After three successful events already this season, the North American Poker Tour has added another stop: we're heading to Los Angeles!
The famous Bicycle Casino will host the event, scheduled for November 12-17. That leaves plenty of time for you to make plans and try to win your seat for much less than the $5,000 entry fee.
Fire up the PokerStars Lobby, go to Events >> NAPT and you'll soon see freeroll qualifiers for Los Angeles, giving you the chance to win a prize package that includes tournament buy-in, hotel accommodation and expenses. A full set of satellite events will be up closer to the event.
NAPT Season 1 got off to a cracking start at the PCA in January, followed by stops in Las Vegas in February, and a bumper event at the Mohegan Sun in April. Team PokerStars Pros were out in force for all three, with Jason Mercier winning the Mohegan Sun $25,000 Bounty Shootout after the Main Event had finished.
Jason Mercier
There's sure to be another star-studded turnout in sunny California. Team PokerStars Pro Daniel Negreanu said: "I've played at The Bike in the past and there is a strong local presence in LA. It's always really important for a tournament's success to have a strong core of local players as it gives even more incentive to travel to the events when you know there will be big money on the line. I'm looking forward to playing."
Others scheduled to play include Vanessa Rousso, Barry Greenstein, Bertrand 'ElkY' Grospellier, 2004 WSOP Main Event winner Greg Raymer, plus returning WSOP champion; 2009 Main Event winner Joe Cada.
Make sure you get there, too. For more information, go to the NAPT tour page.
Haig Kelegian, Managing Partner of The Bike, said: "We are very enthusiastic to secure the West Coast Tour stop. We clearly recognize the NAPT as the next major happening in the evolution of poker, and we have no doubt this Tour will entice and attract players from all over the world."
7:42pm: Dinner break
Players are now on dinner break until 9pm ET. Here are the heads-up chip counts
Sam Stein: 426,000
Jason Mercier: 449,000
7:36pm: Stein folds to the four-bet
Jason Mercier raised to 10,000 from the button and Sam Stein called from the big blind. All hell broke loose (well, kind of) on the [Ad][Kh][Jd] flop. Stein checked, Mercier made a 12,500 continuation bet and Stein raised to 32,000. Mercier wasn't going to give this one up easily and came back over the top for 59,500. That appeared to be the magic number, as Stein mucked his hand.
7:37pm: Part of being a winner...
is not getting impatient.
While there are a few dozen people in a hundred-yard radius who would like nothing more than to see these guys spew like a kid who shotgunned a glass of a ipecac, we're actually being treated to a pretty good and reasonable game of heads-up poker.
Jason Mercier: A picture of concentration
7:24pm: Break discussions
If this match doesn't finish up in the next 16 minutes, we're all scheduled to go on a an hour and 15-minute dinner break. With the players heads-up and everyone's night hanging in the balance, it's tempting to just play right through or take a shorter break.
That is, in fact, what Jason Mercier and Sam Stein are talking about now.
Our bet is we're going to dinner (we're thinking BBQ)...unless these boys can find a way to put this thing to bed.
7:11pm: Mercier extracts maximum value
Sam Stein raised it up to 10,000 and Jason Mercier made the call. Both players checked the [9d][8s][2d] flop. Mercier checked again on the turn, which fell the [Ts]. Stein bet 14,000 and Mercier came in with ye olde check-raise to 36,500. Stein looked him up and they went to the river. It was the [Th] and Mercier led out for a hefty 68,000. Stein looked a little distressed at the size of the bet but made the call anyway, only to watch Mercier roll over [6h][7h] for the rivered straight.
These two are still about even in chips.
6:53pm: Sam Stein doubles through Jason Mercier
Jason Mercier had ground out a nice lead over Sam Stein, but after this hand, they are essentially back where they started their heads-up match.
Mercier raised to 10,000 from the button and Stein called. On the [8c][6d][5c] flop, Stein checked, Mercier led out for 12,500, Stein raised to 34,000 and Mercier called. The turn brought the [8s] and Mercier checked. Stein bet 57,000 and Mercier moved all-in, Stein making the call for his entire 216,500 stack.
Stein made a nine-high straight on the turn with [9h][7s] while Mercier was drawing to the same straight with [7c][3s]. Mercier could only hope for a chop but didn't get one, the [3c] falling to give Stein a double-up to nearly 500,000.
We could be here for a while.
Send the chips to Sam
6:43pm: Level up
Jason Mercier and Sam Stein are now playing at (2,000-4,000-500).
6:34pm: Stein can't call the river
Mercier made a standard pre-flop raise to 7,500 and Sam Stein called. Stein check-called a 9,000 bet from Mercier on the [Qc][Js][9c] flop, then check-called another 21,500 when the [Jc] hit the turn. The river was the [2s] and Stein checked a third time. Mercier made it 50,500 to go, enough of a bet to chase Stein away.
6:21pm: Stein recovers lost chips
Jason Mercier made it 7,500 to go and Sam Stein three-bet to 21,000. Mercier called, then led out for 25,500 on the [Td][4h][4c] flop. Stein made the call. Both players checked the [6s] on the turn. Mercier checked again on the river, which fell the [7c]. Stein bet 37,000 and it was enough to induce a fold from his opponent.
6:17pm: A word from Jason Mercier
Jason Mercier, as you might have heard, knows how to win things. It's just what he does. We can't explain it. We'd have an easier time lecturing on string theory, we think.
So, instead of trying to deconstruct the dude, we'll just let him speak for himself.
Here's what he had to say before we started play this afternoon.
6:08pm: Mercier's soul-read nets huge pot
Jason Mercier opened for 7,500 and Sam Stein made the call from the big blind. Stein checked the [9d][4h][2d] flop over to Mercier, who bet 9,500. Stein raised to 25,500 and Mercier calls. The turn was the [8h] and Stein took the lead with a 38,000 bet. Mercier called and they went to the river which fell the [Kc]. Stein took one more shot with a 63,500 bet and after a short dwell, Mercier looked him up.
Stein had nothing but air with [Js][Tc], meaning Mercier's [3c][4s] for fourth pair was good. Mercier is now up over the 600,000 mark.
6:00pm: Heads-up play resumes
We're back in action.
5:54pm: Updated bounty count
With that last elimination, Jason Mercier has locked up the free seat in the next NAPT Bounty Shootout, whenever that may be.
