Dan Alspach Poker Tournament Updates

Who's Here?

Mar 15, '15

As the second level of the day nears an end the tournament clock currently reads 58 players.

The tables have steadily filled up and a quick scan of the fields shows quite a few names worth noting. A few of them include Justin Young, Ben Palmer, Dutch Boyd, Cylus Waston, Samantha Cohen, Keving Calenzo, Dan Alspach and Rene Angelil.

Palmer wasted no time getting into the main event action today, as he was one among the first 42 players to start the day at 12pm on the dot.

Palmer has already tallied four cashes during this CPPT series, including a win in the $200 pot-limit Omaha tournament for $5,905. Palmer finished fourth in the $300 no-limit hold’em for $3,327, 53rd in the $600 no-limit hold’em $250,000 guarantee and 23rd in the $400 no-limit hold’em $100,000 guarantee, brining his total on the series to just under $12,000.

Two years ago Palmer finished 5th in this very event – it was a $5,000 buy-in at the time – for $58,229.

An interesting addition to Palmer’s table also materialized during the first two levels of play. Calenzo was seated at the same table and he happens to have been the 6th place finisher at this event two years ago.

Boyd, a three-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner, is looking to pick up his first major live tournament cash since the 2104 WSOP.

Angelil, husband of singer Celine Dion, has one CPPT cash to date – a $1,423 pay-day from a 58th place finish in the Season I CPPT Wynn $550 no-limit hold’em $250,000 guarantee.

Rene Angelil

Cyrus Watson

Samantha Cohen

Justin Young

Dan Alspach

Player Tags: Dan Alspach,   Kevin Calenzo,   Samantha Cohen

Alspach Doubles Up

Mar 17, '15

With a flop of QJ5 Dan Alspach got the last of his 121,500 stack in against Scott Demoulin holding the QQ. Demoulin was in trouble with the AQ.

The turn brought the 7 to leave Demoulin drawing dead while Alspach doubled up to around 250,000.

Player Tags: Dan Alspach

Chang and Alspach Out in Double Elimination Hand

Mar 18, '15

A massive hand just developed that ended with the elimination of both Timothy Change and Dan Alspach.

With the board reading KJ8 Dan Alspach bet 225,000 from the big blind. Maxim Sorokin moved all-in for about one million from under the gun and Timothy Change moved all-in for much less from under the gun+1. Stephen Graner and Eric Molina got out of the hand from the cutoff and the button and Alspach moved all-in.

Alspach = KJ
Chang = 88
Sorokin = AQ

The board completed 67 and Sorokin scooped the massive pot.

Chang had a few more chips than Alspach, giving him $20,448 for sixth. Alspach earned $17,320 for seventh.

Player Tags: Dan Alspach,   Maxim Sorokin,   Timothy Chang

Alspach Shows The Bluff.. Maybe

Mar 18, '15

Stephen Graner raised to 32,000 and only Dan Alspach made the call from the big blind.

The flop came down 942 and Alspach checked. Grander bet 32,000 and Alspach made the call.

The A hit the turn and both players checked. The 8 hit the river and Alspach announced that he was all-in. graner quickly folded and Alspach revealed his KQ for just king high.

“It was probably good,” said Zo Karim.

Player Tags: Dan Alspach

Who's Here?

Mar 15, '15

As the second level of the day nears an end the tournament clock currently reads 58 players.

The tables have steadily filled up and a quick scan of the fields shows quite a few names worth noting. A few of them include Justin Young, Ben Palmer, Dutch Boyd, Cylus Waston, Samantha Cohen, Keving Calenzo, Dan Alspach and Rene Angelil.

Palmer wasted no time getting into the main event action today, as he was one among the first 42 players to start the day at 12pm on the dot.

Palmer has already tallied four cashes during this CPPT series, including a win in the $200 pot-limit Omaha tournament for $5,905. Palmer finished fourth in the $300 no-limit hold’em for $3,327, 53rd in the $600 no-limit hold’em $250,000 guarantee and 23rd in the $400 no-limit hold’em $100,000 guarantee, brining his total on the series to just under $12,000.

Two years ago Palmer finished 5th in this very event – it was a $5,000 buy-in at the time – for $58,229.

An interesting addition to Palmer’s table also materialized during the first two levels of play. Calenzo was seated at the same table and he happens to have been the 6th place finisher at this event two years ago.

Boyd, a three-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner, is looking to pick up his first major live tournament cash since the 2104 WSOP.

Angelil, husband of singer Celine Dion, has one CPPT cash to date – a $1,423 pay-day from a 58th place finish in the Season I CPPT Wynn $550 no-limit hold’em $250,000 guarantee.

