Getting this show up and running requires players to listen up and obey the rules. PokerStars Blog lingered in the background before play got under way today. It's an eye-opener if you think these final table players have it all easy.
Most people have never watched their kid win a million bucks. Surprisingly, Mike McDonald's parents haven't either, despite their son's $6 million in winnings. Today, the Timex family may finally get to see it happen.
Dominik Panka raised to 115,000 in early position with 
, and the action folded to Mike McDonald in the big blind, who had 
. He examined Panka’s stack before calling, and the two took a flop of 
. McDonald checked, Panka continued for 140,000, and McDonald called.
The turn was the 
, McDonald checked again, and Panka bet 255,000. McDonald called.
The 
completed the board, McDonald checked a third time, and Panka emptied the chamber, firing a third bullet worth 575,000. McDonald employed his signature stare on Panka, but ultimately the Canadian folded the best hand.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
6,040,000
585,000
|
585,000 |
|
||
|
4,745,000
665,000
|
665,000 |
|
||
Team PokerStars Pro David Williams joins the PokerNews Podcast to talk about being a new father, the 10-year anniversary of his World Series of Poker Main Event runner-up finish, and where he got that godawful diamond toothpick from.
You can subscribe to all three of the podcasts produced by PokerNews on iTunes here, or you can access the RSS feed for Stitcher or other podcatchers here.
Madis Muur moved all in for effectively 625,000 out of the big blind with 
, and Daniel Gamez instantly called with 
.
Muur took the lead when the dealer fanned 
, giving the Estonian a pair of threes, and Gamez would need running straight outs, fives, or an ace to survive. The 
on the turn gave him four extra outs to make broadway, and now seven cards would keep him alive.
The 
on the river was one of them, and the Guatemalan jumped out of his chair excitedly. He doubled to 1.3 million chips, while Muur fell to 5.3 million.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
5,300,000
700,000
|
700,000 |
|
1,300,000
665,000
|
665,000 |
Fabian Ortiz raised to 135,000 from under the gun. Mike McDonald looked at his cards from the next seat over and cut out a three-bet to 325,000. Action folded back to Ortiz and he announced a four-bet ship all in. McDonald called and the cards were tabled.
Ortiz: 
McDonald: 
The two were flipping for Ortiz's tournament life and he looked to improve on the community cards. The 
flop did nothing for Ortiz and he was still left searching for an ace or king on the next two streets. Ortiz picked up a few more outs with the 
on the turn, but he ultimately did not get there as the completed the board.
Ortiz became the first casualty of the final table and will collect $173,220 in prize money. McDonald scooped up the pot and is now sitting on 7.815 million in chips.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
7,815,000
1,650,000
|
1,650,000 |
|
|
||
|
Busted | |
There’s one enormous trophy at the PCA that no one is going to win. You can get your name on the legacy trophy; just don’t expect to be allowed to touch it. Find out more at the PokerStars Blog.
The PCA players’ party is done and dusted for 2014. Head to the PokerStars Blog for stories and pictures from an unforgettable night in paradise.
With shoes off, skateboard lying on the floor, empty coffee cups and coke cans lying around everywhere, welcome to the High Roller event, live from Ole Schemion’s front room, as reported by the PokerStars Blog.
Mike McDonald raised to 125,000 on the button with 
, Madis Muur three-bet to 310,000 out of the small blind with 
, and McDonald responded with a four-bet to 700,000.
Muur wasn't backing down with the third-best pair in hold'em, however, and the Estonian slid out a five-bet of 1.275 million. McDonald tanked for about a minute, then moved all in for 6.73 million.
Muur looked like he was going to be sick. After 30 seconds he started talking to himself, then looked over at McDonald, who was staring straight ahead.
After a little over two minutes, the Estonian folded his hand face up, and McDonald slid his cards into the muck.
The players are now on a 15-minute break.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
8,135,000
1,255,000
|
1,255,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
6,035,000
945,000
|
945,000 |
|
|
4,925,000
210,000
|
210,000 |
|
|
||
|
3,345,000
300,000
|
300,000 |
|
3,095,000
170,000
|
170,000 |
|
|
||
|
2,935,000
65,000
|
65,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
2,050,000
230,000
|
230,000 |