Sam Stein: 3
Jason Mercier: 6
Matt Glantz: 2
Shawn Buchanan: 4
Faraz Jaka: 4
Luis Vazquez; 4
5:47pm: Heads-up chip counts
Sam Stein: 406,700
Jason Mercier: 468,300
5:38pm: Faraz Jaka eliminated in 3rd place
On the very next hand, Jason Mercier opened for a 6,900 raise. Faraz Jaka moved all-in for 71,400 and Mercier quickly called.
Unfortunately for Mercier, his [As][7d] was dominated by Jaka's [Ad][Kc], but Mercier's kicker was in the door as the dealer fanned out the [Jc][Td][7c] flop. Jaka got a major sweat on the turn when the [9c] fell-- he could now win with a queen, a king or a club-- but the river didn't cooperate. It was the [Jh] and the man known online as "the-toilet" exited the stage in third place.
With that, we're on an unscheduled 20-minute break.
Faraz Jaka eliminated
5:32pm: Stein puts the pressure on Jaka
Sam Stein opened for 7,000 and Faraz Jaka three-bet to 25,000. Stein leaned over to take a look at Jaka's stack and assess what he had behind (about 120,000) and decided to flat-call. The flop was [Kd][Qh][7d]. Jaka led out for 38,000 and Stein put out enough large-denomination chips to set him in. Jaka decided not to pull the trigger and released his hand, conceding the pot to Stein.
5:25pm: Updated bounty count
Sam Stein: 3
Jason Mercier: 5
Matt Glantz: 2
Shawn Buchanan: 4
Faraz Jaka: 4
5:21pm: Level up
Players are now on 1,500/3,000/500 blinds.
7:42pm: Dinner break
Players are now on dinner break until 9pm ET. Here are the heads-up chip counts
Sam Stein: 426,000
Jason Mercier: 449,000
7:36pm: Stein folds to the four-bet
Jason Mercier raised to 10,000 from the button and Sam Stein called from the big blind. All hell broke loose (well, kind of) on the [Ad][Kh][Jd] flop. Stein checked, Mercier made a 12,500 continuation bet and Stein raised to 32,000. Mercier wasn't going to give this one up easily and came back over the top for 59,500. That appeared to be the magic number, as Stein mucked his hand.
7:37pm: Part of being a winner...
is not getting impatient.
While there are a few dozen people in a hundred-yard radius who would like nothing more than to see these guys spew like a kid who shotgunned a glass of a ipecac, we're actually being treated to a pretty good and reasonable game of heads-up poker.
Jason Mercier: A picture of concentration
7:24pm: Break discussions
If this match doesn't finish up in the next 16 minutes, we're all scheduled to go on a an hour and 15-minute dinner break. With the players heads-up and everyone's night hanging in the balance, it's tempting to just play right through or take a shorter break.
That is, in fact, what Jason Mercier and Sam Stein are talking about now.
Our bet is we're going to dinner (we're thinking BBQ)...unless these boys can find a way to put this thing to bed.
7:11pm: Mercier extracts maximum value
Sam Stein raised it up to 10,000 and Jason Mercier made the call. Both players checked the [9d][8s][2d] flop. Mercier checked again on the turn, which fell the [Ts]. Stein bet 14,000 and Mercier came in with ye olde check-raise to 36,500. Stein looked him up and they went to the river. It was the [Th] and Mercier led out for a hefty 68,000. Stein looked a little distressed at the size of the bet but made the call anyway, only to watch Mercier roll over [6h][7h] for the rivered straight.
These two are still about even in chips.
6:53pm: Sam Stein doubles through Jason Mercier
Jason Mercier had ground out a nice lead over Sam Stein, but after this hand, they are essentially back where they started their heads-up match.
Mercier raised to 10,000 from the button and Stein called. On the [8c][6d][5c] flop, Stein checked, Mercier led out for 12,500, Stein raised to 34,000 and Mercier called. The turn brought the [8s] and Mercier checked. Stein bet 57,000 and Mercier moved all-in, Stein making the call for his entire 216,500 stack.
Stein made a nine-high straight on the turn with [9h][7s] while Mercier was drawing to the same straight with [7c][3s]. Mercier could only hope for a chop but didn't get one, the [3c] falling to give Stein a double-up to nearly 500,000.
We could be here for a while.
Send the chips to Sam
6:43pm: Level up
Jason Mercier and Sam Stein are now playing at (2,000-4,000-500).
6:34pm: Stein can't call the river
Mercier made a standard pre-flop raise to 7,500 and Sam Stein called. Stein check-called a 9,000 bet from Mercier on the [Qc][Js][9c] flop, then check-called another 21,500 when the [Jc] hit the turn. The river was the [2s] and Stein checked a third time. Mercier made it 50,500 to go, enough of a bet to chase Stein away.
6:21pm: Stein recovers lost chips
Jason Mercier made it 7,500 to go and Sam Stein three-bet to 21,000. Mercier called, then led out for 25,500 on the [Td][4h][4c] flop. Stein made the call. Both players checked the [6s] on the turn. Mercier checked again on the river, which fell the [7c]. Stein bet 37,000 and it was enough to induce a fold from his opponent.
6:17pm: A word from Jason Mercier
Jason Mercier, as you might have heard, knows how to win things. It's just what he does. We can't explain it. We'd have an easier time lecturing on string theory, we think.
So, instead of trying to deconstruct the dude, we'll just let him speak for himself.
Here's what he had to say before we started play this afternoon.
6:08pm: Mercier's soul-read nets huge pot
Jason Mercier opened for 7,500 and Sam Stein made the call from the big blind. Stein checked the [9d][4h][2d] flop over to Mercier, who bet 9,500. Stein raised to 25,500 and Mercier calls. The turn was the [8h] and Stein took the lead with a 38,000 bet. Mercier called and they went to the river which fell the [Kc]. Stein took one more shot with a 63,500 bet and after a short dwell, Mercier looked him up.
Stein had nothing but air with [Js][Tc], meaning Mercier's [3c][4s] for fourth pair was good. Mercier is now up over the 600,000 mark.
6:00pm: Heads-up play resumes
We're back in action.
5:54pm: Updated bounty count
With that last elimination, Jason Mercier has locked up the free seat in the next NAPT Bounty Shootout, whenever that may be.
