Lee Watkinson Poker Tournament Updates

Lee Watkinson Doubles Up

Aug 23, '08

We caught up with Lee Watkinson's double up hand on the river, and his opponent had already mucked his hand. Watkinson held QQ and the board read 1073A7. Although the action was unknown, his opponent shipped over 14,150 to bring Watkinson back over his starting stack for the first time in a while.

Player Tags: Lee Watkinson

Lee Watkinson Out

Aug 25, '08

Lee Watkinson has busted out of the tournament late in level 8 on day 2.

















 

Player Tags: Lee Watkinson

$1,500 No Limit Hold'em - Early Going

Jun 30, '08

Blinds/Antes: 25-50

Entrants: 2,700 (capped)

Notable Players in the Field: Erica Schoenberg, Jonathan Little, Bertrand "ElkY' Grospellier, Ted Lawson, Jean-Robert Bellande, Juha Helppi, William Spadea, Tim Phan, Joe Sebok, Erik Seidel, Jennifer Tilly, Kathy Liebert, Lee Watkinson

Big Hands:

Tilly Loves Cowboys

The player in seat 5 raised to 200 and the player in seat 10 called. Action was on Jennifer Tilly in the small blind and she repopped it to 825 total. Seat 5 called all in and seat 10 made the call as well to contest a side pot with Tilly. The flop came 887. Tilly fired a stack of about 5,000 into the pot and seat 10 mucked. The player in seat 5 then showed A4 for a flush draw and Tilly showed KK. The turn was the 2 and the river was the J and Tilly busted her opponent, improving her stack to over 6,000.

Watkinson Loses Half

In a five way pot, Lee Watkinson called from the button and everyone saw a flop of Q96. Action was checked to the player in seat 10 who bet out 200. Watkinson was next to act and he made the call. Everyone else got out of the way and the turn came with the 10 and the player in seat 10 checked. Watkinson bet 500 and his opponent moved all in for an additional 1,000. Watkinson called and showed down KQ, but his opponent turned two pair as he showed 109. The river was the 4 and Watkinson was down to 1,300.

Early Pot for Rajkumar

Vivek Rajkumar raised to 150 from late position preflop. The player on the button called, as did the big blind. The flop came 773 and action was checked to Rajkumar. He put 275 into the pot and both of his opponents mucked. He was up around 3,400 after the hand.

ElkY Arrival

Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier made his way to table 3 twenty minutes into level 1. A few hands after sitting down he bet out 250 on a flop of Q86 and his opponent folded, giving the European an early pot.

Player Tags: Lee Watkinson,   Jennifer Tilly,   Bertrand Grospellier,   V R,   European Report

Rajkumar Makes Big Call

Jun 26, '08

Blinds/Antes: 300-600 with a 75 ante

Players Left: 246 of 805

Chip Leaders:

Robert Eckstut: 120,000
Yuri Ten Bokkel: 92,000
Bertrand Grospellier: 83,000
Steve Ware: 80,000
Vivek Rajkumar: 78,000
Alex Jacob: 64,000
Shannon Shorr: 53,000
Mikael Hogbom: 50,000
Mark Vos: 48,000
Stephen Pearce: 48,000

Average Stack: 32,724

Eliminations: Jennifer Tilly

Big Hands:

"Ship It!"

On a board that ran out A10375, Vivek Rajkumar was facing an all in bet by the player in seat 5. The pot was already around 30,000 before the bet of 21,000. Rajkumar took a session in the tank until the player in seat 5 called for a clock. The floor person came to the table and initiated the one minute countdown. It took 58 seconds, but Rajkumar went with his gut and made the call. He was right as his opponent tapped the table with his cards, signaling that he had nothing. Rajkumar turned over J10 for second pair and took down a massive pot. He also sent his opponent to the rail. When all the counting was done, Rajkumar was around 90,000 in chips.

A Cowgirl Rides Off With Cowboys

On a board that ran out 86345, Jennifer Tilly called her remaining chips into the pot against her opponent in seat 3. He tabled K2 for a rivered flush to go along with an unnecessary straight, also on the river. Tilly tabled her losing KK and rode off into the sunset.

Don't Mess With Watkinson, He Might Sic His Panther On You

Lee Watkinson moved all in for his last 1,800 preflop against his opponent in seat 5. Watkinson was called and caught with his pants down as he showed 52. Seat 5 turned over K10. On the bright side, Watkinson was drawing live and the flop came down 634. Watkinson flopped a straight and the 2 and 9 finished off the board and doubled up Watkinson to 3,600. It was probably good news for seat 5 because Watkinson owns a panther, and you don't want to mess with anyone who owns a panther. That's just silly.

Watkinson later doubled up again and turned his lowly stack of 1,800 to around 20,000.

Jacob Adds to His Stack

Alex Jacob raised to 1,600 preflop and the players in seat 5 and seat 2 called. The flop came K93. Jacob led out with 3,000 and seat 6 repopped to 11,600. Seat 2 got out of the way and the action was back on Jacob. He made the call after a few moments of thinking. The turn was the A and both players checked. The 4 on the river was also checked and Jacob showed KJ. It was good as seat 5 mucked and Jacob was around 90,000.
 

Player Tags: Lee Watkinson,   Jennifer Tilly,   Alex Jacob,   V R

$1,000 NL Hold'em w/Rebuys - Level 4

Jun 25, '08

Players are now beginning a 20-minute break.

Blinds: 100/200 with 25 ante

Players Left: 520 of 879

Chip Leaders:

Jason Mercier - 62,300
Mark Seif - 54,000
Jamie Rosen - 52,400
J.C. Tran - 39,400
Terrence Chan - 37,000
Roland de Wolfe - 36,400
Adam Levy - 34,200
Alexander Kostritsyn - 33,000
Peter Feldman - 29,700
Brandon Cantu - 28,100

Eliminations: Hevad Khan, Doug Lee, Nam Le, Alex Jacob, Jimmy Fricke.

Big Hands:

Gordon Straightens Up

Phil Gordon raised it to 625 preflop and was called by the player in seat 9. The flop came K32 and Gordon led out for 600. His opponent called, and they saw the 4 hit the turn. Gordon bet 1150 and drew another call. After the A on the river, Gordon made another 1150 bet and was called. Gordon showed 65 for the straight to take down the pot and climb over 14,000 in chips.

Watkinson Takes the Chips

Lee Watkinson was the button and called a raise to 650 preflop. Hevad Khan, in the big blind, folded, and Watkinson was heads-up with the player in seat 8. The board came 963, seat 8 bet 1000 and Watkinson called. The 9 paired the board on the turn and after seat 8 checked, Wakinson bet 2000. His opponent folded.

Tran Uses Stack, Position

A player raised to 650 from under the gun and J.C. Tran called from late position. The flop came 832 and both players checked. The 7 was the turn card, after the player under the gun checked. Tran bet 1000 and his opponent folded.

First into the Pot Wins

After three players saw the flop for 600, Mike Sowers used his position in the small blind to fire out a bet of 1600. The flop read 874. Neither of his opponents saw anything they liked and mucked their hands.
 

