| Buy-In: | $4,750 + $250 |
|---|---|
| Prize Pool: | $4,017,740 |
| Entrants: | 872 |
7:24pm: Dinner break
The tourney has been stopped with time remaining in the level for players to take a 75-minute dinner break.
7:18pm: Clemente doubles through Stein
The tides have turned slightly, as another player doubled through Stein.
This started with Stein and Clemente going to see a flop of [9d][8h][4s], and the betting that started with 330,000 from Stein, went up to 800,000 courtesy of Clemente, and got pushed by Stein as he moved all-in. Clemente called for his tournament life holding [Kd][8d] for middle pair, and Stein turned over [Ac][Ad].
The [5d] on the turn gave Clemente a flush draw, and the [3d] on the river made it happen. Clemente doubled through Stein.
And yes, Stein lost a pot.
7:10pm: BREAKING NEWS…someone won Sam Stein’s Money
Huey many not have beat Truman, Goliath had a hard time with David, and it’s now possible that Sam Stein is not invincible. When he got it in with two red fours against Yunus Jamal’s [as][jc], we went ahead and marked Jamal down on the elimination list. Sam Stein doesn’t lose races. He once raced Usain Bolt and laughed when Bolt tripped over a wayward squirrel. Â
So, we’re having a hard time accepting the fact that the board ran out [6s][ks][3s][jh][ts]. it just doesn’t make sense. Next they’ll be telling us there is no Santa Claus and that the tigers at the circus really don’t like spending all their time in a cage. Â
Regardless, Jamal doubled up.
7:02pm: Stein chops pots when not winning them
Sam Stein started the hand with a raise but Yunus Jamal reraised all-in for a total of 1,245,000 chips. Stein took a little time to consider but finally called 990,000 more with [Ad][4d]. Jamal happily turned over [Ac][Kh] and felt good about it, but he – as well as everyone in the room – knew that Stein could easily make the best hand, odds be damned.
The board came [Jd][4c][Ks][Tc][Qs], and it was a chopped pot. Of course it was.
6:41pm: David Paredes eliminated in 5th place ($184,816)
It’s no surprise to hear an all-in at this point or see big pots develop. But this? It was a monster.
David Paredes started the action with a preflop raise to 275,000, and Sam Stein reraised to 880,000 from the big blind. Paredes then made it a whopping 1.7 million to go, but Stein did one better – he reraised all-in. Paredes called quickly, and Stein was the underdog.
Paredes: [As][Ad]
Stein: [Js][Jd]
But did anyone doubt the power of Stein at this table? Certainly not the cards, as they fell [9c][Jh][Qs][Qh][6d]. And there was the full house for Stein, and Paredes pocket aces were cracked.
A very disappointed David Paredes lingered for a few moments to accept what just happened…before finally leaving in fifth place. Meanwhile, Stein now has approximately 70% of the chips in play with four players remaining.
6:35pm: King-high good!
On a flop of [9d][qc][6d], Tom Marchese and Daniel Clemente went check, check. On the [9c] turn, Marchese bet 210,000 and Clemente called. The river was the [4d]. Marchese bet 520,000. Clemente called with [ks][jh]…and it was good.
6:26pm: Rockets carry Paredes to 4 million mark
The hand started with a raise to 255,000 from Sam Stein, but Yunus Jamal decided to reraise it to 520,000. David Paredes didn’t take long to come over the top all-in for his stacks of 1,985,000 chips. Jamal stood up, stared at Paredes and his chips, and finally made the call. The cards?
Jamal: [Ac][Qc]
Paredes: [Ad][Ah]
The board started with a [Kh][8c][6d] flop, and the [4h] left Jamal with no outs. The formality of displaying the [Qc] on the river ended it, shipping the pot of more than 4 million chips toward Paredes.
6:19pm: Annnnnnd we’re back
We’re back in action.
Our chip counts at the break, which you can find by clicking that nifty little link in the black box on the right, show that Sam Stein hold approximately half the chips in play with five players remaining.
Two words.
Wrecking.
Ball.
NAPT Venetian reporting comes courtesy of bloggers Brad Willis, Jennifer Newell, Martin Harris, and photographer Joe Giron.
This NAPT is brought to you by PokerStars, the official sponsor of the North American Poker Tour. Win your way into the biggest events North America has to offer at North America.
Eight hundred seventy-two players started the tournament at NAPT Venetian. Eight have made the final table.
We have players from all over America ready to sit down and play for the NAPT title.
Sam Stein begins the final table with the chip lead.
NAPT Venetian final table player profiles
Seat 1 : Dan Clemente, 37, Hernando, Mississippi — 1,345,000 chips
Dan Clemente first started playing poker while he was in the Marine Corps, stationed in southern California. After leaving the Marines, he started working in the restaurant business as a general manager but turned to poker full time around eight years ago. He plays a little bit online but prefers the live cash and tournaments. His biggest result before the NAPT Venetian final was winning $64,000 at a tournament in Biloxi last year. He bought in to this event after cashing in a tournament in LA last week. “I’m excited about being in the final,”Âhe said. “I’m one of the shorter stacks though, so I’m going to have to double up fairly early to have a chance of winning.”
Seat 2: Sam Stein, 22, Henderson, Nevada — 6,145,000 chips
Sam Stein is a confident 22-year-old professional poker player who came up through the online ranks and began trying his luck in the brick and mortar world as soon as he turned 21. Since then, he’s managed to collect more than $400,000 in career tournament earnings; not bad for a single year on the circuit. Stein’s most recent live cash occurred last month down at the PokerStars.net Caribbean Adventure, where he finished runner-up in a $5,000 buy-in no limit hold’em side event, good for a $168,390 payday. Stein grew up in Los Angeles, but currently resides in Henderson, Nevada, just outside Las Vegas. He’s been playing poker for four years and enters most major events with buy-ins of $5,000 or higher. The youngster is excited about the opportunity to add yet another big score to his tournament resume.
Seat 3: Thomas Fuller, 27, Boulder, Colorado — 4,735,000 chips
Former psychology student Thomas Fuller has been a poker pro for over five years but it was October 2007 when he came to international attention, coming fourth at the European Poker Tour event in Baden. After venturing into sports betting, Fuller is now back on poker full-time. He is also currently writing a book themed around poker and dating. He reckons the two subjects have a lot In common. “They’re both about trying to get lucky, catch the big hand, hope things finally work out,” he said. The book will also take in Fuller’s experiences this year and 2010 has already gotten off to a good start. In addition to the NAPT Venetian final, Fuller came second in a Borgata heads-up tourney in January, as well as third place in an online heads-up event.
Seat 4: “Miami” John Cernuto, 66, Las Vegas, Nevada —1,310,000 chips
At 66 years old, Miami John Cernuto is far and away the elder statesman of the NAPT Venetian Main Event final table. A 30-year veteran of the game, Cernuto started taking poker seriously back in 1981. He’d been working as an air traffic controller until the infamous union strike of 1981, in which then President Ronald Reagan fired 11,000 of Cernuto’s colleagues, as well as Cernuto himself. The result of the strike necessitated a career change, so Cernuto turned to poker for his livelihood. $4.7 million worth of tournament cashes later, suffice it to say Cernuto made a wise decision. One of the game’s most respected old schoolers, Miami John has three World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets to his name, in addition to an impressive 47 WSOP cashes. In addition to his World Series success, Cernuto has twice cashed on the European Poker Tour (EPT); first at the 2009 PokerStars.net Caribbean Adventure (46th – $30,000 USD) and then last April at the EPT Grand Final in Monte Carlo (31st – $59,000 USD).
This father of two calls Las Vegas home and is undoubtedly the best known player at the final table. Cernuto will unbag 1,310,000 in chips at the final table.
Seat 5: Yunas Jamal, 30, Henderson, Nevada — 3,940,000 chips
Software engineer Jamal grew up in Berlin, Germany, and now that he’s done so well at NAPT Venetian can’t resist heading back there next week to take part in the EPT Berlin. The 30-year-old immigrated to the States with his parents when he was 19 but regularly visits Berlin for holidays. He has been playing poker for five years and has had reasonable success in live tournaments. He chopped a 600-player $500 tournament at the Venetian last summer winning $23,006 and came third in a Caesar’s Palace tourney won by Barry Shulman in 2008. Already guaranteed a minimum payday of over $60,000, making the NAPT Venetian final is his best result to date.
Seat 6: David Paredes, 30, New York, NY —4,700,000 chips
Paredes has been playing poker since high school but only recently started playing full time. He originally studied law and “in true Rounders fashion” paid for his whole law school education through poker. After graduating from Harvard and NYU, he started working for a hedge fund company in New York. Around six months ago however, Paredes’ life changed completely when his girlfriend Caitlina landed a job in Boston. Paredes gave up his job, moved in with Caitlin in Boston and now makes a living playing cash games online and live. Paredes rarely plays tournaments but successfully won a seat to next week’ss European Poker Tour event in Berlin because his friend Zac Allemedine, winner of the NAPT Venetian charity event, had already qualified.
Seat 7: Tom “Kingsofcards” Marchese, 22, Parsipity, New Jersey — 2,370,000 chips
Tom Marchese is a name you might not yet be familiar with yet, but if you follow the tournament circuit, you soon will be. Primarily an online cash game grinder, Marchese spent the past couple of years fine tuning his skills under the screen name "kingsofcards"Â emptying many opponents’ bankrolls in the process. He started playing professionally around the age of 20 while still in college, and so far the decision has proven to be a wise one. Marchese has already earned well over $350,000 in online multi-table tournaments, though it wasn’t until late last month that he nabbed his first career live result at the Borgata in Atlantic City. Marchese took 3rd in the $3,300 buy-in no limit hold’em event championship event at the Borgata Winter Open, jumpstarting his live tournament career. “I have the same feeling now as I did back then (during the Borgata tournament). Let’s just hope the run-good continues,” Marchese said late on Day 3. Already guaranteed a minimum payout of over $60,000 USD, it looks as though Marchese’s got this live poker thing figured out. He’ll begin the final table with 2,370,000 in chips.
Seat 8: Eric  Blair, West Hartford, Connecticut — 1,690,000 chips
Online whiz kid Eric Blair is force to be reckoned with. The 24-year-old has been playing poker for about four years and has already racked up almost $2 million in online multi-table results. The youngster has only just begun terrorizing live tournaments, with his biggest cash coming last September at the Borgata Poker Open in Atlantic City, where he finished eighth in the $3,300 championship event, collecting $87,345 in prize money.
When asked his primary profession, Blair replied, “This is it.” He bought into the NAPT Venetian Main Event directly and looks to turn that investment into a whole lot more with a win on Wednesday afternoon.
This NAPT is brought to you by PokerStars, the official sponsor of the North American Poker Tour. Win your way into the biggest events North America has to offer at North America.
“I’m not number one in this field, no way.” So said Scott Seiver early on as the NAPT Venetian $25,000 Bounty Shootout got underway. He and his tablemates spent some time trying to handicap the field, which included many of the most highly regarded players in the game today. The entire table seemed readily to echo Seiver’s modesty — no one was going to make any claims about running over a table coming from this lot.
Then Seiver did just that, knocking out all six of his opponents to win all of their bounties (worth $5,000 each) as well as the $75,000 for moving on to Thursday’s final table. Perhaps that modesty put him in the right frame of mind today.
Following Seiver to Thursday’s final table were Faraz Jaka and Hoyt Corkins. Then in the evening, four more winners emerged: Joe Cassidy, Ashton Griffin, Peter Eastgate, and Brett Richey.
Seiver has the inside track on that $100,000 prize reserved for the players with the most bounties by tourney’s end, although close behind will be Hoyt Corkins with five, and Joe Cassidy and Faraz Jaka with four each.
Here is how the seven tables finished up:
Table 1

