Karga Holt Poker Tournament Updates

Level 6 Update: Day 1B Ends

Aug 22, '10

NOTE: Day 1B has come to an end and the tournament clock shows that 153 players remain. Those players will return at 1 p.m. tomorrow to join the 90 players that survived from day 1A. Join us for day 2 coverage from the WPT Legends of Poker at the Bicycle Casino tomorrow.

Blinds: 200-400 with a 50 ante

Players Remaining: 153 out of 276

Notable Chip Counts:

1. Vinnie Vinh — 180,000 (pictured right)
2. Justin Young — 138,950
3. Micah Raskin — 135,000
4. Philip Stark — 132,575
5. Ari Goott — 129,000
6. Peter Kmbikian — 122,425
7. Joe Sebok — 109,650
8. Adam Schiffer — 109,500
9. Ronald Atwood — 109,475
10. Bart Hanson — 89,000

Average Chip Count: 45,098

Notable Eliminations:

Kathy Liebert
CK Hua
David Chiu
Van Nguyen
Matt Stout
Karga Holt

Chip Movers and Shakers

Vinnie Vinh and Joe Sebok have rocketed up the leader board at the end of play. Vinh is the overnight chip leader with 180,000 and Sebok holds a strong stack with 108,000. Strong day 1B performers Justin Young and Ari Goott each end the night with six-figures as well. A few players that have survived, but will be limping into day 2 are Jennifer Tilly with 3,475 and Cornel Cimpan with 6,625.

But tomorrow is a new day and if any of the players that ended the night with short stacks need some inspiration they can just consider the case of Shane Schleger on day 1B. He was hurting on a short stack for most of the day, but he persevered and ended play with on a hot streak with 78,800.

Big Hands:

Allen Cunningham Triples Up

Allen Cunningham scored a huge pot early during the last level of the day to grow his stack to 90,000. He flopped a full house in the hand and his two opponents held pocket kings and pocket aces. He was all in for about 30,000 and tripled up on the hand.

David Oppenheim Doubles Up

The big blind checked a board of A33K with 5,000 sitting in the pot and David Oppenheim bet 2,500. The big blind called and the river fell J. The big blind checked and Oppenheim moved all in for 4,525. His opponent went into the tank and then made the call, flipping over AQ. Oppenheim turned over AJ and he doubled up to 20,000 to hang on to his tournament life late in the day.

Karga Holt Eliminated

Karga Holt was eliminated on the final hand of the day at his table. His opponent had bet 4,025 preflop and Holt reraised all in. His opponent made the call and Holt was committed for his tournament life. Their cards:

Holt: A5
Opponent: AQ

Board: KK648

Holt was trailing from the start and wasn’t able to catch up on the board. He was eliminated on the hand and walked to the rail as tables finished up for the night on either side of him.

Left in the Deck

Absence Makes the Stack Grow Larger

Phil Hellmuth has added enough to his stack during the late stages of the day to take lengthy breaks tomorrow as well. Shortly after returning from a 3+ hour dinner break he got involved in multiple pots and he grew his stack to 55,000. He ends the night with 66,850.

Player Tags: Allen Cunningham,   David Oppenheim,   Phil Hellmuth,   Karga Holt

Final Table Update: Karga Holt Eliminated In Seventh Place

Jun 30, '09

Blinds: 25,000-50,000 with a 5,000 ante

Players Remaining: 6 out of 854

Chip Counts:

1. Jorg Peisert – 3,065,000
2. Jason DeWitt – 1,300,000
3. Michael Katz – 1,230,000
4. Benjamin Gilbert – 960,000
5. Michael Noda – 730,000
6. Jason Somerville – 400,000

Average Chip Count: 1,098,000

Notable Eliminations:

7. Karga Holt — $63,781

Elimination Hands:

Karga Holt Eliminated In Seventh Place($63,781)

Michael Katz raised to 76,000 from under the gun and the action folded around to Karga Holt in the small blind. He moved all in for over 500,000 total and the big blind mucked. Katz made the call and tabled KQ while Holt was in dominating position with AK. Unfortunately for Holt, things can change pretty rapidly in this game, especially when the flop comes KKQ, as it did. Holt was stunned and needed an ace to survive. The turn was the J and the river was the 2, offering no help and Holt was eliminated.