Sam Stein: 3
Jason Mercier: 6
Matt Glantz: 2
Shawn Buchanan: 4
Faraz Jaka: 4
Luis Vazquez; 4
5:47pm: Heads-up chip counts
Sam Stein: 406,700
Jason Mercier: 468,300
5:38pm: Faraz Jaka eliminated in 3rd place
On the very next hand, Jason Mercier opened for a 6,900 raise. Faraz Jaka moved all-in for 71,400 and Mercier quickly called.
Unfortunately for Mercier, his [As][7d] was dominated by Jaka's [Ad][Kc], but Mercier's kicker was in the door as the dealer fanned out the [Jc][Td][7c] flop. Jaka got a major sweat on the turn when the [9c] fell-- he could now win with a queen, a king or a club-- but the river didn't cooperate. It was the [Jh] and the man known online as "the-toilet" exited the stage in third place.
With that, we're on an unscheduled 20-minute break.
Faraz Jaka eliminated
5:32pm: Stein puts the pressure on Jaka
Sam Stein opened for 7,000 and Faraz Jaka three-bet to 25,000. Stein leaned over to take a look at Jaka's stack and assess what he had behind (about 120,000) and decided to flat-call. The flop was [Kd][Qh][7d]. Jaka led out for 38,000 and Stein put out enough large-denomination chips to set him in. Jaka decided not to pull the trigger and released his hand, conceding the pot to Stein.
5:25pm: Updated bounty count
Sam Stein: 3
Jason Mercier: 5
Matt Glantz: 2
Shawn Buchanan: 4
Faraz Jaka: 4
5:21pm: Level up
Players are now on 1,500/3,000/500 blinds.
7:42pm: Dinner break
Players are now on dinner break until 9pm ET. Here are the heads-up chip counts
Sam Stein: 426,000
Jason Mercier: 449,000
7:36pm: Stein folds to the four-bet
Jason Mercier raised to 10,000 from the button and Sam Stein called from the big blind. All hell broke loose (well, kind of) on the [Ad][Kh][Jd] flop. Stein checked, Mercier made a 12,500 continuation bet and Stein raised to 32,000. Mercier wasn't going to give this one up easily and came back over the top for 59,500. That appeared to be the magic number, as Stein mucked his hand.
7:37pm: Part of being a winner...
is not getting impatient.
While there are a few dozen people in a hundred-yard radius who would like nothing more than to see these guys spew like a kid who shotgunned a glass of a ipecac, we're actually being treated to a pretty good and reasonable game of heads-up poker.
Jason Mercier: A picture of concentration
7:24pm: Break discussions
If this match doesn't finish up in the next 16 minutes, we're all scheduled to go on a an hour and 15-minute dinner break. With the players heads-up and everyone's night hanging in the balance, it's tempting to just play right through or take a shorter break.
That is, in fact, what Jason Mercier and Sam Stein are talking about now.
Our bet is we're going to dinner (we're thinking BBQ)...unless these boys can find a way to put this thing to bed.
7:11pm: Mercier extracts maximum value
Sam Stein raised it up to 10,000 and Jason Mercier made the call. Both players checked the [9d][8s][2d] flop. Mercier checked again on the turn, which fell the [Ts]. Stein bet 14,000 and Mercier came in with ye olde check-raise to 36,500. Stein looked him up and they went to the river. It was the [Th] and Mercier led out for a hefty 68,000. Stein looked a little distressed at the size of the bet but made the call anyway, only to watch Mercier roll over [6h][7h] for the rivered straight.
These two are still about even in chips.
6:53pm: Sam Stein doubles through Jason Mercier
Jason Mercier had ground out a nice lead over Sam Stein, but after this hand, they are essentially back where they started their heads-up match.
Mercier raised to 10,000 from the button and Stein called. On the [8c][6d][5c] flop, Stein checked, Mercier led out for 12,500, Stein raised to 34,000 and Mercier called. The turn brought the [8s] and Mercier checked. Stein bet 57,000 and Mercier moved all-in, Stein making the call for his entire 216,500 stack.
Stein made a nine-high straight on the turn with [9h][7s] while Mercier was drawing to the same straight with [7c][3s]. Mercier could only hope for a chop but didn't get one, the [3c] falling to give Stein a double-up to nearly 500,000.
We could be here for a while.
Send the chips to Sam
6:43pm: Level up
Jason Mercier and Sam Stein are now playing at (2,000-4,000-500).
6:34pm: Stein can't call the river
Mercier made a standard pre-flop raise to 7,500 and Sam Stein called. Stein check-called a 9,000 bet from Mercier on the [Qc][Js][9c] flop, then check-called another 21,500 when the [Jc] hit the turn. The river was the [2s] and Stein checked a third time. Mercier made it 50,500 to go, enough of a bet to chase Stein away.
6:21pm: Stein recovers lost chips
Jason Mercier made it 7,500 to go and Sam Stein three-bet to 21,000. Mercier called, then led out for 25,500 on the [Td][4h][4c] flop. Stein made the call. Both players checked the [6s] on the turn. Mercier checked again on the river, which fell the [7c]. Stein bet 37,000 and it was enough to induce a fold from his opponent.
6:17pm: A word from Jason Mercier
Jason Mercier, as you might have heard, knows how to win things. It's just what he does. We can't explain it. We'd have an easier time lecturing on string theory, we think.
So, instead of trying to deconstruct the dude, we'll just let him speak for himself.
Here's what he had to say before we started play this afternoon.
6:08pm: Mercier's soul-read nets huge pot
Jason Mercier opened for 7,500 and Sam Stein made the call from the big blind. Stein checked the [9d][4h][2d] flop over to Mercier, who bet 9,500. Stein raised to 25,500 and Mercier calls. The turn was the [8h] and Stein took the lead with a 38,000 bet. Mercier called and they went to the river which fell the [Kc]. Stein took one more shot with a 63,500 bet and after a short dwell, Mercier looked him up.
Stein had nothing but air with [Js][Tc], meaning Mercier's [3c][4s] for fourth pair was good. Mercier is now up over the 600,000 mark.
6:00pm: Heads-up play resumes
We're back in action.
5:54pm: Updated bounty count
With that last elimination, Jason Mercier has locked up the free seat in the next NAPT Bounty Shootout, whenever that may be.
