WSOP 2005 - Main event

[sever]

paradise poker, dar e timp ... nici nu s-a terminat asta

[sever]

Date / Time: 2005-07-14 15:30:00
Title: Seating Assignments
Log:

Here is the lay of the land for our final three tables. Table numbers have carried over from the the Amazon room:

Table 117:

Seat 1: Mike Matusow
Seat 2: Michael Kessler
Seat 3: Shahram Sublem
Seat 4: Johnny Howard
Seat 5: Bernard Lee
Seat 6: Tom Sartori
Seat 7: Conor Tate
Seat 8: Tiffany Williamsen

Table 118:

Seat 1: Greg Raymer
Seat 2: Tim Phan
Seat 3: Aaron Kanter
Seat 4: Per Hildebrand
Seat 5: Ayhan Alsancak
Seat 6: Phil Ivey
Seat 7: Joseph Hachem
Seat 8: Andrew Black
Seat 9: Joe Connor

Table 129:

Seat 1: John McGrane
Seat 2: Scott Lazar
Seat 3: Tuan Vu
Seat 4: Tex Barch
Seat 5: Bryant King
Seat 6: Daniel Bergsdorf
Seat 7: Oskar Silow
Seat 8: Steve Dannenmann
Seat 9: Minh Ly

Date / Time: 2005-07-14 15:38:00
Title: Blinds at $20,000-$40,000 ($5,000 Ante)
Log: There is a little over an hour left at the current level of blinds: $20,000-$40,000, with $5,000 ante. Everything's ready to go, so it's time to shuffle up and deal!

Date / Time: 2005-07-14 15:41:00
Title: First Hand
Log: Mike Matusow has stolen the blinds on the very first hand at his table.

Date / Time: 2005-07-14 15:42:00
Title: Shawn Sheikhan Flips Out, Matusow Goes All-In
Log: Obiously regretting his fold, Shawn Sheikhan, begins talking about his hand to members of the crowd. Mike Matusow takes issue with that, and accidentally lets the F-word slip. After the argument Kessler reraises, Matusow goes all-in, and wins the pot. Tournament Director Jack Effel rules that both players will be given a ten minute penalty - a devasting blow for Sheikhan, who is very short stacked.

Date / Time: 2005-07-14 15:48:00
Title: Ayhan Alsancak Doubles Up Through Greg Raymer
Log:
Hand 3 - Per Hildebrand has the button in seat 4, Connor raises, Raymer calls, and Alsancak moves all in from the small blind. The action is back on Connor, and he takes some time to make his decision, but he folds. Raymer makes the call, showing Ah-8c, while Alsancak has Kc-7c. They shake hands before the flop, as if to say, "May the best cards win." The flop comes Qh-7d-4h, and Alsancak takes the lead with a pair of sevens. Raymer needs an eight, an ace, or something runner-runner to eliminate Alsancak. The turn card is the 9s, and Raymer is down to six outs. The river card is the Ks, and Alsancak makes two pair to double up in chips.

Date / Time: 2005-07-14 15:53:00
Title: Bernard Lee Stays Alive
Log: Kessler raises to $90,000 Bernard Lee reraises all-in for $560,000 more. Tate stalls again, and his hand is called dead after the alotted time. Kessler folds. Lee shows K-K and takes down the pot.

Date / Time: 2005-07-14 15:54:00
Title: Featured Table Update
Log:
Hand 4 - Ayhan Alsancak has the button in seat 5, Raymer comes in for a raise, and Hachem calls from the big blind. The flop comes Qd-7c-4c, Raymer bets, and Hachem folds.

Hand 5 - Phil Ivey has the button in seat 6, he comes in for a standard raise, Black reraises, and Ivey pulls some chips from his stack to shuffle them in one hand while he holds his cards in the other. Ivey counts out the chips and reraises right back at Black (I believe the amount is $500,000). Andrew Black, who is wearing his sunglasses upside-down (Marcel Luske-style), is taking his time here. Black moves all in, and Ivey quickly folds. Black shows Ad-2d as he collects the pot.

Date / Time: 2005-07-14 15:58:00
Title: Per Hildebrand Eliminated in 27th Place ($304,680)
Log:
Hand 6 - Joseph Hachem has the button in seat 7, Phan raises, and Hildebrand moves all in. The action is folded back around to Phan, who waits for a countdown of the chips before making a decision. Phan calls, showing pocket queens (Qd-Qc), and then Hildebrand shows pocket jacks (Js-Jh). Hildebrand is in jeopardy here, and needs to improve. The flop comes 10h-5c-2d, and Hildebrand needs to catch a jack to win. The turn card is the 4h, the river card is the Qh, and Phan makes a set of queens to eliminate Per Hildebrand in 27th place, earning $304,680.

Date / Time: 2005-07-14 16:07:00
Title: Sheikhan Doubles Up
Log: All-in pre-flop, Mike Matusow calls Shawn Sheikhan's all-in after raising. Matusow shows 7-2, while Sheikhan has Queens. The flop comes A-A-5-8-A, and Sheikhan doubles up to $400,000 with Aces full. Matusow comments "I gotta play tighter. I read Phil Hellmuth's book and I thought seven deuce was a good hand." Shawn Sheikhan goes on to steal the blinds on the very next hand.

Date / Time: 2005-07-14 16:09:00
Title: Featured Table Update
Log:
Hand 9 - Greg Raymer has the button in seat 1, he raises, and Kanter calls from the big blind. The flop comes Kh-Jd-2c, Raymer bets $100,000, and Kanter folds.

Hand 10 - Tim Phan has the button in seat 2, he raises, and Alsancak takes a long time to make his decision, but he ultimately folds. Phan takes the pot.

Date / Time: 2005-07-14 16:19:00
Title: Tom Santori Eliminated in 26th Place ($304,680)
Log: Mike Matusow raises. Sheikhan raises all-in $930,000. Santori reraises all-in, but he doesn't have Sheikhan covered. Everone else folds. Sheikhan shows A-K vs. Santori's 7-7. The flop comes K-Q-J. The turn is a 9. The river is a 6. Santori loses the race and hits the rail $300,000 richer.

Date / Time: 2005-07-14 16:34:00
Title: Featured Table Update
Log:
Hand 16 - Joe Connor has the button in seat 9, Kanter raises, and Raymer calls from the small blind. The flop comes with three unknown cards (not shown on the monitor), Raymer checks, Kanter bets, and Raymer folds. Kanter takes the pot.

Hand 17 - Greg Raymer has the button in seat 1, Black raises, Raymer raises, and Black calls. The flop comes Ks-5s-3c, Black checks, Raymer bets, Black raises about $800,000 more, and Raymer asks him how many chips he has left. (Black's chips are in very tall stacks, and difficult to eyeball.) Raymer's glasses are off as he studies the situation from the other side of the table. Raymer looks like he's trying to get a read more than anything else. Raymer eventually folds, and Black takes the pot.

Date / Time: 2005-07-14 16:44:00
Title: Aaron Kanter Doubles Up Through Greg Raymer at the Featured Table
Log:
Hand 19 - Aaron Kanter has the button in seat 3, Raymer limps, and Ivey checks his option. The flop comes Kc-6c-5c, and both players check. The turn card is the Ad, and they check again. The river card is the 8s, Ivey bets out, and Raymer folds. Ivey takes the pot.

Hand 20 - Ayhan Alsancak has the button in seat 5, Raymer raises, and Kanter calls. The flop comes 6c-5d-3h, and there's a bet and a call. The turn card is the 7h, Kanter bets $600,000, and the two players are quickly all in. Raymer shows pocket kings (Kd-Kh), and Kanter has Qh-Jh. Kanter has a flush draw, and needs to catch a heart to win the pot. The river card is the 2h, and Kanter makes his flush to double up through Greg Raymer.

Kanter's supporters are ecstatic, and cheering loudly, but the rest of the room is nearly silent as crowd-favorite Greg Raymer loses a huge pot. You can distinctly hear the cheers, but the silence in the rest of the room is almost
overpowering. Aaron Kanter now has somewhere between $3.5 and $4 million, while Greg Raymer is crippled down to about $400,000.

Date / Time: 2005-07-14 1600
Title: 15-Minute Break; Blinds Increasing to $25,000-$50,000 ($5,000 Ante)
Log: The players take a 15-minute break before the blinds increase to $25,000-$50,000, with a $5,000 ante.

Date / Time: 2005-07-14 17:10:00
Title: Greg Raymer Eliminated in 25th Place ($304,680)
Log:
Hand 23 - Andrew Black has the button in seat 8, Alsancak raises, and Raymer calls from the big blind. The flop comes Kh-Kc-7c, Raymer moves all in, and Alsancak calls. Raymer shows Ac-9h, and Alsancak has pocket fives (5d-5c). Raymer needs to catch a nine, an ace, or running clubs to stay alive. The turn card is the Kd, and Raymer needs to catch a seven, a nine, a king, or an ace to stay alive. The river card is the 2s, and Greg Raymer is eliminated in 25th place, earning $304,680.

The entire crowd of spectators, media, and even members of the ESPN crew give Raymer a standing ovation as he is eliminated in his quest to repeat as the World Series of Poker champion.

Date / Time: 2005-07-14 17:18:00
Title: John McGrane Doubles Up Through Minh Ly
Log:

Minh Ly made it $120,000 to go and John McGrane responded by moving all in with his last $330,000. Ly called with J-6 and McGrane turned over A-4. The flop came K-J-7, giving Ly a pair of Jacks. The turn was a 3 and the river was an Ace, giving McGrane the higher pair. McGrane doubled up to around $690,000.

Date / Time: 2005-07-14 17:32:00
Title: Johnny Howard Doubles Up
Log: Johnny Howard raises all in for his last $230,000. Tiffany Williamson goes into the tank for a while before finally calling. Howard shows As-Kc, while Williamson holds Ad-2d. The flop comes 10c-9d-7h. The turn is the Ah. Tiffany needs one of three deuces. River is the 8c, and Johnny Howard doubles up to about $500,000.

Date / Time: 2005-07-14 17:40:00
Title: Tim Phan Eliminated in 24th Place ($304,680)
Log:
Hand 33 - Joe Connor has the button in seat 9, Black raises, and the action is off the monitor, but he's soon all in against Tim Phan. Phan shows pocket tens (10h-10s), and Black has Ah-Qh. It's a race situation as the flop comes Ad-10d-9s, and Phan makes a set of tens over Black's pair of aces. The turn card is the Qd, giving Black two pair, and he can now catch a queen or an ace on the river for a full house to win the pot (4 outs). The river card is -- a QUEEN! Andrew Black makes a runner-runner full house to eliminate Tim Phan in 24th place, earning $304,680.

Date / Time: 2005-07-14 17:43:00
Title: Matusow Wins $1.5 mil Pot
Log: With the board showing 9h-4d-6s-3s-2h, Mike Matusow bets $650,000 into Brad Kondracki. Kondracki thinks for quite awhile before finally calling. Matusow turns over 7-5 and says "Nuts." Kondracki looks for a moment before mucking his cards. Matusow picks up $1,500,000 and ends up with a little over $6,000,000. Kondracki is left with $1,850,000

Date / Time: 2005-07-14 17:52:00
Title: Featured Table Update
Log:
Hand 34 - Steve Dannenmann has the button in seat 1, and everyone folds to Kanter in the big blind, giving him the blinds and antes.

Hand 35 - There is a dead button in seat 2, Hachem raises, and Dannenmann calls. The flop comes 10d-9s-5d, Dannenmann bets, Hachem raises to $1,000,000, and Dannenmann reraises all in. (It's uncertain whether or no Dannenmann bet out initially, but the million-dollar bet and the all in are clear.)

