John Murphy Poker Tournament Updates

$1,500 No Limit Hold'em - Khan Double Up

Jun 29, '08

Blinds/Antes: 800-1,600 with a 200 Ante

Players Left: 170 of 2,718

Chip Leaders:

Young Phan: 182,000
Micah Raskin: 175,200
Greg Alexander: 145,000
Greg Mueller: 131,700
Manelic Minaya: 127,300
Matt Matros: 113,600
Rasmus Nielsen: 110,600
Gregg Merkow: 109,900
Alexander Case: 97,300
J.C. Tran: 92,600

Average Stack: 47,684

Big Hands:
Flushing the Dragon

David "The Dragon" Pham raised to 4,800 before the flop and the player in seat 9 made the call from the small blind. The flop came 887 and seat 9 checked to Pham. He made it 7,000 to go and seat 9 called. The turn was the 4 and both players checked. The 10 on the river put four cards to a flush on the board. Action was checked to Pham who fired another bet into the pot. His opponent made the call and Pham simply showed the 3. It was no good, however, as seat 9 showed AK for the nut flush and the pot. Pham was down to about 37,000.

"What Just Happened?" Khan Doubled Up That's What

Hevad Khan raised to 3,600 under the gun and action folded around to the player in seat 3. He called from the big blind and the flop came 1065. Seat 3 led out with 7,000 and Khan applied some pressure, raising to 25,000. His opponent took it in stride, moving all in almost immediately. Khan thought for a second and then made the call. He showed 97 for a gutshot straight draw while seat 3 showed 43 for an open ended straight draw. Otherwise, both players had jack squat! That changed on the turn as the 3 made bottom pair for seat 3 and the river gave him an extra one when the 5 hit. Khan took a hit to his stack, dropping down to about 30,000. "What just happened?" Khan asked as his opponent celebrated.

Moments later, the player in seat 2 raised to 6,500 from the cutoff. Khan repopped it to 11,300 from the small blind and then seat 5 pushed all in from the big blind. Seat 2 mucked his hand and Khan quickly called. He tabled AK, dominating seat 5's KQ. The board ran out A86Q8 and Khan doubled up to around 60,000.

Murphy Needs No Flop

Picking up the action on the turn, John Murphy and his opponent in seat 5 checked a board of AJ25. The river brought the 8 and Murphy led out with a bet of 4,000. His opponent tanked, deciding to make the call after many moments of thinking. Murphy showed 85 for two pair, thanks to the turn and the river. Seat 5 mucked and Murphy took in the pot, improving his stack to around 30,000 in chips.

Children, Our Word of the Day is; "All In"

During the first 30 minutes of play, more than 60 players made their exit. Walking amongst the Brasilia Room, there was a common theme echoing amongst the players. "All in." A person could not walk for more than eight steps without hearing someone move their entire stacks into the middle.

Player Tags: David Pham,   John Murphy,   Hevad Khan

PLHE Level 4

Jun 20, '08

Blinds: 100-200

Eliminations: Katja Thater, Philip Yeh

Big Hands:

Murphy See-Sawing

After eliminating two players by making a baby set on the flop that turned into quads by the river, John Murphy ran into some flop trouble of his own a short while later. An early position player raised to 650 and Murphy called in position. The flop was 875 and the raiser led out with 1,300, and Murphy made the call. The turn was the 10 and again the raiser fired a pot-sized bet, 4,200 this time. Again, Murphy called. The river was the 10 and the raiser shoved all in for 11,300. Murphy called once again, and his opponent showed 88 for a set-turned-full house. Murphy mucked his cards. After shooting to the top of the leaderboard at the very end of the last round, with about 20,000 chips at one point, Murphy is now all the way back down to less than 2,000.

"I Check to the Walrus"

Thomas Wahlroos raised to 700 in early position and the seat 1 player moved all in for just 200 more. The seat 3 player and Scott Seiver in the big blind, in addition to Wahlroos, called. The flop was 1083 and the action checked around. The turn was the 8 and, after Seiver checked--almost yelling, "I check to the walrus!"--Wahlroos moved all in for his last 850. The seat 3 player folded, but Seiver called with 55. He was ahead of Wahlroos' AJ, who had overcards along with outs to a flush, but the river was the A to ship him the consolation side pot. The real pot went to seat 1, who was all in 1010.

