Sunday, June 22, 2014 5:17 PM Local Time
Ohel Turns Top Two
Limit Hold'em
David Bach checked the turn with the board reading , and Brian Tate bet. Randy Ohel raised, and Bach got out of the way. Tate called, and he check-called another bet on the river.
Ohel showed for top two to take the pot.
Brian Tate | 146,200 | -3,800 |
Randy Ohel | 146,000 | -4,000 |
Sunday, June 22, 2014 5:14 PM Local Time
Ivey Folds River, Takes Fan Photo
Pot-Limit Omaha
We arrived at the table in time to see Phil Ivey and Elior Sion take a flop of . Ivey took the lead with a bet of 1,300 and Sion wasted little time calling. The hit the felt on the turn and Ivey reached for chips. He fired 4,200 on fourth street, but once again saw a call from Sion.
The completed the board and Ivey slowed with a check. Sion dipped into his larger denomination chips, moving 11,000 into the middle. Ivey thought for about 45 seconds before releasing his hand.
After folding, Ivey immediately stood up from the table and made his way to the rail. A fan on the rail stood next to him while another person took a picture. After the photo, Ivey briskly walked back to the table and did not miss a hand.
Elior Sion | 179,000 | 29,000 |
Phil Ivey | 147,700 | -7,300 |
Sunday, June 22, 2014 5:13 PM Local Time
The World Cup of the $50,000 Poker Players' Championship
The United States and Portugal just drew in the FIFA World Cup — which brought about some groans in the room — and that's inspired us to take a look at the cash breakdown by country for the $50,000 Poker Players' Championship. Here's the breakdown courtesy of the WSOP:
Country | # of Cashes | # of FTs |
USA | 91 | 52 |
Russia | 5 | 2 |
Great Britain | 5 | 3 |
France | 3 | 3 |
Sweden | 3 | 2 |
Canada | 3 | 1 |
Finland | 2 | 1 |
Italy | 2 | 0 |
Denmark | 1 | 0 |
Lithuania | 1 | 0 |
Germany | 1 | 1 |
Australia | 1 | 0 |
*In 2006 and 2011 the final table of this event was comprised solely of Americans.
Sunday, June 22, 2014 5:13 PM Local Time
The Defending Champ's Table
Matthew Ashton burst onto the scene last year with four World Series of Poker final tables and the sweetest possible victory in the $50,000 Players Championship. All the way up until the last tournament of the year Ashton was in the lead for Player of the Year but it was Daniel Negreanu who stole the title from his hands by winning the €25,000 High Roller in Enghien-Les-Bains during the World Series of Poker Europe.
This year Ashton's no longer a newcomer to any player he will face, and among those on Day 1 we spotted a series of young, but experienced, players. To Ashton's immediate right we spotted Bryn Kenney, Phil Galfond and James Obst while on his other side we recognized Abe Mosseri and Paul Volpe.
Ashton's road to back-to-back titles will obviously be extremely tough and we will make sure to follow his progress from start to finish
Paul Volpe | 150,000 | 0 |
Bryn Kenney | 150,000 | 0 |
Sunday, June 22, 2014 5:05 PM Local Time
Volpe, Kenney Join the Field
Among the slightly late arrivals are Paul Volpe and Bryn Kenney. Volpe has already claimed a bracelet this summer, while Kenney is still seeking his first.
Bryn Kenney | 150,000 | |
Paul Volpe | 150,000 | |
Sunday, June 22, 2014 4:56 PM Local Time
Ivey Barrels it Down
Omaha Eight-or-Better
Steve Billirakis opened for a raise on the button, and Phil Ivey three-bet from the small blind. Billirakis called after the big blind mucked, and the flop fell . Ivey bet, and Billirakis called. Action went the same on the turn and river, and Ivey tossed into the middle. Billirakis didn't indicate he could beat it, so Ivey followed up with and .
Meanwhile, Philip Sternheimer recently took a seat to Ivey's left.
Phil Ivey | 155,000 | 5,000 |
Philip Sternheimer | 150,000 | |
Steve Billirakis | 137,000 | 137,000 |
Sunday, June 22, 2014 4:56 PM Local Time
The Runner-Ups Face Each Other
Last year's runner-up Don Nguyen's been spotted in the early goings here as well, and he faces Bruno Fitoussi, who came second in this tournament back in 2007. Nguyen came second to Matthew Ashton for $1,096,254 while the Frenchman raked in $1,278,720 when he was the last man standing to face the ultimate champ, Freddy Deeb.
