Sam Farha - Live Updates

Level 9 Hour 1 Update: Carlos Mortensen Doubles

Jul 07, '09

Blinds: 500-100 with a 100 ante

Players Remaining: 720 out of 1476

Chip Counts:

1. Samer Rahman – 325,000
2. Greg Mueller – 305,000
3. Andy Black – 225,000
4. Mike Sexton – 170,000
5. Chris Ferguson – 155,000
6. Tom Schneider – 141,000
7. Juha Helppi – 140,000
8. Jani Sointula – 135,000
9. Vitaly Lunkin – 132,000
10. Greg Raymer – 118,000

CardPlayer Chip Counts:

Ciaran O’Leary – 31,400
Andrew Brokos – 78,000

Average Chip Count Day 2A: 80,635

Notable Eliminations:

Amarillo Slim
Amanda Baker
Berry Johnston

Big Hands:

Carlos Mortensen Doubles Up

With the JJ the 2001 main event champion was put all in by an opponent on a board of K109Q2. Mortensen made the quick call and exposed his hand. His opponent mucked and Mortensen won the large pot and is back up to 71,000 chips.

Sam Farha Doubles Up

On a board of K869, the 2003 main event runner up got all his chips into the pot with the 75 against the KQ of his opponent. The meaningless Q fell on the river and Farha doubled to 72,000.

Andrew Brokos Wins a Pot

On a flop of KJ10, Andrew Brokos bet 3,400 from the big blind and a player in middle position called. The 4 fell on the turn and Brokos bet 10,000, which was quickly called by his opponent. The 4 hit the river and Brokos threw out 20,000. His opponent looked disgruntled and finally mucked the J10 face up. Brokos is now up to about 78,000.

Amarillo Slim Eliminated

Amarillo Slim was short when he went all in with 9-8 and was unfortunately called by the pocket nines of his opponent. The board offered no help to Slim, as he was eliminated late on day 2.

Eli Elezra Doubles Up

In the small blind Eli Elezra was faced with a 2,600 bet from the cutoff. Elezra elected to ship his stack of 7,000 into the pot preflop and his opponent made the quick call. Elezra tabled the AJ and was dominating the KJ of the cutoff. The board ran out A8735, giving Elezra the pot and a still short stack of 15,100.

Andrew Black Eliminates Opponent

All the chips went into the middle with Andrew Black holding the AK against the QQ of an opponent. The board ran out A10872, as Black paired his ace to win the pot. Black is now at 225,000.

Left in the Deck

Here is one of the toughest tables assembled so far during this year’s main event (Table 29):

Seat 1: Shane Warne
Seat 3: Ludovic Lacay
Seat 6: Luca Pagano
Seat 7: Isaac Baron
Seat 8: Grant Levy
Seat 9: Tom Schneider

Player Tags: Carlos Mortensen,   Eli Elezra,   Sam Farha,   Andy Black,   Andrew Brokos,   Amarillo Slim

Level 7 Hour 1 Update: Sam Farha Doubles Up

Jul 07, '09

Blinds: 300-600 with a 75 ante

Players Remaining: 3,956 of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Samer Rahman – 235,000
2. Greg Mueller – 176,000
3. Coba Cao – 175,100
4. Tom Schneider – 165,000
5. Andy Black – 162,000
6. Kirk Banks – 157,000
7. Jim Bookstaff – 155,000
8. Nick Maimone – 154,000
9. David Sands – 147,000
10. Redmond Lee – 140,000

CardPlayer Chip Counts:

Todd Brunson – 41,000
Ciaran O’Leary – 33,400
Mike Matusow – 20,000

Notable Eliminations:

Jason Mercier
Shaun Deeb

Big Hands:

The River Is Good To Farha

After a series of raises between Sam Farha, Karga Holt and seat 7, Farha moved all in for 11,550. Jaka mucked but seat 7 made the call. Farha turned over 77. Seat 7 showed AQ and they were off to the races.

Seat 7 spiked an ace on the flop when it came AJ2. The turn offered no help to Farha as it was the K. The river was the 7 and Farha pulled off his miracle and doubled up to 32,000.

Helppi Picks Off A Bluff

After the river was dealt, the board read A10284. The player in seat 7 bet 4,200 and Helppi made the call.

“Good call,” seat 7 said as he showed Helppi K-J for a busted straight draw. Helppi turned over 86 for just a pair of eights and took down the pot. He was at 81,000.

Sometimes, It’s Good When You Miss

The player in seat 2 raised to 1,500 from the cutoff and Todd Brunson made the call from the small blind. The flop came down K96 and both players checked. The turn was the 6 and Brunson checked. The cutoff bet 3,500 and Brunson came along. The river was the 2 and Brunson checked again. The cutoff fired another shot, this one 6,000. Brunson finally released his hand into the muck and his opponent showed KK for a full house.

“I’m lucky I missed,” Brunson said after seeing the hand. He was down to 40,000.

Erik Cajelais Caught With Counterfeit Diamonds

Erik Cajelais raised from the button and the big blind called. The flop was K22. The big blind checked and Cajelais bet 4,000. The big blind raised all in to 22,000. Cajelais made the call with 65. The big blind tabled A10 and Cajelais’ flush draw was rendered useless. The turn was the 9 and the river was the 3 and neither player hit anything, giving the big blind the double up with ace-high. Cajelais was at 60,000.

