David Tran Poker Tournament Updates

Level 1 Update: David Tran, Chris McCormack Eliminated

May 31, '09

Blinds: 25-25

Players Remaining: 2,990 out of 3,021

Notable Eliminations:

David Tran
Chris McCormack

Big Hands:

David Tran Eliminated

Down to his last 50 in chips, David Tran checks his option from the big blind with 4 limpers in front of him. The flop comes 876, and Tran moves all in for his last 25. The player in seat 2 calls and they turn over their cards. Tran turns over 74 for middle pair with a gutshot straight draw, but seat 2 shows 109 for the made nut straight. Tran makes his straight on the turn when the 5 hits the board, but he is now drawing dead to the river. The river is the 9 and David Tran is eliminated from the event.

Chris McCormack Eliminated

Chris McCormack was eliminated early in Level 1 when he ran his five-high flush into a king-high flush with the ace on board. McCormack is just one of several pros to be busted from this tournament in the first few minutes.

Jimmy Tran, Back to Even

After collecting a few buy-ins and building up a decent stack, Jimmy Tran gets involved in this pot, with a flop of KQ7. Tran checks to the button who bets 300, Tran calls. The turn is the 10, and once again Tran checks to the button who this time bets 800, Tran calls. The river is the 3 and both players check. Tran shows QQ for a set of queens, but the player on the button turns over 54 for a small flush. The player on the button rakes the pot and Jimmy Tran smiles as he riffles through the rest of chips. “Back to even”, he laughs.

“The Dragon” Off to a Slow Start

The player in seat 1 raises to 125 from middle position and David Pham calls from the small blind. The flop comes 982, and Pham leads out for 175. Seat 10 raises to 400 and Pham calls. The turn is the Q, and this time Pham checks. Seat 10 bets 500 and Pham folds after a few minutes in the tank. After this hand Pham is down to 1,600 in chips.

Left In The Deck:

Even in the massive, sold-out field for the event, professional players Jonathan Little and Matthew Glantz have found themselves at the same table among an ocean of amateurs.

Player Tags: David Tran,   David Pham,   Jimmy Tran,   Matthew Glantz,   Jonathan Little

$1,500 No-Limit Hold'em - Level 18

Jun 29, '08

Players are now on a 20-minute break.

Blinds: 6000/12000 with 1000 ante

Players Left: 18 of 2,718

Chip Leaders:

Rasmus Nielsen - 1,250,000
John Conroy - 760,000
J.C. Tran - 690,000
Peter Nguyen - 600,000
Paul Kim - 585,000
Jesper Hogg - 555,000
Joe Pelton - 490,000
Chad Siu - 465,000
Jason Mounrey - 450,000
Brett Switzer - 315,000

Eliminations: Tommy Vu (19th), Kirby Brewer (20), David Tran (21), Neil Deitsch (22), Augusto Cavazzini (23).
Big Hands

Conroy On a Convoy To Success

John Conroy is on a roll, but it was Anderson Silva who gave him the big push. The two players saw a flop come K62, and after a bet and a raise, Conroy was suddenly all-in for his 307,000 in chips. He flipped over AK for top pair top kicker, and Silva was a distant second with KJ. The 4 on the turn and 2 on the river sent the massive pot to Conroy.

Conroy then added David Tran to the ranks of the eliminated. Tran moved all-in with 1010 and Conroy made the call with A10. An ace hit on the flop and Tran was destined for 21st place overall. Conroy topped the 700,000 mark with the two victories.

Moungey Makes Easy Call

Jason Moungey watched as Kirby Brewer moved all-in from under the gun for his final 70,000. Moungey called and showed AK. Brewers held K9. An ace on the flop virtually clinched the win for Moungey, with the board running out A-7-6-9-2.

Tran Bounces Nguyen

J.C. Tran raised and Men Nguyen pronounced all-in. It was an easy call for Tran, holding aces, while Nguyen was eventually eliminated having held six-three offsuit.

Black Busted

Andy Black was in the small blind and facing a raise from chip leader Rasmus Nielsen. Black pushed out 100,000 in chips and Nielsen reraised all-in which Black called. Black held AQ but had run into the KK of Nielsen and was eliminated.
 

Player Tags: J.C. Tran,   David Tran,   Men Nguyen,   Andy Black,   Kirby Brewer,   Anderson Silva,   Jason Moungey

$1,500 No Limit Hold'em - The Dragon Soars

Jun 29, '08

Players are now on a 60-minute lunch break.

