WORLD POKER TOUR
INVITATIONAL
The Commerce Casino is the home for this week's tournament...a very special tournament run BY the World Poker Tour. It's the WPT Invitational, a big-money WPT tournament and a Hollywood Home Game all rolled into one. And the best part about this tournament is...it's a $200,000 "freeroll". As the title indicates, this tournament is invitation-only...and the 196 poker pros and celebrities invited didn't have to pay ONE RED CENT to enter the tournament! But the winner STILL gets $100,000 and, more importantly, a $25,000 buy-in for the WPT Championship at the Bellagio!
Unfortunately, unlike last year, not a single celeb made the Final Table (though Celebrity Poker Showdown host Dave Foley, who had NEVER played before, got to 11th place, the best celeb in the tournament). However, we DO have six great pros ready to battle for the WPT Championship chair. And they are:
| PLAYER | CHIP COUNT |
| John
Juanda Runner up at first-ever WPT event; former Player of the Year | $770,000 |
| Harry Demetriou Former clinical scientist from London; nicknamed "Wise Owl" | $325,000 |
| Joe
Cassidy 23-yr-old poker pro from Hutington Beach, CA | $315,000 |
| Humberto
Brenes Costa Rican businessman turned poker pro; "The Godfather" | $275,000 |
| Antonio Esfandiari "The Magician"; Winner of WPT LA Classic at this very casino. | $200,000 |
| Phil Laak Irish-born; nicknamed the "Unabomber" for his wardrobe; Finalist at WPT Legends of Poker | $110,000 |
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 $4,000 (SB) and
$8,000 (BB).
| Antonio | Phil | Humberto | John (D) | Harry (SB) | Joe (BB) |
| J♥ 10♠ | 2♥ 2♠ | J♠ 8♣ | K♦ 6♠ | 8♥ 5♦ | K♣ 9♥ |
| FOLD | Raises to $41,000 | FOLD | FOLD | FOLD | FOLD |
| WIN $59,000 | |||||
| Most poker hands are won by default like this. Truth be told, Phil's "ducks" would've been a VERY slight favorite against any ONE of these hands. | |||||
| John | Harry | Joe | Antonio (D) | Phil (SB) | Humberto (BB) |
| Q♦ 2♣ | 7♦ 3♣ | A♣ J♥ | 9♥ 6♣ | 4♠ 4♥ | 6♦ 5♦ |
| FOLD | FOLD | Raises to $23,000 | Raises to $63,000 | FOLD | FOLD |
| Calls $40,000 | |||||
| Joe is a 65% favorite right now. | |||||
| FLOP: A♥ 10♥ A♦ | |||||
| Joe has flopped a "set" of "bullets"...and Antonio is drawing dead. | |||||
| CHECK | CHECK | ||||
| TURN: 9♣ | |||||
| Bets $60,000 | FOLD | ||||
| WIN $204,000 | |||||
| CURRENT CHIP COUNT | |
| John Juanda | $848,000 |
| Joe Cassidy | $354,000 |
| Harry Demetriou | $290,000 |
| Humberto Brenes | $258,000 |
| Phil Laak | $127,000 |
| Antonio Esfandiari | $118,000 |
| Antonio | Phil | Humberto | John (D) | Harry (SB) | Joe (BB) |
| 3♠ 3♥ | 10♦ 10♣ | A♦ 4♣ | 5♦ 5♣ | 8♦ 2♠ | Q♣ 4♦ |
| ALL-IN $117,000 |
Calls $117,000 | FOLD | FOLD | FOLD | FOLD |
