Jose Luis Velador Poker Tournament Updates

Luis Velador Eliminated in 11th Place ($42,213)

Dec 07, '10

Antonio Esfandiari raised to 63,000 from the button and Luis Velador moved all in for 313,000 from the small blind. Vanessa Rousso made the call from the big blind and Esfandiari mucked. Their cards:

Rousso: 9 9
Velador: A 2

Board: 8 6 5 4 10

Velador was eliminated in 11th place and he will take home $42,213 in prize money. Rousso held 3.7 million after the hand as the chip leader.

Player Tags: Antonio Esfandiari,   Vanessa Rousso,   Jose Luis Velador

Velador Bests Chiu For Event No. 33 Win

Jun 19, '10

Pot-Limit Hold’em

Velador Wins Event No. 33, Chiu Falls in 2nd ($160,902)

Jose-Luis Velador raised from the button and David Chiu re-raised 124,000 more. Velador called and they saw a flop.

Chiu bet out 372,000 on a flop of 632 and Velador raised the pot, putting Chiu all in. Chiu called and they showed down:

Chiu: A10
Velador: 76

Velador had a pair of sixes and Chiu was still alive with two overcards. The 9 turn didn’t help Chiu, and he was dead to an ace or a 10. But the river was the J and Chiu finished runner-up.

Velador won the event, and with it he earned his second career WSOP bracelet and $260,517. Chiu fell just shy of winning his 5th WSOP bracelet, but won $160,902 for his solid play.

Player Tags: David Chiu,   Jose Luis Velador

We Are Heads Up

Jun 19, '10

Pot-Limit Hold’em

Kevin MacPhee made it 60,000 to go from the button and Jose-Luis Velador called from the big blind.

Velador checked to MacPhee on a flop of K65. MacPhee bet 80,000 and Velador check-raised to 200,000. MacPhee pushed all in for half a million and Velador thought a while and called. Their hands:

Velador: K3
MacPhee: 77

Velador’s kings were ahead of MacPhee’s pocket sevens. The turn brought the 10 and MacPhee was down to two sevens for his outs. But the A fell on the river and Velador exploded to 1.5 million in chips as MacPhee was gone in 5th, making $62,791.

Pot-Limit Omaha

Gray Finishes in Fourth ($85,030)

On a flop of K82 Craig Gray moved the rest of his short stack all in and was instantly called by Jose-Luis Velador. Their hands:

Gray: QQ84
Velador: AK92

Velador’s two pair was ahead, and when the K hit on the turn he had a full house. The A finished the board and Gray was gone in 4th place, taking $85,030 of the prize pool.

Pot-Limit Omaha

Hollink Knocked Out in 3rd ($116,359)

Rob Hollink called a 80,000 raise preflop from Jose-Luis Velador and everyone else got out of the way.

The flop came Q83 and Hollink found himself all in for his tournament life. Their hands:

Hollink: Q1084
Velador: KK97

Despite the queen on the flop, Velador held the lead with pocket kings. The turn was the 6 and the 3 finished the board, giving Velador the pot and knocking Hollink out in 3rd place, winning $116,359.

With that, Velador took a commanding chip going into heads up against David Chiu.

Player Tags: Rob Hollink,   Craig Gray,   Jose Luis Velador

Chiu Chips Up

Jun 19, '10

Pot-Limit Hold’em

Cochrane Bounced in 8th ($26,906)

Jose-Luis Velador put in a raise only to have Gavin Cochrane re-raise from the big blind. Velador put in enough chips to cover Cochrane and was called. Their hands:

Velador: 88
Cochrane: AJ

The coin flip was on, with Cochrane needing the big cards. The flop brought 976, missing Cochrane completely. The 3 hit on the turn, leaving him dead to an ace or jack. He got neither. The river was the 7 and Cochrane was gone in 8th place, taking with him $26,906.

Pot-Limit Omaha

Chiu Knocks Mitchell Out in 7th ($35,331)

David Chiu raised and James Mitchell re-popped it to 178,000. Chiu tanked then moved all in over the top of Mitchell, who called. Their hands:

Chiu: KK105
Mitchell: 10987

Chiu remained in the lead on a flop of Q74. The J hit on the turn and Mitchell was drawing to a straight, but the 4 river ended his hopes and eliminated him in 7th place. He made $35,331.

Player Tags: David Chiu,   Jose Luis Velador,   James Mitchell,   Gavin Cochrane

Event No. 24 Begins at Noon on Thursday

Jun 11, '09

Event No. 24 ($1,500 no-limit hold’em) will begin at noon on Thursday, June 11. Players will begin with 4,500 in tournament chips and blinds will begin at 25-50. Levels will be 60-minutes long and there will be a 20-minute break after every two levels. There will be a 90-minute dinner break after level 6 on day 1. Here is a look at the schedule for the event:

Thursday, June 11, noon: Day 1 (play 10 levels)
Friday, June 12, 2 p.m.: Day 2 (play down to final table)
Saturday, June 13, 2 p.m.: Final Table

In 2008 this event attracted 2,304 players and the champion was Jose-Luis Velador, who took home $574,734 in prize money. CardPlayer.com will bring you a summary of the action at the dinner break and end of play each day for this event.

Player Tags: Jose Luis Velador

Jose Luis Velador Eliminated in 48th Place ($27,395)

Feb 24, '09

Jose Luis Velador was facing an all in reraise from Dan Lu, who had him massively outchipped. Velador thought it over for awhile and eventually put the rest of his stack in with AQ. Lu showed pocket eights and both players were off to the races.

The board ran out K66KJ and the bracelet winner was eliminated from the tournament in 48th place, earning $27,395.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Player Tags: Jose Luis Velador,   Dan Lu

$2,500 Deuce-to-Seven Triple Draw Lowball - Day 2 - Level 14 Recap

Jun 23, '08

The players are now on an hour-long dinner break

Blinds: 1,300-2,500

Players Left: 18 of 238

Chip Leaders:
John Phan - 156,000
Billy Baxter - 128,500
Shunjiro Uchida - 114,500
David Sklansky - 106,000
Robert Mizrachi - 100,000
Michael Wattel - 96,000
Gioi Luong - 92,500
Greg Raymer - 89,000
Richard Chase - 55,000
Dario Alioto - 54,500

Average Stack: 66,100

Eliminations:
15^th – Raymond Davis
16^th – Juan Luis Velador
17^th – Chau Giang
18^th – Claude Cohen

Big Hands and Storylines:

Billy Baxter’s Tremendous Turnaround

Billy Baxter started today with only 6,000 in chips, slightly more than a single big bet. 30^th of 30 in chips, it didn’t seem like he would make any sort of run today. Astoundingly, Baxter has turned it around completely and now stands at 2^nd in chips with 128,000. Baxter’s rapid rise in the deuce-to-seven event has caused a bit of a conflict however. While his stack grows and grows in the lowball event, his stack is being blinded off in the seniors’ event. Baxter had pre-registered for the seniors’ event assuming that he would bust early in the deuce-to-seven triple draw event. Mr. Baxter seems unperturbed by this development.

