Greg Jamison Poker Tournament Updates

Final Table Update: Tom Koral Eliminated In 7th Place, Greg Jamison 6th

Jun 09, '09

Blinds: 25,000-50,000

Players Remaining: 5 out of 179

Chip Counts:

1. Daniel Alaei – 1,500,000
2. Daniel Negreanu – 1,220,000
3. Scott Clements – 1,070,000
4. John Monnette – 920,000
5. Ben Boyd – 695,000

Average Chip Count: 671,250

Notable Eliminations:

7. Tom Koral — $65,453
6. Greg Jamison — $77,736

Big Hands:

Tom Koral Eliminated In 7th Place($65,453)

Koral was all in for his last 105,000 before the flop and both John Monnette and Daniel Negreanu made the call. Monnette and Negreanu checked every street on a board that ran out A6569.

Monnette turned over AK102 for aces up with a king kicker. Negreanu showed AQJ3 for aces up with a queen kicker and Koral could only show a pair of kings in his hand and he was eliminated as Monnette scooped the pot.

Greg Jamison Eliminated In 6th Place($77,736)

Jamison raised to 100,000 and Daniel Negreanu made the call. The flop came down K32 and Jamison led out with 50,000. Negreanu raised to 100,000 and Jamison three-bet to 150,000. Negreanu raised again to 200,000 and Jamison called himself all in.

Negreanu: J422
Jamison: AK53

Negreanu flopped a set of ducks, besting Jamison’s top two pair. The turn was the 8 and the river as the A and Negreanu scooped the pot, knocking Jamison out in 6th place.

Player Tags: Daniel Negreanu,   Greg Jamison,   John Monnette,   Tom Koral

Final Table Update: Yueqi Zhu Eliminated In 9th Place, Annie Duke 8th

Jun 09, '09

Blinds: 15,000-30,000

Players Remaining: 7 out of 179

Chip Counts:

1. Scott Clements – 1,815,000
2. John Monnette – 1,190,000
3. Daniel Alaei – 905,000
4. Daniel Negreanu – 785,000
5. Greg Jamison – 330,000
6. Tom Koral – 185,000
7. Ben Boyd – 80,000

Average Chip Count: 671,250

Notable Eliminations:

9. Yueqi Zhu — $54,179
8. Annie Duke — $58,049

Big Hands:

Yueqi Zhu Eliminated In 9th Place($54,179)

Zhu raised preflop and was called by Daniel Alaei in the small blind as well as Greg Jamison in the big blind. The flop came down K99 and Alaei led out with a bet. Jamison made the call and Zhu raised all in. Both players called and the turn brought the Q. Jamison then moved all in and Alaei had enough. Jamison revealed his hand and showed a set of jacks, better than Zhu’s two pair. The river was the 5 and Zhu was eliminated.

Annie Duke Eliminated In 8th Place($58,049)

Annie Duke raised to 60,000 preflop and Greg Jamison reraised all in. John Monnette made the call and Duke called herself all in. Then everyone showed their hands.

Duke: AKQ2
Jamison: AJ53
Monnette: 8793
Board: 63267

Monnette won the high pot with two pair, sevens and threes, while Jamison took the low pot and Annie Duke was left with nothing as she was eliminated in 8th place.

Player Tags: Annie Duke,   Greg Jamison,   Daniel Alaei,   John Monnette,   Yueqi Zhu

$1,500 H.O.R.S.E. - Day 2 - Level 15 Recap

Jun 30, '08

Stakes:
Hold’em/Omaha:  1,300-2,500 blinds
Stud/Razz/Stud8:  500 ante, 700 bring in, 2,500-5,000 stakes

Players Left:  45 of 803

Chip Leaders:
Phillip Penn Sr. - 125,000
Steven Diano - 103,000
Arash Ghaneian - 100,000
Joe Bolnick - 87,400
Jason Dollinger - 83,000
Jens Voertmann - 82,000
Randall Holland - 81,500
Allen Cunningham - 78,000
Cliff Pappas – 75,000

Average Stack: 53,525

Eliminations:
David Gee
Greg Jamison
Michael Binger

Big Hands and Storylines:

Hold’em

Michael Binger vs. Phillip Penn Sr. - Part I

Phillip Penn Sr. raised to 5,000 from middle position and was re-raised by Michael Binger on his left. Penn made the call and they saw a flop of 633. Penn checked and Binger bet. Penn called. The turn was the J, and again Penn checked. Binger bet 5,000 and Penn check-raised him.  Binger called, and then called another bet on the K river. Penn Sr. turned over 66 for a flopped full house. Binger showed his AA and, infuriated with the recent development, stormed away from the table, hitting a chair in the process. Binger was down to only 10,000 after that hand.

Omaha/8b

Michael Binger vs. Phillip Penn Sr. – Part II: The Reckoning

A few hands later, with the game having switched to Omaha/8b, William Penn Sr. opened with a raised from middle position which was again re-raised by Binger, who had less than a big bet behind. The flop came 1092 and Penn check-called. Penn check-called a bet of Binger’s final 200 chips on the turn (K) and the two showed their cards:

Binger: AA87
Penn: A876

Binger, in good shape, stood up and awaited the river card. The dealer laid out an 8 and Binger stared at the board for a moment to make sure what he saw was accurate: Penn hit one of his few outs to make a straight. As could be predicted, Binger was not happy, and he stormed from the table once again, this time for good.

Those two hands have propelled Penn to the chip lead with 125,000.

“Let’s Go”

Action folded around to Esther Rossi in the small blind who completed the bet and Jan Suchanek told the dealer, “Let’s go.” The dealer scooped in the two players’ blinds... and then Suchanek threw in a raise. Apparently, Suchanek’s declaration of “Let’s go” was intended as the precursor to a raise and not an indication of a check. After some squabbling between Rossi and Suchanek with the dealer serving as a slightly biased arbiter (after all, nobody likes admitting to a mistake) the floor was called over. After what seemed like hours of explanation to the dealer of what had transpired, it was ruled that uttering the phrase “Let’s go” alone does not indicate a check and that the raise would stand.

After all of that was settled, there was some poker to be played. The dealer put out a flop of A106 and Rossi check-called a bet from Suchanek. Action went check-call again on the K turn, and then both players checked the 10 on the river. Suchanek showed A443 for a pair of aces and that was good enough to take down the pot. Rossi, with 48,000, still has a bit more chips than Suchanek, who has 30,000.

