Picking up the action on a 
flop, Shawn Buchanan check-called 8,200 from Daniel Negreanu. It was the same story on the 
turn and 
river as Buchanan check-called bets of 18,500 and 26,500, respectively.
Negreanu tabled 
for a straight to win the pot.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
240,000
35,000
|
35,000 |
|
||
|
165,000
37,000
|
37,000 |
|
||
Jason Mercier opened to 6,000 from the cutoff seat, Eugene Katchalov called on the button, and Terje Augdal defended his big blind. The flop came down 
, and Augdal checked to Mercier, who continued for 7,100. Only Katchalov called.
The turn was the , and Mercier tanked before firing 17,000. Katchalov called. Mercier slowed down after the 
fell on the river though, checking to Katchalov who tossed out 32,000.
"That's around what I was going to bet," Mercier said, reaching for chips.
He tossed in enough checkers to make the call, and Katchalov said, "You got it."
Mercier turned over 
for two pair, Katchalov mucked, and Mercier raked in the pot.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
475,000
54,400
|
54,400 |
|
||
|
75,000
80,200
|
80,200 |
|
|
||
First in from the cutoff seat, Yevgeniy Timoshenko opened to 6,600, and Erik Seidel three-bet to 18,000 on the button. From the big blind, Shawn Buchanan came in from the cold with a four-bet to 38,000 straight, folding Timoshenko quickly. Seidel was undeterred, though. Munching casually on some trail mix, he pulled his bet back and flicked out three green chips worth 25,000 apiece. Buchanan had just over 200,000 left in front of him now, and he paused to deliberate for a few moments before surrendering.
Seidel (somehow) failed to cash in this event in 2011, but he's poised to change that this time around. The eight-time bracelet winner and most successful tournament player in history is up over the half-million chip mark now — comfortably perched in the Top 5.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
550,000
110,000
|
110,000 |
|
||
|
|
202,000
88,000
|
88,000 |
|
|
||
After Dan Shak opened with a raise on the button, Jonathan Duhamel three-bet to 22,000 from the big blind. Shak called and the flop came down 
.
Duhamel bet 16,000, but was raised to 50,000 by Shak. Duhamel called after a few moments to see the turn and check-called another 75,000 from Shak. The 
river was quickly checked by both with Duhamel tabling 
. Shak wasn't happy to see that, mucking his hand.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
680,000
150,000
|
150,000 |
|
||
|
123,000
131,000
|
131,000 |
Who wants to be a millionaire, hmm? Actually, chances are good that our eventual champion is already a millionaire as we speak — the 30-player starting field had well over $100 million in total combined tournament cashes. But those who aren't already poker millionaires have another shot here this week. With registration closed and 32 entries in the till, there is a prize pool of $3,136,000 up for grabs. The final five players will earn their shares of that with the min-cash being worth more than a quarter-million dollars. First place is five times that, though, just over $1.25 million.
Here's the breakdown of the prizes:
| Place | Payout |
|---|---|
| 1 | $1,254,400 |
| 2 | $846,700 |
| 3 | $470,400 |
| 4 | $313,600 |
| 5 | $250,900 |
In addition to the loot, the champion will receive the specially designed Shamballa bracelet you see pictured above, worth more than $20,000. And some serious bragging rights after taking down one of the toughest tournaments of the year.
Eugene Katchalov min-raised to 6,000 from the cutoff and Justin Smith called on the button. Alexey Repik three-bet shoved for 61,800 from the small blind, forcing a fold from Katchalov. Smith called quickly with 
, dominating Repik's 
.
The board ran out 
, ending Repik's tournament.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
460,000
29,500
|
29,500 |
|
|
Busted |
Daniel Negreanu, whose nadir was 66,000 chips, is now back above 200,000.
In a recent hand, he was heads up with Yevgeniy Timoshenko, and the board read 
. Timoshenko checked, Negreanu bet 7,000, and Timoshenko check-raised to 18,400. Negreanu called.
The two checked the turn (), and the river (), and Timoshenko was forced to show 
for jack high. Negreanu opened up 
for a pair of fours, and raked in the pot.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
205,000
25,000
|
25,000 |
|
|
||
We goofed on the last upload, so here's a re-do. These shots come from the intrepid Joe Giron, who even alphabetized them for us. He doesn't shoot weddings.
Click that "Read full" button to see the complete gallery.
Level: 6
Blinds: 1,500/3,000
Ante: 400
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
445,000
57,900
|
57,900 |
|
|
||
|
415,000
15,000
|
15,000 |
|
|
||
|
290,000
45,000
|
45,000 |
|
|
254,000
3,000
|
3,000 |
|
140,000
130,000
|
130,000 |
|
|
||
|
83,000
4,100
|
4,100 |
|
||
