David Daneshgar Poker Tournament Updates

Hour 1 Update: Hoyt Corkins First to Advance

Jun 13, '09

Hour 1 Update

Players Remaining: 250 out of 256

Completed Matches (Winner in Bold):

1. Jason Mercier vs. David Daneshgarr
2. Hoyt Corkins vs. Vadim Trincher
3. Vivek Rajkumar vs. Evelyn Ng

Notable Eliminations:

Vadmim Tricher, David Chiu, David Daneshgar, Vivek Rajkumar, Erick Lindgren

Big Hands:

Ng’s Aces Take Big Chunk out of Rajkumar

Vivek Rajkumar raises to 600 on the button and Evelyn Ng re-raises to 1700. After some thought, Rajkumar four-bets to 5200 and Ng made the call. They see a flop of 1054 and Ng leads out for 4500. Rajkumar made the call and the K fell on the turn.

Ng checked and Rajkumar fired out 10,500 and Ng instantly check-raised all in. Rajkumar made the call and showed 54, which was ahead of Ng’s AA. That is, until the A fell on the river and Rajkumar was left with 7000.

Tom Dwan Takes Chunk out of Nam Le

On a board of 495J, Nam Le checked and called 2800 from Tom “Durrrr” Dwan and the Q fell on the river.

Le checked again and this time Dwan bet 7600. After a couple minutes of deliberation, Le decided to make the call. Dwan turned over the J5, good for two pair, and Le mucked his hand.

Hellmuth Explodes After Ace on the River

After a preflop raise, Phil Hellmuth and his opponent see a flop of K76. After his opponent checked, Hellmuth bet 3000, and his opponent called. The turn was the 9 and the river was the A.

Both streets were checked down and Hellmuth’s opponent turns up A 6. Hellmuth jumped out of his seat, momentarily halting his massage as he began one of his trademarked rants. “You hit your miracle on the river and you checked it. Well played,” said Hellmuth.

His opponent didn’t say a word.

Left in the Deck:

Hoyt Corkins First Winner

Just 17 minutes into the day, Vadmin Trincher lost to Hoyt Corkins, making him the first player to be eliminated in the tournament.

Player Tags: Chris Ferguson,   Evelyn Ng,   Gavin Smith,   Kenny Tran,   Greg Raymer,   David Daneshgar,   Vadim Trincher,   Chris Moore,   Tom Dwan,   Jeff Garza,   V R,   Isaac Haxton

Level 4 Update: Another Pro Eliminated With a Flush

May 31, '09

Blinds: 75-150

Players Remaining: 2,000 out of 3,021

Notable Eliminations:

David Chiu
David Daneshgar
Isaac Baron
T.J. Cloutier
Joe Awada

Big Hands:

David Chiu Eliminated

David Chiu raised pre-flop with the 103 and was called by the big blind who held the K7. The flop came out ten high with two spades, putting Chiu out in front with top pair and a flush draw. However, his opponent with a higher flush draw, called Chiu’s all-in bet of just under 10 big blinds (1,450) and hit the spade on the turn. Both players nailed their flush, but Chiu was drawing dead for the river and was sent home on day 1. Chiu continues the trend of big name pros knocked out of the event holding a flush.

Paul Darden Doubles Up

Paul Darden gets it all-in with AK on a board of AA297. Not sure when the money got in, but Darden is up over 4,000 after this hand.

Shawn Sheikhan Doubles up

The player in seat 2 raises to 400 from middle position and Shawn Sheikhan calls from the small blind. The flop comes AQ3, seat 2 bets 700 and Sheikhan calls. The river is the 3, and seat 2 bets enough to put Sheikhan all-in. Sheikhan calls all-in for 675 and turns over AA for top set. His opponent shows AK for top pair and ships the pot. Sheikhan doubles up to 3,500 this hand.

Daniel Negreanu Moves All-in

After min-raising to 300 pre-flop, Daniel Negreanu was re-raised to 750 by an opponent in seat 9. Negreanu called and both players saw a flop of 247. Negreanu checked and his opponent bet 1,000. Negreanu contemplated briefly before moving all in for 1,575 total, 575 more. His opponent went into the tank for minutes before eventually folding pocket tens face up. Negreanu said, “I thought you were calling,” before mucking his cards. Negreanu is up to 4,300 in chips.

Dario Minieri Doubles Up

From the button, Dario Minieri moved all-in for 2,075 with K9 and was called by the 33 of seat 8. The flop came out 457 and Minieri was in bad shape, as his opponent added a gut-shot straight draw to go along with his pocket pair. The Q hit the turn and the Italian pro was down to his last card. The 9 hit the river, giving the bracelet winner a pair of nines to double up to 4,150.

Left In The Deck

The players are on a 20 minute break.

Player Tags: Shawn Sheikhan,   David Chiu,   Paul Darden,   David Daneshgar,   Isaac Baron,   Dario Minieri

David Daneshgar Eliminated

Mar 17, '09

David Daneshgar was short stacked and all in with A-9 against the pocket threes of Adam Zinn. The pocket pair held and Daneshgar was crippled down to 1,100 in chips.

He was eliminated shortly afterwards.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Player Tags: David Daneshgar

Day 3 Ends - Bubble Bursts

Feb 23, '09

The money bubble has burst and day 3 has come to an end. Patrick Stemper was all in for his ante and the small blind with Q-7 in the hole. One player at the table called him down and busted him with pocket sevens. On another table David Daneshgar was all in for his ante with Q-3 while Dan the Lu and Nenda Medic played in the side pot. Lu won the side pot with ace-high, but Daneshgar slowly peeled out his cards and he saw a three to make trips with the two out on the board. Stemper was the bubble boy and Daneshgar survived with 3,500.

There were 63 players remaining after the hand and the day came to an end with just under one hour and eight minutes left in level 17. The field will return tomorrow at noon for day 4 and play five more levels of poker. Stay tuned for official chip counts and a recap of the day's events.

Player Tags: David Daneshgar,   Nenad Medic,   Dan Lu,   Patrick Stemper

$1,500 No-Limit Hold'em - Day 2 - Level 20 Recap

Jul 01, '08

Note: The players are now on a 20 minute break

Blinds: 10,000-20,000

Players Left: 11 of 2,693

Chip Leaders:
Corwin Cole - 1,450,000
Jeffery Courtney - 1,280,000
Matthew Matros - 875,000
Farzad Rouhani - 720,000
Daniel Heimiller - 710,000
Scott Sitron - 600,000
Voitto Rintala - 530,000
Andrey Zaichenko - 470,000
Todd Hanks - 460,000
David Daneshgar - 420,000

Average Stack: 734,450

Eliminations:
12^th – Brock Mishler
13^th – Joachim Berg-Jensen
14^th – Elliot Smith

Big Hands and Storylines:

Joachim Berg-Jensen Eliminated By Dan Heimiller

Dan Heimiller raised from early position and action folded around to Joachim Berg-Jensen in the small blind. Berg-Jensen shoved for 255,000 and was called by Heimiller. Berg-Jensen had AK but Heimiller had QQ and a slight lead. The flop was ten-high and rainbow, and Berg-Jensen was left to catch either an ace or king on the turn/river to take down the pot and continue on in the tournament. The turn was the 2 and Berg-Jensen was down to one final card. The river was the 3 and that was all she wrote for Berg-Jensen.

