Ali Eslami Poker Tournament Updates

Action Begins, Final Table Now Underway

Jul 07, '12

The final table of Event no. 60 ($10,000 No-Limit 2-7 Draw Lowball) is now underway, and Card Player will be posting level-by-level updates with all of the action, current chip counts, and prize distributions.

Day 3 began with 10 players spread out over 2 tables, and with the elimination of Ali Eslami in 8th Place ($26,004), the final table is now set. Play will begin in Level 20, and will continue until a winner is determined.

With cards now back in the air, here is a look at the final table and how these players match up:

Seat no. 1 — George Danzer — 261,000
Seat no. 2 — John Juanda — 371,000
Seat no. 3 — Nick Schulman — 979,000
Seat no. 4 — Bob Bright — 38,000
Seat no. 5 — Ashton Griffin — 596,000
Seat no. 6 — Mike Wattel — 477,000
Seat no. 7 — Benjamin Parker — 313,000

While only 7 remain, this event gathered 101 players, creating a total prize pool of $949,400. Here is a look at the final payouts:

1st Place — $294,321
2nd Place — $181,886
3rd Place — $115,295
4th Place — $78,088
5th Place — $55,482
6th Place — $41,270
7th Place — $32,080

Be sure to check back with Card Player at the conclusion of each level for regular updates with all of the action, current chip counts, and prize distributions.

Player Tags: John Juanda,   Michael Wattel,   Ali Eslami,   Nick Schulman,   George Danzer,   Bob Bright,   Ashton Griffin,   Benjamin Parker

Level 29 Update: Ivey Leads Frankenberger Heads-Up; Eslami 3rd (199,623)

Jun 11, '12

Level: 29

Blinds: 50,000-100,000

Players Remaining: 2 out of 179

Average Chip Count: 2,685,000

Chip Counts:

Seat no. 3 — Phil Ivey — 2,870,000

Seat no. 6 — Andy Frankenberger — 2,500,000

Players Eliminated:

Ali Eslami — 3rd Place ($199,623)

Live Updates:

Ali Eslami Eliminated in 3rd Place ($199,623)

Ali Eslami was left on the short stack after Andy Frankenberger doubled through him this level with AA against AK. Frankenbeger won the pre-flop showdown and took the chip lead that hand with about 2.8 million, putting Eslami on the short stack with just 2.5 big blinds.

On his final hand, Eslami got it all in before the flop with KQ against phil Ivey’s 88.

The board came A946A, offering no help to Ali Eslami who was eliminated in 3rd place ($199,623). That hand put Ivey back out in front with the chip lead going into heads-up play.

With the elimination of Ali Eslami in 3rd place ($199,623), Phil Ivey took the chip lead going into heads-up play with about 2.6 million to Frankenberger’s 2.55 million.

Be sure to check back with Card Player at the conclusion of each level for regular updates with all of the action, current chip counts, and prize distributions.

Player Tags: Phil Ivey,   Ali Eslami,   Andy Frankenberger

Action Begins, Official Final Table Now Underway

Jun 10, '12

The final table of Event no. 17 ($10,000 Pot-Limit Hold’em) is now underway, and Card Player will be posting level-by-level updates with all of the action, current chip counts, and prize distributions.

Day 3 began with 18 players spread out over two tables, and with the elimination of Ryan Julius in 10th Place ($34,139), the official 9-handed final table is now set. Play will begin in Level 24 with blinds of 15,000-30,000, and will continue until a winner is determined.

With cards now back in the air, here is a look at the final table and how these players match up:

Seat no. 1 — Ali Eslami — 730,000
Seat no. 2 — Matt Marafioti — 455,000
Seat no. 3 — Phil Ivey — 1,185,000
Seat no. 4 — Manuel Bevand — 1,095,000
Seat no. 5 — Hoyt Corkins — 260,000
Seat no. 6 — Andy Frankenberger — 435,000
Seat no. 7 — Alexander Venovski — 490,000
Seat no. 8 — Daniel Weinman — 390,000
Seat no. 9 — Shaun Deeb — 330,000

While only 9 remain, this event gathered 179 players, creating a total prize pool of $1,682,600. Here is a look at the final payouts:

1st Place — $445,899
2nd Place — $275,559
3rd Place — $199,623
4th Place — $147,345
5th Place — $110,731
6th Place — $84,668
7th Place — $65,840
8th Place — $52,059
9th Place — $41,829

Be sure to check back with Card Player at the conclusion of each level for regular updates with all of the action, current chip counts, and prize distributions.