Hachem asks for a count of Dannenmann chips, and then spends some time studying his opponent. He even stands up at one point, taking a drink from his bottle of water. He says something to Dannenmann, who then carefully rechecks his cards, and then wipes his brow as if to say, "Phew." Hachem has a small laugh at this, and the crowd giggles as well. Dannenmann is having some fun with him, putting on his sunglasses as if he is deathly serious about hiding any tells, and then laughing and taking them off. Hachem is still standing, studying his own chips as he contemplates the call. Dannenmann says something else to him, and they exchange a few more words.

Somebody at the table calls the clock, and Tournament Director Johnny Grooms says that he now has one minute to act on his hand. About ten seconds later, Hachem folds his cards, and Dannenmann asks if Hachem would like to see what he had. Hachem says he would, and Dannenmann shows pocket nines (9c-9h) for middle set.

It was a $2.5 million pot, and Dannenmann should be among the chip leaders at this point.

Date / Time: 2005-07-14 17:53:00
Title: Approximate Chip Counts for Chip Leaders
Log:
Assistant Tournament Director Jack Effel announces the top three chip leaders at this point, in reverse order from three to one:

1. Mike Matusow - $7,000,000
2. Steve Dannenmann - $6,000,000
3. Andrew Black - $5,500,000
When Matusow's name is announced, there are a smattering of boos, but they seem almost lighthearted. It's as if Matusow is the player that the crowd loves to hate.

Date / Time: 2005-07-14 18:01:00
Title: Featured Table Update
Log:
Hand 39 - Joseph Hachem has the button in seat 7, Kanter raises, Connor reraises from the big blind, and they are both quickly all in. Kanter shows pocket aces (Ah-Ad), while Connor has pocket jacks (Jh-Jc). The flop comes Kd-10d-4d, and Connor is down to a single out, as the jack of diamonds will make Kanter a flush. The turn card is the 3h, and Connor needs to catch the jack of spades to stay alive. The river card is the 2d, and Kanter makes a flush to eliminate Joe Connor in 23rd place, earning $304,680.

There will be a short pause in the action as another player is moved to the final table to balance the number of players. With 22 players remaining, the average chip count is about $2,554,000.

Date / Time: 2005-07-14 18:04:00
Title: Featured Table Approximate Chip Counts
Log:
Tournament Director Johnny Grooms announces the following chip counts:

Seat 1: Steve Dannenmann - $6,000,000
Seat 3: Aaron Kanter - $5,500,000
Seat 5: Ayhan Alsancak - $2,300,000
Seat 6: Phil Ivey - $2,500,000
Seat 7: Joseph Hachem - $3,700,000
Seat 8: Andrew Black - $5,500,000
Seat 9: Scott Lazar - $2,300,000

Date / Time: 2005-07-14 18:09:00
Title: Tex Barch Rakes a $2 Million Pot
Log: After seeing a board of Q-Q-4-A-9, Tex Barch bet out $550,000. After a long hesitation, Minh Ly calls and shows A-K. Ly was disappointed to see Barch show Q-J and scoop a pot worth nearly $2,000,000

Date / Time: 2005-07-14 18:14:00
Title: Minh Ly Doubles Up
Log: Minh Ly just doubled up to around $1,300,000 in chips. All the money was in before the flop and Ly showed K-K. His opponent, John McGrane showed A-Q. The board bricked out and Ly's cowboys held up. The showdown left McGrane short stacked.

Date / Time: 2005-07-14 18:19:00
Title: Featured Table Update
Log:
Hand 44 - Aaron Kanter has the button in seat 3, Hachem raises, Black reraises, and Hachem calls. The flop comes Qc-9c-7c, and both players are quickly all in. Hachem shows Ac-6c (the nut flush), while Black has pocket queens (Qs-Qd) for top set. Black needs the board to pair in order to make a full house and eliminate Hachem. The turn card is the 10d, and Black needs to catch a seven, a nine, a ten, or a queen (10 outs) to win. The river card is the Kd, and Joseph Hachem doubles up through Andrew Black.

Joseph Hachem now has about $5.5 million in chips.

Date / Time: 2005-07-14 18:26:00
Title: Featured Table Update
Log:
Hand 45 - Ayhan Alsancak has the button in seat 5, Lazar raises, Dannenmann calls, and Hachem calls from the big blind. The flop comes Qh-6s-2s, and the action after that is unclear.

Hand 46 - Phil Ivey has the button in seat 6, Kanter raises, and Ivey calls. The flop comes Kd-Kc-Jh, Kanter bets, and Ivey folds.

Date / Time: 2005-07-14 18:27:00
Title: Tommy Vu Eliminated in 22nd Place ($304,680)
Log:

The board showed Kh-10d-6s-4d, Tommy Vu pushed all in for $1,500,000. Minh Ly called and showed pocket 4's for a set. Vu showed 8d-5d, looking for the straight or the flush. The river was the Queen of clubs, and Vu was eliminated, earning $308,680 for his 22nd place finish. Minh Ly now has approximately $3,200,000 in chips.

Date / Time: 2005-07-14 18:37:00
Title: More Blinds
Log: Mike Matusow raises to $130,000 under the gun, stealing the blinds and antes.

Date / Time: 2005-07-14 18:46:00
Title: Featured Table Update
Log:
Hand 52 - Ayhan Alsancak has the button in seat 5, and it's Ivey against Hachem in a battle of the blinds. The flop comes Ad-7h-5h, and they both check. The turn card is the Qc, and they check again. The river is the 10c, and they check again. They show down their cards and Ivey collects the pot.

Hand 53 - Phil Ivey has the button in seat 6, and it's heads up between Ivey and Black. The flop comes out, Black checks, Ivey bets, and Black folds. Ivey takes the pot.

Date / Time: 2005-07-14 18:51:00
Title: Sheikhan Doubles Up
Log: Mike Matusow raises to $130,000. Shawn Sheikhan reraises all-in. Action folds back to Matusow, who calls. Sheikhan shows K-K to Matusow's A-J. The flop comes 8-6-5. Matusow is behind. The turn is the 6c. Matusow needs to hit an Ace. The river is the 8d, and Sheikhan doubles up to $1,700,000.

Date / Time: 2005-07-14 19:00:00
Title: Bryant King Eliminated in 21st Place ($304,680)
Log: All the money was in before the flop and Daniel Bergsdorf showed pocket Aces. His opponent, Bryant King, turned over A-K. The flop came all rags and an Ace came on the turn, giving Bergsdorf a set of Aces. Bryant King was eliminated in 21st place, earning him $304,680.

Date / Time: 2005-07-14 19:04:00
Title: Phil Ivey Eliminated in 20th Place ($304,680)
Log:
Hand 58 - Aaron Kanter has the button in seat 3, and Black raises, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand 59 - Ayhan Alsancak has the button in seat 5, and it looks like Kanter limps, Alsancak raises, Ivey calls, and the action after that is unclear.

Before you know it Kanter and Ivey are both all in, with pocket kings (Kc-Ks) for Kanter, and pocket jacks (Jd-Jc) for Ivey. Ivey is the shorter stack, and needs to improve to stay alive in this tournament. The flop comes Kd-8d-4h, and Kanter takes a huge lead with a set of kings. Ivey needs to catch running jacks or running diamonds to stay alive. The turn card is the 10d, and Ivey can win with any diamond. The river card is the 3h, and Phil Ivey is eliminated in 20th place, earning $304,680.

Date / Time: 2005-07-14 19:07:00
Title: Daniel Bergsdorf Gets Aces Again!
Log:

For the second time in 15 minutes, Daniel Bergsdorf doubles up with pocket Aces. All the money was in after seeing a flop of 5-4-3. Bergsdorf showed pocket Aces and his opponent, Minh Ly turns over pocket 9's. The turn was a 5 and the river was a 6. Bergsdorf doubled up to around $5,600,000 and Minh Ly is now short stacked at $850,000.

Date / Time: 2005-07-14 19:08:00
Title: Minh Ly Eliminated in 19th Place ($304,680)
Log: Minh Ly and Daniel Bergsdorf were all in against each other once again. All the money was in before the flop, and Bergsdorf showed pocket Kings. Minh Ly showed A-J. The board came 10-7-5-Q-J and Bergsdorf continued his hot streak by eliminating Minh Ly. Bergsdorf has had pocket Aces twice and pocket Kings in the last 20 minutes before the dinner break.

Date / Time: 2005-07-14 19:10:00
Title: Dinner Break; Blinds Increasing to $30,000-$60,000 ($10,000 Ante)
Log: The players take a dinner break until 8:30 pm. When they return, the blinds will be $30,000-$60,000, with a $10,000 ante.

Aaron Kanter $6,725,000
Daniel Bergsdorf $6,500,000
Joseph Hachem $6,500,000
Mike Matusow $6,300,000
Tex Barch $5,975,000
Andrew Black $4,600,000
Steve Dannenmann $3,100,000
Scott Lazar $2,600,000
Shawn Sheikhan $2,100,000
Ayhan Alsancak $1,900,000
Bernard Lee $1,800,000
Conor Tate $1,700,000
Michael Kessler $1,450,000
Johnny Howard $1,215,000
Tiffany Williamsen $1,100,000
Oskar Silow $605,000
Brad Kondracki $500,000
John McGrane $310,000

[Darth]

So, the final table goes today at 4pm Vegas time...

1. Aaron Kanter - 10,700,000 (seat 6)
2. Tex Barch - 9,330,000 (seat 3)
3. Andrew Black - 8,140,000 (seat 2)
4. Mike Matusow - 7,410,000 (seat 5)
5. Steve Dannenmann - 5,460,000 (seat 8)
6. Joseph Hachem - 5,420,000 (seat 1)
7. Daniel Bergsdorf - 5,270,000 (seat 4)
8. Scott Lazar - 3,370,000 (seat 9)
9. Brad Kondracki - 1,180,000 (seat 7)

[andrei1891]

toti favoritii mei au iesit.

[Darth]

Ce se aude cu clientul ala special de la pokerchamps pt masa finala? Eu n-am primit nici un mail...

[RedStar]

O masa finala de $22,950,000.Punct.

[sever]

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 00:05:00
Title: Final Table
Log:

Aaron Kanter raises $150,000. Andrew Black reraises another $1,000,000. Kanter folds. And with the elimination on the feature table, seats are being redrawn for the final table.

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 00:07:00
Title: Mike Matusow Eliminates Shawn Sheikhan in 11th Place ($600,000)
Log:
Hand 77 - Ayhan Alsancak has the button in seat 4, he raises, Dannenmann reraises to $1,000,000, and Alsancak thinks for a short while before folding.

Hand 78 - Steve Dannenmann has the button in seat 5, Matusow raises, Sheikhan moves all in, Lazar calls, and Matusow calls. The flop comes Kd-Jc-3c, and the flop is checked. The turn card is the 2c, Matusow bets, Lazar folds, and the hands are revealed. Matusow throws his arms in the air in triumph as he reveals Ac-Qc for the nut flush, and Sheikhan is drawing dead. (The meaningless river card is an ace.) Shawn Sheikhan is eliminated in 11th place, earning $600,000

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 00:23:00
Title: Official Chip Counts
Log:
Assistant Tournament Director Jack Effel announces the following chip counts:

Seat 1: Joseph Hachem - $7,150,000
Seat 2: Andrew Black - $12,570,000
Seat 3: Tex Barch - $4,820,000
Seat 4: Ayhan Alsancak - $2,410,000
Seat 5: Daniel Bergsdorf - $4,100,000
Seat 6: Mike Matusow - $6,310,000
Seat 7: Aaron Kanter - $8,380,000
Seat 8: Brad Kondracki - $1,130,000
Seat 9: Steve Dannenmann - $6,350,000
Seat 10: Scott Lazar - $3,730,000

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 00:29:00
Log:
Hand 1 - Andrew Black has the button in seat 2, and Hachem raises, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand 2 - Tex Barch has the button in seat 3, and Black raises to $300,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand 3 - Ayhan Alsancak has the button in seat 4, and Bergsdorf raises from the small blind, winning the blinds and antes.