Rene Angelil

Cyrus Watson

Samantha Cohen

Justin Young

Dan Alspach

Player Tags: Dan Alspach,   Kevin Calenzo,   Samantha Cohen

Alspach Doubles Up

Mar 17, '15

With a flop of QJ5 Dan Alspach got the last of his 121,500 stack in against Scott Demoulin holding the QQ. Demoulin was in trouble with the AQ.

The turn brought the 7 to leave Demoulin drawing dead while Alspach doubled up to around 250,000.

Player Tags: Dan Alspach

Chang and Alspach Out in Double Elimination Hand

Mar 18, '15

A massive hand just developed that ended with the elimination of both Timothy Change and Dan Alspach.

With the board reading KJ8 Dan Alspach bet 225,000 from the big blind. Maxim Sorokin moved all-in for about one million from under the gun and Timothy Change moved all-in for much less from under the gun+1. Stephen Graner and Eric Molina got out of the hand from the cutoff and the button and Alspach moved all-in.

Alspach = KJ
Chang = 88
Sorokin = AQ

The board completed 67 and Sorokin scooped the massive pot.

Chang had a few more chips than Alspach, giving him $20,448 for sixth. Alspach earned $17,320 for seventh.

Player Tags: Dan Alspach,   Maxim Sorokin,   Timothy Chang

Alspach Shows The Bluff.. Maybe

Mar 18, '15

Stephen Graner raised to 32,000 and only Dan Alspach made the call from the big blind.

The flop came down 942 and Alspach checked. Grander bet 32,000 and Alspach made the call.

The A hit the turn and both players checked. The 8 hit the river and Alspach announced that he was all-in. graner quickly folded and Alspach revealed his KQ for just king high.

“It was probably good,” said Zo Karim.

Player Tags: Dan Alspach

Who's Here?

Mar 15, '15

As the second level of the day nears an end the tournament clock currently reads 58 players.

The tables have steadily filled up and a quick scan of the fields shows quite a few names worth noting. A few of them include Justin Young, Ben Palmer, Dutch Boyd, Cylus Waston, Samantha Cohen, Keving Calenzo, Dan Alspach and Rene Angelil.

Palmer wasted no time getting into the main event action today, as he was one among the first 42 players to start the day at 12pm on the dot.

Palmer has already tallied four cashes during this CPPT series, including a win in the $200 pot-limit Omaha tournament for $5,905. Palmer finished fourth in the $300 no-limit hold’em for $3,327, 53rd in the $600 no-limit hold’em $250,000 guarantee and 23rd in the $400 no-limit hold’em $100,000 guarantee, brining his total on the series to just under $12,000.

Two years ago Palmer finished 5th in this very event – it was a $5,000 buy-in at the time – for $58,229.

An interesting addition to Palmer’s table also materialized during the first two levels of play. Calenzo was seated at the same table and he happens to have been the 6th place finisher at this event two years ago.

Boyd, a three-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner, is looking to pick up his first major live tournament cash since the 2104 WSOP.

Angelil, husband of singer Celine Dion, has one CPPT cash to date – a $1,423 pay-day from a 58th place finish in the Season I CPPT Wynn $550 no-limit hold’em $250,000 guarantee.

Rene Angelil

Cyrus Watson

Samantha Cohen

Justin Young

Dan Alspach

Player Tags: Dan Alspach,   Kevin Calenzo,   Samantha Cohen

Alspach Doubles Up

Mar 17, '15

With a flop of QJ5 Dan Alspach got the last of his 121,500 stack in against Scott Demoulin holding the QQ. Demoulin was in trouble with the AQ.

The turn brought the 7 to leave Demoulin drawing dead while Alspach doubled up to around 250,000.

Player Tags: Dan Alspach

Chang and Alspach Out in Double Elimination Hand

Mar 18, '15

A massive hand just developed that ended with the elimination of both Timothy Change and Dan Alspach.

With the board reading KJ8 Dan Alspach bet 225,000 from the big blind. Maxim Sorokin moved all-in for about one million from under the gun and Timothy Change moved all-in for much less from under the gun+1. Stephen Graner and Eric Molina got out of the hand from the cutoff and the button and Alspach moved all-in.

Alspach = KJ
Chang = 88
Sorokin = AQ

The board completed 67 and Sorokin scooped the massive pot.

Chang had a few more chips than Alspach, giving him $20,448 for sixth. Alspach earned $17,320 for seventh.

