WSOP bracelet holder Jason Lester has cashed in the WSOP Main Event seven times previously, his best ever showing coming in 2003 when he finished fourth. Lester has been battling with a short stack for most of Day 3, however, and it looked just now as though his Main Event run this year was about to fall shy of the money.
Following a middle position player's opening raise to 6,200, Lester reraised all in from a seat over for his last 55,000 or so. It folded back around, and Lester's opponent tanked for some time before finally announcing he was calling.
Lester shook his head initially at the call while turning over his 
, guessing he was about to be racing for his tourney life. But when his opponent showed 
, he looked relieved. He looked even more so after the board ran out 
to give him the double-up and survival.
"I was hoping for jacks or tens," said Lester with a laugh. Then after pausing a moment, he looked up with a mischievous grin.
"Cocktails!" he shouted.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
114,000
59,000
|
59,000 |
|
||
completed the board, Blumethal's opponent fired 22,300 into the middle. Blumenthal didn't take long to fold and his opponent scooped the pot.
board. His opponent checked, Baldwin bet 31,000 and his opponent tanked.
flop. Binger led for 7,500 here and Stern made the call.
turn, Binger opted to check and Stern would quickly bet 17,500. Binger didn't want to continue, sending his cards into the muck and the pot to Stern.
, and Sheikh checked to Moreno, who fired 6,900. Sheikh called.
, and Sheikh checked again. Moreno tossed out 17,800, and Sheikh again called.
. The small blind checked, Armando Fernandez checked from the cutoff seat, then Mark Vanderloo bet 12,100 from the button. The small blind folded, but Fernandez called.
. Fernandez led out again, this time betting just 7,000, and Vanderloo called instantly.
.
turn. The 
