Online Only

The, 2005 Five Star World Poker Classic at the Bellagio Resort on the Las Vegas strip is positively, absolutely over. The final event, a scheduled stop of the Professional Poker Tour played the final table today. Today's finale of a PPT event that began on the 15th of April and played down to 45 survivors that returned the next day and play until only six remained. The event was then placed on hold until the 5-Star completed it's scheduled events including the WPT season three $25,000 buy-in Championship.

The final event of the third season of the World Poker Tour ended a few minutes before midnight at the Bellagio resort here in Las Vegas. The $25,000 buy-in No Limit Hold'em event played the final table Sunday at 4:00 pm and played on and on until only one was left. Tuan Le survived the field of 452 players and seven days later was crowned the WPT Champion. The six players going into tonight's final table was a representation of some of poker's toughest competitors, so the action was top rate. Phil Ivey was the first to go out in sixth place collecting $264,195 on the way to the door.

[see also results from the Five Star Poker Classic Championship event]

The fifth day of the WPT $25,000 buy-in No Limit Hold'em Championship event finished this evening a few minutes before 8:00 pm when Tuan Le took out two players, Bo Sehlstedt and Mark Rose, to trim the field to seventeen. Both Bo and Mark received $75,465 in prize money. My long shot pick to win the event, Isabelle Mercier, collected $56,615 for her 28th place finish. Isabelle played a solid game, held her own with the guys and was the last surviving female so I expect to see her finishing in the money in many future tournaments.

[see also results from the Five Star Poker Classic Championship event]

The third day of play of the 5-Star World Poker Classic WPT $25K Championship ended this evening at the Bellagio Resort. One hundred sixty-four players had chips at the end of level #10. The overall chip leader is Alan Boston with $493,300. Second is Dan Colclough with $381,100 in tournament chips. Third in the chip count is Paul Testud with $369,400 and Juna Helppi is in the fourth spot at $334,600.

The second group of players in the WPT $25,000 buy-in No Limit Hold'em Championship event played their first session today. The noon starting time saw 227 players seated for the second qualifying flight. The first flight of 225 entrants played on Monday and 178 remained after the $300-600 level was completed in the early evening. Today's second flight of 227 players began at noon and when the end of the $300-$600 level was reached 166 remained. Wednesday the two groups will be combined and all 344 players will start the second day of play at the $400-$800 blind, $100 ante level #6.

The first day of the WPT $25,000 + $500 buy-in No Limit Hold'em Championship. The day started off a bit confusing with no player list and different numbers given for the entrants. I believe 452 players paid the entry fee and 225 of them played in the first group today. Today's chip counts are in; and after today's play ended at about 8:00 pm this evening the first group's chip leader is Scotty Nguyen, the 1998 WSOP Champion, with $233,750 in tournament chips. Not bad considering everyone began the day with $50,000 in play money. Second in the chip count is Eric Wright at $231,450.

[see also results from this Five Star Poker Classic Super Satellite]
The second day of the Professional Players Tour event at the Bellagio's Five-Star World Poker Classic began today at 2:00 pm with 45 players. Well after midnight we have the six professionals whom will return to play the final table on Monday, April 25th. The big slick six and their respective chip counts follow:

Lee Markholdt $890K
Barry Shulman $400K
Erick Lindgren $380K
Doyle Brunson $324K
Chris Bjorin $214K

[see also results from this Five Star Poker Classic event]