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 00:34:00
Log:
Hand 4 - Daniel Bergsdorf has the button in seat 5, and it's Lazar against another player for a raise. The flop comes Kc-8h-4d, and both players check. The turn card is the 3s, Lazar bets $300,000, and the other player folds.

Hand 5 - Mike Matusow has the button in seat 6, Dannenmann raises to $480,000 from under the gun, and he wins the blinds and antes.

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 00:37:00
Log:
Hand 6 - Aaron Kanter has the button in seat 7, Lazar raises to $240,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand 7 - Brad Kondracki has the button in seat 8, Matusow raises to $220,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 00:41:00
Log:
Hand 8 - Steve Dannenmann has the button in seat 9, Bergsdorf raises to $300,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand 9 - Scott Lazar has the button in seat 10, Alsancak raises to $240,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 00:45:00
Log:
Hand 10 - Joseph Hachem has the button in seat 1, Alsancak raises to $240,000 from under the gun, and Barch calls. The flop comes Ks-8h-8d, and both players check. The turn card is the Jc, Barch bets $400,000, and Alsancak calls. The river card is the 6s, Barch moves all in, and Alsancak folds. Tex Barch wins the pot.

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 00:48:00
Log:
Hand 11 - Andrew Black has the button in seat 2, Kondracki slowly pushes all of his chips in front of his cards, and then casually puts his sunglasses on. Tex Barch asks for a count, and the dealer counts out $900,000 in chips. Barch folds, followed immediately by Alsancak, and the crowd lets out a disappointed "Awwwww."

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 00:50:00
Log:
Hand 12 - Tex Barch has the button in seat 3, and it's heads up between Matusow and Bergsdorf. The flop comes As-7c-7d, Bergsdorf checks, Matusow bets $400,000, and Bergsdorf folds

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 00:53:00
Log:
Hand 13 - Ayhan Alsancak has the button in seat 4, Lazar limps, Hachem raises to $430,000, and Lazar folds.

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 00:55:00
Log:
Hand 14 - Daniel Bergsdorf has the button in seat 5, Dannenmann raises to $300,000, winning the blinds and antes

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 00:57:00
Log:
Hand 15 - Mike Matusow has the button in seat 6, Bergsdorf raises, and Matusow calls. The flop comes Qh-Js-3h, Bergsdorf checks, Matusow bets $400,000, and Bergsdorf folds.

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 00:59:00
Log:
Hand 16 - Aaron Kanter has the button in seat 7, Barch raises to about $350,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 01:02:00
Log:
Hand 17 - Brad Kondracki has the button in seat 8, Bergsdorf raises, winning the blinds and antes.

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 01:04:00
Log:
Hand 18 - Steve Dannenmann has the button in seat 9, Alsancak raises to $300,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 01:06:00
Log:
Hand 19 - Scott Lazar has the button in seat 10, and he raises, winning the blinds and antes

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 01:09:00
Log:
Hand 20 - Joseph Hachem has the button in seat 1, Dannenmann limps, Hachem limps, Black raises to $500,000 from the small blind, and everyone folds. Black shows pocket kings (Kh-Kd) as he collects the pot.

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 01:12:00
Log:
Hand 21 - Andrew Black has the button in seat 2, Matusow raises to $220,000, Lazar calls, Hachem calls, Black calls, Barch calls, and Alsancak calls. There's no respect for Mike Matusow's raise, as six players see the flop on the ever-tightening TV bubble of the Championship Event at the World Series of Poker.

The flop comes Kh-Qd-9h, everyone checks to Black on the button, who bets $1,000,000. One by one, the other players fold, forfeiting the pot to Andrew Black. Andrew Black shows 10-8 offsuit as he collects the pot. The crowd hoots and hollers, and Tournament Director Johnny Grooms says, "There's a little bit of poker going on here, folks."

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 01:17:00
Title: Approximate Chip Counts
Log:
Tournament Director Johnny Grooms announces the following chip counts:

1. Andrew Black - $12,900,000 (seat 2)
2. Aaron Kanter - $7,700,000 (seat 7)
3. Joseph Hachem - $6,900,000 (seat 1)
4. Mike Matusow - $6,800,000 (seat 6)
5. Steve Dannenmann - $6,400,000 (seat 9)
6. Tex Barch - $5,210,000 (seat 3)
7. Scott Lazar - $3,700,000 (seat 10)
8. Daniel Bergsdorf - $3,600,000 (seat 5)
9. Ayhan Alsancak - $1,200,000 (seat 4)
10. Brad Kondracki - $880,000 (seat 8)

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 01:21:00
Log:
Hand 24 - Daniel Bergsdorf has the button in seat 5, Hachem raises to $250,000, Kanter reraises to $1,000,000, and Hachem folds.

Hand 25 - Mike Matusow has the button in seat 6, Hachem limps in for $80,000, and Kondracki checks his option. The flop comes 10h-4s-2d, and both players check. The turn card is the 5c, and they check again. The river card is the 10c, and they check again. Kondracki shows a five (for a pair of fives) to win the pot.

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 01:28:00
Title: 15-Minute Break; Blinds Increasing to $50,000-$100,000 ($10,000 Ante)
Log: The players takes a 15-minute break before the blinds increase to $50,000-$100,000, with a $10,000 ante.

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 01:48:00
Log:
Hand 28 - Steve Dannenmann has the button in seat 9, Barch raises to $350,000, Matusow calls. The flop comes 9d-7s-3d, Barch checks, Matusow bets $400,000, and Barch folds.

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 01:54:00
Log:
Hand 30 - Joseph Hachem has the button in seat 1, he raises to $350,000, and Black calls from the small blind. The flop comes 10s-7c-4h, and both players check. The turn card is the Qc, Black bets $500,000, Hachem raises to $1,000,000, and Black stops to think for a while before folding. Hachem takes the pot.

His Australian supporters kick in with a rousing rendition of "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie! Oy! Oy! Oy!"

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 02:04:00
Log:
Hand 32 - Tex Barch has the button in seat 3, Hachem raises to $350,000, and Bergsdorf thinks for a while before reraising to $850,000 from the small blind. Now Hachem thinks for a while, and asks for a countdown of Bergsdorf's remaining chips. Hachem thinks for a few more minutes, and eventually calls. The flop comes 10d-4h-4c, Bergsdorf checks, Hachem bets $500,000, Bergsdorf moves all in, and Hachem quickly calls. Bergsdorf shows pocket aces (As-Ad), and Hachem is dominated with pocket nines (9d-9s). Hachem needs to catch a nine to stay alive (2 outs). The turn card is the 7s, the river card is the 6d, and Daniel Bergsdorf doubles up in chips.

While waiting for the river card, Matusow makes the comment, "Poker. You gotta love it!"

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 02:15:00
Log:
Hand 38 - Steve Dannenmann has the button in seat 9, Matusow raises to $260,000, Kanter reraises to $860,000, and Matusow folds. Kanter takes the pot.

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 02:21:00
Title: Approximate Chip Counts
Log:
Assistant Tournament Director Jack Effel announces the following approximate chip counts:

1. Andrew Black - $13,100,000 (seat 2)
2. Aaron Kanter - $8,000,000 (seat 7)
3. Mike Matusow - $7,600,000 (seat 6)
4. Daniel Bergsdorf - $6,080,000 (seat 5)
5. Steve Dannenmann - $5,700,000 (seat 9)
6. Joseph Hachem - $4,500,000 (seat 1)
7. Tex Barch - $4,400,000 (seat 3)
8. Scott Lazar - $4,000,000 (seat 10)
9. Brad Kondracki - $1,500,000 (seat 8)
10. Ayhan Alsancak - $1,300,000 (seat 4)

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 02:31:00
Title: Tex Barch Doubles Up Through Andrew Black
Log:
Hand 41 - Andrew Black has the button in seat 2, Matusow raises to $260,000, Lazar calls, Black calls, Barch reraises to $1,000,000, and everyone folds to Black, who thinks long and hard. After a few minutes, Black reraises all in. Now the million-dollar pressure cooker is in full force on Tex Barch, who counts out his chips as he considers the call. Andrew Black looks relaxed as he takes a drink from his water bottle, and then watches Barch count his chips. Barch takes a good look at Black, who was looking down and shuffling his chips. When Black looks up, their eyes meet for a moment, and Black smiles at the surprise. About ten seconds later, Barch makes the call.

Andrew Black shows Kh-Js, while Barch has pocket jacks (Jh-Jc). This is the biggest pot of the tournament, and whoever wins this pot will be our chip leader. If Black wins, he'll take a commanding position headed to tomorrow's final table. If Barch wins, he'll put himself in great position as well.

The crowd is yelling for their favorites when Mike Matusow stands up and light-heartedly says, "Keep it down! I'm trying to concentrate!"

The flop comes Ah-4d-3c, and Barch is still in the lead with the jacks. Black needs to catch a king or a runner-runner straight to eliminate Barch. The turn card is the Qs, and the crowd lets out a huge reaction to the paint on the board. Black has picked up some more outs, and he can win with a ten or a king (7 outs).

The crowd goes quiet, with random exclamations from the crowd asking for specific cards. The river card is the 3h, and most of the crowd applauds as Tex Barch doubles up in chips.

After the hand, Andrew Black stands up, smiles, and waves to the crowd, as if to say, "That's alright. Let's play poker."

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 02:41:00
Log:
Hand 44 - Daniel Bergsdorf has the button in seat 5, Lazar raises to $240,000, Alsancak reraises all in, and Lazar calls. Alsancak shows pocket queens (Qs-Qd), while Lazar has Ah-Jh. As the shorter stack, Alsancak faces potential elimination on this hand. The flop comes Ad-7c-4s, and Lazar takes the lead with a pair of aces. Alsancak needs to catch a queen (two outs) to stay alive. The turn card pairs the board with the 7h, and Alsancak is down to his last chance to make the TV Final Table in the 2005 World Series of Poker.

The river card is -- the QUEEN of hearts!

The crowd goes wild in surprise and applause, as Lazar just sits there, stunned. The media and the ESPN crew seem noticeably disappointed, hoping to get out of here before 6:00 am.

Jack Effel hears a comment from the sidelines, and repeats it on the microphone, to big laughs from the crowd: "Just like on the Internet."

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 02:46:00
Title: Approximate Chip Counts
Log:
Assistant Tournament Director Jack Effel announces the following approximate chip counts:

1. Tex Barch - $9,000,000 (seat 3)
2. Andrew Black - $8,500,000 (seat 2)
3. Aaron Kanter - $8,000,000 (seat 7)
4. Mike Matusow - $7,900,000 (seat 6)
5. Daniel Bergsdorf - $6,000,000 (seat 5)
6. Steve Dannenmann - $5,800,000 (seat 9)
7. Joseph Hachem - $4,750,000 (seat 1)
8. Ayhan Alsancak - $2,500,000 (seat 4)
9. Scott Lazar - $2,300,000 (seat 10)
10. Brad Kondracki - $1,250,000 (seat 8)

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 02:55:00
Log:
Hand 49 - Scott Lazar has the button in seat 10, Matusow raises to $240,000, and Black tosses his chips out on the table to call. The flop comes 9s-9h-8c, Black checks, Matusow bets $400,000, and Black folds. Matusow shows a single card as he collects the pot -- an eight.

"I think I'm gonna raise every hand until someone goes broke. Somebody's gotta bust, so I might as well bust them." He continues saying some funny things, but it's hard to keep up.

He caps it with "I'm gonna start raising every hand from now on. This is just bullsh**!" ... "There are too many tired people in the audience."

