If You Get Lost, You Can't Lose
Jonathan Battaglia likely spent the night restlessly dreaming about today's Seniors Championship, tossing and turning as he contemplated his strategy for this decisive second day of play. Holding a slightly above average stack of 36,700 entering play, Battaglia knew he would have room to maneuver as the payouts approached, but any big confrontations could easily leave him busted before the bubble broke. With a full night to sleep on it, Battaglia woke up refreshed and ready to take his seat here in the Amazon Room, with a shot at a gold WSOP bracelet within grasp... he just couldn't find that seat.
Apparently Battaglia got lost on his way to the Amazon Room, following bad directions for nearly an hour while the Seniors Championship progressed without him. In his absence, his unstacked pile of chips was blinded off, orbit after orbit, with players busting all around his empty seat.
Eventually, Battaglia stumbled upon the right entrance to the right room, finally making his way to Table #441 in the Purple section with just ten minutes or so remaining in the first level. When he started to stack his chips, still a bit flustered after his unexpected excursion into the wilds of the Rio, Battaglia heard his tablemates talking excitedly among themselves.
With realization slowly spreading across his face, Battaglia wondered aloud, "we're in the money?"
Having been outside of the room when the bubble bursting announcement was made, Battaglia had no idea that he had already cashed before looking at a single hand. Although he took an unorthodox route to securing his piece of the prizepool, Battaglia accomplished something nearly 4,000 other seniors did not, and all he had to do was get lost.