Soheil Shamseddin - chip leader

Final table action will begin at 4pm central time Saturday. These are the final six players with their chip counts and seat assignments:

Here's what they're playing for:

*Plus a $25,500 seat in the Season 7 WPT Championship.

	Vanessa Rousso - 7th place

Soheil opened for 100k and Vanessa moved her chips all-in. Soheil made the call, showing pocket Tens. Vanessa held AK and it was race-time. The board came T 9 3 9 9 and Soheil took the pot with an overly-full-house.

Vanessa Rousso finished in 7th place, earning $79,117.

Vanessa is today's TV-table bubble-gal (the second time she's earned this honor). With her elimination, play has concluded for the day. Chip counts for the final six will be posted shortly.

	Tony Cousineau - 8th place

Tony shoved for 393k up front and it folded around to Tyler in the big blind, who made the call. Tony held A K and was racing against Tyler's pocket 9s. The board came J 8 4 3 9 and Tyler took the pot with a set of 9s.

Tony Cousineau finished in 8th place, earning $52,745.

	Jeff Coutroulis - 9th place

Soheil opened for 100k early, then Bobby Suer decided it was time to make his move. He shoved for 220k from the cutoff. Tyler called from the small blind and Soheil tossed in the extra 120k. The flop was K Q 6. Soheil and Tyler checked and the turn was the 9. Tyler fired 200k and Soheil opted out. Tyler showed pocket Aces, but Bobby rolled over pocket Queens for the set and the triple up to about 700k.

Jeff shoved and Tyler shoved over the top. Everyone else dove for cover. Jeff turned up A4 suited and was in bad shape against Tyler's AQ suited. The board came T 5 3 A A and Tyler's kicker played.

Jeff Coutroulis finished in 9th place, earning $31,647.

Level 19: Blinds 15k/30k with 4k antes. Play has resumed. Here are some rough chip counts as of the break:

Allen opened for 65k in the middle and got his ticket punched for 165k total by Jeff in the small blind.  Allen called and the flop came 6 5 2.  Jeff led for 220k and Allen moved in for ~676k total.  Jeff called, showing pocket 9s for the overpair.  Allen held pocket 5s for middle set and the lead.  The last two cards were running 9s and Allen improved to a full house, doubling up to ~1.7 million.  Jeff was left with ~260k.

Level 18 has come to a close. The remaining nine players are taking ten away from the felt.

They have entered the 'raise and take it' portion of the program. Most pots are taken down by a single pre-flop raise.

After Jeff limped on the button, Bobby made it 76k from the small blind. Jeff called the raise and the flop came 7 6 5 rainbow. Both guys checked. The turn was a King and Bobby bet 100k. Jeff kicked it up to a quarter-million smooth. Bobby folded and Jeff pulled the pot.

Hilbert made it 80k to go from the middle and Allen made the call from the small blind. On the flop of 9h7c3c, Allen led out for 85k. Hilbert moved all-in and Allen let it go. Hilbert showed pocket Aces.

	Gary Reed - 10th place

Vanessa open-shoved from the middle for 223k and Tyler looked her up with pocket 6s. Vanessa held pocket Tens and was way ahead. The board came K J 9 K K and Vanessa doubled up to ~510k while Tyler dropped down to ~850k.

Allen opened for 62k and Gary shoved from the button for 108k total. Soheil (sb) then raised to 300k to isolate and Allen got out of the way. Gary's pocket 4s were coin-flipping against Soheil's AQ offsuit. A Queen hit the flop and Gary got no repreive. The big stack keeps getting bigger -- about 3 million now.

Gary Reed finished in 10th place, earning $26,372.

Level 18: Blinds 12k/24k with 3k antes. Play has resumed. Here are some rough chip counts courtesy of the WPT:

Hilbert raised to 50k from the middle. Both blinds came along to see the flop of A A 6 rainbow. The blinds checked to Hilbert, who bet 60k. Tyler (sb) called and Allen (bb) folded. The turn was an 8 putting two diamonds on the board. Tyler made what appeared to be a defensive bet of 40k and Hilbert just called. River was the K making a flush possible. Tyler bet 200k and HIlbert folded.

Level 17 ended and players were sent on a ten minute break.

HIlbert raised to 80k and got the call from Tyler. Flop came K Q T -- all spades. HIlbert fired 100k and Tyler called. Turn was an offsuit Jack and both checked. River was another Ten and Hilbert launched a 200k salvo. Tyler let it go and Hilbert picked up the pot.

Tyler opened for 52k from the middle and Allen called. Flop was K T 2 and both players checked. Turn was the 5 and Tyler bet 80k. Allen called to see the river, which was the A. Both checked and Tyler showed QJ offsuit for the Broadway straight. Allen mucked and Tyler took the pot.