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 02:59:00
Log:
Hand 51 - Andrew Black has the button in seat 2, Matusow raises to $260,000, winning the blinds and antes. He then says, "Every hand until you tight asses loosen up." He says something else, and then Andrew Black looks like he's going to call the Floor on him. Just as the crowd starts "Oohing," he starts laughing, showing that he's joking.

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 03:06:00
Title: Ayhan Alsancak Eliminated in 10th Place ($600,000)
Log:
Hand 53 - Ayhan Alsancak has the button in seat 4, Kanter raises to $400,000 from under the gun, and Alsancak calls. The flop comes 7h-3h-3c, Kanter bets $600,000, and Alsancak thinks a bit before raising all in. Kanter calls immediately. Alsancak shows pocket queens (Qh-Qc), while Kanter has Ah-10h (overcard, flush draw). Alsancak is in the lead, and Kanter needs to catch an ace, a heart, running threes, or running tens to win. The turn card is the 10s, and Kanter will win with a ten, an ace, or a heart (13 outs).

The river card is the 8h, and the crowd explodes into a cheer because the night is over. Ayhan Alsancak is eliminated in tenth place, earning $600,000.

[For the record, Matusow's big blind was raised, and he looked at his cards, and he folded. But somebody had called ahead of him, so perhaps that gives him an escape clause from his promise of reraising from his blind when raised.]

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 03:07:00
Log: Tomorrow's final table of nine players is set, and all nine of them are guaranteed to win at least a million dollars.

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 03:20:00
Title: Official Chip Counts
Log:
Here are the official chip counts for the World Series of Poker Championship Final Table, which is scheduled to start Friday at 4:00 pm:

1. Aaron Kanter - $10,700,000 (seat 6)
2. Tex Barch - $9,330,000 (seat 3)
3. Andrew Black - $8,140,000 (seat 2)
4. Mike Matusow - $7,410,000 (seat 5)
5. Steve Dannenmann - $5,460,000 (seat 8)
6. Joseph Hachem - $5,420,000 (seat 1)
7. Daniel Bergsdorf - $5,270,000 (seat 4)
8. Scott Lazar - $3,370,000 (seat 9)
9. Brad Kondracki - $1,180,000 (seat 7)

All nine players are guaranteed at least one million dollars, with the last man standing winning a record $7.5 million.

[sever]

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 15:23:00
Title: Final table action
Log: The moment we have all been waiting for has arrived...the 2005 WSOP Championship Final table. All nine players are guaranteed to earn at least 1 million dollars. Benny's Bullpen is buzzing with the ESPN crew frantically preparing for today's shoot. The players should start streaming in soon

And here is the list of prize money at stake:

1st - $7,500,000
2nd - $4,250,000
3rd - $2,500,000
4th - $2,000,000
5th - $1,750,000
6th - $1,500,000
7th - $1,300,000
8th - $1,150,000
9th - $1,000,000

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 16:38:00
Title: Introduction #5: Mike "The Mouth" Matusow
Log: Mike Matusow, sitting in seat 5, is introduced to a rousing ovation from the crowd. He is introduced as the only player at the final table to ever win a bracelet at the World Series of Poker -- he has two. He also made the final table in this Main Event back in 2001, the year that Carlos Mortensen won

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 16:35:00
Title: More Introductions
Log:

Tex Barch and Daniel Bergsdorf are introduced next, sitting in seats 3 and 4. Their fans might not be as loud as Hachem's or Black's, but they are no less supportive.

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 16:40:00
Title: Aaron Kanter & Brad Kondracki
Log: Aaron Kanter (seat 6) is introduced as "A.K." and will enter the day as our chip leader with over $10 million in chips. He is followed by Brad Kondracki (seat 7), who is a young kid who has been playing for a few years, and plays mostly online. He starts the day in last place in chips with $1.18 million, but at least he has position on the chip leader.


Date / Time: 2005-07-15 16:42:00
Title: Steve Dannenmann & Scott Lazar
Log: Steve Dannenmann (seat 8) is introduced as a mortgage broker, with a wife and child, who enjoys golf. He's followed by Scott Lazar (seat 9) has been playing poker for 20 years, 10 years as a professional. He is also an independent movie producer in Hollywood.

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 16:50:00
Title: Blinds at $50,000-$100,000 ($10,000 Ante); Shuffle Up & Deal!
Log: There is 40:15 left on the clock for the current level of blinds, which are $50,000-$100,000, with a $10,000 ante. The button will start with Daniel Bergsdorf in seat 4. The players are seated, having outlasted 5,610 other people, and ready to play. Greg Raymer gets to say the words everyone's been waiting to hear: "Shuffle up and deal!"

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 16:53:00
Log:
Hand 1 - Daniel Bergsdorf has the button in seat 4, Kondracki raises all in for $1,170,000 from under the gun. The very first player to act on the very first hand has already pushed the action, moving all in.

There's a saying in baseball (from the movie "Major League") that you can tell how the season goes by the first pitch on opening day. Let's see how it goes.

Everyone folds, and Kondracki picks up the blinds and antes. And the World Series of Poker Championship final table is underway!

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 16:57:00
Title: Lazar vs. Matusow: Aces v. Kings
Log:
Hand 2 - Mike Matusow has the button in seat 5, Dannenmann raises to $250,000 from under the gun, Lazar reraises to $1,250,000, and Matusow moves all in. The action is coming fast and furious here early, as these players are ready to gamble for first place.

The action is back on Dannenmann, who folds, but then Lazar quickly calls. Matusow shows pocket kings (Kc-Kh), and Lazar has pocket aces (Ah-Ad). Amazing. Matusow is gonna have to improve here.

The flop comes Kd-Qh-6h, and the crowd explodes in a cheer as Matusow makes a set to take a strong lead. Lazar needs to catch an ace or a runner-runner flush to stay alive.

The turn card is the 2h, giving Lazar a heart flush draw.and can now win with any ace or any heart. The crowd oohs and aahs at the turn of events.

The river card is the Jh, and Lazar makes a runner-runner heart flush on the river to pull victory out of the grasp of Mike Matusow, who walks off the stage, wandering around with his hands on his head. He's still alive, but he would have been the chip leader at the final table.

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 17:04:00
Log:
Hand 4 - Brad Kondracki has the button in seat 7, Kanter raises to $350,000, and Dannenmann calls. The flop comes Kd-10h-5h, Dannenmann checks, Kanter bets $500,000, and Dannenmann folds. Kanter takes the pot.

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 17:14:00
Log:
Hand 7 - Joseph Hachem has the button in seat 1, Kondracki raises to $450,000, and Dannenmann moves all in. Kondracki is short stacked, but thinks long and hard about this decision. The crowd starts getting restless, and with a shrug, he calls the all-in bet. Kondracki shows pocket tens (10s-10c), while Dannenmann has Ad-Qc. It's a race situation as the flop comes Qs-Js-4s, giving Dannenmann a pair of queens, while Kondracki has a spade flush draw, or he can catch a ten or a runner-runner straight to stay alive.

The turn card is the 2h, and Kondracki now needs to catch a ten or a spade (11 outs) to stay alive. The river card is the 7s, and the crowd cheers as Kondracki makes a flush to stay alive. Kondracki, who had been standing up, has an "Aw, shucks," expression on his face as he calmly sits down with a smile on his face. Meanwhile, his friends in the crowd are cheering like he just won the entire tournament. But as long as he's still alive, he still has that chance.

Brad Kondracki doubles up through Steve Dannenmann, and he now has about $2.6 million in chips.

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 17:20:00
Log:
Hand 10 - Daniel Bergsdorf has the button in seat 4, Matusow raises to $250,000 from the small blind, and Kanter calls from the big blind. The flop comes Qd-9h-6d, Matusow checks, Kanter bets $450,000, and Matusow folds. Kanter takes the pot.

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 17:27:00
Log:
Hand 13 - Brad Kondracki has the button in seat 7, Matusow raises to $270,000, Dannenmann reraises to $1,000,000 from the small blind, and Matusow quickly moves all in. Dannenmann stops to consider the situation. Is Matusow steaming from the aces vs. kings, or does Matusow have a hand here?

Dannenmann folds pocket fours face up, and Matusow picks up the pot.

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 17:36:00
Title: Andrew Black v. Mike Matusow
Log:
World Series of Poker 1973 Champion Puggy Pearson is introduced between hands to applause from the crowd.

Hand 15 - Scott Lazar has the button in seat 9, Matusow raises to $280,000, and Black tosses his chips on the table to call. The flop comes Jc-6c-5h, Black checks, Matusow bets $350,000, and Black immediately calls. The turn card is the 10h, Black bets out for $1,000,000, Matusow raises to $2,000,000, and Black immediately says, "All in."

Matusow stops to consider this life-or-death decision, putting his elbow on the table, and resting his head as he studies his chips and his opponent. He's very calm and collected and he carefully moves his chips into a row, and it's unclear if he's counting them out or moving them in. He stares at Black for a moment to get a reaction, and then studies the cards and all the possibilities. He reaches for his water bottle to take a drink, still studying the cards on the board. Matusow is nothing like his reputation -- he looks like his heart rate hasn't even gone up.

Matusow asks with a smile, "Do you want me to call?" Black just smiles back, and doesn't speak. Matusow puts his hands behind his chips, ready to push, but stalls, trying to get a reaction. He must not like what he sees, or he must not like what he holds, because he folds his card

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 17:37:00
Title: 15-Minute Break; Blinds Increasing to $60,000-$120,000 ($20,000 Ante)
Log: The players take a 15-minute break before the blinds increase to $60,000-$120,000, with a $20,000 ante. Chip counts coming soon.

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 17:43:00
Title: Official Chip Counts
Log: Here are the official chip counts from the break:

1. Aaron Kanter - $11,170 (seat 6)
2. Andrew Black - $10,610,000 (seat 2)
3. Tex Barch - $9,030,000 (seat 3)
4. Scott Lazar - $6,700,000 (seat 9)
5. Joseph Hachem - $5,280,000 (seat 1)
6. Daniel Bergsdorf - $4,970,000 (seat 4)
7. Steve Dannenmann - $2,940,000 (seat 8)
8. Mike Matusow - $2,810,000 (seat 5)
9. Brad Kondracki - $2,410,000 (seat 7

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 18:06:00
Log:
Hand 19 - Daniel Bergsdorf has the button in seat 4, Hachem limps for $120,000, Black limps, Bergsdorf limps, Matusow limps from the small blind, and Kanter checks his option. Five players see the flop of As-10c-6h, Hachem bets $450,000, and everyone folds. Hachem takes the pot, worth about $780,000.

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 18:19:00
Title: Matusow Bluffs Two Players with 8-High
Log:
Hand 24 - Scott Lazar has the button in seat 9, Matusow raises to $250,000, Dannenmann calls, and Black calls. Three players see the flop of Kc-10d-9h, and they all check. The turn card is the Ah, and they're looking at a potentially dangerous board, with high cards and two hearts. Black checks, Matusow bets $600,000, and the other players fold. Matusow shows 8s-5s as he bluffs himself a pot worth about $1 million.

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 18:29:00
Title: Mike Matusow Eliminated in 9th Place ($1,000,000)
Log:
Hand 28 - Daniel Bergsdorf has the button in seat 4, Dannenmann raises to $300,000, and Matusow calls from the small blind. The flop comes 5s-3s-2c, Matusow bets $600,000, and Dannenmann immediately says, "All in." Matusow stops the action to study his opponent. He stands up, leaning out over the table to get a good look at his opponent before calling. Dannenmann shows As-Jc, while Matusow has pocket tens (10d-10c). Dannenmann was semi-bluffing with overcards, and he'll need to catch a four, a jack, or an ace to win the pot.

The turn card is the 4h, and Dannenmann makes a five-high straight to take a commanding lead in this hand. Matusow will need to catch a six or an ace to survive with a straight on the board.

The river card is a 9, and Mike Matusow is eliminated in ninth place, earning $1,000,000.