Shaun Deeb Annihilated By Rockets

Shaun Deeb raised to 13,000 and then Corwin Cole repopped it to 30,000. Deeb then shoved for 60,000. Cole made the call and tabled AA. Deeb showed down A9 and was in deep trouble.

The board ran out JJ10K8 and Deeb threw away 600 big blinds in the blink of an eye and was eliminated.

Michael Gracz Doubles Up

Michael Gracz moved all in for 14,000 preflop and was called by one player. Gracz showed 55 while his opponent tabled A7. The board ran out K1068Q and Gracz doubled up to 28,000.

Hoyt Corkins Doubles Again And His Stack Nothing To Mess With Now

A late position player put in a raise preflop and Hoyt Corkins called from the big blind. The small blind came along as well and the flop was J75. Action was checked to the late position player who bet out. The small blind called and Corkins moved in for 30,000. The small blind was the only caller and tabled KK. Corkins showed 98 for just a double belly-buster straight draw.

The turn was the A and Corkins had one foot out the door. But the river was the 10 and Corkins cracked the cowboys, making his straight and doubling to over 70,000.

Player Tags: Hoyt Corkins,   Juha Helppi,   Michael Gracz,   Todd Brunson,   Sam Farha,   Erik Cajelais,   Shaun Deeb

Huck Seed Defeats Sam Farha

Mar 08, '09

Sam Farha and Huck Seed's match up was quite interesting. At one point, both players thought they were on break and tried to walk off the set. They were quickly told to continue and the match resumed. Then, shortly after Vanessa Rousso won her match, Farha tried to take a phone call and walked off the stage. He was quickly told to go back and play, which he did shortly thereafter.

By the time the match reached the 15,000 - 30,000 level, both player were looking for a spot to get their chips in, with Seed having a 420,000 to 220,000 lead. Both players got it all in with pairs in short time. Seed held Deuces and Farha turned over Aces. The bigger pair held and the two virtually traded places in the counts.

Seed pushed later on with QQ and Farha made the call with A4. The flop came out KJ3 and Seed mainained his lead in the hand. The turn was the 5, however, giving him something to sweat. The river was the K and Seed safely doubled up, turning the tables in the match yet again.

When the average stack reached eight big blinds, it really became a crapshoot. Seed moved in with A-2, only to run into Farha's A-Q. Farha had to sweat a flush draw, but his hand ultimately held to double him up and cripple Seed.

Seed then doubled up twice in a row, leaving Farha with a much smaller lead. The blinds then increased to 30,000 - 60,000 and the lead changed several times with just a preflop all in move.

At one point, both players got in all in just to chop it up with a straight on board.

On the final hand, Seed had Farha all in with 108 against A-K. The river gave Seed a flush and the match, ending the longest battle of the tournament. Farha earns $125,000 and Seed improved his overall record to 17-4, making him the winningest player in the history of the tournament.

The finals will commence in about 45 minutes. Stay tuned.
 

Player Tags: Huck Seed,   Sam Farha

Sam Farha Defeats David Williams

Mar 08, '09

David Williams and Sam Farha just got into a serious situation on a flop of QQ6. Farha bet and Williams called.

Both players checked the 4 on the turn and the river was the 10. Both players got it all in and Williams turned over Q-6 for the flopped full house.

Farha then revealed Q-10 for a bigger full house, much to the dismay of a stunned Williams. He will earn $75,000 for his finish.

Farha will face off against the winner of Huck Seed and David Oppenheim.

 

 

 

 

 

Player Tags: David Williams,   Sam Farha

Sam Farha Defeats John Phan

Mar 07, '09

John Phan had a slight lead in his match against Sam Farha when both players decided to get it all in on a flop of K97.

Phan bet, Farha raised, Phan reraised, Farha moved all in and Phan called. Farha showed 83 for the flush draw and Phan showed J10 for the double-gutshot straight draw! Amazingly, Phan's jack-high was good, but not for long.

The turn was the K and Farha made his flush. Phan still had outs to the higher flush, but missed when the river was the 3.
This hand left Phan crippled and his final hand came when he pushed A5 into Farha's 1010.

The board ran out Q938J and Phan was eliminated in a tie for ninth place, earning $25,000.

Farha will now play against the winner between David Williams and Erick Lindgren.

Player Tags: John Phan,   Sam Farha

Sam Farha Defeats Peter Eastgate

Mar 07, '09

Peter Eastgate held the lead in his match with Sam Farha for quite some time before Farha battled back. After picking up some hands, Farha had Eastgate on the ropes and forced him to make a move with J7.

Farha called with K9 and the board paired his nine to send Eastgate packing. Farha will now face off against John Phan in the next round.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Player Tags: Sam Farha,   Peter Eastgate

Sam Farha Defeats Allen Cunningham

Mar 06, '09

After building a 3-1 chip lead, Sam Farha called Allen Cunningham's open shove from the button for 5,000.

Farha showed 1010 and was ahead of Cunningham's K8. The board ran out Q9746 and Cunningham was eliminated from the tournament. Farha moves on to play the winner of Andy Bloch and Peter Eastgate.

Next elimination is coming right up.

 

 

 

 

 

Player Tags: Allen Cunningham,   Sam Farha

Huck Seed Defeats Sam Farha

Mar 08, '09

Sam Farha and Huck Seed's match up was quite interesting. At one point, both players thought they were on break and tried to walk off the set. They were quickly told to continue and the match resumed. Then, shortly after Vanessa Rousso won her match, Farha tried to take a phone call and walked off the stage. He was quickly told to go back and play, which he did shortly thereafter.

