was just wondering what sporting events last longer than the WSOP Championship. Major sports playoffs, of course, but they're just a few hours of play spread over days. The Tour de France goes on and on. And then there's cricket, which plays "test matches" over five full days. Five days of standing in the sun, watching the proverbial paint dry. I can't imagine finding cricket fascinating, but I don't imagine that your average cricket fan would in any sense envy my job.
Well, I ain't bored. The 23rd level is history, and I ain't bored.
During the 23rd level, we lost these fine players:
BRADLEY BERMAN, 31st place -- $80,000
JULIAN GARDNER, 32nd -- $80,000
GLENN COONEY, 30th -- $80,000
MATT LEFKOWITZ, 29th -- $80,000
Late in the round, Chris Ferguson was the odds-on favorite to be the 28th place finisher when he lost virtually all of his stack in a confrontation with Gary Jones.
Jones had been raising a lot preflop, and when he did it again in early position, Chris, around back with pocket fours, decided to pop him back. "I didn't want to stop him," said Chris, "just slow him down." So Chris made his first all-in reraise of the day, fully expecting Jones to lay down his hand. This time, though, Jones had the goods -- pocket kings -- and when the dust had settled, Chris was down to 4000 in chips.
A nothing stack, right? The end of the day? Not necessarily. A double through, a triple through and a double through later, Chris was back up to almost 200K, and that's where he finished the 23rd level. Said Greg Raymer (possibly referring to Chris's all-in J-4 that held up) "Don't call him Jesus, call him Magic."
Now we jump to the 24th level, with antes and blinds as follows: 4K antes; 12K and 24K blinds. Some rough chip counts at this time:
CHRIS FERGUSON -- 200K
DAN HARRINGTON -- 1.3M
Well, I ain't bored. The 23rd level is history, and I ain't bored.
During the 23rd level, we lost these fine players:
BRADLEY BERMAN, 31st place -- $80,000
JULIAN GARDNER, 32nd -- $80,000
GLENN COONEY, 30th -- $80,000
MATT LEFKOWITZ, 29th -- $80,000
Late in the round, Chris Ferguson was the odds-on favorite to be the 28th place finisher when he lost virtually all of his stack in a confrontation with Gary Jones.
Jones had been raising a lot preflop, and when he did it again in early position, Chris, around back with pocket fours, decided to pop him back. "I didn't want to stop him," said Chris, "just slow him down." So Chris made his first all-in reraise of the day, fully expecting Jones to lay down his hand. This time, though, Jones had the goods -- pocket kings -- and when the dust had settled, Chris was down to 4000 in chips.
A nothing stack, right? The end of the day? Not necessarily. A double through, a triple through and a double through later, Chris was back up to almost 200K, and that's where he finished the 23rd level. Said Greg Raymer (possibly referring to Chris's all-in J-4 that held up) "Don't call him Jesus, call him Magic."
Now we jump to the 24th level, with antes and blinds as follows: 4K antes; 12K and 24K blinds. Some rough chip counts at this time:
CHRIS FERGUSON -- 200K
DAN HARRINGTON -- 1.3M
You'd think that with this kind of pressure involved, and this kind of money at stake, the players would have something better to do with their precious 15-minute breaks than stand around outside the tournament area giving their time away. Not so for most of them, and certainly not so for Chris Ferguson (who, you'll recall, barely survived the last round of play). Gracious beyond gracious, he spent this break like he spends most of them, signing autographs and answering questions in his calm, soft-spoken voice.
I asked Chris why he did it, and he answered rhetorically, "What have I got better to do?" Ladies and gentlemen, THERE is your king of cool.
I asked Chris why he did it, and he answered rhetorically, "What have I got better to do?" Ladies and gentlemen, THERE is your king of cool.
Presto Good -- You Go Home Now
2:53PM: Chris "Jesus" Ferguson finished his 2004 WSOP championship run in 26th place when he went all in for 137K and got a call from Mattias "Pokermats" Andersson.
And weren't we just talking about the power of Presto? 5-5 -- that's the hand young Pokermats held, against Chris's strong-but-not-strong-enough A-T. A five on the flop sealed Chris's fate and sent the former World Champion to the rail.
For what it's worth, all that time signing autographs and answering questions in a calm, soft-spoken voice is worth at least a little something: When Chris got eliminated, he received a standing ovation from the crowd, appreciation for his demeanor and style as much as for his play.
Chris will be back in the hunt for top tournament prizes soon, no doubt. And if you're wondering where he is right now, I can't say for sure, but I'll bet he's just outside in the lobby, signing autographs and answering questions again.
LATE NEWS: Davin "The Kamikaze Korean" Andersson was just been eliminated in 25th place when he bet his A-K into Greg Raymer's flopped set. The colorful KK had a great tournament, and seemed to be having a ball throughout. Another player to keep your eye on in the future. The guy's got game.