1st – Joe Cassidy 

2nd – Justin Bonomo (bounty to Cassidy)

3rd – Yvgeniy Timoshenko (Cassidy)

4th – Joe Sebok (Bonomo)

5th – David Williams (Cassidy)

6th – Tommy Vedes (Williams)

7th – Phil Laak (Cassidy)
Table 2

1st – Peter Eastgate

2nd – Isaac Haxton (Eastgate) 

3rd – Alec Torelli (Haxton)

4th – Tony G (Haxton)

5th – James Calderaro (Eastgate)

6th – Dario Minieri (Tony G)

7th – Daniel Alaei (Torelli)
Table 3

1st – Ashton Griffin
2nd – Chris Moneymaker (Griffin)
3rd – Hasan Habib (Moneymaker)

4th – Jason Mercier (Moneymaker)

5th – Matt Glantz (Griffin)

6th – Keith Gibson (Mercier)

7th – Joe Cada (Moneymaker)
Table 4

1st – Brett Richey 

2nd – Lee Markholt (Richey)

3rd – Phil Galfond (Richey)

4th – Robl (Richey)

5th – Alex Kamberis (Markholt)

6th – John Hennigan (Markholt)

7th – Daniel Negreanu (Galfond)
Table 5

1st – Faraz Jaka

2nd – Annie Duke (Jaka)

3rd – Jennifer Tilly (Jaka)

4th – Joe Hachem (Tilly)

5th – Vanessa Rousso (Jaka)

6th – J.C. Tran (Jaka)

7th – Di Dang (Tilly)
Table 6

1st – Scott Seiver

2nd – Sorel Mizzi (Seiver)

3rd – Bertrand Grospellier (Seiver)

4th – Brian Rast (Seiver)

5th – Chau Giang (Siever)

6th – Antonio Esfandiari (Seiver)

7th – Barry Greenstein (Seiver)
Table 7

1st – Hoyt Corkins

2nd – John Duthie (Corkins)

3rd – Adam Richardson (Corkins)

4th – Hevad Khan (Corkins)

5th – Phil Hellmuth (Duthie)

6th – Greg Raymer (Corkins)

