Poker News

Sunday Scoop: Serock Shines

Serock, who cashed four times in the 2010 WSOP, outlasted 2,578 players and then beat a tough final table that included Tommy "blanks plz" Wesley and John "eliterestla" Russo to take down this week's Brawl title.

The young online pro capped his night off by beating psfishfat heads-up to secure the $105,032 first place prize.

In other Full Tilt Sunday news the $750k Guaranteed once again had a small overlay, which made the tournament even more lucrative to the 3,443 players who entered.

Leopold "pojai" Chow was the ultimate victor taking down $90,811 for his efforts.

Over on PokerStars the Sunday Million was easily the biggest tournament of the day. The event drew 8,190 to create a prizepool of $1.6 million.

Online player Peetoon grabbed the biggest chunk of the prizepool by taking down first place for $232,362.

The PokerStars Sunday 500 was perhaps the most intriguing tournament from a pro's point of view as Faraz "The-Toilet 0" Jaka, David "Cairns1987" Cairns and Jeff "jeff710" Hakim all made the final table.

In the end it was Dylan "Pokerl)evil" Horton who took top honors for $87,400.

Finally over on UB it was the final day of UBOC5, which meant it was time for the $1,050 buy-in, $1 million guaranteed main event.

The event drew 1,032 players and Peter "APATHY123" Jetten was perhaps the most recognizable pro to go deep.

The Canadian made it all the way to the final table before he was finally ousted in fifth place for $56,244.

First place would eventually go to online player CHAZ_MAN_C who took down $230,455 for his efforts in the event.

Andy Frankenberger Wins WPT Legends of Poker

On Wednesday night, Andy Frankenberger, who entered the World Poker Tour’s (WPT) Legends of Poker final table as the chip leader, emerged as its champion and banked $750,000. In addition, Frankenberger is now the proud owner of a WPT championship bracelet and a trophy of Wild Bill Hickok. The final table took 184 hands to determine a champion and ended shortly after 2:00am PT at the Bicycle Casino in Los Angeles.

After doubling up Tom Braband several hands earlier, Franco Brunetti was shown the exit in sixth place from the Legends of Poker. Brunetti moved all-in over-the-top of a raise by Kyle Wilson with K-3 offsuit and Wilson made the call with 8-6. I bet you can guess how this ends. A six hit on the flop to give Wilson the lead in the hand and no king came on the turn or river to save the day.

On the 77th hand of final table play, Jared Jaffee pushed all-in on a flop of J-7-4-7. Wilson tanked before calling and showed down 9-7 for trips, while Jaffee tabled Q-J for jacks-up. The river card was a king and Jaffee busted in fifth place for $86,000. The Legends of Poker marked Jaffee’s second WPT final table of 2010, as he finished fourth in the Southern Poker Championship in January for $135,000.

Twenty-three hands later, it was Braband’s witching hour. Braband 3bet all-in pre-flop and Wilson called, turning over pocket nines. Braband held K-J for an old-fashioned race and the board ran out Q-7-4-8-9. Braband picked up $109,000 from his first WPT final table. He finished 23rd in the Season 7 L.A. Poker Classic, his only other in the money finish on the WPT circuit.

Frankenberger, now the low stack at the table, doubled through Wilson with A-9 against A-7 and furthered his Legends of Poker title run by knocking out Tom Lee in third place. Lee open-shoved all-in pre-flop with A-8 and both Frankenberger and Wilson called in an attempt to knock him out. Frankenberger and Wilson checked the action down on a board reading K-9-4-Q with two clubs and, when the jack of clubs hit on the river, Frankenberger bet out 400,000 and Wilson folded. Frankenberger showed A-7 of clubs for the nut flush and Lee was relegated to the rails with ace-high.

Frankenberger held a 7:2 chip lead entering heads-up play against Wilson and the action ended just six hands later. Wilson 3bet all-in pre-flop with A-3 of diamonds and Frankenberger woke up with A-9 of clubs. Frankenberger flopped top pair on a nine-high board, while Wilson flopped a flush draw. However, no diamond came on the turn or river and Frankenberger took down the Legends of Poker.

Wilson earned $370,000 for his run in the five-day tournament and had a rail featuring Canadian poker pros Shawn Buchanan and Greg “FBT” Mueller. In 2008, Wilson took sixth in the Legends of Poker for $176,000. He also narrowly made the final table of the 2007 Bay 101 Shooting Star event, but went out in 18th place for $55,000.

Here’s how the final table of the 2010 WPT Legends of Poker cashed out:

1. Andy Frankenberger – $750,000
2. Kyle Wilson – $370,000
3. Tom Lee – $174,772
4. Tom Braband – $109,000
5. Jared Jaffee – $86,000
6. Franco Brunetti – $63,000

Next up for the WPT is the London Poker Classic, which will emanate from the Palm Beach Casino from August 30th to September 5th. Then, the WPT returns to U.S. soil on September 18th in Atlantic City for the Borgata Poker Open.

Sorel Mizzi (Imper1um) Allegedly Involved in Another Cheating Scandal

Recent activity across several of the online poker forums are once again indicating that noted online/live poker pro Sorel “Imper1um” Mizzi and potential accomplices may have been involved in an attempt to rig multi-table tournaments.

Threads appeared on the TwoPlusTwo forum on two occasions over the weekend, with one being squelched by the moderators and a second taking on life and quickly zooming up to 537 posts. Another form of the thread came to life on the PocketFives forum over the weekend (and following the closing of the original thread on 2+2) and has blitzed its way to 282 posts. In both instances, the transcript of an IM chat between Mizzi and an alleged co-conspirator are the main topic of discussion.

This is one thing that the different threads have in common:  an undated AIM or MSN Messenger chat transcript allegedly between Mizzi and another top online poker player/backer, Steve “thorladen” Weinstein. In a rambling  discussion allegedly between the two, Mizzi and Weinstein discuss their issues with players who are in “makeup,” or owe money from backing arrangements. The conversation then allegedly has Mizzi making assertions to Weinstein about how to violate many of the terms and conditions of online sites using a common business tool.

Mizzi proposes to Weinstein the use of remote PC access programs, such as GoToMyPC.com, PCNow.com, or Laplink, to access computers in different locations. These programs allow a person from one location to be able to use another computer – using the accessed computer’s IP address – from a different location. Mizzi notes to Weinstein in the alleged conversation that usage of such programs “revolutionizes teaching/ghosting in poker (and) can also be used for multiaccounting.” Weinstein comments (verbatim) that “while im certainly interested in whatever u thinking, if u want me in, but obv I have to know woh knows cuz I cant get busted… I have alot of maoney online.”

As the alleged conversation continues, Mizzi goes on to name players who would be willing to take part in the suggested plot. Named by Mizzi as potential co-conspirators are such players as “cdbr” (FTOPS champion Chris Dombrowski) and “Intervention” (Aditya Agarwal). Mizzi goes on to allegedly comment to Weinstein the full context of the plan after discussing who could be involved.

“Now there’s more than 1 way we can profit from this program obv,” Mizzi allegedly says in the IM. “The most obvious is just watching and taking over for your stakes when they’re deep in a tournament. The beauty of it is ur not logging in from another IP, all you’re doing is controlling their mouse and keyboard and they can take it over again right away with the click of a mouse.” Mizzi allegedly also proposes a scheme where, “Hypothetically, imagine if 20+ PC’s were set up in various locations or in the same location but with various IP’s and different people could login to any of them at any given time?”

Although the alleged IM in question is undated, many on the forums have deduced that the time frame may have gone back as far as 18 months ago. At that time, Mizzi had been fleeced by cardsharps with a marked deck in Monte Carlo, leaving his bankroll decimated. It can be likely concluded, as many have done, that the alleged IM between Mizzi and Weinstein was to curry Weinstein’s backing for the escapade.

What has been remarkable about the discussions on the forums is the reaction from those potentially named in the discussion. Weinstein, under his “thorladen” handle on the PocketFives forum, simply states, “I have not engaged in this activity with Sorel. I would not engage in this activity ever. I am voluntarily cooperating completely with Full Tilt in an investigation of these alleged activities.”

Agarwal says in the same thread, “I wasn’t gonna post but general consensus among my frnds is tht I shud. Neither me or chris hv had any knowledge or been involved in any of the activities mentioned in the chat log, as everyone knows it was around the time period sorel was hving money issues, both me and chris hving cleared our MU voluntarily left sorel and went to vivek/yev and hv been with them since.”

Mizzi has made a statement regarding the subject on the TwoPlusTwo forums in an attempt to clear up the situation. “The conversation in question contains bits and pieces of information from several conversations I’ve had with Thorladen and others over the course of about a year,” Mizzi writes in his lengthy post. “It was quite a while ago, but if I had to guess I would say the conversations occurred from 2008 to 2009 while I was sponsored by Betfair.” Mizzi is now a Titan Poker pro.

Mizzi states that, in late 2009, he was contacted by a potential extortionist who was “threatening to release what he had fabricated if I didn’t send him money online. I chose to completely ignore the threats.” Mizzi also clears Dombrowski and Agarwal by writing, “As far as Chris and Adi go, they were my horses about 2 years ago and neither of them have ever been involved in any shady activity that I know of. They are both good guys and both very trustworthy/loyal, so much so that I allowed both of them to calculate their own makeup.”

