Tom Kunze Eliminated in 3rd Place ($349,737)
Justin Zaki open shoved from the small blind and, after asking for a count, Tom Kunze called off with the slightly larger stack in the big blind.
Justin Zaki: A♠8♣
Tom Kunze: K♣9♦
Kunze was ahead but could not hold on the K♥Q♦4♠4♦J♠ runout, handing Zaki a full double and leaving Kunze with just 300,000.
On the very next hand, Zaki limped on the button while Kunze was forced all in from the small blind. Phil Hellmuth then checked his option in the big blind.
Both active players checked through the 6♠J♥3♥ flop to the K♠ turn at which point Hellmuth led out for 900,000, getting a fold from Zaki.
Tom Kunze: 5♣4♥
Phil Hellmuth: K♣9♥
Kunze was in rough shape and could not make a comeback on the 4♠ river, sending him to the rail in 3rd place and setting up a heads-up showdown between Phil Hellmuth, seeking to extend his record WSOP bracelet haul to 17, and Justin Zaki, hoping to win his first bracelet.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
19,600,000
8,900,000
|
8,900,000 |
|
Busted |