2018 World Series of Poker

Event #53: $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better
Day: 2
123
Event Info

2018 World Series of Poker

Final Results
Winner
Joseph Couden
Winning Hand
a♦q♥5♥3♦
Prize
$244,370
Event Info
Buy-in
$1,500
Entries
935
Level Info
Level
31
Blinds
60,000 / 120,000
Ante
0
All Highlights
Sort

Elezra, Negreanu, Hellmuth, Matusow Headline Day 2 of $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo

Jan_Kores
Jan_Kores
Eli Elezra
Eli Elezra

In the world of numerous game-solving programs, some of the most famous players from just a few years ago might now be deemed "old schoolers." They thrived in the early 2000s during the golden poker era. But those years are gone and in the meantime poker knowledge has been rapidly growing.

But there's a phrase they use in sports and it perfectly fits poker as well: form is temporary, class is permanent.

Eli Elezra, Daniel Negreanu, Phil Hellmuth, Mike Matusow — some of the most recognizable names in the game of poker in both pre- and post-boom eras. They may be "old schoolers," but they've also stood the test of time and keep delivering outstanding volume and great results, year in, year out.

It's unthinkable to imagine the World Series of Poker without such legends. They're proving their greatness again in Event #53: $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better, with all en route to add another notch to their packed careers after having bagged above-average stacks at the end of day 1.

There are 191 players coming back for another 10-level stretch and 50 of them will walk away empty-handed. Anything can happen, but Elezra (102,600), Negreanu (81,100) and Matusow (76,800) are all currently among the top 10. With the decades of experience, they are huge favorites to avoid the damage that will come for some today.

A relative wild card, WSOP Circuit grinder and two-time ring winner Brad Albrinck paces the field at present with 137,100 in chips, sitting just ahead of bracelet winner Bryce Yockey (131,900). The mix of remaining players boasts many familiar faces including the defending champion Nathan Gamble (42,000) and last year's ninth-place finisher Wendy Weissman (21,300).

Come back at 12 p.m. to see whether the experienced tourney journeymen will prevail or if it's time to see some fresh faces emerge to put their names on the poker map. PokerNews will be once again on their feet throughout to provide live coverage from start to finish.

RoomTableSeatPlayerCountryChip CountBig Blinds
Amazon4011DID NOT REPORT 1United States7,1006
Amazon4012David DilleUnited States53,90045
Amazon4013Yew KanMacau49,20041
Amazon4014Nick GuagentiUnited States30,10025
Amazon4015Peter NeffUnited States28,70024
Amazon4016Adam CoatsUnited States72,40060
Amazon4017Mike MatusowUnited States76,80064
Amazon4018Daniel NavarroUnited States4,5004
Amazon4019Jeosafat CruzUnited States9,9008
       
Amazon4022Michael FiorelliUnited States27,80023
Amazon4023Dustin PattinsonUnited States129,100108
Amazon4024Eduardo LezcanoUnited States22,80019
Amazon4025Joshua PenderUnited States40,70034
Amazon4026Eli ElezraUnited States102,60086
Amazon4027David HuntUnited States51,10043
Amazon4028Andrew O'FlahertyIreland11,1009
Amazon4029Andrew YehUnited States57,00048
       
Amazon4031Craig ChaitUnited States25,80022
Amazon4032Yuri DzivielevskiBrazil15,60013
Amazon4033Ben TangUnited States18,80016
Amazon4034Bill MinceUnited States22,60019
Amazon4035Wendy WeissmanUnited States21,30018
Amazon4036Daniel VitielloUnited States39,10033
Amazon4037Ryan JonesUnited States53,00044
Amazon4038Rylen SanehisaUnited States12,70011
Amazon4039Victor RamdinUnited States32,50027
       
Amazon4041Dylan LindeUnited States36,00030
Amazon4042David BrookshireUnited States38,10032
Amazon4043John MonnetteUnited States23,70020
Amazon4044Philipp EirischGermany22,60019
Amazon4045Timothy VuksonCanada15,00013
Amazon4046Angela JordisonUnited States21,20018
Amazon4047Allyn ShulmanUnited States31,40026
Amazon4048Barry LeventhalUnited States31,00026
Amazon4049Justin ClarkUnited States27,30023
       
