Wednesday, June 26, 2019 2:56 AM Local Time
Ivey Leads 38 Players into Day 3 of $50,000 Poker Players Championship
While the turnout of 74 players is the smallest in the $50,000 Poker Players Championship history, the record-low attendance has been well compensated by the appearance of two iconic players: Phil Ivey and Tom Dwan.
After a tumultuous day at the felt, Ivey managed to catapult himself into pole position late in the day, leading the last 38 players at the end of Day 2.
With 1,254,000 in his bag and 10 bracelets under his belt, Ivey is a hot candidate to earn his fourth PPC cash. This year's champion will take home $1,099,311 but it's still early to discuss the top prizes.
Only 12 players will walk away with a profit and it's likely that Day 3 will bring the tournament close to the bubble but not into the money.
Having spent more time playing poker in Asia than on American soil in the last few years, Ivey and Dwan have been welcome attractions to the PPC field. While Ivey had already made his return to WSOP last year, Dwan hasn't cashed here for eight years.
Dwan showed up right at the late registration buzzer but, unfortunately for him, his appearance was short-lived as he fell in tonight's final level.
Two former Chip Reese Memorial Trophy winners remain in contention with John "World" Hennigan right on Ivey's heels. 2014 champion Hennigan, who won his sixth WSOP bracelet earlier this summer, was among the top stacks through the better part of the day and he finished with 1,209,000.
The other former PPC winner who has made it through the first two days is 2013 champ Matthew Ashton, who sits in seventh place with 911,000.
On the other hand, three-time winner and defending champion Michael Mizrachi won't add his fourth win this year. Mizrachi fell to Prahlad Friedman in a hand of pot-limit omaha, leaving his brother Robert the lone representative of the well-decorated family (Robert Mizrachi bagged 417,000).
The remaining field boasts, unsurprisingly, a ton of stellar players with Chris Vitch (1,103,000), David Oppenheim (1,062,000), and Josh Arieh (939,000) rounding out the top five.
Day 3 of what is often dubbed the toughest poker tournament on the planet kicks off on Wednesday, June 26, at 2 p.m. local time, with action resuming with 12,000/24,000 limits. PokerNews will be on the ground to provide live updates throughout the Poker Players Championship and the 50th annual World Series of Poker.
Wednesday, June 26, 2019 2:45 AM Local Time
Seat Draw Day 3 Event #58: $50,000 Poker Players Championship
| Room | Table | Seat | Player | Country | Chip Count |
|---|
| Amazon | 402 | 1 | Timofey Kuznetsov | Russia | 762,000 |
| Amazon | 402 | 3 | Robert Mackie | United States | 900,000 |
| Amazon | 402 | 4 | Dario Sammartino | Italy | 296,000 |
| Amazon | 402 | 5 | Roy Thung | United States | 406,000 |
| Amazon | 402 | 6 | John Monnette | United States | 257,000 |
| | | | | | |
|---|
| Amazon | 403 | 1 | Tomer Daniel | United States | 157,000 |
| Amazon | 403 | 2 | Illya Trincher | United States | 170,000 |
| Amazon | 403 | 3 | Prahlad Friedman | United States | 390,000 |
| Amazon | 403 | 4 | Mike Glick | United States | 512,000 |
| Amazon | 403 | 5 | Eric Wasserson | United States | 87,000 |
| | | | | | |
|---|
| Amazon | 406 | 1 | Jesse Martin | United States | 204,000 |
| Amazon | 406 | 2 | Luke Schwartz | United Kingdom | 744,000 |
| Amazon | 406 | 3 | Andrew Brown | United States | 539,000 |
| Amazon | 406 | 4 | Josh Arieh | United States | 939,000 |
| Amazon | 406 | 5 | Bryce Yockey | United States | 715,000 |
