Hoyt Corkins - Live Updates

Level 7 Hour 2 Update: Hoyt Corkins Eliminated

Jul 07, '09

Blinds: 300-600 with a 75 ante

Players Remaining: 3,916 of 6,494

Note: The players have gone on a 90-minute dinner break and will return at 8:10 p.m.

Chip Counts:

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

CardPlayer Chip Counts:

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

Notable Eliminations:

Hoyt Corkins
Erik Cajelais

Big Hands:

Corkins Gone…Really, He’s Out

Just a few hands after Hoyt Corkins doubled up to over 70,000 he was knocked right out of the main event.

A player in middle position raised to 1,400 and the cutoff made the call. The button also called and the action was on Corkins in the small blind. He shoved for 60,000 more. The middle position player quickly called, having Corkins covered. The other two players mucked.

Corkins then tabled AK and was in deep trouble against the KK of his opponent. The flop came down J1010 and Corkins was actually a favorite to double up. The turn was the 4, dropping those percentages a bit and the J on the river put the final nail in the coffin, sending Corkins out of the main event.

Keven Stammen Knocks One Out

After a flop of K96, 2009 bracelet winner Keven Stammen was facing a bet from his opponent. He raised all in and was called. Stammen turned over Q10 for a gutshot straight draw along with a backdoor flush draw. His opponent showed K5 for top pair and the lead.

The turn changed all that when the J made Stammen’s straight. The river was the K, giving his opponent useless trips and Stammen was over 100,000 with the win.

Cajelais Moves Toward The Exit

After a flop of A108, Cajelais ended up all in after he got in a raising war with Samer Rahman. Cajelais showed A3 for top pair but Rahman showed AQ for the same hand with a better kicker.

The turn was the 6 and the river was the K and Cajelais was out of the main event. Rahman was up to 325,000.

King Nothing

Jimmy Fricke called his opponent’s all in bet of 11,000. The opponent showed A10 and Fricke tabled KK.

If only the hand would have ended there, Fricke could’ve had a knockout under his belt. But the flop fell and brought AAQ, giving the all-in player trips. The turn was the J, giving Fricke a straight draw but eliminating a king as one of his outs. The river was the 9 and Fricke lost the pot. He was at 95,000.

The Wrath Of Thor

A player raised to 1,700 preflop and the action was on Thor Hansen. He reraised to 5,500 and his opponent came right back over the top to 16,000. Hansen then moved all in for 36,000 and his opponent made the call. Hansen then revealed AA and his opponent tabled KK.

The board offered no help to the cowboys and Hansen doubled up to 77,000.

Garrett Can’t Call

Brad Garrett raised to 1,300 preflop and the blinds came along for the ride. The flop came down 826 and the small blind led out for 3,400. Garrett was the only caller and the K came on the turn. The small blind fired 6,000 and Garrett mucked. The small blind then showed 54 for just a flush draw and Garrett was down to 43,000.

We Are Family

Kara Scott limped in preflop for 600 and everyone else at her table did the same. This put more than 5,000 in the pot before the flop.

It then came down A55. Scott took the initiative and bet out 3,000. The eight other players at the table mucked and Scott took a nice little pot. She was around 80,000.

Player Tags: Hoyt Corkins,   Thor Hansen,   Erik Cajelais,   Jimmy Fricke,   Brad Garrett,   Keven Stammen,   Kara Scott

Level 7 Hour 1 Update: Sam Farha Doubles Up

Jul 07, '09

Blinds: 300-600 with a 75 ante

Players Remaining: 3,956 of 6,494

Chip Counts:

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

CardPlayer Chip Counts:

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

Notable Eliminations:

Jason Mercier
Shaun Deeb

Big Hands:

The River Is Good To Farha

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

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

Helppi Picks Off A Bluff

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

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

Sometimes, It’s Good When You Miss

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

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

Erik Cajelais Caught With Counterfeit Diamonds

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

Shaun Deeb Annihilated By Rockets

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

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

Michael Gracz Doubles Up

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

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

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

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

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

Level 6 Hour 1 Update: Jesus Doubles, Elezra Has Some Fun

Jul 07, '09

Blinds: 250-500 with a 50 ante

Day 2A Field: 1,476

Chip Counts:

1. Samer Rahman – 195,000
2. Coba Cao – 175,000
3. Chris Ferguson – 145,000
4. Fabrice Soulier – 143,000
5. Nick Maimone – 142,000
6. Redmond Lee – 140,000
7. Jim Bookstaff – 137,000
8. Tom Schneider – 125,000
9. Craig Hopkins – 121,000
10. Ludovic Lacay – 120,000

CardPlayer Chip Counts:

Mike Matusow – 28,000
Todd Brunson – 27,000

Notable Eliminations:

Phil Laak
Tony G
John Hennigan
Mike Caro

Big Hands:

The World Is A Lie

The player in seat 4 raised to 1,500 preflop and John Hennigan called from the cutoff. The big blind also came along and the flop came down 965. Action was checked to Hennigan and he bet the pot with 3,500. The big blind made the call and seat 4 mucked. The turn was the A and both players checked. The river was the 4 and the big blind checked to Hennigan, who fired 15,000. The big blind tanked for a while and then called.

Hennigan tapped the table, signifying he was caught with nothing and the big blind took down the pot with just 75, a pair of fives. Hennigan was down to 53,000 after that failed bluff attempt. He would later bust.

The Hammer Of Thor

The player in seat 6 raised to 1,500 preflop and Thor Hansen made the call from the big blind. The flop came down Q84 and both players checked. The turn was the K and Hansen led out with 2,200. Seat 6 called and the river was the A. Hansen led out again, this time for 7,200. Seat 6 gave up his hand and Hansen was at 44,000.

Reach Out And Grab your Opponents Hand

Four players saw a flop of A42 and they all checked. The turn was the 2 and Eli Elezra bet 4,000. The player in seat 7 called and the other two players mucked. The river was the 8 and Elezra checked. Seat 7 took control, betting 5,000.

Elezra then went into the tank for a minute. After a bit of waiting, seat 7 leaned his hand to the middle of the table, ready to either turn the hand over or throw it in the muck depending on what Elezra did. Elezra then playfully reached across the table and tried to flip over his opponents hand. Seat 7 held on for dear life and Elezra just mucked his hand. “You aren’t turning my hand over,” seat 7 said. “He wasn’t really gonna do that,” Michael Kamran replied from seat 3. “He got scared,” Elezra joked. Everyone had a good time, especially seat 7 since he took the pot. Elezra was at 44,000.

This Bomb Is A Dud

Phil Laak has been eliminated from the 2009 main event. He made his last stand with Q9 and was actually racing against his opponent’s 88. Unfortunately for Laak, he could not pull out the hand and he was eliminated.

Oh Sweet Jesus, The Man Doubled Up

Chris Ferguson now has a few extra chips to toss around as he has doubled up.

Ken Kelly raised to 2,000 from the button and called from the small blind. The two players saw a flop of QQ2 and Ferguson led out with 8,000 chips. Kelly made the call and the 7 fell on the turn. Ferguson led out again, this time for 17,000. Kelly came over the top with all of his chips, having Ferguson covered.

Ferguson made the call and showed AQ. Kelly tabled AK for just ace-high. The river was just a formality, bringing the 9 and Ferguson doubled up to 145,000.

Corkins Doubles, Still Short

Hoyt Corkins moved all in preflop for his last 4,000 chips. He was called by one opponent who tabled AJ. Corkins was in good shape with AK. The board ran out 874105 and Corkins doubled to 8,000.

Sexton Hits The Diamonds

On a flop of 1042, Mike Sexton led out with 1,500. His opponent then raised to 4,500 and Sexton made the call. The turn was the 9 and both players checked. The river was the 4 and Sexton got back to his betting ways, firing 8,000.

His opponent made the call and Sexton tabled K8 for the flush and his opponent mucked. Sexton took the pot and was at 79,300.

Player Tags: Hoyt Corkins,   Thor Hansen,   Chris Ferguson,   Phil Laak,   Eli Elezra,   John Hennigan,   Mike Sexton

Level 3 Hour 1 Update: David Pham Goes Bust

Jul 04, '09

Blinds: 150-300

Chip Counts:

1. Vadim Gruzglin – 125,000
2. Jim Bookstaff – 114,000
3. Jesse Rios – 112,000
4. Sam Khouiss – 80,500
5. Dave D’Alesandro – 68,000
6. Catherine Hearn – 62,000
7. Grant Levy – 60,200
8. Angelo Ricci – 57,500
9. Paris Heard – 57,000
10. Raymond Davis – 55,000

Card Player Chip Counts:

Todd Brunson — 50,000
Mike Matusow — 31,000
Stephen Murphy – 6,500

Notable Eliminations:

Jeremiah Smith
David Pham

Big Hands

Brunson Drops A Pot

The player in seat 4 raised to 800 preflop from middle position and the small blind called. Todd Brunson was in the big blind and he decided to come along as well. The flop then fell A83. The action was checked to seat 4 who fired 1,700 into the pot. The small blind mucked but Brunson called.