Mizzi also stands up to the continued attacks on his character by writing, “I strongly dislike coming on internet forums to read unfair, untrue, libelous BS judgments about my character. The only people who have the right to attack my character are the ones who know me well personally and I don’t think anyone who’s posted thus far does. I don’t blame them. As soon as anyone posts anything to defend me they get verbally attacked and accused of “sticking up for a cheater.”

He finishes his post on TwoPlusTwo by saying, “There are serious things that I’d like to address in a subsequent thread that I’ve been thinking about posting for a long time. I’m not sure whether or not I’ll post it because I truly don’t owe anyone here explanations about anything I do. But I’ll give it some serious thought.” Poker News Daily attempted to contact Mizzi, who is in Cyprus for the Full Tilt Poker Merit Poker Classic. At this time, Mizzi has not returned any request for comment.

Wherever the truth is in the most recent hubbub regarding Mizzi, his track record in the online poker world has been a turbulent one. He has served multiple suspensions for various violations of the terms and conditions of the top poker rooms, PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker, and continuously has to defend himself from the “cheater” tag. It is also apparent that Mizzi has an extreme poker talent; the Canadian has over $3.2 million in live tournament earnings since his first venture into the arena in 2006.?

WPT Legends: The Not-So Anonymous Final Six

And while the names are not the most recognizable in the game, it's filled with veteran players looking to take the next step in their career.

Headlining the final is Canadian Kyle Wilson, who will be looking to better the sixth place finish he managed at Legends two years ago with a win here.

"I really feel like last time I was ready to take that next step and make a major final table," he told PokerListings. "Now I'm ready to take it even further and win this thing.

"I've played under the lights before and in front of the cameras and I'm ready to take that next step."

Although he's quite close, Wilson will be looking up at a very confident chip leader Andy Frankenberger - A Wall Street trader turned poker player with $198,438 in cashes, the majority from a win in the Venetian Deepstack this summer.

"I'm not (nervous) about poker, that's for sure," he said. "I can't reveal too much of my plan, but these guys don't have a good read on me. I'll say that."

Also slightly above Wilson in the counts is Tom Lee, who also finished sixth here back in 2003.

The 66-year-old Lee, who has over $230k in earnings total, has battled illness over the past six years, but is back with a bang now and said he feels extremely confident.

The group of three players behind the leaders all sit within striking distance and includes a suddenly very experienced sounding Jared Jaffe, who made second at the Wynn Classic this year and fourth at the WPT Southern Poker Championships in Biloxi this past January, accounting for most of his almost $500k in career cashes.

"I'll definitely be feeling more comfortable having been there before," said Jaffe. "You never know how you're going to react to playing on TV the first time."

Playing under the lights for the first time will be Tom Braband, who has almost $200k in career earnings, with his biggest score a 23rd place finish here at Legends last year.

"I'm just going to try and focus on the players at the table and pick my spots," he said. "I feel like I have a good read on these guys. I know it's going to be loud in there and I've never played in front of the cameras before but I'm not going to confuse nervousness with excitement. I'll be ready to play."

Plus, L.A. restaurateur Franco Brunetti, who has over $600k in mostly Californian live tournament cashes dating all the way back to 2003, is in the same boat.

"I'm not nervous now, we'll see tomorrow," he said. "I've played in big tournaments before. I'm just going to do my thing."

The $5k main event at WPT Legends drew a total of 462 entrants this year, creating a $2,151,072 prize pool with $750,000 reserved for first.

The final six will play to a winner in L.A, beginning at 4 p.m. PT Wednesday.

For chip counts, live updates and photos from Legends; click through to PokerListings' WPT Live Updates.

Comfort Zone: Wilson Deep At WPT Legends Again

Canadian Kyle Wilson, a high school and college basketball star who found millions in online poker at the start of the boom, found himself in all too familiar territory today.

Wilson made sixth at Legends two years ago, and with a legitimate shot at a second final table at the Bicycle Casino in Los Angeles, he says he's really feeling the California vibe.

"It's weird," he said. "I guess everybody has some place that they are comfortable.

"I actually didn't even play (Legends) last year, so I feel like every time I come here I'm going to go deep. I feel that way about Bay 101 too. Certain spots you're just comfortable."

For some players in Wilson's position, that might not be the case.

The 2008 Legends of Poker final ended for him in sixth place when he got it in very good, holding kings against ace-jack.

However, an ace on the flop crushed his hopes.

Two years later, Wilson has put the bad beat well behind him.

"It hurt really bad," he said. "But you get over it eventually. The truth is I still had a good payday there."

Now, his sights are firmly set on this year being even bigger than 2008.

"I want to beat my result from two years ago," he said. "That's my goal right now. Just make the final table, beat my sixth place result and try to win a title."

While relatively unknown outside of two-time WPT title holder Jonathan Little, Wilson says the remaining 15 players at Legends are tough.

As a result, one of online poker's first millionaires will try to add to his $627,400 in career live tournament earnings the old fashion way.

"I'm just going to play my game and try to get through to the final table," he said.

Risk Pays Off at UKIPT Edinburgh

With Edinburgh's famous Fringe Festival in full swing the UKIPT's first Scottish event drew 401 players to the Corn Exchange.

But in the end, the 25-year old Canadian took home the £50,000 first-place prize and a £5,250 seat in the upcoming PokerStars EPT London main event, doubling as the UKIPT's season finale.

Risk, who currently lives in Dublin was at or near the top of the leaderboard almost the entire tournament, going into the 8-handed final as chip leader.

"I had a good feeling on that first day and was talking through a lot of hands with Liv Boeree," he said.

"Realizing that she had some respect for my game gave me a lot of confidence and I started stealing a lot more blinds."

Two female players actually made the final, but Mary Martin and Suzanne Pyefinch were the first two busted.

Risk beat Lithuanian Mantis Puidokas heads up to book the win.

The next stop in the first Season of the UKIPT is the Irish final at the Burlington Hotel in Dublin Sept. 9-12. The €560 Main Event has a €250,000 guarantee.

Qualifiers are running now on PokerStars.

Below are the final table payouts from Edinburgh:

Nicholas Abou Risk

£50,000

Mantas Puidokas

£27,700

Luke Marsh

£17,600

Joeri Zandvliet

£13,100

Richard Chadwick

£10,300

Max Silver

£8,200

Suzanne Pyefinch

£6,300

Mary Martin

£4,800

Gavin Smith, Matthew Jarvis to Play in Canadian Open Poker Championships

Three top Canadian players – 2010 World Series of Poker (WSOP) November Niner Matthew Jarvis, 2010 bracelet winner Gavin Smith, and 2009 WSOP double bracelet winner Greg “FBT” Mueller – will play in the $5,000 Heads-Up Main Event of the Canadian Open Poker Championships.

The 2010 Canadian Open Poker Championships begin on Thursday in Calgary, Alberta, and are comprised of 13 events over the 11 days. Three casinos (Deerfoot Inn and Casino, Grey Eagle Casino, and Cash Casino) will play host to several preliminary events, which are reaching their maximum player limits through pre-registration, according to Kelly Kellner, the CEO of the Canadian Poker Tour (CPT) and promoter of the tournament schedule.

“I am very pleased to have seen the Canadian Open grow since our first event in 2006, where we hosted a single event with only 64 players,” Kellner stated earlier this week as pre-registrations continued to flood in. “This year, we expect over 2,000 entries over the entire series.” Events include a $2,000 No Limit Hold’em tournament, the CPT’s Ladies’ National Championship, and the $5,000 Heads-Up Championship. All totaled, it is expected that $3.5 million in prize pools will be generated.

“We are also extremely pleased to have added a number of new sponsors for the tournament schedule, including Big Rock Breweries and Dank Energy Drink,” Kellner reported. For those who play in the tournaments but don’t run well, the Canadian Open Poker Championships is looking to entertain – or at least ease the pain. Every night of the Championships, there will be an Ultimate Players Party at the Calgary hotspot the Rusty Cage.

Jarvis burst onto the scene this year with his remarkable run to the WSOP Main Event final table. He will enter the 2010 WSOP November Nine final table in fifth place, holding 16.7 million in chips, and has already guaranteed his largest cash ever with the $811,823 paid to all Main Event final table participants.

One of the most gregarious characters in the poker world, Smith has also been one of the most consistent poker players of the last decade. A former World Poker Tour Player of the Year (2006), he eliminated the “best player to not have won a WSOP bracelet” title from his name when he took down the $2,500 Mixed Hold’em tournament at this year’s WSOP. In his career, the Full Tilt Poker pro has amassed over $5.4 million in tournament earnings over a span of 12 years.

A former hockey player, Mueller brought his aggressiveness over from the rink to the felt in 2003 and hasn’t looked back. Known as “FBT” – an acronym for “Full Blown Tilt” – he has earned 19 cashes during play at the WSOP, with his best years coming from 2007 to 2009. In 2007 and 2008, Mueller put together nine cashes, yet was unable to make the winner’s circle. He corrected that in 2009, picking up two bracelets in Limit events. Mueller will be looking to add on to his $1.78 million in career earnings with a victory in the Heads-Up Championship.

The only major tournament schedule that crowns its Main Event champion in a Heads-Up competition, the Canadian Open Poker Championships has routinely drawn some of the top poker talent since it first played out in 2006. Such players as former Canadian Open Poker Championships Heads-Up Champion Huck Seed, former Main Event champs Phil Hellmuth and Joe Hachem, Canadian poker pro Brad Booth, Antonio Esfandiari, Phil Laak, and Jennifer Tilly have all played in Canadian Open Poker Championships events.

