Lyle Berman Poker Tournament Updates

Level 7 Update: Kenny Tran Eliminated

Jul 12, '11

Note: Levels are two hours in length.

Players Remaining on Day 2B: 2,490

Blinds: 300-600 with a 75 ante

Chip Leaders:

Kevin Saul: 324,000
Ryan D’Angelo: 275,000
Arnaud Esquevin: 264,500
Nicolas Fierro: 260,000
Jeff Frerichs: 242,000
Scott Shelley: 230,000
Ben Lamb: 225,000
Francesco Nguyen: 200,000
Andrew Hinrichsen: 200,000
Kenneth Griffin: 198,000

Card Player Chip Counts:

Matt Matros — 108,000
Todd Brunson — 85,000
Lee Watkinson — 45,000
Diego Cordovez — 25,000
Jeff Shulman — BUSTED
Tony Dunst — BUSTED

Notables Eliminated:

Eugene Katchalov
Roland de Wolfe
William Thorson
Michael Benvenuti
Beth Shak
Maxim Lykov
Kenny Tran

Hands:

Kenny Tran Eliminated

Kenny Tran got the last of his chips into the middle with K Q and and his opponent held K 6 with a flop that read Q 4 3 sat on the table.

The turn and river fell 9 and 9 and Tran was eliminated from the tournament.

Featured Poker Tweet — Joe Hachem

Thomas Keller Doubles Up

The flop read 10 9 7 when Thomas Keller bet 4,500. Lyle Berman raised to 22,000 and Keller reraised all in for 57,825. Berman made the call and they flipped over their cards:

Keller: 10 8
Berman: K J

Turn and River: 6 and A

Berman lost the hand and his stack fell to 62,000. Keller doubled up on the hand to 127,000.

Maxim Lykov Eliminated by Garry Gates

Garry Gates raised to 1,400 preflop and Maxim Lykov reraised all in for 18,000. Gates made the call and they flipped over their cards:

Lykov: J 10
Gates: A K

Board: A-J-8-8-10

Gates won the hand to grow his stack to 100,000 and Lykov was eliminated on the hand.

Featured Poker Tweet — Matt Stout

Player Tags: Thomas Keller,   Lyle Berman,   Kenny Tran,   Joe Hachem,   Matt Stout,   Maxim Lykov,   Garry Gates

Lyle Berman Eliminated in 36th Place ($16,120)

Oct 18, '10

In all of the commotion with the elimination of Jimmy Tran, nobody notice that Lyle Berman was also eliminated a few tables over. We haven’t sorted out the details yet, but if we do we will post them.

Player Tags: Lyle Berman

Level 12: Ivey Busts, Berman On Fire

May 30, '10

Blinds:

Flop/Limit Games: 4,000-8,000 blinds; 8,000-16,000 stakes
Stud Games: 2,000 ante, 2,000 bring-in, 8,000-16,000 limits
No Limit Hold’em/PLO: 1,000 ante, 2,000-4,000 blinds

Players Remaining: 46 out of 116

Tournament Leaderboard

1. Alexander Kostritsyn – 755,000
2. Andy Bloch – 716,000
3. Mikael Thuritz – 698,500
4. Nick Schulman – 690,000
5. David Singer – 670,000
6. Erik Sagstrom – 660,000
7. Robert Mizrachi – 630,000
8. Kirk Morrison – 580,000
9. Brett Richey – 578,000
10. Ilya Bulychez – 492,000

Average Chip Count: 378,261

Notable Eliminations:

Phil Ivey
Barry Greenstein
Tuan Le
Steve Billirakis
George Lind
Sorel Mizzi
Mike Gorodinsky

Big Hands:

Pot Limit Omaha

Zolotow Takes Early Big Pot From Ivey

Phil Ivey reraised it to 16,000. Daniel Alaei, Kirk Morrison, Steve Zolotow and Eric Sagstrom all came along for a 5-way pot.

The flop came QJ9 and Zolotow bet out 8,000 first and was called by Sagstrom. Ivey made it 16,000 to go, Alaei folded, Morrison folded, and both Zolotow and Sagstrom made the call.

The 7 came on the turn and Zolotow bet 16,000. Sagstrom let his hand go and Ivey made the call.

Heads up on the 8 river, Zolotow bet 16,000 and Ivey called. Zolotow showed A1052 and Ivey mucked without showing, giving Zolotow the entire massive pot. Zolotow’s stack grew to around 570,000 and Ivey’s dropped to around 260,000.

Doyle Blasts Bonomo

On a flop of J83, Doyle Brunson check-raised Justin Bonomo and then led out on the K turn. Bonomo raised and was called. Brunson bet again on the 10 river and Bonomo called to see the bad news. Brunson showed A752 for the nut flush and took down the pot. Bonomo was left with around 70,000 in chips, while Brunson’s stack expanded to around 420,000.

Razz

Oppenheim Undercuts Tuan Le

Entering the hand in the middle of the action, Tuan Le showed 6, 45 and was calling bets on every street from David Oppenheim, sho showed A7J. On the next card Le got the 3 and led out for the first time for 16,000. Oppenheim got the 3 and made the call. The last card was dealt down to each player and both checked. Oppenheim showed 853 and Le was forced to muck, not showing his hidden cards. Oppenheim’s stack grew to 425,000 and Le’s dropped to around 130,000.

7 Stud

Berman Go’s Wild, Already Doubled Stack

Starting the day with 265,000, Lyle Berman is now over 500,000 in chips. Most of those came in two consecutive hands.

The first came at the expense of Justin Bonomo. Berman bet every street and was called by Bonomo. Both players checked the end and Bonomo mucked. Their cards were:
Berman – 10AQK-1085
Bonomo – 56A2 – MUCK

The pot dropped Bonomo to 40,000, but Berman wasn’t done.

Berman Doesn’t Please Texas Dolly

After back and forth raises from start to finish in the hand, Nick Schulman got out of the way after 4th street, but Doyle Brunson came along and was left shaking his head in disgust when Berman checked the end and showed him the winning hand.
Berman – K1043 – 7K3 for a pair of kings at the start of the hand and a flush by the end.
Brunson – 23AQ – Brunson flashed a set of deuces that he had from the start before expressing in displeasure in how Berman played his inferior hand.

To sum up Doyle’s thoughts on the way Berman played the, Abe Mosseri laughed, “He called you an idiot!”

Doyle dropped to around 200,000 after the hand while Berman sat around 550,000.

Stud/8

Ivey Gone
After losing a few big pots early, Phil Ivey got all in in Stud/8 against Eli Elezra. The hand ran:
Ivey – 4c2h – 8c6c6d4d – – As
Elezra – Ad10d – Kd7d2d3h – 6h
A flush along with a 7-low was enough for Elezra to boost Ivey from the tournament.

Left In The Deck

One table that is sure to be fun to watch contains one of the day 1 chip leaders Eric Sagstrom, day 2 chip leader Kirk Morrison, Phil Ivey, Daniel Alaei, Michael Mizrachi, Eli Elezra, Steve Zolotow, and David Singer.

Player Tags: Tuan Le,   David Oppenheim,   Steve Zolotow,   Doyle Brunson,   Lyle Berman,   Phil Ivey,   Abe Mosseri,   Justin Bonomo

Level 21: Lyle Berman, Abe Mosseri Eliminated, David Baker Doubles Up In Huge Pot

May 31, '10

Blinds:

Flop/Limit Games: 25,000-50,000 blinds; 50,000-100,000 stakes
Stud Games: 10,000 ante; 15,000 bring in; 50,000-100,000 limits
No limit Hold’em: 8,000-16,000 blinds with a 6,000 ante

Players Remaining: 10 out of 116

Average Chip Count: 1,740,000

Tournament Leaderboard:

1. Robert Mizrachi – 2,600,000
2. Michael Mizrachi – 2,300,000
3. David Baker – 2,060,000
4. Daniel Alaei – 1,900,000
5. John Juanda – 1,800,000
6. Mikael Thuritz – 1,600,000
7. Vladimir Schmelev – 1,500,000
8. Nick Schulman – 1,200,000
9. David Oppenheim – 1,150,000
10. Alexander Kostritsyn – 460,000

Notable Eliminations:

12. Lyle Berman – $129,957
11. Abe Mosseri – $129,957

Big Hands:

Pot Limit Omaha

Quads Over Quads, Lyle Berman Eliminated In 12th Place (129,957)

Michael “The Grinder” Mizrachi can do no wrong. He eliminated Brett Richey on the hand before the dinner break and began level 21 by eliminating Lyle Berman in dramatic fashion.

Berman called from under the gun and Mizrachi potted for 84,000 more. Berman made the call and the flop came down AJ6.

Berman checked and Mizrachi bet the pot. Berman shoved for the remainder of his stack and Mizrachi snap-called and showed AA54 for a set of aces. Berman turned over 7766 for a set of sixes.

That’s when the drama began. The turn was the 6, giving Berman quad sixes and a dominating lead. Mizrachi needed the case ace to knock out Berman and the river was happy to oblige, bringing the A.

According to the CardPlayer Poker Odds Calculator, Mizrachi would only win that hand 2.5 percent of the time.

Mizrachi took the pot and was the chip leader with over 2.6 million in chips.

David Baker Doubles Through Michael Mizrachi In 2 Million Chip Pot

Mikael Thuritz opened the action with a raise to 75,000 from the cutoff. David Baker repotted to 261,000 from the button and Michael Mizrachi called from the small blind. Thuritz folded and the flop came down K72.

Mizrachi led out with a pot bet, putting Baker to a decision for all of his chips. Baker called instantly, tabling AAJ3 for aces and the nut flush draw.

Mizrachi tabled KQJ9 for top pair on the board and a worthless diamond draw. The 6 came on the turn, giving Mizrachi no help. The river was the 8, cementing Baker’s grasp on the hand and he turned his 1.07 million into well over 2.1 million in a single swoop.

Mizrachi’s short lived chip lead evaporated, leaving him with just over 1.5 million.

Limit Hold’em

Abe Mosseri Eliminated In 11th Place($129,957)

We caught up with this hand on the turn. The board read 8532 and Abe Mosseri was already all in.

Mikael Thuritz checked, as did Nick Schulman. The river was the 4 and Schulman bet 100,000. Thuritz got out of the way and Mosseri asked one simple question.

“Flush?”

Schulman confirmed Mosseri’s suspicions, turning over Q6 for the club flush and the pot. Mosseri threw his Q6 into the muck and was eliminated.

Schulman was around 600,000 after the hand.

Kostritsyn Doubles Through David Oppenheim

We caught this hand after all of Alexander Kostritsyn’s chips were committed into the middle.

The board was Q9328.

Kostritsyn had AQ and turned top pair on the flop into the nut flush. Oppenheim held 77 and surrendered some chips to the Russian. Kostritsyn was at 460,000.

Omaha/8

Mizrachi And Schulman Share Thuritz’s Chips

Michael Mizrachi raised to 100,000 from the cutoff and Nick Schulman made the call from the button. Mikael Thuritz called from the big blind and the three players saw a flop of 1084.

Mizrachi bet 50,000 and both opponents called. The turn was the J and action checked around to Schulman who fired 100,000. Both opponents called and the river was the 5.

Mizrachi bet 100,000 and Schulman called. Thuritz thought long before throwing in a call as well and saw the bad news.

Mizrachi showed A226 for the nut low. Schulman turned over KQJ10 for two pair. Thuritz just flung his hand in the muck and dropped from just over 2 million to 1.6 million.

Mizrachi was up to 2.2 million and Schulman was at 1.2 million.

Player Tags: Michael Mizrachi,   Lyle Berman,   Abe Mosseri,   Mikael Thuritz,   Nick Schulman,   David Baker

Level 18: Baker Gets Busy In No Limit Hold'em, Elezra Out

May 31, '10

Blinds:

Flop/Limit Games: 13,000-25,000 blinds; 25,000-50,000 stakes
Stud Games: 5,000 ante; 7,000 bring in; 25,000-50,000 limits
No limit Hold’em: 6,000-12,000 blinds with a 3,000 ante

Players Remaining: 20 out of 116

Average Chip Count: 828,571

Tournament Leaderboard:

1. Abe Mosseri – 1,720,000
2. Daniel Alaei – 1,430,000
3. John Juanda – 1,400,000
4. Michael Mizrachi – 1,300,000
5. Allen Bari – 1,100,000
6. Robert Mizrachi – 990,000
7. Mikael Thuritz – 952,000
8. Vladimir Schmelev – 810,000
9. David Baker – 680,000
10. David Oppenheim – 650,000

Notable Eliminations:

Eli Elezra

Big Hands:

No Limit Hold’em

Seidel Flexes Muscle

Action folded around to David Baker on the button preflop. He raised it up to 27,000 and the small blind folded. Action was on Erik Seidel in the big blind.

He made it 81,000 to go and Baker went into the tank. After a few moments he finally released his hand and Seidel took home the pot.

He started the hand with 373,000 and was up to 415,000.

