Kenna James Poker Tournament Updates

Level 13 Update: Eric Baldwin Clinches 2009 POY Award

Dec 16, '09

Blinds: 2,500-4,000 with a 500 ante

Players Remaining: 61 out of 329

Chip Counts:

1. Joseph Elpayaa — 740,000
2. Steven Landfish — 710,000
3. Curt Kohlberg — 657,000
4. Brent Hanks — 555,000
5. Chad Batista — 550,000
6. Michael McClain — 540,000
7. Matt Stout — 530,000
8. Soheil Shamseddin — 510,000
9. Faraz Jaka — 485,000
10. Scotty Nguyen — 470,000

Average Chip Count: 323,606

Notable Eliminations:

Yevgeniy Timoshenko
Doyle Brunson
John Phan
Vivek Rajkumar
James Mackey
Vadim Trincher

POY Watch — We Have a Winner — Eric Baldwin Wins 2009 Card Player POY!

Yevgeniy Timoshenko was eliminated during level 13 and Eric Baldwin (pictured right) has clinched the 2009 Card Player Player of the Year award. Baldwin will receive a $10,0000 seat in the 2010 World Series of Poker main event and a trophy in recognition of his accomplishment. Baldwin racked up a total of 6,994 points to win the award. He made a very impressive 17 final tables in 2009 and he won four tournament titles, including a win in a $1,000 no-limit hold’em with rebuys at Bellagio this past weekend that served as an exclamation point on his victory. Congratulations to Eric Baldwin!

Baldwin takes over the title from the 2008 POY, John Phan, who scored 6,704 points to win last year’s award. Phan was also eliminated during the 13th level of the tournament today.

One player in the POY top 10 is still active in today’s field and it is Soheil Shamseddin, who holds 510,000. Shamseddin won’t be able to catch Badlwin in the point standings but if he makes the final table in this event he will jump to fourth place, and if he wins he will finish in second place behind Baldwin.

Big Hands:

Vivek Rajkumar Eliminated

Vivek Rajkumar was all in on a board of 975 with pocket tens in the hole and Brent Hanks had him covered in chips with J8 in the hole. The turn brought the 5 and the river fell A to give Hanks a flush and eliminate Rajkumar.

Vadim Trincher Eliminated

Vadim Trincher (pictured left) moved all in preflop from the small blind and seat three made the call from the cutoff. Their cards:

Trincher: 1010
Seat 3: AK

Board: Q73JK

Trincher was eliminated on the hand.

John Phan Eliminated

David Pham raised to 10,500 from middle position preflop and John Phan reraised all in for 40,000 behind him. Kenna James then reraised all in over the top of Phan, which induced the big blind and Pham to fold. The two live players then flipped over their cards:

Phan: 77
James: 99

Board: 982J3

James won the hand with a set of nines to grow his stack to 160,000 and Phan was eliminated on the hand.

Player Tags: John Phan,   Cornel Andrew Cimpan,   Kenna James,   Vadim Trincher,   Soheil Shamseddin,   Eric Baldwin,   Vivek Rajkumar,   Brent Hanks,   Yevgeniy Timoshenko

Lisandro Is Flat Out Killing It

Jun 24, '09

Ante: 3,000
Bring-In: 5,000
Completion: 15,000
Stakes: 15,000-30,000

Players Remaining: 5 out of 315

Chip Counts:

1. Jeffrey Lisandro — 1,437,000
2. Michael Craig — 377,000
3. Warwick Mirzkinian — 257,000
4. Ryan Fisler — 192,000
5. Eric Rodawig — 93,000

Average Chip Count: 472,500

Notable Eliminations:

8. Allen Bari — $19,880
7. Steve Diano — $23,669
6. Kenna James — $29,473

Elimination Hands

Allen Bari Eliminated in Eighth Place ($19,880)

Bari — (Q-4)6-K-8-Q(A)
Fisler — (3-9)4-K-6-4(5)

Kenna James brought it in and Allen Bari completed. Ryan Fisler called and James got out of the way. Fisler bet on fourth street and Bari called all in.

By seventh, Bari could only manage a Q-8 low which was easily bested by Fisler’s 9-6, eliminating him from the tournament.

Steve Diano Eliminated in Seventh Place ($23,669)

Mirzikinian — (8-7)4-5-10-A(J)
Diano — (4-7)6-4-4-5(J)

Michael Craig brought it in and Warwick Mirzikinian completed. Steve Diano called, Craig folded and both player got the rest in on fourth.

After all the cards were dealt out, Mirzikinian’s 8-7 low easily beat Diano’s J-7, busting him from the tournament.

Kenna James Eliminated in Sixth Place ($29,473)

James — (4-8)6-A-7-4(Q)
Craig — (6-6)2-3-J-5(7)

Kenna James completed and Michael Craig called. Craig bet on fourth and James called all in.