Battle of the blinds: Hilbert made it 70k to go from the small and Jeff called from the big. Both checked the Q T 2 rainbow flop. Turn was the 8 and Hilbert moved out 100k in chips. Jeff then kicked it up to 300k straight. Hilbert surrendered and Jeff earned himself a pot.

Level 17 (continued): Blinds 10k/20k with 3k antes. Play has resumed.

The players seem pretty subdued following the dinner break. Four more must go to reach the final table and the end of play today.

Here are some rough chip counts as of the dinner break:

Dinner break has been declared. Play will resume at 8:30pm.

	Soheil Shamseddin - chip leader

The pace of play has slowed considerably now that they are all seated around a single table. Soheil is using his big stack to bully the table and playing almost every hand. For example:

Tyler Smith raised to 52k from the middle and Soheil called from the small blind. Chuck came along from the big blind and the flop was 5 2 2. After a few moments, Soheil led out for 100k. Chuck folded and Tyler kicked it on up another 165k. After a bit of thought Soheil said "300" and put out 300k in chips. They told him he has to raise the minimum, which would be to 330k, so he put out the extra chips. Tyler considered it for a few seconds, then surrendered his hand (he later said it was A Q). Soheil showed AT offsuit as he collected his chips.

Soheil opened for 60k from the middle, then Hilbert called and Tyler came along from the big blind. All three checked the 6 3 2 flop. Turn was the 9 and Tyler fired 60k. Soheil got out of the pot and Hilbert made the call. River was the 8. Tyler bet 100k and Hilbert called. Tyler showed pocket 9s for top set and Hilbert mucked his hand.

A few hands later, Hilbert opened for 70k up front and Tyler called around back. The flop came A 7 6 and both checked. Turn was the K and Hilbert checked. Tyler bet 40k, which Hilbert called. River was the T. Hilbert checked, Tyler bet 80k, and Hilbert let it go. Tyler added more of Hilbert's chips to his stack.

Level 17: Blinds 10k/20k with 3k antes. Play has resumed. Here are the final ten with their new seat assignments and approximate chip counts, courtesy of the WPT:

	Jena Delk - 11th place

Action folded to Jena Delk on the button, who put in a raise. Then Tony Cousineau (bb) raised enough to cover Jena's remaining chips. She called all-in, showing A 3. Tony held pocket 8s and the lead. Jena would need help to survive and she got some as the flop came A 9 9 giving her the lead. The turn was the 6 and changed nothing, but the river brought Tony a 2-outer: the 8 which gave Tony the full house and the pot.

Jena Delk finished in 11th place, earning $26,372.

With ten players remaining and the end of level 16, they are taking a ten minute break, then will be drawing seats and moving to a single table.

	Toby Tatum - 12th place

Battle of the blinds: Tyler Smith raised from the small to put Toby Tatum all-in. Toby obliged by moving his chips into the pot, showing AK suited. Tyler held 42 off (no, that is not a typo). The board came Q T 2 4 5 and Tyler caught two pair to take the pot, busting Toby.

Toby Tatum finished in 12th place, earning $26,372.

Tyler opened for 42k utg, Jeff Coutroulis called from the cutoff, then Gary Reed moved in for 78k from the button. Tyler called but Jeff opted out. Gary showed AT off and he was ahead of Tyler's A9 off. The board came T 7 5 3 Q and Gary doubled up to ~320k.

	Justin Phillips - 13th place

On the turn with the board showing 9 5 5 6, Justin Phillips moved in and Hilbert Shirey made the call. Justin held pocket Aces for Aces-up. HIlbert showed J5 off for trips and the lead. River was the 2 and Hilbert doubled up to ~1.1 million, leaving Justin with just 65k.

After all folded to him, Justin moved in from the button for his last 62k. Soheil Shamseddin, chip leader in the big blind, made the call showing 98 off. Justin was ahead with A4 off, but the board came Q 8 2 4 Q and Soheil paired his 8 to take the pot.

Justin Phillips finished in 13th place, earning $21,098.

	Hevad Khan - 14th place

Hilbert Shirey (cutoff) raised and Soheil Shamseddin called (button). The flop came A T 5 and Hilbert launched 45k into the pot. Soheil called and the turn brought the 5. Hilbert checked, Soheil bet 80k, and Hilbert called. River was the 2 and Soheil bet 150k. Hilbert check-called the bet, only to see Soheil's 7 5 for trip 5s. Hilbert mucked and Soheil chipped up to ~2 million chips.

Hevad Khan open-shoved from the cutoff for 156k. Jeff Coutroulis, in the small blind, made the call with AT off. Hevad held Q 7 and needed help. The board came 9 5 2 A T and Jeff took the pot with Aces up.

