Paul Magriel Poker Tournament Updates

Pescatori Rolling, Deeb Gone

Jun 16, '08

Note: Players are now on a 20 minute break. It was announced that 108 places will be paid and first place will take home $528,418.

Blinds/Antes: 100-200 with a 25 ante

Players Left: 504 of 1,012

Chip Leaders:

Hevad Khan: 34,000
Jordan Morgan: 33,000
Ralph "Rep" Porter: 27,000
David Ulliot: 24,000
John Muphy: 23,000
Adam Geyer: 21,500
Fred Goldberg: 21,000
Jeff Kimber: 21,000
Dario Minieri: 20,000
William Chen: 20,000

Eliminations: Freddy Deeb, Clonie Gowen, Joe Hachem, Dutch Boyd

Big Hands:

Pescatori Doubles Up

On a board showing 7QK2, Max Pescarori fired 1,500 into the pot. His opponent in seat 1 made the call. The river was the J and Pescatori moved all in for 9,425. His opponent went into the tank, contemplating whether to jump in the waters with the "Italian Pirate." He decided he would, making the call. Pescatori then walked his opponent off the plank as he turned over KQ for top two pair on the flop. Seat 1 mucked and Pescatori doubled up to around 32,000 after the hand.

The Fall of Freddy Deeb

Freedy Deeb and Max Pescatori saw a flop of 542. Both players checked and the 9 appeared to be an uneventful card. But Pescatori took out his betting rifle and fired 800 into the pot. Deeb was not convinced and decided to raise to 3,500. Pescatori then took out his cannon, blasting a tall stack of mostly yellow "1,000" chips with a few blue "500" on top. Street value was estimated to be around 20,000. Deeb mucked Q7 face up and Pescatori took the pot improving to around 35,000 while Deeb was down to 12,000.

A few hands later, the flop was 1052, the player in seat 6 bet 800 and Deeb called. The turn was the J and seat 6 bet 2,200. Deeb moved all in and his opponent called. Seat 6 turned over 22 for a set of ducks on the flop, much to the delight of Paul Magriel in seat 3. Deeb turned over his 43 for an open ended straight draw. The river was the 9 though, and Deeb was crippled, left with just around 1,400 in chips. He was gone moments later.

You Get What You Pay For

On a board of 734Q, Shannon Shorr called a bet of 325 by his opponent in seat 1. The river was the J and seat 1 checked. Shorr thought for a bit before he decided to check. Seat 1 mucked his hand, surrendering the pot to Shorr. Since he didn't have to show after that, Shorr simply inserted his winning hand face down into the muck and raked the pot. He was at around 10,000 in chips.

Morgan Gets More Chips

On a board of K947, Jordan Morgan bet 700 and his opponent mucked. With the pot, Morgan was at 33,000 and was in second chip position for the tournament.

Player Tags: Paul Magriel,   Jordan Morgan,   Shannon Shorr,   Freddy Deeb,   European Report

$1,500 Pot Limit Omaha - Level 6

Jun 10, '08

Players are beginning their 90-minute dinner break.

Blinds: 150/300

Players Remaining: 135 of 759

Average Stack: 16,867

Chip Counts:

Vanessa Selbst - 86,000
Gerd Schiesser - 70,200
Carter Gill - 67,500
Anthony Philips - 60,000
Ryan Fasso - 56,000
Rafi Amit - 49,000
Richard Ashby - 45,000
Will Failla - 43,700
Rob Hollink - 42,000
Scott Nguyen - 31,000

Eliminations: David Williams, Nenad Medic, Humberto Brenes.

Big Hands:

Shulman Sidesteps a Showdown

Allyn Jaffrey Shulman was under the gun and one of three players to see the flop come J104. The small blind bet 4800 and the big blind raised all-in for another 8500. Shulman easily had both players covered, but wasn't ready to commit to the hand and let it go. The small blind called and showed A1097 for the nut flush draw. The big blind held QJ109 for top two pair and open-ended straight. That hand held up after the 9 hit the turn and 2 came on the river. Shulman later said she folded the nut straight.

Liebert Still Alive

Kathy Liebert was on the button and had Carter Gill raise to 600 in front of her. Liebert made the reraise for another 2500 and Gill called. The flop came Q62 and Liebert went all-in for her remaining 5500 in chips. Gill folded and Liebert now has just over 10,000 in chips.