Heimiller Eliminates Another

Brock Mishler opened the betting by moving all-in on the button for approximately 200,000. Dan Heimiller made the call from the big blind and then two showed their cards:

Mishler: J10
Heimiller: A8

The board came down 7735Q and Heimiller’s ace-high would hold up to take down the pot, eliminating Mishler.

This pot brought Heimiller’s stack to nearly 1,300,000, but he would later be cut down to 710,000 after a failed bluff attempt against Jeffery Courtney.

Player Tags: Farzad Rouhani,   David Daneshgar,   Voitto Rintala,   Scott Sitron,   Andrey Zaichenko,   Elliot Smith,   Corwin Cole,   Jeff Courtney,   Brock Mishler,   Joachim Berg-Jensen,   Todd Hanks

$1,500 No-Limit Hold'em - Day 2 - Level 19 Recap

Jul 01, '08

Blinds: 8,000-16,000

Players Left: 14 of 2,693

Chip Leaders:
Matthew Matros - 1,025,000
Corwin Cole - 895,000
Daniel Heimiller - 830,000
Farzad Rouhani - 720,000
Jeffery Courtney - 630,000
Gary Biggar - 623,000
Andrey Zaichenko - 620,000
Voitto Rintala - 530,000
Todd Hanks - 460,000
David Daneshgar - 420,000

Average Stack: 577,075

Eliminations:
15^th – Cody Slaubaugh
16^th – Lars Sundberg
17^th – Daniel Hughes
18^th – Eric Jolly
19^th – Petter Frannson
20^th – Richard Kirsch

Big Hands and Storylines:

Corwin, For The Win

The players redrew at 18 players, and despite the full 9-handed tables in play, table 1 was still packed with action. Elliot Smith raised to 40,000 from middle position and Scott Sitron, on his left, raised to 110,000. Corwin Cole, after a moment’s thought, moved all-in for 328,000. Eric Jolly then called all-in. Smith folded and Sitron called, having everyone covered. The three showed their hands:

Scott Sitron: AA
Corwin Cole: QQ
Eric Jolly: JJ

The flop came 862 and nothing had changed. The turn came K, Sitron was one card away from a massive chip advantage at the table, but the river changed that. The river was the Q and Corwin Cole took down the pot, though you would never know it by his expression. He sat stone-faced, moving only to rake in the monster pot. After the hand, Cole had 950,000, Sitron had 250,000, and Jolly was eliminated... which nobody could deny.

Daniel Hughes Eliminated

Daniel Hughes moved all-in for 145,000 from late position. Andrey Zaichenko moved all-in behind him and everybody else folded. Hughes showed A10 and Zaichenko had QQ. The flop came Q82 and Hughes was drawing almost dead. The 10 sealed his fate and he was eliminated in 17^th place.

Zaichenko Gives Some Back

Action folded around to Gary Biggar in the small blind and he shoved all-in for about 123,000. Zaichenko looked down at his cards in the big blind and he opted to call. The two turned over:

Biggar: A8
Zaichenko: K7

The flop helped out Biggar a lot: A97. The turn, though, was the 10, giving Zaichenko an open-ended straight draw. The river was the blank of all blanks – the 2 – and Biggar doubled up to 250,000. Zaichenko still has about 900,000.

Player Tags: Farzad Rouhani,   David Daneshgar,   Richard Kirsch,   Daniel Hughes,   Cody Slaubaugh,   Voitto Rintala,   Scott Sitron,   Andrey Zaichenko,   Corwin Cole,   Jeff Courtney,   Todd Hanks

$1,500 No-Limit Hold'em - Final Table - David Daneshgar Wins!

Jul 02, '08

Eliminations:
Second Place – Scott Sitron - $275,695

Big Hands and Storylines:

Daneshgar Wins Massive Pot

Scott Sitron raised to 320,000 and, for the first time in the heads-up battle, Daneshgar, 3-bet him. Sitron simply called the extra 575,000 and the two saw the flop. On the A62 flop Daneshgar led out for 610,000 and Sitron called. At this point nearly half of the chips in play were in the middle of the table. The turn was the 6 and Daneshgar checked. Sitron slid out a bet of 610,000. Daneshgar quickly declared all-in and, just as quickly, Sitron tossed his cards to the dealer. Daneshgar collected a gigantic pot and grabbed the chip lead, 5,675,000 to 2,420,000.

Scott Sitron Eliminated in Second Place ($385,974); David Daneshgar Wins!

Scott Sitron limped on the button and David Daneshgar raised an additional 400,000 from the big blind. Sitron wasted no time in moving all-in and he was practically beaten into the pot by Daneshgar. They showed their hands:

Sitron: A8
Daneshgar: 1010

The board ran out 6649J and the pocket tens of Daneshgar held up! Scott Sitron will receive $385,974 for his runner-up finish.  

For Daneshgar, the celebration has just begun. His reward for finishing on top of this event: $625,443 and a World Series of Poker bracelet.

Player Tags: David Daneshgar,   Scott Sitron

$1,500 No-Limit Hold'em - Final Table - Smallball Battle

Jul 02, '08

Blinds: 50,000-100,000, 10,000 ante

Chip Counts:
Scott Sitron: 4,905,000
David Daneshgar: 3,190,000

Big Hands and Storylines:

Good Start For Daneshgar

David Daneshgar limped on the button and Sitron checked his option. The flop came down K55 and Sitron bet 150,000, Daneshgar called. Both players checked the 8 turn, and both players also checked the Q turn. Sitron showed ten-high. “I had you crushed,” said Daneshgar, showing 1010 for two pair. After that hand Daneshgar took a 4,400,000 to 3,675,000 lead.

Sitron Gets One Back

Scott Sitron raised on the button and David Daneshgar called. The flop came down 753 and Daneshgar checked. Sitron bet and Daneshgar called very swiftly. Both players checked the 5 turn. The river was the 10 and Daneshgar checked for a third time. Sitron bet 1 million and Daneshgar folded. That hand gave Sitron back the lead, 4,125,000 to 3,970,000.

Second Pair Not Second Best For Sitron

Daneshgar raised to 250,000 pre-flop and Sitron called. The flop came K6A and Sitron check-called a 350,000 bet. Both players checked the 4 turn. And again, both players checked the 7 on the river. Sitron showed K8 for second pair and Daneshgar mucked his hand. This hand brought Sitron over the 5 million chip mark

Player Tags: David Daneshgar,   Scott Sitron

$1,500 No-Limit Hold'em - Final Table - We Are Heads-Up

Jul 02, '08

Blinds: 50,000-100,000, 10,000 ante

Eliminations:
Third place – Dan Heimiller - $275,695

Big Hands and Storylines:

David Daneshgar Takes Chip Lead Without Seeing a Flop

David Daneshgar raised to 250,000 on the button and Dan Heimiller, short-stacked, opted simply to call from the small blind. Scott Sitron in the big blind raised to 700,000. Daneshgar put in another raise, making it 1 million more. Heimiller quickly folded and action moved back to Sitron. Sitron, after about 90 seconds of thought, opted to fold his hand. That hand propelled Daneshgar into the chip lead with 3,435,000.

