Montreal Nationals vs. San Francisco Rush
Day 1 Completed
2016 Global Poker League Finals
Montreal Nationals vs. San Francisco Rush
Day: 1
Mike McDonald Sends Montreal Nationals Through to Americas Final
Mike McDonald just eliminated Jonathan Jaffe and the San Francisco Rush from the GPL Playoffs.
Despite taking a 2-0 lead to start the day, the Rush lost four of the next five matches. In the deciding match, McDonald took a big lead after flopping the nuts against the pair of Jaffe. Shortly after that, the two players got all in preflop, both holding an ace. McDonald had the better ace and won the hand, leaving Jaffe with just one big blind.
Jaffe then went on to double up three times, coming from behind before ultimately losing when McDonald shoved all in with 
against Jaffe's ten big blinds. Jaffe had 
, but ended up busting when McDonald flopped two pair. The turn card was the perfect card for a sweat, but it wasn't to be as the Montreal Nationals booked their seat in the Americas final. They will face the winner of the next match, either the Los Angeles Sunset or the Sao Paulo Mets.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
230,000 | 54,000 |
|
Busted |
McDonald Takes a Commanding Lead in Game 7
Mike McDonald started the match with a 30,000 lead thanks to coming in as part of the top seeded Montreal Nationals, and has added another 40,000 or so on top of that after he flopped the nuts against Jonathan Jaffe in the deciding game of the series.
McDonald had 
against the 
of Jaffe. McDonald flopped the nuts and Jaffe flopped a pair.
"Did you flop the nuts?" Jaffe asked after McDonald called his turn bet. By the end of the hand, Jaffe helped provide one of the most entertaining moments from the Playoffs so far.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
176,000 | 46,000 |
|
|
46,000 | -54,000 |
Game 7: Mike McDonald v. Jonathan Jaffe
Game seven is a rematch of Game 1, with Mike McDonald playing against Jonathan Jaffe. There is one difference between this match and the previous one, McDonald will now start with the extra 30,000 in his stack. He didn't get the bonus his team earned for being the #1 seed in his first match against Jaffe because he was filling in for his team mate, Pascal Lefrancois.
This time he has the chip lead to start, and the series on the line.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
130,000 | 130,000 |
|
|
100,000 | 100,000 |
Ladouceur Takes Out Jaka, Going to Game 7
Marc Andre Ladouceur has won his match against Faraz Jaka and given his Montreal Nationals their third victory. The series is now tied and the Nationals and San Francisco Rush are heading to game seven. Ladouceur fell earlier in the day to Phil Galfond, after Galfond doubled up with kings against Ladouceur's ace-king and went on to win the match and put the Rush up 2-0. The series is now tied after Ladouceur got another ace-high in against a big hand. Jaka had pocket queens and called with 12 big blind left.
Ladouceur flopped a pair and a flush draw and rivered trips to even the series at three games a piece.
The players have not been selected yet, but the match should start shortly.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
230,000 | 55,000 |
|
Busted |
Ladouceur Extends Lead
Marc Andre Ladouceur has added about 30,000 to his starting stack and extended his lead against Faraz Jaka. The two players have been careful and with 25 hands played, it's looking like Ladouceur has Jaka on the ropes.
Ladouceur needs to win the push the series to seven games.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
175,000 | 45,000 |
|
|
47,000 | -53,000 |
Managers Clash in Match #6, Faraz Jaka v. Marc Andre Ladouceur
The San Francisco Rush are leading three matches to two against the #1 seed Montreal Nationals. The next match features the managers of both teams. Faraz Jaka of the San Francisco Rush lost his first match, but will clinch the series for his team with a win in this match.
Marc Andre Ladouceur lost his first match as well and will need a win to give his team a shot at the Americas Final later today.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
130,000 | 130,000 |
|
|
100,000 | 100,000 |
Galfond Moves to 2-0 Puts the Rush One Win Away from the Americas Final
Phil Galfond has beaten Mike McDonald to win his second match today. Galfond had pocket tens and McDonald was sitting with only ten big blinds.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
230,000 | 60,000 |
|
|
Busted |
Mean Straights: Galfond Takes a Big Lead With a Better Straight
Phil Galfond three-bet preflop with 
and Mike McDonald called.
The flop came 
and McDonald checked. Galfond bet 14,500 and McDonald called. The turn was the 
, completing a straight for Galfond.
McDonald checked again and Galfond checked behind. The river completed a straight for McDonald as well, with the 
. McDonald checked and Galfond shoved all in for 56,270. McDonald called and Galfond took a commanding lead in match #5.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
170,000 | 70,000 |
|
|
56,000 | -74,000 |
Match #5: Phil Galfond v. Mike McDonald
With the series tied 2-2, the Montreal Nationals are sending Mike McDonald into the cube for the third time today. Mcdonald has split both his games and looks to put the top seeded Nationals in front after falling to 0-2.
Galfond won his first match, beating Marc Andre Ladouceur. Galfond came from behind and doubled up two times before eventually beating Ladouceur.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
130,000 | -100,000 |
|
|
100,000 | -130,000 |