Tuesday, May 21, 2013 2:34 AM Local Time
Luke Graham Wins the 2012-2013 WSOP Circuit Harrah's New Orleans Main Event ($228,600)
After four days of play, the 2012-13 World Series of Poker Circuit Harrah's New Orleans Main Event came to an end on Monday as Luke Graham emerged victorious over a 762-player field to capture a $228,600 first-place prize and a seat into the National Championship.
The first elimination of the day occurred about 40 minutes into play in Level 28 (15,000/30,000/5,000) when Joe Hebert managed to two-out WSOP bracelet winner Robert Cheung. After that Corrie Wunstel was sent packing in tenth place followed by Pavan Bhatia in ninth.
In the first hand back from a break, action folded to Bhatia in the small blind and he opted to limp. Daniel Weinman exercised his option in the big with a raise to 175,000, and then snap-called when Bhatia moved all in for one million.
Bhatia:
Weinman:
It was a race, and according to the PokerNews Odds Calculator, Bhatia had a 50.33% chance of winning the hand while Weinman wasn't far behind at 49.12%. The flop ultimately swung the hand when it came down to pair Weinman's king, making him an 86.67% favorite. The turn further increased that to 95.45%, which meant Bhatia needed a three on the river to stay alive. The dealer burned one last time and put out the , sending Bhatia to the rail in ninth place for $21,591.
From there the eliminations continued to mount including those of Ben Mintz in eighth place; two-time ring winner Tripp Kirk* in seventh; WSOP bracelet winner Dan Schmiech in sixth; and Rogen Chhabra, who fell in fifth place for $58,487,
*Kirk's final table appearance was due in part to Earl Merritt folding pocket aces preflop on the money bubble after Kirk had three-bet jammed. Had Merritt called, Kirk would likely have missed out on any money at all.
Fourhanded play was an extended affair lasting nearly three hours before Weinman fell to Hebert, who had started on a bit of a heater. Graham, who began the day second-to-last in chips, really didn't make any waves until three-handed play when he sent Kasra Khodayarkhani to the rail. That gave him a decent stack and set up a heads-up match between Hebert and Graham, with the two were essentially even. In Level 36 (80,000/160,000/20,000), two hands, one large and one small, determined the tournament. Of course you can read about both of those simply by scrolling down.
WSOP Circuit Harrah's New Orleans Results
Place | Player | Prize |
1st | Luke Graham | $228,600 |
2nd | Joseph Hebert | $140,932 |
3rd | Kasra Khodayarkhani | $103,899 |
4th | Daniel Weinman | $77,438 |
5th | Rogen Chhabra | $58,487 |
6th | Dan Schmiech | $44,748 |
7th | Tripp Kirk | $34,667 |
8th | Ben Mintz | $27,192 |
9th | Pavan Bhatia | $21,591 |
10th | Corrie Wunstel | $17,351 |
11th | Robert Cheung | $17,351 |
That does it for our coverage from the $1,675 Main Event, but we're not done here at Harrah's New Orleans. Next up on the schedule is the Southern Comfort 100 Proof World Series of Poker National Championship, which begins on Wednesday. A total of 100 qualifiers from the 2012-2013 WSOP Circuit (a combination of Main Event winners, Casino Champs and At-Large qualifiers) will be in action, as well as any pros in the top 100 WSOP Player of the Year Leader Board who opt to buy in for $10,000. Exactly who chooses to do that remains to be seen, but PokerNews has learned that Matt Glantz, Allen Bari, David "ODB" Baker, Kyle Julius, Joe Tehan, Jason Koon, Jeff Gross, Vanessa Selbst and Dominik Nitsche will all be in attendance.
Be sure to come back Wednesday for all of your exclusive National Championship live updates straight from the Harrah's New Orleans tournament floor.
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 2:25 AM Local Time
Joseph Hebert Eliminated in 2nd Place ($140,932)
Two hands, one large and one small, just went down that saw Luke Graham clinch the Harrah's New Orleans title.
In the first, Joseph Hebert opened for 360,000 and Graham called, leading to a flop. Graham checked, Hebert bet 300,000 and Graham woke up with a check-raise to 600,000. Not to be outdone, Hebert three-bet to 1.1 million and Graham snap-called.
Graham then check-called a bet of 1.25 million on the turn before checking the river. Hebert wasted little time in moving all in and Graham, who had 4.695 million behind, shot back in his chair. As the seconds ticked off the tournament clock and minutes passed, Graham took a swig of his water and asked, "Pocket tens?"
Hebert sat motionless and then seemingly out of nowhere Graham spiked in a call. Hebert's face dropped and he sheepishly tabled the . In a fit of excitement Graham then revealed the winning .
"I don't know how you call that," said a shocked Hebert, who was left with just 500,000. On the very next hand, Hebert committed it with the and Graham called holding the . The board ran out and Hebert had to settle for a runner-up finish.
