Chris Bell - Live Updates

Chris Bell Eliminated in 31st Place ($40,855)

Apr 22, '09

Chris Bell was all in preflop and Freddy Deeb called him down. Bell held K-J and Deeb turned up pocket queens. Bell flopped a pair of jacks, but he was unable to come from behind to stay alive. He was eliminated in 31st place and took home $40,855 in prize money.












 

Player Tags: Chris Bell,   Freddy Deeb

Chris Bell Eliminated in 23rd Place ($26,000)

Sep 17, '08

The big names continue to fall, as Chris Bell was just eliminated in 23rd place.

Mark Seif held pocket aces on a jack high flop and Bell was behind with Q-J. The turn was a jack giving Bell trips and a stranglehold to double up, but the river was an ace giving the full house and the pot to Seif.

Bell earns $26,000 for his finish.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Player Tags: Mark Seif,   Chris Bell

$10,000 Main Event - Day 1b - Level 4

Jul 04, '08

Blinds: 150-300, 25 ante

Chip Leaders:
Ron Adams - 95,000
Mike “SirWatts” Watson - 92,000
Alexander Meidinger - 87,000
Patrik Antonius - 87,000
Michael Guzzardi - 84,000
Markus Golser - 81,000
Robert Mizrachi - 75,000
Redmond Lee - 73,000
Erick Lindgren - 66,700

Other Notables:
Victoria Coren - 45,000
Billy Argyros - 30,000
Mickey Appleman - 28,000
Bill Edler - 26,000
Shaun Deeb - 24,000
Lee Watkinson - 16,000
Alexander Kravchenko - 13,000
Sam Grizzle - 12,000

Eliminations:
Jacobo Fernandez
Matt Brady
Orel Hersheiser

Big Hands and Storylines:

Kenna James Loses Pot, Not Looking Hot

On a flop of 1097, a player made a bet of 2,500.  His lone opponent, Kenna James, made the call and the dealer put down the Q on the turn.  After several moments of deliberation, James’ opponent threw six yellow 1,000 chips across the line.  James mucked his cards and finished the hand with less than 12,000 in chips.

Bjorin Struggling

With one limper into the pot for 300, a shortstacked Chris Bjorin raised to 1500. Both blinds folded and the limper called to see the flop come K95. Bjorin led out for 2000, but was then check-raised to 6000. Bjorin, now with only 8900 remaining in chips, laid his hand down.

Zolotow Still Steady

Steve Zolotow was in the big blind, and after an opening raise to 725, the small blind called and Zolotow did the same. The flop came J65, and all three players checked. The 3 came on the turn, and when the small blind checked Zolotow bet out for 1100. Both players folded, and Zolotow improved his chip stack to 21,800.

Bell Lays One Down

Chris Bell called a 1225 bet on the turn with teh board reading J554. After the A hit the river, Bell checked and his opponent bet 2675 into the pot. Bell folded, but remains with a healthy 39,250 in chips.

David Dawkins Draws Diamonds, Dodges Disaster, Doubles

David Dawkins, sporting a series of tattoos on his arms and a name patch identifying him as “Evil”, just found himself in a heap of trouble. An early position player limped and then another player made it 1,600 total. Dawkins in the big blind – unfazed by this development (or perhaps too intoxicated to even notice it) – moved all-in for 8,500. Action folded back around to the raiser who made a quick call with AA. Dawkins flipped over A6, but was given some good news when the flop came J42. Dawkins asked the dealer for a diamond and, wouldn’t you know it, the 10 landed on the turn. The 4 on the river was inconsequential and Dawkins doubled up to 17,000.

Two hands later Dawkins continued his, let’s say, “loose aggressive” style of play when action folded around to him on the button and he moved all-in for over 40 big blinds. Action made it to the big blind who had some thinking to do. Dawkins looked him in the eye and told him, “I’ve got it.” After a few more seconds of thought, the young man folded.

Bill Edler Flops Big

With the board reading 65483, two players were left in the hand. Action was on Bill Edler who quite openly admitted, “I hate myself for not betting what I think is the best hand.” After Edler’s check, his opponent checked right behind, tabling Q4. Edler’s hand was indeed good; he showed 32 for a flopped straight. That hand brings Edler up to 26,000.

Player Tags: Chris Bjorin,   Steve Zolotow,   Bill Edler,   Chris Bell,   Matt Brady,   Jacobo Fernandez,   Orel Hershiser

$1,500 Limit Shootout - Hour Two

Jul 01, '08

Note: Players are on their first twenty-minute break of the day and will return at 2:20 pm to Level 3 with increased blinds of 75-150 with stakes of 150-300.

Blinds: 50-100
Stakes: 100-200

Players: 818

Eliminations: Michael Craig, Sorel Mizzi, Tex Barch, Layne Flack

Big Hands:

Chris Bell Takes A Pot From Greg Mueller

Greg Mueller raised to 200 from late position and Chris Bell called from the small blind. The flop came A43, and Mueller led out with a 100 bet. Bell raised to 200 and Mueller called. The turn was the J and Bell bet 200, Mueller called. The river was the 9, and both players checked. Bell turned over A7 for top pair and Mueller mucked his hand. After the hand Chris Bell was up to 3,800 while Mueller fell to 4,800.

Bruno Fitoussi Catches A Bad Beat

Bruno Fitoussi raised to 200 before the flop from an early position and the player in seat 7 raised to 300. Action fodled back around to Fitoussi who made the call. The flop came AKQ, and seat 7 bet 100 and Fitoussi called. The turn was the 7 and both players checked. The river was the 10 and Fitoussi bet 200, seat 7 raised to 400, and Fitoussi went into the tank. Seat 7 says to him "How does it feel to catch a bad beat like that on the river?" Fitoussi replies, "I shouldn't have misssd that bet on the turn." Fitoussi ends up folding the hand face up, showing his opponent AK as seat 7 raked the pot. After the hand Fitoussi was down to 1,700 in chips.

Moneymaker's Ace No Good

The player in seat 3 raised to 200 preflop and Chris Moneymaker was the only caller. The flop came AQ7 and seat 3 bet 100. Moneymaker called and the turn was the J. Seat 3 bet 200 and Moneymaker made the call. The river paired the board as the 7 landed on the felt. Seat 3 checked and Moneymaker bet 200. His opponent made the call and Moneymaker turned over A5 for two pair. But seat 3 turned over AJ for a better two pair and she took the pot. Moneymaker was down to 2,300.

Harman Knocks One Out

On a board of 7655, the player in seat 1 bet his final 200 into the pot. Harman called and showed 53 for a set. Her opponent did not have that beat and his cards went into the muck after the 2 came on the river. Harman was around 9,000 in chips after the hand, the clear chip leader at her table that also featured David Singer.

One Angry Giang

A situation arose at Chau Giang's table. The player in seat 8 asked Giang to move his water bottle so that seat 8 could see how many chips the player in seat 4 had. Neither player was in the hand and Giang did not see a reason to move the bottle as he felt the chips were clearly visible to everyone at the table. Instead of letting it go, seat 8 kept nagging at Giang to move it. Finally, Giang had enough of this obnoxious pest and retorted, "Don't f#&$@%g talk to me!"

"This is limit poker!" Giang also added, not seeing the point of his nemesis' argument. "I'm nobody," seat 8 countered. "Who the hell are you?"

The dealer immediately called for a floor person, who ruled that Giang did not have to move the bottle and that seat 8 could simply ask the dealer for a count if he needed to do so. He also ruled that both players cease talking to each other. After a couple of more heated words, things seemed to settle down and the table resumed playing poker.

Player Tags: Greg Mueller,   Chris Moneymaker,   Jennifer Harman,   Chau Giang,   Bruno Fitoussi,   Chris Bell

$2,000 NLHE - Day 1 - Hour 9

Jun 27, '08

Blinds/Antes: 500-1,000 with a 100 ante

Players Left: 270 of 2,317

Chip Leaders:
Eric Crain: 210,000
Marco Johnson: 130,000
Sean McCabe: 120,000
Erik Cajelais: 96,000
Bryan Devonshire: 68,000
Daniel Isaacson: 57,000
David Pham: 53,100
Sarah Bilney: 51,000
Johnny Neckar: 50,000
Leroy Le: 50,000
Average Stack: 34,326

Eliminations: Chris Bell, Vicky Coren, Ryan Young, Bryan Micon, Jimmy Tran, Tim West

Big Hands:
Chris Bell Eliminated

On a board of AK3K, the player in seat 3 moved all in and Chris Bell called. Bell turned over AJ for top two pair while seat 3 showed KQ for trip kings. All in and with his tournament life on the line, Bell was drawing very slim to an ace on the river. No ace on the river meant Chris Bell was on his way out, and the 6 confirmed that.

Bryan Micon Eliminated

Heads-up on a flop of QJ3, Bryan Micon checked to his opponent who bet 4,000. Micon raised (check-raised) all in and his opponent called. Micon turned over Q4 for top par while his opponent turned over KQ for top pair as well, but with a much better kicker. The turn and river brought the 9 and the 5, no help to Micon who was eliminated at just about the half-way mark of Level 9.