By the time the match reached the 15,000 - 30,000 level, both player were looking for a spot to get their chips in, with Seed having a 420,000 to 220,000 lead. Both players got it all in with pairs in short time. Seed held Deuces and Farha turned over Aces. The bigger pair held and the two virtually traded places in the counts.

Seed pushed later on with QQ and Farha made the call with A4. The flop came out KJ3 and Seed mainained his lead in the hand. The turn was the 5, however, giving him something to sweat. The river was the K and Seed safely doubled up, turning the tables in the match yet again.

When the average stack reached eight big blinds, it really became a crapshoot. Seed moved in with A-2, only to run into Farha's A-Q. Farha had to sweat a flush draw, but his hand ultimately held to double him up and cripple Seed.

Seed then doubled up twice in a row, leaving Farha with a much smaller lead. The blinds then increased to 30,000 - 60,000 and the lead changed several times with just a preflop all in move.

At one point, both players got in all in just to chop it up with a straight on board.

On the final hand, Seed had Farha all in with 108 against A-K. The river gave Seed a flush and the match, ending the longest battle of the tournament. Farha earns $125,000 and Seed improved his overall record to 17-4, making him the winningest player in the history of the tournament.

The finals will commence in about 45 minutes. Stay tuned.
 

Player Tags: Huck Seed,   Sam Farha

Sam Farha Defeats David Williams

Mar 08, '09

David Williams and Sam Farha just got into a serious situation on a flop of QQ6. Farha bet and Williams called.

Both players checked the 4 on the turn and the river was the 10. Both players got it all in and Williams turned over Q-6 for the flopped full house.

Farha then revealed Q-10 for a bigger full house, much to the dismay of a stunned Williams. He will earn $75,000 for his finish.

Farha will face off against the winner of Huck Seed and David Oppenheim.

 

 

 

 

 

Player Tags: David Williams,   Sam Farha

Sam Farha Defeats John Phan

Mar 07, '09

John Phan had a slight lead in his match against Sam Farha when both players decided to get it all in on a flop of K97.

Phan bet, Farha raised, Phan reraised, Farha moved all in and Phan called. Farha showed 83 for the flush draw and Phan showed J10 for the double-gutshot straight draw! Amazingly, Phan's jack-high was good, but not for long.

The turn was the K and Farha made his flush. Phan still had outs to the higher flush, but missed when the river was the 3.
This hand left Phan crippled and his final hand came when he pushed A5 into Farha's 1010.

The board ran out Q938J and Phan was eliminated in a tie for ninth place, earning $25,000.

Farha will now play against the winner between David Williams and Erick Lindgren.

Player Tags: John Phan,   Sam Farha

Sam Farha Defeats Peter Eastgate

Mar 07, '09

Peter Eastgate held the lead in his match with Sam Farha for quite some time before Farha battled back. After picking up some hands, Farha had Eastgate on the ropes and forced him to make a move with J7.

Farha called with K9 and the board paired his nine to send Eastgate packing. Farha will now face off against John Phan in the next round.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Player Tags: Sam Farha,   Peter Eastgate

Sam Farha Defeats Allen Cunningham

Mar 06, '09

After building a 3-1 chip lead, Sam Farha called Allen Cunningham's open shove from the button for 5,000.

Farha showed 1010 and was ahead of Cunningham's K8. The board ran out Q9746 and Cunningham was eliminated from the tournament. Farha moves on to play the winner of Andy Bloch and Peter Eastgate.

Next elimination is coming right up.

 

 

 

 

 

Player Tags: Allen Cunningham,   Sam Farha

Huck Seed Defeats Sam Farha

Mar 08, '09

Sam Farha and Huck Seed's match up was quite interesting. At one point, both players thought they were on break and tried to walk off the set. They were quickly told to continue and the match resumed. Then, shortly after Vanessa Rousso won her match, Farha tried to take a phone call and walked off the stage. He was quickly told to go back and play, which he did shortly thereafter.

By the time the match reached the 15,000 - 30,000 level, both player were looking for a spot to get their chips in, with Seed having a 420,000 to 220,000 lead. Both players got it all in with pairs in short time. Seed held Deuces and Farha turned over Aces. The bigger pair held and the two virtually traded places in the counts.

Seed pushed later on with QQ and Farha made the call with A4. The flop came out KJ3 and Seed mainained his lead in the hand. The turn was the 5, however, giving him something to sweat. The river was the K and Seed safely doubled up, turning the tables in the match yet again.

When the average stack reached eight big blinds, it really became a crapshoot. Seed moved in with A-2, only to run into Farha's A-Q. Farha had to sweat a flush draw, but his hand ultimately held to double him up and cripple Seed.

Seed then doubled up twice in a row, leaving Farha with a much smaller lead. The blinds then increased to 30,000 - 60,000 and the lead changed several times with just a preflop all in move.

At one point, both players got in all in just to chop it up with a straight on board.

On the final hand, Seed had Farha all in with 108 against A-K. The river gave Seed a flush and the match, ending the longest battle of the tournament. Farha earns $125,000 and Seed improved his overall record to 17-4, making him the winningest player in the history of the tournament.

The finals will commence in about 45 minutes. Stay tuned.
 

