WSOP Updates �C Event #23, $1,500 PLO �� Clements Leads Day One; Chan Pursues #11
Thursday saw the kickoff of Event #23, $1500 Pot Limit Omaha, with 576 players entered, generating a $786,240 prize pool that will pay 54 spots and offer $194,2006 for first. The event drew the normal scattering of big names with perhaps an extra emphasis on European stars, reflecting Omaha's popularity overseas. Among those taking part were Robert Williamson III, Erik Seidel, Humberto Brenes, Freddy Deeb, former PLO bracelet winners Ted Lawson and Josh Arieh, plus Marcel Luske, John Gale, Andrew Black, David Ulliott and Noah Boeken.
Early eliminations included Phil Gordon, Erick Lindgren and unfortunate California poker pro Mickey 'Mouse' Mills, who showed up approximately 45 minutes late, picked up his first hand and promptly busted. Meanwhile, Joe Rutledge jumped to an early lead, with Vanessa Selbst and James Van Alstyne also among the early chargers. Those that wouldn't make the dinner break included Sam Farha, Michael Mizrachi, 2006 double bracelet winner Jeff Madsen and Kirk Morrison.
After the dinner break, Scott Clements had moved into the lead with Johnny Chan among those on the move, in pursuit of a possible 11th career bracelet and a possible tie with Phil Hellmuth. Chris Ferguson busted out and then moved to his seat in the Seven Card Stud event across the room, while Selbst fell victim to Scott Clements, just outside the money. The money bubble burst with three hours of play still remaining.
The fast knockout pace continued well beyond the money bubble, with Brandon Cantu, Andreas Krause, Manelic Minaya and Matt Matros among the late-evening departures, even as Chan assured himself a seat at the final table. Late in the evening, a huge collision between Clements and Justin Scott (in or close to second at the time) pushed Clements well out in front. The two saw a flop of 9?10?5? and, after Justin led the betting with 23K, Clements pushed in a pot-sized bet that would put Justin all in. Justin made the call and tabled A?3?J?4? for the draw at the nut flush; Clements showed 9?9?A?8? for the set. Justin made a flush when the J?, but the J? river gave Clements the full house on the redraw. Justin Scott went to the rail in 31st place on the hand..
23 players will return for Day Two play, when they will play all the way to the bracelet. The complete list:
Scott Clements 248,000
Dau Ly 187,000
Sam Abueid 127,000
Johnny Chan 116,000
Rami Boukai 115,500
Eric Lynch 97,500
Arnold Spee 92,500
Hilbert Shirley 81,500
Richard Olofsson 77,000
Will Durkee 67,500
Ayaz Mahmood 66,500
Mark Davis 56,000
Andrew Black 54,000
Gary Lundgren 50,000
Warren Simon 43,000
Jason Newburger 42,500
Burt Boutin 42,000
Charles Gibbs 36,000
Bradley Libson 35,000
Anthony MacCanello 31,000
K.U. Davis 23,500
Martin Davis 21,000
James Dankelberger 18,000
Join PokerNews.com's 'Live Reporting' of Event #23, $1,500 Pot Limit Omaha, beginning at 2pm PDT on Friday.
