Steve Dannenmann Poker Tournament Updates

Level One, Hour Two Update: David Benyamine Starts Well

Jul 08, '10

Blinds: 50-100

Average Chip Count: 30,000

Notable Chip Counts:

1. Kara Scott – 71,000
2. Brent Baldrey – 65,000
3. Corey Emery – 60,000
4. Alex Aram – 60,000
5. Steve Billirakis – 57,000
6. Aaron Gustavson – 48,000
7. Amanda Musumeci – 47,000
8. David Benyamine – 46,000
9. Bill Chen – 46,000
10. Phil Ivey – 45,700

Card Player Family Chip Counts

Jeff Shulman — 30,000
Jennifer Harman — 30,000
Steve Zolotow — 30,000

Notable Eliminations:

None

Player Twitter Accounts

Phil Ivey
Doyle Brunson
Jeff Shulman
Bryan Micon
Jonathan Little
Cyndy Violette
Vanessa Rousso
Zachary Clark

Big Hands:

Phil Ivey Faces a Minimum Four-Bet

A player in the cutoff bet 250 and Phil Ivey raised to 800 total. The player in the small blind four-bet to 1,350 and it was folded to the cutoff. She folded and Ivey quickly called.

The flop came 9638 and action went check-check. The 8 fell on the turn and Ivey’s opponent bet 1,200. Ivey insta-called and the 10 landed on the river. The small blind checked and Ivey bet 4,300. Ivey’s opponent deliberated before eventually folding. Ivey was at 34,000 in chips after the hand.

Steve Billirakis Starting off Strong

On a board of 10937 was faced with a 6,000-chip bet. Billirakis called and the river brought the J. Billirakis led out for 4,000 and his opponent called. Billirakis tabled the J9 for two pair. His opponent mucked the KK. Billirakis was up to 54,000 after the hand.

David Benyamine Drops A Pot

David Benyamine raised to 300 preflop and the small blind made the call. The flop came down A63 and both players checked.

The turn was the 6 and the small blind led out with 500. Benyamine made the call and the river was the 8.

The small blind led out with 500 again and Benyamine decided to look him up. The small blind showed A7 for aces and sixes and Benyamine mucked. Despite dropping that pot, Benyamine was off to a strong start with close to 49,000 in chips.

Cindy Violette Takes One Down

Cyndy Violette raised to 300 and was called by two players. The flop came 9dKh5c and Violette bet 1,000 to force out her opponents. She had around 31,500 after the hand.

“This is Our Maaain Event Of The Evening”

Bruce Buffer raised to 350 from middle position and was called by JJ Lui on the button. The flop ran 782 and Buffer led for 525. Lui folded and Buffer chipped back up to around his starting stack of 30,000.

Joe Serock Takes One From Elizabeth

On a 3-way flop of A78 seat 2 checked and so did Joe Serock. Shannon Elizabeth bet 600 and seat 2 folded, but Serock called.

The 7 fell on the turn and Serock led for 1,800. Elizabeth called and the A fell on the river. Both players checked and Elizabeth mucked when she saw Serock’s Q7.

Serock was at around 39,000 after the hand, while Elizabeth dropped to around 23,000.

Hevad Khan Loses a Big One

Hevad Khan called a bet of 2,250 from seat 7 on a board of 599A. On the 6 river Khan checked and seat 7 fired 7,600. There was already a lot in the pot, and Khan tanked for a moment before electing to fold.

He had 26,000 after the hand.

Steve Dannenmann Run Over By Jacks

Steve Dannenmann bet 250 on a board of 36Q7 and was called by seat 1. The button then raised to 1,050 and Dannenmann called, while seat 1 got out of the way.

The K river was checked around and a stubborn moment left Dannenmann and the player on the button refusing to show their cards first. Finally Dannenmann showed 75 for a pair and the button showed JJ for a better pair. After the loss Dannenmann had around 28,000.

