$5,000 Circuit Championship Event | 2008 WSOP Circuit Event - Council Bluffs

02-27-2008 16:32 UTC-5

Bernard Lee and Keith Murrell Mix It Up

[user40108]

Action folded around to Keith Murrell and he limped in from late position. Dan Jensen passed from the small blind and Bernard Lee checked his big blind option. They went heads up to the flop of {10-Diamonds}

. Lee led out for 23,500 and Murrell folded. Bernard Lee took down the pot.

02-27-2008 16:40 UTC-5

A Shortage of Action

[user40108]

After a series of hands without action, a bored fan jokingly yelled out, "When is the next flop scheduled?"

The tournament director casually joked over the P.A., "I believe we're in flop conservation mode."

02-27-2008 16:47 UTC-5

Howard Wolper Eliminated in 9th Place ($14,508)

[user40108]

Action folded around to Michael Martin in the cutoff seat. Martin raised to 15,000. Howard Wolper moved all in from the big blind and Martin called immediately. The players showed:

Martin: {3-Hearts}

Wolper:

The flop missed Wolper, coming down {K-Diamonds}

. The crowd cheered, clearly on Martin's side. The turn brought the {10-Diamonds}

. Again a collective sigh of relief was heard from the gallery. The {Q-Diamonds}

on the river sealed the deal and Martin's pair of threes were best. Wolper casually headed for the payout table where he will collect $14,508 for his strong finish in this event.

Tags: Howard Wolper Michael Martin

02-27-2008 16:58 UTC-5

A Hand Gone Wasted

[user40108]

Action folded around to Ben Hock on the button. He put in a raise to 15,000. Both blinds quickly folded and Hock chuckled and flashed two aces.

02-27-2008 17:01 UTC-5

The Clear Fan Favorite

[user40108]

As if it weren't already obvious based on the introductions, it's become clear that local Nicholas Manganaro is definitely the fan favorite. Even the task of stealing the blinds and antes is not complete for Manganaro without an uproar of applause from his ever-growing audience of supporters.

02-27-2008 17:05 UTC-5

Ron Koenemann Eliminated in 8th Place ($18,766)

[user40108]

Action folded around to Bernard Lee and he opened for a raise to 15,500. Ron Koenemann wasted little time moving all in and when it was back to Lee, he insta-called. The players showed:

Lee: {Q-Spades}

Koenemann: {A-Hearts}

Koenemann came up short when the board filled out {J-Clubs}

. He stood up, shook Lee's hand and headed for the door. Koenemann was eliminated in eighth place and will take home a nice $18,766 payday for his efforts.

Tags: Bernard Lee Ron Koenemann

02-27-2008 17:30 UTC-5

A Historic Battle of the Blinds

[user40108]

Action folded around to Michael Martin in the small blind who called. Keith Murrell checked his option and the two saw a flop of {A-Hearts}

. Martin checked and Murrell slid 15,000 across the yellow line. Martin quietly called. The {4-Spades}

peeled off on the turn prompting both players to check. The river came the {K-Clubs}

and again, both men rapped the felt. Martin showed A-7 and Murrell mucked. This was the first hand of the final table to see a turn card that was not an "all in preflop" situation.

Tags: Keith Murrell Michael Martin

02-27-2008 17:32 UTC-5

Players Are On Break

[user40108]

Play will resume in 15 minutes.

02-27-2008 17:47 UTC-5

Updated Chip Counts

[user40108]

Ben Hock - 134,000
Nicholas Manganaro - 132,000
Michael Martin - 302,000
Keith Murrell - 95,000
Samuel Shamburg - 61,000
Dan Jensen - 44,000
Bernard Lee - 222,000

02-27-2008 17:54 UTC-5

Shuffle Up and Deal!

[user40108]

Play resumes.