Billy Kopp - Live Updates

Level 33 Hour 2 Update: Jordan Smith Eliminated, November Nine Reached

Jul 15, '09

Blinds: 120,000-240,000 with a 30,000 ante

Players Remaining: 9 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Darvin Moon – 58,930,000
2. Eric Buchman – 34,800,000
3. Steven Begleiter – 29,885,000
4. Jeff Shulman – 19,580,000
5. Joe Cada – 13,215,000
6. Kevin Schaffel – 12,390,000
7. Phil Ivey – 9,765,000
8. Antoine Saout – 9,500,000
9. James Akenhead – 6,800,000

Card Player Chip Count:

Jeff Shulman – 19,580,000

Average Chip Count: 21,646,666

Eliminations:

12. Billy Kopp – $896,730
11. Jamie Robbins – $896,730
10. Jordan Smith – $896,730

Twitter Updates:

Jeff Shulman at 19,580,000 (twitter feed)
Phil Ivey at 9,765,000 (twitter feed)

Big Hands:

Billy Kopp Eliminated in 12th Place ($896,730)

Billy Kopp raised to 600,000 preflop in early position and Darvin Moon called from the small blind. The flop came K92 and Moon checked. Kopp bet 750,000 and Moon called. The 2 on the turn prompted Moon to once again check. Kopp bet 2,000,000 and Moon check-raised to 6,000,000. Kopp didn’t take long before moving all in for 20,000,000. Moon made the call and exposed the QJ for the second nut flush. Kopp exposed the 53 and was drawing stone cold dead. His stack of over 100 big blinds was handed over to Moon when the meaningless 7 fell on the river. Kopp was eliminated and Moon built his stack to 40,500,000 after the monster hand.

Jamie Robbins Eliminated in 11th Place ($896,730)

Jamie Robbins open-shoved for 2,350,000 and Phil Ivey called. Robbins exposed the KQ and Ivey tabled the A10. Ivey was a slight favorite and held as the board ran out 83335. Ivey was at 9,610,000 after the hand.

Joe Cada Wins First Pot at Table of 10

Joe Cada bet 600,000 from early position and Darvin Moon called from the button. The two players checked down a board of J106QQ. Cada exposed pocket nines to take the small pot while Moon tabled pocket deuces.

Jeff Shulman Wins a Pot

Eric Buchman bet 650,000 preflop. Jeff Shulman, Jordan Smith, and Phil Ivey all called. The flop came A98 and action was checked to Shulman. He fired out 1,500,000 and won the pot as everyone else folded. Shulman was at 20,510,000 after the hand.

Akenhead Playing Snug

Jordan Smith bet 650,000 preflop and James Akenhead called. The flop came 632 and Smith checked. Akenhead checked behind. The K hit the turn and both players checked again. The 4 fell on the river and both checked for a third time. Akenhead, the short stack at the table, exposed the 77 and was good. He took the pot and was up to 6,400,000 after the hand.

November Nine Reached

Jordan Smith Eliminated in 10th Place ($896,730)

Eric Buchman raised preflop to 650,000. Darvin Moon called from the button. Jordan Smith reraised to 2,600,000 total from the small blind. Buchman folded and Moon smooth called. The flop came 842 and Smith checked to Moon on the button. Moon bet 4,000,000 and Smith check-raised all in. Moon instantly called and exposed top set with the 88 and was up against the AA of Smith. Smith was in bad shape to double up and stay alive in the tournament. The turn brought the 5, adding a wheel draw for Smith. The river brought none of his outs as the 10 landed on the felt. Smith was eliminated and Moon is up to 58,930,000 after the hand.

Player Tags: Phil Ivey,   Jamie Robbins,   Jordan Smith,   Billy Kopp

Level 31 Hour 2 Update: Vedes 19th, Lichtenberger 18th, Tavelli 17th, Lacay 16th

Jul 15, '09

Blinds: 80,000-160,000 with a 20,000 ante

Players Remaining: 15 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Steven Begleiter – 27,890,000
2. Darvin Moon – 24,600,000
3. Billy Kopp – 17,200,000
4. Eric Buchman – 16,000,000
5. Jordan Smith – 15,800,000
6. Joseph Cada – 13,600,000
7. Kevin Schaffel – 13,600,000
8. Jeff Shluman – 12,800,000
9. James Akenhead – 10,100,000
10. Nick Maimone – 10,000,000

Card Player Chip Count:

Jeff Shulman – 12,800,000

Average Chip Count: 12,988,000

Eliminations:

19. Tommy Vedes — $352,832
18. Andrew Lichtenberger — $500,557
17. Ian Tavelli — $500,557
16. Ludovic Lacay — $500,557

Twitter Updates:

Jeff Shulman at 12,800,000 (twitter feed)
Billy Kopp at 17,200,000 (twitter feed)
Phil Ivey at 6,800,000 (twitter feed)
Nick Maimone at 9,350,000 (twitter feed)

Big Hands:

Tommy Vedes Eliminated In 19th Place($352,832)

Eric Buchman raised to 425,000 preflop and Tommy Vedes moved in for his last 1.9 million. Buchman made the call with 77, dominating Vedes’ 33.

The flop brought something for everyone as it fell 1073, giving each player a set. The turn was the Q and Vedes needed the case three to stay alive. But the river was the 2 and Vedes was ousted in 19th place.

Lamb’s Aces Taken Out To Slaughter

Steven Begleiter raised to 425,000 preflop from the hijack and Benjamin Lamb repopped to 1.1 million from the cutoff. Begleiter made the call and the two players saw a flop of J95. Begleiter checked to Lamb who fired a bet into the pot. Begleiter then moved all in for over 7 million. Lamb made the call after some thought and tabled AA.

The aces were officially cracked, however, as Begleiter tabled J9 for top two pair on the flop. The turn was the 3 and the river was the 8 and Begleiter doubled to over 16 million. Lamb was down to just over 4 million in chips.

Not So Happy…

Jeff Shulman raised to 420,000 preflop and Joe Cada repopped it to 1.2 million. Shulman made the call and the flop came down K25. Cada checked to Shulman who bet 1.4 million. Cada made the call and the turn was the 5. Both players checked and the river was the K.

Cada then led out for 2 million and Shulman threw his hand in the muck. Cada raked in the pot and was over 9 million while Shulman dropped to 8 million.

Jordan Smith Takes One On The Turn

Billy Kopp raised to 375,000 and Ben Lamb made the call from the button. Jordan Smith also came along from the big blind and the flop came down 986. Everyone checked and the turn was the Q.

Smith led out for 700,000 and his two opponents mucked. Smith raked in the pot and was over 7 million.

Begleiter Takes One Off Maimone

Steven Begleiter raised to 425,000 and Nick Maimone made the call from the big blind. The flop came down J72 and both players checked. The turn was the 7 and Maimone took a shot with 400,000. Begleiter made the call and the river was the 9. Maimone bet 800,000 and Begleiter made the call.

Maimone tabled KJ for top pair, but Begleiter showed AJ for the same hand with a better kicker. Begleiter raked the pot and was at 18 million while Maimone was at 10 million.

Andrew Lichtenberger Eliminated In 18th Place($500,557)

Andrew Lichtenberger raised to 400,000 and Darvin Moon made the call. The flop came down 633 and Lichtenberger bet 680,000. Moon raised to 1.5 million and Lichtenberger moved all in, getting a quick call from Moon.

Lichtenberger showed JJ, but Moon tabled KK. The turn was the 6 and the river was the 7 and Moon knocked out Lichtenberger, moving his stack to 25 million.

Ivey Takes A Pot

Phil Ivey raised to 420,000 and Steven Begleiter made the call. The flop came down 864 and Ivey led out with 600,000. Begleiter made the call and the 4 fell on the turn. Both players checked.

They did the same when the K came on the river and Begleiter showed down 109 for a bunch of busted draws. Ivey showed 99 for the best hand and took the pot. He was at 6.8 million.

…But Let’s Put A Smile On That Face

Jeff Shulman raised to 450,000 preflop from the hijack and James Calderaro called from the button. The flop came down 1054 and Shulman bet 750,000 and Calderaro made the call. The turn was the K and Shulman kept the pressure on, betting 1.1 million.

Calderaro decided to muck his hand and Shulman took it down, improving his stack to 9 million.

Jordan Smith Doubles Through Billy Kopp

Billy Kopp had been strolling through the day with a nice chip lead, but he just took his first big hit of the day courtesy of Jordan Smith.

Smith raised to 420,000 under the gun and Kopp raised to 1.5 million from the cutoff. Action folded back around to Smith who shoved for 7.73 million. Kopp made the call and here were their hands.

Kopp: AK
Smith: QQ

Board: JJ988

Smith’s pocket ladies held up and he doubled to 15.8 million while Kopp was knocked off the chip lead, his stack at 17.2 million.

Ian Tavelli Eliminated In 17th Place($500,557)

Steven Begleiter raised to 1.35 million after Ian Tavelli had opened for 450,000 from under the gun. Tavelli made the call and the flop came down 642 and Begleiter fired 3.5 million. Tavelli moved in for almost 8 million and Begleiter snapped him off, tabling KK. Tavelli showed down 99 and Tavelli was in trouble.

The turn was the Q and the river was the 10 and Tavelli was out while Begleiter catapulted to the chip lead.

Ludovic Lacay Eliminated In 16th Place($500,557)

Jeff Shulman raised to 450,000 preflop and Ludovic Lacay came over the top for the rest of his stack of just over 3 million. Shulman made the call and here were there hands.

Shulman: AK
Lacay: 77

It was a classic race and the flop came K95, putting Shulman ahead. The turn was the 9 and the river was the 6 and Lacay was ousted from the main event. Shulman was up to 12.8 million after the hand.

Player Tags: Jeff Shulman,   Phil Ivey,   Tommy Vedes,   Jordan Smith,   Ben Lamb,   Billy Kopp,   Ludovic Lacay,   Andrew Lichtenberger,   Nick Maimone

Level 30 Hour 2 Update: Balmigere Out In 25th Place, Esfandiari Out In 24th Place

Jul 15, '09

Blinds: 60,000-120,000 with a 15,000 ante

Players Remaining: 23 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Billy Kopp – 21,200,000
2. Darvin Moon – 17,500,000
3. Steven Begleiter – 15,200,000
4. Kevin Schaffel – 12,300,000
5. Eric Buchman – 12,000,000
6. Jeff Shulman – 10,800,000
7. Ian Tavelli – 10,100,000
8. James Akenhead – 10,000,000
9. Nick Maimone – 9,350,000
10. Jamie Robbins – 9,250,000

Average Chip Count: 8,470,434

Card Player Chip Count:

Jeff Shulman – 10,800,000

Eliminations:

25. Francois Balmigere — $352,832
24. Antonio Esfandiari — $352,832

Twitter Updates:

Jeff Shulman at 10,800,000 (twitter feed)
Billy Kopp at 21,200,000 (twitter feed)
Phil Ivey at 6,000,000 (twitter feed)
Nick Maimone at 9,350,000 (twitter feed)
Ludovic Lacay at 3,100,000 (twitter feed)

Big Hands

Francois Balmigere Eliminated In 25th Place($352,832)

Francois Balmigere raised to 330,000 preflop from middle position and Steven Begleiter called behind him. Billy Kopp came along from the big blind and the flop was 1076. Kopp led out with 700,000 and Balmigere moved in for 2.7 million. Begleiter mucked but Kopp made the call after a few minutes in the tank.

Balmigere tabled JJ while Kopp showed down 87 for just middle pair and a gutshot draw, along with a backdoor flush-draw. The turn was the A and Balmigere was one card away from getting a double up. But the river was the 9, making Kopp his straight and sending Balmigere out in 25th place.

Buchman Fills Up On The Turn

Jonathan Tamayo raised to 355,000 from the button and Eric Buchman called from the big blind. Darvin Moon had limped in earlier and made the call as well. The flop came down 992 and Tamayo fired 760,000. Buchman was the only caller and the turn was the 6. Both players checked and the river was the Q.

Buchman led out with 1.1 million and Tamayo made the call. Buchman then tabled 66 for a full boat and Tamayo mucked his hand.

