World Poker Tour Hollywood Poker Open Day 4: Oh Look, Seidel Makes Another Major Final Table
Tuesday was Day 4 at the World Poker Tour Hollywood Poker Open in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, and only nine players remained in the $10,000 Championship Event. Only three players needed to be eliminated before the official WPT televised final table was set. That only took 43 hands, and at the end of the day, William Reynolds was leading with 1.169 million in chips.
Also making the final table is none other than Erik Seidel, who just can't seem to go wrong in tournament poker these days. Seidel began the day with 526,000 in chips and only increased to 645,000 by the end of the day, but he was able to do so swiftly and quietly without clashing in any big pots with the other players. That could also be because the other players at the table don't want to mess with Seidel, especially with the hot streak he is on in 2011. We don't blame them if that's the case.
The first player to be eliminated on the day was Terry Jacobs. He finished in ninth place for $31,021 after losing to Mike Scarborough. On the ninth hand of play at the final table, Scarborough raised to 9,500 from middle position with the blinds at 2,000/4,000 with a 500 ante. Reynolds called and then Jacobs moved all-in for 85,000 from the button. The action folded back to Scarborough, who made the cal, and Reynolds got out of the way.
Scarborough turned over the Q♠Q♣ and Jacobs the A♥K♣ for your standard all-in coin flip. The board ran out 9♣3♥2♥8♣10♥ to steer clear of anything Jacobs needed and gave Scarborough the pot.
On the 30th hand of play, Allen Kessler raised to 10,500 from middle position. Scarborough made the call on the button, and everyone else folded before the flop came down K♠Q♦9♣. Kessler was first to act and bet 14,500. Scarborough flatted to bring the two players to fourth street where the J♣ landed.
On the turn, Kessler checked and Scarborough checked. The river then completed the board with the 7♥. Kessler bet 18,000 and Scarborough raised all-in for an effective shove of 110,500. Kessler made the call with the A♥K♥ for top pair. Scarborough turned over the Q♣10♦ for a king-high straight. Scarborough held the winning hand and sent Kessler out the door in eighth place for a $39,884 payday.
Seven-handed play only lasted 13 hands before the final player hit the rail to end the day. That player was start-of-the-day chip leader Steve Barshak, and he was eliminated by Reynolds.
With the blinds at 2,500/5,000 with a 500 ante, Barshak raised to 12,000 from under the gun. Action folded around to Reynolds in the big blind and he three-bet to 38,000. Barshak didn’t back down and four-bet to 92,000. Reynolds had some extra firepower of his own and fired right back. He five-bet to180,000. Barshak then six-bet shoved for approximately 425,000, according to the World Poker Tour Live Update Team, and Reynolds made the call.
Reynolds tabled the Q♠Q♦ and Barshak the A♣K♠ for another classic race situation, this time worth more than just some chips. If Reynolds won this hand, it would send him and the remaining five players to the official final table. If Barshak won, he’d take the chip lead. The board ran out J♠J♣5♦10♦Q♥ and Reynolds won the hand with a full house, queens over jacks, to eliminate Barshak in seventh place. He walked away with $44,315 in prize money.
Final Table Seat Draw with Chip Counts
| Seat | Player | Chips |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andy Whetstone | 80,500 |
| 2 | Erik Seidel | 645,000 |
| 3 | Ali Eslami | 213,000 |
| 4 | Tom Marchese | 175,000 |
| 5 | Mike Scarborough | 654,500 |
| 6 | William Reynolds | 1,169,000 |
Seidel seems to have has the golden touch these days and can do no wrong. He’s successfully maneuvered his way to this final table and continues to do nothing but win in 2011. Another player who is having a great year is Ali Eslami, having also made the final table. Tom Marchese has a few big tournament splashes to his name and will be looking to add this trophy to his mantle while Andy Whetstone is truly making the best of his opportunity from qualifying for this event from ClubWPT.
The final table will commence at 1600 EDT (2000 GMT) on Wednesday and it’s set up to be another great one. Be sure to check back to PokerNews for the recap or follow the action at WorldPokerTour.com.
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