As reported by: The Associated Press
Poker's top players and unknowns were in a high-stakes showdown, each looking to make the nine-person final table at the World Series of Poker's main event and grab a piece of gambling glory. But not all will be playing Friday after round six of the no-limit Texas Hold 'em tournament moved to the legendary Binion's Gambling Hall & Hotel in downtown Las Vegas, where the World Series began 36 years ago.

Only 12 of the 27 players who started Thursday remained Thursday night. Last year's champ, Greg "Fossilman" Raymer, pro Phil Ivey and Tiffany Williamson, the only woman left, were among those out of the game.

Raymer held the fifth spot with $3.8 million when the day began. But he suffered some crippling losses, leaving him in serious trouble with about $415,000 late in the afternoon.

Raymer lost about $2 million when he called Aaron Kanter, who had gone all-in. Raymer's two kings fell short when Kanter hit a flush on the river, or final card.

Minutes later, Raymer went all-in with an ace-nine and lost to pocket 5s, sending him home without another title.

"If you make it this deep and don't win, you're disappointed," said Raymer, who finished 25th.

Ivey and Kanter went all-in before the flop. Ivey had pocket jacks against Kanter's pocket kings. Kanter made three kings on the flop and Ivey couldn't catch up.

"I guess I'll just have to wait until next year," Ivey said moments after busting out of the World Series.

Late in the round, Kanter led with $9.6 million, followed by Joseph Hachem with $6.8 million and Andrew Black's $6.6 million. Mike "The Mouth" Matusow was in seventh place with $4.9 million.

Steve Dannenmann, Tex Barch and Daniel Bergsdorf were still alive.

Williamson, an American attorney living in London, was the last woman from an overall field of 5,619 players who began play at the Rio hotel-casino. The amateur lasted about five hours before bowing out, finishing 15th.

Williamson's night essentially ended when she went all-in with ace-three against law student Brad Kondracki's ace-king. The flop brought a king, nine and two. The turn revealed another nine and the river was meaningless. Kondracki won the pot with aces and 9s.


Article By: The Associated Press