Wsop 2016

[JasonEvans]

Phil Ivey*, Daniel Negreanu, and more than a few other very famous players went out on day 2 of the Main Event. The field comes together into one group today for the first time. There were 6700+ folk entered at the start and 2176 remain. We don't get to the money until player #1011, so I suspect that won't be until tomorrow.

Among the big names near the top of the leaderboard --

Michael "The Grinder" Mizrahi is in the top 10 overall with 549k chips. Grinder has had a great WSOP so far with something like a dozen cashes including 4th in the $50k Poker Player's Championship (he won $380k for that).
Chad Power, who had a top 30 finish at the Main Event last year, is just outside the top 10 in chips with 546k.
Gaëlle Baumann, who bubbled the final table at the 2012 Main Event, almost becoming the first woman to make a final table since 1995, is also above 500k in chips.
Antonio Esfandiari, who is among the best-known players in the world (Ivey, Johnny Chan, Negreanu, Phil Helmuth, and Doyle Brunson are the top 5, Magic Antonio is just behind them) is in very healthy position with 327k.
Last year's champ, Joe McKeehan, has 184k in chips and is in good shape. He dominated with a big stack last year. This year, he's just a little above the average-sized stack at this point in the tourney (155k).
Former champion Greg "Fossilman" Raymer has 180k.
And Phil Helmuth is still around with 82k in chips.

Plenty more notable players. We are really still a couple days away from having any idea who the real major contenders are.

One really notable hand that the blogs are highlighting --
A guy named Kyle Bowker (a known pro who won the $3k PL Omaha bracelet a few weeks ago) had quad 7s with the board showing Ks, Js, 7c, 7d, 9s. Kyle's opponent shoved his entire stack into the middle and Kyle folded. Yup, he folded quads. The only thing that beats him is a 10s/Qs, but Kyle apparently thought that was what his opponent had. Some of the players at Kyle's table agreed with the fold. The opponent never showed his hand.

-Jason "always a few crazy stories at the WSOP -- I need to go back some time soon!" Evans

* - The Main Event was the only WSOP event Ivey played this year. I get the feeling he really doesn't care about tournament poker any more and only plays big money cash games

[OldPhiKap]

* - The Main Event was the only WSOP event Ivey played this year. I get the feeling he really doesn't care about tournament poker any more and only edge sorts if you believe certain casinos

FIFY. Although I like Ivey and enjoy watching him play.

I think Kid Poker is already out if I understood his tweet from last night.

Rooting for Antonio, Venessa Selbst (if she's playing), and for anyone over 50 not named Matusow. Oh, and Duke's own Vanessa Russo if she is in of course.

[OldPhiKap]

Just saw that Ivey is out.

6,737 started the tourney, 2,176 remain per wsop.com. Not sure if the starting figure means individual players, or total buy-ins.

[murpho]

That should be total individuals since its not a rebuy format.

[OldPhiKap]

That should be total individuals since its not a rebuy format.

I should have said re-enter. Using kitchen table slang instead of correct casino terminology.

There are thee entry days, and you can enter all three. Do not know if you could re-enter the same day (1A, 1B, 1C) if you get knocked out before a certain level as well.

[JasonEvans]

I should have said re-enter. Using kitchen table slang instead of correct casino terminology.

There are thee entry days, and you can enter all three. Do not know if you could re-enter the same day (1A, 1B, 1C) if you get knocked out before a certain level as well.

Actually, I don't think you can. I believe that if you enter one, you are not allowed to enter another of the days. You have to pick your day.

I need to check on this...

[YmoBeThere]

If they did allow multiple entries, what would happen if you advanced? You'd pick which of your entries to play? Does 6k seem low for entries?

[JasonEvans]

Does 6k seem low for entries?

Last year was 6420, 2014 was 6683, 2013 was 6352, 2012 was 6598... and so on.

I think they have only been over 7000 twice. When the feds shut down most of the US poker sites in April of 2011, it really changed the growth of the game.

-Jason "I hate online, but love live poker" Evans

[JasonEvans]

They are down to 1692 players, about 500 less than we started the day with. Maybe it is possible they will reach the money bubble (1011) today... though the pace of bust outs will get a lot slower as we get closer. I still think the money bubble comes tomorrow.

