Pot-Limit Hold'em - Eli Elezra Storms Ahead
May 31, '08
Blinds/Antes: 4000/8000
Players Left: 25 of 352
Average Stack: 281,600
Chip Leaders:
Eli Elezra - 640,000
Andy Bloch - 490,000
Amit Makhija - 490,000
Nikolai Evdakov - 490,000
Chris Bell - 400,000
Phil Laak - 400,000
David Bennefield - 400,000
Alexander Kostritsyn - 378,000
Michael Pesek - 340,000
Ryan Young - 310,000
John Kabbaj - 295,000
Eliminations:
Kazuki Ikeuchi
Marco Johnson
David Bach
Chuck Pacheco
Matt Graham
Joseph Sanders
Big Hands:
Ikeuchi First to Fall
After congratulations were shared among those players who claimed a money finish, it was back to the business at hand. Kazuki Ikeuchi was the first to fall when his short stack finally gave in to the elements. Ikeuchi was down to just 25,000 in chips from late position, when he made a pot-sized riase to 21,000. It was folded to Kathy Liebert in the big blind, who deliberated before tossing in 15,000 to call. The flop brought the Q
, A
, and Q
. Ikeuchi committed his final 4,000 in chips and Liebert called, revealing trips with the Q and 7. Ikeuchi has hit his ace while holding the ace-seven of spades. An 8s on the turn and 7 on the river ended Ikeuchi’s evening.
Johnson Slides Away with Big Slick
Marco Johnson committed all of his 55,000 in chips pre-flop and was called by the pocket queens of Mark Newhouse. Johnson was unable to hit with ace-king off-suit when the board refused to bring any paint.
Bach Backs Away
David Bach raised pre-flop to 21,000, then was immediately re-raised by Amit Makhija who made it another 45,000 to call. After a flop of 67
9, Bach pushed his remaining 52,000 in chips to the centre of the table. Makhija quick called again and showed his pocket kings, while Bach held AQ. The turn and river were a pair of black threes and Makhija busted Bach in 34th place.
Matt Graham Eliminated
Moments after doubling up through Mike Sowers when he caught the 6 to improve his 86 against Sowers’ T9, Matt Graham was eliminated by Kathy Liebert. Graham raised to 21,000 in the cut-off and faced a large reraise by Liebert from the small blind. Graham moved all in, and his A9 was called by Liebert’s AJ. Although the flop contained three spades, the running red kings meant that Graham’s tournament life had expired. Liebert improved her stack to over 200,000.
Sexton Busts Newhouse
Mike Sexton continued to build his stack via eliminating Mark Newhouse. He now has over 200,000 and is seated directly opposite Andy Bloch.
Laak Cracks Queens
After remarking about how tight he was playing, Phil Laak raised to 21,000 from middle position and was called by Chuck Pacheco in the cut-off. On a flop of 876, Laak bet 51,000. Pacheco deliberated before moving all in for an additional 20,000, which was quickly called by Laak who flipped over K5 for an open-ended straight draw with an overcard to Pacheco’s QQ. The 9 on the river sealed Pacheco’s fate.
Europeans Swap Chips
With a pot already featuring 45,000 in chips, Andreas Krause moved all-in with his remaining 37,000 in chips after a flop of 6K2. Patrick Antonius deliberated before making a reluctant call and showed a pair of red sevens. Krause flipped over KJ, and remained alive when the 9 fell on the turn and A came on the river.
Final Bell Rings For Sprengers
A three-way pot took shape when Anthony Licastro, the front-runner from much of day 1, open raised to 21,000, and was called by Chris Bell, and then Ben Sprengers on the button. On a flop of 369, Licastro and Bell checked, and Sprengers bet 60,000 at the pot. Licastro released his hand and Bell check-raised to move Sprengers all-in. Bell showed pocket jacks while Sprengers trailed with pocket 10. The 4 came on the turn and A on the river, giving Bell the pot and busting Sprengers. Licastro said he had folded ace-jack and would have won on the river.
Player Tags: Kathy Liebert, Andy Bloch, Phil Laak, David Bach, Mike Sexton, Charles Pacheco, Joseph Sanders, Matt Graham, Mark Newhouse, Amit Makhija, Marco Johnson, Kazuki Ikeuchi, European Report
Big Hands and Storylines: