2008 World Series of Poker

Event 18 - $5,000 No-Limit 2-7 Draw w/ Rebuys
Day: 1
Event Info

2008 World Series of Poker

Final Results
Winner
Prize
$537,862
Event Info
Buy-in
$5,000
Entries
85
Level Info
Level
25
Blinds
40,000 / 80,000
Ante
20,000

Event 18 - $5,000 No-Limit 2-7 Draw w/ Rebuys

Day 1 Completed

Official Day 1 Chip Counts Released

Mike Matusow holds down second spot entering Day 2 play
Mike Matusow holds down second spot entering Day 2 play
The first eight levels of play have been completed in Event #18, $5,000 No-Limit 2-7 Draw w/ Rebuys, and 39 of the original 85 entrants have made it through to second-day action. The entire board is a minefield of poker superstars, with Doyle Brunson, searching for a record-tying 11th WSOP bracelet, in the top ten as Day 1 completed. Here are the top ten players:

Tom Dwan 238,900
Mike Matusow 174,500
Tom Schneider 153,500
Chris Ferguson 149,000
Stephen Wolff 138,900
Yan R Chen 136,700
Doyle Brunson 135,000
David Benyamine 132,200
Michael Binger 131,300
Phil Ivey 122,300

Action resumes in Event #18 at 3pm PDT on Tuesday.

Tags: Doyle BrunsonMike Matusow

Play Concludes For the Evening

With the completion of level 8, play has officially concluded for the evening. Of the 85 players that started this tournament, fewer than half remain. Those 40 players that still have chips will return later today to play down to the final table.

Tom "Durrr" Dwan ends the day as our probable chip leader, with Mike Matusow and Michael Binger not far behind him. With all the veterans and accomplished pros still remaining in the field, there is great potential for a star-studded and action packed final table. Please join us Tuesday at 3:00pm PDT as we play down to the final table.

As always, official chip counts and seating assigments will be posted as soon as they become available.

Andrew Black Eliminated

A short-stacked Andrew Black moved all in for his last 9,200. Chad Brown called his raise, as did Tom Schneider. Each player drew one card and when it came time for showdown, Chad Brown had the best of it holding a {9-?} {7-?} {5-?} {4-?} {2-?}. Black flashed a {10-?} {8-?} and headed for the exit.

Michael Mizrachi Finally Finds a Hand

A middle position raiser made it 4,500 to go and action folded around to Michael Mizrachi in the big blind. Mizrachi squeezed his cards slowly and then took his time before finally opting to call the raise. Mizrachi took just one card as did his opponent. The Grinder took a peek at his new hand and then pushed 8,100 out. He got a fairly quick call and he tabled {8-?} {7-?} {4-?} {3-?} {2-?}. His opponent mucked and Mizrachi took down the pot.

Tags: Michael Mizrachi

Betting Things Other than Poker

On Orange #1, talk has turned to anything but poker. Erick Lindgren is taking all action on the NBA finals between the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers. Doyle Brunson, on the other hand, already has enough bets on the basketball game. "The only thing I care about, is if there's a fight. I want to bet on that!"

Tags: Doyle BrunsonErick Lindgren

Benyamine Doubles

It's been a bit of a roller coaster for Steve Sung the last few hands. First, he called a 53,000 all in from David Benyamine after the draw, only to have Benyamine turn over an 8-7. That propelled Benyamine to 138,000 chips and crippled Sung to just 11,000.

On the next hand, Sung was all in against two opponents but managed to come up with a 9-8 to triple up to 37,000.

Gus Hansen Eliminated

A short-stacked Gus Hansen moved all in from under the gun for his last 12,900. Action folded to Mickey Appleman in the cutoff seat and he reraised to 25,000 total. No one else came along so it was just Hansen and Appleman. Hansen drew two cards, even showing his discards which were a {7-?} and a {2-?}. Appleman stood pat and as Gus checked his hand, Appleman informed him "you're drawing slim." Hansen's face said it all. He gave a polite nod indicating he had indeed missed his miracle and Appleman tabled {8-?} {6-?} {5-?} {3-?} {2-?}. Hansen mucked and headed for the rail.

Tags: Gus Hansen

Tony G Takes a Hit

It's not all perfect draws and well-timed bluffs for Tony G. Michael Binger got a small measure of revenge when he raised the button and Tony called from the blind. Both players drew one, and after the draw Tony checked it over to Binger, who bet 10,000. Tony thought about it for a few seconds before calling to see the bad news: Binger made an 8-6. After the hand, Tony G was down to 30,000 chips.

Tags: Michael BingerTony G

Controversy on Orange #2

Fatigue is setting in now that we're past 2am in the Amazon Room. In a hand between Robert Mizrachi and Tom Dwan, Mizrachi bet 4,000 before the draw and Dwan called. Both players stood pat. Dwan, looking tired and a bit out of it, opened his hand.

"There's one more round of betting," Mizrachi reminded Dwan. Dwan suddenly realized his error and picked his hand back up. Mizrachi bet 6,000. Dwan tanked for about a minute, seriously considering calling the bet even though Mizrachi had seen his hand. He did finally fold.

Unfortunately for Dwan, a floor happened to be standing right over the table, watching the hand. As soon as the hand was over, he assessed a one-round penalty on Dwan for exposing his hand. The entire table protested that Dwan had exposed his hand in error and should only be given a warning. A second floor was summoned to the table, who ruled that the penalty for exposing his hand was automatic.

Just a few hands after that, while Dwan was serving his penalty, Phil Ivey was called for a string discard and the floor was called again. Because there was some confusion as to the action in the hand, Ivey was given a warning but was allowed to discard both cards.

An announcement from the tournament staff followed shortly thereafter: "Attention deuce-to-seven players. When you make your discard, please make it in one motion, and only one motion."