[OldPhiKap]

They are down to 1692 players, about 500 less than we started the day with. Maybe it is possible they will reach the money bubble (1011) today... though the pace of bust outs will get a lot slower as we get closer. I still think the money bubble comes tomorrow.

I like the broader payout scheme that they implemented last year (and assume they have retained). I have a buddy playing this year (4th time). I would love to do it in a few years.

[snowdenscold]

One of my good friends is just inside the top 100 with 1665 players left - hope he hangs in there!

[YmoBeThere]

Okay, so they've basically gone nowhere in years with entry growth. 2006 saw 8,773, 2010 at 7,319 and a couple other years slightly ahead of this one. Given the 2006 number, maybe the end of free money via home equity is also a major factor?

[OldPhiKap]

Money bubble burst.

My buddy still alive, although treated water most of the day late (about 360k in chips).

800 left after end of day 3.

[OldPhiKap]

Wow, just looked at the table draws for Day 4. My friend has Shawn Deeb on his immediate right, and Will "the Thrill" Failla second on left. Two down from that is Ryan Riess.

[JasonEvans]

Wow, just looked at the table draws for Day 4. My friend has Shawn Deeb on his immediate right, and Will "the Thrill" Failla second on left. Two down from that is Ryan Riess.

What is your friend's name? I'd love to follow his progress. That is quite a table. When I played a world series event a few years ago (not the Main Event), I sat (at various times) with David Benyamin, Scott Siever, Shannon Schorr and Jason Mercier. I was in good chip position (top 100 in the room with about 700 players left, 1500 had entered) when I took a bad beat that busted me (the other guy pushed too hard, I had to play back as I knew I was leading and then he sucked out a 2-outer on the river, I would have been top 10-20 in chips if I had won the hand) Siever said, "Don't sweat it. That's poker. You'll be back."

-Jason "So far, I have not been back :( " Evans

[JasonEvans]

So, I was wrong about the money bubble, it did bust last night around midnight (Vegas time). As always happens, after the bubble burst, there were a ton of short-stacks who also busted leaving us with just 800 players left at this point.

The average chip stack is 421k.

The big story is that Magic Antonio is 7th in chips with 1.38 million. Shaun Deeb is 12th with 1.26 mil. There's another dozen recognizable names to poker fans in the top 100. Outside the top 100, but still very much in contention are 4 former winners -- Johnny Chan (588k chips), Greg Raymer (732k), Ryan Reis (270k), and Tom McEvoy (202k). Amazingly, this is just the third career Main Event cash for McEvoy, who won the 1983 Main Event and plays every year.

The Grinder, Michael Mizrahi, who was top 5 in chips a day ago busted yesterday. So did Phil Helmuth and last year's champ Joe McKeehan.

I wonder what Norman Chad and ESPN will do if Antonio Esfandiari actually makes the final table. He has done live commentary on the final table the past couple years and he is quite good.

-Jason "still a looooong way to go -- I would imagine they would get down to about 300 players by the time today is done" Evans

[OldPhiKap]

What is your friend's name? I'd love to follow his progress. That is quite a table. When I played a world series event a few years ago (not the Main Event), I sat (at various times) with David Benyamin, Scott Siever, Shannon Schorr and Jason Mercier. I was in good chip position (top 100 in the room with about 700 players left, 1500 had entered) when I took a bad beat that busted me (the other guy pushed too hard, I had to play back as I knew I was leading and then he sucked out a 2-outer on the river, I would have been top 10-20 in chips if I had won the hand) Siever said, "Don't sweat it. That's poker. You'll be back."

-Jason "So far, I have not been back :( " Evans

William O'Neal, currently 378th place (mid-field). Was up to about 105th place with the same stack size before dinner; held his own after the break but slid down the list. He was on TV a few years ago at a feature table in the Main Event with Doyle, and hit quad Queens. Got some of Doyle's money, but not much.

That's a great list of folks you've sat down with. Did you find it hard to stick to your game? I would like to think that it would not impact me but I suspect it would.

[JasonEvans]

That's a great list of folks you've sat down with. Did you find it hard to stick to your game? I would like to think that it would not impact me but I suspect it would.