Player Tags: Huck Seed,   Sam Farha

Sam Farha Defeats David Williams

Mar 08, '09

David Williams and Sam Farha just got into a serious situation on a flop of QQ6. Farha bet and Williams called.

Both players checked the 4 on the turn and the river was the 10. Both players got it all in and Williams turned over Q-6 for the flopped full house.

Farha then revealed Q-10 for a bigger full house, much to the dismay of a stunned Williams. He will earn $75,000 for his finish.

Farha will face off against the winner of Huck Seed and David Oppenheim.

 

 

 

 

 

Player Tags: David Williams,   Sam Farha

Sam Farha Defeats John Phan

Mar 07, '09

John Phan had a slight lead in his match against Sam Farha when both players decided to get it all in on a flop of K97.

Phan bet, Farha raised, Phan reraised, Farha moved all in and Phan called. Farha showed 83 for the flush draw and Phan showed J10 for the double-gutshot straight draw! Amazingly, Phan's jack-high was good, but not for long.

The turn was the K and Farha made his flush. Phan still had outs to the higher flush, but missed when the river was the 3.
This hand left Phan crippled and his final hand came when he pushed A5 into Farha's 1010.

The board ran out Q938J and Phan was eliminated in a tie for ninth place, earning $25,000.

Farha will now play against the winner between David Williams and Erick Lindgren.

Player Tags: John Phan,   Sam Farha

Sam Farha Defeats Peter Eastgate

Mar 07, '09

Peter Eastgate held the lead in his match with Sam Farha for quite some time before Farha battled back. After picking up some hands, Farha had Eastgate on the ropes and forced him to make a move with J7.

Farha called with K9 and the board paired his nine to send Eastgate packing. Farha will now face off against John Phan in the next round.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Player Tags: Sam Farha,   Peter Eastgate

Sam Farha Defeats Allen Cunningham

Mar 06, '09

After building a 3-1 chip lead, Sam Farha called Allen Cunningham's open shove from the button for 5,000.

Farha showed 1010 and was ahead of Cunningham's K8. The board ran out Q9746 and Cunningham was eliminated from the tournament. Farha moves on to play the winner of Andy Bloch and Peter Eastgate.

Next elimination is coming right up.

 

 

 

 

 

Player Tags: Allen Cunningham,   Sam Farha

Meet Your Chip Leader

Jul 13, '08

Sam Farha is currently leading the field with a little over 140,00. Farha was originally placed at the table of death to start the day, but that table has since broken leaving Farha with a much easier set of opponent to contend with.

Farha had a relatively quiet summer, cashing twice in the WSOP and making a final table appearance in the World Championship of Mixed Games. He earned a little over $100,000 but would certainly like to add to that in this tournament.

 

 

 

 

Player Tags: Sam Farha

Main Event Day 1b - So Long Sammy

Jul 05, '08

Note: Players are now on a 90 minute dinner break.

Blinds: 150-300 with a 25 ante

Chip Leaders:
Michael Martin: 98,800
Brian Rast: 94,500
Brad Booth: 90,000
Diogo Borges: 84,000
Igor Ioffe: 78,000
Clonie Gowen: 77,000
Leonardo Emperador: 74,000
Rajesh Vohra: 73,000
Jeff Madsen: 72,000
Kara Scott; 66,000

CP Chip Counts:
Mike Matusow: 41,400
Rolf Slotboom: 43,000
Marcel Luske: 8,200
Bertrand Grospellier: 20,000
Michael Binger: 8,800
Mark Gregorich: 3,375

Eliminations: Sam Farha, Marco Traniello, Joe Tehan, Justin Bonomo, Isaac Haxton

Notable Hands:

Townsend Gets All In To Bet Out Opponent

Brian Townsend raised bet 1,500 on a flop of 653 and the player in seat 4 raised to 4,200. Townsend made the call and the 3 fell on the turn. Townsend checked and seat 4 bet 7,500. Townsend tanked for several minutes, eventually taking out his earbuds and sighing before pushing his entire stack all in - about 16,000 more. His opponent, in return, didn't take long to fold his hand and give the pot to Townsend. Townsend is down from the last break, but still healthy with around 43,000 in chips.

Luske Happy To Take Opponent's Chips

Marcel Luske bet 1,500 when the player in seat 1 checked on the flop of 932. Seat 1 called but checked again on the K turn. Luske again bet 1,500 on the turn, telling his opponent with a smile, "Still only 1,500." Seat 1 made the call and the J hit on the river. Seat 1 checked and Luske said he wanted to value bet, but changed his mind and checked as well. He showed KQ and his opponent flashed his hand briefly to Luske before mucking.

Tony Korfman Eliminated

The player in seat 8 limped into the pot as did Sirous Jamshidi from seat 9. Tony Korfman raised to 1,300 and seat reraised to 4,000. Jamshidi got out of the way and Korfman went into the tank. "Well, it looks like there will be no operation for little Jimmy," as Korfman reraised another 1,650 and all in. Seat 8 made the call and both players turned over their cards.

Korfman: AQ
Seat 8: AK

Board: K7338

Korfman was behind from the start, shoving from the short stack with the worst of it. Failing to receive any help from the board, Tony Korfman made an early exit here today less than a half hour until the dinner break. One would have thought it was a final table and not a Day 1 the way Korfman was greeted as he left the room. The players at his table getting out of their seats to shake his hand as he made his untimely exit.

