| Jun 03, '10 |
2010 41st Annual World Series of Poker |
Event 7 - $2,500 2-7 Triple Draw Lowball |
3 |
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Final Table Update: Raphael Zimmerman Eliminated In 2nd Place, Peter Gelecsner Wins Event No. 7
Jun 04, '10
Blinds: 15,000-30,000, Limits: 30,000-60,000
Players Remaining: 1 out of 291
Notable Eliminations:
2. Raphael Zimmerman — $111,686
Big Hands:
 Raphael Zimmerman Eliminated In 2nd Place, Peter Gelencsner Wins Event No. 7 ($180,730)
Raphael Zimmerman held the chip lead at the final table for most of the day. He held almost a 2-1 chip lead entering heads-up play but Peter Gelencsner wore down the chip leader until the roles were reversed.
Zimmerman found himself all in after the second draw and drew one card. Gelencsner stood pat and showed a 9-7 low. Zimmerman turned over his cards to show he was drawing to an 8-6 low. Unfortunately for him, he drew another six, pairing his hand and he was eliminated.
Player Tags: Raphael Zimmerman, Peter Gelencser
Final Table Update: Jameson Painter Eliminated In 5th Place
Jun 03, '10
Blinds: 5,000-10,000, Limits: 10,000-20,000
Players Remaining: 4 out of 291
Average Chip Count: 436,500
Tournament Leaderboard:
1. Raphael Zimmerman – 850,000
2. Peter Gelencser – 690,000
3. Don McNamara – 480,000
4. David Chiu – 172,000
Notable Eliminations:
5. Jameson Painter — $34,843
Big Hands:
 Jameson Painter Eliminated In 5th Place ($34,843)
Jameson Painter found himself all in after the first draw against chip leader Raphael Zimmerman.
Painter took two cards on the second draw while Zimmerman took one. Painter then took one card on the last draw while Zimmerman stood pat.
Painter turned over A-7-4-3-2, no good against Zimmerman’s 10-7-6-4-3 and Painter was out.
Player Tags: Raphael Zimmerman, Jameson Painter
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| Jun 04, '09 |
2009 40th Annual World Series of Poker |
Event 8 - $2,500 No-Limit 2-7 Draw Lowball |
3 |
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Final Table Update: Phil Ivey Takes the Chip Lead
Jun 04, '09
Blinds: 2,000-4,000 with a 1,000 ante
Players Remaining: 4 out of 147
Chip Counts:
1. Phil Ivey — 400,000
2. John Monnette — 350,000
3. Yan Chen — 210,000
4. Eric Kesselman — 95,000
Average Chip Count: 275,625
Notable Eliminations:
7. Elia Ahmadian – $11,627
6. Raphael Zimmerman – $14,663
5. Rodeen Talebi – $19,346
Big Hands:
Elia Ahmadian Eliminated in Seventh Place ($11,627)
Yan Chen raised to 9,000 from the small blind and Elia Ahmadian reraised to 28,000 total from the big blind. Chen made the call and he drew one card. Ahmadian stood pat and then Chen moved all in. Ahmadian made the all-in call and Chen turned up 9-8-4-3-2. Ahmadian revealed a ten-low and he was eliminated from the tournament in seventh place.
Phil Ivey Doubles Up
Phil Ivey raised to 12,000 from the small blind and Raphael Zimmerman moved all in from the big blind. Ivey made the call and both players elected to draw one card. They each revealed their hand before the draw card:
Ivey: 7-6-3-2
Zimmerman: 9-7-6-2
Ivey then drew an 8 to leave Zimmerman drawing dead. Ivey doubled up on the hand and he will be dangerous with chips at his disposal.
Raphael Zimmerman Eliminated in Sixth Place ($14,663)
Phil Ivey raised to 12,000 from the small blind and Raphael Zimmerman reraised a significant amount. Ivey then reraised all in and Zimmerman made the all-in call. Ivey stood pat and Zimmerman drew a card. Ivey turned up 8-7-5-4-3 and Zimmerman mucked his cards. Zimmerman was eliminated in sixth place, while Ivey took the chip lead with 400,000.
