Level 15 Update: Patrik Antonius, Scott Clements Eliminated
Jun 28, '09
Flop Games: Blinds – 8,000-15,000, Limits – 15,000-30,000
Stud Games: Ante — 3,000, Bring-In — 5,000, Completion — 15,000, Limits — 15,000-30,000
Players Remaining: 26 out of 95
Chip Counts:
1. Erik Sagstrom – 1,300,000
2. Freddy Deeb – 1,200,000
3. Vitaly Lunkin – 970,000
4. David Bach – 960,000
5. Ville Wahlbeck – 955,000
6. John Hanson – 800,000
7. Brett Richey – 770,000
8. Gus Hansen – 730,000
9. Huck Seed – 690,000
10. Chau Giang – 620,000
Average Chip Count: 548,076
Notable Eliminations:
Patrik Antonius
Scott Clements
Hasan Habib
John Monnette
Matt Hawrilenko
Big Hands:
Hold’em
Clements Scores A Double Double…
Hasan Habib raised to 60,000 preflop and the action was on Scott Clements. He reraised all in and Habib made the call.
Habib: 9
9
Clements: 8
8
Board: K
Q
8
10
A
Clements started in bad shape but flopped a set and never looked back, doubling to 120,000.
A few hands later, he and Thor Hansen tangled resulting in Clements’ chips ending up in the middle again. Clements had A
K
while Hansen held 10
10
. The flop was harmless for Hansen as it came 8
8
7
. The turn was another blank in the J
, but the river was the K
and Clements doubled again to 240,000.
Omaha/8
The Seed Grows A Little More
Gus Hansen raised to 60,000 from the button and Huck Seed called from the small blind. Erik Seidel called from the big blind and the players saw a flop of 10
7
2
and Seed checked. Seidel bet 30,000 and Hansen raised to 60,000. Seed and Seidel both called and the Q
fell on the turn. Everyone checked and it was the same story for the 2
on the river.
Seed then turned over A
Q
3
3
for top pair and the pot. He was up to 250,000.
Razz
Deeb Doesn’t Believe In Hawrilenko
Freddy Deeb and Matt Hawrilenko tangled in a hand and the pot had a lot of chips in it by seventh street. Here were their boards.
Hawrilenko: X-X-2-7-A-J
Deeb: X-X-2-10-6-6
Hawrilenko fired 30,000 into the pot an Deeb thought for a while. He decided to look up his opponent and Hawrilenko turned over (A-A-3) for a jack-low. Deeb turned over 3-7-10) for a 10-low and he took down a nice pot. He was up to 650,000 while Hawrilenko was at 175,000.
The Tournament Just Got A Little Less Attractive
Patrik Antonius just busted after getting involved in a hand with Erik Seidel and Gus Hansen.
Antonius: X-X-5
Hansen: X-X-6
Seidel: X-X-5
Hansen completed to 15,000 and Antonius moved his last 24,000 into the pot. Seidel and Hansen both called.
Antonius: X-X-5-4
Hansen: X-X-6-2
Seidel: X-X-5-A
Seidel bet 30,000 and Hansen made the call.
Antonius: X-X-5-4-Q
Hansen: X-X-6-2-4
Seidel: X-X-5-A-10
Hansen was first to act now and he bet 60,000. Seidel made the call.
Antonius: X-X-5-4-Q-K
Hansen: X-X-6-2-4-6
Seidel: X-X-5-A-10-4
Seidel bet 60,000 after Hansen paired on sixth street. Hansen made the call. The river was dealt and Seidel bet again. Hansen finally mucked and Seidel showed (2-3-7) for the wheel. Antonius mucked and he was eliminated.
Stud High
…But Mr. Clements Still Goes Bust
Scott Clements managed to double up twice early in the level but the chips didn’t last long as he found himself all in against John Hanson. Here is how their boards ran out.
Clements: (K
5
)3
9
A
10
(K
)
Hanson: (Q
J
)Q
J
4
2
(5
)
Clements started with three diamonds and was given another one on fourth street. Hanson had two pair by fourth street and Clements needed just one diamond to hit his flush on the next three streets. But Clements saw nothing but black cards for the remainder of the hand and he was eliminated.
