With 42 minutes remaining in Level 11, and just a few hours before play halts for the day, the floor staff has broken another table leaving us with 50 players. 23 tiny eliminations from the money. We will try to get the top chip counts during the next break.
Blinds are 800-1,600 with 200 ante. After chipstack is 71,400.
Friday, September 18, 2009
SCHOOL'S BACK IN SESSION
"I'm not going to pay you until you're back in your seats and you are quiet," those the words from poker official Deb Daly, as she pleads for order over the Event Center microphone.
Forty two players are as giddy as children on the school playground after punching their tickets into the Main Event by winning the ACT 2 (1 in 5 players qualify) tournament.
The notable qualifiers include Tuan Gheban and Manny Patel. One other player stops by media row and says, "make sure you let people know that I won ACT 1 and was down to 425 chips in ACT 2, but I'm going to the show!" And before we can get his name, he's gone.
Players have the option of playing in Saturday's Day 1A or Sunday's Day 1B.
The excitement and tension continues to build as the Main Event is less than 12 hours away.
Forty two players are as giddy as children on the school playground after punching their tickets into the Main Event by winning the ACT 2 (1 in 5 players qualify) tournament.
The notable qualifiers include Tuan Gheban and Manny Patel. One other player stops by media row and says, "make sure you let people know that I won ACT 1 and was down to 425 chips in ACT 2, but I'm going to the show!" And before we can get his name, he's gone.
Players have the option of playing in Saturday's Day 1A or Sunday's Day 1B.
The excitement and tension continues to build as the Main Event is less than 12 hours away.
HEADS UP CHAMP: YAGINUMA
Jesse Yaginuma (Silver Spring, MD)Champion - $25,600
Jesse Yaginuma avenges his only loss of the double elimination format to take down the heads up championship over Mike Leah.
Yaginuma comes out of the loser's bracket to beat Leah twice to take the title. "It feels great," he says, "it was a good day."
Leah was 6-0 as the winner's bracket champion, and needed to beat Yaginuma once for the championship, but after losing the first game he never gets on track. "I'm very disappointed," says Leah who collects $16,000 for second place, "he earned it and I didn't play very well."
Once Yaginuma gets the chip lead in the final match he never let it go. "We played a lot of medium sized pots," says the champion who wins $25,600, "when the blinds got bigger, he got shorter, but he played great. I caught some cards and ran pretty well.
Yaginuma was in the loser's bracket because of his championship bracket loss to Leah Thursday night. Yaginuma regroups to beat Matt Vance in the loser's bracket final and then beats Leah twice.
Both players are now gearing up for the Main Event and say they're likely to play in Saturday's Day 1A.
Mike Leah (Toronto, Canada) 2nd Place - $16,000
LOCAL LEGEND GONE
Event #16 - No Limit Hold Em'
Buy-In: $500 + $60
Buy-In: $500 + $60
"Joey The_B" Brooks (Egg Harbor Township, NJ)8th place - $6,210
EVENT 17 - LEVEL UP
Players in the Event #17 are back and heading into Level 10 with still plenty of room to play and they are cautiously approaching the high buyin tournament. There are still 65 players remaining with only 27 of those making the money.
The most entertaining setup is watching the action on both tables 1 and 2. Matt "All in at 420" Stout is just chipping up the leaderboard while several players spend their time chirping to each other about anything and everything. Seems his perfect setup. Sitting almost directly behind him is Bill Gazes, his table is making noise with their actions. Several big hands, re-raises, and unbelievable laydowns make it feel like this might be a tough table for him to conquer.
There are only 3 more one hour levels before play is completed for the evening. There is no indication the players will bust at a pace that will get us into the money.
Level 10 has blinds at 600-1,200 with 200 ante. The average chip stack is 55,000 (or around 50 big blinds for most players). This is going to take awhile.
The most entertaining setup is watching the action on both tables 1 and 2. Matt "All in at 420" Stout is just chipping up the leaderboard while several players spend their time chirping to each other about anything and everything. Seems his perfect setup. Sitting almost directly behind him is Bill Gazes, his table is making noise with their actions. Several big hands, re-raises, and unbelievable laydowns make it feel like this might be a tough table for him to conquer.
