Joe Hachem wins 2005 World Series of Poker

World Series of Poker 2005
June 3 to July 15, 2005
Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino
and Binion's Gambling Hall

2006 World Series of Poker | 2005 Schedule

World Series of Poker Live Update, July 16, 8:02 AM

Hachem new champ!

Joe Hachem , born in Lebanon, and now from Melbourne, Australia, is the new World Series of Poker champion. Runner-up was Steve Dannenmann. The tournament finally concluded abound 6.30 am Pacific time this morning. The $7,500,000 first prize that Hachem won was the richest prize for a sporting event in the history of the world! 5,619 players paid the $10,000 buy-in for the tournament or won their seat into the championship by winning smaller satellite tournaments held throughout the year at various online sites or live poker rooms in Las Vegas as well as elsewhere. The total prize fund was $52,000,000. All 9 players that made it to the final table last night won at least $1,000,000.

Matusow Busts out

Mike Matusow, the only well-known poker name at the final table is the first to be eliminated tonight. After a flop of 2 3 5, Mike called an all-in bet with 10 10, against Steve Dannenmann, who had A J, the turn card was a 4, completing a straight for Steve. Now, Mike must catch a 6 or an A to put a straight on the board for a split pot, but the river is a 9 and Matusow heads for the exit interview, stopping to chat with Phil Hellmuth and Jennifer Harmon first. He is clearly disappointed, but being a good sport.

World Series of Poker Live Update, July 15, 5:30 PM

After a flop of Jc 6c 5h, and a turn card of 10h, Mike Matusow and Andrew Black are battling it out. Black has gone all in after a $350,000 bet by Mike, a $1 million raise by Andy, a $2 million re-raise by Mike, and Andy then went all in. Mike went into a long think, looked at Black, who took off his shades and smiled and they talked to each other. Then Matusow put his hands behind his chips as if to push them in and call the all in raise, but did so while still looking at Black. Then he folded. The drama, the theatrics that these players are displaying is very interesting, to say the least.

World Series of Poker Live Update, July 15, 5:30 PM

Aaron Kanter has been doing well, stealing blinds and antes with 500k bets, seems to be increasing his chip lead. Meanwhile, Matusow raises a hand pre-flop, Dannenmann re-raises and Matusow goes all-in. After a long wait, Dannenmann folds and shows poket 4's.

World Series of Poker Live Update, July 15, 5:12 PM

Brad Kondracki calls an all-in bet by Steve Dannenmann and turns over 10c 10s to Dannenmann's Ad Qh. The flop comes Js, Qs, 4s and the turn is the 2h. Kondracki needs a 10 or a spade and gets his spade on the river with the 7s. 2 quick all-ins, 2 players WSOP lives at stake, both catch a flush on the river to stay alive. It could be a long night!

World Series of Poker Live Update, July 15, 4:53 PM

Matusow goes all in on only the 2nd hand of the final day and gets called by Scott Lazar. Mike Matusow turns up KK and Lazar turns up Ah Ad. The flop produces Kd, 6h, Qh, and the turn is another heart, the deuce, so Scott needs an Ace or a heart to stay alive. The river is the Jh and Lazar doubles up against Mike Matusow with a nut flush and their chip counts approximately trade places, 7 million to 3 million and change. The aces hold up, but not the usual way, 2 hearts on the flop and 2 more on the turn and river, wow!!

World Series of Poker Live Update, July 15, 4:50 PM

The cards are in the air!! 1st hand Kondracki with the short stack raises, everyone folded.

World Series of Poker Live Update, July 15, 4:47 PM

2004 champion Greg Raymer makes an appearance and hugs Mike Matusow. They were not such good friends last year when Mike was needling Greg, then extended his hand for a hand-shake and Greg declined.

World Series of Poker Live Update, July 15, 4:40 PM

A moment of silence for a poker player recently passed away, followed by the national anthem, followed by another moment of silence to honor those lost in the London bombings.

World Series of Poker Live Update, July 15, 4:35 PM

Intoductions are being made and they're taking their time. Nicknamed "the mouth", when the tournament director introduced Mike Matusow, he said "if he's got a big mouth now, imagine how big it will be if he wins today!"

World Series of Poker Update, July 15

FINAL TABLE TIME, KANTER LEADS THE WAY

Aaron Kanter, having been playing poker for only 2 years, and winning his seat at the World Series of Poker main event in a $100 buy-in online satellite event, is now a millionaire. Time after time last night at Binion's, he would bust out player after player, including some of the game's greatest. Phil Ivey was in 2nd place going into yesterday's 27 player, 3 table 2nd of the last day of the WSOP when he had the unfortunate experience of playing at the same table with Kanter. All in with JJ while Aaron held KK and the flop gave him another K, and Phil was out the door. Not always did Kanter have the better starting hand when he was calling all in bets or putting his opponents all in. But by the river, he always got the cards he needed and got the job done. His latest victim was 10th place finisher, Ayhan Alsancak ($600,000 winnings). Alsancak called Kanter's raise with Qh-Qc, Kanter holding Ah-10h, the flop came 7h-3h-3c, Alsancak went all in and Kanter called. Kanter needed either an A, 2 running 10's, or a heart to overcome the big pocket pair. The turn card was a 10 and the river was a heart as the crowd erupted one last time in cheers for the young man from Lodi, California. Read more about Aaron Kanter below. Shawn Sheikhan finished in 11th place, earning $600,000. All of today's finishers will receive at least $1 million, with the winner receiving $7.5 and the most coveted prize in all of poker. The main event began on July 7th with 5,619 entries, the largest ever by far. The tournament resumes at 4 PM today. Here are today's final table players and their chip counts...