Stud/8
Wahlbeck Flushes Scotty Baby
Scotty Nguyen and Ville Wahlbeck tangled in a hand. Nguyen completed to 15,000 and Wahlbeck made the call. Here is how their boards looked heading into fourth street.
Nguyen: X-X-A
K
Wahlbeck: X-X-7
3
Nguyen bet 30,000 and Wahlbeck made the call.
Nguyen: X-X-A
K
2
Wahlbeck: X-X-7
3
J
Nguyen bet 60,000 and Wahlbeck called.
Nguyen: X-X-A
K
2
K
Wahlbeck: X-X-7
3
J
3
Nguyen bet another 60,000 and Wahlbeck made the call. The river was dealt and Nguyen checked to his Finnish opponent. Wahlbeck then bet 60,000 and Nguyen called. Wahlbeck turned over (A
8
5
) for the nut flush and an 8-7 low. Nguyen mucked and Wahlbeck scooped the pot, improving to 950,000 while Nguyen was at 167,000.
Player Tags: Thor Hansen, Erik Seidel, Hasan Habib, Huck Seed, Gus Hansen, Patrik Antonius, Scott Clements, Matt Hawrilenko, Freddy Deeb
Level 14 Update: Ralph Perry, John Tuner Eliminated
Jun 28, '09
Flop Games: Blinds – 6,000-12,000, Limits – 12,000-24,000
Stud Games: Ante — 3,000, Bring-In — 3,000, Completion — 12,000, Limits — 12,000-24,000
Players Remaining: 31 out of 95
Chip Counts:
1. Ray Dehkharghani – 880,000
2. Erik Sagstrom — 850,000
3. Freddy Deeb – 850,000
4. Gus Hansen — 780,000
5. Antanas Guoga – 680,000
6. Matt Hawrilenko – 585,000
7. Ville Wahlbeck – 575,000
8. Todd Brunson – 515,000
9. Scotty Nguyen – 485,000
10. John Hennigan – 475,000
Average Chip Count: 445,312
Notable Eliminations:
Jim Bechtel
Ralph Perry
Jon Turner
Big Hands:
STUD/8

Jim Bechtel Eliminated, Jon “PearlJammer” Turner Stays Alive
Both Jon “PearlJammer” Turner and Jim Bechtel were all in against recent bracelet winner Ville Wahlbeck.
Their cards:
Wahlbeck: (X-X)-Q
6
6
J
-(X)
Turner: (X-X)-7
4
8
5
-(X)
Bechtel: (X-X)-4
J
4
8
- (X)
Wahlbeck exposed a jack in the hole for jacks up to take down the side pot. Turner scooped the main pot with a 6-4-2 for a eight-high straight and the winning low. Bechtel mucked and was eliminated from the tournament. Turner won another hand immediately after and was at 150,000 in chips.
Jon Turner Eliminated
The short stacks of Jon Turner and Scott Clements were locked up in a hand. Clements bet on fifth street and Turner reluctantly called all in.
Their cards:
Clements: (4
3
)-2
A
Q
5
-(6
)
Turner: (J
2
)-A
J
3
2
-(7
)
Clements scooped the pot with a wheel and six-high straight, eliminating Turner. Clements is up to just 190,000.
STUD HIGH

David Bach Wins Pot Versus Thor Hansen
At the end of the hand, David Bach bet and Thor Hansen made the call.
Their hands:
Hansen: (X-X)-3
7
J
Q
-(X)
Bach: (3
2
)A
K
3
2
-(2
)
Bach exposed a full house to rake in the pot and move up to 400,000. Hansen is short with just 172,000.
Ralph Perry Eliminated
Patrik Antonius had Ralph Perry covered and at risk on fifth street.
Antonius: (4
4
)-Q
6
A
3
-(Q
)
Perry: (K
5
)-5
7
10
J
-(A
)
Antonius needed help against Perry’s pair of fives and got it on the end when he was given the Q
for two pair. Perry was eliminated from the tournament.
Left in the Deck:
The players are on a 90 minute dinner break.