The turn was the 6 and both players checked. They did the same on the 4 river and seat 4 showed A9 for top pair. Brunson showed the losing 1010 and he was down to 55,000.

King Raymer

Greg Raymer and his opponent in seat 3 tangled in a hand where the pot was over 4,000 preflop. The flop then fell 1074. Seat 3 checked to Raymer who fired 3,500 into the pot. Seat 3 then mucked his hand, surrendering the pot to Raymer.

Raymer then tabled KK. “Every time I reraise you I have two kings,” Raymer said. Seat 3 grinned and Raymer was at 44,000.

The Red Queens

After a flop of Q84, Shaun Deeb’s opponent moved all in for 14,500. Deeb then made the call and the players showed their hands.

Deeb: AQ
Opponent: QQ

Deeb flopped top pair but his opponent made a set of ladies. The turn was the 7 and the river was the 9 and Deeb was down to 25,000 after dropping that pot.

Greenstein Takes One

Barry Greenstein raised to800 preflop from under the gun and the action folded around to the big blind. He made the call and the players saw a flop of A8K. The big blind checked and Greenstein fired 1,000. The big blind made the quick call and the 2 came on the turn. Action was checked to Greenstein again and he bet 3,000. The big blind mucked and Greenstein took the pot, getting his stack to 34,000.

Dragon Slayed

David Pham was nursing a short stack and moved it into the middle against the big blind. The big blind called and tabled AK. Pham showed AA, having his opponent dominated. The flop came K85, giving the big blind a pair but Pham still held the lead.

That all changed on the turn when the K showed up and ruined Pham’s good time. Pham needed the case A to make a full house and double up, but the 6 fell on the river instead and Pham was gone from the main event.

Jeremiah Smith Gone

Jeremiah Smith doubled up very early in day 1, but just a few hours later he went bust. On a board showing A937, Smith moved all in and was called by his opponent. Smith tabled pocket threes for a set, but his opponent showed pocket aces for top set. Smith needed the case three to drop on the river but instead the 9 fell, filling up both players but Smith got the sucker’s end and he was eliminated.

Hoyt Corkins Doubles Up

Hoyt Corkins called 300 preflop and another player raised to 950. Action folded around back to Corkins who shoved for his entire stack of 19,875. The other player made the call and tabled AJ. Corkins was in great shape as he was dominating his opponent with AK.

The flop then came K109, giving Corkins top pair but also giving his opponent a Broadway draw. The turn was the 6 and the river paired the board with the 10 and Corkins doubled up to just over 40,000.

Player Tags: Hoyt Corkins,   David Pham,   Barry Greenstein,   Todd Brunson,   Greg Raymer,   Shaun Deeb

Level 7 Hour 2 Update: Hoyt Corkins Eliminated

Jul 07, '09

Blinds: 300-600 with a 75 ante

Players Remaining: 3,916 of 6,494

Note: The players have gone on a 90-minute dinner break and will return at 8:10 p.m.

Chip Counts:

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

CardPlayer Chip Counts:

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

Notable Eliminations:

Hoyt Corkins
Erik Cajelais

Big Hands:

Corkins Gone…Really, He’s Out

Just a few hands after Hoyt Corkins doubled up to over 70,000 he was knocked right out of the main event.

A player in middle position raised to 1,400 and the cutoff made the call. The button also called and the action was on Corkins in the small blind. He shoved for 60,000 more. The middle position player quickly called, having Corkins covered. The other two players mucked.

Corkins then tabled AK and was in deep trouble against the KK of his opponent. The flop came down J1010 and Corkins was actually a favorite to double up. The turn was the 4, dropping those percentages a bit and the J on the river put the final nail in the coffin, sending Corkins out of the main event.

Keven Stammen Knocks One Out

After a flop of K96, 2009 bracelet winner Keven Stammen was facing a bet from his opponent. He raised all in and was called. Stammen turned over Q10 for a gutshot straight draw along with a backdoor flush draw. His opponent showed K5 for top pair and the lead.

The turn changed all that when the J made Stammen’s straight. The river was the K, giving his opponent useless trips and Stammen was over 100,000 with the win.

Cajelais Moves Toward The Exit

After a flop of A108, Cajelais ended up all in after he got in a raising war with Samer Rahman. Cajelais showed A3 for top pair but Rahman showed AQ for the same hand with a better kicker.

The turn was the 6 and the river was the K and Cajelais was out of the main event. Rahman was up to 325,000.

King Nothing

Jimmy Fricke called his opponent’s all in bet of 11,000. The opponent showed A10 and Fricke tabled KK.

If only the hand would have ended there, Fricke could’ve had a knockout under his belt. But the flop fell and brought AAQ, giving the all-in player trips. The turn was the J, giving Fricke a straight draw but eliminating a king as one of his outs. The river was the 9 and Fricke lost the pot. He was at 95,000.

The Wrath Of Thor

A player raised to 1,700 preflop and the action was on Thor Hansen. He reraised to 5,500 and his opponent came right back over the top to 16,000. Hansen then moved all in for 36,000 and his opponent made the call. Hansen then revealed AA and his opponent tabled KK.

The board offered no help to the cowboys and Hansen doubled up to 77,000.

Garrett Can’t Call

Brad Garrett raised to 1,300 preflop and the blinds came along for the ride. The flop came down 826 and the small blind led out for 3,400. Garrett was the only caller and the K came on the turn. The small blind fired 6,000 and Garrett mucked. The small blind then showed 54 for just a flush draw and Garrett was down to 43,000.

We Are Family

Kara Scott limped in preflop for 600 and everyone else at her table did the same. This put more than 5,000 in the pot before the flop.

It then came down A55. Scott took the initiative and bet out 3,000. The eight other players at the table mucked and Scott took a nice little pot. She was around 80,000.

Player Tags: Hoyt Corkins,   Thor Hansen,   Erik Cajelais,   Jimmy Fricke,   Brad Garrett,   Keven Stammen,   Kara Scott

Level 7 Hour 1 Update: Sam Farha Doubles Up

Jul 07, '09

Blinds: 300-600 with a 75 ante

Players Remaining: 3,956 of 6,494

Chip Counts:

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

CardPlayer Chip Counts:

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

Notable Eliminations:

Jason Mercier
Shaun Deeb

Big Hands:

The River Is Good To Farha

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

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

Helppi Picks Off A Bluff

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

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

Sometimes, It’s Good When You Miss

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

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

Erik Cajelais Caught With Counterfeit Diamonds

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

Shaun Deeb Annihilated By Rockets

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

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

Michael Gracz Doubles Up

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

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

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

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

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

Level 6 Hour 1 Update: Jesus Doubles, Elezra Has Some Fun

Jul 07, '09

Blinds: 250-500 with a 50 ante

Day 2A Field: 1,476

Chip Counts:

1. Samer Rahman – 195,000
2. Coba Cao – 175,000
3. Chris Ferguson – 145,000
4. Fabrice Soulier – 143,000
5. Nick Maimone – 142,000
6. Redmond Lee – 140,000
7. Jim Bookstaff – 137,000
8. Tom Schneider – 125,000
9. Craig Hopkins – 121,000
10. Ludovic Lacay – 120,000

CardPlayer Chip Counts:

Mike Matusow – 28,000
Todd Brunson – 27,000

Notable Eliminations:

Phil Laak
Tony G
John Hennigan
Mike Caro

Big Hands:

The World Is A Lie

The player in seat 4 raised to 1,500 preflop and John Hennigan called from the cutoff. The big blind also came along and the flop came down 965. Action was checked to Hennigan and he bet the pot with 3,500. The big blind made the call and seat 4 mucked. The turn was the A and both players checked. The river was the 4 and the big blind checked to Hennigan, who fired 15,000. The big blind tanked for a while and then called.

Hennigan tapped the table, signifying he was caught with nothing and the big blind took down the pot with just 75, a pair of fives. Hennigan was down to 53,000 after that failed bluff attempt. He would later bust.