Ups and Downs For David Pham

David Pham was involved in two big pots right before the level change. One dropped him down to 25,000 while the other brought him back up to 50,000.

David Pham raised to 3,000 from middle position and the player in the small blid reraised to 8,000. Pham called and the flop came 862. Both players checked and the turn brough the K. The small blind bet 4,000 and Pham called. The river was the 10 and Pham asked his opponent how much he had left (12,500). Pham then grabbed a stack of yellow chips (1,000) and put his opponent all in. The small blind called and turned over QQ. Pham mucked his hand as the small blind doubled up. Pham fell down to just about 25,000 after this hand.

A few hands later and Pham would get all those chips back and then some, doubling back up to just under 50,000 in chips. Heads-up on a flop J72, David Pham called all in after his opponent overbet the pot and open-shoved. Both players turned over their hands.

Pham: A7
Opponent: 55

Pham had outflopped his opponent, reducing him to catching one of two remaining fives or going runner-runner. The turn and river brought the 3 and the 9, no help to either player as David pham doubled up to just about 50,000.

Player Tags: David Pham,   Chris Bell,   Bryan Micon

$2,000 PLH Final Table - Davidi Kitai Wins Event No. 38

Jun 22, '08

Davidi Kitai Wins Event No. 38 ($244,546)

It took a long four hours of heads up play before a champion could be crowned, but finally, on the 287th hand of play, Chris Bell committed his last four big blinds with AJ against Davidi Kitai's AQ. The board came ten-high, and Kitai won event no. 38, $2,000 Pot-Limit Hold'em.

Chris Bell finished in second place, earning $155,806 for his runner-up effort.

 

 

 

 

Player Tags: Chris Bell,   Davidi Kitai

$2,000 PLH Final Table - Heads Up Play Begins

Jun 22, '08

Blinds: 12,000/24,000

Chip Leaders:

Big Hands and Storylines:

Jan Von Halle Eliminated in Fourth Place ($77,077)

David Kitai raised to 75,000 on the button and Jan Von Halle called in the big blind. The flop came A76 and both players checked. The turn was the Q and Von Halle bet the pot. Kitai put him all in and Von Halle made the call with A10. Kitai showed A4 and the river was the 8 eliminating Von Halle in fourth place.

Keith Greer Eliminated in Third Place ($94,695)

Chris Bell raised to 80,000 and Keith Greer raised the pot. Bell thought it over and moved all in, having Greer covered. Greer made the call with JJ, but was crushed by Bell's QQ. The board ran out K9833 and Greer was eliminated in third place.

Heads Up Begins After a Brief Break

Chris Bell - 1,425,000
David Kitai - 1,000,000

Player Tags: Chris Bell,   Von Halle,   Keith Greer

$2,000 PLH Final Table - Three More Down

Jun 22, '08

Blinds: 10,000/20,000

Chip Leaders:

Big Hands and Storylines:

Ayaz Mahmood Eliminated in Seventh Place ($39,089)

On a flop of QJ3, Ayaz Mahmood moved all in for his last 69,000. Chris Bell called, and showed Q-4 for top pair. Mahmood could only produce J-9, and when the turn and river bricked out, he was sent home in seventh place.

Robert Cheung Eliminated in Sixth Place ($50,100)

Chris Bell raised to 60,000 and Robert Cheung reraised the pot to 210,000. Bell thought it over, and then put Cheung all in for his last 39,000. Cheung showed 99 and Bell was racing with AK. The board came Q7510J and Bell rivered a Broadway straight to send Cheung to the rail in sixth place.

Lee Watkinson Eliminated in Fifth Place ($63,313)

Lee Watkinson and Chris Bell got it all in preflop. Watkinson held A4 but was dominated by Bell's A6. The board came QJ829 to give Bell the nut flush and Watkinson was eliminated in fifth place.

 

 

 

 

 

Player Tags: Lee Watkinson,   Ayaz Mahmood,   Chris Bell,   Robert Cheung

$2,000 PLH Final Table - Two Gone

Jun 22, '08

Blinds: 8,000/16,000

Chip Leaders:

Big Hands and Storylines:

Ben Roberts Doubles Up

Short stacked and desperate, Ben Roberts got his last 34,000 in against Michael Greco in the big blind. Roberts revealed A8 and was up against Greco's 42. The board ran out AJQ58 and Roberts was given new life.

Michael Greco Eliminated in Ninth Place ($22,573)

Michael Greco raised to 40,000 and Chris Bell reraised to 100,000. It was folded back around to Greco who moved all in and Bell quickly called. Greco showed pocket kings and Bell predictably turned over pocket aces. The board came 1075108 and Greco was eliminated in ninth place.

Ben Roberts Eliminated in Eighth Place ($30,831)

Robert Cheung raised to 39,000 and Ben Roberts moved all in for his last 52,000. Cheung called with KJ and needed to hit against Roberts and his pocket sevens. The board came 855J2 and Roberts was sent home in eighth place.

Keith Greer Doubles Up

Keith Greer raised to 56,000 and Chris Bell made the call. The flop came 852 and Greer checked. Bell bet enough to put him all in and Greer instantly called with pocket aces. Bell could only produce pocket jacks, and the board failed to produce any miracle two-outers. Greer doubled up to over 400,000.

Player Tags: Benjamin Roberts,   Chris Bell,   Robert Cheung,   Michael Greco

$2,000 Pot-Limit Hold'em - End of Day 2

Jun 21, '08

The final table of event 38 is set and the big name of the lot is Lee Watkinson. Watkinson will be making his first final table since last year's World Series main event where he finished a dissapointing 8th place. Watkinson entered 10-handed play with a paucity of chips, a situation he would soon remedy by winning a race against Robert Cheung. He would never look back and by the time the final table was set, he would be 2nd in chips with 390,000. Jan Von Halle, whose play has been solid as a rock, will enter the final table with the chip lead. Other notables who will have the chance to earn a bracelet tomorrow include Ayaz Mahmood, Robert Cheung, and Chris Bell.

Action will begin tomorrow at 2 p.m. PST.
 

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Players Left: 9 of 605

Chip Leaders:
Jan Von Halle - 470,000
Lee Watkinson - 390,000
Ayaz Mahmood - 330,000
Robert Cheung - 315,000
Keith Greer - 280,000
Chris Bell - 265,000
Michael Greco - 125,000
Benjamin Roberts - 120,000
Davidi Kitai - 80,000

Average Stack: 161,300

Eliminations:
10^th – Benjamin Zamani
11^th – Michael Binger
12^th – Keith Lehr
13^th – Jeff Sluzinski
14^th – Amato Galasso
15^th – Chris Dombrowski

The Road To The Final Table

Keith Lehr Is A Man Of His Word; He’s Also Eliminated

Before the start of the hand, Keith Lehr in the big blind warned everyone at his 6-handed table not to raise unless they were willing to play for 83,000, the size of his stack. Ayaz Mahmood, undeterred by this portentous statement, raised to 23,000. Action folded around to Lehr who – surprise, surprise – moved all of his chips in. Mahmood made the call and the two showed their hands:

Lehr: A9
Mahmood: 44

The flop came K33. The turn 8 gave Lehr a flush draw in addition to his two overcards. The river was the 7 though, ending Lehr’s day a few hours earlier than he would have liked.

Bell Tolls For Binger

Chris Bell raised from middle position to 25,000 and Michael Binger raised to 78,000, leaving himself 75,000 behind. After a bit of thought, Bell moved all-in and Binger called. The two were racing: Bell’s JJ against Binger’s AQ. Binger was not aided by the board – 975109 – and he was eliminated in 11^th place.

Ayaz Mahmood Folds.... A-K? Really?

Ayaz Mahmood raised to 28,000 and action at the 6-handed table folded to Bob Cheung in the big blind. Cheung stacked his chips and slid them forward and backward in thought, never moving them into the center of the table. After a minute or so of this, Mahmood implored Cheung, “Put your money in.” Another minute passed before Cheung raised the pot, making it 61,000 more and leaving about 160,000 behind. This prompted Mahmood to fold A-K offsuit face up. Mahmood and Cheung were the two biggest stacks at the table at the time; perhaps Mahmood did not want to tangle with someone who could cripple him before the final table.

Final Table Action

Watkinson Doubles Up

Early on at the final table, Lee Watkinson doubled up off of Robert Cheung. Cheung had QQ and Watkinson had AK. The flop was good news for Watkinson – K22 – the king giving him a near lock on the hand. The turn was the A, giving him an unnecessary two pair, but also providing Cheung with a flush draw. The river blanked, however, and Watkinson was able to double up, giving him a stack that would not wane for the remainder of the day.

Greer Doubles Up

Severely short-stacked Keith Greer, in the cutoff, moved 20,000 into the pot for a raise and reached for more chips to add to it, but since he had not announced an amount, the min-raise had to stand. Ayaz Mahmood called the 10,000 extra in the big blind. Both players checked the Q107 flop. On the 8 turn Mahmood bet 30,000, putting Greer all-in. Greer made a quick call and declared a set of tens. His 1010 had Mahmood’s 102 drawing dead. Greer doubled up to a little over 100,000.

