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Tony G. Wins! Matusow 2nd
by B.J. Nemeth
Saturday, Feb 25, 8:55 pm -- Final Comments
In the final toast at the end of the show, Mike Sexton asks Mike Matusow how he felt. Matusow actually felt really good about his play, and everything went according to plan -- except for the kings getting cracked. Sexton asked, "Do you think this guy can out-talk you?" Matusow immediately replied, "Oh, hell yeah!"
Then, in Tony G's final interview, he said, "Ten-eight of diamonds is a mystic hand for me. It's the hand I dream about when I sleep." Matusow laughed and said, "That makes one of us!"
Tony G was very gracious in victory, and surprisingly, Matusow was gracious in defeat. But as he told Mike Sexton, "Thank God this wasn't one of those two-million dollar tournaments, or I'd be throwing things right now."
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| Tony G and the Naughty Officers | |
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| Tony G Wins the WPT Bad Boys of Poker 2, flanked by Mike Sexton, Courtney Friel, and Vince Van Patten. | |
1st Place - Tony G. - $25,500 seat in the WPT World Championship
The other five players received no prizes:
2nd - Mike Matusow
3rd - Phil Hellmuth
4th - Men "The Master" Nguyen
5th - Jean Robert Bellande
6th - Gus Hansen
Saturday, Feb 25, 8:34 pm -- Tony G. Wins the WPT Bad Boys of Poker 2
Hand 61 - Mike Matusow has the button, he limps for $24,000, and Tony G asks for a count of Matusow's chips. Tony G moves all in, and Matusow immediately calls with pocket kings (K K ) jumping up from the table, pumping his fist and saying, "Yes!" Tony G shows 10 8, and he'll need to improve to bust Matusow and win the tournament right here.
The flop comes 10 8 2, and Tony G amazingly flops two pair to take the lead in the hand. Matusow needs a king, a deuce, running spades, or a running pair on the board to stay alive.
The turn card is the 9, and Matusow can catch a king, a nine, or a deuce to survive.
The river card is the Q , and Tony G cracks Mike Matusow's pocket kings with two pair, tens and eights. Mike Matusow is eliminated in second place, earning nothing but a full episode's worth of airtime.
Tony G. wins the WPT Bad Boys of Poker 2, earning a $25,500 seat into the season-ending WPT World Championship and a Bad Boys trophy.
After the hand is over, Mike Matusow announces, "Welcome to my world of poker!"
Saturday, Feb 25, 8:29 pm
Hand 60 - Tony G has the button, and he folds. Matusow shows Ah-10h as he collects the pot.
Hand 59 - Mike Matusow has the button, and he folds.
Hand 58 - Tony G has the button, he limps for $24,000, and Matusow checks his option. The flop comes 9s-7h-3s, and both players check. The turn card is the 10s, Matusow bets $25,000, and Tony G calls. The river card is the Jc, Matusow checks, Tony G bets $100,000, and Matusow folds. Tony G takes the pot.
Hand 57 - Mike Matusow has the button, and he folds.
Hand 56 - Tony G has the button, he raises to $74,000, and Matusow calls. The flop comes 6c-6h-5s, Matusow checks, Tony G bets $100,000, and Matusow folds. Tony G takes the pot.
Hand 55 - Mike Matusow has the button, and he folds.
Saturday, Feb 25, 8:25 pm -- Shuffle Up & Deal!
Everything's ready to go, so it's time to shuffle up and deal!
Saturday, Feb 25, 8:22 pm -- The Money Presentation
The money is brought to the table by three women dressed in slutty cop outfits. Yes, it looks like Matusow and Tony G have just received a strip-o-gram. The "$25,000" is dumped on the table, but it must be in $20 bills, because there's far too much paper money on the table to represent $100s. The women strut off the stage, and then the process is partially repeated again so they can re-tape Courtney's role as she brings out the Bad Boys trophy.
It's very unimpressive in person, but will probably look like all the rest when it airs on TV. I give it a 4 out of 10. At least it wasn't just money on platters. The score would have gone up if the girls had "arrested" one of the players.