Billy Baxter Eliminates Chau Giang

“Cold deck,” Giang repeated as he was eliminated by Billy Baxter in a serious cooler of a hand. Action pre-draw saw four bets by each player and Baxter stood bat from the get-go. Giang drew one on each of the first two draws and then stood pat on the final draw. Giang check-raised Baxter on the final round of betting to get all of his chips in with no. 3: 7-6-5-3-2. Baxter’s good day kept getting better though, as he unveiled a perfect 7-5-4-3-2 to bust Giang. It’s good to be the king.

John Phan eliminates Raymond Davis

John Phan eliminated Ray Davis, moving into the chip lead in the process. It was an unfortunate end to the day for Davis, who had been talking boldly about his final-table aspirations all afternoon long. Davis, standing pat on the final two draws, ran into the 7-5-4-3-2 of Phan. The nut-low propelled Phan to 155,000 in chips, tops on the day.

Player Tags: John Phan,   Gioi Luong,   Robert Mizrachi,   Michael Wattel,   Chau Giang,   David Sklansky,   Shunjiro Uchida,   Claude Cohen,   Greg Raymer,   Richard Chase,   Billy Baxter,   Dario Alioto,   Jose Luis Velador

$2,500 Deuce-to-Seven Triple Draw Lowball - Day 2 - Level 12

Jun 23, '08

Note: The players are now on a 20-minute break

Blinds: 800-1,500

Players Left: 22 of 238

Chip Leaders:
Shun Uchida - 101,000
Jose Luis Velador - 78,000
Gioi Luong - 74,100
David Baker - 70,500
Ray Davis - 67,700
Michael Wattel - 67,000
James Copeland - 62,700
Billy Baxter - 58,000
Chris Vitch - 54,500
Robert Mizrachi - 52,400

Average Stack: 44,100

Eliminations:
Bill Chen
Trung Ly

Big Hands and Storylines:

Trung Is The Bubble Boy... Juuuuust Bare-Ly

Trung Ly was so low on chips that there was no trying to sneak into the money for him. Left with only 1,000 chips, Ly found himself all-in on the 1^st draw. The drama didn’t come until after the 3^rd draw however. Ly declared a jack-low... and so did Claude Cohen. Ly clarified, “Jack-seven,” and again, Cohen had the same. The third card was the deciding one, and Ly’s J-7-6 low was bested by his Cohen’s J-7-5. Ly was eliminated in 25th place.

Ray Ray Ruins Chen Check-Raise Connivance

Ray Davis raised to 3,000 on the button and was called by Bill Chen in the big blind. Chen drew 2 and Davis took 1. Chen then check-called Davis’s bet. On the next draw each player asked for 1 card and, again, Chen check-called a Davis bet. On the final draw Chen drew a single card and Davis stood pat. Chen checked and Davis fired again. Chen sprung into action for the first time in the hand with a raise which was quickly called by Davis. Chen’s check-raise was a bluff however, and his pair of deuces was soundly defeated by Davis’s 8-7-5-4-3.

This would signal the beginning of the end for Chen’s day, as he would be eliminated in 24^th place, just squeaking into the money.

Sklansky Bucks Elimination, Triples Up

David Sklansky raised from early position with a short stack and eventually got his money all-in after the final draw. Both Steve Sung and Greg Raymer folded to Sklansky’s last bet of 2,500, but John Phan made the call. Sklansky showed 9-8-5-4-3 and Phan could only claim a 10-low before folding. That hand boosted him to 24,000 and allowed him to make the money.

Raymer Celebrates a Cash

Greg Raymer has just informed his table that this is his first cash in his past 24 World Series attempts. Congratulations are in order for Greg, but don’t feel too bad for him. After all, not many players have cashed for $5 million in a single World Series event.

Player Tags: Gioi Luong,   Robert Mizrachi,   Raymond Davis,   Michael Wattel,   Trung Ly,   Shunjiro Uchida,   Claude Cohen,   Greg Raymer,   Bill Chen,   James Copeland,   Billy Baxter,   Chris Vitch,   Jose Luis Velador

$2,500 Deuce-to-Seven Triple Draw Lowball - Day 2 - Level 11 Recap

Jun 23, '08

Blinds: 600-1,200

Players Left: 27 of 238

Chip Leaders:
Shun Uchida - 79,200
Gioi Luong - 74,100
Ray Davis - 67,700
Robert Mizrachi – 65,000
Greg Raymer - 64,600
James Copeland - 62,700
Richard Chase - 59,200
Michael Wattel - 57,200
Chris Vitch - 54,500
Jose Luis Velador - 49,400

Average Stack: 44,100

Eliminations:
Antony Lellouche
John Roveto

Big Hands and Storylines:

“Advertise Now, Steal Later”

Those words uttered by Chris Vitch after raising from the small blind and forcing Bill Chen to lay down his hand. Vitch showed a made 8-6. Of course, one wonders if Vitch’s cunning gambit will pay off after letting Chen in on it.

The Table of Death

It appears that one table stands out above all others as one to watch during today’s early preceding. Greg Raymer is seated at a table along with Steve Sung, John Phan, Ralph Perry, David Sklansky, and Jose Luis Velador. Action started off fast as Raymer took a big pot off of Phan early in the first level of the day:

Raymer raised from the hijack and was called by Phan in the big blind. Both players drew 2 cards and Phan checked. Raymer bet and “The Razor” called. Phan drew one card and Raymer stood pat. Phan check-raised Raymer on the next betting round and Raymer called. Both players stood pat on the final draw and Phan check-called Raymer’s bet. Raymer’s no. 3 – 7-6-5-3-2 – was better than Phan’s eight low, and “Fossilman” raked in a sizeable pot. He’s now up to 65,000.

Billy Baxter Doubles Up

Lowball specialist Billy Baxter just doubled through Ray Henson to get back to more respectable 20,000 in chips. This is bad news for the rest of the players at the table. Baxter owns 5 deuce-to-seven bracelets and will be looking to add a 6^th to his collection.

Robert Mizrachi Racing To The Top

Gioi Luong, first to act, raised to 1,200, Mizrachi called in the small blind, James Copeland 3-bet from the big blind, and the other two players called. Mizrachi drew two and the others drew one card. Copeland bet and Mizarachi and Luong called. On the 2^nd draw each player took one card. On this round of betting Mizrachi and Copeland checked to Luong who bet and both players called. On the final draw Mizrachi drew one and the other players stood pat. Mizrachi led out into the two pat players, who both folded. Mizrachi claimed he had a 7-6 and raked in a large pot, taking him to 65,000.