| Amazon | 406 | 6 | Jared Bleznick | United States | 829,000 |
| | | | | | |
|---|
| Amazon | 407 | 1 | Daniel Cates | United States | 751,000 |
| Amazon | 407 | 2 | Phillip Hui | United States | 490,000 |
| Amazon | 407 | 4 | Chris Vitch | United States | 1,103,000 |
| Amazon | 407 | 5 | Phil Galfond | United States | 178,000 |
| Amazon | 407 | 6 | Isaac Haxton | United States | 802,000 |
| | | | | | |
|---|
| Amazon | 409 | 1 | Brian Hastings | United States | 121,000 |
| Amazon | 409 | 2 | Phil Ivey | United States | 1,253,500 |
| Amazon | 409 | 3 | Adam Friedman | United States | 643,000 |
| Amazon | 409 | 5 | Robert Mizrachi | United States | 417,000 |
| Amazon | 409 | 6 | Matthew Wood | Canada | 731,000 |
| | | | | | |
|---|
| Amazon | 410 | 1 | Talal Shakerchi | United Kingdom | 293,000 |
| Amazon | 410 | 2 | John Esposito | United States | 420,000 |
| Amazon | 410 | 3 | Mikael Thuritz | United States | 247,000 |
| Amazon | 410 | 4 | David "ODB" Baker | United States | 497,000 |
| Amazon | 410 | 5 | Jason Mercier | United States | 412,000 |
| Amazon | 410 | 6 | Chris Klodnicki | United States | 615,000 |
| | | | | | |
|---|
| Amazon | 411 | 1 | David Benyamine | United States | 937,000 |
| Amazon | 411 | 2 | Shaun Deeb | United States | 704,000 |
| Amazon | 411 | 3 | Lyle Berman | United States | 437,000 |
| Amazon | 411 | 4 | Matthew Ashton | United Kingdom | 911,000 |
| Amazon | 411 | 5 | David Oppenheim | United States | 1,062,000 |
| Amazon | 411 | 6 | John Hennigan | United States | 1,209,000 |
Wednesday, June 26, 2019 2:10 AM Local Time
End-of-Day Chip Counts (Full)
| Phil Ivey | 1,254,000 | -58,000  |
| John Hennigan | 1,209,000 | 79,000  |
| Chris Vitch | 1,103,000 | -67,000 |
| David Oppenheim | 1,062,000 | 292,000 |
| Josh Arieh | 939,000 | 209,000 |
| David Benyamine | 937,000 | -13,000 |
| Matthew Ashton | 911,000 | 96,000 |
| Robert Mackie | 900,000 | 70,000 |
| Jared Bleznick | 829,000 | -1,000 |
| Isaac Haxton | 802,000 | -3,000 |
| Timofey Kuznetsov | 762,000 | -78,000 |
| Dan Cates | 751,000 | 96,000 |
| Luke Schwartz | 744,000 | 304,000 |
| Matthew Wood | 731,000 | 206,000 |
| Bryce Yockey | 715,000 | 145,000 |
| Shaun Deeb | 704,000 | -6,000 |
| Adam Friedman | 643,000 | 48,000 |
| Chris Klodnicki | 615,000 | -55,000 |
| Andrew Brown | 539,000 | -121,000 |
| Michael Glick | 512,000 | -218,000 |
| David "ODB" Baker | 497,000 | -101,000 |
| Phil Hui | 490,000 | -25,000 |
| Lyle Berman | 437,000 | -13,000 |
| John Esposito | 420,000 | -275,000 |
| Robert Mizrachi | 417,000 | 2,000 |
| Jason Mercier | 412,000 | -73,000 |
| Roy Thung | 406,000 | 66,000 |
| Prahlad Friedman | 390,000 | 65,000 |
| Dario Sammartino | 296,000 | 51,000 |
| Talal Shakerchi | 293,000 | 118,000 |
| John Monnette | 257,000 | 32,000 |
| Mikael Thuritz | 247,000 | 27,000 |
| Jesse Martin | 204,000 | -29,500 |
| Phil Galfond | 178,000 | -127,000 |
| Illya Trincher | 170,000 | 65,000 |
| Tomer Daniel | 157,000 | -158,000 |
| Brian Hastings | 121,000 | -119,000 |
| Eric Wasserson | 87,000 | -45,000 |
Wednesday, June 26, 2019 1:49 AM Local Time
Martin Gets a Much Needed Injection
2-7 Triple Draw
Four players went to the draws in a single raised pot. Lyle Berman took three while Prahlad Friedman, Phil Ivey and Jesse Martin drew two apiece. Only Berman gave up after the betting round as the other three continued to the second draw for a bet.
Friedman drew two, Ivey one, and Martin two. Ivey bet from the cutoff, Martin called on his left, and Friedman released his cards into the muck.
