We're not sure if we commented earlier that Daniel Alaei had been busted. It wasn't true; turns out he was just moved to the far side of the room. But he didn't stay at his new table very long.
After Michael Binger opened to 4,000, Alaei moved in. Binger snap-called and stood pat with 9-7-6-5-4 after Alaei drew one. Alaei opened 7-5-4-2, needing a three (4), six (3), eight (4), or nine (3) to stay alive. We never got to see what he drew; he squeezed it then mucked and left the table.
Phil Ivey opened for 3,500, David Benyamine flat-called and Shawn Buchanan put the squeeze on, reraising to 15,000. Ivey folded, but Benyamine came back over the top for 35,000, setting Buchanan all in. He made the call and drew one card while Benyamine stood pat.
It was no matter, however, what he drew, as Benyamine flipped up 7-6-5-3-2 for number three. Buchanan was drawing dead and he hit the rail, while Benyamine increased his stack to 140,000.
Right before the break, Andy Bloch moved all in for his remaining 12,000 from the button and Tim Phan made the call from the small blind. Bloch rapped pat and Phan drew one.
Bloch showed down a J-9 low, but Phan made a ten-low on the draw to send Bloch off to the next event.
Steve Sung was Ivey's executioner, sending him to the rail when his T-9 low held up against Ivey's J-T low. Sung is now up to 62,000 after starting the day as the tournament short stack, with only 6,100.
You asked for it, Shout Box readers, so you get it. Ville Wahlbeck was sitting in the small blind when Mickey Appleman opened the action for 5,000. Bruno Fitoussi called from the button, as did Wahlbeck.
Each player drew one card. After the draw, Wahlbeck checked to Appleman, who bet 6,000. That was enough to fold Fitoussi but not enough to fold Wahlbeck. He called.
"Ten-eight", said Appleman. Wahlbeck turned over 9-7-6-3-2 to claim the pot. He's up to about 140,000.
One by one the players fall. Greg Mueller has joined the ranks of the dearly departed. Nick Schulman tagged him with 9-7-5-4-2; Mueller could only make J-8-6-4-3.
If it seems like we're only reporting eliminations today, it's because that's what it feels like here today. It's pretty amazing that two hours and twenty minutes of play have produced 25 eliminations in a 57-player field.
Sorel Mizzi now casts his lot with that crew. He moved all in for 29,000 after Tim Phan put in what we believe was the second raise to 12,500. Phan called. Mizzi rapped pat on the draw with 10-7-5-4-3; Phan drew one with 9-8-6-2. He caught a good card, a 4, to make his 9-8 and send Mizzi home before dinner.