2012-13 WSOP Circuit Harrah's Tunica Day 2: Andrew Rothfolk Leads Final Table
The 2012-13 World Series of Poker Circuit Harrah's Tunica Main Event has officially reached a final table. After 666 total entries, two Day 1 flights, and a Day 2 that went into the wee hours of the morning, Andrew Rothfolk emerged on top of the final table. Rothfolk will command a stack of 4.575 million going into the final day.
Circuit regular Michael Sanders will enter the final table second in chips after finishing Day 2 with 3.055 million. Rounding out the top three is Ryan Stevenson, who found two key double-ups at the "unofficial" final table of 10 to ultimately finish the day with 1.505 million. Also making a final table appearance is Mark Maletic, who has a shot at winning the title of Casino Champion if he can win this event. Maletic will have his work cut out for him on Day 3 because he will come into the final table as the shortest stack with 400,000.
At the start of Day 2, 93 players took their seats with the hopes of making the elusive final table. The bubble burst relatively quickly as the top 72 players finished in the money. The bubble popped during Level 19 when the blinds were at 2,500/5,000/500. Greg McCurry and Emmit Humphrey looked down at a flop of J♦7♠6♣ and after a series of raises, McCurry moved all of his chips into the middle. Humphrey called to find that he was behind.
McCurry: A♦J♠
Humphrey: J♥10♥
The turn brought the 7♦ and McCurry was one card away from a solid double-up. The river, however, was the 10♣ and Humphrey's jacks and tens finished as the best hand. McCurry quickly exited the tournament area while others celebrated as they were guaranteed at least $2,797.
Notables who finished in the money included Matthew Colvin (57th), Allen Kessler (54th), David Clark (43rd), Cary Marshall (40th), Day 1 chip leader Bryan Campanello (36th), Ari Engel (34th), five-time WSOPC ring winner Kyle Cartwright (23rd), and Aaron Massey (12th).
Although play moved rapidly as the day progressed, everything came to a standstill once the field reached the "unofficial" final table. Time after time, the short-stacked player escaped elimination and the players pressed on. Most notably, David Kruger was all in and at risk twice and managed to stay alive long enough to secure him a spot at the official final table. At one point, Kruger caught a dream flop against Dan Blakeman to double up. Later in the night, he moved in with KxJx and was called by three opponents. Kruger flopped a gutshot and nailed Broadway on the river to stay alive once more.
The final table bubble finally burst when the blinds were at 15,000/30,000/5,000. Blakeman opened to 75,000 from early position and it folded to Sanders who three-bet to 255,000 from the big blind. Blakeman made it 560,000 to go and then called Sanders' five-bet all in. As the shorter stack of the two, Blakeman was at risk.
Blakeman: J♣J♠
Sanders: A♠K♥
The flop was Q♠Q♦10♠. Blakeman pleaded with the poker gods for his hand to hold as the 9♦ hit fourth street. This card killed the king outs for Sanders and he needed an ace on the river to send Blakeman home. Indeed, the A♦ drilled fifth street and Blakeman was forced to settle for 10th place and $15,405 in prize money.
WSOP Circuit Harrah's Tunica Main Event Final Table
| Seat | Player | Chips |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jerry Barlow | 800,000 |
| 2 | James Watkins | 980,000 |
| 3 | Michael Sanders | 3,055,000 |
| 4 | Ryan Stevenson | 1,505,000 |
| 5 | Jonathan Cary | 460,000 |
| 6 | Norman McKeldin | 1,035,000 |
| 7 | David Kruger | 505,000 |
| 8 | Andrew Rothfolk | 4,575,000 |
| 9 | Mark Maletic | 400,000 |
The final day of play will commence at 12:00 CST in the Harrah's Tunica Event Center. Be sure to stay tuned to all of our live updates as we crown a Main Event champion and the newest WSOPC ring winner!
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