Player Tags: Lee Watkinson,   J.C. Tran,   Phil Gordon,   Mike Sowers

Event 38 - $2000 PLHE - Lucky Ladies

Jun 20, '08

Blinds: 500-1,000

Players Remaining: 68

Eliminations: Jason Lester

Notable Hands:

Gowen Doubles

Clonie Gowen bet the pot for 3,500 from under the gun, leaving her with just 200 left behind. Action folded around to the small blind, who made a minimum raise to 7,000, pushing out the big blind. Gowen called off her last 200, and the two players turned over their cards. Gowen showed K10, and was racing against the small blind's 33. The flop was good to Gowen, showing J105, and things only improved from there. The turn brought the Q and the river the A, completing a broadway straight. As Gowen raked in the pot, she turned around to inform Michael Binger, seated directly behind her at another table, of her good fortune. "I doubled up Michael!" Binger responded with a curt "Good job," and returned to the task of bullying his table.

Shaniac Takes One Out

At a much subdued table 3, Shane Schleger called against one player in seat 4, who showed AK. Schleger was in good shape holding AA, maintaining his lead as the board ran out 44783. Seat 4 was eliminated, and Schleger prolonged his stay at the table, still pending continued disruptive behavior.

Liv Boeree Lives

Liv Boeree reraised all in over the top of a completion from the small blind in seat 4. The player called, holding only 23 and calling for a counterfeit against Boeree's 55. For a moment it seemed that a counterfeit would come, as the flop ran AAJ, but the turn and river came K10, and Boeree survived with a double up.

Watkinson Whacks Another

Lee Watkinson opened for a raise to 3,000, and instantly called the all in reraise of the player in seat 2. Watkinson held AK, dominating his opponent's KQ. The flop brought a frightening J104, but Watkinson managed to avoid further trouble, eliminating the 2 seat and adding another tower of chips to his already formidable stack.

Player Tags: Lee Watkinson,   Clonie Gowen,   Shane Schleger

Event 38 - $2000 PLHE - Clamor and Uproar

Jun 20, '08

Blinds: 400-800

Players Remaining: 78

Average Stack: 31,025

Chip Leaders:
Ayaz Mahmood: 102,000
Lee Watkinson: 102,000
Michael Binger: 92,000
Trevor Lawson: 79,000
Paul Foltyn: 62,000
David Chicotsky: 60,000
Keith Greer: 49,000
Keith Lehr: 47,000
Roy Winston: 46,100
Marco Traniello: 44,000

Eliminations: Eli Elezra, Chad Brown, Ray Henson

Notable Hands and Storylines:

Why Watkinson Is Winning

On the river of a board reading A73K3, Lee Watkinson called his opponent's bet of 17,000. The player in seat 4 mucked his hand, resigned to losing even before Watkinson turned over A4. Watkinson added the large bet and the rest of the pot to his growing stack, maintaining his perch near the top of the chip leader board.

Rousso Remains

The button raised to 2,200 before the flop, but was then reraised by Vanessa Rousso out of the big blind, who made it a total of 7,000, betting the pot and leaving herself with only a single 100 chip behind. The button looked tormented for some time before she eventually made the fold. Rousso chipped up, and eluded elimination for another round of play.

Von Halle Gets There

The player in the cutoff opened the pot for a raise to 2,100 and was reraised the size of the pot by Jan Von Halle from the cutoff. The button then moved all in, folding the initial bettor but soliciting a call from Von Halle for his remaining stack. Von Halle held AJ against his opponent's KK. The board ran out Q326....A. Von Halle caught his ace on the river, took down the swollen pot and survived another level of pot limit play.

Traniello Gets Tricky

The button opened for a raise to 2,500 and was called by Marco Traniello from the small blind. Vanessa Rousso folded from the big blind, and Traniello bet 8,000 in the dark. The flop came AK6, and the button went into the tank for some time before deciding to fold to Traniello's shenanigans.

We are not sure how Chad Brown was eliminated, but when another player asked him how his tournament life came to an end, Brown responded "I don't want to stay up too late."

The players at table 3, including Shane Schleger and Davood Mehrmand, have been causing a great deal of commotion throughout the last level. There have been complaints of improper folding techniques that expose cards, accusations of collusion, and uncouth language. A clock was also called on the river following a very large bet. The floor has made regular appearances at the table, eventually giving warnings to all involved parties, with penalties to follow continued disruptive behavior.

Note: Players are on a 20 minute break. They will play for another two levels before stopping for the day.

Player Tags: Lee Watkinson,   Marco Traniello,   Vanessa Rousso,   Von Halle,   European Report

PLHE Level 5

Jun 20, '08

Blinds: 150-300

Players Remaining: 225-605

Notable Eliminations: Dave Ulliot, John Murphy, Barry Shulman, Thomas Wahlroos, Dmitri Nobles

Average Chips: 10,756

Chip Leaders:

Lee Watkinson: 55,000
Bob Lowry: 31,300
Thomas Werthmann: 29,000
Benjamin Roberts: 27,000
Rolf Slotboom: 26,500
Robert Cheung: 24,000
Ayaz Mahmood: 23,000
Roy Winston: 22,000
Rayan Nathan: 19,000

Big Hands:

Winston Wins Another

Roy Winston bet 15,000 on the river of a board of 106265, more than enough to put his opponent, who was seated directly to his right, all in. "I think you're behind," Winston told him. "Kings or queens are behind." The man hemmed and hawed long enough than another player eventually called a clock. He would never actually fold his hand; when the tournament director got down to zero, the dealer gently removed the cards from in front of him while he continued to stare at Winston. Winston is hanging tough with more than 20,000 in chips.

Rousso On Pins and Wheels

After a series of raises, Vanessa Rousso got it all in with the short-stacked opponent to her left before the flop. Rousso was in a commanding position, with 55 against 44, and the flop was no help to either player, as it came down 832. But the turn was the 4, bringing her opponent the set but also giving her an open-ended straight draw. The river A made her straght and provoked a cry of excitement from the well-known pro. She's up to about 18,000.

Watkinson Smiles After Making Crying Call

Lee Watkinson continues his dominance, possibly because of the kind of play displayed in the following hand. Watkinson raised to 1,000 from late position and the big blind reraised to 3,000. Watkinson called, and the flop came down 962. Both players checked, then checked again when the 7 hit on the turn. The 9 paired the board on the end, and this time his opponent led out for just 2,000, about a third of the size of the pot. Watkinson called, and his opponent showed down queen ten offsuit. Watkinson flipped over ace king for the winner. "I just wanted to see what you had," admitted Watkinson. He's up to more than 50,000.

Player Tags: Lee Watkinson,   Vanessa Rousso,   Roy Winston

$2,000 Pot-Limit Hold'em - End of Day 2

Jun 21, '08

The final table of event 38 is set and the big name of the lot is Lee Watkinson. Watkinson will be making his first final table since last year's World Series main event where he finished a dissapointing 8th place. Watkinson entered 10-handed play with a paucity of chips, a situation he would soon remedy by winning a race against Robert Cheung. He would never look back and by the time the final table was set, he would be 2nd in chips with 390,000. Jan Von Halle, whose play has been solid as a rock, will enter the final table with the chip lead. Other notables who will have the chance to earn a bracelet tomorrow include Ayaz Mahmood, Robert Cheung, and Chris Bell.

Action will begin tomorrow at 2 p.m. PST.
 