Player Tags: Dan Alspach,   Maxim Sorokin,   Timothy Chang

Alspach Shows The Bluff.. Maybe

Mar 18, '15

Stephen Graner raised to 32,000 and only Dan Alspach made the call from the big blind.

The flop came down 942 and Alspach checked. Grander bet 32,000 and Alspach made the call.

The A hit the turn and both players checked. The 8 hit the river and Alspach announced that he was all-in. graner quickly folded and Alspach revealed his KQ for just king high.

“It was probably good,” said Zo Karim.

Player Tags: Dan Alspach

Dan Alspach Eliminated In 4th Place ($13,485)

Jun 30, '07

Christopher Andler raised pre flop and was called by Dan Alspach. The flop came down A 9 8 and Dan moved all-in. Christopher made the quick call and flipped up 9 9 for a flopped set of nines. Dan turned over A 2 for top pair. The turn brought a 5 sealing Dan's fate. The river was a meaningless T and Dan was eliminated.

Player Tags: Dan Alspach

Peter Persson Eliminated In 5th ($10,600)

Jun 30, '07

Peter Persson moved all-in pre flop from the small blind. Dan Alspach called from the big blind and showed Q Q. Peter sheepishly turned over A 3 which was behind. The board came out 8 3 2 J 9 which was no help to Peter. Dan  took down the pot and added to his chip lead.

Player Tags: Dan Alspach

Thomas Dunwoodie Eliminated In 7th Place ($6,745)

Jun 30, '07

Thomas Dunwoodie and Dan Alspach saw a flop of 9 9 8. Thomas moved all-in and Dan quickly made the call. Dan showed Q J and was slightly beind the T 8 held by Thomas. The turn brought a K and the river hit Dan when it came a Q. Dan increases his chip lead to $100,000 and sends Thomas home in 7th place.

Player Tags: Dan Alspach

Davor Dadic Eliminated In 8th Place ($4,820)

Jun 30, '07

Davor Dadic moved all-in pre-flop and was called by Christopher Andler in the small blind. It was a battle of the big pairs as Davor tabled J J and Christopher showed Q Q. Christopher secured the lead on a flop of Q 7 5 but a 3 on the turn gace Davor some hope. Unfortunately for him, the river was a 4 and he was sent tot he rail in 8th place.

Christopher now has close to $100,000 in chips and is in contention with Dan Alspach for the chip lead.

Player Tags: Dan Alspach

A Railbird's Dream

Jun 05, '07

As the field started to narrow and tables started to break, Phil Ivey among others, found himself sitting along the rail at quite possibly one of the toughest tables remaining. Ivey’s new table draw puts him right alongside of Young Pham, Eric Froehlich and Arnold Spee. At table 59, the very next table over, sits William Chen, Dewey Tomko and J.J. Liu, followed by J.C.Tran, Danny Wong and David Levi at table 57.

J.C. Tran didn’t last too long though, when he bets $550 before the flop and the player to his left makes the call. Both players check to a flop of Q-Q-rag, and J.C. moves all-in on the turn when he pairs his 10. His opponent calls and flips over A-J while Tran shows A-10 for the lead. A king comes on the river giving his opponent Broadway and eliminating J.C. from the tournament.

 As Shane Schleger’s table broke, he too found himself at a terrible disadvantage by drawing a seat right between Phil Hellmuth and Billy Baxter, and directly across from Dan Alspach, and Dutch Boyd.

Dutch Boyd was the next one to go when Phil Hellmuth set a trap for him by limping in the pot with queens from under the gun. Phil Hellmuth, Shane Schleger and Billy Baxter all limp into the pot from an early position. Dutch Boyd moves all-in from the button for $3,650 and Hellmuth quickly calls. Schleger and Baxter both fold and just as soon as Hellmuth can get his chips into the pot he flops over QQ. Boyd shows the bluff with K5 as the board comes J49910. Boyd says to Hellmuth, “Nice trap.”, as he gets out of his seat to leave. Then he turns to the media and jokingly asks us to write that he had A-K rather than K-5. Dan Alspach looks at Phil and says, “I tried to warn him, I said Holy-Moly when you limped in from under the gun.”

The re-buy portion of this event is now over and the numbers should prove to be staggering…once they are officially released. In an unlikely turn of events, Daniel Negreanu said that he only had one re-buy today with an add-on right before the end of Level 2, shocking considering that two years ago Daniel had gone into his pocket 25 times. J.J. Liu on the other hand said that she had 15 re-buys, and she still has barely any chips in front of her.

