Event #62: $50,000 Poker Players Championship (6-Handed) Day 1 | 2017 World Series of Poker

07-02-2017 21:31 UTC-7

Mercier Pays Three Barrels

Jan_Kores

Level 4 : 1,500/3,000, 0 ante

Pot-Limit Omaha

Under the gun, David Oppenheim raised to 2,200, and Jason Mercier defended his big blind.

Oppenheim barreled the board, betting 2,500 on the flop and 5,000 on the turn. Mercier called on both occassions. Mercier checked on the river, as well, and Oppenheim cut out one more bet, placing in 12,000. The dealer verified the amount on Mercier's request, and Mercier spent good two minutes figuring out his plan. Eventually, he decided to call again.

"Sixes full," Openheim said, turning up his to win the pot.

Player	Chips	Progress
David Oppenheim	300,000 45,000	45,000

Jason Mercier	221,000 -29,000	-29,000

Tags: David Oppenheim Jason Mercier

07-02-2017 21:37 UTC-7

Volpe Wins Another One

Mickey Doft

Level 4 : 1,500/3,000, 0 ante

Omaha Hi-Lo

Paul Volpe raised from under the gun, Phil Hui called from the button, and Esther Taylor called from the big blind.

The flop came down , and Taylor checked to Volpe, who bet. Both Hui and Taylor called to see the turn, which was checked around. The river was the , and Taylor checked to Volpe, who bet. Both Hui and Taylor folded, giving Volpe the pot.

Player	Chips	Progress
Paul Volpe	415,000 10,000	10,000

Phil Hui	182,000 -8,000	-8,000
Esther Taylor	64,000 -4,000	-4,000

Tags: Esther Taylor Paul Volpe

07-02-2017 21:39 UTC-7

All High Hands in Lowball

Yori Epskamp

Level 4 : 1,500/3,000, 0 ante

2-7 Triple Draw Lowball

John Racener raised from middle position, Jake Abdalla called from the small blind, and Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier defended his big blind. All players drew two cards on the first draw. Racener bet, and both players called.

Abdalla exchanged two cards on the second draw, while Grospellier and Racener both took one. After two checks, Racener bet and received two calls.

On the final draw, all players drew one card and checked the final betting round.

Abdalla showed for a pair of threes. Grospellier couldn't beat that and mucked. Racener smiled and mucked, as well.

Player	Chips	Progress
John Racener	295,000 25,000	25,000

Jake Abdalla	245,000 45,000	45,000
Bertrand Grospellier	240,000 -10,000	-10,000

Tags: Bertrand Grospellier Jake Abdalla John Racener

07-02-2017 21:43 UTC-7

Rast Flops a Boat

Jan_Kores

Level 4 : 1,500/3,000, 0 ante

Pot-Limit Omaha

Brian Rast was in the small blind, fighting against big blind David "ODB" Baker.

The flop was , and Rast led out for what looked to be 3,200. Baker responded with a raise to 11,000, and Rast called. Rast let Baker bet the turn, check-calling another 20,000. The river brought yet another check from Rast, and this time, Baker checked, as well.

Rast turned up his for a flopped full house. Baker conceded the pot to the defending champion, sending his cards to the muck.

Player	Chips	Progress
Brian Rast	375,000 75,000	75,000

David "ODB" Baker	157,300 -32,700	-32,700

Tags: Brian Rast David "ODB" Baker

07-02-2017 21:54 UTC-7

Obst Skips the Third Barrel

Jan_Kores

Level 4 : 1,500/3,000, 0 ante

Pot-Limit Omaha

Randy Ohel raised to 3,200 from the cutoff, and James Obst three-bet pot from the button, making it 8,100 to go. Ohel called.

Obst continued on the flop, betting 6,500. Ohel checked-call to see the turn. The hit the felt, and Ohel checked to Obst, who went for the second barrel, pricing the river card at 16,000. Ohel double-checked his cards and called. On the river, Ohel checked fairly quickly again. This time, it was Obst who peeked at his cards, deciding whether or not to bet again. He decided for the latter, saving himself the chips from the hypothetical third barrel.