Player Tags: Randy Holland,   Phillip "JB" Penn Sr.,   Allen Cunningham,   Greg Jamison,   Arash Ghaneian,   David Gee,   Esther Rossi,   Cliff Pappas,   Steven Diano,   Michael Binger,   Jan Suchanek,   Jens Voertmann,   Joseph Bolnick,   Jason Dollinger

$10,000 World Championship Omaha Hi-Low Split-8 or Better - End of Day 2

Jun 20, '08

The final two-tables are set! Level 17 saw 7 eliminations and the staff at the Rio decided to call it a night with 18 players remaining. Foremost among the players returning tomorrow will be Mike Matusow. With a big stack of chips and an even bigger mouth, Matusow will be happy with nothing less than his 2nd bracelet of this year's series. To do so, he will have to fend off a number of big names. Hendon Mobber Ram Vaswani will enter the final day with the chip lead and he too will have a multiple-bracelet motivation: a win in this event will give him bracelets in consecutive years. Also in the hunt are high stakes cash specialists Chau Giang and David Benyamine. Benyamine, who was bounced on the final table bubble of the $5,000 stud high/low event only a few days ago, will have extra incentive to make a final table run here.

The players will reconvene at the Rio tomorrow at 3 p.m. PST.
 

Here is a recap of the final level of the day:

Blinds: 5,000-10,000

Players Left: 18 of 235

Chip Leaders:
Ram Vaswani - 450,000
Mike Matusow - 390,000
Chau Giang - 370,000
Greg Jamison - 315,000
Eugene Katchalov - 290,000
Toto Leonidas - 265,000
David Benyamine - 260,000
David Chiu - 260,000
Berry Johnston - 260,000
Hieu Ma - 230,000

Average Stack: 261,000

Eliminations:
19^th – Patrick Rao
20^th – James Grove
21^st – James Van Alstyne
22^nd – Danny Smith
23^rd – Brad Booth
24^th – Bruno Fitoussi
25^th – Dustin Sitar

Big Hands and Storylines:

Dustin Donates And Goes Home

The two short stacks at the table Dustin Sitar and Stuart “thedonator” Patterson got all-in pre-flop and showed the following hands:

Patterson: A1072
Sitar: AKJ6

When the board – 109429 – had been dealt, Patterson’s nines and tens were enough to take down the pot. Sitar, slightly covered by Patterson, was eliminated in 25^th place. Patterson is now up to 80,000.

“You Gotta Get Lucky”

Brad Booth raised from late position. Mike Matusow called from the button saying, “I’ll give you some action,” and William McMahon called in the big blind. The flop came JJ8. McMahon checked, Booth bet, Matusow raised, and his two rivals called. The turn was the 9 and McMahon and Booth both checked to Matusow who bet. This time McMahon cagily raised and Booth, with only 3,000 chips left, was forced to fold. Matusow called and the pair saw the river: 10. McMahon bet, Matusow raised, the call was made and they showed their hands:

Matusow: KKJ10
McMahon: KJ95

Matusow had re-drawn out on the river after McMahon had spiked a 6-outer on the turn. After the conclusion of the hand there was much discussion about whether the hand had played itself or if there was any other way it could have been played. Matusow put his inimitable stamp on the conversation when he opined, “You don’t think Phil Hellmuth has 11 bracelets because he plays good, do you? You gotta get lucky!” Matusow, whether through luck, skill, or a bit of both, is now up to 390,000.

You Gotta Get Lucky: Part II

The very next hand, William McMahon got most of his chips into the pot against David Chiu by the flop. McMahon bet his last 20,000 on the turn with the board reading KK510 and Chiu, after a great deal of thought, made a frustrated call. Chiu’s frustration grew when he saw McMahon’s holding: A10103. Chiu was drawing to only 3 outs with AA92 but the river was an unhelpful 9. The hand elevated McMahon to 120,000. Hey, you gotta get lucky.

Player Tags: Toto Leonidas,   Tony Ma,   David Benyamine,   Mike Matusow,   Greg Jamison,   David Chiu,   Ram Vaswani,   Chau Giang,   Bruno Fitoussi,   Berry Johnston,   James Van Alstyne,   Dustin Sitar,   Eugene Katchalov,   William McMahon,   Brad Booth,   Stuart Paterson

$10,000 World Championship Omaha Hi-Low Split-8 or Better - Day 2 - Level 16 Recap

Jun 20, '08

Note: The players are now on a 20-minute break

Blinds: 4,000-8,000

Players Left: 26 of 235

Chip Leaders:
Ram Vaswani - 385,000
Chau Giang - 360,000
David Benyamine - 320,000
David Chiu - 285,000
Berry Johnston – 250,000
Mike Matusow - 235,000
Greg Jamison - 215,000
Eugene Katchalov - 185,000
Toto Leonidas - 180,000
Jason Gray - 160,000
James Grove - 160,000

Average Stack:

Eliminations:
26^th – Tony Ma
27^th – Alexander Kostritsyn
Doyle Brunson
Erick Lindgren
Max Pescatori

Big Hands and Storylines:

They’re In The Money

The bubble has just burst and the players remaining are all now guaranteed to walk away from this tournament a bit richer than when they started (prop bets and cross-booking aside). Those who finish in places 19-27 will take home $22,090.

Whichever Comes First

According to the higher-ups here at the Rio, tonight’s event will play until the end of level 18 or until we reach the final table, whichever comes first. The former is looking far more likely with 26 players still remaining. If all goes according to plan, we should be out of here by about 3:30 tonight.

Katch Him If You Can

Eugene Katchalov just won a nice pot off of Toto Leonidas when Leonidas, after raising pre-flop from under-the-gun, check-called on every street against the Ukraine-born New Yorker. The final board was Q87Q4 and Katchalov showed A842 His two-pair, queens and eights, and nut low scooped him the pot, taking him up to 185,000. Leonidas is right on his tail with 180,000.

Dehkharghani Doubles

Ray Dehkharghani bet into two players on a flop of Q62, Danny Smith folded and Mike Matusow called. With only 26,000 left going into the turn, Dehkharghani committed himself by firing at Matusow when an 8 landed. Matusow set his opponent all-in and they revealed their hands:

Matusow: AJ62
Dehkharghani: KQJ10

The river was the Q and Dehkharghani scooped the pot, more than doubling him up to 80,000. The hand only took a sliver out of Matusow’s stack, which now sits at 220,000.