Rodeen Talebi Eliminated in Fifth Place ($19,346)
Rodeen Talebi moved all in for 50,500 and Yan Chen made the call. Both players stood pat and Talebi flipped over a J-10 low. Chen revealed a 9-8 low to win the hand and eliminated Talebi in fifth place.
Player Tags: Phil Ivey, Elia Ahmadian, Raphael Zimmerman, Yan Chen
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| Feb 15, '09 |
2009 L.A. Poker Classic |
Pot-Limit Omaha - Event 27 |
1 |
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Frank Kassela Doubles Up and Then Some
Feb 15, '09
 Frank Kassela has now found himself on the winning end of the two most lucractive pots in the tournament. He was all in against Raphael Zimmerman, who had both Kassela and Erick Lindgren covered all in on a board of J 102 88 . Their cards:
Kassela: AQ93
Lindgren: A5A 9
Zimmerman: J1097
Kassela doubled up on the hand with his straight and eliminated Erick Lindgren in eighth place.
Player Tags: Frank Kassela, Erick Lindgren, Raphael Zimmerman
Erick Lindgren Doubles Up
Feb 15, '09
 Raphael Zimmerman raised 6,000 from the button on a flop of K84 and Erick Lindgren raised to 17,500 from the hi-jack. Matt Glantz mucked and Zimmerman raised enough to put Lindgren all in, who made the call. Their cards:
Lindgren: 8876
Zimmerman: KQ104
Turn and River: 97
Lindgren won the hand to double up and survive.
Player Tags: Erick Lindgren, Matthew Glantz, Raphael Zimmerman
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| Jun 02, '08 |
2008 39th Annual World Series of Poker |
Event 4 - Mixed Hold'em |
1 |
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Event 4 - Mixed Hold 'Em - Levels 11 and 12
Jun 02, '08
Blinds/Antes: 400/800/25 limit, 150/300/25 no-limit
Players Remaining: 144 of 332
Average Stack: 23,000
Chip Counts:
Ariel Schneller - 65,000
Jimmy Fricke - 56,000
Jay Rosenkrantz - 53,000
Jon Turner - 51,500
Raphael Zimmerman - 48,000
William Chen - 43,000
David Williams - 40,000
Maria Ho - 39,500
Marcel Luske - 38,000
Recent Eliminations:
Dario Minieri
Allen Cunningham
Humberto Brenes
Big Hands:
Straight Flush for Jeff Madsen
Jeff Madsen opted to defend his small blind from a cut-off raise. Madsen check-raised his opponent on the 987 flop, causing his opponent to call. On the J turn, Madsen led out and his opponent called. Madsen again bet the J river, and after his opponent folded he turned over his queen-high straight flush.
 Shulman Family Thriving
Both father and son Barry and Jeff Shulman have close to 40,000 in chips as level 12 ends. Earlier in the no-limit portion, Barry Shulman contested a pot with Phil Laak. On a flop of Q84, Laak bet and was raised all in by Barry. Laak pondered for several minutes and counted his remaining chips before electing to fold. Laak surrendered approximately half of his stack to Barry on the hand, and now has less than 10,000.
Jeff Shulman lost a little to Marcel Luske on a board of J7763 when Luske bet 2,000 on the river. Shulman quickly called, and Luske turned over JT. Shulman mucked, and Luske added to his growing stack.
Minieri Eliminated
Facing a late position raise, Dario Minieri moved all in for 8,650 from the button. The raiser called and flipped over the JJ. Caught in a bluff, Minieri exposed the 97. The board brought a 9 for Minieri, but failed to give him enough to overtake the jacks.