Player Tags: Karga Holt,   Michael Katz

Level 8 Update

Feb 22, '09

Level: 8

Blinds: 250-500 with a 50 ante

Players Left: 306 out of 696
 

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Score Board:

Notable Chip Counts

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

Average:45,490

Notable Eliminations

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

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Featured Table

Table 19

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

Karga Holt Takes One Down

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

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Big Hands:

Matt Graham Eliminated by David Pham

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

Graham: A4
Pham: 99

Board: 774J2

Graham was eliminated on the hand.

Hevad Khan Doubles Through Eddie Sabat

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

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

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

I Think I'm Good

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

Brett Shaffer Late Show

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

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

Hands #56-58: Karga Holt Eliminated in 8th Place ($211,050)

Apr 24, '08

There are about 28 minutes left in Level 24, with blinds at 60,000-120,000 and a 15,000 ante.

Hand #56  -  Karga Holt has the button in seat 2, and John Roveto raises from the cutoff to 420,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand #57  -  Amir Vahedi has the button in seat 3, and Gus Hansen raises from the small blind to 360,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand #58 -  Gus Hansen has the button in seat 4, Karga Holt raises from late position to 450,000, Hansen reraises from the button to 1,065,000, Holt moves all in, and Hansen calls with AK. Holt shows JJ, and he'll need his pocket pair to hold up to stay alive.

The flop comes A74, and Hansen pairs his ace to take a dominating lead. Holt needs a jack to survive.

The turn is the 9, the river is the K, and Gus Hansen wins the pot with two pair, aces and kings.

Karga Holt is eliminated in eighth place, earning $211,050.
 

Player Tags: Gus Hansen,   Karga Holt,   John Roveto

Hands #53-55

Apr 24, '08

The blinds are still at 60,000-120,000 with a 15,000 ante.

Hand #53  -  Cory Carroll has the button in seat 7, and Karga Holt raises under the gun to 360,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand #54 -  Jeff King has the button in seat 10, and Gus Hansen raises from early position to 360,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand #55  -  John Roveto has the button in seat 1, and he raises to 420,000, winning the blinds and antes.
 

Player Tags: Gus Hansen,   Karga Holt,   John Roveto

Hands #48-50: Amir Vahedi Doubles Through John Roveto

Apr 24, '08

There are about 48 minutes left in Level 24, with blinds at 60,000-120,000 and a 15,000 ante.

Hand #48  -  Karga Holt has the button in seat 2, and Amir Vahedi moves all in for about 800,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand #49  -  Amir Vahedi has the button in seat 3, and Gus Hansen raises from the small blind to 360,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand #50  -  Gus Hansen has the button in seat 4, John Roveto raises from middle position to 400,000, Amir Vahedi moves all in from the cutoff to 1.01 million, and Roveto calls with A9. Vahedi shows 88, and he needs his pocket pair to hold to stay alive.

The board comes K62105, and Amir Vahedi doubles up to 2.28 million in chips.
 

Player Tags: Amir Vahedi,   Gus Hansen,   Karga Holt,   John Roveto

Hands #43-47: Amir Vahedi Short But Staying Alive

Apr 24, '08

The blinds are still 60,000-120,000 and a 15,000 ante.

