James Van Alstyne Poker Tournament Updates

End Of Day 1

Jun 17, '10

The remaining 280 players have bagged their chips for the night as level eight has come to an end.

There were 828 players who registered for the event, creating a prize pool of $1,117,800. There will be 80 places paid with the first player to cash receiving $2,872. The winner of the event will take home $257,134.

James Van Alstyne, the winner of this event last year, is looking good in his run for a repeat as he is amongst the leaders. Other notables with healthy chip stacks include Maria Ho, Allen Kessler, Lex Veldhuis, Brandon Cantu and Tom Dwan.

On the Card Player family front, Jeff Shulman also made it through the first day with a very healthy chip stack.

Players will return to play at level nine and the average stack is 13,307. They will be 200 spots away from the money so it will take awhile on day two for the money bubble to burst. The plan is to play to a final table or 10 levels, whichever comes first.

Stay tuned to CardPlayer.com as we will bring you a summnary of the day’s events during the dinner break and at the end of the day.

Card Player Twitter Accounts:

Andy Bloch
Jeff Shulman
Allen Kessler
Brandon Cantu
Jon Turner
Maria Ho

Player Tags: James Van Alstyne

Event No. 31 ($1,500 H.O.R.S.E.) Begins at 5 p.m. on Wednesday

Jun 16, '10

Event No. 31 ($1,500 H.O.R.S.E.) at the 2010 World Series of Poker will begin at 5 p.m. PDT on Wednesday, June 14. Players will begin with 4,500 in tournament chips. Levels will be 60-minutes long and there will be a 20-minute break after every two levels. There will be a 60-minute dinner break after level 4 on day 1. Limit hold’em, Omaha eight-or-better, razz, seven-card stud, and seven-card stud eight-or-better will be spread during the tournament and the game will change every eight hands. Here is a look at the schedule for the event:

Wednesday, June 16, 5 p.m.: Day 1 (play 8 levels)
Thursday, June 17, 3 p.m.: Day 2 (play down to final table or through 10 levels)
Friday, June 18, 3 p.m.: Final Table

In 2009 this event attracted 770 players and the tournament was won by James Van Alstyne, who took home $256,412 in prize money. CardPlayer.com will bring you a summary of the action at the dinner break and end of play each day for this event.

Card Player Twitter Accounts:

Andy Bloch
David Plastik
Chris Klodnicki
Jeff Shulman
Scott Fischman
Eric Mizrachi
Daniel Negreanu

Player Tags: James Van Alstyne

Day 2 Begins At 3 p.m.

Jun 17, '10

The remaining 280 players are hours away from resuming play on day two.

There were 828 players who registered for the event, creating a prize pool of $1,117,800. There will be 80 places paid with the first player to cash receiving $2,872. The winner of the event will take home $257,134.

James Van Alstyne, the winner of this event last year, is looking good in his run for a repeat as he is amongst the leaders. Other notables with healthy chip stacks include Maria Ho, Allen Kessler, Lex Veldhuis, Brandon Cantu and Tom Dwan.

On the Card Player family front, Jeff Shulman also made it through the first day with a very healthy chip stack.

Players will return to play at level nine and the average stack is 13,307. They will be 200 spots away from the money so it will take awhile on day two for the money bubble to burst. The plan is to play to a final table or 10 levels, whichever comes first.

Stay tuned to CardPlayer.com as we will bring you a summnary of the day’s events during the dinner break and at the end of the day.

Card Player Twitter Accounts:

Andy Bloch
Jeff Shulman
Allen Kessler
Brandon Cantu
Jon Turner
Maria Ho

Here are the chip counts heading to day 2:

Player Tags: James Van Alstyne

End Of Day 1

Jun 17, '10

The remaining 280 players have bagged their chips for the night as level eight has come to an end.

There were 828 players who registered for the event, creating a prize pool of $1,117,800. There will be 80 places paid with the first player to cash receiving $2,872. The winner of the event will take home $257,134.

James Van Alstyne, the winner of this event last year, is looking good in his run for a repeat as he is amongst the leaders. Other notables with healthy chip stacks include Maria Ho, Allen Kessler, Lex Veldhuis, Brandon Cantu and Tom Dwan.

On the Card Player family front, Jeff Shulman also made it through the first day with a very healthy chip stack.

Players will return to play at level nine and the average stack is 13,307. They will be 200 spots away from the money so it will take awhile on day two for the money bubble to burst. The plan is to play to a final table or 10 levels, whichever comes first.

Stay tuned to CardPlayer.com as we will bring you a summnary of the day’s events during the dinner break and at the end of the day.

Card Player Twitter Accounts:

Andy Bloch
Jeff Shulman
Allen Kessler
Brandon Cantu
Jon Turner
Maria Ho

Player Tags: James Van Alstyne

Event No. 31 ($1,500 H.O.R.S.E.) Begins at 5 p.m. on Wednesday

Jun 16, '10

Event No. 31 ($1,500 H.O.R.S.E.) at the 2010 World Series of Poker will begin at 5 p.m. PDT on Wednesday, June 14. Players will begin with 4,500 in tournament chips. Levels will be 60-minutes long and there will be a 20-minute break after every two levels. There will be a 60-minute dinner break after level 4 on day 1. Limit hold’em, Omaha eight-or-better, razz, seven-card stud, and seven-card stud eight-or-better will be spread during the tournament and the game will change every eight hands. Here is a look at the schedule for the event:

Wednesday, June 16, 5 p.m.: Day 1 (play 8 levels)
Thursday, June 17, 3 p.m.: Day 2 (play down to final table or through 10 levels)
Friday, June 18, 3 p.m.: Final Table

In 2009 this event attracted 770 players and the tournament was won by James Van Alstyne, who took home $256,412 in prize money. CardPlayer.com will bring you a summary of the action at the dinner break and end of play each day for this event.

Card Player Twitter Accounts:

Andy Bloch
David Plastik
Chris Klodnicki
Jeff Shulman
Scott Fischman
Eric Mizrachi
Daniel Negreanu

Player Tags: James Van Alstyne

Day 2 Begins At 3 p.m.

Jun 17, '10

The remaining 280 players are hours away from resuming play on day two.

There were 828 players who registered for the event, creating a prize pool of $1,117,800. There will be 80 places paid with the first player to cash receiving $2,872. The winner of the event will take home $257,134.

James Van Alstyne, the winner of this event last year, is looking good in his run for a repeat as he is amongst the leaders. Other notables with healthy chip stacks include Maria Ho, Allen Kessler, Lex Veldhuis, Brandon Cantu and Tom Dwan.

On the Card Player family front, Jeff Shulman also made it through the first day with a very healthy chip stack.

