The Next Ring Will Have to Wait For Nguyen

Huy Nguyen was probably one of the betting favorites to win this thing despite his short stack — until just a moment ago when he met his demise.

Nguyen was down to 68,000 when he stuck it in with {6-Clubs} {8-Clubs} . In the next seat over, Stephen Ma made the call with his monster stack, and the rest of the table folded out of the way. Ma showed up {A-Clubs} {4-Hearts} , a small favorite to earn the knockout.

Nguyen flopped about as good as he could hope for as the dealer spread out {4-Diamonds} {8-Hearts} {5-Clubs} . The {J-Spades} turn was a blank, and he was one card from the double. But the river was a cruel {4-Clubs} . It took Nguyen and the rest of the table an extra beat to realize that he'd been beaten by trips, and he wished his table luck as he headed toward the cashier.

As he left, the table was giving him respect out of earshot. Everyone was in agreement about the high level of Nguyen's game, but his run for another ring has come up just a bit short this time around.