Berry Bests Brunson, Brad Booth

 Brad Booth raised from middle position and got calls from Berry Johnston in middle position and Doyle Brunson in the small blind. The flop came K106 and Brunson led out, Booth raised, and Johnston raised him. Both Brunson and Booth called the bet and the turn was the 10. Brunson and Booth checked to Berry who, predictably, bet. This time Brunson and Booth bowed out of the hand and allowed Johnston to take down the pot. Berry Johnston now has 250,000 in chips. Booth is sitting with 100,000. Brunson was eliminated not too long after this hand, right on the bubble.

Player Tags: Toto Leonidas,   Erick Lindgren,   Tony Ma,   Max Pescatori,   David Benyamine,   Mike Matusow,   Doyle Brunson,   Greg Jamison,   David Chiu,   Jason Gray,   Ram Vaswani,   Chau Giang,   Berry Johnston,   Ray Dehkharghani,   Eugene Katchalov,   Brad Booth,   Alexander Kostritsyn

$10,000 World Championship Omaha Hi-Low Split-8 or Better - Day 2 - Level 15 Recap

Jun 20, '08

Blinds: 3,000-6,000

Players Left:  35 of 235

Chip Leaders:
David Benyamine - 325,000
Greg Jamison - 305,000
Chau Giang - 300,000
Mike Matusow - 230,000
Toto Leonidas - 220,000
Ram Vaswani - 195,000
Danny Dang - 190,000
Bob Slezak - 190,000
Hieu Ma - 180,000
Pat Rao - 170,000

Average Stack: 134,300

Eliminations:
Robert Williamson III
Soheil Shamseddin

Big Hands and Storylines:

Crunch Time

We’re down to 35 players here in the Brasilia Room and with 27 places playing, play should start to tighten up not too long from now. Though the field is still littered with seasoned professionals who are looking for more than a 27^th place finish, short stacks who are unlikely to mount a deep run might start to play a bit more conservatively.

All Bets Are Off

Mike Matusow asked David Benyamine, seated directly behind him, how many chips he had. After Benyamine informed him that he had 325,000 in front of him, Matusow remarked, “You’ve got 100,000 more than me. I’ll take +130 for $10,000.” Benyamine’s response: “I don’t bet with broken men.”

Ouch.

And There’s Poker Too!

Robert Williamson III was eliminated in a three-way pot involving Mike Matusow and James Van Alstyne. Matusow and Van Alstyne split the pot and Williamson was left shaking his head in disappointment.

At the table across the aisle, Soheil Shamseddin was eliminated by Max Pescatori. On a board of QJ96A, Shamseddin showed QQ108 for a straight along with a set of queens, but he was outdone by the Italian’s A1082. Pescatori, conversing about Italy’s chances against Spain in Sunday’s Euro 2008 quarterfinals, is now up to 165,000.

Brunson on the Move

Not only has Doyle Brunson taken a new seat at the table of Max Pescatori, Brad Booth, and Berry Johnston, but his chips have been on the move as well. Brunson dropped almost half of his chips during the last level, falling from 250,000 all the way to 130,000.

Player Tags: Trai "Danny" Dang,   Toto Leonidas,   Bob Slezak,   Tony Ma,   Pat Rao,   Max Pescatori,   David Benyamine,   Mike Matusow,   Doyle Brunson,   Greg Jamison,   Ram Vaswani,   Chau Giang,   Robert Williamson III,   Soheil Shamseddin

$10,000 World Championship Omaha Hi-Low Split-8 or Better - Day 2 - Level 14 Recap

Jun 20, '08

Note: The players are now on a 20-minute break

Blinds: 2,500-5,000

Players Left:  40 of 235

Chip Leaders:
Doyle Brunson - 250,000
Ram Vaswani - 210,000
Greg Jamison - 207,000
David Benyamine - 202,000
Mike Matusow - 190,000
Pat Rao - 189,000
Toto Leonidas - 180,000
Chau Giang - 160,000
James Van Alstyne - 148,000
Tony Ma – 145,000
David Chiu – 135,000

Average Stack: 117,500

Eliminations:
Alex Kravchenko
Chris Ferguson
Jen Harman
Nikolay Evdakov

Big Hands and Storylines:

Nikolay Evdakov Eliminated

Three hands at two tables, over the course of only 25 minutes, and Nikolay Evdakov would go from 110,000 chips to zero. Card Player was there to see the decline and fall of Evdakov...

Three Parts Giang, One Part Slezak

With a board reading J632 and three players in the hand, Bob Slezak checked to Evdakov who put in a bet of 10,000, Chau Giang raised and both Slezak and Evdakov called. The river was the 3 and action checked around to Giang who bet again. Slezak and Evdakov both called and Giang showed down an impressive holding: A432 for the nut low and a baby full house. Slezak could only muster AJ84 for half of the low pot. Evdakov mucked. Strike one for Evdakov.

Just Right for Ma

After being moved to a new table featuring the likes of Doyle Brunson, David Chiu, and Alexander Kostritsyn, Evdakov mixed it up with Tony Ma in what turned out to be a small but important pot.

Evdakov check-called a bet from Ma on a 332 flop. On the turn and river both players checked. With the final board reading 3329K, Evdakov showed K1092 for two-pair, kings and nines, but Ma took down the pot with AAQJ for a better two pair. Strike two.

You Don’t Mess with The Brunson

In his final act, Nikolay Evdakov tried to wrest some chips from the grasp of Doyle Brunson. Predictably, that one didn’t work out so well. Doyle raised pre-flop from middle position and Evdakov and Kostritsyn called from the blinds. On a flop of 965, Evdakov checked, Kostritsyn checked, Brunson fired a continuation bet, Evdakov raised, Kostritsyn folded, and Brunson called. The turn 5 paired the board and slowed down Evdakov, who check-called a bet from Brunson. The river was the K, with only an additional 10,000 behind, the Russian checked it over to Brunson, who put him all-in. Evdakov called and could only rap the table after seeing Brunson’s A872. Strike three. Evdakov is out.

Life Goes On

The rest of the players at Evdakov’s table seem to be in stable condition though. Kostritsyn has 100,000, David Chiu has 135,000, and Tony Ma has 145,000. Oh, yeah, there’s also the case of Doyle Brunson. After winning a number of pots in the past two levels, Brunson is the new chip leader with 250,000 in chips.