Gill Continues to Roll

Carter Gill is on the button and as one of the tournament chip leaders, has the chips to call a raise to 825. The big blind then moves all-in with a reraise to 3125. The initial raiser folds while Gill makes the call holding KJ94. The big blind is all-in holding KKQ6. The flop came 653, but the 9 on the turn gave Gill some outs, and he connected when the 9 hit on the river. Gill has over 70,000 in chips.

Corkins Picks Up Pot

Hoyt Corkins was in the big blind and one of four players to see the flop come A93. Corkins and two others checked and the button led out for 800. Corkins put in a check-raise to 3200 and took down the pot.
Later in the level, Corkins had been moved to a table that included Paul Magriel. From the big blind, Corkins watched as the player in the cut-off position raised to 1350. After considerable deliberation, Corkins put in a reraise to 4000 and he took down the pot.

Scotty Nguyen, Devilfish Step Aside

Both prominent players were seated at the same table until just before the break. Ulliott made the 300 call from early position, the cut-off limped, and Nguyen folded in the small blind. Big blind checked to see a flop come Q52. The big blind and Ulliott checked, the button bet 675, and the big blind check-raised all-in. Ulliott and the cut-off both folded to the move.

Player Tags: Hoyt Corkins,   Scotty Nguyen,   Allyn Shulman,   Paul Magriel

$1,500 Pot Limit Omaha - Level 3 recap

Jun 10, '08

Blinds:

75-150

Players Remaining: 342 of 759

Eliminations:

Mike Sexton, Freddy Deeb, Phil Gordon.

Big Hands:

Magriel Buries Phil Gordon

On the wince-o-meter, Paul Magriel buried the needle on Phil Gordon to eliminate the poker author. Gordon called 550 from the big blind and was one of three players to see the flop come 742. Gordon  bet 1700, and action was to Magriel who raised all-in for 3,225. The third player was out of the picture, and Gordon called for his final 1325. Gordon showed AK109 for the nut flush draw with four overcards. Magriel stated he had a set of fours as he flipped his cards over, then slapped his head upon realizing he was mistaken. He in fact held 8664, connecting with the flop only for bottom pair.
No problem for Magriel. The 8completed Gordon's flush on the turn, but the 8 on the river gave Magriel the improbable full house and sent Gordon packing.

Deeb Flames Out in Two Hands

Freddy Deeb was sitting well above average stack with about 9000 in chips when the wheels came off in dramatic fashion. It began on a flop of J64 after Deeb and three others had committed 1000 to the pot preflop. Action was checked to seat 8 who bet 1000, and Deeb was the lone player to make the check-call. After the 3 came on the turn, Deeb stepped out for 4000, more than enough to put seat 8 all-in for his remaining 2825. Deeb held only a slim straight draw however with the 9876, while his opponent was ahead with AA54. The 10 on the river meant the pair of aces was good for the pot.
Deeb went broke on the next hand. Still with just over 4500 in chips, he was one of five players to limp and see the flop come K86. Deeb checked, the player to his immediate left in seat 6 bet 700, and when action returned to Deeb he check-raised to 2100. Seat 6 pushed all-in for 2400 more and Deeb called. After seat 6 showed KK for top set, Deeb declared "then I guess I play this hand," as he pushed out the 52 for the flush draw. Deeb had also flopped bottom set with the 66. The set of kings would hold up after the A came on the turn and 9 on the river.

Raymer Misses

Greg Raymer checked from the big blind and saw the flop along with the small blind and the player under the gun. The flop came A66 and was checked by all three players. After the 5 hit the turn, small blind bet 300, and Raymer called. The K on the river brought a 400 bet from the small blind and Raymer folded. Raymer is currently part of a table that includes Humberto Brenes.

Sklansky Steps Out

David Sklansky called from early position, as did the cut-off, the button, and both blinds. The flop came K83 and all five players checked. The A on the turn brought five more checks. The J was the river, and play was checked to the button who bet 750. Sklansky and the blinds folded, and the cut-off called, showing Q-J-J-7 to win the pot with a set.