Baker Bets Out Schmelev, Part One

Vladimir Schmelev raised preflop and the action was on David Baker on the button. He repopped it to 65,000 from the button and the blinds mucked.

The action was then on Schmelev who tanked for a few before calling. The flop came down QJ6 and Schmelev checked. Baker kept the foot on the gas pedal, firing 115,000 into the pot. Schmelev released his hjand and Baker took the pot.

He started with just under 700,000 and ended the hand with 780,000 after raking in Schmelev’s bet, the blinds and antes.

Mosseri The Ladies Man

We picked this hand up on the flop. The board read A76 and David Baker bet 42,000. Mosseri made the call and the turn was the 8.

Both players checked and the river brought the 6. Both players checked again and Baker simply flashed the 3. Mosseri turned over QQ for the best hand and took down a small pot. He was up to 1.44 million in chips.

Mizrachi Looks Up The Russian

Robert Mizrachi put in a raise preflop and was called by Vladimir Schmelev. The two players saw a flop of 953 and both players checked.

The turn was the 6 and Schmelev took a stab at the pot with 35,000. Mizrachi didn’t budge, making the call. The river was the 6 and Schmelev tried once more, this time with 75,000.

Mizrachi made a relatively quick call and Schmelev threw his hand in the muck. Mizrachi was about to do the same when he asked the dealer if he had to show. He in fact did show A10 for ace high. It was good enough to take down the pot and he was up to just under 1.2 million in chips.

Baker Muscles Out Schmelev, Part Two

Vladimir Schmelev raised to 30,000 on the button and David Baker raised it to 95,000 from the small blind. Schmelev made the call and the players saw a flop of 10104.

Baker led out with 130,000 and Schmelev mucked again to his early nemesis. Baker raked in another 115,000 in chips with that pot and was inching toward 1 million in chips.

Pot Limit Omaha

Elezra Getting Short, Schulman Backs Away

Action folded around to Nick Schulman on the button and he raised to 35,000. Eli Elezra was next to act from the small blind. He bet the pot, putting 87,000 into the middle.

The big blind folded and Schulman had a decision to make. Elezra left himself with just about 100,000 chips. Any call or raise by Schulman would risk doubling up the dangerous Elezra.

Schulman decided against it and mucked his hand. Elezra then showed pocket aces AA and he was also double suited. Elezra raked in the pot but was still relatively short at around 400,000. He would be eliminated later in the level.

2-7 Triple Draw

Kostritsyn Hammered Down To Size

Allen Bari raised to 40,000 before the first draw and Alexander Kostritsyn made the call. Bari drew one card while Kostritsyn took two cards.

Bari bet 20,000 and Kostritsyn made the call. Bari stood pat while Kostritsyn took one card on the second draw.

Bari bet 40,000 and Kostritsyn called again. Bari stood pat once more and Kostritsyn drew one last card. Both players checked and Bari tabled 8-7-4-3-2 and Kostritsyn mucked.

Kostritsyn dropped to 300,000 after the hand, having started the day with almost 700,000. Bari was up to 1.3 million.

Grinding Out A Pot

James Van Alstyne raised to 40,000 before the first draw and Michael Mizrachi three-bet to 60,000. Van Alstyne made the call and both players drew one card.

Van Alstyne led out with 20,000 and Mizrachi called. Van Alstyne stood pat on the second draw while Mizrachi drew one card. Van Alstyne bet 40,000 and Mizrachi called.

Both players stood pat on the last draw and Van Alstyne checked to Mizrachi. He fired 40,000 and Van Alstyne mucked his hand.

Mizrachi took the pot and was at 1.3 million.

Alaei Takes One Off Berman

Daniel Alaei raised to 40,000 before the first draw and Lyle Berman repopped to 60,000. Alaei made the call and both players drew one card. Alaei then led out with 20,000 and Berman called.

Alaei stood pat on the next draw while Berman took one card. Alaei bet 40,000 and Berman made the call.

Alaei stood pat one last time while Berman took one card. Both players checked and Alaei turned over 9-8-7-6-3. Berman mucked and Alaei took the pot. He was at 1.43 million after the hand while Berman was at 480,000.

Limit Hold’em

Eli Elezra Eliminated

Eli Elezra raised to 40,000 preflop and Daniel Alaei raised to 60,000. Elezra called and the flop came down AQ8. Alaei bet after Elezra checked dark.

Elezra then check-raised the remainder of his stack and Alaei made the call. Elezra showed KQ for middle pair but Alaei turned over A10 for top pair.

The board finished out 34 and Elezra was the first casualty on day four of the Players Championship.

Seven Card Stud

Juanda Takes Big Pot

We picked up the action on this hand during fourth street. John Juanda bet 25,000 and James Van Alstyne made the call, as did David Oppenheim.

All three players checked on fifth street and David Oppenheim led out with 50,000 on sixth street. Van Alstyne called and Juanda sprung his trap, raising to 100,000. Oppenheim made the call but Van Alstyne had enough.

Both players checked on seventh street and Juanda turned over his hand, AQQ101087 for queens-up. Oppenheim mucked his hand and was down to just under 650,000.

Juanda was up to 1.4 million in chips.

Player Tags: Robert Mizrachi,   Erik Seidel,   John Juanda,   David Oppenheim,   Eli Elezra,   Michael Mizrachi,   Lyle Berman,   Daniel Alaei,   Abe Mosseri,   James Van Alstyne,   Allen Bari,   Nick Schulman,   David Baker,   Alexander Kostritsyn

Level 12: Ivey Busts, Berman On Fire

May 30, '10

Blinds:

Flop/Limit Games: 4,000-8,000 blinds; 8,000-16,000 stakes
Stud Games: 2,000 ante, 2,000 bring-in, 8,000-16,000 limits
No Limit Hold’em/PLO: 1,000 ante, 2,000-4,000 blinds

Players Remaining: 46 out of 116

Tournament Leaderboard

1. Alexander Kostritsyn – 755,000
2. Andy Bloch – 716,000
3. Mikael Thuritz – 698,500
4. Nick Schulman – 690,000
5. David Singer – 670,000
6. Erik Sagstrom – 660,000
7. Robert Mizrachi – 630,000
8. Kirk Morrison – 580,000
9. Brett Richey – 578,000
10. Ilya Bulychez – 492,000

Average Chip Count: 378,261

Notable Eliminations:

Phil Ivey
Barry Greenstein
Tuan Le
Steve Billirakis
George Lind
Sorel Mizzi
Mike Gorodinsky

Big Hands:

Pot Limit Omaha

Zolotow Takes Early Big Pot From Ivey

Phil Ivey reraised it to 16,000. Daniel Alaei, Kirk Morrison, Steve Zolotow and Eric Sagstrom all came along for a 5-way pot.

The flop came QJ9 and Zolotow bet out 8,000 first and was called by Sagstrom. Ivey made it 16,000 to go, Alaei folded, Morrison folded, and both Zolotow and Sagstrom made the call.

The 7 came on the turn and Zolotow bet 16,000. Sagstrom let his hand go and Ivey made the call.

Heads up on the 8 river, Zolotow bet 16,000 and Ivey called. Zolotow showed A1052 and Ivey mucked without showing, giving Zolotow the entire massive pot. Zolotow’s stack grew to around 570,000 and Ivey’s dropped to around 260,000.

Doyle Blasts Bonomo

On a flop of J83, Doyle Brunson check-raised Justin Bonomo and then led out on the K turn. Bonomo raised and was called. Brunson bet again on the 10 river and Bonomo called to see the bad news. Brunson showed A752 for the nut flush and took down the pot. Bonomo was left with around 70,000 in chips, while Brunson’s stack expanded to around 420,000.

Razz

Oppenheim Undercuts Tuan Le

Entering the hand in the middle of the action, Tuan Le showed 6, 45 and was calling bets on every street from David Oppenheim, sho showed A7J. On the next card Le got the 3 and led out for the first time for 16,000. Oppenheim got the 3 and made the call. The last card was dealt down to each player and both checked. Oppenheim showed 853 and Le was forced to muck, not showing his hidden cards. Oppenheim’s stack grew to 425,000 and Le’s dropped to around 130,000.

7 Stud

Berman Go’s Wild, Already Doubled Stack

Starting the day with 265,000, Lyle Berman is now over 500,000 in chips. Most of those came in two consecutive hands.

The first came at the expense of Justin Bonomo. Berman bet every street and was called by Bonomo. Both players checked the end and Bonomo mucked. Their cards were:
Berman – 10AQK-1085
Bonomo – 56A2 – MUCK

The pot dropped Bonomo to 40,000, but Berman wasn’t done.

Berman Doesn’t Please Texas Dolly

After back and forth raises from start to finish in the hand, Nick Schulman got out of the way after 4th street, but Doyle Brunson came along and was left shaking his head in disgust when Berman checked the end and showed him the winning hand.
Berman – K1043 – 7K3 for a pair of kings at the start of the hand and a flush by the end.
Brunson – 23AQ – Brunson flashed a set of deuces that he had from the start before expressing in displeasure in how Berman played his inferior hand.

To sum up Doyle’s thoughts on the way Berman played the, Abe Mosseri laughed, “He called you an idiot!”

Doyle dropped to around 200,000 after the hand while Berman sat around 550,000.

Stud/8

Ivey Gone
After losing a few big pots early, Phil Ivey got all in in Stud/8 against Eli Elezra. The hand ran:
Ivey – 4c2h – 8c6c6d4d – – As
Elezra – Ad10d – Kd7d2d3h – 6h
A flush along with a 7-low was enough for Elezra to boost Ivey from the tournament.

Left In The Deck

One table that is sure to be fun to watch contains one of the day 1 chip leaders Eric Sagstrom, day 2 chip leader Kirk Morrison, Phil Ivey, Daniel Alaei, Michael Mizrachi, Eli Elezra, Steve Zolotow, and David Singer.

Player Tags: Tuan Le,   David Oppenheim,   Steve Zolotow,   Doyle Brunson,   Lyle Berman,   Phil Ivey,   Abe Mosseri,   Justin Bonomo

Level 21: Lyle Berman, Abe Mosseri Eliminated, David Baker Doubles Up In Huge Pot

May 31, '10

Blinds:

Flop/Limit Games: 25,000-50,000 blinds; 50,000-100,000 stakes
Stud Games: 10,000 ante; 15,000 bring in; 50,000-100,000 limits
No limit Hold’em: 8,000-16,000 blinds with a 6,000 ante

Players Remaining: 10 out of 116

Average Chip Count: 1,740,000

Tournament Leaderboard:

1. Robert Mizrachi – 2,600,000
2. Michael Mizrachi – 2,300,000
3. David Baker – 2,060,000
4. Daniel Alaei – 1,900,000
5. John Juanda – 1,800,000
6. Mikael Thuritz – 1,600,000
7. Vladimir Schmelev – 1,500,000
8. Nick Schulman – 1,200,000
9. David Oppenheim – 1,150,000
10. Alexander Kostritsyn – 460,000

Notable Eliminations:

12. Lyle Berman – $129,957
11. Abe Mosseri – $129,957

Big Hands:

Pot Limit Omaha

Quads Over Quads, Lyle Berman Eliminated In 12th Place (129,957)

Michael “The Grinder” Mizrachi can do no wrong. He eliminated Brett Richey on the hand before the dinner break and began level 21 by eliminating Lyle Berman in dramatic fashion.

Berman called from under the gun and Mizrachi potted for 84,000 more. Berman made the call and the flop came down AJ6.

Berman checked and Mizrachi bet the pot. Berman shoved for the remainder of his stack and Mizrachi snap-called and showed AA54 for a set of aces. Berman turned over 7766 for a set of sixes.

That’s when the drama began. The turn was the 6, giving Berman quad sixes and a dominating lead. Mizrachi needed the case ace to knock out Berman and the river was happy to oblige, bringing the A.

According to the CardPlayer Poker Odds Calculator, Mizrachi would only win that hand 2.5 percent of the time.

Mizrachi took the pot and was the chip leader with over 2.6 million in chips.

David Baker Doubles Through Michael Mizrachi In 2 Million Chip Pot

Mikael Thuritz opened the action with a raise to 75,000 from the cutoff. David Baker repotted to 261,000 from the button and Michael Mizrachi called from the small blind. Thuritz folded and the flop came down K72.

Mizrachi led out with a pot bet, putting Baker to a decision for all of his chips. Baker called instantly, tabling AAJ3 for aces and the nut flush draw.

Mizrachi tabled KQJ9 for top pair on the board and a worthless diamond draw. The 6 came on the turn, giving Mizrachi no help. The river was the 8, cementing Baker’s grasp on the hand and he turned his 1.07 million into well over 2.1 million in a single swoop.

Mizrachi’s short lived chip lead evaporated, leaving him with just over 1.5 million.

Limit Hold’em

Abe Mosseri Eliminated In 11th Place($129,957)

We caught up with this hand on the turn. The board read 8532 and Abe Mosseri was already all in.

