Yueqi Zhu Poker Tournament Updates

Level 27 Update: Yueqi Zhu Eliminated

Jun 15, '10

Blinds: 40,000-80,000
Stakes: 80,000-160,000

Players Remaining: 2 out of 212

Average Chip Count: 3,180,000

Tournament Leaderboard:

1. Sammy Farha — 4,900,000
2. James Dempsey — 1,500,000

Eliminations:

None

Big Hands:

Yueqi Zhu Doubles Up

On a flop of AK2 Yueqi Zhu was all in with the AK64 for top two and a low draw. Dempsey tabled the A986 for top pair, a flush draw and an inferior low draw. The K on the turn gave Zhu a full house and the 6 on the river gave Zhu the scoop and doubled him to 900,000.

Yueqi Zhu Eliminated in 3rd Place ($225,326)

Zhu was all in pre-flop against James Dempsey.

Their hands:

Dempsey: AK54
Zhu: 451010

The board ran out 8423J and ended Zhu was eliminated.

Player Tags: Sam Farha,   Yueqi Zhu,   James Dempsey

Final Table Update: Yueqi Zhu Eliminated In 9th Place, Annie Duke 8th

Jun 09, '09

Blinds: 15,000-30,000

Players Remaining: 7 out of 179

Chip Counts:

1. Scott Clements – 1,815,000
2. John Monnette – 1,190,000
3. Daniel Alaei – 905,000
4. Daniel Negreanu – 785,000
5. Greg Jamison – 330,000
6. Tom Koral – 185,000
7. Ben Boyd – 80,000

Average Chip Count: 671,250

Notable Eliminations:

9. Yueqi Zhu — $54,179
8. Annie Duke — $58,049

Big Hands:

Yueqi Zhu Eliminated In 9th Place($54,179)

Zhu raised preflop and was called by Daniel Alaei in the small blind as well as Greg Jamison in the big blind. The flop came down K99 and Alaei led out with a bet. Jamison made the call and Zhu raised all in. Both players called and the turn brought the Q. Jamison then moved all in and Alaei had enough. Jamison revealed his hand and showed a set of jacks, better than Zhu’s two pair. The river was the 5 and Zhu was eliminated.

Annie Duke Eliminated In 8th Place($58,049)

Annie Duke raised to 60,000 preflop and Greg Jamison reraised all in. John Monnette made the call and Duke called herself all in. Then everyone showed their hands.

Duke: AKQ2
Jamison: AJ53
Monnette: 8793
Board: 63267

Monnette won the high pot with two pair, sevens and threes, while Jamison took the low pot and Annie Duke was left with nothing as she was eliminated in 8th place.

Player Tags: Annie Duke,   Greg Jamison,   Daniel Alaei,   John Monnette,   Yueqi Zhu

$1,500 H.O.R.S.E. - Day 1 - Level 5 Recap

Jun 29, '08

Stakes:
Hold’em/Omaha:  100-200 blinds
Stud/Razz/Stud8:  50 ante, 50 bring in, 200-400 stakes

Players Left: 440 of 803

Chip Leaders:
Keith Sexton - 16,500
Tom Schneider - 16,000
Perry Friedman - 14,500
John Juanda - 12,600
Claude Cohen - 12,000
Phil Hellmuth Jr. - 11,000
Joe Hachem - 11,000
Victor Ramdin – 11,000
Yueqi "Rich" Zhu - 10,500
Mickey Seagle - 10,000
Chad Brown - 9,800
Alex Jacob - 8,000

Average Stack: 5,475

Eliminations:
Daniel Negreanu

Big Hands and Storylines:

Show Them What They’re Playing For...

An announcement was just made by the tournament director, and with a field of 803 players starting the tournament, first-prize will be $256,412. This is nearly $100,000 more than last year’s first-place finisher took home, in large part due to the fact that the buy-in has been increased by 50%.

The Table of Death

With a few more than 400 players remaining the tables here in the Amazon Room (and some in the Brasilia Room) have begun to get more saturated with pros. No table is a better example of this than table 28. Sitting there earlier were David Sklansky, David Chiu, and Brian Micon. They were just joined by Victor Ramdin and Mike Matusow, whose chatter has been non-stop since arriving despite having only 2,800 chips.