Player Tags: Kenna James,   Allen Bari,   Steven Diano

Well, That Didn't Take Long

Aug 25, '08

A short stacked Kenna James found an ace on the button and moved in his last 8,000 from the button. Unfortunately for him, he ran into a better ace and quickly found himself out of the tournament.

Player Tags: Kenna James

$10,000 Main Event - Day 1b - Level 5

Jul 04, '08

Blinds: 200-400, 50 ante

Chip Leaders:
Nicholas Caltabiano - 122,000
Ben Sarnoff - 120,000
Marc Karam - 117,000
Brian Schaedlich - 115,000
Liya Gerasimova - 107,000
Sigurd Eskeland - 102,000
Patrik Antonius - 100,000
Anders Berg - 98,500
Marcian Nadjafiran - 96,000
Michael Watson - 95,000
Robert Eckstut - 94,000

Other Notables:
Robert Mizrachi - 90,000
Hal Lubarski - 60,000
Vanessa Rousso - 56,000
Erik Seidel - 52,000
Victoria Coren - 41,000
Ylon Schwartz - 40,000
Shaun Deeb - 34,000
Greg Mueller - 33,000
Lee Watkinson - 19,000
Kenna James - 10,000
Stuart "The Donator" Patterson - 9,000

Eliminations:
Kristy Gazes
Sam Grizzle
Tom McEvoy

Big Hands and Storylines:

Martin (El-Kher) Makes McEvoy Meet Maker

On a flop of 1096 Tom McEvoy was all-in against Martin El-Kher. The two showed their hands:

McEvoy: J10
El-Kher: 66

McEvoy needed runner-runner to escape elimination, but the turn and river were the 4 and the A. McEvoy, 25 years after becoming the first ever satellite winner to win this event, has been eliminated.

Aces a Slam Dunk for David Robinson

Action folded around to a player middle position who moved all-in for 7,975. It folded around to David Robinson (the David Robinson – if the David Robinson you’re thinking of is Caucasian and wearing a bathrobe) who flat called the raise. Both of the blinds folded and the two revealed their hands:

Robinson: AA
Opponent: 88

The board rolled out 105354 and Robinson took down the 30,000 pot. The joy would not last long for Robinson though; he would be eliminated only a few minutes later.

Diamonds for Rousso

Vanessa Rousso added a nice pot to her count, but it didn’t come without some nervous moments. Rousso was in the big blind for 400, when the player in front of the cut-off raised to 1200. The player in the cut-off then called, and he was one of the few players who had enough chips to cripple Rousso, who began the hand with 42,000. Rousso made the call from the big blind and the flop came Q96. Rousso checked the flop, the original raiser went to 1700, and the player in the cut-off then made it 7000 to play. Rousso made the call, and the original bettor folded. The A fell on the turn and Rousso took the initiative, firing out for 17,000. Her opponent made the call. The board paired with the Q on the river, and both players checked. Her opponent showed the AJ for top pair with the nut flush draw, while Rousso tabled J5 to scoop the monster pot.

Antonius Rakes in Another

Patrik Antonius was in the small blind and was one of three players to see the flop for the minimum 400. The flop came QQJs, and all three players checked. The 9 fell on the turn, and after two checks, the player in seat 4 attempted to take the pot with a 2500 bet. Antonius then check-raised for 4000 more. The player called. The river was the 6 and Antonius led out for 9000. He drew a call from seat 4, who showed Q10. Antonius took the pot down with the A3 for the nut flush.

Pocket Aces Make Happy Faces for Kravchenko

Facing a raise of an additional 3,200 from the player in the small blind, Alex Kravchenko shoved his remaining 19,450 into the pot and awaited his opponent’s decision. After a fair amount of deliberation, the player called. Kravchenko flipped over AA, prompting his opponent to sigh, shake his head, and reveal his AK. The flop offered no help to big slick, instead bringing 1087. The 6 peeled off on the turn, prompting Kravchenko to make a request of no nine on the river. The poker gods complied and instead brought the J and a smile to Kravchenko’s face. Kravchenko finished the hand with around 50,000 in chips.

Kenna James Plays Games with His Aces

A player in middle position limped into the pot, and the player on the button acted likewise. The next player to act was Kenna James in the small blind, who raised an additional 1,600 in chips. The middle position player called, as did the button. The flop came A104 and James checked. The other players checked behind, and the dealer put out the 2 on the turn. James made a bet of 2,000 which was called by the player in middle position. The button folded, and the dealer dealt the J on the river. Both players checked, and the middle position player turned over QJ for one pair, jacks. James revealed his AA for top set and took the pot. Despite the win, James’ stack sat right around 20,000 in chips.

