WPT Championship Day 6: The Final 6

James Van Alystyne with $8,070,000 and the chip lead will be in seat #5 at the final table of the WPT 2006 Championship

Dr. Pauly reporting direct from the WPT Five Star Poker Championship at the Bellagio.

WPT Championship Day 6: The Final 6

The Fontana Room at the Bellagio was the center of attention in the poker universe for a sixth straight day at the 2006 WPT Championship. Out of 606 daring players who bought in for $25,000, just 19 remained fighting over the $14 million purse. Those 19 players started Day 6 trying to be one of the 6 players who’d make the final TV table in search of the coveted $3.7 million first place prize. The remaining players were positioning themselves for a shot at the final table and played tentative for most of the day. They did not want to come this far and bubble out of the final TV table.

Joe Bartholdi, $7,135,000, final table seat #1

Here’s the payout for the 2006 WPT Championship:

1 $3,760,165
2 $1,903,950
3 $1,025,205
4 $659,120
5 $439,375
6 $292,915
7 $263,625
8 $234,330
9 $205,040
10 $175,750
11-15 $146,460
16-20 $117,165
21-30 $87,875
31-40 $73,230
41-50 $58,585
51-100 $43,935

Surridner Sunar was one of the first players eliminated on Day 6. He started as one of the short stacks and doubled up early with J-J. However, Sunar was busted by Chad Brown in 19th place. Players redrew for seats for the final three tables and both remaining females were seated at the same table. All the photographers in the media focused on Erica Schoenberg’s and Vanessa Rousso’s table. Schoenberg is the blackjack whiz and Rousso is a law student from Miami.

Claus Nielsen, $5,875,000, final table seat #4

Patrik Antonius took some horrendous beats on Day 5. That continued on Day 6 when he had his pocket aces snapped off from Vanessa Rousso’s 10-9s. She flopped a pair then turn trips to send the young Fin to the rail in 17th place.

Erica Schoenberg took 16th place when her A-Q lost to Victor Ramdin’s K-K, which meant that Vanessa Rousso became the last woman standing. Erica headed to the rail as the Fontana Room lit up with a warm shower of applause.

Davidson Matthew, $5,765,000, final table seat #6

James Van Alstyne gave up his chip lead to Joseph Bartholdi, who had pocket aces hold up on consecutive hands. Bartholdi won a monster pot when he bluffed with Queen high to put him over the $5 million mark. With 13 players remaining he increased his stack to over $7 million.

Cliff “Johnny Bax” Josephy busted out in 12th place by Espen Saltnes from Norway. At that point, every player had at least $1 million in chips with Joseph Bartholdi still the chipleader despite losing some of his lead. Victor Ramdin ended his attempt to win back-to-back WPT events when he was knocked out in 11th place. His A-10 lost to Vanessa Rousso’s A-Q after Rousso flopped a Queen. When the final table redrew for seats, Rousso was 4th in chips with $4.3 million. Joe Bartholdi was the chipleader with $6.2 million.

Roland De Wolfe, $1,860,000, final table seat #2

Final Table Chipcounts:

1 Joe Bartholdi $6.2M

2 James Van Alstyne $5.47M

3 Davidson Matthew $4.41M

4 Vanessa Rousso $4.315M

5 Claus Nielsen $3.7M

6 Espen Saltnes $2.465M

7 Men “The Master” Nguyen $1.555M

8 Roland De Wolfe $1.27M

9 Chad Brown $700K

10 Carlos Zambrano $685K



Carlos Zambrano finished in 10th place when his A-Q lost to James Van Alstyne’s Q-Q. Zambrono won $175,750, while Van Alstyne jumped into the chip lead with $6.4 million. Chad Brown went out in 9th place winning $205,040. With a shortstack he moved all in with J-5s and Davidson Matthew called with 2-2. Matthew flopped a boat to eliminate Brown.

Men ‘The Master’ Nguyen, $1,490,000, final table seat #3

Espen “Espn” Saltnes took a hit when his 7-7 lost to Roland De Wolfe’s J-J. He was busted when his A-J ran into Davidson Matthew’s A-K. He won $234,330 for 8th place. Matthew was on a rush and took control of the game for a while.

Vanessa Rousso was so close to become a huge star if she made he final TV table. Sadly, she bubbled out in 7th place. She got her money in with the best hand A-K to James Van Alstyne’s A-J. But Van Alstyne turned a Jack and she busted out on the bubble. At least she won $263,625 and made a name for herself. Jams Van Alstyne started Day 6 as the chipleader and ended the day at the top.

The final table was set. Here’s the chip count:

1 James Van Alstyne $8.07M
2 Joeseph Bartholdi $ 7.135M
3 Claus Nielsen $ 5.875M
4 Davidson Matthew $ 5.765M
5 Roland De Wolfe $ 1.86M
6 Men “The Master” Nguyen $1.49M

The final table starts at 4pm in the Tower Room. We’ll finally find out who wins the $3.7 million first place prize.

Tao of Poker — http://taopoker.blogspot.com

Vanessa Rousso went out on the TV table bubble

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