Cristian Dragomir Poker Tournament Updates

Level 13 Hour 1 Update: Christian Dragomir Eliminated

Jul 10, '09

Blinds: 1,200-2,400 with a 300 ante

Players Remaining: 1,035 out of 6,494

Chip Counts:

1. Ludovic Lacay – 902,000
2. Gabe Walls – 648,000
3. James Akenhead – 625,000
4. Brennan Hanson – 620,000
5. Christian Tardea – 615,000
6. Peter Kremenliev – 595,000
7. Eli Adler – 590,000
8. Kenny Tran – 590,000
9. Brian Hansen – 585,000
10. Alexander Kostritsyn – 575,000

Card Player Chip Counts:

Phil Hellmuth – 500,000
Jeff Shulman – 540,000
Thomas Keller – 120,000
Lee Watkinson – Out

Average Chip Count: 181,905

Notable Eliminations:

Marco Traniello
Cliff Josephy
Jimmy Fricke
Liz Lieu
John Cernuto
Mark Teltscher
Christian Dragomir

Big Hands:

Christian Dragomir Eliminated

Christian Dragomir moved all in after a flop of QJ3 for about 30,000 with the K10. He was called by an opponent with the J9. The turn was the J, eliminating Dragomir’s overcard out, and leaving only the open-ended straight draw to survive. The river bricked for Dragomir as the 4 fell, eliminating him from the tournament after a deep run last year.

Kevin Saul Doubles Up Opponent

Kevin Saul bet 6,200 from middle position and a player in the cutoff moved all in for 18,600 total. A player in the small blind made the call and so did Saul. The board ran out Q627Q, as both Saul and the small blind elected to check it down. The all in player in the cutoff exposed the 99 for queens and nines, while the small blind mucked the AK. Saul jokingly said he mucked A-Q. Saul is at 290,000.

Phil Hellmuth Lays One Down

On a board of KQ10, Phill Hellmuth bet 8,000 from early position into Alex Kostritsyn in late position. Kostritsyn made the call and both players saw a 7 hit the turn. Hellmuth checked and Kostritsyn bet 22,000. Hellmuth went into the tank before finally mucking. Kostritsyn said he had A-J. Hellmuth is at 500,000 while Kostritsyn is at 575,000.

Joe Awada Eliminated

Joe Awada committed the last of his chips on a flop of AKJ and was called by an opponent. Awada exposed the A5 but was well behind the A10 of his opponent. The board ran out 910 and Awada was gone.

Hevad Khan Doubles Up Opponent

Hevad Khan raised to 6,000 preflop and was reraised by Kyriacos Dionysiou. Khan made the quick call and both players saw a flop of J76. Khan checked and Dionysiou bet 35,000. Khan quickly announced he was all in and Dionysiou contemplated briefly before making the call. Khan tabled the 64 for a pair and a flush draw while Dionysiou exposed the A9 for the ace-high flush draw. The J hit the turn and Khan needed to dodge just one more card to win the large pot. However, the A fell on the river and Khan lost to the aces and jacks of his opponent. Khan is now at 195,000.

Player Tags: Phil Hellmuth,   Kevin Saul,   Alexander Kostritsyn,   Cristian Dragomir

Main Event - Day 4 - Level 18 - Hour 2

Jul 11, '08

Tournament officials have announced that remaining players will only play one more two-hour level tonight when they return from their 90-minute break.

Blinds/Antes: 4,000-8,000-1,000

Players Remaining: 216 of 6,844

Chip Leaders:

Jeremy Joseph - 2,500,000
Brandon Cantu - 1,800,000
Keoni Schwartz - 1,700,000
David Saab - 1,650,000
Phi Nguyen - 1,600,000
Nikolay Losev - 1,600,000
Andrew Rosskamm - 1,500,000
Darus Suharto - 1,500,000
Mark Ketteringham - 1,470,000
David Benefield - 1,400,000

Other Notables

Gus Hansen – 1,400,000
Shawn Sheikhan – 1,100,000
Ylon Schwartz – 1,000,000
Matt Matros – 940,000
Chris Klodnicki – 620,000
Craig Marquis – 550,000
Jeff Madsen – 430,000
Mike Matusow – 415,000
Kido Pham – 400,000
Thomas Keller – 355,000
Andrew Teng – 300,000
Hoyt Corkins – 300,000
Phil Hellmuth – 300,000

Average Chip Stack: 573,000

Eliminations:

Hevad Khan
Evelyn Ng
Jon Turner

Big Hands and Storylines:

Gus Hansen takes monster pot with two pair

After raising to 24,000 from the cutoff position, Hansen then called a reraise to 84,000 by Joseph Ward out of the small blind. The flop came AT5 and Ward bet 100,000. Hansen took a long time to act, but ultimately called. The turn was the 9 and Ward checked. Hansen took his time and then bet 200,000. The action was on Ward and he stood up. He separated 200,000 from his stack and saw he would less than 200,000 remaining. After a couple minutes he moved all in. Hansen called and showed AT. Ward held AQ and needed a queen on the river. The river was the 7 and Hansen took the pot of 1.2 million chips. After the hand he had roughly 1.4 million chips.

Helge Pedersen Doubles Through Pontus Khosravi

Pontus Khosravi raised from the hijack and Helge Pedersen moved in from the button for 260,000 total. Khosravi made the call and showed AK, but he was trailing the KK of Pedersen. The board – Q7632 – did not help the Swede, and his stack took a big hit. After the confrontation, both players had stacks of about 530,000.

Hellmuth Melts Down in Three Consecutive Hands, But Doubles Later

The action folded to Santeri Valikoski in the small blind, who completed. Phil Hellmuth raised an additional 10,000, and Valikoski made the call. The flop came A52, and Valikoski checked. Hellmuth tossed three orange 5,000 chips across the line. “This is a bluff,” Hellmuth told his opponent as he pointed to the chips. Valikoski made the call and bet 25,000 when the A fell on the turn. Hellmuth announced a raise and added 30,000 to Valikoski’s bet. Valikoski called, and both players checked the 6 on the river. Hellmuth turned over K10, and his opponent showed 75. “No, he didn’t!” Phil Hellmuth screamed as he stood up from the table. “He called a raise with five-seven from out of position, that idiot from Northern Europe.” Hellmuth made quite a point of his opponent’s place of origin, mentioning it several times throughout his tirade.

After knocking his chips into a pile and screaming over and over in frustration, Hellmuth called another opponent’s pre-flop raise on the next hand and lost approximately 60,000 in chips when his opponent’s ace-king made top pair.

On the next hand, Hellmuth made it 20,000 to go from the cut-off and his opponent in the big blind raised to 85,000 total. Hellmuth instantly called, beating his opponent into the pot. His opponent asked how much Hellmuth had behind, as he still had not restacked his chips. When the KQ5 flop fell, the player made a bet of 75,000 and Hellmuth folded pocket jacks face up.

Hellmuth launched into another angry tantrum, culminating in him praying to the heavens for better circumstances and constantly referring to his situation as a "nightmare." Hellmuth finished the bender with under 160,000 in chips after losing approximately two-thirds of his stack in the three-hand span.

Later, though Hellmuth doubled when from the big blind his A-5 turned trips against a player with K-10 and top pair. The board in that hand was 10-9-5-5-Q. Hellmuth ended the level with about 320,000 chips.

Evelyn Ng Eliminated

Keith Ferrera raised to 19,000 from early position and Evelyn Ng pushed all in for her remaining 122,000 as the next player to act. The action folded around, and Ferrera quickly called and turned over KK. Ng’s 1010 were in bad shape, and the 98742 board offered no assistance.

Kostritsyn Loses Massive Pot

Alexander Kostritsyn took a significant blow when Cristian Dragomir snagged a two-outter on the river for a pot in excess of 1,000,000 in chips. Kostritsyn raised preflop to 22,000, Dragomir to his immediate right called, along with one other player and the big blind. The flop came J96, and once the big blind checked, Kostritsyn bet 58,000. Dragomir made the call, and the two were heads-up to see the 2 fall on the turn. Kostritsyn then bet out 105,000, and again Dragomir made the call. The 9 hit the river to pair the board, and Kostritsyn bet another 105,000. Dragomir then raised to 300,000 and Kostritsyn called. It was bad news for Kostritsyn who showed king-jack for top pair. Dragomir held K9 for trips made on the river and scoop the massive pot.

The Rich Get Richer

Chip-leader Jeremy Joseph can do no wrong. He elected to make a massive call against Damien Creurer, who was all-in for 271,000. Joseph, with chips to spare, made the call with KQ, and learned he was up against A9. No problem. Joseph hit the flop of K98, dodged the 10 on the turn, the made trips on the river with the K to add to his stack and send Creurer to the rails.

Khan, sixth a year ago, bows out

On a Q74 flop, Hevad Khan, who was short-stacked at around 150,000, found himself all in and in big trouble against Tiffany Michelle. Khan held 99 and was up against KQ, meaning he needed a nine and no hearts. The turn and river were 105 and Khan was eliminated. After a very loud and very deep run last year, Khan was much more subdued during this year's series. At the start of every tournament an announcement was made warning players not to celebrate excessively. Most if not all the time, the announcement would specifically mention not to lift up any chairs, something Khan did often last year. When he was knocked out today, he quietly got up and waited for his pay slip.

Incredible hand ends with ace-high winning

Stephane Hornet raised from late position, and then Matt Lessinger made a big reraise to 130,000 from the button. Then Alex Borteh came over the top from the big blind. He had both players covered and moved all in. Hornet was frustrated but went ahead and moved all in. The action was back on Lessinger, and he was also extremely exasperated. He ultimately folded, and was shocked to see the hands that were turned up.

Hornet: AK
Borteh: KQ

Board: 73386

Lessinger, who had 250,000 chips left, said he folded two queens. Borteh now has 285,000 chips left, while Hornet is now up to 500,000 chips.

Player Tags: Evelyn Ng,   Gus Hansen,   Phil Hellmuth,   Alex Borteh,   Tiffany Michelle,   Hevad Khan,   Jeremy Joseph,   Santeri Valikoski,   Alexander Kostritsyn,   Cristian Dragomir,   Stephan Hornet

$10,000 Main Event - Five Down, Two to Go

Jul 12, '08

Play is done for the night. The final 79 players are set to return for day 6 at noon Sunday. Notables still alive include: Phil Hellmuth, Mike Matusow, Victor Ramdin, Matt Matros, Brandon Cantu, David Benefield, Adam Levy and Kido Pham.

Blinds/Antes: 12,000-24,000 with a 3,000 ante

Players Left: 79 of 6,844

Chip Leaders:
Mark Ketteringham: 5,700,000
Andrew Brokos: 4,100,000
Tiffany Michelle: 3,800,000
Jamal Kunbuz: 3,500,000
Albert Kim: 3,400,000
Nikolay Losev: 3,400,000
Alfred Fernandez: 3,100,000
Steve Lade: 3,000,000
Judet Cristian: 2,900,000
Aaron Gordon: 2,900,000

Average Stack: 1,732,658

Eliminations:
80th Place - Mark Vos ($77,200)
81st Place - Davor Lanini ($77,200)
82nd Place - Stephen Kenna ($64,333)
83rd Place - Lonnie Heinowitz ($64,333)
84th Place - Alexander Kostritsyn ($64,333)
85th Place - Cedric Kolstad ($64,333)
86th Place - Reagan Silber ($64,333)

Big Hands:

Vos Busts On Final Hand of Day 5 - 80th Place ($77,200)

After Dennis Phillips raised to 65,000, Mark Vos reraised to 180,000. Phillips repopped it to 400,000 and Vos moved all in for 1,500,000. Phillips made the easy call and showed AA. Vos held AK and was in horrible shape. The board ran Q93102 and just like that Vos, who had an above-average chip stack before the hand, was eliminated on the final hand of the night.