Amazon4051Daniel NegreanuCanada81,10068
Amazon4052Jonathan DepaUnited States38,60032
Amazon4053John HegiUnited States39,80033
Amazon4054Josh ShaferUnited States54,20045
Amazon4055Hsiao LiuUnited States77,00064
Amazon4056Eric PosnerUnited States36,80031
Amazon4057David ShaneUnited States39,90033
Amazon4058Vincent MasinoUnited States6,6006
Amazon4059J SmithUnited States12,70011
       
Amazon4061Cal KimesUnited States26,20022
Amazon4062Matthew LansdonUnited States29,10024
Amazon4064Kyle EmersonUnited States11,50010
Amazon4065Michael KechkayloUnited States25,80022
Amazon4066Sebastian LangrockGermany14,50012
Amazon4067Paul JohnsonUnited States25,70021
Amazon4068Kyle MiasoUnited States85,80072
Amazon4069Adam HendrixUnited States57,20048
       
Amazon4071Roy ThungUnited States11,3009
Amazon4072Brendan TaylorUnited States73,90062
Amazon4073Benjamin MinerUnited States20,10017
Amazon4074John ZaleskiUnited States31,40026
Amazon4075Matthew HonigUnited States30,00025
Amazon4076Paul SiemUnited States57,70048
Amazon4077Jose Paz-GutierrezBolivia35,10029
Amazon4078Corey HochmanUnited States34,50029
Amazon4079Garrett GarvinUnited States12,30010
       
Amazon4081William MigelyUnited States52,00043
Amazon4082Alex LivingstonCanada66,50055
Amazon4083Lex NerenbergUnited States34,80029
Amazon4084Sergey AltbreginRussia38,10032
Amazon4085Brandon NoeUnited States31,00026
Amazon4086Jesse DavidUnited States58,20049
Amazon4087Zachary HenchUnited States23,90020
Amazon4088Bryan AndrewsUnited States42,90036
Amazon4089Jameson PainterUnited States25,30021
       
Amazon4091Jordan SiegelUnited States26,60022
Amazon4092Troy ActonUnited States19,10016
Amazon4093Thomas CazayousUnited Kingdom81,40068
Amazon4095Chris BjorinSweden20,90017
Amazon4096Tyson PotrebenkoCanada29,80025
Amazon4097Michael GrossUnited States59,60050
Amazon4098Jarred SolomonSouth Africa45,60038
Amazon4099Erle MankinUnited States68,00057
       
Amazon4101Veerachai VongxaiburanaUnited States31,90027
Amazon4102Igor SharaskinRussia52,50044
Amazon4103Sergio BensoItaly55,70046
Amazon4104Gregory JoslynUnited States15,20013
Amazon4105Aaron SiasUnited States27,40023
Amazon4106Shiva DudaniUnited States24,20020
Amazon4107Quinn DoUnited States83,60070
Amazon4108Danny SmithUnited States10,7009
Amazon4109John DacruzUnited States37,20031
       
Amazon4111David ErnstUnited States13,90012
Amazon4112Justine RodersUnited States24,80021
Amazon4113Joseph CoudenUnited States70,00058
Amazon4114Ted WeinstockUnited States24,50020
Amazon4115Aditya AgarwalIndia10,3009
Amazon4116Gary BensonAustralia18,90016
Amazon4117Nathan GambleUnited States42,00035
Amazon4118Joseph CheongUnited States27,60023
Amazon4119Stuart RutterUnited Kingdom6,8006
       
Amazon4121David BadolatoUnited States11,90010
Amazon4122Jean-Paul PasqualiniFrance74,20062
Amazon4123Benjamin ZamaniUnited States54,00045
Amazon4124Timothy BurtUnited States22,20019
Amazon4125Kevin GerhartUnited States62,20052
Amazon4126Peter MalbashaIreland26,50022
Amazon4127Cai ZhenUnited States9,4008
Amazon4128Robert CampbellUnited States48,50040
Amazon4129John RacenerUnited States40,10033
       