Luke Graham | 15,240,000 | 7,890,000 |
Joseph Hebert | 0 | -7,890,000 |
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 2:05 AM Local Time
The First Three-Bet
Luke Graham raised to 350,000 on the button, and Joseph Hebert three-bet to 850,000. Graham tank-folded, and Hebert picked up the pot.
Joseph Hebert | 7,890,000 | 560,000 |
Luke Graham | 7,350,000 | -560,000 |
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 1:43 AM Local Time
Break Time
Players are now on a 15-minute break.
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 1:42 AM Local Time
Heads-Up Counts
Luke Graham | 7,910,000 | 3,910,000 |
Joseph Hebert | 7,330,000 | -935,000 |
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 1:41 AM Local Time
Kasra Khodayarkhani Eliminated in 3rd Place ($103,899)
Luke Graham raised to 300,000 on the button, Kasra Khodayarkhani moved all in for 2.825 million in the small blind, and Graham tank-called.
Graham:
Khodayarkhani:
Khodayarkhani was drawing very slim when the flop fell , and he was drawing dead when the turned. A meaningless completed the board, and Khodayarkhani was eliminated in third place.
Kasra Khodayarkhani | 0 | -2,975,000 |
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 1:25 AM Local Time
Graham Doubles Back
Luke Graham moved all in from the button for 1.865 million and Kasra Khodayarkhani called him from the small blind. Joseph Hebert then folded face up.
Khodayarkhani:
Graham:
It was a flip, and one that would come down in Graham's favor as the board ran out an uneventful .
"Ahhh, why didn't you fold?" Hebert chimmed in. "If he don't call I probably call."
Joseph Hebert | 8,265,000 | -105,000 |
Luke Graham | 4,000,000 | 1,750,000 |
Kasra Khodayarkhani | 2,975,000 | -1,645,000 |
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 1:13 AM Local Time
Khodayarkhani Doubles Again
Kasra Khodayarkhani tanked before open-shoving for 2.245 million on the button. Joseph Hebert folded from the small blind, and Luke Graham snap-called in the big blind.
Khodayarkhani:
Graham:
"I had the same hand," Hebert said, referring to Khodayarkhani's holdings.
Khodayarkhani was still about to flop an ace when the dealer fanned , and he held when the turn and river bricked , respectively. He doubled to 4.62 million chips, while Graham dropped down to 2.25 million.
Joseph Hebert | 8,370,000 | 30,000 |
Kasra Khodayarkhani | 4,620,000 | 2,220,000 |
Luke Graham | 2,250,000 | -2,250,000 |
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 1:09 AM Local Time
Hebert with a Four-Bet Bluff
Joseph Hebert kicked off the action with a raise to 300,000 from the button. Luke Graham then three-bet to 820,000 from the small blind, prompting Kasra Khodayarkhani to fold the big. Hebert then took his time before four-betting to 1.5 million, which put the pressure on Graham. He thought for a solid minute before folding, and he probably wishes he hadn't as Hebert tabled the .
Joseph Hebert | 8,340,000 | 680,000 |
Luke Graham | 4,500,000 | 230,000 |
Kasra Khodayarkhani | 2,400,000 | -910,000 |
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 12:59 AM Local Time
Six Hands
Hand #1: Luke Graham opened to 310,000 in the small blind and Kasra Khodayarkhani moved all in for 2.27 million. Graham folded, and Khodayarkhani showed .
Hand #2: Khodayarkhani limped in from the small blind, Joseph Hebert checked, and the flop fell . Hebert led out for 150,000, Khodayarkhani raised to 325,000, and Hebert called. Both players checked when the turned, Hebert checked again when the completed the board, and Khodayarkhani moved all in. Hebert folded.
Hand #3: Khodayarkhani opened to 280,000 on the button, Graham moved all in in the big blind, and Khodayarkhani folded . He requested that Graham show him a worse hand, but he showed the same hand - .
Hand #4: Hebert opened to 280,000 on the button, Khodayarkhani defended, and both players checked on a flop of . Khodayarkhani led out for 290,000 when the tuened, Hebert folded, and Khodayarkhani showed .
Hand #5: Khodayarkhani opened to 285,000 on the button, Hebert three-bet to around 700,000 from the small blind, and Khodayarkhani folded.
Hand #6: Graham limped in, Khodayarkhani checked, and the two checked on the flop ( ) and the turn ( ). Graham led out for 225,000 when the completed the board, then snap-mucked when Khodayarkhani called. Khodayarkhani showed .
Joseph Hebert | 7,660,000 | -655,000 |
Luke Graham | 4,270,000 | -380,000 |
Kasra Khodayarkhani | 3,310,000 | 1,035,000 |
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 12:43 AM Local Time
More for Hebert
Kasra Khodayarkhani opened for 280,000 and Joseph Hebert looked him up from the small blind. The latter player checked the flop and Khodayarkhani continued for 275,000. Hebert then sprung to life with a check-raise to 775,000, Khodayarkhani called and the dealer burned and turned the .
Hebert wasted little time in putting out a bet of 1 million, and it did the trick as Khodayarkhani released his hand.
