Christopher Hart just scored a timely — and big — double-up in a hand in which he opened from middle position, got raised by the big blind, then shoved his stack of 195,500 and got called. Hart had 
and his opponent 
, and when the board ran out 
, Hart had leaped up near the top of the counts.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
425,000
185,000
|
185,000 |
Poker amateur James Taylor was down to his last two big blinds just a short while ago and, after a series of double ups - he is currently sitting on 150,000.
Taylor, who is sporting a flashy green jacket, told us that this is the first poker tournament he has ever competed in - let alone cash in. He already has quite a story to tell his friends, however, if he can survive (and thrive) into Day 3, he will have a tale of epic proportions to brag about for years to come.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
150,000
117,875
|
117,875 |
Level: 19
Blinds: 4,000/8,000
Ante: 1,000
Chiab "Chip" Saecho won the first bracelet at this summer's WSOP in Event 1: $500 Casino Employees No-Limit Hold'em, and he's still in the hunt to win one of the last. Just now Saecho pushed his short stack all in and didn't get any callers, thereby preserving his tourney life for now. He's had a below average stack for a while, but continues to persevere as the field shrinks below 70 players.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
72,000
2,000
|
2,000 |
|
||
Those double-ups by James Taylor we were referring to earlier both came at the expense of Dominik Nitsche. In one case he was behind on the turn and caught a card to win, then Taylor picked up pocket aces to score still more off of Nitsche.
The pair were at it again just now with Nitsche opening for 16,000 from under the gun and getting two callers including Taylor from middle position. The flop came 
, and when Nitsche continued for 17,000, Taylor raised to 55,000, forcing out the third player.
Nitsche responded by shoving all in, and Taylor called, tabling 
to Nitsche's . The turn was the 
and river the 
, and Taylor grabs still more chips at Nitsche's expense.
"Look at you," said Matthew Mazzeo from across the table to Taylor. "What a comeback."
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
285,000
-110,000
|
-110,000 |
|
||
|
|
245,000
95,000
|
95,000 |
Alex Cordero managed to lose quite a few of his chips these past two levels, however, he just scored a double up to get back to 300,000.
Cordero opened from the cutoff seat and action folded over to the player in the big blind, who shoved all in for more than Cordero had. Cordero tanked, but eventually announced, "Call," to put his last 140,000 at risk.
Cordero: 
Opponent: 
The 
board kept Cordero in the lead and he doubled through.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
300,000
-75,000
|
-75,000 |
Jake Cody opened for 17,500 from middle position and it folded around to Frankie Johnson in the big blind. He looked across the table at Cody, checked his hand, and then decided to call. "I'll call with these," he said, "and let you outplay me after the flop."
The flop came 
and Johnson quickly checked. Cody fired a continuation bet of 18,500, and after a pause Johnson pushed out a raise to 40,000. Cody sat motionless for several seconds, then called.
The turn brought the and a quick bet of about 125,000 from Johnson. Cody didn't take much time letting his hand go, and Johnson showed one card — the 
— as he took the pot.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
265,000
235,450
|
235,450 |
|
225,000
-19,000
|
-19,000 |
|
|
||
Alex Cordero opened from the button and his opponent directly behind him in the small blind pushed all in for his last 110,000. Cordero tanked, counted his remaining stack, and eventually made the call to put his opponent at risk.
Cordero: 
Opponent: 
Cordero was slightly behind going to the flop, however, it came 
, propelling Cordero into the lead with two pair.
"That's a good flop for you," Cordero's opponent said as he got up from his seat. The turn and river bricked for Cordero's opponent and he was sent to the rail.
Cordero has chipped up in a big way this past level. He is now up to 420,000
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
420,000
120,000
|
120,000 |
Claire Renaut has run out of chips to be eliminated as we near the end of Day 2. All in with 
against an opponent's , the board came 
, and Renaut hits the rail just shy of the final 60.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
Busted |
Alex Cordero's end-of-day rush is continuing in a big way. Just now Ravneet Johal was all in before the flop against Cordero with . Cordero had 
, and when the board rolled out 
, Cordero had made a set and Johal is out.
"Nice hand, sir," said an opponent from across the table to Cordero. "Just lucky," he said shaking his head and grinning. That big pot catapults Cordero into the chip lead with just a little left to go in the day.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
780,000
360,000
|
360,000 |
|
Busted |