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

Entrants: 65 of 2,718

Chip Counts:
Peter Nguyen: 370,000
Men Nguyen: 275,000
Jason Moungey: 253,000
Tommy Vu: 250,000
Andrew Black: 240,000
Joe Pelton: 230,000
Frank Nichols: 220,000
Jian Chen: 210,000
Greg Mueller: 210,000
Paul Kim: 210,000

Big Hands and Storylines:

Dragon Heart

David "the Dragon" Pham got all in preflop and his JJ was in horrible shape against Manny Manay's AA. But when the A62 flopped, Pham perked up because he was the only player with a heart in his hand. The turn was a meaningless 5 but the river brought just what the dragon ordered - the 9 to give him a flush and boost his stack to 94,000.

Khan Loses Race on River, David Tran Doubles

Facing David Tran's raise of 6,000, Hevad Khan moved all in. After much thought, Tran called. Khan showed 44 and was up against Tran's AQ in a race. The board ran 9722 and Khan, who had Tran covered, looked like he was about to eliminate his opponent. But the river brought the A and Khan took a major hit to his stack, dropping to around 35,000 while Tran doubled to 170,000.

Player Tags: David Tran,   David Pham,   Hevad Khan

Steve Wong Eliminated in 31st Place ($65,955)

Apr 23, '08

David Tran raises to 50,000 and Steve Wong calls in the cutoff. The flop comes Q92 and Tran checks. Wong moves all in for over 300,000 and Tran instantly calls with KK. Wong shows 98 and the turn and river come 75 to give Tran the pot.

Wong is eliminated in 31st place and earns $65,955.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Player Tags: David Tran,   Steve Wong

David Tran Doubles Up Through Martin De Knijff

Apr 23, '08

David Tran is all in preflop for 698,000 with QQ against Martin De Knijff's AK. De Knijff has just 10,000 more than Tran, so whoever loses this race situation will either be eliminated or crippled.

The flop comes Q108, and Tran takes a big lead with a set of queens, while De Knijff has a gutshot straight draw.

The turn is the 4, the river is the 9, and David Tran wins the pot to double up to more than 1.4 million in chips. Martin De Knijff is crippled down to just 10,000.

De Knijff is all in from middle position for 8,000 on the next hand (minus his ante), and Jeff Shulman completes from the small blind for 12,000. Matt Giannetti checks his option in the big blind. The flop comes 875, Shulman bets 15,000, and Giannetti calls. The turn is the 4, and both players check the sidepot. The river is the Q, and they check again.

Shulman shows 95 to win the side pot with a pair of fives, and Giannetti mucks. Martin De Knijff shows Q10 to win the main pot with a pair of queens, and he triples up to 38,000.

 

 

 

 

Player Tags: David Tran

Table #54, Hands #65-68: David Tran Eliminated in 14th Place ($131,910)

Apr 24, '08

The blinds are still 30,000-60,000 with a 5,000 ante.

Bryan Devonshire moves over from the other table to sit in seat 3.

Hand #65  -  Michael Gracz has the button in seat 9, Gus Hansen raises from middle position to 210,000, Gracz reraises from the button to 850,000, and Hansen folds. Michael Gracz takes the pot.

Hand #66  -  Karga Holt has the button in seat 1, and David Tran raises from early position to 210,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand #67  -  David Chiu has the button in seat 2, Robert Mizrachi raises from middle position to 175,000, Gus Hansen reraises from the big blind to 1.1 million, and Mizrachi calls with KQ. Hansen shows A8, and Mizrachi needs to improve to survive.

The board comes 543A2, putting a five-high straight on the board to chop the pot.

After the hand, Gus says, "I can't complain about the last two outcomes -- winning with ace-three and tying with ace-eight."

Hand #68  -  Bryan Devonshire has the button in seat 3, Gus Hansen completes from the small blind for 60,000, and David Tran checks his option in the big blind. The flop comes 432, Hansen checks, Tran bets 200,000, Hansen check-raises to 1.1 million, Tran moves all in, and Hansen calls with AA for a pair of aces with a gutshot straight draw. Tran shows Q4 for a pair of fours, and he'll need to improve to survive.

The turn is the K, the river is the J, and Gus Hansen wins the pot with his pocket aces.

David Tran is eliminated in 14th place, earning $131,910.
 

Player Tags: David Tran,   Nick Binger

Table #54, Hands #54-56: Last Hands Before the Break

Apr 24, '08

Blinds still at 20,000-40,000 with a 5,000 ante.

Hand #54  -  Gus Hansen has the button in seat 5, Karga Holt raises from late position to 120,000, David Chiu calls from the cutoff, Gus Hansen calls from the button, and Nick Binger calls from the big blind. The flop comes KJ10, Binger and Holt check, Chiu bets 350,000, and everyone folds. David Chiu takes the pot.

