Monday, June 18, 2018 2:53 AM Local Time
Poker Players Championship Down to Final 12; Michael Mizrachi Again On Top
Day 3 of the Event #33: $50,000 Poker Players Championship has come to a conclusion at the 2018 World Series of Poker.
For the second consecutive day, two-time Poker Players Champions Michael Mizrachi holds the chip lead, leading the remaining 12 players.
Mizrachi held steady for the first two levels of the day, but really kicked it into high gear in Level 15 when he eliminated Justin Bonomo in 30th place. Mizrachi held five-three suited and called a Bonomo preflop raise, flopping a flush in the process. Bonomo bet the flop, bet the turn and bet the river, but wasn't able to fold to Mizrachi's river shove. Bonomo's overpair came up empty and "The Grinder" was off and running, punishing the competition en route to bagging a chip-leading stack of 4,232,000, more than double average.
The day began with 42 players remaining from the original 87 starters, with Mizrachi and Phil Ivey starting out on top. Once play was underway, eliminations came at a fast pace as about half the field fell in the first three levels. Among those who busted include Jason Mercier (28th), Daniel Negreanu (26th) and defending champion Elior Sion (23rd). Another former champion of this event fell on Day 3 as Mike Gorodinsky bubbled in devastating fashion, running kings into Mike Leah's aces in No-Limit Hold'em.
Once the final 14 players were in the money, Yehuda Buchalter (14th - $72,500) and Randy Ohel (13th - $72,500) were eliminated, earning a min-cash for their efforts.
Here is the Day 4 seating chart:
| Room | Table | Seat | Player | Country | Chip Count | Big Blinds | Big Bets |
|---|
| Amazon | 1 | 1 | Chris Vitch | United States | 1,160,000 | 48 | 12 |
| Amazon | 1 | 2 | Aaron Katz | United States | 2,480,400 | 103 | 25 |
| Amazon | 1 | 3 | Phil Ivey | United States | 2,146,000 | 89 | 21 |
| Amazon | 1 | 4 | Dan Smith | United States | 1,816,000 | 76 | 18 |
| Amazon | 1 | 5 | Jean-Robert Bellande | United States | 213,000 | 9 | 2 |
| Amazon | 1 | 6 | John Hennigan | United States | 1,458,000 | 61 | 15 |
| | | | | | | | |
| Amazon | 2 | 1 | Mike Leah | Canada | 3,139,000 | 131 | 31 |
| Amazon | 2 | 2 | Shaun Deeb | United States | 533,000 | 22 | 5 |
| Amazon | 2 | 3 | Michael Mizrachi | United States | 4,232,000 | 176 | 42 |
| Amazon | 2 | 4 | Brian Rast | United States | 1,164,000 | 49 | 12 |
| Amazon | 2 | 5 | Benny Glaser | United Kingdom | 1,967,000 | 82 | 20 |
| Amazon | 2 | 6 | Greg Mueller | Canada | 1,439,000 | 60 | 14 |
Play is set to resume at 2 p.m. (PDT) on Monday, June 18, and the PokerNews live reporting team will be on hand to provide continuous live updates of all the Poker Players Championship action.
Monday, June 18, 2018 2:19 AM Local Time
End of Day Chip Counts (full)
| Michael Mizrachi | 4,232,000 | 82,000  |
| Mike Leah | 3,134,000 | -66,000  |
| Aaron Katz | 2,480,000 | -70,000 |
| Phil Ivey | 2,146,000 | 86,000 |
| Benny Glaser | 1,967,000 | -198,000 |
| Dan Smith | 1,816,000 | -184,000 |
| John Hennigan | 1,458,000 | 98,000 |
| Greg Mueller | 1,439,000 | -11,000 |
| Brian Rast | 1,167,000 | 307,000 |
| Chris Vitch | 1,160,000 | 0 |
| Shaun Deeb | 533,000 | 18,000 |
| Jean-Robert Bellande | 213,000 | 0 |
Monday, June 18, 2018 2:15 AM Local Time
Vitch Dents Bellande on the Final Hand of the Night
Stud Hi-Lo
Chris Vitch: / /
Jean-Robert Bellande: / /
Jean-Robert Bellande completed on third street and Chris Vitch defended his bring in. They both checked on fourth street and Vitch bet the rest of the way. Bellande called him down, but mucked when Vitch tabled for trip deuces.
| Chris Vitch | 1,160,000 | 310,000 |
| Jean-Robert Bellande | 213,000 | -377,000 |
Monday, June 18, 2018 2:14 AM Local Time
Big Scoop For Leah
Stud Hi-Lo
Brian Rast was the bring in with the and Greg Mueller completed with the . Mike Leah made it two bets with the before Shaun Deeb made it three bets with the . Both Mueller and Leah called making three-way action.
