WPT Celebrity Invitational - Live Updates

Van Nguyen raises to $580,000 from the small blind and Ethan Ruby moves all-in for about $20,000 more. There is an extended delay as the dealer and tournament director try to figure out the math and then, with everything settled, Nguyen makes the call and turns up K♦ 4♠ against Ruby's Q♠ J♠.

The flop comes A♦ 9♦ 2♣, helping nobody and maintaining The Blaster's advantage. The turn is the 3♦ and Nguyen steals some of Ruby's outs heading to the river. Fifth street is the A♠ and Nguyen's king-high is good, giving her the pot, the game and the WPT Celebrity Invitational title!

For the win, Nguyen takes home $100,000 as well as a WPT chip set and an oversized trophy. For second place, Ethan Ruby earns $50,000 and plenty of valuable TV exposure for his organization, Poker4Life. Congratulations to both players and to all would-be celebrities who took part in this event!

The tape change break is over and the cards are back in the air with more or less nothing accomplished since heads-up play began. Here are the chip counts as we return to play:

Van Nguyen	$3,745,000
Ethan Ruby	$700,000

 

Van "The Blaster" Nguyen raises to $600,000 from the small blind and Ethan Ruby moves all-in from the big blind. Nguyen immediately calls and finds herself in great shape to win the tournament, holding A♥ K♣ to Ruby's A♣ T♥. The flop comes 7♣ 4♣ 2♥ and Nguyen maintains her advantage. The turn is the 3♠ and Ruby picks up a wheel-straight draw to chop. The river card is the 5♥ and the audience roars its approval as Nguyen and husband Men stand in disbelief on the sidelines.

We're taking a quick 10-minute tape change break before action resumes.

Van Nguyen open-shoves all-in and Ethan Ruby makes the call, showing T♦ 9♠ to Nguyen's 8♠ 4♣. The board comes K♦ 9♥ 5♠ 6♠ A♠ and Ruby doubles up again to bring his stack to $520,000.

A very short-stacked Ethan Ruby gets his last $130,000 into the middle and Van Nguyen makes the call, showing 9♠ 7♣ to Ruby's 7♠ 6♣. It looks like curtains for The Big E, but the flop comes 8♦ 5♥ 4♦ and Ruby flops the nut straight. The board finishes 2♥ 8♥ and Ruby doubles through Nguyen to keep the heads-up match alive.

Ethan Ruby limps from the small blind and Van Nguyen checks her option in the big blind. The flop is 9♠ 7♥ 3♥ and Nguyen puts Ruby all-in. Ruby folds and Nguyen takes the pot.

In the 100th hand of the final table, Ethan Ruby limps in from the small blind and Van Nguyen checks her option in the big. The flop comes 8♠ 6♥ 6♦ and both players check. They check again on the 3♥ turn and the Q♠ river and Nguyen turns up J-4 for jack-high. Ruby has J-5 and the players chop the pot.

After three hands of pre-flop raises and folds, Ethan Ruby limps in from the small blind and Van Nguyen checks her option. The flop comes 8♥ 7♥ 7♠ and both players check. They check the 7♣ on the turn and the T♠ on the river and Nguyen turns up J♦ 9♣ for the straight to take down the pot.

After a couple of takes to show us the money, the $1 bills wrapped in hundos are on the table and the trophy and chip set are there as well. It's time to gets a steppin' on the heads-up match between Van Nguyen and Ethan Ruby. Game on!

With Billy Baxter's elimination we are awaiting the arrival of the scantily clad women who will herald the dawn of the heads-up era. In the meantime, here are the chip counts:

Van "The Blaster" Nguyen	$3,695,000
Ethan Ruby	$750,000

 

Ethan Ruby folds out of the button and Billy Baxter moves all-in for his last $450,000 from the small blind. Van Nguyen ruminates for a moment before making the call and showing J♦ 7♥ to Baxter's 9♦ 4♣. The flop comes Q♠ 6♥ 2♣ and the turn is the A♣, leaving Baxter drawing to a nine or a four to stay alive. The river is the J♥ and Nguyen pairs her jack to win the pot and eliminate the poker legend, who is out in third place for $20,000 after a sometimes-mystifying final-table performance.

Um, so this is how this hand played out: Van Nguyen raised to $520,000 from the button and Billy Baxter flat-called in the big blind, leaving himself with $470,000 behind. The flop came 9♠ 5♣ 5♦ and Baxter checked to Nguyen, who moved all-in. Baxter then folded. What?

Billy Baxter raises to $520,000 from the button and Van "The Blaster" Nguyen plays with her chips for a few moments before re-raising all-in from the small blind. Ethan Ruby gets out of the way and Baxter decides discretion is the better part of valor, laying the hand down along with a substantial chunk of his stack.

The blinds are moving up once more and it will now cost players $240,000 per round at this final table. Best of luck to all, suckas!