Saturday, Feb 25, 8:12 pm -- Short Break Before Heads-Up Play
The players take a short break before heads-up play begins. I'm not sure what kind of money presentation they'll have, since they're not playing for money -- they're playing for a $25,500 seat in the WPT World Championship. Here are the official chip counts:
Tony G. - $938,000
Mike Matusow - $562,000
Saturday, Feb 25, 8:11 pm -- Phil Hellmuth Eliminated in 3rd Place
Hand 54 - There is a dead button in seat 5, Hellmuth moves all in, and Matusow calls from the big blind with Q 10. He dominates Hellmuth's Q 5, and Hellmuth will need to improve to survive.
The flop comes 7 4 3, and Hellmuth picks up a gut-shot straight draw and a runner-runner flush draw. The turn card is the K, and Hellmuth has lots of outs, doubling up with a five, a six, or any spade.
The river card is the K, and Phil Hellmuth is eliminated in third place. The audience gives him a very nice round of applause. It's oddly respectful -- no boos, and no mocking applause. But we're down to the final two players.
Saturday, Feb 25, 8:07 pm -- Blinds Increase to $12,000-$24,000 ($3,000 Ante)
The blinds have increased to $12,000-$24,000, with a $3,000 ante. The players are seated and ready to go, so it's time to shuffle up and deal!
As the chip counts are announced for the final three players, one guy in the audience shouts, "I'm rooting for the underdog. Let's go, Gus!"
Saturday, Feb 25, 7:55 pm -- Break; Official Chip Counts
The players take a short break. Here are the official chip counts:
1. Tony G. - $953,000 (seat 1)
2. Mike Matusow - $376,000 (seat 2)
3. Phil Hellmuth - $171,000 (seat 3)
If you haven't noticed, the players have so far busted out in the order that Matusow predicted after Hand #43.
Saturday, Feb 25, 7:53 pm -- Jean Robert Bellande Eliminated in 4th Place
Hand 53 - There is a dead button in seat 4, Bellande limps from the small blind, and Tony G checks his option. The flop comes 10 9 8, Bellande bets $40,000, Tony G raises to $106,000, Bellande announces reraise.
While he's thinking, Tony G says he's taking too long, when he's just going to reraise another $140,000. He says, "You dance, and I'll lead you." The crowd laughs.
Tony G keeps chatting away at the table, leading Mike Matusow to say, "You talk more in an hour than I talk in a week." The crowd laughs.
Then Bellande says, "I'm raising $139,000." The crowd laughs even harder. It only takes a few seconds for Tony G to move all in, and Bellande obviously calls.
Bellande shows J 7 (jack-high straight), but he's behind Tony G's Q J (queen-high straight). Both players flopped a straight, but Bellande will need to catch a queen to counterfeit Tony G's straight to survive with a chopped pot.
The turn card is the 8, and the crowd is asking for a queen. But the river card is the 9, and there is applause as Jean Robert Bellande is eliminated in fourth place. Tony G quickly walks over to shake Bobby's hand, and they're both smiling.
Saturday, Feb 25, 7:48 pm -- Updated Chip Counts
The following approximate chip counts are announced to the crowd:
1. Tony G. - $480,000 (seat 1)
2. Mike Matusow - $370,000 (seat 2)
3. Jean Robert Bellande - $350,000 (seat 5)
4. Phil Hellmuth - $170,000 (seat 3)
Saturday, Feb 25, 7:47 pm
Hand 52 - Phil Hellmuth has the button in seat 3, Tony G raises to $40,000, and Bellande calls from the big blind. The flop comes 7s-6s-3c, and both players check. The turn card is the Kc, and they check again. The river card is the 10h, Bellande bets about $100,000, and Tony G folds. Jean Robert Bellande takes the pot.
Saturday, Feb 25, 7:42 pm -- Men "The Master" Nguyen Out in 5th Place
Hand 51 - Mike Matusow has the button in seat 2, Tony G raises to $50,000, and Men Nguyen gets up out of his chair and turns to the crowd. He loudly asks, "What does Men say?" The crowd cheers, "All you can eat, baby!" Nguyen moves all in, and Tony G quickly calls with pocket queens (Q Q). Nguyen shows A K, and it's a race situation.
The flop comes J J 6, and Nguyen says, "Two spades, baby!" Nguyen has a flush draw and two overcards.
The turn card is the 4, and Nguyen needs an ace, a queen, or a spade to bust Tony G.
The river card is the 2, and Tony G's pocket queens hold up to win the pot, and the chips are counted down.
While they're counting the chips, Tony G. stands up and says, "C'mon guys, a big cheer for the Samurai!" There are some cheers, mixed in with a few boos. Then Bellande says, "How about a cheer for Men the Master?" The crowd cheers much louder this time.