Sam Stein: 3
Jason Mercier: 6
Matt Glantz: 2
Shawn Buchanan: 4
Faraz Jaka: 4
Luis Vazquez; 4
5:47pm: Heads-up chip counts
Sam Stein: 406,700
Jason Mercier: 468,300
5:38pm: Faraz Jaka eliminated in 3rd place
On the very next hand, Jason Mercier opened for a 6,900 raise. Faraz Jaka moved all-in for 71,400 and Mercier quickly called.
Unfortunately for Mercier, his [As][7d] was dominated by Jaka's [Ad][Kc], but Mercier's kicker was in the door as the dealer fanned out the [Jc][Td][7c] flop. Jaka got a major sweat on the turn when the [9c] fell-- he could now win with a queen, a king or a club-- but the river didn't cooperate. It was the [Jh] and the man known online as "the-toilet" exited the stage in third place.
With that, we're on an unscheduled 20-minute break.
Faraz Jaka eliminated
5:32pm: Stein puts the pressure on Jaka
Sam Stein opened for 7,000 and Faraz Jaka three-bet to 25,000. Stein leaned over to take a look at Jaka's stack and assess what he had behind (about 120,000) and decided to flat-call. The flop was [Kd][Qh][7d]. Jaka led out for 38,000 and Stein put out enough large-denomination chips to set him in. Jaka decided not to pull the trigger and released his hand, conceding the pot to Stein.
5:25pm: Updated bounty count
Sam Stein: 3
Jason Mercier: 5
Matt Glantz: 2
Shawn Buchanan: 4
Faraz Jaka: 4
5:21pm: Level up
Players are now on 1,500/3,000/500 blinds.
7:42pm: Dinner break
Players are now on dinner break until 9pm ET. Here are the heads-up chip counts
Sam Stein: 426,000
Jason Mercier: 449,000
7:36pm: Stein folds to the four-bet
Jason Mercier raised to 10,000 from the button and Sam Stein called from the big blind. All hell broke loose (well, kind of) on the [Ad][Kh][Jd] flop. Stein checked, Mercier made a 12,500 continuation bet and Stein raised to 32,000. Mercier wasn't going to give this one up easily and came back over the top for 59,500. That appeared to be the magic number, as Stein mucked his hand.
7:37pm: Part of being a winner...
is not getting impatient.
While there are a few dozen people in a hundred-yard radius who would like nothing more than to see these guys spew like a kid who shotgunned a glass of a ipecac, we're actually being treated to a pretty good and reasonable game of heads-up poker.
Jason Mercier: A picture of concentration
7:24pm: Break discussions
If this match doesn't finish up in the next 16 minutes, we're all scheduled to go on a an hour and 15-minute dinner break. With the players heads-up and everyone's night hanging in the balance, it's tempting to just play right through or take a shorter break.
That is, in fact, what Jason Mercier and Sam Stein are talking about now.
Our bet is we're going to dinner (we're thinking BBQ)...unless these boys can find a way to put this thing to bed.
7:11pm: Mercier extracts maximum value
Sam Stein raised it up to 10,000 and Jason Mercier made the call. Both players checked the [9d][8s][2d] flop. Mercier checked again on the turn, which fell the [Ts]. Stein bet 14,000 and Mercier came in with ye olde check-raise to 36,500. Stein looked him up and they went to the river. It was the [Th] and Mercier led out for a hefty 68,000. Stein looked a little distressed at the size of the bet but made the call anyway, only to watch Mercier roll over [6h][7h] for the rivered straight.
These two are still about even in chips.
6:53pm: Sam Stein doubles through Jason Mercier
Jason Mercier had ground out a nice lead over Sam Stein, but after this hand, they are essentially back where they started their heads-up match.
Mercier raised to 10,000 from the button and Stein called. On the [8c][6d][5c] flop, Stein checked, Mercier led out for 12,500, Stein raised to 34,000 and Mercier called. The turn brought the [8s] and Mercier checked. Stein bet 57,000 and Mercier moved all-in, Stein making the call for his entire 216,500 stack.
Stein made a nine-high straight on the turn with [9h][7s] while Mercier was drawing to the same straight with [7c][3s]. Mercier could only hope for a chop but didn't get one, the [3c] falling to give Stein a double-up to nearly 500,000.
We could be here for a while.
Send the chips to Sam
6:43pm: Level up
Jason Mercier and Sam Stein are now playing at (2,000-4,000-500).
6:34pm: Stein can't call the river
Mercier made a standard pre-flop raise to 7,500 and Sam Stein called. Stein check-called a 9,000 bet from Mercier on the [Qc][Js][9c] flop, then check-called another 21,500 when the [Jc] hit the turn. The river was the [2s] and Stein checked a third time. Mercier made it 50,500 to go, enough of a bet to chase Stein away.
6:21pm: Stein recovers lost chips
Jason Mercier made it 7,500 to go and Sam Stein three-bet to 21,000. Mercier called, then led out for 25,500 on the [Td][4h][4c] flop. Stein made the call. Both players checked the [6s] on the turn. Mercier checked again on the river, which fell the [7c]. Stein bet 37,000 and it was enough to induce a fold from his opponent.
6:17pm: A word from Jason Mercier
Jason Mercier, as you might have heard, knows how to win things. It's just what he does. We can't explain it. We'd have an easier time lecturing on string theory, we think.
So, instead of trying to deconstruct the dude, we'll just let him speak for himself.
Here's what he had to say before we started play this afternoon.
6:08pm: Mercier's soul-read nets huge pot
Jason Mercier opened for 7,500 and Sam Stein made the call from the big blind. Stein checked the [9d][4h][2d] flop over to Mercier, who bet 9,500. Stein raised to 25,500 and Mercier calls. The turn was the [8h] and Stein took the lead with a 38,000 bet. Mercier called and they went to the river which fell the [Kc]. Stein took one more shot with a 63,500 bet and after a short dwell, Mercier looked him up.
Stein had nothing but air with [Js][Tc], meaning Mercier's [3c][4s] for fourth pair was good. Mercier is now up over the 600,000 mark.
6:00pm: Heads-up play resumes
We're back in action.
5:54pm: Updated bounty count
With that last elimination, Jason Mercier has locked up the free seat in the next NAPT Bounty Shootout, whenever that may be.
Sam Stein: 3
Jason Mercier: 6
Matt Glantz: 2
Shawn Buchanan: 4
Faraz Jaka: 4
Luis Vazquez; 4
5:47pm: Heads-up chip counts
Sam Stein: 406,700
Jason Mercier: 468,300
5:38pm: Faraz Jaka eliminated in 3rd place
On the very next hand, Jason Mercier opened for a 6,900 raise. Faraz Jaka moved all-in for 71,400 and Mercier quickly called.
