Event 9 - $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em / Six-Handed Day 1 | 2008 World Series of Poker

06-05-2008 16:38 UTC-8

No Signs of Slowing

Four and a half hours into this event, less than 25% of the field remains. We keep expecting play to slow down as stacks consolidate and become deeper relative to the blinds, but so far that hasn't happened.

06-05-2008 16:28 UTC-8

Casualty of War

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook

Alec Torelli and Neil Channing went to war, with Torelli paying the ultimate price. On a board of {10-Clubs}

, Torelli moved all in holding {J-Hearts}

. Channing called, holding {J-Clubs}

. The turn {6-Clubs}

made an unbeatable hand for Channing, bouncing Torelli from the tournament.

06-05-2008 16:15 UTC-8

A New Chip Leader

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook

We caught up with this hand on the turn. With the board showing {Q-?}

, Kevin Saul and Ben Fineman got all the chips in the middle. Saul had {A-?}

for trips with an ace kicker; Fineman was better with pocket sixes for a small full house. The river bricked out and Saul is out.

Fineman is our new chip leader, with approximately 51,000 chips.

Tags: Ben Fineman Kevin Saul

06-05-2008 16:07 UTC-8

Tony Dunst Doubles Up

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook

A short-stacked Tony Dunst moved all in from early position for his last 2,400 and got one caller. Dunst showed {A-Hearts}

and bested his opponent's {A-Diamonds}

when the board came {9-?}

high. Dunst is now up to 5,100 chips.

06-05-2008 16:04 UTC-8

Seat Open!

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook

One can't scan the Amazon Room without seeing a disappointed player take the walk of shame, or hear the shout of "seat open." Despite the relatively small blinds, the rate of eliminations seems to only be increasing. This is somewhat surprising, given that the average stack is 10,131 (33 big blinds.)

Level: 5

Blinds: 150/300

Ante: 25

06-05-2008 15:53 UTC-8

Shuffle Up and Deal!

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook

Play resumes.

06-05-2008 15:28 UTC-8

Players are on a Break

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook

Play will resume in 20 minutes.

06-05-2008 15:23 UTC-8

Williamson Eliminated

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook

Players continue to exit the tournament in rapid fashion. Robert Williamson III's day is done. He got all in preflop holding pocket tens, but Cliff Friend held pocket aces and won the hand when the board came king-high.

06-05-2008 15:13 UTC-8

"Elky" Eliminates Opponent

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook

Bertrand "Elky" Grospellier called the all-in of his opponent preflop. Grospellier held {K-Hearts}

. His opponent had pocket threes. Grospellier caught a king and a ten to make two pair and send his opponent to the rail.

Grospellier now has approximately 7,700 chips.