$5,150 Circuit Championship Main Event Day 1 | 2009 World Series of Poker Circuit - Tunica

02-02-2009 18:28 UTC-5

Chainsaw Getting Fired Up

[user66118]

The man generally regarded as the tightest player on the planet, Allen Kessler, just picked up a small pot a few hands ago holding {A-Diamonds}

. It was a six-way pot, and Kessler played it slow, just checking and calling bets all the way to the showdown.

His table still isn't letting it go though. As we walked back past the table a few hands later, the debate was still going strong, with Gavin Smith leading the mob. "You had a flush draw too. That was a monster for you."

Kessler nodded slowly. "Yeah, but I'm not betting into six people with an ace."

Gavin kept picking at him in a lighthearted way. "How can you not fire there?"

"I hit an ace!" said Kessler, indignant. "I'm not firing out with ace-six in a six-way pot."

After a moment or two of silence, Gavin again chirped up. "Chainsaw, if you keep playing like this, I'm gonna take away your nickname." The tables adjacent chuckled as they had all been eavesdropping on the conversation.

Tags: Allen Kessler Gavin Smith

02-02-2009 18:20 UTC-5

Liebert Gives Chips Back to Potter

[user42991]

Preflop, Jason Potter raised to 800 and Kathy Liebert made the call. The flop fell {8-Diamonds}

, and Potter bet out 1,125. Liebert then raised to 3,125. Potter made the call.

The turn {5-Spades}

and river

was checked around by both players.

Liebert showed {Q-Diamonds}

for a pair of sevens. Potter showed {A-Diamonds}

for a pair of eights.

After the hand, Potter moved up to 28,000.

Tags: Jason Potter Kathy Liebert

02-02-2009 18:15 UTC-5

Chop Shop

[user42991]

Gavin Smith raised to 800 preflop and was called by three players. Action was checked around on all streets. At showdown the board read {A-Hearts}

.

Smith showed {Q-Spades}

, and the other opponents showed {J-Hearts}

,

, and

respectively, to bring about a four way chop.

After the hand, Smith said, "If I knew you all were going to be that chicken, I would have bet."

Tags: Gavin Smith

02-02-2009 18:10 UTC-5

Smith Taking Over

[user66118]

Frank Wyville had worked his way to the chip lead just before the last break, but he just took a big step in the wrong direction. We picked up the action on the turn in a heads-up pot between Wyville and Gavin Smith. The board showed {7-Hearts}

, and when the {A-Diamonds}

hit fourth street, Wyville checked. Smith took the opportunity to bet 2,200 chips, only to see Wyville check-raise to 12,000. Smith called.

Fifth street brought the {A-Hearts}

. Wyville again passed to Smith, and he kept the heat on with a bet of 15,000 chips. Wyville made the call, putting a huge pot up for grabs.

Smith opened up his hand: {A-Clubs}

. There was no need for Wyville to do the same as Gavin held the stone cold nuts with his quad aces. With that sizable pot, Smith has taken a big chunk out of Wyville and has vaulted up the leaderboard. He is sitting pretty now, table captain with 73,000 in chips.

Tags: Frank Wyville Gavin Smith

02-02-2009 17:59 UTC-5

Donald Pays a Price for Folding

[user66118]

Michael Schneider was down to his last 1,550, and he picked his spot to move all in from early position. Mark Gardner made the call from the button, while Donald Price announced a reraise from the big blind. He made it 5,000 to play, and Gardner made the call.

With a player all in and two players still live, the dealer spread out the flop: {6-Diamonds}

. Price checked and then quickly called a bet of 8,000 chips.

Fourth street came the {2-Diamonds}

. Price again checked, and Gardner instantly said, "All in." This sent Price deep into the tank for several minutes. He stood up from his chair, lamenting the tough decision facing him. He had just 8,150 chips left, and there was a large pot up for grabs. When you're beat, you're beat though, and Price laid his hand down in the end.

"Good fold," complimented Gardner as he showed his {A-Spades}

. The river was the {A-Clubs}

, and Gardner's hand was the winner and the at-risk Michael Schneider has been eliminated midway through Level 5.

02-02-2009 17:49 UTC-5

Gavin Smith Picking Up Chips

[user42991]

Preflop, Gavin Smith raised to 800 and was called by James Hoots and one other opponent.

The flop fell {10-Spades}

and action was checked to Smith, who bet out 1,500. Hoots called and the third player folded.

The turn fell the {4-Spades}

and action was checked around.

The river brought the {9-Diamonds}

and Smith bet out 5,000. After tanking for a bit, Hoots stated, "I've got to call." Hoots showed {A-Hearts}

for a pair of aces. Smith showed {A-Clubs}

for two pair.

After the hand, Smith is up to 42,000. Hoots has slipped to around 30,000.

Tags: Gavin Smith James Hoots

02-02-2009 17:33 UTC-5

A New Venue

[user42991]

This year’s WSOP circuit is being held in the Event Center here at Harrah’s Tunica. In year’s past, the event was held on the 2nd floor in the tournament area beside the old poker room. After the name change to Harrah’s Tunica, the casino was completely redesigned and the poker room moved down to the first floor.

The event center holds 60 tables and the setup is much nicer than previous year's. There is ample space for tournaments. Side action is being held in the poker room on the other side of the casino. Also, the area is separate from the rest of the casino, which is great for non-smokers.

Jimmy Sommerfeld and crew have put together a fantastic event and so far there doesn’t seem to be many complaints.

Level: 5

Blinds: 150/300

Ante: 25

02-02-2009 17:31 UTC-5