Shulman Wins Battle Of The Blinds Against Ivey

Action folded around to Phil Ivey who called from the small blind and Jeff Shulman checked from the big blind. The two players saw a flop of AJ2 and Ivey led out with 120,000. Shulman made the call and the turn was the 2.

Ivey checked to Shulman and he fired 200,000. Ivey had enough of his hand and threw it into the muck. Shulman took the pot and was around 11 million.

Lucky Sevens For Maimone, Doubles Through Jordan Smith

Jordan Smith raised to 320,000 from middle position and action folded to Nick Maimone on the button. He reraised to 825,000 and Smith made the call. The flop then came down Q84 and Smith moved all in. Maimone made the quick call and tabled 77. Smith then showed down 1010 for a dominating lead.

But the turn changed everything as it brought the 7, giving Maimone a set and a stranglehold on the hand. The river was the 9 and Maimone doubled up to 4 million.

I Am Chip Leader, Hear Me Roar

Billy Kopp raised to 275,000 from under the gun and Steven Begleiter made the call from the button. The flop fell 532 and Kopp led out for 600,000. Begleiter made the call and the turn was the J.

Both players checked and they did the same for the J on the river. Kopp tabled 66 and Begleiter mucked. Kopp took the hand and was just over 19 million, good enough for to take over the chip lead.

Akenhead Gets Kings Again, Wins Small Pot

James Akenhead raised to 280,000 preflop and Warren Zackey made the call from the small blind. The flop came AJ8 and both players checked. They did the same on the 3 turn and the river brought the 5.

Zackey checked and Akenhead bet 300,000. Zackey made the call and Akenhead tabled KK and Zackey mucked. Akenhead took the pot and was at 3.3 million.

The Phil Ivey National Bank

Phil Ivey has been hard pressed to win a pot in the early going of day 8. He doubled up Nick Maimone during the last hour and just doubled up Marco Mattes.

Maimone opened with a raise to 290,000 and Mattes moved all in for almost 2.5 million. Action folded around to Ivey who made the call. Maimone got out of the way and Ivey tabled JJ. Mattes then showed down QQ and Ivey was dominated.

The flop came down 1055, giving both players two pair. The turn was the 7 and the river was the 4 and Mattes doubled to over 5 million. Ivey took another hit and his stack was just under 6 million.

The Magician Disappears, Antonio Esfandiari Eliminated In 24th Place($352,832)

Antonio Esfandiari raised to 310,000 preflop from under the gun and Steven Begleiter called from middle position. The flop came down 1024 and Esfandiari bet 535,000. Begleiter raised it up to 1.6 million and Esfandiari moved all in for 2.5 million more. Begleiter made the call and tabled K10 for top pair on the flop.

Esfandiari showed down 55 and needed help. The turn was the 6, giving Esfandiari a gutshot straight draw. But the A fell on the river and Esfandiari was eliminated.

Player Tags: Jeff Shulman,   Antonio Esfandiari,   Eric Buchman,   Phil Ivey,   James Akenhead,   Billy Kopp,   Francois Balmigere,   Marco Mattes,   Warren Zackey

Level 27 Hour 2 Update: Last of the November Nine Fall

Jul 14, '09

Blinds: 30,000-60,000 with a 10,000 ante

Players Remaining: 43 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Billy Kopp – 15,500,000
2. Tommy Vedes – 9,900,000
3. Darvin Moon – 9,350,000
4. Phil Ivey – 8,600,000
5. Jonathan Tamayo – 8,200,000
6. Ludovic Lacay – 7,550,000
7. Antoine Saout – 7,500,000
8. Joseph Cada – 7,400,000
9. Luis Nargentino – 7,050,000
10. Steven Begleiter – 6,500,000

Average Chip Count: 4,427,727

Card Player Chip Count:

Jeff Shulman – 4,800,000

Notable Eliminations:

49. Fabrice Soulier — $138,568
45. Dennis Phillips — $178,857
Twitter Updates:

Jeff Shulman at 4,600,000 (twitter feed)
Billy Kopp at 14,340,000 (twitter feed)
Phil Ivey at 7,400,000 (twitter feed)
Nick Maimone at 4,300,000 (twitter feed)
Ludovic Lacay at 7,150,000 (twitter feed)
Francois Balmigere at 3,900,000 (twitter feed)
Jesse Haabak at 1,805,000 (twitter feed)

Big Hands

Fabrice Soulier Busted By Tommy Vedes

Tommy Vedes raised to 185,000 from under the gun and Fabrice Soulier made it a cool million from middle position, putting himself all in. Action folded around to Vedes who made the call. Vedes tabled AK and Soulier showed down 1010 and the race was on.

The flop came down J98, giving Vedes the nut flush draw. The turn was the 5 and Soulier was on the verge of doubling up. But the river was the 8, giving Vedes the flush and sending Soulier out the door. Vedes was amongst the chip leaders with 8.55 million after the hand.

Andrew Lichtenberger Doubles Up

Andrew Lichtenberger raised to 180,000 from the small blind and Eric Buchman repopped to 460,000. Lichtenberger moved all in and Buchman made the call. Buchman tabled 99 and Lichtenberger showed AQ.

The flop came down 443 and things were not looking good. But the turn was the A and Lichtenberger was in the lead. The river was the 7 and Lichtenberger doubled up.

Vedes Takes One Off Lacay

Ludovic Lacay raised 150,000 and three players called. The flop then came down KK5. Action was checked to Lacay who fired 325,000. Christopher Bach and Tommy Vedes were the only callers and the turn was the 3.

Everyone checked and they did the same after the 3 fell on the river. Vedes then tabled 55 for a flopped full house and took the pot. He was at 9.45 million.

Hieu Luu Eliminated in 48th Place ($138,568)

Hieu Luu was down his last 410,000 and was in the big blind when action folded around to Marc McLaughlin in the small blind. McLaughlin raised enough to put Luu all in and Luu made the call. “I don’t care,” said Luu as he put his chips in.

He may not have cared, but he was ahead with his lowly 105 against McLaughlin’s 93, but the 926 flop did him in. Neither the turn or the river contained a 10 and Luu was sent home in 48th place.

Three Outs Is More Than Enough for Labandeira

Miguel Labandeira moved all in preflop for his last 815,000 and Steven Begleiter called from the big blind. The cards were turned up and Begleiter saw he had a big lead with his AQ against Labandeira’s A6.

The flop kept Begleiter in the lead as it fell K108 and the turn was a 4, furthering Begleiter’s strangle hold on the hand. The river, however, changed things, as it came carrything the 6 on the river, giving the pot to Labandeira. Begleiter was so angry that he had to get up and walk around while he missed a few hands, but he still has over 5,000,000 in chips.

The Chip Leaders Gets Caught In The Ivey

Billy Kopp raised to 150,000 from the hijack position and Phil Ivey made the call from the cutoff. They both saw a flop of 772 and checked. The turn was the 4 and both players checked again. The river brought the A and Kopp took a shot with 225,000.

Ivey raised it up to 700,000 and Kopp got out of the way. Ivey raked in the pot and was up to 8.6 million in chips.

A few hands later, Ivey made a button raise to 150,000 and was three-bet by Luis Nargentino to 460,000. Ivey didn’t back down and made it 1,160,000, which Nargentino called.

The flop was K104 and Ivey bet 1,200,000 after Nargentino checked. Nargentino folded and Ivey surpassed the 10,000,000 mark in chips.

Vedes Freerolls On Haabak, But Chops

Tommy Vedes raised to 165,000 from late position and Jesse Haabak moved all in for 1,386,000. Vedes made the call and they AQ and Haabak showed AQ and more than likely they were going to chop the pot.

J108 and both players picked up backdoor flush draws. The 3 fell on the turn and now Haabak was unable to win the pot, he could only lose it. The 2 fell on the river, however, and they were abel to chop up the pot.

Dennis Phillips’ Second Trip to the November Nine Stopped by Francoios Balmigere

Antoine Saout raised to 165,000 and Francois Balmigere called. Dennis Phillips made it 450,000 and then Balmigere decided he would move all in after Saout got out of the way. Phillips called and his tournament life was at risk.

Balmigere showed AK and Phillips had AK. Usually this ends up a split pot, but Dennis Phillips didn’t like it when the flop came K64. The turn was safe for Phillips when the 10 fell, but the river did him in, like so many others, as the 5 hit the river, ending Phillips’ main event run.

Player Tags: Eric Buchman,   Fabrice Soulier,   Phil Ivey,   Tommy Vedes,   Billy Kopp,   Ludovic Lacay,   Andrew Lichtenberger

Level 25 Hour 1 Update: Peter Eastgate Eliminated

Jul 13, '09

Blinds: 20,000-40,000 with a 5,000 ante

Players Remaining: 71 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Darvin Moon – 9,100,000
2. Billy Kopp – 7,100,000
3. Ludovic Lacay – 6,620,000
4. Phil Ivey – 5,650,000
5. Antonio Esfandiari – 5,600,000
6. Antoine Saout – 4,700,000
7. Nick Maimone – 4,700,000
8. Charlie Elias – 4,700,000
9. Tommy Vedes – 4,550,000
10.Jeff Duvall – 4,500,000

Average Chip Count: 2,743,943

Card Player Chip Count:

Jeff Shulman – 3,800,000

- Shulman continues to hold steady above the 3.5 million mark. His stack is currently in 15th place.

Notable Eliminations:

81. Matt Affleck – $68,979
79. Owen Crowe – $68,979
78. Peter Eastgate – $68,979

Chip Movers and Shakers During the Last Hour:

- Nichoel Peppe was eliminated when her Jh4h ran right into the pocket aces of Adam York. Peppe was eliminated after the board ran out 7-7-2-6-4 with only one heart in the mix. Leo Margets is now the last woman standing.

- Thai Tran doubled up to 2 million when his AcQc made a flush to top the A-K of Clayton Newman. Tran now holds 2 million.

- Tom Schneider enlisted the help of pocket queens to grow his stack back to 2.6 million.

- Hieu Luu doubled up to 4 million when his K-Q cracked the pocket aces of Fernando Gordo on a K-7-6-Q-3 board.

- Eugene Katchalov climbed back above 4 million when he induced both Jamie Robbins to fold to his 725,000 bet on a 10-5-4 flop. Katchalov caught about 625,000 on the hand.

- Darvin Moon further increased his chip lead when he eliminated Brean Catalano. Moon held pocket queens to beat Catalano’s A-J and grew his stack to more than 9 million after the knockout.

Big Hands

Peter Eastgate Eliminated in 78th Place ($68,979)

The defending champion of the main event from last year has been knocked out.

Billy Kopp raised to 105,000 preflop and Dennis Phillips made the call to his immediate left. Action was folded to Peter Eastgate in the small blind, who moved all in for 340,000 more. Action was back on Kopp who made the call and Dennis Phillips made the call. The board ran out A64J3, as Kopp and Phillips checked it down. Kopp exposed the 88 for an eight high flush and Phillips mucked. Eastgate tabled the AJ for top two pair. Kopp eliminated Eastgate from the tournament.

Tom Schneider Doubles Up

Tom Schneider and Grayson Ramage got all the chips into the pot before the flop. Schneider exposed the AK while Ramage tabled the AQ. Schneider’s A-K held up and he doubled to 2,160,000.

Former Chip Leader Eliminated

Action was folded to Matt Affleck on the button who moved all in for 880,000 with the A7. Nick Maimone called from the small blind and exposed the AQ. The board ran out A109J3, and the chip leader going into day five has been eliminated. Maimone is now at 4,100,000 chips.

Phil Ivey Running Hot

Phil Ivey bet 110,000 from the button and Kent Goulding reraised to 325,000 from the big blind. Ivey made the call and both players saw a flop of Q42. Goulding checked and Ivey enough to put his opponent all in for 910,000. Goulding made the call and exposed the Q7 while Ivey tabled the J5 for a flush draw. The turn bricked for Ivey but the K on the river eliminated Goulding and handed Ivey the pot. Ivey is over 5,000,000 now.

Owen Crowe Eliminated in 79th Place ($68,979)

Fernando Gordo and Owen Crowe got all the chips into the pot preflop. Gordo reraised all in for 1,800,000 with the AK, enough to cover Crowe with the QQ. Crowe made the call and the board ran out K954A to eliminate Crowe. Gordo is over 4,000,000.

