2012-13 World Series of Poker Circuit Event - Harrah's Cherokee

Main Event
Day: 1a
Event Info

2012-13 World Series of Poker Circuit Event - Harrah's Cherokee

Final Results
Winner
Winning Hand
a3
Prize
$250,380
Event Info
Prize Pool
$1,284,000
Entries
856
Level Info
Level
33
Blinds
50,000 / 100,000
Ante
10,000

Yuval Gets Called

Level 6 : 150/300, 25 ante

Yuval Bronshtein opened with a raise to 750 from middle position, then it folded around to a player in late position who reraised to 1,850. The button flat-called the reraise, and when it got back to Bronshtein he called as well.

The flop came {Q-Hearts}{10-Clubs}{7-Clubs} and after Bronshtein checked, the reraiser bet 2,500, enough to scatter the button but Bronshtein stuck around. Both remaining players then checked the {K-Spades} turn.

The river brought the {6-Diamonds} and a bet of 4,000 from Bronshtein. His opponent paused just a few moments, then called.

Bronshtein turned over {Q-Spades}{9-Diamonds} for queens, but his opponent had turned a better pair with his {A-Diamonds}{K-Clubs} to claim the pot.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Yuval Bronshtein il
Yuval Bronshtein
18,000
-24,000
-24,000
WSOP 2X Winner

Tags: Yuval Bronshtein

Bell Wins Massive Pot; Eliminates Phillips

Level 6 : 150/300, 25 ante
Chris Bell is among the leaders
Chris Bell is among the leaders

When we arrived at Table 41, the flop had already been dealt {6-Diamonds}{5-Clubs}{7-Clubs}. After a series of bets and raises, Chris Bell had Carter Phillips and another player all in and at risk. All three players tabled two clubs.

Bell: {a-Clubs}{k-Clubs}
Phillips: {6-Clubs}{3-Clubs}
Third Player: {9-Clubs}{8-Clubs}

The player who flopped a straight was in great shape, but any club would eliminate him. The turn was the {7-Hearts}, pairing the board and giving Phillips outs to make a full house, and the {q-Clubs} spiked on the river.

Both Phillips and the third player were eliminated, while Bell now has around 120,000 chips.

Player Chips Progress
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Chris Bell
120,000
75,000
75,000
Profile photo of Carter Phillips us
Carter Phillips
Busted
WSOP 2X Winner
EPT 1X Winner

Tags: Carter PhillipsChris Bell

Level: 7

Blinds: 200/400

Ante: 50

Pit Stop Over, Shelmerdine Drives Ahead

Level 7 : 200/400, 50 ante
Kirk Shelmerdine
Kirk Shelmerdine

We're pretty much in the heart of NASCAR country here in the western part of North Carolina, so it isn't too surprising to run into someone at the tables with a connection to the sport. Sure enough we recently found Kirk Shelmerdine, sitting behind a slightly-above average stack as he returns from the break to start Level 7.

Shelmerdine's accomplishments at the race track include a lengthy career that involved his serving as Dale Earnhardt Sr.'s crew chief for many years and dozens of victories. Shelmerdine has also gotten behind the wheel himself frequently over the last couple of decades.

We'll try to keep an eye on Shelmerdine today as the action circles the oval-shaped felt like so many cars racing around a track.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Kirk Shelmerdine
Kirk Shelmerdine
28,000
8,000
8,000

Tags: Kirk Shelmerdine

Misclicking for Value

Level 7 : 200/400, 50 ante
Jeff Williams
Jeff Williams

Two-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner Josh Arieh opened to 825 from under the gun. The action folded to Jeff Williams in the small blind, and thinking the pot hadn't been opened, he flicked out an orange T1,000 chip, announcing, "raise."

Realizing his mistake, he quickly committed another 250 chips, making it a minimum raise. The player in the big blind folded, and Arieh quickly called.

The flop fell {a-Clubs}{2-Clubs}{4-Spades}, and Williams checked. Arieh tossed out 800, and Williams called.

Both players checked agter the {7-Hearts} turned, and the {j-Spades} completed the board. Williams fired 1,400, Arieh called, and Williams turned over {a-Diamonds}{3-Clubs} for a pair of aces.

Arieh mucked his hand, and turned his attention back to The Masters app on his iPad.

Player Chips Progress
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Jeff Williams
21,000
3,000
3,000
Profile photo of Josh Arieh us
Josh Arieh
15,000
-3,500
-3,500
Team Lucky
WSOP 6X Winner

Tags: Jeff WilliamsJosh Arieh

Sizing Up the Field

Level 7 : 200/400, 50 ante

As Level 7 continues, the big board is showing around 350 entrants have joined us for the Day 1a flight. Late registration remains open all of the way up to the start of Level 13 tonight, so there's still time for that number to increase before the day is done. The plan is to play 15 levels altogether today.

Of course, anyone busting here on Day 1a will have the option to come back on Saturday and try once more in Day 1b.

Level: 8

Blinds: 250/500

Ante: 50

Riess Runs Out

Level 8 : 250/500, 50 ante
Ryan Riess
Ryan Riess

"Four-flush... kings versus queens!"

So reported Ryan Riess to us as he left, filling us in shorthand-style on the story of his elimination from Day 1a.

"I'll be back tomorrow," he added as a postscript, and we told him we'll be seeing him Saturday.

Player Chips Progress
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Ryan Riess
Busted
WSOP Main Event Champion
WSOP 1X Winner
WPT 1X Winner

Tags: Ryan Riess