Player Tags: Tom McEvoy,   Kenna James,   Alexander Kravchenko,   Patrik Antonius,   Vanessa Rousso

$10,000 Main Event - Zolotow Gets Some Chips

Jul 04, '08

Note: Due to the staggered start and the timing of the breaks, the coverage for the first hour of level two was cut short. Our coverage will return to its normal depth and detail at 4 p.m.

Blinds/Antes: 100-200

Chip Leaders:

John Robbins: 51,100
Stephen Ladowsky: 47,000
Aliaksandr Yalouskikh: 47,000
Giles Smadia: 47,000
Tom McEvoy: 43,000
Johnny Caruso: 43,000
Michael Guzzardi: 42,000
Helge Stjernvang: 41,000
Pat Pezzin: 40,000
Michael Pedley: 39,000

Cardplayer Counts:

Donnacha O'Dea 38,500
Sverre Sundbo 25,600
Bruno Fitoussi 23,100
Steve Zolotow: 17,700
Ross Boatman 17,125
Patrik Antonius 17,000
Vicky Coren 16,800
Ram Vaswani 15,225
Lee Watkinson: 8,000

Big Hands and Storylines:

Zolotow Wins Battle of the Blinds

Steve Zolotow and his awesome mustache limped in from the small blind and the big blind checked his option. The flop came KQ2 and Zolotow led out for 350. The big blind made the call and the J fell on the turn. Zolotow checked and the big blind fired 600. Zolotow called and both players checked the river, which came with the 2. Zolotow turned over K6 for top pair and the big blind mucked his hand. Zolotow was at 17,000 after the hand.

James Shows Some Aggression

On a flop of 1087, the player in seat 4, who called preflop from the small blind, fired 1,100 into the pot. Kenna James looked at his very big stack and grabbed 3,500. He tossed it into the pot and seat 4 thought about his options. He looked at his cards, took the chip off as if he was gonna muck, then put the chip back on top. He then looked at his stack and uncapped his cards again, this time for good as he threw his hand in the muck. James took a nice little pot and was around 40,000 after the win.

Lying Is Only Bad When You Get Caught, Just Ask Theo Tran

On a flop of K87, Tran checked and the player in the cutoff bet 1,200. The player on the button made the call and Tran followed right behind. The turn was the 5 and everyone checked. The river brought the 5 and Tran showed some initiative, firing 3,500 into the pot. The cutoff cut loose his hand, but the player on the button made the call and showed 98 for two pair, good enough to beat Tran's bluff. He was down to around 27,000 after his failed attempt.

Bjorin Again

Swede Chris Bjorin lost a chunk of change, getitng knocked back to his starting stack, in a set over set situation. Bjorin had 99 and his opponent KK. Bjorin looked relieved not to have lost more and joked with the table after shipping the pot.

Ram Raided

Hendon Mobster Ram Vaswani called a bet of 700 from a player in mid-position. Vaswani had the button and the SB and BB folded. The flop came AK6 and both players checked. The turn card was the K and the original bettor threw 600 chips into the pot and Vaswani quickly folded. He's down to 15,225 in chips.

Player Tags: Chris Bjorin,   Kenna James,   Steve Zolotow,   Ram Vaswani,   Theo Tran

Limit Hold'em Shootout - Level 16 - Kenna James Gone

Jul 02, '08

Players are on a 20 minute break. Play resumes at 4:25 p.m.

Blinds: 1,000-2,000

Players Remaining: 29 of 823

Eliminations: Kenna James, Hoyt Corkins, David Bach

Hands: 

James Bucked

"Cowboy" Kenna James got all in against Matt Graham and showed A9. Graham held QQ. The flop brought James a nine, coming 954, but it then bricked with the 4 turn and 3 river and James was eliminated.

Chu Busts Martin and Durkee

Having both Jesse Martin and Will Durkee covered, Hansu Chu got both players all in preflop and showed a monstrous AA. Durkee had JJ and Martin held A2. The board can KQ85J to give Chu the ace-high flush and eliminate both of his opponents.


 

Player Tags: Kenna James,   Matt Graham,   Hansu Chu,   William Durkee V

$1,500 Limit Hold'em Shootout - Level 12

Jul 01, '08

The final level of the night is being slightly delayed as tournament officials color up the back chips.
Blinds: 400/800
Limits: 800/1600

Big Hands

Top Pair Holds Up For Kranyak

John Kranyak raised to 1600, Jimmy Fricke reraised to 2400, and Mark Klecan capped it at 3200 from the button. Kranyak and Fricke both called. The flop came A83, and the first two players were happy to check to Klecan, who bet and drew two calls. The K came on the turn, and again after two checks Klecan bet out and was called, this time for 1600. The 5 came on the river, and this time all three players checked. Kranyak was the first to show, holding AJ, and it was enough to take down the pot.

