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Archive for the ‘ylonschwartz’ Category


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WSOP Event #47: Schwartz runs out of steam

Saturday, June 27th, 2009

wsop2009_thn.gifThe day began with lowered expectations. Team PokerStars Pros Barry Greenstein and Ylon Schwartz both managed to make the $2,500 Mixed Hold'em final table, but neither had much of a stack at the start of play. Then, hope, as is its wont, sprung.

Over the course of the next five hours both poker powerhouses either grasped or neared the chip lead. For an hour or so, it looked as if we might actually see the two Team Pros face off for a bracelet.

Then things started to go wrong. After playing near perfect poker for most of the day, Greenstein's game took a turn. He said after the event, "I had good enough cards to win, but I made too many bad decisions." He's probably being a little hard on himself, but we're all allowed to be our own worst critic. And, as we mentioned before, Greenstein's fifth place cash earned him more than enough money to freeroll the $50,000 HORSE event.

For his part, Schwartz thrived after Greenstein's exit. He held the chip lead at the dinner break and threatened to walk away with the bracelet. Dinner must not have settled well, however, because upon his return to the table it seemed Schwartz couldn't win a hand. Within an hour of coming back, Schwartz was eliminated in third place for $112,000.

EV47_Final Table_IJG_3658_IMPDI.jpg

Though we won't be celebrating a bracelet tonight, coming back from short stacks to fifth and third place finishes is impressive enough on its own. Collectively, the two turned $5,000 in tourney entries into nearly $170,000. That's not a bad three days.

Congratulations to both Team Pros for great performances.

***

Also we can't let the evening go by without offering congratulations to Team Pokerstars Pro Noah Boeken for a 27th place finish in the $1,500 Pot Limit Omaha event. He earned $6,604.

Nice job, Noah.

Posted in 2009, Barry Greenstein, PokerStars news, Pokerstars, World Series of Poker, worldseries, ylonschwartz | Comments Off


WSOP Event #47: Conversations with Ylon

Friday, June 26th, 2009

wsop2009_thn.gifYlon Schwartz is in a conversation and it's clear he's a good listener. His eyebrows rise with sincere amazement. He offers a measured nod, sympathetic wince, and a rueful shake of the head. Even at a distance of 40 feet, there's no doubt he's listening to a bad beat story.

Look closer, though, and you realize no one is talking. In fact, none of the people sitting at the final table of Event #47 are even looking at last year's WSOP Main Event final tablist.

Indeed, Ylon is in a conversation, but it's with himself and it's all happening in his head. We can only see his expressions. They tell enough of the tale.

This is Schwartz after nearly every hand he plays--silently mourning his bad luck, quietly celebrating a well-played pot, wordlessly bemoaning the run of cold cards. If his expressions were the same when he was in a hand, he could never win a tournament. Somehow, he turns off his face when he has cards in front of him. After watching the internal conversation, the facial control is almost spooky.

EV47_Final Table_IJG_3638_IMPDI.jpg

Schwartz is the lone Team PokerStars Pro player remaining at the final table. Just moments ago, he eliminated Barry Greenstein in fifth place for $57,000.

Schwartz may be most famous for his 2008 Main Event run in the no-limit game, but he is a sick limit player. Anyone who has run into him online or live knows he excels in the world of limit poker. Some of his biggest gains in this $2,500 Mixed Hold'em field have coming during the limit rounds.

Now, with four players remaining, Schwartz holds the chip lead and a chance at winning his first WSOP bracelet. One can't help but wonder what the conversation in Ylon's head will sound like if he manages to snag a victory.

Posted in 2009, Barry Greenstein, PokerStars news, Pokerstars, World Series of Poker, ylonschwartz | Comments Off


WSOP Event #47: Greenstein, Schwartz in for busy afternoon

Friday, June 26th, 2009

wsop2009_thn.gifThis is going to be an odd day.

Let's be honest. Today, the kickoff of the $50,000 HORSE event, has been one of the most anticipated days of the year. Who will show up? How many will enter? How many bad equine references will the PokerStars Blog make?

To be fair, that was the sole focus of the day until Event #47, $2,500 Mixed Hold'em, ended play last night with nine players remaining. Among the surviving runners? Team PokerStars Pros Barry Greenstein and Ylon Shwartz. That's going to throw a wrench in things. It's a very nice wrench, but a wrench nonetheless.

greenstein10kplo3b.jpg

Here's how they stack up going into today's 2pm final table:

Seat 1: Bahador Ahmadi - 708000
Seat 2: Zachary Humphrey - 99000
Seat 3: Barry Greenstein - 193000
Seat 4: Hasan Habib - 114000
Seat 5: Karlo Lopez - 941000
Seat 6: Randy Haddox - 555000
Seat 7: John McGuiness - 406000
Seat 8: Ylon Schwartz - 286000
Seat 9: Matt Woodward - 653000

But, wait, the throngs exclaimed. Does this mean Barry Greenstein won't play the $50,000 HORSE event at noon?

