Scott Montgomery - Live Updates

Level 7 Update

Aug 23, '09

Blinds: 400-800 with a 75 ante

Players Remaining: 135 out of 278

Chip Counts:

1. Steven Begleiter — 255,000
2. Bobby Suer — 160,000
3. Alex Golshanara — 153,000
4. Michael Kamran — 135,000
5. Josh Schlein — 128,000
6. Toto Leonidas — 123,000
7. Tommy Vedes — 122,000
8. Paul Lieu — 122,000
9. Ryan Hughes — 114,000
10. Nick Schulman — 112,000

Average Chip Count: 62,000

Notable Eliminations:

Vanessa Rousso
Jonathan Aguiar
Darryll Fish
Danny Wong
Phil Collins
J.J. Tavares

Hand of the Level:

Jeff Madsen Gets a Nice Hold To Double

Jeff Madsen got the rest of his stack all in on a flop of Q98 against Scott Montgomery. Madsen showed Q9 for top two pair and Montgomery showed A10 for a monster draw.

The suspense was killed quickly, however, when the Q hit the turn, giving Madsen an unbeatable full house. The inconsequential river was the 4 and Madsen moved his stack up to 95,000. Montgomery was left with just 36,000.

Level Summary:

This event has slowed no signs of slowing down, especially in level 7. Two levels are down today and we’ve already lost over 50 players. By this rate, we’ll be pushing the money bubble when things wrap up around 11:30 P.M. PDT.

It was an interesting level for the pros. Jeff Madsen took a big chunk of Scott Montgomery’s stack with a full house, but ended up giving most of that back to Sergei Veyster before the clock hit zero when Veyster made a royal flush in clubs.

Adam Geyer continued to run his stack up when his pocket aces held up against an opponent’s pocket kings to bring his count to 110,000. Other players who have cracked the six-figure mark include Dwyte Pilgrim, Ryan Hughes, Toto Leonidas, Michael Kamran and Josh Schlein.

NOTE: At the conclusion of level 7, tournament officials raced off the green (25) denomination chips.

Player Tags: Jeff Madsen,   Scott Montgomery

Level 8 Update: Edler, Montgomery Eliminated

Jun 23, '09

Blinds: 600-1,200

Players Remaining: 126 out of 275

Chip Counts:

1. Darryll Fish — 230,000
2. David Singer — 143,000
3. Kirill Gerasimov — 140,000
4. David Pham — 127,000
5. Alex Popov — 101,000
6. David Steickie — 96,000
7. Erik Seidel — 94,000
8. Vanessa Rousso — 93,500
9. Toto Leonidas — 83,000
10. Kathy Liebert — 80,000

Average Chip Count: 65,476

Notable Eliminations:

Bill Edler
Steve Sung
Theo Tran
Chris Ferguson
Joe Sebok
Jared Hamby
Evan McNiff
Greg Raymer
Scott Montgomery

Big Hands:

Bill Edler Eliminated by Kirill Gerasimov

On a board of 86210, Kirill Gerasimov bets 19,000 and Bill Edler moves all in fir 38,000. Gerasimov calls and has him covered.

Edler: J9
Gerasimov: 66

Edler got it all in on the turn when he had both an open-ended straight draw and a flush draw. Gerasmiov flopped middle set.

The river is the 5, no help for Bill Edler who is eliminated from the tournament. Gerasimov moves up the leaderboard this hand with just under 150,000 in chips.

Mohsin Charania Doubles Through Carlos Mortensen

Mohsin Charania raises to 3,000 from middle position and Carlos Mortensen calls from the button.

The flop comes J54, and Charania bets 5,200. Mortensen raises to approximately 30,000 (enough to put Charania all in), and Charania calls all in; Mortensen has him covered.

Charania: AJ
Mortensen: KJ

Both players flop to p pair, Charania has Mortensen out-kicked. The turn and river are the 2 and the 6, no help for Mortensen as Charania doubles up to over 65,000 this hand while Mortensen falls to just bout 60,000 in chips.

Scott Montgomery Eliminated

The player in seat 6 raises the size of the pot and Scott Montgomery re-pots all in. Seat 6 calls and both players turn over their cards.

Montgomery: KQ
Seat 6: 55

Board: 106493

Montgomery finds no help from the board and is eliminated from the tournament.

Left in the Deck

Players are now on their last twenty-minute break with the completion of Leve1 8, and will return shortly to begin play in Level 9.

Player Tags: Carlos Mortensen,   Kirill Gerasimov,   Bill Edler,   Scott Montgomery,   Mohsin Charania

Level 2 Update: 2008 November Nine Finalist Scott Montgomery Busts Early

May 28, '09

Blinds: 300-600 with a 75 ante

Players Remaining: 196 out of 201

Chip Counts:

1. Phil Laak — 280,00
2. Tony G — 255,000
3. Scott Seiver — 250,000
4. Justin Bonomo — 240,000
5. David Chiu — 240,000
6. Michael DeMichele — 230,000
7. Evan McNiff — 215,000
8. Kyle Wilson — 210,000
9. Vivek Rajkumar — 190,000
10. Andy Black — 185,000

Average Chip Count: 122,500

Notable Eliminations:

Scott Montgomery
Tom Dwan

Big Hands:

Greg Mueller Wins a Big pot off of Steve Gross

With just about 5,000 already in the pot, Steve Gross bets 2,800 on a flop of 822. Mueller raises another 6,000 and Gross calls. The turn is the 6, and this time Gross checks to Mueller who bets 13,000. Gross calls and the river is the Q. Gross once again checks to Mueller who this time bets 38,000. Gross calls and Mueller turns over 88 for a full house. Gross mucks his cards and is down to 67,000 after this hand while Mueller climbs up to 175,000 in chips.

Scott Montgomery is Eliminated

On a flop of AJ2, Scott Seiver checked from the small blind. Tom Dwan bet out and Scott Montgomery raised to 50,000. Scott Seiver went into the tank for minutes and eventually raised all-in. Dwan folded instantly and Montgomery called all-in instantly as he was committed to the pot. Seiver turned over AQ and Montgomery flipped over the 87 for a flush draw and backdoor straight draw. The turn was the 9, giving Montgomery extra outs. The river bricked out and Seiver won a large pot and eliminated Montgomery who rushed away from the table.

Freddy Deeb Steals a Nice Pot on the Turn

Freddy Deeb raises to 1,800 from middle position and Michael DeMichele calls from the button. Shawn Buchanan reraises to 6,500 from the small blind, Deeb calls and DeMichele folds. The flop comes 1052, and Buchanan bets 11,000. Deeb calls and the turn is the 5. This time Deeb leads out for 20,000 and Buchanan mucks his cards. After the hand, Deeb climbs back up to his starting stack while Buchanan falls down to 65,000 in chips and DeMichele is left with just under 140,000.

Shawn Buchanan Can’t Buy a Pot

Shawn Buchanan raises to 1,525 from under the gun and Ali Eslami reraises to 4,000 from the small blind. Buchanan calls and the flop comes Q102. This time Eslami leads out for 7,500 and Buchanan calls. The turn is the 5, Eslami bets 20,000 and Buchanan folds. Eslami rakes the pot bringing his chip count up to 153,000 this hand, while Buchanan falls down to just 50,000 in chips.

Tom Dwan is Eliminated

On a board of 5382, Tom Dwan was faced with a 53,000 chip bet from David Pham. Dwan went into the tank and eventually called all-in. The players turned over the cards and the online phenom turned over 66, for a pair and a gut shot straight draw. Pham turned over KK and was well in front. The river brought a third king for Pham and Durrr was knocked out early.

Left In The Deck:

Mike Matusow and Andy Black exchange needling from their respective tables. Matusow starts telling Black that his beard will eventually grow to be on the floor because he won’t win a tournament in the next four years.

Player Tags: David Pham,   Shawn Buchanan,   Tom Dwan,   Freddy Deeb,   Scott Seiver,   Michael DeMichele,   Scott Montgomery

Hour Nine -- Scott Montgomery Eliminated in Fifth Place ($3,096,678)

Nov 09, '08

Blinds/Antes: 250,000-500,000 with a 50,000 ante

Players Left: 4 of 6,844

Chip Leaders:

Ivan Demidov: 49,100,000
Peter Eastgate: 47,625,000
Ylon Schwartz: 22,175,000
Dennis Phillips: 17,325,000

Average: 34,220,000

Big Hands:

Scott Montgomery vs. Ivan Demidov

Scott Montgomery raised to 1.5 million preflop from the small blind and Ivan Demidov reaised to 4.25 million from the big blind. Montgomery thought for a moment and then reraised all in for a massive total worth 24.375 million. Demidov made the all-in call and they flipped up their hands:

Demidov: K K
Montgomery: A 9

Board: 6 4 6 10 3

Demidov sweated the two toughest cards of his life and doubled up to win the largest hand of the tournament so far. After the hand his stack grew to 51 million, while Montgomery was crippled with a just a little more than 7 million left to his name.

Scott Montgomery Eliminated in Fifth Place ($3,096,678)

After moving all in once and receiving no calls, Montogmery pushed all of his chips into the middle again and received a call from Peter Eastgate. Their cards:

Montgomery: A 3
Eastgate: 6 6

Board: A Q 4 A

Dennis Phillips revealed to Tournament Director Jack Effel that he had mucked a six when he folded preflop and Effel announced this to the crowd in the Penn and Teller Theater. This left Eastgate with one final out in the deck.

 River: 6

The crowd broke into a loud mixture of cheers and groans in a confusion of excitement and agony when the six rolled off the deck, and Montgomery’s tournament run came to an end in fifth place. He took home $3,096,678 in prize money.

Break Time

After the elimination of Montgomery the final four players went on a 20-minute break.
 

Player Tags: Peter Eastgate,   Dennis Phillips,   Scott Montgomery,   Ivan Demidov

Final Table -- Hour Eight -- Darus Suharto Eliminated in Sixth Place ($2,418,562)

Nov 09, '08

Blinds/Antes: 250,000-500,000 with a 50,000 ante

Players Left: 5 of 6,844

Chip Leaders:

Peter Eastgate: 37,425,000
Scott Montgomery: 32,575,000
Ivan Demidov: 27,250,000
Dennis Phillips: 20,175,000
Ylon Schwartz: 19,375,000

Average: 27,376,000

Big Hands:

Peter Eastgate Takes the Chip Lead

Peter Eastgate opened the action on the button with a raise to 1.25 million and Dennis Phillips reraised to 3.5 million. Eastgate made the call and the flop was dealt K 2 2. Phillips checked and Eastgate bet 3 million. Things got interesting when Phillips check-rasied to 7 million and then Eastgate came over the top of him by shoving all in. A call would have put Phillips tournament life at major risk, and after mulling it over for a minute he decided to fold.

Darus Suharto Eliminated in Sixth Place ($2,418,562)

Darus Suharto moved all in preflop for 8,550,000 and Scott Montgomery thought for a minute before he made the call on the cutoff. Their cards:

Suharto: A 8
Montgomery: A Q

Board: K J 2 4 4

Montgomery made an ace-high spade flush on the turn and knocked Suharto out of the tournament in sixth place. Suharto will take home $2,418,562 in prize money.

Player Tags: Darus Suharto,   Peter Eastgate,   Dennis Phillips,   Scott Montgomery

Final Table - Hour Four -- Craig Marquis Eliminated in Ninth Place ($900,670)

Nov 09, '08

Blinds/Antes: 200,000-400,000 with a 50,000 ante

Players Left: 8 of 6,844

Chip Leaders:

Ylon Schwartz: 36,625,000
Ivan Demidov: 32,000,000
Peter Eastgate: 23,575,000
Scott Montgomery: 17,500,000
Darus Suharto: 11,475,000
Dennis Phillips: 9,550,000
David Rheem: 4,900,000
Kelly Kim: 600,000

Average: 17,110,000

Big Hands:

Upper Echelon

The final table has molded into a battle of three contenders and the rest of the field that is just trying to survive. Ylon Schwartz, Ivan Demidov, and Peter Eastgate represent the three-headed monster on top while Darus Suharto, Scott Montgomery, Dennis Phillips, Craig Marquis, Chino Rheem, and Kelly Kim have their work cut out for them if they want to make it to the heads-up match tomorrow.

Craig Marquis Eliminated in Ninth Place ($900,670)

Craig Marquis moved all in preflop and Scott Montgomery made the call. Their cards:

Marquis: 7 7
Montgomery: A Q

Board: A 10 7 J K

The hand provided a roller coaster fluctuation of cheering from the crowd as Marquis jumped out to the lead on the flop with a set of sevens, only to get knocked out of the tournament by a runner-runner draw to a Broadway straight for Montgomery. Marquis was eliminated in ninth place and he took home $900,670 in prize money.
 

Player Tags: Craig Marquis,   Scott Montgomery

Final Table -- Hour Two

Nov 09, '08

Blinds/Antes: 150,000-300,000 with a 40,000 ante

Players Left: 9 of 6,844

Chip Leaders:

Ivan Demidov: 35,875,000
Peter Eastgate: 23,855,000
Ylon Schwartz: 18,595,000
Scott Montgomery: 18,095,000
Darus Suharto: 13,605,000
David Rheem: 9,180,000
Dennis Phillips: 8,310,000
Craig Marquis: 7,780,000
Kelly Kim: 1,690,000

Average: 15,208,888

Big Hands:

Ivan Demidov Takes a Huge Lead

Ivan Demidov raised to 1.025 million preflop from the button after Dennis Phillips limped under the gun and then Phillips reraised to 3.525 million. Demidov reraised to 8.225 million and Phillips made the call after about 30 seconds of deliberation. The flop was dealt J 10 8 and Phillips bet 4.5 million. Demidov decided to move all in and Phillips went into the tank. He eventually mucked and now holds around 9 million after starting the final table with the chip lead. Demidov now has an impressive chip lead with 35,875,000.

Break Time

The players went on a 15-minute break during the hour that was more of a 25-minute break by the time all of them were chased back down to the final table.

Ylon Schwartz Makes a Move

Dennis Phillips limped into a pot preflop and then Ylon Schwartz raised to 1.4 million in the small blind. Scott Montgomery made the call in the big blind and Phillips made the call as well. The flop was dealt Q 10 2 and Schwartz bet 5 million. Montgomery made the call and Phillips mucked. The turn brought the 8 and Schwartz moved all in. Montgomery mucked and Schwartz took down a nice pot.

Player Tags: Ylon Schwartz,   Dennis Phillips,   Scott Montgomery,   Ivan Demidov

Final Table -- Hour One

Nov 09, '08

Blinds/Antes: 150,000-300,000 with a 40,000 ante

Players Left: 9 of 6,844

Chip Leaders:

Ivan Demidov: 22,570,000
Dennis Phillips: 21,685,000
Peter Eastgate: 20,375,000
Scott Montgomery: 18,295,000
Ylon Schwartz: 18,285,000
Darus Suharto: 13,805,000
Craig Marquis: 10,130,000
David Rheem: 9,380,000
Kelly Kim: 2,340,000

Big Hands:

Kim Grabs Some Chip on the First Hand

On the very first hand of play Kelly Kim moved all in on the button for 560,000 and it came down to Dennis Phillips to make the call in the big blind. He eventually mucked and Kim picked up the blinds and antes to help his ailing short stack.

Photos Up

Photos of the final-table contestants have been posted under the photos tab.

Interesting Dynamic

With the majority of the crowd sitting in the stands of the Penn and Teller theater while the final table stage sits at the front with wall blocking view of the table, the fans are cheering along to action on the many huge screens placed around the stage. At first they would cheer every time action came to their player of choice, and after a while when anyone made a bet. There hasn’t been too much to cheer for though as their has yet to be a flop dealt on the final table as of yet.