If at First You Don't Succeed, Try Try Again

Preflop, Jeff Madsen raised to 900 from the cutoff and the player in seat 2 moved all in for 7,600 more from the button. The blinds folded and action was back on Madsen. He thought for a while, then threw his hand in the muck.

On the next hand, action folded around again to Madsen who made it 900 from the hijack and the player in seat 5 was the only one to call from the big blind. The flop came K92 and seat 5 checked. Madsen fired 1,425 into the pot. Seat 5 then check-raised to 2,850 and Madsen tanked again. After much thought, he came over the top, pushing out a large tower of chips that totaled about 23,000. Seat 5 took his turn in the tank. He decided to muck, showing the K. Madsen then showed a card of his own, as he flashed the 3 to his opponent. Seat 5 was livid and Madsen took the pot, improving his stack to 72,000.

Why'd You Play With Sammy? Farha Eliminated
The under the gun player in seat 6 raised to 1,200 before the flop, immediately striking up a repartee with Sammy Farha who sat two seats to his left. Sammy looked at him and smiled, saying "This could be it," and tossing in his call. No one else was interested in playing the hand, and the two players went heads up to the flop. The dealer placed J32 on the felt, and Farha's opponent quickly led out for 2,200. Sammy called without much hesitation, and the two continued to talk. The turn brought the Q. "How much did I bet last time?" asked the under the gun player, who then announced another bet, this time for 4,600. Sammy called once again, continuing to smile wryly at his opponent as he stared him down. The river brought an innocent looking 7, as well as an all-in shove from seat 6 for nearly 30,000, who started yelling "Rebuy!" and talking to Sammy about his plans for the dinner break. He continued to chatter incessantly, talking about earlier hands and his plans for that evening. Sammy continued to stare him down, asking "Are you bluffing?" This prompted a stream of talk about Sammy's lucky cigarette. Farha stacked and restacked his chips, counting them and contemplating his move. A large collection of railbirds came to perch by the table as the gravity of the situation became noticeable. Eventually, after several minutes of fast talk, Sammy moved his chips into the center of the table, making the call. His opponent showed KQ for turned top pair. Sammy simply smiled, turned over AJ, and made his way out of the room. Seat 6 raked in the huge pot, and continued to chatter excitedly about how brilliantly he had played the hand.

 

Player Tags: Marcel Luske,   Sam Farha,   Brian Townsend,   Jeff Madsen

$10,000 Main Event - Hour 3

Jul 05, '08

Note: Due to the late start and the timing of the break, our coverage was cut short during the first part of the level. Please check back at 4 p.m. for more extensive coverage of Level 2 action.

Blinds: 100-200

Chip Leaders:
Carl Henriksson: 62,000
Juan Maceiras: 60,000
John Strzemp 58,600
Clonie Gowen: 58,300
Bryan Devonshire: 49,500
Dmitri Nobles: 48,000
Ryan Hughes: 48,000
Jared Brintz: 42,000
Jeff Madsen: 42,000
John D'Agostino: 42,000

CP Chip Counts:
Mark Gregorich: 20,000
Isaac Haxton: 21,200
Mike Matusow: 27,800
Michael Binger: 19,900
Gavin Griffin: 8,000

Bertrand "Elky" Grospellier: 7,400
Jeff Kimber: 16,200
Michael Keiner: 16,000
Gary Clark: 27,000
Padraig Parkinson: 31,000
Paul Testud: 17,100
Archie Karas: 24,000
Steve Davis: 35,000
Henning Granstadt: 26,000
Martin Green: 23,300
Dave Callaghan: 15,000
Marcel Luske: 21,000
Sammy Farha: 33,000

Eliminations: Al Krux, Minh Ly, Lars Bonding

Notable Hands:
David Singer Chips Up

Action folded around to David Singer who raised to 600 from the button and got one caller from the big blind. The flop came K87, and the big blind checked to Singer who bet 1,000. The big blind called and the turn was the 2. Once again the big blind checked to Singer who this time bet 2,000. The big blind called and the river was the 2. Both players checked the river and exposed their cards in order. The big Blind turned over 65 for a busted straight draw and Singer showed K10 for top pair. Singer raked the pot, bringing his chip count up to 35,000.

Don't Play With Sam Farha

Sam Farha limped into a pot from early position. The player in the cutoff raised to 800, folding action back around to Farha, who made the call. Both players checked the flop, which read Q42. The turn brought the Q, and Farha started applying pressure, firing a bet of 1,000. Farha's opponent seemed unwilling to play a pot with Sammy on such a coordinated board, folding his hand. Farha moved up to 33,400 after the hand.

The Trouble With Being Moneymaker

Chris Moneymaker started his Main Event today, and is already having some trouble dealing with the target on his back. Early in the level, Moneymaker raised from middle position to 600. He was called by only one player on the button. Moneymaker led out for another 700 on the flop, which came J85. His opponent made the call. Moneymaker then checked on the turn of Q before calling his opponent's bet of 2,000. The 6 fell on the river, and Moneymaker checked once again, only to fold to his opponent's river bet of 5,000. Moneymaker is still up for the day, however, sitting behind around 24,000.

Player Tags: Chris Moneymaker,   David Singer,   Sam Farha

$10,000 World Championship Pot Limit Omaha - Star-Packed Level One

Jun 29, '08

Blinds: 50-100

Entrants: 330 (Approx.)