Player Tags: Phil Gordon,   David Sklansky,   Paul Magriel,   Freddy Deeb

1,500 Pot Limit Omaha - Level 11

Jun 11, '08

Blinds: 800/1600

Players Left: 43 of 759

Eliminations: Jae Kim, Daniel Martin, Michael Cook.

Big Hands:

DeSerrano Doubles Through Phillips

Anthony Phillips raised to 4500 and Mark DeSerrano put in a reraise for 5200 more. Phillips raised again to put DeSerrano all-in, who called. Phillips showed KKQ10 while DeSerrano held AAJ3. The flop came 853 to give Phillips the flush draw, but he missed with the 3 on the turn and the 5 on the river. DeSerrano doubled up to 48,000 in chips.
The two came close to another battle when Phillips raised to 4100 preflop and DeSerrano, from the button, raised pot. Phillips folded and has now lost a third of his stack since the start of the day, down to 82,000.

Pescatori Remains Alive

Max Pescatori was the small stack when he raised to 5600 in late position. He had just 3000 behind, and Rob Hollink in the big blind put him all in. Pescatori showed AJ108 and was up against AK65. The flop came Q109 and Pescatori flopped a straight. The board finished 102 and Pescatori doubled up.

Schultz Takes it Down

Thom Schultz was the button and was one of four players to see the flop for 4200. The flop came A66. All four players checked and the Q came on the turn. Jae Kim in the big blind bet 10,000 and Schultz raised all-in, taking the pot down while showing AQQ6 for multiple full houses.
The next hand Schultz picked off the blinds when he raised and showed AA1010.

Magriel Forces a Fold

Paul Magriel was the button for the first hand of the level and saw Carter Gill raise to 3800 in front of him. Magriel called from the button and the flop came AJ8. Gill checked, Magriel bet 11,200 and Gill folded.

Allyn Jaffrey Shulman continues to hover around the 20,000 chip mark through the first level of the day.

 

Player Tags: Max Pescatori,   Paul Magriel,   Rob Hollink,   Anthony Phillips,   Carter Gill

$1,500 Pot Limit Omaha - Level 6

Jun 10, '08

Players are beginning their 90-minute dinner break.

Blinds: 150/300

Players Remaining: 135 of 759

Average Stack: 16,867

Chip Counts:

Vanessa Selbst - 86,000
Gerd Schiesser - 70,200
Carter Gill - 67,500
Anthony Philips - 60,000
Ryan Fasso - 56,000
Rafi Amit - 49,000
Richard Ashby - 45,000
Will Failla - 43,700
Rob Hollink - 42,000
Scott Nguyen - 31,000

Eliminations: David Williams, Nenad Medic, Humberto Brenes.

Big Hands:

Shulman Sidesteps a Showdown

Allyn Jaffrey Shulman was under the gun and one of three players to see the flop come J104. The small blind bet 4800 and the big blind raised all-in for another 8500. Shulman easily had both players covered, but wasn't ready to commit to the hand and let it go. The small blind called and showed A1097 for the nut flush draw. The big blind held QJ109 for top two pair and open-ended straight. That hand held up after the 9 hit the turn and 2 came on the river. Shulman later said she folded the nut straight.

Liebert Still Alive

Kathy Liebert was on the button and had Carter Gill raise to 600 in front of her. Liebert made the reraise for another 2500 and Gill called. The flop came Q62 and Liebert went all-in for her remaining 5500 in chips. Gill folded and Liebert now has just over 10,000 in chips.

Gill Continues to Roll

Carter Gill is on the button and as one of the tournament chip leaders, has the chips to call a raise to 825. The big blind then moves all-in with a reraise to 3125. The initial raiser folds while Gill makes the call holding KJ94. The big blind is all-in holding KKQ6. The flop came 653, but the 9 on the turn gave Gill some outs, and he connected when the 9 hit on the river. Gill has over 70,000 in chips.

Corkins Picks Up Pot

Hoyt Corkins was in the big blind and one of four players to see the flop come A93. Corkins and two others checked and the button led out for 800. Corkins put in a check-raise to 3200 and took down the pot.
Later in the level, Corkins had been moved to a table that included Paul Magriel. From the big blind, Corkins watched as the player in the cut-off position raised to 1350. After considerable deliberation, Corkins put in a reraise to 4000 and he took down the pot.

