| May 29, '09 |
2009 40th Annual World Series of Poker |
Event 2 - $40,000 40th Annual No-Limit Hold'em |
2 |
+ |
Level 15 Update: Greg Raymer Gets Stronger
May 29, '09
Blinds: 6,000-12,000 with a 2,000 ante
Players Remaining: 40 out of 201
Chip Counts:
1. Greg Raymer — 2,660,000
2. Lex Veldhuis — 1,400,000
3. Matth Glantz — 1,058,000
4. Brian Townsend — 1,015,000
5. Justin Bonomo — 980,000
6. Ted Forrest — 940,000
7. Vitaly Lunkin — 915,000
8. Sorel Mizzi — 840,000
9. Chris Moneymaker — 835,000
10. David Pham — 820,000
Average Chip Count: 603,000
Notable Eliminations:
James Mackey
Alex Jacob
Dale Pinchot
Big Hands:
 Greg Raymer Takes Out James Mackey
Shortly into the level, James Mackey found himself all in holding K-Q. Unfortunately, Greg Raymer woke up with A-K. The board brought a king, but Raymer’s kicker was enough to send Mackey home out of the money. After the hand, Raymer stacked ballooned to 1.67 million.
Alec Torelli Picks Up a Big Pot With an All-In Move
Greg Raymer opened from early position to 30,000 and Vanessa Rousso made the call. Brian Rast then raised to 105,000 in the hijack and the action moved over to Alec Torelli. After a few minutes in thought, Torelli moved all in for 810,000.
Raymer quickly folded, as did Rousso. Rast asked for a count, saw that his 650,000 was well covered and the folded. Torelli moved up to approximately 960,000.
 Phil Galfond Doubles Through Justin Bonomo
Phil Galfond found himself all in holding a dominating A-K against Justin Bonomo and his A-J. A king hit the flop and Bonomo failed to catch up, doubling Galfond to 488,000 in chips. Bonomo is still healthy with about 1.1 million.
Sami Kelopuro Doubles Up Courtesy of Alan Sass
After an all-in and call, Sami Kelopuro revealed his pocket queens and was way ahead of Alan Sass and his pocket eights. The board ran out Q 6 3J 4 and Kelopuro’s set of queens were enough to double him up to about 375,000 in chips.
Chris Moneymaker Gives Up Some Chips to Noah Schwartz
Noah Schwartz was all in on the short stack holding pocket kings against the pocket sevens of Chris Moneymaker. The board failed to help the 2003 champion and Schwartz doubled up to 320,000. Moneymaker dropped below the million mark with 910,000.
Sorel Mizzi Doubles Through Frank Kassela
On a flop of J107 Sorel Mizzi is all in holding J-10 for top two pair against Frank Kassela’s and his pocket eights. Kassela needs an eight or a nine to bust Mizzi but the turn and river come 610, giving Mizzi a boat and a newly formed stack of about 750,000 in chips.
Player Tags: Frank Kassela, Chris Moneymaker, Greg Raymer, James Mackey, Justin Bonomo, Vanessa Rousso, Brian Rast, Phil Galfond, Alan Sass, Noah Schwartz, Alec Torelli, Sorel Mizzi, Sami Kelopuro
Level 12 Update: Brian Townsend Builds a Huge Stack
May 29, '09
Blinds: 3,000-6,000 with a 500 ante
Players Remaining: 67 out of 201
Chip Counts:
1. Alex Veldhuis – 1,090,000
2. Brian Townsend – 950,000
2. Brian Rast – 910,000
3. Justin Bonomo- 760,000
4. Chris Moneymaker – 700,000
6. Ted Forrest – 690,000
7. Matthew Marafioti – 540,000
8. Alec Torelli – 494,500
9. JC Tran- 491,000
10. Andy Black- 470,000
Average Chip Count: 354,706
Notable Eliminations:
Doyle Brunson
Kenny Tran
Lee Markholt
John Duthie
Matt Giannetti
Adam Junglen
Michael DeMichele
Chris Mooreman
David “Devil Fish” Ulliott
Big Hands:
Chau Giang Doubles Up
Facing a 26,500 button raise from Andrew Robl, Chau Giang moved all in pre-flop for 45,000 more. Robl was committed and quickly called with the A10 and Giang was happy to see he had his opponent dominated with the AK. The board ran out Q643K and Giang doubled up to a modest stack of 146,000.
Chris Moneymaker Avoids Disaster
Chris Moneymaker raised pre-floped and Humberto Brenes just called. The flop brought the A and both played the hand cautiously until Moneymaker made a 25,000 bet on the river that Brenes quickly called. Moneymaker turned over pocket queens and Brenes exposed pocket kings to take the small pot. Moneymaker exclaimed, “I got lucky with that flop,” and Brenes said, “Yes you did.”
Brian Townsend Wins a Huge Pot
On a board of A87103 with 330,000 already sitting in the pot, Brian Townsend bet 300,000, leaving just 45,000 in his stack. Mark Seif then went into the tank for a few minutes on the button. Seif was sitting on a stack of 415,000 and he decided to make the call after some deliberation. Townsend flipped over AK and Seif mucked. Seif took a huge hit down to 115,000 after the hand and Townsend’s stack grew to 975,000.
Chris Moore Busts One
Chris Moore (UTG) and his opponent on the small blind got it all in preflop. Their cards:
Moore: AA
Small Blind: 99
Board: 854JJ
Moore won the hand and sent his opponent packing.
Michael DeMichele Sent to the Rail
On a board of 810585, Alexander Veldhuis put Michael DeMichele all in. DeMichele looked disgusted and tanked for quite some time before calling with pocket aces. Veldhuis exposed 88 for quads to eliminate DeMichele.
Brian Rast Gets Lucky to Double Up
On a flop of 75A, Brian Rast got it all in against the A5 of Bruno Fitoussi. The turn brought the Q, giving the online cash game player extra outs. The Q fell on the river and Rast rivered a better two pair to double up to about 650,000.
