2009 World Series of Poker

Mercier Movin' on Up

Jason Mericer opened for 44,000 from middle position and Matt Giannetti called from the button. Mercier led out for 60,000 on the flop, Giannetti announced a pot-sized raise, and Mercier immediately moved all in. After a bit of a think, Giannetti gave up his hand and Mercier raked in the pot, taking his chip count up to 590,000. Giannetti was left with 195,000.

Action Slowing

There hasn't been a ton of action to speak of since Alioto's elimination and Biondino's timely double-up. Here's a look at the last five hands played at the final table:

1. Chris Biondino raised pot from the button and got no action.

2. Matt Giannetti limped from the button and Jonathan Tare checked his option from the big blind. Tare checked the flop over to Giannetti, who bet 30,000. Tare made a pot-sized raise and Giannetti folded.

3. Kevin Iacofano made it 40,000 to go from the cutoff and picked up the blinds.

4. Jason Mercier got a walk in the big blind.

5. Jonathan Tare raised to 40,000 from the cutoff and Chris Biondino called from the big blind. Biondino check-folded to Tare's 80,000 bet on the flop.

Chris Biondino Doubles Through Jason Mercier

Chris Biondino raised pot from UTG and Jason Mercier made the call. Mercier bet 30,000 on the flop, enough to set Biondino all-in. He made the call, turning up for jacks full of queens. The turn was the , the river was the and Biondino earned the double-up, increasing his stack to 134,000. Mercier was left with 340,000.

Dario Alioto - 7th Place

Dario Alioto Eliminated in 7th Place ($29,882)

Chip leader Kevin Iacofano opened for 45,000, Dario Alioto made a pot-sized reraise to 151,000 from the small blind and Iacofano re-potted, setting Alioto all in. Alioto called off the 80,000 he had behind and the cards went on their backs.

Alioto
Iacofino

The board ran out , Iacofino hitting a pair of queens on the turn. Though Alioto flopped a flush draw, he couldn't fill it and he hit the rail in 7th place, earning $29,882 for his performance.

With that pot, Iacofano vaulted past the 1,000,000 mark.

Players Return from Break

Cards are back in the air.

Chip Counts at the Break

Kevin Iacofano 905,000
Steven Burkholder 886,000
Jonathan Tare 773,000
Matt Giannetti 358,000
Jason Mercier 285,000
Dario Alioto 216,000
Chris Biondino 84,000

Players Take a 20-Minute Break

Iacofano Rivers the Set

Kevin Iacofano opened for 32,000 from middle position and Jason Mercier made the call from the big blind.

Mercier checked the flop over to Iacofano, who bet 46,000. Mercier called and they went to the turn, which fell the . Both players checked. The river was the and Mercier checked again. Iacofano bet 80,000 and Mercier made the call.

Iacofano turned up for the rivered set and Mercier mucked. Iacofano is now up to 905,000 while Mercier slipped back to 285,000.