Bossman Garners No Callers

Big Bossman Barry Shulman bet 1,275 after his opponent checked on a flop of J107. His opponent lamely folded. Bossman's up to 4,500 in chips.

Players are now on a twenty minute break.

Player Tags: Barry Shulman,   John Murphy,   Thomas Wahlroos

$1,500 Hold'em - Chips Flying Early

Jun 19, '08

Blinds: 25-50

Approx. Entrants: 2,411

Big Hands:

Tran Takes Early Pot From Murphy

J.C. Tran and John Murphy checked a flop of QJ9. On the 3 turn, Tran led out 425 and was called by Murphy. The river was the Q, pairing the board. Tran threw out a 1,000 chip and Murphy reluctantly made the call. "Straight," was all Tran said as he flipped over 108 for the flopped straight. Murphy mucked his hand and was left with around half his starting stack of 3,000, while Tran is approaching 5,000.

Shannon Shorr Doubles Through Lex Veldhuis

On a flop of J43, Shannon Shorr bet 700 from early position and Lex Veldhuis came over the top and moved all in from the button. Shorr tanked for a few minutes and Veldhuis started to engage him in some light coversation. "I probably have 75", said Lex. "If you have two nines, I would call." Shorr replied, "I have two queens." Veldhuis says, "Well, that probably consttitutes a slow roll then." Shorr made the all in call for 2,500, Veldhuis had 500 left behind.

Shorr was telling the truth and turned over QQ for the overpair. Veldhuis was not, showing AJ for top pair, top kicker. The turn and river were the 9 and 9, and Shorr doubled through Veldhuis. Veldhuis shook it off right away, shoving from the cutoff the very next hand, stealing the blinds.

A Pot and a Smile

On a board of 1095, Vanessa Rousso bet 800 and her opponent in seat 8 was next to act. As he was thinking about what to do, Rousso took off her headphones and fired an unlikely shot, a smile. It was enough to make up her opponent's mind as he made the call. The turn was the 5 and seat 8 checked. The action was on Rousso and she lifted herself off her seat just a bit, extended her arm, and came back down to her chair, pounding the table ever so slightly to check. The river brought the A and seat 8 led out with 625. Rousso just called and her opponent turned over A10 for top two pair. It was useless, however, as Rousso showed 99 for nines full of fives. She was at around 5,500 after the hand.

Aces Beat Queens

Daniel O'Brien, who has already enjoyed two deep runs in this year's WSOP, opened to 150 from the UTG +1 and Cyril Benssousan quickly made it 500 to go. The action folded around to O'Brien, who decided to move all in and was quickly called by Benssousan. O'Brien tabled QQ against Benssousan's AA, and if a flop of AJ4 had O'Brien drawing bad. the 9 on the turn had him drawing worse. O'Brien was eliminated mid-way through the first level, while Benssousan is up to more than 6,000.

Aces Beat Queens... Again

A couple of tables away, the exact same scenario was playing out when Mike Kelly's AA eliminated an unknown player holding QQ. Recent bracelet winner Scott Seiver, who was sitting between the two players, claimed he folded pocket jacks.

Slotboom Down

On a board of 1096, the player in seat 10 bet 125 and Rolf Slotboom raised to 525 total. Seat 10 made the call and the turn came with the 9. Both players checked and the river brought the A. Seat 10 led out with 500 and Slotboom went into the tank. He reached for his chips as if he was about to call, but then pulled his hand back toward his mouth. He looked at his hand one more time and let it go into the muck. He was down to around 2,200.










 

Player Tags: J.C. Tran,   John Murphy,   Vanessa Rousso,   Shannon Shorr,   Rolf Slotboom,   Lex Veldhuis,   European Report

Italy vs. England

Jun 16, '08

Blinds/Antes: 150-300 with a 25 ante

Players Left: 378 of 1,012

Chip Leaders:

Andrew Emory: 60,000
Ian Kim: 55,200
Max Pescatori: 40,000
Ed Fernandez: 39,000
Jonas Danielsson: 35,500
Justin Filtz: 35,000
Mark Vos: 32,000
Hevad Kahn: 32,000
David Ulliott: 29,500

Average Stack: 13,368

Eliminations: John Murphy, Nenad Medic

Big Hands:

Super Dario Runs Into a Devil Fish

Before the flop, the player in seat 2 raised to 900. Dario Minieri repopped it to 3,000 total and the action was on Dave "Devil Fish" Ulliott. He thought for a while and decided to call. The player in seat 2 thought better of tangling with these two Europeans and mucked. The flop came down 724. Minieri led out with 4,000 and Ulliott pounced, going all in. Minieri folded and Ulliott turned over 1010 and raked in the pot. He was at 29,000 at that point while Minieri was at 22,000.

Johnston vs. Morgan

On a board of 955, Jordan Morgan bet 500 and Berry Johnston min-raised to 1,000. Morgan made the call and the turn was the 9, putting two pair on the board. Morgan and Johnston checked and the river was the 6. Morgan checked and Johnston bet 1,000. Morgan threw his cards into the muck and Johnston took the pot, putting his stack around 18,000. Later, the two would tangle again.

In a three-way pot and with a board reading KQA94 action was checked to Morgan who bet 2,500. The player in seat 6 folded and the action was on Johnston. He thought for a bit and then mucked his hand, giving Morgan the pot and improving his stack to around 30,000.

John Murphy Gone

On a board showing 876, seat 1 bet and Murphy raised all in. Seat 1 made the call after a couple of minutes in the tank and turned over 96 for bottom pair and an open ended straight draw along with a backdoor flush draw. Murphy had a similar hand. He flipped over 65 for bottom pair and an open ended straight draw, but his opponent had one of his outs. The turn was the Q and the river brought another red lady with the Q and Murphy was eliminated.

Player Tags: Berry Johnston,   John Murphy,   Jordan Morgan,   European Report

Robl Gone, Gazes Climbing

Jun 15, '08

Blinds/Antes: 100-200

Players Left: 495 of 716

Chip Leaders:

Steve Sung: 28,000
G. Richard Tatalovich: 26,000
Jennifer Tilly: 25,700
Tomislav Dobrilovic: 22,000
Jason Somerville: 20,000
Kristy Gazes: 18,500
John Phan: 17,000
Alex Jacob: 15,500
Stephen Dwyer: 14,000

Avegrage Stack: 7,577

Eliminations: Andrew Robl, Michael Binger, Chau Giang

Big Hands:

Robl Out

Andrew Robl, who finished 3rd in the mixed hold'em event won by Erick Lindgren earlier in the series, bet 600 on a flop of 762. The player in seat 9 called and the K fell on the turn. Robl pushed his remaining stack into the middle and was instantly called by seat 9. Robl showed JJ, but seat 9 flopped a set with 77. The river missed Robl and he was sent packing.

Bruno Folds the Ladies

On a board of K876, Bruno Fitoussi bet 300 and seat 6 moved all in for nearly 3,000 more. Fitoussi tanked and eventually mucked, showing his opponent QQ.

Young Ousts Two Players

On a flop of 742, Ryan Young called seat 8's 4,275 all in bet, as did the player in seat 5. Young had both players covered. Seat 8 showed QQ, seat 5 showed AA and Young showed 77 for top set on the flop. The turn was the 10 and the river was the 6. Young added two notches on his belt and his stack grew to 25,000.

Rocketman

Alex Jacob, the man with the best afro in poker, moved all in on a board showing K965. His opponent in seat 3 made the call after much thought. Jacob showed his opponent the bad news as he tabled AA, dominating seat 3's AQ. The river was the A giving Jacob a set and a pot of over 17,000.

Caught in a Gaze

Kristy Gazes had a tough decision. The flop had come 998. Her opponent in seat 6 moved all in for 3,200 and Gazes went into the tank. Finally, she grabbed the 3,200 and flung it into the pot, clearly thinking she might be beat. She showed 1010. Her opponent showed 85, bringing a smile to Gazes' face. The turn was the 2 and the Q on the river gave Gazes the win, eliminating her opponent. She was around 23,000 after the hand.

Murphy Cracks Slick

John Murphy raised to 450 and was called by the player in seat 5. The flop came KQJ. Murphy moved all in and was called by his opponent. Murphy turned over KQ for top two pair, while his opponent showed down AK for top pair, top kicker. The turn was the 3 and the river was the 8, giving Murphy the pot and doubling his stack to around 6,000.