Greer Double Doubles Up

Perhaps a simpler title would have been Greer Quadruples Up, but this was anything but a simple hand. Benjamin Zamani raised to 26,000 from middle position. Robert Cheung min-raised to 40,000. The action was only beginning though. Keith Greer, who had been playing extraordinarily tight, moved in for 67,000. Ayaz Mahmood cold-called the 4-bet, and Zamani called also, leaving himself 90,000 behind. Cheung asked the dealer, “The pot is open for a re-raise, right?” The dealer confirmed that it indeed was, and that put Cheung into decision mode. With numbers racing through his head, he stood up, and, after confirming that Mahmood had about 270,000 left behind him, he moved all-in. Mahmood folded, as did Zamani, and the massive pot was to be contested between Cheung and Greer. Greer showed QQ, which was not unexpected, but the table exploded in a cacophony of disbelief when Cheung showed his KQ. The board rolled off harmlessly and Greer was able to more than quadruple up.

The insanity wasn’t quite over yet. Remarkably, Ayaz Mahmood claimed to have fold pocket kings. Then again, perhaps it was not so unbelievable when you consider his berating of Cheung after the hand. He and Cheung got into a bit of a tiff about the hand which was quickly quashed by the dealer as play recommenced.

Michael Greco summed all of the action quite succinctly: “Mental. Mental. Absolutely mental.”

The Backbreaker

Davidi Kitai and Benjamin Zamani, the two short stacks, got all of their chips into the middle and showed the following hands:

Zamani: 1010
Kitai: AQ

The board peeled off A525K and Kitai had doubled up. After counting out what Zamani owed the Frenchman, he was left with a mere two chips. There would be no miracle comeback for Zamani today, as Jan Von Halle took his pair of chips only two hands later. Zamani's 10th place finish is good for $14,314.

Player Tags: Lee Watkinson,   Ayaz Mahmood,   Benjamin Roberts,   Chris Bell,   Michael Binger,   Robert Cheung,   Keith Lehr,   Davidi Kitai,   Michael Greco,   Amato Galasso,   Jeff Sluzinski,   Jan Von Halle,   Keith Greer,   Chris Dombrowski,   Benjamin Zamani

$2,000 Pot-Limit Hold'em - Day 2 - Level 15 Recap

Jun 21, '08

Blinds: 3,000-6,000

Players Left: 15 of 605

Chip Leaders:
Ayaz Mahmood - 250,000
Chris Bell - 250,000
Davidi Kitai - 195,000
Jeff Sluzinski - 180,000
Michael Binger - 170,000
Keith Lehr - 155,000
Benjamin Zamani - 145,000
Michael Greco- 110,000
Benjamin Roberts - 110,000
Amato Galasso - 105,000

Average Stack: 161,300

Eliminations:
16^th – Neil Channing
17^th – Davood Mehrmand
18^th – Eugene Todd
19^th – Dan Quinn
20^th – Rob Perry
21^st – Al Adler


Big Hands and Storylines:

Two Tables Left

It took only 15 minutes to eliminate 3 participants and reach the final 18 players. Players were drawn to their new seats and play resumed. Another 3 players were eliminated before the end of the level, leaving us with only 15 players left.

Watkinson Makes Nice Laydown

Lee Watkinson raised to 18,000 from early position and was met by a raise from Keith Lehr. The bet was 45,000 more to Watkinson who only thought for seconds before folding 9-9 face-up. Lehr sportingly showed his J-J and congratulated Watkinson on a nice fold.

Cheung Eliminates Perry

Robert Cheung raised to 20,000 from middle position and Rob Perry moved all-in from the small blind for about 55,000. Cheung called, saying, “I don’t have much.” Cheung turned over QJ and was delighted to see Perry flip 77. The flop was 944, but the turn was the Q and Perry tossed his orange high into the air in frustration (catching it as it came down, of course). The turn 8 brought no help and Perry was eliminated in 20^th place.

Kitai Does In Quinn

Dan Quinn limped on the button, Davidi Kitai call from the small blind, and Michael Binger checked his option. The flop rolled out QJ7 and the two blinds checked to Quinn who bet 12,000. Kitai called and Binger folded. The turn was the A. Kitai checked again, Quinn bet 42,000, and Kitai raised a nominal amount to put Quinn all-in. The two showed their cards:

Kitai: Q10
Quinn: Q9

The river was the 5 and Quinn was eliminated in 19^th place.

Player Tags: Ayaz Mahmood,   Davood Mehrmand,   Benjamin Roberts,   Neil Channing,   Robert Perry,   Chris Bell,   Eugene Todd,   Al Adler,   Michael Binger,   Robert Cheung,   Keith Lehr,   Dan Quinn,   Davidi Kitai,   Michael Greco,   Amato Galasso,   Jeff Sluzinski,   Benjamin Zamani

$2,000 Pot Limit Hold'em - Level 14 - Playing Field Evens

Jun 21, '08

Note: Players are now on an hour lunch break. Action will resume around 7:30 p.m.

Blinds: 2,000-4,000

Players Left: 22 of 605

Average Chip Stack: 110,000

Chip Counts:
Michael Binger: 175,000
Jan von halle: 148,000
Jeff Sluzinski: 140,000
Keith Lehr: 135,000
Davood Mehrmand: 132,000
Lee Watkinson: 118,000
Chris Dombrowski: 115,000
Ayaz Mahmood: 115,000
Benjamin Zamani: 115,000
David Kitai: 111,000

Eliminations: Noah Freedman

Big Hands and Storylines:

Action is down to 3 tables. Some of the more notable players still alive are Michael Binger, Lee Watkinson, Benjamin Roberts, Chris Bell and Eugene Todd.

Bell Chips Away

Michael Binger raised from the button and was called by Chris Bell from the big blind. The board was checked all the way down, coming 9-9-4-3-8. "King- Queen," Binger said after the final check. "Two pair," was Bell's answer as he flipped over 5-5 to take the pot.
A few hands later, Binger raised to 11,000 and was called by Bell again. The flop came AQ3 and both players checked. When the 10 fell on the turn Bell bet out 20,000 and Binger quickly folded.

Sluzinski Has Freedman's Number

Noah Freedman raised preflop and Jeff Sluzinski reraised, putting Freedman all in. Freedman made the call and showed AQ. Sluzinski showed 1010. The flop was great for Freedman, coming A87. The turn was a safe 4. But the river was brutal, coming 10 to get Sluzinski a set. After the chips were counted, Freedman was left with just 5 blue chips, equalling 2,500.
He got it in a few hands later and again ran into some bad luck against Sluzinski. Freedman was all in blind, yet still flipped over a big hand - AK. Sluzinski was way behind with just A-3. However, the flop was gross - coming A-3-3 to give Sluzinski a full house. The turn made it interesting, as a king came out. But the river was a 7 and Freedman wished the players good luck and left the table laughing.

Todd Doubles

A short stacked Eugene Todd got all in with one caller, Keith Greer. Todd showed AJ against Greer's 's 99. The board was good for Todd, running J33A2 to double him up to around 60,000.

Player Tags: Chris Bell,   Eugene Todd,   Michael Binger,   Jeff Sluzinski,   Keith Greer

$2,000 Pot Limit Hold'em - Level 13 - Schleger Takes a Big Hit

Jun 21, '08

Blinds: 1,500-3,000

Players Left: 30 of 605

Average Chip Stack: 80,667

Chip Counts:
Michael Binger: 212,500
Keith Lehr: 150,000
Jan von Halle: 126,000
Lee Watkinson: 108,000
Chris Bell: 100,000
Davood Mehrmand: 88,000
Benjamin Roberts: 85,000
Robert Cheung: 77,000
David Chicotsky: 72,000
Jeff Sluzinski: 70,000

Eliminations: Clonie Gowen, Shane Schleger, Matthew Hilger, Marco Traniello

Big Hands:

Last Woman Gone, Gowen Busts

Clonie Gowen got all in on the river with the board showing 865A10. Gentleman Ben Roberts turned over 1010 for the rivered set and a very disapointed Gowen showed AJ. Gowen vocalized her mistake before leaving the table. Instead of raising Roberts off his hand when he bet the ace turn card, she said she had let him play to the river where he caught his set. And with that, the last woman in the field is gone.


Schleger Loses Big Pot...

The tournament is down to 4 tables, and one stands among the others. Clonie Gowen and Shane Schleger joined the table already featuring Ben Roberts and Eugene Todd. Schleger ran into a massive bump in the road when he got Keith Lehr all in and showed 10-10. Lehr showed J-J and the board came K-Q-5-5-9. Schleger lost a lot of chips in the hand and dropped to around 75,000, while Lehr approached 150,000.

... Eliminated Shortly After

A few hands after losing the big hand Schleger was short on chips and raised from early position, only to have Chris Bell raise him all in from the button. Schleger reluctantly made the call and Bell showed JJ. Schleger had only one live card, holding KJ. The board missed him, coming 109369 and Schleger was eliminated. Bell jumped over 100,000 in chips after the hand.

Hilger Loses Flip, Gone

Matthew Hilger got all in with big slick against Jan von Halle's pocket 9s. The flop came 9-8-3 and Hilger was in bad shape. The turn 2 and river jack didn't save Hilger and he was eliminated.