He walks over to Mark Seif in the crowd, who comforts him, and then the players from the final table all come over to shake his hand. Matusow is composed, but clearly disappointed. He's keeping his composure very well, and there are no outbursts or anger. Matusow is stunned.

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 18:33:00
Title: Quote from Matusow
Log: Matusow says, "I played six days of the best poker of my life, and I'm gonna go to bed happy." He now heads over to the ESPN area to tape his exit interview, and Johnny Grooms asks for the remaining eight players to return to the table

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 18:38:00
Title: Todd Brunson at the Card Player Table
Log: Todd Brunson has just joined Phil Hellmuth, Jennifer Harman, and Daniel Negreanu at the Card Player table for the live audio Webcast.
http://www.cardplayer.com/audio/

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 18:40:00
Title: Official Chip Counts
Log:
Tournament Director Johnny Grooms announces the following chip counts:

1. Aaron Kanter - $11,270,000 (seat 6)
2. Andrew Black - $10,550,000 (seat 2)
3. Tex Barch - $9,100,000 (seat 3)
4. Scott Lazar - $6,740,000 (seat 9)
5. Joseph Hachem - $6,300,000 (seat 1)
6. Steve Dannenmann - $5,810,000 (seat 8)
7. Daniel Bergsdorf - $4,590,000 (seat 4)
8. Brad Kondracki - $1,970,000 (seat 7)

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 19:00:00
Log:
Tournament Director Johnny Grooms announces that Aaron Kanter still has the chip lead with about $11.8 million in chips.

Hand 37 - Daniel Bergsdorf has the button in seat 4, Hachem limps for $120,000, Kanter limps from the small blind, and Kondracki checks his option. The flop comes Jh-2s-2d, it's checked to Hachem, who bets $350,000, and the other players fold.

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 19:07:00
Log:
Hand 39 - Brad Kondracki has the button in seat 7, Kanter limps for $120,000, Kondracki limps, Dannenmann limps from the small blind, and Lazar checks his option. Four players see a flop of Ac-Ad-6s, and the crowd lets out a big "Oooooh!" Everybody checks, and the turn card is the Jh. It's checked to Kanter, who bets $350,000, and everyone else folds. Kanter picks up the pot.

Aaron Kanter has reached $12.2 million in chips, and he is our chip leader.

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 19:18:00
Log:
Hand 43 - Andrew Black has the button in seat 2, unknown action (no flop).

Hand 44 - Tex Barch has the button in seat 3, Black raises to $350,000, and Bergsdorf calls. The flop comes 9s-7c-3d, Bergsdorf bets $400,000, and Black immediately raises to $1,400,000. Bergsdorf takes a moment before folding, and Black collects the pot.

Hand 45 - Daniel Bergsdorf has the button in seat 4, Black raises to $300,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 19:31:00
Title: Brad Kondracki Eliminated in 8th Place ($1,150,000)
Log:
Hand 49 - Scott Lazar has the button in seat 9, and Kondracki moves all in again for $1,510,000. Hachem, in the small blind, takes off his lightly-tinted sunglasses to rub his eyes, and then he rechecks his cards and scratches his head. Is he thinking about calling? No. He folds. But Andrew Black, wearing his sunglasses upside-down (Marcel Luske-style), asks for a count of Kondracki's chips. Kondracki is stone-faced, wearing dark sunglasses and sitting like a statue. Black makes the call.

Kondracki shows As-Qc, while Black has pocket eights (8s-8c). It's a race situation as the flop comes Ks-9c-5s, and Black retains the lead with the pair of eights. Kondracki needs to catch a queen, an ace, a runner-runner straight or a runner-runner flush to stay alive.

The turn card pairs the board with the 5h, and Kondracki needs a queen or an ace to stay alive.

The river card is the 6c, and Brad Kondracki is eliminated in eighth place, earning $1,150,000.

He receives a few handshakes before gathering his things from the final table. His friends, rather than being sad, celebrate his finish with their beers raised high, and they are literally singing his name, "Brad." It's a touching moment of support from those that know him best.

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 19:41:00
Log:
Hand 50 - Joseph Hachem has the button in seat 1, Hachem raises to $280,000, Black reraises to $1,000,000, and Hachem stops to think before acting, carefully considering the situation. Hachem eventually folds, and the Irish supporters in the crowd cheer as Black takes the pot.

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 19:52:00
Title: Heavy Preflop Action Between Steve Dannenmann and Joseph Hachem
Log:
Hand 55 - Steve Dannenmann has the button in seat 8, he raises to $400,000, Lazar calls, and Hachem raises to $2,000,000. Dannenmann immediately says, "All in," and Lazar quickly folds, getting out of the way.

Dannenmann's stack is being counted down so Hachem knows what he's up against. It's $3,570,000 more if Hachem decides to call. He's in a tough spot here, having already put $2,000,000 into this pot.

Hachem folds, giving the pot to Dannenmann. Dannenmann says, "No more shows," against the protests of the crowd. That was a $4.5 million pot, and there wasn't even a flop

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 20:09:00
Log:
Hand 62 - Steve Dannenmann has the button in seat 8, Kanter raises to $400,000, and Hachem calls from the big blind. The flop comes 10c-5h-4s, Hachem bets out for $500,000, and Kanter calls.

The turn card is the Jd, Hachem bets $1,000,000, and Kanter waves his hand and says, "All in." The crowd lets out a brief cheer, and then quiets down, waiting to see if Hachem calls or folds.

Hachem shuffles his chips as he sits up, studying his opponent and the situation. He takes a few minutes to think, and then rechecks his cards before folding.

Aaron Kanter wins a pot worth about $3.7 million. Aaron Kanter now has about $13 million in chips.

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 20:16:00
Log:
Hand 63 - Scott Lazar has the button in seat 9, Kanter limps for $120,000, Hachem limps from the small blind, and Black raises it to $620,000, Kanter calls, and Hachem folds.

The flop comes Jh-7c-5c, Black bets $500,000, and Kanter raises to about $1,600,000. Black quickly reraises to $6,600,000, and we've got two of the chip leaders ready to tangle at the final table.

Daniel Negreanu and David Williams are sitting right next to me (providing live audio commentary on our Webcast), and they both think that Kanter was caught with his hand in the cookie jar, and they think he's just stalling before he folds. He does not look happy, and nothing about his demeanor says, "Call." Black is carefully watching him, with a half-smile on his face, which seems to be his standard expression at big moments like this.

The longer Kanter takes to think, the more likely he is to have a piece of the board, or possibly a draw. There's some eye contact between the two players, and Aaron Kanter smiles as Andrew Black gets up to take a stroll around his chair.

It's been a full five minutes, and Aaron Kanter finally folds his cards. Andrew Black picks up a very large pot

1. Andrew Black - $18,230,000 (seat 2)
2. Aaron Kanter - $10,680,000 (seat 6)
3. Tex Barch - $10,480,000 (seat 3)
4. Steve Dannenmann - $7,130,000 (seat 8)
5. Scott Lazar - $5,370,000 (seat 9)
6. Daniel Bergsdorf - $2,940,000 (seat 4)
7. Joseph Hachem - $2,450,000 (seat 1)

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 22:04:00
Title: Daniel Bergsdorf Eliminated in 7th Place ($1,300,000)
Log:
Hand 65 - Andrew Black has the button in seat 2, Hachem raises to $360,000, Barch reraises to $2,360,000, Bergsdorf reraises all in for $2,740,000, Hachem folds, and Barch instantly calls. Barch shows pocket tens (10d-10c), but he's dominated by Bergsdorf's pocket jacks (Jh-Js).

The flop comes Qd-10s-4h, and Barch has flopped a set of tens to take a commanding lead. Bergsdorf needs to catch a jack or a runner-runner straight to win the flop.

The turn card is the 8d, and Bergsdorf needs to catch a nine or a jack to stay alive. The river card is the Qh, and Daniel Bergsdorf is eliminated in seventh place, earning $1,300,000.

1. Andrew Black - $18,200,000 (seat 2)
2. Tex Barch - $13,660,000 (seat 3)
3. Aaron Kanter - $10,660,000 (seat 6)
4. Steve Dannenmann - $7,110,000 (seat 8)
5. Scott Lazar - $5,350,000 (seat 9)
6. Joseph Hachem - $2,100,000 (seat 1)

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 22:19:00
Log:
Hand 68 - Aaron Kanter has the button in seat 6, Black raises to $500,000, and Barch calls. The flop comes Ad-Ac-4h, and both players check. The turn card is the As, putting three aces on the board. Both players check again. The river card is the 2s, Black bets $500,000, and Barch calls immediately. Black shows pocket eights for a full house, and Barch mucks his cards. Black takes the pot worth about $2.2 million.

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 22:23:00
Title: Joseph Hachem Doubles Up Through Scott Lazar
Log:
Hand 69 - Steve Dannenmann has the button in seat 8, Lazar raises to $500,000 from the small blind, Hachem reraises all in from the big blind, and Lazar quickly calls. Hachem shows As-Qs, while Lazar has Ks-9s. This is a $5 million pot.

The flop comes Ah-10s-4s, which is a very powerful flop for Hachem, who picks up top pair with the nut flush draw. Lazar needs to catch something runner-runner to win this pot.

The turn card is the 5c, and Lazar is drawing dead. The meaningless river card is the Jc, and Joseph Hachem doubles up to about $5,000,000.

Hachem's countrymen start their traditional cheer of "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie! Oy! Oy! Oy!"

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 22:27:00
Title: Scott Lazar Eliminated in 6th Place ($1,500,000)
Log:
Hand 70 - Scott Lazar has the button in seat 9, Lazar raises to $350,000, Black reraises all in, and Lazar instantly calls once again. Lazar shows Qc-10d, while Black has pocket jacks (Jc-Js). Lazar is in trouble once again.

The flop comes 8s-5s-3c, and Black is still in the lead with his jacks. Lazar needs to catch a queen, running tens, or a runner-runner straight to stay alive.

The turn card is the 4c, and Lazar is down to three outs, needing to catch a queen to survive.

The river card is the Kh, teasing him for a moment before Scott Lazar realizes he has been eliminated in sixth place, earning $1,500,000.

1. Andrew Black - $21,750,000 (seat 2)
2. Tex Barch - $12,560,000 (seat 3)
3. Aaron Kanter - $10,300,000 (seat 6)
4. Steve Dannenmann - $6,550,000 (seat 8)
5. Joseph Hachem - $5,100,000 (seat 1)

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 22:42:00
Log:
Hand 72 - Andrew Black has the button in seat 2, Black raises to $450,000, Barch calls from the small blind, and Kanter calls from the big blind. The flop comes 10h-7d-3h, Barch bets $800,000, Kanter raises to $2,000,000, Black folds, and Barch folds. Kanter takes the pot.

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 22:45:00
Log:
Hand 73 - Tex Barch has the button in seat 3, and he raises to $500,000. He apparently has a lot of supporters outside, because we can hear yelling outside the doors to this room (Benny's Bullpen). Kanter calls from the small blind, and Dannenmann pauses to consider the situation. Dannenmann finally just calls from the big blind, and all three players see the flop of Ks-9d-4h. Kanter bets $1,000,000, and the other two players fold. Kanter takes the pot.

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 22:59:00
Log:
Hand 79 - Aaron Kanter has the button in seat 6, Black limps for $160,000, Dannenmann limps from the small blind, and Hachem checks his option. The flop comes Kh-Jc-3c, it's checked to Black, who bets $300,000, Dannenmann calls, and Hachem folds. The turn card is the 6c, Dannenmann checks, and Black checks behind him. The river card is the Qc, putting four clubs on the board. Dannenmann bets out for $400,000, and Black calls. Dannenmann shows Kc-Qh, winning the roughly $2 million pot with a king-high flush.