Mikael Thuritz checked, as did Nick Schulman. The river was the 4 and Schulman bet 100,000. Thuritz got out of the way and Mosseri asked one simple question.

“Flush?”

Schulman confirmed Mosseri’s suspicions, turning over Q6 for the club flush and the pot. Mosseri threw his Q6 into the muck and was eliminated.

Schulman was around 600,000 after the hand.

Kostritsyn Doubles Through David Oppenheim

We caught this hand after all of Alexander Kostritsyn’s chips were committed into the middle.

The board was Q9328.

Kostritsyn had AQ and turned top pair on the flop into the nut flush. Oppenheim held 77 and surrendered some chips to the Russian. Kostritsyn was at 460,000.

Omaha/8

Mizrachi And Schulman Share Thuritz’s Chips

Michael Mizrachi raised to 100,000 from the cutoff and Nick Schulman made the call from the button. Mikael Thuritz called from the big blind and the three players saw a flop of 1084.

Mizrachi bet 50,000 and both opponents called. The turn was the J and action checked around to Schulman who fired 100,000. Both opponents called and the river was the 5.

Mizrachi bet 100,000 and Schulman called. Thuritz thought long before throwing in a call as well and saw the bad news.

Mizrachi showed A226 for the nut low. Schulman turned over KQJ10 for two pair. Thuritz just flung his hand in the muck and dropped from just over 2 million to 1.6 million.

Mizrachi was up to 2.2 million and Schulman was at 1.2 million.

Player Tags: Michael Mizrachi,   Lyle Berman,   Abe Mosseri,   Mikael Thuritz,   Nick Schulman,   David Baker

Level 18: Baker Gets Busy In No Limit Hold'em, Elezra Out

May 31, '10

Blinds:

Flop/Limit Games: 13,000-25,000 blinds; 25,000-50,000 stakes
Stud Games: 5,000 ante; 7,000 bring in; 25,000-50,000 limits
No limit Hold’em: 6,000-12,000 blinds with a 3,000 ante

Players Remaining: 20 out of 116

Average Chip Count: 828,571

Tournament Leaderboard:

1. Abe Mosseri – 1,720,000
2. Daniel Alaei – 1,430,000
3. John Juanda – 1,400,000
4. Michael Mizrachi – 1,300,000
5. Allen Bari – 1,100,000
6. Robert Mizrachi – 990,000
7. Mikael Thuritz – 952,000
8. Vladimir Schmelev – 810,000
9. David Baker – 680,000
10. David Oppenheim – 650,000

Notable Eliminations:

Eli Elezra

Big Hands:

No Limit Hold’em

Seidel Flexes Muscle

Action folded around to David Baker on the button preflop. He raised it up to 27,000 and the small blind folded. Action was on Erik Seidel in the big blind.

He made it 81,000 to go and Baker went into the tank. After a few moments he finally released his hand and Seidel took home the pot.

He started the hand with 373,000 and was up to 415,000.

Baker Bets Out Schmelev, Part One

Vladimir Schmelev raised preflop and the action was on David Baker on the button. He repopped it to 65,000 from the button and the blinds mucked.

The action was then on Schmelev who tanked for a few before calling. The flop came down QJ6 and Schmelev checked. Baker kept the foot on the gas pedal, firing 115,000 into the pot. Schmelev released his hjand and Baker took the pot.

He started with just under 700,000 and ended the hand with 780,000 after raking in Schmelev’s bet, the blinds and antes.

Mosseri The Ladies Man

We picked this hand up on the flop. The board read A76 and David Baker bet 42,000. Mosseri made the call and the turn was the 8.

Both players checked and the river brought the 6. Both players checked again and Baker simply flashed the 3. Mosseri turned over QQ for the best hand and took down a small pot. He was up to 1.44 million in chips.

Mizrachi Looks Up The Russian

Robert Mizrachi put in a raise preflop and was called by Vladimir Schmelev. The two players saw a flop of 953 and both players checked.

The turn was the 6 and Schmelev took a stab at the pot with 35,000. Mizrachi didn’t budge, making the call. The river was the 6 and Schmelev tried once more, this time with 75,000.

Mizrachi made a relatively quick call and Schmelev threw his hand in the muck. Mizrachi was about to do the same when he asked the dealer if he had to show. He in fact did show A10 for ace high. It was good enough to take down the pot and he was up to just under 1.2 million in chips.

Baker Muscles Out Schmelev, Part Two

Vladimir Schmelev raised to 30,000 on the button and David Baker raised it to 95,000 from the small blind. Schmelev made the call and the players saw a flop of 10104.

Baker led out with 130,000 and Schmelev mucked again to his early nemesis. Baker raked in another 115,000 in chips with that pot and was inching toward 1 million in chips.

Pot Limit Omaha

Elezra Getting Short, Schulman Backs Away

Action folded around to Nick Schulman on the button and he raised to 35,000. Eli Elezra was next to act from the small blind. He bet the pot, putting 87,000 into the middle.

The big blind folded and Schulman had a decision to make. Elezra left himself with just about 100,000 chips. Any call or raise by Schulman would risk doubling up the dangerous Elezra.

Schulman decided against it and mucked his hand. Elezra then showed pocket aces AA and he was also double suited. Elezra raked in the pot but was still relatively short at around 400,000. He would be eliminated later in the level.

2-7 Triple Draw

Kostritsyn Hammered Down To Size

Allen Bari raised to 40,000 before the first draw and Alexander Kostritsyn made the call. Bari drew one card while Kostritsyn took two cards.

Bari bet 20,000 and Kostritsyn made the call. Bari stood pat while Kostritsyn took one card on the second draw.

Bari bet 40,000 and Kostritsyn called again. Bari stood pat once more and Kostritsyn drew one last card. Both players checked and Bari tabled 8-7-4-3-2 and Kostritsyn mucked.

Kostritsyn dropped to 300,000 after the hand, having started the day with almost 700,000. Bari was up to 1.3 million.

Grinding Out A Pot

James Van Alstyne raised to 40,000 before the first draw and Michael Mizrachi three-bet to 60,000. Van Alstyne made the call and both players drew one card.

Van Alstyne led out with 20,000 and Mizrachi called. Van Alstyne stood pat on the second draw while Mizrachi drew one card. Van Alstyne bet 40,000 and Mizrachi called.

Both players stood pat on the last draw and Van Alstyne checked to Mizrachi. He fired 40,000 and Van Alstyne mucked his hand.

Mizrachi took the pot and was at 1.3 million.

Alaei Takes One Off Berman

Daniel Alaei raised to 40,000 before the first draw and Lyle Berman repopped to 60,000. Alaei made the call and both players drew one card. Alaei then led out with 20,000 and Berman called.

Alaei stood pat on the next draw while Berman took one card. Alaei bet 40,000 and Berman made the call.

Alaei stood pat one last time while Berman took one card. Both players checked and Alaei turned over 9-8-7-6-3. Berman mucked and Alaei took the pot. He was at 1.43 million after the hand while Berman was at 480,000.

Limit Hold’em

Eli Elezra Eliminated

Eli Elezra raised to 40,000 preflop and Daniel Alaei raised to 60,000. Elezra called and the flop came down AQ8. Alaei bet after Elezra checked dark.

Elezra then check-raised the remainder of his stack and Alaei made the call. Elezra showed KQ for middle pair but Alaei turned over A10 for top pair.

The board finished out 34 and Elezra was the first casualty on day four of the Players Championship.

Seven Card Stud

Juanda Takes Big Pot

We picked up the action on this hand during fourth street. John Juanda bet 25,000 and James Van Alstyne made the call, as did David Oppenheim.

All three players checked on fifth street and David Oppenheim led out with 50,000 on sixth street. Van Alstyne called and Juanda sprung his trap, raising to 100,000. Oppenheim made the call but Van Alstyne had enough.

Both players checked on seventh street and Juanda turned over his hand, AQQ101087 for queens-up. Oppenheim mucked his hand and was down to just under 650,000.

Juanda was up to 1.4 million in chips.

Player Tags: Robert Mizrachi,   Erik Seidel,   John Juanda,   David Oppenheim,   Eli Elezra,   Michael Mizrachi,   Lyle Berman,   Daniel Alaei,   Abe Mosseri,   James Van Alstyne,   Allen Bari,   Nick Schulman,   David Baker,   Alexander Kostritsyn

Level 17 Update: Howard Lederer Eliminated, Money Bubble Bursts

Jun 20, '09

Ante: 2,000
Low Card: 3,000
Completion: 10,000
Limits: 10,000-20,000

Players Remaining: 16 out of 164

Chip Counts:

1. Abe Mosseri – 1,025,000
2. Jeff Lisandro – 865,000
3. Farzad Rouhani – 415,000
4. Perry Friedman – 360,000
5. Justin Smith – 322,000
6. Doyle Brunson – 320,000
7. Yan Chen – 320,000
8. Frank Mariani – 290,000
9. Lyle Berman – 270,000
10. Mike Wattel – 210,000

Average Chip Count: 258,947

Notable Eliminations:

Howard Lederer
John Hennigan
Tuan Le
Joe Tehan

Big Hands:

Howard Lederer Eliminated

Lederer: X-X-3
Yan Chen: X-X-8

Howard Lederer brought in for 3,000 and Joe Tehan completed to 10,000. Yan Chen then made it 20,000 to go and action was back on Lederer. He raised to 30,000 and the water was too hot for Tehan as he got out of the pool. Chen made it hotter when he raised again to 40,000. Lederer just called.

Lederer: X-X-38
Yan Chen: X-X-810

Chen bet 10,000 and Lederer called the remainder of his stack into the pot. Lederer turned over (K3) for a pair of threes while Chen showed (A8) for a pair of eights. Lederer’s board ran out 10Q(J) and he could not top Chen’s pair and he was eliminated.

Lisandro Takes Huge Pot Off Chen And Berman

Jeff Lisandro: X-X-32710
Yan Chen: X-X-QK6A

Jeff Lisandro and Yan Chen were going at each other with countless bets and raises and Lyle Berman was coming along for the ride. After the river was dealt, Lisandro and Chen continued to dance and Berman had enough, mucking his hand. The pot was well over 600,000 and after the betting was all done, Lisandro turned over (A54X) for the wheel. Chen uncovered a pair of queens in the hole for a set but could not do any better and Lisandro took down a monstrous pot, elevating his stack to 700,000 in chips.

Joe Tehan Is The Bubble Boy

Farzad Rouhani: X-X-2
Joe Tehan: X-X-5
Yan Chen: X-X-9

Rouhani brought in for 3,000 and Tehan called. Chen then completed to 10,000 and both opponents called.

Farzad Rouhani: X-X-2Q
Joe Tehan: X-X-57
Yan Chen: X-X-9J

Rouhani checked and Tehan bet 10,000. Chen raised to 20,000 and both opponents called.

Farzad Rouhani: X-X-2Q2
Joe Tehan: X-X-57Q
Yan Chen: X-X-9JA

Chen bet 20,000 and Tehan called all in. Rouhani also made the call.

Farzad Rouhani: X-X-2Q2J
Joe Tehan: X-X-57QJ
Yan Chen: X-X-9JAQ

Chen bet 20,000 and Rouhani called. The river was dealt and both players checked. Chen then turned over (Q98) for two pair. Rouhani and Tehan both mucked and Tehan was eliminated one spot shy of the money.

Player Tags: Farzad Rouhani,   Howard Lederer,   Lyle Berman,   Jeffrey Lisandro,   Joe Tehan,   Yan Chen

Level 12 Update: David Singer, Chris Ferguson Eliminated

Jun 19, '09

Ante: 700
Low Card: 1000
Completion: 3,000
Limits: 3,000-6,000

Players Remaining: 54 out of 164

Chip Counts:

1. Tuan Le – 290,000
2. Scotty Nguyen – 204,000
3. Jeff Lisandro – 191,000
4. Tony Rivera – 168,000
5. Tom Schneider – 168,000
6. John Hennigan – 147,000
7. Dario Minieri – 135,000
8. Nick Schulman – 135,000
9. Dutch Boyd – 127,000
10. Lyle Berman – 112,000

Average Chip Count: 91,111

Notable Eliminations:

David Singer
Sabyl Cohen-Landrum
James Van Alstyne
Toto Leonidas
Huck Seed
Daniel Alaei
Chris Ferguson
David Sklansky

Big Hands:

Chris Ferguson Triples Up, Eliminated Shortly After

Chris Ferguson was all-in against Lyle Berman and Tom Schneider.

Ferguson: (Q2)QKK10(2)

Berman: X-X-K7A6-X

Schneider: X-X-45JJ-X

Ferguson was able to scoop the pot with his two pair, kings and queens. Schneider took the side pot against Berman with jacks and fours. Ferguson was up to 35,100 before being eliminated not long after.

John Juanda Short Stacked, Then Triples Up

John Juanda, the hand after being the odd man out in a large three-way pot against Tuan Le and Joe Tehan, was all-in against David Benyamine and Tuan Le. John was short after losing the large pot the hand earlier, but found redemption on the next hand.