With the confirmation of three top Canadian players in Smith, Mueller, and Jarvis, the field for the $5,000 Heads-Up Championship Event will be one for the ages.

Canadian Open Set To Smash Attendance Mark

The Championship features 13 events over 11 days at three Calgary casino venues with an estimated $3.5 million up for grabs.

It is expected to be the largest series of poker tournaments in Canadian history.

The series will feature the traditional $5,000 heads-up main event, which has attracted top pros and celebrities in the past.

Already confirmed are 2010 World Series of Poker bracelet winner Gavin Smith, 2009 WSOP double bracelet winner Greg "FBT" Mueller and 2010 November Niner Matt Jarvis.

This year the schedule will also feature the Canadian Poker Tour's Ladies National Championship

"I am very pleased to have seen the Canadian Open grow since our first event in 2006 where we hosted a single event with only 64 players," said HeadsUp CEO and promoter Kelly B. Kellner.

"This year we expect over 2,000 entries over the entire series."

Ontario aim to cash in on Internet gambling by 2012

Christian Slater to Star in 2011 Poker Movie

In 2011, actor Christian Slater will star in a movie entitled “Guns, Girls and Gambling” that is, in part, about a game of poker gone wrong. According to the Internet Movie Database, or IMDB, “The story throws Elvis impersonators, Indians, modern cowboys, a six-foot-tall blond assassin, a frat boy, a corrupt sheriff and a prostitute into a chase for a priceless American Indian artifact stolen during a poker game at an Indian casino.”

Slater stars as the slyly-named John Smith, with Megan Park taking on the role of Cindy. Park is best known for her portrayal of Grace in the ABC Family original series “The Secret Life of the American Teenager.” She has also appeared on shows like “Entourage” and “Ace Lightning.”

Gary Oldman, whose credits include “Harry Potter,” “The Dark Knight,” and 1997’s “Air Force One,” will also step onto the silver screen for “Guns, Girls and Gambling” next year. Oldman plays Elvis in the movie, which will be part of a busy 2011 for the actor. The year includes the seventh installment of “Harry Potter,” “Red Riding Hood,” “Kung Fu Panda: The Kaboom of Doom,” and the next cycle of “Batman.” Oldman won a People’s Choice Award for Best Cast as part of his involvement with “The Dark Night” in 2009.

Helena Mattsson takes on the role of “The Blonde” in “Guns, Girls and Gambling.” Mattsson has appeared on a bevy of brand name television shows including “Desperate Housewives,” “NCIS: Los Angeles,” “Rules of Engagement,” “Two and a Half Men,” “CSI: Miami,” and “Cold Case.” Mattsson is Swedish, as her name may suggest, and she was born in 1986.

Rounding out the upcoming movie’s cast is comedian Dane Cook. The funny man has graced the silver screen in a wide variety of projects including Steve Carell’s “Dan in Real Life,” Dax Shepard and Jessica Simpson’s “Employee of the Month,” and the late Bernie Mac’s “Mr. 3000.” Cook plays a sheriff in “Guns, Girls and Gambling” in what is sure to be a memorable role.

The flick is written and directed by Michael Winnick, whose resume includes 2007’s “Shadow Puppets” and 2001’s “Deuces.” Poker fans recently got a dose of the game on the big screen in 2006, when the James Bond film “Casino Royale” was released. The movie marked the first for Daniel Craig as the title character, who battled Le Chiffre on and off the felts.

Poker also took on a feature role in 2007’s “Lucky You,” a movie filled with sappy clichés pumped out by Drew Barrymore and Eric Bana. Despite its lackluster reception and poorly written script, “Lucky You” featured appearances by high-profile poker pros like Sammy Farha, Chau Giang, Barry Greenstein, Ted Forrest, Erick Lindgren, and Daniel Negreanu. Speaking of Negreanu, the Canadian also appeared in “X Men Origins: Wolverine,” playing in a poker game against Gambit.

In 2007, “The Grand” brought poker to life with actors including Woody Harrelson, Chris Parnell, Jason Alexander, and Ray Romano. Pros like Phil Gordon, Phil Laak, Doyle Brunson, and Antonio Esfandiari also appeared in “The Grand.” Last year, the poker documentary “All In” was released, featuring appearances by a “who’s who” of the industry.

Not optimistic about the upcoming gambling movie was one poster in the IMDB forums, who pondered, “Didn’t anyone watch ‘Shadow Puppets’ before agreeing to this? This film could kill a few careers of some unlucky producers before it is done. But I feel really sorry for Oldman and Slater, who are about to learn a lesson in total shame.”

The Aussie Millions on GSN: Sydney’s Tyron Krost Brings the Title Home

Aussie Millions Main Event Wraps Up on GSN

On Saturday night, the stirring conclusion of the 2010 Aussie Millions Main Event aired on GSN. The broadcast, which is sponsored by Full Tilt Poker, began with five players and newly minted Titan Poker pro Sorel “Imper1um” Mizzi as the chip leader. The final five consisted of two Aussies, two Canadians, and one Dane in a truly global event.

Peter Jetten was the first casualty of the hour-long show, running K-5 of diamonds into Tyron Krost’s pocket tens. Jetten 4bet all-in pre-flop with the suited hand and despite hitting a five on the river, hit the exits in fifth place. Jetten told cameras following his elimination, “I knew going into today that this would take a long time and I was ready to play until six in the morning. Unfortunately, I didn’t get an opportunity to test out my 3am and 4am playing skills.”

Frederik Jensen doubled up after Mizzi 4bet all-in with A-5 of spades and ran into A-K. However, Mizzi struck back, doubling up at the expense of Kosta Varoxis with A-Q against A-4. Loud chants of “Mizz-i” permeated the Crown Casino as Mizzi’s better kicker held up.

Varoxis quickly doubled up twice, first against Mizzi and then against Krost, to get right back into the hunt for the $1.8 million first place prize. In his hand against Krost, Varoxis spiked a six-outer on the river to survive.

Mizzi drew out on Varoxis’ pocket kings with A-6. All of the money went in pre-flop and the drama was quite abbreviated, as Mizzi flopped an ace and never looked back. Varoxis, down to just 500,000 in chips, promptly moved all-in on the flop with A-6 against Jensen’s pocket twos. The wired pocket pair held and Varoxis’ Aussie Millions run came to an end. He commented after his elimination, “I came in wanting to do the best I can. I wanted to win. I knew I could win. I had the chance to and I came pretty close. I’m more than happy with that.”

With three players remaining, Mizzi 3bet to 775,000 with a wired pair of sevens and Krost shoved over-the-top all-in for 6.2 million with A-K of spades. Mizzi made the call, putting his stack at risk, and watched as a king fell on an all-heart flop to give Krost top pair. Mizzi called for running hearts for a chop (neither player held a heart), but no help came on the turn or river and Mizzi busted in third place. He entered the final table as a commanding chip leader and lamented, “Compared to the other days I played, I wasn’t getting the cards I was getting earlier.”

Then, on a flop of 3-K-2, Krost check-raised to 650,000 with K-9 and Jensen made it 1.1 million with K-6 for top pair with a weaker kicker. Krost moved all-in and Jensen made the call, yelling for his “one time.” The board filled out 7-2 and Krost took down the 2010 Aussie Millions Main Event title. Jensen was gracious after his runner-up showing: “It would have been a really sweet win, but [Krost] deserves to win. Tyron, he’s a good guy and a really good player.” Krost hoisted the trophy before Aussie Millions on GSN hosts Paul Khoury and Grub Smith wrapped up the tournament.

Next Saturday, the Full Tilt Doubles Poker Championship debuts on GSN at 8:00pm ET. Sixteen teams entered the made-for-TV tournament, which was filmed at the Golden Nugget in Downtown Las Vegas, and the top prize is $1 million. Check your local listings for station information.

PokerStars.net LAPT Florianopolis Day 3: Habernig Takes Massive Lead Into Final Table

Unibet Open Storms Prague

Running Aug. 5-8 at the Golden Prague Poker Room at the Hilton Hotel, the €1,500 Unibet Open Prague was expected to draw a rather large field, with a whopping 350 online qualifiers already registered.

And Day 1a did not disappoint as 212 players hit the felt with even more expected on Day 1b Friday.

A number of big names came to play, including the red hot Sorel Mizzi.

However, the Canadian could not add to his stellar results so far in 2010 as he busted out in the early going.

A total of 43 players survived the day with Lithuanian Marius Bobinas leading the field.

Several recognizable names remain in contention, including hometown hero and 2009 PokerStars EPT Prague champ Jan Skampa.

Last year, Fuat Can took down the title and €167,500 first-place prize, which marked the largest field at a Unibet Open event at the time.

Aussie Millions Main Event Final Table Kicks Off on GSN

On Saturday night, the final table of the 2010 Aussie Millions Main Event began airing on GSN. The one hour Full Tilt Poker-sponsored show hit the airwaves at 9:00pm ET featuring eight players, including chip leader Sorel “Imper1um” Mizzi, who had three times the stack of the next closest combatant. Mizzi, now with Titan Poker, rocked a Betfair logo during the broadcast of the January tournament.

