1. Tsai Chen – 93,000
2. Yan Chen – 85,000
3. Frank Kassela – 75,000
4. Justin Bonomo – 75,000
5. Andy Seth – 71,300
6. Jeff Lisandro – 70,500
7. David Singer – 68,000
8. Paul Magriel – 65,100
9. Suzie Lederer – 65,000
10. James Vanderhaar – 63,200
Card Player Chip Counts:
Matt Matros – 17,500
Notable Eliminations:
Matt Graham
Jacobo Fernandez
Big Hands:
Hawrilenko Takes Another Hit to His Stack
A player under-the-gun raised to 700 and got four callers, including Matt Hawrilenko from middle position. The flop was K47 and the original raiser bet 1,800 and Hawrilenko called.
The turn was the 10 and the river was the 6. Both players checked the turn and the river and Hawrilenko mucked when he was shown K9 and is down to 9,100 in chips.
Dennis Phillips Forces a Fold
With about 17,000 in the pot already, Dennis Phillips was heads-up with his opponent with a board that read A4510.
Phillips bet 10,500 and his opponent thought for nearly five minutes before mucking AK face up on the table. Phillips mucked his hand, but whether or not he had the best hand, he now has 59,000 in chips
Lederer Off To A Rocky Start In Level 3
After a flop of K92, Howard Lederer led out with 2,000 into a pot of 2,500 and his opponent in seat 1 mucked his hand. Lederer was at 23,200 after that hand.
Later, Lederer raised to 1,300 from the button and the small blind immediately reraised to 3,500. It was just in time for the ESPN cameras to arrive at Lederer’s table. After a few moments to think, Lederer mucked his hand and he was at 20,000 early in the level.
Suharto’s Pair Good Enough
Picking up the action on the river, the board showed J42108. Darus Suharto of “November Nine” fame and his opponent checked the action and Suharto showed down 66. It was good as his opponent tabled A6 and Suharto took a pot, moving his stack to 20,000.
McEvoy Gets Best Of Miami John
John Cernuto and Tom McEvoy saw a flop of AQJ. Both players didn’t like the board and checked. The turn was the Q and Cernuto took a stab at the pot, leading out for 1,200. McEvoy stuck around and the players saw the 9 fall on the river.
Cernuto checked and McEvoy did the same behind him. McEvoy showed A6 for two pair and Cernuto mucked. McEvoy was at 17,000 while Cernuto was at 35,000.
Luske Check-Raises To Victory
After a flop of K87, Marcel Luske was first to act and elected to check. His opponent then fired 600 into a 1,500 pot. Luske then pounced, check-raising to 2,000. His opponent glanced at his cards one last time and threw them into the muck. Luske took the pot and was at 42,000.
Danny Wong Flops Two Pair, Gets Little Action
Four players limped for 300 preflop and they all saw a flop of 982. The player in seat 9 fired 500 into the pot and Danny Wong raised to 1,600 from the cutoff. The player under the gun was also in the hand and made the call. Everyone else mucked and the 5 fell on the turn.
The under the gun player checked and Wong bet again, this time 3,600. His opponent mucked and Wong took the pot after showing 98. He was at 36,000 after the hand.
Griffin Takes Another Pot
Gavin Griffin raised to 800 from the hijack position and the small blind made the call. The player in seat 3, who had already limped, made the call as well. The flop then fell 1086 and the action was checked to Griffin. He fired 1,700 into the pot and his opponents quickly mucked their hands. Griffin took the pot and was at 38,000.
Juanda Tries To Give Opponent Discount
Picking up the action after the river, the board read K9878. The action was checked to John Juanda and he bet 3,500. The player in seat 2 mucked his hand and the player in seat 6 was next to act. He reached for his cards to throw them in the muck.
“No!” Juanda exclaimed. “1,000,” he said as he took 2,500 away from his original bet. Seat 6 didn’t bite and his hand finally landed in the muck. Juanda scored the pot and was around 50,000.
Steve Sung -- 1,165,000
Steve Billirakis -- 1,100,000
Jean-Noel Thorel -- 840,000
David Singer -- 820,000
Nenad Medic -- 680,000
Notable Eliminations:
Danny Wong
Ted Lawson
Berry Johnston
Mohsin Charania
Layne Flack
Shaun Deeb
Tom Dobrilovic
Tony Cousineau
Steve Zolotow
Nam Le
Joe Sebok
Matt Brady
Key Hands:
Kenny Tran Doubles Up
Kenny Tran doubled up to 225,000 after he rivered two pair, jacks and deuces against Dutch Boyd. Boyd put him all in on the river and mucked after seeing his opponent's superior hand, leaving himself with just over 255,000.
Liv Boeree Takes Out Danny Wong
Danny Wong made his move preflop with A-J but ran into Liv Boeree's A-K. The board gave both players an ace but Boeree's kicker prevailed to send Wong to the rail. Boeree increased her stack to 330,000.
Steve Sung Continues To Build His Stack
Steve Sung's A-Q dominated and eliminated Joe Sebok's A-J to build his stack to 1,165,000.
Card Player TV
Card Player TV talked to Steve Sung during the last break about being one of the chip leaders.
Antonio Esfandiari - 300,000
Kofi Farkye - 176,000
KJ Nam - 175,000
Mickey Mills - 151,000
Zach Hyman - 141,000
Mike Sowers - 139,000
Dan O'Brien - 129,000
Anthony Venturini - 125,000
Phil Ivey - 122,000
Young Phan - 120,000
Average:53,333
Notable Eliminations
Joe Sebok
Mike Matusow
Erik Seidel
David Tran
Roy Winston
Jason Potter
Tony Cousineau
Gavin Griffin
Vanessa Rousso
Theo Tran
Raymond Davis
Philippe Rouas
Noah Schwartz
Thayer Rasmussen
Allen Cunningham
Chad Batista
Jared Hamby
Van Nguyen
Featured Table
Table 19
Seat 1: Paul Smith
Seat 2: Nick Schulman
Seat 3: Greg Thompson
Seat 4: Eric Hershler
Seat 5: Dan O'Brien -- 87,000
Seat 7: Karga Holt
Seat 8: Isaac Haxton
Seat 9: Paul Wasicka -- 85,000
Paul Smith Takes a Hit
On a board of Q726. with 2,400 in the pot, Paul Smith bet 3,500 and Greg Thompson made the call. The 9 fell on the river and seat 3 bet 3,500. Smith thought for a moment and then mucked his hand.
Big Hands:
Joe Sebok Eliminated by Farzad Bonyadi
Joe Sebok was short stacked and all in holding A-Q against the pocket sevens of Freddy Bonyadi. The board offered no help and Sebok was eliminated from the tournament.
James "Jsizzle20" St. Hilaire Can't Get Action From Danny Wong
The betting action is unknown, but James St. Hilaire held a set of nines on a board of 9-8-3-7-K. Wong thought over his option on the river before mucking bottom set of threes, keeping himself alive in the tournament.
Erik Seidel Eliminated by Young Phan
Erik Seidel got it all in holding kings and feeling comfortable, but his outlook changed when he saw Young Phan's pocket aces. The board helped neither player and Seidel was eliminated from the tournament.
Gavin Griffin Loses Out to a Flopped Flush
Gavin Griffin was all in holding pocket nines and up against his opponent's A10. The flop brings three clubs and Griffin is drawing very slim. The turn and river bricked his runner-runner outs and Griffin was eliminated from the tournament.
