Phil Laak Eliminated ($25,000)

Finally, some excitement on the set of the NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship. Jason Mercier, now holding the chip lead against Phil Laak, open-shoved all in. Phil Laak thought things over and then decided to call. Reveal your cards, gentlemen!

Mercier: {5-Clubs}

Laak:

Laak would need some help, and he got it immediately on the flop. It was a king in the window, {K-Diamonds}

. Cheers erupted in the gallery for one of the few times during the last two days. The turn {8-Hearts}

left Mercier looking for a five, and only a five, to end the match.

Laak took Mercier's two black fives and put one above the spot where the river would fall and one below it. The dealer burned and turned... the {5-Diamonds}

!

There were roars of disbelief on the set and even Laak looked a little shell-shocked. Mercier grinned that same mischievous grin we saw after he rivered Pieter de Korver in the Round of 32.

Laak came to the side of the set to receive a consolation hug from companion Jennifer Tilly. Someone else on the rail told Phil not to worry, "God still loves you. He really does."

"Not as much as He loves Jason," joked Tilly. "Jason! You should be ashamed of yourself!" she added.

Ashamed or not, Mercier is through to the Elite Eight. Laak departs with $25,000.

2010 NBC Heads-Up Poker Championship

2010 NBC Heads-Up Poker Championship

Phil Laak Eliminated ($25,000)