Omaha

Jacob Busts Another

Alex Jacob raised pre-flop from early position and the only caller was a short-stacked player in the blinds. The flop came J83, and the short stack check-called a bet from Jacob. Jacob’s opponent was all-in after a 3 on the turn and the players showed:

Jacob: AA76
Opponent: AK109

The river was a harmless 8 and Jacob claimed another scalp. This one helped escalate his chip stack to 8,000.

Stud

Ramdin in Charge

Victor Ramdin: A6A8
David Chiu: 5852

David Chiu completed on third street and Victor Ramdin and another player made the call. Ramdin bet fourth street and was raised by Chiu. The third player folded, and Ramdin made the call. Both players open-paired up on fifth street, but Ramdin’s aces were far scarier than Chiu’s fives. Ramdin bet and Chiu called. Action was the same on the last two streets, and after the final call Chiu asked, “Jacks up good?” Ramdin turned over (8h)(6s)(5c). Jacks up were, in fact, no good. This pot propelled Ramdin to the heights of the chip leaders with 11,000. Chiu is not hurting for chips himself, with 7,600.

Player Tags: Mickey Seagle,   John Juanda,   Phil Hellmuth,   Victor Ramdin,   Tom Schneider,   Keith Sexton,   Perry Friedman,   Claude Cohen,   Joe Hachem,   Alex Jacob,   Yueqi Zhu

$2,000 Limit Hold'em - Level 2 Recap

Jun 10, '08

Note: Players are currently on a 20-minute break

Players Entered: 475

More Notable Names in Field:

Humberto Brenes
Noah Boeken
Amnon Filippi
Brett Jungblut
Daniel Negreanu
Kevin Sa
John Cernuto

Blinds: 50-75

Big Hands:

Negeranu folds on river

Daniel Negreanu raised to 150 from late position and was reraised by the small blind. Negreanu call and the two players saw a 955 flop. The player in the small blind bet and Negreanu called. The turn was the 5 and Negreanu called a bet of 150. The river was the Q and his opponent again bet. Negreanu leaned in and pointed to the river card, as if asking whether or not the he was saved on the river. Negreanu then said to him, "You're not bluffing are you? That would be a stupid bluff." Then he finall folding, saying, "You seem like a smart kid."

Tough stretch for Schneider

Mike Schneider, who is a limit hold'em specialist and online poker instructor, lost two pots in just a few minutes. The first hand he raised and was called by one player in late position. He then bet on the flop, which was Q88, and again on the turn, which was the 5.  Both times he was called by his opponent. Then the river was the 9 and Schneider checked and then called a bet of 150. His opponent showed 98 to take down the pot.

Then, Schneider check-raised on the flop and bet on the turn and river and was called down. The board was Q448J and Schneider's Q-7 lost to his opponent's pocket nines with the nine of diamonds. After that hand he was down to about 1,800 chips.

Zhu down and nearly out

After getting check-raised on the turn with the board 3642, Yueqi Zhu raised his opponent's bet of 150 when the Q came on the river. But then his opponent came back over the top with a reraise, and Zhu quickly folded. After the hand Zhu was down to under 500 chips.

Player Tags: Daniel Negreanu,   Mike Schneider,   Yueqi Zhu

Omaha 8 / Stud 8 Level 18

Jun 06, '08

Stud 8: 1,500 ante, 2,000 bring in, 6,000-12,000 limits
Omaha 8: 3,000-6,000 blinds, 6,000-12,000 limits

Players Remaining:  11 of 388

Average Chip Stack: 176,000

Chip Counts:

Farzad Rouhani - 305,000
Tom Chambers - 265,000
Greg Pappas - 195,000
John Racener - 180,000
Brandon Cantu - 167,000
James Van Alstyne - 146,000
John Cernuto - 137,000
Michael Mizrachi - 110,000
Daniel Mowczan - 98,000
Tad Jurgens - 98,000
Yueqi Zhu - 12,000

Eliminations:

Matthew Graham
Mark Gallo

Big Hands:

John Racener makes incredible call

James Van Alstyne, on the button, raised preflop and bet on the flop, turn and river. With the board 93K7T, Racener thought for a couple minutes before finally making the call. Van Alstyne said "nice call" and Racener flipped over A5Q3for only a pair of threes. Van Alstyne mucked, and Racener collected the chips while everyone look on it shock. Eventually, Mizrachi mentioned that he could have been bluffing and still won the hand, and Van Alstyne replied that he had had to think about it to make sure that he had actually l

Cantu scoops pot, cripples Zhu

With the board showing K3A62 in Omaha 8, Yueqi checked and Brandon Cantu checked behind him. Zhu showed 7-7-5-5, while Cantu held A-K-9-4 to scoop the pot with two pair and a six low. After the hand Zhu was down to under 10,000 chips.

