2013 World Series of Poker

Event #48: $2,500 Limit Hold'em (Six Handed)
Day: 1
Event Info

2013 World Series of Poker

Final Results
Winner
Winning Hand
a5
Prize
$206,796
Event Info
Buy-in
$2,500
Prize Pool
$780,325
Entries
343
Level Info
Level
26
Blinds
15,000 / 30,000
Ante
0

Day 1 of Event #48 ($2,500 Limit Hold'em Six-Handed) Has Reached its Limit

Level 8 : 500/1,000, 0 ante
Paul Mattioda Pushed the Limit All Day, and He Was Rewarded With the Unofficial Chip Lead Heading to Tomorrow's Second Day of Play
Paul Mattioda Pushed the Limit All Day, and He Was Rewarded With the Unofficial Chip Lead Heading to Tomorrow's Second Day of Play

A total of 343 runners took their spots at the starting line this afternoon for Event #48 ($2,500 Limit Hold'em Six-Handed), and after eight full levels of limit action, just 119 have survived the slow but steady carnage.

When the day began, the atmosphere in the Brasilia Room was subdued relative to the usual excitement generated at World Series of Poker events, with much of the energy in the Rio being devoted to the Big One for One Drop high-roller event being held across the hall. Nonetheless, the action gradually picked up its pace, with professionals trickling in throughout the late registration period to try their hand at Hold'em's traditional variant.

Among the notable names to fall short here on Day 1 were Barry Greenstein, Andre Akkari, Jeffrey Lisandro, J.C. Tran, Kenna James, Chris Tryba, Ylon Schwartz, and Dwyte Pilgrim. Phil Hellmuth also hit the rail, in the particularly cruel fashion that has become the "Poker Brat's" trademark, after getting four bets in preflop with {A-Clubs}{A-Spades}. Unfortunately for Hellmuth, Marco Johnson went exploring with a marginal hand, and he found trips on the river to send Hellmuth home in a huff.

Circuit grinder Paul Mattioda emerged from the fray as the unofficial chip leader, weaving through the minefield known as Day 1 to steadily build a stack of 57,900 when play concluded. With this ammunition in his arsenal heading into Day 2, Mattioda will be looking to add his first WSOP cash, a final table run, and perhaps even a shiny gold bracelet to his growing poker resume.

Mattioda has company when it comes to stack size, however, with dangerous pros like Marco Johnson (46,600), Jon Turner (43,800), Tom Schneider (38,000), David "Bakes" Baker (35,800), and Joe Cada (20,400) hot on his heels. In addition to these notable names, defending champion Ronnie Bardah (30,200) will also return tomorrow with an above average chip stack, looking to win this event for the second consecutive year.

Check back with PokerNews tomorrow afternoon at 2:00 p.m. local time to follow all of the action live from the Rio, as the $2,500 Limit Hold'em Six-Handed event continues!

Tags: Andre AkkariBarry GreensteinChris TrybaDavid "Bakes" BakerDwyte PilgrimJC TranJeff LisandroJoe CadaJon TurnerPaul MattiodaPhil HellmuthRonnie BardahTom SchneiderYlon Schwartz

No Chance in (Hell)muth

Level 8 : 500/1,000, 0 ante
Phil Hellmuth (Seen Here in an Earlier Event) Has Failed to Gain Any Momentum Thus Far
Phil Hellmuth (Seen Here in an Earlier Event) Has Failed to Gain Any Momentum Thus Far

With the a flop of {7-Spades}{7-Clubs}{k-Spades} already spread across the felt, Phil Hellmuth tried to move his opponent off the hand with a raise to two bets.

Unfortunately for the "Poker Brat," the player flatted to see the {8-Clubs} drop in on the turn. Hellmuth slowed down with a check, and he tanked for a bit after a bet into him.

Eventually, after squeezing the life out of his cards, Hellmuth flashed the {A-Diamonds}{2-Diamonds} to his opponent before mucking his hand.

Despite failing to gain any traction here thus far, Hellmuth's patience is legendary, and he is more than capable of running up a stack in a hurry.

Player Chips Progress
Phil Hellmuth us
Phil Hellmuth
WSOP Main Event Champion
WSOP 17X Winner
Poker Hall of Famer
6,800 400

Tags: Phil Hellmuth

Pros Push it to the Limit

Level 8 : 500/1,000, 0 ante
Tom Schneider is Just One of the Many Pros to Dominate Here on Day 1
Tom Schneider is Just One of the Many Pros to Dominate Here on Day 1

As the field has been whittled down, slowly yes, but steadily throughout the day, the professionals have demonstrated their natural aptitude for the limit format.

