WPT $25,000 Final: FINAL TABLE

[HornswaggleU]

let the building begin...

http://www.fincher.org/Misc/Pennies/index.shtml

This is my shit effort, first time, oh well, Carlos BIG, me small...

not worthy... etc

[snoopy1239]

Greetings folks, play was due to start at 5pm, but obviously this didn't quite happen. However, I believe they've just ordered the dealer to shuffle up and deal, so we're just a matter of seconds from seeing those cards hit the air.

[Djinn]

We look to be kicking off in the next few minutes.  We've relocated to Bellagio Ballroom Number 6 (one of many, many, large luxurious rooms down in the Convention Centre) and we've set up in the entrance, behind The Curtain.  In front of the curtain is the impressive TV stage, literally thronged with audience who are queuing up to get a seat in the stands.  Queuing.  We heard one official telling a security guard that "Those people can come in, but when the ones flying in to see the final get here, they have to leave."  Crikey.  Not like that in the UK or anywhere in Europe yet.   

And we're getting the full audience shot/presenter shot/ intro of players...the TV show (which won't be out for a long time - perhaps 10 months?  They're only just showing Season 5 and this is the end of Season 6).  There will be poker soon, we've been promised.

[snoopy1239]

What has really surprised me during these early stages of preparation is the amount of crowd manipulation there is. Before we started today, the audience had to practice cheering and applauding, which is fair enough, but it was kind of amusing to hear them undertaking their obligatory 'ooooooooooooh' training.

[snoopy1239]

No action as of yet, a few players stealing the blinds, the last suspect being Paul Lee, although he did show a genuine hand in A-Q.

[redimp]

 

good luck guys

Shelly
xx

[Djinn]

Brief speeches from Steve Lipscomb and Mike Sexton before they Shuffled Up and Dealt... the most interesting detail probably overlooked by most of the audience but is very significant for poker (tours, the online market etc.) - the WPT have been in talks with a representative from the Republic of China.  Now that's going to be a huge market.  Whoever gets licenses to run online sites will be big, instantly...

Plus this is the 100th episode.  "A landmark in television."      There were speeches and a suite with "Beer and Peanuts," apparently, but we got our full 10 hours' sleep, so we can bring you all the action in a perky and focused manner, all night if necessary.

We aren't sure it will be necessary - the press who've covered these before know that the structure, so magnificent for five days, can nosedive on the final.  Where all that money is... we hope there will be plenty of play for the final six.  It looks like the blinds are 60k/120k ante 15k.

[HornswaggleU]

Brief speeches from Steve Lipscomb and Mike Sexton before they Shuffled Up and Dealt... the most interesting detail probably overlooked by most of the audience but is very significant for poker (tours, the online market etc.) - the WPT have been in talks with a representative from the Republic of China.  Now that's going to be a huge market.  Whoever gets licenses to run online sites will be big, instantly...

Plus this is the 100th episode.  "A landmark in television."      There were speeches and a suite with "Beer and Peanuts," apparently, but we got our full 10 hours' sleep, so we can bring you all the action in a perky and focused manner, all night if necessary.

We aren't sure it will be necessary - the press who've covered these before know that the structure, so magnificent for five days, can nosedive on the final.  Where all that money is... we hope there will be plenty of play for the final six.  It looks like the blinds are 60k/120k ante 15k.

make sure to show Carlos my chip stack building proess, I'm sure he would be impressed.

[Djinn]

Carlos has raises preflop, taken off it by Guy Laliberte in the big blind (raising 375k by a million).  He gets a nice round of applause from his supporters, saw Isabelle Mercier making her way into the stands before start of play, too.
_______________________________

Unraised flop seen by blinds Carlos and Mike Wattel - Carlos bets and wins that small pot.
_______________________________

Tim Phan takes a couple preflop - the popular Californian player has a fairly loud support group too.  Snoopy and I got to pick one player each to win (who wasn't Paul Lee) - I picked Phan while Snoopy's backing Mortensen.

[Djinn]

Brief speeches from Steve Lipscomb and Mike Sexton before they Shuffled Up and Dealt... the most interesting detail probably overlooked by most of the audience but is very significant for poker (tours, the online market etc.) - the WPT have been in talks with a representative from the Republic of China.  Now that's going to be a huge market.  Whoever gets licenses to run online sites will be big, instantly...

