Mercier Beating Up On Wheeler

Team PokerStars Pro Jason Mercier has lots of European Poker Tour experience, which includes a super deep run in this event in 2013 when he took seventh for €137,000 at arguably the toughest final table of all time when it comes to no-limit hold'em tournaments. This year, as the event sits just a few spots from reaching the money, he's built his stack to a contending 465,000. In two recent hands, Mercier scooped chips from the stack of Jason Wheeler, who has seen his stack dwindle to just 60,000.

On the first, Mercier opened to 8,000 from the cutoff seat. Wheeler was in the big blind and reraised to 23,000. Mercier called, and the dealer spread the flop. Wheeler continued with a bet of 21,500, and Mercier called.

The turn was the , and Mercier was faced with another bet from Wheeler — this time for 35,000. Mercier called, and then the paired the board on the river. Wheeler didn't slow down and fired another 52,000 at the pot. Mercier adjusted himself in his chair, confirmed the amount, then called.

Wheeler tabled not much with the , and Mercier showed the for the winner.

A couple hands later, Wheeler opened to 9,000 from middle position, Josh Prager called from the small blind, and Mercier called from the big blind. Then, on the flop, Wheeler bet 15,000 after action checked to him. Prager folded, but Mercier opted to take a different line and check-raised to 33,000. Wheeler folded.

During the last break, Remko Rinkema caught up with Mercier for an interview that focuses on Mercier's upcoming plans and the Spring Championship of Online Poker. Check it out: