2008/2009 WSOP Circuit Event - Harvey's Lake Tahoe
Event #11 - Circuit Championship Event
Date:
Friday, November 14, 2008 to Sunday, November 16, 2008
Buy-In:
$5,150
Prize Pool:
$640,200
Entrants:
132
Sun, 16 Nov 2008 19:28:53
Congratulations to Michael Binger, Your 2008 Harveys Lake Tahoe WSOP Circuit Champion!
...and there you have it: Michael Binger wins the cash, the 2009 WSOP Main Event buy-in and a gold circuit championship ring to add to his trophy case.
Most people know Binger for his third-place finish in the 2006 WSOP Main Event (the Jamie Gold year), but after posting a win here today, we think it's pretty safe to say that Binger has made a name for himself outside of the shadow of that 2006 WSOP and has become a force to be reckoned with on the tournament circuit.
Binger's journey to chip leader on Day 2 was not an easy one. He began the day with 59,800 in chips and quickly built his stack up to 103,000. Not long after, he fell all the way down to 24,500 before climbing back up over 100,000 and the rest was gravy. Binger finished Day 2 as the overnight chip leader and held the lead for much of the final table. He lost the lead when Ty Stewart eliminated Allen Kessler, but never fell out of contention.
The heads-up battle was intense, as Stewart pulled out ahead quite fast -- at one point owning a 9-to-1 chip lead over Binger. Down 200,000 in chips to Stewart's 1,780,000, Binger remained resilient, never losing focus while constantly gaining momentum. Binger eventually re-assumed the chip lead and would never look back.
Congratulations are also in order for runner-up Ty Stewart. Primarily a mid-stakes cash game player, Stewart played tough throughout the tournament, running a clinic on how to play hyper-aggressive poker. Stewart will take home over $100,000 in prize money for his second-place finish -- his biggest tournament cash to date.
Kudos to Harveys staff and the WSOP crew for another successful tournament in South Lake Tahoe. Here are your final standings:
1st: Michael Binger - $181,379
2nd: Ty Stewart - $112,675
3rd: Jake Solis - $77,464
4th: Mike McClain - $53,777
5th: Tay Nguyen - $40,653
6th: Allen Kessler - $31,370
7th: Travis Erdman - $24,968
8th: Bill Bostick - $18,566
9th: Scott Clements - $13,444
That concludes our coverage of the 2008 Harveys Lake Tahoe World Series of Poker Circuit Championship Main Event. Until next time, from South Lake Tahoe, good night and good luck!
Sun, 16 Nov 2008 19:09:08
Ty Stewart Eliminated in 2nd Place ($112,675)
Micheal Binger called Ty Stewart's option raise of 40,000 more before seeing a flop of 
. Stewart led out with a 60,000 bet which was then raised up to 180,000. Facing the additional raise, Ty Stewart announced, "All in," as he risked his last 300,000. Binger called the post-flop shove and tabled 
, which was ahead of Stewart's 
.
The crowd hovered around the table as announcer Tom Sexton laid out the scenario. Everyone watched in anticipation as the turn was 
. The dealer put a 
on the end as Binger simultaneously clapped in victory as the card fell.
Ty Stewart was acknowledged for his deep run, as it was pointed out that he is mostly a cash game player in some of the premier card rooms of the West Coast. He will now have much more ammo for those sessions as he takes home $112,675.
Sun, 16 Nov 2008 18:52:55
Binger Extends Chip Lead
Ty Stewart opened with a raise to 38,000 from the button and Michael Binger made the call.
The flop came 
and both players checked. The turn brought the 
and Binger opened with a 45,000 bet, which was called by Stewart. The 
fell on the river and Binger slid a big stack of 5,000-denomination chips across the betting line -- a wager worth 125,000. Stewart made the call and immediately Binger announced, "Full house," as he tabled 
for sixes full. Stewart mucked distraughtly and was left with 588,000 in chips.
Binger moved to 1,392,000 with the win.
Sun, 16 Nov 2008 18:48:13
The Winds of Change Blow Through
Micheal Binger tried to limp to a flop, but Ty Stewart raised his option 30,000 more. Binger facing the raise, decided to reraise himself, to the tune of 130,000. Stewart abided and both saw the flop: 
. The pair checked to the turn which was the 
. Ty Stewart measured out 250,000 and received action from Binger. The 
rounded out the board and the duo checked down the monster pot.
The reveal showed Binger's 
had bested the 
of Stewart. The hand turned the tables in the chip counts; here's how they now stand:
Binger - 1,298,000
Stewart - 682,000
Sun, 16 Nov 2008 18:35:23
Binger Gets Second Wind
Having been down to as few as 200,000 chips at one point in the heads-up match, Michael Binger has since climbed back to 957,000 in chips, pulling the match very close to even.
Binger looks fierce, at the moment, making all the right calls and all the right laydowns against opponent Ty Stewart, who seems to be fading fast.
Sun, 16 Nov 2008 18:30:07
It Ain't Over Til It's Over
Ty Stewart made it 38,800 to go from the button. After a Micheal Binger call, the flop was spread 
. Both checked it to the turn, which appeared . Binger checked, Stewart bet 60,000 and was called by Binger.
The river fell the and was checked down. Binger showed 
to Stewart's 
and took down the pot with a pair of sixes.
Sun, 16 Nov 2008 18:25:59
Binger Takes a Stand
After Ty Stewart made it 48,000 to go, both players saw the flop of 
. Micheal Binger checked to Stewart who bet 50,000. Binger then announced, "Raise" followed by, "446,000 more, all in." There was no confrontation as Binger moved his chips to the 635,000 mark.
Sun, 16 Nov 2008 18:10:56
Game On
The players have returned from their impromptu break and the cards are back in the air.
Also of note, the players have decided to play things out and scrap their dinner break, which was scheduled for 6:30.
Sun, 16 Nov 2008 18:10:32
Updated Chip Counts
Ty Stewart - 1,532,000
Michael Binger - 448,000
Sun, 16 Nov 2008 18:09:01
Potty Break
The tournament clock has been paused while Ty and Michael take a quick three-minute restroom break.
We'll be back shortly.
Sun, 16 Nov 2008 18:08:17
Binger Gets Back Some Chips Without Showing
Micheal Binger called Ty Stewart after he raised his option. The flop evolved , and then saw Binger take the initiative as he bet 40,000 after a Stewart check. The check-bet-call sequence was repeated on a turn of , this time for 60,000. The rounded out the board before Stewart checked over to Binger who bet 120,000. Stewart released the hand and Binger climbed back to 470,000 to Stewart's 1,510,000 after the hand.
Sun, 16 Nov 2008 17:54:31
Binger Falls to 200k
Michael Binger limped into the pot from the button and Ty Stewart kicked it up another 25,000. Binger made the call and the flop came 
.
Stewart quickly fired a bet of 40,000 and Binger made the call.
The 
fell on the turn and both players checked. Fifth Street brought the 
and Stewart fired a 75,000 bet that Binger called immediately:
Showdown
: Stewart:
Binger: Mucked
As Stewart raked in the pot, Binger commented, "That ace saved me from going broke, actually."
After the hand, Binger was left with just under 200,000 in chips and Stewart is now sitting with close to 1.78 million.
Sun, 16 Nov 2008 17:45:37
Stewart Still Chipping Away
Ty Stewart has been chipping away at Michael Binger's chip stack over the last few hands, and he's knocked his opponent down to just 355,000 in chips; Stewart owns the remaining 1,625,000 in play.
Sun, 16 Nov 2008 17:37:47
Stewart Wins Gargantuan Pot
Ty Stewart opens with a raise to 26,000 and Michael Binger answered with a raise of his own, making it 86,000 to play; Stewart made the call.
The flop came 
and Binger check-called a 90,000 bet from his opponent. The fell on fourth street and Binger checked again, allowing Stewart to fire once more, this time making it 200,000 to play. Binger made the call.
The was the last card off the deck and Binger checked once more, which prompted Stewart to announce, "All in." Stewart had Binger covered.
Binger then pulled off his sunglasses and sat uneasily in his chair, facing the biggest decision of his tournament thus far. After a solid three minutes passed, Binger eventually laid down his hand, conceding the pot to Stewart.
"Nice lay down," Stewart said as he raked in the massive pot. "You call, it's all over."
Chip counts after the hand are as follows:
Stewart - 1,445,000
Binger - 535,000
Sun, 16 Nov 2008 17:27:27
That Evens it Up
Our first hand that was played out in awhile has just about evened the chips stacks of both players.
The action started with Micheal Binger raising it up to 26,000. The flop came 
, before both checked to the turn which came . The betting picked up again as Binger bet 35,000, and Stewart raised the price to 90,000 total. The river was the as Binger checked over to Stewart. Stewart bet 100,000 and was insta-called.
The showdown:
Binger: 
Stewart:
The counts after the hand:
Binger - 939,000
Stewart - 1,041,000
Sun, 16 Nov 2008 17:08:58
Playing it Safe Early
Michael Binger and Ty Stewart were easily the two most aggressive faces at this final table, though since heads-up play began, they seem to be playing quite cautiously, perhaps trying to get a feel for the tempo of the match.
Stewart began with a slight chip advantage, but one that Binger could easily overcome in a single hand. The rail around the final table is packed shoulder-to-shoulder as spectators watch this classic pro v. amateur confrontation.
Sun, 16 Nov 2008 16:57:46
Game On
The players have returned to the table, which now holds a big plate o'money and the gold circuit championship ring that Ty Stewart and Michael Binger will be battling over.
Play resumes with 14 minutes remaining in level 20, with blinds of 5,000/10,000 and a 1,000 ante.
Sun, 16 Nov 2008 16:49:50
Brief Intermission
The tournament clock has been paused while Michael Binger and Ty Stewart take a quick ten-minute break to prepare for their heads-up match.
Here's how they stand heading into the final showdown:
Ty Stewart - 1,156,000
Michael Binger - 824,000
Sun, 16 Nov 2008 16:42:51
Jake Solis Eliminated in 3rd Place ($77,464)
Micheal Binger bumped the action to 30,000 from the button, before Jake Solis moved all in for his remaining 90,000. Ty Stewart called, as did Binger, sending all three to the flop. The action was checked down from there.
The board filled out: 
Showdown
: Binger:
Solis:
Stewart:
Jake Solis received a genuine hand shake from both players as he exited the tournament area as the third place finisher. Solis will gross $77,464 for his efforts.
Sun, 16 Nov 2008 16:39:59
Solis Hanging by a Thread
Michael Binger and Jake Solis just went heads-up in a hand that left Jake Solis with less than 100,000 in chips.
Binger limped into the pot from the small blind and Solis checked his option in the big. The flop came 
and a check-check sequence brought us to the turn: 
.
Binger then fired a small 15,000 bet in and Solis quickly called. The was the last card to fall off the deck, and Binger fired a bet of 40,000. Solis made the call and Binger tabled for a nine-high straight; Solis mucked.
After the hand, Solis was left with about 95,000 in chips while Binger improved to 542,000.
Sun, 16 Nov 2008 16:35:18
Chip Count Update
With the action in a lull, the chip counts for the remaining three look like this:
Ty Stewart - 1,343,000
Micheal Binger - 472,000
Jake Solis - 165,000