Stacked Tables:
Table 11: Andrew Black, Mel Judah, Bruno Fitoussi, Amnon Filippi
Table 7: Bill Chen, Alexander Kostritsyn, Barry Shulman, Bill Edler
Table 35: Tom Dwan, Michael Mizrachi, John Juanda
Table 23: David WIlliams, Jimmy Fricke, Barny Boatman, Ryan Daut
Table 8: Robert Mizrachi, Allen Kessler, Dario Alioto
Table 5: Kathy Liebert, Devilfish Ulliot, Lee Watkinson
Table 15: Scott Clements, Tom McEvoy, Alex Jacob, Jamie Gold
Table 33: Steve Billirakis, Phil Galfond, Sam Farha
Table 34: David Benyamine, Chau Giang, Thor Hansen
Table 30: Josh Arieh, Nenad Medic
Table 27: Bill Gazes, David Chiu, Burt Boutin, Daniel Alaei
Table 25: Mike Matusow, Gavin Smith, Dario Minieri
Table 19: Erik Cajelais, Thomas Wahlroos, Clonie Gowen, Daniel Negreanu

BIg Hands and Storylines:

Not The Ideal Start For Smith

Fifteen minutes into the first level Gavin Smith raised to 500 and the player in seat 1 re-raised the pot, 1,650 more. The player in seat 4 and Smith both made the call. When the flop came J72 Smith bet the pot - 6,450 and got all in with the player in seat 1 while seat 4 folded. The turn was the A and the river was the 8. Smith showed A-J-10-2 for top two pair, but he lost the pot to seat 1's big hand- A-A-K-Q, giving him a set of aces. Immediately after the hand, Smith tossed in his chip for a 10,000 add-on and was back in business. Each player gets one 10,000 add-on if they so choose in the first three levels of the tournament.

Defending Champ Misses

On a board of 9863, defending World Championship PLO champion Robert Mizrachi's opponent bet out 1,025 and Mizrachi made the call. Both players checked the 5 river and Mizrachi shook his head to signify he missed his draws and had no hand. His opponent showed two of his four cards - 88 for a set, and scooped the early pot.

The Shulman Family

On a board reading 1010610, Jeff "Happy" Shulman took a stab at the pot with a bet of 500. His opponent in seat 8 raised it up to 2,500 total. Shulman mucked his hand and he was off to a slow start. However, he took a nice pot later in the level to get his stack around 14,000.

A few tables over, Barry Shulman was involved in a pot. The player in seat 3 raised to 275 preflop. Shulman made the call from the button and Bill Chen called from the small blind. The flop came 865 and everyone checked. The turn came with the A and action was checked to Shulman. He fired 1,000 into the pot and his opponents ran for the hills. Shulman took the pot and improved his stack to about 13,000.

Amit With the Early Power Move

On a flop that came 654, Rafi Amit checked to his opponent in seat 5. He bet 425 and Amit pounced on him, raising 1,300 more to 1,725. His opponent quickly mucked and Amit added some chips to his stack in the early going as he was around 15,000.

Farha Wins Massive Pot

Spoiler: Sam Farha likes to gamble. On a board of 872, Sam Farha pushed his remaining 5,000 or so chips in and was called by one opponent. His opponent showed A-A-10-2 for an overpair of aces and Farha showed Q-9-8-6 for an open-ended straight draw. The turn was the 4 and the river was the 5, completing Farha's straight to give him a big pot early.

Double Duty

Although both have made it to the final table of the $50,000 H.O.R.S.E event, Erick Lindgren and Barry Greenstein are also playing in the World Championship PLO event.

Player Tags: Robert Mizrachi,   Jeff Shulman,   Barry Shulman,   Gavin Smith,   Sam Farha,   Rafi Amit,   European Report

Heads Up Championship - Round 3 - Hour 1

Jun 13, '08

Blinds/Antes: 400-800, 500-1,000, 600-1,200

Recent Eliminations:
Carlos Mortensen
Clonie Gowen
Antoine Berube
Max Katz
Marc Fratter
Sirous Jamshidi
Justin Adams
Christopher Bush

Advancing Players:
Brandon Adams
Alexander Kostritsyn
Lyle Berman
Matt Giannetti
Evan Sofer
Michael McNeil
Jean-Claude Moussa
David Podgurski

Big Hands:
The Matadore Gored by Adams

On a board of 105410 Carlos Mortensen bet out 10,000 and was called by Brandon Adams. The Q fell on the river and Adams moved all in. Mortensen thought for several minutes while stacking and restacking his chips. He eventually said, "I call," and Adams turned over 109. Mortensen smacked the table, clearly upset with his read, and was eliminated.

Gowen Doesn't Catch, Eliminated by Kostritsyn

After losing a number of big pots with Alexander Kostritsyn, Clonie Gowen was low on chips and in trouble. She raised to 7,000 perflop and Kostritsyn pushed enough into the middle of the table to put her all in. Gowen reluctanly called and would need to hit an ace, showed A8. Kostritsyn showed 1010. THe board came 97736 and Gowen was gone.

Tran Makes an Insane Call

J.C. Tran called Alec Torelli's 5,300 bet on a flop of 332. The turn brought the Q and Torelli bet 12,000. Tran made the call and the K fell on the river. Torelli led out for 17,000. Whoever won the hand would take a 2-1 chip lead in the match. Tran thought for a moment then made the call, showing nothing more than 92 for a pair of deuces. But Deuces were good and Torelli mucked.

