mike Sexton — $34,814

Big Hands:

Mikael Thuritz Eliminated in 13th Place ($27,401)

Mikael Thuritz was all in on a flop of AQ5 against James Dempsey. Thuritz tabled the JJ62 while Dempsey exposed the AK83.

The A fell on the turn and the river the brought the A giving Dempsey quads. Thuritz was eliminated in 13th place.

Eric Baldwin Eliminated in 11th Place ($34,814))

Eric Baldwin opened from the button and Abe Mosseri called from the big blind. The flop came 1082. Mosseri checked to Baldwin. Baldwin bet and Mosseri called. Mosseri bet on the turn, which was enough to put Baldwin all in for 38,000. Baldwin made the call and exposed the AQ92. Mosseri tabled the AK54. The K on the river gave Mosseri the scoop.

Mike Sexton Eliminated in 10th Place ($34,814)

On a flop of AA8 Mike Sexton checked to Sammy Farha. Farha bet and Sexton raised. Farha called. The 3 fell on the turn and Sexton bet. Farha raised. Sexton called all in for his tournament life. Sexton tabled the AQ97 for three aces. Farha exposed the A543 for a full boat. The 2 hit the felt and Sexton was eliminated.

Player Tags: Mike Sexton,   Sam Farha,   Mikael Thuritz,   Eric Baldwin

Level 17: Money Bubble Bursts

Jun 14, '10

Blinds: 5,000-10,000

Players Remaining: 27 out of 212

Average Chip Count: 235,556

Card Player Chip Counts:

Tournament Leaderboard:

1. Sergey Altbregin – 648,000
2. Michael Chow – 498,000
3. Steve Wong – 465,000
4. James Dempsey – 430,000
5. John Cernuto – 375,000
6. Tony Merksick – 340,000
7. Mike Sexton – 293,000
8. Oleg Shamardin – 290,000
9. Jean-Robert Bellande – 288,000
10. David Baker – 274,000

Notable Eliminations:

John Kabbaj
Jordan Morgan
Dale Phillips

Big Hands:

Sexton Scoops

After a flop of 862, Mike Sexton bet 20,000 and Tai Nguyen made the call, as did Mikael Thuritz. The turn was the 2 and Sexton bet again, this time 20,000.

Thuritz was the only caller and the 7 fell on the river. Sexton bet 20,000 and Thuritz made the call. Sexton tabled A2Q5 for three deuces and the nut low and Thuritz mucked.

Sexton was at 300,000 after the hand.

Michael Jamark Eliminated

Michael Jamark found himself all in after a flop of KQ3. Sergey Altbregin and John D’Agostino were contesting the pot and checked the 3 on the turn.

They did the same after the 8 on the river and Altbregin showed down KKJ10 for a full house and both opponents mucked, sending Jamark to the rail just before the money.

Katchalov Flushes Baker

On a flop of 1084, David Baker bet 20,000 and Eugene Katchalov called. The turn was the 10 and Baker bet 40,000. Katchalov called again and the J fell on the river.

Baker checked and Katchalov bet 40,000. Baker made the call and Katchalov tabled A5 for the nut flush and took down the pot. He was up to 173,000 in chips.

Dale Phillips Eliminated In 28th Place ($0)

Dale Phillips had the unfortunate distinction of being the bubble boy of event no. 25.

He was all in preflop for his last 16,000 and was called by Jean-Robert Bellande and Eugene Katchalov.

The flop came down 977. Both players checked and the 2 fell on the turn. Bellande bet 40,000 and Katchalov called. The river was the J and Bellande bet another 40,000. Katchalov mucked and Bellande showed JJ for a full house and Phillips was out.

Player Tags: Mike Sexton,   Jean-Robert Bellande,   Eugene Katchalov,   Mikael Thuritz,   Sergey Altbregin

Level 13: Bellande Takes One

Jun 13, '10

Blinds: 2,000-4,000

Players Remaining: 54 out of 212

Average Chip Count: 117,778

Card Player Chip Counts:

Jennifer Harman – 130,000
Phil Hellmuth – 98,000
Steve Zolotow – 55,000

Tournament Leaderboard:

1. Tai Nguyen – 274,000
2. Sam Farha – 240,000
3. James Dempsey – 224,000
4. Sergey Altbregin – 180,000
5. Chino Rheem – 178,000
6. Dan Heimiller – 174,000
7. David Benyamine – 170,000
8. Eugene Katchalov – 165,000
9. Mike Watson – 154,000
10. Dale Phillips – 146,000

Notable Eliminations:

Brandon Adams
Erik Seidel
Brock Parker

Big Hands:

Bellande Takes Pot

On a flop of Q92, Steve Zolotow led out for 4,000 and Jean-Robert Bellande made the call. The turn was the 6 and Bellande bet 8,000.

