charliebigtime's blog

Browsing the soccer odds online I noticed Pinnacle has a bet up for next years WSOP. The under on the WSOP main event entries is 7250. The odds for this are -130 ( bet $130 to win $100.)

I think this is a stone cold certainty. Two hurdles in our way though.

1) What if Pinnacle is forced to close all US accounts?

2) Obviously your money is not accessible until after the start of the 2007 main event.

LAS VEGAS--It isn't long since Joe Sebok had to parade around the Rio in a variety of costumes. That was his forfeit for only cashing $14k at the WSOP. I was pleased not to see Gavin Smith in those outfits.

With stepfather and close friend Barry Greenstein on " High Stakes Poker" duty, 3 miles away at the South Coast, Joe coached himself back from the shortstack position at 5pm. He had only 12% of the chips when play was four handed. That was half of the average.

The chip leader was amateur Chuck Keeley. He was unlucky losing one hand with AK, with an ace on the flop, to trip sixes of John Huong. Then Joe Sebok called with 2-4 v Chuck's AQ. Chuck caught a queen on the flop and pushed all in. Joe had paired his deuce and called. A deuce on the river,not the title of BarryG's book, eliminated Chuck.

Heads-up began with Joe having 930k to Huong's 480k.

Joe came from behind on the final hand to river a straight.

Vanessa Rousso left with Chad Brown who finished fifth.

1) Joe Sebok Ca $267k
2) John Huong Ca $143K
3)Chuck Kelley Va $71k
4)Gene Todd NY $39k
5)Chad Brown NY $29k

LAS VEGAS--The most astonishing thing at todays final table was Gavin Griffin's new hairstyle. No wonder I didn't recognise Jennicide's ex yesterday.

Not only did I miss my photo opportunity for this but bottled out of asking New York Yankee Alex Rodriguez for a photo. A-Rod was playing 10-20 NLHE in the cash room and despite being "spoiled rotten" by the Bellagio poker room directors. I wasn't sure how HE would react especially on the day one of his fellow poker-playing teammates died.

Everyone knew where the final table for todays $3k was. Vijay Nagarajan + JC Tran have been there three times this Festa. Brian Rast + Sam Cohen twice. David Plastik had won $200k here in December.

The overnight chip leader Andrew Cimpau came prepared for a marathon and found everyone else in for a sprint. So much so that he had only entered two pots before his two hour heads-up with eventual winner Jess Newman started.

I am saddened by the death of Cory Lidle today. Everyone in America knows that a plane probably being flown by Cory crashed into a Manhattan skyscraper. It seems that only Cory and his instructors' numbers were up as nobody else suffered any injuries as the plane fell to the pavement around lunchtime Wednesday.

I had met Cory three times, all poker-related. Twice I was invited to photograph a charity poker tournament he organised every January in Las Vegas. The third time he played in a snowboarders tournament at Binions.

The last time we met I told him I was looking forward to visiting L.A. to go racing at Santa Anita and report from the Commerce poker tournament. He told me he lived in Glendale, not far from Santa Anita and he was looking forward to playing in the Commerce tournaments and that I should come and say "Hi."

It would have been easy for him to write a check to the Make a Wish charity. Instead he organised a poker tournament with a silent auction. I was impressed by the items at the Palms in January. He had collected autographed items from David Beckham, Friends, Rolling Stones and Crosby Stills + Nash to name a few. Cory and his friend and fellow Yankee Jason Giambi bought nearly every item and for high bids.

He told me he played online when he was travelling to games and would devote more time to playing when he retired from baseball.

He seemed a genuine person. His wife attended, his baseball coach, his brother himself a baseball player and Jason Giambi a friend since high school.

The world lost a nice guy today.

Starting with today's photo competition: Which pro thinks he is splurging on a $2 a minute massage when in fact he is ONLY being attended to by two Bellagio cocktail waitresses?

I may have actually spent some time in photoshop due to the fine cleavage on display.

Todays final table line up featured Shannon Shorr defending his 100% Bellagio tournament record. Charlie Sewell ($1500) and Justin Young ($2500) had already won events here at the Festa and Manny Syragakis, who pledges to keep making final tables until I can spell his surname without a cheat sheet, made his third final table.

Add to that Eugene Todd, whose wife along with Quinn Do's girlfriend Chelsea was a candidate for babe of the day,ever present Jimmy Tran + documentary maker Jeffrey Blenkharn and I felt I had every angle covered.Not quite. Dan Lowe, the shortstack with $60k at the first break, a local player improved to win the title, a seat in the $25k WPT event in April and $137k.

Charlie Sewell won $81k for second. Shannon was card dead and the overnight chip leader finished seventh for $9245.

