Event 56 - $5,000 Six-handed No Limit Hold'em | 2009 World Series of Poker

Jul 02, 2009

Beer Me

The rail as usual here at the series is full of life and full of alcohol. Josh Brikis' crew is ordering fifteen Miller Lites at a time to keep everyone kosher. If the final table keeps on for too long we may need some cots brought in to accommodate the rail. Keep 'em comin.

Jul 02, 2009

We Don't Need a Soundtrack, Thanks

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Might've spoken too soon a moment ago about the relatively peaceful surroundings for the last stage of our tournament. Just now a song burst through the PA system, and as it played the players looked around with wonder.

"You gotta be kidding me," said Matt Hawrilenko. "God, Hellmuth was better than this," added Josh Brikis, referring to the Poker Brat's emceeing of the earlier part of the Ante Up for Africa tourney.

Thankfully, when the song ended, another didn't start, and we're back to poker. As if to reemphasize what is going on here, the WSOP gold bracelet was brought out and set on the table -- even though we're three-handed.

"I don't even want to look at my cards, now!" said Brikis, the glint of the light hitting the bracelet having caught his eye.

Jul 02, 2009

Sean Keeton Eliminated in 4th ($269,983)

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Faraz Jaka raised to 200,000 from first position, Sean Keeton then moved all in for 2.1 million. Matt Hawrilenko then shipped it all in over the top. Jaka stepped aside.

Keeton: {A-Spades}

Hawrilenko: {J-Diamonds}

The board would run dry for Keeton -- {2-Spades}

-- and he is eliminated in 4th place. The "Hoss" man moves up to 6,950,000.

Jul 02, 2009

Brikis Back On Top

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With about 450,000 already in the middle, the flop came {4-Spades}

. Faraz Jaka checked, Josh Brikis bet 280,000, and Jaka called. The turn was the {10-Clubs}

, and both checked.

The river brought the {2-Clubs}

. Both checked again. "Ace high," said Jaka. Brikis turned over {A-Spades}

and nudged his queen forward, a nonverbal query as to its relevance. It mattered, as Jaka mucked.

Brikis is back to 4.65 million, just a bit ahead of Hawrilenko's 4.5 million at the moment. Jaka is at 3.65 million, and after a couple more successful all-ins, Keeton has chipped up to 1.8 million.

Jul 02, 2009

Something to See

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Playing for a million dollars here, folks. Come take a look!

Since the dinner break, the crowd on the rail has gradually built back up to 120 or more, with each of the remaining four players have his own cheering section.

Now that the Ante Up for Africa event has reached its final table, we're hearing much less noise from the other side of the Amazon Room than we were earlier in the day. So now it's stretches of quiet as players make their decisions punctuated by occasional bursts of shouting and applause from all sides.

Jul 02, 2009

Pressure Mounts for Keeton

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Sean Keeton trying to make something happen

Sean Keeton is the table's short stack now, and he's doing what he can to try and chip up. He just went all in before the flop two hands in a row, but all folded.

Soon after that, Keeton raised to 200,000 from under the gun, and both Josh Brikis (button) and Faraz Jaka (big blind) called. The flop came {A-Clubs}

. Jaka checked, Keeton continued with a bet of 250,000, Brikis quickly called, and Jaka folded.

The turn was the {9-Spades}

, and both checked. The river was the {3-Hearts}

. Keeton bet just 200,000 this time, and Brikis called right away. Keeton showed {K-Spades}

for nines, and Brikis {A-Hearts}

for aces. Brikis is at 3.9 million, and Keeton slips further to 1.25 million.

Jul 02, 2009

Jaka Jockeys In Some Chips

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Faraz Jaka opened to 180,000 from the button. Sean Keeton and Josh Brikis both made the call from the blinds. The flop fell {5-Diamonds}

. Both blinds checked it to Jaka, who then bet 250,000. Keeton folded and Brikis made it 650,000. Jaka then announced all in and was followed by a snap call from Brikis.

Jaka: {A-Clubs}

Brikis:

Brikis needed any heart, five or an eight to eliminate Jaka. The turn and river fell {Q-Clubs}

,

and Jaka doubled up to 4,300,000. Brikis dropped down to 3,300,000.

Jul 02, 2009

I Declare!

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On the first hand of the new level, Faraz Jaka wanted to raise from the button, but was double-checking the new blinds before he did. "180?" he said, referring to the amount of his raise. "Is that a question?" joked Josh Brikis. No, said a smiling Jaka. He just wanted to be sure the dealer acknowledged his bet amount. The others folded.

Jaka again raised to 180,000 from the cutoff the following hand, his raise a declarative statement this time. Then Sean Keeton made a declaration of his own -- he was all in. Then Brikis made the same declaration -- he was all in, too! Jaka folded, and they showed their cards:

Keeton {A-Hearts}

Brikis

The flop was {2-Diamonds}