All-Star Showdown: Phil "mrsweets28" Galfond edges out Ben "Ben86" Tollerene in 14-hour quarterfinal battle

Ben "Ben86" Tollerene and Phil "mrsweets28" Galfond are hardly rivals. They live in the same apartment building in their newly adopted home base of Vancouver, have huge respect for one another's poker game, and have even been known to train in the gym together. But thanks to the quarterfinal draw, Galfond and Tollerone had to put their BFF status aside for the day as they competed for the last remaining semifinal seat in the All-Star Showdown.

This match was a lot of things. Arduous, swingy, and so many levels deep it hurts the brain, just to name a few. But more than anything, it showcased just how evenly matched and extraordinarily talented these two players are. Lasting 4,341 hands, it was the longest quarterfinal match of the All-Star Showdown in terms of hands played and after 14 hours and 40 minutes on the field, Galfond finally put Tollerene away, advancing to play Saturday's semifinal round against Dan "w00ki3z." Cates.

See...I know that you know that I know...

Battle Vancouver kicked off on Twitter with messages from both players. While Tollerene invited his followers to rail him as he went up against his "friend and temporary enemy," Galfond teased, "Cool thing about today's $100k #AllStarShowdown is that both @Bttech86 and I know how he's gonna play and neither of us know how I will."

HOUR ONE (Hands 1-258): Tollerene halts Galfond's early charge

Action got underway just past 10 am local time in Vancouver. While yesterday's quarterfinal match saw Dan Cates shoving within the first minute of play, Galfond and Tollerene were slower to let the chips fly. The first hundred hands had them dead even before Galfond picked up two five-figure pots and moved out to an early lead. On a [8c][3h][2h] flop, Galfond led into preflop raiser Tollerene with an $800 bet. Tollerene called, and the [Kh] hit the turn. Galfond check-called $1,500, then checked again when the [9c] came on the river. Tollerene bet $3,750 and Galfond called, turning up [Kd][4h] for top pair. Tollerene had nothing more than a busted gutshot straight draw with [5d][6s], and Galfond raked in the $12,500 pot.

Meanwhile, over on Table 4, Tollerene three-bet preflop and led out for $950 on the [Kc][6s][2d] flop. Galfond raised to $1,900 and Tollerene called. Both players checked the [6d] on the turn, but when the [8s] hit the river, Tollerene fired out $3,900. Galfond moved all-in for $9,798 and after a bit of a tank, Tollerene conceded the $13,000 pot. With 180 hands in the books, Galfond was up nearly $18,000.

The largest pot of the hour, however went to Tollerene. Right before the break Tollerene flopped top pair and rivered aces up, erasing Galfond's gains in one fell swoop with this $24,000 pot:

106 hands: Galfond +$441
152 hands: Galfond +$18,095
179 hands: Galfond +$17,962
254 hands: Galfond +$7,916
258 hands: Tollerene +$8,050

HOUR TWO (Hands 259-564): Tollerene builds a $25k lead

Galfond quickly erased his small deficit and had moved into the black by Hand 287, but Tollerene hit a rush and carved out a two and a half buy-in lead. Galfond answered by picking up several medium-sized pots without a showdown, but Tollerene quickly recovered those chips in a $21,000 pot where both players flopped straight draws, but only one of them got there:

Galfond erased most of the gap when he picked up [As][Ks] against Tollerene's [Ah][Jd]. Both players hit top pair on the [Ac][7c][4s] flop, but Galfond made two pair on the turn with the [Kh]. Tollerene bet $3,200, Galfond smooth-called, and the [Ad] fell on the river. Tollerene shoved with his trip aces and Galfond called all-in for $9,000, taking down the $28,700 pot with aces full.

Tollerene immediately answered by taking down a $29,300 pot with aces up over Galfond's kings up, all the money going in on the river on a [Ad][7s][Kd][3h][3d] board. Tollerene had one more in him before the break arrived, five-bet shoving for $12,456 on a [9h][3s][2d] flop with [Qh][Qs]. Galfond called with [Ad][9s], Tollerene's ladies holding up in the $26,300 pot.

287 hands: Galfond +$2,774
361 hands: Tollerene +$14,729
441 hands: Tollerene +$9,498
488 hands: Tollerene +$19,597
564 hands: Tollerene +$25,533

HOUR THREE (Hands 565-911): Galfond on the ropes

Galfond tore into Tollerene's lead at the top of the third hour, first picking off a double-barrel bluff in a $27k pot. Galfond three-bet with [Kc][Kh], had his $1,250 bet called on the [Jc][5c][5s] flop, then saw the [2d] on the turn. Galfond checked, Tollerene fired $2,750 and Galfond called. Galfond checked again when the [8h] came on the river, inducing a bluff-shove from Tollerene. Galfond called off his remaining $8,900 as Tollerene sheepishly revealed [9c][Ts].

Galfond made his way into the black when his pocket aces rivered aces full of nines after Tollerene's [7s][9s] flopped trips. This cooler seemed to wake a sleeping giant and Tollerene went on a tear, winning 20 of the next 25 pots including this one, where he flopped top and bottom pair, and turned a boat:

Back in the lead to the tune of $24,000, it was Tollerene's turn to pick up [Ac][Ad] and get a little revenge. The two ended up getting all their money in on a [6s][5c][4d] flop, Tollerene making a five-bet that set Galfond all-in. Galfond called with [6d][8d] and although he picked up a flush draw on the turn to go with his pair of sixes, Tollerene's aces held. Tollerene continued applying pressure and expanded his lead to $40,000. Galfond got his pocket queens paid off in a $9,000 pot, but it wasn't nearly enough to stem the tide. In fact, their next major confrontation would blow Tollerene's lead wide open.

Tollerene picked up [Js][Ts] and opened for a standard min-raise. Galfond three-bet to $950 with [Kc][Qd] and Tollerene called. The [Td][6h][4h] flop made him top pair, and Tollerene smooth-called Galfond's $1,350 continuation bet. The turn was the [Jh], not only making Tollerone top two pair, but giving Galfond an open-ended straight draw- just enough to justify firing another bullet. Galfond bet $3,150 and Tollerene flatted. The [2s] on the river was a complete blank, but figuring he could only win the pot by betting, Galfond moved all-in for $9,498. Tollerene called, his jacks up good for the $29,900 pot.

After dropping that pot, Galfond's entire match bankroll was spread across the four tables, and when Tollerone's [7c][8h] turned trip sevens against Galfond's pair of kings, Table 4 was closed, Galfond's remaing $4,000 on that table filed back into his bank. After 911 hands and three hours of play, Tollerone had a choke hold on this match with a $66,299 lead.

622 hands: Tollerene +$7,390
695 hands: Galfond +$1,525
779 hands: Tollerene +$24,380
835 hands: Tollerene +$39,533
841 hands: Tollerene +$47,454
911 hands: Tollerene +$66,299

HOUR FOUR (Hands 912-1,183): Galfond grinds down Tollerene's lead

Tollerene continues to expand his lead, grinding up another $11,000 worth of small and medium-sized pots to leave Galfond on his last $23,000. But just in time, Galfond picked up pocket sixes and flopped a set, getting three streets of value on his hand to win a $16,000 pot. After getting his Table 2 stack in with [Qh][Qs] against Tollerene's [9c][9h], Galfond had earned enough back to put all four tables in play once more.

Galfond continued to chip up and by the time the hourly break rolled around, he'd cut Tollerone's lead to $56,020

1,017 hands: Tollerene +$77,218
1,036 hands: Tollerene +$67,025
1,131 hands: Tollerene +$60,289
1,183 hands: Tollerene +$56,020

HOUR FIVE (Hands 1,184-1,575 ): Let's do lunch

While Galfond was able to stop the bleeding over the next 400 hands, he was unable to make any progress when it came to recovering his chips. They went tit for tat over the course of the hour and with Tollerene sporting a $53,934 lead, the two agreed to take a 90-minute meal break... together. Witness their Twitter feeds during the intermission:

@Bttech86: taking an intermission in the #AllStarShowDown @PokerStars to get a workout and a meal. A little uncomfortable with Phil spotting me today.