Player Tags: Kristy Gazes,   Bruno Fitoussi,   John Murphy,   Ryan Young,   Alex Jacob,   Andrew Robl,   European Report

Event 21 - $5000 NLHE

Jun 12, '08

Blinds: 2,000-4,000 (500 Ante), moving up to 3,000-6,000 (500 Ante)

Players Remaining: 43

Eliminations: Alex Jacob

Notable Hands:
Sprengers Eliminates Tilston

Keith Tilston raised to 11,000 and was called by Hasan Habib before Ben Sprengers reraised from the small blind to a total of 50,000. Tilston made the call all-in, causing Habib to fold. Tilston showed KJ and was trailing Sprengers' QQ. He stayed behind as the board ran out 82310A, and was eliminated from the tournament.

Murphy Lays It Down

On the turn of a board reading A668, John Murphy and the player in seat four were heads up, with Murphy on the button. The player led out for 22,000, and Murphy called after little deliberation. But when the 3 fell on the river and his opponent moved all in for almost 100,000, Murphy went into the tank. After some thought and a few pained facial expressions, Murphy tossed his cards into the muck.


 

Player Tags: John Murphy,   Ben Sprengers,   Keith Tilston

Event 21 - $5000 NLHE - End of Day 1

Jun 11, '08

Blinds: 600-1,200 (100 Ante)

Players Remaining: 122

Chip Leaders:
Sam El Sayed: 200,000
Alex Melnikow: 190,000
Michiel Brummelhuis: 161,000
Hasan Habib: 133,000
Dmitri Nobles: 130,000
Michael Mizrachi: 106,000
Eli Elezra: 99,000
Jerrod Ankenman: 98,000
Noah Boeken: 87,000
Anders Henrikson: 70,000

Eliminations: John Hennigan

Notable Hands and Stories:

Action hands were few and far between during the day's last level of play, as many players seemed to tighten up as the end of the day approached.

Donde Estan Los Tiburones?

On a board reading Q5666, Humberto Brenes fired out a bet of 20,000, muscling his opponent out of the pot. As Brenes silently mucked his cards and raked in the pot, something seemed amiss: Humberto's sharks were missing. Brenes' iconic chip protectors are nowhere in sight, but that doesn't seem to be stopping him from going on a chip feeding frenzy.

Final Table Makers Share Felt

Greg Mueller, Kathy Liebert, and David Singer, who have all already made final tables at this year's world series, were seated at the same table for the last few levels of play.

The Grinder And The 'Fro

On a flop of 944, Alex Jacob checked to Michael Mizrachi, who bet out 7,000. Jacob then check-raised 23,000, forcing Mizrachi to fold in disgust, flipping A-K in to the muck. Jacob's stack got a little bigger, but is still substantially smaller than his hair.

Murphy Makes A Move

On the button, John Murphy called a raise from a player in late position. On a flop of 1073, the player checked to Murphy, who bet out for 11,000. The player folded, and Murphy showed 82 and a large grin.




Play has ended for the day, and will resume at 2pm tomorrow until the final table has been reached.

Player Tags: Humberto Brenes,   Michael Mizrachi,   John Murphy

Event 21 - $5000 NLHE

Jun 11, '08

Blinds: 400-800 (100 Ante), moving up to 500-1000 (100 Ante)

Eliminations: Ryan Daut, Erica Schoenberg, Bill Edler, Sorrel Mizzi

Chip Leaders:

Sam El Sayed: 210,000
Michiel Brummelhuis: 160,000
Jorryt van Hoof: 130,000
Eli Elezra: 125,000
Jerrod Ankenman: 106,000
Scott Seiver: 98,000
Michael Mizrachi: 95,000
Eric Haber: 94,000
Alex Melinkow: 73,000
John Murphy: 72,000

Notable Hands:

How do you say shark in Spanish?

Humberto Brenes has just doubled up to 22,500, moving in preflop and showing KK on a board of JJ254 to beat his opponent's A-K.

John Murphy's spades are better than your spades

John Murphy has moved onto the chip leaderboard after showing down KQ on a board of 76584 and besting the J9 of his opponent. Murphy's stack increased to over 70,000 after the hand.