First Flop

After Ivan Demidov raised to 750,000 from middle position and Scott Montgomery made the call in the big blind the flop was dealt AdQs9d and was met with spirited cheers from the crowd. Montgomery raised to 1.1 million and Demidov mucked.

Demidov Takes the Chip Lead

Dennis Phillips raised to 900,000 from middle position and Ylon Schwartz made the call from the hi-jack. The flop was dealt 742 and Phillips bet 2.35 million. Schwartz raised to 6 million and Phillips mucked. As a result of this hand Ivan Demidov took the chip lead at the final table.

Blinds Up

The blinds are now 150,000-300,000 with a 40,000 ante for the start of level 34.

 

Player Tags: Scott Montgomery,   Ivan Demidov

$10,000 Main Event - Rheem Takes a Hit, Bishop Out

Jul 14, '08

Note: Play had paused after the elimination of Joe Bishop to allow for a redraw for the final table of 10 players. We are one elimination away from the television final table that will take place in November.

Blinds/Antes: 100,000-200,000 with a 30,000 ante

Players Left: 10 of 6,844

Chip Leaders:

Dennis Phillips: 21,500,000
Scott Montgomery: 20,635,000
Ivan Demidov: 18,700,000
Darus Suharto: 16, 425,000
Dean Hamrick: 12,460,000
Craig Marquis: 12,000,000
Ylon Schwartz: 10,500,000
Peter Eastgate: 10,440,000
David 'Chino' Rheem: 10,100,000
Kelly Kim: 4,430,000

Average Stack: 13,688,000

Eliminations:

11th: Joe Bishop: $591,869

Big Hands:

Set No Good, Rheem Takes a Hit

Action folded around to Ivan Demdidov in the cutoff. He raised it up to 650,000 and action folded to David "Chino" Rheem in the small blind. He repopped to 2 million total and Demdidov went into the tank. When he came out of the tank, he announced he was all in for almost 8 million. Rheem took some time of his own to think about what to do before making the call. He turned over 1010. He was in good shape against Demdidov's 99. The crowd went nuts as the hands were set up for the cameras. The flop then came 1086, giving Rheem top set but also giving Demdidov a variety of outs. The turn brought the 4 and Demdidov spiked a flush. Rheem needed to pair the board to win the hand, but the 5 sealed the deal for Demdidov, who moved up to about 18 million. Rheem dropped down to 8 million.

Darus Suharto Doubles Through Joe Bishop

Bishop raised to 700,000 from the button and Darus Suharto repopped from the big blind. He made it 2 million to go and Bishop made the call. The flop came Q65 and Suharto led out with 2.5 million. Bishop came over the top, moving all in for almost 10 million. Suharto made the call and turned over KK for an over pair. Bishop showed top pair on the board with AQ. The turn was the 6 and the river was the 2 and Suharto doubled up.

Bishop Doubles Another

Bishop raised to 600,000 from the cutoff and action was next on Kelly Kim in the small blind. He moved all in for about 2 million and Bishop called, showing 87. Kim was in great shape as he showed 88. The board ran out A101072 and Kim doubled up and Bishop was down to 2.4 million.

Bishop Trampled By the Wheel on the River, Busts in 11th Place

The fall of Joe Bishop would be complete a few hands later. He moved all in from under the gun and action folded around to David Rheem. He made the call and showed 22. Bishop turned over A3 and was racing against ducks. He flew ahead on the flop as it dropped A53. Bishop had two pair and Rheem needed another duck or a four to bust Bishop. The turn was a blank as the Q hit the felt. But the river brought chaos as the miracle 4 showed up, knocking Bishop out of the main event and sending Rheem's supporters into a frenzy.

Phillips Wins 3 Million Preflop

Dean Hamrick raised to 550,000 preflop and Ylon Schwartz reraised to 2.2 million. Sitting behind Schwartz, chipleader Dennis Phillips asked for Schwartz's chip count and crossed his arms to think. He announced a reraise and popped it to 6 million straight. Hamrick mucked immediatley and Schwartz only took a few seconds to do the same, giving Phillips an additional 3 million for his already large chip stack without even seeing a flop.

Montgomery Crushes Chip Leader

Dennis Phillips raised to 500,000 and Scott Montgomery reraised to 2.2 million. Phillips made the call and the flop brought J106. Phillips checked, Montgomery bet 1.5 million and Phillips called. The turn was interesting, bringing the K. Phillips checked again and Montgomery bet 2 million. Phillips called and the river brought the 9. Phillips checked for the final time and Montgomery shoved out 4 million. Phillips took time to seriously consider his decision. He eventually called and Montgomery showed A10 for the ace-high flush. Phillips mucked and lost a huge pot that had more than 15 million in it. With the pot Montgomery pased 20 million.

Player Tags: Dean Hamrick,   Chino Rheem,   Darus Suharto,   Dennis Phillips,   Scott Montgomery,   Joe Bishop

$10,000 Main Event - Lull in the Action

Jul 14, '08

Blinds/Antes: 100,000-200,000 with a 30,000 ante

Players Left: 11 of 6,844

Chip Leaders:

Dennis Phillips: 23,800,000
Ylon Schwartz: 16,900,000
Peter Eastgate: 13,960,000
David Rheem: 13,800,000
Dean Hamrick: 13,490,000
Scott Montgomery: 13,400,000
Joe Bishop: 12,000,000
Craig Marquis: 11,800,000
Ivan Demidov: 9,800,000
Darus Suharto: 8,700,000

Average Stack:

Big Hands:

Phillips Starts To Pull Away

Dennis Phillips has raised a number of hands to take down pots uncontested.
But in one hand Phillips bet 800,000 on a flop of 1075 and Scott Montgomery re-raised to 2 million. Phillips took a moment then made the call. Phillips then announced he was checking in the dark and the A peeled off on the turn. Montgomery checked the ace as well, and when the 3 hit on the river Phillips bet out 1.3 million. Montgomery quickly folded and Phillips tok another sizeable pot without showdown, increasing his chip stack to 28,000,000.

A Big Chop For The Chip Leader

In a limped 3-way pot involving Dennis Phillips, Scott Montgomery and Dean Hamrick, Montgomery checked a flop of 1022 and Hamrick fired out 425,000. Phillips reraised to 1.2 million, Montgomery got out of the way and action was back on Hamrick. He three-bet it to 2.65 million and Phillips just called. On the 9 turn Hamrick fired out 3 million more and Phillips took his time. He eventually elected to call and the 3 came on the river. Both players checked and showed down. Hamrick showed 104 for two pair, but Phillips showed 108 for the same two pair. The nine played and both players could breathe a sigh of relief as they chopped a big pot.

Chino XL

David "Chino" Rheem was the short stack at one point in Day 7. But he has made moves and shot to the top three of the leaderboard.

Darus Suharto raised to 600,000 preflop from the hijack and Rheem made the call from the small blind. The flop came out 972 and both players checked. The turn then brought the 6 and Rheem unloaded a blast of 800,000 into the pot. Suharto mucked and Rheem took the pot, much to the delight of his supporters surrounding the table.

A few hands later, action folded around to Craig Marquis in the small blind. He raised to 625,000 and action was on Rheem. He instantly announced "all in" and Marquis went into the tank as Rheem's supporters cheered the bet. Marquis wondered what on earth Rheem could have to make such an overbet with the pot at just around 1 million. Rheem bet over 10 million with his action. Marquis mucked and Rheem raked in the pot. He was at 14 million in chips.

Player Tags: Dean Hamrick,   Dennis Phillips,   Scott Montgomery

$10,000 Main Event - Phillips Jumps Ahead

Jul 14, '08

Players are now on a 20 minute break. Play will resume around 10:50 p.m.

Blinds/Antes: 80,000 / 160,000 / 20,000

Players Remaining: 11 of 6,844

Average Stack: 12,443,636

Chip Counts:
Dennis Phillips: 24,000,000
Ylon Schwartz: 14,600,000
David Rheem: 13,800,000
Peter Eastgate: 13,700,000
Scott Montgomery: 13,700,000
Dean Hamrick: 13,490,000
Joe Bishop: 12,000,000
Craig Marquis: 11,800,000
Ivan Demidov: 9,800,000
Darus Suharto: 8,700,000
Kelly Kim: 7,200,000

Recent Eliminations:
12th Place - Chris Klodnicki ($591,869)
13th Place - Nicholas Sliwinski ($463,202)

Big Hands and Storylines:

Phillips Ready To Gamble, Takes Chip Lead

Dennis Phillips bet 1.3 million on a flop of 842. Peter Eastgate thought it over and made the call. When the 10 fell on the river, Phillips moved his remaining 12 million all in. With such a huge pot on the long, Eastgate went into the tank for several minutes. He finally laid his hand down after Phillips had to call a clock on him, and Phillips added to his stack and approached 19 million after the hand, taking the chip lead.

Nicholas Sliwinski Runs Into Flopped Flush, Out in 13th Place ($463,202)

Dennis Phillips put in a raise to 460,000 preflop and Nicholas Sliwinski called out of the big blind. On a flop of 973, Sliwinski fired 500,000 and Phillips called. Sliwinski fired 1.2 million when the 6 fell on the turn and Phillips tanked for a bit before calling. The 9 fell on the river and Sliwinski shoved all in, prompting Phillips to make a quick call and show KQ for the flopped flush. Sliwinski showed 65 for two pair and was eliminated in 13th place. Phillips' stack grew to around 14 million after the hand.

No Royal Flush For Klodnicki, Gone in 12th Place ($591,869)

Scott Montgomery raised to 600,000 and Chris Klodnicki made the call from the big blind. On a flop of AQQ, Klodnicki checked and Montgomery fired out a bet of a cool million. Klodnicki check-raised all in and Montgomery quickly called. Montgomery had QJ for trip queens, but Klodnicki held J10 for a royal flush draw. Any diamond would put Klodnicki ahead, but the J fell on the turn, leaving him dead to the K for a royal flush. The 4 fell on the river and Klodnicki was knocked out in 12th place.

Hamrick Makes Top Pair, Takes Pot From Phillips

Both Dean Hamrick and Dennis Phillips checked a flop of 552. When the Q turn dropped, Hamrick checked to Phillips who bet 900,000. Hamrick thought briefly then made the call. Both players checked the 2 river and Hamrick showed KQ. Phillips mucked his hand and Hamrick took a small pot.

 

Player Tags: Dean Hamrick,   Chris Klodnicki,   Peter Eastgate,   Dennis Phillips,   Scott Montgomery,   Nicholas Sliwinski

$10,000 Main Event - Day 7 - Level 29 (Hr. 2)

Jul 14, '08

Note: Players will be going on a 20 minute break. Play will resume at around 4:50

Blinds/Antes: 50,000-100,000-10,000

Players Remaining: 18 out of 6,844

Average Chip Stack: 7.6 million

Eliminations:
18th place - Jason Riesenberg - $334,535 19th place - Albert Kim - $257,334
20th place - Brandon Cantu - $257,334
21st place - Paul Snead - $257,334

Big Hands and Storylines:

Montgomery Gets Miracle and 11 Million Pot, Snead Eliminated in 21st ($257,334)

Paul Snead raised to 300,000 from the button and then called a reraise to 800,000 from Scott Montgomery in the big blind. The flop was JT3 and Montgomery bet 1.5 million. Then Snead raised to three million, and then Montgomery reraised all in for 1.76 million more. Snead took over five minutes to deliberate, and said multiple times he might have to call because of the odds he was getting and that he has outs. Then Tiffany Michelle called the clock, and as the tournament director counted down to one he called.

Snead: J7
Montgomery: A4

Incredibly, Montgomery tried to bluff Snead out of the hand when he would have to call if he hit the board in any way. With over 11 million chips on the line, the turn was the 8, meaning the A was no longer an out for Montgomery. But he caught the A on the river to the amazement of everyone at the table and in the crowd.

With about 400,000 chips left, Snead pushed all in with A-T and was up against Craig Marquis's A-K. The board didn't bring any help, and Snead will head out with a lot of money, but a lot of "what ifs" as well.

Cantu Can't Cut It - Eliminated in 20th Place ($257,334)

Peter Eastgate opened with a raise to 300,000, and Brandon Cantu shoved from the button for 2.3 million. Eastgate made the call, tabling AQ against Cantu's 99. The flop gave Cantu good reason to sweat, running out 863. The turn improved Cantu's chances of doubling up with the 8, but the 4 sealed his fate and sent him to the rail in 20th place. Eastgate climbed to over 9 million after the hand.

Tough Start for Rheem

Play was delayed for several minutes as players redrew their seat assignments once the field was narrowed down to the final two tables. Chino Rheem may wish they had delayed even longer, as he now sits behind the smallest stack in the tournament with only 2.3 million.

In a heads-up battle with Craig Marquis, Rheem greeted a preflop raise with a reraise to 450,000 which Marquis called. The flop came 953, and Marquis stepped out for 700,000. Rheem came over the top, raising to 1.7 million. Unafraid of the power move, Marquis then announced all-in, and Rheem was forced to lay his hand down.

The significant damage came a few hands later, however. Ivan Demidov raised to 300,000 from under the gun, and both Rheem and Joe Bishop made the call. The flop came J106, and after Demidov checked, Rheem bet 400,000. Bishop called and Demidov folded. The turn paired the board with the 6, and Rheem stabbed again with a 900,000 bet. Bishop then reraised to 2 million, and Rheem made the call. The Q on the river completed a potential flush draw, and Rheem checked. Bishop stepped out for 1.5 million and Rheem called. Bishop then showed him the bad news, 66 for quads hit on the turn.

Tiffany Michelle Gets No Respect

Jason Riesenberg raised to 275,000 from late position, and Tiffany Michelle reraised to 775,000 from the button. Scott Montgomery then moved all in from the big blind, forcing both players out of the pot.

On the very next hand, Tiffany Michelle opened with a raise to 300,000. She was called by both Dennis and Scott Montgomery in the small blind. Montgomery checked the flop of AKJ, and Tiffany continued firing, this time for 500,000. Dennis then reraised to a total of 1.3 million. Tiffany went into the tank for some time, but eventually surrendered the hand, dropping down to a total count of around 4.6 million.

Jason Riesenberg eliminated in 18th place ($334,534)

Jason Riesenberg raised to 275,000 and was called by Dennis Phillips and Dean Hamrick. The flop was QQ3 and Riesenberg bet 350,000. Only Hamrick called, and the 9 came on the turn. Riesenberg bet 675,000 and Hamrick again called. The river was the K and this time Riesenberg checked. Hamrick then moved all in and Riesenberg called all in. Hamrick showed pocket nines for a full house, and Riesenberg immediately sunk in his seat. He flipped over Q8 for trips, shook some hands and left the table.

Player Tags: Dean Hamrick,   Paul Snead,   Brandon Cantu,   Tiffany Michelle,   Peter Eastgate,   Jason Riesenberg,   Scott Montgomery,   Joe Bishop

$10,000 Main Event - Day 6 - Level 26 (Hour 2)

Jul 13, '08

Players are on a 90-minute dinner break. Play will resume at 8:45 p.m.

