Hansen Helps Himself to Kagawa's Chips
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Mikhail Smirnov was the preflop three-bettor in the small blind, and he and three others went to the flop after committing 10,500 chips apiece. The dealer gave them 
, and Gus Hansen led out with 14,000 from his under-the-gun seat. Jason Mercier folded in position, Smirnov check-called, and Masa Kagawa check-raised all in for 28,500 total. Hansen raised it back up to 44,000 total, and Smirnov tanked and called again.
The turn brought the 
and another bet from Hansen — 45,500 this time. It was a full 30 seconds before Smirnov folded, and Kagawa and Hansen showed up their hands. "I hope you don't have much," Hansen said as he tabled 
for one pair. He was ahead, but Kagawa's 
had plenty of outs to try and chase down.
The river was a blank 
, though, and that's the end of the road for Kagawa. With his chips, Hansen moves his way up into the chip lead with 278,000 — there or thereabouts.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
278,000 | 83,000 |
|
Busted |
. The blinds checked to Tony Bloom and he made what looked like a continuation bet of 6,500. Mikhail Smirnov called next door, Gus Hansen flatted in the small blind, and Sam Trickett folded in the big.
turn, and now it checked through to Smirnov. He flung out a bet of 18,000, Hansen called, Bloom folded, and it was heads up to the 
against Daniel Alaei's 
. The board ran out 
and Cates the 
.
and river the 
, and Mercier continued out with another 3,000. Kagawa called, Hansen tanked and folded, but Trickett decided to check-raise. He made it 11,500 total, sending Mercier as deep into the tank as the shot clock will allow. He was eventually given his ten-second warning, then a countdown: "Five... four... --"
, though, and he made the quick call with a chance to eliminate Mercier. He'd need to fade the flush outs to do it, though, and really, the 
was never in much danger if you know how these things go with Jason Mercier.
and both players checked. They also checked the 
river card.
