Brett Richey check-called a bet from Jason Mercier on a flop. When the hit the turn, Mercier once again check-called a bet from Mercier, this time 43,000. The same happened on the river to the tune of 106,000 and Mercier showed . Richey simply mucked as he lost the hand and dropped to 265,000. Mercier is up to 775,000.
A few hands later, action folded to Mercier in the small blind and he raised to 13,500. Ravi Raghavan, who had grown short-stacked, moved all in for just over 100,000 and was called by Mercier.
Raghavan:
Mercier:
Raghavan was in trouble and didn't connect on the flop, though he did pick up some straight outs. The dealer burned and turned the , giving Raghavan the best hand. The on the river was inconsequential and Raghavan doubled to 212,000. Just like that, Mercier was back down to 670,000
Ryan Julius raised to 13,500 from the hijack only to have Max Lykov raise to 28,500 from the button. Julius pushed back to the tune of 58,500 and Lykov pushed all in. Julius then made the call for his tournament life.
Lykov:
Julius:
Julius was a big favorite, especially when the flop fell . Lykov needed running queens or straight cards in order to win the pot; amazingly, the on the turn brought him one step closer and the on the river sealed the deal. Lykov had hit runner-runner to take eliminate Julius and increase his stack to 505,000.
Action folded to Daniel Cates in the small blind and he raised to 12,000. Team PokerStars Pro (Argentina) Leo Fernandez then moved all in from the big blind. Cates started the hand with around 120,000 and called for his tournament life.
Cates:
Fernandez:
Like we've seen so many times today, it was a race situation. The flop kept Cates in the lead and so did the . Fernandez needed an ace or jack on the river in order to eliminate a tough opponent. Sure enough, the spiked and Cates' day was done. Fernandez is up to 420,000.
Ty Reiman, last year's PCA Main Event runner up, raised to 11,500 and had Daniel Alaei reraise all in. Reiman made the call with his but discovered he far behind the of Alaei.
While Alaei seemed to have a double in hand, the flop came down and made things interesting. Reiman had the only heart so another on the board would give him a flush. The on the turn wasn't one, but the on the river was. Reiman came from behind to eliminate Alaei and increase his own stack all the way up to 762,000, making him our new chip leader.
Action folded to Tom Marchese on the button and he merrily raised to 11,000. William Reynolds, who is a gentleman in his own right, gracefully moved all in for 68,500. Marchese accepted the challenge and the cards were revealed to the interested spectators.
Marchese:
Reynolds:
Reynolds was no doubt crestfallen to discover the pickle he'd gotten himself into. Indeed, it wasn't until the flop fell that Reynolds breathed a sigh of relief, comforted in the knowledge he had improved to the best hand. All was not lost for Marchese however, that is until the plopped down on the turn. Marchese was "drawing dead" as they say and the regal Reynolds doubled to 143,000. Marchese dropped a teeny bit to 320,000.
Daniel Alaei raised to 13,000 from early position and was called by Ty Reiman on the button. Matt Affleck was next to act in the small blind and decided to move all in for his last 55,000. Alei moved all in over the top to drive Reiman from the hand and it was heads up to the flop.
Affleck:
Alaei:
The last time Affleck had a big pocket pair and Alaei had pocket nines, things did not turn out in Affleck's favor; however, this time would be different. The flop delivered a set for Affleck while the turn and river ensured his double. Affleck currently sits with 131,000 while Alaei dropped to 136,000.
Freddy deeb has been nursing a short stack for a few rounds and finally found himself in an all-in situation. It all began when Brandon Steven, who you may remember as the World Series of Poker Main Event final table bubble boy this past year, raised to 12,500 from the hijack. Deeb moved all in for a total of 15,500 and Steven was the only caller.
Deeb:
Steven:
Deeb needed a three in the worst way but the flop essentially ended his tournament. The turn made his elimination official and the was put out on the river for good measure.
flop. When the 
hit the turn, Mercier once again check-called a bet from Mercier, this time 43,000. The same happened on the 
river to the tune of 106,000 and Mercier showed 
. Richey simply mucked as he lost the hand and dropped to 265,000. Mercier is up to 775,000.
flop, though he did pick up some straight outs. The dealer burned and turned the 
, giving Raghavan the best hand. The 
on the river was inconsequential and Raghavan doubled to 212,000. Just like that, Mercier was back down to 670,000
. Lykov needed running queens or straight cards in order to win the pot; amazingly, the 
on the river sealed the deal. Lykov had hit runner-runner to take eliminate Julius and increase his stack to 505,000.
but discovered he far behind the 
that Reynolds breathed a sigh of relief, comforted in the knowledge he had improved to the best hand. All was not lost for Marchese however, that is until the 
river ensured his double. Affleck currently sits with 131,000 while Alaei dropped to 136,000.