Blinds/Antes: 25,000-50,000-5,000

Players Remaining: 35 out of 6,844

Average Chip Stack: 3.9 milion

Chip Counts:

Brandon Cantu - 10,800,000
Albert Kim - 9,400,000
Kelly Kim - 8,700,000
Gert Andersen - 8,700,000
Tiffany Michelle - 6,800,000
David Rheem - 6,700,000
Craig Marquis - 6,000,000
Dennis Phillips - 6,000,000
Antoanell Judet - 5,900,000
Peter Eastgate - 5,800,000

Eliminations:

36th place - Peter Neff - $193,000
37th place - Andrew Rosskamm - $154,400
38th place - Felix Osterland - $154,400
39th place - Craig Stein - $154,400
40th place - Mauro Lupo - $154,400
41st place - Kido Pham - $154,400

Big Hands and Storylines:

Cantu -- chipleader going into break -- takes big pot off Rheem

Mike Matusow raised to 150,000 from early position and was called by four players, including Brandon Cantu and David Rheem. The flop was 653 and when it checked around to Cantu he bet 400,000. Rheem was the only caller, and then both players checked when the 6 came on the turn. The 2 came on the river and Cantu bet 600,000. Rheem took about five minutes to think it over before ultimately calling. Cantu flipped over pocket fours for a straight and took down the pot of over 2.75 million. Cantu now has close to 11 million chips.

Sliwinski Semi-Bluffs Schafer

Clint Schafer raised to three times the big blind from early position and was called by a single player – Nick Sliwinski in the cutoff. The flop was 1075 and Schafer fired out a continuation bet of 225,000. Sliwinski called. The turn was the 3 and Schafer bet 600,000. Sliwinski moved all in for 2.7 million and Schafer went into the tank. After four or five minutes of thought, Schafer folded his hand.

Sliwinski’s friends on the rail exploded in celebration. Sliwinski asked Schafer if he wanted to see his hand and after an affirmative response, he showed A5. Schafer angrily slammed the table, knocking his chair over in the process.

The hand brought Sliwinski up to 4.5 million and knocked Schafer down to around a million.

Andrew Rosskamm Eliminated by Kelly Kim

Kelly Kim raised to 150,000 from the hijack and was promptly re-raised from the small blind by Andrew Rosskam. Kim did not take too long in calling the additional 300,000 and the two saw a flop. The board was incredibly coordinated – J109 – but that did not stop Rosskamm from moving all-in for his last 1.8 million. Kim snap-called and showed AQ for the flopped nut flush. Rosskamm had only AJ, but was given a chance for a massive draw-out when the turn came the 9. The river, however, was the 6 and Rosskamm was eliminated.

That pot vaulted Kelly Kim up to an impressive 8 million.

Chino Rheem and Mike Matusow Talk, Mix it Up

After Chino Rheem and Mike Matusow stepped away from the table for what some tablemates called a “coaching session,” Matusow raised to 150,000 from the hijack seat in the first hand upon his return. The small blind made the call, as did Rheem from the big blind. The flop came 952, and all players checked. The turn brought the 4, and again the small blind checked. Rheem fired a bet of 225,000 into the pot, and Matusow threw his hand into the muck. The small blind folded as well, and Rheem took the pot.

Tiffany Michelle Fleeces Christian Dragomir to the Tune of 1.3 Million

On a flop of A83, Christian Dragomir checked to Tiffany Michelle, who made a bet of 150,000. Dragomir made the call and checked when the 6 fell on the turn. Michelle gathered some chips and pushed in a bet of 500,000. After some brief deliberation, Dragomir again made the call. The river was the 9, and for the final time Dragomir checked. Michelle threw in a bet of 600,000, and Dragomir matched the bet. Michelle turned over 33 for bottom set, and Dragomir mucked his cards. The hit to Dragomir’s stack left him with less than 1.5 million in chips.

Klodnicki Calls Down Montgomery

Chris Klodnicki raised from early position to 150,000 and play was folded to Scott Montgomery who made the call from the big blind. The flop came down K76, and both players checked. The board paired with the 7 on the turn, and after Montgomery checked, Klodnicki bet 200,000. Montgomery called. The 3 was the river card, and Montgomery again checked, with Klodnicki then betting out 300,000. Montgomery then put in a check-raise to 1,000,000, and Klodnicki tanked. Uncertain what to put Montgomery on, Klodnicki appeared on the verge of folding, but in the end he opted to call, and it proved to be the right move. Montgomery announced “you’re good” and Klodnicki turned over 1010. Montgomery mucked his hand.

Player Tags: Mike Matusow,   Chris Klodnicki,   Brandon Cantu,   Scott Montgomery,   Cristian Dragomir

From the Penthouse...

Oct 20, '08

After walking by Antonio Esfandiari's table  we noticed over 265,000 in chips stacked up in front of him and asked how it happened.

Apparently, former chip leader Scott Montgomery doubled up Esfandiari, and was then later eliminated by him. That's about 160,000 in chips that were shipped across the table to the Magician, who is undoubtedly the chip leader.

 

 

 

Player Tags: Antonio Esfandiari,   Scott Montgomery

Who's Still Got Chips?

Oct 20, '08

Over the past level we've lost several players including Phil Laak, Alan Goehring, Gavin Smith, Eli Elezra, Andy Bloch and Kevin Saul.

Meanwhile, November Nine final tablist Scott Montgomery sits at the top of the leader board with about 160,000 in chips.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Player Tags: Scott Montgomery

Scott Montgomery Picks Up a Nice Pot

Sep 10, '08

Scott Montgomery raises to 1,200 in middle position and is called by Julien Sallin in the cutoff. The flop comes 444 and Montgomery bets 2,000.

Sallin calls and the turn is the 9. Montgomery checks and Sallin bets 4,000. Montgomery check raises to 10,900 and Sallin goes into the tank before making the call.

The river is the J and Montgomery asks the dealer how much Sallin has left. Sallin takes his time, stacking his chips into equal piles before the dealer shrugs his shoulders and says, "About 12." Montgomery then moves all in for a little under 10,000 and Sallin tanks for two minutes before folding, saving his last 11,900.

Montgomery takes the pot and now has about 40,000.

 

 

 

 

Player Tags: Scott Montgomery

Scott Montgomery Takes the Chip Lead

Sep 10, '08

Scott Montgomery just took the chip lead... at least of the people we recognize on his half of the dinner break field.

Montgomery called his opponent's all in holding A-J on a flop of J43. His opponent turned over 65 and picked up even more outs when the 6 hit the turn. The river was the 4, a nice brick for Montgomery and the November Nine member joined fellow WSOP main event final tablist David "Chino" Rheem at the top of the leaderboard with 38,000.

Player Tags: Scott Montgomery

Scott Montgomery Doubles Up

Sep 10, '08

Scott Montgomery was all in for his last 5,600 preflop with AK against his opponent who held AQ.

Montgomery was happy to have his opponent dominated and was in great shape to double back over his original starting stack, but the flop came A63 giving his opponent more outs to draw to a flush and two pair.

The turn was the A providing even more outs for a chop, but the river safely came down with the 8 to send Montgomery's stack upward to about 11,400.

 

 

 

 

 

Player Tags: Scott Montgomery

Hour Nine -- Scott Montgomery Eliminated in Fifth Place ($3,096,678)

Nov 09, '08

Blinds/Antes: 250,000-500,000 with a 50,000 ante

Players Left: 4 of 6,844

Chip Leaders:

Ivan Demidov: 49,100,000
Peter Eastgate: 47,625,000
Ylon Schwartz: 22,175,000
Dennis Phillips: 17,325,000

Average: 34,220,000

Big Hands:

Scott Montgomery vs. Ivan Demidov

Scott Montgomery raised to 1.5 million preflop from the small blind and Ivan Demidov reaised to 4.25 million from the big blind. Montgomery thought for a moment and then reraised all in for a massive total worth 24.375 million. Demidov made the all-in call and they flipped up their hands:

Demidov: K K
Montgomery: A 9

Board: 6 4 6 10 3

Demidov sweated the two toughest cards of his life and doubled up to win the largest hand of the tournament so far. After the hand his stack grew to 51 million, while Montgomery was crippled with a just a little more than 7 million left to his name.

Scott Montgomery Eliminated in Fifth Place ($3,096,678)

After moving all in once and receiving no calls, Montogmery pushed all of his chips into the middle again and received a call from Peter Eastgate. Their cards:

Montgomery: A 3
Eastgate: 6 6

Board: A Q 4 A

Dennis Phillips revealed to Tournament Director Jack Effel that he had mucked a six when he folded preflop and Effel announced this to the crowd in the Penn and Teller Theater. This left Eastgate with one final out in the deck.

 River: 6

The crowd broke into a loud mixture of cheers and groans in a confusion of excitement and agony when the six rolled off the deck, and Montgomery’s tournament run came to an end in fifth place. He took home $3,096,678 in prize money.

Break Time

After the elimination of Montgomery the final four players went on a 20-minute break.
 

Player Tags: Peter Eastgate,   Dennis Phillips,   Scott Montgomery,   Ivan Demidov

Final Table -- Hour Eight -- Darus Suharto Eliminated in Sixth Place ($2,418,562)

Nov 09, '08

Blinds/Antes: 250,000-500,000 with a 50,000 ante

Players Left: 5 of 6,844

Chip Leaders:

Peter Eastgate: 37,425,000
Scott Montgomery: 32,575,000
Ivan Demidov: 27,250,000
Dennis Phillips: 20,175,000
Ylon Schwartz: 19,375,000

Average: 27,376,000

Big Hands:

Peter Eastgate Takes the Chip Lead

Peter Eastgate opened the action on the button with a raise to 1.25 million and Dennis Phillips reraised to 3.5 million. Eastgate made the call and the flop was dealt K 2 2. Phillips checked and Eastgate bet 3 million. Things got interesting when Phillips check-rasied to 7 million and then Eastgate came over the top of him by shoving all in. A call would have put Phillips tournament life at major risk, and after mulling it over for a minute he decided to fold.

Darus Suharto Eliminated in Sixth Place ($2,418,562)

Darus Suharto moved all in preflop for 8,550,000 and Scott Montgomery thought for a minute before he made the call on the cutoff. Their cards:

Suharto: A 8
Montgomery: A Q

Board: K J 2 4 4

Montgomery made an ace-high spade flush on the turn and knocked Suharto out of the tournament in sixth place. Suharto will take home $2,418,562 in prize money.

Player Tags: Darus Suharto,   Peter Eastgate,   Dennis Phillips,   Scott Montgomery

Final Table - Hour Four -- Craig Marquis Eliminated in Ninth Place ($900,670)

Nov 09, '08

Blinds/Antes: 200,000-400,000 with a 50,000 ante

Players Left: 8 of 6,844

Chip Leaders:

Ylon Schwartz: 36,625,000
Ivan Demidov: 32,000,000
Peter Eastgate: 23,575,000
Scott Montgomery: 17,500,000
Darus Suharto: 11,475,000
Dennis Phillips: 9,550,000
David Rheem: 4,900,000
Kelly Kim: 600,000

Average: 17,110,000

Big Hands:

Upper Echelon

The final table has molded into a battle of three contenders and the rest of the field that is just trying to survive. Ylon Schwartz, Ivan Demidov, and Peter Eastgate represent the three-headed monster on top while Darus Suharto, Scott Montgomery, Dennis Phillips, Craig Marquis, Chino Rheem, and Kelly Kim have their work cut out for them if they want to make it to the heads-up match tomorrow.

Craig Marquis Eliminated in Ninth Place ($900,670)

Craig Marquis moved all in preflop and Scott Montgomery made the call. Their cards:

Marquis: 7 7
Montgomery: A Q

Board: A 10 7 J K

The hand provided a roller coaster fluctuation of cheering from the crowd as Marquis jumped out to the lead on the flop with a set of sevens, only to get knocked out of the tournament by a runner-runner draw to a Broadway straight for Montgomery. Marquis was eliminated in ninth place and he took home $900,670 in prize money.
 

Player Tags: Craig Marquis,   Scott Montgomery

Final Table -- Hour Two

Nov 09, '08

Blinds/Antes: 150,000-300,000 with a 40,000 ante

Players Left: 9 of 6,844

Chip Leaders:

Ivan Demidov: 35,875,000
Peter Eastgate: 23,855,000
Ylon Schwartz: 18,595,000
Scott Montgomery: 18,095,000
Darus Suharto: 13,605,000
David Rheem: 9,180,000
Dennis Phillips: 8,310,000
Craig Marquis: 7,780,000
Kelly Kim: 1,690,000

Average: 15,208,888

Big Hands:

Ivan Demidov Takes a Huge Lead

Ivan Demidov raised to 1.025 million preflop from the button after Dennis Phillips limped under the gun and then Phillips reraised to 3.525 million. Demidov reraised to 8.225 million and Phillips made the call after about 30 seconds of deliberation. The flop was dealt J 10 8 and Phillips bet 4.5 million. Demidov decided to move all in and Phillips went into the tank. He eventually mucked and now holds around 9 million after starting the final table with the chip lead. Demidov now has an impressive chip lead with 35,875,000.

Break Time

The players went on a 15-minute break during the hour that was more of a 25-minute break by the time all of them were chased back down to the final table.

Ylon Schwartz Makes a Move

Dennis Phillips limped into a pot preflop and then Ylon Schwartz raised to 1.4 million in the small blind. Scott Montgomery made the call in the big blind and Phillips made the call as well. The flop was dealt Q 10 2 and Schwartz bet 5 million. Montgomery made the call and Phillips mucked. The turn brought the 8 and Schwartz moved all in. Montgomery mucked and Schwartz took down a nice pot.

Player Tags: Ylon Schwartz,   Dennis Phillips,   Scott Montgomery,   Ivan Demidov

Final Table -- Hour One

Nov 09, '08

Blinds/Antes: 150,000-300,000 with a 40,000 ante

Players Left: 9 of 6,844

Chip Leaders:

Ivan Demidov: 22,570,000
Dennis Phillips: 21,685,000
Peter Eastgate: 20,375,000
Scott Montgomery: 18,295,000
Ylon Schwartz: 18,285,000
Darus Suharto: 13,805,000
Craig Marquis: 10,130,000
David Rheem: 9,380,000
Kelly Kim: 2,340,000

Big Hands:

Kim Grabs Some Chip on the First Hand

On the very first hand of play Kelly Kim moved all in on the button for 560,000 and it came down to Dennis Phillips to make the call in the big blind. He eventually mucked and Kim picked up the blinds and antes to help his ailing short stack.

Photos Up

Photos of the final-table contestants have been posted under the photos tab.

Interesting Dynamic

With the majority of the crowd sitting in the stands of the Penn and Teller theater while the final table stage sits at the front with wall blocking view of the table, the fans are cheering along to action on the many huge screens placed around the stage. At first they would cheer every time action came to their player of choice, and after a while when anyone made a bet. There hasn’t been too much to cheer for though as their has yet to be a flop dealt on the final table as of yet.

First Flop

After Ivan Demidov raised to 750,000 from middle position and Scott Montgomery made the call in the big blind the flop was dealt AdQs9d and was met with spirited cheers from the crowd. Montgomery raised to 1.1 million and Demidov mucked.

Demidov Takes the Chip Lead

Dennis Phillips raised to 900,000 from middle position and Ylon Schwartz made the call from the hi-jack. The flop was dealt 742 and Phillips bet 2.35 million. Schwartz raised to 6 million and Phillips mucked. As a result of this hand Ivan Demidov took the chip lead at the final table.

Blinds Up

The blinds are now 150,000-300,000 with a 40,000 ante for the start of level 34.

 

Player Tags: Scott Montgomery,   Ivan Demidov

$10,000 Main Event - Rheem Takes a Hit, Bishop Out

Jul 14, '08

Note: Play had paused after the elimination of Joe Bishop to allow for a redraw for the final table of 10 players. We are one elimination away from the television final table that will take place in November.