World Series of Poker Live Update, July 14, 11:53 PM

Another chip count update...

1. Aaron Kanter $10,050,000
2. Andrew Black $9,200,000
3. Joseph Hachem $5,800,000
4. Tex Barch $5,500,000
5. Scott Lazar $4,600,000
6. Mike Matusow $4,550,000
7. Steve Dannenmann $4,500,000
8. Daniel Bergsdorf $4,100,000
9. Brad Kondracki $2,950,000
10. Ayhan Alsancak $2,200,000
11. Shawn Sheikhan $1,200,000

World Series of Poker Live Update, July 14, 11:35 PM

Andrew Black busts out Conor Tate and has about $8,600,000. Tate earns $600,000 for his efforts, finishing in 12th place. The big pocket pairs are king tonight, Black had K's to Tate's A-K, the flop gave Tate a straight draw, but he couldn't pull it off with a J or an A on the turn or river. 2 more to go down tonight.

World Series of Poker Live Update, July 14, 10:55 PM

The up-to-the minute chip counts are...

Aaron Kanter $9,650,000
Joseph Hachem $6,800,000
Andrew Black $6,600,000
Tex Barch $6,200,000
Scott Lazar $5,390,000
Daniel Bergsdorf $5,100,000
Mike Matusow $4,930,000
Steve Dannenmann $3,900,000
Brad Kondracki $2,660,000
Conor Tate $2,390,000
Ayhan Alsancak $2,220,000
Shawn Sheikhan $570,000

World Series of Poker Live Update, July 14, 10:55 PM

Another one goes down, courtesy of Kanter

Bernard Lee had a lot going for him. Kc 7h vs Kanter's Q 6. Also caught a K on the flop, although Kanter caught a 6. Flop was Ks 6c 3d. Turn is the Jh, no help for either player and by now you know that the river was a Q or a 6 and yes, it was a 6 giving Kanter another big win, busting out Lee in 13th place, earning $400,000. Aaron Kanter is approaching 10 million in chips. The blinds are now $40,000-$80,000 with a $10,000 ante.

World Series of Poker Live Update, July 14, 10:35 PM

Kanter has $8,950,000, chip leader by far

The kid from Lodi can do no wrong. Against Oskar Silow, Kanter put him all in for about $250,000 with pocket Q's against Silow's Ad-10h. Once again the big pair holds up and Silow is gone, taking 14th place and earning $400,000. The soon to be millionaires are not too far off now. 4 more players will be gone by the end of the night.

World Series of Poker Live Update, July 14, 10:20 PM

The following are the approximate chip counts at the featured table.

World Series of Poker Live Update, July 14, 10:08 PM

Well, at least I was able to get an official chip count from the dinner break an hour and a half ago...

1. Aaron Kanter 6,700,000
2-3. Joseph Hachem 6,500,000
2-3. Daniel Bergsdorf 6,500,000
4. Mike Matusow 6,300,000
5. Tex Barch 5,950,000
6. Andrew Black 4,600,000
7. Steve Dannenmann 3,100,000
8. Scott Lazar 2,600,000
9. Shawn Sheikhan 2,100,000
10. Conor Tate 1,700,000
11. Ayhan Alsancak 1,900,000 
12. Bernard Lee 1,800,000
13. Michael Kessler 1,450,000 (now eliminated in 17th place)
14. Johnny Howard 1,215,000 (now eliminated in 16th place)
15. Tiffany Williamson 1,100,000 (now eliminated in 15th place)  
16. Oskar Silow 605,000 
17. Brad Kondracki 500,000
18. John McGrane 310,000 (now eliminated in 18th place)

World Series of Poker Live Update, July 14, 9:56 PM

Tiffany Williamson has been eliminated in 15th place earning more money, $400,000, than any other woman in the history of the WSOP main event. She was well appreciated by the fans, receiving a standing ovation. Before that, Johnny Howard was eliminated in 16th Place earning $350,000. Aaron Kanter seems to be still doing very well, winning a couple of nice pots lately, but it is impossible to get any reliable chip counts around here.

World Series of Poker Live Update, July 14, 9:19 PM

Down to 2 tables now. The following players are seated at the featured table...

John Barch, Brad Kondracki, Tiffany Williamson, Joseph Hachem, Johnny Howard, Aaron Kanter, Conor Tate, and Bernard Lee

 

World Series of Poker Live Update, 8:30 PM July 14, 2005

Now, more about Aaron Kanter. His buddy tells us he's only been playing poker for 2 years, and like so many others before him, won his seat to this year's WSOP by winning an online $100 buy-in satellite tournament on Party Poker. Formerly a mortgage broker, Aaron makes his living playing online poker now. He resides in Lodi, California. We almost got an interview with Aaron, while he was on break, but a swarm of reporters noticed him and got there just ahead of us, so we got back in line to get in the door.

