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WPT World Championship, Day 5 Recap
Level 24: 25,000-50,000, 5,000 ante
By BJ Nemeth
Day 5 began with 19 players, but only 18 would finish in the money. It took about 20 minutes for the bubble to burst, and the unfortunate player was Josh Arieh (standing, center), who got it all in preflop with A
J
against the K
K
of Marvin Rettenmaier (left).
The final 18 players redrew for seats at the final two tables. The chipleader at this point was Hafiz Khan with 2.1 million, while POY contender Joe Serock was one of the short stacks with only 12 big blinds. Serock would need to outlast three more players to catch Will Failla in the WPT Player of the Year race.
Guillaume Darcourt (standing, right) smiles even as he is eliminated in 18th place by Wil Wilkinson (standing, left). With the board showing A1078 on the turn, Darcourt raised all in with 97 (pair and a straight draw) against Wilkinson's 88 (set of eights). Darcourt missed his straight draw and was out of the tournament.
With 17 players remaining, Joe Serock needed to outlast two more to pass Will Failla in the WPT Player of the Year race. But with only 15 big blinds in his chip stack, he couldn't afford to wait, and he moved all in preflop with A10. Trevor Pope (foreground, right) called from the button with 99.
The board came A534K, and Serock (standing, background center) pumped his fist as he won the hand to double up in chips. Serock was still in the hunt for the WPT Player of the Year title.
WPT Venice Grand Prix champion Rinat Bogdanov (center right) threw up his hands as he was eliminated in 16th place in a three-way all-in situation against Matt Juttelstad and Ron Coury.
Coury was the short stack with 66, Juttelstad was the big stack with AA, and Bogdanov was stuck in the middle with 1010. There was a 6 on the turn to give Coury the triple up, while Juttelstad won the side pot to eliminate Bogdanov.
With Rinat Bogdanov's elimination in 16th place, Joe Serock was guaranteed 15th or higher place, and passed Will Failla for the points lead in the WPT Player of the Year race. But it wasn't over yet, because both Moon Kim and Matt Juttelstad could catch Serock if they went deep enough.
Barry Shulman (pictured) was eliminated in 15th place when he moved all in with 99 and ran into Trevor Pope's 1010.
Short stack Ron Coury (left) moves all in after a flop against big stack Trevor Pope (right). Pope would fold, giving Coury another small pot to stay alive.
After eliminating John Esposito in 12th place, Hafiz Khan (pictured) was the massive chipleader with more than 4 million.
Trevor Pope didn't have as many chips as Hafiz Khan, but he was still among the big stacks with more than 2 million.
Ron Coury (standing, center) was eliminated in 11th place when he got it all in with Q8 against the 1010 of Moon Kim (right) and never improved.
With Ron Coury's elimination in 11th place, the final 10 players combined to a single table. In seat order: (1) Wil Wilkinson, (2) Michael Mizrachi, (3) Hafiz Khan, (4) Marvin Rettenmaier, (5) Steve O'Dwyer, (6) Nick Schulman, (7) Moon Kim, (8) Trevor Pope, (9) Joe Serock, and (10) Philippe Ktorza.
In the first hand at the 10-handed table, Nick Schulman (left) check-raised all in on the turn with the board showing A978. Trevor Pope (right) tanked for more than a minute before he folded.
Hand #11: After a flop of Q64, Michael Mizrachi (center) check-raised all in with AQ (pair of queens), and Hafiz Khan (standing, right) called with JJ. It was a battle of big stacks, and whoever won this pot would be the chipleader.
Mizrachi turned another queen to win the pot with trip queens, taking the chip lead from Hafiz Khan.
In Hand #23, Nick Schulman (center) and Moon Kim (right) were in a battle of the blinds and saw a flop of A104. Schulman checked, Kim bet 120,000, Schulman check-raised to 260,000, and Kim moved all in. Schulman folded, and Kim showed one card -- the A (top pair) -- as he collected the pot.
In Hand #44, Michael Mizrachi (foreground, right) moved all in after a flop of J33, and Nick Schulman (center) quickly called with KK. Mizrachi was caught bluffing with AQ, and didn't improve. Schulman doubled up, and stacked his chips while Mizrachi discussed the hand with Hafiz Khan (left).
In Hand #47, Joe Serock (standing, background center) could only scratch his head after being eliminated in 10th place by chipleader Marvin Rettenmaier (right). Serock moved all in for 18 big blinds with 99, and Rettenmaier called with AK. Serock put on his backpack and began to walk away, fully expecting to lose the race.
The flop came Q77, and Serock slowed, perhaps showing some optimism. But the turn card was the K, putting Rettenmaier way out in front, and the Q on the river was enough to eliminate Serock.
Serock leads the WPT Player of the Year race, but it isn' t locked up yet. Moon Kim can tie Serock with a fourth-place finish, and clinch the POY title with a third-or-higher finish.
