Thursday, July 4, 2013 10:38 PM Local Time
Nguyen Drops First Two Back-to-Back Razz Hands to Reach Seventh
Razz
Hand #185:
Matthew Ashton: / /
Don Nguyen: / /
Matthew Ashton completed and then called when Don Nguyen raised. Ashton check-called a bet on fourth before leading out on fifth. Nguyen called and both players checked sixth. Nguyen then check-called a bet on seventh only to muck when Ashton showed for a 7-5-4-2-A low.
Hand #186:
Nguyen: / /
John Hennigan: / /
Nguyen completed and then called when Hennigan raised. Nguyen then bet fourth, Hennigan called and the action reversed itself of fifth. Hennigan checked sixth, Nguyen bet and "Johnny World" woke up with a check-raise. Nguyen called and then folded to a bet on seventh.
John Hennigan | 7,800,000 | 1,000,000 |
Matthew Ashton | 6,800,000 | 2,200,000 |
Don Nguyen | 5,600,000 | -3,145,000 |
Thursday, July 4, 2013 10:23 PM Local Time
Straight for Hennigan
Omaha-8
Hand #177: John Hennigan raised out of the small blind, Matthew Ashton defended his big blind, and the flop fell . Hennigan led out, Ashton called, and the turn brought the . Hennigan slowed down, check-calling a bet, and the completed the board.
Hennigan checked, Ashton bet, and Hennigan put in a check-raise. Ashton called, only to muck when Johnny World tabled for a straight.
John Hennigan | 6,800,000 | 1,530,000 |
Matthew Ashton | 4,600,000 | -1,160,000 |
Thursday, July 4, 2013 10:20 PM Local Time
Nice Pot for Nguyen
Omaha-8
Hand #175: John Hennigan raised to 300,000 on the button and Don Nguyen defended from the big blind. The flop saw Nguyen check and Hennigan bet 150,000. Nguyen woke up with a check-raise to 300,000, Hennigan called and the dealer burned and turned the .
Nguyen bet, Hennigan called and the action repeated itself on the river. Nguyen tabled the and it was good for both the high and low as Hennigan mucked.
Don Nguyen | 8,745,000 | 1,200,000 |
John Hennigan | 5,270,000 | -1,200,000 |
Thursday, July 4, 2013 10:16 PM Local Time
Level 25 started
Level: 25
Blinds: 0/0
Ante: 0
Thursday, July 4, 2013 10:03 PM Local Time
Chip Counts
Don Nguyen | 7,545,000 | -55,000 |
John Hennigan | 6,470,000 | -30,000 |
Matthew Ashton | 5,760,000 | 260,000 |
Thursday, July 4, 2013 9:54 PM Local Time
Let's Have a Dinner Break
Players are now on a 20-minute break, which means we are too!
Thursday, July 4, 2013 9:54 PM Local Time
Ashton Gets His Fill
Omaha-8
Hand #172: Matthew Ashton raised out of the small blind, Don Nguyen called, and the flop came . Nguyen called a bet, and when the turned, he raised Ashton. Ashton re-raised, Nguyen called, and the river was the . Ashton led out, Nguyen called, and the Brit took down the pot with for a full house.
Ashton won two more pots, both against John Hennigan, on Hand #173 and #174 to add even more to his stack.
Don Nguyen | 7,600,000 | -1,400,000 |
John Hennigan | 6,500,000 | -1,000,000 |
Matthew Ashton | 5,500,000 | 1,700,000 |
Thursday, July 4, 2013 9:51 PM Local Time
David Benyamine Eliminated in 4th Place ($497,122)
Stud
Don Nguyen: / /
David Benyamine: / /
After Don Nguyen brought it in, David Benyamine completed with the . Nguyen called and then check-called a bet on fourth. Benyamine checked for a second time on fifth but then woke up with a raise when Nguyen bet. Nguyen called and then call when Benyamine bet all in on the sixth.