Their cards:

Juanda: X-X-34AA-X

Benyamine: X-X-23Q5-X

Tuan Le: X-X-72103-X

After betting between Le and Benyamine for a sidepot, John Juanda exposed two spades in the hole to take the high with a flush. There was no low out there and Juanda scooped the entire pot. The four-time bracelet winner is up to 76,000 now.

David Singer Eliminated

On third street David Singer was all-in against Alex Jung.

Their cards:

Singer: (510)109A8(8)

Jung: (67)95K4(A)

Jung ended up with an ace-high flush and a low to scoop the entire pot.

Left In The Deck:

The players are now on a dinner break.

Player Tags: Chris Ferguson,   John Juanda,   Tuan Le,   David Benyamine,   David Singer,   Tom Schneider,   Lyle Berman,   Joe Tehan,   Alexander Jung

Level 10 Update: Daniel Negreanu, Jimmy Fricke Eliminated

Jun 19, '09

Ante: 500
Low Card: 500
Completion: 2,000
Limits: 2,000-4,000

Players Remaining: 79 out of 164

Chip Counts:

1. Tuan Le – 232,000
2. Lyle Berman – 155,000
3. Dario Minieri – 130,000
4. Jeff Lisandro – 125,000
5. John Juanda – 105,000
6. Steve Billirakis – 86,000
7. Scotty Nguyen – 85,000
8. Howard Lederer – 71,000
9. Daniel Alaei – 70,000
10. Tom Schneider – 70,000

Average Chip Count: 57,209

Notable Eliminations:

Daniel Negreanu
Jimmy Fricke
Eli Elezra

Big Hands:

Daniel Negreanu Eliminated

On seventh street, Daniel Negreanu was all-in against Dario Minieri and Lyle Berman.

Their cards:

Negreanu: X-X-29410-X

Minieri: X-X-AQKQ

Berman: X-X-K465-X

Berman bet on the end and Minieri folded. Berman exposed the K32 for a straight to scoop the pot. Negreanu mucked. Berman is up to 155,000.

Jimmy Fricke Eliminated

Jimmy Fricke was put all-in by Scotty Nguyen on third street.

Their cards:

Fricke: (105)1036

Nguyen: (QQ)A27

Fricke was unable to improve or catch a low, as Nguyen scooped the pot. Nguyen is up to 85,000 in chips.

Left In The Deck:

The players are on a short 20 minute break.

Player Tags: Scotty Nguyen,   Daniel Negreanu,   Lyle Berman,   Dario Minieri,   Jimmy Fricke

Final Day Update: Down to Nine

Jun 20, '09

Ante: 5,000
Low Card: 5,000
Completion: 20,000
Limits: 20,000-40,000

Players Remaining: 9 out of 164

Chip Counts:

1. Jeff Lisandro – 970,000
2. Abe Mosseri – 935,000
3. Farzad Rouhani – 750,000
4. Anthony Rivera – 460,000
5. Yan Chen – 435,000
6. Mike Wattel – 280,000
7. Justin Smith – 220,000
8. Doyle Brunson – 210,000
9. Frank Mariani – 195,000

Average Chip Count: 447,272

Notable Eliminations:

12. Lyle Berman – $33,668
11. Scotty Nguyen – $33,668
10. Perry Friedman – $41,885

Big Hands:

Lyle Berman Eliminated in 12th Place ($33,668)

Anthony Rivera completed on third street and Yan Chen made the call. Lyle Berman raised and both opponents called. Rivera bet first on fourth street and Chen mucked. Berman made the call and Rivera then led out on fifth street. Berman made the call again and the same sequence of events repeated itself on sixth street. Rivera led out on seventh street as well and Berman mucked, leaving himself with only 60,000. Their cards:

Berman: (X-X)8K107(X)
Rivera: (X-X)4AJ5(X)

Berman was forced to move all in on the next hand and he was eliminated from the tournament in 12th place.

Scotty Nguyen Eliminated in 11th Place ($33,668)

Perry Friedman brought it in with X-X-3 and Scotty Nguyen completed with X-X-4. Jeffrey Lisandro raised with X-X-5. Friedman mucked and Nguyen made the all-in call. Lisandro made trip eights and Nguyen failed to qualify low. Lisandro scooped the pot and Nguyen was eliminated in 11th place.

Perry Friedman Eliminated in 10th Place ($41,885)

Perry Friedman was all in for his final 13,000 on third street and both Jeffrey Lisandro and Justin Smith joined him in the pot. Lisandro check-called a bet from Smith on fourth street and then both players checked on fifth and sixth streets. Lisandro checked on seventh street and Smith broke the routine by betting. Lisandro mucked. Their cards before the showdown:

Smith: (X-X)3637(X)
Friedman: (X-X)A96Q(X)

Smith made trip threes to beat the pair of Queens held by Friedman, and Smith scooped the pot thanks to the fact that neither player qualified low. Friedman was eliminated in 10th place.

Player Tags: Scotty Nguyen,   Lyle Berman,   Jeffrey Lisandro,   Perry Friedman,   Tony Rivera,   Justin Smith

Level 17 Update: Howard Lederer Eliminated, Money Bubble Bursts

Jun 20, '09

Ante: 2,000
Low Card: 3,000
Completion: 10,000
Limits: 10,000-20,000

Players Remaining: 16 out of 164

Chip Counts:

1. Abe Mosseri – 1,025,000
2. Jeff Lisandro – 865,000
3. Farzad Rouhani – 415,000
4. Perry Friedman – 360,000
5. Justin Smith – 322,000
6. Doyle Brunson – 320,000
7. Yan Chen – 320,000
8. Frank Mariani – 290,000
9. Lyle Berman – 270,000
10. Mike Wattel – 210,000

Average Chip Count: 258,947

Notable Eliminations:

Howard Lederer
John Hennigan
Tuan Le
Joe Tehan

Big Hands:

Howard Lederer Eliminated

Lederer: X-X-3
Yan Chen: X-X-8

Howard Lederer brought in for 3,000 and Joe Tehan completed to 10,000. Yan Chen then made it 20,000 to go and action was back on Lederer. He raised to 30,000 and the water was too hot for Tehan as he got out of the pool. Chen made it hotter when he raised again to 40,000. Lederer just called.

Lederer: X-X-38
Yan Chen: X-X-810

Chen bet 10,000 and Lederer called the remainder of his stack into the pot. Lederer turned over (K3) for a pair of threes while Chen showed (A8) for a pair of eights. Lederer’s board ran out 10Q(J) and he could not top Chen’s pair and he was eliminated.

Lisandro Takes Huge Pot Off Chen And Berman

Jeff Lisandro: X-X-32710
Yan Chen: X-X-QK6A

Jeff Lisandro and Yan Chen were going at each other with countless bets and raises and Lyle Berman was coming along for the ride. After the river was dealt, Lisandro and Chen continued to dance and Berman had enough, mucking his hand. The pot was well over 600,000 and after the betting was all done, Lisandro turned over (A54X) for the wheel. Chen uncovered a pair of queens in the hole for a set but could not do any better and Lisandro took down a monstrous pot, elevating his stack to 700,000 in chips.

Joe Tehan Is The Bubble Boy

Farzad Rouhani: X-X-2
Joe Tehan: X-X-5
Yan Chen: X-X-9

Rouhani brought in for 3,000 and Tehan called. Chen then completed to 10,000 and both opponents called.

Farzad Rouhani: X-X-2Q
Joe Tehan: X-X-57
Yan Chen: X-X-9J

Rouhani checked and Tehan bet 10,000. Chen raised to 20,000 and both opponents called.

Farzad Rouhani: X-X-2Q2
Joe Tehan: X-X-57Q
Yan Chen: X-X-9JA

Chen bet 20,000 and Tehan called all in. Rouhani also made the call.

Farzad Rouhani: X-X-2Q2J
Joe Tehan: X-X-57QJ
Yan Chen: X-X-9JAQ

Chen bet 20,000 and Rouhani called. The river was dealt and both players checked. Chen then turned over (Q98) for two pair. Rouhani and Tehan both mucked and Tehan was eliminated one spot shy of the money.

Player Tags: Farzad Rouhani,   Howard Lederer,   Lyle Berman,   Jeffrey Lisandro,   Joe Tehan,   Yan Chen

Level 12 Update: David Singer, Chris Ferguson Eliminated

Jun 19, '09

Ante: 700
Low Card: 1000
Completion: 3,000
Limits: 3,000-6,000

Players Remaining: 54 out of 164

Chip Counts:

1. Tuan Le – 290,000
2. Scotty Nguyen – 204,000
3. Jeff Lisandro – 191,000
4. Tony Rivera – 168,000
5. Tom Schneider – 168,000
6. John Hennigan – 147,000
7. Dario Minieri – 135,000
8. Nick Schulman – 135,000
9. Dutch Boyd – 127,000
10. Lyle Berman – 112,000

Average Chip Count: 91,111

Notable Eliminations:

David Singer
Sabyl Cohen-Landrum
James Van Alstyne
Toto Leonidas
Huck Seed
Daniel Alaei
Chris Ferguson
David Sklansky

Big Hands:

Chris Ferguson Triples Up, Eliminated Shortly After

Chris Ferguson was all-in against Lyle Berman and Tom Schneider.

Ferguson: (Q2)QKK10(2)

Berman: X-X-K7A6-X

Schneider: X-X-45JJ-X

Ferguson was able to scoop the pot with his two pair, kings and queens. Schneider took the side pot against Berman with jacks and fours. Ferguson was up to 35,100 before being eliminated not long after.

John Juanda Short Stacked, Then Triples Up

John Juanda, the hand after being the odd man out in a large three-way pot against Tuan Le and Joe Tehan, was all-in against David Benyamine and Tuan Le. John was short after losing the large pot the hand earlier, but found redemption on the next hand.

Their cards:

Juanda: X-X-34AA-X

Benyamine: X-X-23Q5-X

Tuan Le: X-X-72103-X

After betting between Le and Benyamine for a sidepot, John Juanda exposed two spades in the hole to take the high with a flush. There was no low out there and Juanda scooped the entire pot. The four-time bracelet winner is up to 76,000 now.

David Singer Eliminated

On third street David Singer was all-in against Alex Jung.

Their cards:

Singer: (510)109A8(8)

Jung: (67)95K4(A)

Jung ended up with an ace-high flush and a low to scoop the entire pot.

Left In The Deck:

The players are now on a dinner break.

Player Tags: Chris Ferguson,   John Juanda,   Tuan Le,   David Benyamine,   David Singer,   Tom Schneider,   Lyle Berman,   Joe Tehan,   Alexander Jung

Level 10 Update: Daniel Negreanu, Jimmy Fricke Eliminated

Jun 19, '09

Ante: 500
Low Card: 500
Completion: 2,000
Limits: 2,000-4,000

Players Remaining: 79 out of 164

Chip Counts:

1. Tuan Le – 232,000
2. Lyle Berman – 155,000
3. Dario Minieri – 130,000
4. Jeff Lisandro – 125,000
5. John Juanda – 105,000
6. Steve Billirakis – 86,000
7. Scotty Nguyen – 85,000
8. Howard Lederer – 71,000
9. Daniel Alaei – 70,000
10. Tom Schneider – 70,000

Average Chip Count: 57,209

Notable Eliminations:

Daniel Negreanu
Jimmy Fricke
Eli Elezra

Big Hands:

Daniel Negreanu Eliminated

On seventh street, Daniel Negreanu was all-in against Dario Minieri and Lyle Berman.

Their cards:

Negreanu: X-X-29410-X

Minieri: X-X-AQKQ

Berman: X-X-K465-X

Berman bet on the end and Minieri folded. Berman exposed the K32 for a straight to scoop the pot. Negreanu mucked. Berman is up to 155,000.

Jimmy Fricke Eliminated

Jimmy Fricke was put all-in by Scotty Nguyen on third street.

Their cards:

Fricke: (105)1036

Nguyen: (QQ)A27

Fricke was unable to improve or catch a low, as Nguyen scooped the pot. Nguyen is up to 85,000 in chips.

Left In The Deck:

The players are on a short 20 minute break.

Player Tags: Scotty Nguyen,   Daniel Negreanu,   Lyle Berman,   Dario Minieri,   Jimmy Fricke

Final Day Update: Down to Nine

Jun 20, '09

Ante: 5,000
Low Card: 5,000
Completion: 20,000
Limits: 20,000-40,000

Players Remaining: 9 out of 164

Chip Counts:

1. Jeff Lisandro – 970,000
2. Abe Mosseri – 935,000
3. Farzad Rouhani – 750,000
4. Anthony Rivera – 460,000
5. Yan Chen – 435,000
6. Mike Wattel – 280,000
7. Justin Smith – 220,000
8. Doyle Brunson – 210,000
9. Frank Mariani – 195,000

Average Chip Count: 447,272

Notable Eliminations:

12. Lyle Berman – $33,668
11. Scotty Nguyen – $33,668
10. Perry Friedman – $41,885

Big Hands:

Lyle Berman Eliminated in 12th Place ($33,668)

Anthony Rivera completed on third street and Yan Chen made the call. Lyle Berman raised and both opponents called. Rivera bet first on fourth street and Chen mucked. Berman made the call and Rivera then led out on fifth street. Berman made the call again and the same sequence of events repeated itself on sixth street. Rivera led out on seventh street as well and Berman mucked, leaving himself with only 60,000. Their cards:

Berman: (X-X)8K107(X)
Rivera: (X-X)4AJ5(X)

Berman was forced to move all in on the next hand and he was eliminated from the tournament in 12th place.

