Event #60: $1,500 No-Limit 2-7 Single Draw | 2023 World Series of Poker

06-29-2023 16:09 UTC-8

Pat Eight for Watson

Yori Epskamp

Level 31 : Blinds 100,000/200,000, 300,000 ante

In the previous hand, Jason Mercier raised to 450,000 with AxKxJx7x2x. Mike Watson looked down at 9x9x6x3x2x and stuck in a three-bet to 1,400,000, to which Mercier quickly folded.

In the next hand, Watson got dealt an even better starting hand with 8x7x6x4x3x and raised to 450,000 himself. Mercier defended AxAx9x8x6x and pitched the aces, while Watson stood pat with his monster.

Mercier improved to a queen low with Qx9x8x6x5x and checked. Watson bet 600,000 and Mercier correctly dediced against it.

Player	Chips	Progress
Mike Watson	8,175,000 1,200,000	1,200,000

Jason Mercier	5,550,000 -1,200,000	-1,200,000

Tags: Jason Mercier Mike Watson

06-29-2023 16:05 UTC-8

Nearly Equal Stacks

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Yori Epskamp

Level 31 : Blinds 100,000/200,000, 300,000 ante

Mike Watson raised to 450,000 and Jason Mercier called. Mercier drew one and Watson drew two.

Mercier ended up with Jx10x9x6x4x and bet 300,000. Watson caught two queens to go with his 9x8x6x and gave it up.

Player	Chips	Progress
Mike Watson	6,975,000 -430,000	-430,000

Jason Mercier	6,750,000 440,000	440,000

Tags: Jason Mercier Mike Watson

06-29-2023 16:00 UTC-8

Heads-Up Photos

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Yori Epskamp

Photos by Danny Maxwell - PokerNews/WSOP.

Level: 31

Blinds: 100,000/200,000

Ante: 300,000

06-29-2023 15:55 UTC-8

Value for Mercier

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Yori Epskamp

Level 30 : Blinds 80,000/160,000, 240,000 ante

Mike Watson raised to 350,000 with Kx5x5x4x2x, and Jason Mercier called with AxJx10x9x5x. Mercier drew one and Watson drew two.

Mercier completed his jack with Jx10x9x6x5x, while Watson paired up with 8x5x4x4x2x.

Mercier bet 460,000, Watson wasn't a believer and called it off with a pair of fours.

Player	Chips	Progress
Mike Watson	7,405,000 -730,000	-730,000

Jason Mercier	6,310,000 730,000	730,000

Tags: Jason Mercier Mike Watson

06-29-2023 15:50 UTC-8

Watson Takes the Lead

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Yori Epskamp

Level 30 : Blinds 80,000/160,000, 240,000 ante

Mike Watson raised to 350,000 with 9x7x7x4x2x and Jason Mercier three-bet to 1,170,000 with Jx10x9x7x6x. Watson contemplated his options before settling on a call.

Mercier patted his rough jack while Watson flung one of his sevens in the muck. He caught the 5x to get there with a ninety-seven.

Mercier checked, and Watson carefully cut out a pot-sized bet of 2,600,000. Mercier slumped back in his chair, visibly unpleased with the situation.

It took the American about thirty seconds before settling on a fold, surrendering the chip lead to Watson in the process.

Player	Chips	Progress
Mike Watson	8,135,000 1,785,000	1,785,000

Jason Mercier	5,580,000 -1,785,000	-1,785,000

Tags: Jason Mercier Mike Watson

06-29-2023 15:45 UTC-8

Better Jack for Watson

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Yori Epskamp

Level 30 : Blinds 80,000/160,000, 240,000 ante

Mike Watson raised to 350,000 and Jason Mercier defended his big blind. Both players drew one card.

Mercier ended up with Jx9x8x6x5x after the draw and checked. Watson made a better jack with Jx8x7x6x2x and bet 475,000. Mercier called to see the bad news appear on the felt.

Player	Chips	Progress
Jason Mercier	7,365,000 355,000	355,000

Mike Watson	6,350,000 -355,000	-355,000

Tags: Jason Mercier Mike Watson

06-29-2023 15:36 UTC-8

Jason Mercier - Mike Watson Heads Up

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Danny Maxwell

Level 30 : Blinds 80,000/160,000, 240,000 ante

Tags: Jason Mercier Mike Watson

06-29-2023 15:32 UTC-8

Brad Ruben Eliminated in 3rd Place ($63,505)

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Yori Epskamp

Level 30 : Blinds 80,000/160,000, 240,000 ante

Brad Ruben shoved all in for 655,000 on the button and Mike Watson called from the small blind. Jason Mercier called as well from the big blind.

Watson elected to draw one, Mercier stood pat, and Ruben drew one. Both Watson and Mercier checked after the draw.

Mercier showed his pat Jx6x4x3x2x, good enough to beat Watson's Kx10x9x7x3x. Ruben ended up with Qx8x7x6x4x and saw his attempt to win his fifth bracelet come up just short.

Player	Chips	Progress
Jason Mercier	7,010,000 2,115,000	2,115,000

Mike Watson	6,705,000 -60,000	-60,000

Brad Ruben	Busted

Tags: Brad Ruben Jason Mercier Mike Watson

06-29-2023 15:22 UTC-8

Watson Doubles Through Ruben, Ruben Triples Through Watson and Mercier

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Ryan Gray

Level 30 : Blinds 80,000/160,000, 240,000 ante

Jason Mercier kicked off the action by raising 320,000 from the button. Brad Ruben called from the small blind, but then Mike Watson shoved all in for 3,405,000, with 9x7x4x4x3x.

Mercier immediately folded, but Ruben gave careful consideration, holding 9x6x4x2x2x. After asking Watson for a count, he put in the calling chips.

Ruben discarded one of his deuces, and Watson one of his fours. Watson caught a queen, and Ruben paired the four, decimating his stack and giving Watson the huge double up.

On the next hand, on the button, Ruben stuck his remaining 605,000 into the middle, Watson called from the small blind, and Mercier from the big.

Ruben drew one to KxJx9x5x4x, Watson two to AxJx8x7x2x, and Mercier two to KxQx8x7x5x. Watson paired an eight, Mercier made jack-ten, and Ruben jack-nine, and bounced back with the triple up.

Player	Chips	Progress
Mike Watson	6,765,000 3,120,000	3,120,000

Jason Mercier	4,895,000 -1,165,000	-1,165,000

Brad Ruben	2,055,000 -1,955,000	-1,955,000

Tags: Brad Ruben Jason Mercier Mike Watson