Eli Elezra Moves Chips

Elezra opened a pot with a raise to 3,000 and was called by the player in seat 3 from the big blind. The flop brought a K32, seat 3 checked and Elezra fired out another bet of 6,000. Seat 3 called, the turn brought the Q, and the player checked again. Elezra fired another bullet, this time for 12,000. His opponent went into the tank for a short time before moving all-in. Elezra quickly let go of his hand, and the dealer shipped the pot over to seat 3.

Elezra was able to retrive some of his chips from the same player on the next hand. Elezra this time opened the pot to only 2575, but was once again called by seat 3, who this time sat in the small blind. The flop ran out QJ2, seat 3 checked and Eli bet out for 4,000. The bet pushed seat 3 out of the pot, and the dealer returned a handful of chips back to Elezra.


 

Player Tags: Humberto Brenes,   Eli Elezra,   John Murphy

Event 21 - $5000 NLHE

Jun 12, '08

Blinds: 2,000-4,000 (500 Ante), moving up to 3,000-6,000 (500 Ante)

Players Remaining: 43

Eliminations: Alex Jacob

Notable Hands:
Sprengers Eliminates Tilston

Keith Tilston raised to 11,000 and was called by Hasan Habib before Ben Sprengers reraised from the small blind to a total of 50,000. Tilston made the call all-in, causing Habib to fold. Tilston showed KJ and was trailing Sprengers' QQ. He stayed behind as the board ran out 82310A, and was eliminated from the tournament.

Murphy Lays It Down

On the turn of a board reading A668, John Murphy and the player in seat four were heads up, with Murphy on the button. The player led out for 22,000, and Murphy called after little deliberation. But when the 3 fell on the river and his opponent moved all in for almost 100,000, Murphy went into the tank. After some thought and a few pained facial expressions, Murphy tossed his cards into the muck.


 

Player Tags: John Murphy,   Ben Sprengers,   Keith Tilston

Event 21 - $5000 NLHE - End of Day 1

Jun 11, '08

Blinds: 600-1,200 (100 Ante)

Players Remaining: 122

Chip Leaders:
Sam El Sayed: 200,000
Alex Melnikow: 190,000
Michiel Brummelhuis: 161,000
Hasan Habib: 133,000
Dmitri Nobles: 130,000
Michael Mizrachi: 106,000
Eli Elezra: 99,000
Jerrod Ankenman: 98,000
Noah Boeken: 87,000
Anders Henrikson: 70,000

Eliminations: John Hennigan

Notable Hands and Stories:

Action hands were few and far between during the day's last level of play, as many players seemed to tighten up as the end of the day approached.

Donde Estan Los Tiburones?

On a board reading Q5666, Humberto Brenes fired out a bet of 20,000, muscling his opponent out of the pot. As Brenes silently mucked his cards and raked in the pot, something seemed amiss: Humberto's sharks were missing. Brenes' iconic chip protectors are nowhere in sight, but that doesn't seem to be stopping him from going on a chip feeding frenzy.

Final Table Makers Share Felt

Greg Mueller, Kathy Liebert, and David Singer, who have all already made final tables at this year's world series, were seated at the same table for the last few levels of play.

The Grinder And The 'Fro

On a flop of 944, Alex Jacob checked to Michael Mizrachi, who bet out 7,000. Jacob then check-raised 23,000, forcing Mizrachi to fold in disgust, flipping A-K in to the muck. Jacob's stack got a little bigger, but is still substantially smaller than his hair.

Murphy Makes A Move

On the button, John Murphy called a raise from a player in late position. On a flop of 1073, the player checked to Murphy, who bet out for 11,000. The player folded, and Murphy showed 82 and a large grin.




Play has ended for the day, and will resume at 2pm tomorrow until the final table has been reached.

Player Tags: Humberto Brenes,   Michael Mizrachi,   John Murphy

Event 21 - $5000 NLHE

Jun 11, '08

Blinds: 400-800 (100 Ante), moving up to 500-1000 (100 Ante)

Eliminations: Ryan Daut, Erica Schoenberg, Bill Edler, Sorrel Mizzi

Chip Leaders:

Sam El Sayed: 210,000
Michiel Brummelhuis: 160,000
Jorryt van Hoof: 130,000
Eli Elezra: 125,000
Jerrod Ankenman: 106,000
Scott Seiver: 98,000
Michael Mizrachi: 95,000
Eric Haber: 94,000
Alex Melinkow: 73,000
John Murphy: 72,000

Notable Hands:

How do you say shark in Spanish?

