Mercier Rises; Juanda Eliminated

In the last hand of the last level at the table, Team PokerStars Pro Jason Mercier doubled through five-time World Series of Poker gold bracelet winner John Juanda, leaving the latter crippled.

On the hand, action folded to Juanda on the button, and he raised to 4,200. Mercier called from the small blind, and Max Lehmanski called from the big blind. That brought about the flop, and Mercier and Lehmanski checked. Juanda bet 7,800, and only Mercier made the call. Lehmanski folded.

The turn was the , and Mercier checked again. Juanda slid out a bet of 15,500, and Mercier called. Then, the completed the board on the river. Mercier checked, and Juanda bet 27,500. Mercier check-raised all in for 79,100. After a bit of time in the tank, Juanda stuck in the chips to make the call.

Mercier rolled over the for a rivered set of nines. Juanda mucked his hand, and Mercier scooped the pot to move over 200,000 in chips. Juanda was left with under 8,000.

Just two hands later, in the current level, Juanda moved all in from under the gun for 6,900. Mercier was next to act and reraised to 11,400. Action then folded to Scott Seiver in the big blind, and he moved all in for 65,200. After half a minute or so, Mercier folded his hand.

Seiver showed the for another pair of nines that Juanda was up against. The at-risk Juanda showed the .