Once the chips are counted down, it turns out that Men Nguyen was covered. Men "The Master" Nguyen is eliminated in fifth place.
Saturday, Feb 25, 7:38 pm
Hand 50 - Tony G. has the button in seat 1, Bellande raises to $36,000, and Hellmuth calls from the big blind. Hellmuth checks in the dark as the flop comes Jh-9c-4c, and Bellande bets $45,000, and Hellmuth folds. Jean Robert Bellande takes the pot.
Hand 49 - Jean Robert Bellande has the button in seat 5, he raises to $35,000, and Tony G moves all in. Bellande folds, and Tony G takes the pot.
In between hands, Matusow says, "Somebody put an A.P.B. on Tony G's voice." Tony G has been rather quiet since doubling up Bellande.
Hand 48 - Men Nguyen has the button in seat 4, Matusow raises to $46,000, winning the blinds and antes.
Hand 47 - Phil Hellmuth has the button in seat 3, he raises to $45,000, winning the blinds and antes.
Saturday, Feb 25, 7:32 pm -- Jean Robert Bellande Doubles Through Tony G.
Hand 46 - Mike Matusow has the button in seat 2, Bellande limps for $16,000 under the gun, Tony G raises to $91,000, and Bellande asks the crowd, "Should I gamble?" The crowd applauds, and Bellande calls, leaving himself some chips behind.
The flop comes Q 4 2, and Bellande moves all in. It's not a lot of chips, and Tony G calls with K J (king high). Bellande shows pocket sevens (7 7), and he is in position to double up here. Neither player has a spade, so a flush on the board would chop the pot.
The turn card is the 9, and Tony G picks up a gut-shot straight draw, busting Bellande with a king, a jack, or a ten.
But the river card is the 6, and the crowd cheers as Jean Robert Bellande doubles up in chips.
Saturday, Feb 25, 7:21 pm
In between hands, Men Nguyen says, "I love the Bad Boys of Poker. But why am I here? My wife says I'm a good man, and a good father. I'm not a bad boy."
Hand 45 - Tony G. has the button in seat 1, Nguyen raises to $42,000, winning the blinds and antes.
In between hands, the players are talking about drinking. Tony G says he can drink any of them under the table, and Matusow laughs. "I'll take the Men-ster on that one!"
Hand 44 - Jean Robert Bellande has the button in seat 5, and he moves all in for over $120,000, winning the blinds and antes.
After Bellande moved all in, Matusow said, "I'll say one thing, Bobby. I used to think you were the biggest idiot in the world, but now I think you can play pretty good."
Bellande replied, "Mike, from anyone else at the table, that would be a compliment."
Hand 43 - Men Nguyen has the button in seat 4, Hellmuth raises to $48,000, and Nguyen moves all in for about $200,000. Hellmuth folds, and Nguyen shows Ah-Qh as he collects the pot.
Mike Matusow reveals the script between hands. "Gus was the favorite to bust first, which he did. Bobby (Bellande) was the favorite to bust second, which he almost did. Men should bust next, and you (Tony G) should bust after him. That leaves me to bust Hellmuth heads-up and win."
Hand 42 - Phil Hellmuth has the button in seat 3, and everyone folds to Bellande in the big blind, giving him the blinds and antes.
Hand 41 - Mike Matusow has the button in seat 2, he raises to $32,000, winning the blinds and antes. Matusow shows Ah-6h as he collects the pot.
When Bellande comments about how quiet Hellmuth has been, Matusow says, "Phil's always quiet at final tables. He's weak-tight." He then proceeds to mock some of Phil's classic lines. "Do you know who I am? I have nine bracelets!"
Hand 40 - Tony G. has the button in seat 1, and everyone folds to Hellmuth in the big blind, giving him the blinds and antes.
Saturday, Feb 25, 7:17 pm -- Jean Robert Bellande Doubles Through Tony G.
Hand 39 - Jean Robert Bellande has the button in seat 5, and he moves all in for about $59,000. Tony G calls from the small blind with Ah-4c, and Bellande shows Kd-7d. Bellande will need to improve to stay alive.
The flop comes Qd-Qh-Jc, and Bellande is still behind, needing a king, a seven, or a runner-runner flush or straight. The turn card is the 9s, and Bellande needs a king, a ten, or a seven to stay alive.