Multiple bracelet winners Phil Hellmuth, Eric Froehlich, David "Bakes" Baker, Barry Shulman, Max Pescatori, Tom Schneider, and David Chiu have all survived through nearly eight levels of play.

Defending champion Ronnie Bardah is also still alive as he attempts to win this event in consecutive years, while 2009 Main Event champ Joe Cada has also built a stack with which to make a Day 2 run.

There are also many pros still with chips who are attempting to win their first WSOP bracelet, including Jonathan Little, Jon Turner, Mike Leah, and Ray Henson.

With the limit format demanding extreme patience, an ability to read hands accurately, and a knack for controlling the size of the pot, the fact that so many recognizable pros are still competing for this title is a testament to their skills, and to the subtle beauty of Limit Hold'em.

Tags: Barry ShulmanDavid "Bakes" BakerDavid ChiuEric FroehlichJeff ShulmanJoe CadaJonathan LittleMax PescatoriMike LeahPhil HellmuthRonnie BardahTom Schneider

Maria Ho is a Perfect Ten

Level 7 : 400/800, 0 ante
Maria Ho Here on Day 1
Maria Ho Here on Day 1

After David "Bakes" Baker made it two bets to go before the flop, fellow pro Maria Ho and a third player came along to see the {6-Diamonds}{7-Clubs}{10-Hearts} fall on the flop.

Baker checked, as did the unknown player, and Ho seized he lead in the hand with a bet. Both opponents called and the turn came {10-Clubs}. The action was checked to Ho again, and she fired away with another bet. Baker got out of the way, but Ho found one caller, and the {3-Spades} arrived on the river.

Ho's bet on fifth street was called as well, and she quickly rolled over the {j-Diamonds}{10-Diamonds} for trips on the turn. Her opponent knuckled the table in recognition, and his hand went into the muck.

Player Chips Progress
Maria Ho us
Maria Ho
18,500 12,100

Tags: David "Bakes" BakerMaria Ho

Ronnie With a Misread

Level 7 : 400/800, 0 ante
Ronnie Bardah is Trying to Defend His Title Here on Day 1
Ronnie Bardah is Trying to Defend His Title Here on Day 1

With a raise in front of him, Ronnie Bardah made it three bets to play before the flop, and the defending champion of this event found two callers.

On the {3-Clubs}{4-Diamonds}{10-Diamonds} flop, Bardah fired out a bet after a check to him, and only one opponent came along to see the {j-Hearts} fall on the turn. Bardah then folded to a bet on fourth street, but not before trying to guess the other player's holding.

"You bet out there with {K-}{Q-} when you found a draw?," Bardah asked, prying for a bit of additional information before tossing his hand away. "That seems like what you have, just a draw."

His opponent said nothing in response, turning over his {2-}{2-} in silence to keep Bardah guessing.

Tags: Ronnie Bardah

The Man, the Myth, the Legend.... David "Bakes" Baker

Level 7 : 400/800, 0 ante
David "Bakes" Baker Has Made the WSOP Final Table Stage his Second Home for the Last Three Years
David "Bakes" Baker Has Made the WSOP Final Table Stage his Second Home for the Last Three Years

After cashing four times each in the 2011 and 2012 editions of the World Series of Poker, including two final tables and his second bracelet win in the $10,000 H.O.R.S.E. event, the prevailing theory in the poker world was that David "Bakes" Baker could not possibly match those amazing performances here this year.

Baker proved the pundits correct, as he has failed to cash four times in the 2013 WSOP. Instead, the young man affectionately known as "Bakes" to his friends has made the money an astounding six times this summer, and these cashes have not been of the minimum variety.

Baker has made four final tables in less than a month, including his runner-up finish in the prestigious $10,000 2-7 Lowball championship. With over $330,000 in earnings so far at the 2013 WSOP, Baker has made more money than many bracelet winners did in their victories, and he shows no signs of slowing down as the series nears its conclusion.

We noticed Baker at one of the far tables, and while the mild-mannered sicko escaped our attention initially, he is up to his old tricks yet again. Baker currently sits on a stack of about 23,000, having played for just two hours here tonight, and judging by his record here this summer, the final table may as well reserve a seat with the name "Bakes" emblazoned on it.

