WPT L.A. Poker Classic, Day 2 Recap

By BJ Nemeth

A WPT television camera (bottom left) captures some footage at the featured table, which included a particularly impressive lineup (in seat order): (1) Jason Paquin, (2) Jason Mercier, (3) Erick Lindgren, (4) Dan O’Brien, (5) Matt Berkey, (6) Dan Kelly, (7) Allen Kessler, (8) Men Nguyen, (9) Will Failla.

In this photo, you can see Allen "Chainsaw" Kessler raking in a pot early, but Kessler exited rather quickly on Day 2, running pocket kings into the pocket aces of Dan Kelly in a classic Kessler cooler.

Michael Rocco was the Day 1 tournament chipleader with 156,200, but Day 2 wasn’t as kind to Rocco, as he didn’t survive the day.

In addition to being the WPT’s Raw Deal Analyst on the TV show, Tony Dunst is the lead commentator for the WPT Final Table Live Stream, which shows all the action (including holecards) on a 30-minute delay. The final table for this event will be on Wednesday, February 29th. (Yes, it’s a leap year, so February has 29 days.)

(Did you notice the banner of WPT on-air talent over Dunst’s shoulder?)

WPT Commentator Mike Sexton joined Tony Dunst (and Dan O’Brien) for the WPT Live Stream at the last WPT stop, the WPT Seminole Hard Rock Lucky Hearts Poker Open, down near Miami, Florida. By most accounts, it was one of the most popular live streams among the viewers.

Liv Boeree smiles after doubling up with [AcAh], all in after a flop of [9s3s3d]. Her opponent called with [QdQs], and Boeree’s aces held up. Boeree lost momentum later in the day, but she is still alive and heading into Day 3 with 52,100 in chips.

Barry Greenstein (right) watches as Phil Ivey plays a hand to the river early on Day 2. The long-time friends both survived to Day 3, with Greenstein at 34,000 and Ivey at 106,000.

Jason Mercier (left), Erick Lindgren (center right), and Allen Carter (foreground right) wait for a player to act at the Day 2 featured table. Lindgren and Carter are both members of the WPT Champions Club (Lindgren actually won two titles and was the WPT Season II Player of the Year), while Mercier has seemingly won everything under the sun except a WPT title.

If the smile of Tony Hachem looks a little familiar, that may be because you know his brother Joe, who won the 2005 WSOP Main Event. Tony made a deep run in the 2011 WSOP Main Event, finishing 37th as he tried to bring another WSOP championship home to Australia.

This is Tony’s first WPT event (brother Joe won a WPT title too, back in 2006), and both Hachems are in good shape with average chip stacks heading into Day 3.

Royal Flush Girls Tugba Ercan (left) and Ivy Teves played in a special bounty tournament for members of ClubWPT.com. Their laptops were set up at the Royal Flush Girls Social Bar overlooking the WPT L.A. Poker Classic.

During the bounty tournament, any ClubWPT player who eliminated a Royal Flush Girl will receive an additional bounty prize — a swag bag valued at over $100, with a hoodie, t-shirt, hat, backpack, and an autographed photo from the Royal Flush Girl that was eliminated.

ClubWPT.com players who missed out on Saturday’s bounty tournament will have another chance on Sunday at 3:30 pm PT, when Royal Flush Girls Brittany Bell and Danielle Ruiz will take their turns on the virtual felt.

Royal Flush Girl Ivy Teves poses for a quick photo between hands in the ClubWPT.com bounty tournament, while the WPT L.A. Poker Classic plays on in the background.

Mike Sexton gives his thoughts to the WPT television camera after his elimination in the middle of the day.

The WPT Champions Cup is a unique trophy that travels the tour and is engraved with the name and winning hand of every WPT champion. (WPT winners receive a slightly smaller version to keep for themselves.)

Shannon Shorr watches carefully as the dealer counts down chip stacks between him and Mike Leah. Shorr had just doubled up with pocket kings, and since they were nearly even in chips, the loss crippled Leah, who was eliminated a short while later. Shorr survived the day with 38,100.

ClubWPT.com qualifier Steven Simmons found himself playing against Phil Ivey on Day 2. Simmons was short stacked and didn’t survive the day, but it’s unlikely that he’ll ever forget the stare of Ivey.

With the board showing [Ac9c3s5h8c], Vanessa Rousso (center) bets nearly enough to put Jennifer Harman (foreground, right) all in. Harman thought for about two minutes before she folded.

Rousso assured Harman it was a good fold, but when Harman asked if she had a flush, Rousso said, "No flush, but I think I was good. Unless you had aces."

Jason Somerville (left) and Darren Elias (right) were both battling for the top of the leaderboard in the final level. When the dust settled at the end of the day, Elias had the advantage, fourth in chips with 257,400, while Somerville finished in the top 15 with 190,300.

Greg "FBT" Mueller had a strong day, finishing third in chips with 279,700, and he was named as the ClubWPT.com Player of the Day.

Day 2 came to an end with 182 players remaining. Here’s a look at the top of the leaderboard (average chip stack: 90,500):

1. Gordon Vayo – 284,000
2. Behzad Teranie – 280,000
3. Greg "FBT" Mueller – 279,700
4. Darren Elias – 257,400
5. Vasile Buboi – 238,700
6. Keith Ferrera – 235,100
7. Eric Cloutier – 231,300
8. Joe Tehan – 223,200
9. Barry Woods – 206,600
10. Shaun Deeb – 197,400

Day 3 begins Sunday at 12:00 noon PT, and the plan is to play to the money (54 players), though they will play at least five levels if they reach the money early. (Spoiler Alert: They won’t reach the money within five levels.) Return to WPT.com for continuing live coverage throughout the day.