Shankar Pillai Poker Tournament Updates

3,000 No Limit Hold'em Just Hours Away

Jun 14, '08

The $3,000 buy-in no limit hold'em is a few hours away. This will be event 29 of the 2008 World Series of Poker.

Last year, this event drew 827 players and accumulated a prize pool of $2,282,520. After all was said and done, Shankar Pillai took the top prize of $527,829. He outlasted Beth Shak to take the gold bracelet.

Shak and Pillai were neck-and-neck when heads-up play began. Shak had 2,550,000 in chips to Pillai's 2,410,000. But Pillai was able to pul ahead and when the flop came 1083, Shak moved all in and Pillai called with A8, dominating Shak's K8. The turn and river were blanks and Pillai took the title.

Others at that final table included Perry Friedman and the "Poker Brat" himself, Phil Hellmuth.

Players will start with 6,000 in chips and get a break every two levels. The dinner break will come after level 6 and last 90 minutes. Play will stop for the night after the completion of level 10.

Play for Day 2 will begin at 2 p.m. Monday afternoon and go on until the final table is determined.

The final table will take place at 2 p.m. Tuesday.

Player Tags: Shankar Pillai

$2,000 No-Limit Hold'em - Level Two Recap

Jun 12, '08

Note: Players are currently on a 20-minute break.

Blinds: 50-100

Players Remaining: 1,060 of 1,344

Chip Counts:

Tom Dobrilovic - 16,000
Barry Greenstein - 10,000
John Little - 9,000
Alan Smurfit - 8,000
Freddy Deeb - 8,000
Jeff Madsen - 8,000
Theo Tran - 6,600

Eliminations:

Allen Kessler
Mark Seif
Chau Giang

Big Hands and Storylines:

Feldman Makes Gutsy Call

With the board J654, Peter 'Nordberg' Feldman bet 450 and was raised to 1,100. Feldberg thought for a minute before calling. The turn was the 8 and both players checked. Feldberg flipped over 33 and his opponent mucked. After the hand Feldman had about 8,000 chips.

Sklansky Goes All In to Take Down Pot

After a raise to 300, Theo Tran and David Sklansky call and the three see a flop of A86. The preflop raiser bets 600 and Tran folds. Sklansky asks how much he has left and then goes all in, risking 2,400 of his 3,000-chip stack. The player who must decide whether or not to risk all his chips says he has an ace and folds his hand. After the hand Sklansky has 5,000 chips, and Tran has over 6,000 chips.

Goldberg Wins with Ace High

Fred Goldbrg called an under the gun raise from the big blind and checked and called a bet of 400 on a 754. After deuces came on the turn and river both players checked, and Goldberg flipped over AK to win the pot. His opponent said he had overcards and a flush draw, but managed to miss all his outs both times.

Pillai Folds With Flush on Board

Shankar Pillai, who won a bracelet in no-limit hold'em last year, raised to 300 from the button and both blinds called. The flop was QJ4 and all three players checked. The blinds checked when the 6 came on the turn, and Pillai bet 300. The small blind called and the big blind folded. The 7 came on the river, putting a flush out on the board and the small blind bet out 500. Pillai folded, and was down to just 1,550 after the hand.

Player Tags: David Sklansky,   Peter Feldman,   Fred Goldberg,   Theo Tran,   Shankar Pillai

Ten Handed Final Table

Jun 18, '07

Play has ended for the evening and there are ten players remaining. This event has been chosen as a televised final table by ESPN and is going to be ten handed. The final table will resume play tomorrow at 3 p.m. with the following ten players in order of their chip counts: Dustin Holmes, Beth Shak, Brett Richey, Perry Friedman, Shankar Pillai, Luke Vrabel, Jason Song, Ben Fineman, Phil Hellmuth and Daniel Corbin.

The players returned from dinner and on the first two hands there were two eliminations. In the first hand back from dinner the action folded to Thomas Wahlroos who pushed all in from the button. Perry Friedman called from the big blind and had A-Q. Wahlroos was holding K-6 and never improved. Wahlroos earned $19,173 for his 14th place finish. Ed Moncada was the 13th place finisher, also earning $19,173. Moncada moved all in with A-Q and was called by Shankar Pillai with K-10. Moncada enjoyed the lead until a ten came on the turn and for emphasis a king came on the river.

