Scotty Nguyen - Live Updates

End of Day 1B

Sep 05, '09

What a day it has been here in Casino Barcelona on the second starting day of the PokerStars European Poker Tour Barcelona. With so many pros out today, it was bound to be exciting. Daniel Negreanu had a rollercoaster ride of a day, Lex Veldhuis soared onwards and upwards, while others such as William Thorson, Peter Eastgate, Vanessa Rousso, and Scotty Nguyen failed to make the cut.

Official chip counts will be posted as soon as they have been released from PokerStars.

Join us again tomorrow for day 2 of the event as both starting day’s survivors conjoin and start on that long and winding road towards first place. We will be here once again with all the latest from Barcelona, but if it’s hard to wait until 12:30 p.m. CEST (4:30 a.m. PDT) tomorrow, then there is always our recap of the day which will be up on the site shortly.

Player Tags: Scotty Nguyen

Level 13 Update

Aug 24, '09

Blinds: 1,500-3,000 with a 400 ante

Players Remaining: 34 out of 279

Chip Counts:

1. Bryan Devonshire — 640,000
2. Prahlad Friedman — 550,000
3. Toto Leonidas — 550,000
4. James Mackey — 495,000
5. Bob Lauria — 475,000
6. Tony Gargano — 390,000
7. Steven Begleiter — 365,000
8. Eugene Katchalov — 340,000
9. Kevin Schaffel — 305,000
10. Sam Stein — 300,000

Average Chip Count: 246,176

Notable Eliminations:

Michael Kamran
Allen Kessler
Scotty Nguyen

Hand of the Level:

Scotty Nguyen Eliminated

Stan Jablonski raised to 6,500 preflop from middle position and Sergei Veyster reraised to 15,500 from late position. Scotty Nguyen reraised all in for 36,500 total from the button and Jablonski went into the tank. He made the call and Veyster made the call as well. Their cards:

Jablonski: AA
Veyster: AA
Nguyen: QQ

Board: 63287

Nguyen was eliminated on the hand and Jablonski and Veyster split the pot. Jablonski held 90,000 after the hand and Veryster held 240,000.

Level Summary

Play has slowed as the money bubble approaches. The field dropped down to 34 players and the top 27 will all walk away with prize money. The plan for today is constantly changing, but the current plan is to keep going for five levels of 18 players, whichever comes first.

The last level was particularly rough for Billy Baxter, who saw his stack fall from the top 10. He now holds 62,000 and the seven-time bracelet winner and member of the poker hall of fame is in danger of missing the money.

Player Tags: Scotty Nguyen,   Billy Baxter

Level 4 Hour 1 Update: Howard Lederer Short Stacked

Jul 05, '09

Blinds: 150-300 with a 25 ante

Chip Counts:

1. Jeff Lisandro – 131,000
2. Andy Seth — 110,000
3. Tsi Chen — 95,700
4. Hevad Khan — 94,000
5. Lenny Coretillino — 90,000
6. Christian Heich — 85,000
7. Igor Barukhov — 84,000
8. Joe Hachem — 82,000
9. Amnon Philippi — 80,000
10. Marc Naalden — 80,000

Card Player Chip Counts:

Matt Matros — 30,000

Notable Eliminations:

Jamie Gold
Sirous Jamshidi

Big Hands

Lee Watkinson vs. Scotty Nguyen

The player in seat 2 raises to 600 before the flop, Scotty Nguyen reraises to 1,800 from late position, Lee Watkinson calls from the button as does the original raisesr. The flop comes A63, Nguyen bets 2,000, Watkinson calls and seat 2 folds. The turn is the 5, and this time both players check. The river is the 6, Nguyen bets 2,000 and Watkinson calls. Nguyen turns over JJ while Watkinson shows QQ. Watkinson rakes the pot, building his stack up to 72,000 while Nguyen falls down to 50,000 this hand.

Lisandro Adds To His Lead

The player in the small blind completes the bet and Jeff Lisandro checks his option from the big blind. The flop comes AJ8, Lisandro bets 600 and the small blind calls. The turn is the 8, and both players check around. The river is the J, and this time the small blind leads out for 1,750. Lisandro raises to 5,750 and the small blind calls. The small blind turned over A8 for a full house on the turn, but Lisandro turns over J5 for a better full house on the river. Lisandro rakes the pot, adding to his lead with 132,000 in chips after this hand.

Howard Lederer Saves Money on River

On a board of 4228, Howard Lederer check-called a bet of 2,200 by a player on the button. The 8 fell on the river, putting two pair on board and Lederer once again checked. His opponent went into the tank before finally exposing pocket jacks. Lederer flashed his pocket tens and saved money when the board doubled paired on the end. Lederer is at just 12,0775.

Sirous Jamshidi Eliminated

On a flop of 1094, Sirous Jamshedi gets it all in against one opponent.

Jamshidi: 109
Opponent: AA

Jamshidi gets it in good after flopping top two pair, and the turn is the 5. The river is the 4, pairing the board and giving his opponent aces up. Sirous Jamshidi is eliminated from the tournament.

Eric Liu Loses Small Pot

On a flop of 874, Eric Liu bet 1,100 from the button and a player in early position made the call. The 9 hit the turn and action was checked to Liu again. Liu fired out a bet of 3,500 and was quickly called by his opponent. The 2 fell on the river and the player once again checked to Liu. Liu elected to check behind and his opponent tabled the 87 for middle pair. Liu mucked and is at 34,000.

Player Tags: Andrew Wang,   Scotty Nguyen,   Howard Lederer,   Jeffrey Lisandro,   Sirous Jamshidi

Level 3 Hour 2 Update: Lisandro Rolling Through Day 1

Jul 05, '09

Blinds: 150-300

Chip Counts:

1. Jeff Lisandro – 125,000
2. Tsai Chen – 96,000
3. Hevad Khan – 94,000
4. Igor Borukhov – 84,000
5. Yan Chen – 80,500
6. Marc Naalden – 79,000
7. David Singer – 78,000
8. Andy Seth – 75,000
9. Suzie Lederer – 73,000
10. Paul Magriel – 68,700

Card Player Chip Counts:

Matt Matros – 24,500

Notable Eliminations:

Tom Dwan Sr.
Lacey Jones

Big Hands:

Griffin On The Good Side of The Flip, Eliminates Opponent

A player under-the-gun raised to 900 and there were a few callers. The action got to Gavin Griffin in the big blind who three-bet him and the under the gun caller instantly moved in the rest of his stack for about 10,000. The action folded back to Griffin who called instantly.

The two players were off to the races as Griffin showed AK and was up against the QQ. The board ran out 10J45Q giving Griffin the nut straight and the pot.

Alex Jacob Makes a Value Bet With the Worst Hand

From early position, Alex Jacob raised to 750 and the player directly to his left made the call. Everybody else got out of the way and the flop was 2210 and both players checked. The turn was the 5 and both players checked again.

The river was the A and Jacobs bet 1,000. His opponent sighed and tossed in the call. Jacobs turned over A6 and was out-kicked by his opponent who showed AJ.

Senior Durrrr Eliminated

Tom Dwan Sr., father of high stakes player Tom “Durrrr” Dwan, has been eliminated from the main event as his AK was all in preflop against his opponent’s AA.

The board bricked out for Dwan and he was sent home in the third level. Hopefully his son will have some pointers for him when he gets home.

Must Be Nice to be Named Jeff Lisandro

Jeff Lisandro was a part of a six-way limped pot. The flop came down K85 and action was checked to Lisandro. He bet 700 and the player in seat 1 called. Everyone else mucked and the turn was the 6. Lisandro firqed 2,100 and it was called again by seat 1. The river was the 2 and Lisandro thought long and hard on how much to bet.

He finally decided on 4,000 and the call was made. Lisandro then tabled 88 for a flopped set and seat 1 mucked. Lisandro took the pot and was around 90,000.

A little later on, the action is picked up on a flop of Q710. The small blind led out for 3,100 and is met with a raise all in of 7,400. Lisandro then puts out enough chips to put the original bettor all in.

The player then goes into the tank for several minutes. He pointed to the 7 and asked Lisandro if he had a set. After three minutes or so, he begrudgingly tossed in his chips. Lisandro turned up AA, but was behind both players as the original bettor had Q10 and the shorter all in player had QQ.

The turn was the J, giving Lisandro a straight draw and a flush draw and the river hit Lisandro square in the face as the K fell, giving Lisandro a straight and the pot. He now has crossed the 100,000 chip mark and very well could be the biggest stack in the room.

Deuce-Four Is Good

Isabelle Mercier limped in preflop along with four other players. The flop then fell 774 and the small blind led out with 800. Mercier and the button were the only callers. The turn was the K and all three players checked. They did the same when the Q fell on the river.

The small blind then showed 24 for two pair and Mercier mucked, as did the button. Mercier was still doing well with around 70,000.

“What A Game”

After a flop of K82, the small blind checked the action to Ylon Schwartz. He bet 1,025 and the small blind called. The turn was the 6 and action was checked again to Schwartz. He bet 2,425 and the small blind called again. The river was the A and Schwartz bet 5,025 after it was checked to him again.

The small blind called and Schwartz tabled AK for top two pair. The small blind then showed AK for the same hand and after all of those fireworks, the players chopped the pot. “What a game,” Schwartz commented after the hand. Schwartz was at 31,000.

The Magic Man Takes On The Prince

Scotty Nguyen raised to 900 from the button preflop and Antonio Tarver made the call from the small blind. The big blind mucked and the two players saw a flop of 743. Tarver led out with 1,500 and the action was on Nguyen. “You outflopped me, baby,” Nguyen told Tarver. He then mucked AQ face up and Tarver took the pot. Tarver was a little under 15,000 while Nguyen was at 47,000.

Watkinson With The Flush

After a flop of QQ5, the player in seat 2 bet 1,200 and Antonio Tarver mucked from the button. Lee Watkinson made the call from the big blind and the 7 fell on the turn. Both players checked and the 4 dropped on the river. Watkinson led out for 3,000 and seat 2 made the call.

Watkinson tabled 93 for a rivered flush and took the pot. He was at 63,000.

Left In The Deck:

The official number of entrants for day 1c has just been released. Today’s number is 1,697 players, bringing the total number of players for the main event is 3,686 so far, with one more day 1 to play. By comparison, day 1c last year brought 1,928 players to the Rio.

Players will be taking a 90 minute dinner break at the end of the level and will return at 8:15 to resume play.

Player Tags: Lee Watkinson,   Scotty Nguyen,   Jeffrey Lisandro,   Gavin Griffin,   Isabelle Mercier,   Ylon Schwartz,   Alex Jacob,   Antonio Tarver

Level 2 Hour 2 Update: Daniel Negreanu Eliminated

Jul 05, '09

Blinds: 100-200

Chip Counts:

1. Yan Chen – 79,500
2. Frank Kassela – 69,500
3. Andy Seth – 69,000
4. David Singer – 68,000
5. Suzie Lederer – 68,000
6. James Vanderhaar – 63,200
7. Paul Magriel – 63,200
8. David Baker – 60,000
9. Kevin Tokimesa – 60,000
10. Justin Smith – 56,500

CardPlayer Chip Counts:

Matt Matros – 25,000

Notable Eliminations:

Daniel Negreanu
David Saab
David Chicotsky
Evelyn Ng
Chino Rheem

Big Hands:

Daniel Negreanu Eliminated

Daniel Negreanu called a raise preflop and his opponent bet 4,200 on a flop of 10710.

Negreanu moved all in for 6,075 and his opponent made the call. Negreanu tabled 33 and was behind the QQ of his opponent. The turn was the 6 and the river was the J, ending Neagreanu’s World Series for this year.

As soon as Negreanu busted, the spectator area seemed to clear out as many fans left disappointed to see “Kid Poker” no longer in the main event.

Tarver Takes A Pot

After the board ran out A106210, Antonio Tarver and his opponent each checked their option. Tarver then showed down QQ and took down the pot.

“I turned a flush draw,” his opponent said. Tarver took the pot but was still relatively short with 12,000.