While we got shoved around some more, Greg "Fossilman" Raymer got busted out. No reptillian glasses, I thought he had been wearing them this year, but he wasn't today, or maybe he only puts them on sometimes. Also, while in line, Tim Phan was busted out. We finally got in the door at 6:00 PM or so. The featured table had Phil Ivey, Aaron Kanter, Joe Connor, Andrew Black, Steve Dannenmann, Joe Hachem, and Greg Raymer (before we arrived), Ayhan Alsancak and perhaps one other. It wasn't possible to get any official chip counts, so all we can tell you at this point is that they are now on dinner break and will return at 8:30. We have come home so we can update you, because there is no more available Internet stations in the press room. We will get there early tomorrow for the final table and try to give you live updates as we go, but the whole place is a little chaotic. I'd stay home and talk to Nancy by phone while she tells me what's going on live, but it's really just hearsay, nobody with any official news and it's not possible to just go up and ask each player how many chips they have or anyone else for that matter. We can tell you that just before the break, Phil Ivey became another victim of the young Aaron Kanter after going all in with JJ against Aaron's KK, the flop brought another King for Kanter and Phil graciously accepted a most unlikely bust out (since he started the day near the top), but later declined an interview in the press room. The sting of defeat, ouch how it must hurt! Phil has made it so far in so many tournaments lately, then just as he seems to be ready to bring home the victory, it all falls apart.
5 minutes after we arrived and got a seat in the bleachers, Kanter got involved in an all-in wager against Joe Connor. Kanter had AA against Joe's JJ. One of Kanter's aces was a diamond and the flop was all diamonds, K 10 4. The turn was the 3h and the river sealed a nut flush for Kanter with the 2d. Only the J of spades could have saved Connor. Shortly after that, Andrew Black won a bunch of chips against Joseph Hachem with QQ against A6 and the queen's held up. Scott Lazar moved to the feature table after Tim Phan busted out with 2.9 million chips. Minh Ly then won a large pot against John McGrane with KK vs AQ, the kings holding up. Conor Tate won a 2 million dollar pot from someone on one of the other featured tables (at this point all 3 tables were featured tables). Minh Ly had 4's against K7 for Tommy Vu and Minh Ly and busted Vu out as he picked up another 4. Steve Dannenmann lost a big pot to Andrew Black. Sean Sheikhan doubled up against Mike "the non-mouth" Matusow with KK against AJ, again the big pocket pair holding up. The non-mouth part comes from sitting there for 2 hours and never hearing a peep out of him.

Here are today's bust outs so far as of the dinner break...

19 Minh Ly $304,680
20 Phil Ivey $304,680
21 Bryant King $304,680
22 Tuan 'Tommy' Vu $304,680
23 Joe Connor $304,680
24 Tim Phan $304,680
25 Greg Raymer $304,680
26 Tom Sartori $304,680
27 Per Hildebrand $304,680

...which brings us down to 2 tables. They are now playing again, so I'm off. The line is probably too long to get in, so I'll just find out what I can from the people hanging out around there and from the far too few closed circuit monitors.

World Series of Poker Update, July 14

Raymer busts out, Matusow at 7 million

We arrived about 4:30 PM, 1 1/2 hours late to Benny's Bullpen, upstairs from Binion's Casino (formerly Binion's Horseshoe). The first thing we saw was the press room where we went to see about hooking up the laptop, and we found open spaces for that, but unfortunately were far from the action and only a single monitor to keep us updated. We walked away to hopefully come back later and hook up to the Internet to keep you updated. We saw a short line to get into the main live poker room, so decided to wait there, but got shoved around for 45 minutes, during which time we chatted with a friend of Aaron Kanter, who was very jacked up about his friend's outstanding performance. More on him later.

World Series of Poker Update, July 14

Final 3 tables, Matusow at 5.1 million, Ivey 4.6 million, Raymer 3.8 million

Below are the official chip counts of the top 10 players going into the 2nd to the last day as the scene shifts to Binion's downtown. 27 players remain. 2 more days and it's all over. Greg Raymer could very well go all the way 2 years in a row. What are the odds of this happening with a field so large? 5,619 players this year and about half that last year. The guy must be pretty good. Either that or his glasses have x-ray vision so he can see the other side of the other players' down cards.

1 Mike Matusow 5,140,000
2 Phil Ivey 4,635,000
3 Steven Dannenmann
4 John Barch 3,900,000
5 Greg Raymer 3,840,000
6 Brad Kondracki 3,160,000
7 Joseph Hachem 3,125,000
8 Scott Lazar 3,025,000
9 Michael Kessler 2,700,000
10 Daniel Bergsdorf 2,550,000

World Series of Poker Update, July 13

Final 3 tables, Matusow at 4.5 - 5 million, Ivey 3 - 4 million, Raymer 3.5 - 3.8 million

Chip counts are unofficial at this point. We'll try to have the official tallys before we leave for the airport tomorrow morning. Some of the other unofficial chip counts are...

Steve Dannenmann - 4.5 million
Tex Barch - 4 million
Minh Ly - 3 million
Scott Lazar - 2.8 million

The lady is still alive. Tiffany Williamson has a little over a million. Also, Tim Phan still has about 2 million. It's off to Binion's tomorrow where we'll be there to cover the climax of this monumental poker tournament. But when we get off the plane, we have something else to do before we go to the WSOP. We were married in Vegas 30 years ago yesterday and we had a buffet meal at the long since gone Hacienda that day in 1975, where Mandalay Bay sits now, so to celebrate our anniversary, we'll go to Mandalay Bay and have a good dinner, then we'll go to Binion's. Action resumes at 3:00 PM.

World Series of Poker Update, July 13

Down to 43 players, Mike Matusow chip leader

The excitement mounts at the WSOP. It is about 4 hours into the 3rd to the last day and Mike "the mouth" Matusow has arrived at the top. For now. After catching a K on the river where he was dead otherwise in an all in bet, he loudly proclaimed "I'm a superstar!". His chip count stands at around 4 million. Phil Ivey is doing real well with about 3 million. This morning's chip leader, Tim Phan, is at about 2.25 million and Greg "Fossilman" Raymer, last year's champion, who still wears the reptilian glasses, stands at 1.35 million and is seated at ESPN's featured table with Phan and Tiffany Williamson. Tiffany, with 1.9 million in chips is one of the crowd favorites as she tries to make it to the final table. We arrive in Vegas tomorrow, Thursday to cover the final 2 days live.