Player Tags: Tom Schneider,   Billy Kopp,   Peter Eastgate,   Dennis Phillips,   Matt Affleck

Level 22 Hour 2 Update: Shulman Rolling, ElkY Busts

Jul 13, '09

Note: Players are currently on a 20 minute break and will return at 4:50 PDT.

Blinds: 10,000-20,000 with a 3,000 ante

Players Remaining: 120 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Warren Zackey – 5,120,000
2. Billy Kopp – 4,660,000
3. Tom Schneider – 4,150,000
4. Ludovic Lacay – 4,060,000
5. Charlie Elias – 4,000,000
6. Darvin Moon – 3,450,000
7. Antoine Saout – 3,300,000
8. Bernhard Perner – 3,200,000
9. Jamie Brown – 3,120,000
10. Kasper Cordes – 3,060,000

Average Chip Count: 1,623,500

Card Player Chip Counts:

Jeff Shulman – 3,302,000

Notable Eliminations:

125. Theo Tran — $40,288
124. Eric Cloutier — $40,288
122. Bertrand Grospellier – $40,288

Chip Movers and Shakers During the Last Hour:

- Craig Boyd moved up to 3 million in chips when snapped off a bluff from Hieu Luu to double up.

- Blair Hinkle was eliminated from the tournamrnt shortly after his stack was crippled down to 33,000.

- Ahn Van Nguyen was knocked down to 1,225,000 after tangling in a hand with Steve Begleiter, who held trip deueces and is now close to 3 million.

Big Hands:

Peter Eastgate Eliminates Edward Teems

Edward Teems moved all in preflop under the gun and action was folded around to Peter Eastgate in the big blind. He made the call and the two players then flipped up their cards as the featured table crowd perked up in their seats.

Eastgate: AQ
Teems: JJ

Board: A10586

Eastgate eliminated Teems and the crowd gave a round of applause. Eastgate now holds just over 700,000.

Billy Kopp Soars to Top of Chip Counts, Eliminates El Nasr

Billy Kopp raised to 52,000 preflop and Dennis Phillips called. Action folded around to Nasr El Nasr put in another bet, as he made it 173,000. Billy Kopp opted to make it 506,000 and Dennis Phillips got out of the way before El Nasr moved all in for 1,325,000, which was snap called by Kopp.

Kopp turned over AA and El Nasr showed QQ. The board ran out safe for Kopp as it came 2410103 and El Nasr is eliminated and Billy Kopp now has 4,660,000 in chips.

Shulman Flirts With 3 Million

The player in seat 5 raised to 55,000 and Jeff Shulman repopped it to 200,000 from the small blind. Seat 5 called and the flop was A59. Shulman led out with 250,000 and seat 5 made the call. The turn was the 4 and both players checked. The river was the 10 and both players checked again.

Shulman then turned over a monster, 62, for a flush. Seat 5 didn’t have a diamond in his hand as he mucked and Shulman took the pot, his stack around 2.85 million.

Nichoel Peppe Muscles Out Her Opposition

Tommy Vedes raised to 58,000 from the cutoff and Berhard Parner called from the button. Nichoel Peppe did the same from the small blind and the flop was 1076 and Vedes fired 230,000. Parner folded but Peppe would not hear of such a thing, instead pushing all in for almost 760,000 total.

Vedes took a session in the tank and eventually folded his hand. Peppe took the pot and she was at 1.2 million.

Soulier Scores Another Knockout

Don Tran moved all in preflop and Fabrice Soulier made the call. Tran tabled AJ while Soulier showed down the ladies, QQ.

The flop came down 978 and Tran flopped a gutshot straight draw. The turn was the 9 and the river was the 7, missing Tran completely and he was eliminated. Soulier was over 3 million in chips.

Affleck’s Bluff Gets Picked Off, Stack Tumbles

On a flop of 994, Mark Ader led out for 220,000 and was met with a raise from Matt Affleck who moved all in and had Ader well covered. Ader tanked about calling off his last 720,000 and eventually made the call.

Affleck’s head sank as he turned over 710, for a complete bluff and Ader turned over pocket queens. The turn and river didn’t bring running tens or sevens and Afflecks stack dropped to 890,000, while Mark Ader increased his stack to 2,350,000 in chips.

Bertrand Grospellier Eliminated in 122nd Place ($40,288)

Bertrand Grospellier bet 47,000 from middle position and an opponent reraised to 150,000. ElkY moved all in for about 375,000 total, slightly less than what his opponent had in his stack. Grospellier’s all in was snap called and he turned over the AK. His opponent tabled the KK. The board ran out 3226J and ElkY was eliminated in heartbreaking fashion.

Player Tags: Jeff Shulman,   Fabrice Soulier,   Nicholle Peppe,   Bertrand Grospellier,   Billy Kopp,   Peter Eastgate,   Matt Affleck,   Nasr El Nasr

Level 33 Hour 2 Update: Jordan Smith Eliminated, November Nine Reached

Jul 15, '09

Blinds: 120,000-240,000 with a 30,000 ante

Players Remaining: 9 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Darvin Moon – 58,930,000
2. Eric Buchman – 34,800,000
3. Steven Begleiter – 29,885,000
4. Jeff Shulman – 19,580,000
5. Joe Cada – 13,215,000
6. Kevin Schaffel – 12,390,000
7. Phil Ivey – 9,765,000
8. Antoine Saout – 9,500,000
9. James Akenhead – 6,800,000

Card Player Chip Count:

Jeff Shulman – 19,580,000

Average Chip Count: 21,646,666

Eliminations:

12. Billy Kopp – $896,730
11. Jamie Robbins – $896,730
10. Jordan Smith – $896,730

Twitter Updates:

Jeff Shulman at 19,580,000 (twitter feed)
Phil Ivey at 9,765,000 (twitter feed)

Big Hands:

Billy Kopp Eliminated in 12th Place ($896,730)

Billy Kopp raised to 600,000 preflop in early position and Darvin Moon called from the small blind. The flop came K92 and Moon checked. Kopp bet 750,000 and Moon called. The 2 on the turn prompted Moon to once again check. Kopp bet 2,000,000 and Moon check-raised to 6,000,000. Kopp didn’t take long before moving all in for 20,000,000. Moon made the call and exposed the QJ for the second nut flush. Kopp exposed the 53 and was drawing stone cold dead. His stack of over 100 big blinds was handed over to Moon when the meaningless 7 fell on the river. Kopp was eliminated and Moon built his stack to 40,500,000 after the monster hand.

Jamie Robbins Eliminated in 11th Place ($896,730)

Jamie Robbins open-shoved for 2,350,000 and Phil Ivey called. Robbins exposed the KQ and Ivey tabled the A10. Ivey was a slight favorite and held as the board ran out 83335. Ivey was at 9,610,000 after the hand.

Joe Cada Wins First Pot at Table of 10

Joe Cada bet 600,000 from early position and Darvin Moon called from the button. The two players checked down a board of J106QQ. Cada exposed pocket nines to take the small pot while Moon tabled pocket deuces.

Jeff Shulman Wins a Pot

Eric Buchman bet 650,000 preflop. Jeff Shulman, Jordan Smith, and Phil Ivey all called. The flop came A98 and action was checked to Shulman. He fired out 1,500,000 and won the pot as everyone else folded. Shulman was at 20,510,000 after the hand.

Akenhead Playing Snug

Jordan Smith bet 650,000 preflop and James Akenhead called. The flop came 632 and Smith checked. Akenhead checked behind. The K hit the turn and both players checked again. The 4 fell on the river and both checked for a third time. Akenhead, the short stack at the table, exposed the 77 and was good. He took the pot and was up to 6,400,000 after the hand.

November Nine Reached

Jordan Smith Eliminated in 10th Place ($896,730)

Eric Buchman raised preflop to 650,000. Darvin Moon called from the button. Jordan Smith reraised to 2,600,000 total from the small blind. Buchman folded and Moon smooth called. The flop came 842 and Smith checked to Moon on the button. Moon bet 4,000,000 and Smith check-raised all in. Moon instantly called and exposed top set with the 88 and was up against the AA of Smith. Smith was in bad shape to double up and stay alive in the tournament. The turn brought the 5, adding a wheel draw for Smith. The river brought none of his outs as the 10 landed on the felt. Smith was eliminated and Moon is up to 58,930,000 after the hand.

Player Tags: Phil Ivey,   Jamie Robbins,   Jordan Smith,   Billy Kopp

Level 31 Hour 2 Update: Vedes 19th, Lichtenberger 18th, Tavelli 17th, Lacay 16th

Jul 15, '09

Blinds: 80,000-160,000 with a 20,000 ante

Players Remaining: 15 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Steven Begleiter – 27,890,000
2. Darvin Moon – 24,600,000
3. Billy Kopp – 17,200,000
4. Eric Buchman – 16,000,000
5. Jordan Smith – 15,800,000
6. Joseph Cada – 13,600,000
7. Kevin Schaffel – 13,600,000
8. Jeff Shluman – 12,800,000
9. James Akenhead – 10,100,000
10. Nick Maimone – 10,000,000

Card Player Chip Count:

Jeff Shulman – 12,800,000

Average Chip Count: 12,988,000

Eliminations:

19. Tommy Vedes — $352,832
18. Andrew Lichtenberger — $500,557
17. Ian Tavelli — $500,557
16. Ludovic Lacay — $500,557

Twitter Updates:

Jeff Shulman at 12,800,000 (twitter feed)
Billy Kopp at 17,200,000 (twitter feed)
Phil Ivey at 6,800,000 (twitter feed)
Nick Maimone at 9,350,000 (twitter feed)

Big Hands:

Tommy Vedes Eliminated In 19th Place($352,832)

Eric Buchman raised to 425,000 preflop and Tommy Vedes moved in for his last 1.9 million. Buchman made the call with 77, dominating Vedes’ 33.

The flop brought something for everyone as it fell 1073, giving each player a set. The turn was the Q and Vedes needed the case three to stay alive. But the river was the 2 and Vedes was ousted in 19th place.

Lamb’s Aces Taken Out To Slaughter

Steven Begleiter raised to 425,000 preflop from the hijack and Benjamin Lamb repopped to 1.1 million from the cutoff. Begleiter made the call and the two players saw a flop of J95. Begleiter checked to Lamb who fired a bet into the pot. Begleiter then moved all in for over 7 million. Lamb made the call after some thought and tabled AA.

The aces were officially cracked, however, as Begleiter tabled J9 for top two pair on the flop. The turn was the 3 and the river was the 8 and Begleiter doubled to over 16 million. Lamb was down to just over 4 million in chips.

Not So Happy…

Jeff Shulman raised to 420,000 preflop and Joe Cada repopped it to 1.2 million. Shulman made the call and the flop came down K25. Cada checked to Shulman who bet 1.4 million. Cada made the call and the turn was the 5. Both players checked and the river was the K.

Cada then led out for 2 million and Shulman threw his hand in the muck. Cada raked in the pot and was over 9 million while Shulman dropped to 8 million.

Jordan Smith Takes One On The Turn

Billy Kopp raised to 375,000 and Ben Lamb made the call from the button. Jordan Smith also came along from the big blind and the flop came down 986. Everyone checked and the turn was the Q.

Smith led out for 700,000 and his two opponents mucked. Smith raked in the pot and was over 7 million.

Begleiter Takes One Off Maimone

Steven Begleiter raised to 425,000 and Nick Maimone made the call from the big blind. The flop came down J72 and both players checked. The turn was the 7 and Maimone took a shot with 400,000. Begleiter made the call and the river was the 9. Maimone bet 800,000 and Begleiter made the call.

Maimone tabled KJ for top pair, but Begleiter showed AJ for the same hand with a better kicker. Begleiter raked the pot and was at 18 million while Maimone was at 10 million.

Andrew Lichtenberger Eliminated In 18th Place($500,557)

Andrew Lichtenberger raised to 400,000 and Darvin Moon made the call. The flop came down 633 and Lichtenberger bet 680,000. Moon raised to 1.5 million and Lichtenberger moved all in, getting a quick call from Moon.

Lichtenberger showed JJ, but Moon tabled KK. The turn was the 6 and the river was the 7 and Moon knocked out Lichtenberger, moving his stack to 25 million.

Ivey Takes A Pot

Phil Ivey raised to 420,000 and Steven Begleiter made the call. The flop came down 864 and Ivey led out with 600,000. Begleiter made the call and the 4 fell on the turn. Both players checked.