There are only 3 more one hour levels before play is completed for the evening. There is no indication the players will bust at a pace that will get us into the money.
Level 10 has blinds at 600-1,200 with 200 ante. The average chip stack is 55,000 (or around 50 big blinds for most players). This is going to take awhile.
FINAL TABLE
Event #16 - No Limit Hold Em'
Buy-In: $500 + $60
Number of Entrants: 414
Players remaining: 7
Avg. Stack: $591,000
Blinds @ 15,000/30,000/3,000a
Steven Dippolio (Bellerose, NY)9th Place - $4,140
HEADS-UP ALERT!
Jesse Yaginuma defeats Mike Leah in their first game and the two now rematch for the championship.
Leah beat Yaginuma Thursday night to send him to the losers bracket. Yaginuma returns the favor, as both players each have one loss in the double elimination format.
Yaginuma and Leah's rubber match is underway.
The winner earns $25,600, second place collects $16k.
Leah beat Yaginuma Thursday night to send him to the losers bracket. Yaginuma returns the favor, as both players each have one loss in the double elimination format.
Yaginuma and Leah's rubber match is underway.
The winner earns $25,600, second place collects $16k.
EVENT #16 - HUANG 10TH
Zhi Hong Huang (Brooklyn, NY) comes to the final table as the short stack with 80k and is out in 10th place earning $4,140.
The remaining 9 players are just back from dinner break with the average stack at 460k.
Level 20 underway (10k/20k/3k ante).
The remaining 9 players are just back from dinner break with the average stack at 460k.
Level 20 underway (10k/20k/3k ante).
HEADS-UP CHAMPIONSHIP UNDERWAY
Yaginuma (left) vs. Leah
After waiting 24 hours, Mike "GoLeafsGoEh" Leah is playing for the heads-up championship in a rematch against Jesse Yaginuma.
These two squared off in the winner's bracket final Thursday night, but each had to wait most of Friday to see who would emerge from the loser's bracket. Yaginuma set up the rematch by knocking off Matt Vance in a fairly quick one hour match.
For Vance to win the title he needs to beat Leah twice. If Leah wins the opener he claims the title.
Play's underway 30 minutes ahead of schedule.
VACATION?
It's no suprise two cash-game grinders from Texas have already put up some impressive results.
Ray Henson (Houston, TX) has over 60K chips in Event #17, while David Baker (Katy, TX) has become the favorite in
Event #16 with only 8 players left.
"We're both from Texas, so we travel together...mostly to California to play cash games," says live pro, Ray Henson. Most known for getting bluffed by Kenny Tran in his deep run in the 07' Main Event, the live cash-game pro has skills and the game to back it up. He's been killing it for the last 5 years, consistenty beating the Limit Hold Em' games, playing anywhere from $100/200 - $400/800 blinds at the Commerce Casino in downtown Los Angeles.
While David and Ray have skills on the felt to play anywhere in the world, they've come to the east-coast for other reasons. "We're just here to play the Main Event and see a bunch of games," says Henson. The two poker pros have secured tickets to watch professional sports in some of the best venues in the world, check out their schedule for next week.
Ray Henson & David Baker Travel Itinerary:
Mets v. Braves (Shea Stadium) - Thursday
Yankees v. Red Sox (Yankees Stadium) - Friday
Yankees v. Red Sox (Yankees Stadium) - Saturday
Falcons v. Patriots (Foxboro) - Sunday
Blue Jays v. Red Sox (Fenway Park) - Monday
Ray Henson (Houston, TX) has over 60K chips in Event #17, while David Baker (Katy, TX) has become the favorite in
Event #16 with only 8 players left.
"We're both from Texas, so we travel together...mostly to California to play cash games," says live pro, Ray Henson. Most known for getting bluffed by Kenny Tran in his deep run in the 07' Main Event, the live cash-game pro has skills and the game to back it up. He's been killing it for the last 5 years, consistenty beating the Limit Hold Em' games, playing anywhere from $100/200 - $400/800 blinds at the Commerce Casino in downtown Los Angeles.
