$5,150 Championship Main Event Day 2 | 2008 World Series of Poker Circuit - Atlantic City

12-15-2008 19:02 UTC-5

We're Back

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Cards are in the air once again, and we'll play on until we reach our final table of nine.

Level: 15

Blinds: 6,000/12,000

Ante: 2,000

12-15-2008 19:08 UTC-5

In the first hand back from break, Michael Walls moved all in for 91,000 in early position. When the betting folded around to Allen Bari, he made the call, having his opponent well-covered.

Showdown:
Walls: {A-Hearts}

Bari:

The flop was a good miss for the all-in Walls, coming out {8-Hearts}

. Even better for him, the {A-Clubs}

hit the turn, vaulting him into the lead. The {Q-Diamonds}

on the river was a good card too, earning Walls a little after-dinner double up to 214,000.

12-15-2008 19:08 UTC-5

Eugene Fouksman Eliminated in 13th Place ($12,139)

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From the small blind, Eugene Fouksman moved all in for roughly 85,000 and Tim Kelly called out of the big blind. Fouksman's {9-Spades}

was dominating Kelly's {5-Diamonds}

, but the board ran out {Q-Hearts}

as Kelly spiked a five to win the hand. Eugene Fouksman hit the rail in 12th place.

Tim Kelly now has crossed 500,000-chip mark.

Tags: Eugene Fouksman Tim Kelly

12-15-2008 19:18 UTC-5

Matt Matros Elininated in 12th Place ($13,874)

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Brent "Astrolux85" Roberts opened to 28,000 from middle position and Matt Matros shoved from the button for 178,000 total. Action folded back to Roberts who made the call with {A-Hearts}

and was leading Matros' {Q-Diamonds}

. The flop all but sealed the deal when it ran out {K-Clubs}

to give Roberts Broadway. The turn and river came {8-Diamonds}

and

as Matros hit the rail in 12th place.

Brent Roberts is up around 700,000 in chips.

Tags: Brent Roberts Matt Matros

12-15-2008 19:25 UTC-5

Joanne Monteavaro Eliminated in 11th Place ($13,874)

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Brent Roberts opened to 28,000 under the gun and Joanne Monteavaro raised all in from the cutoff for 78,000. When action folded back to Roberts, he quickly called with {8-Spades}

and was well ahead of Joanne's {5-Clubs}

. The board ran out {A-Spades}

and Joanne Monteavaro's tournament came to an end.

Brent Roberts regained the chip lead that hand and sits with just over 800,000.

Tags: Brent Roberts Joanne Monteavaro

12-15-2008 19:32 UTC-5

One to Go

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With the last elimination, we are down to our final ten players. They have redrawn seats at one full table, and we'll play on for one more elimination to set our true final table. Here's the way the table is laid out:

Seat 1: Allen Bari
Seat 2: Rafael Camejo
Seat 3: Tim Kelly
Seat 4: Michael Walls
Seat 5: Phillip Reed
Seat 6: Robert McLaughlin
Seat 7: Kyle Bowker
Seat 8: Dwyte Pilgrim
Seat 9: Brent Roberts
Seat 10: Scott Zakheim

12-15-2008 19:48 UTC-5

The Story So Far

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As expected, the pace of play has slowed to a virtual crawl now that the final table looms on the horizon. Every action is slow and deliberate as each decision takes on a greater significance on the final table bubble. The pay jump from 10th to 9th isn't especially significant -- about $3,500 -- but the players are locking it down, hoping to wait each other out for a spot in tomorrow's Big Show.

Most of the pots being played are being won with a single preflop raise or a single bet on the flop. The short stacks don't seem to be afraid of moving their chips, but they have to find a spot where they can do so safely. On the other end of the spectrum, it will be interesting to see how the big stacks handle this period in the tournament, choosing to either look up the small stacks or to just buckle down and fold their way into tomorrow amongst the chip leaders.

Only time will tell.

12-15-2008 20:05 UTC-5

A Flop!

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After many hands of one raise winning the blinds and antes, Dwyte Pilgrim changed the table norm by limping in from early position. Scott Zakheim called as well, but Allen Bari had enough of the callers as he raised to 60,000. Pilgrim came along to see the flop come out {J-Clubs}