Blinds/Antes: 100,000-200,000 with a 30,000 ante

Players Left: 10 of 6,844

Chip Leaders:

Dennis Phillips: 21,500,000
Scott Montgomery: 20,635,000
Ivan Demidov: 18,700,000
Darus Suharto: 16, 425,000
Dean Hamrick: 12,460,000
Craig Marquis: 12,000,000
Ylon Schwartz: 10,500,000
Peter Eastgate: 10,440,000
David 'Chino' Rheem: 10,100,000
Kelly Kim: 4,430,000

Average Stack: 13,688,000

Eliminations:

11th: Joe Bishop: $591,869

Big Hands:

Set No Good, Rheem Takes a Hit

Action folded around to Ivan Demdidov in the cutoff. He raised it up to 650,000 and action folded to David "Chino" Rheem in the small blind. He repopped to 2 million total and Demdidov went into the tank. When he came out of the tank, he announced he was all in for almost 8 million. Rheem took some time of his own to think about what to do before making the call. He turned over 1010. He was in good shape against Demdidov's 99. The crowd went nuts as the hands were set up for the cameras. The flop then came 1086, giving Rheem top set but also giving Demdidov a variety of outs. The turn brought the 4 and Demdidov spiked a flush. Rheem needed to pair the board to win the hand, but the 5 sealed the deal for Demdidov, who moved up to about 18 million. Rheem dropped down to 8 million.

Darus Suharto Doubles Through Joe Bishop

Bishop raised to 700,000 from the button and Darus Suharto repopped from the big blind. He made it 2 million to go and Bishop made the call. The flop came Q65 and Suharto led out with 2.5 million. Bishop came over the top, moving all in for almost 10 million. Suharto made the call and turned over KK for an over pair. Bishop showed top pair on the board with AQ. The turn was the 6 and the river was the 2 and Suharto doubled up.

Bishop Doubles Another

Bishop raised to 600,000 from the cutoff and action was next on Kelly Kim in the small blind. He moved all in for about 2 million and Bishop called, showing 87. Kim was in great shape as he showed 88. The board ran out A101072 and Kim doubled up and Bishop was down to 2.4 million.

Bishop Trampled By the Wheel on the River, Busts in 11th Place

The fall of Joe Bishop would be complete a few hands later. He moved all in from under the gun and action folded around to David Rheem. He made the call and showed 22. Bishop turned over A3 and was racing against ducks. He flew ahead on the flop as it dropped A53. Bishop had two pair and Rheem needed another duck or a four to bust Bishop. The turn was a blank as the Q hit the felt. But the river brought chaos as the miracle 4 showed up, knocking Bishop out of the main event and sending Rheem's supporters into a frenzy.

Phillips Wins 3 Million Preflop

Dean Hamrick raised to 550,000 preflop and Ylon Schwartz reraised to 2.2 million. Sitting behind Schwartz, chipleader Dennis Phillips asked for Schwartz's chip count and crossed his arms to think. He announced a reraise and popped it to 6 million straight. Hamrick mucked immediatley and Schwartz only took a few seconds to do the same, giving Phillips an additional 3 million for his already large chip stack without even seeing a flop.

Montgomery Crushes Chip Leader

Dennis Phillips raised to 500,000 and Scott Montgomery reraised to 2.2 million. Phillips made the call and the flop brought J106. Phillips checked, Montgomery bet 1.5 million and Phillips called. The turn was interesting, bringing the K. Phillips checked again and Montgomery bet 2 million. Phillips called and the river brought the 9. Phillips checked for the final time and Montgomery shoved out 4 million. Phillips took time to seriously consider his decision. He eventually called and Montgomery showed A10 for the ace-high flush. Phillips mucked and lost a huge pot that had more than 15 million in it. With the pot Montgomery pased 20 million.

Player Tags: Dean Hamrick,   Chino Rheem,   Darus Suharto,   Dennis Phillips,   Scott Montgomery,   Joe Bishop

$10,000 Main Event - Lull in the Action

Jul 14, '08

Blinds/Antes: 100,000-200,000 with a 30,000 ante

Players Left: 11 of 6,844

Chip Leaders:

Dennis Phillips: 23,800,000
Ylon Schwartz: 16,900,000
Peter Eastgate: 13,960,000
David Rheem: 13,800,000
Dean Hamrick: 13,490,000
Scott Montgomery: 13,400,000
Joe Bishop: 12,000,000
Craig Marquis: 11,800,000
Ivan Demidov: 9,800,000
Darus Suharto: 8,700,000

Average Stack:

Big Hands:

Phillips Starts To Pull Away

Dennis Phillips has raised a number of hands to take down pots uncontested.
But in one hand Phillips bet 800,000 on a flop of 1075 and Scott Montgomery re-raised to 2 million. Phillips took a moment then made the call. Phillips then announced he was checking in the dark and the A peeled off on the turn. Montgomery checked the ace as well, and when the 3 hit on the river Phillips bet out 1.3 million. Montgomery quickly folded and Phillips tok another sizeable pot without showdown, increasing his chip stack to 28,000,000.

A Big Chop For The Chip Leader

In a limped 3-way pot involving Dennis Phillips, Scott Montgomery and Dean Hamrick, Montgomery checked a flop of 1022 and Hamrick fired out 425,000. Phillips reraised to 1.2 million, Montgomery got out of the way and action was back on Hamrick. He three-bet it to 2.65 million and Phillips just called. On the 9 turn Hamrick fired out 3 million more and Phillips took his time. He eventually elected to call and the 3 came on the river. Both players checked and showed down. Hamrick showed 104 for two pair, but Phillips showed 108 for the same two pair. The nine played and both players could breathe a sigh of relief as they chopped a big pot.

Chino XL

David "Chino" Rheem was the short stack at one point in Day 7. But he has made moves and shot to the top three of the leaderboard.

Darus Suharto raised to 600,000 preflop from the hijack and Rheem made the call from the small blind. The flop came out 972 and both players checked. The turn then brought the 6 and Rheem unloaded a blast of 800,000 into the pot. Suharto mucked and Rheem took the pot, much to the delight of his supporters surrounding the table.

A few hands later, action folded around to Craig Marquis in the small blind. He raised to 625,000 and action was on Rheem. He instantly announced "all in" and Marquis went into the tank as Rheem's supporters cheered the bet. Marquis wondered what on earth Rheem could have to make such an overbet with the pot at just around 1 million. Rheem bet over 10 million with his action. Marquis mucked and Rheem raked in the pot. He was at 14 million in chips.

Player Tags: Dean Hamrick,   Dennis Phillips,   Scott Montgomery

$10,000 Main Event - Phillips Jumps Ahead

Jul 14, '08

Players are now on a 20 minute break. Play will resume around 10:50 p.m.

Blinds/Antes: 80,000 / 160,000 / 20,000

Players Remaining: 11 of 6,844

Average Stack: 12,443,636

Chip Counts:
Dennis Phillips: 24,000,000
Ylon Schwartz: 14,600,000
David Rheem: 13,800,000
Peter Eastgate: 13,700,000
Scott Montgomery: 13,700,000
Dean Hamrick: 13,490,000
Joe Bishop: 12,000,000
Craig Marquis: 11,800,000
Ivan Demidov: 9,800,000
Darus Suharto: 8,700,000
Kelly Kim: 7,200,000

Recent Eliminations:
12th Place - Chris Klodnicki ($591,869)
13th Place - Nicholas Sliwinski ($463,202)

Big Hands and Storylines:

Phillips Ready To Gamble, Takes Chip Lead

Dennis Phillips bet 1.3 million on a flop of 842. Peter Eastgate thought it over and made the call. When the 10 fell on the river, Phillips moved his remaining 12 million all in. With such a huge pot on the long, Eastgate went into the tank for several minutes. He finally laid his hand down after Phillips had to call a clock on him, and Phillips added to his stack and approached 19 million after the hand, taking the chip lead.

Nicholas Sliwinski Runs Into Flopped Flush, Out in 13th Place ($463,202)

Dennis Phillips put in a raise to 460,000 preflop and Nicholas Sliwinski called out of the big blind. On a flop of 973, Sliwinski fired 500,000 and Phillips called. Sliwinski fired 1.2 million when the 6 fell on the turn and Phillips tanked for a bit before calling. The 9 fell on the river and Sliwinski shoved all in, prompting Phillips to make a quick call and show KQ for the flopped flush. Sliwinski showed 65 for two pair and was eliminated in 13th place. Phillips' stack grew to around 14 million after the hand.

No Royal Flush For Klodnicki, Gone in 12th Place ($591,869)

Scott Montgomery raised to 600,000 and Chris Klodnicki made the call from the big blind. On a flop of AQQ, Klodnicki checked and Montgomery fired out a bet of a cool million. Klodnicki check-raised all in and Montgomery quickly called. Montgomery had QJ for trip queens, but Klodnicki held J10 for a royal flush draw. Any diamond would put Klodnicki ahead, but the J fell on the turn, leaving him dead to the K for a royal flush. The 4 fell on the river and Klodnicki was knocked out in 12th place.

Hamrick Makes Top Pair, Takes Pot From Phillips

Both Dean Hamrick and Dennis Phillips checked a flop of 552. When the Q turn dropped, Hamrick checked to Phillips who bet 900,000. Hamrick thought briefly then made the call. Both players checked the 2 river and Hamrick showed KQ. Phillips mucked his hand and Hamrick took a small pot.

 

Player Tags: Dean Hamrick,   Chris Klodnicki,   Peter Eastgate,   Dennis Phillips,   Scott Montgomery,   Nicholas Sliwinski

$10,000 Main Event - Day 7 - Level 29 (Hr. 2)

Jul 14, '08

Note: Players will be going on a 20 minute break. Play will resume at around 4:50

Blinds/Antes: 50,000-100,000-10,000

Players Remaining: 18 out of 6,844

Average Chip Stack: 7.6 million

Eliminations:
18th place - Jason Riesenberg - $334,535 19th place - Albert Kim - $257,334
20th place - Brandon Cantu - $257,334
21st place - Paul Snead - $257,334

Big Hands and Storylines:

Montgomery Gets Miracle and 11 Million Pot, Snead Eliminated in 21st ($257,334)

Paul Snead raised to 300,000 from the button and then called a reraise to 800,000 from Scott Montgomery in the big blind. The flop was JT3 and Montgomery bet 1.5 million. Then Snead raised to three million, and then Montgomery reraised all in for 1.76 million more. Snead took over five minutes to deliberate, and said multiple times he might have to call because of the odds he was getting and that he has outs. Then Tiffany Michelle called the clock, and as the tournament director counted down to one he called.

Snead: J7
Montgomery: A4

Incredibly, Montgomery tried to bluff Snead out of the hand when he would have to call if he hit the board in any way. With over 11 million chips on the line, the turn was the 8, meaning the A was no longer an out for Montgomery. But he caught the A on the river to the amazement of everyone at the table and in the crowd.

With about 400,000 chips left, Snead pushed all in with A-T and was up against Craig Marquis's A-K. The board didn't bring any help, and Snead will head out with a lot of money, but a lot of "what ifs" as well.

Cantu Can't Cut It - Eliminated in 20th Place ($257,334)

Peter Eastgate opened with a raise to 300,000, and Brandon Cantu shoved from the button for 2.3 million. Eastgate made the call, tabling AQ against Cantu's 99. The flop gave Cantu good reason to sweat, running out 863. The turn improved Cantu's chances of doubling up with the 8, but the 4 sealed his fate and sent him to the rail in 20th place. Eastgate climbed to over 9 million after the hand.

Tough Start for Rheem

Play was delayed for several minutes as players redrew their seat assignments once the field was narrowed down to the final two tables. Chino Rheem may wish they had delayed even longer, as he now sits behind the smallest stack in the tournament with only 2.3 million.

In a heads-up battle with Craig Marquis, Rheem greeted a preflop raise with a reraise to 450,000 which Marquis called. The flop came 953, and Marquis stepped out for 700,000. Rheem came over the top, raising to 1.7 million. Unafraid of the power move, Marquis then announced all-in, and Rheem was forced to lay his hand down.

The significant damage came a few hands later, however. Ivan Demidov raised to 300,000 from under the gun, and both Rheem and Joe Bishop made the call. The flop came J106, and after Demidov checked, Rheem bet 400,000. Bishop called and Demidov folded. The turn paired the board with the 6, and Rheem stabbed again with a 900,000 bet. Bishop then reraised to 2 million, and Rheem made the call. The Q on the river completed a potential flush draw, and Rheem checked. Bishop stepped out for 1.5 million and Rheem called. Bishop then showed him the bad news, 66 for quads hit on the turn.

Tiffany Michelle Gets No Respect

Jason Riesenberg raised to 275,000 from late position, and Tiffany Michelle reraised to 775,000 from the button. Scott Montgomery then moved all in from the big blind, forcing both players out of the pot.

On the very next hand, Tiffany Michelle opened with a raise to 300,000. She was called by both Dennis and Scott Montgomery in the small blind. Montgomery checked the flop of AKJ, and Tiffany continued firing, this time for 500,000. Dennis then reraised to a total of 1.3 million. Tiffany went into the tank for some time, but eventually surrendered the hand, dropping down to a total count of around 4.6 million.

Jason Riesenberg eliminated in 18th place ($334,534)

Jason Riesenberg raised to 275,000 and was called by Dennis Phillips and Dean Hamrick. The flop was QQ3 and Riesenberg bet 350,000. Only Hamrick called, and the 9 came on the turn. Riesenberg bet 675,000 and Hamrick again called. The river was the K and this time Riesenberg checked. Hamrick then moved all in and Riesenberg called all in. Hamrick showed pocket nines for a full house, and Riesenberg immediately sunk in his seat. He flipped over Q8 for trips, shook some hands and left the table.

Player Tags: Dean Hamrick,   Paul Snead,   Brandon Cantu,   Tiffany Michelle,   Peter Eastgate,   Jason Riesenberg,   Scott Montgomery,   Joe Bishop

$10,000 Main Event - Day 6 - Level 26 (Hour 2)

Jul 13, '08

Players are on a 90-minute dinner break. Play will resume at 8:45 p.m.

Blinds/Antes: 25,000-50,000-5,000

Players Remaining: 35 out of 6,844

Average Chip Stack: 3.9 milion

Chip Counts:

Brandon Cantu - 10,800,000
Albert Kim - 9,400,000
Kelly Kim - 8,700,000
Gert Andersen - 8,700,000
Tiffany Michelle - 6,800,000
David Rheem - 6,700,000
Craig Marquis - 6,000,000
Dennis Phillips - 6,000,000
Antoanell Judet - 5,900,000
Peter Eastgate - 5,800,000

Eliminations:

36th place - Peter Neff - $193,000
37th place - Andrew Rosskamm - $154,400
38th place - Felix Osterland - $154,400
39th place - Craig Stein - $154,400
40th place - Mauro Lupo - $154,400
41st place - Kido Pham - $154,400

Big Hands and Storylines:

Cantu -- chipleader going into break -- takes big pot off Rheem

Mike Matusow raised to 150,000 from early position and was called by four players, including Brandon Cantu and David Rheem. The flop was 653 and when it checked around to Cantu he bet 400,000. Rheem was the only caller, and then both players checked when the 6 came on the turn. The 2 came on the river and Cantu bet 600,000. Rheem took about five minutes to think it over before ultimately calling. Cantu flipped over pocket fours for a straight and took down the pot of over 2.75 million. Cantu now has close to 11 million chips.

Sliwinski Semi-Bluffs Schafer

Clint Schafer raised to three times the big blind from early position and was called by a single player – Nick Sliwinski in the cutoff. The flop was 1075 and Schafer fired out a continuation bet of 225,000. Sliwinski called. The turn was the 3 and Schafer bet 600,000. Sliwinski moved all in for 2.7 million and Schafer went into the tank. After four or five minutes of thought, Schafer folded his hand.

Sliwinski’s friends on the rail exploded in celebration. Sliwinski asked Schafer if he wanted to see his hand and after an affirmative response, he showed A5. Schafer angrily slammed the table, knocking his chair over in the process.

The hand brought Sliwinski up to 4.5 million and knocked Schafer down to around a million.