7th – Steven Paul (Corkins)
Cassidy, Eastgate, Griffin, Cassidy, Jaka, Seiver, and Corkins all took $75,000 for winning their tables today, plus whatever bounties they claimed along the way. That magnificent seven will be getting back together at noon on Thursday for the final table.
Still to be determined — $30,000 worth of bounties, that $100,000 prize for the most bounties, and $460,000 more for the winner. Sort of thing should permit the ultimate victor some bragging rights, wouldn’t you say?
For more on all of the action from the first round, check out the Day 1 live blog:
Flight 1, Levels 1-3
Flight 1, Levels 4-9
Flight 2, Levels 1-3
Flight 2, Levels 4-6
Flight 2, Levels 7-8
All photography © Joe Giron.
This NAPT is brought to you by PokerStars, the official sponsor of the North American Poker Tour. Win your way into the biggest events North America has to offer at North America.
6:08pm: Break!
Players are on a 15-minute break to celebrate the conclusion of Level 29. When we return, we’ll be in a new post reflecting the level change. Find the new level right HERE.
6:03pm: Well, he’s gotta lose this one!
Sam Stein just managed to get it all-in with David Paredes on a [8s][2h][7c] board. Paredes held [ts][tc] to Stein’s [8c][th]. Of course, there was very little way Stein could get out of losing the pot. And, of course, the turn and river came [jd] and [9c] for the chopped pot.
5:54pm: Yunus says “Yeah!”
Daniel Clemente opened with a raise on the button, and it folded to Yunus Jamal in the big blind who quickly announced he was all in for his stack of 2,120,000. Clemente sat for a minute looking in Jamal’s direction, then went to work examining his stack as he contemplated what to do.
Finally after two more minutes passed, Clemente made the call. Cards on their backs…
Jamal [Ah][10d]
Clemente [Kc][Qs]
The flop came [6d][Qc][Js], putting Clemente in front with queens. The turn was the [5c], and Jamal was in dire straits. Then came the river card, to which Jamal and his fans responded “Yeah!” It was the [As], worth a shout of joy, for sure. Jamal survives with the double up.
It’s one of those moments that deserves contemplation…
Reaping the rewards of a double-up can be sweet.
5:49pm: Sam Stein will not lose
When you’re running this good, you have to start thinking about destiny, fate, and whether you left the coffee pot on at home. It’s become so rote for Stein, that the following hand was only mildly shocking.
On a flop of [2c][Ks][Kc], Daniel Clemente bet 250,000 and Sam Stein called. On the turn [8h], Clemente made it 475,000 and Stein called again. The river was a spooky [kd]. Clemente checked this time and Stein bet 750,000. Clemente made the crying call, showing pocket deuces for the flopped set and rivered boat. Stein, meanwhile, showed [jd][js], good for the better boat and another big pot.
Clemente, for his part, stood up and knocked his chair over. We’re not saying he’s the type of guy to kick a cat, but it’s probably for the best that we left Mittens in the hotel room.
5:41pm: $25K Bounty Shootout final table 2 pm tomorrow
We just had an announcement that tomorrow’s final table of the $25,000 Bounty Shootout, originally scheduled for 12 noon, has been rescheduled for 2:00pm (Pacific time).
Scott Seiver, Faraz Jaka, Hoyt Corkins, Joe Cassidy, Ashton Griffin, Peter Eastgate, and Brett Richey all won their tables yesterday, earning $75,000 for doing so as well as a number of $5,000 bounties along the way. Seiver was the biggest bounty hunter — he eliminated all six of his opponents for an extra $30,000 payday.
Read all about yesterday’s action here.
5:33pm: Thomas Fuller eliminated in 6th ($144,639)
Daniel Clemente opened with a raise to 240,000, and all folded.
The next hand, Clemente was at it again, raising to 250,000 from UTG. This time Thomas Fuller responded by reraising all-in and the table folded back around to Clemente who instantly called.
Clemente showed [Qh][Qs] and Fuller [Jc][Js]. The board ran out [3h][Ac][7h][7d][6d], disappointing Fuller’s fans and sending him to the rail in sixth place.
5:02pm: “Miami” John Cernuto eliminated in 7th ($104,461)
Sam Stein opened with a raise to 220,000 from the button. Thomas Fuller folded quickly from the button, but John Cernuto in the small blind didn’t look like he was in such a hurry. Peering out from underneath his orange hoodie in Stein’s direction, he pushed out a reraise of 620,000 — a little under half his remaining stack. Yunus Jamal folded the BB, and the action was back on Sam Stein.
Stein thought about a minute, then reraised enough to put Cernuto all in, and “Miami” John quickly called.
Cernuto [Ac][5c]
Stein [Jh][Td]
Cernuto removed his hood and sat upright while Stein stood up to see what the community cards would be. The flop came [9c][4h][Ah], putting Cernuto in good shape. The turn was the [Ts], pairing Stein. “Fifty bucks for a ten!” cried a Stein fan from the crowd. “We have a bidding war now for the river card,” said the announcer.
As the laughter died down, the river card fell — [Jd]! “That’s sick,” said an amiable Cernuto with a wide grin. He shook hands with the remaining six players and exited the stage, $104,461 richer, but with dashed hopes of earning more.
Patience does pay off! The flop was good…
Only needing to fade two cards…
Noooo! That river card ended the drama with a 7th place finish.
4:48pm: Level 29 begins
And we’re back! Players returned to the table for the beginning of Level 29 with blinds at 50,000/100,000 and a 10,000 ante.
Check out the chip count page for the latest numbers.
4:33pm: Level ends, chip counts to come
We’ve reached the end of a what was a fairly yawn-able Level 28. We’re going to get a full chip count while the players are on break. We’ll be back in about 15 minutes.
4:20pm: Marchese calls cautious Clemente
The table folded around to Tom Marchese in the small blind who took a look past the dealer to Dan Clemente in Seat 1. Clemente has been mostly folding today, having opened with a raise just once thus far and (unsurprisingly) getting no action. Marchese decided to raise to 195,000, and Clemente made the call.
The flop came [7d][10d][2s]. Marchese continued for 215,000 and after pausing a beat Clemente called. The turn was the [Kd], and both checked. The river brought the [Ks]. Marchese checked, and this time Clemente bet 300,000. Marchese thought a moment, then made the call, showing just queen-high. Clemente had paired the seven with his hand, and so claimed the pot.
4:18pm: Faces in the crowd
Because the players apparently chose this level to sit out, let’s take a look around the room. Among the people in the audience today:
4:06pm: The power of the all-in raise</b
Players have not been afraid to use the move today. Cernuto took down a pot with an all-in raise from under the gun. Marchese did the same a few hands later when he made an initial raise, then responded to Stein’s reraise with an all-in move for his last 2,445,000 chips. Stein didn’t take long to fold, and Marchese added to his stack.
The action is slow at this final table, with many moves being carefully considered. But with the frequency of all-in plays, odds are that a few of them will be called.
3:55pm: Analyzing the slow-down
It’s been half an hour after Eric Blair’s departure and we haven’t seen much big action since. If you’re just tuning in, here’s how we rate the players’ aggression, with the number one spot being the most aggressive.
1) Sam Stein
2) Thomas Fuller
3) Tom Marchese
4) David Paredes
5) Yunus Jamal
6) Miami John Cernuto
7) Daniel Clemente
The prize money now is up to $104,461. The next spot is $144,639.
3:34pm: Something to cheer about
Thomas Fuller opened with a raise to 200,000 from middle position and claimed the blinds and antes, prompting a loud cheer from his boisterous cheering section. It has been a mostly sedate scene here thus far, aside from the applause to acknowledge the efforts of our eighth-place finisher, Eric Blair.
There’s a sizable crowd in attendance here in the Bellini Room, with more than a hundred sitting four deep around the stage on which sits the feature table. On the subsequent hands, Yunus Jamal and then Tom Marchese won the blinds and antes with preflop raises, and they, too, enjoyed relatively smaller rounds of applause as if to compete with Fuller’s supporters. Expect the cheers to get louder as we trip up that payout schedule.
3:33pm: Eric Blair – 8th place ($60,266.00)
On the second hand after the first break of the afternoon, Marchese started the hand with a 175K raise. But Blair reraised all-in. Stein asked for a count and then went over the top all-in to isolate. Everyone else, included Marchese, folded out of the way.
Blair’s tournament life was on the line.
Blair: [7h][7d]
Stein: [Ac][Kd]
The board hit Stein right away with a [2h][6s][Kc] flop, leaving Blair with few outs. And the [Th] turn and [4d] were not what he needed. Stein raked another pot, and Eric Blair was the first to leave the table, taking with him $60,266.00 for the 8th place finish.
3:19pm: Back in action
The players are back and playing 40,000-80,000-10,000.
3:04pm: Break time
That brings us to the end of Level 27 and our first 15-minute break of the day.
3:00pm: Just assume Stein won
By now, we’ve discovered there is no need to really cover the details of a hand anymore. Just assume, Sam Stein opened a pot and then won it. However, if you are into this sort of thing, here’s yet another hand in which Stein raked in chips. After opening to 140,000 and getting a call from Thomas Fuller, Stein checked a flop of [kd][as][ac]. Fuller checked behind and they saw the [6d] on the turn. Now Stein bet 180,000. Once again, Fuller called. On the [qc] river, Stein brought the wrecking ball…a 430,000 bet. This time Fuller quickly mucked.
See, just assume Stein won.
2:51pm: Clemente doubles through Paredes
Again, we started with three players going to the flop. Marchese started the action by opening for 140,000, Clemente called, and Paredes called from the big blind. The flop came [5h][8h][4s], and Marchese led the betting with 195,000. Clemente raised it up to 550,000, and Paredes decided to check-reraise all-in. Marchese got out of the way, but Clemente called all-in for his last 1.08 million chips.
Paredes: [8c][7c] – top pair and straight draw
Clemente [Ad][As] – over pair
The [2s] on the turn and [5s] on the river ended the hand, and Clemente doubled up to stay alive.
2:42pm: Stein, still a wrecking ball
Yunus Jamal came in for a raise to 140,000 and got calls from David Paredes and Sam Stein. On a flop of [qh][7c][8d], Stein checked, Jamal bet 280,000, Paredes folded, and Stein called in the small blind. Both players checked the [5c] on the turn. When the river came the [qc], Stein thought a bit before betting 360,000. Jamal thought longer, but eventually made the call. Stein’s [qs][9s] was good enough for the win.
2:37pm: Marchese all-in induces much thought… and two folds
It started with Stein, Paredes, and Marchese taking a look at a flop of [Ts][3c][3d], and they all checked it. But when the [4d] came on the turn, Stein bet 220,000, and both players called.
The [2h] on the river prompted a 430,000 bet from Stein, a raise to 1.3 million from Paredes, and an all-in move from Marchese for his total stack of 1.97 million. Stein folded, and Paredes finally did the same, but not without much thought and folding what he said was a 6-high straight.
Marchese chipped up quite significantly early in the action.
2:27pm: First pot to Cernuto
The first hand of the day started with a preflop raise from Thomas Fuller to 140,000, but “Miami” John Cernuto popped it to 300,000. Everyone folded around, including Fuller, and short-stacked Cernuto took the first chips of the afternoon.
2:23pm: Cards are in the air!
The first hand of today’s final table is being dealt. There are 39 minutes left in Level 27, where the blinds are 30,000-60,000 and the antes 5,000.
2:11pm: Meet our final table players
If you haven’t yet met of our final table players, please see our NAPT Venetian final table player profiles.
They have all found their seats and are now stacking their chips. Here’s where they are and what they’ve got:
Seat 1: Dan Clemente – 1,345,000
Seat 2: Sam Stein – 6,145,000
Seat 3: Thomas Fuller – 4,735,000
Seat 4: “Miami” John Cernuto – 1,310,000
Seat 5: Yunus Jamal – 3,940,000
Seat 6: David Paredes – 4,700,000
Seat 7: Tom Marchese – 2,370,000
Seat 8: Eric Blair – 1,690,000
2:02pm: Final table awaits
Looks as though we are still a while from starting today’s final table of the NAPT Venetian Main Event. A sizable crowd has gathered here in the Bellini Room, and camera crews are readying to shoot all of the action. We’ll be here chronicling it all, too — back in a few!
NAPT Venetian reporting comes courtesy of bloggers Brad Willis, Jennifer Newell, Martin Harris, and photographer Joe Giron.
This NAPT is brought to you by PokerStars, the official sponsor of the North American Poker Tour. Win your way into the biggest events North America has to offer at North America.
1:37am: End of Flight 2
We have our seven winners — Cassidy, Eastgate, Griffin, Cassidy, Jaka, Seiver, and Corkins — all of whom take home $75,000 for taking their tables, plus whatever bounties they claimed as well. There will be more bounties on the table Thursday and the rest of the prize pool up for grabs.
1:29am: Victory for Richey
After a raise from the button of 6,500 from Brett Richey, Lee Markholt reraised all in for approximately 70,000, Richey instantly called and tabled [Kh][Ks]. Markholt was well behind with [8h][8d].
The board ran out [9d][4s][7d][Js][Qs] and Richey gets his third bounty and advances to the final table on Thursday.
1:17am: Eastgate eliminates Haxton, wins table
Shortly after that previous hand in which Eastgate took the advantage, all of the chips went in the middle following a [4h][Qs][10h] flop. Haxton had [Kh][9s] for a gutshot draw, and Eastgate [Qc][4c] for two pair. The turn was the [Kd] and the river the [3s], and Team PokerStars Pro Eastgate wins Haxton’s bounty and the table.
1:13am: Eastgate doubles in style
The action has been very quiet over at table two for some time now. However, we finally caught a glimmer of action when Pokerstars Pro Peter Eastgate got it all in preflop against his lone opponent Isaac Haxton. Haxton held [8d][9d] and Eastgate had the [Kh][Qs].
The flop of [7h][6d][10s] pretty much sealed the deal for Haxton. Some oohs and ahhs were heard when the [As] fell on the turn, giving Eastgate four outs to regain the lead. The river fell the unbelievable [Jh] giving Eastgate the nut straight.
Haxton takes a blow and is down to 75,000 while Eastgate gains some much needed momemtum and is at 100,000 in chips.
1:10am: Level 8 begins
We’ve moved on to the next level, with blinds 1,200-2,400 and a 300 ante.
1:09am: Griffin eliminates Moneymaker, moves on to final
Big hand just now between Ashton Griffin and Chris Moneymaker that resulted in Griffin taking the chip lead from the former Main Event champ. After Moneymaker opened with a raise from the small blind/button, Griffin reraised to 16,500, and Moneymaker made the call.
The flop came [6h][2s][Ac], Ashton bet, and Moneymaker called. The turn was the [6d], and the pair followed the same routine. The river was the [7c], and this time Ashton pushed all in. Moneymaker thought a short while, then called. Ashton quickly flipped over [Ad][As] for aces full, and Moneymaker showed his pocket queens.
“I could have got away from that hand three different times,” lamented Moneymaker afterwards. On the next hand Moneymaker was all in with [Ac][3c] against Griffin’s [5d][5c]. The board ran out [7c][10s][10d][3s][4c], and after leading for most of the heads-up portion of the table, Moneymaker hits the rail one spot shy of Thursday’s final table.
Griffin moves on, claiming Moneymaker’s bounty and joining Joe Cassidy, Scott Seiver, Faraz Jaka, and Hoyt Corkins. Two more spots remain.
1:01am: Outer table updates
Checking in on our other two heads-up matches: At Table 2, Isaac Haxton has 110,000 to Peter Eastgate’s 65,000. And at Table 4, Brett Richey has 100,000 to Lee Markholt’s 75,000.
12:48am: Moneymaker eliminates Habib, now heads up with Griffin
Hasan Habib shoved all in from the button for 24,900, Ashton Griffin folded the small blind, and Chris Moneymaker called from the big blind. The cards went on their backs, and Habib had [Ah][10s] and Moneymaker [Qd][Jd].
As the camera crew set up to shoot the community cards, Moneymaker seized the opportunity to run for a quick restroom break. He made it back in time to see the flop come [7c][9h][9c]. Then the turn bring the [8d]. And then the river the [10c], giving him the straight and another bounty.
Moneymaker has about 115,000 to Ashton Griffin’s 60,000 as we begin heads up on the feature table.
12:30am: Level 7 begins
Blinds are now 1,000-2,000 with a 200 ante.
12:23am: Moneymaker mows down Mercier
In the first hand after the break, Jason Mercier pushed all in with [Ad][6d] and Chris Moneymaker called him with [Jh][Jd].
The flop came [Jc][2d][7s] and Mercier was drawing thin. Then the turn brought the [Kc], making the river [9c] no matter.
12:12am: We’re back; current chip counts/results
Despite the post title, we still have 10 more minutes of Level 6 (800-1,600-200) to play, after which we’ll be at Level 7 with the blinds now 1,000-2,000 and a 200 ante. Here’s how things stand as we restart play:
Table 1
1st – Joe Cassidy
2nd – Justin Bonomo (bounty to Cassidy)
3rd – Yvgeniy Timoshenko (Cassidy)
4th – Joe Sebok (Bonomo)
5th – David Williams (Cassidy)
6th – Tommy Vedes (Williams)
7th – Phil Laak (Cassidy)
Table 2
Isaac Haxton – 91,200
Peter Eastgate – 83,800
3rd – Alec Torelli (Haxton)
4th – Tony G (Haxton)
5th – James Calderaro (Eastgate)
6th – Dario Minieri (Tony G)
7th – Daniel Alaei (Torelli)
Table 3
Chris Moneymaker – 60,900
Ashton Griffin – 48,400
Hasan Habib – 41,400
Jason Mercier – 24,300
5th – Matt Glantz (Griffin)
6th – Keith Gibson (Mercier)
7th – Joe Cada (Moneymaker)
Table 4
Brett Richey – 125,000
Lee Markholt – 50,000
3rd – Phil Galfond (Richey)
4th – Robl (Richey)
5th – Alex Kamberis (Markholt)
6th – John Hennigan (Markholt)
7th – Daniel Negreanu (Galfond)
NAPT Venetian $25,000 Bounty Shootout reporting comes courtesy of bloggers Martin Harris and Marc Hodge and photographer Joe Giron.
This NAPT is brought to you by PokerStars, the official sponsor of the North American Poker Tour. Win your way into the biggest events North America has to offer at North America.
11:58pm: Break time