Players Left: 9 of 605

Chip Leaders:
Jan Von Halle - 470,000
Lee Watkinson - 390,000
Ayaz Mahmood - 330,000
Robert Cheung - 315,000
Keith Greer - 280,000
Chris Bell - 265,000
Michael Greco - 125,000
Benjamin Roberts - 120,000
Davidi Kitai - 80,000

Average Stack: 161,300

Eliminations:
10^th – Benjamin Zamani
11^th – Michael Binger
12^th – Keith Lehr
13^th – Jeff Sluzinski
14^th – Amato Galasso
15^th – Chris Dombrowski

The Road To The Final Table

Keith Lehr Is A Man Of His Word; He’s Also Eliminated

Before the start of the hand, Keith Lehr in the big blind warned everyone at his 6-handed table not to raise unless they were willing to play for 83,000, the size of his stack. Ayaz Mahmood, undeterred by this portentous statement, raised to 23,000. Action folded around to Lehr who – surprise, surprise – moved all of his chips in. Mahmood made the call and the two showed their hands:

Lehr: A9
Mahmood: 44

The flop came K33. The turn 8 gave Lehr a flush draw in addition to his two overcards. The river was the 7 though, ending Lehr’s day a few hours earlier than he would have liked.

Bell Tolls For Binger

Chris Bell raised from middle position to 25,000 and Michael Binger raised to 78,000, leaving himself 75,000 behind. After a bit of thought, Bell moved all-in and Binger called. The two were racing: Bell’s JJ against Binger’s AQ. Binger was not aided by the board – 975109 – and he was eliminated in 11^th place.

Ayaz Mahmood Folds.... A-K? Really?

Ayaz Mahmood raised to 28,000 and action at the 6-handed table folded to Bob Cheung in the big blind. Cheung stacked his chips and slid them forward and backward in thought, never moving them into the center of the table. After a minute or so of this, Mahmood implored Cheung, “Put your money in.” Another minute passed before Cheung raised the pot, making it 61,000 more and leaving about 160,000 behind. This prompted Mahmood to fold A-K offsuit face up. Mahmood and Cheung were the two biggest stacks at the table at the time; perhaps Mahmood did not want to tangle with someone who could cripple him before the final table.

Final Table Action

Watkinson Doubles Up

Early on at the final table, Lee Watkinson doubled up off of Robert Cheung. Cheung had QQ and Watkinson had AK. The flop was good news for Watkinson – K22 – the king giving him a near lock on the hand. The turn was the A, giving him an unnecessary two pair, but also providing Cheung with a flush draw. The river blanked, however, and Watkinson was able to double up, giving him a stack that would not wane for the remainder of the day.

Greer Doubles Up

Severely short-stacked Keith Greer, in the cutoff, moved 20,000 into the pot for a raise and reached for more chips to add to it, but since he had not announced an amount, the min-raise had to stand. Ayaz Mahmood called the 10,000 extra in the big blind. Both players checked the Q107 flop. On the 8 turn Mahmood bet 30,000, putting Greer all-in. Greer made a quick call and declared a set of tens. His 1010 had Mahmood’s 102 drawing dead. Greer doubled up to a little over 100,000.

Greer Double Doubles Up

Perhaps a simpler title would have been Greer Quadruples Up, but this was anything but a simple hand. Benjamin Zamani raised to 26,000 from middle position. Robert Cheung min-raised to 40,000. The action was only beginning though. Keith Greer, who had been playing extraordinarily tight, moved in for 67,000. Ayaz Mahmood cold-called the 4-bet, and Zamani called also, leaving himself 90,000 behind. Cheung asked the dealer, “The pot is open for a re-raise, right?” The dealer confirmed that it indeed was, and that put Cheung into decision mode. With numbers racing through his head, he stood up, and, after confirming that Mahmood had about 270,000 left behind him, he moved all-in. Mahmood folded, as did Zamani, and the massive pot was to be contested between Cheung and Greer. Greer showed QQ, which was not unexpected, but the table exploded in a cacophony of disbelief when Cheung showed his KQ. The board rolled off harmlessly and Greer was able to more than quadruple up.

The insanity wasn’t quite over yet. Remarkably, Ayaz Mahmood claimed to have fold pocket kings. Then again, perhaps it was not so unbelievable when you consider his berating of Cheung after the hand. He and Cheung got into a bit of a tiff about the hand which was quickly quashed by the dealer as play recommenced.

Michael Greco summed all of the action quite succinctly: “Mental. Mental. Absolutely mental.”

The Backbreaker

Davidi Kitai and Benjamin Zamani, the two short stacks, got all of their chips into the middle and showed the following hands:

Zamani: 1010
Kitai: AQ

The board peeled off A525K and Kitai had doubled up. After counting out what Zamani owed the Frenchman, he was left with a mere two chips. There would be no miracle comeback for Zamani today, as Jan Von Halle took his pair of chips only two hands later. Zamani's 10th place finish is good for $14,314.

Player Tags: Lee Watkinson,   Ayaz Mahmood,   Benjamin Roberts,   Chris Bell,   Michael Binger,   Robert Cheung,   Keith Lehr,   Davidi Kitai,   Michael Greco,   Amato Galasso,   Jeff Sluzinski,   Jan Von Halle,   Keith Greer,   Chris Dombrowski,   Benjamin Zamani

$2,000 PLH Final Table - Three More Down

Jun 22, '08

Blinds: 10,000/20,000

Chip Leaders:

Big Hands and Storylines:

Ayaz Mahmood Eliminated in Seventh Place ($39,089)

On a flop of QJ3, Ayaz Mahmood moved all in for his last 69,000. Chris Bell called, and showed Q-4 for top pair. Mahmood could only produce J-9, and when the turn and river bricked out, he was sent home in seventh place.

Robert Cheung Eliminated in Sixth Place ($50,100)

Chris Bell raised to 60,000 and Robert Cheung reraised the pot to 210,000. Bell thought it over, and then put Cheung all in for his last 39,000. Cheung showed 99 and Bell was racing with AK. The board came Q7510J and Bell rivered a Broadway straight to send Cheung to the rail in sixth place.

Lee Watkinson Eliminated in Fifth Place ($63,313)

Lee Watkinson and Chris Bell got it all in preflop. Watkinson held A4 but was dominated by Bell's A6. The board came QJ829 to give Bell the nut flush and Watkinson was eliminated in fifth place.

Player Tags: Lee Watkinson,   Ayaz Mahmood,   Chris Bell,   Robert Cheung

Event 38 - $2000 PLHE - Lucky Ladies

Jun 20, '08

Blinds: 500-1,000

Players Remaining: 68

Eliminations: Jason Lester

Notable Hands:

Gowen Doubles

Clonie Gowen bet the pot for 3,500 from under the gun, leaving her with just 200 left behind. Action folded around to the small blind, who made a minimum raise to 7,000, pushing out the big blind. Gowen called off her last 200, and the two players turned over their cards. Gowen showed K10, and was racing against the small blind's 33. The flop was good to Gowen, showing J105, and things only improved from there. The turn brought the Q and the river the A, completing a broadway straight. As Gowen raked in the pot, she turned around to inform Michael Binger, seated directly behind her at another table, of her good fortune. "I doubled up Michael!" Binger responded with a curt "Good job," and returned to the task of bullying his table.

Shaniac Takes One Out

At a much subdued table 3, Shane Schleger called against one player in seat 4, who showed AK. Schleger was in good shape holding AA, maintaining his lead as the board ran out 44783. Seat 4 was eliminated, and Schleger prolonged his stay at the table, still pending continued disruptive behavior.

Liv Boeree Lives

Liv Boeree reraised all in over the top of a completion from the small blind in seat 4. The player called, holding only 23 and calling for a counterfeit against Boeree's 55. For a moment it seemed that a counterfeit would come, as the flop ran AAJ, but the turn and river came K10, and Boeree survived with a double up.

