APPT Macau High-Rollers - Live Updates

Bo Sehlstedt open-shoves for his last $101,000 and Eric Assadourian gives the matter some serious thought before deciding, "I'm gonna gamble." He calls and turns up 9♥ 8♦ to Sehlstedt's A♣ 6♦. The Swedish pro looks primed for another double-up, but the flop comes Q♣ 9♣ 5♥ and Assadourian takes the lead. The turn is the T♠ and only an ace can save Sehlstedt now, but the river is the J♣ and the crowd, includes Joe Hachem, Scotty Nguyen and Lee Nelson, goes wild. This tournament is over!

Eric Assadourian is the champion of the PokerStars APPT - Macau High Roller Event, winning $368,640 USD, a nice trophy/spear, and an exclusive interview with PokerListings.com. For second place, Bo Sehlstedt earns $184,320 as well as the consolation of an interview with APPT hostess "Erin."

Congratulations to both finalists and to the people of China for a spectacular pair of tournaments!

Eric Assadourian limps in from the small blind and Bo Sehlstedt checks his option. The flop comes A♣ 9♦ 6♣ and both players check to see the turn, which is the A♠. Sehlstedt bets out $14,000 and Assadourian raises to $35,000. Sehlstedt calls and the river is the J♣, prompting a check from Sehlstedt and a $75,000 wager from Assadourian. Sehlstedt makes the call and his opponent turns up 5♦ 5♠. After a moment, Sehlstedt mucks and Assadourian takes the pot, leaving the Swede with only $140,000 to his name.

As we begin heads-up, Eric Assadourian raises to $25,000 pre-flop and Bo Sehlstedt makes the call. The flop comes K♦ 7♠ 4♣ and both players check to see the turn, which is the 8♥. Sehlstedt checks and then calls Assadourian's $30,000 wager. The river card is the A♦ and again Sehlstedt check-calls, this time to the tune of $75,000. Assadourian shows J♦ 8♣ for a pair of eights and it's good to take the pot, leaving Sehlstedt with only $23,000 remaining.

But Wait!

On the next hand Sehlstadt gets all-in with A♣ 4♦ to Assadourian's 6♣ 3♥. The board comes K♣ 4♣ 3♦ 5♦ J♥, doubling Sehlstadt up and keeping him alive.

And Then!

Sehlstadt gets all-in with K♣ 8♠ against Assadourian's 9♠ 8♥. The board comes 4♣ 2♥ 2♠ 5♣ T♣ and Sehlstadt doubles to just under $100,000.

Again!

A few hands later, Sehlstadt shoves with K♦ 8♣ and Assadourian calls with A♣ 9♣. The Aussie looks primed to end things, but the board comes T♠ 4♥ 2♥ 8♦ T♥ and the Swede turns an eight to double again.

Then Finally!

Sehlstadt opens for $32,000 and Assadourian makes it $132,000. Sehlstadt moves all-in over the top and Assadourian calls, asking if he's live as he turns up K♦ T♦. Sehlstadt has A♦ K♥ and is in good shape yet again. The board comes Q♥ 6♥ 3♠ Q♠ 4♦ and Sehlstadt has doubled yet again, bringing his stack to $350,000 while Assadourian has $600,000.

The break is over and the cards are back in the air. Heads-up play is now.

With the elimination of David Paul Steicke we are now heads-up at the final table. A $368,640 first prize is on the line, as well as the glory of being the second poker champion in the People's Republic of China. Here are the chip counts as we prepare for the final battle:

Eric Assadourian	$772,000
Bo Sehlstedt	$181,000

Players are taking a quick break before returning to the action.

 

Eric Assadourian raises to $30,000 from the button and David Paul Steicke re-pops to $60,000 from the small blind. Bo Sehlstedt gets out of the way and Assadourian puts Steicke all-in. Steicke calls immediately and turns up A♥ 9♥ to Assadourian's A♠ J♦.

The flop comes J♣ 7♦ 4♦ and Assadourian strengthens his advantage. The turn is the 8♥ and the river the J♥ and David Paul Steicke is out in third place, the beneficiary of a $110,592 consolation prize.

Eric Assadourian raises to $35,000 from the button and Tony Ng calls all-in from the small blind for his last $16,000. David Paul Steicke gets out of the way and Assadourian shows A♦ K♥ to Ng's 6♦ 5♠. The flop comes T♣ 9♠ 5♥ and Ng pairs his five, but after the turn is the K♦ Assadourian regains control. The river card is the 3♥ and Assadourian's pair of kings is good, meaning Ng is eliminated and the fourth-place finisher in this event. He earns $82,944 for a couple days' work.

