As the players on Day 3 of the L.A. Poker Classic approach the money bubble, there are still some very well-known players atop the leader board – Phil Ivey and David Singer. Jennifer Tilly doubled up through Humberto Brenes and is doing well. Alan Goehring, former LAPC champion, is hanging on to make a run at another title.
Sadly, however, Antonio Esfandiari seemed to be on a bad run this evening, then took a hit from Kyle Burnside, and just got eliminated. He\’s had a great week with the announcement of his partnership with WPT, but a shot at a second WPT LAPC title would have been icing on the cake. It wasn\’t meant to be, but there\’s the NBC Heads-Up in a few days, along with the WPT Invitational next weekend. Momentum could take him far if he lets it.
Click below for some semi-gossip-y notes:
Mark Newhouse (eliminated today) is meeting with a lawyer this week to discuss a lawsuit against Dustin \”Neverwin\” Woolf. Newhouse first discussed his problems on his Wise Hand Poker blog, and it seems that the problems have never been resolved. When I asked him if I should keep the lawsuit information private, he responded, \”I don\’t give a shit. Tell everybody.\” Ummm, ok.
Isabelle Mercier was sporting a blond hair color at the LAPC. I\’m not sure if it\’s her color, but it\’s her head of hair.
Carlos Mortensen was sporting a hot chick on his arm during the LAPC. The divorce has long been done, so why not?
David Benyamine looks markedly thinner. Maybe fiancee Erica Schoenberg teaches him health and exercise while he teaches her poker? She had several cashes at the LAPC, including a second-place finish in the ladies event. I\’ve always thought they were a good couple.
Jean-Robert Bellande had a Bodog patch on his shirt and was telling folks that he was sponsored by Bodog. Justin Bonomo also had a Bodog patch. Still trying to find out if Bodog was doing some one-time sponsorship deals or if these are permanent – no press releases from Bodog yet.
Bellande also played WPT video hostess Kimberly Lansing in a heads-up match. The winner will get to choose an outfit for the other to wear at Bay 101 for an interview on camera. Bellande won. Shocking.