Toto Leonidas Poker Tournament Updates

Level Two Hour One Update: Mike Sowers Doubles Up

Jul 07, '10

Blinds: 100-200

Average Chip Counts 30,000

Notable Chip Counts:

David Williams – 126,000
Johnny Chan – 65,000
Matt Woodward – 62,000
Adam Junglen – 53,000
Leo Margets – 48,900
Daniel Alaei – 46,000
Mike Sica – 46,000
Thayer Rasmussen – 46,000
Ayaz Mahmood – 45,000
Andy Seth – 44,600

Card Player Chip Counts:

Steve Murphy — 37,800
Christina Lindley — 35,500
Dani Stern — 30,000
Tony Dunst — 29,700

Notable Eliminations:

Twitter Accounts:

Daniel Negreanu
Eric Froehlich
Vicky Coren
Alex Outhred
Scotty Nguyen
Phil Hellmuth
Jennifer Leigh
Shanna Moakler
Antonio Esfandiari
Nick Maimone
Dennis Phillips
Bryan Devonshire
Annie Duke

Big Hands:

Mike Sowers Doubles Up

A player raised to 600 and Mike Sowers made the call. The action was then on the small blind and he repopped it to 2,150. The first player called and Sowers moved in for 5,275.

The small blind was the only caller and they turned over their hands:

Sowers: KK
Opponent: AK

Sowers was dominating and the board ran out J547Q and Sowers scored the double up to 13,500.

Ladies Night

Picking up the action after the board had run out K72109, there was 9,000 in the pot. A player had bet 8,000 and the action was on Shaun Deeb.

He tanked for a few moments and eventually threw in the call. His opponent showed QQ, which was fine by Deeb as he tabled QQ.

The two players chopped the pot and Deeb was at 26,000.

Antonio Esfandiari Three-Bets

A player in early position raised to 800 and got two callers. Antonio Esfandiari three-bet to 3,000 from the big blind and the initial bettor folded. The next player to act called and the last player folded. Esfandiari asked for a chip count on his opponent. Esfandiari got a count of about 14,000 and the flop came Q97. Esfandiari bet 4,600 and his opponent quickly mucked. Esfandiari was at about 30,000 after the hand.

Jeff Madsen Loses Steam

Jeff Madsen raised to 500 preflop and was called by seat 2 and the player in the big blind.

The flop ran 10QJ and all players checked. On the 6 turn action checked to Madsen who bet 850. Seat 2 called but the big blind folded.

The 3 fell on the river and Madsen slowed back down, checking to seat 2 who fired 3,000. Madsen wasted little time folding. His stack was still around 31,000 after the hand.

Leonidas Bests Froehlich

Picking up the action on the flop of J65, Toto Leonidas bet 1,250 and Eric Froehlich raised to 2,700. Leonidas made the call and the turn was the 2.

Both players checked and the 6 came on the river. Leonidas bet 3,500 and Froehlich made the call. Leonidas then turned over the bad news with K10 for the second nut-flush.

Froehlich mucked and was down to 23,800. Leonidas scooped the pot and was at 33,300 after the hand.

Nice Fold

At Tom McEvoy’s table a raising war preflop led to one player folding pocket kings face up. The table was a bit shocked until the opposing player showed pocket aces. Good read, sir.

How Much to Shave Chau Giang’s Head?

Antonio Esfandiari and his tablemates have been playing a little game where they ask Chau Giang how much he’d have to be paid to do certain things. The latest? How much for him to shave his head bald?

After some thought, Giang announced that $3,000 was the magic number. Esfandiari and another player at the table quickly decided to split the cost to pay Giang, and the ESPN cameras swarmed.

With all eyes on him, Giang changed his tune. First, he said he wouldn’t do it on camera, then he said he’d only do it for $15,000.

“I like my hair,” he reasoned.

Marcel Luske Makes a Fold

Over in the pavilion room, Marcel Luske saw a flop of AA4. He checked and his opponent bet 900. Luske deliberated before eventually folding. He was at 29,000 after the hand.

