WPT World Championship - Live Updates

Carlos Mortensen raises to $6 million and Kirk Morrison comes over the top all-in. Mortensen makes the call and shows K♥ J♥ to Morrison's A♠ 4♦. The flop comes 7♣ 4♥ 3♣, pairing Morrison's four. The turn is the J♣ and all of a sudden, Mortensen has the advantage with a pair of jacks. The river is the 3♦ and Carlos Mortensen has won the WPT World Championship!

The Matador becomes the first player to win both a WSOP Main Event and a WPT Championship, and also the first player to earn over $5 million in winnings at Bellagio events. He takes home $3,970,415 for his first place victory, as well as the adulation of hundreds of millions of PokerLisitings.com readers worldwide. For his second place finish, Kirk Morrison earns $2,011,135.

Congratulations to both finalists, and to the WPT for the completion of a fifth successful season!

The game is afoot from the Bellagio Ballroom. Stay tuned for all the gory details.

A very short break for the camera crew to swap out their tapes has come and gone. Let's get it started!

Rubavitch has brought you these delightful chip counts, stolen from General Pushkin's lair:

Carlos Mortensen	$18,800,000
Kirk Morrison	$13,400,000

Kirk is first to act and announces all-in. Carlos quickly folds.

Carlos is on the button and folds. Kirk picks up the easiest $3 million he ever made.

Kirk is on the button and announces all-in. Carlos shows his cards to the hole camera before folding.

Carlos Mortensen open-shoves a fourth time. Kirk Morrison folds a fourth time. This record is not skipping but the album is on repeat.

Kirk is on the button and folds. Carlos takes another $3 million, free of charge.

Carlos Mortensen open-shoves again. Kirk Morrison folds a third time. Mortensen builds his lead with another uncontested pot.

The action's on Kirk and he just calls. Carlos checks and the flop comes 8♠ 7♥ 4♠. Carlos checks and Kirk bets $2 million. After a lot of thought and a lot of chip shuffling, Carlos opts to fold.

Carlos Mortensen open-shoves again. Kirk Morrison folds again. This is not a typo.

Kirk is on the button and folds. Carlos picks up another free $3 million.

Carlos Mortensen open-shoves again. Kirk Morrison folds again.

Kirk is on the button and calls the extra $800,000. Carlos moves all-in and Kirk folds.

Carlos Mortensen gives Kirk Morrison a walk.

Kirk is on the button and first to act. He announces all-in and Carlos folds. Kirk takes down the blinds and antes.

Carlos Mortensen calls from the button and Kirk Morrison checks his option. The flop comes A♥ 7♦ 7♠ and Morrison checks. Mortensen bets $1.6 million and Morrison lays it down.

The action's on Kirk and he calls the $800,000. Carlos quickly moves all-in and Kirk folds just as quickly.

Carlos Mortensen moves all-in and Kirk Morrison folds. Mortensen takes the new, improved blinds and antes.

Another quick level is over and the blinds have been raised yet again. $800,000/$1,600,000 with a $300,000 ante is the new price, the audience reasserts its disapproval.

Kirk Morrison folds from the button and Carlos Mortensen gets a freebee.

The action is on Carlos and he folds. Kirk takes a walk.

Kirk Morrison limps-in from the button and Carlos Mortensen checks his option. The flop comes 5♥ 4♠ 4♣ and both players check. The turn is the T♣ and Mortensen bets out $1.2 million. Morrison calls and the river is the J♦. Mortensen checks and Morrison bets out. As he does, Mortensen folds and Morrison takes the pot.

Carlos folds and Kirk takes a walk in the big blind.

Kirk Morrison gives Carlos Mortensen a walk.

Carlos is on the button and moves all-in. Kirk takes one look at his cards and calls. Q♠ 9♠ for Carlos needs to improve against Kirk's A♥ 6♣. The flop comes A♠ 2♥ 6♥ and Kirk takes a massive lead with top two. Carlos need some serious help and gets part of the way there with the T♠ on the turn. He needs another spade and the audience is screaming at the top of their lungs for the dealer to deliver. The 5♦ hits the river though and Kirk takes back the chip lead. Stay tuned for chip counts as they're announced.

Kirk Morrison open-shoves for $4.4 million and Mike "the Mouth" Matusow instructs Carlos Mortensen to "end this" from the crowd. Mortensen obliges by calling and shows K♦ T♠ to Morrison's 8♦ 7♦. The spectators again climb onto their chairs and the Matador hides his eyes to await the news. The flop comes 6♠ 6♦ 2♦ to give Morrison the diamond flush draw, and the audience cheers. The turn is the Q♣ and the Captain is down to his last card. The river is the T♦ and the crowd goes absolutely nuts as for the second time, Morrison spikes the ten of diamonds to double through Mortensen.

And the beat goes on...

Carlos is on the button and announces all-in. Kirk folds and Carlos picks up the blinds and antes.

Kirk Morrison folds and Carlos Mortensen gets a walk.

Carlos is on the button and calls the $600,000. Morrison moves all in and Carlos quickly folds.

After Carlos Mortensen's double-up, here are the latest chip counts, as gathered by field-reporter Jinx Johnson:

Carlos Mortensen	$27,000,000
Kirk Morrison	$5,000,000

Kirk is on the button and folds. Carlos gets a walk in the big blind.