Humberto Brenes has just doubled up to 22,500, moving in preflop and showing KK on a board of JJ254 to beat his opponent's A-K.

John Murphy's spades are better than your spades

John Murphy has moved onto the chip leaderboard after showing down KQ on a board of 76584 and besting the J9 of his opponent. Murphy's stack increased to over 70,000 after the hand.

Eli Elezra Moves Chips

Elezra opened a pot with a raise to 3,000 and was called by the player in seat 3 from the big blind. The flop brought a K32, seat 3 checked and Elezra fired out another bet of 6,000. Seat 3 called, the turn brought the Q, and the player checked again. Elezra fired another bullet, this time for 12,000. His opponent went into the tank for a short time before moving all-in. Elezra quickly let go of his hand, and the dealer shipped the pot over to seat 3.

Elezra was able to retrive some of his chips from the same player on the next hand. Elezra this time opened the pot to only 2575, but was once again called by seat 3, who this time sat in the small blind. The flop ran out QJ2, seat 3 checked and Eli bet out for 4,000. The bet pushed seat 3 out of the pot, and the dealer returned a handful of chips back to Elezra.


 

Player Tags: Humberto Brenes,   Eli Elezra,   John Murphy

No-Limit Hold'em Shootout - Day Two - Juanda vs. West

Jun 07, '08

Blinds/Antes: 4000/8000/1000

Players Remaining: 2 of 36 (Round Two)

Recent Eliminations:
John Murphy
Elton Beebe

Big Hands:

Sirous Jamshidi Advances to the Final Table

On a board of 764, Elton Beebe put Sirous Jamshidi all in for his remaining 181,500. Jamshidi immediately stood up and paced back and forth while contemplating whether or not to call. When he finally made the call, Jamshidi was relieved when Beebe flipped over 74, a big underdog to Sirous’ 76. The A turn and 9 river failed to improve Beebe, and Jamshidi now had a commanding chip lead. Jamshidi finished the job a few hands later when he flopped a set of sevens to Beebe’s top pair, improving to four-of-a-kind on the river.

Tim West Circling the Drain or Staging a Comeback?

Although John Juanda had a substantial lead over Tim West in the last heads-up match of this shootout round, West managed to stay alive by doubling up twice during the level. After making several comments about how many deuces he had been dealt recently, West pushed his remaining 52,100 in chips all in from the button. Juanda called and turned over JJ. “Well, I have one overcard,” West remarked as he revealed his K3. Fortunately for West, the poker gods came through with a K54 flop. Juanda failed to catch one of the remaining two jacks on the turn or river, and West successfully doubled up.

Several hands later, West checked his option from the big blind. Throughout most of the heads-up play, Juanda had been calling in the dark from the small blind. It’s a strategy that had been working, as Juanda won the large majority of hands that saw a flop without a player all in. The flop came A43, and both players checked. The 3 on the turn came with another check from West, and Juanda fired a bet. West made the call, and the 2 river was dealt. West again checked to Juanda, who bet 20,000. West moved all in and Juanda called. West revealed the 43, threes full of fours. Juanda nodded and showed his 52, a flopped wheel straight. West ended the hand with over 200,000 in chips.

Player Tags: John Juanda,   Elton Beebe,   John Murphy,   Sirous Jamshidi,   Tim West

No Limit Hold 'Em Shootout - Level 6

Jun 06, '08

Blinds: 300-600 ante 75

Eliminations: Alexander Kravchenko, Marco Traniello, Phil Hellmuth, Chad Brown

Some Notable Matchups:
By now most tables have consolidated to just two or three players, although the blinds are still small enough--300-600, with 100,000 in total chips at each table--to ensure heads up matches that could last well through the evening.

Issaac Haxton vs. Will Purkey
Joe Sebok vs. Quinn Do
Erik Seidel vs. Heltge Kalaznokov
Greg Mueller vs. Johnny Kincaid
John Juands vs. the Doc

Big Hands:

Murphy to the Next Round

John Murphy advanced to the next round when he and his opponent got all the chips in on a board of 753. Murphy held AQ, his opponent 42. The 9 on the turn sealed the deal.

Cooler for Hellmuth

After Juanda and the "Doc" needled a short-stacked Phil Hellmuth for a solid hour about his tight play, Hellmuth finally got his 10,000 in with two black kings--only to find out he was drawing slim against Juanda's AA. "I let them run over me all day, and then I had him set up..." lamented Hellmuth. His kings never improved and he was eliminated from the tournament. Juanda, meanwhile, has a commanding chip lead moving into heads up play.

Costner, Jacob, Tong G Move On

Gabe Costner eliminated Chad Brown when a flop of J108 had both players pushing all in. The short stacked Brown held 53 and Costner K9. Two blanks fell on the turn and river and Brown was eliminated.

Alex Jacob triumphed over Todd Barlow in heads up play to advance to the next round.

Tony G's paired nine held up to best David Steicke. G will continue tomorrow with the rest of the day's winners in the second round.

Player Tags: John Murphy,   Alex Jacob,   Gabe Costner

No-Limit Hold'em Shootout - Day Two - Juanda vs. West

Jun 07, '08

Blinds/Antes: 4000/8000/1000

Players Remaining: 2 of 36 (Round Two)

Recent Eliminations:
John Murphy
Elton Beebe

Big Hands:

Sirous Jamshidi Advances to the Final Table

On a board of 764, Elton Beebe put Sirous Jamshidi all in for his remaining 181,500. Jamshidi immediately stood up and paced back and forth while contemplating whether or not to call. When he finally made the call, Jamshidi was relieved when Beebe flipped over 74, a big underdog to Sirous’ 76. The A turn and 9 river failed to improve Beebe, and Jamshidi now had a commanding chip lead. Jamshidi finished the job a few hands later when he flopped a set of sevens to Beebe’s top pair, improving to four-of-a-kind on the river.

Tim West Circling the Drain or Staging a Comeback?

Although John Juanda had a substantial lead over Tim West in the last heads-up match of this shootout round, West managed to stay alive by doubling up twice during the level. After making several comments about how many deuces he had been dealt recently, West pushed his remaining 52,100 in chips all in from the button. Juanda called and turned over JJ. “Well, I have one overcard,” West remarked as he revealed his K3. Fortunately for West, the poker gods came through with a K54 flop. Juanda failed to catch one of the remaining two jacks on the turn or river, and West successfully doubled up.

Several hands later, West checked his option from the big blind. Throughout most of the heads-up play, Juanda had been calling in the dark from the small blind. It’s a strategy that had been working, as Juanda won the large majority of hands that saw a flop without a player all in. The flop came A43, and both players checked. The 3 on the turn came with another check from West, and Juanda fired a bet. West made the call, and the 2 river was dealt. West again checked to Juanda, who bet 20,000. West moved all in and Juanda called. West revealed the 43, threes full of fours. Juanda nodded and showed his 52, a flopped wheel straight. West ended the hand with over 200,000 in chips.

Player Tags: John Juanda,   Elton Beebe,   John Murphy,   Sirous Jamshidi,   Tim West

No Limit Hold 'Em Shootout - Level 6

Jun 06, '08

Blinds: 300-600 ante 75

Eliminations: Alexander Kravchenko, Marco Traniello, Phil Hellmuth, Chad Brown

Some Notable Matchups:
By now most tables have consolidated to just two or three players, although the blinds are still small enough--300-600, with 100,000 in total chips at each table--to ensure heads up matches that could last well through the evening.

Issaac Haxton vs. Will Purkey
Joe Sebok vs. Quinn Do
Erik Seidel vs. Heltge Kalaznokov
Greg Mueller vs. Johnny Kincaid
John Juands vs. the Doc

Big Hands:

Murphy to the Next Round

John Murphy advanced to the next round when he and his opponent got all the chips in on a board of 753. Murphy held AQ, his opponent 42. The 9 on the turn sealed the deal.

Cooler for Hellmuth

After Juanda and the "Doc" needled a short-stacked Phil Hellmuth for a solid hour about his tight play, Hellmuth finally got his 10,000 in with two black kings--only to find out he was drawing slim against Juanda's AA. "I let them run over me all day, and then I had him set up..." lamented Hellmuth. His kings never improved and he was eliminated from the tournament. Juanda, meanwhile, has a commanding chip lead moving into heads up play.

