Anthony Licastro Poker Tournament Updates

1,500 Limit Hold'em - Level 6

Jun 06, '08

Blinds: 150/300

Players Left: 320 of 880

Average Stack: 8250

Chip Leaders:

Jason Maeroff - 28,000
David Vassalli - 22,100
Michael Craig - 15,200
Marcel Luske - 14,800
Tony Licastro - 12,300
Ben Fineman - 11,300
Terrence Chan - 10,000
Tom Schneider - 9900
Erik Lindgren - 9800
Marco Traniello - 9500

Eliminations: Dutch Boyd, Barry Schulman, Andy Bloch, Ylon Schwartz

Big Hands:

Rare Hiccup for Licastro

Anthony Licastro continues to be one of the pace-setters early in event 12, but lost a decent sized pot with 10 minutes remaining in level 6. Licastro, Daniel Negreanu and the small blind all saw the flop for 900, and saw the K33 tabled. All three players checked the flop, then the K was turned. The small blind bet 600, Negreanu folded, and Licastro, on the button, called. After the J came on the river, the small blind reached for more chips to bet but Licastro folded his AQ face up. The small blind showed him AJ, the river hitting his kicker to improve his two pair. Licastro remains one of the chip leaders, but is at a chip heavy table that Negreanu joined early in the level. Licastro has about 12,000, two other players have about 10,000, and Negreanu has 6500.

Schneider Wins WIth a 'Doyle'

Playing from the big blind, Schneider saw a flop of 1073. Playing heads-up, he was able to check-raise the flop to 600, then check and called the 9 turn for another 600. The 6 was the river card, Schneider check-called again, and showed the 102. The bettor mucked jack-king offsuit.

Elizabeth Avoids Elimination

Shannon Elizabeth thought she was headed home. She raised under the gun to 600 before the next player went to 900. A call later, both players saw the flop of 1073. Elizabeth check and called, and saw the J come on the turn. Elizabeth check-called again, and the 7 came down. Elizabeth was all-in for her final 450 when the opposing player showed AK. Elizabeth learned she was still alive with her AK, having missed her flush draw on the river.

Bloch Busts Out

The tide never turned for Bloch, who ran into some big hands in the previous level. In the end, from the small blind, he was all-in with pocket nines, and lost to the button who tabled ace-five and hit his ace.
Some of the damage came when Bloch was one of five players to see the flop for 300, calling from the small blind. The flop came AK9. All called another 300 bet, then on the 7 turn Luke Barrett bet out 600 from the small blind. Two players called, but Bloch folded. The 3 came on the river and Barrett showed down K7 for two pair. He improved to 7,800 in chips.

Good Fold Keeps Ferguson in Play

Chris Ferguson was in the cut-off when he raised and had the big blind call. The flop came AJ2, and after Ferguson bet 300, he was called. The 8 came on the turn, and the big blind led out for 600. Ferguson only had 750 in chips remaining, and decided to muck his cards. The big blind showed him Q7 for the made flush, after which Ferguson hinted that, had the player checked, Ferguson likely would havce bet the turn and lost the rest of his chips.
Because of the fold, Ferguson was later in position to get some chips back. After a Michael Craig raise to 600, Ferguson called from late position for his remaining 300. Heads up, Craig showed A8, while Ferguson held JJ. Against a board of KQ843, the jacks held up.

Player Tags: Andy Bloch,   Daniel Negreanu,   Tom Schneider,   Anthony Licastro,   Shannon Elizabeth

Event 4 - Mixed Hold 'Em - Levels 5 and 6

Jun 02, '08

Blinds/Antes: 150/300 limit, 75/150 no-limit

Players Remaining: 279 of 332

Average Stack: 11,900

Chip Counts:
Ben Grundy - 32,000
William Chen - 27,000
Ralph Perry - 24,900
Bill Edler - 23,000
Berry Johnston - 22,000
Phil Ivey - 20,000
Andy Bloch - 18,200
Hasan Habib - 18,000
David Ulliott - 18,000
Marcel Luske - 17,000

Big Hands:

The Poker Brat Has Arrived

Phil Hellmuth dragged his first pot after finally making his entrance due to his notorious tendency to arrive fashionably late to WSOP events. After the button raised in the limit round, David "Devilfish" Ulliot called from the small blind and Hellmuth called from the big blind. On the Q86 flop, Ulliot checked and Hellmuth bet. The original button raised folded, and Ulliot exposed the A9 before mucking. Hellmuth showed the Q.