@PhilGalfond: Was down to 20 of my 100k starting stack in the #AllStarShowDown. Now at almost 50k. Taking gym & food break w/@Bttech86 & @JasonKoon.

And for all you skeptics saying "pics or it didn't happen," Jason Koon tweeted photographic evidence of at least the meal portion of the break:

@JasonKoon: Wonder what @Bttech86 and @PhilGalfond are doing on their break from the #AllStarShowDown? So much smack being talked.

1,224 hands: Tollerene +$45,325
1,326 hands: Tollerene +$54,572
1,412 hands: Tollerene +$36,829
1,520 hands: Tollerene +$52,068
1,575 hands: Tollerene +$53,934

HOUR SIX (Hands 1,576-2,035 ): Tollerene gives up ground

The 90-minute break turned into a two-hour break and at with the clock about to strike five in Vancouver, the match resumed. Galfond was able to harness a little momentum and picked up three substantial pots in the first five minutes to shave $18,000 off Tollerene's lead.

Galfond got another buy-in back when he picked up [Ah][5h] and called Tollerene's flop and turn bets on a [3s][6c][2d][8d] board. The [4h] on the river made Galfond a wheel and when Tollerene checked to him, Galfond shoved for $10,133. Tollerene looked him up with [Kd][4c] for only a rivered pair of fours. Perhaps he'd correctly read Galfond for ace-high... just not that ace-high

Galfond kept his nose to the grindstone and by the time they passed the 2,000-hand mark, Tollerene's lead was reduced to $23,642.

1,702 hands: Tollerene +$36,978
1,728 hands: Tollerene +$19,009
1,743 hands: Tollerene +$9,349
1,759 hands: Tollerene +$17,539
1,844 hands: Tollerene +$31,239
2,035 hands: Tollerene +$23,642

HOURS SEVEN AND EIGHT (Hands 2,036-2,852 ): Galfond strikes but Tollerene quickly recovers

The rush Galfond had been waiting for finally arrived as the match reached the end of its seventh hour. He raked in a $27,700 pot when Tollerene's [Kd][Qd] flopped top pair against his [Ad][As], and five minutes later he was dealt pocket rockets again on the same table. This time, Galfond won a $29,100 pot, extracting value from Tollerene on every street of the [Th][6h][4d][Jd][6s] board.

His lead cut to $2,572, Tollerene roared back over the course of the next 500 hands. He got paid off with pocket kings, cracked aces with king-queen, hit running straight cards, and turned boats like it was nothing. As darkness fell over the Pacific and "regular" folks started thinking about dinner, Tollerone opened up a three buy-in lead. With 2,852 hands complete, less than 150 remained before the stakes would be raised from $50/$100 to $100/$200.

2,333 hands: Tollerene $+2,572
2,436 hands: Tollerene +$12,593
2,544 hands: Tollerene +$16,179
2,619 hands: Tollerene +$22,736
2,674 hands: Tollerene +$25,263
2,852 hands: Tollerene +$29,807

HOUR NINE (Hands 2,853-3,158): West coast swing

Action intensified as the 3,000-hand mark approached. In the largest pot of the match thus far, Tollerene busted Galfond's Table 1 stack after turning a set of deuces against pocket eights:

As usual, Galfond was quick to come back. He picked off a river bluff-shove with two pair and got his entire Table 1 stack in preflop, his [Qs][Qh] holding against [9h][9c]. By the time they were moved over to the $100/$200 tables, Galfond had once again, trimmed Tollerene's lead in half. But how long would that last? Five minutes? Fifteen?

Fifteen turned out to be right on the money. Dealt pocket queens, Tollerene three-bet to $1,400 preflop and hit top set on the [Qc][Jd][5d] flop. Tollerene played it slow and check-called $1,600 from Galfond on the flop and another $3,700 when the [Js] came on the turn to make him the nut boat. The river was the [4d] and Tollerene checked a third time. Galfond shoved for $11,773 and Tollerene snap-called, his queens full trouncing Galfond's trips with [Ks][Jc].

However, the pendulum would swing Galfond's way by the end of hour nine, courtesy of a turned straight against Tollerene's top pair:

2,986 hands: Tollerene +$11,932
3,051 hands: Tollerene +$18,468
3,117 hands: Tollerene +$32,947
3,134 hands: Tollerene +$11,360
3,158 hands: Galfond +$1,510

HOURS TEN AND ELEVEN (Hands 3,159-3,754): Galfond grabs the reins

After nine hours and more than 3,100 hands, Galfond and Tollerene were essentially back where they started. Galfond fixed that in short order, though, raising all-in for $21,894 on a [9d][5c][3h][4h] board. Tollerene called, his [9c][9h] leading Galfond's straight and flush draws with [Ah][6h]. The river, however, was the [7d] and Galfond took down the $46,400 pot with a seven-high straight. Minutes later, Galfond and Tollerene got their stacks in the middle on a [Qh][7h][3d] flop, Galfond's set of sevens holding against [As][Qs]. Thanks to the increased stakes, Galfond went from even to $40,000 profit in the space of eight minutes. With Tollerene unable to buy in for $20,000 on all four tables, one was closed until he could accumulate more chips.

Galfond continued to grow his stacks, reaching a high point of +$65,000 after winning a $44,700 with [Ah][Js] against [As][Td]. Three tables were reduced to two and then only one, Tollerene's entire remaining bankroll sitting on Table 2. But surely enough, the tides turned and Tollerene found one more comeback. Tollerene reclaimed nearly all of Galfond's profits in the space of 300 hands, the fortuitous river card in this $44k monster playing a key supporting role:

3,192 hands: Galfond +$19,914
3,245 hands: Galfond +$40,421
3,257 hands: Galfond +$45,091
3,305 hands: Galfond +$65,084
3,329 hands: Galfond +$47,434
3,364 hands: Galfond +$35,214
3,434 hands: Galfond +$33,830
3,530 hands: Galfond +$23,313
3,597 hands: Galfond +$2,199
3,605 hands: Galfond +$7,028
3,754 hands: Galfond +$15,321

HOUR TWELVE (Hands 3,755-4,069): Tollerene tumbles

Galfond carried a small lead into the 11pm hour and by midnight it turned into massive divide. His pocket jacks held against pocket nines in a $40k pot. He turned a flush when Tollerene rivered trip kings and rivered another one against a flopped top pair. Galfond rode his rush for about half an hour before both players suddenly disconnected. A 20-minute delay ensued as both players scrambled for a secondary connection, their apartment building's internet having gone down.

The technical glitch had no effect on Galfond's run-good, though and he continued to climb, his lead growing to nearly $50,000 as the 4,000-hand mark came and went. But it was a two pair over two pair cooler that sent Tollerene reeling, his jacks up falling to Galfond's aces up in a $40,400 pot:

3,770 hands: Galfond +$39,314
3,789 hands: Galfond +$53,740
3,885 hands: Galfond +$46,855
3,943 hands: Galfond +$34,147
4,041 hands: Galfond +$49,234
4,069 hands: Galfond +$73,030

HOURS THIRTEEN-FIFTEEN (Hands 4,070-4,341): Galfond grinds to a win

Leading by $73,000, Galfond had Tollerene down to one table, but like a nightmare in slow-motion, Tollerene picked up enough small pots to grind that stack up to $40,000, It was enough to split to two tables, however Galfond busted Tollerene's second stack in short order with an ace-high flush over a king-high flush on a board with four hearts. With less than $20,000 remaining, Tollerene was back to a single stack, but refused to give up.

Galfond remained extraordinarily patient and ground away at Tollerene. Doubling him up again would be a disaster with the match now in its fifteenth hour. With the board reading [Jh][2c][4c][Kd][3d], Galfond check-raised all-in and after a long tank, Tollerene folded, saving his last $9,200 in chips as Scott "gunning4you" Seiver begged from the rail for him to show his hand.

Galfond kept pecking away and with $2,378 remaining, Tollerene got the last of his chips in the middle on a [Qd][Jc][9c] flop. He turned over [Jh][2h] for second pair, but Galfond had the best hand with [Qs][5c]. The [As] on the turn was no help for Tollerene and the [5s] on the river locked up the win for Galfond. After 4,341 hands, Tollerene's $100,000 was in Galfond's coffers.