Player Tags: Toto Leonidas,   Antonio Esfandiari,   Chau Giang,   Marcel Luske,   Eric Froehlich,   Jeff Madsen,   Shaun Deeb,   Mike Sowers

Level 15 Update: Mizrachi Cruising

Jun 16, '10

Blinds: 3,000-6,000

Players Remaining: 22 out of 171

Average Chip Count: 233,181

Tournament Leaderboard:

1. Darren Woods – 500,000
2. Michael Mizrachi – 415,000
3. Matt Keikoan – 405,000
4. Patrick Walsh – 340,000
5. Anh Van Nguyen – 300,000
6. Brock Parker – 300,000
7. Zvi Groysman – 280,000
8. Simon Morris – 240,000
9. Matthew Gallin – 231,000
10. Daniel Idema – 220,000

Notable Eliminations:

Steve Sung
Andre Akkari
Toto Leonidas

Big Hands:

Mizrachi Busts Akkari

Andre Akkari got into a raising war preflop with Michael Mizrachi and after four bets, Akkari got his last 33,000 in the middle preflop with AJ against Mizrachi’s pocket threes.

Mizrachi flopped another three and left Akkari drawing dead by the turn card and Mizrachi is up to 395,000 in chips.

Toto Leonidas Eliminated

David Chiu check-raised Toto Leonidas on a flop of J94 and Leonidas made the call. The turn was the K and Chiu led, but was raised by Leonidas. Chiu quickly made it four bets and Leonidas called.

The 7 was the river and Chiu had bet it dark. Leonidas folded and left himself with just 7,000. He was eliminated on the very next hand when he couldn’t survive his all in.

Steve Sung Hits the Rail

Christoph Kwon raised and was called by Steve Sung. The flop was 9510 and Sung let out and was raised by Kwon. Sung made the call and they saw the A fall on the turn. They got the rest of Kwon’s chips in on the turn and Kwon showed 1010 and had Sung’s AK drawing dead.

This left Sung with just 9,000 and was eliminated on the next hand when he failed to survive his all-in. Kwon climbed to 110,000.

Player Tags: Toto Leonidas,   Michael Mizrachi,   David Chiu,   Steve Sung,   Andre Akkari

Level 16: Phil Hellmuth Eliminated

Jun 14, '10

Blinds: 4,000-8,000

Players Remaining: 31 out of 212

Average Chip Count: 176,667

Card Player Chip Counts:

Steve Zolotow – 55,000

Tournament Leaderboard:

1. Sam Farha – 380,000
2. James Dempsey – 370,000
3. John Cernuto – 347,000
4. Tony Merksick – 334,000
5. Jose De Paz – 306,000
6. Jean-Robert Bellande – 300,000
7. Mikael Thuritz – 270,000
8. David Baker – 270,000
9. Chino Rheem – 260,000
10. Sergey Altbregin – 258,000

Notable Eliminations:

Phil Hellmuth
Toto Leonidas

Big Hands:

Phil Hellmuth Crippled, Then Eliminated

Sam Farha raised to 16,000 and Phil Hellmuth made the call from the big blind. Farha then led out on the flop and turn with Hellmuth calling both times.

Both players checked the board of Q106JJ.

Farha turned over KK75 for kings and jacks and Hellmuth mucked.

Hellmuth was left with just five big bets and was eliminated a few hands later.

Toto Leonidas Out

Toto Leonidas had all his chips in the middle against John Cernuto on a flop of Q98. Leonidas tabled A843.

Cernuto showed down A893. The turn was the Q and the river was the 2, giving Cernuto the better hand and Leonidas was out.

Bellande Over 400,000

Steve Wong raised preflop and Jean-Robert Bellande repopped to 24,000. Wong made the call and the flop was A103. Bellande bet 8,000 and Wong called. The turn was the K and Bellande bet 16,000.

Wong called again and the river was the A. Bellande bet another 16,000 and Wong finally had enough, releasing his hand. Bellande took the pot and was at 418,000.