They did the same when the K came on the river and Begleiter showed down 109 for a bunch of busted draws. Ivey showed 99 for the best hand and took the pot. He was at 6.8 million.

…But Let’s Put A Smile On That Face

Jeff Shulman raised to 450,000 preflop from the hijack and James Calderaro called from the button. The flop came down 1054 and Shulman bet 750,000 and Calderaro made the call. The turn was the K and Shulman kept the pressure on, betting 1.1 million.

Calderaro decided to muck his hand and Shulman took it down, improving his stack to 9 million.

Jordan Smith Doubles Through Billy Kopp

Billy Kopp had been strolling through the day with a nice chip lead, but he just took his first big hit of the day courtesy of Jordan Smith.

Smith raised to 420,000 under the gun and Kopp raised to 1.5 million from the cutoff. Action folded back around to Smith who shoved for 7.73 million. Kopp made the call and here were their hands.

Kopp: AK
Smith: QQ

Board: JJ988

Smith’s pocket ladies held up and he doubled to 15.8 million while Kopp was knocked off the chip lead, his stack at 17.2 million.

Ian Tavelli Eliminated In 17th Place($500,557)

Steven Begleiter raised to 1.35 million after Ian Tavelli had opened for 450,000 from under the gun. Tavelli made the call and the flop came down 642 and Begleiter fired 3.5 million. Tavelli moved in for almost 8 million and Begleiter snapped him off, tabling KK. Tavelli showed down 99 and Tavelli was in trouble.

The turn was the Q and the river was the 10 and Tavelli was out while Begleiter catapulted to the chip lead.

Ludovic Lacay Eliminated In 16th Place($500,557)

Jeff Shulman raised to 450,000 preflop and Ludovic Lacay came over the top for the rest of his stack of just over 3 million. Shulman made the call and here were there hands.

Shulman: AK
Lacay: 77

It was a classic race and the flop came K95, putting Shulman ahead. The turn was the 9 and the river was the 6 and Lacay was ousted from the main event. Shulman was up to 12.8 million after the hand.

Player Tags: Jeff Shulman,   Phil Ivey,   Tommy Vedes,   Jordan Smith,   Ben Lamb,   Billy Kopp,   Ludovic Lacay,   Andrew Lichtenberger,   Nick Maimone

Level 30 Hour 2 Update: Balmigere Out In 25th Place, Esfandiari Out In 24th Place

Jul 15, '09

Blinds: 60,000-120,000 with a 15,000 ante

Players Remaining: 23 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Billy Kopp – 21,200,000
2. Darvin Moon – 17,500,000
3. Steven Begleiter – 15,200,000
4. Kevin Schaffel – 12,300,000
5. Eric Buchman – 12,000,000
6. Jeff Shulman – 10,800,000
7. Ian Tavelli – 10,100,000
8. James Akenhead – 10,000,000
9. Nick Maimone – 9,350,000
10. Jamie Robbins – 9,250,000

Average Chip Count: 8,470,434

Card Player Chip Count:

Jeff Shulman – 10,800,000

Eliminations:

25. Francois Balmigere — $352,832
24. Antonio Esfandiari — $352,832

Twitter Updates:

Jeff Shulman at 10,800,000 (twitter feed)
Billy Kopp at 21,200,000 (twitter feed)
Phil Ivey at 6,000,000 (twitter feed)
Nick Maimone at 9,350,000 (twitter feed)
Ludovic Lacay at 3,100,000 (twitter feed)

Big Hands

Francois Balmigere Eliminated In 25th Place($352,832)

Francois Balmigere raised to 330,000 preflop from middle position and Steven Begleiter called behind him. Billy Kopp came along from the big blind and the flop was 1076. Kopp led out with 700,000 and Balmigere moved in for 2.7 million. Begleiter mucked but Kopp made the call after a few minutes in the tank.

Balmigere tabled JJ while Kopp showed down 87 for just middle pair and a gutshot draw, along with a backdoor flush-draw. The turn was the A and Balmigere was one card away from getting a double up. But the river was the 9, making Kopp his straight and sending Balmigere out in 25th place.

Buchman Fills Up On The Turn

Jonathan Tamayo raised to 355,000 from the button and Eric Buchman called from the big blind. Darvin Moon had limped in earlier and made the call as well. The flop came down 992 and Tamayo fired 760,000. Buchman was the only caller and the turn was the 6. Both players checked and the river was the Q.

Buchman led out with 1.1 million and Tamayo made the call. Buchman then tabled 66 for a full boat and Tamayo mucked his hand.

Shulman Wins Battle Of The Blinds Against Ivey

Action folded around to Phil Ivey who called from the small blind and Jeff Shulman checked from the big blind. The two players saw a flop of AJ2 and Ivey led out with 120,000. Shulman made the call and the turn was the 2.

Ivey checked to Shulman and he fired 200,000. Ivey had enough of his hand and threw it into the muck. Shulman took the pot and was around 11 million.

Lucky Sevens For Maimone, Doubles Through Jordan Smith

Jordan Smith raised to 320,000 from middle position and action folded to Nick Maimone on the button. He reraised to 825,000 and Smith made the call. The flop then came down Q84 and Smith moved all in. Maimone made the quick call and tabled 77. Smith then showed down 1010 for a dominating lead.

But the turn changed everything as it brought the 7, giving Maimone a set and a stranglehold on the hand. The river was the 9 and Maimone doubled up to 4 million.

I Am Chip Leader, Hear Me Roar

Billy Kopp raised to 275,000 from under the gun and Steven Begleiter made the call from the button. The flop fell 532 and Kopp led out for 600,000. Begleiter made the call and the turn was the J.

Both players checked and they did the same for the J on the river. Kopp tabled 66 and Begleiter mucked. Kopp took the hand and was just over 19 million, good enough for to take over the chip lead.

Akenhead Gets Kings Again, Wins Small Pot

James Akenhead raised to 280,000 preflop and Warren Zackey made the call from the small blind. The flop came AJ8 and both players checked. They did the same on the 3 turn and the river brought the 5.

Zackey checked and Akenhead bet 300,000. Zackey made the call and Akenhead tabled KK and Zackey mucked. Akenhead took the pot and was at 3.3 million.

The Phil Ivey National Bank

Phil Ivey has been hard pressed to win a pot in the early going of day 8. He doubled up Nick Maimone during the last hour and just doubled up Marco Mattes.

Maimone opened with a raise to 290,000 and Mattes moved all in for almost 2.5 million. Action folded around to Ivey who made the call. Maimone got out of the way and Ivey tabled JJ. Mattes then showed down QQ and Ivey was dominated.

The flop came down 1055, giving both players two pair. The turn was the 7 and the river was the 4 and Mattes doubled to over 5 million. Ivey took another hit and his stack was just under 6 million.

The Magician Disappears, Antonio Esfandiari Eliminated In 24th Place($352,832)

Antonio Esfandiari raised to 310,000 preflop from under the gun and Steven Begleiter called from middle position. The flop came down 1024 and Esfandiari bet 535,000. Begleiter raised it up to 1.6 million and Esfandiari moved all in for 2.5 million more. Begleiter made the call and tabled K10 for top pair on the flop.

Esfandiari showed down 55 and needed help. The turn was the 6, giving Esfandiari a gutshot straight draw. But the A fell on the river and Esfandiari was eliminated.

Player Tags: Jeff Shulman,   Antonio Esfandiari,   Eric Buchman,   Phil Ivey,   James Akenhead,   Billy Kopp,   Francois Balmigere,   Marco Mattes,   Warren Zackey

Level 27 Hour 2 Update: Last of the November Nine Fall

Jul 14, '09

Blinds: 30,000-60,000 with a 10,000 ante

Players Remaining: 43 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Billy Kopp – 15,500,000
2. Tommy Vedes – 9,900,000
3. Darvin Moon – 9,350,000
4. Phil Ivey – 8,600,000
5. Jonathan Tamayo – 8,200,000
6. Ludovic Lacay – 7,550,000
7. Antoine Saout – 7,500,000
8. Joseph Cada – 7,400,000
9. Luis Nargentino – 7,050,000
10. Steven Begleiter – 6,500,000

Average Chip Count: 4,427,727

Card Player Chip Count:

Jeff Shulman – 4,800,000

Notable Eliminations:

49. Fabrice Soulier — $138,568
45. Dennis Phillips — $178,857
Twitter Updates:

Jeff Shulman at 4,600,000 (twitter feed)
Billy Kopp at 14,340,000 (twitter feed)
Phil Ivey at 7,400,000 (twitter feed)
Nick Maimone at 4,300,000 (twitter feed)
Ludovic Lacay at 7,150,000 (twitter feed)
Francois Balmigere at 3,900,000 (twitter feed)
Jesse Haabak at 1,805,000 (twitter feed)

Big Hands

Fabrice Soulier Busted By Tommy Vedes

Tommy Vedes raised to 185,000 from under the gun and Fabrice Soulier made it a cool million from middle position, putting himself all in. Action folded around to Vedes who made the call. Vedes tabled AK and Soulier showed down 1010 and the race was on.

The flop came down J98, giving Vedes the nut flush draw. The turn was the 5 and Soulier was on the verge of doubling up. But the river was the 8, giving Vedes the flush and sending Soulier out the door. Vedes was amongst the chip leaders with 8.55 million after the hand.

Andrew Lichtenberger Doubles Up

Andrew Lichtenberger raised to 180,000 from the small blind and Eric Buchman repopped to 460,000. Lichtenberger moved all in and Buchman made the call. Buchman tabled 99 and Lichtenberger showed AQ.

The flop came down 443 and things were not looking good. But the turn was the A and Lichtenberger was in the lead. The river was the 7 and Lichtenberger doubled up.

Vedes Takes One Off Lacay

Ludovic Lacay raised 150,000 and three players called. The flop then came down KK5. Action was checked to Lacay who fired 325,000. Christopher Bach and Tommy Vedes were the only callers and the turn was the 3.

Everyone checked and they did the same after the 3 fell on the river. Vedes then tabled 55 for a flopped full house and took the pot. He was at 9.45 million.

Hieu Luu Eliminated in 48th Place ($138,568)

Hieu Luu was down his last 410,000 and was in the big blind when action folded around to Marc McLaughlin in the small blind. McLaughlin raised enough to put Luu all in and Luu made the call. “I don’t care,” said Luu as he put his chips in.

He may not have cared, but he was ahead with his lowly 105 against McLaughlin’s 93, but the 926 flop did him in. Neither the turn or the river contained a 10 and Luu was sent home in 48th place.

Three Outs Is More Than Enough for Labandeira

Miguel Labandeira moved all in preflop for his last 815,000 and Steven Begleiter called from the big blind. The cards were turned up and Begleiter saw he had a big lead with his AQ against Labandeira’s A6.

The flop kept Begleiter in the lead as it fell K108 and the turn was a 4, furthering Begleiter’s strangle hold on the hand. The river, however, changed things, as it came carrything the 6 on the river, giving the pot to Labandeira. Begleiter was so angry that he had to get up and walk around while he missed a few hands, but he still has over 5,000,000 in chips.

The Chip Leaders Gets Caught In The Ivey

Billy Kopp raised to 150,000 from the hijack position and Phil Ivey made the call from the cutoff. They both saw a flop of 772 and checked. The turn was the 4 and both players checked again. The river brought the A and Kopp took a shot with 225,000.

Ivey raised it up to 700,000 and Kopp got out of the way. Ivey raked in the pot and was up to 8.6 million in chips.

A few hands later, Ivey made a button raise to 150,000 and was three-bet by Luis Nargentino to 460,000. Ivey didn’t back down and made it 1,160,000, which Nargentino called.

The flop was K104 and Ivey bet 1,200,000 after Nargentino checked. Nargentino folded and Ivey surpassed the 10,000,000 mark in chips.

Vedes Freerolls On Haabak, But Chops

Tommy Vedes raised to 165,000 from late position and Jesse Haabak moved all in for 1,386,000. Vedes made the call and they AQ and Haabak showed AQ and more than likely they were going to chop the pot.

J108 and both players picked up backdoor flush draws. The 3 fell on the turn and now Haabak was unable to win the pot, he could only lose it. The 2 fell on the river, however, and they were abel to chop up the pot.