David “Devil Fish” Ulliott is Eliminated
On the very next hand after Brian Rast’s huge double up, the short stack David Ulliott raised pre-flop to 25,000 with pocket kings. Rast min-raised to 50,000 and Ulliott went all-in instantly. Rast called and exposed 77 and Ulliott tabled pocket kings. The flop was a disaster for Ulliott, as it came A67. Ulliott failed to connect with a higher set and was sent home.
Table 60 is running hot
At the same table and a hand after Rasts double up and Ulliot’s elimination, Greg Raymer called the all-in of Ville Wahlbeck. Raymer showed AJ and Wahlbeck exposed pocket kings. Kings were no good once again as Raymer flopped an ace and built his stack to around 300,000.
Left in the Deck:
Mike Matusow is entered in the Omaha Hi-Low Split-8 or Better tournament that is running simultaneously and has ran over to the other table to see a hand.
Players went to a 20 minute break, and will return to play more 2 more levels before a 60 minute dinner break later this evening. After the break they will play four levels or down to 18 players, whichever comes first.
Card Player TV
Check out this video from CardPlayer TV with chip leader Lex Veldhuis.
Player Tags: Mark Seif, Humberto Brenes, Chris Moneymaker, Chau Giang, Bruno Fitoussi, Greg Raymer, Brian Rast, Chris Moore, Brian Townsend, Andrew Robl
Level 22 Update: Brian Rast, Brian Townsend, Matthew Marafioti and Keith Lehr Eliminated
May 30, '09
Blinds: 20,000-40,000 with a 5,000 chip ante
Players Remaining: 10 out of 201
Chip Counts:
1. Alec Torelli — 5,375,000
2. Lex Veldhuis — 4,030,000
3. Vitaly Lunkin – 3,500,000
4. Isaac Haxton – 3,145,000
5. Greg Raymer — 2,995,000
6. Justin Bonomo — 2,045,000
7. Dani Stern- 1,275,000
8. Ted Forrest — 815,000
9. Noah Schwartz – 550,000
10. Tony Guoga- 445,000
Average Chip Count: 2,192,727
Notable Eliminations:
14. Brian Rast ($128,666)
13. Brian Townsend ($128,666)
12. Matthew Marafioti ($172,120)
11. Keith Lehr ($172,120)
Big Hands:
Brian Rast Eliminated in 14th Place ($128,666)
Vitaly Lunkin raised pre-flop to 100,000 from middle position and Brian Rast moved all-in over the top for 420,000 more from the big blind. Lunkin went into the tank and eventually made the call for the majority of his chips and exposed 55. However, Rast had him dominated with KK. The flop was a disaster for Rast however, as Lunkin flopped a full house with three cards of 885. The turn brought the 2 and the river 5 gave Lunkin quads, eliminating Rast close to the final table bubble.
Brian Townsend Eliminated in 13th Place ($128,666)
Brian Townsend shoved all in for his last 800,000 on the button and Alec Torelli isolated behind him. Noah Schwartz tanked in the big blind for a few minutes before making the call himself, putting a huge portion of his stack at risk.
Townsend showed 76, Torelli showed pocket tens and Schwartz showed the best hand with pocket queens. Unfortunately, the board ran out J107104 and Torelli’s quads bumped his stack to 5 million. Schwartz took a hit down to 700,000 and Townsend was eliminated from the tournament.
Matthew Marafioti Eliminated in 12th place ($172,120)
Ted Forrest opened the action with a 120,000 under the gun raise that was re-raised by Isaac Haxton to 375,000 total. Matthew Marafioti was next to act and instantly went all in for 575,000 total. Tony G woke up with AK in the small blind and went into the tank for minutes. Riding a short stack for quite some time, Tony G eventually decided to fold. Isaac immediately called and tabled KK. Marafioti was discouraged as he flipped over QQ. When the players flipped over their cards Tony G said he might have had the odds to call, from the small blind and with his extremely short stack. The flop came A25, putting Haxton well ahead and caused Tony G to pace around the table. The A hit the turn and the J fell on the river, eliminating Marafioti. Haxton is now up to 2,400,000 in chips.
Vitaly Lunkin Wins Huge Double
With very little in the pot, Greg Raymer pushed all in into Vitaly Lunkin for about 1,700,000. Lunkin called immediately to the shock of Raymer. The 2004 Main Event champion exclaimed, “I didn’t think he would call,” as he turned over 66. Lunkin had the perfect read on Raymer and tabled JJ, for a higher pocket pair. With other players at the table saying “nice call” to Lunkin, the flop came out AQK, to put Lunkin far out ahead. The 10 on the turn put Raymer drawing for at best a split pot. The river brought the 10 and Lunkin won a 3,500,000 chip pot.
Keith Lehr Eliminated in 11th Place ($172,120)
Greg Raymer raised and Keith Lehr moved all in for 800,000 from the small blind. Raymer made the call and showed JJ which was racing against Lehr’s AQ. The board ran out king high but failed to connect with Lehr’s hand, sending him to the rail.
Left in the Deck:
The players at the table were trying to work out a short 20 minute break to continue play until one more is eliminated. However, Tony G gave the only dissenting vote to force the rest of the table to take an hour break before resuming play.
Player Tags: Antanas Guoga, Ted Forrest, Greg Raymer, Brian Rast, Keith Lehr, Vitaly Lunkin, Isaac Haxton
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| Apr 24, '09 |
2009 Five-Star World Poker Classic (WPT) |
WPT Championship - Event 16 |
7 |
+ |
Freddy Deeb Eliminated in 12th Place ($81,710)
Apr 23, '09
 Freddy Deeb and Brian Rast saw a flop of J 7 2. Rasts bet 165,000 and Deeb moved all in. Rast called with A J but Deeb showed 8 7 for middle pair with a flush draw.
The turn and river came 4 5 and Deeb was eliminated in 12th place.
Player Tags: Brian Rast, Freddy Deeb
David Grey Eliminated in 23rd Place ($49,025)
Apr 23, '09
 David Grey moved all in for 233,000 and Brian Rast made the call with pocket aces. Grey could only show K 5 and couldn't overcome Rast and his big pair.
Grey finished in 23rd place and earned $49,025. Rast now has 1,900,000.
