SAN JOSE's BAY 101
SHOOTING STARS OF POKER

The World Poker Tour is used to playing in California, particularly Southern California and the L.A. area where FIVE tournaments have taken place this year.  But they don't get too much into NORTHERN California too often.  But, now, San Jose .  Just northern of the Mexican border, San Jose's Bay 101 Casino host its first-ever WPT event.  It's the eighth annual Shooting Stars Tournament.  243 people have each tossed $5000 in to compete in this competition.  As if a prize pool of $1.24 million and a $360,000 first-place prize wasn't enough, a $5000 "bounty" was placed on 23 pros and stars, with whosoever knocks them out of the tournament receiving the bounty.  But what everyone wants is to collect the ULTIMATE reward: the $25,000 buy-in to the WPT Championship occurring in mere weeks!

With 22 bounties collected, one remains in the six in the Final Table, a mix of pros and amateurs alike:

PLAYERCHIP COUNT
Phil Gordon
Retired Internet millionaire; "expert" on Celebrity Poker Showdown; 2nd-ever WPT Final Table
$1,238,000
Masoud Shojael
Iranian-born, lives in Bay Area;
Computer Engineer
$416,000
Chris Moneymaker 
Yes, THAT Chris Moneymaker, the 2003 World Series of Poker Champion!
$215,000
Scott Wilson
Born in Montreal, now lives in Costa Rica; Internet consultant; friend of Mark
$203,000
Mark Mache
Born in British Columbia; 32 years old;
financial analyst; friend of Scott
$175,000
Suzie Kim
Former investment banker, now housewife;
S.F. native; 1st ever no-limit tournament
$172,000

(Each player started with $10,000 worth of chips...and, BTW, Moneymaker is the only "bounty" left)

With Mike Sexton and Vince Van Patton ready to call the action with the WPT Cams, it's time to SHUFFLE UP AND DEAL!

Antes start at $1,000 and the blinds start at $5,000 (SB) and $10,000 (BB).

ChrisSuzieMasoudMark (D)Scott (SB)Phil (BB)
J♥ 5♣ 8♣ 2♦ K♥ 9♣ 8♦ 3♥ J♠ 6♦ 6♥ 5♥
FOLD FOLD Raises to $20,000 FOLD FOLD Calls $10,000
Masoud's "dog" is a 3-2 fave to win over Phil's suited connectors.
FLOP: K♠ J♣ 7♣
With Masoud "cowboy-ing up", he's a 94% fave now.
CHECK
Bets $50,000 FOLD
WIN $101,000
Phil noticed Masoud's trepidation to bet that $50,000.  He says, "It's a little scary betting into this much (Phil's large chip stack), isn't it?"


MarkScottPhilChris (D)Suzie (SB)Masoud (BB)
4♣ 2♣ 5♣ 4♠ 6♦ 5♦ 8♦ 3♦ 8♥ 8♠ A♦ 7♦
FOLD FOLD Raises to $20,000 FOLD Calls $15,000 Calls $10,000
FLOP: 9♣ 9♦ J♠
Suzie flopped "snowmen" and "Barbara Feldon" (she played Agent "99" on "Get Smart").
CHECK CHECK
Bets $30,000 Raises to $75,000 FOLD
FOLD
WIN $171,000


ChrisSuzieMasoudMark (D)Scott (SB)Phil (BB)
K♥ 3♥ Q♣ 4♣ 8♣ 3♣ J♣ 9♥ A♠ J♥ 8♥ 6♣
FOLD FOLD FOLD Raises to $20,000 Calls $15,000 Raises to $200,000
FOLD ALL-IN
$253,000
Calls $53,000
Before Mark folds, he gets out a cell pohne and asks if he can phone a friend?  Since this isn't "Super Millionaire", he can't (not that the friend would know what to do ANYWAY, unless he tapped into the WPT Cams at home).
FLOP: 5♠ 7♦ J♦
Scott was a major fave to START with thanks to his "Ajax".  Now, with a pair of "hooks", he's a 2-to-1 fave.  HOWEVER, Phil has an open-ended straight draw; a 4 or a 9 will put him ahead.
TURN: 2♠
RIVER: 7♠
J♥ J♦ 7♦ 7♠ A♠ 7♦ 7♠ J♦ 8♥ 6♣
WIN $532,000