Hand #55  -  David Tran has the button in seat 6, Karga Holt limps from early position for 40,000, Gus Hansen limps from the cutoff, Nick Binger completes from the small blind, and Robert Mizrachi checks his option in the big blind. The flop comes J97, Binger and Mizrachi check, Holt bets 150,000, Hansen and Binger both fold, and Mizrachi calls. The turn is the Q, Mizrachi checks, Holt moves all in, and Mizrachi folds. Karga Holt takes the pot.

Hand #56  -  Nick Binger has the button in seat 7, Gus Hansen raises from late position to 125,000, David Tran calls from the cutoff, Michael Gracz moves all in from the big blind, and Hansen and Tran both fold. Michael Gracz shows J-J as he collectst he pot.

The players take a 15-minute break before Level 22 begins.
 

Player Tags: David Tran,   Gus Hansen,   David Chiu,   Michael Binger,   Karga Holt

Table #54, Hands #50-53

Apr 24, '08

Hand #50  -  Robert Mizrachi has the button in seat 8, Gus Hansen raises from early position to 125,000, and Karga Holt calls from the big blind. The flop comes AA7, Holt checks, Hansen bets 170,000, and Holt calls. The turn is the 4, and both players check. The river is the Q, Holt checks, Hansen bets 500,000, and Holt calls. Gus Hansen shows A9 to win the pot with trip aces, and Karga Holt mucks.

Hand #51  -  Michael Gracz has the button in seat 9, Robert Mizrachi raises from the cutoff to 100,000, and David Chiu calls from the big blind. The flop comes J44, Chiu checks, Mizrachi bets 160,000, and Chiu calls. The turn is the 9, and both players check. The river is the 8, and they check again. Chiu shows QJ for two pair, jacks and fours, and Mizrachi mucks. David Chiu wins the pot.

Hand #52  -  Karga Holt has the button in seat 1, Nick Binger raises from early position to 110,000, Robert Mizrachi reraises from late position to 510,000, and Binger folds A10 face up. Robert Mizrachi takes the pot.

Hand #53  -  David Chiu has the button in seat 2, and Gus Hansen enters the pot from the small blind, while David Tran plays from the big blind. (We're unsure of the preflop action.) The flop comes J106, and both players check. The turn is the A, Hansen checks, Tran bets 120,000, and Hansen folds. David Tran takes the pot.

Player Tags: Robert Mizrachi,   David Tran,   Michael Gracz,   Gus Hansen,   Karga Holt,   Nick Binger

Table #54, Hands #46-49

Apr 24, '08

Blinds still at 20,000-40,000 with a 5,000 ante.

Hand #46  -  David Chiu has the button in seat 2, Robert Mizrachi raises from early position to 100,000, Karga Holt calls from the cutoff, David Tran reraises from the big blind to 400,000, and Mizrachi and Holt both fold. David Tran takes the pot.

Hand #47  -  Gus Hansen has the button in seat 5, and he raises to 125,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand #48  -  David Tran has the button in seat 6, David Chiu raises from late position to 110,000, Gus Hansen reraises from the cutoff to 420,000, and Chiu tanks for about four minutes before he folds. Gus Hansen takes the pot.

Hand #49  -  Nick Binger has the button in seat 7, Gus Hansen raises from late position to 120,000, Michael Gracz moves all in from the big blind for 815,000, and Hansen folds. Michael Gracz takes the pot.
 

Player Tags: Robert Mizrachi,   David Tran,   Michael Gracz,   Gus Hansen,   David Chiu,   Karga Holt,   Nick Binger

Table #54, Hands #33-40

Apr 24, '08

Blinds still at 20,000-40,000 with a 5,000 ante.

Hand #33  -  Gus Hansen has the button in seat 5, David Chiu raises from the cutoff to 90,000, Hansen calls from the button, and David Tran calls from the small blind. The flop comes A109, Tran checks, Chiu bets 260,000, and Hansen and Tran both fold. David Chiu takes the pot.

Hand #34  -  David Tran has the button in seat 6, and Nick Binger raises from the small blind to 120,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand #35  -  Nick Binger has the button in seat 7, and David Chiu raises from middle position to 85,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand #36  -  Robert Mizrachi has the button in seat 8, Gus Hansen raises from early position to 120,000, Nick Binger reraises from the cutoff to 300,000, and Hansen folds. Nick Binger takes the pot.

Hand #37  -  Michael Gracz has the button in seat 9, David Tran raises from middle position to 120,000, Gracz moves all in from the button for 760,000, and Tran folds. Michael Gracz takes the pot.

Hand #38  -  Karga Holt has the button in seat 1, David Tran limps under the gun for 40,000, Nick Binger limps from early position, Gus Hansen raises from the big blind to 260,000, and Tran and Binger both fold. Gus Hansen takes the pot.

Hand #39  -  David Chiu has the button in seat 2, and Robert Mizrachi raises from early position to 115,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand #40  -  Gus Hansen has the button in seat 5, and Robert Mizrachi raises under the gun to 115,000, winning the blinds and antes.
 