David Paul Steicke opens with the trademark gay-raise to $20,000 from the cut-off and Tony Ng makes the call in the big blind. The flop comes Q♣ J♦ T♦ and Ng checks to Steicke, who bets out $30,000. Ng comes over the top all-in and Steicke calls for his tournament life, showing big slick to Ng's Q♦ T♣. The turn is the J♥ and the river the 9♠, giving Steicke the $200,000 pot and crippling Ng, who is down to his last $20,000.

The blinds have gone up once more as another level of madness is upon us. A round of poker at the new stakes is worth $19,000.

Eric Assadourian raises to $55,000 and Tony Ng comes over the top all-in for another $15,000. Assadourian makes the call and shows A♦ 5♥ to Ng's A♠ J♦. The board comes J♣ T♣ 8♣ 3♦ A♥ and Ng makes two pair to double through Assadourian.

The dinner break is over and the cards are back in the air from the final table of the PokerStars APPT - Macau High Roller Event. There's no stopping now until we've crowned a champion, so suit up and strap in for greatness.

In other news, there was a bit of a kitchen fire in the restaurant that is serving as the media center here, so maybe don't expect too many updates for a few minutes.

In other other news, here are the chip counts as we return from break:

Seat 1	John Juanda	$0
Seat 2	Scott Numoto	$0
Seat 3	Emad Tahtouh	$0
Seat 4	Bo Sehlstedt	$140,000
Seat 5	Liz Lieu	$0
Seat 6	Eric Assadourian	$550,000
Seat 7	Tony Ng	$100,000
Seat 8	David Paul Steicke	$175,000

 

Play has been suspended for an hour while the surviving members of the field hit the buffet tables. Action will resume at 9:30 p.m. local time. Bon appetit!

Eric Assadourian raises to $22,000 from the cut-off and Tony Ng comes over the top all-in for another $23,000. Action folds back to Assadourian, who makes the call and shows K♣ K♠ to Ng's A♣ 6♣. The flop is a miracle for Ng, bringing two sixes, and after the turn and river brick out the Hong Kong native has doubled-up to keep the dream alive.

Action folds to Emad Tahtouh in the small blind, and the PokerStars pro raises to $22,000. Bo Sehlstedt moves all-in from the big blind and Tahtouh is left with a decision for his tournament life. He calls all-in with K♥ J♥ while Sehlstedt is ahead with A♥ K♠. The board comes A♦ Q♠ 7♦ 4♣ 6♦ and Emad Tahtouh has been eliminated in fifth place. The Australian pro takes home $64,512 for his finish.

The blinds are moving on up as we've reached the end of another level of play. Eric Assadourian is first in chips with $450,000, followed by Bo Sehlstedt with $175,000, David Paul Steicke with $150,000, Emad Tahtouh with $100,000 and Tony Ng with $75,000.

Bo Sehlstedt limps in from the small blind and Eric Assadourian checks his option in the big. The flop comes T♥ 8♣ 2♦ and both players check. The turn is the J♦ and Sehlstedt bets out $15,000. Assadourian raises to $40,000 and Sehlstedt makes the call. The river is the T♦ and Sehlstedt checks to Assadourian, who bets out $65,000. Sehlstedt calls and mucks when Assadourian shows T♣ 9♠ for trips.

Tony Ng raises to $17,000 from the button and Emad Tahtouh moves all-in for $55,000 from the big blind. Ng makes the call and is behind with Q♠ 9♠ to Tahtouh's A♠ 9♥. The board comes A♥ J♥ 4♥ K♦ K♥ and Tahtouh takes down the pot with a nine-high flush, doubling-up to almost $120,000.

David Paul Steicke leads out with a gay-raise to $12,000 from under the gun and Emad Tahtouh bumps it to $35,000. Steicke calls and the flop comes 8♠ 4♠ 2♦, prompting a $20,000 all-in from Steicke and a call from Tahtouh, who is ahead with Q♥ Q♦ to Steicke's A♣ 9♠. The turn is the J♠ and Steicke picks up a flush draw, and after the river is the 3♠ the Aussie hits runner-runner to double through Tahtouh and stay alive.

The break is over and the cards are back in the air. Stay tuned for more updates as the action unfolds.

Players, dealers and TV crew (and journalists) are now on a 15-minute break. Action will resume in a quarter-hour.

Bo Sehlstedt opens for $20,000 from the small blind when the action folds around to him. Eric Assadourian pops it to $60,000 and Sehlstedt immediately moves all-in for another $140,000. Assadourian gives the matter a bit of thought but eventually mucks his hand and Sehlstedt takes the pot.

It's a new level of madness in the place to be, with the blinds and antes increasing to the extent that a round of poker inside the starry curtains now costs $14,000. Stay tuned for more action from inside the Terrordome.

