Justin Newton Poker Tournament Updates

Justin Newton Eliminated in 6th Place ($40,352)

Mar 18, '09

After doubling up through Newton, Kyle Wilson finished the job by taking the rest of his stack. On a flop of K92, Newton was all in holding KJ against Wilson's K9 for top two pair.

The turn and river ran out 27 and Newton was eliminated in sixth place, earning $40,352.

Player Tags: Kyle Wilson,   Justin Newton

Kyle Wilson Doubles Up Through Justin Newton

Mar 18, '09

Kyle Wilson got the rest of his stack in after a Justin Newton raise. Newton called with pocket jacks and Wilson turned over pocket eights.

The board came Q8462 and Wilson's set of eights doubles him up to 450,000.

Player Tags: Kyle Wilson,   Justin Newton

$3,000 No-Limit - End of Day One

Jun 15, '08

Note: Day one of the tournament has been completed.  The remaining players will recovene at 2:00pm tomorrow to play down to the final table.

Blinds/Antes: 600/1200/100

Players Remaining: 81 of 716

Average Stack: 53,037

Chip Counts:
Alex Zaslavsky - 173,000
Ryan Young - 145,000
Matthew Vengrin - 140,000
Alex Melnikow - 140,000
John Phan - 125,000
Derrick Plyler - 115,000
Jason Somerville - 112,000
Don Mullis - 99,000
Hjalti Jacobsen - 91,000
Justin Newton - 80,000

Recent Eliminations:
Mike Sowers

Big Hands:

Another Dent in Singer’s Armor

On a flop of K83, a player checked to David Singer, who fired a bet of 4,500 into the pot. His opponent called, and the two players checked when the 3 paired the board on the turn. The river brought another flush card with the J, and both players checked. Singer’s opponent turned over 99 for a flush, and Singer mucked his hand. Singer still had just under 70,000 in chips after the hand.

Jimmy Fricke on a Rollercoaster Ride

In a span of one orbit, Jimmy Fricke went from being his table’s chip leader to short stack and back to one of the leaders.

In the first hand, Fricke raised to 3,300 from the cut-off and was called by the player on the button. Hendon Mob member Barny Boatman was in the big blind and pushed all in for over 20,000. Taken by surprise, Fricke asked why Boatman did that. “You’re asking me why? I just thought it was about that time,” Boatman joked with Fricke. Fricke released his hand, as did the player on the button.

A few hands later, a player in middle position raised to 4,000 and Fricke called next-to-act. The action folded to Hjalti Jacobsen in the big blind. In a fashion similar to Boatman’s push on the previous hand, Jacobsen moved all in for his remaining 38,200. The original raiser folded, and Fricke went into the tank. After minutes of deliberation, Fricke called with 88, the favorite over Jacobsen’s AK. The AKQ65 board hit Jacobsen, and won the pot for him. Fricke was crippled, having called over 50% of his stack on the coin flip. The original raiser claimed to have folded pocket queens, which would have won the pot.

Within the same orbit, Fricke check-raised his opponent for 7,000 more on a flop of QQ5. Fricke’s opponent moved all in, and Fricke instantly called and turned over AQ. His opponent was on a flush draw with 42, but the K turn and 8 river didn’t help. “Is there some rule that says Jimmy’s not allowed to be short stacked?” Barny Boatman inquired as Fricke dragged the pot.

Kathy Liebert Won’t Pay to See Cards

After raising to 4,000 from early position and receiving two late position callers, Kathy Liebert checked a 1054 flop. Her opponents checked behind, and all three players again checked the 10 on the turn. When the 3 was dealt on the river, Liebert made a bet of 12,000 which caused her first opponent to fold. The last remaining player immediately stood up and began contemplating his situation. After a few moments of deliberating, he moved all in against Liebert for 37,200 more. Liebert folded her hand, and her opponent asked her how much cash she would offer to see his cards. Liebert shook her head, not interested in seeing his hand.