Well, we haven't spoken to Barry yet this morning, but we'd feel pretty comfortable betting a healthy chunk of change that Greenstein will be in his seat for the noon HORSE start. We've seen Greenstein multi-table before, and it is almost ridiculous to suggest he wouldn't be giddy about playing for a bracelet while simultaneously competing in one of the world's most prestigious tournaments.

But, hell. Let's leave it with some intrigue. Let's make this one a cliffhanger. (You're going to have to imagine this in Don "In a world" LaFontaine's voice to make it work).

In a world where two tournaments exist, what can one man do? How can one man survive?

What will Barry Greestein do?

Posted in 2009, Barry Greenstein, PokerStars news, Pokerstars, World Series of Poker, ylonschwartz | Comments Off


WSOP Event #21/22: Schwartz out, Alvarado shootout

Thursday, June 11th, 2009

wsop2009_thn.gifToday was not a good day at the office for Team PokerStars Pro Ylon Schwartz. Starting day three of the $3,000 HORSE, he was well placed in chips with 186,000 in the remaining field of 21, and had high hopes of closing in on a WSOP final table so soon after his memorable fourth-place finish in the Main Event last November.

But an early hit at the hands of Matt Hawrilenko - as described here - set him back a chunk of 76,000, a blow from which he never really recovered.

ylonhorse3kfb.jpgYlon Schwartz

Now he's on the rail, busting in 18th place for $8,782. His last stand was in Omaha 8 when the board showed [2h][10h][4h][7h]. Stewart Yancik threw out a bet on the [kh] river and Schwartz called for his last chips showing [ac][5s][8s][qc], but Yancik had a heart for the flush and a better low hand.

Meanwhile, the second round of the $1,500 No Limit Hold'em Shootout has begun, with Team PokerStars Mexico Pro JC Alvarado already in the money from his round one victory.

"I've only played three events so far," he said. "So I am feeling fresh and good for today."

alvaradoshoot2.jpgJC Alvarado

A victory in round two would lock up $13,609, which shoots up on the final table to the winner's $313,673. The cards are with him so far - he's had quads and a straight flush - but he's not got action on either.

Posted in 2009, 2009worldseries, Pokerstars, World Series of Poker, jcalvarado, ylonschwartz | Comments Off


WSOP Event #21: Ylon Schwartz takes early hit

Thursday, June 11th, 2009

wsop2009_thn.gifAfter a prolific day at the tables yesterday, Team PokerStars Pro Ylon Schwartz was looking forward to chasing down the chip lead in today's third start of the $3,000 HORSE.

Starting with 186,000, he was in confident mood as he sat down a little late at the table, but before too long he took a big hit, a crushing blow on the river of a Stud hand, when he lost 76,000.

ylonhorse3kf.jpgYlon Schwartz

It was Matt Hawrilenko who did the damage. Such was the early-street betting action he was all in - and by fifth street they were on their backs:

Schwartz: [ac][qc] - [as][5s][kh][4c]
Hawrilenko: [ah][ad] - [9s][6c][3h][5d]

Both had aces, but Schwartz' kicker was a mile ahead, as the last card was dealt, Hawrilenko knew he was in trouble, his tournament very much on the line. But while Schwartz' hand remained the same, Hawrilenko paired a three to make his aces up.

A cruel blow for Schwartz, who leapt from the table for a brief walk to calm himself. He's a steady and composed man, though, who by final tabling last year's Main Event showed he is capable of taking hits on board while chasing the big goal.

ylonhorse3kfa.jpg... the agony of losing on the river

That goal here, with 20 of the 452 starters left, is the bracelet and the $311,899 first prize.

Team PokerStars Holland Pro Marcel Luske finished 26th last night for $6,449, while Team Pro Barry Greenstein made it to 43rd for $5,277.

***********

Also playing today are Team PokerStars Pro Greg Raymer in day two of the $10,000 World Championship No Limit 2-7 Draw, and Team PokerStars Mexico Pro JC Alvarado who won his first $1,500 No Limit Hold'em Shootout match yesterday and is back for round two, already in the money with $5,236.

The Rio is busy again, with the start of the $1,500 No Limit Hold'em kicking off a short while ago with around 2,500 starters.

Phew!