Player Tags: David Grey, Brian Rast
Brian Rast Eliminated in 7th Place ($204,275)
Apr 24, '09
 Yevgeniy Timoshenko raised from under the gun to 300,000 and Christian Harder reraised to 850,000. Brian Rast moved all in from the small blind and Timoshenko asked for a count.
It turned out that Timoshenko had Rast and his 5,720,000 stack covered by just 30,000. Timoshenko made the call and Harder folded.
Rast showed A K but Timoshenko showed K K. The board came out 9 8 6 6 J and Timoshenko took the biggest pot of the tournament to increase his stack to over 13 million.
Rast is eliminated on the final table bubble in 7th place and earns $204,275.
Player Tags: Brian Rast, Yevgeniy Timoshenko
Justin Young Eliminated in 8th Place ($163,420)
Apr 24, '09
 Brian Rast raised to 275,000 and Justin Young moved all in for 1.2 million. Rast called with Q Q and Young showed 9 9.
The flop came A 9 7 and Young took the lead, but the turn and river came 8 Q and Rast hit a higher set on the river, to move up to 5,440,000 in chips.
Young is eliminated in 8th place and earned $163,420.
Player Tags: Brian Rast
Brian Rast Doubles Through Christian Harder
Apr 24, '09
Brian Rast moved all in for 1,325,000 and Christian Harder called from the small blind with A-K. Rast showed pocket deuces and they held when the board ran out jack high.
Rast doubles up to 2.8 million.
Player Tags: Brian Rast, Christian Harder
|
| Apr 23, '09 |
2009 Five-Star World Poker Classic (WPT) |
WPT Championship - Event 16 |
6 |
+ |
Freddy Deeb Eliminated in 12th Place ($81,710)
Apr 23, '09
Freddy Deeb and Brian Rast saw a flop of J 7 2. Rasts bet 165,000 and Deeb moved all in. Rast called with A J but Deeb showed 8 7 for middle pair with a flush draw.
The turn and river came 4 5 and Deeb was eliminated in 12th place.
Player Tags: Brian Rast, Freddy Deeb
David Grey Eliminated in 23rd Place ($49,025)
Apr 23, '09
David Grey moved all in for 233,000 and Brian Rast made the call with pocket aces. Grey could only show K 5 and couldn't overcome Rast and his big pair.
Grey finished in 23rd place and earned $49,025. Rast now has 1,900,000.
Player Tags: David Grey, Brian Rast
Brian Rast Eliminated in 7th Place ($204,275)
Apr 24, '09
Yevgeniy Timoshenko raised from under the gun to 300,000 and Christian Harder reraised to 850,000. Brian Rast moved all in from the small blind and Timoshenko asked for a count.
It turned out that Timoshenko had Rast and his 5,720,000 stack covered by just 30,000. Timoshenko made the call and Harder folded.
Rast showed A K but Timoshenko showed K K. The board came out 9 8 6 6 J and Timoshenko took the biggest pot of the tournament to increase his stack to over 13 million.
Rast is eliminated on the final table bubble in 7th place and earns $204,275.
Player Tags: Brian Rast, Yevgeniy Timoshenko
Justin Young Eliminated in 8th Place ($163,420)
Apr 24, '09
Brian Rast raised to 275,000 and Justin Young moved all in for 1.2 million. Rast called with Q Q and Young showed 9 9.
The flop came A 9 7 and Young took the lead, but the turn and river came 8 Q and Rast hit a higher set on the river, to move up to 5,440,000 in chips.
Young is eliminated in 8th place and earned $163,420.
Player Tags: Brian Rast
Brian Rast Doubles Through Christian Harder
Apr 24, '09
Brian Rast moved all in for 1,325,000 and Christian Harder called from the small blind with A-K. Rast showed pocket deuces and they held when the board ran out jack high.
Rast doubles up to 2.8 million.
Player Tags: Brian Rast, Christian Harder
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| Oct 22, '08 |
2008 Festa Al Lago Classic (WPT) |
No-Limit Hold'em Championship (WPT) - Event 16 |
3 |
+ |
Brian Rast Extends His Chip Lead
Oct 21, '08
 Brian "tsarrast" Rast just eliminated Dustin "neverwin" Woolf to extend his chip lead. He now sits with a stack of over 265,000 in chips.
Player Tags: Brian Rast
Brian Rast Eliminated
Oct 22, '08
One of the chip leaders to start the day, Brian Rast has been eliminated from the tournament.
Player Tags: Brian Rast
Card Player TV: Brian Rast
Oct 22, '08
Card Player Tv catches up with Brian Rast on break at the 2008 WPT Festa Al Lago.
Player Tags: Brian Rast
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| Oct 21, '08 |
2008 Festa Al Lago Classic (WPT) |
No-Limit Hold'em Championship (WPT) - Event 16 |
2 |
+ |
Brian Rast Extends His Chip Lead
Oct 21, '08
Brian "tsarrast" Rast just eliminated Dustin "neverwin" Woolf to extend his chip lead. He now sits with a stack of over 265,000 in chips.
Player Tags: Brian Rast
Brian Rast Eliminated
Oct 22, '08
One of the chip leaders to start the day, Brian Rast has been eliminated from the tournament.
Player Tags: Brian Rast
Card Player TV: Brian Rast
Oct 22, '08
Card Player Tv catches up with Brian Rast on break at the 2008 WPT Festa Al Lago.
Player Tags: Brian Rast
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| Jun 16, '08 |
2008 39th Annual World Series of Poker |
Event 28 - Pot-Limit Omaha with Rebuys |
3 |
+ |
$5,000 Omaha Rebuy - End of Day
Jun 15, '08
Blinds: 8000/16000
Players Left: 9 of 152 (with 483 rebuys)
Chip Leaders:
Phil Galfond - 1,393,000
Brian Rast - 1,176,000
David Benyamine - 1,041,000
John Juanda - 694,000
Johnny Chan - 624,000
Kirill Gerasimov - 558,000
Daniel Negreanu - 460,000
Adam Hourani - 300,000
Phil Hellmuth - 119,000
Eliminations: Chris Ferguson, Emmanuel Sebag, Evan Sofer.
