Marco Traniello Poker Tournament Updates

Level Four Update: Celebrities Cruising at WSOP

Jul 09, '11

Note: Levels are two hours in length and the players began with 30,000 in chips.

Players On Day 1C: 1,300 of 2,181

Blinds: 150-300 with a 25 ante

Top Ten Notable Chip Counts:

1. Adam Junglen — 95,000
2. Paul Pierce — 86,000
3. Ted Forrest — 85,000
4. Sorel Mizzi — 82,000
5. Shannon Shorr — 80,000
6. Mark Newhouse — 78,000
7. Yevgeniy Timoshenko — 73,000
8. Humberto Brenes — 72,000
9. Brad Garrett — 69,000
10. Grayson Ramage — 66,000

Notables Eliminated:

Chad Brown, Pieter de Korver, Davidi Kitai, David Benyamine

Hands:

Well, That’s A Cooler

On a board reading Q 3 2 9 4, Greg Brooks and an opponent found themselves in a raising war on the river.

Brooks pondered making a final move for the rest of his stack, but eventually settled on a call, showing A 5 for the wheel. It’s a good thing he didn’t raise, because his opponent showed 5 6 for the nut straight.

Brooks is now in a little bit of trouble, sitting with just under 12,000 in chips.

Paul Pierce Is Fierce

Don’t look now, but NBA superstar Paul Pierce is currently sitting on just over 90,000 in chips, having tripled his starting stack.

Pierce hasn’t been shy in his first WSOP main event appearance, betting and raising without hesitation just like many of the veterans here today.

Brad Garrett Playing Like A Pro

Brad Garrett called a raise in between two players and saw a flop of J J 9. A player bet 6,000 and both Garrett and the button made the call.

The turn was the 4 and everyone checked. The river was the 2 and once again everyone checked. Garrett tabled pocket kings and they were good enough to take the pot worth nearly 30,000. He now sits with 67,000 in chips.

Phil Hellmuth Going In The Wrong Direction

Phil Hellmuth is now down to 8,000 after flopping a flush. His opponent held middle pair, turned trips and then rivered his kicker to fill up, sending Hellmuth spiraling from his original stack of 30,000.

A Short Double For Traniello

After a raise from the under the gun player to 1,000, another player called and Marco Traniello squeezed all in for his last 4,375 from middle position. The button called and the other two players folded.

Traniello showed pocket jacks and they held against his opponent’s A Q when the board rolled out 8 7 4 3 2. Traniello now has just over 11,000, but at least he’s no longer in desperation mode.

Poker Tweets:

Player Tags: Phil Hellmuth,   Marco Traniello,   Greg Brooks,   Brad Garrett

Level 9 Update: Marco Traniello Eliminated

Jul 11, '11

Note: Levels are two hours in length.

Players Remaining: About 3,700 of 6,865

Blinds: 500-1,000 with a 100 ante

Chip Leaders:

1. Tom Carpenter — 332,000
2. Aleksandr Mozhnyakov — 320,000
3. Ismail Erkenov — 312,000
4. Stephane Albertini — 305,000
5. Mike Sowers — 280,000
6. Don Nguyen — 273,000
7. Daniel Simms — 258,000
8. Brian Powell — 250,000
9. Wayne Hines — 248,100
10. Geoff Rasmussen — 240,000

Card Player Chip Counts:

Phil Hellmuth — 18,000
Shawn Patrick Green — 90,000

Notables Eliminated:

Marco Traniello
Chris Moorman
Yevgeniy Timoshenko
Barry Shulman

Hands:

Marco Traniello Eliminated

Marco Traniello was all in with J-10 on a J 7 2 board. His opponent held the K Q for a flush draw and two overs. A 2 on the turn gave Traniello’s opponent a flush, but it provided some hope for making a full house. However, the river bricked for Traniello and he was gone.

Paul Pierce Drops Some

An unknown player raised to 2,200, and Paul Pierce made the call, as well as another player. The flop came Q-8-6 and the original raiser fired a continuation bet of 2,200. Pierce called and the other player folded. A 9 on the turn promoted 9,500 more and Pierce again called. The 6 on the river led to a 13,000-chip bet into Pierce. He made the call with Q-10, but was out kicked by his opponent’s A-Q.

Jason Porter Doubles Up

An unknown player shoved for 30 big blinds with K-J off suit after a preflop raise, and Jason Porter woke up with the A K. His hand held and he was at 63,000 after the hand.

Daniel Negreanu Chipping Up

An unknown opens for 6,700 with pocket kings, and Daniel Negreanu calls from the small blind with pocket tens. The flop is Q-Q-7 and action went check-check. The turn is a 7 and Negreanu bets 4,200, and his opponent calls. The river is a 4 and Negreanu bets 7,500. His opponent pulled out a coin and said “Heads I’m in, Tails I’m out.” The toss came tails and Negreanu’s opponent mucked the cowboys.

Poker Tweets:

Player Tags: Daniel Negreanu,   Marco Traniello,   Jason Porter

Level Four Update: Celebrities Cruising at WSOP

Jul 09, '11

Note: Levels are two hours in length and the players began with 30,000 in chips.