Jesus and the Buddhist

On a board of J98Q6, Andrew Black threw out a single 1,000 chip and Chris Ferguson called. "You win," Black said, and Ferguson showed 94.

Farha Can't Win a Hand

Randall Brueckner bet 22,000 on a board of Q9810Q. Sam Farha looked annoyed as he thought his decision over. He eventually made the call and as he apparently expected, Brueckner showed Q9 for a full house. Farha was left shaking his head and commenting about how he hasn't won a hand in the match.

 

Player Tags: J.C. Tran,   Chris Ferguson,   Carlos Mortensen,   Clonie Gowen,   Sam Farha,   Andy Black,   Brandon Adams,   Randall Brueckner,   Alec Torelli,   Alexander Kostritsyn,   European Report

Heads Up Championship - Round One Complete

Jun 13, '08

Note: Round one has been completed.  Play will resume with round two at 5:00pm.

Blinds/Antes: 100/200, 100/300, 200/400

Recent Eliminations:
Jamie Gold

Advancing Players:
Sam Farha
Stu Marshak

Big Hands/Storylines:

Stu Marshak Defeats Jamie Gold in an Amazing Comeback

In the last remaining table of the first round, former world champion Jamie Gold faced off with Stu Marshak in an epic confrontation.  Gold established an early chip lead and maintained it throughout most of the beginning levels but a last minute table-turning series of hands sent Marshak to the next round

Down to his last 6,200 in chips, Marshak bet 1,500 on a board of QJ87 and Gold called.  Gold then pushed all in when the river brought the J.  Marshak folded and Gold said, “Nice fold.  I flopped the nuts.”  Gold turned over 109.  Gold then turned to the press and said, “I can’t get rid of this guy!  He won’t make a mistake.”

Two hands later, Gold put Marshak all in from the small blind pre-flop.  Marshak contemplated for several minutes, at one point asking about the blinds of the next level.  Gold exposed the K face up on the table and assured his opponent that he did not have pocket kings.  Eventually, Marshak made the call and Gold turned over his other card, the 6.  Marshak turned over A6 and Gold seemed incredulous as to why his opponent did not call much sooner.  The board offered no help to Gold, and Marshak doubled up.  Gold later received a formal warning from the tournament supervisors for exposing a card during play.

In a later hand, Marshak called from the small blind and Gold put him all in.  Marshak instantly called and turned over QQ.  “Nice call,” Gold said while turning over J7.  The board offered no help to Gold, and the players were now close to even in chips.

After making a little headway, Gold made another misstep that was arguably the turning point of the match.  On a board of KQJ32, Gold again put his opponent all in.  Marshak called, causing Gold to remark, “Nice call.  You got me.  I’ve got nothing.”  Marshak turned over 33 for a set of threes.  Gold later said that he had five-four and was on a straight draw.  Gold was crippled by the hand and down to his remaining 5,000 in chips.

Gold shipped it in from the small blind pre-flop on the next hand, and Marshak made the call with KQ.  Gold turned over Q9, a dominated underdog to Marshak’s hand.  Gold hit the 9 on the flop, but Marshak made a runner-runner flush to end the match and send Gold to the rail.

Player Tags: Sam Farha,   Jamie Gold

Event 21 - $5000 NLHE - Pros disappearing

Jun 11, '08

Blinds: 300-600 (75 Ante), moving up to 400-800 (100 Ante)

Eliminations: John Juanda, Sam Farha, Antonio Esfandiari

Players Remaining: 240

Juanda and Farha Eliminated

Sam Farha was all in from the big blind. The player in seat 2 moved all in behind him, and the two players were heads up, with Sammy's 52 trailing his opponent's AK. The flop came out AQ5 and Sammy pointed at the club in his hand. The turn brought the 6, and Sammy made his flush, sweating one more club to avoid a chopped pot. The river was a safe card, the 4, and Farha moved up to around 1600.

The very next hand John Juanda moved all in at the same table, and was called by the player in seat 5. Juanda showed K10, and was looking to his some big red cards against his opponent's 99. The cards didn't come, however, and after the board was dealt out J7362, Juanda took his leave.

Farha followed him out a few hands later.

Howard Lederer has been flitting back and forth from his table to discuss golf with John Hennigan, while Antonio Esfandiari has been asking players if they have seen the newest clip of his show, which apparently features both Lederer and Eli Elezra. Esfandiari told Elezra that he had the clip on Tivo at his apartment, extending Eli an invitation to come watch it if he was ever in the neighborhood.

The Magician Disappears

Preflop, Antonio Esfandiari was all in against two other players, both of whom held big slick, (AK and AK), dominating Esfandiari's AJ. The Magician didn't find the help he needed, with the board running out K87106, taking his leave halfway through the level.

I Have 5-7 of Diamonds

From the big blind, Eli Elezra called a standard opening raise and was heads up with one player. He checked in the dark, and the flop came out Q86. His opponent made a small continuation bet, and Eli responded by pushing in a stack of orange 5,000 chips, raising to a total of 50,000. The player began needling Elezra, asking him if he had a queen or if he was on a diamond draw, also toying with the possibility that Elezra was on a pure bluff. "I have 5-7 of Diamonds. Even better than queens," promised Elezra. His opponent eventually folded to the massive bet, showing pocket nines. Elezra politely showed a Q, and added the small pot to his monster stack.




