Monday, December 17, 2012 8:39 PM Local Time
306 players had a dream this weekend: to be the next WSOP Circuit Main Event Champion. Only one player could live this dream, and that was Jonathan Chehanske He walks away with $107,862, a beautiful gold WSOP Circuit Ring, and an automatic bid to the WSOP National Championship in May!
We came into today down to our final nine players, and the eliminations were fast and furious in the beginning. The first player to go was our short stack to start the day: Ted Jivkov. Jivkov was the victim of the ultimate preflop cooler, when his ran into the of Erik Roussakis. The board brought no miracles, and he was knocked out in 9th place.
David Randall was the next player to exit, and he too ran into pocket aces. This time, it was Lorenzo Bosforo who held them, and they were too much for Randall's pocket nines. This was Randall's second final table of the series, as he finished 3rd in the $1,000 buy in event on the first day of the Main Event.
A few hands later, we lost James Czarnecki. He put his tournament life at risk holding , and he was up against the . A five came on the flop, and that spelled doom for Czarnecki, who headed to the payout desk with a 7th place ticket.
We played six-handed for over two hours until we lost another player, and that unfortunate player was Lorenzo Bosforo. Bosforo four-bet shoved preflop for his last 600,000 with , and Soi Nguyen made the call, holding . The tens held, and Bosforo was eliminated in 6th.
Erik Roussakis was second in chips when he was eliminated in 5th place in what was the biggest pot of the tournament to that point. Action started with Roussakis raising to 75,000 in early position. Nguyen defended his big blind, and the two saw a flop of .
Nguyen checked to Roussakis, who fired out 100,000. Nguyen grabbed some raising chips, shuffled them for a bit, then tossed in a raise to 230,000. As he has done often throughout the final table, Roussakis acted quickly, and raised it to 500,000. Nguyen let out a small sigh, and announced all in. Roussakis let out a sigh himself before making the call, and we had the biggest pot of the tournament.
Nguyen:
Roussakis:
Nguyen flopped bottom set, but he still had to sweat, as Roussakis could catch a spade to win the hand. The turn was a black king, but it was the . The river was the other black king, the , and though it gave Roussakis the flush, it also gave Nguyen a full boat.
We were four handed for quite some time, even though the dinner break, until we lost two players in two hands. On the first hand, Edmund Liu shoved from under the gun with , but he ran into the of Jonathan Chehanske. He was not able to catch an ace, and he went home with $35,779 for his efforts.
On the very next hand, Chehanske played executioner again, as his held against the of Lynda Tran. That gave us our heads up battle between Chehanske and Soi Nguyen.
Heads up play only last about 30 minutes, as both players were extremely aggressive. There was a raise or three bet on every hand, and it didn't take long for the two to get the money in. Jonathan Chehanske raised it up to 90,000, and Nguyen three bet it to 210,000. Chehanske made the call, and the flop came . The action was like rapid fire, as Nguyen bet out 310,000, Chehanske moved all in, and Nguyen snap called.
Nguyen:
Chehanske:
Chehanske was out in front, but Nguyen was still drawing very live, as a diamond would give him a flush. The hit the turn, and we were down to the river. That card was the , and while it did give Nguyen the flush, it also made a full house for Chehanske. Chehanske embraced his girlfriend in victory, while Nguyen made his way to the payout desk, falling just short of the title.
That wraps it up for us here! A huge congratulations again to Jonathan Chehanske for a wonderfully played tournament. It's been an action packed four days, and we've enjoyed bringing you all the action. Be sure to tune in next time, as the next Circuit stop will be in Los Angeles in January. Until then, good night!
Monday, December 17, 2012 8:25 PM Local Time
Wow. In a flash, Soi Nguyen has been eliminated in 2nd place. Jonathan Chehanske raised it up to 90,000, and Nguyen three bet it to 210,000. Chehanske made the call, and the flop came . The action was like rapid fire, as Nguyen bet out 310,000, Chehanske moved all in, and Nguyen snap called.
Nguyen:
Chehanske:
Chehanske was out in front, but Nguyen was still drawing very live, as a diamond would give him a flush. The hit the turn, and we were down to the river. That card was the , and while it did give Nguyen the flush, it also made a full house for Chehanske.
Chehanske paused for a moment to make sure he was good, then clapped his hands and went to embrace his girlfriend. Meanwhile, a disappointed Nguyen walked away without a ring, but $66,693 will be a nice consolation prize.
| Jonathan Chehanske | 6,120,000 | 2,855,000  |
| Soi Nguyen | 0 | -2,740,000  |
Monday, December 17, 2012 8:13 PM Local Time
The aggression certainly hasn't stopped since we've gotten to heads up, as we just had our second four bet in a matter of minutes. This time, Chehanske started with a raise to 85,000, and Nguyen three bet it to 240,000. Chehanske then put in a four bet to 690,000, and that convince Nguyen that he was beat, as he laid his hand down.