Scotty Knocks One Out

Scotty Nguyen raised to 600 from the cutoff and the player on the button immediately moved all in for 4,200 total. The blinds mucked and Nguyen made the call. The button turned over 77 and Nguyen was racing with 109. The flop came J49 and Nguyen took the lead. The turn was the 8, giving the button a straight draw, but also eliminating a seven as one of his outs as it would make Nguyen a straight.

The river paired the board with the 8 and Nguyen scored the knockout. He took the pot and was at 60,000 in chips.

Miami John Scores A Pot

Picking up the action on the turn, the board showed A3910. The small blind was first to act, but did nothing for a while. This gave time for the ESPN cameras to swarm the table and the dealer finally informed the small blind the action was on him. He checked and John Cernuto bet 6,000 into the pot. The small blind mucked and Cernuto took the pot, his stack at 33,000 after the win.

Liz Lieu Trips Up Opponent In Battle Of The Blinds

Picking up the action after the river, the board read K46A4 and the small blind checked to Liz Lieu. She was in the big blind and she bet out 5,000 into the pot. The small blind called and Lieu tabled 54 for trip fours.

The small blind mucked and Lieu took in the pot. She was at 40,000 after the hand.

Good Bet From Mercier Takes It Down

With 1,500 in the pot preflop, the flop came down 923 and Isabelle Mercier fired 800. The button made the call and the turn brought the K. Mercier led out again, this time with 1,250. “It’s a good bet,” the button said as he released his hand. Mercier took the pot and she was at 53,000.

Evelyn Ng Busts Out

Evelyn Ng was short stacked and moved all in with A5. She was called by one opponent who tabled pocket jacks. The flop came Q83, giving Ng very little help. The turn was the 8 and Ng could only double up by hitting an ace on the river.

The river brought the 9 and Ng was sent to the rail, ending her main event early in day 1c.

Filippi Gets No Action For His Aces

After a flop of J83, the player in the big blind checked to Amnon Filippi, who fired 800 into the pot. The big blind mucked and the pot was pushed toward Filippi.

“Ah, one time,” Filippi said in a frustrated tone. He then tabled AA. Despite getting no action, Filippi was doing well with 44,000 in chips.

Riding The Griffin

Picking up the action on the river, the board read 85310J. There was 6,000 in the pot and Gavin Griffin checked to the player on the button. He bet 5,000 and Griffin took a few moments to think about what to do.

When he finally announced a call, the button said, “I have a five.” Griffin then tabled 99 for a better hand and raked in the pot. He was at 57,000 after taking the pot.

Bill Chen Muscled Out

Picking up the action on the turn, the board read J7K6. The small blind bet 3,000 into a pot of 6,000. Bill Chen made the call from late position and the river was the 3. The small blind led out again, this time with 9,000. Chen mucked his hand and he was at 31,000.

Double Up With A Bullet

The player on the button raised to 1,200 preflop and the small blind folded. Maya Gellar was next to act in the big blind and she moved in for her final 16,000. The button made the call and tabled KK. Normally that’s a bad hand to go up against, but not when you are holding AA as Gellar was.

The board ran out Q6378 and Gellar’s pair of bullets held up. She doubled up to 35,000 in chips.

Hachem Cracks The Cowboys

A player raised to 650 preflop and Joe Hachem made the call. The flop came down 974 and the player fired 950. Hachem called again and the turn was the 3. Hachem called another bet by his opponent, this one 2,200. The river was the 4 and action was checked to Hachem. He bet 6,200 and his opponent called.

Hachem then tabled 54 for trip fours and his opponent showed KK for the losing hand. Hachem took the pot and he was at 38,000.

Fish Hooks Hold for McEvoy

Tom McEvoy raised preflop after a limper from the cutoff and was called by the button, the small blind and the limper.

The flop was AA3 and all four players checked. The turn was the 7 and it was checked to the player on the button who bet 750 and was called by McEvoy.

The river was the 2 and both players checked. McEvoy showed JJ and the player on the button mucked.

Player Tags: Scotty Nguyen,   Evelyn Ng,   Daniel Negreanu,   Gavin Griffin,   Amnon Filippi,   Isabelle Mercier,   Liz Lieu,   Joe Hachem,   Antonio Tarver,   Maya Gellar-Antonius

Level 1 Hour 2 Update: Lederer Gets Going

Jul 05, '09

Blinds: 50-100

Chip Counts:

1. Yan Chen – 85,500
2. James Vanderhaar – 71,000
3. Andy Seth – 65,000
4. Kevin Tokimesa – 60,000
5. John Juanda – 45,000
6. Terrence Chan – 44,000
7. Matt Savage – 43,000
8. John Monnette – 41,000
9. Lee Watkinson – 40,000
10. Scotty Nguyen – 39,000

CardPlayer Chip Counts:

Matt Matros – 25,000

Notable Eliminations:

None

Big Hands:

Watkinson Has Ducks Shot Down

After four players limped in preflop, the flop fell 1092. The action was checked to seat 6 who bet 500. Lee Watkinson made the call and seat 3 called from the button. Antonio Tarver folded from the big blind and the turn was the 8. Everyone checked and the river was the 6.

Action was checked to Watkinson who bet 1,500. Seat 3 made the call and seat 6 mucked his hand. Watkinson then tabled 22 for a set of ducks, but seat 3 showed 87 for a rivered straight and took the pot. Watkinson was down to 32,000.

Boeree Drops Some Chips

After the board ran out A1069K, a player bet 3,100 and Liv Boeree made the call. The opponent then showed down AK for top two pair and Boeree had no choice but to muck her hand.

After dropping the pot, Boeree was down to 21,000 in chips.

Class Begins

A player in late position raised to 300 preflop and action got around to Howard Lederer. He repopped it to 1,000 and the small blind called. The big blind came along as well and the original raiser followed suit, making the pot worth 4,000.

The flop then came 984 and the small blind led out with 2,200. The big blind mucked, as did the late position player. Lederer made the call and the turn was the A. The small blind checked and Lederer bet 3,500. The small blind finally gave it up and Lederer took the pot, putting his stack around 40,000.

McEvoy Unsuccessful In His Bluff Attempt

Tom McEvoy limped in from middle position and then called a raise to 400 from the player directly to his left. They took the flop heads-up of 788. McEvoy checked and called 650 from his opponent. Both players checked when the K fell on the turn and watched the K fall on the river.

Now McEvoy leads out for 1,500 and is instantly called by his opponent. McEvoy turns up J10 for a busted straight draw and his opponent showed AQ, good for ace-high and the pot.

Liz Lieu’s Two Pair Flushed Away

Liz Lieu bet 2,000 on the river into an already bloated pot on a board that read 86JA10. Her opponent then raised her to 6,000 and Lieu went into the tank.

While the ESPN cameras rushed over to catch a glimpse of her decision, she eventually decided to toss in enough chips to make the call. Her opponent showed her 97, good for a flush and Lieu just sighed as she flashed A6, good for two pair.

Chen Puts in the Third Raise, Wins The Pot

Bill Chen raised to 250 preflop and gets two callers. The flop was 104Q. After the first player checked, Chen bet 600 and was met with a raise to 1,500.

The third party got out of the way and without any hesitation, Chen pulled his original bet back and tossed out four yellow chips, as he made it 4,000 to go. It seemed as if as soon as Chen’s chips hit the felt, his opponent’s cards hit the muck and Chen raked the pot.

You’re So Lucky Baby

The player in seat 5 raised to 300 from early position and Scotty Nguyen called from the next seat over. The player in seat 9 called from the cutoff and the three players saw a flop of 653. Action was checked to the cutoff who bet 500. Seat 5 mucked but Nguyen made the call. The turn was the 4 and both players checked. The river brought the A and Nguyen led out for 1,000.

The cutoff mucked and Nguyen tabled KJ for a flopped flush. “You know how lucky you are baby?” Nguyen said as he raked in the pot. He was at 46,000.

Luske Flushes One Out

Picking up the action on the turn with the board reading K863, the player in seat 4 bet 1,600 and Marcel Luske made the call. The river brought the 5 and the action was checked to Luske. He bet 3,000 and seat 4 made the call.

Luske then tabled QJ for a heart flush on the river and seat 4 mucked. Luske took in the pot and was at 42,000.

Player Tags: Lee Watkinson,   Scotty Nguyen,   Howard Lederer,   Marcel Luske,   Liz Lieu,   Antonio Tarver

Level 8 Update: John Juanda, Max Pescatori Eliminated

Jun 27, '09

Flop Games: Blinds – 1,500-3,000, Limits – 3,000-6,000
Stud Games: Ante — 700, Bring-In — 1,000, Completion — 3,000, Limits — 3,000-6,000

Players Remaining: 77 out of 95

Chip Counts:

1. Hasan Habib – 453,000
2. David Bach – 426,000
3. John Kabbaj – 320,000
4. Matt Glantz – 310,000
5. Chris Ferguson – 298,000
6. Frank Kassela – 290,000
7. Huck Seed – 285,000
8. Justin Smith – 265,000
9. Mikhail Tulchinskiy – 262,000
10. Pat Bueno – 250,000

Average Chip Count: 182,692

Notable Eliminations:

Justin Bonomo
Greg Raymer
Jon Juanda
Max Pescatori
Pat Pezzin
Dustin Sitar
Eli Elezra

Big Hands:

Hold’em

She Must Have Hit A Nerve

After a flop of AAJ, Chau Giang checked to Daniel Negreanu and he bet 3,000. Giang made the call. The turn was the J and Giang checked again. Negreanu hardly flinched when Giang fired 6,000 into the pot to call a bet that never came. “What are you doing?” Negreanu asked. What are you calling? I haven’t bet anything."

“I’m sorry,” Giang said. “I’m getting a good massage.” Giang took his chips back and Negreanu checked. “She might have saved me 6,000,” he said. “I don’t think I have much of a chance in this hand.” Giang then fired those same chips into the middle. “I bet dark,” Giang said. Negreanu instantly mucked and the hand was over before the 2 could hit the felt. “It’s so enjoyable,” Giang said about his massage. “I throw the bet in before I have to.” He took in the pot and Giang was at 150,000 while Negreanu was at 240,000.

Party Like It’s 99

Matt Hawrilenko raised to 6,000 preflop from middle position and action folded to Jon Turner in the small blind. He three-bet to 9,000 and Hawrilenko called. The flop came down J75 and Turner bet 3,000. Hawrilenko made the call.

The turn was the 10 and Turner bet 6,000. Hawrilenko made the call and the river was the Q. Both players decided to check and Turner showed down 99. Hawrilenko mucked and Turner took the pot. Turner was at 153,000.

Omaha/8

Full Boat Good For Chainsaw

David Grey raised to 6,000 and Allen Kessler called from the small blind. Erik Seidel folded his big blind and the flop came down 988. Grey bet 3,000 and Kessler made the call. The turn was the 8 and Grey bet 6,000. Kessler made the call and the river was the A.

Both players checked and Grey announced “sevens.” Kessler showed KKA10 for a better full house and the pot. Kessler was at 142,000.

John Juanda Knocked Out

David Bach raised to 6,000 from under the gun and John Juanda reraised all in for 7,500 total. Scotty Nguyen made the call from the big blind and Bach called as well. The flop came down A107 and Bach bet 3,000. Nguyen made the call and the turn was the 2. Nguyen bet this time with 6,000. Bach made the call and the river was the Q.

Both players checked and Nguyen showed 5442 for a 7-low. Bach showed AAQ8 for a set of aces and the high pot. Juanda flashed AK and mucked his hand as he made his exit.

Max Pescatori Gone

Ralph Perry raised to 6,000 and Chris Ferguson called from the button. Hasan Habib called from the small blind and Max Pescatori called the remainder of his stack from the big blind.

The flop came down QJ10 and everyone checked. The turn was the A and Habib bet 6,000. Perry called and Ferguson mucked. The river was the 8 and Habib checked. Perry bet 6,000 and Habib made the call. Perry showed 6533 for a flush and he scooped the pot. He was up to 200,000 while Pescatori was eliminated.

Razz

Pairs Are Bad, Unless He Has A Bigger One

Picking up the action on fourth street, Scotty Nguyen and David Chiu were involved in a hand.