Ethan Ruby limps in from the small blind and Billy Baxter checks his option in the big blind. The flop comes K♠ Q♣ 9♠ and Ruby checks to Baxter, who moves all-in for $920,000. Ruby insta-calls and turns up K♣ 3♥ to Baxter's K♦ 2♣. The turn is a dagger 2♥ and Baxter makes two pair, and after the river is the 5♦ he has doubled through Ethan Ruby to stay alive.

Billy Baxter limps in from the small blind and Van "The Blaster" Nguyen checks her option. The flop comes A♣ T♥ 8♠ and Baxter bets out $300,000. Nguyen lays it down and Baxter takes the pot.

We're back in the game afte the tape change break and here are the chip counts as the action resumes:

Van Nguyen	$1,985,000
Ethan Ruby	$1,820,000
Billy Baxter	$640,000

 

Billy Baxter raises to $350,000 on the button and Ethan Ruby once again announces a re-raise from the big blind. He moves all-in and Baxter, left to a decision for his tournament life, lays the hand down. Ruby takes the pot.

We're now on a 10-minute tape change break. Action will resume shortly.

Ethan Ruby and Billy Baxter have both received walks in the last two hands. This despite Baxter having about $500,000 to his name and Ruby maintaining about an average stack. You would expect Van Nguyen to be pushing her weight around here, but she seems to be content to let Baxter and Ruby chip away by moving all-in on nearly every hand.

Billy Baxter raises to $300,000 from the button and Ethan Ruby announces a re-raise from the big blind. He moves all-in for another $610,000 and after a moment's pause, Baxter lays it down. Ruby takes the pot.

Ethan Ruby open-shoves from the button for his last $490,000 and Van "The Blaster" Nguyen makes the call in the big blind, showing A♣ 4♥ to Ruby's 8♠ 8♦. The board comes T♣ 9♣ 5♥ K♦ J♦ and Ruby's eights hold up, doubling him through Mrs. Master and bringing his stack up over the million mark.

The last four hands have seen either Billy Baxter or Ethan Ruby moving all-in and taking down the blinds and the antes without a call. The blinds are stratospheric and Van "The Blaster" Nguyen has a massive chip lead, leading Baxter and Ruby to shove to survive and pray the other is called first.

Chip counts:

Van Nguyen	$3,310,000
Billy Baxter	$785,000
Ethan Ruby	$520,000

 

Van "The Blaster" Nguyen raises to $250,000 from under the gun and Justin Marchand flat-calls on the button. The flop comes A♦ 8♥ 2♣ and Nguyen bets out $500,000. Marchand thinks for a moment before moving all-in over the top and Nguyen quickly calls, showing A♠ 8♠ for the flopped two pair against Marchand's A♣ T♠ for top pair. The turn is the Q♣ and Marchand picks up some outs, but the river is the 9♣ and the poker blogger has been eliminated in fourth place, earning $15,000 in a losing cause.

Billy Baxter, the only player (with the possible exception of Van Nguyen) with a decent understanding of optimal strategy at this final table, has moved all-in for his last $700,000 or so each of the last two hands, taking down the blinds and antes both times to increase his stack substantially.

The blinds are up and a round at this table will now cost $190,000. Game on!

Billy Baxter raises to $240,000 from under the gun and Van Nguyen moves all-in for her last $780,000 from the button. Action folds back around to Baxter and he makes the call, showing A♣ T♣ to Nguyen's A♠ K♦. The wife of poker pro Men "The Master" Nguyen is primed for the double-up, but the flop comes T♥ 4♦ 3♠ and Baxter takes the lead. The turn is the 9♠ and we're down to three outs for Nguyen. One of those outs is the K♠ and that's what hits on the river, electrifying the audience and doubling Nguyen through Billy Baxter.

Billy Baxter raises to $240,000 and Ethan Ruby calls all-in, showing K♠ 4♠ to Baxter's A♣ T♠. The flop comes J♦ 9♣ 3♠ and Baxter maintains his advantage. The turn is the 7♠, however, and Ruby picks up a spade flush draw. The river is the A♠ and Ruby hits his flush to double through Baxter again and bring his stack up to $500,000.

Ethan Ruby moves all-in for a little over $100,000 from the small blind and Billy Baxter calls in the big blind, showing 7♣ 5♠ to Ruby's A♠ 7♥. The board comes J♣ 9♦ 3♣ T♥ Q♠ and Ruby doubles through Baxter but remains on life support.

Elias Madias open-shoves all-in for his last $425,000 from under the gun and Justin Marchand makes the call in the small blind, showing 8♣ 8♦ to Madias' A♠ 5♥. The flop comes 9♦ 3♥ 2♦ and Madias picks up a gut-shot straight draw, but after the board finishes out 7♥ 3♣ the eights hold and Elias Madias has been eliminated. He's out in fifth place and earns $10,000 for his efforts.

Action folds to Elias Madias, who shoves all-in for his last $120,000 from the small blind. Billy Baxter makes the call and his Impala (6♦ 4♣) is dominated by Madias' 7♣ 4♥. The board comes 9♠ 5♥ 4♦ 7♦ 2♠ and Madias doubles through Baxter to double up and stay alive.