World Series of Poker Update, July 13

Tim Phan on top, 57 players survive day 4

As day 5 of 7 begins, some of the best poker proffesionals in the world are beginning to show what it takes to make it to the top 1% of the record-breaking number of entries at this year's WSOP. The accomplishments of Tim Phan, Mike Matusow, Farzad Bonyadi, and Phil Ivey, who stand at 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th respectively, are even more impressive so far, since they are at the very top of those 57. Today is the last day of action at the Rio, tomorrow the venue switches to Binion's in downtown Las Vegas. We arrive in Vegas tomorrow, Thursday to cover the final 2 days live.

World Series of Poker Update, July 12

Phil Ivey catches fire, 2.1 million in chips

Also, Mike (the mouth) Matusow has just over 2 million, Greg Raymer took a fall, but has recovered nicely with about 1.3 million as day 6 begins to wind down. Eliminated so far today are Howard Lederer (133rd place), who was knocked out by John Juanda, J.C. Tran (117th) place, Joe Beevers (151st place), Dutch Boyd (177th place), and Paul Darden (160th place), among others. At one point earlier today, Ivey, John Juanda, Farzad Bonyadi, C.K. Hua, and Howard Lederer were all at the same table. About 80 players are left. At the end of tomorrow's (July 13) play there will be 3 tables of 27 players left, at which point the venue changes from the Rio to Binion's, then after Thursday's play, the final table of 9 players will wrap up the $10,000 buy-in $52.8 million prize fund championship event. The winner will receive a record $7.5 million.

World Series of Poker Update, July 12

185 players remaining out of 5,619, Raymer at or near the very top

Greg Raymer, the 2004 World Series of Poker champion is doing fantastic again this year. Busted yesterday were Sammy Farha, Layne Flack, Clonie Gowan, and Michael Mizrachi. The $10,000 buy-in main event of the World Series of Poker held at the Rio and Binion's (final 2-3 days) in Las Vegas, NV has a massive prize fund of $52,818,600. Below are chip counts of some of the notable players going into today's play...

Greg Raymer- $1,064,000
Rod Pardey Jr.- $1,041,000
Brad Kondracki- $1,000,000
Bob Larsen- $796,000
Farzad Bonyadi- $724,500
Phil Ivey- $722,500
Gabe Walls- $655,000
Tom Sartori- $574,000
Minh Ly- $530,000
Russ Hamilton- $365,000

End of July 13 (day 5) chip counts

1 Mike Matusow 5,140,000
2 Phil Ivey 4,635,000
3 Steven Dannenmann 4,300,000
4 John Barch 3,900,000
5 Greg Raymer 3,840,000
6 Brad Kondracki 3,160,000
7 Joseph Hachem 3,125,000
8 Scott Lazar 3,025,000
9 Michael Kessler 2,700,000
10 Daniel Bergsdorf 2,550,000
11 Andrew Black 2,090,000
12 Minh Ly 2,050,000
13 Aaron Kanter 1,925,000
14 Tuan 'Tommy' Vu 1,870,000
15 Tim Phan 1,575,000
16 Oskar Silow 1,440,000
17 Bryant King 1,440,000
18 Conor Tate 1,265,000
19 Tiffany Williamson 1,125,000
20 Joe Connor 1,065,000
21 Tom Sartori 805,000
22 Johnny Howard 730,000
23 Bernard Lee 710,000
24 Per Hildebrand 645,000
25 John McGrane 575,000
26 Shahram "Sean" Sheikhan 310,000
27 Ayhan Alsancak 225,000

End of July 12 (day 4) chip counts

1. Tim Phan - $3,244,000
2. Mike Matusow - $2,561,000
3. Farzad Bonyadi - $2,402,000
4. Steve Danaman - $2,143,000
5. Phil Ivey - $2,027,000
6. Tex Barch - $2,025,000
7. Tiffany Williamson - $1,992,000
8. Johnny Howard - $1,806,000
9. Scott Lazar - $1,629,000
10. Tuan Vu - $1,571,000
11. Gregory Rice - $1,414,000
12. Raymi Sanchesz Thorn - $1,288,000
13. Lee Watkinson - $1,221,000
14. Tom Sartori - $1,208,000
15. Daniel Bergsdorf - $1,144,000
16. Brad Koundracki - $1,136,000
17. Minh Ly - $1,102,000
18. Terry Burt - $1,080,000
19. Steve Marx - $1,042,000
20. Per Hildebrand - $1,017,000
21. Michael Kessler - $986,000
22. Shahram - $983,000
23. Patrick Hayden - $972,000

AVERAGE STACK SIZE - $968,793

24. Dustin "Neverwin" Woolf - $968,000
25. John Juanda - $841,000
26. Joseph Hachem - $814,000
27. Nick Givson - $811,000
28. John McGrane - $780,880
29. Aaron Kanter - $778,000
30. Ayhan Alsancak - $775,000
31. Greg "Fossil Man" Raymer - $766,000
32. Radu Butan - $762,000
33. Bing Wang - $739,000
34. Oskar Silow - $720,000
35. Adam Friedman - $719,000
36. James Butt - $716,000
37. Russell "The Muscle" Salzer - $710,000
38. Bryant King - $702,000
39. Frankling Caldwell - $690,000
40. Yakov Hirsch - $658,000
41. Joe Connor - $641,000
42. Mark Forrester - $628,000
43. Karlo Lopez - $607,000
44. Joe Stillman - $584,000
45. Kevin Kaikko - $571,000
46. Tony Abesamis - $513,000
47. Kenna James - $510,000
48. Hung La - $505,000
49. David Richardson - $501,000
50. Roland Israelashvici - $469,000
51. Francis W O'Brien - $423,000
52. Bernard Lee - $379,000
53. Andrew Black - $371,000
54. Conor Tate - $368,000
55. Derek Dix - $202,000
56. Rod Pardey Jr. - $187,000
57. Larry Prugh - $166,000
58. Jarl Lindholt - $101,000

