APT Macau Main Event | 2008 Asian Poker Tour - Macau

08-31-2008 14:03 UTC+8

Karian's Turn to Get It All In

[user67765]

Rober Karian opened with a raise to 21,000 before Casey Kastle announced a reraise of an additional 75,000. The table folded back to Karian, who quickly moved all in. It was approximately 200,000 to Kastle as he went into the tank for several minutes before making a reluctant fold.

Karian takes it down to move up to close to 400,000 in chips.

Level: 20

Blinds: 5,000/10,000

Ante: 1,000

08-31-2008 13:56 UTC+8

Chong Wing Cheong Eliminated in 7th Place ($37,500)

[user75032]

After Chong Wing Cheong limped in from early position, Yevgeniy Timoshenko raised to 32,000. Action folded back to Cheong, who took his time but ultimately called.

The flop was {a-Hearts}

. Cheong checked to the preflop raiser, Timoshenko, who bet 40,000. Cheong check-raised to 140,000, prompting a snap-shove from Timoshenko. With only 30,000 left behind and 375,000, it seemed that Cheong had no choice but to call. Yet he seemed reluctant to call and appeared to consider folding. In the end he did choose to call and found himself in rough shape:

Timoshenko: {a-Diamonds}

Cheong:

Top pair for Timoshenko, and a stone bluff for Cheong. The turn was a four, no help to Cheong. He was drawing dead on the river, spiking a meaningless king. It was a tough hour for Chong, as he started in a virtual tie for the chip lead, lost every hand he played, and exits the tournament in seventh place for $37,500.

Tags: Chong Wing Cheong Yevgeniy Timoshenko

08-31-2008 13:50 UTC+8

Settling In

[user75032]

After some opening fireworks, play has proceeded more cautiously. We've had several "raise it and take it" preflop pots, and a few more that were limped and won with a small flop bet. These players seem determined to stick around.

08-31-2008 13:49 UTC+8

Karian Wins Blind Battle

[user67765]

In a battle of the blinds Julio Diaz raised it up to 24,000 from the small blind and Rober Karian made the call in the big blind.

The flop landed {A-Clubs}

and Diaz checked to Karian who fired out 21,000 to take it down.

08-31-2008 13:38 UTC+8

Hammer Time

[user75032]

Casey Kastle has been quiet in the early going, staying out of most pots. When action folded to him on the button, he put in a raise to 25,000. Chong Wing Cheong called from the big blind. The flop was a very ragged {2-Spades}

. Cheong checked and folded after Kastle bet 25,000, losing another pot.

Tags: Casey Kastle Chong Wing Cheong

08-31-2008 13:35 UTC+8

Nguyen Takes One From Yeah

[user67765]

On a flop of {A-Clubs}

the action checked to Quang Nguyen who fired out 15,000. Casey Kastle folded from the small blind, before Joon Hee Yeah raised to 33,000. Nguyen asked for a count before announcing a reraise of another 45,000 as a big pot appeared to be developing. However Yeah decided to let it go and Nguyen took it down, flashing pocket sixes!

Tags: Quang Nguyen

08-31-2008 13:30 UTC+8

Power Poker on Power Board Pays Dividends to Timoshenko

[user75032]

Yevgeniy Timoshenko, one of the better-known players at today's final table, opened the latest pot preflop with a raise to 19,000. Rober Karian, sitting in the big blind, was the only caller.

The flop came down all Broadway -- {k-Hearts}

. Karian led into Timoshenko for 35,000, a bet which Timoshenko pondered briefly before calling. The turn {a-Clubs}

brought a murmur from the gallery and a check from Karian. Timoshenko seized the opportunity to fire out a bet of 60,000, which Karian called. On the river {8-Hearts}

, Karian checked again. Timoshenko showed no fear by making a bet of 120,000. Karian tanked for about a minute but ultimately folded his hand, allowing Timoshenko to drag a nice pot.

Tags: Rober Karian Yevgeniy Timoshenko

08-31-2008 13:23 UTC+8

Viva Espana!

[user75032]

We haven't lacked for action so far this afternoon. On a three-way flop of {K-Spades}

, Julio Diaz led out for 33,000. He found one caller in Chong Wing Cheong. The turn was the {Q-Hearts}

, bringing a quick check from Diaz. Just as quickly, Cheong bet 103,000. After about a minute, Diaz check-raised all in for 250,000, drawing a murmur of excitement from the Spanish supporters in the gallery. Cheong thought briefly before folding.

Cheong came into the day just off the chip lead, but on back-to-back hands has lost over half his stack.

Tags: Chong Wing Cheong Julio Diaz

08-31-2008 13:18 UTC+8

International Flavor

[user67765]

Our final table today brings together a wide range of poker experience and backgrounds; interestingly each player listed is representing a different country. Slovenia, Hong Kong, Thailand, USA, Spain, Vietnam, South Korea and Australia are all represented on this final table -- proof that poker is truly a global phenomenon and is now reaching all corners of the Asian region.