Erik Seidel - Live Updates

Erik Seidel Gets Really, Really Unlucky In Huge Pot

Sep 30, '09

Erik Seidel was sitting pretty with a huge stack over just over 100,000 in chips and better yet, he was holding pocket aces. So what happened that caused his stack to shrink to just under 10,000?

Adolfo Vaeza and Seidel got into a preflop raising war and when the cards finally got to their backs, Seidel realized he was up against pocket kings.

But the board came out 872K5, giving a stunned Vaeza the pot and the chip lead with just over 180,000. Seidel seemed fine, however, as he passed over the majority of his stack.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Adolfo Vaeza

Final Table Update: Erik Seidel Eliminated in Sxith Place ($164,640)

Jul 19, '09

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

Players Remaining: 5 out of 268

Chip Counts:

1. Faraz Jaka — 7,030,000
2. Justin Smith — 2,920,000
3. Alec Torelli — 2,390,000
4. Alexandre Gomes — 2,240,000
5. Christopher Sonesson — 1,505,000

Average Chip Count: 3,216,000

Notable Eliminations:

6. Erik Seidel – $164,640

Elimination Hands:

Erik Seidel Eliminated in Sixth Place ($164,640)

Justin Smith raised to 145,000 preflop from the cutoff and Erik Seidel made the call from the big blind. Seidel then checked a flop of 853 and Smith bet 225,000. Seidel check-rasied all in and Smith made the call. Their cards:

Smith: 99
Seidel: K9

Turn and River: 42

Smith won the hand to grow his stack to 2,920,000 and Seidel was eliminated in sixth place. He will take home $164,640 in prize money.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Justin Smith

Level 19 Update: Reshetov Out in Tenth

Jul 18, '09

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

Players Remaining: 9 out of 268

Chip Counts:

1. Faraz Jaka — 3,030,000
2. Justin Smith — 2,670,000
3. Alec Torelli — 2,270,000
4. Erik Seidel — 1,900,000
5. Christopher Sonesson — 1,725,000
6. Alexandre Gomes — 1,250,000
7. Ray Taylor — 1,245,000
8. Mimi Tran — 550,000
9. Sam Stein — 525,000

Average Chip Count: 1,786,000

Notable Eliminations:

10. Pavel Reshetov — $46,485

Big Hands:

Pavel Reshetov Eliminated in 10th Place ($46,485)

Ray Taylor’s second dealt card on the first hand of play was exposed as the K. Thinking it’s a misdeal, Taylor decided to show his other card, the Q. Mimi Tran and Alec Torelli see the card and Taylor quickly turns it back over. After realizing his mistake, the K is replaced and Taylor is forced to play the hand out as is.

He decided to limp under the gun and Erik Seidel followed behind. Justin Smith called on the button, Alec Torelli completed from the small blind and Pavel Reshetov took the free flop in the big blind.

The flop came out K64 and then one of the players decided to point out that Tran and Torelli had seen Taylor’s other card, but the rest of the hadn’t. Tran and Torelli confirmed they saw the Q and the tournament director ruled Taylor had to show it to the rest of the table.

The hand continued, with the table knowing half of Taylor’s hand, as Torelli checked. Reshetov bet 100,000 and everyone folded to Torelli, who check-raised to 240,000. Reshetov moved all in for his last 484,000 and Torelli called with K7. Amazingly, Reshetov showed K3 for the case king and needed help to stay alive. The turn was the A and the river was the A and Torelli’s seven played, knocking out Reshetov in the first hand of play. Torelli’s stack increased to nearly 2.6 million after the hand.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Mimi Tran,   Alec Torelli,   Justin Smith,   Pavel Reshetov,   Ray Taylor

Level 18 Update: Down to 12

Jul 17, '09

Blinds: 8,000-16,000 with a 2,000 ante

Players Remaining: 12 out of 268

Chip Counts:

1. Faraz Jaka — 3,700,000
2. Erik Seidel — 2,150,000
3. Justin Smith — 1,750,000
4. Alec Torelli — 1,575,000
5. Christoffer Sonesson — 1,500,000
6. Ray Taylor — 1,050,000
7. Anthony Spinella — 860,000
8. Alexandre Gomes — 800,000
9. Pavel Rashetov — 580,000
10. Claudio Baptista — 540,000
11. Mimi Tran — 455,000
12. Sam Stein — 450,000

Average Chip Count: 1,340,000

Notable Eliminations:

18. Terry Fleischer — $30,990
17. Jason Somerville — $30,990
16. Uri Kadosh — $30,990
15. Ivan Freitiz — $38,740
14. Ory Hen — $38,740
13. Josh Schlein — $38,740

Hand of the Level:

Erik Seidel Doubles Up to Second Chip Position

Anthony Spinella raised from the cutoff to 40,000 and Faraz Jaka made the call from the small blind. Erik Seidel reraised to 120,000 from the big blind. Spinella made the call and Jaka mucked. The flop was dealt K84 and Seidel bet 140,000. Spinella made the call and the turn fell J. Seidel bet 350,000 and Spinella made the call. The river fell 7 and Seidel raised all in for 441,000. Spinella went into the tank for a moment and then made the call. Their cards:

Spinella: KQ
Seidel: AA

Seidel doubled up on the hand to grow his stack to 2,150,000. Spinella took a large hit down to 860,000.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Anthony Spinella

Level 16 Update: The Money Bubble Bursts

Jul 17, '09

Blinds: 4,000-8,000 with a 500 ante

Players Remaining: 24 out of 268

Chip Counts:

1. Faraz Jaka — 3,500,000
2. Christopher Sonesson — 1,200,000
3. Ray Taylor — 1,180,000
4. Anthony Spinella — 1,150,000
5. Erik Seidel — 900,000
6. Pavel Rashetov — 820,000
7. Justin Smith — 810,000
8. Alec Torelli — 760,000
9. Ivan Freitez — 625,000
10. Ralph Perry — 570,000

Average Chip Count: 670,000

Notable Eliminations:

Ray Henson
Jonathan Little
Jong Jin
Tommy Hang (bubble boy)
27. Raj Vohra — $23,245
26. Freddy Deeb — $23,245
25. Kevin Saul — $23,245

Hand of the Level:

Kevin Saul Eliminated in 25th Place ($23,245)

Christopher Sonesson raised to 26,000 from the hi-jack and Erik Seidel made the call from the cutoff. Kevin Saul raised all in from the button for 216,000 and Sonesson mucked. Seidel made the call and they flipped up their cards:

Saul: KK
Seidel: 99

Board: 76568

Seidel won the hand to gorw his stack to 900,000 and Saul was eliminated in 25th place. He will take home $23,245 in prize money.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Kevin Saul

Final Table Update: Erik Seidel Eliminated in Sxith Place ($164,640)

Jul 19, '09

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

Players Remaining: 5 out of 268

Chip Counts:

1. Faraz Jaka — 7,030,000
2. Justin Smith — 2,920,000
3. Alec Torelli — 2,390,000
4. Alexandre Gomes — 2,240,000
5. Christopher Sonesson — 1,505,000

Average Chip Count: 3,216,000

Notable Eliminations:

6. Erik Seidel – $164,640

Elimination Hands:

Erik Seidel Eliminated in Sixth Place ($164,640)

Justin Smith raised to 145,000 preflop from the cutoff and Erik Seidel made the call from the big blind. Seidel then checked a flop of 853 and Smith bet 225,000. Seidel check-rasied all in and Smith made the call. Their cards:

Smith: 99
Seidel: K9

Turn and River: 42

Smith won the hand to grow his stack to 2,920,000 and Seidel was eliminated in sixth place. He will take home $164,640 in prize money.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Justin Smith

Level 19 Update: Reshetov Out in Tenth

Jul 18, '09

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

Players Remaining: 9 out of 268

Chip Counts:

1. Faraz Jaka — 3,030,000
2. Justin Smith — 2,670,000
3. Alec Torelli — 2,270,000
4. Erik Seidel — 1,900,000
5. Christopher Sonesson — 1,725,000
6. Alexandre Gomes — 1,250,000
7. Ray Taylor — 1,245,000
8. Mimi Tran — 550,000
9. Sam Stein — 525,000

Average Chip Count: 1,786,000

Notable Eliminations:

10. Pavel Reshetov — $46,485

Big Hands:

Pavel Reshetov Eliminated in 10th Place ($46,485)

Ray Taylor’s second dealt card on the first hand of play was exposed as the K. Thinking it’s a misdeal, Taylor decided to show his other card, the Q. Mimi Tran and Alec Torelli see the card and Taylor quickly turns it back over. After realizing his mistake, the K is replaced and Taylor is forced to play the hand out as is.

He decided to limp under the gun and Erik Seidel followed behind. Justin Smith called on the button, Alec Torelli completed from the small blind and Pavel Reshetov took the free flop in the big blind.

The flop came out K64 and then one of the players decided to point out that Tran and Torelli had seen Taylor’s other card, but the rest of the hadn’t. Tran and Torelli confirmed they saw the Q and the tournament director ruled Taylor had to show it to the rest of the table.

The hand continued, with the table knowing half of Taylor’s hand, as Torelli checked. Reshetov bet 100,000 and everyone folded to Torelli, who check-raised to 240,000. Reshetov moved all in for his last 484,000 and Torelli called with K7. Amazingly, Reshetov showed K3 for the case king and needed help to stay alive. The turn was the A and the river was the A and Torelli’s seven played, knocking out Reshetov in the first hand of play. Torelli’s stack increased to nearly 2.6 million after the hand.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Mimi Tran,   Alec Torelli,   Justin Smith,   Pavel Reshetov,   Ray Taylor

Level 18 Update: Down to 12

Jul 17, '09

Blinds: 8,000-16,000 with a 2,000 ante

Players Remaining: 12 out of 268

Chip Counts:

1. Faraz Jaka — 3,700,000
2. Erik Seidel — 2,150,000
3. Justin Smith — 1,750,000
4. Alec Torelli — 1,575,000
5. Christoffer Sonesson — 1,500,000
6. Ray Taylor — 1,050,000
7. Anthony Spinella — 860,000
8. Alexandre Gomes — 800,000
9. Pavel Rashetov — 580,000
10. Claudio Baptista — 540,000
11. Mimi Tran — 455,000
12. Sam Stein — 450,000

Average Chip Count: 1,340,000

Notable Eliminations:

18. Terry Fleischer — $30,990
17. Jason Somerville — $30,990
16. Uri Kadosh — $30,990
15. Ivan Freitiz — $38,740
14. Ory Hen — $38,740
13. Josh Schlein — $38,740

Hand of the Level:

Erik Seidel Doubles Up to Second Chip Position

Anthony Spinella raised from the cutoff to 40,000 and Faraz Jaka made the call from the small blind. Erik Seidel reraised to 120,000 from the big blind. Spinella made the call and Jaka mucked. The flop was dealt K84 and Seidel bet 140,000. Spinella made the call and the turn fell J. Seidel bet 350,000 and Spinella made the call. The river fell 7 and Seidel raised all in for 441,000. Spinella went into the tank for a moment and then made the call. Their cards:

Spinella: KQ
Seidel: AA

Seidel doubled up on the hand to grow his stack to 2,150,000. Spinella took a large hit down to 860,000.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Anthony Spinella

Level 16 Update: The Money Bubble Bursts

Jul 17, '09

Blinds: 4,000-8,000 with a 500 ante

Players Remaining: 24 out of 268

Chip Counts:

1. Faraz Jaka — 3,500,000
2. Christopher Sonesson — 1,200,000
3. Ray Taylor — 1,180,000
4. Anthony Spinella — 1,150,000
5. Erik Seidel — 900,000
6. Pavel Rashetov — 820,000
7. Justin Smith — 810,000
8. Alec Torelli — 760,000
9. Ivan Freitez — 625,000
10. Ralph Perry — 570,000

Average Chip Count: 670,000

Notable Eliminations:

Ray Henson
Jonathan Little
Jong Jin
Tommy Hang (bubble boy)
27. Raj Vohra — $23,245
26. Freddy Deeb — $23,245
25. Kevin Saul — $23,245

Hand of the Level:

Kevin Saul Eliminated in 25th Place ($23,245)

Christopher Sonesson raised to 26,000 from the hi-jack and Erik Seidel made the call from the cutoff. Kevin Saul raised all in from the button for 216,000 and Sonesson mucked. Seidel made the call and they flipped up their cards:

Saul: KK
Seidel: 99

Board: 76568

Seidel won the hand to gorw his stack to 900,000 and Saul was eliminated in 25th place. He will take home $23,245 in prize money.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Kevin Saul

Final Table Update: Erik Seidel Eliminated in Sxith Place ($164,640)

Jul 19, '09

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

Players Remaining: 5 out of 268

Chip Counts:

1. Faraz Jaka — 7,030,000
2. Justin Smith — 2,920,000
3. Alec Torelli — 2,390,000
4. Alexandre Gomes — 2,240,000
5. Christopher Sonesson — 1,505,000

Average Chip Count: 3,216,000

Notable Eliminations:

6. Erik Seidel – $164,640

Elimination Hands:

Erik Seidel Eliminated in Sixth Place ($164,640)

Justin Smith raised to 145,000 preflop from the cutoff and Erik Seidel made the call from the big blind. Seidel then checked a flop of 853 and Smith bet 225,000. Seidel check-rasied all in and Smith made the call. Their cards:

Smith: 99
Seidel: K9

Turn and River: 42

Smith won the hand to grow his stack to 2,920,000 and Seidel was eliminated in sixth place. He will take home $164,640 in prize money.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Justin Smith

Level 19 Update: Reshetov Out in Tenth

Jul 18, '09

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

Players Remaining: 9 out of 268

Chip Counts:

1. Faraz Jaka — 3,030,000
2. Justin Smith — 2,670,000
3. Alec Torelli — 2,270,000
4. Erik Seidel — 1,900,000
5. Christopher Sonesson — 1,725,000
6. Alexandre Gomes — 1,250,000
7. Ray Taylor — 1,245,000
8. Mimi Tran — 550,000
9. Sam Stein — 525,000

Average Chip Count: 1,786,000

Notable Eliminations:

10. Pavel Reshetov — $46,485

Big Hands:

Pavel Reshetov Eliminated in 10th Place ($46,485)

Ray Taylor’s second dealt card on the first hand of play was exposed as the K. Thinking it’s a misdeal, Taylor decided to show his other card, the Q. Mimi Tran and Alec Torelli see the card and Taylor quickly turns it back over. After realizing his mistake, the K is replaced and Taylor is forced to play the hand out as is.

He decided to limp under the gun and Erik Seidel followed behind. Justin Smith called on the button, Alec Torelli completed from the small blind and Pavel Reshetov took the free flop in the big blind.

The flop came out K64 and then one of the players decided to point out that Tran and Torelli had seen Taylor’s other card, but the rest of the hadn’t. Tran and Torelli confirmed they saw the Q and the tournament director ruled Taylor had to show it to the rest of the table.

The hand continued, with the table knowing half of Taylor’s hand, as Torelli checked. Reshetov bet 100,000 and everyone folded to Torelli, who check-raised to 240,000. Reshetov moved all in for his last 484,000 and Torelli called with K7. Amazingly, Reshetov showed K3 for the case king and needed help to stay alive. The turn was the A and the river was the A and Torelli’s seven played, knocking out Reshetov in the first hand of play. Torelli’s stack increased to nearly 2.6 million after the hand.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Mimi Tran,   Alec Torelli,   Justin Smith,   Pavel Reshetov,   Ray Taylor

Level 18 Update: Down to 12

Jul 17, '09

Blinds: 8,000-16,000 with a 2,000 ante

Players Remaining: 12 out of 268

Chip Counts:

1. Faraz Jaka — 3,700,000
2. Erik Seidel — 2,150,000
3. Justin Smith — 1,750,000
4. Alec Torelli — 1,575,000
5. Christoffer Sonesson — 1,500,000
6. Ray Taylor — 1,050,000
7. Anthony Spinella — 860,000
8. Alexandre Gomes — 800,000
9. Pavel Rashetov — 580,000
10. Claudio Baptista — 540,000
11. Mimi Tran — 455,000
12. Sam Stein — 450,000

Average Chip Count: 1,340,000

Notable Eliminations:

18. Terry Fleischer — $30,990
17. Jason Somerville — $30,990
16. Uri Kadosh — $30,990
15. Ivan Freitiz — $38,740
14. Ory Hen — $38,740
13. Josh Schlein — $38,740

Hand of the Level:

Erik Seidel Doubles Up to Second Chip Position

Anthony Spinella raised from the cutoff to 40,000 and Faraz Jaka made the call from the small blind. Erik Seidel reraised to 120,000 from the big blind. Spinella made the call and Jaka mucked. The flop was dealt K84 and Seidel bet 140,000. Spinella made the call and the turn fell J. Seidel bet 350,000 and Spinella made the call. The river fell 7 and Seidel raised all in for 441,000. Spinella went into the tank for a moment and then made the call. Their cards:

Spinella: KQ
Seidel: AA

Seidel doubled up on the hand to grow his stack to 2,150,000. Spinella took a large hit down to 860,000.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Anthony Spinella

Level 16 Update: The Money Bubble Bursts

Jul 17, '09

Blinds: 4,000-8,000 with a 500 ante

Players Remaining: 24 out of 268

Chip Counts:

1. Faraz Jaka — 3,500,000
2. Christopher Sonesson — 1,200,000
3. Ray Taylor — 1,180,000
4. Anthony Spinella — 1,150,000
5. Erik Seidel — 900,000
6. Pavel Rashetov — 820,000
7. Justin Smith — 810,000
8. Alec Torelli — 760,000
9. Ivan Freitez — 625,000
10. Ralph Perry — 570,000

Average Chip Count: 670,000

Notable Eliminations:

Ray Henson
Jonathan Little
Jong Jin
Tommy Hang (bubble boy)
27. Raj Vohra — $23,245
26. Freddy Deeb — $23,245
25. Kevin Saul — $23,245

Hand of the Level:

Kevin Saul Eliminated in 25th Place ($23,245)

Christopher Sonesson raised to 26,000 from the hi-jack and Erik Seidel made the call from the cutoff. Kevin Saul raised all in from the button for 216,000 and Sonesson mucked. Seidel made the call and they flipped up their cards:

Saul: KK
Seidel: 99

Board: 76568

Seidel won the hand to gorw his stack to 900,000 and Saul was eliminated in 25th place. He will take home $23,245 in prize money.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Kevin Saul

Level 8 Hour 2 Update: Brad Garrett Eliminated

Jul 07, '09

Blinds: 400-800 with a 100 ante

Players Remaining: 740 out of 1476

Chip Counts:

1. Samer Rahman – 322,000
2. Greg Mueller – 250,000
3. Andy Black – 182,000
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

Average Chip Count Day 2A: 80,635

Notable Eliminations:

Jeff Williams
Brad Garrett

Big Hands:

Carlos Mortensen Out Kicked

Carlos Mortensen limped in from the cutoff and the button folded. The small blind called and the big blind checked. Three players saw a flop of A63 and both blinds checked to Mortensen. The former main event event champion bet 1,500 and the small blind called with 4-5 for an open ended straight draw. The big blind called with the A9 and Mortensen was trailing with the A77. The 3 hit the turn and both blinds checked once again. Mortensen quickly fired out a bet of 2,500 which was again quickly called by both blinds. The 3 fell on the river and Mortensen once again found action checked to him. He threw out a small bet of 3,500 which prompted the small blind to much his missed draw and the big blind called quickly. Mortensen found out the bad news after he exposed his A-7. Mortensen is down to 33,000.

Joe Awada Doubles Up Opponent

Joe Awada raised to 1,500 under the gun and action folded around to the small blind who went into the tank. With only 1,500 left in his stack, the small blind had just enough to make Awada’s call. He eventually called all in and tabled the J9 while Awada exposed the A7. The board ran out K649K and Awada’s opponent won with a pair of nines. Awada is down to 34,000.

Erik Seidel Doubles Up

Erik Seidel bet 8,000 after a flop of J82 and was called by an opponent. The Q hit the turn and Seidel moved all in. His opponent quickly called and tabled the KQ for top pair and flush draw. Seidel was ahead with his AA but needed to dodge many cards in order to double up. The 10 on the river was good news for Seidel as he doubled to 56,000.

