Our five remaining players are back and the cards are in the air here at the start of Level 23.
David Baker returns as the chip leader, but George Danzer, Eric Cloutier, and Doug Booth are all three close behind. John Juanda, meanwhile, is the table's short stack at present.
On both of the two hands following that one in which Baker bet Booth out of the pot, Booth opened with raises to 60,000 and took down the blinds and antes before the draw. Booth bounces back to 680,000.
There is 55,000 in the middle prior to the first action, so winning a couple of pots uncontested like that can add up quickly.
J.C. Tran is here in the audience watching our final table along with approximately 100 other spectators. Tran was just now engaged in conversation with John Juanda.
"What tournament are you in?" asked Juanda. "The limit," answered Tran. Juanda paused a beat. "Do you know how to play limit?" he asked. "Yes," said Tran. "I don't," said Juanda with a grin.
Others players here watching the action include Eric Froehlich, Tommy Hang, Jon Aguiar, Christian Harder, Marco Traniello, Chino Rheem, and Jon Aguiar.
Speaking of the those in attendance... German pro George Danzer just took down a pot versus Doug Booth, prompting a chorus or three from the two dozen or so Danzer supporters here to support him. One is waving a couple of medium-sized German flags as well.
The hand began with Danzer raising to 55,000 from the button and Booth calling from the big blind. Both took one. Booth checked, Danzer bet 100,000, and Booth let it go. Danzer chips up to 560,000, and Booth is now at 540,000.
At that point came the song from the German section, the lyrics of which sounded a little like "Go Super Danzer, la la la la la." An order for 20 beers has been put in, we understand, so while there may be more singing, we're less sure about having a better shot at making out those lyrics.
The table folded to the Eric Cloutier in the small blind, who raised to 70,000. (Remember, no limping in this game -- even if you are the SB. One must bring-in for at least twice the big blind.) Doug Booth called from the BB, and each player drew one.
Cloutier checked, Booth bet 95,000, and after a long think Cloutier called. Booth tabled and Cloutier mucked.
Booth is up to 755,000, while Cloutier is now at 550,000.
Haven't gotten to the second draw here during the last six hands or so. And George Danzer hasn't won a hand, either, so it has been relatively quiet of late.
Those 20 beers have arrived and have been distributed among the Danzer cheering section, though, so things may change soon.
![[user80015]](/img/avatars/avatar.svg){kind=avatar}
and Cloutier mucked.