Player Tags: Hoyt Corkins,   Phil Ivey,   Ali Eslami,   Ryan Julius,   Shaun Deeb,   Alexander Venovski,   Manuel Bevand,   Andy Frankenberger,   Daniel Weinman

Level 23: Ali Eslami Eliminated in 8th Place ($51,750)

Jun 20, '11

Ante: 7,000
Low Card: 10,000
Completion: 30,000
Limits: 30,000-60,000

Players Remaining: 7 out of 168

Average Chip Count: 720,000

Eliminations:

8th. Ali Eslami – $51,750

Ali Eslami Eliminated in 8th Place ($51,750)

Ali Eslami came to the final table as the short stack and was eliminated shortly after in 8th place. Eslami completed with the 8, Ted Forrest raised the 4 and Eslami called all in on third street.

Eslami: 9 4 4 A 7 3 7
Forrest: A 4 4 A 8 2 3

Both players had a pair of fours on third street. Forrest made aces up on fourth street and Eslami came up short on the river with sevens-up. Ted Forrest raked the pot and Ali Eslami was the first to go in 8th place ($51,750).

Be sure to check back hourly for level-by-level updates of this final table.

Player Tags: Ted Forrest,   Ali Eslami

Level 23: Lellouche 9th; Final Table Now Underway

Jun 20, '11

NOTE: Play resumed today at 3:00pm with 18 players, and with the elimination of Anthony Lellouche in 9th place ($43,317), the official eight-handed final table is now underway.

Ante: 7,000
Low Card: 10,000
Completion: 30,000
Limits: 30,000-60,000

Players Remaining: 8 out of 168

Average Chip Count: 630,000

Chip Counts:

1. Eric Rodawig – 1,855,000
2. David benyamine – 918,000
3. Ted Forrest – 794,000
4. Phil Hellmuth – 444,000
5. Joe Tehan – 422,0000
6. John Racener – 333,000
7. Mikhail Savinov – 203,000
8. Ali Eslasmi – 63,000

Payouts:

1st. $442,183
2nd. $272,233
3rd. $171,12
4th. $123,904
5th. $96,836
6th. $77,222
7th. $62,710
8th. $51,750

Be sure to check back hourly for level-by-level updates of this final table.

Player Tags: Ted Forrest,   David Benyamine,   Phil Hellmuth,   Ali Eslami,   Joe Tehan,   John Racener,   Mikhail Savinov

Level 24: Final Two on Dinner Break; Rast Leads Kessler Heads-Up

Jun 11, '11

NOTE: The final two players took a sixty minute dinner break at the conclusion of Level 24 and should return at approximately 8:20pm to resume play.

Blinds: 15,000-30,000

Players Remaining: 2 out of 765

Average Chip Count: 1,721,250

Chip Counts:

1. Brian Rast – 2,040,000
2. Allen Kessler – 1,405,000

Eliminations:

3rd. Dajuan Whorley – $91,212
4th. Daisuke Endo – $66,940
5th. Mika Paasonen – $49,902
6th. Ali Eslami – $37,654

This was a shockingly fast round of play, losing four of the remaining six players that started the level. Both Brian Rast and Allen Kessler claimed two K.O.’s each this level, setting themselves up in prime position for heads-up play. After the elimination of Dajuan Whorley in 3rd place, Brian Rast led Allen Kessler in heads-up play with 1,910,000 to 1,535,000.

Ali Eslmani Eliminated in 6th Place ($37,654)

Ali Eslami raised to 105,000 from the cutoff and Brian Rast called from the big blind.

The flop came K 7 2, Rast shoved and Eslami called all in.

Rast showed K 7 for two pair and was ahead of Eslami’s big-slick.

The turn was the 7, giving Rast a full house. Eslmani was drawing dead to the river and was eliminated in 6th place ($37,654).

Mika Paasonen Eliminated in 5th Place ($49,902)

Mika Paasonen raised to 60,000 before the flop, Brian Rast three-bet him all in and Paasonen called.

Rast showed A K for the lead against Paasonen’s K 10.

The board came K 8 2 9 3, giving both players top pair on the flop, Rast of course with the better kicker. Mika Paasonen was eliminated in 5th place ($49,902).

Daisuke Endo Eliminated in 4th Place ($66,994)

Daisuke Endo open-shoved the button for about 100,000 and Allen Kessler called from the small blind.

Kessler turned over K 10 for the lead against Endo’s Q J.

The board came K 6 5 2 8, giving Kessler top pair on the flop. Daisuke Endo was eliminated in 4th place ($66,994).

Dajuan Whorley Eliminated in 3rd Place ($91,219)

Allen Kessler raised to 70,000 before the flop and Dajuan Whorley called from the big blind.

The flop came 9 8 3, Whorley checked, Kessler bet 80,000, Whorley check-raised to 175,000, Kessler shoved and Whorley called all in.

