Joanne Liu Poker Tournament Updates

Level 3: Phil Hellmuth Arrives

Aug 21, '10

Blinds: 75-150

Players Remaining: 234 out of 276

Notable Chip Counts:

1. Jonathan Little — 68,000
2. Justin Young — 56,000
3. Jared Hamby — 54,000 (pictured right)
4. Jennifer Tilly — 50,000
5. David Oppenheim — 48,000
6. Van Nguyen — 48,000
7. Jamie Rosen — 47,000
8. Chad Batista — 47,000
9. Hunter Frey — 47,000
10. Erick Lindgren — 47,000

Average Chip Count: 29,487

Notable Eliminations:

Osmin Dardon
Scott Seiver
Shannon Shorr
Prahlad Friedman
David Plastik
Brandon Cantu
Eric Baldwin
Isaac Haxton

Chip Movers and Shakers

The leader board has established some stability during the last level. Jonathan Little held the chip lead with 68,000, trading places with Justin Young, who fell slightly to 56,000. Jared Hamby, Jennifer Tilly, and David Oppenheim also lurk near the top. Shane Schleger continues to hold on with a short stack of 4,000 and other players near the bottom include Nancy Todd Tyner, Allen Carter, Lee Markholt, and Daniel Negreanu.

Big Hands:

J.J. Liu Grabs Some Chips

A board reading KJ32A was checked down by J.J. Liu, Daniel Negreanu and one other player. Liu bet 2,000 after the river when both opponentes checked to her. Negreanu made the call while the other player got out of the way. Liu flipped over 108 and Negreanu mucked. Liu was up to 35,000 after the hand.

Hellmuth Makes Some Noise

Phil Hellmuth arrived at his seat in the tournament a short time ago and he is already moving a lot of chips around at his table in addition to his lips. He has been talking up a storm and in a recent hand the flop read 985 with 7,000 in the pot when Hellmuth tossed in 10,000 to open the action. One opponent in the cutoff pondered a call while Hellmuth continued his commentary-monologue hybrid, but he eventually decided to muck. Hellmuth collected the chips and he held over 30,000 after the hand.

Daniel Negreanu Eliminated Shortly After Losing to Royal Flush

Daniel Negreanu raised to 400 preflop and the button made the call. J.J. Liu also made the call from the big blind and the flop was dealt QJ6. Liu checked and Negreanu bet 800. The button made the call and Liu mucked.

The turn fell 10 and both players checked. The river was the K and Negreanu bet 1,500. The button raised to 6,500 and Negreanu went into the tank. He started running scenarios, both through his head and verbally, guessing AJ or A6 as the possible hands he is up against.

He eventually made the call and his opponent indeed turned over AJ for the royal flush. Negreanu dropped to 10,000 after the hand.

Player Tags: Daniel Negreanu,   Phil Hellmuth,   Joanne Liu

Level One, Hour Two Update: David Benyamine Starts Well

Jul 08, '10

Blinds: 50-100

Average Chip Count: 30,000

Notable Chip Counts:

1. Kara Scott – 71,000
2. Brent Baldrey – 65,000
3. Corey Emery – 60,000
4. Alex Aram – 60,000
5. Steve Billirakis – 57,000
6. Aaron Gustavson – 48,000
7. Amanda Musumeci – 47,000
8. David Benyamine – 46,000
9. Bill Chen – 46,000
10. Phil Ivey – 45,700

Card Player Family Chip Counts

Jeff Shulman — 30,000
Jennifer Harman — 30,000
Steve Zolotow — 30,000

Notable Eliminations:

None

Player Twitter Accounts

Phil Ivey
Doyle Brunson
Jeff Shulman
Bryan Micon
Jonathan Little
Cyndy Violette
Vanessa Rousso
Zachary Clark

Big Hands:

Phil Ivey Faces a Minimum Four-Bet

A player in the cutoff bet 250 and Phil Ivey raised to 800 total. The player in the small blind four-bet to 1,350 and it was folded to the cutoff. She folded and Ivey quickly called.

The flop came 9638 and action went check-check. The 8 fell on the turn and Ivey’s opponent bet 1,200. Ivey insta-called and the 10 landed on the river. The small blind checked and Ivey bet 4,300. Ivey’s opponent deliberated before eventually folding. Ivey was at 34,000 in chips after the hand.

Steve Billirakis Starting off Strong

On a board of 10937 was faced with a 6,000-chip bet. Billirakis called and the river brought the J. Billirakis led out for 4,000 and his opponent called. Billirakis tabled the J9 for two pair. His opponent mucked the KK. Billirakis was up to 54,000 after the hand.