Player Tags: Thor Hansen, David Bach, Ville Wahlbeck, Patrik Antonius, Jon Turner, Ralph Perry
Level 13 Update: Doyle Brunson, Erick Lindgren Eliminated
Jun 28, '09
Flop Games: Blinds – 5,000-10,000, Limits – 10,000-20,000
Stud Games: Ante — 2,000, Bring-In — 3,000, Completion — 10,000, Limits — 10,000-20,000
Players Remaining: 37 out of 95
Chip Counts:
1. Gus Hansen — 890,000
2. Erik Sagstrom — 835,000
3. Ray Dehkharghani – 823,000
4. Todd Brunson — 610,000
5. Hasan Habib — 490,000
6. Jani Sointula – 470,500
7. Scotty Nguyen – 463,000
8. Frank Cremen – 457,000
9. Jim Bechtel – 455,000
10. Freddy Deeb – 450,000
Average Chip Count: 385,135
Notable Eliminations:
Doyle Brunson
Justin Smith
Erick Lindgren
David Grey
Big Hands:
OMAHA/8

Doyle Brunson Eliminated
John Hanson raised preflop and Doyle Brunson called in the cutoff, putting himself all in.
Their cards:
Brunson: 7
5
3
2
Hanson: A
A
Q
4
The board came K
J
10
6
10
, and Brunson was eliminated by the straight of the 2007 H.O.R.S.E third place finisher. Hanson is up to 280,000.
RAZZ

Justin Smith Eliminated
Justin Smith had all his chips in the middle in Razz against 2007 champion Freddy Deeb. Smith had a disaster with a hand of 4X-7X-7X-4X-AX-4X-AX, for two pair. Smith was no good against Deeb and was sent packing early on day three.
STUD HIGH
Erick Lindgren Eliminated
The 2008 $50k H.O.R.S.E. third place finisher was all in on third street against 2007 champion Freddy Deeb.
Their cards:
Lindgren: (9
10
)-10
6
9
8
-(9
)
Deeb: (J
J
)-J
7
4
Q
-(4
)
Lindgren held tens and nines against Deeb’s three jacks. Both made full boats on the end but Deeb held the higher one to eliminate Lindgren. Deeb is up to 450,000 and looks to be making a run at another final table.

David Grey Triples Up, Eliminated Shortly After
David Grey was all in for just 21,000 against Patrik Antonius and the big stack of Gus Hansen.
Their cards:
Grey: (9
8
)-2
7
2
5
-(6
)
Antonius: (X-X)10
7
6
10
-(X)
Hansen: (K
10
)A
J
Q
Q
-(X)
After massive side betting between Hansen and Antonius on every street, David Grey exposed a flush to take the small main pot. Hansen bet on the end and was just called by Antonius. Hansen showed the K
10
for a Broadway straight. Hansen is up to 890,000 and Grey is up to just 64,000. Antonius is down to 170,000.
Grey was on life support after the hand, eventually hitting the rail against recent bracelet winner John Kabbaj in stud high.
Left in the Deck:
The players are currently on a 20 minute break.
Player Tags: Gus Hansen, Doyle Brunson, David Grey, Patrik Antonius, John Hanson, John Kabbaj, Freddy Deeb, Justin Smith
Level 9 Update: Zeidman, Chan, Cassidy Eliminated
Jun 27, '09
Flop Games: Blinds – 2,000-4,000, Limits – 4,000-8,000
Stud Games: Ante — 1,000, Bring-In — 1,000, Completion — 3,000, Limits — 4,000-8,000
Players Remaining: 73 out of 95
Chip Counts:
1. Hasan Habib — 555,000
2. David Bach — 480,000
3. Scotty Nguyen — 410,000
4. John Kabbaj — 355,000
5. Mikhail Tulchiniskiy — 355,000
6. Chris Ferguson — 334,000
7. Matt Glantz — 325,000
8. Ray Dehkharghani — 310,000
9. Annie Duke — 307,000
10. Frank Kassela — 304,000
Average Chip Count: 195,205
Notable Eliminations:
Cory Zeidman
Johnny Chan
Joe Cassidy
Yuval Bronshtein
Big Hands
STUD/8
Cory Zeidman Eliminated
Cory Zeidman was all in on third street against both Annie Duke and Patrik Antonius.
Ziedman: X-X-A
6
J
6
Duke: X-X-Q
K
Q
2
Antonius: X-X-3
Q
6
8
Duke turned over Q
2
for a full house, winning the high hand while Antonius showed 7
5
4
for a 7-6 low, winning the low hand. Cory Zeidman mucks his hand and is eliminated from the tournament.
