Don Nguyen Poker Tournament Updates

Matthew Ashton Wins Event No. 55 ($1,774,089)

Jul 05, '13

Level: 26

Players Remaining: 1 out of 132

Players Eliminated:

3rd: John Hennigan – $686,568
2nd: Don Nguyen – $1,096,254

Live Updates:

John Hennigan Eliminated in Third Place ($686,568)

Pot-Limit Omaha

John Hennigan limped preflop and Matthew Ashton raised to 300,000. Hennigan reraised the pot to 900,000 and Ashton called. The flop fell J86 and Hennigan was all in. Ashton called and the two players tabled their hands.

Ashton: A863
Hennigan: QQ74

Turn and River: 10A

Hennigan was eliminated in third place by two pair, aces and eights. Ashton grew his stack to 17.3 million in advance of the heads-up final against Don Nguyen (2.5 million).

Matthew Ashton Wins Event No. 55 ($1,774,089) — Don Nguyen Eliminated in Second Place ($1,096,254)

Limit Hold’em

Matthew Ashton raised preflop on the button and Don Nguyen called. The flop was dealt 1073 and Nguyen checked. Ashton bet and Nguyen raised. Ashton called and the turn fell 9.

Nguyen bet and Ashton called before the river delivered the Q. Nguyen bet, Ashton raised, and Nguyen called all in. Nguyen revealed 106 but he was behind the K10 held by Ashton, who won the pot and the tournament with his king-kicker.

Nguyen was eliminated in second place and took home $1,096,254 in prize money. Ashton was awarded a gold bracelet at his fourth final table of the summer and the top prize worth $1,774,089.

Be sure to check back with Card Player for all of your final table action, chip counts, and prize payouts for each gold bracelet event.

Player Tags: John Hennigan,   Matthew Ashton,   Don Nguyen

Level 25 Update: Matthew Ashton Takes the Chip Lead

Jul 04, '13

Level: 25

Players Remaining: 3 out of 132

Average Chip Count: 6,600,000

Chip Counts:

Seat 1: Matthew Ashton – 12,000,000
Seat 3: Don Nguyen – 5,600,000
Seat 7: John Hennigan – 2,195,000

Players Eliminated:

None

Live Updates:

Matthew Ashton Takes the Chip Lead and Pulls Away

Pot-Limit Omaha

In the course of two hands during Level 25 Matthew Ashton took the chip lead and then pulled away from his other two competitors. In the hand where he took the upper hand Ashton raised to 240,000 preflop during Pot-Limit Omaha. Don Nguyen called and the flop fell AQ10. Ashton bet 270,000 and Nguyen called. The turn fell 9 and Ashton bet 720,000. Nguyen raised to 1.44 million and Ashton called. The river delivered the J and both players checked. Ashton flipped over AJ93 for the ace-high flush and he grew his stack to a chip-leading 8.6 million when Nguyen mucked.

In another Pot-Limit Omaha hand Ashton raised to 160,000 and John Hennigan called preflop. The first three cards fell 933 and Hennigan checked. Ashton bet 160,000 and Hennigan called before the turn fell J. Hennigan checked again and this time Ashton bet 480,000. Hennigan called and the river delivered the 8. Hennigan checked once more and Ashton bet 980,000. Hennigan called and Ashton revealed A832. Hennigan mucked and Ashton held more than half the chips in play after the hand with 11.5 million.

Player Tags: John Hennigan,   Matthew Ashton,   Don Nguyen

Level 24 Update: David Benyamine Eliminated in 4th Place

Jul 04, '13

Level: 24

Players Remaining: 3 out of 132

Average Chip Count: 6,600,000

Chip Counts:

Seat 1: Matthew Ashton – 5,500,000
Seat 3: Don Nguyen – 7,600,000
Seat 7: John Hennigan – 6,500,000

Players Eliminated:

4th: David Benyamine – $497,122

Live Updates:

David Benyamine Eliminated in Fourth Place ($497,122)

Seven-Card Stud

Don Nguyen posted the bring-in and David Benyamine completed. Nguyen called and on fourth street Nguyen checked. Benyamine bet and Nguyen called. On fifth street Nguyen bet and Benyamine raised. Nguyen called and on sixth street Benyamine got the last of his chips into the middle.