Greg Mueller: / /
Mike Leah: / /
Shaun Deeb: / — Folded on fifth
Deeb led out on fourth and he was called by both players. On sixth, Leah took over the betting lead and he bet. Deeb folded after some thought, but Mueller continued.
On fifth sixth street, Leah bet again and Mueller just called. Leah bet again on seventh and Mueller just called again. Leah turned up his for two pair and Mueller muttered something about Leah catching the case jack before mucking.
| Mike Leah | 3,200,000 | 780,000 |
| Greg Mueller | 1,450,000 | -600,000 |
| Shaun Deeb | 515,000 | -318,000 |
Monday, June 18, 2018 2:05 AM Local Time
Vitch Wins Off Smith
Limit Hold'em
From the cutoff, Dan Smith opened to 80,000 and Chris Vitch called in the big blind.
The flop landed and Vitch checked to Smith who bet 40,000. Vitch check-raised to 80,000, and Smith called as the turn landed the .
Vitch bet 80,000, and Smith called as the completed the board on the river.
Vitch bet 80,000, Smith raised to 160,000, and Vitch called.
Smith tabled his , but it would be Vitch's that would ensure him the pot.
| Dan Smith | 2,000,000 | -400,000 |
| Chris Vitch | 850,000 | 540,000 |
Monday, June 18, 2018 2:03 AM Local Time
Ace-High Win for Smith
Limit Hold'em
Dan Smith opened the button to 80,000 and Jean-Robert Bellande three-bet the small blind to 120,000. Smith called, and the flop landed .
Bellande bet and Smith called as the landed on the turn and the same betting sequence was repeated.
Both players then checked the on the river, and after Bellande announced an ace, Smith revealed his and Bellande mucked.
| Dan Smith | 2,400,000 | 650,000 |
| Jean-Robert Bellande | 590,000 | -470,000 |
Monday, June 18, 2018 1:50 AM Local Time
Final 12 Redraw
| Table | Seat | Player | Country | Chips |
|---|
| Table 431 | 1 | Mike Leah | Canada | 2,420,000 |
| Table 431 | 2 | Shaun Deeb | United States | 833,000 |
| Table 431 | 3 | Michael Mizrachi | United States | 4,150,000 |
| Table 431 | 4 | Brian Rast | United States | 860,000 |
| Table 431 | 5 | Benny Glaser | United Kingdom | 2,165,000 |
| Table 431 | 6 | Greg Mueller | Canada | 2,050,000 |
| | | | | |
| Table 439 | 1 | Chris Vitch | United States | 310,000 |
| Table 439 | 2 | Aaron Katz | United States | 2,550,000 |
| Table 439 | 3 | Phil Ivey | United States | 2,060,000 |
| Table 439 | 4 | Dan Smith | United States | 1,750,000 |
| Table 439 | 5 | Jean-Robert Bellande | United States | 1,060,000 |
| Table 439 | 6 | John Hennigan | United States | 1,360,000 |
| Michael Mizrachi | 4,150,000 | -150,000 |
| Aaron Katz | 2,550,000 | 270,000 |
| Mike Leah | 2,420,000 | 220,000 |
| Benny Glaser | 2,165,000 | -5,000 |
| Phil Ivey | 2,060,000 | 325,000 |
| Greg Mueller | 2,050,000 | 0 |
| Dan Smith | 1,750,000 | -345,000 |
| John Hennigan | 1,360,000 | 40,000 |
| Jean-Robert Bellande | 1,060,000 | 0 |
| Brian Rast | 860,000 | -50,000 |
| Shaun Deeb | 833,000 | -337,000 |
| Chris Vitch | 310,000 | -140,000 |
Monday, June 18, 2018 1:49 AM Local Time
Randy Ohel Eliminated in 13th Place ($72,500)
No-Limit Hold'em
Randy Ohel opened to 50,000 from the cutoff, Benny Glaser called from the button and Greg Mueller called from the big blind.
The flop came down , Mueller led out for 80,000, Ohel raised all in for about 300,000, Glaser folded and Mueller called with . Ohel was ahead with .