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 23:04:00
Log:
Hand 81 - Joseph Hachem has the button in seat 1, Kanter limps, Hachem limps, Black limps from the small blind, and Barch checks his option. Four players see a flop of Ac-Jd-4h, and everyone checks to Hachem on the button, and he bets $500,000. Now Black lifts his sunglasses to get a good look at Hachem while he considers things. Black mucks his cards, and the others fold quickly behind him. Hachem shows a queen-high bluff as he collects the pot.

1. Andrew Black - $20,000,000 (seat 2)
2. Aaron Kanter - $13,750,000 (seat 6)
3. Tex Barch - $12,500,000 (seat 3)
4. Steve Dannenmann - $5,500,000 (seat 8)
5. Joseph Hachem - $4,800,000 (seat 1)

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 2300
Log:
Hand 86 - Joseph Hachem has the button in seat 1, Black limps for $160,000 from the small blind, and Barch checks his option. The flop comes Jd-3h-2d, Black bets $200,000, Barch raises to $400,000, and Black calls. The turn card is the 10h, and both players check. The river card is the 4h, putting three hearts on the board. Black bets $400,000, and Barch calls. Black shows Js-8h (pair of jacks), but Barch shows a jack with a higher kicker to win the pot.

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 23:22:00
Log:
Hand 90 - Steve Dannenmann has the button in seat 8, Barch limps for $160,000, Dannenmann calls, Hachem limps, and Black checks. The flop comes 8d-7s-5c, it's checked to Black, who bets $350,000, Barch calls, and Dannenmann moves all in.

Hachem, who has yet to act, is taking some time to think things over. Hachem folds, Black folds, and now it's Barch's turn to act. He studies Dannenmann, and scratches the back of his head as he replays all of the action in his mind. Dannenmann has his sunglasses off, hanging around his neck, and he smiles and laughs at Barch in a friendly way. Barch folds, and Dannenmann takes the pot.


1. Andrew Black - $19,000,000 (seat 2)
2. Tex Barch - $14,000,000 (seat 3)
3. Aaron Kanter - $12,500,000 (seat 6)
4. Steve Dannenmann - $7,000,000 (seat 8)
5. Joseph Hachem - $5,000,000 (seat 1)

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 23:27:00
Log:
Hand 91 - Joseph Hachem has the button in seat 1, he raises to $380,000, and Black calls from the small blind. The flop comes 3s-2s-2c, and both players check. The turn card is the 6s, putting three spades on the board. They check again, and the river card is the 4d. Black bets $400,000, and Hachem calls. Hachem shows A-8 (ace high), and Black mucks his cards. Hachem takes the pot.

Hand 92 - Andrew Black has the button in seat 2, Dannenmann limps for $160,000, Barch limps from the small blind, and Kanter checks his option. The flop comes Qh-10d-3c, and everyone checks. The turn card is the 9s, Barch bets $300,000, Kanter calls, and Dannenmann folds. The river card pairs the board with the 10s, and they both check. Barch shows 10-9 (two pair), but Kanter shows Q-10 (higher two pair) to win the pot.

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 23:31:00
Title: Biggest Pot of the Night
Log:
Hand 93 - Tex Barch has the button in seat 3, Black raises to $550,000, Kanter reraises to $1,550,000, and Black calls. The flop comes Kd-5h-3c, Kanter bets $1,000,000, and Black reraises to $4,000,000. Kanter takes some time to think about the raise. He pulls out some stacks as if to stack, and he does call. There is no raise, but there is a LOT of money in the pot as we head to the turn.

The turn card pairs the board with the 3h, Kanter checks, and Black asks Kanter how many chips he has left. Kanter counts them out, and Black checks as well.

The river card is the 8c, Kanter bets $2,000,000, and Black calls. Kanter shows pocket kings (Ks-Kc) for a full house to win the pot. His supporters explode into some of the loudest cheers of the night, as Kanter wins the largest pot of the night -- worth $15 million!

1. Aaron Kanter - $21,000,000 (seat 6)
2. Tex Barch - $13,000,000 (seat 3)
3. Andrew Black - $10,200,000 (seat 2)
4. Steve Dannenmann - $6,600,000 (seat 8)
5. Joseph Hachem - $4,200,000 (seat 1)

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 23:38:00
Log:
Hand 95 - Steve Dannenmann has the button in seat 8, and several players limp in. The flop comes As-Ac-X, and Barch bets to win the pot.

Hand 96 - Joseph Hachem has the button in seat 1, and he raises to win the blinds and antes.

Hand 97 - Andrew Black has the button in seat 2, Hachem raises to $380,000, and Kanter calls from the big blind. The flop comes Qs-8c-4h, Kanter checks, Hachem bets $750,000, and Kanter folds.

Date / Time: 2005-07-15 2300
Log:
Hand 102 - Andrew Black has the button in seat 2, Dannenmann raises to $400,000, and Barch calls from the small blind. The flop comes 9s-5h-2c, Barch slowly and deliberately counts out his chips before betting $500,000, and Dannenmann immediately says, "Raise." He places the $500,000 in the pot, and then puts in two more full stacks, for a total of $2,500,000. Barch studies the board, and then looks over at his opponent while he shuffles a few chips. Dannenmann, who is usually smiling in these situations, looks like he's trying to hide all emotion. Barch eventually folds, and Dannenmann takes the pot.

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 00:04:00
Log:
Hand 108 - Tex Barch has the button in seat 3, he raises to $400,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand 109 - Aaron Kanter has the button in seat 6, Black raises to $350,000, and Hachem calls. The flop comes Kd-6h-5h, Hachem checks, Black bets, and Hachem folds.

His supporters break out into a classic Irish cheer, showing their support for their countryman.

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 00:06:00
Log:
Hand 110 - Steve Dannenmann has the button in seat 8, and everyone folds to Black in the big blind, giving him the blinds and antes.

Hand 111 - Joseph Hachem has the button in seat 1, he raises to $380,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 00:14:00
Log:
Hand 112 - Andrew Black has the button in seat 2, Dannenmann limps for $160,000, Barch limps from the small blind, and Kanter checks his option. The flop comes 10s-9s-4h, Barch bets $300,000, Kanter raises to $1,000,000, Dannenmann folds, and Barch folds. Kanter takes the pot.

Hand 113 - Tex Barch has the button in seat 3, Hachem raises to $380,000, Black calls, and Dannenmann calls from the big blind. The flop comes 10c-7h-5s, and all three players check. The turn card is the Js, Dannenmann checks, Hachem bets $300,000, Black raises to $1,100,000, Dannenmann folds, and Hachem stops the action to size up the situation. Hachem eventually folds after about two minutes, and Black takes the pot.

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 00:17:00
Log:
Hand 114 - Aaron Kanter has the button in seat 6, Dannenmann limps from the small blind, and Hachem checks his option. The flop comes 10s-6s-6h, and both players check. The turn card is the Qc, Dannenmann bets $300,000, and Hachem folds.

Hand 115 - Steve Dannenmann has the button in seat 8, Hachem raises to $380,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 00:20:00
Log:
Hand 116 - Joseph Hachem has the button in seat 1, Dannenmann raises to $400,000, and Barch calls from the big blind. The flop comes 10h-5d-4s, Barch checks, Dannenmann bets $400,000, and Barch takes his time before he raises to $1,000,000.

Dannenmann takes his time before quietly saying, "All in." The crowd is surprised, and suddenly the whole room is paying attention, hoping that Barch calls. But Barch folds, giving the pot to Dannenmann.

1. Aaron Kanter - $17,740,000 (seat 6)
2. Tex Barch - $12,810,000 (seat 3)
3. Andrew Black - $12,370,000 (seat 2)
4. Steve Dannenmann - $10,320,000 (seat 8)
5. Joseph Hachem - $3,040,000 (seat 1)

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 00:51:00
Log:
Hand 119 - Aaron Kanter has the button in seat 6, Kanter raises to $400,000, Dannenmann calls from the small blind, and Hachem moves all in from the big blind. Kanter folds rather quickly, but now Dannenmann is thinking about calling and asks for a count of Hachem's chips.

Johnny Grooms puts the microphone down by the dealer, who announces the chip count with a faked southern accent: "Three-point-two-five million dollars." (This is an imitation of Tournament Director Grooms, who is from Tennessee.)

Dannenmann is really taking his time here, and he pulls a piece of paper from his pocket to consult. It has a list of handwritten advice: "Have fun. Nothing to lose. Play tight." And it says a few other things I can't see. The camera shows the paper again, and I can also see, "Avoid conflicts with big stacks. Don't raise reraisers."

Dannenmann folds after listening to the paper, and the crowd cheers for Hachem to show. But he says the crowd can see it on ESPN.

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 01:05:00
Title: Andrew Black v. Steve Dannenmann: An Ace on the River
Log:
Hand 124 - Aaron Kanter has the button in seat 6, Dannenmann limps from the small blind, Hachem raises to $600,000 from the big blind, and Dannenmann folds. Hachem takes the pot.

Hand 125 - Steve Dannenmann has the button in seat 8, Barch raises to $600,000, Dannenmann calls, and Black calls. The flop comes 9s-6c-5c, Black bets $1,000,000, Barch folds, and Dannenmann sits still, looking at the cards. He doesn't look that interested, but after a little while he quietly says, "All in."

Now Black lifts his sunglasses up on his head, and starts taking the situation more seriously, studying the board with a wry smile. Dannenmann is smiling back at him a bit, which he's done a lot tonight. Finally, Black confidently says, "I call."

Black shows 10s-9h (top pair), while Dannenmann has As-6s (second pair). Dannenmann needs to catch a six, an ace, or running spades to win this pot, which could be the largest of the tournament so far.

The turn card is the 3c, and Dannenmann needs to catch a six or an ace (5 outs) to stay alive.

The river card is the Ac, and Dannenmann makes two pair to take a huge pot from the Irishman Andrew Black.

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 01:11:00
Title: Andrew Black Doubles Up Through Aaron Kanter
Log:
Hand 126 - Joseph Hachem has the button in seat 1, Kanter raises to $700,000, and Black moves all in from the small blind. The action goes back to Kanter, and he calls. Black shows Ad-8d, while Kanter has pocket fours (4s-4c). Black is all in for about $3.4 million, and faces elimination if he doesn't win this hand.

The flop comes Ac-Jc-8h, and Black makes two pair to leave Kanter drawing thin. Kanter needs to catch a four or running clubs to stay alive. The turn card is the 3s, the river card is the 2d, and Andrew Black doubles up to get right back into the hunt for the bracelet.

His Irish compatriots in the crowd continue singing in his support.

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 01:15:00
Log:
Hand 127 - Andrew Black has the button in seat 2, and everyone folds to Kanter in the big blind, giving him the blinds and antes.

Hand 128 - Tex Barch has the button in seat 3, Kanter limps from the small blind, and Dannenmann checks his option. The flop comes 9d-8c-7c, and both players check. The turn card is the As, Kanter bets $400,000, Dannenmann raises to $1,250,000, and Kanter folds. Dannenmann takes the pot.

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 01:28:00
Title: Tex Barch Doubles Up Through Aaron Kanter
Log:
Hand 131 - Joseph Hachem has the button in seat 1, and he raises to $480,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand 132 - Andrew Black has the button in seat 2, Hachem limps for $200,000, Barch limps from the small blind, and Kanter checks his option. The flop comes Kc-10s-7s, it's checked to Hachem, who bets $450,000, Barch reraises to $1,000,000, Kanter reraises to $2,000,000, and it's back to Hachem, who clearly didn't expect this. Hachem folds.

Barch thinks a bit, then reraises to $4,500,000. We have a huge pot, and the preflop action was nothing but limpers. What does everyone have? Pocket sevens? As-Ks? Qs-Js? A bluff? (If you're listening to the CardPlayer.com audio commentary, you can hear former World Series of Poker champions Phil Hellmuth and Chris "Jesus" Ferguson discuss the strategies that might be in play here.)