Jim Bechtel Wins Another

Jim Bechtel checked on a board of 532 to his opponent on the button. The button threw out a bet of 7,000 and Bechtel called. The 3 hit the turn and the action went check-check. The K fell on the river and Bechtel checked for a third time. The button bet 10,000 and Bechtel thought about it briefly before making the call with the JJ, with no club. His opponent tabled the AQ and was no good as Bechtel picked off his bluff. Bechtel is now at 95,000.

Brad Garrett Eliminated

On a board of Q43A9 the cutoff bet 20,200 and Brad Garrett went into the tank in middle position. He went back and forth on his decision for a few minutes while a wall of people surrounded the table to watch his antics. He eventually made the all-in call and flipped over QJ. His opponent turned up Q9 amnd Garrett was eliminated from the tournament.

Left in the Deck

Before he was eliminated from the tournament Brad Garrett was making quite an impression during the evening’s play. The ESPN cameras were eating it up, and Garrett was able to produce a consistent line of chuckles from the players who were along for the ride with him at his table, including former world champion Berry Johnston. At one point, Garrett exclaimed, “Change the rhythm, everybody stand,” and his table played a hand standing up just to mix things up. His table is much quieter now and the ESPN cameras are no longer around after his absence.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Carlos Mortensen,   Joe Awada,   Brad Garrett,   Jim Bechtel

Level 6 Hour 2 Update: Erik Seidel Doubles, Barry Greenstein Doesn't

Jul 07, '09

Blinds: 250-500 with a 50 ante

Day 2A Field: 1,476

Chip Counts:

1. Samer Rahman – 235,000
2. Coba Cao – 175,000
3. Andy Black – 160,000
4. Redmond Lee – 160,000
5. Chris Ferguson – 145,000
6. Fabrice Soulier – 143,000
7. Jim Bookstaff – 137,000
8. Nick Maimone – 130,000
9. Tom Schneider – 125,000
10. Craig Hopkins – 121,000

CardPlayer Chip Counts:

Todd Brunson – 38,000
Ciaran O’Leary – 33,400
Mike Matusow – 28,000

Notable Eliminations:

Raymond Davis
Barry Greenstein
Mark Newhouse

Big Hands:

The Ladies Hooked By Seidel

The player under the gun raised preflop and the action was on Erik Seidel. He moved all in for around 12,000 and he was called by the player under the gun.

Seidel: JJ
Opponent: QQ

Seidel was dominated, but the flop changed that rather quickly as it fell K6J. Seidel had the set and the lead. The turn was the 2 and the river was the A and Seidel doubled up to 25,000.

The Real Amarillo Slim Standing Tall

Amarillo Slim Preston was involved in a hand with one opponent and the flop came down KJ10. Both players checked and the turn was the K. Preston raised to almost 10,000 after his opponent had led out for 2,800. The raise was called and the river was 2.

Both players checked and Preston showed 1010 for a flopped set of tens. His opponent mucked and Preston was around 80,000.

Robin Hood Sent Packing

Barry Greenstein moved in for his last 10,000 preflop and Eric Tomberlin made the call. Greenstein showed down JJ, but was dominated by Tomberlin’s KK.

The board ran out 106410Q and Greenstein was shown the door.

Grant Levy Scores The K.O.

Grant Levy called his opponent’s all in bet and turned over AK. His opponent tabled QQ and the race was on. The flop came J74, giving both players a club draw with Levy’s being superior. The turn was the 3 and Levy locked up the hand. The river was the meaningless 3 and Levy was at 70,000.

Tom Schneider Folds To Rockets

The player in seat 5 raised to 1,200 and Tom Schneider made the call from the button. The big blind also came along and they all saw a flop of 1044. The big blind checked and seat 5 bet 2,500. Schneider called and the big blind mucked. The turn was the Q and seat 5 led out with 6,000. Schneider called again just in time for the ESPN cameras to arrive.

The river was the 2 and seat 5 fired 11,000. Schneider thought about it and then mucked his hand. “Come on, show the bluff,” Pamela Brunson said. “The cameras are all here to see it,” Schneider added. Seat 5 obliged to showing his hand, but it was no bluff as he turned over AA. Schneider was at 125,000.

Brad Garrett Takes A Pot

A player raised to 1,300 and Brad Garrett made the call from middle position. The button also called and the small blind did the same. The four players saw a flop of Q73 and the small blind bet 2,400. The original raiser folded and Garrett made it 5,000 to go. The small blind was the only caller and the turn was the 9. The small blind checked to Garrett who fired out 5,000. The small blind mucked and Garrett was at 44,000.

Shaun Deeb In A Gamblin’ Mood

Vitaly Lunkin raised to 1,400 preflop and two players called. The action was then on Shaun Deeb on the button and he raised to 6,200. The big blind then moved all in for 25,000. The action folded around to Deeb and he made the call. He tabled KJ, trailing the big blind’s A10.

The flop then fell J76 and Deeb was out in front. The turn was the Q giving the big blind a straight draw, but the river was the Q and Deeb got the knockout. He was at 75,000.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Barry Greenstein,   Tom Schneider,   Brad Garrett,   Shaun Deeb,   Grant Levy,   Amarillo Slim

Level 4 Hour 2 Update: Soulier Doing Well

Jul 04, '09

Blinds: 150-300 with a 25 ante

Players Left: 720 of 873

Chip Counts:

1. Nick Maimone – 129,000
2. Vadim Gruzglin – 123,500
3. Jim Bookstaff – 119,000
4. Samer Rahman – 117,000
5. Craig Hopkins – 113,000
6. Jesse Rios – 112,000
7. Carlos Oliveira – 105,000
8. Fabrice Soulier – 99,000
9. Daniel Didech – 95,000
10. Karin Lehoussing – 87,000

Card Player Chip Counts:

Todd Brunson — 35,000
Mike Matusow — 18,000

Notable Eliminations:

Dustin Woolf

Big Hands

Davis Runs Into Aces, Then Vents

Raymond Davis raised to 1,000 from under the gun and the action folded around to the big blind. He made the call and the flop came down K73. Both players decided to check and the 10 fell on the turn. The big blind bet 2,000 and Davis came along for the ride. The river was the 2 and the big blind fired 6,000. Davis made the call again and the big blind showed AA. Davis mucked and he was down to 63,900.

A few hands later, Davis was in the big blind and facing a raise to 800 from seat 3. Davis made the call and the flop came down 5-3-2 and seat 3 bet 1,200. Davis immediately raised to 3,200 and seat 3 mucked. Davis then showed 10-7 for a bluff. “I don’t miss every flop, just most of them,” Davis said. “That was a bit of frustration man,” he explained to Hoyt Corkins on his right. “I’ve been getting robbed all day.” Davis was at 65,000 after that hand.

Greenstein Back To The Beginning

Barry Greenstein raised to 800 preflop from middle position and the player on the button made the call. The flop came down 1065 and Greenstein led out with 1,200. The button quickly mucked and Greenstein took the pot, getting his stack back to the original starting stack of 30,000.

Soulier Takes One Off Hansen

After a flop of 432, Fabrice Soulier bet 1,000 and a player called. Thor Hansen then raised to 2,000 and Soulier was the only one to call. The turn was the A and both players checked. They did the same after the 8 fell on the river.

Soulier then showed A7 and Hansen mucked his hand. Soulier raked in the pot and was around 90,000 while Hansen was down to 17,150.

Yeah, That Just Happened

Dustin Woolf raised to 1,000 from the cutoff and the button mucked. The small blind then moved all in for over 15,000 and Woolf made the call, putting himself all in. The small blind showed AK while Woolf showed AK.

This being the fourth of July, the fireworks were about to drop as the flop came K98, leaving Woolf praying for two black cards on the turn and river to chop the pot. But the turn was the 4, giving the small blind the nut flush and knocking Woolf out of the main event in dramatic fashion.

Seidel Drops Some Chips

On a flop of Q22, the small blind led out with 2,000 and Erik Seidel raised to 5,000. The small blind called and the turn was the 3. The small blind checked to Seidel who bet 7,500. The small blind called and the A fell on the river.

Action was checked to Seidel again and he bet 10,000. The small blind quickly called and showed AQ for top two pair. Seidel mucked his hand and was under 25,000.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Barry Greenstein,   Raymond Davis,   Fabrice Soulier,   Dustin Woolf

Level 3 Hour 2 Update: Not a Good Hour for the Brunson's

Jul 04, '09

Blinds: 150-300

Chip Counts:

1. Craig Hopkins – 131,000
2. Nick Maimone – 125,000
3. Jim Bookstaff – 118,000
4. Vadim Gruzglin – 118,000
5. Jesse Rios – 110,500
6. Ali Eslami – 90,000
7. Karin Lehoussing – 87,000
8. Jonathan Tare – 75,000
9. Sam Khouiss – 72,000
10. Dave D’Alesandro – 68,000

Card Player Chip Counts:

Todd Brunson — 41,000
Mike Matusow — 29,000

Notable Eliminations:

Doyle Brunson
Vicky Coren

Big Hands

Deeb Gets Revenge

A player under the gun opened the pot for 800 and was called by Shaun Deeb and the player in the big blind. They saw the flop three-handed and it came AJ4. The big blind checked, the original raiser bet 2,200 and Deeb raised to 5,250. The big blind, who was the the same player that doubled through Deeb earlier, flat called the 5250 and the original raiser got out of the way.

They were heads-up to the turn and the turn card was the 8. The big blind checked and Deeb moved all in for his last 16,000. The big blind called and showed A8, but was way behind Deeb’s AJ. The river bricked off and Deeb doubled up to about 50,000.

Helppi Doubles Up Through Brunson

There were several players that took a flop after a preflop raise. The flop came J22 and everybody checked over to the button, who bet 1,500. The small blind called, Todd Brunson called, and then Juha Helppi moved all in for his last 8,125.

The button tanked for a minute or so before finally giving up his hand. The small blind tossed in his cards quickly and then Brunson went into the tank. After asking the dealer to spread the pot as he did some mental math, he then cut out some chips and said “I guess you have a flush draw,” and tossed in the call.

Brunson was right as Helppi tabled A10 and Brunson showed QJ. The button moaned, claiming he had folded pocket queens, but was relieved when the A fell on the turn, giving Helppi the best hand. The river was the 5 and Brunson’s stack took a dent.

Doyle Brunson Eliminated

With the final board reading 9 7 3 4 A, cards were turned up and Doyle Brunson was getting up from the table. Brunson had flopped a set of threes and was eliminated when his opponent showed 5 6.

The room cheered out of respect as the 10 time bracelet winner was eliminated from the tournament, and his World Series is officially over.

Mortensen’s Stack Takes a Hit

After a preflop raise to 600, Carlos Mortensen and two other players called.

The flop was 94Q and everybody checked to the preflop raiser, who bet 1,200, which was called by everyone. The turn was the 10 and after the preflop raiser bet 2,000, Mortensen was the only caller.

The river was the 4 and Mortensen moved his opponent all in after he bet 4,100. His opponent snap called and showed QQ, good for a full house, and besting Mortensen’s A4.

This Is What Happens When You Don’t Respect Your Elders

Erik Seidel raised to 800 from middle position and action folded around to the big blind, where an older woman was residing. She made the call and the two players saw a flop of A43. The big blind checked and Seidel immediately fired 1,400. The woman called and the turn was the 6. The woman then led out with 3,050 and Seidel made a quick call.

The river was the A and the woman immediately fired 16,000 into the bought, producing a giggle from Seidel and a shake of the head. He spent a minute thinking over his decision and then mucked his hand. His stack was down to 54,000.

Eslami Near Six Figures

On a board reading KJ2810, the player in the hijack position fired 3,500. Ali Eslami then raised to 9,000 from the button. The player in the hijack then tabled Q9, thinking Eslami had just called. After the floor was called over, the player was issued a warning but given the option to call or fold. He called with his straight, but Eslami tabled AQ for the nut straight and he raked in the pot. Eslami was around 90,000 after the hand.

Vicky Coren Out In Heartbreaking Fashion

Vicky Coren moved her last 10,000 into the pot preflop and was called by one opponent. Coren tabled QQ and was in terrible shape against her opponents KK.

The flop was no help as it came 432. Coren then spiked the Q on the turn and was in great shape to double up. But the K fell on the river and just that quickly, Coren went from the penthouse to the outhouse as she was eliminated.

Big Hand For Slim, But Only a Small Pot

On a flop of K66, the small blind led out for 400 and Amarillo Slim called. The 3 fell on the turn and the small blind checked. Slim bet 500 and the small blind folded and claimed he had a king.

“You were drawing dead the whole way, lucky for you you didn’t catch another one,” said Slim as he flashed the 66, showing that he flopped quad sixes.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Todd Brunson,   Doyle Brunson,   Ali Eslami,   Vicky Coren,   Shaun Deeb

Level 1 - Hour 2 Update: Talal Shakerchi Wins Big Pot

Jul 04, '09

Blinds: 50-100

Chip Counts:

1. Dave D’Alesandro — 64,000
2. Jeremiah Smith — 63,000
3. Angelo Ricci — 62,000
4. Talal Shakerchi – 60,000
5. Sam Khouiss — 52,000
6. Allan Vrooman — 40,000
7. Carlos Mortensen — 39,000
8. Juha Helppi – 37,000
9. Kara Scott — 33,600
10. Eddie Sabat — 32,000

Card Player Chip Counts:

Stephen Murphy – 29,250
Todd Brunson — 26,100
Mike Matusow — 26,000

Notable Eliminations:

None

Big Hands

David Pham vs. Jason Young

With just about 1,000 already in the pot, David Pham bets 600 on an AK9 flop, Jason Young calls. The turn is the 9, and this time Pham bets 1,200, Young calls. The river is the J, Pham bets 3,000 and Young calls. Pham shows AK for top two pair while Jason Young flashes the A as he tosses his cards into the muck. “The Dragon” is up to 35,000 in chips after this hand.

Juha Helppi Adds to Stack

On a board of J532, a player bet 2,500 into Juha Helppi. Helppi went into the tank and threw out a raise to 7,500. Helppi’s opponent went into the tank as well and eventually made the fold. Helppi asked, “did you fold kings?” Helppi is at 37,000.

Talal Shakerchi Wins Big Pot

On a board of K4JK, Talal Shakerchi bet 2,500 and his opponent min-raised to 5,000. Shakerchi deliberated momentarily before making the call. The river brought the 8 and Shakerchi bet 4,000 into the large pot. His opponent reraised to 10,000 and Shakerchi made the quick call. He tabled the JJ for jacks full while his opponent turned over the KQ for trip kings. Shakerchi is up to 60,000.

Brian ‘tsarrast’ Rast and Erik Seidel Tangle

With what might be perhaps the toughest combination of two players sitting right next to each other in the field over over 1,000 players, Erik Seidel had the button against Brian Rast’s small blind. Seidel threw out a raise from the button and Rast called. The board ran out 8455A and Seidel bet 600 on the end. Rast contemplated briefly before calling. Seidel turned over the A8 for top two. Rast Mucked. Seidel is at 30,500.

Left in the Deck

Players are on a twenty-minute break and will return at approximately 2:25 pm PDT to begin Level 2.

Player Tags: Juha Helppi,   David Pham,   Erik Seidel,   Jason Young,   Brian Rast

Level 8 Hour 2 Update: Brad Garrett Eliminated

Jul 07, '09

Blinds: 400-800 with a 100 ante

Players Remaining: 740 out of 1476

Chip Counts:

1. Samer Rahman – 322,000
2. Greg Mueller – 250,000
3. Andy Black – 182,000
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

Average Chip Count Day 2A: 80,635

Notable Eliminations:

Jeff Williams
Brad Garrett

Big Hands:

Carlos Mortensen Out Kicked

Carlos Mortensen limped in from the cutoff and the button folded. The small blind called and the big blind checked. Three players saw a flop of A63 and both blinds checked to Mortensen. The former main event event champion bet 1,500 and the small blind called with 4-5 for an open ended straight draw. The big blind called with the A9 and Mortensen was trailing with the A77. The 3 hit the turn and both blinds checked once again. Mortensen quickly fired out a bet of 2,500 which was again quickly called by both blinds. The 3 fell on the river and Mortensen once again found action checked to him. He threw out a small bet of 3,500 which prompted the small blind to much his missed draw and the big blind called quickly. Mortensen found out the bad news after he exposed his A-7. Mortensen is down to 33,000.

Joe Awada Doubles Up Opponent

Joe Awada raised to 1,500 under the gun and action folded around to the small blind who went into the tank. With only 1,500 left in his stack, the small blind had just enough to make Awada’s call. He eventually called all in and tabled the J9 while Awada exposed the A7. The board ran out K649K and Awada’s opponent won with a pair of nines. Awada is down to 34,000.

Erik Seidel Doubles Up

Erik Seidel bet 8,000 after a flop of J82 and was called by an opponent. The Q hit the turn and Seidel moved all in. His opponent quickly called and tabled the KQ for top pair and flush draw. Seidel was ahead with his AA but needed to dodge many cards in order to double up. The 10 on the river was good news for Seidel as he doubled to 56,000.

Jim Bechtel Wins Another

Jim Bechtel checked on a board of 532 to his opponent on the button. The button threw out a bet of 7,000 and Bechtel called. The 3 hit the turn and the action went check-check. The K fell on the river and Bechtel checked for a third time. The button bet 10,000 and Bechtel thought about it briefly before making the call with the JJ, with no club. His opponent tabled the AQ and was no good as Bechtel picked off his bluff. Bechtel is now at 95,000.

Brad Garrett Eliminated

On a board of Q43A9 the cutoff bet 20,200 and Brad Garrett went into the tank in middle position. He went back and forth on his decision for a few minutes while a wall of people surrounded the table to watch his antics. He eventually made the all-in call and flipped over QJ. His opponent turned up Q9 amnd Garrett was eliminated from the tournament.

Left in the Deck

Before he was eliminated from the tournament Brad Garrett was making quite an impression during the evening’s play. The ESPN cameras were eating it up, and Garrett was able to produce a consistent line of chuckles from the players who were along for the ride with him at his table, including former world champion Berry Johnston. At one point, Garrett exclaimed, “Change the rhythm, everybody stand,” and his table played a hand standing up just to mix things up. His table is much quieter now and the ESPN cameras are no longer around after his absence.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Carlos Mortensen,   Joe Awada,   Brad Garrett,   Jim Bechtel

Level 6 Hour 2 Update: Erik Seidel Doubles, Barry Greenstein Doesn't

Jul 07, '09

Blinds: 250-500 with a 50 ante

Day 2A Field: 1,476

Chip Counts:

1. Samer Rahman – 235,000
2. Coba Cao – 175,000
3. Andy Black – 160,000
4. Redmond Lee – 160,000
5. Chris Ferguson – 145,000
6. Fabrice Soulier – 143,000
7. Jim Bookstaff – 137,000
8. Nick Maimone – 130,000
9. Tom Schneider – 125,000
10. Craig Hopkins – 121,000

CardPlayer Chip Counts:

Todd Brunson – 38,000
Ciaran O’Leary – 33,400
Mike Matusow – 28,000

Notable Eliminations:

Raymond Davis
Barry Greenstein
Mark Newhouse

Big Hands:

The Ladies Hooked By Seidel

The player under the gun raised preflop and the action was on Erik Seidel. He moved all in for around 12,000 and he was called by the player under the gun.

Seidel: JJ
Opponent: QQ

Seidel was dominated, but the flop changed that rather quickly as it fell K6J. Seidel had the set and the lead. The turn was the 2 and the river was the A and Seidel doubled up to 25,000.

The Real Amarillo Slim Standing Tall

Amarillo Slim Preston was involved in a hand with one opponent and the flop came down KJ10. Both players checked and the turn was the K. Preston raised to almost 10,000 after his opponent had led out for 2,800. The raise was called and the river was 2.

Both players checked and Preston showed 1010 for a flopped set of tens. His opponent mucked and Preston was around 80,000.

Robin Hood Sent Packing

Barry Greenstein moved in for his last 10,000 preflop and Eric Tomberlin made the call. Greenstein showed down JJ, but was dominated by Tomberlin’s KK.

The board ran out 106410Q and Greenstein was shown the door.

Grant Levy Scores The K.O.

Grant Levy called his opponent’s all in bet and turned over AK. His opponent tabled QQ and the race was on. The flop came J74, giving both players a club draw with Levy’s being superior. The turn was the 3 and Levy locked up the hand. The river was the meaningless 3 and Levy was at 70,000.