Dan Heimiller Eliminated in Third Place ($275,695)

Scott Sitron raised to 225,000 on the button. Daneshgar folded and Dan Heimiller moved all-in for 1,600,000. Sitron called and the two showed their hands:

Heimiller: A3
Sitron: A10

The flop came J104 and Heimiller was staring elimination in the face. The turn was the J, meaning that an ace on the river would result in a split pot. The river was the 5 though, and Heimiller was eliminated. Heimiller’s prize for third place is a not-too-shabby $275,695.

Heads-up

Going into heads-up play, Scott Sitron has a 4,875,000 to 3,265,000 lead on David Daneshgar.

Player Tags: David Daneshgar,   Scott Sitron

$1,500 No-Limit Hold'em - Final Table - Corwin and Rouhani Eliminated

Jul 02, '08

Note: The players are now on a 60-minute dinner break

Blinds: 40,000-80,000, 5,000 ante

Chip Counts:
Scott Sitron - 3,655,000
David Daneshgar - 2,750,000
Dan Heimiller - 1,690,000

Eliminations:
Fourth Place – Farzad Rouhani - ($231,584)
Fifth Place – Corwin Cole - ($189,311)

Big Hands and Storylines:

Corwin Cole Eliminated In Fifth Place ($189,311)

Corwin Cole moved all-in from the cutoff for 870,000 and action folded around to Scott Sitron in the small blind. Sitron made the call and the two showed their cards:

Cole: 98
Sitron: A8

SItron had Cole dominated. The A63 flop made things even bleaker for Cole. The K on the turn was the clincher, and Sitron would win the hand, moving up to 2,785,000. For finishing in fifth place, Cole will leave here with $189,311.

Farzad Rouhani Eliminated in Fourth Place ($231,584)

Farzad Rouhani opened the action from the button by moving all-in for 515,000. Scott Sitron again woke up with a hand in the blinds and called with 1010. Rouhani disgustedly turned up his A9 and awaited the flop. The flop would bring good news only to Sitron, as he hit a set on the 1042 flop. The 4 on the turn filled Sitron up and made him the first player in the tournament to surpass 3 million chips. Farzad Rouhani will take away $231,584 from his second final table of this year’s World Series.

David Daneshgar Doubles Through Dan Heimiller

David Daneshgar raised to 250,000 on the button, Dan Heimiller made it 800,000 from the small blind, and Scott Sitron ducked out of the hand. Daneshgar instantly moved all-in. Heimiller seemed to know that his hand was no good, but, getting about 4-to-1 on his money, he made the call with A10. Daneshgar, though ahead with JJ, did not look like a man who was confident in his lead. The board – KK73Q – strengthened Daneshgar’s resolve though, and he doubled up to 2,780,000. Heimiller dropped to third of three with 2,090,000.

Player Tags: Farzad Rouhani,   David Daneshgar,   Scott Sitron,   Corwin Cole

$1,500 No-Limit Hold'em - Final Table - War of Attrition

Jul 02, '08

Blinds: 30,000-60,000, 5,000 ante

Chip Counts:
Scott Sitron - 2,705,000
David Daneshgar - 1,530,000
Daniel Heimiller - 1,450,000
Farzad Rouhani – 1,305,000
Corwin Cole - 1,055,000

Big Hands and Storylines:

Dan Heimiller Doubles Through Corwin Cole

Dan Heimiller moved all-in from under the gun for about 425,000 and Corwin Cole made the call from the big blind. Corwin had Heimiller dominated – A9 versus A6 – but for the second time on the day, his lead would not last. The doorcard was the 6, and that was joined by the 6 and 2. Heimiller beamed, asking the dealer for “one more six.” The board ran out J and 5, and while Heimiller didn’t get his fourth 5, he did win the pot, giving him 900,000 in chips. The blow to Cole’s stack left him with 1,260,000.

Corwin Cole Doubles Through Farzad Rouhani

Farzad Rouhani raised from the cutoff and Corwin Cole quickly moved all-in from the big blind for 940,000 total. Rouhani seemed agitated; he stood up and paced back and forth. He returned to his seat but did not sit down, instead he leaned over it and maddeningly stacked and re-stacked his chips, the normally airy clacking of chips replaced by a series of deep thuds. Rouhani shoved his chips into the middle and slammed down his cards: AQ. Cole showed 55 and the two were racing. Rouhani’s fortuitous luck continued when the flop came AK7. But just as quickly as his lead came did it dissolve into thin air. The 5 on the turn gave Cole new and unexpected life. When the river bricked – 6 – Cole was back among the chip leaders with 1,935,000. Rouhani slipped back to 1,480,000.

Dan Heimiller Doubles Through Corwin Cole

Action folded around to Corwin Cole with a short-stacked Dan Heimiller behind him in the big blind. Cole, fresh off of his double up, moved all in. Heimiller snap-called him from the big blind and the two revealed their cards:

Cole: A3
Heimiller: AK

The flop game 1085 and things got just a bit more tense for Heimiller, in addition to the three treys, he would also have to fade 8 spades. The turn was the 9 and Heimiller was one card away from a vital double up. The river was the 9 and Heimiller doubled up to 1,450,000. Corwin, after having just won a pot for his tournament life, found himself back down around 1,200,000.

Farzad Rouhani Doubles Through David Daneshgar

David Daneshgar raised from the cutoff to 155,000. Action folded around to Farzad Rouhani in the big blind who moved in for 500,000 more. After much contemplation Daneshgar made the call. Rouhani showed AK and Daneshgar showed the cause for his deliberation, flipping over 75. The flop – Q107 – made Daneshgar look like a genius, and so did the 6 on the turn. Poker is a fickle game though, and the K on the river ripped the pot from Daneshgar’s grasp. Rouhani went from the brink of elimination to a stack of 1,355,000.

Player Tags: Farzad Rouhani,   David Daneshgar,   Scott Sitron,   Corwin Cole

$1,500 No-Limit Hold'em - Final Table - Matt Matros Eliminated

Jul 02, '08

Note: The players are now on a 20 minute break

Blinds: 25,000-50,000, 5,000 ante

Chip Counts:
Farzad Rouhani - 2,220,000
Scott Sitron - 1,955,000
Corwin Cole - 1,750,000
David Daneshgar – 1,625,000
Daniel Heimiller – 400,000

Eliminations:
Sixth Place – Matt Matros ($148,875)

Big Hands and Storylines:

Matt Matros Eliminated in Sixth Place ($148,875)

Corwin Cole, first to act, raised to 125,000 and Matt Matros wasted no time in moving all-in for his 690,000 chips. Cole audibly sighed before making the call and the two showed their cards:

Matros: AQ
Cole: A9

The flop came down K94 and Matros shook his head in disbelief. The 10 on the turn gave Cole the flush and spelled the end of the day for Matros. For his sixth place finish Matros took home $148,875.

Heimiller Chipping Up

Dan Heimiller went from short stack of 400,000 to over a million in chips in a very unorthodox manner. Instead of doubling up on a single hand, Heimiller was steadily chipping up playing post-flop poker, winning 4 out of 5 hands at one point.

Daneshgar Goes To The Break In Style

David Daneshgar raised to 125,000 from under-the gun and he was called by Dan Heimiller on the button. The flop came 1085 and Daneshgar led out for 200,000. Heimiller mulled it over before making a smallish raise to 500,000. Before Heimiller had even finished moving his chips into the pot, Daneshgar moved all-in. Heimiller folded immediately and Daneshgar took down the pot.