MasoudMarkScottPhil (D)Chris (SB)Suzie (BB)
8♦ 4♦ J♠ J♥ 9♣ 7♥ A♣ 3♣ 4♣ 3♦ K♥ 2♠
FOLD Raises to $20,000 FOLD Calls $20,000 FOLD Calls $10,000
Mark is a mild favorite for now...but there's a reason Jacks are not only called "hooks" but also a "SHIP" (as in "S****iest Hand In Poker"): it's so good at first that you HAVE to bet it...
FLOP: 8♠ 5♣ A♥
...but there are still PLENTY of hands that can beat it...like Phil's Aces.
CHECK
Bets $30,000 FOLD FOLD
WIN $101,000
And, yet, Phil thought maybe Mark had an Ace as well with a HIGHER "kicker" than his 3...so he folded the best hand.


MasoudMarkScottPhil (D)Chris (SB)Suzie (BB)
J♦ 8♠ 9♥ 9♣ K♠ 2♥ Q♣ 4♠ A♦ 5♠ 8♥ 8♣
FOLD Raises to $25,000 FOLD FOLD FOLD ALL-IN
$134,000
Calls $109,000
"German virgin" vs. "snowmen" is an 83% fave for Mark.
FLOP: 2♣ 2♦ K♥
TURN: 8♦
BINGO!  Suzie has a full house, 8s full of deuces!  She's a 19-1 fave to double-up.  Only a 9 can give Mark a BETTER "boat" and knock Suzie out.
RIVER: 5♥
9♥ 9♣ 2♣ 2♦ K♥ 8♥ 8♣ 8♦ 2♣ 2♦
WIN $279,000



CURRENT CHIP COUNT
Phil Gordon$798,000
Scott Wilson$491,000
Chris Moneymaker$435,000
Masoud Shojael$370,000
Suzie Kim$270,000
Mark Mache$55,000


SuzieMasoudMarkScott (D)Phil (SB)Chris (BB)
K♥ 7♠ 5♣ 2♥ J♥ 4♥ 8♦ 2♠ 9♦ 7♦ Q♦ 9♥
FOLD FOLD FOLD FOLD Calls $5,000 CHECK
FLOP: 6♥ 9♣ 4♦
Both Phil and Chris flopped "top pair"...but Chris has a higher kicker in his Queen.
Bets $15,000 Raises to $45,000
Calls $30,000
TURN: 10♥
Phil needs an 8 for a straight or a 7 for two pair.
CHECK CHECK
RIVER: Q♠
COMMUNITY: Q♠ 10♥ 9♣ 6♥ 4♦
Ut oh...it's CHRIS that has two pair!
CHECK Bets $75,000
Calls $75,000
9♦ 9♣ Q♠ 10♥ 7♦ Q♦ Q♠ 9♥ 9♣ 4♦
WIN $266,000
Phil: "This is getting a little out of control."  He's lost about half of his chips...but STILL leads.


ScottPhilChrisSuzie (D)Masoud (SB)Mark (BB)
Q♣ J♥ 8♦ 2♦ 5♦ 3♦ A♠ 3♥ Q♥ 6♥ A♣ 2♥
FOLD FOLD FOLD Raises to $25,000 FOLD ALL-IN
$51,000
Calls $26,000
It's a virtual coin flip between Suzie's "Baskin-Robbins" and Mark's "Acey-Deucey".  Suzie says, "It's your turn (to out-draw her like SHE did to HIM before)."
FLOP: Q♠ 10♦ 7♥
TURN: 4♦
The 4 knocks the lower hole card in each of their hands out...and they now have the same hand.  Only a 3 or a 2 can prevent a split pot.
RIVER: 6♣
A♠ Q♠ 10♦ 7♥ 6♣ A♣ Q♠ 10♦ 7♥ 6♣
WIN $56,000 WIN $57,000
Since they have the same five-card hand, the pot is split between them. Since there are no $500 chips at this point in the tournament, Mark gets the extra $1000 simply by NOT being the "dealer".