Watkinson Whacks Another

Lee Watkinson opened for a raise to 3,000, and instantly called the all in reraise of the player in seat 2. Watkinson held AK, dominating his opponent's KQ. The flop brought a frightening J104, but Watkinson managed to avoid further trouble, eliminating the 2 seat and adding another tower of chips to his already formidable stack.

Player Tags: Lee Watkinson,   Clonie Gowen,   Shane Schleger

Event 38 - $2000 PLHE - Clamor and Uproar

Jun 20, '08

Blinds: 400-800

Players Remaining: 78

Average Stack: 31,025

Chip Leaders:
Ayaz Mahmood: 102,000
Lee Watkinson: 102,000
Michael Binger: 92,000
Trevor Lawson: 79,000
Paul Foltyn: 62,000
David Chicotsky: 60,000
Keith Greer: 49,000
Keith Lehr: 47,000
Roy Winston: 46,100
Marco Traniello: 44,000

Eliminations: Eli Elezra, Chad Brown, Ray Henson

Notable Hands and Storylines:

Why Watkinson Is Winning

On the river of a board reading A73K3, Lee Watkinson called his opponent's bet of 17,000. The player in seat 4 mucked his hand, resigned to losing even before Watkinson turned over A4. Watkinson added the large bet and the rest of the pot to his growing stack, maintaining his perch near the top of the chip leader board.

Rousso Remains

The button raised to 2,200 before the flop, but was then reraised by Vanessa Rousso out of the big blind, who made it a total of 7,000, betting the pot and leaving herself with only a single 100 chip behind. The button looked tormented for some time before she eventually made the fold. Rousso chipped up, and eluded elimination for another round of play.

Von Halle Gets There

The player in the cutoff opened the pot for a raise to 2,100 and was reraised the size of the pot by Jan Von Halle from the cutoff. The button then moved all in, folding the initial bettor but soliciting a call from Von Halle for his remaining stack. Von Halle held AJ against his opponent's KK. The board ran out Q326....A. Von Halle caught his ace on the river, took down the swollen pot and survived another level of pot limit play.

Traniello Gets Tricky

The button opened for a raise to 2,500 and was called by Marco Traniello from the small blind. Vanessa Rousso folded from the big blind, and Traniello bet 8,000 in the dark. The flop came AK6, and the button went into the tank for some time before deciding to fold to Traniello's shenanigans.

We are not sure how Chad Brown was eliminated, but when another player asked him how his tournament life came to an end, Brown responded "I don't want to stay up too late."

The players at table 3, including Shane Schleger and Davood Mehrmand, have been causing a great deal of commotion throughout the last level. There have been complaints of improper folding techniques that expose cards, accusations of collusion, and uncouth language. A clock was also called on the river following a very large bet. The floor has made regular appearances at the table, eventually giving warnings to all involved parties, with penalties to follow continued disruptive behavior.

Note: Players are on a 20 minute break. They will play for another two levels before stopping for the day.

Player Tags: Lee Watkinson,   Marco Traniello,   Vanessa Rousso,   Von Halle,   European Report

PLHE Level 5

Jun 20, '08

Blinds: 150-300

Players Remaining: 225-605

Notable Eliminations: Dave Ulliot, John Murphy, Barry Shulman, Thomas Wahlroos, Dmitri Nobles

Average Chips: 10,756

Chip Leaders:

Lee Watkinson: 55,000
Bob Lowry: 31,300
Thomas Werthmann: 29,000
Benjamin Roberts: 27,000
Rolf Slotboom: 26,500
Robert Cheung: 24,000
Ayaz Mahmood: 23,000
Roy Winston: 22,000
Rayan Nathan: 19,000

Big Hands:

Winston Wins Another

Roy Winston bet 15,000 on the river of a board of 106265, more than enough to put his opponent, who was seated directly to his right, all in. "I think you're behind," Winston told him. "Kings or queens are behind." The man hemmed and hawed long enough than another player eventually called a clock. He would never actually fold his hand; when the tournament director got down to zero, the dealer gently removed the cards from in front of him while he continued to stare at Winston. Winston is hanging tough with more than 20,000 in chips.

Rousso On Pins and Wheels

After a series of raises, Vanessa Rousso got it all in with the short-stacked opponent to her left before the flop. Rousso was in a commanding position, with 55 against 44, and the flop was no help to either player, as it came down 832. But the turn was the 4, bringing her opponent the set but also giving her an open-ended straight draw. The river A made her straght and provoked a cry of excitement from the well-known pro. She's up to about 18,000.

Watkinson Smiles After Making Crying Call

Lee Watkinson continues his dominance, possibly because of the kind of play displayed in the following hand. Watkinson raised to 1,000 from late position and the big blind reraised to 3,000. Watkinson called, and the flop came down 962. Both players checked, then checked again when the 7 hit on the turn. The 9 paired the board on the end, and this time his opponent led out for just 2,000, about a third of the size of the pot. Watkinson called, and his opponent showed down queen ten offsuit. Watkinson flipped over ace king for the winner. "I just wanted to see what you had," admitted Watkinson. He's up to more than 50,000.

Player Tags: Lee Watkinson,   Vanessa Rousso,   Roy Winston

$2,000 Pot-Limit Hold'em - End of Day 2

Jun 21, '08

The final table of event 38 is set and the big name of the lot is Lee Watkinson. Watkinson will be making his first final table since last year's World Series main event where he finished a dissapointing 8th place. Watkinson entered 10-handed play with a paucity of chips, a situation he would soon remedy by winning a race against Robert Cheung. He would never look back and by the time the final table was set, he would be 2nd in chips with 390,000. Jan Von Halle, whose play has been solid as a rock, will enter the final table with the chip lead. Other notables who will have the chance to earn a bracelet tomorrow include Ayaz Mahmood, Robert Cheung, and Chris Bell.

Action will begin tomorrow at 2 p.m. PST.
 

Players Left: 9 of 605

Chip Leaders:
Jan Von Halle - 470,000
Lee Watkinson - 390,000
Ayaz Mahmood - 330,000
Robert Cheung - 315,000
Keith Greer - 280,000
Chris Bell - 265,000
Michael Greco - 125,000
Benjamin Roberts - 120,000
Davidi Kitai - 80,000

Average Stack: 161,300

Eliminations:
10^th – Benjamin Zamani
11^th – Michael Binger
12^th – Keith Lehr
13^th – Jeff Sluzinski
14^th – Amato Galasso
15^th – Chris Dombrowski

The Road To The Final Table

Keith Lehr Is A Man Of His Word; He’s Also Eliminated

Before the start of the hand, Keith Lehr in the big blind warned everyone at his 6-handed table not to raise unless they were willing to play for 83,000, the size of his stack. Ayaz Mahmood, undeterred by this portentous statement, raised to 23,000. Action folded around to Lehr who – surprise, surprise – moved all of his chips in. Mahmood made the call and the two showed their hands:

Lehr: A9
Mahmood: 44

The flop came K33. The turn 8 gave Lehr a flush draw in addition to his two overcards. The river was the 7 though, ending Lehr’s day a few hours earlier than he would have liked.

Bell Tolls For Binger

Chris Bell raised from middle position to 25,000 and Michael Binger raised to 78,000, leaving himself 75,000 behind. After a bit of thought, Bell moved all-in and Binger called. The two were racing: Bell’s JJ against Binger’s AQ. Binger was not aided by the board – 975109 – and he was eliminated in 11^th place.

Ayaz Mahmood Folds.... A-K? Really?

