Big Hand Liu

The player in the small blind bet 6,500 on the turn of a board. Peixin Liu and a third player both called.

The small blind then shipped it in for 5,300 total on the river and Liu called. The third player in the hand shoved over the top for a few thousand more and Liu called that as well.

Liu turned over the for the nut straight. The third player showed for two pair and the small blind did not show.

Liu, who is a contender in the MSPT Player of the Year race and needs to finish eighth or better to overtake current leader Mark Hodge, is now up to three times the starting stack and has the early lead.

"And that's why they call him big hand Lui," said one player at the table.