CURRENT CHIP COUNT
Phil Gordon$658,000
Chris Moneymaker$603,000
Scott Wilson$486,000
Masoud Shojael$375,000
Suzie Kim$262,000
Mark Mache$35,000

Antes have gone up to $2,000 and blinds are now $8,000 (SB) and $16,000 (BB).
ScottPhilChrisSuzie (D)Masoud (SB)Mark (BB)
K♣ 2♦ Q♦ 5♦ J♦ 4♣ 5♣ 3♦ K♥ 10♥ 10♦ 2♠
FOLD FOLD FOLD FOLD Raises to $54,000 ALL-IN
$33,000
Since Mark would have to put in all his chips to cover Masoud's raise ANYWAY, he goes all-in "blind", meaning he doesn't even look at his cards until they're flipped up.  Masoud's bet is lowered to match Mark's all-in.  Masoud is a 7-2 fave to knock Mark out of the tournament.
FLOP: 2♣ 8♣ K♦
Mark sees the 2 to give him a pair and stands...then sees the King that gives Masoud a HIGHER pair and sits back down.  Mark's only hope is the last 2 in the deck (Scott folded the 2 of diamonds before).
TURN: Q♣
RIVER: K♠
o/~ Masoud's three Kings of stud poker are/Telling Mark to traverse afar... o/~
K♥ K♦ K♠ Q♣ 10♥ K♦ K♠ 2♠ 2♣ Q♣
WIN $78,000 OUT - 6th Place



CURRENT CHIP COUNT
Phil Gordon$650,000
Masoud Shojael$530,000
Scott Wilson$526,000
Chris Moneymaker$514,000
Suzie Kim$199,000


ChrisSuzieMasoud (D)Scott (SB)Phil (BB)
J♣ 2♥ 6♦ 2♦ ????? A♠ K♦ 8♦ 6♣
FOLD FOLD FOLD Raises to $40,000 Calls $24,000
FLOP: 6♥ J♦ Q♠
Phil flopped "bottom pair"...but Scott has a one-card straight draw, needing a 10 for "Broadway".
Bets $30,000 Raises to $90,000
Calls $60,000
TURN: 3♣
CHECK Raises to $235,000
FOLD
WIN $505,000
And Phil picks up his first (televised) pot of the Final Table!


Time passes...

CURRENT CHIP COUNT
Phil Gordon$744,000
Masoud Shojael$670,000
Scott Wilson$442,000
Chris Moneymaker$426,000
Suzie Kim$137,000


ChrisSuzieMasoud (D)Scott (SB)Phil (BB)
K♠ 10♥ 9♦ 5♠ J♥ 3♠ 7♦ 6♣ Q♠ 2♠
Calls $16,000 FOLD FOLD Calls $8,000 CHECK
FLOP: 9♥ K♣ 8♣
Bets $30,000 FOLD
Calls $30,000
TURN: 3♦
Bets $30,000
Raises to $90,000 Calls $60,000
Scott did what is called a "post oak bluff": a small bet into a big pot in the hopes that nobody calls it.  Chris, however, wasn't buying it.  Why SHOULD he?  He's an 84% fave with his Kings, even WITH Scott's open-ended straight draw.
RIVER: 7♣
COMMUNITY: K♣ 9♥ 8♣ 7♣ 3♦
CHECK
CHECK
K♠ K♣ 10♥ 9♥ 8♣ 7♦ 7♣ K♣ 9♥ 8♣
WIN $298,000


MasoudScottPhil (D)Chris (SB)Suzie (BB)
Q♥ 5♦ 7♥ 7♣ A♣ 5♣ K♦ 7♦ K♣ J♣
FOLD Raises to $40,000 Calls $40,000 FOLD Calls $24,000
FLOP: J♦ 2♥ 10♦
ALL-IN
$91,000
FOLD FOLD
WIN $229,000
Before folding, Phil takes out a pair of binoculars and looks across the table at Suzie.  Whether he was trying to see Suzie's hand or...something else...I'll leave to your imagination.