Ryan Young Devastates Justin Newton

Ryan Young devastated the chip stack of Justin Newton and vaulted himself to be one of the tournament leaders in one dramatic hand. Newton raised to 4,100 pre-flop, and Young reraised to 14,000 from a later position. Newton put Young all in, and Young made the call with K10. Young was in bad shape against his opponent’s JhJc, but the 10105 flop couldn’t have been better for Young. The turn and river were blanks, and Young scooped a monster pot worth over 120,000.

Player Tags: Kathy Liebert,   David Singer,   Barny Boatman,   Ryan Young,   Justin Newton,   Mike Sowers,   European Report

Pot-Limit Hold'em - At Dinner Break

May 31, '08

Players are now on a 60-minute dinner break and will resume playing with level 17.

Blinds/Antes: 5000/10000

Players Left: 22

Average Stack: 320,000

Chip Leaders:
Andy Bloch – 730,000
Eli Elezra – 675,000
Chris Bell – 610,000
Amit Makhija – 550,000
Alexander Kostritsyn - 490,000
John Kabbaj – 400,000
Nenad Medic – 365,000
Patrik Antonius – 360,000
Phil Laak – 330,000

Eliminations:
Ted Lawson
Vivek Rajkumar
David Stroj

Big Hands:

Bell Chows Down

With just 20 minutes remaining before the players made their long anticipated break for dinner, Chris Bell gave tablemate Mike “Sowerss” Sowers something to chew on. The original bettor was Anthony Licastro, who opened from the cut-off for 25,000. Sowers called from the button, and Bell made the call from the small blind, creating a pot of 83,000.  Bell checked the 972 flop and Licastro continued his play with a 50,000 bet. Sowers, who has played the button aggressively through the first two days of the tourney, raised another 100,000 for a pot of 283,000 in chips. That’s when Bell stepped into the fray and check-raised all-in for 352,000. Licastro quickly stepped aside, and Sowers had a decision to make. He eventually folded, preserving his remaining 272,000 in chips.

The Action Continues

While Jennifer Tilly stopped by table 13 to wish Phil Laak good luck, the action continued to mount as the players all vied to move up in the money. Dustin Woolf raised to 21,000 pre-flop from middle position. Next to act, Justin Newton reraised an additional 58,000. Woolf released his hand.

Elezra’s Lead Slipping

After initially raising, Nikolai Evdakov called Eli Elezra’s 80,000 reraise and both players saw a flop of 976. Without hesitation, Evdakov pushed in his remaining 142,000 into the pot. Elezra pondered for close to five minutes before commenting that he put Evdakov on two 10s and folded AK face up.

Andy Bloch Dominates

Andy Bloch became one of the tournament leaders thanks to two back to back hands. In the first, Mike Sowers pushed in a 130,000 bet after being checked to by Bloch on a board of KQJ96. Bloch announced a call instantly as Sowers pushed his bet into the pot. Caught in a bluff, Sowers mucked his hand. While dragging the pot, Bloch flipped over the QTc. On the next hand, Andy Bloch eliminated David Stroj when his A8 held up against Stroj’s K8. Bloch now has over 800,000 in chips.

Player Tags: Andy Bloch,   Phil Laak,   Eli Elezra,   Chris Bell,   Dustin Woolf,   Anthony Licastro,   Patrik Antonius,   Nenad Medic,   Jennifer Tilly,   John Kabbaj,   Justin Newton,   Amit Makhija,   Nikolay Evdakov,   Mike Sowers,   Alexander Kostritsyn,   European Report

Pot-Limit Hold'em - Berman-Berman battle sends Brad to rail

May 30, '08

Eliminations:

Isaac Haxton
Jonathan Little
Eric Lynch
Allen Cunningham
Andy Black

Big Hands:

Lyle Berman knocks out son

On a board of 3KQ, Bradley Berman check-raised pot and then shipped the rest of his stack in when Lyle re-raised him. Brad held AT for a flush draw and gutshot straight draw while Lyle flipped over 33 for bottom set. The turn and river came 2 and 8. After the hand Berman had roughly 70,000 chips.