Scotty Nguyen Eliminated in 11th Place ($33,668)

Perry Friedman brought it in with X-X-3 and Scotty Nguyen completed with X-X-4. Jeffrey Lisandro raised with X-X-5. Friedman mucked and Nguyen made the all-in call. Lisandro made trip eights and Nguyen failed to qualify low. Lisandro scooped the pot and Nguyen was eliminated in 11th place.

Perry Friedman Eliminated in 10th Place ($41,885)

Perry Friedman was all in for his final 13,000 on third street and both Jeffrey Lisandro and Justin Smith joined him in the pot. Lisandro check-called a bet from Smith on fourth street and then both players checked on fifth and sixth streets. Lisandro checked on seventh street and Smith broke the routine by betting. Lisandro mucked. Their cards before the showdown:

Smith: (X-X)3637(X)
Friedman: (X-X)A96Q(X)

Smith made trip threes to beat the pair of Queens held by Friedman, and Smith scooped the pot thanks to the fact that neither player qualified low. Friedman was eliminated in 10th place.

Player Tags: Scotty Nguyen,   Lyle Berman,   Jeffrey Lisandro,   Perry Friedman,   Tony Rivera,   Justin Smith

Level 3 Update: Michael Mizrachi, Alex Kostritsyn, Carlos Mortensen Eliminated

Jun 17, '09

Blinds: 150-300

Players Remaining: 348 out of 362

Chip Counts:

1. Phil Ivey 50,000
2. Bruno Fitoussi – 38,000
3. Greg Raymer – 30,000
4. John Juanda – 27,250
5. Max Pescatori – 22,000
6. Isaac Haxton – 21,000
7. Jeff Lisandro – 21,000
8. Erik Seidel – 20,000
9. Barry Greenstein – 19,000
10. Chau Giang – 18,000

Average Chip Count: 15,252

Notable Eliminations:

Leif Force
Michael Mizrachi
Alex Kostritsyn
Jacobo Fernandez
Carlos Mortensen
Lyle Berman

Big Hands:

Chau Giang Knocks Out an Opponent

On a board of QJ379, Chau Giang bet enough to put his opponent all-in. Giang was called and exposed the A10108 for the nuts to eliminate his opponent. Giang is now up to 18,000 in chips.

Phil Ivey Takes Early Lead, Eliminates Lyle Berman

On a board of K42, Lyle Berman and Phil Ivey got all the money into the pot. Ivey exposed the KQ53 and was behind slightly against the KQ108 of Berman. Both players held top pair with the same kicker, but Berman held a flush draw. Ivey had an open ended straight draw and hit it on the turn when the A fell, putting Berman on the brink. The Q came on the river, and Berman failed to hit his flush. Ivey is now up to 50,000 in chips.

Left In The Deck:

The players are now on another 20 minute break.

Player Tags: Lyle Berman,   Chau Giang,   Phil Ivey

$50,000 World Championship H.O.R.S.E. - End of Day 2

Jun 26, '08

Note: Play has concluded for Day 2 and the remianing 67 players will return tomorrow at 3 pm to Level 12 with blinds of 3,000-6,000 and antes of 1,500 with a 2,000 bring-in and a 6,000 completion.

Blinds/Antes:
Hold'em-Omaha 8/b: 2,500-5,000
Razz-Stud-Stud 8/b: 1,000 ante, 2,000 bring-in, 5,000 completion

Players Left: 67 of 148

Chip Leaders:
Patrick Bueno: 445,000
Barry Greenstein: 415,000
Lyle Berman: 415,000
Joseph Michael: 410,000
Bill Chen: 380,000
Mike Wattel: 380,000
Steve Zolotow: 370,000
Chris Reslock: 360,000
Minh Ly: 345,000
Doyle Brunson: 340,000
Average Stack: 220,896

Eliminations: Michael Binger, John Monnette, T.J. Cloutier, Ted Forrest, Todd Brunson, Mike Matusow, Tom Schenider

Big Hands:

Hold'em

T.J. Cloutier Crippled Then Eliminated

On a flop of K-J-6, T.J. Cloutier bet out and Lyle Berman raised. Cloutier just called and the turn was a queen. Cloutier led out again and Berman raised again. This time Cloutier reraised and Berman capped it. Cloutier called and the river was another jack. Cloutier bet out again, Berman raised and Cloutier just called after a moment of deliberation and with a somewhat confused look on his face. Berman turned over pocket queens for queens full of jacks while Cloutier showed K-J for jacks full of kings. Cloutier threw his hand into the muck and said, "Mother F@#Ker, that was a $50,000 hand!" Cloutier was of course refering to the buy-in not the pot size, as this hand left him crippled and pretty much killed his tournmanet life. That hand just cost Cloutier his $50,000 buy-in.

Now crippled and left with less than 10,000 in chips, Cloutier got it all in a few hands later against Alex Kostritsyn. The money went in pre-flop and both palyers turned over their cards,

Cloutier: 103
Kostritsyn: A4  
Board: KJ7J7

Cloutier was so short stacked that he literally had to get it all in this hand. No help on the board and T.J. Cloutier was eliminated by Lyle Berman although Kostrtisyn officially got the kill.

Omaha 8/b

Todd Brunson Eliminated by Gabe Kaplan

Gabe Kaplan raised from middle position, Todd Brunson called the raise as did Katja Thater from the big blind. The flop came QJ5, and Kaplan bet. Both Brunson and Thater called. The turn was the 2 and this time Thater bet out. Kaplan raised, Brunson called all in for his last 20,000 and Thater called the raise. The river was the 9 and Thater checked to Kaplan who bet. Thater called and Kaplan turned over a pair of queens, winning both the side and main pots as Thater mucked her hand and Todd Brunson made his exit.

Player Tags: T.J. Cloutier,   Todd Brunson,   Lyle Berman,   Gabe Kaplan

$50,000 World Championship H.O.R.S.E. - Day 2 - Level 10

Jun 26, '08

Blinds/Antes:
Hold'em-Omaha 8/b: 2.000-4,000
Razz-Stud-Stud 8/b: 1,000 ante, 1,000 bring-in, 4,000 completion

Players Left: 75 of 148

Chip Leaders:
David Bach: 394,000
Barry Greenstein: 370,000
Patrick Bueno: 360,000
Erick Lindgren: 355,000
Mike Wattel: 240,000
Chris Reslock: 331,000
Doyle Brunson: 330,000
Abe Mosseri: 325,000
Bill Chen: 325,000
Steve Zolotow: 3125,000

Eliminations: Nick Schulman, Freddy Deeb, Jen Harman, Jan Von Halle, John Juanda, Bill Gazes, Greg Raymer

Hold'em

Jan Von Halle Eliminated by David Bach

David Bach raised to 8,000 on the button and Jan Von Halle called from the big blind. The flop came 632, and Bach bet 4,000. Von Halle raised (check-raise) all in and Bach called. Both players turned over their hands.

Von Halle: K3
Bach: 77

Bach led the hand with a pair of sevens while Von Halle had a pair of threes. The turn (5) and river (2) missed Von Halle and he was eliminated from the tournament. Bach raked the pot and brought his chip count up to 300,000 after this hand.

Omaha 8/b

Freddy Deeb Eliminated by Steve Zolotow

The defending champ defends his titile no more after getting it all in with two pair on a AQ9 flop against Steve Zolotow. Two pair...no good! Zolotow tunred over AA for top set. Deeb was drawing to quads on the flop and drawing dead on the turn as Zolotow raked the pot and send the former champ to rail.

Razz

Jen Harman Eliminated by Lyle Berman

Lyle Berman completed the bet to 4,000 with the 8, Mike Matusow called the raise with the Q and Jen Harman called all in for her last 4,000 with the 9. Matusow and Berman continued to play for the side pot. Berman bet the whole way, Matusow calling him down through sixth street, eventually folding to his last bet on the river.

Berman: 8K48 - 732
Matusow: Q6J6 - X-X-fold
Harman: 97KA - X-X-X

Berman raked the side pot when Matusow folded to his bet on seventh street and turned over an 8-7-4-3-2 low for the main pot. Harman mucked and Berman raked the main pot as well, eliminating Jen Harman at the tail end of Level 10.

Stud

Patrik Antonius Eliminated by Daniel Negreanu

With both players having a 4 in the door, Daniel Negreanu (4) and Patrik Antonus (4) raised and reraised eachother until Antonius was all in. Negreanu started the hand with wired kings while Antonius held wired tens. Negreanu made trip kings on fourth street while Antonius failed to improve. Negreanu raked the pot, bringing his chip count to over 250,000 while Antonius made an early exit.

Stud 8/b

Greg Raymer Eliminated by Mike Matusow

It's funny how things work out at the WSOP. Greg Raymer drew a seat right next to his nemesis Mike "The Mouth" Matusow, and just as peeple were thinking to themselves how well the two former rivals were getting along, Matusow somehow went and messed it all up. We're not sure exactly what happened and/or what was said, but Raymer was eliminated by Matusow and left the tournament with a bang. Raymer got up from his seat, ripped the 8 in half and stormed out of the room.

Player Tags: Daniel Negreanu,   David Bach,   Lyle Berman,   Jennifer Harman,   Patrik Antonius,   Von Halle

$50,000 World Championship H.O.R.S.E - Day 2 - Level 13 Recap

Jun 27, '08

Stakes:
Hold’em/Omaha:  4,000-8,000 blinds
Stud/Razz/Stud8:  2,000 ante, 2,000 bring in, 8,000-16,000 stakes

Players Left: 46 of 148

Chip Leaders:
Joseph Michael - 730,000
Edwin Ting - 690,000
Barry Greenstein - 655,000
Lyle Berman - 603,000
Michael DeMichele - 590,000
Chad Brown - 550,000
Huck Seed - 525,000
James Mackey - 510,000
Farzad "Fred" Bonyadi - 480,000
David Oppenheim - 475,000

Average Stack: 321,750

Eliminations:
Dario Minieri
Greg Mueller
Isabelle Mercier

Big Hands and Storylines:

Omaha/8b

Minh Ly Doubles Up

Minh Ly raised from early position and was called by Barry Greenstein in middle position, Phil Ivey in the small blind, and Layne Flack in the big blind. The flop was Q97 and Ivey bet out and Flack folded. Ly raised, Greenstein folded, and Ivey called.  On the 3 turn Ivey check-called a bet from Ly. The river was the A and Ivey checked again. Ly bet, leaving himself only 20,000 behind, and Ivey folded rather quickly. The pot brought Ly up to 150,000 and knocked Ivey down to a perilously low 100,000.

Razz

Greg Mueller Eliminated

After a raise and a re-raise, Greg Mueller was all-in on third street against Chris Reslock:

Mueller: (2)(9)4JJ109
Reslock: (3)(6)45J107

After all of the cards had been dealt, Reslock’s 7-low was good to take down the smallish pot. Mueller, unlike most players who dart from the tournament floor at light speed, lingered around his table for a few minutes before taking a leisurely walk out of the Amazon Room.

Dario Minieri Eliminated

Having gotten all-in as a short-stack a number of times in the Omaha/8b portion of the event only to repeatedly claim a chopped pot, Dario Minieri got himself all-in on third street against Andy Bloch in razz. There would be no split pot this time; it was either double up or go home for Minieri. Unfortunately for the diminutive Italian, he would be sent packing.  Despite starting with 5-2-A, he could only make a 9-8 low. Bloch’s 5-3-2 turned into an 8-5 on seventh street and the pot was his. Bloch now has about 210,000.

Stud

Isabelle Mercier Eliminated

Ralph Perry: AA93
Justin Bonomo: J974
Isabelle Mercier: 7322

On seventh street, with Isabelle Mercier all-in, Ralph Perry bet into Justin Bonomo. Bonomo mulled over a decision and opted to simply call. Perry insta-mucked, not even giving Bonomo a chance to show his cards. When Bonomo did reveal his downcards – (Q)(6)(5) – it was apparent to Mercier that he had made a flush, and that her day was over. Bonomo is now up to 170,000.