Players On Day 1C: 1,300 of 2,181

Blinds: 150-300 with a 25 ante

Top Ten Notable Chip Counts:

1. Adam Junglen — 95,000
2. Paul Pierce — 86,000
3. Ted Forrest — 85,000
4. Sorel Mizzi — 82,000
5. Shannon Shorr — 80,000
6. Mark Newhouse — 78,000
7. Yevgeniy Timoshenko — 73,000
8. Humberto Brenes — 72,000
9. Brad Garrett — 69,000
10. Grayson Ramage — 66,000

Notables Eliminated:

Chad Brown, Pieter de Korver, Davidi Kitai, David Benyamine

Hands:

Well, That’s A Cooler

On a board reading Q 3 2 9 4, Greg Brooks and an opponent found themselves in a raising war on the river.

Brooks pondered making a final move for the rest of his stack, but eventually settled on a call, showing A 5 for the wheel. It’s a good thing he didn’t raise, because his opponent showed 5 6 for the nut straight.

Brooks is now in a little bit of trouble, sitting with just under 12,000 in chips.

Paul Pierce Is Fierce

Don’t look now, but NBA superstar Paul Pierce is currently sitting on just over 90,000 in chips, having tripled his starting stack.

Pierce hasn’t been shy in his first WSOP main event appearance, betting and raising without hesitation just like many of the veterans here today.

Brad Garrett Playing Like A Pro

Brad Garrett called a raise in between two players and saw a flop of J J 9. A player bet 6,000 and both Garrett and the button made the call.

The turn was the 4 and everyone checked. The river was the 2 and once again everyone checked. Garrett tabled pocket kings and they were good enough to take the pot worth nearly 30,000. He now sits with 67,000 in chips.

Phil Hellmuth Going In The Wrong Direction

Phil Hellmuth is now down to 8,000 after flopping a flush. His opponent held middle pair, turned trips and then rivered his kicker to fill up, sending Hellmuth spiraling from his original stack of 30,000.

A Short Double For Traniello

After a raise from the under the gun player to 1,000, another player called and Marco Traniello squeezed all in for his last 4,375 from middle position. The button called and the other two players folded.

Traniello showed pocket jacks and they held against his opponent’s A Q when the board rolled out 8 7 4 3 2. Traniello now has just over 11,000, but at least he’s no longer in desperation mode.

Poker Tweets:

Player Tags: Phil Hellmuth,   Marco Traniello,   Greg Brooks,   Brad Garrett

Level 9 Update: Marco Traniello Eliminated

Jul 11, '11

Note: Levels are two hours in length.

Players Remaining: About 3,700 of 6,865

Blinds: 500-1,000 with a 100 ante

Chip Leaders:

1. Tom Carpenter — 332,000
2. Aleksandr Mozhnyakov — 320,000
3. Ismail Erkenov — 312,000
4. Stephane Albertini — 305,000
5. Mike Sowers — 280,000
6. Don Nguyen — 273,000
7. Daniel Simms — 258,000
8. Brian Powell — 250,000
9. Wayne Hines — 248,100
10. Geoff Rasmussen — 240,000

Card Player Chip Counts:

Phil Hellmuth — 18,000
Shawn Patrick Green — 90,000

Notables Eliminated:

Marco Traniello
Chris Moorman
Yevgeniy Timoshenko
Barry Shulman

Hands:

Marco Traniello Eliminated

Marco Traniello was all in with J-10 on a J 7 2 board. His opponent held the K Q for a flush draw and two overs. A 2 on the turn gave Traniello’s opponent a flush, but it provided some hope for making a full house. However, the river bricked for Traniello and he was gone.

Paul Pierce Drops Some

An unknown player raised to 2,200, and Paul Pierce made the call, as well as another player. The flop came Q-8-6 and the original raiser fired a continuation bet of 2,200. Pierce called and the other player folded. A 9 on the turn promoted 9,500 more and Pierce again called. The 6 on the river led to a 13,000-chip bet into Pierce. He made the call with Q-10, but was out kicked by his opponent’s A-Q.

Jason Porter Doubles Up

An unknown player shoved for 30 big blinds with K-J off suit after a preflop raise, and Jason Porter woke up with the A K. His hand held and he was at 63,000 after the hand.

Daniel Negreanu Chipping Up

An unknown opens for 6,700 with pocket kings, and Daniel Negreanu calls from the small blind with pocket tens. The flop is Q-Q-7 and action went check-check. The turn is a 7 and Negreanu bets 4,200, and his opponent calls. The river is a 4 and Negreanu bets 7,500. His opponent pulled out a coin and said “Heads I’m in, Tails I’m out.” The toss came tails and Negreanu’s opponent mucked the cowboys.

Poker Tweets:

Player Tags: Daniel Negreanu,   Marco Traniello,   Jason Porter

Marco Traniello Eliminated in 20th Place

Dec 06, '10

Marco Traniello checked a 7 5 3 flop from and Sorel Mizzi bet. Traniello made the call and the turn brought the K. Traniello then moved all in for 227,000 and Mizzi made the call after spending a moment in the tank. Their cards:

Traniello: K 4
Mizzi: K 10

River: 9

Mizzi grew his stack to 730,000 with the win and Traniello was eliminated in 20th place, taking home $33,785 in prize money.