Phil Hellmuth Doubles Up Through David Chiu
On a flop of K55 Phil Hellmuth checked and David Chiu bet. Hellmuth check-raised and Chiu shoved all in. Hellmuth made the all-in call and flipped over K-10. Chiu held AJ and the turn and river fell 74. Hellmuth doubled up on the hand to survive.
Shenko's Shank
With over 15,000 in the pot and K32AJ on the board, Yevgeniy Timoshenko bet 9,500 from the button and his opponent went into the tank in middle position. He eventually made the call and Timoshenko flipped over AJ to win the pot.
On the very next hand, Kenneth Smaron limps and Danny Wong moves all in for 2,000 behind him. Mark Teltscher completes from the small blind and Hafiz Khan knocks the table in the big blind.
The three players check down a board of A54J3 all the way to the river, where Smaron bets 15,000. Teltscher and Khan muck and Wong asks Smaron if he has pocket deuces.
Sure enough, Smaron shows deuces. Wong has to sweat his cards, but can only produce Q8 to be eliminated in tenth place.
Limit Hold'em Shootout - Final Table - Bellande Takes Huge Chip Lead
Jul 02, '08
Blinds: 15,000-30,000
Players Left: 4 of 823
Chip Counts: Jean-Robert Bellande: 1,700,000
Joe De Niro: 650,000
Matt Graham: 355,000
Brandon Wong: 90,000
Eliminations: 5th Place - Danny Wong ($33,701)
Hands:
Wong Falls to Full House, Out in Fifth Place ($33,701)
Danny Wong bet a flop of A65 and was called by Jean-Robert Bellande. The turn brought another 6. The river was the 6 and Bellande bet out, which was enough to put Wong all in. Wong called, but mucked when he saw Bellande's A8 for a full house.
Bellande Hits Straight, Takes Large Pot
After three-betting preflop, Jean Robert-Bellande bet every street on a Q5410K board and was called down by Joe De Niro. Bellande showed that he had nothing until the river, where he completed a straight with his J9. He scooped a large pot that put him around 1,700,000 in chips. De Niro's stack dropped to 650,000.
Limit Hold'em Shootout - Final Table - Final Table Eliminations Commence
Jul 02, '08
Blinds: 10,000-20,000
Players Left: 5 of 823
Chip Counts: Joe De Niro: 875,000
Danny Wong: 525,000
Jean-Robert Bellande: 520,000
Brandon Wong: 350,000
Matt Graham: 320,000
Eliminations: 6th Place - Spencer Lawrence ($20,221) 7th Place - John Kranyak ($13,480)
8th Place - Andrew Prock ($10,335)
9th Place - Michael Kachan ($7,526)
Hands: Lawrence Doesn't Connect, Eliminated in Sixth Place ($20,221)
Spencer Lawrence got all of his chips in the middle preflop against Jean-Robert Bellande and showed K10. Bellande was the favorite, holding A9. The flop came 963, giving Bellande a pair. Lawrence still had two overs he could connect with, but the 2 came on the turn and the Q river card eliminated Lawrence in sixth place.
Kranyak Has Lower Kicker, Gone in Seventh Place ($13,480)
Preflopp action was raised until capped by John Kranyak and Joe De Niro. When 943 fell on the flop Kranyak bet and was called by De Niro. The A came on the turn, inducing action. Betting was capped again, getting Kranyak all in. He had connected with the ace on the turn and showed AJ. However, De Niro showed AQ for a pair of aces with a queen kicker. The Q dropped on the river to give De Niro two pair and the juicy pot, sending Kranyak to the rail in seventh place.
Prock Gets Outdrawn, Busts in Eighth Place ($10,335)
Andrew Prock got all in preflop and held AQ, a favored hand over Joe De Niro's AJ. The flop changed things fast, coming AJ3 to give De Niro two pair - aces and jacks. The K fell on the turn, giving Prock more outs. But the river 8wasn't one of them and Prock was eliminated in eight place.
Kachan First To Go, Out in Ninth Place ($7,526)
Michael Kachan put in a raise preflop and was called by Brandon Wong, Danny Wong, Jean-Robert Bellande and Spencer Lawrence. The flop brought A76 and Danny Wong led out. Lawrence got out of the way, and Kachan raised all in. Brandon Wong folded and Bellande put in yet another raise. Danny Wong called, and when the 4 fell on the turn both he and Bellande checked. The Q fell on the river and Wong bet. Bellande folded and Wong showed AK. Kachan couldn't beat Wong's pair of aces and was the first player eliminated from the final table.
Limit Hold'em Shootout - Final Table - Good Round For Kranyak
Jul 02, '08
Players are on a 20 minute break.
Blinds: 5,000-10,000
Players Left: 9 of 823
Chip Counts:
John Kranyak: 650,000
Jean-Robert Bellande: 420,000
Spencer Lawrence: 365,000
Joe De Niro: 325,000
Brandon Wong: 270,000
Andrew Prock: 230,000
Matt Graham: 170,000
Danny Wong: 160,000
Mike Kachan: 120,000
Hands:
Graham Hits Straight, Takes Pot
Matt Graham bet every street on a board of KJ9810 and was called down by Spencer Lawrence. Graham showed he rivered the broadway straight with AQ in his hand and took the pot.
Good Round For Kranyak
John Kranyak has climbed up the leaderboard by winning several big hands throughout the level.
In one big 3-way Kranyak raised after Jean-Robert Bellande bet a flop of K106 and Bellande and Brandon Wong called. Kranyak bet the K turn and was called again by both opponents. The 9 on the river was a scare card and all players checked. Kranyak showed K7 for trip kings, Bellande mucked and Wong showed A10. Kranyak took a big pot and ended the level with around 650,000 in chips.
Limit Hold'em Shootout - Final Table Starts At Last
Jul 02, '08
Blinds: 2,000-4,000
Starting Chip Stacks: 300,000
Chip Counts:
Jean-Robert Bellande: 420,000
Danny Wong: 325,000
Andrew Prock: 320,000
Brandon Wong: 310,000
John Kranyak: 290,000
Joe Deniro: 285,000
Matt Graham: 280,000
Spencer Lawrence: 270,000
Mike Kachan: 222,000
Hands:
The Jean-Robert Show
Jean-Robert Bellande has won a handful of early pots early in the final table to take the chip lead. In one pot Bellande bet with the board showing 8729 and his opponents mucked.
In another hand, Bellande bet and was called by Danny Wong with the board showing 96387. Bellande showed Q10 for the rivered straight to take the pot and jump to around 420,000 in chips.
Bellande has also expressed his disappointment in the final table location. He said he thought the final table would be played in the Milwaukee's Best Light final table stadium, but instead it is outside the stadium at a normal table.
Blinds: 200-400 Stakes: 400-800
Table Winners: Greg Debora, Hoyt Corkins, Tony Bloon, Jannick Wrang, Yuegi Zhu, John Kranyak, Joe Deniro, Tony Tan, Sasha Rosewood, Christiano Blanco, David Gee, Terrance Chan, Robert Lipkin, Ben Fineman, Jesse Correa, Marc Klecan, Jimmy Fricke, JC Tran, Danny Wong
Eliminations: Dustin Woolf, Greg Mueller, Antonio Esfandiari, David Benyamine, John Gale
Big Hands:
Marc Klecan Advances, Eliminates David Benyamine
Heads-up, David Benyamine got it all in before the flop with QJ against Marc Klecan's J5. All in, Benyamine was in a good position to double up here until the flop came 655, giving Klecan trip fives and reducing Benyamine to catching two running queens to win or two running sixes or two running jacks to chop the pot. The turn and river brought the K 7, sending Benyamine to the rail while Marc Klecan advances to the second Round.
