Tuesday, July 16, 2013 2:43 AM Local Time
The 2013 WSOP November Nine Is Set; Carlos Mortensen Finishes 10th
The 2013 World Series of Poker Main Event has reached this year's November Nine. At noon on Friday, 27 players remained for Day 7, but that has since been whittled down to just one third of that field. The man who bagged up the chip lead for the four-month hiatus was two-time WSOP gold bracelet winner JC Tran.
Joining Tran to play for poker's greatest prize are Amir Lehavot, Marc-Etienne McLaughlin, Jay Farber, Ryan Riess, Sylvain Loosli, Michiel Brummelhuis, Mark Newhouse and David Benefield.
Benjamin Pollak was the first player eliminated on the day, falling in 27th place. From there, Jorn Walthaus and Jason Mann headed out the door, then it was time for Steve Gee's amazing back-to-back run to come to an end. After making last year's WSOP Main Event final table and placing ninth, Gee took 24th this year.
After Gee, Clement Tripodi, Yevgeniy Timoshenko and Maxx Coleman fell, a huge shocker occurred with the elimination of start-of-the-day chip leader Anton Morgenstern. Despite beginning the day with a big lead and nearly 22 million in chips, Morgenstern busted in 20th place. Not much seemed to go his way throughout Day 7, including a big clash with Newhouse when he flopped trip aces to Newhouse's full house.
Then, James Alexander then finished in 20th place, James Alexander in 19th, Jan Nakladal in 18th, Fabian Ortiz in 17th, Chris Lindh in 16th, Bruno Kawauti in 15th, Sergio Castelluccio in 14th and Alexander Livingston in 13th. At this point, two tables of six remained. Then, two-time WSOP gold bracelet winner Rep Porter was sent off in 12th place by Riess.
Following Matthew Reed's elimination in 11th place, the final 10 players redrew to one table on the ESPN main stage where the plan was to lose one more. JC Tran had a big chip lead, and Newhouse took his seat at a severe short stack with just six big blinds. Luckily for the latter, he was able to find an early double up through Loosli. Newhouse then three-bet shoved a couple of times to pick up some more chips and get himself out of the basement.
The biggest story remaining when the unofficial final table was reached was that of Carlos Mortensen, who was looking to become a two-time champion of this event after having won it back in 2001. As it turns out, Mortensen would finish as the 10th-place finish and bubble the famed November Nine.
Mortensen was knocked back a couple of times as opponents shoved on him. With the additional beatings taken from the blinds and antes, Mortensen slipped to the shortest stack remaining. Then, he was eliminated by Tran.
On the final hand, Mortensen raised to 800,000 from the cutoff seat, and Tran called out of the big blind. The flop came down , and Tran check-called a bet of 800,000 from Mortensen. The turn was the , and Tran moved all in, having Mortensen covered. With a little over 3.5 million left in his stack, Mortensen called.
Mortensen tabled the for a pair and a flush draw. Tran held the for a straight to the ten. Needing any club but the on the river, Mortensen was looking to hit a flush and double up. If not, the night would be over.
In the end, it was the that hit the felt and that was that. Mortensen was eliminated in 10th place, taking home $573,204, while the other nine players rejoiced as they have reached the greatest final table in the world.
On behalf of PokerNews and the WSOP, we would like to thank everyone for following along all summer long. Plenty of history was made once again, and the 2013 WSOP will surely be one to remember. For now, this is our final good night from Las Vegas for the summer, but we'll see you right back here in early November for the conclusion of this spectacular event. Thanks for following along!
Tuesday, July 16, 2013 2:43 AM Local Time
The Official 2013 Main Event Final Table
Seat | Player | Country | Chips |
1 | Sylvain Loosli | France | 19,600,000 |
2 | Michiel Brummelhuis | Netherlands | 11,275,000 |
3 | Mark Newhouse | USA | 7,350,000 |
4 | Ryan Riess | USA | 25,875,000 |
5 | Amir Lehavot | Israel | 29,700,000 |
6 | Marc-Etienne McLaughlin | Canada | 26,525,000 |
7 | JC Tran | USA | 38,000,000 |
8 | David Benefield | USA | 6,375,000 |
9 | Jay Farber | USA | 25,975,000 |
Tuesday, July 16, 2013 2:34 AM Local Time
Carlos Mortensen Eliminated in 10th Place ($573,204)
Hand #280: Marc-Etienne McLaughlin received a walk in the big blind.