Minutes pass as Kanter's mind works through the possibilities. The crowd starts to get a little restless, and you can hear the murmur as everyone has their own theories about who has what, and whether or not Kanter will stay in the hand.

After several very long minutes, Aaron Kanter quietly says, "All in." Now the spotlight is back on Tex Barch. He stands up to think, and after another minute or two he makes the call.

Tex Barch shows Kd-7d (two pair), while Kanter has Kh-5d (one pair). Kanter needs to hit a ten or something runner-runner to win this pot. The turn card is the Qh, and Kanter needs to catch a ten or a queen to tie, chopping the pot.

The river card is the Jd, and Tex Barch has doubled up into the chip lead, with about $22,000,000. That was the biggest pot in World Series of Poker history.

1. Tex Barch - $22,300,000 (seat 3)
2. Steve Dannenmann - $19,200,000 (seat 8)
3. Andrew Black - $6,800,000 (seat 2)
4. Joseph Hachem - $4,300,000 (seat 1)
5. Aaron Kanter - $3,710,000 (seat 6)

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 01:34:00
Log:
Hand 133 - Tex Barch has the button in seat 3, and it's Barch against Dannenmann against Hachem. The flop comes 7d-5c-3d, it's checked to Barch, who bets $500,000. The other players fold, and Barch takes the pot.

Hand 134 - Aaron Kanter has the button in seat 6, Dannenmann raises to $600,000 from the small blind, and Hachem calls from the big blind. The flop comes Ad-10h-5c, Dannenmann bets $1,000,000, and Hachem folds.

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 01:36:00
Log:
Hand 135 - Steve Dannenmann has the button in seat 8, and everyone folds to Black in the big blind, giving him the blinds and antes.

Hand 136 - Joseph Hachem has the button in seat 1, Black limps from the small blind, Barch moves some chips in for a raise, and Black immediately folds. Barch takes the pot.

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 01:38:00
Log:
Hand 137 - Andrew Black has the button in seat 2, and everyone folds to Kanter in the big blind, giving him the blinds and antes.

Hand 138 - Tex Barch has the button in seat 3, Black raises to $600,000, winning the blinds and antes.

[sever]

http://www.cardplayer.com/audio/

Comentariu audio live de la masa finala... hellmuth, negreanu, etc invitati

[andrei1891]

ce slab a jucat ultima mana Alsancak...

[sever]

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 01:46:00
Log:
Hand 141 - Joseph Hachem has the button in seat 1, Dannenmann limps for $200,000, Black raises to $1,000,000 from the small blind, and Dannenmann folds. Black takes the pot.

Black's supporters break out into another cheer in support of their countryman.

Hand 142 - Andrew Black has the button in seat 2, Hachem raises to $480,000, Kanter reraises to $1,150,000, and Hachem folds.

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 0100
Log:
Hand 143 - Tex Barch has the button in seat 3, Kanter limps from the small blind, and Dannenmann checks his option. The flop comes Jd-8d-7h, Kanter checks, Dannenmann bets $400,000, and Kanter folds.

Hand 144 - Aaron Kanter has the button in seat 6, Black raises to $800,000, winning the blinds and antes

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 01:51:00
Log:
Tournament Director Johnny Grooms announces the following chip counts:

1. Tex Barch - $21,400,000 (seat 3)
2. Steve Dannenmann - $18,600,000 (seat 8)
3. Andrew Black - $8,200,000 (seat 2)
4. Aaron Kanter - $5,000,000 (seat 6)
5. Joseph Hachem - $2,500,000 (seat 1)

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 01:53:00
Log:
Hand 145 - Steve Dannenmann has the button in seat 8, and everyone folds to Black in the big blind, giving him the blinds and antes.

Hand 146 - Joseph Hachem has the button in seat 1, Dannenmann raises to $600,000, and Barch calls from the big blind. The flop comes 10s-7s-5s, and both players check. The turn card is the Js, putting four spades on the board. Barch checks, Dannenmann bets $450,000, and Barch folds.

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 01:57:00
Log:
Hand 147 - Andrew Black has the button in seat 2, and it's quickly all in between Dannenmann and Hachem. Dannenmann has As-Jc, while Hachem has pocket sevens (7d-7h).

It's a race situation as the flop comes 10h-9c-6c, and Hachem retains the lead with his pair. Dannenmann needs to catch a jack, an ace, a runner-runner straight or a runner-runner flush to eliminate Hachem.

The turn card is the 9h, and Dannenman will win on a ten, jack, or an ace.

The river card is the 3c, and Joseph Hachem has doubled up in chips with pocket sevens.

His countrymen let out a resounding cheer of "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie! Oy! Oy! Oy!"

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 02:05:00
Title: Andrew Black Eliminated in 5th Place ($1,750,000)
Log:
Hand 148 - Tex Barch has the button in seat 3, and he raises to $700,000, Dannenmann reraises to $3,200,000, and Barch folds. Dannenmann takes the pot.

Hand 149 - Aaron Kanter has the button in seat 6, Black raises to $600,000, Dannenmann reraises to $2,000,000, and Black moves all in. Dannenmann immediately calls. Black shows pocket tens (10 :hearts -10 :diams), while Dannenmann has A :spades-K :diams. It's another race situation.

The flop comes 8 :hearts -3 :spades -2 :clubs, and Black is still in the lead with his pair of tens. Dannenmann needs a king, an ace, or a runner-runner straight to stay alive.

The turn card is the Kc, and Dannenmann takes the lead with a pair of kings. Now Black needs to catch a ten on the river (2 outs) to stay alive.

The river card is the 9 :clubs, teasing the crowd by looking similar to the black ten that Black needed to survive.

Andrew Black is eliminated in fifth place, earning $1,750,000, and he receives a standing ovation from the entire crowd.

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 02:06:00
Title: Support For Andrew Black
Log: Andrew Black's supporters give him another round of the Irish cheer, and then they hit him with a round of "Hip, hip! Hurray! Hip, hip! Hurray! Hip, hip! Hurray!"

He looks very disappointed as he waits for his ESPN exit interview to begin. He's made some tough calls and received some tough beats at this Final Table. But he should be proud.

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 02:14:00
Title: Official Chip Counts
Log:
Tournament Director Johnny Grooms announces the following chip counts:

1. Steve Dannenmann - $26,250,000 (seat 8)
2. Tex Barch - $20,150,000 (seat 3)
3. Joseph Hachem - $5,050,000 (seat 1)
4. Aaron Kanter - $4,830,000 (seat 6)

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 02:15:00
Log:
Hand 150 - Steve Dannenmann has the button in seat 8, Dannenmann raises to $600,000, and Barch calls. The flop comes K :clubs -Q :spades -4 :spades , Barch checks, Dannenmann bets $600,000, and Barch folds.

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 02:18:00
Log:
Hand 151 - Joseph Hachem has the button in seat 1, Barch limps from the small blind, and Kanter checks. The flop comes J :diams -6 :clubs -3 :diams, and both players check. The turn card is the Q :clubs, Barch bets $400,000, and Kanter folds.

Hand 152 - Tex Barch has the button in seat 3, Kanter limps from the small blind, and Dannenmann checks his option. The flop comes K :hearts -K :diams -8 :clubs, Kanter bets $200,000, and Dannenmann folds.

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 02:20:00
Log:
Hand 153 - Aaron Kanter has the button in seat 6, Barch raises to $800,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand 154 - Steve Dannenmann has the button in seat 8, Hachem raises, winning the blinds and antes.

[andrei1891]

The flop comes Qh-10d-3c, and everyone checks. The turn card is the 9s, Barch bets $300,000, Kanter calls, and Dannenmann folds. The river card pairs the board with the 10s, and they both check. Barch shows 10-9 (two pair), but Kanter shows Q-10 (higher two pair) to win the pot.

aici ori e o greseala, ori au fost 2 full-uri care s-au checkuit (chestie care m-ar mira profund).

[sever]

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 02:28:00
Title: Aaron Kanter Doubles Up Through Tex Barch
Log:
Hand 155 - Joseph Hachem has the button in seat 1, Barch raises to $700,000, and Kanter calls. The flop comes 9d-6c-4s, Barch bets $750,000, and Kanter folds. Barch takes the pot.

Hand 156 - Tex Barch has the button in seat 3, Hachem raises to $500,000, Barch calls, and Kanter moves all in for about $4,300,000. Hachem folds, and Barch takes a long time to think about the situation. After several minutes, Barch makes the call.

Barch shows Ah-Qc, and he dominates Kanter's As-7h. The flop comes 10s-7c-7d, and Kanter takes a huge lead with trip sevens. Barch is in deep water here, because he needs running tens, running queens, or running aces to eliminate Kanter.

The turn card is the As, and Barch can catch the last ace in the deck (one out) to chop the pot.

The river card is the 6h, and Aaron Kanter doubles up through Tex Barch

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 02:30:00
Title: Approximate Chip Counts
Log:
Tournament Director Johnny Grooms announces the following chip counts:

1. Steve Dannenmann - $26,100,000 (seat 8)
2. Tex Barch - $17,000,000 (seat 3)
3. Aaron Kanter - $9,000,000 (seat 6)
4. Joseph Hachem - $4,400,000 (seat 1)

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 02:31:00
Log:
Hand 157 - Aaron Kanter has the button in seat 6, Dannenman limps from the small blind, Hachem raises to $700,000 from the big blind, and Dannenmann folds. Hachem takes the pot.

Hand 158 - Steve Dannenmann has the button in seat 8, and everyone folds to Barch in the big blind, giving him the blinds and antes.

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 02:35:00
Log:
Hand 159 - Joseph Hachem has the button in seat 1, Hachem raises to $500,000, Kanter reraises to $1,750,000, and Hachem folds. Kanter takes the pot.

Hand 160 - Tex Barch has the button in seat 3, Kanter raises to $700,000 from the small blind, and Dannenmann calls from the big blind. The flop comes 10c-6s-5s, Kanter bets $800,000, and Dannenmann folds. Kanter takes the pot.

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 02:38:00
Log:
Hand 161 - Aaron Kanter has the button in seat 6, Dannenmann raises from the small blind, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand 162 - Steve Dannenmann has the button in seat 8, Hachem raises to $700,000, and Barch calls. The flop comes Ad-4d-4c, Hachem bets $700,000, and Barch folds. Hachem takes the pot.

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 02:42:00
Log:
Hand 163 - Joseph Hachem has the button in seat 1, Dannenmann raises to $400,000, Hachem calls, and Kanter calls. Three players see a flop of 9d-6s-2c, Kanter bets $800,000, Dannenmann folds, and Hachem thinks for a while before he folds as well.

Hand 164 - Tex Barch has the button in seat 3, and everyone folds to Dannenmann in the big blind, giving him the blinds and antes.

[sever]

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 02:45:00
Log:
Hand 165 - Aaron Kanter has the button in seat 6, Barch raises to $600,000, and Hachem calls. The flop comes 7s-5s-2c, and both players check. The turn card is the Ah, Hachem bets $500,000, and Barch calls. The river card pairs the board with the 2h, Hachem checks, Barch bets $1,000,000, and Hachem calls. Barch shows a busted spade flush draw, and Hachem shows A-8 (pair of aces) to win the pot.

Hand 166 - Steve Dannenmann has the button in seat 8, he limps in for $200,000, Hachem limps from the small blind, and Barch checks his option. The flop comes 6d-4d-3d, and they all check. The turn card is the Qs, and they check again. The river card is the 9d, putting four diamonds on the board. Hachem checks, Barch bets $200,000, and the others fold. Barch takes the pot.

