WSOP News

[Scotty]

Chino Rheem Takes Two from Kelly Kim

The two played big back-to-back hands. In the first Rheem raised to 325,000 from late position and Kim called from the big blind. The flop came {8-Diamonds} {10-Diamonds} {3-Diamonds} and Kim check-called Rheem's 450,000 bet. Both players checked the {5-Diamonds} on the turn, and when Kim bet 500,000 after the {9-Spades} fell on the turn Chino quickly called. His {Q-Diamonds} {6-Diamonds} was good and Kim mucked his hand.

Immediately thereafter Craig Marquis raised to 325,000 and after Rheem called Kim did the same from the small blind. The flop came {K-Diamonds} {3-Diamonds} {7-Spades} and after Kim and Marquis checked Rheem bet 325,000. Kim called and Craig folded.

Kim and Rheem checked it down after the {8-Spades} on the turn and {7-Hearts} on the river, and when Chino rolled over {K-Hearts} {10-Hearts} Kim's hand again ended up in the muck. He's now up to 6 million while Kim has slipped down to 5.8 million.

[Scotty]

Nicholas Sliwinski Doubles Through Ylon Schwartz

Scott Montgomery opened for 350,000, Nicholas Sliwinski moved all in, Ylon Schwartz flat-called from the big blind and Montgomery folded.

Sliwinski {A-Clubs} {J-Diamonds}

Schwartz {10-Diamonds} {10-Hearts}

The flop was {9-Clubs} {5-Diamonds} {3-Diamonds}, no help for Sliwinski, but the{J-Spades} spiked on the turn, pairing up Sliwinski. Sliwinski's cheering section erupted in shrieks and scream, the loudest of which came from a tall, leggy blonde who ran up to embrace him. The river was the {3-Clubs} and Sliwinski doubled up to 7.2 million. Schwartz dropped to 7.7 million.

"Thank you dealer!" screamed the blonde as Sliwinski re-took his seat.

[Scotty]

Play Tightening Up Dramatically

As many expected, play has started slowing down and tightening up significantly the closer we get to the final table bubble. At this stage, players not only have to worry about the pay jumps in terms of prize money, but the unquantifiable pay jump from 10th place to 9th in terms of fame, television exposure, and potential sponsorship.

It wouldn't be much of a stretch to call this year's Main Event final table bubble the biggest bubble in the history of tournament poker...and we're only five eliminations away from it.

[Scotty]

Gert Andersen Eliminated in 14th Place ($463,201)

Ylon Schwartz raised to 500,000, Gert Andersen moved all in from the small blind and Schwartz made the call.

Andersen: {A-Spades} {J-Spades}

Schwartz: {A-Diamonds} {K-Diamonds}

Schwartz had Andersen dominated, and retained his lead when the flop came down {Q-Spades} {10-Clubs} {2-Hearts}. The turn was the {8-Clubs} and Andersen picked up a double-gutshot straight draw, but the river came the {5-Hearts} and Andersen was eliminated in 14th place. He'll take home $463,201 for his performance.

After the hand, Schwartz was up to 17.6 million, good for second in chips.

[AceLosesKing]

Nicholas Sliwinski Eliminated in 13th Place ($463,201)

Dennis Phillips opened the pot for 460,000 and Nicholas Sliwinski called from the big blind. The flop was {9-Hearts} {7-Hearts} {3-Hearts}. Sliwinski led out for 500,000 and Phillips made the call. The turn was the {6-Spades}. Sliwinski bet 1.2 million and Phillips called. The river was the {9-Spades}. Sliwinski moved all in and Phillips insta-called.

Phillips rolled over {K-Hearts} {Q-Hearts} for the king-high flush. Sliwinski tabled {5-Diamonds} {6-Hearts} for only a pair of sixes and headed over to his entourage, who enveloped him and spoke some hushed words of comfort. Phillips had Sliwinski covered and he was eliminated in 13th place, taking home $463,201.