 

Player Tags: Benjamin Roberts,   Clonie Gowen,   Matthew Hilger,   Chris Bell,   Shane Schleger,   European Report

$2,000 PLH Final Table - Davidi Kitai Wins Event No. 38

Jun 22, '08

Davidi Kitai Wins Event No. 38 ($244,546)

It took a long four hours of heads up play before a champion could be crowned, but finally, on the 287th hand of play, Chris Bell committed his last four big blinds with AJ against Davidi Kitai's AQ. The board came ten-high, and Kitai won event no. 38, $2,000 Pot-Limit Hold'em.

Chris Bell finished in second place, earning $155,806 for his runner-up effort.

 

 

 

 

Player Tags: Chris Bell,   Davidi Kitai

$2,000 PLH Final Table - Heads Up Play Begins

Jun 22, '08

Blinds: 12,000/24,000

Chip Leaders:

Big Hands and Storylines:

Jan Von Halle Eliminated in Fourth Place ($77,077)

David Kitai raised to 75,000 on the button and Jan Von Halle called in the big blind. The flop came A76 and both players checked. The turn was the Q and Von Halle bet the pot. Kitai put him all in and Von Halle made the call with A10. Kitai showed A4 and the river was the 8 eliminating Von Halle in fourth place.

Keith Greer Eliminated in Third Place ($94,695)

Chris Bell raised to 80,000 and Keith Greer raised the pot. Bell thought it over and moved all in, having Greer covered. Greer made the call with JJ, but was crushed by Bell's QQ. The board ran out K9833 and Greer was eliminated in third place.

Heads Up Begins After a Brief Break

Chris Bell - 1,425,000
David Kitai - 1,000,000

Player Tags: Chris Bell,   Von Halle,   Keith Greer

$2,000 PLH Final Table - Three More Down

Jun 22, '08

Blinds: 10,000/20,000

Chip Leaders:

Big Hands and Storylines:

Ayaz Mahmood Eliminated in Seventh Place ($39,089)

On a flop of QJ3, Ayaz Mahmood moved all in for his last 69,000. Chris Bell called, and showed Q-4 for top pair. Mahmood could only produce J-9, and when the turn and river bricked out, he was sent home in seventh place.

Robert Cheung Eliminated in Sixth Place ($50,100)

Chris Bell raised to 60,000 and Robert Cheung reraised the pot to 210,000. Bell thought it over, and then put Cheung all in for his last 39,000. Cheung showed 99 and Bell was racing with AK. The board came Q7510J and Bell rivered a Broadway straight to send Cheung to the rail in sixth place.

Lee Watkinson Eliminated in Fifth Place ($63,313)

Lee Watkinson and Chris Bell got it all in preflop. Watkinson held A4 but was dominated by Bell's A6. The board came QJ829 to give Bell the nut flush and Watkinson was eliminated in fifth place.

 

 

 

 

 

Player Tags: Lee Watkinson,   Ayaz Mahmood,   Chris Bell,   Robert Cheung

$2,000 PLH Final Table - Two Gone

Jun 22, '08

Blinds: 8,000/16,000

Chip Leaders:

Big Hands and Storylines:

Ben Roberts Doubles Up

Short stacked and desperate, Ben Roberts got his last 34,000 in against Michael Greco in the big blind. Roberts revealed A8 and was up against Greco's 42. The board ran out AJQ58 and Roberts was given new life.

Michael Greco Eliminated in Ninth Place ($22,573)

Michael Greco raised to 40,000 and Chris Bell reraised to 100,000. It was folded back around to Greco who moved all in and Bell quickly called. Greco showed pocket kings and Bell predictably turned over pocket aces. The board came 1075108 and Greco was eliminated in ninth place.

Ben Roberts Eliminated in Eighth Place ($30,831)

Robert Cheung raised to 39,000 and Ben Roberts moved all in for his last 52,000. Cheung called with KJ and needed to hit against Roberts and his pocket sevens. The board came 855J2 and Roberts was sent home in eighth place.

Keith Greer Doubles Up

Keith Greer raised to 56,000 and Chris Bell made the call. The flop came 852 and Greer checked. Bell bet enough to put him all in and Greer instantly called with pocket aces. Bell could only produce pocket jacks, and the board failed to produce any miracle two-outers. Greer doubled up to over 400,000.

Player Tags: Benjamin Roberts,   Chris Bell,   Robert Cheung,   Michael Greco

$2,000 Pot-Limit Hold'em - End of Day 2

Jun 21, '08

The final table of event 38 is set and the big name of the lot is Lee Watkinson. Watkinson will be making his first final table since last year's World Series main event where he finished a dissapointing 8th place. Watkinson entered 10-handed play with a paucity of chips, a situation he would soon remedy by winning a race against Robert Cheung. He would never look back and by the time the final table was set, he would be 2nd in chips with 390,000. Jan Von Halle, whose play has been solid as a rock, will enter the final table with the chip lead. Other notables who will have the chance to earn a bracelet tomorrow include Ayaz Mahmood, Robert Cheung, and Chris Bell.

Action will begin tomorrow at 2 p.m. PST.
 

---

Players Left: 9 of 605

Chip Leaders:
Jan Von Halle - 470,000
Lee Watkinson - 390,000
Ayaz Mahmood - 330,000
Robert Cheung - 315,000
Keith Greer - 280,000
Chris Bell - 265,000
Michael Greco - 125,000
Benjamin Roberts - 120,000
Davidi Kitai - 80,000

Average Stack: 161,300

Eliminations:
10^th – Benjamin Zamani
11^th – Michael Binger
12^th – Keith Lehr
13^th – Jeff Sluzinski
14^th – Amato Galasso
15^th – Chris Dombrowski

The Road To The Final Table

Keith Lehr Is A Man Of His Word; He’s Also Eliminated

Before the start of the hand, Keith Lehr in the big blind warned everyone at his 6-handed table not to raise unless they were willing to play for 83,000, the size of his stack. Ayaz Mahmood, undeterred by this portentous statement, raised to 23,000. Action folded around to Lehr who – surprise, surprise – moved all of his chips in. Mahmood made the call and the two showed their hands:

Lehr: A9
Mahmood: 44

The flop came K33. The turn 8 gave Lehr a flush draw in addition to his two overcards. The river was the 7 though, ending Lehr’s day a few hours earlier than he would have liked.

Bell Tolls For Binger

Chris Bell raised from middle position to 25,000 and Michael Binger raised to 78,000, leaving himself 75,000 behind. After a bit of thought, Bell moved all-in and Binger called. The two were racing: Bell’s JJ against Binger’s AQ. Binger was not aided by the board – 975109 – and he was eliminated in 11^th place.

Ayaz Mahmood Folds.... A-K? Really?

Ayaz Mahmood raised to 28,000 and action at the 6-handed table folded to Bob Cheung in the big blind. Cheung stacked his chips and slid them forward and backward in thought, never moving them into the center of the table. After a minute or so of this, Mahmood implored Cheung, “Put your money in.” Another minute passed before Cheung raised the pot, making it 61,000 more and leaving about 160,000 behind. This prompted Mahmood to fold A-K offsuit face up. Mahmood and Cheung were the two biggest stacks at the table at the time; perhaps Mahmood did not want to tangle with someone who could cripple him before the final table.

Final Table Action

Watkinson Doubles Up

Early on at the final table, Lee Watkinson doubled up off of Robert Cheung. Cheung had QQ and Watkinson had AK. The flop was good news for Watkinson – K22 – the king giving him a near lock on the hand. The turn was the A, giving him an unnecessary two pair, but also providing Cheung with a flush draw. The river blanked, however, and Watkinson was able to double up, giving him a stack that would not wane for the remainder of the day.

Greer Doubles Up

Severely short-stacked Keith Greer, in the cutoff, moved 20,000 into the pot for a raise and reached for more chips to add to it, but since he had not announced an amount, the min-raise had to stand. Ayaz Mahmood called the 10,000 extra in the big blind. Both players checked the Q107 flop. On the 8 turn Mahmood bet 30,000, putting Greer all-in. Greer made a quick call and declared a set of tens. His 1010 had Mahmood’s 102 drawing dead. Greer doubled up to a little over 100,000.

Greer Double Doubles Up

Perhaps a simpler title would have been Greer Quadruples Up, but this was anything but a simple hand. Benjamin Zamani raised to 26,000 from middle position. Robert Cheung min-raised to 40,000. The action was only beginning though. Keith Greer, who had been playing extraordinarily tight, moved in for 67,000. Ayaz Mahmood cold-called the 4-bet, and Zamani called also, leaving himself 90,000 behind. Cheung asked the dealer, “The pot is open for a re-raise, right?” The dealer confirmed that it indeed was, and that put Cheung into decision mode. With numbers racing through his head, he stood up, and, after confirming that Mahmood had about 270,000 left behind him, he moved all-in. Mahmood folded, as did Zamani, and the massive pot was to be contested between Cheung and Greer. Greer showed QQ, which was not unexpected, but the table exploded in a cacophony of disbelief when Cheung showed his KQ. The board rolled off harmlessly and Greer was able to more than quadruple up.

