Rasmus Nielsen Eliminated in Sixth Place (â?¬142,870)
Feb 20, '09
Rasmus Nielsen got all his chips in with A9 versus Anders Langset's AK.
The Dane's luck ran out as the board fell in Langset's favor: A657Kx.
Rasmus Nielsen performed amazingly well throughout his entire tournament, and although some may say he deserves more, he should be consoled by the €142,870 he gets for sixth place.
With just Rasmus Nielsen and Petter Petersson's blinds in the pot, the flop is dealt: A104
Both players check and the turn is the Q. It's checked down again and the river is the 7.
Nielsen bets 16,000 and Petersson thinks about it. It turns out he's just thinking whether to raise or not because he calls and wins with a 9-high flush.
Play has almost come to a hault as day 3 attempts to find its final table.
Rasmus Nielsen is the obvious table captain and he has been taking down small pots since back from the break.
In the latest hand, he raised preflop and Peter Hedlund shoved for 234,000 more. Nielsen shuffles his chips and leans back in his chair. He takes his time and jokingly asks Hedlund's sponsors how important it is to them that he makes the final table.
Eventually Nielsen calls and flips over AJ which is dominated by Hedlund's AQ.
The board comes down 103258 and Hedlund doubles through. He now sits on over the 500,000 mark.
Andreas Hoivold Eliminated in 12th Place (â?¬38,694)
Feb 20, '09
On a flop of 658 Andreas Hoivold shoves all-in with 53. Rasmus Nielsen calls him and amazingly flips over 74 for a flopped straight - can this man do no wrong?!
The turn brings the 5 giving Hoivold trips but the K does not improve his hand and Hoivold is out in 12th place, €38,694 richer.
Rasmus Nielsen was at it again. And this time even aces couldn't stop him.
Andrea Benelli held AA all-in against Rasmus Nielsen's QJ.
The board came down Q98 giving Nielsen top pair plus an inside straight draw, but the turn was the 10 and the river the 4. Nielsen had his straight and Benelli had his dreams deflated.
A big hand just broke out on the feature table, causing the first casualty of the table. Juha Lauttamus raises from the button to 8,800 and Tore Lagerborg reraises to 23,000 from the small blind.
Rasmus Nielsen comes over the top and shoves in 60,000 and Lauttamus folds. Just to trigger the spark into a total explosion of chaos, Lagerborg pushes all-in for 131,400, and Nielsen, after taking a stretch, without taking too long calls.
Lagerborg flips over QQ and Nielsen - AK. The A is the first card to this the board, along with a jack and the 9. The turn adds a little suspense into the mix with another spade, in the form of a 2, giving Lagerborg a flush draw. But the river is the 6 and Lagerborg hits the rail.
Rasmus Nielsen Eliminated in Sixth Place (â?¬142,870)
Feb 20, '09
Rasmus Nielsen got all his chips in with A9 versus Anders Langset's AK.
The Dane's luck ran out as the board fell in Langset's favor: A657Kx.
Rasmus Nielsen performed amazingly well throughout his entire tournament, and although some may say he deserves more, he should be consoled by the €142,870 he gets for sixth place.
With just Rasmus Nielsen and Petter Petersson's blinds in the pot, the flop is dealt: A104
Both players check and the turn is the Q. It's checked down again and the river is the 7.
Nielsen bets 16,000 and Petersson thinks about it. It turns out he's just thinking whether to raise or not because he calls and wins with a 9-high flush.
Play has almost come to a hault as day 3 attempts to find its final table.
Rasmus Nielsen is the obvious table captain and he has been taking down small pots since back from the break.
In the latest hand, he raised preflop and Peter Hedlund shoved for 234,000 more. Nielsen shuffles his chips and leans back in his chair. He takes his time and jokingly asks Hedlund's sponsors how important it is to them that he makes the final table.
Eventually Nielsen calls and flips over AJ which is dominated by Hedlund's AQ.
The board comes down 103258 and Hedlund doubles through. He now sits on over the 500,000 mark.
Andreas Hoivold Eliminated in 12th Place (â?¬38,694)
Feb 20, '09
On a flop of 658 Andreas Hoivold shoves all-in with 53. Rasmus Nielsen calls him and amazingly flips over 74 for a flopped straight - can this man do no wrong?!
The turn brings the 5 giving Hoivold trips but the K does not improve his hand and Hoivold is out in 12th place, €38,694 richer.
Rasmus Nielsen was at it again. And this time even aces couldn't stop him.