Players will return to play at level nine and the average stack is 13,307. They will be 200 spots away from the money so it will take awhile on day two for the money bubble to burst. The plan is to play to a final table or 10 levels, whichever comes first.

Stay tuned to CardPlayer.com as we will bring you a summnary of the day’s events during the dinner break and at the end of the day.

Card Player Twitter Accounts:

Andy Bloch
Jeff Shulman
Allen Kessler
Brandon Cantu
Jon Turner
Maria Ho

Here are the chip counts heading to day 2:

Player Tags: James Van Alstyne

Level 2 Update: Evdakov Off to Good Start

Jun 12, '10

Limits: 300-600

Players Remaining: 176 out of 176

Average Chip Count: 30,000

Card Player Chip Counts:

Barry Shulman – 21,000
Daniel Negreanu – 30,000
Shannon Shorr – 27,400
Mark Gregorich – 30,000
Todd Brunson – 30,000

Notable Eliminations:

none

Big Hands:

Two Pair Scoops For Evdakov

Four players saw a flop of J23 and Nikolay Evdakov bet and was called befroe Annie Duke raised. Tommy Vedes got out of the way and Evdakov three-bet to 900 and was called in both spots.

The turn was the K and Evdakov bet again and was called by both the player to his left and Annie Duke.

The river was the 5 and Evdakov checked and the player to his left bet. Duke got out of the way and Evdakov called. His opponent showed the A235, showing a missed low and two pair. Evdakov showed AKJ8, giving him a better two pair and a qualifying low hand, good for the whole pot.

Evdakov is up to 35,000 in chips.

Van Alstyne Gets Best of Boostd J

James Van Alstyne raised in the cutoff and Justin Smith three-bet from the big blind. Van Alstyne made the call and they saw a fop of Q42.

Smith bet and Van Alstyne made the call. The turn was the 6 and the same action took place again.

When the Q fell on the river, Smith checked and called a bet from Van Alstyne. Van Alstyne showed A963, giving him queens full for the high and the nut low. Smith checked his cards before tossing them face down into the muck. Van Alstyne is up to 35,200 in chips.

Nguyen Loses One

Scotty Nguyen raised from late position and was called by small blind. The flop came QQ7 and the small blind bet out and was raised by Nguyen. The small blind called and they saw the K fall on the turn.

The small blind checked and called a bet from Nguyen and they watched the 7 fall on the river. The small blind bet and Nguyen called.

The small blind showed AA106, good for aces and queens. “You got it, baby,” said Nguyen as he tossed his cards into the muck and slipped to 26,000.

Player Tags: Scotty Nguyen,   Annie Duke,   James Van Alstyne,   Nikolay Evdakov,   Justin Smith

Level 19: Seidel, Singer, Van Alstyne, Morrison Out; Bloch First To Cash

May 31, '10

Blinds:

Flop/Limit Games: 10,000-30,000 blinds; 30,000-60,000 stakes
Stud Games: 7,000 ante; 10,000 bring in; 30,000-60,000 limits
No limit Hold’em: 6,000-12,000 blinds with a 3,000 ante

Players Remaining: 14 out of 116

Average Chip Count: 1,242,857

Tournament Leaderboard:

1. John Juanda – 2,250,000
2. Vladimir Schmelev – 1,700,000
3. Mikael Thuritz – 1,620,000
4. Robert Mizrachi – 1,330,000
5. Michael Mizrachi – 1,260,000
6. Abe Mosseri – 1,240,000
7. Nick Schulman – 1,220,000
8. Daniel Alaei – 1,200,000
9. David Oppenheim – 1,120,000
10. Alexander Kostritsyn – 785,000

Notable Eliminations:

James Van Alstyne
Erik Seidel
David Singer
16. Andy Bloch – $98,331
15. Ilya Bulychev – $98,331

Big Hands:

Seven Card Stud

Erik Seidel Eliminated

Vladimir Schmelev completed to 30,000 and Erik Seidel raised to 60,000. Schmelev made the call and then led out again with 30,000.

Seidel raised all in and Schmelev made the call. Here were there boards and how they ran out.

Seidel: 5752(AA8)
Schmelev: Q1086(1010K)

Seidel committed his chips with pocket aces but Schmelev hit a set of tens on fourth street. Seidel improved to two pair but it was not enough as he was eliminated just a few spots shy of the money.

James Van Alstyne Out

We caught this hand as Alexander Kostritsyn was counting up his chips after scooping a pot between him, Allen Bari and James Van Alstyne.

Van Alstyne had the rest of his chips committed and was eliminated.

David Singer Eliminated

We picked up the action on fourth street. Mikael Thuritz bet 30,000 and David Singer made the call.

Thuritz fired 60,000 on fifth street and Singer raised to 120,000, leaving only 30,000 behind. Thuritz put in enough to put Singer all in and Singer made the easy call.

Singer: 76410(K210)
Thuritz: Q3A7(Q86)

Singer made a king-high flush on fifth street but Thuritz caught his diamond on seventh street for an ace-high flush and Singer was out in heartbreaking fashion.

Stud/8

Kirk Morrison Bursts Bubble, Out In 17th

We did not catch the action but Daniel Alaei eliminated Kirk Morrison to burst the money bubble just two hands into hand-for-hand play.

With Morrison’s elimination, the money bubble has burst and the next person eliminated will earn $98,331.

Andy Bloch Eliminated In 16th Place ($98,331)

We caught this hand after seventh street. Vladimir Schmelev bet enough to put Andy Bloch all in and Bloch made the call. Here were their hands:

Bloch: 9AJ7(5J7)
Schmelev: 5610J(333)

Bloch made two pair for the high but it was no match for Schmelev’s set of three’s. Bloch could not qualify for a low hand and he was the first one to cash out in the Players Championship.

No Limit Hold’em

Brett Richey Doubles Up

Brett Richey put his last 100,000 into the middle against Allen Bari preflop. Bari turned over A4 while Richey showed K6.

The flop was harmless as it came down 10103, Bari still leading the hand. The turn was the K giving Richey top pair and the lead.

No player had a club in their hand so Bari needed an ace to knock Richey out but the J cemented the double up for Richey, giving him 215,000 chips to play with.

Pot Limit Omaha

Ilya Bulychev Doubles Through Vladimir Schmelev, Then Eliminated In 15th Place ($98,331)

John Juanda and Vladimir Schmelev had each put 43,000 into the pot preflop. Ilya Bulychev then bet the pot, putting himself all in for his last 132,000.

Juanda thought for a long time before finally deciding to muck his hand. Schmelev quickly called and showed JJ24. He was trailing Bulychev’s KK5A.

