June 2007 Archives

Event 6: Buy in: $1,500 Game: Limit Hold'em

Gary Styczynski holds off Varouzhan Gumroyan and Hansu Chu as he trumps a field of 910 players to win $280,715.

Event 7: Buy in: $5,000 PL Omaha Re-buys

Burt Boutin overcame final table chip leader and second place finisher Erik Cajelais to win his second WSOP bracelet. There were over three times as many re-buys as entries, helping the prize pool near almost $3,000,000. Events such as this draw a large portion of professional players making Calejais' accomplishment that much more impressive. Over fifty percent of the top 20 finishers are well known professionals including third place finisher David "Devilfish" Ulliot.

Event: 8 Buy in: $1,000 Game: NL Hold'em

The $1,000 dollar re-buy event is known for the raucous atmosphere that it produces. In years past, players like Daniel Negreanu have actually requested that tournament officials stand next to them during the re-buy period because of their willingness to put their entire stack in with nearly any two cards. However, this year's winner, Michael Chu, won without re-buying even once! The format of such tournaments leads to deep stack poker which can be conducive to a lot of loose action. Thus it comes as no surprise that Amir Vahedi, known for his reckless style, began the final table as the chip leader. Vahedi did not make good use of his chips as he finished in 7th place. Other notable final table appearances included Tommy Vu (2nd), Mike Gracz (6th), and online limit expert Todd Witteles (10th).

Event: 9 Buy in: $1,500 Game: Omaha hi-lo split-Eight or better

Alexander Kravchenko held off a field of 690 including 2006 U.S. Poker Championship runner-up Jordan Morgan. Morgan entered the final table in second chip position but could not get anything going leading to a 7th place finish. Kravenchko won $228,446 for the victory.

Event: 10 Buy in: $2,000 Game: NL Hold'em

William Durkey, a 24-year old graduate student held off the competition in the field of over 1,500 to win his first gold bracelet.

-Benjamin Ryan

Event 1: Buy In: $5,000 Game: Mixed Game

Born May 23 1986, Steve Billirakis became the youngest player to ever win a WSOP bracelet. Billirakis edged out professional Greg "FBT" Mueller to take home $536,287. Billirakis also finished 16th in the 6 handed $2500 no-limit event.

Event 2: Buy In: $500 Game: NL Hold'em
Event 2 is an employees only event, not open to the general public.

Event 3: Buy In: $1,500 Game: NL Hold'em

Cairan O'Leary overcame third place finisher Alex Jacob's final table chip lead en route to winning over $727,000.

Event 4: Buy In: $1,500 Game: PL Hold'em

Michael Spiegel takes home the gold bracelet and $252,290. The road was not easy as he faced Canadian tournament pro Gavin Smith heads up. Spiegel took down the tournament when his Ace-Ten held up against Smith's pocket fives.

Event 5: Buy In: $2,500 Game: Omaha/seven card stud hi-low-8 or better

Tom Schneider entered the final table the chip leader and finished the tournament a winner. Despite his chip lead, the road to victory was no small feat as the final table was stacked with top pros. Among those who made the final table were Annie Duke, Chris "Jesus" Ferguson, online wizard David Benyamine, Josh Arieh, Scotty Nguyen, and the hyper-aggressive John "The Razor" Phan.

-Benjamin Ryan

Fans who do not enjoy listening to the banter between the players during a poker match may want to hit the mute button on their remote controls for this one.

At times there is so much chatter going on that you’ll think you are watching someone’s home game, let alone a match between some of poker's more colorful and talented players!

In another first for PAD, this 6-handed match will be comprised of three men and three women, making it truly a battle of the sexes.

It just so happens that the men, Howard Lederer, Gabe Kaplan, and Poker After Dark's own Ali Nejad, are all television poker commentators, so you know they'll have the gift of gab. But they'll struggle to get a word in edgewise against the likes of Annie Duke, Vanessa Rousso, and Kristy Gazes.

For a complete preview, CLICK HERE.

A few accents among the players will be evident during this week's edition of Poker After Dark as six top pros that were all born outside of the U.S. each put up $20,000 to contend for the $120,000 winner-take-all prize.

Competing are Gus Hansen (Denmark), David Benyamine (France), Patrik Antonius (Finland), Daniel Negreanu (Canada), Marco Traniello (Italy), and "Yukon" Brad Booth (Canada).

For the complete preview, CLICK HERE.

Ten new weeks of original Poker After Dark shows will begin during the week of June 11.

It starts with World Series of Poker Champions. Check out the lineup:

Jamie Gold
Joe Hachem
Greg Raymer
Huck Seed
Doyle Brunson
Johnny Chan