As the day's moved on today I've been struck -- and at times sickened -- by some of the bad beats doled out today. And our final elimination of the day was just such a beat, as Hassan Kameoi was knocked out in 10th place to set our final table.
In the small blind Kameoi pushed in the last of his 169,000 chips holding . Our chip leader Ernest Bennett took a few moments to think things over before calling with . Hassan had to be relieved to see that he had his opponent dominated.
And that probably explained his frustration when the flop came . Once again the worst hand was first. The turn and river didn't help Kameoi, and our final table was set. Kameoi marched away from the table as the other players gave themselves a standing ovation for making the final nine.
And here are the players who will reconvene at 2 p.m. PDT to battle for the bracelet and the $348,423 first prize:
Seat 1: Jack "The Staten Island Snake" Deutsch 133,000
Seat 2: Leon Lewis 841,000
Seat 3: Charles Anderson 104,000
Seat 4: Ed Smith 520,000
Seat 5: Ray Abels 151,000
Seat 6: Ernest Bennett 1,062,000
Seat 7: Rod Clarida 174,000
Seat 8: Tony Korfman 412,000
Seat 9: Thomas Catanzaro 278,000
After nine hours of no-holds barred, rock-em sock-em, I-can't-wait-to-bet-all-my-chips poker, play has tightened up considerably. The players seem to understand that they're one elimination away from a World Series final table (and potentially a six-figure payday) and they're playing cautiously.
After Abels raised to 90K in the small blind, Charles Anderson moved all-in from the big blind. He was in a race with pocket Fives against Abels' , but Abels' hand never improved and Anderson doubled up to 175K. Abels was left with 230,000.
Two of our short stacks tangled when Marvin DeVore raised all-in from the small blind and Thomas Catanzaro called. DeVore held pocket Tens and Catanzaro . The gave Catanzaro the nut flush draw. The fell on the turn, but the on the river gave Catanzaro the flush and the 300,000 pot. DeVore was left with just 17,000.
Right before the break Harrill called from the small blind with after Leon Lewis raised. Lewis held and that held up to eliminate Harrill in 12th place.