Nguyen showed (72) 2Q72 (J) and Benyamine mucked his cards. Benyamine was eliminated in fourth place and Nguyen increased his chip lead to 9 million.

Player Tags: David Benyamine,   Don Nguyen

Level 23 Update: Final Four Head to Dinner

Jul 04, '13

Level: 23

Players Remaining: 4 out of 132

Average Chip Count: 4,950,000

Chip Counts:

Seat 1: Matthew Ashton – 5,620,000
Seat 3: Don Nguyen – 7,200,000
Seat 7: John Hennigan – 4,170,000
Seat 8: David Benyamine – 2,805,000

Players Eliminated:

None

Live Updates:

John Hennigan Makes Two Boats Against Don Nguyen

Limit Hold’em

The two largest hands of the last level involved John Hennigan making a full house to beat Don Nguyen. The first came in Limit Hold’em when Nguyen raised and Hennigan called. The flop was dealt J85 and Nguyen bet. Hennigan raised and Nguyen called before the turn brought the 5. Nguyen checked, Hennigan bet, and Nguyen called before the river delivered the 2. Nguyen checked again, Hennigan bet, and Nguyen called. Hennigan flipped over J5 for fives over jacks and won the pot to grow his stack to 3.9 million.

Omaha Eight-or-Better

Don Nguyen completed and John Hennigan checked before the flop was dealt 883. Nguyen checked, Hennigan bet, and Nguyen raised. Hennigan reraised and Nguyen called. The turn delivered the Q and Nguyen checked. Hennigan bet and Nguyen called before the river fell 4. Hennigan turned over JJ84 for a full house and Nguyen mucked his cards. Hennigan grew his stack to 4.7 million after the hand.

Player Tags: John Hennigan,   Don Nguyen

Mark Radoja Wins Event No. 16 ($10,000 Heads-Up No-Limit Hold'em)

Jun 09, '13

Level: 6

Blinds: 60,000-120,000

Players Remaining: 1 out of 162

Players Eliminated:

2nd: Don Nguyen – $204,648

Live Updates:

Don Nguyen Has to Fire Last Bullet

Don Nguyen moved all in on the button holding 85 and Mark Radoja called pocket sixes. The board ran out KJ272 and Radoja won the hand with two pair. Nguyen had to reach for his final 1.28 million after the hand.

Mark Radoja Wins Event No. 16 ($331,190) — Don Nguyen Eliminated in Second Place ($204,648)

Don Nguyen moved all in preflop on the button and Mark Radoja called. The two final players then revealed their hands for the last time.

Radoja: K9
Nguyen: A3

Board: J654K

Radoja won the hand and the tournament with a pair of kings and Nguyen was eliminated in second place, good for $204,468. Radoja was awarded one of the most coveted gold bracelets of the summer and the top prize worth $331,190.

Be sure to check back with Card Player for all of your final table action, chip counts, and prize payouts for each gold bracelet event.

Player Tags: Mark Radoja,   Don Nguyen

Level 4-6 Update: Mark Radoja Crippled by Don Nguyen

Jun 09, '13

Level: 6

Blinds: 60,000-120,000

Players Remaining: 2 out of 162

Average Chip Count: 2,430,000

Chip Counts:

Don Nguyen – 6,400,000
Mark Radoja – 1,280,000

Players Eliminated:

None

Live Updates:

Mark Radoja Crippled by Don Nguyen

Mark Radoja raised to 160,000 and Don Nguyen reraised all in. Radoja called all in and they revealed their hands.

Nguyen: K6
Radoja: 99

Board: Q62K8

Nguyen won the hand to grow his stack to a massive 6.4 million. Radoja was down to one final bullet and held 1,280,000.

Player Tags: Mark Radoja,   Don Nguyen

Level 1-3 Update: Don Nguyen Doubles Up

Jun 09, '13

Level: 3

Blinds: 25,000-50,000

Players Remaining: 2 out of 162

Average Chip Count: 2,430,000

Chip Counts:

Don Nguyen – 4,150,000
Mark Radoja – 3,530,000

Players Eliminated:

None

Live Updates:

Don Nguyen Doubles Up Through Mark Radoja

Mark Radoja raised to 80,000 on the button preflop and Don Nguyen reraised all in for 805,000. Radoja called and they flipped over their cards.