"Ace-king," Ohel announced, likely glad that Obst didn't bet on the last round. Ohel's was the winning hand, as Obst sent his cards to the muck.

Player	Chips	Progress
Randy Ohel	250,000 10,000	10,000

James Obst	235,000 10,000	10,000

Tags: James Obst Randy Ohel

07-02-2017 21:59 UTC-7

Shak Misses Again

Mickey Doft

Level 4 : 1,500/3,000, 0 ante

Pot-Limit Omaha

Following a flop of , Dan Shak checked from the big blind, and Ivo Donev checked from the cutoff. Justin Bonomo bet 4,000 from the button, and only Shak called. The turn was the , and Shak check-called 12,000 from Bonomo to see the river. Both players checked.

Shak showed for a pair of fives with missed flush and straight draws, while Bonomo tabled for a pair of sixes to win the pot.

Player	Chips	Progress
Justin Bonomo	295,000 20,000	20,000

Dan Shak	83,000 -27,000	-27,000

Tags: Dan Shak Justin Bonomo

07-02-2017 22:01 UTC-7

It Ends on the Chopping Block

Yori Epskamp

Level 4 : 1,500/3,000, 0 ante

Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo

Lakemeier: / - fold
Katz: / /
Parker: / /
Mizrachi: / - fold

Jens Lakemeier was the bring-in, Aaron Katz completed, Brock Parker made it two bets, Michael Mizrachi called, Lakemeier put in three bets, Katz called, Parker made it four bets, Mizrachi called, Lakemeier called, and Katz called.

Lakemeier was first to act on fourth street and bet. Katz called, Parker raised, Mizrachi folded, Lakemeier called, and Katz called. Katz paired up on fifth and checked. Parker bet with three baby cards to a straight flush, Lakemeier called, and Katz called, as well.

Lakemeier improved to a pair of aces on sixth street and checked. Katz checked, Parker bet and got two calls. On seventh street, Parker put in another bet, Lakemeier folded, and Katz called.

Parker quickly opened up for the wheel, but Katz showed to snatch the high half away with a flush.

Player	Chips	Progress
Jens Lakemeier	240,000 -10,000	-10,000

Aaron Katz	240,000 -50,000	-50,000

Brock Parker	185,000 30,000	30,000

Tags: Aaron Katz Brock Parker Jens Lakemeier

07-02-2017 22:11 UTC-7

Cates Becomes First Casualty of 2017 Poker Players Championship

Jan_Kores

Level 4 : 1,500/3,000, 0 ante

No-Limit Hold'em

In the second half of the fourth level, the 2017 Poker Players Championship finally saw its first casualty. Daniel Cates was the first man to leave his seat.

It was a casual start to the crucial hand. More than 200 big blinds deep, Cates three-bet to 6,500 over Mark Gregorich's 2,100-chip raise from under the gun. Action returned to Gregorich, who fired back, four-betting to 22,100. Cates paused for a while and then pushed all of his chips toward the middle. It was around 170,000, and Gregorich had a simple decision, calling instantly.

Daniel Cates:
Mark Gregorich:

What looked to be a disaster for Cates could have turned into a huge bad beat story for Gregorich as the brought a massive sweat. The turn and river, however, left Cates' flush draw incomplete.

Gregorich had Cates well covered, but the high-stakes cash game legend remained seated for a few seconds, processing what had just happened.

Then, Cates stood up and walked away. Just like that, his chips were gone, as the Poker Players Championship ended right there for Cates.

Player	Chips	Progress
Mark Gregorich	430,000 175,000	175,000
Daniel Cates	Busted

Tags: Dan Cates Mark Gregorich

07-02-2017 22:20 UTC-7

Mizrachi Folds Pocket Kings

Yori Epskamp

Level 4 : 1,500/3,000, 0 ante

No-Limit Hold'em

After Aaron Katz raised the button, and Michael Mizrachi three-bet to 15,000 in the big blind. Katz four-bet to 50,000, and Mizrachi called.

The flop came down , and Mizrachi checked. Katz bet 65,000, and Mizrachi folded face-up without much hesitation. Mizrachi's instincts were spot on, as Katz showed .

"Great play, great play," complimented Katz after the hand.