Carlos Mortensen moves all-in from the button and is called by Kirk Morrison, who shows pocket tens to the Matador's A♣ K♦. The audience springs to life and instantly the atmosphere is electric, as the gallery stands to await the flop and the two combatants embrace. The flop comes rags, 5♥ 3♦ 2♦ and Mortensen is now drawing for the wheel on top of his overcards. The turn is the A♥ and the Matador pairs his ace to take the lead. The river is the Q♣ and Carlos Mortensen has doubled through Kirk Morrison to prolong the excitement and take over the chip lead.

Kirk folds from the small blind and Carlos takes $2 million for the walk.

Carlos Mortensen calls from the button and Kirk Morrison checks his option. The flop comes K♥ 3♠ 2♥ and Morrison checks. Mortensen bets $1 million and the audience applauds. Morrison takes their advice and lays it down, and Mortensen takes the pot.

The button's back on Kirk and he raises to $3.7 million. Carlos folds and Kirk takes the $2 million in blinds and antes.

Carlos Mortensen gives Kirk Morrison another walk.

Kirk is on the button and calls the $600,000. Carlos announces all-in and Kirk folds.

Carlos Mortensen gives Kirk Morrison a walk. The Captain shows K-J as he takes down the blinds and antes.

Kirk is first to act and decides to give Carlos a $2 million walk in the big blind.

Kirk Morrison limps in and Carlos Mortensen checks his option. The flop comes K-Q-8 and Morrison checks. Mortensen bets $1.2 million and Morrison folds.

Kirk Morrison:	$22 million
Carlos Mortensen:	$10 million

Kirk Morrison limps in from the button and Carlos Mortensen pushes all-in. Morrison folds and Mortensen takes the pot.

Carlos Mortensen folds and Kirk Morrison takes the blinds and antes. He shows pocket queens as he rakes the pot.

Kirk Morrison raises to $3 million. Carlos Mortensen folds his hand and Morrison takes down the pot.

As is the tradition on the World Poker Tour, if the match takes too long just jack up the blinds to ridiculous heights. The most recent level lasted less than half an hour and the announcement of the new blinds was met with boos and jeers from the crowd. We're now playing at $600,000/$1,200,000 with an ante of $200,000.

Carlos Mortensen limps in on the button and Kirk Morrison checks. The flop comes 7♦ 5♥ 2♠ and Morrison checks to Mortensen, who bets $1 million. Morrison raises to $2 million and Mortensen makes the call. The turn is the 6♦ and Morrison bets $2 million. Mortensen lays it down and Morrison takes a few chips back.

The action's on Kirk and he calls $400,000 more. Carlos checks and the flop comes Q♣ T♣ 9♠. The turn is a king and two more checks follow. The river is an eight and Carlos takes down the pot with a $1 million bet.

Carlos Mortensen raises to $1.6 million and Kirk Morrison lays it down. Mortensen takes down the blinds and antes as that same drunken lout calls Mortensen an animal, drunkenly and loutishly.

Kirk is on the button and calls the big blind. Carlos checks and the flop comes K♣ 9♣ 3♠. Both players check and the turn is the 3♣. Carlos bets out $800,000 and Kirk makes the call. The river is the 7♦ and Carlos bets out $1.6 million. Kirk makes the call and Carlos turns over 8-9 for a pair of nines. They're good and he rakes a nice pot.

Carlos Mortensen limps in on the button and Kirk Morrison checks in the big blind. The flop comes K♥ 7♦ 3♥ and both players check. The turn is the J♥ and both players check again. The river is the J♠ and Morrison checks to Mortensen, who bets $1 million. Morrison folds and Mortensen takes the pot.

The Action's on Kirk and he raises to $2.8 million. Carlos folds and Kirk takes down the blinds and antes.

Carlos Mortensen pushes all-in from the button and Kirk Morrison glances at his cards, grimaces, and folds.

Kirk is on the button and gives Carlos a walk in the big blind.

Carlos Mortensen calls on the button and Kirk Morrison checks. The flop comes A♥ Q♥ 6♦ and both players check. The turn is the 3♦ and Morrison bets $1 million. Mortensen raises to $2 million and Kirk Morrison raises all-in for $9,500,000. Mortensen calls immediately and shows Q♣ 6♣ for two pair to Morrison's A♠ T♣. Morrison needs to hit an ace or a ten to stay alive, and the river is the T♦ to send the pro-Morrison audience into hysterics and keep the heads-up match alive with a the Captain holding a sizable chip advantage.

Kirk's on the button and first to act. He calls and Carlos checks. The flop comes out A♣ 7♠ 7♦ and both players check. The turn is the 4♠ and after a check from Carlos, Kirk bets $800,000. Carlos makes the call and a ten hits the river. Two more checks and they show 4-5 and 4-6 for the chop.

Carlos Mortensen calls on the button and Kirk Morrison checks his option. The flop comes T♦ T♣ 4♣. Morrison checks and Mortensen bets $1 million. Morrison folds and Mortensen takes the pot.

Kirk is on the button and calls the big blind. Carlos raises to $2 million and Kirk folds.

Updated chip counts courtesy of reporter-at-large Kissy Suzuki:

Carlos Mortensen	$16.5 million
Kirk Morrison	$15.5 million

Carlos is first to act and opens the pot for $1.6 million. Kirk quickly folds and Carlos takes it down.

Kirk Morrison has the button and he folds. Carlos Mortensen takes the pot.

Carlos is first to act and calls the big blind. Kirk checks and the flop comes 7♠ 3♥ 2♠. Both players check and the turn is the J♦. Both players check again and the river brings the 4♣. Kirk bets out $1 million and Carlos raises to $4 million. After a bit of though Kirk makes the call but is sickened to see Carlos show 5-6 for the straight.