The Hammer Of Thor

The player in seat 6 raised to 1,500 preflop and Thor Hansen made the call from the big blind. The flop came down Q84 and both players checked. The turn was the K and Hansen led out with 2,200. Seat 6 called and the river was the A. Hansen led out again, this time for 7,200. Seat 6 gave up his hand and Hansen was at 44,000.

Reach Out And Grab your Opponents Hand

Four players saw a flop of A42 and they all checked. The turn was the 2 and Eli Elezra bet 4,000. The player in seat 7 called and the other two players mucked. The river was the 8 and Elezra checked. Seat 7 took control, betting 5,000.

Elezra then went into the tank for a minute. After a bit of waiting, seat 7 leaned his hand to the middle of the table, ready to either turn the hand over or throw it in the muck depending on what Elezra did. Elezra then playfully reached across the table and tried to flip over his opponents hand. Seat 7 held on for dear life and Elezra just mucked his hand. “You aren’t turning my hand over,” seat 7 said. “He wasn’t really gonna do that,” Michael Kamran replied from seat 3. “He got scared,” Elezra joked. Everyone had a good time, especially seat 7 since he took the pot. Elezra was at 44,000.

This Bomb Is A Dud

Phil Laak has been eliminated from the 2009 main event. He made his last stand with Q9 and was actually racing against his opponent’s 88. Unfortunately for Laak, he could not pull out the hand and he was eliminated.

Oh Sweet Jesus, The Man Doubled Up

Chris Ferguson now has a few extra chips to toss around as he has doubled up.

Ken Kelly raised to 2,000 from the button and called from the small blind. The two players saw a flop of QQ2 and Ferguson led out with 8,000 chips. Kelly made the call and the 7 fell on the turn. Ferguson led out again, this time for 17,000. Kelly came over the top with all of his chips, having Ferguson covered.

Ferguson made the call and showed AQ. Kelly tabled AK for just ace-high. The river was just a formality, bringing the 9 and Ferguson doubled up to 145,000.

Corkins Doubles, Still Short

Hoyt Corkins moved all in preflop for his last 4,000 chips. He was called by one opponent who tabled AJ. Corkins was in good shape with AK. The board ran out 874105 and Corkins doubled to 8,000.

Sexton Hits The Diamonds

On a flop of 1042, Mike Sexton led out with 1,500. His opponent then raised to 4,500 and Sexton made the call. The turn was the 9 and both players checked. The river was the 4 and Sexton got back to his betting ways, firing 8,000.

His opponent made the call and Sexton tabled K8 for the flush and his opponent mucked. Sexton took the pot and was at 79,300.

Player Tags: Hoyt Corkins,   Thor Hansen,   Chris Ferguson,   Phil Laak,   Eli Elezra,   John Hennigan,   Mike Sexton

Level 3 Hour 1 Update: David Pham Goes Bust

Jul 04, '09

Blinds: 150-300

Chip Counts:

1. Vadim Gruzglin – 125,000
2. Jim Bookstaff – 114,000
3. Jesse Rios – 112,000
4. Sam Khouiss – 80,500
5. Dave D’Alesandro – 68,000
6. Catherine Hearn – 62,000
7. Grant Levy – 60,200
8. Angelo Ricci – 57,500
9. Paris Heard – 57,000
10. Raymond Davis – 55,000

Card Player Chip Counts:

Todd Brunson — 50,000
Mike Matusow — 31,000
Stephen Murphy – 6,500

Notable Eliminations:

Jeremiah Smith
David Pham

Big Hands

Brunson Drops A Pot

The player in seat 4 raised to 800 preflop from middle position and the small blind called. Todd Brunson was in the big blind and he decided to come along as well. The flop then fell A83. The action was checked to seat 4 who fired 1,700 into the pot. The small blind mucked but Brunson called.

The turn was the 6 and both players checked. They did the same on the 4 river and seat 4 showed A9 for top pair. Brunson showed the losing 1010 and he was down to 55,000.

King Raymer

Greg Raymer and his opponent in seat 3 tangled in a hand where the pot was over 4,000 preflop. The flop then fell 1074. Seat 3 checked to Raymer who fired 3,500 into the pot. Seat 3 then mucked his hand, surrendering the pot to Raymer.

Raymer then tabled KK. “Every time I reraise you I have two kings,” Raymer said. Seat 3 grinned and Raymer was at 44,000.

The Red Queens

After a flop of Q84, Shaun Deeb’s opponent moved all in for 14,500. Deeb then made the call and the players showed their hands.

Deeb: AQ
Opponent: QQ

Deeb flopped top pair but his opponent made a set of ladies. The turn was the 7 and the river was the 9 and Deeb was down to 25,000 after dropping that pot.

Greenstein Takes One

Barry Greenstein raised to800 preflop from under the gun and the action folded around to the big blind. He made the call and the players saw a flop of A8K. The big blind checked and Greenstein fired 1,000. The big blind made the quick call and the 2 came on the turn. Action was checked to Greenstein again and he bet 3,000. The big blind mucked and Greenstein took the pot, getting his stack to 34,000.

Dragon Slayed

David Pham was nursing a short stack and moved it into the middle against the big blind. The big blind called and tabled AK. Pham showed AA, having his opponent dominated. The flop came K85, giving the big blind a pair but Pham still held the lead.

That all changed on the turn when the K showed up and ruined Pham’s good time. Pham needed the case A to make a full house and double up, but the 6 fell on the river instead and Pham was gone from the main event.

Jeremiah Smith Gone

Jeremiah Smith doubled up very early in day 1, but just a few hours later he went bust. On a board showing A937, Smith moved all in and was called by his opponent. Smith tabled pocket threes for a set, but his opponent showed pocket aces for top set. Smith needed the case three to drop on the river but instead the 9 fell, filling up both players but Smith got the sucker’s end and he was eliminated.

Hoyt Corkins Doubles Up

Hoyt Corkins called 300 preflop and another player raised to 950. Action folded around back to Corkins who shoved for his entire stack of 19,875. The other player made the call and tabled AJ. Corkins was in great shape as he was dominating his opponent with AK.

The flop then came K109, giving Corkins top pair but also giving his opponent a Broadway draw. The turn was the 6 and the river paired the board with the 10 and Corkins doubled up to just over 40,000.

Player Tags: Hoyt Corkins,   David Pham,   Barry Greenstein,   Todd Brunson,   Greg Raymer,   Shaun Deeb

End of Day 1: Michael Brummelhuis Secures Late-Night Chiplead

Jun 24, '09

Day 1 of Event no. 45 – $10,000 World Championship of Pot-Limit Hold’em is in the books and Michael Brummelhuis of the Netherlands leads the way with 330,200 in chips, followed not so closely by such notable players as Toto Leonidas, Luke Staudenmaier, David Pham, Eric Bladwin, Mike Kamran, Kirill Gerasimov, Chris Moore, Justin Young, Erik Seidel, Issac Haxton, Marco Johnson, Florian Langmaan and Burt Boutin, all of whom have more than 100,00 in chips the last time we checked. Defending Champion, Nenad Medic is still in the field as well, and with a healthy chip stack of just under 100,000.

Notable players that would not be so lucky to advance beyond Day 1 include Chris Ferguson, Daniel Negreanu, Johnny Chan, Barry Greenstein and Peter Eastgage, to name a few.

With 275 total entrants in this event, just 85 players made it through the night, and they will return to the Rio at 2:00pm PDT to begin Day 2, so be sure to check back with CardPlayer.com for all of the action from this marquee event.

Blinds: 1,000-2,000

Players Remaining: 85 out of 275

Chip Counts:

1. Michael Brummelhuis — 330,200
2. Toto Leonidas — 241,100
3. Kirill Gerasimov — 213,200
4. Darryll Fish — 209,100
5. Masaaki Kagawa — 194,900
6. David Pham — 187,500
7. Kwang Lee — 182,400
8. Michael Kamran — 180,000
9. Tim Kahlmeyer — 178,300
10. John Kabbaj — 176,800

Average Chip Count: 97,058

Notable Eliminations:

David Singer
Scott Seiver
Mike Sowers
Yevginiy Timoshenko
Adam Geyer
Barny Boatman
Pat Bueno
Ivan Demidov
Hoyt Corkins

Big Hands:

David Singer Eliminated by Mike Kamran

Singer started this hand with 79,000; Kamran with 81,000.

David Singer raises to 4,400 from middle position and Mike Kamran raises to 11,500 from the button. Singer reraises the size of the pot (41,300) and Kamran moves all in; he barley has Singer covered. Singer calls and both players turn over their cards.

