WSOP Circuit Tunica Main Event

01-22-2008 20:46 UTC-6

Players Are On a Break

The players are on a short break to change the batteries in their electronic microphones. Play will resume in approximately five minutes.

01-22-2008 20:41 UTC-6

At this point, the three players remaining seem less inclined to tangle with each other without a premium holding. This could be due to the considerable monetary difference between third and second-place money, or it could just be due to a cold run of cards for all involved. Either way, a large majority of hands are being won with a preflop raise from the button or small blind.

01-22-2008 20:33 UTC-6

Bart Tichelman Takes Big Pot Without Showdown

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook

Giovanni Marcacci had the button in seat 4 and folded. Bart Tichelman called from the small blind and Donald Nicholson checked his big blind option. It was heads-up to the flop of {K-Diamonds}

. Tichelman bet 100,000 and Nicholson called. Fourth street brought the {K-Spades}

. Tichelman didn't slow down, this time betting 200,000. Nicholson asked for a count on Tichelman's chips and it was determined that Tichelman had 975,000 in addition to the bet of 200,000. Nicholson pondered briefly and then called. The river came the {8-Diamonds}

. Tichelman pushed all in for his remaining 975,000. Nicholson thought for roughly three minutes before finally folding. Tichelman threw his cards into the muck and stacked the pot.

01-22-2008 20:14 UTC-6

Donald Nicholson Doubles Through Giovanni Marcacci

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook

Donald Nicholson had the button in seat 8 and he raised to 100,000. Giovanni Marcacci called from the small blind while Tichelman passed. The two took a flop of {8-Hearts}

heads-up. Marcacci checked and Nicholson moved all in for 510,000. Marcacci thought for about a minute before finally calling. The players showed:

Marcacci: {A-Spades}

Nicholson: {6-Spades}

The turn came the {8-Diamonds}

, a brick for Marcacci. He would need to catch an ace or five on fifth street to eliminate Nicholson. The {Q-Spades}

on the river was no help for Marcacci and Nicholson doubled through him.

Tags: Donald Nicholson Giovanni Marcacci

01-22-2008 20:06 UTC-6

And Then There Were Three...

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook

With the elimination of John Devia, play is now three-handed.

01-22-2008 20:00 UTC-6

John Devia Eliminated in 4th Place ($103,808)

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook

Bart Tichelman had the button in seat 7 and raised to 150,000. Action folded to John Devia in the big blind, who moved all in. Tichelman, who had Devia well-covered, made the call. The players showed:

Devia: {10-Hearts}

Tichelman: {Q-Hearts}

The flop was not what Devia had in mind, coming {A-Hearts}

. The

gave Devia a bit of hope, but that hope was short-lived when the {4-Clubs}

hit the river. Tichelman took down the pot and the once-dominant Devia was out the door in fourth place $103,808 richer.

Tags: Bart Tichelman John Devia

01-22-2008 19:58 UTC-6

You're Fired

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook

Tournament Director Brooks Turk has gotten into the comedic habit of referring to Donald Nicholson as "The Donald" when announcing the action. Recently, after excessive laughter from the gallery, Turk said, "He's going to meet me out in the parking lot and rough me up for this." The crowd giggled and a dealer coordinator could be overheard yelling: "Tell him to get in line!"

01-22-2008 19:49 UTC-6

Ben Sabrin Eliminated in 5th Place ($77,856)

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook

John Devia had the button in seat 3. Ben Sabrin moved all in from the cutoff seat for just over 400,000. Giovanni Marcacci reraised all in. The other players folded and the players showed:

Marcacci: {A-Hearts}