Matros Fills Up, Busts Silber in 86th Place ($64,333)

Reagan Silber fired out a bet of 100,000 on a flop of Q76 and Matt Matros raised, making it 300,000 to go. Silber moved all in and Matros wasted little time calling. Matros held 76 for two pair on the flop, but Silber was drawing at the nut flush with A9. The turn was the 6, giving Matros a full house and ending the drama they would have otherwise had to endure. The 5 hit on the river and Matros eliminated Silber and reached the 2 million mark.

The Reigning Aussie Millions Champ Is Gone in 84th Place ($64,333)

Alexaner Kostritsyn raised to 65,000 and was called by Garrett Beckman from the button. Kostritsyn checked the flop of 1064 and Beckman fired 90,000. Kostritsyn check-raised all in for 395,000 and Beckman took several minutes to think over his decision. He eventually called and showed 77, which he quickly saw was ahead of Kostritsyn's AK. The 2 and J completed the board and Kostritsyn was eliminated.

Hellmuth Gets Keayed

Aaron Keay raised to 80,000 before the flop. From the small blind, Hellmuth raised to 220,000, and Keay made the call. The flop came AJ5, and Hellmuth fired out for another 140,000. It didn't take long for Keay to move all in, and it took even less time for Hellmuth to fold his hand. Phil's stack went down to around 900,000 after the hand. He recovered slightly the next hand, raising to 65,000 preflop to take down the blinds and antes.

A Brick Saves Joseph Money

On a board of 1043, Jeremy Joseph fired 100,000 into a pot of about 200,000. The player on the button mucked, but Suresh Prabhu made the call from the big blind. The turn was the 8 and both players checked. The Q fell on the river and Prabhu led out for 200,000. Joseph looked off in the distance, clearly frustrated. "That is a brick," Joseph said about the final card. He then threw his hand in the muck. Prabhu showed 44 for a flopped set of sailboats and a rivered full house. Joseph smiled as he was around 1.6 million after the hand.

Staying Alive

Alex Outhred got all in preflop against Michael Carroll and the players showed their hands. Carroll showed 99, but Outhred had two overs with QJ. The flop hit Outhred hard, running AQ10 to give him middle pair and the better flush draw of the two. The 4 turn and 8 kept clear of Carroll's hand and Outhred doubled to around 675,000.

Chinotown

Sean Davis raised to 75,000 before the flop, and was called by two players, Cristian Dragomir and David "Chino" Rheem. The flop ran out 1052. All three players checked to the turn, which brought the 3. Dragomir fired out a bet, pushing Davis out of the hand. Rheem made the call, and Dragomir checked the river, the 5. Rheem bet out 240,000, and Dragomir made the call, but threw his cards into the muck after Rheem turned over the KQ for the rivered flush.

Nobody Wants to Play with Mikey

For a guy who just shoved with suited 10-5, Mike Matusow has been having a hard time getting any action at the ESPN feature table. Here's a look at a day of poker with the Mouth:

Owen Crowe raised to 66,000 from the cutoff. From the button, Mike Matusow then reraised to 201,000 total. Everyone folded, and Matusow flipped over pocket kings.

Later in the round, Matusow raised to 82,000 preflop. Everyone folded again, and Matusow flipped over pocket jacks.

Later in the round, Matusow raised from the button to 77,000. The players in the blinds, including Phil Hellmuth, folded once again. This time Matusow flipped over A-K. He was unable to find any more action this evening, ending the day with around 1.2 million.

Phe Phi Pho Phum

Cristian Dragomir raised preflop to 82,000, and only Phi Nguyen made the call. The flop came QJ3, and both players checked to the turn, which brought the 7. Nguyen led out for 110,000. Dragomir then raised to 300,000, only to have Nguyen move all in. Dragomir tanked for some time before making the laydown.

Player Tags: Phi Nguyen,   Mike Matusow,   Phil Hellmuth,   Michael Carroll,   Alex Outhred,   Chino Rheem,   Garrett Beckman,   Mark Vos,   Jeremy Joseph,   Alexander Kostritsyn,   European Report,   Cristian Dragomir,   Suresh Prabhu

$10,000 Main Event - Day 5 - Level 20

Jul 12, '08

Blinds: 6,000/12,000 with 2,000 ante

Players Left: 164 of 6844

Chip Leaders:
Cristian Dragomir - 2,800,000
Brandon Cantu - 2,200,000
Nikolay Losev - 2,100,000
David Benefield - 2,000,000
Felix Osterland - 1,800,000
Chris Crilly - 1,800,000
Albert Kim - 1,800,000
Reagan Silber - 1,800,000
Andrew Rosskamm - 1,800,000
Victor Ramdin - 1,750,000

Eliminations:
James Mills
Lou Esposito
Chad Layne
Charles Dolan
Helge Pedersen

Big Hands/Storylines

Hellmuth Can Dodge Mullets, Baby!

Following a flop of 654, Phil Hellmuth and Barry Leventhal checked and the button bet 75,000. Hellmuth made the call and then Leventhal moved all in for an additional 399,000. The button folded and then the action was on Hellmuth, who had Leventhal covered by only 100,000 or so. While Hellmuth debated a call, Leventhal, a large man with a mullet and a heavy Brooklyn accent, talked nonstop. He even shouted out, "Honey, I'm all in," which Hellmuth had done to his wife just a short time earlier. Hellmuth even flashed his cards to Gus Hansen when he walked by. Finally he folded Q7 face up, shocking the players at his table and players at other tables who had stopped by to watch.

Keller Cracks Aces

Thomas Keller didn’t realize how thin he was drawing, but he still managed to get the best of Alan Gould. Keller was all-in for 160,000 with K10, but found himself up against pocket aces. He was then up against a set when the flop came A63. But the Q on the turn gave Keller four outs, and the J on the river proved to be one of them, as Keller filled his straight and remained alive in the tourney.

Kings for Karle

It must have been music to Karle Wilson’s ears. James Mills announced all-in for 210,000, and two players to the left, Wilson woke up with KK. He made the call and everyone else folded. Mills held 88, but he was even further behind after the flop came KQ10, giving Wilson a set. The 4 on the turn and 6 on the river completed the board and Mills was sent to the rails.

Vos Draws to a Winner

Mark Vos was in the cut-off and raised to 32,000, and was called by Cornel Pazai in the big blind. The flop came QJ5, and after Pazai checked, Vos bet 40,000. Pazai then check-raised to 80,000 total, at which point Vos sent a two-fisted stack of orange chips to the center of the table to force Pazai all-in. Pazai did make the decision for about 250,000 and showed J9 for middle pair. Vos tabled K2 for the flush draw, and filled it on the turn with the 8. The 3 on the river ended the day for Pazai.

Chino Rheem’s Check and Raise Takes One Away from Buzgon

Dan Buzgon open raised to a total of 34,000 after the action folded to him in the cut-off.  Christian Dragomir called from the button, as did Chino Rheem from the big blind.  The three players saw a flop of A104, and Rheem checked.  Buzgon made a bet of 68,000 and Dragomir folded.  Rheem check-raised an additional 121,000, and Buzgon went into the tank.  Buzgon eventually released his hand, and Rheem won the pot.

Four-of-a-Kind Adds to Dragomir’s Stack

On a board of Q743, Chino Rheem checked to Christian Dragomir who fired a bet of 165,000 into the pot.  Rheem made the call and the dealer put down the 4 on the river.  Again Rheem checked and this time Dragomir put in a bet of 265,000.  Rheem quickly called and Dragomir excitedly turned over 44 for four-of-a-kind.  As the large pot was pushed to Dragomir, Rheem showed that he held pocket eights.  The pot put Dragomir’s stack to over 2.8 million in chips, making him the current tournament leader.

Another Big Hit for Chino Rheem

Chino Rheem made it 32,000 to go from middle position, and the action folded to Sean Davis in the small blind.  Davis made the call, and the two players saw a flop of KK4.  Davis checked, allowing Rheem to make a bet of 32,000 which was called by Davis.  The turn brought the K, and this time Davis led out for 100,000.  Rheem announced a raise and counted out an additional 150,000.  Davis made the call, and both players checked when the 10 fell on the river.  Davis turned over JdJc, and Rheem mucked his cards.  Rheem lost over half a million in chips during one orbit.

Player Tags: Thomas Keller,   Phil Hellmuth,   Mark Vos,   Daniel Buzgon,   Cristian Dragomir

$10,000 Main Event - The Final 27

Jul 13, '08

Day 6 is over. At the start of the day, 79 players duked it out to make it to the final 27. After notables such as Victor Ramdin, Phil Hellmuth, Kido Pham and Mike Matusow busted, we finally have our final three tables set for Day 7 on Monday. Players will return to play down to a final table Monday at noon.

Blinds/Antes: 40,000-80,000 with a 10,000 ante

Players Left: 27 of 6,844

Chip Leaders:

Craig Marquis: 11,300,000
Dennis Phillips: 11,150,000
Tiffany Michelle: 9,900,000
Peter Eastgate: 8,720,000
Gert Andersen: 8,350,000
Kelly Kim: 7,850,000
Chris Klodnicki: 7,800,000
David Rheem: 6,800,000
Ivan Demidov: 5,800,000
Paul Snead: 5,600,000

Average Stack: 5,069,630

Eliminations:

30th: Mike "The Mouth" Matusow: $193,000
29th: Cristian Dragomir: $193,000
28th: Nikolay Losev: $193,000

Big Hands:

Matusow Takes a Wrong Turn, Eliminated in 30th Place ($193,000)

Right before the players went on break, Paul Snead raised to 200,000 and Mike Matusow repopped it to 660,000 from the big blind. Snead made the call and the flop came AA5. Both players checked and the turn brought the 9, the death card as far as Matusow was concerned. He bet 500,000 and Snead shoved all in. Matusow made the call and showed down AJ for a set. Unfortunately for "The Mouth," Snead turned over A9 for a full boat on the turn. Matusow needed a jack to survive, but the K fell on the river and the biggest name left in the main event took a sick beat and made his exit in 30th place.

Cristian Dragomir Out in 29th Place ($193,000)

Dragomir shoved all in preflop and Joe Bishop made the call. Both players then turned over their hands.

Dragomir: 1010
Bishop: AA

The flop came down Q26 and Dragomir received no help. He needed to hit one of the remaining tens to stay alive. The turn was the 5 and Dragomir was down to his last card. The river was the J and Dragomir made his exit in 29th place.

Nikolay Losev Gets Crippled, Then Busted in 28th Place By Nicholas Sliwinski

Sliwinski raised to 240,000 from the small blind and Losev popped it to around 3 million. Sliwinski took some time before making the call and turning over A10. Losev showed Q3, clearly caught trying to steal. The board ran out 975K7 and Sliwinski doubled to about 3.5 million. Losev was down to just 1.5 million. Soon, he would have much less than that.