Amazon4132Shirley RosarioUnited States30,80026
Amazon4133Matthew SmithUnited States63,00053
Amazon4134Tom WestUnited States21,20018
Amazon4135Samuel NgaiCanada31,50026
Amazon4136Jason StockfishUnited States71,10059
Amazon4137Todd WittelesUnited States21,50018
Amazon4138Michael SixUnited States17,80015
Amazon4139Raz AlonIsrael16,20014
       
Amazon4141Lee WatkinsonUnited States65,00054
Amazon4142Warren ColmanUnited Kingdom48,50040
Amazon4143Amnon FilippiUnited States39,10033
Amazon4144Quentin KruegerCanada27,60023
Amazon4145Roland IsraelashviliUnited States26,70022
Amazon4146Brian NortonUnited States43,60036
Amazon4147Richard CowperthwaitUnited States10,8009
Amazon4148Jason FairclothUnited States17,60015
Amazon4149Randy OhelUnited States55,80047
       
Amazon4151Mark ScacewaterUnited States13,40011
Amazon4152Andrew RapleyCanada10,3009
Amazon4153Brian HastingsUnited States33,70028
Amazon4154David LeviUnited States16,50014
Amazon4155Bruce RogoffUnited States63,70053
Amazon4156Corey EmeryUnited States22,70019
Amazon4157Matthew EzrolUnited States24,20020
Amazon4158Pablo CoboSpain17,50015
Amazon4159Phil HellmuthUnited States67,40056
       
Amazon4172Taylor CoxUnited States12,40010
Amazon4173Anton GrinkevichUnited States19,30016
Amazon4174Joseph SilvermanUnited States48,60041
Amazon4175Jeffrey AmasakiUnited States8,2007
Amazon4176John CorronUnited States7,2006
Amazon4177Jeffrey LandherrUnited States57,20048
Amazon4178Brad AlbrinckUnited States137,100114
Amazon4179Tony MaUnited States19,20016
       
Amazon4181Christopher CareyUnited States42,10035
Amazon4182Todd RohulichUnited States13,60011
Amazon4183Karl WestheimerUnited States8,1007
Amazon4184Robert McLaughlinUnited States32,30027
Amazon4185Lee ArmstrongAustralia70,70059
Amazon4186Bryce YockeyUnited States131,900110
Amazon4187Anton SmirnovRussia62,60052
Amazon4188David GreeneUnited States30,40025
Amazon4189Andrew MuirheadUnited States29,40025
       
Amazon4191Abdel HamidUnited States54,70046
Amazon4192Noah GoldmanUnited States18,10015
Amazon4193Peter WalsworthUnited States16,90014
Amazon4194Antoine LabatFrance76,00063
Amazon4195Kim KallmanFinland48,80041
Amazon4196Blake KelsoUnited States7,6006
Amazon4197Sue SmithUnited States10
Amazon4198Peter LevineUnited States23,60020
Amazon4199Donna CooperUnited States50,60042
       
Amazon4201Cody CrouchUnited States19,00016
Amazon4202Edward HanUnited States75,40063
Amazon4203Andreas KlattGermany15,30013
Amazon4204Jeffrey CookUnited States46,00038
Amazon4205Kate HoangUnited States24,80021
Amazon4206Chris FergusonUnited States52,70044
Amazon4207Prince DocnesUnited States27,10023
Amazon4208Brandon CantuUnited States10
Amazon4209Michael PickettUnited States22,90019
       
Amazon4212Gregory KoloUnited States20,00017
Amazon4213James BucknerUnited States7,0006
Amazon4214Jeff WilliamsUnited States69,96058
Amazon4215Gerald CohenUnited States8,5007
Amazon4216Christopher ConradUnited States52,20044
Amazon4217Paul SokoloffCanada38,80032
Amazon4218Howard SimonUnited States17,60015
Amazon4219Steven WolanskyUnited States20,90017
       
