$5,000 Circuit Championship Event Day 1 | 2008 WSOP Circuit Event - Council Bluffs

02-25-2008 23:28 UTC-5

Greg Monaldi Picks Up Aces at the Right Time

Greg Monaldi, after peeking at just one card, moved all in from middle position for 9,100. The player to his immediate left called his bet. All other players folded and they turned up the hands. It was {A-Clubs}

for Monaldi and {J-Clubs}

for his opponent. Monaldi looked surprised and assured the table that he had only looked at the {A-Clubs}

. His opponent failed to improve and Monaldi doubled up to around 20,000.

02-25-2008 23:22 UTC-5

David Barney Makes a Big Laydown

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An early-position player raised to 2,200 and action folded around to David Barney on the button. Barney reraised to 4,400. The big blind called, as did the early-position raiser. The three saw a flop of {10-Spades}

. The big blind moved all in and the early-position player folded. Barney immediately said, "Count it." It was 29,900 to call. Barney said, "I don't think I'm supposed to fold this hand here. I don't think any of you would fold this hand here." He thought for a minute or so before folding {Q-Spades}

face-up. Despite Barney's plea to show one card, the big blind mucked but later said, "You were not good." A confident Barney said, "I know, if I had been good, you'd be out right now."

Level: 7

Blinds: 400/800

Ante: 100

02-25-2008 23:11 UTC-5

Shuffle Up and Deal!

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Play resumes.

02-25-2008 22:50 UTC-5

Players Are on Break

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Tournament officials are racing off the green (25) chips. Upon completion of this, the players will begin their 15-minute break. There will be one more level of play before the tournament concludes for the day.

02-25-2008 22:46 UTC-5

Patrick Kraus Eliminated by Keith Murrell

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Patrick Kraus was just eliminated when his J-J failed to hold up against the 10-10 of Keith Murrell. The men were all in pre-flop and Kraus was in a great spot to double up by the turn. The river brought a ten however, and Murrell's trip tens bested Kraus's pair of jacks. Needless to say, Kraus was visibly disappointed as he left the tournament area.

02-25-2008 22:42 UTC-5

Action Slows Down

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With roughly 20 eliminations in Level 5, action has slowed considerably. Many players are taking their time making even the most basic decisions. A majority of pots are being won with a raise or reraise pre-flop, or a continuation bet on the flop. With just one level remaining today, it's possible that a few of these players are reluctant to get too involved as they hope to make Day 2.

02-25-2008 22:17 UTC-5

Jason Bartholomew Stays Active

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Action folded around to the player in the cutoff seat, who raised to 1,525. Jason Bartholomew called from the small blind. It was heads-up to the flop of {9-Hearts}

. Bartholomew checked and the cutoff bet 2,000. Bartholomew made the call. The turn brought the {9-Clubs}

. Bartholomew bet 3,000 and his opponent went into the tank. He thought for quite a while before finally folding. Bartholomew showed the {A-Diamonds}

as if he was unsure if it was a bluff or clearly the best hand, but his opponent remained reactionless.

Tags: Jason Bartholomew

02-25-2008 22:05 UTC-5

Daniel Jensen Doubles Through John Kincaid

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After a pre-flop raise and flop of {9-Diamonds}

, Daniel Jensen verbally announced he was all in. His lone opponent, John Kincaid, thought for a bit and finally said, "I don't know what to do." He eventually made the reluctant call. The players showed:

Kincaid: {3-Diamonds}

Jensen:

Kincaid failed to improve and after a count, shipped 17,875 more chips to Daniel Jensen.

02-25-2008 21:55 UTC-5

Mark Fernandes Eliminated by Mark Eddleman

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Giovanni Marcacci limped in from under the gun as did Mark Fernandes from early position. Action folded to Bob Slezak who also called for the minimum. Mark Eddleman raised to 2,600 from the button. Marcacci made the call and Fernandes moved all in for 7,150. Slezak passed and Eddleman called. Marcacci thought a bit before finally mucking his cards. Eddleman said, "I hope we're racing." The players showed:

Eddleman: {7-Spades}

Fernandes: {A-Hearts}

Fernandes failed to improve and was eliminated. In a show of sportmanship, he shook the hands of his former tablemates and wished them luck as he headed for the exit.