Back in 2010, a Dutchman by the name of Marcel Vonk took down this event, conquering a field of 3,844 on his way to capturing the $570,960 first-place prize. What's more, he defeated David Peters in heads-up play to become the last man standing.
Interestingly, both men are still alive in this tournament. Even more interesting is that Vonk and Peters are seat together at Table 434 in Seat 9 and 1 respectively. Needless to say, these men know how to conquer a $1,000 buy-in field, so we wouldn't be surprised if both make another deep run at the title.
After losing a flip with to for a 95,000-chip pot, Nick Mitchell was all on in the next hand for his last 9,500 with against an opponent's . The flop pushed Mitchell into the lead, and he stayed alive when the dealer rolled over the turn and river.
Alan Pearson is living out every amateur poker player's dream right now. Pearson, who is playing in his only event of the 2012 WSOP, began the day with just 5,200 chips. He's now sitting behind a massive tower worth around 200,000.
The Texas native told us this is his third year playing at the WSOP. Yesterday he squeezed his way into the money for the first time. He's now eyeing a life-changing score if he can take this one down.
Pearson says he has "chills" right now, and it has nothing to do with the frigid temperature here in the Amazon Room.
Marc Etienne Blais, known as "Guacamole Poker" in Quebec (a fact confirmed by 2010 World Series of Poker Main Event champ Jonathan Duhamel as seen below), opened for 5,100 from early position only to have Nicholas Verkaik three-bet to 13,300. Blais made the call and then checked the flop.
Verkaik took the opportunity to bet 8,500, and then called when Blais woke up with a check-raise to 29,200. When the peeled off on the turn, Blais simply moved all in and put Verkaik to the test. The latter spent a solid eight minutes in the tank before conceding the hand.
JonathanDuhamel Jonathan DuhamelConfirmed. “@JDogDriscoll: @PokerNews Marc Etienne Blais is well known as "Guacamole Poker" in Quebec. Just saying.”June 18 2012
Despite that lose, Verkaik is still having a good Day 2 after starting on a small stack.
A player in middle position opened for 4,800 and received calls from the button and Lisa Hamilton, who was in the small blind. The flop saw Hamilton check and the middle-position player bet 8,800, which drove the button from the hand.
Hamilton made the call and then checked the turn, prompting her opponent to bet 13,800. Hamilton then sprung to life with a check-raise all in and her opponent called off for 45,000.
Showdown
Hamilton:
Opponent:
Hamilton had turned a pair of aces and held an open-ended straight draw, but she needed to improve to crack her opponent's set of fives. Lady luck smiled upon Hamilton as the spiked on the river to give her a wheel and the win.
![[user153906]](/img/avatars/avatar.svg){kind=avatar}
to 
for a 95,000-chip pot, Nick Mitchell was all on in the next hand for his last 9,500 with 
against an opponent's 
. The 
flop pushed Mitchell into the lead, and he stayed alive when the dealer rolled over the 
turn and 
river.
peeled off on the turn, Blais simply moved all in and put Verkaik to the test. The latter spent a solid eight minutes in the tank before conceding the hand.
flop saw Hamilton check and the middle-position player bet 8,800, which drove the button from the hand.
spiked on the river to give her a wheel and the win.
