A Flurry of Hands; Zektser Battles Back

Hand 1:

Igor Zektser was in good position to win three quarters of the pot on a flop of A♠4♦6♣ when he got it in against Paul Sincere.

Igor Zektser: A♥10♣8♠7♥4♣ All in
Paul Sincere: A♣K♦9♦8♦7♠

Zekster had two pair and a 8-7 low to Sincere's pair of aces and same low. Then the board ran out 9♠ and Q♣, Sincere improved to a better two pair, aces and nines, for the high and they chopped the low. This left Zekster at an all time low with only a few million chips after the pot was divvied up.

Hand 2:

The very next hand Sincere seemed poised to win the tournament on a flop of Q♦9♦8♣ after he raised Zektser all in and got a call.

Igor Zektser: Q♣J♣J♥9♠5♥ All in
Paul Sincere: A♠Q♠J♦10♣5♦

Sincere had flopped a straight and the diamond draw, but when the 5♣ and A♣ fell off the deck, Zektser scooped the pot with his backdoor flush, since neither player made a low.

Hand 3:

Another action flop of K♠5♥6♥ had both players put their chips in the middle and Zektser was at risk again.

Igor Zektser: A♥Q♣J♠8♥2♦ All in
Paul Sincere: Q♥Q♠9♦5♠2♥

Sincere had a pair of queens and a worse flush draw than Zektser, who had the nut-flush draw and nut-low draw. His flush came in when the J♥ turned, making the 10♦ river irrelevant since no low was possible, Zektser doubled again.

Zektser went from nearly out the door to well in contention in a matter of three hands.