On one of the last hands of Level 7, Jeff Madsen and Dan Wach were heads up in what looked like a three-bet pot. Wach check-called a bet on a flop of , and check-called another 5,600 after the turn brought the .
The river was the , Wach check-called one last bet of 15,050, and Madsen ripped over for two pair. It was good.
A stroll through the tournament often provides fleeting glimpses into the lives of touring pros, as longtime acquaintances from around the circuit converse and catch up.
Passing by Melanie Weisner's table recently, we overheard the young pro engage in a bit of banter with actor and poker enthusiast James Woods. Weisner mentioned her background in classical opera singing, with the accomplished thespian listening on and offering the occasional commentary.
Although neither player risked a chip during this brief pause in the action, moments like this demonstrate successful poker players are often possess many talents away from the felt. With the best and brightest from the world of law, literature, music and the stage increasingly diverting their skills to the gritty game of poker, its always refreshing to learn that life goes on once the chips are bagged and tagged.
Registration is closed for Day 1a of Event 7: $2,700 Spring Poker Championship. The first flight attracted a total of 115 entrants, and currently 74 remain. The average stack is 46,621.
After Paul Volpe opened to 1,200 from middle position, fellow pro Joe Kuether came along from the button, as did the big blind.
The dealer fanned the and Volpe c-bet for 2,700 after the big blind tapped the table. Kuether flatted the bet and the big blind got out of the way, bringing the to the table on the turn.
Volpe and Kuether checked fourth street down, as they did on the river.
"Jack-high," announced Volpe, before mucking when Kuether produced for top pair on the flop. Despite the small dent to his stack, Volpe still holds more chips than nearly everybody in the room.
Joe Liberta raised to 1,100 in early position, Miguel Borrero called on the button, and the flop came . Liberta led out for 1,300, Borrero called, and both players checked on the turn ().
The completed the board, Liberta fired another 3,700, and Borrero immediately called, showing .
Liberta revealed the winner - - and dragged the pot.
Keven Stammen just shipped a double up across the table to Ryan Blank, after the latter's held up over the pro's in a preflop coin flip.
The final board ran out and the ducks survived a five-card hunt against two overcards.
On the very next deal, Stammen responded to Christian Harder's open to 3,000 by calling off his last 1,875 with . Harder smiled while tabling a dominated and after asking the dealer for a double up, Stammen's wish was granted with a run out.
Mike Gagliano raised to 1,200 from early position, Jonathan Little called in the hijack, and Aaron Massey three-bet to 4,025 on the button. The two players in the blinds released their hands, Gagliano moved all in for 20,000 or so, and Little folded.
Massey reached for a single black T100, tossing it forward to signify a call.
Gagliano:
Massey:
Both players flopped a pair, but Massey remained in the lead after the dealer fanned . Neither the on the turn nor the on the river saved Gags, and he was eliminated.