Bellande Runs One Down

Rick Shephard raised to 1600 preflop and Jean-Robert Bellande next to act made it 2400 to go. Shephard called and the flop came 864. Shephard bet 800, Bellande raised, and Shephard threw in a reraise to 2400 that Bellande called. The 7 brought in more possibilities on the turn, and Shephard led out again with Bellande calling. The Q came on the river and Shephard slowed, checking to Bellande who bet 1600. He drew a call, and turned over A3 for the nut flush.

Kim Scoops a Monster

Coralee Grebe raised to 1600 under the gun, Craig Crivello reraised to 2400, and Connie Kim made it 3200 to play preflop. The three players saw the board come KJ7, Grebe bet 800 and both her opponents called. The 10 fell on the turn and Grebe bet 1600. Crivello called, then Kim raised things to 3200, which again both players called. The J paired the board on the river, and after two checks, Kim bet out for 1600. Grebe called, as did Crivello, and Kim flipped over the bad news, the AQ for the nut straight. Her opponents mucked.

James Survives All-in

Kenna James survived what may have been the first all-in adventure of the second round. He bet 1600 on the turn with the board showing A976. Stefan Rapp called, and James then bet all-in for 1000 when the 2 hit the river. Rapp called and James showed 77 for the set. It was enough to take the pot down.

Le Hits and Gets Action

Simen Sagstuen was in the small blind and play was folded to him, so he limp-called the big blind of Allen Le. Le put in the obligatory raise, Sagstuen called, and the game was on. The flop came Q84, and Sagstuen would check-call the bet of Le. The A came on the turn and again, Sagstuen check-called, this a 1600 bet from Le. Another bullet, the A, came on the river and Sagstuen would check-call once again. Le showed him the A5 and that was enough to take the pot down.

Player Tags: Kenna James,   Craig Crivello,   Connie Kim,   Jean-Robert Bellande,   Coralee Grebe,   Jimmy Fricke,   John Kranyak,   Stefan Rapp

$1,500 Limit Hold'em Shootout - Level 11

Jul 01, '08

Players are now on a 20-minute break.

Blinds: 300/600
Limits: 600/1200

Big Hands

James Running Low

Kenna James is falling behind in chips at his table, getting rivered in style in one recent hand. The flop came 763, and the 5 fell on the turn. James bet 1200 and was called. The 6 came on the river and James bet out another 1200. Stefan Rapp then raised to 2400 and James called, holding 44 for the straight. But Rapp was well out in front, holding 66 for quads.

Chan Forced to Chop

Zvi Stern raised under the gun to 1200 and Terrence Chan immediately put in a reraise to 1800. The flop came 1098, and Chan was check-called again. The 7 was the turn and Chen was check-called for 1200 more. The J was the river and both players checked. A frustrated Chan showed 99 for a flopped set, while Stern appeared on the verge of folding before realizing there was now a straight on board.

Corkins Says Enough

Two hands previous while in the big blind, Hoyt Corkins watched as play folded to Eric Wellman in the small blind, and Wellman raised things to 1200. Corkins folded. Now as the button, play again was folded to Wellman in the cut-off, and a raise ensued. Corkins then reraised to 1800 and Wellman called. The flop came 1065, and after Wellman checked Corkins bet and took down the pot.

That was Quick

Hansu Chu wanted to raise preflop, but his 800 in chips was considered a call as blinds had been raised to 300/600. That led to calls from two more players before Simen Sagstuen raised from the big blind. Chu, Jean Robert Bellande from the button, and the small blind all called. The flop came A74, and despite all the preflop action, Sagstuen's bet of 600 drew folds from all others and he took down the pot.
 

Player Tags: Hoyt Corkins,   Kenna James,   Terrence Chan

Limit Hold'em Shootout - Level 16 - Kenna James Gone

Jul 02, '08

Players are on a 20 minute break. Play resumes at 4:25 p.m.

Blinds: 1,000-2,000

Players Remaining: 29 of 823

Eliminations: Kenna James, Hoyt Corkins, David Bach

Hands: 

James Bucked

"Cowboy" Kenna James got all in against Matt Graham and showed A9. Graham held QQ. The flop brought James a nine, coming 954, but it then bricked with the 4 turn and 3 river and James was eliminated.

Chu Busts Martin and Durkee

Having both Jesse Martin and Will Durkee covered, Hansu Chu got both players all in preflop and showed a monstrous AA. Durkee had JJ and Martin held A2. The board can KQ85J to give Chu the ace-high flush and eliminate both of his opponents.


 

Player Tags: Kenna James,   Matt Graham,   Hansu Chu,   William Durkee V

$1,500 Limit Hold'em Shootout - Level 12

Jul 01, '08

The final level of the night is being slightly delayed as tournament officials color up the back chips.
Blinds: 400/800
Limits: 800/1600

Big Hands

Top Pair Holds Up For Kranyak

John Kranyak raised to 1600, Jimmy Fricke reraised to 2400, and Mark Klecan capped it at 3200 from the button. Kranyak and Fricke both called. The flop came A83, and the first two players were happy to check to Klecan, who bet and drew two calls. The K came on the turn, and again after two checks Klecan bet out and was called, this time for 1600. The 5 came on the river, and this time all three players checked. Kranyak was the first to show, holding AJ, and it was enough to take down the pot.