Chehanske retook the chip lead with that pot.
| Jonathan Chehanske | 3,265,000 | 315,000 |
| Soi Nguyen | 2,740,000 | -315,000 |
Monday, December 17, 2012 8:09 PM Local Time
The momentum in this heads up battle looks to be swinging Nguyen's way now, as he has just retaken the chip lead. Nguyen opened with a raise to 85,000, and Chehanske three bet it to 250,000. Nguyen got out the calling chips, shuffled them for about 15 seconds, then pulled out raising chips. He built up a raise to 510,000, and put the first four bet of the heads up battle in.
Chehanske tanked for about 20 seconds before making the call, and there was already a million chips in the middle when the flop came . Chehanske checked to Nguyen, who fired out 405,000. It only took Chehanske about 10 seconds to fold his hand, and Nguyen dragged down the big pot.
After that hand, Nguyen is back up over thre million, and takes the lead in this duel.
| Soi Nguyen | 3,055,000 | 280,000 |
| Jonathan Chehanske | 2,950,000 | -280,000 |
Monday, December 17, 2012 7:59 PM Local Time
Chehanske made it 90,000 to go, and Nguyen made the call. The flop came down , and Nguyen check called a bet of 125,000. The turn brought the , and both players checked it.
The river was the , and Nguyen fired out 175,000. Chehanske tanked for about 30 seconds before he assembled a raise of 375,000, and put it in the middle. It was Nguyen's turn to go into the tank, and he cut the chips out for the call. Despite the scare card on the river, Nguyen made the call, and Chehanske could only show for queen high.
Nguyen tabled for third pair on board, and it was good enough to get him close to even again.
| Jonathan Chehanske | 3,230,000 | -530,000 |
| Soi Nguyen | 2,775,000 | 530,000 |
Monday, December 17, 2012 7:47 PM Local Time
Jonathan Chehanske has been winning most of the heads up pots so far, and he has added a couple hundred thousand more to his stack as a result.
| Jonathan Chehanske | 3,760,000 | 210,000 |
| Soi Nguyen | 2,245,000 | -205,000 |
Monday, December 17, 2012 7:36 PM Local Time
| Jonathan Chehanske | 3,550,000 | 1,150,000 |
| Soi Nguyen | 2,450,000 | -170,000 |
Monday, December 17, 2012 7:34 PM Local Time
On the very next hand, Lynda Tran moved all in for her last 730,000. Once again, Jonathan Chehanske woke up with a hand, and made the call.
Tran:
Chehanske:
Tran was behind and in need of help as the flop came . Tran now had some outs for a chop, and the helped that out. Tran could grab a king or eight for a chop, or a seven for the win, but the river was the .
It was a valiant effort for the last man standing, and Tran will take home $48,438 for her efforts. And with that, we are heads up!
| Lynda Tran | 0 | -740,000 |
Monday, December 17, 2012 7:29 PM Local Time
Edmund Liu came into today with the chip lead and dreams of a Main Event win, but he will have to settle for 4th place, as he has just been eliminated.
Liu started the action by moving all in for his last 345,000, and the next player to act, Jonathan Chehanske, made the call. Nguyen and Tran got out of the way, and the cards were tabled.
Chehanske:
Liu:
The board ran dry for Liu, coming down , and Liu collected just under $36,000 for his efforts. Meanwhile, Chehanske is back up to 2.4 million.
| Jonathan Chehanske | 2,400,000 | 300,000 |
| Edmund Liu | 0 | -620,000 |
Monday, December 17, 2012 7:23 PM Local Time
Soi Nguyen raised it up to 85,000 on the button, and Lynda Tran moved all in from the small blind. It was a bet of 675,000 total, and the action got back around to Nguyen. He tanked for about 30 seconds before removing his card protector, and sliding his hand into the muck.
Tran is still fairly short but has breathing room with 740,000 now.
| Lynda Tran | 740,000 | 85,000 |
Monday, December 17, 2012 7:14 PM Local Time
Soi Nguyen raised it up on the button to 65,000, and Lynda Tran was next to act. She put in a three bet to 200,000, and it was on Edmund Liu. He tanked for about 30 seconds, before putting a call in, and Nguyen also made the call.
The three handed flop went all hearts: . Both Tran and Liu checked to Nguyen, who fired 275,000 into the middle. Tran gave her hand up after a few moments of thought, and it didn't take Liu very long to fold either.
After that hand, Nguyen is back into the lead with 2.62 million, while Liu and Tran both fall to 15 big blinds.
| Soi Nguyen | 2,620,000 | 540,000 |
| Lynda Tran | 655,000 | -495,000 |
| Edmund Liu | 620,000 | -160,000 |
Monday, December 17, 2012 7:01 PM Local Time
Soi Nguyen raised it up to 80,000 on the button, and it folded to Edmund Liu in the big blind. He cut out a reraise to 200,000, and slid it forward. Nguyen came along, and they saw a flop of . Both players checked, and the same happened when the hit the turn.