Hand #43  -  David Chiu has the button in seat 5, and Karga Holt raises from middle position to 360,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand #44  -  Tommy Le has the button in seat 6, and Gus Hansen raises from late position to 360,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand #45  -  Cory Carroll has the button in seat 7, and Gus Hansen raises from middle position to 360,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand #46  -  Gus Hansen raises from middle position to 360,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand #47  -  Jeff King has the button in seat 10, Karga Holt completes from the small blind to 120,000, and Amir Vahedi checks his option from the big blind. The flop comes KJ7, Holt bets 175,000, Vahedi moves all in for 280,000, and Holt ... folds. Amir Vahedi takes the pot, building his stack to about 815,000.
 

Player Tags: Amir Vahedi,   Gus Hansen,   David Chiu,   Jeff King,   Tommy Le,   Cory Carroll,   Tom Dwan,   Karga Holt

Hands #41-42: Tommy Le Doubles Through Amir Vahedi

Apr 24, '08

There are about 71 minutes left in Level 24, with blinds at 60,000-120,000 and a 15,000 ante.

Hand #41  -  Amir Vahedi has the button in seat 3, Karga Holt raises from the cutoff to 360,000, Gus Hansen moves all in from the small blind, and Holt tanks for more than a minute before he folds.

Hand #42 -  Gus Hansen has the button in seat 4, Cory Carroll raises under the gun to 350,000, Amir Vahedi moves all in from the cutoff for 1,195,000, Tommy Le calls all in from the big blind for 720,000, and Carroll folds.

Vahedi shows AQ, and Tommy Le shows KK. Le needs his pocket pair to hold to stay alive.

The door card is an ace, and Le and his friends on the rail groan -- until the flop is revealed to be AK8. Tommy Le flops a set of kings to take a huge lead in the hand.

The turn is the 4, the river is the 3, and Tommy Le wins the pot with his set of kings, doubling up to about 2.1 million. Amir Vahedi drops down to about 450,000.
 

Player Tags: Amir Vahedi,   Gus Hansen,   Tommy Le,   Karga Holt

Hands #31-32: Kenny Tran Eliminated in 10th Place ($158,290)

Apr 24, '08

There are about 19 minutes left in Level 23, with blinds at 40,000-80,000 and a 10,000 ante.

Hand #31  -  Karga Holt has the button in seat 2, Cory Carroll raises from early position to 250,000, and Gus Hansen calls from the big blind. Both players check to the river on a board of 109985. Hansen bets 480,000, and Carroll calls. Hansen shows K10 for two pair, tens and nines, and Carroll mucks. Gus Hansen wins the pot.

Hand #32  -  Amir Vahedi has the button in seat 3, Kenny Tran raises from middle position to 240,000, Tom Dwan moves all in from middle position, and Tran calls all in with [Jc8c]. Dwan shows 77, and it's a race situation.

The board comes AK9A2, and Dwan's pocket sevens hold up to win the pot. Kenny Tran is eliminated in 10th place, earning $158,290.
 

 

 

Player Tags: Amir Vahedi,   Gus Hansen,   Kenny Tran,   Cory Carroll,   Tom Dwan,   Karga Holt

Hands #21-25: All 10 Players Refuse to Bust

Apr 24, '08

There are about 48 minutes left in Level 23, with blinds at 40,000-80,000 and a 10,000 ante.

Hand #21  -  Karga Holt has the button in seat 2, Tom Dwan raises from middle position to 210,000, John Roveto reraises from the cutoff to 810,000, and Dwan folds. John Roveto takes the pot.

Hand #22  -  Amir Vahedi has the button in seat 3, and Cory Carroll raises from early position to 250,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand #23  -  Gus Hansen has the button in seat 4, and Jeff King moves all in from middle position for 435,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand #24  -  David Chiu has the button in seat 5, Karga Holt raises from middle position to 250,000, Gus Hansen reraises from the cutoff to 775,000, Holt moves all in for about 2.675 million, and Hansen folds. Karga Holt takes the pot.

Hand #25  -  Tommy Le has the button in seat 6, and Tom Dwan raises under the gun to 200,000, winning the blinds and antes.
 