That pot brought Daneshgar up to 1,625,000 and ended Heimiller's recent run, knocking him down to around 400,000.

Player Tags: Farzad Rouhani,   David Daneshgar,   Scott Sitron,   Corwin Cole

$1,500 No-Limit Hold'em - Final Table - Courtney and Zaichenko Eliminated

Jul 02, '08

Blinds: 20,000-40,000, 5,000 ante

Chip Counts:
David Daneshgar - 1,910,000
Scott Sitron - 1,820,000
Farzad Rouhani - 1,725,000
Corwin Cole - 1,500,000
Daniel Heimiler - 580,000
Matthew Matros - 495,000

Eliminations:
Seventh Place – Andrey Zaichenko ($112,116)
Eighth Place – Jeff Courtney ($84,546)

Big Hands and Storylines:

Jeff Courtney Eliminated in Eighth Place ($84,546)

Today was just not Jeff Courtney’s day. On three occasions the young man from Lancaster, Pennsylvania got his chips in with a solid hand against Farzad Rouhani, and on three occasions he would lose a big pot.

The final blow took place minutes after returning from a 20-minute break. Rouhani raised to 105,000 and Courtney moved all-in for 475,000 from the button. After a bit of thinking, Rouhani said, “Let’s go,” and made the call, showing AQ, a hand that he had folded earlier in a not too dissimilar situation. He was racing against Courtney’s JJ. The flop was another dagger for Courtney: Q94, and when the turn (4) and river (9) failed to improve his hand, he would be eliminated. For his three days of work, Jeff Courtney took home $84,546.

Corwin Cole Doubles Through Matt Matros

Corwin Cole raised to 100,000 from the cutoff and was called by Matt Matros in the small blind. The flop came AK6 and Matros checked to Cole. Cole bet 135,000 and action was back on Matros. The Yale grad did not take very long before sliding in a stack of green chips totaling 400,000. Cole then moved all-in and was insta-called by Matros. The two showed their hands:

Cole: 66
Matros: QJ

Cole flopped a set of sixes but still needed to dodge Matros’ 11 outs. When the A came on the turn all suspense was dashed. That hand gave Cole the chip lead with 2,115,000. After a couple of hours of patient play as the chip leader, Matros suddenly became the shortstack with 480,000.

Andrey Zaichenko Eliminated in Seventh Place ($112,116)

The table folded around to Andrey Zaichenko who open-shoved for 770,000 on the button. Scott Sitron quickly called from the small blind and Daneshgar folded. Sitron had the goods – KK – but that was not the case for Zaichenko, who showed his 96. Zaichenko would fall even further behind on the KQ2 flop. The 9 turn and A river provided no miracles for the Russian and his day was done. Zaichenko’s seventh place finish was good for $112,116.

Sitron’s timely kings helped propel him to 1,880,000.

David Daneshgar Doubles Through Corwin Cole

Daneshgar raised to 105,000 from the button and Corwin Cole moved all-in from the big blind. Daneshgar was clearly uncomfortable with the decision to be made, first sprawling face down across the table and then standing up with his arms crossed. Trusting his read, Daneshgar made the call with AJ. Cole smiled and turned over 86. An excellent call by Daneshgar for sure, but he was still only a 59 percent favorite going to the flop. The board came A942A and Daneshgar won the hand handily.

Daneshgar’s double up took him to 1,910,000 and Cole took a slight hit, dropping to 1,475,000.

Player Tags: Farzad Rouhani,   David Daneshgar,   Scott Sitron,   Andrey Zaichenko,   Corwin Cole,   European Report,   Jeff Courtney

$1,500 No-Limit Hold'em - Final Table - Musical Chips

Jul 02, '08

Note: The players are now on a 20 minute break

Blinds: 15,000-30,000

Chip Counts:
Matthew Matros - 1,417,000
Scott Sitron - 1,308,000
Corwin Cole - 1,293,000
Daniel Heimiller - 1,042,000
Andrey Zaichenko - 897,000
Jeff Courtney - 895,000
Farzad Rouhani - 809,000
David Daneshgar - 434,000

Big Hands and Storylines:

Dan Heimiller Doubles Through David Daneshgar

In an action-packed hand, Dan Heimiller would go from short-stack to fourth in chips. Farzad Rouhani raised to 80,000 from under-the-gun. Andrey Zaichenko called and action folded to David Daneshgar who made it 306,000. Dan Heimiller then moved all-in from the small blind. Rouhani reluctantly folded, as did Zaichenko, and Daneshgar made the call. The two showed their hands:

Heimiller: AA
Daneshgar: KK

Heimiller’s aces would hold up on a board of 96246 and his double-up would see him crack the 1 million chip mark, 1,042,000 to be exact. Daneshgar, with 434,000, was left cursing his luck.

Rouhani claimed to have folded pocket jacks on the hand, and Zaichenko pocket eights

Farzad Rouhani Again Doubles Through Jeff Courtney

Action folded around to Farzad Rouhani in the cutoff. He raised to 75,000 and Jeff Courtney made the call in the big blind. The flop was J85 and Courtney led out with a  bet of 150,000. Rouhani cut and re-cut his chips before moving all-in for 472,000. Courtney quickly called and the two showed their cards:

Rouhani: AA
Courtney: KJ

Courtney's top pair and second nut-flush draw must have looked good to him when the flop came out, but it lost almost all of its luster once he saw Rouhani's cards. Courtney was drawing to a non-heart king or a jack, but he was drawing dead after the 9h came on the turn.

Player Tags: Farzad Rouhani,   David Daneshgar,   Scott Sitron,   Andrey Zaichenko,   Corwin Cole,   Jeff Courtney

$1,500 No-Limit Hold'em - Day 2 - Level 20 Recap

Jul 01, '08

Note: The players are now on a 20 minute break

Blinds: 10,000-20,000

Players Left: 11 of 2,693

Chip Leaders:
Corwin Cole - 1,450,000
Jeffery Courtney - 1,280,000
Matthew Matros - 875,000
Farzad Rouhani - 720,000
Daniel Heimiller - 710,000
Scott Sitron - 600,000
Voitto Rintala - 530,000
Andrey Zaichenko - 470,000
Todd Hanks - 460,000
David Daneshgar - 420,000

Average Stack: 734,450

Eliminations:
12^th – Brock Mishler
13^th – Joachim Berg-Jensen
14^th – Elliot Smith

Big Hands and Storylines:

Joachim Berg-Jensen Eliminated By Dan Heimiller

Dan Heimiller raised from early position and action folded around to Joachim Berg-Jensen in the small blind. Berg-Jensen shoved for 255,000 and was called by Heimiller. Berg-Jensen had AK but Heimiller had QQ and a slight lead. The flop was ten-high and rainbow, and Berg-Jensen was left to catch either an ace or king on the turn/river to take down the pot and continue on in the tournament. The turn was the 2 and Berg-Jensen was down to one final card. The river was the 3 and that was all she wrote for Berg-Jensen.

Heimiller Eliminates Another

Brock Mishler opened the betting by moving all-in on the button for approximately 200,000. Dan Heimiller made the call from the big blind and then two showed their cards:

Mishler: J10
Heimiller: A8

The board came down 7735Q and Heimiller’s ace-high would hold up to take down the pot, eliminating Mishler.