Storylines/Big Hands:
On a night the stars came out to play, it was one of the biggest who stepped away from the limelight to create the official final table for the $5000 Pot Limit Omaha with Rebuys tournament at the World Series of Poker.
 Chris "Jesus" Ferguson scrapped his way into the final seating of 10, but was eliminated 15 minutes into level 19 of the tournament. His departure left the stage to be shared by Phil Hellmuth (11 gold bracelets), Johnny Chan (10), Daniel Negreanu (4) and John Juanda (3), while others advancing include Phil Galfond, Brian Rast, Kirill Gerasimov, David Benyamine, and Adam Hourani.
Ferguson was eliminated when, from the small blind, he called a raise to 46,000 from Brian Rast in the cutoff. The flop came K98, and Ferguson checked. Rast bet 100,000 and Ferguson then pushed all-in for 203,000 more. Rast made the call and showed his hand to be AQJ10 for the huge straight wrap. Ferguson held AKQ10 for top pair and gut-shot straight potential. The turn was the 4 which gave Rast the flush draw as well, but it was the 10 on the river which completed Rast's straight draw that ended the evening's activities.
Besides the 28 gold bracelets that players at the final table can boast, the field has a combined 198 cashes in WSOP events, and has accumulated $13,167,982 in WSOP winnings.
It was a tense beginning to 10-handed play for Negreanu, a one-time chip leader in the event. Phil Galfond had raised to 30,000 preflop, Negreau called, and together they saw a flop of KJ8. Galfond bet 50,000 and Negreanu called to see the 3 on the turn. Galfond then checked and Negreanu used the opportunity to bet 150,000. Galfond then check-raised all-in for 412,000 more. Negreanu was committed to the call and showed J1098 for two pair and the open-ended straight draw. His two pair were mute however as Galfond had flopped top set holding KKQ7. The river bricked and Negreanu was knocked back to below 500,000 in chips.
While the final table is laden with stars, it is Galfond, Rast, and Benyamine who top the chip count, all with over 1,000,000 in chips. Hellmuth is the table shortstack with just over 100,000.
Final table play begins later today at 3 p.m.
Player Tags: Chris Ferguson, John Juanda, Daniel Negreanu, David Benyamine, Phil Hellmuth, Johnny Chan, Kirill Gerasimov, Brian Rast, Phil Galfond
$5,000 Omaha Rebuy - Level 18
Jun 15, '08
Blinds: 6000/12000
Players Left: 12 of 152 (with 483 rebuys)
Chip Leaders:
Daniel Negreanu - 1,100,000
David Benyamine - 830,000
Phil Galfond - 695,000
Brian Rast - 665,000
John Juanda - 630,000
Johnny Chan - 525,000
Kirill Gerasimov - 455,000
Adam Hourani - 400,000
Chris Ferguson - 270,000
Alexander Kostritsyn - 250,000
Eliminations: Jamie Pickering, Nikolay Evdakov.
Big Hands:
Negreanu Stares Down Chan
Five players limped into the pot for 12,000 and saw the flop come Q102. Negreanu led out for 30,000 from the big blind and play was folded to Johnny Chan on the button, who made the call. The 7 came on the turn and Negreanu bet 100,000 in chips. The stoic Chan deliberated, then made the call again. The A on the river brought the backdoor flush into play and Negreanu bet 180,000 in chips. Chan again contemplated, but elected to fold and Negreanu scooped the pot.
Negreanu was the big bettor in an earlier pot with Paul Galfond. After the board ran out 88775, Galfond bet 62,000 on the river and Negreanu then check-raised for 200,000 more. Galfond made the fold and Negreanu insisted that a straight was good though didn't show his cards.
Pickering Busted
Alexander Kostritsyn eliminated Jamie Pickering in 13th place when his KJ107 was good for two pair on a board of KQ1043.
Hellmuth Keeps Hanging On
Phil Hellmuth was down to his final 28,000 in chips and moved all-in from the button, drawing calls from John Juanda in the small blind and David Benyamine in the big blind. The flop came A107. Juanda and Benyamine checked and the turn was the 2. Both players again checked and the river was the K. Both players checked and Hellmuth collected the pot with the nut flush, holding AK86.
A few hands later Hellmuth limped from the cut-off as did John Juanda from the button. The flop came 852. After the blinds checked, Hellmuth bet 60,000 and took the pot down.
Player Tags: John Juanda, Daniel Negreanu, David Benyamine, Phil Hellmuth, Johnny Chan, Jamie Pickering, Brian Rast, Alexander Kostritsyn
$5,000 Omaha Rebuy - Level 17
Jun 15, '08
Blinds: 5000/10,000
Players Left: 15 of 152 (with 483 rebuys)
Chip Leaders:
Daniel Negreanu - 1,034,000
John Juanda - 950,000
Brian Rast - 920,000
Phil Galford - 730,000
Kirill Gerasimov - 630,000
Adam Hourani - 480,000
Johnny Chan - 480,000
David Benyamine - 280,000
Phil Hellmuth - 240,000
Evan Sofer - 155,000
Eliminations: Emmanuel Sebag, David Williams, Ted Lawson, Eliz Elezra, Birinder Nijran (bubble).
Big Hands:
Ten Times the Fun
 Daniel Negreanu is on a roll, and he picked the perfect time to do it. Once crippled down to 100,000 with the tournament bubble approaching, Negreanu doubled up the first hand of play once the field was narrowed to 18, then he eliminated David Williams for over 500,000 in chips.
It began with the first hand after players had drawn new seating assignments once the bubble had burst. Negreanu was the button and raised to 30,000, before being reraised all-in by Brian Rast in the big blind. Negreanu had 164,000 at the time and made the call with AAJ7. Rast held QJ98. The flop came 1086, and the 7 came on the turn. Rast had the straight while Negreanu was sitting with the flush draw. The Q on the river kept Negreanu alive and in position for his showdown with Williams. In that scenario, The flop came 7-3-2, followed by a 10 on the turn. Both players committed all their chips, Negreanu with A1077 for a set, while Williams held 10-9-8-7 for top two pair and open-ended straight draw. The Q on the river was a miss for Williams, who lost all of his 518,000 in chips. Negreanu had suddenly climbed to 1,034,000 in chips.