Player Tags: Toto Leonidas,   Phil Hellmuth,   Jean-Robert Bellande

Level 19: Money Bubble Bursts Quickly

Jun 08, '10

Blinds: Ante 3,000, Bring-In 5,000, 15,000-30,000 Limits

Players Remaining: 15 out of 170

Average Chip Count: 340,000

Tournament Leaderboard:

1. Frank Kassela – 640,000
2. John Juanda – 580,000
3. Alessio Isaia – 550,000
4. Kirill Rabstov – 525,000
5. Vladimir Schmelev – 490,000
6. Sergey Altbregin – 440,000
7. Marco Johnson – 345,000
8. Allen Kessler – 290,000
9. Steve Zolotow – 260,000
10. Gary Benson – 235,000

Card Player Chip Counts:

Jennifer Harman — 174,000

Notable Eliminations:

Chip Jett
Alexander Dovzhenko
16. Toto Leonidas — $28,220

Big Hands:

Alexander Dovzhenko Bursts Money Bubble

Alexander Dovzhenko was all in on third street against Christopher George. Here were how their boards ran out:

Dovzhenko: (QQ)A1097(3
George: (52)3KKA(2)

George nailed down a club flush by sixth street and Dovzhenko was the unlucky bubble boy.

Toto Leonidas Eliminated In 16th Place

Toto Leonidas and Sergey Altbregin were involved in a pot against each other. Leonidas was all in by sixth street and here is how their boards ran out.

Altbregin: (52)435(3)
Leonidas: (A7)4679(A)

Leonidas made aces-up but Altbregin rivered a flush and sent Leonidas to rail.

Player Tags: Toto Leonidas,   Christopher George,   Sergey Altbregin,   Alexander Dovzhenko

Level 15: Players Survive By Chopping

Jun 07, '10

Blinds: Ante 1,500, Bring-In 2,000, 6,000-12,000 Limits

Players Remaining: 32 out of 170

Average Chip Count: 157,375

Tournament Leaderboard:

1. Steve Zolotow – 278,000
2. John Juanda – 270,000
3. George Lind – 260,000
4. Sergey Altbregin – 260,000
5. Alexander Dovzhenko – 245,000
6. Christopher George – 235,000
7. Vladimir Schmelev – 220,000
8. Dario Minieri – 205,000
9. Blair Rodman – 200,000
10. Richard Ashby – 189,000

Card Player Chip Counts:

Jennifer Harman — 109,000
Phil Hellmuth — 82,000

Notable Eliminations:

Scott Clements

Player’s Twitter Accounts:

Cyndy Violette

Big Hands:

Violette Chops To Stay Alive

Brandon Adams had the bring-in and Cyndy Violette raised behind him. Erik Seidel and Toto Leonidas both joined the fun, making the call. When action got back to Adams he re-raised and everyone called, making it a sizable 4-way pot.

On 4th street Seidel checked to Leonidas who bet, Adams called and Violette raised the last of her chips in. Leonidas re-raised yet again and Seidel got out of the way but Adams called.

Leonidas bet on 5th street, and appeared to be slowing down on 6th street but check-raised Adams’ bet, and once again took over as the first better on the river. Adams made the call and they showed their hands.

Adams: (X-X)-271010-(X)
Violette: (25)-67K9-(4)
Leonidas: (X-X)-QJ6K-(X)

Leonidas showed two pair for the high half of the main pot, but Violette’s down cards showed the best low hand, earning her half the pot to stay alive with around 40,000 in chips.

Leonidas still had around 155,000 in chips and Adams had 140,000 after the hand.

Toto Chops For All His Chips

Picking up the action on seventh street, Brandon Adams bet 12,000 and Toto Leonidas made the call, putting himself all in.

Adams showed (A66)7772 for a full house.

Leonidas tabled (764)10854 for an 8-7 low, as his straight was nullified by Adams’ full house.

Both players chopped the pot and Adams was at 185,000 while Leonidas was at 110,000.

Seidel Chops With Harman To Stay Alive

Jennifer Harman bet 12,000 on fifth street and Erik Seidel made the call. Harman fired another bet of 12,000 on sixth street and Seidel called for the rest of his stack.

