$10,000 No Limit Hold'em
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| Kevin Saul Wins $1,342,320 | |
It all happened so fast. You know a heads up duel like this could end
with pistols at dawn or on the very next hand, no matter how innocent
the cards may appear. Saul raised the blind to 220k, a bit higher than
some of his earlier pre flop raises, but nothing that you wouldn't
expect from a big stack bullying a small one.
Matusow called and
brought on the flop. T 5
6. Mike checked. Kevin turned a screw. He bet 385k.
And then the snowball became an avalanche.
There was no long
debate. Nor was there any resistance. The time had come. The moment
that for the past two thirteen hour days seemed inevitable had
arrived. Matusow pushed all in and in the same breath Kevin called.
And for both men the world spinned beyond their control.
Matusow
turned over 7 8, for a gut shot
straight draw combined with a flush draw. But like all week, when Saul
needed the cards the cards found him. Queens. Two of them.
Mike
looked calmer and more resigned to destiny than he had looked all day.
Saul stood near his mother with wide open eyes. The turn dropped the
3 .
Matusow crouched forward like a blitzing linebacker
as the card that would announce the decision showed its face. But the
club never came. Neither did the straight. Matusow was left with a
hand that never was. Saul became a millionare.
Kevin Saul went wire to wire this week to win the WPT Bellagio Cup III. His relentlessly aggressive style originates straight from the tables of the internet, but from now on he says he'll be a fixture in live poker. For all the doubt he and others had about the transition, Saul feels vinticated. He leaves the table $1,342,320 in the black.
The calm and friendly attitude Saul displayed all week won over even the most fervent aggressors while his undisputable success solidifies him in a class that includes former WPT champions Shawn Buchanan and Jonathan Little. Even Matusow said that he had never seen one player lead every day of a tournament. The achievement is astounding and the first of many.
An emotional Matusow said he
was devastated by the loss because at this stage in his career money isn't as important as victory. Matusow played nothing short of exceptional this week. His entertaining presence was matched only by a keen ability
to survive, adapt and hunt the poker jungle. He can just as
easily make you laugh as he can swindle you out of all your chips.
Matusow's place among the poker elite is secure. He takes home $671,320.
That's it from the Bellagio for this edition of the World Poker Tour. This is your narrator Brennon Jones putting away the chips. Until next time...
Sunday, 15th of July 2007 11:12 PM
Here comes the money. Kevin Saul and Mike Matusow will go heads up for the 1.3 million cash prize. For those who have followed this tournament, it seemed predestined that these two would end up going at it in the end. It's a battle between a young aggressive internet shark and an experienced, methodical grinder, Take your pick. Both play great, both have earned their spot at this table, and either could take home the championship.
Phil Hellmuth supports his friend Mike Matusow from the front row. Saul is supported directly behind him by his mother.
Sunday, 15th of July 2007 11:08 PM
With A 3, Wong pushed all in and got called by Mike Matusow who threw up K J . Danny had the lead going into the flop.
T 7 5.
The hand was a toss up. Until the turn. A Jack fell. Another Ten came on the river, drowning the shell shocked Wong who stumbled away in disbelief.
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| Danny Wong | |
Wong finishes 3rd and wins $361,480.
Sunday, 15th of July 2007 11:00 PM
The flop came out almost perfect for Danny Wong who held 6 7 in the hole. He landed two pair with 6 7 3 Saul checked and Wong bet 350k. Saul called and the turn brought a J.
Saul led out with a modest 100k bet that Wong jumped all over. He raised it to 600k. Saul did what Saul does best. He shoved with 2.9 million. Wong jumped out of his seat. Before the chips were counted he called and turned over his two pair.
Saul flipped over J 3 for a higher couple along with a flush draw. Wong took the hit as well as anyone could take a sledge hammer to the gut. The river offered no mercy.
Saul doubles up and shoves Wong down.
Sunday, 15th of July 2007 10:47 PM
Danny Wong continues his successful aggressive streak by forcing Matusow out of another pot. Matusow has dropped to third and is in danger of becoming short stacked. Worried stress is prevelant across his stern facade.
Sunday, 15th of July 2007 10:42 PM
The flop showed K T 2. Saul bet 350k. Wong check raised it to 900k total forcing Saul out of the pot.
Sunday, 15th of July 2007 10:32 PM
Play resumes.
Sunday, 15th of July 2007 10:19 PM
Players go on a short break.
Sunday, 15th of July 2007 10:07 PM
Before the flop Mike raised Kevin Saul's 183k bet to 430k. The flop came with J 6 K. Matusow made an aggressive move by putting forward 400k. Saul came over the top and went all in. Matusow immediately folded.
Sunday, 15th of July 2007 09:54 PM
Shane Shleger came over the top of Saul's 175k bet by shoving his 1.5 milliion all in. After a long swim in the tank, Saul made the call and turned over A-J. Shleger turned over A-6 to the crowd's suprise.
The board gave both a pair on the flop. T-J-6, but the turn and river fired blanks. Saul takes it down.
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| Shane Shleger | |
Shleger finishes 4th and takes home $232,490.