Andrea Benelli held AA all-in against Rasmus Nielsen's QJ.
The board came down Q98 giving Nielsen top pair plus an inside straight draw, but the turn was the 10 and the river the 4. Nielsen had his straight and Benelli had his dreams deflated.
A big hand just broke out on the feature table, causing the first casualty of the table. Juha Lauttamus raises from the button to 8,800 and Tore Lagerborg reraises to 23,000 from the small blind.
Rasmus Nielsen comes over the top and shoves in 60,000 and Lauttamus folds. Just to trigger the spark into a total explosion of chaos, Lagerborg pushes all-in for 131,400, and Nielsen, after taking a stretch, without taking too long calls.
Lagerborg flips over QQ and Nielsen - AK. The A is the first card to this the board, along with a jack and the 9. The turn adds a little suspense into the mix with another spade, in the form of a 2, giving Lagerborg a flush draw. But the river is the 6 and Lagerborg hits the rail.
Rasmus Nielsen Eliminated in Sixth Place (â?¬142,870)
Feb 20, '09
Rasmus Nielsen got all his chips in with A9 versus Anders Langset's AK.
The Dane's luck ran out as the board fell in Langset's favor: A657Kx.
Rasmus Nielsen performed amazingly well throughout his entire tournament, and although some may say he deserves more, he should be consoled by the €142,870 he gets for sixth place.
With just Rasmus Nielsen and Petter Petersson's blinds in the pot, the flop is dealt: A104
Both players check and the turn is the Q. It's checked down again and the river is the 7.
Nielsen bets 16,000 and Petersson thinks about it. It turns out he's just thinking whether to raise or not because he calls and wins with a 9-high flush.
Play has almost come to a hault as day 3 attempts to find its final table.
Rasmus Nielsen is the obvious table captain and he has been taking down small pots since back from the break.
In the latest hand, he raised preflop and Peter Hedlund shoved for 234,000 more. Nielsen shuffles his chips and leans back in his chair. He takes his time and jokingly asks Hedlund's sponsors how important it is to them that he makes the final table.
Eventually Nielsen calls and flips over AJ which is dominated by Hedlund's AQ.
The board comes down 103258 and Hedlund doubles through. He now sits on over the 500,000 mark.
Andreas Hoivold Eliminated in 12th Place (â?¬38,694)
Feb 20, '09
On a flop of 658 Andreas Hoivold shoves all-in with 53. Rasmus Nielsen calls him and amazingly flips over 74 for a flopped straight - can this man do no wrong?!
The turn brings the 5 giving Hoivold trips but the K does not improve his hand and Hoivold is out in 12th place, €38,694 richer.
Rasmus Nielsen was at it again. And this time even aces couldn't stop him.
Andrea Benelli held AA all-in against Rasmus Nielsen's QJ.
The board came down Q98 giving Nielsen top pair plus an inside straight draw, but the turn was the 10 and the river the 4. Nielsen had his straight and Benelli had his dreams deflated.
A big hand just broke out on the feature table, causing the first casualty of the table. Juha Lauttamus raises from the button to 8,800 and Tore Lagerborg reraises to 23,000 from the small blind.
Rasmus Nielsen comes over the top and shoves in 60,000 and Lauttamus folds. Just to trigger the spark into a total explosion of chaos, Lagerborg pushes all-in for 131,400, and Nielsen, after taking a stretch, without taking too long calls.
Lagerborg flips over QQ and Nielsen - AK. The A is the first card to this the board, along with a jack and the 9. The turn adds a little suspense into the mix with another spade, in the form of a 2, giving Lagerborg a flush draw. But the river is the 6 and Lagerborg hits the rail.
Rasmus Nielsen Eliminated in Sixth Place (â?¬142,870)
Feb 20, '09
Rasmus Nielsen got all his chips in with A9 versus Anders Langset's AK.
The Dane's luck ran out as the board fell in Langset's favor: A657Kx.
Rasmus Nielsen performed amazingly well throughout his entire tournament, and although some may say he deserves more, he should be consoled by the €142,870 he gets for sixth place.
With just Rasmus Nielsen and Petter Petersson's blinds in the pot, the flop is dealt: A104
Both players check and the turn is the Q. It's checked down again and the river is the 7.
Nielsen bets 16,000 and Petersson thinks about it. It turns out he's just thinking whether to raise or not because he calls and wins with a 9-high flush.
Play has almost come to a hault as day 3 attempts to find its final table.
Rasmus Nielsen is the obvious table captain and he has been taking down small pots since back from the break.