Harman was showing A853 while Seidel was showing 10532.

After the river, Harman’s hole cards were AK7 giving her a pair of aces with an 8-7 low. Seidel countered with 862 for an 8-6 low and half the pot.

He was at 54,000 while Harman was just around 70,000.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Toto Leonidas,   Jennifer Harman,   Cyndy Violette,   Brandon Adams

Level 19: Money Bubble Bursts Quickly

Jun 08, '10

Blinds: Ante 3,000, Bring-In 5,000, 15,000-30,000 Limits

Players Remaining: 15 out of 170

Average Chip Count: 340,000

Tournament Leaderboard:

1. Frank Kassela – 640,000
2. John Juanda – 580,000
3. Alessio Isaia – 550,000
4. Kirill Rabstov – 525,000
5. Vladimir Schmelev – 490,000
6. Sergey Altbregin – 440,000
7. Marco Johnson – 345,000
8. Allen Kessler – 290,000
9. Steve Zolotow – 260,000
10. Gary Benson – 235,000

Card Player Chip Counts:

Jennifer Harman — 174,000

Notable Eliminations:

Chip Jett
Alexander Dovzhenko
16. Toto Leonidas — $28,220

Big Hands:

Alexander Dovzhenko Bursts Money Bubble

Alexander Dovzhenko was all in on third street against Christopher George. Here were how their boards ran out:

Dovzhenko: (QQ)A1097(3
George: (52)3KKA(2)

George nailed down a club flush by sixth street and Dovzhenko was the unlucky bubble boy.

Toto Leonidas Eliminated In 16th Place

Toto Leonidas and Sergey Altbregin were involved in a pot against each other. Leonidas was all in by sixth street and here is how their boards ran out.

Altbregin: (52)435(3)
Leonidas: (A7)4679(A)

Leonidas made aces-up but Altbregin rivered a flush and sent Leonidas to rail.

Player Tags: Toto Leonidas,   Christopher George,   Sergey Altbregin,   Alexander Dovzhenko

Level 15: Players Survive By Chopping

Jun 07, '10

Blinds: Ante 1,500, Bring-In 2,000, 6,000-12,000 Limits

Players Remaining: 32 out of 170

Average Chip Count: 157,375

Tournament Leaderboard:

1. Steve Zolotow – 278,000
2. John Juanda – 270,000
3. George Lind – 260,000
4. Sergey Altbregin – 260,000
5. Alexander Dovzhenko – 245,000
6. Christopher George – 235,000
7. Vladimir Schmelev – 220,000
8. Dario Minieri – 205,000
9. Blair Rodman – 200,000
10. Richard Ashby – 189,000

Card Player Chip Counts:

Jennifer Harman — 109,000
Phil Hellmuth — 82,000

Notable Eliminations:

Scott Clements

Player’s Twitter Accounts:

Cyndy Violette

Big Hands:

Violette Chops To Stay Alive

Brandon Adams had the bring-in and Cyndy Violette raised behind him. Erik Seidel and Toto Leonidas both joined the fun, making the call. When action got back to Adams he re-raised and everyone called, making it a sizable 4-way pot.

On 4th street Seidel checked to Leonidas who bet, Adams called and Violette raised the last of her chips in. Leonidas re-raised yet again and Seidel got out of the way but Adams called.

Leonidas bet on 5th street, and appeared to be slowing down on 6th street but check-raised Adams’ bet, and once again took over as the first better on the river. Adams made the call and they showed their hands.

Adams: (X-X)-271010-(X)
Violette: (25)-67K9-(4)
Leonidas: (X-X)-QJ6K-(X)

Leonidas showed two pair for the high half of the main pot, but Violette’s down cards showed the best low hand, earning her half the pot to stay alive with around 40,000 in chips.

Leonidas still had around 155,000 in chips and Adams had 140,000 after the hand.

Toto Chops For All His Chips

Picking up the action on seventh street, Brandon Adams bet 12,000 and Toto Leonidas made the call, putting himself all in.

Adams showed (A66)7772 for a full house.