Rast Eliminates Elezra
Brian Rast gained back the chips he lost to Negreanu when he busted Eli Elezra out in 18th place. On a flop of 1096, Rast bet and Elezra went all-in for his final 230,000 in chips. Elezra had the nut flush draw while Rast held 8742 for the made straight. The 5 on the turn and 4 on the river made the straight good and Elezra was eliminated.
Lawson Done
After Johnny Chan raised to 45,000, Ted Lawson committed his final 100,000 in chips. Chan called and showed 7654. Lawson had pocket aces, but couldn't survive the board that ran out J6432.
Sebag Gains Ground
Emmanuel Sebag was part of a three-way flop for 25,000. After the flop came 952, Sebag bet 75,000 and took it down, increasing his stack to 225,000.
Phil Galfond was the player to eliminate Birinder Nijran in 19th place, the bubble position for the money.
Player Tags: Daniel Negreanu, Ted Lawson, Eli Elezra, David Williams, Brian Rast
$5,000 Omaha Rebuy - Level 16
Jun 15, '08
Blinds: 4000/8000
Players Left: 19 of 152 (with 483 rebuys)
Eliminations: Sigi Stockinger
Big Hands:
A Pair of Fours? Really?
 The conservative action of the previous couple hours erupted like Phil Hellmuth on tilt -- and he wasn't even in the hand or at the table. With play stuck at 20 players -- and 18 making the money -- John Juanda finally broke through in dramatic fashion. The hand began with Sigi Stockinger raising to 28,000 from early position. Emmanuel Sebag made the call, as did Daniel Negreanu from the button. Alex Kostritsyn decided to join the fun from the small blind, and action was to Juanda in the big blind. Fearlessly, Juanda announced "pot" and made it 168,000 to go. Stockinger was pot-committed, having just 41,000 in chips remaining. But Sebag elected to make the call, leaving himself with just 95,000 in chips. Negreanu and Kostyritsyn happily stepped aside.
The flop came 1054 and Juanda announced pot again, enough to put Sebag all-in. Sebag folded, and Juanda showed his holdings -- AKJ4. The four was the key card, the only pair standing at the time. Stockinger showed AKQJ, and had missed the flop completely. With the 7 on the turn and 2 on the river, Juanda took the massive pot down with a simple pair of fours. Negreanu said he folded the winner . . . but who didn't?
Hellmuth Continues to Tilt
Phil Hellmuth has engaged in verbal warfare with Brian Rast for several levels, but his latest befuddlement came courtesy David Williams -- an earlier sparring partner. The Q105 flop was followed by the 8 on the turn. Williams bet 50,000 and Hellmuth called. The 9 was the river and both players checked. Hellmuth announced "queens and 10s" with a considerable tone of expectation, but Williams rolled over J985 for the straight. "When do they change the dealers in this place?" asked Hellmuth. "I flop two pair and I'm too scared to bet it. This is ridiculous."
Rast Steams Hellmuth Further
Phil Hellmuth was attempting to convince the table that Brian Rast wouldn't make the final table, despite his position as chip leader. "You don't think he'll make the final table?" asked Johnny Chan. "I'll bet you a thousand that he does." Hellmuth backed off, but was still steaming after a hand in which Rast bet 35,000 from the button on the river with the board reading A8755. Hellmuth called and held 6-4-x-x for the bottom end straight. Rast showed 9622 for top straight. "He called 9-6-2-2 with three diamonds in his hand from the button," fumed Hellmuth.
Rast Rakes it In
When he wasn't sparring with Hellmuth, Rast was taking chips from fellow front-runner Kirill Gerasimov. After a flop of 1093, the K came on the turn. Rast bet 47,000 and Gerasimov called. The 4 on river produced a 104,000 bet from Rast, and Gerasimov called again. Rast showed AJ76 for the nut flush and took the monster pot down.
Kostritsyn Does Damage
Kostritsyn raised to 22,000 under the gun and Adam Hourani called. The flop came K97 and both players checked, The turn brought the 3 and Kostritsyn bet 32,000 which produced a call. The 5 hit the river and Kostritsyn bet 70,000, which Hourani again called. Kostritsyn showed J1086 and swept in the pot.
Player Tags: John Juanda, Daniel Negreanu, Phil Hellmuth, Kirill Gerasimov, David Williams, Emmanuel Sebag, Elias Hourani, Sigi Stockinger, Brian Rast, Alexander Kostritsyn
$5K PLO w/ Rebuys - Rast Gets Unlucky Again
Jun 16, '08
Blinds: 10,000/20,000
Players Left: 8 of 152 (with 483 rebuys)
Chip Leaders:
Phil Galfond - 1,450,000
David Benyamine - 950,000
John Juanda - 440,000
Johnny Chan - 2,000,000
Kirill Gerasimov - 800,000
Daniel Negreanu - 470,000
Adam Hourani - 300,000
Phil Hellmuth - 150,000
Eliminations: Brian "tsarrast" Rast (9th Place),
Storylines/Big Hands:
Patient Play Dominates
The final nine players seem content with patient play and limping has become the reoccuring theme thus far. The blinds are beggining to get a bit high, but only Phil Hellmuth is feeling desperate at the moment.
 Brian Rast Eliminated in 9th Place ($84,863)
Coming in as one of the chip leader didn't mean much as Brian Rast was the first to go. Rast had terrible luck at the final table, and it continued at the hands of Johnny Chan. Negreanu limped, Rast raised to 70,000 on the button and Chan called in the big blind. The flop came J43 and Chan checked. Rast bet 126,000 and Chan moved in. Rast made the call for his tournament life and revealed J1076 for top pair, a flush draw, a back door flush draw and a gutshot straight draw. Chan showed A979 for a lower pair, a better flush draw and not much else. Of course, against Rast the turn and river came QA to give Chan the pot with a lowly pair of aces. Rast was eliminated in ninth place.