In the latest hand, he raised preflop and Peter Hedlund shoved for 234,000 more. Nielsen shuffles his chips and leans back in his chair. He takes his time and jokingly asks Hedlund's sponsors how important it is to them that he makes the final table.
Eventually Nielsen calls and flips over AJ which is dominated by Hedlund's AQ.
The board comes down 103258 and Hedlund doubles through. He now sits on over the 500,000 mark.
Andreas Hoivold Eliminated in 12th Place (â?¬38,694)
Feb 20, '09
On a flop of 658 Andreas Hoivold shoves all-in with 53. Rasmus Nielsen calls him and amazingly flips over 74 for a flopped straight - can this man do no wrong?!
The turn brings the 5 giving Hoivold trips but the K does not improve his hand and Hoivold is out in 12th place, €38,694 richer.
Rasmus Nielsen was at it again. And this time even aces couldn't stop him.
Andrea Benelli held AA all-in against Rasmus Nielsen's QJ.
The board came down Q98 giving Nielsen top pair plus an inside straight draw, but the turn was the 10 and the river the 4. Nielsen had his straight and Benelli had his dreams deflated.
A big hand just broke out on the feature table, causing the first casualty of the table. Juha Lauttamus raises from the button to 8,800 and Tore Lagerborg reraises to 23,000 from the small blind.
Rasmus Nielsen comes over the top and shoves in 60,000 and Lauttamus folds. Just to trigger the spark into a total explosion of chaos, Lagerborg pushes all-in for 131,400, and Nielsen, after taking a stretch, without taking too long calls.
Lagerborg flips over QQ and Nielsen - AK. The A is the first card to this the board, along with a jack and the 9. The turn adds a little suspense into the mix with another spade, in the form of a 2, giving Lagerborg a flush draw. But the river is the 6 and Lagerborg hits the rail.
Hunter Fry - 240,000
Kellen Hunter - 211,000
Michael Johnson - 203,000
Adam Hudson - 191,000
Wayne Brown - 184,000
Brian Schaedlich - 180,000
Robert Mizrachi - 178,000
Brandon Adams - 173,000
Jeremiah Smith - 171,000
Mark Garner - 167,500
Other Notables:
Eliminations:
Scotty Nguyen
Barry Shulman
Jimmy Fricke
Perry Friedman
Big Hands and Storylines:
Karam, Vos Get Pushed Back
Marc Karam raised from early position to 1600 and Mark Vos in the cut-off made the call. The big blind, however, was having none of it. He raised to 4200, leaving himself with 12,000 behind. Both Karam and Vos elected to lay their hands down.
Corkins Steps Aside
Hoyt Corkins was on the button and raised to 1675 when play was folded to him. The small blind reraised to 4500 and Corkins called. The flop came J32, and the small blind bet all-in for 10,600. Corkins folded, now with about 90,000 in chips.
Perry Friedman Eliminated
Perry Friedman’s World Series has come to an end. His A-Q could not improve against his opponent’s pocket threes on a board of J-4-4-K-Q.
Toto’s Mojo Sows Foe's Woe
Toto Leonidas has been consistently chipping up at table blue 6. His latest small victory came against one of the big stacks today, Brian Schaedlich. Schaedlich raised from late position pre-flop and was called by Leonidas in the blind. Both players checked the AQ8 flop and the 5 turn. The river was the 3 and Leonidas bet 4,000 into Schaedlich who made the call. Leonidas turned up AJ for top pair and took down the pot. Leonidas is at 77,000, well up from his starting stack today of 59,000.
River Makes Three Hands, Nielsen Scoops
Play was folded around to the short-stacked button, who had pushed all-in on his previous hand and doubled up through Rasmus Nielsen. The button went the same route again and moved all-in for 6300. Nielsen, in the small blind, then raised to 6300 in an isolation bid. However, the big blind chose that opportunity to push all-in for 31,700. Nielsen, with over 110,000 in chips, made the call. The big blind showed A10, while Nielsen held AQ. The button possessed JJ. The flop came K96 to provide further outs to Nielsen, who spiked the Q on the turn to take the lead. He clinched the victory with the J on the river for the flush, which ironically gave the button a set of jacks and the big blind a straight.
Series over for H.O.R.S.E. champ
Scotty Nguyen was short-stacked for a while and moved all in for just 4,000. He held pocket nines and ran into pocket kings. He flopped a set, but the flop was all hearts and his opponent had the K. Another heart came on the river, sending Nguyen to the rail.