Antonio Esfandiari Eliminated
On a flop of A108, Antonio Esfandiari got it all in against two other players. The turn and river brought the 6 and the 3, both other players checked the side pot down. Esfandiari turned over A4 for top pair no kicker while one of his opponents showed A7 for top pair, better kciker. The sevn played and Esfandiari hit the rail early in Level 6.
Jeff Shulman Eliminated
Three-handed, Jeff Shulman was all in before the flop against both Jason Young and Eric Arreca. The flop came 763, and both players checked at the side pot. The turn was the J, and once again, both players checked the side pot. The river was the 10, and Arecca fired a bet at the pot. Young folded and Arecca turned over 76 for two pair. Shulman mucked his hand and headed towards the rail while Arreca raked the main pot.. Shulman's elimination leaves Jason Young playing heads-up with the chip lead as he looks to advance to Round 2. Young won the $1,500 No-Limit Shootout (Event No. 17) earlier this summer.
Danny Wong Advances
On a flo pot QJ5, Tim Finney bet and and Danny Wong made the call. The turn was the 6 and once again, Finney bet at the pot. This time Wong raised, Finney reraised, and Wong three-bet him all in. Finney called for the rest of his chips and Wong turned over QJ for top two pair. The river was the K and Finnry mucked his hand, sending Danny Wong to the second round.
Limit Hold'em Shootout - Final Table - Bellande Takes Huge Chip Lead
Jul 02, '08
Blinds: 15,000-30,000
Players Left: 4 of 823
Chip Counts: Jean-Robert Bellande: 1,700,000
Joe De Niro: 650,000
Matt Graham: 355,000
Brandon Wong: 90,000
Eliminations: 5th Place - Danny Wong ($33,701)
Hands:
Wong Falls to Full House, Out in Fifth Place ($33,701)
Danny Wong bet a flop of A65 and was called by Jean-Robert Bellande. The turn brought another 6. The river was the 6 and Bellande bet out, which was enough to put Wong all in. Wong called, but mucked when he saw Bellande's A8 for a full house.
Bellande Hits Straight, Takes Large Pot
After three-betting preflop, Jean Robert-Bellande bet every street on a Q5410K board and was called down by Joe De Niro. Bellande showed that he had nothing until the river, where he completed a straight with his J9. He scooped a large pot that put him around 1,700,000 in chips. De Niro's stack dropped to 650,000.
Limit Hold'em Shootout - Final Table - Final Table Eliminations Commence
Jul 02, '08
Blinds: 10,000-20,000
Players Left: 5 of 823
Chip Counts: Joe De Niro: 875,000
Danny Wong: 525,000
Jean-Robert Bellande: 520,000
Brandon Wong: 350,000
Matt Graham: 320,000
Eliminations: 6th Place - Spencer Lawrence ($20,221) 7th Place - John Kranyak ($13,480)
8th Place - Andrew Prock ($10,335)
9th Place - Michael Kachan ($7,526)
Hands: Lawrence Doesn't Connect, Eliminated in Sixth Place ($20,221)
Spencer Lawrence got all of his chips in the middle preflop against Jean-Robert Bellande and showed K10. Bellande was the favorite, holding A9. The flop came 963, giving Bellande a pair. Lawrence still had two overs he could connect with, but the 2 came on the turn and the Q river card eliminated Lawrence in sixth place.
Kranyak Has Lower Kicker, Gone in Seventh Place ($13,480)
Preflopp action was raised until capped by John Kranyak and Joe De Niro. When 943 fell on the flop Kranyak bet and was called by De Niro. The A came on the turn, inducing action. Betting was capped again, getting Kranyak all in. He had connected with the ace on the turn and showed AJ. However, De Niro showed AQ for a pair of aces with a queen kicker. The Q dropped on the river to give De Niro two pair and the juicy pot, sending Kranyak to the rail in seventh place.
Prock Gets Outdrawn, Busts in Eighth Place ($10,335)
Andrew Prock got all in preflop and held AQ, a favored hand over Joe De Niro's AJ. The flop changed things fast, coming AJ3 to give De Niro two pair - aces and jacks. The K fell on the turn, giving Prock more outs. But the river 8wasn't one of them and Prock was eliminated in eight place.
Kachan First To Go, Out in Ninth Place ($7,526)
Michael Kachan put in a raise preflop and was called by Brandon Wong, Danny Wong, Jean-Robert Bellande and Spencer Lawrence. The flop brought A76 and Danny Wong led out. Lawrence got out of the way, and Kachan raised all in. Brandon Wong folded and Bellande put in yet another raise. Danny Wong called, and when the 4 fell on the turn both he and Bellande checked. The Q fell on the river and Wong bet. Bellande folded and Wong showed AK. Kachan couldn't beat Wong's pair of aces and was the first player eliminated from the final table.
Limit Hold'em Shootout - Final Table - Good Round For Kranyak
Jul 02, '08
Players are on a 20 minute break.
Blinds: 5,000-10,000
Players Left: 9 of 823
Chip Counts:
John Kranyak: 650,000
Jean-Robert Bellande: 420,000
Spencer Lawrence: 365,000
Joe De Niro: 325,000
Brandon Wong: 270,000
Andrew Prock: 230,000
Matt Graham: 170,000
Danny Wong: 160,000
Mike Kachan: 120,000
Hands:
Graham Hits Straight, Takes Pot
Matt Graham bet every street on a board of KJ9810 and was called down by Spencer Lawrence. Graham showed he rivered the broadway straight with AQ in his hand and took the pot.
Good Round For Kranyak
John Kranyak has climbed up the leaderboard by winning several big hands throughout the level.
In one big 3-way Kranyak raised after Jean-Robert Bellande bet a flop of K106 and Bellande and Brandon Wong called. Kranyak bet the K turn and was called again by both opponents. The 9 on the river was a scare card and all players checked. Kranyak showed K7 for trip kings, Bellande mucked and Wong showed A10. Kranyak took a big pot and ended the level with around 650,000 in chips.
Limit Hold'em Shootout - Final Table Starts At Last
Jul 02, '08
Blinds: 2,000-4,000
Starting Chip Stacks: 300,000
Chip Counts:
Jean-Robert Bellande: 420,000
Danny Wong: 325,000
Andrew Prock: 320,000
Brandon Wong: 310,000
John Kranyak: 290,000
Joe Deniro: 285,000
Matt Graham: 280,000
Spencer Lawrence: 270,000
Mike Kachan: 222,000
Hands:
The Jean-Robert Show
Jean-Robert Bellande has won a handful of early pots early in the final table to take the chip lead. In one pot Bellande bet with the board showing 8729 and his opponents mucked.
In another hand, Bellande bet and was called by Danny Wong with the board showing 96387. Bellande showed Q10 for the rivered straight to take the pot and jump to around 420,000 in chips.