The blinds kicked off at 10,000/20,000 and Paul Khoury and Grub Smith provided the call of the action. Kosta Varoxis made waves early, doubling up at the expense of Mizzi with pocket nines against A-J suited. The money went in on a flop of A-9-2, all spades, with neither player holding a spade. Varoxis 3bet all-in and Mizzi insta-called despite being just 4% to win the hand. The turn and river both bricked out and Varoxis doubled through to stave off an early exit.

Then, Steve Shelley check-raised all-in with pocket sevens on a flop of 5-8-3. Tyron Krost, who entered the final table as the second largest stack, made the call with pocket jacks and had Shelley dominated. The turn and river came an eight and a deuce, respectively, and Shelley was the first casualty of the 2010 Aussie Millions Main Event final table, picking up $115,000 for his efforts. He told GSN officials following his exit, “I don’t know if I went in with much of a strategy. I just played my natural game and had a few tips along the way.”

Annette Obrestad open-shoved all-in pre-flop with A-J offsuit and picked up a caller in Krost, who showed a wired pair of sevens. The flop of K-Q-7 gave “The Huntress” a straight draw and Krost a set, which became a boat when another king hit on the river. Obrestad earned $161,000 and explained to viewers, “I’m a little bit disappointed, but I just didn’t get any cards at the final table and I kind of felt like people were picking on me a little bit.”

Canadian Peter Jetten called a raise from Krost pre-flop with Q-10 of spades and Steve Friedlander came along with 7-5 from the blinds. The flop came 9-8-8 and the trio checked around to a jack on the turn. Krost held K-J for top pair, while Jetten had turned a straight. The Canadian bet 150,000 and Krost called to bring a five on the river. Jetten fired out a bet of 350,000 and Krost, showing restraint, just called to ship a pot of 1.3 million to Jetten. Tom “durrrr” Dwan and two women were shown in the stands cheering Jetten on.

After a raise and two calls pre-flop, Friedlander moved all-in over-the-top with pocket sevens. Varoxis, who began chugging a bottle of water while contemplating a call, looked him up with A-K to set up a race. The board filled out K-9-2-K-J, giving Varoxis trips and the win in the hand. Friedlander hit the rails in sixth place for $230,000 and told GSN officials, “I was happy that a couple of people busted in front of me because it put me in a better spot. I was just waiting for a hand to shove.” Friedlander had been nursing a short stack throughout the evening.

Entering next week’s finale of the 2010 Aussie Millions Main Event on GSN, Mizzi remains the chip leader. The conclusion of the high-stakes tournament, which emanates from the Crown Casino in Melbourne, will air on Saturday, August 7th at 9:00pm ET. Check your local listings for full details.

Daniel Negreanu winning $333,000 on PokerStars

These days Daniel Negreanu can be found at his own tables on PokerStars almost every day and he is making some really good profit.

The Canadian has won really good in his last six sessions and he has won $333,000 according to PokerTableRatings.

Negreanu flops a set and takes a $108,000 pot from Joel “Odonkour1″ Nordqvist

Negreanu shows how AK is supposed to played

Negreanu’s winnings haven’t come easy as he has had opponents like Tom “kingsofcards” Marchese, Jason Mercier, Aaron “aejones” Jones, Justin “Boosted J” Smith, Joel “Odonkor1″ Nordqvist and Sussie Smith.

Let’s see how the games go… you can rail Negreanu here.

Source: Pokernews, PTR

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Daniel Negreanu winning $333,000 on PokerStars

2010 November Nine: John Dolan

The 24-year-old Floridian will enter the final table second in chips only to French-Canadian Jonathan Duhamel, who has 65 million.

After making the final table Dolan was humble about his accomplishments in poker.

"I think there are a lot of kids just like me," he said.

Born and raised in Bonita Springs, Florida, Dolan's story is indeed similar to many other players. He started by playing $5 and $10 home games in college and then transitioned into online poker, playing as JRD312.

"I lost at first, like everyone else, obviously," said Dolan.

For a time Dolan even worked as a dealer and the first WSOP event he ever cashed in was the 2007 Casino Employees event.

Dolan eventually learned to play better and met a few key people that helped him work on his game. After a couple big wins when he was 20, Dolan was able to start a bankroll.

At first Dolan's parents weren't fond of his new career but after he made a few large scores they started to understand his talent.

"Now they are extremely supportive and helpful," he said. "I don't think my Dad left the computer for two days when they found out I was going deep in the Main Event."

As of 2010 Dolan already had over $1 million in poker tournament earnings including a side event win at the 2009 Gulf Coast Championship and another side event win at the 2009 Winter Bayou Challenge. Dolan also won the Full Tilt $1k Monday event for $100,000 and the PokerStars Sunday Warm Up for $86,000 playing online.

Dolan had his best WSOP ever this summer making a final table in a $1,000 No-Limit Hold'em event, eventually finishing sixth.

Perhaps the defining moment of John Dolan's Main Event will be how he played the final table bubble. While many players tightened up, both Duhamel and Dolan got aggressive and by the time the six-hour bubble was complete they were 1-2 in chips.

 "At first I really wasn't doing much, I was just kind of seeing how it was going. Then I was fortunate enough to pick up a few hands and chip up. After I got up to over 30 million chips I was just able to build a stack without going to showdown."

Dolan will likely need a different strategy at the final table in November.

"I definitely feel like I did learn a little about each player, however, I don't think the final table will play quite that tight. I don't think that was a good reflection of how they will actually play."

Interestingly Dolan was initially vehemently opposed to the November Nine format, which sees play paused for four months once the final table of nine is set, but he's starting to understand the value.

"It's nice to get a break because it was a long eight days leading up to the final table," he said.

As a member of the 2010 November Nine it appears the under-the-radar Dolan will be unable to avoid the limelight any longer.

Still he's going to try and keep it simple over the next four months.

"I'm going to go back to Florida and relax," he said. "I'll probably play a few tournaments here and there."

The 2010 WSOP Main Event final table begins Nov. 6, with a winner crowned on Nov. 8.

Canadian Poker Tour Exceeds Revenue Expectations, Prepares For Canadian Open Poker Championships

One of the major players in the Canadian poker scene, Heads Up Entertainment – which owns the Canadian Poker Tour and will host the upcoming Canadian Open Poker Championships in August – is the subject of good news on the financial front in a time when such reports are rare for various poker tournament schedules and companies.

Heads Up Entertainment (listed under the stock ticker “HDUP” on the OTC Pink Sheets)  last week reported that their revenues for tournament entries and corporate sponsorships have exceeded their expectations. Their July tournaments, including the recently completed Stampede Poker Classic, saw a 30% increase in total player registrations. According to Kelly Kellner, the president and Chief Executive Officer of Heads Up Entertainment, the growing success of the CPT should only extend up to the upcoming COPC.

“Right now, we’re ahead of schedule with player registrations for the COPC compared to past years,” Kellner stated in an exclusive interview with Poker News Daily. “Everything is looking very good for the COPC, but there’s always some concerns that you have directing such a big event. I constantly am thinking, ’what if no one shows up,’ and then the next minute thinking, ’what if everyone shows up’. There’s no point of happiness until the tournament goes off,” Kellner said with a laugh.

The news from player registrations has been exceptionally good. Heads Up Entertainment expects a complete sell out for the COPC, which will put total revenues from just the COPC and the Stampede Poker Classic at around $250,000 (Canadian dollars). Overall revenues from events that have been held by the CPT have passed $400,000 to this point in 2010.

Several corporate sponsors have stepped up to support the COPC in August. Kellner stressed the importance of those sponsors in not only being critical to the bottom line, but also important in working with the local community. “We have lined up three major sponsors for the COPC,” Kellner told Poker News Daily. “Big Rock Brewery is a local Calgary company and one of their best products, Gopher Lager, is also a part of the COPC. Joining those companies is another quality sponsor in Dank Energy Drink.” Kellner also stated that he is “continuously” looking for other sponsors that want to be a part of such a prestigious tournament.

With the fields for the COPC tournaments quickly filling up, Kellner stressed the importance of early registration to ensure players can get into the events they want. “Pre-registering for tournaments can be done on the tournament’s website and players don’t have to prepay for any event other than the Heads Up Championship,” Kellner says. “It is definitely looking like this year’s COPC will surpass everyone’s expectations.”

Kellner also noted that Heads Up Entertainment is looking to improve its standing as a publicly traded company. “We are going through the processes to become a fully reporting member (reporting in-depth financials quarterly is a must for any publicly traded company) and, as such, to be able to move from the pink sheets to a higher level of investment,” Kellner reported. “Heads Up Entertainment is a solid organization and a good opportunity for investors.”

The COPC is Canada’s version of a national championship, with their penultimate event, the $5000 Heads Up Championship, serving as their Main Event. From August 19th to the 29th, eleven events will take place (including the $5K) over three casinos located in Calgary. The Deerfoot Inn and Casino, the Grey Eagle Casino and the Cash Casino will all be running events during the COPC. Satellites will run at all three casinos, with different events during the COPC schedule to be held at each casino. Buy ins range from $170 for satellite tournaments to the $5000 Heads Up Championship.

The COPC has been popular with everyone in the poker world, from grinders looking for an inexpensive event to top pros looking for a major championship. Over the past few years, such players as former COPC Heads Up Champion Huck Seed, former World Champions Phil Hellmuth and Joseph Hachem, Canadian poker professionals Brad Booth, Gavin Smith and Greg Mueller, and other poker pros such as Antonio Esfandiari, Phil Laak and Jennifer Tilly have played in COPC events. Because of the strength of the fields throughout the ten day schedule – and the entertainment organized by Heads Up Entertainment during off nights – it is extremely likely that this year’s COPC will be one of the largest poker festivals in Canadian poker history.

