Ponakovs Ties With Kaufmann

Barny Boatman raised his button to 500,000 with J♠2♠ and Aleksejs Ponakovs made the call in the big blind with the 9♠ and an unknown card. Boatman continued for 400,000 on the 7♣J♦10♣ flop and Ponakovs check-called.

Boatman sized up to 750,000 on the 5♠ turn after another check from Ponakovs, forcing the Latvian superstar to check-fold.

The next hand, David Kaufmann raised to 500,000 on the button with K♠10♠ and Aleksejs Ponakovs three-bet to 2,000,000 with K♦Q♠ from the small blind. Kaufmann made the call and a 2♣4♠3♠ flop was dealt.

Ponakovs spent one of his time bank cards before putting in a bet of 450,000. Kaufmann made the call and the 9♣ turn arrived. Ponakovs slowed down and checked, after which Kaufmann followed suit.

The 3♦ river then completed the board and Ponakovs fired a small bet of 1,000,000 chips. Kaufmann took some time but eventually folded, seeing Ponakovs take the chip lead with just 30,000 more than Kaufmann.