Bellande Runs One Down

Rick Shephard raised to 1600 preflop and Jean-Robert Bellande next to act made it 2400 to go. Shephard called and the flop came 864. Shephard bet 800, Bellande raised, and Shephard threw in a reraise to 2400 that Bellande called. The 7 brought in more possibilities on the turn, and Shephard led out again with Bellande calling. The Q came on the river and Shephard slowed, checking to Bellande who bet 1600. He drew a call, and turned over A3 for the nut flush.

Kim Scoops a Monster

Coralee Grebe raised to 1600 under the gun, Craig Crivello reraised to 2400, and Connie Kim made it 3200 to play preflop. The three players saw the board come KJ7, Grebe bet 800 and both her opponents called. The 10 fell on the turn and Grebe bet 1600. Crivello called, then Kim raised things to 3200, which again both players called. The J paired the board on the river, and after two checks, Kim bet out for 1600. Grebe called, as did Crivello, and Kim flipped over the bad news, the AQ for the nut straight. Her opponents mucked.

James Survives All-in

Kenna James survived what may have been the first all-in adventure of the second round. He bet 1600 on the turn with the board showing A976. Stefan Rapp called, and James then bet all-in for 1000 when the 2 hit the river. Rapp called and James showed 77 for the set. It was enough to take the pot down.

Le Hits and Gets Action

Simen Sagstuen was in the small blind and play was folded to him, so he limp-called the big blind of Allen Le. Le put in the obligatory raise, Sagstuen called, and the game was on. The flop came Q84, and Sagstuen would check-call the bet of Le. The A came on the turn and again, Sagstuen check-called, this a 1600 bet from Le. Another bullet, the A, came on the river and Sagstuen would check-call once again. Le showed him the A5 and that was enough to take the pot down.

Player Tags: Kenna James,   Craig Crivello,   Connie Kim,   Jean-Robert Bellande,   Coralee Grebe,   Jimmy Fricke,   John Kranyak,   Stefan Rapp

$1,500 Limit Hold'em Shootout - Level 11

Jul 01, '08

Players are now on a 20-minute break.

Blinds: 300/600
Limits: 600/1200

Big Hands

James Running Low

Kenna James is falling behind in chips at his table, getting rivered in style in one recent hand. The flop came 763, and the 5 fell on the turn. James bet 1200 and was called. The 6 came on the river and James bet out another 1200. Stefan Rapp then raised to 2400 and James called, holding 44 for the straight. But Rapp was well out in front, holding 66 for quads.

Chan Forced to Chop

Zvi Stern raised under the gun to 1200 and Terrence Chan immediately put in a reraise to 1800. The flop came 1098, and Chan was check-called again. The 7 was the turn and Chen was check-called for 1200 more. The J was the river and both players checked. A frustrated Chan showed 99 for a flopped set, while Stern appeared on the verge of folding before realizing there was now a straight on board.

Corkins Says Enough

Two hands previous while in the big blind, Hoyt Corkins watched as play folded to Eric Wellman in the small blind, and Wellman raised things to 1200. Corkins folded. Now as the button, play again was folded to Wellman in the cut-off, and a raise ensued. Corkins then reraised to 1800 and Wellman called. The flop came 1065, and after Wellman checked Corkins bet and took down the pot.

That was Quick

Hansu Chu wanted to raise preflop, but his 800 in chips was considered a call as blinds had been raised to 300/600. That led to calls from two more players before Simen Sagstuen raised from the big blind. Chu, Jean Robert Bellande from the button, and the small blind all called. The flop came A74, and despite all the preflop action, Sagstuen's bet of 600 drew folds from all others and he took down the pot.
 

Player Tags: Hoyt Corkins,   Kenna James,   Terrence Chan

Mixed Hold'em - Level 4 - Vos Encourages Players to Get Massages

Jun 22, '08

Note: Players are now on a 30 minute break. Action will resume at 10 p.m.

Limit Blinds: 150-300
No Limit Blinds: 75-150

Chip Counts:
Heath Chick: 21,000
Richard Redmond: 18,400
David Pham: 17,000
John Juanda: 14,200
Todd Whitteles: 14,000
Allen Le: 9,400
Tino Lechich: 9,100
Michael Craig: 9,000
Mimi Tran: 8,500
Alan "Air" Engel: 8,500

Players Left: 324 of 731

Eliminations: Kenna James, Shannor Shorr, Joe Hachem

Big Hands/Storylines

A Very Energized Vos

Mark Vos yelled, "Pass the sugar!" then ran over to fellow Australian Joe Hachem's table and gave him a quick massage. Several minutes later he ran over to another player and kicked him in the bottom, then ran back to his seat to play poker. Read about his double up below in the no-limit section.