This pot brought Heimiller’s stack to nearly 1,300,000, but he would later be cut down to 710,000 after a failed bluff attempt against Jeffery Courtney.

Player Tags: Farzad Rouhani,   David Daneshgar,   Voitto Rintala,   Scott Sitron,   Andrey Zaichenko,   Elliot Smith,   Corwin Cole,   Jeff Courtney,   Brock Mishler,   Joachim Berg-Jensen,   Todd Hanks

$1,500 No-Limit Hold'em - Day 2 - Level 19 Recap

Jul 01, '08

Blinds: 8,000-16,000

Players Left: 14 of 2,693

Chip Leaders:
Matthew Matros - 1,025,000
Corwin Cole - 895,000
Daniel Heimiller - 830,000
Farzad Rouhani - 720,000
Jeffery Courtney - 630,000
Gary Biggar - 623,000
Andrey Zaichenko - 620,000
Voitto Rintala - 530,000
Todd Hanks - 460,000
David Daneshgar - 420,000

Average Stack: 577,075

Eliminations:
15^th – Cody Slaubaugh
16^th – Lars Sundberg
17^th – Daniel Hughes
18^th – Eric Jolly
19^th – Petter Frannson
20^th – Richard Kirsch

Big Hands and Storylines:

Corwin, For The Win

The players redrew at 18 players, and despite the full 9-handed tables in play, table 1 was still packed with action. Elliot Smith raised to 40,000 from middle position and Scott Sitron, on his left, raised to 110,000. Corwin Cole, after a moment’s thought, moved all-in for 328,000. Eric Jolly then called all-in. Smith folded and Sitron called, having everyone covered. The three showed their hands:

Scott Sitron: AA
Corwin Cole: QQ
Eric Jolly: JJ

The flop came 862 and nothing had changed. The turn came K, Sitron was one card away from a massive chip advantage at the table, but the river changed that. The river was the Q and Corwin Cole took down the pot, though you would never know it by his expression. He sat stone-faced, moving only to rake in the monster pot. After the hand, Cole had 950,000, Sitron had 250,000, and Jolly was eliminated... which nobody could deny.

Daniel Hughes Eliminated

Daniel Hughes moved all-in for 145,000 from late position. Andrey Zaichenko moved all-in behind him and everybody else folded. Hughes showed A10 and Zaichenko had QQ. The flop came Q82 and Hughes was drawing almost dead. The 10 sealed his fate and he was eliminated in 17^th place.

Zaichenko Gives Some Back

Action folded around to Gary Biggar in the small blind and he shoved all-in for about 123,000. Zaichenko looked down at his cards in the big blind and he opted to call. The two turned over:

Biggar: A8
Zaichenko: K7

The flop helped out Biggar a lot: A97. The turn, though, was the 10, giving Zaichenko an open-ended straight draw. The river was the blank of all blanks – the 2 – and Biggar doubled up to 250,000. Zaichenko still has about 900,000.

Player Tags: Farzad Rouhani,   David Daneshgar,   Richard Kirsch,   Daniel Hughes,   Cody Slaubaugh,   Voitto Rintala,   Scott Sitron,   Andrey Zaichenko,   Corwin Cole,   Jeff Courtney,   Todd Hanks

$1,500 No-Limit Hold'em - Final Table - David Daneshgar Wins!

Jul 02, '08

Eliminations:
Second Place – Scott Sitron - $275,695

Big Hands and Storylines:

Daneshgar Wins Massive Pot

Scott Sitron raised to 320,000 and, for the first time in the heads-up battle, Daneshgar, 3-bet him. Sitron simply called the extra 575,000 and the two saw the flop. On the A62 flop Daneshgar led out for 610,000 and Sitron called. At this point nearly half of the chips in play were in the middle of the table. The turn was the 6 and Daneshgar checked. Sitron slid out a bet of 610,000. Daneshgar quickly declared all-in and, just as quickly, Sitron tossed his cards to the dealer. Daneshgar collected a gigantic pot and grabbed the chip lead, 5,675,000 to 2,420,000.

Scott Sitron Eliminated in Second Place ($385,974); David Daneshgar Wins!

Scott Sitron limped on the button and David Daneshgar raised an additional 400,000 from the big blind. Sitron wasted no time in moving all-in and he was practically beaten into the pot by Daneshgar. They showed their hands:

Sitron: A8
Daneshgar: 1010

The board ran out 6649J and the pocket tens of Daneshgar held up! Scott Sitron will receive $385,974 for his runner-up finish.  

For Daneshgar, the celebration has just begun. His reward for finishing on top of this event: $625,443 and a World Series of Poker bracelet.

Player Tags: David Daneshgar,   Scott Sitron

$1,500 No-Limit Hold'em - Final Table - Smallball Battle

Jul 02, '08

Blinds: 50,000-100,000, 10,000 ante

Chip Counts:
Scott Sitron: 4,905,000
David Daneshgar: 3,190,000

Big Hands and Storylines:

Good Start For Daneshgar

David Daneshgar limped on the button and Sitron checked his option. The flop came down K55 and Sitron bet 150,000, Daneshgar called. Both players checked the 8 turn, and both players also checked the Q turn. Sitron showed ten-high. “I had you crushed,” said Daneshgar, showing 1010 for two pair. After that hand Daneshgar took a 4,400,000 to 3,675,000 lead.

Sitron Gets One Back

Scott Sitron raised on the button and David Daneshgar called. The flop came down 753 and Daneshgar checked. Sitron bet and Daneshgar called very swiftly. Both players checked the 5 turn. The river was the 10 and Daneshgar checked for a third time. Sitron bet 1 million and Daneshgar folded. That hand gave Sitron back the lead, 4,125,000 to 3,970,000.

Second Pair Not Second Best For Sitron

Daneshgar raised to 250,000 pre-flop and Sitron called. The flop came K6A and Sitron check-called a 350,000 bet. Both players checked the 4 turn. And again, both players checked the 7 on the river. Sitron showed K8 for second pair and Daneshgar mucked his hand. This hand brought Sitron over the 5 million chip mark

Player Tags: David Daneshgar,   Scott Sitron

$1,500 No-Limit Hold'em - Final Table - We Are Heads-Up

Jul 02, '08

Blinds: 50,000-100,000, 10,000 ante

Eliminations:
Third place – Dan Heimiller - $275,695

Big Hands and Storylines:

David Daneshgar Takes Chip Lead Without Seeing a Flop

David Daneshgar raised to 250,000 on the button and Dan Heimiller, short-stacked, opted simply to call from the small blind. Scott Sitron in the big blind raised to 700,000. Daneshgar put in another raise, making it 1 million more. Heimiller quickly folded and action moved back to Sitron. Sitron, after about 90 seconds of thought, opted to fold his hand. That hand propelled Daneshgar into the chip lead with 3,435,000.

Dan Heimiller Eliminated in Third Place ($275,695)

Scott Sitron raised to 225,000 on the button. Daneshgar folded and Dan Heimiller moved all-in for 1,600,000. Sitron called and the two showed their hands:

Heimiller: A3
Sitron: A10

The flop came J104 and Heimiller was staring elimination in the face. The turn was the J, meaning that an ace on the river would result in a split pot. The river was the 5 though, and Heimiller was eliminated. Heimiller’s prize for third place is a not-too-shabby $275,695.

