2016 World Series of Poker Daily Update: Mizrachi Brothers Crushing $50K PPC, Lichtenberger Outlasts 1,125

July 4th, 2016 | by Jason Reynolds

The Mizrachi brothers are making their mark on the 2016 World Series of Poker. Michael has nine cashes this summer. Robert has six so far, including a bracelet in Event #3, the $10,000 Seven Card Stud.

Many refer to this year’s WSOP as the “Summer of Mercier,” but perhaps it should be amended to the “Summer of Mizrachis” as well. Robert and Michael both have top-seven chip stacks after Day Two in Event #55, the $50,000 Poker Players Championship.

Michael Mizrachi sits second in chips when play resumes at 2 pm on Monday in Event #55, the $50,000 Poker Players Championship at the Rio in Las Vegas. (Image: pokeroyunlari.org)

Jason Mercier, meanwhile, seeking his third win of the summer, is 24th in chips with 427,000. The table captain, however, is Justin Bonomo, who will start play today the biggest stacks of 1,230,000. Todd Brunson is 2nd in chips with 1,050,000.

This is one of the most important tournaments on the poker circuit every year. Mike Gorodinsky is the defending champ. He’s still alive after Day Two with 595,000 chips. One double-up and the Russian who now lives in San Diego will be right back at the top of the leaderboard.

Scott Seiver is in 11th place (700,000), after spending some time on Sunday with the chip lead. Many other top pros are among the 42 remaining who are vying for the $1,296,097 first place prize.

That includes David Grey (970,000), Daniel Alaei (740,000), Brian Rast (660,000), Matt Glantz (590,000), Howard Lederer (550,000), Daniel Negreanu (395,000), John Racener (255,000), George Danzer (230,000), Phil Hellmuth (230,000), and Eli Elezra (145,000). Play resumes today at 2 pm Pacific time, and there are still two more days besides Monday to wrap this event up.

Lichtenberger Takes One Down

Andrew “Lucky Chewy” Lichtenberger headed into Sunday’s heads-up play against Craig Blight in Event #52, the $3,000 No-Limit Hold’em, with a 3-1 chip advantage. Never before had the poker pro from Sin City been so close to a bracelet.

Early in the fourth and final day of the tournament, Blight, who is from Down Under, began chipping away at the lead. But, in the end, either the poker gods or fate determined it was Lucky Chewy’s time to win a bracelet. After his 34th career cash at the summer series, Lichtenberger can finally be referred to as a World Series of Poker champ.

He won $569,158 and is inching ever-so-closely to $3 million in lifetime Series earnings. Blight cashed for the first time in a Las Vegas WSOP event for $351,721. Poker isn’t his profession: he is a doctor in real life.

Jesus Runs Deep

There were 6,761 players who signed up for Event #54, the $888 Crazy Eights No-Limit Hold’em tournament. After two days of non-stop busts, we’re down to just 12 players. Chase Johnson has a slight chip lead over Michael Lech heading into Day Three.

Chris “Jesus” Ferguson busted on Sunday, but he made another deep run, finishing in 26th place. Last month, the former Full Tilt Poker pro made his first appearance in a World Series event since 2010. After being accused of scamming online players out of money in the Black Friday shutdown, he went into hibernation.

But he’s back now, and doesn’t appear to be rusty at all. Say what you want about Chris Ferguson the man, but there’s no denying he can still play poker at a high level. Jesus already has eight cashes on his WSOP return tour. That includes a 4th place finish in Event #39, the $10,000 6-Handed No-Limit Hold’em.

Ferguson still refuses to speak to reporters, however. He made no post-game comments after busting out at a final table. When he first arrived at the Rio in early June, he simply told reporters, “I’m just here to play poker.”

No apologies. No accepting responsibility for his actions leading up to Black Friday in 2011. And that isn’t sitting well with poker fans, or top pros such as Daniel Negreanu. Kid Poker recently called Jesus out on Twitter for refusing to apologize.

The On-Deck Circle

A winner in the Crazy Eights is expected to be awarded by the end of Monday’s action. Only one new tournament will fire up: Event #58, the $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em.