If we weren't lazy, we'd probably look into the reason why pocket fives are called "presto". But we're lazy, and we'd probably be disappointed by what we discovered. Regardless, J.J. Liu made presto work for her by calling a raise to 6,300 in position. On a flop of , Liu's opponent checked, then check-raised all in after she bet 5,000. Liu quickly called, tabling her against her opponent's
"Oh my god," he said as he stood from the table and put his hands on his head. "Oh my god." The turn and river blanked out and to double Liu up to 130,000.
Heeere's Tureniec
A nicely stacked Michael Tureniec just won a pot from Ami Barer. Raising preflop, Tureniec then bet 11k on the flop; Barer check-called. The turn was the and both players checked. The river brought the and this time when Barer checked, Tureniec thought for a few minutes (holding still like those guys who stand on little pillars pretending to be the statue of liberty, etc.), and then bet 29k.
Barer sighed and passed his face up. "The turn was good," he said, "The river not so much. Or, he's running over us again. Could be either of the two."
It's not like Barer is in dire straits just yet - he's back up to 175k currently.
Our photogs get surly if we don't show off their handiwork.
The players have been sent on a fifteen-minute break. When they come back, the field will re-combine and play the last two levels of the day.
Lawson - happier now
Alessandro de Michele raised to 6,300 and was met with a reraise all in for 27,700 from Ted Lawson in the big blind. Some dwelling, a little squirming, and at last, just the right amount of calling.
Lawson:
de Michele:
With a theatrical fist pump, Lawson doubled up to around 60,000, and looks much more cheerful now.
Mercier - lost a race
Jason Mercier is down to 74,000 after doubling up one Sergio Castellucio.
Mercier raised to 6,300 and, without a moment's, thought Castelluccio made it 20,000 from the big blind. Equally quickly and without expression, Mercier threw in a stack of yellow 5,000 chips, enough to cover Castelluccio -- and there was a short pause while Castelluccio examined his remaining 40,000. He called.
Mercier:
Castelluccio:
Phil Laak stood up for absolutely no reason, and declared, "Good luck, boys, this is what they call a race! Giddy up! Giddy up!" Too much sugar for Mr Laak.
Nevertheless:
Board:
Laak: "Well, you won a race."
Then he muttered something about ace-king never losing, which was clearly not true, and shook Castelluccio by the hand.
But they don't work out on the river - the board was and he made a smallish bet, which was instantly called by his opponent with . Mikael Norinder has been up and down in chips today, but currently has over 200k, more than double average.