Kenny Tran Wins a Pot

Kenny Tran had the button and was tangled up in a pot versus a player in the cutoff. On a board of AK63 the action went check-check. The 8 fell on the river and the cutoff checked. Tran bet 4,000 and the cutoff tanked. He eventually made the call and Tran exposed the 72 for a flush. Tran’s opponent mucked and Tran raked in the pot. He was up to about the starting stack after the hand.

Mizzi Drops One

With 650 in the pot, the board read 10523. Sorel Mizzi fired 350 and the player in seat 9 made the call.

The river was the 3 and Mizzi checked. Seat 9 fired 1,575 and Mizzi threw away his hand. He was at 32,000 after the loss.

Ferguson Can’t Call

Chris Ferguson raised to 600 on the button and the player in seat 5 made the call from middle position. The flop came down 642 and seat 5 checked.

Ferguson fired 1,000 and seat 5 quickly check-raised to 2,000. Ferguson thought for a bit and made the call. The turn was the 4 and seat 5 checked again.

Ferguson thought for a little while longer and bet 3,000. Seat 5 called again and the river was the 10.

Seat 5 took the lead this time, firing 2,500 and Ferguson released his hand. Ferguson was down to 26,000 after dropping that pot.

Rousso Bluffs Off Half Her Stack

Picking up the action after the flop came down Q85, Vanessa Rousso led out with 3,500 and the player in seat 7 made the call.

The turn was the J and Rousso thought long before sliding out 7,000. Seat 7 then tanked and asked Rousso for a count. The rest of the players at the table left as the 20-minute break had begun.

Seat 7 eventually called and the river was the 9. Rousso played with her chips awhile but checked. Seat 7 checked behind and Rousso tabled AK for ace-high. Seat 7 tabled 87 for a pair of eights and a heart draw on the flop.

Rousso dropped a big pot before the break and she was down to 26,000 after starting the hand with close to 49,000.

Player Tags: Chris Ferguson,   David Benyamine,   Cyndy Violette,   Phil Ivey,   Kenny Tran,   Joanne Liu,   Steve Billirakis,   Bruce Buffer,   Vanessa Rousso,   Steve Dannenmann,   Shannon Elizabeth,   Sorel Mizzi,   Hevad Khan,   Joseph Serock

Steve Dannenmann Eliminated in 11th Place ($65,000)

Sep 17, '08

Vivek Rajkumar just took out Steve Dannenmann in similar fashion to the way he took out good friend Thayer Rasmussen.

The action folded to Dannenmann who moved all in from the small blind with A-7. Rajkumar instantly called with A-J.

The board gave Dannenmann a little hope with a gutshot straight draw, but the river was a brick to send him back to Maryland in 11th place.

The final ten players are now redrawing for the final table.

Player Tags: Steve Dannenmann,   V R

Steve Dannenmann Doubles Up

Sep 17, '08

Steve Dannenmann raises to 150,000 and Vivek Rajkumar reraises to 450,000 from the small blind. Dannenmann moves all in for a total of 614,000 and Rajkumar is forced to call the remaining chips.

Dannenmann shows AA and Rajkumar is way behind with J9. The flop brings an open ended straight draw for Rajkumar, but the turn and river disappoint him as the aces hold up to take the pot.

Dannenmann doubles up to 1,200,000.

Player Tags: Steve Dannenmann,   V R

$10,000 Main Event - Day 1d - So Much for the Phan Club

Jul 06, '08

Blinds/Antes: 150-300 with a 25 ante

Players Left: 1,746 of 2,461

Chip Leaders:

Mohmad Koowwssarie: 118,000
Aaron Kanter: 112,000
Brad Tisdale: 112,000
Tom Ly: 111,000
Shawn Conix: 110,000
Victor Ramdin: 98,500
Jaason Katsutani: 93,500
Paul Loh: 90,000
David Oppenheim: 87,000
David Saab: 84,000

CP Chip Counts:

Jeff Shulman: 32,000

Eliminations: Jean Gaspard, Tim Phan, John Phan

Big Hands:

Tim Phan Crippled, Then Busts

On a board J9335, the player in seat 2 bet 5,000 and Tim Phan went into the tank. There was a lot of money in the pot and Phan decided to make the call, leaving himself with only 2,900 behind. Seat 2 then showed down QQ and Phan mucked.