Zolotow made the call and both players checked the J on the river. Bellande then showed down two pair, sixes and deuces to take down the pot.

Seed Gets Better Of Baldwin

Eric Baldwin raised to 8,000 preflop and Huck Seed made the call. The flop came down K64. Seed check-called a bet from Baldwin and then both players checked the 4 on the turn.

They did the same on the J on the river and Seed showed down two pair and took down the pot. He was at 80,000 while Baldwin was at 140,000.

Sexton And Mosseri In A Stalemate

Abe Mosseri raised to 8,000 and Mike Sexton made the call. Steve Wong also called and the three players saw a flop of AK10. Mosseri bet 4,000 and only Sexton stuck around.

The turn was the 2 and Mosseri bet 8,000. Sexton called again and the 7 fell on the river.

Mosseri led out with 8,000 and Sexton raised to 16,000. Mosseri repopped to 24,000 and Sexton made the call.

Sexton showed down a diamond flush while Mosseri showed the best low and both players chopped the pot. Sexton was at 110,000 while Mosseri was at 117,000.

Player Tags: Huck Seed,   Mike Sexton,   Abe Mosseri,   Jean-Robert Bellande,   Eric Baldwin

Level Nine: Habib Eliminated

Jun 13, '10

Blinds: 800-1,500

Players Remaining: 144 out of 212

Average Chip Count: 44,167

Card Player Chip Counts:

Barry Shulman – 76,200
Phil Hellmuth – 84,300
Jennifer Harman – 66,600
Steve Zolotow – 44,700
Todd Brunson – 18,600

Tournament Leaderboard:

1. Eugene Katchalov – 123,200
2. Sergey Altbregin – 112,500
3. David Benyamine – 102,500
4. Sam Farha – 98,500
5. Alexander Kostritsyn – 95,900
6. Tai Nguyen – 94,600
7. George Danzer – 91,700
8. Vladimir Schmelev – 88,300
9. Jeffrey Lisandro – 87,200
10. Brock Parker – 85,900

Notable Eliminations:

Hasan Habib
Nikolay Evdakov
Jerry Buss
Erick Lindgren
Shannon Shorr

Big Hands:

Baldwin’s Boat Takes It

Eric Baldwin raised to 3,000 and Mel Judah made the call, as did the player in the big blind. The flop came down J92 and Baldwin bet 1,500. Judah mucked but the big blind made the call.

The J fell on the turn and Baldwin bet 3,000. The big blind called and the river was the 3.

Baldwin bet 3,000 more and was called one last time. Baldwin tabled KJ53 for a full house and took down the pot.

Habib Flushed Away

Hasan Habib was all in after a flop of 942. He was called by Sergey Altbregin, who had flopped the nut flush with AA105.

Habib received no help on the turn or river as they came JJ and Habib was out.

Sexton Shoots Down Mosseri

Abe Mosseri raised to 3,000 preflop and Mike Sexoton made the call. The flop came down A63. Mosseri checked and Sexton bet 1,500. Mosseri then check-raised to 3,000 and Sexton made the call.

The turn was the J and Mosseri led out with 3,000. Sexton called and both players checked the Q on the river.

Sexton turned over AA73 for a set of aces on the flop and took down the pot. He was at 76,000 while Mosseri was at 36,000.

Player Tags: Hasan Habib,   Mel Judah,   Mike Sexton,   Abe Mosseri,   Eric Baldwin,   Sergey Altbregin

Level 6 Update: Shulman Scoops One, Joe Serock Eliminated

Jun 07, '10

Limits: Bring-in 200, Ante 200, Limits 800-1,600

Players Remaining: 145 out of 170

Average Chip Count: 35,172

Card Player Chip Counts:

Barry Shulman – 41,500
Phil Hellmuth – 24,000
Steve Zolotow – 36,000
Mark Gregorich – 32,000

Tournament Leaderboard:

1. Sirous Jamshidi – 85,000
2. Marco Johnson – 76,000
3. Barry Greenstein – 68,000
4. Jennifer Harman – 60,000
5. Josh Arieh - 57,000
6. Nick Schulman – 55,000
7. Bob Lauria – 54,000
8. Tommy Vedes – 51,000
9. Ozzy Sheikh – 50,000
10. Alexander Kostritsyn – 49,000

Notable Eliminations:

Joe Serock
Andy Bloch

Big Hands:

Ted Forrest Sliding

On fourth street, Ashton Griffin bet with exposed jacks and was called by both Allie Prescott and Ted Forrest. On fifth street, Griffin put his last 1,500 in the middle and was called by both players again.

