Russell Thomas had the button. Steve Gee opened to 900,000 from under the gun, Greg Merson called on his direct left, Russell Thomas called on the button, and both blinds released.
The flop was , Gee led for 1.6 million, Merson folded, and Thomas called. The turn was the , Gee fired another bullet - this one was worth 3.25 million - and Thomas called.
The completed the board, and Gee emptied the chamber, moving all in for 11.35 million. Thomas shot back in his chair. While the dealer was cutting out Gee's stack, Thomas put his hand over his mouth, then began to stare at Gee. He examined his own stack, cut out a few chips, then returned them to his stack.
After over 5 minutes in the tank, Thomas called.
Gee stood up from the table and turned over for a pair of eights. Thomas turned over for a winning pair of queens, and the theater erupted.
Gee will take home $754,798 for his efforts, while Thomas is now flirting with 40 million chips.
Sarah Grant spoke with Gee straight after his elimination:
The button was on Jake Balsiger to start this hand. Robert Salaburu raised to 800,000, and Balsiger made the call on the button. In the big blind, Greg Merson reraised to 3.1 million. After Salaburu folded, Balsiger reraised to 5.8 million in chips. Merson shoved all in, and Balsiger folded.
Joining an already stellar roster of top pros exclusively wearing 3Bet (Antonio Esfandiari, Doc Sands, Greg Mueller, Jonathan Little, Scott Clements and Brian Rast), Jason 'NovaSky' Koon will host one lucky player for lunch where he will share the strategies and secrets that have made him one of the top young players in the game!
Make any purchase at 3Bet.com — check out the newest additions to the store and big sale on clearance items while you're there — and be automatically entered to win lunch with Jason!
Jeremy Ausmus had the button. The actual folded to Greg Merson, who called out of the small blind. Jesse Sylvia raised to 1.1 million from the big blind, and Merson called.
The flop was . Both players checked.
The turn was the , Merson checked again, and Sylvia bet. Merson released, and Sylvia picked up the pot.
Greg Merson had the button on this hand. Action folded to Jeremy Ausmus in the cutoff seat, and he raised to 800,000. Everyone folded, and Ausmus scooped in the chips.
Jesse Sylvia had the button. Greg Merson raised to 800,000 from the cutoff, Sylvia re-raised to 1.9 million on his direct left, and Merson called.
The flop fell , Merson check-called a 1.7 million-chip bet from Sylvia, and the came on the turn. Merson checked again, Sylvia slid out 4.1 million, and Merson folded.