Kovalenko Makes the Right Call Against Darie
Just before the end of the previous level, Alexandru Papazian raised from mid-position and was called by the player in the lojack. Pavel Kovalenko three-bet to 90,000 from the hijack and Vlad Darie four-bet to 260,000 in the cutoff. Action folded back to Papazian who folded and so did the lojack. Kovalenko responded with a five-bet to 415,000 which Darie called after thinking for a while.
They both checked through the 
on the flop to the 
on the turn. Kovalenko checked and Darie barreled a bet of 155,000 over the line. Kovalenko glared at the board and then decided to make the call.
The river completed the board with the 
, Kovalenko checked for the last time. Darie took a second before announcing he was all-in, having Kovalenko covered. Kovalenko tanked for about three minutes before the clock was called on him by Papazian. The tournament director gave him 30 seconds to take a decision. When the countdown started, Kovalenko put in some chips for the call.
Darie flipped over 
to play the pair of queens on the board with the ace-kicker. Kovalenko got up and sighed in relief while turning over 
for two pair, kings and queens.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
2,198,000 | 1,488,000 |
|
1,760,000 | 610,000 |
|
883,000 | -1,332,000 |
|
311,000 | -250,000 |