 

Player Tags: John Juanda,   Antonio Esfandiari,   Eli Elezra,   Sam Farha

$5,000 No-Limit Hold'em - Level 6

Jun 11, '08

Blinds/Antes: 200/400/50

Players Remaining: 390 of 731

Average Stack: 18,800

Notable Chip Counts:
Michiel Brummelhuis - 128,000
Jonathan Little - 56,000
Eli Elezra - 50,000
Greg Mueller - 48,000
Eric Lynch - 46,000
Alex Jacob - 45,000
Gavin Griffin - 43,000
Tony Dunst - 42,000
Anders Henriksson - 36,000
Can Kim Hua - 35,700

Recent Eliminations:

Big Hands/Storylines:

Greg Mueller Lays Down the “Best Hand”

Facing a raise to 1,050 from his opponent on the button, Greg Mueller elected to defend his big blind and assured everyone that he was calling with the best hand. The flop came 933 and Mueller checked. His opponent bet 1,550 and Mueller folded AJ face up, once again reminding everyone that he had the best hand. His opponent shook his head, but refused to show his cards to the table. “See? He can’t even show,” Mueller joked as his opponent took the pot.

Daniel Alaei Takes Damage from a New Player

After winning the previous hand without a flop via an uncalled reraise, Daniel Alaei limped from middle position. The player to his immediate left, who just joined from a broken table, also limped. The small blind called and Gavin Griffin checked his big blind option. The flop came QJ8, and the action was checked to Alaei, who fired a bet of 1,200. His opponent to the left called, and both blinds folded. The 4 came on the turn, and Alaei led with 3,100. His opponent moved all in for an additional 7,500, and Alaei mucked his hand. Alaei still had over 30,000 in chips when the hand was finished.

Tim West Eliminates Another, Improves Stack

Tim West eliminated an opponent with AK when the KJ943 board improved his hand enough to beat his opponent’s 77. West’s stack improved to over 20,000 with the chips won from the hand.

Sam Farha’s Two Pair Not Good Enough

Sam Farha called a raise from his big blind, and the two players saw a 764 flop. Farha checked, allowing his opponent to make a bet of 1,500. Farha called and both players checked the 7 on the turn. The 5 on the river brought another round of checking, and Farha announced that he had two pair. Before Farha turned over his hand, his opponent showed 99 and Farha mucked, leaving himself with 7,000 in chips.

Eli Elezra Becoming One of the Tallest Stacks

Eli Elezra was counted among the tournament leaders during level six, due in part to an opponent he eliminated in that round. After calling a raise preflop, Elezra checked to his opponent on a board of JT4. His opponent pushed all in for around 6,000, and Elezra quickly called with J8. His opponent turned over 55, and his hand failed to improve on the Q turn and K river.

Player Tags: Greg Mueller,   Eli Elezra,   Daniel Alaei,   Sam Farha,   Jonathan Little,   Tim West,   Michiel Brummelhuis,   European Report

$2,000 Omaha 8/b - Hour Four

Jun 08, '08

Note: Players are on a 30 minute dinner break.

Blinds: 75-150 (Moving Up To 100-200)
Stakes: 150- 300 (Moving up to 200-400)

Players Remaining: 460 of 553

Chip Leaders:

John Juanda: 11,400
MIchael Mizrachi: 10,500
David Chiu: 10,200
Josh Arieh: 9,200
Hoyt Corkins: 9,000
Men Nguyen: 8,200
Justin Bonomo: 8,200
Allen Kessler: 8,200
Billy Argyros: 7,700
David Williams: 7,400

Average Chip Stack: 4,809

Big Hands:

Bonomo Crushes Opponent With Set Over Set

Justin Bonomo raised a hand to 300 perflop and got one caller. The board came AJ5 and Bonomo's opponent led out for 150. Bonomo called and the Q came on the turn. Bonomo check-raised his opponent's bet to 600 and his opponent called. The 10 fell on the river, Bonomo bet 300 and was called. His opponent showed J-J-A-4 for a flopped set, and he was visibly frustrated when he saw Bonomo's better flopped set of A-A-7-5. There was no low hand. Bonomo had around 8,200 at the end of the level.

Hellmuth Splits Pot, Orally Jabs Opponent After Hand
Phil Hellmuth bet 150 on a K85 flop and his opponent raised to 300. Hellmuth made the call and check-called his opponent's bet of 300 on the 10 turn card. Both players checked when the 3 fell on the river and Hellmuth showed 8644 for the low and his opponent showed AK1010 for the best high hand. After chopping the pot, Hellmuth vocalized his surprise at the way his opponent played the hand, and his opponent replied, "You escaped again." Hellmuth looked ammused and replied, "You've escaped from me a couple times."

Farha Takes Half of a Big One, Still Short On Chips

Sammy Farha got his last 750 in chips in on a board of 10627 against two players. The K fell on the river and Farha showed AA84 for the nut flush and the best high hand. One opponent showed A1093 for the best low hand, and the other opponent mucked. Farha took half the pot and sat with around 2,000 after the hand.

What a Quack...

Paul Magriel looked to have an opponent on the verge of elimination, when he put the player all in on the turn of a 7632 board. But the river card was the J and Magriel's opponent showed J942 for a rivered two pair of Jacks and deuces, that beat Magriel's 8732, which gave him a flopped two pair of sevens and threes. His opponent also took the low and doubled up. Magriel had around 3,500 after the hand.

Player Tags: Phil Hellmuth,   Paul Magriel,   Sam Farha,   Justin Bonomo