Player Tags: John Phan,   Gioi Luong,   Robert Mizrachi,   Raymond Davis,   Michael Wattel,   Shunjiro Uchida,   Greg Raymer,   Richard Chase,   James Copeland,   John Roveto,   Billy Baxter,   Chris Vitch,   Jose Luis Velador

$1,500 NL Hold'em - Jose Velador Wins Event No. 32

Jun 19, '08

Jose Velador Wins Event No. 32 ($573,734)

Anthony Signore moved all in and Jose Velador made the call. Signore showed A6 but was behind to Velador's A7. The board ran out A10736 and Velador is a new WSOP champion. Anthony Signore finished in second place, earning $366,387.

 

 

 

 

 

Player Tags: Jose Luis Velador,   Anthony Signore

$1,500 NL Hold'em - Heads Up

Jun 19, '08

Blinds/Antes: 20,000/40,000 with a 5,000 ante.

Players Remaining: 2 of 2,305

Chip Counts:

Jose Velador - 4,550,000
Anthony Signore - 2,500,000

Recent Eliminations: Osmin Dardon (3rd Place)

Big Hands:

Predictably Slow Play

As expected, the fast paced bustouts have created a three-handed deep stacked situation at the final table. Of course, only one of the players is deep, deep stacked, but each of the three finalists is in no hurry to play a big pot without the cards to back it up.

Osmin Dardon Eliminated in Third Place ($243,734)

Jose Velador raised to 100,000 and Osmin Dardon reraised to 300,000. Velador moved all in and Dardon called. Velador held QQ and was racing against Dardon's AK. The board ran out J72109 and Velador's flush eliminated Dardon in third place.

Heads Up Play Begins

Jose Velador - 5.8 million
Anthony Signore - 1.1 million

Anthony Signore Doubles Up

On the short stack Anthony Signore gets it all in with A9 against Jose Velador's pocket sevens. The board comes KKKAQ and Signore doubled to 2.5 million. Velador still holds a 2-1 chip lead with 4.5 million.

Jose Velador Takes It Back

After getting almost even, Anthony Signore made a mistep to give Jose Velador back his monster chip lead. Velador raised to 125,000 and Signore called. The flop came AJ9 and Singore bet 200,000. Velador called and the turn was the 7. This time, Velador bet 400,000 and Signore thought for a bit before calling. The river was the Q and Signore bet 600,000. Velador quickly announced all in to take the pot. Signore lost almost 1.4 million on the hand.

 

Player Tags: Osmin Dardon,   Jose Luis Velador,   Anthony Signore

$1,500 NL Hold'em - Down To Three

Jun 19, '08

Blinds/Antes: 15,000/30,000 with a 4,000 ante.

Players Remaining:  4 of 2,305

Chip Counts:

Jose Velador - 4,750,000
Osmin Dardon - 1,200,000
Anthony Signore - 860,000

Recent Eliminations:   Shane Stacey (5th Place), Jae Chung (4th Place)

Big Hands:

Shane Stacey Eliminated in Fifth Place ($166,682)

Shane Stacey and Osmin "Odie" Dardon got it all in on a flop of Q98. Dardon showed down pocket tens, but was behind to Stacey's AQ. The turn was the 6 giving Dardon more straight outs, and he connected when the river was the 7. Stacey was eliminated in fifth place.

Jae Chung Eliminated in Fourth Place ($204,427)

Jae Chung was all in preflop for his last 280,000 and both Osmin Dardon and Jose Velador made the call. They both checked down a board of KJ2J4 and split the pot when they both showed K-10. Chung couldn't beat it and he was eliminated in fourth place.

NOTE: The players then took a 20-minute break.

 

 

Player Tags: Osmin Dardon,   Jose Luis Velador,   Jae Chung,   Shane Stacey,   Anthony Signore

$1,500 NL Hold'em - Velador Crushing

Jun 19, '08

Blinds/Antes: 15,000/30,000 with a 4,000 ante.

Players Remaining:  5 of 2,305

Chip Counts:

Jose Velador - 4,550,000
Jae Chung - 739,000
Osmin Dardon - 638,000
Shane Stacey - 576,000
Anthony Signore - 438,000

Recent Eliminations:  Dany Georges (7th Place), Dean Bui (6th Place)

Big Hands:

Dany Georges Eliminated in Seventh Place ($100,638)

Dany Georges open shoved all in for 488,000 from middle position and Dean Bui called from the blinds with pocket sixes. Georges showed AJ, but the board came K10373 to eliminate him in seventh place.

Dean Bui Eliminated in Sixth Place ($132,088)

In a massive cooler during a battle of the blinds, Dean Bui limped in the small blind and Jose Velador raised to 79,000. Bui called and the flop came K107. Bui checked and Velador bet 90,000. Bui decided to just call and the turn was the 4. Both players checked and the river was the 9. Bui bet 255,000 and Velador put him all in. Bui called instantly, turning over a set of tens, but Velador held the better hand with a set of kings. Bui was eliminated in sixth place.

Player Tags: Dean Bui,   Jose Luis Velador,   Dany Georges

$1,500 NL Hold'em - Saha Eliminated

Jun 19, '08

Blinds/Antes: 15,000/30,000 with a 4,000 ante.

Players Remaining:  7 of 2,305

Chip Counts:

Jose Velador - 3,200,000
Dany Georges - 770,000
Jae Chung - 800,000
Anthony Signore - 540,000
Shane Stacey - 640,000
Osmin Dardon - 900,000
Dean Bui - 360,000

Recent Eliminations:

Big Hands:

Utsab Saha Eliminated in Eighth Place ($77,051)

Jose Velador raised to 60,000 and Utsab Saha minraised to 120,000 from the big blind. Velador reraised to 370,000 and Saha moved all in. Velador called with pocket queens and Saha was in trouble with A10. The board came KJJ26 and Saha was eliminated in eighth place.

More Slow Play

Another level down, and only another 16 hands to show for it. These guys are just flat out playing slow.

NOTE: The players then took a 20-minute break and the end of the level.

 

Player Tags: Jose Luis Velador,   Utsab Saha

No-Limit Level - Final Table Set

Jun 18, '08

Note: Play has ended for the day. The remaining nine final tablists will reconvene tomorrow to crown a winner.