Tom Schneider Folds To Rockets

The player in seat 5 raised to 1,200 and Tom Schneider made the call from the button. The big blind also came along and they all saw a flop of 1044. The big blind checked and seat 5 bet 2,500. Schneider called and the big blind mucked. The turn was the Q and seat 5 led out with 6,000. Schneider called again just in time for the ESPN cameras to arrive.

The river was the 2 and seat 5 fired 11,000. Schneider thought about it and then mucked his hand. “Come on, show the bluff,” Pamela Brunson said. “The cameras are all here to see it,” Schneider added. Seat 5 obliged to showing his hand, but it was no bluff as he turned over AA. Schneider was at 125,000.

Brad Garrett Takes A Pot

A player raised to 1,300 and Brad Garrett made the call from middle position. The button also called and the small blind did the same. The four players saw a flop of Q73 and the small blind bet 2,400. The original raiser folded and Garrett made it 5,000 to go. The small blind was the only caller and the turn was the 9. The small blind checked to Garrett who fired out 5,000. The small blind mucked and Garrett was at 44,000.

Shaun Deeb In A Gamblin’ Mood

Vitaly Lunkin raised to 1,400 preflop and two players called. The action was then on Shaun Deeb on the button and he raised to 6,200. The big blind then moved all in for 25,000. The action folded around to Deeb and he made the call. He tabled KJ, trailing the big blind’s A10.

The flop then fell J76 and Deeb was out in front. The turn was the Q giving the big blind a straight draw, but the river was the Q and Deeb got the knockout. He was at 75,000.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Barry Greenstein,   Tom Schneider,   Brad Garrett,   Shaun Deeb,   Grant Levy,   Amarillo Slim

Level 4 Hour 2 Update: Soulier Doing Well

Jul 04, '09

Blinds: 150-300 with a 25 ante

Players Left: 720 of 873

Chip Counts:

1. Nick Maimone – 129,000
2. Vadim Gruzglin – 123,500
3. Jim Bookstaff – 119,000
4. Samer Rahman – 117,000
5. Craig Hopkins – 113,000
6. Jesse Rios – 112,000
7. Carlos Oliveira – 105,000
8. Fabrice Soulier – 99,000
9. Daniel Didech – 95,000
10. Karin Lehoussing – 87,000

Card Player Chip Counts:

Todd Brunson — 35,000
Mike Matusow — 18,000

Notable Eliminations:

Dustin Woolf

Big Hands

Davis Runs Into Aces, Then Vents

Raymond Davis raised to 1,000 from under the gun and the action folded around to the big blind. He made the call and the flop came down K73. Both players decided to check and the 10 fell on the turn. The big blind bet 2,000 and Davis came along for the ride. The river was the 2 and the big blind fired 6,000. Davis made the call again and the big blind showed AA. Davis mucked and he was down to 63,900.

A few hands later, Davis was in the big blind and facing a raise to 800 from seat 3. Davis made the call and the flop came down 5-3-2 and seat 3 bet 1,200. Davis immediately raised to 3,200 and seat 3 mucked. Davis then showed 10-7 for a bluff. “I don’t miss every flop, just most of them,” Davis said. “That was a bit of frustration man,” he explained to Hoyt Corkins on his right. “I’ve been getting robbed all day.” Davis was at 65,000 after that hand.

Greenstein Back To The Beginning

Barry Greenstein raised to 800 preflop from middle position and the player on the button made the call. The flop came down 1065 and Greenstein led out with 1,200. The button quickly mucked and Greenstein took the pot, getting his stack back to the original starting stack of 30,000.

Soulier Takes One Off Hansen

After a flop of 432, Fabrice Soulier bet 1,000 and a player called. Thor Hansen then raised to 2,000 and Soulier was the only one to call. The turn was the A and both players checked. They did the same after the 8 fell on the river.

Soulier then showed A7 and Hansen mucked his hand. Soulier raked in the pot and was around 90,000 while Hansen was down to 17,150.

Yeah, That Just Happened

Dustin Woolf raised to 1,000 from the cutoff and the button mucked. The small blind then moved all in for over 15,000 and Woolf made the call, putting himself all in. The small blind showed AK while Woolf showed AK.

This being the fourth of July, the fireworks were about to drop as the flop came K98, leaving Woolf praying for two black cards on the turn and river to chop the pot. But the turn was the 4, giving the small blind the nut flush and knocking Woolf out of the main event in dramatic fashion.

Seidel Drops Some Chips

On a flop of Q22, the small blind led out with 2,000 and Erik Seidel raised to 5,000. The small blind called and the turn was the 3. The small blind checked to Seidel who bet 7,500. The small blind called and the A fell on the river.

Action was checked to Seidel again and he bet 10,000. The small blind quickly called and showed AQ for top two pair. Seidel mucked his hand and was under 25,000.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Barry Greenstein,   Raymond Davis,   Fabrice Soulier,   Dustin Woolf

Level 3 Hour 2 Update: Not a Good Hour for the Brunson's

Jul 04, '09

Blinds: 150-300

Chip Counts:

1. Craig Hopkins – 131,000
2. Nick Maimone – 125,000
3. Jim Bookstaff – 118,000
4. Vadim Gruzglin – 118,000
5. Jesse Rios – 110,500
6. Ali Eslami – 90,000
7. Karin Lehoussing – 87,000
8. Jonathan Tare – 75,000
9. Sam Khouiss – 72,000
10. Dave D’Alesandro – 68,000

Card Player Chip Counts:

Todd Brunson — 41,000
Mike Matusow — 29,000

Notable Eliminations:

Doyle Brunson
Vicky Coren

Big Hands

Deeb Gets Revenge

A player under the gun opened the pot for 800 and was called by Shaun Deeb and the player in the big blind. They saw the flop three-handed and it came AJ4. The big blind checked, the original raiser bet 2,200 and Deeb raised to 5,250. The big blind, who was the the same player that doubled through Deeb earlier, flat called the 5250 and the original raiser got out of the way.

They were heads-up to the turn and the turn card was the 8. The big blind checked and Deeb moved all in for his last 16,000. The big blind called and showed A8, but was way behind Deeb’s AJ. The river bricked off and Deeb doubled up to about 50,000.

Helppi Doubles Up Through Brunson

There were several players that took a flop after a preflop raise. The flop came J22 and everybody checked over to the button, who bet 1,500. The small blind called, Todd Brunson called, and then Juha Helppi moved all in for his last 8,125.

The button tanked for a minute or so before finally giving up his hand. The small blind tossed in his cards quickly and then Brunson went into the tank. After asking the dealer to spread the pot as he did some mental math, he then cut out some chips and said “I guess you have a flush draw,” and tossed in the call.

Brunson was right as Helppi tabled A10 and Brunson showed QJ. The button moaned, claiming he had folded pocket queens, but was relieved when the A fell on the turn, giving Helppi the best hand. The river was the 5 and Brunson’s stack took a dent.

Doyle Brunson Eliminated

With the final board reading 9 7 3 4 A, cards were turned up and Doyle Brunson was getting up from the table. Brunson had flopped a set of threes and was eliminated when his opponent showed 5 6.

The room cheered out of respect as the 10 time bracelet winner was eliminated from the tournament, and his World Series is officially over.

Mortensen’s Stack Takes a Hit

After a preflop raise to 600, Carlos Mortensen and two other players called.

The flop was 94Q and everybody checked to the preflop raiser, who bet 1,200, which was called by everyone. The turn was the 10 and after the preflop raiser bet 2,000, Mortensen was the only caller.

The river was the 4 and Mortensen moved his opponent all in after he bet 4,100. His opponent snap called and showed QQ, good for a full house, and besting Mortensen’s A4.

This Is What Happens When You Don’t Respect Your Elders

Erik Seidel raised to 800 from middle position and action folded around to the big blind, where an older woman was residing. She made the call and the two players saw a flop of A43. The big blind checked and Seidel immediately fired 1,400. The woman called and the turn was the 6. The woman then led out with 3,050 and Seidel made a quick call.

The river was the A and the woman immediately fired 16,000 into the bought, producing a giggle from Seidel and a shake of the head. He spent a minute thinking over his decision and then mucked his hand. His stack was down to 54,000.

Eslami Near Six Figures

On a board reading KJ2810, the player in the hijack position fired 3,500. Ali Eslami then raised to 9,000 from the button. The player in the hijack then tabled Q9, thinking Eslami had just called. After the floor was called over, the player was issued a warning but given the option to call or fold. He called with his straight, but Eslami tabled AQ for the nut straight and he raked in the pot. Eslami was around 90,000 after the hand.

Vicky Coren Out In Heartbreaking Fashion

Vicky Coren moved her last 10,000 into the pot preflop and was called by one opponent. Coren tabled QQ and was in terrible shape against her opponents KK.

The flop was no help as it came 432. Coren then spiked the Q on the turn and was in great shape to double up. But the K fell on the river and just that quickly, Coren went from the penthouse to the outhouse as she was eliminated.

Big Hand For Slim, But Only a Small Pot

On a flop of K66, the small blind led out for 400 and Amarillo Slim called. The 3 fell on the turn and the small blind checked. Slim bet 500 and the small blind folded and claimed he had a king.

“You were drawing dead the whole way, lucky for you you didn’t catch another one,” said Slim as he flashed the 66, showing that he flopped quad sixes.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Todd Brunson,   Doyle Brunson,   Ali Eslami,   Vicky Coren,   Shaun Deeb

Level 1 - Hour 2 Update: Talal Shakerchi Wins Big Pot

Jul 04, '09

Blinds: 50-100

Chip Counts:

1. Dave D’Alesandro — 64,000
2. Jeremiah Smith — 63,000
3. Angelo Ricci — 62,000
4. Talal Shakerchi – 60,000
5. Sam Khouiss — 52,000
6. Allan Vrooman — 40,000
7. Carlos Mortensen — 39,000
8. Juha Helppi – 37,000
9. Kara Scott — 33,600
10. Eddie Sabat — 32,000

Card Player Chip Counts:

Stephen Murphy – 29,250
Todd Brunson — 26,100
Mike Matusow — 26,000

Notable Eliminations:

None

Big Hands

David Pham vs. Jason Young

With just about 1,000 already in the pot, David Pham bets 600 on an AK9 flop, Jason Young calls. The turn is the 9, and this time Pham bets 1,200, Young calls. The river is the J, Pham bets 3,000 and Young calls. Pham shows AK for top two pair while Jason Young flashes the A as he tosses his cards into the muck. “The Dragon” is up to 35,000 in chips after this hand.

Juha Helppi Adds to Stack

On a board of J532, a player bet 2,500 into Juha Helppi. Helppi went into the tank and threw out a raise to 7,500. Helppi’s opponent went into the tank as well and eventually made the fold. Helppi asked, “did you fold kings?” Helppi is at 37,000.

Talal Shakerchi Wins Big Pot

On a board of K4JK, Talal Shakerchi bet 2,500 and his opponent min-raised to 5,000. Shakerchi deliberated momentarily before making the call. The river brought the 8 and Shakerchi bet 4,000 into the large pot. His opponent reraised to 10,000 and Shakerchi made the quick call. He tabled the JJ for jacks full while his opponent turned over the KQ for trip kings. Shakerchi is up to 60,000.

Brian ‘tsarrast’ Rast and Erik Seidel Tangle

With what might be perhaps the toughest combination of two players sitting right next to each other in the field over over 1,000 players, Erik Seidel had the button against Brian Rast’s small blind. Seidel threw out a raise from the button and Rast called. The board ran out 8455A and Seidel bet 600 on the end. Rast contemplated briefly before calling. Seidel turned over the A8 for top two. Rast Mucked. Seidel is at 30,500.

Left in the Deck

Players are on a twenty-minute break and will return at approximately 2:25 pm PDT to begin Level 2.

Player Tags: Juha Helppi,   David Pham,   Erik Seidel,   Jason Young,   Brian Rast

Final Table Update: Seidel 8th ($162,382), Giang 7th ($184,087)

Jun 30, '09

Flop Games: Blinds — 25,000-50,000 Limits — 50,000-100,000
Stud Games: Ante – 10,000, Bring-In – 15,000, Completion – 50,000, Limits – 50,000-100,000

Players Remaining: 8 out of 95

Chip Counts:

1. Erik Sagstrom — 3,850,000
2. Vitaly Lunkin — 3,260,000
3. John Hanson — 1,500,000
4. David Bach — 1,895,000
5. Ville Wahlbeck — 1,800,000
6. Huck Seed — 1,195,000

Average Chip Count: 2,375,000

Notable Eliminations:

8. Erik Seidel — $162,382
7. Chau Giang — $184,087

Big Hands:

STUD/8

Erik Seidel Eliminated in 8th Place ($162,382)

Vitaly Lunkin brings it in with the 3 and both Erik Seidel and David Bach call.

Lunkin: X-X-3AJ7
Bach: X-X-8Q65
Seidel: X-X-J938

Lunin bets out on fourth street and both opponents call. Bach bets out on both fifth and sixth streets and gets two callers. Bach bets out again on seventh street, Seidel calls, Lunkin raises, Bach calls the raise and Seidel calls all in.

Lunkin turns over 432 for a seven-low while Bach showed 1088 for trip eights. Bach and Lunkin split the pot and Erik Seidel is eliminated in 8th place ($162,382).

HOLD’EM

Chau Giang Eliminated in 7th Place ($184,087)

Chau Giang raises before the flop, Erik Sagstrom three-bets and Giang calls.

The flop comes AQ5, Sagstrom bets, Giang raises, Sagstrom three-bets, and Giang four-bets all in.

Giang: Q9
Sagstrom: AQ

Giang flops middle pair while Sagstrom flops top two pair.

The turn and river are the 10and the 4, no help to Giang who is eliminated in 7th place ($184,047).

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   David Bach,   Chau Giang,   Erik Sagstrom,   Vitaly Lunkin

Final Table Update: Sagstrom Still Leads

Jun 30, '09

Flop Games: Blinds — 20,000-40,000 Limits — 40,000-80,000
Stud Games: Ante – 10,000, Bring-In – 10,000, Completion – 40,000, Limits – 40,000-80,000

Players Remaining: 8 out of 95

Chip Counts:

1. Erik Sagstrom — 3,685,000
2. Vitaly Lunkin — 2,440,000
3. David Bach — 2,255,000
4. Huck Seed — 1,500,000
5. John Hanson — 1,500,000
6. Chau Giang — 1,045,000
7. Erik Seidel — 915,000
8. Ville Wahlbeck — 900000

Average Chip Count: 1,781,250

Notable Eliminations:

Big Hands:

RAZZ

John Hanson Takes Down Big, Multi-Way Pot

Chau Giang opened with a K, John Hanson completed the bet with a 5, Huck Seed calls with an 8, Vitaly Lunkin raises with a 6, Hanson three-bets, Giang folds and both Seed and Lunkin call.

Giang: X-X-K
Hanson: X-X-5-K-2-7
Seed: X-X-8-Q-4-8
Lunkin: 6-A-J-9

Lunkin bets out on fourth street and both opponents call. Hanson leads out on fifth street and both opponents call. Hanson bets out again on sixth street and this time both opponents fold. Hanson rakes the pot.

STUD

Seidel Wins Big Stud Hand

Huck Seed brings it in with the 3, Vitaly Lunkin calls with the J, David Bach completes the bet with the Q, Erik Seidel raise with the K and Seed and Bach both call as Lunkin folds.

Seed: X-X-3J87
Lunkin: X-X-J
Bach: QK
Seidel: K467

Seidel leads out on fourth street and Seed raises. Bach folds and Seidel calls. Seidel leads out again on both fifth and sixth streets, Seed calls each time. Both players check the river and Seidel turns over the K for a pair of kings. Seed mucks and Seidel rakes the pot.

Left in the Deck

Players took an unscheduled ten-minute break at 3:40pm PDT.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Huck Seed,   David Bach,   Chau Giang,   John Hanson,   Vitaly Lunkin

Level 18 Update: John Kabbaj, Steve Billirakis Eliminated

Jun 29, '09

Flop Games: Blinds – 13,000-25,000, Limits – 25,000-50,000
Stud Games: Ante — 5,000, Bring-In — 7,000, Completion — 25,000, Limits — 25,000-50,000

Players Remaining: 14 out of 95

Chip Counts:

1. Vitaly Lunkin – 2,050,000
2. Erik Sagstrom – 2,000,000
3. David Bach – 1,570,000
4. Ville Wahlbeck – 1,420,000
5. Huck Seed – 1,300,000
6. John Hanson – 1,100,000
7. Gus Hansen – 1,080,000
8. Erik Seidel – 975,000
9. Ray Dehkharghani – 960,000
10. David Chiu – 630,000

Average Chip Count: 950,000

Eliminations:

16. John Kabbaj – $72,914
15. Steve Billirakis – $72,914

Big Hands:

HOLD’EM

Gus Hansen Builds Chip Stack

Ville Wahlbeck raised and Gus Hansen reraised from the cutoff. Wahlbeck made the call. The flop came 1098 and Wahlbeck checked. Hansen bet and Wahlbeck made the call. The Q hit the turn turn, and once again Wahlbeck checked. Hansen bet again and Wahlbeck quickly called. The Q fell on the river. The action went like it had before, with Wahlbeck check-calling a bet from Hansen. Hansen exposed the J10 for a straight and Wahlbeck mucked. Hansen was at 1,480,000 after the hand.

A few hands later, Gus Hansen and Tony Guoga were tangled up in a hand. Tony G raised in late position and Hansen defended from the big blind. The flop came QJ10 and Hansen bet out. Tony G made the quick call and the river brought the A. Hansen opted to check this time and Tony G made a bet. Hansen called and the 7 fell on the river. Both players checked and Tony G tabled the KK while Hansen exposed his rags of J2, to win with a baby flush. Hansen was looking strong with 1,560,000 after the hand but dropped a few hands before the break and currently sits with 1,080,000. Tony G is down to just 280,000.

Steve Billirakis Eliminated in 15th Place ($72,914)

On a board of A977A, Steve Billirakis put the last of his chips into the middle and was snap called by Vitaly Lunkin. Lunkin exposed A9 for aces full and Billirakis mucked the A10 for trips. Lunkin is now over two million, sitting with 2,050,000 in chips.

RAZZ

John Kabbaj Eliminated in 16th Place ($72,914)

Erik Seidel bet on the end and John Kabbaj raised all in. Seidel thought about it briefly before making the call.

Their cards:

Seidel: 4X-3X-7X-9X-(AX-2X-4X)
Kabbaj: 5X-5X-3X-QX-(2X-7X-?X)

When Seidel called and exposed his hand for a 7-4 low. Kabbaj looked at his cards for a few moments before mucking. Seidel is up to 830,000.

Left in the Deck:

The remaining players are on a 20 minute dinner break.

Player Tags: Antanas Guoga,   Erik Seidel,   Gus Hansen,   Ville Wahlbeck,   Steve Billirakis,   John Kabbaj,   Vitaly Lunkin

Level 16 Update: Defending Champ Nguyen Eliminated

Jun 29, '09

Flop Games: Blinds – 9,000-18,000, Limits – 18,000-36,000
Stud Games: Ante — 4,000, Bring-In — 5,000, Completion — 18,000, Limits — 18,000-36,000

Players Remaining: 20 out of 95

Chip Counts:

1. Vitaly Lunkin – 1,527,000
2. Erik Sagstrom – 1,315,000
3. Freddy Deeb – 1,300,000
4. David Bach – 1,265,000
5. Ville Wahlbeck – 842,000
6. John Hanson – 815,000
7. Gus Hansen – 801,000
8. Mike Wattel – 779,000
9. John Kabbaj – 678,000
10. Huck Seed – 672,000

Average Chip Count: 750,000

Notable Eliminations:

John Hennigan
Scotty Nguyen
Bill Chen
Mikhail Tulchinskiy
Matt Glantz
Thor Hansen

Big Hands:

Hold’em

The World Needs A Hero

David Bach raised to 36,000 preflop and Freddy Deeb made the call. The flop came down J96 and Bach bet 18,000. Deeb raised to 36,000 and Bach called. The turn was the 7 and Bach check-called a 36,000 bet from Deeb. The river brought the 7 and Bach check-called another bet of 36,000 from Deeb.