The board rand out 77A29 and Bulychev doubled to over 300,000.

However, Schmelev would get payback just a couple of hands later as he got all his chips back, as well as Bulychev’s remainder, eliminating Bulychev in 15th place.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Andy Bloch,   David Singer,   James Van Alstyne,   Brett Richey,   Mikael Thuritz,   Kirk Morrison,   Ilya Bulychev

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 3 Update: Steve Billirakis atop Chip Counts

Jun 26, '09

Flop Games: 600-1,200
Stud Games: Ante — 300, Bring-In — 300, Completion — 1,200, Limits — 1,200-2,400

Note: Players are now on a 90 minute dinner break and will return at 8 p.m.

Players Remaining: 95 out of 95

Chip Counts:

1. Steve Billirakis – 240,000
2. Justin Smith – 217,000
3. Bill Chen – 210,000
4. David Benyamine – 199,000
5. Chad Brown – 196,000
6. Jeff Lisandro – 188,000
7. Phil Ivey – 186,800
8. Daniel Negreanu – 185,000
9. Scotty Nguyen – 184,000

Big Hands:

Hold’Em

Two Bullets To The Head

The player in seat 6 raised to 2,400 preflop from the cutoff and the action was next on Justin Bonomo. He made it three bets to 3,600 and the blinds folded. Seat 6 made the call and the flop came down 1066.

Bonomo bet 1,200 after seat 6 checked. Seat 6 then check-raised to 2,400 and Bonomo just called. The turn was the 5 and seat 6 led out with 2,400. Bonomo made the call and the river was the 5. Seat 6 fired another 2,400 and Bonomo called. Seat 6 then showed AA and Bonomo mucked. Bonomo was at 130,000.

Steve Sung Gets Best of Andy Black

Steve Sung and Andy Black took a flop heads up of K34. Sung bet out 1200 and was raised to 2400 by black. The turn was the A and both players checked.

The river was the 8 and Sung bet 2400. Andy black tanked for a few moments before shrugging his shoulders and giving up the pot.

Omaha/8

Singer Gets Chopped Up

Three players were involved in a hand that saw a flop of A108. The player in seat 2 led out for 1,200 and David Singer raised to 2,400. David Benyamine made the call, as did seat 2. The turn was the 6 and action was checked to Singer. He bet 2,400 and Benyamine made the call. Seat 2 then raised to 4,800 and both opponents called.

The river was the 10 and seat 2 bet 2,400. Benyamine and Singer called and seat 2 turned over 5432 for the best low hand. Benyamine then showed down KQ109 for a set and the high half. Singer mucked and was left with nothing but the lint in his pockets. Benyamine was around 235,000 while Singer was at 122,000.

Ivey Vs. Hansen: Round 1 Goes to Ivey

Gus Hansen raised from early position and Phil Ivey defended from the big blind. The flop was K2J and Ivey checked and called 1200 from Hansen.

The turn was the 10 and Ivey checked, Hansen bet 2400 and was raised to 4800 by Ivey. Hansen made the call and both players checked when the 7 and Hansen was already motioning that he was going to muck his cards, conceding the pot to Ivey.

Ivey turned over AQ85 and took the pot.

Razz

Schulman Gets a River Fold, Wins Big Pot

Nick Schulman bet out on fourth street into three players and was raised to 2400 by his opponent. He made it three bets and raised to 3600 and he saw fifth street heads up.

Schulman: X-X-2-5-A
Seat 8: X-X-8-A-10

Schulman bet 2400 and was called by the player in seat 8.

Schulman: X-X-2-5-A-J
Seat 8: X-X-8-A-10-Q

Schulman bet 2400 and was called once again by his opponent. He bet 2400 again on the river and after a few moments of contemplation, his opponent mucked, giving the pot to Schulman.

Stud High

Lisandro Makes Two Pair to Best Matusow

Mike Matusow and Jeffrey Lisandro are heads up in a pot on fifth street. Lisandro bet 2400 and Matusow called. They went to sixth street with their boards looking like this.

Matusow: X-X-J-9-7-Q
Lisandro: X-X-K-6-8A

On the river Lisandro bet 2400 again and Matusow took a few moments before putting in the chips that indicated a call. Lissandro showed K-6--5 in the whole, good for two pair and the pot.

Stud/8

Chopping With Johnny Chan

Picking up the action on fourth street, James Van Alstyne and Johnny Chan were mixing it up in a hand.

Chan: X-X-84
Van Alstyne: X-X-2A

Van Alstyne bet 1,200 and Chan made the call.

Chan: X-X-844
Van Alstyne: X-X-2A5

Chan paired up and fired 2,400. Van Alstyne stuck around.

Chan: X-X-844A
Van Alstyne: X-X-2A5J

Chan bet another 2,400 and Van Alstyne called again. The river was dealt and both players decided to check. Chan then turned over (K63) for an 8-low. Van Alstyne tabled (JJ-X) for a pair of jacks and the high end of the pot. Chan was at 200,000 after the pot.

Negreanu and Antonius Chop Big Pot

On fifth street, Daniel Negreanu, Patrik Antonius, and Tong G put three bets into an already bloated pot. All three go to sixth street with their boards looking like this.

Tony G: X-X-5-8-10-A
Neagreanu: X-X-A-K-K-A
Antonius: X-X-7-2-3-8

Negreanu bet out 2400 on sixth and was met with a raise from Antonius. Tony G tanked for a long while before showing his cards to the player next to him and folding.

“Rolled up fives?” asked Negreanu. “I already knew that.”

Neagreanu calls the bet from Antonius and checks and calls a river bet. Negreanu shows the A-2-3 in the hole, making aces full of kings and Antonius showed 8 3 4, making two pair and a low. Antonius took the low half and Neagreanu took the high half, as they split Tony G’s chips.

Player Tags: Antanas Guoga,   Daniel Negreanu,   David Benyamine,   Mike Matusow,   David Singer,   Johnny Chan,   Jeffrey Lisandro,   James Van Alstyne,   Patrik Antonius,   Justin Bonomo,   Nick Schulman

James Van Alstyne Wins Event No. 31 ($247,033)

Jun 17, '09

Stud

James Van Alstyne completed and Tad Jurgens raised on third street. Van Alstyne called and then Jurgens bet on fourth street. Van Alstyne called again and Jurgens moved all in on fifth street. Van Alstyne made the call. Here is how the cards fell:

Van Alstyne: (76)105Q10(4)
Jurgens: (52)27AQ(K)

Jurgens was eliminated on the hand in second place and he took home $152,654 in prize money. Van Alstyne won his first gold bracelet and $247,033 in prize money.