Kirk Morrison calls from the button and Carlos Mortensen moves all-in. Morrison folds and Mortensen takes the pot.

Carlos is on the button and folds his small blind, giving Kirk a walk in the big blind. He shows A-2 as he rakes the pot.

Kirk Morrison folds from the button and Carlos Mortensen gets a walk.

Carlos is on the button and calls the $400,000. Kirk checks and the flop comes K♣ 8♠ 4♣. Kirk checks and Carlos bets out $1 million. Kirk folds and Carlos takes down the pot.

Kirk Morrison limps in from the button and Carlos Mortensen moves all-in in the big blind. Morrison folds and Mortensen takes the pot.

Play has begun again with the aforementioned increased blinds and antes.

The blinds are up again, with each big blind equating to a whopping 16 WPT Championship entrants' starting stacks, or $400,000 in real-life dollars. We're taking a short break so players and audience alike can comprehend the magnitude of such prices, but we expect to be back in action in ten minutes.

Carlos is on the button and calls the big blind. Kirk checks and the flop comes T-9-8 rainbow. The 5♥ hits the turn and they check it again. The J♥ lands on the turn and after a check from Kirk, Carlos bets out $1.1 million.

Kirk Morrison calls from the button and Carlos Mortensen announces raise. He makes it $1.8 million total and Morrison announces a raise of his own, adding another $1.2 million to the pot. Mortensen calls the raise and the flop comes J♠ 9♣ 5♥. Mortensen checks and Morrison moves all-in. Mortensen folds instantly and Morrison takes a large pot.

Carlos calls from the button and Kirk checks once again. The flop comes A♥ 8♥ 5♥. Carlos bets $600,000 and takes down the pot.

Kirk Morrison raises *gasp* to $1.2 million from the button and Carlos Mortensen folds. That is all.

Carlos is first to act and calls the $300,000. Kirk checks and the flop comes J♠ 9♥ 7♦. Both players check and the turn is the 6♥. Kirk bets out $800,000 and Carlos folds.

Kirk Morrison is on the button and he calls. Carlos Mortensen is a checking machine and he does the expected. The flop comes A♣ J♣ 9♥. Mortensen again checks and Morrison bets $700,000. The Matador calls and the turn is the 5♥. Both players check and the river is the 3♦. Mortensen bets $4 million and Morrison lays it down. Mortensen takes another pot with the trademark four mil river bet.

Carlos is on the button and folds, giving Kirk a walk in the big blind.

Kirk Morrison calls from the button and Carlos Mortensen checks. The flop comes 9♣ 7♠ 2♠ and Mortensen fires $600,000 into the pot. Morrison folds and Mortensen takes the pot.

Carlos Mortensen is on the button and he folds. True story.

Kirk is on the button and just calls the big blind. Carlos places a chip on his cards before checking his option. The flop comes 9♣ 7♠ 6♦ and Carlos bets $700k. Kirk calls and the turn is the A♠. Kirk checks and Carlos bets $4 million. Kirk folds and Carlos reels in the pot. Carlos is now on $10.5 million while Kirk has about $21 million.

Latest chip counts, courtesy of field reporter Bibi Dahl:

Kirk Morrison	$23.5 million
Carlos Mortensen	$8.5 million

Carlos is on the button once again and calls the big blind. Kirk checks and the flop comes Q♠ J♦ 7♠. They check again and the 9♠ hits the turn. Carlos bets $1.2 million and Kirk mucks.

Kirk Morrison is on the button and he limps-in. Carlos Mortensen raises all-in and Morrison folds. Mortensen takes the pot.

Carlos calls from the button and Kirk checks his option. The flop comes J-7-4 rainbow and both players check. Another seven hits the turn and they both check again. Another four on the river and two more checks follow. Kirk says he's playing the board but Carlos shows a king for the higher kicker.

Kirk Morrison calls from the button and Carlos Mortensen checks, once again. The flop comes J♥ T♥ 9♣ and both players check. The turn is the 2♠ and both players again check. The river is the 6♣ and both players check. Mortensen shows 6-3 for a pair of sixes, and that's good to take the pot.

The button's on Carlos and he uses it to call the big blind. Kirk checks and the flop comes T♣ 9♦ 5♦. Kirk checks and Carlos bets out $600,000. Kirk announces raise and adds another million on top. Carlos takes another look at his cards before folding.

Kirk Morrison limps in and Carlos Mortensen checks his option. The flop comes A♣ 6♥ 5♥ and Mortensen checks. Morrison bets $600,000 and Mortensen takes down the pot.

The blinds are up once again, as WPT organizers try to get everyone out of the Bellagio Ballroom before the buffet closes.

Jack has just announced that this will be the last hand before the next blind increase. Carlos is on the button and quickly moves all-in. Kirk goes into the tank and decides to make the call. The all-in was for $4.35 million and it's A♥ T♣ for Carlos leading Kirk's K♥ 6♥. The crowd is on their feet as the dealer burns for the flop. A♠ 9♥ Q♦ puts Carlos ahead with a pair of aces. The turn is the T♦ which gives Kirk an inside straight draw. The river is the 2♥ though and Carlos doubles through to almost $10 million.

Kirk Morrison has the button and he limps-in. Carlos Mortensen checks and the flop comes A♣ Q♥ 7♦. The Matador checks and Morrison bets $400,000. Mortensen folds and the pot goes to Morrison.