Player Chips Progress
David "Bakes" Baker us
David "Bakes" Baker
WSOP 3X Winner
23,500 23,500

Tags: David "Bakes" Baker

Hellmuth in the House

Level 6 : 300/600, 0 ante
Phil Hellmuth (Seen Here in Earlier WSOP Play) Has Finally Arrived
Phil Hellmuth (Seen Here in Earlier WSOP Play) Has Finally Arrived

With all of the commotion generated by Chris Tryba's questionable culinary choices, the original "Poker Brat" made a stealthy entrance to the tournament floor.

Phil Hellmuth has taken his seat, and with an astounding 99 World Series of Poker cashes to his credit, he is hoping to make this Limit Hold'em Six-Handed event the scene for a historic finish.

If Hellmuth is able to navigate the minefield and secure a spot in the payouts list, his 100th cash would mark the first time a player has cracked the century mark in terms of in-the-money finishes.

We will be sure to track Hellmuth's progress as Day 1 moves towards its conclusion.

Player Chips Progress
Phil Hellmuth us
Phil Hellmuth
WSOP Main Event Champion
WSOP 17X Winner
Poker Hall of Famer
7,500

Tags: Phil HellmuthChris Tryba

I Said "Hot Sandwiches!"

Level 6 : 300/600, 0 ante
Chris Tryba (Seen Here in an Earlier WSOP Event) Just Doesn't Like Sandwiches
Chris Tryba (Seen Here in an Earlier WSOP Event) Just Doesn't Like Sandwiches

After losing yet another hand to Mark Klecan, apparently after having his top set cracked for the third time tonight, bracelet winner Chris Tryba let loose with a tirade for the ages.

"Cracked my top set three times today!," Tryba roared, loud enough for the entire Brasilia Room to take notice. "I'm being served c--k sandwiches here!"

With this bold declaration gaining the attention of players, railbirds, and tournament officials alike, Tryba soon found himself embroiled in conflict he had not anticipated. The floor quickly arrived to usher Tryba out of the tournament area, and he was assessed a brief penalty for his misconduct.

"What is this, a church?," Tryba asked, his hands shooting up to the heavens as the words spilled forth. "I said hot sandwiches anyway!"

After a discussion with Tryba's tablemates, who magnanimously agreed that his words bore no ill intent, Tryba was allowed to return to the table, and he began the tireless task of nursing his short stack back to health.

Player Chips Progress
Chris Tryba us
Chris Tryba
WSOP 1X Winner
4,500 4,500

Tags: Chris Tryba

Not an Ace, but "On the River" Works Just Fine for Barry G

Level 5 : 250/500, 0 ante
Barry Greenstein
Barry Greenstein

After a raise to 500 before the flop, Barry Greenstein called, as did another player for a three-way flop of {a-Clubs}{j-Hearts}{8-Spades}.

The initial raiser led out for a bet, and Greenstein fired out a raise to fold the third player. The bettor flatted, however, and the turn came {7-Diamonds}.

After a check to him, Greenstein fired away with another bet on fourth street, and once again his opponent came along.

On the {k-Clubs} river the action repeated, and Greenstein rolled over the {K-Diamonds}{J-Diamonds} for the winner. His frustrated opponent winced when he saw the bad news, and flashed an {A-} while angrily mucking his hand. Despite this win, Greenstein is still short-stacked, and he will need to keep making moves if he hopes to advance to the second day of play.

Player Chips Progress
Barry Greenstein us
Barry Greenstein
5,200 -2,300

A Family Affair

Level 4 : 200/400, 0 ante
Barry Shulman (Seen Here in Earlier WSOP Play) Has Joined Son Jeff Here on Day 1
Barry Shulman (Seen Here in Earlier WSOP Play) Has Joined Son Jeff Here on Day 1

With his son Jeff Shulman already spotted among the field, Barry Shulman has made an appearance here on Day 1 of the $2,500 Limit Hold'em Six-Handed event.

Shulman was seen commiserating with Jeff during the last break, and he is currently seated to the left of fellow bracelet winner Michael Moore, after taking the seat formerly occupied by Kenna James.

We just saw Shulman take down a nice pot as well, victimizing fellow pro J.C. Tran in the process.

With the board reading {6-Clubs}{q-Clubs}{8-Clubs}{9-Hearts} by the turn, Tran called a bet of 400, but Shulman popped it to 800, and the two went to the river ({4-Diamonds}) heads up. Tran then checked to Shulman, who claimed the pot with a bet.

Player Chips Progress
Barry Shulman us
Barry Shulman
WSOP 2X Winner
9,800 9,800
Kenna James us
Kenna James
Busted

Tags: Barry ShulmanJeff ShulmanMichael Moore