David Benyamine Drops A Pot

David Benyamine raised to 300 preflop and the small blind made the call. The flop came down A63 and both players checked.

The turn was the 6 and the small blind led out with 500. Benyamine made the call and the river was the 8.

The small blind led out with 500 again and Benyamine decided to look him up. The small blind showed A7 for aces and sixes and Benyamine mucked. Despite dropping that pot, Benyamine was off to a strong start with close to 49,000 in chips.

Cindy Violette Takes One Down

Cyndy Violette raised to 300 and was called by two players. The flop came 9dKh5c and Violette bet 1,000 to force out her opponents. She had around 31,500 after the hand.

“This is Our Maaain Event Of The Evening”

Bruce Buffer raised to 350 from middle position and was called by JJ Lui on the button. The flop ran 782 and Buffer led for 525. Lui folded and Buffer chipped back up to around his starting stack of 30,000.

Joe Serock Takes One From Elizabeth

On a 3-way flop of A78 seat 2 checked and so did Joe Serock. Shannon Elizabeth bet 600 and seat 2 folded, but Serock called.

The 7 fell on the turn and Serock led for 1,800. Elizabeth called and the A fell on the river. Both players checked and Elizabeth mucked when she saw Serock’s Q7.

Serock was at around 39,000 after the hand, while Elizabeth dropped to around 23,000.

Hevad Khan Loses a Big One

Hevad Khan called a bet of 2,250 from seat 7 on a board of 599A. On the 6 river Khan checked and seat 7 fired 7,600. There was already a lot in the pot, and Khan tanked for a moment before electing to fold.

He had 26,000 after the hand.

Steve Dannenmann Run Over By Jacks

Steve Dannenmann bet 250 on a board of 36Q7 and was called by seat 1. The button then raised to 1,050 and Dannenmann called, while seat 1 got out of the way.

The K river was checked around and a stubborn moment left Dannenmann and the player on the button refusing to show their cards first. Finally Dannenmann showed 75 for a pair and the button showed JJ for a better pair. After the loss Dannenmann had around 28,000.

Kenny Tran Wins a Pot

Kenny Tran had the button and was tangled up in a pot versus a player in the cutoff. On a board of AK63 the action went check-check. The 8 fell on the river and the cutoff checked. Tran bet 4,000 and the cutoff tanked. He eventually made the call and Tran exposed the 72 for a flush. Tran’s opponent mucked and Tran raked in the pot. He was up to about the starting stack after the hand.

Mizzi Drops One

With 650 in the pot, the board read 10523. Sorel Mizzi fired 350 and the player in seat 9 made the call.

The river was the 3 and Mizzi checked. Seat 9 fired 1,575 and Mizzi threw away his hand. He was at 32,000 after the loss.

Ferguson Can’t Call

Chris Ferguson raised to 600 on the button and the player in seat 5 made the call from middle position. The flop came down 642 and seat 5 checked.

Ferguson fired 1,000 and seat 5 quickly check-raised to 2,000. Ferguson thought for a bit and made the call. The turn was the 4 and seat 5 checked again.

Ferguson thought for a little while longer and bet 3,000. Seat 5 called again and the river was the 10.

Seat 5 took the lead this time, firing 2,500 and Ferguson released his hand. Ferguson was down to 26,000 after dropping that pot.

Rousso Bluffs Off Half Her Stack

Picking up the action after the flop came down Q85, Vanessa Rousso led out with 3,500 and the player in seat 7 made the call.

The turn was the J and Rousso thought long before sliding out 7,000. Seat 7 then tanked and asked Rousso for a count. The rest of the players at the table left as the 20-minute break had begun.

Seat 7 eventually called and the river was the 9. Rousso played with her chips awhile but checked. Seat 7 checked behind and Rousso tabled AK for ace-high. Seat 7 tabled 87 for a pair of eights and a heart draw on the flop.

Rousso dropped a big pot before the break and she was down to 26,000 after starting the hand with close to 49,000.

