2008 NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship from Caesars Palace - Day 3
Sunday, 02nd of March 2008 10:01 PM
For three days, the 2008 NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship took over the Caesars Palace poker room. The best players in the world were looking to take home the $500,000 first-place prize and a poker legend was hoping that for him, the third time is a charm.
In early Day 3 action, Orel Hershiser's run finally came to an end at the hands of Andy Bloch. The LA Dodger great ousted 2006 NHPC winner Ted Forrest in the opening round and Allen Cunningham in the round of 32, before Bloch donned a rival San Francisco Giants jersey and sent him packing.
High stakes regular David Benyamine had his hands full with 1996 Main Event winner Huck Seed. Benyamine's overpair was trumped by Huck's ducks, as Seed was able to turn deuces full to advance.
Rising star Jonathan Little was looking for a deep run in his NHPC debut, but would have his dreams shattered by Chris "Jesus" Ferguson. Little had the 2000 Main Event Champ against the ropes, but couldn't
finish him off. Jesus would hang around, eventually picking up back-to-back pocket nines. The first pair grabbed him the chip lead, while the second pair eliminated Little.
In a battle of FullTilt superstars, Phil Ivey and Gus Hansen locked horns on the feature table. Ivey would grab the chip lead early and close the door on "the Great Dane" when his K Q caught three more hearts on the flop. Hansen shipped the rest of his chips to the 2008 LA Poker Classic champ, taking a $125,000 consolation prize.
Two more from the FullTilt stable met in the Hearts/Diamonds half of the final four. Huck Seed and Andy Bloch traded small chip leads for most of the match. At an hour and a half, the two shared the longest match of the tournament. The two eventually squared off in a race, Seed's red nines against Bloch's A-Q. Seed was able to hold through 4th street, but the river A meant his stay at the NHPC was over and Bloch would earn his seat at the final table.
Ivey was looking to continue his hot streak at the expense of Ferguson. The final four's feature table saw Ivey all in and at risk on a 3-4-9-5 board. After tanking, Ferguson would make the call, tabling pocket eights. Ivey and his pocket sixes would need help. The river was the Q and Jesus will be seated at his third final table in the NHPC's four year history.
So two cowboy-hat-wearing math geniuses would square off for the top prize in a best two out of three series. Bloch would overcome an early deficit to take the first match of the series. Holding 9-10 after an A-9-9 flop, Bloch would get action and eventually break Jesus, who tabled big slick.
The second match belonged to the man in the trench coat. Jesus picked up JJ to take a big lead, then evened up the match when his QQ improved to quads.
In the final battle, Jesus would slowly chip up before the big hand hit. With 10 3 7 7 on the board, Jesus reraised Bloch with his whole stack. After pressure from all those in attendence, Bloch decided he would come out of his tank with the help of a coin flip. It was heads, which meant a call. Bloch tabled 10 4 , for a pair and a flush draw. He trailed the black jacks of Jesus. The river fell the 7 and Chris "Jesus" Ferguson has won the 2008 NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
| The Winning Hand | |
Payouts:
Champion -- $500,000 -- Chris Ferguson
Runner-up -- $250,000 -- Andy Bloch
3rd & 4th -- $125,000 -- Huck Seed & Phil Ivey
5th - 8th -- $75,000 -- Orel Hershiser, David Benyamine, Jonathan Little and Gus hansen
9th - 16th -- $25,000 -- Scott Fischman, Freddy Deeb, Mike Mizrachi, Doyle Brunson, JC Tran, Phil Laak, Mike Matusow and Greg Raymer
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
| Chris "Jesus" Ferguson - 2008 NHPC Champ | |
Sunday, 02nd of March 2008 09:44 PM
Ferguson makes it 25K from the button. Bloch calls.
Flop comes 10 3 7
Bloch check-raises Jesus to 105K. Jesus calls.
7 on the turn.
Bloch leads out for 150K. Jesus pauses, before moving all in.
A crowd encloses on the table.
Bloch tanks so long that the crowd becomes verbally impatient. He decides to flip a coin; heads he calls, tails he folds.
Coin comes heads. Bloch is all in.
Ferguson shows J J. Bloch shows 10 4.
7 on the river.
Chris "Jesus" Ferguson has captured the 2008 NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship title.
Sunday, 02nd of March 2008 09:28 PM
A couple small pots have given Jesus the early lead. In the first showdown of the match, both players tabled ace high, but Jesus' 9 kicker was good. Jesus followed that up by tabling ducks after a check-check river.
Sunday, 02nd of March 2008 09:14 PM
The dealer has been given the signal. Play has begun in the final match. Last man standing will take home the half-million cash and the 2008 NHPC trophy.