Singer: AK
Kamran: AA

Board: QQ397

Singer fails to improve as Kamran’s aces hold up. Mike Kamran eliminates David Singer from the tournament and brings his stack up to 160,000 this hand.

Vanessa Rousso Quadruples Up

Lee Markholt raises to 4,000 from the cutoff and gets three callers; Nam Le (button), Vanessa Rousso (small blind) and Bertrand “Elky” Grospellier (big blind).

The flop comes J98, and action folds around to Nam Le who bets 12,500. Rousso moves all in in for 16,500, Elky calls, Markholt folds and Nam Le calls.

Rousso: 108
Nam Le: 99
Elky: X – X

Rousso flops the nut straight while Nam Le flops middle set. The turn is the 7 and the river is the 4 as Vanessa Rousso all but quadruples up to 64,000 this hand.

Corkins Eliminated by Langmaan

With just about 30,000 already in the pot on a board of 10923, Hoyt Corkins moves all in for 30,000 on the turn.

Florian Langmaan tanks for several minutes before the clock is called. Langmaan ultimately makes the call with top pair (J10) as Corkins turns over pocket aces (AA).

The river is the 10, giving Langmaan trips and the pot. Hoyt Corkins is eliminated from the tournament with just minutes to go before the end of the night.

Player Tags: Hoyt Corkins,   Lee Markholt,   Nam Le,   David Singer,   Vanessa Rousso,   Bertrand Grospellier,   Michael Kamran,   Florian Langmann,   Michiel Brummelhuis

Level 13 Update: Dario Alioto, Marcel Luske Eliminated

Jun 18, '09

Blinds: 1,500-3,000

Players Remaining: 40 out of 363

Chip Counts:

1. Jesper Hougaard – 410,000
2. Rifat Palevic – 360,400
3. Ralph Perry – 265,000
4. Sorel Mizzi – 252,000
5. Isaac Baron – 230,000
6. Michael Watson – 90,000
7. Tex Barch – 90,000
8. Justin Smith – 87,000
9. Jeff Lisandro – 81,000
10. David Ulliott – 75,000

Average Chip Count: 132,804

Notable Eliminations:

Dario Alioto
Marcel Luske
Hoyt Corkins
Bruno Fitoussi

Big Hands:

Dario Alioto Eliminated

On a flop of 876, Dario Alioto bet 20,000 and Ralph Perry made it 60,000. Alioto went all-in and Perry made the call. Alioto exposed the QQ109 for the nut straight and a flush draw. However, Perry tabled one of the ugliest hands Alioto could have seen with the KJ109, for the same nut straight, but with a higher flush draw and outs to make a higher straight. The 10 hit the turn and Perry hit a higher straight and put Aliotto on the brink. The 7 fell on the river and Alioto was eliminated. Perry is up to 265,000 in chips.

Hoyt Corkins Eliminated

The short stack of Hoyt Corkins got all his chips into the middle with the AAKJ against Jeff Lisandro. Lisandro tabled the AJ99 and was a significant underdog. The board ran out 88259, as Lisandro hit his two outer on the river to make nines full and eliminate Corkins just short of the money. Lisandro is up to 81,000.

Marcel Luske Elimianted

On a board of 94210, Marcel Luske went all-in for just 10,000 and was called by Cliff Josephy. Josephy exposed QQ42 for two pair and a flush draw. Lusked tabled the KJ74 for 19 outs to double up to a modest stack. None of the draws for a flush, a straight or a higher two pair came for Luske and he was eliminated.

Left In The Deck:

For the first time in the tournament, action has slowed down considerably. The players are only 4 spots away from the money.

Player Tags: Hoyt Corkins,   Jeffrey Lisandro,   Marcel Luske,   Cliff Josephy,   Dario Alioto

Level 8 Update: Black Drops Some Chips Then Goes Bust

Jun 17, '09

Blinds: 500-1,000

Players Remaining: 99 out of 362

Chip Counts:

1. Cliff Josephy – 166,000
2. Jeff Lisandro – 142,000
3. Isaac Baron – 120,000
4. David Ulliott – 109,000
5. Sorel Mizzi – 100,000
6. Ralph Perry – 91,000
7. Tex Barch – 90,000
8. Jesper Hougaard – 85,000
9. Andrew Chen – 81,500
10. Nam Le – 76,000

Average Chip Count: 50,417

Notable Eliminations:

Ted Lawson
Michael Binger
Isaac Haxton
Greg Raymer
Andy Black

Big Hands:

Black Muscled Off Hand, Loses Half Of His Chips

In a three way pot totaling 6,000 Andrew Black and his two opponents saw a flop of KK3. The player in seat 1 led out with 6,000 and Black raised to 18,000 total. Seat 4 mucked and the action was back on seat 1. He then reached for two stacks and raised 30,000 more. Black went in the tank for a bit and eventually decided to cut his losses and muck his hand. He was down to just 14,000. He would later lose the rest of those chips and make his exit from the tournament.

Big Names, Small Pot

Robert Williamson III, Hoyt Corkins and Nikolay Evdakov each called 1,000 preflop. The flop then came down J97 and everyone checked. The turn brought the 2 and Williamson decided to lead out, firing 2,500 into the 4,000 pot. Evdakov mucked and Corkins followed suit. Williamson took the pot but was still quite short with 13,000. Evdakov was at 22,000 and Corkins was at 65,000.

Perry Wins As Clock Is Called On Opponent

After a flop of AQ9 hit the felt, the player in seat 6 fired 10,500 into the pot. All other players in the hand folded except for Ralph Perry. After a few minutes of thought, he raised to 35,000 total. The action was back on his opponent and he took a massive tank session. After more the six minutes, the clock was finally called and he had one minute to decide what to do with his holding. Not long after the clock was called, he released his hand and Perry took the pot, improving to 90,000.

Ride With The Devil

On a flop of Q72, David Ulliott moved all in and was called by Jesper Hougaard.

Hougaard: AQ87
Ulliott: KK107

Ulliott was trailing Hougaard’s two pair but the 5 on the turn gave him a flush and the 3 on the river offered no help to Hougaard. Ulliott was at 110,000 after the double while Hougaard was at 88,000.

Player Tags: Hoyt Corkins,   David Ulliott,   Andy Black,   Robert Williamson III,   Ralph Perry,   Jesper Hougaard,   Nikolay Evdakov

Level 13 Update: Dario Alioto, Marcel Luske Eliminated

Jun 18, '09

Blinds: 1,500-3,000

Players Remaining: 40 out of 363

Chip Counts:

1. Jesper Hougaard – 410,000
2. Rifat Palevic – 360,400
3. Ralph Perry – 265,000
4. Sorel Mizzi – 252,000
5. Isaac Baron – 230,000
6. Michael Watson – 90,000
7. Tex Barch – 90,000
8. Justin Smith – 87,000
9. Jeff Lisandro – 81,000
10. David Ulliott – 75,000

Average Chip Count: 132,804

Notable Eliminations:

Dario Alioto
Marcel Luske
Hoyt Corkins
Bruno Fitoussi

Big Hands:

Dario Alioto Eliminated

On a flop of 876, Dario Alioto bet 20,000 and Ralph Perry made it 60,000. Alioto went all-in and Perry made the call. Alioto exposed the QQ109 for the nut straight and a flush draw. However, Perry tabled one of the ugliest hands Alioto could have seen with the KJ109, for the same nut straight, but with a higher flush draw and outs to make a higher straight. The 10 hit the turn and Perry hit a higher straight and put Aliotto on the brink. The 7 fell on the river and Alioto was eliminated. Perry is up to 265,000 in chips.

Hoyt Corkins Eliminated

The short stack of Hoyt Corkins got all his chips into the middle with the AAKJ against Jeff Lisandro. Lisandro tabled the AJ99 and was a significant underdog. The board ran out 88259, as Lisandro hit his two outer on the river to make nines full and eliminate Corkins just short of the money. Lisandro is up to 81,000.

Marcel Luske Elimianted

On a board of 94210, Marcel Luske went all-in for just 10,000 and was called by Cliff Josephy. Josephy exposed QQ42 for two pair and a flush draw. Lusked tabled the KJ74 for 19 outs to double up to a modest stack. None of the draws for a flush, a straight or a higher two pair came for Luske and he was eliminated.

Left In The Deck:

For the first time in the tournament, action has slowed down considerably. The players are only 4 spots away from the money.