Player Tags: Barry Greenstein,   Minh Ly,   Huck Seed,   David Oppenheim,   Greg Mueller,   Lyle Berman,   Phil Ivey,   James Mackey,   Isabelle Mercier,   Justin Bonomo,   Dario Minieri,   Michael DeMichele,   Joseph Michael,   Edwin Ting,   European Report

$50,000 World Championship H.O.R.S.E - Day 3 - Level 12 Recap

Jun 27, '08

Stakes:
Hold’em/Omaha:  3,000-6,000 blinds
Stud/Razz/Stud8:  1,500 ante, 2,000 bring in, 6,000-12,000 stakes

Players Left: 59 of 148

Chip Leaders:
Lyle Berman - 603,000
Barry Greenstein - 505,000
Phil Ivey - 501,000
William Chen - 420,000
Huck Seed - 420,000
Joseph Michael - 410,000
Michael DeMichele - 390,000
Chris Reslock - 384,000
David Bach - 380,000
Gene Fisher - 375,000

Average Stack: 256,900

Eliminations:
Doug Ganger
Jeff Lisandro
Lee Markholt
Steve Sung

Big Hands and Storylines:

Hold’em

Ace-High No Good For Mackey

James “mig.com” Mackey, who has found quite a bit of success in mixed events this year, hit a bit of a road block in Alexander Kostritsyn in the last level. Kostritsyn raised to 12,000 on the button and Mackey upped it to 18,000 in the big blind. Kostritsyn called. On a flop of KJ6, Mackey bet and the young Russian called. Mackey bet and Kostritsyn called again on the 5 turn. Action halted on the river when both players checked the 6. Mackey showed A3 for ace-high and was beaten by Kostritsyn’s pair of jacks with J10. The hand boosted Kostritsyn to 180,000.

Omaha/8b

Big Stacks Tangle

The holders of two of the biggest stacks of the tournament, Phil Ivey and Bill Chen, played an Omaha eight-or-better pot in the last round that resulted in a scoop for one of the two. Ivey raised from early position and it folded around to Chen in the big blind. Chen made the call and the flop came off 865. Chen check-raised Ivey on the flop and Ivey made the call. Chen bet the 2 turn and Ivey made another call. Both players checked the 4 river and Chen showed QQ74 for a straight and a 7-low. Ivey rapped the table and Chen raked in a pot to move to 420,000 in chips. Ivey is not to be pitied though, as he ended the level with 500,000.

Razz

From Russia With Low

Ralph Perry: 2J3Q
Justin Bonomo: A28J

Michael Joseph completed with the 3 showing on third street, Perry raised, and Bonomo made it 18,000. Both Joseph and Perry called. On fourth street, Bonomo bet out with A2 showing, Michael, having drawn a Q, folded, and Perry called despite drawing a jack. On fifth and sixth streets, Bonomo bet and Perry called. Both players checked the river and Bonomo tabled (3)(2)(J). Perry surveyed Bonomo’s cards very closely, then scrutinized his own, before finally revealing (A)(5)(5) for a J-5 low, narrowly edging out Bonomo’s J-8 low.

The pot gave Perry a stack of 245,000. Bonomo is hovering near the 300,000 chip mark.

Stud

Marcel Luske Eliminates Steve Sung

Steve Sung, desperately short-stacked, got his chips all-in against Marcel Luske. The news was bad for Sung when Luske showed (A)(Q)10JK3 for the broadway straight. Sung had a flush draw though – (9)(5)KQ62. Sung looked at his final card and then stood up and quickly left the table. After winning the pot Luske was up to 290,000.

James Mackey Eliminates Doug Ganger

Doug Ganger: 2K75
James Mackey: A738
Mickey Appleman: K4108

With only a few thousand chips left, Ganger brought in with his deuce and found himself all-in on third street. Mackey bet every street on the hand and Appleman called him down all the way until seventh street where he folded. Mackey showed (A)(10)(9) and that was good enough to take down the pot and eliminate Ganger. After some early trouble in the level, Mackey has bounced back to 250,000.

Player Tags: Gene Fisher,   Lee Markholt,   Barry Greenstein,   Huck Seed,   David Bach,   Lyle Berman,   Jeffrey Lisandro,   Phil Ivey,   Marcel Luske,   James Mackey,   Chris Reslock,   Justin Bonomo,   Bill Chen,   Steve Sung,   Ralph Perry,   Michael DeMichele,   Joseph Michael,   Doug Ganger,   Alexander Kostritsyn

$50K H.O.R.S.E. - Berman Busted

Jun 29, '08

Betting Limits: 100,000 - 200,000
 

Chip Leaders:

Michael DeMichele - 4,800,000
Scotty Nguyen - 6,100,000
Erick Lindgren - 2,100,000
Matt Glantz - 2,600,000

Eliminations: Lyle Berman (5th Place)
 

Big Hands and Storylines:

Lyle Berman Eliminated in Fifth Place ($444,000) - Razz

Lyle Berman was getting short and put the last of his chips in the pot during a razz hand against Scotty Nguyen and Michael DeMichele on third street. Berman failed to catch much of anything as he watched Nguyen and DeMichele battle it out on every street to claim the pot and his bounty. In the end, DeMichele revealed a 7-5 low to take the pot and eliminate the World Poker Tour founder in fifth place.

Matthew Glantz Stays Alive

After taking a few hits down to under 800,000, Matthew Glantz took down more than his fair share of pots in the Stud and Stud eight-or-better round to boost his stack to over 2 million in chips.

Player Tags: Scotty Nguyen,   Lyle Berman,   Matthew Glantz,   Michael DeMichele

$50K H.O.R.S.E. - Bueno Es No Mas

Jun 29, '08

Betting Limits: 50,000 - 100,000
 

Chip Leaders:

Eliminations: Patrick Bueno (8th Place)
 

Big Hands and Storylines:

Patrick Bueno Chop To Stay Alive - Omaha 8/ob

Patrick Bueno raised to 100,000 and Lyle Berman made it 150,000. Bueno moved all in for his last few chips and Berman made the call. Bueno showed AAK7 and Berman held A228. The flop came 843 and Berman had flopped the nut-low. He needed a five or an eight to eliminate Bueno, but the turn and river came J10 and Bueno's Aces held up for the high.

Every Hand Counts

With the betting limits at 50,000 - 100,000 and rising, each and every ante, completion and bet is significant. A player can bust in any hand, and going with a draw that doesn't get there might get a player into trouble.

Patrick Bueno Eliminated in Eighth Place ($230,880) - Razz

After Lyle Berman brought it in with a king, Erick Lindgren called and Patrick Bueno completed. Lindgren raised and Bueno called all in. After seven cards were thrown their way, Lindgren ended up making an eight-low and Bueno could only produce trip fours. Bueno was eliminated in eighth place and earned $230,880 for his five-day effort.

Michael DeMichele Chips Up in Razz

After winning three straight Razz hands, Michael DeMichele has chipped himself up from the short stack to nearly 2 million in chips.

Player Tags: Lyle Berman,   Patrick Bueno

$50,000 World Championship H.O.R.S.E. - End of Day 2

Jun 26, '08

Note: Play has concluded for Day 2 and the remianing 67 players will return tomorrow at 3 pm to Level 12 with blinds of 3,000-6,000 and antes of 1,500 with a 2,000 bring-in and a 6,000 completion.

Blinds/Antes:
Hold'em-Omaha 8/b: 2,500-5,000
Razz-Stud-Stud 8/b: 1,000 ante, 2,000 bring-in, 5,000 completion

Players Left: 67 of 148

Chip Leaders:
Patrick Bueno: 445,000
Barry Greenstein: 415,000
Lyle Berman: 415,000
Joseph Michael: 410,000
Bill Chen: 380,000
Mike Wattel: 380,000
Steve Zolotow: 370,000
Chris Reslock: 360,000
Minh Ly: 345,000
Doyle Brunson: 340,000
Average Stack: 220,896

Eliminations: Michael Binger, John Monnette, T.J. Cloutier, Ted Forrest, Todd Brunson, Mike Matusow, Tom Schenider

Big Hands:

Hold'em

T.J. Cloutier Crippled Then Eliminated

On a flop of K-J-6, T.J. Cloutier bet out and Lyle Berman raised. Cloutier just called and the turn was a queen. Cloutier led out again and Berman raised again. This time Cloutier reraised and Berman capped it. Cloutier called and the river was another jack. Cloutier bet out again, Berman raised and Cloutier just called after a moment of deliberation and with a somewhat confused look on his face. Berman turned over pocket queens for queens full of jacks while Cloutier showed K-J for jacks full of kings. Cloutier threw his hand into the muck and said, "Mother F@#Ker, that was a $50,000 hand!" Cloutier was of course refering to the buy-in not the pot size, as this hand left him crippled and pretty much killed his tournmanet life. That hand just cost Cloutier his $50,000 buy-in.

Now crippled and left with less than 10,000 in chips, Cloutier got it all in a few hands later against Alex Kostritsyn. The money went in pre-flop and both palyers turned over their cards,

Cloutier: 103
Kostritsyn: A4  
Board: KJ7J7

Cloutier was so short stacked that he literally had to get it all in this hand. No help on the board and T.J. Cloutier was eliminated by Lyle Berman although Kostrtisyn officially got the kill.

Omaha 8/b

Todd Brunson Eliminated by Gabe Kaplan

Gabe Kaplan raised from middle position, Todd Brunson called the raise as did Katja Thater from the big blind. The flop came QJ5, and Kaplan bet. Both Brunson and Thater called. The turn was the 2 and this time Thater bet out. Kaplan raised, Brunson called all in for his last 20,000 and Thater called the raise. The river was the 9 and Thater checked to Kaplan who bet. Thater called and Kaplan turned over a pair of queens, winning both the side and main pots as Thater mucked her hand and Todd Brunson made his exit.

Player Tags: T.J. Cloutier,   Todd Brunson,   Lyle Berman,   Gabe Kaplan

$50,000 World Championship H.O.R.S.E. - Day 2 - Level 10

Jun 26, '08

Blinds/Antes:
Hold'em-Omaha 8/b: 2.000-4,000
Razz-Stud-Stud 8/b: 1,000 ante, 1,000 bring-in, 4,000 completion

Players Left: 75 of 148

Chip Leaders:
David Bach: 394,000
Barry Greenstein: 370,000
Patrick Bueno: 360,000
Erick Lindgren: 355,000
Mike Wattel: 240,000
Chris Reslock: 331,000
Doyle Brunson: 330,000
Abe Mosseri: 325,000
Bill Chen: 325,000
Steve Zolotow: 3125,000

Eliminations: Nick Schulman, Freddy Deeb, Jen Harman, Jan Von Halle, John Juanda, Bill Gazes, Greg Raymer

Hold'em

Jan Von Halle Eliminated by David Bach

David Bach raised to 8,000 on the button and Jan Von Halle called from the big blind. The flop came 632, and Bach bet 4,000. Von Halle raised (check-raise) all in and Bach called. Both players turned over their hands.

Von Halle: K3
Bach: 77

Bach led the hand with a pair of sevens while Von Halle had a pair of threes. The turn (5) and river (2) missed Von Halle and he was eliminated from the tournament. Bach raked the pot and brought his chip count up to 300,000 after this hand.

Omaha 8/b

Freddy Deeb Eliminated by Steve Zolotow

The defending champ defends his titile no more after getting it all in with two pair on a AQ9 flop against Steve Zolotow. Two pair...no good! Zolotow tunred over AA for top set. Deeb was drawing to quads on the flop and drawing dead on the turn as Zolotow raked the pot and send the former champ to rail.

Razz

Jen Harman Eliminated by Lyle Berman

Lyle Berman completed the bet to 4,000 with the 8, Mike Matusow called the raise with the Q and Jen Harman called all in for her last 4,000 with the 9. Matusow and Berman continued to play for the side pot. Berman bet the whole way, Matusow calling him down through sixth street, eventually folding to his last bet on the river.

Berman: 8K48 - 732
Matusow: Q6J6 - X-X-fold
Harman: 97KA - X-X-X

Berman raked the side pot when Matusow folded to his bet on seventh street and turned over an 8-7-4-3-2 low for the main pot. Harman mucked and Berman raked the main pot as well, eliminating Jen Harman at the tail end of Level 10.

Stud

Patrik Antonius Eliminated by Daniel Negreanu

With both players having a 4 in the door, Daniel Negreanu (4) and Patrik Antonus (4) raised and reraised eachother until Antonius was all in. Negreanu started the hand with wired kings while Antonius held wired tens. Negreanu made trip kings on fourth street while Antonius failed to improve. Negreanu raked the pot, bringing his chip count to over 250,000 while Antonius made an early exit.

Stud 8/b

Greg Raymer Eliminated by Mike Matusow

It's funny how things work out at the WSOP. Greg Raymer drew a seat right next to his nemesis Mike "The Mouth" Matusow, and just as peeple were thinking to themselves how well the two former rivals were getting along, Matusow somehow went and messed it all up. We're not sure exactly what happened and/or what was said, but Raymer was eliminated by Matusow and left the tournament with a bang. Raymer got up from his seat, ripped the 8 in half and stormed out of the room.