Deeb showed down KQ for a whole lot of nothing and Bach showed 55 for the best hand. Bach made two hero calls and was rewarded with the pot, improving his stack to 600,000.

Omaha/8

The End Of The World As We Know It

David Bach raised to 36,000 from the cutoff and the action was on John Hennigan in the small blind. He three-bet to 54,000 and action was back on Bach after the big blind folded. Bach added another bet to 72,000 and Hennigan called. The flop then came down J82 and Hennigan checked. Bach fired 18,000 and Hennigan made the call. Both players checked the 7 on the turn and Hennigan fired 36,000 on the K river.

Bach made the call and Hennigan tabled AJ82 for two pair. Bach then turned over AK102 for a better two pair and Hennigan was left crippled with just 43,000 in chips. A few hands later, Hennigan would be eliminated by Mike Wattel’s nut flush.

And The New $50,000 H.O.R.S.E Champion Is…

Scotty Nguyen made his last stand just before day 3 came to an end. He was all in for his last 28,000 preflop against Frank Kassela. Here is how their boards looked.

Nguyen: AQ76
Kassela: QQ107

Board: 5225J

The flop gave Nguyen four cards to a low but the following two streets did refused to help the defending champion and he was eliminated.

Razz

Bill Chen Fades Away

Bill Chen was short on chips and found himself at risk on third street against Ray Dehkharghani. Here is how their boards ran out.

Chen: (A-8)9-10-K-5(8)
Dehkharghani: (J-5)7-3-10-7-(6)

Chen was only able to make a king-low and Dehkharghani made a 10-low to knock Chen out just a few spots shy of the money. Dehkharghani took the pot and was at 400,000 after the knockout.

Stud High

The Fall Of Thor

Steve Billirakis completed to 18,000 and Thor Hansen raised to 36,000. Billirakis made the call and here is how their boards looked heading into fourth street.

Billirakis: X-X-QA
Hansen: X-X-92

Billirakis led out with 18,000 and Hansen raised to 36,000. Billirakis made the call.

Billirakis: X-X-QA10
Hansen: X-X-926

Billirakis bet 36,000 and Hansen raised all in. Billirakis made the call and turned over (1010) from his hole cards for a set. Hansen showed (AA) for cracked aces. Billirakis’ board finished out 5(8x) and Hansen needed an ace on the final two streets to stay alive. He received a 3 on sixth and looked down at his river card to try and pull out a miracle. Instead, he threw it in the muck and Billirakis took the pot, eliminating Hansen.

Stud/8

Lunkin Steps On Seed

Huck Seed, Vitaly Lunkin and Frank Kassela were each involved in a hand. Kassela brought in for 5,000 and Seed completed to 18,000. Kassela and Lunkin both called. Here is how their boards looked entering fourth street.

Seed: X-X-84
Lunkin: X-X-25
Kassela: X-X-29

Action was checked to Seed who fired 18,000. Both opponents called.

Seed: X-X-84J
Lunkin: X-X-252
Kassela: X-X-29J

Action was checked to Seed again and he fired 36,000. Lunkin made the call but Kassela had enough and mucked.

Seed: X-X-84JK
Lunkin: X-X-2525

Lunkin made two pair on sixth street and led out with 36,000. Seed made the call. The river was dealt and both players checked. Lunkin then tabled (8610), nothing to add to his two pair on the board. Seed could not beat it however and mucked. Lunkin was at 980,000 while Seed was at 655,000.

Matt Glantz Busts

Picking up the action on fourth street, Steve Billirakis, David Chiu and Matt Glantz were involved in a hand.

Billirakis: X-X-A7
Chiu: X-X-QK
Glantz: X-X-23

Billirakis bet 18,000 and both opponents called.

Billirakis: X-X-A7Q
Chiu: X-X-QK7
Glantz: X-X-239

Billirakis bet 36,000 and Chiu called. Glantz called the remainder of his stack and he was all in.

Billirakis: X-X-A7QA
Chiu: X-X-QK78
Glantz: X-X-239Q

Billirakis bet 36,000 and Chiu called. The river was dealt and Billirakis checked. Chiu fired 36,000 and Billirakis let his hand go. Chiu then tabled (A58) for the nut flush and Glantz mucked his hand and exited the tournament area.

Seidel’s Yacht Sinks Tulchinskiy In His Rowboat

Mikhail Tulchinskiy found himself all in against Erik Seidel. Here is how their boards ran out.

Tulchinskiy: (33)432K(K)
Seidel: (88)8645(6)

Seidel was rolled up with three eights but Tulchinskiy got something to fight back with when he received a third three on fourth street. They drew blanks until the river where Tulchinskiy scored a full boat. Unfortunately, Seidel also hit a boat and his was bigger. Tulchinskiy got up and made his exit from the tournament.

Player Tags: Thor Hansen,   Frank Kassela,   Erik Seidel,   Huck Seed,   David Bach,   John Hennigan,   David Chiu,   Ray Dehkharghani,   Steve Billirakis,   Freddy Deeb,   Vitaly Lunkin

Level 15 Update: Patrik Antonius, Scott Clements Eliminated

Jun 28, '09

Flop Games: Blinds – 8,000-15,000, Limits – 15,000-30,000
Stud Games: Ante — 3,000, Bring-In — 5,000, Completion — 15,000, Limits — 15,000-30,000

Players Remaining: 26 out of 95

Chip Counts:

1. Erik Sagstrom – 1,300,000
2. Freddy Deeb – 1,200,000
3. Vitaly Lunkin – 970,000
4. David Bach – 960,000
5. Ville Wahlbeck – 955,000
6. John Hanson – 800,000
7. Brett Richey – 770,000
8. Gus Hansen – 730,000
9. Huck Seed – 690,000
10. Chau Giang – 620,000

Average Chip Count: 548,076

Notable Eliminations:

Patrik Antonius
Scott Clements
Hasan Habib
John Monnette
Matt Hawrilenko

Big Hands:

Hold’em

Clements Scores A Double Double…

Hasan Habib raised to 60,000 preflop and the action was on Scott Clements. He reraised all in and Habib made the call.

Habib: 99
Clements: 88

Board: KQ810A

Clements started in bad shape but flopped a set and never looked back, doubling to 120,000.

A few hands later, he and Thor Hansen tangled resulting in Clements’ chips ending up in the middle again. Clements had AK while Hansen held 1010. The flop was harmless for Hansen as it came 887. The turn was another blank in the J, but the river was the K and Clements doubled again to 240,000.

Omaha/8

The Seed Grows A Little More

Gus Hansen raised to 60,000 from the button and Huck Seed called from the small blind. Erik Seidel called from the big blind and the players saw a flop of 1072 and Seed checked. Seidel bet 30,000 and Hansen raised to 60,000. Seed and Seidel both called and the Q fell on the turn. Everyone checked and it was the same story for the 2 on the river.

Seed then turned over AQ33 for top pair and the pot. He was up to 250,000.

Razz

Deeb Doesn’t Believe In Hawrilenko

Freddy Deeb and Matt Hawrilenko tangled in a hand and the pot had a lot of chips in it by seventh street. Here were their boards.

Hawrilenko: X-X-2-7-A-J
Deeb: X-X-2-10-6-6

Hawrilenko fired 30,000 into the pot an Deeb thought for a while. He decided to look up his opponent and Hawrilenko turned over (A-A-3) for a jack-low. Deeb turned over 3-7-10) for a 10-low and he took down a nice pot. He was up to 650,000 while Hawrilenko was at 175,000.

The Tournament Just Got A Little Less Attractive

Patrik Antonius just busted after getting involved in a hand with Erik Seidel and Gus Hansen.

Antonius: X-X-5
Hansen: X-X-6
Seidel: X-X-5

Hansen completed to 15,000 and Antonius moved his last 24,000 into the pot. Seidel and Hansen both called.

Antonius: X-X-5-4
Hansen: X-X-6-2
Seidel: X-X-5-A

Seidel bet 30,000 and Hansen made the call.

Antonius: X-X-5-4-Q
Hansen: X-X-6-2-4
Seidel: X-X-5-A-10

Hansen was first to act now and he bet 60,000. Seidel made the call.

Antonius: X-X-5-4-Q-K
Hansen: X-X-6-2-4-6
Seidel: X-X-5-A-10-4

Seidel bet 60,000 after Hansen paired on sixth street. Hansen made the call. The river was dealt and Seidel bet again. Hansen finally mucked and Seidel showed (2-3-7) for the wheel. Antonius mucked and he was eliminated.

Stud High

…But Mr. Clements Still Goes Bust

Scott Clements managed to double up twice early in the level but the chips didn’t last long as he found himself all in against John Hanson. Here is how their boards ran out.

Clements: (K5)39A10(K)
Hanson: (QJ)QJ42(5)

Clements started with three diamonds and was given another one on fourth street. Hanson had two pair by fourth street and Clements needed just one diamond to hit his flush on the next three streets. But Clements saw nothing but black cards for the remainder of the hand and he was eliminated.

Stud/8

Wahlbeck Flushes Scotty Baby

Scotty Nguyen and Ville Wahlbeck tangled in a hand. Nguyen completed to 15,000 and Wahlbeck made the call. Here is how their boards looked heading into fourth street.

Nguyen: X-X-AK
Wahlbeck: X-X-73

Nguyen bet 30,000 and Wahlbeck made the call.

Nguyen: X-X-AK2
Wahlbeck: X-X-73J

Nguyen bet 60,000 and Wahlbeck called.

Nguyen: X-X-AK2K
Wahlbeck: X-X-73J3

Nguyen bet another 60,000 and Wahlbeck made the call. The river was dealt and Nguyen checked to his Finnish opponent. Wahlbeck then bet 60,000 and Nguyen called. Wahlbeck turned over (A85) for the nut flush and an 8-7 low. Nguyen mucked and Wahlbeck scooped the pot, improving to 950,000 while Nguyen was at 167,000.

Player Tags: Thor Hansen,   Erik Seidel,   Hasan Habib,   Huck Seed,   Gus Hansen,   Patrik Antonius,   Scott Clements,   Matt Hawrilenko,   Freddy Deeb

Level 4 Update: Brunson Loses Some Chips

Jun 26, '09

Flop Games: 800-1,500
Stud Games: Ante — 400, Bring-In — 500, Completion — 1,800, Limits — 1,800-3,600

Players Remaining: 95 out of 95

Chip Counts:

1. Martin Vallo – 290,000
2. Justin Smith – 251,000
3. David Bach – 235,000
4. Steve Billirakis – 223,000
5. Bill Chen – 210,000
6. James Van Alstyne – 206,000
7. David Benyamine – 199,000
8. Andy Black – 198,000
9. Chad Brown – 196,000
10. Jeff Lisandro – 188,000

Big Hands:

Hold’em

Seidel’s River Bet Forces a Fold From Pezzin

Erik Seidel raised from early position and was called by Pat Pezzin in the big blind. They took the flop heads up and it came J52. Pezzin checked and called 1500 from Seidel and they see a turn.

The turn was the 8 and Pezzin checks and calls again to Seidel’s bet. The river was a 10 and Pezzin checked one more time. Seidel fired one last bullet of 3000 and Pezzin quickly mucked his hand and the dealer pushed the pot Seidel’s way.

Omaha/8

Justin Smith Scoops Big Multi-way Pot

Five players invested four bets a piece preflop and the flop was KK4. Both blinds check and Justin “BoostedJ” Smith bets 1500, which is called by Gabe Kaplan and Hasaan Habib. The turn was the Q and the same action took place, this time with a bet of 3000.

The river was the 4 Smith fires one last 3000 shell. Kaplan thought for a bit and folded before Habib made the call. Smith tabled KJ109, giving him three kings, and Habib mucked his hand.

Razz

Juanda Drops A Pot To Smith

Picking up the action on third street, John Juanda and Justin Smith tangled up in a hand.

Juanda: X-X-5
Smith: X-X-3

John Juanda completed to 1,500 and action folded around to Smith. He raised to 3,000 and Juanda made the call.

Juanda: X-X-58
Smith: X-X-38

Smith bet another 1,500 and Juanda made the call.

Juanda: X-X-58Q
Smith: X-X-387

Smith fired 3,000 into the pot and Juanda got out of the way. Smith raked in the pot and was around 240,000 while Juanda was at 128,000.

Stud/8

Brunson Has His Chips Chopped Up

Picking up the action on third street, Doyle Brunson, Vitaly Lunkin and seat 3 were involved in a hand.

Brunson: X-X-5
Lunkin: X-X-6
Seat 3: X-X-2

Brunson completed to 1,500 and Lunkin called. Seat 3 raised to 3,000 and both Brunson and Lunkin called.

Brunson: X-X-5K
Lunkin: X-X-64
Seat 3: X-X-2K

Seat 3 bet 1,500 and both opponents called.

Brunson: X-X-5K3
Lunkin: X-X-645
Seat 3: X-X-2K4

Lunkin was the aggressor on fifth street, leading out with 3,000. Both opponents called.

Brunson: X-X-5K3A
Lunkin: X-X-6456
Seat 3: X-X-2K47

Lunkin bet another 3,000 and both of his opponents called. The river was dealt and Lunkin bet 3,000. Seat 3 called and Brunson looked down at his hole cards. He was disgusted and threw his hand into the muck. He then slammed the table with his hand. Lunkin showed (Q75) for a spade flush. Seat 3 showed (A32) for a 7-low and they chopped up the pot that had many chips from Brunson. Lunkin was at 107,000 while Brunson was at 135,000.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   John Juanda,   Hasan Habib,   Doyle Brunson,   Gabe Kaplan,   Pat Pezzin,   Vitaly Lunkin,   Justin Smith

Level 1 Update: Harman Chipping Up

Jun 26, '09

Flop Games: 400-800
Stud Games: Ante — 200, Bring-In — 200, Bring In — 800, Stakes — 800-1,600

Entrants: 78

Starting Stack: 150,000

Big Hands:

Hold’em

Brunson Takes A Nice Pot Off Bach

Todd Brunson, John Hanson and David Bach were in for 1,600 each preflop. The flop then came down AJ6 and Brunson led out with 800. Bach made the call and Hanson mucked. The turn was then the 7 and both players checked. The river brought the 9 and Brunson checked again. Bach fired 1,600 into the pot and Brunson sprung the trap, raising to 3,200. Bach made the call and Brunson announced “Jacks up.” He showed J9 and Bach mucked, giving Brunson a nice pot in the early going getting him to 160,000.

Zeidman Check-Raises Turn, Takes Pot

Cory Zeidman takes a flop with Abe Mosseri heads up and it fell KJ2 and Zeidman checked and called a bet from Mosseri. The turn was the J and Zeidman checked again.

Mosseri bet again, but was met with a raise from Zeidman. Mosseri mucked pretty quickly and Zeidman showed the A7, having flopped the nut flush.

Omaha/8

Harman Gets It Going

Jennifer Harman raised to 1,600 preflop and Scott Clements made the call from the small blind. The big blind also tagged along and the three players saw a flop of Q99. Clements checked and the big blind fired 800. Harman made the call and Clements mucked.

The turn was the A and the action was checked to Harman. She bet 1,600 and the big blind called. The river was the 9 and both players checked. Harman then showed AK53 for a full house and the big blind mucked, giving Harman an early pot. She was around 160,000.

Ralph Perry Chops It Up

Ralph Perry raised to 1,600 from middle position and the big blind made the call. The flop came 844 and Perry bet 800. The big blind called and the turn brought the 10. Perry bet 1,600 and was called again.The river was the 5 and the big blind led out this time for 1,600. Perry raised to 3,200 and the big blind called.

Perry showed A2Q10 for the nut low and his opponent showed a flush. They chopped it up and Perry was still around his starting stack. He pulled a CardPlayer.com reporter aside and asked to give a shout out to his son Sean Perry. There you go Sean, greetings from the Rio courtesy of your dad.

Clements Takes 3/4 of the Pot

Scott Clements raised from the cutoff and was called by the player on the button. They took the flop heads up and it fell 326. Clements bet and was called. The turn was the 4 and Clements checked and called a bet from his opponent.

The river was the 4 and Clements bet and was called by his opponent. Clements tabled A4107, good for trip fours and a 6432A low, and his opponent showed the A678, good for a pair of sixes and the same low as Clements, giving Clements 3/4 of the pot.

Razz

Seidel Takes It On Seventh

Erik Seidel: X-X-39
Seat 2: X-X-6A

The player in seat 2 bet out 800 into the pot and Erik Seidel made the call.

Erik Seidel: X-X-396
Seat 2: X-X-6A10

Seidel bet 1,600 and his opponent made the call.

Erik Seidel: X-X-3964
Seat 2: X-X-6A107

Seidel bet another 1,600 and seat 2 called. After the river was dealt, Seidel fired another 1,600 and his opponent finally mucked. Seidel took the pot and was around 158,000.

Schulman Defends Bring-in, Wins Pot off Van Alstyne

Nick Schulman was the bring-in bet with the J and James Van Alstyne completed the bet showing the 2.

Nick Schulman: X-X-J-6
James Van Alstyne: X-X-2-6

On fourth street, Van Alstyne bet and Schulman made the call. On fifth street, the boards looked like this.

Nick Schulman: X-X-J-49
James Van Alstyne: X-X-4-6-J

Van Alstyne bet again and Schulman stuck around to see sixth street.

Schulman: X-X-J-4-9-6
Van Alstyne: X-X-2-6-J-10

Schulman now bets out and Van Alstyne folds, taking the pot.

Stud High

The Rolled Up Mouth

On fith street, Cory Zeidman and Mike Matusow were locked up in a hand. Their boards looked like this.

Zeidman: X-X-K-5-3
Matusow: X-X-J-6-7

Zeidman bet out and was quickly raised by Matusow. Zeidman tossed in a call and they saw 6th street.

Zeidman: X-X-K-5-3-K
Matusow: X-X-J-6-7-8

The same action took place as Zeidman bet again and was raised again, and he decided to call again. They saw the river card face down and Zeidman decided to check. Matusow bet and was called. Matusow showed the J-J-6 as his down cards, good for jacks full of sixes.

“I was rolled up,” said Matusow as he raked the pot.

Stud/8

Zolotow Just Manages A Chop

Steve Zolotow: X-X-47
Pat Bueno: X-X-7K

Zolotow bet 800 into his opponent and Bueno made the call.

Steve Zolotow: X-X-475
Pat Bueno: X-X-7K9

Zolotow bet 1,600 and Bueno made the call.

Steve Zolotow: X-X-4754
Pat Bueno: X-X-7K93

Zolotow bet 1,600 and Bueno popped it to 3,200. Zolotow made the call. After the river was dealt, Zolotow checked to Bueno and he bet 1,600. Zolotow called and Bueno turned over (A86) for the nut flush and an 8-7-6 low. Zolotow showed (873) for an 8-7-5 low and just enough to chop the pot. Zolotow was at 160,000 while Bueno was at 165,000.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Todd Brunson,   Steve Zolotow,   Mike Matusow,   David Bach,   Jennifer Harman,   Cory Zeidman,   Scott Clements,   Patrick Bueno,   John Hanson,   Nick Schulman

Final Table Update: Seidel 8th ($162,382), Giang 7th ($184,087)

Jun 30, '09

Flop Games: Blinds — 25,000-50,000 Limits — 50,000-100,000
Stud Games: Ante – 10,000, Bring-In – 15,000, Completion – 50,000, Limits – 50,000-100,000

Players Remaining: 8 out of 95

Chip Counts:

1. Erik Sagstrom — 3,850,000
2. Vitaly Lunkin — 3,260,000
3. John Hanson — 1,500,000
4. David Bach — 1,895,000
5. Ville Wahlbeck — 1,800,000
6. Huck Seed — 1,195,000

Average Chip Count: 2,375,000

Notable Eliminations:

8. Erik Seidel — $162,382
7. Chau Giang — $184,087

Big Hands:

STUD/8

Erik Seidel Eliminated in 8th Place ($162,382)

Vitaly Lunkin brings it in with the 3 and both Erik Seidel and David Bach call.

Lunkin: X-X-3AJ7
Bach: X-X-8Q65
Seidel: X-X-J938

Lunin bets out on fourth street and both opponents call. Bach bets out on both fifth and sixth streets and gets two callers. Bach bets out again on seventh street, Seidel calls, Lunkin raises, Bach calls the raise and Seidel calls all in.