Unfortunately for Mercier, his [As][7d] was dominated by Jaka's [Ad][Kc], but Mercier's kicker was in the door as the dealer fanned out the [Jc][Td][7c] flop. Jaka got a major sweat on the turn when the [9c] fell-- he could now win with a queen, a king or a club-- but the river didn't cooperate. It was the [Jh] and the man known online as "the-toilet" exited the stage in third place.
With that, we're on an unscheduled 20-minute break.
Faraz Jaka eliminated
5:32pm: Stein puts the pressure on Jaka
Sam Stein opened for 7,000 and Faraz Jaka three-bet to 25,000. Stein leaned over to take a look at Jaka's stack and assess what he had behind (about 120,000) and decided to flat-call. The flop was [Kd][Qh][7d]. Jaka led out for 38,000 and Stein put out enough large-denomination chips to set him in. Jaka decided not to pull the trigger and released his hand, conceding the pot to Stein.
5:25pm: Updated bounty count
Sam Stein: 3
Jason Mercier: 5
Matt Glantz: 2
Shawn Buchanan: 4
Faraz Jaka: 4
5:21pm: Level up
Players are now on 1,500/3,000/500 blinds.
If that seems too obvious a statement, we only point it out because it happens so often, we're afraid we're caught in a recurring dream sequence in which Mercier stands there with a trophy and a big smile on his face. It's not a bad dream, but we probably shouldn't be dreaming about Mercier so much.
In the past 24 months, Mercier has won--real, first place, defeated everybody, owned all the chips wins--nine major tournaments. How he does it seems different every time. Dominating wire to wire, coming from behind, coming from way behind...he's done it all and done it time and again.
It's almost spooky.
Tonight, he did it a little dirty, but he did it with grace, and pocketed prize money worth a published $475,000.
At no point would anyone expect a table full of unknowns at an NAPT High Roller event. Nonetheless, the NAPT Mohegan Sun $25,000 High Roller final table was standard-setting for the quality and experience expected for High Roller finalists.
Sam Stein was barely a month removed (and recovered) from his runner-up finish at the NAPT Venetian Main Event final table. Team PokerStars Pro Jason Mercier (aka, the guy who wins everything) won the EPT London High Roller event just a couple of years ago. Matt Glantz won the EPT London High Roller the year after that. Shawn Buchanan won a WPT event at Mandalay Bay just a few years back. Luis "Bachy" Vazquez won the Foxwoods Poker Classic just last month. Finally, Faraz Jaka made the final table of the NAPT Venetian High Roller Bounty Shootout in February.
If that isn't a final table for a High Roller event, we don't know what is.
The $25,000 buy-in weeds out a lot of people, and the shootout format is unique enough to favor players with single table tournament expertise. With the added element of a $5,000 bounty on every players' head, your average ABC tournament strategy goes out the window.
Our six remaining players had all secured first place at their Round 1 tables yesterday and came in today looking to scoop up the winner-take-all $350,000 prize. The first two levels saw no eliminations, but we witnessed satellite-winner Bachy Vazquez get bluffed out of a huge hand by Faraz Jaka. From there, it seemed like only a matter of time before Vazquez was all-in.
Vazquez pushed his final 25,700 all-in on a [Ts][7s][4c] flop. Jaka called with [kh][th], good enough to be well ahead of Vazquez's [5c][Tc]. Vazquez managed to pick up a flush draw on the turn, but missed on the river. Although Vazquez won nothing today, he still pocketed the $70,000 he won in Round 1 (not at all bad after getting in on a $5,000 satellite entry).
Luis "Bachy" Vazquez eliminated
Shawn Buchanan came out of Round 1 with four bounties to his name. While his tight image did him some good yesterday, he wasn't able to put together an hand or anything in the way of luck in the final.
In his final hand, Jason Mercier raised to 5,500 from the button and Buchanan called from the big blind. When the flop fell [Qc][Th][4c], Buchanan checked. Mercier led for 7,600 and Buchanan raised to 20,000. Mercier wasted no time shoving and Buchanan called. Buchanan was ahead with his [Qh][Tc], but [kc][3c] looked scary. It was made even more so by the [9s] on the turn. In the end, it was a [9c] on the river and a flush for Mercier that sent Buchanan out in fifth place. Buchanan's four bounties and Round 1 table win earned him $80,000.
Shawn Buchanan accepts his fate
Matt Glantz spent most of the afternoon suffering the same card-dead inability to make a hand that had befallen Buchanan. So, when he finally picked up a pair of tens, he was happy to five-bet shove with them. Mercier made the fast call with a par of queens. Glantz never caught up and exited in fourth place. He pocketed $70,000 from his Round 1 win and the two bounties he collected.
Matt Glantz realizes he is behind
It was only a few minutes later that Jason Mercier and Faraz Jaka began to tangle. Mercier opened for a 6,900 raise and Jaka moved all-in for 71,400. Mercier called and looked exceptionally unhappy when he saw Jaka's [ad][kc]. Mercier only held [as][7d]. The [Jc][Td][7c] flop put Mercier ahead, but when the [9c] fell on the turn, Jaka picked up some more outs. The river, however, paired the board with the [Jh] and Jaka was gone. His total take for the event was $80,000 in bounties and Round 1 prize money.
Faraz Jaka eliminated
When the players began heads-up play, Mercier had a 468,300 to 406,700 lead on Sam Stein. Mercier extended that lead over nearly an hour of heads-up play to the point he had Stein out-chipped nearly 2-1. All was well for Mercier until he made an ill-timed bluff with an open-ender on a paired board. Bad timing, as Stein held a straight. Mercier had three outs to a chop and missed. With that, Stein doubled through and the stacks were nearly even.
And from there, Stein suffered some of the worst indignities a poker player could endure without quitting the game forever. The river card on three hands was enough to make the most jaded of poker players puke.
All-in with an ace-nine versus ace-eight? Chopped pot.
Need to dodge three queens on the river to win the tournament? Queen.
Mercier needs a three or five with one card to come? Five.
Stein feels the burn of a three-outer
With that, Stein was down to 13,000 chips. He managed to double up once, but after that, his sails had collapsed. He couldn't make [9h][3h] beat Mercier's [ts][6c] and Mercier claimed the NAPT Mohegan Sun $25,000 Bounty Shootout championship.