Amazon4221Sergey SelinRussia60,10050
Amazon4222Sloane MartinFrance21,30018
Amazon4223Gregory JamisonUnited States71,20059
Amazon4224Michael TerlizziUnited States57,70048
Amazon4225Ivan StarostinUnited States44,40037
Amazon4227Peter CharalambousUnited Kingdom13,00011
Amazon4228Alan FideloUnited States36,20030
Amazon4229Alexander KuzminRussia44,50037
       
Amazon4231Aaron WallaceUnited States9,8008
Amazon4232Timothy TallonUnited States4,2004
Amazon4233Mihails MorozovsLatvia53,50045
Amazon4234Dorian GrantUnited States27,10023
Amazon4235Paul JacksonUnited Kingdom21,40018
Amazon4236Barry WerthmannUnited States23,40020
Amazon4237Michael ColecchiaUnited States8,9007
Amazon4238Bruno FitoussiFrance70,20059
Amazon4239Jeremy HarkinUnited States38,40032

Tags: Brad AlbrinckBryce YockeyDaniel NegreanuEli ElezraMike MatusowNathan GamblePhil HellmuthWendy Weissman

Hellmuth Doubles Through Hoang

simkha
simkha
Level 14 : 1,200/2,400, 0 ante
Phil Hellmuth
Phil Hellmuth

Brendan Taylor raised to 5,500 from the cutoff, Kate Hoang called from the button, Matthew Honig called from the small blind, and Phil Hellmuth called from the big blind.

The four players saw a flop of {J-Hearts}{J-Clubs}{5-Spades} and Honig checked. Hellmuth bet the pot for 22,000, Taylor folded, and Hoang raised the pot. Honig folded and Hellmuth called to put himself at risk for 30,300.

Kate Hoang: {K-Spades}{K-Clubs}{J-Spades}{9-Hearts}
Phil Hellmuth: {J-Diamonds}{10-Spades}{10-Clubs}{7-Diamonds}

Both players had flopped trip jacks but Hoang had the best of it with the superior kicker and Hellmuth needed help from the deck to survive. The {7-Spades} hit the turn to give Hellmuth the lead with jacks full of sevens and after the {3-Clubs} fell on the river he took the pot to double up.

Player Chips Progress
Brendan Taylor us
Brendan Taylor 		135,600
61,700
 61,700
WSOP 1X Winner
Phil Hellmuth us
Phil Hellmuth 		82,600
4,400
 4,400
WSOP Main Event Champion
WSOP 17X Winner
Poker Hall of Famer
Kate Hoang us
Kate Hoang 		47,300
-57,100
 -57,100

Tags: Brendan TaylorKate HoangMatthew HonigPhil Hellmuth

Negreanu Eliminates Tang in a Monster Pot

Jan_Kores
Jan_Kores
Level 14 : 1,200/2,400, 0 ante
Daniel Negreanu
Daniel Negreanu

Daniel Negreanu was in the hijack and his right-hand opponent Ben Tang had a decision on the {2-Hearts}{9-Hearts}{J-Clubs} flop.

They had some chips already spread in front of them when we arrived and Tang eventually said, "OK, I'm all in." Negreanu called immediately.

Tang: {A-Clubs}{A-Hearts}{8-Hearts}{5-Spades}
Negreanu: {4-Diamonds}{3-Spades}{2-Diamonds}{2-Clubs}

Tang had aces and a flush draw but he was trailing against Negreanu's set of deuces.

The runout {6-Clubs} and {5-Diamonds} gave Negreanu a six-high straight and the same low and Tang was dispatched. Negreanu reached to his right and claimed Tang's stack of 70,000 or so.

Negreanu is now among the tournament leaders along with Brandon Cantu and Brad Albrinck.