Player Tags: Marco Traniello,   Sorel Mizzi

Level 14: Seidel And Raymer Out

Jun 24, '10

Flop Games: 2,500-5,000 blinds
Stud Games: 1,000 ante, 2,000 bring-in, 5,000-10,000 limits

Players Remaining: 48 out of 241

Average Chip Stack: 150,625

Tournament Leaderboard:

1. Steve Billirakis – 340,000
2. Richard Ashby – 317,000
3. Brian Townsend – 284,000
4. Brandon Adams – 255,000
5. Marco Traniello – 240,000
6. Robert Mizrachi – 225,000
7. Carlos Mortensen – 220,000
8. Pawel Andrzejewski – 215,000
9. Eric Sclavos – 210,000
10. Eugene Katchalov – 200,000

Notable Eliminations:

Greg Raymer
Ville Wahlbeck
Erik Seidel

Big Hands:

Razz

Seidel Eliminated By Traniello

Erik Seidel was all in by fifth street against Marco Traniello. Seidel was able to make a 9-8 low on sixth street, but it was squashed by Traniello’s 9-7 made on sixth street as well.

The river did not improve Seidel’s hand and he was eliminated. Traniello was up to 163,000 with the knockout.

Raymer Out

Greg Raymer and John Hennigan tangled in a pot that saw Raymer all in by fifth street. Raymer made a 10-low, but Hennigan was able to squeeze out a 9-low and Raymer made his exit from the tournament.

Richey Crippled

Bill Chen and Brett Richey were involved in a hand. Here were their boards:

Chen: (XXX)6-7-10-2
Richey: (XXX)7-10-K-Q

Chen completed on third street and Richey raised to 10,000 and Chen called. Chen then led out on fourth and fifth street with Richey calling him down. On sixth street, Chen bet again and Richey could not call. He mucked his hand and was left with 11,000. Chen was up to 90,000.

Stud/8

Traniello Rolling

Marco Traniello completed to 5,000 and Magnus Persson made the call. Traniello led for 5,000 on fourth street and Persson called. Traniello then led for 10,000 on every street after and Persson called him down, showing 358K.

Traniello tabled (543)AQ2J for the wheel and scooped the pot as Persson mucked his hole cards. With the pot Traniello was up to 240,000 while Persson was virtually crippled with 60,000.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Marco Traniello,   Greg Raymer,   Brett Richey,   Bill Chen

Level 23 Update: Traniello Eliminated

Jun 25, '10

Blinds:

Flop Games: 30,000-60,000 limits
Stud Games: 7,000 ante, 10,000 bring-in, 30,000-60,000 limits

Players Remaining: 7 out of 241

Average Chip Count: 1,032,857

Tournament Leaderboard:

1. Matt Glantz – 2,000,000
2. Eugene Katchalov – 1,400,000
3. Ian Gordon – 1,400,000
4. Marco Johnson – 1,200,000
5. Carlos Mortensen – 750,000
6. Richard Ashby – 500,000
7. Nick Schulman – 190,000

Notable Eliminations:

8. Marco Traniello – $61,414

Big Hands:

Traniello Triples Up

Hold’em

Marco Johnson raised and Marco Traniello moved all-in for 86,000. Eugene Katchalov cold-called and Johnson made the call as well.

Johnson and Katchalov checked it down as the board ran out 236JQ. Johnson showed AK, Katchalov mucked, and Traniello showed 1010, to give him the pot and triple up to almost 300,000.

Katchalov Picks Off Glantz

Hold’em

Matt Glantz raised and called a three-bet from Eugene Katchalov. The flop came 443 and Glantz check-raised Katchalov, who made the call.

Glantz fired bullets on the turn and river which were the J and the 7 and Katchalov called both times.

Glantz showed A6 and Katchalov showed AJ to take the pot.

Traniello Is First Final Table Casualty

Omaha 8

Marco Johnson raised from the button and Marco Traniello raised all-in from the small blind. Ian Gordon cold-called from the big blind and Johnson made the call.

The flop was 733 and Gordon led with a bet that was called by Johnson. Gordon fired again on the K turn card and Johnson came along to see the K river. Gordon fired the river and Johnson quickly folded his hand.

Gordon showed the 3654 for trip threes and Traniello showed the QQA6. Traniello is eliminated in eight place and collects $61,114 for his efforts.

Glantz Closing in on Two Million

Stud

Nick Schulman: (X-X)-10-5-Q-3
Matt Glantz: (X-X)-A-K-8-7

Marco Johnson completed with the Q and Nick Schulman raised. Matt Glantz made it three bets and Johnson folded, but Schulman came along. Schulman called bets from Glantz on fourth and fifth street, but folded to a bullet on sixth street and Schulman is now down to 190,000, while Glantz is up to 2,000,000.

Player Tags: Marco Traniello,   Marco Johnson,   Ian Gordon

Level 22 Update: Fischman Eliminated to Move to Final 8

Jun 25, '10

Blinds:

Flop Games: 25,000-50,000 limits
Stud Games: 5,000 ante, 7,000 bring-in, 25,000-50,000 limits

Players Remaining: 8 out of 241

Average Chip Count: 903,750

Tournament Leaderboard:

1. Matt Glantz – 1,803,000
2. Marco Johnson – 1,292,000
3. Eugene Katchalov – 1,030,000
4. Ian Gordon – 955,000
5. Nick Schulman – 800,000
6. Carlos Mortensen – 737,000
7. Richard Ashby – 546,000
8. Marco Traniello – 85,000

Notable Eliminations:

Scott Fischman – $48,638

Big Hands:

Traniello Scoops to Stay Alive

Marco Traniello raised and was three-bet by Ian Gordon. Traniello called and they saw the flop of 9-6-4. After a series of bets and raises, Traniello got all his chips in the middle.

Traniello showed the AJ53 and was up against Gordon’s AA95. Gordon had the overpair, but Traniello had straight, flush, and low draws to stay alive.

The turn was the K and the river was the 2 to give Traniello the nut flush and the nut low to scoop the pot and double up to 325,000. Gordon slipped to 690,000 with the loss.

