WSOP round up – Lisandro scores a hat-trick as Greenstein assumes control

Jeff Lisandro steamrollered through the field in the $2500 7 Card Razz event to secure an unprecedented third bracelet of the 2009 World Series. He completes a triumvirate of 7 Card Events – Stud, Stud 8 and Razz to become the only player in 2009 to taste victory three times.

After entering the day with a 3:2 lead over second, it was pretty much one way traffic. Going into 5-handed play, the suave Italian held 1,437,000 in chips, with the other players holding a mere 919,000 combined. 1^st day chipleader Warwick Mirzikinian was ousted in 4^th as he found his 10 low crushed by Lisandro’s 7 low.  With Lisandro going into heads up with a 2.1 million stack to Michael Craig’s meager 210,000, there was only going to be one winner. Play was soon concluded when Lisandro’s  (T8)4497(J) confronted Craig’s (68)AA8J(K).

Final Top 3 Standings:

1^st Jeff Lisandro $188,390

2^nd Michael Craig $116,405

3^rd Ryan Fisler $76,260

Meanwhile the $2,500 Mixed Hold'em Event kicked off in style and with a beguiling prize pool of $1,212,100 up for grabs, many poker animals could be found in this watering hole including the UK’s very own Roland de Wolfe.

It was Barry Greenstein who left the day in control, holding the chip lead at the end of Day 1.  Equally dramatic was the fall of tournament king Phil Hellmuth who failed to make if through the first day after being on the wrong side of the proverbial stick.    Hellmuth had gone into his flop favorite with pocket sevens pitched against Jean-Robert Bellande’s pair of 6’s, however Hellmuth failed to dodge the inevitable 6 on the river, leaving him fuming on the rail. Former Buddhist Monk Andy Black was another player to hit the rail, with his two pair succumbing to a rivered straight. Daniel Negreanu’s luck faired considerably better, as his pocket kings cracked Karen Manfredes’ aces with a flush hitting on the river.

Unlike many others who left the tournament early, Daniel Negreanu was able to take solace after hitting a run of luck on the tables.  After having his straight upgraded to an unlikely flush, Negreanu was again hallowed by ethereal blessings after upturning Karen Manfredes pocket rockets on the river with kings, sending Manfredes back home.

Eli Ezra and and Poker Apprentice start Annie Duke also finished the day in fine form.  In one of the more tasty hands, Elezra limped into the pot with 6c-2c, hitting a jackpot 3 4 5 flop to reach an impressive 95,000 chip stack. Going into day 2, 67 players remain.

Credit: Sam M