While David and Ray have skills on the felt to play anywhere in the world, they've come to the east-coast for other reasons. "We're just here to play the Main Event and see a bunch of games," says Henson. The two poker pros have secured tickets to watch professional sports in some of the best venues in the world, check out their schedule for next week.
Ray Henson & David Baker Travel Itinerary:
Mets v. Braves (Shea Stadium) - Thursday
Yankees v. Red Sox (Yankees Stadium) - Friday
Yankees v. Red Sox (Yankees Stadium) - Saturday
Falcons v. Patriots (Foxboro) - Sunday
Blue Jays v. Red Sox (Fenway Park) - Monday
VANCE'S LAST DANCE (HEADS UP)
Matt Vance (New York, NY) 3rd - $9,600
Matt Vance's day comes to an end when Jesse Yaginuma beats him in the heads up loser's bracket final. Yaginuma closes out the match in a little more than an hour and moves on to face Mike Leah for the championship.
Vance's third place finish earns him $9,600. Leah and Yaginuma will begin heads up play momentarily, earlier than the tentatively scheduled 9 PM start.
SENIORS FINALS
Event #50 - NL Hold Em (SENIORS)
Buy-In: $350 + $50
Number of Entries: 179 players
Prize Pool: $62,650
CHAMPION
Kenny Levy (Boca Raton, FL)
1st place - $19,296
Thomas Coan (Hauppauge, NY)
2nd place - $10,650
Joseph Bovino (Boca Raton, FL)
3rd place - $5,951
Stephen Gerisch (Boonton, NJ)
4th place - $4,385
Buy-In: $350 + $50
Number of Entries: 179 players
Prize Pool: $62,650
CHAMPION
Kenny Levy (Boca Raton, FL)
1st place - $19,296
Thomas Coan (Hauppauge, NY)
2nd place - $10,650
Joseph Bovino (Boca Raton, FL)
3rd place - $5,951
Stephen Gerisch (Boonton, NJ)
4th place - $4,385
EVENT #16 FINAL TABLE
No Limit Hold'Em $500 + $60
Seat - Name - Count
1. Zhi Hong Huang (Brooklyn, NY) 80k
2. Adam Adler (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) 580k
3. Brian Goldstein (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) 260k
4. Mike Moore (N. Cape May, NJ) 340k
5. Dave Baker (Katy, TX) 1 million
6. Joey "The B" Brooks (Egg Harbor Twp, NJ) 500k
7. Steven Dippolito (Bellerose, NY) 170k
8. Pietro Mastroserio (Franklin Square, NY) 100k
9. Shawn Pilot (North Hills, CA) 175k
10. Steve Fiorentini (Winchester, MA) 850k
Seat - Name - Count
1. Zhi Hong Huang (Brooklyn, NY) 80k
2. Adam Adler (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) 580k
3. Brian Goldstein (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) 260k
4. Mike Moore (N. Cape May, NJ) 340k
5. Dave Baker (Katy, TX) 1 million
6. Joey "The B" Brooks (Egg Harbor Twp, NJ) 500k
7. Steven Dippolito (Bellerose, NY) 170k
8. Pietro Mastroserio (Franklin Square, NY) 100k
9. Shawn Pilot (North Hills, CA) 175k
10. Steve Fiorentini (Winchester, MA) 850k
VANCHIRO OUT IN 4TH (HEADS UP)
Loser's Bracket Final UnderwayJeffrey Vanchiro's run through the loser's bracket is over after getting out flopped by Matt Vance to finish 4th in the heads up event.
"I never got my money in bad," says Vanchiro who's (A K) all-in loses to Vance's (K Q) when there's a queen in the window. "That's pretty rare heads-up and means I was running good."
On the final hand Vance opens for 2k, Vanchiro shoves for 16k and Vance makes the call. "Yeah, it was a suck out, but it doesn't bother me," says Vance who's now 1 of 3 players still alive for the title.
Vanchiro won 7 straight loser's bracket games, including three Friday to collect $6,400.