Gordon Gets Best of Fischman

Scott Fischman completed and then called the raise of Ian Gordon. Gordon bet fourth and fifth and Fischman bet sixth and seventh. Gordon called both bets and their boards looked like this.

Fischman: (X-X)-A-3-J-4-(X)
Gordon: (X-X)-8-5-J-Q-(X)

Fischman announced he had a jack-low when he was called on the end and Gordon showed A-7-2 in the hole to take it with an 8-7 low.

Fischman dropped to 390,000 and Gordon now has 840,000.

Schulman and Glantz Dance in Razz

Nick Schulman completed and Matt Glantz raised. Schulman called and both players checked on fourth. Schulman bet fifth and was called by Glantz. Both players checked sixth and seventh and their boards looked like this.

Schulman: (X-X)-A-J-4-8-(X)
Glantz: (X-X)-A-K-10-3-(X)

Schulman turned over the 8-7-7 in the hole to make a jack-low which was good for the pot since Glantz only made a king-low.

Schulman is up to 525,000 and Glantz fell to 1,300,000.

Scott Fischman Eliminated in Ultimate Hold’em Cold Deck

Hold’em

Matt Glantz, Marco Traniello, and Scott Fischman all capped the action preflop with Fischman all-in for the last of his chips.

The flop came 6103 and Glantz checked and called a bet from Traniello who fired into a dry side pot.

The turn was the K and now Glantz check-raised and Traniello called. The river was the 5 and Glantz fired another bullet and Traniello made a crying call and the ultimate cooler was revealed.

Traniello held pocket aces, Glantz pocket kings, and Fischman pocket queens. Glantz’s turned set was good for the pot as Traniello, visibly disgusted, tossed his cards into the muck and cursed his way over to the feature table area. Glantz is now up to 1,760,000.

Player Tags: Scott Fischman,   Marco Traniello,   Matthew Glantz

Level 14: Seidel And Raymer Out

Jun 24, '10

Flop Games: 2,500-5,000 blinds
Stud Games: 1,000 ante, 2,000 bring-in, 5,000-10,000 limits

Players Remaining: 48 out of 241

Average Chip Stack: 150,625

Tournament Leaderboard:

1. Steve Billirakis – 340,000
2. Richard Ashby – 317,000
3. Brian Townsend – 284,000
4. Brandon Adams – 255,000
5. Marco Traniello – 240,000
6. Robert Mizrachi – 225,000
7. Carlos Mortensen – 220,000
8. Pawel Andrzejewski – 215,000
9. Eric Sclavos – 210,000
10. Eugene Katchalov – 200,000

Notable Eliminations:

Greg Raymer
Ville Wahlbeck
Erik Seidel

Big Hands:

Razz

Seidel Eliminated By Traniello

Erik Seidel was all in by fifth street against Marco Traniello. Seidel was able to make a 9-8 low on sixth street, but it was squashed by Traniello’s 9-7 made on sixth street as well.

The river did not improve Seidel’s hand and he was eliminated. Traniello was up to 163,000 with the knockout.

Raymer Out

Greg Raymer and John Hennigan tangled in a pot that saw Raymer all in by fifth street. Raymer made a 10-low, but Hennigan was able to squeeze out a 9-low and Raymer made his exit from the tournament.

Richey Crippled

Bill Chen and Brett Richey were involved in a hand. Here were their boards:

Chen: (XXX)6-7-10-2
Richey: (XXX)7-10-K-Q

Chen completed on third street and Richey raised to 10,000 and Chen called. Chen then led out on fourth and fifth street with Richey calling him down. On sixth street, Chen bet again and Richey could not call. He mucked his hand and was left with 11,000. Chen was up to 90,000.

Stud/8

Traniello Rolling

Marco Traniello completed to 5,000 and Magnus Persson made the call. Traniello led for 5,000 on fourth street and Persson called. Traniello then led for 10,000 on every street after and Persson called him down, showing 358K.

Traniello tabled (543)AQ2J for the wheel and scooped the pot as Persson mucked his hole cards. With the pot Traniello was up to 240,000 while Persson was virtually crippled with 60,000.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Marco Traniello,   Greg Raymer,   Brett Richey,   Bill Chen

Level 23 Update: Traniello Eliminated

Jun 25, '10

Blinds:

Flop Games: 30,000-60,000 limits
Stud Games: 7,000 ante, 10,000 bring-in, 30,000-60,000 limits

Players Remaining: 7 out of 241

Average Chip Count: 1,032,857

Tournament Leaderboard:

1. Matt Glantz – 2,000,000
2. Eugene Katchalov – 1,400,000
3. Ian Gordon – 1,400,000
4. Marco Johnson – 1,200,000
5. Carlos Mortensen – 750,000
6. Richard Ashby – 500,000
7. Nick Schulman – 190,000

Notable Eliminations:

8. Marco Traniello – $61,414

Big Hands:

Traniello Triples Up

Hold’em

Marco Johnson raised and Marco Traniello moved all-in for 86,000. Eugene Katchalov cold-called and Johnson made the call as well.

Johnson and Katchalov checked it down as the board ran out 236JQ. Johnson showed AK, Katchalov mucked, and Traniello showed 1010, to give him the pot and triple up to almost 300,000.

Katchalov Picks Off Glantz

Hold’em

Matt Glantz raised and called a three-bet from Eugene Katchalov. The flop came 443 and Glantz check-raised Katchalov, who made the call.