Blinds/Antes: 8000/16000

Players Remaining: 9 of 2,305

Average Stack: 650,000

Chip Counts:
Jose Velador - 1,898,000
Jospeh Georges - 1,202,000
Utsab Saha - 964,000
Jae Chung - 720,000
Anthony Signore - 701,000
Shane Stacey - 653,000
Osmin Dardon - 487,000
Dean Bui - 217,000
Justin Huffman - 150,000

Recent Eliminations:
Ken Hughes (Tenth place - $34,594)
Jesse Maupin (Eleventh place - $34,594)
George Lind (Twelfth place - $34,594)
Ray Henson (Thirteenth place - $26,732)

Big Hands:

Osmin Dardon Makes Joseph Georges Lay Down the Best Hand?

On a board of KQ5, Joseph Georges checked to Osmin Dardon who made a bet of 60,000. Georges called, nearly beating Dardon to the flop, and checked again when the 3d fell on the turn. Dardon moved all in for 241,000, and Georges went into the tank. After several minutes of thought, Georges folded his hand. “I think I folded the best hand,” Georges said as the dealer pushed the pot to Dardon. “Yeah, you did,” replied Dardon.

George Lind Eliminated by Utsab Saha

George Lind raised to 42,000 from the cut-off and was reraised by Utsab Saha in the big blind to a total of 100,000. After counting down his chips, Lind announced that he was reraising all in. Saha paused for only a moment and called. “I like his hand,” Lind said before Saha revealed his cards. Lind turned over the Ah9d and was in second place against Saha’s JJ. The K10632 board brought no help to Lind, and he was eliminated.

Dean Bui Loses Thirty Percent of His Stack to Anthony Signore

Anthony Signore, desperately hanging on to a short stack, moved all in for 124,000 from under-the-gun. The player next to act was Dean Bui, who thought intensely while debating aloud whether or not to call. Bui made the call, and the other players folded. Bui turned over A8, the favorite over Signore’s KQ. The final board read K10996, and Signore successfully doubled through Bui.

Shane Stacey Eliminates Jesse Maupin and Sends Action to One Remaining Table

Shane Stacey raised to 46,000 from middle position and was immediately reraised all in by Jesse Maupin, who was next to act. The action folded back to Stacey who asked for a count of the remaining amount left to call. When the dealer announced that Stacey only needed to call an additional 52,000, Stacey had a comment. “I raised a random hand, but I can’t fold any two cards for those odds. I apologize in advance,” Stacey told Maupin as he called and turned over 52. Maupin was in front with Q9, but the 863 gave Stacey a flush draw and an inside straight draw. The 4 on the turn sealed the deal, and Maupin was drawing dead against Stacey’s straight.

The players combined into one table of ten to play out until only the nine final players remain.

Ken Hughes Eliminated in Tenth Place, Nine Final Tablists Remain

Shortly into the ten-handed play, Joseph Georges raised to 55,000 from middle position. The action folded to Ken Hughes in the big blind, who announced that he was all in for his remaining 170,000. Georges took several minutes to call, and seemed relieved when Hughes announced that he had a pair. “A pair is fine. That means I have an overcard,” Georges said as he turned over A3. Hughes turned over 99, and the flop was dealt: 1064. The 7 on the turn gave Georges additional straight outs, but the Q on the river sealed the deal and sent the remaining nine players to the final table.

Player Tags: Ray Henson,   Ken Hughes,   Osmin Dardon,   Jesse Maupin,   Dean Bui,   Jose Luis Velador,   Jae Chung,   Shane Stacey,   European Report,   Utsab Saha,   Justin Hoffman,   Anthony Signore

No-Limit Level 18

Jun 18, '08

Blinds/Antes: 6000/12000/1000

Players Remaining: 13 of 2,305

Average Stack:  531,600

Chip Counts:
Jose Velador - 1,410,000
Shane Stacey - 1,020,000
Utsab Saha - 720,000
Jospeh Georges - 643,000
Jae Chung - 580,000
Dean Bui - 390,000
George Lind - 370,000
Justin Huffman - 305,000
Raymond Henson - 290,000
Osmin Dardon - 290,000

Recent Eliminations:
Tim Herbert
Scott Kahler
Courtney Harrington

Big Hands:

Scott Kahler Eliminated by Joseph Georges

After nursing a small stack for the last few levels and occasionally moving all in pre-flop, Scott Kahler was finally picked off by Joseph Georges.  Kahler moved all in from the cut-off for less than 100,000 and was quickly called by Joseph Georges.  Kahler turned over J10, well behind Georges’ QQ.  The A7643 board offered no help to Kahler, and he hit the rail.

Dean Bui Loses a Pot, But Will He Lose the Tournament?

Dean Bui limped for 12,000 in the cut-off, and Shane Stacey followed suit from the button.  The blinds called and checked, and the four players saw a flop of K75.  The action checked to Bui who made a bet of 30,000.  Stacey raised an additional 55,000, causing both blinds to fold.  Bui debated with himself aloud about whether or not to make the call for several minutes before tossing in the additional 55,000.  The 6 on the turn brought a check from Bui and a bet of 110,000 from Stacey.  “If I win this pot I win the tournament,” Bui commented while contemplating his next move.  He elected to fold his hand, and the pot went to Stacey.

Jose Velador Doubles Up Jesse Maupin Before Eliminating Another

A two-hand swing for chip leader Jose Velador ended with a net gain and the elimination of another opponent.  After doubling up Jess Maupin when his pocket eights failed to hold up against Maupin’s ace-king, Velador raised to 42,000 from middle position on the next hand.  Courtney Harrington moved all in over the top from the big blind for a total of 149,000.  Openly fearing that his hand was no good, Velador begrudgingly made the call and Harrington turned over AQ.  “You got ace-jack?” Harrington asked, noticing the disappointed look on Velador’s face.  Harrington’s read was proven correct when Velador turned over AJ.  The 1053 flop didn’t help Velador, but the running Q turn and 2 river gave Velador the nut flush and sent Harrington home.

Player Tags: Jesse Maupin,   Dean Bui,   Courtney Harrington,   Jose Luis Velador,   Scott Kahler

No-Limit Level 17

Jun 18, '08

Blinds/Antes: 5000/10000/1000

Players Remaining: 20 of 2,305

Average Stack:  216,000

Chip Counts:
Jose Velador - 1,340,000
Shane Stacey - 855,000
Jae Chung - 540,000
George Lind - 500,000
Utsab Saha - 460,000
Osmin Dardon - 420,000
Dean Bui - 305,000
Jospeh Georges - 223,000
Ken Hughes - 220,000
Donald Carlton - 215,000

Recent Eliminations:
Ronnie Jackson
Andrew Hoffman
David DeSilva

Big Hands:

George Lind Runs Up Against Aces, Doubles Up Joseph Georges

George Lind raised to 30,000 from middle position in an open pot and the action folded to Joseph Georges in the big blind.  Georges reraised to a total of 100,000 , Lind pushed all in and Georges instantly called, turning over AsAc.  Lind’s 10c10h was in bad shape, and the J8733 board offered no help.  Georges doubled his stack to 444,000.