Player Tags: Amir Vahedi,   Gus Hansen,   David Chiu,   Jeff King,   Tommy Le,   Cory Carroll,   Tom Dwan,   Karga Holt,   John Roveto

Hands #16-20: Cory Carroll vs. Gus Hansen

Apr 24, '08

There are about 67 minutes left in Level 23, with blinds at 40,000-80,000 and a 10,000 ante.

Hand #16  -  Cory Carroll has the button in seat 7, and Amir Vahedi raises from middle position to 230,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand #17  -  Kenny Tran has the button in seat 8, and Amir Vahedi raises from middle position to 235,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand #18  -  Tom "Durrrr" Dwan has the button in seat 9, and Kenny Tran raises from the cutoff to 250,000, winning the blinds and antes. Tran shows A-K as he collects the chips.

Hand #19  -  Jeff King has the button in seat 10, Kenny Tran raises from late position to 240,000, Karga Holt tanks for a couple minutes before raising to 550,000, and Tran calls. The flop comes 932, Holt moves all in, and Tran folds. Karga Holt takes the pot.

Hand #20  -  John Roveto has the button in seat 1, Gus Hansen limps under the gun for 80,000, Cory Carroll limps from middle position, and Amir Vahedi checks his option in the big blind. The flop comes A52, Vahedi checks, Hansen bets 180,000, Carroll calls, and Vahedi folds.

The turn card is the K, and both players check. The river card is the 6, Hansen bets 525,000, and Carroll calls with A7 for a pair of aces. Hansen shows 75 for a pair of fives. Cory Carroll wins the pot.
 

Player Tags: Amir Vahedi,   Gus Hansen,   Kenny Tran,   Jeff King,   Cory Carroll,   Tom Dwan,   Karga Holt,   John Roveto

Hands #11-15

Apr 24, '08

There are about 79 minutes left in Level 23, with blinds at 40,000-80,000 and a 10,000 ante.

Hand #11  -  Karga Holt has the button in seat 2, and David Chiu raises under the gun to 250,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand #12  -  Amir Vahedi has the button in seat 3, Tommy Le raises under the gun to 270,000, and Vahedi calls from the button. The flop comes 876, Le checks, Vahedi bets 300,000, Le moves all in, and Vahedi folds. Tommy Le takes the pot.

Hand #13  -  Gus Hansen has the button in seat 4, and Karga Holt raises from late position to 280,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand #14  -  David Chiu has the button in seat 5, and Gus Hansen raises from the cutoff to 260,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand #15  -  Tommy Le has the button in seat 6, Karga Holt raises from middle position to 270,000, and Gus Hansen calls from late position. The flop comes JJJ, Holt bets 350,000, and Hansen folds. Karga Holt takes the pot.
 

Player Tags: Amir Vahedi,   Gus Hansen,   David Chiu,   Tommy Le,   Karga Holt

Hands #1-4: Cory Carroll and David Chiu Chop with Pocket Aces

Apr 24, '08

There are a little more than 20 minutes left in Level 22, with blinds at 30,000-60,000 and a 5,000 ante. There are 10 players remaining, and play continues today until they reach the final six.

Hand #1  -  Karga Holt has the button in seat 2, and Cory Carroll raises from middle position to 175,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand #2  -  Amir Vahedi has the button in seat 3, and Gus Hansen raises from the small blind to 225,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand #3  -  Gus Hansen has the button in seat 4, and Kenny Tran raises from early position to 180,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand #4  -  David Chiu has the button in seat 5, Amir Vahedi raises from late position to 185,000, Chiu reraises from the button to 605,000, Cory Carroll moves all in from the big blind, Vahedi folds, and Chiu calls with AA. Carroll shows AA, and for the second time today, we have aces vs. aces. Unless somebody flushes, it'll be a chopped pot.

The board comes J955K, and Cory Carroll and David Chiu chop the pot.
 