Sunday, 02nd of March 2008 08:58 PM
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
| Chris "Jesus" Ferguson | |
With Bloch short, Jesus pushes in enough chips to put him all in. Bloch makes the call with K 3 , in bad shape after Jesus laid Q Q after the table. The Q in the window all but closed the door. The Q on the turn nailed that door shut.
We are now even at 1-1.
Players will be on a short break before the deciding third match.
Sunday, 02nd of March 2008 08:54 PM
Ferguson was all in with J J after the 10 5 4 flop. Bloch made the call with 6 7. The turn 6 added some outs, but the 9 meant Bloch didn't get there. Ferguson has doubled up to take a big lead.
Sunday, 02nd of March 2008 08:49 PM
Blinds: 20K-40K
Sunday, 02nd of March 2008 08:44 PM
Jesus was all in, his hopes riding on Q J. Bloch was hoping his 3 3 would hold for the title. The board came 6 Q 5 7 7 and Jesus would double up, extending the match.
Bloch managed to maintain a slight chip lead.
Sunday, 02nd of March 2008 08:37 PM
Andy Bloch now has a sizable lead. Right after scooping a decent pot with two pair, Bloch put re-raised all in after a flop of Q 4 J. Jesus went into the tank for five minutes, bringing those in attendence to their feet, but he couldn't make the call.
Bloch holds a 870K - 410K lead.
Now at a new level of 15K-30K blinds.
Sunday, 02nd of March 2008 08:29 PM
Nobody has sweated the tables more than Orel Hershiser. If he wasn't at the tables, he was sweating one or two. Throughout the championship match, Hershiser has had a better look than most of the NBC cameras. I'm not sure if he's sat down in hours.
Sunday, 02nd of March 2008 08:17 PM
The blinds just jumped to 10K-20K. Hopefully that'll stir up some action.
Ferguson now holds onto the chip lead.
Sunday, 02nd of March 2008 08:06 PM
Bloch and Jesus are trading small pots, each time trading the chip lead. As of right now, Bloch is slightly ahead.
Sunday, 02nd of March 2008 07:49 PM
Another quiet start. The MC sarcastically noted the amount of trash talking and need for security. Still a bunch of checks and folds, no action.
Sunday, 02nd of March 2008 07:40 PM
Play has resumed.
Sunday, 02nd of March 2008 07:21 PM
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
| Andy Bloch | |
A 9 9 on the board and Jesus had the rest of his chips in the middle. He held A K, but Bloch's 9 10 had found trips on the flop. The turn J and a river 6 meant Andy Bloch would take a 1-0 lead in the match.
There will be a ten minute break before the second battle. Ferguson needs this next one to avoid his third runner-up finish.
Sunday, 02nd of March 2008 07:07 PM
We had our first real pot of the night. With over 300K in the pot and A J 8 5 on the board, Jesus bet enough to put Bloch all in. Bloch would make the call with Q 2 for the flush. Ferguson showed a set of eights. Jesus was looking to pair the board on 5th street, but the Q fell, giving the hand to Bloch.
It appears that Bloch has a slight lead in this, the first game in the best of three. Still waiting to hear a chip count.
Blinds are now 15K-30K.
Sunday, 02nd of March 2008 06:56 PM
Two quiet players have led to a very quiet final table. Ferguson has stealthily chipped up to what looks like almost a 2-1 chip lead.
The man with the microphone has returned, so hopefully he'll help us catch some more of the action.
Sunday, 02nd of March 2008 06:30 PM
Cards are being dealt at the final table. Both players entered the room to cheers (Ferguson seems to have the bigger cheering section).
Each player sits down with 640,000 in chips. Blinds start at 5K-10K.
Sunday, 02nd of March 2008 05:50 PM
NBC is re-arranging the seating. No word yet on how soon they'll start up. I'll keep you posted.
Sunday, 02nd of March 2008 05:30 PM
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
| Huck Seed - Busted | |
Bloch was able to chip up to grab the lead. He then moved all in from the button with A Q. Seed looked down at 9 9 and made the call. The flop was six high and Seed looked poised to double through. The 6 on the turn meant Bloch was down to an A or Q on the river.
A on the river.
Bloch will face Ferguson in a battle of cowboy hats for the Heads-Up title and the $500,000 prize.
Sunday, 02nd of March 2008 04:55 PM
Seed and Bloch find themselves neck and neck. They just chopped a pot and hold onto even stacks.