A Missed Draw Good For the Pot Against Deeb

After raising from middle position, Freddy Deeb was called by a late position opponent and Tony Licastro from the big blind. Licastro checked the K87 flop. Deeb bet, and was called by both the late position opponent and Licastro. The 6 on the turn caused a nearly identical round of action. Licastro checked, Deeb bet, the remaining opponent called, and Licastro released his hand. Both remaining players checked the 3 on the river. The player in late position turned over the JT for a missed two-way draw. However, Deeb showed the J and mucked his other card, not able to beat jack-ten high.

High Action Among Top Pros

On yet another star-studded table, Richard "Quiet Lion" Brodie raised from the button and was called by both Ryan Young in the small blind and Roy Winston in the big blind. All three checked a flop of A98. Young led out on the 6 turn and was raised by Winston, prompting Brodie to fold. Young made the call, and the J river was dealt. Young checked, Winston bet, and Young folded.

Tomko Slowly Accumulating Chips Despite Defecit

After the player under-the-gun raised, Dewey Tomko flat called from middle position. The two took the T96 flop heads-up. The raiser checked, Tomko bet, and his opponent folded. Tomko now has slightly over 8,000.

Unabomber Releases Hand, Has it Massaged

Phil Laak took a break from his hand massage to raise from the button. He was called by an opponent in the big blind. The two saw a 762 flop. The player first to act checked, Laak bet, and was called. The 7 on the turn yielded checks from both players. The first opponent bet out on the A river, and Laak folded.

Jennifer Harman Cracks the Nut Flush

Jennifer Harman won a large pot by catching board-pairing T to fill up her set of 4s. Her opponent had flopped the nut flush. After dragging the pot, she has over 15,000 in chips.

Player Tags: Richard Brodie,   Dewey Tomko,   Phil Laak,   Phil Hellmuth,   Jennifer Harman,   Anthony Licastro,   Ryan Young,   Roy Winston,   Freddy Deeb,   European Report

Pot-Limit Hold'em - Berman-Berman battle sends Brad to rail

May 30, '08

Eliminations:

Isaac Haxton
Jonathan Little
Eric Lynch
Allen Cunningham
Andy Black

Big Hands:

Lyle Berman knocks out son

On a board of 3KQ, Bradley Berman check-raised pot and then shipped the rest of his stack in when Lyle re-raised him. Brad held AT for a flush draw and gutshot straight draw while Lyle flipped over 33 for bottom set. The turn and river came 2 and 8. After the hand Berman had roughly 70,000 chips.

Ivey gets some breathing room

After the first two players to act limped in for 1,600 Phil Ivey raised to 8,800. Jonathan Little then reraised to 23,900 in the small blind. The first limper folded quickly and then after a couple minutes the second limper folded as well. Ivey immediately moved all in for only 3,000 more. Little called with pocket queens and Ivey flipped over AK. The board came A7J87 and Ivey doubled up to roughly 55,000. Little dropped down to around 30,000.

Justin Newton among chip leaders

Newton bet 21,700 with the board reading 7966 and Ben Grundy called. The A came on the turn and both players checked. Newton flipped over T6 for three sixes. With the pot Newton's chip stack was now roughly 190,000.

Tuan Le joins frontrunners

Tuan Le in the big blind was the second of two players to call a raise to 4,800. The flop came down K4A, and Le made a bet of 16,000 before being raised by an all-in shortstack who had 18,400. The J on the turn and J on the river didn't change matters, Le winning with A6, topping his opponents KQ. Le moved to 170,000 in chips.

Licastro dodges danger

Ben Sprengers put himself at risk with a big move against tournament chip-leader Tony Licastro. On a flop of 9J6, Sprengers made a pot-sized bet of 64,900. Licastro debated before Sprengers called for a clock. Time ran out, and Licastro showed his folded AK. Sprengers jumped to 140,000 in chips.

