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 23: John Gordon Eliminated in 7th Place ($28,741)
Jun 11, '11
Blinds: 12,000-24,000
Players Remaining: 6 out of 765
Average Chip Count: 573,750
Chip Counts:
1. Brian Rast – 1,520,000
2. Allen Kessler – 525,000
3. Daisuke Endo – 405,000
4. Dajuan Whorley – 400,000
5. Mika Paasonen – 325,000
6. Ali Eslami – 200,000
Eliminations:
7th. John Gordon – $28,741
John Gordon Eliminated in 7th Place ($28,741)
Dajuan Whorley doubled through John Gordon early in the level, leaving him with 200,000, or just over eight big blinds. Gordon continued a downward spiral this level, managing to double through chip leader Brian Rast at one point to stay alive, but finally met his fate on this last hand.
Down to his last big blind, John Gordon button-shoved for 24,000 before the flop and Mika Paasonen called.
Gordon was ahead with A 6 against Paasonen’s K 4.
The board came Q 9 5 J 10, giving Paasonen a king-high straight on the river. John Gordon was eliminated in 7th place ($28,741).
Be sure to check back hourly for level-by-level updates of this final table.
Player Tags: John Gordon, Mika Paasonen
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