Those double-ups by James Taylor we were referring to earlier both came at the expense of Dominik Nitsche. In one case he was behind on the turn and caught a card to win, then Taylor picked up pocket aces to score still more off of Nitsche.
The pair were at it again just now with Nitsche opening for 16,000 from under the gun and getting two callers including Taylor from middle position. The flop came , and when Nitsche continued for 17,000, Taylor raised to 55,000, forcing out the third player.
Nitsche responded by shoving all in, and Taylor called, tabling to Nitsche's . The turn was the and river the , and Taylor grabs still more chips at Nitsche's expense.
"Look at you," said Matthew Mazzeo from across the table to Taylor. "What a comeback."
Chiab "Chip" Saecho won the first bracelet at this summer's WSOP in Event 1: $500 Casino Employees No-Limit Hold'em, and he's still in the hunt to win one of the last. Just now Saecho pushed his short stack all in and didn't get any callers, thereby preserving his tourney life for now. He's had a below average stack for a while, but continues to persevere as the field shrinks below 70 players.
Poker amateur James Taylor was down to his last two big blinds just a short while ago and, after a series of double ups - he is currently sitting on 150,000.
Taylor, who is sporting a flashy green jacket, told us that this is the first poker tournament he has ever competed in - let alone cash in. He already has quite a story to tell his friends, however, if he can survive (and thrive) into Day 3, he will have a tale of epic proportions to brag about for years to come.
Christopher Hart just scored a timely — and big — double-up in a hand in which he opened from middle position, got raised by the big blind, then shoved his stack of 195,500 and got called. Hart had and his opponent , and when the board ran out , Hart had leaped up near the top of the counts.
Eric Levesque raised from early position, and it folded around to Diego Suaya in the blinds who reraised to 106,000, about the equivalent of Levesque's total chips. Levesque called, tabling to Locascio's .
The flop was very good for Levesque, coming to give him a full house, and by the turn Suaya was drawing dead.
The Main Event begins in less than 12 hours. Some of those participating will have a chance at earning $5,000 as part of the Onnit Last Sticker Standing Contest. Read here for more details.
, and when Nitsche continued for 17,000, Taylor raised to 55,000, forcing out the third player.
to Nitsche's 
. The turn was the 
and river the 
, and Taylor grabs still more chips at Nitsche's expense.
, Hart had leaped up near the top of the counts.
to Locascio's 
turn Suaya was drawing dead.
board left Holdeew with eights-full of aces, which was more than enough to send his opponent to the rail.