Player Tags: James Van Alstyne,   Tad Jurgens

Final Table Update: Shannon Shorr (5th) and Bryan Micon (4th) Eliminated

Jun 16, '09

Flop Games: 15,000-30,000
Stud Games: Ante – 7,000, Bring-In – 10,000, Stakes – 30,000-60,000

Players Remaining: 3 out of 770

Chip Counts:

1. James Van Alstyne — 1,700,000
2. Tad Jurgens — 970,000
3. Mitch Schock — 790,000

Average Chip Count: 693,000

Notable Eliminations:

5. Shannon Shorr – $50,881
4. Bryan Micon – $69,505

Elimination Hands

Shannon Shorr Eliminated in Fifth Place ($50,881)

Razz

Mitch Schock brought it in and Shannon Shorr completed. Schock reraised and Shorr made the all-in call. Shorr put the last of his chips at risks and the cards fell as follows:

Shorr: (KJ)A4J3(3)
Schock: (87)KQAK(5)

Schock eliminated Shorr with a Q-8 and action was down to four players.

Bryan Micon Eliminated in Fourth Place ($69,505)

Stud 8OB

Bryan Micon was all in on third street against James Van Alstyne. Their cards:

Micon: (75)3J37(8)
Van Alstyne: (A3)29A6(6)

Micon was eliminated in fourth place by the aces up of Van Alstyne.

Player Tags: James Van Alstyne,   Mitch Schock,   Shannon Shorr,   Bryan Micon

Zac Fellows Wins Event No. 21 ($311,899)

Jun 12, '09

Hold’em

Zac Fellows raised preflop from the button and James Van Alstyne made the call fromthe big blind. The flop was dealt 653 and Van Alstyne checked. Fellows bet and Van Alstyne made the call. The turn fell J and Van Alstyne bet, Fellows raised and Van Alstyne thought for a moment before making the all-in call. Their cards:

Van Alstyne: A5
Fellows: 66

River: 3

Van Alstyne was eliminated on the hand in second place and he will take home $192,866 in prize money. Fellows takes home his first gold bracelet and the top prize of $311,899.

Player Tags: James Van Alstyne,   Zachary Fellows

Level 13 Update: Tournament Supervisors Put to Work

Jun 08, '09

Level 13 Update

Blinds: 2000-4000

Players Remaining: 57 out of 197

Chip Counts:

1. Scott Clements — 255,000
2. James Van Alstyne — 250,000
3. Sam Khouiss — 183,000
4. John Monette — 175,000
5. Ville Wahlbeck — 175,000
6. Ben Gold — 155,000
7. Ted Lawson — 140,000
8. Tom Koral — 140,000
9. Rob Hollink — 135,000
10. Cameron McKinley — 134,000

Average Chip Count: 94,210

Notable Eliminations:

Mike Wattel, Mel Judah, Kirill Gerasimov, David Chiu

Big Hands:

Giang Doubles up Even After Exposing his Hand

On the turn with the board reading KQ
107, with a third player already all in, Chau Giang raised Scott Clements and announced he was all in for another 3500. Clements announced a call and they both turned up their hands.

Giang showed the A 7 J 6, good for the nut straight while Clements showed the 9 9 Q J, which was good for a lesser straight. When they counted out the chips, they realized that Giang had another 5500, instead of 3500, and Clements owed another 2000 to the pot. A floor was called over and it was ruled that Clements must make the call.

Clements was drawing dead and needed an A to chop the pot with Chau. The 5 on the river didn’t do it and Chau doubled up, while eliminating a third player in the process.

Arieh Gets a Fold and Stays Alive

Heads up with James Van Alstyne on a flop of A2J, there was enough betting to get Josh Arieh all in. It was just one more bet to Van Alstyne and he tanked for a few moments before folding.

After the fold, Arieh turned over the AAKQ, which was good for top set, a straight draw, and the nut flush draw.

Bellande Makes Quads and Gets Paid

We pick up the action on the turn with board reading 2925.

It was four-handed and the small blind led for 8000, was called, and then Jean-Robert raised to 16,000. John Hennigan got out of the way, as did the initial bettor and the other player called. The river was the 2 and the player checked and called Bellande’s bet.

Bellande turned over the A 6 4 2, showing that he made quads on the river. His opponent mucked.

Left In The Deck:

As the players inch closer to the money, each decision has become more intense. This has been evident as tournament officials have been called over to tables three different times in the first ten minutes of the level to make official rulings on specific hands.

Player Tags: Josh Arieh,   Chau Giang,   James Van Alstyne,   Jean-Robert Bellande,   Scott Clements

Level 12 Update: Negreanu Eliminated, Players on Dinner Break

Jun 05, '09

Level Structure:

2-7 triple draw, limit hold’em, and Omaha 8OB: 1,500-3,000 blinds and 3,000-6,000 limits

7-card stud, razz, and 7-card stud 8OB: 700 ante, 1,000 bring-in, with a 3,000 completion and 3,000-6,000 limits

no-limit hold’em and pot-limit Omaha: 800-1,6000 blinds with a 400 ante

NOTES: Games change every eight hands. Two players will be forced to sit out during 2-7 triple draw each hand.

Players Remaining: 54 out of 194
Chip Counts:

1. Soheil Shamseddin — 280,000
2. John Hanson — 255,000
3. Allie Prescott — 184,000
4. Robert Mizrachi — 160,000
5. Ville Wahlbeck — 160,000
6. Aurangzeb Sheikh — 156,00
7. Steve Sung — 141,000
8. Anthony Lellouche — 140,000
9. Adam Friedman — 136,000
10. David Oppenheim — 135,000

Average Chip Count: 107,777

Notable Eliminations:

Chris Bjorn
Daniel Negreanu
Gavin Smith
Macro Traniello
John Hennigan
Steve Billirakis
Jeff Madsen

Big Hands:

2-7 TRIPLE DRAW

Jonathan Tare Stands Pat, Wins Pot

Jonathan Tare raises to 6,000 from middle position and Mikael Thuritz calls from the small blind as does Scotty Nguyen from the big blind.

First Draw: Thuritz draws 2 cards, Nguyen draws 2 cards and Tare stands pat.

Tare bets 3,000 and both opponents call.

Second Draw: Thuritz draws 2 cards, Nguyen draws 2 cards and Tare stands pat.

Tare bets 6,000 and this time both Thuritz and Nguyen fold.

Tare is up to 105,000 after this hand while Thuritz is down to 70,000 and Nguyen now with 50,000 in chips.