Sunday, 15th of July 2007 09:44 PM
Wong takes a small pot off Saul who has restrained his aggressive tendencies.
Sunday, 15th of July 2007 09:41 PM
Play is sluggish. No one wants to be the first to make a major mistake. Lots of folding, few rivers, tiny pots. Blinds will increase in a couple of minutes to 30k/60k.
Sunday, 15th of July 2007 09:29 PM
Kevin Saul takes a pot worth almost a million of Matusow with Kings and Tens.
Sunday, 15th of July 2007 09:22 PM
Shawn Buchanan and Mike Mizrachi are also in the audience.
Sunday, 15th of July 2007 09:19 PM
Matusow puts the pressure on Saul and forces him off a pot.
Sunday, 15th of July 2007 09:09 PM
Phil Hellmuth is here watching the action.
Sunday, 15th of July 2007 09:01 PM
Play continues. The 5k ante and 20k/40k blinds are still low enough for players to pick and choose the hands they play.
Saul holds the lead with over 3 million chips. Matusow is a close second while Shleger and Wong lurk just behind.
Sunday, 15th of July 2007 08:17 PM
Players take a 30 minute break.
Sunday, 15th of July 2007 08:11 PM
Saul takes a small pot from Shleger with pocket fives that turned into a seven high straight.
Sunday, 15th of July 2007 08:03 PM
With four players at the table, none with a dominating lead and none holding a short stack, plays has grinded down into a tightly conservative chess match as each player waits for the next tipping point.
Sunday, 15th of July 2007 07:50 PM
With 8 9 in the hole, Wong called Saul's 125k bet. A monster flop fell for Wong. 8 8 K. Wong checked fast, something he never does. Saul bet 200k and Wong came over the top with 500k.
Saul, not one to respond well to the aggression of others, shoved all in. His jaw hit the floor when he saw Wong's eight. He slowly turned over K Q. The turn dropped a 3. The river secured Wong a million dollar pot with the fourth eight.
Sunday, 15th of July 2007 07:40 PM
The board showed J 5 9 K 4. Wong bet a surprisingly modest 40k that got crunched by Shleger's 180k reraise. Wong went into the tank. Wong looked like he knew he should fold, but his frustrating day got the better of him. He called and lost to Shleger's Jacks and Fours.
Sunday, 15th of July 2007 07:32 PM
The time came for Eric Panayioyou to shove all in with 315k. Saul called with A-K, Eric showed J T. Eric hit a pair on the flop. 9 4 T. The turn fired a 4. The crowd roared when the river washed up an Ace that extends Saul's amazing run.
Eric Panayioyou finishes fifth and takes home $154,920.
Sunday, 15th of July 2007 07:27 PM
On to the next level. 5k ante, 20k/40k blinds.
Sunday, 15th of July 2007 07:26 PM
Saul forces Wong out of a pot. Wong had a glint of frustrated agitation in his eye.
Sunday, 15th of July 2007 07:22 PM
Kevin Saul wins again. This time with a nut straight that took down Shleger's two pair. The pot wins him about 300k more that what he started the hand with.
Sunday, 15th of July 2007 07:15 PM
Shleger bet 280k after the turn only to have Kevin Saul come over the top of him with 280 more. Saul's eyes were huge as he waited for Shleger's decision which came quickly. He folded.
The very next hand he did the same to Wong, coming over the top of a 280k bet with an all in shove that scared Wong from the pot.
Saul is by far the most aggressive player this tournament has seen all week. He reraises more than he folds, defying all odds and convention in the process. Somehow he makes it work. After an initial unease at the beginning of the day, Saul has found his groove. Opponents beware.
Sunday, 15th of July 2007 07:00 PM
After a short break play has resumed. Here are the current chip counts.
Mike Matusow - 3.5 mil
Kevin Saul - 2.4 mil
Shane Shleger - 2.6 mil
Danny Wong - 1.6 mil
Eric Panayioyou - 389k
Sunday, 15th of July 2007 06:33 PM
Shane Shleger moved all in with A K and 1.3 mil chips. After a long swim in the tank Kevin Saul called. He flipped over A Q.
The board offered nothing for either player. 5 7 J 6 7. Shleger doubles up.
Sunday, 15th of July 2007 06:26 PM
After Konstantin Puchkov called from the small blind, Matusow checked from the big with Q-9. The flop came down with 4 Q 6.
Puchkov checked, Matusow put the pressure on with 35k. Puchkov called. The turn was a 3. Matusow continued turning the screws with a 225k bet. After a short deliberation, Puchkov went all in with an additional 198k.
Matusow made the call. Puchkov showed Q-5. The river fired a blank. Matusow took it down.
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| Konstantin Puchkoy | |
Konstantin Puchkov finishes 6th and wins $103,280.
Sunday, 15th of July 2007 06:13 PM
The board showed a straight draw with 9-7-8-T after the turn. Both players checked bringing an Ace out on the River. Shleger checked and Saul made a run at the pot with a 325k bet. Shleger made a brave call and they both turned over a six for the straight. They spilt the pot.