Nguyen rolled over for a full house and Benyamine indicated that he was drawing dead. He quickly scooped up his hand while Nguyen was dealt the on seventh. Benyamine then mucked his hand, shook hands with the remaining players and took his leave in fourth place, good for $497,122.
Don Nguyen | 9,000,000 | 1,250,000 |
David Benyamine | 0 | -1,300,000 |
Thursday, July 4, 2013 9:38 PM Local Time
Two Shoves from Benyamine
Hands #160-161: David Benyamine shoved from the button and took down the blinds. On the very next hand, Benyamine did the same thing from the cutoff and the results was the same.
David Benyamine | 1,300,000 | 40,000 |
Thursday, July 4, 2013 9:38 PM Local Time
Nguyen Rivers Two Pair
No-Limit Hold'em
Hand #156: Matthew Ashton completed the small blind, Don Nguyen checked, and the flop fell . Ashton led out for 120,000, Nguyen called, and the turn was the . Ashton led out again - this time for 320,000 - and again, Nguyen called.
Ashton fired a third and final bullet worth 750,000 when the completed the board, and Nguyen called with for nines and fours. Ashton unhappily mucked his hand.
Hand #157: David Benyamine raised to 150,000 in the cutoff, Ashton three-bet to 365,000 on the button, and Benyamine called. Benyamine check-called a bet of 270,000 on a flop of , then check-folded to another bet of 420,000 when the turned.
Don Nguyen | 7,750,000 | 1,350,000 |
Matthew Ashton | 3,800,000 | -700,000 |
David Benyamine | 1,260,000 | -840,000 |
Thursday, July 4, 2013 9:24 PM Local Time
Ashton Heads to Broadway
No-Limit Hold'em
Hand #155:
John Hennigan raised to 135,000 on the button, Matthew Ashton defended his big blind, and the dealer fanned . Both players checked. The turn was the man with the ax ( ), the two knuckled again, and the completed the board. Ashton led out for 260,000, Hennigan called, and Ashton showed for Broadway.
Hennigan mucked.
John Hennigan | 7,500,000 | -300,000 |
Matthew Ashton | 4,500,000 | 500,000 |
Thursday, July 4, 2013 9:22 PM Local Time
Back-to-Back Hits to Ashton
2-7 Triple Draw
Hand #151: Matthew Ashton raised from the cutoff and then called when John Hennigan three-bet from the small blind. The former drew two and then called after the latter drew one. Both players then drew one apiece and Ashton called a bet from Hennigan, who stood pat on the final draw. Ashton drew one and then both players checked. Hennigan showed and it was good as Ashton folded.
Hand #152: Ashton raised from the small blind and Don Nguyen called from the big. The former drew two and the latter three. Ashton bet, Nguyen called and then both players drew one. Ashton check-called a bet, both players drew one again and then Ashton led out. Nguyen raised and Ashton called. Nguyen showed and it was good as Ashton folded.
John Hennigan | 7,400,000 | -600,000 |
Don Nguyen | 6,400,000 | 1,200,000 |
Matthew Ashton | 4,000,000 | -500,000 |
Thursday, July 4, 2013 9:13 PM Local Time
Nguyen Back Above Five Million
2-7 Triple Draw
Hand #150:
David Benyamine raised on the button, Don Nguyen called in the big blind, and Nguyen drew two. Benyamine drew three, and called a bet from Nguyen.
Nguyen tossed one away on the second draw, Benyamine needed three more, and the Frenchman called another bet.
On the final draw, Nguyen took one, Benyamine two, and Benyamine called one final bet. Nguyen fanned , winning the pot with a queen low.
Don Nguyen | 5,200,000 | 500,000 |
David Benyamine | 2,100,000 | -900,000 |
Thursday, July 4, 2013 9:08 PM Local Time
Four-Way Pot to Hennigan
Stud-8
Matthew Ashton: / Fold
Don Nguyen: / /
John Hennigan: / /
David Benyamine: / Fold
Hand #148: Don Nguyen brought it in and was called by all three of his opponents. John Hennigan then bet fourth, the other three players called and then two checks on fifth saw Nguyen bet. Hennigan raise, David Benyamine and Matthew Ashton folded and Nguyen three-bet. Hennigan called and then both players checked sixth and seventh.