Player Tags: Chris Ferguson,   David Benyamine,   Cyndy Violette,   Phil Ivey,   Kenny Tran,   Joanne Liu,   Steve Billirakis,   Bruce Buffer,   Vanessa Rousso,   Steve Dannenmann,   Shannon Elizabeth,   Sorel Mizzi,   Hevad Khan,   Joseph Serock

Level 13: Cold Decks Served After Dinner

Jun 21, '10

Blinds: 1,500-3,000

Players Remaining: 51 out of 268

Average Chip Count: 157,647

Tournament Leaderboard:

1. Peter Jetten – 605,000
2. Clement Thurny – 535,000
3. Jason Lester – 290,000
4. Thomas Marchese – 283,000
5. John Duthie – 270,000
6. Blair Rodman – 250,000
7. Allen Kessler – 245,000
8. Nikolai Yakovenko – 236,000
9. Daniel Smith – 235,000
10. Vitaly Lunkin – 215,000

Notable Eliminations:

J.J. Liu
Rob Hollink
Danny Wong
Erica Schoenberg

Big Hands:

Cold Deck Does In Liu

Picking up the action on the flop, J.J. Liu and Allen Kessler were involved in a hand. The board was J75 and Kessler fired 10,000 after Liu checked.

Liu then check-raised to 45,000 and Kessler responded by moving all in for 112,000. Liu made the call and showed down KK but was in deep trouble against Kessler’s AA.

The turn was the 9 and the river was the 4 and Liu was sent to the rail just after dinner.

Hollink’s Ladies Shown The Door

Rob Hollink found himself all in against Johaness Strassman after a flop of J95.

Hollink held QQ but was behind Strassman’s pocket rockets, AA.

The turn was the 2 and the river was the 4 and Hollink was another victim of a cold deck after the dinner break.

Matusow Chipping Back Up

Mike Matusow used pocket aces to double up against Josh Tieman’s pocket queens right after the dinner break.

A few hands later, the board read Q656 and Matusow faced a bet of 10,500 from his opponent in the small blind.

Matusow answered by raising to 22,000. His opponent mucked and Matusow took in another pot. He started the level with just over 30,000 but worked all the way back up to 85,000 with those two wins.

Player Tags: Mike Matusow,   Allen Kessler,   Rob Hollink,   Joanne Liu,   Johannes Strassmann

Greenstein Hits Trips

Jun 15, '10

Blinds: 150-300

CP Family Chip Counts

Barry Shulman — 33,000
Jen Harman — 22,900

Big Hands:

Greenstein Trips Up Opponent

On a flop of 997 Barry Greenstein bet 300 and was called by seat 2.

Greenstein checked the Q turn and seat 2 bet 600, only to have Greenstein check-raise to 1,200. Seat 2 called.

Greenstein led 600 on the 8 turn and seat 2 called. Greenstein showed 109 and seat 2 insta-mucked.

Greenstein had around 29,000 after the hand.

Liu Gets Straightened Out

In a 4-way pot, J.J. Liu bet 300 on a flop of 357 and Kathy Liebert folded, while seats 2 and 3 called.

Fresh off a 7th place finish in event No. 23, Liu bet 600 on the 4 turn and seat 2 raised to 1,200. Seat 3 folded and Liu called.

The 10 fell on the river and Liu took her time check-calling a bet from seat 2.

She didn’t look happy when she called, and she was correct to look that way. Seat 2 showed 66 for a straight and Liu mucked. She was down to around 27,000 after the hand.

Player Tags: Barry Greenstein,   Joanne Liu

Final Day Begins at 3 p.m.

Jun 13, '10

The final day of event No. 23 ($2,500 Limit Hold’em Six Handed) will begin at 3 p.m.

Only a dozen of the 384 players who entered will be back, including chip leader Al Barbieri, Dutch Boyd, and JJ Liu.

Here’s a look at the chip counts of the final 12:
1. Al Barbieri — 415,000
2. Albert Minnullin — 358,000
3. Christopher Vitch — 352,000
4. Dutch Boyd — 348,000
5. Brian Meinders — 300,000
6. Anh Le — 289,000
7. Julian Parmann — 202,000
8. JJ Liu — 182,000
9. Dana Kellstrom — 151,000
10. Domenico Denotaristefani — 110,000

The remaining players are guaranteed at least $12,382 in prize money, with the winner taking $234,065 and that piece of jewelry that everyone wants.

Stay tuned to CardPlayer.com for updates.

Player Tags: Al Barbieri,   Joanne Liu,   Dutch Boyd

Day 2 Ends

Jun 13, '10

Day 2 of event No. 23 ($2,500 Limit Hold’em Six Handed) has come to an end, just shy of establishing a final table.

There were 384 players who started on day 1, and 108 survived to day 2. Now, just 12 remain on the quest to WSOP gold, and there are some familiar faces in the bunch.