Costner, Jacob, Tong G Move On

Gabe Costner eliminated Chad Brown when a flop of J108 had both players pushing all in. The short stacked Brown held 53 and Costner K9. Two blanks fell on the turn and river and Brown was eliminated.

Alex Jacob triumphed over Todd Barlow in heads up play to advance to the next round.

Tony G's paired nine held up to best David Steicke. G will continue tomorrow with the rest of the day's winners in the second round.

Player Tags: John Murphy,   Alex Jacob,   Gabe Costner

End of Day 1A

May 31, '08

It took only 8 hours and 15 minutes of play today to whittle the day 1A field of 2,000 down to 225. Officials were forced to halt play early in order to ensure that day 1A and day 1B each produce a similar number of survivors, especially with the money bubble rapidly approaching.

With a fast structure and shallow starting stacks, the chips were flying fast and furious today. As a result, big-name players became hard to find as the daylight dwindled. Shane "shaniac" Schleger, second in chips, and Todd Brunson are two notables who will have deep stacks to work with on day 2. Also returning on Monday will be Asher Derei, John Murphy, Johannes Strassmann, and Matthew "all in at 420" Stout.

The players will all receive a much needed day off tomorrow and come back Monday to try and claim the first no-limit hold'em bracelet of the 2008 World Series of Poker.

Day 1B of this event will begin at noon tomorrow.

Player Tags: Asher Derei,   Todd Brunson,   John Murphy,   Shane Schleger,   Matt Stout,   Johannes Strassmann

No Limit Hold 'Em Level 9 - Down to 225

May 31, '08

Blinds: 500-1,000-100

Players Remaining: 225

Average Stack: 27,200

Chip Leaders:

Shane Schleger - 117,000
David Robertson - 108,400
Grant Hinkle - 77,000
Ryan D'Angelo - 75,000
Jeff Carris - 71,000
Henry Tran - 70,000
Cesar Flores - 60,000
Asher Derei - 60,000
Eric Hicks - 55,000
Paul Lee - 46,000
Mark Ketteringham - 45,000

Eliminations:

Bill Gazes

Big Hands:

Older Hinkle Brother Makes His Move

It has just come to our attention that Grant Hinkle, older brother of Blair "blur5f6" Hinkle, has vaulted up the leaderboard and currently sits with just over 75,000 in chips. Blair is playing in tommorow's field, but will have a long way to go to match his big brother.

Griffin Continues His Comeback

Gavin Griffin and his opponent were racing as Griffin flipped over 99 and his opponent had AK. The board ran out 77434 and Griffin's stack gained a much needed boost. He currently sits at 41,000.

Gazes Gone

At the same table where Griffin continued to stage his comeback, Bill Gazes met his demise. A shortstacked player moved his stack of 9,400 into the middle and Gazes was quick to call. The two revealed their cards:

Gazes: A-K
Opponent: T-T

the board was of no help to Gazes and he was eliminated.

Murphy Hanging in There

John Murphy raised to 2,500 in the cutoff. Only the big blind called and they saw a flop of 983. The big blind checked and, without much thought, Murphy stuck in a stack of yellow chips totalling about 15,000, putting his opponent all-in. After a bit of posturing the big blind folded, and Murphy's stack crept up to 35,000.

Strassmann Wins Blind Battle

After a button raise to 3,000, European Poker Tour final tablist Johaness Strassmann of Germany three-bet to 9,000 total, leaving himself only a few thousand behind. His opponent folded A-J face-up, earning a placative, "Nice fold" from Strassmann. The pot took Strassmann up to 34,000 in chips.

All-in at 10:45

Matt "All in at 420" Stout found aces at the right time to increase his stack to 36,000. After an under-the-gun raise, a player in middle position shoved all-in for 16,200. In the big blind, Stout looked down at two black aces and wasted little time before getting his money into the pot. The under-the-gun player folded and the middle position player showed AQ. The board came 55283 and Stout chipped up to 36,000. After the hand the under-the-gun raiser claimed to have folded AK, drawing equal amounts of plaudits and skepticism from the table.

Player Tags: Asher Derei,   Bill Gazes,   Gavin Griffin,   John Murphy,   Shane Schleger,   Matt Stout,   Johannes Strassmann,   European Report