Andrew Rosskamm Eliminated by Kelly Kim

Kelly Kim raised to 150,000 from the hijack and was promptly re-raised from the small blind by Andrew Rosskam. Kim did not take too long in calling the additional 300,000 and the two saw a flop. The board was incredibly coordinated – J109 – but that did not stop Rosskamm from moving all-in for his last 1.8 million. Kim snap-called and showed AQ for the flopped nut flush. Rosskamm had only AJ, but was given a chance for a massive draw-out when the turn came the 9. The river, however, was the 6 and Rosskamm was eliminated.

That pot vaulted Kelly Kim up to an impressive 8 million.

Chino Rheem and Mike Matusow Talk, Mix it Up

After Chino Rheem and Mike Matusow stepped away from the table for what some tablemates called a “coaching session,” Matusow raised to 150,000 from the hijack seat in the first hand upon his return. The small blind made the call, as did Rheem from the big blind. The flop came 952, and all players checked. The turn brought the 4, and again the small blind checked. Rheem fired a bet of 225,000 into the pot, and Matusow threw his hand into the muck. The small blind folded as well, and Rheem took the pot.

Tiffany Michelle Fleeces Christian Dragomir to the Tune of 1.3 Million

On a flop of A83, Christian Dragomir checked to Tiffany Michelle, who made a bet of 150,000. Dragomir made the call and checked when the 6 fell on the turn. Michelle gathered some chips and pushed in a bet of 500,000. After some brief deliberation, Dragomir again made the call. The river was the 9, and for the final time Dragomir checked. Michelle threw in a bet of 600,000, and Dragomir matched the bet. Michelle turned over 33 for bottom set, and Dragomir mucked his cards. The hit to Dragomir’s stack left him with less than 1.5 million in chips.

Klodnicki Calls Down Montgomery

Chris Klodnicki raised from early position to 150,000 and play was folded to Scott Montgomery who made the call from the big blind. The flop came down K76, and both players checked. The board paired with the 7 on the turn, and after Montgomery checked, Klodnicki bet 200,000. Montgomery called. The 3 was the river card, and Montgomery again checked, with Klodnicki then betting out 300,000. Montgomery then put in a check-raise to 1,000,000, and Klodnicki tanked. Uncertain what to put Montgomery on, Klodnicki appeared on the verge of folding, but in the end he opted to call, and it proved to be the right move. Montgomery announced “you’re good” and Klodnicki turned over 1010. Montgomery mucked his hand.

Player Tags: Mike Matusow,   Chris Klodnicki,   Brandon Cantu,   Scott Montgomery,   Cristian Dragomir

Hour Nine -- Scott Montgomery Eliminated in Fifth Place ($3,096,678)

Nov 09, '08

Blinds/Antes: 250,000-500,000 with a 50,000 ante

Players Left: 4 of 6,844

Chip Leaders:

Ivan Demidov: 49,100,000
Peter Eastgate: 47,625,000
Ylon Schwartz: 22,175,000
Dennis Phillips: 17,325,000

Average: 34,220,000

Big Hands:

Scott Montgomery vs. Ivan Demidov

Scott Montgomery raised to 1.5 million preflop from the small blind and Ivan Demidov reaised to 4.25 million from the big blind. Montgomery thought for a moment and then reraised all in for a massive total worth 24.375 million. Demidov made the all-in call and they flipped up their hands:

Demidov: K K
Montgomery: A 9

Board: 6 4 6 10 3

Demidov sweated the two toughest cards of his life and doubled up to win the largest hand of the tournament so far. After the hand his stack grew to 51 million, while Montgomery was crippled with a just a little more than 7 million left to his name.

Scott Montgomery Eliminated in Fifth Place ($3,096,678)

After moving all in once and receiving no calls, Montogmery pushed all of his chips into the middle again and received a call from Peter Eastgate. Their cards:

Montgomery: A 3
Eastgate: 6 6

Board: A Q 4 A

Dennis Phillips revealed to Tournament Director Jack Effel that he had mucked a six when he folded preflop and Effel announced this to the crowd in the Penn and Teller Theater. This left Eastgate with one final out in the deck.

 River: 6

The crowd broke into a loud mixture of cheers and groans in a confusion of excitement and agony when the six rolled off the deck, and Montgomery’s tournament run came to an end in fifth place. He took home $3,096,678 in prize money.

Break Time

After the elimination of Montgomery the final four players went on a 20-minute break.
 

Player Tags: Peter Eastgate,   Dennis Phillips,   Scott Montgomery,   Ivan Demidov

Final Table -- Hour Eight -- Darus Suharto Eliminated in Sixth Place ($2,418,562)

Nov 09, '08

Blinds/Antes: 250,000-500,000 with a 50,000 ante

Players Left: 5 of 6,844

Chip Leaders:

Peter Eastgate: 37,425,000
Scott Montgomery: 32,575,000
Ivan Demidov: 27,250,000
Dennis Phillips: 20,175,000
Ylon Schwartz: 19,375,000

Average: 27,376,000

Big Hands:

Peter Eastgate Takes the Chip Lead

Peter Eastgate opened the action on the button with a raise to 1.25 million and Dennis Phillips reraised to 3.5 million. Eastgate made the call and the flop was dealt K 2 2. Phillips checked and Eastgate bet 3 million. Things got interesting when Phillips check-rasied to 7 million and then Eastgate came over the top of him by shoving all in. A call would have put Phillips tournament life at major risk, and after mulling it over for a minute he decided to fold.

Darus Suharto Eliminated in Sixth Place ($2,418,562)

Darus Suharto moved all in preflop for 8,550,000 and Scott Montgomery thought for a minute before he made the call on the cutoff. Their cards:

Suharto: A 8
Montgomery: A Q

Board: K J 2 4 4

Montgomery made an ace-high spade flush on the turn and knocked Suharto out of the tournament in sixth place. Suharto will take home $2,418,562 in prize money.

Player Tags: Darus Suharto,   Peter Eastgate,   Dennis Phillips,   Scott Montgomery

Final Table - Hour Four -- Craig Marquis Eliminated in Ninth Place ($900,670)

Nov 09, '08

Blinds/Antes: 200,000-400,000 with a 50,000 ante

Players Left: 8 of 6,844

Chip Leaders:

Ylon Schwartz: 36,625,000
Ivan Demidov: 32,000,000
Peter Eastgate: 23,575,000
Scott Montgomery: 17,500,000
Darus Suharto: 11,475,000
Dennis Phillips: 9,550,000
David Rheem: 4,900,000
Kelly Kim: 600,000

Average: 17,110,000

Big Hands:

Upper Echelon

The final table has molded into a battle of three contenders and the rest of the field that is just trying to survive. Ylon Schwartz, Ivan Demidov, and Peter Eastgate represent the three-headed monster on top while Darus Suharto, Scott Montgomery, Dennis Phillips, Craig Marquis, Chino Rheem, and Kelly Kim have their work cut out for them if they want to make it to the heads-up match tomorrow.

Craig Marquis Eliminated in Ninth Place ($900,670)

Craig Marquis moved all in preflop and Scott Montgomery made the call. Their cards:

Marquis: 7 7
Montgomery: A Q

Board: A 10 7 J K

The hand provided a roller coaster fluctuation of cheering from the crowd as Marquis jumped out to the lead on the flop with a set of sevens, only to get knocked out of the tournament by a runner-runner draw to a Broadway straight for Montgomery. Marquis was eliminated in ninth place and he took home $900,670 in prize money.
 

Player Tags: Craig Marquis,   Scott Montgomery

Final Table -- Hour Two

Nov 09, '08

Blinds/Antes: 150,000-300,000 with a 40,000 ante

Players Left: 9 of 6,844

Chip Leaders:

Ivan Demidov: 35,875,000
Peter Eastgate: 23,855,000
Ylon Schwartz: 18,595,000
Scott Montgomery: 18,095,000
Darus Suharto: 13,605,000
David Rheem: 9,180,000
Dennis Phillips: 8,310,000
Craig Marquis: 7,780,000
Kelly Kim: 1,690,000

Average: 15,208,888

Big Hands:

Ivan Demidov Takes a Huge Lead

Ivan Demidov raised to 1.025 million preflop from the button after Dennis Phillips limped under the gun and then Phillips reraised to 3.525 million. Demidov reraised to 8.225 million and Phillips made the call after about 30 seconds of deliberation. The flop was dealt J 10 8 and Phillips bet 4.5 million. Demidov decided to move all in and Phillips went into the tank. He eventually mucked and now holds around 9 million after starting the final table with the chip lead. Demidov now has an impressive chip lead with 35,875,000.

Break Time

The players went on a 15-minute break during the hour that was more of a 25-minute break by the time all of them were chased back down to the final table.

Ylon Schwartz Makes a Move

Dennis Phillips limped into a pot preflop and then Ylon Schwartz raised to 1.4 million in the small blind. Scott Montgomery made the call in the big blind and Phillips made the call as well. The flop was dealt Q 10 2 and Schwartz bet 5 million. Montgomery made the call and Phillips mucked. The turn brought the 8 and Schwartz moved all in. Montgomery mucked and Schwartz took down a nice pot.

Player Tags: Ylon Schwartz,   Dennis Phillips,   Scott Montgomery,   Ivan Demidov

Final Table -- Hour One

Nov 09, '08

Blinds/Antes: 150,000-300,000 with a 40,000 ante

Players Left: 9 of 6,844

Chip Leaders:

Ivan Demidov: 22,570,000
Dennis Phillips: 21,685,000
Peter Eastgate: 20,375,000
Scott Montgomery: 18,295,000
Ylon Schwartz: 18,285,000
Darus Suharto: 13,805,000
Craig Marquis: 10,130,000
David Rheem: 9,380,000
Kelly Kim: 2,340,000

Big Hands:

Kim Grabs Some Chip on the First Hand

On the very first hand of play Kelly Kim moved all in on the button for 560,000 and it came down to Dennis Phillips to make the call in the big blind. He eventually mucked and Kim picked up the blinds and antes to help his ailing short stack.

Photos Up

Photos of the final-table contestants have been posted under the photos tab.

Interesting Dynamic

With the majority of the crowd sitting in the stands of the Penn and Teller theater while the final table stage sits at the front with wall blocking view of the table, the fans are cheering along to action on the many huge screens placed around the stage. At first they would cheer every time action came to their player of choice, and after a while when anyone made a bet. There hasn’t been too much to cheer for though as their has yet to be a flop dealt on the final table as of yet.

First Flop

After Ivan Demidov raised to 750,000 from middle position and Scott Montgomery made the call in the big blind the flop was dealt AdQs9d and was met with spirited cheers from the crowd. Montgomery raised to 1.1 million and Demidov mucked.

Demidov Takes the Chip Lead

Dennis Phillips raised to 900,000 from middle position and Ylon Schwartz made the call from the hi-jack. The flop was dealt 742 and Phillips bet 2.35 million. Schwartz raised to 6 million and Phillips mucked. As a result of this hand Ivan Demidov took the chip lead at the final table.

Blinds Up

The blinds are now 150,000-300,000 with a 40,000 ante for the start of level 34.

 

Player Tags: Scott Montgomery,   Ivan Demidov

$10,000 Main Event - Rheem Takes a Hit, Bishop Out

Jul 14, '08

Note: Play had paused after the elimination of Joe Bishop to allow for a redraw for the final table of 10 players. We are one elimination away from the television final table that will take place in November.

Blinds/Antes: 100,000-200,000 with a 30,000 ante

Players Left: 10 of 6,844

Chip Leaders:

Dennis Phillips: 21,500,000
Scott Montgomery: 20,635,000
Ivan Demidov: 18,700,000
Darus Suharto: 16, 425,000
Dean Hamrick: 12,460,000
Craig Marquis: 12,000,000
Ylon Schwartz: 10,500,000
Peter Eastgate: 10,440,000
David 'Chino' Rheem: 10,100,000
Kelly Kim: 4,430,000

Average Stack: 13,688,000

Eliminations:

11th: Joe Bishop: $591,869

Big Hands:

Set No Good, Rheem Takes a Hit

Action folded around to Ivan Demdidov in the cutoff. He raised it up to 650,000 and action folded to David "Chino" Rheem in the small blind. He repopped to 2 million total and Demdidov went into the tank. When he came out of the tank, he announced he was all in for almost 8 million. Rheem took some time of his own to think about what to do before making the call. He turned over 1010. He was in good shape against Demdidov's 99. The crowd went nuts as the hands were set up for the cameras. The flop then came 1086, giving Rheem top set but also giving Demdidov a variety of outs. The turn brought the 4 and Demdidov spiked a flush. Rheem needed to pair the board to win the hand, but the 5 sealed the deal for Demdidov, who moved up to about 18 million. Rheem dropped down to 8 million.

Darus Suharto Doubles Through Joe Bishop

Bishop raised to 700,000 from the button and Darus Suharto repopped from the big blind. He made it 2 million to go and Bishop made the call. The flop came Q65 and Suharto led out with 2.5 million. Bishop came over the top, moving all in for almost 10 million. Suharto made the call and turned over KK for an over pair. Bishop showed top pair on the board with AQ. The turn was the 6 and the river was the 2 and Suharto doubled up.

Bishop Doubles Another

Bishop raised to 600,000 from the cutoff and action was next on Kelly Kim in the small blind. He moved all in for about 2 million and Bishop called, showing 87. Kim was in great shape as he showed 88. The board ran out A101072 and Kim doubled up and Bishop was down to 2.4 million.

Bishop Trampled By the Wheel on the River, Busts in 11th Place

The fall of Joe Bishop would be complete a few hands later. He moved all in from under the gun and action folded around to David Rheem. He made the call and showed 22. Bishop turned over A3 and was racing against ducks. He flew ahead on the flop as it dropped A53. Bishop had two pair and Rheem needed another duck or a four to bust Bishop. The turn was a blank as the Q hit the felt. But the river brought chaos as the miracle 4 showed up, knocking Bishop out of the main event and sending Rheem's supporters into a frenzy.

Phillips Wins 3 Million Preflop

Dean Hamrick raised to 550,000 preflop and Ylon Schwartz reraised to 2.2 million. Sitting behind Schwartz, chipleader Dennis Phillips asked for Schwartz's chip count and crossed his arms to think. He announced a reraise and popped it to 6 million straight. Hamrick mucked immediatley and Schwartz only took a few seconds to do the same, giving Phillips an additional 3 million for his already large chip stack without even seeing a flop.

Montgomery Crushes Chip Leader

Dennis Phillips raised to 500,000 and Scott Montgomery reraised to 2.2 million. Phillips made the call and the flop brought J106. Phillips checked, Montgomery bet 1.5 million and Phillips called. The turn was interesting, bringing the K. Phillips checked again and Montgomery bet 2 million. Phillips called and the river brought the 9. Phillips checked for the final time and Montgomery shoved out 4 million. Phillips took time to seriously consider his decision. He eventually called and Montgomery showed A10 for the ace-high flush. Phillips mucked and lost a huge pot that had more than 15 million in it. With the pot Montgomery pased 20 million.

Player Tags: Dean Hamrick,   Chino Rheem,   Darus Suharto,   Dennis Phillips,   Scott Montgomery,   Joe Bishop

$10,000 Main Event - Lull in the Action

Jul 14, '08

Blinds/Antes: 100,000-200,000 with a 30,000 ante

Players Left: 11 of 6,844

Chip Leaders:

Dennis Phillips: 23,800,000
Ylon Schwartz: 16,900,000
Peter Eastgate: 13,960,000
David Rheem: 13,800,000
Dean Hamrick: 13,490,000
Scott Montgomery: 13,400,000
Joe Bishop: 12,000,000
Craig Marquis: 11,800,000
Ivan Demidov: 9,800,000
Darus Suharto: 8,700,000

Average Stack:

Big Hands:

Phillips Starts To Pull Away

Dennis Phillips has raised a number of hands to take down pots uncontested.
But in one hand Phillips bet 800,000 on a flop of 1075 and Scott Montgomery re-raised to 2 million. Phillips took a moment then made the call. Phillips then announced he was checking in the dark and the A peeled off on the turn. Montgomery checked the ace as well, and when the 3 hit on the river Phillips bet out 1.3 million. Montgomery quickly folded and Phillips tok another sizeable pot without showdown, increasing his chip stack to 28,000,000.