Sunday, 02nd of March 2008 04:41 PM
With a board of 3-4-9-5, Ferguson put 100K into a pot that already totalled over 160K. Phil Ivey would move over the top and Jesus went into the tank. Five minutes later, out of the tank he came with the call and 88. He was out front, but Ivey held 66, adding and open end draw to his two-outer. It seemed as if everyone in the audience expected an Ivey miracle, but it didn't happen. Chris Ferguson has dispatched of the new LAPC champ, earning himself a spot in the NHPC finals for the third time in the tourney's four year history.
Sunday, 02nd of March 2008 04:24 PM
Huck seed has taken the chip lead in his match with Bloch. A river bet of 115K was too much for Bloch and Seed took down a pot of well over 100K.
On the feature table, Ivey and Feguson each turned over AQ on 5th street to chop a pot.
Sunday, 02nd of March 2008 04:17 PM
Ferguson picked up trip sevens to drag a 130K pot and the chip lead from Ivey.
Sunday, 02nd of March 2008 04:15 PM
Cards are in the air. Stacks are 320K with 1,500-3,000 blinds.
Sunday, 02nd of March 2008 02:27 PM
The final four is set. This quartet of players has combined for more than $20 million dollars in career tournament winnings, along with 14 WSOP bracelets, including two Main Event titles.
Here's who will face off later this afternoon:
Andy Bloch vs. Huck Seed
Chris "Jesus" Ferguson vs. Phil Ivey
Guaranteed paydays have reached $125K. Runner-up is good for $250K, while $500K will go to the champ.
Play is scheduled to resume at 4 p.m. PST.
Sunday, 02nd of March 2008 02:18 PM
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
| Phil Ivey | |
After the flop of 9 3 6, big stack Ivey got Hansen to commit the rest of his money to the pot. Ivey held K Q, flopping the second nuts. Hansen held 3 10 and would be looking for two perfect cards. Those runners didn't materialize and the Ivey train rolls on into the semis.
Sunday, 02nd of March 2008 02:06 PM
Ferguson made it 16K to go from the button, Little would move all in. Ferguson, with the chip lead and another pair of pocket nines, made the call. The 3 J 2 5 4 spelled the end of Little's NHPC run. He will grab his $75K from the payouts desk and Jesus will prepare himself to meet the winner of the Ivey/Hansen match in the semifinals.
Sunday, 02nd of March 2008 01:54 PM
Jesus got the rest of his chips in the middle before the flop, his 9 9 out in front of Little's 4 4. Jesus flopped a set of nines for good measure. That double up was enough for Ferguson to steal the chip lead.
Sunday, 02nd of March 2008 01:44 PM
Ferguson closed the gap a little more, picking up a 50K pot right as time in the level expired. New blinds are 2K-4K.
Sunday, 02nd of March 2008 01:38 PM
Jesus called the all in of Little, but he was the one at risk. His life rested on A 3. Little was hoping his 8 9 would send him to the final four. The board ran K-Q-10-3-10 and Jesus lives. He still trails 220K-100K in chips.
Sunday, 02nd of March 2008 01:33 PM
Blinds now at 1,500-3,000.
Ivey has grabbed the chip lead from Gus Hansen on the feature table.
Little has taken another nice pot from Jesus. His chip lead is now about 270K-50K.
Sunday, 02nd of March 2008 01:27 PM
Little has opened up a 220K-100K lead over Jesus.
Sunday, 02nd of March 2008 01:14 PM
Intros are done and cards are being dealt.
Blinds will start again at 1K-2K with 160K stacks.
Sunday, 02nd of March 2008 01:08 PM
The four FullTilt pros are about ready to square off. Expect action to resume within minutes.
Sunday, 02nd of March 2008 12:57 PM
So with Hershiser and Benyamine hitting the rail, we will see Hearts bracket winner Andy Bloch meet Huck Seed, who emerged from the Diamonds side.
Next up is the Clubs and Spades matchups.
Clubs
Jonathan Little vs. Chris "Jesus" Ferguson
Spades
Gus Hansen vs. Phil Ivey
They haven't announced the start time of the next round, but I'd assume we'll start in about a half an hour, or so.
Sunday, 02nd of March 2008 12:38 PM
Andy pushed all in preflop and was called by Orel. Andy's A 9 was out in front of Orel's J 10. After the dealer threw out the 9 6 7 6 2 board, Orel was done and Bloch will represent the Hearts bracket in the final four.
Sunday, 02nd of March 2008 12:34 PM
Orel had a look of frustration on his face, which prompted the MC to inform the audience that "Orel has no help in the bullpen." Orel askes him if he writes his own stuff, to which the MC only nodded. That joke earned him some knucks from the Cy Young winner.
Sunday, 02nd of March 2008 12:27 PM
Orel seems to be getting a cold deck. A series of folds has given Bloch a slight chip lead.
Sunday, 02nd of March 2008 12:19 PM
Hershiser now has a 205K - 115K chip lead. Blinds are 5K-10K.