Shannon is just 21, carries a few extra pounds and lives in the South East. Charlie Harmony.com suggests Jennicide.

Oliver Tse was here in his new role as a player agent.

Charlie writes: "The dude with the French name won today."

ChasingCharlie adds:

Francois Saffiedine graduated from the Design Institute of Denver in 1994 and immediately wanted to bring Vegas style to Denver. So he has strip clubs without strippers, steak houses without steak. Bars without video poker. Downtown Denver was pleasant in the day closed at night so Francois and his partners designed and opened some high-end places so the Denver businessmen and sports fans would think twice about driving home at 5pm.

Obviously business must be taking care of itself as Francois has been cashing regularly in the WPT events since 2003. His first big cash was at the Bellagio when he finished second to Barry Shulman and our MIA buddy Jim Meehan was third. He is listed as winning $233k at the Mirage in May 2005. However, Mike Appel,who finished second, informed me that a deal was made.

A deal was made today but it didn't really make much difference to Francois who had the majority of the chips. It was Sam Cohen and Giou Luong splitting second/third place.

1 Francois Safieddine Denver, CO $157,470
2 Sammy Cohen Washington, DC 78,470
3 Gioi Luong Westminster, CA 39,235
4 Kelly Kim Whittier, CA 21,405
5 Wayne Boich Las Vegas, NV 16,050
6 Sirous Baghchehsarie Long Beach, CA 12,485

I hope Chantel isn't reading this for Neverwin's sake....

Although I desperately wanted to give Amy the ass shot she expects of me Isabelle Mercier's visit to the Fontana coincided with my winner's photo.

One player was wearing a PPL jacket though. Can we guess who?

I just finished an unlucky fifth in the $$$ added elimination bj tournament. A proper Charlie, Mr C. Sewell, outlasted the biggest field of the Festa to win $170k + a $25k seat in the April 07 WPT event.

The overnight standings :
Quinn Do Seattle, WA 267,000
7B Charlie Sewell Oklahoma City, OK 184,500
5 Joseph Haddad Portland, OR 160,500
8 J C Tran Sacramento, CA 139,000
9 Yohannes Muruz Las Vegas, NV 122,500

The experienced trio Quinn, JC + Yohannes finished 4th,5th+6th respectively. Unknown Dominic Triumbari, a Canadian tourist, moved up to third before Charlie with 640k battled with Joseph 400k.

The first big pot went to Joseph. Then Charlie pushed all in pre flop with AJ and was called by Joseph with K 10 . A ten on the flop and King on the turn appeared to have secured victory for the Oregon native. The fat lady didn't sing and Joseph groaned when a lady appeared on the river to give Charlie a straight.

Charlie finished the job soon afterwards. The Oklahoma native finished second to David Pham in the $2k shootout at this years WSOP. That was worth $125k.

Todays $2k attracted 197 players. The winner will receive $157470.
Possible winners include David Pham, Scott Epstein, Chris Grigorian,Tony Ma,Ron Stanley and JJ Liu or is it Alspach now?

LAS VEGAS--Would you buy a used car off this man? Well unless you are in Alaska you won't have too. The Alaska resident defied the odds to defeat two of Cali's finest Vietnamese players Nam Le + JC Tran.

Ned Cruey + Rene Angelil both put in solid displays to finish 4th + 5th respectively. Rene is the husband of Elton John...sorry the other one who plays at Caesars.
Steve Dunning 104355
Nam Le 53,280
JC Tran 27,705
Ned Cruey 14,920
Rene Angelil 11,720

The $5k event did reach triple digit players but only just 102. The final table will be at 3pm tomorrow. Don't expect a big name final table.

I heard a rumour that the Venetian is holding a shooting star bounty tournament and many players have accepted an invitation to play there. Each table will have a star and if you KO him/her you receive a $200 bounty. Just a rumour but one with some substance considering the absence of names here.

The big event in town this weekend is the opening of a Playboy Club, complete with bunnies dealing blackjack. It will open to the public on Sunday and is located in the Palms Casino's new tower.

LAS VEGAS--I have always thought the toughest home games must be in N.Carolina. Michael Gracz, the Polish Pin-Up, hogs the limelight but Chris Bell, John Harris, Mark Cole and Justin Young are all tough opponents. They appear nice enough to let you sleep on their couch though after beating you out of your bus fare home.

Justin made a final table at Mandalay Bay where he faced Brian Haveson and John Phan. Today, his opponents included recent Commerce ME winner Lance Allred, Matt Dean seventh in the 2004 WSOP ME and Mikael Thuritz who won $247k in the ME this year.

