Mark Bonsack Eliminated in 4th Place ($40,627)

There's no denying Mark Bonsack's poker prowess here at the Horseshoe Council Bluffs. Last year he final tabled this very event and ultimately finished in fifth place for $25,127. Not only did he follow that up by making the final table for a second consecutive year, he managed to win a ring in between. Unfortunately, he won't be making it two.

On the first hand of Level 30 (25,000/50,000/5,000), Blair Hinkle opened for 110,000 under the gun and Bonsack shoved for 580,000. The blinds folded and Hinkle made a quick call.

Hinkle:
Bonsack:

Bonsack was in big trouble and needed some help. According to the PokerNews Odds Calculator, Hinkle was a 70.61% favorite, and Bonsack had just a 28.97% chance of surviving the hand. The flop dropped Bonsack's chances to 16.46%, but the turn gave him some hope by delivering him a flush draw and bumping it up to 25%. The dealer burned one last time and put out the .

Bonsack missed his flush and was sent to the rail in fourth place for $40,627, but he also left with the consolation prize of being the Casino Champion, which locked him up a seat in the National Championship for the second year in a row.