After the player in the cutoff limped, an unknown player on the button raised to 2,000. Abraham Araya, who was the Choctaw Main Event Champion (and is subsequently qualified for the National Championship), called from the big blind, and the cutoff came along for the ride, making it three-handed action to the flop.
All three players proceeded to check, and the dealer burned and turned the . At this point, Araya led out for 4,000, the cutoff raised to 8,000, and the button folded. Araya gave it about ten seconds of thought before following suit and tossing his cards to the muck and dropping to 33,500.
After players in early position and middle position limped, last year's champ, Sam Barnhart, moved all in from the hijack for a paltry 2,250. The player in the small blind made the call while the rest of the field got out of the way.
Showdown
Barnhart
Small Blind
Barnhart seemed to know his day was done, and sure enough, the board ran out and he was eliminated from the Main Event; however, Barnhart indicated that he would be returning for the second flight, giving himself one more shot at repeating last year's glory.
We paid a visit to the table of last year's champion, Sam Barnhart, and noticed he was nursing a short stack of 3,150. While we were there, action folded to Barnhart on the button and he moved all in. Both blinds got out of the way and Barnhart picked up the blinds and antes. We expect Barnhart to make some moves in the next level or two and either build a big stack or re-enter the 7 p.m. flight.
button in Safari
flop.
. At this point, Araya led out for 4,000, the cutoff raised to 8,000, and the button folded. Araya gave it about ten seconds of thought before following suit and tossing his cards to the muck and dropping to 33,500.
and he was eliminated from the Main Event; however, Barnhart indicated that he would be returning for the second flight, giving himself one more shot at repeating last year's glory.
