Anthony Maio Eliminated in 3rd Place ($307,565)

Hand 76: Maio opened for 325,000 from the button and Merulla shot him a look from the next seat over, beofre comitting the calling chips. Paredes folded and the flop came down . Maio led out for 225,000 and once again Merulla looked over at him with a bemused look on his face. He came along with the call though and the turn came . On fourth street Maio bet 425,000, and Merulla tanked for a minute or so before quietly announcing himself all in to force Maio to a decision for his tournament life.

Maio snap-called and the two showed down the cards that created this collision.

Showdown:

Maio:
Merulla:

Maio had fought valiantly to mount a comeback with his short stack, but the last of his chips were committed while drawing dead. Merulla had flopped the nut flush and he could not be beat, leaving a futile to fall on the river to make things official. Merulla was already celebrating on the rail while Maio made the long walk away from one of the pinnacles in a poker player's career: the WPT final table stage.