Vance advances to play Jesse Yaginuma in the loser's bracket final. The winner of that match plays Mike Leah, the lone remaining player in the winner's bracket, at approximately 9 pm, for the first of two potential championship matches.
Yaginuma is Heads Up vs. Vance
Jeffrey Vanchiro (Broolyn, NY)4th Place - $6,400
Jason Young (Suffern, NY)t-5th Place - $3,200
Will Failla (Smithtown, NY)t-5th Place - $3,200
"I'M GIVING THEM ACTION" (EVENT #17)
No Limit
$1500 +$125
Salant (left) Giving Mallor Action
The most popular player at table 6 is Jeffrey Salant (Irvington, NY). "They're crying bloody murder, but I'm giving them action and I hit some crazy hands."
One of those crazy hands involves Salant calling a reraise preflop with (6 6). Three players see the flop of [2 3 8], Salant ships 17k all-in and is called by Mark Salinaro (QQ). The turn is [7] and the river brings [6], a two outer for Salant to stay alive with a set.
"Oh well," says Salinaro, "at least I'm still here and making a comeback."
Sitting to Salant's left is Ross "Tysonduke23" Mallor (New York, NY) who sums it up. "He's the worst player I've ever seen live," says Mallor half seriously, "and he'll tell you he made two terrible plays."
"Yeah, but I'm giving you guys action," Salant fires back.
"I figured out he's got dinner and a show, and has to be out of here by 8," says Mallor.
Salant's stack is now close to 100K when he raises the turn, checks the river and showdowns (A 2) for a pair of twos to beat his opponent's missed (A K).
Also at the table is Christian "DA_Professor" Iacobellis (Rye, NY) who's sitting on 44k.
120 players remain with an average stack of 30k. Level 7 continues (300/600/75 ante).
$1500 +$125
Salant (left) Giving Mallor ActionThe most popular player at table 6 is Jeffrey Salant (Irvington, NY). "They're crying bloody murder, but I'm giving them action and I hit some crazy hands."
One of those crazy hands involves Salant calling a reraise preflop with (6 6). Three players see the flop of [2 3 8], Salant ships 17k all-in and is called by Mark Salinaro (QQ). The turn is [7] and the river brings [6], a two outer for Salant to stay alive with a set.
"Oh well," says Salinaro, "at least I'm still here and making a comeback."
Sitting to Salant's left is Ross "Tysonduke23" Mallor (New York, NY) who sums it up. "He's the worst player I've ever seen live," says Mallor half seriously, "and he'll tell you he made two terrible plays."
"Yeah, but I'm giving you guys action," Salant fires back.
"I figured out he's got dinner and a show, and has to be out of here by 8," says Mallor.
Salant's stack is now close to 100K when he raises the turn, checks the river and showdowns (A 2) for a pair of twos to beat his opponent's missed (A K).
Also at the table is Christian "DA_Professor" Iacobellis (Rye, NY) who's sitting on 44k.
120 players remain with an average stack of 30k. Level 7 continues (300/600/75 ante).
SENIOR BUSTOUTS
Event #50 - NL Hold Em (SENIORS)
Buy-In: $350 + $50
Nicholas Pompo (Glenolden, PA)
6th Place - $3,132
Ronald Puleo (Sarasota, FL)
7th Place - $2,506
Buy-In: $350 + $50
Nicholas Pompo (Glenolden, PA)6th Place - $3,132
Ronald Puleo (Sarasota, FL)7th Place - $2,506
SENIORS EVENT ELIMINATIONS
Event #50 - NL Hold Em (SENIORS)
Buy-In: $300 + $50
Frances Bartolone (Robbinsville, NJ)
8th Place - $1,880
Hal Stickel (Waretown, NJ)
9th Place - $1,410
Buy-In: $300 + $50
Frances Bartolone (Robbinsville, NJ)
8th Place - $1,880
Hal Stickel (Waretown, NJ)
9th Place - $1,410
V VS. V (HEADS UP)
FOURTH PLACE MATCH
Vanchiro (Left) and Vance on the Big Board
Jeffrey Vanchiro's long run through the loser's bracket gets him into the money, as he defeats Will Failla in the 5th place match to keep him alive for the heads-up championship.
