Zach Clark was just now all in for his last 4,200 against Team PokerStars Pro Vanessa Rousso. Clark had a decent hand with which to risk his tourney life -- . Unfortunately for him he was up against Rousso's .
Clark would survive, however, when the community cards conspired to ensure their cards didn't matter, coming . They chopped, Clark is back at about 4,500, and Rousso is sitting at 14,500 at present.
Nichoel "Went Really Deep in the Main Event Last Year" Peppe got the last of her chips in with pocket queens, and the gentleman in the cutoff called all in for just a little less with pocket tens. A ten popped out on the flop to ship the pot to the all-in gentleman, and Peppe was left with just 2,500.
Bryan Devonshire came back from the dinner break and soon lost a huge 30,000-chip pot with a straight versus a full house. That took him down to just 3,200, but he's regrouped and moved back up to 23,000.
His spirits appear to be further raised thanks to the Robin Williams standup routine he's currently listening to on his iPod, from which he's occasionally sharing jokes with the table.
Of the smattering of Team PokerStars Pros who started the day, it looks as though only two remain - Vanessa Rousso and Marcello del Grosso. Also still in the running is Serial Online QualifierTM and indeed EPT Online Qualifier of the Year Pierre Neuville. None of them are in possession of particularly large stacks at the moment, but it's early days yet and anything can happen.
Team PokerStars Pro Joe Cada busted earlier today, but just returned to check in on the fortunes of his agent, Dan Frank. "I'll see you in two hours," said Frank just before Cada left, eyeing the tourney clock which shows we're nearing the end of Level 8. Two more one-hour levels are scheduled to follow.
Alas, Frank may be meeting up with his client a little sooner than planned. Immediately after Cada's departure, Frank was all in for his last 7,000 with against an opponent's . The flop brought an eight -- -- but also gave Frank a straight possibility. But the on the turn sealed it, and Frank is out.
A player pushed all in for his last 6,225 from late position, and Tommy Vedes called him from the button. Vedes showed and his opponent . The flop -- -- and turn -- -- kept Vedes’ opponent’s hopes alive, but the on the river sufficiently dashed them.
Battle of the online giants, as Shawn "sprstoner" Glines opened for 925 in early position and Mohsin "chicagocards1" Charania called in mid position to see an flop. Glines checked, Charania bet 1,275, Glines called, and they saw a turn.
The turn was the and GLines checked again. This time the bet from Charania was 2,750, and Glines passed.
Charania said afterwards that he'd had pocket fours, but either way, he is up to 34,000.
Players have left for their last 20-minute break of the evening. According to the big board, there will be 520 of them returning, all trying to last two more one-hour levels before we end play this evening.
"You're all wondering how late we're going to play tonight? We're going to play down to a winner."
The TD was joking as he announced the start of level 9, but to be honest the numbers are edging towards dangerously low - with 488 on the board right now and a larger field expected tomorrow than today, there is an outside chance that we could, in theory, make the money tomorrow on Day 1b. Nevertheless, we have been assured that we will be playing out the whole two levels scheduled, come what may.