Van Alstyne Gone; Mercier Cruising

Jason Mercier has been on quite the rampage early here on Day 2. First, he sent Dan Shak to the rail with kings versus jacks. Now, he just busted James Van Alstyne. Mercier flopped top set on a queen-high flop and Van Alstyne flopped top pair when the money went in. Mercier easily held from there and is now up to 270,000 in chips.

Dan O'Brien, who is Mercier's very good friend, also just took the seat previously occupied by Shak. Him and Mercier are now right next to each other.