Hammerling Hammers The Magician
On the last hand of the level, the action folded around to Antonio Esfandiari on the button. The Magician sized up the dead money in the pot and made a raise of 48,000. Philip Hammerling defended his big blind by calling and the players watched the dealer flop the .
Hammerling was first to act and tapped the table for a check, which prompted Esfandiari to try and take the pot right there with a bet of 57,000. The native of Germany paused for a minute or so before deciding to call and the hit the table on the turn. Both players checked this innocuous card and we were off to the river.
River:
Hammerling had enough of checking and led out for a bet of 82,000. Esfandiari stared him down for a but before releasing his hand and the bracelet winner took a slight hit to begin official final table action.