PLO

Negreanu Can’t Hit a Flop, Not Feeling PLO

Action folds around to James van Alstyne who raises to 4,800 from the small blind. Daniel Negreanu pots it to 18,400 from the big blind and Van Alstyne calls the 9,600 raise.

The flop comes K87 and Van Alstyne bets 20,000. Negreanu folds AAQ6 face-up as Van Alstyne rakes the pot. After this hand Van Alstyne is up to 180,000 while Negreanu is down to 40,000 in chips.

A few hands later and Negreanu moves to another table just beginning their round of PLO while Negreanu had just finished that round at his last table. He laughs as he promises himself and the other players that he wouldn’t lose any more money in this game. Unfortunately for Negreanu, he was lying.

Chad Brown raises to 1,600 from under the gun and the player in seat 8 calls from middle position. Daniel Negreanu calls from the small blind, as does the player in the big blind. The flop comes QJ9, and Brown bets 5,500. Seat 8raises to 18,000 and everyone folds, including Negreanu who is now down to 36,000 after this hand.

LIMIT HOLD’EM

Lindgren Steals a Pot From R. Mizrachi

Robert Mizrachi raises to 3,000 from late position and Erick Lindgren calls from the big blind. The flop comes AQ9, and Lindgren checks to Mizrachi who bets 3,000, Lindgren calls. The turn is the 5 and this time both players check. The river is the 4 and Lindgren bets 6,000. Mizrachi mucks and is down to 155,000 this hand while Lindgren is up to 52,000 in chips.

George Danzer All-In, Splits Pot to Stay Alive

Miami John Cernuto raises to 6,000 from middle position and Hasan Habib reraises to 9,000 from the cutoff. The player in seat 5 three-bets to 12,000 from the small blind and George Danzer calls all in from the big blind for a total of 10,900. Both Cernuto and Habib call the raise.

The flop comes Q95, and Cernuto bets 3,000. Habib folds and the small blind calls. The turn is the K, and this time the small blind leads out for 6,000, Cernuto folds. The small blind rakes the side pot as he and Danzer turn over their cards.

Small Blind: J10
Danzer: J10

Both players have the same hand (nut straight), and with no one free-rolling on a flush draw, George Danzer has just split the pot to stay alive. The rive river the Q and Danzer is still alive. After the hand, Danzer is up to 20,000 in chips while Habib falls down to 110,000 and Cernuto at 50,000.

Left In The Deck:

The remaining 54 players are now on a sixty-minute dinner break and will return to Level 13 at approximately 7:35 pm PDT.

Player Tags: John Cernuto,   Robert Mizrachi,   Scotty Nguyen,   Erick Lindgren,   Hasan Habib,   Daniel Negreanu,   James Van Alstyne,   Jonathan Tare,   Mikael Thuritz,   George Danzer

Final Table Update: Todd Brunson 8th, Mike Wattel 7th, James Van Alstyne 6th

Jun 06, '09

Level Structure:

2-7 triple draw, limit hold’em, and Omaha 8OB: 20,000-40,000 blinds and 40,000-80,000 limits

7-card stud, razz, and 7-card stud 8OB: 10,000 ante, 10,000 bring-in, with a 40,000 completion and 40,000-80,000 limits

no-limit hold’em and pot-limit Omaha: 10,000-20,000 blinds with a 5,000 ante

NOTES: Games change every eight hands. Two players will be forced to sit out during 2-7 triple draw each hand.

Players Remaining: 5 out of 194

Chip Counts:

1. David Chiu – 2,500,000
2. Mark Gregorich – 1,025,000
3. Huck Seed – 985,000
4. Scott Dorin – 775,000
5. Ville Wahlbeck – 705,000

Average Chip Count: 1,198,000

Notable Eliminations:

8. Todd Brunson — $54,845
7. Mike Wattel — $64,373
6. James Van Alstyne — $79,181

Big Hands:

STUD

Todd Brunson Eliminated in 8th Place ($54,845)

With the stakes rapidly rising, Todd Brunson decided to make his last stand with a split pair of tens. Unfortunately for Brunson, he ran his pair of tens right into David Chiu’s rolled-up kings. Chiu filled on the river while Brunson bricked-out. The final hands were as follows.

Chiu: (K)(K)K42Q(Q)
Brunson: (A)(10)10K4X 2X (7X)

Todd Brunson is eliminated in 8th place ($54,845).

NLH

Mike Wattel Eliminated in 7th place ($64,373)

David Chiu raises to 55,000 from the button and Mike Wattel moves all in for 56,000. Chiu calls the additional 1,000 and both players turn over their cards.

Wattel: 99
Chiu: K8

Board: AKJ84

Wattel gets it in good with a pair of nines, but Chiu flops a king and turns an eight for two pair. Mike Wattel is eliminated in 7th place ($64,373).

PLO

James Van Alstyne Eliminated In 6th Place($79,181)

David Chiu raised the pot, 55,000 preflop and Huck Seed made the call. The action was then on Van Alstyne who re-potted to 220,000. Chiu made the call and Seed decided to come along as well. The flop dropped 1094 and Van Alstyne moved in for his final 596,000. Chiu made the call and Seed got out of the way. Both players then turned up their hands.

Chiu: QJ109
Van Alstyne: AAJ2

Chiu hit top two pair and had an open ended straight draw to go with it. Van Alstyne’s aces were in trouble and the K on the turn didn’t help as it made Chiu’s straight. Van Alstyne needed a Queen to make Broadway or else he would be eliminated. The 7 on the river sealed his fate and he was shown the door in sixth place, good enough for $79,181.

Player Tags: Michael Wattel,   Todd Brunson,   David Chiu,   James Van Alstyne

Level 22 Update: Sheikh 12th, Serock 11th, Yitzhaki 10th

Jun 06, '09

Level Structure:

2-7 triple draw, limit hold’em, and Omaha 8OB: 500-1,000 blinds and 1,000-2,000 limits

7-card stud, razz, and 7-card stud 8OB: 200 ante, 300 bring-in, with a 1,000 completion and 1,000-2,000 limits

no-limit hold’em and pot-limit Omaha: 250-500 blinds with a 150 ante

NOTES: Games change every eight hands. Two players will be forced to sit out during 2-7 triple draw each hand.

Players Remaining: 9 out of 194

Chip Counts:

1. Scott Dorin — 1,400,000
2. Huck Seed — 870,000
3. James Van Alstyne — 865,000
4. Ville Wahlbeck — 684,000
5. Allie Prescott — 622,000
6. Mike Wattel — 394,000
7. Mark Gregorich — 372,000
8. David Chiu — 343,000
9. Todd Brunson — 276,000

Average Chip Count: 646,666

Notable Eliminations:

12. Aurangzeb Sheikh — $34,958
11. Joe Serock — $34,958
10. Roman Yitzhaki — $42,818

Big Hands:

RAZZ

Aurangzeb Sheikh Eliminated in 12th Place ($34,958)

Joe Serock completes the bet on third street with the 4 and Aurangzeb Sheikh raises with the 7. Serock three-bets and Sheikh calls.

