Chris Viox 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 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

$1,500 Razz - Christopher Viox Eliminated in 3rd Place ($59,132)

Jun 15, '08

Blinds/Antes: 7,000 ante, 10,000 bring-in, 30,000 completion

Players Left: 2

Chip Counts:
Barry Greenstein: 985,000
Chris Klodnicki: 380,000

Eliminations:
Chris Viox Eliminated in 3rd Place ($59,132)

Big hands:

Christopher Viox Eliminated in 3rd Place ($59,132)

Christopher Viox was all in on fifth street against Christopher Klodnikci and the players turned up their cards.

Viox: 7-4-6-K-2-A-X
Klodnicki: 9-4-2-Q-3-5
Viox had formidable lead heading to sixth street where Viox hit an ace against Klodnicki's 5. With a 5 on sixth street, Klodnikci needed an ace or a 6 to win. Klodnicki hit his ace, trumping Viox's 7-6 with the wheel. Klodnicki finally eliminated Chris Viox in 3rd place ($59,132).

And Then There Were Two...

With Chris Viox finally out of their way, Barry Greenstein (985,000) and Chris Klodnicki (380,000) begin heads-up play.


 

Player Tags: Barry Greenstein,   Chris Klodnicki,   Chris Viox

$1,500 Razz - Greenstein Hols on to Lead

Jun 15, '08

Blinds/Antes: 5,000 ante, 5,000 bring-in, 20,000 completion

Players Left: 3

Chip Counts:
Barry Greenstein: 779,000
Chris Klodnicki: 315,000
Chris Viox: 271,000

Big Hands:

Chris Klodnicki Gets Crippled, Then Doubles Up

It wasn't long after the dinner break where Chris Klodnicki found himself heads-up in a pot with Chris Viox. With plenty of action, Klodnicki finished the hand second to Viox with a 10-6-5-3-2 against Viox's 8-7-3-2-A low. After this pot Klodnicki was down to about 75,000 in chips.

The very next hand and Klodnicki doubled through chip leader Barry Greenstein with an 8-7 against Greenstein's painted board. Klodnicki climbed back up to 150,000 in chips.

Chris Viox Closes the Gap

In a heads-up pot with Chris Viox, Barry greenstein was the aggressor, betting thw whole way while Viox called him down. Greenstein made a 10-8-6-4-2 on seventh street while Viox made a 9-7-5-4-A on the river. After this hand Viox had about 550,000 to greenstein's 650,000. 

Chris Klodnicki Doubles Through Chris Viox

All in on fifth street, Chris Klodnicki had locked-up a win with 9-5-4-2-A while Viox was drawing dead with Q-J-7-6-2. Klodnicki doubled up to ver 300,000 this hand while Viox had fallen to just under 300,000. With the two Chris's almost even again, Greenstein's 800,000 now has a much greater value as the betting limits continue to increase ever so fast.

 

Player Tags: Barry Greenstein,   Chris Klodnicki,   Chris Viox

$1,500 Razz - Dinner Break

Jun 15, '08

Note: Players took a short thirty-minute dinner break around 8:45 pm and will return shortly to Level 23.

Blinds/Antes: 3,000 ante, 5,000 bring-in, 15,000 completion

Players Left: 3

Chip Counts:
Barry Greenstein: 895,000
Chris Klodnicki: 241,000
Chris Klodnicki: 229,000

Big Hands:

Chris Klodnicki Doubles Through Chris Viox

Chris Klodnicki was involved in a big pot with Chris Viox, getting all in on the irver. Viox had him covered. Viox managed to make an 8-6-4-3-2 low against Viox's 8-7-5-2-A, doubling up to just over 200,000. Heading to dinner this puts the two Chris's about even, Greenstein still with the monster stack.

Player Tags: Barry Greenstein,   Chris Klodnicki,   Chris Viox

$1,500 Razz - Greenstein Widens His Lead

Jun 15, '08

Blinds/Antes: 3,000 ante, 3,000 bring-in, 12,000 completion

Players Left: 3

Chip Counts:
Barry Greenstein: 846,000
Chris Viox: 353,000
Chris Klodnicki: 166,000

Big Hands:

Action this past round has been terribly slow as Greenstein starts to put the squeeze on his opponents.

Barry Greenstein Widens His Lead
Barry Greenstein has picked up the few pots of any consequence this round, beating Chris Viox in a showdown with 7-5-4-3-A and then beating Chris Klodnicki with 8-7-6-4-2. Greenstein has run himself up to over 700,000 while the two Chris's are about even with 300,000 each at this point.

It was quite some time later that the players would see seventh street again, Greenstein of course winning the pot in his all too familiar fashion. Betting the whole way, Greenstein fired one last bet on the river, causing Klodnicki to fold once again after hitting a brick on seventh street. Greenstein's patience has been paying off, and after this hand he has moved up to over 800,000 in chips.