The turn kept Ohel ahead, but the river gave Mueller two pair to eliminate Ohel in 13th place.
| Greg Mueller | 2,050,000 | 308,000 |
| Randy Ohel | 0 | -377,000 |
Monday, June 18, 2018 1:48 AM Local Time
Bellande Shoves on Glaser
No-Limit Hold'em
Benny Glaser raised to 75,000 from the small blind and Jean-Robert Bellande called from the big blind.
They checked to the turn of a board where Glaser bet 75,000. Bellande called, the river fell and Glaser bet 130,000. Bellande shoved for about 600,000 and Glaser folded.
| Benny Glaser | 2,170,000 | -250,000 |
| Jean-Robert Bellande | 1,060,000 | 10,000 |
Monday, June 18, 2018 1:45 AM Local Time
Rast Nearly Doubles Through Deeb
Stud
Brian Rast: / /
Shaun Deeb: / /
Picking up the action on fourth street, Rast put out a bet and Shaun Deeb called.
Rast continued to bet on fifth street where Deeb called again. Deeb called another bet on sixth street.
Rast didn't let off the gas on seventh street where he bet again, leaving himself with just about 40,000 behind. Deeb called the final bet. Rast showed down his for just a pair of aces but it was good to take down the pot.
| Shaun Deeb | 1,170,000 | -96,000 |
| Brian Rast | 910,000 | 340,000 |
Monday, June 18, 2018 1:42 AM Local Time
Ohel Doubles Through Hennigan
No-Limit Hold'em
Jean-Robert Bellande opened the cutoff to 40,000 and John Hennigan called in the small blind. Randy Ohel shoved for 156,000 total from the big blind and Bellande folded, but Hennigan called.
Hennigan:
Ohel:
The board ran out and Ohel double to nearly 380,000 in chips.
| John Hennigan | 1,320,000 | 270,000 |
| Randy Ohel | 377,000 | 212,000 |
Monday, June 18, 2018 1:39 AM Local Time
Ivey vs. Rast
No-Limit Hold'em
Phil Ivey limped the small blind and Brian Rast checked in the big blind.
The flop landed and Ivey checked to Rast who bet 30,000. Ivey called, and then checked the on the turn.
Rast bet 70,000, and Ivey called again before both players checked the on the river.
Ivey tabled his , and Rast mucked.
| Phil Ivey | 1,735,000 | -90,000 |
| Brian Rast | 570,000 | -476,000 |
Monday, June 18, 2018 1:37 AM Local Time
Katz Takes From Leah
Razz
Aaron Katz: / /
MIke Leah: / /
Aaron Katz completed, Mike Leah raised and Katz attempted to call, but threw in more than half of a raise. It was ruled a reraise, Leah reraised, and Katz called.
Leah maintained the on-board lead on fourth and bet, Katz called and bet when he took the on-board lead on fifth. Leah called, Katz bet on sixth, Leah raised, and Katz called.
On seventh street Katz led out, Leah called and Katz flipped over for a seven-six. Leah mucked, giving Katz the pot.
| Aaron Katz | 2,280,000 | 650,000 |
| Mike Leah | 2,200,000 | -670,000 |
Monday, June 18, 2018 1:36 AM Local Time
Ohel Continues to Slide while Glaser Moves Over Two Million
2-7 Triple Draw
Jean-Robert Bellande raised and Randy Ohel called before Benny Glaser made it three bets in the big blind. Bellande and Ohel both called.
On the first draw, Ohel took two while Glaser stood pat and Bellande took two. Ohel checked. Glaser bet. Bellande made it two bets, and Ohel and Glaser both called.
On the second draw, Ohel took one while both of his opponents stood pat. Action then checked to Bellande who bet and both opponents called.
Ohel took one again on the final draw while Glaser and Bellande stood pat. All three players checked. Ohel showed his indicating an ace low while Glaser fanned his . Bellande took a hard look at Glaser's cards then mucked his hand and Ohel mucked as well, so Glaser raked in the big pot.
| Benny Glaser | 2,420,000 | 448,000 |
| Jean-Robert Bellande | 1,050,000 | -767,000 |
| Randy Ohel | 165,000 | -285,000 |
Monday, June 18, 2018 1:31 AM Local Time
More and More For Johnny World
2-7 Triple Draw
Randy Ohel raised and was called by Jean-Robert Bellande and John Hennigan. All three players took two cards.