A tough line-up especially when you start play 72k behind Thuritz and 44k behind Allred.

LAS VEGAS--The Cubs may have disappointed Chicago, but the poker players are restoring pride at the Festa al Lago. Two events, two victories for the Windy City. And just for good measure, Jean Gispard, today's runner up, also has spent a few winters by Lake Michigan. The only lake Jean sees nowadays is the one in front of Bellagio.

The pace hasn't picked up at all -- only 109 players in today's event, $2,500 NLH. Martin de Knijff and Mikael Thuritz are both in with a chance of taking some $$$ back to Sweden where they can continue to play online poker.Not sure who the Chicago rep is today. Certainly not Mack Lee, Ralph Perry, Richard Tatalovich or James Van Alstyne. You have to make the final table to cash.

Two days, no buffet for me. Now that is surprising.

Place Name Hometown Prize Money
1 James Rice III -- Chicago, IL -- $116,555
2 Jean Gaspard -- Chicago, IL -- $54,140
3 Stuart Krasney -- Tustin, CA -- $27,070
4 Brian Rast Poway, CA -- $14,770
5 Minh Nguyen -- Lake Elsinore, CA -- $11,075
6 Chip Jett -- Las Vegas, NV -- $8,615

LAS VEGAS--Event #1 final table, at Bellagio's Festa al Lago, was four handed before you could say "Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006."

The winner was Alan Cutler (left), of Chicago, who had come to town to celebrate his brother's 50th birthday. Second was Kim Fredericksen of Denmark who now calls Las Vegas home.

Today's $1,500 NLHE was quality not quantity. Only 140 players entered, meaning 18 places got paid. As I left 26 players remained, including Minh Nguyen, Chip Jett, David Levi, Lars Bonding, Ron Stanley, Jean Gispard, Allen Cunningham, and Cecilia Reyes. Here's how it finished out:

1 Alan Cutler -- Chicago, IL -- $131,810*
2 Kim Frederiksen -- Gentofte, Denmark -- $63,210
3 Dapo Fadeyi -- Centennial, CO -- $31,605
4 Ryan Larson -- Las Vegas, NV -- $17,235
5 Scott Warner -- Redondo Beach, CA -- $12,930
6 Mack Lee -- San Jose, CA -- $10,055
7 Rodney Barkis -- San Angelo, TX -- $7,185
8 Sven Vestlund -- Stockholm, Sweden -- $5,745
9 Mark Gregorich -- Las Vegas, NV -- $4,595

*includes a $25,500 entry in World Poker Tour Finals on April 21, 2007.

In a week when Harrah's bid for the Barbary Coast casino and then Texas Pacific Group bid for Harrah's, it seems like the Maloof brothers are joining in the fun.

However, the neon sign was offering their thoughts on the new "Killers" CD, which the Palms has been playing for about a month, not the casino by the same name.

The WPT Ladies night has hardly been a stepping stone to success in the past but I am hoping that a victory for Vanessa Rousso tonight will reverse the trend. In fact, the programmes have been so forgettable that, in a secret memo, we have been instructed to forget the poker and concentrate on the fashion display.

Vanessa's fashion style is definately stylish bohemian so it will be interesting to see if she purchases a prom dress for the evening.

She first grabbed the media's attention at the Bellagio, where she finished seventh in a $25k event, earning more than $263k. She ruffled the feathers of the other media darlings who had become complacent with their guaranteed adulation.

The 23-year-old cashed three times at the 2006 WSOP. Her 8th place in the $5k short-handed event was worth another $62k.

Vanessa likes to travel, which is a plus for any budding tournament player. Away from the table she enjoys a game of chess.

She has a degree in Economics and has a steady boyfriend whom she met at University.

She calls Florida home but is expected to be on the road most of the year.

Just a quick open thank you to Dan and PartyPoker for employing me during the series. The great thing about having a team was not having to work 16 hours a day. Also if something newsworthy happened chances where one of us would be there to witness it.(especially if it happened near the Sapphire stand or beer tent.)

I was dispatched to the more hospitable Bellagio this week. Amazing, no other site was on hand to witness 22 year old Shannon Shorr win $960k.

The highlight of the series for me was the lifestyle show and the appearance by the monkey, which may or may not have tried to play the main event.

My favourite quote from Dan about me on Ladies Day " Charliebigtime loves this day more than Christmas..." See why I love it on my site
here.

I find it hard to type whilst patting myself on the back but I did call this one. Shannon Shorr made short work of this final table and ended in style with two black aces.

Will he go back to college or will he become the new Gavin Smith?