Hand #281: Carlos Mortensen raised to 800,000 in the cutoff and JC Tran called from the big blind. The flop came down and Tran check-called 800,000 from Mortensen to see the turn. Tran shoved for about 3.625 million effective and after a few seconds, Mortensen called for his tournament life.
Tran:
Mortensen:
Tran pulled ahead on the turn with a straight, while Mortensen needed a club to survive.
River:
Mortensen was unable to hit the club, ending the 2001 Main Event champion's bid for another Main Event final table in 10th place.
JC Tran | 38,000,000 | 6,150,000 |
Carlos Mortensen | 0 | -5,275,000 |
Tuesday, July 16, 2013 2:25 AM Local Time
Mortensen Getting Shorter
Hand #278: JC Tran raised to 850,000 from middle position, winning the blinds and antes.
Hand #279: Carlos Mortensen completed from the small blind, Amir Lehavot raised to 925,000 from the big blind, and Mortsen snap-called. The flop fell , Mortensen checked, Lehavot fired out 850,000, and Mortensen folded.
JC Tran | 31,850,000 | 1,000,000 |
Amir Lehavot | 30,000,000 | 1,325,000 |
Ryan Riess | 26,175,000 | -300,000 |
Marc-Etienne McLaughlin | 26,125,000 | -100,000 |
Jay Farber | 26,100,000 | -100,000 |
Sylvain Loosli | 19,700,000 | -100,000 |
Michiel Brummelhuis | 11,575,000 | -100,000 |
Mark Newhouse | 7,450,000 | -100,000 |
David Benefield | 6,475,000 | -100,000 |
Carlos Mortensen | 5,275,000 | -1,425,000 |
Tuesday, July 16, 2013 2:20 AM Local Time
Riess Shoves on Mortensen
Hand #277: Carlos Mortensen raised to 1 million from under the gun and action folded to Ryan Riess in the big blind. After about 45 seconds, Riess reraised all in for 7.7 million effective. Mortensen gave it some thought, but folded.
JC Tran | 30,850,000 | -50,000 |
Amir Lehavot | 28,675,000 | -50,000 |
Ryan Riess | 26,475,000 | 1,650,000 |
Marc-Etienne McLaughlin | 26,225,000 | -50,000 |
Jay Farber | 26,200,000 | -50,000 |
Sylvain Loosli | 19,800,000 | -50,000 |
Michiel Brummelhuis | 11,675,000 | -50,000 |
Mark Newhouse | 7,550,000 | -250,000 |
Carlos Mortensen | 6,700,000 | -1,050,000 |
David Benefield | 6,575,000 | -50,000 |
Tuesday, July 16, 2013 2:17 AM Local Time
Newhouse Three-Bet Shoves Again
Hand #275: JC Tran raised to 850,000 in the hijack seat, winning the blinds and antes.
Hand #276: Tran opened to 850,000 from middle position, and the action folded to Mark Newhouse, who moved all in for 6.25 million from the big blind. Tran snap-folded.
JC Tran | 30,900,000 | 150,000 |
Amir Lehavot | 28,725,000 | -100,000 |
Marc-Etienne McLaughlin | 26,275,000 | -100,000 |
Jay Farber | 26,250,000 | -100,000 |
Ryan Riess | 24,825,000 | -100,000 |
Sylvain Loosli | 19,850,000 | -300,000 |
Michiel Brummelhuis | 11,725,000 | -700,000 |
Mark Newhouse | 7,800,000 | 1,450,000 |
Carlos Mortensen | 7,750,000 | -100,000 |
David Benefield | 6,625,000 | -100,000 |
Tuesday, July 16, 2013 2:13 AM Local Time
Riess Takes From Tran
Hand #273: Ryan Riess raised to 800,000 from middle position and JC Tran called on the button. The flop came down and Riess continued for 950,000. Tran called, the hit the turn, and Riess bet 1.65 million. Tran mulled it over briefly before he folded.
Hand #274: Marc-Etienne McLaughlin raised to 850,000 from the hijack and took down the pot.