Nguyen: X-X-66
Chiu: X-X-3J

Chiu checked despite Nguyen showing a pair on the board. Nguyen checked as well.

Nguyen: X-X-668
Chiu: X-X-3JJ

Nguyen reached for chips and bet 6,000. Chiu turned over his hole cards, (5-2), and mucked them. Nguyen took the pot and was at 195,000.

Stud High

Brett Richey Doubles Up

Picking up the action on fifth street, Nikolay Evdakov and Brett Richey were involved in a hand.

Richey: X-X-108J
Evdakov: X-X-75Q

Evdakov started the betting with 6,000 and by the time everything was said and done, Richey was all in for 16,000. He turned over (J7) while Evdakov showed (76). Richey was ahead and his board completed with Q(9). Evdakov failed to improve and Richey doubled to just over 30,000.

Stud/8

What Game Is It Again?

Picking up the action on fourth street, Huck Seed and Andy Bloch were involved in a hand.

Seed: X-X-3J
Bloch: X-X-29

Both players checked.

Seed: X-X-3J4
Bloch: X-X-298

Both players checked again.

Seed: X-X-3J44
Bloch: X-X-298A

Both players checked once again. Huck Seed then asked, “What game is this, stud eight?” The river was dealt and Seed finally bet 6,000. Bloch made the call and then turned over (101010) for a set. “I forgot what game this was,” Bloch said. Seed laughed as he turned over the losing (24Ax) for a lower set. Bloch scooped the pot and was at 165,000 while Seed was at 275,000.

Bach Takes Nice Pot Off Lunkin

Picking up the action on fourth street, David Bach and Vitaly Lunkin were involved in a pot.

Bach: X-X-A2
Lunkin: X-X-26

Bach bet 3,000 and Lunkin called.

Bach: X-X-A2A
Lunkin: X-X-263

Bach bet 6,000 and Lunkin raised to 12,000. Bach made the call.

Bach: X-X-A2A3
Lunkin: X-X-263Q

Bach bet again, despite getting raised on the previous street. Lunkin took the foot off the gas as he just called. On the river, both players checked and Bach showed (6710) for a pair of aces and a 7-low. Lunkin showed (778) for only an 8-low and Bach scooped the pot, improving to 420,000.

Player Tags: Scotty Nguyen,   Chris Ferguson,   Andy Bloch,   Hasan Habib,   Huck Seed,   Daniel Negreanu,   Max Pescatori,   David Bach,   Allen Kessler,   David Chiu,   Chau Giang,   David Grey,   Brett Richey,   Matt Hawrilenko,   Jon Turner,   Vitaly Lunkin,   Ralph Perry,   Nikolay Evdakov

Level 2 Update: A Few Big Names Stroll in Late

Jun 26, '09

Flop Games: 500-1000
Stud Games: Ante — 200, Bring-In — 300, Completion — 1,000, Stakes — 1,000-2,000

Players Remaining: 93 out of 93

Big Hands:

Hold’Em

Bill Chen’s Pocket Kings Run into Pocket Kings

Bill Chen and his opponent got in four bets preflop and took a flop heads-up. The flop was A92 and Chen bet 1000 after his opponent checked. The bet was called and the turn was the Q. Now Chen’s opponent bets 2,000 and Chen called.

The river was the 4 and both players check. Chen shows the KK, while his opponent shows the KK and they chop the pot.

David Chiu Smacked Down By Three Ladies

Jani Sointula and David Chiu crossed paths in a pot. The flop came down QQJ and Sointula bet 1,000. Chiu made the call and the turn was the 2. Sointula quickly threw in 2,000 and Chiu called just as quickly. The river was the 7 and another 2,000 went into the middle courtesy of Sointula. Chiu made the call and Sointula tabled AQ for a set and Chiu mucked his hand. After dropping that hand, Chiu was down to 130,000.

Omaha/8

Benyamine Scoops Tulchinskiy

David Benyamine and Mikhail Tulchinskiy were involved in a hand that saw more than 14,000 in chips enter the middle by the turn.

The board showed A595 and Tulchinskiy fired 2,000. Benyamine raised to 4,000 and was called. The river was the A and Benyamine checked again to Tulchinskiy. He fired another 2,000 and Benyamine looked disgusted. His head turned away from the felt, he threw in the call and Tulchinskiy showed 8342 for a bunch of busted draws. Benyamine showed K654 for a pair and an 8-low and scooped the pot. Benyamine was around 180,000 after winning the hand.

Scotty Nguyen Makes Quads, But Gets No Action

There was a bet and a raise on a flop of KJQ between Scotty Nguyen, Daniel Alaei, and Fabrice Soulier. All three of them saw the turn which was the J.

Nguyen leads out for 2,000 and gets two pretty quick folds. Disgusted with himself he shows the JJ.

“I only bet because I thought there were kings and queens full out there,” said Nguyen.

After the hand, the defending H.O.R.S.E champion’s stack improved to around 163,000 in chips.

Justin Smith Takes One

Four players called Annie Duke’s big blind of 1,000 and she checked her option. The flop came down J96 and Eli Elezra led out with 1,000. Duke mucked and David Chiu made the call. Alexander Kostritsyn also called and the action was lastly on Justin Smith. He raised to 2,000 and everyone called.

The turn brought the 10 and the action was checked around to Smith. He bet 2,000 and Elezra called. Chiu got out of the way and Kostritsyn made the call. The river was the J and the action was checked to Smith again. He bet another 2,000 and his opponents mucked, sending the pot his way. Smith was around 180,000 after the hand.

Razz

Justin Smith Tangles With Huck Seed in Weird Hand

Justin Smith and Huck Seed are heads up in a pot with on fourth street with their boards looking like this.

Seed: X-X-7-K
Smith: X-X-K-3

Smith checked called a 1,000 bet from Seed.

Seed: X-X-7-K-3
Smith: X-X-K-3-K

Even though Smith hit the worst card in the deck for his hand, he still called 2,000 from Seed.

Seed: X-X-7-K-3-4
Smith: X-X-K-3-K-5

Out of turn, Smith led out for 2,000. “You are betting now, you want to check?” said Seed. Since Smith’s action was out of turn, they both check and they go to the river. Seed bet 2,000 on the river and was called by Smith.

Seed announced “King-nine” as he showed the K-9-4 as he three down cards. Smith mucked and Seed took the pot.

John Hanson Rakes a Big Pot

John Hanson completed the bet on third street showing the 3 and was immediately raised by Ali Eslami, who was showing the 4. Joe Cassidy called two bets cold showing the 7 and John Hanson called the extra 1000.

Hanson: 3-6
Cassidy: 7-J
Eslami: 4-10

On fourth street, Hanson bet 1000 and was called in both spots.

Hanson: 3-6-6
Cassidy: 7-J-Q
Eslami: 4-10-K

Eslami checked fifth street, Hanson bet and got a fold from Cassidy, but Eslami stuck around for another card.

Hanson: 3-6-6-3
Eslami: 4-10-K-8

Eslami now bets and gets raised by Hanson. Eslami instantly calls and on the river Eslami checks and calls a bet from Hanson who shows the (A-4-8) as his down cards, good for an 8-6-4-3-A and the pot.

Stud High

Justin Bonomo Jacks Up Billirakis

Picking up the action on fourth street, Steve Billirakis and Justin Bonomo were tangled up in a hand.

Billirakis: X-X-K9
Bonomo: X-X-53

Billirakis bets 1,000 and Bonomo makes the call.

Billirakis: X-X-K96
Bonomo: X-X-533

Bonomo paired up and led out with 2,000. Billirakis made the call.

Billirakis: X-X-K96Q
Bonomo: X-X-533Q

Both players received a queen and both players checked. The river was dealt and both players checked again. Bonomo then showed down (JJK) and Billirakis mucked. Bonomo raked in the pot and was around 145,000 while Billiarakis was around 190,000.

Freedy Deeb Gets Best of Steve Sung

Freddy Deeb bet fourth street and got three callers. He bet fifth street and was only called by Steve Sung. They went to sixth street heads up.

Deeb: X-X-K-Q-10-3
Sung: X-X-A-10-K-8

Sung checked and called 2000 from Deeb on sixth street and the river was dealt face down. Sung checked the river and Deeb bet again. After a few moments, Sung turned his up-cards face down and mucked his hand, giving Deeb the pot.

Stud/8

“These No Limit Players”

Picking up the action on sixth street, Phil Ivey and Erick Lindgren were involved in a hand.

Ivey: X-X-2348
Lindgren: X-X-3102A

Erick Lindgren fired out 2,000 and Phil Ivey raised it to 4,000. Lindgren made the call and the river was dealt. Ivey bet another 2,000 on the river and Lindgren called after some thought. “No pair,” Ivey said as he showed (75-X) for 7-low. Lindgren tabled (AQ-X) and the players chopped the pot.

“I hate playing with these people that only play no-limit,” Ivey joked after the hand. Lindgren gave a grin and Ivey followed suit.

Player Tags: Scotty Nguyen,   Erick Lindgren,   David Benyamine,   Eli Elezra,   David Chiu,   Phil Ivey,   Steve Billirakis,   Jani Sointula,   Justin Bonomo,   John Hanson,   Alexander Kostritsyn,   Justin Smith,   Mikhail Tulchinskiy

H.O.R.S.E. World Championship Begins at Noon on Friday

Jun 26, '09

Event No. 49 ($50,000 H.O.R.S.E. world championship) will begin at noon PDT on Friday, June 26. Players will begin with 150,000 in tournament chips. Levels will be 90-minutes long and there will be a 20-minute break after every level. There will be a 90-minute dinner break after the fourth level of play during each day of the event. Limit hold’em, Omaha eight-or-better, razz, seven-card stud, and seven-card stud eight-or-better will be spread during the tournament and the game will change every eight hands. Here is a look at the schedule for the event:

Friday, June 26, noon: Day 1 (play 6 levels)
Saturday, June 27, 2 p.m.: Day 2 (play 6 levels)
Sunday, June 28, 2 p.m.: Day 3 (play 6 levels)
Monday, June 29, 2 p.m.: Day 4 (play down to final table)
Tuesday, June 30, TBD: Final Table

In 2008 this event attracted 148 players and the champion was Scotty Nguyen, who took home $1,989,120 in prize money. CardPlayer.com will bring you full live updates, top-ten chip counts, and results each day from this marquee event, as well as daily news recaps.

Past H.O.R.S.E. Champions:

2006: Chip Reese
2007: Freddy Deeb
2008: Scotty Nguyen

Player Tags: Scotty Nguyen,   David Reese,   Freddy Deeb

Level 8 Update: John Juanda, Max Pescatori Eliminated

Jun 27, '09

Flop Games: Blinds – 1,500-3,000, Limits – 3,000-6,000
Stud Games: Ante — 700, Bring-In — 1,000, Completion — 3,000, Limits — 3,000-6,000

Players Remaining: 77 out of 95

Chip Counts:

1. Hasan Habib – 453,000
2. David Bach – 426,000
3. John Kabbaj – 320,000
4. Matt Glantz – 310,000
5. Chris Ferguson – 298,000
6. Frank Kassela – 290,000
7. Huck Seed – 285,000
8. Justin Smith – 265,000
9. Mikhail Tulchinskiy – 262,000
10. Pat Bueno – 250,000

Average Chip Count: 182,692

Notable Eliminations:

Justin Bonomo
Greg Raymer
Jon Juanda
Max Pescatori
Pat Pezzin
Dustin Sitar
Eli Elezra

Big Hands:

Hold’em

She Must Have Hit A Nerve

After a flop of AAJ, Chau Giang checked to Daniel Negreanu and he bet 3,000. Giang made the call. The turn was the J and Giang checked again. Negreanu hardly flinched when Giang fired 6,000 into the pot to call a bet that never came. “What are you doing?” Negreanu asked. What are you calling? I haven’t bet anything."