4,094 hands: Galfond +$83,304
4,187 hands: Galfond +$69,421
4,219 hands: Galfond +$64,630
4,239 hands: Galfond +$58,857
4,282 hands: Galfond +$80,686
4,321 hands: Galfond +$84,772
4,323 hands: Galfond +$90,722
4,324 hands: Galfond +$95,122
4,341 hands: Galfond +$100,000

Naturally, there were no hard feelings, or really even the slightest bit of tilt between these two. After exchanging "gg" and "wp," Galfond asked Tollerene if he wanted to go out and grab another bite.

"Up for dinner on me or too tired?" Galfond asked.

"Sure, but what's open?" Tollerene wondered, as they made plans to meet in the lobby of their apartment building.

Congratulations to Phil "mrsweets28" Galfond on the win and kudos to both players for treating us to such a dynamic match. Galfond will be back in action on Saturday, when he takes on Dan "w00ki3z." Cates in the semi-final round. We'll be right there with them with full coverage here on the PokerStars Blog.

Kristin Bihr is a freelance contributor to the PokerStars Blog.

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Methods to Win the cash You Deserve Playing Poker

Poker News – Let me ask you a matter – are you content together with your poker results presently? Are you where you should be or are you frustrated by fish getting lucky and busting you in any case your hard work?

Maybe you’ve had the experience of playing well and going deep. You then get right into a big pot with a nasty player…

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Here’s the reality of it – Poker can also be damn frustrating. It may be super hard to make the cash you deserve while you keep getting unlucky.

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FULL STORY

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Magic Red and Magic Ball electronic table games—MGA

MGA has consolidated its leadership position within the Spanish market and is now addressing the challenge of extending its trade networks worldwide.

Last February MGA presented, on the International fair of ICE Totally Gaming in London, the Magic Red and Magic Ball products versions of five and eight players. Half a year on, and these products at the moment are proving their success within the arcade and gaming halls internationally.

MGA has started the homologation process for casino regulation, GLI23 and equivalent legislation, as required by probably the most demanding markets.Ferran Torrado, Head of Development of latest International Markets MGA, says: "Magic Red is a number one and proven performing product which deserves the most productive distribution network on the international level"

He contends "because of this our main objective is in creating the most efficient international dealer Network for Magic Red and successfully internationalise the offering through new distributors specialist of their home markets."

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Read More... [Source: Table Games]

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PokerStars building online museum

PokerStars is building an internet museum to archive the history of PokerStars. Most importantly, however, the history of PokerStars is the history of our players and customers - over fifty million players who play for prime stakes, medium stakes, low stakes, and play money. Consequently, we wish your assistance in sharing any stories, especially if in case you have any images, video or other media that you'd be willing to share in our online museum.

Perhaps you could have a screenshot of a fascinating hand from many years ago... or an image from a live event that you just attended because of PokerStars. Perhaps you might have a narrative of a few notable service that you just received, or a friendship that developed from the tables. We wish to read these stories, and to archive these memories for posterity on our website.

If you've got a contribution that you'd love to share with other players, please send us an email to history@pokerstars.com (images, video, and audio is particularly welcome) in order that we will be able to share your memories on our online museum.

Michael Josem, is the pinnacle of Public Relations for PokerStars

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NAPT Mohegan Sun: Day 3, levels 17-19 (5,000-10,000-1,000)

6:36pm: Selbst ends day with chip leadLast year's NAPT Mohegan Sun champion has ended Day 3 with the chip lead after a major hand against Vincent Rubianes.

It began when Olivier Busquet came in for a raise to 21,000. Rubianes made it 51,000 to play. With the button, Selbst bumped it as much as 109,000. Busquet got out of the way, but Rubianes called.

On a flop of 2♣5♦T♣, Rubianes checked-called Selbst's 129,000 bet. At the J♣ turn, both players checked. When the river brought the fourth club, the 3♣, Rubianes checked again. Selbst took her time in betting, but finally settled on 296,000. Rubianes sat tortured. He threw his head back and looked into the ceiling. When he emerged for his tank, he announced a choice.

Selbst turned over K♠K♣. Rubianes said, "It's good," and shoved his hand toward the muck.

We're still counting up the chips, but there may be no doubt Selbst will enter Day 4 with the chip lead.

Vincent Rubianes seeks direction

Vanessa Selbst stacks up her chip-leading chips

Moments later, Leonard Cortellino got K♠Q♣ all in against Sukh Sandhu's pocket fours. The pair held and we were all the way down to the overall 24. A WHOLE wrap-up and chip counts are at the way. --BW

6.20pm: 1 / 4 leftIn short order, we've also lost the short-stacked Gerald Aiello and Eracles Panayiotou, leaving us with 25 players left. Yet one more must perish and day is completed. -- HS

6.15pm: Rubianas crushes Costa, breaks a millionAt the new break, Vincent Rubianes told reporters that his chip count was 980,000, then nodded agreeably when someone piped up: "HOWDY". It has just got even better for Rubianes because he has sent one of the vital other mighty stacks, Ruben Costa, to the rail in an incredible pre-flop confrontation, worth greater than one million chips.

Eric Froehlich opened, making it 24,000 and Rubianes raised to 55,000. Costa announced that he was all in - a stack of 450,000 - and although Froehlich folded, Rubianes called!

Rubianes: K♦K♠Costa: T♣T♦

The board bricked, Costa was sent packing and Rubianes has just about 1.5 million, which puts him massively within the lead. -- HS

Leading by a mile, Vincent Rubianes

LEVEL UP. PLAYING BLINDS OF 5,000-10,000-1,000 IN LEVEL 19

5.55pm: Level overThat's the top of level 17. There'll now be a 15-minute interlude.

5:50pm: Junglen can't beat kingsJoe Tehan came in for a raise to 19,000. Adam Junglen pushed for approximately 100,000 more. Tehan made the fast call with K♥K♣. Junglen's A♣J♠ was behind and not caught up. Tehan flopped a collection that held and sent Junglen out for a $10,500 cash. --BW

5.45pm: Ebanks bustsThere are not any more details than what you notice there within the headline. Joe Ebanks is out. -- HS

Joe Ebanks

5.40pm: Can anyone stop Vanessa Selbst?We've said it before and we'll say it again: something about Mohegan Sun agrees with Vanessa Selbst. She is now very with reference to the chip lead on day three after doubling as much as 833,000 through Jean-Philippe Matte.

Selbst flat-called a pre-flop raise from Matte, taking the 2 of them to a flop of 5♠9♣3♦. Matte checked, Selbst bet 32,000, and Matte called. The pattern repeated at the 6♥ turn. Matte checked, Selbst bet 63,000, Matte called.

And how about yet one more time? The 3♣ rivered and Matte checked, Selbst moved all in for 296,000, which Matte called. Selbst tabled 7♦8♦ for the turned straight, which had become significantly better than Matte's pocket jacks.

Vanessa Selbst: back to back?

Selbst is relentless, we already know that. But back-to-back here can be some achievement even for her. -- HS

5.30pm: Ramdin bites the dustVanessa Selbst is the one remaining Team PokerStars Pro within the field, that is the great distance to mention that Victor Ramdin was eliminated.

This hand sounds much more complicated than it really was, and involved a large number of hand-wringing and chin scratching from four players, before shaking all the way down to be a couple versus over-pair.

It started when Joseph Gibbons opened under-the-gun to 18,000. Adam Geyer called at the button, before Ramdin announced that he was all in for his last 53,500 from the small blind.

Nenad Medic was probably expected to fold his big blind at this spot, but he actually agonised for an excellent long while before announcing that he was all in too, for 206,000. Gibbons seemed interested, but folded. Geyer never seemed interested, and folded too.

That left the 2 of them:

Ramdin: T♣T♦Medic: J♦J♠

Victor Ramdin sees the bad news

"I want a ten," said Ramdin, nevertheless it soon proved that that was the very last thing he really wanted. The flop came Q♣A♠K♦ and Ramdin quickly corrected himself. "I WOULD LIKE a jack." But verbal declarations are binding, and the T♠ turned, as Ramdin has first desired, but it surely now gave Medic a decisive straight.