Heads-up

Going into heads-up play, Scott Sitron has a 4,875,000 to 3,265,000 lead on David Daneshgar.

Player Tags: David Daneshgar,   Scott Sitron

$1,500 No-Limit Hold'em - Final Table - Corwin and Rouhani Eliminated

Jul 02, '08

Note: The players are now on a 60-minute dinner break

Blinds: 40,000-80,000, 5,000 ante

Chip Counts:
Scott Sitron - 3,655,000
David Daneshgar - 2,750,000
Dan Heimiller - 1,690,000

Eliminations:
Fourth Place – Farzad Rouhani - ($231,584)
Fifth Place – Corwin Cole - ($189,311)

Big Hands and Storylines:

Corwin Cole Eliminated In Fifth Place ($189,311)

Corwin Cole moved all-in from the cutoff for 870,000 and action folded around to Scott Sitron in the small blind. Sitron made the call and the two showed their cards:

Cole: 98
Sitron: A8

SItron had Cole dominated. The A63 flop made things even bleaker for Cole. The K on the turn was the clincher, and Sitron would win the hand, moving up to 2,785,000. For finishing in fifth place, Cole will leave here with $189,311.

Farzad Rouhani Eliminated in Fourth Place ($231,584)

Farzad Rouhani opened the action from the button by moving all-in for 515,000. Scott Sitron again woke up with a hand in the blinds and called with 1010. Rouhani disgustedly turned up his A9 and awaited the flop. The flop would bring good news only to Sitron, as he hit a set on the 1042 flop. The 4 on the turn filled Sitron up and made him the first player in the tournament to surpass 3 million chips. Farzad Rouhani will take away $231,584 from his second final table of this year’s World Series.

David Daneshgar Doubles Through Dan Heimiller

David Daneshgar raised to 250,000 on the button, Dan Heimiller made it 800,000 from the small blind, and Scott Sitron ducked out of the hand. Daneshgar instantly moved all-in. Heimiller seemed to know that his hand was no good, but, getting about 4-to-1 on his money, he made the call with A10. Daneshgar, though ahead with JJ, did not look like a man who was confident in his lead. The board – KK73Q – strengthened Daneshgar’s resolve though, and he doubled up to 2,780,000. Heimiller dropped to third of three with 2,090,000.

Player Tags: Farzad Rouhani,   David Daneshgar,   Scott Sitron,   Corwin Cole

$1,500 No-Limit Hold'em - Final Table - War of Attrition

Jul 02, '08

Blinds: 30,000-60,000, 5,000 ante

Chip Counts:
Scott Sitron - 2,705,000
David Daneshgar - 1,530,000
Daniel Heimiller - 1,450,000
Farzad Rouhani – 1,305,000
Corwin Cole - 1,055,000

Big Hands and Storylines:

Dan Heimiller Doubles Through Corwin Cole

Dan Heimiller moved all-in from under the gun for about 425,000 and Corwin Cole made the call from the big blind. Corwin had Heimiller dominated – A9 versus A6 – but for the second time on the day, his lead would not last. The doorcard was the 6, and that was joined by the 6 and 2. Heimiller beamed, asking the dealer for “one more six.” The board ran out J and 5, and while Heimiller didn’t get his fourth 5, he did win the pot, giving him 900,000 in chips. The blow to Cole’s stack left him with 1,260,000.

Corwin Cole Doubles Through Farzad Rouhani

Farzad Rouhani raised from the cutoff and Corwin Cole quickly moved all-in from the big blind for 940,000 total. Rouhani seemed agitated; he stood up and paced back and forth. He returned to his seat but did not sit down, instead he leaned over it and maddeningly stacked and re-stacked his chips, the normally airy clacking of chips replaced by a series of deep thuds. Rouhani shoved his chips into the middle and slammed down his cards: AQ. Cole showed 55 and the two were racing. Rouhani’s fortuitous luck continued when the flop came AK7. But just as quickly as his lead came did it dissolve into thin air. The 5 on the turn gave Cole new and unexpected life. When the river bricked – 6 – Cole was back among the chip leaders with 1,935,000. Rouhani slipped back to 1,480,000.

Dan Heimiller Doubles Through Corwin Cole

Action folded around to Corwin Cole with a short-stacked Dan Heimiller behind him in the big blind. Cole, fresh off of his double up, moved all in. Heimiller snap-called him from the big blind and the two revealed their cards:

Cole: A3
Heimiller: AK

The flop game 1085 and things got just a bit more tense for Heimiller, in addition to the three treys, he would also have to fade 8 spades. The turn was the 9 and Heimiller was one card away from a vital double up. The river was the 9 and Heimiller doubled up to 1,450,000. Corwin, after having just won a pot for his tournament life, found himself back down around 1,200,000.

Farzad Rouhani Doubles Through David Daneshgar

David Daneshgar raised from the cutoff to 155,000. Action folded around to Farzad Rouhani in the big blind who moved in for 500,000 more. After much contemplation Daneshgar made the call. Rouhani showed AK and Daneshgar showed the cause for his deliberation, flipping over 75. The flop – Q107 – made Daneshgar look like a genius, and so did the 6 on the turn. Poker is a fickle game though, and the K on the river ripped the pot from Daneshgar’s grasp. Rouhani went from the brink of elimination to a stack of 1,355,000.

Player Tags: Farzad Rouhani,   David Daneshgar,   Scott Sitron,   Corwin Cole

$1,500 No-Limit Hold'em - Final Table - Matt Matros Eliminated

Jul 02, '08

Note: The players are now on a 20 minute break

Blinds: 25,000-50,000, 5,000 ante

Chip Counts:
Farzad Rouhani - 2,220,000
Scott Sitron - 1,955,000
Corwin Cole - 1,750,000
David Daneshgar – 1,625,000
Daniel Heimiller – 400,000

Eliminations:
Sixth Place – Matt Matros ($148,875)

Big Hands and Storylines:

Matt Matros Eliminated in Sixth Place ($148,875)

Corwin Cole, first to act, raised to 125,000 and Matt Matros wasted no time in moving all-in for his 690,000 chips. Cole audibly sighed before making the call and the two showed their cards:

Matros: AQ
Cole: A9

The flop came down K94 and Matros shook his head in disbelief. The 10 on the turn gave Cole the flush and spelled the end of the day for Matros. For his sixth place finish Matros took home $148,875.

Heimiller Chipping Up

Dan Heimiller went from short stack of 400,000 to over a million in chips in a very unorthodox manner. Instead of doubling up on a single hand, Heimiller was steadily chipping up playing post-flop poker, winning 4 out of 5 hands at one point.

Daneshgar Goes To The Break In Style

David Daneshgar raised to 125,000 from under-the gun and he was called by Dan Heimiller on the button. The flop came 1085 and Daneshgar led out for 200,000. Heimiller mulled it over before making a smallish raise to 500,000. Before Heimiller had even finished moving his chips into the pot, Daneshgar moved all-in. Heimiller folded immediately and Daneshgar took down the pot.

That pot brought Daneshgar up to 1,625,000 and ended Heimiller's recent run, knocking him down to around 400,000.