Klodnicki Cripples Viox

Chris Viox took the betting initiative in a big pot against Chris Klodnicki who called him down all the way and looked him up  on seventh street. Viox finsihed the hand with an 8-7-5-4-3 while Klodnicki went on to make a 7-6-5-3-2 low. After this hand, the former chip leader was reduced to his last 100,000 in chips.

Chris Viox Doubles Through Chip Leader Barry Greenstein

A few hands after getting crippled by the other Chris, Chris Viox found himself all in on sixth street against chip Leader Barry Greenstein. Viox made a 7-6-5-2-A low against Greenstein's 9-8-4-3-A to double up to just under 200,000. Greenstein takes a minor hit and drops down to just over 700,000 after this hand.

Player Tags: Barry Greenstein,   Chris Klodnicki,   Chris Viox

$1,500 Razz - Mark Tenner Eliminated in 4th place ($43,571), Greenstein Takes Chip Lead

Jun 15, '08

Note: The remining three players have just returned from a short twenty-minute break after the conclusion of Level 20.

Blinds/Antes: 3,000 antes, 3,000 bring-in, 12,000 completion

Players Left: 3

Chip Counts:
Barry Greenstein: 664,000
Chris Viox: 503,000
Chris Klodnicki: 198,000

Eliminations:
Mark Tenner Eliminated in 4th Place ($43,571)

Mark Tenner Eliminated in 4th place ($43,571)

With Chris Viox crippling Mark Tenner a few hands prior, it was Chris Klodnicki that delivered the final death blow when Mark Tenner got it all in on fifth street. This one came down to the river, Tenner hitting a jack to compliment his 7-6-2-A low. Klodnicki finished the hand with 7-6-4-3-2 low, good enough to rake the pot and send Mark Tenner home in 4th place ($43,571).

Barry Greenstein Takes the Chip Lead

Barry Greenstein won two key pots uncontested this round, one off of Chris Viox and the other off of Chris Klodnicki. Never missing a bet, Greenstein just kept firing at the pot, getting each opponent to close their cards on the river. A few hands later and Greenstein officially took control of the chip lead after trumping Viox's 9-4-3-2-A with an 8-7-5-4-3 low. This hand put Greenstein over 650,000.

Player Tags: Barry Greenstein,   Chris Klodnicki,   Chris Viox

$1,500 Razz - Michael Joseph Eliminated 6th ($25,831), Brandon Leeds 5th ($33,301)

Jun 15, '08

Blinds/Antes: 2,000 ante, 3,000 bring-in, 10,000 completion

Players Left: 4

Chip Counts:
Chris Viox: 525,000
Chris Klodnicki: 320,000
Barry Greenstein: 307,000
Mark Tenner: 137,000

Eliminations:
Michael Joseph Eliminated in 6th Plac ($25,831)
Brandon Leeds Eliminated in 5th place ($33,301)

Big Hands:

Chris Klodnicki Goes From Worst to First, Takes the Chip Lead...For a Minute

Chris Viox started this round as the short stack with just under 30,000 in chips, and one hour later Viox has grabbed the chip lead with almost 375,000. Viox had increased his fire power ten-fold this round after getting invloved in a big pot with Barry Greenstein and emerging victorious. After that hand, Klodnicki surged to over 300,000 while Greenstein fell to just about half that amount. Klodnicki and Viox have been tangling with the chip lead ever since.

Joseph Michael Eliminated in 6th place ($25,831)

Mark Tenner completed the bet with a 4 and Chris Viox called the raise with a 7. Joseph Michael reraised with a 7, Tenner folded and Viox made it three bets to go. Michael came back over the top and reraised all in for a total of 35,000. Michael went on to make a 9-7-6-4-3 low while Viox made an 8-7-6-4-A on seventh street. Chris Viox raked the pot, regaining the chip lead once again while Joseph Michael was eliminated in 6th place ($25,831).

Brandon Leeds Eliminated in 5th place ($33,301)

The now short stacked Brandon Leeds moved all in on fourth street with an A-2 on board against the chip leader, Chris Viox who was showing A-6. Viox went on to make a 6-5-4-2-A on the river while the best Leeds could do was make an 8-6-4-3-A low. Chris Viox adds even more chips to his growing stack while Brandon Leeds has to settle for 5th place and $33,301.

Player Tags: Barry Greenstein,   Chris Klodnicki,   Chris Viox,   Brandon Leeds,   Joseph Michael

$1,500 Razz - Mike Wattel Eliminated in 8th Place ($16,495)

Jun 15, '08

Note: The remaining seven players have taken a short twenty-minute break while the tournament staff races off the 500 chips.

Blinds/Antes: 1,500 ante, 2,000 bring-in, 6,000 completion

Chip Counts:
Chris Viox: 368,000
Joseph Michael: 274,000
Barry Greenstein: 264,000
Mark Tenner: 250,000
Brandon Leeds: 150,000
Chris Klodnicki: 49,000
Archie Karas: 23,000

Eliminations:
Mike Wattel Eliminated in 8th Place ($16,495)

Big Hands:

Mike Wattel Eliminated in 8th Place ($16,495)

Mike Wattel was all in in a three-way pot with Barry Greenstein and Chris Viox.

