Seidel Advancing

First in from the cutoff seat, Yevgeniy Timoshenko opened to 6,600, and Erik Seidel three-bet to 18,000 on the button. From the big blind, Shawn Buchanan came in from the cold with a four-bet to 38,000 straight, folding Timoshenko quickly. Seidel was undeterred, though. Munching casually on some trail mix, he pulled his bet back and flicked out three green chips worth 25,000 apiece. Buchanan had just over 200,000 left in front of him now, and he paused to deliberate for a few moments before surrendering.

Seidel (somehow) failed to cash in this event in 2011, but he's poised to change that this time around. The eight-time bracelet winner and most successful tournament player in history is up over the half-million chip mark now — comfortably perched in the Top 5.