Sunday, 02nd of March 2008 12:10 PM
Orel Hershiser puts the rest of his money in the pot and after a bit of debating, Bloch made the call with Q-J. Orel's A 5 was out front. As the dealer spread the flop, a Q appeared, but the last flop card to be exposed was the A. The turn and river brought running sixes and Orel would hold on to double up and grab the lead in the match.
Sunday, 02nd of March 2008 11:59 AM
The quiet has ended and so has David Benyamine's title hopes.
On a board of 2-3-7-3-5, Benyamine pushed all in and was called by Huck Seed, who had the French pro covered. Benyamine tabled 9-9 and Seed tabled the bad news... 2-2. Seeds twos full of threes have earned him a seat in the final four. Benyamine will leave Caesars with a $75,000 payday, but no hardware.
Sunday, 02nd of March 2008 11:47 AM
Andy Bloch was able to take a couple decent pots to establish a 220K - 100K chip lead over Hershiser, but Orel has since managed to close the gap with a couple pots and narrow the lead.
The Seed/Benyamine match has been chatty, with stacks about even.
Sunday, 02nd of March 2008 11:13 AM
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
| LA Dodger with SF Giants fan | |
After a couple takes for the player introductions, we're ready to roll.
Leann slipped up on the first take, introducing Hershiser as the 1998 World Series MVP. Orel took home the award in 1988, but wasn't offended that the hostess helped him appear younger.
Orel was also treated to a surprise by opponent Andy Bloch. The poker pro removed his overshirt to reveal a San Francisco Giants jersey, which got a laugh out of the crowd and the LA Dodger great.
Sunday, 02nd of March 2008 11:04 AM
The NBC crew has instructed all those in attendance to take their seats as they are about to begin the final day of NHPC play. First up is the final four in the red half of the bracket.
Hearts
Andy Bloch vs. Orel Hershiser
Diamonds
Huck Seed vs. David Benyamine
Winners of this match will advance to the NHPC final four, pocketing an extra $50K prize money in the process ($75K to $125K).
Blinds will start at 1K-2K, again with 15 minute levels. Players begin with 160K stacks. Very rarely do they announce blind, or level changes and they do not have any visable tournament info. I will fill in the best I can.
Cards will be dealt momentarily
Sunday, 02nd of March 2008 10:00 AM
After two days of play at the 2008 NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship (NHPC) we are down to just eight.
The
32 remaining players made their way to Caesars Palace Saturday for Day 2, each with
hopes of hoisting the NHPC trophy and pocketing the $500,000
first-place prize. Winners of the opening match were in the money, while those still alive at the end of play were guaranteed $75,000.
MLB
legend Orel Hershiser continued to steamroll through the Hearts
bracket. After bouncing 2006 Heads-Up champ Ted Forrest in Day 1, the
man who Tommy Lasorda called the Bulldog established early chip leads
en route to defeating both Allen Cunningham and Freddy Deeb. Hershiser
will face Andy Bloch in the quarterfinals. Bloch made short work of
both Vanessa Rousso and Scott Fischman.
Only David Benyamine and
Huck Seed remain in the Diamonds bracket. Benyamine was able to take
care of "big game" regulars Barry Greenstein and Doyle Brunson for his
seat in the elite eight. Huck Seed plowed through Brian "SBRugby"
Townsend and Michael "the Grinder" Mizrachi.
Jonathan Little and
Chris Ferguson will play to see who will represent the Clubs bracket in
the final four. After outlasting Gabe Kaplan, Little picked up aces to
take care of Greg Raymer to reach the semis. Two-time NHPC runner up
Chris "Jesus" Ferguson is alive and looking for his first win. To get
to this match with Little, Jesus had to first fend off a couple of the
loudest around, Gavin Smith and Mike Matusow.
In the Spades
bracket, Phil Ivey continues his hot streak. Just days removed from
his first WPT win at the LAPC, he would shed Johnny Chan before
catching up to JC Tran in a AK vs. QQ battle. Ivey will face Gus
Hansen Sunday. Hansen got the best of Scotty Nguyen in a race before
schooling Phil Laak on the feature table.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
| Orel and Leann | |
Here again are the matchups:
Hearts
Andy Bloch vs. Orel Hershiser
Diamonds
Huck Seed vs. David Benyamine
Clubs
Jonathan Little vs. Chris "Jesus" Ferguson
Spades
Gus Hansen vs. Phil Ivey
Players
are guaranteed no less than $75,000 for thier weekend worth of work.
Those in the final four will get a raise to $125,000. The runner-up
will get $250,000, just half the winner's share.
Play resumes Sunday at 11 a.m. PST.
|