JC Tran | 30,750,000 | -1,850,000 |
Amir Lehavot | 28,825,000 | -100,000 |
Marc-Etienne McLaughlin | 26,375,000 | 1,000,000 |
Jay Farber | 26,350,000 | -700,000 |
Ryan Riess | 24,925,000 | 2,750,000 |
Sylvain Loosli | 20,150,000 | -500,000 |
Michiel Brummelhuis | 12,425,000 | -100,000 |
Carlos Mortensen | 7,850,000 | -100,000 |
David Benefield | 6,725,000 | -300,000 |
Mark Newhouse | 6,350,000 | -100,000 |
Tuesday, July 16, 2013 2:07 AM Local Time
Two Hands, Two Flops
Hand #271: Sylvain Loosli raised to 800,000 from middle position, JC Tran defended his big blind, and the flop fell . Tran checked, Loosli continued for 950,000, and Tran folded.
Hand #272: Jay Farber raised to 825,000 from under the gun, Ryan Riess called in middle position, and the pair took a flop of . Farber continued for 1,350,000, and Riess folded.
JC Tran | 32,600,000 | -1,100,000 |
Amir Lehavot | 28,925,000 | -100,000 |
Jay Farber | 27,050,000 | 1,825,000 |
Marc-Etienne McLaughlin | 25,375,000 | -300,000 |
Ryan Riess | 22,175,000 | -925,000 |
Sylvain Loosli | 20,650,000 | 1,400,000 |
Michiel Brummelhuis | 12,525,000 | -100,000 |
Carlos Mortensen | 7,950,000 | -100,000 |
David Benefield | 7,025,000 | -500,000 |
Mark Newhouse | 6,450,000 | -100,000 |
Tuesday, July 16, 2013 2:02 AM Local Time
Farber Crosses 25 Million
Hand #270: JC Tran raised to 850,000 from under the gun, Jay Farber called from early position, and Carlos Mortensen called on the button.
The flop fell and Tran continued for 1,525,000. Farber and Mortensen both called, the hit the turn, and Tran fired 3,150,000. Farber called, while Mortensen opted to duck out of the way. The river completed the board and Tran took about 60 seconds before he checked. Farber checked behind and Tran tabled for a pair of queens.
Farber showed for a pair of queens with a king kicker, winning the pot and crossing the 25-million chip mark,
JC Tran | 33,700,000 | -5,575,000 |
Amir Lehavot | 29,025,000 | -250,000 |
Marc-Etienne McLaughlin | 25,675,000 | -450,000 |
Jay Farber | 25,225,000 | 8,950,000 |
Ryan Riess | 23,100,000 | -50,000 |
Sylvain Loosli | 19,250,000 | -50,000 |
Michiel Brummelhuis | 12,625,000 | -50,000 |
Carlos Mortensen | 8,050,000 | -2,425,000 |
David Benefield | 7,525,000 | -50,000 |
Mark Newhouse | 6,550,000 | -50,000 |
Tuesday, July 16, 2013 1:56 AM Local Time
Meet the Final 10
Here are a few notes about each of the last 10 players still in the hunt for the 2013 World Series of Poker Main Event bracelet:
David Benefield is a 27-year-old from Fort Worth, Texas who currently lives in New York where he's studying Political Science and Chinese at Columbia University. Known as "Raptor" online where he's achieved significant success, Benefield also has 12 WSOP cashes and more than $600,000 in live career winnings.
Michiel Brummelhuis is a 32-year-old poker pro from Amsterdam, Netherlands who has collected seven previous WSOP cashes including two final tables, all back in 2008 and 2009. He lists tennis and hockey among his hobbies.
Jay Farber is a 28-year-old from Pennsylvania who now lives in Las Vegas and works as a nightclub host.
Amir Levahot is a 38-year-old poker pro from Israel who now lives in Florida. He earned an engineering degree from the University of Texas at Austin, and has a dozen career WSOP cashes including having won a WSOP bracelet in 2011 in the $10,000 Pot-Limit Hold'em event.
Sylvain Loosli is a 26-year-old poker pro from Toulon, France who went to business school and who has amassed more than $1 million in earnings online.
