...And just like that, just as the internet connection died for a few minutes, the heads up was over. On a board that read 8-6-2-7-K, Marco Mills bet 3,500, Brian Broan made it all in for 13,000, and Mills called.
Boran:
Mills:
Meaning that after an almost ludicrously long heads up battle, our final player going through to round two is Marco Mills.
As expected, triumphant players are now dribbling back into the Amazon Room awaiting the starting whistle for round two. However, they have been met by the unexpected sight of Brian Boran and Marco Mills still battling away as if their life depended on it.
I think qualifier David Redlin even mouthed the word "wow" as he approached the table.
Well, Boran and Mills remain, still plugging away like Trojan warriors. At the moment, it's like watching a snail race through treacle for the few onlookers, but in their defense, if I'd been here this long, and was heads up for over $5,000, I'd take my time to. The longer they play, the more that runner up spot is going to hurt.
Brian Boran, now short-stacked, open-shoves on a 2-J-2 flop. Mills considers it for a while, looking Boran up and down. "You know I don't like this flop, right?" He throws down . Boran looks down at his cards and mucks.
Both players now look weary, and impatience may be starting to seep in.
Our final table shows no signs of finishing any time soon. Both players are sporting steely expressions, suggesting that they both have the stamina to keep this heads up going until they're good and ready to get their chips in. Could be a long night...