| Phil is a MAJOR favorite with his "tension" over Antonio's "crabs". Antonio needs a 3...and Phil (after shadow boxing a bit) gets the crowd to chant for a 3. (That's right...I said FOR a 3." | |||||
| FLOP: 6♠ J♦ 4♥ TURN: 2♦ | |||||
| Antonio needs either a 3 for "trips"...or a 5 for a straight. | |||||
| RIVER: 9♣ COMMUNITY: 6♠ J♦ 4♥ 2♦ 9♣ | |||||
| 3♠ 3♥ J♦ 9♣ 6♠ | 10♦ 10♣ J♦ 9♣ 6♠ | ||||
| OUT - 6th Place | WIN $252,000 | ||||
| Humberto | John | Harry (D) | Joe (SB) | Phil (BB) |
| K♠ 2♠ | 6♠ 3♥ | 4♠ 2♣ | Q♥ 8♦ | 8♠ 5♠ |
| FOLD | FOLD | FOLD | Calls $4,000 | CHECK |
| FLOP: J♠ Q♦ 7♥ | ||||
| Bets $20,000 | Raises to $60,000 | |||
| ALL-IN $336,000 |
FOLD | |||
| After raising, Phil pulls the hood of his sweatshirt closed to hide any "tells". Joe took it as a sign of weakness and re-raised, forcing Phil to fold. | ||||
| WIN $417,000 | ||||
| John | Harry | Joe (D) | Phil (SB) | Humberto (BB) |
| 6♥ 4♥ | A♠ A♣ | 6♦ 5♠ | K♣ 10♥ | Q♦ 2♦ |
| FOLD | Raises to $30,000 | FOLD | ALL-IN $238,000 |
FOLD |
| ALL-IN $115,000 |
||||
| Harry's "American Airlines" are an 86% favorite to win against Phil's "woodcutter". Phil's bet, however, is lowered to match Harry's all-in, since they ARE playing "table stakes". Phil will not be eliminated if he loses. | ||||
| FLOP: J♦ 9♥ 2♠ | ||||
| Phil now has a chance; he's flopped an inside straight draw, needing a Queen to hit it and knock Harry out. | ||||
| TURN: 3♣ RIVER: K♦ | ||||
| A♠ A♣ K♦ J♦ 9♥ | K♣ K♦ J♦ 10♥ 9♥ | |||
| WIN $273,000 | ||||
| CURRENT CHIP COUNT | |
| John Juanda | $911,000 |
| Joe Cassidy | $505,000 |
| Harry Demetriou | $243,000 |
| Humberto Brenes | $213,000 |
| Phil Laak | $123,000 |
| Harry | Joe | Phil (D) | Humberto (SB) | John (BB) |
| 8♠ 2♣ | Q♥ 5♦ | 10♥ 4♥ | K♣ J♠ | 7♣ 6♣ |
| FOLD | FOLD | FOLD | Calls $4,000 | CHECK |
| FLOP: 10♣ Q♦ 9♣ | ||||
| Humberto flopped a King-high straight! BUT,...John has a "straight-flush draw". An 8 won't help because he'll only have a 10-high straight, but a club would beat Humberto with a flush...and an 8 of CLUBS will give him a straight flush, the best poker hand possible! | ||||
| Bets $14,000 | ALL-IN $902,000 | |||
| ALL-IN $204,000 |
||||
| Again, John's bet is lowered to match Humberto's all-in. All John needs is a club in two cards... | ||||
| TURN: A♥ | ||||
| Now, John REALLY needs a club; the Ace gives Humberto "Broadway" or the "nut flush". ONLY a flush can beat it now. | ||||
| RIVER: 10♦ | ||||
| A♥ K♣ Q♦ J♠ 10♣ | 10♣ 10♦ A♥ Q♦ 9♣ | |||
| WIN $429,000 | ||||
| John | Harry | Joe (D) | Phil (SB) | Humberto (BB) |
| K♦ 7♣ | K♠ 10♠ | A♠ J♦ | 7♦ 5♥ | Q♠ 7♠ |
| FOLD | Raises to $35,000 | Raises to $85,000 | FOLD | FOLD |
| ALL-IN $117,000 |
Calls $32,000 | |||
| Joe is a 3-to-2 favorite with his "Ajax". | ||||
| FLOP: J♥ Q♣ 3♣ | ||||