Ayaz Mahmood raised to 28,000 and action at the 6-handed table folded to Bob Cheung in the big blind. Cheung stacked his chips and slid them forward and backward in thought, never moving them into the center of the table. After a minute or so of this, Mahmood implored Cheung, “Put your money in.” Another minute passed before Cheung raised the pot, making it 61,000 more and leaving about 160,000 behind. This prompted Mahmood to fold A-K offsuit face up. Mahmood and Cheung were the two biggest stacks at the table at the time; perhaps Mahmood did not want to tangle with someone who could cripple him before the final table.

Final Table Action

Watkinson Doubles Up

Early on at the final table, Lee Watkinson doubled up off of Robert Cheung. Cheung had QQ and Watkinson had AK. The flop was good news for Watkinson – K22 – the king giving him a near lock on the hand. The turn was the A, giving him an unnecessary two pair, but also providing Cheung with a flush draw. The river blanked, however, and Watkinson was able to double up, giving him a stack that would not wane for the remainder of the day.

Greer Doubles Up

Severely short-stacked Keith Greer, in the cutoff, moved 20,000 into the pot for a raise and reached for more chips to add to it, but since he had not announced an amount, the min-raise had to stand. Ayaz Mahmood called the 10,000 extra in the big blind. Both players checked the Q107 flop. On the 8 turn Mahmood bet 30,000, putting Greer all-in. Greer made a quick call and declared a set of tens. His 1010 had Mahmood’s 102 drawing dead. Greer doubled up to a little over 100,000.

Greer Double Doubles Up

Perhaps a simpler title would have been Greer Quadruples Up, but this was anything but a simple hand. Benjamin Zamani raised to 26,000 from middle position. Robert Cheung min-raised to 40,000. The action was only beginning though. Keith Greer, who had been playing extraordinarily tight, moved in for 67,000. Ayaz Mahmood cold-called the 4-bet, and Zamani called also, leaving himself 90,000 behind. Cheung asked the dealer, “The pot is open for a re-raise, right?” The dealer confirmed that it indeed was, and that put Cheung into decision mode. With numbers racing through his head, he stood up, and, after confirming that Mahmood had about 270,000 left behind him, he moved all-in. Mahmood folded, as did Zamani, and the massive pot was to be contested between Cheung and Greer. Greer showed QQ, which was not unexpected, but the table exploded in a cacophony of disbelief when Cheung showed his KQ. The board rolled off harmlessly and Greer was able to more than quadruple up.

The insanity wasn’t quite over yet. Remarkably, Ayaz Mahmood claimed to have fold pocket kings. Then again, perhaps it was not so unbelievable when you consider his berating of Cheung after the hand. He and Cheung got into a bit of a tiff about the hand which was quickly quashed by the dealer as play recommenced.

Michael Greco summed all of the action quite succinctly: “Mental. Mental. Absolutely mental.”

The Backbreaker

Davidi Kitai and Benjamin Zamani, the two short stacks, got all of their chips into the middle and showed the following hands:

Zamani: 1010
Kitai: AQ

The board peeled off A525K and Kitai had doubled up. After counting out what Zamani owed the Frenchman, he was left with a mere two chips. There would be no miracle comeback for Zamani today, as Jan Von Halle took his pair of chips only two hands later. Zamani's 10th place finish is good for $14,314.

Player Tags: Lee Watkinson,   Ayaz Mahmood,   Benjamin Roberts,   Chris Bell,   Michael Binger,   Robert Cheung,   Keith Lehr,   Davidi Kitai,   Michael Greco,   Amato Galasso,   Jeff Sluzinski,   Jan Von Halle,   Keith Greer,   Chris Dombrowski,   Benjamin Zamani

$2,000 PLH Final Table - Three More Down

Jun 22, '08

Blinds: 10,000/20,000

Chip Leaders:

Big Hands and Storylines:

Ayaz Mahmood Eliminated in Seventh Place ($39,089)

On a flop of QJ3, Ayaz Mahmood moved all in for his last 69,000. Chris Bell called, and showed Q-4 for top pair. Mahmood could only produce J-9, and when the turn and river bricked out, he was sent home in seventh place.

Robert Cheung Eliminated in Sixth Place ($50,100)

Chris Bell raised to 60,000 and Robert Cheung reraised the pot to 210,000. Bell thought it over, and then put Cheung all in for his last 39,000. Cheung showed 99 and Bell was racing with AK. The board came Q7510J and Bell rivered a Broadway straight to send Cheung to the rail in sixth place.

Lee Watkinson Eliminated in Fifth Place ($63,313)

Lee Watkinson and Chris Bell got it all in preflop. Watkinson held A4 but was dominated by Bell's A6. The board came QJ829 to give Bell the nut flush and Watkinson was eliminated in fifth place.

Player Tags: Lee Watkinson,   Ayaz Mahmood,   Chris Bell,   Robert Cheung

Event 38 - $2000 PLHE - Lucky Ladies

Jun 20, '08

Blinds: 500-1,000

Players Remaining: 68

Eliminations: Jason Lester

Notable Hands:

Gowen Doubles

Clonie Gowen bet the pot for 3,500 from under the gun, leaving her with just 200 left behind. Action folded around to the small blind, who made a minimum raise to 7,000, pushing out the big blind. Gowen called off her last 200, and the two players turned over their cards. Gowen showed K10, and was racing against the small blind's 33. The flop was good to Gowen, showing J105, and things only improved from there. The turn brought the Q and the river the A, completing a broadway straight. As Gowen raked in the pot, she turned around to inform Michael Binger, seated directly behind her at another table, of her good fortune. "I doubled up Michael!" Binger responded with a curt "Good job," and returned to the task of bullying his table.

Shaniac Takes One Out

At a much subdued table 3, Shane Schleger called against one player in seat 4, who showed AK. Schleger was in good shape holding AA, maintaining his lead as the board ran out 44783. Seat 4 was eliminated, and Schleger prolonged his stay at the table, still pending continued disruptive behavior.

Liv Boeree Lives

Liv Boeree reraised all in over the top of a completion from the small blind in seat 4. The player called, holding only 23 and calling for a counterfeit against Boeree's 55. For a moment it seemed that a counterfeit would come, as the flop ran AAJ, but the turn and river came K10, and Boeree survived with a double up.

Watkinson Whacks Another

Lee Watkinson opened for a raise to 3,000, and instantly called the all in reraise of the player in seat 2. Watkinson held AK, dominating his opponent's KQ. The flop brought a frightening J104, but Watkinson managed to avoid further trouble, eliminating the 2 seat and adding another tower of chips to his already formidable stack.

Player Tags: Lee Watkinson,   Clonie Gowen,   Shane Schleger

Event 38 - $2000 PLHE - Clamor and Uproar

Jun 20, '08

Blinds: 400-800

Players Remaining: 78

Average Stack: 31,025

Chip Leaders:
Ayaz Mahmood: 102,000
Lee Watkinson: 102,000
Michael Binger: 92,000
Trevor Lawson: 79,000
Paul Foltyn: 62,000
David Chicotsky: 60,000
Keith Greer: 49,000
Keith Lehr: 47,000
Roy Winston: 46,100
Marco Traniello: 44,000

Eliminations: Eli Elezra, Chad Brown, Ray Henson

Notable Hands and Storylines:

Why Watkinson Is Winning

On the river of a board reading A73K3, Lee Watkinson called his opponent's bet of 17,000. The player in seat 4 mucked his hand, resigned to losing even before Watkinson turned over A4. Watkinson added the large bet and the rest of the pot to his growing stack, maintaining his perch near the top of the chip leader board.