Here are the approximate chip counts as we increase the stakes:

Seat 1	John Juanda	$0
Seat 2	Scott Numoto	$0
Seat 3	Emad Tahtouh	$150,000
Seat 4	Bo Sehlstedt	$200,000
Seat 5	Liz Lieu	$0
Seat 6	Eric Assadourian	$375,000
Seat 7	Tony Ng	$125,000
Seat 8	David Paul Steicke	$100,000

 

Emad Tahtouh raises to $12,000 from the button and Eric Assadourian flat-calls in the big blind. The flop comes J♦ 8♥ 4♥ and both players check. The turn is the 4♠ and Assadourian bets out $16,000. Tahtouh calls the bet and the river is the 3♣. Assadourian now bets $35,000 and Tahtouh again calls after mulling things over for a minute or so. Assadourian turns up J♣ T♣ and it's good to take down the pot.

Eric Assadourian raises to $14,000 from the cut-off and David Paul Steicke calls in the small blind before John Juanda re-pops all-in for his last $49,000. Assadourian moves all-in to isolate and Steicke folds out, leaving Juanda to show down K♥ K♣ and Assadourian A♦ K♦.

Juanda is in great shape to double-up and after the flop comes 8♦ 6♣ 6♥ his advantage is firm. The turn is the 5♣ and the FullTiltPoker pro only needs to dodge three cards to stay alive. The river card, however, is the A♠, eliciting hysterics from the pro-Aussie contingent as Assadourian spikes his three-outer to send Juanda packing. The soft-spoken pro leaves in sixth place and earns $46,080 for his efforts.

David Paul Steicke raises to $8,000 from the small blind and John Juanda makes the call in the big blind. The flop comes J♠ T♦ 6♦ and Steicke bets out $6,000. Juanda comes over the top all-in for $28,000 and Steicke folds out, giving Juanda the pot and some much-needed breathing room.

The break is over and the cards are back in the air from the final table at the Grand Waldo. Stay tuned for more updates as the action heats up once more!

Action folds around to Scott Numoto, who open-shoves from the button for his last $53,000. Emad Tahthouh raises to $130,000 from the small blind and Bo Sehlstedt folds in the big blind. Numoto has A♠ 2♠ and will need to improve as Tahtouh turns up T♠ T♣.

The board comes K♣ 7♣ 3♦ J♥ K♠ and Scott Numoto has been eliminated in seventh place. He takes home $36,864 while the rest of the field is given a 10-minute intermission.

We've reached the end of the first level at today's final table and the blinds are on the rise. Stay tuned for more poker action as the cards return to the air.

Liz Lieu raises to $11,000 from the cut-off and Tony Ng moves all-in for his last $61,000 from the small blind. David Paul Steicke folds in the big blind and Lieu calls all-in, showing A♠ T♥ to Ng's A♥ Q♥. The board comes K♠ 2♣ J♠ T♦ 8♠ and Liz Lieu has been eliminated from this event, earning $27,648 for her eighth-place finish and capping an impressive run at the PokerStars APPT - Macau events. So long, Liz!

John Juanda raises to $8,500 from under the gun and the action folds around to David Paul Steicke, who calls in the big blind. The flop comes 8♠ 4♠ 2♥ and Steicke checks. Juanda bets out $10,500 and Steicke announces a gay-raise to $21,000. Juanda lays it down and Steicke takes the first pot at the final table.

After an hour's delay, the cards are finally in the air from the Grand Waldo Casino. Eric Assadourian has the button and Tony Ng and Davidl Paul Steicke are in the blinds. Game on!

We've finally found all of the players and tournament director Matt Savage is giving them the business before the cards get in the air. Stay tuned for the commencement of play, sometime in the foreseeable future.

Here are the seating positions and chip counts as the TV crew gets its act together:

Seat 1	John Juanda	$74,000
Seat 2	Scott Numoto	$47,000
Seat 3	Emad Tahtouh	$343,000
Seat 4	Bo Sehlstedt	$127,000
Seat 5	Liz Lieu	$48,500
Seat 6	Eric Assadourian	$120,500
Seat 7	Tony Ng	$57,500
Seat 8	David Paul Steicke	$142,000

 

Welcome back to the Grand Waldo Casino in the Macau Special Administrative Region where eight highly skilled and highly lucky combatants are preparing to do battle on the most lucrative patch of felt in China (note: baccarat tables don't count).

FullTilt Poker pro John Juanda and PokerStars pro Emad Tahtouh headline the final table of the APPT - Macau $15,000 USD High Roller Event, a table that also includes unofficial APPT - Macau Player of the Year Liz Lieu, making her second-straight final table in the People's Republic. Action will begin shortly and won't stop until one player is walking away with $368,640, so stay tuned to PokerListings.com all through the night for your live update fix.