Player Tags: David Tran,   Michael Gracz,   Gus Hansen,   David Chiu,   Karga Holt,   Nick Binger

Table #54, Hands #26-32

Apr 24, '08

Blinds still at 20,000-40,000 with a 5,000 ante.

Hand #26  -  Gus Hansen has the button in seat 5, and he raises to 120,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand #27  -  David Tran has the button in seat 6, Michael Gracz raises under the gun to 120,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand #28  -  Nick Binger has the button in seat 7, and Robert Mizrachi raises from the small blind to 120,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand #29  -  Robert Mizrachi has the button in seat 8, David Tran raises from late position to 115,000, Michael Gracz calls from the small blind, Karga Holt moves all in from the big blind, Tran folds, and Gracz calls with 66. Holt shows [8d8s], and he's a favorite to double up here.

The board comes [1053105, and Holt wins the pot with two pair, tens and eights, doubling up in chips.

Hand #30  -  Michael Gracz has the button in seat 9, Robert Mizrachi raises from the cutoff to 115,000, Karga Holt reraises from the small blind to 390,000, and Mizrachi folds. Karga Holt takes the pot.

Hand #31  -  Karga Holt has the button in seat 1, and everyone folds to Gus Hansen, giving him a walk in the big blind.

Hand #32  -  David Chiu has the button in seat 2, and Michael Gracz raises from late position to 120,000, winning the blinds and antes.
 

Player Tags: Robert Mizrachi,   David Tran,   Michael Gracz,   Gus Hansen,   Karga Holt,   Nick Binger

Table #54, Hands #17-20: Gus Hansen Always Tries to be a Hero

Apr 24, '08

Blinds increase to 20,000-40,000 with a 5,000 ante.

Hand #17  -  Karga Holt has the button in seat 1, David Tran raises under the gun to 115,000, David Chiu reraises from the small blind to 415,000, and Tran calls. The flop comes 1066, Chiu bets 400,000, and Tran folds. David Chiu takes the pot.

Hand #18  -  David Chiu has the button in seat 2, and Gus Hansen raises from the small blind to 125,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand #19  -  Gus Hansen has the button in seat 5, and David Chiu raises from the cutoff to 120,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand #20  -  David Tran has the button in seat 6, Karga Holt raises from early position to 120,000, Gus Hansen calls from the cutoff, and Robert Mizrachi calls from the big blind. The flop comes K54, and Mizrachi and Holt both check. Hansen eyes both of their stacks before moving all in.

Holt says, "Are you trying to be a hero?" Hansen replies, "I always try." Mizrachi and Holt both fold, and Gus Hansen takes the pot.

 

Player Tags: Robert Mizrachi,   David Tran,   Gus Hansen,   David Chiu,   Karga Holt

Table #54, Hands #6-10: Gus Hansen Keeps Up the Pressure

Apr 24, '08

Blinds are still 15,000-30,000 with a 4,000 ante.

Hand #6  -  David Tran has the button in seat 6, and Gus Hansen raises from the cutoff to 98,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand #7  -  Nick Binger has the button in seat 7, Gus Hansen raises from late position to 98,000, and Robert Mizrachi calls from the small blind. The flop comes K32, Mizrachi checks, Hansen bets 366,000, and Mizrachi folds. Gus Hansen takes the pot.

Hand #8  -  Robert Mizrachi has the button in seat 8, and Gus Hansen raises from early position to 98,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand #9  -  Michael Gracz has the button in seat 9, and he raises to 90,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand #10  -  Karga Holt has the button in seat 1, and everyone folds to David Chiu in the small blind, who folds 94 face up. Gus Hansen gets a walk in the big blind.
 

Player Tags: Robert Mizrachi,   David Tran,   Gus Hansen,   David Chiu,   Karga Holt,   Nick Binger

Steve Wong Eliminated in 31st Place ($65,955)

Apr 23, '08

David Tran raises to 50,000 and Steve Wong calls in the cutoff. The flop comes Q92 and Tran checks. Wong moves all in for over 300,000 and Tran instantly calls with KK. Wong shows 98 and the turn and river come 75 to give Tran the pot.

Wong is eliminated in 31st place and earns $65,955.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Player Tags: David Tran,   Steve Wong

David Tran Doubles Up Through Martin De Knijff

Apr 23, '08

David Tran is all in preflop for 698,000 with QQ against Martin De Knijff's AK. De Knijff has just 10,000 more than Tran, so whoever loses this race situation will either be eliminated or crippled.

The flop comes Q108, and Tran takes a big lead with a set of queens, while De Knijff has a gutshot straight draw.