Player Tags: Hoyt Corkins,   Jeffrey Lisandro,   Marcel Luske,   Cliff Josephy,   Dario Alioto

Level 8 Update: Black Drops Some Chips Then Goes Bust

Jun 17, '09

Blinds: 500-1,000

Players Remaining: 99 out of 362

Chip Counts:

1. Cliff Josephy – 166,000
2. Jeff Lisandro – 142,000
3. Isaac Baron – 120,000
4. David Ulliott – 109,000
5. Sorel Mizzi – 100,000
6. Ralph Perry – 91,000
7. Tex Barch – 90,000
8. Jesper Hougaard – 85,000
9. Andrew Chen – 81,500
10. Nam Le – 76,000

Average Chip Count: 50,417

Notable Eliminations:

Ted Lawson
Michael Binger
Isaac Haxton
Greg Raymer
Andy Black

Big Hands:

Black Muscled Off Hand, Loses Half Of His Chips

In a three way pot totaling 6,000 Andrew Black and his two opponents saw a flop of KK3. The player in seat 1 led out with 6,000 and Black raised to 18,000 total. Seat 4 mucked and the action was back on seat 1. He then reached for two stacks and raised 30,000 more. Black went in the tank for a bit and eventually decided to cut his losses and muck his hand. He was down to just 14,000. He would later lose the rest of those chips and make his exit from the tournament.

Big Names, Small Pot

Robert Williamson III, Hoyt Corkins and Nikolay Evdakov each called 1,000 preflop. The flop then came down J97 and everyone checked. The turn brought the 2 and Williamson decided to lead out, firing 2,500 into the 4,000 pot. Evdakov mucked and Corkins followed suit. Williamson took the pot but was still quite short with 13,000. Evdakov was at 22,000 and Corkins was at 65,000.

Perry Wins As Clock Is Called On Opponent

After a flop of AQ9 hit the felt, the player in seat 6 fired 10,500 into the pot. All other players in the hand folded except for Ralph Perry. After a few minutes of thought, he raised to 35,000 total. The action was back on his opponent and he took a massive tank session. After more the six minutes, the clock was finally called and he had one minute to decide what to do with his holding. Not long after the clock was called, he released his hand and Perry took the pot, improving to 90,000.

Ride With The Devil

On a flop of Q72, David Ulliott moved all in and was called by Jesper Hougaard.

Hougaard: AQ87
Ulliott: KK107

Ulliott was trailing Hougaard’s two pair but the 5 on the turn gave him a flush and the 3 on the river offered no help to Hougaard. Ulliott was at 110,000 after the double while Hougaard was at 88,000.

Player Tags: Hoyt Corkins,   David Ulliott,   Andy Black,   Robert Williamson III,   Ralph Perry,   Jesper Hougaard,   Nikolay Evdakov

Hour 5 Update: Greg Raymer Eliminated, Chris Ferguson Advances

Jun 13, '09

Hour 5 Update

Players Remaining: 108 out of 256

Completed Round 2 Matches (Winner in Bold):

1. Tom “Durrrr” Dwan vs. Samuel Stein
2. Erik Seidel vs. Adam Junglen
3. Cory Carroll vs. Sorel Mizzi
4. Alec Torelli vs. Jan Maarten Meijer
5. Bryan Pellegrin vs. Will Failla
6. Benjamin Tollerene vs. Greg Raymer
7. Yevgeniy Timoshenko vs. Dmitry Stelmak
8. Benjamin Lamb vs. Scott Seiver
9. Chris Ferguson vs. Jason Somerville
10. Jeff Madsen vs. Joe Serock
11. Adam Ewestein vs. Evelyn Ng
12. Olav von Prince vs. John Juanda
13. Jason Mercier vs. Jesper Petersen
14. Johnny Chan vs. Anthony Guetti
15. Antonio Esfandari vs. Konstantin Puchkov
16. Justin Smith vs. Hoyt Corkins
17. William Thorson vs. Lex Veldhuis

Big Hands:

Greg Raymer Eliminated

Greg Raymer was severly short stacked when he moved all-in with the K6 and was called by the pocket fives of Benjamin Tollerene. Raymer failed to make anything as the board bricked out for the 2005 Main Event Champion.

Sorel Mizzi Eliminated

Sorel Mizzi got it all-in preflop with the AK and was called by the pocket tens of Cory Carroll. Carroll flopped a set of tens and had Mizzi drawing dead on the turn.

Chris Ferguson Eliminates Jason Somerville

Jason Someville moved all-in preflop with the AJ and was quickly called by the pocket queens of Chris Ferguson. The queens held and Ferguson has moved on to round three.

Jeff Madsen Moves On

Jeff Madsen called the all-in preflop bet of Joe Serock with the A9. Serock exposed the K8 for two live cards. The flop was a disaster for Madsen as it came A88, giving Serock trips. Madsen needed to catch one of the remaining aces in the deck to eliminate his opponent. The J hit the turn, keeping Serock alive. However, the dealer pealed off the A on the river, giving Madsen the better full house.

Jason Mercier Advances

Jesper Petersen moved all-in preflop with the K7 and was called by the A10 of Jason Mercier. The flop paired Petersen’s king but Mercier nailed a broadway straight on the turn, eliminating his opponent. Mercier is on to round three.

Justin Smith Eliminates Hoyt Corkins

Corkins moved all-in preflop with the AJ and was called by Justin Smith with the AQ. Smith paired his queen on the flop, making Corkins drawing almost totally dead. Corkins failed to hit running cards to survive and Smith advanced.

Player Tags: Hoyt Corkins,   Chris Ferguson,   Greg Raymer,   Jason Somerville,   Jeff Madsen,   Jason Mercier,   Justin Smith

Level 14 Update: Andy Bloch, Hoyt Corkins, Chris Amaral Eliminated

Jun 02, '09

Ante: 1,000
Low Card: 1,000
Completion: 4,000
Limits: 4,000-8,000

Players Remaining: 30 out of 142

Chip Counts:

1. Max Pescatori — 360,000
2. Greg Mueller — 281,000
3. Freddie Ellis — 248,000
4. Fu Wong — 240,000
5. Ville Wahlbeck — 245,000
6. Ray Dehkharghani — 200,000
7. Chad Brown — 175,000
8. Nick Frangos — 165,000
9. Cory Zeidman — 156,000
10. John Cernuto — 146,000

Average Chip Count: 125,294

Notable Eliminations:

Andy Bloch
Chris Amaral
Hoyt Corkins

Big Hands:

Max Pescatori vs. Hoyt Corkins

Chris Amaral opens the pot for 1,000 and Hoyt Corkins completes the bet to 4,000 with the 10. Max Pescatori raises to 8,000 with the A, Amaral folds and Corkins calls.

Pescatori: X-X-A8
Corkins: X-X-108

Pescatori bets 4,000 and Corkins calls.

Pescatori: X-X-A8K
Corkins: X-X-1089

Pescatori bets 8,000 and Corkins calls.

Pescatori: X-X-A8K8
Corkins: X-X-10892

Both players check around on sixth street and the river cards are dealt. Pescatori bets 8,000 on the river and Corkins calls. Pescatori turns over AA88 for two pair and Corkins mucks his cards. Pescatori is up to 265,000 this hand while Corkins falls down to 92,000 and Amaral to 125,000.

Corkins Eliminated, Pescatori Takes Chip Lead

The player in seat 1 opens the pot for 1,000 with the 3 and Hoyt Corkins completes the bet to 4,000 with the 8. Max Pescatori raises to 8,000 with the A, seat 1 folds and Corkins call.

Pescatori: X-X-AJ
Corkins: X-X-8J

Pescatori bets 4,000, Corkins raises to 8,000 and Pescatori calls.

Pescatori: X-X-AJ5
Corkins: X-X-8JK

Pescatori bets 8,000 and Corkins raises all in for 12,500 total. Pescatori calls and the rest of the cards are dealt. Pescatori turns over KK22 for two pair and rakes the pot. Corkins is eliminated from the tournament as Pescatori grabs the chiplead with 360,000.

Chris Amaral Eliminated

Chris Amaral is all in on third street with the 10 against seat 1’s A and Max Pescatori’s 10. Pescatori and Seat 1 go at it, Pescatori ultimately making a heart flush and eliminating Amaral just before the end of Level 14.

Left In The Deck:

The players have gone on a 20 minute break as the floor colors up the gray “100” chips.