It was extremely difficult. I kept on telling myself to just be disciplined, play only premium hands, and try to stay calm but I got nervous and had a hard time concentrating. I played fine, I think, and am pleased to say that both times I busted were times where I got my money in with the lead only to have bad luck send me home. The hardest thing is not getting foolish when you go card dead -- and you will go card dead at some point.

Speaking of card dead -- in one tournament (I entered 2, a $1500 and a $2500 NLH) I got pocket Aces and doubled up right off the bat when some donk with pocket Ks pushed on hand #2!! I then proceeded to not get a queen or better for at least 30 minutes. It was stunning. Even when I was in position - on the button - I would get unplayable hands like 8-3 (and my buttons and blinds were constantly raised, so I couldn't even limp). I was so proud of myself for not getting aggressive when the poker gods were begging me to waste my money by playing a suited 10-7 or some similar loser. Of course, the poker gods decided to punish me by giving me good hands later on but giving other players better hands. Ahh well.

In retrospect, I probably played too tight. I should have tried to steal a bit more and should have picked a few good position pots to play even with rags in my hand. As I said, it was hard to concentrate and vary my play beyond the tight/premium play I had decided would be my mantra. I think you probably have to alter your style a bit to really succeed and I was not able to do that.

-Jason "I see some of these guys fire multiple bullets at pots when they have nothing in their hand and I just cannot do that... the guts it takes to make moves like that -- and to know when to do it -- is what separates folks like me from the pros" Evans

[BandAlum83]

Phil Ivey*, Daniel Negreanu, and more than a few other very famous players went out on day 2 of the Main Event. The field comes together into one group today for the first time. There were 6700+ folk entered at the start and 2176 remain. We don't get to the money until player #1011, so I suspect that won't be until tomorrow.

Among the big names near the top of the leaderboard --

Michael "The Grinder" Mizrahi is in the top 10 overall with 549k chips. Grinder has had a great WSOP so far with something like a dozen cashes including 4th in the $50k Poker Player's Championship (he won $380k for that).
Chad Power, who had a top 30 finish at the Main Event last year, is just outside the top 10 in chips with 546k.
Gaëlle Baumann, who bubbled the final table at the 2012 Main Event, almost becoming the first woman to make a final table since 1995, is also above 500k in chips.
Antonio Esfandiari, who is among the best-known players in the world (Ivey, Johnny Chan, Negreanu, Phil Helmuth, and Doyle Brunson are the top 5, Magic Antonio is just behind them) is in very healthy position with 327k.
Last year's champ, Joe McKeehan, has 184k in chips and is in good shape. He dominated with a big stack last year. This year, he's just a little above the average-sized stack at this point in the tourney (155k).
Former champion Greg "Fossilman" Raymer has 180k.
And Phil Helmuth is still around with 82k in chips.

Plenty more notable players. We are really still a couple days away from having any idea who the real major contenders are.

One really notable hand that the blogs are highlighting --
A guy named Kyle Bowker (a known pro who won the $3k PL Omaha bracelet a few weeks ago) had quad 7s with the board showing Ks, Js, 7c, 7d, 9s. Kyle's opponent shoved his entire stack into the middle and Kyle folded. Yup, he folded quads. The only thing that beats him is a 10s/Qs, but Kyle apparently thought that was what his opponent had. Some of the players at Kyle's table agreed with the fold. The opponent never showed his hand.

-Jason "always a few crazy stories at the WSOP -- I need to go back some time soon!" Evans

* - The Main Event was the only WSOP event Ivey played this year. I get the feeling he really doesn't care about tournament poker any more and only plays big money cash games

I did lose once with quad Aces. I flopped it and ended up losing to a Royal straight flush. It was Omaha, so the odds were a little different. It cost me big time. I had the other player covered, but the pot was well over $2,000. Ouch.

[BandAlum83]

It was extremely difficult. I kept on telling myself to just be disciplined, play only premium hands, and try to stay calm but I got nervous and had a hard time concentrating. I played fine, I think, and am pleased to say that both times I busted were times where I got my money in with the lead only to have bad luck send me home. The hardest thing is not getting foolish when you go card dead -- and you will go card dead at some point.

