$5,500 Aruba Poker Classic Championship | 2009 Aruba Poker Classic

Level: 21

Blinds: 8,000/16,000

Ante: 2,000

10-10-2009 13:17 UTC-4

Updated Chip Counts

donpeters

Robert Mizrachi - 2,120,000
Eric "basebaldy" Baldwin - 1,650,000
Chase Steely - 1,240,000
Brock Parker - 1,100,000
Brandon Hall - 430,000
Jose Roberto Santos - 390,000

10-10-2009 13:11 UTC-4

Hellmuth Stops By

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donpeters

Phil Hellmuth stopped by to check in on the final table. It looked like he had just gotten out of the pool for an early afternoon swim.

"I love the World Series, but this is a pretty nice place for a final table." he said, pointing around to the scenery. He then looked at Brock Parker and said, "Wow, two bracelets and now Aruba? That's awesome." Parker smiled, but didn't say anything.

Tags: Aruba Brock Parker Phil hellmuth World Series

10-10-2009 13:01 UTC-4

Baldwin Scoops Big Pot Without Showdown

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donpeters

Jose Roberto Santos raised to 30,000 from under the gun and Eric "basebaldy" Baldwin called on the button. Chase Steely called out of the big blind as well. The three players took a flop of {7-Diamonds}

and action checked around.

The turn brought the {3-Spades}

and Steely led out with a bet of 65,000. Santos folded and then action moved over to Baldwin. He raised to 175,000, putting the pressure back on Steely. Steely took about half of a minute to make the call.

The river completed the board, adding the {8-Clubs}

. Steely checked. Baldwin took his time before betting 330,000. Steely tanked before slowly sliding his hand towards the dealer for a fold. He dropped to 970,000 chips. Baldwin moved up to 1.85 million.

Tags: "basebaldy"Chase Steely Eric Baldwin Jose Roberto Santos

10-10-2009 12:55 UTC-4

Updated Chip Counts

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[user66118]

Robert Mizrachi - 2,100,000
Eric Baldwin - 1,520,000
Chase Steely - 1,220,000
Brock Parker - 1,000,000
Brandon Hall - 560,000
Roberto Santos - 492,000

10-10-2009 12:53 UTC-4

One Million, Two Million

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[user66118]

Under the gun, Robert Mizrachi opened with a raise to 30,000, and Chase Steely made the call in the cutoff seat. Action came around to Brock Parker in the big blind, and he three-bet it up to 120,000. Mizrachi would come along with Steely folding out of the way.

Heads up then, the flop rolled out {2-Spades}

. Parker passed, and he would fold to a bet of 220,000 from Mizrachi. That bumps Parker down to the million mark, and it moves the chip leader up over 2 million.

Tags: Chase Steely Robert Mizrachi

10-10-2009 12:45 UTC-4

Matt Ross Eliminated in 7th Place ($41,470)

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[user66118]

First into the pot from the button, Matt "cwp394" Ross open-shoved for his last 237,000. Chase Steely asked for a count before folding his small blind, but big blind Jose Santos sat staring at Ross for a few seconds before even checking his cards. When he did finally look down, he snap-called to put Ross at risk.

Santos smacked his {A-Diamonds}

down on the felt and immediately began celebrating. Ross was in a good spot though, racing for his double up with {7-Hearts}

.

Trouble came right in the door, though, as the {A-Clubs}

was the first card revealed. In the end, the board ran out {A-Clubs}

, signaling the end of Matt Ross' day.

Ross put on a good show here this week, and he'll be rewarded with $41,470 for his efforts.

Tags: Chase Steely Matt Ross

10-10-2009 12:12 UTC-4

Who Wants It?

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[user66118]

The cards are in the air, and the final table is in action!

Level: 20

Blinds: 6,000/12,000

Ante: 2,000

10-10-2009 12:05 UTC-4

Sooner Than Later

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[user66118]

We may have spoken too soon. With the swiftness and precision usually reserved for brain surgery, the tournament staff has thrown together a workable final table set, and they're shuffling people out the door toward the spot. We may be underway in just a few minutes after all.