Bala Bubbles To End Play on Day 1b

[Removed:341] recently lost a pot to Rickie Merritt in which Merritt bet a flop of and called a raise from Bala to 45,000, only to check-shove over a 60,000-chip bet on the turn . Bala folded and found himself with just over 100,000 left in his stack.

On a subsequent hand, Bala opened to 14,000 from middle position and action folded around to Quan Donot Nguyen, who defended his big blind. Nguyen checked to Bala on the flop and quickly called when Bala went all in for his remaining 100,000 or so.

[Removed:341]:
Quan Donot Nguyen:

Nguyen had flopped top two and was out in front against Bala's queens. The turn came to give Bala one card left to improve for his tournament life. The river fell .

"Stone bubble," Bala said when the carnage was complete. The dealer sent the pot Nguyen's way and the tournament director made the announcement that play was finished with 7:30 remaining on the clock in Level 16.

Stay tuned for official chip counts on Nguyen, Merritt and the other remaining 48 players to advance from today's heat. A recap of the day's action will also be provided shortly.