World Poker Tour on FSN: Doyle Brunson Five Diamond World Poker Classic — Part I

April 25, 2011

Chad Holloway PR & Media Manager

Last December, the World Poker Tour hosted the Doyle Brunson Five Diamond World Poker Classic at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. The event drew 438 entrants and resulted in one of the most stacked final tables in WPT history. Last Sunday, FSN continued its broadcast of the WPT’s ninth season by airing Part I of that tournament.

The show kicked off with a recap of the events leading up to the final table. The highlights included Phil Hellmuth losing a $5,000 bet to Sorel Mizzi; Ali Eslami finishing as the bubble boy; Kia Mohajeri becoming the final-table bubble boy; and Antonio Esfandiari emerging as the chip leader on Days 2 through 4 while reaching his first WPT final table in seven years (on his birthday nonetheless).

Here is how the final table looked at the top of the broadcast.

Final Table

Seat 1: Antonio Esfandiari (2,100,000)
Seat 2: Vanessa Rousso (5,825,000)
Seat 3: Ted Lawson (620,000)
Seat 4: John Racener (3,420,000)
Seat 5: Kirk Morrison (2,620,000)
Seat 6: Andrew Robl (3,070,000)

First Hand: With blinds at 25,000/50,000 and a 5,000 ante, Vanessa Rousso looked down at Q♥Q♣ and raised to 125,000. Ted Lawson was next to act and opted to move all-in for 615,000 after peeking down at 9♠9♣. Action folded back to Rousso and she made the quick call. Lawson was dominated, that is until the flop came down 9♦2♣J♠ and delivered him a set. Lawson pumped his fist in celebration, but it turned out to be premature as the Q♠ spiked on the turn! Lawson was suddenly left with just one out on the river, which he didn't get — the K♥ fell instead. It was a short stay for Lawson who was eliminated in sixth place for $126,693.

Robl Out-Flops Morrison: Kirk Morrison raised to 135,000 with K♦J♥ only to be reraised to 375,000 by the K♠9♦ of Andrew Robl. Morrison made the call and the duo watched the flop fall 7♥9♠10♦. Both players checked as the dealer burned and turned the K♥. Robl led out for 420,000, Morrison called, and the A♦ peeled off on the river. Robl continued his aggression with an 850,000 bet. Morrison thought for awhile, let out a small laugh, and made the proper lay-down.

Double Double: Robl raised to 180,000 with A♦8♦ and was reraised to 440,000 by the 9♠9♦ of Rousso. When the flop came down 6♦10♣4♦, Rousso moved all-in and Robl called off his last 1,040,000 with the nut-flush draw. The K♦ turn locked up the hand for Robl and he doubled to 3,090,000 after the 8♥ was put out on the river for good measure.

Morrison Eliminated in Fifth Place: John Racener raised to 255,000 with a modest K♦6♠ and received calls from the A♠J♥ of Morrison and 5♠5♦ of Robl. It was three-way action to the 5♣A♥10♥ flop, which gave Robl a set. He coyly checked, as did Racener, and Morrison bet 225,000 with his aces. Robl then check-raised to 550,000, Racener folded, Morrison called, and the 9♠ hit the turn. Robl pushed all in and Morrison called off his 1,695,000 stack to discover he was drawing dead. The 10♠ was put out on the river as Morrison hit the rail in fifth place ($168,924).

Robl Extends Chip Lead: Rousso raised to 250,000 with K♦10♣ only to be reraised to 700,000 Robl who was holding A♦Q♦. The A♣3♠Q♣ flop was gin for Robl, but it did give Rousso a gut-shot straight draw. Robl wasn’t shy about continuation betting $700,000 and Rousso conceded the hand.

Racener Exits in Fourth Place: After looking down at Q♣8♣, a short-stacked Racener moved all-in for 955,000 and was called by the K♣Q♥ of Esfandiari. Racener was only 22 percent to win, which quickly dropped to four percent when the 3♠6♣K♥ was put out on the flop. The 7♥ turn left Racener drawing dead, and he was eliminated from the Doyle Brunson Five Diamond World Poker Classic in fourth place for $232,271.

To Be Continued: Racener’s elimination brought about the halfway point of FSN’s broadcast. The other half is scheduled to air next Sunday, May 1, so be sure to check your local listings.

Past Doyle Brunson Five Diamond World Poker Classic Champions

Season	Player	Earnings
1	Gus Hansen	$556,480
2	Paul Phillips	$1,101,908
3	Daniel Negreanu	$1,770,218
4	Rehne Pedersen	$2,078,185
5	Joe Hachem	$2,207,575
6	Eugene Katchalov	$2,482,605
7	Chino Rheem	$1,538,730
8	Daniel Alaei	$1,428,430
9	Antonio Esfandiari	$870,124