Bubble, Bubble, At Least €8,100 for Your Toil and Trouble

After several rounds of hand-for-hand, Daniel Millar had been identified as the short stack, and the media vultures hovered around his table on death watch. He was in the big blind with 3,500 behind, just enough to be all in after paying the small blind and ante if he folded the big. And fold he did.

Meanwhile, at a table on the opposite side of the room, another player was being put to the test. Huo Jinfeng had Hugo Lemaire well covered when she moved all in on an {A-Diamonds}

board. The pot was juicy, but Lemaire looked miserable having to decide between a shot at a deep run and a guaranteed min cash. After a few minutes of frozen contemplation, he announced a call. Jinfeng didn't want to show her cards and had to be forced to table {Q-Clubs}

for nothing but a bubble bluff. Lemaire breathed a huge sigh of relief, raking in the big pot with {A-Clubs}

.

And on to the next hand. Daniel Millar was automatically all in now in the small blind. Peter Eastgate moved all in from the button, Millar had no choice about the hand, and the big blind folded. The floor had the dealer wait until action was complete at all of the other tables before running the hand. Millar stared at the felt in front of him, his hands clasped before him and shaking a little. Finally it was time.

Showdown
Millar: {A-Spades}

Eastgate:

Millar was ahead, but the flop was not what he wanted to see.

Flop: {10-Diamonds}

Eastgate hit a pair, and Millar picked up a gutshot straight draw.

Turn: {Q-Spades}

After the spade on the turn, Millar needed to hit an ace, 5, or any spade.

River: {6-Clubs}

Complete brick. Bubble burst. Much cheering. Millar exited quietly while everyone else celebrated making the money. The remaining 104 players are now guaranteed €8,100.

2010 EPT Deauville

2010 EPT Deauville

Bubble, Bubble, At Least €8,100 for Your Toil and Trouble