Mercier admitted afterward that the rivered-three outer was nothing even he--a man who wins everything--could've seen coming.
"I really didn't think it was going to happen," he said with a small smile.
But with that understood, he said something we all know well: "I never give up."
And when it came time to take his winner's photo, he helped set everything up. He's been there so many times, it was old hat to him by now.
"This is not my first rodeo," he said.
We know, Jason. We know.
Congratulations to Jason Mercier for winning...again.
Here's how the final six made out.
NAPT Mohegan Sun $25,000 Bounty Shootout final table published results Figures include money won for bounties and table vicitories
1. Jason Mercier ($450,000 + $25,000 future Bounty Shootout seat)
2. Sam Stein ($80,000)
3. Faraz Jaka ($80,000)
4. Matt Glantz ($70,000)
5. Shawn Buchanan ($80,000)
6. Luis "Bachy" Vasquez ($70,000)
Thanks for joining us at NAPT Mohegan Sun. Stay tuned for more NAPT announcements in the coming months. Until then, please join us for reports from the EPT, LAPT, and WSOP in the next few months.
Mercier defeats Stein for NAPT Mohegan Sun Bounty Shootout title
Two hands after that last sickening hand, Stein was out. He doubled once to 40,000, and then lost on the next hand when he couldn't make [9h][3h] beat Mercier's [ts][6c].
Jason Mercier's published winnings including bounties,a $25,000 seat in the next bounty shootout, and championship? $475,000.
A full wrap up is coming in just a few minutes.
10:43pm: Stein nearly drowned on a cruel, cruel river
Every so often while covering a poker tournament, you come across one of those hands that just leaves your mouth hanging open. It draws comments like "so sick!" "just like online!" or our personal favorite "RiverStars!"
Well, ladies and gentlemen, we just bore witness to one of those positively dumbfounding hands.
Jason Mercier opened for 14,500 and Sam Stein three-bet to 41,500. Mercier moved all-in for 430,000 and Stein called. Stein's [Ad][Jd] was racing with Mercier's pocket threes, and the [Jh][6s][2s] flop put Stein in a dominating position to win.
Then the [4h] hit the turn, giving everyone pause. Mercier now had six outs to a win.
And there it was, the [5h] on the river. A runner-runner straight. Stein looked positivley shattered, left with only 13,000 in chips after a coinflip we imagine he'll never forget.
10:26pm: Well, that was REALLY almost it
Sam Stein made it 21,000 to go, Jason Mercier moved all-in for 150,000 and Stein called.
Mercier [Kc][Td]
Stein [Ac][Qc]
The normally stoic Stein couldn't hide his smile as the flop came down [Ah][Jh][2s], pairing his ace. The [5c] on the turn left Mercier drawing only to the three remaining queens in the deck, but I think you know where we're going with this post...
Boom. The [Qs] hit the river. Mercier could hardly believe it himself. He's now sitting on 302,000 in chips and our match is evening up once again.
And you wanna know why we love to work our photographer Joe Giron? Here's the "Before the River" and "On the River" shots of Sam Stein.
Oh, please don't let me get three-outered
Poked with the devil's pitchfork
10:17pm: Patch Power
Daniel Negreanu has been around most of the day and recently sat down on the rail to root for Jason Mercier. Sam Stein must have given Negreanu a funny look because Kid Poker responded, "Nothing personal, yo. Fellow Team Pro. Patch power!"
Indeed.
10:15pm: Well, that was almost it
Jason Mercier opened for 15,000, Sam Stein moved all-in for 306,000 and Mercier called, his tournament life on the line.
Stein [Ac][9h]
Mercier [Ad][8c]
Mercier breathed a huge sigh of relief as the board ran out [As][2h][6d][2d][Kh], ending the hand in a chop. Not so much for the increasingly weary audience, who let out a collective sigh and retook their seats.
And onward we march...
Stein sees the chop
10:10: Dealer change, blinds up
We've got a new dealer in the box now and blinds up to 3,000/6,000/1,000. That, we predict, will shake some things up around here.
9:52pm: Quack quack
It's still slow-going here with both our finalists playing small-pot, deep-stacked poker (each man has somewhere in the neighborhood of 80 big blinds). However, Stein managed to make a huge hand and extract some chips from his opponent on the last deal.
Stein opened for his standard 12,500 and Mercier called. The flop was [9c][4h][2h] and Mercier check-called a 17,000 bet from Stein. The [Ts] on the turn brought another check from Mercier and a 32,000 bet from Stein. Mercier called and they went to the river. It was the [9s] and Mercier check-called another 68,000, mucking his hand as soon as Stein revealed his [2d][2s] for deuces full of nines.
Stein enjoying the chip lead
9:16pm: Stein outkicks Mercier
Jason Mercier put in a pre-flop raise to 12,000 and Sam Stein called from the big blind. Stein checked the [9c][8d][3s] flop over to Mercier, who bet 16,500. Stein called, and they went to the turn, which fell the [Kc]. Stein checked again, Mercier bet 29,500 and Stein called. The [Kh] on the river brought another check-call from Stein, this time for 68,000. Mercier turned over [7d][9d] for kings and nines, but Stein had him outkicked with [As][9s] and he picked up the 194,000-chip pot.
9:12pm: First pot to Stein
Sam Stein opened for 12,500 and Jason Mercier called. The [Jc][Jh][Ts] flop brought a check from Mercier and a 17,000 bet from Stein. Mercier called and the two checked down the [5c] on the turn and the [7d] on the river. Stein showed pocket deuces and collected the pot.
9:10pm: Butts in the chairs, cards in the air
We're back to name a champion.
8:58pm: Play about to resume
Here is the state of play:
We ate Bubba's BBQ for dinner. We're full.
It's nearly 9pm.
Oh, and Sam Stein and Jason Mercier are about to sit down to play for the NAPT Mohegan Sun Bounty Shootout championship.
7:42pm: Dinner break
Players are now on dinner break until 9pm ET. Here are the heads-up chip counts
Sam Stein: 426,000
Jason Mercier: 449,000
7:36pm: Stein folds to the four-bet
Jason Mercier raised to 10,000 from the button and Sam Stein called from the big blind. All hell broke loose (well, kind of) on the [Ad][Kh][Jd] flop. Stein checked, Mercier made a 12,500 continuation bet and Stein raised to 32,000. Mercier wasn't going to give this one up easily and came back over the top for 59,500. That appeared to be the magic number, as Stein mucked his hand.