| Joe flopped "middle pair"...but Harry has an open-ended straight draw, needing an Ace or a 9. | ||||
| TURN: 8♣ RIVER: 8♥ | ||||
| 8♣ 8♥ K♠ Q♣ J♥ | J♦ J♥ 8♣ 8♥ A♠ | |||
| OUT - 5th Place | WIN $262,000 | |||
| CURRENT CHIP COUNT | |
| John Juanda | $1,305,000 |
| Joe Cassidy | $362,000 |
| Phil Laak | $199,000 |
| Humberto Brenes | $129,000 |
| Humberto | John (D) | Joe (SB) | Phil (BB) |
| J♥ 4♦ | 7♦ 5♥ | A♠ 6♣ | A♦ 8♣ |
| FOLD | FOLD | Raises to $36,000 | ALL-IN $197,000 |
| Calls $161,000 | |||
| While awaiting the call, Phil does sit-ups | |||
| FLOP: 9♣ 3♠ 9♦ TURN: 10♠ | |||
| AT this point, Phil goes behind the dealer to catch a first look at the River. If an 8, a 7 or anything lower than a 6 comes off, Phil wins. If a 6 comes off, Joe wins and Phil is gone. If a 9 or higher comes off... | |||
| RIVER: A♥ | |||
| ...the pot is split. Both players have the same five-card hand: Aces and 9s with a 10 kicker. Essentially, they've won their bets back. | |||
| A♠ A♥ 9♣ 9♦ 10♠ | A♦ A♥ 9♣ 9♦ 10♠ | ||
| WIN $201,000 | WIN $201,000 | ||
| John | Joe (D) | Phil (SB) | Humberto (BB) |
| J♦ J♥ | 8♥ 4♥ | K♣ 7♣ | Q♥ 2♦ |
| Raises to $36,000 | FOLD | ALL-IN $199,000 |
FOLD |
| Calls $163,000 | |||
| John is a 68% favorite. Again, Phil goes next to the dealer to see the cards first. For the record, this is NOT good poker etiquette to get up from your chair and go ANYWHERE else at the table during the course of a hand. | |||
| FLOP: K♥ 3♠ 10♦ | |||
| Phil now has "cowboys", which beats John's "hooks". | |||
| TURN: 9♣ | |||
| The 9 gives John a straight draw. He needs a Jack to make three-of-a-kind...or a Queen for a straight. | |||
| RIVER: 9♦ | |||
| J♦ J♥ 9♣ 9♦ K♥ | K♣ K♥ 9♣ 9♦ 10♦ | ||
| WIN $418,000 | |||
| CURRENT CHIP COUNT | |
| John Juanda | $1,114,000 |
| Phil Laak | $448,000 |
| Joe Cassidy | $354,000 |
| Humberto Brenes | $79,000 |
| Phil | Humberto (D) | John (SB) | Joe (BB) |
| 6♠ 4♥ | A♦ 6♣ | K♠ J♣ | K♣ 8♠ |
| FOLD | ALL-IN $77,000 |
Calls $67,000 | FOLD |
| Humberto says, "Ace is coming, don't worry..." | |||
| FLOP: A♥ 4♣ 7♥ | |||
| And, sure enough, it does. John needs a running Jacks, running Kings, running King-Jack or running Queen-10 to win. | |||
| TURN: 10♥ | |||
| There's the 10...only a Queen can save him now. | |||
| RIVER: 4♦ | |||
| A♦ A♥ 4♣ 4♦ 10♥ | 4♣ 4♦ A♥ K♠ J♣ | ||
| WIN $182,000 | |||
| John doubled-up two men straight. | |||
| John | Joe (D) | Phil (SB) | Humberto (BB) |
| 9♠ 5♣ | 5♥ 5♦ | A♠ 10♦ | 10♣ 2♠ |
| FOLD | ALL-IN $281,000 |
ALL-IN $263,000 |
FOLD |
| Phil's two overcards are still a 54% underdog to Joe's "speed limit" | |||
| FLOP: K♦ Q♥ 7♦ TURN: 6♦ | |||
| Phil has 15 outs: three Aces, four Jacks, two 10s and six other diamonds (besides the Ace and Jack of diamonds). | |||
| RIVER: 8♦ | |||
| K♦ 8♦ 7♦ 6♦ 5♦ | K♦ 10♦ 7♦ 6♦ 8♦ | ||
| WIN $552,000 | |||