Wattel: 4-6-A-4 - X-X-X
Greenstein: 6-7-9-8 - X-X-X
Viox: 10-4-3-K - A-2-5

Apparently there was some controversy over Wattel closing his cards on seventh street, signifying that his hand was weak. This upset Greenstein, giving Viox information as to the relative strength of his hand, and eventually Greenstein made the call. Viox turned over the wheel and raked the pot, eliminating Mike Wattel in 8th place ($16,495).
 

Player Tags: Barry Greenstein,   Michael Wattel,   Chris Viox

$1,500 Razz Final Table Preview

Jun 15, '08

The $1,500 Razz final table starts today at 3 pm local time and here is a look at the final eight players and their starting chip counts…

Christopher Viox of Glen Carbon, Illinois comes to this final table first in chips (359,500) and with some prior WSOP experience. This will be Christopher’s fourth cash and second WSOP final table. Viox cashed in both the ‘06 and ‘07 Main Event, and placed third in ‘06 $2,000 Pot-Limit Hold’em event, taking home his biggest prize to date of $85,904. Christopher Viox has over a quarter million dollars in live action tournament winnings and comes here tonight looking for both his first bracelet and his first six-figure cash.

Barry Greenstein, affectionately known as “Bear”, comes to his second WSOP final table of the year second in chips (243,000), and looking to score his third gold bracelet. One of the game’s most recognizable faces, this is Greenstein’s twelfth WSOP final table and 34th overall WSOP cash, making him 55th on the WSOP all-time money list. Greenstein now has over $6 million in live tournament winnings and in addition to his success at the World Series, Greenstein has three WPT Championships under his belt. As respected away from the game as he is feared on the table, Greenstein is considered one of the industry’s greatest philanthropists, donating his poker winnings to charity and earning himself the nickname, “Robin Hood of Poker”.

Brandon Leeds of Phoenix, Arizona comes to this final table third in chips (206,500), and with only two prior WSOP cashes, Leeds comes here tonight locking down the biggest cash of his career with a guaranteed $13,382 ninth place pay-out.

Joseph Michael of Austin, Texas has three lifetime WSOP cashes, all in 2007, and spread out over a wide variety of games. This will be Michael’s first final table and with 155,000 (4th) in chips, and although Michael might be one of the least experienced players at table, he has more than enough fire power to hold his ground.

Archie “The Greek” Karas is one of the world’s most infamous gamblers, and is said by many to be the world’s biggest loser. In his lifetime, Karas is rumored to have gone from broke to over $25 million, and then back to broke again. Karas built up a formidable bankroll as a pool hustler, moving on to poker, and eventually ending up at Binion’s Horsehoe Casino in 1993 where he challenged the greatest poker players in the world to the greatest stakes of all time. Chip Reese, Doyle Brunson, Johnny Chan…at one time or another, “The Greek” had beat them all. Karas then took an eight-figure bankroll to the craps pits and started rolling the dice at a million dollars a toss. One time on Mr. Karas’ Wild Ride, he had won all of the Horseshoe’s $5,000 chips, and Binion had to buy them all back from him. Karas comes to the table fifth in chips with 113,000. This is Karas’ third WSOP cash and third final table, all of which have come in some variation of stud.

Local resident, Mark Tenner of Henderson, Nevada comes to his first WSOP final table with 120,000 in chips (6th) and four prior WSOP cashes. Tenner cashed in this event in 2005, with his most impressive finish coming in the main event of that same year. Tenner has just over $108,500 in live winnings, and is eagerly looking forward to adding to that number here tonight. This is Tenner’s fifth WSOP in-the-money finish and his first final table.

Chris Klodnicki of Worhees, New Jersey comes to the final table as one of the short stacks (7th) with 105,000 in chips. This is Klodnicki’s second WSOP cash and his first final table. His most impressive finish coming at the EPT’s Poker Stars Caribbean Adventure of this year, Klodnicki came in 35th place and cashed for $32,000. Klodnicki has guaranteed himself a five figure cash here tonight, escalating his live tournament winnings into six-figure territory.

Mike Wattel is a true veteran of the game with 16 WSOP cashes, ten final tables and one bracelet. Going after his second here today, Wattel has a lot of obstacles to overcome and a major chip deficit as the short stack with only 74,000. This is Wattel and Karas’ second WSOP final table together. Wattel finished 5th and Karas finished 4th in this very same event just three years ago in 2005. In fact, this is Wattel’s fourth time at the final table in this event since 1999. Even with the minimum, Mike Wattel has just hit a pivotal moment in his career. This final table guarantees Wattel enough prize money to break the million dollar mark and grant him exclusive access in the poker-made millionaires club. Wattel is clearly one of the biggest threats at this table, and with his chip count down, don’t count him out because experience counts for a lot in this game and Wattel has plenty of it.