Posted in 2009, 2009worldseries, Pokerstars, World Series of Poker, ylonschwartz | Comments Off


WSOP Event #21: Ylon Schwartz mounting HORSE challenge

Wednesday, June 10th, 2009

wsop2009_thn.gifWhile we're not really sure if Ylon Schwartz likes riding horses, we feel confident enough to suggest that he doesn't. Instead, poker and chess are the passions in which he has enjoyed considerable success.

Before finishing fourth behind fellow Team PokerStars Pro Peter Eastgate in last year's WSOP Main Event (for $3,794,974), he had already clocked up a nice run of tournament cashes, live and online. His sharp strategic mind also allowed him to play chess at a very high level.

ylonhorsed2.jpgYlon Schwartz

It's the poker variant of HORSE that occupies his mind today. The WSOP $50,000 HORSE event, which kicks off in a few weeks, is one of the most eagerly anticipated by the pros, seeing as it tests them in key disciplines of Hold'em, Omaha Hi-Low, Stud and Stud Hi-Low eight or better, all at fixed limits.

The pros are out in force today for day two of the WSOP $3,000 HORSE, a nice appetizer for the big dish to be served later in the month, and with 125 left in the field, big names are on most.

Schwartz is one of those, and sitting on his left is Team PokerStars Pro Andre Akkari from Brazil. While Akarri is sitting with 25,000, Schwartz has been on something of a roll and is close to the chip lead with 68,000.

A quiet man at and away from the table, preferring to let his cards do the talking, he is not one to give up chips easily.

Also playing today are serial 2009 WSOP casher and two-times final tablist Daniel Negreanu, who is sharing the same table as Barry Greenstein. Friend of PokerStars Bill Chen was sandwiched between them before busting a short while ago.

negbillbaz.jpgBarry Greenstein, Bill Chen and Daniel Negreanu

On the other side of the room, Brazil's Maria Mayrinck and Holland's Marcel Luske, looking as smart as ever in his PokerStars jacket, are both still in, although both have got short.

mluskehorse.jpgMarcel Luske

Posted in 2009, 2009worldseries, Pokerstars, World Series of Poker, ylonschwartz | Comments Off


Three final tables with Ylon Schwartz

Wednesday, March 4th, 2009

I do not pretend to understand what makes Ylon Schwartz tick, and anyone who claims to get him can just take a spot over in line #3 at the Liar Store. Some people have called him "spooky." Others say "peculiar." I think it's safe to just call him "good" and leave it at that.

It's hard to know exactly when Schwartz is having some fun with you and when he's completely serious. That's likely what makes his poker game so good. For instance, recently when asked about his new Team Pokerstars Pro signing, Schwartz quipped, "When I'm too lazy to get up and look in the mirror, I can just log on to PokerStars and look at my face in the lobby. Then I say 'Goodnight, Ylon' and go to sleep."

No matter whether he's joking off the table, his time at the table is almost exclusively unspoiled by silliness. Take for instance his performance in the Sunday majors at PokerStars. In just one day this weekend, he made the final table of three of the biggest tournaments at PokerStars. Schwartz placed eighth in the $215 Mixed Hold'em event and $215 HORSE tourney . Schwartz then picked up a ninth place finish in the PokerStars Sunday Second Chance tournament.

By way of explanation, Schwartz said, "My friends and I are opening a wine bar and the bar needs money. I had to add a li'l' extra seasoning to my game this Sunday in the hopes of a good score to hopefully quell my buddies' economical blues."

And then he added, "Also, I ran quite well."

One thing is clear about Schwartz: he can play across a variety of disciplines. "All poker games are the same," he said. "People get confused by the different names and proposed strategies for each individual form. But a few key factors should be constants."

At this point, it would be easy to believe Schwartz is back to having a little fun, but it's clear he is serious and knows what he's talking about, even if it may be above the head of some of the people listening.

"Time, pressure, inertia, switching gears, and memory apply to all games. Mastery of these key factors will give anyone good chances to make deep runs," he said. "In the more exotic games where groups of cards are stacked, one must learn to blend waves of information into a single cohesive stream. Thus many ideas form a clear path to controlling chaos and weighing the table down to slowly enhance one's stack."

If at any point during that you said, "Um....yeah," you should know that Schwartz closed it in a way you might understand.

"And, of course," he finished with a smile. "You must run well."

Congrats, Ylon, on your recent finishes. And here's to you getting that wine bar open sooner than later.

For what it's worth, I like something in a dry red.

Posted in Pokerstars, Team PokerStars Pro, Ylon Schwartz, teampokerstarspro, ylonschwartz | Comments Off


Breaking news: Phillips, Schwartz join Team PokerStars Pro

Monday, January 26th, 2009

Just a few days ago, we stood in a very long line at the Santiago, Chile airport. It snaked back and forth between the stanchions for 45 minutes. About five minutes behind us in line was 2008 WSOP third place finisher Dennis Phillips on his way home from the LAPT event in Vina del Mar.

