leclash le-wins $132K in Sunday Warm-up Victory

With the madness of the World Series of Poker behind us (at least until the November Nine return to the Main Event final table), 4,209 players filled the void this evening by trading $215 for a ticket to the $750,000 Guarantee Sunday Warm-up. Easily breaking the guarantee, 630 players divided up the $841,800.00 prize pool.

Mr.Ingenious had the perfect plan to set up the final table this evening. First, call short stacked Scary_Tiger's push from the button with [Ts][Ac]. Second, acknowledge the advantage over Scary_Tiger's [9c][Kd]. Third, after watching a king fall on the turn promptly river an ace to take the 3.2 million pot on the [Jd] [6d] [7d] [Kh] [As] to send the stripped one home in tenth place ($5,051.81). Poker is easy, and the Sunday Warm-up had its final nine.

(Click image for larger picture)

Seat 1: USCphildo (3834464 in chips)
Seat 2: bigboybunk (2486561 in chips)
Seat 3: Purr Of Aces (4208584 in chips)
Seat 4: gummmmi (3276552 in chips)
Seat 5: leclash (5256829 in chips)
Seat 6: ole6 (1068160 in chips)
Seat 7: Scarer (7476307 in chips)
Seat 8: starchiebear (9812468 in chips)
Seat 9: Mr.Ingenious (4670075 in chips)

Scarer will be looking to improve on a Sunday Warm-up final table in March (ninth place finish write-up here) tonight. Scarer is no stranger to success having taken down SCOOP Event #10 low buy-in NLHE heads-up tourney in April for $13,402.41 (check out the SCOOP write-up here).

Derek "Purr Of Aces" Morris will be representing Great Britain at the final table tonight. The two-time veteran of the PokerStars World Cup of Poker (see write-up from the PokerStars World Cup here) comes in with a mid-stack as the blinds start off at 80K/160K ante 16K.

All nine players survived the first blind levels as the chip counts shifted slightly when bigboybunk's flush doubled-up off of Scarer and Scarer the very next hand took down a 4.3 million chip pot with trip kings to retrieve some of those chips from the chip leader starchiebear:

Seat 1: USCphildo (2643464 in chips)
Seat 2: bigboybunk (7910683 in chips)
Seat 3: Purr Of Aces (3404584 in chips)
Seat 4: gummmmi (3660552 in chips)
Seat 5: leclash (2828268 in chips)
Seat 6: ole6 (1155160 in chips)
Seat 7: Scarer (7664819 in chips)
Seat 8: starchiebear (10005259 in chips)
Seat 9: Mr.Ingenious (2817211 in chips)

After the break, gummmmi once left for dead after running a button steal that ended up badly when leclash turned up pocket aces [As][Ac] against [8d][Kc], made a respectable comeback to three million chips after surviving two all-ins against starchiebear and leclash.

USCphildo along with the shortstacks Mr.Ingenious, Purr Of Aces, and ole6 started to feel the crunch of blinds rising to 125K/250K ante 25K. Making a standard raise to 600K from UTG + 1, USCphildo was left to make a decision for the tournament life when starchiebear re-raised all-in. Pocket jacks [Js][Jc] was the choice of weapon for USCphildo, slightly ahead of the big slick [Ah][Kd] of starchiebear and looked good after the [4d] [Qd] [2s] flop. But, the [Ac] on the turn flipped the coin in starchiebear's direction and stayed that way after the [Tc] river for our first elimination of the evening. USCphildo picked up $6,734.41 for the ninth place finish.

Shortstacked with pocket queens [Qc][Qh] is a favorable position to be in, and Purr Of Aces was looking good for a double up after calling the all-in shove by Mr.Ingenious. The PlatniumStar Mr.Ingenious could only produce a suited [Ts][As], but the [6d] [3s] [9c] [Ac] [6c] board provided the ace needed to crack Morris' ladies and sent the Wigan native home in eighth place with $10,522.51 to warm up with for another possible World Cup run next year.

Action continued to heat up as Scarer wrestled the chip lead away from starchiebear after pocket jacks [Jd][Js] all-in preflop for Scarer held up against starchiebear's [9h][Ad] for a 9.6 million chip pot. Three hands after the big pot between Scarer and starchiebear, shortstacked ole6 tried to get back into the action pushing preflop with big slick [Ks][Ac] with a blind level change coming in just three hands later and holding only 2.5 big blinds. bigboybunk provided the action calling from the small blind with [Qc][Tc] to gather 1.6 million chips in the middle . The [3h] [Jc] [2c] flop made the hand a coin flip as bigboybunk added a flush draw to the outs available, the [Qs] on the turn hit one of those outs, and trips on the river with the [Qh] sent ole6 away with $18,940.51 in seventh place money.