Player Tags: Toto Leonidas,   Chris Ferguson,   Tony Ma,   Pat Rao,   David Benyamine,   Mike Matusow,   Doyle Brunson,   Greg Jamison,   David Chiu,   Ram Vaswani,   Jennifer Harman,   Chau Giang,   Alexander Kravchenko,   James Van Alstyne,   Nikolay Evdakov,   Alexander Kostritsyn,   European Report

$10,000 World Championship Omaha Hi-Low Split-8 or Better - Day 2 - Level 13 Recap

Jun 20, '08

Blinds: 2,000-4,000

Players Left:  50 of 235

Chip Leaders:
David Benyamine - 216,000
Ram Vaswani - 180,000
Bruno Fitoussi - 155,000
Soheil Shamseddin - 155,000
Doyle Brunson - 150,000
Toto Leonidas - 150,000
Erick Lindgren - 150,000
Greg Jamison - 145,000
Danny Dang - 133,000
Chau Giang - 130,000

Average Stack: 94,000

Eliminations:
Annie Duke
Huck Seed

Big Hands and Storylines:

Huck Seed Eliminated

Huck Seed, on a precariously short stack, raised from the button and the big blind called. Seed bet the A64 flop and his opponent called. Seed got the last of his money in on the Q turn and the two showed their cards:

Seed: AAK4
Opponent: K752

Seed had a set of aces but his opponent was freerolling for a scoop with a made low and an open-ended straight draw. The river was the 3, giving Seed’s opponent the nut low and a 7-high straight. Seed slowly slid out of his chair and exited the room, but not before tossing in a thought, “That was a good flop for you.”

“Don’t Let Matusow Win Another Pot”

That quote comes from none other than 2008 World Series bracelet winner... Mike Matusow? Clearly concerned about the tournament chances of his tablemates, Matusow was kind enough to give his peers a word of advice, but could they successfully follow it? We found out only seconds after Matusow’s  word of caution:

Danny Smith raised from early position and Mr. Matusow himself 3-bet from the button. Smith called and the two of them saw a flop. A97 rolled out and Smith check-called Matusow’s bet. The action was the same on the Q turn, then both players checked the 4 on the river. “Three aces,” said Matusow. His opponent mucked his hand and Matusow’s AA92 scooped the pot.

After the pot Matusow had another tip, this one perhaps more relevant to the dealer: “Don’t let Matusow pick up the ace-ace-deuce every hand.”

“The Mouth”, once down to only 20,000, is now up to 110,000.

Evdakov Eliminates Annie Duke

Ram Vaswani raised under-the-gun to 8,000, Nikolay Evdakov called from middle position, and Annie Duke called from the button. Both blinds folded, and the flop came down J109. Vaswani checked, Evdakov bet, Duke raised, leaving herself only 1,000 behind, and both Vaswani and Evdakov called. On the A turn, Vaswani checked again, Evdakov bet, Duke called all-in for her final thousand, and Vaswani called. The river was the J and Vaswani folded to a bet from Evdakov. The Russian showed AQQJ for a full house, enough to win the pot and dismiss Duke. Evdakov is now up to 110,000, though still far short of Vaswani’s 180,000.

Player Tags: Trai "Danny" Dang,   Toto Leonidas,   Annie Duke,   Erick Lindgren,   Huck Seed,   David Benyamine,   Mike Matusow,   Doyle Brunson,   Greg Jamison,   Ram Vaswani,   Chau Giang,   Bruno Fitoussi,   Danny Smith,   Soheil Shamseddin,   Nikolay Evdakov,   European Report

David Benyamine Wins Event No. 37 ($535,687)

Jun 21, '08

Toto Leonidas Eliminated in 4th place ($171,197)

After Jason Gray doubled through Toto Leonidas the hand before, Leonidas found himself all in for 40,000 in the big blind. He was called by both David Benyamine and Jason Gray. Gray and Benyamine checked down the river where Gray fired out a bet and Benyamine called. Gray mucked his hand.

Leonidas: AJ52
Benyamine: K975
Board: KQ6109

Benyamine turned over the king-high flush, taking both the side and main pots, and eliminating Tot Leonidas in 4th place ($71,792).

Jason Gray Eliminated in 3rd Place ($209,855)

Action folded around to Jason Gray who raised from the button, David Benyamine made the call out of the small blind. The flop came KJ8, and Benyamine bet out (enough to put Gray all in), Gray called all in.

Benyamine: J10109
Gray: AQ32

Benyamine had the best hand going to the turn with a pair of jacks, an open-ended straight draw, and the nut straight redraw. Gray flopped the nut flush draw and a gut-shot nut straight draw. The turn was the 2, no help to either player and the J hit the river, giving Benyamine trip jacks. With no low hand possible, Benyamine scooped the pot, eliminating Jason Gray in 3rd place ($209,855).

And Then There Were Two...

Here is a look at the chip counts going into heads-up play.

David Benyamine: 3,665,000
Greg Jamison: 1,035,000

David Benyamine Wins Event No. 37 ($535,687)

David Benyamine raised from the button and Greg Jamison reraised all in, Benyamine called.

Jamison: KQ62
Benyamine: Q10103
Board: J109J3

Benyamine flopped middle set while Jamison flopped the nut straight to the king. Witht the low hand not even being an issue, Benyamine needed the board to pair which it did when the jack hit the turn. Benyamine made a full house (tens full of jacks) on the turn and Jamison was darwing dead on the river. David Benyamine wins event no. 37 ($535,687) and his first WSOP bracelet while Greg Jamison has to settle for 2nd place and $331,350.

Player Tags: Toto Leonidas,   David Benyamine,   Greg Jamison,   Jason Gray

$10,000 Omaha 8/b World Championship - David Chiu 8th, Ram Vaswani 7th, Eugene Katchalov 6th

Jun 21, '08

Blinds: 20,000-40,000
Stakes: 40,000-80,000

Players Left: 5

Chip Counts:
Jason Gray: 1,750,000
Greg Jamison: 1,040,000
David Benyamine: 880,000
Toto Leonidas: 630,000
Mike Matusow: 400,000

Eliminations:
David Chiu Eliminated in 8th Place ($71,792)
Ram Vaswani Eliminated in 7th Place ($88,360)
Eugene Katchalov Eliminated in 6th place ($110,450)

Big Hands:

David Chiu Eliminated in 8th Place ($71,792)

Greg Jamison raised before the flop and a short stacked David Chiu called all in.