 

Player Tags: Barry Greenstein,   Michael Wattel,   Mark Tenner,   Archie Karas,   Chris Klodnicki,   Chris Viox,   Brandon Leeds,   Joseph Michael

On to the Final Table

Jun 14, '08

Limits: 4,000-8,000 with a 1,500 ante, 2,000 bring-in

Average Stack: 151,000

Players Left: 8 of 453

Eliminations:

20th: Jeffrey Lisandro: $4,019
19th: Andrew Brown: $4,019
18th: George Shahrezay: $4,019
17th: Ben Tang: $4,019
16th: John Martin: $5,255
15th: Martin Stilling: $5,255
14th: David Levi: $7,110
13th: Roland Isra: $7,110
12th: Tom Schneider: $10,202
11th: Stephen Ladowsky: $10,202
10th: Phillip Luong: $13,294
9th: Frank Kassela: $13,294

Final Table

Christopher Viox: 350,000
Barry Greenstein: 220,000
Brandon Leeds: 195,000
Joseph Michael: 140,000
Archie Karas: 130,000
Mark Tenner: 120,000
Chris Klondnicki: 115,000
Michael Wattel: 75,000

And Then There Were Eight

The final table is set for the $1,500 buy-in razz tournament. Barry Greenstein did not have to autograph his book for anyone as he is second in chips heading into the final day. Players like Tom Schneider, David Levy and Ted Lawson were among the casualties during Day 2. The remaining players are guaranteed to earn at least $16,386, while the eventual victor will take home $157,619 and, of course, a 2008 World Series of Poker gold bracelet. Play will begin at 3 p.m. Sunday.

Big Hands:

Frank Kassela Crippled, then Eliminated in 9th Place, The Final Table is Set

Kassela: (A-A)-2-Q-3-5-(5)
Christopher Viox: (9-7)-2-10-3-7-(6)

Kassela bet on every street trying to represent a made low hand. Viox was not buying it as he called his opponent down. On the river, Kassela bet again and Viox made the call, confirming his suspicions that Kassela was trailing. Viox and his 9-low took the hand, besting Kassela's queen-low.

After the hand, Kassela was left with just 2,500, 1,500 of which was anted off. He was eliminated on the next hand by Viox.
 

Player Tags: Chris Viox

$1,500 Razz - Day 2 - Level 10 Recap

Jun 14, '08

Note: Players are now on a 20-minute break

Limits:  800-1,600, 200 ante, 200 bring in

Players Left:  69 of 456

Chip Leaders:
David Levi - 61,000
Joseph Michael - 57,000
Jonathan Schwatz - 56,000
Barry Greenstein - 40,000
Christopher Viox - 33,000
Michael Wattel - 29,000
Anthony Viganola - 28,000
Ted Lawson - 28,000
Frank Kassela - 26,200
Steven Merrifield – 25,000

Average Stack: 19,850

Eliminations:
Dario Alioto
Dewey Tomko
Vanessa Rousso

Big Hands and Storylines:

How much?!

The tournament screen displaying information for the next level showed that the bring-in would be 3,000 chips. This prompted a word from the supervisor that the bring-in for the next level would in fact be 300 and not 3,000. That, of course, makes much more sense considering the stakes will only be 1,000-2,000.

Nassif Takes a Pot Off Levi

Edward Nassif: 35K5
David Levi: 62Q2

The player in the 2 seat raised with the 5 up and David Levi called. Ed Nassif raised and both players came for 4^th street. On 4^th street Nassif bet, the 2 seat folded and Levi called. Levi then took the initiative and bet on 5^th and 6^th streets after two abysmal cards were dealt to Nassif. Nassif called twice however, and on 7^th street both players checked. Levi turned over (7-3-3) for a Q-7-6-3-2 low and Nassif seemed shocked when his (Q-6-4) underneath allowed him to take down the pot with a meager Q-6-5-4-3. Nassif is now up to 19,000 and Levi is still tops with 61,000.

Merrifield on a Run

Starting the day with only 8,000, Steven Merrifield has done a tremendous job of running his stack up to 25,000. A good deal of that money came from a recent pot contested with Andy Bloch:

Merrifield: T672
Bloch: Q749

Merrifield bet out with his superior upcards on 5^th, 6^th, and 7^th streets and on each occasion he was called by Bloch. Merrified showed T65 for a T-7-6-5-2 low, good enough to scoop the pot. After the pot Bloch was left with 18,000.

Sklansky Bucks Lawson

Ted Lawson bet on 4^th street with the 4 up and David Sklansky called showing the 4. On 4^th street, Lawson was dealt the 5 and Sklansky the 6; both players checked. On 6^th street Sklansky was dealt the 7 and bet into Lawson who drew the Q. Lawson folded and Sklansky won the pot. It’s not all bad news for Ted Lawson though, as he still has nearly 30,000 in chips. Sklansky has about 10,000.

