Two Roller-Coasters Push Haag Upwards

A hand that unfolded on Table 629 would be suitable for a TV show.

Three-way to the flop, Xiaoyong Liao shoved 44,500 from the big blind. Under the gun, Men Nguyen tanked for quite some time and Matt Stout eventually called the clock on him. Nguyen released his hand during the silent 30-second countdown, but Michael Haag was next to act and he called instantly.

Haag flopped a top pair with and was ahead against . Liao had, however, still a decent chance to emerge victorious. And the on the turn pushed him out front as he made a flush. But it wasn't locked just yet as Haag now had two pair, drawing to a full house. Just like in Hollywood movies, the dealer turned over the on the river to improve Haag's hand to a boat. Liao's tournament was over.

Haag's "wow" was right on the spot. He notified his opponents that they're now playing for second place.
There was more to the story as Haag had won the previous hand a similar way.

That time he held ace-jack and faced ace-queen. After flopping a jack on the flop, Haag's hopes were narrowed again on the queen turn, but the river brought another jack.