Carlos is on the button and calls the extra $200,000. Kirk checks his option and the flop comes 2♦ 5♣ 8♦. Both players check and the turn is the 5♥. Kirk bets $400k and Carlos quickly calls. The river is the 3♥ and Kirk bets out $700,000. Carlos folds and Kirk takes the pot.

Kirk Morrison calls from the button and Carlos Mortensen checks his option after a moment's thought. The flop comes A♠ 5♠ 2♥ and both players check. The turn is the 8♣ and Mortensen bets $400,000. Morrison folds and Mortensen takes the pot.

Carlos is on the button and he just calls the big blind. Kirk checks and the flop comes Q-3-2 rainbow. They both check and the turn is an ace. Two more checks and the river brings a seven. They check it down and Kirk shows a deuce to take down the pot.

Kirk Morrison calls from the small blind and Carlos Mortensen checks his option. The flop comes T♠ 5♥ 2♣ and Mortensen checks to Morrison, who bets $500,000. Mortensen folds and Morrison takes the pot.

Carlos is on the button and announces all-in. Kirk quickly folds and Mortensen takes down the blinds and antes.

Kirk Morrison calls and Carlos Mortensen checks his option. The flop comes A♦ 9♦ 2♥ and Mortensen checks, as does Morrison behind. The turn is the T♠ and Mortensen checks to Morrison, who bets $500,000. Mortensen calls and the river is the 5♠. Mortensen again checks and Morrison bets $1 million. Both players show tens, but Morrison has the higher kicker and he takes the pot.

Carlos is on the button and he calls. Kirk checks his option and the flop comes A♥ Q♥ 9♠. Kirk checks and Carlos bets $400,000. Kirk folds and Carlos takes down the pot.

Kirk Morrison calls in the small blind and Carlos Mortensen checks his option. The flop comes K♦ T♥ 9♠ and Mortensen checks to Morrison, who bets $400,000. Mortensen calls and the turn is the 7♥. Mortensen checks and Morrison checks behind. The river is the 2♣ and both players check again, and Mortensen shows 10-4. His two tens are good for the pot.

Carlos is on the button and first to act. He reaches for chips and makes it $1.2 million to go. Kirk quickly folds and Carlos rakes the pot.

Kirk Morrison calls in the small blind and Carlos Mortensen checks his option. The flop comes T♠ 8♣ 4♥ and both players check. The turn is the 6♣ and Mortensen bets $400,000. Morrison calls and the river is the 3♦. Mortensen checks and Morrison bets $1.3 million. Mortensen mucks and Morrison takes the hand.

Carlos moves all-in from the button and Kirk quickly folds.

Kirk Morrison raises to $1 million and Carlos Mortensen makes the call. The flop comes T♣ 8♦ 3♣ and both players check. The turn is the T♦ and Mortensen bets $1.6 million. Morrison matches the wager and the river is the T♥. Mortensen bets $4 million and Morrison goes into the tank, mulling over the call for a few minutes before making the call, and Mortensen shows K-2 to Morrison's A-J. Ace-high is good for the pot and Morrison takes a large pot from his rival.

Carlos Mortensen limps-in and Kirk Morrison checks his option. The flop comes 9♣ 7♠ 4♣. Morrison checks and Mortensen bets $400,000. Morrison folds and Mortensen takes the pot.

Kirk Morrison limps-in and Carlos Mortensen checks. The flop comes J-9-4 and Mortensen checks to Morrison, who bets $500,000. Mortensen folds and Morrison takes the pot.

Carlos Mortensen calls in the small blind and Kirk Morrison raises $1 million. Mortensen lays it down and Morrison takes the hand.

Kirk Morrison calls in the small blind and Carlos Mortensen checks. The flop comes 7-7-5 and Mortensen checks to Morrison, who bets $700,000. Mortensen calls and the turn card is a queen. Mortensen bets $700,000 and Morrison folds. Mortensen takes the pot.

Head's-up play has begun from the final table of the WPT World Championship. Stay tuned for live updates of the thrilling conclusion.

The Final Table has been blessed with the presence of Daniel Negreanu, who has been shouting enthusiastic words of encouragement from the rail and has now eaten up some dead air time by doing his borderline racist impressions of minority poker players, including Carlos Mortensen and Scotty Nguyen. The man's Minh Ly impression and performance in black-face (see the February 13th entry in his video log) are the stuff of legend, but clearly the studio audience sees nothing wrong with a few perpetuated racial stereotypes from one of the biggest names in the game, as they are to a half-soused 40-year-old woman, delighted with Kid Poker.

As we go to heads-up, Mary Goodnight would like you to know that the chip counts are:

Kirk Morrison	$19.45 million
Carlos Mortensen	$12.8 million

Kirk opens the pot for $1.2 million and after Carlos folds his small blind, Paul moves all-in. It's a measly $25,000 more back to Kirk and although he seriously considers folding, he thinks he might be priced into the call. It's A♥ T♠ for Kirk in great shape against the A♠ 9♣ of Lee. The flop comes Q♥ 7♠ 2♥, no help to Paul, and the T♥ on the turn has Paul drawing dead on the river. A meaningless deuce hits and Paul Lee is our third place finisher. Paul will be taking $1,082,920 home with him.

