Eight on the River Sends Mackey to the Rail
James Mackey raised to 1,200 from the cutoff only to have Michael Binger make it 3,000 on the button. The blinds folded and Mackey popped it to 12,200. Binger grabbed a stack of chips, enough to put Mackey all in, and pushed them in the pot. Mackey called for his remaining 3,000 and the cards were turned up:
Mackey: 
Binger: 
Mackey was in a dominating position as the flop came down 
. Binger was still far behind but picked up some out when the 
peeled off on the turn. Mackey needed to fade a five, ten and eight on the river. Unfortunately for him, it was the 
and Binger hit a pair. Mackey was eliminated while Binger chipped up to 40,000.
"Pretty lucky," said Anh Van Nguyen from across the table.
"Skill, all skill," Binger responded. It is worth noting that Nguyen and Binger were both final tablists at the NAPT-Los Angeles Main Event final table back in November.