Scotty Nguyen, Devilfish Step Aside

Both prominent players were seated at the same table until just before the break. Ulliott made the 300 call from early position, the cut-off limped, and Nguyen folded in the small blind. Big blind checked to see a flop come Q52. The big blind and Ulliott checked, the button bet 675, and the big blind check-raised all-in. Ulliott and the cut-off both folded to the move.

Player Tags: Hoyt Corkins,   Scotty Nguyen,   Allyn Shulman,   Paul Magriel

$1,500 Pot Limit Omaha - Level 3 recap

Jun 10, '08

Blinds:

75-150

Players Remaining: 342 of 759

Eliminations:

Mike Sexton, Freddy Deeb, Phil Gordon.

Big Hands:

Magriel Buries Phil Gordon

On the wince-o-meter, Paul Magriel buried the needle on Phil Gordon to eliminate the poker author. Gordon called 550 from the big blind and was one of three players to see the flop come 742. Gordon  bet 1700, and action was to Magriel who raised all-in for 3,225. The third player was out of the picture, and Gordon called for his final 1325. Gordon showed AK109 for the nut flush draw with four overcards. Magriel stated he had a set of fours as he flipped his cards over, then slapped his head upon realizing he was mistaken. He in fact held 8664, connecting with the flop only for bottom pair.
No problem for Magriel. The 8completed Gordon's flush on the turn, but the 8 on the river gave Magriel the improbable full house and sent Gordon packing.

Deeb Flames Out in Two Hands

Freddy Deeb was sitting well above average stack with about 9000 in chips when the wheels came off in dramatic fashion. It began on a flop of J64 after Deeb and three others had committed 1000 to the pot preflop. Action was checked to seat 8 who bet 1000, and Deeb was the lone player to make the check-call. After the 3 came on the turn, Deeb stepped out for 4000, more than enough to put seat 8 all-in for his remaining 2825. Deeb held only a slim straight draw however with the 9876, while his opponent was ahead with AA54. The 10 on the river meant the pair of aces was good for the pot.
Deeb went broke on the next hand. Still with just over 4500 in chips, he was one of five players to limp and see the flop come K86. Deeb checked, the player to his immediate left in seat 6 bet 700, and when action returned to Deeb he check-raised to 2100. Seat 6 pushed all-in for 2400 more and Deeb called. After seat 6 showed KK for top set, Deeb declared "then I guess I play this hand," as he pushed out the 52 for the flush draw. Deeb had also flopped bottom set with the 66. The set of kings would hold up after the A came on the turn and 9 on the river.

Raymer Misses

Greg Raymer checked from the big blind and saw the flop along with the small blind and the player under the gun. The flop came A66 and was checked by all three players. After the 5 hit the turn, small blind bet 300, and Raymer called. The K on the river brought a 400 bet from the small blind and Raymer folded. Raymer is currently part of a table that includes Humberto Brenes.

Sklansky Steps Out

David Sklansky called from early position, as did the cut-off, the button, and both blinds. The flop came K83 and all five players checked. The A on the turn brought five more checks. The J was the river, and play was checked to the button who bet 750. Sklansky and the blinds folded, and the cut-off called, showing Q-J-J-7 to win the pot with a set.

Player Tags: Phil Gordon,   David Sklansky,   Paul Magriel,   Freddy Deeb

1,500 Pot Limit Omaha - Level 11

Jun 11, '08

Blinds: 800/1600

Players Left: 43 of 759

Eliminations: Jae Kim, Daniel Martin, Michael Cook.

Big Hands:

DeSerrano Doubles Through Phillips

Anthony Phillips raised to 4500 and Mark DeSerrano put in a reraise for 5200 more. Phillips raised again to put DeSerrano all-in, who called. Phillips showed KKQ10 while DeSerrano held AAJ3. The flop came 853 to give Phillips the flush draw, but he missed with the 3 on the turn and the 5 on the river. DeSerrano doubled up to 48,000 in chips.
The two came close to another battle when Phillips raised to 4100 preflop and DeSerrano, from the button, raised pot. Phillips folded and has now lost a third of his stack since the start of the day, down to 82,000.