A few hands later, both players were again in the blinds and Sliwinski completed the bet. Losev popped it to 775,000. Sliwinski then moved all in, putting Losev to a decision. The decision was to make the call, and Losev showed 83. Sliwinski showed A5 and the board ran out 1010494 and Losev was the final elimination of the night.

Player Tags: Mike Matusow,   Paul Snead,   Nikolay Losev,   Cristian Dragomir,   Nicholas Sliwinski,   Joe Bishop

$10,000 Main Event - Day 6 - Level 26 (Hour 2)

Jul 13, '08

Players are on a 90-minute dinner break. Play will resume at 8:45 p.m.

Blinds/Antes: 25,000-50,000-5,000

Players Remaining: 35 out of 6,844

Average Chip Stack: 3.9 milion

Chip Counts:

Brandon Cantu - 10,800,000
Albert Kim - 9,400,000
Kelly Kim - 8,700,000
Gert Andersen - 8,700,000
Tiffany Michelle - 6,800,000
David Rheem - 6,700,000
Craig Marquis - 6,000,000
Dennis Phillips - 6,000,000
Antoanell Judet - 5,900,000
Peter Eastgate - 5,800,000

Eliminations:

36th place - Peter Neff - $193,000
37th place - Andrew Rosskamm - $154,400
38th place - Felix Osterland - $154,400
39th place - Craig Stein - $154,400
40th place - Mauro Lupo - $154,400
41st place - Kido Pham - $154,400

Big Hands and Storylines:

Cantu -- chipleader going into break -- takes big pot off Rheem

Mike Matusow raised to 150,000 from early position and was called by four players, including Brandon Cantu and David Rheem. The flop was 653 and when it checked around to Cantu he bet 400,000. Rheem was the only caller, and then both players checked when the 6 came on the turn. The 2 came on the river and Cantu bet 600,000. Rheem took about five minutes to think it over before ultimately calling. Cantu flipped over pocket fours for a straight and took down the pot of over 2.75 million. Cantu now has close to 11 million chips.

Sliwinski Semi-Bluffs Schafer

Clint Schafer raised to three times the big blind from early position and was called by a single player – Nick Sliwinski in the cutoff. The flop was 1075 and Schafer fired out a continuation bet of 225,000. Sliwinski called. The turn was the 3 and Schafer bet 600,000. Sliwinski moved all in for 2.7 million and Schafer went into the tank. After four or five minutes of thought, Schafer folded his hand.

Sliwinski’s friends on the rail exploded in celebration. Sliwinski asked Schafer if he wanted to see his hand and after an affirmative response, he showed A5. Schafer angrily slammed the table, knocking his chair over in the process.

The hand brought Sliwinski up to 4.5 million and knocked Schafer down to around a million.

Andrew Rosskamm Eliminated by Kelly Kim

Kelly Kim raised to 150,000 from the hijack and was promptly re-raised from the small blind by Andrew Rosskam. Kim did not take too long in calling the additional 300,000 and the two saw a flop. The board was incredibly coordinated – J109 – but that did not stop Rosskamm from moving all-in for his last 1.8 million. Kim snap-called and showed AQ for the flopped nut flush. Rosskamm had only AJ, but was given a chance for a massive draw-out when the turn came the 9. The river, however, was the 6 and Rosskamm was eliminated.

That pot vaulted Kelly Kim up to an impressive 8 million.

Chino Rheem and Mike Matusow Talk, Mix it Up

After Chino Rheem and Mike Matusow stepped away from the table for what some tablemates called a “coaching session,” Matusow raised to 150,000 from the hijack seat in the first hand upon his return. The small blind made the call, as did Rheem from the big blind. The flop came 952, and all players checked. The turn brought the 4, and again the small blind checked. Rheem fired a bet of 225,000 into the pot, and Matusow threw his hand into the muck. The small blind folded as well, and Rheem took the pot.

Tiffany Michelle Fleeces Christian Dragomir to the Tune of 1.3 Million

On a flop of A83, Christian Dragomir checked to Tiffany Michelle, who made a bet of 150,000. Dragomir made the call and checked when the 6 fell on the turn. Michelle gathered some chips and pushed in a bet of 500,000. After some brief deliberation, Dragomir again made the call. The river was the 9, and for the final time Dragomir checked. Michelle threw in a bet of 600,000, and Dragomir matched the bet. Michelle turned over 33 for bottom set, and Dragomir mucked his cards. The hit to Dragomir’s stack left him with less than 1.5 million in chips.

Klodnicki Calls Down Montgomery

Chris Klodnicki raised from early position to 150,000 and play was folded to Scott Montgomery who made the call from the big blind. The flop came down K76, and both players checked. The board paired with the 7 on the turn, and after Montgomery checked, Klodnicki bet 200,000. Montgomery called. The 3 was the river card, and Montgomery again checked, with Klodnicki then betting out 300,000. Montgomery then put in a check-raise to 1,000,000, and Klodnicki tanked. Uncertain what to put Montgomery on, Klodnicki appeared on the verge of folding, but in the end he opted to call, and it proved to be the right move. Montgomery announced “you’re good” and Klodnicki turned over 1010. Montgomery mucked his hand.

Player Tags: Mike Matusow,   Chris Klodnicki,   Brandon Cantu,   Scott Montgomery,   Cristian Dragomir

$10,000 Main Event - Day 6 - Level 25 (Hour 1)

Jul 13, '08

Blinds/Antes: 20,000-40,000-5,000

Players Remaining: 50 of 6,844

Eliminations:

51st place - Alfredo Fernandez - $135,100
52nd place - Mark Ketteringham - $135,100
53rd place - Alan Gould - $135,100
54th place - Alex Caiaffa - $135,100
55th place - Rafael Caiaffa - $115,800
56th place - Eric Bamer - $115,800

Big Hands and Storylines:

Alfredo Fernandez Eliminated by Mike Matusow

Mike Matusow made the standard table raise to 110,000 from second position. Alfredo Fernandez, on Matusow’s left, wasted no time before moving all-in for 600,000. Action folded back around to Matusow who made a pretty swift call with AQ. His call was dead-on; Fernandez turned up J10. The board rolled out K664A and Fernandez was eliminated. The nice addition to his stack brings Matusow up to 3.3 million.

A Moment With Matusow

After the aforementioned hand, Matusow let the table know how good he was playing, and how luck was on his side. Some snippets from his peroration:

“...I just know it...”
“...I can feel it...”
“...the neutrons and the electrons...”
“...the power of positive thinking, you can’t beat it!”

Up-and-down hour for Michelle

Early in the level Tiffany Michelle raised and then called a reraise by Ivan Demidov on the button. After a flop of A43 both players checked. The turn was the 4 and Michelle bet 500,000. Demidov called and the river was the 7. Michelle bet 800,000 and after a couple minutes Demidov raised to 2.2 million. It was now her turn to tank, and after two minutes she folded. Demidov now has 6.5 million chips, while Michelle has 3.15.

Later in the level Michelle limped in from under the gun and was one of three players to see the flop come 977 and Michelle called a bet of 75,000 by Chrstian Dragomir. The turn was the 4 and Dragomir bet 100,000. Tiffany raised to 200,000 and then Dragomir reraised to 400,000. Tiffany then moved all in, forcing Dragomir to fold. Michelle is now up to about four million, while Dragomir has over two million.

Pham-boozled

More from Tiffany Michelle...

Tiffany Michelle raised to 120,000 from under the gun. Kido Pham, to her left, made it 300,000, and Michelle made the call. The flop was 1032 and Michelle led out for a hefty 750,000. Pham considered his options for a moment, but decided to fold. The pot brings Michelle up to 4 million and drops Pham down to under 2 million.

Gould Leaves with the Ladies

Joe Bishop raised to 125,000 preflop, and was only to happy to step out of the way. Alan Gould in the next seat reraised him to 400,000, and then halfway down the table Albert Kim announced another raise, this to 1.1 million. Bishop folded, and Gould then announced all-in for his remaining 1.6 million in chips. Kim instantly called and showed AA, while Gould was drawing slim with QQ. The flop came 863 to give Gould a chance at a running flush, though that disappeared with the 6 on the river. Needing to catch a queen on the end, Kim took down the pot and eliminated his opponent when the 10 completed the board. Kim improved to 7.8 million in chips with the hand.

Yet Kim donated much of that recent gain back just a few hands later. He raised to 105,000 preflop, then was reraised to 425,000 by Bishop. Kim called, and the flop came 1064. Bishop stepped out for 550,000, and Kim made the call. The K was the turn card, and Bishop then announced all-in. Kim was visibly frustrated, noting he had just got the chips and didn’t want to spill them back. He eventually mucked, stating he had queens, then pleaded for Bishop to “show the bluff”. Bishop hesitated, briefly flashing his cards before mucking. The table then insisted the dealer show the cards, and they were proven to be the A10.

Outhred Outted

Alex Outhred had been able to survive with his shortstack thanks to timely all-in shoves that discouraged any callers. But he finally ran out of steam when in the small blind, he woke with AK. Chris Klodnicki had raised from the button to 110,000 and Outhred then went all-in for 495,000. Klodnicki called and showed 99. The doorcard to the flop was the K to give Outhred short-lived life, as behind it lay the 9 to give Klodnicki the set. The 3 and 8 completed the board and Outhred was ousted in 54th place.
 

Player Tags: Alex Outhred,   Chris Klodnicki,   Tiffany Michelle,   Albert Kim,   Alan Gould,   Ivan Demidov,   Cristian Dragomir,   Joe Bishop

Main Event - Day 4 - Level 18 - Hour 2

Jul 11, '08

Tournament officials have announced that remaining players will only play one more two-hour level tonight when they return from their 90-minute break.

Blinds/Antes: 4,000-8,000-1,000

Players Remaining: 216 of 6,844

Chip Leaders:

Jeremy Joseph - 2,500,000
Brandon Cantu - 1,800,000
Keoni Schwartz - 1,700,000
David Saab - 1,650,000
Phi Nguyen - 1,600,000
Nikolay Losev - 1,600,000
Andrew Rosskamm - 1,500,000
Darus Suharto - 1,500,000
Mark Ketteringham - 1,470,000
David Benefield - 1,400,000

Other Notables

Gus Hansen – 1,400,000
Shawn Sheikhan – 1,100,000
Ylon Schwartz – 1,000,000
Matt Matros – 940,000
Chris Klodnicki – 620,000
Craig Marquis – 550,000
Jeff Madsen – 430,000
Mike Matusow – 415,000
Kido Pham – 400,000
Thomas Keller – 355,000
Andrew Teng – 300,000
Hoyt Corkins – 300,000
Phil Hellmuth – 300,000

Average Chip Stack: 573,000

Eliminations:

Hevad Khan
Evelyn Ng
Jon Turner

Big Hands and Storylines:

Gus Hansen takes monster pot with two pair

After raising to 24,000 from the cutoff position, Hansen then called a reraise to 84,000 by Joseph Ward out of the small blind. The flop came AT5 and Ward bet 100,000. Hansen took a long time to act, but ultimately called. The turn was the 9 and Ward checked. Hansen took his time and then bet 200,000. The action was on Ward and he stood up. He separated 200,000 from his stack and saw he would less than 200,000 remaining. After a couple minutes he moved all in. Hansen called and showed AT. Ward held AQ and needed a queen on the river. The river was the 7 and Hansen took the pot of 1.2 million chips. After the hand he had roughly 1.4 million chips.