Another player on the ropes found a decent pocket pair to push with eight hands later as gummmmi shoved from the button with pocket jacks [Jh][Js] with the blinds at 150K/300K ante 30K and holding a micro stack of just under 750,000 chips. Scarer in the big blind made the easy math call holding [As][8d] and caught the ace on the flop and retained that lead thru the river [Ac] [Tc] [6d] [3s] [Qs] to send home gummmmi in sixth place ($27,358.51).

This author's favorite hand happens to be pocket nines, that might not be the case for Mr.Ingenious after the hand below played out for the PlatinumStar's tournament life against the big slick of bigboybunk:

RSS readers click through to see replay

The ace on the flop does in the pocket nines, and Mr.Ingenious diabolical poker ways were ended in fifth place adding $35,776.51 to the bankroll.

Four handed played lasted thru a blind level, as the remaining four shuffled chips across the felt with bigboybunk getting ground down to just four million chips and blinds at 200K/400K ante 40K. Facing a 945,565 chip raise from Scarer, bigboybunk took [7c][Ad] and those four million chips into the middle. Scarer made the call with pocket nines [9d][9h], this time the pocket pair holds up against the ace as the [5d] [Qh] [Tc] [Ks] [8h] board remained ace-free to award the 8.6 million chip to Scarer and $47,561.71 in fourth place money to bigboybunk.

The biggest hand of the tourney came down while three handed as leclash led over for a little more than a le-million on the button and was facing the push of starchiebear from the big blind. Watch the remainder of the action below:

RSS readers click through to see replay

leclash's [Th][Ah] holds on the [6d] [5s] [3d] [8d] [3s] board over starchiebear's [9h][Ad] having dodge a diamond on the river to ship $69,448.51 as heads-up play would have to wait until after the players broke with the blinds rising to 250K/500K ante 50K.

Seat 5: leclash (25607717 in chips)
Seat 7: Scarer (16482283 in chips)

Despite the chip deficit, Scarer and leclash spoke briefly about chopping up the prize pool but nothing solidified as the players decided to let the cards decide who would walk away with that $132,061.59 and with a SCOOP victory in a heads-up tournament, the advantage may be with Scarer.

First big pot went to Scarer as pocket kings [Ks][Kh] were more than enough to overcome the [Qh][Kd] of leclash as the two got all their chips into the middle preflop for a 32 million chip pot. The kings held on the [5d] [7s] [As] [5c] [6h] board and Scarer held a 32 million to 9 million chip advantage.

But, leclash did not back down as eight hands later the double up would go into his stack after correctly calling with pocket kings on a jack-laden flop [Jc] [Js] [9s] [Qd] and catching the crafty Scarer holding just pocket fives [5d][5s] instead of a jack to win that 22 million chip pot.

The lead would open up to 34 million for leclash versus seven million for Scarer as the blinds increased again to 300K/600K ante 60K, and on the first hand of the new blind level the players pocket nines would once again provide someone with chips. Watch the up and down hand provide Scarer some love on the turn and well, see for yourself in the video.

Straight for Scarer on the turn, and the rivered boat as the four paired up to give leclash the title of Sunday Warm-up Champion! Scarer vastly improved on the ninth place finish a few months back in the same tournament, taking home $98,069.71 tonight as the runner-up, while leclash made the right decision not to deal and made off with the whole $132,061.59 for the win.

Be sure to check back tomorrow as PokerStars.TV will provide commentary and hole cards for your viewing pleasure of the big hands from tonight's contest.

$750,000 Guarantee Sunday Warm-up Results (07-19-09)
1. leclash (baillargues) $132,061.59
2. Scarer (Glasgow) $98,069.71
3. starchiebear (provo) $69,448.51
4. bigboybunk (West Palm Beach) $47,561.71
5. Mr.Ingenious (Hamburg) $35,776.51
6. gummmmi (Thuine) $27,358.51
7. ole6 (Markkleeberg) $18,940.51
8. Derek "Purr Of Aces" Morris (Wigan) $10,522.51
9. USCphildo (Mount Pleasant) $6,734.41

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ANZPT Queenstown: Friendly game for a friendly
town

What a contrast - after covering the 2009 WSOP Main Event and single-day fields of almost 3000 players, following the 23 players in action on day 1A of the PokerStars.net ANZPT Queenstown Main Event is very refreshing.