Player Tags: Farzad Rouhani,   David Daneshgar,   Scott Sitron,   Corwin Cole

$1,500 No-Limit Hold'em - Final Table - Courtney and Zaichenko Eliminated

Jul 02, '08

Blinds: 20,000-40,000, 5,000 ante

Chip Counts:
David Daneshgar - 1,910,000
Scott Sitron - 1,820,000
Farzad Rouhani - 1,725,000
Corwin Cole - 1,500,000
Daniel Heimiler - 580,000
Matthew Matros - 495,000

Eliminations:
Seventh Place – Andrey Zaichenko ($112,116)
Eighth Place – Jeff Courtney ($84,546)

Big Hands and Storylines:

Jeff Courtney Eliminated in Eighth Place ($84,546)

Today was just not Jeff Courtney’s day. On three occasions the young man from Lancaster, Pennsylvania got his chips in with a solid hand against Farzad Rouhani, and on three occasions he would lose a big pot.

The final blow took place minutes after returning from a 20-minute break. Rouhani raised to 105,000 and Courtney moved all-in for 475,000 from the button. After a bit of thinking, Rouhani said, “Let’s go,” and made the call, showing AQ, a hand that he had folded earlier in a not too dissimilar situation. He was racing against Courtney’s JJ. The flop was another dagger for Courtney: Q94, and when the turn (4) and river (9) failed to improve his hand, he would be eliminated. For his three days of work, Jeff Courtney took home $84,546.

Corwin Cole Doubles Through Matt Matros

Corwin Cole raised to 100,000 from the cutoff and was called by Matt Matros in the small blind. The flop came AK6 and Matros checked to Cole. Cole bet 135,000 and action was back on Matros. The Yale grad did not take very long before sliding in a stack of green chips totaling 400,000. Cole then moved all-in and was insta-called by Matros. The two showed their hands:

Cole: 66
Matros: QJ

Cole flopped a set of sixes but still needed to dodge Matros’ 11 outs. When the A came on the turn all suspense was dashed. That hand gave Cole the chip lead with 2,115,000. After a couple of hours of patient play as the chip leader, Matros suddenly became the shortstack with 480,000.

Andrey Zaichenko Eliminated in Seventh Place ($112,116)

The table folded around to Andrey Zaichenko who open-shoved for 770,000 on the button. Scott Sitron quickly called from the small blind and Daneshgar folded. Sitron had the goods – KK – but that was not the case for Zaichenko, who showed his 96. Zaichenko would fall even further behind on the KQ2 flop. The 9 turn and A river provided no miracles for the Russian and his day was done. Zaichenko’s seventh place finish was good for $112,116.

Sitron’s timely kings helped propel him to 1,880,000.

David Daneshgar Doubles Through Corwin Cole

Daneshgar raised to 105,000 from the button and Corwin Cole moved all-in from the big blind. Daneshgar was clearly uncomfortable with the decision to be made, first sprawling face down across the table and then standing up with his arms crossed. Trusting his read, Daneshgar made the call with AJ. Cole smiled and turned over 86. An excellent call by Daneshgar for sure, but he was still only a 59 percent favorite going to the flop. The board came A942A and Daneshgar won the hand handily.

Daneshgar’s double up took him to 1,910,000 and Cole took a slight hit, dropping to 1,475,000.

Player Tags: Farzad Rouhani,   David Daneshgar,   Scott Sitron,   Andrey Zaichenko,   Corwin Cole,   European Report,   Jeff Courtney

$1,500 No-Limit Hold'em - Final Table - Musical Chips

Jul 02, '08

Note: The players are now on a 20 minute break

Blinds: 15,000-30,000

Chip Counts:
Matthew Matros - 1,417,000
Scott Sitron - 1,308,000
Corwin Cole - 1,293,000
Daniel Heimiller - 1,042,000
Andrey Zaichenko - 897,000
Jeff Courtney - 895,000
Farzad Rouhani - 809,000
David Daneshgar - 434,000

Big Hands and Storylines:

Dan Heimiller Doubles Through David Daneshgar

In an action-packed hand, Dan Heimiller would go from short-stack to fourth in chips. Farzad Rouhani raised to 80,000 from under-the-gun. Andrey Zaichenko called and action folded to David Daneshgar who made it 306,000. Dan Heimiller then moved all-in from the small blind. Rouhani reluctantly folded, as did Zaichenko, and Daneshgar made the call. The two showed their hands:

Heimiller: AA
Daneshgar: KK

Heimiller’s aces would hold up on a board of 96246 and his double-up would see him crack the 1 million chip mark, 1,042,000 to be exact. Daneshgar, with 434,000, was left cursing his luck.

Rouhani claimed to have folded pocket jacks on the hand, and Zaichenko pocket eights

Farzad Rouhani Again Doubles Through Jeff Courtney

Action folded around to Farzad Rouhani in the cutoff. He raised to 75,000 and Jeff Courtney made the call in the big blind. The flop was J85 and Courtney led out with a  bet of 150,000. Rouhani cut and re-cut his chips before moving all-in for 472,000. Courtney quickly called and the two showed their cards:

Rouhani: AA
Courtney: KJ

Courtney's top pair and second nut-flush draw must have looked good to him when the flop came out, but it lost almost all of its luster once he saw Rouhani's cards. Courtney was drawing to a non-heart king or a jack, but he was drawing dead after the 9h came on the turn.

Player Tags: Farzad Rouhani,   David Daneshgar,   Scott Sitron,   Andrey Zaichenko,   Corwin Cole,   Jeff Courtney

Bolotin Rakes With Fish Hooks

Jun 29, '07

Alex Bolotin has been on an absolute tear eliminating two players in the last level with pocket Jacks.

Raj Sawant pushed all in on a steal with 10 4, but Bolotin called him with J J.  The flop came A J 9, and Bolotin flopped a set, only to have to sweat Sawant's flush draw.  The case J fell on the turn to make Bolotin quads and end the suspense.  The meaningless 2 fell on the river and Sawant was eliminated in 11th place earning $34,558.

Tony G was the next to go in heart-breaking fashion.  G pushed all in with A J, and was way ahead of Emil Patel's A 8.  G maintained his lead on the K 10 5 flop, only to lose it with the 8 on the turn.  The river 2 couldn't save G, and he exited in 10th place earning $58,852

David Daneshgar was the next to go moving in with 7 7, only run smack-dab into the A A of Bill Edler.  the board provided no salvation for Daneshgar and he took his 9th place payout of $58,852 to go.

Emil Patel then took himself out of the running on two key hands. First Patel doubles up Dutch Boyd pitting his A-4 against Boyds pocket 10's and losing.  Then Patel moved in with 9 9, only to run into the wrecking ball that Alex Bolotin, who again had J J.  The board ran out 10 6 2 5 6, and Patel took home $83,145 for 8th place.

The players have now combined down to one table of seven to continue play until the seventh place player is eliminated.

Bolotin has over $3.5 million with no other player over a million; barring any major meltdown, he will be a force to be reckoned with the final table

Player Tags: Antanas Guoga,   Bill Edler,   David Daneshgar,   Raj Sawant,   Emil Patel,   Dutch Boyd,   Alex Bolotin

Level Three Update

Jun 19, '07

The players returned from round two rested and ready to gamble. Sixty four heads up matches were formed and play will continue tonight until 64 winners are announced. The players each started with $40,000 in chips and like each of the previous two rounds, interesting match ups were formed.