Player Tags: Hoyt Corkins,   Max Pescatori,   Chris Amaral

Level 13 Update: Bruno Fitoussi Eliminated

Jun 02, '09

Ante: 700
Low Card: 1,000
Completion: 3,000
Limits: 3,000-6,000

Players Remaining: 44 out of 142

Chip Counts:

1. Freddie Ellis — 210,000
2. Fu Wong — 210,000
3. Greg Mueller — 206,000
4. Max Pescatori — 181,000
5. Cory Zeidman — 156,000
6. John Cernuto — 155,000
7. Kobe West — 155,000
8. Hoyt Corkins — 148,000
9. Ray Dehkharghani — 146,000
10. Ville Wahlbeck — 142,000

Average Chip Count: 96,818

Notable Eliminations:

Bruno Fitoussi

Big Hands:

Bloch Rivers Fitoussi, Doubles Through

Hasan Habib bets 3,000 on fourth street with the 10 and the 3. Andy Bloch calls with the 4 and the 3. Bruno Fitoussi raises to 6,000 with the 2 and the K. Habib folds and Bloch calls.

Fitoussi: X-X-2K7
Bloch: X-X-438

Fitoussi bets 6,000 and Bloch calls.

Fitoussi: X-X-2K7Q
Bloch: X-X-4385

Fitoussi bets 6,000 and Bloch calls all in for 4,000. The river cards are dealt and Fitoussi shows 222 for trip deuces. Bloch turns over 444 for trip fours on the river. Bloch rakes the pot and doubles up to 55,000 this hand while Fitoussi falls down to 3,2000.

Bruno Fitoussi Eliminated

After getting rivered and doubled through by Andy Bloch a few hands earlier, Bruno Fitoussi commits his last 3,000 or so chips in this pot.

It’s three-way action with Fitoussi all-in on third street against Steve Zolotow and the player in seat 8. Zolotow and seat 8 go back and forth a few times until all of the cards are finally dealt. Seat 8 ends up making a flush and Zolotow mucks his cards, followed by Fitoussi who is eliminated from the tournament. After this hand Zolotow stills its relatively strong with 72,000 in chips.

Hoyt Corkins vs. David Chiu

Hoyt Corkins opens the pot for 1,000 with the 2 and Max Pescatori completes the bet to 3,000 with the Q. David Chiu calls with the 6 and Corkins reraises to 6,000. Pescatori folds and Chiu calls.

Corkins: X-X-210
Chiu: X-X-610

Corkins bets 3,000 and Chiu calls.

Corkins: X-X-2103
Chiu: X-X-6104

Corkins bets 6,000 and Chiu calls.

Corkins: X-X-21036
Chiu: X-X-61047

Corkins bets 6,000 on sixth street and Chiu raises to 12,000. Corkins reraises to 18,000 and Chiu four-bets to 24,000. Corkins calls and the river cards are dealt. Chiu bets 6,000 and Corkins calls. Chiu turns over 101077 for two pair, but Corkins shows 222 for rolled up deuces. Corkins rakes the pot and brings his stack back up to 105,000 while Chiu falls down to 115,000 in chips after this hand.

Player Tags: Hoyt Corkins,   Andy Bloch,   Steve Zolotow,   David Chiu,   Bruno Fitoussi

Level 10 Update: Phil Ivey, Scotty Nguyen Eliminated

Jun 02, '09

Ante: 300
Low Card: 500
Completion: 1,500
Limts: 1,500-3,000

Players Remaining: 74 out of 142

Chip Counts:

1. Ivan Shertzer — 157,000
2. Barry Mullinax — 142,000
3. Benjamin Lin — 116,000
4. Daniel Robinson — 111,000
5. John Cernuto — 103,000
6. Greg Mueller — 96,000
7. David Oppenheim — 88,000
8. Nick Frangos — 86,000
9. Tot Leonidas — 84,100
10. Freddie Ellis — 84,000

Average Chip Count: 57,568

Notable Eliminations:

Phil Ivey
Scotty Nguyen

Big Hands:

David Chiu Takes One from David Oppenheim

The player in seat 4 opens the pot for 500 with the 4, David Chiu completes the bet to 1,500 with the K, David Oppenheim calls the completed bet with the Q, the player 2 in seat calls with the K and seat 4 calls the raise as well.

Seat 2: X-X-K8
Seat 4: X-X45
Chiu: X-X-K9
Oppenheim: X-X-Q7

Chiu bets 1,500, Oppenheim and seat 2 both call, seat 4 folds.

Seat 2: X-X-K87
Chiu: X-X-K93
Oppenheim: X-X-Q76

Chiu bets 3,000, seat 2 folds and Oppenheim raised to 6,000. Chiu calls.

Chiu: X-X-K935
Oppenheim: X-X-Q76A

Both players check on sixth street. Chiu bets 3,000 on the river and Oppenheim calls. Chiu turns over K5 for two pair and Oppenheim mucks. Chiu rakes the pot and brings his chip count up to 58,000 while Oppenheim falls to 78,000.

Johnny Chan Eliminates Scotty Nguyen, Builds Stack

A few minutes after eliminating Scotty Nguyen, Johnny Chan gets involved in this pot, where the player in seat 7 opens for 500 with the 2. Chan completes the bet to 1,500 with the 10 and the player ins eat 6 calls with the 5.

Chan: X-X-10K
Seat 6: X-X-5J
Seat 7: X-X-27

Chan bets 1,500 and both players call.

Chan: X-X-10K8
Seat 6: X-X-5J5
Seat 7: X-X-27Q

All three players check around.

Chan: X-X-10K82
Seat 6: X-X-5J53
Seat 7: X-X-27Q6

Seat 6 bets 3,000 with a pair of fives on sixth street, Seat 7 folds and Chan calls. Both players check the river and Chan turns over the 10 for a pair of tens. Seat 6 mucks and Chan rakes the pot, bringing his chip count up to 65,000 after this hand.

Negreanu Chips Up, Ivey Almost Out

Phil Ivey opens the pot for 500 with the 3, Daniel Negreanu completes the bet to 1,500 with the J, the player in seat 8 calls with the 5 as does Hoyt Corkins with the 9. Ivey folds.

Corkins: X-X-93
Negreanu: X-X-J8
Seat 8: X-X-53

Negreanu bets 1,500, seat 8 calls and Corkins folds.

Negreanu: X-X-J88
Seat 8: X-X-536

Negreanu pairs eights and bets 3,000, seat 8 calls.

Negreanu: X-X-J882
Seat 8: X-X-5362

Negreanu once again bets 3,000 on sixth street and this time seat 8 folds. Negreanu rakes the pot and brings his chip count up to 60,000 while Corkins falls to 80,000 and Ivey is left with just 3,500 in chips after this hand.

Player Tags: Hoyt Corkins,   David Oppenheim,   David Chiu,   Johnny Chan,   Phil Ivey

Level 9 Update: Chris Reslock Eliminated

Jun 02, '09

Ante: 300
Low Card: 300
Completion: 1,200
Limits: 1,200-2,400

Players Remaining: 93 out of 142

Chip Counts:

1. Benjamin Lin — 116,000
2. Daniel Robinson — 110,000
3. John Cernuto — 91,600
4. Nick Frangos — 90,600
5. Barry Mullinax — 90,000
6. Toto Leonidas — 84,100
7. David Oppenheim — 81,000
8. Matt Glantz — 78,300
9. Frank Kassela — 73,500
10. Steve Zolotow — 73,500

Average Chip Count: 45,806

Notable Eliminations:

Chris Reslock

Big Hands:

Hoyt Corkins Wins a Big Pot

Soheil Shamseddin opens the pot for 300 with the 3, the player in seat 4 completes the bet to 1,200, Hoyt Corkins raises to 2,400 with the 10, Eli Elezra calls with the raise 5 as does Shamseddin, and seat 4 folds.

Shamseddin: X-X-3A
Corkins: X-X-108
Elezra: X-X-5J

Shamseddin and Elezra both check to Corkins who bets 1,200. Both players call.

Shamseddin: X-X-3A3
Corkins: X-X-1084
Elezra: 5JK

Shamseddin bets 2,400, Elezra calls and Corkins raises to 4,800. Elezra folds to the raise and Shamseddin calls.

Shamseddin: X-X-3A3Q
Corkins: X-X-1084J

Shamseddin checks to Corkins who bets 2,400 on sixth street, Shamseddin calls. Corkins bets 2,400 on the river and Shamseddin calls. Corkins turns over 888 for trip eights to rake the pot. Corkins is up to 63,000 after this hand while Shamseddin and Elezra fall to 15,000 and 53,000, respectfully.

Nick Frangos Still On Top

The player in seat 7 opens the pot for 300 with the 6, Nick Frangos completes the bet to 1,200 with the 9, the player in seat 4 calls the completed bet with the 9, as do seat 7 and seat 1 with the 8.