On the next hand, Phan was in the big blind and the player in seat 6 raised to 1,500. Ross Larry made the call from the cutoff in seat 1 and Phan moved all in for 1,400 more. Both players called and the flop came down A42. Seat 6 fired 3,000 into the side pot and Larry made the call. The turn was the 7 and seat 6 fired another bet, this one 5,000. Larry called again and the river was the 8. Seat 6 slowed down and checked. Larry pounced and moved all in. Seat 6 quickly called. "So long buddy. Nice playing with you," a player at the table said to Phan. Phan showed AK for top pair, the same as seat 6 who showed AK. But Larry turned over QJ for a flush on the river and he knocked out two players, including Phan.

Green Light for Action

As small as the Green section of the room might be, Table 11 now plays host to Teddy "Iceman" Monroe is seat 1, followed by Noah Schwartz in Seat 3, Jean-Robert Bellande in Seat 4, and Nick Binger in Seat 6.

Jean-Robert Bellande Takes Small Pot Off Nick Binger

Jean-Robert Bellande raised to 900 from middle position and Nick Binger made the call from the cutoff. The flop came A93, and Bellande bet out 1,400. Binger thought for a minute before folding his hand. Bellande raked another small pot as he flashed the A. After the hand Bellande moved up to just iver 60,000 in chips while Binger fell to 14,200.

Schwartz Defends Blind, Check-Raises Bellande Off of Hand

Jean-Robert Bellande raised to 800 from under the gun and Noah Schwartz called from the big blind. The flop came 433, and both players checked. The turn was the 7, and Schwartz checked to Bellande who bet out 1,000. Schwartz raised (check-raise) to 2,300 and after a few minutes in the tank, Bellande folded the hand. Schwartz raked the pot, briniging his chip count back up to 13,000 while Bellande fell slightly down to 52,000 after the hand.

The Razor Cut From The Field

John Phan has won 2 bracelets in the 2008 WSOP, but his quest for the grandest prize of them all has come to an end.
He was crippled late in level 4 when after much thought he called his opponent's all in bet of 9,000 on a board of K55A10. His opponent showed AA for aces full and Phan mucked, having lost most of his stack in the hand.
The following hand, Phan moved his remaining 3,400 all in preflop and was called by Colleen Caitlin. Phan confidently showed QQ and asked, "You have pocket tens?" But Caitlin shook her head and flipped over AK. The board ran A9549 and Phan was eliminated.

Danneman Gets Check-Raised off a Big Hand

Steve Danneman raised to 1,300 from late position and and the player in the big blind reraised to 3,300. Dannemen smooth called the raise and the flop came 10103, and both players checked around. The turn was 10 and the big blind checked to Danneman who bet 2,500. The big blind raised (check-raise) to 5,000 and Dannenman went into the tank. After a few minutes, Dannemam elected to fold his hand, his chip count falling down to 43,000.

Oppenheim Makes The Call

On a flop of K42, the player in seat 9 checked over to David Oppenheim, who fired a bet of 1,400 into the 2,200 pot. His opponent then check-raised to a total of 4,000. Oppenheim made the call, and the dealer dealt out the turn card, the 2. Both players checked to the river, which brought the Q. Seat 9 took another stab at the pot, firing out 8,000. Oppenheim leaned back in his chair, continuing to enjoy his massage as he stared down his opponent. After only a short period of deliberation, Oppenheim haphazardly tossed in his call, one chip at a time. His opponent shoved his hand into the muck, and Oppenheim raked the pot in without a showdown. He is up to 87,000.