Speaking of card dead -- in one tournament (I entered 2, a $1500 and a $2500 NLH) I got pocket Aces and doubled up right off the bat when some donk with pocket Ks pushed on hand #2!! I then proceeded to not get a queen or better for at least 30 minutes. It was stunning. Even when I was in position - on the button - I would get unplayable hands like 8-3 (and my buttons and blinds were constantly raised, so I couldn't even limp). I was so proud of myself for not getting aggressive when the poker gods were begging me to waste my money by playing a suited 10-7 or some similar loser. Of course, the poker gods decided to punish me by giving me good hands later on but giving other players better hands. Ahh well.

In retrospect, I probably played too tight. I should have tried to steal a bit more and should have picked a few good position pots to play even with rags in my hand. As I said, it was hard to concentrate and vary my play beyond the tight/premium play I had decided would be my mantra. I think you probably have to alter your style a bit to really succeed and I was not able to do that.

-Jason "I see some of these guys fire multiple bullets at pots when they have nothing in their hand and I just cannot do that... the guts it takes to make moves like that -- and to know when to do it -- is what separates folks like me from the pros" Evans

I've heard Daniel Negreanu say during telecasts that 10 - 7 suited is a favorite hand of his. And yes, waiting out the card dead runs can be killer. Varying play is really difficult and takes some cojones when you are seeing hands that are more suited to doubling down than to playing poker.

[snowdenscold]

Doh, my friend went from top 10% to bottom 10%. At least he made the money, but hopefully he can get some double ups when play resumes!

[OldPhiKap]

A stretch of being card dead once antes kick in is a real soul sucker. Those orbits start to get expensive, quickly. I try to find a place that I can be first into the pot with a good raise (hopefully within two or three spots of the button, not under the gun or next up) and hope you steal it, or that you at least get folders through the button and play the blinds in position. But that's easier to type than to do.

[OldPhiKap]

My buddy Knocked Failla out; Greg Raymer now at table with him, Deeb and Reese.

6526

Shaun Deeb; buddy to his left)

[OldPhiKap]

(duplicate post, sorry)

[JasonEvans]

My buddy Knocked Failla out; Greg Raymer now at table with him, Deeb and Reese.

6526

Shaun Deeb; buddy to his left)

It appears William O'Neal (http://www.wsop.com/players/playerprofile.asp?playerID=150460) has busted. 498th place is truly amazing. It appears he made the money in the Main Event back in 2013 too, finishing 332nd. He's good!

-Jason "earlier today, Maria Ho was the tournament chip leader and the first player to top 2 million in chips, but she's now down to a still healthy 1.2 mil. The leader has 2.7 mil... and Esfandiari busted in 449th place" Evans

[OldPhiKap]

It appears William O'Neal (http://www.wsop.com/players/playerprofile.asp?playerID=150460) has busted. 498th place is truly amazing. It appears he made the money in the Main Event back in 2013 too, finishing 332nd. He's good!

-Jason "earlier today, Maria Ho was the tournament chip leader and the first player to top 2 million in chips, but she's now down to a still healthy 1.2 mil. The leader has 2.7 mil... and Esfandiari busted in 449th place" Evans

Yeah, he shoved 66 in late position and was called pre flop by QQ. Said there were lots of cameras at the table all day, should be on the broadcast FWIW.

Knew he had to gamble to get a really workable stack.

In '13 he had to leave early because his boss died suddenly and he needed to get home immediately. Doubly sad. He basically just started shoving; in retrospect he said he should have just let them chip him off and maybe move up the pay ladder.

Good player, heck of a nice guy.

Planning a trip to Vegas with some poker buddies in September, Jason -- Deepstack at the Venetian. Duke football in the sports book. Odds on basketball season champ. Need to connect through ATL anyway. Just sayin'

[OldPhiKap]

Down to 27. Tom Machese is the only one left that I really know.

[YmoBeThere]

(duplicate post, sorry)


Sigh, I miss the old days where post counts counted.

[JasonEvans]

Down to 27. Tom Machese is the only one left that I really know.

Yeah, it is not exactly a star studded field like last year when Negreanu was in the final dozen and Max Steinberg made the final table. But, in addition to Marchese, two-time bracelet winner Cliff Josephy is still around and in 3rd place. Josephy is said to be one of the best online players in the world and is at least modestly well-known to some poker fans.