The 3♠ was none of the chop cards, and Ramdin hit the rail. -- HS

5.15pm: Gibbons doubles, Junglen slipsIt goes nuts now available in the market with huge pot following huge pot and players milling all over as they are attempting to consolidate the overall 32 around four tables. Ad Dan Shak et al heaved their mighty stacks over from their broken table, Adam Junglen and Joseph Gibbons were all in favour of a pot, which bucked the overall bust out trend. If truth be told Gibbons doubled up.

Vincent Rubianes started it, raising to 25,000. Gibbons called from a few seats to his left and, within the small blind, Junglen eaised to 64,000. Rubianes folded but Gibbons moved all in for 145,500, which Junglen called after a moment of thought.

Junglen: J♦J♥Gibbons: K♥Q♥

The flop sent Gibbons fist-pumping to his rail. It came 7♣4♠Q♠. The A♥ turn changed nothing, and neither did the T♣ river.

Gibbons now has about 300,000. Junglen is right down to 140,000.

About two seconds after this, Matt Matros bust from another table, bringing us all the way down to 31. -- HS

5:14pm: Royalty no match for GeyerBryan Leskowitz did all he could today, but his all-in with K♠Q♦ couldn't outrun Adam Geyer's pocket tens. The board ran out 8♠9♦A♥[8♣A♦ and Leskowitz headed to the cage in 33rd place. --BW

Bryan Leskowitz

5:12pm: Rubianes running the tableWith the board reading T♣4♦K♦J♠ at the turn, Vincent Rubianes checked to Adam Junglen, who bet 32,000. Rubianes called, and the J♥ hit the river. Rubianes checked again, Junglen bet 48,000 and Rubianes raised to 212,000. Junglen folded with a small sigh, saving the 280,000 he had behind while Rubianes moved into the chip lead with 785,000. --KB

Vincent Rubianes on day three at Mohegan Sun

5:10pm: Mermelstein goes to MexicoIt looks as if Andrew Mermelstein will make that wedding in Mexico finally. After opening from the button, Mermelstein faced a three-bet from Dan Shak within the small blind. Mermelstein called, they usually saw a J-T-8 flop. Shak moved all-in, having his opponent covered and Mermelstein made the call, turning up J-8 for prime and bottom pair. Shak showed pocket aces. Mermelstein, however, was drawing dead at the turn when Shak spiked another ace to make top set. Shak filled up at the river when the board paired tens and Mermelstein was off to the payout desk, then the airport.

The pot took Shak as much as 525,000.--KB

5pm: Tryba ousts Kirkwood, back beyond 300,000The day one leader Chris Tryba continues to be on this one, and has now knocked out Christopher Kirkwood, all but doubling up within the process.

Joe Tehan opened the pot to 18,500 and Kirkwood moved all in from the cut-off, a complete of 140,000. Tryba, within the blinds, aroused from sleep with queens and snap-called. (Tehan did not.)

It was pair versus pair, but Tryba's queens were better than Kirkwood's sevens. The board bricked and Kirkwood was sent packing. There has been only the odd 40,000 difference between the stacks but Tryba's was the larger and is now at 300,000+.

* Please note, the reporting of this hand was butchered the primary time around. It's now correct. -- HS

4:58pm: Geyer smells a rat, Weisner smells the railOn a 7♦6♦5♠ flop, Andrew Weisner moved all in for 92,500. Geyer thought for several minutes before making the decision with K♣5♦. Weisner turned up the flush and straight draws with A♦4♦. Somehow, the pair of fives held and Weisner is gone. --BW

4.55pm: Right back at yaThe problem with three bets is that usually people four bet right back at them - as Taylor von Kriegenbergh could unquestionably attest. It happened to him in back-to-back pots against Olivier Busquet after which Ruben Costa, costing him about 100,000 chips total.

First up, Busquet opened to 20,000 from early position and Von Kriegenbergh, within the big blind, made it 55,000. Busquet now four bet to 96,000, which left Von Kriegenbergh smiling and muttering: "That's an illegal bet" as he folded.

On the following hand, Costa raised from the button to 17,000 and Von Kriegenbergh bumped it to 45,000. Costa slid out 100,000 straight, and Von Kriegenbergh was forced to fold again. Costa showed K♥8♥.

All three players still have between 350,000-450,000, so there is no need for panic just yet. -- HS

4:48pm: Updated chip countsGet 'em while they're fresh! Chip counts on all 36 of our remaining players are up at the NAPT chip count page. Over the past level, Steve O'Dwyer moved into the lead with 770,000 while Victor Ramdin is the shortest stack within the room at the moment with 66,500. --KB

4.40pm: Take an extended breakFirst hand back after the break, and Vincent Rubianes has sent David Weisberger back to the hall. Rubianes raised to 19,500 pre-flop in late position, Weisberger shoved behind him and Rubianes snap-called.

David Weisberger

Rubianes had aces; Weisberger had A♦J♥ and will not catch up. Weisberger is our 37th-place finisher. -- HS

LEVEL UP. BLINDS 4,000-8,000-500

4:24pm: A vulture's view of Victor RamdinIt all began when Adam Geyer opened for a raise and Victor Ramdin moved all-in. He only had A♦T♣, nevertheless it was probably going to be enough to overcome Geyer. The issue was Gerald Aiello within the big blind who awoke with pokert queens. Aiello had 54,500 in his stack and Ramdin was left crippled.

Ramdin laughed and told Aiello, "That was a raise and a re-raise. You were purported to fold!"

That's when the vultures began to circle. Ramdin can be gone soon, and his demise can be late afternoon snack.

Ramdin was all-in at the next hand for 7,500. Called in two spots, Ramdin looked able to find something to do tonight. The Team Pro was holding ace-king and didn't improve. His opponents couldn't beat ace-high.

"Oh, baby," Ramdin declared. "Ship that cheese!"

On the following deal, Ramdin was under the gun and all-in again. "Here we go. This can be a real hand, folks." Play folded around to the large blind. "Don' fold," Ramdin implored. "You're pot-committed. Just call dark. I AM NOT going to be pissed."

Ramdin got the fold he wanted. "Thank you," he said. "I had eight-high." He showed it. It was Vanessa Selbst's 8♦4♦

Now within the big blind, Ramdin warned, "You guys know I'm pot-committed, right?"

Everything Ramdin says is a lie. Or the reality. It's hard to determine which or when. He folded to a raise, after which folded to a raise within the small blind. With 30,000 in his stack, he pulled the button in front of him and folded to a raise. He did the similar when he was within the cutoff.

"If I bust here, I'll go ship the Super Tuesday," Ramdin said.

"Victor," I interrupted. "Today is Monday."

"I'll must stick around then," he said.

Finally, at the last hand before the break, Ramdin pushed out 28,500 in chips. "All of it, guys," he said. "THIS MIGHT hurt your stack."

One player folded. "Nit," said Ramdin.

Another player folded. "Another nit," Ramdin said.

Andre Weisner was having none of it. He moved all-in.

"Show me ace-queen," Ramdin said. Weisner turned over A♠Q♠.

Ramdin tabled pocket threes. The board tan out J♥T♣2♥7♣T♠ and Victor Ramdin was back where he started.

"Oh, baby," Ramdin said again. "I REALLY LIKE this game." --BW

4:20pm: Heimowitz hits the roadOnce again, ace-queen has yielded quite a pleasing pot for Adam Junglen. This time, Lonnie Heimowitz shoved for his last 80,000 from the button with A♥9♥ and Junglen made the decision from the large blind with A♦Q♥. Junglen's kicker played at the A♣J♥3♣4♥K♦ board and Heimowitz exited in 38th place.