We aren’t quite at the end of Level 6, but a break is in order so the television crew can do a little extra work before we push forward.
11:51pm: Cassidy prevails
Justin Bonomo fought hard with the short stack, but at last has succumbed to Joe Cassidy, our first winner tongith. On the last hand, Bonomo was all in and at risk for 53,000 in chips. Bonomo held [3h][3s] and was up against Joe Cassidy’s [Ad][8d].
Bonomo hit a good flop of [Qd][9c][6c]. The turn was the [4d] and gave Cassidy some more outs to finish the match. The [9d] fell on the river giving Cassidy the nut flush and sending Bonomo to the rail. Cassidy wins his match and adds one more bounty to make a grand total of $20,000.
11:49pm: Sevens fail Galfond, Richey and Markholt heads up
Brett Richey opened for 4,600 from the button, and Phil “OMGClayAiken” Galfond shoved for 35,400 from the big blind. Richey tanked, then made the call, showing [Ah][2d] versus Galfond’s [7d][7h].
The board came [3d][3h][10s][9d][Ad], and Richey claimed Galfond’s bounty. Richey is now 128,000 entering heads up against Lee Markholt’s 47,000.
11:44pm: Glantz out
Matt Glantz has been eliminated, knocked out by Ashton Griffin. They are now four-handed at the feature table, with Chris Moneymaker, Ashton Griffin, Hasan Habib, and Jason Mercier.
11:39pm: Haxton eliminates Torelli, heads up with Eastgate
Isaac Haxton had bet enough to put Alec Torelli all in before the flop, and after a think Torelli decided to call. He turned over [Kh][Qh] and Haxton [As][3s].
The flop came [7s][Ad][9c], making things mighty dim for Torelli. And the turn [6s] meant lights out.
Haxton barely had Torelli covered, and now enters heads up against Peter Eastgate with approximately 128,000 chips to Eastgate’s 47,000.
11:32pm: Richey richer, Robl sent packin’
After a couple raises back and forth Andrew Robl found himself all in and at risk for his last 21,000 against Brett Richey. Robl held the [Qh][10h] and Richey had [9h][9s].
The board ran out [8s][3s][2s][5s][3d] and Robl bows out graciously. Richey collects the $5,000 bounty and the pot jolts him to just over 90,000 in chips.
11:28pm: The price of poker is going up
We’ve come to the end of Level 5, with all four tables still yet to be decided. The blinds are now 800-1,600, with a 200 ante.
11:17pm: Elusive bounties
We’re seeing several double ups happening at three of the four tables, but no eliminations. Meanwhile, Joe Cassidy and Justin Bonomo are engaged in a tough heads-up battle over at Table 1, with Bonomo gradually working his way back into contention there.
11:01pm: Current chip counts
Fortunes are shifting around fast around here. As are the chips. Here’s a snapshot of what we’re seeing at the moment at the four tables, stack-wise:
Table 1
Joe Cassidy – 115,000
Justin Bonomo – 60,000
Table 2
Alec Torelli – 85,000
Peter Eastgate – 50,000
Isaac Haxton – 40,000
Table 3
Ashton Griffin – 55,000
Chris Moneymaker – 45,000
Matt Glantz – 40,000
Jason Mercier – 20,000
Hasan Habib – 15,000
Table 4
Lee Markholt – 95,000
Andrew Robl – 30,000
Phil Galfond – 27,000
Brett Richey – 23,000
10:58pm: Timoshenko butchered
WE ventured over to table one to find Yevgeniy Timoshenko all in for his remaining 20,000 in chips with [Ks][Qh]. His opponent Joe Cassidy had him covered and was ahead with [Ad][7d].
The board ran out [4d][Jd][Js][5s][3c] and Timoshenko’s night is over.
Cassidy is now heads up against Justin Bonomo and has a 115,000 to 60,000 chiplead.
10:54pm: Cardiac cards
Alec Torelli just survived an all in. As he sweated the turn and river, he announced how nerve-wracking the sweat was. “My heart rate is 170 bpm right now!” he said. “Who says poker isn’t a physical sport?”
Someone from the rail suggested they should all be wearing monitors, which led to some further suggestions about altering the game to reward those with the lowest heart rates.
“Buddhist monks will start dominating poker tourneys!” said Isaac Haxton.
Things have calmed down over there at Table 2 again for now, with Haxton, Torelli, and Peter Eastgate remaining.
10:46pm: Level 5 begins
Blinds 600-1,200 with a 100 ante.
10:42pm: Tony G ousted by Issac H
Tony G was just now knocked out by Isaac Haxton after Haxton made yet another full house against him. Tony G was already all in when Haxton turned sevens full of tens. They are now three-handed on Table 2 — Haxton, Peter Eastgate, and Alec Torelli.
10:36pm: Timoshenko doubles
Over on Table 1, Yvgeniv Timoshenko just doubled through Joe Cassidy. Justin Bonomo is the chip leader there right now with 95,000, Timoshenko has 55,000, and Cassidy is down to 25,000.
10:34pm: Markholt collects double bounty
Picking up the action over at table four we found Alex Kamberis opening the pot in early position to 2,000. Brett Richey made the call, but the small blind Lee Markholt reraised to a total of 11,000. John Hennigan who was short stacked and in the big blind called all in for his remaining 2,600. Kamberis then moved over the top all in for approximately 27,000 in chips, Richey folded and Markholt made the call, he had Kamberis covered.
Lets see the hands:
Kamberis: [Ac][Qh]
Markholt: [Ad][Kc]
Hennigan: [10h][9d]
The board ran out [7h][7c][8h][9s][Kd]. Markholt won the pot and collected a total of $10,000 in bounties. He is now up to 73,000 in chips. Kamberis and Hennigan’s day is over.
10:26pm: Williams, Sebok out; Table 1 three-handed
David Williams has been eliminated over on Table 1, at the hands of Joe Cassidy.
Shortly after, a short-stacked Joe Sebok was all in for his last 7,000 or so with [Ac][3d] and was hoping to catch up to Bonomo’s [10s][10c]. The board came [8s][7s][5c][6d][Qd], and Sebok hits the rail. They are now three-handed there with Cassidy leading Bonomo and Yvgeniy Timoshenko.
10:13pm: Haxton house
After a flop of [8h][10h][9s], Tony G checked, Isaac Haxton bet 3,500, and Tony G called. Both checked the [10c] on the turn. The river brought the [5h]. Tony G checked, Haxton bet 8,600, and Tony G made the call.
Haxton showed the [10s][8c] for a full house, and Tony G mucked. Haxton is up to 65,000, while Tony G slips to 37,000.
10:03pm: Feature this
During the break we had a switch so as to make Table 3 our new feature table, where Jason Mercier holds a small lead. Table 4, where Phil Galfond has a slight lead, has been moved to the outer tables.
9:57pm: Level 4 begins; Current chip counts/results
Players are back with the blinds now 400-800 and a 100 ante. Here’s how things stand:
Table 1
Joe Cassidy – 70,250
David Williams – 37,375
Justin Bonomo – 32,025
Yvgeniy Timoshenko – 26,200
Joe Sebok – 9,475
6th – Tommy Vedes (bounty to Williams)
7th – Phil Laak (Cassidy)
Table 2
Alec Torelli – 47,825
Tony G – 47,725
Isaac Haxton – 43,400
Peter Eastgate – 34,050
5th – James Calderaro (Eastgate)
6th – Dario Minieri (Tony G)
7th – Daniel Alaei (Torelli)
Table 3
Jason Mercier – 51,500
Ashton Griffin – 47,500
Matt Glantz – 33,500
Chris Moneymaker – 32,000
Hasan Habib – 10,000
6th – Keith Gibson (Mercier)
7th – Joe Cada (Moneymaker)
Table 4
Phil Galfond – 42,200
Lee Markholt – 37,675
Alex Kamberis – 28,575
Brett Richey – 25,175
Andrew Robl – 22,300
John Hennigan – 19,075
7th – Daniel Negreanu (Galfond)
NAPT Venetian $25,000 Bounty Shootout reporting comes courtesy of bloggers Martin Harris and Marc Hodge and photographer Joe Giron.
This NAPT is brought to you by PokerStars, the official sponsor of the North American Poker Tour. Win your way into the biggest events North America has to offer at North America.
Sam Stein is a wrecking ball.
Broad-shouldered and burly, Stein has approached the last two days of this tournament with a grim-faced determination that makes it look like he’s been told he has to mow the lawn or clean out the garage. No matter whether he’s flopping sets against overpairs or making a gutshot Broadway on the river, Stein’s eyes don’t sparkle so much as they relax into resignation. That is, he seems resigned to the fact that he is going to win this tournament, even if it kills him and everybody else at the table.
He singularly destroyed one-time chip leader Andrew Lichtenberger. Regarded as much for his luck as his obvious skill, Lichtenberger played this tournament like it was a game of Candyland for the first few days. He constantly carried the wry smile of a kid who has just realized his eighth grade science project accidentally proved the existence of cold fusion. Yesterday, Stein’s Broadway straight (good for more than half of Lichtenberger’s stack) made Lichtenberger buckle down and play poker like a guy who doesn’t pick up aces every other hand. Today, while Stein was on another table, Lichtenberger managed to build his stack back up near two million. Then, when the tables condensed to one, Stein and Mr. Cold Fusion himself came face-to-face again.
It was a Lichteberger three-barrel bluff with king-high and Stein’s call with tens on a jack-high board that sent Lichtenberger out for good and catapulted Stein into this event’s troposhere. Stein finished today with 6,145,000 chips and will bring them all back on Wednesday to play the final table.
Stein will be joined by eight other players who have proven themselves capable of wading through an 872-player field in leather-tough Las Vegas. Here’s how they stack up going into the final table.
Sam Stein — 6,145,000
Thomas Fuller — 4,735,000
David Paredes — 4,700,000
Yunus Jamal — 3,940,000