Bellande has also expressed his disappointment in the final table location. He said he thought the final table would be played in the Milwaukee's Best Light final table stadium, but instead it is outside the stadium at a normal table.
Blinds: 200-400 Stakes: 400-800
Table Winners: Greg Debora, Hoyt Corkins, Tony Bloon, Jannick Wrang, Yuegi Zhu, John Kranyak, Joe Deniro, Tony Tan, Sasha Rosewood, Christiano Blanco, David Gee, Terrance Chan, Robert Lipkin, Ben Fineman, Jesse Correa, Marc Klecan, Jimmy Fricke, JC Tran, Danny Wong
Eliminations: Dustin Woolf, Greg Mueller, Antonio Esfandiari, David Benyamine, John Gale
Big Hands:
Marc Klecan Advances, Eliminates David Benyamine
Heads-up, David Benyamine got it all in before the flop with QJ against Marc Klecan's J5. All in, Benyamine was in a good position to double up here until the flop came 655, giving Klecan trip fives and reducing Benyamine to catching two running queens to win or two running sixes or two running jacks to chop the pot. The turn and river brought the K 7, sending Benyamine to the rail while Marc Klecan advances to the second Round.
Antonio Esfandiari Eliminated
On a flop of A108, Antonio Esfandiari got it all in against two other players. The turn and river brought the 6 and the 3, both other players checked the side pot down. Esfandiari turned over A4 for top pair no kicker while one of his opponents showed A7 for top pair, better kciker. The sevn played and Esfandiari hit the rail early in Level 6.
Jeff Shulman Eliminated
Three-handed, Jeff Shulman was all in before the flop against both Jason Young and Eric Arreca. The flop came 763, and both players checked at the side pot. The turn was the J, and once again, both players checked the side pot. The river was the 10, and Arecca fired a bet at the pot. Young folded and Arecca turned over 76 for two pair. Shulman mucked his hand and headed towards the rail while Arreca raked the main pot.. Shulman's elimination leaves Jason Young playing heads-up with the chip lead as he looks to advance to Round 2. Young won the $1,500 No-Limit Shootout (Event No. 17) earlier this summer.
Danny Wong Advances
On a flo pot QJ5, Tim Finney bet and and Danny Wong made the call. The turn was the 6 and once again, Finney bet at the pot. This time Wong raised, Finney reraised, and Wong three-bet him all in. Finney called for the rest of his chips and Wong turned over QJ for top two pair. The river was the K and Finnry mucked his hand, sending Danny Wong to the second round.
Danny Wong: 4th Place ($217,110)
Aaron Kanter: 3rd Place ($258,862)
Big Hands/Storylines:
Danny Wong Eliminated in Fourth Place ($217,110)
Aaron Kanter raised to 130,000 preflop and Danny Wong reraised all in for 380,000. Jesper Hougaard reraised all in over the top of both of them and Kanter got out of the way. The two players then turned up their hands:
Hougaard: A5
Wong: KK
Board: Q1068J
Wong was eliminated on the hand in sixth place, and he took home $217,110 in prize money.
Jesper Hougaard Eliminated in Third Place ($258,862)
Hougaard raised to 150,000 preflop and Kanter reraised all in for 750,000. Hougaard made the call and they flipped up their hands:
Hougaard: KJ
Kanter: QQ
Board: A437K
Kanter was eliminated by the K on the river in third place, and he took home $258,862 in prize money.
Heads-Up: All Slaubaugh All the Time
Cody Slaubaugh came into the heads-up match with a major disadvantage in chips. He was all in for his tournamen life soon in the match, but he doubled up when his A-10 dominated Hougaard's Q-10. Then came the hand that defined the turning point in their match. Slaubaugh raised to 125,000 preflop and Hougaard reraised to 320,000. Slaughbaugh made the call and the flop was dealt K103. Hougaard bet 375,000 and Slaubaugh raised all in. Hougaard quickly mucked and as he collected the large pot, Slaubaugh flipped over Q-9 for a bluff. Slaubaugh's side ot the crowd went wild as Slaubaugh grinned from ear-to-ear. Hougaards' body language immediately switched from invincible chip leader to dejected loser. Slaubaugh continued his rush by winning huge pots with a straight and a pair of aces to knock Hougaard down even further. The two players then went on dinner break at a good time for Hougaard. He needs some time to collect his thoughts.
The final four players at this final table are all playing not to lose right now. Flops are far and few between, and river cards are almost unheard of on the felt. During a 30-minute stretch only three hands went to a flop during the last level.
Aaron Kanter Doubles Up Again
Jesper Hougaard moved all in preflop for 395,000 and Kanter made the all-in call. Their cards:
Kanter: K10
Hougaard: K5
Board: K83104
Kanter doubled up and things continued on four handed.
Danny Wong Doubles Up
Danny Wong moved all in for 375,000 and Hougaard made the call. Their cards:
Wong: AK
Hougaard: AJ
Board: 99468
Wong doubled up to survive and action continued four handed again.
Rick Solis: 7th Place ($106,884)
Justin Wald: 6th Place ($140,286)
Doug Middleton: 5th Place ($177,028)
Big Hands/Storylines:
Rick Solis Eliminated in Seventh Place ($106,884)
Jesper Hougaard raised to 62,000 preflop and Rick Solis made the call. The flop was dealt Q109 and both players checked. The turn fell 9 and Hougaard bet 76,000. Sois raised all in and Hougaard made the call with A3. Solis showed down J10 and he found no solace in the J on the river. Solis was knocked out by Hougaard's flopped flush, and he took home $106,884 in prize money.
Justin Wald Eliminated in Sixth Place ($140,286)
Justin Wald got the last of his chips into the middle with a board of JJ4K5 sitting on the table and Danny Wong made the call. He flipped over Q-J, but Wong showed down two diamonds for a flush. Wald was eliminated in sixth place, and he took home $140,286 in prize money. Doug Middleton Eliminated in Fifth Place ($177,028)
Jesper Hougaard raised to 78,000 and Doug Middleton reriased to 412,000 preflop. Hougaard made the call and both players turned up their hands:
Hougaard: 33
Middleton: AQ
Board: JJ2510
Middleton was eliminated in fifth place, and he took home $177,028 in prize money.
John Shipley: 9th Place ($56,783)
Owen Crowe: 8th Place ($81,833)
Big Hands/Storylines:
Aaron Kanter Doubles Up on the First Hand
Aaorn Kanter wasted no time moving all in preflop for 163,000 on the first hand at the final table and Cody Slaughbaugh called him down. Their cards:
Kanter: A7
Slaughbaugh: AJ
Board: 982Q7
Despite being dominated preflop, Kanter spiked a 7 on the river to survive the hand. John Shipley Eliminated in Ninth Place ($56,783)
Slaughbaugh raised to 55,000 preflop and Shipley reraised all in. Slaughbaugh made the call and they flipped up their hands:
Slaughbaugh: JJ
Shipley: KQ
Board: 954610
Shipley was eliminated in ninth place, and he took home $56,783 in prize money.
Owen Crowe Eliminated in Eighth Place ($81,833)
Owen Crowe raised to 55,000 preflop and Danny Wong made the call. The flop was dealt A98 and Crowe bet 70,000. Wong made the call and the turn fell A. Wong checked, Crowe bet 225,000, and Wong raised all in to more than cover Crowe. Crowe made the all-in call and flipped over A7. Wong showed down K6 and he made a flush when the 5 fell on the river. Crowe was eliminated in eighth place, and he took home $81,833 in prize money.