Mattew Graham out in 12th

Matthew Graham, who already had a short stack, back-to-back hands did him in. First, against Yueqi Zhu, who had even fewer chips and was all in, he lost in Omaha 8 with A23T to Zhu's AA76 when Zhu flopped a club flush. Then, in stud 8, Graham was all in before fourth street and lost to Brandon Cantu's two pair, aces and tens.

Player Tags: Matt Graham,   Brandon Cantu,   Yueqi Zhu,   John Racener

$2,500 E.O. - Down to Heads Up

Jun 07, '08

Players Left: 2

Chip Counts:

Big Hands and Storylines:

Greg Pappas Eliminated in 5th Place ($48,190) - Omaha 8/b

Greg Pappas is all in against Tom Chambers on a board of 1097210. Pappas has a straight but he is beaten by the KQ94 for a flush of Chambers. Pappas is eliminated in fifth place.

After Pappas was eliminated, Rouhani began to steamroll the other three players, at one point having both Yueqi Zhu and Miami John Cernuto on the ropes.

Yueqi Zhu Eliminated in 4th Place ($63,807)

Yueqi Zhu was short stacked and needed to make a move with A5Q9, but unforunately ran into the AA3K of Farzad Rouhani. The Aces held up and a low never materialized for Zhu, who finished in fourth place.

Miami John Cernuto Eliminated in 3rd Place ($86,117)

On a board of J1075, Miami John Cernuto is all in holding 10753 for two pair. He's up against Farzad Rouhani's AQ95. The river is the K and Rouhani makes his flush to eliminate Cernuto in fourth place.
 

NOTE: The players then took a brief break before beginning heads-up play.
 

Player Tags: John Cernuto,   Farzad Rouhani,   Gregory Pappas,   Yueqi Zhu,   Tom Chambers

$2,500 E.O. - John Racener Out

Jun 07, '08

Players Left: 5

Chip Counts:

John Racener Eliminated in 6th Place ($37,481)

John Racener bets until he is all in against Farzad Rouhani. Racener draws to 9653(KK3) , but his kings up couldn't beat Rouhani as he drew the nut flush with 3A2Q10. Racener was eliminated in sixth place.

Changing Gears and Directions

Farzad Rouhani is continuing to play aggressively, and it has worked out as he increases his chip lead over the rest of the table.  Meanwhile, Yueqi Zhu has taken a few hits along the way and is neare the felt.

Player Tags: Farzad Rouhani,   Yueqi Zhu,   John Racener

$2,500 E.O. - Mizrachi and Mowczan Hit the Rail

Jun 07, '08

Chip Counts:

Michael Mizrachi Eliminated in 8th Place ($24,095) - Stud 8/b

Michael Mizrachi was all in holding 72Q3(A2J) against Yueqi Zhu who held 4A910(66Q). Despite holding numerous low draws and pair draws, Mizrachi airballs seventh street and is eliminated by Zhu's lowly pair of sixes.

Daniel Mowczan Eliminated in 7th Place ($28,557) - Omaha 8/b

John Racener, Daniel Mowczan and Tom Chambers saw a flop of QJ7. Chambers bet, Mowczan called all in and Racener called. The turn was the J and both players checked. The river was the 10 and Racener bet. Chambers folded and Racener revealed AK62 for a broadway straight to take the pot and eliminate Mowczan in seventh place.
 

NOTE: The players then went on a 20-minute break before returning to increased blinds.


 

Player Tags: Michael Mizrachi,   Daniel Mowczan,   Yueqi Zhu,   Tom Chambers,   John Racener

$2,500 E.O. - Doubling Up

Jun 07, '08

Players Left: 8

Chip Counts:

Big Hands and Storylines:

Yueqi Zhu Doubles Up - Stud 8/b

Yuequi Zhu gets all of his chips in the middle holding 26A4(35J) against Miami John Cernuto's 5543A56. Cernuto's trip fives and 6-low aren't enough to beat Zhu's wheel. Shu scoops the pot and doubles up to 295,000.

