$5,000 Circuit Championship Event | 2008 WSOP Circuit Event - Council Bluffs

02-27-2008 20:10 UTC-6

Players Are on Break

Play will resume in 15 minutes.

02-27-2008 19:47 UTC-6

Action has been scarce. Almost all hands have been limped in and checked down to the river. Occasionally a preflop raise, or a bet on the flop or turn will win a pot, but most hands are being won at showdown with a marginal holding for small pots. It's become quite clear that Michael Martin is waiting for his spot to try and double up while Ben Hock is trying his best to make sure the next time Martin is all in, the tournament is over and he is victorious.

02-27-2008 19:33 UTC-6

Ben Hock on a Roll

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Ben Hock has won the last three hands without a showdown with a big raise or reraise, and has taken a considerable chip lead.

Ben Hock - 720,000
Michael Martin - 170,000

02-27-2008 19:22 UTC-6

Plenty of Time

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With chips roughly even, and both players clearly eyeing first place, neither has really seemed intent to play a big pot yet. Both seem content to fold to a raise, or check down to the river with a marginal hand.

02-27-2008 19:13 UTC-6

Shuffle Up and Deal!

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Play resumes.

02-27-2008 19:07 UTC-6

Updated Chip Counts

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Ben Hock - 453,000
Michael Martin - 542,000

02-27-2008 19:04 UTC-6

Play is Now Heads-Up

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With the elimination of Nicholos Manganaro, play is now heads-up. The tournament has paused briefly while the money and ring presentation is being arranged.

02-27-2008 19:02 UTC-6

Nicholas Manganaro Eliminated in 3rd Place ($52,039)

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Michael Martin raised to 30,000 from the button. Ben Hock folded and Nicholas Manganaro moved all in for 93,000 from the big blind. Martin took his time, but eventually called. The players showed:

Martin: {K-Diamonds}

Manganaro: {J-Clubs}

Despite the crying pleas from Manganaro's crowd of supporters, he missed his live cards and Martin's king high was best. A clearly dissapointed Manganaro casually made his way off the stage, eliminated in third place. He'll pick up $52,039 to ease the pain.

Tags: Michael Martin Nicholas Manganaro

02-27-2008 18:53 UTC-6

Ben Hock Doubles Through Nicholas Manganaro

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On the very next hand, Nicholas Manganaro and Ben Hock were all in pre-flop again. This time it was {Q-Diamonds}

for Manganaro and {10-Diamonds}

for Hock. Hock would need serious help if he was to stay alive in the tournament. By the turn, the board read {8-Spades}

. The crowd was so loud that it was difficult to hear the tournament director over their steady cheers. Those cheers ceased immediately however, when the dealer peeled off the {10-Clubs}

on the river. Manganaro's room full of supporters lost their breath and all that was heard was the loyal cheers of one or two Ben Hock supporters. Ben Hock doubled through Nicholoas Manganaro and is back up to around 500,000, while Manganaro is down to a modest 70,000.

Tags: Ben Hock Nicholas Manganaro

02-27-2008 18:48 UTC-6

Nicholas Manganaro Doubles Through Ben Hock

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Michael Martin min-raised from the button to 24,000. Ben Hock called the raise from the small blind and Nicholas Manganaro moved all in from the big blind. Martin thought for a while before finally tossing in his hand and Ben Hock called immediately. Hock turned up the {10-Diamonds}

which was behind the {K-Spades}