Final Table:
Cody Slaubaugh - 1,590,000
Jesper Hougaard - 1,350,000
Danny Wong - 1,100,000
Owen Crowe - 675,000
Rick Solis - 640,000
Justin Wald - 640,000
Doug Middleton - 340,000
John Shipley - 280,000
Aaron Kanter - 200,000
Note: Play has ended for the day.The remaining final tablists will reconvene tomorrow to crown a winner.
Jesper Hougaard Eliminates Jeremy Schofer in Tenth Place, Final Table Set
After being crippled when his KK was outdrawn by Rick Solis’ 1010 when he caught the 10 on the flop, Jeremy Schofer pushed all in for less than 100,000 and was called by Jesper Hougaard.Schofer turned over Q9, dominated by Hougaard’s A9.The final board came 96522, giving them both the same pair.Hougaard’s kicker played, and the remaining players erupted with joy as they were guaranteed a spot at tomorrow’s final table.
Chip Counts:
Jesper Hougaard - 800,000
Danny Wong - 690,000
John Shipley - 550,000
Aaron Kanter - 455,000
Cody Slaubaugh - 430,000
Craig Douglas - 390,000
Justin Wald - 360,000
Jeremy Schofer - 330,000
Tom Braband - 310,000
Daniel Bowman - 265,000
Recent Eliminations:
Chance Steed
John MacDonald
Christopher Goo
Bryan Micon
Big Hands:
Christopher Goo Eliminated by Tom Braband
Tom Braband moved all of his remaining chips, around 100,000 across the line in early position.The action folded to Christopher Goo in the big blind who called.Braband, who had Goo covered, turned over QQ.Goo turned over KQ.The board brought no help whatsoever for Goo’s hand, and he was eliminated.
Cody Slaubaugh on a Rush, Eliminates Two
John MacDonald raised to 40,000 from the hijack seat (one to the right of the cut-off), and Cody Slaubaugh called from the next position to act.All other players folded, and the two saw a flop of QJ3.After deliberating momentarily, MacDonald pushed all in for over 100,000 and Slaubaugh instantly called and turned over AA.MacDonald turned over AT, meaning that Slaubaugh would have to fade a jack or two running cards in order to eliminate MacDonald.The 9 on the turn gave MacDonald additional outs with any eight now completing a straight.The 4 on the river was a brick for MacDonald, and he exited the tournament area.
Several hands later, Slaubaugh raised pre-flop from middle position and Bryan Micon moved all in for a total of 149,000.The action folded back to Slaubaugh, and he went into the tank.After several moments of deliberation, Slaubaugh started explaining his predicament to Micon.“If I have live cards it’s the right call, but if I don’t…” Slaubaugh trailed off before finishing the thought.“Plus, I kind of like you and wouldn’t mind doubling you up,” he added.“Don’t do me any favors,” Micon replied.Slaubaugh eventually called, prompting Micon to turn over KQ.Slaubaugh pumped his fist into the air, happy that his 98 were both live.The 108432 board fell favorably for Slaubaugh, and Micon hit the rail.
Chance Steed Eliminated by Jesper Hougaard
Jesper Hougaard raised pre-flop from middle position, and a severely short-stacked Chance Steed reraised all in for under 150,000 more.Hougaard instantly called and turned over AA.The board offered no help for Steed's Q9, and Hougaard added to his growing stack.
Chip Counts:
Jesper Hougaard - 800,000
Danny Wong - 690,000
John Shipley - 550,000
Aaron Kanter - 455,000
Cody Slaubaugh - 430,000
Craig Douglas - 390,000
Justin Wald - 360,000
Jeremy Schofer - 330,000
Tom Braband - 310,000
Daniel Bowman - 265,000
Recent Eliminations:
Yves Grenon
Craig Coghlan
Big Hands:
Jeremy Schofer Dramatically Improves Stack
Yves Grenon raised from middle position and Jeremy Schofer pushed all in for about 60,000 more.The action folded back to Grenon, who deliberated whether or not to call.“I think it’s going to be a race,” Grenon said as he counted out the chips necessary for a call.Grenon pushed them into the middle, and Schofer turned over 88.Grenon’s assessment was correct as he held AJ.The pair held up, and Grenon was left with only 60,000 after doubling up Schofer.
Several hands later, the two were back at it.Short-stacked in the cut-off, Grenon moved all in for exactly 60,000 in chips.Schofer pondered momentarily before making the call.The other players folded, and Schofer revealed his A7.Grenon was very disappointed, as his 74 was dominated by Grenon’s hand.The final board read AAQ95, and Grenon was eliminated.
John MacDonald Makes Danny Wong Even Richer
After the turn was dealt on a board of QQ105, John MacDonald made a bet of 30,000.Wong raised an additional 40,000, and MacDonald made the call.The 5 came on the river, and MacDonald led out with a bet of 75,000.Wong went into the tank and contemplated his next move, ultimately electing to just call MacDonald’s bet.Caught in a bluff, MacDonald turned over K9.Wong turned over QJ and collected the large pot, boosting his stack to over 940,000.When another player questioned why he didn’t raise after filling up on the river, Wong explained that there were still some hands that he couldn’t beat.“I couldn't raise. He might’ve made quad fives,” Wong told the player.“Or he might have had queen-ten.”
Wong continued his streak by eliminating Craig Coghlan and breaking the million mark in chips.He currently has around 1,200,000.
Chip Counts:
Danny Wong - 735,000
Anthony Sapio - 600,000
John Shipley - 536,000
Jesper Hougaard - 395,000
Thomas Patrick Gabriel - 370,000
Justin Wald - 360,000
Tom Braband - 350,000
Danny Parde - 345,000
Tad Jurgens - 280,000
Cody Slaubaugh - 280,000
Recent Eliminations:
Nadim Shabou
Big Hands:
Lasse Peterson Happy to Have the Worst Hand?
Lasse Peterson pushed his remaining 125,000 in chips all in from early position, and the action folded to the player in the big blind.He looked at one of his hole cards and reported what he saw to Peterson.“The first one’s really dirty,” he remarked, adding that there were few possibilities for his second card that would compel him to call Peterson’s all in.After looking at the mystery card, he sighed and asked the dealer for a count of Peterson’s stack.He deliberated heavily before making a decision, trying desperately to get a read out of Peterson.“I call,” he finally said and turned over A8.Peterson gave an excited outburst when he saw his opponent’s hand, happy to know that his 97 consisted of entirely live cards.The KJ2 flop didn’t help Peterson, but the 7 on the turn gave him a pair and the lead.The meaningless 9 on the river meant that Peterson remains alive in the event.
Dan Bowman Outdraws Against Big Slick, Eliminates Opponent
After opponent Kirk Danna pushed all in from early position, Dan Bowman was put to the test in the big blind.Feeling that he was pot committed, Bowman made the call with K2 and was highly disappointed to see Danna turn over AK.The 1082 flop was favorable to both, giving Bowman a pair of deuces and Danna the nut flush draw.Danna was the favorite at that point, but the 3 on the turn and 2 on the river sent Danna to the rail in 28th place.
The remaining 27 players redrew for new seat assignments and continued the level.