The insanity wasn’t quite over yet. Remarkably, Ayaz Mahmood claimed to have fold pocket kings. Then again, perhaps it was not so unbelievable when you consider his berating of Cheung after the hand. He and Cheung got into a bit of a tiff about the hand which was quickly quashed by the dealer as play recommenced.

Michael Greco summed all of the action quite succinctly: “Mental. Mental. Absolutely mental.”

The Backbreaker

Davidi Kitai and Benjamin Zamani, the two short stacks, got all of their chips into the middle and showed the following hands:

Zamani: 1010
Kitai: AQ

The board peeled off A525K and Kitai had doubled up. After counting out what Zamani owed the Frenchman, he was left with a mere two chips. There would be no miracle comeback for Zamani today, as Jan Von Halle took his pair of chips only two hands later. Zamani's 10th place finish is good for $14,314.

Player Tags: Lee Watkinson,   Ayaz Mahmood,   Benjamin Roberts,   Chris Bell,   Michael Binger,   Robert Cheung,   Keith Lehr,   Davidi Kitai,   Michael Greco,   Amato Galasso,   Jeff Sluzinski,   Jan Von Halle,   Keith Greer,   Chris Dombrowski,   Benjamin Zamani

$2,000 Pot-Limit Hold'em - Day 2 - Level 15 Recap

Jun 21, '08

Blinds: 3,000-6,000

Players Left: 15 of 605

Chip Leaders:
Ayaz Mahmood - 250,000
Chris Bell - 250,000
Davidi Kitai - 195,000
Jeff Sluzinski - 180,000
Michael Binger - 170,000
Keith Lehr - 155,000
Benjamin Zamani - 145,000
Michael Greco- 110,000
Benjamin Roberts - 110,000
Amato Galasso - 105,000

Average Stack: 161,300

Eliminations:
16^th – Neil Channing
17^th – Davood Mehrmand
18^th – Eugene Todd
19^th – Dan Quinn
20^th – Rob Perry
21^st – Al Adler


Big Hands and Storylines:

Two Tables Left

It took only 15 minutes to eliminate 3 participants and reach the final 18 players. Players were drawn to their new seats and play resumed. Another 3 players were eliminated before the end of the level, leaving us with only 15 players left.

Watkinson Makes Nice Laydown

Lee Watkinson raised to 18,000 from early position and was met by a raise from Keith Lehr. The bet was 45,000 more to Watkinson who only thought for seconds before folding 9-9 face-up. Lehr sportingly showed his J-J and congratulated Watkinson on a nice fold.

Cheung Eliminates Perry

Robert Cheung raised to 20,000 from middle position and Rob Perry moved all-in from the small blind for about 55,000. Cheung called, saying, “I don’t have much.” Cheung turned over QJ and was delighted to see Perry flip 77. The flop was 944, but the turn was the Q and Perry tossed his orange high into the air in frustration (catching it as it came down, of course). The turn 8 brought no help and Perry was eliminated in 20^th place.

Kitai Does In Quinn

Dan Quinn limped on the button, Davidi Kitai call from the small blind, and Michael Binger checked his option. The flop rolled out QJ7 and the two blinds checked to Quinn who bet 12,000. Kitai called and Binger folded. The turn was the A. Kitai checked again, Quinn bet 42,000, and Kitai raised a nominal amount to put Quinn all-in. The two showed their cards:

Kitai: Q10
Quinn: Q9

The river was the 5 and Quinn was eliminated in 19^th place.

Player Tags: Ayaz Mahmood,   Davood Mehrmand,   Benjamin Roberts,   Neil Channing,   Robert Perry,   Chris Bell,   Eugene Todd,   Al Adler,   Michael Binger,   Robert Cheung,   Keith Lehr,   Dan Quinn,   Davidi Kitai,   Michael Greco,   Amato Galasso,   Jeff Sluzinski,   Benjamin Zamani

$2,000 Pot Limit Hold'em - Level 14 - Playing Field Evens

Jun 21, '08

Note: Players are now on an hour lunch break. Action will resume around 7:30 p.m.

Blinds: 2,000-4,000

Players Left: 22 of 605

Average Chip Stack: 110,000

Chip Counts:
Michael Binger: 175,000
Jan von halle: 148,000
Jeff Sluzinski: 140,000
Keith Lehr: 135,000
Davood Mehrmand: 132,000
Lee Watkinson: 118,000
Chris Dombrowski: 115,000
Ayaz Mahmood: 115,000
Benjamin Zamani: 115,000
David Kitai: 111,000

Eliminations: Noah Freedman

Big Hands and Storylines:

Action is down to 3 tables. Some of the more notable players still alive are Michael Binger, Lee Watkinson, Benjamin Roberts, Chris Bell and Eugene Todd.

Bell Chips Away

Michael Binger raised from the button and was called by Chris Bell from the big blind. The board was checked all the way down, coming 9-9-4-3-8. "King- Queen," Binger said after the final check. "Two pair," was Bell's answer as he flipped over 5-5 to take the pot.
A few hands later, Binger raised to 11,000 and was called by Bell again. The flop came AQ3 and both players checked. When the 10 fell on the turn Bell bet out 20,000 and Binger quickly folded.

Sluzinski Has Freedman's Number

Noah Freedman raised preflop and Jeff Sluzinski reraised, putting Freedman all in. Freedman made the call and showed AQ. Sluzinski showed 1010. The flop was great for Freedman, coming A87. The turn was a safe 4. But the river was brutal, coming 10 to get Sluzinski a set. After the chips were counted, Freedman was left with just 5 blue chips, equalling 2,500.
He got it in a few hands later and again ran into some bad luck against Sluzinski. Freedman was all in blind, yet still flipped over a big hand - AK. Sluzinski was way behind with just A-3. However, the flop was gross - coming A-3-3 to give Sluzinski a full house. The turn made it interesting, as a king came out. But the river was a 7 and Freedman wished the players good luck and left the table laughing.

Todd Doubles

A short stacked Eugene Todd got all in with one caller, Keith Greer. Todd showed AJ against Greer's 's 99. The board was good for Todd, running J33A2 to double him up to around 60,000.

Player Tags: Chris Bell,   Eugene Todd,   Michael Binger,   Jeff Sluzinski,   Keith Greer

$2,000 Pot Limit Hold'em - Level 13 - Schleger Takes a Big Hit

Jun 21, '08

Blinds: 1,500-3,000

Players Left: 30 of 605

Average Chip Stack: 80,667

Chip Counts:
Michael Binger: 212,500
Keith Lehr: 150,000
Jan von Halle: 126,000
Lee Watkinson: 108,000
Chris Bell: 100,000
Davood Mehrmand: 88,000
Benjamin Roberts: 85,000
Robert Cheung: 77,000
David Chicotsky: 72,000
Jeff Sluzinski: 70,000

Eliminations: Clonie Gowen, Shane Schleger, Matthew Hilger, Marco Traniello

Big Hands:

Last Woman Gone, Gowen Busts

Clonie Gowen got all in on the river with the board showing 865A10. Gentleman Ben Roberts turned over 1010 for the rivered set and a very disapointed Gowen showed AJ. Gowen vocalized her mistake before leaving the table. Instead of raising Roberts off his hand when he bet the ace turn card, she said she had let him play to the river where he caught his set. And with that, the last woman in the field is gone.


Schleger Loses Big Pot...

The tournament is down to 4 tables, and one stands among the others. Clonie Gowen and Shane Schleger joined the table already featuring Ben Roberts and Eugene Todd. Schleger ran into a massive bump in the road when he got Keith Lehr all in and showed 10-10. Lehr showed J-J and the board came K-Q-5-5-9. Schleger lost a lot of chips in the hand and dropped to around 75,000, while Lehr approached 150,000.

... Eliminated Shortly After

A few hands after losing the big hand Schleger was short on chips and raised from early position, only to have Chris Bell raise him all in from the button. Schleger reluctantly made the call and Bell showed JJ. Schleger had only one live card, holding KJ. The board missed him, coming 109369 and Schleger was eliminated. Bell jumped over 100,000 in chips after the hand.

Hilger Loses Flip, Gone

Matthew Hilger got all in with big slick against Jan von Halle's pocket 9s. The flop came 9-8-3 and Hilger was in bad shape. The turn 2 and river jack didn't save Hilger and he was eliminated.




 

Player Tags: Benjamin Roberts,   Clonie Gowen,   Matthew Hilger,   Chris Bell,   Shane Schleger,   European Report

PLHE Final Table - Hour 3 - Chris Bell and Amit Makhija Eliminated

Jun 01, '08

Note: Players take a 20-minute break and return to Level 24 with increased blinds of 25,000-50,000. Two more levels will take place before the dinner break.

Blinds/Antes: 25,000-50,000

Players Left: 5

Chip Counts:

Eliminations:

Chris Bell Eliminated in 6th Place ($157,168)

Mike Sexton had the button when Chris Bell opened for 140,000. Nenad Medic raised enough to put Bell all in. Bell called the raise and was all in for 290,000. Bell turned over A3 while Medic showed JJ for the lead going to the flop. The flop came Q65, no help to Bell who was all in and facing elimination, but the turn brought the A, giving Bell top pair and the lead. The crowd gasped. Medic was reduced to catching one of the two remaining jacks, and he did, when the J hit the river! Bell was eliminated in 6th place and received $157,168 for his efforts.