Junglen, meanwhile, is as much as 540,000. --KB

4:12pm: Nenad Medic doublesWith the action folded around to him at the button, Christopher Kirkwood opened for 14,500 and Nenad Medic moved all-in for 106,000. Kirkwood didn't take long to make the call, turning up A♥T♦ to Medic's 8♠8♣. The eights were safe at the Q♣3♥2♣4♣6♦ board and Medic doubled to simply wanting 225,000. --KB

4.10pm: Kenney trims the beast's clawsOlivier Busquet described Joe Ebanks as "a beast" earlier on today, regarding Ebanks' ability to cling directly to tournament life when times are bad after which suddenly burst forward to earn bundles of chips when the chance arises. Ebanks was a brief stack for a few days, but then suddenly had greater than 200,000 on a up to date trip around the room.

He pushed Eric Froehlich off a few pots to get those chips, but just because it seemed he could do no wrong, along came Tyler Kenney to prevent him in his tracks.

Ebanks raised to 13,500 from the hijack, something he's been doing from all positions on regular occasions. Kenney called within the bring to an end. The flop came J♥7♥6♣ and Ebanks bet 18,000. Kenney called. The turn was 9♥ and Ebanks led 41,000 at that, which spurred Kenney into gear.

Kenney, sitting the opposite side of the dealer, asked Ebanks how much he was playing behind. Ebanks mutely pushed his chips forward somewhat for Kenney to peer. "How much is that?" Kenney sought confirmation. The dealer did the mandatory and said Ebanks had about 164,000 more.

Kenney thought for some time but then cut out a raise to 93,000, which sent Ebanks deep into the tank. He dwelled for an even long while before folding. "You going to turn"? Ebanks said.

Kenney didn't seem that he had intended to, but was persuaded to flip over a 7♠. Ebanks nodded and on they went. -- HS

3:54pm: Sweeney's swan songAra Melikian opened for 13,500 and the action was folded around to Joe Sweeney, who moved all-in for just a few thousand more. Melikian quickly called with A♥K♥, while Sweeney's tournament life was at stake with Q♥T♥. The T♣6♥2♥ flop was juicy for both players, Sweeney hitting top pair while Melikian picked up the nut flush draw. The turn was the 8♣, however the A♠ spiked at the river to send Sweeney home in 39th place. --KB

3:45pm: Maintaining with the carnageIf you want to maintain with the carnage in a little cleaner form, we're also maintaining with the bust-outs over on our NAPT Mohegan Sun prizes and winners page.

3:39pm: Adieu, Lachance and WhalenOn back-to-back hands we've lost Ludovic Lachance and David Whalen. Lachance got his previous few chips in with A♠Q♣ vs. Matt Matros' J♦9♣. The board, 6♦8♥5♦7♦A♦, ran out a straight for Matros, and Lachance was gone.

Ludovic Lachance busts NAPT Mohegan Sun

One table over, David Whalen was shoving with A♦T♦ to Ara Melikian's A♥K♥. Melikian held, and Whalen is gone. --BW

3:32pm: Markholt finally falls to SelbstVanessa Selbst appeared to be creating a habit of doubling up Lee Markholt today. It happened more times than lets count. Nonetheless, sooner or later within the last half an hour, Markholt somehow lost a majority of his chips.

Lee Markholt out of NAPT Mohegan Sun

Just now, his previous couple of antes went within the pot. Both he and Selbst had a jack. Markholt's deuce kicker couldn't delay against Selbst's eight and he's gone. --BW

3.30pm: Two (vaguely) interesting factsThe day one and day two end-day chip leaders, Chris Tryba and Aaron Overton, are sitting next to at least one another.Jacobo Fernandez and the aforementioned Overton are actually out front alone, with about 780,000 apiece. -- HS

3:25pm: Junglen busts PapolaJeff Papola took a coinflip for his tournament life, getting the remainder of his chips within the middle before the flop with pocket sevens against Junglen's A-Q. Big Chick again proved to be a lucky hand for Junglen (it cracked Nick Binger's aces within the first level), as he rivered the Q♠ to eliminate Papola in 43rd place. --KB

3:20pm: Plouffe flops the nutsPhillipe Plouffe opened for a 13,500 raise from the hijacks, Matt Matros three-bet to 35,000 and Plouffe made the decision. Both players checked the K♣6♣5♣ flop and checked again when the A♦ fell at the turn. The river was the 3♠ and Plouffe led out for 45,000. After a minute or so within the tank, Matros made what gave the look to be a reluctant call.

Plouffe showed A♣Q♣ for the flopped nut flush and Matros mucked.

"If it were a low flop, you could have gotten it all," Matros said as Plouffe stacked up the pot. Matros is right down to 215,000 while Plouffe is hovering across the 400,000 mark. --KB

3:15pm: Steve O'Dwyer and the anti-slowrollFollowing a gap raise from Steve O'Dwyer, Michael Quibble moved all-in, and with the next declaration, O'Dwyer beat him into the pot.

"I have aces, I call."

O'Dwyer's A♣A♥ held up against Quibble's 7♠7♦ at the K♣9♥T♠4♠K♥ board and O'Dwyer vaulted to 556,000 in chips while Quibble departed in 44th place. --KB

3.05pm: LeadersWe enter level 17 with 45 players remaining. Aaron Overton started today out front, and he remains there still with just about 800,000 in chips. However there are a couple of other players creeping up behind him, including the following:

Jacobo Fernandez (685,000)

Ruben Costa (532,000)

Jean-Philippe Matte (470,000)

Players who've cashed already (that's a pleasant way of putting the truth that they're out) are available at the prizewinners' page. - HS

Reporting team: Kristin Bihr, Howard Swains and Brad Willis. Photography: Joe Giron.

Read More... [Source: PokerStarsBlog.com :: North American Poker Tour]

ANZPT Canberra Day 2: Levels 15 & 16 (blinds 2,500-5,000, ante 500)

^

10:30pm: We're within the money as Moussa bubbles to finish the day

The bubble has burst on George Moussa to go away us with fifteen more than pleased players. After all Moussa wasn't so thrilled especially considering his elimination hand.

Moussa opened from the cutoff to 11,000 before Tristan Bain shipped all of it in from the small unaware of put maximum pressure at the short stacks. Moussa made the decision for his tournament life with [ad][kh] as Bain held live cards holding [8c][6s].

With the second one table sweating the action and praying for a nasty beat, the board delivered [5h][6h][9c][3h][7s]. Bain paired the flop and improved to a straight at the river to go away a distraught Moussa heading for the closest exit.

That wraps up our live coverage. It's difficult to understand our chip leader but Tristan Bain, Khiem Nguyen and Leigh Warne are essentially the most likely suspects. We'll have exact counts and a whole wrap of the day's activities for you shortly.

George Moussa bubbles the ANZPT Canberra Main Event as Day 2 draws to a close

10:20pm: Swan busts; We're at the bubble!

Oliver Swan have been eliminated to go away ourselves at the money bubble. In a raised pot, Swan moved all in for his last 31,100 from the large blind on a flop of [2d][5h][9h]. James Broom thought for a moment before folding but Leigh Warne snap-called with [tc][th]. Swan had a number of outs along with his [kh][qh] for flush draw and overcards, but couldn't connect at the [9c] turn or [9s].

The next player eliminated will go home empty-handed while the remainder fifteen will bag up their chips with a minimum $4,690 of their back pocket.

10:10pm: Moussa stays alive

George Moussa has collected an excessively timely double up when his [qc][qd] held in a preflop clash with Tristan Bain's [jc][js]. The board ran out [4c][kh][9h][3d][9d] as Moussa doubled his stack of 39,800.

Bain wasn't too happy as he tossed out the chips one at a time, to the annoyance of floor staff. Bain slips to 145,000.

10:00pm: Broom stays aggressive

David Gorr opened with a raise to 11,000 at the button before James Broom three-bet to 27,000 within the small blind. Gorr quickly called they usually saw a flop of [qc][9d][4d]. Both players checked and the turn was the [7d]. Again it went check, check, to the free [9s] at the river.

Broom slid out a stack worth 20,000 and Gorr took a moment before making the decision. Broom opened [7c][6h] for nines and sevens which was enough to assemble the pot.

9:55pm: Level up, blinds 2,500-5,000, ante 500

9:50pm: Vandersluis vanquished

Roy Vandersluis is the following to head after he moved his short stack into the center with pocket sixes against the ace-queen of David Gorr.