Al Barbieri is the chip leader, with 415,000 in chips. Dutch Boyd and JJ Liu are also still alive in the event, both bringing a ton of final table experience with them.

Here’s a look at the chip counts of the final 12:*

1. Al Barbieri — 415,000
2. Albert Minnullin — 358,000
3. Christopher Vitch — 352,000
4. Dutch Boyd — 348,000
5. Brian Meinders — 300,000
6. Anh Le — 289,000
7. Julian Parmann — 202,000
8. JJ Liu — 182,000
9. Dana Kellstrom — 151,000
10. Domenico Denotaristefani — 110,000
11. Jeff Norman — 102,000
12. Eduardo Miranda — 63,000

Boyd won a WSOP bracelet in the 2006 $2,500 short-handed no limit hold’em event.

Many other tough players began day 2 but didn’t make it through, like Justin Bonomo, Phil Gordon, Rafe Furst, Shawn Buchanan and Michael Binger.

Those remaining are guaranteed at least $12,382 in prize money, with the winner taking $234,065 and WSOP gold.

The final dozen will return at 3 p.m. to play down to a winner.

Stay tuned to CardPlayer.com for updates.

Player Tags: Al Barbieri,   Joanne Liu,   Dutch Boyd

Final Day Begins at 3 p.m.

Jun 13, '10

The final day of event No. 23 ($2,500 Limit Hold’em Six Handed) will begin at 3 p.m.

Only a dozen of the 384 players who entered will be back, including chip leader Al Barbieri, Dutch Boyd, and JJ Liu.

Here’s a look at the chip counts of the final 12:
1. Al Barbieri — 415,000
2. Albert Minnullin — 358,000
3. Christopher Vitch — 352,000
4. Dutch Boyd — 348,000
5. Brian Meinders — 300,000
6. Anh Le — 289,000
7. Julian Parmann — 202,000
8. JJ Liu — 182,000
9. Dana Kellstrom — 151,000
10. Domenico Denotaristefani — 110,000

The remaining players are guaranteed at least $12,382 in prize money, with the winner taking $234,065 and that piece of jewelry that everyone wants.

Stay tuned to CardPlayer.com for updates.

Player Tags: Al Barbieri,   Joanne Liu,   Dutch Boyd

Day 2 Ends

Jun 13, '10

Day 2 of event No. 23 ($2,500 Limit Hold’em Six Handed) has come to an end, just shy of establishing a final table.

There were 384 players who started on day 1, and 108 survived to day 2. Now, just 12 remain on the quest to WSOP gold, and there are some familiar faces in the bunch.

Al Barbieri is the chip leader, with 415,000 in chips. Dutch Boyd and JJ Liu are also still alive in the event, both bringing a ton of final table experience with them.

Here’s a look at the chip counts of the final 12:*

1. Al Barbieri — 415,000
2. Albert Minnullin — 358,000
3. Christopher Vitch — 352,000
4. Dutch Boyd — 348,000
5. Brian Meinders — 300,000
6. Anh Le — 289,000
7. Julian Parmann — 202,000
8. JJ Liu — 182,000
9. Dana Kellstrom — 151,000
10. Domenico Denotaristefani — 110,000
11. Jeff Norman — 102,000
12. Eduardo Miranda — 63,000

Boyd won a WSOP bracelet in the 2006 $2,500 short-handed no limit hold’em event.

Many other tough players began day 2 but didn’t make it through, like Justin Bonomo, Phil Gordon, Rafe Furst, Shawn Buchanan and Michael Binger.

Those remaining are guaranteed at least $12,382 in prize money, with the winner taking $234,065 and WSOP gold.

The final dozen will return at 3 p.m. to play down to a winner.

Stay tuned to CardPlayer.com for updates.

Player Tags: Al Barbieri,   Joanne Liu,   Dutch Boyd

End of Day 2

Jun 05, '10

Play has come to an end on day 2 of event no. 9 ($1,500 pot-limit hold’em). There were 650 players who registered for the event and only 9 remain to battle for the bracelet tomorrow at 2:30 p.m PST.

The final table will being with the blinds at 6,000 -12,000. The winner will walk away with $197,470.

Here are the chip counts entering the last day of play:

1. Steve Chanthabouasy — 533,000
2. James Dempsey — 528,000
3. Joanne Liu — 479,000
4. Joe Williams — 385,000
5. Mark Babekov — 246,000
6. Gregg Wilkerson — 230,000
7. Scott Haraden — 224,000
8. Armen Kara — 220,000
9. Edward Brogdon — 89,000

Stay tuned to CardPlayer.com tomorrow for action from the final table!