The Rich Get Richer, the Poor Get Sent Home

Current chip leader Jose Velador raised to 35,000 from his position under-the-gun, and tournament short stack Andrew Hoffman pushed in his remaining 14,000 next to act.  All other players folded, and Velador turned over KK.  Hoffman showed his A10, but the board failed to cooperate with Hoffman’s hand instead offering J8765.

Ray Henson Having an Orbit of Dramatic Swings

Ronnie Jackson raised to 26,000 from under-the-gun, and next to act player Ray Henson called.  The action folded to Shane Stacey in the big blind who also made the call.  The flop came 1043, and Stacey checked.  Jackson bet 60,000, Henson called, and Stacey folded.  The turn brought the 6.  Jackson and Henson got it all in, and when the pot was settled the hands were AK for Jackson and Q10 for Henson.  Although he was already ahead, the 9 on the river completed Henson’s flush and guaranteed Jackson’s elimination.

Moments later Henson got it all in against another player, this time Jae Chung.  The money went into the middle on the turn with a board of K968.  Henson turned over KK for top set, and Chung showed 97 for an open-ended straight draw.  The 10 on the river completed Chung’s straight, and Hensen threw his cards into the muck.  “Zero for Five with kings today,” Hensen lamented as he paid off Chung.

Strong Hands All Around Lead to DeSilva’s Elimination

Ustab Saha open raised for 30,000 from middle position, and David DeSilva moved all in for 140,000 from the button.  George Lind called from the small blind, and Jesse Maupin deliberated for several minutes from the big blind.  “I don’t think I can lay down this hand,” Maupin said as he counted down his remaining chips.  He eventually did fold, later saying he threw away two queens.  Saha folded, and DeSilva turned over AQ which was dominated by Lind’s AK.  The K101097 board made a flush for Lind and eliminated DeSilva.

Player Tags: Jose Luis Velador,   Jae Chung,   Shane Stacey,   European Report

No-Limit Level 16

Jun 18, '08

Blinds/Antes: 4000/8000/1000

Players Remaining: 32 of 2,305

Average Stack:  216,000

Chip Counts:
Jose Velador - 1,320,000
Shane Stacey - 750,000
George Lind - 526,000
Donald Carlton - 360,000
Utsab Saha - 328,000
Dean Bui - 305,000
Ronnie Jackson - 250,000
Osmin Dardon - 241,000
Raymond Henson - 235,000
Jospeh Georges - 235,000

Recent Eliminations:
Robert Jarman

Big Hands:

Scott Sitron Folds a Straight Flush Draw

After checking a facing a bet of 45,000 from his opponent on a board of QJ1010, Scott Sitron deliberated while counting down his chips.  Sitron eventually folded, but revealed one of his hole cards, the 9, to show that he was folding an open-ended straight flush draw.

Utsab Saha Gets Caught in a Pickle, Eliminates Opponent

Shortly after being chided by fellow player Tim Herbert for making too many pre-flop raises, Utsab Saha was back to his old tricks by making it 22,000 to go from his position in the cut-off.  Herbert deliberated from the button before releasing his hand, and Robert Jarman pushed all in for 32,000 from the small blind.  Saha contemplated before making a decision, mentioning that he didn’t want to show his cards.  He made the call and turned over J7, an underdog to Jarman’s 1010.  Saha spiked a jack on the flop, and the KJ843 board failed to improve Jarman’s pair of tens.  Jarman made a less than graceful exit, referring to Saha’s raise and call as a “donk play.”

Tim Herbert Put to the Test by Morgan Machina

Between jabs directed towards Utsab Saha about hand raising criteria, Tim Herbert was put to the test by Morgan Machina.  Machina raised to 24,000 from early position and Herbert made the call from the hijack seat (one to the right of the cut-off).  On a flop of J53, Machina pushed all in for his remaining 90,500, and Herbert went into the tank.  “I almost shoved it in pre-flop,” Herbert lamented as he contemplated calling.  “I don’t even have anything,” he said as he mucked his hand.  Herbert was left with slightly over 120,000 after the hand.

Player Tags: Jose Luis Velador,   European Report

No-Limit Level 14

Jun 18, '08

Note: Players take a twenty-minure break at the end of this level and will return at roughly 7:00 pm local time to resume play in Level 15.

Blinds/Antes: 2,000-4,000 with a 500 ante

Players Left: 66

Chip Leaders:
Jose Velador: 490,000
Donny Carlton: 315,000
Shane Stacey: 265,000
Andy Garza: 241,000
George Lind: 220,000
Richard Toth: 195,000
Scott Sitron: 195,000
Jimmy Tran: 190,000
Joseph Georges: 180,000
Joel Nichols: 170,000
Average Stack: 104,727

Eliminations: Phil Hellmuth, Beth Shak, Shawn Buchanan, Glyn Banks

Big Hands:

Phil Hellmuth Eliminated in 71st Place ($6,604)
Hellmuth Makes Record 65th Cash

Jeff Norman raised to 20,000 on the button and Phil Hellmuth called all in form the short stack for his last 10,000. Hellmuth had been telling the rail all level how card dead he was and how much patience and discipline he had, so here was the big moment...Hellmuth had finally picked his spot.

Hellmuth: QJ
Norman: 1010
Board: A832K

Hellmuth was behind before the flop and failed to improve by the river. Phil Hellmuth was eliminated in 71st place, earning $6,604. This was Hellmuth 65th record WSOP cash.

Jose Velador Wins Monster Pot, Secures Huge Chip Lead

In a heads-up pot, with six-figures already in the middle, Jose Luis Velador made an 85,000 bet on the river and Richard Toth went into the tank. After several minutes of deliberation and counting and recounting his chips, Toth finally made the crying call for more than half of his stack.

Board: KJ954
Velador: KJ
Toth: K

Toth called and flashed a king for top pair while Velador showed top two pair, kings and jacks. Velador raked a monster pot, securing a healthy chip lead with just under 500,000 while Toth dropped down to just over 70,000 after the hand.

Beth Shak Eliminated in 62nd Place ($7,547)

James Lohmer shoved all in for about 35,000 and Shane Stacey called. Beth Shak called all in behind him for about 15,000 from the big blind. With two of the three players all in and facing elimination, everyone turned over their cards.

Lohmer: AQ
Stacey: AQ
Shak: 54
Board: 885QK

Beth Shak was trailing from the start, but flopped a pair of fives and took the lead. It looked good for her as both of her opponents were sharing a hand, reducing their outs, but a queen on the turn menat Shak was redrawing very slim. The river missed her and Both Stacey and Lohmer split the pot. Beth Shak was eliminated in 62nd place, earning $7,547.