Limit Session

One Stacked Italian

Italy's Max Pescatori, who has already won a bracelet this year, called a bet of 300 on a K86 flop. His opponent checked the 9 turn and Pescatori fired out 600. His opponent quickly mucked and Pescatori chipped up to around 15,000.

Cowboy About to Fall?

Kenna James had just trippled up when he got in another big hand. A big pot sent his opponent all in and James called with only two green chips (totalling 50) left behind. The board was K7234 and James' opponent turned over KK for a set of kings. James mucked and was later eliminated.

Levi Happy Taking Pot

Before the flop of 853 was even spread out by the dealer, David Levi threw in a bet of 300 onto the cards and smiled as his opponent mucked. Levi has climbed to around 7,000 in chips.

No Limit Session

Miami John Gone

Miami John Cernuto got his short stack all in an dwas called by a player with QQ. Cernuto held A8 and was drawing slim. The flop helped, coming 877, but the 3 came on the turn and the 6 fell on the river, sending Cernuto to the rail.

Vos Doubles, Recommends Massage

In the final minute of the level, Mark Vos got all in and was called by an opponent on a board of A-J-J-Q-10, Vos showed A-J for a flopped full house, and his opponent showed A-Q for top two pair. Vos doubled to around 2,000. After the hand he recommended investing in a massage while playing and praised the woman rubbing his shoulders, causing her to blush.

Haxton Cripples Opponent

Isaac Haxton called the very talkative player in seat 8's all in bet. Seat 8 showed K10 and was trailing Haxton's QQ. The board ran 733J8 and Haxton scooped a nice pot. After the chips were counted, seat 8 had only 125 chips left and was crippled. Haxton got quite a bit healthier and was approaching 4,500 after the hand.

Player Tags: John Cernuto,   David Levi,   Kenna James,   Max Pescatori,   Mark Vos,   Isaac Haxton

Mixed Hold'em - Level 3

Jun 22, '08

Limit Blinds: 100-200
No Limit Blinds: 50/100

Players Left: 423 of 731

Eliminations: Carlos Mortensen, Daniel Negreanu, Andy Bloch, Humberto Brenes

Big Hands/Storylines

Cards Down on 12!

A player seated between Phil Hellmuth and Shannor Shorr accidently mucked his cards with such authority that they flew over the dealer's head and to the floor. When the floorman came over to address the situation, Hellmuth jumped in saying, "Sorry, I didn't mean to throw them that hard." The table laughed and the real perp came forward and admitted his mistake.

Limit Session

Boots On, Boots Off

Cowboy Kenna James let his unlit cigarette dangle from his lips and started to put his boots on. After a raise-fest with 2 other players James was all in preflop. When the flop came Q109 James began to takes his boots back off. After the board was completed with 109, the player in seat 7 showed pockets aces, but James flipped over KJ for the flopped straight and trippled up to around 3,000 in chips.

Madsen Takes a Hit

On a board of K95, Jeff Madsen bet 200 was raised by the player in seat 7 to 400, and Madsen raised again to 600. Seat 7 called and both players checked the Q turn cards. On the 8 river seat 7 bet out 400 and Madsen studied the board. Eventually he called and seat 7 tabled Q8, who had chased his flush and ended up hitting two pair instead. Madsen's stack fell to 3,200 after the hand.

Jesus Mucks

On a flop of 1098, Chris Ferguson called his opponents bet of 200. He called a 400 bet on the 5 turn, then mucked when his opponent bet 400 on the 3 river, apparently having missed his draw. Ferguson was down to 1,500 after the hand.

No Limit Session

Nuts!

Phil Hellmuth bet 375 on a board of K768J and his opponent thought for a moment then made the call. No sooner than the word left his lips, Hellmuth answered, "Nuts!" and flipped over 109 for the straight. His opponent nodded and mucked, while Hellmuth chipped up to around 2,000.

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie... 10, 10, 10.... 10?

Joe Hachem's chips were dwindiling when he called an opponent's all in with 1010. The board ran 1095J10 and Hachem hit quad 10s to increase his stack to around 4,000.

Negreanu Busts

Daniel Negreanu is gone. He was short on chips for much of the level and got all in with Q-8 again A-3. The board missed him, running 10-9-7-10-2 and Negreanu was eliminated.

