Varnell's Lasts Less Than Half a Level

Craig Varnell, the WPT500 ARIA champ from this past summer, was one of the players to late register before the start of play here on Day 2. As it turned out, his stay was short and not at all sweet.

In what would be his final hand, Varnell opened for 15,000 from middle position and EPT10 Grand Final champ Antonio Buonanno defended from the big blind, which brought about a flop of . Buonanno checked, Varnell continued for 20,000, and Buonanno woke up with a check-raise to 50,000. Varnell proceeded to move all in for 163,000, and Buonanno snapped him off.

Buonanno:
Varnell:

Varnell was up out of his seat event before the was put out on the turn, which left him drawing dead. The meaningless was put out on the river to make it official, but by that time Varnell was already headed to the door.