Following a fast-paced Day 1 which saw the field shrink from 596 to 102, the second day of the $2,500 Pot-Limit Omaha event began similarly, with bustouts happening quickly as the tourney raced toward the money. Early casualties today included Humberto Brenes, Aaron Jones, Will Failla, Shannon Shorr, Joe Hachem, Tim West, and Minnesota Jim Meehan. Day 1 chip leaders John "Tex" Barch and Luc Greenwood would hit the rail a bit later, but still shy of the cash.
The pace would finally slow as the cash bubble approached, finally bursting at the end of Level 14, just prior to the dinner break. Among those who made it into the top 54 and the money were Thomas Bichon (52nd), Michael Binger (50th), Eric Rabl (47th), and John Shipley (42nd). T.J. Cloutier enjoyed the chip lead for much of the afternoon and early evening, but a huge hand versus Kevin Iacofano cost Cloutier most of his stack, and Iacofano knocked the six-time WSOP bracelet winner out in 38th place shortly thereafter.
Iacofano catapulted into the chip lead, where he stayed while more hit the rail, including Carter Gill (32nd), Sandra Naujoks (25th), and Chau Giang (20th). Then chips really started to move back and forth, with Patrick Hanoteau and start-of-day leader L.J. Klein most often appearing atop the counts. Shortly after Adam Junglen busted in 15th, Iacofano would finally fall in 14th, followed by Dmitrii Valouev in 13th, and soon the day was done.
The remaining dozen will return tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. Vegas time to continue battling until one emerges with all of the chips, the $315,311 first prize, and the coveted WSOP gold bracelet. Miguel Proulx will enjoy a small chip lead over Patrick Hanoteau when play resumes, but as we saw the last two days, things can change quickly -- as fast as one can say "Raise pot!"
Thanks for following our coverage today, and be sure to come back tomorrow to see who wins the next bracelet at the 2010 WSOP.
On a flop of , Patrick Hanoteau bet 35,000 into the 70,000 pot and Karl Gal called.
Hanoteau fired 60,000 when the hit the turn only to have Gal move all in for 109,000 more. Hanoteau called and showed for two pair. Gal revealed for a better two pair.
The on the river changed nothing and Gal doubled to 485,000.
On a flop of , Michael Greco got all of his chips in against L.J. Klein, who had him out chipped.
Greco held and had flopped two pair. Klein held and picked up quite a few outs.
The turn was the , which changed nothing. The on the river was a blank for Klein and he dropped to 455,000. Greco managed to dodge a lot of outs and double to 200,000.
Kevin Iacofano raised to 30,000 and Patrick Hanoteau called from the button. The flop came . Iacofano announced he was betting the pot -- 75,000. Hanoteau then said he was reraising pot, and Iacofano called with his remaining chips.
Iacofano showed , while Hanoteau held . The turn was the , making Hanoteau's straight. The river was the , and Iacofano is out.
Hanoteau becomes our first million-chip man, pushing out to 1.1 million.
Patrick Hanoteau -- 845,000
Miguel Proulx -- 667,000
L.J. Klein -- 610,000
Joe Serock -- 325,000
Dmitrii Valouev -- 300,000
Karl Gal -- 295,000
Kevin Iacofano -- 275,000
Dilyan Kovachev -- 270,000
Joerg Engels -- 200,000
Tommy Le -- 160,000
Michael Greco -- 135,000
Trevor Pope -- 123,000
Stephane Tayar -- 110,000
Matthew Reed -- 80,000
, Patrick Hanoteau bet 35,000 into the 70,000 pot and Karl Gal called.
hit the turn only to have Gal move all in for 109,000 more. Hanoteau called and showed 
for two pair. Gal revealed 
for a better two pair.
on the river changed nothing and Gal doubled to 485,000.
, Dmitrii Valouev committed the last of his short stack and Joe Serock called him. Valouev had 
.
, giving Serock a flush. The river was the 
, Michael Greco got all of his chips in against L.J. Klein, who had him out chipped.
, which changed nothing. The 
. Iacofano announced he was betting the pot -- 75,000. Hanoteau then said he was reraising pot, and Iacofano called with his remaining chips.
, while Hanoteau held 
. The turn was the 
, making Hanoteau's straight. The river was the 