Miami John Cernuto Doubles Up - Omaha 8/b

John Racener raised preflop and Miami John Cernuto made the call. The flop came QQ3 and Racener bet once more. Cernuto raised and Racener called. Both players checked the 6 on the turn and the river was the 3. Racener bet and Cernuto raised. Racener made the call, but mucked when Cernuto showed him A263. Racener flashed a Queen and is now down to 70,000.

Daniel Mowczan Doubles Up - Omaha 8/b

Daniel Mowczan is all in against Greg Pappas. Mowczan shows AJ93 and is up against Pappas' A44K. The board runs out K52A4 and Mowczan makes the wheel on the river to double up with a scoop.

Player Tags: John Cernuto,   Yueqi Zhu,   John Racener

$2,500 E.O. - Controversy to Start the Day

Jun 07, '08

Players Left: 8

Chip Counts:

Controversy Over Structure and Level Changes

Despite the fact that for the past two days, the players have been alternating eight hands of Omaha 8/b with Stud 8/b, today's final table was accidently scheduled for 30 minutes of each game before the tournament director was told otherwise and the issue was resolved. The next issue came up when the players disputed the amount of the initial bring-in, claiming it was too high for the structure posted. The tournament director insisted it was correct, and play continued without issue.

Michael Mizrachi Gets 3/4 of the Pot- Omaha 8/b

On a board of Q64Q5, Michael Mizachi check raised Farzad Rouhani and got a call. Mizrachi turned over A592 which was good for 3/4 of the pot when all Rouhani could produce was the nut low as he showed A2K4.

Greg Pappas Fading Fast

Pappas is now down to 170,000 after spreading half of his stack around the table to Mizrachi, Rouhani and Yeuqi Zhu.

Player Tags: Farzad Rouhani,   Michael Mizrachi,   Yueqi Zhu

Omaha 8 / Stud 8 Level 18

Jun 06, '08

Stud 8: 1,500 ante, 2,000 bring in, 6,000-12,000 limits
Omaha 8: 3,000-6,000 blinds, 6,000-12,000 limits

Players Remaining:  11 of 388

Average Chip Stack: 176,000

Chip Counts:

Farzad Rouhani - 305,000
Tom Chambers - 265,000
Greg Pappas - 195,000
John Racener - 180,000
Brandon Cantu - 167,000
James Van Alstyne - 146,000
John Cernuto - 137,000
Michael Mizrachi - 110,000
Daniel Mowczan - 98,000
Tad Jurgens - 98,000
Yueqi Zhu - 12,000

Eliminations:

Matthew Graham
Mark Gallo

Big Hands:

John Racener makes incredible call

James Van Alstyne, on the button, raised preflop and bet on the flop, turn and river. With the board 93K7T, Racener thought for a couple minutes before finally making the call. Van Alstyne said "nice call" and Racener flipped over A5Q3for only a pair of threes. Van Alstyne mucked, and Racener collected the chips while everyone look on it shock. Eventually, Mizrachi mentioned that he could have been bluffing and still won the hand, and Van Alstyne replied that he had had to think about it to make sure that he had actually l

Cantu scoops pot, cripples Zhu

With the board showing K3A62 in Omaha 8, Yueqi checked and Brandon Cantu checked behind him. Zhu showed 7-7-5-5, while Cantu held A-K-9-4 to scoop the pot with two pair and a six low. After the hand Zhu was down to under 10,000 chips.

Mattew Graham out in 12th

Matthew Graham, who already had a short stack, back-to-back hands did him in. First, against Yueqi Zhu, who had even fewer chips and was all in, he lost in Omaha 8 with A23T to Zhu's AA76 when Zhu flopped a club flush. Then, in stud 8, Graham was all in before fourth street and lost to Brandon Cantu's two pair, aces and tens.

Player Tags: Matt Graham,   Brandon Cantu,   Yueqi Zhu,   John Racener

$2,500 E.O. - Down to Heads Up

Jun 07, '08

Players Left: 2

Chip Counts:

Big Hands and Storylines:

Greg Pappas Eliminated in 5th Place ($48,190) - Omaha 8/b

Greg Pappas is all in against Tom Chambers on a board of 1097210. Pappas has a straight but he is beaten by the KQ94 for a flush of Chambers. Pappas is eliminated in fifth place.