“I’m sorry,” Giang said. “I’m getting a good massage.” Giang took his chips back and Negreanu checked. “She might have saved me 6,000,” he said. “I don’t think I have much of a chance in this hand.” Giang then fired those same chips into the middle. “I bet dark,” Giang said. Negreanu instantly mucked and the hand was over before the 2 could hit the felt. “It’s so enjoyable,” Giang said about his massage. “I throw the bet in before I have to.” He took in the pot and Giang was at 150,000 while Negreanu was at 240,000.

Party Like It’s 99

Matt Hawrilenko raised to 6,000 preflop from middle position and action folded to Jon Turner in the small blind. He three-bet to 9,000 and Hawrilenko called. The flop came down J75 and Turner bet 3,000. Hawrilenko made the call.

The turn was the 10 and Turner bet 6,000. Hawrilenko made the call and the river was the Q. Both players decided to check and Turner showed down 99. Hawrilenko mucked and Turner took the pot. Turner was at 153,000.

Omaha/8

Full Boat Good For Chainsaw

David Grey raised to 6,000 and Allen Kessler called from the small blind. Erik Seidel folded his big blind and the flop came down 988. Grey bet 3,000 and Kessler made the call. The turn was the 8 and Grey bet 6,000. Kessler made the call and the river was the A.

Both players checked and Grey announced “sevens.” Kessler showed KKA10 for a better full house and the pot. Kessler was at 142,000.

John Juanda Knocked Out

David Bach raised to 6,000 from under the gun and John Juanda reraised all in for 7,500 total. Scotty Nguyen made the call from the big blind and Bach called as well. The flop came down A107 and Bach bet 3,000. Nguyen made the call and the turn was the 2. Nguyen bet this time with 6,000. Bach made the call and the river was the Q.

Both players checked and Nguyen showed 5442 for a 7-low. Bach showed AAQ8 for a set of aces and the high pot. Juanda flashed AK and mucked his hand as he made his exit.

Max Pescatori Gone

Ralph Perry raised to 6,000 and Chris Ferguson called from the button. Hasan Habib called from the small blind and Max Pescatori called the remainder of his stack from the big blind.

The flop came down QJ10 and everyone checked. The turn was the A and Habib bet 6,000. Perry called and Ferguson mucked. The river was the 8 and Habib checked. Perry bet 6,000 and Habib made the call. Perry showed 6533 for a flush and he scooped the pot. He was up to 200,000 while Pescatori was eliminated.

Razz

Pairs Are Bad, Unless He Has A Bigger One

Picking up the action on fourth street, Scotty Nguyen and David Chiu were involved in a hand.

Nguyen: X-X-66
Chiu: X-X-3J

Chiu checked despite Nguyen showing a pair on the board. Nguyen checked as well.

Nguyen: X-X-668
Chiu: X-X-3JJ

Nguyen reached for chips and bet 6,000. Chiu turned over his hole cards, (5-2), and mucked them. Nguyen took the pot and was at 195,000.

Stud High

Brett Richey Doubles Up

Picking up the action on fifth street, Nikolay Evdakov and Brett Richey were involved in a hand.

Richey: X-X-108J
Evdakov: X-X-75Q

Evdakov started the betting with 6,000 and by the time everything was said and done, Richey was all in for 16,000. He turned over (J7) while Evdakov showed (76). Richey was ahead and his board completed with Q(9). Evdakov failed to improve and Richey doubled to just over 30,000.

Stud/8

What Game Is It Again?

Picking up the action on fourth street, Huck Seed and Andy Bloch were involved in a hand.

Seed: X-X-3J
Bloch: X-X-29

Both players checked.

Seed: X-X-3J4
Bloch: X-X-298

Both players checked again.

Seed: X-X-3J44
Bloch: X-X-298A

Both players checked once again. Huck Seed then asked, “What game is this, stud eight?” The river was dealt and Seed finally bet 6,000. Bloch made the call and then turned over (101010) for a set. “I forgot what game this was,” Bloch said. Seed laughed as he turned over the losing (24Ax) for a lower set. Bloch scooped the pot and was at 165,000 while Seed was at 275,000.

Bach Takes Nice Pot Off Lunkin

Picking up the action on fourth street, David Bach and Vitaly Lunkin were involved in a pot.

Bach: X-X-A2
Lunkin: X-X-26

Bach bet 3,000 and Lunkin called.

Bach: X-X-A2A
Lunkin: X-X-263

Bach bet 6,000 and Lunkin raised to 12,000. Bach made the call.

Bach: X-X-A2A3
Lunkin: X-X-263Q

Bach bet again, despite getting raised on the previous street. Lunkin took the foot off the gas as he just called. On the river, both players checked and Bach showed (6710) for a pair of aces and a 7-low. Lunkin showed (778) for only an 8-low and Bach scooped the pot, improving to 420,000.

Player Tags: Scotty Nguyen,   Chris Ferguson,   Andy Bloch,   Hasan Habib,   Huck Seed,   Daniel Negreanu,   Max Pescatori,   David Bach,   Allen Kessler,   David Chiu,   Chau Giang,   David Grey,   Brett Richey,   Matt Hawrilenko,   Jon Turner,   Vitaly Lunkin,   Ralph Perry,   Nikolay Evdakov

Level 2 Update: A Few Big Names Stroll in Late

Jun 26, '09

Flop Games: 500-1000
Stud Games: Ante — 200, Bring-In — 300, Completion — 1,000, Stakes — 1,000-2,000

Players Remaining: 93 out of 93

Big Hands:

Hold’Em

Bill Chen’s Pocket Kings Run into Pocket Kings

Bill Chen and his opponent got in four bets preflop and took a flop heads-up. The flop was A92 and Chen bet 1000 after his opponent checked. The bet was called and the turn was the Q. Now Chen’s opponent bets 2,000 and Chen called.

The river was the 4 and both players check. Chen shows the KK, while his opponent shows the KK and they chop the pot.

David Chiu Smacked Down By Three Ladies

Jani Sointula and David Chiu crossed paths in a pot. The flop came down QQJ and Sointula bet 1,000. Chiu made the call and the turn was the 2. Sointula quickly threw in 2,000 and Chiu called just as quickly. The river was the 7 and another 2,000 went into the middle courtesy of Sointula. Chiu made the call and Sointula tabled AQ for a set and Chiu mucked his hand. After dropping that hand, Chiu was down to 130,000.

Omaha/8

Benyamine Scoops Tulchinskiy

David Benyamine and Mikhail Tulchinskiy were involved in a hand that saw more than 14,000 in chips enter the middle by the turn.

The board showed A595 and Tulchinskiy fired 2,000. Benyamine raised to 4,000 and was called. The river was the A and Benyamine checked again to Tulchinskiy. He fired another 2,000 and Benyamine looked disgusted. His head turned away from the felt, he threw in the call and Tulchinskiy showed 8342 for a bunch of busted draws. Benyamine showed K654 for a pair and an 8-low and scooped the pot. Benyamine was around 180,000 after winning the hand.

Scotty Nguyen Makes Quads, But Gets No Action

There was a bet and a raise on a flop of KJQ between Scotty Nguyen, Daniel Alaei, and Fabrice Soulier. All three of them saw the turn which was the J.

Nguyen leads out for 2,000 and gets two pretty quick folds. Disgusted with himself he shows the JJ.

“I only bet because I thought there were kings and queens full out there,” said Nguyen.

After the hand, the defending H.O.R.S.E champion’s stack improved to around 163,000 in chips.

Justin Smith Takes One

Four players called Annie Duke’s big blind of 1,000 and she checked her option. The flop came down J96 and Eli Elezra led out with 1,000. Duke mucked and David Chiu made the call. Alexander Kostritsyn also called and the action was lastly on Justin Smith. He raised to 2,000 and everyone called.

The turn brought the 10 and the action was checked around to Smith. He bet 2,000 and Elezra called. Chiu got out of the way and Kostritsyn made the call. The river was the J and the action was checked to Smith again. He bet another 2,000 and his opponents mucked, sending the pot his way. Smith was around 180,000 after the hand.

Razz

Justin Smith Tangles With Huck Seed in Weird Hand

Justin Smith and Huck Seed are heads up in a pot with on fourth street with their boards looking like this.

Seed: X-X-7-K
Smith: X-X-K-3

Smith checked called a 1,000 bet from Seed.

Seed: X-X-7-K-3
Smith: X-X-K-3-K

Even though Smith hit the worst card in the deck for his hand, he still called 2,000 from Seed.

Seed: X-X-7-K-3-4
Smith: X-X-K-3-K-5

Out of turn, Smith led out for 2,000. “You are betting now, you want to check?” said Seed. Since Smith’s action was out of turn, they both check and they go to the river. Seed bet 2,000 on the river and was called by Smith.

Seed announced “King-nine” as he showed the K-9-4 as he three down cards. Smith mucked and Seed took the pot.

John Hanson Rakes a Big Pot

John Hanson completed the bet on third street showing the 3 and was immediately raised by Ali Eslami, who was showing the 4. Joe Cassidy called two bets cold showing the 7 and John Hanson called the extra 1000.

Hanson: 3-6
Cassidy: 7-J
Eslami: 4-10

On fourth street, Hanson bet 1000 and was called in both spots.

Hanson: 3-6-6
Cassidy: 7-J-Q
Eslami: 4-10-K

Eslami checked fifth street, Hanson bet and got a fold from Cassidy, but Eslami stuck around for another card.

Hanson: 3-6-6-3
Eslami: 4-10-K-8

Eslami now bets and gets raised by Hanson. Eslami instantly calls and on the river Eslami checks and calls a bet from Hanson who shows the (A-4-8) as his down cards, good for an 8-6-4-3-A and the pot.

Stud High

Justin Bonomo Jacks Up Billirakis

Picking up the action on fourth street, Steve Billirakis and Justin Bonomo were tangled up in a hand.

Billirakis: X-X-K9
Bonomo: X-X-53

Billirakis bets 1,000 and Bonomo makes the call.

Billirakis: X-X-K96
Bonomo: X-X-533

Bonomo paired up and led out with 2,000. Billirakis made the call.

Billirakis: X-X-K96Q
Bonomo: X-X-533Q

Both players received a queen and both players checked. The river was dealt and both players checked again. Bonomo then showed down (JJK) and Billirakis mucked. Bonomo raked in the pot and was around 145,000 while Billiarakis was around 190,000.

Freedy Deeb Gets Best of Steve Sung

Freddy Deeb bet fourth street and got three callers. He bet fifth street and was only called by Steve Sung. They went to sixth street heads up.

Deeb: X-X-K-Q-10-3
Sung: X-X-A-10-K-8

Sung checked and called 2000 from Deeb on sixth street and the river was dealt face down. Sung checked the river and Deeb bet again. After a few moments, Sung turned his up-cards face down and mucked his hand, giving Deeb the pot.

Stud/8

“These No Limit Players”

Picking up the action on sixth street, Phil Ivey and Erick Lindgren were involved in a hand.

Ivey: X-X-2348
Lindgren: X-X-3102A

Erick Lindgren fired out 2,000 and Phil Ivey raised it to 4,000. Lindgren made the call and the river was dealt. Ivey bet another 2,000 on the river and Lindgren called after some thought. “No pair,” Ivey said as he showed (75-X) for 7-low. Lindgren tabled (AQ-X) and the players chopped the pot.

“I hate playing with these people that only play no-limit,” Ivey joked after the hand. Lindgren gave a grin and Ivey followed suit.

Player Tags: Scotty Nguyen,   Erick Lindgren,   David Benyamine,   Eli Elezra,   David Chiu,   Phil Ivey,   Steve Billirakis,   Jani Sointula,   Justin Bonomo,   John Hanson,   Alexander Kostritsyn,   Justin Smith,   Mikhail Tulchinskiy

H.O.R.S.E. World Championship Begins at Noon on Friday

Jun 26, '09

Event No. 49 ($50,000 H.O.R.S.E. world championship) will begin at noon PDT on Friday, June 26. Players will begin with 150,000 in tournament chips. Levels will be 90-minutes long and there will be a 20-minute break after every level. There will be a 90-minute dinner break after the fourth level of play during each day of the event. Limit hold’em, Omaha eight-or-better, razz, seven-card stud, and seven-card stud eight-or-better will be spread during the tournament and the game will change every eight hands. Here is a look at the schedule for the event:

Friday, June 26, noon: Day 1 (play 6 levels)
Saturday, June 27, 2 p.m.: Day 2 (play 6 levels)
Sunday, June 28, 2 p.m.: Day 3 (play 6 levels)
Monday, June 29, 2 p.m.: Day 4 (play down to final table)
Tuesday, June 30, TBD: Final Table

In 2008 this event attracted 148 players and the champion was Scotty Nguyen, who took home $1,989,120 in prize money. CardPlayer.com will bring you full live updates, top-ten chip counts, and results each day from this marquee event, as well as daily news recaps.