Jamison: AKK10
Chiu: 5543
Board: J1078Q

David Chiu really never had a decent shot at winning this pot after the flop. Jamison had the over pair (kings) and on the turn both players picked up a flush draw, Jamison's better. Without a five or a six on the river, Chiu couldn't win the high pot, and a queen meant that he couldn't win the low pot either. David Chiu was eliminated in 8th place, earning $71,792.

Ram Vaswani Eliminated in 7th Place ($88,360)

Fresh off of eliminating David Chiu just moments before, Greg Jamison came in for a raise when his soon to be next victim, Ram Vaswani reraised. Jamison threw one more raise in there, enough to put Vaswani all in. Vaswani called and both players turned over their cards.

Jamison: A872
Vaswani: QQ66
Board: A8274

If nothing else, Vaswani techincally had the best hand when the money went in, but an ace on the flop meant that he would be drawing very slim to the river. With no low hand possible, Vaswani needed a queen to hit the board or he would be eliminated. No queen on the turn or river and Ram Vaswani was our 7th place finsisher, earning $88,360 for his efforts.

Eugene Katchalov Eliminated in 6th place ($110,450)

Euegene Katchalov got it all in against Greg Jamison on a flop of 872.

Katchalov: AK92
Jamison: AK52

The turn and river brought bricks, Katchalov and Jamison split the high pot and Jamison locked up the low with A-5. Katchalov got quartered this hand.

The very next hand and Eugene Katchalov got it all in against Jason Gray.

Katchalov: 9876
Gray: AJ32
Board: 643QJ

Katchalov flopped top pair with a gut-shot and an 8-7 low, but the jack on the river gave Gray two pair (high) and a 6-4 low. Gray scooped the pot while Eugene Katchalov was eliminated in 6th place ($110,450).

Player Tags: Greg Jamison,   David Chiu,   Jason Gray,   Ram Vaswani,   Eugene Katchalov

$10,000 World Championship Omaha Hi-Low Split-8 or Better - End of Day 2

Jun 20, '08

The final two-tables are set! Level 17 saw 7 eliminations and the staff at the Rio decided to call it a night with 18 players remaining. Foremost among the players returning tomorrow will be Mike Matusow. With a big stack of chips and an even bigger mouth, Matusow will be happy with nothing less than his 2nd bracelet of this year's series. To do so, he will have to fend off a number of big names. Hendon Mobber Ram Vaswani will enter the final day with the chip lead and he too will have a multiple-bracelet motivation: a win in this event will give him bracelets in consecutive years. Also in the hunt are high stakes cash specialists Chau Giang and David Benyamine. Benyamine, who was bounced on the final table bubble of the $5,000 stud high/low event only a few days ago, will have extra incentive to make a final table run here.

The players will reconvene at the Rio tomorrow at 3 p.m. PST.
 

Here is a recap of the final level of the day:

Blinds: 5,000-10,000

Players Left: 18 of 235

Chip Leaders:
Ram Vaswani - 450,000
Mike Matusow - 390,000
Chau Giang - 370,000
Greg Jamison - 315,000
Eugene Katchalov - 290,000
Toto Leonidas - 265,000
David Benyamine - 260,000
David Chiu - 260,000
Berry Johnston - 260,000
Hieu Ma - 230,000

Average Stack: 261,000

Eliminations:
19^th – Patrick Rao
20^th – James Grove
21^st – James Van Alstyne
22^nd – Danny Smith
23^rd – Brad Booth
24^th – Bruno Fitoussi
25^th – Dustin Sitar

Big Hands and Storylines:

Dustin Donates And Goes Home

The two short stacks at the table Dustin Sitar and Stuart “thedonator” Patterson got all-in pre-flop and showed the following hands:

Patterson: A1072
Sitar: AKJ6

When the board – 109429 – had been dealt, Patterson’s nines and tens were enough to take down the pot. Sitar, slightly covered by Patterson, was eliminated in 25^th place. Patterson is now up to 80,000.

“You Gotta Get Lucky”

Brad Booth raised from late position. Mike Matusow called from the button saying, “I’ll give you some action,” and William McMahon called in the big blind. The flop came JJ8. McMahon checked, Booth bet, Matusow raised, and his two rivals called. The turn was the 9 and McMahon and Booth both checked to Matusow who bet. This time McMahon cagily raised and Booth, with only 3,000 chips left, was forced to fold. Matusow called and the pair saw the river: 10. McMahon bet, Matusow raised, the call was made and they showed their hands:

Matusow: KKJ10
McMahon: KJ95

Matusow had re-drawn out on the river after McMahon had spiked a 6-outer on the turn. After the conclusion of the hand there was much discussion about whether the hand had played itself or if there was any other way it could have been played. Matusow put his inimitable stamp on the conversation when he opined, “You don’t think Phil Hellmuth has 11 bracelets because he plays good, do you? You gotta get lucky!” Matusow, whether through luck, skill, or a bit of both, is now up to 390,000.

You Gotta Get Lucky: Part II

The very next hand, William McMahon got most of his chips into the pot against David Chiu by the flop. McMahon bet his last 20,000 on the turn with the board reading KK510 and Chiu, after a great deal of thought, made a frustrated call. Chiu’s frustration grew when he saw McMahon’s holding: A10103. Chiu was drawing to only 3 outs with AA92 but the river was an unhelpful 9. The hand elevated McMahon to 120,000. Hey, you gotta get lucky.

Player Tags: Toto Leonidas,   Tony Ma,   David Benyamine,   Mike Matusow,   Greg Jamison,   David Chiu,   Ram Vaswani,   Chau Giang,   Bruno Fitoussi,   Berry Johnston,   James Van Alstyne,   Dustin Sitar,   Eugene Katchalov,   William McMahon,   Brad Booth,   Stuart Paterson

$10,000 World Championship Omaha Hi-Low Split-8 or Better - Day 2 - Level 16 Recap

Jun 20, '08

Note: The players are now on a 20-minute break

Blinds: 4,000-8,000

Players Left: 26 of 235

Chip Leaders:
Ram Vaswani - 385,000
Chau Giang - 360,000
David Benyamine - 320,000
David Chiu - 285,000
Berry Johnston – 250,000
Mike Matusow - 235,000
Greg Jamison - 215,000
Eugene Katchalov - 185,000
Toto Leonidas - 180,000
Jason Gray - 160,000
James Grove - 160,000

Average Stack:

Eliminations:
26^th – Tony Ma
27^th – Alexander Kostritsyn
Doyle Brunson
Erick Lindgren
Max Pescatori

Big Hands and Storylines:

They’re In The Money

The bubble has just burst and the players remaining are all now guaranteed to walk away from this tournament a bit richer than when they started (prop bets and cross-booking aside). Those who finish in places 19-27 will take home $22,090.