Found some tape. Game on.

Seat 1	Billy Baxter	$1,995,000
Seat 2	Van Nguyen	$940,000
Seat 3	Justin Marchand	$1,010,000
Seat 4	Ethan Ruby	$280,000
Seat 5	Elias Madias	$220,000

 

We're out of tape. Action will resume when we find some more (in about 10 minutes).

Elias Madias raises to $300,000 from under the gun and Justin Marchand moves all-in for $450,000 from the small blind. Madias makes the call with J♦ J♥ and is far behind Marchand's Q♠ Q♣. The flop comes K♣ Q♦ 5♥ and Marchand flops a set to take a massive lead. The turn is the J♣ and Madias catches up, but still needs to hit a one-outer to bust the poker blogger. The river is the K♠ and Marchand dodges the case jack to double through Madias and stay alive.

Ethan Ruby moves all-in for his last $200,000 and action folds around. Ruby takes down the blinds and antes.

Justin Marchand open-shoves all-in for his last $225,000 from the cut-off and the action folds to Billy Baxter, who makes the call in the big blind with Q♠ 6♥. Marchand has A♣ 4♦ and is ahead going to the flop.

The flop bolsters the poker blogger's advantage, coming A♥ 7♠ 4♥, and after the board finishes out J♦ J♠ Marchand earns the check mark and doubles through Baxter. 

Billy Baxter seems to be the only player who understands the value of aggression in this turbo-structured event. The Poker Hall of Famer is running over the final table by simply raising pre-flop and betting post-flop, while the rest of the players at the table seem content to be blinded off while waiting for big hands.

Ethan Ruby raises to $250,000 from the cut-off and Billy Baxter makes the call in the small blind. The flop comes A♥ 9♦ 3♠ and both players check. The turn is the 5♥ and Baxter moves all-in, putting Ruby to a decision for his tournament life. Ruby thinks things over but lays down Q♠ Q♣ face up and Baxter takes the pot.

Ethan Ruby limps in from the small blind and Elias Madias checks his option in the big. The flop comes A♠ A♥ 4♥ and both players check. The turn is the Q♦ and Ruby bets out $200,000. Madias folds and Ruby takes the pot.

Elias Madias limps in from under the gun and the action folds to Ethan Ruby, who checks his option in the big blind. The flop comes 9♠ 6♣ 4♣ and Ruby checks to Madias, who bets $200,000 and takes down the pot.

Billy Baxter raises to $180,000 under the gun and the action folds to Elias Madias, who makes the call in the big blind. The flop comes 6♠ 5♦ 3♦ and Madias checks to Baxter, who bets $220,000. Madias lays it down and Baxter takes the pot.

Justin Marchand has just been given his second walk in the big blind, which is bizarre to say the least in this turbo SNG-structured event.

We've reached the end of the level and the blinds are on the way up. Action continues without a break.

Justin Marchand raises to $200,000 from the cut-off and Billy Baxter makes the call in the big blind. The flop comes A♠ Q♠ 2♠ and both players check. The turn is the J♣ and both players check again. The river is the 4♠ and Baxter bets out. Marchand folds and Baxter takes the pot.

Justin Marchand raises to $190,000 from under the gun and Elias Madias makes the call on the button. In the big blind, Van Nguyen moves all-in for $730,000 total and both Marchand and Madias lay it down. Nguyen takes a healthy pot.

Billy Baxter raises to $120,000 from under the gun and Van Nguyen moves all-in over the top from his left for about $500,000 more. Action folds around and Baxter quickly lays down the hand, giving Nguyen the pot.

Elias Madias limps in from the small blind and Billy Baxter raises $165,000 from the big blind. Madias makes the call and the flop comes J♠ 7♣ 3♥. Madias bets out $300,000 and after some thought, Baxter lays down the hand and Madias takes the pot.

On the third hand of play at the final table, Billy Baxter raises to $150,000 from the cut-off and Justin Marchand re-raises all-in from the small blind. Action folds back to Baxter, who lays the hand down, and Marchand takes the pot.

It's poker time in the dread spot. The cards are in the air and the game is afoot from the final table of the WPT Celebrity Invitational in the Commerce Casino in California. It don't stop till someone's a celebrity; let's go!

We begin the day with 30 minutes left in the current level. After this level we'll play 60-minute rounds until we get to heads-up play, when we'll revert to 30-minute levels once more. Pushbottin' FTW!

It's time for the final table of the World Poker Tour's Celebrity Invitational. Five players remain out of a starting field of 445 after an unusual double elimination burst the money/TV table bubble last night. The remaining players will be guaranteed at least $10,000 for their time, with a first place prize of $100,000 + $25,000 WPT Championship seat in somebody's future.

Action will begin in just a few minutes, but until then content yourself with these seating positions and chip counts:

Seat 1	Billy Baxter	$1,250,000
Seat 2	Van Nguyen	$760,000
Seat 3	Justin Marchand	$815,000
Seat 4	Ethan Ruby	$910,000
Seat 5	Elias Madias	$710,000