The river card is the Kc, and the crowd cheers as Bellande makes a pair of kings to double up and survive. Tony G raises his arms in defeat, as if to say, "I tried!"
Saturday, Feb 25, 7:15 pm
Hand 38 - Men Nguyen has the button in seat 4, he raises to $45,000, and Tony G calls from the big blind. The flop comes Kc-10c-5c, and Tony says, "I'm all in." Nguyen spends several minutes thinking things over, with Tony G talking the whole time.
Eventually, Tony calls the clock on Men, which is a rare sight at a televised final table. Is he trying to get Nguyen to lay down his hand? Someone asks if they can see Tony's hand if Nguyen folds, and Tony says, "I'll show you one card." As the announcer counts down for the final ten seconds, Tony G says, "I promise you, he's folding."
The announcer reaches zero, and Men Nguyen's hand is dead. He didn't even move. Tony G takes the pot. Nguyen shows one card -- the Ac. This gets a huge reaction from the other players. I have no idea what Tony G had. We'll have to wait for it to air on TV, because that hand will definitely make the show.
Hand 37 - Phil Hellmuth has the button in seat 3, Matusow raises to $45,000, and it's folded to Bellande in the big blind. He sighs and says, "This is the second-best hand I've had all day." He folds A-6 faceup. Matusow returns the favor, showing A-J as he collects the pot.
Saturday, Feb 25: 7:05 pm -- Blinds Increase to $8,000-$16,000 ($2,000 Ante)
The blinds increase, but play will continue without a break.
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| Courtney Friel is surrounded by the contenders for the WPT Bad Boys 2, from left to right: Tony G., Mike Matusow, Phil Hellmuth, Jean Robert Bellande, Gus Hansen, and Men "The Master" Nguyen. | |
Saturday, Feb 25, 7:04 pm
Hand 36 - Mike Matusow has the button in seat 2, Tony G raises to $30,000, and Matusow calls from the button. The flop comes Jh-Js-4s, Tony G bets $30,000, and Matusow calls. The turn card is the 5s, Tony G checks, Matusow bets $30,000, and Tony G calls. The river card is the 10c, and both players check. Tony G shows pocket kings to win the pot.
Hand 35 - Tony G. has the button in seat 1, Bellande limps for $10,000, Matusow limps from the small blind, and Hellmuth checks his option. The flop comes 8h-8s-6s, and all three players check. The turn card is the 10s, Matusow checks, Hellmuth bets $15,000, Bellande folds, and Matusow says, "I have nothing," and folds. Phil Hellmuth takes the pot.
Hand 34 - There is a dead button in seat 6, Tony G raises to $35,000 from the small blind, and Matusow reraises to $110,000 from the big blind. Tony G folds, and Matusow takes the pot.
Saturday, Feb 25, 7:00 pm -- Gus Hansen Out in 6th Place
Hand 33 - Jean Robert Bellande has the button in seat 5, and Gus Hansen is so short stacked that he's all in for $5,000 from the small blind. Nguyen raises to $30,000, and Tony G calls from the big blind. Men Nguyen and Tony G will be playing for a side pot, while Gus Hansen is all in for the main pot.
The flop comes K 9 4, Tony G checks, Nguyen bets $30,000, and Tony G calls. The turn card is the 2, Tony G checks, and Men asks Tony how many chips he has left -- about $260,000 left behind. Nguyen checks to see the 7 fall on the river. Tony G bets $50,000, and Nguyen folds. Tony G picks up the side pot, and shows K-7 (two pair) for the main pot. Hansen shows A-x (ace high), but it's not good enough.
Gus Hansen is eliminated in sixth place.
Saturday, Feb 25, 6:55 pm
Gus Hansen will be all in from the small blind on the next hand.
Hand 32 - Men Nguyen has the button in seat 4, Tony G raises to $25,000, Matusow calls, and Hansen calls from the big blind. The flop comes Ks-Jc-3h, Hansen checks, Tony G bets $10,000, Matusow raises to $35,000, Hansen folds, and Tony G folds. Mike Matusow takes the pot.
Hand 31 - Phil Hellmuth has the button in seat 3, Nguyen limps for $10,000 from the small blind, and Bellande checks his option. The flop comes Ah-Jd-8c, and both players check. The turn card is the 6d, and they check again. The river card is the 3s, Nguyen bets $20,000, and Bellande folds. Men Nguyen takes the pot.