The turn is the 4, the river is the 9, and David Tran wins the pot to double up to more than 1.4 million in chips. Martin De Knijff is crippled down to just 10,000.

De Knijff is all in from middle position for 8,000 on the next hand (minus his ante), and Jeff Shulman completes from the small blind for 12,000. Matt Giannetti checks his option in the big blind. The flop comes 875, Shulman bets 15,000, and Giannetti calls. The turn is the 4, and both players check the sidepot. The river is the Q, and they check again.

Shulman shows 95 to win the side pot with a pair of fives, and Giannetti mucks. Martin De Knijff shows Q10 to win the main pot with a pair of queens, and he triples up to 38,000.

 

 

 

 

Player Tags: David Tran

Table #54, Hands #65-68: David Tran Eliminated in 14th Place ($131,910)

Apr 24, '08

The blinds are still 30,000-60,000 with a 5,000 ante.

Bryan Devonshire moves over from the other table to sit in seat 3.

Hand #65  -  Michael Gracz has the button in seat 9, Gus Hansen raises from middle position to 210,000, Gracz reraises from the button to 850,000, and Hansen folds. Michael Gracz takes the pot.

Hand #66  -  Karga Holt has the button in seat 1, and David Tran raises from early position to 210,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand #67  -  David Chiu has the button in seat 2, Robert Mizrachi raises from middle position to 175,000, Gus Hansen reraises from the big blind to 1.1 million, and Mizrachi calls with KQ. Hansen shows A8, and Mizrachi needs to improve to survive.

The board comes 543A2, putting a five-high straight on the board to chop the pot.

After the hand, Gus says, "I can't complain about the last two outcomes -- winning with ace-three and tying with ace-eight."

Hand #68  -  Bryan Devonshire has the button in seat 3, Gus Hansen completes from the small blind for 60,000, and David Tran checks his option in the big blind. The flop comes 432, Hansen checks, Tran bets 200,000, Hansen check-raises to 1.1 million, Tran moves all in, and Hansen calls with AA for a pair of aces with a gutshot straight draw. Tran shows Q4 for a pair of fours, and he'll need to improve to survive.

The turn is the K, the river is the J, and Gus Hansen wins the pot with his pocket aces.

David Tran is eliminated in 14th place, earning $131,910.
 

Player Tags: David Tran,   Nick Binger

Table #54, Hands #54-56: Last Hands Before the Break

Apr 24, '08

Blinds still at 20,000-40,000 with a 5,000 ante.

Hand #54  -  Gus Hansen has the button in seat 5, Karga Holt raises from late position to 120,000, David Chiu calls from the cutoff, Gus Hansen calls from the button, and Nick Binger calls from the big blind. The flop comes KJ10, Binger and Holt check, Chiu bets 350,000, and everyone folds. David Chiu takes the pot.

Hand #55  -  David Tran has the button in seat 6, Karga Holt limps from early position for 40,000, Gus Hansen limps from the cutoff, Nick Binger completes from the small blind, and Robert Mizrachi checks his option in the big blind. The flop comes J97, Binger and Mizrachi check, Holt bets 150,000, Hansen and Binger both fold, and Mizrachi calls. The turn is the Q, Mizrachi checks, Holt moves all in, and Mizrachi folds. Karga Holt takes the pot.

Hand #56  -  Nick Binger has the button in seat 7, Gus Hansen raises from late position to 125,000, David Tran calls from the cutoff, Michael Gracz moves all in from the big blind, and Hansen and Tran both fold. Michael Gracz shows J-J as he collectst he pot.

The players take a 15-minute break before Level 22 begins.
 

Player Tags: David Tran,   Gus Hansen,   David Chiu,   Michael Binger,   Karga Holt

Table #54, Hands #50-53

Apr 24, '08

Hand #50  -  Robert Mizrachi has the button in seat 8, Gus Hansen raises from early position to 125,000, and Karga Holt calls from the big blind. The flop comes AA7, Holt checks, Hansen bets 170,000, and Holt calls. The turn is the 4, and both players check. The river is the Q, Holt checks, Hansen bets 500,000, and Holt calls. Gus Hansen shows A9 to win the pot with trip aces, and Karga Holt mucks.

Hand #51  -  Michael Gracz has the button in seat 9, Robert Mizrachi raises from the cutoff to 100,000, and David Chiu calls from the big blind. The flop comes J44, Chiu checks, Mizrachi bets 160,000, and Chiu calls. The turn is the 9, and both players check. The river is the 8, and they check again. Chiu shows QJ for two pair, jacks and fours, and Mizrachi mucks. David Chiu wins the pot.

Hand #52  -  Karga Holt has the button in seat 1, Nick Binger raises from early position to 110,000, Robert Mizrachi reraises from late position to 510,000, and Binger folds A10 face up. Robert Mizrachi takes the pot.

