Event 23 - $2,000 No-Limit Hold'em | 2008 World Series of Poker

06-14-2008 16:20 UTC-7

Steicke Keeping Busy

[user4144]

According to the plasma screen, David Steicke has won 9 of the 28 hands dealt.

06-14-2008 16:19 UTC-7

Hand #28 - Dirksen

[user46392]

Dirksen raises to 75,000 from the button, and takes the blinds. There is a smattering of applause for some reason.

06-14-2008 16:18 UTC-7

You will probably have heard of "shuffle up and deal" and, if you're British, "toad in the hole", but when our announcer started off proceedings, and the post-break action for that matter, with "fire in the hole", there were a few raised eyebrows to say the least.

Speaking to the announcer during the break, he was keen to confirm that his catchphrase was all his own work, although yet to be patented, which I feel is a mistake.

"It's all in the delivery," he claimed. "It's the pause that makes it."

06-14-2008 16:16 UTC-7

Hand #27 - Steicke

[user4144]

Next hand, Hinkle raises it up to 65,000 and Steicke defends his big blind.

{9-Diamonds}

Steicke leads out for a bet of 96,000. Hinkle removes a handful of orange chips from the tip of his stack and makes the call.

Turn = {6-Hearts}

Again, Steicke leads out, this time for 173,000. Hinkle lays it down.

06-14-2008 16:12 UTC-7

Hand #26 - Dirksen

[user46392]

It folds to small blind Bjorin, who calls. Dirksen on the big blind checks. They see a flop.

{Q-Clubs}

Bjorin checks, and Dirksen bets around 50,000. Bjorin calls.

{5-Clubs}

Bjorin bets around 100,000, and DIrksen moves all in. Bjorin passes.

06-14-2008 16:08 UTC-7

Hand #25 - Bjorin Gets a Walk

[user46392]

06-14-2008 16:07 UTC-7

Hand #24 - Steicke

[user46392]

Steicke raises to 75,000. It folds around to Brockington in the big blind, who sighs and folds {6-Spades}

up.

06-14-2008 16:05 UTC-7

Hand #23 - Dominik Kulicki Eliminated in Seventh Place ($81,944)

[user4144]

Like the rapid fire of a machine gun, Hinkle raises to 60,000 from the button, Kulicki announces all in from the small blind and Hinkle calls, all within the space of a few seconds.

Hinkle = {A-Spades}

Kulicki

Flop =

Cheers from the crowd.

Turn = {5-Clubs}

River =

The danafish jinx strikes, and it looks as though we'll have to wait before seeing the birth of a Dutch bracelet winner.

Tags: Blair Hinkle Dominik Kulicki

06-14-2008 16:04 UTC-7

Hand #22 - Kulicki

[user46392]

It folds around to Hinkle on the small blind, who raises enough to put short-stacked Kulicki all in. Kulicki calls.

Hinkle: {A-Hearts}

Kulicki:

Board:

...

!

The Dutchman doubles up to 247,000. A Dutchman has never won a bracelet -- and although he's still short, Kulicki stays in the running.

06-14-2008 16:00 UTC-7

Hand #21 - O'Brien

[user4144]

Game on and it's O'Brien getting busy now, his all-in raise (well, save one chip) called by Steicke on the button.

The members of the audience gasp as the hands are revealed.

O'Brien = {A-Spades}

Steicke =