Marco Palacios, a 32-year old semi-pro from Austin, Texas, begins the final table on the short stack with 440,000. Palacios has been playing poker since 2003 and has two WSOP cashes along with two WPT cashes.
A huge sports fan, avid golfer, and recent chiropractic licensee, Palacios hopes to one day have over $1 million i career cashes. While that is a big hill to climb, today's cash will be a step in the right direction.
The final table of the World Series of Poker Circuit Harrah's Tunica is now underway. We'll be bringing you photos and bios shortly, as well as all the action in between.
Preston Derden was under the gun and raised to 100,000, which Mary Harden called from middle position. Action folded to Sam Barnhart on the button and he opted to move all in for 633,000. Both the blinds folded, as did Derden, and action was back on Harden. She asked for a count before folding pocket jacks face-up.
"I laid down pocket queens to you, buddy," Derden said to Barnhart. Whether or not that was true, Barnhart managed to pick up a couple hundred thousand with the squeeze and is now up to 914,000.
One big question entering todays final table was what would happen regarding the WSOPC National Championship seat if Kurt Jewell were to win here today? As many know, Jewell won the Circuit Main Event in Hammond and has already locked up a seat for May's $1 Million Freeroll. We talked with WSOP official and according to them, if Jewell wins the seat will be added to those given away to the top WSOPC point earners on the National Leaderboard.
Action folded to Mary Harden in the small blind and she limped. Kurt Jewell decided to exercise his option in the big blind with a raise to 81,000, which Harden called. It was heads up to the flop, which Harden bet to the tune of 60,000. Jewell called and the dealer burned and turned the .
Harden led out again, this time for 100,000, and Jewell called behind. When the hit the river, Harden bet 200,000, Jewell raised to 600,000, and Harden laid her hand down. She dropped to 940,000 while Jewell chipped up to 2.16 million.
Sam Barnhart raised to 67,000 from early position and was called by Kurt Jewell in the big blind.
The flop came down and both checked. The hit the turn and Jewell bet 88,000. Barnhart called and the followed on the river. Jewell fired 158,000 and forced a quick fold from Barnhart.
Jewell: Up to about 2,580,000
Barnhart: Down to roughly 580,000
flop, which Harden bet to the tune of 60,000. Jewell called and the dealer burned and turned the 
.
hit the river, Harden bet 200,000, Jewell raised to 600,000, and Harden laid her hand down. She dropped to 940,000 while Jewell chipped up to 2.16 million.
and both checked. The 
hit the turn and Jewell bet 88,000. Barnhart called and the 
followed on the river. Jewell fired 158,000 and forced a quick fold from Barnhart.