Dennis Phillips’ Second Trip to the November Nine Stopped by Francoios Balmigere

Antoine Saout raised to 165,000 and Francois Balmigere called. Dennis Phillips made it 450,000 and then Balmigere decided he would move all in after Saout got out of the way. Phillips called and his tournament life was at risk.

Balmigere showed AK and Phillips had AK. Usually this ends up a split pot, but Dennis Phillips didn’t like it when the flop came K64. The turn was safe for Phillips when the 10 fell, but the river did him in, like so many others, as the 5 hit the river, ending Phillips’ main event run.

Player Tags: Eric Buchman,   Fabrice Soulier,   Phil Ivey,   Tommy Vedes,   Billy Kopp,   Ludovic Lacay,   Andrew Lichtenberger

Level 25 Hour 1 Update: Peter Eastgate Eliminated

Jul 13, '09

Blinds: 20,000-40,000 with a 5,000 ante

Players Remaining: 71 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Darvin Moon – 9,100,000
2. Billy Kopp – 7,100,000
3. Ludovic Lacay – 6,620,000
4. Phil Ivey – 5,650,000
5. Antonio Esfandiari – 5,600,000
6. Antoine Saout – 4,700,000
7. Nick Maimone – 4,700,000
8. Charlie Elias – 4,700,000
9. Tommy Vedes – 4,550,000
10.Jeff Duvall – 4,500,000

Average Chip Count: 2,743,943

Card Player Chip Count:

Jeff Shulman – 3,800,000

- Shulman continues to hold steady above the 3.5 million mark. His stack is currently in 15th place.

Notable Eliminations:

81. Matt Affleck – $68,979
79. Owen Crowe – $68,979
78. Peter Eastgate – $68,979

Chip Movers and Shakers During the Last Hour:

- Nichoel Peppe was eliminated when her Jh4h ran right into the pocket aces of Adam York. Peppe was eliminated after the board ran out 7-7-2-6-4 with only one heart in the mix. Leo Margets is now the last woman standing.

- Thai Tran doubled up to 2 million when his AcQc made a flush to top the A-K of Clayton Newman. Tran now holds 2 million.

- Tom Schneider enlisted the help of pocket queens to grow his stack back to 2.6 million.

- Hieu Luu doubled up to 4 million when his K-Q cracked the pocket aces of Fernando Gordo on a K-7-6-Q-3 board.

- Eugene Katchalov climbed back above 4 million when he induced both Jamie Robbins to fold to his 725,000 bet on a 10-5-4 flop. Katchalov caught about 625,000 on the hand.

- Darvin Moon further increased his chip lead when he eliminated Brean Catalano. Moon held pocket queens to beat Catalano’s A-J and grew his stack to more than 9 million after the knockout.

Big Hands

Peter Eastgate Eliminated in 78th Place ($68,979)

The defending champion of the main event from last year has been knocked out.

Billy Kopp raised to 105,000 preflop and Dennis Phillips made the call to his immediate left. Action was folded to Peter Eastgate in the small blind, who moved all in for 340,000 more. Action was back on Kopp who made the call and Dennis Phillips made the call. The board ran out A64J3, as Kopp and Phillips checked it down. Kopp exposed the 88 for an eight high flush and Phillips mucked. Eastgate tabled the AJ for top two pair. Kopp eliminated Eastgate from the tournament.

Tom Schneider Doubles Up

Tom Schneider and Grayson Ramage got all the chips into the pot before the flop. Schneider exposed the AK while Ramage tabled the AQ. Schneider’s A-K held up and he doubled to 2,160,000.

Former Chip Leader Eliminated

Action was folded to Matt Affleck on the button who moved all in for 880,000 with the A7. Nick Maimone called from the small blind and exposed the AQ. The board ran out A109J3, and the chip leader going into day five has been eliminated. Maimone is now at 4,100,000 chips.

Phil Ivey Running Hot

Phil Ivey bet 110,000 from the button and Kent Goulding reraised to 325,000 from the big blind. Ivey made the call and both players saw a flop of Q42. Goulding checked and Ivey enough to put his opponent all in for 910,000. Goulding made the call and exposed the Q7 while Ivey tabled the J5 for a flush draw. The turn bricked for Ivey but the K on the river eliminated Goulding and handed Ivey the pot. Ivey is over 5,000,000 now.

Owen Crowe Eliminated in 79th Place ($68,979)

Fernando Gordo and Owen Crowe got all the chips into the pot preflop. Gordo reraised all in for 1,800,000 with the AK, enough to cover Crowe with the QQ. Crowe made the call and the board ran out K954A to eliminate Crowe. Gordo is over 4,000,000.

Player Tags: Tom Schneider,   Billy Kopp,   Peter Eastgate,   Dennis Phillips,   Matt Affleck

Level 22 Hour 2 Update: Shulman Rolling, ElkY Busts

Jul 13, '09

Note: Players are currently on a 20 minute break and will return at 4:50 PDT.

Blinds: 10,000-20,000 with a 3,000 ante

Players Remaining: 120 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Warren Zackey – 5,120,000
2. Billy Kopp – 4,660,000
3. Tom Schneider – 4,150,000
4. Ludovic Lacay – 4,060,000
5. Charlie Elias – 4,000,000
6. Darvin Moon – 3,450,000
7. Antoine Saout – 3,300,000
8. Bernhard Perner – 3,200,000
9. Jamie Brown – 3,120,000
10. Kasper Cordes – 3,060,000

Average Chip Count: 1,623,500

Card Player Chip Counts:

Jeff Shulman – 3,302,000

Notable Eliminations:

125. Theo Tran — $40,288
124. Eric Cloutier — $40,288
122. Bertrand Grospellier – $40,288

Chip Movers and Shakers During the Last Hour:

- Craig Boyd moved up to 3 million in chips when snapped off a bluff from Hieu Luu to double up.

- Blair Hinkle was eliminated from the tournamrnt shortly after his stack was crippled down to 33,000.

- Ahn Van Nguyen was knocked down to 1,225,000 after tangling in a hand with Steve Begleiter, who held trip deueces and is now close to 3 million.

Big Hands:

Peter Eastgate Eliminates Edward Teems

Edward Teems moved all in preflop under the gun and action was folded around to Peter Eastgate in the big blind. He made the call and the two players then flipped up their cards as the featured table crowd perked up in their seats.

Eastgate: AQ
Teems: JJ

Board: A10586

Eastgate eliminated Teems and the crowd gave a round of applause. Eastgate now holds just over 700,000.

Billy Kopp Soars to Top of Chip Counts, Eliminates El Nasr

Billy Kopp raised to 52,000 preflop and Dennis Phillips called. Action folded around to Nasr El Nasr put in another bet, as he made it 173,000. Billy Kopp opted to make it 506,000 and Dennis Phillips got out of the way before El Nasr moved all in for 1,325,000, which was snap called by Kopp.

Kopp turned over AA and El Nasr showed QQ. The board ran out safe for Kopp as it came 2410103 and El Nasr is eliminated and Billy Kopp now has 4,660,000 in chips.

Shulman Flirts With 3 Million

The player in seat 5 raised to 55,000 and Jeff Shulman repopped it to 200,000 from the small blind. Seat 5 called and the flop was A59. Shulman led out with 250,000 and seat 5 made the call. The turn was the 4 and both players checked. The river was the 10 and both players checked again.

Shulman then turned over a monster, 62, for a flush. Seat 5 didn’t have a diamond in his hand as he mucked and Shulman took the pot, his stack around 2.85 million.

Nichoel Peppe Muscles Out Her Opposition

Tommy Vedes raised to 58,000 from the cutoff and Berhard Parner called from the button. Nichoel Peppe did the same from the small blind and the flop was 1076 and Vedes fired 230,000. Parner folded but Peppe would not hear of such a thing, instead pushing all in for almost 760,000 total.

Vedes took a session in the tank and eventually folded his hand. Peppe took the pot and she was at 1.2 million.

Soulier Scores Another Knockout

Don Tran moved all in preflop and Fabrice Soulier made the call. Tran tabled AJ while Soulier showed down the ladies, QQ.

The flop came down 978 and Tran flopped a gutshot straight draw. The turn was the 9 and the river was the 7, missing Tran completely and he was eliminated. Soulier was over 3 million in chips.

Affleck’s Bluff Gets Picked Off, Stack Tumbles

On a flop of 994, Mark Ader led out for 220,000 and was met with a raise from Matt Affleck who moved all in and had Ader well covered. Ader tanked about calling off his last 720,000 and eventually made the call.

Affleck’s head sank as he turned over 710, for a complete bluff and Ader turned over pocket queens. The turn and river didn’t bring running tens or sevens and Afflecks stack dropped to 890,000, while Mark Ader increased his stack to 2,350,000 in chips.

Bertrand Grospellier Eliminated in 122nd Place ($40,288)

Bertrand Grospellier bet 47,000 from middle position and an opponent reraised to 150,000. ElkY moved all in for about 375,000 total, slightly less than what his opponent had in his stack. Grospellier’s all in was snap called and he turned over the AK. His opponent tabled the KK. The board ran out 3226J and ElkY was eliminated in heartbreaking fashion.

Player Tags: Jeff Shulman,   Fabrice Soulier,   Nicholle Peppe,   Bertrand Grospellier,   Billy Kopp,   Peter Eastgate,   Matt Affleck,   Nasr El Nasr

Level 33 Hour 2 Update: Jordan Smith Eliminated, November Nine Reached

Jul 15, '09

Blinds: 120,000-240,000 with a 30,000 ante

Players Remaining: 9 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Darvin Moon – 58,930,000
2. Eric Buchman – 34,800,000
3. Steven Begleiter – 29,885,000
4. Jeff Shulman – 19,580,000
5. Joe Cada – 13,215,000
6. Kevin Schaffel – 12,390,000
7. Phil Ivey – 9,765,000
8. Antoine Saout – 9,500,000
9. James Akenhead – 6,800,000

Card Player Chip Count:

Jeff Shulman – 19,580,000

Average Chip Count: 21,646,666

Eliminations:

12. Billy Kopp – $896,730
11. Jamie Robbins – $896,730
10. Jordan Smith – $896,730

Twitter Updates:

Jeff Shulman at 19,580,000 (twitter feed)
Phil Ivey at 9,765,000 (twitter feed)

Big Hands:

Billy Kopp Eliminated in 12th Place ($896,730)

Billy Kopp raised to 600,000 preflop in early position and Darvin Moon called from the small blind. The flop came K92 and Moon checked. Kopp bet 750,000 and Moon called. The 2 on the turn prompted Moon to once again check. Kopp bet 2,000,000 and Moon check-raised to 6,000,000. Kopp didn’t take long before moving all in for 20,000,000. Moon made the call and exposed the QJ for the second nut flush. Kopp exposed the 53 and was drawing stone cold dead. His stack of over 100 big blinds was handed over to Moon when the meaningless 7 fell on the river. Kopp was eliminated and Moon built his stack to 40,500,000 after the monster hand.

Jamie Robbins Eliminated in 11th Place ($896,730)

Jamie Robbins open-shoved for 2,350,000 and Phil Ivey called. Robbins exposed the KQ and Ivey tabled the A10. Ivey was a slight favorite and held as the board ran out 83335. Ivey was at 9,610,000 after the hand.

Joe Cada Wins First Pot at Table of 10

Joe Cada bet 600,000 from early position and Darvin Moon called from the button. The two players checked down a board of J106QQ. Cada exposed pocket nines to take the small pot while Moon tabled pocket deuces.

Jeff Shulman Wins a Pot

Eric Buchman bet 650,000 preflop. Jeff Shulman, Jordan Smith, and Phil Ivey all called. The flop came A98 and action was checked to Shulman. He fired out 1,500,000 and won the pot as everyone else folded. Shulman was at 20,510,000 after the hand.

Akenhead Playing Snug

Jordan Smith bet 650,000 preflop and James Akenhead called. The flop came 632 and Smith checked. Akenhead checked behind. The K hit the turn and both players checked again. The 4 fell on the river and both checked for a third time. Akenhead, the short stack at the table, exposed the 77 and was good. He took the pot and was up to 6,400,000 after the hand.