Player Tags: Humberto Brenes, Jeff Shulman, Allen Cunningham, Phil Laak, Barry Shulman, Marcel Luske, David Williams, Raphael Zimmerman, Maria Ho, Bill Chen, Jon Turner, Dario Minieri, Jimmy Fricke, Jeff Madsen, Ariel Schneller, European Report, Jay Rosenkrantz
Event 4 - Mixed Hold 'Em - Levels 9 and 10
Jun 02, '08
Blinds/Antes: 200/400 limit, 100/200 no-limit
Players Remaining: 189 of 334
Average Stack: 17,670
Chip Counts:
William Chen - 43,000
Raphael Zimmerman - 42,000
Jay Rosenkrantz - 42,000
David Williams - 40,000
Marcel Luske - 38,000
Jon Turner - 38,000
Dario Minieri - 37,000
Chau Giang - 35,000
Ben Grundy - 32,000
Phil Ivey - 30,000
Recent Eliminations:
Scott Fischman
Jennifer Tilly
John Hennigan
Richard Brodie
Big Hands:
 Luske Takes a Hit
Marcel Luske limped under-the-gun, enticing two additional middle position players to just call the blind during the limit level. The player in the cut-off raised, with Luske and the other limpers making the call. Luske led out on the 1052 flop, causing both limpers to fold and the original aggressor to raise. Luske called and checked and called a bet the turn when the 9 fell. The action was the same on the 8 river, and Luske’s opponent flipped over the KK. Marcel mucked his hand.
Allen Cunningham Busts Scott Fischman
In a six way limped pot, Scott Fischman bet 1,000 on a Q77 flop and was called by Allen Cunningham. Fischman checked the J on the turn, and Cunningham fired 2 orange 1,000 chips across the line. After deliberating and counting his remaining stack, Fischman called. The K fell on the river, and Fischman pushed his remaining 2,200 into the pot, which Cunningham quickly called. Caught in a bluff, Fischman was already beginning to muck his hand when Cunningham turned over the Q7 for a flopped full house.
Laak Doubles Up via Luske
While his famous poker playing girlfriend Jennifer Tilly made her exit during the limit level, Phil Laak battled with his shrinking stack. During the no-limit level, Laak pushed all in for 2,075 from the cut-off and was called by Marcel Luske. Laak’s 43 was an underdog to Luske’s A9, but the KQ8 flop turned the tables on Luske, who needed to catch a diamond on the turn or river to overtake Laak with a higher flush. Unfortunately for Marcel, black cards fell on both streets and Laak doubled up.
 Rags to Riches for Antonio
Meanwhile, Laak’s friend Antonio Esfandiari built his stack at an accelerated rate. Within minutes of being all in with the KJ against his opponent’s AQ and flopping two pair to stay alive, Esfandiari had already busted another opponent and ended the no-limit level with over 25,000.
Devilfish Takes the Bait
David “Devilfish” Ulliot lost over 25,000 to an opponent by doubling up his KK, and now has less than 10,000 in chips remaining. He is currently still seated to the immediate right of Phil Hellmuth.
Player Tags: Richard Brodie, Allen Cunningham, Scott Fischman, Antonio Esfandiari, Phil Laak, John Hennigan, Chau Giang, Phil Ivey, Marcel Luske, David Williams, Raphael Zimmerman, Jennifer Tilly, Bill Chen, Jon Turner, Ben Grundy, Dario Minieri, European Report
|
| May 31, '08 |
2008 39th Annual World Series of Poker |
Event 1 - World Championship Pot-Limit Hold'em |
2 |
+ |
Pot-Limit Hold'em - Last Level of the Night
May 30, '08
Blinds/Antes: 1,000-2,000
Players left: 70 of 352
Average Stack: 100,000
Chip Leaders:
Justin Newton - 230,000
Mike Sowers - 230,000
David Bach - 207,000
Anthony Licastro - 205,000
Nenad Medic - 198,000
Phil Laak - 175,300
Tuan Le - 175,000
Eli Elezra - 162,000
Alexander Kostritsyn - 158,000
Raphael Zimmerman - 157,000
Eliminations:
Alex Kravchenko
Markus Lehmann
Eugene Katchalov
Erik Seidel
John Juanda
Phil Ivey
Ray Coburn
Joe Sebok
Big Hands:
Showdown At Table 9
A battle of huge chipstacks became a threesome in the final minute of Level 9, when veteran Eli Elezra was moved when Table 13 was killed. Elezra joined big stacks Mike Sowers and Raphael Zimmerman just as the blinds increased to 1000-2000.