Hennigan tabled the for aces and queens and it was good enough to win the pot as Nguyen folded.
John Hennigan | 8,000,000 | 1,100,000 |
Don Nguyen | 4,700,000 | -1,000,000 |
Thursday, July 4, 2013 9:04 PM Local Time
Nguyen Drops Two in Stud-8
Stud-8
Hand #146:
Don Nguyen: / /
John Hennigan: / /
Nguyen brought it in, then called when Hennigan completed. Making a pair of fives on fourth street, Nguyen proceeded to bet out on fourth, fifth, and sixth. Hennigan called on the first two streets, then raised on sixth. Nguyen called.
Both players checked on seventh, and Hennigan scooped with for nines and sevens.
Hand #147:
Don Nguyen: / /
Benyamine: / /
Matthew Ashton brought it in with the , Nguyen completed, and Benyamine raised. Only Nguyen called.
Benyamine bet out on fourth and fifth, Nguyen called both bets, and when Nguyen made a better board on sixth, he bet. Benyamine called.
The two checked on seventh, and Nguyen showed a pair of eights. They were no good against Benyamine's for a pair of jacks.
John Hennigan | 6,900,000 | 1,600,000 |
Don Nguyen | 5,700,000 | -2,200,000 |
David Benyamine | 3,000,000 | 1,800,000 |
Thursday, July 4, 2013 8:53 PM Local Time
Two for Johnny World
Limit Hold'em
Hand #138: John Hennigan raised from the cutoff and Don Nguyen called from the big blind. Both players checked the flop and then Nguyen bet the turn. Hennigan raised, Nguyen called and the completed the board on the river. Nguyen check-called a bet only to muck when Hennigan rolled over the for a flush.
Hand #139: Matthew Ashton raised from the button and then called when Hennigan three-bet from the big blind. The latter then bet the flop, the former called and the dealer burned and turned the . Hennigan fired again and Nguyen folded.
Don Nguyen | 7,900,000 | -900,000 |
John Hennigan | 5,300,000 | 1,130,000 |
Matthew Ashton | 4,500,000 | -1,700,000 |
Thursday, July 4, 2013 8:45 PM Local Time
Benyamine and Ashton Battle in LHE
Limit Hold'em
Hand #134: David Benyamine raised on the button, Matthew Ashton made it three bets from the small blind, and Benyamine called. Ashton led out on a flop of , Benyamine raised, and Ashton called. The Brit check-called a bet on the turn ( ) and then check-folded on the river ( ).
Hand #136: Ashton raised in the cutoff, Benyamine defended his big blind, and the flop came . Benyamine check-called a bet, then led out when the turned. Ashton called. Benyamine checked once again when the completed the board, and Ashton fired out a bet. Benyamine tank-called, and Ashton won the pot with for a queen-high flush.
Hand #137: Benyamine raised out of the small blind, Ashton called in the big blind, and the dealer spread . Benyamine led out, Ashton raised, and Benyamine called. Benyamine check-called a bet when the completed the board, and both players knuckled when the completed the board.
Ashton showed for a pair of sixes, winning another pot.
Matthew Ashton | 6,200,000 | 580,000 |
David Benyamine | 1,200,000 | -180,000 |
Thursday, July 4, 2013 8:45 PM Local Time
Final Table Interview: Matthew Ashton
England's Matthew "MUSTAFABET" Ashton is representing his country well here at 2013 World Series of Poker. Primarily an online cash-game player, Ashton has had his share of success in live tournaments this summer.
Including the Poker Players' Championship, Ashton has made four final tables. His first final table of the summer came in Event #5: $2,500 Omaha/Seven-Card Stud Hi-Lo where he placed third behind Mike Gorodinsky and Kristopher Tong. A few days later, he finished runner-up to seasoned pro Mike "The Mouth" Matusow in Event #13: $5,000 Seven-Card Stud Hi-Lo. And less than a week later, he found himself at another final table. This time it was Event #23: $2,500 Seven-Card Stud where he took seventh behind Scott Seiver, Michael Mizrachi, and eventual winner David Chiu. After coming close a few times, Ashton seems more than ready to snag his first gold bracelet.
