Ben Ponzio Eliminated in Fifth Place ($28,739)
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"Matt, you might want to color up, huh?" asked Phan after the floor announced they would take some yellow chips off the table at the break. Ponzio had only about 35,000 chips total.
"Ben!" said an exasperated Ponzio. "My name's Ben!"
"From now on, you're Matt," the dealer interjected.
"Ben?" asked Phan.
"That's what I said," replied Ponzio. "You gotta get my name right."
Apparently not. On the very next hand, Phan raised and Ponzio three-bet from the button. Phan checked how much Ponzio had behind (17,000) before making the call and drawing two. Ponzio took one.
Phan check-called Ponzio's bet. On the next draw, both players took one. Phan bet 12,000, and Ponzio called all in. Each player took one on the final draw.
"Keep it down, keep it down," said Phan. Each player opened his hand.
Phan: 8-7-4-3
Ponzio: 7-5-4-2
Phan asked the dealer, "Deuce for me, seven for him."
"You go first," said Ponzio. "Help me out here." But Phan didn't help Ponzio at all, drawing good by catching a deuce to make an eight-seven-four. Only a three or a six could save Ponzio. He opened his draw card to reveal a ten.
Ponzio collects $28,739 for being eliminated in fifth place by John Phan, who probably still doesn't know Ponzio's first name.