Whorley showed J 9 for top pair against Kessler’s A A.

The turn and river were the 7 and the 5, no help for Dujuan Whorley who was eliminated in 3rd place ($92,219).

NOTE: With the elimination of Dajuan Whorley in 3rd place, Brian Rast led Allen Kessler in heads-up play with 1,910,000 to 1,535,000.

Be sure to check back hourly for level-by-level updates of this final table.

Player Tags: Allen Kessler,   Ali Eslami,   Brian Rast,   Dajuan Whorley,   Mika Paasonen,   Daisuke Endo

Level 22: Rast Leads Final 7; Lawson 8th, Lee 9th

Jun 11, '11

Blinds: 10,000-20,000

Players Remaining: 7 out of 765

Average Chip Count: 491,186

Chip Counts:

1. Brian Rast – 1,560,000
2. Allen Kessler – 555,000
3. John Gordon – 438,000
4. Mika Paasonen – 260,000
5. Daisuke Endo – 245,000
6. Ali Eslami – 220,000
7. Dajuan Whorley – 220,000

Eliminations:

8th. Ted Lawson – $22,183
9th. Ronald Lee – $17,928

Ted Lawson Eliminated in 8th place ($22,183)

Ali Eslami raised to 45,000 from under the gun, Ted Lawson moved all in from the button for 165,000 and Eslami called.

Eslami turned over J J for the lead while Lawson showed A Q for the draw.

The board came 10 10 3 8 2, no help to Ted Lawson who was eliminated in 8th place ($22,183).

Ronald Lee Eliminated in 9th Place ($17,928)

Lee started the official nine-handed final table as the short stack with just 25,000, and almost as quickly as it began, Lee moved all in before the flop and got three callers.

John Gordon, Allen Kessler and Dajuan Whorley all checked to the river on a board of 10 6 5 6 7. Whorley turned over 10 7 for two pair and Ronald Lee was eliminated in 9th place ($17,928).

Be sure to check back hourly for level-by-level updates of this final table.

Player Tags: Ted Lawson,   Ali Eslami,   Dajuan Whorely,   Ronald Lee

Level 22: Cohen Eliminated 10th, Final Table Now Underway

Jun 11, '11

NOTE: Play ended last night with the unofficial final table of 10 players and resumed today at 2:30pm. With the elimination of Andrew Cohen in 10th place ($13,601), the official nine-handed final table is now underway.

Blinds: 10,000-20,000

Players Remaining: 9 out of 765

Average Chip Count: 382,500

Chip Counts:

1. Brian Rast – 995,000
2. Allen Kessler – 618,000
3. John Gordon – 590,000
4. Ali Eslami – 375,000
5. Dajuan Whorley – 255,000
6. Mika Paasonen – 215,000
7. Daisuke Endo – 174,000
8. Ted Lawson – 140,000
9. Ronald Lee – 25,000

Payouts:

1st. $227,232
2nd. $140,309
3rd. $91,212
4th. $66,994
5th. $49,902
6th. $37,654
7th. $28,741
8th. $22,183
9th. $17,298

Be sure to check back hourly for level-by-level updates of this final table.

Player Tags: Ted Lawson,   Allen Kessler,   Ali Eslami,   John Gordon,   Brian Rast,   Dajuan Whorely,   Mika Paasonen,   Ronald Lee

Level 20: Six Remain; Eslami 7th, Lazarou 8th

Jun 04, '11

Ante: 2,000
Low Card: 2,000
Completion: 8,000
Limits: 8,000-16,000

Players Remaining: 6 out of 357

Average Chip Count: 267,750

Chip Counts:

1. Eugene Katchalov – 525,000
2. Eric Buchman – 455,000
3. Jonathan Spinks – 320,000
4. Alessio Isaia – 151,000
5. Dennis Parker – 125,000
6. Kai Landry – 40,000

Eliminations:

7th. Ali Eslami – $14,723
8th. Vasili Lazarou – $11,301

Eslami Doubles Through Isaia

Eslami had dropped down to the short stack with less than two full big bets at one point before he managed to double through the former chip leader, Alessio Isaia in this hand.

Third Street: Alessio Isaia completed with the K, Ali Eslami raised with the A and Isaia called.

Fourth Street: Isaia paired his door card (K K) and got it all in against Eslami’s A 4.

Eslami: A 4 5 7 (A 3 A)
Isaia: K K 8 3 (K 9 7)

Isaia was ahead with trip kings, but Eslmai nailed a third ace on the river (trip aces) to double up to 80,000. Isaia was down to 140,000 after this hand.

Vasili Lazarou Eliminated in 8th Place ($11,301)

Vasili Lazarou was eliminated by Eugene Katchalov in a two-part series, with Lazarou losing all of his chips except for one single bet on the hand right before his elimination.