JC Tran Wins Event 49 ($631,170) - Rasmus Nielsen Eliminated in 2nd Place ($389,557)
From the button, JC Tran raised to 215,000. Rasmus Niesen made the call, checking the flop of Q82, then calling Tran's bet of 275,000. The turn brought the 4, another check from Nielsen, and a big bet from Tran for 900,000. Nielsen responded by moving all-in, and Tran made the call, slapping KQ to the felt for the lead against Nielsen's QJ. The river was a blank, the 2, cementing Tran's victory and his first bracelet win. Tran's gaggle of railbirds exploded into celebration, swarming him and cheering loudly.
Nielsen was eliminated in 2nd place, earning $389,557 for his finish.
Event 49 - $1500 NLHE - Hour 6 - Tran Takes The Lead
Jun 30, '08
Blinds: 40,000-80,000
Ante: 10,000
Players Remaining: 2
Notable Hands:
From the button, JC Tran raised to 215,000, and Nielsen made the call. Both players checked the flop, which came 336. The 8 fell on the turn, and Nielsen led out for 200,000, soliciting a quick call from Tran. On the river, the 9, Nielsen gave up control of the hand, checking to Tran, who bet 350,000. Nielsen made the crying call, but was unable to best Tran's K8, surrending the chip lead to Tran, who now held 4,560,000 to Nielsen's 3,650,000.
Rasmus Nielsen popped it from the button to 215,000 before the flop, and Tran made the call. Tran checked the flop of Q32, and called Nielsen's bet of 275,000. Both players checked the turn, J. The river paired the board and completed a possible flush draw with the J. Tran muscled in with a bet of 600,000, which was too much for Nielsen, who bowed out of the pot.
Nielsen hasn't given up yet, however. Later in the round, when JC raised to 215,000 before the flop, Rasmus put in a mighty three bet, making it 650,000 total. Tran made the call, but was forced to fold on the flop of QJ4 when Nielsen continued his aggression with a bet of 1,350,000. After the hand, Tran and Nielsen were nearly even in chips. Tran maintained a slight lead, holding 4,230,000 to Nielsen's 3,920,000.
After further closing the gap, Nielsen limped in from the button, allowing Tran to check his option. Tran check-called Nielsen's 100,000 bet on the flop of K75. As usual, both players checked the turn, this time the A. The 10 fell on the river, and Tran led out for 200,000. Nielsen made the call, but threw his cards into the muck when JC turned over Q7.
Event 49 - $1500 NLHE - Hour 5 - Tran Closes The Gap
Jun 30, '08
Blinds: 40,000-80,000
Ante: 10,000
Chip Counts:
Rasmus Nielsen: 4,300,000
JC Tran: 3,800,000
Notable Hands:
Pots are small and showdowns were few and far between during the first level of heads up play.
Here are a few hands that made it to the river:
Nielsen limped in and Tran checked his option. Both players checked the flop of Q73, and the turn of 6. Tran then fired out 100,000 on the river after the 9 fell. Nielsen made the call, but Tran's K9 was enough to take down the pot.
Rasmus Nielsen raised on the button to 180,000, and JC Tran called. Both players checked down the entire board, which ran out AKK23. Nielsen rolled over pocket jacks on the end, taking the pot down as Tran mucked his hand.
Nielsen limped in and Tran checked. Both players checked the flop of KJJ. The A fell on the turn, and Tran moved 75,000 into the middle. Nielsen matched the bet, and both players saw the river, which brought the 3. Tran continued applying pressure, this time with a bet of 225,000. Nielsen made the call, and turned over J8, but that wasn't enough to best Tran's turned straight with Q10.
Tran limped the button and Nielsen checked. Both players checked the flop, which came K46. The turn brought the J. Nielsen threw in a bet of 85,000, and Tran popped it to 300,000. Nielsen made the call, checking the river, which brought the 5. Tran then made the largest bet of heads up play, putting 675,000 in dark green chips out in front of him. Nielsen made the call, and could only roll his eyes and flash the K after Tran turned over K4 for the win.
Tran closed the gap further several hands later. He raised from the button to 215,000, and Nielsen made the call. The flop came A62, Nielsen checked, and Tran bet out for 200,000. Nielsen made the call nonchalantly. Both players checked the turn when the 9 fell, but when the 10 came on the turn, Nielsen made a bet of 425,000. Tran made the call, showing A10 for top two pair, which was good enough to take down the sizable pot.
The players are now nearly even in chips, with Nielsen maintaining only a half million chip lead.