A Big Chop For The Chip Leader

In a limped 3-way pot involving Dennis Phillips, Scott Montgomery and Dean Hamrick, Montgomery checked a flop of 1022 and Hamrick fired out 425,000. Phillips reraised to 1.2 million, Montgomery got out of the way and action was back on Hamrick. He three-bet it to 2.65 million and Phillips just called. On the 9 turn Hamrick fired out 3 million more and Phillips took his time. He eventually elected to call and the 3 came on the river. Both players checked and showed down. Hamrick showed 104 for two pair, but Phillips showed 108 for the same two pair. The nine played and both players could breathe a sigh of relief as they chopped a big pot.

Chino XL

David "Chino" Rheem was the short stack at one point in Day 7. But he has made moves and shot to the top three of the leaderboard.

Darus Suharto raised to 600,000 preflop from the hijack and Rheem made the call from the small blind. The flop came out 972 and both players checked. The turn then brought the 6 and Rheem unloaded a blast of 800,000 into the pot. Suharto mucked and Rheem took the pot, much to the delight of his supporters surrounding the table.

A few hands later, action folded around to Craig Marquis in the small blind. He raised to 625,000 and action was on Rheem. He instantly announced "all in" and Marquis went into the tank as Rheem's supporters cheered the bet. Marquis wondered what on earth Rheem could have to make such an overbet with the pot at just around 1 million. Rheem bet over 10 million with his action. Marquis mucked and Rheem raked in the pot. He was at 14 million in chips.

Player Tags: Dean Hamrick,   Dennis Phillips,   Scott Montgomery

$10,000 Main Event - Phillips Jumps Ahead

Jul 14, '08

Players are now on a 20 minute break. Play will resume around 10:50 p.m.

Blinds/Antes: 80,000 / 160,000 / 20,000

Players Remaining: 11 of 6,844

Average Stack: 12,443,636

Chip Counts:
Dennis Phillips: 24,000,000
Ylon Schwartz: 14,600,000
David Rheem: 13,800,000
Peter Eastgate: 13,700,000
Scott Montgomery: 13,700,000
Dean Hamrick: 13,490,000
Joe Bishop: 12,000,000
Craig Marquis: 11,800,000
Ivan Demidov: 9,800,000
Darus Suharto: 8,700,000
Kelly Kim: 7,200,000

Recent Eliminations:
12th Place - Chris Klodnicki ($591,869)
13th Place - Nicholas Sliwinski ($463,202)

Big Hands and Storylines:

Phillips Ready To Gamble, Takes Chip Lead

Dennis Phillips bet 1.3 million on a flop of 842. Peter Eastgate thought it over and made the call. When the 10 fell on the river, Phillips moved his remaining 12 million all in. With such a huge pot on the long, Eastgate went into the tank for several minutes. He finally laid his hand down after Phillips had to call a clock on him, and Phillips added to his stack and approached 19 million after the hand, taking the chip lead.

Nicholas Sliwinski Runs Into Flopped Flush, Out in 13th Place ($463,202)

Dennis Phillips put in a raise to 460,000 preflop and Nicholas Sliwinski called out of the big blind. On a flop of 973, Sliwinski fired 500,000 and Phillips called. Sliwinski fired 1.2 million when the 6 fell on the turn and Phillips tanked for a bit before calling. The 9 fell on the river and Sliwinski shoved all in, prompting Phillips to make a quick call and show KQ for the flopped flush. Sliwinski showed 65 for two pair and was eliminated in 13th place. Phillips' stack grew to around 14 million after the hand.

No Royal Flush For Klodnicki, Gone in 12th Place ($591,869)

Scott Montgomery raised to 600,000 and Chris Klodnicki made the call from the big blind. On a flop of AQQ, Klodnicki checked and Montgomery fired out a bet of a cool million. Klodnicki check-raised all in and Montgomery quickly called. Montgomery had QJ for trip queens, but Klodnicki held J10 for a royal flush draw. Any diamond would put Klodnicki ahead, but the J fell on the turn, leaving him dead to the K for a royal flush. The 4 fell on the river and Klodnicki was knocked out in 12th place.

Hamrick Makes Top Pair, Takes Pot From Phillips

Both Dean Hamrick and Dennis Phillips checked a flop of 552. When the Q turn dropped, Hamrick checked to Phillips who bet 900,000. Hamrick thought briefly then made the call. Both players checked the 2 river and Hamrick showed KQ. Phillips mucked his hand and Hamrick took a small pot.

 

Player Tags: Dean Hamrick,   Chris Klodnicki,   Peter Eastgate,   Dennis Phillips,   Scott Montgomery,   Nicholas Sliwinski

$10,000 Main Event - Day 7 - Level 29 (Hr. 2)

Jul 14, '08

Note: Players will be going on a 20 minute break. Play will resume at around 4:50

Blinds/Antes: 50,000-100,000-10,000

Players Remaining: 18 out of 6,844

Average Chip Stack: 7.6 million

Eliminations:
18th place - Jason Riesenberg - $334,535 19th place - Albert Kim - $257,334
20th place - Brandon Cantu - $257,334
21st place - Paul Snead - $257,334

Big Hands and Storylines:

Montgomery Gets Miracle and 11 Million Pot, Snead Eliminated in 21st ($257,334)

Paul Snead raised to 300,000 from the button and then called a reraise to 800,000 from Scott Montgomery in the big blind. The flop was JT3 and Montgomery bet 1.5 million. Then Snead raised to three million, and then Montgomery reraised all in for 1.76 million more. Snead took over five minutes to deliberate, and said multiple times he might have to call because of the odds he was getting and that he has outs. Then Tiffany Michelle called the clock, and as the tournament director counted down to one he called.

Snead: J7
Montgomery: A4

Incredibly, Montgomery tried to bluff Snead out of the hand when he would have to call if he hit the board in any way. With over 11 million chips on the line, the turn was the 8, meaning the A was no longer an out for Montgomery. But he caught the A on the river to the amazement of everyone at the table and in the crowd.

With about 400,000 chips left, Snead pushed all in with A-T and was up against Craig Marquis's A-K. The board didn't bring any help, and Snead will head out with a lot of money, but a lot of "what ifs" as well.

Cantu Can't Cut It - Eliminated in 20th Place ($257,334)

Peter Eastgate opened with a raise to 300,000, and Brandon Cantu shoved from the button for 2.3 million. Eastgate made the call, tabling AQ against Cantu's 99. The flop gave Cantu good reason to sweat, running out 863. The turn improved Cantu's chances of doubling up with the 8, but the 4 sealed his fate and sent him to the rail in 20th place. Eastgate climbed to over 9 million after the hand.

Tough Start for Rheem

Play was delayed for several minutes as players redrew their seat assignments once the field was narrowed down to the final two tables. Chino Rheem may wish they had delayed even longer, as he now sits behind the smallest stack in the tournament with only 2.3 million.

In a heads-up battle with Craig Marquis, Rheem greeted a preflop raise with a reraise to 450,000 which Marquis called. The flop came 953, and Marquis stepped out for 700,000. Rheem came over the top, raising to 1.7 million. Unafraid of the power move, Marquis then announced all-in, and Rheem was forced to lay his hand down.

The significant damage came a few hands later, however. Ivan Demidov raised to 300,000 from under the gun, and both Rheem and Joe Bishop made the call. The flop came J106, and after Demidov checked, Rheem bet 400,000. Bishop called and Demidov folded. The turn paired the board with the 6, and Rheem stabbed again with a 900,000 bet. Bishop then reraised to 2 million, and Rheem made the call. The Q on the river completed a potential flush draw, and Rheem checked. Bishop stepped out for 1.5 million and Rheem called. Bishop then showed him the bad news, 66 for quads hit on the turn.

Tiffany Michelle Gets No Respect

Jason Riesenberg raised to 275,000 from late position, and Tiffany Michelle reraised to 775,000 from the button. Scott Montgomery then moved all in from the big blind, forcing both players out of the pot.

On the very next hand, Tiffany Michelle opened with a raise to 300,000. She was called by both Dennis and Scott Montgomery in the small blind. Montgomery checked the flop of AKJ, and Tiffany continued firing, this time for 500,000. Dennis then reraised to a total of 1.3 million. Tiffany went into the tank for some time, but eventually surrendered the hand, dropping down to a total count of around 4.6 million.

Jason Riesenberg eliminated in 18th place ($334,534)

Jason Riesenberg raised to 275,000 and was called by Dennis Phillips and Dean Hamrick. The flop was QQ3 and Riesenberg bet 350,000. Only Hamrick called, and the 9 came on the turn. Riesenberg bet 675,000 and Hamrick again called. The river was the K and this time Riesenberg checked. Hamrick then moved all in and Riesenberg called all in. Hamrick showed pocket nines for a full house, and Riesenberg immediately sunk in his seat. He flipped over Q8 for trips, shook some hands and left the table.

Player Tags: Dean Hamrick,   Paul Snead,   Brandon Cantu,   Tiffany Michelle,   Peter Eastgate,   Jason Riesenberg,   Scott Montgomery,   Joe Bishop

$10,000 Main Event - Day 6 - Level 26 (Hour 2)

Jul 13, '08

Players are on a 90-minute dinner break. Play will resume at 8:45 p.m.

Blinds/Antes: 25,000-50,000-5,000

Players Remaining: 35 out of 6,844

Average Chip Stack: 3.9 milion

Chip Counts:

Brandon Cantu - 10,800,000
Albert Kim - 9,400,000
Kelly Kim - 8,700,000
Gert Andersen - 8,700,000
Tiffany Michelle - 6,800,000
David Rheem - 6,700,000
Craig Marquis - 6,000,000
Dennis Phillips - 6,000,000
Antoanell Judet - 5,900,000
Peter Eastgate - 5,800,000

Eliminations:

36th place - Peter Neff - $193,000
37th place - Andrew Rosskamm - $154,400
38th place - Felix Osterland - $154,400
39th place - Craig Stein - $154,400
40th place - Mauro Lupo - $154,400
41st place - Kido Pham - $154,400

Big Hands and Storylines:

Cantu -- chipleader going into break -- takes big pot off Rheem

Mike Matusow raised to 150,000 from early position and was called by four players, including Brandon Cantu and David Rheem. The flop was 653 and when it checked around to Cantu he bet 400,000. Rheem was the only caller, and then both players checked when the 6 came on the turn. The 2 came on the river and Cantu bet 600,000. Rheem took about five minutes to think it over before ultimately calling. Cantu flipped over pocket fours for a straight and took down the pot of over 2.75 million. Cantu now has close to 11 million chips.

Sliwinski Semi-Bluffs Schafer

Clint Schafer raised to three times the big blind from early position and was called by a single player – Nick Sliwinski in the cutoff. The flop was 1075 and Schafer fired out a continuation bet of 225,000. Sliwinski called. The turn was the 3 and Schafer bet 600,000. Sliwinski moved all in for 2.7 million and Schafer went into the tank. After four or five minutes of thought, Schafer folded his hand.

Sliwinski’s friends on the rail exploded in celebration. Sliwinski asked Schafer if he wanted to see his hand and after an affirmative response, he showed A5. Schafer angrily slammed the table, knocking his chair over in the process.

The hand brought Sliwinski up to 4.5 million and knocked Schafer down to around a million.

Andrew Rosskamm Eliminated by Kelly Kim

Kelly Kim raised to 150,000 from the hijack and was promptly re-raised from the small blind by Andrew Rosskam. Kim did not take too long in calling the additional 300,000 and the two saw a flop. The board was incredibly coordinated – J109 – but that did not stop Rosskamm from moving all-in for his last 1.8 million. Kim snap-called and showed AQ for the flopped nut flush. Rosskamm had only AJ, but was given a chance for a massive draw-out when the turn came the 9. The river, however, was the 6 and Rosskamm was eliminated.

That pot vaulted Kelly Kim up to an impressive 8 million.

Chino Rheem and Mike Matusow Talk, Mix it Up

After Chino Rheem and Mike Matusow stepped away from the table for what some tablemates called a “coaching session,” Matusow raised to 150,000 from the hijack seat in the first hand upon his return. The small blind made the call, as did Rheem from the big blind. The flop came 952, and all players checked. The turn brought the 4, and again the small blind checked. Rheem fired a bet of 225,000 into the pot, and Matusow threw his hand into the muck. The small blind folded as well, and Rheem took the pot.

Tiffany Michelle Fleeces Christian Dragomir to the Tune of 1.3 Million

On a flop of A83, Christian Dragomir checked to Tiffany Michelle, who made a bet of 150,000. Dragomir made the call and checked when the 6 fell on the turn. Michelle gathered some chips and pushed in a bet of 500,000. After some brief deliberation, Dragomir again made the call. The river was the 9, and for the final time Dragomir checked. Michelle threw in a bet of 600,000, and Dragomir matched the bet. Michelle turned over 33 for bottom set, and Dragomir mucked his cards. The hit to Dragomir’s stack left him with less than 1.5 million in chips.

Klodnicki Calls Down Montgomery

Chris Klodnicki raised from early position to 150,000 and play was folded to Scott Montgomery who made the call from the big blind. The flop came down K76, and both players checked. The board paired with the 7 on the turn, and after Montgomery checked, Klodnicki bet 200,000. Montgomery called. The 3 was the river card, and Montgomery again checked, with Klodnicki then betting out 300,000. Montgomery then put in a check-raise to 1,000,000, and Klodnicki tanked. Uncertain what to put Montgomery on, Klodnicki appeared on the verge of folding, but in the end he opted to call, and it proved to be the right move. Montgomery announced “you’re good” and Klodnicki turned over 1010. Montgomery mucked his hand.

Player Tags: Mike Matusow,   Chris Klodnicki,   Brandon Cantu,   Scott Montgomery,   Cristian Dragomir

Hour Nine -- Scott Montgomery Eliminated in Fifth Place ($3,096,678)

Nov 09, '08

Blinds/Antes: 250,000-500,000 with a 50,000 ante

Players Left: 4 of 6,844

Chip Leaders:

Ivan Demidov: 49,100,000
Peter Eastgate: 47,625,000
Ylon Schwartz: 22,175,000
Dennis Phillips: 17,325,000

Average: 34,220,000

Big Hands:

Scott Montgomery vs. Ivan Demidov

Scott Montgomery raised to 1.5 million preflop from the small blind and Ivan Demidov reaised to 4.25 million from the big blind. Montgomery thought for a moment and then reraised all in for a massive total worth 24.375 million. Demidov made the all-in call and they flipped up their hands:

Demidov: K K
Montgomery: A 9

Board: 6 4 6 10 3

Demidov sweated the two toughest cards of his life and doubled up to win the largest hand of the tournament so far. After the hand his stack grew to 51 million, while Montgomery was crippled with a just a little more than 7 million left to his name.

Scott Montgomery Eliminated in Fifth Place ($3,096,678)

After moving all in once and receiving no calls, Montogmery pushed all of his chips into the middle again and received a call from Peter Eastgate. Their cards:

Montgomery: A 3
Eastgate: 6 6

Board: A Q 4 A

Dennis Phillips revealed to Tournament Director Jack Effel that he had mucked a six when he folded preflop and Effel announced this to the crowd in the Penn and Teller Theater. This left Eastgate with one final out in the deck.