Chip Counts:
Danny Wong - 720,000
Anthony Sapio - 600,000
Lasse Peterson - 420,000
Thomas Patrick Gabriel - 340,000
Jesper Hougaard - 340,000
Bryan Micon - 310,000
Owen Crowe - 285,000
John Shipley - 280,000
Justin Wald - 275,000
Rick Solis - 270,000
Recent Eliminations:
Sutton Zolner
Roy Best
Bob Cotton
Big Hands:
Sutton Zolner’s Aces Cracked, Eliminated on Next Hand
Sutton Zolner was in dire straits after losing a massive pot containing over 200,000 in chips to John Shipley.Zolner and Shipley got it all in pre-flop, with Zolner turning over AA and Shipley tabling 77.The J104 flop was favorable to Zolner, but the 7 on the turn crushed his aces and had him drawing to two remaining outs.The Q on the river failed to deliver for Zolner, and Shipley doubled up.Zolner had Shipley covered by only 2,600 and was forced to ante 1,000 on the next hand.
During the next deal, Justin Wald raised from the cut-off and Zolner committed his last 1,600 to the pot.The blinds folded and Wald turned over A10.Zolner was in rough shape with 86, and the ten on the flop held up for Wald’s hand.
Justin Wald Has a Two Hand Rollercoaster Resulting in a Net Win
Justin Wald raised to 22,000 from early position and Danny Parks reraised all in for an additional 14,500.The action folded back to Wald, who lamented that he had been raising a speculative hand.Feeling pot committed, he agreed to a call and turned over 97, a severe underdog to Parks’ KK.Wald made a pair on the A95 flop, but the J turn and J river failed to improve Wald’s hand, successfully doubling up Parks.
On the next hand, Wald again raised to 22,000 from under-the-gun.The action folded to Bob Cotton in the cut-off who pushed all in for an additional 26,000.The other players folded, and Wald assured the table that he “actually had a hand this time.”Wald made the call and turned over KQ, a coinflip to Cotton’s 99.The board came K10753, and Cotton was eliminated.“You finally won a race,” Cotton told Wald as he exited the tournament area.
Nadim Shabou Eliminates Roy Best
Although currently trying to manage his own short stack, Nadim Shabou was able to eliminate opponent Roy Best, the only player at his table with less chips.Best pushed all in against Shabou’s big blind, and after pondering his situation Shabou called the additional 19,000.Best turned over A10, prompting Shabou to comment, “At least I have live cards.”Shabou turned over J4, and the board came QJ976, giving Shabou a pair of jacks.
Chip Counts:
Danny Wong - 650,000
Anthony Sapio - 573,000
Lasse Peterson - 490,000
Cody Slaubaugh - 425,000
Jesper Hougaard - 270,000
Owen Crowe - 250,000
Bryan Micon - 228,000
Edward Sabat - 206,000
Craig Douglas - 180,000
Charles Danna - 180,000
Big Hands:
Lasse Peterson Eliminates Another
Lasse Peterson raised from middle position and faced a reraise from the Matt Tully in the small blind.The big blind moved all in for around 70,000 in chips.After deliberating, Peterson reraised enough to put Tully all in as well.After deliberating heavily, Tully released his hand.“Jacks,” Peterson told the all in player from the big blind as he turned over JJ.The big blind showed 44, and the board failed to improve his hand.Peterson finished the hand with over 470,000 in chips.
Nadim Shabou Stays Alive, Enjoys a Massage
While receiving a the services of one of the Rio’s table masseuses, Nadim Shabou pushed his remaining 25,000 in chips into the pot from middle position pre-flop.The action folded to the big blind who quickly called and turned over KQ.It was a coin flip race against Shabou’s 44, but the 96532 board brought a straight for Shabou who doubled up to stay alive.
Dan Bowman’s Cowboys Good For an Elimination
After putting his opponent all in pre-flop, Dan Bowman turned over KK, a strong favorite over his opponent’s 1010.The board ran KQ863, and Bowman’s set of kings was good for a large pot.Although Bowman started the day with only 41,300 in chips, that hand increased his stack to just around 200,000.
Matt Tully Survives Being Dominated
After getting the last of his chips into the pot pre-flop against an opponent, Matt Tully turned over A6 and was disappointed to see his opponent flip over AQ.Fortunately for Tully, the board came A7623, and Tully’s two pair won the pot.
Danny Wong: 4th Place ($217,110)
Aaron Kanter: 3rd Place ($258,862)
Big Hands/Storylines:
Danny Wong Eliminated in Fourth Place ($217,110)
Aaron Kanter raised to 130,000 preflop and Danny Wong reraised all in for 380,000. Jesper Hougaard reraised all in over the top of both of them and Kanter got out of the way. The two players then turned up their hands:
Hougaard: A5
Wong: KK
Board: Q1068J
Wong was eliminated on the hand in sixth place, and he took home $217,110 in prize money.
Jesper Hougaard Eliminated in Third Place ($258,862)
Hougaard raised to 150,000 preflop and Kanter reraised all in for 750,000. Hougaard made the call and they flipped up their hands:
Hougaard: KJ
Kanter: QQ
Board: A437K
Kanter was eliminated by the K on the river in third place, and he took home $258,862 in prize money.
Heads-Up: All Slaubaugh All the Time
Cody Slaubaugh came into the heads-up match with a major disadvantage in chips. He was all in for his tournamen life soon in the match, but he doubled up when his A-10 dominated Hougaard's Q-10. Then came the hand that defined the turning point in their match. Slaubaugh raised to 125,000 preflop and Hougaard reraised to 320,000. Slaughbaugh made the call and the flop was dealt K103. Hougaard bet 375,000 and Slaubaugh raised all in. Hougaard quickly mucked and as he collected the large pot, Slaubaugh flipped over Q-9 for a bluff. Slaubaugh's side ot the crowd went wild as Slaubaugh grinned from ear-to-ear. Hougaards' body language immediately switched from invincible chip leader to dejected loser. Slaubaugh continued his rush by winning huge pots with a straight and a pair of aces to knock Hougaard down even further. The two players then went on dinner break at a good time for Hougaard. He needs some time to collect his thoughts.
The final four players at this final table are all playing not to lose right now. Flops are far and few between, and river cards are almost unheard of on the felt. During a 30-minute stretch only three hands went to a flop during the last level.
Aaron Kanter Doubles Up Again
Jesper Hougaard moved all in preflop for 395,000 and Kanter made the all-in call. Their cards:
Kanter: K10
Hougaard: K5
Board: K83104
Kanter doubled up and things continued on four handed.
Danny Wong Doubles Up
Danny Wong moved all in for 375,000 and Hougaard made the call. Their cards:
Wong: AK
Hougaard: AJ
Board: 99468
Wong doubled up to survive and action continued four handed again.
Rick Solis: 7th Place ($106,884)
Justin Wald: 6th Place ($140,286)
Doug Middleton: 5th Place ($177,028)
Big Hands/Storylines:
Rick Solis Eliminated in Seventh Place ($106,884)
Jesper Hougaard raised to 62,000 preflop and Rick Solis made the call. The flop was dealt Q109 and both players checked. The turn fell 9 and Hougaard bet 76,000. Sois raised all in and Hougaard made the call with A3. Solis showed down J10 and he found no solace in the J on the river. Solis was knocked out by Hougaard's flopped flush, and he took home $106,884 in prize money.
