2009 World Series of Poker

Day 3 completed

Posted 06-23-2009 19:34 GMT-12

Congratulations to Jerrod Ankenman, Event No. 42 Champion!

Heads-up play began at about 10:30 PM after the elimination of Chris Klodnicki in 3rd place. The chip stacks were about even for the match up, but once the first round of Omaha/8 kicked in, Ankenman was in full gear and began pulling away with each hand. Then, on a few hands in the Stud variant games, it became clear that Ankenman had the edge in the limit games. Ankenman admitted in his post-tournament interview that he wanted to get into limit games, specifically the flop limit games, with Altbregin because he felt those were his strengths.

Back in 2006, Ankenman placed second to Ian Johns in a $3,000 Limit Hold'em Event at the WSOP. That finish did earn him over $150,000, but the gold bracelet proved to be just out of his reach. Two years later in 2008, he placed second in another WSOP event, $10,000 World Championship Limit Hold'em, behind Rob Hollink. That score netted him over $300,000, but once again the gold bracelet eluded him.

This time around, Ankenman wouldn't let things get away from him. The first-place prize money of $241,637 is nice, but the gold bracelet he finally earned after working so hard is much more the prize that will be remembered from this victory. When asked about it he said, "Those finishes were a little bit bittersweet. It's nice to finally win the bracelet."

Ankenman began playing poker casually at the Commerce before taking the game more seriously alongside friend Bill Chen. The two would go on to coauthor The Mathematics of Poker. Chen was around to watch his buddy win the bracelet and even jumped in on some of the photos with him.

Thanks again for following our coverage and we'll be looking forward to seeing you again shortly. In the mean time, be sure to stay tuned to PokerNews for all the live WSOP coverage.

Congratulations to Jerrod Ankenman on winning his first WSOP gold bracelet!

Tags: Jerrod Ankenman, Sergey Altbregin.

Sergey Altbregin Eliminated in 2nd Place ($149,342); Jerrod Ankenman Event No. 42 Champion ($241,637)

No-Limit Hold'em

Sergey Altbregin limped from the button, and Jerrod Ankenman checked. The flop came . Ankenman bet 50,000, Altbregin moved all in for his last 400,000, and Ankenman called.

Ankenman
Altbregin

Ankenman had sixes plus the open-ender, while Altbregin was in tough shape with just his fours. The turn was the , giving Ankenman his straight. Altbregin could only split now with one of the three remaining fives. But the river was the , and Jerrod Ankenman is our champion!

Tags: Sergey Altbregin.

Ankenman Maintains Lead Through Stud, Stud/8

The players traded pots back and forth during the Stud round, with Sergey Altbregin chipping up slightly though remaining well behind Jerrod Ankenman. Just had a largish pot brew at the start of Stud/8 in which Altbregin had the majority of his chips in the middle, but it ended with a split pot.

Ankenman -- 2,675,000
Altbregin -- 415,000

They are just now beginning the no-limit hold'em round, so we may seem some chips moving shortly.

Altbregin on the Ropes

Razz

Jerrod Ankenman has taken the first few hands of the Razz round, further increasing his advantage over Sergey Altbregin.

Just now Ankenman brought it in with a up, Altbregin raised with a showing, and Ankenman called. Ankenman caught a , and Altbregin drew a . Ankenman bet, and Altbregin folded.

Ankenman is up to 2.6 million now, while Altbregin is down to 490,000.

Level 26 started

Posted 06-23-2009 18:40 GMT-12

Jerrod Jumps Ahead; Players on Break

We've reached the end of the level and a 20-minute break. Jerrod Ankenman won a couple more Omaha/8 pots as the level wound down, thereby increasing his advantage over Sergey Altbregin and delighting his cheering section that currently includes Greg Raymer, Terrence Chan, Gavin Griffin, and Bill Chen.

Ankenman -- 2.39 million
Altbregin -- 700,000

Ankenman on the Ascent

Omaha/8

The advantage has begun to swing Jerrod Ankenman's way during this Omaha/8 round. He just took a sizable pot worth several big bets after the board came and he turned over for eights full.

On a subsequent hand, Ankenman limped in and Sergey Altbregin checked. The flop came , Altbregin bet, and Ankenman called. The turn brought the , and again Ankenman called Altbregin's bet.

The river was the , and once more Altbregin bet and Ankenman called. Altbregin showed for tens and treys, but Ankenman had for tens and sixes.

Ankenman is up to 1.78 million now, while Altibregin has 1.31 million.

Evening Out the Game

Limit Hold'em

Jerrod Ankenman raised from the button and Sergey Altbregin reraised. Ankenman called.

The flop came down and Altbregin bet out. Ankenman called and the dealer placed the on the felt for the turn. Altbregin check-raised a bet from Ankenman, which Ankenman called.

The river was the and Altbregin bet. Ankenman called.

Altbregin showed pocket deuces and Ankenman showed pocket eights. The eights were the winner, enabling Ankenman to even out the stacks.

Altbregin - 1,580,000
Ankenman - 1,510,000

Tags: Jerrod Ankenman, Sergey Altbregin.

Small Pot in Limit Hold'em

Limit Hold'em

Jerrod Ankenman raised from the button and Sergey Altbregin called. The flop came down . Altbregin checked and Ankenman bet. Altbregin called.

The turn was the and Altbregin check-called a second time from Ankenman.

The river was the and both players checked.

Ankenman tabled and Altbregin mucked.

Tags: Jerrod Ankenman, Sergey Altbregin.