Ramana Epparla opened the pot with a raise to 32,000 from the button, and Michael DePasquale three-bet to 77,000 out of the big blind. Epparla called to see a flop, and off they went.
The were the first three cards off the deck, and DePasquale continued out with another 67,000 chips. Epparla's response was a raise all in, putting DePasquale to the decision for his last ~440,000 chips. The call came without too much delay, and Epparla had his hand caught squarely in the cookie jar.
Showdown
Epparla:
DePasquale:
Despite his monumental lead, DePasquale was clearly nervous as he stood behind his chair to sweat the last two cards. The turn was a safe , and DePasquale could likely taste those million-plus chips in his stack. Epparla asked for a seven.
River:
Bink!, as they say in the parlance of our times. DePasquale couldn't believe his confounded luck, and he immediately asked for his payout slip and marched to the desk with a scowl.
For the innocent Epparla, it's Christmas come early. He's got about 1.15 million now, about 400,000 chips clear of his nearest challenger.
First in from the button, Robert Scott opened to 29,000, and Michael Rocco three-bet shoved from the big blind. Scott took just a second or three to think it over before committing himself to the call for his last 293,000 total.
Showdown
Scott:
Rocco:
The board ran out , and Scott's overpair held to earn him the double. But the drama wasn't over yet.
In celebration, Scott shot out of his chair and started walking to the rail where his friends are sweating the action. As he came around the table, though, Rocco stood up in front of him and walked directly at Scott's chest. He was trying -- for some reason -- to give Scott a chest bump, but the intentions were misinterpreted. As Rocco continued to draw closer to Scott, Scott put his fists up and took a fighting pose.
"Don't make me f*** you up!" he yelled as Rocco was right in the middle of an awkward chest-first hop. When he hit the ground, Rocco immediately drew back, and the situation quickly calmed down as the floor stepped in. Rocco explained himself, and the two men apologized and shook hands several times. Scott apologized to the table for his choice of words as well, and it was on to the next hand.
Scott begins that next hand with twice as many chips as the last one. He's got 604,000 now, dropping Rocco down to 480,000.
From the button, Ari Engel opened to 28,000, and Ryan Waddell three-bet all in for 168,000 in the big blind. Engel made the call, and his was dominated by Waddell's .
Board:
That's no good for Engel, unable to find his card to earn the knockout. It is, however, quite good for Waddell. He's doubled up to 354,000, trying to run down an average stack before the day expires.
From the cutoff seat, Ramana Epparla came in raising to 32,000. Around in the big blind, Alyson Parker three-bet to 112,000, and Epparla moved all in over the top. Parker made the call for about 260,000 total, turning up . Epparla had a middle pair, and his had Parker on the ropes with just one overcard.
The flop was a disaster for Parker, now drawing dead to runner-runner diamonds. The turn ended any drama, and the river has sealed her fate as the 12th-place finisher.
It was a remarkable run for Ms. Parker, the last lady standing by a long way. She'll be rewarded with her third (and largest) paycheck of this Circuit stop, this one good for $7,054.
From the hijack seat, Huy Nguyen open-shoved the 164,000 chips he had left. Ari Engel made the call on the button, and the two men were heads up and flipping. It was Nguyen and his with a slight lead over the of Engel.
The board ran out with blanks, coming . Nguyen's pocket eights hold, and he's moved his way up to 358,000 with that double.
Engel is still the chip leader, but just barely. Mark him down for 740,000.
Andrew Blum opened the pot with a raise to 33,000, and Michael Rocco three-bet all in with his big stack. Blum quickly called all in for just over 200,000, and he was at risk but in good shape as the cards were turned up.
Showdown
Blum:
Rocco:
The flop was a good start for Rocco, and he asked the poker gods for an ace. "I know it's coming," he said. The ace never came, but the on the turn was just as good. Blum was one card from the exit, and the river failed to save his tournament life. He's out in 13th place, and Rocco has moved up over the half-million chip mark with that knockout.
Just a few hands after doubling through Michael Rocco, Toole three-bet shoved for 205,000 after a raise from Ari Engel. Engel quickly called the shove with , and it's the second time in five minutes Toole has run into rockets. This time, he was working with , once again in a world of trouble.
The flop gave Toole just a little crack to try and squeeze himself into, and the turn came through in a big way. Toole turned two pair, and now it was Engel drawing from behind. He was looking for any six, jack, or ace to earn the knockout.
River:
That'll do. Toole can't crack the aces this time, and he's out in 14th place on the final hand of the level. While he paces away to dinner grumpily, Engel will likely be enjoying his evening meal a great deal. He's got a commanding chip lead with 840,000 now, and he's the clear betting favorite with Toole out of the picture and 13 players left.
![[user66118]](/img/avatars/avatar.svg){kind=avatar}
were the first three cards off the deck, and DePasquale continued out with another 67,000 chips. Epparla's response was a raise all in, putting DePasquale to the decision for his last ~440,000 chips. The call came without too much delay, and Epparla had his hand caught squarely in the cookie jar.
, and DePasquale could likely taste those million-plus chips in his stack. Epparla asked for a seven.
, and Scott's overpair held to earn him the double. But the drama wasn't over yet.
was dominated by Waddell's 
flop was a disaster for Parker, now drawing dead to runner-runner diamonds. The turn 
has sealed her fate as the 12th-place finisher.
of Engel.
on the turn was just as good. Blum was one card from the exit, and the river 
, once again in a world of trouble.
turn came through in a big way. Toole turned two pair, and now it was Engel drawing from behind. He was looking for any six, jack, or ace to earn the knockout.