Helge Pedersen Doubles Through Pontus Khosravi

Pontus Khosravi raised from the hijack and Helge Pedersen moved in from the button for 260,000 total. Khosravi made the call and showed AK, but he was trailing the KK of Pedersen. The board – Q7632 – did not help the Swede, and his stack took a big hit. After the confrontation, both players had stacks of about 530,000.

Hellmuth Melts Down in Three Consecutive Hands, But Doubles Later

The action folded to Santeri Valikoski in the small blind, who completed. Phil Hellmuth raised an additional 10,000, and Valikoski made the call. The flop came A52, and Valikoski checked. Hellmuth tossed three orange 5,000 chips across the line. “This is a bluff,” Hellmuth told his opponent as he pointed to the chips. Valikoski made the call and bet 25,000 when the A fell on the turn. Hellmuth announced a raise and added 30,000 to Valikoski’s bet. Valikoski called, and both players checked the 6 on the river. Hellmuth turned over K10, and his opponent showed 75. “No, he didn’t!” Phil Hellmuth screamed as he stood up from the table. “He called a raise with five-seven from out of position, that idiot from Northern Europe.” Hellmuth made quite a point of his opponent’s place of origin, mentioning it several times throughout his tirade.

After knocking his chips into a pile and screaming over and over in frustration, Hellmuth called another opponent’s pre-flop raise on the next hand and lost approximately 60,000 in chips when his opponent’s ace-king made top pair.

On the next hand, Hellmuth made it 20,000 to go from the cut-off and his opponent in the big blind raised to 85,000 total. Hellmuth instantly called, beating his opponent into the pot. His opponent asked how much Hellmuth had behind, as he still had not restacked his chips. When the KQ5 flop fell, the player made a bet of 75,000 and Hellmuth folded pocket jacks face up.

Hellmuth launched into another angry tantrum, culminating in him praying to the heavens for better circumstances and constantly referring to his situation as a "nightmare." Hellmuth finished the bender with under 160,000 in chips after losing approximately two-thirds of his stack in the three-hand span.

Later, though Hellmuth doubled when from the big blind his A-5 turned trips against a player with K-10 and top pair. The board in that hand was 10-9-5-5-Q. Hellmuth ended the level with about 320,000 chips.

Evelyn Ng Eliminated

Keith Ferrera raised to 19,000 from early position and Evelyn Ng pushed all in for her remaining 122,000 as the next player to act. The action folded around, and Ferrera quickly called and turned over KK. Ng’s 1010 were in bad shape, and the 98742 board offered no assistance.

Kostritsyn Loses Massive Pot

Alexander Kostritsyn took a significant blow when Cristian Dragomir snagged a two-outter on the river for a pot in excess of 1,000,000 in chips. Kostritsyn raised preflop to 22,000, Dragomir to his immediate right called, along with one other player and the big blind. The flop came J96, and once the big blind checked, Kostritsyn bet 58,000. Dragomir made the call, and the two were heads-up to see the 2 fall on the turn. Kostritsyn then bet out 105,000, and again Dragomir made the call. The 9 hit the river to pair the board, and Kostritsyn bet another 105,000. Dragomir then raised to 300,000 and Kostritsyn called. It was bad news for Kostritsyn who showed king-jack for top pair. Dragomir held K9 for trips made on the river and scoop the massive pot.

The Rich Get Richer

Chip-leader Jeremy Joseph can do no wrong. He elected to make a massive call against Damien Creurer, who was all-in for 271,000. Joseph, with chips to spare, made the call with KQ, and learned he was up against A9. No problem. Joseph hit the flop of K98, dodged the 10 on the turn, the made trips on the river with the K to add to his stack and send Creurer to the rails.

Khan, sixth a year ago, bows out

On a Q74 flop, Hevad Khan, who was short-stacked at around 150,000, found himself all in and in big trouble against Tiffany Michelle. Khan held 99 and was up against KQ, meaning he needed a nine and no hearts. The turn and river were 105 and Khan was eliminated. After a very loud and very deep run last year, Khan was much more subdued during this year's series. At the start of every tournament an announcement was made warning players not to celebrate excessively. Most if not all the time, the announcement would specifically mention not to lift up any chairs, something Khan did often last year. When he was knocked out today, he quietly got up and waited for his pay slip.

Incredible hand ends with ace-high winning

Stephane Hornet raised from late position, and then Matt Lessinger made a big reraise to 130,000 from the button. Then Alex Borteh came over the top from the big blind. He had both players covered and moved all in. Hornet was frustrated but went ahead and moved all in. The action was back on Lessinger, and he was also extremely exasperated. He ultimately folded, and was shocked to see the hands that were turned up.

Hornet: AK
Borteh: KQ

Board: 73386

Lessinger, who had 250,000 chips left, said he folded two queens. Borteh now has 285,000 chips left, while Hornet is now up to 500,000 chips.

Player Tags: Evelyn Ng,   Gus Hansen,   Phil Hellmuth,   Alex Borteh,   Tiffany Michelle,   Hevad Khan,   Jeremy Joseph,   Santeri Valikoski,   Alexander Kostritsyn,   Cristian Dragomir,   Stephan Hornet

$10,000 Main Event - Five Down, Two to Go

Jul 12, '08

Play is done for the night. The final 79 players are set to return for day 6 at noon Sunday. Notables still alive include: Phil Hellmuth, Mike Matusow, Victor Ramdin, Matt Matros, Brandon Cantu, David Benefield, Adam Levy and Kido Pham.

Blinds/Antes: 12,000-24,000 with a 3,000 ante

Players Left: 79 of 6,844

Chip Leaders:
Mark Ketteringham: 5,700,000
Andrew Brokos: 4,100,000
Tiffany Michelle: 3,800,000
Jamal Kunbuz: 3,500,000
Albert Kim: 3,400,000
Nikolay Losev: 3,400,000
Alfred Fernandez: 3,100,000
Steve Lade: 3,000,000
Judet Cristian: 2,900,000
Aaron Gordon: 2,900,000

Average Stack: 1,732,658

Eliminations:
80th Place - Mark Vos ($77,200)
81st Place - Davor Lanini ($77,200)
82nd Place - Stephen Kenna ($64,333)
83rd Place - Lonnie Heinowitz ($64,333)
84th Place - Alexander Kostritsyn ($64,333)
85th Place - Cedric Kolstad ($64,333)
86th Place - Reagan Silber ($64,333)

Big Hands:

Vos Busts On Final Hand of Day 5 - 80th Place ($77,200)

After Dennis Phillips raised to 65,000, Mark Vos reraised to 180,000. Phillips repopped it to 400,000 and Vos moved all in for 1,500,000. Phillips made the easy call and showed AA. Vos held AK and was in horrible shape. The board ran Q93102 and just like that Vos, who had an above-average chip stack before the hand, was eliminated on the final hand of the night.

Matros Fills Up, Busts Silber in 86th Place ($64,333)

Reagan Silber fired out a bet of 100,000 on a flop of Q76 and Matt Matros raised, making it 300,000 to go. Silber moved all in and Matros wasted little time calling. Matros held 76 for two pair on the flop, but Silber was drawing at the nut flush with A9. The turn was the 6, giving Matros a full house and ending the drama they would have otherwise had to endure. The 5 hit on the river and Matros eliminated Silber and reached the 2 million mark.

The Reigning Aussie Millions Champ Is Gone in 84th Place ($64,333)

Alexaner Kostritsyn raised to 65,000 and was called by Garrett Beckman from the button. Kostritsyn checked the flop of 1064 and Beckman fired 90,000. Kostritsyn check-raised all in for 395,000 and Beckman took several minutes to think over his decision. He eventually called and showed 77, which he quickly saw was ahead of Kostritsyn's AK. The 2 and J completed the board and Kostritsyn was eliminated.

Hellmuth Gets Keayed

Aaron Keay raised to 80,000 before the flop. From the small blind, Hellmuth raised to 220,000, and Keay made the call. The flop came AJ5, and Hellmuth fired out for another 140,000. It didn't take long for Keay to move all in, and it took even less time for Hellmuth to fold his hand. Phil's stack went down to around 900,000 after the hand. He recovered slightly the next hand, raising to 65,000 preflop to take down the blinds and antes.

A Brick Saves Joseph Money

On a board of 1043, Jeremy Joseph fired 100,000 into a pot of about 200,000. The player on the button mucked, but Suresh Prabhu made the call from the big blind. The turn was the 8 and both players checked. The Q fell on the river and Prabhu led out for 200,000. Joseph looked off in the distance, clearly frustrated. "That is a brick," Joseph said about the final card. He then threw his hand in the muck. Prabhu showed 44 for a flopped set of sailboats and a rivered full house. Joseph smiled as he was around 1.6 million after the hand.

Staying Alive

Alex Outhred got all in preflop against Michael Carroll and the players showed their hands. Carroll showed 99, but Outhred had two overs with QJ. The flop hit Outhred hard, running AQ10 to give him middle pair and the better flush draw of the two. The 4 turn and 8 kept clear of Carroll's hand and Outhred doubled to around 675,000.

Chinotown

Sean Davis raised to 75,000 before the flop, and was called by two players, Cristian Dragomir and David "Chino" Rheem. The flop ran out 1052. All three players checked to the turn, which brought the 3. Dragomir fired out a bet, pushing Davis out of the hand. Rheem made the call, and Dragomir checked the river, the 5. Rheem bet out 240,000, and Dragomir made the call, but threw his cards into the muck after Rheem turned over the KQ for the rivered flush.

Nobody Wants to Play with Mikey

For a guy who just shoved with suited 10-5, Mike Matusow has been having a hard time getting any action at the ESPN feature table. Here's a look at a day of poker with the Mouth:

Owen Crowe raised to 66,000 from the cutoff. From the button, Mike Matusow then reraised to 201,000 total. Everyone folded, and Matusow flipped over pocket kings.

Later in the round, Matusow raised to 82,000 preflop. Everyone folded again, and Matusow flipped over pocket jacks.

Later in the round, Matusow raised from the button to 77,000. The players in the blinds, including Phil Hellmuth, folded once again. This time Matusow flipped over A-K. He was unable to find any more action this evening, ending the day with around 1.2 million.

Phe Phi Pho Phum

Cristian Dragomir raised preflop to 82,000, and only Phi Nguyen made the call. The flop came QJ3, and both players checked to the turn, which brought the 7. Nguyen led out for 110,000. Dragomir then raised to 300,000, only to have Nguyen move all in. Dragomir tanked for some time before making the laydown.