Player Chips Progress
Daniel Negreanu ca
Daniel Negreanu 		255,000
70,400
 70,400
WSOP 6X Winner
Poker Hall of Famer
Ben Tang us
Ben Tang 		Busted

Tags: Daniel NegreanuBen Tang

Yockey Stacks McLaughlin in Massive Pot

simkha
simkha
Level 16 : 2,000/4,000, 0 ante
Bryce Yockey
Bryce Yockey

There was a huge pile of chips in the middle and the board read {A-Spades}{Q-Spades}{2-Clubs}{3-Clubs} when we got to the table. Bryce Yockey checked from the big blind to his lone opponent, Robert McLaughlin, who was on the button. McLaughlin shoved for what looked like about 100,000 and Yockey instantly called to put McLaughlin at risk.

Bryce Yockey: {6-Clubs}{5-Spades}{4-Clubs}{2-Diamonds}
Robert McLaughlin: {A-Clubs}{A-Diamonds}{K-Spades}{7-Hearts}

Yockey had turned a wheel plus a flush draw and McLaughlin needed the board to pair on the river in order to survive. After the {K-Clubs} fell on the river completing Yockey's flush, he took the pot to send McLaughlin to the cage and seize the chip lead.

Player Chips Progress
Bryce Yockey us
Bryce Yockey 		342,000
112,000
 112,000
WSOP 1X Winner
Robert McLaughlin us
Robert McLaughlin 		Busted

Tags: Bryce YockeyRobert McLaughlin

Hoang Sent to the Rail in Three-Way Collision

Jan_Kores
Jan_Kores
Level 17 : 2,500/5,000, 0 ante
Kate Hoang
Kate Hoang

Three players including Kate Hoang moved their chips towards the middle with Hoang in possession of the smallest stack. The dealer counted the difference at 39,500 and secured the side pot from both remaining players first.

Kate Hoang: {A-Clubs}{8-Hearts}{7-Clubs}{5-Clubs}
Adam Hendrix: {A-Diamonds}{10-Diamonds}{K-Spades}{4-Spades}
Third player: {A-Hearts}{Q-Spades}{9-Hearts}{2-Spades}

The board ran out {6-Spades}{5-Spades}{7-Hearts}{J-Diamonds}{A-Spades} to eliminate Hoang as her hand couldn't beat Hendrix's nut flush while the other player had a live deuce for a low. The side pot was nullified as both players pulled their money back while Hoang received a payout slip and walked away from the tournament area.

Player Chips Progress
Kate Hoang us
Kate Hoang 		Busted

Elezra Doubles Through Matusow

simkha
simkha
Level 17 : 2,500/5,000, 0 ante
Eli Elezra
Eli Elezra

Eli Elezra limped in from middle position, Mike Matusow raised to 19,000 from the small blind, and Elezra called.

The flop came {Q-Clubs}{10-Hearts}{10-Clubs} and Matusow announced a pot-sized bet of 43,000. Elezra jammed for 113,000 and Matusow called with the larger of the two stacks by a wide margin.

Eli Elezra: {A-Clubs}{10-Spades}{7-Clubs}{6-Hearts}
Mike Matusow: {A-Hearts}{A-Diamonds}{J-Spades}{9-Hearts}

Elezra had the lead with trip tens while Matusow had an open-ended straight draw in addition to his aces. The {5-Diamonds} on the turn was no help to either player and the {6-Diamonds} river gave Elezra tens full, so he took the pot to double up.

Player Chips Progress
Eli Elezra il
Eli Elezra 		269,000
134,000
 134,000
WSOP 5X Winner
Poker Hall of Famer
Mike Matusow us
Mike Matusow 		105,000
-37,000
 -37,000
WSOP 4X Winner

Tags: Eli ElezraMike Matusow

Couden Stacks Hellmuth

simkha
simkha
Level 17 : 2,500/5,000, 0 ante
Phil Hellmuth
Phil Hellmuth

Phil Hellmuth was already standing up to make his exit when we arrived at the table. The players informed us that Joseph Couden had started the action with a raise preflop.

"You said on Day 1 that you can't wait until I'm on your table so I can bust you," Couden said to Hellmuth.