The level started off with Phil Hellmuth pumping up the agression and raising several times. Over at the other table, Brett Richey seemed to be doing the exact same thing. Richey made a series of $45,000 raises and collected the blinds and antes more than a few times.

Beth Shak had a strong round following dinner and is now second in chips. One one hand she took down more than $200,000 without even seeing a flop. Shak raised from early position and Shankar Pillai reraised her $200,000. Shak didn't even flinch and pushed all in for $450,000. Pillai went deep into the tank with his tournament life in the balance. After several moments Pillai stood up, said "fold", and showed A-K. Shak thought he was calling and excitedly said, "Aces!" and showed A A. The dealer assured Shak that Pillai indeed folded and she collected around $230,000.

Kevin Hong was the 12th place finisher, earning $21,456. On what would be the final hand of the night, Noah Schwartz moved all in for $232,000. Still steaming from the previous hand in which Shak called the clock on him, Schwartz looked visibly agitated. Perry Friedman took no time at all in calling and flipped over Q Q. Schwartz had 6 6. The board came A 10 3 7 4 and Schwartz was eliminated in 11th place, earning $21,456.

The final table for this event will eventually be televised by ESPN after the conclusion of the World Series but to follow all the action and see who takes home the gold bracelet, check back tomorrow with CardPlayer.com

Player Tags: Edward Moncada,   Phil Hellmuth,   Perry Friedman,   Kevin Hong,   Brett Richey,   Dustin Holmes,   Benjamin Fineman,   Beth Shak,   Jason Song,   Thomas Wahlroos,   Noah Schwartz,   Luke Vrabel,   Daniel Corbin,   Shankar Pillai

Hour Eight

Jun 19, '07

Jason Song Eliminated 3rd ($212,274)
Song gets all his money in with Q5 and runs into Shankar Pillai's AA. Song gets no help when the board comes JJ8JK and he is sent home in third place.

Heads Up
Shankar Pillai and Beth Shak are now heads up.  The ESPN crew is assembling the money for the presentation here are the chip counts:


Beth Shak -- $2,550,000
Shankar Pillai -- $2,410,000

Historic Night?
If Shak can win this event, it will be the first time in the history of the WSOP that two women have won gold on the same day.  What makes it more impressive is that both women won open events.

Shankar Pillai Wins Event #28 ($527,829)
Pillai raised to $180,000 and Shak reraised $550,000 more.  Pillai made the call and the flop came 1083 and as she had done many times before, opened all in. This put Pilli deep into the tank and he took over a minute to make his decision.  The arena was as quiet as we have seen it, then Pilli made the call.  Shaks section burst into applause when she tabled K8, but the applause was quickly drowned by the ruckus of Pillai supporters when his A8 were announced by tournament director Sam Minutello.  The turn brought the 7 and the river the 2, shipping Pillai the pot and the tournament.

Player Tags: Beth Shak,   Shankar Pillai

Play Resumes

Jun 19, '07

Play Resumes
Play has restarted three handed.

Jason Song Doubles Up.
Song gets it all in with J10 but is dominated by Shankar Pillai's A10.  The board comes J6532, and Song doubles up.

Same Song
Song again gets it all against Pillai.  This time Song has the best hand with 99 versus Pillai's KQ.  The board bricks for Pillai when it comes A3364, and Song doubles up again.

Shankar Pillai Doubles Up
Beth Shak raises to $225,000 and Pillai reraises all in for another $575,000.  Shak insta-calls and his AA are dominating Shaks 88.  The board comes KJJ96 and Shankar doubles up.

Two Woman, Two Braclets?
Katja Thater has just won the Seven Card Razz event, and  Beth Shak is down to the final three in the $3,000 no limit hold'em.  If she wins, it would be two female winners in open events on the same day. 

