Vichien Siprajim Eliminated Amidst Controversy

Photo: Vichien Siprajim (seated, left) explains his side of the story to Dan Colman (standing, striped shirt) and TD Tab Duchateau (standing, right).

With the board showing [9s6c3s2hKs] on the river and about 100,000 already in the pot, Vichien Siprajim checks, and Dan Colman bets.

The way in which Colman bets kicks off a controversy.

Colman says, "One million," and then tosses in a single 1,000 chip. A few other players at the table confirm that this is what happened.

Siprajim, who doesn’t speak English as his first language, appears confused and asks what the bet is. The dealer says it will put Siprajim all in. (Siprajim has about 100,000 behind.)

Siprajim asks Colman, "One thousand?" It seems that Colman didn’t really confirm or deny anything about the bet.

Siprajim tosses in a single 1,000 chip, and Colman turns over his hand — [Kc8c] (pair of kings). Siprajim mucks.

At this point, the other players at the table assume that Siprajim called all in, but when the dealer tries to get Siprajim’s stack, Siprajim insists that the final bet was for only 1,000.

A floorperson was called over, quickly followed by Borgata Tournament Director Tab Duchateau, who listened to everyone’s version of the story. Siprajim was strongly defending himself the entire time, and a few other players seemed to think he was legitimately confused.

Duchateau spent a good ten minutes weighing all of the evidence. (The level ended, and the rest of the field went on dinner break in this time.)

Duchateau eventually decides that the verbal bet of 1,000,000 was clearly understood by the dealer and most of the other players at the table. By tossing in the 1,000 chip, Siprajim was committing himself to the call. Duchateau carefully explains all of this to Siprajim and then says, "I’m sorry, but you’ve been eliminated from the tournament."

Siprajim was clearly upset, but seemed to resign himself to accept the ruling, and left the table to collect his prize money for 58th place.

Dan Colman  –  2,800,000
Vichien Siprajim  –  Out in 58th Place ($11,740)