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

02-02-2009 21:32 UTC-5

Players Dropping Like GM Stock

[user42991]

In the short time since dinner, we have already lost ten players. The number of players lost is actually not indicative of the action we are seeing. A lot of short stacks are beginning to push and some other players are beginning to make moves.

We will continue until we are down to 27 players or 2 a.m., whichever comes first.

02-02-2009 21:37 UTC-5

Back in the Lead

[user66118]

We join the action in a big pot involving one of the aforementioned pros, Gavin Smith. He was tangled up with an older gentleman who was new to the table, and one of them is now out of chips.

You may be able to guess which one.

On the flop, the board showed {7-?}

, and the older gentleman led out with a bet. Smith put in a raise, and watched as his opponent moved all in for a substantial amount of chips. Smith snap-called him, having his man well covered.

Showdown:
Smith: {K-?}

Opponent:

The turn and river failed to improve the at-risk player, and he was eliminated. As he stood from his chair, he quipped, "I didn't believe you had it, Kevin."

With that, Gavin has shot to the top of the leaderboard, sitting now on just less than 140,000.

Tags: Gavin Smith

02-02-2009 21:59 UTC-5

Allen Kessler Doubles Up

[user42991]

Preflop, Allen Kessler pushed all in for 6,250 total. Action folded to Gavin Smith, who made the call. A player in the nine seat contemplated calling, but decided to fold.

Just before showdown, Kessler looked back at me and stated, "Gavin likes to try and bust me."

Kessler: {K-Spades}

Smith:

The flop gave Kessler a dominating lead when it fell {K-Diamonds}

. Kessler stated, "It's not over yet." Smith would need running straight cards, running hearts, or running tens to win the hand.

The turn fell the {A-Clubs}

, sealing the hand for Kessler and making the river {2-Hearts}

irrelevant.

After the hand, Kessler is sitting with around 16,300.

Tags: Allen Kessler Gavin Smith

Level: 8

Blinds: 400/800

Ante: 75

02-02-2009 22:03 UTC-5

Nut No Pair

[user42991]

Captain Tom Franklin was just involved in a hand against an unknown player. At the river, the board was uncoordinated, unpaired, and king high.

At showdown, action was checked around and Captain Tom said, "I've got nut no pair," and was about to throw his hand into the muck. His opponent was honest and said that nut no pair was good.

Franklin showed {A-?}

and his opponent mucked.

Tags: Captain Tom Franklin

02-02-2009 22:16 UTC-5

Interesting Characters at this WSOP Circuit

[user42991]

As with most any tournament you play in, there are usually a few characters who stand out. This tournament is no exception for characters. We have the easygoing Bill Edler. "Captain" Tom Franklin is keeping players in stitches with his wit and humor. Gavin Smith is busting the chops of every player that he encounters at the table.

Then we have the man known as Speedy Gonzales. Yes, the man, and not the Warner Brothers mouse. First, this Speedy is from Cuba and not Mexico. (And before you ask, yes, he did come over here by boat. If you do not believe me, ask him about his "Dolphin" story.) Next, he is an extremely sharp dresser. A sombrero and serape is not his wardrobe.

Tags: Bill Edler Gavin Smith Speedy Gonzales Tom Franklin

02-02-2009 22:18 UTC-5

Go Mike Go

[user66118]

Look out for Mike, eh?

Mike "GoLeafsGoEh" Leah (sporting a fancy new haircut) is on a charge to the top, and we just found him mixed up in another big pot. We join it on the flop with three-way action. The board shows {K-Spades}

. The man first to act checks, and Mike Leah bets out 2,200. The lady to his left calls, as does the other opponent.

The turn brings the {2-Spades}

. Again, Leah takes the lead with a bet of 7,000. This time, the lady goes into the tank for a couple of minutes before moving all in for a total of 22,575. Action is now on the man in early position, and he opts to call. Not to be outdone, Leah moves all in with his big stack and is quickly called, putting two players at risk of elimination.

Showdown:
Leah: {6-Clubs}

Man:

Lady:

Leah is well ahead, but both all-in players have outs. The river is a blank though, the {7-Hearts}

, and Leah collects the big pot. He has knocked out two more players, and he is sitting tall now on a stack of 137,000!

Tags: Mike Leah

02-02-2009 22:38 UTC-5

"Little Joe" Wagner Doubles Up

[user42991]

Preflop, a player in the six seat raised to around 2,200. Action folded around to Joe Wagner, who looked at him and said, "That good huh?" He then proceeded to put the rest of his chips into the pot for a raise to around 12,000 total. His opponent then insta-called, showing {7-?}

. Wagner showed {A-?}

.

The flop came ace-high, and Wagner's opponent was unable to spike either of the remaining sevens in the deck. When the stacks were counted down, Seat 6 was left with less than 5,000, and Wagner had doubled up to around 27,500.

Tags: "Little Joe" Wagner

02-02-2009 22:43 UTC-5

News Flash! Top Pair Holds Up!

[user42991]

The pot was around 5,000 chips when Jason Potter and another player saw a flop of {10-Spades}

.

Potter bet out 3,300 and his opponent made the fold after tanking for a bit.

Potter said, "Hey! I made top pair and didn't have to fold." He then flamboyantly threw his cards into the muck.

After the hand, Potter moved up to 17,500 in chips.

Tags: Jason Potter

02-02-2009 22:48 UTC-5

Landrum Slips Back

[user66118]

Sabyl Landrum has just been knocked down a peg. She and another player were in a raised pot and saw a flop of {A-Clubs}

. Taking the betting lead, Landrum fired out with a bet of 6,800. Her opponent tanked for a minute or two before calling.

Fourth street came the {5-Clubs}

. This time, Landrum slowed down and checked to her opponent. Without much hesitation, quickly moved all in for a total of 19,375. Landrum looked a bit frustrated, and she lamented her plight to her neighbor Jason Potter.

Finally, she released her hand, leaving herself with just about 21,000 to play with. She'll have to climb the mountain all over again now.

Tags: Sabyl Landrum