Player Tags: Phil Hellmuth,   Beth Shak,   Richard Toth,   Jose Luis Velador

$1,500 NL Hold'em - Jose Velador Wins Event No. 32

Jun 19, '08

Jose Velador Wins Event No. 32 ($573,734)

Anthony Signore moved all in and Jose Velador made the call. Signore showed A6 but was behind to Velador's A7. The board ran out A10736 and Velador is a new WSOP champion. Anthony Signore finished in second place, earning $366,387.

 

 

 

 

 

Player Tags: Jose Luis Velador,   Anthony Signore

$1,500 NL Hold'em - Heads Up

Jun 19, '08

Blinds/Antes: 20,000/40,000 with a 5,000 ante.

Players Remaining: 2 of 2,305

Chip Counts:

Jose Velador - 4,550,000
Anthony Signore - 2,500,000

Recent Eliminations: Osmin Dardon (3rd Place)

Big Hands:

Predictably Slow Play

As expected, the fast paced bustouts have created a three-handed deep stacked situation at the final table. Of course, only one of the players is deep, deep stacked, but each of the three finalists is in no hurry to play a big pot without the cards to back it up.

Osmin Dardon Eliminated in Third Place ($243,734)

Jose Velador raised to 100,000 and Osmin Dardon reraised to 300,000. Velador moved all in and Dardon called. Velador held QQ and was racing against Dardon's AK. The board ran out J72109 and Velador's flush eliminated Dardon in third place.

Heads Up Play Begins

Jose Velador - 5.8 million
Anthony Signore - 1.1 million

Anthony Signore Doubles Up

On the short stack Anthony Signore gets it all in with A9 against Jose Velador's pocket sevens. The board comes KKKAQ and Signore doubled to 2.5 million. Velador still holds a 2-1 chip lead with 4.5 million.

Jose Velador Takes It Back

After getting almost even, Anthony Signore made a mistep to give Jose Velador back his monster chip lead. Velador raised to 125,000 and Signore called. The flop came AJ9 and Singore bet 200,000. Velador called and the turn was the 7. This time, Velador bet 400,000 and Signore thought for a bit before calling. The river was the Q and Signore bet 600,000. Velador quickly announced all in to take the pot. Signore lost almost 1.4 million on the hand.

 

Player Tags: Osmin Dardon,   Jose Luis Velador,   Anthony Signore

$1,500 NL Hold'em - Down To Three

Jun 19, '08

Blinds/Antes: 15,000/30,000 with a 4,000 ante.

Players Remaining:  4 of 2,305

Chip Counts:

Jose Velador - 4,750,000
Osmin Dardon - 1,200,000
Anthony Signore - 860,000

Recent Eliminations:   Shane Stacey (5th Place), Jae Chung (4th Place)

Big Hands:

Shane Stacey Eliminated in Fifth Place ($166,682)

Shane Stacey and Osmin "Odie" Dardon got it all in on a flop of Q98. Dardon showed down pocket tens, but was behind to Stacey's AQ. The turn was the 6 giving Dardon more straight outs, and he connected when the river was the 7. Stacey was eliminated in fifth place.

Jae Chung Eliminated in Fourth Place ($204,427)

Jae Chung was all in preflop for his last 280,000 and both Osmin Dardon and Jose Velador made the call. They both checked down a board of KJ2J4 and split the pot when they both showed K-10. Chung couldn't beat it and he was eliminated in fourth place.

NOTE: The players then took a 20-minute break.

 

 

Player Tags: Osmin Dardon,   Jose Luis Velador,   Jae Chung,   Shane Stacey,   Anthony Signore

$1,500 NL Hold'em - Velador Crushing

Jun 19, '08

Blinds/Antes: 15,000/30,000 with a 4,000 ante.

Players Remaining:  5 of 2,305

Chip Counts:

Jose Velador - 4,550,000
Jae Chung - 739,000
Osmin Dardon - 638,000
Shane Stacey - 576,000
Anthony Signore - 438,000

Recent Eliminations:  Dany Georges (7th Place), Dean Bui (6th Place)

Big Hands:

Dany Georges Eliminated in Seventh Place ($100,638)

Dany Georges open shoved all in for 488,000 from middle position and Dean Bui called from the blinds with pocket sixes. Georges showed AJ, but the board came K10373 to eliminate him in seventh place.

Dean Bui Eliminated in Sixth Place ($132,088)

In a massive cooler during a battle of the blinds, Dean Bui limped in the small blind and Jose Velador raised to 79,000. Bui called and the flop came K107. Bui checked and Velador bet 90,000. Bui decided to just call and the turn was the 4. Both players checked and the river was the 9. Bui bet 255,000 and Velador put him all in. Bui called instantly, turning over a set of tens, but Velador held the better hand with a set of kings. Bui was eliminated in sixth place.

Player Tags: Dean Bui,   Jose Luis Velador,   Dany Georges

$1,500 NL Hold'em - Saha Eliminated

Jun 19, '08

Blinds/Antes: 15,000/30,000 with a 4,000 ante.

Players Remaining:  7 of 2,305

Chip Counts:

Jose Velador - 3,200,000
Dany Georges - 770,000
Jae Chung - 800,000
Anthony Signore - 540,000
Shane Stacey - 640,000
Osmin Dardon - 900,000
Dean Bui - 360,000

Recent Eliminations:

Big Hands:

Utsab Saha Eliminated in Eighth Place ($77,051)

Jose Velador raised to 60,000 and Utsab Saha minraised to 120,000 from the big blind. Velador reraised to 370,000 and Saha moved all in. Velador called with pocket queens and Saha was in trouble with A10. The board came KJJ26 and Saha was eliminated in eighth place.

More Slow Play

Another level down, and only another 16 hands to show for it. These guys are just flat out playing slow.

NOTE: The players then took a 20-minute break and the end of the level.

 

Player Tags: Jose Luis Velador,   Utsab Saha

No-Limit Level - Final Table Set

Jun 18, '08

Note: Play has ended for the day. The remaining nine final tablists will reconvene tomorrow to crown a winner.

Blinds/Antes: 8000/16000

Players Remaining: 9 of 2,305

Average Stack: 650,000

Chip Counts:
Jose Velador - 1,898,000
Jospeh Georges - 1,202,000
Utsab Saha - 964,000
Jae Chung - 720,000
Anthony Signore - 701,000
Shane Stacey - 653,000
Osmin Dardon - 487,000
Dean Bui - 217,000
Justin Huffman - 150,000

Recent Eliminations:
Ken Hughes (Tenth place - $34,594)
Jesse Maupin (Eleventh place - $34,594)
George Lind (Twelfth place - $34,594)
Ray Henson (Thirteenth place - $26,732)

Big Hands:

Osmin Dardon Makes Joseph Georges Lay Down the Best Hand?

