2012 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure

Super High Roller
Day: 1
Event Info

2012 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure

Final Results
Winner
Winning Hand
kq
Prize
$1,254,400
Event Info
Buy-in
$98,500
Prize Pool
$3,136,000
Entries
32
Level Info
Level
19
Blinds
30,000 / 60,000
Ante
10,000

It's Never-Ending

#whenwillitend
#whenwillitend

Jason Mercier opened to 6,000 from the cutoff seat, Eugene Katchalov called on the button, and Terje Augdal defended his big blind. The flop came down {3-Spades}{a-Hearts}{4-Diamonds}, and Augdal checked to Mercier, who continued for 7,100. Only Katchalov called.

The turn was the {j-Diamonds}, and Mercier tanked before firing 17,000. Katchalov called. Mercier slowed down after the {q-Diamonds} fell on the river though, checking to Katchalov who tossed out 32,000.

"That's around what I was going to bet," Mercier said, reaching for chips.

He tossed in enough checkers to make the call, and Katchalov said, "You got it."

Mercier turned over {a-Spades}{4-Clubs} for two pair, Katchalov mucked, and Mercier raked in the pot.

Player Chips Progress
Jason Mercier us
Jason Mercier
475,000 54,400
Eugene Katchalov ua
Eugene Katchalov
75,000 -80,200

Tags: Eugene KatchalovJason Mercier

Seidel Advancing

Erik Seidel
Erik Seidel

First in from the cutoff seat, Yevgeniy Timoshenko opened to 6,600, and Erik Seidel three-bet to 18,000 on the button. From the big blind, Shawn Buchanan came in from the cold with a four-bet to 38,000 straight, folding Timoshenko quickly. Seidel was undeterred, though. Munching casually on some trail mix, he pulled his bet back and flicked out three green chips worth 25,000 apiece. Buchanan had just over 200,000 left in front of him now, and he paused to deliberate for a few moments before surrendering.

Seidel (somehow) failed to cash in this event in 2011, but he's poised to change that this time around. The eight-time bracelet winner and most successful tournament player in history is up over the half-million chip mark now — comfortably perched in the Top 5.

Player Chips Progress
Erik Seidel us
Erik Seidel
WSOP 10X Winner
Poker Hall of Famer
WPT 1X Winner
550,000 110,000
Shawn Buchanan ca
Shawn Buchanan
WSOP 1X Winner
WPT 1X Winner
202,000 -88,000

Tags: Erik SeidelShawn Buchanan

Duhamel Gets There

After Dan Shak opened with a raise on the button, Jonathan Duhamel three-bet to 22,000 from the big blind. Shak called and the flop came down {3-Hearts}{2-Clubs}{2-Spades}.

Duhamel bet 16,000, but was raised to 50,000 by Shak. Duhamel called after a few moments to see the {A-Spades} turn and check-called another 75,000 from Shak. The {7-Diamonds} river was quickly checked by both with Duhamel tabling {A-Clubs}{10-Spades}. Shak wasn't happy to see that, mucking his hand.

Player Chips Progress
Jonathan Duhamel ca
Jonathan Duhamel
680,000 150,000
Dan Shak us
Dan Shak
123,000 -131,000

Tags: Dan ShakJonathan Duhamel

Show Me the Money

Level 6 : 1,500/3,000, 400 ante
Super High Roller bracelet
Super High Roller bracelet

Who wants to be a millionaire, hmm? Actually, chances are good that our eventual champion is already a millionaire as we speak — the 30-player starting field had well over $100 million in total combined tournament cashes. But those who aren't already poker millionaires have another shot here this week. With registration closed and 32 entries in the till, there is a prize pool of $3,136,000 up for grabs. The final five players will earn their shares of that with the min-cash being worth more than a quarter-million dollars. First place is five times that, though, just over $1.25 million.

Here's the breakdown of the prizes:

PlacePayout
1$1,254,400
2$846,700
3$470,400
4$313,600
5$250,900

In addition to the loot, the champion will receive the specially designed Shamballa bracelet you see pictured above, worth more than $20,000. And some serious bragging rights after taking down one of the toughest tournaments of the year.

Repik Eliminated

Alexey Repik - Eliminated
Alexey Repik - Eliminated

Eugene Katchalov min-raised to 6,000 from the cutoff and Justin Smith called on the button. Alexey Repik three-bet shoved for 61,800 from the small blind, forcing a fold from Katchalov. Smith called quickly with {8-Hearts}{8-Diamonds}, dominating Repik's {5-Spades}{5-Clubs}.

The board ran out {J-Hearts}{9-Spades}{7-Hearts}{3-Hearts}{K-Hearts}, ending Repik's tournament.

Player Chips Progress
Justin Smith us
Justin Smith
460,000 29,500
Alexey Repik
Alexey Repik
Busted

Tags: Alexey RepikJustin Smith

The Kid is Fighting Back

Daniel Negreanu, whose nadir was 66,000 chips, is now back above 200,000.

In a recent hand, he was heads up with Yevgeniy Timoshenko, and the board read {4-Hearts}{8-Clubs}{5-Spades}. Timoshenko checked, Negreanu bet 7,000, and Timoshenko check-raised to 18,400. Negreanu called.

The two checked the turn ({3-Hearts}), and the river ({9-Diamonds}), and Timoshenko was forced to show {j-Clubs}{10-Diamonds} for jack high. Negreanu opened up {7-Spades}{4-Spades} for a pair of fours, and raked in the pot.

Player Chips Progress
Daniel Negreanu ca
Daniel Negreanu
205,000 25,000

Tags: Daniel NegreanuYevgeniy Timoshenko

Shots!

We goofed on the last upload, so here's a re-do. These shots come from the intrepid Joe Giron, who even alphabetized them for us. He doesn't shoot weddings.

Click that "Read full" button to see the complete gallery.

Alexey RepikBertrand GrospellierBill PerkinsBryn KenneyChance KornuthChance KornuthChipsChips and cardsDan ShakDaniel NegreanuDaniel NegreanuDavid BenefieldDavid SandsErik SeidelEugene KatchalovGalen HallGalen HallHumberto BrenesIsaac HaxtonIsaac HaxtonJason MercierJonathan DuhamelJonathan DuhamelJustin Smith

Level: 6

Blinds: 1,500/3,000

Ante: 400