For an exclusive look at Oppenheim's cards and his thought process during the hand, be sure to check out his Pro Analysis interview.

Jean Gaspard Goes Broke

A few hands earlier at the same table, Jean Gaspard was all in on the turn of a board reading AQ89 against the same player in seat 9. Gaspard held only 86, and was in poor shape against his opponent's AK. Gaspard improved to a straight draw on the river, which brought the 7, but was eliminated without the help of a sixth communal card.

Player Tags: John Phan,   David Oppenheim,   Tim Phan,   Jean-Robert Bellande,   Steve Dannenmann,   Noah Schwartz,   Jean Gaspard

$10,000 Main Event - Day 1D - Level 3, Hour 2

Jul 06, '08

At the end of this level players go on a 90-minute dinner break. Play will resume at 8:30 p.m.

The payouts have been announced. The total prize pool is $64,333,600 and 666 players will finish in the money. The first-place prize is $9,119,517.

Blinds: 150-300

Day 1D Players Remaining: 2,079 of 2,461

Chip Counts:

Brad Tisdale - 112000
Shawn Cunix - 110000
Mohmad Koowssarie - 100000
Paul Loh - 97000
Victor Ramdin - 94000
Jason Katsutani - 93000
David Oppenheim - 82500
Richie Smith - 77000
Ben Fineman - 72000
Cory Tymich - 71000

Eliminations:

Doyle Brunson
Paul "Eskimo" Clark
Allen Kessler
Phil Ivey
Jennifer Tilly
George Danzer

Big Hands and Storylines:

Dannenmann ends another's dream

After a flop of J92, Steve Dannenmann raised his opponent all in and was called. Dannenmann held AJ and his opponent, with J10, held just two outs. The turn and river were K5 and Dannenmann collected the pot to improve to 55,000 chips.

Dario’s King-Jack Doesn’t Help Stack

In a pre-flop raised heads-up pot, an opponent checked to Dario Minieri on a flop of J88.  Minieri checked behind, and the dealer put down the 2 on the turn.  Again his opponent checked, allowing Minieri to fire a bet of 1,700 into the pot.  His opponent made the call and the 7 came on the river.  Minieri bet 4,500 when checked to for the third time by his opponent.  After some deliberation, Minieri’s opponent called.  “King-jack,” Minieri announced as he turned over his KJ.  “That sucks for both of us,” his opponent said while turning over his own KJ.  “Look at the freeroll!” the player announced as the dealer split the pot between the two, referring to the diamond flush draw he picked up on the turn.

Opponent Out with a Bang, For Now Yang Can Hang

On a flop of 765 in a pre-flop raised pot, defending champion Jerry Yang fired a bet of 2,700 into the pot. His opponent announced a raise and tossed a single orange 5,000 chip across the line. The dealer told him that he would be committed to a minimum raise, and the player complied by adding 400 more. Yang stood up from his seat and studied his opponent. After asking how much he had behind and discovering he had his opponent only slightly covered, Yang dramatically kissed a small photograph of his family (no doubt for the benefit of the rolling television cameras) and moved his chips into the pot. His opponent called and revealed 1010, while Yang turned over KK. The J turn and K river failed to improve the pocket tens, and Yang stood up to hug his opponent. The well-needed pot for Yang boosted his stack to 35,000.

But later in the level Yang's chip stack took a big hit. After limping preflop and facing a reraise, Yang saw his opponent has 13,475 chips behind and put him all in. His opopnent called and had pocket queens, a four-to-one favorite over Yang's pocket threes. The flop was A-8-8, and then the turn was a three. Yang turned away from the table and yelled in celebration. Meanwhile a queen came on the river, giving the 32,000-chip pot to his opponent. After the hand Yang had about 20,000 chips.