Tom Marchese — 2,370,000
Eric Blair — 1,690,000
Daniel Clemente — 1,345,000
John Cernuto — 1,300,000
While Stein is the hero of the day, it’s not like this is his first rodeo. He has more than $400,000 in live cashes to his name, plus an untold number of big finishes online. Moreover, he is not infallible. Coloradan Tom Fuller won a huge confrontation with Stein late in the day that propelled the man from the Rockies to second place in chips.
Today we lost 16 players, all of whom cashed for more than four-times their $5,000 buy-in. You can see them all on the NAPT Venetian winners page.
For a complete look back at how all those players found the rail, see either of the links below.
Now we wait to see the first NAPT final table on American soil. It’s going to be a fun one—a combination of young guns from the internet (that’s like coming from the future), old school pros (that’s like coming from Miami, especially if your name is John Cernuto), and some Vegas locals done good (that’s like not really coming from anywhere, because, well, were already here).
It begins Wednesday at 2pm PST. You can follow all the action live here or on NAPT TV. That’s also where you can catch up with the on-going $25,000 Bounty Shootout as reported by Martin Harris and Marc Hodge.
Thanks for joining us here today. We’ll see you back here tomorrow afternoon to find out if Sam Stein’s wrecking ball can swing until the end.
All photography © Joe Giron
This NAPT is brought to you by PokerStars, the official sponsor of the North American Poker Tour. Win your way into the biggest events North America has to offer at North America.
9:35pm: Break time
The remaining players are taking the first break of the night. We’ll be back at the start of the next level with current chip counts at all four tables.
9:31pm: Gibson gone
A short-stacked Keith Gibson was all in over at Table 3 with [Kd][Js] against Jason Mercier’s [10d][10h]. The board ran out eight-high, and Gibson is out. They are now four-handed.
9:20pm: Eastgate dominates
Satellite winner James Calderaro’s fortune has changed abruptly over on Table 2. We found him all in and at risk against Team Pokerstars Pro Peter Eastgate. Calderaro held [As][Ks] to Eastgate’s [3s][3c].
Calderaro was gearing up for a race situation but the flop of [3d][5c][3h] quickly squashed any hope of surviving. He was now drawing dead and proceeded to shake hands and be on his way. Eastgate slides up to 45,000 in chips and collects the $5,000 bounty for knocking out Calderaro.
9:15pm: Calling Moneymaker
It folded around to Ashton Griffin in the small blind who raised to 1,900, and Chris Moneymaker called from the BB. The flop came [Ah][As][3s]. Griffin bet 1,300, and Moneymaker called. The turn brought the [2d], and this time Griffin bet 4,600. Moneymaker again called.
The river was the [4c]. Griffin shoved all in for 16,775, and Moneymaker tanked for a while. Somewhere down in there he found a reason to call with [Ks][6c], but Griffin had him with [Tc][5c] for the straight.
9:10pm: Williams vanquishes Vedes
Tommy Vedes pushed all in for around 10,000 [7c][7s], but ran smack into David Williams’s [Ah][As]. The board came [2s][Jc][4s][5s][4h], and Williams gets Vedes’ bounty. Williams is at 29,000 now.
9:03pm: Alaei, Minieri out
Two knockouts to report, both from Table 2. Alec Torelli eliminated Daniel Alaei, and Tony G won the bounty for knocking out Dario Minieri. Tony G looks to have moved into the chip lead there as they continue five-handed.
8:55pm: Level 3 begins
Blinds 300-600 with a 75 ante. Forty minutes and we’ll reach the first break.
8:52pm: Bounty! Bounty! Negreanu out
In the last hand of Level 2, Daniel Negreanu open pushed all in with his last 4,725 and it folded around to Phil Galfond in the big blind. Galfond paused a moment, giving Negreanu a chance to make a few suggestions.
“Bounty! Bounty!” he said. “Come and get it!” Galfond decided to take the offer and make the call, showing [3h][3s]. Negreanu turned over [8c][8s].
The flop came [6c][Jh][3h], giving Galfond a set. “That’s two in a row!” said Negreanu, alluding to the recent hand won by Brett Richey at Table 4. The turn was the [Jc], giving Kid Poker a couple more outs, but the river was the [7s] and Galfond got that bounty from Negreanu.
8:45pm: Brett is back
Brett Richey pushed all in for 11,600 with [5c][5s] and was in the unfortunate spot of getting called by Andrew Robl who held [Qh][Qd]. The flop changed everything, though, as it came [6h][5d][10s], giving Richey a set. The turn was the [6s] and the river the [4s], and Richey doubles up.
8:40pm: Cada not making the money
We saw a lot of commotion over on table three, and for good reason. Team Pokerstars Pro and current World Champion Joe Cada found himself all in and at risk versus fellow Team Pokerstars Pro and former World Champion Chris Moneymaker.
Cada held [Ad][Kc] while Moneymaker held [Qs][Qh].
The flop fell [Kd][Qc][4h] giving Moneymaker middle set and leaving Cada drawing thin to running straight cards or running boat. The turn and river fell [6s],[3c] respectively and Cada is sent packing.
Moneymaker is now just above 50,000 in chips with an extra $5,000 in his pockets thanks to the bounty.
8:38pm: Your early leaders
Over at Table 1, Joe Cassidy appears to have emerged as the early chip leader. At Table 2, it is James Calderaro who has moved in front. Team PokerStars Pro Chris Moneymaker has a few more chips than the others at Table 3. And at the feature Table 4, John “World” Hennigan has the edge.
We’ll get exact counts all around at the first break, following the end of Level 3. There are 10 minutes left at present in Level 2.
8:28pm: Brett less Richey
Following a flop of [4c][4d][9c], Brett Richey bet 4,600, Lee Markholt reraised to 17,100, and Richey called. Richey showed [Jh][Js], but was way behind Markholt who held trip fours with [5s][4s]. The turn was the [5d] and the river the [2h], and now Markholt is back up to around 40,000. Richey slips to 15,000.
8:22pm: A Glantzing blow
Matt Glantz raised to 950 from middle position, and it folded around to Jason Mercier who reraised to 2,450 from the big blind. Glantz made the call.
The flop came [6c][3d][6s]. Mercier led for 2,025, and Glantz called. The turn was the [10c]. Mercier checked, Glantz bet 6,625, and Mercier let it go.
Glantz is up to 38,000, while Mercier is down to 15,000.
8:16pm: Unabombed
Just before the end of Level 1 we saw our first casualty — Phil Laak. He and Joe Cassidy got all of Laak’s chips in on the flop with the board showing [2c][3d][4c]. Laak had [Kc][10c] for the flush draw, but Cassidy had [5c][6c] for the flopped straight. The board bricked out, and Cassidy picks up the first bounty of the night as Table 1 goes six-handed.
8:12pm: Level 2 begins
We move on to the next level (blinds 200-400, antes 50).
8:11pm: Galfond gets some back
Following that hand with Negreanu, Phil Galfond found himself on the short stack, and soon got entangled in a hand with Andrew Robl. The pair made it the turn with the board showing [Jd][4h][3s][5d], at which point Galfond committed his last 8,075 chips. Andrew Robl made the call showing [6h][4s] for a pair and open-ender, but Galfond had the edge with [Jc][5c].
The river was the [Qs], and Galfond sticks around.
8:07pm: Sir Isaac chips up
Over at table two Isaac Haxton opened the pot to 600 from early position. Peter Eastgate made the call from the cut off. Action folded around to the big blind, Team Pokerstars Pro Dario Minieri, who reraised to 2,525 total. Haxton made the call and Eastgate folded.
Both players checked the flop of [Ac][Js][Qh]. The turn brought the [2d]. This time Minieri led out with a bet of 5,625 which was called rather swiftly by Haxton. Minieri checked when the river [Qs] fell and Haxton moved all in for approximately 18,000. Minieri quickly folded.
With that pot Haxton moves up to 37,000 in chips while the Italian pro Minieri dropped to 19,000.
8:05pm: Better pair good for Negreanu
Daniel Negreanu was just now all in on the turn with the board showing [2c][Jh][9c][Qc]. Phil Galfond called his bet of 8,050, showing [Ac][Jd] for jacks, behind Negreanu’s [Qh][3h] for queens. The river was the [8s], and Negreanu survives.
7:59pm: A hand for Hasan
We caught up with this one on the flop over on Table 3. With a sizable pot already developed, the flop came [8d][9h][10c]. Joe Cada checked from the small blind, and Hasan Habib checked behind from UTG. The turn was the [Kh]. Cada bet 3,000, and Habib called.
The river then brought the [Ks], pairing the board. Cada checked, and Habib pushed all in with his last 11,000. Cada went deep into the tank for several minutes, rechecking his cards, fiddling with his chips, and exhaling. Finally he pushed his cards slowly forward to fold.
The table engaged in speculation about each players’ hands. “Ace-king?” “Tens?” “Queens?” “No, he had ten-five,” joked Mercier. Habib is back to close to the 25,000 starting stack, while Cada is at 22,000.
7:47pm: Hennigan takes one
On the feature table (Table 4), Daniel Negreanu opened with a raise to 475 from the cutoff and got one caller in John “World” Hennigan in the big blind. The flop came single-suited — [10c][8c][Jc] — and both checked. The turn was the [9s]. Hennigan checked, Negreanu bet 1,000, and Hennigan called.