Big Pot; Hansen and Betchel Come Out on Top
Four players get involved in this huge pot.
Hansen: 7
8
9
J
Betchel: 8
8
3
K
Buss: K
7
4
3
Bueno: J
5
2
6
Pat Bueno takes his turn betting out on fourth street and Jerry Buss leads out on fifth street. All four players check around on sixth street and Gus Hansen leads out on the river. Jim Betchel raises and Jerry Buss and Patrik Bueno both fold. Hansen three-bets, Betchel four-bets and Hansen calls.
Betchel turns over 8
2
2
for a full house, winning the high pot while Hansen shows A
3
2
for the low hand. Hansen and Betchel both break the 200,000 chip mark this hand as they split the pot.
Johnny Chan Eliminated by Chau Giang
Johnny Chan was all in on fourth street against Chau Giang.
Chan: X-X-8
9
7
9
Giang: X-X-2
K
K
-2
Chan made just a pair of nines while Giang made two pair on the river . Chau Giang rakes the pot, eliminating Johnny Chan from the tournament.
HOLD’EM
Negrenau Moving Backwards
On a flop of 9
3
2
, Ray Dehkharghani bets and Daniel Negreanu raises, Dehkharghani calls.
The turn is the 9
, and this time Dehkharghani checks to Negreanu who bets, Dehkharghani calls.
The river is the 2
and both players check. First to act, Dehkharghani shows 4
4
for two pair and Negreanu folds. Dehkharghani breaks 300,000 his hand while Negreanu falls down to just about half of that.
OMAHA/8
Jerry Buss Scoops a Pot
Pat Bueno raises from early position and both Jerry Buss and Jim Betchel calls from the blinds.
The flop comes 5
4
3
, and it is checked to Bueno. Bueno bets and both opponents call.
The turn is the 4
and everyone checks around.
The river is the Q
, and this time Buss bets out. Both opponents calls and Buss turns over A
K
8
7
to scoop the pot. Buss is back to just under 100,000 in chips this hand.
Player Tags: Annie Duke, Jerry Buss, Gus Hansen, Daniel Negreanu, Johnny Chan, Chau Giang, Cory Zeidman, Ray Dehkharghani, Patrik Antonius, Patrick Bueno, Jim Betchel
Level 6 Update: Hasan Habib Leads Overnight
Jun 27, '09
Flop Games: Blinds – 1,000-2,000, Limits – 2,000-4,000
Stud Games: Ante — 500, Bring-In — 500, Completion — 2,000, Limits — 2,000-4,000
Players Remaining: 90 out of 95
Chip Counts:
1. Hasan Habib — 387,000
2. Martin Vallo — 347,200
3. Matt Glantz — 300,000
4. Justin Smith — 295,000
5. David Benyamnine — 263,200
6. Farzad Bonyadi — 252,000
7. Chris Ferguson — 242,000
8. Andy Black — 235,000
9. Johnny Chan — 234,000
10. Erik Seidel — 230,000
Average Chip Count: 158,333
Notable Eliminations:
Alex Kostritsyn
David Singer
Dan Shak
Big Hands:
STUD/8
Mosseri Rivers The Stud King
David Grey opens the pot for 500 with the 2
, Abe Mosseri completes the bet to 2,000 with the A
, Jeff Lisandro calls the raise with the 6
as does Grey.
Grey: X-X-2
10
Mosseri: X-X-A
3
Lisandro: X-X-6
10
Mosseri bets 2,000, Lisandro calls and Grey folds.
Mosseri: X-X-A
3
Q
Lisandro: X-X-6
10
9
Mosseri bets 4,000 and Lisandro calls.
Mosseri: X-X-A
3
Q
3
Lisandro: X-X-6
10
9
6
Both players make a pair, Lisandro bets 4,000 on sixth street with sixes and Mosseri calls. Lisandro bets the river, Mosseri raises and Lisandro calls. Mosseri turns over 4
4
3
for a full house and rakes the pot. Mosseri climbs up to just under 200,000 this hand while Lisandro falls down to 77,000 in chips.
