John Stempien Takes the Lead With Ace-High
Level 12
: 800/1,600, 200 ante
John Stempien explained how he jumped into the chip lead in an exciting, multi-way pot.
There was an all-in and Stempien and another player called. The flop came king-high, and he said he suspected the player on the side had air so he led out for 20,000 and called his all in for 40,000 more.
It turns out his read was dead on because the first player who was all in held ace-jack, and the player on the side tabled ace-ten for a flush draw.
The board ran out dry, and ace-queen took down the entire pot. Stempien is now the chip leader with Jerry "Pokerwinski" close behind in second.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
210,000 |
where he got his money in the middle against a player holding 
on an ace-high board. The turn was a miraculous eight and "Pokerwinski" sent his opponent packing. 
, with about 23,000 in the pot already, Pete Pilski checked, as did the player in middle position. 
for the nut flush draw. 
for middle set. The player on the button groaned and tabled 
for bottom set and said, "I knew it. That's just my luck."
and the river was the 
, sending the pot Pilski's way and eliminating his opponent in the process.
for a classic race.
, putting Olshan in the lead with top two pair.
, and the river was the 