Paul Lee raises to $1.3 million from under the gun and Carlos Mortensen makes the call in the big blind. The flop comes A♥ T♠ 4♣ and Mortensen bets $1.1 million. Paul Lee immediately moves all-in and Mortensen beats him to the pot, showing A♦ 9♥ to Lee's T♦ 9♦. Lee is in a heck of a bind, and will need serious help to avoid doubling up the Matador. The turn is the J♣ and the river the 5♥, and Carlos Mortensen has doubled through Paul Lee to the tune of $5,050,000 as a chorus of drunken louts hollers its approval.

Paul takes down the blinds and antes with a $1.2 million raise from the small blind.

Paul Lee gets a walk in the big blind.

Here are the latest chip counts, courtesy of Dr. Christmas Jones, acclaimed nuclear physicist:

Kirk Morrison	$17.6 million
Carlos Mortensen	$7.2 million
Paul Lee	$7.45 million

The blinds are up again. By the time this post is published, it will be obsolete, as the blinds will have increased again with the light-speed WPT final table structure.

Carlos Mortensen raises to $600,000 from the small blind and takes down the pot.

Carlos Mortensen calls from the button and Paul Lee completes in the small blind. Kirk Morrison checks his option and the flop comes K♥ Q♥ 2♠. Lee checks and Morrison bets $600,000. Mortensen folds and Lee lays it down as well, and Morrison takes the pot.

Carlos Mortensen raises to $600,000 from the small blind and Paul Lee announces all-in for about $6.7 million from the big blind. Mortensen folds and Lee takes the pot.

Paul is first to act and quickly folds. Kirk calls from the small blind and Carlos checks his option. The flop comes 2♣ 7♥ Q♠ and both players check. The turn is the T♥ and Kirk bets out $400,000. Carlos raises to $1.3 million total. Kirk thinks for a few moments before announcing all in. Carlos makes a quick call and turns over Q♦ 8♦. He's in the lead against the T♣ 6♥ of Kirk. The river is the 9♦ and Carlos doubles up.

Kirk Morrison	$22,000,000
Carlos Mortensen	$3,300,000
Paul Lee	$7,100,000

Carlos is on the button and first to act. He looks at his cards and announces all in. Paul gets out of the way and Kirk takes a few moments before doing the same.

Paul Lee gets a walk in the big blind.

In the first hand of three-handed play, Kirk Morrison calls from the small blind and Carlos Mortensen raises another $500,000. Morrison folds and the Matador takes the pot.

Guy Laliberte has been eliminated! Billionaire and founder of Cirque de Soleil, Laliberte did extremely well for someone who has been playing poker less than two years.Guy is first to act and makes it $1.3 million to go. It's folded to Kirk in the big blind who makes the call. The flop comes Q♣ 6♣ 3♣ and Kirk checks to Guy who bets $2 million. Kirk eyes the stack of Guy before announcing that he is all-in.

Guy only takes a few seconds before making the call. It's pocket deuces for Kirk slightly leading the A♦ J♣ of Guy. The turn is the 3♠ which gives Guy a lot more outs to win. It seems like almost every card in the seck will give Guy the win but the 8♠ hits the turn and eliminates Guy Laliberte. He's out in fourth taking $696,220 to add to the pile back home.

Kirk is on the button and Paul is first to act. Paul folds, as do both Kirk and Guy. Carlos gets a walk in the big blind.

Kirk Morrison completes in the small blind and Guy Laliberte checks his option. The flop comes A♣ Q♠ 6♠ and Morrison bets $400,000. Laliberte folds with 10-3 and Morrison flashes 8♠ 7♠ as he rakes the pot.

Guy is first to act and folds. Carlos is on the button and decides to get out of the way. Paul calls from the small blind and Kirk checks his option. The flop comes T♦ 2♥ K♣ and Paul checks. Kirk bets out $600k and Paul quickly calls. The turn is the J♥ and after another check from Paul, Kirk fires out $1.2 million. Paul folds and Kirk rakes the pot.

Kirk Morrison opens for $700,000 and Carlos Mortensen moves all-in for $1,500,000 from the small blind. Paul Lee folds and The Captain makes the call, showing A♠ 6♠ to Mortensen's A♦ T♥. Morrison is thus dominated and the Matador is primed to double up, and the flop comes T♦ 6♣ 2♦, giving both players a pair but maintaining Mortensen's advantage. The turn is the 3♦ and Morrison has one-out to win, and the river card is the Q♦ to give the Matador the check-mark and double him through Kirk Morrison.

Paul is first to act and makes it $700,000 to go. Kirk folds on the button and Guy gives up his small blind. Carlos is in the big blind and takes a few moments before folding as well.

Kirk Morrison limps in from the small blind and Guy Laliberte checks his option. The flop comes A♥ Q♥ 6♠ and Morrison bets $500,000. Laliberte folds and Morrison further augments his stack.

Carlos is on the button and Guy is first to act. He gets out of the way and so does Carlos. Paul folds as well to give Kirk a walk in the big blind.

Kirk Morrison raises to $800,000 from under the gun and nobody wants to dance. The Captain goes home alone with the blinds and antes to keep him warm.

The button is on Kirk and Paul is first to act. Paul folds, as does Kirk. Guy raises to $900,000 from the small blind and the action's on Carlos. He goes into the tank and begins to play with chips before folding his hand.

Paul Lee raises to $800,000 and Kirk Morrison calls in the small blind, as does Guy Laliberte in the big blind. The flop comes J♠ T♦ 8♠ and Morrison checks to Laliberte, who moves all-in. Lee lays it down and the Captain asks for a count. Laliberte is all-in for about $5 million, and the price is too high for K-Mo, who folds. Laliberte takes the pot.