It's more like a home game atmosphere - introductions have been made, the hands have been mostly friendly and the banter cheerful. With four no-shows, 23 players remain making the average stack 20,125.

Few big pots have been played, although PokerStars.net Team Australia Pro has found a sparring partner in Mark Anstey, a PokerStars qualifier from Brisbane playing in his first tournament.

Cindy Anstey keeps an eye on husband Mark during the opening level of play

Anstey's wife Cindy and son Joel have just returned in time from a flight to Milford Sound, a stunning fjord located on the west coast about a 45-minute flight from Queenstown, to see Mark reclaim some of his chips from Tony thanks to some aggressive betting that put Hachem Jnr on the back foot.

Considering the field is relatively small today, it's great to see a number of players have made the commitment to trek long distances for the opportunity to combine a trip to New Zealand and an international standard poker event.

We have PokerStars qualifiers from across Australia and New Zealand, but our early chip leader is Spencer Padway, who made the arduous journey across the Pacific from the small town of Alameda near San Francisco, California for the SKYCITY Alpine Adventure. The 21-year-old is on 34,500 and is the early chip leader.

Players have returned from their first break of the day, and blinds are now at level three (100/200).

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ANZPT Queenstown: Hachem sends cards into the air

What a way to start the day - a stroll along the shores of Lake Wakatipu, a steaming hot latte in the crisp but brilliant sunshine and a midday start for day 1A of the NZD $2500 buy-in PokerStars.net ANZPT Queenstown Main Event. Mornings don't come much better!

A total of 27 players have taken their seats for the opening 50/100 level after a welcome from PokerStars.net Team Australia Pro Tony Hachem and SKYCITY Queenstown's Executive Manager Michelle Baillie.

"With SKYCITY Queenstown hosting such a world class tournament in one of New Zealand's best tourist destinations, the added tourist options and accommodation over the week will increase the economic benefit to the region. It's great to see you all here," Baillie said.

PokerStars.net Team Australia Pro Tony Hachem quickly gets settled on day 1A

Fresh from reaching day three of the 2009 WSOP Main Event, Hachem has quickly refocussed for the race towards the overall ANZPT Points title. The battle between Hachem, currently second on the points tally, and leader ANZPT Melbourne champ Chris Levick promises to be one of the many highlights of this event.

As always, Hachem has been quick to put his stamp on the room: "C'mon boys, it's all a bit serious with you all sitting there in your Hugo Armani sunglasses," he quipped.

Two others prominent names are in action today. Kristian Lunardi finished seventh in the ANZPT Melbourne Main Event and just days later was equal 10th in the Melbourne Poker Championships Main Event and is recognised as one of the rising stars on the Aussie scene: both live and online.

PokerStars qualifier Darko Balaban - a well known Melbourne cash and tournament players - is also playing today, and wasted little time making a statement of his intentions with an all-in bet to scare Aussie PokerStars qualifier Mark Measey out of a pot.

Players start with 20,000 in chips and to ensure players have the maximum opportunity to enjoy this stunning locale, ANZPT chieftain Danny McDonagh has scheduled just five 60-minute levels today.

Level 1: 50/100
Level 2: 75/150
Level 3: 100/200
Level 4: 100/200 (ante 25)
Level 5: 150/300 (ante 25)

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Poker world is still indebted to Chris Moneymaker
[Digg]

Poker world is still indebted to Chris Moneymaker

Read The Full Article:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/do-or-die-poker/~3/b0eTnB3sraU/Poker_world_is_stil
l_indebted_to_Chris_Moneymaker

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+$12k few days.

quick update, it’s been ages..grinded a sick stack in the $255 sunday brawl, was like 30/100 left so I swapped 10% with my mate tom (Polo Mint on PokerStars, who was also sick deep in the sunday warmup) So I get dealt Ajs and I decide to put the pressure on another bigstack for the [...]

Read The Full Article:
http://pokerblog.ukgamblingforums.co.uk/uncategorized/12k-few-days/

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ANZPT Queenstown: The ultimate Alpine adventure

From the moment the pilot says to keep an eye out for the glaciers as the Airbus picks it way through a series of 10,000-plus feet snow-capped peaks high over the South Island of New Zealand, you know Queenstown isn't going to be the typical stopover for a poker tournament.

Welcome to the world's adventure sport capital, Queenstown, for the penultimate event on the first season of the PokerStars.net Australian New Zealand Poker Tour and he first-ever SKYCITY Alpine Adventure.