Seat 1: X-X-84
Seat 4: X-X-94
Seat 7: X-X-65
Frangos: X-X-95

Frangos bets 1,200, seat 1 folds while both seats 4 and 7 call.

Seat 4: X-X-94A
Seat 7: X-X-652
Frangos: X-X-955

Frangos bets 2,400 with his pair of fives and both of his opponents fold. Frangos rakes the pot and brings his stack up to 90,000, securing himself a spot on the leaderboard here in Level 9.

Miami John Adds to His Stack

The player in seat 5 opens the pot for 300 with the 3, Miami John Cernuto completes the bet to 1,200 with the 10 and seat 5 calls the completed bet.

Cernuto: X-X-109
Seat 5: X-X-36

Cernuto bets 1,200 and seat 5 calls.

Cernuto: X-X-109A
Seat 5: X-X-364

This time seat 5 bets 2,400 and Cernuto calls.

Cernuto: X-X-109AQ
Seat 5: X-X-364J

Once again, seat 5 bets 2,400 on sixth street and Cernuto calls. Both players check the river. Cernuto turns over the J for the ace-high flush and rakes the pot. His opponent mucks and Cernuto is up to 85,000 after this hand.

Player Tags: Hoyt Corkins,   John Cernuto,   Eli Elezra,   Nikolaos Frangos,   Soheil Shamseddin

Level 18 Update

Mar 19, '09

Big Hands:

Marco Johnson Eliminated in 26th Place ($20,000)

Marco Johnson moved all in preflop and Dan O'Brien called him down. Their cards:

Johnson: KQ
O'Brien: AK

Board: 72269

Johnson was eliminated in 26th place and he will take home $20,000 in prize money.

Joe Sebok Eliminated in 25th Place ($20,000)

Joe Sebok moved all in preflop after Farzad Bonyadi raised. Bonyadi called him down and they flipped up their cards:

Sebok: 99
Bonyadi: QQ

Board: AK6AK

Sebok was eliminated in 25th place and he will take home $20,000 in prze money. Bonyadi was awarded the $5,000 bounty for knocking out the shooting star.

Hoyt Corkins Crippled

David Fox moved all in preflop and Hoyt Corkins called him down. Their cards:

Corkins: AK
Fox: A9

Board: 6-5-4-9-brick

Fox doubled up on the hand to 225,000 and Corkins was knocked down to 50,000.

Hoyt Corkins Eliminated in 21st Place ($25,000)

After being crippled Hoyt Corkins moved all in preflop. Vikaly Yarkov called him down and they flipped up their cards:

Corkins: A-Q
Yarkov: 109

Board: Q87JK

Yarkov won the hand with a queen-high straight and he was awarded the $5,000 bounty for eliminating the second-to-last shooting star remaining. Corkins was eliminated in 21st place and he took home $25,000 in prize money.

Player Tags: Hoyt Corkins,   Joe Sebok,   Daniel O'Brien,   Marco Johnson

Level 16 Update

Mar 18, '09

Big Hands:

Kenny Tran Eliminated

Robert Fox bet 15,000 from the small blind on a board of A102K and Kenny Tran made the call in the big blind. The river fell 5 and Fox moved all in. Tran called all in and they flipped up their cards. Tran mucked when Fox showed down J3 and he was knocked out of the tournament just short of the money.

Slow Bubble Play

Play on the money bubble has been slugging along for more than 45 minute with no end in sight. There are multiple short stacks left in the field that are all keeping a close eye on one another.

Vincent Shaw Busts on the Bubble

Vincent Shaw moved all in preflop for 20,000 and both Hoyt Corkins and Farzad Bonyadi called him down. The two live pllayers checked down a board of 1063Q7 and Corkins bet 15,000. Bonyadi got out of the way and Horkins flipped over 98. Shaw mucked his hand and he busted out of the tournament as the bubble boy. Every player left will now walk away with at least $12,500.

In the Money Finishers

45: Wook "Danny" Kim -- $12,500
44: Venkatesh Kirshamoorthy -- $12,500
43: Robert Franscioni -- $12,500
42: Faraz Jaka -- $12,500
41: David Zhang -- $12,500
40: Daniel Urdahl -- $12,500

Player Tags: Hoyt Corkins,   Fred Bonyadi,   Kenny Tran

Level 15 Update

Mar 18, '09

Big Hands:

John Cernuto Eliminated

John Cernuto moved all in preflop and Matt Lessinger called him down. Their cards:

Cernuto: 55
Lessinger: 88

Board: 10102KK

Cernuto was knocked out of the tournament on the hand and Lessinger collected the $5,000 bounty.

A Little Bit Slower Now

Action has been a little slower this level as players shake off the rust from the dinner break. Even with the slow down, just 10 more players need to fall before the end of the night.

Farzad Bonyadi Doubles Up

A flop of QQ6 sat on the table along with 100,000 in the pot when Farzad Bonydai moved all in for 85,000. Corkins went into the tank for a long while and finally made the call. Their cards:

Corkins: 1010
Bonyadi: AA

Turn and River: 29

Bonyadi doubled up on the hand to 270,000 and he is now among the chip leaders.

Player Tags: Hoyt Corkins,   John Cernuto,   Fred Bonyadi

Level 13 Update

Mar 18, '09

Big Hands:

Annie Duke Eliminated

Annie Duke moved all in preflop from the cutoff and the button and Dave Forster made the call. The flop was dealt A32 and both live players check. The turn fell 9 and Forster bet 10,000. The button mucked and Forster and Duke flipped up their cards:

Forster: 109
Duke: 66

River: 3

Duke was eliminated and Forster was awarded the $5,000 bounty.

David Pham Eliminated

David Pham moved all in preflop, and the cutoff and Vikaly Yarkov called him down. Their cards:

Yarkov: A10
Pham: 88
Cutoff: KK

Board: KJ3KJ

Pham was eliminated and Yarkov collected the $5,000 bounty.
 
Joe Sebok Doubles Up Again

Joe Sebok moved all in on a flop of J109 with 87 and one player called him down with J10. The turn and river fell 4A and and Sebok doubled up again. He now holds 170,000 to jumps to the top of the leader board.

Jonathan Little Eliminated by Hoyt Corkins

Jonathan Little was eliminated by the set of Hoyt Corkins when his flush draw failed to come to fruition. Corkins collected the $5,000 bounty and Little was bounced.

Player Tags: Hoyt Corkins,   David Pham,   Annie Duke,   Joe Sebok,   Jonathan Little

Level 5 Update

Mar 16, '09

Player Tags: Hoyt Corkins,   John Juanda

Level 18 Update

Mar 19, '09

Big Hands:

Marco Johnson Eliminated in 26th Place ($20,000)

Marco Johnson moved all in preflop and Dan O'Brien called him down. Their cards:

Johnson: KQ
O'Brien: AK

Board: 72269

Johnson was eliminated in 26th place and he will take home $20,000 in prize money.

Joe Sebok Eliminated in 25th Place ($20,000)

Joe Sebok moved all in preflop after Farzad Bonyadi raised. Bonyadi called him down and they flipped up their cards:

Sebok: 99
Bonyadi: QQ

Board: AK6AK

Sebok was eliminated in 25th place and he will take home $20,000 in prze money. Bonyadi was awarded the $5,000 bounty for knocking out the shooting star.

Hoyt Corkins Crippled

David Fox moved all in preflop and Hoyt Corkins called him down. Their cards:

Corkins: AK
Fox: A9

Board: 6-5-4-9-brick

Fox doubled up on the hand to 225,000 and Corkins was knocked down to 50,000.

Hoyt Corkins Eliminated in 21st Place ($25,000)

After being crippled Hoyt Corkins moved all in preflop. Vikaly Yarkov called him down and they flipped up their cards:

Corkins: A-Q
Yarkov: 109

Board: Q87JK

Yarkov won the hand with a queen-high straight and he was awarded the $5,000 bounty for eliminating the second-to-last shooting star remaining. Corkins was eliminated in 21st place and he took home $25,000 in prize money.

Player Tags: Hoyt Corkins,   Joe Sebok,   Daniel O'Brien,   Marco Johnson

Level 16 Update

Mar 18, '09

Big Hands:

Kenny Tran Eliminated

Robert Fox bet 15,000 from the small blind on a board of A102K and Kenny Tran made the call in the big blind. The river fell 5 and Fox moved all in. Tran called all in and they flipped up their cards. Tran mucked when Fox showed down J3 and he was knocked out of the tournament just short of the money.

