Pot-Limit Hold'em - Level 19
May 31, '08
Blinds/Antes: 8000/16000
Players Left: 10
Average Stack: 561,000
Chip Leaders:
Andy Bloch - 1,150,000
Mike Sowers - 945,000
Kathy Liebert - 780,000
Patrik Antonius - 700,000
Nenad Medic - 650,000
Phil Laak - 582,000
Mike Sexton - 500,000
Amit Makhija - 475,000
John Kabbaj - 440,000
Chris Bell - 390,000
Eliminations:
David Benefield
Chris Gildone
Nikolay Evdakov
Ryan Young
Big Hands:
Young Picks Off Limpers
Ryan Young took advantage of rare opportunities early in level 19, when on consecutive hands he picked up pots after a number of players had limped into play. After four players called the 16,000 needed to see the flop, Young led out 45,000 after a flop of 10
Q
4
and went uncontested. On the next hand, three players called an initial raise to 45,000 by Young, and after a flop of 88
4 Young led out with a 70,000 bet and again found no takers.
Sexton Makes His Play
Mike Sexton limped from the small blind and Andy Bloch checked, bringing aboard one of the few flops of the level that resulted in the A6 Qd being fanned out. Sexton led out with a 30,000 bet, which Bloch called. The turn brought the K and checks from both players, and the 10 made it a more intriguing board. Sexton bet out 75,000 and Bloch reluctantly folded. Sexton then revealed the 23 for the busted flush draw.
Laak Hams it Up For the Cameras
Phil Laak, after removing his shoes and socks, raised to 41,000 from the cut-off. Chris Gildone. Gildone reraised an additional 103,000, which caused Laak to go into the tank. After deliberating for several minutes, Laak flashed the A and mucked. He then decided that his “chi” was bad and could only be remedied by acquiring larger stacks of chips. He persuaded Patrick Antonius to trade him 200,000 in orange 5,000 chips for eight of his green 25,000 chips.
Nikolay Evdakov Crippled After Bluffing a Missed Draw
Nikolay Evdakov was left with a short stack after losing a sizable pot to John Kabbaj. After all other players folded, Kabbaj raised to 46,000 from the small blind and was called by Evdakov in the big blind. On a flop of J95, Kabbaj check-called Nikolay’s 40,000 bet. Both players checked the 8 on the turn. Kabbaj continued to check on the 3, but Evdakov bet 100,000. Kabbaj deliberated and called with A5. Evdakov showed T6 and mucked.
Chris Gildone Eliminated by Phil Laak
After settling his issues with his “chi” Phil Laak resumed accumulating chips. After all other players had folded, Laak completed from the small blind and Chris Gildone checked his option. The A86 flop caused Phil to check. Gildone made a pot bet, and Laak instantly made a pot sized reraise. Chris committed his chips with K4, giving him a king-high flush draw. Laak flipped over the 86 for bottom two pair. The 5d on the turn and the 9s on the river failed to improve Gildone’s hand, and he was eliminated in 13th place.
Benefield busted
David Benefield ran into a suddenly hot Mike Sexton to have his tournament run end. Sexton raised with pocket kings, Benefield pushed with ace-king, and was unable to hit the outs he needed. Benefield finished in 13th place.
Evdakov Misses His Outs
Nikolay Evdakov made his stand with jack-nine, but on a flop of ace, queen, 10, Nenad Medic had his queen-6 stand up for the win to eliminate Evdakov in 12th place.
Young Misses Out On Final Table
Ryan Young suffered a tough situation against Mike Sexton, which short-stacked him for an eventual showdown with Kathy LIebert. Against Sexton, Young raised to 43,000, before Sexton pushed the stakes to 143,000. Young called and the flop came down KQ6. Young checked and Sexton's pot bet was enough to take the chips and leave Young somewhat shy on chips.
A few hands later, Young raised to 180,000 after Liebert had made it 60,000 to go. Liebert made the call, and the flop presented in the form of KJ2. Young's remaining 60,000 in chips went into the pot and Liebert was quick to call, showing the A10. It was a tough situation for Young, who had hit the flop with JJ, but the board never paired with the 6 on the turn and 9 on the river. Young placed 11th overall.
Player Tags: Kathy Liebert, Andy Bloch, Phil Laak, Mike Sexton, Patrik Antonius, Nenad Medic, Ryan Young, Chris Gildone, John Kabbaj, David Benefield
