Images from the 2011 NBC Heads-Up Championship
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2011 NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship
NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship
Day: 1
Event Info
Final Results
Event Info
2011 NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship
Entries
64
Goodbye, Gustav
Gavin Smith and Gus Hansen were all in for about ten minutes while they waited nervously for Leeann Tweeden to finish filming her introduction to the new feature table (Tom Dwan and Don Cheadle were moved there after Phil Laak busted Daniel Negreanu). Then they had to wait some more while cameras captured the all-in between Kara Scott and Andrew Robl. And finally, finally it was their turn.
They'd been staring at the 
flop long enough to have it memorized it by the time they were allowed to table their cards. Smith was in the lead with 
for top pair and had Hansen covered. Gus needed help with his 
for middle pair. The 
turn and 
river were bricks, and after a long wait, it was all over quickly.
"I lost $100 on that," Smith said. "I had Hansen to win it." Gavin will play James Bord in the next round.
Scott Won't Be Queen of Hearts Either
Despite doubling up against Andrew Robl earlier, a short-stacked Kara Scott moved in pre-flop again, this time with 
. Robl showed 
, almost the same hand he had for their last all-in encounter. Scott must have been surprsied to be in the lead, but this time Robl's 10-8 overtook her, 
. Robl's jack-high straight eliminated Scott here in the Round of 64.
River Full of Miracles for the Brat
Minutes ago, Phil Hellmuth was all in against David Benyamine but managed to run out a chop to stay alive. This time, he found himself at risk with 
to Benyamine's 
. No help from the 
flop. Hellmuth stood up from his seat. Turn was the 
. Didn't seem that helpful. The whole side of the room erupted as the 
on the river put a straight on the board and sent Hellmuth's chips back to him. And the game continues.
Lights Out for Lights Out
Frank Kassela is wearing "Lights Out" Poker gear for today's match. Seems fitting: the curtain has fallen on his tournament. In a limped pot, Kassela led a flop. Bord check-raised all in with , a flush draw; Kassela called with 
. Bord's flush filled after turna nd river cards of 
. Each player stood up, shook hands, and then Kassela headed for the exit.
Bord will return tomorrow.
Applause for Kara Scott
Kara Scott is battling against substitute opponent Andrew Robl but so far Robl has had the upper hand in their match. A short-stacked Scott got her chips in pre-flop with two black kings; Robl tried to eliminate her with . Robl flopped a pair of tens but never improved after that, 
. Scott doubled up to some scattered applause from the crowd.
Negreanu Out of Laak
"No chance, had no chance," Daniel Negreanu said as he made his exit from the feature table. All the chips went into the middle on a coordinated 
flop. Negreanu had already lost a few pots and was willing to risk it all with 
for top pair. He was drawing to a runner-runner miracle against Phil Laak's 
for middle set. The was all she wrote for Negreanu, who doesn't mind since he's off to Los Angeles to play the $5k at the Bike that begins tomorrow.
Laak, who prepped for success by practicing his winner's photo before the match, will play Michael Mizrachi in the round of 32.
Hellmuth Wriggles Off the Hook
David Benyamine is out to an early lead in his match against Phil Hellmuth. Benyamine had the former Main Event champion on the ropes, all in pre-flop with a dominated hand. Benyamine's 
was in the lead against Hellmuth's 
and could close out the match with a clean board. No such luck for Benyamine; the board rolled out to chop the pot.
Benyamine shook his head and gave a rueful smile as a standing Hellmuth re-took his seat to continue their match.
Hansen Doubles Up
It's a tough break for Gavin Smith. He bet a flop of after Gus Hansen checked. Hansen check-raised, then called all in once Smith shoved. Smith turned over a flopped straight with ; Hansen showed a flush draw, 
. Hansen's draw filled right away when the turn came .
"Daniel, you can buy out now for $2,000 if you want," Hansen called out to Daniel Negreanu. Negreanu wasn't buying.
Durrrr Outflops Basher for Nothing
Our second all-in of the round came from the high-octane match between Tom "Durrrr" Dwan and Don Cheadle. The actor check-raised Dwan on a flop, and Dwan put him all in. Cheadle called with 
to see that Dwan had hit top and bottom with 
. But the turn paired the board and meant Dwan was suddenly way behind. The river saved him from doubling Cheadle, and the chopped it up.