Lunkin turns over 432 for a seven-low while Bach showed 1088 for trip eights. Bach and Lunkin split the pot and Erik Seidel is eliminated in 8th place ($162,382).

HOLD’EM

Chau Giang Eliminated in 7th Place ($184,087)

Chau Giang raises before the flop, Erik Sagstrom three-bets and Giang calls.

The flop comes AQ5, Sagstrom bets, Giang raises, Sagstrom three-bets, and Giang four-bets all in.

Giang: Q9
Sagstrom: AQ

Giang flops middle pair while Sagstrom flops top two pair.

The turn and river are the 10and the 4, no help to Giang who is eliminated in 7th place ($184,047).

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   David Bach,   Chau Giang,   Erik Sagstrom,   Vitaly Lunkin

Final Table Update: Sagstrom Still Leads

Jun 30, '09

Flop Games: Blinds — 20,000-40,000 Limits — 40,000-80,000
Stud Games: Ante – 10,000, Bring-In – 10,000, Completion – 40,000, Limits – 40,000-80,000

Players Remaining: 8 out of 95

Chip Counts:

1. Erik Sagstrom — 3,685,000
2. Vitaly Lunkin — 2,440,000
3. David Bach — 2,255,000
4. Huck Seed — 1,500,000
5. John Hanson — 1,500,000
6. Chau Giang — 1,045,000
7. Erik Seidel — 915,000
8. Ville Wahlbeck — 900000

Average Chip Count: 1,781,250

Notable Eliminations:

Big Hands:

RAZZ

John Hanson Takes Down Big, Multi-Way Pot

Chau Giang opened with a K, John Hanson completed the bet with a 5, Huck Seed calls with an 8, Vitaly Lunkin raises with a 6, Hanson three-bets, Giang folds and both Seed and Lunkin call.

Giang: X-X-K
Hanson: X-X-5-K-2-7
Seed: X-X-8-Q-4-8
Lunkin: 6-A-J-9

Lunkin bets out on fourth street and both opponents call. Hanson leads out on fifth street and both opponents call. Hanson bets out again on sixth street and this time both opponents fold. Hanson rakes the pot.

STUD

Seidel Wins Big Stud Hand

Huck Seed brings it in with the 3, Vitaly Lunkin calls with the J, David Bach completes the bet with the Q, Erik Seidel raise with the K and Seed and Bach both call as Lunkin folds.

Seed: X-X-3J87
Lunkin: X-X-J
Bach: QK
Seidel: K467

Seidel leads out on fourth street and Seed raises. Bach folds and Seidel calls. Seidel leads out again on both fifth and sixth streets, Seed calls each time. Both players check the river and Seidel turns over the K for a pair of kings. Seed mucks and Seidel rakes the pot.

Left in the Deck

Players took an unscheduled ten-minute break at 3:40pm PDT.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Huck Seed,   David Bach,   Chau Giang,   John Hanson,   Vitaly Lunkin

Level 18 Update: John Kabbaj, Steve Billirakis Eliminated

Jun 29, '09

Flop Games: Blinds – 13,000-25,000, Limits – 25,000-50,000
Stud Games: Ante — 5,000, Bring-In — 7,000, Completion — 25,000, Limits — 25,000-50,000

Players Remaining: 14 out of 95

Chip Counts:

1. Vitaly Lunkin – 2,050,000
2. Erik Sagstrom – 2,000,000
3. David Bach – 1,570,000
4. Ville Wahlbeck – 1,420,000
5. Huck Seed – 1,300,000
6. John Hanson – 1,100,000
7. Gus Hansen – 1,080,000
8. Erik Seidel – 975,000
9. Ray Dehkharghani – 960,000
10. David Chiu – 630,000

Average Chip Count: 950,000

Eliminations:

16. John Kabbaj – $72,914
15. Steve Billirakis – $72,914

Big Hands:

HOLD’EM

Gus Hansen Builds Chip Stack

Ville Wahlbeck raised and Gus Hansen reraised from the cutoff. Wahlbeck made the call. The flop came 1098 and Wahlbeck checked. Hansen bet and Wahlbeck made the call. The Q hit the turn turn, and once again Wahlbeck checked. Hansen bet again and Wahlbeck quickly called. The Q fell on the river. The action went like it had before, with Wahlbeck check-calling a bet from Hansen. Hansen exposed the J10 for a straight and Wahlbeck mucked. Hansen was at 1,480,000 after the hand.

A few hands later, Gus Hansen and Tony Guoga were tangled up in a hand. Tony G raised in late position and Hansen defended from the big blind. The flop came QJ10 and Hansen bet out. Tony G made the quick call and the river brought the A. Hansen opted to check this time and Tony G made a bet. Hansen called and the 7 fell on the river. Both players checked and Tony G tabled the KK while Hansen exposed his rags of J2, to win with a baby flush. Hansen was looking strong with 1,560,000 after the hand but dropped a few hands before the break and currently sits with 1,080,000. Tony G is down to just 280,000.

Steve Billirakis Eliminated in 15th Place ($72,914)

On a board of A977A, Steve Billirakis put the last of his chips into the middle and was snap called by Vitaly Lunkin. Lunkin exposed A9 for aces full and Billirakis mucked the A10 for trips. Lunkin is now over two million, sitting with 2,050,000 in chips.

RAZZ

John Kabbaj Eliminated in 16th Place ($72,914)

Erik Seidel bet on the end and John Kabbaj raised all in. Seidel thought about it briefly before making the call.

Their cards:

Seidel: 4X-3X-7X-9X-(AX-2X-4X)
Kabbaj: 5X-5X-3X-QX-(2X-7X-?X)

When Seidel called and exposed his hand for a 7-4 low. Kabbaj looked at his cards for a few moments before mucking. Seidel is up to 830,000.

Left in the Deck:

The remaining players are on a 20 minute dinner break.

Player Tags: Antanas Guoga,   Erik Seidel,   Gus Hansen,   Ville Wahlbeck,   Steve Billirakis,   John Kabbaj,   Vitaly Lunkin

Level 16 Update: Defending Champ Nguyen Eliminated

Jun 29, '09

Flop Games: Blinds – 9,000-18,000, Limits – 18,000-36,000
Stud Games: Ante — 4,000, Bring-In — 5,000, Completion — 18,000, Limits — 18,000-36,000

Players Remaining: 20 out of 95

Chip Counts:

1. Vitaly Lunkin – 1,527,000
2. Erik Sagstrom – 1,315,000
3. Freddy Deeb – 1,300,000
4. David Bach – 1,265,000
5. Ville Wahlbeck – 842,000
6. John Hanson – 815,000
7. Gus Hansen – 801,000
8. Mike Wattel – 779,000
9. John Kabbaj – 678,000
10. Huck Seed – 672,000

Average Chip Count: 750,000

Notable Eliminations:

John Hennigan
Scotty Nguyen
Bill Chen
Mikhail Tulchinskiy
Matt Glantz
Thor Hansen

Big Hands:

Hold’em

The World Needs A Hero

David Bach raised to 36,000 preflop and Freddy Deeb made the call. The flop came down J96 and Bach bet 18,000. Deeb raised to 36,000 and Bach called. The turn was the 7 and Bach check-called a 36,000 bet from Deeb. The river brought the 7 and Bach check-called another bet of 36,000 from Deeb.

Deeb showed down KQ for a whole lot of nothing and Bach showed 55 for the best hand. Bach made two hero calls and was rewarded with the pot, improving his stack to 600,000.

Omaha/8

The End Of The World As We Know It

David Bach raised to 36,000 from the cutoff and the action was on John Hennigan in the small blind. He three-bet to 54,000 and action was back on Bach after the big blind folded. Bach added another bet to 72,000 and Hennigan called. The flop then came down J82 and Hennigan checked. Bach fired 18,000 and Hennigan made the call. Both players checked the 7 on the turn and Hennigan fired 36,000 on the K river.

Bach made the call and Hennigan tabled AJ82 for two pair. Bach then turned over AK102 for a better two pair and Hennigan was left crippled with just 43,000 in chips. A few hands later, Hennigan would be eliminated by Mike Wattel’s nut flush.

And The New $50,000 H.O.R.S.E Champion Is…

Scotty Nguyen made his last stand just before day 3 came to an end. He was all in for his last 28,000 preflop against Frank Kassela. Here is how their boards looked.

Nguyen: AQ76
Kassela: QQ107

Board: 5225J

The flop gave Nguyen four cards to a low but the following two streets did refused to help the defending champion and he was eliminated.

Razz

Bill Chen Fades Away

Bill Chen was short on chips and found himself at risk on third street against Ray Dehkharghani. Here is how their boards ran out.

Chen: (A-8)9-10-K-5(8)
Dehkharghani: (J-5)7-3-10-7-(6)

Chen was only able to make a king-low and Dehkharghani made a 10-low to knock Chen out just a few spots shy of the money. Dehkharghani took the pot and was at 400,000 after the knockout.

Stud High

The Fall Of Thor

Steve Billirakis completed to 18,000 and Thor Hansen raised to 36,000. Billirakis made the call and here is how their boards looked heading into fourth street.

Billirakis: X-X-QA
Hansen: X-X-92

Billirakis led out with 18,000 and Hansen raised to 36,000. Billirakis made the call.

Billirakis: X-X-QA10
Hansen: X-X-926

Billirakis bet 36,000 and Hansen raised all in. Billirakis made the call and turned over (1010) from his hole cards for a set. Hansen showed (AA) for cracked aces. Billirakis’ board finished out 5(8x) and Hansen needed an ace on the final two streets to stay alive. He received a 3 on sixth and looked down at his river card to try and pull out a miracle. Instead, he threw it in the muck and Billirakis took the pot, eliminating Hansen.

Stud/8

Lunkin Steps On Seed

Huck Seed, Vitaly Lunkin and Frank Kassela were each involved in a hand. Kassela brought in for 5,000 and Seed completed to 18,000. Kassela and Lunkin both called. Here is how their boards looked entering fourth street.

Seed: X-X-84
Lunkin: X-X-25
Kassela: X-X-29

Action was checked to Seed who fired 18,000. Both opponents called.

Seed: X-X-84J
Lunkin: X-X-252
Kassela: X-X-29J

Action was checked to Seed again and he fired 36,000. Lunkin made the call but Kassela had enough and mucked.

Seed: X-X-84JK
Lunkin: X-X-2525

Lunkin made two pair on sixth street and led out with 36,000. Seed made the call. The river was dealt and both players checked. Lunkin then tabled (8610), nothing to add to his two pair on the board. Seed could not beat it however and mucked. Lunkin was at 980,000 while Seed was at 655,000.

Matt Glantz Busts

Picking up the action on fourth street, Steve Billirakis, David Chiu and Matt Glantz were involved in a hand.

Billirakis: X-X-A7
Chiu: X-X-QK
Glantz: X-X-23

Billirakis bet 18,000 and both opponents called.

Billirakis: X-X-A7Q
Chiu: X-X-QK7
Glantz: X-X-239

Billirakis bet 36,000 and Chiu called. Glantz called the remainder of his stack and he was all in.

Billirakis: X-X-A7QA
Chiu: X-X-QK78
Glantz: X-X-239Q

Billirakis bet 36,000 and Chiu called. The river was dealt and Billirakis checked. Chiu fired 36,000 and Billirakis let his hand go. Chiu then tabled (A58) for the nut flush and Glantz mucked his hand and exited the tournament area.

Seidel’s Yacht Sinks Tulchinskiy In His Rowboat

Mikhail Tulchinskiy found himself all in against Erik Seidel. Here is how their boards ran out.

Tulchinskiy: (33)432K(K)
Seidel: (88)8645(6)

Seidel was rolled up with three eights but Tulchinskiy got something to fight back with when he received a third three on fourth street. They drew blanks until the river where Tulchinskiy scored a full boat. Unfortunately, Seidel also hit a boat and his was bigger. Tulchinskiy got up and made his exit from the tournament.

Player Tags: Thor Hansen,   Frank Kassela,   Erik Seidel,   Huck Seed,   David Bach,   John Hennigan,   David Chiu,   Ray Dehkharghani,   Steve Billirakis,   Freddy Deeb,   Vitaly Lunkin

Level 15 Update: Patrik Antonius, Scott Clements Eliminated

Jun 28, '09

Flop Games: Blinds – 8,000-15,000, Limits – 15,000-30,000
Stud Games: Ante — 3,000, Bring-In — 5,000, Completion — 15,000, Limits — 15,000-30,000

Players Remaining: 26 out of 95

Chip Counts:

1. Erik Sagstrom – 1,300,000
2. Freddy Deeb – 1,200,000
3. Vitaly Lunkin – 970,000
4. David Bach – 960,000
5. Ville Wahlbeck – 955,000
6. John Hanson – 800,000
7. Brett Richey – 770,000
8. Gus Hansen – 730,000
9. Huck Seed – 690,000
10. Chau Giang – 620,000

Average Chip Count: 548,076

Notable Eliminations:

Patrik Antonius
Scott Clements
Hasan Habib
John Monnette
Matt Hawrilenko

Big Hands:

Hold’em

Clements Scores A Double Double…

Hasan Habib raised to 60,000 preflop and the action was on Scott Clements. He reraised all in and Habib made the call.

Habib: 99
Clements: 88

Board: KQ810A

Clements started in bad shape but flopped a set and never looked back, doubling to 120,000.

A few hands later, he and Thor Hansen tangled resulting in Clements’ chips ending up in the middle again. Clements had AK while Hansen held 1010. The flop was harmless for Hansen as it came 887. The turn was another blank in the J, but the river was the K and Clements doubled again to 240,000.

Omaha/8

The Seed Grows A Little More

Gus Hansen raised to 60,000 from the button and Huck Seed called from the small blind. Erik Seidel called from the big blind and the players saw a flop of 1072 and Seed checked. Seidel bet 30,000 and Hansen raised to 60,000. Seed and Seidel both called and the Q fell on the turn. Everyone checked and it was the same story for the 2 on the river.

Seed then turned over AQ33 for top pair and the pot. He was up to 250,000.

Razz

Deeb Doesn’t Believe In Hawrilenko

Freddy Deeb and Matt Hawrilenko tangled in a hand and the pot had a lot of chips in it by seventh street. Here were their boards.

Hawrilenko: X-X-2-7-A-J
Deeb: X-X-2-10-6-6

Hawrilenko fired 30,000 into the pot an Deeb thought for a while. He decided to look up his opponent and Hawrilenko turned over (A-A-3) for a jack-low. Deeb turned over 3-7-10) for a 10-low and he took down a nice pot. He was up to 650,000 while Hawrilenko was at 175,000.

The Tournament Just Got A Little Less Attractive

Patrik Antonius just busted after getting involved in a hand with Erik Seidel and Gus Hansen.

Antonius: X-X-5
Hansen: X-X-6
Seidel: X-X-5

Hansen completed to 15,000 and Antonius moved his last 24,000 into the pot. Seidel and Hansen both called.

Antonius: X-X-5-4
Hansen: X-X-6-2
Seidel: X-X-5-A

Seidel bet 30,000 and Hansen made the call.

Antonius: X-X-5-4-Q
Hansen: X-X-6-2-4
Seidel: X-X-5-A-10

Hansen was first to act now and he bet 60,000. Seidel made the call.

Antonius: X-X-5-4-Q-K
Hansen: X-X-6-2-4-6
Seidel: X-X-5-A-10-4

Seidel bet 60,000 after Hansen paired on sixth street. Hansen made the call. The river was dealt and Seidel bet again. Hansen finally mucked and Seidel showed (2-3-7) for the wheel. Antonius mucked and he was eliminated.

Stud High

…But Mr. Clements Still Goes Bust

Scott Clements managed to double up twice early in the level but the chips didn’t last long as he found himself all in against John Hanson. Here is how their boards ran out.

Clements: (K5)39A10(K)
Hanson: (QJ)QJ42(5)

Clements started with three diamonds and was given another one on fourth street. Hanson had two pair by fourth street and Clements needed just one diamond to hit his flush on the next three streets. But Clements saw nothing but black cards for the remainder of the hand and he was eliminated.

Stud/8

Wahlbeck Flushes Scotty Baby

Scotty Nguyen and Ville Wahlbeck tangled in a hand. Nguyen completed to 15,000 and Wahlbeck made the call. Here is how their boards looked heading into fourth street.

Nguyen: X-X-AK
Wahlbeck: X-X-73

Nguyen bet 30,000 and Wahlbeck made the call.

Nguyen: X-X-AK2
Wahlbeck: X-X-73J

Nguyen bet 60,000 and Wahlbeck called.

Nguyen: X-X-AK2K
Wahlbeck: X-X-73J3

Nguyen bet another 60,000 and Wahlbeck made the call. The river was dealt and Nguyen checked to his Finnish opponent. Wahlbeck then bet 60,000 and Nguyen called. Wahlbeck turned over (A85) for the nut flush and an 8-7 low. Nguyen mucked and Wahlbeck scooped the pot, improving to 950,000 while Nguyen was at 167,000.

Player Tags: Thor Hansen,   Erik Seidel,   Hasan Habib,   Huck Seed,   Gus Hansen,   Patrik Antonius,   Scott Clements,   Matt Hawrilenko,   Freddy Deeb

Level 4 Update: Brunson Loses Some Chips

Jun 26, '09

Flop Games: 800-1,500
Stud Games: Ante — 400, Bring-In — 500, Completion — 1,800, Limits — 1,800-3,600

Players Remaining: 95 out of 95

Chip Counts:

1. Martin Vallo – 290,000
2. Justin Smith – 251,000
3. David Bach – 235,000
4. Steve Billirakis – 223,000
5. Bill Chen – 210,000
6. James Van Alstyne – 206,000
7. David Benyamine – 199,000
8. Andy Black – 198,000
9. Chad Brown – 196,000
10. Jeff Lisandro – 188,000

Big Hands:

Hold’em

Seidel’s River Bet Forces a Fold From Pezzin

Erik Seidel raised from early position and was called by Pat Pezzin in the big blind. They took the flop heads up and it came J52. Pezzin checked and called 1500 from Seidel and they see a turn.

The turn was the 8 and Pezzin checks and calls again to Seidel’s bet. The river was a 10 and Pezzin checked one more time. Seidel fired one last bullet of 3000 and Pezzin quickly mucked his hand and the dealer pushed the pot Seidel’s way.

Omaha/8

Justin Smith Scoops Big Multi-way Pot

Five players invested four bets a piece preflop and the flop was KK4. Both blinds check and Justin “BoostedJ” Smith bets 1500, which is called by Gabe Kaplan and Hasaan Habib. The turn was the Q and the same action took place, this time with a bet of 3000.

The river was the 4 Smith fires one last 3000 shell. Kaplan thought for a bit and folded before Habib made the call. Smith tabled KJ109, giving him three kings, and Habib mucked his hand.

Razz

Juanda Drops A Pot To Smith

Picking up the action on third street, John Juanda and Justin Smith tangled up in a hand.

Juanda: X-X-5
Smith: X-X-3

John Juanda completed to 1,500 and action folded around to Smith. He raised to 3,000 and Juanda made the call.

Juanda: X-X-58
Smith: X-X-38

Smith bet another 1,500 and Juanda made the call.

Juanda: X-X-58Q
Smith: X-X-387

Smith fired 3,000 into the pot and Juanda got out of the way. Smith raked in the pot and was around 240,000 while Juanda was at 128,000.

Stud/8

Brunson Has His Chips Chopped Up

Picking up the action on third street, Doyle Brunson, Vitaly Lunkin and seat 3 were involved in a hand.

Brunson: X-X-5
Lunkin: X-X-6
Seat 3: X-X-2

Brunson completed to 1,500 and Lunkin called. Seat 3 raised to 3,000 and both Brunson and Lunkin called.

Brunson: X-X-5K
Lunkin: X-X-64
Seat 3: X-X-2K

Seat 3 bet 1,500 and both opponents called.

Brunson: X-X-5K3
Lunkin: X-X-645
Seat 3: X-X-2K4

Lunkin was the aggressor on fifth street, leading out with 3,000. Both opponents called.

