The First In-the-Money Elimination

The eliminations are coming fast and furious now that the bubble burst, but the first player to exit with a payday was Vojtech Ruzicka.

It happened when action folded to him on the button and he raised to 4,000. The small blind folded, and then Kunal Patel, who had a big stack, moved all in from the big blind. Ruzicka called off for 36,500 and the cards were turned up.

Ruzicka:
Patel:

Both players held an ace, but Patel's kicker made him a favorite. There was a decent chance the two would chop, but not after the flop came down and Patel paired his eight. Patel began to pull in some chips, but paused when the turn have Ruzicka a gutshot straight draw. Patel waited for the to complete the board on the river and then recommenced the collecting of the pot.