7:37pm: Part of being a winner...
is not getting impatient.
While there are a few dozen people in a hundred-yard radius who would like nothing more than to see these guys spew like a kid who shotgunned a glass of a ipecac, we're actually being treated to a pretty good and reasonable game of heads-up poker.
Jason Mercier: A picture of concentration
7:24pm: Break discussions
If this match doesn't finish up in the next 16 minutes, we're all scheduled to go on a an hour and 15-minute dinner break. With the players heads-up and everyone's night hanging in the balance, it's tempting to just play right through or take a shorter break.
That is, in fact, what Jason Mercier and Sam Stein are talking about now.
Our bet is we're going to dinner (we're thinking BBQ)...unless these boys can find a way to put this thing to bed.
7:11pm: Mercier extracts maximum value
Sam Stein raised it up to 10,000 and Jason Mercier made the call. Both players checked the [9d][8s][2d] flop. Mercier checked again on the turn, which fell the [Ts]. Stein bet 14,000 and Mercier came in with ye olde check-raise to 36,500. Stein looked him up and they went to the river. It was the [Th] and Mercier led out for a hefty 68,000. Stein looked a little distressed at the size of the bet but made the call anyway, only to watch Mercier roll over [6h][7h] for the rivered straight.
These two are still about even in chips.
6:53pm: Sam Stein doubles through Jason Mercier
Jason Mercier had ground out a nice lead over Sam Stein, but after this hand, they are essentially back where they started their heads-up match.
Mercier raised to 10,000 from the button and Stein called. On the [8c][6d][5c] flop, Stein checked, Mercier led out for 12,500, Stein raised to 34,000 and Mercier called. The turn brought the [8s] and Mercier checked. Stein bet 57,000 and Mercier moved all-in, Stein making the call for his entire 216,500 stack.
Stein made a nine-high straight on the turn with [9h][7s] while Mercier was drawing to the same straight with [7c][3s]. Mercier could only hope for a chop but didn't get one, the [3c] falling to give Stein a double-up to nearly 500,000.
We could be here for a while.
Send the chips to Sam
6:43pm: Level up
Jason Mercier and Sam Stein are now playing at (2,000-4,000-500).
6:34pm: Stein can't call the river
Mercier made a standard pre-flop raise to 7,500 and Sam Stein called. Stein check-called a 9,000 bet from Mercier on the [Qc][Js][9c] flop, then check-called another 21,500 when the [Jc] hit the turn. The river was the [2s] and Stein checked a third time. Mercier made it 50,500 to go, enough of a bet to chase Stein away.
6:21pm: Stein recovers lost chips
Jason Mercier made it 7,500 to go and Sam Stein three-bet to 21,000. Mercier called, then led out for 25,500 on the [Td][4h][4c] flop. Stein made the call. Both players checked the [6s] on the turn. Mercier checked again on the river, which fell the [7c]. Stein bet 37,000 and it was enough to induce a fold from his opponent.
6:17pm: A word from Jason Mercier
Jason Mercier, as you might have heard, knows how to win things. It's just what he does. We can't explain it. We'd have an easier time lecturing on string theory, we think.
So, instead of trying to deconstruct the dude, we'll just let him speak for himself.
Here's what he had to say before we started play this afternoon.
6:08pm: Mercier's soul-read nets huge pot
Jason Mercier opened for 7,500 and Sam Stein made the call from the big blind. Stein checked the [9d][4h][2d] flop over to Mercier, who bet 9,500. Stein raised to 25,500 and Mercier calls. The turn was the [8h] and Stein took the lead with a 38,000 bet. Mercier called and they went to the river which fell the [Kc]. Stein took one more shot with a 63,500 bet and after a short dwell, Mercier looked him up.
Stein had nothing but air with [Js][Tc], meaning Mercier's [3c][4s] for fourth pair was good. Mercier is now up over the 600,000 mark.
6:00pm: Heads-up play resumes
We're back in action.
5:54pm: Updated bounty count
With that last elimination, Jason Mercier has locked up the free seat in the next NAPT Bounty Shootout, whenever that may be.
Sam Stein: 3
Jason Mercier: 6
Matt Glantz: 2
Shawn Buchanan: 4
Faraz Jaka: 4
Luis Vazquez; 4
5:47pm: Heads-up chip counts
Sam Stein: 406,700
Jason Mercier: 468,300
5:38pm: Faraz Jaka eliminated in 3rd place
On the very next hand, Jason Mercier opened for a 6,900 raise. Faraz Jaka moved all-in for 71,400 and Mercier quickly called.
Unfortunately for Mercier, his [As][7d] was dominated by Jaka's [Ad][Kc], but Mercier's kicker was in the door as the dealer fanned out the [Jc][Td][7c] flop. Jaka got a major sweat on the turn when the [9c] fell-- he could now win with a queen, a king or a club-- but the river didn't cooperate. It was the [Jh] and the man known online as "the-toilet" exited the stage in third place.
With that, we're on an unscheduled 20-minute break.
Faraz Jaka eliminated
5:32pm: Stein puts the pressure on Jaka
Sam Stein opened for 7,000 and Faraz Jaka three-bet to 25,000. Stein leaned over to take a look at Jaka's stack and assess what he had behind (about 120,000) and decided to flat-call. The flop was [Kd][Qh][7d]. Jaka led out for 38,000 and Stein put out enough large-denomination chips to set him in. Jaka decided not to pull the trigger and released his hand, conceding the pot to Stein.
5:25pm: Updated bounty count
Sam Stein: 3
Jason Mercier: 5
Matt Glantz: 2
Shawn Buchanan: 4
Faraz Jaka: 4
5:21pm: Level up
Players are now on 1,500/3,000/500 blinds.
5:18pm: Level done
Players are moving up in blinds. You'll find us HERE now.
5:15pm: And sometimes they have it
Our final three players are known for their ruthless aggression and ability to run without the ball, but sometimes they actually have a hand.
Samm Stein came in for a raise to 7,900 and Jason Mercier called. The [4h][[qh][ac] flop drew a 9,300 bet from Stein. Mercier called and they saw the [4s] turn. Stein led again for 17,100. Mercier again called. The [2s] river drew a 36,700 bet from Stein. Mercier didn't think for too long before calling. Stein flipped up [ah][ad] for the flopped set and turned boat.