On a board of KQ5, Joseph Georges checked to Osmin Dardon who made a bet of 60,000. Georges called, nearly beating Dardon to the flop, and checked again when the 3d fell on the turn. Dardon moved all in for 241,000, and Georges went into the tank. After several minutes of thought, Georges folded his hand. “I think I folded the best hand,” Georges said as the dealer pushed the pot to Dardon. “Yeah, you did,” replied Dardon.

George Lind Eliminated by Utsab Saha

George Lind raised to 42,000 from the cut-off and was reraised by Utsab Saha in the big blind to a total of 100,000. After counting down his chips, Lind announced that he was reraising all in. Saha paused for only a moment and called. “I like his hand,” Lind said before Saha revealed his cards. Lind turned over the Ah9d and was in second place against Saha’s JJ. The K10632 board brought no help to Lind, and he was eliminated.

Dean Bui Loses Thirty Percent of His Stack to Anthony Signore

Anthony Signore, desperately hanging on to a short stack, moved all in for 124,000 from under-the-gun. The player next to act was Dean Bui, who thought intensely while debating aloud whether or not to call. Bui made the call, and the other players folded. Bui turned over A8, the favorite over Signore’s KQ. The final board read K10996, and Signore successfully doubled through Bui.

Shane Stacey Eliminates Jesse Maupin and Sends Action to One Remaining Table

Shane Stacey raised to 46,000 from middle position and was immediately reraised all in by Jesse Maupin, who was next to act. The action folded back to Stacey who asked for a count of the remaining amount left to call. When the dealer announced that Stacey only needed to call an additional 52,000, Stacey had a comment. “I raised a random hand, but I can’t fold any two cards for those odds. I apologize in advance,” Stacey told Maupin as he called and turned over 52. Maupin was in front with Q9, but the 863 gave Stacey a flush draw and an inside straight draw. The 4 on the turn sealed the deal, and Maupin was drawing dead against Stacey’s straight.

The players combined into one table of ten to play out until only the nine final players remain.

Ken Hughes Eliminated in Tenth Place, Nine Final Tablists Remain

Shortly into the ten-handed play, Joseph Georges raised to 55,000 from middle position. The action folded to Ken Hughes in the big blind, who announced that he was all in for his remaining 170,000. Georges took several minutes to call, and seemed relieved when Hughes announced that he had a pair. “A pair is fine. That means I have an overcard,” Georges said as he turned over A3. Hughes turned over 99, and the flop was dealt: 1064. The 7 on the turn gave Georges additional straight outs, but the Q on the river sealed the deal and sent the remaining nine players to the final table.

Player Tags: Ray Henson,   Ken Hughes,   Osmin Dardon,   Jesse Maupin,   Dean Bui,   Jose Luis Velador,   Jae Chung,   Shane Stacey,   European Report,   Utsab Saha,   Justin Hoffman,   Anthony Signore

No-Limit Level 18

Jun 18, '08

Blinds/Antes: 6000/12000/1000

Players Remaining: 13 of 2,305

Average Stack:  531,600

Chip Counts:
Jose Velador - 1,410,000
Shane Stacey - 1,020,000
Utsab Saha - 720,000
Jospeh Georges - 643,000
Jae Chung - 580,000
Dean Bui - 390,000
George Lind - 370,000
Justin Huffman - 305,000
Raymond Henson - 290,000
Osmin Dardon - 290,000

Recent Eliminations:
Tim Herbert
Scott Kahler
Courtney Harrington

Big Hands:

Scott Kahler Eliminated by Joseph Georges

After nursing a small stack for the last few levels and occasionally moving all in pre-flop, Scott Kahler was finally picked off by Joseph Georges.  Kahler moved all in from the cut-off for less than 100,000 and was quickly called by Joseph Georges.  Kahler turned over J10, well behind Georges’ QQ.  The A7643 board offered no help to Kahler, and he hit the rail.

Dean Bui Loses a Pot, But Will He Lose the Tournament?

Dean Bui limped for 12,000 in the cut-off, and Shane Stacey followed suit from the button.  The blinds called and checked, and the four players saw a flop of K75.  The action checked to Bui who made a bet of 30,000.  Stacey raised an additional 55,000, causing both blinds to fold.  Bui debated with himself aloud about whether or not to make the call for several minutes before tossing in the additional 55,000.  The 6 on the turn brought a check from Bui and a bet of 110,000 from Stacey.  “If I win this pot I win the tournament,” Bui commented while contemplating his next move.  He elected to fold his hand, and the pot went to Stacey.

Jose Velador Doubles Up Jesse Maupin Before Eliminating Another

A two-hand swing for chip leader Jose Velador ended with a net gain and the elimination of another opponent.  After doubling up Jess Maupin when his pocket eights failed to hold up against Maupin’s ace-king, Velador raised to 42,000 from middle position on the next hand.  Courtney Harrington moved all in over the top from the big blind for a total of 149,000.  Openly fearing that his hand was no good, Velador begrudgingly made the call and Harrington turned over AQ.  “You got ace-jack?” Harrington asked, noticing the disappointed look on Velador’s face.  Harrington’s read was proven correct when Velador turned over AJ.  The 1053 flop didn’t help Velador, but the running Q turn and 2 river gave Velador the nut flush and sent Harrington home.

Player Tags: Jesse Maupin,   Dean Bui,   Courtney Harrington,   Jose Luis Velador,   Scott Kahler

No-Limit Level 17

Jun 18, '08

Blinds/Antes: 5000/10000/1000

Players Remaining: 20 of 2,305

Average Stack:  216,000

Chip Counts:
Jose Velador - 1,340,000
Shane Stacey - 855,000
Jae Chung - 540,000
George Lind - 500,000
Utsab Saha - 460,000
Osmin Dardon - 420,000
Dean Bui - 305,000
Jospeh Georges - 223,000
Ken Hughes - 220,000
Donald Carlton - 215,000

Recent Eliminations:
Ronnie Jackson
Andrew Hoffman
David DeSilva

Big Hands:

George Lind Runs Up Against Aces, Doubles Up Joseph Georges

George Lind raised to 30,000 from middle position in an open pot and the action folded to Joseph Georges in the big blind.  Georges reraised to a total of 100,000 , Lind pushed all in and Georges instantly called, turning over AsAc.  Lind’s 10c10h was in bad shape, and the J8733 board offered no help.  Georges doubled his stack to 444,000.