Seat 1	Kirk Morrison:	$15.13 million
Seat 2	Guy Laliberte:	$5.8 million
Seat 3	Carlos Mortensen:	$3.6 million
Seat 4	Paul Lee:	$8.9 million

The break is over and the cards are back in the air from the Bellagio Ballroom. Stay tuned for chip counts.

It's time for another quick break. The action will resume in ten minutes.

Paul Lee limps in from the small blind and Kirk Morrison checks his option in the big blind. The flop comes J♣ 9♣ 4♠ and both players check, and the turn is the Q♥. Both players check again, and the river is the 6♣. Neither player bets, and Lee shows 10-7 for ten-high, which is good to take the pot.

Guy is on the button and the action's on the chip leader, Kirk Morrison, who folds. Guy and Carlos both get out of the way as well and Paul gets a walk in the big blind.

Guy Laliberte limps in from the small blind and Carlos Mortensen moves all-in from the big blind. Laliberte insta-mucks and Mortensen takes the pot.

The action's on Carlos and he open-shoves once again. It's enough to take down the blinds and antes and the Matador adds a few more chips to his stack.

Paul Lee ends the streak of walks by raising to $1.55 million from the small blind. Kirk Morrison folds in the big blind and Lee takes the blinds and antes.

Seat 1	Kirk Morrison:	$16 million
Seat 2	Guy Laliberte:	$8 million
Seat 3	Carlos Mortensen:	$1.3 million
Seat 4	Paul Lee:	$7.6 million

Paul Lee gets a walk on his big blind.

Carlos Mortensen gets a walk on his big blind.

Carlos open-shoves for a little over $1.1 million and Paul gets out of the way. Everyone else folds as well and Carlos takes down the blinds and antes.

The blinds are on their way up again as the WPT's trademark crapshoot starts to pick up steam.

Paul and Kirk, in the blinds, see a flop of T♦ 9♣ K♥. Both players check and Paul takes down the pot with a bet on the turn.

Kirk Morrison raises to $700,000 and Carlos Mortensen adds $2 million to the wager. Action folds back to K-Mo, who ruminates for a few minutes before making the call. The flop comes Q♣ J♣ 9♦ and Mortensen immediately moves all-in. Again, Morrison is given pause. He asks for a count and is told Mortensen has $6,610,000 to his own $5,460,000. After some serious thought, the Captain makes the call with pocket jacks for middle set to Mortensen's A♠ Q♠ for top pair.

The turn brings the A♣ and Mortensen makes two pair. The river is the 9♠ and Kirk Morrison has doubled through Carlos Mortensen, doing some serious damage to the Matador's stack and taking over the chip lead.

Kirk is on the button and Paul is first to act. He folds and Kirk calls. Carlos raises to $700,000 and Kirk makes the call. The flop comes T♠ 9♦ 8♥ and Carlos leads out with a bet of $1 million. Kirk calls and the turn is the K♦. Carlos reaches for chips again but stops to ask Kirk how much he has left. After getting a rough estimate Carlos announces all-in. He has Kirk covered and Morrison goes into the tank to try to figure it out. After a bit of time Kirk opts to fold and the Matador takes down a nice one.

Carlos Mortensen opens the betting for $550,000 and Paul Lee announces a re-raise from the button. He makes it $1.7 million and the blinds fold out. Action is back on Mortensen, who lays the hand down. Lee wakes up and takes the pot.

Guy is first to act and folds. Carlos reaches for chips and makes it $600,000 to go. Paul gets out of the way and Kirk announces raise. He adds an additional $3 million to the pot and it's enough to push Carlos out of the hand.

Guy Laliberte raises to $500,000 from the button and Carlos Mortensen calls in the small blind. The flop comes K♦ T♥ 8♦ and Mortensen makes it a million to go. Laliberte listens to Sabina run a spiel from her perch before folding A-Q face-up. Mortensen takes the pot.

Its on Kirk Morrison and he makes it $500,000 to go from the button. Guy makes the call and as does Carlos in the big blind. The flop comes K-9-5 with two hearts and after it's checked to Kirk he fires $800,000. Both other players fold and Kirk takes down the pot.

Carlos Mortensen opens for $550,000 and Kirk Morrison calls in the small blind. Guy Laliberte makes the call in the big blind and the flop comes T♥ 9♦ 2♠. Morrison checks and so does Laliberte, and Mortensen bets out $1.4 million. Morrison folds and Laliberte looks eager to keep playing. He makes the call, and the turn is the 8♦. Laliberte moves all-in for $4.07 million and the Matador mulls his options, tanking for a good five minutes before slapping the table and mucking his hand. Laliberte takes the pot.

There's been a dealer change and Carlos is on the button for this hand. Guy is first to act and decides to get out of the way. Carlos folds as well and Paul makes it $900k from the small blind. Kirk makes the call and the flop comes Q♣ 7♦ 3♠.

Paul bets out $900,000 and Kirk makes the call. The turn is the J♠ and after a check from Paul, Kirk bets out $1.5 million. Paul asks for a count of Kirk's stack and it looks like he has about $3.6 million behind. After a bit of thought Paul folds and Kirk shows A♥ 4♥ as he rakes the pot.

Kirk and Guy both get out of the way, as does Carlos, giving Paul a walk in the big blind. That's what they call a groundskinner down south!