Brunson: X-X-5K3A
Lunkin: X-X-6456
Seat 3: X-X-2K47

Lunkin bet another 3,000 and both of his opponents called. The river was dealt and Lunkin bet 3,000. Seat 3 called and Brunson looked down at his hole cards. He was disgusted and threw his hand into the muck. He then slammed the table with his hand. Lunkin showed (Q75) for a spade flush. Seat 3 showed (A32) for a 7-low and they chopped up the pot that had many chips from Brunson. Lunkin was at 107,000 while Brunson was at 135,000.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   John Juanda,   Hasan Habib,   Doyle Brunson,   Gabe Kaplan,   Pat Pezzin,   Vitaly Lunkin,   Justin Smith

Level 1 Update: Harman Chipping Up

Jun 26, '09

Flop Games: 400-800
Stud Games: Ante — 200, Bring-In — 200, Bring In — 800, Stakes — 800-1,600

Entrants: 78

Starting Stack: 150,000

Big Hands:

Hold’em

Brunson Takes A Nice Pot Off Bach

Todd Brunson, John Hanson and David Bach were in for 1,600 each preflop. The flop then came down AJ6 and Brunson led out with 800. Bach made the call and Hanson mucked. The turn was then the 7 and both players checked. The river brought the 9 and Brunson checked again. Bach fired 1,600 into the pot and Brunson sprung the trap, raising to 3,200. Bach made the call and Brunson announced “Jacks up.” He showed J9 and Bach mucked, giving Brunson a nice pot in the early going getting him to 160,000.

Zeidman Check-Raises Turn, Takes Pot

Cory Zeidman takes a flop with Abe Mosseri heads up and it fell KJ2 and Zeidman checked and called a bet from Mosseri. The turn was the J and Zeidman checked again.

Mosseri bet again, but was met with a raise from Zeidman. Mosseri mucked pretty quickly and Zeidman showed the A7, having flopped the nut flush.

Omaha/8

Harman Gets It Going

Jennifer Harman raised to 1,600 preflop and Scott Clements made the call from the small blind. The big blind also tagged along and the three players saw a flop of Q99. Clements checked and the big blind fired 800. Harman made the call and Clements mucked.

The turn was the A and the action was checked to Harman. She bet 1,600 and the big blind called. The river was the 9 and both players checked. Harman then showed AK53 for a full house and the big blind mucked, giving Harman an early pot. She was around 160,000.

Ralph Perry Chops It Up

Ralph Perry raised to 1,600 from middle position and the big blind made the call. The flop came 844 and Perry bet 800. The big blind called and the turn brought the 10. Perry bet 1,600 and was called again.The river was the 5 and the big blind led out this time for 1,600. Perry raised to 3,200 and the big blind called.

Perry showed A2Q10 for the nut low and his opponent showed a flush. They chopped it up and Perry was still around his starting stack. He pulled a CardPlayer.com reporter aside and asked to give a shout out to his son Sean Perry. There you go Sean, greetings from the Rio courtesy of your dad.

Clements Takes 3/4 of the Pot

Scott Clements raised from the cutoff and was called by the player on the button. They took the flop heads up and it fell 326. Clements bet and was called. The turn was the 4 and Clements checked and called a bet from his opponent.

The river was the 4 and Clements bet and was called by his opponent. Clements tabled A4107, good for trip fours and a 6432A low, and his opponent showed the A678, good for a pair of sixes and the same low as Clements, giving Clements 3/4 of the pot.

Razz

Seidel Takes It On Seventh

Erik Seidel: X-X-39
Seat 2: X-X-6A

The player in seat 2 bet out 800 into the pot and Erik Seidel made the call.

Erik Seidel: X-X-396
Seat 2: X-X-6A10

Seidel bet 1,600 and his opponent made the call.

Erik Seidel: X-X-3964
Seat 2: X-X-6A107

Seidel bet another 1,600 and seat 2 called. After the river was dealt, Seidel fired another 1,600 and his opponent finally mucked. Seidel took the pot and was around 158,000.

Schulman Defends Bring-in, Wins Pot off Van Alstyne

Nick Schulman was the bring-in bet with the J and James Van Alstyne completed the bet showing the 2.

Nick Schulman: X-X-J-6
James Van Alstyne: X-X-2-6

On fourth street, Van Alstyne bet and Schulman made the call. On fifth street, the boards looked like this.

Nick Schulman: X-X-J-49
James Van Alstyne: X-X-4-6-J

Van Alstyne bet again and Schulman stuck around to see sixth street.

Schulman: X-X-J-4-9-6
Van Alstyne: X-X-2-6-J-10

Schulman now bets out and Van Alstyne folds, taking the pot.

Stud High

The Rolled Up Mouth

On fith street, Cory Zeidman and Mike Matusow were locked up in a hand. Their boards looked like this.

Zeidman: X-X-K-5-3
Matusow: X-X-J-6-7

Zeidman bet out and was quickly raised by Matusow. Zeidman tossed in a call and they saw 6th street.

Zeidman: X-X-K-5-3-K
Matusow: X-X-J-6-7-8

The same action took place as Zeidman bet again and was raised again, and he decided to call again. They saw the river card face down and Zeidman decided to check. Matusow bet and was called. Matusow showed the J-J-6 as his down cards, good for jacks full of sixes.

“I was rolled up,” said Matusow as he raked the pot.

Stud/8

Zolotow Just Manages A Chop

Steve Zolotow: X-X-47
Pat Bueno: X-X-7K

Zolotow bet 800 into his opponent and Bueno made the call.

Steve Zolotow: X-X-475
Pat Bueno: X-X-7K9

Zolotow bet 1,600 and Bueno made the call.

Steve Zolotow: X-X-4754
Pat Bueno: X-X-7K93

Zolotow bet 1,600 and Bueno popped it to 3,200. Zolotow made the call. After the river was dealt, Zolotow checked to Bueno and he bet 1,600. Zolotow called and Bueno turned over (A86) for the nut flush and an 8-7-6 low. Zolotow showed (873) for an 8-7-5 low and just enough to chop the pot. Zolotow was at 160,000 while Bueno was at 165,000.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Todd Brunson,   Steve Zolotow,   Mike Matusow,   David Bach,   Jennifer Harman,   Cory Zeidman,   Scott Clements,   Patrick Bueno,   John Hanson,   Nick Schulman

Final Table Update: Seidel 8th ($162,382), Giang 7th ($184,087)

Jun 30, '09

Flop Games: Blinds — 25,000-50,000 Limits — 50,000-100,000
Stud Games: Ante – 10,000, Bring-In – 15,000, Completion – 50,000, Limits – 50,000-100,000

Players Remaining: 8 out of 95

Chip Counts:

1. Erik Sagstrom — 3,850,000
2. Vitaly Lunkin — 3,260,000
3. John Hanson — 1,500,000
4. David Bach — 1,895,000
5. Ville Wahlbeck — 1,800,000
6. Huck Seed — 1,195,000

Average Chip Count: 2,375,000

Notable Eliminations:

8. Erik Seidel — $162,382
7. Chau Giang — $184,087

Big Hands:

STUD/8

Erik Seidel Eliminated in 8th Place ($162,382)

Vitaly Lunkin brings it in with the 3 and both Erik Seidel and David Bach call.

Lunkin: X-X-3AJ7
Bach: X-X-8Q65
Seidel: X-X-J938

Lunin bets out on fourth street and both opponents call. Bach bets out on both fifth and sixth streets and gets two callers. Bach bets out again on seventh street, Seidel calls, Lunkin raises, Bach calls the raise and Seidel calls all in.

Lunkin turns over 432 for a seven-low while Bach showed 1088 for trip eights. Bach and Lunkin split the pot and Erik Seidel is eliminated in 8th place ($162,382).

HOLD’EM

Chau Giang Eliminated in 7th Place ($184,087)

Chau Giang raises before the flop, Erik Sagstrom three-bets and Giang calls.

The flop comes AQ5, Sagstrom bets, Giang raises, Sagstrom three-bets, and Giang four-bets all in.

Giang: Q9
Sagstrom: AQ

Giang flops middle pair while Sagstrom flops top two pair.

The turn and river are the 10and the 4, no help to Giang who is eliminated in 7th place ($184,047).

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   David Bach,   Chau Giang,   Erik Sagstrom,   Vitaly Lunkin

Final Table Update: Sagstrom Still Leads

Jun 30, '09

Flop Games: Blinds — 20,000-40,000 Limits — 40,000-80,000
Stud Games: Ante – 10,000, Bring-In – 10,000, Completion – 40,000, Limits – 40,000-80,000

Players Remaining: 8 out of 95

Chip Counts:

1. Erik Sagstrom — 3,685,000
2. Vitaly Lunkin — 2,440,000
3. David Bach — 2,255,000
4. Huck Seed — 1,500,000
5. John Hanson — 1,500,000
6. Chau Giang — 1,045,000
7. Erik Seidel — 915,000
8. Ville Wahlbeck — 900000

Average Chip Count: 1,781,250

Notable Eliminations:

Big Hands:

RAZZ

John Hanson Takes Down Big, Multi-Way Pot

Chau Giang opened with a K, John Hanson completed the bet with a 5, Huck Seed calls with an 8, Vitaly Lunkin raises with a 6, Hanson three-bets, Giang folds and both Seed and Lunkin call.

Giang: X-X-K
Hanson: X-X-5-K-2-7
Seed: X-X-8-Q-4-8
Lunkin: 6-A-J-9

Lunkin bets out on fourth street and both opponents call. Hanson leads out on fifth street and both opponents call. Hanson bets out again on sixth street and this time both opponents fold. Hanson rakes the pot.

STUD

Seidel Wins Big Stud Hand

Huck Seed brings it in with the 3, Vitaly Lunkin calls with the J, David Bach completes the bet with the Q, Erik Seidel raise with the K and Seed and Bach both call as Lunkin folds.

Seed: X-X-3J87
Lunkin: X-X-J
Bach: QK
Seidel: K467

Seidel leads out on fourth street and Seed raises. Bach folds and Seidel calls. Seidel leads out again on both fifth and sixth streets, Seed calls each time. Both players check the river and Seidel turns over the K for a pair of kings. Seed mucks and Seidel rakes the pot.

Left in the Deck

Players took an unscheduled ten-minute break at 3:40pm PDT.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Huck Seed,   David Bach,   Chau Giang,   John Hanson,   Vitaly Lunkin

Level 18 Update: John Kabbaj, Steve Billirakis Eliminated

Jun 29, '09

Flop Games: Blinds – 13,000-25,000, Limits – 25,000-50,000
Stud Games: Ante — 5,000, Bring-In — 7,000, Completion — 25,000, Limits — 25,000-50,000

Players Remaining: 14 out of 95

Chip Counts:

1. Vitaly Lunkin – 2,050,000
2. Erik Sagstrom – 2,000,000
3. David Bach – 1,570,000
4. Ville Wahlbeck – 1,420,000
5. Huck Seed – 1,300,000
6. John Hanson – 1,100,000
7. Gus Hansen – 1,080,000
8. Erik Seidel – 975,000
9. Ray Dehkharghani – 960,000
10. David Chiu – 630,000

Average Chip Count: 950,000

Eliminations:

16. John Kabbaj – $72,914
15. Steve Billirakis – $72,914

Big Hands:

HOLD’EM

Gus Hansen Builds Chip Stack

Ville Wahlbeck raised and Gus Hansen reraised from the cutoff. Wahlbeck made the call. The flop came 1098 and Wahlbeck checked. Hansen bet and Wahlbeck made the call. The Q hit the turn turn, and once again Wahlbeck checked. Hansen bet again and Wahlbeck quickly called. The Q fell on the river. The action went like it had before, with Wahlbeck check-calling a bet from Hansen. Hansen exposed the J10 for a straight and Wahlbeck mucked. Hansen was at 1,480,000 after the hand.

A few hands later, Gus Hansen and Tony Guoga were tangled up in a hand. Tony G raised in late position and Hansen defended from the big blind. The flop came QJ10 and Hansen bet out. Tony G made the quick call and the river brought the A. Hansen opted to check this time and Tony G made a bet. Hansen called and the 7 fell on the river. Both players checked and Tony G tabled the KK while Hansen exposed his rags of J2, to win with a baby flush. Hansen was looking strong with 1,560,000 after the hand but dropped a few hands before the break and currently sits with 1,080,000. Tony G is down to just 280,000.

Steve Billirakis Eliminated in 15th Place ($72,914)

On a board of A977A, Steve Billirakis put the last of his chips into the middle and was snap called by Vitaly Lunkin. Lunkin exposed A9 for aces full and Billirakis mucked the A10 for trips. Lunkin is now over two million, sitting with 2,050,000 in chips.

RAZZ

John Kabbaj Eliminated in 16th Place ($72,914)

Erik Seidel bet on the end and John Kabbaj raised all in. Seidel thought about it briefly before making the call.

Their cards:

Seidel: 4X-3X-7X-9X-(AX-2X-4X)
Kabbaj: 5X-5X-3X-QX-(2X-7X-?X)

When Seidel called and exposed his hand for a 7-4 low. Kabbaj looked at his cards for a few moments before mucking. Seidel is up to 830,000.

Left in the Deck:

The remaining players are on a 20 minute dinner break.

Player Tags: Antanas Guoga,   Erik Seidel,   Gus Hansen,   Ville Wahlbeck,   Steve Billirakis,   John Kabbaj,   Vitaly Lunkin

Level 16 Update: Defending Champ Nguyen Eliminated

Jun 29, '09

Flop Games: Blinds – 9,000-18,000, Limits – 18,000-36,000
Stud Games: Ante — 4,000, Bring-In — 5,000, Completion — 18,000, Limits — 18,000-36,000

Players Remaining: 20 out of 95

Chip Counts:

1. Vitaly Lunkin – 1,527,000
2. Erik Sagstrom – 1,315,000
3. Freddy Deeb – 1,300,000
4. David Bach – 1,265,000
5. Ville Wahlbeck – 842,000
6. John Hanson – 815,000
7. Gus Hansen – 801,000
8. Mike Wattel – 779,000
9. John Kabbaj – 678,000
10. Huck Seed – 672,000

Average Chip Count: 750,000

Notable Eliminations:

John Hennigan
Scotty Nguyen
Bill Chen
Mikhail Tulchinskiy
Matt Glantz
Thor Hansen

Big Hands:

Hold’em

The World Needs A Hero

David Bach raised to 36,000 preflop and Freddy Deeb made the call. The flop came down J96 and Bach bet 18,000. Deeb raised to 36,000 and Bach called. The turn was the 7 and Bach check-called a 36,000 bet from Deeb. The river brought the 7 and Bach check-called another bet of 36,000 from Deeb.

Deeb showed down KQ for a whole lot of nothing and Bach showed 55 for the best hand. Bach made two hero calls and was rewarded with the pot, improving his stack to 600,000.

Omaha/8

The End Of The World As We Know It

David Bach raised to 36,000 from the cutoff and the action was on John Hennigan in the small blind. He three-bet to 54,000 and action was back on Bach after the big blind folded. Bach added another bet to 72,000 and Hennigan called. The flop then came down J82 and Hennigan checked. Bach fired 18,000 and Hennigan made the call. Both players checked the 7 on the turn and Hennigan fired 36,000 on the K river.

Bach made the call and Hennigan tabled AJ82 for two pair. Bach then turned over AK102 for a better two pair and Hennigan was left crippled with just 43,000 in chips. A few hands later, Hennigan would be eliminated by Mike Wattel’s nut flush.

And The New $50,000 H.O.R.S.E Champion Is…

Scotty Nguyen made his last stand just before day 3 came to an end. He was all in for his last 28,000 preflop against Frank Kassela. Here is how their boards looked.

Nguyen: AQ76
Kassela: QQ107

Board: 5225J

The flop gave Nguyen four cards to a low but the following two streets did refused to help the defending champion and he was eliminated.

Razz

Bill Chen Fades Away

Bill Chen was short on chips and found himself at risk on third street against Ray Dehkharghani. Here is how their boards ran out.

Chen: (A-8)9-10-K-5(8)
Dehkharghani: (J-5)7-3-10-7-(6)

Chen was only able to make a king-low and Dehkharghani made a 10-low to knock Chen out just a few spots shy of the money. Dehkharghani took the pot and was at 400,000 after the knockout.

Stud High

The Fall Of Thor

Steve Billirakis completed to 18,000 and Thor Hansen raised to 36,000. Billirakis made the call and here is how their boards looked heading into fourth street.

Billirakis: X-X-QA
Hansen: X-X-92

Billirakis led out with 18,000 and Hansen raised to 36,000. Billirakis made the call.

Billirakis: X-X-QA10
Hansen: X-X-926

Billirakis bet 36,000 and Hansen raised all in. Billirakis made the call and turned over (1010) from his hole cards for a set. Hansen showed (AA) for cracked aces. Billirakis’ board finished out 5(8x) and Hansen needed an ace on the final two streets to stay alive. He received a 3 on sixth and looked down at his river card to try and pull out a miracle. Instead, he threw it in the muck and Billirakis took the pot, eliminating Hansen.

Stud/8

Lunkin Steps On Seed

Huck Seed, Vitaly Lunkin and Frank Kassela were each involved in a hand. Kassela brought in for 5,000 and Seed completed to 18,000. Kassela and Lunkin both called. Here is how their boards looked entering fourth street.

Seed: X-X-84
Lunkin: X-X-25
Kassela: X-X-29

Action was checked to Seed who fired 18,000. Both opponents called.

Seed: X-X-84J
Lunkin: X-X-252
Kassela: X-X-29J

Action was checked to Seed again and he fired 36,000. Lunkin made the call but Kassela had enough and mucked.

Seed: X-X-84JK
Lunkin: X-X-2525

Lunkin made two pair on sixth street and led out with 36,000. Seed made the call. The river was dealt and both players checked. Lunkin then tabled (8610), nothing to add to his two pair on the board. Seed could not beat it however and mucked. Lunkin was at 980,000 while Seed was at 655,000.

Matt Glantz Busts

Picking up the action on fourth street, Steve Billirakis, David Chiu and Matt Glantz were involved in a hand.

Billirakis: X-X-A7
Chiu: X-X-QK
Glantz: X-X-23

Billirakis bet 18,000 and both opponents called.

Billirakis: X-X-A7Q
Chiu: X-X-QK7
Glantz: X-X-239

Billirakis bet 36,000 and Chiu called. Glantz called the remainder of his stack and he was all in.

Billirakis: X-X-A7QA
Chiu: X-X-QK78
Glantz: X-X-239Q

Billirakis bet 36,000 and Chiu called. The river was dealt and Billirakis checked. Chiu fired 36,000 and Billirakis let his hand go. Chiu then tabled (A58) for the nut flush and Glantz mucked his hand and exited the tournament area.

Seidel’s Yacht Sinks Tulchinskiy In His Rowboat

Mikhail Tulchinskiy found himself all in against Erik Seidel. Here is how their boards ran out.

Tulchinskiy: (33)432K(K)
Seidel: (88)8645(6)

Seidel was rolled up with three eights but Tulchinskiy got something to fight back with when he received a third three on fourth street. They drew blanks until the river where Tulchinskiy scored a full boat. Unfortunately, Seidel also hit a boat and his was bigger. Tulchinskiy got up and made his exit from the tournament.

Player Tags: Thor Hansen,   Frank Kassela,   Erik Seidel,   Huck Seed,   David Bach,   John Hennigan,   David Chiu,   Ray Dehkharghani,   Steve Billirakis,   Freddy Deeb,   Vitaly Lunkin

Level 15 Update: Patrik Antonius, Scott Clements Eliminated

Jun 28, '09

Flop Games: Blinds – 8,000-15,000, Limits – 15,000-30,000
Stud Games: Ante — 3,000, Bring-In — 5,000, Completion — 15,000, Limits — 15,000-30,000

Players Remaining: 26 out of 95

Chip Counts:

1. Erik Sagstrom – 1,300,000
2. Freddy Deeb – 1,200,000
3. Vitaly Lunkin – 970,000
4. David Bach – 960,000
5. Ville Wahlbeck – 955,000
6. John Hanson – 800,000
7. Brett Richey – 770,000
8. Gus Hansen – 730,000
9. Huck Seed – 690,000
10. Chau Giang – 620,000

Average Chip Count: 548,076

Notable Eliminations:

Patrik Antonius
Scott Clements
Hasan Habib
John Monnette
Matt Hawrilenko

Big Hands:

Hold’em

Clements Scores A Double Double…

Hasan Habib raised to 60,000 preflop and the action was on Scott Clements. He reraised all in and Habib made the call.