STUD
Annie Duke Wins Three-Way Pot, Breaks 250K

Jani Sointula completes the bet to 2,000 with the J
, Annie Duke calls with the 10
as does Elezra with the A
.
Sointula: X-X-J
3
Q
Duke: X-X-10
9
A
Elezra: X-X-A
8
10
All three players check on fourth and fifth streets.
Sointula: X-X-J
3
Q
J
Duke: X-X-10
9
A
J
Elezra: X-X-A
8
10
6
Sointula bets on sixth street, Elezra calls, Duke raises and both opponents call. Duke bets on the river and both of her opponents fold. Duke rakes the pot and is up to 250,000 in chips this hand.
HOLD’EM

Patrik Antonius Gets Lucky To Split Pot
On a board of Q
4
8
, Patrik Antonius checked and his opponent bet 2,000. Antonius made the quick call. The turn was the K
and Antonius once again checked. His opponent bet 4,000 and Antonius threw out a check raise to 8,000.
His opponent made the quick call and the river brought the 8
. Antonius bet 4,000 and was instantly called by his opponent. Antonius tabled the K
7
while his opponent exposed the K
J
. The two split the pot with kings up with a queen kicker.

Daniel Negreanu Picks Off a Bluff
Daniel Negreanu bet on the button and Patrik Antonius reraised from the small blind. The big blind folded and Negreanu made the quick call. The flop came K
5
4
and Antonius bet. Negreanu called and the 6
hit the turn. Antonius checked and Negreanu bet 4,000. Antonius made the call and the river brought 7
. Antonius bet 4,000 and Negreanu looked disgusted. He said, “that was probably the worst card,” before eventually making the call. Antonius said he was good and didn’t expose his cards. After a few moments Negreanu tabled the A
5
for a pair of fives to take the pot.
OMAHA/8
Daniel Alaei Gets Chopped
Mikhail Tulchinskiy raises from under the gun, Scotty Nguyen calls from the small blind as does Daniel Alaei from the big blind. The flop comes J
7
4
, and all three players check around. The turn is the K
, Alaei bets and both opponents call.The river is the 8
, Alaei bets and once again, both opponents call. Alaei shows J
8
for two pair. Tulchinskiy shows A
5
Q
6
for straight (high) while Nguyen turns over Q
5
3
2
for the low hand. Tulchinskiy and Nguyen split the pot and chop Alaei’s money.
Player Tags: Annie Duke, Daniel Negreanu, Eli Elezra, David Singer, Jeffrey Lisandro, David Grey, Abe Mosseri, Patrik Antonius, Matt Hawrilenko, Freddy Deeb
Level 3 Update: Steve Billirakis atop Chip Counts
Jun 26, '09
Flop Games: 600-1,200
Stud Games: Ante — 300, Bring-In — 300, Completion — 1,200, Limits — 1,200-2,400
Note: Players are now on a 90 minute dinner break and will return at 8 p.m.
Players Remaining: 95 out of 95
Chip Counts:
1. Steve Billirakis – 240,000
2. Justin Smith – 217,000
3. Bill Chen – 210,000
4. David Benyamine – 199,000
5. Chad Brown – 196,000
6. Jeff Lisandro – 188,000
7. Phil Ivey – 186,800
8. Daniel Negreanu – 185,000
9. Scotty Nguyen – 184,000
Big Hands:
Hold’Em
Two Bullets To The Head
The player in seat 6 raised to 2,400 preflop from the cutoff and the action was next on Justin Bonomo. He made it three bets to 3,600 and the blinds folded. Seat 6 made the call and the flop came down 10
6
6
.
Bonomo bet 1,200 after seat 6 checked. Seat 6 then check-raised to 2,400 and Bonomo just called. The turn was the 5
and seat 6 led out with 2,400. Bonomo made the call and the river was the 5
. Seat 6 fired another 2,400 and Bonomo called. Seat 6 then showed A
A
and Bonomo mucked. Bonomo was at 130,000.
Steve Sung Gets Best of Andy Black
Steve Sung and Andy Black took a flop heads up of K
3
4
. Sung bet out 1200 and was raised to 2400 by black. The turn was the A
and both players checked.
The river was the 8
and Sung bet 2400. Andy black tanked for a few moments before shrugging his shoulders and giving up the pot.