Solitaire's got this fresh crop of chip counts straight from the Mr. Big's island of treasure:

Kirk Morrison	$6.5 million
Guy Laliberte	$6.5 million
Carlos Mortensen	$10.6 million
Paul Lee	$8.6 million

The button's on Kirk and Paul, first to act, gets out of the way. Kirk and Guy both fold as well and Carlos gets a walk in the big blind.

Carlos is first to act and gets out of the way, as does Paul. Kirk calls $100k more and Guy raises to $700,000 from the big blind. Kirk makes the call and the flop comes T♥ 8♦ 3♦. Kirk checks it and Guy throws out a bet of $1 million. After a bit of thought Kirk decides to fold and Guy takes down the pot.

Carlos Mortensen raises to $500,000 and Paul Lee calls in the small blind. Kirk Morrison calls in the big blind and the flop comes J♥ 8♠ 2♠. Lee checks, as do Morrison and Mortensen. The turn is the K♦ and the action checks to Mortensen, who bets $800,000. Both opponents fold and the Matador takes the pot.

Guy Laliberte raises to $500,000 on the button and Carlos Mortensen calls in small blind. Paul Lee folds and the flop comes A♣ Q♣ 3♠. Mortensen checks to Laliberte, who bets $1 million. The Matador thinks for about a minute but eventually lays the hand down and Laliberte rakes the pot.

Carlos Mortensen gets a walk on his big blind. He shows A♥ 7♥ as he rakes the pot.

Carlos Mortensen raises to $570,000 and Paul Lee makes the call on the button. Guy Laliberte makes the call in the big blind and the flop comes K♦ 8♣ 6♠. Laliberte checks to Mortensen, who bets $800,000. Lee folds and Laliberte lays it down as well, giving Mortensen a tidy pot.

The button's on Carlos and Guy, first to act, calls the $200,000. Carlos is next to act and decides to just call. Both blinds make the call and the flop comes 9♠ 4♦ Q♥. It's checked around and the turn is the 5♠. Paul checks and Kirk bets out $700,000. He gets no callers and takes down the pot.

Carlos Mortensen limps in from the small blind and Paul Lee checks his option in the big blind. The flop comes Q♣ 9♣ 8♥ and Mortensen bets out $300,000. Lee mucks his hand and Mortensen takes the pot.

The button's on Kirk and Paul Lee is first to act. He reaches for chips and makes it $800,000 to go. Kirk and Guy get out of the way and it's on Carlos in the big blind. He looks at his cards and takes a few moments before folding. Paul picks up the blinds and antes.

Guy Laliberte opens for $500,000 and Carlos Mortensen announces a re-raise, making it a cool $1.7 million more to go. Laliberte lays it down and Mortensen takes down the pot.

Carlos gets out of the way and Paul Lee makes it $700,000 to go. It's enough to pick up the blinds and antes.

The action's on Guy and he let's it go. Carlos and Paul both fold as well and Kirk gets a walk in the big blind.

It's folded around to Kirk who puts in a raise from the button, taking down the blinds and antes.

Paul Lee limps in from the cut-off and Tim Phan moves all-in from the button for about $1,720,000 total. Kirk Morrison comes over the top all-in and Lee gets out of the way. Morrison shows A♠ A♣ and Phan has 9♠ 9♣. The flop comes J♠ 8♦ 4♠ and Phan is drawing for a red nine or running cards to stay alive. The turn is the J♥ and Phan is down to two outs. The river card is the 7♠ and Morrison gets the check-mark while Tim Phan gets the boot, heading to the rail in 5th place for $464,110.

Carlos Mortensen raises to $500,000 and takes down the blinds and antes.

Action folds around to Paul Lee in the small blind, and he moves all-in. Tim Phan folds his hand and Lee picks up the blinds and antes.

Guy Laliberte opens the pot for $500,000 and Carlos Mortensen makes the call from the small blind. The flop comes A♥ T♥ 5♣ and Mortensen checks. Laliberte bets $1 million and Mortensen folds, giving Laliberte the pot.

Here are the latest round of chip counts, collected by the marvelous Tiffany Case:

Kirk Morrison	$5,470,000
Guy Laliberte	$7,120,000
Carlos Mortensen	$7,140,000
Paul Lee	$10,340,000
Tim Phan	$2,140,000

We're back in the action and the cards are back in the air. The blinds are now $100,000/$200,000 with a $20,000 ante.

It's break time for a tape change and color-up, so action has been suspended for about ten minutes.

This is the last hand before the blinds and antes will be going up. The button's on Paul Lee and it's folded to Carlos who raises to $500,000. He gets no calls and takes down the blinds and antes.

Guy Laliberte raises to $500,000 and Tim Phan makes the call. The flop comes 7♠ 2♠ 2♥ and Phan bets $800,000. Laliberte moves all-in and shows Phan the A♥. Phan thinks it over but lays it down, looking distressed to be doing so, and Laliberte takes down the hand.

The button's on Carlos Mortensen Tim Phan raises to $360,000. It's enough to take down the blinds and antes.

Kirk Morrison raises to $425,000 and the action folds around to Mike Wattel, who thinks for a few minutes before moving all-in for $432,000from the big blind. Morrison makes the call, showing K♣ J♠ against Wattel's J♦ 9♦. The flop comes T♦ 4♥ 3♥ and the louts in the audience scream "booyah!" and "one time!" repeatedly. The turn is the 8c and Wattel has an open-ended straight draw. The river is the A♥ and Mike Wattel has been eliminated in sixth place. He'll head up to Sabina's perch $309,405 richer.