Nguyen: A3
Radoja: A6

Board; KJ793

Nguyen spiked a three on the river to double up and he held a total of 4.17 million after the hand. Radoja was behind now with 3.51 million.

Player Tags: Mark Radoja,   Don Nguyen

Action Resumes, Final Heads-Up Match Now Underway

Jun 09, '13

The final heads-up match of Event No. 16 ($10,000 Heads-Up No-Limit Hold’em) is now underway, and Card Player will be posting level-by-level updates with all of the action, current chip counts, and prize distributions.

Don Nguyen first defeated Ben Sulsky in his semi-finals round to earn a seat in the championship match while Mark Radoja defeated Justin Bonomo to get here. Since this is a heads-up tournament, both players will begin with 3,840,000 each. Play will begin in Level 1 of Round 8 with blinds of 15,000-30,000, and will continue until a winner will be determined.

Here is a look at the final heads-up match:

Don Nguyen — 3,840,000 vs. Mark Radoja — 3,840,000

While only 2 remain, this event attracted 162 players, creating a total prize pool of $1,522,800 and the top 16 players got paid. Here is a look at the final payouts:

1st Place — $331,190

2nd Place — $204,648

Be sure to check back with Card Player at the conclusion of each level for regular updates with all of the action, current chip counts, and prize distributions.

Player Tags: Mark Radoja,   Don Nguyen

Level 4-5 Update: Justin Bonomo and Ben Sulsky Both Eliminated in 3rd Place

Jun 09, '13

Level: 5

Blinds: 20,000-40,000

Players Remaining: 2 out of 162

Average Chip Count: 2,430,000

Players Eliminated:

3rd: Ben Sulsky – $110,485
3rd: Justin Bonomo – $110,485

Live Updates:

Don Nguyen vs. Ben Sulsky

Ben Sulsky Eliminated in 3rd Place ($110,485)

Don Nguyen raised to 60,000 preflop on the button and Ben Sulsky reraised to 145,000. Nguyen reraised and Sulsky reraised all in for 935,000. Nguyen called and they revealed their hands.

Nguyen: 82
Sulsky: AJ

Board: K97J10

Sulsky was eliminated in third place and Nguyen advanced to the final of this heads-up event thanks to a straight on the river.

Justin Bonomo vs. Mark Radoja

Justin Bonomo Eliminated in 3rd Place ($110,485)

Justin Bonomo raised all in on the button preflop and Mark Radoja called. The two players then tabled their hands.

Radoja: A10
Bonomo: J7

Board: A63K3

Bonomo was eliminated in third place thanks to a pair of aces and Radoja advanced to the final match against Don Nguyen.

Player Tags: Justin Bonomo,   Mark Radoja,   Ben Sulsky,   Don Nguyen

Level 1-3 Update: Don Nguyen Doubles Through Ben Sulsky

Jun 09, '13

Level: 3

Blinds: 15,000-30,000

Players Remaining: 4 out of 162

Average Chip Count: 1,920,000

Live Updates:

Don Nguyen vs. Ben Sulsky

Don Nguyen raised to 32,000 on the button and Ben Sulsky reraised enough to put Nguyen all in. Nguyen called and they flipped over their cards.

Nguyen: A10
Sulsky: K6

Board: 1073Q10

Nguyen doubled up on the hand to 2 million and he held a slight lead over Sulsky, who held 1.8 million.

Justin Bonomo vs. Mark Radoja

Justin Bonomo Takes the Lead

Mark Radoja raised on the button to 40,000 preflop and Justin Bonomo reraised to 120,000. Radoja called and the flop was dealt 832. Bonomo bet 100,000 and Radoja raised to 215,000. Bonomo reraised to 900,000 and Radoja pondered the all-in call. He eventually released his cards and took a hit down to 1.5 million. He was down to 1,280,000 by the end of Level 3 and Bonomo held the upper hand with 2,560,000.

Player Tags: Justin Bonomo,   Mark Radoja,   Ben Sulsky,   Don Nguyen