Niklas Astedt in the hijack opened to 240,000 with Q♠9♠, but Julio Trimmer on the button three-bet to 800,000. Rakan Abu-Saleh in the big blind then jammed for 1,420,000. Astedt folded but Trimmer made the call.
Rakan Abu-Saleh: A♦K♣
Julio Trimmer: Q♣6♣
Abu-Saleh was on his way to double up after the flop of 3♠2♦8♠ and the J♣ turn. But the Q♦ river landed on the felt to give top pair to Trimmer and send him the rail.
Jason Sagle opened to 240,000 in middle position and Timo Trems three-bet jammed a stack of around 2,550,000 on the button. Sagle called with a bigger stack as action got back around.
Timo Trems: 8♣8♥
Jason Sagle: A♣Q♦
Trems' eights were still ahead after the 2♦9♦3♠ flop and 4♥ turn, but the Q♥ river gave Sagle a pair of queens as Trems was sent to the rail.
After Guillermo Sanchez Otero raised to 250,000 from under the gun, Tyler Montoya on the button three-bet all-in for 1,335,000. The blinds folded and Otero called.
Tyler Montoya: K♠K♣
Guillermo Sanchez Otero: Q♠Q♣
The board of J♣A♦3♣3♦2♦ didn't change anything and Montoya doubled up.
In 2003, the game of poker changed forever after Chris Moneymaker topped a field of 839 players to win the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event for $2.5 million. By doing so, the Moneymaker effect ignited the “Poker Boom,” which saw the tournament field triple the following year.
The 2004 Main Event was the last to be held at the birthplace of the WSOP – Binion’s Horseshoe in downtown Las Vegas. The venue was packed to the rafters with 2,576 players entering that year’s tournament, and with the ESPN cameras capturing all the action several poker players made a name for themselves that year including young guns David Williams and Josh Arieh, while 1995 WSOP Main Event champ Dan Harrington made history by following up his third-place finish in the 2003 WSOP Main Event by placing fourth in 2004 for $1.5 million.
However, when the dust settled it was a patent attorney from Connecticut by the name of Greg Raymer winning the whole thing for a smooth $5 million and a gold bracelet. While attempting to defend his title in 2005, which doubled from the year prior by attracting 5,619 players, Raymer proved his win was no fluke by making another deep run, ultimately falling in 25th place for $304,680.
It’s been 20 years since Raymer’s victory, but he hasn’t slowed down as he’s continued to play poker all across the globe. In recognition of Raymer’s anniversary, PokerNews caught up with the champ, who will be at the 2024 WSOP!
Action folded around to the blinds, where Russell Rosenblum shoved for his last 1,920,000 from the small blind. Brian Kim took a peek at his cards in the big blind and stuck in a call to put Rosenblum at risk.
Russell Rosenblum: K♣3♣
Brian Kim: A♥Q♠
Kim held the lead with his ace, but the 2♦3♠3♥ vaulted Rosenblum into a commanding lead with trip threes.
The 9♠ turn left Kim drawing dead and an irrelevant 8♣ completed the board to make Rosenblum's double up official.
Francisco Sanchez bet 300,000 from middle position on a flop of Q♦9♦5♠ and Kevin Davis called in the small blind.
The turn was the J♠ and Sanchez bet another 850,000. Davis instantly slid forward a raise to 2,500,000.
Sanchez tanked for around two minutes before eventually folding. "Show the bluff. Queen-ten of diamonds?" he asked Davis, but Davis returned his cards face down as he took the pot.
Malo Latinois opened from under the gun to 240,000 and Veerab Zakarian called from two seats over. Robert Geith was in the big blind and squeezed to 750,000, which both Latinois and Zakarian called.
On the 2♠2♥A♣ flop, Geith led out for 750,000, which only Latinois called.
A 3♦ came on the turn which slowed down Geith as he checked, and Latinois bet 900,000. Geith took his time but eventually called.
When the 9♠ fell on the river, Geith checked again and Latinois shoved for 7,400,000. Geith had a little under 5,000,000 in chips remaining and elected to fold after a long tank.
