Sirous Baghchehsaraie opened to 10,000 in the hijack seat, and John Monnette flatted from the cutoff seat. Brent Hanks called from the big blind as well, and it was three ways to the flop.
It came , and Baghchehsaraie continued out into the pot with 31,500. Monnette quickly folded, but Hanks check-raised the pot. Baghchehsaraie had about 50,000 left behind, and he put the rest of them across the line to put himself at risk.
Showdown
Baghchehsaraie:
Hanks:
Baghchehsaraie's aces were in front for the time being, but he was going to need to fade a world of outs. The turn gave Hanks a flush draw as well, and the river locked up the knockout, runner-runner style. It's Baghchehsaraie who falls in 22nd place, and our command+V is getting a break for the rest of the day. He'll pocket $8.098 for his work over the last three days.
Hanks is now the chip daddy with 410,000 chips towered in front of him.
Michele Limongi raised to 7,000 in middle position, Gregory Dyer called on the button, and John Racener defended his big blind. The flop fell , and the action checked to Dyer who slid out 22,500. Racener quickly folded. Limongi tank-called, and the turn was the . Both players checked.
Limongi led for 25,000 after the rivered, and Dyer made the call.
"Flush," Limongi said, opening up .
The problem was, the Italian only had one club, not two. He stared at his hand for a moment in shock.
"Straight," Dyer announced, tabling . Limongi stood up from the table and walked away to recooperate, while Dyer raked in the pot to push him close to 200,000 chips.
In early position, Mikko Pispala opened to 9,000, and Adam Kornuth called from the hijack.
The two were heads-up on the flop, and Pispala gave up control of the betting, check-calling a bet of 12,000 instead. The turn drew another check from Pispala, and Kornuth made a healthy bet of 45,000. Pispala's response was an all-in shove for 102,200, and Kornuth made the call to put him at risk.
Showdown
Pispala:
Kornuth:
Kornuth was drawing, and Pispala's lowly pair of threes were in front. He had to fade a lot of outs, though, and the river was clean and safe. Threes hold, and he's up to 252,000 now, knocking Kornuth back to 170,000.
Getting short on chips, Max Pescatori got to take a free flop from the big blind, and it came . The Italian Pirate had just 6,900 chips left, and he shoved them in first to bet. Adam Kornuth quickly called, showing up . Pescatori's was trailing but drawing live to overcards and the flush. The turn was a blank, and the river was the last card of Pescatori's day. He's out in 23rd place with enough money to buy a few new pairs of sunglasses and bandanas.
Racener brought in with the showng, Pandya completed, and Limongi put in a raise. Racener and Pandya called. On fourth street, Racener checked, Pandya bet, and both Limongi and Racener called.
Racener checked again on fifth, Pandya tossed his last bet in, and only Limongi called.
Pandya:
Limongi:
Limongi's pair of eights were in the lead, and they held on sixth and seventh. Neither player made a low, and Limongi scooped the pot, eliminating Pandya from the tournament.
It took about a full minute to announce the blinds and limits, but that's all out of the way. The cards are in the air, and Day 3 is off and running, eight-game style.
Welcome back to the Rio for Day 3 of Event #23: $2,500 Eight-Game Mix!
Yesterday, 210 players returned on Day 2 with hopes of cashing and dreams of making a run at a gold bracelet. Only 25 survived the day, including our chip leader John Racener (363,600), who is looking for his first WSOP gold bracelet. Mayu Roca Uribe (327,100), Adam Geyer (278,800), Adam Kornuth (241,00), and Michele Limongi (237,800) are right on his heels however, and they too are all looking for bracelet number one.
There are a few of bracelet winner remaining including Eric Buchman (203,400) and John Juanda (187,000). Both players have already made a final table at the 2011 World Series of Poker, and Juanda is looking to win two bracelets in less than a week.
The plan is to play until a champion is crowned, unless of course we complete ten levels. Then we will return for a Day 4 tomorrow to complete the tournament. The cards will be in the air in roughly a half hour, we'll see you then!