Omaha/8
Singer Gets Chopped Up
Three players were involved in a hand that saw a flop of A
10
8
. The player in seat 2 led out for 1,200 and David Singer raised to 2,400. David Benyamine made the call, as did seat 2. The turn was the 6
and action was checked to Singer. He bet 2,400 and Benyamine made the call. Seat 2 then raised to 4,800 and both opponents called.
The river was the 10
and seat 2 bet 2,400. Benyamine and Singer called and seat 2 turned over 5
4
3
2
for the best low hand. Benyamine then showed down K
Q
10
9
for a set and the high half. Singer mucked and was left with nothing but the lint in his pockets. Benyamine was around 235,000 while Singer was at 122,000.
Ivey Vs. Hansen: Round 1 Goes to Ivey
Gus Hansen raised from early position and Phil Ivey defended from the big blind. The flop was K
2
J
and Ivey checked and called 1200 from Hansen.
The turn was the 10
and Ivey checked, Hansen bet 2400 and was raised to 4800 by Ivey. Hansen made the call and both players checked when the 7
and Hansen was already motioning that he was going to muck his cards, conceding the pot to Ivey.
Ivey turned over A
Q
8
5
and took the pot.
Razz
Schulman Gets a River Fold, Wins Big Pot
Nick Schulman bet out on fourth street into three players and was raised to 2400 by his opponent. He made it three bets and raised to 3600 and he saw fifth street heads up.
Schulman: X-X-2
-5
-A
Seat 8: X-X-8
-A
-10
Schulman bet 2400 and was called by the player in seat 8.
Schulman: X-X-2
-5
-A
-J
Seat 8: X-X-8
-A
-10
-Q
Schulman bet 2400 and was called once again by his opponent. He bet 2400 again on the river and after a few moments of contemplation, his opponent mucked, giving the pot to Schulman.
Stud High
Lisandro Makes Two Pair to Best Matusow
Mike Matusow and Jeffrey Lisandro are heads up in a pot on fifth street. Lisandro bet 2400 and Matusow called. They went to sixth street with their boards looking like this.
Matusow: X-X-J
-9
-7
-Q
Lisandro: X-X-K
-6
-8
A
On the river Lisandro bet 2400 again and Matusow took a few moments before putting in the chips that indicated a call. Lissandro showed K
-6-
-5
in the whole, good for two pair and the pot.
Stud/8
Chopping With Johnny Chan
Picking up the action on fourth street, James Van Alstyne and Johnny Chan were mixing it up in a hand.
Chan: X-X-8
4
Van Alstyne: X-X-2
A
Van Alstyne bet 1,200 and Chan made the call.
Chan: X-X-8
4
4
Van Alstyne: X-X-2
A
5
Chan paired up and fired 2,400. Van Alstyne stuck around.
Chan: X-X-8
4
4
A
Van Alstyne: X-X-2
A
5
J
Chan bet another 2,400 and Van Alstyne called again. The river was dealt and both players decided to check. Chan then turned over (K
6
3
) for an 8-low. Van Alstyne tabled (J
J
-X) for a pair of jacks and the high end of the pot. Chan was at 200,000 after the pot.
Negreanu and Antonius Chop Big Pot
On fifth street, Daniel Negreanu, Patrik Antonius, and Tong G put three bets into an already bloated pot. All three go to sixth street with their boards looking like this.
Tony G: X-X-5
-8
-10
-A
Neagreanu: X-X-A
-K
-K
-A
Antonius: X-X-7
-2
-3
-8
Negreanu bet out 2400 on sixth and was met with a raise from Antonius. Tony G tanked for a long while before showing his cards to the player next to him and folding.
“Rolled up fives?” asked Negreanu. “I already knew that.”
Neagreanu calls the bet from Antonius and checks and calls a river bet. Negreanu shows the A
-2
-3
in the hole, making aces full of kings and Antonius showed 8 3 4, making two pair and a low. Antonius took the low half and Neagreanu took the high half, as they split Tony G’s chips.
Player Tags: Antanas Guoga, Daniel Negreanu, David Benyamine, Mike Matusow, David Singer, Johnny Chan, Jeffrey Lisandro, James Van Alstyne, Patrik Antonius, Justin Bonomo, Nick Schulman