No Longer Stuck
With the elimination of Rast, Daniel Negreanu has officially made a profit in this tournament. He was in for $85,000 in rebuys, and is now guaranteed to walk away with about $15,000.
Player Tags: John Juanda, Daniel Negreanu, David Benyamine, Phil Hellmuth, Johnny Chan, Kirill Gerasimov, Adam Hourani, Brian Rast, Phil Galfond
$5K PLO w/ Rebuys - A Frustrating Level For Rast
Jun 16, '08
Blinds: 8000/16000
Players Left: 9 of 152 (with 483 rebuys)
Chip Leaders:
Phil Galfond - 1,450,000
Brian Rast - 540,000
David Benyamine - 990,000
John Juanda - 480,000
Johnny Chan - 1,200,000
Kirill Gerasimov - 750,000
Daniel Negreanu - 550,000
Adam Hourani - 250,000
Phil Hellmuth - 160,000
Eliminations: None
Storylines/Big Hands:
 Phil Hellmuth Doubles Up Through David Benyamine
Action was folded around to Hellmuth in the small blind and he completed. Benyamine checked his option and the flop came K64. Hellmuth checked and Benyamine bet 25,000. Hellmuth made the call and the turn was the Q. Hellmuth moved all in and Benyamine made the call. Hellmuth revealed K-Q-9-7 for top two pair and Benyamine was behind with K-6-4-3 for a small kings up. The river was the Q and Hellmuth doubled up to around 240,000.
Johnny Chan Doubles Up Through Brian Rast
 Rast raised to 48,000 under the gun and Johnny Chan reraised the pot to 168,000. Rast moved him all in and Chan called. Rast showed down AA54and Chan showed....AA92. The flop came down Q102 and what looked like a chop turned into nearly a freeroll for Rast. The turn was the 4 but the river was the 2 giving Chan trip twos and the entire pot to double up to 1.2 million.
We can't tell with all that black on, but it looks like Hellmuth is starting to sweat just a little bit.
Phil Hellmuth Doubles Through Brian Rast
Brian Rast just can't catch a break. He raised to 34,000 and Hellmuth moved all in for 66,000. Rast called and showed down the best hand once again with AA22. Hellmuth needed a little help with KK54. The board ran out J88KJ and Hellmuth caught a king on the turn to stay alive and keep his 12th bracelet hopes alive.
Rast, who has been berated by Hellmuth for his "awful" play thus far, is doing his best to not get frustrated.
NOTE: The players then took a 10-minute break.
Player Tags: John Juanda, Daniel Negreanu, David Benyamine, Phil Hellmuth, Johnny Chan, Kirill Gerasimov, Adam Hourani, Brian Rast, Phil Galfond
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| Jun 15, '08 |
2008 39th Annual World Series of Poker |
Event 28 - Pot-Limit Omaha with Rebuys |
2 |
+ |
$5,000 Omaha Rebuy - End of Day
Jun 15, '08
Blinds: 8000/16000
Players Left: 9 of 152 (with 483 rebuys)
Chip Leaders:
Phil Galfond - 1,393,000
Brian Rast - 1,176,000
David Benyamine - 1,041,000
John Juanda - 694,000
Johnny Chan - 624,000
Kirill Gerasimov - 558,000
Daniel Negreanu - 460,000
Adam Hourani - 300,000
Phil Hellmuth - 119,000
Eliminations: Chris Ferguson, Emmanuel Sebag, Evan Sofer.
Storylines/Big Hands:
On a night the stars came out to play, it was one of the biggest who stepped away from the limelight to create the official final table for the $5000 Pot Limit Omaha with Rebuys tournament at the World Series of Poker.
Chris "Jesus" Ferguson scrapped his way into the final seating of 10, but was eliminated 15 minutes into level 19 of the tournament. His departure left the stage to be shared by Phil Hellmuth (11 gold bracelets), Johnny Chan (10), Daniel Negreanu (4) and John Juanda (3), while others advancing include Phil Galfond, Brian Rast, Kirill Gerasimov, David Benyamine, and Adam Hourani.
Ferguson was eliminated when, from the small blind, he called a raise to 46,000 from Brian Rast in the cutoff. The flop came K98, and Ferguson checked. Rast bet 100,000 and Ferguson then pushed all-in for 203,000 more. Rast made the call and showed his hand to be AQJ10 for the huge straight wrap. Ferguson held AKQ10 for top pair and gut-shot straight potential. The turn was the 4 which gave Rast the flush draw as well, but it was the 10 on the river which completed Rast's straight draw that ended the evening's activities.
Besides the 28 gold bracelets that players at the final table can boast, the field has a combined 198 cashes in WSOP events, and has accumulated $13,167,982 in WSOP winnings.
It was a tense beginning to 10-handed play for Negreanu, a one-time chip leader in the event. Phil Galfond had raised to 30,000 preflop, Negreau called, and together they saw a flop of KJ8. Galfond bet 50,000 and Negreanu called to see the 3 on the turn. Galfond then checked and Negreanu used the opportunity to bet 150,000. Galfond then check-raised all-in for 412,000 more. Negreanu was committed to the call and showed J1098 for two pair and the open-ended straight draw. His two pair were mute however as Galfond had flopped top set holding KKQ7. The river bricked and Negreanu was knocked back to below 500,000 in chips.
While the final table is laden with stars, it is Galfond, Rast, and Benyamine who top the chip count, all with over 1,000,000 in chips. Hellmuth is the table shortstack with just over 100,000.
Final table play begins later today at 3 p.m.
Player Tags: Chris Ferguson, John Juanda, Daniel Negreanu, David Benyamine, Phil Hellmuth, Johnny Chan, Kirill Gerasimov, Brian Rast, Phil Galfond
$5,000 Omaha Rebuy - Level 18
Jun 15, '08
Blinds: 6000/12000
Players Left: 12 of 152 (with 483 rebuys)
Chip Leaders:
Daniel Negreanu - 1,100,000
David Benyamine - 830,000
Phil Galfond - 695,000
Brian Rast - 665,000
John Juanda - 630,000
Johnny Chan - 525,000
Kirill Gerasimov - 455,000
Adam Hourani - 400,000
Chris Ferguson - 270,000
Alexander Kostritsyn - 250,000
Eliminations: Jamie Pickering, Nikolay Evdakov.