One of the southern-most population centres anywhere in the world, the Otago town of Queenstown is nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by the Southern Alps.

Most spectacularly, a saw-toothed mountain range known as the Remarkables sets a stunning backdrop to the region that is home to approximately 25,000 people.

Founded as a farming region, gold was discovered in the nearby Arrow River is the mid-1860s, bringing prospectors from around the world. More than 140 years later, a new form of prospector has hit town for the first time in pursuit of the first major poker title ever played in this part of the south-west of New Zealand's South Island.

It's also peak season for thousands of winter sports enthusiasts who converge here in the winter months to ski and board at one of the four commercial resorts - Coronet Peak, Treble Cone, Cardrona and The Remarkables.

ANZPT el presidente Danny McDonagh has scheduled only a handful of levels for each of the four day-one flights, giving PokerStars qualifiers and the scores of players who've made the long trek here the chance to enjoy some of the endless list of tourism activities.

Made in NZ: Jet boating along one of the many nearby shallow mountain rivers is one of the most popular tourist activities in Queenstown

That list includes jet boating, whitewater rafting, an array of bungee jumps (the world's first permanent commercial bungee site; the Kawarau Bridge Bungee was opened here), mountain biking, hiking and fly fishing, while many come to check out the locations used in the Lord of the Rings trilogy of movies.

With in an excellent selection of local restaurants and vineyards, and an easily accessible compact village, this is as about as good as is gets for a poker tourist, and makes a nice antidote for the handful of us who flew straight from Las Vegas after the 2009 World Series of Poker!

McDonagh and the ANZPT team welcomed players and PokerStars qualifiers at last night's cocktail party, held in the Wild Thyme restaurant and bar at SKYCITY Queenstown.

SKYCITY Queenstown forms the hub of this compact and vibrant Alpine town

Later today, we're expecting around 35-40 players to take their seats for the first of four day-one flights. Big names here PokerStars.net Team Australia regulars Tony Hachem (second overall in the ANZPT Overall Points Race), Emad Tahtouh, Celina Lin, Grant Levy and Eric Assadourian along with PokerStars Sponsored player and Kiwi poker icon Lee "Final Table" Nelson and a selection of the region's best players.

Over the next six days, we look forward to bringing you all the action from the SKYCITY Alpine Adventure, event four on the 2009 PokerStars.net ANZPT. Cards should be in the air at 12.15pm local time (1.15am GMT)

PokerStars.net ANZPT leaderboard (after three events)

1 Chris Levick (New South Wales) 129.2
2 Tony Hachem (Victoria) 124.8
3 David Zhao 92.4
4 Karl Krautschneider (Victoria) 90
5 Daniel Noja 79.2
6 Billy Argyros (Victoria) 79
7 Joel Dodds (New South Wales) 77.6
8 Paren Arzoomanian (New South Wales) 77.4
8 John Caridad (New South Wales) 77.4
10 Danny Joukhader 74.4
11 Chris Kittos (New South Wales) 73.2
12 Celina Lin 70.8
13 Bruno Portaro (Victoria) 69.6
14 James Broom (Victoria) 68.4
15 Lisa Walsh (Queensland) 67.4
16 Mike Stecker (USA) 65.6
17 Heath Chick (Tasmania) 64
17 Tony Dunst (USA) 64
19 Hugh Cohen 63.4
20 Dean Nyberg (South Australia) 63.2
20 Sam Khouiss (New South Wales) 63.2

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Poker world is still indebted to Chris Moneymaker

Poker world is still indebted to Chris Moneymaker

Read The Full Article:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/do-or-die-poker/~3/E0O0vLP2Q68/

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PokerStars breaks world record with 65,000
players in single tournament

The battle of the online poker giants has ended with one victor for the Guinness World Record of most amount of players in a single poker tournament.Full Tilt achieved their max of 50,000 players, beating Poker Stars' record by 15,000 players. That $5[...]

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http://www.lasvegasvegas.com/pokerblog/archives/007412.php

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Poker bankroll management by Chris Ferguson

This blog post provides you with a poker bankroll management rules, which were used by Chris Ferguson in his from Zero to Hero online poker challenge, when he turned 0 into $10k by playing online poker games on Full Tilt Poker.

This poker bankroll management is tested by one of the best poker players in the world. Read it, use it and stick to it and your poker bankroll will eventually grow up to $10k or more. You will be able to play poker for some pretty high stakes.

Read full post here: Poker bankroll management by Chris Ferguson

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