Rousso Remains

The button raised to 2,200 before the flop, but was then reraised by Vanessa Rousso out of the big blind, who made it a total of 7,000, betting the pot and leaving herself with only a single 100 chip behind. The button looked tormented for some time before she eventually made the fold. Rousso chipped up, and eluded elimination for another round of play.

Von Halle Gets There

The player in the cutoff opened the pot for a raise to 2,100 and was reraised the size of the pot by Jan Von Halle from the cutoff. The button then moved all in, folding the initial bettor but soliciting a call from Von Halle for his remaining stack. Von Halle held AJ against his opponent's KK. The board ran out Q326....A. Von Halle caught his ace on the river, took down the swollen pot and survived another level of pot limit play.

Traniello Gets Tricky

The button opened for a raise to 2,500 and was called by Marco Traniello from the small blind. Vanessa Rousso folded from the big blind, and Traniello bet 8,000 in the dark. The flop came AK6, and the button went into the tank for some time before deciding to fold to Traniello's shenanigans.

We are not sure how Chad Brown was eliminated, but when another player asked him how his tournament life came to an end, Brown responded "I don't want to stay up too late."

The players at table 3, including Shane Schleger and Davood Mehrmand, have been causing a great deal of commotion throughout the last level. There have been complaints of improper folding techniques that expose cards, accusations of collusion, and uncouth language. A clock was also called on the river following a very large bet. The floor has made regular appearances at the table, eventually giving warnings to all involved parties, with penalties to follow continued disruptive behavior.

Note: Players are on a 20 minute break. They will play for another two levels before stopping for the day.

Player Tags: Lee Watkinson,   Marco Traniello,   Vanessa Rousso,   Von Halle,   European Report

PLHE Level 5

Jun 20, '08

Blinds: 150-300

Players Remaining: 225-605

Notable Eliminations: Dave Ulliot, John Murphy, Barry Shulman, Thomas Wahlroos, Dmitri Nobles

Average Chips: 10,756

Chip Leaders:

Lee Watkinson: 55,000
Bob Lowry: 31,300
Thomas Werthmann: 29,000
Benjamin Roberts: 27,000
Rolf Slotboom: 26,500
Robert Cheung: 24,000
Ayaz Mahmood: 23,000
Roy Winston: 22,000
Rayan Nathan: 19,000

Big Hands:

Winston Wins Another

Roy Winston bet 15,000 on the river of a board of 106265, more than enough to put his opponent, who was seated directly to his right, all in. "I think you're behind," Winston told him. "Kings or queens are behind." The man hemmed and hawed long enough than another player eventually called a clock. He would never actually fold his hand; when the tournament director got down to zero, the dealer gently removed the cards from in front of him while he continued to stare at Winston. Winston is hanging tough with more than 20,000 in chips.

Rousso On Pins and Wheels

After a series of raises, Vanessa Rousso got it all in with the short-stacked opponent to her left before the flop. Rousso was in a commanding position, with 55 against 44, and the flop was no help to either player, as it came down 832. But the turn was the 4, bringing her opponent the set but also giving her an open-ended straight draw. The river A made her straght and provoked a cry of excitement from the well-known pro. She's up to about 18,000.

Watkinson Smiles After Making Crying Call

Lee Watkinson continues his dominance, possibly because of the kind of play displayed in the following hand. Watkinson raised to 1,000 from late position and the big blind reraised to 3,000. Watkinson called, and the flop came down 962. Both players checked, then checked again when the 7 hit on the turn. The 9 paired the board on the end, and this time his opponent led out for just 2,000, about a third of the size of the pot. Watkinson called, and his opponent showed down queen ten offsuit. Watkinson flipped over ace king for the winner. "I just wanted to see what you had," admitted Watkinson. He's up to more than 50,000.

Player Tags: Lee Watkinson,   Vanessa Rousso,   Roy Winston

$2,000 Pot-Limit Hold'em - End of Day 2

Jun 21, '08

The final table of event 38 is set and the big name of the lot is Lee Watkinson. Watkinson will be making his first final table since last year's World Series main event where he finished a dissapointing 8th place. Watkinson entered 10-handed play with a paucity of chips, a situation he would soon remedy by winning a race against Robert Cheung. He would never look back and by the time the final table was set, he would be 2nd in chips with 390,000. Jan Von Halle, whose play has been solid as a rock, will enter the final table with the chip lead. Other notables who will have the chance to earn a bracelet tomorrow include Ayaz Mahmood, Robert Cheung, and Chris Bell.

Action will begin tomorrow at 2 p.m. PST.
 

Players Left: 9 of 605

Chip Leaders:
Jan Von Halle - 470,000
Lee Watkinson - 390,000
Ayaz Mahmood - 330,000
Robert Cheung - 315,000
Keith Greer - 280,000
Chris Bell - 265,000
Michael Greco - 125,000
Benjamin Roberts - 120,000
Davidi Kitai - 80,000

Average Stack: 161,300

Eliminations:
10^th – Benjamin Zamani
11^th – Michael Binger
12^th – Keith Lehr
13^th – Jeff Sluzinski
14^th – Amato Galasso
15^th – Chris Dombrowski

The Road To The Final Table

Keith Lehr Is A Man Of His Word; He’s Also Eliminated

Before the start of the hand, Keith Lehr in the big blind warned everyone at his 6-handed table not to raise unless they were willing to play for 83,000, the size of his stack. Ayaz Mahmood, undeterred by this portentous statement, raised to 23,000. Action folded around to Lehr who – surprise, surprise – moved all of his chips in. Mahmood made the call and the two showed their hands:

Lehr: A9
Mahmood: 44

The flop came K33. The turn 8 gave Lehr a flush draw in addition to his two overcards. The river was the 7 though, ending Lehr’s day a few hours earlier than he would have liked.

Bell Tolls For Binger

Chris Bell raised from middle position to 25,000 and Michael Binger raised to 78,000, leaving himself 75,000 behind. After a bit of thought, Bell moved all-in and Binger called. The two were racing: Bell’s JJ against Binger’s AQ. Binger was not aided by the board – 975109 – and he was eliminated in 11^th place.

Ayaz Mahmood Folds.... A-K? Really?

Ayaz Mahmood raised to 28,000 and action at the 6-handed table folded to Bob Cheung in the big blind. Cheung stacked his chips and slid them forward and backward in thought, never moving them into the center of the table. After a minute or so of this, Mahmood implored Cheung, “Put your money in.” Another minute passed before Cheung raised the pot, making it 61,000 more and leaving about 160,000 behind. This prompted Mahmood to fold A-K offsuit face up. Mahmood and Cheung were the two biggest stacks at the table at the time; perhaps Mahmood did not want to tangle with someone who could cripple him before the final table.

Final Table Action

Watkinson Doubles Up

Early on at the final table, Lee Watkinson doubled up off of Robert Cheung. Cheung had QQ and Watkinson had AK. The flop was good news for Watkinson – K22 – the king giving him a near lock on the hand. The turn was the A, giving him an unnecessary two pair, but also providing Cheung with a flush draw. The river blanked, however, and Watkinson was able to double up, giving him a stack that would not wane for the remainder of the day.

Greer Doubles Up

Severely short-stacked Keith Greer, in the cutoff, moved 20,000 into the pot for a raise and reached for more chips to add to it, but since he had not announced an amount, the min-raise had to stand. Ayaz Mahmood called the 10,000 extra in the big blind. Both players checked the Q107 flop. On the 8 turn Mahmood bet 30,000, putting Greer all-in. Greer made a quick call and declared a set of tens. His 1010 had Mahmood’s 102 drawing dead. Greer doubled up to a little over 100,000.