Ivey gets some breathing room

After the first two players to act limped in for 1,600 Phil Ivey raised to 8,800. Jonathan Little then reraised to 23,900 in the small blind. The first limper folded quickly and then after a couple minutes the second limper folded as well. Ivey immediately moved all in for only 3,000 more. Little called with pocket queens and Ivey flipped over AK. The board came A7J87 and Ivey doubled up to roughly 55,000. Little dropped down to around 30,000.

Justin Newton among chip leaders

Newton bet 21,700 with the board reading 7966 and Ben Grundy called. The A came on the turn and both players checked. Newton flipped over T6 for three sixes. With the pot Newton's chip stack was now roughly 190,000.

Tuan Le joins frontrunners

Tuan Le in the big blind was the second of two players to call a raise to 4,800. The flop came down K4A, and Le made a bet of 16,000 before being raised by an all-in shortstack who had 18,400. The J on the turn and J on the river didn't change matters, Le winning with A6, topping his opponents KQ. Le moved to 170,000 in chips.

Licastro dodges danger

Ben Sprengers put himself at risk with a big move against tournament chip-leader Tony Licastro. On a flop of 9J6, Sprengers made a pot-sized bet of 64,900. Licastro debated before Sprengers called for a clock. Time ran out, and Licastro showed his folded AK. Sprengers jumped to 140,000 in chips.

Phil Laak Adds to His Stack

With a pot of over 10,000 and a board of J53, Phil Laak and his seat 6 opponent both checked the 8 as it fell on the turn. When the river brought the 7, Laak made a bet of 7,800, which caused his opponent to fold. This pot increased Phil's stack to over 150,000. The war between Laak and this opponent was far from over. After limping, Laak folded to his opponent's raise.

Ben Grundy and Chris Moneymaker Mix it Up

Ben Grundy has raised several hands in a row at his table, including one confrontations with Chris Moneymaker. After making it 4,000 from middle position, Grundy faced a call from the player on the button and Moneymaker in the big blind. All three players checked the 942 flop. Moneymaker fired 6,200 from first position when the turn brought the 4 and received no calls. His stack improved to 33,000. Moneymaker was eliminated shortly after.

Player Tags: Tuan Le,   Phil Laak,   Chris Moneymaker,   Phil Ivey,   Anthony Licastro,   Ben Grundy,   Justin Newton,   European Report

Pot-Limit Hold'em - At Dinner Break

May 31, '08

Players are now on a 60-minute dinner break and will resume playing with level 17.

Blinds/Antes: 5000/10000

Players Left: 22

Average Stack: 320,000

Chip Leaders:
Andy Bloch – 730,000
Eli Elezra – 675,000
Chris Bell – 610,000
Amit Makhija – 550,000
Alexander Kostritsyn - 490,000
John Kabbaj – 400,000
Nenad Medic – 365,000
Patrik Antonius – 360,000
Phil Laak – 330,000

Eliminations:
Ted Lawson
Vivek Rajkumar
David Stroj

Big Hands:

Bell Chows Down

With just 20 minutes remaining before the players made their long anticipated break for dinner, Chris Bell gave tablemate Mike “Sowerss” Sowers something to chew on. The original bettor was Anthony Licastro, who opened from the cut-off for 25,000. Sowers called from the button, and Bell made the call from the small blind, creating a pot of 83,000.  Bell checked the 972 flop and Licastro continued his play with a 50,000 bet. Sowers, who has played the button aggressively through the first two days of the tourney, raised another 100,000 for a pot of 283,000 in chips. That’s when Bell stepped into the fray and check-raised all-in for 352,000. Licastro quickly stepped aside, and Sowers had a decision to make. He eventually folded, preserving his remaining 272,000 in chips.

The Action Continues

While Jennifer Tilly stopped by table 13 to wish Phil Laak good luck, the action continued to mount as the players all vied to move up in the money. Dustin Woolf raised to 21,000 pre-flop from middle position. Next to act, Justin Newton reraised an additional 58,000. Woolf released his hand.