Player Tags: Frank Kassela,   Barry Greenstein,   David Levi,   Andy Bloch,   Dewey Tomko,   Michael Wattel,   Ted Lawson,   David Sklansky,   Vanessa Rousso,   Edward Nassif,   Chris Viox,   Dario Alioto,   Joseph Michael,   Anthony Viganola,   Steven Merrifield

$1,500 Razz - Christopher Viox Eliminated in 3rd Place ($59,132)

Jun 15, '08

Blinds/Antes: 7,000 ante, 10,000 bring-in, 30,000 completion

Players Left: 2

Chip Counts:
Barry Greenstein: 985,000
Chris Klodnicki: 380,000

Eliminations:
Chris Viox Eliminated in 3rd Place ($59,132)

Big hands:

Christopher Viox Eliminated in 3rd Place ($59,132)

Christopher Viox was all in on fifth street against Christopher Klodnikci and the players turned up their cards.

Viox: 7-4-6-K-2-A-X
Klodnicki: 9-4-2-Q-3-5
Viox had formidable lead heading to sixth street where Viox hit an ace against Klodnicki's 5. With a 5 on sixth street, Klodnikci needed an ace or a 6 to win. Klodnicki hit his ace, trumping Viox's 7-6 with the wheel. Klodnicki finally eliminated Chris Viox in 3rd place ($59,132).

And Then There Were Two...

With Chris Viox finally out of their way, Barry Greenstein (985,000) and Chris Klodnicki (380,000) begin heads-up play.


 

Player Tags: Barry Greenstein,   Chris Klodnicki,   Chris Viox

$1,500 Razz - Greenstein Hols on to Lead

Jun 15, '08

Blinds/Antes: 5,000 ante, 5,000 bring-in, 20,000 completion

Players Left: 3

Chip Counts:
Barry Greenstein: 779,000
Chris Klodnicki: 315,000
Chris Viox: 271,000

Big Hands:

Chris Klodnicki Gets Crippled, Then Doubles Up

It wasn't long after the dinner break where Chris Klodnicki found himself heads-up in a pot with Chris Viox. With plenty of action, Klodnicki finished the hand second to Viox with a 10-6-5-3-2 against Viox's 8-7-3-2-A low. After this pot Klodnicki was down to about 75,000 in chips.

The very next hand and Klodnicki doubled through chip leader Barry Greenstein with an 8-7 against Greenstein's painted board. Klodnicki climbed back up to 150,000 in chips.

Chris Viox Closes the Gap

In a heads-up pot with Chris Viox, Barry greenstein was the aggressor, betting thw whole way while Viox called him down. Greenstein made a 10-8-6-4-2 on seventh street while Viox made a 9-7-5-4-A on the river. After this hand Viox had about 550,000 to greenstein's 650,000. 

Chris Klodnicki Doubles Through Chris Viox

All in on fifth street, Chris Klodnicki had locked-up a win with 9-5-4-2-A while Viox was drawing dead with Q-J-7-6-2. Klodnicki doubled up to ver 300,000 this hand while Viox had fallen to just under 300,000. With the two Chris's almost even again, Greenstein's 800,000 now has a much greater value as the betting limits continue to increase ever so fast.

 

Player Tags: Barry Greenstein,   Chris Klodnicki,   Chris Viox

$1,500 Razz - Dinner Break

Jun 15, '08

Note: Players took a short thirty-minute dinner break around 8:45 pm and will return shortly to Level 23.

Blinds/Antes: 3,000 ante, 5,000 bring-in, 15,000 completion

Players Left: 3

Chip Counts:
Barry Greenstein: 895,000
Chris Klodnicki: 241,000
Chris Klodnicki: 229,000

Big Hands:

Chris Klodnicki Doubles Through Chris Viox

Chris Klodnicki was involved in a big pot with Chris Viox, getting all in on the irver. Viox had him covered. Viox managed to make an 8-6-4-3-2 low against Viox's 8-7-5-2-A, doubling up to just over 200,000. Heading to dinner this puts the two Chris's about even, Greenstein still with the monster stack.

Player Tags: Barry Greenstein,   Chris Klodnicki,   Chris Viox

$1,500 Razz - Greenstein Widens His Lead

Jun 15, '08

Blinds/Antes: 3,000 ante, 3,000 bring-in, 12,000 completion

Players Left: 3

Chip Counts:
Barry Greenstein: 846,000
Chris Viox: 353,000
Chris Klodnicki: 166,000

Big Hands:

Action this past round has been terribly slow as Greenstein starts to put the squeeze on his opponents.

Barry Greenstein Widens His Lead
Barry Greenstein has picked up the few pots of any consequence this round, beating Chris Viox in a showdown with 7-5-4-3-A and then beating Chris Klodnicki with 8-7-6-4-2. Greenstein has run himself up to over 700,000 while the two Chris's are about even with 300,000 each at this point.

It was quite some time later that the players would see seventh street again, Greenstein of course winning the pot in his all too familiar fashion. Betting the whole way, Greenstein fired one last bet on the river, causing Klodnicki to fold once again after hitting a brick on seventh street. Greenstein's patience has been paying off, and after this hand he has moved up to over 800,000 in chips.

Klodnicki Cripples Viox

Chris Viox took the betting initiative in a big pot against Chris Klodnicki who called him down all the way and looked him up  on seventh street. Viox finsihed the hand with an 8-7-5-4-3 while Klodnicki went on to make a 7-6-5-3-2 low. After this hand, the former chip leader was reduced to his last 100,000 in chips.