Griffin: (X-X)-J-J-9-10
Prescott: (X-X)-10-6-4-5
Forrest: (X-X)-5-4-3-3

On sixth street, Prescott and Forrest both checked. Prescott bet the river and was called by Forrest. Prescott showed A-2-2 and had qualifying low and chopped the side pot with Forrest who showed 8-8-7. Forrest was shut out of the main pot, however, when Griffin showed J-8-7, good for a jack-high straight and Prescott took the low portion of the main pot.

Forrest is down to 4,600, Griffin stays alive with 4,600, and Prescott is at 19,000.

Joe Serock Eliminated by Matt Hawrilenko

We got to the table too late to get street-by-street details, but Matt Hawrilenko made a full house on fifth with Joe Serock all in before that point with split jacks to eliminate Serock from the tournament.

Shulman Scoops One

We caught this hand at showdown with after the bet from Barry Shulman was being called by Mike Sexton and Alexander Kostritsyn.

Shulman: (X-X)-J-5-4-K
Kostritsyn: (X-X)-2-Q-10-A
Sexton: (X-X)-3-7-8-6

Shulman tabled the J-5-5, showing a full house and moving up to 49,000 in chips. Sexton dropped to 27,000 and Kostritsyn to 37,000.

Player Tags: Ted Forrest,   Barry Shulman,   Mike Sexton,   Allie Prescott,   Matt Hawrilenko,   Alexander Kostritsyn

Pieter de Korver Defeats Mike Sexton

Mar 05, '10

Recent poker Hall of Fame inductee Mike Sexton (pictured right) was all in holding A-10, but he was up against Pieter de Korver’s dominating A-K.

The flop brought two kings and Sexton was eliminated from the tournament. De Korver will now play Jason Mercier in the next round.

Player Tags: Mike Sexton,   Pieter De Korver

Level 12 Hour 1 Update: Sexton Over 300k

Jul 10, '09

Blinds: 1,000-2,000 with a 300 ante

Players Remaining: 1,386 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Gabe Walls – 680,000
2. James Akenhead – 578,000
3. John Hammer – 570,000
4. Amir Lehavot – 555,000
5. Tony Cavezza – 550,000
6. Jamie Brown – 545,000
7. Michael Kinney – 530,000
8. Adam Bilzerian – 505,000
9. David Benyamine – 501,000
10. Troy Weber – 500,000

CardPlayer Chip Counts:

Jeff Shulman – 140,000
Phil Hellmuth – 345,000
Lee Watkinson – 41,000
Thomas Keller – 120,000

Average Stack: 131,192

Notable Eliminations:

Adam Schoenfeld
Carlos Mortensen
Corwin Cole
Greg Raymer
Jean-Robert Bellande
Darus Suharto

Big Hands:

A Flush Puts Sexton over the 300,000 Mark

After a raise to 5,200 Mike Sexton called from the small blind. The big blind called as well and the big blind called as well. The flop was 567 and all three players checked to see the 8 on the turn.

The third spade prompted Sexton to bet 10,000, which was called by the big blind. The original raiser folded and the K fell on the river. Sexton bet 20,000 and his opponent thought for a while before making the call. Sexton showed KQ and his opponent mucked.

Farmar Still Hanging In There

Jordan Farmar raised to 5,000 preflop after seat 9 had limped in. Allen Kessler made the call from the big blind and seat 9 called as well. The flop came down 962 and seat 6 bet out. Farmar made the call and Kessler mucked. The turn was the 10 and both players checked. The Q came on the river and seat 9 led out for 5,000. Farmar raised to 10,000 and seat 9 quickly mucked. Farmar took the pot and was at 97,000.

Shulman Rides The Roller Coaster

After some fireworks preflop, the player in seat 5 was all in against Jeff Shulman. Seat 5 held KK while Shulman held AJ. “Come on, baby!” seat 5 shouted. “Hold!”

