With Bubble Nearing, Bellande Bets
Jean-Robert Bellande opened for 12,000 from middle position, and it folded around to James Calderaro in the small blind who reraised to 27,500. The big blind got out, and after thinking for some time Bellande announced he was reraising all in.
Calderaro asked for a count of Bellande's chips, and the dealer initially said the raise was for 86,000 more before correcting himself to say it was 106,000. The gum-chewing Calderaro tanked for about a minute while Bellande stared silently at down at the felt. Finally Calderaro let his hand go.
"That would have been disgusting," said Bellande, "if you [the dealer] announce '86' and he calls based on that." The dealer nodded in understanding, and subsequent table talk confirmed that the 20,000-chip difference could well have been meaningful.
"Oh, that would have been the most disgusting thing," repeated Bellande. Then he raised his eyebrows as another thought occurred to him. "Or the most beautiful thing," he said with a grin.
In any event, Bellande survives his bubble-approaching all-in, and now sits with about 165,000. Calderaro meanwhile has 480,000.
There are 717 players remaining.