The river brought the [9h]. Hennigan again checked, and this time Negreanu bet 3,500. Hennigan promptly check-raised to 10,500, and after thinking for a bet Kid Poker let it go.
7:40pm: Bonomo off to an early lead
We picked up the action over at table one. With about 15,000 in the middle and the board reading [9d][Kd][4c][Ac], Justin Bonomo check called a bet of 6,625 from Phil Laak. The river fell the [Ks] and both players checked.
Bonomo was first to show and tabled [As][Qs], Laak shrugged and mucked his hand.
Laak falls down to just 12,000 in chips and Bonomo is the current table captain with 38,000 in chips.
7:37pm: Satellite winner’s year has been out of this world
Over at Table 2, satellite winner James Calderaro is discussing his win with Alec Torelli. Some of you might recognize that name — Calderaro made a deep run in last summer’s World Series of Poker Main Event, finishing 13th.
7:29pm: In the air!
Cards, that is. And Flight 2 of the $25,000 Bounty shootout. For Level 1, the blinds are 100/200 with a 25 ante.
7:03pm: Flight 2 still on the runway
Looks like we’re still looking at a bit of a wait before the start of tonight’s tables. A larger crowd has gathered here in the Bellini Room to follow the action than we saw this afternoon.
While we wait, here’s that structure again for you to peruse:
Starting stack: 25,000
Time of level: 40 minutes; breaks after every 3 levels
Level 1: 100-200 blinds, 25 ante
Level 2: 200-400, 50
Level 3: 300-600, 75
Level 4: 400-800, 100
Level 5: 600-1,200, 100
Level 6: 800-1,600, 200
Level 7: 1,000-2,000, 200
Level 8: 1,200-2,400, 300
Level 9: 1,500-3,000, 300
Level 10: 2,000-4,000, 400
Level 11: 2,500-5,000, 500
Level 12: “Tournament Director Discretion”
6:46pm: Flight 2 taking off shortly
We are a short ways away from the start of our final four tables in today’s North American Tour Venetian $25,000 Bounty Shootout. Three winners have already advanced to Thursday’s final table — Scott Sevier, Faraz Jaka, and Hoyt Corkins. Four seats at that table remain vacant, and the 28 players playing tonight will be battling to claim those spots.
Here the seating assignments for Flight 2:
Table 1
1. Joe Sebok
2. Phil Laak
3. Justin Bonomo
4. David Williams
5. Joe Cassidy
6. Yevgeniy Timoshenko
7. Tommy Vedes
Table 2
1. James Calderaro (satellite winner)
2. Dario Minieri
3. Tony G.
4. Alec Torelli
5. Isaac Haxton
6. Daniel Alaei
7. Peter Eastgate
Table 3
1. Chris Moneymaker
2. Keith Gibson
3. Joe Cada
4. Jason Mercier
5. Hasan Habib
6. Matt Glantz
7. Ashton Griffin
Table 4
1. Andrew Robl
2. Lee Markholt
3. John Hennigan
4. Phil Galfond
5. Alex Kamberis
6. Brett Richey
7. Daniel Negreanu
Back in a few for all of the action.
NAPT Venetian $25,000 Bounty Shootout reporting comes courtesy of bloggers Martin Harris and Marc Hodge and photographer Joe Giron.
This NAPT is brought to you by PokerStars, the official sponsor of the North American Poker Tour. Win your way into the biggest events North America has to offer at North America.
8:15pm: And that’s a wrap for Day 4
With eight players, we have our NAPT Venetian final table with Sam Stein as its chip leader. A full wrap of today’s events will be posted in short order.
Join us tomorrow at 2pm for live coverage of all the action at the NAPT Venetian!
8:05pm: Zartman crippled and out in 9th
Kyle Zartman came in for a raise to 165 and got calls from David Paredes and Eric Blair. On the [3d][3h][2s] flop, Zartman bet 315 and got the call. He then checked the [qs] on the turn, and moved all-in after Paredes bet. Paredes snap-called with [2c][2d]. Zartman held [ah][qd]. He didn’t catch and was down to around 200,000 in chips. A few hands later, Miami John Cernuto pushed all-in from the small blind with [as][kc]. Zartman called with [qs][3h] and missed. He finished in ninth for $44,195.
7:46pm: Players coming back…
One more player to go and we’re done for the night.
7:23pm: Break it up…or down
Players are now enjoying a 15-minute break.
7:09pm: Fuller doubles through Stein, takes lead
It was dramatic as all of the cameras closed in, fans perked up, and some player not in the hand got up from the table. Tom Marchese started the hand by raising it up to 110K, but Stein raised it all-in with [Kh][Qh]. Thomas Fuller called all-in for his tournament life with [As][Kd], and his 2.75 million chips were at risk.
The board came [9s][3d][6s][3s][Jh], and the pair on the board with Fuller’s ace kicker was good for the double…and the chip lead. Fuller had 5.25 million going into the next hand.
6:40pm: Marchese doubles
Tom Marchese just scored a timely double-up. When Eric Blair raised from the button, Marchese shoved for 1.1 million. Blair didn’t think long before calling with [as][tc]. Marchese he’d [ac][qs]. Marchese’s hand wasn’t improved but didn’t need to be. He’s now up to near 2.5 million.
6:27pm: Cernuto doubles on the final table bubble
The hand started with a raise to 110K from Tom Marchese, and call from Sam Stein on the button. But John Cernuto looked down at [Ah][Jh] in the big blind and pushed all-in for his last 650K. Marchese got out of the way, but Stein called with [4h][4s]. The flop was a solid one for Cernuto as it came [Jc][Ks][9c] to give him the pair of jacks. The dealer finished the board with [6d] and [3d], and Cernuto doubled up.
6:15pm: Andrew Lichtenberger — 10th place
Sam Stein came in for an early position raise to 115,000 and Andrew Lichtenberger called. On a flop of [js][3h][[7d], Stein check-called Lichtenberger’s 150,000 bet. Stein did the same for 315,000 on the [7h] turn, and then again for the rest of Lichtenberger’s stack (975,000) on the [3d] river. Lichtenberger showed [ks][qs] for the three-barrel bluff. Stein had [td][ts] for the win. Lichtenberger finished in tenth for $44,195.
6:10pm: Redraw to one table
With only ten players remaining in the tournament, the floor staff reseated them at one table as follows:
1. Daniel Clemente
2. David Paredes
3. Eric Blair
4. Tom Marchese
5. Sam Stein
6. Thomas Fuller
7. John Cernuto
8. Kyle Zartman
9. Yunus Jamal
10. Andrew Lichtenberger
6:07pm: Zinger for Zartman
Kyle Zartman was able to get his chips into the middle of the table with A-J against the A-10 of Sam Stein, and the board ran out [9c][Jc][Ad][Qc][Ah] to give Zartman a double-up to more than 1.4 million.
6:04pm: John Franciosi – 11th place
He had only 480K upon returning from break, and he shipped it preflop with [Ah][8s]. Eric Blair called with [As][Kd], and the board came [Jd][6h][Ad][4h][2c] to eliminate John Franciosi in 11th place. He received $34,151.00 for the finish.
6:00pm: Read to roll
With eleven players remaining, we’re back in action. Sam Stein is sitting with nearly six million in chips and the lead on the field.
5:45pm: Good ’ol break time
Players (and fans) are taking a 15-minute break to rest their poker-filled heads.
5:39pm: Paredes doubles
The hand started with a raise to 85K from John Cernuto, on the button, and Sam Stein moved all-in from the small blind. David Paredes immediately called from the big blind and showed [As] [Kc], which was ready to race against the [9c] [9s] of Stein. And the race was won on the flop when it came [Ks] [4c] [Jh], and the [8h] turn and [2d] river wrapped the hand and gave Paredes the double back into the safety zone.
5:28pm: Steve Billirakis — 12th place
Looking at a flop of [jc][6h][4c], Sam Stein checked and Billirakis put out a bet of a little more than 200,000. Stein thought for a moment before making it 530,000. Billirakis looked pained, and took to counting his chips. He turned a stack of 30 yellow 1,000 chips into a stack of 20, moved his 5,000 stack around for a bit, and then announced he was all-in. Stein snap-called and showed [4s][4h] for the flopped set. Billirakis was in trouble and very unlucky to have [qs][qh]. The turn and river went [7c][8c] and Billirakis is out in 12th for $34,151.
5:20pm: Lichtenberger lives
Andrew Lichtenberger put his last 560K at risk with pocket sixes and found them up against the [As] [Js] of Tom Marchese. The board of [Tc] [7c] [2h] [Kd] [2d] gave Lichtenberger the double-up.
5:15pm: Living the dream
We’ve had a few minutes to chat with chip leader Yunus Jamal. He’s a Vegas local who plays quite a bit here at The Venetian. Instead of dropping the $5,000 to get in, he won a live $550 satellite and won his seat. Today, he’s been on fire and seems legitimately thrilled to be in such a good spot. “This is like a dream come true,” he said.
4:48pm: Andrew Chen — 13th place
Yunas Jamal came in for a raise to 87,000 and Andrew Chen shoved for a total of 449,000. Jamal almost looked like he was going to fold, then made the call with [kh][jh]. He was up against Chen’s [9c][9d]. The drama ended quikcly with the [kd] on the lop. The turn and river didn’t save Chen and he’s out in 13th for $28,526.Jamal, meanwhile, is right around the five million mark and the clear chip leader.
4:42pm: Fresh chip counts
We have a brand new chip count up right HERE.
4:30pm: New level, new blinds
Players are coming back to 20,000-40,000-4,000 blinds. We have fourteen fighters remaining. We’ll be going down to eight players before the night.
Sam Stein and Yunus Jamal both have more than four million chips and are jocking for the chip lead.
NAPT Venetian reporting comes courtesy of bloggers Jennifer Newell and Brad Willis, and photographer Joe Giron.
