$5,150 Championship Main Event Day 1 | 2008 World Series of Poker Circuit - Atlantic City

12-14-2008 17:45 UTC-4

Gank Straightens Out

[user66118]

Brett "Gank" Jungblut had been whittled down to about 9,000 in chips prior to the last hand.

In it, he held {10-Clubs}

and was heads up against a lone opponent. The flop brought {7-?}

, and eventually Gank would end up all in. He was looked up by his opponent, but the board was in Gank's favor. His flopped straight was the winner, earning him a double up back to 18,000.

"Did you flop that?" someone asked Gank.

"Of course. You know how I do," responded the pro.

12-14-2008 17:37 UTC-4

Cards Back in the Air

[user66118]

Play has resumed.

We will play these two levels and then take a dinner break just before 6:45.

Level: 5

Blinds: 200/400

Ante: 50

12-14-2008 17:24 UTC-4

Ready... Break!

[user66118]

The clock has been paused, and the players are taking a 15-minute scheduled break.

12-14-2008 17:24 UTC-4

Gazing Upward

[user66118]

On a flop of {A-Diamonds}

, Billy Gazes had the betting lead. He checked, and his opponent put out a bet. The amount was unclear, but when Gazes called, it put more than 6,000 chips in the pot.

Heads up, fourth street was the {7-Clubs}

. Gazes again checked, and his opponent put out a bet of 4,100. Billy called once more.

The river brought the {Q-Diamonds}

. Gazes sat pensively for a minute or two, alternating glances at the board and his opponent. Finally, he counted out 6,400 chips and tossed them forward. His opponent went into the tank for a couple minutes before finally surrendering his cards.

With that little chip-up pot, Gazes has climbed to 27,000 just before break.

Tags: Billy Gazes

12-14-2008 17:12 UTC-4

We'll Have a New Champion This Year

[user66118]

Take the "reserved" sticker off of Seat 1 at the final table; defending champion John Racener won't be filling that spot.

In his final hand of the day, Racener opened the betting with a raise to 500. Two players, including Akio Ishige, came along to the flop.

The dealer spread out the first three community cards: {Q-?}

. Racener continued out with a bet, prompting one opponent to fold. Ishige wasn't so easily deterred though as he came along with a call.

Heads up then, fourth street brought a {2-?}

. Both men checked.

The river came a {4-?}

. Racener bet 3,800, nearly his full stack. Ishige moved all in, and Racener made the call.

Showdown:
Racener: {Q-?}

Ishige:

Having made his straight, Akio Ishige has done the deed, knocking off the defending champion and chipping his way up to 14,000.

Tags: Akio Ishige John Racener

12-14-2008 16:50 UTC-4

J...E...T...S JETS JETS JETS

[user22113]

A large portion of the field seems to be fans of the New York Jets. A critical forced fumble, recovery, and touchdown just drew a huge reaction from many players.

12-14-2008 16:35 UTC-4

Too Much Testosterone

[user66118]

After a long scan through the field, there are just two ladies remaining.

Joanne Monteavero is over on table 15 with just less than 20,000. At an adjacent table, our other lady -- who says she goes simply by "Miss Kathleen" -- is sitting on about 14,000. Miss Kathleen runs a poker league in her hometown of Richmond, Virginia.

"I'm going to be the baby boomer later on," said Miss Kathleen, predicting a deep run for herself this week.

12-14-2008 16:34 UTC-4

Racener Gets Caught

[user22113]

With the board reading {K-Hearts}

and roughly 10,000 in the pot, John Racener put his opponent to the test with a bet of 6,000. After a short tank his opponent called and Racener told him, "Nice hand" as he mucked his cards when his opponent showed {Q-Clubs}

.

The defending champ is down to about roughly 7,000.

Tags: John Racener

Level: 4

Blinds: 100/200

Ante: 25