Pescatori Remains Alive

Max Pescatori was the small stack when he raised to 5600 in late position. He had just 3000 behind, and Rob Hollink in the big blind put him all in. Pescatori showed AJ108 and was up against AK65. The flop came Q109 and Pescatori flopped a straight. The board finished 102 and Pescatori doubled up.

Schultz Takes it Down

Thom Schultz was the button and was one of four players to see the flop for 4200. The flop came A66. All four players checked and the Q came on the turn. Jae Kim in the big blind bet 10,000 and Schultz raised all-in, taking the pot down while showing AQQ6 for multiple full houses.
The next hand Schultz picked off the blinds when he raised and showed AA1010.

Magriel Forces a Fold

Paul Magriel was the button for the first hand of the level and saw Carter Gill raise to 3800 in front of him. Magriel called from the button and the flop came AJ8. Gill checked, Magriel bet 11,200 and Gill folded.

Allyn Jaffrey Shulman continues to hover around the 20,000 chip mark through the first level of the day.

 

Player Tags: Max Pescatori,   Paul Magriel,   Rob Hollink,   Anthony Phillips,   Carter Gill

1,500 No Limit Hold'em Shootout - Level 4

Jun 09, '08

Players are about to go on their second 20-minute break of the day. Tournament officials have announced that the second round of the tournament will begin one hour after the final table of the first round has completed play.

Blinds: 150/300 with 25 ante

Eliminations: Annie Duke, Mark Vos, Nenad Medic, J.C. Tran, Michael Binger, David Williams, Terrence Chan.

Big Hands:

Monahan Busts Binger

Rory Monahan won a monster three-way pot after a flop of QJ8. All three players proclaimed all-in, with Michael Binger flipping over Q8 while seat 9 held the same two pair with Q8. Monahan trailed with the AJ, but finished the flush with the 9 on the turn, and dodged the board pairing when the 2 bricked the river. Monahan was all-in for 7575, which busted Binger who had 7150 in chips. Seat 9 was clipped down to 4300 remaining in chips after the loss.

Flush Busts Brenes

Humberto Brenes was heads up with Casey McCarrell, after McCarrell called a 1800 raise preflop. The flop cameA95 and Brenes bet out 1800, which McCarrell called. After the 2 on the turn, Brenes bet 1200 and drew another call. The 7 on the river completed the flush, and Brenes bet 6000. McCarrell raised which put Brenes all-in for 4000 more. Brenes held the 84, but was in second place to McCarrell's K2.

Shorr Crippled, Then Done

Playing three-handed, Shannon Shorr was in the small blind and raised all-in. The big blind called for his remaining 7450. Shorr showed the 66 while the big blind held AA. The board ran out J-J-J-K-7 and Shorr was shortstacked. He lost a few hands later to a player with pocket dueces on a board of AKJJ4.

Williams Bests Mueller Again

David Williams reraised Greg Mueller another 2000 preflop, with 2000 already in the center. Mueller called and the flop came KJ3. Mueller checked, Williams pushed all-in and Mueller mucked.

Magriel Bets the Deuce

Paul Magriel limped from the small blind to see a flop of K97. Both players checked, and Magriel bet out 1250 when the 2 hit on the turn. His opponent folded, and Magriel showed a king.

Vos Places Third at Table

Mark Vos shipped his short stack into the middle with A8, but ran into the AJ of his opponent. The board finished KQQ97 and Vos was eliminated.

Notes: Alex Jacob was eliminated in his heads-up showdown by Andrew Moser.

Player Tags: Humberto Brenes,   Paul Magriel,   Michael Binger,   Alex Jacob,   Shannon Shorr,   Mark Vos

1,500 No Limit Hold'em Shootout - Level 2

Jun 09, '08

Players have now begun a 20-minute break.

Blinds: 50/100

Eliminations: Carlos Mortenson

Big Hands:

Magriel Takes a Hit

Paul Magriel was small blind and after seat 1 raised to 1000, Magriel threw in a reraise to 2200 to put the player all-in. Seat 1 called with QQ, a dominant hand against Magriel's AQ. The board ran out KK322 and Magriel had his chip stack cut in half.