World Series of Poker Update, July 12

Phil Ivey catches fire, 2.1 million in chips

Also, Mike (the mouth) Matusow has just over 2 million, Greg Raymer took a fall, but has recovered nicely with about 1.3 million as day 6 begins to wind down. Eliminated so far today are Howard Lederer (133rd place), who was knocked out by John Juanda, J.C. Tran (117th) place, Joe Beevers (151st place), Dutch Boyd (177th place), and Paul Darden (160th place), among others. At one point earlier today, Ivey, John Juanda, Farzad Bonyadi, C.K. Hua, and Howard Lederer were all at the same table. About 80 players are left. At the end of tomorrow's (July 13) play there should be 3 tables of 27 players left, at which point the venue changes from the Rio to Binion's, then after Thursday's play, the final table of 9 players will wrap up the $10,000 buy-in $52.8 million prize fund championship event. The winner will receive a record $7.5 million. We arrive in Vegas Thursday to cover the final 2 days live.

World Series of Poker Update, July 12

185 players remaining out of 5,619, Raymer at or near the very top

Greg Raymer, the 2004 World Series of Poker champion is doing fantastic again this year. Busted yesterday were Sammy Farha, Layne Flack, Clonie Gowan, and Michael Mizrachi. The $10,000 buy-in main event of the World Series of Poker held at the Rio and Binion's (final 2-3 days) in Las Vegas, NV has a massive prize fund of $52,818,600. Please pay close attention in the next month or so as our website, www.vegastexasholdem.net, will be giving you the best possible information about how you can earn your way into the 2006 WSOP by playing online poker with little or no financial investment on your part. We will be reviewing all the online poker websites, detailing each one's satellites, sub-satellites, super satellites, etc. and will be giving our recommendations as to which ones give you the best chances for the least investment. We are excited about one site in particular which allows you to compete for a seat in the WSOP with absolutely no investment at all, and doesn't even require a cash deposit to get started. Below are chip counts of some of the notable players going into today's play...

Greg Raymer- $1,064,000
Rod Pardey Jr.- $1,041,000
Brad Kondracki- $1,000,000
Bob Larsen- $796,000
Farzad Bonyadi- $724,500
Phil Ivey- $722,500
Gabe Walls- $655,000
Tom Sartori- $574,000
Minh Ly- $530,000
Russ Hamilton- $365,000

World Series of Poker Update, July 11

566 players left out of 5,619, Greg Raymer in 9th place

560 players will make it into "the money" and at the end of day 2 of 6, only 6 of the remaining 566 players will go home with no prize at all.

Below are the top 20 chip counts as the day begins on July 11th...

1 Rod Pardey Jr. 464,000 Chips
2 James Pollack 447,500 Chips
3 Tim Phan 445,500 Chips
4 Bryan Stellwagen 377,200 Chips
5 Bob Hotchandani 372,700 Chips
6 Lee Watkinson 336,800 Chips
7 Jon Lane 331,800 Chips
8 Russ Salzer 326,000 Chips
9 Greg Raymer 318,700 Chips
10 Yakov Hirsch 318,100 Chips
11 Hunter Pappas 314,300 Chips
12 Klaus Agesen 307,000 Chips
13 Kevin Mason 297,400 Chips
14 Michael Mizrachi 294,800 Chips
15 Jim Pittman 289,200 Chips
16 Graeme Harrison 281,500 Chips
17 Daniel Bergsdorf 278,600 Chips
18 Will Failla 278,500 Chips
19 Jeffrey Dziedzic 275,400 Chips
20 Gabe Walls 267,200 Chips

Among some of the other notable players and their chip counts are...
63 Layne Flack 188,100 Chips
83 Sam Farha 173,600 Chips
130 John Juanda 141,100 Chips
156 Howard Lederer 127,800 Chips
172 Mike Matusow 120,100 Chips
259 Phil Ivey 89,600 Chips

World Series of Poker Update, July 12

Phil Ivey catches fire, 2.1 million in chips

Also, Mike (the mouth) Matusow has just over 2 million, Greg Raymer took a fall, but has recovered nicely with about 1.3 million as day 6 begins to wind down. Eliminated so far today are Howard Lederer (133rd place), who was knocked out by John Juanda, J.C. Tran (117th) place, Joe Beevers (151st place), Dutch Boyd (177th place), and Paul Darden (160th place), among others. At one point earlier today, Ivey, John Juanda, Farzad Bonyadi, C.K. Hua, and Howard Lederer were all at the same table. About 80 players are left. At the end of tomorrow's (July 13) play there should be 3 tables of 27 players left, at which point the venue changes from the Rio to Binion's, then after Thursday's play, the final table of 9 players will wrap up the $10,000 buy-in $52.8 million prize fund championship event. The winner will receive a record $7.5 million. We arrive in Vegas Thursday to cover the final 2 days live.