Another lady spiked at the flop to pair up Gorr and eliminate Vandersluis from the tournament. The Aussie Millions champ is the one player within the ANZ POTY top ten still alive as he's not off course for his third cash of the season. He's as much as 180,000 chips.

9:35pm: Slow going

It's been very slow going during the last half an hour, and not using a action to report. There aren't any real short stacks stressed so it looks as if shall we be here for some time yet.

Much of the slow going has come from Toothpick Tony and his antics together with his stacks sitting mixed and unorganized. This ended in an overly slow hand against Khiem Nguyen.

Toothpick opened to 15,500 before Nguyen raised to 43,000. Toothpick stood and declared himself all in, and it took three mathematicians to see his stack size. 169,100 was the tentative amount agreed upon and after the clock was called on Nguyen he let it go. Ninteen players remain.

Toothpick Tony in the midst of the action in Canberra

9:10pm: Maklouf picked off

Last year's ANZPT Canberra runner up, John Maklouf has installed a really perfect repeat performance but fallen just wanting reaching the cash.

He was the quick stack of the sector with just 21,800 in chips which he committed with [as][6c]. Toothpick Tony made the decision with [kd][5s] and connected at the board of [kh][9d][tc][qd][4h].

On a close-by table, Lee Holtzapffel was also eliminated to go away ourselves with 19 players remaining.

8:55pm: Play resumes

The 21 remaining players are back at the felt with six more eliminations required until we reach the cash and the top of the day's play.

At the tip of the last level Khiem Nguyen reclaimed his spot on top of the chip count leaderboard with the elimination of David Steele. Nguyen holds 350,000 to be well out in front.

Read More... [Source: PokerStars Poker Blog :: Tournaments]

PokerStars 10th Anniversary: Final weekend checklist

This is it. The general weekend of the PokerStars 10th Anniversary celebration has arrived. I'M HOPING you have got prepared upfront for this, because this may easily finally end up being the most important weekend of your year, if not all of your life. Somebody goes to win a minimum of $2 million this weekend, and if that does not change your life for the better, there aren't many stuff in an effort to. If you are not prepared for this weekend's festivities and the $10 million guaranteed Sunday Million, you currently have 48 hours to prepare. That is not a large number of time, but with the next checklist, it's possible you'll just get ready.

$215--Find $215 at this time. That is the normal cost of a Sunday Million. Usually that provides you a brief at a primary prize worth $150,000 to $200,000. This weekend, the similar $215 gets an opportunity at a $2 million first prize. The $215 is important. Set it aside at this time and join the $10 million guaranteed Sunday Million. At this writing, nearly 10,000 people have already signed up. Cards go within the air at 14:30 ET Sunday.

$11--Okay. You're right. $215 isn't small change. We do not all have it to put aside. How about $11? If you happen to can swing that, there's a $11 Sunday Million Mega Satellite with 1,000 seats guaranteed. It's happening 45 minutes before the Sunday Million.

$1--Eleven dollars is just too much. Okay. You've got a buck, right? Alright, then join some of the $1 satellites to the $11 Mega. Do this at the moment and get your seat within the qualifier.

Sustenance--As long as you will be saving masses of cash at the entry fee, chances are you'll to boot treat yourself to lots of fine snacks. Your shopping list should include Red Bull (1 case), Caribou Coffee (1 pound), Frozen Pizza (4), Bananas (8), Butler to address the remainder of your needs (1).

$10,000--Listen, when you can afford to rent a butler for the weekend, it's possible you'll just have the scratch to play on of online poker's most prestigious events of the year. The 10th Anniversary $10,000 High Roller has a $500,000 guarantee and can host one of the biggest names within the game.

$700--This has nothing to do with the 10th Anniversary celebration, but so long as as you're settled in for the large day, it's possible you'll besides play the Very Big $700 Mega Qualifier for the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure with 30 PCA main event packages guaranteed. It runs at 15:00ET Sunday. There also are satellites for that qualifier are running right now.

For full information at the celebrations, visit the PokerStars 10th Anniversary home page.

Read More... [Source: PokerStarsBlog.com :: 10th Anniversary]

Gambling Law Expert Gives Online Casino Bill Big Odds to Fail

Internet gambling legal authority Toy Cabot told a world conference of gaming insiders that online casino regulatory bills are unlikely to go through the united states Congress.

Most gambling fans would consider carefully before laying heavy money on a 20-to-1 proposition. Unfortunately, those are the percentages folks legislation proposing regulation of online casinos passing, consistent with a expert in Internet gaming laws.

Tony Cabot, a Las Vegas lawyer referred to as a web-based gambling expert, told the International Masters of Gaming Law conference in Amsterdam that factors influenced by timing make the passage of Barney Frank's bill or every other that introduces licensing of online casinos impossible. Despite the fifty-plus cosponsors of the Frank bill, Cabot says political considerations are decreasing the probabilities of the bill advancing.

Cabot noted that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada has not voiced support for any of the web gambling measures, and says he won't until a transparent consensus emerges from the land-based casinos to which Reid caters. Cabot also mentioned that Democrats faced with tough decisions on health care and the economy are wary of giving election opponents any cause on which to rally.

Cabot told the collection that "...THE VERY LAST THING the Democrats need to get entangled in is an unpopular fight since the Republicans can be all over the place it.”

Even more ominously, Cabot noted that Internet gambling operators who've continued to serve the united states market may contribute to defeating any regulatory bill, figuring that their continued presence may prevent them from receiving licensing.

“This is a move that won't come on the federal level,” said Cabot.

Published on September 26, 2009 by JoshuaMcCarthy

Read More... [Source: Gambling Bill News]

NAPT Mohegan Sun: Day 4, levels 19-24 updates (15,000-30,000-3,000)

7:45pm: Corey Hochman busts in 9th, final table setDown to around 300,000, Corey Hochman open-shoved from middle position and after requesting a count, Vincent Rubianes re-shoved from the small blind. Steve O'Dwyer folded his big blind and the cards went at their backs.

Hochman Q♥T♥Rubianes A♦Q♦

It was over for Hochman on the turn, the board running out 5♥J♦5♠A♣T♦. He'll take home $26,000 for his ninth-place finish.

The final eight are currently bagging and tagging their chips. We'll have official chip counts and an entire wrap shortly. --KB

LEVEL UP. BLINDS 15,000-30,000-3,000

7:01pm: Final table redrawHere's how the overall nine have taken their seats.--BW

Seat 1: Corey HochmanSeat 2: Joe TehanSeat 3: Thomas Hoglund, Jr. Seat 4: Dan ShakSeat 5: Vincent RubianesSeat 7: Steve O'DwyerSeat 7: Tyler KenneySeat 8: Aaron OvertonSeat 9: Vanessa Selbst

6:53pm: Stefanski bubbles (unofficial) final tableThe televised final table of NAPT events is eight-handed, however the unofficial final table comes along side nine players remaining. That has just happened after Tyler Kenney came in for a raise from the button. David Stefanski shoved all in for slightly greater than 400,000 from the small blind. His A♣T♣ looked good until Kenney turned up A♠K♦. Kenney's hand-held up and Stefanski left in 10th place. --BW

David Stefanski

6:38pm: Hoglund doubles, Fernandez departsThomas Hoglund made a stand, moving all-in for 310,000 with pocket queens and David Stefanski looked him up with A♠Q♥. The women held and Hoglund chipped as much as 660,000.

Meanwhile, one table over, Jacobo Fernandez got the remainder of his chips within the middle preflop with K♥Q♠ and Joe Tehan made the decision with pocket jacks Again, the pocket pair was good and Fernandez hit the rail in 11th place. --KB

Jacobo Fernandez

6:32pm: Selbst doubles Overton, loses chip leadTournament short stack Aaron Overton moved all-in for his last 350,000 and Vanessa Selbst made the call, turning over 7♣7♠. Overton showed 9♦T♦ and hit a nine at the flop, doubling his stack to 740,000.