Past H.O.R.S.E. Champions:

2006: Chip Reese
2007: Freddy Deeb
2008: Scotty Nguyen

Player Tags: Scotty Nguyen,   David Reese,   Freddy Deeb

Final Day Update: Down to Nine

Jun 20, '09

Ante: 5,000
Low Card: 5,000
Completion: 20,000
Limits: 20,000-40,000

Players Remaining: 9 out of 164

Chip Counts:

1. Jeff Lisandro – 970,000
2. Abe Mosseri – 935,000
3. Farzad Rouhani – 750,000
4. Anthony Rivera – 460,000
5. Yan Chen – 435,000
6. Mike Wattel – 280,000
7. Justin Smith – 220,000
8. Doyle Brunson – 210,000
9. Frank Mariani – 195,000

Average Chip Count: 447,272

Notable Eliminations:

12. Lyle Berman – $33,668
11. Scotty Nguyen – $33,668
10. Perry Friedman – $41,885

Big Hands:

Lyle Berman Eliminated in 12th Place ($33,668)

Anthony Rivera completed on third street and Yan Chen made the call. Lyle Berman raised and both opponents called. Rivera bet first on fourth street and Chen mucked. Berman made the call and Rivera then led out on fifth street. Berman made the call again and the same sequence of events repeated itself on sixth street. Rivera led out on seventh street as well and Berman mucked, leaving himself with only 60,000. Their cards:

Berman: (X-X)8K107(X)
Rivera: (X-X)4AJ5(X)

Berman was forced to move all in on the next hand and he was eliminated from the tournament in 12th place.

Scotty Nguyen Eliminated in 11th Place ($33,668)

Perry Friedman brought it in with X-X-3 and Scotty Nguyen completed with X-X-4. Jeffrey Lisandro raised with X-X-5. Friedman mucked and Nguyen made the all-in call. Lisandro made trip eights and Nguyen failed to qualify low. Lisandro scooped the pot and Nguyen was eliminated in 11th place.

Perry Friedman Eliminated in 10th Place ($41,885)

Perry Friedman was all in for his final 13,000 on third street and both Jeffrey Lisandro and Justin Smith joined him in the pot. Lisandro check-called a bet from Smith on fourth street and then both players checked on fifth and sixth streets. Lisandro checked on seventh street and Smith broke the routine by betting. Lisandro mucked. Their cards before the showdown:

Smith: (X-X)3637(X)
Friedman: (X-X)A96Q(X)

Smith made trip threes to beat the pair of Queens held by Friedman, and Smith scooped the pot thanks to the fact that neither player qualified low. Friedman was eliminated in 10th place.

Player Tags: Scotty Nguyen,   Lyle Berman,   Jeffrey Lisandro,   Perry Friedman,   Tony Rivera,   Justin Smith

Level 18 Update: Dan Heimiller Triples Up, Then Goes Bust

Jun 20, '09

Ante: 3,000
Low Card: 3,000
Completion: 12,000
Limits: 12,000-24,000

Players Remaining: 12 out of 164

Chip Counts:

1. Abe Mosseri – 875,000
2. Jeff Lisandro – 710,000
3. Doyle Brunson – 600,000
4. Perry Friedman – 450,000
5. Farzad Rouhani – 380,000
6. Yan Chen – 345,000
7. Justin Smith – 300,000
8. Scotty Nguyen – 250,000
9. Frank Mariani – 240,000
10. Lyle Berman – 170,000

Average Chip Count: 351,428

Notable Eliminations:

16. Claudio Rinaldi — $24,650
15. Dan Heimiller — $24,650
14. Richard Anthony — $28,272
13. Yuval Bronshtein — $28,272

Big Hands:

Double Ups Are Good, Triple Ups Are Better

Jeff Lisandro: X-X-22
Perry Friedman: X-X-KJ
Dan Heimiller: X-X-25

Dan Heimiller bet 12,000 and both Lisandro and Friedman made the call.

Jeff Lisandro: X-X-228
Perry Friedman: X-X-KJ4
Dan Heimiller: X-X-256

Heimiller bet 24,000 and both of his opponents came along again.

Jeff Lisandro: X-X-2285
Perry Friedman: X-X-KJ48
Dan Heimiller: X-X-2564

Hemiller put the rest of his chips into the middle and Lisandro and Friedman both called. After the river was dealt, both players checked and Heimiller showed (J66) for a set of sixes, better known as the number of the beast. Both opponents mucked and Heimiller tripled up to almost 200,000.

The Poker Gods Giveth, Scotty Taketh Away Baby

Scotty Nguyen: X-X-QJ9
Heimiller: X-X-27A

Dan Heimiller bet 24,000 and Nguyen made the call.

Scotty Nguyen: X-X-QJ96
Heimiller: X-X-27A5

Heimiller bet 24,000 and Nguyen called again. The river was dealt and Heimiller bet 24,000. Nguyen made the call and Heimiller turned over (A79) for aces up. But it was no good as Nguyen showed (A108) for a queen-high straight. Nguyen scooped the pot and was at 240,000 while Heimiller was back down to 50,000.

Unfortunately for Heimiller, he got involved in his final hand a bit later against Perry Friedman. Heimiller hit two pair but Friedman hit a set and as quickly as Heimiller was given new life, it was taken away as he busted in 15th place.

Mosseri Knocks Out Bronshtein In 13th Place

Abe Mosseri: (AQ)55510(10)
Yuval Bronshtein: (K7)9235(2)

Bronshtein completed to 12,000 and Mosseri raised to 24,000. Bronshtein called all in and was already in bad shape as Mosseri had a better flush draw. On the next four streets, Mosseri did not miss once as he made a full house, but Bronshtein had outs as he was drawing to a 7-low. Unfortunately, he paired up on the river and he was eliminated.

Player Tags: Daniel Heimiller,   Scotty Nguyen,   Jeffrey Lisandro,   Perry Friedman,   Abe Mosseri,   Yuval Bronshtein

Level 16 Update: Chen Knocks Out Koral, Near Top Of Chip Counts

Jun 19, '09

Ante: 2,000
Low Card: 2,000
Completion: 8,000
Limits: 8,000-16,000

Players Remaining: 21 out of 164

Chip Counts:

1. Yan Chen – 450,000
2. Scotty Nguyen – 440,000
3. Lyle Berman – 405,000
4. Justin Smith – 345,000
5. Dan Heimiller – 320,000
6. Jeff Lisandro – 315,000
7. Doyle Brunson – 310,000
8. Claudio Rinaldi – 275,000
9. Anthony Rivera – 232,000
10. Farzad Rouhani – 230,000

Average Chip Count: 213,913

Notable Eliminations:

Tom Koral
Greg Raymer
Jon Turner

Big Hands:

Yan Chen Knocks Koral Out

Tom Koral: X-X-3Q
Yan Chen: X-X-29

Tom Koral bet 8,000 and Yan Chen made the call.

Tom Koral: X-X-3Q8
Yan Chen: X-X-294

Koral led out for 16,000 and Chen stuck around.

Tom Koral: X-X-3Q85
Yan Chen: X-X-2943

Koral bet another 16,000 and Chen called again. On the river, Koral bet another 16,000 and Chen raised to 32,000 putting Koral to a decision for the rest of his chips. Koral made the call and Chen turned over (K65) for a straight and a 6-low. Koral mucked and made his way toward the exit.

Mosseri Takes Chips Off Heimiller And Nguyen

Abe Mosseri: X-X-KA7
Dan Heimiller: X-X-4A9
Scotty Nguyen: X-X-5JJ

Scotty Nguyen checked with his pair of jacks and Mosseri bet 16,000. Heimiller then raised to 32,000 and Nguyen mucked. Mosseri three-bet to 48,000 and Heimiller just called.

Abe Mosseri: X-X-KA76
Dan Heimiller: X-X-4A98

Mosseri bet 16,000 and Heimiller called. The river was dealt and Mosseri bet another 16,000. Heimiller called and Mosseri turned over (KKJ) for a set of kings. Heimiller mucked and he was down to 235,000 while Mosseri was at 270,000. Nguyen got out of the hand with 440,000 in his stack.

Player Tags: Daniel Heimiller,   Scotty Nguyen,   Abe Mosseri,   Tom Koral,   Yan Chen

Level 10 Update: Daniel Negreanu, Jimmy Fricke Eliminated

Jun 19, '09

Ante: 500
Low Card: 500
Completion: 2,000
Limits: 2,000-4,000

Players Remaining: 79 out of 164

Chip Counts:

1. Tuan Le – 232,000
2. Lyle Berman – 155,000
3. Dario Minieri – 130,000
4. Jeff Lisandro – 125,000
5. John Juanda – 105,000
6. Steve Billirakis – 86,000
7. Scotty Nguyen – 85,000
8. Howard Lederer – 71,000
9. Daniel Alaei – 70,000
10. Tom Schneider – 70,000

Average Chip Count: 57,209

Notable Eliminations:

Daniel Negreanu
Jimmy Fricke
Eli Elezra

Big Hands:

Daniel Negreanu Eliminated

On seventh street, Daniel Negreanu was all-in against Dario Minieri and Lyle Berman.

Their cards:

Negreanu: X-X-29410-X

Minieri: X-X-AQKQ

Berman: X-X-K465-X

Berman bet on the end and Minieri folded. Berman exposed the K32 for a straight to scoop the pot. Negreanu mucked. Berman is up to 155,000.

Jimmy Fricke Eliminated

Jimmy Fricke was put all-in by Scotty Nguyen on third street.

Their cards:

Fricke: (105)1036

Nguyen: (QQ)A27

Fricke was unable to improve or catch a low, as Nguyen scooped the pot. Nguyen is up to 85,000 in chips.

Left In The Deck:

The players are on a short 20 minute break.

Player Tags: Scotty Nguyen,   Daniel Negreanu,   Lyle Berman,   Dario Minieri,   Jimmy Fricke

Level 4 Update: Nguyen Chops With Juanda, Alaei Climbs To Top

Jun 18, '09

Ante: 100
Low Card: 200
Completion: 500
Limits: 500-1,000

Players Remaining: 163 out of 164

Note: Players have gone on a 60 minute dinner break and will return at 10:40 p.m.

Chip Counts:

1. Daniel Alaei – 53,000
2. Jeff Lisandro – 51,000
3. Johnny Chan – 47,000
4. Scotty Nguyen – 45,000
5. Soheil Shamseddin – 45,000
6. Anthony Rivera – 44,000
7. Frank Kassela – 44,000
8. John Hennigan – 43,000
9. Bill Chen – 42,000
10. Farzad Rouhani – 42,000

Average Chip Count: 30,000

Notable Eliminations:

Shawn Sheikhan

Big Hands:

Levi Relieves Eli Of His Chips

David Levi: X-X-2KJ
Eli Elezra: X-X-2Q4

With around 2,500 in the pot, David Levi fired 1,000 and Elezra made the call.

David Levi: X-X-2KJ5
Eli Elezra: X-X-2Q4Q

Although Elezra paired his ladies, he decided to check to Levi. Levi did the same and both players were dealt their river cards. Both players checked again and Levi turned over K88 for two pair and Elezra could not beat it. “I can’t call you if you bet it,” Elezra commented after throwing his hand away. He was at 42,000 while Levi was at 15,000.

Fricke Gobbles Up His Opponent

Fricke: X-X-3
Seat 2: X-X-J

The player in seat 2 completed to 500 and Jimmy Fricke raised to 1,000. His opponent made the call.