This NAPT is brought to you by PokerStars, the official sponsor of the North American Poker Tour. Win your way into the biggest events North America has to offer at North America.
4:10pm: Break! New level and post coming…
As players take a few minutes away from the tables to relax, the tournament staff is preparing to begin Level 25. And we’ll be starting a new post for Levels 25 and 26, which you can find on the homepage.
Chip counts are also forthcoming, and results will be posted here.
3:40pm: Joseph Cutler – 14th place
Thomas Fuller got involved with a raise from under the gun, and Cutler came along from the big blind. The flop came [Ts] [7c] [2d], and Cutler raised to 150K. But Fuller came back with a raise all-in, and Cutler called all-in, as he was covered by his opponent.
Cutler: [Qd] [Td]
Fuller: [Jd] [Jh]
The [7h] came on the turn, and the [8s] became the river card, and the jacks remained the best hand. Joseph Cutler in 14th place with $28,526.00.
3:14pm: David Miscikowski – 15th place
It was a whirlwind of a few minutes for Miscikowski. The first hand started with a raise from Yunus Jamal, reraise from Miscikowski to 158K, and call from Steve Billirakis. But Yuval responded with a reraise to 477K, and Miscikowski came over the top all-in. Billirakis got out of the way, and Jamal snap-called.
Jamal: [Ks] [Kc]
Miscikowski: [Ts] [Th]
Board: [Kd] [Jd] [Qs] [Qh] [6h]
The full house pushed Jamal up to nearly 4 million chips, while Miscikowski was left with only 11K.
The next hand saw Miscikowski push all-in with [Ts] [3h], but Kyle Zartman just happened to have [9s] [9h] with which to make the call. And just for kicks, Zartman turned a set. That left David Miscikowski out of the tournament in 15th place with $23,303.00.
3:03pm: Lichtenberg doubles through Blair
After Blair started the action with a raise to 70K, Andrew Lichtenberger reraised all-in from the small blind for his last 441K with [Ah] [Td]. Blair mumbled under his breath before calling with [Kc] [Tc]. The board came [6d] [4s] [7h] [Ts] [6s], and Lichtenberger doubled up and stayed in the game.
2:55pm: Annnnd, we’re back
The 15 remaining players are back in their seats and now playing at 15,000-30,000-3,000
2:40pm: Players on break
Back in action in a few minutes.
2:35pm: Daniel Cossette — 16th place
Yunus Jamal came in for a raise to 54,000 and got calls from both Daniel Cossette and Sam Stein. That’s when David Miscikowski re-raised from the small blind to 183,000. Jamal folded, but Cossette pushed all-in. Stein folded, and Miscikowski snap-called with [td][th]. Cossette only head [7d][7d]. He didn’t catch up and is gone in 16th.
2:29pm: 16 players and 2 tables
One of the three tables that started the day was finally broken, and the remaining 16 players were situated on two tables. The clock was stopped during the process but resumed after a very short break.
2:25pm: Stein and Miscikowski tangle again
We caught up to the action on the [Qs] [3h] [Td] [8c] [Js] board, at which point David Miscikowski bet out 216K. Sam Stein thought…and thought…and tried to get information from his opponent. He didn’t want to be bluffed again.
Finally, Stein called and showed [Jd] [Ts] for two pair, and Miscikowski mucked his hand. But he did let Stein know that he only had ace-high. Stein won this round.
2:19pm: Mark Ketteringham – 17th place
The serious hit to his stack came courtesy of John Franciosi. Ketteringham moved all-in on that hand with [Ah] [Kd], but Franciosi called with pocket nines that held up on the [5d] [Tc] [3h] [Ts] [6c] board. Ketteringham was left with about 135K.
He sat on that stack for a few hands but finally pushed all-in with [Kc] [Qs]. “Miami” John Cernuto called quickly with [Ah] [5c], and that hand improved significantly on the [4d] [3c] [2c] flop. The [5c] turn card and [Qd] river allowed Cernuto’s straight to hold up, which sent Mark Ketteringham packing in 17th place.
2:13pm: Steve Stolzmann — 18th place
Sam Stein, wrecking ball, came in for a raise to 55,000 from the button and FPP-qualifier Steve Stolzmann pushed all in for 386,000 from the small blind. Stein took his time but called with [Kd][Jh]. Stolzmann held [7s][7d]. Stein flopped the [jd], Stolzmann never caught up and exited in 18th place for $20,089.
1:48pm: Miscikowski pulls massive bluff on Stein
The hand started with David Miscikowski raising from the button, Stein coming along from the small blind, and Stolzmann calling from the big blind. The flop came [5c] [Kc] [9d], and a 62K bet from Stein prompted Stolzmann to get out of the way, but Miscikowski called.
The [Ks] on the turn brought a 142K bet from Stein and call from Miskikowski.
The [2s] on the river seemed harmless enough, but Stein bet out 211K. Fireworks. Miscikowski raised all-in for 433K more, which sent Stein deep into the tank. More than a few minutes passed before Stein finally folded.
And Miscikowski showed Q-J offsuit for the bluff. A collective “oof” came from everyone who saw it. And Miscikowski collected a much-needed pot to push him into more comfortable chip territory.
1:25pm: Daniele Nestola – 19th place
Nestola was possibly looking to pick up the blinds and antes by pushing his 300K stack all-in preflop from the small blind. But “Miami” John Cernuto quickly called from the big blind with [Ah] [Tc]. Nestola could only turn over [5d] [2s]. The board came [Qd] [4d] [Qs] [Jd] [Js], and Daniele Nestola departed in 19th place.
1:20pm: Blair Hinkle – 20th place
It happened just after the break was over, and Hinkle chose to tangle with Steve Billirakis. The latter raised it up to 55K preflop, and Hinkle responded with an all-in reraise with [2s] [2h]. Billirakis called and showed [Ah] [5d], and the ace came out on the [As] [Tc] [7c] flop. The [Kc] and [6h] finished the hand, and Blair Hinkle headed to the cashier cage to collect $20,089.00 for the deep run.
1:15pm: Play resumes
We’ve returned to play at Level 23, and 12,000-24,000-2,000 blinds. We have also done some approximate chip counts for the field at the break.
12:56pm: Break time
Players are on their first 15-minute break of the day. They’re doing…well…that’s not anyone’s business, really. But they’ll be back in their seats shortly.
12:42pm: Michael De Gilio – 21st place
De Gilio put his tournament life at risk with A-10 on a board that gave him a pair of tens, but the A-K of Billirakis paired his king. Michael De Gilio was gone in 21st place.
12:38pm: Clemente doubles through Nestola
On a [5d] [7c] [6s] board, Clemente’s bet was met by an all-in raise from Nestola. Clemente called for his tournament life with [9c] [9s], and Nestola showed [Qd] [8d]. The [Ad] on the turn and [8s] on the river allowed the nines to stand and give Clemente the double-up.
12:30pm: Jonathan Aguiar — 22nd place
Shortly after losing most of his stack to Mark Ketteringham, Jonathan Aguiar moved all-in pre-flop with [qh][7d]. John Franciosi called from the blind with [ad][8c]. Neither hand improved and Aguiar finished in 22nd for $20,089.
12:20pm: Couple of doubles
In the last few minutes we’ve had some timely double ups. Mark Ketteringham doubled through Jonathan Aguiar with [As][Qd] all in pre-flop aganst Aguiar’s [ah][9c]. Shortly thereafter Mike De Gilio pushed all in from the button. Steve Billisrakis isolated from the small blind with [ac][5c]. It was a good move. De Gilio only held [jd][9d]. Billirakis even flopped his ace, but De Gilio ran out the diamond flush for the win.
12:16pm: Jason Dewitt – 23rd place
While the other table was in action with Lindley and Nestola, Sam Stein and Jason Dewitt were tangling. The flop came [6d] [8c] [Td], and Dewitt checked. Stein put him all-in, and Dewitt went into the tank before finally calling with pocket aces. Stein turned over Q-9 for the draw, and though the 5 on the turn was harmless, the jack on the river made that straight.
Jason Dewitt was eliminated in 23rd place.
12:14pm: Christina Lindley – 24th place
She started strong. As soon as action got underway today, Lindley pushed all-in with her ultra-short stack with pocket sixes, and Daniel Clemente called with [Qs] [Tc]. The board ran out [Jd] [Jd] [8d] [Ah] [3d], giving Lindley the flush and the much-needed double-up.
Still short, Lindley moved again a short time after with pocket sixes, hoping they would be lucky again. But Daniele Nestola called with A-K, and the board brought an ace on the flop. With no sixes (or a flush or straight), Lindley exited the tournament in 24th place.
12:10pm: Day 4 underway
The cards are in the air. We have about 45 minutes level in Level 22 before moving up in blinds.
12:00pm: Day 4 about to begin
The final 24 players are taking their seats. Today we will play down to the final table of eight.
How long will this take? It’s anyone’s guess, but after last night’s late finish, expect the players to be hopped up on Red Bull and ready to play.
That includes our chip leader, Eric Blair who starts the day with 3.7 million in chips.
NAPT Venetian reporting comes courtesy of bloggers Jennifer Newell and Brad Willis, and photographer Joe Giron.
This NAPT is brought to you by PokerStars, the official sponsor of the North American Poker Tour. Win your way into the biggest events North America has to offer at North America.
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