Calzadillas Survives

After five limpers joined the pot for 100, Mark Calzadillas raised all-in from the big blind for another 1100. Seat 3 made the call and showed 1010. Calzadillas was drawing slim with A7. The flop came Q86, with the 8 on the turn. Down to three outs for the river, Calzadillas struck when the A appeared to give him the pot.

Tilly Being Patient

Jennifer Tilly was in the small blind and called a raise as one of four players to see the flop for 250. After a flop of 742, Tilly led out with a pot-sized bet and took it down. The next hand from the button, she called a 300 raise to see a flop of 1044. She checked, the initial raiser bet 675, and she folded.

No Action for Williams

Greg Mueller called from middle position and David Williams raised behind him to 400. Everyone folded and Williams threw away KK.

You Bet, You Win

Andy Bloch was button and raised to 300. Both blinds called. After a flop of Q95, Bloch responded to two checks by betting 300 and taking the pot down.
 

Player Tags: Andy Bloch,   Paul Magriel,   David Williams,   Jennifer Tilly,   Mark Calzadillas

$2,000 Omaha 8/b - Hour Four

Jun 08, '08

Note: Players are on a 30 minute dinner break.

Blinds: 75-150 (Moving Up To 100-200)
Stakes: 150- 300 (Moving up to 200-400)

Players Remaining: 460 of 553

Chip Leaders:

John Juanda: 11,400
MIchael Mizrachi: 10,500
David Chiu: 10,200
Josh Arieh: 9,200
Hoyt Corkins: 9,000
Men Nguyen: 8,200
Justin Bonomo: 8,200
Allen Kessler: 8,200
Billy Argyros: 7,700
David Williams: 7,400

Average Chip Stack: 4,809

Big Hands:

Bonomo Crushes Opponent With Set Over Set

Justin Bonomo raised a hand to 300 perflop and got one caller. The board came AJ5 and Bonomo's opponent led out for 150. Bonomo called and the Q came on the turn. Bonomo check-raised his opponent's bet to 600 and his opponent called. The 10 fell on the river, Bonomo bet 300 and was called. His opponent showed J-J-A-4 for a flopped set, and he was visibly frustrated when he saw Bonomo's better flopped set of A-A-7-5. There was no low hand. Bonomo had around 8,200 at the end of the level.

Hellmuth Splits Pot, Orally Jabs Opponent After Hand
Phil Hellmuth bet 150 on a K85 flop and his opponent raised to 300. Hellmuth made the call and check-called his opponent's bet of 300 on the 10 turn card. Both players checked when the 3 fell on the river and Hellmuth showed 8644 for the low and his opponent showed AK1010 for the best high hand. After chopping the pot, Hellmuth vocalized his surprise at the way his opponent played the hand, and his opponent replied, "You escaped again." Hellmuth looked ammused and replied, "You've escaped from me a couple times."

Farha Takes Half of a Big One, Still Short On Chips

Sammy Farha got his last 750 in chips in on a board of 10627 against two players. The K fell on the river and Farha showed AA84 for the nut flush and the best high hand. One opponent showed A1093 for the best low hand, and the other opponent mucked. Farha took half the pot and sat with around 2,000 after the hand.

What a Quack...

Paul Magriel looked to have an opponent on the verge of elimination, when he put the player all in on the turn of a 7632 board. But the river card was the J and Magriel's opponent showed J942 for a rivered two pair of Jacks and deuces, that beat Magriel's 8732, which gave him a flopped two pair of sevens and threes. His opponent also took the low and doubled up. Magriel had around 3,500 after the hand.

Player Tags: Phil Hellmuth,   Paul Magriel,   Sam Farha,   Justin Bonomo

Level Two Recap

Jul 09, '07

The players are on their second break of the day following the completion of level two. The day started with a little more than 1,700 entrants and at the second break the Amazon room is still packed with players.

X-22

Paul "X-22" Magriel has been on an absolute tear during the last level and now sits atop the leaderboard with over $70,000 in chips. Magriel was already responsible for sending two other players to the rail before the following hand. With the flop showing J 9 7 the player in seat one bet out. Magriel was the only other player in the hand and he raised. Seat one pushed all in and Magriel made the call. Seat one showed 10-8 for the flopped straight and Magriel called with K Q on the flush draw. The turn was the Q and a player at the table joked, "don't do it to him." The J hit on the river and Magriel busted out another player at his table. Magriel collected his chips and emerged as the chip leader in the last level.

