Event 40 - $10,000 World Championship Pot Limit Omaha | 2009 World Series of Poker

06-22-2009 21:31 UTC-12

Chip Counts:

There's a short delay before we start the HU:

Matt Graham -- 4,500,000
Vitaly Lunkin -- 4,350,000

It's the classic match up. USA vs Russia.

Or as I like to call it. Rocky IV.

NB: Vitaly has not declared that Matt Graham's 'Chin is made of iron!' yet.

06-22-2009 21:41 UTC-12

Heads-Up Play Commences

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The players are back and the bracelet is on the line! They are practically dead level in chips and there is four minutes to play in this level before the blinds increase.

Level: 28

Blinds: 50,000/100,000

Ante: 0

06-22-2009 21:46 UTC-12

Lunkin Takes First Blood

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Lunkin raises to 240,000 on the button and Matt Graham calls.

{10-Clubs}

Graham check-calls 200,000 from Lunkin.

{J-Hearts}

Graham checks again, Lunkin bets 400,000 this time and Graham calls a second time.

{A-Spades}

Graham checks a third time, Lunkin bets 1,000,000 and Graham folds.

First crucial pot goes to Lunkin.

06-22-2009 21:51 UTC-12

Graham Gets One Back

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Matt Graham min-raised the button to 200,000 and Vitaly Lunkin prepared himself by putting on his sunglasses before making the call.

The flop landed {6-Hearts}

and Lunkin checked to Graham who fired 275,000. Lunkin made the call.

The turn was the {2-Spades}

and Lunkin checked to Graham who released a second barrel worth 525,000. It was enough to take it down as Lunkin tossed his cards into the muck.

06-22-2009 21:57 UTC-12

Lunkin Going Nowhere.

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Limped pot with a {Q-Diamonds}

board. It's checked to Lunkin who bets 150,000 and Graham reraises to 550,000. Lunkin reraises pot Graham quickly folds.

06-22-2009 22:02 UTC-12

Graham Straight to Chip Lead

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Matt Graham raised to 250,000 from the button and Vitaly Lunkin called in the big blind.

They saw a flop of {J-Clubs}

and both players checked. The turn brought the {10-Diamonds}

and Lunkin checked but this time Graham fired out a bet of 280,000. Lunkin deliberately cut out calling chips and slid them into the middle.

The river landed the {6-Spades}

and after another check from Lunkin, Graham made it 750,000 to go. Lunkin quickly called but couldn't better the {A-Hearts}

of Graham for the queen-high straight. Lunkin reluctantly handed over the chips and the chip lead in a massive swing.

06-22-2009 22:06 UTC-12

Graham's River Bet Is Enough

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Lunkin makes it 250,000 from the button and Graham makes the call in the big blind.

The flop is {10-Diamonds}

and both players check, the turn is the {10-Hearts}

and again both players check. The river is the {10-Clubs}

and Graham bets the pot of 500,000 and Lunkin makes the fold.

06-22-2009 22:10 UTC-12

Graham Flushed with Chips

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Matt Graham limped the button and Vitaly Lunkin checked in the big blind.

The flop fell {7-Hearts}

and Lunkin checked over to Graham who fired 125,000. Lunkin made the call.

The turn was the {10-Clubs}

and both players checked. The river landed the {k-Hearts}

. Lunkin checked once again to Graham who slid 425,000 into the middle. Again Lunkin called and Graham tabled {J-Hearts}

for the flush.

Lunkin flashed the {10-Hearts}

and mucked. Graham is certainly getting the better of this heads-up contest so far. He's up to 5.65 million with Lunkin back to 3.2 million.

06-22-2009 22:15 UTC-12

Lunkin Doubles Up

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Lunkin raises to 250,000 and wins Graham's big blind.

Graham raises to 250,000 and Lunkin folds.

Lunkin limps in and Graham checks. The flop is {A-Diamonds}