Player Tags: Chris Ferguson,   Kenna James,   Daniel Negreanu,   Phil Hellmuth,   Joe Hachem,   Jeff Madsen

$1,500 Mixed Hold'em -- Level 1

Jun 22, '08

Limit Blinds: 25/50
No Limit Blinds: 25/25

Players Left: 698

Big Hands

The tournament didn't feature many well-known faces at the outset, but it appears a number of professionals chose to wait for the no-limit portion of level 1 to make their appearance. Late arrivals include Daniel Negreanu, Barry Greenstein, Marco Traniello, Carlos Mortensen and Dave Ulliott. Most were active in the 2-to-7 lowball draw tournament earlier in the day, or the second day of the $1,500 tournament.
Feature table pairings include Mortensen and Ulliott side-by-side at table 4, and John Myung and Al Barbieri -- who recently placed second in a seven-card WSOP tourney -- at table 26.

Bellande Loses Half his Stack

It was a rough start to the no-limit session for Jean-Robert Bellande. The flop came 1072, and when the board paired with the 7 on the turn, Bellande bet out 700. The player in seat 10 made the call. The river double-paired the board with the 10, and both players checked. Seat 10 flipped over J10 of diamonds for the full house and Bellande was down to 1500 in chips.

Hachem Ties for Second

Joe Hachem, winner of the WSOP main event in 2006, was in the big blind and checked as four other players had limped into the pot. The board came Q74 and all players checked. The A hit the turn and all five players checked again. The K on the river produce five more checks, and the small blind flipped over 33 for the flush that won the pot.

As can be expected, play was slow to develop in the early stages of the limit tournament. A few notables were able to bring in small pots, or fold out of trouble.

Shulman Steps Aside

Barry Shulman, fresh off a 108th place finish in the $1,500 tournament earlier in the day, was in the small blind and had play folded to him. He called and the big blind raised to 100, which Shulman called. After a flop of 10106, Shulman was quick to fold to another bet. Shulman cashed for $4084 in event 39 of the WSOP to pay for entry into the mixed event.

James Back in Action

Kenna James, liked Shulman, also cashed in event 39 before being eliminated earlier in the day. He finished 143rd to cash $3527, which paved his way into the mixed event. On one of his first hands, from the button, he called a raise to 100 and saw the flop come A53. His opponent bet and James called. Play was then checked with the 6  hitting the turn and 9 coming on the river. His opponent flipped over KK and James mucked.

Craig Defends Blind

Michael Craig was small blind and called when the button raised to 100. After a flop of 856, Craig bet out and took the pot down.
 

Player Tags: Kenna James,   Barry Shulman,   Jean-Robert Bellande,   Joe Hachem,   Michael Craig

No Limit Hold 'Em Level 3

Jun 21, '08

Players are now back from break.

Blinds: 100-200

Eliminations: Phil Hellmuth, John Juanda, Katthy Liebert

Players Remaining: 1,560-2,720

Chip Leaders:

Scott Clements: 17,500
Erick Lindgren: 17,000
Maureen Feduniak: 15,200
Steve O'Dwyer: 14,000
Jeff Williams: 13,800
David Williams: 11,500
Mark Seif: 11,000
Bill Chen: 10,000
Joe Tehan: 9,500
Grant Hinkle: 9,500

Big Hands:

Phan Eliminated

Young Phan was eliminated after he went all in from the big blind over the top of an under the gun raise. "Of course you call, you have two queens," said Phan, who tabled AK. In reality, he was in worse shape than that, as his opponent revealed AA. The board ran out J63K9, and Phan's day was done.

James Begs For Call

The under the gun player made it 600 to go and the player two seats to his left raised to 2,000. The action folded around to Kenna James on the big blind, who decided to move all in for 3,400 more. "C'mon," taunted James, "I gave you 3,000." Ultimately his opponent chose to fold, showing AJ before tossing them into the muck.

Grindin'

Michael Mizrachi decided to risk his last 625 chips after an early position player moved all in for 1,250. Mizrachi was in the lead with 55 against the A6. The board ran out QJ3Q3 and Mizrachi's pair held. He was at 1,500 after the hand.

Player Tags: Young Phan,   Kenna James,   Michael Mizrachi

$1,500 NL - Level 3

Jun 19, '08

Blinds: 100-200

Players Remaining: 1,640 of 2,447

Chip Counts:

Average Chip Stack: 4,476

Eliminations: Kathy Liebert

Big Hands:

John Phan Busts

John Phan got all in preflop with KJ against his opponent's A8. The board ran Q-7-4-Q-A and Phan was eliminated.

Chan Doubles an Opponent

On a board of K76, Johnny Chan called a short stack's all in bet for a little over a thousand. The all in player showed 1010 and Chan showed he had many outs with his QJ. However, the turn took away some of those outs, coming 10 and the river bricked, coming 5. Chan's opponent doubled up and Chan saw his stack decrease to around 2,500.

"Oh Come On," James Crippled

Kenna James jokingly said, "Oh come on," when the player on the button reached to put in a raise to 600. But James made the call and both players checked the A53 flop. On the 7 turn the button bet 500 and James made the call. The river brought the 2 and James checked. When the button bet 700, James checkraised to 2,100 - nearly enough to put the button all in. After thinking it over the button shrugged and made the call, and it turned out to be a good one. He showed A9 and James mucked his hand.