Whichever Comes First

According to the higher-ups here at the Rio, tonight’s event will play until the end of level 18 or until we reach the final table, whichever comes first. The former is looking far more likely with 26 players still remaining. If all goes according to plan, we should be out of here by about 3:30 tonight.

Katch Him If You Can

Eugene Katchalov just won a nice pot off of Toto Leonidas when Leonidas, after raising pre-flop from under-the-gun, check-called on every street against the Ukraine-born New Yorker. The final board was Q87Q4 and Katchalov showed A842 His two-pair, queens and eights, and nut low scooped him the pot, taking him up to 185,000. Leonidas is right on his tail with 180,000.

Dehkharghani Doubles

Ray Dehkharghani bet into two players on a flop of Q62, Danny Smith folded and Mike Matusow called. With only 26,000 left going into the turn, Dehkharghani committed himself by firing at Matusow when an 8 landed. Matusow set his opponent all-in and they revealed their hands:

Matusow: AJ62
Dehkharghani: KQJ10

The river was the Q and Dehkharghani scooped the pot, more than doubling him up to 80,000. The hand only took a sliver out of Matusow’s stack, which now sits at 220,000.

Berry Bests Brunson, Brad Booth

 Brad Booth raised from middle position and got calls from Berry Johnston in middle position and Doyle Brunson in the small blind. The flop came K106 and Brunson led out, Booth raised, and Johnston raised him. Both Brunson and Booth called the bet and the turn was the 10. Brunson and Booth checked to Berry who, predictably, bet. This time Brunson and Booth bowed out of the hand and allowed Johnston to take down the pot. Berry Johnston now has 250,000 in chips. Booth is sitting with 100,000. Brunson was eliminated not too long after this hand, right on the bubble.

Player Tags: Toto Leonidas,   Erick Lindgren,   Tony Ma,   Max Pescatori,   David Benyamine,   Mike Matusow,   Doyle Brunson,   Greg Jamison,   David Chiu,   Jason Gray,   Ram Vaswani,   Chau Giang,   Berry Johnston,   Ray Dehkharghani,   Eugene Katchalov,   Brad Booth,   Alexander Kostritsyn

$10,000 World Championship Omaha Hi-Low Split-8 or Better - Day 2 - Level 15 Recap

Jun 20, '08

Blinds: 3,000-6,000

Players Left:  35 of 235

Chip Leaders:
David Benyamine - 325,000
Greg Jamison - 305,000
Chau Giang - 300,000
Mike Matusow - 230,000
Toto Leonidas - 220,000
Ram Vaswani - 195,000
Danny Dang - 190,000
Bob Slezak - 190,000
Hieu Ma - 180,000
Pat Rao - 170,000

Average Stack: 134,300

Eliminations:
Robert Williamson III
Soheil Shamseddin

Big Hands and Storylines:

Crunch Time

We’re down to 35 players here in the Brasilia Room and with 27 places playing, play should start to tighten up not too long from now. Though the field is still littered with seasoned professionals who are looking for more than a 27^th place finish, short stacks who are unlikely to mount a deep run might start to play a bit more conservatively.

All Bets Are Off

Mike Matusow asked David Benyamine, seated directly behind him, how many chips he had. After Benyamine informed him that he had 325,000 in front of him, Matusow remarked, “You’ve got 100,000 more than me. I’ll take +130 for $10,000.” Benyamine’s response: “I don’t bet with broken men.”

Ouch.

And There’s Poker Too!

Robert Williamson III was eliminated in a three-way pot involving Mike Matusow and James Van Alstyne. Matusow and Van Alstyne split the pot and Williamson was left shaking his head in disappointment.

At the table across the aisle, Soheil Shamseddin was eliminated by Max Pescatori. On a board of QJ96A, Shamseddin showed QQ108 for a straight along with a set of queens, but he was outdone by the Italian’s A1082. Pescatori, conversing about Italy’s chances against Spain in Sunday’s Euro 2008 quarterfinals, is now up to 165,000.

Brunson on the Move

Not only has Doyle Brunson taken a new seat at the table of Max Pescatori, Brad Booth, and Berry Johnston, but his chips have been on the move as well. Brunson dropped almost half of his chips during the last level, falling from 250,000 all the way to 130,000.

Player Tags: Trai "Danny" Dang,   Toto Leonidas,   Bob Slezak,   Tony Ma,   Pat Rao,   Max Pescatori,   David Benyamine,   Mike Matusow,   Doyle Brunson,   Greg Jamison,   Ram Vaswani,   Chau Giang,   Robert Williamson III,   Soheil Shamseddin

$10,000 World Championship Omaha Hi-Low Split-8 or Better - Day 2 - Level 14 Recap

Jun 20, '08

Note: The players are now on a 20-minute break

Blinds: 2,500-5,000

Players Left:  40 of 235

Chip Leaders:
Doyle Brunson - 250,000
Ram Vaswani - 210,000
Greg Jamison - 207,000
David Benyamine - 202,000
Mike Matusow - 190,000
Pat Rao - 189,000
Toto Leonidas - 180,000
Chau Giang - 160,000
James Van Alstyne - 148,000
Tony Ma – 145,000
David Chiu – 135,000

Average Stack: 117,500

Eliminations:
Alex Kravchenko
Chris Ferguson
Jen Harman
Nikolay Evdakov

Big Hands and Storylines:

Nikolay Evdakov Eliminated

Three hands at two tables, over the course of only 25 minutes, and Nikolay Evdakov would go from 110,000 chips to zero. Card Player was there to see the decline and fall of Evdakov...

Three Parts Giang, One Part Slezak

With a board reading J632 and three players in the hand, Bob Slezak checked to Evdakov who put in a bet of 10,000, Chau Giang raised and both Slezak and Evdakov called. The river was the 3 and action checked around to Giang who bet again. Slezak and Evdakov both called and Giang showed down an impressive holding: A432 for the nut low and a baby full house. Slezak could only muster AJ84 for half of the low pot. Evdakov mucked. Strike one for Evdakov.