Glantz fired bullets on the turn and river which were the J and the 7 and Katchalov called both times.

Glantz showed A6 and Katchalov showed AJ to take the pot.

Traniello Is First Final Table Casualty

Omaha 8

Marco Johnson raised from the button and Marco Traniello raised all-in from the small blind. Ian Gordon cold-called from the big blind and Johnson made the call.

The flop was 733 and Gordon led with a bet that was called by Johnson. Gordon fired again on the K turn card and Johnson came along to see the K river. Gordon fired the river and Johnson quickly folded his hand.

Gordon showed the 3654 for trip threes and Traniello showed the QQA6. Traniello is eliminated in eight place and collects $61,114 for his efforts.

Glantz Closing in on Two Million

Stud

Nick Schulman: (X-X)-10-5-Q-3
Matt Glantz: (X-X)-A-K-8-7

Marco Johnson completed with the Q and Nick Schulman raised. Matt Glantz made it three bets and Johnson folded, but Schulman came along. Schulman called bets from Glantz on fourth and fifth street, but folded to a bullet on sixth street and Schulman is now down to 190,000, while Glantz is up to 2,000,000.

Player Tags: Marco Traniello,   Marco Johnson,   Ian Gordon

Level 22 Update: Fischman Eliminated to Move to Final 8

Jun 25, '10

Blinds:

Flop Games: 25,000-50,000 limits
Stud Games: 5,000 ante, 7,000 bring-in, 25,000-50,000 limits

Players Remaining: 8 out of 241

Average Chip Count: 903,750

Tournament Leaderboard:

1. Matt Glantz – 1,803,000
2. Marco Johnson – 1,292,000
3. Eugene Katchalov – 1,030,000
4. Ian Gordon – 955,000
5. Nick Schulman – 800,000
6. Carlos Mortensen – 737,000
7. Richard Ashby – 546,000
8. Marco Traniello – 85,000

Notable Eliminations:

Scott Fischman – $48,638

Big Hands:

Traniello Scoops to Stay Alive

Marco Traniello raised and was three-bet by Ian Gordon. Traniello called and they saw the flop of 9-6-4. After a series of bets and raises, Traniello got all his chips in the middle.

Traniello showed the AJ53 and was up against Gordon’s AA95. Gordon had the overpair, but Traniello had straight, flush, and low draws to stay alive.

The turn was the K and the river was the 2 to give Traniello the nut flush and the nut low to scoop the pot and double up to 325,000. Gordon slipped to 690,000 with the loss.

Gordon Gets Best of Fischman

Scott Fischman completed and then called the raise of Ian Gordon. Gordon bet fourth and fifth and Fischman bet sixth and seventh. Gordon called both bets and their boards looked like this.

Fischman: (X-X)-A-3-J-4-(X)
Gordon: (X-X)-8-5-J-Q-(X)

Fischman announced he had a jack-low when he was called on the end and Gordon showed A-7-2 in the hole to take it with an 8-7 low.

Fischman dropped to 390,000 and Gordon now has 840,000.

Schulman and Glantz Dance in Razz

Nick Schulman completed and Matt Glantz raised. Schulman called and both players checked on fourth. Schulman bet fifth and was called by Glantz. Both players checked sixth and seventh and their boards looked like this.

Schulman: (X-X)-A-J-4-8-(X)
Glantz: (X-X)-A-K-10-3-(X)

Schulman turned over the 8-7-7 in the hole to make a jack-low which was good for the pot since Glantz only made a king-low.

Schulman is up to 525,000 and Glantz fell to 1,300,000.

Scott Fischman Eliminated in Ultimate Hold’em Cold Deck

Hold’em

Matt Glantz, Marco Traniello, and Scott Fischman all capped the action preflop with Fischman all-in for the last of his chips.

The flop came 6103 and Glantz checked and called a bet from Traniello who fired into a dry side pot.

The turn was the K and now Glantz check-raised and Traniello called. The river was the 5 and Glantz fired another bullet and Traniello made a crying call and the ultimate cooler was revealed.

Traniello held pocket aces, Glantz pocket kings, and Fischman pocket queens. Glantz’s turned set was good for the pot as Traniello, visibly disgusted, tossed his cards into the muck and cursed his way over to the feature table area. Glantz is now up to 1,760,000.

Player Tags: Scott Fischman,   Marco Traniello,   Matthew Glantz

Level 2 Update: Boosted J Scoops With a Pair

Jun 06, '10

Limits: Bring-in 100, Ante 75, Limits 300-600

Players Remaining: 154 out of 154

Average Chip Count: 30,000

Card Player Chip Counts:

Barry Shulman-36,000

Notable Eliminations:

Big Hands:

Boosted J Scoops With Just a Pair

Justin “Boosted J” Smith and his opponent got in three bets on fifth with their boards looking like this.

Smith: (X-X)-Q-8-A
Opponent: (X-X)-Q-3-2

On sixth street, Smith caught the J and his opponent caught the 6. Smith bet 600 and was raised to 1,200 by his opponent, which Smith called.

The river quickly went check-check and Smith announced that he had a pair of jacks and showed J-2-7 in the hole. His opponent grabs all seven of his cards, pulls them together and examines them as he tries to figure out if he made a qualifying low hand. He turns his hand over and the dealer confirms he just has a pair of sixes, giving the whole pot to Smith, who climbs to 40,000 in chips.