Serock: (A)(8)43AJ(7)
Sheikh: (5)(2)7Q44(Q)

Sheikh gets the last of his chips in on fourth street and the the players turn their cards face up. Sheikh ends up making a pair low on sixth street while Serock makes an 8-7 low by the river. Aurangzeb Sheikh is eliminated in 12th place ($34,958).

NLH

Joe Serock Eliminated in 11th Place ($34,958)

Joe Serock moves all in before the flop for 35,000 and gets three callers; David Chiu (Button), Scott Dorin (Small Blind) and James Van Alstyne (Big Blind).

The flop comes KQ2, and all three players check. The turn is the 4 and once again, all three players check. The river is the J and everyone checks. Serock turns over A3 for ace-high while Chiu shows A4 for a pair of fours. Chiu rakes the pot and eliminates Joe Serock in 11th place ($34,958).

LIMIT HOLD’EM

Roman Yitzhaki Eliminated in 10th place ($42,818)

After a series a of raises and reraises, Roman Yitzhaki gets it all in pre-flop with pocket jacks against Huck Seed’s pocket aces. The board comes A-2-3-2-6, giving Seed a full house and eliminating Roman Yitzhaki in 10th place 9$42,818).

Left In The Deck:

At the conclusion of Level 22, the remaining nine players will take a seventy-five minute dinner break and will return to Level 23 at approximately 7:00 pm PDT.

Player Tags: Huck Seed,   David Chiu,   James Van Alstyne,   Roman Yitzhaki,   Joseph Serock,   Scott Dorin

Level 21 Update: Brunson 15th, Friedman 14th, Powell 13th

Jun 06, '09

Level Structure:

2-7 triple draw, limit hold’em, and Omaha 8OB: 10,000-20,000 blinds and 20,000-40,000 limits

7-card stud, razz, and 7-card stud 8OB: 5,000 ante, 5,000 bring-in, with a 20,000 completion and 20,000-40,000 limits

no-limit hold’em and pot-limit Omaha: 5,000-10,000 blinds with a 3,000 ante

NOTES: Games change every eight hands. Two players will be forced to sit out during 2-7 triple draw each hand.

Players Remaining: 12 out of 194

Chip Counts:

1. Scott Dorin — 1,100,000
2. Ville Wahlbeck — 773,000
3. Huck Seed — 660,000
4. Roman Yitzhaki — 530,000
5. Joe Serock — 480,000
6. James Van Alstyne — 455,000
7. David Chiu — 355,000
8. Mike Wattel — 330,000
9. Mark Gregorich — 228,000
10. Aurangzeb Sheikh — 225,000

Average Chip Count: 485,000

Notable Eliminations:

15. Doyle Brunson — $21,357
14. Adam Friedman — $27,719
13. Brian Powell — $27,719

Big Hands:

NLH

Doyle Brunson Eliminated in 15th Place ($21,357)

The UTG player limps in the pot and Doyle Brunson raises to 26,000 from early position. Scott Dorin reraises to 76,000 from the cutoff, UTG folds and Brunson moves all in for 230,000. Dorin tanks for a few minutes before making the call; Dorin has Brunson covered.

Brunson: QQ
Dorin: AQ

Board: AJ7JK

Brunson got it in good, but an ace in the window gave Dorin the better pair. Brunson failed to improve after the flop as he was eliminated in 15th place ($21,357). Dorin grabs the chiplead this hand as he breaks the 1 million-chip mark.

PLO

Adam Friedman Eliminated in 14th Place ($27,719)

James Van Alstyne raises to 27,000 before the flop and Adam Friedman calls from the cutoff. The flop comes KJ9, Van Alstyne bets the pot (65,000) and Friedman calls. The turn is the J and once again, Van Alstyne bets the pot, this time enough to put his opponent all in. Friedman calls all in and turns over a jack for trips, but Van Alstyne shows 99 for the full house. The river bricked and Adam Friedman is eliminated in 14th place ($27,719).

LIMIT HOLD’EM

Allie Prescott Doubles UP

Roman Yitzhaki raises to 40,000 UTG, Allie Prescott reraises to 60,000 from the small blind and Yitzhaki calls. The flop comes K93, Precott bets 20,000 and Yitzhaki calls. The turn ins the 3 and Prescott bets 40,000, leaving himself with 1,000 behind. Yitzakhi puts him all in and both players turn over their cards.

Prescott: 9s
Yitzhaki: JJ

Prescott flopped a set of nines for the lead. The river is the 2, no help to either player as Precott doubles up to 385,000 this hand while Yitzhaki falls down to 280,000 in chips.

OMAHA/8

Brian Powell Eliminated in 13th Place ($27,719)

On a flop of J107, Ville Wahlbeck bets 20,000, Brian Powell raises to 40,000, Wahlbeck three-bets to 60,000 and Powell calls all in. Both players turn over their cards.

Powell: AQQ6
Wahlbeck: AKK9

Powell gets in behind with a pair of queens as Wahlbeck has the lead with a pair kings. The turn and river bring the 6 and the 2, no help to Brian Powell who is eliminated in 13th place ($27,719)

Player Tags: Doyle Brunson,   James Van Alstyne,   Allie Prescott,   Adam Friedman,   Roman Yitzhaki,   Scott Dorin

Level 12 Update: Negreanu Eliminated, Players on Dinner Break

Jun 05, '09

Level Structure:

2-7 triple draw, limit hold’em, and Omaha 8OB: 1,500-3,000 blinds and 3,000-6,000 limits

7-card stud, razz, and 7-card stud 8OB: 700 ante, 1,000 bring-in, with a 3,000 completion and 3,000-6,000 limits

no-limit hold’em and pot-limit Omaha: 800-1,6000 blinds with a 400 ante

NOTES: Games change every eight hands. Two players will be forced to sit out during 2-7 triple draw each hand.