Bookmakers Set November Nine Odds

With the 2010 November Nine firmly set in place and the storm of the World Series of Poker calm for a few months, it’s always interesting to see how the oddsmakers view the crop of players at the biggest final table of the year. Online betting sites such as Betfair and BetUs have released their odds of each player winning the Main Event, giving poker fans and bettors alike even more reason to sweat until November.

Canadian Jonathan Duhamel will enter the Main Event final table as the chip leader and is the clear favorite by all bookmakers early on. Duhamel, 22, has 65,975,000 chips; his closest competitor is 24-year-old poker pro John Dolan, who has 46,250,000. Fellow young guns Joseph Cheong, John Racener, Matthew Jarvis and Fillipo Candio are hovering between 16 and 24 million, while established veteran Michael Mizrachi (14.5 million) is the most experienced player of the group and the favorite among many.

“As usual the final table is dominated by young online poker players from North America,” said Richard Bloch, a spokesperson for Betfair. “Duhamel is the man to beat but having seen Michael Mizrachi grind his way back from under 100K on Day 4 he is going to be tough to beat and at 8-1 looks to be amongst the favorites with our customers.”

Here’s a look at the November Nine seat draw, chip counts, and Betfair’s odds to win the 2010 WSOP Main Event (at the time of writing):

Seat 1: Jason Senti — 7,625,000 (25/1)
Seat 2: Joseph Cheong — 23,525,000 (6/1)
Seat 3: John Dolan — 46,250,000 (4.6/1)
Seat 4: Jonathan Duhamel — 65,975,000 (3.75/1)
Seat 5: Michael Mizrachi — 14,450,000 (7/1)
Seat 6: Matthew Jarvis — 16,700,000 (11.5/1)
Seat 7: John Racener — 19,050,000 (9.2/1)
Seat 8: Filippo Candio — 16,400,000 (16.5/1)
Seat 9: Soi Nguyen — 9,650,000 (18.5/1)

The lines have changed slightly since Betfair first revealed them on July 20. Duhamel opened as a 2/1 favorite and can now be found at 3.75/1, creating the biggest shift in prices. Dolan, Cheong, Mizrachi, Racener, Jarvis and Candio’s prices have fallen in the past week, while Soi Nguyen opened at 16/1 and is now at 18.5/1. Jason Senti has stayed constant at 25-1.

Last year, Darvin Moon was in a similar spot to Duhamel. Moon held a significant chip lead over the rest of the field and was a 3/1 favorite set by Betfair to win it all. Phil Ivey, despite coming into the final table short stacked, was 13/2 to win his third bracelet of the 2009 series. Eventual champion Joe Cada started play fifth in chips with 13,215,000 and opened as an 18/1 favorite to become the youngest Main Event winner ever, but many bettors jumped on that price and he slipped to 13/1 days before the final table.

In previous years, Peter Eastgate (2008) was fourth in chips coming into the final table before winning; Jerry Yang (2007) was eighth, Jamie Gold (2006) was the chip leader, and Joe Hachem (2005) was sixth. It just goes to show that anything is possible once the cards are in the air.

The 2010 World Series of Poker Main Event final table gets underway November 6 with the heads-up match concluding on November 8. The winner will receive $8,944,138.

Spencer Bachus Out as Ranking Member of Financial Services Committee?

According to an article that appeared in the Capitol Hill publication Politico on Wednesday, Congressman Spencer Bachus’ (R-AL) designation as the Ranking Member on the House Financial Services Committee may be in jeopardy. One Republican lawmaker told Politico, “Spencer is aware that he’s not in a strong position because he’s not a strong leader.”

Bachus has been a staunch opponent of internet gambling, at one point citing a non-existent study crafted by McGill University linking internet gambling to suicide. In a 2008 House Financial Services Committee hearing, Bachus told the assembled crowd, “Most significantly, [internet gambling] causes suicide. McGill University found that one-third – one-third – of college students who gambled on the internet ultimately attempted suicide. That is why the rate of suicide on our college campuses has doubled in the last ten years. Study after study has found that the most significant driver of that is addiction. The fastest-growing addiction is internet gambling.”

McGill Professor Jeffrey Derevensky, who was also on the Board of Governors of Youth Gambling International, told Poker News Daily at the time that no such study had ever taken place at the Canadian institution: “I am confident the Congressman doesn’t read research – he could not misinterpret this.” Bachus’ primary argument against legalizing and regulating internet gambling in the United States through bills like Frank’s HR 2267 has been that a 24-hour casino would become available in every home.

Possible replacements for Bachus, according to Politico, are Ed Royce (R-CA), Jeb Hensarling (R-TX), and Scott Garrett (R-NJ). As to why Bachus, who has been in Congress since 1993, would be a target of his own party, Politico speculates, “Many Republicans fear that Bachus lacks the chops to provide strong leadership on tough issues, and more activist Republicans most likely would push vigorous oversight of major financial legislation passed by the Democratic Congress — including the financial reform bill that President Barack Obama signed Wednesday.”

In Wednesday’s hearing on HR 2267, Bachus submitted an MSNBC story published in 2008 about “crimes” at Ultimate Bet. Bachus asked witness Annie Duke, who spoke on behalf of the Poker Players Alliance (PPA) if she was affiliated with the site. Duke responded that she was affiliated with UltimateBet.net and pointed out that the online poker room refunded millions of dollars to members who were affected by the Russ Hamilton-led cheating scandal.

Leadership changes in the House Financial Services Committee and elsewhere would be determined following November’s general elections in the United States. Bachus called out the Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative (SSIGI) on multiple occasions on Wednesday, pointing out that the organization’s headquarters is a UPS drop box in Washington, DC. Bachus called the group a “large corporate interest protecting the bottom line at the expense of disruption of our youth and communities.” The SSIGI’s website lists its address as 1718 M Street NW, which, according to UPS’ site, is indeed one of its retail outlets.

Hensarling and Garrett both told Politico that they expected Bachus to resume his role as Ranking Member on the House Financial Services Committee in the next Congress. Bachus has not had a Democratic challenger to his Congressional seat since 1998, when the Alabama lawmaker bested Donna Smalley by a 72% to 28% margin. Bachus comes to Washington representing Alabama’s Sixth Congressional District, which includes many of the areas around Birmingham.

Next Tuesday, July 27th, the House Financial Services Committee will mark up Frank’s HR 2267. The bill is one of six to be marked up, although the order in which the measures will be addressed, according to a Financial Services Committee staff member, is up to Frank.

Read the entire Politico article.

ESPN The Magazine Profiles Eric Baldwin (basebaldy)

In November, ESPN: The Magazine published a cover story on poker whiz Phil Ivey. “4 Days, 3 Nights, $1 Million” chronicled the high-dollar exploits of the Full Tilt Poker pro, taking readers on a jet-setting journey from Foxwoods to Montreal to Amsterdam.

Enter bracelet winner and UB.com pro Eric “basebaldy” Baldwin, an online and live tournament grinder whose picture in ESPN: The Magazine was taken at a taxi line in Las Vegas. Entitled “24/7 Card Stud,” Tim Struby’s article profiles the life and times of a hardcore tournament grinder, a stark contrast to Ivey’s life of luxury: “Private jets, comped suites, showgirls – wait, that’s someone else’s life. Poker grinders like Eric Baldwin just want to hang in: day after day, hour after hour, hand after hand after hand after hand.”

Struby described Baldwin’s Henderson, Nevada home as “way more Pottery Barn than Playboy Mansion” and noted that tournament grinders constantly have to be on their toes. Fellow UB.com pro and 11-time bracelet winner Phil Hellmuth told ESPN: The Magazine, “You can’t flake for 10 minutes. The pressure is intense.” His grinding has paid off, as he proudly displays trophies in his room from both baseball and poker, including last year’s CardPlayer Player of the Year honors.

Grinding for Baldwin involved playing every evening during college and on Sundays. He’d fire up four to eight tournaments at a time and play for six to 12 hours on end. He told Struby and ESPN: The Magazine readers, “After playing a couple of 12-hour days straight, your head feels a little numb, but I don’t mind. It’s my job.” He added, “Online play is much faster, so you make more decisions in less time. I’d be zombified by the end.”

At the 2006 Canadian Poker Championships, Baldwin met fellow online poker pro Shannon Shorr. The pair finished second and third, respectively, in the $5,000 No Limit Hold’em event and became good friends. Shorr, Baldwin, and three other players rented a house during the 2007 World Series of Poker (WSOP) in Las Vegas. They have been incredibly successful in the annual WSOP, as Shorr has racked up $607,000 in earnings, while Baldwin has amassed $1.1 million.

Struby noted that Baldwin forked over $750,000 in tournament buy-ins last year. To manifest the grind, the author detailed, “Since 2008, Baldwin estimates, he’s logged 4,000 hours on 90,000 hands in almost 500 live tournaments.” Struby highlights 2010 WSOP November Nine member Michael “The Grinder” Mizrachi and T.J. Cloutier as “cautionary tales” on money management. The former was unable to pay back taxes to the IRS, while the latter pawned one of his six WSOP bracelets.