The flop came down J84 and Shulman got some help. The turn was the 7 and seat 5 was close to a double up. But the A on the river gave Shulman the best hand and seat 5 was eliminated. “Sorry buddy,” Shulman said as he shook seat 5’s hand. Shulman was at 280,000 after the hand.

Moments later, however, Shulman was involved in another big hand. The board ran out A7J4J and Shulman bet 40,000 into a pot holding close to 60,000. His opponent made the call and Shulman tabled Q10 for a busted diamond draw. Seat 1 showed AQ for two pair and Shulman dropped back to 140,000.

Phil Gives Up The Pot

The player on the button raised to 6,000 preflop and Phil Hellmuth made the call from early position. The flop came down 766 and both players checked. The turn was the A and Hellmuth checked again. The button then reached for chips and bet 15,000.

“It’s a good bet,” Hellmuth said with a sigh as he threw his 99 into the muck face up. “You gave it to me,” the button said as he flashed the A. Hellmuth was at 343,000.

Player Tags: Jeff Shulman,   Phil Hellmuth,   Allen Kessler,   Mike Sexton,   Jordan Farmar

Level 6 Hour 1 Update: Jesus Doubles, Elezra Has Some Fun

Jul 07, '09

Blinds: 250-500 with a 50 ante

Day 2A Field: 1,476

Chip Counts:

1. Samer Rahman – 195,000
2. Coba Cao – 175,000
3. Chris Ferguson – 145,000
4. Fabrice Soulier – 143,000
5. Nick Maimone – 142,000
6. Redmond Lee – 140,000
7. Jim Bookstaff – 137,000
8. Tom Schneider – 125,000
9. Craig Hopkins – 121,000
10. Ludovic Lacay – 120,000

CardPlayer Chip Counts:

Mike Matusow – 28,000
Todd Brunson – 27,000

Notable Eliminations:

Phil Laak
Tony G
John Hennigan
Mike Caro

Big Hands:

The World Is A Lie

The player in seat 4 raised to 1,500 preflop and John Hennigan called from the cutoff. The big blind also came along and the flop came down 965. Action was checked to Hennigan and he bet the pot with 3,500. The big blind made the call and seat 4 mucked. The turn was the A and both players checked. The river was the 4 and the big blind checked to Hennigan, who fired 15,000. The big blind tanked for a while and then called.

Hennigan tapped the table, signifying he was caught with nothing and the big blind took down the pot with just 75, a pair of fives. Hennigan was down to 53,000 after that failed bluff attempt. He would later bust.

The Hammer Of Thor

The player in seat 6 raised to 1,500 preflop and Thor Hansen made the call from the big blind. The flop came down Q84 and both players checked. The turn was the K and Hansen led out with 2,200. Seat 6 called and the river was the A. Hansen led out again, this time for 7,200. Seat 6 gave up his hand and Hansen was at 44,000.

Reach Out And Grab your Opponents Hand

Four players saw a flop of A42 and they all checked. The turn was the 2 and Eli Elezra bet 4,000. The player in seat 7 called and the other two players mucked. The river was the 8 and Elezra checked. Seat 7 took control, betting 5,000.

Elezra then went into the tank for a minute. After a bit of waiting, seat 7 leaned his hand to the middle of the table, ready to either turn the hand over or throw it in the muck depending on what Elezra did. Elezra then playfully reached across the table and tried to flip over his opponents hand. Seat 7 held on for dear life and Elezra just mucked his hand. “You aren’t turning my hand over,” seat 7 said. “He wasn’t really gonna do that,” Michael Kamran replied from seat 3. “He got scared,” Elezra joked. Everyone had a good time, especially seat 7 since he took the pot. Elezra was at 44,000.

This Bomb Is A Dud

Phil Laak has been eliminated from the 2009 main event. He made his last stand with Q9 and was actually racing against his opponent’s 88. Unfortunately for Laak, he could not pull out the hand and he was eliminated.

Oh Sweet Jesus, The Man Doubled Up

Chris Ferguson now has a few extra chips to toss around as he has doubled up.

Ken Kelly raised to 2,000 from the button and called from the small blind. The two players saw a flop of QQ2 and Ferguson led out with 8,000 chips. Kelly made the call and the 7 fell on the turn. Ferguson led out again, this time for 17,000. Kelly came over the top with all of his chips, having Ferguson covered.

Ferguson made the call and showed AQ. Kelly tabled AK for just ace-high. The river was just a formality, bringing the 9 and Ferguson doubled up to 145,000.