Players Remaining: 54 out of 194
Chip Counts:

1. Soheil Shamseddin — 280,000
2. John Hanson — 255,000
3. Allie Prescott — 184,000
4. Robert Mizrachi — 160,000
5. Ville Wahlbeck — 160,000
6. Aurangzeb Sheikh — 156,00
7. Steve Sung — 141,000
8. Anthony Lellouche — 140,000
9. Adam Friedman — 136,000
10. David Oppenheim — 135,000

Average Chip Count: 107,777

Notable Eliminations:

Chris Bjorn
Daniel Negreanu
Gavin Smith
Macro Traniello
John Hennigan
Steve Billirakis
Jeff Madsen

Big Hands:

2-7 TRIPLE DRAW

Jonathan Tare Stands Pat, Wins Pot

Jonathan Tare raises to 6,000 from middle position and Mikael Thuritz calls from the small blind as does Scotty Nguyen from the big blind.

First Draw: Thuritz draws 2 cards, Nguyen draws 2 cards and Tare stands pat.

Tare bets 3,000 and both opponents call.

Second Draw: Thuritz draws 2 cards, Nguyen draws 2 cards and Tare stands pat.

Tare bets 6,000 and this time both Thuritz and Nguyen fold.

Tare is up to 105,000 after this hand while Thuritz is down to 70,000 and Nguyen now with 50,000 in chips.

PLO

Negreanu Can’t Hit a Flop, Not Feeling PLO

Action folds around to James van Alstyne who raises to 4,800 from the small blind. Daniel Negreanu pots it to 18,400 from the big blind and Van Alstyne calls the 9,600 raise.

The flop comes K87 and Van Alstyne bets 20,000. Negreanu folds AAQ6 face-up as Van Alstyne rakes the pot. After this hand Van Alstyne is up to 180,000 while Negreanu is down to 40,000 in chips.

A few hands later and Negreanu moves to another table just beginning their round of PLO while Negreanu had just finished that round at his last table. He laughs as he promises himself and the other players that he wouldn’t lose any more money in this game. Unfortunately for Negreanu, he was lying.

Chad Brown raises to 1,600 from under the gun and the player in seat 8 calls from middle position. Daniel Negreanu calls from the small blind, as does the player in the big blind. The flop comes QJ9, and Brown bets 5,500. Seat 8raises to 18,000 and everyone folds, including Negreanu who is now down to 36,000 after this hand.

LIMIT HOLD’EM

Lindgren Steals a Pot From R. Mizrachi

Robert Mizrachi raises to 3,000 from late position and Erick Lindgren calls from the big blind. The flop comes AQ9, and Lindgren checks to Mizrachi who bets 3,000, Lindgren calls. The turn is the 5 and this time both players check. The river is the 4 and Lindgren bets 6,000. Mizrachi mucks and is down to 155,000 this hand while Lindgren is up to 52,000 in chips.

George Danzer All-In, Splits Pot to Stay Alive

Miami John Cernuto raises to 6,000 from middle position and Hasan Habib reraises to 9,000 from the cutoff. The player in seat 5 three-bets to 12,000 from the small blind and George Danzer calls all in from the big blind for a total of 10,900. Both Cernuto and Habib call the raise.

The flop comes Q95, and Cernuto bets 3,000. Habib folds and the small blind calls. The turn is the K, and this time the small blind leads out for 6,000, Cernuto folds. The small blind rakes the side pot as he and Danzer turn over their cards.

Small Blind: J10
Danzer: J10

Both players have the same hand (nut straight), and with no one free-rolling on a flush draw, George Danzer has just split the pot to stay alive. The rive river the Q and Danzer is still alive. After the hand, Danzer is up to 20,000 in chips while Habib falls down to 110,000 and Cernuto at 50,000.

Left In The Deck:

The remaining 54 players are now on a sixty-minute dinner break and will return to Level 13 at approximately 7:35 pm PDT.

Player Tags: John Cernuto,   Robert Mizrachi,   Scotty Nguyen,   Erick Lindgren,   Hasan Habib,   Daniel Negreanu,   James Van Alstyne,   Jonathan Tare,   Mikael Thuritz,   George Danzer

Final Table Update: Todd Brunson 8th, Mike Wattel 7th, James Van Alstyne 6th

Jun 06, '09

Level Structure:

2-7 triple draw, limit hold’em, and Omaha 8OB: 20,000-40,000 blinds and 40,000-80,000 limits

7-card stud, razz, and 7-card stud 8OB: 10,000 ante, 10,000 bring-in, with a 40,000 completion and 40,000-80,000 limits

no-limit hold’em and pot-limit Omaha: 10,000-20,000 blinds with a 5,000 ante

NOTES: Games change every eight hands. Two players will be forced to sit out during 2-7 triple draw each hand.

Players Remaining: 5 out of 194

Chip Counts:

1. David Chiu – 2,500,000
2. Mark Gregorich – 1,025,000
3. Huck Seed – 985,000
4. Scott Dorin – 775,000
5. Ville Wahlbeck – 705,000

Average Chip Count: 1,198,000

Notable Eliminations:

8. Todd Brunson — $54,845
7. Mike Wattel — $64,373
6. James Van Alstyne — $79,181

Big Hands:

STUD

Todd Brunson Eliminated in 8th Place ($54,845)

With the stakes rapidly rising, Todd Brunson decided to make his last stand with a split pair of tens. Unfortunately for Brunson, he ran his pair of tens right into David Chiu’s rolled-up kings. Chiu filled on the river while Brunson bricked-out. The final hands were as follows.

Chiu: (K)(K)K42Q(Q)
Brunson: (A)(10)10K4X 2X (7X)

Todd Brunson is eliminated in 8th place ($54,845).

NLH

Mike Wattel Eliminated in 7th place ($64,373)

David Chiu raises to 55,000 from the button and Mike Wattel moves all in for 56,000. Chiu calls the additional 1,000 and both players turn over their cards.

Wattel: 99
Chiu: K8

Board: AKJ84

Wattel gets it in good with a pair of nines, but Chiu flops a king and turns an eight for two pair. Mike Wattel is eliminated in 7th place ($64,373).

PLO

James Van Alstyne Eliminated In 6th Place($79,181)

David Chiu raised the pot, 55,000 preflop and Huck Seed made the call. The action was then on Van Alstyne who re-potted to 220,000. Chiu made the call and Seed decided to come along as well. The flop dropped 1094 and Van Alstyne moved in for his final 596,000. Chiu made the call and Seed got out of the way. Both players then turned up their hands.

Chiu: QJ109
Van Alstyne: AAJ2

Chiu hit top two pair and had an open ended straight draw to go with it. Van Alstyne’s aces were in trouble and the K on the turn didn’t help as it made Chiu’s straight. Van Alstyne needed a Queen to make Broadway or else he would be eliminated. The 7 on the river sealed his fate and he was shown the door in sixth place, good enough for $79,181.