Player Tags: Amir Vahedi,   Gus Hansen,   David Chiu,   Kenny Tran,   Cory Carroll,   Karga Holt

Hour Two Recap

Jun 15, '07

The second level of this final table was absolutely crazy. In the last hour there have been seven eliminations and the action is now heads up between James Mackey and Stuart Fox. The play this level was almost all preflop, with less than five flops on hands that didn't eliminate a player. James Mackey and Michael Binger established themselves as the aggressors at the table this level, and their large chip stacks reflected that. The two remaining players are on a short break while tournament officials place the money on the table and get the bracelet ready. Play will resume shortly.

The order of eliminations are:

9th Place - Mike Gracz ($43,684)
8th Place - John "Tex" Barch ($60,254)
7th Place - Jan Sorenson ($81,343)
6th Place - Nick Schulman ($108,457)
5th Place - Karga Holt ($140,091)
4th Place - Will McMahon ($194,319)
3rd Place - Michael Binger ($295,245)

James Mackey will return from the break as the dominant chip leader. Mackey has a 12:1 chip advantage coming into heads up play, with $5,900,000 up against $495,000 helf by Stuart Fox. Fox came into the final table fourth in chips and has only played one hand all day. Fox has been able to sneak in the back door into at least second place by watching his companions battle all day.

There are approximately two hands remaining in the 20th level and after that the blinds will rise to $30,000-$60,000 with a  $5,000 ante.  There will be  $100,000  of dead money in each hand in the 21st level which means Fox will be forced to make a move soon.

Player Tags: Michael Gracz,   John Barch,   Jan Sorensen,   James Mackey,   William McMahon,   Stuart Fox,   Michael Binger,   Nick Schulman,   Karga Holt

Karga Holt Eliminated in 5th Place ($140,091)

Jun 15, '07

Karga Holt was eliminated in 5th place when he got involved in a hand with Michael Binger, who is currently second in chips with almost $1,900,000. After winning the first two hands of the day, Holt had been on a steady decline and found himself all in on a short stack with Q 3. Binger called with J J. The dealer put out A 10 8 A 9 and Holt missed his queen. Holt was eliminated in 5th place, earning $140,091. Binger moved up to almost $2,000,000 and is the only player that can put pressure on James Mackey, who sits with over $3,000,000.

Player Tags: James Mackey,   Michael Binger,   Karga Holt

Hour One Recap

Jun 15, '07

The cards have been in the air for only an hour and already it is evident that this table came to play. There are still nine players remaining and play has entered level 20. Blinds are going up to $20,000-$40,000 with a $5,000 ante.

Just 15 minutes into this final table John "Tex" Barch and Jan Sorenson got tangled up. Barch raised preflop and Sorenson reraised all in for about $340,000. Barch called quickly and flipped up K K. Sorenson turned over A Q. Barch went into the flop the favorite but was quickly disappointed when the flop came A J 4. The turn was the 7 and the river came the 9 giving no help to Barch. After the hand Sorenson was up over $800,00 and Barch was left with less than $300,000.

Later in the level James Mackey made a large preflop raise and was called by Nick Schulman. The flop came 6 6 3 and Mackey bet out $125,000. Schulman made the call and the turn was the 5. Both players checked and the river was the 7. Mackey bet out again and Schulman quickly called. Mackey showed K K and Schulman flipped up A 3. Mackey took down the large pot and now sits as the chip leader.

Not missing a beat, Schulman made a large raise preflop just a few hands later. Michael Binger reraised all in for $236,000. Schulman called and showed Binger 9 9 and Binger didn't even flinch. Binger showed A A and Schulman started counting out his chips to match Binger's bet. The dealer peeled off 8 4 4 Q K and Binger doubled through Schulman and now has $572,000.