Plus this is the 100th episode.  "A landmark in television."      There were speeches and a suite with "Beer and Peanuts," apparently, but we got our full 10 hours' sleep, so we can bring you all the action in a perky and focused manner, all night if necessary.

We aren't sure it will be necessary - the press who've covered these before know that the structure, so magnificent for five days, can nosedive on the final.  Where all that money is... we hope there will be plenty of play for the final six.  It looks like the blinds are 60k/120k ante 15k.

make sure to show Carlos my chip stack building proess, I'm sure he would be impressed.

We were wandering around, admittedly lost, in the Bellagio Convention Centre today, and Carlos was also drifting through the enormous marble floored hallways - we were happy to follow knowing they were unlikely to start without him.  If he comes out of The Arena, I'll be sure to show him your photo.  Which is an excellent amateur effort.  Keep it up - at the next GUKPT I want to see gravity-defying art-like chipstacking.

[ACE2M]

those chipstacks rule. on my way home to create something, i'm s***faced so it could take a while. i don't know any of the others so come on carlos.

[HornswaggleU]

Brief speeches from Steve Lipscomb and Mike Sexton before they Shuffled Up and Dealt... the most interesting detail probably overlooked by most of the audience but is very significant for poker (tours, the online market etc.) - the WPT have been in talks with a representative from the Republic of China.  Now that's going to be a huge market.  Whoever gets licenses to run online sites will be big, instantly...

Plus this is the 100th episode.  "A landmark in television."      There were speeches and a suite with "Beer and Peanuts," apparently, but we got our full 10 hours' sleep, so we can bring you all the action in a perky and focused manner, all night if necessary.

We aren't sure it will be necessary - the press who've covered these before know that the structure, so magnificent for five days, can nosedive on the final.  Where all that money is... we hope there will be plenty of play for the final six.  It looks like the blinds are 60k/120k ante 15k.

make sure to show Carlos my chip stack building proess, I'm sure he would be impressed.

We were wandering around, admittedly lost, in the Bellagio Convention Centre today, and Carlos was also drifting through the enormous marble floored hallways - we were happy to follow knowing they were unlikely to start without him.  If he comes out of The Arena, I'll be sure to show him your photo.  Which is an excellent amateur effort.  Keep it up - at the next GUKPT I want to see gravity-defying art-like chipstacking.

You can tell the matador I am willin to give him lessons on chipstructures, because I think he has 'potential'.

[Djinn]

Mike Wattel raises to 550k, Guy in the big blind calls.
Flop:    Guy checks, Mike bets 600k, Guy raises it up.  Mike counts down his own stacks, and threads at least 20 chips for about a minute, which I find somewhat hypnotic, before passing.

[snoopy1239]

Personally, I'm a little fatigued today after playing cash poker at the Orleans' Hotel & Casino until 6am last night. I don't get too many opportunities to play live these days so even if I'm tired, I make sure I take the chance to hit the felt. Unfortunately, this can be a costly affair as proved last night when I did my bollox with Aces.

If anyone could give me their opinion on the following hand, I would be much appreciative.

$1/2 10-handed ring game. I'd been keeping my head above water since 3am and had around 350k. I was dealt in early position and decided to raise it up to $17, which somehow found me four callers.

Flop =

Out of position, I decided to check and see what everyone else did.

The first caller made it $25, the maniac behind him (who would raise with a big hand) flat called behind him, the other two players passed and I flat called.

The bettor had previously trap-checked two pairs and sets, so I didn't think he had a stronger hand. He might have a flush draw, but he tended to check these hands and flat call when the maniac bet.

Turn =

I checked, the Flop bettor shoved in $50, the maniac folded and I re-raised to $150, confident that I was ahead.

He called the bet, which signified to me that he didn't have a set or the flush - previousl experience with him would suggest that he'd push with these hands. I was, however, concerned about some sort of two pair, such as T-8, but I actually put him on A-T or K-T with maybe a spade.

River =

I pushed in for my remaining $150 and he called, showing for the turned straight, which would explain why he smooth called my re-raise.

Now, I'm pretty sure I played this terribly, but I'd really like to know how you guys would have played it.

[Djinn]

Carlos calls the preflop raise of 400k made by Paul Lee in the big blind.

  Carlos check-calls the 600k from Paul.
Turn:    Carlos checks, Paul checks.
River:    Carlos bets 2,000,000...
                                               ...and Paul passes.

"That's what we call a TCH - A Travel Channel Hand - We'll have to wait and see it," says an annoucer.