Ivey stood pat while Martin was still on a two-card draw. Ivey checked, Martin fired and Ivey called. Martin tabled and Ivey mucked his hand.
| Phil Ivey | 1,312,000 | -22,000 |
| Jesse Martin | 233,500 | 93,500 |
Wednesday, June 26, 2019 1:48 AM Local Time
Late-Night Eliminations
| Tom Dwan | 0 | 0 |
| Eli Elezra | 0 | -275,000 |
| Justin Bonomo | 0 | -280,000 |
| Marco Johnson | 0 | -240,000 |
Wednesday, June 26, 2019 1:44 AM Local Time
Bleznick Gets Value With King
2-7 Triple Draw
Action folded to Brian Hastings on the button, who raised. Jared Bleznick defended his big blind and drew three cards. Hastings took two and both players checked.
On the second draw, both players took two and Bleznick bet. Hastings called and both players took one on the final draw.
Bleznick got Eric Wasserson's attention from across the table and told him that both players had drawn one. He then asked him who he liked as a favorite to win the hand.
"I like Sting," Wasserson said in favor of Hastings. Bleznick bet. Wasserson quickly changed his mind and said he liked Bleznick.
Hastings thought for a few seconds and tossed in a chip to call.
"King," Bleznick said. Hastings asked him to show it.
He turned over and then proceeded to fan out his remaining cards onto the table, saying "Give me the pot!" as he turned over .
Hastings mucked and Bleznick was indeed given the pot.
| Jared Bleznick | 830,000 | 80,000 |
| Brian Hastings | 240,000 | 45,000 |
Wednesday, June 26, 2019 1:43 AM Local Time
Chip Counts from Table 418
| Phil Ivey | 1,334,000 | 234,000 |
| Phil Hui | 515,000 | 0 |
| Jason Mercier | 485,000 | 0 |
| Lyle Berman | 450,000 | 0 |
| Prahlad Friedman | 325,000 | 0 |
| Jesse Martin | 140,000 | 0 |
Wednesday, June 26, 2019 1:34 AM Local Time
Chip Counts from Table 417
| Matthew Ashton | 815,000 | 205,000 |
| Shaun Deeb | 710,000 | -86,000 |
| Dan Cates | 655,000 | -160,000 |
| Adam Friedman | 595,000 | 68,000 |
| Tomer Daniel | 315,000 | 145,000 |
| John Monnette | 225,000 | -22,000 |
Wednesday, June 26, 2019 1:34 AM Local Time
Galfond Folds to River-Bet
Pot-Limit Omaha
Timofey Kuznetsov and Phil Galfond made it to a turn and Kuznetsov fired 67,500 from the big blind. Galfond, sitting on the button, cut out the required chips and called.
The river card was the and Kuznetsov took well over two minutes to figure out his move. Andrew Brown, frustrated by the slow pace on the table, called a clock on Kuznetsov and Kuznetsov fired 100,000 before the start of a verbal countdown.
Now Galfond took nearly two minutes to decide what to do and he eventually laid his hand down.
| Timofey Kuznetsov | 840,000 | 250,000 |
| Phil Galfond | 305,000 | -90,000 |
Wednesday, June 26, 2019 1:32 AM Local Time
Chip Counts from Table 416
| Jared Bleznick | 750,000 | 44,000 |
| Chris Klodnicki | 670,000 | 140,000 |
| David "ODB" Baker | 598,000 | 91,000 |
| Roy Thung | 340,000 | 145,000 |
| Brian Hastings | 195,000 | -205,000 |
| Eric Wasserson | 132,000 | -168,000 |
Wednesday, June 26, 2019 1:29 AM Local Time
Hennigan Doing What He Does Best
Stud
Justin Bonomo: / (folded on fifth)
John Hennigan: /
The was the bring in and Bonomo completed his eight. John Hennigan made it two bets and Bonomo called. With a pair of eights showing on fourth street, Bonomo bet and Hennigan called.
On fifth street, Bonomo checked. Hennigan bet and Bonomo sent his hand to the muck as the 2019 $10,000 Seven Card Stud champion and bracelet winner took down the pot.
| John Hennigan | 1,130,000 | 180,000 |
| Justin Bonomo | 280,000 | -145,000 |
Wednesday, June 26, 2019 1:22 AM Local Time
Chip Counts from Table 425
| John Hennigan | 950,000 | -30,000 |
| Robert Mackie | 830,000 | 350,000 |
| Isaac Haxton | 805,000 | 0 |
| Luke Schwartz | 440,000 | -265,000 |
| Justin Bonomo | 425,000 | -45,000 |
| Eli Elezra | 275,000 | -43,000 |
Wednesday, June 26, 2019 1:20 AM Local Time
Bonomo Folds on Seventh
Stud
Justin Bonomo had three wheel and club cards out on fifth and he bet. Isaac Haxton raised and Bonomo called.
