By
Dan
In the wee morning hours of Thursday, July 3rd, one PocketFiver was making waves in the 2008 World Series of Poker. While the rest of the United States was busy getting started at work, Matt mattg1983 Graham won his first World Series of Poker bracelet in Event #53, a $1,500 limit shootout tournament. In this type of tournament, you have to win your table to move on, making each level the equivalent of a sit and go. Graham defeated Survivor star Jean-Robert Bellande heads up after a 17 hour final day of play. In fact, Graham won the tournament at about the same time I woke up this morning. PocketFivers have racked up eight bracelets from this year’s WSOP and pocketed nearly $16 million. All of the action from the dawn hours can be found on PocketFivesLive.com, your home for WSOP coverage.
The hand that put Graham out in front with a commanding chip lead occurred right around 10:00am ET, or 7:00am PT inside the Amazon Room at the Rio. Bellande would be crippled for good on a flop of J-5-2, Graham re-raised and Bellande called. The turn was a four. Bellande check-raised a bet from Graham and was called. After a seven fell on the river, Bellande checked, Graham bet, and Bellande called. Graham flipped over J-9 for top pair and took down the hand. The former Survivor contestant was sent packing two hands later. Graham pocketed $278,180 and his first WSOP bracelet. PocketFivesLive.com Tournament Reporter Jessica Welman commented, “Matt Graham displayed an extraordinary sense of patience. During Round 2, he got as low as one big bet, but managed to battle back to win the table. At the final table, was selective in his spots and found good places to pick up chips. Matt’s table was one of the last tables to finish at 9:00pm. The final table began at 10:00pm and wrapped up around 7:30am. He has a very good understanding of limit play and it showed today.”
Spencer spankybabes Lawrence (pictured at right) finished in sixth place. He was the victim of two critical hands that shrunk his chip stack. In the first, John Kranyak turned a flush against him. In the second, Graham hit a straight on the river. These two hands caused more than enough damage, sending Lawrence to the rails after being on the short-stack. He cashed for the third time during the 2008 WSOP. Lawrence also finished second in Event #6, a $1,500 Omaha Hi-Low Split-8 or Better tournament, for $156,344. His sixth place cash in Event #53 was worth $20,221.
Jonathan driverseati Tamayo (pictured at left) finished in 17th place, cashing for $5,055. He finished second in Event #41, a $1,500 mixed hold’em event, for $140,093. Welman noted, “Tamayo had a number of chips, but took hits in big situations where he had the second best hand or someone just caught up to him. Situations like top pair versus two pair were very common. However, he is very impressive to watch. He hasn’t played a lot of live tournaments, but has had outstanding results in the Series so far.”
Also cashing in Event #53 were two PocketFives.com veterans, Blair Rodman and Jimmy Gobboboy Fricke. Both cashed for $5,055. For each, it was their third cash of the 2008 WSOP.
The Main Event of the World Series of Poker started today from the Rio. Thursday marked the first of four starting days. The top finishers will meet back inside the Amazon Room next Tuesday for Day 2-A. Welman commented about the mood at the WSOP headquarters early Thursday morning: “I am unbelievably excited about the Main Event. It’s entirely possible that it will be as big as it was in 2006, the year that Jamie Gold won. Harrah’s has made every effort to be as player-oriented as possible and I think it will pay big dividends. I’m so excited; it’s like the first day of school.”
All of the thrills from the Main Event will be covered live on PocketFivesLive.com, your source for WSOP coverage of online poker players. If you’re planning on playing or know someone who is, click here to register for coverage and we’ll follow your progress. It’s an easy way to let your friends and family know how you’re doing. Good luck to all PocketFivers in the Main Event.