Just Right for Ma

After being moved to a new table featuring the likes of Doyle Brunson, David Chiu, and Alexander Kostritsyn, Evdakov mixed it up with Tony Ma in what turned out to be a small but important pot.

Evdakov check-called a bet from Ma on a 332 flop. On the turn and river both players checked. With the final board reading 3329K, Evdakov showed K1092 for two-pair, kings and nines, but Ma took down the pot with AAQJ for a better two pair. Strike two.

You Don’t Mess with The Brunson

In his final act, Nikolay Evdakov tried to wrest some chips from the grasp of Doyle Brunson. Predictably, that one didn’t work out so well. Doyle raised pre-flop from middle position and Evdakov and Kostritsyn called from the blinds. On a flop of 965, Evdakov checked, Kostritsyn checked, Brunson fired a continuation bet, Evdakov raised, Kostritsyn folded, and Brunson called. The turn 5 paired the board and slowed down Evdakov, who check-called a bet from Brunson. The river was the K, with only an additional 10,000 behind, the Russian checked it over to Brunson, who put him all-in. Evdakov called and could only rap the table after seeing Brunson’s A872. Strike three. Evdakov is out.

Life Goes On

The rest of the players at Evdakov’s table seem to be in stable condition though. Kostritsyn has 100,000, David Chiu has 135,000, and Tony Ma has 145,000. Oh, yeah, there’s also the case of Doyle Brunson. After winning a number of pots in the past two levels, Brunson is the new chip leader with 250,000 in chips.

Player Tags: Toto Leonidas,   Chris Ferguson,   Tony Ma,   Pat Rao,   David Benyamine,   Mike Matusow,   Doyle Brunson,   Greg Jamison,   David Chiu,   Ram Vaswani,   Jennifer Harman,   Chau Giang,   Alexander Kravchenko,   James Van Alstyne,   Nikolay Evdakov,   Alexander Kostritsyn,   European Report

$10,000 World Championship Omaha Hi-Low Split-8 or Better - Day 2 - Level 13 Recap

Jun 20, '08

Blinds: 2,000-4,000

Players Left:  50 of 235

Chip Leaders:
David Benyamine - 216,000
Ram Vaswani - 180,000
Bruno Fitoussi - 155,000
Soheil Shamseddin - 155,000
Doyle Brunson - 150,000
Toto Leonidas - 150,000
Erick Lindgren - 150,000
Greg Jamison - 145,000
Danny Dang - 133,000
Chau Giang - 130,000

Average Stack: 94,000

Eliminations:
Annie Duke
Huck Seed

Big Hands and Storylines:

Huck Seed Eliminated

Huck Seed, on a precariously short stack, raised from the button and the big blind called. Seed bet the A64 flop and his opponent called. Seed got the last of his money in on the Q turn and the two showed their cards:

Seed: AAK4
Opponent: K752

Seed had a set of aces but his opponent was freerolling for a scoop with a made low and an open-ended straight draw. The river was the 3, giving Seed’s opponent the nut low and a 7-high straight. Seed slowly slid out of his chair and exited the room, but not before tossing in a thought, “That was a good flop for you.”

“Don’t Let Matusow Win Another Pot”

That quote comes from none other than 2008 World Series bracelet winner... Mike Matusow? Clearly concerned about the tournament chances of his tablemates, Matusow was kind enough to give his peers a word of advice, but could they successfully follow it? We found out only seconds after Matusow’s  word of caution:

Danny Smith raised from early position and Mr. Matusow himself 3-bet from the button. Smith called and the two of them saw a flop. A97 rolled out and Smith check-called Matusow’s bet. The action was the same on the Q turn, then both players checked the 4 on the river. “Three aces,” said Matusow. His opponent mucked his hand and Matusow’s AA92 scooped the pot.

After the pot Matusow had another tip, this one perhaps more relevant to the dealer: “Don’t let Matusow pick up the ace-ace-deuce every hand.”

“The Mouth”, once down to only 20,000, is now up to 110,000.

Evdakov Eliminates Annie Duke

Ram Vaswani raised under-the-gun to 8,000, Nikolay Evdakov called from middle position, and Annie Duke called from the button. Both blinds folded, and the flop came down J109. Vaswani checked, Evdakov bet, Duke raised, leaving herself only 1,000 behind, and both Vaswani and Evdakov called. On the A turn, Vaswani checked again, Evdakov bet, Duke called all-in for her final thousand, and Vaswani called. The river was the J and Vaswani folded to a bet from Evdakov. The Russian showed AQQJ for a full house, enough to win the pot and dismiss Duke. Evdakov is now up to 110,000, though still far short of Vaswani’s 180,000.

Player Tags: Trai "Danny" Dang,   Toto Leonidas,   Annie Duke,   Erick Lindgren,   Huck Seed,   David Benyamine,   Mike Matusow,   Doyle Brunson,   Greg Jamison,   Ram Vaswani,   Chau Giang,   Bruno Fitoussi,   Danny Smith,   Soheil Shamseddin,   Nikolay Evdakov,   European Report

David Benyamine Wins Event No. 37 ($535,687)

Jun 21, '08

Toto Leonidas Eliminated in 4th place ($171,197)

After Jason Gray doubled through Toto Leonidas the hand before, Leonidas found himself all in for 40,000 in the big blind. He was called by both David Benyamine and Jason Gray. Gray and Benyamine checked down the river where Gray fired out a bet and Benyamine called. Gray mucked his hand.

Leonidas: AJ52
Benyamine: K975
Board: KQ6109

Benyamine turned over the king-high flush, taking both the side and main pots, and eliminating Tot Leonidas in 4th place ($71,792).

Jason Gray Eliminated in 3rd Place ($209,855)

Action folded around to Jason Gray who raised from the button, David Benyamine made the call out of the small blind. The flop came KJ8, and Benyamine bet out (enough to put Gray all in), Gray called all in.

Benyamine: J10109
Gray: AQ32

Benyamine had the best hand going to the turn with a pair of jacks, an open-ended straight draw, and the nut straight redraw. Gray flopped the nut flush draw and a gut-shot nut straight draw. The turn was the 2, no help to either player and the J hit the river, giving Benyamine trip jacks. With no low hand possible, Benyamine scooped the pot, eliminating Jason Gray in 3rd place ($209,855).

And Then There Were Two...

Here is a look at the chip counts going into heads-up play.