Chan Cruising Along

Johnny Chan is dominating his table with a big stack and profiting from it. He raised preflop to 800 and play was folded to the big blind who called. The flop came 877, and when the big blind checked Chan bet another 1000. He was called. The 2 came on the turn and when the big blind checked, Chan responded with a bet of 1800. His opponent folded, and Chan improved to about 62,000 in chips.

Elizabeth gets some breathing room

Shannon Elizabeth raised from under the gun and was called by the big blind. Both the big blind and Elizabeth checked the flop and turn. After her opponent checked on the river with the board A-A-8-7-10, Elizabeth bet 1,500 and was called. She flipped over pocket tens for a full house and took down the pot. After the hand Elizabeth was nearly up to 10,000.

Tilly knocked out

Jennifer Tilly was eliminated when she ran A-K into pocket tens and failed to improve.

Ferguson Sinking Fast

Chris Ferguson is down to below 10,000 chips and has had little if any momentum all day. He recently called an 800 raise from the cut-off position and saw the flop come A63. The original bettor made it 1150 to go and Ferguson made the call. The 7 came on the turn and both players checked, then the 9 fell on the river. The bettor came out for 2800 and Ferguson released his hand, now down to 9500 in chips.

Player Tags: Chris Ferguson,   Johnny Chan,   Jennifer Tilly,   Steve Dannenmann,   Shannon Elizabeth

$1,000 NL Hold'em w/Rebuys - Level 6

Jun 25, '08

Players are now beginning their dinner break.

Blinds: 200/400 with 50 ante

Players Left: 320 of 879 (with 2508 rebuys and add-ons combined)

Average Stack: 21,180

Chip Leaders:

Mark Seif - 75,000
Jamie Rosen - 70,000
Jason Mercier - 68,400
John Phan - 51,500
Brandon Cantu - 51,000
Roland de Wolfe - 49,200
Jerrod Ankenman - 43,000
Terrence Chan - 41,000
J.C. Tran - 40,800
Scott Clements - 38,700

Eliminations: Kathy Liebert.

Big Hands

Liu Eliminates Liebert

The player under the gun started a trend by limping for 400, and two others followed before play came to Kathy Liebert on the button. Liebert sensed weakness and pushed all-in for 4700, but J.J. Liu to her immediate left in the small blind then raised over the top all-in. Everyone folded and Liebert showed A7. Liu held 1010. The flop came Q76, and the 4 on the turn gave Liebert a flush possibility. However the 9 on the river meant the chips were shipped to Liu.

Men Traverses Dangerous Board

Men Nguyen was on the button and called a late position raise to 1100. Mark Seif, a chip leader in the tournament and in the big blind, also called to see the flop and it was three-way action. The flop came AA4, Seif checked and the original raiser bet 1650. Nguyen called and Seif folded. The turn brought the A, and the original raiser bet another 3100. Nguyen wasn't to be deterred and called again. The J came on the river, and after the original raiser checked, Nguyen fired out for 5000. He took the monster pot uncontested.

Tehan Makes Recovery

After getting shortstacked in the early going, Joe Tehan has bounced back to have over 20,000 in chips. From the cutoff he open raised to 1050 and had the small blind call. The flop came K85 and both players checked. The 9 followed on the turn and after the small blind checked, Tehan bet 1600. The small blind folded and Tehan showed him the A before he mucked his hand.

Tran Continues to Dominate

Few players want to mess with a deepstacked J.C. Tran at his table. Tran raised from early position to 1200 and had two callers, including the big blind. After the KQ3 hit the board, Tran bet another 3500 and both opponents folded.

Dannenmann Takes in Pot

Steve Dannenmann was in the small blind and called a preflop raise. After the board came A85, he check-called a bet of 1800 from his heads-up opponent. After the Q appeared on the turn, Dannenmann led out for 3000 and his opponent folded.
 