ScottPhilChris (D)Suzie (SB)Masoud (BB)
6♠ 4♣ J♣ 10♣ K♠ 6♥ 8♦ 6♣ 7♥ 7♣
FOLD Calls $16,000 FOLD FOLD CHECK
Remember, Masoud has $16,000 in the pot already on the Big Blind.  He doesn't HAVE to put in more chips if nobody raises him.  HE can raise if he wants, but he can also just check (which he did).  His "mullets" and Phil's high suited connectors are almost dead even to win.
FLOP: 10♠ 3♠ 9♣
So much for that.  Phil's "tension" makes him an 8-1 favorite.
CHECK
Bets $25,000 Raises to $75,000
Calls $50,000
TURN: 5♦
Phil's now a 19-1 fave.  Only another 7 can save Masoud.  Of course, HE doesn't know that, so...
Bets $50,000
Calls $50,000
RIVER: 4♥
COMMUNITY: 10♠ 9♣ 5♦ 4♥ 3♠
CHECK
CHECK
10♣ 10♠ J♣ 9♣ 5♦ 7♥ 7♣ 10♠ 9♣ 5♦
WIN $300,000


PhilChrisSuzie (D)Masoud (SB)Scott (BB)
8♥ 3♦ 9♣ 7♣ J♣ 8♦ 10♦ 5♣ K♦ 9♦
FOLD Raises to $50,000 FOLD FOLD Raises to $116,000
Calls $66,000
FLOP: 7♦ 7♥ 6♥
JACKPOT!  Chris flopped a "slot machine" (7-7-7)!
CHECK
ALL-IN
$438,000
FOLD
WIN $688,000
One may think Chris overplayed that hand.  But chances were that Scott (who had bupkis outside of his "pedigree dog") was going to fold no matter WHAT Chris bets.  Or maybe Chris wanted to head off Scott in case he had a flush draw.  In any case, Chris was content taking what Scott raised before the Flop.


ScottPhilChris (D)Suzie (SB)Masoud (BB)
A♥ 8♦ A♦ 7♦ 9♥ 7♥ K♥ 5♠ Q♥ 9♦
FOLD Raises to $35,000 Calls $35,000 FOLD Calls $19,000
FLOP: 4♣ 7♣ 8♣
No "slot machine" THIS time for Chris...but both he and Phil flopped "middle pair".  Phil's Ace is a better kicker, though, should it come down to that.
Bets $50,000
Calls $50,000 FOLD
Chris asks the crowd, "You want me to go all-in?"...then folds before getting an answer.  Good thing; he had only a 10% chance of winning.
TURN: 8♥
Masoud says to Phil, "Respect for you..."
"...CHECK"
Bets $80,000 FOLD
WIN $303,000



CURRENT CHIP COUNT
Phil Gordon$1,172,000
Chris Moneymaker$657,000
Masoud Shojael$328,000
Suzie Kim$153,000
Scott Wilson$109,000

Antes have gone up to $3,000 and blinds are now $12,000 (SB) and $24,000 (BB).
PhilChrisSuzie (D)Masoud (SB)Scott (BB)
A♦ 7♥ A♥ 6♣ 10♥ 4♥ 10♦ 2♦ Q♦ 10♠
Raises to $110,000 FOLD FOLD FOLD ALL-IN
$106,000
Phil's bet is lowered to match Scott's all-in.
FLOP: 7♠ 2♠ 9♠
Scott went from slight underdog to slight favorite with his flush draw.  The crowd starts to chant, "Spade!  Spade!"
TURN: A♠
Scott got the nut flush!  HOWEVER, PHIL has two pair...and the last Ace or one of two 7s will give him a full house, which BEATS a flush!
RIVER: 6♦
A♦ A♠ 7♥ 7♠ 9♠ A♠ 10♠ 9♠ 7♠ 2♠
WIN $239,000


