2008 NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship

$20,000 Heads-Up Championship
Day: 3
Event Info

2008 NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship

Final Results
Winner
Winning Hand
jj
Prize
$500,000
Event Info
Buy-in
$20,000
Prize Pool
$1,500,000
Entries
64

Slow Start

As has been the case in a majority of the matches that have transpired throughout the course of the tournament, the first couple of blind levels have come and gone, with little significant action to report on.

We're nearing the end of the second blind level and Chris Ferguson has a slight lead over opponent Phil Ivey, while Andy Bloch and Huck Seed are relatively close in chips.

Win and You're In

The Final Four
The Final Four
The semifinals are underway. Both pairings are playing just a few feet away from each other, with Chris "Jesus" Ferguson v. Phil Ivey set up at the feature table and Andy Bloch v. Huck Seed on the other.

Players will start with 320,000 in chips and the blinds kick off at 1,500-3,000.

PokerNews Video: Chris Ferguson

Semifinalist Chris Ferguson
Semifinalist Chris Ferguson
PokerNews/PokerRoad presenter Amanda Leatherman caught up with semifinalist Chris "Jesus" Ferguson after his fourth round victory over 23-year-old Jonathan Little. Amanda talked with Chris about his journey to the final four and asked him who he'd rather face in the semis (his choices at the time were Phil Ivey and Gus Hansen).

For this interview and other video clips from the 2008 NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championships, click here.

Tags: Chris Ferguson

Intermission

With all four quarterfinal matches in the book, the tournament has been paused until 4:00 p.m. local time.

When we return, the semi-finalists will take to the felt hoping to earn a spot at the best-of-three final table and a chance to win over half a million dollars.

Here are your semi-final pairings:

Phil Ivey v. Chris "Jesus" Ferguson

and

Huck Seed v. Andy Bloch

Phil Ivey Disposes of The Great Dane

The Great Dane
The Great Dane
Gus Hansen knew he was in big trouble after Phil Ivey quickly called is all-in bet on a flop of {9-Hearts}{3-Hearts}{6-Hearts}. When they tabled the cards, Ivey revealed a made king-high flush leaving Hansen, who showed {10-Hearts}{3-Diamonds}, in a grim predicament.

Drawing to a running full house or straight flush, Hansen conceded defeat after the turn brought the {8-Clubs}, eliminating his chances to hit either miracle draw.

Ivey's win sets up another match-up of Team FullTilt pros, Ivey v. Chris Ferguson.

Tags: Gus Hansen

Ivey League Play

Over the past fifteen minutes, Phil Ivey has gradually increased his chip lead over fellow Team FullTilt pro Gus Hansen and seems to be building momentum heading into the higher blind levels, where the action typically heats up.

Tags: Phil Ivey

Nines Prove to be Big Against Little

Jesus walks ... into the final four.
Jesus walks ... into the final four.
Jonathan Little shoved his remaining stack into the middle against Chris "Jesus" Ferguson pre-flop, holding {7-Diamonds}{10-Diamonds} against another pocket pair of nines for Ferguson.

A flop of {3-Hearts}{J-Spades}{2-Hearts} showed no promise for Little. The turn brought {5-Hearts}, and the river the {4-Clubs} which left Little on the outside looking in. Jonathan received a nice round of applause for his solid showing in his first Heads-Up Championship appearance.

Jesus will face the winner of Phil Ivey v. Gus Hansen in the semifinals.

Tags: Chris Ferguson

Blinds are Up

Jonathan "FieryJustice" Little
Jonathan "FieryJustice" Little
Blinds are now 1,500-3,000. Chris Ferguson has breathed some life back into his stack and match with Jonathan Little, while Phil Ivey remains ahead of Gus Hansen in chip totals.

Tags: Jonathan Little

Little Opens Lead Against Ferguson

Jonathan Little has taken the early lead against quarterfinal foe Chris Ferguson and currently sits with 220,000 in chips to Ferguson's 100,000.

Meanwhile, over on the feature table, Gus Hansen and Phil Ivey seem to be relatively even in chips after 10 minutes of play has elapsed.