Player Tags: Phi Nguyen,   Mike Matusow,   Phil Hellmuth,   Michael Carroll,   Alex Outhred,   Chino Rheem,   Garrett Beckman,   Mark Vos,   Jeremy Joseph,   Alexander Kostritsyn,   European Report,   Cristian Dragomir,   Suresh Prabhu

$10,000 Main Event - Day 5 - Level 20

Jul 12, '08

Blinds: 6,000/12,000 with 2,000 ante

Players Left: 164 of 6844

Chip Leaders:
Cristian Dragomir - 2,800,000
Brandon Cantu - 2,200,000
Nikolay Losev - 2,100,000
David Benefield - 2,000,000
Felix Osterland - 1,800,000
Chris Crilly - 1,800,000
Albert Kim - 1,800,000
Reagan Silber - 1,800,000
Andrew Rosskamm - 1,800,000
Victor Ramdin - 1,750,000

Eliminations:
James Mills
Lou Esposito
Chad Layne
Charles Dolan
Helge Pedersen

Big Hands/Storylines

Hellmuth Can Dodge Mullets, Baby!

Following a flop of 654, Phil Hellmuth and Barry Leventhal checked and the button bet 75,000. Hellmuth made the call and then Leventhal moved all in for an additional 399,000. The button folded and then the action was on Hellmuth, who had Leventhal covered by only 100,000 or so. While Hellmuth debated a call, Leventhal, a large man with a mullet and a heavy Brooklyn accent, talked nonstop. He even shouted out, "Honey, I'm all in," which Hellmuth had done to his wife just a short time earlier. Hellmuth even flashed his cards to Gus Hansen when he walked by. Finally he folded Q7 face up, shocking the players at his table and players at other tables who had stopped by to watch.

Keller Cracks Aces

Thomas Keller didn’t realize how thin he was drawing, but he still managed to get the best of Alan Gould. Keller was all-in for 160,000 with K10, but found himself up against pocket aces. He was then up against a set when the flop came A63. But the Q on the turn gave Keller four outs, and the J on the river proved to be one of them, as Keller filled his straight and remained alive in the tourney.

Kings for Karle

It must have been music to Karle Wilson’s ears. James Mills announced all-in for 210,000, and two players to the left, Wilson woke up with KK. He made the call and everyone else folded. Mills held 88, but he was even further behind after the flop came KQ10, giving Wilson a set. The 4 on the turn and 6 on the river completed the board and Mills was sent to the rails.

Vos Draws to a Winner

Mark Vos was in the cut-off and raised to 32,000, and was called by Cornel Pazai in the big blind. The flop came QJ5, and after Pazai checked, Vos bet 40,000. Pazai then check-raised to 80,000 total, at which point Vos sent a two-fisted stack of orange chips to the center of the table to force Pazai all-in. Pazai did make the decision for about 250,000 and showed J9 for middle pair. Vos tabled K2 for the flush draw, and filled it on the turn with the 8. The 3 on the river ended the day for Pazai.

Chino Rheem’s Check and Raise Takes One Away from Buzgon

Dan Buzgon open raised to a total of 34,000 after the action folded to him in the cut-off.  Christian Dragomir called from the button, as did Chino Rheem from the big blind.  The three players saw a flop of A104, and Rheem checked.  Buzgon made a bet of 68,000 and Dragomir folded.  Rheem check-raised an additional 121,000, and Buzgon went into the tank.  Buzgon eventually released his hand, and Rheem won the pot.

Four-of-a-Kind Adds to Dragomir’s Stack

On a board of Q743, Chino Rheem checked to Christian Dragomir who fired a bet of 165,000 into the pot.  Rheem made the call and the dealer put down the 4 on the river.  Again Rheem checked and this time Dragomir put in a bet of 265,000.  Rheem quickly called and Dragomir excitedly turned over 44 for four-of-a-kind.  As the large pot was pushed to Dragomir, Rheem showed that he held pocket eights.  The pot put Dragomir’s stack to over 2.8 million in chips, making him the current tournament leader.

Another Big Hit for Chino Rheem

Chino Rheem made it 32,000 to go from middle position, and the action folded to Sean Davis in the small blind.  Davis made the call, and the two players saw a flop of KK4.  Davis checked, allowing Rheem to make a bet of 32,000 which was called by Davis.  The turn brought the K, and this time Davis led out for 100,000.  Rheem announced a raise and counted out an additional 150,000.  Davis made the call, and both players checked when the 10 fell on the river.  Davis turned over JdJc, and Rheem mucked his cards.  Rheem lost over half a million in chips during one orbit.

Player Tags: Thomas Keller,   Phil Hellmuth,   Mark Vos,   Daniel Buzgon,   Cristian Dragomir

$10,000 Main Event - The Final 27

Jul 13, '08

Day 6 is over. At the start of the day, 79 players duked it out to make it to the final 27. After notables such as Victor Ramdin, Phil Hellmuth, Kido Pham and Mike Matusow busted, we finally have our final three tables set for Day 7 on Monday. Players will return to play down to a final table Monday at noon.

Blinds/Antes: 40,000-80,000 with a 10,000 ante

Players Left: 27 of 6,844

Chip Leaders:

Craig Marquis: 11,300,000
Dennis Phillips: 11,150,000
Tiffany Michelle: 9,900,000
Peter Eastgate: 8,720,000
Gert Andersen: 8,350,000
Kelly Kim: 7,850,000
Chris Klodnicki: 7,800,000
David Rheem: 6,800,000
Ivan Demidov: 5,800,000
Paul Snead: 5,600,000

Average Stack: 5,069,630

Eliminations:

30th: Mike "The Mouth" Matusow: $193,000
29th: Cristian Dragomir: $193,000
28th: Nikolay Losev: $193,000

Big Hands:

Matusow Takes a Wrong Turn, Eliminated in 30th Place ($193,000)

Right before the players went on break, Paul Snead raised to 200,000 and Mike Matusow repopped it to 660,000 from the big blind. Snead made the call and the flop came AA5. Both players checked and the turn brought the 9, the death card as far as Matusow was concerned. He bet 500,000 and Snead shoved all in. Matusow made the call and showed down AJ for a set. Unfortunately for "The Mouth," Snead turned over A9 for a full boat on the turn. Matusow needed a jack to survive, but the K fell on the river and the biggest name left in the main event took a sick beat and made his exit in 30th place.

Cristian Dragomir Out in 29th Place ($193,000)

Dragomir shoved all in preflop and Joe Bishop made the call. Both players then turned over their hands.

Dragomir: 1010
Bishop: AA

The flop came down Q26 and Dragomir received no help. He needed to hit one of the remaining tens to stay alive. The turn was the 5 and Dragomir was down to his last card. The river was the J and Dragomir made his exit in 29th place.

Nikolay Losev Gets Crippled, Then Busted in 28th Place By Nicholas Sliwinski

Sliwinski raised to 240,000 from the small blind and Losev popped it to around 3 million. Sliwinski took some time before making the call and turning over A10. Losev showed Q3, clearly caught trying to steal. The board ran out 975K7 and Sliwinski doubled to about 3.5 million. Losev was down to just 1.5 million. Soon, he would have much less than that.

A few hands later, both players were again in the blinds and Sliwinski completed the bet. Losev popped it to 775,000. Sliwinski then moved all in, putting Losev to a decision. The decision was to make the call, and Losev showed 83. Sliwinski showed A5 and the board ran out 1010494 and Losev was the final elimination of the night.

Player Tags: Mike Matusow,   Paul Snead,   Nikolay Losev,   Cristian Dragomir,   Nicholas Sliwinski,   Joe Bishop

$10,000 Main Event - Day 6 - Level 26 (Hour 2)

Jul 13, '08

Players are on a 90-minute dinner break. Play will resume at 8:45 p.m.

Blinds/Antes: 25,000-50,000-5,000

Players Remaining: 35 out of 6,844

Average Chip Stack: 3.9 milion

Chip Counts:

Brandon Cantu - 10,800,000
Albert Kim - 9,400,000
Kelly Kim - 8,700,000
Gert Andersen - 8,700,000
Tiffany Michelle - 6,800,000
David Rheem - 6,700,000
Craig Marquis - 6,000,000
Dennis Phillips - 6,000,000
Antoanell Judet - 5,900,000
Peter Eastgate - 5,800,000

Eliminations:

36th place - Peter Neff - $193,000
37th place - Andrew Rosskamm - $154,400
38th place - Felix Osterland - $154,400
39th place - Craig Stein - $154,400
40th place - Mauro Lupo - $154,400
41st place - Kido Pham - $154,400

Big Hands and Storylines:

Cantu -- chipleader going into break -- takes big pot off Rheem

Mike Matusow raised to 150,000 from early position and was called by four players, including Brandon Cantu and David Rheem. The flop was 653 and when it checked around to Cantu he bet 400,000. Rheem was the only caller, and then both players checked when the 6 came on the turn. The 2 came on the river and Cantu bet 600,000. Rheem took about five minutes to think it over before ultimately calling. Cantu flipped over pocket fours for a straight and took down the pot of over 2.75 million. Cantu now has close to 11 million chips.

Sliwinski Semi-Bluffs Schafer

Clint Schafer raised to three times the big blind from early position and was called by a single player – Nick Sliwinski in the cutoff. The flop was 1075 and Schafer fired out a continuation bet of 225,000. Sliwinski called. The turn was the 3 and Schafer bet 600,000. Sliwinski moved all in for 2.7 million and Schafer went into the tank. After four or five minutes of thought, Schafer folded his hand.

Sliwinski’s friends on the rail exploded in celebration. Sliwinski asked Schafer if he wanted to see his hand and after an affirmative response, he showed A5. Schafer angrily slammed the table, knocking his chair over in the process.

The hand brought Sliwinski up to 4.5 million and knocked Schafer down to around a million.

Andrew Rosskamm Eliminated by Kelly Kim

Kelly Kim raised to 150,000 from the hijack and was promptly re-raised from the small blind by Andrew Rosskam. Kim did not take too long in calling the additional 300,000 and the two saw a flop. The board was incredibly coordinated – J109 – but that did not stop Rosskamm from moving all-in for his last 1.8 million. Kim snap-called and showed AQ for the flopped nut flush. Rosskamm had only AJ, but was given a chance for a massive draw-out when the turn came the 9. The river, however, was the 6 and Rosskamm was eliminated.

That pot vaulted Kelly Kim up to an impressive 8 million.

Chino Rheem and Mike Matusow Talk, Mix it Up

After Chino Rheem and Mike Matusow stepped away from the table for what some tablemates called a “coaching session,” Matusow raised to 150,000 from the hijack seat in the first hand upon his return. The small blind made the call, as did Rheem from the big blind. The flop came 952, and all players checked. The turn brought the 4, and again the small blind checked. Rheem fired a bet of 225,000 into the pot, and Matusow threw his hand into the muck. The small blind folded as well, and Rheem took the pot.

Tiffany Michelle Fleeces Christian Dragomir to the Tune of 1.3 Million

On a flop of A83, Christian Dragomir checked to Tiffany Michelle, who made a bet of 150,000. Dragomir made the call and checked when the 6 fell on the turn. Michelle gathered some chips and pushed in a bet of 500,000. After some brief deliberation, Dragomir again made the call. The river was the 9, and for the final time Dragomir checked. Michelle threw in a bet of 600,000, and Dragomir matched the bet. Michelle turned over 33 for bottom set, and Dragomir mucked his cards. The hit to Dragomir’s stack left him with less than 1.5 million in chips.