Hand 30 - Mike Matusow has the button in seat 2, Bellande limps for $10,000 under the gun, Hellmuth limps from the small blind, and Nguyen checks his option. The flop comes Qd-Qh-9h, and everyone checks. The turn card is the 10s, and they quickly check again. The river card is the 5d, and they immediately check. Nguyen shows J-9 (pair of nines) to win the pot.
Tony G is chatting it up before Hand #30, and Bellande comments, "You make Mike look like the quiet one."
Hand 29 - Tony G. has the button in seat 1, Nguyen limps for $10,000 under the gun, Bellande limps, Tony G raises to $80,000 from the button, and Nguyen and Bellande both fold. Tony G takes the pot and says, "Don't try this at home! I told myself not to get out of line, but I couldn't help myself."
Hand 28 - Gus Hansen has the button in seat 6, Nguyen raises to $30,000, and Matusow calls from the big blind. The flop comes Jh-9d-5c, Matusow bets $25,000, Nguyen raises to $75,000, and Matusow thinks for a few minutes. He finally looks over at Nguyen and says, "Hi, Men." Nguyen cooly replies, "Hi, Mike." Matusow folds, and Nguyen takes the pot.
Matusow expresses surprise that Tony G is playing so well today. "Did you read Phil's book last night?"
Hand 27 - Jean Robert Bellande has the button in seat 5, Matusow raises to $30,000 under the gun, and Tony G calls from the big blind. The flop comes Ac-4d-2h, Tony G checks, Matusow bets $30,000, and Tony G folds. Mike Matusow takes the pot.
Hand 26 - Men Nguyen has the button in seat 4, Tony G raises to $30,000 under the gun, winning the blinds and antes.
Hand 25 - Phil Hellmuth has the button in seat 3, and everyone folds to Bellande in the big blind, giving him the blinds and antes.
There's more chatter between the hands, and now Matusow sets his sights on Tony G. "How about this for a book? It's 'Poker for the Pros' by Tony G. It's like one page."
Hand 24 - Mike Matusow has the button in seat 2, Tony G raises to $30,000, Matusow calls from the button, Cutout Phil folds, and Nguyen calls from the big blind. Three players see the flop of Kd-7c-5s, Nguyen checks, Tony G bets $60,000, and Matusow and Nguyen folds. Tony G takes the pot.
Hellmuth arrived in the middle of the hand, with a drink and a sandwich (it might be a doughnut). He does a double-take when he sees the back of the cutout, and leans over to take a look at it. He laughs, until he realizes that they're actually playing.
Then he says, "You guys started without me? Really?" And the crowd gives him a big "Awwwwww."
Saturday, Feb 25, 6:38 pm -- The Phil Hellmuth Cutout; Shuffle Up & Deal!
Phil Hellmuth is late to his seat, but everyone is ready to play. Courtney Friel brings out a cardboard cutout of Phil Hellmuth and places it in his seat. When someone asks where he is, an audience member shouts, "He's out dodging bullets, baby!"
The blinds are still at $5,000-$10,000, with a $1,000 ante. They are dealing without Phil at the table. (Except for his cutout.)
Saturday, Feb 25, 6:15 pm -- Short Break; Official Chip Counts
The players take a short break so the tapes can be replaced in the WPT cameras. Here are the official chip counts:
1. Mike Matusow - $431,000 (seat 2)
2. Men Nguyen - $307,000 (seat 4)
3. Phil Hellmuth - $295,000 (seat 3)
4. Tony G. - $272,000 (seat 1)
5. Jean Robert Bellande - $141,000 (seat 5)
6. Gus Hansen - $54,000 (seat 6)
Saturday, Feb 25, 6:14 pm -- Phil Hellmuth Doubles Through Gus Hansen
Hand 23 - Tony G. has the button in seat 1, Hansen raises to $28,000, and Hellmuth moves all in from the big blind for $142,000. Hansen studies Phil for a minute, and then does some thinking out loud. (But not loud enough to hear from the audience.) He goes through some trademarked Gus Hansen facial expressions, and then finally pushes his chips into the middle.
Hellmuth shows A 6, and Hansen has Q 10. Hellmuth is in the lead, but there's no dominating favorite here.
The flop comes A Q 5, and both players pair their top card. Hellmuth still leads, with a pair of aces.