Lazarou went all the way to seventh street with 10 J 2 8 against Katchalov’s A 5 J A, but folded to a blind bet by Katchalov on the river.

On the very next hand, Lazarou got it all in on third street with the 4 against Katchalov’s A.

Lazarou ended up with a pair of threes 4 9 6 A (3 5 3) while Katchalov double-paired and made a flush on the river with A A 2 2 7 6 K. Katchalov secured the chip lead after these hands with over 500,000 while Vasili Lazarou was eliminated in 8th place ($11,301).

Ali Eslami Eliminated in 7th Place ($14,723)

Third Street: Jonathan Spinks came in with the low card (3), Ali Eslami completed with the Q, Eugene Katchalov called with the 7 and Spinks called the raise.

Fourth Street: Eslami bet with Q J, Katchalov called with 7 6 and Spinks folded 3 2.

Fifth Street: Eslami bet Q J A, Katchalov raised 7 6 10 and Eslami called all in.

Eslami showed Q 5 for split queens and Katchalov showed 8 7 for split eights.

Sixth Street: Katchalov made two pair with the 8 and Eslami fell behind with the 7.

River: Katchalov makes a final board of 7 6 10 8 (8 7 5) for two pair while Eslami bricks with Q J A 7 (Q 5 K) for one pair. Ali Eslami is eliminated in 7th place ($14,723).

Be sure to check back hourly for level-by-level updates of this final table.

Player Tags: Ali Eslami,   Eugene Katchalov,   Vasili Lazarou,   Alessio Isaia

Ausmus Eliminated 9th; Final Table Now Underway

Jun 04, '11

NOTE: The final nine players consolidated down to one table, and with the elimination of Jeremy Ausmus in 9th place ($8,800), the official eight-handed final table began at around 4:20pm.

Level: 19
Ante: 1,500
Low Card: 1,500
Completion: 6,000
Limits: 6,000-12,000

Players Remaining: 8 out of 357

Average Chip Count: 200,812

Chip Counts:

1. Eric Buchman – 386,500
2. Jonathan Spinks – 263,500
3. Alessio Isaia – 228,000
4. Eugene Katchalov – 195,000
5. Kai Landry – 153,000
6. Vasili Lazarou – 140,000
7. Dennis Parker – 94,000
8. Ali Eslami – 80,000

Payouts:

1st. $122,909
2nd. $75,911
3rd. $48,961
4th. $35,476
5th. $26,083
6th. $19,546
7th. $14,723
8th. $11,301

Be sure to check back hourly for level-by-level updates of this final table.

Player Tags: Eric Buchman,   Ali Eslami,   Eugene Katchalov,   Dennis Parker,   Vasili Lazarou,   Alessio Isaia,   Kai Landry

Eslami vs. Liebert

Mar 27, '11

There was a nice pot sitting on the table along with a board that read 5 3 2 K 10 when Kathy Liebert threw out a bet worth 5,000. Eslami made the call after a few minutes of thought. Their cards:

Liebert: 4 4
Eslami: 5 3

Liebert dropped to less than 20,000 after the hand while Eslami is now above 70,000 and close to the chip lead.

Player Tags: Kathy Liebert,   Ali Eslami

Ali Eslami Lays it Down

Mar 28, '11

The flop read 10 6 5 when Ali Eslami bet 1,600 under the gun. The cutoff raised to 6,000 and after some deliberation Eslami made the call. The turn fell A and both players checked.

The river was dealt 2 and the cutoff fired out a bet worth 11,000. Eslami went into the tank for a bit but he eventually decided to muck. His stack fell to 145,000 but he is still close to the chip lead.

Player Tags: Ali Eslami

Scott Montgomery Eliminated in 15th Place

Mar 29, '11

Scott Montgomery was all in on a flop of 6 4 2 on the cutoff and Ali Eslami made the call from the small blind. Their cards:

Montgomery: 8 3
Eslami: A A

Turn and River: K and 10

Eslami won the hand to grow his stack to 345,000 and Montgomery was eliminated in 15th place.

Player Tags: Ali Eslami,   Scott Montgomery

Romik Vartzar Eliminated in 18th Place

Mar 29, '11

The first elimination of the day came when Romik Vartzar decided to move all in with the board reading J 6 2 3. Ali Eslami bet 22,000 from the button and Romik raised all in. Eslami quickly made the call to cover him and they flipped over their cards:

Vartzar: A J
Eslami: A A

River: 2

Vartzar was eliminated in 18th place and he misses the prize money by a half-dozen spots.