Place Name Hometown Prize Money
1 Shannon Shorr Tuscaloosa, AL $960,690*
2 Danny Wong Los Angeles, CA 561,115
3 Michael Andersson Kalmar, Sweden 296,145
4 Gioi Luong Westminster, CA 171,430
5 David Kim Las Vegas, NV 124,690
6 Atilio Bitondo New York, NY 87,285
7 Men Nguyen Bell Gardens, CA 62,345
8 Louis Pagnotti West Pittston, PA 49,875

Even the railbirds, who hang out on the patio bumming cigarettes and asking winners for financial assistance, have flown the nest today. The Fontana lounge is a lonely place, with pretty cocktail waitresses.

We have lost Attilio Bitundo and Men Nguyen in the last hour.That leaves Giou Luongs wife the only spectator for this event worth $960k to the winner.

Latest chip counts:
Player 2:30pm 3:30pm
Shannon Shorr 2.9m 2.5m
Attilio Bitundo 650k out
Giou Luong 300k 700k
Men Nguyen 250k out
Danny Wong 520k 1.1m
Louis Pagnotti out out
M.Andersson 1.2m 1.4m
David Kim 500k 350k

Today a tidal wave has pushed 3 million chips onto the Shorr, Shannon Shorr of Tuscaloosa.
First to exit was Sweden's poker gypsy Johan Storakers. Johan adds $43640 to his travel budget. Then Louis Pagnotti, another gypsy, added $49875 to his Bicycle budget when exiting in 8th place.
That leaves Shorr from Alabama fighting four Asians (Men Nguyen, Giou Luong, David Kim and Danny Wong), one Swedish player Michael Andersson and A.Bitundo from NY.
Player 2:30pm
Shannon Shorr 2.9m
Attilio Bitundo 650k
Giou Luong 300k
Men Nguyen 250k
Danny Wong 520k
Louis Pagnotti out
M.Andersson 1.2m
David Kim 500k

The punters on Betfair have given pro Allen Cunningham a big vote of confidence prior to todays final table. All the other players have drifted in price whereas Cunningham will start favourite despite having to overcome a 5m chip deficit.

Friberg has been steady at 9-1 but the betting suggests it will be heads up Gold v Cunningham, with Cunninghams experience prevailing.

Player %of chips odds
J.Gold 28 3.8
A.Cunningham 20 3.3
R.Lee 13 9.4
E.Friberg 11 9
P.Wasicka 9 13
D.Kim 8 14
R.Butler 5 24
M.Binger 3 36
D.Nassif 3 44

"Oh Alabama can I shake your hand?
The Devil fools with the best laid plan."
--Neil Young

Until this World Series mention this state and this song came to mind.

Now I can tell you about our own Tuscaloosa Johnny and his fine poker skills and his buddy Shannon Shorr, who I, second guessed Johnny, took his photo as a final table longshot. Right day, wrong final table.

Shannon Shorr will not become a household name if he wins tomorrow but he will return home with over $900k which must be like Jaimie Gold taking $12m back to Malibu. OK, Lynyrd Skynyrd write a song about me but make it a good one.
Tomorrow's other final table, in the $10,000 Bellagio event:

2 Shannon Shorr Tuscaloosa, AL 1,405,000
9 Atilio Bitondo New York, NY 984,000
7 Gioi Luong Westminster, CA 920,000
1 Michael Andersson Kalmar, Sweden 746,000
8 Danny Wong Los Angeles, CA 625,000
4 Johan Storakers Stockholm, Sweden 594,000
5 David Kim Las Vegas, NV 590,000
3 Men Nguyen Bell Gardens, CA 283,000
6 Louis Pagnotti West Pittston, PA 270,000

These must be fans of which player?

Clue: Coronas and M caps.

Players eliminated today:

10 Andreas Pavlou Kildeer, IL $37,410
11 Scott Bohlman Homer Glen, IL 31,175
12 Stan Fulton Las Vegas, NV 31,175
13 Eugene Juergens Brighton, MI 31,175
14 Karsten Johansen Copenhagen, Denmark 31,175
15 Kevin Ho Gainesville, FL 31,175
16 Tam Ho Las Vegas, NV 24,940
17 Robert Kay Johannesburg, S. Africa 24,940
18 Tuan Le Los Angeles, CA 24,940
19 Christopher Bush Mission BC. Canada 24,940
T20 Peter Costa Leicester, England 21,823
T20 Metin Antar Sodertalje, Sweden 21,822

The curse. I wrote about Stan Fulton, he was eliminated. Louis Pagnotti, he goes down to 85k in chips. Next victim. If Men the Master lasts any longer they will have to special order another case of corona. His daughter Roxy orders continuously and matches her dad bottle for bottle. Eleven players remain.
7:30pm
Shannon Shorr 1.1m
Attilio 750k
Giou Luong 600k
Men Nguyen 340k
Bohlman 270k
Louis Pagnotti 85k

Turning the tournament into six handed at sixty players has certainly stopped anyone from nursing a short stack for too long. It seems inevitable play will finish before dinner.