Fricke: X-X-37
Seat 2: X-X-J4

Seat 2 checked and Fricke bet 500. His opponent then raised 1,000 and Fricke did not skip a beat as he raised to 1,500. Seat 2 called.

Fricke: X-X-374
Seat 2: X-X-J43

Fricke bet 1,000 and his opponent called again.

Fricke: X-X-3748
Seat 2: X-X-J43Q

Fricke bet another 1,000 and seat 2 raised to 2,000. Fricke came back over the top to 3,000 and was called. On the river, Fricke bet again and his opponent just shook his head and mucked, unable to defend the chips he already had in the pot. Instead, they were added to Fricke’s stack and he was at 37,000.

Nguyen And Juanda Engage In A Friendly Contest

Scotty Nguyen: X-X-948
John Juanda: X-X-8JJ

John Juanda bet 1,000 into a pot holding 4,000 and Scotty Nguyen raised to 2,000. Juanda made the call.

Scotty Nguyen: X-X-9483
John Juanda: X-X-8JJA

Juanda bet 1,000 and Nguyen just called. On the river, Nguyen led out with 1,000 and Juanda threw in the call. Nguyen turned over (852X) for an eight-low and Juanda showed (10A4) for aces up and the players chopped the pot. Nguyen was still over 50,000 while Juanda was at 29,600.

Left In The Deck:

Famed poker commentator Norman Chad is in the field today. At last glance his stack was around 20,000. It will be interesting to see if he can show these players a thing or two on how to play some real poker.

Player Tags: Scotty Nguyen,   David Levi,   John Juanda,   Eli Elezra,   Jimmy Fricke,   Norman Chad

Final Day Update: Down to Nine

Jun 20, '09

Ante: 5,000
Low Card: 5,000
Completion: 20,000
Limits: 20,000-40,000

Players Remaining: 9 out of 164

Chip Counts:

1. Jeff Lisandro – 970,000
2. Abe Mosseri – 935,000
3. Farzad Rouhani – 750,000
4. Anthony Rivera – 460,000
5. Yan Chen – 435,000
6. Mike Wattel – 280,000
7. Justin Smith – 220,000
8. Doyle Brunson – 210,000
9. Frank Mariani – 195,000

Average Chip Count: 447,272

Notable Eliminations:

12. Lyle Berman – $33,668
11. Scotty Nguyen – $33,668
10. Perry Friedman – $41,885

Big Hands:

Lyle Berman Eliminated in 12th Place ($33,668)

Anthony Rivera completed on third street and Yan Chen made the call. Lyle Berman raised and both opponents called. Rivera bet first on fourth street and Chen mucked. Berman made the call and Rivera then led out on fifth street. Berman made the call again and the same sequence of events repeated itself on sixth street. Rivera led out on seventh street as well and Berman mucked, leaving himself with only 60,000. Their cards:

Berman: (X-X)8K107(X)
Rivera: (X-X)4AJ5(X)

Berman was forced to move all in on the next hand and he was eliminated from the tournament in 12th place.

Scotty Nguyen Eliminated in 11th Place ($33,668)

Perry Friedman brought it in with X-X-3 and Scotty Nguyen completed with X-X-4. Jeffrey Lisandro raised with X-X-5. Friedman mucked and Nguyen made the all-in call. Lisandro made trip eights and Nguyen failed to qualify low. Lisandro scooped the pot and Nguyen was eliminated in 11th place.

Perry Friedman Eliminated in 10th Place ($41,885)

Perry Friedman was all in for his final 13,000 on third street and both Jeffrey Lisandro and Justin Smith joined him in the pot. Lisandro check-called a bet from Smith on fourth street and then both players checked on fifth and sixth streets. Lisandro checked on seventh street and Smith broke the routine by betting. Lisandro mucked. Their cards before the showdown:

Smith: (X-X)3637(X)
Friedman: (X-X)A96Q(X)

Smith made trip threes to beat the pair of Queens held by Friedman, and Smith scooped the pot thanks to the fact that neither player qualified low. Friedman was eliminated in 10th place.

Player Tags: Scotty Nguyen,   Lyle Berman,   Jeffrey Lisandro,   Perry Friedman,   Tony Rivera,   Justin Smith

Level 18 Update: Dan Heimiller Triples Up, Then Goes Bust

Jun 20, '09

Ante: 3,000
Low Card: 3,000
Completion: 12,000
Limits: 12,000-24,000

Players Remaining: 12 out of 164

Chip Counts:

1. Abe Mosseri – 875,000
2. Jeff Lisandro – 710,000
3. Doyle Brunson – 600,000
4. Perry Friedman – 450,000
5. Farzad Rouhani – 380,000
6. Yan Chen – 345,000
7. Justin Smith – 300,000
8. Scotty Nguyen – 250,000
9. Frank Mariani – 240,000
10. Lyle Berman – 170,000

Average Chip Count: 351,428

Notable Eliminations:

16. Claudio Rinaldi — $24,650
15. Dan Heimiller — $24,650
14. Richard Anthony — $28,272
13. Yuval Bronshtein — $28,272

Big Hands:

Double Ups Are Good, Triple Ups Are Better

Jeff Lisandro: X-X-22
Perry Friedman: X-X-KJ
Dan Heimiller: X-X-25

Dan Heimiller bet 12,000 and both Lisandro and Friedman made the call.

Jeff Lisandro: X-X-228
Perry Friedman: X-X-KJ4
Dan Heimiller: X-X-256

Heimiller bet 24,000 and both of his opponents came along again.

Jeff Lisandro: X-X-2285
Perry Friedman: X-X-KJ48
Dan Heimiller: X-X-2564

Hemiller put the rest of his chips into the middle and Lisandro and Friedman both called. After the river was dealt, both players checked and Heimiller showed (J66) for a set of sixes, better known as the number of the beast. Both opponents mucked and Heimiller tripled up to almost 200,000.

The Poker Gods Giveth, Scotty Taketh Away Baby

Scotty Nguyen: X-X-QJ9
Heimiller: X-X-27A

Dan Heimiller bet 24,000 and Nguyen made the call.

Scotty Nguyen: X-X-QJ96
Heimiller: X-X-27A5

Heimiller bet 24,000 and Nguyen called again. The river was dealt and Heimiller bet 24,000. Nguyen made the call and Heimiller turned over (A79) for aces up. But it was no good as Nguyen showed (A108) for a queen-high straight. Nguyen scooped the pot and was at 240,000 while Heimiller was back down to 50,000.

Unfortunately for Heimiller, he got involved in his final hand a bit later against Perry Friedman. Heimiller hit two pair but Friedman hit a set and as quickly as Heimiller was given new life, it was taken away as he busted in 15th place.

Mosseri Knocks Out Bronshtein In 13th Place

Abe Mosseri: (AQ)55510(10)
Yuval Bronshtein: (K7)9235(2)

Bronshtein completed to 12,000 and Mosseri raised to 24,000. Bronshtein called all in and was already in bad shape as Mosseri had a better flush draw. On the next four streets, Mosseri did not miss once as he made a full house, but Bronshtein had outs as he was drawing to a 7-low. Unfortunately, he paired up on the river and he was eliminated.

Player Tags: Daniel Heimiller,   Scotty Nguyen,   Jeffrey Lisandro,   Perry Friedman,   Abe Mosseri,   Yuval Bronshtein

Level 16 Update: Chen Knocks Out Koral, Near Top Of Chip Counts

Jun 19, '09

Ante: 2,000
Low Card: 2,000
Completion: 8,000
Limits: 8,000-16,000

Players Remaining: 21 out of 164

Chip Counts:

1. Yan Chen – 450,000
2. Scotty Nguyen – 440,000
3. Lyle Berman – 405,000
4. Justin Smith – 345,000
5. Dan Heimiller – 320,000
6. Jeff Lisandro – 315,000
7. Doyle Brunson – 310,000
8. Claudio Rinaldi – 275,000
9. Anthony Rivera – 232,000
10. Farzad Rouhani – 230,000

Average Chip Count: 213,913

Notable Eliminations:

Tom Koral
Greg Raymer
Jon Turner

Big Hands:

Yan Chen Knocks Koral Out

Tom Koral: X-X-3Q
Yan Chen: X-X-29

Tom Koral bet 8,000 and Yan Chen made the call.

Tom Koral: X-X-3Q8
Yan Chen: X-X-294

Koral led out for 16,000 and Chen stuck around.

Tom Koral: X-X-3Q85
Yan Chen: X-X-2943

Koral bet another 16,000 and Chen called again. On the river, Koral bet another 16,000 and Chen raised to 32,000 putting Koral to a decision for the rest of his chips. Koral made the call and Chen turned over (K65) for a straight and a 6-low. Koral mucked and made his way toward the exit.

Mosseri Takes Chips Off Heimiller And Nguyen

Abe Mosseri: X-X-KA7
Dan Heimiller: X-X-4A9
Scotty Nguyen: X-X-5JJ

Scotty Nguyen checked with his pair of jacks and Mosseri bet 16,000. Heimiller then raised to 32,000 and Nguyen mucked. Mosseri three-bet to 48,000 and Heimiller just called.

Abe Mosseri: X-X-KA76
Dan Heimiller: X-X-4A98

Mosseri bet 16,000 and Heimiller called. The river was dealt and Mosseri bet another 16,000. Heimiller called and Mosseri turned over (KKJ) for a set of kings. Heimiller mucked and he was down to 235,000 while Mosseri was at 270,000. Nguyen got out of the hand with 440,000 in his stack.

Player Tags: Daniel Heimiller,   Scotty Nguyen,   Abe Mosseri,   Tom Koral,   Yan Chen

Level 10 Update: Daniel Negreanu, Jimmy Fricke Eliminated

Jun 19, '09

Ante: 500
Low Card: 500
Completion: 2,000
Limits: 2,000-4,000

Players Remaining: 79 out of 164

Chip Counts:

1. Tuan Le – 232,000
2. Lyle Berman – 155,000
3. Dario Minieri – 130,000
4. Jeff Lisandro – 125,000
5. John Juanda – 105,000
6. Steve Billirakis – 86,000
7. Scotty Nguyen – 85,000
8. Howard Lederer – 71,000
9. Daniel Alaei – 70,000
10. Tom Schneider – 70,000

Average Chip Count: 57,209

Notable Eliminations:

Daniel Negreanu
Jimmy Fricke
Eli Elezra

Big Hands:

Daniel Negreanu Eliminated

On seventh street, Daniel Negreanu was all-in against Dario Minieri and Lyle Berman.

Their cards:

Negreanu: X-X-29410-X

Minieri: X-X-AQKQ

Berman: X-X-K465-X

Berman bet on the end and Minieri folded. Berman exposed the K32 for a straight to scoop the pot. Negreanu mucked. Berman is up to 155,000.

Jimmy Fricke Eliminated

Jimmy Fricke was put all-in by Scotty Nguyen on third street.

Their cards:

Fricke: (105)1036

Nguyen: (QQ)A27

Fricke was unable to improve or catch a low, as Nguyen scooped the pot. Nguyen is up to 85,000 in chips.

Left In The Deck:

The players are on a short 20 minute break.

Player Tags: Scotty Nguyen,   Daniel Negreanu,   Lyle Berman,   Dario Minieri,   Jimmy Fricke

Level 4 Update: Nguyen Chops With Juanda, Alaei Climbs To Top

Jun 18, '09

Ante: 100
Low Card: 200
Completion: 500
Limits: 500-1,000

Players Remaining: 163 out of 164

Note: Players have gone on a 60 minute dinner break and will return at 10:40 p.m.

Chip Counts:

1. Daniel Alaei – 53,000
2. Jeff Lisandro – 51,000
3. Johnny Chan – 47,000
4. Scotty Nguyen – 45,000
5. Soheil Shamseddin – 45,000
6. Anthony Rivera – 44,000
7. Frank Kassela – 44,000
8. John Hennigan – 43,000
9. Bill Chen – 42,000
10. Farzad Rouhani – 42,000

Average Chip Count: 30,000

Notable Eliminations:

Shawn Sheikhan

Big Hands:

Levi Relieves Eli Of His Chips

David Levi: X-X-2KJ
Eli Elezra: X-X-2Q4

With around 2,500 in the pot, David Levi fired 1,000 and Elezra made the call.