Whereas Ivey’s tale involved nosebleed-stakes craps in Foxwoods’ private room, personal jets, and $1,000 tips, Baldwin’s life seems to be much more mellow: “Nights aren’t for clubbing or lap dances. Eating Sushi off the Strip with the girlfriend is as wild as it gets. Downtime is spent watching sports in his three flat screen man cave or grilling with fellow grinder Justin Young and his wife.”

Struby cautioned that tournament payouts can be deceiving: “Take that $1.5 million in winnings. The IRS pockets more than a third and Baldwin has to cover his own travel and living expenses while shelling out anywhere from $1,000 to $50,000 for a spot at the table.”

Baldwin joined the PocketFives.com online poker community in 2005 and recorded his first live cash one year later. He’s been a non-stop poker machine for five years and explained that striking a balance was extremely important: “I need to do un-poker things. Not that I’m quitting anytime soon. It’s not the same rush as hitting a baseball 100% square, but I still enjoy myself most every time I play.”

Also briefly mentioned in the ESPN: The Magazine article were Kenny “SuperTuan” Nguyen and PokerStars pro Jason Mercier.

2010 November Nine: Matthew Jarvis

The 25-year-old from Surrey, British Columbia, Canada will enter the 2010 WSOP Main Event final table in November as one of the middle-stacks with 16 million chips.

"I'm so excited to be a part of it," said Jarvis. "It's pretty amazing."

Jarvis did not take the easiest road in securing his final-table seat and after building up a huge stack of 30 million he saw more than 50% disappear over the arduous 6-hour final-table bubble.

"The bubble is almost like something you could never even imagine," said Jarvis, a former business student. "It's like a super satellite but the winner gets into the November Nine and lives every poker player's dream."

Despite his frustrations about his last few hours of play, Jarvis has already outlasted 7,319 players and will enter the final table with more than 30 big blinds and a shot at the $8.9 million first-place prize.

Born in Richmond, B.C., Jarvis has a competitive nature in his genes as his father, Norm Jarvis, was a professional golfer.

Jarvis picked up poker after playing small games at a sales company where he used to work. Eventually he ended up in a casino and from that he moved on to playing poker tournaments online as well as sit-and-gos.

"I've always been really good at math and I'm also a really competitive guy," he said. "I think between those two things... well, that's poker."

Jarvis integrated himself into a strong poker community in Vancouver and after learning from his mistakes his game started to improve.

Professional poker was initially a tough sell to his family and friends but with Jarvis on the verge of winning the most prestigious tournament in the world, they're starting to come around.

"They're pretty excited about it now," he said. "I've gotten messages from 40 or 50 people I honestly don't even really know."

Jarvis and Jonathan Duhamel are the only two Canadians at the 2010 WSOP final table. Both have a chance at becoming the first player from the country to win poker's biggest prize.

"The next four months I'm going to let the world get to know me and know who I am," said Jarvis. "I'm just going to try and represent Vancouver and Canada as best I can.

The 2010 WSOP Main Event final table begins Nov. 6, with a winner crowned on Nov. 8 and ESPN airing the final table on Nov. 9.

2010 November Nine: Jonathan Duhamel

The only problem is that he has to wait until November for it all to play out.

The 22-year-old poker pro from Boucherville, Quebec, played a strong game over eight days of the Main Event and had all the momentum going for him after abusing a grueling six-hour final table bubble on Saturday.

 "To be honest I was surprised everyone was playing so tight," said Duhamel. "In a way it's a good strategy because making the November Nine is a big deal, but there are millions that separate the different payout levels."

Duhamel conceded that it will be a very different scenario in November when all nine players reconvene to play to a winner.

"Players are going to be looser and they are going to gamble."

A former finance student, Duhamel dropped out of college to pursue the poker dream. It's a decision that has worked out well for him after nearly six years of playing the game.

He recorded two cashes at this year's WSOP and nearly made the final table of EPT Prague in 2008, finishing 10th for $54,904.

Duhamel had the dubious honor of playing one of the most talked-about hands of the 2010 WSOP when he knocked out Matt Affleck midway through Day 8.

In the hand Duhamel made a huge call with pocket jacks and an open-ended straight draw while Matt Affleck had pocket aces. Fortunately for Duhamel he hit his straight on the river and the 42 million chip pot was shipped his way.

"I know I'm lucky to be here but at the same time I think I played a great game," he said.

Duhamel will have his work cut out for him against veteran pros like Michael Mizrachi and John Racener when the final table of the Main Event finally arrives in November.

"They're all very good, to be honest," he said of his final table opponents.

Duhamel doesn't plan on changing his lifestyle over the next four months although he might play a few more EPTs. He also plans to find as much information as he can on his eight November Nine opponents.

With lifetime tournament earnings of $101,560, it doesn't matter where Duhamel finishes in the upcoming final table of the 2010 WSOP Main Event, he's already in for the biggest score of his poker career.

Duhamel has already secured at least $811,823 but could win as much as $8.9 million if he runs over the final table in November.

He, along with final table opponent Matthew Jarvis, also has the opportunity to become the first Canadian to win the Main Event.

"I'm going to raise a lot of hands and you're going to see a lot of action from me," said Duhamel. "That's for sure."

The 2010 WSOP Main Event final table begins Nov. 6, with a winner crowned on Nov. 8 and ESPN airing the final table on Nov. 9.

WSOP 2010 November Nine Field is Set

The November Nine have been determined in the 2010 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event. After eight grueling days of play spread out over two weeks, nine players are left standing in poker’s most prestigious tournament. Jonathan Duhamel leads the way entering the four-month break with a stack of 55,375,000.

Players busted at a rapid-fire pace early on Saturday and, as the group cleared the dinner break around 8:15pm PT, the short stacks moved all-in in earnest. In a major pot that brewed shortly after players had taken their seats after filling their bellies, Matt “mcmatto” Affleck hit the skids in 15th place for $500,000. On a flop of 10-9-7 rainbow, Jonathan Duhamel check-called a bet of five million from Affleck to see the queen of diamonds hit on the turn.

Duhamel checked and Affleck, perhaps sensing weakness, moved all-in for over 11 million. After a five-minute tanking with millions of dollars in real money potentially on the line, Duhamel called and flipped up pocket jacks for a pair and a straight draw. Affleck tabled pocket aces and, seeking a November Nine birth, watched in agony as an eight hit on the river, filling Duhamel’s straight.

Then, it was short stack Hasan Habib’s turn to go. Habib moved all-in pre-flop with A-9 of diamonds and received a call from John Racener, who turned over A-K of clubs. The flop came 10-9-3 with two clubs, improving Habib to a pair of nines and giving Racener a flush draw. Another ten hit on the turn, leaving Racener rooting for an ace or king on the river to send Habib home. Sure enough, the case ace hit (Brandon Steven claimed to have folded a bullet pre-flop) and Habib picked up the same $500,000 for his eight-day run in the 2010 WSOP Main Event.

John Dolan, also one of the short stacks, open-shoved all-in from the small blind with K-6 of diamonds, but Duy Le called all-in from the big blind with A-Q. A king on the flop ruined Le’s chances for a double up and running fives didn’t change the status quo. Le was bounced in 13th place and picked up the same $500,000 consolation prize.

UB.com pro Adam “Roothlus” Levy, who remained eerily quiet down the stretch in the Main Event, was bumped in 12th place and earned $635,000. Levy pushed all-in under-the-gun with K-Q offsuit and Duhamel, the chip leader at the time, woke up with pocket aces. Levy turned a king to give Duhamel a sweat, but a harmless deuce on the river ended his 2010 WSOP Main Event run.

Duhamel took a massive chip lead into the final 11 after serving as the executioner of Affleck and Levy. Then, Brandon Steven doubled up with A-K of clubs against Jason Senti’s K-10 at the feature table to move to 5.64 million in chips. However, he was still the short stack in the room with 11 players remaining.

Play ground to a screeching halt when two more eliminations were needed to determine the 2010 WSOP November Nine. Late arrivals to watch the action slim down to a final table included newly minted PokerStars pro David Williams, who announced that he was pulling for Michael “The Grinder” Mizrachi. Also rooting on “The Grinder” were his three brothers: Eric, Robert, and Danny.

Quebec’s Pascal LeFrancois was shown the door in 11th place, banking $635,000. Joseph “subiime” Cheong sent him packing with pocket kings against Q-J of spades. The elimination was not an easy one, however, as LeFrancois flopped a jack, but a king on the turn left the Canadian drawing dead to the river. ESPN.com’s Andrew Feldman Tweeted on LeFrancois’ exit: “No idea what happened, but he just stormed out, slammed the door.” A break ensued to set up the unofficial WSOP Main Event final table.

Steven came into the 10-handed final table on life support, nursing a 10 big blind stack before doubling up at the expense of Mizrachi. Steven flopped top pair with Q-J of clubs on a board of 8-J-6 and shoved all-in. Mizrachi, also on a short stack, made the call with A-8 for middle pair, which could not draw out on the turn or river. Mizrachi and Steven were nearly even in chips after the end.

The final hand involved Brandon Steven and Matthew Jarvis. Jonathan Duhamel originally raised to start the hand and Steven then moved all in for 4.475 million. Jarvis then called the all in and Duhamel then folded. Steven flipped over A-K offsuit while Jarvis showed Q-Q. The flop came 4-3-T which didn’t improve either player, and the 4 on the turn forced Steven to hit either an Ace or King for his tournament life. With the 5 on the river, the crowd erupted, Steven was sent to the rail in 10th place and the November Nine was set.