Greer Double Doubles Up

Perhaps a simpler title would have been Greer Quadruples Up, but this was anything but a simple hand. Benjamin Zamani raised to 26,000 from middle position. Robert Cheung min-raised to 40,000. The action was only beginning though. Keith Greer, who had been playing extraordinarily tight, moved in for 67,000. Ayaz Mahmood cold-called the 4-bet, and Zamani called also, leaving himself 90,000 behind. Cheung asked the dealer, “The pot is open for a re-raise, right?” The dealer confirmed that it indeed was, and that put Cheung into decision mode. With numbers racing through his head, he stood up, and, after confirming that Mahmood had about 270,000 left behind him, he moved all-in. Mahmood folded, as did Zamani, and the massive pot was to be contested between Cheung and Greer. Greer showed QQ, which was not unexpected, but the table exploded in a cacophony of disbelief when Cheung showed his KQ. The board rolled off harmlessly and Greer was able to more than quadruple up.

The insanity wasn’t quite over yet. Remarkably, Ayaz Mahmood claimed to have fold pocket kings. Then again, perhaps it was not so unbelievable when you consider his berating of Cheung after the hand. He and Cheung got into a bit of a tiff about the hand which was quickly quashed by the dealer as play recommenced.

Michael Greco summed all of the action quite succinctly: “Mental. Mental. Absolutely mental.”

The Backbreaker

Davidi Kitai and Benjamin Zamani, the two short stacks, got all of their chips into the middle and showed the following hands:

Zamani: 1010
Kitai: AQ

The board peeled off A525K and Kitai had doubled up. After counting out what Zamani owed the Frenchman, he was left with a mere two chips. There would be no miracle comeback for Zamani today, as Jan Von Halle took his pair of chips only two hands later. Zamani's 10th place finish is good for $14,314.

Player Tags: Lee Watkinson,   Ayaz Mahmood,   Benjamin Roberts,   Chris Bell,   Michael Binger,   Robert Cheung,   Keith Lehr,   Davidi Kitai,   Michael Greco,   Amato Galasso,   Jeff Sluzinski,   Jan Von Halle,   Keith Greer,   Chris Dombrowski,   Benjamin Zamani

$2,000 PLH Final Table - Three More Down

Jun 22, '08

Blinds: 10,000/20,000

Chip Leaders:

Big Hands and Storylines:

Ayaz Mahmood Eliminated in Seventh Place ($39,089)

On a flop of QJ3, Ayaz Mahmood moved all in for his last 69,000. Chris Bell called, and showed Q-4 for top pair. Mahmood could only produce J-9, and when the turn and river bricked out, he was sent home in seventh place.

Robert Cheung Eliminated in Sixth Place ($50,100)

Chris Bell raised to 60,000 and Robert Cheung reraised the pot to 210,000. Bell thought it over, and then put Cheung all in for his last 39,000. Cheung showed 99 and Bell was racing with AK. The board came Q7510J and Bell rivered a Broadway straight to send Cheung to the rail in sixth place.

Lee Watkinson Eliminated in Fifth Place ($63,313)

Lee Watkinson and Chris Bell got it all in preflop. Watkinson held A4 but was dominated by Bell's A6. The board came QJ829 to give Bell the nut flush and Watkinson was eliminated in fifth place.

Player Tags: Lee Watkinson,   Ayaz Mahmood,   Chris Bell,   Robert Cheung

Omaha World Championship - Hour Six

Jun 19, '08

Note: Players are on a 20 minute break. Play will resume afterward and the day will end with the completion of levels seven and eight.

Blinds/Antes: 400/800

Limits: 800/1600

Players Remaining: 180 of 235

Average Stack: 26,111

Chip Counts:
Annie Duke - 65,000
Jamie Pickering - 56,000
Daniel Negreanu - 52,000
Erick Lindgren - 52,000
Soheil Shamseddin - 48,000
David Chiu - 46,000
Markus Golser - 45,000
Max Pescatori - 44,000
Bruno Fitoussi - 43,000
Ralph Perry - 43,000

Recent Eliminations:

Big Hands:

Johnny “World” Hennigan Stays Alive

Alexander Kostritsyn checked a flop of AK10 and John Hennigan moved all in for his last 200 in chips. Lee Watkinson called and Kostritsyn called. The 5 on the turn brought checks from the two active players. The 9 on the river brought the same action, and Hennigan turned over QJ87 for the nut straight. Hennigan’s straight was good for the whole pot as no low was possible.

Jeff Madsen Calls on the River, Disappoints Opponent

On a board of AJ943, a player bet into Jeff Madsen. After deliberating momentarily, Madsen made the call. “I was hoping you’d fold. I’ve got a pair of jacks,” the opponent replied. Madsen happily turned over 7543 and scooped the pot. Madsen finished the level with around 30,000 in chips.

Daniel Negreanu Wins a Sixth of the Pot

On a flop of Q73, Daniel Negreanu raised after one opponent checked and another opponent bet. The first player called and the original bettor reraised. Daniel capped and all players called. The 4 on the turn caused the first opponent to make a bet, which was called by the other opponent and raised by Negreanu. All players called and the 3 was dealt on the river. The first opponent led out again, and Negreanu and the other player called. The following hands were shown down:

Negreanu: A522
First opponent: AQ102
Second opponent: A932

Trip threes were good for the high, and all players held the same low. The pot was first chopped directly in hald and the high hand was paid. The remaining half was divided into three equal portions and awarded to all three players. If a spade had fallen on the river, Negreanu would have won two-thirds of the pot.

Player Tags: Lee Watkinson,   Annie Duke,   Erick Lindgren,   Daniel Negreanu,   Max Pescatori,   John Hennigan,   David Chiu,   Jeff Madsen,   Alexander Kostritsyn,   European Report

Players on Early Break Due to Registration Problems

Jun 17, '08

Note: Players are on a 30 minute break due to registration issues.

Blinds/Antes: 25-50

Entrants: Approx. 2,149

Eliminations: Sorel Mizzi, Juha Helppi,

Big Hands and Storylines:

Strung Along Opponent Hits River, Hellpi Hits the Door

Juha Helppi made a raise to 175 from the button and was called by the player in seat 5. On a flop of 1073, seat 5 checked and Helppi bet 300. Not believing the aggresive European, seat 5 made the call. When his opponent checked again, Helppi bet out 700 on the 3 turn. Seat 5 made the call and the river brought the A. Seat 5 checked and Helppi moved all in for his remaining 2,000. Seat 5 made the call and Helppi showed that he wasn't bluffing and had flopped a pair of 10s. However, seat 5 had called Helppi all the way down with nothing but A7 and had spiked a pair of aces on the river. Juha Helppi was eliminated 25 minutes into level 1 play.

Watkinson Crippled Early

On a board of K-Q-10-10, Lee Watkinson got an opponent all in and showed J-10 for a set. However, his opponent showed Q-Q for a full house and Watkinson was drawing dead to the fourth ten. It didn't come and Watkinson, who had the opponent covered, was severely crippled.

McEvoy Starts The Tournament Off Right

Tom McEvoy has won a few early pots uncontested. In one hand, he raised to 175 in early position and was called by the player in seat 10. The flop came A86 and McEvoy led out 200. His opponent mucked.