Phil Laak Adds to His Stack

With a pot of over 10,000 and a board of J53, Phil Laak and his seat 6 opponent both checked the 8 as it fell on the turn. When the river brought the 7, Laak made a bet of 7,800, which caused his opponent to fold. This pot increased Phil's stack to over 150,000. The war between Laak and this opponent was far from over. After limping, Laak folded to his opponent's raise.

Ben Grundy and Chris Moneymaker Mix it Up

Ben Grundy has raised several hands in a row at his table, including one confrontations with Chris Moneymaker. After making it 4,000 from middle position, Grundy faced a call from the player on the button and Moneymaker in the big blind. All three players checked the 942 flop. Moneymaker fired 6,200 from first position when the turn brought the 4 and received no calls. His stack improved to 33,000. Moneymaker was eliminated shortly after.

Player Tags: Tuan Le,   Phil Laak,   Chris Moneymaker,   Phil Ivey,   Anthony Licastro,   Ben Grundy,   Justin Newton,   European Report

Pot-Limit Hold'em - Only Two More Levels To Go

May 30, '08

Note: The players are now on a 15-minute break

Blinds/Antes: 600-1,200

Players left: 114 of 352

Average Stack: 62,000

Chip Leaders:

Anthony Licastro - 240,000
Vivek Rajkumar - 180,000
Keith Lehr Jr - 160,000
Marco Johnson - 148,000
Emad Tahtouh - 134,000
Alexander Kostritsyn - 132,000
Shawn Keller - 120,000
Raphael Zimmerman - 110,000
Grant Lang - 110,000
Phil Laak - 106,000

Eliminations:

Alan “The Usher” Sass
Brad Berman
David Chiu
Gavin Griffin

Big Hands:

Sigh Duck: Set No Good

On a board of KJ5Q9, Eli Elezra checked to Vivek “psyduck” Rajkumar.  Rajkumar thought for a minute before inquiring, “Is a set any good?” and betting 8,000 into the pot of about 12,000.  Elezra thought only momentarily before calling and turning over JT.  Vivek, true to his word, showed QQ for a set of queens and mucked.  Elezra was boosted to 90,000.  Rajkumar's setback proved to be only temporary, as he fought back to regain a big stack (180,000).

Grundy wins blind vs. blind battle

With a board of QK5J5, Ben Grundy reluctantly called a bet of 15,000. As soon as his chips hit the felt the small blind mucked his hand. Grundy scooped up the pot and increased his chip stack to roughly 135,000.

Ryan Young fails to entice bet

From the big blind Ryan Young check-called a bet of 5,700 on a flop of 633 After the 9 came on the turn, Young checked and then called a 15,000 bet. The river was the 4 and Young again bet. This time is opponent checked and Young sheepishly flipped over pocket 3s.

Sprengers springs a trap

Ben Sprengers of Florida made a major leap forward in a span of three hands. Playing from late position, Sprengers raised to 4,000 and was called by the button. On a dangerous flop of AK9 Sprengers fired out a bet of $17,000. He was called, which resulted in Sprengers checking the turn when the 8 struck. The button also checked. The river brought the 10, and Sprengers fired out a bet of 32,000. The button called. Sprengers rolled over the T8 for running two pair, while the button revealed the KQ.
Two hands later, Sprengers increased his stack to 125,000 when his pocket kings busted a short-stacked opponent.

Benyamine cashes in

David Benyamine increased his stack to 128,000 when his pocket aces crippled an opponent with pocket kings. The double-paired board of J85J8 didn’t scare either player.

Newhouse rakes a pot

John Juanda raised to 3,800 from middle position. A player in late position called and Mark “Newhizzle” Newhouse came along from the big blind.  On a flop of K93, Newhouse checked to Juanda, who bet 7,200, the late position player folded and Newhouse called. After a 5 came on the turn, Newhouse check-called a 14,600 bet.  Both players checked the river and Newhouse took down the pot with KQ.

Haxton gets the better of Saul

On a board of KQ274, Kevin “BeL0WaB0Ve” Saul checked to Isaac “Ike” Haxton who bet the remainder of his stack – 17,000 – into a pot of 30,000.  Saul thought for a few moments before calling, only to muck quickly after Haxton flipped KT for top pair. The hand strengthened Haxton to 65,000 and dropped Saul to 84,000.