Corkins Doubles, Still Short

Hoyt Corkins moved all in preflop for his last 4,000 chips. He was called by one opponent who tabled AJ. Corkins was in good shape with AK. The board ran out 874105 and Corkins doubled to 8,000.

Sexton Hits The Diamonds

On a flop of 1042, Mike Sexton led out with 1,500. His opponent then raised to 4,500 and Sexton made the call. The turn was the 9 and both players checked. The river was the 4 and Sexton got back to his betting ways, firing 8,000.

His opponent made the call and Sexton tabled K8 for the flush and his opponent mucked. Sexton took the pot and was at 79,300.

Player Tags: Hoyt Corkins,   Thor Hansen,   Chris Ferguson,   Phil Laak,   Eli Elezra,   John Hennigan,   Mike Sexton

Level 4 Hour 2 Update: Last Hour of the Day

Jul 03, '09

Blinds: 150-300 with a 25 ante

Players Remaining: 921 out of 1116

Chip Counts:

1. Redmond Lee – 130,000
2. James Navlanic – 100,000
3. Bryan Colin – 98,000
4. Jason Riesenberg – 92,000
5. Domen Pinteric – 90,000
6. Dragan Gelic – 88,000
7. Jason Alexander – 84,500
8. Eli Elezra – 84,300
9. Chris Demaci – 80,000
10. David Sands – 80,000

Notable Eliminations:

Jerry Yang, Perry Friedman, Darryl Dicken, Orel Hershiser, David Grey, Isaac Haxton, Andy Bloch

Big Hands:

Tilly Can’t Win A Flip

The player in seat 4 raised to 800 and Jennifer Tilly made the call. The player in seat 9 then moved all in for 13,000 and seat 4 mucked. Tilly then took a session in the tank and decided to make the call.

Seat 9: 33
Tilly: A9

Board: Q62J4

Tilly was in a race situation with two overcards but could not connect and she was down to 12,000 in chips.

Hansen Picks Up Aces, Takes Pot

Gus Hansen was in the big blind and was battling with the small blind. On the river the board read 62KJ7 and there was already over 10,000 in the pot.

The small blind checked over to Hansen, who bet 4450. The small blind tanked for a minute or so before begrudgingly tossing in the call. Hansen showed the AA and his opponent in the small blind just shook his head and mucked his hand.

Johnny Chan Doubles Up, Cripples Steve Paul-Ambrose

Johnny Chan got all of his chips in the middle preflop against Steve Paul-Ambrose. With his tournament life on the line, Chan tabled AK and was way ahead of the AQ of Ambrose.

The board ran out J223A, which was not good enough for Steve Paul-Ambrose, and gave Chan the pot. Chan doubled to 14,000, but Ambrose was left with just 6000

Andy Black Takes A Pot

On a flop of 953, Andy Black bet 1,200 and his opponent in seat 2 made the call. The turn was the 7 and Black fired another 3,000. Seat 2 decided to muck his hand and Black took the pot, improving his stack to 66,000.

Naujoks Lives To Fight Again

Picking up the action on the river, the board read Q9946, Sandra Naujoks fired 8,100 into the pot. The player in seat 3 then raised to 63,000, having Naujoks well covered.

Naujoks then took a long tank session to decide whether to commit her remaining 18,750 into the pot. After a couple of minutes, she finally decided to release her hand.

David Grey Busts

David Grey was all in against his opponent. Grey was holding 85 and flopped two pair as it fell J85. However, his opponent made a flush and Grey was ousted from the main event.

Straight Flushed

With over 12,000 in the pot preflop, the flop came down 532. Mike Sexton moved all in and his opponent made the call. Sexton tabled 54 for top pair and a straight flush draw while his opponent tabled 33 for a set. The turn made Sexton his flush as the 8 fell. The river then brought the 6, making Sexton a straight flush to add insult to injury as his opponent was eliminated and Sexton was up to 40,000.

Andy Bloch Loses Race and Ends Main Event Run

After a middle position limper, a short stacked Andy Bloch moved all in for his remaining chips. The limper ended up calling Bloch’s all in and showed 44 and was racing against Bloch’s AJ.

The flop was 8KQ, giving Bloch a straight draw to go along his overcards. The turn gave Bloch more outs as it was the Q. Bloch was unable to catch a K, 8, 10, J, or A on the river as the 7 fell and eliminated him from the tournament.

Player Tags: Gus Hansen,   Johnny Chan,   Mike Sexton,   Jennifer Tilly,   Andy Black,   Steve Paul Ambrose,   Sandra Naujoks