 River: 6

The crowd broke into a loud mixture of cheers and groans in a confusion of excitement and agony when the six rolled off the deck, and Montgomery’s tournament run came to an end in fifth place. He took home $3,096,678 in prize money.

Break Time

After the elimination of Montgomery the final four players went on a 20-minute break.
 

Player Tags: Peter Eastgate,   Dennis Phillips,   Scott Montgomery,   Ivan Demidov

Final Table -- Hour Eight -- Darus Suharto Eliminated in Sixth Place ($2,418,562)

Nov 09, '08

Blinds/Antes: 250,000-500,000 with a 50,000 ante

Players Left: 5 of 6,844

Chip Leaders:

Peter Eastgate: 37,425,000
Scott Montgomery: 32,575,000
Ivan Demidov: 27,250,000
Dennis Phillips: 20,175,000
Ylon Schwartz: 19,375,000

Average: 27,376,000

Big Hands:

Peter Eastgate Takes the Chip Lead

Peter Eastgate opened the action on the button with a raise to 1.25 million and Dennis Phillips reraised to 3.5 million. Eastgate made the call and the flop was dealt K 2 2. Phillips checked and Eastgate bet 3 million. Things got interesting when Phillips check-rasied to 7 million and then Eastgate came over the top of him by shoving all in. A call would have put Phillips tournament life at major risk, and after mulling it over for a minute he decided to fold.

Darus Suharto Eliminated in Sixth Place ($2,418,562)

Darus Suharto moved all in preflop for 8,550,000 and Scott Montgomery thought for a minute before he made the call on the cutoff. Their cards:

Suharto: A 8
Montgomery: A Q

Board: K J 2 4 4

Montgomery made an ace-high spade flush on the turn and knocked Suharto out of the tournament in sixth place. Suharto will take home $2,418,562 in prize money.

Player Tags: Darus Suharto,   Peter Eastgate,   Dennis Phillips,   Scott Montgomery

Final Table - Hour Four -- Craig Marquis Eliminated in Ninth Place ($900,670)

Nov 09, '08

Blinds/Antes: 200,000-400,000 with a 50,000 ante

Players Left: 8 of 6,844

Chip Leaders:

Ylon Schwartz: 36,625,000
Ivan Demidov: 32,000,000
Peter Eastgate: 23,575,000
Scott Montgomery: 17,500,000
Darus Suharto: 11,475,000
Dennis Phillips: 9,550,000
David Rheem: 4,900,000
Kelly Kim: 600,000

Average: 17,110,000

Big Hands:

Upper Echelon

The final table has molded into a battle of three contenders and the rest of the field that is just trying to survive. Ylon Schwartz, Ivan Demidov, and Peter Eastgate represent the three-headed monster on top while Darus Suharto, Scott Montgomery, Dennis Phillips, Craig Marquis, Chino Rheem, and Kelly Kim have their work cut out for them if they want to make it to the heads-up match tomorrow.

Craig Marquis Eliminated in Ninth Place ($900,670)

Craig Marquis moved all in preflop and Scott Montgomery made the call. Their cards:

Marquis: 7 7
Montgomery: A Q

Board: A 10 7 J K

The hand provided a roller coaster fluctuation of cheering from the crowd as Marquis jumped out to the lead on the flop with a set of sevens, only to get knocked out of the tournament by a runner-runner draw to a Broadway straight for Montgomery. Marquis was eliminated in ninth place and he took home $900,670 in prize money.
 

Player Tags: Craig Marquis,   Scott Montgomery

Final Table -- Hour Two

Nov 09, '08

Blinds/Antes: 150,000-300,000 with a 40,000 ante

Players Left: 9 of 6,844

Chip Leaders:

Ivan Demidov: 35,875,000
Peter Eastgate: 23,855,000
Ylon Schwartz: 18,595,000
Scott Montgomery: 18,095,000
Darus Suharto: 13,605,000
David Rheem: 9,180,000
Dennis Phillips: 8,310,000
Craig Marquis: 7,780,000
Kelly Kim: 1,690,000

Average: 15,208,888

Big Hands:

Ivan Demidov Takes a Huge Lead

Ivan Demidov raised to 1.025 million preflop from the button after Dennis Phillips limped under the gun and then Phillips reraised to 3.525 million. Demidov reraised to 8.225 million and Phillips made the call after about 30 seconds of deliberation. The flop was dealt J 10 8 and Phillips bet 4.5 million. Demidov decided to move all in and Phillips went into the tank. He eventually mucked and now holds around 9 million after starting the final table with the chip lead. Demidov now has an impressive chip lead with 35,875,000.

Break Time

The players went on a 15-minute break during the hour that was more of a 25-minute break by the time all of them were chased back down to the final table.

Ylon Schwartz Makes a Move

Dennis Phillips limped into a pot preflop and then Ylon Schwartz raised to 1.4 million in the small blind. Scott Montgomery made the call in the big blind and Phillips made the call as well. The flop was dealt Q 10 2 and Schwartz bet 5 million. Montgomery made the call and Phillips mucked. The turn brought the 8 and Schwartz moved all in. Montgomery mucked and Schwartz took down a nice pot.

Player Tags: Ylon Schwartz,   Dennis Phillips,   Scott Montgomery,   Ivan Demidov

Final Table -- Hour One

Nov 09, '08

Blinds/Antes: 150,000-300,000 with a 40,000 ante

Players Left: 9 of 6,844

Chip Leaders:

Ivan Demidov: 22,570,000
Dennis Phillips: 21,685,000
Peter Eastgate: 20,375,000
Scott Montgomery: 18,295,000
Ylon Schwartz: 18,285,000
Darus Suharto: 13,805,000
Craig Marquis: 10,130,000
David Rheem: 9,380,000
Kelly Kim: 2,340,000

Big Hands:

Kim Grabs Some Chip on the First Hand

On the very first hand of play Kelly Kim moved all in on the button for 560,000 and it came down to Dennis Phillips to make the call in the big blind. He eventually mucked and Kim picked up the blinds and antes to help his ailing short stack.

Photos Up

Photos of the final-table contestants have been posted under the photos tab.

Interesting Dynamic

With the majority of the crowd sitting in the stands of the Penn and Teller theater while the final table stage sits at the front with wall blocking view of the table, the fans are cheering along to action on the many huge screens placed around the stage. At first they would cheer every time action came to their player of choice, and after a while when anyone made a bet. There hasn’t been too much to cheer for though as their has yet to be a flop dealt on the final table as of yet.

First Flop

After Ivan Demidov raised to 750,000 from middle position and Scott Montgomery made the call in the big blind the flop was dealt AdQs9d and was met with spirited cheers from the crowd. Montgomery raised to 1.1 million and Demidov mucked.

Demidov Takes the Chip Lead

Dennis Phillips raised to 900,000 from middle position and Ylon Schwartz made the call from the hi-jack. The flop was dealt 742 and Phillips bet 2.35 million. Schwartz raised to 6 million and Phillips mucked. As a result of this hand Ivan Demidov took the chip lead at the final table.

Blinds Up

The blinds are now 150,000-300,000 with a 40,000 ante for the start of level 34.

 

Player Tags: Scott Montgomery,   Ivan Demidov

$10,000 Main Event - Rheem Takes a Hit, Bishop Out

Jul 14, '08

Note: Play had paused after the elimination of Joe Bishop to allow for a redraw for the final table of 10 players. We are one elimination away from the television final table that will take place in November.

Blinds/Antes: 100,000-200,000 with a 30,000 ante

Players Left: 10 of 6,844

Chip Leaders:

Dennis Phillips: 21,500,000
Scott Montgomery: 20,635,000
Ivan Demidov: 18,700,000
Darus Suharto: 16, 425,000
Dean Hamrick: 12,460,000
Craig Marquis: 12,000,000
Ylon Schwartz: 10,500,000
Peter Eastgate: 10,440,000
David 'Chino' Rheem: 10,100,000
Kelly Kim: 4,430,000

Average Stack: 13,688,000

Eliminations:

11th: Joe Bishop: $591,869

Big Hands:

Set No Good, Rheem Takes a Hit

Action folded around to Ivan Demdidov in the cutoff. He raised it up to 650,000 and action folded to David "Chino" Rheem in the small blind. He repopped to 2 million total and Demdidov went into the tank. When he came out of the tank, he announced he was all in for almost 8 million. Rheem took some time of his own to think about what to do before making the call. He turned over 1010. He was in good shape against Demdidov's 99. The crowd went nuts as the hands were set up for the cameras. The flop then came 1086, giving Rheem top set but also giving Demdidov a variety of outs. The turn brought the 4 and Demdidov spiked a flush. Rheem needed to pair the board to win the hand, but the 5 sealed the deal for Demdidov, who moved up to about 18 million. Rheem dropped down to 8 million.

Darus Suharto Doubles Through Joe Bishop

Bishop raised to 700,000 from the button and Darus Suharto repopped from the big blind. He made it 2 million to go and Bishop made the call. The flop came Q65 and Suharto led out with 2.5 million. Bishop came over the top, moving all in for almost 10 million. Suharto made the call and turned over KK for an over pair. Bishop showed top pair on the board with AQ. The turn was the 6 and the river was the 2 and Suharto doubled up.

Bishop Doubles Another

Bishop raised to 600,000 from the cutoff and action was next on Kelly Kim in the small blind. He moved all in for about 2 million and Bishop called, showing 87. Kim was in great shape as he showed 88. The board ran out A101072 and Kim doubled up and Bishop was down to 2.4 million.

Bishop Trampled By the Wheel on the River, Busts in 11th Place

The fall of Joe Bishop would be complete a few hands later. He moved all in from under the gun and action folded around to David Rheem. He made the call and showed 22. Bishop turned over A3 and was racing against ducks. He flew ahead on the flop as it dropped A53. Bishop had two pair and Rheem needed another duck or a four to bust Bishop. The turn was a blank as the Q hit the felt. But the river brought chaos as the miracle 4 showed up, knocking Bishop out of the main event and sending Rheem's supporters into a frenzy.

Phillips Wins 3 Million Preflop

Dean Hamrick raised to 550,000 preflop and Ylon Schwartz reraised to 2.2 million. Sitting behind Schwartz, chipleader Dennis Phillips asked for Schwartz's chip count and crossed his arms to think. He announced a reraise and popped it to 6 million straight. Hamrick mucked immediatley and Schwartz only took a few seconds to do the same, giving Phillips an additional 3 million for his already large chip stack without even seeing a flop.

Montgomery Crushes Chip Leader

Dennis Phillips raised to 500,000 and Scott Montgomery reraised to 2.2 million. Phillips made the call and the flop brought J106. Phillips checked, Montgomery bet 1.5 million and Phillips called. The turn was interesting, bringing the K. Phillips checked again and Montgomery bet 2 million. Phillips called and the river brought the 9. Phillips checked for the final time and Montgomery shoved out 4 million. Phillips took time to seriously consider his decision. He eventually called and Montgomery showed A10 for the ace-high flush. Phillips mucked and lost a huge pot that had more than 15 million in it. With the pot Montgomery pased 20 million.

Player Tags: Dean Hamrick,   Chino Rheem,   Darus Suharto,   Dennis Phillips,   Scott Montgomery,   Joe Bishop

$10,000 Main Event - Lull in the Action

Jul 14, '08

Blinds/Antes: 100,000-200,000 with a 30,000 ante

Players Left: 11 of 6,844

Chip Leaders:

Dennis Phillips: 23,800,000
Ylon Schwartz: 16,900,000
Peter Eastgate: 13,960,000
David Rheem: 13,800,000
Dean Hamrick: 13,490,000
Scott Montgomery: 13,400,000
Joe Bishop: 12,000,000
Craig Marquis: 11,800,000
Ivan Demidov: 9,800,000
Darus Suharto: 8,700,000

Average Stack:

Big Hands:

Phillips Starts To Pull Away

Dennis Phillips has raised a number of hands to take down pots uncontested.
But in one hand Phillips bet 800,000 on a flop of 1075 and Scott Montgomery re-raised to 2 million. Phillips took a moment then made the call. Phillips then announced he was checking in the dark and the A peeled off on the turn. Montgomery checked the ace as well, and when the 3 hit on the river Phillips bet out 1.3 million. Montgomery quickly folded and Phillips tok another sizeable pot without showdown, increasing his chip stack to 28,000,000.

A Big Chop For The Chip Leader

In a limped 3-way pot involving Dennis Phillips, Scott Montgomery and Dean Hamrick, Montgomery checked a flop of 1022 and Hamrick fired out 425,000. Phillips reraised to 1.2 million, Montgomery got out of the way and action was back on Hamrick. He three-bet it to 2.65 million and Phillips just called. On the 9 turn Hamrick fired out 3 million more and Phillips took his time. He eventually elected to call and the 3 came on the river. Both players checked and showed down. Hamrick showed 104 for two pair, but Phillips showed 108 for the same two pair. The nine played and both players could breathe a sigh of relief as they chopped a big pot.

Chino XL

David "Chino" Rheem was the short stack at one point in Day 7. But he has made moves and shot to the top three of the leaderboard.

Darus Suharto raised to 600,000 preflop from the hijack and Rheem made the call from the small blind. The flop came out 972 and both players checked. The turn then brought the 6 and Rheem unloaded a blast of 800,000 into the pot. Suharto mucked and Rheem took the pot, much to the delight of his supporters surrounding the table.

A few hands later, action folded around to Craig Marquis in the small blind. He raised to 625,000 and action was on Rheem. He instantly announced "all in" and Marquis went into the tank as Rheem's supporters cheered the bet. Marquis wondered what on earth Rheem could have to make such an overbet with the pot at just around 1 million. Rheem bet over 10 million with his action. Marquis mucked and Rheem raked in the pot. He was at 14 million in chips.

Player Tags: Dean Hamrick,   Dennis Phillips,   Scott Montgomery

$10,000 Main Event - Phillips Jumps Ahead

Jul 14, '08

Players are now on a 20 minute break. Play will resume around 10:50 p.m.

Blinds/Antes: 80,000 / 160,000 / 20,000

Players Remaining: 11 of 6,844

Average Stack: 12,443,636

Chip Counts:
Dennis Phillips: 24,000,000
Ylon Schwartz: 14,600,000
David Rheem: 13,800,000
Peter Eastgate: 13,700,000
Scott Montgomery: 13,700,000
Dean Hamrick: 13,490,000
Joe Bishop: 12,000,000
Craig Marquis: 11,800,000
Ivan Demidov: 9,800,000
Darus Suharto: 8,700,000
Kelly Kim: 7,200,000

Recent Eliminations:
12th Place - Chris Klodnicki ($591,869)
13th Place - Nicholas Sliwinski ($463,202)

Big Hands and Storylines:

Phillips Ready To Gamble, Takes Chip Lead

Dennis Phillips bet 1.3 million on a flop of 842. Peter Eastgate thought it over and made the call. When the 10 fell on the river, Phillips moved his remaining 12 million all in. With such a huge pot on the long, Eastgate went into the tank for several minutes. He finally laid his hand down after Phillips had to call a clock on him, and Phillips added to his stack and approached 19 million after the hand, taking the chip lead.

Nicholas Sliwinski Runs Into Flopped Flush, Out in 13th Place ($463,202)

Dennis Phillips put in a raise to 460,000 preflop and Nicholas Sliwinski called out of the big blind. On a flop of 973, Sliwinski fired 500,000 and Phillips called. Sliwinski fired 1.2 million when the 6 fell on the turn and Phillips tanked for a bit before calling. The 9 fell on the river and Sliwinski shoved all in, prompting Phillips to make a quick call and show KQ for the flopped flush. Sliwinski showed 65 for two pair and was eliminated in 13th place. Phillips' stack grew to around 14 million after the hand.

