2009 World Series of Poker

In Which Greenstein and Grapenthien Tangle and Their Similar-Sounding Surnames Tongue-Tie Us

Razz

Matthew Grapenthien (X)(X) (X)
Barry Greenstein (X)(X) (X)

Barry Greenstein called the bring-in, Matthew Grapenthien completed and Greestein called. Greenstein led out on fourth street when Grapenthien paired then again on fifth street. Grapenthien called in both spots. Greenstein check-called a bet on sixth street, then check-called another on the river.

Grapenthien turned over for a 8-7-5-3-A low. Greenstein mucked and Grapenthien took it down.

Ville Wahlbeck, during the $2,500 Razz event

Another Pot for Wahlbeck

Omaha-8

Catching the action on a flop of Ville Wahlbeck checked from the big blind over to Howard Lederer who fired a bet.

Wahlbeck made the call and the hit the turn. That's when things got silly. Wahlbeck checked, Lederer bet and Wahlbeck put in the check-raise. Lederer didn't slow down as he reraised once more, but Wahlbeck put in the fourth bet with Lederer flat calling.

The river was the and Wahlbeck bet again with Lederer making the call.

Wahlbeck revealed for ten-high straight and seven-low to scoop the pot as Lederer raised his eyebrows and mucked.

Wahlbeck is now at 233,000 with Lederer down to 123,000.

Wahlbeck Accumulating

Hold'em

Ville Wahlbeck raised from middle position before Chad Brown reraised from the hijack position. The blinds folded and Wahlbeck called to see a flop of .

Wahlbeck led at the pot with a bet and Brown made the call. The fell on the turn and again Wahlbeck fired a bet and Brown called.

The hit the river and both players checked it down. Wahlbeck tabled for top pair which was good as Brown mucked. Wahlbeck is up to 223,000 with Brown back down to 172,000.

How Many Will be Eliminated Today?

How many players will we lose today? That is the questioned being thrown around media row right now. In 2006 we lost 14 during day one action. In 2007 that number increased to 21 while in 2008 we only had 8 casualties for the entire first day of play.

Most thought the triple chips start bank would certainly alleviate any real pressure for most players on day one, but as the levels increased the chips are certainly moving around today.

At the moment our short stacks include Steve Zolotow (30,200), David Singer (51,000) and Yan Chen (56,000) who has been battling the short stack all day. Will they succumb?

Players Return from Break

Cards are back in the air.

Players Take a 20-Minute Break

Lindgren Flops the Joint

Hold'em

With the board reading on the turn, Gus Hansen bet out from the small blind, Erick Lindgren raised and Hansen called. Hansen check-called one more bet when the river fell the .

Lindgren showed for a straight and won the pot. He's up to 135,000 while Hansen fell to 108,000.

Buss Runs Over Raymer

Stud-8

Jerry Buss (X)(X) (X)
Greg Raymer (X)(X) (X)

We picked the hand up on sixth street, Buss leading out and Raymer making the call. The lead switched to Raymer on fifth and he led out, Buss coming along. Raymer check-called a bet on sixth street, then check-called another on the river.

Buss turned over for an eight-high straight and a 8-7 low to scoop the pot. He's back up to 78,000 while Raymer slipped to 75,500.