Player Tags: Beth Shak,   Jason Song,   Shankar Pillai

Hour Two

Jun 19, '07

3 Way All In -- Daniel Corbin Eliminated 9th ($30.814)
In a massive hand Daniel Corbin has been eliminated, Shankar Pillai tripled up and Beth Shak took a huge hit.  Daniel Corbin moved all in for his last $109,000 and Pillai reraised all in for $258,000.  Beth Shak then moved all in as well with both players covered.  Corbin showed K9, Pillai 88, and Shak AQ.  The board came J7633, tripling Pillai up to $680,000, knocking Shak down to $335,000 and sending Corbin home in 9th place for a $30,814 payday.

Hellmuth Doubles Again
On a board of AJ6 Ben Fineman bets and Hellmuth immediately moves all in.  Fineman makes the call and Hellmuth tables A8.  Fineman tables J9 and before the turn comes Hellmuth yells, "I want insurance where's Ivey?" When Hellmulth asks him for insurance Ivey replies, "Oh, you got it, what is it (in reference to what the cards are)."  After looking it over they decide that Hellmuth will risk $30,000 to Ivey's $90,000.  The next two cards come 73, and Hellmuth doubles up.  He also loses another $30,000 to Ivey prompting Hellmuth to say, "I've ran out of money in my pocket."  That gives Ivey a $50,000 profit on the day, good for 8th place money for the final table with a lot less work. 

Break
Players are on a 15 minute break. 

Break Ends
Phil Hellmuth is MIA after the break and tournament staff is about to restart with out him.

Player Tags: Phil Hellmuth,   Phil Ivey,   Benjamin Fineman,   Daniel Corbin,   Shankar Pillai

Ten Handed Final Table

Jun 18, '07

Play has ended for the evening and there are ten players remaining. This event has been chosen as a televised final table by ESPN and is going to be ten handed. The final table will resume play tomorrow at 3 p.m. with the following ten players in order of their chip counts: Dustin Holmes, Beth Shak, Brett Richey, Perry Friedman, Shankar Pillai, Luke Vrabel, Jason Song, Ben Fineman, Phil Hellmuth and Daniel Corbin.

The players returned from dinner and on the first two hands there were two eliminations. In the first hand back from dinner the action folded to Thomas Wahlroos who pushed all in from the button. Perry Friedman called from the big blind and had A-Q. Wahlroos was holding K-6 and never improved. Wahlroos earned $19,173 for his 14th place finish. Ed Moncada was the 13th place finisher, also earning $19,173. Moncada moved all in with A-Q and was called by Shankar Pillai with K-10. Moncada enjoyed the lead until a ten came on the turn and for emphasis a king came on the river.

The level started off with Phil Hellmuth pumping up the agression and raising several times. Over at the other table, Brett Richey seemed to be doing the exact same thing. Richey made a series of $45,000 raises and collected the blinds and antes more than a few times.

Beth Shak had a strong round following dinner and is now second in chips. One one hand she took down more than $200,000 without even seeing a flop. Shak raised from early position and Shankar Pillai reraised her $200,000. Shak didn't even flinch and pushed all in for $450,000. Pillai went deep into the tank with his tournament life in the balance. After several moments Pillai stood up, said "fold", and showed A-K. Shak thought he was calling and excitedly said, "Aces!" and showed A A. The dealer assured Shak that Pillai indeed folded and she collected around $230,000.

Kevin Hong was the 12th place finisher, earning $21,456. On what would be the final hand of the night, Noah Schwartz moved all in for $232,000. Still steaming from the previous hand in which Shak called the clock on him, Schwartz looked visibly agitated. Perry Friedman took no time at all in calling and flipped over Q Q. Schwartz had 6 6. The board came A 10 3 7 4 and Schwartz was eliminated in 11th place, earning $21,456.