Leonidas tabled (764)10854 for an 8-7 low, as his straight was nullified by Adams’ full house.

Both players chopped the pot and Adams was at 185,000 while Leonidas was at 110,000.

Seidel Chops With Harman To Stay Alive

Jennifer Harman bet 12,000 on fifth street and Erik Seidel made the call. Harman fired another bet of 12,000 on sixth street and Seidel called for the rest of his stack.

Harman was showing A853 while Seidel was showing 10532.

After the river, Harman’s hole cards were AK7 giving her a pair of aces with an 8-7 low. Seidel countered with 862 for an 8-6 low and half the pot.

He was at 54,000 while Harman was just around 70,000.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Toto Leonidas,   Jennifer Harman,   Cyndy Violette,   Brandon Adams

Well, That Didn't Take Long

Dec 17, '09

Just minutes into play, Toto Leonidas woke up with pocket tens and got them all in against Lee Salem. Salem’s pocket kings were too much to overcome, however, and Leonidas was the first casualty sent to the rail.

Player Tags: Toto Leonidas,   Lee Salem

Toto Leonidas Eliminated

Oct 28, '09

Toto Leonidas maved all in preflop for 72,000 under the gun. Mark Ketteringham made the call UTG+1 and everyone else folded. Their cards:

Leonidas: AQ
Ketteringham: AK

Board: 10924K

Leonidas was eliminated on the hand and Ketteringham grew his stack to 370,000.

Player Tags: Toto Leonidas,   Mark Ketteringham

Toto Leonidas Doubles Up

Oct 28, '09

Toto Leonidas moved all in preflop from the cutoff and Christian Harder made the call from middle position. Their cards:

Leonidas: QQ
Harder: AK

Board: 842J7

Leonidas doubled up on the hand to survive.

Player Tags: Toto Leonidas

Toto Leonidas Doubles Up

Oct 27, '09

On a board of 4325 Toto Leonidas moved all in for 29,375 and David Singer went into the tank. He eventually made the call and Leonidas flipped over J10. Singer showed down AJ and the river was dealt 4. Leonidas doubled up on the hand and Singer took a hit down to 4,700.

Player Tags: Toto Leonidas,   David Singer

Toto Leonidas Eliminated

Oct 28, '09

Toto Leonidas maved all in preflop for 72,000 under the gun. Mark Ketteringham made the call UTG+1 and everyone else folded. Their cards:

Leonidas: AQ
Ketteringham: AK

Board: 10924K

Leonidas was eliminated on the hand and Ketteringham grew his stack to 370,000.

Player Tags: Toto Leonidas,   Mark Ketteringham

Toto Leonidas Doubles Up

Oct 28, '09

Toto Leonidas moved all in preflop from the cutoff and Christian Harder made the call from middle position. Their cards:

Leonidas: QQ
Harder: AK

Board: 842J7

Leonidas doubled up on the hand to survive.

Player Tags: Toto Leonidas

Toto Leonidas Doubles Up

Oct 27, '09

On a board of 4325 Toto Leonidas moved all in for 29,375 and David Singer went into the tank. He eventually made the call and Leonidas flipped over J10. Singer showed down AJ and the river was dealt 4. Leonidas doubled up on the hand and Singer took a hit down to 4,700.

Player Tags: Toto Leonidas,   David Singer

Toto Leonidas Eliminated in Fourth Place ($144,600)

Aug 26, '09

Prahlad Friedman raised to 200,000 under the gun preflop and Toto Leonidas made the call from the button. The flop was dealt K62 and Friedman bet 350,000. Leonidas thought for a moment and then moved all in for 1,390,000. Friedman made the call and they flipped up their cards:

Friedman: AK
Leonidas: A9

Turn and River: J2

Leonidas was eliminated on the hand in fourth place and he will take home $144,600 in prize money. Friedman grew his chip stack to 4,445,000 and took the chip lead.

Player Tags: Toto Leonidas,   Prahlad Friedman

Toto Leonidas Doubles Up

Aug 26, '09

Kevin Schaffel raised on the button to 200,000 and Toto Leonidas moved all in from the big blind. Schaffel quickly called with AJ and Leonidas was dominated with A5.