Antonio Esfandiari vs. Kirk Morrison

Toto Leonidas vs. Barry Greenstein

Tony G vs. David Williams

Eric "Rizen" Lynch vs. David Daneshgar

Thomas Wahlroos vs. Patrick Antonius

Shannon Shorr vs. Noah Boeken

Gavin Griffin was announced as the first player to advance to day two following the break and since then players have been dropping like flies.

Tony G defeated David Williams
Williams raised from the button and Tony G reraised. Williams came over the top all in and Tony G called. Williams showed A K and Tony G was holding K 8. The board came 6 5 3 7 8 and David Williams was eliminated. When the eight hit on the river Williams was furious and immediately stormed out of the Amazon Room.

Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi Eliminated
Mizrachi limped from the button and his opponent raised. Mizrachi pushed all in over the top for $31,000 more. Mizrachi's opponent made the call and flipped up 7 7. Mizrachi showed A K. The flop came A 7 4 and Mizrachi couldn't believe his luck. The turn was the 5 and the river was the 8 giving no help to Mizrachi.

Joe Sebok Advances
Sebok had been enjoying a dominating chip lead for most of the level until he raised from the big blind one too many times. Sebok's opponent had gotten into the habit of limping from the button and Sebok had gotten into the habit of raising him. This relationship lasted several hands until Sebok pushed all in following his opponent's limp. Sebok's opponent called and showed pocket nines. Sebok was holding A-6 and never improved. The hand doubled up Sebok's opponent and made the two almost even in chips, with Sebok's opponent holding a slight advantage. On the deciding hand Sebok's opponent raised to $10,000 and Sebok came over the top all in. His opponent called and showed A J and Sebok had pushed with K 10. The board came Q 8 5 6 K and Sebok's opponent was only left with $1,500. The very next hand the two were all in and Sebok had 8 2 up against his opponent's 4 2. The board came J J 6 A Q and Sebok's eight played and he advanced to day two.

Taylor Caby was eliminated this round.

Player Tags: Barry Greenstein,   Antonio Esfandiari,   Michael Mizrachi,   Gavin Griffin,   David Williams,   Noah Boeken,   David Daneshgar,   Joe Sebok,   Kirk Morrison,   Shannon Shorr,   Eric Lynch,   Thomas Wahlroos

Einiger Hits Blackjack

Jun 16, '07

Only 13 players remain on the final two tables.  With the bottom three chip stacks at or below $200,000 in chips and the blinds at $15,000 and $30,000, The final table should be decided in the next hour.

Ken Einger must have though he was at the blackjack tables when he eliminated Kazuki Ikeuchi.  Ikeuchi pushed all in from early position with A6, and Einiger flat called with A10.  David Daneshgar who folded from the big blind, announced when the hands were flipped that he folded A-10.  The board ran out K-5-3-K-4, and Ikeuchi was eliminated in 16^th place.  Einiger now has over $900,000 in chips and is a force to be reckoned with.

An interesting story up until now in this tournament has been the run of friends Travis Rice and Eric Baldwin.  Buddies of Player of the Year contender Jared Hamby, these two both recently made the final table of Event #2 at this year’s Bellagio Cup III. However that feat won’t be duplicated in this event as Baldwin lost a race for all of his chips to Evan Schwartz, A-K vs. J-J, busting in 15^th place.  Rice has worked his way among the chip leaders with over $700,000, so Hamby and Baldwin will have to cheer him from the rail.

Daneshgar was the most recent elimination, his 14^th place finish netting him $23,720.

Player Tags: David Daneshgar,   Evan Schwartz,   Ken Einiger,   Eric Baldwin,   Travis Rice,   Kazuki Ikeuchi

Two Tables

Jun 16, '07

Play has slowed to a crawl in this event in the last hour.

The average stack has about $280,000, and with the blinds at $8,000 and $16,000, the need to take risks is greatly diminished. 

Ken Einiger has been able to increase his fortunes greatly. The blackjack champion, at one point down to his last $21,000, now sits at $750,000, which makes him the current chip leader.  Einiger caught Ross Boatman with his hand in the cookie jar and eliminated him in 20th place. 

Justin Pechie was the victim of the cruel poker gods when David Daneshgar rivered two pair two eliminate him in 19th place.

Now down to 18 they final two tables will be redrawn.

 

Player Tags: Ross Boatman,   David Daneshgar,   Ken Einiger,   Justin Pechie

Morgan Out, Players At Dinner

Jun 16, '07

Players are now on dinner break until 10:15pm

Jennifer Lam, the last remaining woman in the field, was eliminated in 27^th place earning $17,827.  Also earning that payout was one-time chip-leader, Jordan Morgan, who was busted in an unlikely 24^th place just before the dinner break. 

Morgan tangled in a pot with Darryl Ronconi, who Morgan had outchipped by only about $30,000.  The two of them ended up getting all of the money in on a flop of J-10-9.  Morgan had pocket Kings, and Ronconi had A-Q.  The turn was a blank, but a King hit on the river, and Morgan was crippled.  All-in on his very next hand with 4-3, Morgan couldn’t beat his opponent’s 10-9, and he was eliminated.
 

Still alive in the field are David Daneshgar, Justin Pechie, and Ross Boatman, who has been visited by his brother Barny on the rail recently.

Player Tags: Ross Boatman,   David Daneshgar,   Jordan Morgan,   Justin Pechie,   Darryl Ronconi,   Jennifer Lam

Not So Lucky

Jun 16, '07

There are currently 28 players remaining on the final four tables, with one more elimination to go until the final three tables are redrawn.

David Daneshgar and Ken Einiger got their chips in preflop in a huge hand.  Einiger had A-Q and Daneshgar had pocket sevens.  Einiger never improved, and was crippled down to less than $30,000.  Daneshgar failed to finish the job on the next hand doubling Einiger up with A-7 against his pocket nines, and Jordan Morgan doubled Einiger up again losing with A-3 when Einiger paired a seven on the flop with his 7-6.

Morgan lost a good number of chips in another pot against the player in seat one at his table in a battle of the blinds.  On a board of A K 7 K, Morgan lead out with $11,000, his opponent raised to $25,000, Morgan reraised to $45,000, and his opponent called.  The river was the 5, Morgan checked, and his opponent bet $35,000, and Morgan quickly folded.

Kevin Saul was elminated in 38^th place.  Play will continue until 9pm when the players will go on dinner break.

Player Tags: David Daneshgar,   Kevin Saul,   Jordan Morgan,   Ken Einiger

Jean Robert Bellande Wins Huge Pot

May 29, '07

A player raises under the gun, Jean Robert Bellande raises to $2,100, seat 6 flat calls, and David Daneshgar goes all in for his last $3,300.  The player under the gun folds, Bellande reraises $4,500 more and seat 6 calls.  The flop comes Q104, Bellande bets $4,000 and seat 6 goes all in for over $40,000 in chips.  Bellande insta-calls with AA, Daneshgar tables K-K and seat 6 A-Q.  The turn and river come 7A, eliminating Daneshgar and seat 6.  Bellande now has over $140,000 and is the clear chip leader.

Player Tags: David Daneshgar,   Jean-Robert Bellande