Player Tags: J.C. Tran,   Kathy Liebert,   Joanne Liu,   Joe Tehan,   Steve Dannenmann

Steve Dannenmann Takes A Hit

Jul 10, '07

On a board of 8 6 3 2, Steve Dannenmann bets out $700 and Harry Demetriou makes the call.  The river is the K and Dannenmann bets $1,500.  Demetriou takes a second to raise to $3,500 and Dannenmann says, "That was the worst flop for a set of sixes," before mucking his hand.  

Player Tags: Steve Dannenmann

Steve Dannenman

Jul 14, '07

Steve Dannenman has been eliminated from the tournament finishing in 33rd place ($25,820).

Player Tags: Steve Dannenmann

Steve Dannenmann Takes A Hit

Jul 10, '07

On a board of 8 6 3 2, Steve Dannenmann bets out $700 and Harry Demetriou makes the call.  The river is the K and Dannenmann bets $1,500.  Demetriou takes a second to raise to $3,500 and Dannenmann says, "That was the worst flop for a set of sixes," before mucking his hand.  

Player Tags: Steve Dannenmann

Steve Dannenman

Jul 14, '07

Steve Dannenman has been eliminated from the tournament finishing in 33rd place ($25,820).

Player Tags: Steve Dannenmann

Hour Five Recap

Jul 08, '07

Official Numbers

The tournament officials just made the announcement that there were 1743 players registered for Day 1C.  This is the largest “Day 1” so far this year, and with more than 1400 already signed up for the last “Day 1” there will be more than 6,000 players at this year’s Main Event.

Tough Draw

Melissa Hayden is seated at the table adjacent to her boyfriend, five-time bracelet winner Allen Cunningham, however that can be the only good thing about her table draw as it contains two past Main Event Champions Chris Ferguson (‘00) and Robert Varkonyi (’02).  Ferguson has been busy reminding his table he is a World Champion. In one hand, Ferguson raised to $900 and was called by the small blind.  The flop was Q 7 5, the small blind bet $1,100, and Ferguson called.  The turn was the J, and both players checked.  The river was the 5, the small blind bet $2,250, and Ferguson called.  Ferguson showed A Q to take the pot.  Allen Cunningham has been busy himself.  He eliminated an opponent by getting him to call off the rest of his chips on the river with a Broadway straight, while Cunningham held a full boat, Jacks over tens.

One More Time

Its happened again, Mike Matusow has officially blown up.  Matusow moved all in against his opponent’s preflop $1,100 raise for his last $10,000, only to have his pocket threes run into pocket Jacks.  Matusow exited the tournament, much to the disappointment of many adoring railbirds.

Danneman Giving Information

On a K 5 5, Dannenman bet $800 and his opponent called.  Both players checked the 9d on the turn.  The 7 hit on the river, Dannenman bet $2,000, his opponent folded, and Danneman lamented his bad luck, showing the 7 7, getting no action on his boat.  Dannemnan is up above $40,000 on the day.

Thater Receives Recognition

Nolan Dalla took time to recognize the larger number of female players doing well at this year’s tournament.  He singled out the first female player to win an open event since Annie Duke in 2004, PokerStars team member Katja Thater, 2007 Razz Champion.  She gets a nice round of applause from the tournament field.

Notable Chip Counts

David Mitchell-Lolis	78,000
Gavin Griffin	70,000
Allen Cunningham	66,500
Warren Karp	66,000
Chad Brown	65,000
Shannon Shorr	56,000
Danny Alaei	55,000
Chris "Jesus" Ferguson	47,500
Amir Vahedi	45,000
Steve Dannenmann	41,000
Todd Brunson	40,000
Vanessa Rousso	39,000
Amnon Filippi	36,000
Lee Watkinson	33,000
David Sklansky	32,000
Jason Alexander	29,000
T.J. Cloutier	28,700
Men "The Master" Nguyen	28,000
Joe Cassidy	26,000
Tony Hachem	25,000
Kristy Gazes	22,000
Katja Thater	22,000
Nick Schulman	21,000
Hasan Habib	19,000
Chris Moneymaker	19,000
Bill Gazes	18,200
Chau Giang	18,000
Phil Gordon	17,300
Rene Angelil	17,000
Melissa Hayden	17,000
Darrell "Gigabet" Dicken	17,000
Eric Cajelais	15,900
Kenna James	14,000
Humberto Brenes	14,000
Jennifer Tilly	12,500
Toto Leonidas	11,000
Clonie Gowen	11,000
Tex Barch	9,000
JC Alvarado	5,000
JC Tran	4,500