"See you soon," we said several times as we made our way through the snake. It was more out of being friendly than actually expecting to see him soon.

That same week, we watched one of Phillips' final table companions playing in Vina del Mar. Fourth place finisher Ylon Schwartz did his best to make a deep run in the LAPT event. During the event, someone asked him if he was disappointed about the fourth place WSOP finish.

"You know, yes and no," he said.

Now, perhaps, we knew what he meant.

We've learned that both Schwartz and Phillips plan to join the elite Team PokerStars Pro this week. The team currently sits at 29 members. Phillips and Schwartz will make #30 and #31.

If you're not already aware, Phillips is an accountant from St. Louis, Missouri who has been playing poker for many years and is a regular in the gateway city card rooms. After making the final table of two WSOP Circuit side events in 2007, Phillips went on to capture the attention of his hometown and the world when he went into the WSOP final table with the chip lead. Known around the world for his trademark St. Louis Cardinals cap, Phillips won $4.5 million in the 2008 World Series for his third place finish.

Dennis Phillips

Ylon Schwartz is a born and bred New York City guy. A poker player for the past 15 years, he already had eleven World Series cashes before making the final table run in 2008. Schwartz is also an accomplished chess player who has made no small amount of money on the chess board. He once threatened to run off with his $3.77 million in WSOP winnings and disappear into South America. Now, he's joining up with the most elite poker team in the world.

Ylon Schwartz at the LAPT event in Vina del Mar


The announcements aren't quite up yet at PokerStars.com or the Team PokerStars Pro web page. We suspect that announcement to come within the next 24 hours.

Until then, we welcome both Dennis and Ylon to the team. We look forward to seeing you again soon.

Posted in Dennis Phillips, Pokerstars, Team PokerStars Pro, Ylon Schwartz, dennisphillips, teampokerstarspro, ylonschwartz | Comments Off


2008 World Series: Ylon Schwartz

Friday, November 7th, 2008
ylon-schwartz.jpg12,525,000 chips

Ylon Schwartz has been playing competitive table games for most of his life, having started playing chess in Washington Square Park in Manhattan ever since he was 13-years-old. Now 38, the Brooklyn native reverted to the more profitable world of poker after 12 years of competitive chess and is now fifth going into the final table of the biggest show in the game.

Schwartz is already a veteran of the World Series, earning his first cash at in 2005 and recording 12 in-the-money finishes at the WSOP and its circuit events, for total winnings of $124,580. He has also cashed at the Borgata Poker Open, United States Poker Championships, World Poker Finals, Trump Classic, Bellagio Poker Open, and WPT events, bringing in $ 258,612 in lifetime winnings to date. Known as TenthPlanet at PokerStars, Schwartz is a well-known for his multi-tabling at cash games and has had impressive results in the PokerStars Sunday Million and the PokerStars Sunday Second Chance.

When he is not playing poker, Schwartz enjoys relaxing in Brooklyn and practicing yoga and meditation, which he uses to get into the appropriate mental state to play. As a result, he is always calm and focused at the table. Away from poker, Schwartz enjoys traveling and playing darts, pool, golf and backgammon - and also still plays chess to an exceptionally high level. After a 20-year stint in gambling, Schwartz says he may retire from the felt depending on his performance at this final table.

Schwartz enters the final table with 12,525,000 in chips.

Other profiles

Dennis Phillips
Darus Suharto
David Chino Rheem
Peter Eastgate
Ivan Demidov

Posted in 2008 World Series, Final Table, Main event, Million Dollar Men, Pokerstars, Ylon Schwartz, milliondollarmen, worldseries, ylonschwartz | Comments Off


2008 World Series: Ylon Schwartz interview

Thursday, July 17th, 2008

Perhaps better known online as TenthPlanet, Ylon Schwartz is no stranger to live poker. A regular on the East Coast live scene, Schwartz has been around long enough to have paid his dues. Now the chess expert, lover of all games, and PokerStars is looking to get away for a while.

In his own words, he was "bugging out" when he finally made the final table. He took a few minutes to talk to us before escaping to places unknown in preparation for the November final table.

Here's what he had to say.


Watch WSOP 08: Ylon Schwartz on PokerStars.tv

See other interviews with the PokerStars Six

Darus Suharto interview
Dennis Phillips interview
Peter Eastgate interview
David Chino Rheem interview
Ivan Demidov interview

Posted in 2008 World Series, 2008 World Series, Main event, Pokerstars, Video Blog, Ylon Schwartz, videoblog, ylonschwartz | Comments Off


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