Chainsaw Scoops the Italian Pirate

On fifth street, Allen Kessler bet out and was called by Nikolay Evdakov and Max Pescatori. Kessler bet again on sixth and was called only by Pescatori.

Kessler: (X-X)-6-8-7-4
Pescatori: (X-X)-Q-3-5-J

Kessler bet another 600 on the river and was called by Pescatori. Kessler turned over the 7-5-2, good for an eight-high straight and a 7-6-5-4-2 low, giving him the whole pot.

Juanda Tangles With Traniello

On fifth street, John Juanda, Chad Brown, and Marco Traniello were involved in a hand. Juanda bet and Brown got out of the way. Traniello called and saw they saw sixth street heads-up.

Juanda: (X-X)-6-6-8-8
Traniello: (X-X)-J-J-8-2

Juanda bet the river for another 600 and was instantly called and said “low” as he tabled A-7-5, giving him an 8-7-5-2-A low and Juanda showed the 6-Q-7, giving him a full house, as the two chopped the pot.

Left In the Deck:

Buzzing About Durrrr

There seems to be more table talk about how much Tom Dwan would win and others would lose if Dwan wins his first bracelet this year. Mike Matusow jokingly admitted he will have no money left if Dwan takes it down.

Matusow also was speculating that the bracelet would be worth $14 million in side bets to Dwan, although nobody knows for sure how much it would be worth.

Player Tags: John Juanda,   Max Pescatori,   Allen Kessler,   Marco Traniello

Level 7 Update: Mizrachi Chip Leader

Jun 04, '10

Limits: Bring-in 300, ante 200, Limits 1,000-2,000

Players Remaining: 115 out of 150

Average Chip Count: 39,130

Tournament Leaderboard:

1. Michael Mizrachi — 160,000
2. John D’Agostino — 140,000
3. Men Nguyen — 90,000
4. Daniel Negreanu — 85,000
5. Scott Seiver — 82,000
6. David Singer — 80,000
7. Daniel Kelly — 78,000
8. Jennifer Harman — 76,000
9. Chris Ferguson — 74,000
10. Eli Elezra — 72,000

Notable Eliminations:
Marco Traniello
Ted Forrest
David Benyamine

Big Hands:

Marco Survives Ivey, Not Adams

A short-stacked Marco Traniello got the rest of his stack all in against Phil Ivey on 3rd street and they showed down.

Ivey: (A6[[suit:diamond])-]J53J-(2)
Traniello: (44)-86J10

Trailing Ivey’s pair of Jacks, Marco squeezed out his last card as wife Jennifer Harman came over to see the action. It was the 10 that he needed, giving him two pair to take the pot and double to 4,800.

After the hand, the table joked how Marco won the hand because Jen came over. “Thanks, Jen!” Ivey said. Ivey had around 30,000 after the hand.

A few hands later Marco was joined by Jen again, this time all in against Brandon Adams. The cards ran:
Traniello: (49)-A3Q4-(5)
Adams: (Q10)-10Q892

Marco’s 4’s weren’t good enough, and he was eliminated. Adams had 38,000 after the hand.

“Devilfish Needs Last Card To Stay Alive*

David “Devilfish” Ulliot got all early in a hand and didn’t seem to have much life left until he hit the perfect 7th street card.
Devilfish: 68JK910… and finally the 7 to give him a straight, doubling to 12,000.

Grinder Running Hot

This year’s Players Championship winner is running hot. In a hand against Eugene Katchalov, Michael Mizrachi ran into Katchalov’s trip Kings, only to improve his holed aces to trip aces to take the pot.

Mizrachi: (AA)-43A10-(2)
Katchalov: (KK)-K968-(MUCK)

Katchalov was eliminated. The Grinder is reminding everyone of his cheap-leading ways in event No. 2, as the pot gave him 164,000 for the chip lead late in day 1 of event No. 10.

Player Tags: Michael Mizrachi,   Marco Traniello,   Phil Ivey,   Eugene Katchalov

Level 7 Update: Fish Eliminates Rajkumar, Gains Massive Chiplead

Jun 23, '09

Blinds: 500-1,000

Players Remaining: 161 out of 275

Chip Counts:

1. Darryll Fish — 195,000
2. David Singer — 132,000
3. David Steicke — 95,000
4. Erik Seidel — 94,000
5. Vanessa Rousso — 93,500
6. Luke Staudenmaier — 93,200
7. Tot Leonidas — 83,000
8. Mike Sowers — 76,000
9. Kathy Liebert — 72,500
10. Kevin Stammen — 70,000

Average Chip Count: 51,242

Notable Eliminations:

Vivek Rajkumar
Chris Bell
Ted Lawson
David Baker
Jason Mercier
Adam Junglen
Adam Levy
Marco Traniello

Big Hands:

Vivek Rajkumar Eliminated by Daryyll Fish

With about 35,000 already in the pot on a flop of AJ9, Darryll Fish bets 26,400 and Vivek Rajkumar calls.

The turn is the 10, and this time Fish checks to Rajkumar who moves all in for 46,000. Fish calls and has him covered.

Rajkumar: QQ
Fish: AK

Rajkumar was behind on the turn and would need to river a set or a straight to double up. The river is the 4 and Vivek Rajkumar is eliminated from the tournament. Fish rakes this pot and brings his chip count up to 195,000 this hand.

Ted Lawson Eliminated

Ted Lawson gets it all in before the flop against the player in seat 1.

Lawson: AQ
Seat 1: JJ

Board: 9675K

Ted Lawson missed the board and his opponent’s pocket jacks held up. Lawson is eliminated from the tournament.