Will be interesting to see if someone can get out to a big lead going into the final table. Last year, there were 7 players between 10 and 14 million in chips coming into day 7. Joe McKeehan ran over everyone though and entered the final table with 63 million, twice as much as anyone else.

-Jason "anyone know if ESPN is again going to televise the final table in November?" Evans

[JasonEvans]

I bet the Final Table chip leader comes from table #2 today. Players at that table have 125+ mil in chips. Table 1 players have 112+ mil while the guys at table 3 have just 100 mil in total chips.

Of course, it is also possible that Vojtech Ruzicka will just run over table #3. He's the overall chip leader and has almost twice as many chips as anyone else at his table. If he puts pressure on them and they are playing conservatively, he could get to 40 or 50 mil in chips pretty fast and just put pressure on everyone until the November Nine are set. It will likely take something like 70 or 80 mil, at least, to be the Final Table chip leader.

Table 1
Seat 1: Gordon Vayo - 8,795,000 (44 bb)
Seat 2: Michael Niwinski - 10,660,000 (53 bb)
Seat 3: Matthew Moss - 15,250,000 (76 bb)
Seat 4: Cliff Josephy - 23,860,000 (119 bb)
Seat 5: Christopher Kusha - 6,350,000 (31 bb)
Seat 6: Jared Bleznick - 8,300,000 (41 bb)
Seat 7: Kenny Hallaert - 15,465,000 (77 bb)
Seat 8: William Kassouf - 6,095,000 (30 bb)
Seat 9: Valentin Vornicu - 17,450,000 (87 bb)

Table 2
Seat 1: James Obst - 19,560,000 (97 bb)
Seat 2: Qui Nguyen - 4,790,000 (24 bb)
Seat 3: Fernando Pons - 17,270,000 (86 bb)
Seat 4: Philip Postma - 2,225,000 (11 bb)
Seat 5: Tommy Miller - 17,185,000 (86 bb)
Seat 6: Jeff Hakim - 4,375,000 (22 bb)
Seat 7: Tom Marchese - 15,420,000 (77 bb)
Seat 8: Mike Shin - 19,345,000 (96 bb)
Seat 9: Michael Ruane - 24,565,000 (122 bb)

Table 3
Seat 1: Joshua Weiss - 11,580,000 (58 bb)
Seat 2: Adam Krach - 7,540,000 (37 bb)
Seat 3: Vojtech Ruzicka - 26,415,000 (132 bb)
Seat 4: Griffin Benger - 6,530,000 (32 bb)
Seat 5: Andrew Christoforou - 9,450,000 (47 bb)
Seat 6: Jerry Wong - 12,975,000 (65 bb)
Seat 7: Antoine Saout - 5,525,000 (27 bb)
Seat 8: Kakwan Lau - 15,110,000 (75 bb)
Seat 9: John Cynn - 5,760,000 (28 bb)

-Jason "play begins in less than an hour and they will play until they get the November 9" Evans

[OldPhiKap]

I bet the Final Table chip leader comes from table #2 today. Players at that table have 125+ mil in chips. Table 1 players have 112+ mil while the guys at table 3 have just 100 mil in total chips.

Of course, it is also possible that Vojtech Ruzicka will just run over table #3. He's the overall chip leader and has almost twice as many chips as anyone else at his table. If he puts pressure on them and they are playing conservatively, he could get to 40 or 50 mil in chips pretty fast and just put pressure on everyone until the November Nine are set. It will likely take something like 70 or 80 mil, at least, to be the Final Table chip leader.

Table 1
Seat 1: Gordon Vayo - 8,795,000 (44 bb)
Seat 2: Michael Niwinski - 10,660,000 (53 bb)
Seat 3: Matthew Moss - 15,250,000 (76 bb)
Seat 4: Cliff Josephy - 23,860,000 (119 bb)
Seat 5: Christopher Kusha - 6,350,000 (31 bb)
Seat 6: Jared Bleznick - 8,300,000 (41 bb)
Seat 7: Kenny Hallaert - 15,465,000 (77 bb)
Seat 8: William Kassouf - 6,095,000 (30 bb)
Seat 9: Valentin Vornicu - 17,450,000 (87 bb)