Tournament play has ended for the day with the determination of the final table.
Blinds: 15000/30000 with 4000 ante
Players Left: 9 of 2,718
Chip Leaders:
Rasmus Nielsen - 2,978,000
J.C. Tran - 1,438,000
Joe Pelton - 1,093,000
Peter Nguyen - 870,000
John Conroy - 501,000
Robert Kalb - 456,000
Jesper Hoog - 320,000
Christoph Kohnen - 293,000
Chad Siu - 185,000
Eliminations: Anderson Silva (10th), Kevin Nathan (11), Jason Moungey (12).
Storylines/Big Hands Quads Enough to Determine Final Table
The call of "all-in" didn't come from the most expected source, but it still brought an end to the evening. The final 10 players played a full hour before the final elimination was made, and it came courtesy the chip leader.
It began with John Conroy, who had been content to donate his blinds as he remained one of the more inactive players of the final group. Anderson Silva had limped under the gun for 30,000 and Conroy then raised to 120,000. Play was folded to significant chip leader Rasmus Nielsen in the big blind, who asked what Conroy had remaining. Nielsen then announced he was all-in. But with all the attention back on Conroy, it was Silva who sent a shock through the crowd when he also announced all-in.
Conroy was quick to fold his pocket 10s into the muck, and the expected had happened. Nielsen had AA while Silva was possessing KK. And Nielsen would end the night in style, hitting the flop that came AJ2, then after the 9 on the turn, spiking the last remaining A on the river for quads.
Nielsen is the runaway chip leader with almost 3,000,000 in chips. However the WSOP veteran J.C. Tran is second at just over 1,400,000. Only Joe Pelton is also above the million mark.
Players will return to play the final table Monday at 2 p.m. local time.
Rasmus Nielsen - 1,800,000
Jason Moungey - 1,000,000
John Conroy - 960,000
Anderson Silva - 690,000
Joe Pelton - 655,000
Jesper Hoog - 625,000
J.C. Tran - 575,000
Robert Kalb - 515,000
Peter Nguyen - 440,000
Christoph Kohnen - 415,000
Chad Siu - 225,000
Kevin Nathan - 170,000
Eliminations: Brett Switzer (13th), Parviz Razavian (14), Steve Pierce (15), Paul Kim (16).
Big Hands
Vicious Runner-Runner Sinks Pierce
Steve Pierce will have a story to tell at the end of this world series. Parviz Razavian raised under the gun to 50,000, and when play came back to Pierce in the big blind he moved all-in for 85,000 more. Razavian tanked, knowing the call was for half of his remaining stack. But call he did, showing A8, while Pierce tabled 77. The window card of the flop started the emotions, the 8 hitting Razavian. But the next card to appear was the 7 and suddenly Pierce had life. The 3 completed the flop. The 8 was the turn card, filling Pierce but giving Razavian some outs. And he hit, the A on the river sending Pierce to the rails in cruel fashion.
Razavian Gives it Back
Parviz Razavian didn't enjoy his windfall for long, though you couldn't fault him for the hand. The flop came down 1092 and Robert Kalb, the first to act, bet 160,000. Jason Moungey then moved all-in for 450,000, and before that dust had settled, Razavian called all-in as well. Kalb had a decision to make, and it proved a wise one, as he folded pocket queens. Moungey had flopped a set, holding 22, while Razavian had top two pair with 109. There was no full house for Razavian on this board however, as the 5 and 4 completed the hand.
Nielsen Ends Switzer's Night
Brett Switzer moved all-in for about 225,000 and chip leader Rasmus Nielsen made the call. Switzer held 1010, but he trailed the AJ of Nielsen after the flop came out A75. The K on the turn and 3 on the river sent the chips to Nielsen.
Siu Doubles Through Silva
Chad Siu moved all-in from under the gun for 153,000 and got a call from Anderson Silva in the big blind. Siu showed AK while Silva held 44. Silva managed to dodge the flop that came 862, but the A on the turn put Siu out front and the K on the river ended the hand.
Nathan Doubles Through Siu
Kevin Nathan moved all-in preflop and Chad Siu called showing ace-queen. He was behind the ace-king of Nathan, until the flop of ace-queen-five. But a king on the turn gave Nathan a better two pair and kept him in the tournament.
Rasmus Nielsen - 750,000
Men Nguyen - 380,000
Peter Nguyen - 365,000
J.C. Tran - 340,000
Jody Mitchell - 335,000
Brett Switzer - 315,000
Anderson Silva - 264,000
Paul Kim - 260,000
Tuan Vu - 250,000
Andy Black - 235,000
Eliminations: John Green, Greg Mueller, Robert Vecchio.