The Dragon Doubles Through Marco Traniello

On a flop of Q76, David “The Dragon” Pham bets 6,000 and Marco Traniello raises enough to put Pham all in. Pham calls all in for 19,300 more and both players turn over their cards.

Pham: QJ
Traniello: JJ

Traniello’s pair of jacks are behind Pham’s pair of queens on the flop. The turn is the 7 and the river is the 2 as Pham doubles up to 50,000 this hand while Traniello is left with just 10,000 in chips.

Traniello was eliminated from the event just a few hands later.

Player Tags: David Pham,   Ted Lawson,   Marco Traniello,   V R,   Darryll Fish

Level 6 Update: Tony G Gets The Best Of Chan

Jun 01, '09

Ante: 100
Low Card: 200
Completion: 600
Limits: 600-1,200

Players Remaining: 138 out of 142

Chip Counts:

1. Matt Glantz – 76,000
2. John Cernuto – 65,000
3. Yuval Bronshtein – 60,000
4. Keith Sexton – 58,000
5. Andy Bloch – 58,000
6. Tim Phan – 56,000
7. David Oppenheim – 55,000
8. Chris Amaral – 55,000
9. Nikolay Evdakov – 51,000
10. Jeff Lisandro – 47,000

Average Chip Count: 30,870

Big Hands:

Tony G Stows Away On The Orient Express

Tony G: X-X-29
Johnny Chan: X-X-QK

Johnny Chan fired a bet of 600 and Tony G made the call.

Tony G: X-X-296
Johnny Chan: X-X-QK3

Chan fired another round of 1,200 and Tony G called.

Tony G: X-X-2964
Johnny Chan: X-X-QK38

Chan slowed down and checked and Tony G bet 1,200. Chan made the call and the players saw the river. On the river, Tony G kept the gas pedal down and fired 1,200 more into the pot and Chan mucked his hand. After the hand Tony G was at 48,000 while Chan was at 22,000.

The Chainsaw Gets Bluffed

Allen Kessler: X-X-4
Seat 7: X-X-A

Kessler’s opponent threw an orange 1,000 chip into the pot to complete the bet. Kessler thought it was a raise and argued with the table about it. After that was over, he called 600 and the players saw the next card.

Allen Kessler: X-X-4Q
Seat 7: X-X-AQ

Seat 7 bet 600 and Kessler called.

Allen Kessler: X-X-4QJ
Seat 7: X-X-AQ9

Seat 7 bet 1,200 and Kessler raised to 2,400. His opponent made the call.

Allen Kessler: X-X-4QJK
Seat 7: X-X-AQ94

Seat 7 bet 1,200 and Kessler tagged along with the call.

Allen Kessler: X-X-4QJK-(2)
Seat 7: (K27)-AQ94

Seat 7 fired 1,200 and Kessler flashed the 2 he received on the river and mucked. His opponent then revealed his hand, showing that he had absoloutely nothing. After the hand, Kessler was down to just 13,500.

Erick Lindgren Takes a Pot

Lindgren: X-X-86K
Seat 8: X-X-743

Picking up the action on fifth street, Lindgren bet 1,200 and his opponent called.

Lindgren: X-X-86KQ
Seat 8: X-X-743A

The betting shifted over to seat 8 with the ace-high. He checked and Lindgren fired another 1,200 bet that was called. On the river, Lindgren fired one more bullet and seat 8 finally had enough, mucking his hand.

Traniello and Levi Tangle Again

Marco Traniello: X-X-43
David Levi: X-X-Q7

Traniello bet 600 and Levi made the call

Marco Traniello: X-X-43A
David Levi: X-X-Q78

Traniello bet 1,200 and Levi called.

Marco Traniello: X-X-43A4
David Levi: X-X-Q782

Traniello fired another 1,200 and Levi stuck around.

Marco Traniello: (KK6)43A4
David Levi: (X-X-10)-Q782

Both players checked the river and Traniello showed his two pair, good enough to take down the pot as Levi flashed his 10. Traniello was over 50,000 while Levi was down to 24,000.

Left In The Deck:

The prize pool for this tournament has been announced. It is $1,334,800. There will be 16 places paid and the winner will be awarded $373,744.

Player Tags: Antanas Guoga,   Erick Lindgren,   David Levi,   Allen Kessler,   Marco Traniello,   Johnny Chan

Level 5 Update: Seif Takes One From Dario

Jun 01, '09

Ante: 100
Low Card: 200
Completion: 500
Limits: 500-1,000

Players Remaining: 141 out of 142

Chip Counts:

1. Matt Glantz – 63,000
2. Toto Leonidas – 46,000
3. David Chiu – 44,000
4. David Bach – 39,000
5. Andy Bloch – 39,000
6. Frank Kassela – 39,000
7. Chris Amaral – 39,000
8. Marco Traniello – 38,000
9. Katja Thater – 37,000
10. Alexander Kravchenko – 37,000

Average Chip Count: 30,212

Big Hands:

Mark Seif vs. Dario Minieri

Minieri: X-X-7
Seif:X-X-10
Max Pescatori: X-X-K

Minieri completed to 500 and both Seif and Pescatori called.

Minieri: X-X-7K
Seif:X-X-10J
Max Pescatori: X-X-Kfold

Pescatori led out with 500 and Minieri called. Seif then raised to 1,000 and Pescatori mucked, but Minieri stuck around.