World Series of Poker Update, July 12

185 players remaining out of 5,619, Raymer at or near the very top

Greg Raymer, the 2004 World Series of Poker champion is doing fantastic again this year. Busted yesterday were Sammy Farha, Layne Flack, Clonie Gowan, and Michael Mizrachi. The $10,000 buy-in main event of the World Series of Poker held at the Rio and Binion's (final 2-3 days) in Las Vegas, NV has a massive prize fund of $52,818,600. Please pay close attention in the next month or so as our website, www.vegastexasholdem.net, will be giving you the best possible information about how you can earn your way into the 2006 WSOP by playing online poker with little or no financial investment on your part. We will be reviewing all the online poker websites, detailing each one's satellites, sub-satellites, super satellites, etc. and will be giving our recommendations as to which ones give you the best chances for the least investment. We are excited about one site in particular which allows you to compete for a seat in the WSOP with absolutely no investment at all, and doesn't even require a cash deposit to get started. Below are chip counts of some of the notable players going into today's play...

Greg Raymer- $1,064,000
Rod Pardey Jr.- $1,041,000
Brad Kondracki- $1,000,000
Bob Larsen- $796,000
Farzad Bonyadi- $724,500
Phil Ivey- $722,500
Gabe Walls- $655,000
Tom Sartori- $574,000
Minh Ly- $530,000
Russ Hamilton- $365,000

World Series of Poker Update, July 11

566 players left out of 5,619, Greg Raymer in 9th place

560 players will make it into "the money" and at the end of day 2 of 6, only 6 of the remaining 566 players will go home with no prize at all.

Below are the top 20 chip counts as the day begins on July 11th...

1 Rod Pardey Jr. 464,000 Chips
2 James Pollack 447,500 Chips
3 Tim Phan 445,500 Chips
4 Bryan Stellwagen 377,200 Chips
5 Bob Hotchandani 372,700 Chips
6 Lee Watkinson 336,800 Chips
7 Jon Lane 331,800 Chips
8 Russ Salzer 326,000 Chips
9 Greg Raymer 318,700 Chips
10 Yakov Hirsch 318,100 Chips
11 Hunter Pappas 314,300 Chips
12 Klaus Agesen 307,000 Chips
13 Kevin Mason 297,400 Chips
14 Michael Mizrachi 294,800 Chips
15 Jim Pittman 289,200 Chips
16 Graeme Harrison 281,500 Chips
17 Daniel Bergsdorf 278,600 Chips
18 Will Failla 278,500 Chips
19 Jeffrey Dziedzic 275,400 Chips
20 Gabe Walls 267,200 Chips

Among some of the other notable players and their chip counts are...
63 Layne Flack 188,100 Chips
83 Sam Farha 173,600 Chips
130 John Juanda 141,100 Chips
156 Howard Lederer 127,800 Chips
172 Mike Matusow 120,100 Chips
259 Phil Ivey 89,600 Chips

World Series of Poker Update, July 9

Big Dance Begins!

5,619 Entries at Rio Pavillion, legendary Sam Farha near the top

Day 1 of the $10,000 Buy-In Championship Main Event at the World Series of Poker was split into 3 flights (heats) on separate days because even the massive room at the Rio Convention Center doesn't have enough tables for the number of players entered. Heat 3 of the first day has seen Howard Lederer go all in and otherwise play very aggressively as he attempts to amass some amount of meaningful chips. He was currently in 2nd place out of the 3rd flight players behind well-known John D'Agostino. The overall leader of the first 2 days was Haakon Waerstad, followed by Sammy Farha, the runner-up behind Chris Moneymaker in the 2003 WSOP. Phil Hellmuth was elimintated during heat # 2, going all in with Ad-Qh against pocket 7's held by Paul Magriel. Hellmuth got off to a very good start, but it all crumbled on him in just the last hour of his play. Greg Raymer, last year's champion survived heat # 1 with $48,000 in chips, about 1/3 that of the leader. The event runs through July 15th or 16th with the final 2-3 days held at Binion's, where we will be covering the final table live.

Tilly Wins Texas Hold 'Em Event at World Series of Poker

LAS VEGAS (June 29) - Actress Jennifer Tilly won the Ladies no-limit Texas Hold 'Em event at the World Series of Poker - the first time a celebrity has won an event at the famous tournament. Tilly's skillful play and admitted good luck earned her $158,625. She beat 600 players to capture first place in a two-day event featuring some of the top female professionals in the world. "I think she showed an incredible amount of talent," tournament media director Nolan Dalla said. "She had an enormous chip lead and never looked back. It was almost as though her victory was never in question." Tilly, 46, said she's learned plenty of pointers from her boyfriend, poker player Phil "Unabomber" Laak. "When you're living with Phil, you kinda learn by osmosis," Tilly told CardPlayer.com. "Even in the middle of the night, he wakes up screaming out poker terms. Most guys scream out other girls' names." Tilly, an Oscar nominee for her role in the 1994 film, "Bullets Over Broadway," is the first woman in this year's World Series of Poker to win a bracelet - which happens when you win an event. The tournament is being held at the Rio hotel-casino

World Series of Poker Update, June 16

T.J. Cloutier chalks up win at $5,000 buy-in no limit event

Steve Zoine put up a great fight, but the old warrior, T.J. Cloutier, prevailed in the first $5,000 buy-in, 3 day event at the World Series of Poker. Over 400 players battled for the $657,100 1st prize. Zoine's 2nd place effort brought him $352,620. For Steve, it was his best ever finish, for T.J. it was his 7th World Series bracelet out of 47 appearances and 39 final tables. Besides Cloutier, many well known players participated in this event including Howard Lederer, Humberto Brenes, Jennifer Harmon, and Antonio Esfandiari. The poker tournament started in early June and continues through July 15th with the $10,000 buy-in main event starting July 10. The tournament is breaking attendance and prize money records with some of the 2-day events being extended to 3 days. Held at the Rio Pavillion in back of the Rio Hotel & Suites, there is ample parking and spectators are allowed in free. ESPN is covering the event and seems to be doing a great job with 4 or 5 cameras at the final table and an announcer who covers the play by play for the spectators by microphone.

