ESPN has prepped the final table for Johnny Chan and Phil Laak to battle heads-up for the bracelet. Play will be resuming soon.
TV Final Table
Posted: Sun, Jun 26, 05, 6:01 PM
Although not originally scheduled to be filmed, there is quite a bit of entertainment value in today's event. Johnny Chan is going for the all-time record for most WSOP Bracelets, while Phil Laak's girlfriend, Jennifer Tilly, has reached the final table in the women's event, happening concurrently. As a result, Chan and Laak are on an indefinite break until the No Limit Event on the ESPN main stage is complete.
Heads Up Play
Posted: Sun, Jun 26, 05, 5:59 PM
The Pot Limit Event is taking a break while they prepare for the heads-up match between Johnny Chan and Phil Laak for the bracelet. Their chip counts are:
Johnny Chan - $658,000
Phil Laak - $403,000
Richard Osborne Eliminated in 3rd Place ($78,200)
Posted: Sun, Jun 26, 05, 5:42 PM
Phil Laak raises the pot under the gun to $32,000. Richard Osborne reraises all-in for $82,000 more. Laak verbally asks the dealer, crowd, reporters, and tournament directors about his pot odds. He calls and turns over K-10. His opponent shows A-K. "Crap, I was hoping he had Queens or Ace Queen!" The flop comes K-8-6. Only a ten will eliminate Osborne. The turn is a Queen. A member of the crowd calls for the ten of spades. The dealer burns. The River is the ten of spades. Phil Laak wins the hand, falls the ground, kisses it, rises, and then kisses the "psychic" member of the crowd on the head. Richard Osborne is eliminated, and handles himself quite gracefully, as he shakes Phil's hand in genuine congratulations.
Blinds :Level Increase
Posted: Sun, Jun 26, 05, 5:38 PM
The blinds are now $8,000 - $16,000.
Updated Chip Counts
Posted: Sun, Jun 26, 05, 5:37 PM
Here are the updated chip counts for the three remaining players:
3. Richard Osborne - $160,000
4. Johnny Chan - $645,000
9. Phil Laak - $265,000
Frank Kassela Eliminated in 4th Place ($68,425)
Posted: Sun, Jun 26, 05, 5:33 PM
All-in in the dark for his last $20,000 in chips, Kassela is called by Phil Laak. Kasselah shows 2-5 and Laak show's 6-7. The flop comes K-7-5. When the turn comes another 7. Kasselah is drawing dead and eliminated in 4th place.
Chan Doubles Up
Posted: Sun, Jun 26, 05, 5:30 PM
Frank Kassela makes it $42,000 to go. Johnny Chan reraises to $126,000. Kassela reraises all-in and Chan immediately calls. Kassela shows Aces to Chan's Queens. Phil Laak comments with "That's sick. Write this down. Unabomber says 'that's sick' for four handed!" More sickness follows as the flop comes K-K-Q. The turn and river bring a 7 and a 6, Kassela's Aces are cracked, and Johnny Chan doubles through to become the chip leader at nearly $700,000.
Play Resumes
Posted: Sun, Jun 26, 05, 5:17 PM
Since the TV table is still in heads up play, play has resumed here on the Pot-Limit event.
TV Timeout
Posted: Sun, Jun 26, 05, 4:16 PM
At the request of ESPN, the players are taking a 45 minute break in order to possibly have the opportunity to be filmed on the ESPN main table. Currently, the final table of the $2,500 No Limit Event is taking place there, but it's currently three handed. If that tournament should end in the meantime, this Pot-Limit Event will move up into the prime time.