Joseph Hebert | 8,315,000 | 1,215,000 |
Luke Graham | 4,650,000 | -350,000 |
Kasra Khodayarkhani | 2,275,000 | -925,000 |
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 12:40 AM Local Time
Golden Graham
Kasra Khodayarkhani opened for 280,000 from the button and then called when Luke Graham shoved for 2.41 million from the big blind.
Khodayarkhani:
Graham:
Graham was well out in front, and despite pleas for a four from Khodayarkhani's rail, the dealer put out a clean board.
Luke Graham | 5,000,000 | 2,600,000 |
Kasra Khodayarkhani | 3,200,000 | -2,550,000 |
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 12:33 AM Local Time
Khodayarkhani Wins a Big One
Joseph Hebert opened to 250,000 on the button, Kasra Khodayarkhani called in the big blind, and the flop fell . Khodayarkhani checked, Hebert continued for around 300,000, and Khodayarkhani quickly check-raised to around 700,000. Hebert immediately called.
The turn was a repeat five - the - and both players checked.
A third five - the - completed the board, and Khodayarkhani led out for 400,000. Hebert raised to one million, and Khodayarkhani quickly called.
"Nice hand," Hebert said, mucking.
Khodayarkhani showed for fives full of jacks, and raked in the pot.
Joseph Hebert | 7,100,000 | -2,900,000 |
Kasra Khodayarkhani | 5,750,000 | 3,450,000 |
Luke Graham | 2,400,000 | -600,000 |
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 12:22 AM Local Time
Daniel Weinman Eliminated in 4th Place ($77,438)
Jospeh Hebert opened for 250,000 from the cutoff and was met by an all-in three-bet to 1.86 million by Daniel Weinman.
"How much is it?" Hebert asked before calling with the . Weinman then tabled the . Weinman was behind but was drawing to two live cards.
The flop didn't provide much help, but Weinman stayed positive. "I can't be drawing dead on the turn," he pointed out.
While that was true, the turn didn't give him a lot of hope. In order to survive Weinman would need either a king or a ten on the river. The dealer burned one last time and put out the , the last card Weinman would see. The runner-up in the Harrah's Cherokee Main Event took home $77,438 for his fourth-place finish.
Joseph Hebert | 10,000,000 | 3,400,000 |
Luke Graham | 3,000,000 | 155,000 |
Kasra Khodayarkhani | 2,300,000 | -1,080,000 |
Daniel Weinman | 0 | -2,180,000 |
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 12:13 AM Local Time
Hebert Pulling Away
Daniel Weinman limped on the button, Kasra Khodayarkhani called in the small blind, and Joseph Hebert checked.
The dealer fanned , Khodayarkhani checked, and Hebert led tossed out 160,000. Only Weinman called.
The turn was the , Hebert led out for 375,000, and Weinman tank-called.
The completed the board, and Hebert announced, "One million."
While he was pushing out two stacks of blue T25,000 chips, Weinman sighed and lifted off of the felt. He leaned both cards against his stack, showing the entire rail his hand, and finally made a call.
"Four-three," Hebert said, showing for a straight.
Weinman unhappily mucked his hand, and is down to 2.18 million chips.
Joseph Hebert | 6,600,000 | 1,300,000 |
Daniel Weinman | 2,180,000 | -1,970,000 |
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 12:05 AM Local Time
Slow Going
Since returning from the break the remaining four players haven't mixed it up much. Right now the final Table of Event #12 $365 No-Limit Hold'em, which is down to the final three, seems to have the attention of most of the railbirds. As always, it's just a matter of time before something worthwhile happens.
Monday, May 20, 2013 11:54 PM Local Time
We Hope They Washed Their Hands
The players have returned from their impromptu bathroom break and cards are back in the air. We hope they all washed their hands.
Monday, May 20, 2013 11:35 PM Local Time
Bathroom Break
The players are now taking a quick bathroom break.
Monday, May 20, 2013 11:35 PM Local Time
Khodayarkhani Shoves the Turn
Kasra Khodayarkhani opened to 260,000 on the button, Luke Graham defended in the big blind, and the flop fell . Graham led out for 300,000, and Khodayarkhani called.
The turn was the , Graham checked, and Khodayarkhani announced all in.
Graham folded, and Khodayarkhani raked in the pot.
Kasra Khodayarkhani | 3,380,000 | 880,000 |
Luke Graham | 2,845,000 | -755,000 |
Monday, May 20, 2013 11:30 PM Local Time
Hebert Takes from Weinman
Daniel Weinman limped on the button and Joseph Hebert checked his option from the big. The flop saw Hebert check and Weinman bet 140,000. Hebert then woke up with a check-raise to 450,000, Weinman called and the turned, which they both checked.
When the completed the board on the river, Hebert used two hands to put out a big bet of 1.2 million. Weinman insta-folded.
Joseph Hebert | 5,300,000 | 705,000 |
Daniel Weinman | 4,150,000 | -170,000 |