On the last hand of the level, Nick Schulman found himself involved in a hand for all of his chips. Karga Holt had made a large raise from the button and Nick Schulman protected his big blind by pushing all in. Holt made the call and turned over A J. Schulman had A 10 and couldn't believe his unfortunate luck yet again. The flop came J 7 2 and Schulman started to gather his things. The turn was the 8 and all of a sudden Schulman had outs. The river was the 9 and Schulman couldn't believe he caught runner-runner to take down the pot. Schulman doubled up through Holt who was still one of the big stacks at the table.

The players are taking a short break following the completion of level one and the cards will be back in the air shortly.

Check back with CardPlayer.com for the next level update and all current eliminations.

Player Tags: John Barch,   Jan Sorensen,   James Mackey,   Michael Binger,   Nick Schulman,   Karga Holt

Hour Six - Day Two Ends

Jun 14, '07

Ouch

Ross Boatman moved all in and Karga Holt made the call. Boatman flipped over A K and Holt showed down pocket sixes. The board was dealt A A 8 J and it appeared that Boatman would double up and play would continue. That was until the 6 fell on the river to fill up Holt’s boat. The sixes full of aces eliminated Boatman in 10th place and the final table for 2 p.m. tomorrow was set.

Here is how things will look when the players take their seats:

Seat one: Will McMahon - $524,000
Seat two: Tex Barch - $709,000
Seat three: Michael Binger - $240,000
Seat four: Jan Sorenson - $349,000
Seat five: Stuart Fox - $718,000
Seat six: Michael Gracz - $534,000
Seat seven: Karga Holt - $1,211,000
Seat eight: James Mackey - $1,074,000
Seat nine: Nick Schulman - $1,045,000

Player Tags: Ross Boatman,   Karga Holt

Day Two - Hour Five

Jun 14, '07

Late From Dinner

The players arrived after dinner and action began. One player did not return and his stack was blinded off for five minutes. That player was Phil Laak. He did show up eventually and returned to a stack of $360,000. Nick Schulman was the post dinner chip leader with $940,000. He was trailed $100,000 to the negative by Michael Gracz. 

Rising to the Top

Karga Holt went on a tear shortly after action began anew. He picked up $120,000 off of Gracz with an all-in reraise. He then called an all-in raise from Kathy Liebert on the next hand. “I think I’ve got you,” said Liebert as she half-heatedly flipped over 6 3. “Deuce, four, five” she added as Holt flipped over pocket tens. The board was dealt 9 9 8 K Q and Liebert was eliminated in 13th place. Holt now had over $1 million.

Getting Down to the Nitty Gritty

There were now 12 players left and the blinds were kicked up to $10,000-$20,000 with a $3,000 ante. Gracz took another hit down to $600,000 when two players doubled up through him on an unfortunate hand. The hour was approaching 11:00 p.m. by this point and some players were showing the hour through their actions. Laak had taken to using his chip stack as a chin rest to support his head.

Laak Attacked

James Mackey bet $60,000 preflop and Laak raised all in for $250,000 more. Mackey made the all-in call and flipped over A Q. Laak showed pocket sixes and the board was dealt K 9 7 8 10. Mackey doubled up and Laak was crippled with only $11,000 after the hand. Laak was all in blind on the next hand and Tex Barch raised to $70,000. Michael Binger made the call and the two players checked down the side pot on a board of 10 8 4 2 8c. Laak flipped over a hand that had huge possibilities on the flop, but was an equally huge disappoint on the river, J 9. Binger threw down A 6 and Barch mucked. Laak sat there for a moment in eleventh place and tried to put together where it all went wrong.

The Wall

Action was now down to ten players and the tournament hit the proverbial wall. It was obvious that at this point two players were going to have to both receive cards for anything to go down. Barch and Binger both moved all in at certain points during the first 20 minutes of final table action, and both times it appeared that Schulman might call. He would go into the tank, count out the chips required for the call, and fold on both occasions though.