Player Tags: Ali Eslami,   Romik Vartzar

Ali Eslami Wins the WSOP Circuit Western Regional Championship ($282,242) -- Tim West Eliminated in Second Place ($174,443)

Mar 30, '11

Tim West raised to 62,000 on the button and Ali Eslami reraised to 138,000 preflop. West then reraised all in for a million. Eslami made the call to cover his opponent and they flipped over their cards:

Eslami: A A
West: A Q

Board: 8 6 2 J 7

Eslami won the hand and the tournament. He takes home the top prize worth $282,242 and a gold ring for the victory. West takes home $174,443 as the runner up.

Player Tags: Ali Eslami,   Tim West

Steve Brecher Eliminated in Fourth Place ($90,223)

Mar 30, '11

Ali Eslami, Tim West, and Steve Brecher saw a limped and checked flop of K 9 4. West then checked on the small blind and Brecher checked the big blind. Eslami bet 30,000 under the gun and West mucked. Brecher then check-raised all in for 155,000. Eslami made the call and they flipped over their cards:

Eslami: K Q
Brecher: K 8

Turn and River: 9 and 2

Brecher was eliminated in fourth place and he will take home $90,223 in prize money.

Player Tags: Steve Brecher,   Ali Eslami

David Peters Eliminated in Fifth Place ($66,834)

Mar 30, '11

David Peters moved all in preflop for 145,000 and Ali Eslami made the call. Their cards:

Eslami: A 8
Peters: A 4

Board: 8 6 6 Q 4

Peters was eliminated on the hand in fifth place and he will take home $66,834 in prize money.

Player Tags: Ali Eslami,   David Peters

Dwyte Pilgrim Eliminated in Seventh Place ($38,808)

Mar 30, '11

Ali Eslami limped under the gun preflop and Dwyte Pilgrim made the call from the small blind. David Peters checked the big blind and the flop was dealt A K 2. Eslami opened the action with a 16,000 and Pilgrim made the call. Peters mucked and the turn fell 10. Pilgrim then got the last of his chips into the middle (120,000) and Eslami made the call. Their cards:

Pilgrim: A 3
Eslami: K 2

River: 7

Eslami won the hand to grow his stack to a million. Pilgrim was eliminated in seventh place and he took home $38,808 in prize money.

Player Tags: Ali Eslami,   Dwyte Pilgrim

Card Player TV: Ali Eslami

Mar 30, '11

Play continues to move slowly at the final table. Here is a video from Card Player TV featuring Ali Eslami to tide you over until the next big action:

Player Tags: Ali Eslami

Eslami vs. Liebert

Mar 27, '11

There was a nice pot sitting on the table along with a board that read 5 3 2 K 10 when Kathy Liebert threw out a bet worth 5,000. Eslami made the call after a few minutes of thought. Their cards:

Liebert: 4 4
Eslami: 5 3

Liebert dropped to less than 20,000 after the hand while Eslami is now above 70,000 and close to the chip lead.

Player Tags: Kathy Liebert,   Ali Eslami

Ali Eslami Lays it Down

Mar 28, '11

The flop read 10 6 5 when Ali Eslami bet 1,600 under the gun. The cutoff raised to 6,000 and after some deliberation Eslami made the call. The turn fell A and both players checked.

The river was dealt 2 and the cutoff fired out a bet worth 11,000. Eslami went into the tank for a bit but he eventually decided to muck. His stack fell to 145,000 but he is still close to the chip lead.

Player Tags: Ali Eslami

Scott Montgomery Eliminated in 15th Place

Mar 29, '11

Scott Montgomery was all in on a flop of 6 4 2 on the cutoff and Ali Eslami made the call from the small blind. Their cards:

Montgomery: 8 3
Eslami: A A

Turn and River: K and 10

Eslami won the hand to grow his stack to 345,000 and Montgomery was eliminated in 15th place.

Player Tags: Ali Eslami,   Scott Montgomery

Romik Vartzar Eliminated in 18th Place

Mar 29, '11

The first elimination of the day came when Romik Vartzar decided to move all in with the board reading J 6 2 3. Ali Eslami bet 22,000 from the button and Romik raised all in. Eslami quickly made the call to cover him and they flipped over their cards:

Vartzar: A J
Eslami: A A

River: 2

Vartzar was eliminated in 18th place and he misses the prize money by a half-dozen spots.

Player Tags: Ali Eslami,   Romik Vartzar

Ali Eslami Wins the WSOP Circuit Western Regional Championship ($282,242) -- Tim West Eliminated in Second Place ($174,443)

Mar 30, '11

Tim West raised to 62,000 on the button and Ali Eslami reraised to 138,000 preflop. West then reraised all in for a million. Eslami made the call to cover his opponent and they flipped over their cards:

Eslami: A A
West: A Q

Board: 8 6 2 J 7

Eslami won the hand and the tournament. He takes home the top prize worth $282,242 and a gold ring for the victory. West takes home $174,443 as the runner up.