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 02:50:00
Log:
Hand 167 - Joseph Hachem has the button in seat 1, Dannenmann limps in, Barch limps, and Kanter checks. The flop comes Kh-Qd-5s, and it's checked to Dannenmann, who bets $400,000. The other players fold, and Dannenmann takes the pot.

Hand 168 - Tex Barch has the button in seat 3, Hachem limps, Kanter limps, and Dannenmann checks. The flop comes 10c-9c-7d, Dannenmann bets $400,000, Hachem calls, and Kanter calls. The turn card is the 3c, putting three clubs on the board. It's checked to Hachem, who bets $1,000,000, Kanter folds, and Dannenmann folds. Hachem takes the pot.

ate / Time: 2005-07-16 02:52:00
Log:
Hand 169 - Aaron Kanter has the button in seat 6, Barch raises to $500,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand 170 - Steve Dannenmann has the button in seat 8, Kanter raises to $600,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 02:53:00
Title: 15-Minute Break; Blinds Increasing to $120,000-$240,000 ($40,000 Ante)
Log: The players take a 15-minute break before the blinds increase to $120,000-$240,000, with a $40,000 ante. These are the highest blinds in World Series of Poker history.

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 02:55:00
Title: Official Chip Counts
Log: Here are the official chip counts from the break:

1. Steve Dannenmann - $24,670,000 (seat 8)
2. Tex Barch - $14,000,000 (seat 3)
3. Aaron Kanter - $10,560,000 (seat 6)
4. Joseph Hachem - $7,020,000 (seat 1)

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 0300
Log:
Hand 171 - Joseph Hachem has the button in seat 1, he raises to $600,000, and Kanter calls. The flop comes 7h-3s-2d, Kanter bets $900,000, and Hachem calls. The turn card is the 5d, Kanter bets $2,000,000, and Hachem folds. Kanter takes down a pot worth about $3,500,000.

Hand 172 - Tex Barch has the button in seat 3, Hachem limps for $240,000, Barch limps, Kanter raises to $2,000,000, Hachem folds, and Barch folds.

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 03:17:00
Log:
Hand 173 - Aaron Kanter has the button in seat 6, Barch raises to $750,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand 174 - Steve Dannenmann has the button in seat 8, Hachem raises to $600,000, and Barch calls. The flop comes Ah-8c-6c, Hachem bets $600,000, and Barch folds.

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 03:20:00
Log:
Hand 175 - Joseph Hachem has the button in seat 1, Dannenmann raises to $700,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand 176 - Tex Barch has the button in seat 3, Kanter limps from the small blind, and Dannenmann checks his option. The flop comes Ad-Jc-9d, and both players check. The turn card is the 10h, and they check again. The river card is the 4c, Kanter bets $300,000, and Dannenmann folds. Kanter takes the pot.

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 03:25:00
Log:
Hand 177 - Aaron Kanter has the button in seat 6, Dannenmann raises to $800,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand 178 - Steve Dannenmann has the button in seat 8, Dannenmann raises to $800,000, Hachem reraises all in for about $5,300,000, and Dannenmann takes a long time to think things over. Dannenmann eventually folds, and Hachem takes the pot.

[sever]

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 03:30:00
Log:
Hand 179 - Joseph Hachem has the button in seat 1, he limps for $240,000, Barch limps, Kanter raises to $1,240,000, and Hachem says, "All in."

Tex Barch folds to get out of the way, and he and Kanter both stand up. It's nearly $5 million more to Kanter. He thinks for a short while, and then makes the call. Hachem shows Qd-7d, and Kanter has pocket nines (9s-9d).

The flop comes Qh-8c-2h, and Hachem takes the lead with a pair of queens. Kanter is in trouble, and needs to catch a nine or a runner-runner straight to eliminate Hachem.

The turn card is the Ah, and Kanter needs to catch a nine (2 outs) to win the hand.

The river card is the 2c, and Joseph Hachem survives to double up in chips. His crowd of supporters is psyched, starting up with their cheer of "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie! Oy! Oy! Oy!"

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 03:33:00
Title: Updated Chip Counts
Log:
Tournament Director Johnny Grooms announces the following chip counts:

1. Steve Dannenmann - $23,800,000 (seat 8)
2. Joseph Hachem - $13,200,000 (seat 1)
3. Tex Barch - $12,600,000 (seat 3)
4. Aaron Kanter - $6,500,000 (seat 6

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 03:37:00
Log:
Hand 180 - Joseph Hachem has the button in seat 1, Dannenmann raises to $800,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand 181 - Tex Barch has the button in seat 3, Hachem raises to $600,000, and Kanter calls. The flop comes 7c-7s-4s, and both players check. The turn card is the 6d, and they check again. The river card is the 5s, Kanter bets $500,000, and Hachem calls. Hachem shows king high, but Kanter has a 5 for a pair of fives. Kanter wins the pot

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 03:39:00
Log:
Hand 182 - Aaron Kanter has the button in seat 6, he raises to $800,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand 183 - Steve Dannenmann has the button in seat 8, Kanter raises to $800,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 03:42:00
Log:
Hand 184 - Joseph Hachem has the button in seat 1, he raises to $600,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand 185 - Tex Barch has the button in seat 3, Kanter limps, and Dannenmann checks. The flop comes Kc-Jh-9h, Kanter checks, Dannenmann bets $300,000, and Kanter folds. Dannenmann takes the po

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 03:45:00
Log:
Hand 186 - Aaron Kanter has the button in seat 6, Kanter raises to $800,000, Dannenmann reraises to $3,000,000, and Kanter folds. Dannenmann takes the pot.

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 03:48:00
Log:
Hand 187 - Steve Dannenmann has the button in seat 8, Kanter raises to $850,000, and Hachem calls. The flop comes Ad-10d-8h, Hachem checks, Kanter bets $1,150,000, and Hachem folds. Kanter takes the pot.

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 03:51:00
Log:
Hand 188 - Joseph Hachem has the button in seat 1, and he limps for $240,000, Barch raises to $1,000,000, and Hachem folds.

Hand 189 - Tex Barch has the button in seat 3, Hachem raises to $600,000, and Dannenmann calls from the big blind. The flop comes 6s-4c-2h, Dannenmann bets $1,000,000, Hachem raises to $3,000,000, and Dannenmann folds.

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 03:54:00
Log:
Hand 190 - Aaron Kanter has the button in seat 6, and everyone folds to Hachem in the big blinds, giving him the blinds and antes.

Hand 191 - Steve Dannenmann has the button in seat 8, Hachem limps for $240,000, and Barch checks. The flop comes Ks-Jc-8h, Hachem bets $250,000, and Barch folds.

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 03:58:00
Log:
Hand 192 - Joseph Hachem has the button in seat 1, he raises to $600,000, and Kanter calls. The flop comes 9s-8h-4d, Kanter checks, and Hachem says, "All in." Kanter thinks for a moment and then folds. Hachem takes the pot.

Hand 193 - Tex Barch has the button in seat 3, Kanter limps, Dannenmann raises to $740,000, and Kanter folds. Dannenmann takes the pot.

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 03:59:00
Title: Approximate Chip Counts
Log:
Tournament Director Johnny Grooms announces the following approximate chip counts before Hand #193:

1. Steve Dannenmann - $23,000,000 (seat 8)
2. Joseph Hachem - $16,000,000 (seat 1)
3. Tex Barch - $11,500,000 (seat 3)
4. Aaron Kanter - $4,600,000 (seat 6)

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 04:00:00
Log:
Hand 194 - Aaron Kanter has the button in seat 6, he raises to $800,000, and Hachem calls. The flop comes Ah-10d-6h, Hachem checks, and Kanter checks behind him. The turn card is the Kd, Hachem checks, Kanter bets $1,000,000, and Hachem folds

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 04:04:00
Log:
Hand 195 - Steve Dannenmann has the button in seat 8, Kanter raises to $800,000, Dannenmann reraises to $4,000,000, and Kanter folds.

Hand 196 - Joseph Hachem has the button in seat 1, and everyone folds to Kanter in the big blind, giving him the blinds and antes.

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 04:07:00
Log:
Hand 197 - Tex Barch has the button in seat 3, Kanter limps for $240,000, Dannenmann raises to $1,740,000, and Kanter folds.

Hand 198 - Aaron Kanter has the button in seat 6, Kanter raises to $800,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 04:11:00
Log:
Hand 199 - Steve Dannenmann has the button in seat 8, and everyone folds to Barch in the big blind, giving him the blinds and antes.

Hand 200 - Joseph Hachem has the button in seat 1, Dannenmann raises to $750,000, Hachem reraises to $2,750,000, and Dannenmann calls. The flop comes Qh-10d-3h, Dannenmann checks, Hachem bets $2,000,000, and Dannenmann folds.

Layne Flack passed a note to Tex Barch once Barch is out of Hand #200. He's still on the CardPlayer.com audio commentary with Phil Hellmuth, so he might have described what he wrote if you're listening in.

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 0400
Title: Approximate Chip Counts
Log:
Tournament Director Johnny Grooms announces the following chip counts:

1. Steve Dannenmann - $22,000,000 (seat 8)
2. Joseph Hachem - $18,000,000 (seat 1)
3. Tex Barch - $11,080,000 (seat 3)
4. Aaron Kanter - $4,500,000 (seat 6)

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 04:15:00
Log:
Hand 201 - Tex Barch has the button in seat 3, he raises to $500,000, and Dannenmann calls. The flop comes 7c-4c-4h, Dannenmann checks, Barch bets $800,000, and Dannenmann folds.

Hand 202 - Aaron Kanter has the button in seat 6, Dannenmann limps, and Hachem checks. The flop comes Qd-10h-9s, Dannenmann checks, Hachem bets $400,000, and Dannenmann folds. Hachem shows a queen as he collects the pot.

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 04:17:00
Log:
Hand 203 - Steve Dannenmann has the button in seat 8, he raises to $750,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand 204 - Joseph Hachem has the button in seat 1, Dannenmann raises to $750,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 04:21:00
Title: A New Chip Leader
Log:
Hand 205 - Tex Barch has the button in seat 3, Kanter limps from the small blind, and Dannenmann checks his option. the flop comes Kd-5h-2c, Kanter bets $300,000, and Dannenmann folds.

Hand 206 - Aaron Kanter has the button in seat 6, Dannenmann limps, Hachem raises to $1,240,000, and Dannenmann calls. The flop comes 9c-5d-4s, and both players check. The turn card is the 8s, Dannenmann checks, Hachem bets $1,000,000, and Dannenmann calls. The river card is the 10d, and both players check. Hachem shows A-K, and Dannenmann folds. Hachem takes the pot.

Joseph Hachem has just become our new chip leader, and his Australian countrymean break out into a cheer of "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie! Oy! Oy! Oy!"

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 04:40:00
Log:
Hand 207 - Steve Dannenmann has the button in seat 8, he raises to $800,000, Hachem reraises to $2,800,000, and Dannenmann calls. The flop comes 10c-8h-7d, Hachem bets $5,000,000, and Dannenmann folds, showing A-6. Hachem shows pocket kings as he collects the pot.

Hand 208 - Joseph Hachem has the button in seat 1, Barch raises to $790,000, winning the blinds and antes

Date / Time: 2005-07-16 04:45:00
Log:
Hand 209 - Tex Barch has the button in seat 3, Kanter limps, and Dannenmann checks his option. The flop comes 6s-4s-4h, Kanter bets $350,000, and Dannenmann calls. The turn card is the Qs, Kanter checks, Dannenmann bets $650,000, and Kanter folds.

Tournament Director Johnny Grooms announces that Hachem has about $24,000,000 in chips, increasing his chip lead.

Hand 210 - Aaron Kanter has the button in seat 6, Barch raises to $550,000, and Dannenmann calls. The flop comes 8h-6d-5c, Dannenmann bets $500,000, Barch raises to $2,200,000, and Dannenmann folds. Barch takes the pot.