Event #44: $3,000 6-Handed Limit Hold'em
Day 2 Completed
2021 World Series of Poker
Event #44: $3,000 6-Handed Limit Hold'em
Day: 2
Kenny Hsiung Leads After Day 2 of Event #44: $3,000 6-Handed Limit Hold'em, 10 Players Remain
Level 20
: 10,000/20,000, 0 ante
The second day of Event #44: $3,000 6-Handed Limit Hold'em has wrapped up after another ten levels and there are just ten players remaining. Kenny Hsiung ended the day with the biggest chip stack, bagging up 1,171,000, a narrow lead over a couple of his competitors.
Hsiung already knows what it's like to win a World Series of Poker bracelet, doing so back in 2012 in a very similar format. Hsiung won the $3,000 Limit Hold'em event that was played as a full ring compared to the six-handed version this year. Another WSOP final table appears to be on the horizon for Hsiung but he would love nothing more than to capture a second gold bracelet.
Not far behind him is Kevin Erickson who had a successful day, bagging up 1,139,000 chips. Erickson already has a runner-up finish at the 2021 WSOP in Event #12: $1,500 Limit Hold'em where he fell just short against Yuval Bronshtein. Erickson was heard saying to some of his tablemates that it was a tough pill to swallow, so a win in this event would certainly make up for it.
Rounding out the top three stacks is Ryan Hansen with 1,115,000 chips. Hansen is the only other player with a seven-figure stack heading into the final day of competition. Here is a look at the seat draw for Day 3:
Day 3 Seat Draw
| Table | Seat | Player | Chip Count | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 406 | 1 | Kevin Erickson | 1,139,000 | 46 |
| 406 | 2 | Empty | ||
| 406 | 3 | Kosei Ichinose | 499,000 | 20 |
| 406 | 4 | Ray Henson | 151,000 | 6 |
| 406 | 5 | Ryan Hansen | 1,115,000 | 45 |
| 406 | 6 | John Hoang | 783,000 | 31 |
| 414 | 1 | Kenny Hsiung | 1,171,000 | 47 |
| 414 | 2 | Justin Moeller | 378,000 | 15 |
| 414 | 3 | Ken Deng | 321,000 | 13 |
| 414 | 4 | John Cavanagh | 207,000 | 8 |
| 414 | 5 | Empty | ||
| 414 | 6 | Steve Chanthabouasy | 744,000 | 30 |
The day began with 78 players returning to the felt but it was short-lived for some of them. Eli Elezra, Koray Aldemir, and Justin Somerville were among the first casualties in the opening level. Some other notables falling short of the money include Ari Engel, Julien Martini, Terrence Chan, and defending champion Tu Dao.
The money bubble burst just minutes before the dinner break. Evan Melgaard was the unfortunate victim but on the flip side, Dmitry Shunikov snuck into the money with just one big blind. Some of the notables to find a cash include JJ Liu (24th Place), Joe McKeehen (23rd Place), Nick Schulman (21st Place), and Mike Matusow (16th Place).
The action is slated to resume at 2 p.m. local time tomorrow with the hopes of reaching the final five players before the PokerGO stream begins at 4 p.m. The blinds will resume on level 21 at 13,000/25,000 and limits of 25,000/50,000. The players have locked up at least $8,162 thus far but will be aiming for that first-place prize of $109,692.
Follow along with the PokerNews live reporting team for all of the updates on the way to crowning a new WSOP champion.
End of Day Counts
Level 20
: 10,000/20,000, 0 ante
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
1,171,000 | 201,000 |
|
1,139,000 | 189,000 |
|
1,115,000 | -85,000 |
|
783,000 | 233,000 |
|
744,000 | 14,000 |
|
499,000 | -471,000 |
|
378,000 | 18,000 |
|
321,000 | 53,000 |
|
|
207,000 | -338,000 |
|
151,000 | -29,000 |
Play Has Concluded for the Day
Level 20
: 10,000/20,000, 0 ante
After 10 levels, the remaining 10 players have now bagged their chips for the day. They will return at 2 p.m. tomorrow and play down to a winner.
Two Pair for Hsiung
Level 20
: 10,000/20,000, 0 ante
Kenny Hsiung raised on the button and Justin Moeller re-raised from the small blind. Hsiung called and the flop came 
. Moeller led out with a bet and Hsiung just called to see the 
on the turn.
Moeller checked this time and Hsiung took the opportunity to bet. Moeller check-raised but Hsiung stuck in a three-bet which Moeller called. The river was the 
and Moeller check-called another bet from Hsiung. Hsiung showed 
for two pair and Moeller mucked.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
970,000 | 605,000 |
|
|
360,000 | 115,000 |
Hansen Chips Up Versus Hoang
Level 20
: 10,000/20,000, 0 ante
Ryan Hansen raised in the cutoff and John Hoang called on the button.
Hansen bet and was called on the 
flop and the 
turn.
The river saw Hansen check-call.
Hansen showed 
which was good over the 
of Hoang.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
1,200,000 | 110,000 |
|
|
550,000 | -50,000 |
Kevin Rand Eliminated in 11th Place ($8,162)
Level 20
: 10,000/20,000, 0 ante
Kevin Rand raised from the cutoff and Steve Chanthabouasy three-bet on the button. Rand called and they saw a flop of 
. Rand check-called bets from Chanthabouasy on the flop and the 
turn. Both players checked the 
river and Chanthabouasy showed 
to win the pot.
In the next hand, Rand raised and Justin Moeller re-raised from the small blind. Rand stuck in the last of his 46,000 chips and the cards were tabled.
Kevin Rand: 
Justin Moeller:
The board ran out 
and Moeller rivered a flush to eliminate Rand in 11th place.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
730,000 | 70,000 |
|
|
245,000 | -215,000 |
|
Busted |
Nathan Baum Eliminated in 12th Place ($8,162)
Level 20
: 10,000/20,000, 0 ante
Nathan Baum raised from middle position, John Hoang called in the small blind, and so did Kevin Erickson in the big blind.
The flop was 
and the blinds checked to Baum. Baum raised, Hoang folded, and Erickson reraised and was called.
The turn saw a bet and a call, as did the 
river. Erickson showed 
for trip aces and the best hand, leaving Baum with less than two big bets.
A couple of hands later Kevin Erickson raised on the button and Scott Baum moved all his chips in for only 1,000 more. Action folded back to Erickson.
"This time there would be shame in folding", said his tablemates as the players laughed. Erickson called for just one more yellow chip and hands were revealed.
Nathan Baum: 
Kevin Erickson:
The flop came 
to put Baum ahead, but the turn left him behind, and the river sent him on his way.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
950,000 | 400,000 |
|
Busted |
No Shame in Folding
Level 20
: 10,000/20,000, 0 ante
John Hoang raised on the button and Kevin Erickson three-bet in the small blind. Nathan Baum four-bet from the big blind and Hoang got out of the way. Erickson called and the dealer spread the flop of 
.
Erickson checked and Baum slid out a bet of 20,000, leaving himself with 11,000 chips behind. Erickson thought about calling before Baum said, "No shame in folding." Erickson put his chips back on his stack and then folded.
"You should be ashamed of yourself," Ryan Hansen shouted from across the table.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
550,000 | -130,000 |
|
|
220,000 | -20,000 |
Level: 20
Blinds: 10,000/20,000
Ante: 0