WPT Merit Cyprus Classic Championship Day 1b | 2009 WPT Merit Cyprus Classic

09-07-2009 14:32 UTC+3

Seven Tables in Play

[user75032]

The late registrants continue to trickle into the tournament room. Recently joining the field are Melissa Hayden, Andy Bloch, Daniel Alaei and Suzie Lederer. We also see the names of Eli Elezra and Howard Lederer on the entrant list, although neither has yet taken his seat.

09-07-2009 14:45 UTC+3

Hold the Clock

[user66118]

We've played one full level, and it's time for the first 15-minute break of Day 1b. Back shortly.

09-07-2009 15:01 UTC+3

Play Resumes

[user75032]

Level 2 action has commenced. The big board shows 68 registrants today.

Level: 2

Blinds: 100/200

Ante: 0

09-07-2009 15:11 UTC+3

Kim Can't Maximize Kings

[user75032]

Kelly Kim's stack hasn't made much progress today. That may be due in part to an inability for Kim to maximize his big hands. He recently was sitting in position when Lee Markholt raised preflop to 500. Kim called, then saw Yury Kerzhapkin re-raise (also in position) to 2,000. Only Kim called.

Both players checked the {9-Diamonds}

flop. Kim checked again when the turn fell {J-Hearts}

, then called a bet of 2,500 from Kerzhapkin. Both players quickly checked the {2-Spades}

river, with Kim's {K-Clubs}

being enough to collect the modest pot.

Tags: Kelly Kim Yury Kerzhapkin

09-07-2009 15:14 UTC+3

Hayden and Torelli Take Half Each

[user66118]

Melissa Hayden opened the pot with an early-postion raise to 425, and she found action only from big blind Alec Torelli who came along with the call.

Heads up then, the flop brought {Q-Spades}

and a check from both players. The {10-Diamonds}

on the turn signaled Torelli's time to bet, and he led out with 675 chips. Hayden quickly called, and the river brought the {6-Hearts}

. Torelli grabbed 1,500 more chips and flicked them into the pot, and Hayden again made a quick call.

She showed up pocket eights, {8-Spades}

for the straight, and Torelli's {8-Clubs}

was worth half the pot as well. The dealer pushed the full pot to Torelli and began to shuffle before realizing that she had made a mistake. No matter; Torelli quickly attended to the matter of chopping up the pot, sliding half of his earnings over to the lady. No chips change hands, and it's on to the next deal.

Tags: Melissa Hayden

09-07-2009 15:26 UTC+3

'Annette_15' at 51k

[user38449]

On a board showing {J-Clubs}

, action was checked around to Annette Obrestad who led out with a 1,025 bet. One opponent folded, but Jacques Torbey took the opportunity to check-raise, making it a total of 2,500 to play and Annette made the call.

Both players checked the {9-Diamonds}

on the turn and the dealer peeled off the {2-Diamonds}

on the river.

Another check from Torbey allowed Annette to fire a river bet of 3,575 that went uncalled. With the win, Annette improved to 51,000 in chips early here on Day 1b.

Tags: Annette Obrestad

09-07-2009 15:32 UTC+3

Watkins Takes a Small One

[user66118]

Va Shon "Julian Verse" Watkins limped into the pot for 200 in the cutoff, and Annette "Annette_15" Obrestad did the same from the button. Chris Karagulleyan completed the blind next door, and the big blind tapped the felt for a friendly four-way flop.

It came {8-Clubs}

, and Karagulleyan fired 600 chips at the pot. That was enough to fold the big blind, but the other two opponents came right along with quick calls.

The turn card paired the board with the {J-Diamonds}

, and the action checked around. The river was the {7-Spades}

, and Karagulleyan passed again. Watkins slowly counted out 2,275 and slid them into the middle, folding Obrestad quickly. Karagulleyan wasn't so quick to act though as he flashed his cards to his neighbor and rubbed his forehead. Annette spoke up and asked to see the hand, but Karagulleyan hadn't folded yet.

"I'll show you," he said, "but I might still call." After another minute or so, he open-mucked {Q-Spades}

, his two pair having been rendered inadequate to call. Watkins picks up that small pot, moving back up to about 34,000 after some early downtrending.

Tags: Va Shon Watkins

09-07-2009 15:33 UTC+3

Levi Reluctantly Gives Up

[user75032]

David Levi took his seat recently and quickly found himself embroiled in a big pot. On a flop of {10-Clubs}

, Levi bet 1,100. One opponent raised that bet to 3,400 and Levi called. The turn was a Broadway card, the {K-Hearts}

. Levi checked to his opponent, who moved all in for 13,675. Levi thought long and hard about his options, then reluctantly flicked his cards in to the dealer.

Levi's stack currently stands at about 34,000.

Tags: David Levi

09-07-2009 15:52 UTC+3

Wake Up, Mikey... Time to Play Poker

[user66118]

Shhh... he's such an angel when he's sleeping

The turnout has been a little less than robust compared to the lofty expectations that the WPT staff had for this event. Yesterday's 91 players may actually be larger than the Day 1b field which sits at 72 as we speak.

Maybe not though. The word on the street is that another round of Full Tilt Pros may be heading down in the next level or two to join us, with names like Howard Lederer, Patrik Antonius, and John Juanda rumored to be bringing up the rear of the entry line sometime before registration closes at the start of Level 5. There's also at least one more satellite running on the far side of the room as the last few try to lock up their seats in the Main Event.

Mike Matusow is here too, but we're not sure if he has any plans to join us. The Mouth is currently occupying a couch just up the stairs from the tournament room, and our last check-in saw him stretched out horizontally and sleeping like a baby.

Time for poker, Mikey.

Tags: Mike Matusow