Khan Getting Started On the Right Foot

Hevad Khan raised to 125 preflop. The player in seat 3 made the call from the big blind and the flop came AJJ. Seat 3 led out with 300 and Khan made the call. The turn was the 6 and both players checked. The river was the 3 and seat 3 checked. Khan had enough of that nonsense and bet 350. Seat 3 folded and Khan took down the pot. He was around 4,000 after the hand.

Mortensen Takes A Pot

The player in seat 4 raised to 200 before the flop and Carlos Mortensen made the call. The flop came KKJ. Both players checked. The turn was the 7 and seat 4 led out with 300. Mortensen raised to 600 and it was enough to get his opponent off the hand. Mortensen was at 3,700.

 

Player Tags: Lee Watkinson,   Juha Helppi,   Tom McEvoy,   Hevad Khan,   European Report

$5,000 No-Limit Hold'em - Level 4

Jun 11, '08

Blinds/Antes: 100/200/25

Players Remaining: 510 of 731

Average Stack: 14,333

Notable Chip Counts:
Mark Newhouse - 40,000
Can Kim Hua - 30,200
Gavin Smith - 28,900
Jonathan Little - 28,000
Anthony Chatelain - 25,000
Marco Johnson - 20,800
Bill Edler - 20,700
Johnny Chan - 20,200
Men Nguyen - 18,300
Erica Schoenberg - 18,000
Scott Freeman - 17,500

Recent Eliminations:
Jean-Robert Bellande
Jeff Shulman

Big Hands/Storylines:

Jean-Robert Bellande Erupts After Elimination

After limping and subsequently moving all in to a late position raise from a player who others later said was committed to the pot, Jean-Robert Ballande found his AK up against A5 and in good statistical shape. The 974 flop seemed to be in his favor, but the 6 turn and 3 river that completed his opponent’s runner-runner straight sent Bellande into an angry profanity-filled tirade. As he exited the tournament area, the dealer apologized on Bellande’s behalf to two elderly women spectators who watched the scene unfold.

Chris Ferguson Protects His Small Stack

On a board of 8653, Chris Ferguson checked to his opponent. Facing a bet of 850, Ferguson opted to lay his hand down and keep his remaining 5,000 in chips for another battle.

Seven-Way Limped Pot Goes to Watkinson

In the cut-off, Lee Watkinson was one of five limpers into a pot on his table. Both the small blind and the big blind respectively called and checked. On a J52 flop, the action checked to Watkinson who fired 1,400 into the pot. All players folded, and Watkinson took the 1,650 pot.

Jeff Shulman Dealt a Bad Beat

After his stack became crippled on a previous hand, Jeff Shulman shipped in his last 575 into the pot after two early position players limped into the pot. The first limper then moved all in for 6,200, causing the other limper to give up his hand. Shulman was in great shape with AK against his opponent’s KQ, but the JT9 flop gave his opponent a straight. Shulman failed to improve on the turn and river, and was eliminated.

Players in Awe over Andy Black’s Skull

As tables continued to break, missing spots in other tables were quickly filled by transferred players. On blue table No. 44, a particularly stacked table was in the works as Gavin Smith, Andy Black, Eli Elezra, and Greg Raymer all sat side by side. The focus of their conversation was the decorated crown of a human skull Black brought with him to today’s event, presumably as a good luck charm. Black promised that it was authentic, and also added that he had previously eaten out of it as a dish.  After a request to drink from it, Raymer came to his defense by saying, "He's going to eat dinner out of that later."

Jennifer Tilly V. Antonio Esfandiari

Meanwhile, Antonio Esfandiari found himself at the same table as his good friend Phil Laak’s famous girlfriend, Jennifer Tilly. During one hand, Tilly, Esfandiari, and an additional opponent saw a flop of AJ9. All three players checked, and the Q fell on the turn. Tilly bet 1,500, causing the other opponent to fold. Esfandiari paused before raising an additional 2,500. After deliberating, Tilly released her hand and Esfandiari declined to show his cards.

Player Tags: Lee Watkinson,   Can Kim Hua,   Chris Ferguson,   Jeff Shulman,   Men Nguyen,   Antonio Esfandiari,   Gavin Smith,   Johnny Chan,   Jean-Robert Bellande,   Jennifer Tilly,   Andy Black,   Mark Newhouse

$5,000 No-Limit Hold'em - Level 1

Jun 11, '08

Blinds/Antes: 25/50

Players Remaining: 714

Average Stack: 10,000

Notable Chip Counts:
Scotty Nguyen - 10,000
Chad Brown - 10,000
Huck Seed - 10,000
Phil Laak - 10,000
Greg Mueller - 10,000
Johnny Chan - 10,000
Phil Ivey - 10,000
Joe Hachem - 10,000
Michael Binger - 10,000
Dario Minieri - 10,000

Big Hands/Storylines:

Last Year’s Field Beaten Within First Level

Last year’s field of 640 has already been beaten within the first level of play. At the end of level one, 704 entrants had registered for this event. Registration will remain open until the end of the second level.

Jennifer Tilly Loses One Early

Having arrived at her table during the first few hands of level one, Jennifer Tilly raised to 150 from under-the-gun and was called by her opponent to the left. All other players folded, and the two saw a flop of J102. Tilly bet 300 and her opponent made it 800 to go. Tilly called and checked the 6c on the turn. Her opponent bet 1,800, and Tilly paused briefly before mucking her hand. Her opponent showed 1010, and Tilly remarked that she had folded a jack. She expressed that she had been hoping to make two pair on the turn. “Little did I know the only thing that would save me was a jack,” Tilly added. Tilly is of course mistaken, as a jack would have given her opponent a full house.

William Chen Drags a Large Pot

On a flop of QQ6, William Chen bet 325 and was called by his lone opponent. The 4 on the turn brought a bet of 500 from Chen and another call from his opponent. The river was the 2, and this time Chen fired out 1,100. His opponent deliberated for a while, but ultimately called. Chen turned over 44 for a full house, and his opponent mucked his hand.

The Quietest Man in Poker?

One of the particularly stacked tables in the blue section of the Amazon Room includes Lee Watkinson, T.J. Cloutier, and Allen Cunningham. The ESPN cameras quickly focused in on the action, including a boom microphone operator who took aim on Cunningham. Watkinson made a remark about the microphone. “The quietest man in poker and they put a microphone on him,” added Cloutier.

Brenes Dodges a Monster

Humberto Brenes limped from early position and later was one of three callers of a raise to 300 by the button. The flop came K86 and the three players checked to the button who bet 200.  All three players, including Brenes, called. The turn was the 8 and the small blind bet out 800. The under-the-gun player and Brenes both folded while the button called. The river brought the 5 and the small blind bet 2,100. The button simply called before showing KK for a monster full house.

Bonomo Can't Get Away

Justin Bonomo and three other players saw a flop of 873. The small blind and big blind checked over to Bonomo who fired out a bet of 700 from his perch in middle position. The button called, as did the big blind. On the turn, the small blind came to life and bet 2,200 after the dealer flipped the 4. Bonomo simply called and the button folded. The J on the river didn't slow the small blind down any. He continued his betting, this time to the tune of 3,500. Bonomo thought only momentarily before making the call. The small blind turned over 65 for the turned straight which was enough to topple Bonomo's flopped top-set with 88. This early cooler leaves Bonomo with only 3,700 going into level 2.

Player Tags: Lee Watkinson,   T.J. Cloutier,   Humberto Brenes,   Allen Cunningham,   Justin Bonomo,   Jennifer Tilly,   Dario Minieri,   European Report