November Nine Reached

Jordan Smith Eliminated in 10th Place ($896,730)

Eric Buchman raised preflop to 650,000. Darvin Moon called from the button. Jordan Smith reraised to 2,600,000 total from the small blind. Buchman folded and Moon smooth called. The flop came 842 and Smith checked to Moon on the button. Moon bet 4,000,000 and Smith check-raised all in. Moon instantly called and exposed top set with the 88 and was up against the AA of Smith. Smith was in bad shape to double up and stay alive in the tournament. The turn brought the 5, adding a wheel draw for Smith. The river brought none of his outs as the 10 landed on the felt. Smith was eliminated and Moon is up to 58,930,000 after the hand.

Player Tags: Phil Ivey,   Jamie Robbins,   Jordan Smith,   Billy Kopp

Level 31 Hour 2 Update: Vedes 19th, Lichtenberger 18th, Tavelli 17th, Lacay 16th

Jul 15, '09

Blinds: 80,000-160,000 with a 20,000 ante

Players Remaining: 15 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Steven Begleiter – 27,890,000
2. Darvin Moon – 24,600,000
3. Billy Kopp – 17,200,000
4. Eric Buchman – 16,000,000
5. Jordan Smith – 15,800,000
6. Joseph Cada – 13,600,000
7. Kevin Schaffel – 13,600,000
8. Jeff Shluman – 12,800,000
9. James Akenhead – 10,100,000
10. Nick Maimone – 10,000,000

Card Player Chip Count:

Jeff Shulman – 12,800,000

Average Chip Count: 12,988,000

Eliminations:

19. Tommy Vedes — $352,832
18. Andrew Lichtenberger — $500,557
17. Ian Tavelli — $500,557
16. Ludovic Lacay — $500,557

Twitter Updates:

Jeff Shulman at 12,800,000 (twitter feed)
Billy Kopp at 17,200,000 (twitter feed)
Phil Ivey at 6,800,000 (twitter feed)
Nick Maimone at 9,350,000 (twitter feed)

Big Hands:

Tommy Vedes Eliminated In 19th Place($352,832)

Eric Buchman raised to 425,000 preflop and Tommy Vedes moved in for his last 1.9 million. Buchman made the call with 77, dominating Vedes’ 33.

The flop brought something for everyone as it fell 1073, giving each player a set. The turn was the Q and Vedes needed the case three to stay alive. But the river was the 2 and Vedes was ousted in 19th place.

Lamb’s Aces Taken Out To Slaughter

Steven Begleiter raised to 425,000 preflop from the hijack and Benjamin Lamb repopped to 1.1 million from the cutoff. Begleiter made the call and the two players saw a flop of J95. Begleiter checked to Lamb who fired a bet into the pot. Begleiter then moved all in for over 7 million. Lamb made the call after some thought and tabled AA.

The aces were officially cracked, however, as Begleiter tabled J9 for top two pair on the flop. The turn was the 3 and the river was the 8 and Begleiter doubled to over 16 million. Lamb was down to just over 4 million in chips.

Not So Happy…

Jeff Shulman raised to 420,000 preflop and Joe Cada repopped it to 1.2 million. Shulman made the call and the flop came down K25. Cada checked to Shulman who bet 1.4 million. Cada made the call and the turn was the 5. Both players checked and the river was the K.

Cada then led out for 2 million and Shulman threw his hand in the muck. Cada raked in the pot and was over 9 million while Shulman dropped to 8 million.

Jordan Smith Takes One On The Turn

Billy Kopp raised to 375,000 and Ben Lamb made the call from the button. Jordan Smith also came along from the big blind and the flop came down 986. Everyone checked and the turn was the Q.

Smith led out for 700,000 and his two opponents mucked. Smith raked in the pot and was over 7 million.

Begleiter Takes One Off Maimone

Steven Begleiter raised to 425,000 and Nick Maimone made the call from the big blind. The flop came down J72 and both players checked. The turn was the 7 and Maimone took a shot with 400,000. Begleiter made the call and the river was the 9. Maimone bet 800,000 and Begleiter made the call.

Maimone tabled KJ for top pair, but Begleiter showed AJ for the same hand with a better kicker. Begleiter raked the pot and was at 18 million while Maimone was at 10 million.

Andrew Lichtenberger Eliminated In 18th Place($500,557)

Andrew Lichtenberger raised to 400,000 and Darvin Moon made the call. The flop came down 633 and Lichtenberger bet 680,000. Moon raised to 1.5 million and Lichtenberger moved all in, getting a quick call from Moon.

Lichtenberger showed JJ, but Moon tabled KK. The turn was the 6 and the river was the 7 and Moon knocked out Lichtenberger, moving his stack to 25 million.

Ivey Takes A Pot

Phil Ivey raised to 420,000 and Steven Begleiter made the call. The flop came down 864 and Ivey led out with 600,000. Begleiter made the call and the 4 fell on the turn. Both players checked.

They did the same when the K came on the river and Begleiter showed down 109 for a bunch of busted draws. Ivey showed 99 for the best hand and took the pot. He was at 6.8 million.

…But Let’s Put A Smile On That Face

Jeff Shulman raised to 450,000 preflop from the hijack and James Calderaro called from the button. The flop came down 1054 and Shulman bet 750,000 and Calderaro made the call. The turn was the K and Shulman kept the pressure on, betting 1.1 million.

Calderaro decided to muck his hand and Shulman took it down, improving his stack to 9 million.

Jordan Smith Doubles Through Billy Kopp

Billy Kopp had been strolling through the day with a nice chip lead, but he just took his first big hit of the day courtesy of Jordan Smith.

Smith raised to 420,000 under the gun and Kopp raised to 1.5 million from the cutoff. Action folded back around to Smith who shoved for 7.73 million. Kopp made the call and here were their hands.

Kopp: AK
Smith: QQ

Board: JJ988

Smith’s pocket ladies held up and he doubled to 15.8 million while Kopp was knocked off the chip lead, his stack at 17.2 million.

Ian Tavelli Eliminated In 17th Place($500,557)

Steven Begleiter raised to 1.35 million after Ian Tavelli had opened for 450,000 from under the gun. Tavelli made the call and the flop came down 642 and Begleiter fired 3.5 million. Tavelli moved in for almost 8 million and Begleiter snapped him off, tabling KK. Tavelli showed down 99 and Tavelli was in trouble.

The turn was the Q and the river was the 10 and Tavelli was out while Begleiter catapulted to the chip lead.

Ludovic Lacay Eliminated In 16th Place($500,557)

Jeff Shulman raised to 450,000 preflop and Ludovic Lacay came over the top for the rest of his stack of just over 3 million. Shulman made the call and here were there hands.

Shulman: AK
Lacay: 77

It was a classic race and the flop came K95, putting Shulman ahead. The turn was the 9 and the river was the 6 and Lacay was ousted from the main event. Shulman was up to 12.8 million after the hand.

Player Tags: Jeff Shulman,   Phil Ivey,   Tommy Vedes,   Jordan Smith,   Ben Lamb,   Billy Kopp,   Ludovic Lacay,   Andrew Lichtenberger,   Nick Maimone

Level 30 Hour 2 Update: Balmigere Out In 25th Place, Esfandiari Out In 24th Place

Jul 15, '09

Blinds: 60,000-120,000 with a 15,000 ante

Players Remaining: 23 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Billy Kopp – 21,200,000
2. Darvin Moon – 17,500,000
3. Steven Begleiter – 15,200,000
4. Kevin Schaffel – 12,300,000
5. Eric Buchman – 12,000,000
6. Jeff Shulman – 10,800,000
7. Ian Tavelli – 10,100,000
8. James Akenhead – 10,000,000
9. Nick Maimone – 9,350,000
10. Jamie Robbins – 9,250,000

Average Chip Count: 8,470,434

Card Player Chip Count:

Jeff Shulman – 10,800,000

Eliminations:

25. Francois Balmigere — $352,832
24. Antonio Esfandiari — $352,832

Twitter Updates:

Jeff Shulman at 10,800,000 (twitter feed)
Billy Kopp at 21,200,000 (twitter feed)
Phil Ivey at 6,000,000 (twitter feed)
Nick Maimone at 9,350,000 (twitter feed)
Ludovic Lacay at 3,100,000 (twitter feed)

Big Hands

Francois Balmigere Eliminated In 25th Place($352,832)

Francois Balmigere raised to 330,000 preflop from middle position and Steven Begleiter called behind him. Billy Kopp came along from the big blind and the flop was 1076. Kopp led out with 700,000 and Balmigere moved in for 2.7 million. Begleiter mucked but Kopp made the call after a few minutes in the tank.

Balmigere tabled JJ while Kopp showed down 87 for just middle pair and a gutshot draw, along with a backdoor flush-draw. The turn was the A and Balmigere was one card away from getting a double up. But the river was the 9, making Kopp his straight and sending Balmigere out in 25th place.

Buchman Fills Up On The Turn

Jonathan Tamayo raised to 355,000 from the button and Eric Buchman called from the big blind. Darvin Moon had limped in earlier and made the call as well. The flop came down 992 and Tamayo fired 760,000. Buchman was the only caller and the turn was the 6. Both players checked and the river was the Q.

Buchman led out with 1.1 million and Tamayo made the call. Buchman then tabled 66 for a full boat and Tamayo mucked his hand.

Shulman Wins Battle Of The Blinds Against Ivey

Action folded around to Phil Ivey who called from the small blind and Jeff Shulman checked from the big blind. The two players saw a flop of AJ2 and Ivey led out with 120,000. Shulman made the call and the turn was the 2.

Ivey checked to Shulman and he fired 200,000. Ivey had enough of his hand and threw it into the muck. Shulman took the pot and was around 11 million.

Lucky Sevens For Maimone, Doubles Through Jordan Smith

Jordan Smith raised to 320,000 from middle position and action folded to Nick Maimone on the button. He reraised to 825,000 and Smith made the call. The flop then came down Q84 and Smith moved all in. Maimone made the quick call and tabled 77. Smith then showed down 1010 for a dominating lead.

But the turn changed everything as it brought the 7, giving Maimone a set and a stranglehold on the hand. The river was the 9 and Maimone doubled up to 4 million.

I Am Chip Leader, Hear Me Roar

Billy Kopp raised to 275,000 from under the gun and Steven Begleiter made the call from the button. The flop fell 532 and Kopp led out for 600,000. Begleiter made the call and the turn was the J.

Both players checked and they did the same for the J on the river. Kopp tabled 66 and Begleiter mucked. Kopp took the hand and was just over 19 million, good enough for to take over the chip lead.

Akenhead Gets Kings Again, Wins Small Pot

James Akenhead raised to 280,000 preflop and Warren Zackey made the call from the small blind. The flop came AJ8 and both players checked. They did the same on the 3 turn and the river brought the 5.

Zackey checked and Akenhead bet 300,000. Zackey made the call and Akenhead tabled KK and Zackey mucked. Akenhead took the pot and was at 3.3 million.

The Phil Ivey National Bank

Phil Ivey has been hard pressed to win a pot in the early going of day 8. He doubled up Nick Maimone during the last hour and just doubled up Marco Mattes.

Maimone opened with a raise to 290,000 and Mattes moved all in for almost 2.5 million. Action folded around to Ivey who made the call. Maimone got out of the way and Ivey tabled JJ. Mattes then showed down QQ and Ivey was dominated.

The flop came down 1055, giving both players two pair. The turn was the 7 and the river was the 4 and Mattes doubled to over 5 million. Ivey took another hit and his stack was just under 6 million.

The Magician Disappears, Antonio Esfandiari Eliminated In 24th Place($352,832)

Antonio Esfandiari raised to 310,000 preflop from under the gun and Steven Begleiter called from middle position. The flop came down 1024 and Esfandiari bet 535,000. Begleiter raised it up to 1.6 million and Esfandiari moved all in for 2.5 million more. Begleiter made the call and tabled K10 for top pair on the flop.

Esfandiari showed down 55 and needed help. The turn was the 6, giving Esfandiari a gutshot straight draw. But the A fell on the river and Esfandiari was eliminated.

