PokerPages.com Poker News - Bellagio Saturday $1K Poker Tournament 11/3/07


Bellagio $1K Poker Tournament Saturday, Nov. 3rd Saturday, 03rd of November 2007 11:42 AM If you were lucky, you could make it through the sea of people spilling out of the Bellagio sportsbook and into the poker room, where the second of their weekly $1,000 + $80 no limit tournaments was taking place. The Notre Dame fans were already cussing and drowning their sorrows at the Starting Gate bar, outside of the sportsbook, after the Irish fell to 1-8. Arizona State fans were looking for something to cheer about as the Ducks gave them their first loss. And those with money on the LSU game were just going nuts. Their was a nonstop barrage of cheers attacking the poker room all evening. Just one more thing that the 56 entrants in the $1080 tournament would have to deal with in order to take home the $24,445 given to the winner. Former WPT champ Joe Tehan was hoping to repeat his performance from Friday, where Tehan beat out 58 others to win the first of the two weekly $1080's put on by the Bellagio. Tehan took home $19,765 for that win, but would merely donate his $1080 as he was gone before the first break. Anna Wroblewski suffered the same fate as she was done before the blinds kicked in. Thanks to some aggressive short stack play, Tommy Vu was able to outlast Tehan and Wroblewski and actually take his first break before he too would bust early. The infamous Brandi Hawbaker was able to make good run, but come up short with a 12th place finish. As the money bubble approached, the remaining six players ponied up another $200 each to create a 6th place prize of $1,000. Tommy Beltz was very appreciative of that prize as the pride of Akron, OH would finish on the bubble. Bellagio dealer and unanimous fan favorite Shirly Shao would not be quitting her day job anytime soon, but she doesn't go home empty handed. After having her A K falling to a rivered wheel a few hands prior, Shao would again pick up big slick. The flop came K 9 A and Shao felt fine checking her top two pair to Clint Russell. Russell would take the free card and get all his money in after the 9 hit on the turn. Shao would call and be crushed to see Russell's 9 8. Shao would take home $2,715 for her 5th place finish. London's own Stanley Blaby survived survived quite a few all ins at the final table. Not long after his A 7 hit a nine high straight to crack Russell's K K, Blaby's luck would run out. Elie Said had raised from the button, enough so that when Blaby came over the top from the SB, Said was priced to call. Said turned over K 6 to Blaby's A J. The flop came 6 4 2. The turn and river came K K and Blaby was heading back across the pond with $5,430 for 4th place. James Dowdy was now quite the short stack and made a move with K J. Russell was able to call with J J putting Dowdy in bad shape. After the flop came jack high, Dowdy was gathering his things and headed towards the payouts. The Pasadena, CA native was able to earn $8,150 for his work today. Said was campaigning for a chop, but Russell liked his 3-2 chip lead and wanted to shuffle up and deal. Heads up play would last long as only a few minutes in, all the money was in the middle. Said had raised preflop and had a flop of 10 9 J checked to him by Russell. Said pushed his 70,000 in the middle and was soon called by the A J of Russell. Said would be looking for a queen. The turn fell 3 and the river was the A. Clint Russell of Los Angeles takes home the trophy and $24,445 for his win. Elie Said received $13,580 for his runner-up performance. Bellagio tournaments are held daily at 2 pm. Play Sunday - Thursday tournaments for the $540 buy-in. Friday and Saturday tournaments are priced at $1080.

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