Snead Over Saul

The pace of eliminations has slowed and the number of tense moments have increased as the tournament inches toward the money. Just now came a somewhat dramatic hand without a showdown between Paul Snead and Kevin Saul, with Snead showing a willingness to put all of his chips at risk despite having an above-average stack.

The hand began with Snead opening for 13,000 from middle position, then the action moving to Saul who leaned over to ask what Snead had behind. "About 250," said Snead, foreshadowing, in a way, the fact that all of those chips would be ultimately pushed forward before the hand concluded.

Saul reraised to 28,500, and it folded back around to Snead who called. The flop came and Snead checked. Saul bet 25,500, then Snead check-raised to 64,500 total. Saul paused several beats, then called.

The turn then brought the and a fairly quick declaration from Snead that he was all in. Saul sat in thought, sipping from his soda and thinking over the situation for a full minute.