Player Tags: Jeff Shulman,   Antonio Esfandiari,   Eric Buchman,   Phil Ivey,   James Akenhead,   Billy Kopp,   Francois Balmigere,   Marco Mattes,   Warren Zackey

Level 27 Hour 2 Update: Last of the November Nine Fall

Jul 14, '09

Blinds: 30,000-60,000 with a 10,000 ante

Players Remaining: 43 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Billy Kopp – 15,500,000
2. Tommy Vedes – 9,900,000
3. Darvin Moon – 9,350,000
4. Phil Ivey – 8,600,000
5. Jonathan Tamayo – 8,200,000
6. Ludovic Lacay – 7,550,000
7. Antoine Saout – 7,500,000
8. Joseph Cada – 7,400,000
9. Luis Nargentino – 7,050,000
10. Steven Begleiter – 6,500,000

Average Chip Count: 4,427,727

Card Player Chip Count:

Jeff Shulman – 4,800,000

Notable Eliminations:

49. Fabrice Soulier — $138,568
45. Dennis Phillips — $178,857
Twitter Updates:

Jeff Shulman at 4,600,000 (twitter feed)
Billy Kopp at 14,340,000 (twitter feed)
Phil Ivey at 7,400,000 (twitter feed)
Nick Maimone at 4,300,000 (twitter feed)
Ludovic Lacay at 7,150,000 (twitter feed)
Francois Balmigere at 3,900,000 (twitter feed)
Jesse Haabak at 1,805,000 (twitter feed)

Big Hands

Fabrice Soulier Busted By Tommy Vedes

Tommy Vedes raised to 185,000 from under the gun and Fabrice Soulier made it a cool million from middle position, putting himself all in. Action folded around to Vedes who made the call. Vedes tabled AK and Soulier showed down 1010 and the race was on.

The flop came down J98, giving Vedes the nut flush draw. The turn was the 5 and Soulier was on the verge of doubling up. But the river was the 8, giving Vedes the flush and sending Soulier out the door. Vedes was amongst the chip leaders with 8.55 million after the hand.

Andrew Lichtenberger Doubles Up

Andrew Lichtenberger raised to 180,000 from the small blind and Eric Buchman repopped to 460,000. Lichtenberger moved all in and Buchman made the call. Buchman tabled 99 and Lichtenberger showed AQ.

The flop came down 443 and things were not looking good. But the turn was the A and Lichtenberger was in the lead. The river was the 7 and Lichtenberger doubled up.

Vedes Takes One Off Lacay

Ludovic Lacay raised 150,000 and three players called. The flop then came down KK5. Action was checked to Lacay who fired 325,000. Christopher Bach and Tommy Vedes were the only callers and the turn was the 3.

Everyone checked and they did the same after the 3 fell on the river. Vedes then tabled 55 for a flopped full house and took the pot. He was at 9.45 million.

Hieu Luu Eliminated in 48th Place ($138,568)

Hieu Luu was down his last 410,000 and was in the big blind when action folded around to Marc McLaughlin in the small blind. McLaughlin raised enough to put Luu all in and Luu made the call. “I don’t care,” said Luu as he put his chips in.

He may not have cared, but he was ahead with his lowly 105 against McLaughlin’s 93, but the 926 flop did him in. Neither the turn or the river contained a 10 and Luu was sent home in 48th place.

Three Outs Is More Than Enough for Labandeira

Miguel Labandeira moved all in preflop for his last 815,000 and Steven Begleiter called from the big blind. The cards were turned up and Begleiter saw he had a big lead with his AQ against Labandeira’s A6.

The flop kept Begleiter in the lead as it fell K108 and the turn was a 4, furthering Begleiter’s strangle hold on the hand. The river, however, changed things, as it came carrything the 6 on the river, giving the pot to Labandeira. Begleiter was so angry that he had to get up and walk around while he missed a few hands, but he still has over 5,000,000 in chips.

The Chip Leaders Gets Caught In The Ivey

Billy Kopp raised to 150,000 from the hijack position and Phil Ivey made the call from the cutoff. They both saw a flop of 772 and checked. The turn was the 4 and both players checked again. The river brought the A and Kopp took a shot with 225,000.

Ivey raised it up to 700,000 and Kopp got out of the way. Ivey raked in the pot and was up to 8.6 million in chips.

A few hands later, Ivey made a button raise to 150,000 and was three-bet by Luis Nargentino to 460,000. Ivey didn’t back down and made it 1,160,000, which Nargentino called.

The flop was K104 and Ivey bet 1,200,000 after Nargentino checked. Nargentino folded and Ivey surpassed the 10,000,000 mark in chips.

Vedes Freerolls On Haabak, But Chops

Tommy Vedes raised to 165,000 from late position and Jesse Haabak moved all in for 1,386,000. Vedes made the call and they AQ and Haabak showed AQ and more than likely they were going to chop the pot.

J108 and both players picked up backdoor flush draws. The 3 fell on the turn and now Haabak was unable to win the pot, he could only lose it. The 2 fell on the river, however, and they were abel to chop up the pot.

Dennis Phillips’ Second Trip to the November Nine Stopped by Francoios Balmigere

Antoine Saout raised to 165,000 and Francois Balmigere called. Dennis Phillips made it 450,000 and then Balmigere decided he would move all in after Saout got out of the way. Phillips called and his tournament life was at risk.

Balmigere showed AK and Phillips had AK. Usually this ends up a split pot, but Dennis Phillips didn’t like it when the flop came K64. The turn was safe for Phillips when the 10 fell, but the river did him in, like so many others, as the 5 hit the river, ending Phillips’ main event run.

Player Tags: Eric Buchman,   Fabrice Soulier,   Phil Ivey,   Tommy Vedes,   Billy Kopp,   Ludovic Lacay,   Andrew Lichtenberger

Level 25 Hour 1 Update: Peter Eastgate Eliminated

Jul 13, '09

Blinds: 20,000-40,000 with a 5,000 ante

Players Remaining: 71 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Darvin Moon – 9,100,000
2. Billy Kopp – 7,100,000
3. Ludovic Lacay – 6,620,000
4. Phil Ivey – 5,650,000
5. Antonio Esfandiari – 5,600,000
6. Antoine Saout – 4,700,000
7. Nick Maimone – 4,700,000
8. Charlie Elias – 4,700,000
9. Tommy Vedes – 4,550,000
10.Jeff Duvall – 4,500,000

Average Chip Count: 2,743,943

Card Player Chip Count:

Jeff Shulman – 3,800,000

- Shulman continues to hold steady above the 3.5 million mark. His stack is currently in 15th place.

Notable Eliminations:

81. Matt Affleck – $68,979
79. Owen Crowe – $68,979
78. Peter Eastgate – $68,979

Chip Movers and Shakers During the Last Hour:

- Nichoel Peppe was eliminated when her Jh4h ran right into the pocket aces of Adam York. Peppe was eliminated after the board ran out 7-7-2-6-4 with only one heart in the mix. Leo Margets is now the last woman standing.

- Thai Tran doubled up to 2 million when his AcQc made a flush to top the A-K of Clayton Newman. Tran now holds 2 million.

- Tom Schneider enlisted the help of pocket queens to grow his stack back to 2.6 million.

- Hieu Luu doubled up to 4 million when his K-Q cracked the pocket aces of Fernando Gordo on a K-7-6-Q-3 board.

- Eugene Katchalov climbed back above 4 million when he induced both Jamie Robbins to fold to his 725,000 bet on a 10-5-4 flop. Katchalov caught about 625,000 on the hand.

- Darvin Moon further increased his chip lead when he eliminated Brean Catalano. Moon held pocket queens to beat Catalano’s A-J and grew his stack to more than 9 million after the knockout.

Big Hands

Peter Eastgate Eliminated in 78th Place ($68,979)

The defending champion of the main event from last year has been knocked out.

Billy Kopp raised to 105,000 preflop and Dennis Phillips made the call to his immediate left. Action was folded to Peter Eastgate in the small blind, who moved all in for 340,000 more. Action was back on Kopp who made the call and Dennis Phillips made the call. The board ran out A64J3, as Kopp and Phillips checked it down. Kopp exposed the 88 for an eight high flush and Phillips mucked. Eastgate tabled the AJ for top two pair. Kopp eliminated Eastgate from the tournament.

Tom Schneider Doubles Up

Tom Schneider and Grayson Ramage got all the chips into the pot before the flop. Schneider exposed the AK while Ramage tabled the AQ. Schneider’s A-K held up and he doubled to 2,160,000.

Former Chip Leader Eliminated

Action was folded to Matt Affleck on the button who moved all in for 880,000 with the A7. Nick Maimone called from the small blind and exposed the AQ. The board ran out A109J3, and the chip leader going into day five has been eliminated. Maimone is now at 4,100,000 chips.

Phil Ivey Running Hot

Phil Ivey bet 110,000 from the button and Kent Goulding reraised to 325,000 from the big blind. Ivey made the call and both players saw a flop of Q42. Goulding checked and Ivey enough to put his opponent all in for 910,000. Goulding made the call and exposed the Q7 while Ivey tabled the J5 for a flush draw. The turn bricked for Ivey but the K on the river eliminated Goulding and handed Ivey the pot. Ivey is over 5,000,000 now.

Owen Crowe Eliminated in 79th Place ($68,979)

Fernando Gordo and Owen Crowe got all the chips into the pot preflop. Gordo reraised all in for 1,800,000 with the AK, enough to cover Crowe with the QQ. Crowe made the call and the board ran out K954A to eliminate Crowe. Gordo is over 4,000,000.

Player Tags: Tom Schneider,   Billy Kopp,   Peter Eastgate,   Dennis Phillips,   Matt Affleck

Level 22 Hour 2 Update: Shulman Rolling, ElkY Busts

Jul 13, '09

Note: Players are currently on a 20 minute break and will return at 4:50 PDT.

Blinds: 10,000-20,000 with a 3,000 ante

Players Remaining: 120 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Warren Zackey – 5,120,000
2. Billy Kopp – 4,660,000
3. Tom Schneider – 4,150,000
4. Ludovic Lacay – 4,060,000
5. Charlie Elias – 4,000,000
6. Darvin Moon – 3,450,000
7. Antoine Saout – 3,300,000
8. Bernhard Perner – 3,200,000
9. Jamie Brown – 3,120,000
10. Kasper Cordes – 3,060,000

Average Chip Count: 1,623,500

Card Player Chip Counts:

Jeff Shulman – 3,302,000

Notable Eliminations:

125. Theo Tran — $40,288
124. Eric Cloutier — $40,288
122. Bertrand Grospellier – $40,288

Chip Movers and Shakers During the Last Hour:

- Craig Boyd moved up to 3 million in chips when snapped off a bluff from Hieu Luu to double up.

- Blair Hinkle was eliminated from the tournamrnt shortly after his stack was crippled down to 33,000.

- Ahn Van Nguyen was knocked down to 1,225,000 after tangling in a hand with Steve Begleiter, who held trip deueces and is now close to 3 million.

Big Hands:

Peter Eastgate Eliminates Edward Teems

Edward Teems moved all in preflop under the gun and action was folded around to Peter Eastgate in the big blind. He made the call and the two players then flipped up their cards as the featured table crowd perked up in their seats.

Eastgate: AQ
Teems: JJ

Board: A10586

Eastgate eliminated Teems and the crowd gave a round of applause. Eastgate now holds just over 700,000.

Billy Kopp Soars to Top of Chip Counts, Eliminates El Nasr

Billy Kopp raised to 52,000 preflop and Dennis Phillips called. Action folded around to Nasr El Nasr put in another bet, as he made it 173,000. Billy Kopp opted to make it 506,000 and Dennis Phillips got out of the way before El Nasr moved all in for 1,325,000, which was snap called by Kopp.

Kopp turned over AA and El Nasr showed QQ. The board ran out safe for Kopp as it came 2410103 and El Nasr is eliminated and Billy Kopp now has 4,660,000 in chips.

Shulman Flirts With 3 Million

The player in seat 5 raised to 55,000 and Jeff Shulman repopped it to 200,000 from the small blind. Seat 5 called and the flop was A59. Shulman led out with 250,000 and seat 5 made the call. The turn was the 4 and both players checked. The river was the 10 and both players checked again.

Shulman then turned over a monster, 62, for a flush. Seat 5 didn’t have a diamond in his hand as he mucked and Shulman took the pot, his stack around 2.85 million.