Player Tags: Ali Eslami,   Tim West

Steve Brecher Eliminated in Fourth Place ($90,223)

Mar 30, '11

Ali Eslami, Tim West, and Steve Brecher saw a limped and checked flop of K 9 4. West then checked on the small blind and Brecher checked the big blind. Eslami bet 30,000 under the gun and West mucked. Brecher then check-raised all in for 155,000. Eslami made the call and they flipped over their cards:

Eslami: K Q
Brecher: K 8

Turn and River: 9 and 2

Brecher was eliminated in fourth place and he will take home $90,223 in prize money.

Player Tags: Steve Brecher,   Ali Eslami

David Peters Eliminated in Fifth Place ($66,834)

Mar 30, '11

David Peters moved all in preflop for 145,000 and Ali Eslami made the call. Their cards:

Eslami: A 8
Peters: A 4

Board: 8 6 6 Q 4

Peters was eliminated on the hand in fifth place and he will take home $66,834 in prize money.

Player Tags: Ali Eslami,   David Peters

Dwyte Pilgrim Eliminated in Seventh Place ($38,808)

Mar 30, '11

Ali Eslami limped under the gun preflop and Dwyte Pilgrim made the call from the small blind. David Peters checked the big blind and the flop was dealt A K 2. Eslami opened the action with a 16,000 and Pilgrim made the call. Peters mucked and the turn fell 10. Pilgrim then got the last of his chips into the middle (120,000) and Eslami made the call. Their cards:

Pilgrim: A 3
Eslami: K 2

River: 7

Eslami won the hand to grow his stack to a million. Pilgrim was eliminated in seventh place and he took home $38,808 in prize money.

Player Tags: Ali Eslami,   Dwyte Pilgrim

Card Player TV: Ali Eslami

Mar 30, '11

Play continues to move slowly at the final table. Here is a video from Card Player TV featuring Ali Eslami to tide you over until the next big action:

Player Tags: Ali Eslami

Eslami vs. Liebert

Mar 27, '11

There was a nice pot sitting on the table along with a board that read 5 3 2 K 10 when Kathy Liebert threw out a bet worth 5,000. Eslami made the call after a few minutes of thought. Their cards:

Liebert: 4 4
Eslami: 5 3

Liebert dropped to less than 20,000 after the hand while Eslami is now above 70,000 and close to the chip lead.

Player Tags: Kathy Liebert,   Ali Eslami

Ali Eslami Lays it Down

Mar 28, '11

The flop read 10 6 5 when Ali Eslami bet 1,600 under the gun. The cutoff raised to 6,000 and after some deliberation Eslami made the call. The turn fell A and both players checked.

The river was dealt 2 and the cutoff fired out a bet worth 11,000. Eslami went into the tank for a bit but he eventually decided to muck. His stack fell to 145,000 but he is still close to the chip lead.

Player Tags: Ali Eslami

Scott Montgomery Eliminated in 15th Place

Mar 29, '11

Scott Montgomery was all in on a flop of 6 4 2 on the cutoff and Ali Eslami made the call from the small blind. Their cards:

Montgomery: 8 3
Eslami: A A

Turn and River: K and 10

Eslami won the hand to grow his stack to 345,000 and Montgomery was eliminated in 15th place.

Player Tags: Ali Eslami,   Scott Montgomery

Romik Vartzar Eliminated in 18th Place

Mar 29, '11

The first elimination of the day came when Romik Vartzar decided to move all in with the board reading J 6 2 3. Ali Eslami bet 22,000 from the button and Romik raised all in. Eslami quickly made the call to cover him and they flipped over their cards:

Vartzar: A J
Eslami: A A

River: 2

Vartzar was eliminated in 18th place and he misses the prize money by a half-dozen spots.

Player Tags: Ali Eslami,   Romik Vartzar

Ali Eslami Wins the WSOP Circuit Western Regional Championship ($282,242) -- Tim West Eliminated in Second Place ($174,443)

Mar 30, '11

Tim West raised to 62,000 on the button and Ali Eslami reraised to 138,000 preflop. West then reraised all in for a million. Eslami made the call to cover his opponent and they flipped over their cards:

Eslami: A A
West: A Q

Board: 8 6 2 J 7

Eslami won the hand and the tournament. He takes home the top prize worth $282,242 and a gold ring for the victory. West takes home $174,443 as the runner up.