After the hand, Phillips was up to over 19 million.

[AceLosesKing]

Player Profile: Ivan Demidov

Twenty-seven-year-old Ivan Demidov is a self-described "semi-professional" poker player from Moscow, Russia. He has three major tournament cashes on his resume, the most recent of which was at this year's WSOP when he took 11th in the $1,000 No-Limit Hold'em with Rebuys event last month.

The Russian has been playing for about two-and-a-half years and considers playing in this year's WSOP to be his biggest poker accomplishment to date. Demidov locked up his seat in the event the old-fashioned way - with $10,000 cash.

Demidov is single with no children and plans to "get 12 hours of sleep" should he win the Main Event. In his free time, he enjoys skiing, scuba diving, and of course...poker.

[Scotty]

Dennis Phillips Wins a Monster Pot

Scott Montgomery raised to 420,000, Peter Eastgate called from the cutoff, Chris Klodnicki called on the button, and Dennis Phillips raised to 1.3 million from the big blind. Montgomery gave it up, Eastgate called, and Klodnicki folded. The flop was {8-Diamonds} {4-Spades} {2-Clubs}. Phillips bet 1.3 million, and Eastgate called. The turn was the {10-Hearts}. Phillips immediately moved all in, sending Eastgate into the tank.

Eastgate thought for so long that the other four players got up from their seats and vistied with their supporters in the stands while Eastgate pondered. Phillips eventually called a clock on his opponent.

Eastgate ultimately gave it up and Phillips won the pot. He's now up to 18.6 million, while Eastgate slipped to 12.8 million.

[AceLosesKing]

Player Profile: Kelly "KK" Kim

Kim Kelly, who prefers to be called "KK," is a professional poker player from Whittier, CA. Kelly holds a B.A. from the University of California - San Diego and prior to playing full time, made his living as a business analyst.

KK learned to play poker from friends and has been doing so for about 13 years. This is his 5th year playing in the World Series of Poker and with 31 major tournament cashes to his name totaling over $315,000, he is far from an amateur. Kelly's biggest score came when he took 17th in the WPT - LAPC Main Event in 2006 for a $46,502 payday.

Kelly is currently single and rocks out to hip-hop and pop music when he plays cards. In his downtime, he enjoys sports, movies and traveling and plans to take a nice vacation should he win the tournament.

[Scotty]

Another Huge Pot for Phillips

Ylon Schwartz made it 500,000 to go, Dennis Phillips called from the button and Scott Montgomery called from the small blind. The flop was {9-Spades} {5-Clubs} {2-Hearts}. The action was checked to Schwartz, who bet 1,000,000. Phillips called and Montgomery called. The turn was the {A-Spades} and all three players checked. The river was the {8-Hearts}. Montgomery and Schwartz checked to Phillips, who bet 1.2 million. Montgomery called and Schwartz also called.

Phillips showed {K-Hearts} {K-Spades} and both Montgomery and Schwartz mucked. Phillips raked in another huge pot and is sitting on about 24 million in chips.

- Phillips is now 10 million chips clear of 2nd place ... quite imposing

[Scotty]

Chris Klodnicki Eliminated in 12th Place ($591,869)

Dennis Phillips limped in from early position, Scott Montgomery raised to 600,000, Chris Klodnicki called from the big blind and Phillips folded. The flop was {A-Diamonds} {Q-Diamonds} {Q-Spades}. Klodnicki checked, Montgomery bet 1,000,000, Klodnicki moved all in and Montgomery called.

Klodnicki {J-Diamonds} {10-Diamonds}

Montgomery {Q-Clubs} {J-Clubs}

Klodnicki's fans started screaming at the top of their lungs for a diamond.

"One f*ckin' time!" shouted a young man with a beer in his hand.

The turn was the {J-Spades} , leaving Klodnicki with a single out.. the king of diamonds. The river, though was the {4-Diamonds} and Klodnicki was eliminated in 12th place, earning $591,869.