On the second round of betting, Hennigan led out and Ohel called. Bellande called as well. Hennigan then stood pat while Ohel took one and Bellande took two.
Hennigan bet. Ohel raised. Bellande quickly folded and Hennigan called. Both players stood pat and then checked. Hennigan showed his and it was good for him to take down the pot.
| John Hennigan | 1,050,000 | 350,000 |
| Randy Ohel | 450,000 | -325,000 |
Monday, June 18, 2018 1:25 AM Local Time
Hennigan Scoops a Triple
Stud Hi-Lo
Catching the action on fifth street, John Hennigan bet, Randy Ohel called, and Jean-Robert Bellande check-called.
On sixth, Hennigan bet his last 68,000, and Ohel deliberated for a little before announcing a raise to 148,000. Bellande then stood up and started talking aloud about his options and what Ohel had, before eventually calling the 148,000 total.
Hennigan: / /
Ohel: / /
Bellande: / /
On seventh, Ohel and Bellande checked. Ohel tabled his for a seven-low while Bellande showed his for the high.
Hennigan revealed his for two-pair and a six-low, and he scooped the main pot to triple up.
| Jean-Robert Bellande | 1,817,000 | -108,000 |
| Randy Ohel | 775,000 | -275,000 |
| John Hennigan | 700,000 | 412,000 |
Monday, June 18, 2018 1:24 AM Local Time
Chip Counts From Table 430
| Michael Mizrachi | 4,300,000 | 208,000 |
| Mike Leah | 2,870,000 | -34,000 |
| Aaron Katz | 1,630,000 | 70,000 |
| Chris Vitch | 450,000 | -85,000 |
Monday, June 18, 2018 1:23 AM Local Time
Glaser and Ohel Chop Up Bellande
Stud Hi-Lo
Jean-Robert Bellande: / /
Randy Ohel: / /
Benny Glaser: / /
Picking up the action on fourth street, Benny Glaser bet with the on-board lead and both Jean-Robert Bellande and Randy Ohel called.
Ohel took the on-board lead on fifth street and checked, Glaser bet, Bellande called and Ohel check-called. Bellande took the on-board lead on sixth street with an open pair and bet. Ohel called, Glaser raised, Bellande called and Ohel called.
Seventh street was checked around and Glaser showed for an eight-five low. Ohel showed for aces full of kings and Bellande mucked
| Benny Glaser | 1,972,000 | 495,000 |
| Jean-Robert Bellande | 1,925,000 | -375,000 |
| Randy Ohel | 1,050,000 | 345,000 |
Monday, June 18, 2018 1:12 AM Local Time
Scoop For Ivey, Smith Can't Find a Low
Stud Hi-Lo
Phil Ivey completed with his and Brian Rast called with his . Dan Smith called as well with his .
Phil Ivey: / /
Dan Smith: / /
Brian Rast: / — Folded on fourth
Action checked to Smith on fourth street and he bet, only to meet a raise from Ivey to two bets. Rast folded but Smith called.
On fifth street, Smith picked up a pair of fours and bet. Ivey raised again and Smith called. On sixth street, Smith bet and Ivey called. Both players checked on seventh street. Smith showed his for three pair and no low, but Ivey had Smith beat with in his hand for three of a kind to take down the pot.
| Dan Smith | 2,095,000 | -721,000 |
| Phil Ivey | 1,825,000 | 1,099,000 |
Monday, June 18, 2018 1:11 AM Local Time
Yehuda Buchalter Eliminated in 14th Place ($72,500)
Stud
Yehuda Buchalter has been eliminated in an odd hand.
Buchalter completed to 40,000, but after he did, he pulled in his third street card and covered his down cards with it. Aaron Katz folded, and believing that it was just Leah remaining against Chris Vitch's bring-in, Leah pushed out 40,000 believing he was completing.
The tournament director was called over, and it was deemed that Leah would be bound to a call of 40,000.
Buchalter bet out on fourth, and Leah called. On fifth, Leah bet 80,000, and Buchalter called all in for 55,000.
Buchalter: /
Leah: /
Leah had taken the lead, and on sixth street, he caught the to render Buchalter drawing dead as Buchalter found the .
Buchalter flipped over his meaningless on seventh, and Leah revealed his to improve him to a full house.
Buchalter headed to the rail in 14th place in the 2018 Poker Players Championship for a $72,500 payday.
| Mike Leah | 2,904,000 | 64,000 |
| Yehuda Buchalter | 0 | -320,000 |