Editor’s Blog, The Pro Show Continues With Two More Bracelets

Editor’s Blog
By Eric Raskin

Another day, another couple of bracelets, another couple of wins by the pros … except in this case, they’re pros you haven’t necessarily heard of. Canadian-born pro Michael Banducci triumphed in Event #5, $1,000 NLHE w/ Re-Buys, and Vietnam-born Vegas-based pro Thang Luu took Event #6, $1,500 Omaha Hi-Lo.

Banducci made one re-buy and two add-ons, meaning he spent $4,000 to win the first-place prize of $636,736. In the end, he got it all in with A-J against Jeff Williams’ A-5 and the better hand held up to conclude the tournament. Meanwhile, Luu led from wire to wire at the final table in Event #6, which made the record books as the largest Omaha/8 tourney in history (833 entrants).

Also yesterday, a couple of final tables were set. In Event #7, $2,000 NLHE, Theo Tran is the overwhelming chip leader, but he’ll be challenged at today’s final table by the likes of Shannon Shorr and J.C. Tran, both of whom are seeking their first bracelets. And in Event #8, the $10,000 Mixed Event championship, a pro-heavy field has resulted in a pro-heavy final table, with Philadelphia pro Matt Glantz leading the way and Tom Dwan,
Sam Farha, Jeff Madsen, and Eli Elezra all giving chase.

Event #9, $1,500 Short-Handed NLHE, kicked off yesterday with 1,236 entries, and 71 remain entering Day Two. Matt Matros currently stands atop a field containing very few recognizable names. Event #10, $2,500 Omaha/Stud Hi-Lo Split, also began yesterday with 338 entries, and the field was trimmed to 108 on Day One. Jordan Rich is the chip leader in a competition that still includes the likes of Todd Brunson, Barry Greenstein, Howard Lederer, Greg Raymer, and Allen Cunningham.

Two more events begin today on a wild six-events-at-once Friday: Event #11, $5,000 NLHE Shootout, and Event #12, $1,500 Limit Hold ’Em. So far, it’s been the pros bringing home five out of six bracelets, so it should be interesting with four Hold ’Em events in action to see if the amateurs begin making their move.