The board ran out J98KJ and Leonidas spiked a diamond-flush to double up to 2,040,000 and Schaffel took a hit down to 2,650,000.

Player Tags: Toto Leonidas,   Kevin Schaffel

Toto Leonidas Doubles Up

Aug 26, '09

Because of Stein’s elimination, there was no small blind on this hand. Kevin Schaffel raised to 150,000 from under the gun and Toto Leonidas mvoed all in from the button. Schaffel made the call with pocket tens and Leonidas was ahead with pocket kings.

The board came J3244 and Leonidas doubled up to over 1.5 million, putting himself back into contention.

Player Tags: Toto Leonidas,   Kevin Schaffel

Toto Leonidas Doubles Up

Aug 25, '09

Toto Leonidas got all of his chips into the middle preflop and Steven Begleiter made the call. Their cards:

Leonidas: AQ
Begleiter: 88

Board: A4363

Leonidas won the hand to survive and 10 players still remain.

Player Tags: Toto Leonidas,   Steven Begleiter

Carter King Eliminated in 19th Place ($18,285)

Aug 25, '09

Carter King raised from middle position and Toto Leonidas reraised all in from the big blind. King made the all-in call for the rest of his short stack and reveled JJ. Leonidas showed AK and a classic race situation ensued.

The board ran out Q888K and Leonidas paired his king on the river to take down the pot with a higher full house, eights full of kings.

King had been on the short stack for nearly two days, but the online pro persevered to make the money and add a WPT cash to his resume.

Player Tags: Toto Leonidas

Toto Leonidas Eliminated in Fourth Place ($144,600)

Aug 26, '09

Prahlad Friedman raised to 200,000 under the gun preflop and Toto Leonidas made the call from the button. The flop was dealt K62 and Friedman bet 350,000. Leonidas thought for a moment and then moved all in for 1,390,000. Friedman made the call and they flipped up their cards:

Friedman: AK
Leonidas: A9

Turn and River: J2

Leonidas was eliminated on the hand in fourth place and he will take home $144,600 in prize money. Friedman grew his chip stack to 4,445,000 and took the chip lead.

Player Tags: Toto Leonidas,   Prahlad Friedman

Toto Leonidas Doubles Up

Aug 26, '09

Kevin Schaffel raised on the button to 200,000 and Toto Leonidas moved all in from the big blind. Schaffel quickly called with AJ and Leonidas was dominated with A5.

The board ran out J98KJ and Leonidas spiked a diamond-flush to double up to 2,040,000 and Schaffel took a hit down to 2,650,000.

Player Tags: Toto Leonidas,   Kevin Schaffel

Toto Leonidas Doubles Up

Aug 26, '09

Because of Stein’s elimination, there was no small blind on this hand. Kevin Schaffel raised to 150,000 from under the gun and Toto Leonidas mvoed all in from the button. Schaffel made the call with pocket tens and Leonidas was ahead with pocket kings.

The board came J3244 and Leonidas doubled up to over 1.5 million, putting himself back into contention.

Player Tags: Toto Leonidas,   Kevin Schaffel

Toto Leonidas Doubles Up

Aug 25, '09

Toto Leonidas got all of his chips into the middle preflop and Steven Begleiter made the call. Their cards:

Leonidas: AQ
Begleiter: 88

Board: A4363

Leonidas won the hand to survive and 10 players still remain.

Player Tags: Toto Leonidas,   Steven Begleiter

Carter King Eliminated in 19th Place ($18,285)

Aug 25, '09

Carter King raised from middle position and Toto Leonidas reraised all in from the big blind. King made the all-in call for the rest of his short stack and reveled JJ. Leonidas showed AK and a classic race situation ensued.

The board ran out Q888K and Leonidas paired his king on the river to take down the pot with a higher full house, eights full of kings.

King had been on the short stack for nearly two days, but the online pro persevered to make the money and add a WPT cash to his resume.

Player Tags: Toto Leonidas