After Pappas was eliminated, Rouhani began to steamroll the other three players, at one point having both Yueqi Zhu and Miami John Cernuto on the ropes.

Yueqi Zhu Eliminated in 4th Place ($63,807)

Yueqi Zhu was short stacked and needed to make a move with A5Q9, but unforunately ran into the AA3K of Farzad Rouhani. The Aces held up and a low never materialized for Zhu, who finished in fourth place.

Miami John Cernuto Eliminated in 3rd Place ($86,117)

On a board of J1075, Miami John Cernuto is all in holding 10753 for two pair. He's up against Farzad Rouhani's AQ95. The river is the K and Rouhani makes his flush to eliminate Cernuto in fourth place.
 

NOTE: The players then took a brief break before beginning heads-up play.
 

Player Tags: John Cernuto,   Farzad Rouhani,   Gregory Pappas,   Yueqi Zhu,   Tom Chambers

$2,500 E.O. - John Racener Out

Jun 07, '08

Players Left: 5

Chip Counts:

John Racener Eliminated in 6th Place ($37,481)

John Racener bets until he is all in against Farzad Rouhani. Racener draws to 9653(KK3) , but his kings up couldn't beat Rouhani as he drew the nut flush with 3A2Q10. Racener was eliminated in sixth place.

Changing Gears and Directions

Farzad Rouhani is continuing to play aggressively, and it has worked out as he increases his chip lead over the rest of the table.  Meanwhile, Yueqi Zhu has taken a few hits along the way and is neare the felt.

Player Tags: Farzad Rouhani,   Yueqi Zhu,   John Racener

$2,500 E.O. - Mizrachi and Mowczan Hit the Rail

Jun 07, '08

Chip Counts:

Michael Mizrachi Eliminated in 8th Place ($24,095) - Stud 8/b

Michael Mizrachi was all in holding 72Q3(A2J) against Yueqi Zhu who held 4A910(66Q). Despite holding numerous low draws and pair draws, Mizrachi airballs seventh street and is eliminated by Zhu's lowly pair of sixes.

Daniel Mowczan Eliminated in 7th Place ($28,557) - Omaha 8/b

John Racener, Daniel Mowczan and Tom Chambers saw a flop of QJ7. Chambers bet, Mowczan called all in and Racener called. The turn was the J and both players checked. The river was the 10 and Racener bet. Chambers folded and Racener revealed AK62 for a broadway straight to take the pot and eliminate Mowczan in seventh place.
 

NOTE: The players then went on a 20-minute break before returning to increased blinds.


 

Player Tags: Michael Mizrachi,   Daniel Mowczan,   Yueqi Zhu,   Tom Chambers,   John Racener

$2,500 E.O. - Doubling Up

Jun 07, '08

Players Left: 8

Chip Counts:

Big Hands and Storylines:

Yueqi Zhu Doubles Up - Stud 8/b

Yuequi Zhu gets all of his chips in the middle holding 26A4(35J) against Miami John Cernuto's 5543A56. Cernuto's trip fives and 6-low aren't enough to beat Zhu's wheel. Shu scoops the pot and doubles up to 295,000.

Miami John Cernuto Doubles Up - Omaha 8/b

John Racener raised preflop and Miami John Cernuto made the call. The flop came QQ3 and Racener bet once more. Cernuto raised and Racener called. Both players checked the 6 on the turn and the river was the 3. Racener bet and Cernuto raised. Racener made the call, but mucked when Cernuto showed him A263. Racener flashed a Queen and is now down to 70,000.

Daniel Mowczan Doubles Up - Omaha 8/b

Daniel Mowczan is all in against Greg Pappas. Mowczan shows AJ93 and is up against Pappas' A44K. The board runs out K52A4 and Mowczan makes the wheel on the river to double up with a scoop.

Player Tags: John Cernuto,   Yueqi Zhu,   John Racener

$2,500 E.O. - Controversy to Start the Day

Jun 07, '08

Players Left: 8

Chip Counts:

Controversy Over Structure and Level Changes

Despite the fact that for the past two days, the players have been alternating eight hands of Omaha 8/b with Stud 8/b, today's final table was accidently scheduled for 30 minutes of each game before the tournament director was told otherwise and the issue was resolved. The next issue came up when the players disputed the amount of the initial bring-in, claiming it was too high for the structure posted. The tournament director insisted it was correct, and play continued without issue.