The turn card is the 4, and Hansen needs a ten or a queen to bust Hellmuth here.
The river card is the 4, and Phil Hellmuth doubles up yet again. His bet is looking better and better.
Saturday, Feb 25, 6:20 pm
Hand 22 - Gus Hansen has the button in seat 6, Hellmuth raises to $30,000 under the gun, winning the blinds and antes.
Hand 21 - Jean Robert Bellande has the button in seat 5, Bellande raises to $20,000, and Tony G calls from the big blind. The flop comes Kd-Jc-3d, Tony G checks, Bellande bets $30,000, and Tony G calls. The turn card is the Qs, Tony G bets $40,000, and Bellande thinks for about two minutes before folding. Tony G takes the pot.
Matusow asks to see Tony G's hand, but Tony says, "You'll have to wait to see it on TV."
Hand 20 - Men Nguyen has the button in seat 4, and everyone folds to Hansen in the big blind, giving him the blinds and antes.
Saturday, Feb 25, 6:15 pm -- Blinds Increase to $5,000-$10,000 ($1,000 Ante)
The blinds increase, but play will continue without a break.
Saturday, Feb 25, 6:14 pm -- Phil Hellmuth Doubles Through Mike Matusow
Hand 19 - Phil Hellmuth has the button in seat 3, Matusow raises to $18,000, and Hellmuth moves all in from the button. Matusow thinks for a minute before calling with 5 4. Hellmuth shows pocket kings (K K), and he's obviously a favorite to double up here.
The flop comes Q 6 2, and Matusow picks up a gut-shot straight draw and a runner-runner flush draw.
The turn card is the 6, and Matusow needs a three on the river to bust Hellmuth. Some people in the crowd are shouting, "Three! Three! Three!"
But the river card is the 8, and Phil Hellmuth's pocket kings hold up to double his chip stack.
Saturday, Feb 25, 6:10 pm
Hand 18 - Mike Matusow has the button in seat 2, Hellmuth limps for $6,000 from the small blind, and Nguyen checks his option. The flop comes As-Qh-6c, Hellmuth checks, Nguyen bets $10,000, and Hellmuth folds. Men Nguyen takes the pot.
Hellmuth says something between hands, and it sounds like he might have earn an extra $40,000 if he wins from this point. I have no idea how much Phil would owe on this side bet if he loses.
Hand 17 - Tony G. has the button in seat 1, Nguyen raises to $18,000, and Hansen moves all in. Nguyen folds, and Hansen takes the pot.
Phil Hellmuth stands up to announce that he's just made a bet with another player (Tony G? Mike Matusow?) that he'll win the tournament. Phil's getting 15-to-1 odds on a $2,000 bet. If Phil loses, he owes $2,000, but if he wins, he collects $30,000. We'll see how it develops.
Saturday, Feb 25, 6:07 pm -- Updated Chip Counts
The following approximate chip counts are announced to the crowd:
1. Mike Matusow - $500,000 (seat 2)
2. Men Nguyen - $300,000 (seat 4)
3. Tony G. - $220,000 (seat 1)
4. Jean Robert Bellande - $200,000 (seat 5)
5. Gus Hansen - $180,000 (seat 6)
6. Phil Hellmuth - $70,000 (seat 3)
Saturday, Feb 25, 6:06 pm -- Mike Matusow Doubles Through Gus Hansen
Hand 16 - Gus Hansen has the button in seat 6, he raises to $20,000, and Matusow says, "All in." The total bet is about $232,000, and Hansen considers the situation for several minutes. There's no real need to Hollywood it here, so he must be seriously considering about calling.
Hansen eventually calls with Ah-Qc, and Matusow shows pocket fives (5h-5s). It's a race situation, and Matusow is covered here.
The flop comes 9h-3h-3c, and Matusow retains the lead with his pocket fives. The turn card is the 9c, and a three on the river will chop the pot, while an ace or a queen will bust Matusow.
The river card is the 6d, and Mike Matusow doubles through the (former) chip leader, Gus Hansen.
Saturday, Feb 25, 6:01 pm -- Men's Straight vs. Hellmuth's Set of Kings
Hand 15 - Jean Robert Bellande has the button in seat 5, Hellmuth raises to $20,000, and Nguyen calls. The flop comes Qs-Js-9h, and both players check. The turn card is the 5d, Hellmuth checks, Nguyen bets $25,000, and Hellmuth calls. The river card is the Kd, Hellmuth checks, Nguyen bets $60,000, and Hellmuth calls. Nguyen shows Q-10 for a flopped straight. Hellmuth shows pocket kings for a set on the river. Men Nguyen wins the pot.
