Thomas Boivin was already all in and at risk for just over one million from the big blind against Ben Tollerene, who had Boivin covered on the button.
Thomas Boivin: A♥Q♠
Ben Tollerene: A♦9♠
The J♠7♣K♦6♣7♠ runout kept Boivin's ace-queen best and he doubled through Tollerene.
Just one hand after doubling through Joao Simao, Alex Foxen shoved from the small blind and was called by Seth Davies in the big blind to be put at risk.
Alex Foxen: A♣4♥
Seth Davies: A♠2♣
Foxen held a slight lead in a matchup that would often end in a chop, but the 2♠10♠A♥3♥9♥ runout improved Davies to two pair — sending Foxen out as the first "in the money" elimination.
Action folded around to the blinds, where Joao Simao raised to put Alex Foxen all in for his last 165,000 in the big blind. Foxen committed his short stack into the middle and hands were revealed.
Alex Foxen: J♠7♥
Joao Simao: 9♦4♦
"Classic race," Foxen joked upon seeing the cards.
Classic or no, the K♣7♣6♥K♦3♥ runout paired Foxen's seven and he was awarded a double-up to keep his run alive.
Wai Kiat Lee shoved for 490,000 from the small blind and Danny Tang called in the big blind with a covering stack to put Lee at risk.
Wai Kiat Lee: A♦Q♦
Danny Tang: A♥K♠
It was a bit of a cooler for Lee, who had picked up a premium hand in the blinds only to run into Tang's ace-king.
The J♠J♦J♥ flop changed little, but the 8♦ turn gave Lee some additional hope with a flush draw.
No luck for Lee, however, as the 10♠ river bricked out — eliminating him on the stone bubble.
Everyone remaining is now guaranteed a payday of at least $251,000 for their efforts.
Nick Petrangelo opened 80,000 from under the gun and called a three-bet of 400,000 by Seth Davies in the small blind.
Davies check-called all in for his last 130,000 after Petrangelo shoved on the 2♠8♦J♥ flop and hands were revealed.
Seth Davies: A♥K♥
Nick Petrangelo: A♣Q♣
Davies was way out in front with his Big Slick, and the 8♠K♠ runout kept him best with a pair of kings for the double-up.
The remaining 12 players have been sent on break and will continue hand-for-hand play when they return.
Nick Petrangelo holds the lead with 2,370,000 for 79 big blinds, while Alex Foxen is on the short stack with 320,000 for just 11 big binds.
Joao Simao opened to 60,000 from the cutoff with K♣10♠ and Dan Dvoress defended his big blind holding J♥9♣.
Both players checked on the Q♣2♣8♣ flop and then Dvoress check-called 65,000 bet from Simao after the J♣ turn improved both players to a flush.
Dvoress led out for 45,000 on the 3♣ river and Simao tanked a bit before deciding to just call, earning him the pot with his king-high flush.
Danny Tang raised to 60,000 from the hijack and called after Jean-Noel Thorel shoved for his last 310,000 from the cutoff.
Jean-Noel Thorel: A♠9♠
Danny Tang: 5♣5♦
The coin flip went Tang's way again on the 3♠Q♦7♥2♦3♦ runout and Thorel was eliminated two spots shy of the money.
The final two tables are now being deal hand-for-hand until the money bubble has burst. Everyone who makes out on the other end will be guaranteed a $251,000 payout.
Danny Tang opened to 60,000 from the cutoff and was three-bet to 200,000 by Jean-Noel Thorel on the button. Action folded back to Tang, who shoved for 635,000 total. Thorel quickly called and a showdown was held.
Danny Tang: A♦K♥
Jean-Noel Thorel: Q♦Q♠
It was a classic race that went Tang's way after the 8♦A♥5♠4♥4♠ runout paired his ace — awarding him the double-up.
Seth Davies opened to 65,000 from under the gun and was three-bet to 240,000 by Nick Petrangelo in the cutoff. Davies moved all in and Petrangelo called all in for 950,000 total.
Nick Petrangelo: A♣A♦
Seth Davies: J♣J♠
"I wanted to fold, but people will accuse us of colluding if I do," a clearly frustrated Davies said. "It's such a bullsh** external pressure."
The 8♥6♦7♣7♦9♥ runout kept Petrangelo's aces in front and was was awarded the massive double-up while Davies was knocked down to about 13 big blinds.
"I can't fold because people know we're friends," Davies added.
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