Event #94: 5,000 No-Limit Hold'em (8-Handed) Day 1 | 2023 World Series of Poker

07-17-2023 22:58 UTC-7

Leonard Applies Pressure

Cottrell van Wingerden

Level 19 : 8,000/16,000, 16,000 ante

A player opened to 26,000 from the cutoff and was called by Patrick Leonard in the big blind.

Action checked to the preflop aggressor on a flop of J♥K♥7♦ and he continued for 40,000. Leonard made the call to see a turn.

Both players checked through the Q♣ turn to the 6♦ river. Leonard then pushed 82,000 into the middle, sending his opponent into the tank. A lengthy period of speech play from Leonard ensued until eventually the cutoff released his holding to send the pot to the online phenom.

Player	Chips	Progress
Patrick Leonard	495,000 280,000	280,000

Tags: Patrick Leonard

07-17-2023 22:58 UTC-7

One Closer to the Bubble

Claudio Elizalde

Level 19 : Blinds 8,000/16,000, 16,000 ante

A short stack went all in from middle position and Daniel Smiljkovic called from the small blind.

Middle Position: A♣7♦
Daniel Smiljkovic: A♦8♥

The flop was bad news for the short stack as it rolled 6♠8♣K♠ and by the time the 3♥ rolled off, there was no hope for the river and it fell an obligatory brick.

Player	Chips	Progress
Daniel Smiljkovic	507,000 507,000	507,000

Tags: Daniel Smiljkovic

Level: 19

Blinds: 8,000/16,000

Ante: 16,000

07-17-2023 22:50 UTC-7

Kolonias Continues to Build

Dominic Clementson

Level 18 : Blinds 6,000/12,000, 12,000 ante

The flop was out and reading 3♥J♥4♣. Alexandros Kolonias checked in the small blind and the big blind checked back.

A 4♦ came on the turn and Kolonias bet 12,000. The big blind had a short think and made the call.

On a 9♣ river, Kolonias bet enough to put his opponent all in and received a quick call.

Big Blind: K♦J♣
Alexandros Kolonias: 4♠5♥

Kolonias's trip fours were good enough to take the hand and send his opponent to the rail.

Player	Chips	Progress
Alexandros Kolonias	630,000 630,000	630,000

Tags: Alexandros Kolonias

07-17-2023 22:47 UTC-7

Friedman Finds a Double

Ryan Lashmar

Level 18 : Blinds 6,000/12,000, 12,000 ante

Adam Friedman moved all in from early position for 106,000 and was called by a player in the big blind who covered him slightly.

Adam Friedman: A♣4♣
Big Blind: A♠9♣

Friedman was in rough shape against the superior ace and remained so on the 8♦J♦J♠. His fortunes changed on the 4♠ turn and he stayed ahead on the 10♦ river to secure a full double up with the money bubble approaching.

Player	Chips	Progress
Adam Friedman	230,000 69,000	69,000

Tags: Adam Friedman

07-17-2023 22:43 UTC-7

Farrell Goes For Value

Claudio Elizalde

Level 18 : Blinds 6,000/12,000, 12,000 ante

Niall Farrell raised the button to 24,000 and was called by the big blind.

Heads up they saw a flop of Q♠2♠8♠ and Farrell continued for 15,000 when checked to. His opponent tossed his hand in the muck and Farrell flashed K♥Q♦ for the flopped top pair.

Player	Chips	Progress
Niall Farrell	457,000 -43,000	-43,000

Tags: Niall Farrell

07-17-2023 22:38 UTC-7

Zhang Wins on the Turn

Cottrell van Wingerden

Level 18 : Blinds 6,000/12,000, 12,000 ante

Yang Zhang opened to 25,000 from the cutoff and then called after a player in the big blind three-bet to 80,000.

The big blind continued for 50,000 on the J♠6♣Q♣ flop and Zhang made the call.

On the K♥ turn the big blind slowed down, checking to Zhang who bet 90,000. That was enough to get a fold from his opponent and send a decently sized pot over towards Zhang.

Player	Chips	Progress
Yang Zhang	530,000

Tags: Yang Zhang

07-17-2023 22:32 UTC-7

Matakis Locks Horns with Laak

Ryan Lashmar

Level 18 : Blinds 6,000/12,000, 12,000 ante

With players heads up, the board reading 2♥3♥7♣4♦7♦ and about 85,000 in the middle, Ian Matakis bet 38,000. Phil Laak briefly considered his options before sticking in the call.

"You're good" Matakis said, immediately mucking his hand, allowing Laak to collect a nice pot without having to reveal his hole cards.

Player	Chips	Progress
Phil Laak	382,000 62,000	62,000

Ian Matakis	176,000 -7,000	-7,000

Tags: Ian Matakis Phil Laak

Level: 18

Blinds: 6,000/12,000

Ante: 12,000

07-17-2023 22:19 UTC-7

21 Away From the Money

Claudio Elizalde

Level 17 : Blinds 5,000/10,000, 10,000 ante

As the bubble approaches, action has slowed and fewer players are willing to put their stacks at risk. Considering a mincash is worth $8,059, it's no surprise, even for those who have already bought in twice.