Player Tags: J.C. Tran,   Dan Alspach,   David Levi,   Arnold Spee,   Daniel Negreanu,   Phil Hellmuth,   Phil Ivey,   Joanne Liu,   Shane Schleger,   Eric Froehlich,   Dutch Boyd,   Danny Wong,   Young Pham

Lots of Action

Jun 05, '07

Level 2 proved to fare some decent action, and while many players were eliminated, some were just showing up. Phil Hellmuth made his grand entrance at the end of the first level only to take his seat at what would now be one of the toughest tables in the entire tournament. With Dan Alspach to his left and Dutch Boyd to his left, Hellmuth found himself occupying a vacant seat right next to Billy Baxter. Everyone gets a good laugh when Phil hands his tournament receipt to the dealer and there are all sorts of names and numbers on it. A confused dealer asks Hellmuth, “Just one?” Hellmuth explains to the table that, “I lost $12,000 betting during the break yesterday, and I have to remember who it’s to.” The dealer laughs as another player at the table explains that all of the writing on the receipt is a list of his debts for the day.

Shortly after his arrival, Phil Hellmuth gets involved in a big pot with Dan Alspach. Hellmuth makes a big bet on the river, tells Alspach he has three 3’s, and Alspach makes the call. Hellmuth flips over Q3 reviling a set on the board and Alspach mucks his hand. Hellmuth says, “I told you I had three 3’s, why did you call?” Alspach says, Eh, I wanted to see it.” Alspach may have wanted to see the bad beat, but Dutch Boyd did not want to see the queen in the window when he was all-in against Hellmuth a few hands later. Boyd gets all of his money in the pot before the flop and Hellmuth has him covered. Dutch shows A-K while Hellmuth flips over A-Q, and the board comes Q-10-5-5-J. 

 Raymond Davis was eliminated from the tournament at the very beginning of Level 2 when he calls all-in on a flop of K98. There is side pot action as two other players remain in the hand, and after the turn and river bring the 4 and the 7, the small blind shows Q3cfor the flush and Davis throws his hand into the muck. Instead of digging into his pocket to re-buy, Davis gets up out of his seat and hits the rail.

The re-buy portion of this event is now over, and players are reduced to the number of chips that they have in front of them. Total number of entrants and prize pool numbers should be released sometime during the next level.

Player Tags: Dan Alspach,   Raymond Davis,   Phil Hellmuth,   Dutch Boyd

End of Day 1

Jun 03, '07

Event 4, the $1,500 Pot-Limit Hold'em event has come to an end on Day 1. The tournament staff decided to end the day promptly at 2:00a.m., which leaves us with twenty five minutes of play remaining in Level 11. 51 players remain all vying for the coveted gold bracelet and a place in the World Series of Poker history books. That dream came to an end for David Plastik who was eliminated in Level 10, pocketing $2,981 for his efforts. And soon to be joining Plastik on the rail was Dan Alspach who finished in 54th place, taking home $4,365.
            Short-stacked at an aggressive table, Dan Alspach limps into a pot from middle position and to his surprise he gets to see a flop. The flop comes 1094 and Alspach immediately moves all-in for his last $5,500. He is called by the small blind and Eric Lynch from the big blind. The turn brings the 7 and both Lynch and the big blind check. The river brings the Q and Lynch bets out and is immediately called by the small blind. Lynch shows QJ for the side pot, and to his disappointment, the small blind flips over QJ for the split pot. Neither player more disappointed than Dan Alspach as he throws his hand into the muck and quietly makes his way to the bust-out table to claim his prize money.

It wasn’t all bad news for the remaining pros as a now short-stacked Freddy Deeb gets some action from Gavin Smith. Gavin Smith limps into a pot, and Freddy Deeb pushes all-in for a total of $7,500. Smith makes the call and turns over J10 while Deeb shows KQ for the lead. The board comes K8456 and Freddy Deeb doubles up with a pair of kings.

            Marco Traniello had a hard time finding his groove tonight as he was constantly being ushered from table to table, beginning the final level of the night sitting right between Freddy Deeb and Gavin Smith, and ending the night sitting across from Jean-Robert Bellande and his $147,000 chips.

Notable players and chip stacks still left in the field are Gavin Smith, Eric Lynch, Marco Traniello, and Jon Friedberg, all of which whom are sitting with more than $60,000. Jean-Robert Bellande has amassed nearly $150,000 in chips by the end of Day 1, while Freddy Deeb had dropped down to nothing and climbed back up to $19,000.

Play will resume tomorrow at 2:00p.m.

Player Tags: David Plastik,   Dan Alspach,   Gavin Smith,   Marco Traniello,   Jon Friedberg,   Jean-Robert Bellande,   Eric Lynch,   Freddy Deeb