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The atmosphere in The Senior's Championship has turned a bit more serious than we have seen previously. It could be the fact that everyone is busy digesting their dinner or maybe it is the fact that the purple section of the Amazon Room is clearing out. With about 104 players left and only 12 tables remaining, everyone is aware that the first-place prize is in sight.
We arrived at the table to see Makram Merhom facing an all-in bet on the flop. The board read 
, and there was over 100,000 in the pot already. The all-in bet was for 35,500, and Merhom tanked for a couple minutes. He eventually called and tabled 
for top pair. The bettor turned over 
for a straight draw. The turn and river were kind to Merhom, coming 
, 
. His opponent was eliminated, and Merhom sits with 200,000.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
200,000
79,000
|
79,000 |
Lynn Gilmartin pulls aside the poker-playing rap master Brett Richey for another episode of Calling the Clock.
A friendly railbird named Eddie stopped by the PokerNews Live Reporting station to let us know that there had been an all-in bet and a call at Table #436. With that being the home of 2002 WSOP Main Event winner Robert Varkonyi, Day 1 chip leader Alexander Kunichoff, and the ever interesting Young Ji, we rushed over to take a look.
It was Ji who had his stack pushed forward, and his last 72,000 were at risk against Joseph Iannello. who had more than enough to afford a call. After a brief delay to sort out the chips in the pot, which saw Varkonyi play the role of arbitrator and accountant, Ji rolled over his 
expecting to be in a coin flip situation at worst, but he was dismayed to see Iannello table the 
, putting him in a terrible spot for his tournament life.
The flop was an uneventful 
, and when the 
arrived on the turn, Ji stood up and sighed, before offering the table a sincere "good luck to you all."
With the win, Iannello moved above the 350,000 chip plateau, putting him in prime position to reserve a seat for tomorrow's pivotal third day of play.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
357,000
357,000
|
357,000 |
|
Busted | |
|
||
The board read 
and James Miller checked to his opponent who quickly moved all in. Miller called even more quickly and reavealed 
. His opponent had 
in a dream situation for Miller. The 
secured the pot for Miller and his opponent hit the rail. There is no slowing Miller Down.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
585,000
275,000
|
275,000 |
Earlier today, Bill McAdams was down to his last 2,000 in chips and he mounted an impressive comeback. He may need to do it again, and he's off to a good start.
McAdams was down to his last 9,500, and then he posted the 6,000 big blind. The button raised to 16,000, and the small blind shoved all in for about 50,000. McAdams called his last 3,500, and the button folded. McAdams tabled 
. His opponent showed 
, and McAdams would need help. He got it on the river, as the board came 
. McAdams tripled up with a pair of threes and is on his way to another comeback.
A few hands later, McAdams doubled up with against 
. He spiked an ace on the flop and now sits with 72,000.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
72,000
18,000
|
18,000 |
Level: 19
Blinds: 4,000/8,000
Ante: 1,000
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
400,000
50,000
|
50,000 |
|
|
||
|
345,000
167,000
|
167,000 |
|
||
|
298,000
83,000
|
83,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
160,000
-45,000
|
-45,000 |
The term online legend was thrown around rather loosely in the heady days before Black Friday, but the term definitely applies to Mark "P0ker H0" Kroon, who first came to the attention of PokerNews in 2011 as part of the My First series.
Today, Kroon is trying to become the first online poker pro to capture the Seniors Championship, which would be a resounding statement in favor of the internet generation's novel approach to the game. After busting two players in the last hand, the "P0ker H0" moved one step closer to that goal.
The action began when a player opened for 15,500 in middle position. Kroon quickly announced himself all in from the cutoff, tossing a single chip forward to signify his commitment. The player seated next to him then went into the tank, thinking about the situation and staring at the tournament information screen before finally declaring a call. Before the action could return to the original raiser, the big blind player moved all in as well, and when the opener got out of the way, all three players tabled their hands.
Showdown:
Kroon: 
Button: 
Big Blind:
Kroon was in bad shape against the kings held by the big blind, and he stood in anticipation, telling the dealer, the railbirds, and more importantly himself that "any red ace will do!"
The dealer slowly burned a single card, and then spread the flop across the table, with the appearing immediately in the window. Kroon's wish had been granted, and it was followed immediately by the and .
Kroon's big slick had found the perfect flop, and he now had the kings held hostage to a single out, while the jacks were searching for their red brothers. When the turn (
) and river (
) blanked off, Kroon scored the double knockout, and sent his stack soaring into the stratosphere here at the Seniors Championship.
"Crab cakes and football!," he cheered somewhat cryptically, before retaking his seat to sort through the massive pile of newly earned chips. "God it's good to get lucky in this game."
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
295,000
85,000
|
85,000 |
Robert Varkonyi moved to the table with Mark Kroon and Larry Wright. Kroon is in a great mood after his big hand a few minutes ago and the table has been full of laughter all day. Varkonyi looks at Kroon's stack and the following conversation ensued.
Varkonyi (looking at Kroon): "You should double me up."
Kroon: "Why Me? Don't you know how good I am? Didn't anyone tell you?"
Varkonyi: "You're good?"
Kroon: "So good I am only using my left hand."
On the next hand, the action folded to Kroon who opened for 18,000 and said: "Come and get it." Varkonyi folded.