Player Tags: Chris Ferguson,   Mike Matusow,   Robert Varkonyi,   Melissa Hayden,   Steve Dannenmann,   Katja Thater

Lots of Action

Jun 17, '07

Players are now on a fifteen minute break as Level 10 comes to an end. Ninety-six players remain with an average chip stack of $51,687.

More and more players are starting to drop as the blinds increase, while others are starting to make moves and secure their Day 2 return. Phil Hellmuth eliminated one of his table mates right before the break when he rivered the nut straight against his opponent’s set of nines. On a flop of Q 9 7, both the blinds check to Hellmuth who bets $3,500. The small blind drops out while the big blind just smooth calls. The turn brings the 5 and both players check around. The river brings the 6 and the big blind bets $5,000. Hellmuth raises to $12,000 and the big blind shoves all-in. Hellmuth quickly calls, declaring that he has the nuts as he turns over 10 8 for the straight. The big blind shows 9 9 for a set of nines, but it’s no good as he is eliminated and Hellmuth rakes yet another pot.

Steve Dannenmann doubles up with the nut flush when the player in seat 4 bets $15,000 into a board of 9 5 4 10 10 on the river. Dannenmann quickly moves all-in for another $10,400 and turns over A Q while his opponent mucks his cards. Dannenmann rakes a huge pot and brings his chip count to well over $50,000.

Players will be entering Level 11 when they return from break where the blinds will increase to $1,000-$2,000 with a $300 ante. Be sure to check back with CardPlayer.com for more updates and your favorite Pro Blogs.

Player Tags: Phil Hellmuth,   Steve Dannenmann

The Hellmuth Show

Jun 18, '07

Like any other day, Phil Hellmuth demands attention with his table theatrics and with his constant criticism of other players.  Hellmuth is also now paired at his table with Thomas Wahlroos.  These two butted heads often during the 5 Diamond WPT Championship earlier this year.  At that table Hellmuth's Jacks received a cooler compliments of Wahlroos's pocket Aces.  If you want to relive the moments they shared earlier this year follow this link...

http://www.cardplayer.com/tournaments/live_updates/7083/11071

However, Wahlroos is quieter this time around; most likely due to his short chip stack.  Hellmuth has continued to verbally spar today with one player in particular, Luke Vrabel.  The two of them have kept the atmosphere very lively

Greg Mueller and Steve Dannenman have recently been eliminated as we are now down to the final 30 players.

Player Tags: Greg Mueller,   Phil Hellmuth,   Steve Dannenmann,   Thomas Wahlroos,   Luke Vrabel

Lots of Action

Jun 17, '07

Players are now on a fifteen minute break as Level 10 comes to an end. Ninety-six players remain with an average chip stack of $51,687.

More and more players are starting to drop as the blinds increase, while others are starting to make moves and secure their Day 2 return. Phil Hellmuth eliminated one of his table mates right before the break when he rivered the nut straight against his opponent’s set of nines. On a flop of Q 9 7, both the blinds check to Hellmuth who bets $3,500. The small blind drops out while the big blind just smooth calls. The turn brings the 5 and both players check around. The river brings the 6 and the big blind bets $5,000. Hellmuth raises to $12,000 and the big blind shoves all-in. Hellmuth quickly calls, declaring that he has the nuts as he turns over 10 8 for the straight. The big blind shows 9 9 for a set of nines, but it’s no good as he is eliminated and Hellmuth rakes yet another pot.

