Ylon Schwartz, last year’s third place finisher in this same event is off to a good start so far today. On a board, Schwartz checked and an opponent bet. Another player called as did Schwartz. On the river, the action was the same until it got back to Schwartz. This time he threw in a raise and was called by both players. He turned over for two pair and a straight flush draw on the flop which turned into a full house by the river. Another player flipped over which was good for the low and the turn bettor mucked. Schwartz was up to around 11,000 after the hand.
Kevin MacPhee somehow managed to bluff for his last 300 big bet to get everyone to fold but he was soon all in preflop in a five way pot.
The board was checked around all the way to the river of a board where there was a bet and call between two players. MacPhee was scooped when the two players showed (nut low) and (2nd nut flush).
We made our way over to Allen Kessler’s table and found him with a big stack that was about to get bigger. On a board, Kessler said “I’m gonna make one more bet, it’s ok to fold” to his two remaining opponents in the hand. Fold it was for his first opponent but not for his second who called. On the river, Kessler bet again but received no call. Always a gentleman though, Kessler still showed the and for a full house on the river. He was up to around 10,000 after the hand.
Eugene Katchalov was just eliminated, he mucked his hand after he was all-in on the river of a board with his opponent turning over , the only two cards not even mattering.
A funny interaction between Jose "Nacho" Ignacio Barbero and Lex Veldhuis at the outer tables of the Pavilion Room.
Nacho- "Hey Lex, good thing we didn't do a last longer"
Lex- "You're out??"
Nacho- "No, but I never win a hand"
Lex- "Oh f*** you man. You're going to win a tournament at some point this summer."
Nacho- "I know, but I save all my luck up for one tournament and do nothing in the rest."
Lex- "Yeah probably the Main Event.... I'll never have any sympathy for you, Jason (Mercier) or Elky (Bertrand Grospellier)...Never"
Nacho- "Why?? We're awesome! Or at least we run better than the rest" (as he makes a running in place motion)
We checked in on Allen Cunningham and T.J. Cloutier’s table and saw them both in a hand along with two others. The action was slow as the flop and turn were checked around on a board. Once the river fell however, Cunningham decided that there had been enough checking. He bet 200 and surprisingly received a call from all three of his opponents.
Cunningham tabled for a rivered set which was good for the high. The next player turned over for the low and Cloutier and the other player mucked. Cunningham was up to 5,750 after the hand while Cloutier was hovering around the starting stack at 4,800.