2008 World Series of Poker

39th Annual World Series of Poker Main Event
Day: 1d
Event Info

2008 World Series of Poker

Event Info
Buy-in
$10,000
Entries
6,844
Players Left
9
Next Payout
Place 9
$900,670
Level Info
Level
33
Blinds
120,000 / 240,000
Ante
30,000

Jason Grad Eliminated

After being crippled on an earlier hand when his {A-?} {A-?} was cracked by {K-?} {K-?} spiking a set on the river, a short-stacked Jason Grad moved all in preflop with {K-Clubs} {J-Clubs} and was called by an opponent holding {A-Diamonds} {8-Spades}. The board ran out {7-Spades} {4-Clubs} {2-Clubs} {7-Diamonds} {Q-Hearts} and Grad hit the rail.

Sonstegard Finds the Going Rough

It's been a rough Level 5 for Eric Sonstegard. After cresting at about 87,000 chips, he recently doubled up two different opponents. First, he called a player's all-in reraise on a flop of {9-Clubs} {3-Hearts} {7-Spades} holding {8-Spades} {8-Diamonds}. His opponent opened {A-Hearts} {9-Diamonds}, which held up through the river.

Then a short time later, he got all in preflop with {A-Diamonds} {k-Hearts} for about 30,000 against a different opponent who showed {K-Spades} {K-Diamonds}. Sonstegard couldn't find an ace anywhere on the board by the time the river came down. He now has just 30,000 in chips.

Bernard Lee Doubles Up with Queen High

With the board reading {10-Clubs} {9-Spades} {6-Hearts} {4-Diamonds} on the turn, Bernard Lee moved all in for 6,500, sending Shawn Cunix into the tank.

"I know I'm behind, but I have to call" said Cunix. He turned over {5-Clubs} {7-Clubs} for an open-ended straight draw.

"I can't believe I'm in the lead!" cried Lee, tabling the {Q-Diamonds} {7-Diamonds}.

The river was the {2-Diamonds} and Lee won the pot with only queen high.

"Oh my God" he said, taking a mini-bow. "I need to give that guy a hug!" Lee made good on his promise and darted around the table to embrace Cunix.

Lee doubled up to 25,000 on the hand, but Cunix isn't hurting in the least. He's still sitting on 142,000 and is the current chip leader.

Tags: Bernard LeeShawn Cunix

I Spy the Poker Eye

Scott Flansburg just gave one of our field reporters one of his "Poker Eye" chip protectors. The poker eye doubles as both a card spinner and a device to look at your hole cards. You flip it over and it has a mirror. You can then move the corner of your cards over this mirror and see your hole cards without having to lift them up very far. It is devised to help save wear and tear on cards. A nifty idea from "The Human Calculator."

Tags: Scott Flansburg

Brunson Burned

Todd Brunson
Todd Brunson
Todd Brunson got it all in on the turn with the board showing {4-Diamonds}{2-Diamonds}{6-Hearts}{6-Diamonds}. Brunson had {5-Spades}{6-Spades} for trip sixes. Unfortunately for him, his opponent, Tom Braband, had {A-Diamonds}{J-Diamonds} -- the nut flush.

The river was the {A-Spades}, and Brunson is out. Braband is up to 110,000.

Tags: Todd Brunson

No Mercy

Jason Mercier
Jason Mercier
Action folded around to Jason Mercier in the small blind. Mercier just open-shoved all in for 22,000. The big blind made the call for his last 7,400.

Mercier: {Q-Diamonds} {J-Diamonds}
Opponent: {A-Hearts} {8-Hearts}

When the cards were turned, David Saab bet $200 with Mercier that the short stack would double up. It wouldn't be as the board ran out {8-Diamonds} {6-Clubs} {6-Hearts} {9-Diamonds} {J-Spades}.

Mercier is up to 32,000.

Tags: David SaabJason Mercier

Arrivederci Dario

Dario Minieri begged his table to bust him before the dinner break. They didn't comply until two hours and 20 minutes after post-dinner play began. Minieri raised to 1,600 preflop from the small blind and was called by Cedric Kolstad, who had limped in from middle position. Minieri bet 2,300 on the {2-Spades} {7-Hearts} {2-Hearts} flop. Again Kolstad called.

When the turn came {10-Spades}, Minieri shoved for his last 7,500. Kolstad made the call with {A-Hearts} {10-Hearts}. Minieri was ahead with {Q-Diamonds} {Q-Hearts} and needed to dodge the river. He couldn't do it when Kolstad hit one of his "dirty" outs, the {10-Clubs}, to make trip tens.

Jason Grad Doubles Up

Jason Grad raised to 1,300 on the button, the small blind reraised to 6,150, and Grad called all in. It was a race situation, with Grad's pocket tens going up against {A-Hearts} {Q-Diamonds}. Grad flopped a set and turned a full house, increasing his stack to 12,000.

Terrible Turn for Vahedi

The flop was {Q-Hearts} {J-Hearts} {7-Clubs} when Chris Lee bet out 10,000. Amir Vahedi raised enough to put Lee all in and Lee took a second, but then tossed in his chips.

Vahedi held {K-Spades} {Q-Spades} and Lee held {A-Diamonds} {K-Hearts}.

The dealer wasted no time and slapped the {10-Hearts} on the turn, giving Lee a straight. The river was the {9-Spades} and Vahedi got up from his chair in disgust.

"What the f*** man, Jesus Christ, how do you guys do this?" ranted Vahedi.

Vahedi dropped down to 16,000.

Tags: Amir VahediChris Lee