2305 Entries, 3 Million Prize Fund at World Series of Poker

The World Series of Poker has kicked into full gear with the completion of event #2, a tournament originally sceduled for 2 days, but extended to 3 because of the huge 2305 player tournout. A total prize fund of $3,180, 900 was distibuted to 200 players, including the $725,405 1st prize, won by Allen Cunningham. Scott Fischman, last year's winner was 2nd and earned $352,125, while David "Devil Fish" Ulliott was 3rd and got $232,205. Complete Results

World Series of Poker begins with employee tourney, 662 players, nearly $300,000 prize fund

The Rio Hotel & Suites is hosting most of this year's massive World Series of Poker in a 60,000 square foot (bigger than a football field) assemblage. As expected, the series of events, which go from June 2 - July 15, 2005, has gotten off to a tremendous start. An astounding 662 players, all casino employees, paid the $500 entry fee to participate among their peers in the opener on June 2. Andy Ngyuen took home the trophy and the $83,390 first prize. 63 players made it into the money. The series continues with 1 and 2 day events and culminates with the $10,000 buy-in main event, which is expected to draw 6,600 players. The last 2 days of the championship 6-day World Series of Poker tournament moves to Binion's, the last year the old-time downtown casino will have anything to do with the WSOP.

 

Rio
700 West Flamingo Road
Las Vegas, NV 89103, US
702 777-7777  Toll-Free: 1-888-746-7153

2005 World Series of Poker Schedule

The following percentages will be withheld from Buy-In for each event: (Buy-in/Tournament staff/House) ($500.00/3%/7%) ($1,000/3%/6%) ($1,500/3%/5%) ($2,000/3%/5%) ($2,500/3%/5%) ($3,000/3%/5%) ($5,000/2%/4%) ($10,000/2%/4%) -Harrah's Management reserves the right to change or cancel any event at any time. All events will be held at Rio Suites with the exception of the final 2 days of the WSOP Main Event which will be held at Binion's Downtown, Las Vegas.