Big Hands:
Negreanu Stares Down Chan
Five players limped into the pot for 12,000 and saw the flop come Q102. Negreanu led out for 30,000 from the big blind and play was folded to Johnny Chan on the button, who made the call. The 7 came on the turn and Negreanu bet 100,000 in chips. The stoic Chan deliberated, then made the call again. The A on the river brought the backdoor flush into play and Negreanu bet 180,000 in chips. Chan again contemplated, but elected to fold and Negreanu scooped the pot.
Negreanu was the big bettor in an earlier pot with Paul Galfond. After the board ran out 88775, Galfond bet 62,000 on the river and Negreanu then check-raised for 200,000 more. Galfond made the fold and Negreanu insisted that a straight was good though didn't show his cards.
Pickering Busted
Alexander Kostritsyn eliminated Jamie Pickering in 13th place when his KJ107 was good for two pair on a board of KQ1043.
Hellmuth Keeps Hanging On
Phil Hellmuth was down to his final 28,000 in chips and moved all-in from the button, drawing calls from John Juanda in the small blind and David Benyamine in the big blind. The flop came A107. Juanda and Benyamine checked and the turn was the 2. Both players again checked and the river was the K. Both players checked and Hellmuth collected the pot with the nut flush, holding AK86.
A few hands later Hellmuth limped from the cut-off as did John Juanda from the button. The flop came 852. After the blinds checked, Hellmuth bet 60,000 and took the pot down.
Player Tags: John Juanda, Daniel Negreanu, David Benyamine, Phil Hellmuth, Johnny Chan, Jamie Pickering, Brian Rast, Alexander Kostritsyn
$5,000 Omaha Rebuy - Level 17
Jun 15, '08
Blinds: 5000/10,000
Players Left: 15 of 152 (with 483 rebuys)
Chip Leaders:
Daniel Negreanu - 1,034,000
John Juanda - 950,000
Brian Rast - 920,000
Phil Galford - 730,000
Kirill Gerasimov - 630,000
Adam Hourani - 480,000
Johnny Chan - 480,000
David Benyamine - 280,000
Phil Hellmuth - 240,000
Evan Sofer - 155,000
Eliminations: Emmanuel Sebag, David Williams, Ted Lawson, Eliz Elezra, Birinder Nijran (bubble).
Big Hands:
Ten Times the Fun
Daniel Negreanu is on a roll, and he picked the perfect time to do it. Once crippled down to 100,000 with the tournament bubble approaching, Negreanu doubled up the first hand of play once the field was narrowed to 18, then he eliminated David Williams for over 500,000 in chips.
It began with the first hand after players had drawn new seating assignments once the bubble had burst. Negreanu was the button and raised to 30,000, before being reraised all-in by Brian Rast in the big blind. Negreanu had 164,000 at the time and made the call with AAJ7. Rast held QJ98. The flop came 1086, and the 7 came on the turn. Rast had the straight while Negreanu was sitting with the flush draw. The Q on the river kept Negreanu alive and in position for his showdown with Williams. In that scenario, The flop came 7-3-2, followed by a 10 on the turn. Both players committed all their chips, Negreanu with A1077 for a set, while Williams held 10-9-8-7 for top two pair and open-ended straight draw. The Q on the river was a miss for Williams, who lost all of his 518,000 in chips. Negreanu had suddenly climbed to 1,034,000 in chips.
Rast Eliminates Elezra
Brian Rast gained back the chips he lost to Negreanu when he busted Eli Elezra out in 18th place. On a flop of 1096, Rast bet and Elezra went all-in for his final 230,000 in chips. Elezra had the nut flush draw while Rast held 8742 for the made straight. The 5 on the turn and 4 on the river made the straight good and Elezra was eliminated.
Lawson Done
After Johnny Chan raised to 45,000, Ted Lawson committed his final 100,000 in chips. Chan called and showed 7654. Lawson had pocket aces, but couldn't survive the board that ran out J6432.
Sebag Gains Ground
Emmanuel Sebag was part of a three-way flop for 25,000. After the flop came 952, Sebag bet 75,000 and took it down, increasing his stack to 225,000.
Phil Galfond was the player to eliminate Birinder Nijran in 19th place, the bubble position for the money.
Player Tags: Daniel Negreanu, Ted Lawson, Eli Elezra, David Williams, Brian Rast
$5,000 Omaha Rebuy - Level 16
Jun 15, '08
Blinds: 4000/8000
Players Left: 19 of 152 (with 483 rebuys)
Eliminations: Sigi Stockinger
Big Hands:
A Pair of Fours? Really?
The conservative action of the previous couple hours erupted like Phil Hellmuth on tilt -- and he wasn't even in the hand or at the table. With play stuck at 20 players -- and 18 making the money -- John Juanda finally broke through in dramatic fashion. The hand began with Sigi Stockinger raising to 28,000 from early position. Emmanuel Sebag made the call, as did Daniel Negreanu from the button. Alex Kostritsyn decided to join the fun from the small blind, and action was to Juanda in the big blind. Fearlessly, Juanda announced "pot" and made it 168,000 to go. Stockinger was pot-committed, having just 41,000 in chips remaining. But Sebag elected to make the call, leaving himself with just 95,000 in chips. Negreanu and Kostyritsyn happily stepped aside.
The flop came 1054 and Juanda announced pot again, enough to put Sebag all-in. Sebag folded, and Juanda showed his holdings -- AKJ4. The four was the key card, the only pair standing at the time. Stockinger showed AKQJ, and had missed the flop completely. With the 7 on the turn and 2 on the river, Juanda took the massive pot down with a simple pair of fours. Negreanu said he folded the winner . . . but who didn't?