5:08pm: Matt Glantz eliminated in 4th place
Jason Mercier raised to 5,500, Matt Glantz reraised to 16,200 and Mercier came back with a 35,300 four-bet. Glantz moved all-in and Mercier snap-called.
Glantz [Ts][Ts]
Mercier [Qc][Qs]
Mercier's queens held up on the [Ac][5c][8d][9d][5d] board, sending Glantz to the rail in fourth place. He earned $70,000 from his Round 1 win and the two bounties he collected.
With this KO, Mercier now holds more than half the chips in play and is up to five bounties.
Matt Glantz realizes he is behind
4:54pm: That's enough of that, sir
Matt Glantz opened the pot for 5,500 and faced a reraise from three-betting machine Faraz Jaka. Glantz gave him a taste of his own medicine, four-betting to 40,500. It was too rich for Jaka, who made the fold.
4:37pm: Jaka rebuilding
It was three players to a [9d][3c][6d] flop. Sam Stein checked, Matt Glantz bet 9,200 and Faraz Jaka called. On the [jh] turn, Glantz checked, Jaka bet 26,000, and Matt called. The [6c] turn brought another check from Glantz, a 60,000 bet from Jaka, and a fold from Glantz.
4:35pm: Updated bounty count
Sam Stein: 3
Jason Mercier: 4
Matt Glantz: 2
Shawn Buchanan: 4
Faraz Jaka: 4
4:28pm: Shawn Buchanan eliminated in 5th place
Jason Mercier raised to 5,500 on the button and Shawn Buchanan called from the big blind. Buchanan checked the[Qc][Th][4c] flop, leading Mercier to bet 7,600. Buchanan came in with a raise to 20,000 and Mercier shoved. Buchanan called off the rest of his stack, his tournament life at risk.
Buchanan [Qh][Tc]
Mercier [Kc][3c]
Buchanan flopped top two pair while Mercier was on a flush draw. The turn gave Mercier four more outs, the [9s] falling to give him a gutshot straight draw. He made his flush on the river, however, the [9c] spiking to give him the pot.
Buchanan departed in fifth place his four bounties and Round 1 table win earning him $80,000.
Shawn Buchanan accepts his fate
Mercier now has a stranglehold on the chip lead, with approximately 375,000
4:21pm: Cards in the air
We're back in action with 1,200/2,400/400 blinds.
4:01pm: Chip counts at break
Sam Stein: 237,400
Jason Mercier: 264,300
Matt Glantz: 143,800
Shawn Buchanan: 103,800
Faraz Jaka: 125,700
3:57pm: Players are on a 15-minute break
Break time. Back soon.
3:54pm:
Sam Stein came in for a raise to 4,600 and Shawn Buchahan called. On a flop of [9h][[9d][js], Buchanan led for 4,500 and Stein called. On the [4h] turn, Buchanan led again, this time for 11,100. Again, Stein called. The [ad], however, slowed Buchanan down. He checked, and Stein put out 22,600. Buchanan folded.
3:48pm: Stein puts the hurt on Glantz
Sam Stein raised to 4,600 from the button and Matt Glantz came along with a call from the big blind. Glantz checked the [Ah][Kh][6h] flop over to Stein, who bet 5,300. Glantz raised to 17,300 and after a bit of a think, Stein made the call. The turn came the [3c] and Glantz led out for 28,600. Stein called. Glantz slowed down on the river, checking when the [Ks] fell. Stein made it 57,800 to go, a bet that was too rich for Glantz. He folded and Stein raked in the pot, easily his largest one of the day.
3:34pm: Bounty count
As we've mentioned, whoever collects the most bounties in this event will get a free entry into the new NAPT Bounty Shootout tourney. Here are the people who are still in contention for that prize.
Sam Stein: 3
Jason Mercier: 3
Matt Glantz: 2
Shawn Buchanan: 4
Faraz Jaka: 4
3:21pm: Bachy Vazquez eliminated in 6th place
We were looking for a bit of action and our two most active players obliged.
Bachy Vazquez got the rest of his chips, 25,700 in all, in the middle on the [Ts][7s][4c] flop and Faraz Jaka made the call.
Vazquez: [5c][Tc]
Jaka: [Kh][Th]
Although Vazquez picked up a flush draw on the turn with the [9c], giving both him and his railbirds a good sweat, the [As] fell on the river, spelling Vazquez's elimination. With his table win yesterday and the four bounties he collected, Vazquez will take home $70,000.
Down to five.
Luis "Bachy" Vazquez eliminated
3:14pm: The last five hands
While we're waiting for some significant action to unfold, we'll give you a taste of how things are going right now. Here are the last five hands played.
1. Faraz Jaka limped on the button, Bachy Vazquez completed the small blind and Sam Stein checked his option. The action was checked to Jaka on the [8c][4h][4s] flop. He bet 3,500 and only Vazquez called. Both players checked the [3s] on the turn and the [7c] on the river. Jaka took down the pot with [Ah][9c] for ace-high.
2. Shawn Buchanan opened for 4,500. Jaka called and Jason Mercier three-bet to 13,800, a move that got both of his opponents to fold.
3. Shawn Buchanan raised to 4,600, winning the blinds and antes.
4. Matt Glantz raised to 6,500, winning the blinds and antes.
5. Sam Stein opened for 4,600, Matt Glantz three-bet to 13,700 and Stein released his hand.
3:08pm: Your final table in moving pictures
So, we'd like to think you'd stick around here and read what we have to write, but if you'e one of those people who like to watch this new-fangled live webcast thing, our buddies on the other side of the curtain have you covered.
And while we're talking about the moving pictures, feel free to check out the video introduction for our final table.
2:56pm: Level up
We've moved on to the 1,000/2,000/300 level with all six players still remaining.
A few notes from last level.
Faraz Jaka was by far the most active player. We didn't count, but we wouldn't be surprised to see a stat that showed he played 50% of the pots. Meanwhile, with the exception of a couple hands, we haven't seen Shawn Buchahan giving much action.
The winner-take-all format of this final table makes for a different kind of strategy. Whetehr Jaka or Buchahan's strategy is the right one remains to be seen.
After three successful events already this season, the North American Poker Tour has added another stop: we're heading to Los Angeles!