Date	Event	Buy-In
Thu, Jun 2 at 12:00 PM	Event # 1 - Casino Employee's No Limit Hold'em	$500
Fri, Jun 3 at 12:00 PM	Event # 2 - No Limit Hold 'em ( 2 Day Event)	$1,500
Notes: Final table next day @ 4pm
Sat, Jun 4 at 12:00 PM	Event # 3 -Pot Limit Hold 'em ( 2 Day Event)	$1,500
Notes: Final table next day @ 4pm
Sun, Jun 5 at 12:00 PM	Event # 4 - Limit Hold 'em( 2 Day Event)	$1,500
Notes: Final table next day @ 4pm
Mon, Jun 6 at 12:00 PM	Event # 5 - Omaha Hi/Lo( 2 Day Event)	$1,500
Notes: Final table next day @ 4pm
Tue, Jun 7 at 12:00 PM	Event # 6 -No Limit Hold 'em( 2 Day Event)	$2,500
Notes: Final table next day @ 4pm Short handed - 6 to a table
Wed, Jun 8 at 12:00 PM	Event # 7 - No Limit Hold 'Em( 2 Day Event)	$1,000
Notes: Rebuys - Final table next day @ 4pm
Thu, Jun 9 at 12:00 PM	Event # 8- 7- Card Stud( 2 Day Event)	$1,500
Notes: Final table next day @ 4pm
Fri, Jun 10 at 12:00 PM	Event # 9 - No Limit Hold 'em( 2 Day Event)	$2,000
Notes: Final table next day @ 4pm
Sat, Jun 11 at 12:00 PM	Event # 10- Limit Hold 'em( 2 Day Event)	$2,000
Notes: Final table next day @ 4pm
Sun, Jun 12 at 12:00 PM	Event # 11- Pot Limit Hold 'em( 2 Day Event)	$2,000
Notes: Final table next day @ 4pm
Mon, Jun 13 at 12:00 PM	Event # 12 - Pot Limit Omaha( 2 Day Event)	$2,000
Notes: Re-buys - Final table next day @ 4pm
Tue, Jun 14 at 12:00 PM	Event # 13 - No Limit Hold 'em( 2 Day Event)	$5,000
Notes: Final table next day @ 4pm
Wed, Jun 15 at 12:00 PM	Event # 14 - 7-Card Stud Hi/LO( 2 Day Event)	$1,000
Notes: Final table next day @ 4pm
Thu, Jun 16 at 12:00 PM	Event # 15 - Limit Hold 'Em Shootout( 2 Day Event)	$1,500
Notes: Final table next day @ 4pm
Fri, Jun 17 at 12:00 PM	Event # 16 - No Limit Hold 'em Shootout( 2 Day Event)	$1,500
Notes: Final table next day @ 4pm
Sat, Jun 18 at 12:00 PM	Event # 17 - Limit Hold 'em( 2 Day Event)	$2,500
Notes: Final table next day @ 4pm
Sun, Jun 19 at 12:00 PM	Event # 18 - Pot Limit Omaha( 2 Day Event)	$1,500
Notes: Final table next day @ 4pm
Sun, Jun 19 at 2:00 PM	Event # 19 - 7-Card Stud Hi/Lo(2 Day Event)	$2,000
Notes: Final table next day @ 4pm
Mon, Jun 20 at 12:00 PM	Event # 20 - Pot Limit Hold 'em( 2 Day Event)	$5,000
Notes: Final table next day @ 4pm
Tue, Jun 21 at 12:00 PM	Event # 21 - Omaha Hi/Lo Split( 2 Day Event)	$2,500
Notes: Final table next day @ 4pm
Wed, Jun 22 at 12:00 PM	Event # 22 - No Limit Hold 'em( 2 Day Event)	$1,500
Notes: Final table next day @ 4pm - PSO Invitational - if you are a member of www.PokerSchoolOnline.com and place the highest in this event you will win 250 Sponsorship points and one seat in the PSO Live Tour Grand Final Grand Final Jan 2006 - $50,000 worth of Sponsorships to WSOP and WPT events to be won on PSO
Thu, Jun 23 at 12:00 PM	Event # 23 - Seven Card Stud( 2 Day Event)	$5,000
Notes: Final table next day @ 4pm
Fri, Jun 24 at 12:00 PM	Event # 24 - No Limit Hold 'em( 2 Day Event)	$2,500
Notes: Final table next day @ 4pm
Sat, Jun 25 at 12:00 PM	Event # 25 - Pot Limit Hold 'em( 2 Day Event)	$2,500
Notes: Final table next day @ 4pm
Sun, Jun 26 at 12:00 PM	Event # 27 - Pot Limit Omaha( 2 Day Event)	$5,000
Notes: Re-buys Final table next day @ 4pm
Sun, Jun 26 at 2:00 PM	Event # 26 - Ladies' No Limit Hold 'em	$1,000
Mon, Jun 27 at 12:00 PM	Event # 28 - Limit Hold 'em( 2Day Event)	$5,000
Notes: Final table next day @ 4pm
Tue, Jun 28 at 12:00 PM	Event # 29 - No Limit Hold 'Em( 2 Day Event)	$2,000
Notes: Final table next day @ 4pm
Wed, Jun 29 at 12:00 PM	Event # 30 - No Limit Hold 'em(2 Day Event)	$5,000
Notes: Shorthanded - 6 players Final table next day @ 4pm
Wed, Jun 29 at 2:00 PM	Event # 31 - 7-Razz	$1,500
Thu, Jun 30 at 12:00 PM	Event # 32 - Omaha Hi/Lo( 2 Day Event)	$5,000
Notes: Final table next day @ 4pm
Fri, Jul 1 at 12:00 PM	Event # 33 - No Limit Hold 'em( 2 Day Event)	$3,000
Notes: Final table next day @ 4pm
Sat, Jul 2 at 12:00 PM	Event # 34 - Seniors' No Limit Hold 'em	$1,000
Sat, Jul 2 at 2:00 PM	Event # 35 - Pot Limit Omaha( 2 Day Event)	$10,000
Notes: Final table next day @ 4pm
Sun, Jul 3 at 12:00 PM	Event # 36 - Limit Hold 'em( 2 Day Event)	$3,000
Notes: Final table next day @ 4pm
Mon, Jul 4 at 12:00 PM	Event # 37 - No Limit Hold 'em( 2 Day Event)	$1,000
Notes: Re-buys Final table next day @ 4pm
Tue, Jul 5 at 10:00 AM	Event # 38 - Super Satellite Day	$1,000
Notes: 10:00AM and 3:00PM and 8:00PM
Tue, Jul 5 at 12:00 PM	Event # 39 - No Limit 2 to 7 Draw Lo-ball ( 2 Day Event)	$5,000
Notes: Re-buys Final table next day @ 4pm
Wed, Jul 6 at 12:00 PM	Event # 40 - Super Satellite Day	$1,000
Notes: 9:00AM and 2:00PM and 9:00PM
Wed, Jul 6 at 6:00 PM	Event # 41 - Media/Celebrity Charity Event
Thu, Jul 7 at 12:00 PM	Event # 42 - DAY 1A - No Limit Texas Hold'em World Championship	$10,000
Notes: First 1,000 - 2,200 play until down to 500-650
Fri, Jul 8 at 12:00 PM	DAY 1B - No Limit Texas Hold 'em World Championship	$10,000
Notes: Second 1,000 - 2,200 play until down to 500-650
Sat, Jul 9 at 12:00 PM	DAY 1C - No Limit Texas Hold'em World Championship	$10,000
Notes: Third 1,000 - 2,200 play until down to 500-650
Sun, Jul 10 at 12:00 PM	DAY 2
Notes: Play down to 500 - 1000
Mon, Jul 11 at 12:00 PM	DAY 3
Notes: Play down to 200 - 400
Mon, Jul 11 at 12:00 PM	Event # 43- No Limit Hold Em	$1,500
Notes: One Day Event
Tue, Jul 12 at 12:00 PM	DAY 4
Notes: Play down to 100 - 150
Tue, Jul 12 at 12:00 PM	Event # 44 - No Limit Hold 'em	$1,000
Notes: One day event
Wed, Jul 13 at 12:00 PM	Day 5
Notes: Play down to 27
Wed, Jul 13 at 12:00 PM	Event # 45 - No Limit Hold 'em	$1,000
Notes: One day event
Thu, Jul 14 at 12:00 PM	DAY 6 (Binion’s Las Vegas)
Notes: Play down to 9
Fri, Jul 15 at 12:00 PM	FINAL (Binion’s Las Vegas)