Table 2
Seat 1: James Obst - 19,560,000 (97 bb)
Seat 2: Qui Nguyen - 4,790,000 (24 bb)
Seat 3: Fernando Pons - 17,270,000 (86 bb)
Seat 4: Philip Postma - 2,225,000 (11 bb)
Seat 5: Tommy Miller - 17,185,000 (86 bb)
Seat 6: Jeff Hakim - 4,375,000 (22 bb)
Seat 7: Tom Marchese - 15,420,000 (77 bb)
Seat 8: Mike Shin - 19,345,000 (96 bb)
Seat 9: Michael Ruane - 24,565,000 (122 bb)

Table 3
Seat 1: Joshua Weiss - 11,580,000 (58 bb)
Seat 2: Adam Krach - 7,540,000 (37 bb)
Seat 3: Vojtech Ruzicka - 26,415,000 (132 bb)
Seat 4: Griffin Benger - 6,530,000 (32 bb)
Seat 5: Andrew Christoforou - 9,450,000 (47 bb)
Seat 6: Jerry Wong - 12,975,000 (65 bb)
Seat 7: Antoine Saout - 5,525,000 (27 bb)
Seat 8: Kakwan Lau - 15,110,000 (75 bb)
Seat 9: John Cynn - 5,760,000 (28 bb)

-Jason "play begins in less than an hour and they will play until they get the November 9" Evans

Table 2 also has three players who are essentially all-ins pretty soon if not already. Not sure what the antes are, but at about 25 bb with antes you are getting into that red zone. At least, against the chip stacks at that table.

[OldPhiKap]

Yeah, it is not exactly a star studded field like last year when Negreanu was in the final dozen and Max Steinberg made the final table. But, in addition to Marchese, two-time bracelet winner Cliff Josephy is still around and in 3rd place. Josephy is said to be one of the best online players in the world and is at least modestly well-known to some poker fans.

Will be interesting to see if someone can get out to a big lead going into the final table. Last year, there were 7 players between 10 and 14 million in chips coming into day 7. Joe McKeehan ran over everyone though and entered the final table with 63 million, twice as much as anyone else.

-Jason "anyone know if ESPN is again going to televise the final table in November?" Evans

November 9 is set. ESPN airing "live" October 30 - November 1:

http://www.wsop.com/tournaments/updates.asp?grid=1232&tid=14968

I need to bookmark this for when we get closer; I don't really know anything about these guys.

[YmoBeThere]

It is over...

[DU82]

The start of day three was amazing. The play of the final three was top notch, and there were some good hands dealt that made things very interesting. One hand was astounding (you'll know it when you watch.) I couldn't make it much past the start of heads-up play (I think it went eight hours.)

I really liked Antonio Esfandiari's commentary, however Norm Chad can go the way of other Maryland grads. (I didn't think he added anything.) Antonio's read of the players was very insightful. Kid Poker and Hellmuth provided additional commentary during breaks. Daniel was OK, and Hellmuth was his typical annoying self.

[OldPhiKap]

Great three days. Good pace, good guys, good commentary. Lots of action deals and flops. Always like hearing Antonio and Daniel.

Highly entertaining.

[mr. synellinden]

I watched almost all of the heads up play last night - a few thoughts.

Nguyen played incredible poker almost without fail - and to do that the way he did with the mental and physical fatigue that must be involved was so impressive to watch.

As well as he played, I think Vayo played worse than Nguyen played well, if that makes sense. I have never watched a professional play and thought so consistently that he/she was playing so poorly hand after hand. I have no idea what is strategy was - he just kept checking even when he hit flops with top or middle pair (which is extremely strong heads up), never really made a move and put so little pressure on Nguyen that I think he really gave that final table away. Really, I've watched a lot of poker and never had such a strong negative reaction to the way he was playing. As strong as Nguyen played, Vayo - a pro - should have made it more difficult for him.

I was very impressed that Nguyen came back after Vayo hit runner runner flush when he was all in to save his tournament life. That was a very tough poker break and he bounced right back.

I agree with the comments about Esfandiari - his commentary was excellent and made it so much more enjoyable to watch - and it shows why he is among the world's best.

[BigWayne]

I watched some of this as it was on instead of Sportscenter last night for some reason. It was entertaining for a little while, but I don't know how you guys can watch hours of it.