David Levi: X-X-2KJ5
Eli Elezra: X-X-2Q4Q

Although Elezra paired his ladies, he decided to check to Levi. Levi did the same and both players were dealt their river cards. Both players checked again and Levi turned over K88 for two pair and Elezra could not beat it. “I can’t call you if you bet it,” Elezra commented after throwing his hand away. He was at 42,000 while Levi was at 15,000.

Fricke Gobbles Up His Opponent

Fricke: X-X-3
Seat 2: X-X-J

The player in seat 2 completed to 500 and Jimmy Fricke raised to 1,000. His opponent made the call.

Fricke: X-X-37
Seat 2: X-X-J4

Seat 2 checked and Fricke bet 500. His opponent then raised 1,000 and Fricke did not skip a beat as he raised to 1,500. Seat 2 called.

Fricke: X-X-374
Seat 2: X-X-J43

Fricke bet 1,000 and his opponent called again.

Fricke: X-X-3748
Seat 2: X-X-J43Q

Fricke bet another 1,000 and seat 2 raised to 2,000. Fricke came back over the top to 3,000 and was called. On the river, Fricke bet again and his opponent just shook his head and mucked, unable to defend the chips he already had in the pot. Instead, they were added to Fricke’s stack and he was at 37,000.

Nguyen And Juanda Engage In A Friendly Contest

Scotty Nguyen: X-X-948
John Juanda: X-X-8JJ

John Juanda bet 1,000 into a pot holding 4,000 and Scotty Nguyen raised to 2,000. Juanda made the call.

Scotty Nguyen: X-X-9483
John Juanda: X-X-8JJA

Juanda bet 1,000 and Nguyen just called. On the river, Nguyen led out with 1,000 and Juanda threw in the call. Nguyen turned over (852X) for an eight-low and Juanda showed (10A4) for aces up and the players chopped the pot. Nguyen was still over 50,000 while Juanda was at 29,600.

Left In The Deck:

Famed poker commentator Norman Chad is in the field today. At last glance his stack was around 20,000. It will be interesting to see if he can show these players a thing or two on how to play some real poker.

Player Tags: Scotty Nguyen,   David Levi,   John Juanda,   Eli Elezra,   Jimmy Fricke,   Norman Chad

Final Day Update: Down to Nine

Jun 20, '09

Ante: 5,000
Low Card: 5,000
Completion: 20,000
Limits: 20,000-40,000

Players Remaining: 9 out of 164

Chip Counts:

1. Jeff Lisandro – 970,000
2. Abe Mosseri – 935,000
3. Farzad Rouhani – 750,000
4. Anthony Rivera – 460,000
5. Yan Chen – 435,000
6. Mike Wattel – 280,000
7. Justin Smith – 220,000
8. Doyle Brunson – 210,000
9. Frank Mariani – 195,000

Average Chip Count: 447,272

Notable Eliminations:

12. Lyle Berman – $33,668
11. Scotty Nguyen – $33,668
10. Perry Friedman – $41,885

Big Hands:

Lyle Berman Eliminated in 12th Place ($33,668)

Anthony Rivera completed on third street and Yan Chen made the call. Lyle Berman raised and both opponents called. Rivera bet first on fourth street and Chen mucked. Berman made the call and Rivera then led out on fifth street. Berman made the call again and the same sequence of events repeated itself on sixth street. Rivera led out on seventh street as well and Berman mucked, leaving himself with only 60,000. Their cards:

Berman: (X-X)8K107(X)
Rivera: (X-X)4AJ5(X)

Berman was forced to move all in on the next hand and he was eliminated from the tournament in 12th place.

Scotty Nguyen Eliminated in 11th Place ($33,668)

Perry Friedman brought it in with X-X-3 and Scotty Nguyen completed with X-X-4. Jeffrey Lisandro raised with X-X-5. Friedman mucked and Nguyen made the all-in call. Lisandro made trip eights and Nguyen failed to qualify low. Lisandro scooped the pot and Nguyen was eliminated in 11th place.

Perry Friedman Eliminated in 10th Place ($41,885)

Perry Friedman was all in for his final 13,000 on third street and both Jeffrey Lisandro and Justin Smith joined him in the pot. Lisandro check-called a bet from Smith on fourth street and then both players checked on fifth and sixth streets. Lisandro checked on seventh street and Smith broke the routine by betting. Lisandro mucked. Their cards before the showdown:

Smith: (X-X)3637(X)
Friedman: (X-X)A96Q(X)

Smith made trip threes to beat the pair of Queens held by Friedman, and Smith scooped the pot thanks to the fact that neither player qualified low. Friedman was eliminated in 10th place.

Player Tags: Scotty Nguyen,   Lyle Berman,   Jeffrey Lisandro,   Perry Friedman,   Tony Rivera,   Justin Smith

Level 18 Update: Dan Heimiller Triples Up, Then Goes Bust

Jun 20, '09

Ante: 3,000
Low Card: 3,000
Completion: 12,000
Limits: 12,000-24,000

Players Remaining: 12 out of 164

Chip Counts:

1. Abe Mosseri – 875,000
2. Jeff Lisandro – 710,000
3. Doyle Brunson – 600,000
4. Perry Friedman – 450,000
5. Farzad Rouhani – 380,000
6. Yan Chen – 345,000
7. Justin Smith – 300,000
8. Scotty Nguyen – 250,000
9. Frank Mariani – 240,000
10. Lyle Berman – 170,000

Average Chip Count: 351,428

Notable Eliminations:

16. Claudio Rinaldi — $24,650
15. Dan Heimiller — $24,650
14. Richard Anthony — $28,272
13. Yuval Bronshtein — $28,272

Big Hands:

Double Ups Are Good, Triple Ups Are Better

Jeff Lisandro: X-X-22
Perry Friedman: X-X-KJ
Dan Heimiller: X-X-25

Dan Heimiller bet 12,000 and both Lisandro and Friedman made the call.

Jeff Lisandro: X-X-228
Perry Friedman: X-X-KJ4
Dan Heimiller: X-X-256

Heimiller bet 24,000 and both of his opponents came along again.

Jeff Lisandro: X-X-2285
Perry Friedman: X-X-KJ48
Dan Heimiller: X-X-2564

Hemiller put the rest of his chips into the middle and Lisandro and Friedman both called. After the river was dealt, both players checked and Heimiller showed (J66) for a set of sixes, better known as the number of the beast. Both opponents mucked and Heimiller tripled up to almost 200,000.

The Poker Gods Giveth, Scotty Taketh Away Baby

Scotty Nguyen: X-X-QJ9
Heimiller: X-X-27A

Dan Heimiller bet 24,000 and Nguyen made the call.

Scotty Nguyen: X-X-QJ96
Heimiller: X-X-27A5

Heimiller bet 24,000 and Nguyen called again. The river was dealt and Heimiller bet 24,000. Nguyen made the call and Heimiller turned over (A79) for aces up. But it was no good as Nguyen showed (A108) for a queen-high straight. Nguyen scooped the pot and was at 240,000 while Heimiller was back down to 50,000.

Unfortunately for Heimiller, he got involved in his final hand a bit later against Perry Friedman. Heimiller hit two pair but Friedman hit a set and as quickly as Heimiller was given new life, it was taken away as he busted in 15th place.

Mosseri Knocks Out Bronshtein In 13th Place

Abe Mosseri: (AQ)55510(10)
Yuval Bronshtein: (K7)9235(2)

Bronshtein completed to 12,000 and Mosseri raised to 24,000. Bronshtein called all in and was already in bad shape as Mosseri had a better flush draw. On the next four streets, Mosseri did not miss once as he made a full house, but Bronshtein had outs as he was drawing to a 7-low. Unfortunately, he paired up on the river and he was eliminated.

Player Tags: Daniel Heimiller,   Scotty Nguyen,   Jeffrey Lisandro,   Perry Friedman,   Abe Mosseri,   Yuval Bronshtein

Level 16 Update: Chen Knocks Out Koral, Near Top Of Chip Counts

Jun 19, '09

Ante: 2,000
Low Card: 2,000
Completion: 8,000
Limits: 8,000-16,000

Players Remaining: 21 out of 164

Chip Counts:

1. Yan Chen – 450,000
2. Scotty Nguyen – 440,000
3. Lyle Berman – 405,000
4. Justin Smith – 345,000
5. Dan Heimiller – 320,000
6. Jeff Lisandro – 315,000
7. Doyle Brunson – 310,000
8. Claudio Rinaldi – 275,000
9. Anthony Rivera – 232,000
10. Farzad Rouhani – 230,000

Average Chip Count: 213,913

Notable Eliminations:

Tom Koral
Greg Raymer
Jon Turner

Big Hands:

Yan Chen Knocks Koral Out

Tom Koral: X-X-3Q
Yan Chen: X-X-29

Tom Koral bet 8,000 and Yan Chen made the call.

Tom Koral: X-X-3Q8
Yan Chen: X-X-294

Koral led out for 16,000 and Chen stuck around.

Tom Koral: X-X-3Q85
Yan Chen: X-X-2943

Koral bet another 16,000 and Chen called again. On the river, Koral bet another 16,000 and Chen raised to 32,000 putting Koral to a decision for the rest of his chips. Koral made the call and Chen turned over (K65) for a straight and a 6-low. Koral mucked and made his way toward the exit.

Mosseri Takes Chips Off Heimiller And Nguyen

Abe Mosseri: X-X-KA7
Dan Heimiller: X-X-4A9
Scotty Nguyen: X-X-5JJ

Scotty Nguyen checked with his pair of jacks and Mosseri bet 16,000. Heimiller then raised to 32,000 and Nguyen mucked. Mosseri three-bet to 48,000 and Heimiller just called.

Abe Mosseri: X-X-KA76
Dan Heimiller: X-X-4A98

Mosseri bet 16,000 and Heimiller called. The river was dealt and Mosseri bet another 16,000. Heimiller called and Mosseri turned over (KKJ) for a set of kings. Heimiller mucked and he was down to 235,000 while Mosseri was at 270,000. Nguyen got out of the hand with 440,000 in his stack.

Player Tags: Daniel Heimiller,   Scotty Nguyen,   Abe Mosseri,   Tom Koral,   Yan Chen

Level 10 Update: Daniel Negreanu, Jimmy Fricke Eliminated

Jun 19, '09

Ante: 500
Low Card: 500
Completion: 2,000
Limits: 2,000-4,000

Players Remaining: 79 out of 164

Chip Counts:

1. Tuan Le – 232,000
2. Lyle Berman – 155,000
3. Dario Minieri – 130,000
4. Jeff Lisandro – 125,000
5. John Juanda – 105,000
6. Steve Billirakis – 86,000
7. Scotty Nguyen – 85,000
8. Howard Lederer – 71,000
9. Daniel Alaei – 70,000
10. Tom Schneider – 70,000

Average Chip Count: 57,209

Notable Eliminations:

Daniel Negreanu
Jimmy Fricke
Eli Elezra

Big Hands:

Daniel Negreanu Eliminated

On seventh street, Daniel Negreanu was all-in against Dario Minieri and Lyle Berman.

Their cards:

Negreanu: X-X-29410-X

Minieri: X-X-AQKQ

Berman: X-X-K465-X

Berman bet on the end and Minieri folded. Berman exposed the K32 for a straight to scoop the pot. Negreanu mucked. Berman is up to 155,000.

Jimmy Fricke Eliminated

Jimmy Fricke was put all-in by Scotty Nguyen on third street.

Their cards:

Fricke: (105)1036

Nguyen: (QQ)A27

Fricke was unable to improve or catch a low, as Nguyen scooped the pot. Nguyen is up to 85,000 in chips.

Left In The Deck:

The players are on a short 20 minute break.

Player Tags: Scotty Nguyen,   Daniel Negreanu,   Lyle Berman,   Dario Minieri,   Jimmy Fricke

Level 4 Update: Nguyen Chops With Juanda, Alaei Climbs To Top

Jun 18, '09

Ante: 100
Low Card: 200
Completion: 500
Limits: 500-1,000

Players Remaining: 163 out of 164

Note: Players have gone on a 60 minute dinner break and will return at 10:40 p.m.