The final table for this event will eventually be televised by ESPN after the conclusion of the World Series but to follow all the action and see who takes home the gold bracelet, check back tomorrow with CardPlayer.com

Player Tags: Edward Moncada,   Phil Hellmuth,   Perry Friedman,   Kevin Hong,   Brett Richey,   Dustin Holmes,   Benjamin Fineman,   Beth Shak,   Jason Song,   Thomas Wahlroos,   Noah Schwartz,   Luke Vrabel,   Daniel Corbin,   Shankar Pillai

Hour Eight

Jun 19, '07

Jason Song Eliminated 3rd ($212,274)
Song gets all his money in with Q5 and runs into Shankar Pillai's AA. Song gets no help when the board comes JJ8JK and he is sent home in third place.

Heads Up
Shankar Pillai and Beth Shak are now heads up.  The ESPN crew is assembling the money for the presentation here are the chip counts:


Beth Shak -- $2,550,000
Shankar Pillai -- $2,410,000

Historic Night?
If Shak can win this event, it will be the first time in the history of the WSOP that two women have won gold on the same day.  What makes it more impressive is that both women won open events.

Shankar Pillai Wins Event #28 ($527,829)
Pillai raised to $180,000 and Shak reraised $550,000 more.  Pillai made the call and the flop came 1083 and as she had done many times before, opened all in. This put Pilli deep into the tank and he took over a minute to make his decision.  The arena was as quiet as we have seen it, then Pilli made the call.  Shaks section burst into applause when she tabled K8, but the applause was quickly drowned by the ruckus of Pillai supporters when his A8 were announced by tournament director Sam Minutello.  The turn brought the 7 and the river the 2, shipping Pillai the pot and the tournament.

Player Tags: Beth Shak,   Shankar Pillai

Play Resumes

Jun 19, '07

Play Resumes
Play has restarted three handed.

Jason Song Doubles Up.
Song gets it all in with J10 but is dominated by Shankar Pillai's A10.  The board comes J6532, and Song doubles up.

Same Song
Song again gets it all against Pillai.  This time Song has the best hand with 99 versus Pillai's KQ.  The board bricks for Pillai when it comes A3364, and Song doubles up again.

Shankar Pillai Doubles Up
Beth Shak raises to $225,000 and Pillai reraises all in for another $575,000.  Shak insta-calls and his AA are dominating Shaks 88.  The board comes KJJ96 and Shankar doubles up.

Two Woman, Two Braclets?
Katja Thater has just won the Seven Card Razz event, and  Beth Shak is down to the final three in the $3,000 no limit hold'em.  If she wins, it would be two female winners in open events on the same day. 

Player Tags: Beth Shak,   Jason Song,   Shankar Pillai

Hour Two

Jun 19, '07

3 Way All In -- Daniel Corbin Eliminated 9th ($30.814)
In a massive hand Daniel Corbin has been eliminated, Shankar Pillai tripled up and Beth Shak took a huge hit.  Daniel Corbin moved all in for his last $109,000 and Pillai reraised all in for $258,000.  Beth Shak then moved all in as well with both players covered.  Corbin showed K9, Pillai 88, and Shak AQ.  The board came J7633, tripling Pillai up to $680,000, knocking Shak down to $335,000 and sending Corbin home in 9th place for a $30,814 payday.

Hellmuth Doubles Again
On a board of AJ6 Ben Fineman bets and Hellmuth immediately moves all in.  Fineman makes the call and Hellmuth tables A8.  Fineman tables J9 and before the turn comes Hellmuth yells, "I want insurance where's Ivey?" When Hellmulth asks him for insurance Ivey replies, "Oh, you got it, what is it (in reference to what the cards are)."  After looking it over they decide that Hellmuth will risk $30,000 to Ivey's $90,000.  The next two cards come 73, and Hellmuth doubles up.  He also loses another $30,000 to Ivey prompting Hellmuth to say, "I've ran out of money in my pocket."  That gives Ivey a $50,000 profit on the day, good for 8th place money for the final table with a lot less work. 

Break
Players are on a 15 minute break. 

Break Ends
Phil Hellmuth is MIA after the break and tournament staff is about to restart with out him.

Player Tags: Phil Hellmuth,   Phil Ivey,   Benjamin Fineman,   Daniel Corbin,   Shankar Pillai