A few of the players are heatedly
commenting on the last hand, with Men's straight beating Phil's kings,
implying that Phil misplayed the hand. At that point, Matusow pipes in
with, "Leave Phil alone, he's my friend!"
Saturday, Feb 25, 5:57 pm
Hand 14 - Men Nguyen has the button in seat 4, Matusow raises to $18,000, Nguyen calls from the button, and Hansen calls from the big blind. Three players see the flop of 9h-6s-2d, Hansen bets $40,000, Matusow folds, and Nguyen folds. Gus Hansen takes yet another pot.
In between hands, Men Nguyen asks Mike, "Hey Mouth, how many Masters are in the room?" Matusow replies, "Well, there's Men the Master. And then there's me, the Master-bator."
Hand 13 - Phil Hellmuth has the button in seat 3, Hansen raises to $17,000 under the gun, and Nguyen calls from the big blind. The flop comes Qs-9s-5c, Nguyen checks, and Hansen checks behind him. The turn card is the Kd, Nguyen checks, Hansen bets $22,000, and Nguyen folds.
Hand 12 - Mike Matusow has the button in seat 2, Hellmuth limps for $6,000, and Nguyen checks his option. The flop comes Ks-Js-Jh, and both players check. The turn card is the Ac, Hellmuth bets $15,000, and Nguyen says, "Nice hand," and folds. Phil Hellmuth takes the pot.
"I've got an idea for a book. It's called 'How To Make a Big Laydown on TV,' by Phil Hellmuth."
Hand 11 - Tony G. has the button in seat 1, Matusow limps for $6,000 from the small blind, Hellmuth raises to $15,000 from the big blind, and Matusow calls. The flop comes 10d-9c-4d, and both players check. The turn card is the Jc, and they check again. The river card is the 2h, Matusow bets $15,000, and Hellmuth calls. Matusow shows 9-x (pair of nines), and Hellmuth shows pocket eights. Mike Matusow takes the pot.
Mike Matusow: "When I grow up I want to be as good as you, Gus."
Gus Hansen: "It's probably not gonna happen, Mike."
Hand 10 - Gus Hansen has the button in seat 6, Hellmuth raises to $20,000 under the gun, and Hansen calls from the button. The flop comes K-10-2 with two spades, Hellmuth checks, Hansen bets $28,000, and Hellmuth folds. Gus Hansen takes the pot.
Hand 9 - Jean Robert Bellande has the button in seat 5, Matusow limps for $6,000 under the gun, Hellmuth limps behind him, and Men Nguyen says, "The first hand you guys are playing, I have to join you." Men limps, Hansen limps from the small blind, and Tony G. checks his option. The flop comes Q 6 5, Hansen bets $18,000, Tony G. folds, Matusow folds, Hellmuth folds, and Nguyen calls. The turn card is the 3, Hansen checks, and Nguyen checks behind him. The river card is the 7, Hansen bets $18,000, and Nguyen folds. Gus Hansen takes the pot.
Hand 8 - Men Nguyen has the button in seat 4, Matusow raises to $18,000, winning the blinds and antes.
Hand 7 - Phil Hellmuth has the button in seat 3, Nguyen limps for $6,000 from the small blind, and Bellande checks his option. The flop comes Jd-10d-2d, Nguyen checks, Bellande bets $12,000, Nguyen raises to $32,000, and Bellande calls. The turn card is the 7d, and both players check. The river card pairs the board with the 2c, and both players check. Nguyen shows Ad-3d -- he flopped the nut flush. Nguyen takes the pot.
Mike Matusow realizes that he hasn't played a hand yet. "The best hand I've looked at so far is 3-8 offsuit."
Hand 6 - Mike Matusow has the button in seat 2, Hansen raises to $17,000, winning the blinds and antes.
Hand 5 - Tony G. has the button in seat 1, Nguyen raises to $19,000, winning the blinds and antes.
Hand 4 - Gus Hansen has the button in seat 6, Tony G. raises from the small blind, winning the blinds and antes.
In between hands, Matusow comments, "Phil, are you gonna ante off all your chips again?" I should point out that Matusow has yet to play a hand either.