Elezra brought with him 150,000 in chips, and in a matter of minutes had eliminated Ray Coburn. After an initial Elezra raise, Coburn came over the top to 12,500, only to have Elezra make it 40,000 to play. Coburn eventually committed all of his 57,000 into the pot and flipped over pocket queens, while Elezra showed kings. The flop of 10 A K gave Elezra a set and left Coburn drawing to a gut-shot straight, but he failed to hit when the 6 and 2 rounded out play.
Sowers and Zimmerman had been butting heads earlier. On play had Sowers raise pre-flop, into a second raise of Zimmerman to 45,000. Sowers made it 89,600 and Zimmerman sent up the white flag. Sowers stands at 230,000 in chips, while Zimmerman would recover to amass 185,000.
Juanda's Time Runs Out
John Juanda elected to make a stand with his shortstack and moved all-in with 48,000 chips. David "Raptor" Benefield made the call with A-K, and a bullet on the flop sent Juanda packing just as Level 9 expired.
Tuan Le Wins Massive Pot
Tuan Le became one of the tournament chip leaders thanks to a well-timed value bet. After being checked to on the river, Le bet approximately 70% of his remaining stack. His opponent deliberated for several minutes before announcing a call. Tuan Le's set of sevens was good, increasing his stack to over 200,000.
Eric Seidel Eliminated
After battling a short stack for the last round, Erik Seidel called a 5,500 raise from the player on the button. Almost as soon as the A 5 4 flop fell, Seidel bet his remaining 6,400 and was called by his opponent. Seidel turned over 4 3 while his opponent showed 9 7 . The 9 on the turn took the lead away from Seidel, and the 5 on the river meant that Erik Seidel's run had ended.
David Bach Still Slingin'
David Bach won a massive pot when his pocket queens eliminated his opponent's pocket 8s. He now has over 190,000 and is among the tournament chip leaders.
Eugene Katchalov Eliminated by Eli Elezra
Eugene got it in with the nut flush draw against Elezra's trip deuces. Eugene hit his flush on the river, but it was too late as Elezra hit quad deuces on the turn.
Laak and Keller Go At It
On a board of J T 7 3 2 , Phil Laak made a bet of 23,300 into his opponent, Thomas Keller. Keller pondered for several minutes before calling. Laak turned over J 7 and Keller mucked. Laak now has over 175,000, but Keller is still over 100,000.
Curtains for Kravchenko
Alex Kravchenko's A-T could not improve against his opponent's J-J and his night ended prematurely.
 Harman Up
Phil Laak made it 4,500 from late position but was met with a re-raise by Jen Harman in the small blind. In typical "Unabomber" fashion, Laak laughed maniacally before folding his cards.
Harman Down
Phil Laak limped two off the button, eliciting a shout of, "Is that even allowed?" from his tablemate Shawn Keller. Harman completed from the small blind and Joe Patrick checked his option. The flop of 8 4 4 checked around, leading to the 5 turn. Harman led out for 4,000, Patrick quickly raised to 13,500, leaving himself only 12,000 behind. Harman thought for two minutes before sticking in a final raise. Patrick snap called. Harman's 7 4 was in front of Patrick's monster draw of 6 3 . The river brought the 2 , shipping the pot to Patrick and leaving Harman with only 23,000 near the end of the day. Player Tags: Erik Seidel, John Juanda, Tuan Le, Thomas Keller, Eli Elezra, David Bach, Jennifer Harman, Alexander Kravchenko, Eugene Katchalov, Raphael Zimmerman, Markus Lehmann, Raymond Coburn, David Benefield, Mike Sowers
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 - Day Two - Hour Four
May 31, '08
Blinds/Antes: 2,500-5,000
Players Left: 38 of 352
Average Chip Stack: 160,000
Chip Leaders:
Patrik Antonius: 380,000
Nenad Medic: 315,000
Alexander Kostritsyn: 315,000
Anthony Licastro: 304,000
Raphael Zimmerman: 285,000
Amit Makhija: 275,000
Eli Elezra: 255,000
Matt Graham: 246,500
Vivek Rajkumar: 235,000
Michael Pesek: 230,000
Eliminations: Shawn Keller, Darryl Ronconi, Tuan Le, Lyle Berman
Big Hands:
 Antonius Flexes Some Muscle
One player limped, Antonius completed from the small blind, and the big blind checked his option. The flop cameout 1082. Antonius led for 9,000, the big blind folded, and the limper raised to 25,000. Antonius thought for a moment before raising to 100,000. Seat 2 folded and Antonius added the pot to his formidable stack, weighing in at around 380,000 chips.