Also on this table we spotted John Monnette, winner of the $2,500 8-Game in 2011, and a regular in the biggest mixed game cash games throughout the year. Rob Mizrachi, winner of last night's $1,500 Dealers Choice tournament, and Allen Kessler, runner up in two WSOP events, are also at this table to make it yet another stacked one here on Day 1 of one of the most prestigious tournaments of the year.
Sunday, June 22, 2014 4:53 PM Local Time
Bloch Shows Why He Is a Stud
Stud
Andy Bloch has final tabled this event twice in the past taking second in 2006 and third in 2013, the former of which was the result of a marathon heads-up match against Chip Reese. Those performances earned him $1,591,383 in prize money, and he's taking another crack at the title here in 2014.
In a recent hand, Bloch completed with the and Bill Chen raised with the . John Racener, who recently finished runner-up to George Danzer in the $10,000 Stud Hi-Low Championship, then called with the , Bloch put in the additional 600, and three players went to fourth street.
Chen and Racener both check-called a bet of 600 and then checked to Bloch on fifth. Bloch bet 1,200, Chen folded, and Racener made the call. Racener then called another bet on sixth before folding to one on seventh.
Chen: / fold
Racener: / / fold
Bloch: / /
Andy Bloch | 156,500 | |
Bill Chen | 148,000 | -2,000 |
John Racener | 145,000 | -5,000 |
Sunday, June 22, 2014 4:44 PM Local Time
Ivey's Here
Phil Ivey is always someone to look out for in events like this and he's here as well right from the get go. Ivey finished third in the first ever $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. Championship back in 2006, when Andy Bloch and the ultimate winner, Chip Reese, battled it out for the trophy. Since then Ivey has cashed only once more in this tournament, back in 2008.
Today Ivey faces a man who was once the youngest World Series of Poker bracelet winner ever. Back in 2007 it was Steve Billirakis who broke Jeff Madsen's record of youngest bracelet winner by winning the $5,000 Mixed Hold'em event.
One of his other opponents, Mike Leah, already has three cashes at this year's WSOP including a seventh place in the $2,500 Omaha/Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo event.
Finally, we've also spotted a relatively unknown live poker player who goes by the name of Crazy Elior online. Elior Sion's might not have faces Ivey at the live poker tables but it's safe to say these two are no strangers to each other when it comes to online play.
Sunday, June 22, 2014 4:42 PM Local Time
Spades For Luneau
No-Limit Hold'em
Alexandre Luneau and David Singer were heads up in a hand and looked down at a monotone board of . Luneau tapped the table, allowing Singer to throw out a bet of 2,000. Luneau came over the top with a check-raise to 10,000 and Singer called.
The hit the river, putting four spades on the board. Luneau checked and Singer rapped the table back. Luneau showed for a turned king-high flush. Singer mucked his cards and Luneau picked up. Luneau now sits at about 162,000 in chips while Singer has dropped to 127,500.
"If I'm going to win this thing I'm going to have to start winning some pots," said Singer after the hand.
Alexandre Luneau | 162,000 | 12,000 |
David Singer | 127,500 | -22,500 |
Sunday, June 22, 2014 4:36 PM Local Time
Monnette Has to Fold Bullets
No-Limit Hold'em
John Monnette check-called 14,200 from under the gun on an board, as Bruno Fitoussi had bet in position. On the river, Monnette checked again and Fitoussi bet 16,000. Monnette mucked face up in disgust, and Fitoussi showed him , saying he was glad Monnette didn't bet on the end.
Bruno Fitoussi | 163,000 | 13,000 |
John Monnette | 129,000 | -21,000 |
Sunday, June 22, 2014 4:35 PM Local Time
Meet Elior "Crazy Elior" Sion
The $50,000 Poker Players' Championship attracts the best players from across the world. Most of these players are easily recognizable, but there is one players seated over at Table 372 that may not be overly familiar to poker fans. We're talking about Elior Sion, who is currently testing his mettle against the likes of Phil Ivey and Mike Leah.
If you don't know that name, you may recognize him by his online handle "Crazy Elior." Sion broke onto the online poker scene back in 2011, and since then he's steadily moved up the stakes to become a regular at the $300/$600 pot-limit Omaha and $200/$400 no-limit hold'em tables. While he's used to mixing it up against the likes of Viktor "Isildur1" Blom and Ben "Bttech86" Tollerene, Sion hasn't been faring overly well in 2014; in fact, right now he is down $515,300 on the virtual felt.
Sion, who hails from London, England and attended the Jewish Free School (J.F.S), was born on December 7, 1990, which makes him one of the youngest players in the field. Other than that, little is known about Sion, who declined to be interview by PokerNews earlier this year.