Sunday, 15th of July 2007 06:07 PM
After a 150k bet, Eric Panayioyou gets pushed out by Danny Wong who went all in.
Sunday, 15th of July 2007 06:00 PM
Play is exceptionally tight. The last two pots won were blinds and antes only.
Sunday, 15th of July 2007 05:54 PM
Kevin Saul cuts through Shleger's 420k bluff with a pair of Aces.
Evelyn Ng is in the front row today watching. She busted out earlier in the week after a strong show.
Sunday, 15th of July 2007 05:51 PM
Danny Wong tries bluffing Saul with a 250k bet after the river while holding a failed straight draw. Saul sees through it and wins with a pair of Kings.
Saul is sticking his fingers in almost every pot using the exact style that lead him through the week.
Sunday, 15th of July 2007 05:37 PM
Kevin Saul bet 72k pre flop and got called by Shane Shleger. The flop came down with 7 4 8. Shleger checked, Saul bet 100k then Shleger came over the top with a 700k bet that matched the move from a previous hand.
Saul slid into an introspective nightmare. The decision appeared inevitable. Saul shoved all in. The move back fired on Shleger, but he stayed with the hand and called. Shleger turned over A-T for an Ace high. Saul turned over a straight flush draw with Q T.
Shleger led to the turn, but Saul has had the cards on his side all week and today is no exception. A 4 fell. Saul wins a big one with a flush.
Sunday, 15th of July 2007 05:15 PM
That ends the first level. After two consecutive 13 hour days, the players appear a bit tight, but as the blinds rise and afternoon turns to evening, the action will hit hard.
Sunday, 15th of July 2007 05:02 PM
Steve Buckner, the most entertaining player of the week has arrived to watch. "The Rookie" as he calls himself stirred things up yesterday with a wild style that rubbed a few the wrong way. He, Matusow and Saul developed a strange report that they thought might carry into the final table, but like so many others, Buckner busted. His aggressive confidence is definitely missed and should be a presence in future tournaments.
Sunday, 15th of July 2007 04:53 PM
Kevin Saul gets tangled in a trap set by Shane Shleger. The flop showed J-2-Q. Saul led out with a 121k bet that Shleger called. The turn bisirought an 8. Kevini quickly pushed another 250k forward. Shleger thought about it for a moment then raised it to 700k
Saul looked like he'd been hit in the gut. He went in the tank and studied Shleger, the previous beat fresh on his mind. Finally he called. The river spilled an A. Both checked. Shleger took the pot with a straight.
Sunday, 15th of July 2007 04:40 PM
Danny Wong and Kevin Saul get mixed up in the first major skirmish. Wong called Sauls 77k preflop bet with a pair of Aces in the hole. The flop camee 8 4 7. Danny took a long time shuffling chips, stacking them, restacking them and shuffling them more.
Danny bet 135k Saul called. The turn dropped a T. Another long period of deliberate delay by Danny wong before he bet 225k. Saul said, "I'm all in." Danny called right away and threw up his Aces. Saul showed K-J for the gutshot straight.
Only a Nine could save Saul, but the board shows no mercy to loose calls and punished Saul with a 6. Danny doubles up and Saul takes a bad hit.
As Danny Wong raked in the pot Mike Matusow said, "this ain't the internet, kid!"
Sunday, 15th of July 2007 04:29 PM
Early action is brief and limited, some hard bets, lots of folding. Players are feeling each other out, getting comfortable, trying to find that rhythm before applying their stored up aggression.
Sunday, 15th of July 2007 04:19 PM
Cards are in the air. Here's the final table:
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| Kevin Saul | |
Seat 1: Kevin Saul - 4,210,000
Seat 2:
Eric Panayioyou - 759,000
Seat 3:
Konstantin Puchkov - 1,005,000
Seat 4: Mike Matusow - 1,872,000
Seat 5:
Danny Wong - 1,022,000
Seat 6:
Shane Schleger - 1,838,000
Sunday, 15th of July 2007 04:15 PM
Welcome to Las Vegas for the final table of the Bellagio Cup III. A grueling week of hardcore Word Poker Tour action concludes today after seeing some of poker's elite players pass through its doors. Phil Hellmuth, Phil Ivey, TJ Cloutier, David Sklansky along with former WPT champions Shawn Buchanan and Jonathan Little are just a few of the more than five hundred warriors that the final six devoured on their way toward the $1,342,3320 prize.
Kevin Saul has hogged the spotlight since emassing over 250k on day one. He took the lead and never gave it back. He enters the final table with 4.2 million chips, 400k more than Mike Matusow who is perhaps the fiercest shark in the sea. His accomplished career includes forty-six major event cashes, but no WPT titles.
Shane Shleger sits down with the third most chips after steadily moving forward all week until surging toward the lead yesterday. His calm and steady posture has made him a hard wall to crush.
This is Danny Wong's second WPT final table in as many months. He finished sixth at Mandalay Bay and comes in with a healthy stack and a ravenous ambition determined to take home his first career victory.
Stay tuned for complete coverage of the Bellagio Cup from the first hand to the end when the next WPT champion is crowned.
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