| Though both have a diamond flush, Phil has King-10-high while Joe has King-8-high. | |||
| Joe | Phil (D) | Humberto (SB) | John (BB) |
| Q♠ 4♠ | 7♣ 3♦ | A♥ 9♦ | 6♦ 4♦ |
| ALL-IN $17,000 |
FOLD | Calls $10,000 | CHECK |
| Joe could not call the $20,000 Big Blind, so he went all-in for less. $3,000 from Humberto's and John's bets go into a side pot, since Joe cannot win more from any one player than he, himself, puts in. Humberto and John can still bet into the side pot which Joe cannot win. | |||
| FLOP: K♥ 6♠ 5♥ | |||
| CHECK | CHECK | ||
| TURN: 10♦ | |||
| CHECK | CHECK | ||
| RIVER: 7♠ COMMUNITY: K♥ 10♦ 7♠ 6♠ 5♥ | |||
| CHECK | CHECK | ||
| Obviously, Humberto and John did not WANT to bet into the side pot. | |||
| K♥ Q♠ 10♦ 7♠ 6♠ | A♥ K♥ 10♦ 9♦ 7♠ | 6♦ 6♠ K♥ 10♦ 7♠ | |
| OUT - 4th Place | WIN $59,000
(Main) WIN $6,000 (Side) | ||
| CURRENT CHIP COUNT | |
| John Juanda | $1,252,000 |
| Phil Laak | $528,000 |
| Humberto Brenes | $215,000 |
That doesn't last, though; over time, Phil takes a small chip
lead
| Phil (D) | Humberto (SB) | John (BB) |
| 9♣ 7♠ | A♠ Q♦ | K♥ J♣ |
| FOLD | ALL-IN $156,000 |
Calls $136,000 |
| Humberto's about a 3-2 fave with "Big Chick". | ||
| FLOP: 5♣ 10♥ 5♥ TURN: J♦ | ||
| John's "hooks" is a 4-to-1 now. The only two things that can save Humberto is a Queen or... | ||
| RIVER: A♣ | ||
| ...an Ace. ANOTHER double-up by John! | ||
| A♠ A♣ 5♣ 5♥ Q♦ | J♣ J♦ 5♣ 5♥ A♣ | |
| WIN $318,000 | ||
| Humberto (D) | John (SB) | Phil (BB) |
| 4♥ 4♦ | 6♠ 2♠ | Q♣ 9♣ |
| Raises to $60,000 | FOLD | Calls $40,000 |
| Before the Flop is even dealt, Phil says, "Check". This is a legal and binding call; Phil couldn't change his mind if, say,... | ||
| FLOP: K♣ 3♣ 6♥ | ||
| ...he flopped a flush draw and is a 56% favorite over Humberto's "sailboats". Too bad, Phil; your check stands. | ||
| CHECK | ||
| ALL-IN $291,000 |
Calls $291,000 | |
| TURN: 7♠ | ||
| Phil gets the crowd to chant what he needs to knock Humberto out: "Club-Queen-nine! Club-Queen-nine!" | ||
| RIVER: K♠ | ||
| K♣ K♠ 4♥ 4♦ 7♠ | K♣ K♠ Q♣ 9♣ 7♠ | |
| WIN $718,000 | ||
| CURRENT CHIP COUNT | |
| Phil Laak | $767,000 |
| Humberto Brenes | $733,000 |
| John Juanda | $495,000 |
| Phil (D) | Humberto (SB) | John (BB) |
| 10♣ 7♣ | 9♣ 4♣ | 3♥ 2♦ |
| Calls $30,000 | FOLD | Calls $0 |
| FLOP: 6♦ 7♥ 7♠ | ||
| Phil has flopped the "slot machine" (7-7-7)! | ||
| Bets $35,000 | ||
| Raises to $70,000 | Raises to $120,000 | |
| Calls $50,000 | ||
| Phil didn't bet big in the HOPES that John would at least call. It was more than he DREAMED of that John would try to bluff him out of the pot. | ||
| TURN: 6♣ | ||
| Phil now has a full house, sevens full of sixes. And John...has bubkis! | ||
| CHECK | ||
| Raises to $30,000 | FOLD | |
| WIN $354,000 | ||
Time passes...