Chip Counts:

1. Daniel Alaei – 53,000
2. Jeff Lisandro – 51,000
3. Johnny Chan – 47,000
4. Scotty Nguyen – 45,000
5. Soheil Shamseddin – 45,000
6. Anthony Rivera – 44,000
7. Frank Kassela – 44,000
8. John Hennigan – 43,000
9. Bill Chen – 42,000
10. Farzad Rouhani – 42,000

Average Chip Count: 30,000

Notable Eliminations:

Shawn Sheikhan

Big Hands:

Levi Relieves Eli Of His Chips

David Levi: X-X-2KJ
Eli Elezra: X-X-2Q4

With around 2,500 in the pot, David Levi fired 1,000 and Elezra made the call.

David Levi: X-X-2KJ5
Eli Elezra: X-X-2Q4Q

Although Elezra paired his ladies, he decided to check to Levi. Levi did the same and both players were dealt their river cards. Both players checked again and Levi turned over K88 for two pair and Elezra could not beat it. “I can’t call you if you bet it,” Elezra commented after throwing his hand away. He was at 42,000 while Levi was at 15,000.

Fricke Gobbles Up His Opponent

Fricke: X-X-3
Seat 2: X-X-J

The player in seat 2 completed to 500 and Jimmy Fricke raised to 1,000. His opponent made the call.

Fricke: X-X-37
Seat 2: X-X-J4

Seat 2 checked and Fricke bet 500. His opponent then raised 1,000 and Fricke did not skip a beat as he raised to 1,500. Seat 2 called.

Fricke: X-X-374
Seat 2: X-X-J43

Fricke bet 1,000 and his opponent called again.

Fricke: X-X-3748
Seat 2: X-X-J43Q

Fricke bet another 1,000 and seat 2 raised to 2,000. Fricke came back over the top to 3,000 and was called. On the river, Fricke bet again and his opponent just shook his head and mucked, unable to defend the chips he already had in the pot. Instead, they were added to Fricke’s stack and he was at 37,000.

Nguyen And Juanda Engage In A Friendly Contest

Scotty Nguyen: X-X-948
John Juanda: X-X-8JJ

John Juanda bet 1,000 into a pot holding 4,000 and Scotty Nguyen raised to 2,000. Juanda made the call.

Scotty Nguyen: X-X-9483
John Juanda: X-X-8JJA

Juanda bet 1,000 and Nguyen just called. On the river, Nguyen led out with 1,000 and Juanda threw in the call. Nguyen turned over (852X) for an eight-low and Juanda showed (10A4) for aces up and the players chopped the pot. Nguyen was still over 50,000 while Juanda was at 29,600.

Left In The Deck:

Famed poker commentator Norman Chad is in the field today. At last glance his stack was around 20,000. It will be interesting to see if he can show these players a thing or two on how to play some real poker.

Player Tags: Scotty Nguyen,   David Levi,   John Juanda,   Eli Elezra,   Jimmy Fricke,   Norman Chad

Level 13 Update: Scotty Nguyen, Annie Duke, Erik Seidel Eliminated

Jun 16, '09

Blinds: 2,000-4,000

Players Remaining: 42 out of 185

Chip Counts:

1. Matt Hawrilenko – 272,000
2. Ralph Perry – 180,000
3. Mario Ho – 178,000
4. Josh Arieh – 165,000
5. Jen Harman – 160,000
6. Pat Pezzin – 155,000
7. Steve Zolotow – 150,000
8. Ville Wahlbeck – 135,000
9. Greg Mueller – 135,000
10. Chad Brown – 120,000

Average Chip Count: 132,241

Notable Eliminations:

Scotty Nguyen
Shaun Deeb
Annie Duke
Erik Seidel

Big Hands:

Scotty Nguyen Eliminated

Scotty Nguyen and Greg Mueller were locked up in a pot with the former Main Event champion holding pocket queens against the four-five of Mueller. The former hockey player nailed a straight with his connectors, eliminating Nguyen in the middle the day.

Annie Duke Eliminated

Severely short stacked with only 3,500, Annie Duke bet the last of her remaining chips with the 99 and ran into the JJ of Kenny Hsiung. Duke failed to catch anything and was eliminated early.

Mimi Tran Hits Miracle, Criples Eli Elezra

On a board of AJ92, Eli Elezra checked to Mimi Tran who bet 8,000. Elezra check-raised to 16,000, enough to cover Tran. Tran looked disgusted and threw the last of her chips into the middle. Elezra tabled the A2, while Tran exposed the dominated KQ for a gutshot straight draw. Tran picked up her bag, got up, tucked her chair in and began walking away from the table. However, her exit was halted when the 10 fell on the river, giving her broadway. Tran doubled up to 50,000 and crippled Elezra, leaving him with 21,000.

Player Tags: Scotty Nguyen,   Mimi Tran,   Greg Mueller,   Eli Elezra

Level 5 Update: Wahlbeck Climbing Back

Jun 15, '09

Blinds: 300-600

Players Remaining: 175 out of 185

Chip Counts

1. Shaun Deeb – 82,000
2. Markus Gosler – 67,000
3. Dario Minieri – 63,000
4. Greg Mueller – 60,000
5. Lex Veldhuis – 60,000
6. David Oppenheim – 52,500
7. Michiel Brummelhuis – 50,000
8. Josh Arieh – 49,000
9. Daniel Negreanu – 48,300
10. Berry Johnston – 46,000

Average Stack: 31,356

Notable Eliminations:

Andy Bloch
Brett Richey
Jeff Lisandro

Big Hands:

Once Is A Fluke; Four Times Is A Pattern

On a flop of Q92, Ville Wahlbeck was first to act and checked. The player in seat 3 fired 600 and Wahlbeck check-raised to 1,200. Seat 3 made the call and the 8 came on the turn. Wahlbeck led out with 1,200 and seat 3 came along for the ride. The 6 fell on the river and Wahlbeck fired another 1,200 and seat 3 made the call. Wahlbeck tabled AQ for top pair, top kicker and seat 3 showed KQ for top pair and second kicker. Wahlbeck raked in the pot.

Wahlbeck was under 15,000 earlier in the day but has fought back to build his stack to 30,000. Wahlbeck has already cashed in four $10,000 buy-in events and is looking to do it again here.

Grizzle Second Best

On a board showing A107, Sam Grizzle led out for 600 and the player in seat 1 raised to 1,200. Grizzle made the call and the turn brought the 6. Grizzle led out again, this time for 1,200 and seat 1 called. The river was the 4 and Grizzle fired another 1,200. Seat 1 called and Grizzle showed J10 for second pair. Seat 1 tabled A9 for top pair and Grizzle was down to 24,000.

No Love For Scotty Baby

The player in seat 8 raised to 1,200 under the gun and the action folded around to Scotty Nguyen. He three-bet to 1,800 and seat 8 was the only caller. The flop came AQ3 and both players checked. The turn was the Q and both players checked again. The river brought the 2 and seat 8 was tired of pounding the table and fired 1,200. Nguyen waited for a bit but eventually mucked his hand. He was down to 43,000 after the hand.

The Kid Can’t Turn It

Action folded around to Daniel Negreanu on the button and he raised to 1,200 preflop. The big blind called and the flop came down 1096 and both players checked. The turn was the 2 and the big blind took a stab at the pot with 1,200. Negreanu stared at his opponent for a bit, then mucked his hand. He was down to 44,000 after the hand.

Player Tags: Sam Grizzle,   Scotty Nguyen,   Daniel Negreanu,   Ville Wahlbeck

Level 13 Update: Scotty Nguyen, Annie Duke, Erik Seidel Eliminated

Jun 16, '09

Blinds: 2,000-4,000

Players Remaining: 42 out of 185

Chip Counts:

1. Matt Hawrilenko – 272,000
2. Ralph Perry – 180,000
3. Mario Ho – 178,000
4. Josh Arieh – 165,000
5. Jen Harman – 160,000
6. Pat Pezzin – 155,000
7. Steve Zolotow – 150,000
8. Ville Wahlbeck – 135,000
9. Greg Mueller – 135,000
10. Chad Brown – 120,000

Average Chip Count: 132,241

Notable Eliminations:

Scotty Nguyen
Shaun Deeb
Annie Duke
Erik Seidel

Big Hands:

Scotty Nguyen Eliminated

Scotty Nguyen and Greg Mueller were locked up in a pot with the former Main Event champion holding pocket queens against the four-five of Mueller. The former hockey player nailed a straight with his connectors, eliminating Nguyen in the middle the day.

Annie Duke Eliminated

Severely short stacked with only 3,500, Annie Duke bet the last of her remaining chips with the 99 and ran into the JJ of Kenny Hsiung. Duke failed to catch anything and was eliminated early.

Mimi Tran Hits Miracle, Criples Eli Elezra

On a board of AJ92, Eli Elezra checked to Mimi Tran who bet 8,000. Elezra check-raised to 16,000, enough to cover Tran. Tran looked disgusted and threw the last of her chips into the middle. Elezra tabled the A2, while Tran exposed the dominated KQ for a gutshot straight draw. Tran picked up her bag, got up, tucked her chair in and began walking away from the table. However, her exit was halted when the 10 fell on the river, giving her broadway. Tran doubled up to 50,000 and crippled Elezra, leaving him with 21,000.

Player Tags: Scotty Nguyen,   Mimi Tran,   Greg Mueller,   Eli Elezra

Level 5 Update: Wahlbeck Climbing Back

Jun 15, '09

Blinds: 300-600

Players Remaining: 175 out of 185

Chip Counts

1. Shaun Deeb – 82,000
2. Markus Gosler – 67,000
3. Dario Minieri – 63,000
4. Greg Mueller – 60,000
5. Lex Veldhuis – 60,000
6. David Oppenheim – 52,500
7. Michiel Brummelhuis – 50,000
8. Josh Arieh – 49,000
9. Daniel Negreanu – 48,300
10. Berry Johnston – 46,000

Average Stack: 31,356

Notable Eliminations:

Andy Bloch
Brett Richey
Jeff Lisandro

Big Hands:

Once Is A Fluke; Four Times Is A Pattern

On a flop of Q92, Ville Wahlbeck was first to act and checked. The player in seat 3 fired 600 and Wahlbeck check-raised to 1,200. Seat 3 made the call and the 8 came on the turn. Wahlbeck led out with 1,200 and seat 3 came along for the ride. The 6 fell on the river and Wahlbeck fired another 1,200 and seat 3 made the call. Wahlbeck tabled AQ for top pair, top kicker and seat 3 showed KQ for top pair and second kicker. Wahlbeck raked in the pot.

Wahlbeck was under 15,000 earlier in the day but has fought back to build his stack to 30,000. Wahlbeck has already cashed in four $10,000 buy-in events and is looking to do it again here.

Grizzle Second Best

On a board showing A107, Sam Grizzle led out for 600 and the player in seat 1 raised to 1,200. Grizzle made the call and the turn brought the 6. Grizzle led out again, this time for 1,200 and seat 1 called. The river was the 4 and Grizzle fired another 1,200. Seat 1 called and Grizzle showed J10 for second pair. Seat 1 tabled A9 for top pair and Grizzle was down to 24,000.

No Love For Scotty Baby

The player in seat 8 raised to 1,200 under the gun and the action folded around to Scotty Nguyen. He three-bet to 1,800 and seat 8 was the only caller. The flop came AQ3 and both players checked. The turn was the Q and both players checked again. The river brought the 2 and seat 8 was tired of pounding the table and fired 1,200. Nguyen waited for a bit but eventually mucked his hand. He was down to 43,000 after the hand.

The Kid Can’t Turn It

Action folded around to Daniel Negreanu on the button and he raised to 1,200 preflop. The big blind called and the flop came down 1096 and both players checked. The turn was the 2 and the big blind took a stab at the pot with 1,200. Negreanu stared at his opponent for a bit, then mucked his hand. He was down to 44,000 after the hand.

Player Tags: Sam Grizzle,   Scotty Nguyen,   Daniel Negreanu,   Ville Wahlbeck