Big Hands
Mueller Meltdown
An apparent on-going battle between Greg Mueller and Rasmus Nielsen came to a sudden and immediate end midway through the level, when the two butted heads one last time. Mueller was on the button and raised to 17,000 preflop. Nielsen, in the small blind, sent out a reraise to 77,000. Mueller countered with a massive shove, sending his remaining 250,000 in chips into the center of the table. Nielsen made the call and showed AK, which dominated Mueller's K10. Nielsen hit the flop that came A42, then added the K on the turn for good measure. The J completed the board and Mueller was sent to the rail while Nielsen was sent to the top of the chip count.
"Kristy and the Five of Diamonds . . . "
Kristy Gazes may have been singing to herself after staving off elimination in stunning fashion. Play was folded to Gazes who, one from the cut-off, pushed all-in for 24,000. David "Dragon" Pham was the button and appeared to be considering the call, which would have been for a third of his stack. He folded, but the small blind instantly called and showed AK. Gazes turned over K5 and shrugged, "diamonds are a girl's best friend." The flop didn't offer much promise, coming 774. But the 6 on the turn made her open-ended, which caused Gazes to mutter, "Oh Baby Doll." When the 8 on the river completed the straight, Gazes fired out another "Oh Baby Doll!" and scooped the chips.
Tran Settles for Chop
J.C. Tran was the big blind and watched the player in seat 9 raise to 15,000. Tran called and the flop came A96. After both players checked, the Q was turned and again both players checked. The river was the 10, seat 9 bet 15,000 and Tran called. Seat 9 showed A7, not as co-ordinated as Tran's A7 but equally effective to split the pot.
Rajkumar Collects a Few More
Seat 1 raised to 20,000 and Vivek Rajkumar raised all-in to 90,000. Seat 1 tanked before making the laydown.
JC Tran Wins Event 49 ($631,170) - Rasmus Nielsen Eliminated in 2nd Place ($389,557)
From the button, JC Tran raised to 215,000. Rasmus Niesen made the call, checking the flop of Q82, then calling Tran's bet of 275,000. The turn brought the 4, another check from Nielsen, and a big bet from Tran for 900,000. Nielsen responded by moving all-in, and Tran made the call, slapping KQ to the felt for the lead against Nielsen's QJ. The river was a blank, the 2, cementing Tran's victory and his first bracelet win. Tran's gaggle of railbirds exploded into celebration, swarming him and cheering loudly.
Nielsen was eliminated in 2nd place, earning $389,557 for his finish.
Event 49 - $1500 NLHE - Hour 6 - Tran Takes The Lead
Jun 30, '08
Blinds: 40,000-80,000
Ante: 10,000
Players Remaining: 2
Notable Hands:
From the button, JC Tran raised to 215,000, and Nielsen made the call. Both players checked the flop, which came 336. The 8 fell on the turn, and Nielsen led out for 200,000, soliciting a quick call from Tran. On the river, the 9, Nielsen gave up control of the hand, checking to Tran, who bet 350,000. Nielsen made the crying call, but was unable to best Tran's K8, surrending the chip lead to Tran, who now held 4,560,000 to Nielsen's 3,650,000.
Rasmus Nielsen popped it from the button to 215,000 before the flop, and Tran made the call. Tran checked the flop of Q32, and called Nielsen's bet of 275,000. Both players checked the turn, J. The river paired the board and completed a possible flush draw with the J. Tran muscled in with a bet of 600,000, which was too much for Nielsen, who bowed out of the pot.
Nielsen hasn't given up yet, however. Later in the round, when JC raised to 215,000 before the flop, Rasmus put in a mighty three bet, making it 650,000 total. Tran made the call, but was forced to fold on the flop of QJ4 when Nielsen continued his aggression with a bet of 1,350,000. After the hand, Tran and Nielsen were nearly even in chips. Tran maintained a slight lead, holding 4,230,000 to Nielsen's 3,920,000.
After further closing the gap, Nielsen limped in from the button, allowing Tran to check his option. Tran check-called Nielsen's 100,000 bet on the flop of K75. As usual, both players checked the turn, this time the A. The 10 fell on the river, and Tran led out for 200,000. Nielsen made the call, but threw his cards into the muck when JC turned over Q7.