Chris Viox Doubles Through Chip Leader Barry Greenstein

A few hands after getting crippled by the other Chris, Chris Viox found himself all in on sixth street against chip Leader Barry Greenstein. Viox made a 7-6-5-2-A low against Greenstein's 9-8-4-3-A to double up to just under 200,000. Greenstein takes a minor hit and drops down to just over 700,000 after this hand.

Player Tags: Barry Greenstein,   Chris Klodnicki,   Chris Viox

$1,500 Razz - Mark Tenner Eliminated in 4th place ($43,571), Greenstein Takes Chip Lead

Jun 15, '08

Note: The remining three players have just returned from a short twenty-minute break after the conclusion of Level 20.

Blinds/Antes: 3,000 antes, 3,000 bring-in, 12,000 completion

Players Left: 3

Chip Counts:
Barry Greenstein: 664,000
Chris Viox: 503,000
Chris Klodnicki: 198,000

Eliminations:
Mark Tenner Eliminated in 4th Place ($43,571)

Mark Tenner Eliminated in 4th place ($43,571)

With Chris Viox crippling Mark Tenner a few hands prior, it was Chris Klodnicki that delivered the final death blow when Mark Tenner got it all in on fifth street. This one came down to the river, Tenner hitting a jack to compliment his 7-6-2-A low. Klodnicki finished the hand with 7-6-4-3-2 low, good enough to rake the pot and send Mark Tenner home in 4th place ($43,571).

Barry Greenstein Takes the Chip Lead

Barry Greenstein won two key pots uncontested this round, one off of Chris Viox and the other off of Chris Klodnicki. Never missing a bet, Greenstein just kept firing at the pot, getting each opponent to close their cards on the river. A few hands later and Greenstein officially took control of the chip lead after trumping Viox's 9-4-3-2-A with an 8-7-5-4-3 low. This hand put Greenstein over 650,000.

Player Tags: Barry Greenstein,   Chris Klodnicki,   Chris Viox

$1,500 Razz - Michael Joseph Eliminated 6th ($25,831), Brandon Leeds 5th ($33,301)

Jun 15, '08

Blinds/Antes: 2,000 ante, 3,000 bring-in, 10,000 completion

Players Left: 4

Chip Counts:
Chris Viox: 525,000
Chris Klodnicki: 320,000
Barry Greenstein: 307,000
Mark Tenner: 137,000

Eliminations:
Michael Joseph Eliminated in 6th Plac ($25,831)
Brandon Leeds Eliminated in 5th place ($33,301)

Big Hands:

Chris Klodnicki Goes From Worst to First, Takes the Chip Lead...For a Minute

Chris Viox started this round as the short stack with just under 30,000 in chips, and one hour later Viox has grabbed the chip lead with almost 375,000. Viox had increased his fire power ten-fold this round after getting invloved in a big pot with Barry Greenstein and emerging victorious. After that hand, Klodnicki surged to over 300,000 while Greenstein fell to just about half that amount. Klodnicki and Viox have been tangling with the chip lead ever since.

Joseph Michael Eliminated in 6th place ($25,831)

Mark Tenner completed the bet with a 4 and Chris Viox called the raise with a 7. Joseph Michael reraised with a 7, Tenner folded and Viox made it three bets to go. Michael came back over the top and reraised all in for a total of 35,000. Michael went on to make a 9-7-6-4-3 low while Viox made an 8-7-6-4-A on seventh street. Chris Viox raked the pot, regaining the chip lead once again while Joseph Michael was eliminated in 6th place ($25,831).

Brandon Leeds Eliminated in 5th place ($33,301)

The now short stacked Brandon Leeds moved all in on fourth street with an A-2 on board against the chip leader, Chris Viox who was showing A-6. Viox went on to make a 6-5-4-2-A on the river while the best Leeds could do was make an 8-6-4-3-A low. Chris Viox adds even more chips to his growing stack while Brandon Leeds has to settle for 5th place and $33,301.

Player Tags: Barry Greenstein,   Chris Klodnicki,   Chris Viox,   Brandon Leeds,   Joseph Michael

$1,500 Razz - Mike Wattel Eliminated in 8th Place ($16,495)

Jun 15, '08

Note: The remaining seven players have taken a short twenty-minute break while the tournament staff races off the 500 chips.

Blinds/Antes: 1,500 ante, 2,000 bring-in, 6,000 completion

Chip Counts:
Chris Viox: 368,000
Joseph Michael: 274,000
Barry Greenstein: 264,000
Mark Tenner: 250,000
Brandon Leeds: 150,000
Chris Klodnicki: 49,000
Archie Karas: 23,000

Eliminations:
Mike Wattel Eliminated in 8th Place ($16,495)

Big Hands:

Mike Wattel Eliminated in 8th Place ($16,495)

Mike Wattel was all in in a three-way pot with Barry Greenstein and Chris Viox.