For the primary time all day, Selbst has fallen below 2 million in chips and out of the highest spot.--KB

6:25pm: Selbst can't bluff ShakAfter taking a little bit a tumble by doubling up Vincent Rubianes, Dan Shak has regained most of these lost chips. Vanessa Selbst limped in from the small blind and Shak checked his option from the massive. Selbst led out for 28,000 at the Q♦7♥5♣ flop and Shak made the decision. The turn brought the 8♥ and Selbst loaded another bullet, making it 63,000 to head. Shak called again, and so they went to the river which fell the T♥. Selbst bet 157,000 and Shak quickly called.

"You got it," Selbst said, as Shak turned up Q♠7♣ for 2 pair.

Shak is back as much as 1.45 million while Selbst slipped to 2.45 million. --KB

6:13pm: Rubianes doubles through ShakVincent Rubianes' downward slide today has ended. After starting Day 4 with greater than 1,000,000 in chips, Rubianes was all the way down to half that. He finally just got all-in with Dan Shak. Rubianes held A♥K♠ to Shak's T♦T♣. Rubianes made his pair at the flop and got back up around where he started the day. --BW

BLINDS UP, PLAYING 12,000-24,000-2,000 IN LEVEL 23

5:30pm: Kenney climbingA pair of pots late within the level have pushed Tyler Kenney as much as second in chips. Within the first, Steve O'Dwyer opened for 43,000 from the cutoff, Kenney three-bet to 115,000 at the button and O'Dwyer made the decision. Both players checked at the A♠3♠9♠ flop, then did the similar when the 8♠ hit the turn. The river fell the 5♥ and O'Dwyer check-called Kenney's 125,000 bet. Kenney turned up Q♠Q♥ for the flush and O'Dwyer mucked.

A short while later, O'Dwyer opened again for 43,000, Kenney flat-called and Thomas Hoglund made it 143,000 to head from the cutoff. O'Dwyer folded and Kenney called. Hoglund led out for 150,000 at the K♣7♣2♦ flop, earned a call, then made it an identical quantity when the 4♦ came at the turn. Hoglund called again and both players checked the 5♦ at the river. Kenney showed K♦T♥ for the win and vaulted to 1.85 million in chips. Hoglund was left with 350,000.

Players at the moment are on a 15-minute break.

Tyler Kenney

5:01pm: Selbst leaves Overton at the short stackVanessa Selbst opened for a min-raise to 40,000 from early position, Aaron Overton three-bet to 122,000 from the large blind and Selbst made the decision. Overton led out for 202,000 when the flop fell Q♥7♣3♦ and after a couple of minute within the tank, Selbst moved all-in.

Overton elected to save lots of his remaining 260,000 and folded. Selbst is as much as 2.7 million.--KB

Vanessa Selbst

4:44pm: Plouffe go poof(Yes, we've been waiting to make use of that headline for a few days now). Steve O'Dwyer opened to 44,000 and got a flat call from Tyler Kenney. That opened the door to a 431,000 shove from Philippe Plouffe. O'Dwyer will need to have had something on Plouffe, because he made the decision with A♠9♣. Kenney got out of the way, and Plouffe turned up 8♣T♣. The board ran out K♣[4♠J♥K♥7♥ and Plouffe exited in12th place. --BW

LEVEL UP. BLINDS 10,000-20,000-2,000

4:09pm: The youngsters might call this a "level"This hand wasn't so remarkable for the betting sequence or the result, but for the sheer period of time Corey Hochman took to make his decision. Because the final seconds ticked off Level 21, Hochman opened for 32,000 within the cutoff and Steve O'Dwyer called at the button. The flop came down A♠K♠4♣ and Hochman checked to O'Dwyer, who bet 42,000. With the ESPN cameras trained on his face, Hochman began mumbling something about putting O'Dwyer specifically at the 8♥T♥ and sat within the tank because the 15-minute break ticked away.

"Seriously, this is able to take the entire break," Hochman said. O'Dwyer remained stone-faced as his opponent hemmed and hawed.

After six and a half minutes ticked off the clock, Hochman finally settled on a raise to 125,000. O'Dwyer snap-folded and headed off for what was left of his break showing no signs of tilt as Hochman continued to mug for the cameras. --KB

4:02pm: Matte's day is doneWith just minutes to head before the third break of the day Jean-Philippe Matte took his half-average stack and got it within the middle with A♦9♦. It was a nasty spot. David Stefanski was sitting with black kings, flopped his set, and put Matte out in 13th. Players are actually on a 15-minute break. --BW

3:50pm: Updated chip countsHead over to the NAPT chip count page for fresh-from-the-oven updates on our 13 remaining players. Vanessa Selbst remains to be atop the pack with 2.5 million, with Dan Shak in second with 1.68 million. --KB

3:29pm: Another scalp for SelbstThe wheels could still come off, but for now Vanessa Selbst is ruling the day. She just opened for 38,000. When Ara Melikian shoved for 176,000, Selbst snap-called with A♣K♣. Melikian was way behind along with his meager K♥Q♥. The board ran out 8♣8♦7♠T♠6♣ and Melikian was gone in 14th place. --BW

3:14pm: Gibbons guttedFollowing a gap raise to 35,000 from Phillipe Plouffe, David Stefanski three-bet to 85,000 at the button, only to be met with a shove from Joseph Gibbons within the big blind. Plouffe gave up his hand and Stefanski called. Stefanski had Gibbons dominated with A♦K♠ to his K♣T♣, the board running out 5♥5♦7♥9♦Q♣ to send him home in 16th place. --KB

3:05pm: Phillipe Plouffe doubles through Joseph GibbonsPhillipe Plouffe's stack have been rising and falling faster than the Dow Jones index today. Only minutes after busting Taylor von Kriegenbergh, Plouffe saw nearly all those chips go "poof" when he played a huge pot against David Stefanski right before the last break, Stefanski claiming all but 189,000 of Plouffe's stack. However, Plouffe is back at the rise after doubling through Joseph Gibbons in dramatic fashion.

Gibbons limped in, as he's vulnerable to do, and Plouffe moved all-in for 265,000. After an extended tank, Gibbons made the decision and turned up the most efficient hand-- pocket nines against Plouffe's K♣8♣. The Q♥6♣2♥ flop agreed with Gibbons, as did the 4♦ at the turn, however the K♦ spiked at the river, saving Plouffe's tournament life.

"Yes!" Plouffe exclaimed.

"F**k!" cried Gibbons, before apologizing for his profanity.

Gibbons is right down to 300,000 while Plouffe is back as much as 555,000. --KB

2:55pm: RedrawWith 16 players remaining, here's how they're seated now. --BW

Table 11. Aaron Overton2. Vincent Rubianes3. Vanessa Selbst4. Dan Shak5. Nenad Medic6. Joe Tehan7. Jacobo Fernandez8. Ara Melikian

Table 21. Philippe Plouffe2. Jean-Philippe Matte3. David Stefanski4. Thomas Hoglund Jr.5. Joe Gibbons6. Corey Hochman7. Steve O'Dwyer8. Tyler Kenney

2:54pm: Overton ousts OlivierAaron Overton opened for 36,000 at the button and Olivier Busquet three-bet to 65,000. Overton called the additional 29k, and so they went heads-up to a A♦J♠5♦ flop. Busquet checked, Overton bet 45,000 and Busquet called. The turn brought the K♦ and Busquet moved all-in. Overton snap-called, revealing K♣J♦ to Busquet's pocket queens. The 3♠ at the river sent Busquet to the rail in 17th place while Overton hit the million-chip mark.