Hellmuth moved his stack into the middle and Couden called to put him at risk.

Phil Hellmuth: {A-}{J-}{J-}{2-}
Joseph Couden: {A-}{K-}{Q-}{4-}

The board ran out to give Couden kings up and the nut low to scoop the pot and eliminate the legendary 14-time bracelet winner.

Player Chips Progress
Joseph Couden us
Joseph Couden 		280,000
160,000
 160,000
Phil Hellmuth us
Phil Hellmuth 		Busted
WSOP Main Event Champion
WSOP 17X Winner
Poker Hall of Famer

Tags: Joseph CoudenPhil Hellmuth

Negreanu Cracks Mankin's Aces

Jan_Kores
Jan_Kores
Level 19 : 4,000/8,000, 0 ante
Daniel Negreanu
Daniel Negreanu

Daniel Negreanu was in the big blind, facing Erle Mankin's pot-sized raise out of the hijack. Negreanu called the extra 20,000 and then potted the {J-Spades}{3-Clubs}{8-Diamonds} flop for 60,000. Mankin had fewer than that behind and called for all his chips.

Negreanu had {Q-Clubs}{10-Spades}{9-Hearts}{8-Clubs} for a wrap and Mankin opened {A-Spades}{A-Diamonds}{K-Hearts}{7-Spades}.

The {Q-Hearts} turn gave Negreanu a straight and Mankin needed a ten to outdraw him with a Broadway. The river card was the {Q-Spades} and Negreanu finished with queens full of eights, eliminating Mankin short of the last three tables.

Player Chips Progress
Daniel Negreanu ca
Daniel Negreanu 		170,000
83,000
 83,000
WSOP 6X Winner
Poker Hall of Famer
Erle Mankin us
Erle Mankin 		Busted

Tags: Daniel NegreanuErle Mankin

Lee Watkinson Eliminated in 27th Place ($6,927)

simkha
simkha
Level 20 : 5,000/10,000, 0 ante
Lee Watkinson
Lee Watkinson

Action folded around to the blinds and Lee Watkinson raised from the small. Jason Stockfish three-bet from the big and Watkinson called to put himself at risk.

Lee Watkinson: {Q-Spades}{J-Spades}{10-Clubs}{9-Diamonds}
Jason Stockfish: {A-Diamonds}{Q-Clubs}{5-Clubs}{2-Hearts}

Stockfish had the preflop advantage and Watkinson needed to improve to survive. The board ran out {A-Clubs}{6-Spades}{5-Diamonds}{7-Spades}{J-Clubs} and Stockfish scooped with aces up and a live deuce to end Watkinson's tournament.

Player Chips Progress
Jason Stockfish us
Jason Stockfish 		496,000
101,000
 101,000
Lee Watkinson us
Lee Watkinson 		Busted
WSOP 1X Winner

Tags: Jason StockfishLee Watkinson

Gamble Stacks Stockfish to Take the Lead

simkha
simkha
Level 20 : 5,000/10,000, 0 ante
Nathan Gamble
Nathan Gamble

There was a massive pile of chips in the middle and the {A-Clubs}{10-Diamonds}{5-Hearts} flop was out when we got to the table. Jason Stockfish and Nathan Gamble got stacks in the middle in a flurry of activity; Gamble's was the larger of the two by a fair margin.

Jason Stockfish: {7-Hearts}{4-Diamonds}{3-Clubs}{2-Hearts}
Nathan Gamble: {A-Diamonds}{10-Hearts}{9-Hearts}{3-Spades}

Stockfish had flopped an inside wheel wrap but needed help from the deck against the defending champion's top two pair. The {K-Diamonds} turn and {K-Clubs} river missed both players entirely and Gamble took the pot to end Stockfish's tournament and seize the chip lead.

Player Chips Progress
Nathan Gamble us
Nathan Gamble 		866,000
314,000
 314,000
WSOP 2X Winner
Jason Stockfish us
Jason Stockfish 		Busted

Tags: Jason StockfishNathan Gamble

12