Harrah's Rincon Casino Champ Valentin Vornicu finished Day 1 as the chip leader, and thus far he's done nothing but add to his stack on Day 2.
In a recent hand, Vornicu opened for 5,000 only to have at-large qualifier Jonathan Hilton three-bet to 12,300. Action folded back to Vornicu, he called and then promptly checked the 
flop. Hilton took the opportunity to bet 13,000, but ended up folding after Vornicu check-raised to 30,500.
Andrew Robinson raised out of the cutoff, Ryan Riess moved all in for 30,700 from the big blind, and Robinson called.
Robinson: 
Riess: 
Robinson snatched away the lead when the flop fell 
, but Riess made a pair of queens when the 
turned. Robinson could still make a flush with a heart on the river, but the 
bricked off, and Riess doubled.
"I can breathe now," he said after the hand.
Level: 13
Blinds: 1,200/2,400
Ante: 400
Ashly Butler wagered his remaining 37,300 preflop with 
, and was racing against Joe Kuether's 
. Butler's lowly pair held when the board rolled out 
, and he doubled to 75,000 chips.
Kuether dropped down to 115,000.
A short-stacked Joey Weissman was all in and at risk preflop with 
against the 
of John Bowman. Bowman held as the board rolled out 
, and Weissman was eliminated.
Clickscales tossed out 4,400 on a board of , and Sandra Wong raised to 10,500. Clinkscales made the call.
The completed the board, Clinkscales checked, and Wong fired out 12,500. Clinkscales went deep into the tank, cutting out his chips to see how much would be left if he called and lost, then finally flicked forward a call. Wong showed queen-high, which Clinkscales had beat with for a pair of eights.
Nancy Birnbaum is one of the most successful women in the history of the World Series of Poker Circuit. Prior to this event she won her third gold ring during the Harrah's New Orleans stop, which tied her for first all time among women with La Sengphet. Unfortunately Birnbaum won't be adding a bracelet to her jewelry collection her in the National Championship.
After earning an at-large bid, Birnbaum traveled to New Orleans where he ex-partner of 17 years, Angie Reed, visited to sweat the action. What's more, two of Birnbaum's other friends, Nancy Noblett and Julie Royer, traveled to the "Big Easy" late last night after Birnbaum advanced to Day 2.
"We traveled overnight on a bus from Atlanta to watch he play this morning," Noblett explained from the rail. Unfortunately the rail had to watch their girl bust to October Niner Jeremy Ausmus.
It happened when a short-stacked Birnbaum got her last 15,000 or so all in preflop holding the only to be called by the 
of Ausmus. The board ran out 
and that was all she wrote for Birnbaum.
With her elimination, River Rock (Vancouver) Casino Champion Sandra Wong is the last woman standing. Only time will tell if she can keep the National Championship tradition of a woman making the final table, a feat accomplished by La Sengphet two years ago and Amanda Musumeci last year.
Action folded to Horseshoe Council Bluffs Casino Champ Mark Bonsack in the small blind and he put in a raise, though we're not sure how much. What we do know is that Bossier City Main Event Champion Jeff Gibralter three-bet from the big blind, Bonsack moved all in for roughly 40,000 and Gibralter snap-called.
Bonsack: 
Gibralter:
Bonsack was behind and in need of some help. The 
flop gave him a little as it paired his jack, but he still needed another or a non-club king to win. The turn wasn't it, and the 
river actually improved Gibralter to a flush. Bonsack, who had relied on a raccoon penis for luck, wish his opponents luck and then slowly exited the tournament area.
Meanwhile, Wade Woelfel was eliminated on table over.
Brock Parker checked to Jesse Sylvia on a flop of 
. The 2012 World Series of Poker Main Event runner-up tossed out 5,200, and Parker made the call.
The turn was the , Parker checked again, and Sylvia fired out another 13,400. Parker moved all in for around 40,000 effective, and Sylvia quickly called.
"You flop a flush?" he said, turning over 
for Broadway.
Parker nodded, showing for an ace-high flush.
A meaningless 
completed the board, and Sylvia wished the table luck before hitting the rail. Parker, who won two bracelets in a week at the 2009 WSOP, now sits with 260,000 chips.
Kyle Julius opened to 4,100 in middle position, Blake Barousse tossed out a three-bet in the cutoff, and the action folded back to Julius, who called.
The dealer fanned 
, Julius checked, and Barousse fired out 7,000. Julius called, then checked again when the 
turned. Barousse fired a second bullet worth 19,500, and Julius check-raised all in for around 50,000 or so. Barousse snap-called, turning over for the nuts.
Julius sighed, then showed 
.
The 
completed the board, and Julius splashed some of his chips forward before wishing the table good luck and exiting the tournament room.
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