Wattel: 4-6-A-4 - X-X-X
Greenstein: 6-7-9-8 - X-X-X
Viox: 10-4-3-K - A-2-5

Apparently there was some controversy over Wattel closing his cards on seventh street, signifying that his hand was weak. This upset Greenstein, giving Viox information as to the relative strength of his hand, and eventually Greenstein made the call. Viox turned over the wheel and raked the pot, eliminating Mike Wattel in 8th place ($16,495).
 

Player Tags: Barry Greenstein,   Michael Wattel,   Chris Viox

$1,500 Razz Final Table Preview

Jun 15, '08

The $1,500 Razz final table starts today at 3 pm local time and here is a look at the final eight players and their starting chip counts…

Christopher Viox of Glen Carbon, Illinois comes to this final table first in chips (359,500) and with some prior WSOP experience. This will be Christopher’s fourth cash and second WSOP final table. Viox cashed in both the ‘06 and ‘07 Main Event, and placed third in ‘06 $2,000 Pot-Limit Hold’em event, taking home his biggest prize to date of $85,904. Christopher Viox has over a quarter million dollars in live action tournament winnings and comes here tonight looking for both his first bracelet and his first six-figure cash.

Barry Greenstein, affectionately known as “Bear”, comes to his second WSOP final table of the year second in chips (243,000), and looking to score his third gold bracelet. One of the game’s most recognizable faces, this is Greenstein’s twelfth WSOP final table and 34th overall WSOP cash, making him 55th on the WSOP all-time money list. Greenstein now has over $6 million in live tournament winnings and in addition to his success at the World Series, Greenstein has three WPT Championships under his belt. As respected away from the game as he is feared on the table, Greenstein is considered one of the industry’s greatest philanthropists, donating his poker winnings to charity and earning himself the nickname, “Robin Hood of Poker”.

Brandon Leeds of Phoenix, Arizona comes to this final table third in chips (206,500), and with only two prior WSOP cashes, Leeds comes here tonight locking down the biggest cash of his career with a guaranteed $13,382 ninth place pay-out.

Joseph Michael of Austin, Texas has three lifetime WSOP cashes, all in 2007, and spread out over a wide variety of games. This will be Michael’s first final table and with 155,000 (4th) in chips, and although Michael might be one of the least experienced players at table, he has more than enough fire power to hold his ground.

Archie “The Greek” Karas is one of the world’s most infamous gamblers, and is said by many to be the world’s biggest loser. In his lifetime, Karas is rumored to have gone from broke to over $25 million, and then back to broke again. Karas built up a formidable bankroll as a pool hustler, moving on to poker, and eventually ending up at Binion’s Horsehoe Casino in 1993 where he challenged the greatest poker players in the world to the greatest stakes of all time. Chip Reese, Doyle Brunson, Johnny Chan…at one time or another, “The Greek” had beat them all. Karas then took an eight-figure bankroll to the craps pits and started rolling the dice at a million dollars a toss. One time on Mr. Karas’ Wild Ride, he had won all of the Horseshoe’s $5,000 chips, and Binion had to buy them all back from him. Karas comes to the table fifth in chips with 113,000. This is Karas’ third WSOP cash and third final table, all of which have come in some variation of stud.

Local resident, Mark Tenner of Henderson, Nevada comes to his first WSOP final table with 120,000 in chips (6th) and four prior WSOP cashes. Tenner cashed in this event in 2005, with his most impressive finish coming in the main event of that same year. Tenner has just over $108,500 in live winnings, and is eagerly looking forward to adding to that number here tonight. This is Tenner’s fifth WSOP in-the-money finish and his first final table.

Chris Klodnicki of Worhees, New Jersey comes to the final table as one of the short stacks (7th) with 105,000 in chips. This is Klodnicki’s second WSOP cash and his first final table. His most impressive finish coming at the EPT’s Poker Stars Caribbean Adventure of this year, Klodnicki came in 35th place and cashed for $32,000. Klodnicki has guaranteed himself a five figure cash here tonight, escalating his live tournament winnings into six-figure territory.

Mike Wattel is a true veteran of the game with 16 WSOP cashes, ten final tables and one bracelet. Going after his second here today, Wattel has a lot of obstacles to overcome and a major chip deficit as the short stack with only 74,000. This is Wattel and Karas’ second WSOP final table together. Wattel finished 5th and Karas finished 4th in this very same event just three years ago in 2005. In fact, this is Wattel’s fourth time at the final table in this event since 1999. Even with the minimum, Mike Wattel has just hit a pivotal moment in his career. This final table guarantees Wattel enough prize money to break the million dollar mark and grant him exclusive access in the poker-made millionaires club. Wattel is clearly one of the biggest threats at this table, and with his chip count down, don’t count him out because experience counts for a lot in this game and Wattel has plenty of it.