Marc-Etienne McLaughlin is a 25-year-old from Montreal, Canada who has six WSOP cashes, including two in previous Main Events, both of which were top 100 finishes. He took 30th in the WSOP ME in 2009, and finished 86th in the WSOP ME in 2011. Interestingly, he's a tattoo artist who doesn't himself have any tattoos.
Carlos Mortensen is a 41-year-old born in Ambato, Ecuador who resides in Madrid, Spain. "The Matador" won the WSOP Main Event in 2001 after topping a field of 613 entrants to win the title and $1.5 million first prize. Mortensen won a second bracelet in 2003 in the $5,000 Limit Hold'em event, has won three World Poker Tour titles, and has well over $10 million in career tourney earnings.
Mark Newhouse is a 28-year-old poker pro from Chapel Hill, North Carolina who now lives in Los Angeles. He won the World Poker Tour Borgata Poker Open in Atlantic City in 2006 where he collected a $1,519,020 first prize.
Ryan Riess is the youngest player among the final 10 players at age 23, and in fact would be the first ever WSOP Main Event winner to be born in the 1990s. After studying business at Michigan State University, Riess now lives in Las Vegas, although spent much of the last year on the road traveling the 2012-13 WSOP Circuit where he collected 10 cashes including a runner-up finish in the WSOP-C Horseshoe Hammond Main Event last October.
JC Tran is a 36-year-old poker pro who was born in Vietnam and who currently resides in Sacramento, California. Tran has two career WSOP bracelets and a World Poker Tour title to his credit as part of a storied career that includes more than $8 million in tourney winnings.
Tuesday, July 16, 2013 1:52 AM Local Time
Newhouse Three-Bet Shoves
Hand #267: Ryan Riess received a walk.
Hand #268: JC Tran raised to 850,000 in middle position, Mark Newhouse three-bet shoved for 4.7 million in the cutoff, and the action folded back to Tran, who folded as well.
Hand #269: Marc-Etienne McLaughlin raised to 850,000 from under the gun, Riess called on the button, and the two took a flop of . McLaughlin led out for 1.1 million, Riess called, and the turn brought the . McLaughlin led out again - this time for 1.7 million - and Riess raised to 3.8 million. McLaughlin folded.
JC Tran | 39,275,000 | -1,000,000 |
Amir Lehavot | 29,275,000 | -550,000 |
Marc-Etienne McLaughlin | 26,125,000 | -3,800,000 |
Ryan Riess | 23,150,000 | 5,100,000 |
Sylvain Loosli | 19,300,000 | -150,000 |
Jay Farber | 16,275,000 | -150,000 |
Michiel Brummelhuis | 12,675,000 | -150,000 |
Carlos Mortensen | 10,475,000 | -750,000 |
David Benefield | 7,575,000 | -150,000 |
Mark Newhouse | 6,600,000 | 1,600,000 |
Tuesday, July 16, 2013 1:43 AM Local Time
Mark Newhouse Doubles Through Sylvain Loosli
Hand #265: Marc-Etienne McLaughlin raised to 850,000 from middle position and collected the blinds and antes.
Hand #266: Sylvain Loosli raised to 800,000 on the button and Mark Newhouse shoved from the big blind for 2.15 million. Loosli called.
Loosli:
Newhouse:
The flop came down pairing both players, but giving Newhouse the better of it with aces. The turn changed nothing, leaving Loosli with five outs to come from behind and set the November Nine. The river was the , safe for Newhouse to double up and keep his November Nine hopes alive.
JC Tran | 40,275,000 | -100,000 |
Marc-Etienne McLaughlin | 29,925,000 | 1,000,000 |
Amir Lehavot | 29,825,000 | -100,000 |
Sylvain Loosli | 19,450,000 | -2,450,000 |
Ryan Riess | 18,050,000 | -100,000 |
Jay Farber | 16,425,000 | -100,000 |
Michiel Brummelhuis | 12,825,000 | -700,000 |
Carlos Mortensen | 11,225,000 | -100,000 |
David Benefield | 7,725,000 | -100,000 |
Mark Newhouse | 5,000,000 | 2,750,000 |
Tuesday, July 16, 2013 1:37 AM Local Time
First Three Hands of the Unofficial Final Table
Hand #262: Marc-Etienne McLaughlin won the draw for the button, and the action folded to Amir Lehavot, who raised to 850,000 from the cutoff. The button and both blinds released, and Lehavot picked up the pot.