Player Tags: John Juanda,   Phil Laak,   David Benyamine,   Eli Elezra,   David Chiu,   Gavin Griffin,   Bradley Berman,   Shawn Keller,   Grant Lang,   Anthony Licastro,   Ben Sprengers,   Raphael Zimmerman,   Ryan Young,   Kevin Saul,   Ben Grundy,   Keith Lehr,   Mark Newhouse,   Alan Sass,   V R,   Marco Johnson,   Emad Tahtouh,   Alexander Kostritsyn,   European Report

Pot-Limit Hold'em - Level 17

May 31, '08

Blinds/Antes: 8000/16000

Players Left: 18

Average Stack: 391,000

Chip Leaders:
Mike Sowers - 1,200,000
Andy Bloch - 800,000
Chris Bell - 700,000
Amit Makhija - 535,000
Phil Laak - 467,000
Nikolai Evdakov - 445,000
John Kabbaj - 425,000
Nenad Medic - 375,000
David Benefield - 300,000
Patrik Antonius - 300,000

Eliminations:
Eli Elezra
Dustin Woolf
Tony Licastro
Rolf Slotbloom

Big Hands:

Laak Takes Out Another After Dinner

On the first hand after returning from the dinner break, Phil Laak raised to 26,000 from under-the-gun. Dustin Woolf raised all in for an additional 48,000, which was called by Laak. Woolf held pocket 10s, well ahead of Laak’s Q8. However, the Q on the flop changed everything, and Woolf was eliminated.

Tony Licastro Eliminated in 21^st Place

Mike Sowers raised to 23,000 under-the-gun, and Tony Licastro called from the big blind. On the K46 flop, Licastro requested to know the maximum he could bet and fired 50,000 into the pot. Sowers raised to put Tony all in, and he called. Sowers held the K9 for top pair, and Licastro overturned Q7, which received no help on the turn. Tony Licastro, eliminated in 21^st place, would have needed running cards to overtake Sowers.

Benefield Takes a Pot, Kostritsyn Crippled

After calling a pre-flop raise in the big blind from David Benefield on the button, Alexander Kostritsyn checked the J43 flop. 0905 checked behind, and the turn brought the 8. Kostritsyn led out with a bet of 45,000, which was called by Benefield. On the 10 river, Kostritsyn fired again, this time to the tune of 77,000. When Benefield called, Kostritsyn mucked without showing. At the request of another player, Benefield flipped over J9. After that hand, Kostritsyn was down to 99,000 while Benefield built his stack to over 540,000.

Chris Bell Eliminates Rolf Slotbloom

Rolf Slotbloom was eliminated when his KQ failed to catch up to Chris Bell’s AK. Bell improved his stack to over 725,000.

Eli Elezra’s Chips Move to Sowers

In one very dramatic hand, Eli Elezra transferred the majority of his chips to Sowers, who now is among the tournament leaders. On a flop of AJT, Sowers bet 110,000, which was raised by Elezra. After Sowers reraised all in, Elezra called and showed Ah5h. Sowers flipped over KQ for a flopped straight. The Q on the turn gave Elezra a flush draw, but the 8 on the river failed to deliver for Eli, who ended up with only 250,000 after paying off Sowers. With over 700,000 in chips, Sowers continued to dominate his table by raising many hands per orbit.

Sowers Finishes the Job on Elezra

Mike Sowers finished what he started by eliminating early front-runner Eli Elezra in stunning fashion. After a flop of 623, Elezra bet 45,000 into a pot of 80,000. Sowers raised from the button and put an all-in decision on Elezra who had 280,000 in chips remaining. Elezra made the call and found he was ahead with his 6A. Sowers had the 64, but the 5 on the turn filled Sowers’ straight draw. A meaningless 3 on the river ended Elezra’s night. His 19th place finish ensured that all remaining players would earn at least $33,088.

Liebert, Medic Happy to Split
After a flop of QJ8, Nenad Medic bet 57,000 at the pot. Kathy Liebert raised by 145,000, and a call would have left  Medic with a mere 65,000 in chips. Medic forged ahead, and both players showed down Ace-queen. Nothing changed with the final two cards.
 