The Unabomber Blows Up a Limped Pot
Two players limped in from early position, and Phil Laak raised an additional 15,000 to a total of 19,000. The blinds and the early limpers both folded and Laak took that pot, as well as the following one, after open raising to 13,000 and once again
picking up the blinds.
Tuan Le Busts Out
Button player raised to 15k, Le raised to 45k, button pushed all in to put Le all in. Le showed A-8 offsuit and the button revealed A-10 offsuit. The flop came A-4-10 rainbow. The 8 on the turn gave Le a ray of hope, but the King on the river shut the door on Le and he was eliminated.
Tuan Le and Raphael Zimmerman chop pot
With a board of Q88Q6, Tuan Le fired a bet of 30,000. Zimmerman thought for a while and then made the call flipping over AJ. Le turned A10 and the two split the pot.
The Money is Close:
With 38 players left, only two more need be eliminated before players make the money.
Player Tags: Tuan Le, Phil Laak, Patrik Antonius, Raphael Zimmerman
|
| May 30, '08 |
2008 39th Annual World Series of Poker |
Event 1 - World Championship Pot-Limit Hold'em |
1 |
+ |
Pot-Limit Hold'em - Last Level of the Night
May 30, '08
Blinds/Antes: 1,000-2,000
Players left: 70 of 352
Average Stack: 100,000
Chip Leaders:
Justin Newton - 230,000
Mike Sowers - 230,000
David Bach - 207,000
Anthony Licastro - 205,000
Nenad Medic - 198,000
Phil Laak - 175,300
Tuan Le - 175,000
Eli Elezra - 162,000
Alexander Kostritsyn - 158,000
Raphael Zimmerman - 157,000
Eliminations:
Alex Kravchenko
Markus Lehmann
Eugene Katchalov
Erik Seidel
John Juanda
Phil Ivey
Ray Coburn
Joe Sebok
Big Hands:
Showdown At Table 9
A battle of huge chipstacks became a threesome in the final minute of Level 9, when veteran Eli Elezra was moved when Table 13 was killed. Elezra joined big stacks Mike Sowers and Raphael Zimmerman just as the blinds increased to 1000-2000.
Elezra brought with him 150,000 in chips, and in a matter of minutes had eliminated Ray Coburn. After an initial Elezra raise, Coburn came over the top to 12,500, only to have Elezra make it 40,000 to play. Coburn eventually committed all of his 57,000 into the pot and flipped over pocket queens, while Elezra showed kings. The flop of 10 A K gave Elezra a set and left Coburn drawing to a gut-shot straight, but he failed to hit when the 6 and 2 rounded out play.
Sowers and Zimmerman had been butting heads earlier. On play had Sowers raise pre-flop, into a second raise of Zimmerman to 45,000. Sowers made it 89,600 and Zimmerman sent up the white flag. Sowers stands at 230,000 in chips, while Zimmerman would recover to amass 185,000.
Juanda's Time Runs Out
John Juanda elected to make a stand with his shortstack and moved all-in with 48,000 chips. David "Raptor" Benefield made the call with A-K, and a bullet on the flop sent Juanda packing just as Level 9 expired.
Tuan Le Wins Massive Pot
Tuan Le became one of the tournament chip leaders thanks to a well-timed value bet. After being checked to on the river, Le bet approximately 70% of his remaining stack. His opponent deliberated for several minutes before announcing a call. Tuan Le's set of sevens was good, increasing his stack to over 200,000.