Hand #53  -  David Chiu has the button in seat 2, and Gus Hansen enters the pot from the small blind, while David Tran plays from the big blind. (We're unsure of the preflop action.) The flop comes J106, and both players check. The turn is the A, Hansen checks, Tran bets 120,000, and Hansen folds. David Tran takes the pot.

Player Tags: Robert Mizrachi,   David Tran,   Michael Gracz,   Gus Hansen,   Karga Holt,   Nick Binger

Table #54, Hands #46-49

Apr 24, '08

Blinds still at 20,000-40,000 with a 5,000 ante.

Hand #46  -  David Chiu has the button in seat 2, Robert Mizrachi raises from early position to 100,000, Karga Holt calls from the cutoff, David Tran reraises from the big blind to 400,000, and Mizrachi and Holt both fold. David Tran takes the pot.

Hand #47  -  Gus Hansen has the button in seat 5, and he raises to 125,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand #48  -  David Tran has the button in seat 6, David Chiu raises from late position to 110,000, Gus Hansen reraises from the cutoff to 420,000, and Chiu tanks for about four minutes before he folds. Gus Hansen takes the pot.

Hand #49  -  Nick Binger has the button in seat 7, Gus Hansen raises from late position to 120,000, Michael Gracz moves all in from the big blind for 815,000, and Hansen folds. Michael Gracz takes the pot.
 

Player Tags: Robert Mizrachi,   David Tran,   Michael Gracz,   Gus Hansen,   David Chiu,   Karga Holt,   Nick Binger

Table #54, Hands #33-40

Apr 24, '08

Blinds still at 20,000-40,000 with a 5,000 ante.

Hand #33  -  Gus Hansen has the button in seat 5, David Chiu raises from the cutoff to 90,000, Hansen calls from the button, and David Tran calls from the small blind. The flop comes A109, Tran checks, Chiu bets 260,000, and Hansen and Tran both fold. David Chiu takes the pot.

Hand #34  -  David Tran has the button in seat 6, and Nick Binger raises from the small blind to 120,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand #35  -  Nick Binger has the button in seat 7, and David Chiu raises from middle position to 85,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand #36  -  Robert Mizrachi has the button in seat 8, Gus Hansen raises from early position to 120,000, Nick Binger reraises from the cutoff to 300,000, and Hansen folds. Nick Binger takes the pot.

Hand #37  -  Michael Gracz has the button in seat 9, David Tran raises from middle position to 120,000, Gracz moves all in from the button for 760,000, and Tran folds. Michael Gracz takes the pot.

Hand #38  -  Karga Holt has the button in seat 1, David Tran limps under the gun for 40,000, Nick Binger limps from early position, Gus Hansen raises from the big blind to 260,000, and Tran and Binger both fold. Gus Hansen takes the pot.

Hand #39  -  David Chiu has the button in seat 2, and Robert Mizrachi raises from early position to 115,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand #40  -  Gus Hansen has the button in seat 5, and Robert Mizrachi raises under the gun to 115,000, winning the blinds and antes.
 

Player Tags: David Tran,   Michael Gracz,   Gus Hansen,   David Chiu,   Karga Holt,   Nick Binger

Table #54, Hands #26-32

Apr 24, '08

Blinds still at 20,000-40,000 with a 5,000 ante.

Hand #26  -  Gus Hansen has the button in seat 5, and he raises to 120,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand #27  -  David Tran has the button in seat 6, Michael Gracz raises under the gun to 120,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand #28  -  Nick Binger has the button in seat 7, and Robert Mizrachi raises from the small blind to 120,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand #29  -  Robert Mizrachi has the button in seat 8, David Tran raises from late position to 115,000, Michael Gracz calls from the small blind, Karga Holt moves all in from the big blind, Tran folds, and Gracz calls with 66. Holt shows [8d8s], and he's a favorite to double up here.

The board comes [1053105, and Holt wins the pot with two pair, tens and eights, doubling up in chips.

Hand #30  -  Michael Gracz has the button in seat 9, Robert Mizrachi raises from the cutoff to 115,000, Karga Holt reraises from the small blind to 390,000, and Mizrachi folds. Karga Holt takes the pot.

Hand #31  -  Karga Holt has the button in seat 1, and everyone folds to Gus Hansen, giving him a walk in the big blind.

Hand #32  -  David Chiu has the button in seat 2, and Michael Gracz raises from late position to 120,000, winning the blinds and antes.
 

Player Tags: Robert Mizrachi,   David Tran,   Michael Gracz,   Gus Hansen,   Karga Holt,   Nick Binger

Table #54, Hands #17-20: Gus Hansen Always Tries to be a Hero

Apr 24, '08

Blinds increase to 20,000-40,000 with a 5,000 ante.