Player Tags: Phil Laak,   Chris Bell,   Dustin Woolf,   Anthony Licastro,   David Benefield,   Mike Sowers,   Alexander Kostritsyn,   European Report

Pot-Limit Hold'em - At Dinner Break

May 31, '08

Players are now on a 60-minute dinner break and will resume playing with level 17.

Blinds/Antes: 5000/10000

Players Left: 22

Average Stack: 320,000

Chip Leaders:
Andy Bloch – 730,000
Eli Elezra – 675,000
Chris Bell – 610,000
Amit Makhija – 550,000
Alexander Kostritsyn - 490,000
John Kabbaj – 400,000
Nenad Medic – 365,000
Patrik Antonius – 360,000
Phil Laak – 330,000

Eliminations:
Ted Lawson
Vivek Rajkumar
David Stroj

Big Hands:

Bell Chows Down

With just 20 minutes remaining before the players made their long anticipated break for dinner, Chris Bell gave tablemate Mike “Sowerss” Sowers something to chew on. The original bettor was Anthony Licastro, who opened from the cut-off for 25,000. Sowers called from the button, and Bell made the call from the small blind, creating a pot of 83,000.  Bell checked the 972 flop and Licastro continued his play with a 50,000 bet. Sowers, who has played the button aggressively through the first two days of the tourney, raised another 100,000 for a pot of 283,000 in chips. That’s when Bell stepped into the fray and check-raised all-in for 352,000. Licastro quickly stepped aside, and Sowers had a decision to make. He eventually folded, preserving his remaining 272,000 in chips.

The Action Continues

While Jennifer Tilly stopped by table 13 to wish Phil Laak good luck, the action continued to mount as the players all vied to move up in the money. Dustin Woolf raised to 21,000 pre-flop from middle position. Next to act, Justin Newton reraised an additional 58,000. Woolf released his hand.

Elezra’s Lead Slipping

After initially raising, Nikolai Evdakov called Eli Elezra’s 80,000 reraise and both players saw a flop of 976. Without hesitation, Evdakov pushed in his remaining 142,000 into the pot. Elezra pondered for close to five minutes before commenting that he put Evdakov on two 10s and folded AK face up.

Andy Bloch Dominates

Andy Bloch became one of the tournament leaders thanks to two back to back hands. In the first, Mike Sowers pushed in a 130,000 bet after being checked to by Bloch on a board of KQJ96. Bloch announced a call instantly as Sowers pushed his bet into the pot. Caught in a bluff, Sowers mucked his hand. While dragging the pot, Bloch flipped over the QTc. On the next hand, Andy Bloch eliminated David Stroj when his A8 held up against Stroj’s K8. Bloch now has over 800,000 in chips.

Player Tags: Andy Bloch,   Phil Laak,   Eli Elezra,   Chris Bell,   Dustin Woolf,   Anthony Licastro,   Patrik Antonius,   Nenad Medic,   Jennifer Tilly,   John Kabbaj,   Justin Newton,   Amit Makhija,   Nikolay Evdakov,   Mike Sowers,   Alexander Kostritsyn,   European Report

Pot-Limit Hold'em - Berman-Berman battle sends Brad to rail

May 30, '08

Eliminations:

Isaac Haxton
Jonathan Little
Eric Lynch
Allen Cunningham
Andy Black

Big Hands:

Lyle Berman knocks out son

On a board of 3KQ, Bradley Berman check-raised pot and then shipped the rest of his stack in when Lyle re-raised him. Brad held AT for a flush draw and gutshot straight draw while Lyle flipped over 33 for bottom set. The turn and river came 2 and 8. After the hand Berman had roughly 70,000 chips.

Ivey gets some breathing room

After the first two players to act limped in for 1,600 Phil Ivey raised to 8,800. Jonathan Little then reraised to 23,900 in the small blind. The first limper folded quickly and then after a couple minutes the second limper folded as well. Ivey immediately moved all in for only 3,000 more. Little called with pocket queens and Ivey flipped over AK. The board came A7J87 and Ivey doubled up to roughly 55,000. Little dropped down to around 30,000.