Player Tags: Daniel Negreanu,   David Bach,   Lyle Berman,   Jennifer Harman,   Patrik Antonius,   Von Halle

$50,000 World Championship H.O.R.S.E - Day 2 - Level 13 Recap

Jun 27, '08

Stakes:
Hold’em/Omaha:  4,000-8,000 blinds
Stud/Razz/Stud8:  2,000 ante, 2,000 bring in, 8,000-16,000 stakes

Players Left: 46 of 148

Chip Leaders:
Joseph Michael - 730,000
Edwin Ting - 690,000
Barry Greenstein - 655,000
Lyle Berman - 603,000
Michael DeMichele - 590,000
Chad Brown - 550,000
Huck Seed - 525,000
James Mackey - 510,000
Farzad "Fred" Bonyadi - 480,000
David Oppenheim - 475,000

Average Stack: 321,750

Eliminations:
Dario Minieri
Greg Mueller
Isabelle Mercier

Big Hands and Storylines:

Omaha/8b

Minh Ly Doubles Up

Minh Ly raised from early position and was called by Barry Greenstein in middle position, Phil Ivey in the small blind, and Layne Flack in the big blind. The flop was Q97 and Ivey bet out and Flack folded. Ly raised, Greenstein folded, and Ivey called.  On the 3 turn Ivey check-called a bet from Ly. The river was the A and Ivey checked again. Ly bet, leaving himself only 20,000 behind, and Ivey folded rather quickly. The pot brought Ly up to 150,000 and knocked Ivey down to a perilously low 100,000.

Razz

Greg Mueller Eliminated

After a raise and a re-raise, Greg Mueller was all-in on third street against Chris Reslock:

Mueller: (2)(9)4JJ109
Reslock: (3)(6)45J107

After all of the cards had been dealt, Reslock’s 7-low was good to take down the smallish pot. Mueller, unlike most players who dart from the tournament floor at light speed, lingered around his table for a few minutes before taking a leisurely walk out of the Amazon Room.

Dario Minieri Eliminated

Having gotten all-in as a short-stack a number of times in the Omaha/8b portion of the event only to repeatedly claim a chopped pot, Dario Minieri got himself all-in on third street against Andy Bloch in razz. There would be no split pot this time; it was either double up or go home for Minieri. Unfortunately for the diminutive Italian, he would be sent packing.  Despite starting with 5-2-A, he could only make a 9-8 low. Bloch’s 5-3-2 turned into an 8-5 on seventh street and the pot was his. Bloch now has about 210,000.

Stud

Isabelle Mercier Eliminated

Ralph Perry: AA93
Justin Bonomo: J974
Isabelle Mercier: 7322

On seventh street, with Isabelle Mercier all-in, Ralph Perry bet into Justin Bonomo. Bonomo mulled over a decision and opted to simply call. Perry insta-mucked, not even giving Bonomo a chance to show his cards. When Bonomo did reveal his downcards – (Q)(6)(5) – it was apparent to Mercier that he had made a flush, and that her day was over. Bonomo is now up to 170,000.

Player Tags: Barry Greenstein,   Minh Ly,   Huck Seed,   David Oppenheim,   Greg Mueller,   Lyle Berman,   Phil Ivey,   James Mackey,   Isabelle Mercier,   Justin Bonomo,   Dario Minieri,   Michael DeMichele,   Joseph Michael,   Edwin Ting,   European Report

$50,000 World Championship H.O.R.S.E - Day 3 - Level 12 Recap

Jun 27, '08

Stakes:
Hold’em/Omaha:  3,000-6,000 blinds
Stud/Razz/Stud8:  1,500 ante, 2,000 bring in, 6,000-12,000 stakes

Players Left: 59 of 148

Chip Leaders:
Lyle Berman - 603,000
Barry Greenstein - 505,000
Phil Ivey - 501,000
William Chen - 420,000
Huck Seed - 420,000
Joseph Michael - 410,000
Michael DeMichele - 390,000
Chris Reslock - 384,000
David Bach - 380,000
Gene Fisher - 375,000

Average Stack: 256,900

Eliminations:
Doug Ganger
Jeff Lisandro
Lee Markholt
Steve Sung

Big Hands and Storylines:

Hold’em

Ace-High No Good For Mackey

James “mig.com” Mackey, who has found quite a bit of success in mixed events this year, hit a bit of a road block in Alexander Kostritsyn in the last level. Kostritsyn raised to 12,000 on the button and Mackey upped it to 18,000 in the big blind. Kostritsyn called. On a flop of KJ6, Mackey bet and the young Russian called. Mackey bet and Kostritsyn called again on the 5 turn. Action halted on the river when both players checked the 6. Mackey showed A3 for ace-high and was beaten by Kostritsyn’s pair of jacks with J10. The hand boosted Kostritsyn to 180,000.

Omaha/8b

Big Stacks Tangle

The holders of two of the biggest stacks of the tournament, Phil Ivey and Bill Chen, played an Omaha eight-or-better pot in the last round that resulted in a scoop for one of the two. Ivey raised from early position and it folded around to Chen in the big blind. Chen made the call and the flop came off 865. Chen check-raised Ivey on the flop and Ivey made the call. Chen bet the 2 turn and Ivey made another call. Both players checked the 4 river and Chen showed QQ74 for a straight and a 7-low. Ivey rapped the table and Chen raked in a pot to move to 420,000 in chips. Ivey is not to be pitied though, as he ended the level with 500,000.

Razz

From Russia With Low

Ralph Perry: 2J3Q
Justin Bonomo: A28J

Michael Joseph completed with the 3 showing on third street, Perry raised, and Bonomo made it 18,000. Both Joseph and Perry called. On fourth street, Bonomo bet out with A2 showing, Michael, having drawn a Q, folded, and Perry called despite drawing a jack. On fifth and sixth streets, Bonomo bet and Perry called. Both players checked the river and Bonomo tabled (3)(2)(J). Perry surveyed Bonomo’s cards very closely, then scrutinized his own, before finally revealing (A)(5)(5) for a J-5 low, narrowly edging out Bonomo’s J-8 low.

The pot gave Perry a stack of 245,000. Bonomo is hovering near the 300,000 chip mark.

Stud

Marcel Luske Eliminates Steve Sung

Steve Sung, desperately short-stacked, got his chips all-in against Marcel Luske. The news was bad for Sung when Luske showed (A)(Q)10JK3 for the broadway straight. Sung had a flush draw though – (9)(5)KQ62. Sung looked at his final card and then stood up and quickly left the table. After winning the pot Luske was up to 290,000.

James Mackey Eliminates Doug Ganger

Doug Ganger: 2K75
James Mackey: A738
Mickey Appleman: K4108

With only a few thousand chips left, Ganger brought in with his deuce and found himself all-in on third street. Mackey bet every street on the hand and Appleman called him down all the way until seventh street where he folded. Mackey showed (A)(10)(9) and that was good enough to take down the pot and eliminate Ganger. After some early trouble in the level, Mackey has bounced back to 250,000.

Player Tags: Gene Fisher,   Lee Markholt,   Barry Greenstein,   Huck Seed,   David Bach,   Lyle Berman,   Jeffrey Lisandro,   Phil Ivey,   Marcel Luske,   James Mackey,   Chris Reslock,   Justin Bonomo,   Bill Chen,   Steve Sung,   Ralph Perry,   Michael DeMichele,   Joseph Michael,   Doug Ganger,   Alexander Kostritsyn

$50K H.O.R.S.E. - Berman Busted

Jun 29, '08

Betting Limits: 100,000 - 200,000
 

Chip Leaders:

Michael DeMichele - 4,800,000
Scotty Nguyen - 6,100,000
Erick Lindgren - 2,100,000
Matt Glantz - 2,600,000

Eliminations: Lyle Berman (5th Place)
 

Big Hands and Storylines:

Lyle Berman Eliminated in Fifth Place ($444,000) - Razz

Lyle Berman was getting short and put the last of his chips in the pot during a razz hand against Scotty Nguyen and Michael DeMichele on third street. Berman failed to catch much of anything as he watched Nguyen and DeMichele battle it out on every street to claim the pot and his bounty. In the end, DeMichele revealed a 7-5 low to take the pot and eliminate the World Poker Tour founder in fifth place.

Matthew Glantz Stays Alive

After taking a few hits down to under 800,000, Matthew Glantz took down more than his fair share of pots in the Stud and Stud eight-or-better round to boost his stack to over 2 million in chips.

Player Tags: Scotty Nguyen,   Lyle Berman,   Matthew Glantz,   Michael DeMichele

$50K H.O.R.S.E. - Bueno Es No Mas

Jun 29, '08

Betting Limits: 50,000 - 100,000
 

Chip Leaders:

Eliminations: Patrick Bueno (8th Place)
 

Big Hands and Storylines:

Patrick Bueno Chop To Stay Alive - Omaha 8/ob

Patrick Bueno raised to 100,000 and Lyle Berman made it 150,000. Bueno moved all in for his last few chips and Berman made the call. Bueno showed AAK7 and Berman held A228. The flop came 843 and Berman had flopped the nut-low. He needed a five or an eight to eliminate Bueno, but the turn and river came J10 and Bueno's Aces held up for the high.

Every Hand Counts

With the betting limits at 50,000 - 100,000 and rising, each and every ante, completion and bet is significant. A player can bust in any hand, and going with a draw that doesn't get there might get a player into trouble.

Patrick Bueno Eliminated in Eighth Place ($230,880) - Razz

After Lyle Berman brought it in with a king, Erick Lindgren called and Patrick Bueno completed. Lindgren raised and Bueno called all in. After seven cards were thrown their way, Lindgren ended up making an eight-low and Bueno could only produce trip fours. Bueno was eliminated in eighth place and earned $230,880 for his five-day effort.

Michael DeMichele Chips Up in Razz

After winning three straight Razz hands, Michael DeMichele has chipped himself up from the short stack to nearly 2 million in chips.

Player Tags: Lyle Berman,   Patrick Bueno

$50,000 World Championship H.O.R.S.E. - End of Day 2

Jun 26, '08

Note: Play has concluded for Day 2 and the remianing 67 players will return tomorrow at 3 pm to Level 12 with blinds of 3,000-6,000 and antes of 1,500 with a 2,000 bring-in and a 6,000 completion.

Blinds/Antes:
Hold'em-Omaha 8/b: 2,500-5,000
Razz-Stud-Stud 8/b: 1,000 ante, 2,000 bring-in, 5,000 completion

Players Left: 67 of 148

Chip Leaders:
Patrick Bueno: 445,000
Barry Greenstein: 415,000
Lyle Berman: 415,000
Joseph Michael: 410,000
Bill Chen: 380,000
Mike Wattel: 380,000
Steve Zolotow: 370,000
Chris Reslock: 360,000
Minh Ly: 345,000
Doyle Brunson: 340,000
Average Stack: 220,896

Eliminations: Michael Binger, John Monnette, T.J. Cloutier, Ted Forrest, Todd Brunson, Mike Matusow, Tom Schenider

Big Hands:

Hold'em

T.J. Cloutier Crippled Then Eliminated

On a flop of K-J-6, T.J. Cloutier bet out and Lyle Berman raised. Cloutier just called and the turn was a queen. Cloutier led out again and Berman raised again. This time Cloutier reraised and Berman capped it. Cloutier called and the river was another jack. Cloutier bet out again, Berman raised and Cloutier just called after a moment of deliberation and with a somewhat confused look on his face. Berman turned over pocket queens for queens full of jacks while Cloutier showed K-J for jacks full of kings. Cloutier threw his hand into the muck and said, "Mother F@#Ker, that was a $50,000 hand!" Cloutier was of course refering to the buy-in not the pot size, as this hand left him crippled and pretty much killed his tournmanet life. That hand just cost Cloutier his $50,000 buy-in.

Now crippled and left with less than 10,000 in chips, Cloutier got it all in a few hands later against Alex Kostritsyn. The money went in pre-flop and both palyers turned over their cards,

Cloutier: 103
Kostritsyn: A4  
Board: KJ7J7

Cloutier was so short stacked that he literally had to get it all in this hand. No help on the board and T.J. Cloutier was eliminated by Lyle Berman although Kostrtisyn officially got the kill.

Omaha 8/b

Todd Brunson Eliminated by Gabe Kaplan

Gabe Kaplan raised from middle position, Todd Brunson called the raise as did Katja Thater from the big blind. The flop came QJ5, and Kaplan bet. Both Brunson and Thater called. The turn was the 2 and this time Thater bet out. Kaplan raised, Brunson called all in for his last 20,000 and Thater called the raise. The river was the 9 and Thater checked to Kaplan who bet. Thater called and Kaplan turned over a pair of queens, winning both the side and main pots as Thater mucked her hand and Todd Brunson made his exit.

