Kovalchuk Over a Million

Oleksii Kovalchuk is gunning for his third bracelet in three years, having won the $2,500 Omaha-8/Stud-8 last year and the $2,500 NLHE 6-max. event in 2011. The Ukrainian started the not-quite-final final table on the right foot as part of that effort.

Soon after play resumed, a five-way limped pot developed including both Alex Kravchencko playing from middle position and Kovalchuk playing from the hijack seat. All five checked the flop. Then when the fell on fourth street, it checked to Kravchenko who fired 60,000, then Kovalchuk responded with a pot-sized reraise to 390,000.

The others all folded, and Kravchenko tanked for three full minutes before calling the raise.

The river brought the , and when Kravchenko checked, Kovalchuk didn't hesitate before announcing he was all in. Kravchenko only waited about 15 seconds or so before letting his hand go.