Hand #17  -  Karga Holt has the button in seat 1, David Tran raises under the gun to 115,000, David Chiu reraises from the small blind to 415,000, and Tran calls. The flop comes 1066, Chiu bets 400,000, and Tran folds. David Chiu takes the pot.

Hand #18  -  David Chiu has the button in seat 2, and Gus Hansen raises from the small blind to 125,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand #19  -  Gus Hansen has the button in seat 5, and David Chiu raises from the cutoff to 120,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand #20  -  David Tran has the button in seat 6, Karga Holt raises from early position to 120,000, Gus Hansen calls from the cutoff, and Robert Mizrachi calls from the big blind. The flop comes K54, and Mizrachi and Holt both check. Hansen eyes both of their stacks before moving all in.

Holt says, "Are you trying to be a hero?" Hansen replies, "I always try." Mizrachi and Holt both fold, and Gus Hansen takes the pot.

 

Player Tags: Robert Mizrachi,   David Tran,   Gus Hansen,   David Chiu,   Karga Holt

Table #54, Hands #6-10: Gus Hansen Keeps Up the Pressure

Apr 24, '08

Blinds are still 15,000-30,000 with a 4,000 ante.

Hand #6  -  David Tran has the button in seat 6, and Gus Hansen raises from the cutoff to 98,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand #7  -  Nick Binger has the button in seat 7, Gus Hansen raises from late position to 98,000, and Robert Mizrachi calls from the small blind. The flop comes K32, Mizrachi checks, Hansen bets 366,000, and Mizrachi folds. Gus Hansen takes the pot.

Hand #8  -  Robert Mizrachi has the button in seat 8, and Gus Hansen raises from early position to 98,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand #9  -  Michael Gracz has the button in seat 9, and he raises to 90,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand #10  -  Karga Holt has the button in seat 1, and everyone folds to David Chiu in the small blind, who folds 94 face up. Gus Hansen gets a walk in the big blind.
 

Player Tags: Robert Mizrachi,   David Tran,   Gus Hansen,   David Chiu,   Karga Holt,   Nick Binger

David Tran Eliminated

Mar 25, '08

David Tran has busted out of the tournament during the fourth level of day 1.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Player Tags: David Tran

Chip Leader: David Tran

Mar 10, '08

David Tran is currently the chip leader during Day 1A of the Bay 101 Shooting Star. He has 44,600.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Player Tags: David Tran

Night Train

Jul 15, '07

Raymond Rahme Takes Huge Pot
It is folded to Philip Hilm in the small blind, he calls and Raymond Rahme checks in the big blind.  The flop comes 633, Hilm bets $120,000 and Rahme makes the call.  The turn is the 2. Hilm checks and Rahme bets out $250,000.  Hilm check-raises to $750,000 and Rahme goes into the tank.  He finally makes the call, and the river brings the 4.  Hilm bets $1,200,000 and Rahme calls almost instantly.  Hilm tables K3 for trip threes, but Rahme roll over 65 for the straight.  He rakes a massive pot, worth over $5,000,000.

Tuan Lam
Tuan Lam, who qualified for the main event online at www.pokerstars.com has some added help on his side, sweating him in the stands is fellow Canadian Anh Van Nguyen.  Nguyen won a Bellagio preliminary event earlier in the year, and attributed some of his success to coaching from J.C. Tran.  Whomever has helped Lam has clearly done an amazing job. 

David Tran Eliminated 14th ($429,114)
Tuan Lam raises in early position and it is folded to David Tran.  He looks down at his cards, them moves all in for $2,605,000. It is folded back to Lam and he goes into the tank.  He thinks for several minutes, then simply says, "Call."  He tables AK, and Tran shows 66.  The flop comes K103, and Lam lets out a rare show of emotion.  The next two cards come 42, and Tran is send from the main event in 14th place for a payday of $429,114.  There are now just 13 players remaining.

William Spadea Eliminated 13th ($429,114)

William Spadea was all in with Big Slick, but he was covered by Jon Kalmer, who held pocket aces. The board rolled out A 8 8 2 5. Spadea was eliminated in 13th place and he took home $429,114 in prize money. Kalmer jumped into the chip lead after the hand.

Make it Rain

Hevad Kahn picked up a large pot off of Kalmer right before the break. He overbet the river, which induced Kalmer to call on a board of K 10 J 4 K. Kahn flipped over K 10 and went into his standard operating procedure victory celebration.