In the last hand of the night (Hand #52), Nick Schulman (standing, left) and Hafiz Khan (foreground, right) battled over a board of J8574. Schulman check-called the flop, bet the turn, and then checked the river. Khan moved all in at that point, and Schulman tanked for a few minutes before he folded.
Khan showed Q9 for queen high (a missed double-gutshot straight draw) as he collected the pot, getting away with a big bluff in the last hand of the day.
There are nine players remaining, but only the top 18 will finish in the money, guaranteed at least $40,266. First prize is worth $1,196,858.
Here are the official seating and chip counts for Day 6:
Seat 1. Wil Wilkinson - 705,000 (14 BBs)
Seat 2. Michael Mizrachi - 3,124,000 (62 BBs)
Seat 3. Hafiz Khan - 1,641,000 (32 BBs)
Seat 4. Marvin Rettenmaier - 3,757,000 (75 BBs)
Seat 5. Steve O'Dwyer - 1,643,000 (32 BBs)
Seat 6. Nick Schulman - 1,350,000 (27 BBs)
Seat 7. Moon Kim - 1,139,000 (22 BBs)
Seat 8. Trevor Pope - 800,000 (16 BBs)
Seat 9. Philippe Ktorza - 977,000 (19 BBs)
Day 6 begins Thursday at 12:00 noon PT, when these players will battle for the six seats at Saturday's televised WPT Final Table. Return to WPT.com for complete hand-for-hand coverage the entire way.
04:21 AM, 05/24/12
Day 6: Official Seating & Chip Counts
Level 24: 25,000-50,000, 5,000 ante
Day 5 comes to an end with nine players, and they will return tomorrow (Thursday) at 12:00 noon PT to play down to the final six for Saturday's televised WPT Final Table.
(Friday will be an off-day, as the WPT set will be used for the final table of the WPT Super High Roller.)
Here are the official chip counts and seating assignments:
Seat 1. Wil Wilkinson - 705,000 (14 BBs)
Seat 2. Michael Mizrachi - 3,124,000 (62 BBs)
Seat 3. Hafiz Khan - 1,641,000 (32 BBs)
Seat 4. Marvin Rettenmaier - 3,757,000 (75 BBs)
Seat 5. Steve O'Dwyer - 1,643,000 (32 BBs)
Seat 6. Nick Schulman - 1,350,000 (27 BBs)
Seat 7. Moon Kim - 1,139,000 (22 BBs)
Seat 8. Trevor Pope - 800,000 (16 BBs)
Seat 9. Philippe Ktorza - 977,000 (19 BBs)
09:26 PM, 05/23/12
Hand #52: Hafiz Khan Bluffs Big on the Last Hand of the Night
Level 23: 20,000-40,000, 4,000 ante
Photo: Hafiz Khan (center) moves all in on the river in the last hand of the night, and Nick Schulman tanks for several minutes.
Hand #52 - Hafiz Khan raises form the cutoff to 90,000, and Nick Schulman calls from the big blind. The flop comes J85, Schulman checks, Khan bets 115,000, and Schulman calls.
The turn card is the 7, Schulman bets 200,000, and Khan calls.
The river card is the 4, Schulman checks, and Khan moves all in for about 840,000. Schulman tanks for several minutes, extending past the end of the level (and the day).
Schulman eventually folds, and Hafiz Khan shows Q9 for queen high (missed double-gutshot straight draw) as he collects the pot.
Hafiz Khan - 1,641,000
Nick Schulman - 1,350,000
Photo: After a minute or two, Nick Schulman stands up as he considers the all-in bet from Hafiz Khan (foreground, right).
09:20 PM, 05/23/12
Hand #51: Penultimate Hand of Day 5
Level 23: 20,000-40,000, 4,000 ante
Photo: Michael Mizrachi (left) bets the turn against Steve O'Dwyer (right).
Hand #51 - Nick Schulman raises under the gun to 91,000, Michael Mizrachi calls from the cutoff, and Steve O'Dwyer calls from the big blind. The flop comes KK9, O'Dwyer and Schulman both check, and Mizrachi bets 75,000. O'Dwyer check-raises to 290,000, Schulman folds, and Mizrachi calls.
The turn card is the 2, O'Dwyer checks, Mizrachi bets 200,000, and O'Dwyer folds. Michael Mizrachi takes the pot.
09:16 PM, 05/23/12
Hands #48-50: Final Nine Players
Level 23: 20,000-40,000, 4,000 ante
Hand #48 - Michael Mizrachi gets a walk in the big blind.
Hand #49 - Nick Schulman raises to 91,000 from middle position, winning the blinds and antes.
Hand #50 - Marvin Rettenmaier gets a walk in the big blind.
08:59 PM, 05/23/12
Hand #47: Joe Serock Eliminated in 10th Place ($47,587)
Level 23: 20,000-40,000, 4,000 ante
Photo: Joe Serock (standing, background center) can only scratch his head after being eliminated by chipleader Marvin Rettenmaier (right).