Wife of an Icon

When the players returned from their break, Nolan Dalla made anannouncement to the crowd that the wife of the late poker icon, Stu Ungar, was in the crowd. He then asked Madeline Ungar to stand up and the crowd cheered their approval.

Another Big Pot for Bloch

Over a half-dozen hands then transpired without much action before Bloch and Sexton tangled once again. Bloch raised 120,000 more from the cutoff preflop and Sexton reraised to 420,000 on the button. Blkoch popped the action up to 1,350,000 and Sexton went into the tank. He eventtually mucked, and conceded another big pot to Bloch (800,000).

Amit Makhija Eliminated in 5th Place ($198,528)

Amit Makhija got all of his chips into the middle against Andy Bloch preflop and they turrned up their hands. Both of them held an ace, but Bloch held the upper hand with a 7-kicker over Makhija's 3-kicker. The board was dealt Q964A and Makhija was eliminated in 5th place. He will take home $198,528 in prize money.

 

 

 

Player Tags: Kathy Liebert,   Andy Bloch,   Mike Sexton,   Chris Bell,   Nenad Medic,   Amit Makhija

End of Day 2

May 31, '08

Day 2 of the $10,000 pot-limit hold’em event has come and gone, and what remains for tomorrow is one of the most talented final tables in recent memory.

The final table bubble was a grueling ordeal lasting three hours, punctuated by two river miracles saving Amit Makhija and Chris Bell from the brink of elimination. Eventually it was John Kabbaj who found himself the bubble boy, his elimination by Nenad Medic setting the stage for tomorrow's final nine.

With twice as many chips as anyone else, Andy Bloch will be the odds-on favorite to take home the first bracelet of 2008. He will be joined at tomorrow’s final table by veterans Kathy Liebert and Mike Sexton, each with one bracelet. Young guns Patrik Antonius, Nenad Medic, Phil Laak, Chris Bell, and internet phenoms Mike Sowers and Amit Makhija will all be looking for their very first World Series of Poker title. Tomorrow, one of these esteemed players will take home nearly $800,000 and a coveted World Series bracelet.

The final table will begin tomorrow at 2 p.m.

Player Tags: Kathy Liebert,   Andy Bloch,   Phil Laak,   Mike Sexton,   Chris Bell,   Patrik Antonius,   Nenad Medic,   John Kabbaj,   Amit Makhija,   Mike Sowers

Pot-Limit Hold'em - Level 22

May 31, '08

Blinds/Antes: 15000/30000

Players Remaining: 9

Chip Counts:
Andy Bloch: 2,115,000
Nenad Medic: 1,200,000
Mike Sexton: 1,130,000
Mike Sowers: 675,000
Amit Makhija: 525,000
Chris Bell: 455,000
Phil Laak: 425,000
Kathy Liebert: 285,000
Patrik Antonius: 230,000

Eliminations:
John Kabbaj

Big Hands:

John Kabbaj Eliminated in 10th Place.

A change of luck dealt a fatal blow to John Kabbaj's tournament life during level 22.  After facing a raise of 85,000 from Mike Sowers, Kabbaj reraised an additional 200,000.  Chris Bell nearly beat him into the pot with his remaining 185,000.  After the other players folded, Sowers released his hand.  Kabbaj held AA and Bell turned over QQ, making him a substantial underdog.  The flop and turn brought no help, but Bell was saved by the Q on the river.  Kabbaj was crippled, left with only around 200,000.

Several hands later, Naned Medic raised to 85,000 from middle position.  Kabbaj came over the top for his remaining 173,000, which was called by Medic who showed down QJ.  Kabbaj was in the lead with 77.  Kabbaj maintained his lead throughout the flop and turn, but the river continued to be unfriendly to John Kabbaj by delivering a straight to Medic.

Kabbaj earned $49,632 for his 10th place finish.  The remaining players will now all receive at least $74,448.

Player Tags: Kathy Liebert,   Andy Bloch,   Phil Laak,   Mike Sexton,   Chris Bell,   Patrik Antonius,   Nenad Medic,   John Kabbaj,   Amit Makhija,   Mike Sowers,   European Report

Pot-Limit Hold'em - Final Table Bubble

May 31, '08

Blinds/Antes: 10000/20000

Players Left: 10

Average Stack: 704,000

Chip Leaders:

Andy Bloch - 1,150,000
Mike Sowers - 945,000
Kathy Liebert - 780,000
Patrik Antonius - 700,000
Nenad Medic - 650,000
Phil Laak - 582,000
Mike Sexton - 500,000
Amit Makhija - 475,000
John Kabbaj - 440,000
Chris Bell - 390,000

Big Hands:

Liebert Crippled After Battle with Mike Sexton

Kathy Liebert took a massive blow by doubling up Mike Sexton.  The hand began when Nenad Medic raised to 60,000 from under-the-gun.  Immediately next to act, Liebert reraised to 210,000.  The action folded to Mike Sexton in the small blind.  After pausing for a few moments, Sexton moved all in.  Nanet folded, but Liebert called and flipped up KdKs.  Sexton turned over a pair of black aces.  The K5432 gave Liebert a set of kings but also gave Sexton a wheel straight.  Liebert now has less than 400,000, and Sexton is in good shape to reach the final table.

 Small Stacks Stay Safe

 One feature of the final table has the small stacks of Chris Bell and John Kabbaj sitting next to each other. Their one battle was a mild one, with Kabbaj limping from the small blind and Bell checking. The flop came A4K and both players checked. The 7 on the turn brought a 30,000 bet from Kabbaj who took the hand down.

Bloch Adds To His Lead

Andy Bloch took on Mike Sowers in a battle of chip leaders about 15 minutes into the level. Bloch made it 60,000 pre-flop, Sowers called from the button and Patrik Antonius elected to play from the big blind. The flop came down K44 and play was checked to Sowers who bet 115,000 into the 192,000 pot. Antonius stepped aside, while Bloch smooth-called. Both players checked after the 6 came on the turn, and play was checked again when the board double-paired with the K on the river. Bloch showed 99 and Sowers mucked, yielding the pot of 422,000 to the chip leader.

Player Tags: Kathy Liebert,   Andy Bloch,   Phil Laak,   Mike Sexton,   Chris Bell,   Patrik Antonius,   Nenad Medic,   John Kabbaj,   Amit Makhija,   Mike Sowers,   European Report

Pot-Limit Hold'em - Level 17

May 31, '08

 

Blinds/Antes: 8000/16000

Players Left: 18

Average Stack: 391,000

Chip Leaders:
Mike Sowers - 1,200,000
Andy Bloch - 800,000
Chris Bell - 700,000
Amit Makhija - 535,000
Phil Laak - 467,000
Nikolai Evdakov - 445,000
John Kabbaj - 425,000
Nenad Medic - 375,000
David Benefield - 300,000
Patrik Antonius - 300,000

Eliminations:
Eli Elezra
Dustin Woolf
Tony Licastro
Rolf Slotbloom

Big Hands:

Laak Takes Out Another After Dinner

On the first hand after returning from the dinner break, Phil Laak raised to 26,000 from under-the-gun. Dustin Woolf raised all in for an additional 48,000, which was called by Laak. Woolf held pocket 10s, well ahead of Laak’s Q8. However, the Q on the flop changed everything, and Woolf was eliminated.

Tony Licastro Eliminated in 21^st Place

Mike Sowers raised to 23,000 under-the-gun, and Tony Licastro called from the big blind. On the K46 flop, Licastro requested to know the maximum he could bet and fired 50,000 into the pot. Sowers raised to put Tony all in, and he called. Sowers held the K9 for top pair, and Licastro overturned Q7, which received no help on the turn. Tony Licastro, eliminated in 21^st place, would have needed running cards to overtake Sowers.

Benefield Takes a Pot, Kostritsyn Crippled

After calling a pre-flop raise in the big blind from David Benefield on the button, Alexander Kostritsyn checked the J43 flop. 0905 checked behind, and the turn brought the 8. Kostritsyn led out with a bet of 45,000, which was called by Benefield. On the 10 river, Kostritsyn fired again, this time to the tune of 77,000. When Benefield called, Kostritsyn mucked without showing. At the request of another player, Benefield flipped over J9. After that hand, Kostritsyn was down to 99,000 while Benefield built his stack to over 540,000.

Chris Bell Eliminates Rolf Slotbloom

Rolf Slotbloom was eliminated when his KQ failed to catch up to Chris Bell’s AK. Bell improved his stack to over 725,000.

Eli Elezra’s Chips Move to Sowers

In one very dramatic hand, Eli Elezra transferred the majority of his chips to Sowers, who now is among the tournament leaders. On a flop of AJT, Sowers bet 110,000, which was raised by Elezra. After Sowers reraised all in, Elezra called and showed Ah5h. Sowers flipped over KQ for a flopped straight. The Q on the turn gave Elezra a flush draw, but the 8 on the river failed to deliver for Eli, who ended up with only 250,000 after paying off Sowers. With over 700,000 in chips, Sowers continued to dominate his table by raising many hands per orbit.