More later, -jv
27 May 2004 3:01 pm by John Vorhaus
2:53PM: Chris "Jesus" Ferguson finished his 2004 WSOP championship run in 26th place when he went all in for 137K and got a call from Mattias "Pokermats" Andersson.
And weren't we just talking about the power of Presto? 5-5 -- that's the hand young Pokermats held, against Chris's strong-but-not-strong-enough A-T. A five on the flop sealed Chris's fate and sent the former World Champion to the rail.
For what it's worth, all that time signing autographs and answering questions in a calm, soft-spoken voice is worth at least a little something: When Chris got eliminated, he received a standing ovation from the crowd, appreciation for his demeanor and style as much as for his play.
Chris will be back in the hunt for top tournament prizes soon, no doubt. And if you're wondering where he is right now, I can't say for sure, but I'll bet he's just outside in the lobby, signing autographs and answering questions again.
LATE NEWS: Davin "The Kamikaze Korean" Andersson was just been eliminated in 25th place when he bet his A-K into Greg Raymer's flopped set. The colorful KK had a great tournament, and seemed to be having a ball throughout. Another player to keep your eye on in the future. The guy's got game.
More later, -jv
27 May 2004 3:01 pm by John Vorhaus
David Truong just found out that the power of Presto has an on/off switch. It worked for Pokermats and it didn't work for Truong. Of course, Mats was up against A-T, whereas Truong found himself facing Hung La's J-J. A whole different kettle of fish, that. Against A-T, pocket fives is a small favorite. Against J-J, it's a B-I-I-I-G underdog. And now it's time for Truong's big dog to retreat to the porch.
He finishes in 24th place, taking home a cool hundred grand for his labors. I'm sure he's disappointed, but I don't care what anyone says -- a hundred thousand dollars is not bad for a week's work.
He finishes in 24th place, taking home a cool hundred grand for his labors. I'm sure he's disappointed, but I don't care what anyone says -- a hundred thousand dollars is not bad for a week's work.
Gary Jones finished in 17th position for $175,000.
Chip Counts
David Williams $630k
Marcel Luske $1.935m
Mike McClain $1.6m
Glenn Hughes $1.55m
Al Krux $1.810
Dan Harrington $950k
Mattias Andersson $1.8m
John Murphy $1.85m
Josh Arieh $2.38m
Eddie Scharf $1.55m
Matt Dean $1.65m
Dewey Archer $980k
Gary Jones $295k
James Grimes $720k
Kevin Bott $415k
Greg Raymer $5m
Chip Counts
David Williams $630k
Marcel Luske $1.935m
Mike McClain $1.6m
Glenn Hughes $1.55m
Al Krux $1.810
Dan Harrington $950k
Mattias Andersson $1.8m
John Murphy $1.85m
Josh Arieh $2.38m
Eddie Scharf $1.55m
Matt Dean $1.65m
Dewey Archer $980k
Gary Jones $295k
James Grimes $720k
Kevin Bott $415k
Greg Raymer $5m
Blinds are now $15,000/$30,000 with a $5,000 running ante.
Chip Updates...
Greg Raymer $5.3m
Josh Arieh $2.38m
Marcel Luske $1.935m
John Murphy $1.85m
Al Krux $1.810
Mattias Andersson $1.8m
Glenn Hughes $1.55m
Matt Dean $1.65m
Eddie Scharf $1.55m
David Williams $1.3m
Mike McClain $1.0m
Dewey Archer $980k
Dan Harrington $1.25m
James Grimes $720k
Kevin Bott $750k
Chip Updates...
Greg Raymer $5.3m
Josh Arieh $2.38m
Marcel Luske $1.935m
John Murphy $1.85m
Al Krux $1.810
Mattias Andersson $1.8m
Glenn Hughes $1.55m
Matt Dean $1.65m
Eddie Scharf $1.55m
David Williams $1.3m
Mike McClain $1.0m
Dewey Archer $980k
Dan Harrington $1.25m
James Grimes $720k
Kevin Bott $750k
Excellent video of a classy "Jesus" Fersuson making his exit. (broadband so give it a minute to buffer). Thats Swede Mattias Anderson acting like moron as he catches third 5 on flop to beat Ferguson's A 10 (two rags on turn and river were no help).
Jesus Video
wil.
Dial-up Video of same - quicker but smaller images.
Dial-up Jesus
Jesus Video
wil.
Dial-up Video of same - quicker but smaller images.
Dial-up Jesus
Eddie Sharf was eliminated in 15th place by Greg Raymer when his KQ failed to improve against Greg's QQ. Things are really heating up. Josh Areih bet 375K then folded after John Murphy moved all in.
Wil.
PS. Bromax thanks very much, the thread has been some work, but mostly a lot of fun, with the best yet to come.
Wil.
PS. Bromax thanks very much, the thread has been some work, but mostly a lot of fun, with the best yet to come.
