The 45,000 starting stacks, the 90-minute levels, and the well structured blinds no longer mattered. On day 2 of the Bellagio Cup IV, the returning 322 players had no problem getting it all in early and often. In the first level alone, nearly 60 players hit the rail, and just a short while later, the entire field had no problem fitting inside the Fontana Lounge.
The tournament directors suspected that the field would eventually hit a wall, but the lull never came. At the end of five levels, the field had been whittled down to 124, just three tables away from the money.
Here's how the day went, according to Card Player's live updates page:
We've Lost How Much?
In the first level of the day, we lost nearly 60 players. Granted, three starting days generates a lot of short stacks, but the eliminations are impressive, nonetheless.
Doyle Brunson Eliminated; Abrahams Grabs Chip Lead
Tom Dwan raised from under-the-gun and was called by three players: Doyle Brunson in the hijack, Javed Abrahams in cutoff, and the small blind.
The flop came down K
6
5, and the small blind led out for 6,000. Tom Dwan called, and Doyle Brunson moved all in for another 30,000. Abraham considered his decision for a minute, and, after asking how much the players to his left had, slid a stack of blue chips into the center of the table, covering both other players. The small blind tanked but eventually folded, and Dwan did the same. Abrahams and Brunson showed their cards:
Abrahams: 55
Brunson: A10
After Brunson turned over the hand, he told the small blind that he wished that he had called. The turn and river were the J
and 2, no help to Brunson, and he was eliminated.
Abrahams is the new chip leader with 360,000.
Abrahams Continues Ascent
Javed Abrahams continues to make his chip stack grow, and this time he did it against a formidable opponent.
Tom Dwan raised from early position, and Abrahams, on the button, was the lone caller. The flop came down K 9 8, and Dwan checked. Abrahams bet, and Dwan called. The turn brought the 4, and Dwan checked again. Abrahams non-chalantly bet 16,000 and was called rather quickly. Dwan checked the 8 on the river, and, after a few moments of thought, Abrahams fired out 36,000. Dwan shifted in his seat, picked up some chips, grimaced, and made the call. Abrahams showed 7 6 for the flush, and Dwan mucked his hand.
Abrahams is now up to about 440,000.
Gavin Smith Chipping Up and Prop Betting
So far today, Gavin Smith has been chipping up, (he's sitting with 300,000) and prop betting relentlessly. He started the day by betting with Adam Katz on whether or not he could hit Bryan Devonshire in the head from across the room with a wad of paper.
He also bet with Scott Clements on a replay of last year's home run derby on random pitches. He currently has a bet with Peter Jetten on who will win a showdown between Ryan Braun and Josh Hamilton. (Jetten easily won.)
During the break, our cameras caught Gavin in another prop bet, this one documenting as he attempted to shove 15 marshmellows in his mouth at once.
Click here to see if he did it.
Philippe Rouas Doubles Up, Steve Gross Reeling
About three minutes into the break, Steve "gboro780" Gross got into a massive hand with Philippe Rouas:
Gross raised to 4,300 from early position, and action folded around to Rouas on the button. Rouas raised it to 14,300, but was met with resistance when Gross re-popped it to 43,000. Rouas went into the tank, ultimately opting to move all-in for 178,500. Gross snap-called and showed K K against the Q Q of Philippe Rouas.
The door card was the Q, and the rest of the board (6 2 10 4) offered no help. The double-up boosts Rouas all the way up to 400,000. Gross was left with only 61,000 before the break.
The action will continue tomorrow at noon. Keep your browser pointed to CardPlayer.com, which will be bringing you all the live updates, photos, and chip counts live from the Fontana Lounge.