Justin Wald Eliminated in Sixth Place ($140,286)
Justin Wald got the last of his chips into the middle with a board of JJ4K5 sitting on the table and Danny Wong made the call. He flipped over Q-J, but Wong showed down two diamonds for a flush. Wald was eliminated in sixth place, and he took home $140,286 in prize money. Doug Middleton Eliminated in Fifth Place ($177,028)
Jesper Hougaard raised to 78,000 and Doug Middleton reriased to 412,000 preflop. Hougaard made the call and both players turned up their hands:
Hougaard: 33
Middleton: AQ
Board: JJ2510
Middleton was eliminated in fifth place, and he took home $177,028 in prize money.
John Shipley: 9th Place ($56,783)
Owen Crowe: 8th Place ($81,833)
Big Hands/Storylines:
Aaron Kanter Doubles Up on the First Hand
Aaorn Kanter wasted no time moving all in preflop for 163,000 on the first hand at the final table and Cody Slaughbaugh called him down. Their cards:
Kanter: A7
Slaughbaugh: AJ
Board: 982Q7
Despite being dominated preflop, Kanter spiked a 7 on the river to survive the hand. John Shipley Eliminated in Ninth Place ($56,783)
Slaughbaugh raised to 55,000 preflop and Shipley reraised all in. Slaughbaugh made the call and they flipped up their hands:
Slaughbaugh: JJ
Shipley: KQ
Board: 954610
Shipley was eliminated in ninth place, and he took home $56,783 in prize money.
Owen Crowe Eliminated in Eighth Place ($81,833)
Owen Crowe raised to 55,000 preflop and Danny Wong made the call. The flop was dealt A98 and Crowe bet 70,000. Wong made the call and the turn fell A. Wong checked, Crowe bet 225,000, and Wong raised all in to more than cover Crowe. Crowe made the all-in call and flipped over A7. Wong showed down K6 and he made a flush when the 5 fell on the river. Crowe was eliminated in eighth place, and he took home $81,833 in prize money.
Final Table:
Cody Slaubaugh - 1,590,000
Jesper Hougaard - 1,350,000
Danny Wong - 1,100,000
Owen Crowe - 675,000
Rick Solis - 640,000
Justin Wald - 640,000
Doug Middleton - 340,000
John Shipley - 280,000
Aaron Kanter - 200,000
Note: Play has ended for the day.The remaining final tablists will reconvene tomorrow to crown a winner.
Jesper Hougaard Eliminates Jeremy Schofer in Tenth Place, Final Table Set
After being crippled when his KK was outdrawn by Rick Solis’ 1010 when he caught the 10 on the flop, Jeremy Schofer pushed all in for less than 100,000 and was called by Jesper Hougaard.Schofer turned over Q9, dominated by Hougaard’s A9.The final board came 96522, giving them both the same pair.Hougaard’s kicker played, and the remaining players erupted with joy as they were guaranteed a spot at tomorrow’s final table.
Chip Counts:
Jesper Hougaard - 800,000
Danny Wong - 690,000
John Shipley - 550,000
Aaron Kanter - 455,000
Cody Slaubaugh - 430,000
Craig Douglas - 390,000
Justin Wald - 360,000
Jeremy Schofer - 330,000
Tom Braband - 310,000
Daniel Bowman - 265,000
Recent Eliminations:
Chance Steed
John MacDonald
Christopher Goo
Bryan Micon
Big Hands:
Christopher Goo Eliminated by Tom Braband
Tom Braband moved all of his remaining chips, around 100,000 across the line in early position.The action folded to Christopher Goo in the big blind who called.Braband, who had Goo covered, turned over QQ.Goo turned over KQ.The board brought no help whatsoever for Goo’s hand, and he was eliminated.
Cody Slaubaugh on a Rush, Eliminates Two
John MacDonald raised to 40,000 from the hijack seat (one to the right of the cut-off), and Cody Slaubaugh called from the next position to act.All other players folded, and the two saw a flop of QJ3.After deliberating momentarily, MacDonald pushed all in for over 100,000 and Slaubaugh instantly called and turned over AA.MacDonald turned over AT, meaning that Slaubaugh would have to fade a jack or two running cards in order to eliminate MacDonald.The 9 on the turn gave MacDonald additional outs with any eight now completing a straight.The 4 on the river was a brick for MacDonald, and he exited the tournament area.
Several hands later, Slaubaugh raised pre-flop from middle position and Bryan Micon moved all in for a total of 149,000.The action folded back to Slaubaugh, and he went into the tank.After several moments of deliberation, Slaubaugh started explaining his predicament to Micon.“If I have live cards it’s the right call, but if I don’t…” Slaubaugh trailed off before finishing the thought.“Plus, I kind of like you and wouldn’t mind doubling you up,” he added.“Don’t do me any favors,” Micon replied.Slaubaugh eventually called, prompting Micon to turn over KQ.Slaubaugh pumped his fist into the air, happy that his 98 were both live.The 108432 board fell favorably for Slaubaugh, and Micon hit the rail.
Chance Steed Eliminated by Jesper Hougaard
Jesper Hougaard raised pre-flop from middle position, and a severely short-stacked Chance Steed reraised all in for under 150,000 more.Hougaard instantly called and turned over AA.The board offered no help for Steed's Q9, and Hougaard added to his growing stack.
Chip Counts:
Jesper Hougaard - 800,000
Danny Wong - 690,000
John Shipley - 550,000
Aaron Kanter - 455,000
Cody Slaubaugh - 430,000
Craig Douglas - 390,000
Justin Wald - 360,000
Jeremy Schofer - 330,000
Tom Braband - 310,000
Daniel Bowman - 265,000
Recent Eliminations:
Yves Grenon
Craig Coghlan
Big Hands:
Jeremy Schofer Dramatically Improves Stack
Yves Grenon raised from middle position and Jeremy Schofer pushed all in for about 60,000 more.The action folded back to Grenon, who deliberated whether or not to call.“I think it’s going to be a race,” Grenon said as he counted out the chips necessary for a call.Grenon pushed them into the middle, and Schofer turned over 88.Grenon’s assessment was correct as he held AJ.The pair held up, and Grenon was left with only 60,000 after doubling up Schofer.
Several hands later, the two were back at it.Short-stacked in the cut-off, Grenon moved all in for exactly 60,000 in chips.Schofer pondered momentarily before making the call.The other players folded, and Schofer revealed his A7.Grenon was very disappointed, as his 74 was dominated by Grenon’s hand.The final board read AAQ95, and Grenon was eliminated.
John MacDonald Makes Danny Wong Even Richer
After the turn was dealt on a board of QQ105, John MacDonald made a bet of 30,000.Wong raised an additional 40,000, and MacDonald made the call.The 5 came on the river, and MacDonald led out with a bet of 75,000.Wong went into the tank and contemplated his next move, ultimately electing to just call MacDonald’s bet.Caught in a bluff, MacDonald turned over K9.Wong turned over QJ and collected the large pot, boosting his stack to over 940,000.When another player questioned why he didn’t raise after filling up on the river, Wong explained that there were still some hands that he couldn’t beat.“I couldn't raise. He might’ve made quad fives,” Wong told the player.“Or he might have had queen-ten.”
Wong continued his streak by eliminating Craig Coghlan and breaking the million mark in chips.He currently has around 1,200,000.