With 16 players remaining, they're re-drawing for seats on two tables.--KB

2:48pm: Players are back in actionThe third level of the day is underway. A fresh chip count is up on our chip counts page (just see that little black box at the right).--BW

LEVEL UP. BLINDS 8,000-16,000,2,000

2:12pm: Plouffe busts Von Kriegenbergh in 18thFollowing a 27,000 opening raise from Taylor von Kriegenbergh Phillipe Plouffe moved all-in for 276,000 and Von Kriegenbergh made the decision for his last 271,000. Unfortunately, his A♦T♣ was dominated, as Plouffe tabled the A♥Q♣. No assistance on the board for Von Kriegenbergh and he departed in 18th place. Plouffe can calm down a little now, he's as much as a miles healthier 586,000 in chips. --KB

2:07pm: Plouffe steamyPhilippe Plouffe isn't a weak man. He looks as if the kind of guy that would handle himself in a bar fight. PRESENTLY isn't the time to cross him. Moments ago, Corey Hochman came in for a raise to 26,000. Plouffe made it 80,000 to play. Hochman moved all-in for 348,000 and Plouffe snap-called with pocket kings. Up again Hochman's A♠K♥, Plouffe was fit until the A♥ hit at the flop. Suffice it to say, the five-foot radius around Plouffe is now a spot you enter provided that you might be collecting hazardous duty pay. --BW

Philippe Plouffe

2:00pm: Selbst invites Busquet to value-town, Busquet declinesVanessa Selbst opened for 27,000 from under-the-gun and Olivier Busquet called from the large blind. Both players checked the A♣9♠7♦ flop. The turn came the 5♦ and Busquet checked again. Selbst bet 38,000 and Busquet came along. When the Q♥ hit the river, Busquet checked to Selbst who made it 48,000 to move. After a protracted think, Busquet folded. Selbst flashed the 6♦8♥ for the turned straight.

"I hoped to get some value there," she said. Busquet confessed to having a suited ace in diamonds for high pair at the flop and a flush draw at the turn. --KB

1:52pm: So long, SandhuJoe Tehan came in for a raise to 26,000 from the cutoff. Sukh Sandhu had 102,000 more and moved all-in. Tehan made the decision with 9♥T♥. Sanhu held 5♣5♠. He looked good at the [ac2♠8♦ flop, but that J♠ turn and Q♦ river ended his day in 19th place. --BW

1:35pm: Adam Geyer out in 20thAdam Geyer met his tournament end following a battle of the blinds that saw him get the remainder of his chips within the pot with A♠T♣ against David Stefanski's A♦J♦. Stefanski hit top pair at the turn, the board running out 7♥8♣2♠J♦6♦ to send Geyer to the rail. Stefanski is as much as 745,000. --KB

1:20pm: Tryba's day endsAn early-days chip leader, Chris Tryba could go no further than 21st place. The tip came at present when he opened to 20,000. Jacobo Fernandez three-bet to 60,000. Tryba shoved for 184,000 total, and Fernandez made the decision. Tryba's 6♠6♥ was behind J♣J♥. The board ran out 7♣8♣8♠A♠8♥ and Tryba headed for the rail. --BW

1:11pm: Back in actionThe 21 remaining players are back of their seats and able to play at 6,000-12,000-1,000. --BW

1:04pm: A COUPLE OF words from our chip leaderIf you were wondering what was on Vanessa Selbst's mind as she sat down today with the chip lead, here is a little peek. --BW

LEVEL UP. BLINDS NOW 6,000-12,000-1,000

12:57pm: Battle of blinds ends LomanKyle Loman was down below 200,000 and in desperate need of a double-up. With A♥J♣ within the small blind, he didn't figure to get a greater chance. Unfortunately for Loman, Steve O'Dwyer aroused from sleep with A♣K♣ within the big blind. O'Dwyers handheld and Loman left in 22nd place. Players are actually on a 15-minute break. --BW

12:55pm: Phillipe Plouffe doubles through Adam GeyerOn the last hand before the break, Adam Geyer opened for 23,000 and got a decision from Joe Tehan within the cutoff before Phillipe Plouffe shoved from the small blind. Geyer re-shoved and Tehan folded.

It was an ordinary race, Plouffe's A♣J♥ up against Geyer's 8♥8♣. Plouffe flopped a jack and turned an ace to double his stack to 440,000 while Geyer fell to 385,000. --KB

12:38pm: Eric Froehlich eliminated in 23rd place, Selbst nears 2 millionAnd the wealthy get richer.

Vanessa Selbst opened for 22,000 from the cutoff and Eric Froehlich made the decision from the massive blind. Froehlich checked the T♣9♦2♦ flop over to Selbst, who made it 28,000 to head. Froehlich called, and the Q♣ landed at the turn. Froehlich checked, Selbst bet 62,000, Froehlich moved all-in, and Selbst snap-called, revealing a collection of deuces. Froehlich needed serious help with J♠T♥ but he couldn't fill his straight draw at the river, the J♥ falling instead to offer him a no-good two pair. Froehlich hit the payout desk in 23rd while Selbst's stack crested the 2,000,000 mark. --KB

12:28pm: Jonathan Schroer eliminated in 24th placeJonathan Schroer, our man of 1000 quirks (resting his head at the table during all-ins, scooting his chair three feet back from the table to see at his hole cards) is Day 4's first casualty. After Thomas Hoglund opened for 21,000, Schroer shoved from the cutoff, only to have Dan Shak re-shove right behind him at the button. Hoglund folded and the cards went on their backs, Shak with pocket tens and Schroer with A♦K♣. Schroer couldn't atone for the 9♥5♥3♣Q♦6♣ board and departed in 24th place, while Shak's stack rose to 670,000. --KB

12:21pm: Busquet takes it with a four-betFollowing Jean-Phillipe Matte's opening raise to 21,000, Nenad Medic made it 56,000 to head from middle position. The action folded to Olivier Busquet within the big blind, who made a chilly four-bet to 100,000. Matte quickly folded and Medic, after quite a protracted tank, did the same.--KB

12:18pm: David Stefanski doubles through Joe TehanAdam Geyer opened for 22,000 from under-the-gun, Joe Tehan flat-called and David Stefanski moved all-in from the massive blind. Geyer folded and Tehan called.

Stefanski: A♠K♠Tehan: A♥Q♥

No disasters for Stefanski at the A♦8♣4♠J♦5♦ board and he doubled to 322,000, leaving Tehan on 380,000. --KB

Joe Tehan

12:15pm: Joseph Gibbons doubles through Jacobo FernandezJonathan Schroer led off the action with a raise to 22,000 and Joseph Gibbons called at the button before Jacobo Fernandez made it an extra 65,000 to head from the small blind. Schroer folded and after an extended tank, Gibbons called. The flop came down K♦9♣7♣ and Fernandez moved all-in,having Gibbons significantly covered. He snap-called, turning over 7♦7♠ for bottom set while Fernandez revealed A♠K♠. The set held during the T♣ at the turn and the 2♠ at the river, doubling Gibbons to 215,000. --KB

12:10pm: Play underwayThe final 24 players have kicked off play for the day. Because the cards went within the air on Table 1, the players started calling out their ages. Nenad Medic thought he was growing older at age 28. Olivier Busquet, on his method to 30, said he had Medic beat. The old man on the table, Jean-Philippe Matte, quietly informed them he was the senior member of the table at 30 years old. I've never felt so aged and decrepit. --BW

As we arrange our gear this morning, a polite young man approached the media desk, asking where at the PokerStars Blog he could find the post containing the overnight chip counts.

"All I WILL find is last year's, when Vanessa Selbst was the chip leader," he said.

We informed him that no, he was not hallucinating, he had indeed found the proper post and that Selbst was again the overnight chip leader following an afternoon 3 that saw the sphere trimmed from 74 to the 24 so that it will unbag their chips in about thirty minutes' time. Today's mission? To minimize to a last table of eight that might rather well include defending champion Selbst. Stacked at 1,406,000, she has a 383,000 lead over second-in-chips Vincent Rubianes, the one other player who has crossed the seven-figure mark.

For an entire take a look at the chip counts and today's table draw, click over to the NAPT Mohegan Sun Day 4 seating assignments. We'll even be tracking the primary day of the $10,000 Bounty Shootout, that's about to begin its first flight over at the ESPN set.

Stick around, it is going to be a jam-packed day of poker up here within the Connecticut woods. We'll be underway at Noon with 48 minutes remaining in Level 19.

Can she repeat?

Reporting team (so as of 12-oz. cocktails consumed last night): Kristin "change100" Bihr (2), Brad Willis (0). Photography: Joe Giron

Read More... [Source: PokerStarsBlog.com :: North American Poker Tour]