If you're wondering how Jan Von Halle rose to the top of the leaderboard, the following hand will help explain how. After Michael Gracz called Von Halle's 4,000 preflop raise, they saw a flop of . Gracz led out for 10,000 and Von Halle bet the pot to set Gracz all-in. Gracz called and showed down J-9 for overcards and a gutshot, but Von Halle had Jacks for the overpair and Gracz didn't hit his straight draw. That hand put Von Halle up to 133,000 and ended Gracz's day.
Down to just a few thousand chips, Kristy Gazes went all-in with and was called by David Grey holding . But Gazes flopped a ten and that pair held to double her up.
On the button Daniel Negreanu raised to 2,000 and was called by the small blind. The flop came and both players checked. When the arrived on the turn, the small blind bet 2,700 and Negreanu raised 4,000 more. The small blind moved all in and Negreanu called, showing the for trips, while the SB held K-J for top pair. The hit on the river and Negreanu doubled up to 49,000.
With a sickly stack Phil Hellmuth limped into the pot and was raised all-in by Jason Strasser. Nearly down to the felt, Hellmuth made the call and showed , while Strasser held . Hellmuth flopped an eight but Strasser stayed ahead by pairing his Queen, and the board bricked out and sent Phil to the rail.
Maybe "The Unabomber" has lost its cachet, especially with so many players wearing hoodies these days. Phil Laak is sitting at his table with a "World Poker Association" patch affixed to his forehead. Phil "The Billboard" Laak, perhaps?