Player Tags: Ali Eslami,   Tim West

Steve Brecher Eliminated in Fourth Place ($90,223)

Mar 30, '11

Ali Eslami, Tim West, and Steve Brecher saw a limped and checked flop of K 9 4. West then checked on the small blind and Brecher checked the big blind. Eslami bet 30,000 under the gun and West mucked. Brecher then check-raised all in for 155,000. Eslami made the call and they flipped over their cards:

Eslami: K Q
Brecher: K 8

Turn and River: 9 and 2

Brecher was eliminated in fourth place and he will take home $90,223 in prize money.

Player Tags: Steve Brecher,   Ali Eslami

David Peters Eliminated in Fifth Place ($66,834)

Mar 30, '11

David Peters moved all in preflop for 145,000 and Ali Eslami made the call. Their cards:

Eslami: A 8
Peters: A 4

Board: 8 6 6 Q 4

Peters was eliminated on the hand in fifth place and he will take home $66,834 in prize money.

Player Tags: Ali Eslami,   David Peters

Dwyte Pilgrim Eliminated in Seventh Place ($38,808)

Mar 30, '11

Ali Eslami limped under the gun preflop and Dwyte Pilgrim made the call from the small blind. David Peters checked the big blind and the flop was dealt A K 2. Eslami opened the action with a 16,000 and Pilgrim made the call. Peters mucked and the turn fell 10. Pilgrim then got the last of his chips into the middle (120,000) and Eslami made the call. Their cards:

Pilgrim: A 3
Eslami: K 2

River: 7

Eslami won the hand to grow his stack to a million. Pilgrim was eliminated in seventh place and he took home $38,808 in prize money.

Player Tags: Ali Eslami,   Dwyte Pilgrim

Card Player TV: Ali Eslami

Mar 30, '11

Play continues to move slowly at the final table. Here is a video from Card Player TV featuring Ali Eslami to tide you over until the next big action:

Player Tags: Ali Eslami

Eslami vs. Liebert

Mar 27, '11

There was a nice pot sitting on the table along with a board that read 5 3 2 K 10 when Kathy Liebert threw out a bet worth 5,000. Eslami made the call after a few minutes of thought. Their cards:

Liebert: 4 4
Eslami: 5 3

Liebert dropped to less than 20,000 after the hand while Eslami is now above 70,000 and close to the chip lead.

Player Tags: Kathy Liebert,   Ali Eslami

Ali Eslami Lays it Down

Mar 28, '11

The flop read 10 6 5 when Ali Eslami bet 1,600 under the gun. The cutoff raised to 6,000 and after some deliberation Eslami made the call. The turn fell A and both players checked.

The river was dealt 2 and the cutoff fired out a bet worth 11,000. Eslami went into the tank for a bit but he eventually decided to muck. His stack fell to 145,000 but he is still close to the chip lead.

Player Tags: Ali Eslami

Scott Montgomery Eliminated in 15th Place

Mar 29, '11

Scott Montgomery was all in on a flop of 6 4 2 on the cutoff and Ali Eslami made the call from the small blind. Their cards:

Montgomery: 8 3
Eslami: A A

Turn and River: K and 10

Eslami won the hand to grow his stack to 345,000 and Montgomery was eliminated in 15th place.

Player Tags: Ali Eslami,   Scott Montgomery

Romik Vartzar Eliminated in 18th Place

Mar 29, '11

The first elimination of the day came when Romik Vartzar decided to move all in with the board reading J 6 2 3. Ali Eslami bet 22,000 from the button and Romik raised all in. Eslami quickly made the call to cover him and they flipped over their cards:

Vartzar: A J
Eslami: A A

River: 2

Vartzar was eliminated in 18th place and he misses the prize money by a half-dozen spots.

Player Tags: Ali Eslami,   Romik Vartzar

Ali Eslami Wins the WSOP Circuit Western Regional Championship ($282,242) -- Tim West Eliminated in Second Place ($174,443)

Mar 30, '11

Tim West raised to 62,000 on the button and Ali Eslami reraised to 138,000 preflop. West then reraised all in for a million. Eslami made the call to cover his opponent and they flipped over their cards:

Eslami: A A
West: A Q

Board: 8 6 2 J 7

Eslami won the hand and the tournament. He takes home the top prize worth $282,242 and a gold ring for the victory. West takes home $174,443 as the runner up.

Player Tags: Ali Eslami,   Tim West

Steve Brecher Eliminated in Fourth Place ($90,223)

Mar 30, '11

Ali Eslami, Tim West, and Steve Brecher saw a limped and checked flop of K 9 4. West then checked on the small blind and Brecher checked the big blind. Eslami bet 30,000 under the gun and West mucked. Brecher then check-raised all in for 155,000. Eslami made the call and they flipped over their cards:

Eslami: K Q
Brecher: K 8

Turn and River: 9 and 2

Brecher was eliminated in fourth place and he will take home $90,223 in prize money.