| CURRENT CHIP COUNT | |
| Phil Laak | $1,006,000 |
| Humberto Brenes | $679,000 |
| John Juanda | $310,000 |
| Phil (D) | Humberto (SB) | John (BB) |
| K♥ Q♥ | A♥ 7♣ | A♣ 4♦ |
| Raises to $100,000 | FOLD | ALL-IN $307,000 |
| Calls $207,000 | ||
| John is a 54% favorite for now. | ||
| FLOP: Q♠ 3♥ 2♦ | ||
| So much for that. Phil has the "ladies"...but John has a "wheel draw", needing a 5 for an Ace-low straight. An Ace would give him a higher pair as well. | ||
| TURN: 7♦ RIVER: 4♠ | ||
| Q♥ Q♠ K♥ 7♦ 4♠ | 4♦ 4♠ A♣ Q♠ 7♦ | |
| WIN $638,000 | OUT - 3rd Place | |
So we're down to the Irish eccentric and the Costa Rican
pro. And you know that means...HEADS-UP! The winner gets the
100 grand (and not the candy bar mind you) and the WPT Championship seat.
| CURRENT CHIP COUNT | |
| Phil Laak | $1,565,000 |
| Humberto Brenes | $430,000 |
Oh, sure, it LOOKS insurmountable...but just ONE double-up
by Humberto and the game's more-or-less tied!
| Phil (D) (SB) | Humberto (BB) |
| Q♥ 7♣ | 3♦ 3♣ |
| ALL-IN $1,560,000 |
ALL-IN $425,000 |
| Phil's bet is lowered. Humberto's "crabs" are a 53% fave. Phil needs a Queen or a 7 to take the lead. | |
| FLOP: 4♠ 10♣ J♣ TURN: 10♦ RIVER: 9♣ | |
| 10♣ 10♦ Q♥ J♣ 9♣ | 3♦ 3♣ 10♣ 10♦ J♣ |
| WIN $860,000 | |
| CURRENT CHIP COUNT | |
| Humberto Brenes | $1,385,000 |
| Phil Laak | $610,000 |
See? Now HUMBERTO has a 2-1 chip lead!
| Phil (D) (SB) | Humberto (BB) |
| A♠ 2♦ | K♣ 8♣ |
| ALL-IN $600,000 |
Calls $520,000 |
| FLOP: J♥ Q♣ 8♦ | |
| Humberto has pulled ahead with a pair of "snowmen" | |
| TURN: 6♠ | |
| The only thing that can beat Humberto and continue the tournament is... | |
| RIVER: A♥ | |
| ...yeah...you guessed it. | |
| A♠ A♥ Q♣ J♥ 8♦ | 8♣ 8♦ A♥ K♣ Q♣ |
| WIN $1,220,000 | |
| This makes FIVE times Phil has "outdrawn" his opponent in a crucial hand. | |
| Humberto (D) (SB) | Phil (BB) |
| J♠ 2♦ | A♣ K♣ |
| ALL-IN $765,000 |
Calls $685,000 |
| It's possible Humberto was "on tilt" from the last hand. He says, "I like the action" before going all-in. But Phil's "Big Slick" is a HUGE fave. Humberto needs some help. | |
| FLOP: Q♦ 4♠ 9♥ TURN: 4♥ | |
| To stay alive, Humberto needs a Jack or... | |
| RIVER: K♥ | |
| ...a 2! Fooled ya, didn't I? | |
| 4♠ 4♥ K♥ Q♦ J♠ | K♣ K♥ 4♠ 4♥ A♣ |
| OUT - 2nd Place | TOURNAMENT WINNER! |
| 1ST | PHIL LAAK |
$100,000 |
| 2nd | Humberto Brenes | $38,000 |
| 3rd | John Juanda | $18,000 |
| 4th | Joe Cassidy | $14,000 |
| 5th | Harry Demetriou | $10,000 |
| 6th | Antonio Esfandiari | $8,000 |
So the "Unabomber", starting the day in dead last, wins his first WPT title. He also advances to the WPT Championship with a $25,000 buy-in. As for David Foley, the last celeb out...he gets $5000 to his favorite charity...just like the losers on Celebrity Poker Showdown. Hmmmm...