Habib: 99
Clements: 88

Board: KQ810A

Clements started in bad shape but flopped a set and never looked back, doubling to 120,000.

A few hands later, he and Thor Hansen tangled resulting in Clements’ chips ending up in the middle again. Clements had AK while Hansen held 1010. The flop was harmless for Hansen as it came 887. The turn was another blank in the J, but the river was the K and Clements doubled again to 240,000.

Omaha/8

The Seed Grows A Little More

Gus Hansen raised to 60,000 from the button and Huck Seed called from the small blind. Erik Seidel called from the big blind and the players saw a flop of 1072 and Seed checked. Seidel bet 30,000 and Hansen raised to 60,000. Seed and Seidel both called and the Q fell on the turn. Everyone checked and it was the same story for the 2 on the river.

Seed then turned over AQ33 for top pair and the pot. He was up to 250,000.

Razz

Deeb Doesn’t Believe In Hawrilenko

Freddy Deeb and Matt Hawrilenko tangled in a hand and the pot had a lot of chips in it by seventh street. Here were their boards.

Hawrilenko: X-X-2-7-A-J
Deeb: X-X-2-10-6-6

Hawrilenko fired 30,000 into the pot an Deeb thought for a while. He decided to look up his opponent and Hawrilenko turned over (A-A-3) for a jack-low. Deeb turned over 3-7-10) for a 10-low and he took down a nice pot. He was up to 650,000 while Hawrilenko was at 175,000.

The Tournament Just Got A Little Less Attractive

Patrik Antonius just busted after getting involved in a hand with Erik Seidel and Gus Hansen.

Antonius: X-X-5
Hansen: X-X-6
Seidel: X-X-5

Hansen completed to 15,000 and Antonius moved his last 24,000 into the pot. Seidel and Hansen both called.

Antonius: X-X-5-4
Hansen: X-X-6-2
Seidel: X-X-5-A

Seidel bet 30,000 and Hansen made the call.

Antonius: X-X-5-4-Q
Hansen: X-X-6-2-4
Seidel: X-X-5-A-10

Hansen was first to act now and he bet 60,000. Seidel made the call.

Antonius: X-X-5-4-Q-K
Hansen: X-X-6-2-4-6
Seidel: X-X-5-A-10-4

Seidel bet 60,000 after Hansen paired on sixth street. Hansen made the call. The river was dealt and Seidel bet again. Hansen finally mucked and Seidel showed (2-3-7) for the wheel. Antonius mucked and he was eliminated.

Stud High

…But Mr. Clements Still Goes Bust

Scott Clements managed to double up twice early in the level but the chips didn’t last long as he found himself all in against John Hanson. Here is how their boards ran out.

Clements: (K5)39A10(K)
Hanson: (QJ)QJ42(5)

Clements started with three diamonds and was given another one on fourth street. Hanson had two pair by fourth street and Clements needed just one diamond to hit his flush on the next three streets. But Clements saw nothing but black cards for the remainder of the hand and he was eliminated.

Stud/8

Wahlbeck Flushes Scotty Baby

Scotty Nguyen and Ville Wahlbeck tangled in a hand. Nguyen completed to 15,000 and Wahlbeck made the call. Here is how their boards looked heading into fourth street.

Nguyen: X-X-AK
Wahlbeck: X-X-73

Nguyen bet 30,000 and Wahlbeck made the call.

Nguyen: X-X-AK2
Wahlbeck: X-X-73J

Nguyen bet 60,000 and Wahlbeck called.

Nguyen: X-X-AK2K
Wahlbeck: X-X-73J3

Nguyen bet another 60,000 and Wahlbeck made the call. The river was dealt and Nguyen checked to his Finnish opponent. Wahlbeck then bet 60,000 and Nguyen called. Wahlbeck turned over (A85) for the nut flush and an 8-7 low. Nguyen mucked and Wahlbeck scooped the pot, improving to 950,000 while Nguyen was at 167,000.

Player Tags: Thor Hansen,   Erik Seidel,   Hasan Habib,   Huck Seed,   Gus Hansen,   Patrik Antonius,   Scott Clements,   Matt Hawrilenko,   Freddy Deeb

Level 4 Update: Brunson Loses Some Chips

Jun 26, '09

Flop Games: 800-1,500
Stud Games: Ante — 400, Bring-In — 500, Completion — 1,800, Limits — 1,800-3,600

Players Remaining: 95 out of 95

Chip Counts:

1. Martin Vallo – 290,000
2. Justin Smith – 251,000
3. David Bach – 235,000
4. Steve Billirakis – 223,000
5. Bill Chen – 210,000
6. James Van Alstyne – 206,000
7. David Benyamine – 199,000
8. Andy Black – 198,000
9. Chad Brown – 196,000
10. Jeff Lisandro – 188,000

Big Hands:

Hold’em

Seidel’s River Bet Forces a Fold From Pezzin

Erik Seidel raised from early position and was called by Pat Pezzin in the big blind. They took the flop heads up and it came J52. Pezzin checked and called 1500 from Seidel and they see a turn.

The turn was the 8 and Pezzin checks and calls again to Seidel’s bet. The river was a 10 and Pezzin checked one more time. Seidel fired one last bullet of 3000 and Pezzin quickly mucked his hand and the dealer pushed the pot Seidel’s way.

Omaha/8

Justin Smith Scoops Big Multi-way Pot

Five players invested four bets a piece preflop and the flop was KK4. Both blinds check and Justin “BoostedJ” Smith bets 1500, which is called by Gabe Kaplan and Hasaan Habib. The turn was the Q and the same action took place, this time with a bet of 3000.

The river was the 4 Smith fires one last 3000 shell. Kaplan thought for a bit and folded before Habib made the call. Smith tabled KJ109, giving him three kings, and Habib mucked his hand.

Razz

Juanda Drops A Pot To Smith

Picking up the action on third street, John Juanda and Justin Smith tangled up in a hand.

Juanda: X-X-5
Smith: X-X-3

John Juanda completed to 1,500 and action folded around to Smith. He raised to 3,000 and Juanda made the call.

Juanda: X-X-58
Smith: X-X-38

Smith bet another 1,500 and Juanda made the call.

Juanda: X-X-58Q
Smith: X-X-387

Smith fired 3,000 into the pot and Juanda got out of the way. Smith raked in the pot and was around 240,000 while Juanda was at 128,000.

Stud/8

Brunson Has His Chips Chopped Up

Picking up the action on third street, Doyle Brunson, Vitaly Lunkin and seat 3 were involved in a hand.

Brunson: X-X-5
Lunkin: X-X-6
Seat 3: X-X-2

Brunson completed to 1,500 and Lunkin called. Seat 3 raised to 3,000 and both Brunson and Lunkin called.

Brunson: X-X-5K
Lunkin: X-X-64
Seat 3: X-X-2K

Seat 3 bet 1,500 and both opponents called.

Brunson: X-X-5K3
Lunkin: X-X-645
Seat 3: X-X-2K4

Lunkin was the aggressor on fifth street, leading out with 3,000. Both opponents called.

Brunson: X-X-5K3A
Lunkin: X-X-6456
Seat 3: X-X-2K47

Lunkin bet another 3,000 and both of his opponents called. The river was dealt and Lunkin bet 3,000. Seat 3 called and Brunson looked down at his hole cards. He was disgusted and threw his hand into the muck. He then slammed the table with his hand. Lunkin showed (Q75) for a spade flush. Seat 3 showed (A32) for a 7-low and they chopped up the pot that had many chips from Brunson. Lunkin was at 107,000 while Brunson was at 135,000.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   John Juanda,   Hasan Habib,   Doyle Brunson,   Gabe Kaplan,   Pat Pezzin,   Vitaly Lunkin,   Justin Smith

Level 1 Update: Harman Chipping Up

Jun 26, '09

Flop Games: 400-800
Stud Games: Ante — 200, Bring-In — 200, Bring In — 800, Stakes — 800-1,600

Entrants: 78

Starting Stack: 150,000

Big Hands:

Hold’em

Brunson Takes A Nice Pot Off Bach

Todd Brunson, John Hanson and David Bach were in for 1,600 each preflop. The flop then came down AJ6 and Brunson led out with 800. Bach made the call and Hanson mucked. The turn was then the 7 and both players checked. The river brought the 9 and Brunson checked again. Bach fired 1,600 into the pot and Brunson sprung the trap, raising to 3,200. Bach made the call and Brunson announced “Jacks up.” He showed J9 and Bach mucked, giving Brunson a nice pot in the early going getting him to 160,000.

Zeidman Check-Raises Turn, Takes Pot

Cory Zeidman takes a flop with Abe Mosseri heads up and it fell KJ2 and Zeidman checked and called a bet from Mosseri. The turn was the J and Zeidman checked again.

Mosseri bet again, but was met with a raise from Zeidman. Mosseri mucked pretty quickly and Zeidman showed the A7, having flopped the nut flush.

Omaha/8

Harman Gets It Going

Jennifer Harman raised to 1,600 preflop and Scott Clements made the call from the small blind. The big blind also tagged along and the three players saw a flop of Q99. Clements checked and the big blind fired 800. Harman made the call and Clements mucked.

The turn was the A and the action was checked to Harman. She bet 1,600 and the big blind called. The river was the 9 and both players checked. Harman then showed AK53 for a full house and the big blind mucked, giving Harman an early pot. She was around 160,000.

Ralph Perry Chops It Up

Ralph Perry raised to 1,600 from middle position and the big blind made the call. The flop came 844 and Perry bet 800. The big blind called and the turn brought the 10. Perry bet 1,600 and was called again.The river was the 5 and the big blind led out this time for 1,600. Perry raised to 3,200 and the big blind called.

Perry showed A2Q10 for the nut low and his opponent showed a flush. They chopped it up and Perry was still around his starting stack. He pulled a CardPlayer.com reporter aside and asked to give a shout out to his son Sean Perry. There you go Sean, greetings from the Rio courtesy of your dad.

Clements Takes 3/4 of the Pot

Scott Clements raised from the cutoff and was called by the player on the button. They took the flop heads up and it fell 326. Clements bet and was called. The turn was the 4 and Clements checked and called a bet from his opponent.

The river was the 4 and Clements bet and was called by his opponent. Clements tabled A4107, good for trip fours and a 6432A low, and his opponent showed the A678, good for a pair of sixes and the same low as Clements, giving Clements 3/4 of the pot.

Razz

Seidel Takes It On Seventh

Erik Seidel: X-X-39
Seat 2: X-X-6A

The player in seat 2 bet out 800 into the pot and Erik Seidel made the call.

Erik Seidel: X-X-396
Seat 2: X-X-6A10

Seidel bet 1,600 and his opponent made the call.

Erik Seidel: X-X-3964
Seat 2: X-X-6A107

Seidel bet another 1,600 and seat 2 called. After the river was dealt, Seidel fired another 1,600 and his opponent finally mucked. Seidel took the pot and was around 158,000.

Schulman Defends Bring-in, Wins Pot off Van Alstyne

Nick Schulman was the bring-in bet with the J and James Van Alstyne completed the bet showing the 2.

Nick Schulman: X-X-J-6
James Van Alstyne: X-X-2-6

On fourth street, Van Alstyne bet and Schulman made the call. On fifth street, the boards looked like this.

Nick Schulman: X-X-J-49
James Van Alstyne: X-X-4-6-J

Van Alstyne bet again and Schulman stuck around to see sixth street.

Schulman: X-X-J-4-9-6
Van Alstyne: X-X-2-6-J-10

Schulman now bets out and Van Alstyne folds, taking the pot.

Stud High

The Rolled Up Mouth

On fith street, Cory Zeidman and Mike Matusow were locked up in a hand. Their boards looked like this.

Zeidman: X-X-K-5-3
Matusow: X-X-J-6-7

Zeidman bet out and was quickly raised by Matusow. Zeidman tossed in a call and they saw 6th street.

Zeidman: X-X-K-5-3-K
Matusow: X-X-J-6-7-8

The same action took place as Zeidman bet again and was raised again, and he decided to call again. They saw the river card face down and Zeidman decided to check. Matusow bet and was called. Matusow showed the J-J-6 as his down cards, good for jacks full of sixes.

“I was rolled up,” said Matusow as he raked the pot.

Stud/8

Zolotow Just Manages A Chop

Steve Zolotow: X-X-47
Pat Bueno: X-X-7K

Zolotow bet 800 into his opponent and Bueno made the call.

Steve Zolotow: X-X-475
Pat Bueno: X-X-7K9

Zolotow bet 1,600 and Bueno made the call.

Steve Zolotow: X-X-4754
Pat Bueno: X-X-7K93

Zolotow bet 1,600 and Bueno popped it to 3,200. Zolotow made the call. After the river was dealt, Zolotow checked to Bueno and he bet 1,600. Zolotow called and Bueno turned over (A86) for the nut flush and an 8-7-6 low. Zolotow showed (873) for an 8-7-5 low and just enough to chop the pot. Zolotow was at 160,000 while Bueno was at 165,000.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Todd Brunson,   Steve Zolotow,   Mike Matusow,   David Bach,   Jennifer Harman,   Cory Zeidman,   Scott Clements,   Patrick Bueno,   John Hanson,   Nick Schulman

Final Table Update: Seidel 8th ($162,382), Giang 7th ($184,087)

Jun 30, '09

Flop Games: Blinds — 25,000-50,000 Limits — 50,000-100,000
Stud Games: Ante – 10,000, Bring-In – 15,000, Completion – 50,000, Limits – 50,000-100,000

Players Remaining: 8 out of 95

Chip Counts:

1. Erik Sagstrom — 3,850,000
2. Vitaly Lunkin — 3,260,000
3. John Hanson — 1,500,000
4. David Bach — 1,895,000
5. Ville Wahlbeck — 1,800,000
6. Huck Seed — 1,195,000

Average Chip Count: 2,375,000

Notable Eliminations:

8. Erik Seidel — $162,382
7. Chau Giang — $184,087

Big Hands:

STUD/8

Erik Seidel Eliminated in 8th Place ($162,382)

Vitaly Lunkin brings it in with the 3 and both Erik Seidel and David Bach call.

Lunkin: X-X-3AJ7
Bach: X-X-8Q65
Seidel: X-X-J938

Lunin bets out on fourth street and both opponents call. Bach bets out on both fifth and sixth streets and gets two callers. Bach bets out again on seventh street, Seidel calls, Lunkin raises, Bach calls the raise and Seidel calls all in.

Lunkin turns over 432 for a seven-low while Bach showed 1088 for trip eights. Bach and Lunkin split the pot and Erik Seidel is eliminated in 8th place ($162,382).

HOLD’EM

Chau Giang Eliminated in 7th Place ($184,087)

Chau Giang raises before the flop, Erik Sagstrom three-bets and Giang calls.

The flop comes AQ5, Sagstrom bets, Giang raises, Sagstrom three-bets, and Giang four-bets all in.

Giang: Q9
Sagstrom: AQ

Giang flops middle pair while Sagstrom flops top two pair.

The turn and river are the 10and the 4, no help to Giang who is eliminated in 7th place ($184,047).

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   David Bach,   Chau Giang,   Erik Sagstrom,   Vitaly Lunkin

Final Table Update: Sagstrom Still Leads

Jun 30, '09

Flop Games: Blinds — 20,000-40,000 Limits — 40,000-80,000
Stud Games: Ante – 10,000, Bring-In – 10,000, Completion – 40,000, Limits – 40,000-80,000

Players Remaining: 8 out of 95

Chip Counts:

1. Erik Sagstrom — 3,685,000
2. Vitaly Lunkin — 2,440,000
3. David Bach — 2,255,000
4. Huck Seed — 1,500,000
5. John Hanson — 1,500,000
6. Chau Giang — 1,045,000
7. Erik Seidel — 915,000
8. Ville Wahlbeck — 900000

Average Chip Count: 1,781,250

Notable Eliminations:

Big Hands:

RAZZ

John Hanson Takes Down Big, Multi-Way Pot

Chau Giang opened with a K, John Hanson completed the bet with a 5, Huck Seed calls with an 8, Vitaly Lunkin raises with a 6, Hanson three-bets, Giang folds and both Seed and Lunkin call.

Giang: X-X-K
Hanson: X-X-5-K-2-7
Seed: X-X-8-Q-4-8
Lunkin: 6-A-J-9

Lunkin bets out on fourth street and both opponents call. Hanson leads out on fifth street and both opponents call. Hanson bets out again on sixth street and this time both opponents fold. Hanson rakes the pot.

STUD

Seidel Wins Big Stud Hand

Huck Seed brings it in with the 3, Vitaly Lunkin calls with the J, David Bach completes the bet with the Q, Erik Seidel raise with the K and Seed and Bach both call as Lunkin folds.

Seed: X-X-3J87
Lunkin: X-X-J
Bach: QK
Seidel: K467

Seidel leads out on fourth street and Seed raises. Bach folds and Seidel calls. Seidel leads out again on both fifth and sixth streets, Seed calls each time. Both players check the river and Seidel turns over the K for a pair of kings. Seed mucks and Seidel rakes the pot.

Left in the Deck

Players took an unscheduled ten-minute break at 3:40pm PDT.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Huck Seed,   David Bach,   Chau Giang,   John Hanson,   Vitaly Lunkin

Level 18 Update: John Kabbaj, Steve Billirakis Eliminated

Jun 29, '09

Flop Games: Blinds – 13,000-25,000, Limits – 25,000-50,000
Stud Games: Ante — 5,000, Bring-In — 7,000, Completion — 25,000, Limits — 25,000-50,000

Players Remaining: 14 out of 95

Chip Counts:

1. Vitaly Lunkin – 2,050,000
2. Erik Sagstrom – 2,000,000
3. David Bach – 1,570,000
4. Ville Wahlbeck – 1,420,000
5. Huck Seed – 1,300,000
6. John Hanson – 1,100,000
7. Gus Hansen – 1,080,000
8. Erik Seidel – 975,000
9. Ray Dehkharghani – 960,000
10. David Chiu – 630,000

Average Chip Count: 950,000

Eliminations:

16. John Kabbaj – $72,914
15. Steve Billirakis – $72,914

Big Hands:

HOLD’EM

Gus Hansen Builds Chip Stack

Ville Wahlbeck raised and Gus Hansen reraised from the cutoff. Wahlbeck made the call. The flop came 1098 and Wahlbeck checked. Hansen bet and Wahlbeck made the call. The Q hit the turn turn, and once again Wahlbeck checked. Hansen bet again and Wahlbeck quickly called. The Q fell on the river. The action went like it had before, with Wahlbeck check-calling a bet from Hansen. Hansen exposed the J10 for a straight and Wahlbeck mucked. Hansen was at 1,480,000 after the hand.

A few hands later, Gus Hansen and Tony Guoga were tangled up in a hand. Tony G raised in late position and Hansen defended from the big blind. The flop came QJ10 and Hansen bet out. Tony G made the quick call and the river brought the A. Hansen opted to check this time and Tony G made a bet. Hansen called and the 7 fell on the river. Both players checked and Tony G tabled the KK while Hansen exposed his rags of J2, to win with a baby flush. Hansen was looking strong with 1,560,000 after the hand but dropped a few hands before the break and currently sits with 1,080,000. Tony G is down to just 280,000.

Steve Billirakis Eliminated in 15th Place ($72,914)

On a board of A977A, Steve Billirakis put the last of his chips into the middle and was snap called by Vitaly Lunkin. Lunkin exposed A9 for aces full and Billirakis mucked the A10 for trips. Lunkin is now over two million, sitting with 2,050,000 in chips.

RAZZ

John Kabbaj Eliminated in 16th Place ($72,914)

Erik Seidel bet on the end and John Kabbaj raised all in. Seidel thought about it briefly before making the call.

Their cards:

Seidel: 4X-3X-7X-9X-(AX-2X-4X)
Kabbaj: 5X-5X-3X-QX-(2X-7X-?X)

When Seidel called and exposed his hand for a 7-4 low. Kabbaj looked at his cards for a few moments before mucking. Seidel is up to 830,000.

Left in the Deck:

The remaining players are on a 20 minute dinner break.

