Set Saves Mercier

Dren Ukella raised it up to 82,000 from under the gun, only for Jason Mercier to push all in for a total of 437,000. With blinds of 20,000 and 40,000, everybody was wondering whether the German's small preflop raise was intended to entice a reraise, or to attack the blinds cheaply with a marginal hand, but whilst we were trapped in mid-deliberation, the action halted on former banker Martin Nielsen.

"He's not going to call," predicted Daniel Negreanu as Nielsen asked for a count, but Kid Poker's crystal ball was severely clouded as the Dane slid two columns of chips across the felt. "Woah!" exclaimed a genuinely startled Negreanu.

With Ukella stepping out of the way quicker than a hiccup, Mercier released a deep sigh and turned over {6-Spades}

. Nielsen tabled a domineering {10-Hearts}

The

flop was a safe one, no six and no draws, no nothing. As we awaited the turn card, the tension increased; Nielsen picked his ear and Mercier rubbed his chin, his expression already accepting of an eight place exit.

But the turn came the {6-Clubs}