"Brutal," says Vanchiro, who's won 7 straight matches since losing to John Jay Fortunato in the second round of the winner's bracket. "I feel like I'm on a free-roll now that I made the money."
Vanchiro now faces Matt Vance who wins his draw against Jason Young in the bottom half of the loser's bracket. "It feels good. I ran good yesterday (Thursday), but now I'll have to win it the hard way."
The winner of V vs. V, faces another alphabet bottom deweller in Jesse Yaginuma for third place. The loser collects $6,400 for fourth place.
Waiting in the wings for a loser's bracket winner to emerge is Mike Leah, who's undefeated at 6-0 and in the winner's bracket. The first of a possible two matches for the title is tentatively scheduled for 9 pm.
The Heads Up champion takes home $25,600, second place earns $16,000 and third gets $9,600.
Young and Failla each collect $3,200 for finishing in a tie for 5th place.
Vanchiro (Left) and Vance on the Big Board"Brutal," says Vanchiro, who's won 7 straight matches since losing to John Jay Fortunato in the second round of the winner's bracket. "I feel like I'm on a free-roll now that I made the money."
Vanchiro now faces Matt Vance who wins his draw against Jason Young in the bottom half of the loser's bracket. "It feels good. I ran good yesterday (Thursday), but now I'll have to win it the hard way."
The winner of V vs. V, faces another alphabet bottom deweller in Jesse Yaginuma for third place. The loser collects $6,400 for fourth place.
Waiting in the wings for a loser's bracket winner to emerge is Mike Leah, who's undefeated at 6-0 and in the winner's bracket. The first of a possible two matches for the title is tentatively scheduled for 9 pm.
The Heads Up champion takes home $25,600, second place earns $16,000 and third gets $9,600.
Young and Failla each collect $3,200 for finishing in a tie for 5th place.
2 TABLES LEFT
Event #16 - No Limit Hold Em'
Buy-In: $500 + $60
"Joey The B" Brooks continues to dominate Table 3. With the table chip-lead and years of experience, this Borgata tournament regular becomes one of the favorites with only 18 players left.
Shawn Pilot is on "cruise control" as he remains the tournament chip-leader. He's managed to stay out of danger and chip away at the small pots thus far on Day 2.
The two big stacks on Table 1 continue playing an aggressive brand of poker as they accumulate more chips. Both, Adam Adler and Steve Fiorentini, have their sights set on the Final Table.
Buy-In: $500 + $60
"Joey The B" Brooks continues to dominate Table 3. With the table chip-lead and years of experience, this Borgata tournament regular becomes one of the favorites with only 18 players left.
Shawn Pilot is on "cruise control" as he remains the tournament chip-leader. He's managed to stay out of danger and chip away at the small pots thus far on Day 2.
The two big stacks on Table 1 continue playing an aggressive brand of poker as they accumulate more chips. Both, Adam Adler and Steve Fiorentini, have their sights set on the Final Table.
EVENT #17 BY THE NUMBERS
The official numbers are in for the $1,500 + $125 No Limit Hold'em Event #17. 238 players registered for the tournament creating a $357,000 prizepool. The winner will earn $107,100 in the end. Top 27 players make the money.
Event #17 - $1,500 + $125 No Limit Hold'em
Entrants: 238
Prizepool: $357,000
First Place: $107,100
1st - $107,100
2nd - $60,690
3rd - $33,380
4th - $24,990
5th - $21,420
6th - $17,850
7th - $14,280
8th - $10,710
9th - $7,140
10th to 12th - $4,641
13th to 15th - $3,927
16th to 18th - $3,213
19th to 27th - $2,677
Event #17 - $1,500 + $125 No Limit Hold'em
Entrants: 238
Prizepool: $357,000
First Place: $107,100
1st - $107,100
2nd - $60,690
3rd - $33,380
4th - $24,990
5th - $21,420
6th - $17,850
7th - $14,280
8th - $10,710
9th - $7,140
10th to 12th - $4,641
13th to 15th - $3,927
16th to 18th - $3,213
19th to 27th - $2,677
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