Tournament Director to Tournament Player

Last year's Tournament Director, Robert Daly, is in today's field and for the first time is able to see what the World Series of Poker is like from a different perspective. Daly was able to build his stack to around $30,000 in the last level and continued to collect chips right up until the break. On a board of J 5 2 4 J Daly found himself heads up with the player in seat nine. Daly pushed all in for $21,000 into a pot totalling around $10,000. His opponent in the nine seat thought for a very long time while staring at Daly. The player in seat nine eventually folded and Daly turned over J J anyways to show the table that he had rivered quads.

FIght The Power!

Towards the end of level two, tournament official Nollan Dolla made a very special announcement to the tournament field. Dolla announced the presence of Robert Wexler, Congressman from Florida who is leading the fight to overturn the law that has made online transactions for gambling purposes illegal. Wexler took the microphone and made a small statement about his intentions to fight the law and about how ridiculous it is. The crowd gave a loud applause and Wexler's comments started a plethora of political conversations at various tables. As conversations about politics often do, some apparently got ugly. One player finally shouted out, "No politics at the table guys! C'mon!"

Negreanu Picks Up Chips

Daniel Negreanu, member of Team Pokerstars www.pokerstars.com, has experienced a rather slow day. Holding on to less than his starting stack, Negreanu called a preflop raise of $650. Three players saw a flop of A K 2. The player in seat four bet out $1,500 and the player in seat six folded. Negreanu called and the turn was the 5. The player in seat four bet out $3,000 and Negreanu just called. The river was the 6 putting a flush on board and the player in seat four checked to Negreanu. Negreanu put the rest of his stack in the middle and put his opponent to a decision for $6,000 more. The player in seat four folded and Negreanu scooped the pot, building his stack to $16,000. The player in seat four said aloud, "good turn card for ya huh?" Negreanu simply shook his head and said, "no." Check out what Negreanu was holding directly from him in our Pro Blogs.

Freddy Deeb: Poker Guru?

Playing a small ball style throughout the day, Freddy Deeb has picked up enough small pots to build his stack to $33,000. Following a major win in this year's H.O.R.S.E tournament, where Deeb took home $2.3 million, the players at his table have been joking with Deeb about "his secret." The player in seat ten finally asked Deeb flat out, "when you gonna start giving lessons?" Deeb just smiled as he raked in another pot, "When you want me to start? You can be the first."

Notable Chip Counts

Dario Minieri	104,000
Paul Magriel	63,000
Chip Reese	46,000
Chris Tsiprailidis	43,000
Layne Flack	40,000
Gus Hansen	38,000
Bill Edler	37,000
John Racener	36,700
Chris Grigorian	36,100
Vinnie Vinh	34,500
Jean Gaspard	34,000
Isaac Haxton	33,000
Thor Hansen	30,500
Maria Ho	30,500
Freddy Deeb	30,000
Carlos Mortensen	27,000
David Benyamine	24,700
Brandon Schaefer	23,500
Leif Force	23,000
Young Phan	22,000
Prahlad Friedman	22,000
Ed Moncada	22,000
Ted Forrest	21,800
Jamie Gold	21,600
Phil Hellmuth	21,000
Dutch Boyd	20,500
Steve Zolotow	20,000
Shawn Sheikhan	19,300
David Plastik	19,300
Sorel "Imper1um" Mizzi	19,000
Mimi Tran	19,000
Kido Pham	18,000
Bryan Micon	18,000
Doug "Rico" Carli	17,300
Chip Jett	17,000
Robert Williamson III	16,300
Daniel Negreanu	16,000
Brett Jungblut	16,000
Michael Binger	15,000
Gavin Smith	15,000
Antonio Esfandiari	14,300
Jon Turner	13,000
Ron "Grumpy" Ware	12,700
Cyndy Violette	9,600
Erick Lindgren	8,000
Erik Friberg	7,000
Erica Schoenberg	6,500
Fred Goldberg	6,000
Nam Le	5,000
David Chiu	4,000

Player Tags: Daniel Negreanu,   Paul Magriel,   Freddy Deeb