Michael Mizrachi Gets 3/4 of the Pot- Omaha 8/b

On a board of Q64Q5, Michael Mizachi check raised Farzad Rouhani and got a call. Mizrachi turned over A592 which was good for 3/4 of the pot when all Rouhani could produce was the nut low as he showed A2K4.

Greg Pappas Fading Fast

Pappas is now down to 170,000 after spreading half of his stack around the table to Mizrachi, Rouhani and Yeuqi Zhu.

Player Tags: Farzad Rouhani,   Michael Mizrachi,   Yueqi Zhu

Rich Zhu Eliminated in 7th Place ($25,430)

Jun 07, '07

Player Tags: Yueqi Zhu

Hour One Log

Jun 07, '07

Here is how things looked when action got underway at the final table:

Seat 1: Alex Kravchenko
Seat 2: John Varner
Seat 3: Bryan Andrews
Seat 4: Yueqi “Rich” Zhu
Seat 5: Bryan Devonshire
Seat 6: Jordan Morgan
Seat 7: Jeff Calkins
Seat 8: J.R. Reiss

A Slice of Sarcasm

“The final table sucks,” said Bryan Devonshire sarcastically a few minutes into the action. He was by far the most outgoing player at an otherwise quiet affair. Devonshire then raised to $30,000 preflop and John Varner made the call. The flop was dealt 1073 and Devonshire fired out $15,000. Varney called and the turn card was the 7. Devonshire once again led out, this time for $30,000 and Varney called. The river brought the 10 and Devonshire bet $30,000. Varney went into the tank for a minute then folded his cards. Devonshire picked up a nice pot to start his day.

Devonshire now passed his cell phone around to Jordan Morgan and Jeff Calkins and he was generally having a good time laughing it up. He also bantered with Brandon Cantu, who made a railbird appearance from his perch upon the ‘No Limit Lounge.’

Early Blows

Back in the action Alex Kravchenko had bet $15,000 on a flop of A98. J.R. Reiss made the call and the turn was the A. Reiss checked and Kravchenko bet $30,000. Reiss called and the river brought the 4. Reiss jumped on the offensive this time and fired out $30,000. Kravchenko called and flipped over AQ52 to take the low. Reiss flipped over A1042 to take the high.

The next hand brought a board of 8636 and Kravchenko raised $30,000. Yueqi “Rich” Zhu called and Morgan folded. The river card was the 2 and Kravchenko fired out $30,000. Zhu raised to $60,000 and Kravchenko made the call. He flipped over A653 to scoop the pot, and Zhu was crippled with only $28,000 remaining.

Three players saw a flop of Q109 and Morgan bet $15,000. Varner made the call and the 5 was dealt on the turn. Morgan checked and Varner bet $30,000. Morgan called and the 2 fell on the river. Morgan fired out $30,000 and Varner reraised to $60,000. Morgan called and both players had now committed $120,000 into the pot since the preflop round of betting. Varner turned over A963 and Morgan silently mucked his hand. He looked distraught as he stared at his remaining chip stack, a few hands later he had Bryan Andrews all-in bet covered with J65Q3 out on the table. Andrews turned over AJ109 and Morgan flipped over A652. Andrews doubled up through Morgan on the hand and he now had only $38,000 remaining.

Dealer School

Omaha High-Low must be one of the advanced classes at dealer school. It can produce some pretty dicey pots at times. The board read J32 and Devonshire bet $15,000. Morgan raised to $30,000 and Varner made the call. The turn brought the 9 and a $30,000 bet from Devonshire. Morgan and Varner each called and the river card was the 8. Devonshire fired out $30,000 again and both opponents called.

Devonshire: A1042
Morgan: AJ43
Varner: AQ42

Devonshire won the high with the nut flush, but the low pot was an entirely different matter. The dealer split the low pot up three ways for all the players, who had all made an 8-4 low.

The players were then sent to a fifteen minute break.

Player Tags: Jeffrey Calkins,   John Varner,   Jordan Morgan,   Bryan Devonshire,   Yueqi Zhu,   Bryan Andrews