Event 49 - $1500 NLHE - Hour 5 - Tran Closes The Gap
Jun 30, '08
Blinds: 40,000-80,000
Ante: 10,000
Chip Counts:
Rasmus Nielsen: 4,300,000
JC Tran: 3,800,000
Notable Hands:
Pots are small and showdowns were few and far between during the first level of heads up play.
Here are a few hands that made it to the river:
Nielsen limped in and Tran checked his option. Both players checked the flop of Q73, and the turn of 6. Tran then fired out 100,000 on the river after the 9 fell. Nielsen made the call, but Tran's K9 was enough to take down the pot.
Rasmus Nielsen raised on the button to 180,000, and JC Tran called. Both players checked down the entire board, which ran out AKK23. Nielsen rolled over pocket jacks on the end, taking the pot down as Tran mucked his hand.
Nielsen limped in and Tran checked. Both players checked the flop of KJJ. The A fell on the turn, and Tran moved 75,000 into the middle. Nielsen matched the bet, and both players saw the river, which brought the 3. Tran continued applying pressure, this time with a bet of 225,000. Nielsen made the call, and turned over J8, but that wasn't enough to best Tran's turned straight with Q10.
Tran limped the button and Nielsen checked. Both players checked the flop, which came K46. The turn brought the J. Nielsen threw in a bet of 85,000, and Tran popped it to 300,000. Nielsen made the call, checking the river, which brought the 5. Tran then made the largest bet of heads up play, putting 675,000 in dark green chips out in front of him. Nielsen made the call, and could only roll his eyes and flash the K after Tran turned over K4 for the win.
Tran closed the gap further several hands later. He raised from the button to 215,000, and Nielsen made the call. The flop came A62, Nielsen checked, and Tran bet out for 200,000. Nielsen made the call nonchalantly. Both players checked the turn when the 9 fell, but when the 10 came on the turn, Nielsen made a bet of 425,000. Tran made the call, showing A10 for top two pair, which was good enough to take down the sizable pot.
The players are now nearly even in chips, with Nielsen maintaining only a half million chip lead.
Tournament play has ended for the day with the determination of the final table.
Blinds: 15000/30000 with 4000 ante
Players Left: 9 of 2,718
Chip Leaders:
Rasmus Nielsen - 2,978,000
J.C. Tran - 1,438,000
Joe Pelton - 1,093,000
Peter Nguyen - 870,000
John Conroy - 501,000
Robert Kalb - 456,000
Jesper Hoog - 320,000
Christoph Kohnen - 293,000
Chad Siu - 185,000
Eliminations: Anderson Silva (10th), Kevin Nathan (11), Jason Moungey (12).
Storylines/Big Hands Quads Enough to Determine Final Table
The call of "all-in" didn't come from the most expected source, but it still brought an end to the evening. The final 10 players played a full hour before the final elimination was made, and it came courtesy the chip leader.
It began with John Conroy, who had been content to donate his blinds as he remained one of the more inactive players of the final group. Anderson Silva had limped under the gun for 30,000 and Conroy then raised to 120,000. Play was folded to significant chip leader Rasmus Nielsen in the big blind, who asked what Conroy had remaining. Nielsen then announced he was all-in. But with all the attention back on Conroy, it was Silva who sent a shock through the crowd when he also announced all-in.
Conroy was quick to fold his pocket 10s into the muck, and the expected had happened. Nielsen had AA while Silva was possessing KK. And Nielsen would end the night in style, hitting the flop that came AJ2, then after the 9 on the turn, spiking the last remaining A on the river for quads.
Nielsen is the runaway chip leader with almost 3,000,000 in chips. However the WSOP veteran J.C. Tran is second at just over 1,400,000. Only Joe Pelton is also above the million mark.
Players will return to play the final table Monday at 2 p.m. local time.
Rasmus Nielsen - 1,800,000
Jason Moungey - 1,000,000
John Conroy - 960,000
Anderson Silva - 690,000
Joe Pelton - 655,000
Jesper Hoog - 625,000
J.C. Tran - 575,000
Robert Kalb - 515,000
Peter Nguyen - 440,000
Christoph Kohnen - 415,000
Chad Siu - 225,000
Kevin Nathan - 170,000
Eliminations: Brett Switzer (13th), Parviz Razavian (14), Steve Pierce (15), Paul Kim (16).