Sowers Finishes the Job on Elezra

Mike Sowers finished what he started by eliminating early front-runner Eli Elezra in stunning fashion. After a flop of 623, Elezra bet 45,000 into a pot of 80,000. Sowers raised from the button and put an all-in decision on Elezra who had 280,000 in chips remaining. Elezra made the call and found he was ahead with his 6A. Sowers had the 64, but the 5 on the turn filled Sowers’ straight draw. A meaningless 3 on the river ended Elezra’s night. His 19th place finish ensured that all remaining players would earn at least $33,088.

Liebert, Medic Happy to Split
After a flop of QJ8, Nenad Medic bet 57,000 at the pot. Kathy Liebert raised by 145,000, and a call would have left  Medic with a mere 65,000 in chips. Medic forged ahead, and both players showed down Ace-queen. Nothing changed with the final two cards.
 

 

Player Tags: Phil Laak,   Chris Bell,   Dustin Woolf,   Anthony Licastro,   David Benefield,   Mike Sowers,   Alexander Kostritsyn,   European Report

Pot-Limit Hold'em - At Dinner Break

May 31, '08

 

Players are now on a 60-minute dinner break and will resume playing with level 17.

Blinds/Antes: 5000/10000

Players Left: 22

Average Stack: 320,000

Chip Leaders:
Andy Bloch – 730,000
Eli Elezra – 675,000
Chris Bell – 610,000
Amit Makhija – 550,000
Alexander Kostritsyn - 490,000
John Kabbaj – 400,000
Nenad Medic – 365,000
Patrik Antonius – 360,000
Phil Laak – 330,000

Eliminations:
Ted Lawson
Vivek Rajkumar
David Stroj

Big Hands:

Bell Chows Down

With just 20 minutes remaining before the players made their long anticipated break for dinner, Chris Bell gave tablemate Mike “Sowerss” Sowers something to chew on. The original bettor was Anthony Licastro, who opened from the cut-off for 25,000. Sowers called from the button, and Bell made the call from the small blind, creating a pot of 83,000.  Bell checked the 972 flop and Licastro continued his play with a 50,000 bet. Sowers, who has played the button aggressively through the first two days of the tourney, raised another 100,000 for a pot of 283,000 in chips. That’s when Bell stepped into the fray and check-raised all-in for 352,000. Licastro quickly stepped aside, and Sowers had a decision to make. He eventually folded, preserving his remaining 272,000 in chips.

The Action Continues

While Jennifer Tilly stopped by table 13 to wish Phil Laak good luck, the action continued to mount as the players all vied to move up in the money. Dustin Woolf raised to 21,000 pre-flop from middle position. Next to act, Justin Newton reraised an additional 58,000. Woolf released his hand.

Elezra’s Lead Slipping

After initially raising, Nikolai Evdakov called Eli Elezra’s 80,000 reraise and both players saw a flop of 976. Without hesitation, Evdakov pushed in his remaining 142,000 into the pot. Elezra pondered for close to five minutes before commenting that he put Evdakov on two 10s and folded AK face up.

Andy Bloch Dominates

Andy Bloch became one of the tournament leaders thanks to two back to back hands. In the first, Mike Sowers pushed in a 130,000 bet after being checked to by Bloch on a board of KQJ96. Bloch announced a call instantly as Sowers pushed his bet into the pot. Caught in a bluff, Sowers mucked his hand. While dragging the pot, Bloch flipped over the QTc. On the next hand, Andy Bloch eliminated David Stroj when his A8 held up against Stroj’s K8. Bloch now has over 800,000 in chips.

 

Player Tags: Andy Bloch,   Phil Laak,   Eli Elezra,   Chris Bell,   Dustin Woolf,   Anthony Licastro,   Patrik Antonius,   Nenad Medic,   Jennifer Tilly,   John Kabbaj,   Justin Newton,   Amit Makhija,   Nikolay Evdakov,   Mike Sowers,   Alexander Kostritsyn,   European Report

PLHE Final Table - Hour 3 - Chris Bell and Amit Makhija Eliminated

Jun 01, '08

Note: Players take a 20-minute break and return to Level 24 with increased blinds of 25,000-50,000. Two more levels will take place before the dinner break.

Blinds/Antes: 25,000-50,000

Players Left: 5

Chip Counts:

Eliminations:

Chris Bell Eliminated in 6th Place ($157,168)

Mike Sexton had the button when Chris Bell opened for 140,000. Nenad Medic raised enough to put Bell all in. Bell called the raise and was all in for 290,000. Bell turned over A3 while Medic showed JJ for the lead going to the flop. The flop came Q65, no help to Bell who was all in and facing elimination, but the turn brought the A, giving Bell top pair and the lead. The crowd gasped. Medic was reduced to catching one of the two remaining jacks, and he did, when the J hit the river! Bell was eliminated in 6th place and received $157,168 for his efforts.

Wife of an Icon

When the players returned from their break, Nolan Dalla made anannouncement to the crowd that the wife of the late poker icon, Stu Ungar, was in the crowd. He then asked Madeline Ungar to stand up and the crowd cheered their approval.

Another Big Pot for Bloch

Over a half-dozen hands then transpired without much action before Bloch and Sexton tangled once again. Bloch raised 120,000 more from the cutoff preflop and Sexton reraised to 420,000 on the button. Blkoch popped the action up to 1,350,000 and Sexton went into the tank. He eventtually mucked, and conceded another big pot to Bloch (800,000).

Amit Makhija Eliminated in 5th Place ($198,528)

Amit Makhija got all of his chips into the middle against Andy Bloch preflop and they turrned up their hands. Both of them held an ace, but Bloch held the upper hand with a 7-kicker over Makhija's 3-kicker. The board was dealt Q964A and Makhija was eliminated in 5th place. He will take home $198,528 in prize money.

 

 

 

Player Tags: Kathy Liebert,   Andy Bloch,   Mike Sexton,   Chris Bell,   Nenad Medic,   Amit Makhija

End of Day 2

May 31, '08

Day 2 of the $10,000 pot-limit hold’em event has come and gone, and what remains for tomorrow is one of the most talented final tables in recent memory.

The final table bubble was a grueling ordeal lasting three hours, punctuated by two river miracles saving Amit Makhija and Chris Bell from the brink of elimination. Eventually it was John Kabbaj who found himself the bubble boy, his elimination by Nenad Medic setting the stage for tomorrow's final nine.

With twice as many chips as anyone else, Andy Bloch will be the odds-on favorite to take home the first bracelet of 2008. He will be joined at tomorrow’s final table by veterans Kathy Liebert and Mike Sexton, each with one bracelet. Young guns Patrik Antonius, Nenad Medic, Phil Laak, Chris Bell, and internet phenoms Mike Sowers and Amit Makhija will all be looking for their very first World Series of Poker title. Tomorrow, one of these esteemed players will take home nearly $800,000 and a coveted World Series bracelet.

The final table will begin tomorrow at 2 p.m.

Player Tags: Kathy Liebert,   Andy Bloch,   Phil Laak,   Mike Sexton,   Chris Bell,   Patrik Antonius,   Nenad Medic,   John Kabbaj,   Amit Makhija,   Mike Sowers

Pot-Limit Hold'em - Level 22

May 31, '08

Blinds/Antes: 15000/30000

Players Remaining: 9

Chip Counts:
Andy Bloch: 2,115,000
Nenad Medic: 1,200,000
Mike Sexton: 1,130,000
Mike Sowers: 675,000
Amit Makhija: 525,000
Chris Bell: 455,000
Phil Laak: 425,000
Kathy Liebert: 285,000
Patrik Antonius: 230,000

Eliminations:
John Kabbaj

Big Hands:

John Kabbaj Eliminated in 10th Place.

A change of luck dealt a fatal blow to John Kabbaj's tournament life during level 22.  After facing a raise of 85,000 from Mike Sowers, Kabbaj reraised an additional 200,000.  Chris Bell nearly beat him into the pot with his remaining 185,000.  After the other players folded, Sowers released his hand.  Kabbaj held AA and Bell turned over QQ, making him a substantial underdog.  The flop and turn brought no help, but Bell was saved by the Q on the river.  Kabbaj was crippled, left with only around 200,000.

Several hands later, Naned Medic raised to 85,000 from middle position.  Kabbaj came over the top for his remaining 173,000, which was called by Medic who showed down QJ.  Kabbaj was in the lead with 77.  Kabbaj maintained his lead throughout the flop and turn, but the river continued to be unfriendly to John Kabbaj by delivering a straight to Medic.

Kabbaj earned $49,632 for his 10th place finish.  The remaining players will now all receive at least $74,448.