Certainly a few surprise names in the list. Racetrack/horse owner Stan Fulton only took up competitive poker in November when he retired from his management of Anchor gaming.

Nice guy Louis Pagnotti's only recent cash was when he made $2500 in the $1500 stud event at the WSOP.

5pm 6pm
Shannon Shorr 790k 805k
Louis Pagnotti 520k 370k
M.Andersson 460k 550k
Stan Fulton 440k 425k
Tuan Le 270k out
Johan Storakers 250k 160k
Giou Luong 220k 275k
Attilio 240k 240k
Bohlman 140k 120k

One of the overnight chip leaders, David Benyamine was out when his trip fives ran into trip queens. Also out Tony Ma, Mike Sica, Michael Mizrachi, Stephanie Dao (the last surviving female)+ Rehne Pedersen.

5pm
Shannon Shorr 790k
Louis Pagnotti 520k
M.Andersson 460k
Stan Fulton 440k
Tuan Le 270k
Johan Storakers 250k
Giou Luong 220k

With 18 players remaining Tuclaloosa Shannon Shorr looks to have the chip lead. I will give chip counts on the next break.Other players I can name : Michael Andersson,Attilio Bitondo, Stan Fulton,Tam Ho,Tuan Le, Men Nguyen, Louis Pagnotti, Johan Storakers, Jon Wong.

1 Eugene Juergens Brighton, MI 487,400
2 Atilio Bitondo Las Vegas, NV 466,100
3 David Benyamine Las Vegas, NV 406,200
4 Men “The Master” Nguyen Bell Gardens, CA 388,400
5 Shannon Shorr Tuscaloosa, FL 354,300
6 Kevin Ho Gainesville, FL 322,400
Michael Andersson Kalmar, Sweden 294,400
8 Tuan Le Los Angeles, CA 280,000
9 Robert Kay Johannesburg, S. Africa 217,100
10 Louis Pagnotti West Pittston, PA 200,000
11 Wayne Boich Las Vegas, NV 190,200
12 Karsten Johansen Copenhagen, Denmark 184,100
13 Peter Costa Leicester, England 183,500
14 Johan Storakers Stockholm, Sweden 181,300
15 Tam Ho Las Vegas, NV 177,500
16 Christopher Bush Mission BC. Canada 167,300
17 Jonathan Wong Los Angeles, CA 149,800
18 Dale Morrow Horn Lake, MS 137,600
19 Dmitry Rakovsky Miami, FL 128,200
20 Stan Fulton Las Vegas, NV 128,000

Prize
Rob Mizrachi $12470
Steve Weinstein
Jason Grey
Nhut Tran
Alex Todd
John Juanda
Dan Harrington
A.Hartman
Kevin Saul $12470

Men Nguyen 390k
Louis Pagnotti 240k
Tuan Le 230k
D.Benyamine 160k
J. Storakers 140k
Peter Costa 120k

Everyone is in the money (and in 30 minutes in the buffet.).

Jeff Lissandro is involved in a big cash game hours after being eliminated from the ME at the Rio.

Tonights Bellagio tournament started 30 minutes ago and includes Mikael Thuritz, Scott O'Reilly(PartyPoker WSOP player),Fabrice Soulier, Jennifer Tilly and boyfriend Phil Laak.

Eric Froelich was eliminated by Men Nguyen. With this pot Men is back in front, not Jaimie Gold style, but the smile is back on Mens face.

Phil Hellmuth left when he realised the event was not being televised.

Player 7pm
Men Nguyen 300k
Louis Pagnotti 240k
Andersson 195k
Hasan Habib 190k
Peter Costa 70k

Other eliminations: Paul McCaffrey + Denis Waterman.

Phil Hellmuth has entered the building. Obviously ESPN have decided they have enough footage of him so he is working the room here.

50 players will be paid. Lyle Berman has requested that they play ten six handed tables when they reach sixty. Even though this is not a WPT event Bellagio works very closely with the WPT.

The schedule says that we will play seven levels today. I am told play will end after five levels.

Someone came down from his room and asked for a Scandanavian update:

Michael Andersson 260k
Rehne Pederson 90k
Tor Iverson 62k
Thor Hansen out

Men the Master has shaved his head but when I appeared with my camera the hat went back on!