Just before the break, Derek Cheung and Maria Ho got involved in a big pot. Ho drew three, and Cheung drew three as well. Ho bet, and Cheung raised. Maria called. On to the second draw. Both drew one, and Maria check-called a bet. They each drew one again on the last draw, and Ho bet out. Cheung called with a 9-5-4-3-2, but Maria had just better with an 8-7-6-5-3. Cheung was left with just 6,500.
Since we have reached the final table, blinds and limits have been set back a level to Level 11. The final seven will play seven hands of each game before switching. Once they lose a player, it will be six hands of each.
Justin Smith lost a big triple draw pot when Eli Elezra caught lucky on the third draw to show down an eight-five. Next hand, it was Smith's turn.
David Bach opened, Smith raised, and Maria Ho reraised. Bach folded, and Smith called. Both drew one, and Smith check-called a bet. Smith again drew one, and Ho stood pat. Smith checked again, and this time thought a little longer before calling Ho's bet. He took one last card to Ho's pat. Smith bet out after the final draw, and Ho sighed and tossed in the call. Just like the last hand, the drawer caught an eight-five on the end to win the pot. Perhaps Maria's eight-five is up next?
Andy Bloch raised, and Justin Smith called in the big blind. The flop fell . Smith checked, and Bloch bet. Smith went for the check-raise, and Bloch called. After the turn, Smith went back to checking, and this time, Bloch checked behind. The river was the and Smith checked one last time. Bloch decided on a bet, and Smith pulled out the second check-raise of the hand. Bloch called but could only muck when Smith showed . After being down to 5,000 not long ago, Smith is over 65,000 now.