Player Tags: Kathy Liebert,   Phil Laak,   John Barch,   James Mackey,   Michael Binger,   Nick Schulman,   Karga Holt

Hour Two Recap

Jun 15, '07

The second level of this final table was absolutely crazy. In the last hour there have been seven eliminations and the action is now heads up between James Mackey and Stuart Fox. The play this level was almost all preflop, with less than five flops on hands that didn't eliminate a player. James Mackey and Michael Binger established themselves as the aggressors at the table this level, and their large chip stacks reflected that. The two remaining players are on a short break while tournament officials place the money on the table and get the bracelet ready. Play will resume shortly.

The order of eliminations are:

9th Place - Mike Gracz ($43,684)
8th Place - John "Tex" Barch ($60,254)
7th Place - Jan Sorenson ($81,343)
6th Place - Nick Schulman ($108,457)
5th Place - Karga Holt ($140,091)
4th Place - Will McMahon ($194,319)
3rd Place - Michael Binger ($295,245)

James Mackey will return from the break as the dominant chip leader. Mackey has a 12:1 chip advantage coming into heads up play, with $5,900,000 up against $495,000 helf by Stuart Fox. Fox came into the final table fourth in chips and has only played one hand all day. Fox has been able to sneak in the back door into at least second place by watching his companions battle all day.

There are approximately two hands remaining in the 20th level and after that the blinds will rise to $30,000-$60,000 with a  $5,000 ante.  There will be  $100,000  of dead money in each hand in the 21st level which means Fox will be forced to make a move soon.

Player Tags: Michael Gracz,   John Barch,   Jan Sorensen,   James Mackey,   William McMahon,   Stuart Fox,   Michael Binger,   Nick Schulman,   Karga Holt

Karga Holt Eliminated in 5th Place ($140,091)

Jun 15, '07

Karga Holt was eliminated in 5th place when he got involved in a hand with Michael Binger, who is currently second in chips with almost $1,900,000. After winning the first two hands of the day, Holt had been on a steady decline and found himself all in on a short stack with Q 3. Binger called with J J. The dealer put out A 10 8 A 9 and Holt missed his queen. Holt was eliminated in 5th place, earning $140,091. Binger moved up to almost $2,000,000 and is the only player that can put pressure on James Mackey, who sits with over $3,000,000.

Player Tags: James Mackey,   Michael Binger,   Karga Holt

Hour One Recap

Jun 15, '07

The cards have been in the air for only an hour and already it is evident that this table came to play. There are still nine players remaining and play has entered level 20. Blinds are going up to $20,000-$40,000 with a $5,000 ante.

Just 15 minutes into this final table John "Tex" Barch and Jan Sorenson got tangled up. Barch raised preflop and Sorenson reraised all in for about $340,000. Barch called quickly and flipped up K K. Sorenson turned over A Q. Barch went into the flop the favorite but was quickly disappointed when the flop came A J 4. The turn was the 7 and the river came the 9 giving no help to Barch. After the hand Sorenson was up over $800,00 and Barch was left with less than $300,000.

Later in the level James Mackey made a large preflop raise and was called by Nick Schulman. The flop came 6 6 3 and Mackey bet out $125,000. Schulman made the call and the turn was the 5. Both players checked and the river was the 7. Mackey bet out again and Schulman quickly called. Mackey showed K K and Schulman flipped up A 3. Mackey took down the large pot and now sits as the chip leader.

Not missing a beat, Schulman made a large raise preflop just a few hands later. Michael Binger reraised all in for $236,000. Schulman called and showed Binger 9 9 and Binger didn't even flinch. Binger showed A A and Schulman started counting out his chips to match Binger's bet. The dealer peeled off 8 4 4 Q K and Binger doubled through Schulman and now has $572,000.