Klodnicki Calls Down Montgomery

Chris Klodnicki raised from early position to 150,000 and play was folded to Scott Montgomery who made the call from the big blind. The flop came down K76, and both players checked. The board paired with the 7 on the turn, and after Montgomery checked, Klodnicki bet 200,000. Montgomery called. The 3 was the river card, and Montgomery again checked, with Klodnicki then betting out 300,000. Montgomery then put in a check-raise to 1,000,000, and Klodnicki tanked. Uncertain what to put Montgomery on, Klodnicki appeared on the verge of folding, but in the end he opted to call, and it proved to be the right move. Montgomery announced “you’re good” and Klodnicki turned over 1010. Montgomery mucked his hand.

Player Tags: Mike Matusow,   Chris Klodnicki,   Brandon Cantu,   Scott Montgomery,   Cristian Dragomir

$10,000 Main Event - Day 6 - Level 25 (Hour 1)

Jul 13, '08

Blinds/Antes: 20,000-40,000-5,000

Players Remaining: 50 of 6,844

Eliminations:

51st place - Alfredo Fernandez - $135,100
52nd place - Mark Ketteringham - $135,100
53rd place - Alan Gould - $135,100
54th place - Alex Caiaffa - $135,100
55th place - Rafael Caiaffa - $115,800
56th place - Eric Bamer - $115,800

Big Hands and Storylines:

Alfredo Fernandez Eliminated by Mike Matusow

Mike Matusow made the standard table raise to 110,000 from second position. Alfredo Fernandez, on Matusow’s left, wasted no time before moving all-in for 600,000. Action folded back around to Matusow who made a pretty swift call with AQ. His call was dead-on; Fernandez turned up J10. The board rolled out K664A and Fernandez was eliminated. The nice addition to his stack brings Matusow up to 3.3 million.

A Moment With Matusow

After the aforementioned hand, Matusow let the table know how good he was playing, and how luck was on his side. Some snippets from his peroration:

“...I just know it...”
“...I can feel it...”
“...the neutrons and the electrons...”
“...the power of positive thinking, you can’t beat it!”

Up-and-down hour for Michelle

Early in the level Tiffany Michelle raised and then called a reraise by Ivan Demidov on the button. After a flop of A43 both players checked. The turn was the 4 and Michelle bet 500,000. Demidov called and the river was the 7. Michelle bet 800,000 and after a couple minutes Demidov raised to 2.2 million. It was now her turn to tank, and after two minutes she folded. Demidov now has 6.5 million chips, while Michelle has 3.15.

Later in the level Michelle limped in from under the gun and was one of three players to see the flop come 977 and Michelle called a bet of 75,000 by Chrstian Dragomir. The turn was the 4 and Dragomir bet 100,000. Tiffany raised to 200,000 and then Dragomir reraised to 400,000. Tiffany then moved all in, forcing Dragomir to fold. Michelle is now up to about four million, while Dragomir has over two million.

Pham-boozled

More from Tiffany Michelle...

Tiffany Michelle raised to 120,000 from under the gun. Kido Pham, to her left, made it 300,000, and Michelle made the call. The flop was 1032 and Michelle led out for a hefty 750,000. Pham considered his options for a moment, but decided to fold. The pot brings Michelle up to 4 million and drops Pham down to under 2 million.

Gould Leaves with the Ladies

Joe Bishop raised to 125,000 preflop, and was only to happy to step out of the way. Alan Gould in the next seat reraised him to 400,000, and then halfway down the table Albert Kim announced another raise, this to 1.1 million. Bishop folded, and Gould then announced all-in for his remaining 1.6 million in chips. Kim instantly called and showed AA, while Gould was drawing slim with QQ. The flop came 863 to give Gould a chance at a running flush, though that disappeared with the 6 on the river. Needing to catch a queen on the end, Kim took down the pot and eliminated his opponent when the 10 completed the board. Kim improved to 7.8 million in chips with the hand.

Yet Kim donated much of that recent gain back just a few hands later. He raised to 105,000 preflop, then was reraised to 425,000 by Bishop. Kim called, and the flop came 1064. Bishop stepped out for 550,000, and Kim made the call. The K was the turn card, and Bishop then announced all-in. Kim was visibly frustrated, noting he had just got the chips and didn’t want to spill them back. He eventually mucked, stating he had queens, then pleaded for Bishop to “show the bluff”. Bishop hesitated, briefly flashing his cards before mucking. The table then insisted the dealer show the cards, and they were proven to be the A10.

Outhred Outted

Alex Outhred had been able to survive with his shortstack thanks to timely all-in shoves that discouraged any callers. But he finally ran out of steam when in the small blind, he woke with AK. Chris Klodnicki had raised from the button to 110,000 and Outhred then went all-in for 495,000. Klodnicki called and showed 99. The doorcard to the flop was the K to give Outhred short-lived life, as behind it lay the 9 to give Klodnicki the set. The 3 and 8 completed the board and Outhred was ousted in 54th place.
 

Player Tags: Alex Outhred,   Chris Klodnicki,   Tiffany Michelle,   Albert Kim,   Alan Gould,   Ivan Demidov,   Cristian Dragomir,   Joe Bishop

Main Event - Day 4 - Level 18 - Hour 2

Jul 11, '08

Tournament officials have announced that remaining players will only play one more two-hour level tonight when they return from their 90-minute break.

Blinds/Antes: 4,000-8,000-1,000

Players Remaining: 216 of 6,844

Chip Leaders:

Jeremy Joseph - 2,500,000
Brandon Cantu - 1,800,000
Keoni Schwartz - 1,700,000
David Saab - 1,650,000
Phi Nguyen - 1,600,000
Nikolay Losev - 1,600,000
Andrew Rosskamm - 1,500,000
Darus Suharto - 1,500,000
Mark Ketteringham - 1,470,000
David Benefield - 1,400,000

Other Notables

Gus Hansen – 1,400,000
Shawn Sheikhan – 1,100,000
Ylon Schwartz – 1,000,000
Matt Matros – 940,000
Chris Klodnicki – 620,000
Craig Marquis – 550,000
Jeff Madsen – 430,000
Mike Matusow – 415,000
Kido Pham – 400,000
Thomas Keller – 355,000
Andrew Teng – 300,000
Hoyt Corkins – 300,000
Phil Hellmuth – 300,000

Average Chip Stack: 573,000

Eliminations:

Hevad Khan
Evelyn Ng
Jon Turner

Big Hands and Storylines:

Gus Hansen takes monster pot with two pair

After raising to 24,000 from the cutoff position, Hansen then called a reraise to 84,000 by Joseph Ward out of the small blind. The flop came AT5 and Ward bet 100,000. Hansen took a long time to act, but ultimately called. The turn was the 9 and Ward checked. Hansen took his time and then bet 200,000. The action was on Ward and he stood up. He separated 200,000 from his stack and saw he would less than 200,000 remaining. After a couple minutes he moved all in. Hansen called and showed AT. Ward held AQ and needed a queen on the river. The river was the 7 and Hansen took the pot of 1.2 million chips. After the hand he had roughly 1.4 million chips.

Helge Pedersen Doubles Through Pontus Khosravi

Pontus Khosravi raised from the hijack and Helge Pedersen moved in from the button for 260,000 total. Khosravi made the call and showed AK, but he was trailing the KK of Pedersen. The board – Q7632 – did not help the Swede, and his stack took a big hit. After the confrontation, both players had stacks of about 530,000.

Hellmuth Melts Down in Three Consecutive Hands, But Doubles Later

The action folded to Santeri Valikoski in the small blind, who completed. Phil Hellmuth raised an additional 10,000, and Valikoski made the call. The flop came A52, and Valikoski checked. Hellmuth tossed three orange 5,000 chips across the line. “This is a bluff,” Hellmuth told his opponent as he pointed to the chips. Valikoski made the call and bet 25,000 when the A fell on the turn. Hellmuth announced a raise and added 30,000 to Valikoski’s bet. Valikoski called, and both players checked the 6 on the river. Hellmuth turned over K10, and his opponent showed 75. “No, he didn’t!” Phil Hellmuth screamed as he stood up from the table. “He called a raise with five-seven from out of position, that idiot from Northern Europe.” Hellmuth made quite a point of his opponent’s place of origin, mentioning it several times throughout his tirade.

After knocking his chips into a pile and screaming over and over in frustration, Hellmuth called another opponent’s pre-flop raise on the next hand and lost approximately 60,000 in chips when his opponent’s ace-king made top pair.

On the next hand, Hellmuth made it 20,000 to go from the cut-off and his opponent in the big blind raised to 85,000 total. Hellmuth instantly called, beating his opponent into the pot. His opponent asked how much Hellmuth had behind, as he still had not restacked his chips. When the KQ5 flop fell, the player made a bet of 75,000 and Hellmuth folded pocket jacks face up.

Hellmuth launched into another angry tantrum, culminating in him praying to the heavens for better circumstances and constantly referring to his situation as a "nightmare." Hellmuth finished the bender with under 160,000 in chips after losing approximately two-thirds of his stack in the three-hand span.

Later, though Hellmuth doubled when from the big blind his A-5 turned trips against a player with K-10 and top pair. The board in that hand was 10-9-5-5-Q. Hellmuth ended the level with about 320,000 chips.

Evelyn Ng Eliminated

Keith Ferrera raised to 19,000 from early position and Evelyn Ng pushed all in for her remaining 122,000 as the next player to act. The action folded around, and Ferrera quickly called and turned over KK. Ng’s 1010 were in bad shape, and the 98742 board offered no assistance.

Kostritsyn Loses Massive Pot

Alexander Kostritsyn took a significant blow when Cristian Dragomir snagged a two-outter on the river for a pot in excess of 1,000,000 in chips. Kostritsyn raised preflop to 22,000, Dragomir to his immediate right called, along with one other player and the big blind. The flop came J96, and once the big blind checked, Kostritsyn bet 58,000. Dragomir made the call, and the two were heads-up to see the 2 fall on the turn. Kostritsyn then bet out 105,000, and again Dragomir made the call. The 9 hit the river to pair the board, and Kostritsyn bet another 105,000. Dragomir then raised to 300,000 and Kostritsyn called. It was bad news for Kostritsyn who showed king-jack for top pair. Dragomir held K9 for trips made on the river and scoop the massive pot.

The Rich Get Richer

Chip-leader Jeremy Joseph can do no wrong. He elected to make a massive call against Damien Creurer, who was all-in for 271,000. Joseph, with chips to spare, made the call with KQ, and learned he was up against A9. No problem. Joseph hit the flop of K98, dodged the 10 on the turn, the made trips on the river with the K to add to his stack and send Creurer to the rails.

Khan, sixth a year ago, bows out

On a Q74 flop, Hevad Khan, who was short-stacked at around 150,000, found himself all in and in big trouble against Tiffany Michelle. Khan held 99 and was up against KQ, meaning he needed a nine and no hearts. The turn and river were 105 and Khan was eliminated. After a very loud and very deep run last year, Khan was much more subdued during this year's series. At the start of every tournament an announcement was made warning players not to celebrate excessively. Most if not all the time, the announcement would specifically mention not to lift up any chairs, something Khan did often last year. When he was knocked out today, he quietly got up and waited for his pay slip.

Incredible hand ends with ace-high winning

Stephane Hornet raised from late position, and then Matt Lessinger made a big reraise to 130,000 from the button. Then Alex Borteh came over the top from the big blind. He had both players covered and moved all in. Hornet was frustrated but went ahead and moved all in. The action was back on Lessinger, and he was also extremely exasperated. He ultimately folded, and was shocked to see the hands that were turned up.

