Macovei Doubles on the First Hand
Level 31
: Blinds 150,000/300,000, 30,000 ante
On the first hand of heads-up, Neculai Macovei raised to 600,000 from the button before Benjamin Hammann three-bet to 1,800,000 from the big blind. Macovei four-bet to 4,500,000, and Hammann jammed. Macovei snap-called.
Neculai Macovei: K♥K♦ 
Benjamin Hammann: A♠J♦
Hammann had the chance to win the tournament on the first hand if he could find an ace on the runout.
Macovei found a safe 5♠9♦9♠ flop, but the 10♠ on the turn gave Hammann a flush draw.
The 5♦ peeled off on the river, which was safe for Macovei's cowboys, and he doubled on the first hand to take the chip lead.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
27,000,000
13,775,000
|
13,775,000 |
|
14,000,000
13,925,000
|
13,925,000 |