Player Tags: Michael Wattel,   Todd Brunson,   David Chiu,   James Van Alstyne

Level 22 Update: Sheikh 12th, Serock 11th, Yitzhaki 10th

Jun 06, '09

Level Structure:

2-7 triple draw, limit hold’em, and Omaha 8OB: 500-1,000 blinds and 1,000-2,000 limits

7-card stud, razz, and 7-card stud 8OB: 200 ante, 300 bring-in, with a 1,000 completion and 1,000-2,000 limits

no-limit hold’em and pot-limit Omaha: 250-500 blinds with a 150 ante

NOTES: Games change every eight hands. Two players will be forced to sit out during 2-7 triple draw each hand.

Players Remaining: 9 out of 194

Chip Counts:

1. Scott Dorin — 1,400,000
2. Huck Seed — 870,000
3. James Van Alstyne — 865,000
4. Ville Wahlbeck — 684,000
5. Allie Prescott — 622,000
6. Mike Wattel — 394,000
7. Mark Gregorich — 372,000
8. David Chiu — 343,000
9. Todd Brunson — 276,000

Average Chip Count: 646,666

Notable Eliminations:

12. Aurangzeb Sheikh — $34,958
11. Joe Serock — $34,958
10. Roman Yitzhaki — $42,818

Big Hands:

RAZZ

Aurangzeb Sheikh Eliminated in 12th Place ($34,958)

Joe Serock completes the bet on third street with the 4 and Aurangzeb Sheikh raises with the 7. Serock three-bets and Sheikh calls.

Serock: (A)(8)43AJ(7)
Sheikh: (5)(2)7Q44(Q)

Sheikh gets the last of his chips in on fourth street and the the players turn their cards face up. Sheikh ends up making a pair low on sixth street while Serock makes an 8-7 low by the river. Aurangzeb Sheikh is eliminated in 12th place ($34,958).

NLH

Joe Serock Eliminated in 11th Place ($34,958)

Joe Serock moves all in before the flop for 35,000 and gets three callers; David Chiu (Button), Scott Dorin (Small Blind) and James Van Alstyne (Big Blind).

The flop comes KQ2, and all three players check. The turn is the 4 and once again, all three players check. The river is the J and everyone checks. Serock turns over A3 for ace-high while Chiu shows A4 for a pair of fours. Chiu rakes the pot and eliminates Joe Serock in 11th place ($34,958).

LIMIT HOLD’EM

Roman Yitzhaki Eliminated in 10th place ($42,818)

After a series a of raises and reraises, Roman Yitzhaki gets it all in pre-flop with pocket jacks against Huck Seed’s pocket aces. The board comes A-2-3-2-6, giving Seed a full house and eliminating Roman Yitzhaki in 10th place 9$42,818).

Left In The Deck:

At the conclusion of Level 22, the remaining nine players will take a seventy-five minute dinner break and will return to Level 23 at approximately 7:00 pm PDT.

Player Tags: Huck Seed,   David Chiu,   James Van Alstyne,   Roman Yitzhaki,   Joseph Serock,   Scott Dorin

Level 21 Update: Brunson 15th, Friedman 14th, Powell 13th

Jun 06, '09

Level Structure:

2-7 triple draw, limit hold’em, and Omaha 8OB: 10,000-20,000 blinds and 20,000-40,000 limits

7-card stud, razz, and 7-card stud 8OB: 5,000 ante, 5,000 bring-in, with a 20,000 completion and 20,000-40,000 limits

no-limit hold’em and pot-limit Omaha: 5,000-10,000 blinds with a 3,000 ante

NOTES: Games change every eight hands. Two players will be forced to sit out during 2-7 triple draw each hand.

Players Remaining: 12 out of 194

Chip Counts:

1. Scott Dorin — 1,100,000
2. Ville Wahlbeck — 773,000
3. Huck Seed — 660,000
4. Roman Yitzhaki — 530,000
5. Joe Serock — 480,000
6. James Van Alstyne — 455,000
7. David Chiu — 355,000
8. Mike Wattel — 330,000
9. Mark Gregorich — 228,000
10. Aurangzeb Sheikh — 225,000

Average Chip Count: 485,000

Notable Eliminations:

15. Doyle Brunson — $21,357
14. Adam Friedman — $27,719
13. Brian Powell — $27,719

Big Hands:

NLH

Doyle Brunson Eliminated in 15th Place ($21,357)

The UTG player limps in the pot and Doyle Brunson raises to 26,000 from early position. Scott Dorin reraises to 76,000 from the cutoff, UTG folds and Brunson moves all in for 230,000. Dorin tanks for a few minutes before making the call; Dorin has Brunson covered.

Brunson: QQ
Dorin: AQ

Board: AJ7JK

Brunson got it in good, but an ace in the window gave Dorin the better pair. Brunson failed to improve after the flop as he was eliminated in 15th place ($21,357). Dorin grabs the chiplead this hand as he breaks the 1 million-chip mark.

PLO

Adam Friedman Eliminated in 14th Place ($27,719)

James Van Alstyne raises to 27,000 before the flop and Adam Friedman calls from the cutoff. The flop comes KJ9, Van Alstyne bets the pot (65,000) and Friedman calls. The turn is the J and once again, Van Alstyne bets the pot, this time enough to put his opponent all in. Friedman calls all in and turns over a jack for trips, but Van Alstyne shows 99 for the full house. The river bricked and Adam Friedman is eliminated in 14th place ($27,719).

LIMIT HOLD’EM

Allie Prescott Doubles UP

Roman Yitzhaki raises to 40,000 UTG, Allie Prescott reraises to 60,000 from the small blind and Yitzhaki calls. The flop comes K93, Precott bets 20,000 and Yitzhaki calls. The turn ins the 3 and Prescott bets 40,000, leaving himself with 1,000 behind. Yitzakhi puts him all in and both players turn over their cards.

Prescott: 9s
Yitzhaki: JJ

Prescott flopped a set of nines for the lead. The river is the 2, no help to either player as Precott doubles up to 385,000 this hand while Yitzhaki falls down to 280,000 in chips.

OMAHA/8

Brian Powell Eliminated in 13th Place ($27,719)

On a flop of J107, Ville Wahlbeck bets 20,000, Brian Powell raises to 40,000, Wahlbeck three-bets to 60,000 and Powell calls all in. Both players turn over their cards.

Powell: AQQ6
Wahlbeck: AKK9

Powell gets in behind with a pair of queens as Wahlbeck has the lead with a pair kings. The turn and river bring the 6 and the 2, no help to Brian Powell who is eliminated in 13th place ($27,719)

Player Tags: Doyle Brunson,   James Van Alstyne,   Allie Prescott,   Adam Friedman,   Roman Yitzhaki,   Scott Dorin