Nichoel Peppe Muscles Out Her Opposition

Tommy Vedes raised to 58,000 from the cutoff and Berhard Parner called from the button. Nichoel Peppe did the same from the small blind and the flop was 1076 and Vedes fired 230,000. Parner folded but Peppe would not hear of such a thing, instead pushing all in for almost 760,000 total.

Vedes took a session in the tank and eventually folded his hand. Peppe took the pot and she was at 1.2 million.

Soulier Scores Another Knockout

Don Tran moved all in preflop and Fabrice Soulier made the call. Tran tabled AJ while Soulier showed down the ladies, QQ.

The flop came down 978 and Tran flopped a gutshot straight draw. The turn was the 9 and the river was the 7, missing Tran completely and he was eliminated. Soulier was over 3 million in chips.

Affleck’s Bluff Gets Picked Off, Stack Tumbles

On a flop of 994, Mark Ader led out for 220,000 and was met with a raise from Matt Affleck who moved all in and had Ader well covered. Ader tanked about calling off his last 720,000 and eventually made the call.

Affleck’s head sank as he turned over 710, for a complete bluff and Ader turned over pocket queens. The turn and river didn’t bring running tens or sevens and Afflecks stack dropped to 890,000, while Mark Ader increased his stack to 2,350,000 in chips.

Bertrand Grospellier Eliminated in 122nd Place ($40,288)

Bertrand Grospellier bet 47,000 from middle position and an opponent reraised to 150,000. ElkY moved all in for about 375,000 total, slightly less than what his opponent had in his stack. Grospellier’s all in was snap called and he turned over the AK. His opponent tabled the KK. The board ran out 3226J and ElkY was eliminated in heartbreaking fashion.

Player Tags: Jeff Shulman,   Fabrice Soulier,   Nicholle Peppe,   Bertrand Grospellier,   Billy Kopp,   Peter Eastgate,   Matt Affleck,   Nasr El Nasr

Final Day Update: Final Table Set

Jun 25, '09

Blinds: 15,000-30,000

Players Remaining: 9 out of 275

Chip Counts:

1. John Kabbaj – 1,867,000
2. Davidi Kitai – 1,737,000
3. Isaac Haxton – 1,139,000
4. Eric Baldwin – 1,115,000
5. J.C. Alvarado – 810,000
6. Kirill Gerasimov – 621,000
7. Jason Lester – 386,000
8. Eugene Todd – 341,000
9. Darryll Fish – 241,000

Average Chip Count: 917,444

Notable Eliminations:

14. Thomas Pattersson — $43,091
13. Ken Lennaard — $43,091
12. Michael Kamran — $57,645
11. Billy Kopp — $57,645

Big Hands:

Thomas Pattersson Eliminated In 14th Place($43,091)

Thomas Pattersson and Billy Kopp got into a raising war preflop until all of Pattersson’s chips were in the middle.

Pattersson: J10
Kopp: A5

Board: A8428

The flop gave Kopp a dominating lead in the hand that he never relinquished and Pattersson made his exit in 14th place.

Ken Lennaard Eliminated In 13th Place($43,091)

Isaac Haxton raised the pot from the button preflop and the action was next on Ken Lennaard. Lennaard moved the rest of his chips into the middle and Haxton made the call.

Haxton: AK
Lennaard: Q10

Board: AA232

Haxton flopped a set and rivered a full boat for good measure and Lennaard was eliminated in 13th place.

Michael Kamran Eliminated In 12th Place($57,645)

Kamran raised to 84,000 from the button and the small blind mucked. The action was then on Billy Kopp in the big blind and he raised enough to put Kamran all in. Kamaran made the call and turned over J9. Kopp showed the superior A7 and it was time for the flop. It came down Q87, giving Kopp a pair but also giving Kamran a gutshot straight draw. The Q fell on the turn and offered no help to Kamran. His last gasp came on the river when another lady showed up, the Q, giving Kamran a full house and sending Kamran crashing to the rail in 12th place.

Billy Kopp Eliminated In 11th Place($57,645)

After knocking out two players on his own, it was finally Kopp’s turn to step on the chopping block.

Davidi Kitai raised to 60,000 preflop and Kopp decided to make it 198,000 to go. Kitai just called and both players saw the flop come down 843. Kopp went all in on the flop and Kitai made the call. Kopp showed down AQ for the nut flush draw while Kitai showed JJ for an over pair to the board. The turn was the 4 and the river was another black card, the 8 and Kopp bricked the last two streets and it cost him his tournament life. He was sent to the rail in 11th place, taking home $57,645.

Mohsin Charania Eliminated In 10th Place($57,645)

Davidi Kitai raised to 75,000 from under the gun and the action was next on Charania. He moved all in for just 85,000 total and everyone folded around to Kitai. He made the cheap call and the players turned over their hands.

Kitai: 99
Charania: AJ

Board: Q10236

Charania flopped a Broadway draw but it never materialized and Kitai’s pair held up. Charania picked up his stuff and made his way toward the exit in 10th place, one spot shy of the official final table.

Player Tags: Ken Lennaard,   Davidi Kitai,   Isaac Haxton,   Billy Kopp,   Michael Kamran,   Mohsin Charania

Level 20 Update: Young 18th, Rabin 17th, Langmann 16th

Jun 25, '09

Blinds: 10,000-20,000

Players Remaining: 15 out of 275

Chip Counts:

1. John Kabbaj — 1,940,000
2. J.C. Alvarado — 1,000,000
3. Billy Kopp — 845,000
4. Kirill Gerasimov — 640,000
5. Isaac Haxton — 635,000
6. Darryll Fish — 615,000
7. Davidi Kiati — 560,000
8. Eric Baldwin — 495,000
9. Eugene Todd — 450,000
10. Ken Lenaard — 440,000

Average Chip Count: 550,000

Notable Eliminations:

18. Justin Young — $32,209
17. Gary Rabin — $32,209
16. Florian Langmann — $32,209

Big Hands:

Justin Young Eliminated in 18th Place ($32,209)

Justin Young comes in for a raise before the flop and John Kabbaj moves him all in.

Young: 98
Kabbaj: Q9

Board: AQ72

Kabbaj makes two pair, eliminating Justin Young in 18th place ($32,209).

Florian Langmann Eliminated in 16th Place ($32,209)

Florian Langmann comes in for a raise and gets two callers.

The flop comes K93, and Langmann moves all in for 29,000. Billy Kopp raises to 100,000 and John Kabbaj folds.

Langmann: 66
Kopp: AA

The turn and river are the 2and the Q, no help to Florian Langmann who is eliminated in 16th place ($32,209).

Player Tags: Justin Young,   John Kabbaj,   Billy Kopp,   Florian Langmann

Final Day Update: Final Table Set

Jun 25, '09

Blinds: 15,000-30,000

Players Remaining: 9 out of 275

Chip Counts:

1. John Kabbaj – 1,867,000
2. Davidi Kitai – 1,737,000
3. Isaac Haxton – 1,139,000
4. Eric Baldwin – 1,115,000
5. J.C. Alvarado – 810,000
6. Kirill Gerasimov – 621,000
7. Jason Lester – 386,000
8. Eugene Todd – 341,000
9. Darryll Fish – 241,000

Average Chip Count: 917,444

Notable Eliminations:

14. Thomas Pattersson — $43,091
13. Ken Lennaard — $43,091
12. Michael Kamran — $57,645
11. Billy Kopp — $57,645

Big Hands:

Thomas Pattersson Eliminated In 14th Place($43,091)

Thomas Pattersson and Billy Kopp got into a raising war preflop until all of Pattersson’s chips were in the middle.

Pattersson: J10
Kopp: A5

Board: A8428

The flop gave Kopp a dominating lead in the hand that he never relinquished and Pattersson made his exit in 14th place.

Ken Lennaard Eliminated In 13th Place($43,091)

Isaac Haxton raised the pot from the button preflop and the action was next on Ken Lennaard. Lennaard moved the rest of his chips into the middle and Haxton made the call.

Haxton: AK
Lennaard: Q10

Board: AA232

Haxton flopped a set and rivered a full boat for good measure and Lennaard was eliminated in 13th place.

Michael Kamran Eliminated In 12th Place($57,645)

Kamran raised to 84,000 from the button and the small blind mucked. The action was then on Billy Kopp in the big blind and he raised enough to put Kamran all in. Kamaran made the call and turned over J9. Kopp showed the superior A7 and it was time for the flop. It came down Q87, giving Kopp a pair but also giving Kamran a gutshot straight draw. The Q fell on the turn and offered no help to Kamran. His last gasp came on the river when another lady showed up, the Q, giving Kamran a full house and sending Kamran crashing to the rail in 12th place.

Billy Kopp Eliminated In 11th Place($57,645)

After knocking out two players on his own, it was finally Kopp’s turn to step on the chopping block.

Davidi Kitai raised to 60,000 preflop and Kopp decided to make it 198,000 to go. Kitai just called and both players saw the flop come down 843. Kopp went all in on the flop and Kitai made the call. Kopp showed down AQ for the nut flush draw while Kitai showed JJ for an over pair to the board. The turn was the 4 and the river was another black card, the 8 and Kopp bricked the last two streets and it cost him his tournament life. He was sent to the rail in 11th place, taking home $57,645.

Mohsin Charania Eliminated In 10th Place($57,645)

Davidi Kitai raised to 75,000 from under the gun and the action was next on Charania. He moved all in for just 85,000 total and everyone folded around to Kitai. He made the cheap call and the players turned over their hands.

Kitai: 99
Charania: AJ

Board: Q10236

Charania flopped a Broadway draw but it never materialized and Kitai’s pair held up. Charania picked up his stuff and made his way toward the exit in 10th place, one spot shy of the official final table.

Player Tags: Ken Lennaard,   Davidi Kitai,   Isaac Haxton,   Billy Kopp,   Michael Kamran,   Mohsin Charania

Level 20 Update: Young 18th, Rabin 17th, Langmann 16th

Jun 25, '09

Blinds: 10,000-20,000

Players Remaining: 15 out of 275

Chip Counts:

1. John Kabbaj — 1,940,000
2. J.C. Alvarado — 1,000,000
3. Billy Kopp — 845,000
4. Kirill Gerasimov — 640,000
5. Isaac Haxton — 635,000
6. Darryll Fish — 615,000
7. Davidi Kiati — 560,000
8. Eric Baldwin — 495,000
9. Eugene Todd — 450,000
10. Ken Lenaard — 440,000

Average Chip Count: 550,000

Notable Eliminations:

18. Justin Young — $32,209
17. Gary Rabin — $32,209
16. Florian Langmann — $32,209

Big Hands:

Justin Young Eliminated in 18th Place ($32,209)

Justin Young comes in for a raise before the flop and John Kabbaj moves him all in.

Young: 98
Kabbaj: Q9

Board: AQ72

Kabbaj makes two pair, eliminating Justin Young in 18th place ($32,209).

Florian Langmann Eliminated in 16th Place ($32,209)

Florian Langmann comes in for a raise and gets two callers.

The flop comes K93, and Langmann moves all in for 29,000. Billy Kopp raises to 100,000 and John Kabbaj folds.

Langmann: 66
Kopp: AA

The turn and river are the 2and the Q, no help to Florian Langmann who is eliminated in 16th place ($32,209).

Player Tags: Justin Young,   John Kabbaj,   Billy Kopp,   Florian Langmann

Final Table Update: Billy Kopp Out

Jun 08, '09

Blinds: 15,000-30,000 with a 4,000 ante

Players Remaining: 7 out of 655

Chip Counts:

1. Fabian Quoss — 3,150,000
2. Brian Lemke — 2,500,000
3. Mike Sowers — 1,300,000
4. Liya Gerasimova — 930,000
5. Danny Illingworth — 780,000
6. Thomas Keller — 590,000
7. Isaac Baron — 200,000

Average Chip Count: 1,425,000

Notable Eliminations:

8. Billy Kopp — $75,115

Elimination Hands:

Billy Kopp Eliminated in Eighth Place ($75,115)

Billy Kopp moved all in for his last 75,000 and both Fabian Quoss and Thomas Keller made the call. The flop came 754 and Quoss bet 75,000, allowing Keller to fold.

Quoss showed JJ and Kopp was behind with Q9. The turn and river came Kc6h and Kopp was eliminated.

Player Tags: Billy Kopp,   Fabian Quoss