During the break Roger Hairabedian made a strong case to Tournament Director Jack Effel about moving to a different spot on the table. With the way that the room is set up for spectators to view, Hairabedian feared that those behind him could see his cards and he was not comfortable with that. Hairabedian vehemently requested moving to a different table elsewhere in the room, but Effel compromised and allowed him to move around to the other side of the table.
This decision, however, did not sit too well with Brandon Cantu, who argued that this same situation occurred with him during the WSOP over the summer and it was ruled that the players were not allowed to move. Effel ensured Cantu that he believed his decision to be fair as the spectator situation for the room currently in use is unique. Despite the explanation, however, Cantu did not seem pleased.
With the board reading , Brandon Cantu checked and Roger Hairabedian threw out a bet of 125,000. Cantu verbally announced a call and Hairabedian showed .
Cantu mucked his cards.
"STRAIGHT!" boomed Hairabedian as he scooped in his newly acquired chips. The player's stacks are now roughly where they were at the start of play today.
The aforementioned ruling regarding Roger Hairabedian being moved to the opposite end of the table has now halted the action in this heads-up match. Brandon Cantu demanded to once again see Jack Effel regarding his decision on allowing Hairabedian to move to the other side of the table.
"It changes everything," lamented Cantu to Effel. "All [Hairabedian]'s doing is making it about himself."
Cantu brought up the point that he had no say in the matter and that he came back from break to a table setup that looked completely different.
Effel, however, remained confident in his ruling.
"Look, you guys are playing for a lot of money here," said Effel.
"I KNOW we are," interjected Cantu, "which is why it's ridiculous."
"I'm going to let you sit here and rant, but I'm not going to change my decision. I suggest you take a deep breath and not let something like this get to you."
Effel's word was final and he left and told the dealer to resume play. Cantu put his headphones back on and sat steaming from the decision.
Roger Hairabedian's wife and friend jumped to their feet when his river raise was called and he lifted both hands up in the air.
He had raised to 20,000 from the button before both players checked the flop. Brandon Cantu then led for 25,000 and 45,000 on the turn and river. Hairabedian snap-raised to 105,000 and was called after a minute's thought.
Roger Hairabedian's stack has whittled down to the point where Brandon Cantu can exert maximum pressure.
Cantu opened to 24,000 before Hairabedian three-bet to 72,000. Cantu took a minute and announced he was all in. Hairabedian took two minutes and admitted defeat and folded.
Brandon Cantu popped it up to 24,000 from the button and Roger Hairabedian called.
The flop brought and prompted both players to check. Fourth street was the and Hairabedian checked a second time. Cantu fired 40,000 and Hairabedian called.
The board completed with the and Hairabedian took the initiative on this street with a bet of 60,000. Cantu released his cards and Hairabedian took the pot.
Another controversy has occurred during this heads up match. Play has been halted for the past 30 minutes while Jack Effel has been called to make a final ruling. Full details are coming soon.
He and Roger Hairabedian saw a flop and Hairabedian checked out of turn. The turn was dealt and Hairabedian bet 75,000 when Cantu checked again. Cantu argued that Hairabedian checked out of turn again but the dealer and Hairabedian insisted he only lifted his hand and then said to Cantu that it was his turn to act.
A ruling was made against Cantu but he refused to accept it and called the dealer a liar and insane. The clock was paused and Jack Effel was called. After hearing everyone's point of view Effel was leaning towards ruling in favour of Cantu. No final ruling has been made yet as they are checking the footage from the cameras.
, Brandon Cantu checked and Roger Hairabedian threw out a bet of 125,000. Cantu verbally announced a call and Hairabedian showed 
.
flop. Brandon Cantu then led for 25,000 and 45,000 on the 
for a straight. Cantu mucked.
and prompted both players to check. Fourth street was the 
and Hairabedian checked a second time. Cantu fired 40,000 and Hairabedian called.