Minieri: X-X-7K9
Seif:X-X-10JA

The betting was on Seif and he fired 1,000. Minieri gathered his hand and threw it in the muck, leaving his stack around 34,000. With the pot, Seif improved to 13,000.

Jesus Pushes Out The Professor

Chris Ferguson: X-X-9K
Howard Lederer: X-X-69
Seat 7: X-X-98

Howard Lederer fired 1,000 into the pot and Ferguson called, along with seat 7.

Chris Ferguson: X-X-9KK
Howard Lederer: X-X-69-X
Seat 7: X-X-982

Ferguson paired his King and led out with 1,000. Lederer and seat 7 quickly got out of the way and Ferguson raked in the pot, his stack at 37,000. Lederer was not doing too bad himself with 46,000.

Levi vs. Traniello

David Levi: X-X-J
Marco Traniello: X-X-3

Levi completed to 500 and Traniello called.

David Levi: X-X-J4
Marco Traniello: X-X-34

Levi bet 500 and Traniello stuck around for 5th street.

David Levi: X-X-J46
Marco Traniello: X-X-34Q

Traniello checked and Levi fired 1,000. Traniello made the call.

David Levi: X-X-J4610
Marco Traniello: X-X-34QK

Levi fired another 1,000 into the pot with four diamonds showing and one card to go. Traniello had enough and mucked his hand. His stack was at 41,000 while Levi was up to 27,000.

Player Tags: Mark Seif,   Chris Ferguson,   David Levi,   Max Pescatori,   Howard Lederer,   Marco Traniello,   Dario Minieri

Level 8 Update: Mercier Takes A Hit

May 30, '09

Blinds: 200-400 with a 50 ante

Players Remaining: 660 out of 3,000

Big Hands:

Mercier Drops One To Franklin

Jason Mercier raised to 1,275 from early position and Tom Franklin was the only caller from the big blind. The flop came K42 and Franklin checked to Mercier who fired 1,600. Franklin called and the 7 dropped on the turn. Both players checked and the river was the 5. Both players checked again and Franklin tabled pocket queens. Mercier mucked and Franklin increased his stack to 34,000 while Mercier dropped to 21,000.

Jeff Willams Takes a Hit

Williams raised to 1,050 from middle position and seat 5 called. Seat 6 went all in for 5,775 and action folded to Williams who made the call. Seat 5 got out of the way and they showed their cards:

Williams: AJ
Seat 6: KK

The board ran out 7510310 and Williams could not crack the pocket kings. He was down to 12,500.

Traniello’s Double Up Flushed

Marco Traniello moved all in for his last 900. The player in seat 5 moved all in for 2,000 more, but took it back as no one else called. He showed A10, dominating Traniello’s A7. But the flop came J74, giving Traniello a pair and the lead. The turn brought the 2, holding Traniello’s slim lead. But the river brought the 6, giving both players a spade flush and preventing Traniello from doubling up and chopping the ante’s with seat 5. His stack slightly improved to 1,300.

Left In The Deck:

Players are being moved at a lightning fast pace here in the Amazon Room. The movement has brought Jonathan Aguiar to seat 7 at table 5 in the blue section. He has company as Chris Ferguson is sitting in seat 2.

Player Tags: Tom Franklin,   Marco Traniello,   Jonathan Aguiar,   Jeff Williams,   Jason Mercier

Level 2 Update: Joe Sebok, Antonio Esfandiari Eliminated

May 30, '09

Blinds: 25-50

Players Remaining: 2,961 out of 3,000

Notable Eliminations:

Joe Sebok
Antonio Esfandiari
Allyn Jaffrey Shulman

Big Hands:

Sebok…Out

Just minutes into the the second level of play, Joe Sebok gets it all in with A-K against an opponent’s pocket queens. Sebok fails to improve and is eliminated from the tournament.

Sorel Mizzi Folds to a Raise on the River

Sorel Mizzi opens from middle position for a raise to 50 and gets three callers behind him, including both of the blinds. The flop comes KK3, and Mizzi bets 100. The player in seat 1 calls while both the blinds fold. The turn is the 2, and both players check. The river is the 8, and Mizzi bets 200. Seat 1 raises to 700 and Mizzi goes into the tank. After a minute or so, Mizzi throws his cards into the muck. He is down to 2,000 after this hand.

Adam Levy Moves All-in

After a button raise to 150 and a small blind re-raise, Adam Levy moved all in from the big blind. The button quickly folded and the small blind contemplated briefly before releasing his hand. After this hand, Levy is up to 3,500 in chips.

Will “The Thrill” Failla Flops Straight Flush, Doubles Up

With the 56, Will Failla saw a dream flop of 978. Even with a monster hand, Failla was able to get action all the way down to the river and eventually doubled through his opponent in seat 5. Failla is now up to 6,300 in chips.

Antonio Esfandiari Eliminated; Gets Caught Lying

The Magician moved all-in with the 108 on the river with a busted open-ended straight flush draw. Esfandiari’s all-in river bluff did not work as he ran into the quad sevens of his opponent.

Marco Traniello Doubles Up

The player in seat 7 raises to 100 from middle position and Marco Traniello moves all in for a total of 1,125, also in middle position. The player in seat 1 calls behind him and the original raiser in seat 7 folds. Both players turn over their cards; Traniello has AK, his opponent has QQ. The board comes A10399, pairing Traniello’s ace on the flop, allowing to him to slightly more than double up to 2,400 in chips.

Player Tags: Antonio Esfandiari,   Marco Traniello,   Joe Sebok,   Will Failla,   Adam Levy