As for his WSOP experience, Sion has three cashes to his credit. The first came back in the 2012 WSOP Event #27 $1,500 H.O.R.S.E., where he took fifth for $55,422. The other two came last week when he finished 91st in Event #33 $1,000 No-Limit Hold'em for $2,628 and 11th in Event #39 $3,000 No-Limit Hold'em for $30,927.
Sion is accustomed to playing behind a compute screen, but here in Event #46: $50,000 Poker Players' Championship he is underneath the poker spotlight. Rest assured we'll be keeping track on the online star throughout the tournament.
Sunday, June 22, 2014 4:32 PM Local Time
The POY Leader Faces The Current Champ
Last year Daniel Negreanu became the World Series of Poker Player of the Year and this year's leader in that race, George Danzer, is currently at his table. Danzer and Negreanu are flanked by Matt Glantz, who made the final table in this event twice, and Scott Seiver, who finished seventh in this tournament back in 2011.
Danzer already won two bracelets this year after coming close to winning one many times in previous years. Last year in this event was one of those times as the German pro finished fifth for $388,523. Negreanu, out of these four players, is the only one who has not made the final table of this event. The Canadian super star has one cash in this tournament dating back to 2008.
Sunday, June 22, 2014 4:29 PM Local Time
Eight Perfect For Seiver
2-7 Triple Draw
Action folded over to Matt Glantz on the button and he put out a raise. Daniel Negreanu folded the small blind and Scott Seiver called from the big blind. For the first draw, Seiver took two new cards while Glantz opted for three. Seiver came out with a bet and Glantz called to see the next draw.
On the second draw, Seiver opted for one card while Glantz once again took three.
"Wow," said Seiver. "Staying strong."
Seiver bet out again and Glantz came over the top with a raise. Seiver made it three bets to go and Glantz flatted. Seiver stood pat on the final draw and Glantz took one new card. Seiver bet, Glantz called, and Seiver fanned for an eight-perfect. Glantz mucked his cards and Seiver pulled in the pot.
Scott Seiver | 156,000 | 6,000 |
Matt Glantz | 144,200 | -5,800 |
Sunday, June 22, 2014 4:26 PM Local Time
Deeb Needs a Lesson
2-7 Triple Draw
Shaun Deeb stood pat on the last draw in position as Eli Elezra drew one. Elezra squeezed out his card and checked, and Deeb checked it back.
"Ten," Deeb said.
Elezra tossed a pair of deuces into the middle in disgust, and Deeb tabled .
"Ten-nine?" Elezra said. "I'm gonna teach you a lesson buddy, if you're gonna play like that."
Shaun Deeb | 158,000 | 8,000 |
Sunday, June 22, 2014 4:24 PM Local Time
The Pros Came to Play
As it is a custom in tournaments this size many players like entering late, but these pros already entered right at the start. Late registration remains open until 4:00 PM tomorrow.
Bruno Fitoussi | 150,000 | 150,000 |
David Singer | 150,000 | 150,000 |
Jeremy Ausmus | 150,000 | 150,000 |
John Monnette | 150,000 | 150,000 |
Alexandre Luneau | 150,000 | 150,000 |
Brian Tate | 150,000 | 150,000 |
Don Nguyen | 150,000 | 150,000 |
James Obst | 150,000 | 150,000 |
Scott Seiver | 150,000 | 150,000 |
George Danzer | 150,000 | 150,000 |
Daniel Negreanu | 150,000 | 150,000 |
Allen Kessler | 150,000 | 150,000 |
Matt Glantz | 150,000 | 150,000 |
Phil Galfond | 150,000 | 150,000 |
Matthew Ashton | 150,000 | 150,000 |
Randy Ohel | 150,000 | 150,000 |
David Bach | 150,000 | 150,000 |
John Racener | 150,000 | 150,000 |
Bill Chen | 150,000 | 150,000 |
Mike Gorodinsky | 150,000 | 150,000 |
Brock Parker | 150,000 | 150,000 |
Chris Bell | 150,000 | |
Mike Wattel | 150,000 | 150,000 |
Robert Mizrachi | 150,000 | 150,000 |
Melissa Burr | 150,000 | 150,000 |
Shaun Deeb | 150,000 | 150,000 |
Elior Sion | 150,000 | 150,000 |
Erick Lindgren | 150,000 | 150,000 |
Mike Leah | 150,000 | 150,000 |
Phil Ivey | 150,000 | 150,000 |
Talal Shakerchi | 150,000 | 150,000 |
Eli Elezra | 150,000 | 150,000 |
Jonathan Duhamel | 150,000 | 150,000 |
David "ODB" Baker | 150,000 | 150,000 |
Sunday, June 22, 2014 4:14 PM Local Time
Shuffle up and Deal!
