2009 World Series of Poker

Action Resumes

Updated Chip Counts

Farzad Rouhani 2,310,000
Jeff Lisandro 1,675,000
Mike Wattel 895,000

Frank Mariani - 4th Place

Frank Mariani Eliminated in 4th Place ($124,684)

Frank Mariani (X)(X) (X)
Jeff Lisandro (X)(X) (X)

Mariani had the bring-in and Lisandro called. Mariani check-called a bet from Lisandro on fourth, then led out on fifth. Lisandro made the call. Lisandro caught an ace on sixth and bet, Mariani making the call. Lisandro bet again on seventh and Mariani looked him up.

Lisandro showed in the hole for two pair aces and nines. Mariani could only manage a pair of kings with and Lisandro took down the pot, leaving Mariani with only 10,000 in chips.

Mike Wattel (X)(X)
Farzad Rouhani (X)(X) (X)
Jeff Lisandro (X)(X) (X)
Frank Mariani (X)(X) (X)

Mariani was all in with the ante. Mike Wattel brought it in and both Rouhani and Lisandro called. All three players checked fourth and fifth streets. On sixth, Lisandro bet out, Wattel folded, and Rouhani called. Rouhani check-called one more bet from Lisandro on seventh.

Lisandro showed a 7-5 low while Rouhani turned up two pair queens and tens. Mariani's pair of kings didn't improve on the river and he was eliminated in 4th place.

We're now on a brief TV timeout.

Mike Wattel

Wattel Doubles Up

Mike Wattel called a bet on fifth from Farzad Rouhani before pushing the last of his chips in the middle on sixth street. Wattel made a queen-high heart flush and needed to sweat one final card from Rouhani in case he filled up. Rouhani couldn't better his two pair and lost the hand to Wattel, doubling him up to 950,000.

Wattel Slipping

Mike Wattel (X)(X) (X)
Farzad Rouhani (X)(X)
Jeff Lisandro (X)(X) (X)

Wattel brought it in, Rouhani called and Lisandro completed the bet. Both Wattel and Rouhani called. All three players checked on fourth street. Lisandro checked his king-high on fifth, Wattel bet, Rouhani folded and Lisandro called. Both Wattel and Lisandro checked on sixth and seventh.

Lisandro showed two pair kings and nines. Wattel missed his low and mucked, down to under 500,000 in chips.

Mariani Continues to Plunder Lisandro's Stack

Jeff Lisandro ()() ()
Frank Mariani ()() ()

Jeff Lisandro had the bring-in, Frank Mariani completed, Farzad Rouhani called and with the action back on Lisandro, he raised. Mariani three-bet, Rouhani folded and Lisandro four-bet Mariani all in. He made the call and turned up split kings to Lisandro's three to a wheel.

When the boards were dealt, it was trip kings for Mariani, no low for Lisandro and Mariani took down yet another pot from the Aussie.

Rail Crews

Each players seems to have a nice rail section cheering for them. Frank Mariani has a group of five or six people, including Lakers owner Jerry Buss, in his corner. Farzad Rouhani has a bunch of friends rooting him on with chants of "Freddie, "Freddie, Freddie!" Mike Wattel is being railed by Cyndy Violette, Mike "The Mouth" Matusow, and Tom Schneider.

Coming a little late to the party are Jeff Lisandro's crew that include Tony G, Billy "The Croc" Argyros, and Ryan "rkruok" Nathan. Tony G had a little issue last time he entered the final table area as he was over on the media side and one of the security guards escorted him out, clearly not knowing who he was.

Jerry Buss also got escorted off the stage by the security guard at one point today. Matusow on the other hand, stood on the stage at one point for a few minutes with no trouble.

Mariani Scoops Again

Frank Mariani just won't quit-- he just scooped another pot from Jeff Lisandro after getting all in on fifth street. Mariani's pair of fours for high and 7-6-4-3-A low were good and he doubled up again.