Guy Laliberte completes in the small blind and Carlos Mortensen checks his option. The flop comes A♠ K♦ 9♥ and both players check. The turn is the A♦ and Laliberte checks again. Mortensen bets $120,000 and Laliberte folds. Mortensen takes the pot.

Mike Wattel raises to $360,000 and Guy Laliberte calls in the big blind. The flop comes A♥ T♥ 5♣ and Laliberte checks to Wattel, who bets out $500,000. Guy Laliberte immediately moves all-in and Wattel folds. Laliberte takes the pot, check-raising all-in for a second time early at this final table.

Guy Laliberte raises to $500,000 and Tim Phan announces all-in for another $1,092,000. Laliberte announces that he hopes Phan has a "very small pair" and calls with A♦ Q♣ to Phan's A♠ K♥. The flop comes 7♠ 7♥ 5♥ and the turn is the K♠. The river is a meaningless 6♣ and Tim Phan has doubled through Guy Laliberte.

Carlos Mortensen raises to $300,000 and Paul Lee reraises to $700,000 in the small blind. Mortensen calls and the flop comes 9♥ 8♠ 6♥. Lee checks and Mortensen checks behind. The turn is the A♠ and both players check again, and the river is the 2♣. Lee bets $1 million and Mortensen thinks things over for some serious time before laying the hand down, and Lee takes down the pot, claiming he was bluffing as he does so.

Action folds to Mike Wattel in the small blind and he pushes all-in. Paul Lee immediately lays his hand down and Wattel takes the pot.

Paul Lee opens for $300,000 and Guy Laliberte makes the call on the button. The blinds fold out and the flop comes A♣ 7♣ 4♥. Lee checks and Laliberte bets $600,000. Lee lays it down, and Laliberte takes the pot.

Paul Lee raises to $400,000 and the action folds around to Carlos Mortensen, who calls in the big blind. The flop comes Q♠ 8♦ 3♥ and Mortensen checks to Lee, who bets out $600,000. Mortensen matches the wager and the turn is the 7♣. Mortensen again checks, and Lee checks behind. The river is the A♦ and Mortensen thinks things over before betting $2 million. Lee thinks for a minute but lays it down, and the Matador takes the pot.

Mike Wattel opens for $550,000 and Guy Laliberte calls. The flop comes Q♥ 6♦ 5♠ and Laliberte checks to Wattel, who bets out. Laliberte raises another $1 million and the action is back on Wattel, who ruminates for a few minutes before laying down the hand, and the creator of Cirque du Soleil takes down the pot.

Mike Wattel opens the pot for $475,000 and the action folds around. Cyndy Violette's sweetheart takes down the pot as a lout in the crowd drunkenly berates the finalists for playing too tight. Stay classy, sir.

Carlos Mortensen opens the pot for $500,000 and gets no callers. He takes down the blinds and antes.

Tim Phan raises to $360,000 from under the gun and the action folds around. Phan takes down the blinds and antes.

Action folds around to Carlos Mortensen in the small blind, and the Matador completes. Mike Wattel checks his option. The flop comes 6♣ 5♣ 2♠. Mortensen bets $200,000 and Wattel lays it down, giving the pot to the Matador.

Tournament director Jack McClelland: "How do you say 'fold' in Spanish?" Beat. "I bet Carlos doesn't know."

Paul Lee raises to $350,000 from UTG + 1 and Kirk Morrison calls on the button, as does Carlos Mortensen in the big blind. The flop comes 7♥ 6♣ 2♠ and Mortensen and Lee both check. Morrison bets $700,000 and the Matador folds. Lee lays it down as well and the Captain takes a million dollar pot.

Carlos Mortensen raises to $375,000 from under the gun and the action folds around to Guy Laliberte in the big blind. Laliberte makes it another $1 million to go and the Matador lays it down, giving Laliberte the pot.

Mike Wattel raises to $550,000 from the button and Tim Phan considers his options in the big blind. Eventually he lays it down, and Wattel takes the pot.

Paul Lee raises to $350,000 from under the gun and the action folds around. Lee shows A-Q as he takes the pot.

Tim Phan opens for $360,000 and the action folds to Carlos Mortensen, who moves all-in . Phan lays it down and Mortensen takes the pot.

We've rolled back the blinds for extra savings as we start the day. The cards are now in the air with $60,000/$120,000 blinds and a $15,000 ante. Stay tuned for live updates as the action unfolds.

As a preamble to the final table, Mike Sexton is presenting J.C. Tran with the WPT Player of the Year award. Tran gets a beautiful Omega watch, and tells the crowd, "I'm very grateful. This is a great group of people and it's a real honor to be a part of them."

Congratulations, J.C.!

Here are the chip counts and seating positions going into the final table, brought to you by the stunning Vesper Lynd.

Seat 1	Kirk Morrison:	$4,194,000
Seat 2	Guy Laliberte:	$4.690,000
Seat 3	Carlos Mortensen:	$6,501,000
Seat 4	Mike Wattel:	$2,887,000
Seat 5	Paul Lee:	$11,828,000
Seat 6	Tim Phan:	$2,162,000

Welcome to the final final table of the World Poker Tour's season 5 season, the $25,000 World Championship event. PokerListings.com is on scene at the Bellagio ballroom preparing to give you the most comprehensive coverage of this thrilling event, so stay tuned as the live updates get underway and the final six contestants battle for ridiculous cash prizes and unspeakable glory. We're just warming up the audience, but the action will start momentarily. Let's get it on!