No Royal Flush For Klodnicki, Gone in 12th Place ($591,869)

Scott Montgomery raised to 600,000 and Chris Klodnicki made the call from the big blind. On a flop of AQQ, Klodnicki checked and Montgomery fired out a bet of a cool million. Klodnicki check-raised all in and Montgomery quickly called. Montgomery had QJ for trip queens, but Klodnicki held J10 for a royal flush draw. Any diamond would put Klodnicki ahead, but the J fell on the turn, leaving him dead to the K for a royal flush. The 4 fell on the river and Klodnicki was knocked out in 12th place.

Hamrick Makes Top Pair, Takes Pot From Phillips

Both Dean Hamrick and Dennis Phillips checked a flop of 552. When the Q turn dropped, Hamrick checked to Phillips who bet 900,000. Hamrick thought briefly then made the call. Both players checked the 2 river and Hamrick showed KQ. Phillips mucked his hand and Hamrick took a small pot.

 

Player Tags: Dean Hamrick,   Chris Klodnicki,   Peter Eastgate,   Dennis Phillips,   Scott Montgomery,   Nicholas Sliwinski

$10,000 Main Event - Day 7 - Level 29 (Hr. 2)

Jul 14, '08

Note: Players will be going on a 20 minute break. Play will resume at around 4:50

Blinds/Antes: 50,000-100,000-10,000

Players Remaining: 18 out of 6,844

Average Chip Stack: 7.6 million

Eliminations:
18th place - Jason Riesenberg - $334,535 19th place - Albert Kim - $257,334
20th place - Brandon Cantu - $257,334
21st place - Paul Snead - $257,334

Big Hands and Storylines:

Montgomery Gets Miracle and 11 Million Pot, Snead Eliminated in 21st ($257,334)

Paul Snead raised to 300,000 from the button and then called a reraise to 800,000 from Scott Montgomery in the big blind. The flop was JT3 and Montgomery bet 1.5 million. Then Snead raised to three million, and then Montgomery reraised all in for 1.76 million more. Snead took over five minutes to deliberate, and said multiple times he might have to call because of the odds he was getting and that he has outs. Then Tiffany Michelle called the clock, and as the tournament director counted down to one he called.

Snead: J7
Montgomery: A4

Incredibly, Montgomery tried to bluff Snead out of the hand when he would have to call if he hit the board in any way. With over 11 million chips on the line, the turn was the 8, meaning the A was no longer an out for Montgomery. But he caught the A on the river to the amazement of everyone at the table and in the crowd.

With about 400,000 chips left, Snead pushed all in with A-T and was up against Craig Marquis's A-K. The board didn't bring any help, and Snead will head out with a lot of money, but a lot of "what ifs" as well.

Cantu Can't Cut It - Eliminated in 20th Place ($257,334)

Peter Eastgate opened with a raise to 300,000, and Brandon Cantu shoved from the button for 2.3 million. Eastgate made the call, tabling AQ against Cantu's 99. The flop gave Cantu good reason to sweat, running out 863. The turn improved Cantu's chances of doubling up with the 8, but the 4 sealed his fate and sent him to the rail in 20th place. Eastgate climbed to over 9 million after the hand.

Tough Start for Rheem

Play was delayed for several minutes as players redrew their seat assignments once the field was narrowed down to the final two tables. Chino Rheem may wish they had delayed even longer, as he now sits behind the smallest stack in the tournament with only 2.3 million.

In a heads-up battle with Craig Marquis, Rheem greeted a preflop raise with a reraise to 450,000 which Marquis called. The flop came 953, and Marquis stepped out for 700,000. Rheem came over the top, raising to 1.7 million. Unafraid of the power move, Marquis then announced all-in, and Rheem was forced to lay his hand down.

The significant damage came a few hands later, however. Ivan Demidov raised to 300,000 from under the gun, and both Rheem and Joe Bishop made the call. The flop came J106, and after Demidov checked, Rheem bet 400,000. Bishop called and Demidov folded. The turn paired the board with the 6, and Rheem stabbed again with a 900,000 bet. Bishop then reraised to 2 million, and Rheem made the call. The Q on the river completed a potential flush draw, and Rheem checked. Bishop stepped out for 1.5 million and Rheem called. Bishop then showed him the bad news, 66 for quads hit on the turn.

Tiffany Michelle Gets No Respect

Jason Riesenberg raised to 275,000 from late position, and Tiffany Michelle reraised to 775,000 from the button. Scott Montgomery then moved all in from the big blind, forcing both players out of the pot.

On the very next hand, Tiffany Michelle opened with a raise to 300,000. She was called by both Dennis and Scott Montgomery in the small blind. Montgomery checked the flop of AKJ, and Tiffany continued firing, this time for 500,000. Dennis then reraised to a total of 1.3 million. Tiffany went into the tank for some time, but eventually surrendered the hand, dropping down to a total count of around 4.6 million.

Jason Riesenberg eliminated in 18th place ($334,534)

Jason Riesenberg raised to 275,000 and was called by Dennis Phillips and Dean Hamrick. The flop was QQ3 and Riesenberg bet 350,000. Only Hamrick called, and the 9 came on the turn. Riesenberg bet 675,000 and Hamrick again called. The river was the K and this time Riesenberg checked. Hamrick then moved all in and Riesenberg called all in. Hamrick showed pocket nines for a full house, and Riesenberg immediately sunk in his seat. He flipped over Q8 for trips, shook some hands and left the table.

Player Tags: Dean Hamrick,   Paul Snead,   Brandon Cantu,   Tiffany Michelle,   Peter Eastgate,   Jason Riesenberg,   Scott Montgomery,   Joe Bishop

$10,000 Main Event - Day 6 - Level 26 (Hour 2)

Jul 13, '08

Players are on a 90-minute dinner break. Play will resume at 8:45 p.m.

Blinds/Antes: 25,000-50,000-5,000

Players Remaining: 35 out of 6,844

Average Chip Stack: 3.9 milion

Chip Counts:

Brandon Cantu - 10,800,000
Albert Kim - 9,400,000
Kelly Kim - 8,700,000
Gert Andersen - 8,700,000
Tiffany Michelle - 6,800,000
David Rheem - 6,700,000
Craig Marquis - 6,000,000
Dennis Phillips - 6,000,000
Antoanell Judet - 5,900,000
Peter Eastgate - 5,800,000

Eliminations:

36th place - Peter Neff - $193,000
37th place - Andrew Rosskamm - $154,400
38th place - Felix Osterland - $154,400
39th place - Craig Stein - $154,400
40th place - Mauro Lupo - $154,400
41st place - Kido Pham - $154,400

Big Hands and Storylines:

Cantu -- chipleader going into break -- takes big pot off Rheem

Mike Matusow raised to 150,000 from early position and was called by four players, including Brandon Cantu and David Rheem. The flop was 653 and when it checked around to Cantu he bet 400,000. Rheem was the only caller, and then both players checked when the 6 came on the turn. The 2 came on the river and Cantu bet 600,000. Rheem took about five minutes to think it over before ultimately calling. Cantu flipped over pocket fours for a straight and took down the pot of over 2.75 million. Cantu now has close to 11 million chips.

Sliwinski Semi-Bluffs Schafer

Clint Schafer raised to three times the big blind from early position and was called by a single player – Nick Sliwinski in the cutoff. The flop was 1075 and Schafer fired out a continuation bet of 225,000. Sliwinski called. The turn was the 3 and Schafer bet 600,000. Sliwinski moved all in for 2.7 million and Schafer went into the tank. After four or five minutes of thought, Schafer folded his hand.

Sliwinski’s friends on the rail exploded in celebration. Sliwinski asked Schafer if he wanted to see his hand and after an affirmative response, he showed A5. Schafer angrily slammed the table, knocking his chair over in the process.

The hand brought Sliwinski up to 4.5 million and knocked Schafer down to around a million.

Andrew Rosskamm Eliminated by Kelly Kim

Kelly Kim raised to 150,000 from the hijack and was promptly re-raised from the small blind by Andrew Rosskam. Kim did not take too long in calling the additional 300,000 and the two saw a flop. The board was incredibly coordinated – J109 – but that did not stop Rosskamm from moving all-in for his last 1.8 million. Kim snap-called and showed AQ for the flopped nut flush. Rosskamm had only AJ, but was given a chance for a massive draw-out when the turn came the 9. The river, however, was the 6 and Rosskamm was eliminated.

That pot vaulted Kelly Kim up to an impressive 8 million.

Chino Rheem and Mike Matusow Talk, Mix it Up

After Chino Rheem and Mike Matusow stepped away from the table for what some tablemates called a “coaching session,” Matusow raised to 150,000 from the hijack seat in the first hand upon his return. The small blind made the call, as did Rheem from the big blind. The flop came 952, and all players checked. The turn brought the 4, and again the small blind checked. Rheem fired a bet of 225,000 into the pot, and Matusow threw his hand into the muck. The small blind folded as well, and Rheem took the pot.

Tiffany Michelle Fleeces Christian Dragomir to the Tune of 1.3 Million

On a flop of A83, Christian Dragomir checked to Tiffany Michelle, who made a bet of 150,000. Dragomir made the call and checked when the 6 fell on the turn. Michelle gathered some chips and pushed in a bet of 500,000. After some brief deliberation, Dragomir again made the call. The river was the 9, and for the final time Dragomir checked. Michelle threw in a bet of 600,000, and Dragomir matched the bet. Michelle turned over 33 for bottom set, and Dragomir mucked his cards. The hit to Dragomir’s stack left him with less than 1.5 million in chips.

Klodnicki Calls Down Montgomery

Chris Klodnicki raised from early position to 150,000 and play was folded to Scott Montgomery who made the call from the big blind. The flop came down K76, and both players checked. The board paired with the 7 on the turn, and after Montgomery checked, Klodnicki bet 200,000. Montgomery called. The 3 was the river card, and Montgomery again checked, with Klodnicki then betting out 300,000. Montgomery then put in a check-raise to 1,000,000, and Klodnicki tanked. Uncertain what to put Montgomery on, Klodnicki appeared on the verge of folding, but in the end he opted to call, and it proved to be the right move. Montgomery announced “you’re good” and Klodnicki turned over 1010. Montgomery mucked his hand.

Player Tags: Mike Matusow,   Chris Klodnicki,   Brandon Cantu,   Scott Montgomery,   Cristian Dragomir

2,000 NLHE - Day 2 - Level 16

Jun 05, '08

Players have gone on a 20-minute break and will return with blinds at 5000/10000.

Blinds: 4000/8000 with 1000 ante

Players Left: 23 of 1592

Average Stack: 276,860

Chip Leaders:

Theo Tran - 606,000
Mike Lisanti - 515,000
Shannon Shorr - 512,000
Carter Gill - 385,000
Yan Chen - 375,000
Mihai Manole - 369,000
Issam Abbas - 280,000
Manny Minaya - 265,000
Richard Monroe - 260,000
Shawn Hattem - 260,000

Eliminations: Robert Ackerman, Joe Brandenburg, Michael Scott, Phil Collins, Joseph Cutler, Pawel Andrzejewski, Jeff Neuman, Nick Romano, Rocco Pace, Mattais Kuerschner, Andre De Montequiou, Derek Harrington, Larry Gurney, Nancy Todd Tyner.

Big Hands:

Theo Tran Maintains Lead

Theo Tran remained atop the chip count for the tourney when he busted Nick Romano. After a flop of J107, Romano moved all-in for his final 125,000 in chips. Tran called and showed KK, which held up after the QQ filled out the board. Tran pushed past the 600,000 mark in total chips, while the average stack was shy of 300,000.

Lisanti Busts Two Short Stacks

Mike Lisanti sent both Derek Harrington and Larry Gurney to the rail on the same hand, when Lisanti was dealt QQ. Gurney pushed for 70,000 and held pocket jacks, while Harrington was all-in for 40,000 and held pocket 10s. The board ran out A-A-8-4-8, shipping the pot to Lisanti. Chip leader Theo Tran confessed he would have scooped everything had he played his A2.

Kings Eliminate the Lady

Yan Chen held pocket kings and was able to eliminate Nancy Todd Tyner in 24th place. Todd Tyner was all-in with A8.

Seigel Makes Aces Hold Up

Philip Seigel doubled up at an opportune time, when he held AA against a board of 986. Manny Miniya called the 92,000 all-in bet from Seigel, after flopping top pair with 10-9, but couldn't improve.

Montgomery Catches Undercard

Scott Montgomery pushed past the 400,000 mark when he called the all-in of Jeff Neuman. Montgomery had ace-jack to Neuman's ace-king, but a jack on the flop gave Montgomery the pot.

Andre a Giant No More

Once among the tournament chip leaders, Andre De Montesquiou was eliminated when his short stack of 26,000 was committed with QQ. His opponent called with 44, and spiked the flop of 1064. The 9 and 5 finished the board.
 

Player Tags: Yan Chen,   Theo Tran,   Scott Montgomery,   Nick Romano

2,000 NLHE - Day 2 - Level 15

Jun 05, '08

Blinds: 3000/6000 with 500 ante

Players Left: 37 of 1592

Average Stack: 172,100

Eliminations: Brent Roberts, Fred Goldberg, Steven Etoch, Ryan Franklin, Robert Morgan, Jonathan Tare, Jason Campbell, John Chadwick, Eric Lui.

Big Hands:

Something They Ate?

Players didn't waste any time after returning from their dinner breaks, with nine players eliminated in the first 40 minutes of the level. It began when John Phan sent Brent Edwards packing on the first hand to increase his chip stack to 165,000. Phan then stole the blinds on the next hand, but then near the end of the level he made a raise of 23,500 from the button, only to have Shawn Hattem move all in for 94,000. It would have cost Phan the majority of his stack, but after a lengthy delay he folded and now sits at 96,000. He earlier dropped 33,000 on the river when his ace-six was behind an opponents ace-four after a board of 55452.

Cruel Rivers Sink Wiggins

Once is a bad beat. Twice? It was enough to send Christopher Wiggins to the rail. He was faced by a 70,000 all-in play from Shannon Shorr in the big blind. Wiggins felt confident enough to make the call, and found his KQ in a dominating position to Shorr's QJ. The flop missed both players, coming 1064, and the 8 on the turn left Shorr with seven outs. The J on the river saved him.
Wiggins was then dealt an even crueler fate later in the level. There was one limper in the pot when Wiggins raised to 25,000. Carter Gill in seat 1 then raised to 46,000, which drew folds until play came back to Wiggins who pushed all-in for 92,000. Gill made the call and showed A10. Wiggins was again dominating, now holding ace-queen. He even hit the flop of QJ7, and the turn was the harmless 2, but the K on the river filled Gill's gutshot straight draw and a stunned Wiggins was eliminated in 38th place.
Wiggins had earlier made an impressive call to eliminate Robert Morgan, who raised all-in and forced Wiggins to call 64,000. Wiggins called with A7 and saw Morgan had pushed with three-five offsuit. Morgan flopped a gutshot straight draw with the 1074 appearing, but the AQ made Wiggins the winner.

J.C. Tran stays alive

Tran moved all-in for 48,000 after a flop of 934. Scott Montgomery made the call with two overcards, AQ, but failed to hit when the 5 came on the turn and K on the river. Phan had 109 to stay alive.

Calzadillas crippled, then eliminated

Mark Calzadillas made an 81,500 call on the river, only to see Theo Tran had flopped top two pair with ace-nine. Calzadillas was soon eliminated in 39th place.


 

Player Tags: John Phan,   J.C. Tran,   Shannon Shorr,   Mark Calzadillas,   Carter Gill,   Scott Montgomery,   Chris Wiggins