$5,150 Circuit Championship | 2009 WSOP Circuit - Caesars Atlantic City

03-14-2009 17:54 UTC-4

Updated Chip Counts

donpeters

Frank Vizza - 1,450,000
Samuel Chartier - 875,000
John Nixon - 655,000
Alex Bolotin - 635,000
Michael Michnik - 478,000

03-14-2009 18:04 UTC-4

Second to act, John Nixon opened with a raise to 64,000. The betting folded around to Alex Bolotin in the big blind, and he slid out re-raising chips totaling 224,000. Nixon considered for just a moment before saying, "I'm all in... Clock."

Very early in the day, Bolotin clocked Nixon in a big pot, and apparently the young "left-handed" Nixon didn't take too kindly to that.

"You can't call the clock," said Bolotin. Indignantly, Nixon responded, "I just did. Why not?" During this quick exchange, he continued to shoot evil glances across the table at Bolotin.

The table, nearly in unison said, "You have to wait a 'reasonable' amount of time." Nixon didn't seem too thrilled as the tournament staff denied his clock call for the time being.

Bolotin stood up to eyeball his own stack and that of his opponent. Nixon had just about 600,000 in front of him, more or less even with Bolotin. After another moment or two, Bolotin said, "Fold," and the dealer pulled his cards into the muck.

It seems much of the friendliness and jollity at this final table left with the eliminations of Jason Young and Matt Brady. It's all business now.

Tags: Alex Bolotin John Nixon

03-14-2009 18:26 UTC-4

Get Up, Stand Up

[user66118]

With the last 20 minutes of relative inactivity behind us, we have reached the end of the level. The clock is paused, and the players are taking a 15-minute break.

03-14-2009 18:37 UTC-4

Updated Chip Counts

[user66118]

Here's the way the final five shake out:

Frank Vizza - 1,563,000
Samuel Chartier - 1,099,000
John Nixon - 764,000
Michael Michnik - 405,000
Alex Bolotin - 314,000

Level: 21

Blinds: 16,000/32,000

Ante: 4,000

03-14-2009 18:43 UTC-4

Play Resumes

[user66118]

With Alex Bolotin running back to his seat, the cards are back in the air.

03-14-2009 18:50 UTC-4

Alex Bolotin Eliminated in 5th Place ($60,552)

[user66118]

In the second hand back from break, Alex Bolotin opened with an all-in shove for 306,000. The table folded around to big stack Frank Vizza, and he shrugged his shoulders and quickly announced, "I call."

Showdown:
Bolotin: {K-Hearts}

Vizza:

The flop was no fun for Bolotin. The {Q-Spades}

came right in the door, filling out a flop of {Q-Spades}

. The turn card was a bit of help as the {3-Diamonds}

fell, giving Bolotin a pair to work with.

From the rail right behind Bolotin, David Fox smirked and said, "Oh, that would be a dirty way to do it," hinting at the possibility of two running threes.

To Bolotin's dismay though, the {10-Hearts}

landed on the river, locking up the pot for Vizza and sending Alex Bolotin to the exit in 5th place. He stood from his chair, grabbed the last peanut butter cup from atop his chips, and made his way to the payout desk.

Tags: Alex Bolotin Frank Vizza

03-14-2009 19:07 UTC-4

Hitting Another Wall

[user66118]

After that small flurry of action following the break, things have returned to the slow pace we are growing accustomed to. In the last ten or twelve hands, five have been walks to the big blind. We know it's only a matter of time before things pick up once again, but it's anybody's guess when that will be.

03-14-2009 19:15 UTC-4

Quick Break

donpeters

The players have opted for a quick bathroom break.

03-14-2009 19:29 UTC-4

Michael Michnik Eliminated in 4th Place ($70,644)

[user66118]

Under the gun, Michael Michnik opened the pot with a raise to 80,000. When the betting passed around to big blind Samuel Chartier, he peeked at his hole cards, capped them with an orange chip, and eyed up his opponent. After a moment, he slid out two big stacks of gray chips for a total re-raise to 232,000. Michnik removed his sunglasses, sunk back in his chair and announced, "All in." Chartier quickly called.

"Ace-jack," said Chartier. Michnik let out a big sigh of relief as he turned over the same hand. "I'm happy for a chop," came the response from the at-risk Michnik

Showdown:
Michnik: {A-Spades}

Chartier:

The flop brought {5-Spades}

, and Michnik reacted as if his fate was already sealed. "Freerollin'!" said one of Chartier's railbirds, referring to the fact that Chartier could not lose the hand.

Fourth street was lots of trouble as the {Q-Clubs}

gave Chartier the bigger flush draw. Sure enough, the {9-Clubs}

spiked on the river, drawing a big reaction from the now-thinning crowd of spectators. Michnik looked disgusted for a moment as he dropped his head into his hands. For the second time today, a player has been four-flushed to the exit, and this time hit a little too close to home for Michnik.

After taking just a second to gather himself, Michael Michnik wished the remaining three players the best and headed over to collect his payout.

Tags: Michael Michnik Samuel Chartier