Here are the chip stacks of your 2010 November Nine:

1. Jonathan Duhamel – 65,975,000
2. John Dolan – 46,250,000
3. Joseph Cheong – 23,525,000
4. John Racener – 19,050,000
5. Matthew Jarvis – 16,700,000
6. Filippo Candio – 16,400,000
7. Michael Mizrachi – 14,450,000
8. Soi Nguyen – 9,650,000
9. Jason Senti – 7,625,000

Here are the payouts at stake for the members of the 2010 WSOP November Nine:

1st Place: $8,944,138
2nd Place: $5,545,855
3rd Place: $4,129,979
4th Place: $3,092,497
5th Place: $2,332,960
6th Place: $1,772,939
7th Place: $1,356,708
8th Place: $1,045,738
9th Place: $811,823

The Main Event will pick back up from November 6th to 9th at the Penn and Teller Theater at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. The final table can be seen on ESPN on Tuesday, November 9th.

2010 WSOP November Nine Almost Set

As play approached the Day 8 dinner break in the 2010 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event, players were dropping like flies. In fact, there were 12 eliminations before dinner was served, mirroring the fast pace of the $10,000 buy-in tournament throughout its run.

Canadian Matthew Jarvis led the field into the 90-minute pause with a mountain of 32 million chips. Jarvis sent Benjamin Statz into the Las Vegas night in 16th place after Statz moved all-in pre-flop with A-5 suited. Jarvis showed K-Q offsuit, making him a slight underdog in the hand, but he hit the K-K-Q flop hard. The turn was a five, pairing Statz, but a river king sealed the win in the hand for Jarvis with quads. You can catch major hands like this one when the 2010 WSOP Main Event debuts on ESPN on Tuesday, August 10th.

The top 15 players are guaranteed to make at least $500,000, or 50 times their buy-in, and a first place prize of $8.9 million is up for grabs. The road to the 2010 WSOP November Nine will see the top eight players walk away poker-made millionaires and a total of 747 entrants landed in the money. The 2010 Main Event is the second largest WSOP tournament ever held, trailing only the 2006 installment, which drew a colossal field of nearly 9,000.

A major threat was bounced from the Main Event when two-time bracelet winner Scott “BigRiskky” Clements exited in 18th place for $396,000. Clements was all-in pre-flop with A-Q, but ran into the buzz saw that was Jarvis, who showed A-K. Both players flopped top pair when an ace hit, but no queen came for Clements and he found the rail. Clements boosted his career WSOP earnings to over $1 million; he’s notched a six-figure cash at the WSOP in four of the last five years.

Jarvis was fifth in chips entering Day 8 on Saturday of the Main Event and a swarm of poker media, fans, and friends flocked to the rail to watch the group of 27 take to the felt. 2010 seems to be the Year of MMA, as in addition to UB.com pro Phil Hellmuth’s grand entrance on Day 1C of the Main Event dressed as an MMA fighter, Kevin “The Monster” Randleman issued the ceremonial “Shuffle up and deal” command. He told the assembled crowd shortly after Noon PT on Saturday, “You guys are all very talented. I hope you guys have good luck along with that talent. Dealers, shuffle up and deal!”

Matt “mcmatto” Affleck, who has turned in back-to-back deep runs in the Main Event as the march to the November Nine rolls on, lost his glasses to start play, perhaps an ominous beginning to what is typically a stressful day of poker. Despite the initial setback, Affleck built a top five chip stack by the dinner break.

Fans quickly returned to the Amazon Room at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas following the dinner break. Coverage found on WSOP.com equated the mad rush of poker enthusiasts clamoring to get a spot on the rail to a person taking “their proverbial finger out of a proverbial dam.” Media not from PokerNews or ESPN were relegated to an interior rung around the tables, which numbered just two as play narrowed down.

Here are the final 15 chip stacks in the 2010 WSOP Main Event shortly after the Day 8 dinner break. There are only six more eliminations to go before the 2010 WSOP November Nine is determined:

1. Matthew Jarvis – 32,000,000
2. Jonathan Duhamel – 29,100,000
3. John “$JMONEY$” Racener – 21,000,000
4. Filippo Candio – 19,750,000
5. Matt “mcmatto” Affleck – 19,400,000
6. John Dolan – 17,075,000
7. Joseph Cheong – 16,745,000
8. Soi Nguyen – 15,620,000
9. Pascal LeFrancois – 14,415,000
10. Jason Senti – 13,300,000
11. Brandon Steven – 5,300,000
12. Adam “Roothlus” Levy – 4,695,000
13. Duy Le – 4,110,000
14. Hasan Habib – 2,700,000
15. Michael “The Grinder” Mizrachi – 2,145,000

When play resumed following dinner, the blinds were at 120,000/240,000 with an ante of 30,000, or the original starting stack.

WSOP 2010 November Nine Ready For Historic Showdown

With 27 players returning to start the day, Day 8 promised intrigue, excitement and drama ... and it more than delivered on this promise.

All 8 days of the Main Event 2010 have played out in supercharged, aggressive fashion - mirroring the change in poker over the last few years - and the playdown from 27 players to the November Nine was no exception.

The watching rail enjoyed every moment and cheers and whoops backdropped the frenetic action in the Rio as the momentous moment grew closer.

Only once the field had been cut to 10 players did caution begin to prevail, with none of the remaining 10 willing to surrender their November Nine chances easily.

Finally, though, a protracted battle saw Brandon Steven eliminated in 10th spot, losing a key flip with ace-king versus the queens of Matthew Jarvis to crush his hopes of a Main Event final-table spot.

We were left with nine men who will return to Las Vegas in November to contend for the title and the $8,944,138 Main Event first prize.

Here are those players and their chip stacks:

"When I play I just want to think about the game - that is all"

 

Jonathan Duhamel - 65,975,000

At just 22 years old Jonathan Duhamel is the youngest player at this final table but will return as the dominant chip leader with nearly 66 million.

Duhamel cut his teeth on the EPT where he's had a few close calls but making the November Nine is by far and away the biggest thing that's ever happened to the young French-Canadian.

"I played a lot this summer," said Duhamel. "When I play I just want to think about the game - that is all. I'm going to play more tournaments - like EPTs. I will play much more now."

For more information, click through to PokerListings November Nine mini-bio blogs.

"Really solid players at the final table, will have to adjust my play accordingly"

 

John Dolan - 46,250,000

Floridian John Dolan has had several decent results previously including a win in the Harrah's New Orleans Bayou Challenge for $31,874 and another for $32,956 in the Gulf Coast Poker Championship.

His Main Event result however will be the biggest notch in his poker career and he will return in a great position - 2nd in chips with over 46 million.

“This is my third year coming out to the WSOP for the whole summer,” said Dolan. “The first summer I bricked everything and then the 2nd I cashed a couple and this year I finally broke through and final tabled a 1k. Really solid players at the final table, will have to adjust my play accordingly.”

For more information, click through to PokerListings November Nine mini-bio blogs.

"You’ve got to pick your spots."

 

Joseph Cheong - 23,525,000

U.S. resident Joseph Cheong was originally born in South Korea, but moved to the U.S. when he was six years old.

He will return to the final table in 3rd place with 23.5 million in chips.

Known as subiime on Full Tilt Poker, Cheong won a Mini-FTOPS event in 2009 for $55,000, although he will blitz that score come November when he lines up to take his shot at the Main Event.

“I was very surprised the bubble took as long as it did," said Cheong. "I was missing a lot of hands there for a while. You c-bet once and you lose 2.5 million, so you’ve got to pick your spots. My opponents were showing me or telling me about their hands and they had me beat, but it’s tough to fold big hands.”

For more information, click through to PokerListings November Nine mini-bio blogs.

"I’d like to see the Grinder do well, we’re friends and he’s a good kid."

 

John Racener - 19,050,000

Although John Racener is only 25, he's coming to the 2010 WSOP Main Event final table as the second-most experienced and decorated player of the nine behind Michael Mizrachi.

Racener's accolades include winning the World Series of Poker Circuit Atlantic City event for $379,392 as well as over $1 million in online results, but this Main Event berth will be his crowning achievement in poker.

Racener will return to the final table in fourth place with just over 19 million in chips.

"“I’ll be studying these players online [in the months to come]” said Racener. "I’d like to see the Grinder do well, we’re friends and he’s a good kid.”

For more information, click through to PokerListings November Nine mini-bio blogs.

"This is amazing. It's crazy it all worked out."

 

Matt Jarvis - 16,700,000

Matt Jarvis is a 26-year-old poker pro from Surrey, British Columbia, who will enter the November Nine with over 16.5 million in chips.

Jarvis has been playing poker for six years and plays primarily online. Making the Main Event final table has been his dream since he began playing poker and this year he'll get his chance.

"This is amazing," said Jarvis. "It's crazy it all worked out. It's a tough table - there's a ton of really good players, they just pound, pound, pound."

For more information, click through to PokerListings November Nine mini-bio blogs.

"I am the first Italian in history to make the November Nine - I am very proud."

 

Filippo Candio - 16,400,000

Italian Filippo Candio will return to the final table in November with over 16 million in chips. Candio has been a force on the Italian Poker Tour over the last few years where he has picked up over $200k in winnings but will eclipse his biggest win come November - wherever he finishes.