Hand #263: JC Tran raised to 850,000 on the button, winning the blinds and antes.
Hand #264: Lehavot raised to 850,000 from middle position, winning the pot.
JC Tran | 40,375,000 | 750,000 |
Amir Lehavot | 29,925,000 | 2,050,000 |
Marc-Etienne McLaughlin | 28,925,000 | -150,000 |
Sylvain Loosli | 21,900,000 | -550,000 |
Ryan Riess | 18,150,000 | -150,000 |
Jay Farber | 16,525,000 | -750,000 |
Michiel Brummelhuis | 13,525,000 | -150,000 |
Carlos Mortensen | 11,325,000 | -150,000 |
David Benefield | 7,825,000 | -750,000 |
Mark Newhouse | 2,250,000 | -150,000 |
Tuesday, July 16, 2013 1:31 AM Local Time
Interview with David Benefield: "It's Every Poker Player’s Dream to Make the Final Table of the WSOP Main Event"
David "Raptor" Benefield has not the easiest run to the "unofficial" final table of the WSOP Main Event. He finished Day 6 at the bottom of the chips counts in 27th with only 1.84 million. He now currently sits in ninth with 8.6 million, while still attempting to make to the November Nine.
We caught up with Benefield during the recent break to discuss his "bad call" in the last level, his evolution in poker, and his sentiments toward making the November Nine.
PokerNews: In the last hand before break you tweeted how you "made a bad call with 11 left" in a hand against Brummelhuis. Can you discuss that hand?
It was a bluff catcher. I didn't really think he had a strong hand. There were two flush draws on the turn and they both missed. He was an aggressive player who I thought was capable of bluffing in that spot. He may still be capable but he happened to have top pair. It just didn't turn out to be a good call. It was a wrong spot for me to pick and I realize that now.
You finished 73rd in the 2008 Main Event. How has your game evolved since then?
I was arguably better relative to the field back then. I played a lot more no-limit hold'em cash games and no-limit hold'em tournaments during that point in my life. I don't really play that much poker anymore, in general. Even so, I primarily play pot-limit Omaha now. I think in a tournament like this it takes a lot of luck in addition to skill. I'm just running insanely well and trying to make good decisions.
Last night you finished Day 6 in 27th place, last in the chip counts. What was your mentality going into the start of Day 7?
There was absolutely no pressure. I was in last place. I didn't feel I had to prove anything. I just wanted to get my money in good and get lucky a few times. So far so good, and hopefully that continues.
You mentioned there was no pressure. How important is it to you then to make the final table?
I think it is every poker player's dream to make the final table of the WSOP Main Event. I really hope I do. It's not the end of the world if I don't. I think it's still a pretty good payday at the end of the day either way. But it is something I want and it's something I'm trying really hard to do.
Tuesday, July 16, 2013 1:22 AM Local Time
Unofficial Final Table Redraw
Seat | Player | Country | Chips |
1 | Sylvain Loosli | France | 22,450,000 |
2 | Michiel Brummelhuis | Netherlands | 13,675,000 |
3 | Mark Newhouse | USA | 2,400,000 |
4 | Ryan Riess | USA | 18,300,000 |
5 | Carlos Mortensen | Spain | 11,475,000 |
6 | Amir Lehavot | Israel | 27,875,000 |
7 | Marc-Etienne McLaughlin | Canada | 29,075,000 |
8 | JC Tran | USA | 39,625,000 |
9 | David Benefield | USA | 8,575,000 |
10 | Jay Farber | USA | 17,275,000 |
Tuesday, July 16, 2013 1:17 AM Local Time
Matthew Reed Eliminated in 11th Place ($573,204)
Secondary Table
Hand #199: Jay Farber had the button. From under the gun, Matthew Reed raised to 800,000. Farber reraised to 2.1 million before the blinds got out of the way and play fell back on Reed. Reed folded, and the chants of "Oh Jay! Oh Jay! Oh Jay! Oh Jay!" rang loud throughout the Amazon Room.
Hand #200: Gold bracelet winner Amir Lehavot had the button to start this hand. JC Tran was in the hijack seat and opened to 850,000. Everyone folded, and he won the pot.
