![[user196975]](/img/avatars/avatar.svg){kind=avatar}
We just had an interesting hand develop. Gregg Merkow and Julian Powell were at the river on a board of 
. Powell checked, Merkow bet 110,000 and Powell thought about his action.
While considering his action, Powell exposed his hand - 
. Which is legal in a heads up format. The floorman paused the clock after the hand to verify that Powelll's move was in fact legal. It was confirmed and play is back in action.
Level: 8
Blinds: 20,000/40,000
Ante: 0
The pots are staying small and Julian Powell is winning most of them without showdown. Through this PLO level he has gone from even in chips to having a two-to-one advantage over Gregg Merkow.
The inevitable showdown will be coming very soon.
Level: 9
Blinds: 30,000/60,000
Ante: 0
The match turned into a shove-fest this level as the blinds had gotten very big.
Powell open shoved and Merkow looked down at a monster and called all-in for 478,000.
Powell: 
Merkow: 
Powell couldn't believe the cooler in front of him and pleaded for a five.
The board ran 
to give the Australian what he wanted. He'll advance to play Leif Force in the semi-finals.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
1,152,000 | 576,000 |
|
Busted |
Due to the late finish of the Merkow vs Powell match, the start time for Round 8 will be at 4:15 instead of 4 p.m.
Semifinal Matchups
| Jason Koon | vs | Simeon Naydenov |
| Leif Force | vs | Julian Powell |
Round 8 has begun and cards are in the air.
Level: 1
Blinds: 3,000/6,000
Ante: 0
Simeon Naydenov just gave Jason Koon the poker version of a slap on the wrist in their match.
Naydenov opened to 12,000 and Koon called to see the 
flop.
Naydenov continued for 16,000 and was check-raised to 37,000 by Koon. Naydenov three-bet to 86,000 and when Koon clicked it back he shoved. Koon snap-folded.