"I tried very hard to play the best I know how," said Candio. "I am the first Italian in history to make the November Nine - I'm very proud. It's amazing.

For more information, click through to PokerListings November Nine mini-bio blogs.

"With these blinds anybody could win it. I like my chances."

 

Michael Mizrachi - 14,450,000

Michael “The Grinder” Mizrachi is by far and away the biggest name at the 2010 November Nine. A pro’s pro, Grinder brings almost 15 million in chips to the final table.

Having already made a huge splash at this year’s WSOP by winning the $50,000 Mixed Game Player’s Championship for $1.5 million, Mizrachi is in contention to tie up the Player of the Year title with Frank Kassela - but only if he can win the Main Event.

"I feel I'm like Phil Ivey last year," said Mizrachi. "With these blinds anybody could win it. I like my chances. I want to make Frank Kassela sweat a little more."

For more information, click through to PokerListings November Nine mini-bio blogs.

"It’s like an NFL player winning the super bowl.”

 

Soi Nguyen - 9,650,000

One of the only amateurs to make the November Nine, Soi Nguyen enters the final table with over 9.5 million in chips.

In his professional life Nguyen is an operations manager for a medical supply company in California. Having played just three live poker tournaments prior to this Main Event, Nguyen is looking to bone up on his poker skills in a big way before November.

Nguyen is close friends with top pros like Nam Le and Steve Sung and he'll be looking for a few tips before returning to the final table.

"The bubble was tough because everyone’s strategy changes," said Nguyen. "It’s like an NFL player winning the super bowl."

For more information, click through to PokerListings November Nine mini-bio blogs.

"I don't think any of us expected to get this far."

 

Jason Senti - 7,625,000

A poker instructor and professional online player, Jason Senti will return as the short-stack come November with just over 7.5 million in chips.

Senti plays online as PBJaxx and routinely crushes cash games as high as $50/$100.

"I dont think anybody expected to make it this far," said Senti. "I played to win all the way, then when it got close, I played for a November Nine spot. The skill gap between professionals and amateurs widens with so many hands."

For more information, click through to PokerListings November Nine mini-bio blogs.

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PokerListings will have comprehensive coverage of the November Nine on our Live Tournaments page beginning November and there will be news, blogs, videos and more across the site in the months leading up to the final.

(With files from Jason Phillips, Matthew Showell and Arthur Crowson.)

Jonathan Duhamel – Poker Player Profile

Jonathan Duhamel chipped up during the 2010 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event and made the most of his arsenal, playing big stack poker to the best of his ability. The Canadian entered Day 7 of the Main Event in 17th on the leaderboard with 4.30 million in chips and, within a few hours, had mushroomed to nearly nine million. Duhamel took 15th in a $2,500 No Limit Hold’em tournament at the 2010 WSOP prior to his deep run in the Main Event and banked $37,000, or 25 times his buy-in.

In a $1,500 No Limit Hold’em Six-Max event, the former college finance major finished in 50th and collected nearly $6,000. In a key hand during Day 7 that fueled his Main Event run, Duhamel moved all-in on a board reading 6-3-6-8-2. He received a call from online poker stud Matt “berkey11” Berkey, who flipped up 6-10 for trips. However, Duhamel had him crushed and showed pocket eights for a boat. The double up took Duhamel to 7.9 million in chips.

Duhamel’s best poker work came not in the United States, but in Europe on the European Poker Tour (EPT), where he bubbled the final table of a  €5,000 No Limit Hold’em tournament in Prague and banked nearly $55,000. That tournament featured a solid final 10 that included Duhamel, Canadian poker pro Andrew “achen” Chen, Nasr El Nasr, and WSOP bracelet winner Sebastian Ruthenberg.

Duhamel also made the spotlight in the 2010 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure Main Event, where he cashed for $17,000 after exiting in 151st place. When he’s not playing poker, Duhamel enjoys hockey and lives in Boucherville, Quebec. He was one of nine Canadian poker players, or 11% of the field, to reach Day 7 of the 2010 WSOP Main Event at the Rio in Las Vegas.

Duhamel qualified for the 2010 WSOP Main Event through PokerStars, the world’s largest online poker site.

Pascal LeFrancois (Pass_72) – Poker Player Profile

Canadian poker player Pascal LeFrancois is one of 78 runners left standing in the 2010 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event. He entered Day 1, when play brought the field of 78 down to 27, with a middle-of-the-road stack, but a tough table draw alongside Johnny Lodden, Matt “mcmatto” Affleck, and Hasan Habib didn’t faze him.

The Rosemère resident scored one of the largest pots of the WSOP Main Event on Day 7 after 3betting to 455,000 out of the small blind against Jonathan Driscoll. Then, Driscoll 4bet to 1.03 million and LeFrancois responded by moving all-in for 4.73 million. Driscoll made the call and –as you’d expect – two big pairs were exposed. Driscoll tabled pocket jacks, while LeFrancois turned over pocket queens. Neither player improved when the board came 8-A-3-5-10 and LeFrancois shot up the chip counts. LeFrancois also sent UB.com pro Eric “basebaldy” Baldwin to the rail on Day 7.

He can be found under the name “Pass_72” on PokerStars, where he took down the site’s Sunday Warm-Up for over $100,000 in August 2008. Other top-tier scores for LeFrancois include wins in the PokerStars $1,050 buy-in Super Tuesday for $69,000, the Nightly Hundred Grand for $23,000, and the $40,000 Guaranteed for $12,000. When LeFrancois is playing on Full Tilt Poker, you can find him perusing the virtual felts under the moniker “Pass_555.”

LeFrancois is a 2010 bracelet winner, having taken down a $1,500 No Limit Hold’em tournament at the WSOP for $569,000. The contest drew 2,341 players from across the globe and LeFrancois was the lone Canadian in the top 30 on the final leaderboard. He defeated Max Steinberg heads-up at a final table that also included Main Event 55th place finisher Josh “brikdog24” Brikis.

LeFrancois’ first bracelet came in just his second in the money finish at a WSOP tournament. He began playing poker in 2005 with friends and, according to the official website of the WSOP, his favorite industry personality is Frank Billard.

Michal Wywrot – Poker Player Profile

Canadians have been a force in poker ever since the game exploded in North America in 2003. Players like Daniel Negreanu, Nenad Medic, and 2010 bracelet winner Gavin Smith have carried the banner for Canada, which is fresh off hosting the Winter Olympics. Calling Brampton, Ontario home is Mike Wywrot, who plays under the screen name “wywrotx” on PokerStars, “wywrot” on Full Tilt, and “xwywrotx” on UB.com. He reached the final 78 of the 2010 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event.

Wywrot recorded two in the money finishes at the 2010 WSOP, even donning a Poker Players Alliance (PPA) patch despite being from Canada. He finished 321st in a $1,000 No Limit Hold’em event for $1,900. Then, it was on to the big money, as Wywrot walked away with $14,000 from a $3,000 Triple Chance No Limit Hold’em tournament.

His hallmark score in the online poker world is a final table appearance in the $215 buy-in PokerStars Sunday Million for $95,000 after a four-way chop in March 2009. Heading into play at the Rio in Las Vegas, however, Wywrot would need to muster all of his poker know-how in order to navigate the competition at the ESPN feature table. He posted on the popular poker forum PocketFives.com prior to taking to the felts, “I’m at the main feature table with Phil Galfond with a million chips. GL everyone that’s left!”

Wywrot became interested in poker at the age of 15 after watching World Poker Tour (WPT) broadcasts featuring Mike Sexton and Vince Van Patten. He began playing in small home games in school, paying for lunches through the skill game. He’s proficient in heads-up poker online, so it should come as no surprise that he’s final tabled some of the richest tournaments offered, including the PokerStars Wednesday Quarter Million, PokerStars $100 rebuy, and PartyPoker $75,000 Guaranteed.

Wywrot is a dual Triple Crown winner on PocketFives.com, which involves taking down three $10,000 prize pool tournaments across three online poker sites in the same seven-day period. He attended University of Toronto in Mississauga and studied finance.

Main Event Day 5: Chan Still Crushing

A total of 566 players entered the fray on Day 5 but after 12 hours of play the field had once again been cut down to size with 205 players still shooting for glory.

Perhaps no player in the field has surprised more people than 1986 and 1987 WSOP Main Event winner Johnny "The Orient Express" Chan.

Chan's last WSOP bracelet came in 2005 and many were wondering if the veteran rounder could still hang with the young guns that dominate today's game.

It seems like Chan has answered in a big way by dominating for three staight days and never falling that far from the top 10 chip counts.

For three straight days Chan has stuck like glue to the top 10 chip counts and kept pace with all the surging players.

Chan is joined at the top by Danish dominator Theo Jorgensen, upstart internet sensation Bryn Kenney and Russian Alexander Kostritsyn.

Relatively unknown Canadian Evan Lamprea finished as the chip leader with 3.56 million, although German Michael Skender is close behind with 3.52 million.

There were numerous notable players that hit the rail on Day 5 including Jason Mercier, Evelyn Ng, Scotty Nguyen, Vitaly Lunkin and Hoyt Corkins.

Amazingly brothers Robert Mizrachi and Michael Mizrachi are still alive in the tournament with a chance to replicate their final table appearance from the $50k Players Championship earlier this summer.

Day 6 begins tomorrow at 12 p.m. As always PokerListings.com will be on hand for live updates, photos, news stories and videos straight from the Rio.