Justin Newton among chip leaders

Newton bet 21,700 with the board reading 7966 and Ben Grundy called. The A came on the turn and both players checked. Newton flipped over T6 for three sixes. With the pot Newton's chip stack was now roughly 190,000.

Tuan Le joins frontrunners

Tuan Le in the big blind was the second of two players to call a raise to 4,800. The flop came down K4A, and Le made a bet of 16,000 before being raised by an all-in shortstack who had 18,400. The J on the turn and J on the river didn't change matters, Le winning with A6, topping his opponents KQ. Le moved to 170,000 in chips.

Licastro dodges danger

Ben Sprengers put himself at risk with a big move against tournament chip-leader Tony Licastro. On a flop of 9J6, Sprengers made a pot-sized bet of 64,900. Licastro debated before Sprengers called for a clock. Time ran out, and Licastro showed his folded AK. Sprengers jumped to 140,000 in chips.

Phil Laak Adds to His Stack

With a pot of over 10,000 and a board of J53, Phil Laak and his seat 6 opponent both checked the 8 as it fell on the turn. When the river brought the 7, Laak made a bet of 7,800, which caused his opponent to fold. This pot increased Phil's stack to over 150,000. The war between Laak and this opponent was far from over. After limping, Laak folded to his opponent's raise.

Ben Grundy and Chris Moneymaker Mix it Up

Ben Grundy has raised several hands in a row at his table, including one confrontations with Chris Moneymaker. After making it 4,000 from middle position, Grundy faced a call from the player on the button and Moneymaker in the big blind. All three players checked the 942 flop. Moneymaker fired 6,200 from first position when the turn brought the 4 and received no calls. His stack improved to 33,000. Moneymaker was eliminated shortly after.

Player Tags: Tuan Le,   Phil Laak,   Chris Moneymaker,   Phil Ivey,   Anthony Licastro,   Ben Grundy,   Justin Newton,   European Report

Pot-Limit Hold'em - Only Two More Levels To Go

May 30, '08

Note: The players are now on a 15-minute break

Blinds/Antes: 600-1,200

Players left: 114 of 352

Average Stack: 62,000

Chip Leaders:

Anthony Licastro - 240,000
Vivek Rajkumar - 180,000
Keith Lehr Jr - 160,000
Marco Johnson - 148,000
Emad Tahtouh - 134,000
Alexander Kostritsyn - 132,000
Shawn Keller - 120,000
Raphael Zimmerman - 110,000
Grant Lang - 110,000
Phil Laak - 106,000

Eliminations:

Alan “The Usher” Sass
Brad Berman
David Chiu
Gavin Griffin

Big Hands:

Sigh Duck: Set No Good

On a board of KJ5Q9, Eli Elezra checked to Vivek “psyduck” Rajkumar.  Rajkumar thought for a minute before inquiring, “Is a set any good?” and betting 8,000 into the pot of about 12,000.  Elezra thought only momentarily before calling and turning over JT.  Vivek, true to his word, showed QQ for a set of queens and mucked.  Elezra was boosted to 90,000.  Rajkumar's setback proved to be only temporary, as he fought back to regain a big stack (180,000).

Grundy wins blind vs. blind battle

With a board of QK5J5, Ben Grundy reluctantly called a bet of 15,000. As soon as his chips hit the felt the small blind mucked his hand. Grundy scooped up the pot and increased his chip stack to roughly 135,000.

Ryan Young fails to entice bet

From the big blind Ryan Young check-called a bet of 5,700 on a flop of 633 After the 9 came on the turn, Young checked and then called a 15,000 bet. The river was the 4 and Young again bet. This time is opponent checked and Young sheepishly flipped over pocket 3s.

Sprengers springs a trap

Ben Sprengers of Florida made a major leap forward in a span of three hands. Playing from late position, Sprengers raised to 4,000 and was called by the button. On a dangerous flop of AK9 Sprengers fired out a bet of $17,000. He was called, which resulted in Sprengers checking the turn when the 8 struck. The button also checked. The river brought the 10, and Sprengers fired out a bet of 32,000. The button called. Sprengers rolled over the T8 for running two pair, while the button revealed the KQ.
Two hands later, Sprengers increased his stack to 125,000 when his pocket kings busted a short-stacked opponent.