Player Tags: Joanne Liu

J.J. Liu Eliminated in 13th Place ($51,439)

Apr 22, '10

J.J. Liu moved all in on the button preflop for 213,000 and David Benyamine thought for a moment before making the call. Their cards:

Liu: QQ
Benyamine: 77

Board: 8659K

Benyamine won the hand and he grew his stack to 2,150,000. Liu was eliminated in 13th place and she took home $51,439 in prize money.

Player Tags: David Benyamine,   Joanne Liu

J.J. Liu Picks Up Chips

Apr 20, '10

J.J. Liu limped on the button and the small blind moved all in. Liu eventually made the call with AJ and had her opponent’s A2 dominated.

The board fell K10457 and Liu picked up the elimination and the pot. She now has 165,000.

Player Tags: Joanne Liu

J.J. Liu Eliminated in 13th Place ($51,439)

Apr 22, '10

J.J. Liu moved all in on the button preflop for 213,000 and David Benyamine thought for a moment before making the call. Their cards:

Liu: QQ
Benyamine: 77

Board: 8659K

Benyamine won the hand and he grew his stack to 2,150,000. Liu was eliminated in 13th place and she took home $51,439 in prize money.

Player Tags: David Benyamine,   Joanne Liu

J.J. Liu Picks Up Chips

Apr 20, '10

J.J. Liu limped on the button and the small blind moved all in. Liu eventually made the call with AJ and had her opponent’s A2 dominated.

The board fell K10457 and Liu picked up the elimination and the pot. She now has 165,000.

Player Tags: Joanne Liu

Level 5 Hour 2 Update: Lisandro Finishes Strong

Jul 06, '09

Blinds: 200-400 with a 50 ante

Chip Counts:

1. Joe Cada — 187,000
2. Tyler Patterson — 165,000
3. Sebastian Stier — 150,000
4. Chance Kornuth — 148,000
5. Ariel Schneller — 146,000
6. Jeff Lisandro — 145,000
7. Marc Naalden — 135,000
8. Igor Borukhov — 129,000
9. Matthew Palmucci — 125,000
10. Martin El-Kher — 118,000

Notable Eliminations:

Frank Kassela
J.J. Liu
Marcel Luske
Brett Richey
Allen Bari
Matt Savage
Matt Matros

Big Hands

J.J. Liu Eliminated

On a flop of K74, J.J. Liu gets it all in against a single opponent.

Liu: K8
Opponent: K10

Both players flop top pair, Liu is in kicker trouble. The turn and river brick as Liu fails to improve and is subsequently eliminated from the vent.

Gavin Griffin Doubles Up

Gavin griffin gets it all in pre-flop for 12,700 and is called in one spot.

Griffin: 1010
Opponent: QQ

Board: KQ2AJ

Griffin gets it in behind, and his opponent flops top set to boot. The turn gives Griffin a guts-shot, and amazingly he gets there on the river. Gavin griffin doubels up to 25,000+ this hand.

Allen Bari Eliminated

The small blind comes in for a raise and Allen Bari calls from the big blind. The flop comes 942, and Bari gets it all in.

Bari: 1010
Opponent: KK

Both players flop an overpair, Bari is way behind. The turn and river are the 3 and the 2, no help to Allen Bari who is eliminated from the tournament.

Kevin Saul Knocks One Out

Kevin Saul raises to 1,000 from the button, the player in the small blind calls, the player in the big bind raises to 4,200, Saul calls and the small blind folds. The flop comes J810, the big blind leads out for 5,100 and Saul raises to 20,000 (enough to put him all in). The big blind calls and both players turn over their cards.

Saul: Q9
Big Blind: A10

Saul flops the nut straight while his opponent flops top pair with the ace. The turn and river are the 5 and the 6. Saul eliminates his opponent this hand and brings his stack to just under 100,000.

Jeff Lisandro Catches Bluff

On a flop of 732, action was checked to Jeff Lisandro. Lisandro threw out a bet of 3,400 which was called by one of the two players in the hand. The 7 hit the turn and Lisandro’s opponent checked once again. Lisandro checked behind and the 8 fell on the river. Lisdandro’s opponent quickly threw out a bet of 10,000 and Lisandro immediately called. His opponent insta-mucked and Lisandro mucked as well after contemplating briefly whether or not to show his cards. Lisandro is now at 145,000.

Player Tags: Jeffrey Lisandro,   Gavin Griffin,   Allen Bari,   Joanne Liu,   Kevin Saul