On the river, the , Liu checked a third time, and Nguyen fired out 175,000. Liu instantly folded, and Nguyen took the pot to get back up over two million. Meanwhile, Liu is left with less then 20 big blinds.
| Soi Nguyen | 2,080,000 | 210,000 |
| Edmund Liu | 780,000 | -145,000 |
Monday, December 17, 2012 6:58 PM Local Time
The four players are back, and the cards are once again in the air.
Monday, December 17, 2012 6:08 PM Local Time
The four remaining players have elected to take a 45 minute dinner break rather then the full 60. Cards will be back in the air around 6:50 local time.
Monday, December 17, 2012 6:07 PM Local Time
Lynda Tran moved all in from under the gun for 555,000, and it folded around to Soi Nguyen in the big blind. He told Tran that he would sweat the cards, and he peaked at the first, and showed the . He said "not looking good that I'm going to call." That was until he saw the second card, the . He said "let's gamble," and made the call.
Tran had Nguyen's dominated, holding , and the board gave her an unnecessary straight, coming down .
After that hand, Tran is up to 1.15 million, while Nguyen drops to 1.87 million
| Soi Nguyen | 1,870,000 | -680,000 |
| Lynda Tran | 1,150,000 | 460,000 |
Monday, December 17, 2012 5:55 PM Local Time
Edmund Liu raised it up to 60,000 on the button, and Soi Nguyen three bet to 185,000 from the big blind. Liu tanked for about 30 seconds before making the call, and the flop came down . Both players looked at their cards to see if they had a club before they both checked.
The turn brought the , and again, both players checked. The hit the river, and Nguyen checked a third time. Liu fired out 150,000, and Nguyen called quickly.
Liu:
Nguyen:
Liu's king-jack came from behind, and he took the pot, to up his stack to exactly one million. Meanwhile, Nguyen is back down to 2.55 million.
| Soi Nguyen | 2,550,000 | -360,000 |
| Edmund Liu | 1,000,000 | 300,000 |
Monday, December 17, 2012 5:46 PM Local Time
No more then two hands after Soi Nguyen lost the chip lead to Jonathan Chehanske, he's gotten it right back. We didn't catch the action until the river, but there was already a sea of chips in the middle on a completed board of .
Chehanske was first to act, and he put out a big bet of 250,000. Nguyen tanked for about 45 seconds before assembling a raise of 550,000, and sliding it towards the dealer. Chehanske laid his hand down, and Nguyen is once again pushing three million.
| Soi Nguyen | 2,910,000 | 620,000 |
| Jonathan Chehanske | 1,885,000 | -515,000 |
Monday, December 17, 2012 5:37 PM Local Time
We caught up with the action in a heads up pot between Soi Nguyen and Edmund Liu on the flop, which was . Liu fired out 75,000, and Nguyen made the call. The turn was the , and Liu moved the rest of his chips in, a bet of 370,000. Nguyen spent about two minutes in the tank before releasing his hand, and Liu took the pot to get up to 700,000.
After that hand, Nguyen was left with 2.29 million, which is now trailing the 2.4 million of Jonathan Chehanske.
| Jonathan Chehanske | 2,400,000 | 105,000 |
| Soi Nguyen | 2,290,000 | -260,000 |
| Edmund Liu | 700,000 | 185,000 |
Monday, December 17, 2012 5:31 PM Local Time
Jonathan Chehanske and Soi Nguyen folded their hands, and Lynda Tran moved all in from the small blind for her last 370,000. Edmund Liu was in the big blind, and he peaked down at his cards, and made the call.
Liu:
Tran:
Tran woke up with a huge hand in the small blind, and she was in great shape to double up. The flop was action packed, coming . That paired the ace of Liu, but Tran picked up a diamond draw. The suspense was over on the turn when the hit, and the meaningless river was the .
Tran collected the double up to get to 770,000, while Liu is now our short stack with 515,000.
| Lynda Tran | 770,000 | 220,000 |
| Edmund Liu | 515,000 | -380,000 |
Monday, December 17, 2012 5:26 PM Local Time
With Lynda Tran short stacked, and Edmund Liu being seemingly card dead, it's up to Jonathan Cheanske to duke it out with our chip leader Soi Nguyen, and he appears to be up to the task.
Action started with Chehanske raising to 65,000, and he got a call from Nguyen in the small blind and Lynda Tran in the big blind. The flop ran down , and it was checked to Chehanske, who fired out 115,000. Nguyen never likes to fold, and he wasn't going to here, as he raised it up to 260,000. Tran quickly got out of the way, but Chehanske made the call.
The turn brought the , and Nguyen kept the pressure on with a bet of 315,000. Chehanske cut the chips out of his stack, and thought for about 30 seconds before making the call. The river came the , and Nguyen finally decided to slow down and check. Chehanske quickly checked as well, and tabled for top pair. Nguyen mucked his hand, and the big pot was shipped over to Chehanske.
After that hand, Chehanske has nearly drawn level with Nguyen, sitting on 2.295 million to Nguyen's 2.55 million.
| Soi Nguyen | 2,550,000 | -650,000 |
| Jonathan Chehanske | 2,295,000 | 860,000 |