Hellmuth Continues to Tilt
Phil Hellmuth has engaged in verbal warfare with Brian Rast for several levels, but his latest befuddlement came courtesy David Williams -- an earlier sparring partner. The Q105 flop was followed by the 8 on the turn. Williams bet 50,000 and Hellmuth called. The 9 was the river and both players checked. Hellmuth announced "queens and 10s" with a considerable tone of expectation, but Williams rolled over J985 for the straight. "When do they change the dealers in this place?" asked Hellmuth. "I flop two pair and I'm too scared to bet it. This is ridiculous."
Rast Steams Hellmuth Further
Phil Hellmuth was attempting to convince the table that Brian Rast wouldn't make the final table, despite his position as chip leader. "You don't think he'll make the final table?" asked Johnny Chan. "I'll bet you a thousand that he does." Hellmuth backed off, but was still steaming after a hand in which Rast bet 35,000 from the button on the river with the board reading A8755. Hellmuth called and held 6-4-x-x for the bottom end straight. Rast showed 9622 for top straight. "He called 9-6-2-2 with three diamonds in his hand from the button," fumed Hellmuth.
Rast Rakes it In
When he wasn't sparring with Hellmuth, Rast was taking chips from fellow front-runner Kirill Gerasimov. After a flop of 1093, the K came on the turn. Rast bet 47,000 and Gerasimov called. The 4 on river produced a 104,000 bet from Rast, and Gerasimov called again. Rast showed AJ76 for the nut flush and took the monster pot down.
Kostritsyn Does Damage
Kostritsyn raised to 22,000 under the gun and Adam Hourani called. The flop came K97 and both players checked, The turn brought the 3 and Kostritsyn bet 32,000 which produced a call. The 5 hit the river and Kostritsyn bet 70,000, which Hourani again called. Kostritsyn showed J1086 and swept in the pot.
Player Tags: John Juanda, Daniel Negreanu, Phil Hellmuth, Kirill Gerasimov, David Williams, Emmanuel Sebag, Elias Hourani, Sigi Stockinger, Brian Rast, Alexander Kostritsyn
$5K PLO w/ Rebuys - Rast Gets Unlucky Again
Jun 16, '08
Blinds: 10,000/20,000
Players Left: 8 of 152 (with 483 rebuys)
Chip Leaders:
Phil Galfond - 1,450,000
David Benyamine - 950,000
John Juanda - 440,000
Johnny Chan - 2,000,000
Kirill Gerasimov - 800,000
Daniel Negreanu - 470,000
Adam Hourani - 300,000
Phil Hellmuth - 150,000
Eliminations: Brian "tsarrast" Rast (9th Place),
Storylines/Big Hands:
Patient Play Dominates
The final nine players seem content with patient play and limping has become the reoccuring theme thus far. The blinds are beggining to get a bit high, but only Phil Hellmuth is feeling desperate at the moment.
Brian Rast Eliminated in 9th Place ($84,863)
Coming in as one of the chip leader didn't mean much as Brian Rast was the first to go. Rast had terrible luck at the final table, and it continued at the hands of Johnny Chan. Negreanu limped, Rast raised to 70,000 on the button and Chan called in the big blind. The flop came J43 and Chan checked. Rast bet 126,000 and Chan moved in. Rast made the call for his tournament life and revealed J1076 for top pair, a flush draw, a back door flush draw and a gutshot straight draw. Chan showed A979 for a lower pair, a better flush draw and not much else. Of course, against Rast the turn and river came QA to give Chan the pot with a lowly pair of aces. Rast was eliminated in ninth place.
No Longer Stuck
With the elimination of Rast, Daniel Negreanu has officially made a profit in this tournament. He was in for $85,000 in rebuys, and is now guaranteed to walk away with about $15,000.
Player Tags: John Juanda, Daniel Negreanu, David Benyamine, Phil Hellmuth, Johnny Chan, Kirill Gerasimov, Adam Hourani, Brian Rast, Phil Galfond
$5K PLO w/ Rebuys - A Frustrating Level For Rast
Jun 16, '08
Blinds: 8000/16000
Players Left: 9 of 152 (with 483 rebuys)
Chip Leaders:
Phil Galfond - 1,450,000
Brian Rast - 540,000
David Benyamine - 990,000
John Juanda - 480,000
Johnny Chan - 1,200,000
Kirill Gerasimov - 750,000
Daniel Negreanu - 550,000
Adam Hourani - 250,000
Phil Hellmuth - 160,000
Eliminations: None
Storylines/Big Hands:
Phil Hellmuth Doubles Up Through David Benyamine
Action was folded around to Hellmuth in the small blind and he completed. Benyamine checked his option and the flop came K64. Hellmuth checked and Benyamine bet 25,000. Hellmuth made the call and the turn was the Q. Hellmuth moved all in and Benyamine made the call. Hellmuth revealed K-Q-9-7 for top two pair and Benyamine was behind with K-6-4-3 for a small kings up. The river was the Q and Hellmuth doubled up to around 240,000.
Johnny Chan Doubles Up Through Brian Rast
Rast raised to 48,000 under the gun and Johnny Chan reraised the pot to 168,000. Rast moved him all in and Chan called. Rast showed down AA54and Chan showed....AA92. The flop came down Q102 and what looked like a chop turned into nearly a freeroll for Rast. The turn was the 4 but the river was the 2 giving Chan trip twos and the entire pot to double up to 1.2 million.
We can't tell with all that black on, but it looks like Hellmuth is starting to sweat just a little bit.
Phil Hellmuth Doubles Through Brian Rast
Brian Rast just can't catch a break. He raised to 34,000 and Hellmuth moved all in for 66,000. Rast called and showed down the best hand once again with AA22. Hellmuth needed a little help with KK54. The board ran out J88KJ and Hellmuth caught a king on the turn to stay alive and keep his 12th bracelet hopes alive.
Rast, who has been berated by Hellmuth for his "awful" play thus far, is doing his best to not get frustrated.
NOTE: The players then took a 10-minute break.
Player Tags: John Juanda, Daniel Negreanu, David Benyamine, Phil Hellmuth, Johnny Chan, Kirill Gerasimov, Adam Hourani, Brian Rast, Phil Galfond
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