Hand #201: Marc-Etienne McLaughlin had the button. In the cutoff seat, Amir Lehavot raised to 800,000. McLaughlin paused as the next player to act, then reraised to 1.6 million. Lehavot folded, and McLaughlin won the pot.
Hand #202: The button was on Matthew Reed. He moved all in for 5.35 million. In the big blind, JC Tran called with the . Reed was at risk with the .
The flop came out to give Reed a pair of fours, but it was Tran's queens still in front. The turn was the , then the river completed the board with the . That was the end of the line for Reed, as he finished in 11th place for $573,204. Tran moved to nearly 40 million.
JC Tran | 39,600,000 | 6,550,000 |
Matthew Reed | 0 | -7,125,000 |
Tuesday, July 16, 2013 1:15 AM Local Time
Feature Table: Brummelhuis Chips Up
Hand #257: Ryan Riess raised to 800,000 from the cutoff, Michiel Brummelhuis called on the button, David Benefield called in the big blind, and the dealer fanned . The action checked to Brummelhuis, and the Dutchman fired out 1.35 million. Benefield folded, and Riess quickly called. The turn brought the man with the ax ( ), Riess checked, and Brummelhuis checked behind. The completed the board, Riess led out for 2.5 million, and Brummelhuis folded.
Hand #258: Brummelhuis raised to 800,000 in the cutoff, winning the blinds and antes.
Hand #259: Riess received a walk.
Hand #260: Sylvain Loosli raised to 800,000 on the button, Riess called in the small blind, and Brummelhuis three-bet to 2.75 million from the big blind. Both players folded, and Brummelhuis took down the pot.
Hand #261: Benefield raised to 800,000 from under the gun, Carlos Mortensen called in the big blind, and the flop fell . Mortensen checked, Benefield continued for 950,000, and Mortensen folded.
With an elimination on the secondary feature table, we are now redrawing to the unofficial final table.
Sylvain Loosli | 22,450,000 | -1,650,000 |
Ryan Riess | 18,300,000 | 2,800,000 |
Michiel Brummelhuis | 13,675,000 | 100,000 |
Carlos Mortensen | 11,475,000 | -1,250,000 |
David Benefield | 8,575,000 | 0 |
Tuesday, July 16, 2013 1:10 AM Local Time
Feature Table: Two Pair For Mortensen
Hand #255: Sylvain Loosli raised to 800,000 from the cutoff and Michiel Brummelhuis three-bet to 2.25 million from the small blind. Action folded back to Loosli who gave it up.
Hand #256: (The button was not moved) Ryan Riess raised to 800,000 on the button and Carlos Mortensen called from the big blind. The flop came down and Mortensen check-called 675,000 from Riess to see the turn, which both checked.
The river completed the board and Mortensen bet 1.4 million. Riess called, but mucked Mortensen tabled for two pair.
Sylvain Loosli | 24,100,000 | -900,000 |
Ryan Riess | 15,500,000 | -2,975,000 |
Michiel Brummelhuis | 13,575,000 | 1,150,000 |
Carlos Mortensen | 12,725,000 | 2,825,000 |
David Benefield | 8,575,000 | -100,000 |
Tuesday, July 16, 2013 1:08 AM Local Time
Secondary Table: Newhouse Shoving Short Stack; Tran and Lehavot Battle
Hand #196: On the first hand of the level it folded around to Mark Newhouse in the small blind who pushed all in for 2.6 million, and JC Tran showed Newhouse that his hand wasn't worth calling with as he mucked. Newhouse showed his hand — — and collected the pot.
Hand #197: Amir Lehavot raised to 800,000 and won the blinds and antes.
Hand #198: Tran raised to 875,000 from the button and got one caller in Lehavot from the big blind. The flop came , and when checked to Tran bet 1,050,000. Lehavot paused a beat and called. The turn brought the and both checked.
The river brought the and both checked again. Lehavot showed for a spade flush, and Tran mucked his hand.
JC Tran | 33,050,000 | -2,675,000 |
Amir Lehavot | 29,075,000 | 3,175,000 |
Mark Newhouse | 3,200,000 | 550,000 |
Tuesday, July 16, 2013 12:58 AM Local Time
Level 35 started
Level: 35
Blinds: 200000/400000
Ante: 50000