Mercier And Bonomo Neck And Neck For Chip Lead

During the dinner break, we had Jason Mercier listed at 105,000 and Justin Bonomo listed at 108,500, well, Mercier was quick to let us know that he had 111,000 and that he was chip leader. He said jokingly, "Hey make sure you have me at 111,000, my parents would be disappointed if I was in second."

Right after that interaction, he played a hand that got him a few more. Jared Bleznick raised it up on the button and Mercier called in the big blind. He and Bleznick both drew three and then Mercier bet out with Bleznick calling. On draw two, Mercier only drew one and Bleznick drew two. Mercier bet out again, Bleznick raised, and Mercier called. On the third draw, Mercier stood pat and Bleznick took one more. Both players checked the third round and Mercier showed {8-} {7-} {5-} {3-} {2-} for the win. Bleznick was crippled by the hand and knocked out shortly after.

Right across the room, Justin Bonomo has continued to pick up ground as well and is up around 120,000. In this hand, Bonomo raised it up and was called by a player in the small blind. Bonomo drew two and the small blind drew three. After the draw, the small blind checked, Bonomo bet and the small blind called. Bonomo stood pat on the second draw and the small blind again drew three.

Again, the small blind check-called a bet from Bonomo and then drew one on the final draw. Bonomo stood pat again and the small blind checked to him on the third round. Bonomo bet again and got a call again. He showed {8-} {5-} {4-} {3-} {2-} to take down the pot and move up to around 120,000.

From hand to hand these two are about even in chips, but in the next few levels we'll see if one can separate himself from the other and start to establish a big chip lead.