Several hands later James moved over seat 8's raise all in preflop and was called by the player8. James sheepishly turned over A-8 but was ahead of his opponent's K-Q. However, the board ran Q-J-6-10-9 to give seat 8 a higher straight and the double up. James was down to around 1,500 after the hand.

Lindgren Gets a Caller

In a limped battle of the blinds, Erick Lindgren checked from the big blind and the flop came J72. Both players checked and again checked the 8 turn. On the A river Lindgren bet out 300. His opponent smiled and thought for a moment then called. Lindgren showed A6 for a pair of aces and took the pot.

Kathy Liebert Eliminated

The player in seat 10 raised to 250 from the cutoff and Kathy Liebert called from the big bling. The flop came 752, and seat 10 bet 1,200. Liebert started counting and then recounting her chips. She told her opponent, "I'm just trying to decide if I want to go all in now or wait until the turn." Then she deicded the flop would be best, coming over the top and moving all in. Seat 10 called anf both players turned over their cards.

Liebert: 66
Seat 10: KK

Liebert was behind on the flop, and neither the turn (5) nor the river (Q) improved her hand. Liebert got up from her chair and exited the tournament room as seat 10 raked a good pot.

Rolf Slotboom Doubles Up

Rolf Slotboom got it all in with KQ on a K106Q4 board. The action and the other player's hand is unknown, we just saw Slotboom raking the pot.

Player Tags: John Phan,   Kathy Liebert,   Erick Lindgren,   Kenna James,   Johnny Chan,   Rolf Slotboom

$1,500 Razz - Level 4

Jun 13, '08

Note: Players have just completed Level 4 and are now on a thirty-minute dinner break. Players will return at approx. 10:00 pm local time to resume play in Level 5.

Blinds/Antes: 25 ante, 50 bring-in, 150 completion
Stakes: 150-300

Players Left: 336 of 453 (official)

Chip Leaders:
Jonathan Schwartz: 9,300
David Bach: 8,900
David Levi: 8,000
Cyndy Violette: 7,000
Steve Wolff: 6,800
Matt Graham: 6,800
Perry Friedman: 6,600
John Hennigan: 6,600
Ted Lawson: 6,200
Annie Duke: 6,100
Average Stack: 4,045

Eliminations: Men Nguyen, Mark Vos

Big Hands:

Nick Schulman Wins Big Heads-Up Pot With Six-Low vs. Seven-Low

Nick Schulman completed to 150 and the player in seat 8 called the raise.

Schulman: 643Q - AJ5
Seat 8: 7435 - X-X-X

Schulman continued to be the aggressor, betting on every street and raising on sixth street after seat 8, first to act made a bet. Seat 8 called Schulman's raise on sixth street and his bet on seventh street, only to muck his seven-low after Schulman turned over a six-low and raked a nice pot. After the hand schulman had climbed up to just about 5,000 in chips.

Kenna James Finally Wins a Pot

Kenna James was involved in a big three-way pot with Russ Salzer and seat 4. James seemd to be the one betting most of the way, Salzer folded on the river while seat 4 called James' bet and looked him up.

James: 7426 - 1084
Seat 4: 5963 - Q73
Salzer: 9639 - fold

James made an eight-low while the best seat 4 could make was a nine-low. The pot was three-handed until the river and James was very happy to take such a nice pot. Apparently James hadn't been running too well up until that point, Salzer said that in one hand Kenna had raised an opponent on fifth street who had already made the wheel. After this hand James was up to just over 4,000 in chips.

Chad Brown Doubles Up

Chad Brown was all in with a board of 7J92A47, making a nine-low on seventh street. Brown's nine was good enough to win the pot, allowing him to double up and make it through the dinner break.

Opponent Puts Read On Ivey

Phil Ivey completed the bet with a deuce and the player in seat 4 called the raise with a different deuce. Ivey took the betting lead from the start, never letting up and continued to bet right through seventh street. Seat 4 raised on 4th street, telling Ivey, "I can beat your pair of aces." Ivey looked a little thrown off and made the call. Seat 4 backed off after Ivey called his raise, once again allowing Ivey to bet his hand. There was a showdown on seventh street.

Ivey: 2AA5 - A103
Seat 4: 24Q4 - 653

Right after seat 4 accused Ivey of having a pair of aces on fourth street, Ivey hit another ace on fifth street. Ivey laughed, still fiiring at the pot. It appeared as though seat 4 was right after Ivey turned up his hand revealing another ace in the hole. Seat 4 made a six-low on the river and raked the pot.

Player Tags: Kenna James,   Phil Ivey,   Russ Salzer,   Nick Schulman