Chip Counts:
Danny Wong - 735,000
Anthony Sapio - 600,000
John Shipley - 536,000
Jesper Hougaard - 395,000
Thomas Patrick Gabriel - 370,000
Justin Wald - 360,000
Tom Braband - 350,000
Danny Parde - 345,000
Tad Jurgens - 280,000
Cody Slaubaugh - 280,000
Recent Eliminations:
Nadim Shabou
Big Hands:
Lasse Peterson Happy to Have the Worst Hand?
Lasse Peterson pushed his remaining 125,000 in chips all in from early position, and the action folded to the player in the big blind.He looked at one of his hole cards and reported what he saw to Peterson.“The first one’s really dirty,” he remarked, adding that there were few possibilities for his second card that would compel him to call Peterson’s all in.After looking at the mystery card, he sighed and asked the dealer for a count of Peterson’s stack.He deliberated heavily before making a decision, trying desperately to get a read out of Peterson.“I call,” he finally said and turned over A8.Peterson gave an excited outburst when he saw his opponent’s hand, happy to know that his 97 consisted of entirely live cards.The KJ2 flop didn’t help Peterson, but the 7 on the turn gave him a pair and the lead.The meaningless 9 on the river meant that Peterson remains alive in the event.
Dan Bowman Outdraws Against Big Slick, Eliminates Opponent
After opponent Kirk Danna pushed all in from early position, Dan Bowman was put to the test in the big blind.Feeling that he was pot committed, Bowman made the call with K2 and was highly disappointed to see Danna turn over AK.The 1082 flop was favorable to both, giving Bowman a pair of deuces and Danna the nut flush draw.Danna was the favorite at that point, but the 3 on the turn and 2 on the river sent Danna to the rail in 28th place.
The remaining 27 players redrew for new seat assignments and continued the level.
Chip Counts:
Danny Wong - 720,000
Anthony Sapio - 600,000
Lasse Peterson - 420,000
Thomas Patrick Gabriel - 340,000
Jesper Hougaard - 340,000
Bryan Micon - 310,000
Owen Crowe - 285,000
John Shipley - 280,000
Justin Wald - 275,000
Rick Solis - 270,000
Recent Eliminations:
Sutton Zolner
Roy Best
Bob Cotton
Big Hands:
Sutton Zolner’s Aces Cracked, Eliminated on Next Hand
Sutton Zolner was in dire straits after losing a massive pot containing over 200,000 in chips to John Shipley.Zolner and Shipley got it all in pre-flop, with Zolner turning over AA and Shipley tabling 77.The J104 flop was favorable to Zolner, but the 7 on the turn crushed his aces and had him drawing to two remaining outs.The Q on the river failed to deliver for Zolner, and Shipley doubled up.Zolner had Shipley covered by only 2,600 and was forced to ante 1,000 on the next hand.
During the next deal, Justin Wald raised from the cut-off and Zolner committed his last 1,600 to the pot.The blinds folded and Wald turned over A10.Zolner was in rough shape with 86, and the ten on the flop held up for Wald’s hand.
Justin Wald Has a Two Hand Rollercoaster Resulting in a Net Win
Justin Wald raised to 22,000 from early position and Danny Parks reraised all in for an additional 14,500.The action folded back to Wald, who lamented that he had been raising a speculative hand.Feeling pot committed, he agreed to a call and turned over 97, a severe underdog to Parks’ KK.Wald made a pair on the A95 flop, but the J turn and J river failed to improve Wald’s hand, successfully doubling up Parks.
On the next hand, Wald again raised to 22,000 from under-the-gun.The action folded to Bob Cotton in the cut-off who pushed all in for an additional 26,000.The other players folded, and Wald assured the table that he “actually had a hand this time.”Wald made the call and turned over KQ, a coinflip to Cotton’s 99.The board came K10753, and Cotton was eliminated.“You finally won a race,” Cotton told Wald as he exited the tournament area.
Nadim Shabou Eliminates Roy Best
Although currently trying to manage his own short stack, Nadim Shabou was able to eliminate opponent Roy Best, the only player at his table with less chips.Best pushed all in against Shabou’s big blind, and after pondering his situation Shabou called the additional 19,000.Best turned over A10, prompting Shabou to comment, “At least I have live cards.”Shabou turned over J4, and the board came QJ976, giving Shabou a pair of jacks.
Chip Counts:
Danny Wong - 650,000
Anthony Sapio - 573,000
Lasse Peterson - 490,000
Cody Slaubaugh - 425,000
Jesper Hougaard - 270,000
Owen Crowe - 250,000
Bryan Micon - 228,000
Edward Sabat - 206,000
Craig Douglas - 180,000
Charles Danna - 180,000
Big Hands:
Lasse Peterson Eliminates Another
Lasse Peterson raised from middle position and faced a reraise from the Matt Tully in the small blind.The big blind moved all in for around 70,000 in chips.After deliberating, Peterson reraised enough to put Tully all in as well.After deliberating heavily, Tully released his hand.“Jacks,” Peterson told the all in player from the big blind as he turned over JJ.The big blind showed 44, and the board failed to improve his hand.Peterson finished the hand with over 470,000 in chips.
Nadim Shabou Stays Alive, Enjoys a Massage
While receiving a the services of one of the Rio’s table masseuses, Nadim Shabou pushed his remaining 25,000 in chips into the pot from middle position pre-flop.The action folded to the big blind who quickly called and turned over KQ.It was a coin flip race against Shabou’s 44, but the 96532 board brought a straight for Shabou who doubled up to stay alive.
Dan Bowman’s Cowboys Good For an Elimination
After putting his opponent all in pre-flop, Dan Bowman turned over KK, a strong favorite over his opponent’s 1010.The board ran KQ863, and Bowman’s set of kings was good for a large pot.Although Bowman started the day with only 41,300 in chips, that hand increased his stack to just around 200,000.
Matt Tully Survives Being Dominated
After getting the last of his chips into the pot pre-flop against an opponent, Matt Tully turned over A6 and was disappointed to see his opponent flip over AQ.Fortunately for Tully, the board came A7623, and Tully’s two pair won the pot.
Hawrilenko Takes Another Hit to His Stack
4
7
and the original raiser bet 1,800 and Hawrilenko called.
9
Lederer Off To A Rocky Start In Level 3
McEvoy Gets Best Of Miami John
Danny Wong Flops Two Pair, Gets Little Action
Juanda Tries To Give Opponent Discount
Danny Wong Eliminated in Fourth Place ($105,609)
Kenny Tran Doubles Up
Score Board
Joe Sebok
Featured Table 
Joe Sebok Eliminated by Farzad Bonyadi
Erik Seidel Eliminated by Young Phan
Shenko's Shank
On the very next hand, Kenneth Smaron limps and Danny Wong moves all in for 2,000 behind him. Mark Teltscher completes from the small blind and Hafiz Khan knocks the table in the big blind. 
Danny Wong busted out of the tournament during level 8 when he ran pocket queens into pocket aces.
Hands:
Hands:
Hands:
Kanter: K
Big Hands/Storylines:
Doug Middleton Eliminated in Fifth Place ($177,028)
John Shipley Eliminated in Ninth Place ($56,783)
Cody Slaubaugh on a Rush, Eliminates Two
John MacDonald Makes Danny Wong Even Richer
Chip Counts:
Sutton Zolner’s Aces Cracked, Eliminated on Next Hand