During the dinner break we had an opportunity to talk to Ashton about his experience with mixed-games, his toughest competitor at the final table, and what he does off the poker tables to stay equipped for the game.
You have three final tables, four including this event. At this point what is motivating you?
I just really want to win a bracelet. After coming so close before it would be really nice to go all the way and take one down. I don't think it is ever fair to say that anyone deserves a bracelet but it would be nice to be awarded with something to show for your hard work over the years.
With two weeks left of the WSOP, what are your plans for the rest of the series and after?
If I win this tournament it would be the best thing because it's a reflection of your skills in all poker disciplines and not just one. After this tournament I plan on just relaxing a little bit because I've been playing so much. I will play the Main Event and do my best to run deep and make a big score. After that I will go back to playing online and focus on improving my game and getting better as a player.
What work do you put in off the tables?
I do quite a bit of game theory stuff, which is more on the math side of things. I work on different simulations and working out what is exploitable and what isn't. I would say I put in as much time studying off the tables as I do actually playing. It's important to be it the work because the games are always changing and there's always players who are becoming better than you. You have to evolve, adjust, and stay ahead of everyone.
You're up against some of the best pros in the industry. What is your confidence/comfort level at the table?
I'm really comfortable. I play mixed games probably as much as any of them, with the exception of maybe John Hennigan. I'm probably more comfortable or at least as comfortable as they are. You can't be intimated by any of the players you go up against. You have to see them all the same and think they are just your competitors, the same as anyone else. That helps to keep you focused.
Of the eight games in play, which are your strongest and which is your weakest?
The split-pot games are my strongest. So Omaha 8-or-Better and Stud 8-or-Better are the best games for me. I definitely feel most comfortable with those. Those are two games I think people fold too much so you can take advantage of a lot of spots.
My weakest game was Stud but now I am more comfortable and more knowledgeable of the game than I used to be. Now, I would consider no limit Hold'em my weakest because the rest of the poker population has gotten really good at the game so it's a lot tougher than it used to be. It will probably only get harder in the future, I believe.
Since it's a five-day event, which day elevated you to the final table?
Each day I ended up pretty strong. In tournaments you have to try to avoid trouble to build your stack and I think I accomplished just that. There was one really big pot limit Omaha hand actually, where I got it all in in a multi-way pot. I had top set, one player had a really big straight draw and the other had the nut-flush draw. I was the favorite to win but in that situation you can expect to get knocked out of the tournament half the time. That was a really important hand because I not only stayed but built my stack from that hand.
What cash games/tournaments do you play to prepare for events like these?
Most of the games online on PokerStars are eight-game so it's just like this tournament. There aren't many live cash games in England so I stick to playing online.
Which players do you hope to not play heads up against?
John Hennigan is scary in these games. He has vast knowledgeable in all variants and is probably the strongest player on the table right now. He's definitely the one I would rather not be up against heads up but other than that I am comfortable with any of the remaining players.
Thursday, July 4, 2013 8:35 PM Local Time
The Straddle: Behind the Scenes of WSOP Week #5
Thursday, July 4, 2013 8:29 PM Local Time
Benyamine in the Danger Zone
Pot-Limit Omaha
Don Nguyen raised to 135,000 from the cutoff and David Benyamine defended the big. Benyamine then check-called a bet of 85,000 on the flop before both players checked the turn. When the completed the board on the river, Benyamine bet 210,000 only to have Nguyen raise to 1.005 million. Benyamine hit the tank for a bit before calling, but mucked when Nguyen rolled over the [1010djh8h] for a rivered full house.
Don Nguyen | 8,800,000 | 1,600,000 |
David Benyamine | 1,380,000 | -1,425,000 |