Hevad 'Rain' Khan finished in 14th place, earning $21,098.

In a battle of the blinds, Gary Reed shoved for ~70k from the small and Bobby Suer thought about it for a bit, then called the extra 54k from the big. Gary showed J7 suited -- and he was ahead of Bobby's J3 off (?????). The board came A Q 7 Q 4 and Gary doubled up. Bobby was left with ~780k.

In another battle of the blinds, action folded to Allen Carter who made it 42k from the small. Justin Phillips moved in from the big for 296k. Allen called, showing A8. Justin had him squashed with AQ. A Queen hit the flop and Allen couldn't pull out a win. Justin doubled up to ~600k and Allen dropped down to about 1 million, surrendering the chip lead to Soheil Shamseddin.

	Mohsin Charania - 15th place

Mohsin Charania opened for 43k from the middle. Justin Phillips (button) thought about it for a bit, then called. Soheil Shamseddin (bb) also called the raise. The flop came A 9 2 and Sohiel checked. Mohsin fired 75k, Justin opted out, then Soheil moved in. Mohsin called all-in showing A9 off for two pair, but Soheil showed pocket deuces for bottomset and the lead. Mohsin was drawing slim. The last two cards came 8 7 and Soheil took another pot. He's now sitting on about 1.4 million chips and very close to the chip leader.

Mohsin Charania finished in 15th place, earning $21,098.

Toby Tatum open-shoved for 84k up front and Vanessa Rousso made the call from the button.  Toby had AQ off (again) and was racing Vanessa's pocket 6s.  He fared better this time as the board came 9 8 4 A 8 and Toby doubled up.  Vanessa was left with ~300k.

	Lamberto Flores - 16th place

Toby Tatum opened for 40k and it folded around to Vanessa Rousso on the button. She asked what he had left (he had her covered) then she moved all-in (154k total). Toby tanked for a while, then made the call with AQ off. Vanessa rolled over pocket Aces which were way ahead. The board changed nothing and Vanessa doubled to almost 360k. Toby was left with ~50k.

On the other table, Soheil Shamseddin opened for 50k and Lamberto Flores moved in for 167k straight. Soheil called the extra 117k showing A 9. Lamberto's pocket 9s were out in from. "Hold!" he said. The dealer spread the flop: 8 5 3. "Hold!" Lamberto called again. Turn was the 6 -- so far, so good. "HOLD!" he called again. But alas, the river was the A giving Soheil the bigger pair and the pot. Soheil chipped up to ~860k with that hand.

Lamberto Flores finished in 16th place, earning $15,823.

Level 16: Blinds 8k/16k with 2k antes. Play has resumed. Here are the current chip estimates, courtesy of the WPT:

Hilbert Shirey opened for 42k and Soheil Shamseddin made the call. On the 7 3 2 flop, Hilbert checked, Soheil fired 40k, then Hilbert shoved for 388k. Soheil called quickly with pocket deuces for bottom set. Hilbert held pocket Jacks for the overpair. He was drawing slim to one of two remaining Jacks or running clubs. The turn was....a Jack! Hilbert made a bigger set to take the lead. Only the quad duck would bust Hilbert now. The river was an Ace and Hilbert doubled up to ~880k, leaving Soheil with ~500k.

End of level 15 and players are taking a ten minute break.

	Dell Harville, Jr. - 17th place

Dell Harville opened for 36k on the button and then Tony Cousineau (sb) kicked it on up to 115k. Dell shoved and Tony snap-called, showing pocket Kings. Dell held pocket Queens and was way behind. The board came K 7 4 T 7 and Tony doubled up to ~550k. Dell was left with ~130k.

Dell moved his last 120k in with A9, only to run into the pocket Queens of Hilbert Shirey. The board brought no help as it came 8 8 2 7 9 and Dell was done.

Dell Harville, Jr. finished in 17th place, earning $15,823.

	Florian Langmann - 18th place

Jeff Coutroulis opened for 31k and Gary Reed moved in for 93k from the cutoff. Jeff called, showing AT, which was badly dominated by Gary's AK. The board came K Q 7 K 9 and Gary doubled up.

Soheil Shamseddin opened for 40k and Florian Langmann moved in from the cutoff. Soheil called showing pocket Queens, which had Florian's pocket Tens crushed. The board came A 5 4 K A and Soheil took the pot, chipping up to ~950k.

Florian Langmann finished in 18th place, earning $15,823.

	Yair Alon - 19th place

On a T 7 2 rainbow flop, Tony Cousineau moved all in from the big blind. Bobby Suer tanks, then eventually calls, showing A7 for middle pair. Tony rolled over T8 suited for top pair and the lead. The last two cards came K J and Tony doubled up to almost 300k.

