On the last hand before the break, Barry Donovan defended his blind to a button raise from Santeri Valikoski. At the same time, he was looking over his shoulder towards the feature table as Maurice Whelan met his demise. This might be the reason why he cautiously checked the flop and check-folded the raggy turn.
The end of the road for Maurice Whelan, pushing with but found James Mitchell calling with . The hope of a backdoor flush snuffed out on the river of a board.
We have three Sole Survivors (yes, I know that makes no sense) remaining, with Rob Sherwood leading the way with 550,000, and Barry Donovan just a step or two behind with 420,000.
It's certainly not a two horse race, though, as Maurice Whelan has shown more survival instincts than Bear Grylls, enjoying more doubles than a night on the tiles with the Devilfish. He may only have 140,000, but you can't rule him out.
Yann Dion raised to 35,000 from the hijack and Santeri Valikoski made the call one seat along, only for the action to grind to a halt on Nik Persaud in the small blind. Persaud riffled his chips before sliding in a raise to what I believe was 80,000 more.
Dion folded, but Valikoski was less hasty, requesting a count from Persaud as he looked him up and down. After a while, he made the call.
Flop:
Persaud paused briefly before tapping the table. Valikoski echoed the gesture.
Turn:
Persaud checked once again, only for Valikoski to reach for a column of yellow chips worth 100,000, which he speedily pushed into the middle. Persaud made the call.
River:
Persaud checked, and without hesitation, Valikoski took one glance at the dealer and announced all-in. Persaud called before the words had barely left the Norwegian's mouth.
Valikoski tabled for the full house, and Persaud started pushing his stack towards his opponent. "Well played," he congratulated as he offered him a glimpse at his two red kings, .
Persaud out, whilst Valikoski adds another half a million to his stack to become your new chip leader.
Nik Persaud raised to 37,000 and Barry Donovan made the call on the button.
Both checked the flop before Persaud bet 30,000 on the turn. Donovan called and we saw a river. Persaud now checked and Donovan bet 52,500. Persaud quickly called with and Donovan was forced to show .