SuzieMasoudScott (D)Phil (SB)Chris (BB)
J♥ 3♠ A♦ 7♦ K♠ 8♦ 9♥ 9♣ A♥ Q♥
FOLD Raises to $50,000 FOLD Raises to $300,000 ALL-IN
$648,000
ALL-IN
$257,000
FOLD
Chris' bet is lowered to match Masoud's all-in.  Since Masoud bet more than $300,000, Phil can't take ANY money back.  He WOULD have been the favorite...slightly.  As it stands, Chris' "Big Chick" is a 71% fave over Masoud's Ace-7 suited.
FLOP: 10♠ 3♣ 7
Ut oh...Masoud has a pair.  He's now an 81% fave.
TURN: 9♠
And Phil is now KICKING himself; he would've had "trips-nines".  Only a Queen can knock Masoud out.
RIVER: 8♦
7♦ 7♥ A♦ 10♠ 9♠ A♥ Q♥ 10♠ 9♠ 8♦
WIN $829,000



CURRENT CHIP COUNT
Masoud Shojael$822,000
Phil Gordon$812,000
Chris Moneymaker$364,000
Scott Wilson$217,000
Suzie Kim$204,000


ScottPhilChris (D)Suzie (SB)Masoud (BB)
10♣ 7♥ 9♦ 9♣ Q♥ 4♥ 6♥ 6♦ Q♦ 5♣
FOLD Raises to $60,000 FOLD ALL-IN
$201,000
FOLD
Calls $141,000
If you think Phil's gonna pass on THOSE 9s, you're nuts!  Especially when they're an 81% fave over 6s.
FLOP: 2♥ 3♥ 3♦
TURN: 3♣
Now things are getting interesting.  With three 3s on the Board, both have full houses.  Phil's is higher thanks to the 9s.  Suzie needs one of the two remaining 6s to make a better "boat" and win.  If the final 3 comes off, they'll both have four of a kind...but Phil's 9 would be the better kicker.
RIVER: 8♣
3♥ 3♦ 3♣ 9♦ 9♣ 3♥ 3♦ 3♣ 6♥ 6♦
WIN $441,000 OUT - 5th Place
And, with that, Phil re-takes the chip lead!



CURRENT CHIP COUNT
Phil Gordon$1,049,000
Masoud Shojael$747,000
Chris Moneymaker$409,000
Scott Wilson$214,000


PhilChris (D)Masoud (SB)Scott (BB)
10♥ 6♦ K♦ J♣ 7♦ 4♦ K♥ 6♥
FOLD Calls $24,000 Calls $12,000 CHECK
FLOP: A♠ 2♠ 3♠
Ace-Deuce-Trey...is this poker or gin rummy?!
CHECK CHECK
CHECK
TURN: Q♣
CHECK Bets $40,000
FOLD FOLD
WIN $124,000
Sensing weakness, Scott fired into the pot in the hopes of scaring everyone out.  It worked.


MasoudScott (D)Phil (SB)Chris (BB)
K♣ 10♣ Q♦ 9♣ K♠ 3 J♠ 2♥
Raises to $60,000 FOLD Raises to $180,000 FOLD
Calls $120,000
FLOP: 7♦ 9♥ 6♣
CHECK
CHECK
TURN: Q♣
Bets $240,000
Calls $240,000
RIVER: Q♥
COMMUNITY: Q♣ Q♥ 7♦ 9♥ 6♣
SCOTT's turn to weep; HE would've had "trips Queens"!
ALL-IN
$536,000
FOLD
WIN $1,412,000
Here, Phil SHOWS the bluff.  This is usually considered bad form...but it's not illegal.  It DOES give some of your strategy away, though.


ChrisMasoud (D)Scott (SB)Phil (BB)
9♥ 9♦ Q♣ 10♣ 5♠ 5♣ 3♥ 2♦
ALL-IN
$206,000
FOLD Calls $194,000 FOLD
There are those danged 9s again!  But it's an "overpair" to Scott's "speed limit" and, thus, a 4-1 fave.
FLOP: 8♠ J♠ Q♥
TURN: 6♠
Scott now has a flush draw.  Any spade or a 5 will knock Chris out and give Scott the $5000 bounty.
RIVER: Q♦
Q♥ Q♦ 9♥ 9♦ J♠ Q♥ Q♦ 5♠ 5♣ J♠
WIN $448,000


PhilChris (D)Masoud (SB)Scott (BB)
10♠ 7♠ Q♠ Q♣ 6♥ 4♣ Q♥ J♥
FOLD Calls $24,000 Calls $12,000 CHECK
"Hilton sisters", "Venus and Serena" (since they're black), "Seigfreid and Roy"...whatever you call them, they are BIG faves here.
FLOP: J♠ 5♥ 9♣
Scott has flopped top pair...but Chris is still a 79% fave to win the hand.
CHECK Bets $30,000
ALL-IN
$326,000
FOLD ALL-IN
$130,000
Chris' bet is lowered to match Scott's all-in bet.  Chris is an 85% fave now.  Scott needs that third Jack or running hearts to win and stay alive...
TURN: K♠
RIVER: 2♥
Q♠ Q♣ K♠ J♠ 9♣ J♥ J♠ K♠ Q♥ 9♣
WIN $344,000 OUT - 4th Place



CURRENT CHIP COUNT
Phil Gordon$1,575,000
Chris Moneymaker$535,000
Masoud Shojael$310,000

Antes have gone up to $5,000 and blinds are now $20,000 (SB) and $40,000 (BB).

Masoud (D)Phil (SB)Chris (BB)
K♠ 6♦ 10♥ 9♦ Q♠ 6♣
FOLD Raises to $165,000 FOLD
WIN $220,000
Chris was a 55% favorite...but got bluffed out of the pot by a strong bet by the chip leader.


Masoud (D)Phil (SB)Chris (BB)
10♦ 6♦ A♣ 7♥ J♣ J♠
ALL-IN
$230,000
Calls $210,000 ALL-IN
$455,000
Calls $225,000
Phil has called BOTH players' all-ins.  If Phil wins, he'll knock both of them out and Chris will come in second since he had more money at the start of the hand.  If Chris wins, he'll double-up and Masoud is out in 3rd.  If Masoud wins, he will TRIPLE-up and the higher of Chris' and Phil's hands will get $450,000...and all THREE will still be in.  As it stands, Chris' "hooks" is a 57% fave, Phil has a 1-in-4 shot while Masoud is the longshot.  Phil says, "Ace, baby!  Ace me!"
FLOP: 10♣ A♠ 8♥
BANG!  Phil got Aced!  He flopped "bullets"!  He's a 70% fave to win the tournament!
TURN: 8♦
If a Jack comes off, Chris gets a full house and wins.  If a 10 comes on the River, Masoud will have the boat and wins.  Anything else...
RIVER: 5♦
...and Phil wins!
10♦ 10♣ 8♥ 8♦ A♠ A♣ A♠ 8♥ 8♦ 10♣ J♣ J♠ 8♥ 8♦ A♠
OUT - 3rd Place TOURNAMENT WINNER! OUT - 2nd Place
No need for heads-up this time; it's the first time in WPT history someone has knocked out two people to win a tournament!



1ST PHIL
GORDON
$360,000
2nd Chris Moneymaker $200,000
3rd Masoud Shojael $103,300
4th Scott Wilson $79,800
5th Suzie Kim $68,840
6th Mark Mache $57,000

So by knocking out the 2003 World Champion and his biggest rival at the table in ONE HAND, Phil Gordon wins his first WPT Title (and collects $5000 more for KOing Moneymaker).  I hope Bravo gives him time off from Celebrity Poker Showdown to compete in the WPT Championship, 'cause he has a seat with his name on it at the Bellagio in a few weeks.