Soheil Shamseddin opened for 35k utg and everyone mucked to Yair Alon in the small blind. Yair moved in for 98k on top and Soheil looked him up with Q J. Yair rolled over 8 7 (I kid you not). The board came Q 6 3 4 6 and Soheil took the pot with Queens-up.

Yair Alon finished in 19th place, earning $13,186.

With 18 players remaining, they paused the action and did a redraw to the final two tables. Play continues...

	Ben Fineman - 20th place

Jeff Coutroulis opened for 30k from the button and Ben Fineman decided it was time to shove from the big blind. Jeff thought for a bit, then called, showing A9 off. Ben held A6 suited and was in a rough spot, needing a 6 or a lot of spades. The board came J 7 2 5 A -- with no spades -- and Jeff's kicker played to take the pot.

Ben Fineman finished in 20th place, earning $13,186.

	Brent Carter - 21st place

After everyone folded to Brent Carter in the small blind, he moved his last 53k all in. Gary Reed called the extra 41k, showing J5. Brent rolled over 53 and was dominated. The community cards brought no help for Brent and he was busted.

Brent Carter finished in 21st place, earning $13,186.

	Stewart Yancik - 22nd place

On a board of A 4 2 4 J, Toby Tatum moved in and got the call from Florian Langmann. Toby showed AQ for Aces up and doubled up.

Allen Carter (cutoff) opened for 31k, then Stewart Yancik (bb) kicked it on up to 105k. Allen then shoved for 600k. Stewart tanked for a long while before calling all-in for less, showing AQ off. Allen held pocket 3s. (Hard to believe that the two big stacks are clashing with these hands!) The board came 8 5 2 K 7 and the crabs held up to ship the pot to Allen and send Stewart packing.

Stewart Yancik finished in 22nd place, earning $13,186.

	Gerry Nadeau - 23rd place

Gerry 'Jitto' Nadeau opened for 72k and Bobby Suer called from the button. On the K T 7 flop, Jitto shoved and Bobby snap called, showng AK for top/top. Jitto's pocket 9s were in bad shape and drawing slim. The last two brought no salvation for him and he was railed.

Gerry 'Jitto' Nadeau finished in 23rd place, earning $13,186.

	Bernard Lee - 24th place

Chuck Kim limped in, then Bernard Lee moved all his chips to the middle. Hevad Khan then moved in over the top and Chuck got out of the way. Bernard's pocket 9s were racing against Hevad's AK off. A King hit the flop and it was more than Bernard could overcome.

Bernard Lee finished in 24th place, earning $13,186.

	Ted Lawson - 25th place

On a flop of T 9 5 rainbow, Ted Lawson shoved, then Chuck Kim shoved over the top. Mohsin Charania asked for a count and Ted, thinking the action was complete, turned up his pocket Aces. Mohsin decided to fold -- he also had pocket Aces! Chuck turned up T9 for top two pair. Ted would need help to survive, but the last two cards came K 9 and Chuck took the pot.

Ted Lawson finished in 25th place, earning $13,186.

Level 15: Blinds 6k/12k with 2k antes. Play has resumed.

Level 14 ended and players are taking ten.

	Jordan Morgan - 26th place

Jordan Morgan decided it was time to commit, so he tossed his last 12k in the pot. Yair Alon raised to 60k and isolated Jordan, who held 97 off. Yair's pocket 9s were way ahead. The board ran out Q J 2 8 5 and the 9s were good.

Jordan Morgan finished in 26th place, earning $13,186.

Mohsin Charania moved in and got the call from Bernard Lee, who tabled AK suited.  Mohsin held the boss pair, pocket Aces.  The board came T 9 3 4 9 and Mohsin doubled to ~300k, leaving Bernard with ~150k.

Level 14 (continues): Blinds 4k/8k with 1k antes. Cards are in the air.

On the first hand of play, Bobby Keller moved his short stack in from the button and got looked up by Bobby Suer in the small blind. Keller held AT off and was dominated by Suer's AQ suited. The board came 7 6 6 Q A and Suer took the pot.

Bobby Keller finished in 27th place, earning $13,186.

	Allen Carter - chip leader

Day three will begin at 2pm (not noon) central time Friday. All 27 returning players are in the money and guaranteed to earn at least $13,186. Here they are with their chip counts and day 3 table/seat assignments (to see this list sorted by chip count, go to the day 2 blog):

Here's a reminder of what they're playing for:

	That's me with Ken Lambert, after I finished 2nd in the Beau Rivage media tournament

Kaelaine Minton Reporting

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