Sun Apr 17 00:55:00 -0700 2005
Official Chip Counts for PPT Final Table
Here are the chip counts and seating positions for the PPT Final Table, which will be taped on Monday, April 25, the day after the final table for the WPT World Championship. (That way both shows can be taped by the same television crews on back-to-back days, reducing costs and set-up times.)
1. Lee Markholt - $889,000 (seat 2)
2. Barry Shulman - $400,000 (seat 3)
3. Erick Lindgren - $381,000 (seat 5)
4. Doyle Brunson - $324,000 (seat 6)
5. Chris Bjorin - $214,000 (seat 4)
6. Dan Heimiller - $85,000 (seat 1)
CardPlayer.com will resume tournament coverage on Monday, April 18th, for day one of the WPT World Championship.
Sun Apr 17 00:49:00 -0700 2005
Todd Brunson Eliminated in 7th Place
Lee Markholt raises from early position, and he's called by Doyle Brunson and Dan Heimiller before Todd Brunson moves all in, Markholt calls, and Doyle and Heimiller both fold. Todd Brunson has A-Q, but Markholt dominates him with A-K. The flop comes 10-8-7, and Todd Brunson is still looking for a queen. The turn card is a 3, the river is a 9, and Todd Brunson is the unfortunate player eliminated in 7th place. (Only the final six players make it to the TV Final Table -- and the money.) It probably hurts even more because he just missed making a TV Final Table alongside his legendary father.
Interestingly, the cards that folded to the reraise would have made great hands. Dan Heimiller folded pocket eights, and he would have flopped a set -- and lost to Doyle Brunson. Doyle folded A-J to the reraise, but he would have made a gut-shot straight on the river. If all four players called the all-in bet, Doyle would have won a very large pot, and his son Todd would have finished in sixth place rather than seventh (since he had more chips at the start of the hand than Dan Heimiller). And that would have put Todd in the money.
Of course, none of that happened, and Doyle folded his A-J for a very good reason.
Official chip counts will be posted in a few minutes.
Sun Apr 17 00:45:00 -0700 2005
Blinds Increase to $5,000-$10,000 ($2,000 ante)
The blinds increase to $5,000-$10,000, with a $2,000 ante.
Sun Apr 17 00:42:00 -0700 2005
Chris Bjorin Doubles Up Through Todd Brunson
Chris Bjorin is all in preflop with K-J offsuit, but he's dominated by Todd Brunson's A-K suited. The flop changes everything, as it falls J-8-2, and now Bjorin has the big lead. The turn pairs them both with a king, but Bjorin still has the lead with two pair. Only an ace can eliminate Bjorin now, but the river is a queen. Chris Bjorin doubles up in chips.
Sun Apr 17 00:35:00 -0700 2005
Chip Counts
The final seven players continue to battle for the final six seats. Here are the current approximate chip counts:
1. Lee Markholt - $620,000 (seat 4)
2. Barry Shulman - $420,000 (seat 5)
3. Erick Lindgren - $360,000 (seat 8)
4. Doyle Brunson - $310,000 (seat 9)
5. Todd Brunson - $300,000 (seat 3)
6. Dan Heimiller - $150,000 (seat 2)
7. Chris Bjorin - $125,000 (seat 7)
Sun Apr 17 00:22:00 -0700 2005
Chip Reese Eliminated in 8th Place
Everybody folds to Chip Reese on the button, and he pushes all in for $36,000 more with 6-5 of diamonds. Todd Brunson calls from the big blind, showing K-8 of diamonds. The flop comes Ad-7c-2h, and Reese needs to catch a 5 or a 6 to survive. The turn is a queen, the river is a jack, and Chip Reese is eliminated in eighth place.
One more player needs to be eliminated tonight, and the final six will finish in the money at the TV Final Table.
Sat Apr 16 23:50:00 -0700 2005
Play Continues Between the Final Eight Players
The technical crew continues breaking down the PPT set in the background, but the players are continuing on one of the regular tables. Action resumes with the final eight players fighting for the six seats at the TV Final Table.
Sat Apr 16 23:40:00 -0700 2005
Players Take a Break While the Crew Strikes the Set
The players are given a break while the technical crew breaks down the set for the featured table. The final eight players will continue playing at a regular table without hole-card cams, and the action will be taped by hand-held cameras. Play might not resume until midnight. CardPlayer.com will post an update when the action is ready to continue.
Sat Apr 16 23:35:00 -0700 2005
Eli Elezra Eliminated in 9th Place
After betting on a flop of Q-7-3, Eli Elezra bets $50,000 in the dark before the turn. That turn card is a 9, and Chris Bjorin calls all in. Elezra shows pocket aces, while Bjorin has Q-9 for two pair. The river is another queen, giving Bjorin a full house, and eliminating Eli Elezra in ninth place.
Sat Apr 16 23:00:00 -0700 2005
Final Table Chip Counts
Here are the standings for the final table, which is about to begin:
1. Lee Markholdt - $513,000 (seat 4)
2. Barry Shulman - $342,000 (seat 5)
3. Erick Lindgren - $320,000 (seat 8)
4. Doyle Brunson - $280,000 (seat 9)
5. Dan Heimiller - $224,000 (seat 2)
6. Todd Brunson - $178,000 (seat 3)
7. Chris Bjorin - $159,000 (seat 7)
8. Eli Elezra - $143,000
9. Chip Reese - $139,000