Mao Catches the River to Survive
Level 26
: Blinds 50,000/100,000, 100,000 ante
Dario Alioto completed from the small blind before Renji Mao made it 300,000 from the big blind. Alioto limp-raised the pot, and Mao called for his stack of 1,120,000.
Renji Mao: Q♣J♣10♥6♣ 
Dario Alioto: A♦Q♦8♠5♦
The dealer spread out the flop of 2♦2♥Q♥, giving both players a pair of queens to go with the pair of deuces on board, but Alioto was out in front with the ace-kicker. A 3♥ turn meant Mao was one card away from hitting the rail. The dealer put out the 10♦ to complete the board, and Mao had rivered a better two pair to survive.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
4,575,000
725,000
|
725,000 |
|
||
|
3,085,000
40,000
|
40,000 |
|
2,340,000
685,000
|
685,000 |
|
||