Hornet: AK
Borteh: KQ

Board: 73386

Lessinger, who had 250,000 chips left, said he folded two queens. Borteh now has 285,000 chips left, while Hornet is now up to 500,000 chips.

Player Tags: Evelyn Ng,   Gus Hansen,   Phil Hellmuth,   Alex Borteh,   Tiffany Michelle,   Hevad Khan,   Jeremy Joseph,   Santeri Valikoski,   Alexander Kostritsyn,   Cristian Dragomir,   Stephan Hornet

$10,000 Main Event - Five Down, Two to Go

Jul 12, '08

Play is done for the night. The final 79 players are set to return for day 6 at noon Sunday. Notables still alive include: Phil Hellmuth, Mike Matusow, Victor Ramdin, Matt Matros, Brandon Cantu, David Benefield, Adam Levy and Kido Pham.

Blinds/Antes: 12,000-24,000 with a 3,000 ante

Players Left: 79 of 6,844

Chip Leaders:
Mark Ketteringham: 5,700,000
Andrew Brokos: 4,100,000
Tiffany Michelle: 3,800,000
Jamal Kunbuz: 3,500,000
Albert Kim: 3,400,000
Nikolay Losev: 3,400,000
Alfred Fernandez: 3,100,000
Steve Lade: 3,000,000
Judet Cristian: 2,900,000
Aaron Gordon: 2,900,000

Average Stack: 1,732,658

Eliminations:
80th Place - Mark Vos ($77,200)
81st Place - Davor Lanini ($77,200)
82nd Place - Stephen Kenna ($64,333)
83rd Place - Lonnie Heinowitz ($64,333)
84th Place - Alexander Kostritsyn ($64,333)
85th Place - Cedric Kolstad ($64,333)
86th Place - Reagan Silber ($64,333)

Big Hands:

Vos Busts On Final Hand of Day 5 - 80th Place ($77,200)

After Dennis Phillips raised to 65,000, Mark Vos reraised to 180,000. Phillips repopped it to 400,000 and Vos moved all in for 1,500,000. Phillips made the easy call and showed AA. Vos held AK and was in horrible shape. The board ran Q93102 and just like that Vos, who had an above-average chip stack before the hand, was eliminated on the final hand of the night.

Matros Fills Up, Busts Silber in 86th Place ($64,333)

Reagan Silber fired out a bet of 100,000 on a flop of Q76 and Matt Matros raised, making it 300,000 to go. Silber moved all in and Matros wasted little time calling. Matros held 76 for two pair on the flop, but Silber was drawing at the nut flush with A9. The turn was the 6, giving Matros a full house and ending the drama they would have otherwise had to endure. The 5 hit on the river and Matros eliminated Silber and reached the 2 million mark.

The Reigning Aussie Millions Champ Is Gone in 84th Place ($64,333)

Alexaner Kostritsyn raised to 65,000 and was called by Garrett Beckman from the button. Kostritsyn checked the flop of 1064 and Beckman fired 90,000. Kostritsyn check-raised all in for 395,000 and Beckman took several minutes to think over his decision. He eventually called and showed 77, which he quickly saw was ahead of Kostritsyn's AK. The 2 and J completed the board and Kostritsyn was eliminated.

Hellmuth Gets Keayed

Aaron Keay raised to 80,000 before the flop. From the small blind, Hellmuth raised to 220,000, and Keay made the call. The flop came AJ5, and Hellmuth fired out for another 140,000. It didn't take long for Keay to move all in, and it took even less time for Hellmuth to fold his hand. Phil's stack went down to around 900,000 after the hand. He recovered slightly the next hand, raising to 65,000 preflop to take down the blinds and antes.

A Brick Saves Joseph Money

On a board of 1043, Jeremy Joseph fired 100,000 into a pot of about 200,000. The player on the button mucked, but Suresh Prabhu made the call from the big blind. The turn was the 8 and both players checked. The Q fell on the river and Prabhu led out for 200,000. Joseph looked off in the distance, clearly frustrated. "That is a brick," Joseph said about the final card. He then threw his hand in the muck. Prabhu showed 44 for a flopped set of sailboats and a rivered full house. Joseph smiled as he was around 1.6 million after the hand.

Staying Alive

Alex Outhred got all in preflop against Michael Carroll and the players showed their hands. Carroll showed 99, but Outhred had two overs with QJ. The flop hit Outhred hard, running AQ10 to give him middle pair and the better flush draw of the two. The 4 turn and 8 kept clear of Carroll's hand and Outhred doubled to around 675,000.

Chinotown

Sean Davis raised to 75,000 before the flop, and was called by two players, Cristian Dragomir and David "Chino" Rheem. The flop ran out 1052. All three players checked to the turn, which brought the 3. Dragomir fired out a bet, pushing Davis out of the hand. Rheem made the call, and Dragomir checked the river, the 5. Rheem bet out 240,000, and Dragomir made the call, but threw his cards into the muck after Rheem turned over the KQ for the rivered flush.

Nobody Wants to Play with Mikey

For a guy who just shoved with suited 10-5, Mike Matusow has been having a hard time getting any action at the ESPN feature table. Here's a look at a day of poker with the Mouth:

Owen Crowe raised to 66,000 from the cutoff. From the button, Mike Matusow then reraised to 201,000 total. Everyone folded, and Matusow flipped over pocket kings.

Later in the round, Matusow raised to 82,000 preflop. Everyone folded again, and Matusow flipped over pocket jacks.

Later in the round, Matusow raised from the button to 77,000. The players in the blinds, including Phil Hellmuth, folded once again. This time Matusow flipped over A-K. He was unable to find any more action this evening, ending the day with around 1.2 million.

Phe Phi Pho Phum

Cristian Dragomir raised preflop to 82,000, and only Phi Nguyen made the call. The flop came QJ3, and both players checked to the turn, which brought the 7. Nguyen led out for 110,000. Dragomir then raised to 300,000, only to have Nguyen move all in. Dragomir tanked for some time before making the laydown.

Player Tags: Phi Nguyen,   Mike Matusow,   Phil Hellmuth,   Michael Carroll,   Alex Outhred,   Chino Rheem,   Garrett Beckman,   Mark Vos,   Jeremy Joseph,   Alexander Kostritsyn,   European Report,   Cristian Dragomir,   Suresh Prabhu

$10,000 Main Event - Day 5 - Level 20

Jul 12, '08

Blinds: 6,000/12,000 with 2,000 ante

Players Left: 164 of 6844

Chip Leaders:
Cristian Dragomir - 2,800,000
Brandon Cantu - 2,200,000
Nikolay Losev - 2,100,000
David Benefield - 2,000,000
Felix Osterland - 1,800,000
Chris Crilly - 1,800,000
Albert Kim - 1,800,000
Reagan Silber - 1,800,000
Andrew Rosskamm - 1,800,000
Victor Ramdin - 1,750,000

Eliminations:
James Mills
Lou Esposito
Chad Layne
Charles Dolan
Helge Pedersen

Big Hands/Storylines

Hellmuth Can Dodge Mullets, Baby!

Following a flop of 654, Phil Hellmuth and Barry Leventhal checked and the button bet 75,000. Hellmuth made the call and then Leventhal moved all in for an additional 399,000. The button folded and then the action was on Hellmuth, who had Leventhal covered by only 100,000 or so. While Hellmuth debated a call, Leventhal, a large man with a mullet and a heavy Brooklyn accent, talked nonstop. He even shouted out, "Honey, I'm all in," which Hellmuth had done to his wife just a short time earlier. Hellmuth even flashed his cards to Gus Hansen when he walked by. Finally he folded Q7 face up, shocking the players at his table and players at other tables who had stopped by to watch.

Keller Cracks Aces

Thomas Keller didn’t realize how thin he was drawing, but he still managed to get the best of Alan Gould. Keller was all-in for 160,000 with K10, but found himself up against pocket aces. He was then up against a set when the flop came A63. But the Q on the turn gave Keller four outs, and the J on the river proved to be one of them, as Keller filled his straight and remained alive in the tourney.

Kings for Karle

It must have been music to Karle Wilson’s ears. James Mills announced all-in for 210,000, and two players to the left, Wilson woke up with KK. He made the call and everyone else folded. Mills held 88, but he was even further behind after the flop came KQ10, giving Wilson a set. The 4 on the turn and 6 on the river completed the board and Mills was sent to the rails.

Vos Draws to a Winner

Mark Vos was in the cut-off and raised to 32,000, and was called by Cornel Pazai in the big blind. The flop came QJ5, and after Pazai checked, Vos bet 40,000. Pazai then check-raised to 80,000 total, at which point Vos sent a two-fisted stack of orange chips to the center of the table to force Pazai all-in. Pazai did make the decision for about 250,000 and showed J9 for middle pair. Vos tabled K2 for the flush draw, and filled it on the turn with the 8. The 3 on the river ended the day for Pazai.

Chino Rheem’s Check and Raise Takes One Away from Buzgon

Dan Buzgon open raised to a total of 34,000 after the action folded to him in the cut-off.  Christian Dragomir called from the button, as did Chino Rheem from the big blind.  The three players saw a flop of A104, and Rheem checked.  Buzgon made a bet of 68,000 and Dragomir folded.  Rheem check-raised an additional 121,000, and Buzgon went into the tank.  Buzgon eventually released his hand, and Rheem won the pot.

Four-of-a-Kind Adds to Dragomir’s Stack

On a board of Q743, Chino Rheem checked to Christian Dragomir who fired a bet of 165,000 into the pot.  Rheem made the call and the dealer put down the 4 on the river.  Again Rheem checked and this time Dragomir put in a bet of 265,000.  Rheem quickly called and Dragomir excitedly turned over 44 for four-of-a-kind.  As the large pot was pushed to Dragomir, Rheem showed that he held pocket eights.  The pot put Dragomir’s stack to over 2.8 million in chips, making him the current tournament leader.

Another Big Hit for Chino Rheem

Chino Rheem made it 32,000 to go from middle position, and the action folded to Sean Davis in the small blind.  Davis made the call, and the two players saw a flop of KK4.  Davis checked, allowing Rheem to make a bet of 32,000 which was called by Davis.  The turn brought the K, and this time Davis led out for 100,000.  Rheem announced a raise and counted out an additional 150,000.  Davis made the call, and both players checked when the 10 fell on the river.  Davis turned over JdJc, and Rheem mucked his cards.  Rheem lost over half a million in chips during one orbit.

Player Tags: Thomas Keller,   Phil Hellmuth,   Mark Vos,   Daniel Buzgon,   Cristian Dragomir

$10,000 Main Event - The Final 27

Jul 13, '08

Day 6 is over. At the start of the day, 79 players duked it out to make it to the final 27. After notables such as Victor Ramdin, Phil Hellmuth, Kido Pham and Mike Matusow busted, we finally have our final three tables set for Day 7 on Monday. Players will return to play down to a final table Monday at noon.