Benyamine cashes in

David Benyamine increased his stack to 128,000 when his pocket aces crippled an opponent with pocket kings. The double-paired board of J85J8 didn’t scare either player.

Newhouse rakes a pot

John Juanda raised to 3,800 from middle position. A player in late position called and Mark “Newhizzle” Newhouse came along from the big blind.  On a flop of K93, Newhouse checked to Juanda, who bet 7,200, the late position player folded and Newhouse called. After a 5 came on the turn, Newhouse check-called a 14,600 bet.  Both players checked the river and Newhouse took down the pot with KQ.

Haxton gets the better of Saul

On a board of KQ274, Kevin “BeL0WaB0Ve” Saul checked to Isaac “Ike” Haxton who bet the remainder of his stack – 17,000 – into a pot of 30,000.  Saul thought for a few moments before calling, only to muck quickly after Haxton flipped KT for top pair. The hand strengthened Haxton to 65,000 and dropped Saul to 84,000.

Player Tags: John Juanda,   Phil Laak,   David Benyamine,   Eli Elezra,   David Chiu,   Gavin Griffin,   Bradley Berman,   Shawn Keller,   Grant Lang,   Anthony Licastro,   Ben Sprengers,   Raphael Zimmerman,   Ryan Young,   Kevin Saul,   Ben Grundy,   Keith Lehr,   Mark Newhouse,   Alan Sass,   V R,   Marco Johnson,   Emad Tahtouh,   Alexander Kostritsyn,   European Report

Pot-Limit Hold'em - Level 17

May 31, '08

Blinds/Antes: 8000/16000

Players Left: 18

Average Stack: 391,000

Chip Leaders:
Mike Sowers - 1,200,000
Andy Bloch - 800,000
Chris Bell - 700,000
Amit Makhija - 535,000
Phil Laak - 467,000
Nikolai Evdakov - 445,000
John Kabbaj - 425,000
Nenad Medic - 375,000
David Benefield - 300,000
Patrik Antonius - 300,000

Eliminations:
Eli Elezra
Dustin Woolf
Tony Licastro
Rolf Slotbloom

Big Hands:

Laak Takes Out Another After Dinner

On the first hand after returning from the dinner break, Phil Laak raised to 26,000 from under-the-gun. Dustin Woolf raised all in for an additional 48,000, which was called by Laak. Woolf held pocket 10s, well ahead of Laak’s Q8. However, the Q on the flop changed everything, and Woolf was eliminated.

Tony Licastro Eliminated in 21^st Place

Mike Sowers raised to 23,000 under-the-gun, and Tony Licastro called from the big blind. On the K46 flop, Licastro requested to know the maximum he could bet and fired 50,000 into the pot. Sowers raised to put Tony all in, and he called. Sowers held the K9 for top pair, and Licastro overturned Q7, which received no help on the turn. Tony Licastro, eliminated in 21^st place, would have needed running cards to overtake Sowers.

Benefield Takes a Pot, Kostritsyn Crippled

After calling a pre-flop raise in the big blind from David Benefield on the button, Alexander Kostritsyn checked the J43 flop. 0905 checked behind, and the turn brought the 8. Kostritsyn led out with a bet of 45,000, which was called by Benefield. On the 10 river, Kostritsyn fired again, this time to the tune of 77,000. When Benefield called, Kostritsyn mucked without showing. At the request of another player, Benefield flipped over J9. After that hand, Kostritsyn was down to 99,000 while Benefield built his stack to over 540,000.

Chris Bell Eliminates Rolf Slotbloom

Rolf Slotbloom was eliminated when his KQ failed to catch up to Chris Bell’s AK. Bell improved his stack to over 725,000.

Eli Elezra’s Chips Move to Sowers

In one very dramatic hand, Eli Elezra transferred the majority of his chips to Sowers, who now is among the tournament leaders. On a flop of AJT, Sowers bet 110,000, which was raised by Elezra. After Sowers reraised all in, Elezra called and showed Ah5h. Sowers flipped over KQ for a flopped straight. The Q on the turn gave Elezra a flush draw, but the 8 on the river failed to deliver for Eli, who ended up with only 250,000 after paying off Sowers. With over 700,000 in chips, Sowers continued to dominate his table by raising many hands per orbit.