Player Tags: Kathy Liebert,   Andy Bloch,   Phil Laak,   Mike Sexton,   Chris Bell,   Patrik Antonius,   Nenad Medic,   John Kabbaj,   Amit Makhija,   Mike Sowers,   European Report

Pot-Limit Hold'em - Final Table Bubble

May 31, '08

Blinds/Antes: 10000/20000

Players Left: 10

Average Stack: 704,000

Chip Leaders:

Andy Bloch - 1,150,000
Mike Sowers - 945,000
Kathy Liebert - 780,000
Patrik Antonius - 700,000
Nenad Medic - 650,000
Phil Laak - 582,000
Mike Sexton - 500,000
Amit Makhija - 475,000
John Kabbaj - 440,000
Chris Bell - 390,000

Big Hands:

Liebert Crippled After Battle with Mike Sexton

Kathy Liebert took a massive blow by doubling up Mike Sexton.  The hand began when Nenad Medic raised to 60,000 from under-the-gun.  Immediately next to act, Liebert reraised to 210,000.  The action folded to Mike Sexton in the small blind.  After pausing for a few moments, Sexton moved all in.  Nanet folded, but Liebert called and flipped up KdKs.  Sexton turned over a pair of black aces.  The K5432 gave Liebert a set of kings but also gave Sexton a wheel straight.  Liebert now has less than 400,000, and Sexton is in good shape to reach the final table.

 Small Stacks Stay Safe

 One feature of the final table has the small stacks of Chris Bell and John Kabbaj sitting next to each other. Their one battle was a mild one, with Kabbaj limping from the small blind and Bell checking. The flop came A4K and both players checked. The 7 on the turn brought a 30,000 bet from Kabbaj who took the hand down.

Bloch Adds To His Lead

Andy Bloch took on Mike Sowers in a battle of chip leaders about 15 minutes into the level. Bloch made it 60,000 pre-flop, Sowers called from the button and Patrik Antonius elected to play from the big blind. The flop came down K44 and play was checked to Sowers who bet 115,000 into the 192,000 pot. Antonius stepped aside, while Bloch smooth-called. Both players checked after the 6 came on the turn, and play was checked again when the board double-paired with the K on the river. Bloch showed 99 and Sowers mucked, yielding the pot of 422,000 to the chip leader.

Player Tags: Kathy Liebert,   Andy Bloch,   Phil Laak,   Mike Sexton,   Chris Bell,   Patrik Antonius,   Nenad Medic,   John Kabbaj,   Amit Makhija,   Mike Sowers,   European Report

Pot-Limit Hold'em - Level 17

May 31, '08

 

Blinds/Antes: 8000/16000

Players Left: 18

Average Stack: 391,000

Chip Leaders:
Mike Sowers - 1,200,000
Andy Bloch - 800,000
Chris Bell - 700,000
Amit Makhija - 535,000
Phil Laak - 467,000
Nikolai Evdakov - 445,000
John Kabbaj - 425,000
Nenad Medic - 375,000
David Benefield - 300,000
Patrik Antonius - 300,000

Eliminations:
Eli Elezra
Dustin Woolf
Tony Licastro
Rolf Slotbloom

Big Hands:

Laak Takes Out Another After Dinner

On the first hand after returning from the dinner break, Phil Laak raised to 26,000 from under-the-gun. Dustin Woolf raised all in for an additional 48,000, which was called by Laak. Woolf held pocket 10s, well ahead of Laak’s Q8. However, the Q on the flop changed everything, and Woolf was eliminated.

Tony Licastro Eliminated in 21^st Place

Mike Sowers raised to 23,000 under-the-gun, and Tony Licastro called from the big blind. On the K46 flop, Licastro requested to know the maximum he could bet and fired 50,000 into the pot. Sowers raised to put Tony all in, and he called. Sowers held the K9 for top pair, and Licastro overturned Q7, which received no help on the turn. Tony Licastro, eliminated in 21^st place, would have needed running cards to overtake Sowers.

Benefield Takes a Pot, Kostritsyn Crippled

After calling a pre-flop raise in the big blind from David Benefield on the button, Alexander Kostritsyn checked the J43 flop. 0905 checked behind, and the turn brought the 8. Kostritsyn led out with a bet of 45,000, which was called by Benefield. On the 10 river, Kostritsyn fired again, this time to the tune of 77,000. When Benefield called, Kostritsyn mucked without showing. At the request of another player, Benefield flipped over J9. After that hand, Kostritsyn was down to 99,000 while Benefield built his stack to over 540,000.

Chris Bell Eliminates Rolf Slotbloom

Rolf Slotbloom was eliminated when his KQ failed to catch up to Chris Bell’s AK. Bell improved his stack to over 725,000.

Eli Elezra’s Chips Move to Sowers

In one very dramatic hand, Eli Elezra transferred the majority of his chips to Sowers, who now is among the tournament leaders. On a flop of AJT, Sowers bet 110,000, which was raised by Elezra. After Sowers reraised all in, Elezra called and showed Ah5h. Sowers flipped over KQ for a flopped straight. The Q on the turn gave Elezra a flush draw, but the 8 on the river failed to deliver for Eli, who ended up with only 250,000 after paying off Sowers. With over 700,000 in chips, Sowers continued to dominate his table by raising many hands per orbit.

Sowers Finishes the Job on Elezra

Mike Sowers finished what he started by eliminating early front-runner Eli Elezra in stunning fashion. After a flop of 623, Elezra bet 45,000 into a pot of 80,000. Sowers raised from the button and put an all-in decision on Elezra who had 280,000 in chips remaining. Elezra made the call and found he was ahead with his 6A. Sowers had the 64, but the 5 on the turn filled Sowers’ straight draw. A meaningless 3 on the river ended Elezra’s night. His 19th place finish ensured that all remaining players would earn at least $33,088.

Liebert, Medic Happy to Split
After a flop of QJ8, Nenad Medic bet 57,000 at the pot. Kathy Liebert raised by 145,000, and a call would have left  Medic with a mere 65,000 in chips. Medic forged ahead, and both players showed down Ace-queen. Nothing changed with the final two cards.
 

 

Player Tags: Phil Laak,   Chris Bell,   Dustin Woolf,   Anthony Licastro,   David Benefield,   Mike Sowers,   Alexander Kostritsyn,   European Report

Pot-Limit Hold'em - At Dinner Break

May 31, '08

 

Players are now on a 60-minute dinner break and will resume playing with level 17.

Blinds/Antes: 5000/10000

Players Left: 22

Average Stack: 320,000

Chip Leaders:
Andy Bloch – 730,000
Eli Elezra – 675,000
Chris Bell – 610,000
Amit Makhija – 550,000
Alexander Kostritsyn - 490,000
John Kabbaj – 400,000
Nenad Medic – 365,000
Patrik Antonius – 360,000
Phil Laak – 330,000

Eliminations:
Ted Lawson
Vivek Rajkumar
David Stroj

Big Hands:

Bell Chows Down

With just 20 minutes remaining before the players made their long anticipated break for dinner, Chris Bell gave tablemate Mike “Sowerss” Sowers something to chew on. The original bettor was Anthony Licastro, who opened from the cut-off for 25,000. Sowers called from the button, and Bell made the call from the small blind, creating a pot of 83,000.  Bell checked the 972 flop and Licastro continued his play with a 50,000 bet. Sowers, who has played the button aggressively through the first two days of the tourney, raised another 100,000 for a pot of 283,000 in chips. That’s when Bell stepped into the fray and check-raised all-in for 352,000. Licastro quickly stepped aside, and Sowers had a decision to make. He eventually folded, preserving his remaining 272,000 in chips.

The Action Continues

While Jennifer Tilly stopped by table 13 to wish Phil Laak good luck, the action continued to mount as the players all vied to move up in the money. Dustin Woolf raised to 21,000 pre-flop from middle position. Next to act, Justin Newton reraised an additional 58,000. Woolf released his hand.

Elezra’s Lead Slipping

After initially raising, Nikolai Evdakov called Eli Elezra’s 80,000 reraise and both players saw a flop of 976. Without hesitation, Evdakov pushed in his remaining 142,000 into the pot. Elezra pondered for close to five minutes before commenting that he put Evdakov on two 10s and folded AK face up.

Andy Bloch Dominates

Andy Bloch became one of the tournament leaders thanks to two back to back hands. In the first, Mike Sowers pushed in a 130,000 bet after being checked to by Bloch on a board of KQJ96. Bloch announced a call instantly as Sowers pushed his bet into the pot. Caught in a bluff, Sowers mucked his hand. While dragging the pot, Bloch flipped over the QTc. On the next hand, Andy Bloch eliminated David Stroj when his A8 held up against Stroj’s K8. Bloch now has over 800,000 in chips.

 

Player Tags: Andy Bloch,   Phil Laak,   Eli Elezra,   Chris Bell,   Dustin Woolf,   Anthony Licastro,   Patrik Antonius,   Nenad Medic,   Jennifer Tilly,   John Kabbaj,   Justin Newton,   Amit Makhija,   Nikolay Evdakov,   Mike Sowers,   Alexander Kostritsyn,   European Report

Restart Pushed Back

Jun 09, '07

Due to the large number of entrants in today’s $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em event, The World Championship of Pot-Limit Hold’em restart has been pushed back from 2:00 pm until 3:00 pm.

Check back with CardPlayer.com for more updates and your favorite Pro Blogs including John Murphy, Erica Schoenberg and Chris Bell.

Player Tags: John Murphy,   Chris Bell,   Erica Shoenburg