Player Tags: Antanas Guoga,   Erik Seidel,   Gus Hansen,   Ville Wahlbeck,   Steve Billirakis,   John Kabbaj,   Vitaly Lunkin

Level 16 Update: Defending Champ Nguyen Eliminated

Jun 29, '09

Flop Games: Blinds – 9,000-18,000, Limits – 18,000-36,000
Stud Games: Ante — 4,000, Bring-In — 5,000, Completion — 18,000, Limits — 18,000-36,000

Players Remaining: 20 out of 95

Chip Counts:

1. Vitaly Lunkin – 1,527,000
2. Erik Sagstrom – 1,315,000
3. Freddy Deeb – 1,300,000
4. David Bach – 1,265,000
5. Ville Wahlbeck – 842,000
6. John Hanson – 815,000
7. Gus Hansen – 801,000
8. Mike Wattel – 779,000
9. John Kabbaj – 678,000
10. Huck Seed – 672,000

Average Chip Count: 750,000

Notable Eliminations:

John Hennigan
Scotty Nguyen
Bill Chen
Mikhail Tulchinskiy
Matt Glantz
Thor Hansen

Big Hands:

Hold’em

The World Needs A Hero

David Bach raised to 36,000 preflop and Freddy Deeb made the call. The flop came down J96 and Bach bet 18,000. Deeb raised to 36,000 and Bach called. The turn was the 7 and Bach check-called a 36,000 bet from Deeb. The river brought the 7 and Bach check-called another bet of 36,000 from Deeb.

Deeb showed down KQ for a whole lot of nothing and Bach showed 55 for the best hand. Bach made two hero calls and was rewarded with the pot, improving his stack to 600,000.

Omaha/8

The End Of The World As We Know It

David Bach raised to 36,000 from the cutoff and the action was on John Hennigan in the small blind. He three-bet to 54,000 and action was back on Bach after the big blind folded. Bach added another bet to 72,000 and Hennigan called. The flop then came down J82 and Hennigan checked. Bach fired 18,000 and Hennigan made the call. Both players checked the 7 on the turn and Hennigan fired 36,000 on the K river.

Bach made the call and Hennigan tabled AJ82 for two pair. Bach then turned over AK102 for a better two pair and Hennigan was left crippled with just 43,000 in chips. A few hands later, Hennigan would be eliminated by Mike Wattel’s nut flush.

And The New $50,000 H.O.R.S.E Champion Is…

Scotty Nguyen made his last stand just before day 3 came to an end. He was all in for his last 28,000 preflop against Frank Kassela. Here is how their boards looked.

Nguyen: AQ76
Kassela: QQ107

Board: 5225J

The flop gave Nguyen four cards to a low but the following two streets did refused to help the defending champion and he was eliminated.

Razz

Bill Chen Fades Away

Bill Chen was short on chips and found himself at risk on third street against Ray Dehkharghani. Here is how their boards ran out.

Chen: (A-8)9-10-K-5(8)
Dehkharghani: (J-5)7-3-10-7-(6)

Chen was only able to make a king-low and Dehkharghani made a 10-low to knock Chen out just a few spots shy of the money. Dehkharghani took the pot and was at 400,000 after the knockout.

Stud High

The Fall Of Thor

Steve Billirakis completed to 18,000 and Thor Hansen raised to 36,000. Billirakis made the call and here is how their boards looked heading into fourth street.

Billirakis: X-X-QA
Hansen: X-X-92

Billirakis led out with 18,000 and Hansen raised to 36,000. Billirakis made the call.

Billirakis: X-X-QA10
Hansen: X-X-926

Billirakis bet 36,000 and Hansen raised all in. Billirakis made the call and turned over (1010) from his hole cards for a set. Hansen showed (AA) for cracked aces. Billirakis’ board finished out 5(8x) and Hansen needed an ace on the final two streets to stay alive. He received a 3 on sixth and looked down at his river card to try and pull out a miracle. Instead, he threw it in the muck and Billirakis took the pot, eliminating Hansen.

Stud/8

Lunkin Steps On Seed

Huck Seed, Vitaly Lunkin and Frank Kassela were each involved in a hand. Kassela brought in for 5,000 and Seed completed to 18,000. Kassela and Lunkin both called. Here is how their boards looked entering fourth street.

Seed: X-X-84
Lunkin: X-X-25
Kassela: X-X-29

Action was checked to Seed who fired 18,000. Both opponents called.

Seed: X-X-84J
Lunkin: X-X-252
Kassela: X-X-29J

Action was checked to Seed again and he fired 36,000. Lunkin made the call but Kassela had enough and mucked.

Seed: X-X-84JK
Lunkin: X-X-2525

Lunkin made two pair on sixth street and led out with 36,000. Seed made the call. The river was dealt and both players checked. Lunkin then tabled (8610), nothing to add to his two pair on the board. Seed could not beat it however and mucked. Lunkin was at 980,000 while Seed was at 655,000.

Matt Glantz Busts

Picking up the action on fourth street, Steve Billirakis, David Chiu and Matt Glantz were involved in a hand.

Billirakis: X-X-A7
Chiu: X-X-QK
Glantz: X-X-23

Billirakis bet 18,000 and both opponents called.

Billirakis: X-X-A7Q
Chiu: X-X-QK7
Glantz: X-X-239

Billirakis bet 36,000 and Chiu called. Glantz called the remainder of his stack and he was all in.

Billirakis: X-X-A7QA
Chiu: X-X-QK78
Glantz: X-X-239Q

Billirakis bet 36,000 and Chiu called. The river was dealt and Billirakis checked. Chiu fired 36,000 and Billirakis let his hand go. Chiu then tabled (A58) for the nut flush and Glantz mucked his hand and exited the tournament area.

Seidel’s Yacht Sinks Tulchinskiy In His Rowboat

Mikhail Tulchinskiy found himself all in against Erik Seidel. Here is how their boards ran out.

Tulchinskiy: (33)432K(K)
Seidel: (88)8645(6)

Seidel was rolled up with three eights but Tulchinskiy got something to fight back with when he received a third three on fourth street. They drew blanks until the river where Tulchinskiy scored a full boat. Unfortunately, Seidel also hit a boat and his was bigger. Tulchinskiy got up and made his exit from the tournament.

Player Tags: Thor Hansen,   Frank Kassela,   Erik Seidel,   Huck Seed,   David Bach,   John Hennigan,   David Chiu,   Ray Dehkharghani,   Steve Billirakis,   Freddy Deeb,   Vitaly Lunkin

Level 15 Update: Patrik Antonius, Scott Clements Eliminated

Jun 28, '09

Flop Games: Blinds – 8,000-15,000, Limits – 15,000-30,000
Stud Games: Ante — 3,000, Bring-In — 5,000, Completion — 15,000, Limits — 15,000-30,000

Players Remaining: 26 out of 95

Chip Counts:

1. Erik Sagstrom – 1,300,000
2. Freddy Deeb – 1,200,000
3. Vitaly Lunkin – 970,000
4. David Bach – 960,000
5. Ville Wahlbeck – 955,000
6. John Hanson – 800,000
7. Brett Richey – 770,000
8. Gus Hansen – 730,000
9. Huck Seed – 690,000
10. Chau Giang – 620,000

Average Chip Count: 548,076

Notable Eliminations:

Patrik Antonius
Scott Clements
Hasan Habib
John Monnette
Matt Hawrilenko

Big Hands:

Hold’em

Clements Scores A Double Double…

Hasan Habib raised to 60,000 preflop and the action was on Scott Clements. He reraised all in and Habib made the call.

Habib: 99
Clements: 88

Board: KQ810A

Clements started in bad shape but flopped a set and never looked back, doubling to 120,000.

A few hands later, he and Thor Hansen tangled resulting in Clements’ chips ending up in the middle again. Clements had AK while Hansen held 1010. The flop was harmless for Hansen as it came 887. The turn was another blank in the J, but the river was the K and Clements doubled again to 240,000.

Omaha/8

The Seed Grows A Little More

Gus Hansen raised to 60,000 from the button and Huck Seed called from the small blind. Erik Seidel called from the big blind and the players saw a flop of 1072 and Seed checked. Seidel bet 30,000 and Hansen raised to 60,000. Seed and Seidel both called and the Q fell on the turn. Everyone checked and it was the same story for the 2 on the river.

Seed then turned over AQ33 for top pair and the pot. He was up to 250,000.

Razz

Deeb Doesn’t Believe In Hawrilenko

Freddy Deeb and Matt Hawrilenko tangled in a hand and the pot had a lot of chips in it by seventh street. Here were their boards.

Hawrilenko: X-X-2-7-A-J
Deeb: X-X-2-10-6-6

Hawrilenko fired 30,000 into the pot an Deeb thought for a while. He decided to look up his opponent and Hawrilenko turned over (A-A-3) for a jack-low. Deeb turned over 3-7-10) for a 10-low and he took down a nice pot. He was up to 650,000 while Hawrilenko was at 175,000.

The Tournament Just Got A Little Less Attractive

Patrik Antonius just busted after getting involved in a hand with Erik Seidel and Gus Hansen.

Antonius: X-X-5
Hansen: X-X-6
Seidel: X-X-5

Hansen completed to 15,000 and Antonius moved his last 24,000 into the pot. Seidel and Hansen both called.

Antonius: X-X-5-4
Hansen: X-X-6-2
Seidel: X-X-5-A

Seidel bet 30,000 and Hansen made the call.

Antonius: X-X-5-4-Q
Hansen: X-X-6-2-4
Seidel: X-X-5-A-10

Hansen was first to act now and he bet 60,000. Seidel made the call.

Antonius: X-X-5-4-Q-K
Hansen: X-X-6-2-4-6
Seidel: X-X-5-A-10-4

Seidel bet 60,000 after Hansen paired on sixth street. Hansen made the call. The river was dealt and Seidel bet again. Hansen finally mucked and Seidel showed (2-3-7) for the wheel. Antonius mucked and he was eliminated.

Stud High

…But Mr. Clements Still Goes Bust

Scott Clements managed to double up twice early in the level but the chips didn’t last long as he found himself all in against John Hanson. Here is how their boards ran out.

Clements: (K5)39A10(K)
Hanson: (QJ)QJ42(5)

Clements started with three diamonds and was given another one on fourth street. Hanson had two pair by fourth street and Clements needed just one diamond to hit his flush on the next three streets. But Clements saw nothing but black cards for the remainder of the hand and he was eliminated.

Stud/8

Wahlbeck Flushes Scotty Baby

Scotty Nguyen and Ville Wahlbeck tangled in a hand. Nguyen completed to 15,000 and Wahlbeck made the call. Here is how their boards looked heading into fourth street.

Nguyen: X-X-AK
Wahlbeck: X-X-73

Nguyen bet 30,000 and Wahlbeck made the call.

Nguyen: X-X-AK2
Wahlbeck: X-X-73J

Nguyen bet 60,000 and Wahlbeck called.

Nguyen: X-X-AK2K
Wahlbeck: X-X-73J3

Nguyen bet another 60,000 and Wahlbeck made the call. The river was dealt and Nguyen checked to his Finnish opponent. Wahlbeck then bet 60,000 and Nguyen called. Wahlbeck turned over (A85) for the nut flush and an 8-7 low. Nguyen mucked and Wahlbeck scooped the pot, improving to 950,000 while Nguyen was at 167,000.

Player Tags: Thor Hansen,   Erik Seidel,   Hasan Habib,   Huck Seed,   Gus Hansen,   Patrik Antonius,   Scott Clements,   Matt Hawrilenko,   Freddy Deeb

Level 4 Update: Brunson Loses Some Chips

Jun 26, '09

Flop Games: 800-1,500
Stud Games: Ante — 400, Bring-In — 500, Completion — 1,800, Limits — 1,800-3,600

Players Remaining: 95 out of 95

Chip Counts:

1. Martin Vallo – 290,000
2. Justin Smith – 251,000
3. David Bach – 235,000
4. Steve Billirakis – 223,000
5. Bill Chen – 210,000
6. James Van Alstyne – 206,000
7. David Benyamine – 199,000
8. Andy Black – 198,000
9. Chad Brown – 196,000
10. Jeff Lisandro – 188,000

Big Hands:

Hold’em

Seidel’s River Bet Forces a Fold From Pezzin

Erik Seidel raised from early position and was called by Pat Pezzin in the big blind. They took the flop heads up and it came J52. Pezzin checked and called 1500 from Seidel and they see a turn.

The turn was the 8 and Pezzin checks and calls again to Seidel’s bet. The river was a 10 and Pezzin checked one more time. Seidel fired one last bullet of 3000 and Pezzin quickly mucked his hand and the dealer pushed the pot Seidel’s way.

Omaha/8

Justin Smith Scoops Big Multi-way Pot

Five players invested four bets a piece preflop and the flop was KK4. Both blinds check and Justin “BoostedJ” Smith bets 1500, which is called by Gabe Kaplan and Hasaan Habib. The turn was the Q and the same action took place, this time with a bet of 3000.

The river was the 4 Smith fires one last 3000 shell. Kaplan thought for a bit and folded before Habib made the call. Smith tabled KJ109, giving him three kings, and Habib mucked his hand.

Razz

Juanda Drops A Pot To Smith

Picking up the action on third street, John Juanda and Justin Smith tangled up in a hand.

Juanda: X-X-5
Smith: X-X-3

John Juanda completed to 1,500 and action folded around to Smith. He raised to 3,000 and Juanda made the call.

Juanda: X-X-58
Smith: X-X-38

Smith bet another 1,500 and Juanda made the call.

Juanda: X-X-58Q
Smith: X-X-387

Smith fired 3,000 into the pot and Juanda got out of the way. Smith raked in the pot and was around 240,000 while Juanda was at 128,000.

Stud/8

Brunson Has His Chips Chopped Up

Picking up the action on third street, Doyle Brunson, Vitaly Lunkin and seat 3 were involved in a hand.

Brunson: X-X-5
Lunkin: X-X-6
Seat 3: X-X-2

Brunson completed to 1,500 and Lunkin called. Seat 3 raised to 3,000 and both Brunson and Lunkin called.

Brunson: X-X-5K
Lunkin: X-X-64
Seat 3: X-X-2K

Seat 3 bet 1,500 and both opponents called.

Brunson: X-X-5K3
Lunkin: X-X-645
Seat 3: X-X-2K4

Lunkin was the aggressor on fifth street, leading out with 3,000. Both opponents called.

Brunson: X-X-5K3A
Lunkin: X-X-6456
Seat 3: X-X-2K47

Lunkin bet another 3,000 and both of his opponents called. The river was dealt and Lunkin bet 3,000. Seat 3 called and Brunson looked down at his hole cards. He was disgusted and threw his hand into the muck. He then slammed the table with his hand. Lunkin showed (Q75) for a spade flush. Seat 3 showed (A32) for a 7-low and they chopped up the pot that had many chips from Brunson. Lunkin was at 107,000 while Brunson was at 135,000.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   John Juanda,   Hasan Habib,   Doyle Brunson,   Gabe Kaplan,   Pat Pezzin,   Vitaly Lunkin,   Justin Smith

Level 1 Update: Harman Chipping Up

Jun 26, '09

Flop Games: 400-800
Stud Games: Ante — 200, Bring-In — 200, Bring In — 800, Stakes — 800-1,600

Entrants: 78

Starting Stack: 150,000

Big Hands:

Hold’em

Brunson Takes A Nice Pot Off Bach

Todd Brunson, John Hanson and David Bach were in for 1,600 each preflop. The flop then came down AJ6 and Brunson led out with 800. Bach made the call and Hanson mucked. The turn was then the 7 and both players checked. The river brought the 9 and Brunson checked again. Bach fired 1,600 into the pot and Brunson sprung the trap, raising to 3,200. Bach made the call and Brunson announced “Jacks up.” He showed J9 and Bach mucked, giving Brunson a nice pot in the early going getting him to 160,000.

Zeidman Check-Raises Turn, Takes Pot

Cory Zeidman takes a flop with Abe Mosseri heads up and it fell KJ2 and Zeidman checked and called a bet from Mosseri. The turn was the J and Zeidman checked again.

Mosseri bet again, but was met with a raise from Zeidman. Mosseri mucked pretty quickly and Zeidman showed the A7, having flopped the nut flush.

Omaha/8

Harman Gets It Going

Jennifer Harman raised to 1,600 preflop and Scott Clements made the call from the small blind. The big blind also tagged along and the three players saw a flop of Q99. Clements checked and the big blind fired 800. Harman made the call and Clements mucked.

The turn was the A and the action was checked to Harman. She bet 1,600 and the big blind called. The river was the 9 and both players checked. Harman then showed AK53 for a full house and the big blind mucked, giving Harman an early pot. She was around 160,000.

Ralph Perry Chops It Up

Ralph Perry raised to 1,600 from middle position and the big blind made the call. The flop came 844 and Perry bet 800. The big blind called and the turn brought the 10. Perry bet 1,600 and was called again.The river was the 5 and the big blind led out this time for 1,600. Perry raised to 3,200 and the big blind called.

Perry showed A2Q10 for the nut low and his opponent showed a flush. They chopped it up and Perry was still around his starting stack. He pulled a CardPlayer.com reporter aside and asked to give a shout out to his son Sean Perry. There you go Sean, greetings from the Rio courtesy of your dad.

Clements Takes 3/4 of the Pot

Scott Clements raised from the cutoff and was called by the player on the button. They took the flop heads up and it fell 326. Clements bet and was called. The turn was the 4 and Clements checked and called a bet from his opponent.

The river was the 4 and Clements bet and was called by his opponent. Clements tabled A4107, good for trip fours and a 6432A low, and his opponent showed the A678, good for a pair of sixes and the same low as Clements, giving Clements 3/4 of the pot.

Razz

Seidel Takes It On Seventh

Erik Seidel: X-X-39
Seat 2: X-X-6A

The player in seat 2 bet out 800 into the pot and Erik Seidel made the call.

Erik Seidel: X-X-396
Seat 2: X-X-6A10

Seidel bet 1,600 and his opponent made the call.

Erik Seidel: X-X-3964
Seat 2: X-X-6A107

Seidel bet another 1,600 and seat 2 called. After the river was dealt, Seidel fired another 1,600 and his opponent finally mucked. Seidel took the pot and was around 158,000.

Schulman Defends Bring-in, Wins Pot off Van Alstyne

Nick Schulman was the bring-in bet with the J and James Van Alstyne completed the bet showing the 2.

Nick Schulman: X-X-J-6
James Van Alstyne: X-X-2-6

On fourth street, Van Alstyne bet and Schulman made the call. On fifth street, the boards looked like this.

Nick Schulman: X-X-J-49
James Van Alstyne: X-X-4-6-J

Van Alstyne bet again and Schulman stuck around to see sixth street.

Schulman: X-X-J-4-9-6
Van Alstyne: X-X-2-6-J-10

Schulman now bets out and Van Alstyne folds, taking the pot.

Stud High

The Rolled Up Mouth

On fith street, Cory Zeidman and Mike Matusow were locked up in a hand. Their boards looked like this.

Zeidman: X-X-K-5-3
Matusow: X-X-J-6-7

Zeidman bet out and was quickly raised by Matusow. Zeidman tossed in a call and they saw 6th street.

Zeidman: X-X-K-5-3-K
Matusow: X-X-J-6-7-8

The same action took place as Zeidman bet again and was raised again, and he decided to call again. They saw the river card face down and Zeidman decided to check. Matusow bet and was called. Matusow showed the J-J-6 as his down cards, good for jacks full of sixes.

“I was rolled up,” said Matusow as he raked the pot.

Stud/8

Zolotow Just Manages A Chop

Steve Zolotow: X-X-47
Pat Bueno: X-X-7K

Zolotow bet 800 into his opponent and Bueno made the call.

Steve Zolotow: X-X-475
Pat Bueno: X-X-7K9

Zolotow bet 1,600 and Bueno made the call.

Steve Zolotow: X-X-4754
Pat Bueno: X-X-7K93

Zolotow bet 1,600 and Bueno popped it to 3,200. Zolotow made the call. After the river was dealt, Zolotow checked to Bueno and he bet 1,600. Zolotow called and Bueno turned over (A86) for the nut flush and an 8-7-6 low. Zolotow showed (873) for an 8-7-5 low and just enough to chop the pot. Zolotow was at 160,000 while Bueno was at 165,000.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Todd Brunson,   Steve Zolotow,   Mike Matusow,   David Bach,   Jennifer Harman,   Cory Zeidman,   Scott Clements,   Patrick Bueno,   John Hanson,   Nick Schulman