Big Hands
Vicious Runner-Runner Sinks Pierce
Steve Pierce will have a story to tell at the end of this world series. Parviz Razavian raised under the gun to 50,000, and when play came back to Pierce in the big blind he moved all-in for 85,000 more. Razavian tanked, knowing the call was for half of his remaining stack. But call he did, showing A8, while Pierce tabled 77. The window card of the flop started the emotions, the 8 hitting Razavian. But the next card to appear was the 7 and suddenly Pierce had life. The 3 completed the flop. The 8 was the turn card, filling Pierce but giving Razavian some outs. And he hit, the A on the river sending Pierce to the rails in cruel fashion.
Razavian Gives it Back
Parviz Razavian didn't enjoy his windfall for long, though you couldn't fault him for the hand. The flop came down 1092 and Robert Kalb, the first to act, bet 160,000. Jason Moungey then moved all-in for 450,000, and before that dust had settled, Razavian called all-in as well. Kalb had a decision to make, and it proved a wise one, as he folded pocket queens. Moungey had flopped a set, holding 22, while Razavian had top two pair with 109. There was no full house for Razavian on this board however, as the 5 and 4 completed the hand.
Nielsen Ends Switzer's Night
Brett Switzer moved all-in for about 225,000 and chip leader Rasmus Nielsen made the call. Switzer held 1010, but he trailed the AJ of Nielsen after the flop came out A75. The K on the turn and 3 on the river sent the chips to Nielsen.
Siu Doubles Through Silva
Chad Siu moved all-in from under the gun for 153,000 and got a call from Anderson Silva in the big blind. Siu showed AK while Silva held 44. Silva managed to dodge the flop that came 862, but the A on the turn put Siu out front and the K on the river ended the hand.
Nathan Doubles Through Siu
Kevin Nathan moved all-in preflop and Chad Siu called showing ace-queen. He was behind the ace-king of Nathan, until the flop of ace-queen-five. But a king on the turn gave Nathan a better two pair and kept him in the tournament.
Rasmus Nielsen - 750,000
Men Nguyen - 380,000
Peter Nguyen - 365,000
J.C. Tran - 340,000
Jody Mitchell - 335,000
Brett Switzer - 315,000
Anderson Silva - 264,000
Paul Kim - 260,000
Tuan Vu - 250,000
Andy Black - 235,000
Eliminations: John Green, Greg Mueller, Robert Vecchio.
Big Hands
Mueller Meltdown
An apparent on-going battle between Greg Mueller and Rasmus Nielsen came to a sudden and immediate end midway through the level, when the two butted heads one last time. Mueller was on the button and raised to 17,000 preflop. Nielsen, in the small blind, sent out a reraise to 77,000. Mueller countered with a massive shove, sending his remaining 250,000 in chips into the center of the table. Nielsen made the call and showed AK, which dominated Mueller's K10. Nielsen hit the flop that came A42, then added the K on the turn for good measure. The J completed the board and Mueller was sent to the rail while Nielsen was sent to the top of the chip count.
"Kristy and the Five of Diamonds . . . "
Kristy Gazes may have been singing to herself after staving off elimination in stunning fashion. Play was folded to Gazes who, one from the cut-off, pushed all-in for 24,000. David "Dragon" Pham was the button and appeared to be considering the call, which would have been for a third of his stack. He folded, but the small blind instantly called and showed AK. Gazes turned over K5 and shrugged, "diamonds are a girl's best friend." The flop didn't offer much promise, coming 774. But the 6 on the turn made her open-ended, which caused Gazes to mutter, "Oh Baby Doll." When the 8 on the river completed the straight, Gazes fired out another "Oh Baby Doll!" and scooped the chips.
Tran Settles for Chop
J.C. Tran was the big blind and watched the player in seat 9 raise to 15,000. Tran called and the flop came A96. After both players checked, the Q was turned and again both players checked. The river was the 10, seat 9 bet 15,000 and Tran called. Seat 9 showed A7, not as co-ordinated as Tran's A7 but equally effective to split the pot.
Rajkumar Collects a Few More
Seat 1 raised to 20,000 and Vivek Rajkumar raised all-in to 90,000. Seat 1 tanked before making the laydown.
Rasmus Nielsen got all his chips in with A
9
versus Anders Langset's A
K
.
It's level 23, the second level of the day, and the blinds are 10,000/20,000 with a 2,000 ante.
On a flop of 6
Tom Johansen raises to 22,000 and Jonas Klausen calls. The flop comes K
International legend Thor Hansen just doubled through chip leader Rasmus Nielsen.
Rasmus Nielsen was at it again. And this time even aces couldn't stop him.
River Makes Three Hands, Nielsen Scoops
enough to best Tran's turned straight with Q
Mueller Meltdown