Hand 3 - Jean Robert Bellande has the button in seat 5, he raises to $16,000, and Hansen calls from the small blind. The flop comes 10c-10s-3s, and both players check. The turn card is the 6d, and they check again. The river card is the Ks, and they check again. Bellande says, "I've got a queen," and shows Q-8. But Hansen shows the same hand, and they chop the pot.
Hand 2 - Men Nguyen has the button in seat 4, Bellande limps from the small blind, Hansen raises from the big blind, and Bellande folds.
During the first hand, Matusow says, "Phil wants to win this so bad, he offered each of us $100,000 to let him win. But we turned him down. All for a $25,000 seat.
Hand 1 - Phil Hellmuth has the button in seat 3, Nguyen limps for $6,000 from the small blind, Bellande raises to $14,000 from the big blind, and Nguyen calls. The flop comes 6c-5h-2d, Nguyen checks, Bellande bets $20,000, and Nguyen folds. Jean Robert Bellande takes the first pot.
Saturday, Feb 25, 5:28 pm -- Shuffle Up & Deal!
Each player starts out with $250,000 in chips, and the blinds are starting at $3,000-$6,000, with a $1,000 ante. The rounds are 40 minutes long, so this will probably be a fairly quick match.
The players are seated and ready to go, so it's time to shuffle up and deal!
Saturday, Feb 25, 5:24 pm -- Player Introductions
The players are now being introduced to the crowd, to the expected cheers and boos. (Mostly cheers, except for Hellmuth.) Here are the seating assignments:
Seat 1 - Tony G.
Seat 2 - Mike Matusow
Seat 3 - Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Seat 4 - Men "The Master" Nguyen
Seat 5 - Jean Robert Bellande
Seat 6 - Gus Hansen (Defending Champion)
That's right, Mike and Phil are sitting right next to each other. But Phil has the advantage, with position on Matusow.
Saturday, Feb 25, 5:22 pm -- Interesting Audience Reactions
Linda Johnson has been announcing WPT final tables for four seasons, but she's not here tonight. So one of the members of Commerce's tournament staff is taking over. Linda went over his duties last night, but talking and doing are two different things.
He had trouble explaining the situations to the audience so that half would cheer a river suckout while half would moan and groan. Each time, either everyone in the audience cheered, or everyone groaned. I'm not sure how they'll edit that together. Perhaps they'll have to wait for real audience reaction shots?\
Saturday, Feb 25, 5:15 pm -- Taping the TV Opening
"This might be the easiest lineup I've ever faced."
-- Mike Matusow
That's the comment that Mike Matusow made as they finished taping the opening for this episode of the World Poker Tour. It was a basic opening, with WPT Host Courtney Friel surrounded by the six contenders. But it took several takes to get it right, sometimes with audience applause, and sometimes without.
Moments after everyone was reminded to turn off their cell phones, Phil Hellmuth received a call on stage. Matusow said, "Who would be calling you?" Phil studied his phone for the answer, but Courtney was eager to finish the opening. She urged them on by saying, "You guys get the whole show. This is my time."
We are about to tape the audience reaction shots, and then the players will be formally introduced.
Saturday, Feb 25, 4:45 pm -- Expect a Delayed Start
The players have yet to take their seats at the WPT table, but since they are all have TV final table experience, it may not be necessary to go over the usual procedural notes with them. (I think Gus Hansen and Phil Hellmuth are comfortable with hole cams by now.) So there's a chance the players may not take their seats until play is about to begin.
Regardless, I wouldn't expect a start time any earlier than 5:15 pm. And if you're following along at home, it looks like we're the only game in town right now in Media Row.
Saturday, Feb 25, 3:00 pm -- Action Starts at 5:00 pm PST
The World Poker Tour is hosting a special event tonight -- the WPT Bad Boys of Poker. It's a six-player invitational, with everyone playing for a $25,500 seat in the WPT World Championship. But ultimately, this event is about bragging rights and TV time. There's nothing to be gained by finishing fifth or sixth, so everyone will be playing to win.
Here are the players in alphabetical order, so as not to offend any of their egos by ranking them any other way:
Jean Robert Bellande
Tony G.
Gus Hansen
Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Mike Matusow
Men "The Master" Nguyen
Play is scheduled to start at 5:00 pm PST. Return to PokerPages.com for live hand-by-hand coverage of all the action.
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