Break
Players are on a 20 minute break, there are 12 remaining.
Notable Chip Counts

Lee Watkinson	9,845,000
Scotty Nguyen	7,495,000

Poker Stars Online Qualifiers
    Tuan Lam                 20300000
    Hevad Khan             12740000
www.pokerstars.com

Player Tags: David Tran,   Tuan Lam,   Philip Hilm,   Raymond Rahme

Hour One Recap

Jul 15, '07

The first hour of play on day six is over and already the field has narrowed to 31 players. ESPN film crews are swarming the tournament area in an effort to catch every piece of action and the shuffling of personnel has given the tournament area the feel of a madhouse. A player can't so much as raise the blinds without a camera directly in his face watching every moment.

Tran Donates a Little
David Tran came into day six as the official chip leader by only $30,000 but has taken a few hits in the first hour and has slipped down the leaderboard. Tran got involved in a pot with Jeff Bryan and both players saw a flop of A Q 4. Tran led out with a bet of $285,000 and Bryan called. The turn was the 6 and this time Tran turned up the heat with a $625,000 bet. Bryan thought for a moment and declared that he was all in for $1,215,000 more. Tran eyed his opponent and mucked his hand. Bryan picked up almost a $1,000,000 in chips without ever having to show his hand.

Movin' On Up
Shortly before being moved to the ESPN featured table, Daniel Alaei raised to $165,000 under the gun. David Tran, Philip Hilm and Jeff Bryan all made the call. "This would be a good time to get aces" joked Ryan Elson who was in the big blind. Elson looked at his cards and said "I raise." Elson counted out the $165,000 he owed and then said "I'm all in." The raise was for $1,540,000. Alaei folded, as did Tran. Hilm called from the four seat and Bryan got out of the way. Elson turned over 10 10 and Hilm was holding 6 6. The flop came 8 5 4 and Elson stood out of his seat and started yelling to his fans on the rail. The turn was the 9 and Elson started yelling for paint on the river. The river brought the Q and Elson doubled to over $3,000,000. While Elson stacked his newly acquired chips, he was so happy after doubling up that he folded his small blind without ever looking at his cards.

Freeman Takes a Hit
Scott "SCTrojans" Freeman took a $3,000,000 hit in the first hour courtesy of Raymone Rahme. Freeman and Rahme were all in before the flop with Freeman showing pocket kings and Rahme holding pocket aces. The board bricked out for both players and Rahme's aces held up, giving him the almost $6,000,000 pot.

Kevin Kim Eliminated in 32nd Place ($285,678)
Paulo Loureiro raised to $200,000 from the button and Kevin Kim reraises all in from the small blind for $380,000 more. Louriero thought for a moment and called. Kim showed A K and Loureiro was holding A 9. The flop came J 9 8 and Louriero jumped into the lead. The turn was the Q and Kim picked up a few more outs. Any spade, ten or king would give Kim the pot and keep him alive. The river proved unkind for Kim when it brought the 6. Louriero took down the pot and Kim was eliminated in 32nd place.

Recent Eliminations
36th Place - Robin Bergren ($285,678)
35th Place - Allan King ($285,678)
34th Place - Hoa Nguyen ($285,678)
33rd Place - Christian Togsverd ($285,678)
32nd Place - Kevin Kim ($285,678)

Notables

Lee Watkinson	3,650,000
Daniel Alaei	2,900,000
Alex Kravchenko	1,430,000
Scotty Nguyen	1,400,000

Pokerstars Online Qualifiers

Hevad Khan	7,100,000
Jason Welch	1,525,000

pokerstars.com

Player Tags: Hoa Nguyen,   David Tran,   Robin Bergren,   Paulo Loureiro,   Kevin Kim,   Philip Hilm,   Jeff Bryan,   Christian Togsverd,   Allan King,   Raymond Rahme,   Ryan Elson,   Scott Freeman

Day Six Set to Begin

Jul 15, '07

Thirty six players return today at 12 p.m. to battle down to a final nine. Historically, today is usually the longest day of the tournament as stacks increase and play gets tight. The chip leader heading into day six is David Tran who has $10,030,000. Philip Hilm is in a close second with $10,000,000 and looking to take the lead.

Notables playing today are Daniel Alaei, Bill Edler, Lee Watkinson and the only former Main Event champion left in the field, Scotty Nguyen. Look for these players to make their mark today in this year's Main event with some superb play.

The players are unbagging their chips and the cards are just about to hit the air. Keep your browser locked to CardPlayer.com to follow all the action right up to the final table. A list of players we will be following in our Pro Blogs section will be posted shortly.

Lee Watkinson	3,900,000
Daniel Alaei	2,830,000
Bill Edler	2,300,000
Scotty Nguyen	2,250,000
Alex Kravchenko	1,500,000

Pokerstars Online Qualifiers

Hevad Khan	7,950,000
Jason Welch	1,225,000

pokerstars.com

Player Tags: Lee Watkinson,   Scotty Nguyen,   David Tran,   Daniel Alaei,   Bill Edler,   Philip Hilm