Million Dollar Main Event | 2023 RGPS Checkpoint Thunder Valley

07-31-2023 17:48 UTC-7

Darren Rabinowitz Eliminated in 3rd Place ($90,315)

Kirk Brown

Level 26 : Blinds 40,000/80,000, 80,000 ante

After some pre-flop betting, Darren Rabinowitz moved all in for around 2,400,000 and Paul Sampson made the call to put him at risk.

Darren Rabinowitz: A♥K♦
Paul Sampson: Q♣Q♥

Rabinowitz needed some help going into this flippiest of flips, and the flop did provide him an ace, but it was followed by a queen on the board A♦2♣Q♦. The turn 2♥ improved Sampson even further to a full house and the river 9♥ completed the board to give Sampson the win while Rabinowitz was eliminated in third place.

Player	Chips	Progress
Paul Sampson	9,100,000 1,400,000	1,400,000

Darren Rabinowitz	Busted

Tags: Darren Rabinowitz Paul Sampson

07-31-2023 17:51 UTC-7

Break Time & Color-Up

Kirk Brown

Level 26 : Blinds 40,000/80,000, 80,000 ante

The two heads-up players, Tyler Patterson and Paul Sampson have agreed to take an extended 30-minute break before returning to their duel. The orange 5,000-chips will also be raced off and colored-up at this time.

Level: 27

Blinds: 50,000/100,000

Ante: 100,000

07-31-2023 18:49 UTC-7

Patterson Pulls Away

Kirk Brown

Level 27 : Blinds 50,000/100,000, 100,000 ante

On the flop of 7♣2♦3♣, Tyler Patterson led out for 600,000 and Paul Sampson quickly made the call to see the Q♠ on the turn.

Both players then checked and went straight to the river 8♥ and Patterson fired again for 600,000 and Sampson made the call.

"Eight," Patterson announced and tabled 8♦9♦ for a pair of eights on the river.

"It's unbelievable, he's rivered me like 5 times in a row," Sampson sighed as he mucked his hand.

Player	Chips	Progress
Tyler Patterson	12,000,000 3,100,000	3,100,000

Paul Sampson	7,000,000 -2,100,000	-2,100,000

Tags: Paul Sampson Tyler Patterson

07-31-2023 19:19 UTC-7

Sampson Swings Back

Kirk Brown

Level 27 : Blinds 50,000/100,000, 100,000 ante

Tyler Patterson opened to 250,000 but then Paul Sampson three-bet to 900,000. Patterson made the call and the two went to a flop of 6♣3♦3♣.

Patterson checked over to Sampson who then moved all in for around 7,000,000, to which Patterson hastily folded.

"Ohh, you got me," Sampson chuckled as he flipped over 8♣8♠ and raked in the pot.

Player	Chips	Progress
Tyler Patterson	10,000,000 -2,000,000	-2,000,000

Paul Sampson	9,000,000 2,000,000	2,000,000

Tags: Paul Sampson Tyler Patterson

Level: 28

Blinds: 75,000/125,000

Ante: 125,000

07-31-2023 19:31 UTC-7

Sampson Takes a Big Lead

Kirk Brown

Level 28 : 75,000/125,000, 125,000 ante

Through a series of medium-sized pots, Paul Sampson has closed the gap and pulled away in the other direction and now has a 5,000,000 chip lead on Tyler Patterson.

Player	Chips	Progress
Paul Sampson	12,000,000 3,000,000	3,000,000

Tyler Patterson	7,000,000 -3,000,000	-3,000,000

Tags: Paul Sampson Tyler Patterson

07-31-2023 19:55 UTC-7

Patterson Claws Back

Kirk Brown

Level 28 : 75,000/125,000, 125,000 ante

After claiming several pots in a row, Tyler Patterson has clawed his way back into contention and the stacks are close to even.

Player	Chips	Progress
Paul Sampson	10,000,000 -2,000,000	-2,000,000

Tyler Patterson	9,000,000 2,000,000	2,000,000

07-31-2023 20:08 UTC-7

Patterson Takes Back Lead

Kirk Brown

Level 28 : 75,000/125,000, 125,000 ante

On a flop of 8♥J♥K♣, Tyler Patterson bet 300,000 but then Paul Sampson raised him to 600,000. Patterson quickly made the call and they went to a turn Q♣ which saw a bet of 700,000 from Sampson.

Patterson tossed out calling chips to see the 10♣ fall on the river and Sampson fired again for 1,000,000. Patterson thought for a second but then shrugged and tossed out the call and showed A♠K♠ for a rivered Broadway.

Sampson checked his cards once more and held a brief hand funeral before he tossed it in and the substantial pot was pushed to Patterson to give him a significant lead.

Player	Chips	Progress
Tyler Patterson	12,500,000 3,500,000	3,500,000

Paul Sampson	6,500,000 -3,500,000	-3,500,000

Tags: Paul Sampson Tyler Patterson

Level: 29

Blinds: 75,000/150,000

Ante: 150,000