Eric Seidel Eliminated
After battling a short stack for the last round, Erik Seidel called a 5,500 raise from the player on the button. Almost as soon as the A 5 4 flop fell, Seidel bet his remaining 6,400 and was called by his opponent. Seidel turned over 4 3 while his opponent showed 9 7 . The 9 on the turn took the lead away from Seidel, and the 5 on the river meant that Erik Seidel's run had ended.
David Bach Still Slingin'
David Bach won a massive pot when his pocket queens eliminated his opponent's pocket 8s. He now has over 190,000 and is among the tournament chip leaders.
Eugene Katchalov Eliminated by Eli Elezra
Eugene got it in with the nut flush draw against Elezra's trip deuces. Eugene hit his flush on the river, but it was too late as Elezra hit quad deuces on the turn.
Laak and Keller Go At It
On a board of J T 7 3 2 , Phil Laak made a bet of 23,300 into his opponent, Thomas Keller. Keller pondered for several minutes before calling. Laak turned over J 7 and Keller mucked. Laak now has over 175,000, but Keller is still over 100,000.
Curtains for Kravchenko
Alex Kravchenko's A-T could not improve against his opponent's J-J and his night ended prematurely.
Harman Up
Phil Laak made it 4,500 from late position but was met with a re-raise by Jen Harman in the small blind. In typical "Unabomber" fashion, Laak laughed maniacally before folding his cards.
Harman Down
Phil Laak limped two off the button, eliciting a shout of, "Is that even allowed?" from his tablemate Shawn Keller. Harman completed from the small blind and Joe Patrick checked his option. The flop of 8 4 4 checked around, leading to the 5 turn. Harman led out for 4,000, Patrick quickly raised to 13,500, leaving himself only 12,000 behind. Harman thought for two minutes before sticking in a final raise. Patrick snap called. Harman's 7 4 was in front of Patrick's monster draw of 6 3 . The river brought the 2 , shipping the pot to Patrick and leaving Harman with only 23,000 near the end of the day. Player Tags: Erik Seidel, John Juanda, Tuan Le, Thomas Keller, Eli Elezra, David Bach, Jennifer Harman, Alexander Kravchenko, Eugene Katchalov, Raphael Zimmerman, Markus Lehmann, Raymond Coburn, David Benefield, Mike Sowers
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 - Day Two - Hour Four
May 31, '08
Blinds/Antes: 2,500-5,000
Players Left: 38 of 352
Average Chip Stack: 160,000
Chip Leaders:
Patrik Antonius: 380,000
Nenad Medic: 315,000
Alexander Kostritsyn: 315,000
Anthony Licastro: 304,000
Raphael Zimmerman: 285,000
Amit Makhija: 275,000
Eli Elezra: 255,000
Matt Graham: 246,500
Vivek Rajkumar: 235,000
Michael Pesek: 230,000
Eliminations: Shawn Keller, Darryl Ronconi, Tuan Le, Lyle Berman
Big Hands:
Antonius Flexes Some Muscle
One player limped, Antonius completed from the small blind, and the big blind checked his option. The flop cameout 1082. Antonius led for 9,000, the big blind folded, and the limper raised to 25,000. Antonius thought for a moment before raising to 100,000. Seat 2 folded and Antonius added the pot to his formidable stack, weighing in at around 380,000 chips.
The Unabomber Blows Up a Limped Pot
Two players limped in from early position, and Phil Laak raised an additional 15,000 to a total of 19,000. The blinds and the early limpers both folded and Laak took that pot, as well as the following one, after open raising to 13,000 and once again
picking up the blinds.
Tuan Le Busts Out
Button player raised to 15k, Le raised to 45k, button pushed all in to put Le all in. Le showed A-8 offsuit and the button revealed A-10 offsuit. The flop came A-4-10 rainbow. The 8 on the turn gave Le a ray of hope, but the King on the river shut the door on Le and he was eliminated.
Tuan Le and Raphael Zimmerman chop pot
With a board of Q88Q6, Tuan Le fired a bet of 30,000. Zimmerman thought for a while and then made the call flipping over AJ. Le turned A10 and the two split the pot.
The Money is Close:
With 38 players left, only two more need be eliminated before players make the money.
Player Tags: Tuan Le, Phil Laak, Patrik Antonius, Raphael Zimmerman
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