Slow Bubble Play

Play on the money bubble has been slugging along for more than 45 minute with no end in sight. There are multiple short stacks left in the field that are all keeping a close eye on one another.

Vincent Shaw Busts on the Bubble

Vincent Shaw moved all in preflop for 20,000 and both Hoyt Corkins and Farzad Bonyadi called him down. The two live pllayers checked down a board of 1063Q7 and Corkins bet 15,000. Bonyadi got out of the way and Horkins flipped over 98. Shaw mucked his hand and he busted out of the tournament as the bubble boy. Every player left will now walk away with at least $12,500.

In the Money Finishers

45: Wook "Danny" Kim -- $12,500
44: Venkatesh Kirshamoorthy -- $12,500
43: Robert Franscioni -- $12,500
42: Faraz Jaka -- $12,500
41: David Zhang -- $12,500
40: Daniel Urdahl -- $12,500

Player Tags: Hoyt Corkins,   Fred Bonyadi,   Kenny Tran

Level 15 Update

Mar 18, '09

Big Hands:

John Cernuto Eliminated

John Cernuto moved all in preflop and Matt Lessinger called him down. Their cards:

Cernuto: 55
Lessinger: 88

Board: 10102KK

Cernuto was knocked out of the tournament on the hand and Lessinger collected the $5,000 bounty.

A Little Bit Slower Now

Action has been a little slower this level as players shake off the rust from the dinner break. Even with the slow down, just 10 more players need to fall before the end of the night.

Farzad Bonyadi Doubles Up

A flop of QQ6 sat on the table along with 100,000 in the pot when Farzad Bonydai moved all in for 85,000. Corkins went into the tank for a long while and finally made the call. Their cards:

Corkins: 1010
Bonyadi: AA

Turn and River: 29

Bonyadi doubled up on the hand to 270,000 and he is now among the chip leaders.

Player Tags: Hoyt Corkins,   John Cernuto,   Fred Bonyadi

Level 13 Update

Mar 18, '09

Big Hands:

Annie Duke Eliminated

Annie Duke moved all in preflop from the cutoff and the button and Dave Forster made the call. The flop was dealt A32 and both live players check. The turn fell 9 and Forster bet 10,000. The button mucked and Forster and Duke flipped up their cards:

Forster: 109
Duke: 66

River: 3

Duke was eliminated and Forster was awarded the $5,000 bounty.

David Pham Eliminated

David Pham moved all in preflop, and the cutoff and Vikaly Yarkov called him down. Their cards:

Yarkov: A10
Pham: 88
Cutoff: KK

Board: KJ3KJ

Pham was eliminated and Yarkov collected the $5,000 bounty.
 
Joe Sebok Doubles Up Again

Joe Sebok moved all in on a flop of J109 with 87 and one player called him down with J10. The turn and river fell 4A and and Sebok doubled up again. He now holds 170,000 to jumps to the top of the leader board.

Jonathan Little Eliminated by Hoyt Corkins

Jonathan Little was eliminated by the set of Hoyt Corkins when his flush draw failed to come to fruition. Corkins collected the $5,000 bounty and Little was bounced.

Player Tags: Hoyt Corkins,   David Pham,   Annie Duke,   Joe Sebok,   Jonathan Little

Level 5 Update

Mar 16, '09

Player Tags: Hoyt Corkins,   John Juanda

Level 18 Update

Mar 19, '09

Big Hands:

Marco Johnson Eliminated in 26th Place ($20,000)

Marco Johnson moved all in preflop and Dan O'Brien called him down. Their cards:

Johnson: KQ
O'Brien: AK

Board: 72269

Johnson was eliminated in 26th place and he will take home $20,000 in prize money.

Joe Sebok Eliminated in 25th Place ($20,000)

Joe Sebok moved all in preflop after Farzad Bonyadi raised. Bonyadi called him down and they flipped up their cards:

Sebok: 99
Bonyadi: QQ

Board: AK6AK

Sebok was eliminated in 25th place and he will take home $20,000 in prze money. Bonyadi was awarded the $5,000 bounty for knocking out the shooting star.

Hoyt Corkins Crippled

David Fox moved all in preflop and Hoyt Corkins called him down. Their cards:

Corkins: AK
Fox: A9

Board: 6-5-4-9-brick

Fox doubled up on the hand to 225,000 and Corkins was knocked down to 50,000.

Hoyt Corkins Eliminated in 21st Place ($25,000)

After being crippled Hoyt Corkins moved all in preflop. Vikaly Yarkov called him down and they flipped up their cards:

Corkins: A-Q
Yarkov: 109

Board: Q87JK

Yarkov won the hand with a queen-high straight and he was awarded the $5,000 bounty for eliminating the second-to-last shooting star remaining. Corkins was eliminated in 21st place and he took home $25,000 in prize money.

Player Tags: Hoyt Corkins,   Joe Sebok,   Daniel O'Brien,   Marco Johnson

Level 16 Update

Mar 18, '09

Big Hands:

Kenny Tran Eliminated

Robert Fox bet 15,000 from the small blind on a board of A102K and Kenny Tran made the call in the big blind. The river fell 5 and Fox moved all in. Tran called all in and they flipped up their cards. Tran mucked when Fox showed down J3 and he was knocked out of the tournament just short of the money.

Slow Bubble Play

Play on the money bubble has been slugging along for more than 45 minute with no end in sight. There are multiple short stacks left in the field that are all keeping a close eye on one another.

Vincent Shaw Busts on the Bubble

Vincent Shaw moved all in preflop for 20,000 and both Hoyt Corkins and Farzad Bonyadi called him down. The two live pllayers checked down a board of 1063Q7 and Corkins bet 15,000. Bonyadi got out of the way and Horkins flipped over 98. Shaw mucked his hand and he busted out of the tournament as the bubble boy. Every player left will now walk away with at least $12,500.

In the Money Finishers

45: Wook "Danny" Kim -- $12,500
44: Venkatesh Kirshamoorthy -- $12,500
43: Robert Franscioni -- $12,500
42: Faraz Jaka -- $12,500
41: David Zhang -- $12,500
40: Daniel Urdahl -- $12,500

Player Tags: Hoyt Corkins,   Fred Bonyadi,   Kenny Tran

Level 15 Update

Mar 18, '09

Big Hands:

John Cernuto Eliminated

John Cernuto moved all in preflop and Matt Lessinger called him down. Their cards:

Cernuto: 55
Lessinger: 88

Board: 10102KK

Cernuto was knocked out of the tournament on the hand and Lessinger collected the $5,000 bounty.

A Little Bit Slower Now

Action has been a little slower this level as players shake off the rust from the dinner break. Even with the slow down, just 10 more players need to fall before the end of the night.

Farzad Bonyadi Doubles Up

A flop of QQ6 sat on the table along with 100,000 in the pot when Farzad Bonydai moved all in for 85,000. Corkins went into the tank for a long while and finally made the call. Their cards:

Corkins: 1010
Bonyadi: AA

Turn and River: 29

Bonyadi doubled up on the hand to 270,000 and he is now among the chip leaders.

Player Tags: Hoyt Corkins,   John Cernuto,   Fred Bonyadi

Level 13 Update

Mar 18, '09

Big Hands:

Annie Duke Eliminated

Annie Duke moved all in preflop from the cutoff and the button and Dave Forster made the call. The flop was dealt A32 and both live players check. The turn fell 9 and Forster bet 10,000. The button mucked and Forster and Duke flipped up their cards:

Forster: 109
Duke: 66

River: 3

Duke was eliminated and Forster was awarded the $5,000 bounty.

David Pham Eliminated

David Pham moved all in preflop, and the cutoff and Vikaly Yarkov called him down. Their cards:

Yarkov: A10
Pham: 88
Cutoff: KK

Board: KJ3KJ

Pham was eliminated and Yarkov collected the $5,000 bounty.
 
Joe Sebok Doubles Up Again

Joe Sebok moved all in on a flop of J109 with 87 and one player called him down with J10. The turn and river fell 4A and and Sebok doubled up again. He now holds 170,000 to jumps to the top of the leader board.

Jonathan Little Eliminated by Hoyt Corkins

Jonathan Little was eliminated by the set of Hoyt Corkins when his flush draw failed to come to fruition. Corkins collected the $5,000 bounty and Little was bounced.

Player Tags: Hoyt Corkins,   David Pham,   Annie Duke,   Joe Sebok,   Jonathan Little

Level 5 Update

Mar 16, '09

Player Tags: Hoyt Corkins,   John Juanda