The cards are now in the air for the ninth annual $50,000 Players Championship. This tournament will be played out seven-handed, as opposed to eight handed in the previous years. This means that during the 2-7 Triple Draw part of this tournament there will only be one player sitting out.
In total five levels of 100 minutes will be played today.
Sunday, June 22, 2014 4:13 PM Local Time
PokerNews Impromptu: Pregame $50K Poker Interview w/ Randy Ohel
WSOP bracelet winner Randy Ohel is playing the $50,000 Poker Players' Championship for the second year in a row. PokerNews caught up with him to talk about selling action and what he learned about this event last year. Daniel Negreanu even makes a surprise appearance.
Sunday, June 22, 2014 4:13 PM Local Time
Level 1 started
Level: 1
Blinds: 0/0
Ante: 0
Sunday, June 22, 2014 2:24 PM Local Time
Welcome to the 9th Annual $50,000 Poker Players' Championship
Back in 2006, the World Series of Poker introduced the $50,000 Poker Players' Championship, a tournament designed to determine the game's greatest all-around player. The event was originally played in a H.O.R.S.E. format, but now it's morphed into a rotation of eight games — limit hold'em, Omaha hi-low, razz, seven-card stud, stud hi-low, no-limit hold'em, pot-limit Omaha, and 2-7 triple draw lowball.
The tournament, which was created at the request of the players back in 2006, attracted 143 entrants in its first year. David "Chip" Reese ended up winning the inaugural event for $1,716,000, and since then some of the game's best have laid claim to the title (see chart below).
According to the WSOP, "poker greats consider the winner of the event the best all-around player because it demonstrates he or she can outplay the competition in a wide range of game variations with high stakes on the line."
There have also been some noteworthy milestones, which we'll highlight for you here:
- Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi is the only player to win the Chip Reese Trophy twice.
- Seven other players have final tabled the event twice, including John Hanson, Andy Bloch, Bruno Fitoussi, Matt Glantz, David Singer, Barry Greenstein, and Huck Seed.
- Last year's champ, Matthew Ashton, became the first non-American to win the title. He did so by defeating American Don Nguyen in heads-up play (in 2006 and 2011, the final table of this event was comprised solely of Americans).
- No woman has ever cashed in this event.
- Andy Bloch and Barry Greenstein lead the all-time cashing list in this event with four cashes each.
- The $50,000 buy-in is the second-most expensive of the 65 events at the 2014 WSOP.
Not only will the eventual winner take home a WSOP gold bracelet and a large payday, they'll have their name inscribed on the commemorative "Chip Reese Trophy," which is named in honor of the inaugural winner, who passed away in 2007. "The iconic trophy was first added for the event's champion in 2008, with the winner keeping the top part of the trophy for the year, while his name is engraved on the bottom half, etched forever in history," the WSOP explains.
The biggest names in poker are expected to take part in this tournament, but some who've already stated that they'll be forking over $50,000 are Gus Hansen, Dan Heimiller, Ben Yu, Robert Mizrachi, Randy Ohel, Vanessa Selbst, Mike Gorodinsky, and the defending champ Matthew Ashton. In addition there have been satellites running the past two days, so we'll see a handful of qualifiers taking their shot, all hoping to add their name to this prestigious list:
Former $50,000 Poker Players' Championship Winners
Year | Winner | Prize | # of Entrants | Prize Pool |
2006 | Chip Reese | $1,716,000 | 143 | $6,864,000 |
2007 | Freddy Deeb | $2,276,832 | 148 | $7,104,000 |
2008 | Scotty Nguyen | $1,989,120 | 148 | $7,104,000 |
2009 | David Bach | $1,276,806 | 95 | $4,560,000 |
2010 | Michael Mizrachi | $1,559,046 | 116 | $5,568,000 |
2011 | Brian Rast | $1,720,328 | 128 | $6,144,000 |
2012 | Michael Mizrachi | $1,451,527 | 108 | $5,184,000 |
2013 | Matthew Ashton | $1,774,089 | 132 | $6,336,000 |
Day 1 will feature five levels — each lasting 100 minutes — and players will begin with 150,000 in tournament chips. Cards will be in the air at 4 p.m. local time, so join us then as we kick off one of the most prestigious events of the summer!