This latest installment of the WSOPC Harrah's Atlantic City Main Event has attracted a skilled field of grinders and shot-takers (at least) 354 strong. That number represents quite a nice increase over the 195 who attended last year's event, thought it did cost a hefty $5,150 to enter this tournament in 2009. For comparison's sake, 189 players entered the $1,600 Deepstack side event held here a year ago.
John Elliott opened with a raise from under the gun, and the table folded around to the blinds. In the small, Charlie Wiper stuck his last 7,150 chips into the middle, and Elliott instantly called as he rolled over .
"Of course!" Wiper lamented, grinning at his own bad luck. He rolled over his and said, "Yeah... this guy eliminates me," as he saw us scribbling on our notepad. Wiper was right; the board ran , and he was unable to catch up to stay alive. Wiper spent a few minutes wandering around his table chatting with his former group before wishing them luck and heading out the door.
The player under the gun raised to 750 and Adam Lippert called from middle position. Chris Reslock went all in from the small blind for about 2,200 on top and Lippert was the lone caller.
Lippert:
Reslock:
The board ran out and Reslock's tournament came to an end. Lippert upped his stack to about 13,000.
There was about 5,000 chips in the pot when we walked up to the turn on a board showing . It was heads up, and the player first to act bet 2,800. Adam Lippert tanked for a couple minutes before calling, and that led them to the river. The bettor had just 4,550 chips left, and he stuck them all in to put himself at risk. Lippert would spend another few minutes soaking. He had just 10,825 chips left in his stack, so the decision represented a significant one. Finally, and reluctantly, Lippert folded, but not before wagging his finger at his opponent and warning, "I'm going to remember this hand."
We arrived at the table and found four to a flop of with about 2,400 in the middle.
The first player to act bet 1,700 and Dwyte Pilgrim min-raised to 3,400. After the next player folded, Chris Reslock shoved for about 25,000. The original bettor gave it up and Pilgrim went into the tank.
"You're the craziest player in the room," said Pilgirm to Reslock. After about a minute, Pilgrim dropped his remaining 17,000-ish into the pot and tabled . Reslock was in trouble with , needing a spade. It did not come as the turn and river secured the double for Pilgrim.
"If I didn't know you, I'd have folded," added Pilgirm while stacking his chips.
Reslock: Down to roughly 4,800
Pilgrim: Up to about 41,000