Blinds/Antes: 40,000-80,000 with a 10,000 ante

Players Left: 27 of 6,844

Chip Leaders:

Craig Marquis: 11,300,000
Dennis Phillips: 11,150,000
Tiffany Michelle: 9,900,000
Peter Eastgate: 8,720,000
Gert Andersen: 8,350,000
Kelly Kim: 7,850,000
Chris Klodnicki: 7,800,000
David Rheem: 6,800,000
Ivan Demidov: 5,800,000
Paul Snead: 5,600,000

Average Stack: 5,069,630

Eliminations:

30th: Mike "The Mouth" Matusow: $193,000
29th: Cristian Dragomir: $193,000
28th: Nikolay Losev: $193,000

Big Hands:

Matusow Takes a Wrong Turn, Eliminated in 30th Place ($193,000)

Right before the players went on break, Paul Snead raised to 200,000 and Mike Matusow repopped it to 660,000 from the big blind. Snead made the call and the flop came AA5. Both players checked and the turn brought the 9, the death card as far as Matusow was concerned. He bet 500,000 and Snead shoved all in. Matusow made the call and showed down AJ for a set. Unfortunately for "The Mouth," Snead turned over A9 for a full boat on the turn. Matusow needed a jack to survive, but the K fell on the river and the biggest name left in the main event took a sick beat and made his exit in 30th place.

Cristian Dragomir Out in 29th Place ($193,000)

Dragomir shoved all in preflop and Joe Bishop made the call. Both players then turned over their hands.

Dragomir: 1010
Bishop: AA

The flop came down Q26 and Dragomir received no help. He needed to hit one of the remaining tens to stay alive. The turn was the 5 and Dragomir was down to his last card. The river was the J and Dragomir made his exit in 29th place.

Nikolay Losev Gets Crippled, Then Busted in 28th Place By Nicholas Sliwinski

Sliwinski raised to 240,000 from the small blind and Losev popped it to around 3 million. Sliwinski took some time before making the call and turning over A10. Losev showed Q3, clearly caught trying to steal. The board ran out 975K7 and Sliwinski doubled to about 3.5 million. Losev was down to just 1.5 million. Soon, he would have much less than that.

A few hands later, both players were again in the blinds and Sliwinski completed the bet. Losev popped it to 775,000. Sliwinski then moved all in, putting Losev to a decision. The decision was to make the call, and Losev showed 83. Sliwinski showed A5 and the board ran out 1010494 and Losev was the final elimination of the night.

Player Tags: Mike Matusow,   Paul Snead,   Nikolay Losev,   Cristian Dragomir,   Nicholas Sliwinski,   Joe Bishop

$10,000 Main Event - Day 6 - Level 26 (Hour 2)

Jul 13, '08

Players are on a 90-minute dinner break. Play will resume at 8:45 p.m.

Blinds/Antes: 25,000-50,000-5,000

Players Remaining: 35 out of 6,844

Average Chip Stack: 3.9 milion

Chip Counts:

Brandon Cantu - 10,800,000
Albert Kim - 9,400,000
Kelly Kim - 8,700,000
Gert Andersen - 8,700,000
Tiffany Michelle - 6,800,000
David Rheem - 6,700,000
Craig Marquis - 6,000,000
Dennis Phillips - 6,000,000
Antoanell Judet - 5,900,000
Peter Eastgate - 5,800,000

Eliminations:

36th place - Peter Neff - $193,000
37th place - Andrew Rosskamm - $154,400
38th place - Felix Osterland - $154,400
39th place - Craig Stein - $154,400
40th place - Mauro Lupo - $154,400
41st place - Kido Pham - $154,400

Big Hands and Storylines:

Cantu -- chipleader going into break -- takes big pot off Rheem

Mike Matusow raised to 150,000 from early position and was called by four players, including Brandon Cantu and David Rheem. The flop was 653 and when it checked around to Cantu he bet 400,000. Rheem was the only caller, and then both players checked when the 6 came on the turn. The 2 came on the river and Cantu bet 600,000. Rheem took about five minutes to think it over before ultimately calling. Cantu flipped over pocket fours for a straight and took down the pot of over 2.75 million. Cantu now has close to 11 million chips.

Sliwinski Semi-Bluffs Schafer

Clint Schafer raised to three times the big blind from early position and was called by a single player – Nick Sliwinski in the cutoff. The flop was 1075 and Schafer fired out a continuation bet of 225,000. Sliwinski called. The turn was the 3 and Schafer bet 600,000. Sliwinski moved all in for 2.7 million and Schafer went into the tank. After four or five minutes of thought, Schafer folded his hand.

Sliwinski’s friends on the rail exploded in celebration. Sliwinski asked Schafer if he wanted to see his hand and after an affirmative response, he showed A5. Schafer angrily slammed the table, knocking his chair over in the process.

The hand brought Sliwinski up to 4.5 million and knocked Schafer down to around a million.

Andrew Rosskamm Eliminated by Kelly Kim

Kelly Kim raised to 150,000 from the hijack and was promptly re-raised from the small blind by Andrew Rosskam. Kim did not take too long in calling the additional 300,000 and the two saw a flop. The board was incredibly coordinated – J109 – but that did not stop Rosskamm from moving all-in for his last 1.8 million. Kim snap-called and showed AQ for the flopped nut flush. Rosskamm had only AJ, but was given a chance for a massive draw-out when the turn came the 9. The river, however, was the 6 and Rosskamm was eliminated.

That pot vaulted Kelly Kim up to an impressive 8 million.

Chino Rheem and Mike Matusow Talk, Mix it Up

After Chino Rheem and Mike Matusow stepped away from the table for what some tablemates called a “coaching session,” Matusow raised to 150,000 from the hijack seat in the first hand upon his return. The small blind made the call, as did Rheem from the big blind. The flop came 952, and all players checked. The turn brought the 4, and again the small blind checked. Rheem fired a bet of 225,000 into the pot, and Matusow threw his hand into the muck. The small blind folded as well, and Rheem took the pot.

Tiffany Michelle Fleeces Christian Dragomir to the Tune of 1.3 Million

On a flop of A83, Christian Dragomir checked to Tiffany Michelle, who made a bet of 150,000. Dragomir made the call and checked when the 6 fell on the turn. Michelle gathered some chips and pushed in a bet of 500,000. After some brief deliberation, Dragomir again made the call. The river was the 9, and for the final time Dragomir checked. Michelle threw in a bet of 600,000, and Dragomir matched the bet. Michelle turned over 33 for bottom set, and Dragomir mucked his cards. The hit to Dragomir’s stack left him with less than 1.5 million in chips.

Klodnicki Calls Down Montgomery

Chris Klodnicki raised from early position to 150,000 and play was folded to Scott Montgomery who made the call from the big blind. The flop came down K76, and both players checked. The board paired with the 7 on the turn, and after Montgomery checked, Klodnicki bet 200,000. Montgomery called. The 3 was the river card, and Montgomery again checked, with Klodnicki then betting out 300,000. Montgomery then put in a check-raise to 1,000,000, and Klodnicki tanked. Uncertain what to put Montgomery on, Klodnicki appeared on the verge of folding, but in the end he opted to call, and it proved to be the right move. Montgomery announced “you’re good” and Klodnicki turned over 1010. Montgomery mucked his hand.

Player Tags: Mike Matusow,   Chris Klodnicki,   Brandon Cantu,   Scott Montgomery,   Cristian Dragomir

$10,000 Main Event - Day 6 - Level 25 (Hour 1)

Jul 13, '08

Blinds/Antes: 20,000-40,000-5,000

Players Remaining: 50 of 6,844

Eliminations:

51st place - Alfredo Fernandez - $135,100
52nd place - Mark Ketteringham - $135,100
53rd place - Alan Gould - $135,100
54th place - Alex Caiaffa - $135,100
55th place - Rafael Caiaffa - $115,800
56th place - Eric Bamer - $115,800

Big Hands and Storylines:

Alfredo Fernandez Eliminated by Mike Matusow

Mike Matusow made the standard table raise to 110,000 from second position. Alfredo Fernandez, on Matusow’s left, wasted no time before moving all-in for 600,000. Action folded back around to Matusow who made a pretty swift call with AQ. His call was dead-on; Fernandez turned up J10. The board rolled out K664A and Fernandez was eliminated. The nice addition to his stack brings Matusow up to 3.3 million.

A Moment With Matusow

After the aforementioned hand, Matusow let the table know how good he was playing, and how luck was on his side. Some snippets from his peroration:

“...I just know it...”
“...I can feel it...”
“...the neutrons and the electrons...”
“...the power of positive thinking, you can’t beat it!”

Up-and-down hour for Michelle

Early in the level Tiffany Michelle raised and then called a reraise by Ivan Demidov on the button. After a flop of A43 both players checked. The turn was the 4 and Michelle bet 500,000. Demidov called and the river was the 7. Michelle bet 800,000 and after a couple minutes Demidov raised to 2.2 million. It was now her turn to tank, and after two minutes she folded. Demidov now has 6.5 million chips, while Michelle has 3.15.

Later in the level Michelle limped in from under the gun and was one of three players to see the flop come 977 and Michelle called a bet of 75,000 by Chrstian Dragomir. The turn was the 4 and Dragomir bet 100,000. Tiffany raised to 200,000 and then Dragomir reraised to 400,000. Tiffany then moved all in, forcing Dragomir to fold. Michelle is now up to about four million, while Dragomir has over two million.

Pham-boozled

More from Tiffany Michelle...

Tiffany Michelle raised to 120,000 from under the gun. Kido Pham, to her left, made it 300,000, and Michelle made the call. The flop was 1032 and Michelle led out for a hefty 750,000. Pham considered his options for a moment, but decided to fold. The pot brings Michelle up to 4 million and drops Pham down to under 2 million.

Gould Leaves with the Ladies

Joe Bishop raised to 125,000 preflop, and was only to happy to step out of the way. Alan Gould in the next seat reraised him to 400,000, and then halfway down the table Albert Kim announced another raise, this to 1.1 million. Bishop folded, and Gould then announced all-in for his remaining 1.6 million in chips. Kim instantly called and showed AA, while Gould was drawing slim with QQ. The flop came 863 to give Gould a chance at a running flush, though that disappeared with the 6 on the river. Needing to catch a queen on the end, Kim took down the pot and eliminated his opponent when the 10 completed the board. Kim improved to 7.8 million in chips with the hand.

Yet Kim donated much of that recent gain back just a few hands later. He raised to 105,000 preflop, then was reraised to 425,000 by Bishop. Kim called, and the flop came 1064. Bishop stepped out for 550,000, and Kim made the call. The K was the turn card, and Bishop then announced all-in. Kim was visibly frustrated, noting he had just got the chips and didn’t want to spill them back. He eventually mucked, stating he had queens, then pleaded for Bishop to “show the bluff”. Bishop hesitated, briefly flashing his cards before mucking. The table then insisted the dealer show the cards, and they were proven to be the A10.

Outhred Outted

Alex Outhred had been able to survive with his shortstack thanks to timely all-in shoves that discouraged any callers. But he finally ran out of steam when in the small blind, he woke with AK. Chris Klodnicki had raised from the button to 110,000 and Outhred then went all-in for 495,000. Klodnicki called and showed 99. The doorcard to the flop was the K to give Outhred short-lived life, as behind it lay the 9 to give Klodnicki the set. The 3 and 8 completed the board and Outhred was ousted in 54th place.
 

Player Tags: Alex Outhred,   Chris Klodnicki,   Tiffany Michelle,   Albert Kim,   Alan Gould,   Ivan Demidov,   Cristian Dragomir,   Joe Bishop