Steve Dannenmann doubles up with the nut flush when the player in seat 4 bets $15,000 into a board of 9 5 4 10 10 on the river. Dannenmann quickly moves all-in for another $10,400 and turns over A Q while his opponent mucks his cards. Dannenmann rakes a huge pot and brings his chip count to well over $50,000.

Players will be entering Level 11 when they return from break where the blinds will increase to $1,000-$2,000 with a $300 ante. Be sure to check back with CardPlayer.com for more updates and your favorite Pro Blogs.

Player Tags: Phil Hellmuth,   Steve Dannenmann

The Hellmuth Show

Jun 18, '07

Like any other day, Phil Hellmuth demands attention with his table theatrics and with his constant criticism of other players.  Hellmuth is also now paired at his table with Thomas Wahlroos.  These two butted heads often during the 5 Diamond WPT Championship earlier this year.  At that table Hellmuth's Jacks received a cooler compliments of Wahlroos's pocket Aces.  If you want to relive the moments they shared earlier this year follow this link...

http://www.cardplayer.com/tournaments/live_updates/7083/11071

However, Wahlroos is quieter this time around; most likely due to his short chip stack.  Hellmuth has continued to verbally spar today with one player in particular, Luke Vrabel.  The two of them have kept the atmosphere very lively

Greg Mueller and Steve Dannenman have recently been eliminated as we are now down to the final 30 players.

Player Tags: Greg Mueller,   Phil Hellmuth,   Steve Dannenmann,   Thomas Wahlroos,   Luke Vrabel

Hour Two Recap

Jun 16, '07

Eliminations

Liz Lieu and Steve Dannenman both hit the rail this past level. Only 83 players remain, meaning that after one more elimination all players are gauranteed $5,157.  At the end of level 12 players went on a short break , during which the $100 black and blue chips were taken out of play and the orange $5,000 chips were introduced.

Below Takes A Blow

After a moments consideration, Kevin "BelowAbove" Saul Pushed in a forty-stack of $1,000 yellow chips, silently announcing a reraise large enough to put his opponent all-in.  His opponent quickly called, and showed the 4 4.  Saul seemed shocked as he reveled his A Q.  The board of 6 3 2 9 K improved neither player, and Saul sustained a huge blow to his stack.

UK heroes
Praz Bansi is thoroughly  enjoying his game and has about $70,000 in chips. Follow his progress on Pro Blogs. Martin Green has $260,000 and looks supremely comfortable. Rob Sherwood and Dave Shallow are railbirding him and questioning his skills. Claiming the 'cash game wizard' isn't really that good! Martin is taking it in his stride though.

Rolf Slotboom and Ross Boatman are still in the thick of the action.

Make sure to check back on the charge toward the final table as it surges on here at Cardplayer.com.

Player Tags: Liz Lieu,   Kevin Saul,   Steve Dannenmann

Hour One Recap

Jun 16, '07

Play got underway around 3 p.m. with around half of level 11 left to play.  With around 120 players remaining in the hunt for the bracelet and the $594,467 first place prize, everyone is at least guaranteed to make $4,125.

Amnon Filippi was close to elimination after his nut flush draw failed to materialize against his opponent's A 10.  He held A 8 and the board came 5 3 2 J J.  His opponent's ten played and Filippi was left on life support until he doubled up off of Jordan Morgan with 4 2.  Morgan is on a heater, with approximately $200,000.  He eliminated one opponent who flopped top pair with A-7 with jacks. 

Kevin "BelowAbove" Saul is now one of the chip leaders, and is sitting with Steve Dannenmann and Ken Einiger at Table 62.  Jeff Shulman and a short stacked Liz Lieu were sat together, but as tables broke they split up.  Lieu doubled up early in level 12. 

Make sure to check back for hourly updates and the Pro Blog of Jeff Shulman here at Cardplayer.com.

Player Tags: Amnon Filippi,   Kevin Saul,   Jordan Morgan,   Steve Dannenmann,   Ken Einiger