2008 WSOP Circuit Event - Lake Tahoe

$5,150 Championship Main Event
Day: 3
Event Info

2008 WSOP Circuit Event - Lake Tahoe

Final Results
Winner
Winning Hand
q9
Prize
$181,379
Event Info
Buy-in
$5,000
Prize Pool
$640,200
Entries
132
Level Info
Level
22
Blinds
8,000 / 16,000
Ante
2,000

$5,150 Championship Main Event

Day 3 Completed

Congratulations to Michael Binger, Your 2008 Harveys Lake Tahoe WSOP Circuit Champion!

Grand Prize winner, Michael Binger
Grand Prize winner, Michael Binger
...and there you have it: Michael Binger wins the cash, the 2009 WSOP Main Event buy-in and a gold circuit championship ring to add to his trophy case.

Most people know Binger for his third-place finish in the 2006 WSOP Main Event (the Jamie Gold year), but after posting a win here today, we think it's pretty safe to say that Binger has made a name for himself outside of the shadow of that 2006 WSOP and has become a force to be reckoned with on the tournament circuit.

Binger's journey to chip leader on Day 2 was not an easy one. He began the day with 59,800 in chips and quickly built his stack up to 103,000. Not long after, he fell all the way down to 24,500 before climbing back up over 100,000 and the rest was gravy. Binger finished Day 2 as the overnight chip leader and held the lead for much of the final table. He lost the lead when Ty Stewart eliminated Allen Kessler, but never fell out of contention.

The heads-up battle was intense, as Stewart pulled out ahead quite fast -- at one point owning a 9-to-1 chip lead over Binger. Down 200,000 in chips to Stewart's 1,780,000, Binger remained resilient, never losing focus while constantly gaining momentum. Binger eventually re-assumed the chip lead and would never look back.

Congratulations are also in order for runner-up Ty Stewart. Primarily a mid-stakes cash game player, Stewart played tough throughout the tournament, running a clinic on how to play hyper-aggressive poker. Stewart will take home over $100,000 in prize money for his second-place finish -- his biggest tournament cash to date.

Kudos to Harveys staff and the WSOP crew for another successful tournament in South Lake Tahoe. Here are your final standings:

1st: Michael Binger - $181,379
2nd: Ty Stewart - $112,675
3rd: Jake Solis - $77,464
4th: Mike McClain - $53,777
5th: Tay Nguyen - $40,653
6th: Allen Kessler - $31,370
7th: Travis Erdman - $24,968
8th: Bill Bostick - $18,566
9th: Scott Clements - $13,444

That concludes our coverage of the 2008 Harveys Lake Tahoe World Series of Poker Circuit Championship Main Event. Until next time, from South Lake Tahoe, good night and good luck!

Tags: Michael BingerTy Stewart

Ty Stewart Eliminated in 2nd Place ($112,675)

Runner-up Ty Stewart
Runner-up Ty Stewart
Micheal Binger called Ty Stewart's option raise of 40,000 more before seeing a flop of {4-Hearts} {8-Clubs} {9-Diamonds}. Stewart led out with a 60,000 bet which was then raised up to 180,000. Facing the additional raise, Ty Stewart announced, "All in," as he risked his last 300,000. Binger called the post-flop shove and tabled {Q-Hearts} {9-Clubs}, which was ahead of Stewart's {A-Hearts} {8-Hearts}.

The crowd hovered around the table as announcer Tom Sexton laid out the scenario. Everyone watched in anticipation as the turn was {10-Diamonds}. The dealer put a {Q-Diamonds} on the end as Binger simultaneously clapped in victory as the card fell.

Ty Stewart was acknowledged for his deep run, as it was pointed out that he is mostly a cash game player in some of the premier card rooms of the West Coast. He will now have much more ammo for those sessions as he takes home $112,675.

Tags: Micheal BingerTy Stewart

Binger Extends Chip Lead

Ty Stewart opened with a raise to 38,000 from the button and Michael Binger made the call.

The flop came {7-Diamonds} {7-Clubs} {8-Diamonds} and both players checked. The turn brought the {4-Clubs} and Binger opened with a 45,000 bet, which was called by Stewart. The {6-Diamonds} fell on the river and Binger slid a big stack of 5,000-denomination chips across the betting line -- a wager worth 125,000. Stewart made the call and immediately Binger announced, "Full house," as he tabled {6-Spades} {6-Hearts} for sixes full. Stewart mucked distraughtly and was left with 588,000 in chips.

Binger moved to 1,392,000 with the win.

Tags: Michael BingerTy Stewart

The Winds of Change Blow Through

Ty Stewart looking a little less peppy
Ty Stewart looking a little less peppy
Micheal Binger tried to limp to a flop, but Ty Stewart raised his option 30,000 more. Binger facing the raise, decided to reraise himself, to the tune of 130,000. Stewart abided and both saw the flop: {7-Hearts} {5-Diamonds} {3-Hearts}. The pair checked to the turn which was the {J-Clubs}. Ty Stewart measured out 250,000 and received action from Binger. The {K-Diamonds} rounded out the board and the duo checked down the monster pot.

The reveal showed Binger's {Q-Spades} {7-Diamonds} had bested the {A-Clubs} {6-Hearts} of Stewart. The hand turned the tables in the chip counts; here's how they now stand:

Binger - 1,298,000
Stewart - 682,000

Tags: Michael BingerTy Stewart

Binger Gets Second Wind

Michael Binger
Michael Binger
Having been down to as few as 200,000 chips at one point in the heads-up match, Michael Binger has since climbed back to 957,000 in chips, pulling the match very close to even.

Binger looks fierce, at the moment, making all the right calls and all the right laydowns against opponent Ty Stewart, who seems to be fading fast.

Tags: Michael BingerTy Stewart

It Ain't Over Til It's Over

Ty Stewart made it 38,800 to go from the button. After a Micheal Binger call, the flop was spread {10-Spades} {3-Hearts} {K-Spades}. Both checked it to the turn, which appeared {6-Spades}. Binger checked, Stewart bet 60,000 and was called by Binger.

The river fell the {4-Hearts} and was checked down. Binger showed {A-Clubs} {6-Clubs} to Stewart's {A-Diamonds} {J-Spades} and took down the pot with a pair of sixes.

Binger Takes a Stand

After Ty Stewart made it 48,000 to go, both players saw the flop of {3-Diamonds} {4-Diamonds} {5-Hearts}. Micheal Binger checked to Stewart who bet 50,000. Binger then announced, "Raise" followed by, "446,000 more, all in." There was no confrontation as Binger moved his chips to the 635,000 mark.

Level: 22

Blinds: 8,000/16,000

Ante: 2,000

Game On

The players have returned from their impromptu break and the cards are back in the air.

Also of note, the players have decided to play things out and scrap their dinner break, which was scheduled for 6:30.