The Rich Get Richer, the Poor Get Sent Home

Current chip leader Jose Velador raised to 35,000 from his position under-the-gun, and tournament short stack Andrew Hoffman pushed in his remaining 14,000 next to act.  All other players folded, and Velador turned over KK.  Hoffman showed his A10, but the board failed to cooperate with Hoffman’s hand instead offering J8765.

Ray Henson Having an Orbit of Dramatic Swings

Ronnie Jackson raised to 26,000 from under-the-gun, and next to act player Ray Henson called.  The action folded to Shane Stacey in the big blind who also made the call.  The flop came 1043, and Stacey checked.  Jackson bet 60,000, Henson called, and Stacey folded.  The turn brought the 6.  Jackson and Henson got it all in, and when the pot was settled the hands were AK for Jackson and Q10 for Henson.  Although he was already ahead, the 9 on the river completed Henson’s flush and guaranteed Jackson’s elimination.

Moments later Henson got it all in against another player, this time Jae Chung.  The money went into the middle on the turn with a board of K968.  Henson turned over KK for top set, and Chung showed 97 for an open-ended straight draw.  The 10 on the river completed Chung’s straight, and Hensen threw his cards into the muck.  “Zero for Five with kings today,” Hensen lamented as he paid off Chung.

Strong Hands All Around Lead to DeSilva’s Elimination

Ustab Saha open raised for 30,000 from middle position, and David DeSilva moved all in for 140,000 from the button.  George Lind called from the small blind, and Jesse Maupin deliberated for several minutes from the big blind.  “I don’t think I can lay down this hand,” Maupin said as he counted down his remaining chips.  He eventually did fold, later saying he threw away two queens.  Saha folded, and DeSilva turned over AQ which was dominated by Lind’s AK.  The K101097 board made a flush for Lind and eliminated DeSilva.

Player Tags: Jose Luis Velador,   Jae Chung,   Shane Stacey,   European Report

No-Limit Level 16

Jun 18, '08

Blinds/Antes: 4000/8000/1000

Players Remaining: 32 of 2,305

Average Stack:  216,000

Chip Counts:
Jose Velador - 1,320,000
Shane Stacey - 750,000
George Lind - 526,000
Donald Carlton - 360,000
Utsab Saha - 328,000
Dean Bui - 305,000
Ronnie Jackson - 250,000
Osmin Dardon - 241,000
Raymond Henson - 235,000
Jospeh Georges - 235,000

Recent Eliminations:
Robert Jarman

Big Hands:

Scott Sitron Folds a Straight Flush Draw

After checking a facing a bet of 45,000 from his opponent on a board of QJ1010, Scott Sitron deliberated while counting down his chips.  Sitron eventually folded, but revealed one of his hole cards, the 9, to show that he was folding an open-ended straight flush draw.

Utsab Saha Gets Caught in a Pickle, Eliminates Opponent

Shortly after being chided by fellow player Tim Herbert for making too many pre-flop raises, Utsab Saha was back to his old tricks by making it 22,000 to go from his position in the cut-off.  Herbert deliberated from the button before releasing his hand, and Robert Jarman pushed all in for 32,000 from the small blind.  Saha contemplated before making a decision, mentioning that he didn’t want to show his cards.  He made the call and turned over J7, an underdog to Jarman’s 1010.  Saha spiked a jack on the flop, and the KJ843 board failed to improve Jarman’s pair of tens.  Jarman made a less than graceful exit, referring to Saha’s raise and call as a “donk play.”

Tim Herbert Put to the Test by Morgan Machina

Between jabs directed towards Utsab Saha about hand raising criteria, Tim Herbert was put to the test by Morgan Machina.  Machina raised to 24,000 from early position and Herbert made the call from the hijack seat (one to the right of the cut-off).  On a flop of J53, Machina pushed all in for his remaining 90,500, and Herbert went into the tank.  “I almost shoved it in pre-flop,” Herbert lamented as he contemplated calling.  “I don’t even have anything,” he said as he mucked his hand.  Herbert was left with slightly over 120,000 after the hand.

Player Tags: Jose Luis Velador,   European Report

No-Limit Level 14

Jun 18, '08

Note: Players take a twenty-minure break at the end of this level and will return at roughly 7:00 pm local time to resume play in Level 15.

Blinds/Antes: 2,000-4,000 with a 500 ante

Players Left: 66

Chip Leaders:
Jose Velador: 490,000
Donny Carlton: 315,000
Shane Stacey: 265,000
Andy Garza: 241,000
George Lind: 220,000
Richard Toth: 195,000
Scott Sitron: 195,000
Jimmy Tran: 190,000
Joseph Georges: 180,000
Joel Nichols: 170,000
Average Stack: 104,727

Eliminations: Phil Hellmuth, Beth Shak, Shawn Buchanan, Glyn Banks

Big Hands:

Phil Hellmuth Eliminated in 71st Place ($6,604)
Hellmuth Makes Record 65th Cash

Jeff Norman raised to 20,000 on the button and Phil Hellmuth called all in form the short stack for his last 10,000. Hellmuth had been telling the rail all level how card dead he was and how much patience and discipline he had, so here was the big moment...Hellmuth had finally picked his spot.

Hellmuth: QJ
Norman: 1010
Board: A832K

Hellmuth was behind before the flop and failed to improve by the river. Phil Hellmuth was eliminated in 71st place, earning $6,604. This was Hellmuth 65th record WSOP cash.

Jose Velador Wins Monster Pot, Secures Huge Chip Lead

In a heads-up pot, with six-figures already in the middle, Jose Luis Velador made an 85,000 bet on the river and Richard Toth went into the tank. After several minutes of deliberation and counting and recounting his chips, Toth finally made the crying call for more than half of his stack.

Board: KJ954
Velador: KJ
Toth: K

Toth called and flashed a king for top pair while Velador showed top two pair, kings and jacks. Velador raked a monster pot, securing a healthy chip lead with just under 500,000 while Toth dropped down to just over 70,000 after the hand.

Beth Shak Eliminated in 62nd Place ($7,547)

James Lohmer shoved all in for about 35,000 and Shane Stacey called. Beth Shak called all in behind him for about 15,000 from the big blind. With two of the three players all in and facing elimination, everyone turned over their cards.

Lohmer: AQ
Stacey: AQ
Shak: 54
Board: 885QK

Beth Shak was trailing from the start, but flopped a pair of fives and took the lead. It looked good for her as both of her opponents were sharing a hand, reducing their outs, but a queen on the turn menat Shak was redrawing very slim. The river missed her and Both Stacey and Lohmer split the pot. Beth Shak was eliminated in 62nd place, earning $7,547.

Player Tags: Phil Hellmuth,   Beth Shak,   Richard Toth,   Jose Luis Velador