Player Tags: Steve Brecher,   Ali Eslami

David Peters Eliminated in Fifth Place ($66,834)

Mar 30, '11

David Peters moved all in preflop for 145,000 and Ali Eslami made the call. Their cards:

Eslami: A 8
Peters: A 4

Board: 8 6 6 Q 4

Peters was eliminated on the hand in fifth place and he will take home $66,834 in prize money.

Player Tags: Ali Eslami,   David Peters

Dwyte Pilgrim Eliminated in Seventh Place ($38,808)

Mar 30, '11

Ali Eslami limped under the gun preflop and Dwyte Pilgrim made the call from the small blind. David Peters checked the big blind and the flop was dealt A K 2. Eslami opened the action with a 16,000 and Pilgrim made the call. Peters mucked and the turn fell 10. Pilgrim then got the last of his chips into the middle (120,000) and Eslami made the call. Their cards:

Pilgrim: A 3
Eslami: K 2

River: 7

Eslami won the hand to grow his stack to a million. Pilgrim was eliminated in seventh place and he took home $38,808 in prize money.

Player Tags: Ali Eslami,   Dwyte Pilgrim

Card Player TV: Ali Eslami

Mar 30, '11

Play continues to move slowly at the final table. Here is a video from Card Player TV featuring Ali Eslami to tide you over until the next big action:

Player Tags: Ali Eslami

Level 6 Update -- Prize Pool Released

Mar 06, '11

Blinds: 200-400 with a 50 ante

Players Remaining: 115 out of 154

Chip Counts:

1. Brcue Antman — 70,000
2. Scott Clemenst — 65,000
3. Kenny Lawson — 55,000
4. Ali Eslami — 50,000
5. Daniel Negreanu — 50,000
6. Men Nguyen — 50,000
7. Jerry Yang — 45,000
8. John Hennigan — 45,000
9. David Baker — 40,000
10. Michael Katz — 40,000

Notable Eliminations:

Matt Affleck
Bobby Suer
David Peters

Payout Structure:

There are 417 entries, with the top 56 making the money.
Total Prize Pool: $1,921,327

1: $500,000
2: $300,000
3: $190,000
4: $140,000
5: $100,000
6: $75,000
7: $55,000
8: $35,327
9-10: $27,000
11-12: $21,000
13-14: $17,000
15-16: $14,000
17-24: $11,500
25-32: $10,000
33-40: $9,000
41-48: $8,000
49-56; $7,500

Big Hands:

Ali Eslami Takes One Down

The board read 8 6 5 3 when the big blind bet 1,600. Ali Eslami made the call from middle position and the 7 fell on the turn. Eslami bet 4,800 and his opponent mucked. Eslami grew his stack to 50,000 after the hand.

Poker Tweet — Kathy Liebert

Player Tags: Kathy Liebert,   Ali Eslami

Level 11 Update -- The Hits Keep on Coming

Mar 07, '11

Blinds: 800-1,600 with a 200 ante

Players Remaining: 122 out of 417

Chip Counts:

1. Chris DeMaci — 400,000
2. Alex Kamberis — 300,000
3. Ryan Hughes — 265,000
4. Victor Ramdin — 255,000
5. Shawn Busse — 255,000
6. Ali Eslami — 180,000
7. David Baker — 175,000
8. Jason Wheeler — 160,000
9. Anh Van Nguyen — 125,000
10. Yevgeniy Timoshenko — 120,000

Notable Eliminations:

Tom McCormick
Kathy Liebert
Raymond Dolan
James Mackey
Ana Marquez
Eddy Sabat

Big Hands:

A Riddle from Joe Hachem

“What does every poor person have, that no rich person wants, and no money can buy.”

Rep Porter Lays it Down

There was 24,500 in the pot and a flop that read A J 7 sitting on the table when Rep Porter bet 12,000 from late position. The big blind raised to 35,000 and Porter went into the tank. He eventually mucked and his stack fell to 110,000.

Ali Eslami Takes a Hit

The board read J 6 4 7 10 and there was 60,000 in the pot when UTG+1 bet 58,000. Ali Eslami went into the tank in late position but he eventually made the call. UTG+1 flipped over pocket jacks and Eslami mucked his hand. Eslami fell to 180,000 after the hand.

David Peters Grab Some Chips

The flop read K 8 8 when the hi-jack bet 7,000. The button made the call and David Peters raised 15,200 more from the big blind. Both of his opponents spent some time in the tank but they eventually mucked. Peters grew his stack to 85,000 after the hand.

Poker Tweet — Daniel Negreanu

Player Tags: Daniel Negreanu,   Ali Eslami,   Joe Hachem,   David Peters,   Rep Porter