Hand #47 - Michael Mizrachi raises to 88,000 from under the gun, Marvin Rettenmaier calls in middle position, and Moon Kim calls from the hijack.
Joe Serock is on the button and moves all-in for around 720,000 total. Mizrachi folds, then Rettenmaier reraises all-in, having both Serock and Kim covered. Kim folds.
Rettenmaier turns over AK and Serock is racing, as he holds 99.
Serock puts his backpack on and starts to slowly saunter from the table as the dealer puts out the Q77 flop. Seeing he is still ahead, Serock slows his gait. The K on the turn puts Rettenmaier out front though, and Serock is a good ten feet from the table by the time the Q comes on the river.
Serock is eliminated on the hand, but there is still a chance for him to win something. He is the current leader in the WPT Player of the Year race with 2,200 points. The race isn't over just yet though. Season X Bay 101 Shooting Star Champ Moon Kim can tie Serock with a fourth place finish and can take the POY title outright with a third place showing or better.
Marvin Rettenmaier - 3,150,000 (79 BBs)
Joe Serock - eliminated in 10th place ($47,587)
08:58 PM, 05/23/12
Hands #45-46: Final Ten Players
Level 23: 20,000-40,000, 4,000 ante
Hand #45 - Joe Serock gets a walk in the big blind.
Hand #46 - Michael Mizrachi raises to 88,000 from early position and Philippe Ktorza defends his big blind. Both player check the Q109 flop, then the turn brings the 4. Ktorza bets 127,000 and Mizrachi calls.
The river is the 3 and Ktorza bets 300,000, leaving around 250,000 behind. Mizrachi gives it some thought before folding and Ktorza takes the pot.
Philippe Ktorza - 1,080,000 (27 BBs)
Michael Mizrachi - 2,690,000 (67 BBs)
08:51 PM, 05/23/12
Hand #44: Nick Schulman Doubles Thru Michael Mizrachi
Level 23: 20,000-40,000, 4,000 ante
Photo: After the hand, Michael Mizrachi (right) chats with Hafiz Khan (left) as Nick Schulman stacks his chips in the background.
Hand #44 - Michael Mizrachi raises from middle position to 88,000, Hafiz Khan calls from middle position, and Nick Schulman reraises from the button to 224,000. Mizrachi asks for a count of Schulman's remaining stack, and Schulman says he has about 580,000 behind. Mizrachi calls, and Khan folds.
The flop comes J33, Mizrachi moves all in, and Schulman quickly calls with KK. Mizrachi turns over AQ, and Schulman is a favorite to double up here.
The turn is the 9, the river is the 7, and Nick Schulman wins the pot with his pocket kings to double up in chips.
Nick Schulman - 1,775,000 (44 BBs)
Michael Mizrachi - 2,925,000 (73 BBs)
08:47 PM, 05/23/12
Hands #36-43: Final 10 Players
Level 23: 20,000-40,000, 4,000 ante
Hand #36 - Steve O'Dwyer raises from middle position to 90,000, winning the blinds and antes.
Hand #37 - Marvin Rettenmaier raises from middle position to 82,000, winning the blinds and antes.
Hand #38 - Moon Kim raises from middle position to about 100,000, winning the blinds and antes.
Hand #39 - Steve O'Dwyer raises from early position to 90,000, Joe Serock moves all in, and O'Dwyer folds. Serock takes the pot.
Joe Serock - 720,000 (18 BBs)
Hand #40 - Philippe Ktorza raises from late position to 91,000, winning the blinds and antes.
Hand #41 - Nick Schulman raises under the gun to 85,000, Marvin Rettenmaier reraises from the small blind to 245,000, and Schulman folds. Rettenmaier takes the pot.
Hand #42 - Hafiz Khan raises from the cutoff to 90,000, Marvin Rettenmaier tanks for a while before he raises from the button to 236,000, and Khan folds. Rettenmaier takes the pot.
Hand #43 - Nick Schulman raises from the small blind to 90,000, winning the blinds and antes.
08:44 PM, 05/23/12
Updated Chip Counts
Level 23: 20,000-40,000, 4,000 ante
Here are updated chip counts through the end of Hand #35:
Seat 1: Wil Wilkinson - 860,000 (22 BBs)
Seat 2: Michael Mizrachi - 3,500,000 (88 BBs)
Seat 3: Hafiz Khan - 1,600,000 (40 BBs)
Seat 4: Marvin Rettenmaier - 2,200,000 (55 BBs)
Seat 5: Steve O'Dwyer - 1,965,000 (49 BBs)
Seat 6: Nick Schulman - 885,000 (22 BBs)
Seat 7: Moon Kim - 1,240,000 (31 BBs)
Seat 8: Trevor Pope - 970,000 (24 BBs)
Seat 9: Joe Serock - 540,000 (14 BBs)
Seat 10: Philippe Ktorza - 710,000 (18 BBs)
08:29 PM, 05/23/12