 

Player Tags: Barry Greenstein,   Michael Wattel,   Mark Tenner,   Archie Karas,   Chris Klodnicki,   Chris Viox,   Brandon Leeds,   Joseph Michael

On to the Final Table

Jun 14, '08

Limits: 4,000-8,000 with a 1,500 ante, 2,000 bring-in

Average Stack: 151,000

Players Left: 8 of 453

Eliminations:

20th: Jeffrey Lisandro: $4,019
19th: Andrew Brown: $4,019
18th: George Shahrezay: $4,019
17th: Ben Tang: $4,019
16th: John Martin: $5,255
15th: Martin Stilling: $5,255
14th: David Levi: $7,110
13th: Roland Isra: $7,110
12th: Tom Schneider: $10,202
11th: Stephen Ladowsky: $10,202
10th: Phillip Luong: $13,294
9th: Frank Kassela: $13,294

Final Table

Christopher Viox: 350,000
Barry Greenstein: 220,000
Brandon Leeds: 195,000
Joseph Michael: 140,000
Archie Karas: 130,000
Mark Tenner: 120,000
Chris Klondnicki: 115,000
Michael Wattel: 75,000

And Then There Were Eight

The final table is set for the $1,500 buy-in razz tournament. Barry Greenstein did not have to autograph his book for anyone as he is second in chips heading into the final day. Players like Tom Schneider, David Levy and Ted Lawson were among the casualties during Day 2. The remaining players are guaranteed to earn at least $16,386, while the eventual victor will take home $157,619 and, of course, a 2008 World Series of Poker gold bracelet. Play will begin at 3 p.m. Sunday.

Big Hands:

Frank Kassela Crippled, then Eliminated in 9th Place, The Final Table is Set

Kassela: (A-A)-2-Q-3-5-(5)
Christopher Viox: (9-7)-2-10-3-7-(6)

Kassela bet on every street trying to represent a made low hand. Viox was not buying it as he called his opponent down. On the river, Kassela bet again and Viox made the call, confirming his suspicions that Kassela was trailing. Viox and his 9-low took the hand, besting Kassela's queen-low.

After the hand, Kassela was left with just 2,500, 1,500 of which was anted off. He was eliminated on the next hand by Viox.
 

Player Tags: Chris Viox

$1,500 Razz - Day 2 - Level 10 Recap

Jun 14, '08

Note: Players are now on a 20-minute break

Limits:  800-1,600, 200 ante, 200 bring in

Players Left:  69 of 456

Chip Leaders:
David Levi - 61,000
Joseph Michael - 57,000
Jonathan Schwatz - 56,000
Barry Greenstein - 40,000
Christopher Viox - 33,000
Michael Wattel - 29,000
Anthony Viganola - 28,000
Ted Lawson - 28,000
Frank Kassela - 26,200
Steven Merrifield – 25,000

Average Stack: 19,850

Eliminations:
Dario Alioto
Dewey Tomko
Vanessa Rousso

Big Hands and Storylines:

How much?!

The tournament screen displaying information for the next level showed that the bring-in would be 3,000 chips. This prompted a word from the supervisor that the bring-in for the next level would in fact be 300 and not 3,000. That, of course, makes much more sense considering the stakes will only be 1,000-2,000.

Nassif Takes a Pot Off Levi

Edward Nassif: 35K5
David Levi: 62Q2

The player in the 2 seat raised with the 5 up and David Levi called. Ed Nassif raised and both players came for 4^th street. On 4^th street Nassif bet, the 2 seat folded and Levi called. Levi then took the initiative and bet on 5^th and 6^th streets after two abysmal cards were dealt to Nassif. Nassif called twice however, and on 7^th street both players checked. Levi turned over (7-3-3) for a Q-7-6-3-2 low and Nassif seemed shocked when his (Q-6-4) underneath allowed him to take down the pot with a meager Q-6-5-4-3. Nassif is now up to 19,000 and Levi is still tops with 61,000.

Merrifield on a Run

Starting the day with only 8,000, Steven Merrifield has done a tremendous job of running his stack up to 25,000. A good deal of that money came from a recent pot contested with Andy Bloch:

Merrifield: T672
Bloch: Q749

Merrifield bet out with his superior upcards on 5^th, 6^th, and 7^th streets and on each occasion he was called by Bloch. Merrified showed T65 for a T-7-6-5-2 low, good enough to scoop the pot. After the pot Bloch was left with 18,000.

Sklansky Bucks Lawson

Ted Lawson bet on 4^th street with the 4 up and David Sklansky called showing the 4. On 4^th street, Lawson was dealt the 5 and Sklansky the 6; both players checked. On 6^th street Sklansky was dealt the 7 and bet into Lawson who drew the Q. Lawson folded and Sklansky won the pot. It’s not all bad news for Ted Lawson though, as he still has nearly 30,000 in chips. Sklansky has about 10,000.

Player Tags: Frank Kassela,   Barry Greenstein,   David Levi,   Andy Bloch,   Dewey Tomko,   Michael Wattel,   Ted Lawson,   David Sklansky,   Vanessa Rousso,   Edward Nassif,   Chris Viox,   Dario Alioto,   Joseph Michael,   Anthony Viganola,   Steven Merrifield