Sowers Finishes the Job on Elezra

Mike Sowers finished what he started by eliminating early front-runner Eli Elezra in stunning fashion. After a flop of 623, Elezra bet 45,000 into a pot of 80,000. Sowers raised from the button and put an all-in decision on Elezra who had 280,000 in chips remaining. Elezra made the call and found he was ahead with his 6A. Sowers had the 64, but the 5 on the turn filled Sowers’ straight draw. A meaningless 3 on the river ended Elezra’s night. His 19th place finish ensured that all remaining players would earn at least $33,088.

Liebert, Medic Happy to Split
After a flop of QJ8, Nenad Medic bet 57,000 at the pot. Kathy Liebert raised by 145,000, and a call would have left  Medic with a mere 65,000 in chips. Medic forged ahead, and both players showed down Ace-queen. Nothing changed with the final two cards.
 

Player Tags: Phil Laak,   Chris Bell,   Dustin Woolf,   Anthony Licastro,   David Benefield,   Mike Sowers,   Alexander Kostritsyn,   European Report

Pot-Limit Hold'em - At Dinner Break

May 31, '08

Players are now on a 60-minute dinner break and will resume playing with level 17.

Blinds/Antes: 5000/10000

Players Left: 22

Average Stack: 320,000

Chip Leaders:
Andy Bloch – 730,000
Eli Elezra – 675,000
Chris Bell – 610,000
Amit Makhija – 550,000
Alexander Kostritsyn - 490,000
John Kabbaj – 400,000
Nenad Medic – 365,000
Patrik Antonius – 360,000
Phil Laak – 330,000

Eliminations:
Ted Lawson
Vivek Rajkumar
David Stroj

Big Hands:

Bell Chows Down

With just 20 minutes remaining before the players made their long anticipated break for dinner, Chris Bell gave tablemate Mike “Sowerss” Sowers something to chew on. The original bettor was Anthony Licastro, who opened from the cut-off for 25,000. Sowers called from the button, and Bell made the call from the small blind, creating a pot of 83,000.  Bell checked the 972 flop and Licastro continued his play with a 50,000 bet. Sowers, who has played the button aggressively through the first two days of the tourney, raised another 100,000 for a pot of 283,000 in chips. That’s when Bell stepped into the fray and check-raised all-in for 352,000. Licastro quickly stepped aside, and Sowers had a decision to make. He eventually folded, preserving his remaining 272,000 in chips.

The Action Continues

While Jennifer Tilly stopped by table 13 to wish Phil Laak good luck, the action continued to mount as the players all vied to move up in the money. Dustin Woolf raised to 21,000 pre-flop from middle position. Next to act, Justin Newton reraised an additional 58,000. Woolf released his hand.

Elezra’s Lead Slipping

After initially raising, Nikolai Evdakov called Eli Elezra’s 80,000 reraise and both players saw a flop of 976. Without hesitation, Evdakov pushed in his remaining 142,000 into the pot. Elezra pondered for close to five minutes before commenting that he put Evdakov on two 10s and folded AK face up.

Andy Bloch Dominates

Andy Bloch became one of the tournament leaders thanks to two back to back hands. In the first, Mike Sowers pushed in a 130,000 bet after being checked to by Bloch on a board of KQJ96. Bloch announced a call instantly as Sowers pushed his bet into the pot. Caught in a bluff, Sowers mucked his hand. While dragging the pot, Bloch flipped over the QTc. On the next hand, Andy Bloch eliminated David Stroj when his A8 held up against Stroj’s K8. Bloch now has over 800,000 in chips.

Player Tags: Andy Bloch,   Phil Laak,   Eli Elezra,   Chris Bell,   Dustin Woolf,   Anthony Licastro,   Patrik Antonius,   Nenad Medic,   Jennifer Tilly,   John Kabbaj,   Justin Newton,   Amit Makhija,   Nikolay Evdakov,   Mike Sowers,   Alexander Kostritsyn,   European Report