Elezra’s Lead Slipping

After initially raising, Nikolai Evdakov called Eli Elezra’s 80,000 reraise and both players saw a flop of 976. Without hesitation, Evdakov pushed in his remaining 142,000 into the pot. Elezra pondered for close to five minutes before commenting that he put Evdakov on two 10s and folded AK face up.

Andy Bloch Dominates

Andy Bloch became one of the tournament leaders thanks to two back to back hands. In the first, Mike Sowers pushed in a 130,000 bet after being checked to by Bloch on a board of KQJ96. Bloch announced a call instantly as Sowers pushed his bet into the pot. Caught in a bluff, Sowers mucked his hand. While dragging the pot, Bloch flipped over the QTc. On the next hand, Andy Bloch eliminated David Stroj when his A8 held up against Stroj’s K8. Bloch now has over 800,000 in chips.

Player Tags: Andy Bloch,   Phil Laak,   Eli Elezra,   Chris Bell,   Dustin Woolf,   Anthony Licastro,   Patrik Antonius,   Nenad Medic,   Jennifer Tilly,   John Kabbaj,   Justin Newton,   Amit Makhija,   Nikolay Evdakov,   Mike Sowers,   Alexander Kostritsyn,   European Report

Pot-Limit Hold'em - Berman-Berman battle sends Brad to rail

May 30, '08

Eliminations:

Isaac Haxton
Jonathan Little
Eric Lynch
Allen Cunningham
Andy Black

Big Hands:

Lyle Berman knocks out son

On a board of 3KQ, Bradley Berman check-raised pot and then shipped the rest of his stack in when Lyle re-raised him. Brad held AT for a flush draw and gutshot straight draw while Lyle flipped over 33 for bottom set. The turn and river came 2 and 8. After the hand Berman had roughly 70,000 chips.

Ivey gets some breathing room

After the first two players to act limped in for 1,600 Phil Ivey raised to 8,800. Jonathan Little then reraised to 23,900 in the small blind. The first limper folded quickly and then after a couple minutes the second limper folded as well. Ivey immediately moved all in for only 3,000 more. Little called with pocket queens and Ivey flipped over AK. The board came A7J87 and Ivey doubled up to roughly 55,000. Little dropped down to around 30,000.

Justin Newton among chip leaders

Newton bet 21,700 with the board reading 7966 and Ben Grundy called. The A came on the turn and both players checked. Newton flipped over T6 for three sixes. With the pot Newton's chip stack was now roughly 190,000.

Tuan Le joins frontrunners

Tuan Le in the big blind was the second of two players to call a raise to 4,800. The flop came down K4A, and Le made a bet of 16,000 before being raised by an all-in shortstack who had 18,400. The J on the turn and J on the river didn't change matters, Le winning with A6, topping his opponents KQ. Le moved to 170,000 in chips.

Licastro dodges danger

Ben Sprengers put himself at risk with a big move against tournament chip-leader Tony Licastro. On a flop of 9J6, Sprengers made a pot-sized bet of 64,900. Licastro debated before Sprengers called for a clock. Time ran out, and Licastro showed his folded AK. Sprengers jumped to 140,000 in chips.

Phil Laak Adds to His Stack

With a pot of over 10,000 and a board of J53, Phil Laak and his seat 6 opponent both checked the 8 as it fell on the turn. When the river brought the 7, Laak made a bet of 7,800, which caused his opponent to fold. This pot increased Phil's stack to over 150,000. The war between Laak and this opponent was far from over. After limping, Laak folded to his opponent's raise.

Ben Grundy and Chris Moneymaker Mix it Up

Ben Grundy has raised several hands in a row at his table, including one confrontations with Chris Moneymaker. After making it 4,000 from middle position, Grundy faced a call from the player on the button and Moneymaker in the big blind. All three players checked the 942 flop. Moneymaker fired 6,200 from first position when the turn brought the 4 and received no calls. His stack improved to 33,000. Moneymaker was eliminated shortly after.

Player Tags: Tuan Le,   Phil Laak,   Chris Moneymaker,   Phil Ivey,   Anthony Licastro,   Ben Grundy,   Justin Newton,   European Report