Player Tags: T.J. Cloutier,   Todd Brunson,   Lyle Berman,   Gabe Kaplan

$50,000 World Championship H.O.R.S.E. - Day 2 - Level 10

Jun 26, '08

Blinds/Antes:
Hold'em-Omaha 8/b: 2.000-4,000
Razz-Stud-Stud 8/b: 1,000 ante, 1,000 bring-in, 4,000 completion

Players Left: 75 of 148

Chip Leaders:
David Bach: 394,000
Barry Greenstein: 370,000
Patrick Bueno: 360,000
Erick Lindgren: 355,000
Mike Wattel: 240,000
Chris Reslock: 331,000
Doyle Brunson: 330,000
Abe Mosseri: 325,000
Bill Chen: 325,000
Steve Zolotow: 3125,000

Eliminations: Nick Schulman, Freddy Deeb, Jen Harman, Jan Von Halle, John Juanda, Bill Gazes, Greg Raymer

Hold'em

Jan Von Halle Eliminated by David Bach

David Bach raised to 8,000 on the button and Jan Von Halle called from the big blind. The flop came 632, and Bach bet 4,000. Von Halle raised (check-raise) all in and Bach called. Both players turned over their hands.

Von Halle: K3
Bach: 77

Bach led the hand with a pair of sevens while Von Halle had a pair of threes. The turn (5) and river (2) missed Von Halle and he was eliminated from the tournament. Bach raked the pot and brought his chip count up to 300,000 after this hand.

Omaha 8/b

Freddy Deeb Eliminated by Steve Zolotow

The defending champ defends his titile no more after getting it all in with two pair on a AQ9 flop against Steve Zolotow. Two pair...no good! Zolotow tunred over AA for top set. Deeb was drawing to quads on the flop and drawing dead on the turn as Zolotow raked the pot and send the former champ to rail.

Razz

Jen Harman Eliminated by Lyle Berman

Lyle Berman completed the bet to 4,000 with the 8, Mike Matusow called the raise with the Q and Jen Harman called all in for her last 4,000 with the 9. Matusow and Berman continued to play for the side pot. Berman bet the whole way, Matusow calling him down through sixth street, eventually folding to his last bet on the river.

Berman: 8K48 - 732
Matusow: Q6J6 - X-X-fold
Harman: 97KA - X-X-X

Berman raked the side pot when Matusow folded to his bet on seventh street and turned over an 8-7-4-3-2 low for the main pot. Harman mucked and Berman raked the main pot as well, eliminating Jen Harman at the tail end of Level 10.

Stud

Patrik Antonius Eliminated by Daniel Negreanu

With both players having a 4 in the door, Daniel Negreanu (4) and Patrik Antonus (4) raised and reraised eachother until Antonius was all in. Negreanu started the hand with wired kings while Antonius held wired tens. Negreanu made trip kings on fourth street while Antonius failed to improve. Negreanu raked the pot, bringing his chip count to over 250,000 while Antonius made an early exit.

Stud 8/b

Greg Raymer Eliminated by Mike Matusow

It's funny how things work out at the WSOP. Greg Raymer drew a seat right next to his nemesis Mike "The Mouth" Matusow, and just as peeple were thinking to themselves how well the two former rivals were getting along, Matusow somehow went and messed it all up. We're not sure exactly what happened and/or what was said, but Raymer was eliminated by Matusow and left the tournament with a bang. Raymer got up from his seat, ripped the 8 in half and stormed out of the room.

Player Tags: Daniel Negreanu,   David Bach,   Lyle Berman,   Jennifer Harman,   Patrik Antonius,   Von Halle

$50,000 World Championship H.O.R.S.E - Day 2 - Level 13 Recap

Jun 27, '08

Stakes:
Hold’em/Omaha:  4,000-8,000 blinds
Stud/Razz/Stud8:  2,000 ante, 2,000 bring in, 8,000-16,000 stakes

Players Left: 46 of 148

Chip Leaders:
Joseph Michael - 730,000
Edwin Ting - 690,000
Barry Greenstein - 655,000
Lyle Berman - 603,000
Michael DeMichele - 590,000
Chad Brown - 550,000
Huck Seed - 525,000
James Mackey - 510,000
Farzad "Fred" Bonyadi - 480,000
David Oppenheim - 475,000

Average Stack: 321,750

Eliminations:
Dario Minieri
Greg Mueller
Isabelle Mercier

Big Hands and Storylines:

Omaha/8b

Minh Ly Doubles Up

Minh Ly raised from early position and was called by Barry Greenstein in middle position, Phil Ivey in the small blind, and Layne Flack in the big blind. The flop was Q97 and Ivey bet out and Flack folded. Ly raised, Greenstein folded, and Ivey called.  On the 3 turn Ivey check-called a bet from Ly. The river was the A and Ivey checked again. Ly bet, leaving himself only 20,000 behind, and Ivey folded rather quickly. The pot brought Ly up to 150,000 and knocked Ivey down to a perilously low 100,000.

Razz

Greg Mueller Eliminated

After a raise and a re-raise, Greg Mueller was all-in on third street against Chris Reslock:

Mueller: (2)(9)4JJ109
Reslock: (3)(6)45J107

After all of the cards had been dealt, Reslock’s 7-low was good to take down the smallish pot. Mueller, unlike most players who dart from the tournament floor at light speed, lingered around his table for a few minutes before taking a leisurely walk out of the Amazon Room.

Dario Minieri Eliminated

Having gotten all-in as a short-stack a number of times in the Omaha/8b portion of the event only to repeatedly claim a chopped pot, Dario Minieri got himself all-in on third street against Andy Bloch in razz. There would be no split pot this time; it was either double up or go home for Minieri. Unfortunately for the diminutive Italian, he would be sent packing.  Despite starting with 5-2-A, he could only make a 9-8 low. Bloch’s 5-3-2 turned into an 8-5 on seventh street and the pot was his. Bloch now has about 210,000.

Stud

Isabelle Mercier Eliminated

Ralph Perry: AA93
Justin Bonomo: J974
Isabelle Mercier: 7322

On seventh street, with Isabelle Mercier all-in, Ralph Perry bet into Justin Bonomo. Bonomo mulled over a decision and opted to simply call. Perry insta-mucked, not even giving Bonomo a chance to show his cards. When Bonomo did reveal his downcards – (Q)(6)(5) – it was apparent to Mercier that he had made a flush, and that her day was over. Bonomo is now up to 170,000.

Player Tags: Barry Greenstein,   Minh Ly,   Huck Seed,   David Oppenheim,   Greg Mueller,   Lyle Berman,   Phil Ivey,   James Mackey,   Isabelle Mercier,   Justin Bonomo,   Dario Minieri,   Michael DeMichele,   Joseph Michael,   Edwin Ting,   European Report

$50,000 World Championship H.O.R.S.E - Day 3 - Level 12 Recap

Jun 27, '08

Stakes:
Hold’em/Omaha:  3,000-6,000 blinds
Stud/Razz/Stud8:  1,500 ante, 2,000 bring in, 6,000-12,000 stakes

Players Left: 59 of 148

Chip Leaders:
Lyle Berman - 603,000
Barry Greenstein - 505,000
Phil Ivey - 501,000
William Chen - 420,000
Huck Seed - 420,000
Joseph Michael - 410,000
Michael DeMichele - 390,000
Chris Reslock - 384,000
David Bach - 380,000
Gene Fisher - 375,000

Average Stack: 256,900

Eliminations:
Doug Ganger
Jeff Lisandro
Lee Markholt
Steve Sung

Big Hands and Storylines:

Hold’em

Ace-High No Good For Mackey

James “mig.com” Mackey, who has found quite a bit of success in mixed events this year, hit a bit of a road block in Alexander Kostritsyn in the last level. Kostritsyn raised to 12,000 on the button and Mackey upped it to 18,000 in the big blind. Kostritsyn called. On a flop of KJ6, Mackey bet and the young Russian called. Mackey bet and Kostritsyn called again on the 5 turn. Action halted on the river when both players checked the 6. Mackey showed A3 for ace-high and was beaten by Kostritsyn’s pair of jacks with J10. The hand boosted Kostritsyn to 180,000.

Omaha/8b

Big Stacks Tangle

The holders of two of the biggest stacks of the tournament, Phil Ivey and Bill Chen, played an Omaha eight-or-better pot in the last round that resulted in a scoop for one of the two. Ivey raised from early position and it folded around to Chen in the big blind. Chen made the call and the flop came off 865. Chen check-raised Ivey on the flop and Ivey made the call. Chen bet the 2 turn and Ivey made another call. Both players checked the 4 river and Chen showed QQ74 for a straight and a 7-low. Ivey rapped the table and Chen raked in a pot to move to 420,000 in chips. Ivey is not to be pitied though, as he ended the level with 500,000.

Razz

From Russia With Low

Ralph Perry: 2J3Q
Justin Bonomo: A28J

Michael Joseph completed with the 3 showing on third street, Perry raised, and Bonomo made it 18,000. Both Joseph and Perry called. On fourth street, Bonomo bet out with A2 showing, Michael, having drawn a Q, folded, and Perry called despite drawing a jack. On fifth and sixth streets, Bonomo bet and Perry called. Both players checked the river and Bonomo tabled (3)(2)(J). Perry surveyed Bonomo’s cards very closely, then scrutinized his own, before finally revealing (A)(5)(5) for a J-5 low, narrowly edging out Bonomo’s J-8 low.

The pot gave Perry a stack of 245,000. Bonomo is hovering near the 300,000 chip mark.

Stud

Marcel Luske Eliminates Steve Sung

Steve Sung, desperately short-stacked, got his chips all-in against Marcel Luske. The news was bad for Sung when Luske showed (A)(Q)10JK3 for the broadway straight. Sung had a flush draw though – (9)(5)KQ62. Sung looked at his final card and then stood up and quickly left the table. After winning the pot Luske was up to 290,000.

James Mackey Eliminates Doug Ganger

Doug Ganger: 2K75
James Mackey: A738
Mickey Appleman: K4108

With only a few thousand chips left, Ganger brought in with his deuce and found himself all-in on third street. Mackey bet every street on the hand and Appleman called him down all the way until seventh street where he folded. Mackey showed (A)(10)(9) and that was good enough to take down the pot and eliminate Ganger. After some early trouble in the level, Mackey has bounced back to 250,000.

Player Tags: Gene Fisher,   Lee Markholt,   Barry Greenstein,   Huck Seed,   David Bach,   Lyle Berman,   Jeffrey Lisandro,   Phil Ivey,   Marcel Luske,   James Mackey,   Chris Reslock,   Justin Bonomo,   Bill Chen,   Steve Sung,   Ralph Perry,   Michael DeMichele,   Joseph Michael,   Doug Ganger,   Alexander Kostritsyn

$50K H.O.R.S.E. - Berman Busted

Jun 29, '08

Betting Limits: 100,000 - 200,000
 

Chip Leaders:

Michael DeMichele - 4,800,000
Scotty Nguyen - 6,100,000
Erick Lindgren - 2,100,000
Matt Glantz - 2,600,000

Eliminations: Lyle Berman (5th Place)
 

Big Hands and Storylines:

Lyle Berman Eliminated in Fifth Place ($444,000) - Razz

Lyle Berman was getting short and put the last of his chips in the pot during a razz hand against Scotty Nguyen and Michael DeMichele on third street. Berman failed to catch much of anything as he watched Nguyen and DeMichele battle it out on every street to claim the pot and his bounty. In the end, DeMichele revealed a 7-5 low to take the pot and eliminate the World Poker Tour founder in fifth place.

Matthew Glantz Stays Alive

After taking a few hits down to under 800,000, Matthew Glantz took down more than his fair share of pots in the Stud and Stud eight-or-better round to boost his stack to over 2 million in chips.

Player Tags: Scotty Nguyen,   Lyle Berman,   Matthew Glantz,   Michael DeMichele

$50K H.O.R.S.E. - Bueno Es No Mas

Jun 29, '08

Betting Limits: 50,000 - 100,000
 

Chip Leaders:

Eliminations: Patrick Bueno (8th Place)
 

Big Hands and Storylines:

Patrick Bueno Chop To Stay Alive - Omaha 8/ob

Patrick Bueno raised to 100,000 and Lyle Berman made it 150,000. Bueno moved all in for his last few chips and Berman made the call. Bueno showed AAK7 and Berman held A228. The flop came 843 and Berman had flopped the nut-low. He needed a five or an eight to eliminate Bueno, but the turn and river came J10 and Bueno's Aces held up for the high.

Every Hand Counts

With the betting limits at 50,000 - 100,000 and rising, each and every ante, completion and bet is significant. A player can bust in any hand, and going with a draw that doesn't get there might get a player into trouble.

Patrick Bueno Eliminated in Eighth Place ($230,880) - Razz

After Lyle Berman brought it in with a king, Erick Lindgren called and Patrick Bueno completed. Lindgren raised and Bueno called all in. After seven cards were thrown their way, Lindgren ended up making an eight-low and Bueno could only produce trip fours. Bueno was eliminated in eighth place and earned $230,880 for his five-day effort.

Michael DeMichele Chips Up in Razz

After winning three straight Razz hands, Michael DeMichele has chipped himself up from the short stack to nearly 2 million in chips.

Player Tags: Lyle Berman,   Patrick Bueno