On the last hand of the level, Nick Schulman found himself involved in a hand for all of his chips. Karga Holt had made a large raise from the button and Nick Schulman protected his big blind by pushing all in. Holt made the call and turned over A J. Schulman had A 10 and couldn't believe his unfortunate luck yet again. The flop came J 7 2 and Schulman started to gather his things. The turn was the 8 and all of a sudden Schulman had outs. The river was the 9 and Schulman couldn't believe he caught runner-runner to take down the pot. Schulman doubled up through Holt who was still one of the big stacks at the table.

The players are taking a short break following the completion of level one and the cards will be back in the air shortly.

Check back with CardPlayer.com for the next level update and all current eliminations.

Player Tags: John Barch,   Jan Sorensen,   James Mackey,   Michael Binger,   Nick Schulman,   Karga Holt

Hour Six - Day Two Ends

Jun 14, '07

Ouch

Ross Boatman moved all in and Karga Holt made the call. Boatman flipped over A K and Holt showed down pocket sixes. The board was dealt A A 8 J and it appeared that Boatman would double up and play would continue. That was until the 6 fell on the river to fill up Holt’s boat. The sixes full of aces eliminated Boatman in 10th place and the final table for 2 p.m. tomorrow was set.

Here is how things will look when the players take their seats:

Seat one: Will McMahon - $524,000
Seat two: Tex Barch - $709,000
Seat three: Michael Binger - $240,000
Seat four: Jan Sorenson - $349,000
Seat five: Stuart Fox - $718,000
Seat six: Michael Gracz - $534,000
Seat seven: Karga Holt - $1,211,000
Seat eight: James Mackey - $1,074,000
Seat nine: Nick Schulman - $1,045,000

Player Tags: Ross Boatman,   Karga Holt

Day Two - Hour Five

Jun 14, '07

Late From Dinner

The players arrived after dinner and action began. One player did not return and his stack was blinded off for five minutes. That player was Phil Laak. He did show up eventually and returned to a stack of $360,000. Nick Schulman was the post dinner chip leader with $940,000. He was trailed $100,000 to the negative by Michael Gracz. 

Rising to the Top

Karga Holt went on a tear shortly after action began anew. He picked up $120,000 off of Gracz with an all-in reraise. He then called an all-in raise from Kathy Liebert on the next hand. “I think I’ve got you,” said Liebert as she half-heatedly flipped over 6 3. “Deuce, four, five” she added as Holt flipped over pocket tens. The board was dealt 9 9 8 K Q and Liebert was eliminated in 13th place. Holt now had over $1 million.

Getting Down to the Nitty Gritty

There were now 12 players left and the blinds were kicked up to $10,000-$20,000 with a $3,000 ante. Gracz took another hit down to $600,000 when two players doubled up through him on an unfortunate hand. The hour was approaching 11:00 p.m. by this point and some players were showing the hour through their actions. Laak had taken to using his chip stack as a chin rest to support his head.

Laak Attacked

James Mackey bet $60,000 preflop and Laak raised all in for $250,000 more. Mackey made the all-in call and flipped over A Q. Laak showed pocket sixes and the board was dealt K 9 7 8 10. Mackey doubled up and Laak was crippled with only $11,000 after the hand. Laak was all in blind on the next hand and Tex Barch raised to $70,000. Michael Binger made the call and the two players checked down the side pot on a board of 10 8 4 2 8c. Laak flipped over a hand that had huge possibilities on the flop, but was an equally huge disappoint on the river, J 9. Binger threw down A 6 and Barch mucked. Laak sat there for a moment in eleventh place and tried to put together where it all went wrong.

The Wall

Action was now down to ten players and the tournament hit the proverbial wall. It was obvious that at this point two players were going to have to both receive cards for anything to go down. Barch and Binger both moved all in at certain points during the first 20 minutes of final table action, and both times it appeared that Schulman might call. He would go into the tank, count out the chips required for the call, and fold on both occasions though.

Player Tags: Kathy Liebert,   Phil Laak,   John Barch,   James Mackey,   Michael Binger,   Nick Schulman,   Karga Holt