Event #69: $1,500 Razz

Day 1 of Event #69: $1,500 Razz has reached its conclusion and after 10 levels of play, it is Matt Grapenthein who leads the way. Grapenthein (82,300) already has a bracelet in stud of the high variety, and now he'll look to follow that up with a stud game of the low variety as well. There were 419 players who registered today and each and everyone one of them was looking to reach the promised land of the final table. Players created a prize pool of $565,650 and a first place prize of $132,957. Of course, everyone aim is to not only take home that significant chunk of money, but also the World Series of Poker gold bracelet that comes along with it. Only 63 of the remaining 102 players will make the money though, but each of those 63 players is guaranteed a payout of at least $2,261.

A heap of notable players failed to make it through the day, perhaps the most notable being Daniel Negreanu who took a short break after his finish in Event #62: $50,000 Poker Players Championship, hopped in, and was eliminated within two levels. Also not making it through the day wereJameson Painter, Jon Turner, Frank Kassela, Victor Ramdin, Randy Ohel, Max Pescatori, David Bach, Jeff Lisandro, Greg Raymer, and Calvin Anderson. Also, noticeably missing at the end of the day was the current player of the year lead John Racener. He will have to wait for another event to make a cash and bolster his current lead.

Some of those who did make it through the day, however, are Mike Ross (48,600), Mike Matusow (23,200), Benny Glaser (61,000), Jason Mercier (31,200), Dzmitry Urbanovich (29,500), and Jens Lakemeier (15,500). Also in the field still is 14-time bracelet winner Phil Hellmuth (45,900) who is still looking to add to his massive bracelet collection. James Obst is also still alive with 30,700 chips. Earlier in the year he won Event #26: $10,000 Razz Championship, and looks to follow that up with another deep run here in this event. Obst is also looking to add some valuable Player of the Year points to his current total, as he can easily catch John Racener with a deep finish in this event.

Players are scheduled to return at 2 p.m. PDT on Friday where the plan is to play through another ten levels. PokerNews will be here with all the action so make sure you still around to catch the exciting conclusion of Event #69: $1,500 Razz.

Only three hands left until the end of the night.

A cheer came from the table of James Woods and Arthur Cobb. James Woods was asked to bluff with a king in his hand and just bluffed and then showed Kyle Miaso the king in his hand.

On the next hand, Woods had an ace on third street.

"I'm gonna complete," he said, "and this time I'm not f*&^ing around."

Arthur Cobb was next to act and raised all in with a three showing.

The Runouts:

Woods:    /      /  
Cobb:    /      /  

Cobb would double up, hitting a four on seventh street to win the hand and stay in the tournament.

James Woods	18,400	-11,400
Arthur Cobb	5,400

Hellmuth:    /      /  
Opponent:    /      /  

We caught the action on fifth street. Phil Hellmuth put out a bet and his opponent raised him, making it two bets. Hellmuth started laughing to himself, then called.

On sixth street, Hellmuth continued betting and was called again.

"I think i'm going to have to try to check raise you here," Hellmuth said.

His opponent just folded after looking at his seventh street card, making Operation Hellmuth check-raise an utter failure. As he raked in the pot, Hellmuth showed     for an eight-six low.

Phil Hellmuth

38,000

5,000

Frankie O'Dell:    /      /  
Benny Glaser:    /      /  

Benny Glaser had the lead on fourth and bet. Frankie O'Dell called. On fifth, O'Dell took the lead and bet. Glaser called. O'Dell bet again when he caught an ace and Glaser caught an eight. Glaser called. O'Dell bet once more on seventh street and Glaser called.

O'Dell showed    for a made seven and Glaser folded.

Frankie O'Dell	36,000	6,000
Benny Glaser	33,000	2,500

Benny Glaser:    /      /  
Scott Abrams:    /      /  
Frankie O'Dell:    /     - fold

On fifth street, Benny Glaser and Frankie O'Dell checked to Scott Abrams. He bet and Glaser was the lone caller. On sixth, Benny Glaser took the lead and bet. Abrams called. On seventh both players checked and Glaser won the hand showing    to make an eight low.

Benny Glaser	30,500	6,500
Scott Abrams	19,800	8,750

Our weary adventurers have navigated the first eight levels of Event #69 and only have two levels remaining before they travel to the magical place known as Day 2.

Mike Matusow:    /      /  
Scott Bohlman:    /      /  

Mike Matusow and Scott Bohlman were heads up to fourth street. Matusow hit a six and Bohlman a jack. Matusow bet and Bohlman called. Matusow checked on fifth when he hit a ten, but Bohlman bet and Matusow called. On sixth, both players checked. and on seventh Matusow bet.

Bohlman was considering his next move and seemed perplexed.

"What if I told you I misread my hand when I checked on the five," Matusow said.

"That sounded really sincere," said Bohlman and he mucked.

"I thought I had two pair, but when I looked back I only had one pair."

"Oh here we go. It's story time," said Mike Ross.

"These guys win a pot and they gotta tell stories."

Scott Bohlman	28,200
Mike Matusow	24,800	3,400

James Obst:    /      /  
Opponent:    /      /  

James Obst raised his opponent on sixth street and his opponent called. On seventh, his opponent checked and Obst bet. His opponent called and Obst showed    for a seven low.

James Obst

28,000

13,200