Bonomo called again on sixth and Haxton fired one more shell on seventh. Bonomo grabbed his board and mucked it along with his hole cards.
Haxton: / /
Bonomo: / / - fold on seventh
| Isaac Haxton | 805,000 | 143,000 |
| Justin Bonomo | 470,000 | -133,000 |
Wednesday, June 26, 2019 1:20 AM Local Time
Arieh Leaves Dwan Under Six Figures
No-Limit Hold'em
Josh Arieh opened from the button to 12,000 and Tom Dwan defended his big blind. The flop came and Dwan checked. Arieh made a continuation-bet of 10,000 and Dwan called. The turn was and Dwan checked again. Arieh fired a second barrel for 17,000. Dwan called.
The river was and Dwan checked to Arieh, who fired 100,000 into the pot, effectively putting Dwan to a decision for his remaining chips. Dwan mulled it over for a minute or so and surrender to Arieh's third barrel.
| Josh Arieh | 730,000 | 40,000 |
| Tom Dwan | 80,500 | -114,500 |
Wednesday, June 26, 2019 1:19 AM Local Time
Second Pair for Berman
Limit Hold'em
Jason Mercier raised from the small blind and Lyle Berman called from the big blind.
The flop was , Mercier bet and Berman called.
The turn was the , Mercier checked, Berman bet and Mercier called.
The river was the , Mercier checked, Berman bet and Mercier called.
Berman tabled for a pair of eights, Mercier mucked and Berman won the pot.
| Jason Mercier | 740,000 | -50,000 |
| Lyle Berman | 500,000 | 50,000 |
Wednesday, June 26, 2019 1:11 AM Local Time
Kuznetsov Takes from Galfond
Razz
Phil Galfond bet on fifth and sixth street and Timofey Kuznetsov called both bets with his board displaying a nine-high while Galfond played eight-high.
Galfond checked the river and Kuznetsov bet. Galfond tanked for a minute and then tossed in one chip, calling. Kuznetsov announced a seven and won the pot as Galfond mucked.
Kuznetsov: /
Galfond: /
| Timofey Kuznetsov | 590,000 | 95,000 |
| Phil Galfond | 395,000 | -75,000 |
Wednesday, June 26, 2019 1:10 AM Local Time
Elezra Flops a Set
No-Limit Hold'em
Eli Elezra raised to 12,000 from under the gun and received calls from Isaac Haxton in the cutoff and Justin Bonomo in the big blind. The flop came and all three players checked. The turn came and Bonomo checked. Elezra bet 25,000 and Haxton deliberated for a few moments before making the call. Bonomo folded and the river came . Elezra checked and Haxton checked behind him to take the hand to showdown.
Elezra turned over for the flopped set and took down the pot.
| Isaac Haxton | 662,000 | -128,000 |
| Justin Bonomo | 603,000 | 83,000 |
| Eli Elezra | 318,000 | -22,000 |
Wednesday, June 26, 2019 1:05 AM Local Time
Chip Counts from Table 425
| Chris Vitch | 1,170,000 | -120,000 |
| David Oppenheim | 770,000 | 80,000 |
| John Esposito | 695,000 | -20,000 |
| Josh Arieh | 690,000 | -30,000 |
| Dario Sammartino | 245,000 | 40,000 |
| Tom Dwan | 195,000 | 40,000 |
Wednesday, June 26, 2019 1:04 AM Local Time
Chip Counts from Table 420
| David Benyamine | 950,000 | -45,000 |
| Bryce Yockey | 570,000 | 202,000 |
| Robert Mizrachi | 415,000 | 183,000 |
| Marco Johnson | 240,000 | 161,000 |
| Mikael Thuritz | 220,000 | -190,000 |
| Illya Trincher | 105,000 | -120,000 |
Wednesday, June 26, 2019 1:00 AM Local Time
Esposito Eliminates Wang
2-7 Triple Draw
Short-stacked Yong Wang raised on the button and John Esposito called in the big blind.
Esposito pitched three and Wang needed one. Esposito led out and Wang called.
Both drew one and Esposito bet, putting Wang at risk. Wang called for his last 11,000.
Esposito stood pat and Wang thought for a while, contemplating whether to break his hand. Then he decided to pat.
Esposito opened and Wang mucked his hand. The dealer flipped the cards to comply with the all-in rule and it became apparent that Wang's last hand in the PPC was .
| John Esposito | 715,000 | 35,000 |
| Yong Wang | 0 | -35,000 |