David Benyamine: 3,665,000
Greg Jamison: 1,035,000

David Benyamine Wins Event No. 37 ($535,687)

David Benyamine raised from the button and Greg Jamison reraised all in, Benyamine called.

Jamison: KQ62
Benyamine: Q10103
Board: J109J3

Benyamine flopped middle set while Jamison flopped the nut straight to the king. Witht the low hand not even being an issue, Benyamine needed the board to pair which it did when the jack hit the turn. Benyamine made a full house (tens full of jacks) on the turn and Jamison was darwing dead on the river. David Benyamine wins event no. 37 ($535,687) and his first WSOP bracelet while Greg Jamison has to settle for 2nd place and $331,350.

Player Tags: Toto Leonidas,   David Benyamine,   Greg Jamison,   Jason Gray

$10,000 Omaha 8/b World Championship - David Chiu 8th, Ram Vaswani 7th, Eugene Katchalov 6th

Jun 21, '08

Blinds: 20,000-40,000
Stakes: 40,000-80,000

Players Left: 5

Chip Counts:
Jason Gray: 1,750,000
Greg Jamison: 1,040,000
David Benyamine: 880,000
Toto Leonidas: 630,000
Mike Matusow: 400,000

Eliminations:
David Chiu Eliminated in 8th Place ($71,792)
Ram Vaswani Eliminated in 7th Place ($88,360)
Eugene Katchalov Eliminated in 6th place ($110,450)

Big Hands:

David Chiu Eliminated in 8th Place ($71,792)

Greg Jamison raised before the flop and a short stacked David Chiu called all in.

Jamison: AKK10
Chiu: 5543
Board: J1078Q

David Chiu really never had a decent shot at winning this pot after the flop. Jamison had the over pair (kings) and on the turn both players picked up a flush draw, Jamison's better. Without a five or a six on the river, Chiu couldn't win the high pot, and a queen meant that he couldn't win the low pot either. David Chiu was eliminated in 8th place, earning $71,792.

Ram Vaswani Eliminated in 7th Place ($88,360)

Fresh off of eliminating David Chiu just moments before, Greg Jamison came in for a raise when his soon to be next victim, Ram Vaswani reraised. Jamison threw one more raise in there, enough to put Vaswani all in. Vaswani called and both players turned over their cards.

Jamison: A872
Vaswani: QQ66
Board: A8274

If nothing else, Vaswani techincally had the best hand when the money went in, but an ace on the flop meant that he would be drawing very slim to the river. With no low hand possible, Vaswani needed a queen to hit the board or he would be eliminated. No queen on the turn or river and Ram Vaswani was our 7th place finsisher, earning $88,360 for his efforts.

Eugene Katchalov Eliminated in 6th place ($110,450)

Euegene Katchalov got it all in against Greg Jamison on a flop of 872.

Katchalov: AK92
Jamison: AK52

The turn and river brought bricks, Katchalov and Jamison split the high pot and Jamison locked up the low with A-5. Katchalov got quartered this hand.

The very next hand and Eugene Katchalov got it all in against Jason Gray.

Katchalov: 9876
Gray: AJ32
Board: 643QJ

Katchalov flopped top pair with a gut-shot and an 8-7 low, but the jack on the river gave Gray two pair (high) and a 6-4 low. Gray scooped the pot while Eugene Katchalov was eliminated in 6th place ($110,450).

Player Tags: Greg Jamison,   David Chiu,   Jason Gray,   Ram Vaswani,   Eugene Katchalov

Omaha High-Low - Double Up Madness

Jun 05, '08

Blinds: 10,000-20,000

Players Left: 8

Big Hands:

James Pritchard Chips Up With 3/4 of the Pot

On a flop of J53, James Pritchard bets and is called by Craig Sabel. The turn is the 10 and once again Sabel calls Pritchards bet. The river is the 6 and Pritchard is all in. Sabel calls and the players turn up their hands.

Sabel - AK92
Pritchard - AJ102

Sagel rivered the nut low, but so did Pritchard. In addition, Pritchard has the high with jacks and tens. He takes 3/4 of the pot and chips up to 170,000.

Spencer Lawrence Doubles Up

Spencer Lawrence is all in for his tournament life and is called by Greg Jamison. Lawrence turns over AK72 and Jamison shows JJ42. The flop comes J76 and Jamison takes a big lead in the hand, but the turn and river come 10Q giving Lawrence a broadway straight and the whole pot. After the hand, Lawrence is sitting with 75,000 in chips.

George Guzman Won't Go Quietely

After getting crippled to next to nothing, George Guzman has refused to bust, chopping and scooping his way to a stack of 180,000 courtesy of several double ups from the rest of the table.

Player Tags: Greg Jamison,   Spencer Lawrence,   George Guzman,   Craig Sabel

Omaha High-Low - Scott Clements Out

Jun 05, '08

NOTE: CardPlayer TV – Erik Seidel Talks About Omaha Hi-Lo


Blinds: 8,000 - 15,000 switching to 10,000 - 20,000

Players Left: 8

Big Hands:

Scott Clements Eliminated in Ninth Place ($22,172)

After being crippled on an earlier hand, Scott Clements is all in for his last 12,000. James Pritchard calls in the small blind and Thang Luu checks his option in the big blind. The flop comes JJ9 and both players check it down. The turn and river come 28 and Pritchard shows KJQ2 to take the pot with jacks full. Clements claims to have aces, and he is eliminated from the tournament.

Don't worry, for posterity, we will continue to cover this tournament. After all, there is a gold bracelet on the line.

George Guzman Picks Up A Big Pot

Greg "Fargo" Jamison limps, as does Chris Falconer and Geogre Guzman. Spencer Lawrence checks his option in the big blind. The flop comes J107 and Jamison bets 15,000. Guzman is the only caller and the turn is the 8. Both players check and the river is the J. Jamison bets 30,000 and Guzman makes the call. Jamison can only turn over pocket deuces and Guzman's AKQQ is enough to take it down.

NOTE: The blinds then went up to 10,000-20,000 and the 1,000 denomination chips were raced off the table.

The players then went on a 20-minute break.

Player Tags: Greg Jamison,   Scott Clements,   Spencer Lawrence,   Thang Luu,   Chris Falconer,   George Guzman

Hour Four

Jun 23, '07

Player Tags: Greg Jamison,   Robert Stevanovski,   John Guth,   Max Reynaud